Another chapter, yeah! It took me a bit to work everything out how I wanted it in this chapter. It'll be at least another week after this before I get anything more up, because I'm going to Florida and will be internet-less. But I'll be writing, nevertheless.
Oh, and Harry Potter and all things related still don't belong to me!
Aroung the beginning of October, James invited his friends to crash at his flat after hitting Honeydukes but before heading back to the castle, and he had thrown up a silencing charm in case Lily was studying in the library. Lily liked to come to the falt and use their library on Saturdays, as seventh years could go into Hogsmeade on any given weekend. Consequently, none of the Marauders heard Lily when she came home with her best friend to give him a look at her flat. Neither Lily nor Severus heard the Marauders.
It was misfortune, plain and simple, that Sirius Black and Severus Snape had to use the loo at nearly the same time as one another. Sirius was washing his hands when Severus came through the other door.
Sirius said cooly, slightly surprised but knowing Lily must've brought him there.
Snape was enraged. What are you doing? Breaking and entering is a crime, you know! Sirius snorted in amusement, and then Snape swung at his jaw and connected. Bastard! Bad enough you and the others are always sneaking around Hogwarts, but to invade a private residence! Dumbledore will have to expel you now! He puncuated his words with his fists.
Sirius was thinking fast. Because of the silencing charm, James and the others wouldn't hear him. He made a desperate decision. he bellowed. Call off your best friend, PLEASE!
It had the desired effect. Lily pushed the door open and gasped. Sev, stop! Sev! No, Severus! Finally she managed to pull Snape off Sirius, and she flung the adjoining door open. James... help, she panted, and the other Marauders sprung into action, James taking charge.
Bloody hell! Moony, you and Wormtail get Padfoot back up to the castle and Madam Pomfrey. Lily, I'm guessing you need to talk to him. He jerked a finger towards the still-fuming Snape. You want me to stick around?
Lily paused, then nodded. I think that would be best. The living room? James nodded and led the odd group into the aforementioned room, grabbing each of them a butterbeer before sitting down. Snape resolutely glared at his, refusing to open it.
LIly began the conversation. Severus, I'm afraid I wasn't completely honest with you. I don't ahve a flat all to myself. I do have a flatmate.
And it's him? Snape snarled.
James nodded. Yes, I am Lily's flatmate. Actually, I found the place. He winked at Lily, willing her to understand he didn't really mean what he was about to say. She's only here at my discretion. Otherwise she'd've been with those... relatives of hers all summer. The implication was clear – James knew Lily was a Muggle-born, and knew what that meant to Slytherin's image if it became common knowledge. Snape glared, red-hot, before he sighed and his shoulders sagged.
Point conceded.
No more fights?
James stood up. I'd better get back to school and check on Padfoot. Lily – don't forget we're supposed to meet tomorrow afternoon at 3 in the library before we meet with Dumbledore. There was no meeting with Dumbledore, but James knew that they would need to talk after the day's rather tumultuous events. Sighing heavily, James trudged up towards Hogwarts.
James stopped by Gryffindor Tower before he went to the Hospital Wing, hoping Padfoot would have been released already. None of the Marauders were around, however, and no one remembered seeing them recently, so James climbed the stairs to the Hospital Wing and entered over Madam Pomfrey's protests.
Padfoot! You okay? James asked, concerned.
Sirius nodded ruefully. I didn't really think he'd actually beat me up, y'know? But Pomfrey says I'll be out of here by dinner.
IF you're feeling better, Remus stressed reprovingly. James stifled a laugh once more at how protective Moony was of his oft-implusive mate.
Yes, love, Sirius' voice was sulky but submissive. Even though many outside observers thought Sirius to be the more dominant one in the relationship, he himself knew, as did the rest of the Marauders, that it was merely an illusion allowed by Moony, who was far more dominant in truth.
Did you get things sorted out with Snape? Remus asked then.
James nodded. I kind of implicitly threatened him – didn't really like doing that – but it shut him up quickly.
Threatened him? Peter squeaked.
James snorted. Really I just threatened to release some information I have that could damage Slytherin House.
Oooh, what? Padfoot was practically drooling.
Can't tell. Not really mine to tell, but Lily can't blackmail her own best friend.
The others were even more curious then, but the set look of James' face told them all to drop the subject.
James headed to the library the next afternoon to meet with Lily, using the same excuse of Head Boy business that he had thrown out to Snape the day before. He went to the back of the library to a hidden corner where the two friends often met to talk unobserved. Lily was already there.
James said softly. How's it going?
Lily sighed and smiled sadly. It's been better, but Severus agreed to keep his mouth shut at least. And, yes, I know that you didn't mean what you said to him yesterday.
James smiled in relief as he dropped into the nearest armchair. Good. I hated to do things that way, but I didn't really know what else to do.
Well, I think it worked out okay in the end. The pair sat in silence for a few moments. Can I ask you a question, though? Why did you agree to share a flat with me?
James shrugged and studied Lily's face for a moment. We're alike, in alot of ways. I know you may be Slytherin and I may be Gryffindor, but I don't either one of us believes that one's House determines everything about a person. We all have moments of bravery, just as we all have moments of cunning, or loyalty, or wit. The Houses are more about what predominates, I guess. Not many people agree with me on it, but I personally think the House rivalries go way too far. Oh, I know, we pulled our share of tricks on Slytherin when we were younger, but we tend to go for just Snape most days now, and that's for a whole complex list of reasons. James smiled. You obviously don't hold alot of the prejudices that some members of your House do. That, and we're both orphans. I mean, different reasons, sure, and different circumstances, but no matter how much the Blacks insisted that they loved having me stay with them, I'm still not their child, and never would be.
And that's why?
Well, you seemed nice. And I was right. I don't regret it, certainly, James laughed.
Lily shook her head, and started to speak, but James interrupted her. Why did you accept my offer?
Because Petunia and her husband are the worst sort of Muggles. They lock my school things away each summer, and last year I had to buy my supplies and things by owl because I wasn't allowed to go to Diagon Alley. I have to do a fair amount of the chores so that Petunia can go to her bridge club and garden club and all those other gatherings of gossipy women. That, and you were right. I don't hold much with House rivalries, and you offered. No one else I knew would have even thought twice about me. She grinned then. Once I moved in, I knew things were going to be okay. You had Jane Austen on your shelf!
James blushed. Don't tell anyone! I'd never live it down if the rest of the Marauders knew my favorite book was Pride and Prejudice.
It's your favorite?
James mumbled, and his blush grew brighter. I think I'll just disappear into the floor now, he muttered as Lily laughed heartily.
I can only imagine the reaction that the rest of the school would have, James. I mean, your friends would tease you about it intermittently, but the rest of the school? Your reputation would be completely ruined!
Ah, then I'd have to tell everyone that you're not a mean and nasty Slytherin.
Oh? What am I then?
A cunning and clever Slytherin who likes to tease her flatmate far, far too much!'
You're one to talk about teasing, Lily shot back.
James smiled. That's the fun in it, after all.
The two continued chatting for a bit, and James was about to leave when Lily stopped him. Wait. I was wondering... well, everyone knows you do so well in transfiguration, and that's what I absolutely can't seem to get straight, so I was wondering if you'd... help me with it?
James stared, astonished. Yes, this was Lily, but he still never thought he would see a Slytherin approach a Gryffindor for help, House rivalry or no. Well. Sure, I guess. But only if you'll help me out with charms should the need arise.
The pair shook hands and then separated quickly, heading in opposite directions from their hidden corner. Good thing he's worth it, thought Lily.
Good thing she's worth it, James thought.
