Hello all! Another little chapter for you! Lots of Jily :) :) xx
Chapter 4
James gripped Lily's hand tightly as they patrolled the corridor. He enjoyed the astonished expressions of his fellow classmates when they saw them walking hand-in-hand. For so many years, everyone knew that Lily Evans loathed him with every fibre of her being – he even knew that. And yet here she was, actually enjoying his company and wanting to be with him. He smiled and gazed down at her fondly. Her bright green eyes scanned the carriages and her dark red hair shone in the light that peered through the windows. She was so beautiful, and James couldn't believe that she was finally his.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his side, and kissed her forehead softly. Lily beamed up at him and stood up on her toes to kiss him. Suddenly, Lily gave a cry and stumbled forward into James, almost knocking him through the window. She whipped around and glared fiercely at the two retreating figures sprinting down the corridor.
"Gideon and Fabian Prewett!" she screamed, hands on her hips and lips pursed dangerously. James knew that face extremely well and was glad he was not in the Prewetts' shoes. The two fifth years stopped in their tracks and slowly turned around, large grins on both of their freckled faces.
"Ahh, Lily Evans," Gideon said as he stepped forward. "You're looking radiant today, isn't she Fab?"
His twin brother nodded and smirked. "Utterly exquisite," he added. James scoffed and stifled a laugh at their attempt at flattery. He knew Lily well enough to know that it was useless. An angry Evans was like a hippogriff whose pride had been hurt.
"You two know better than to run through the corridors," she scolded. "Don't let me catch you again or I'll take house points off of you."
The twins put on deeply serious expressions. "We won't... " they said gravely. James winked at them and they grinned back devilishly, before heading back down the corridor. James heard them mutter, "Won't let you catch us," and he laughed, earning him a scolding glare from Lily.
"What?" he asked innocently.
She pouted at him and crossed her arms. "Don't encourage them. You're Head Boy now; you've got to set an example."
James rolled his eyes. "Come on, Evans, lighten up. What's wrong with having a little fun?"
"Not everything is a game, Potter," she said coldly, swinging her thick, red hair to the side and fixing him with stony glare. James chuckled and cupped her face softly.
"I can't even handle how beautiful you are when you're angry, Evans."
His words melted her resolve and she smiled as he kissed her nose gently. They continued to make their way down the corridor, hand in hand. Their footsteps fell into step so succinctly. They didn't talk but there was no need. They were simply comfortable being with each other in silence. Eventually, however, Lily broke the silence.
"Petunia didn't see me off this year," she said quietly. James glanced down at her and was surprised to see her looking upset. "It's the first year that's happened," she continued. "Normally, mum and dad drag her along, but not this year."
She gave an uncharacteristic sniff and James squeezed her hand affectionately. "Hey, don't worry about it," he told her. "Your sister's a right old cow."
Lily looked horrified and frowned up at him. "James!" she scolded. "Don't talk about her like that! She is my sister."
James chuckled and kissed her forehead. "She's still a cow. If she doesn't want to see you off, that's her loss. You don't need her anyway," he winked at her. "You've got me."
Lily gave a cruel laugh and rolled her eyes. "Great," she drawled sarcastically. "That's just what I wanted; to be stuck with you."
But, she leaned into his side and wrapped an arm around his waist. "Thanks," she muttered and James knew that she was grateful for his support.
As they continued walking, James voiced his concerns for his parents. More and more people were disappearing daily and James couldn't help but worry that his parents could be next. When he told Lily this, she smiled up at him.
"You shouldn't worry," she told him. "Your parents are well-respected Purebloods. They'll be the last people the Death Eaters will target. Isn't your father a descendant of the Black family?"
James nodded. "But that doesn't mean they're safe," he continued. "If anything, they're even more of a threat. I mean, they aren't on his side. They're fighting against him. They'll be seen as blood traitors."
Lily reached up and kissed his cheek softly. "Don't worry," she said. "Your parents are great Aurors."
They continued walking until they arrived at the Slytherin carriages. James scowled as they passed a few third year carriages. For some reason, even the youngsters seemed to possess something that other teenagers didn't. A sort of confidence, as though they would be safe from all the chaos that was currently taking place in world. It made James sick. Being a Gryffindor, he held a natural grudge against Slytherins, but he knew despite his prejudice, that there were good people in that house. Sirius' cousin Andromeada was one of them. As he passed a few first year carriages, he couldn't help but wonder if some of these children had grown up only knowing what their parents had told them; that Purebloods were the only true possessors of magic. In a way, he felt sorry for them. Like Sirius, they were probably forbidden to even sympathise with Muggles. Hopefully, when this war finally ended, such prejudice would cease to exist.
James sighed deeply. He felt Lily freeze beside him and followed her gaze. His grip on her shoulder tightened and his jaw locked as he saw who was in the carriage. A group of Slytherin seventh years were slouched around the carriage. James recognised the fair-haired, wiry form of Avery, whose body was obstructed by Tessa Zabini. Her body was draped over him casually as she played with his hair. The thick, burly form of Mulciber was hunched by the window, shovelling ample amounts of food into his wide open mouth. Priscilla Nott sat next to him, scowling as she powdered her snooty, upturned nose. But it was the thin, sallow face in the back corner that made James' teeth grind together. Severus Snape. The slimy git was leaning against the window, his fingers trailing on the window pane aimlessly. James seethed. As much as he hated all of the people inside that particular carriage, it was Snape he loathed the most. Everything about him; from his cold, calculating sneer to his abnormally large nose; set James' teeth on edge and his grip around Lily's waist tightened instinctively.
As though he sensed their presence, Snape lifted his dark, greasy head and met Lily's eyes. James watched her as her face fell and her mouth opened.
"Lil?" James asked after she didn't say anything. She shook her head as though she had been dosing off and gave him a large, disconcerting smile.
"Let's go," she said, already on the move. James sighed and followed her, casting a glance back at the Slytherins. Snape's black, bottomless eyes followed their every movement.
Once they were in the safety of the hallway, James pulled on his girlfriend's arm and raised his eyebrows at her.
"What was that about?" he asked her.
Lily bit her lip hesitantly and fixed her brilliant green eyes on the plaid carpet at her feet. "I think I should forgive Severus," she muttered, still refusing to meet James' gaze.
"Forgive Snape?" James cried incredulously. "The git called you a... he's just as bad as the rest of them, Lily!"
"I know that," she admitted, fiddling with the hem of her skirt nervously. James caught her hand and forced her to look at him. "It's just, after everything we've been through together, the least I can do is forgive him. We'll never be... like we were, but with this war... I just don't want to have any regrets."
James remained uncertain and ran a hand through the back of his already messy, black hair. As unbelievable as he found her words to be, he could also understand why. If something happened to Snape, Lily would be forever grieved that she had never forgiven him, it would haunt her for the rest of her life. James felt a surge of affection for her. That was so Lily; she was such a selfless, caring person, always trying to put things right. Of course she would want to forgive Snape. Snape, the bastard who had called her the most disgusting insult you could ever say to someone who was Muggle born. James pulled Lily close and kissed her forehead.
"You're too forgiving for your own good, you know."
Lily laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Ahh, Miss Evans!" boomed a deep, hearty voice. James and Lily turned towards to sound to see Professor Slughorn's enormous belly blocking the doorway into his compartment. He beamed jovially at Lily and his forehead was shiny with sweat.
"Oh, hello Professor," Lily inclined her head politely. "Did you have a nice summer?"
James tried not to roll his eyes at Lily's flattery. He didn't have much time for Professor Slughorn. The old potions master thought Lily was a little ray of sunshine, but hardly even acknowledged James' presence.
"Rather splendid, Miss Evans," Slughorn chuckled, patting his round belly. "And thank you for sending me that lovely collection of crystallised pineapple. You know it is my favourite!"
Lily blushed. "It wasn't a problem, sir," she said.
"So, I presume you will be attending my 'Back to School' party this year?"
"I'd be delighted, Professor," Lily nodded happily. "May I bring James with me?"
James' eyes bulged and he glanced down at Lily incredulously. Surely, she couldn't think he'd actually want to go to one of those silly parties?
Slughorn gave James a quick once over with his small, watery eyes and broke out into a broad grin when he noticed James' Head Boy badge glinting proudly on his sweater.
"Of course!" he boomed. "The more the merrier. Are you sure you can't come in for just a quick cup of tea?"
Lily gave him a radiant smile and shook her head. "I'd love to, Professor, but we really should get to back to our duties."
The potions master nodded his head gravely. "Of course, of course, you have far more important things to attend to. I look forward to seeing you both after the feast."
He retreated back into his compartment and shut the door. Once he was out of ear shot, James scowled at Lily.
"Why?" he asked dramatically, throwing his hands up in anguish.
Lily frowned. "What?"
"Why do you have to drag me to your little Slug Club gathering?" He made a face and earned himself a harsh glare.
"I thought you would want to go," she retorted.
James sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Since when have I ever expressed any interest in going to one of those pompous parties? So I can be surrounded by a bunch of glory seeking prats rambling on about their prospects."
Lily huffed and rolled her eyes. "'Cause you're not glory seeking at all," she muttered sullenly.
James ignored her remark. "The only reason I'm allowed to go, is because I'm Head Boy now."
She groaned. "Did you ever stop to think that maybe I want you to be there?"
"But why?"
Lily threw her hands up and made a frustrated cry. "I don't know, Potter? Maybe because you're my boyfriend and I like to spend time with you? Maybe because I hate those parties too and want to have some decent company? Or maybe because snogging you behind a curtain would be much more entertaining than listening to Slughorn prattle on about some half-wit's latest achievement?"
By the time Lily had finished her speech, she was breathing quite heavily and her face was contorted in rage. James blinked slowly, his mouth slightly agape. He had no idea Lily would explode like that. It suddenly made him want her. He closed the gap between them and gripped the back of her neck, kissing her fiercely. When they pulled back, Lily was just as breathless as before, though for an entirely different reason.
"Don't think you can win me over that easily, Potter," she warned him, but the lust dancing in her green eyes betrayed her feelings. James grinned and leaned back in for another kiss but was pushed away. He pouted, but Lily remained firm, staring him down with pursed lips and her hands on her hips.
"Fine," he sighed in defeat. "I'll go with you to Slughorn's little party and we can snog behind a curtain as much as you like."
Lily smirked and sidled up to him, placing a small hand on his shoulder. "And you're not to complain about it," she told him as she brushed her lips to his.
James wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. "Why would I complain?" he mused against her lips. He felt her chuckle against him and placed a kiss near her ear. "Do you want to find an empty compartment?"
Lily blushed and giggled, her eyes darkening. She nodded her head and James took her hand and led her swiftly down the corridor, completely abandoning their Head Boy and Girl duties. And James couldn't have cared less.
Pretty please review! :) xx
