Bets, Belligerence, & Bliss

By SXS

Disclaimer: I don't own any copyrighted aspects of this story nor did I intend any copyright infringement.

Chapter Four: Halting the Hazard

Lily Evans could hardly breathe.

The teachers began to intervene; Professor Flitwick ordered his house to evacuate the table for a moment, as Madam Pomfrey inspected the now-unconscious James Potter. His entire face was drenched a mixture of blood and the mashed potatoes he had fallen onto. Professor Dumbledore's blue eyes seemed to burn with worry as he stared over, and Professor McGonagall was glaring at the Slytherin table with utmost rage.

"D-D'you think he'll be alright?" whispered Lily, and felt Alice grip her shoulder firmly.

"Madam Pomfrey hasn't ever failed," Alice assured, but sounded a bit shaky, herself. "If that James Potter just hadn't been flying around at dinner on a broomstick—why would he be doing that, anyway?"

"I made a bet with him," Lily stated apathetically. Alice stared over, and Lily continued, "I made a bet that if I said yes to a date with him by the end of this week, then I'd owe him three dates, calling him by his first name, and a kiss. And if I won, then he'd never speak to me unless it was absolutely necessary ever again."

"Lily!" squeaked Alice worriedly, "I can't believe you!"

"What?" Lily responded, already guilty enough. "It's just a bet!"

"I know, but the stakes are really serious for him!" Alice insisted, "You have to talk to him and call it off before something like this happens again!"

"But he's unconscious," Lily muttered feebly. Alice gave her a look, and then left the table without another word. Lily sat there, looking at the Slytherin table, where a small group of Slytherins were laughing and clapping Severus Snape on the back. Lily grimaced; Severus probably was behind this…it seemed so long ago that they had been best friends.

Overcome with the mixed guilt of the severity of the bet and of Potter's injury, Lily stood up and headed off.

Sirius Cygnus Padfoot Black was going to bloody murder Snivellus Whatever-his-middle-name-was Snape.

"That bastard, I ought to kill him," Sirius spat angrily, on his way to the Hospital Wing with Peter and Remus. Peter was stricken with worry, but Remus seemed strangely calm. "I saw him and all his buddies patting him on the back like he was some sort of hero—well let's he how that hero fares against my Stomach Bursting Hex."

"Snape didn't do it, Padfoot," Remus said evenly. "And even though I know there are many other reasons why murdering and bursting his stomach is justified, this isn't one of them."

"What're you talking about, Moony?" questioned Peter, who also quite angry with the incident. "I saw all those Slytherins nearly snogging him after the incident."

"That's because I tipped off one of them falsely," Remus explained calmly. "It was me who made James's broom stop—but let me explain," he said quickly, as Sirius abruptly whirled around, drew his wand, and pointed it at Remus's neck with a most frightening expression. Remus continued when he realized Sirius was not going to drive a wand through his neck, "James and I made a bet. It was about him winning Lily over, and this was only part of it. I am giving him an enormous advantage, so it is unlikely I will lose. Oh—and the bet was that he and Lily would be together by the end of seventh year, or probably sooner, definitely sooner, I haven't had chocolate in two days and it's practically killing me…" Here, Peter shot him a befuddled expression, but let him continue. Remus further explained the plan, and when he was done, left Sirius with his mouth hanging open and Peter chewing his fingernails.

"Will it work?" gasped Sirius, his eyes shining with a new respect for Remus.

"Of course it will," Remus replied briskly, "Nothing stands between me and my chocolate."

"Wait…" Peter interjected, still trying to piece together the plan. "So, why was the whole accident necessary?"

"So Lily would visit James in the Hospital Wing," Remus replied matter-of-factly. "And they could have a very heartfelt discussion about their feelings for each other."

"Heartfelt?" scoffed Sirius, now grinning, "Remus, in case you haven't noticed, Lily thinks James is the world's biggest prat. I'll be you four Galleons she won't even show up."

"Make that six and you're on," Remus replied, with a hungry glint in his eye.

"I'll throw in two if Lily makes it for you, Moony," Peter offered, digging in his pockets. Sirius was about to joke with Remus, but instead caught sight of his slightly maniacal grin and arranged his face into a bemused expression.

James Potter was utterly amazed.

Remus's idea was pure genius—everything had worked accordingly, and it had all worked just as Remus had said. He somehow knew the teachers would hardly intervene because they all rather liked James, and because they knew his intentions were harmless, and only for show. After all, they knew he could inflict much more considerable damage, and Remus had predicted that they were relieved it wasn't something involving multiplying Dungbombs, like last week. Remus also predicted that Snivellus would be quick to take the glory for James's apparent downfall, and one last thing that had James's mind whirling.

Lily Evans had come to visit him.

When she entered, Remus, Peter, and Sirius were still visiting James, talking about how to charm Snivellus to bleat like a sheep constantly. The door creaked open a bit, and a tress of auburn hair could be seen. James's heart skipped a couple beats, hoping for the best.

And really, it was the best.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" Sirius had screamed, as he jumped up out of his seat and waved his arms vigorously. "Utterly—ridiculously—MOONY!" Peter had shrugged noncommittally and handed Remus a couple Galleons, and Sirius eyed him menacingly as Remus received another four.

"We're sorry, Lily, but we're going to have to go," Remus announced abruptly, and James felt slightly disappointed at Lily's alarm towards being alone with him in the room. "I have to take care of my, ah…pet rabbit."

"Is that what you mean when you talk about your 'furry little problem?'" Lily questioned.

"Sort of," Remus said, and Sirius grunted, still sore from losing the bet. The three boys rose out of their seats and shuffled out of the hospital wing. Remus, though, quickly turned around, as if realizing something; ran over to James and whispered urgently, "Let her call off the bet, like we said, and improvise." He then hurried off.

Lily Evans sat rigidly in the straight-backed chair next to James's bed. His face was not scarred or bloody anymore, although he had several bandages on his head and neck area, and his cheek had a large bruise. Lily felt the guilt bubbling up within her again, and thought about what Alice had said.

"P-Potter," she stammered, unsure of her words. "I think we should call the bet off."

Potter looked very shocked, and replied, "I don't want to."

"Why not? If it's gotten you injured this badly, I mean, we can't let it continue!" gasped Lily, wringing Potter's sheets. "You don't want to get hurt again, do you?"

"But—but, no! If we call it off now, how else will I ever get to go on more than one date with you? This is my only chance to get it right!" insisted Potter, hazel eyes staring into vivid green ones.

"Oh, why does it matter?!" exclaimed Lily, throwing her arms in the air, "Just ask another girl, there are plenty who are prettier than I am, anyway!"

"It matters," Potter pressed, "because I love you. Only you."

Lily suddenly felt her chest sort of explode with emotion; it contracted and let out a pang, and she felt a hot blush rising to her cheeks. Her grip tightened on the edge of her chair, and she couldn't look into Potter's eyes. Suddenly, her mouth felt very dry, and she couldn't find any words to say.

"Here," Potter suggested, dropping his gaze, "Let's make a deal. Let's end the bet right now, okay?"

"U-Um, sure," Lily responded, not really sure at all.

"Lily Evans, will you go with me to Hogsmeade next weekend on a date?"

Lily felt herself begin to sweat; it wasn't supposed to be this hard. Just by saying no, she would ensure two Potter-free years—two years where the obnoxious James Potter would not constantly ask her to Hogsmeade, shower her in false compliments, or dump various gifts on her. But then she looked up, and found James staring at her again. His hazel eyes had an expression she'd never seen him show before; compassion. Her heart was beating faster.

No—no! This couldn't be happening; after all, didn't James just want her because she was pretty, as someone cute on his arm to show off? He didn't actually love her, did he? He didn't actually even know her; the two had never been close. So how could he possibly say he loved her with such conviction? She couldn't say yes, she just couldn't.

And yet….

Lily opened her mouth, and gave her shaky answer.

A/N: Lots of POV changes, sorry. Answer in the next chapter, in case you didn't catch it.