Hey! It's been awhile (since I could hold my head up high… love that song!), but I've been busy. Actually no that's a lie. I've just been watching Lost non-stop for a month. But I've caught up, right in time for the month long hiatus. Yay! Alright, I'm pretty sure no one really wants to hear any more about my TV habits, so onward!
Disclaimer: Still not owning it. Whoop-de-doo.
Potter and I trudged back to our office after a long and fruitless afternoon of chasing Dinkels-turned-woman. He was absolutely nowhere. By the time we had managed to get help for the poor woman who Dinkles had stolen hair from and morphed into (turns out he has a handy stock of potions too), he was gone. Potter had run after him at first, but to no avail. To top it off we spent the last two hours searching for Dinkels in the rain. We were both miserable.
The lady was okay though. She'll just be a little sore from the spell Dinkels hit her with.
"Well, that didn't go too horribly," Potter said as he slouched into his chair.
"Sure, Greg could have kidnapped us and held us for ransom instead of trying to serve us tea." I said sarcastically. I probably shouldn't be lashing out at him, but I cant help it. I guess I thought it would have been easier. Don't ask me why. I know it's a really, really hard job, but… Ugh! I don't know!
"And that would have been your fault, wouldn't it? You were so eager to get into his apartment. Are you like that with all guys or was he special?"
I felt my mouth drop open and tears spring to my eyes. I turned away from him so he wouldn't see how his harsh tone and words affected me. It wasn't fast enough, however, because as soon as he saw my face his own immediately softened.
"Oh Lily, I didn't mean it, really… Today has just been so frustrating, and…"
"It's fine, Potter. I know." I gave him a tight smile and left before he could say another word.
--
I jiggled my door handle and let myself inside of home, sweet home. I don't know why I reacted the way I did to Potter. I had never cared what he said about me before, and why would I start now? It's not like it was even that bad. What he said about me, I mean. As far as burns go this was more like a blister. It wasn't nice, but he was irritated just like me, we both had to vent somehow. I'm not saying it was called for, because it totally wasn't. I am actually sort of prudent. Well, not too prudent, but there is no way in hell I'd have a one night stand. Relationships should be about love and commitment, not mindless sex.
Anyway, nothing Potter had ever said to me at school ever bothered me that much. Most of it was just teasing; he was rarely outrightly mean to me. I can't say the same for the Slytherins. I guess I was just used to him being nice to me, even though I was horrid to him when he kept asking me out. Hmmm… that's something to ponder. Perhaps I should be nicer to him. New Years resolution! Even thought it's, you know, March. Oh well, less time I have to keep it.
I kicked my shoes off and felt a grim satisfaction when they slammed against the wall. Turning to my fridge I stuck my head in and looked for something edible.
VISTOR APPROACHES
VISTOR APPROACHES
I shrieked as my security system went off, and promptly hit my head against the top of the fridge. My muggle grandma Rose had insisted coming with me to get a security system. She was amazed by all the wizard things and insisted I get the loudest, most obnoxious one there was. I didn't have the heart to get rid of it though, because she's basically the only family I have left. That and she would come to my flat at all hours to see if it was "still working." Once I caught her trying to climb in through a window (turns out she's pretty fit for her age). Needless to say, the alarm system still works.
Groaning, I made my way to see who was at the door and found myself face to face with Potter. Potter, of all people! He did look dejected though, hazel eyes downcast and a frown marred his face.
"Listen Lily, I really didn't mean what I said, I was tired and upset..." I stopped listening, because I was tempted to shut the door in face, but then I remembered my New Years resolution.
"…and stupid and annoying and…" He seemed to be listing off all his bad qualities. He was really starting to bash himself.
"…foolish and heartless-"
"It's okay Potter." I cut him off. "I forgive you."
"Really? You do?" His face broke out into a relieved smile that made my traitorous knees weak.
"I brought an offering." He added, holding up Chinese takeout. Great. He made me sound like some wrathful god, looking to smite little peasants. But whatever, it smelled really good. It's food, it's free, I'll take it.
I invited him in. What else could I do? I had too keep my new New Years resolution. And the food might have had a smidgen to do with it.
I'll admit it was weird to have Potter sitting in my kitchen, looking as if he was perfectly at home while scooping chow mein onto a plate (whith those hands! God, what is my obession with his hands? They just look so strong and... okay Lily, focus.).
"So," I said as we settled down at my table, "how'd you know where I lived?"
Maybe it was a tad untactful, but hey, it was kind of like a conversation starter.
"Sirius told me. He also says to tell you that I am a prat and you should never, ever forgive me. Then he recommended Chinese food so even if you did listen to him and decide to never, ever forgive me, you still would. Whatever that means."
You gotta love Sirius. He knows me too well.
Dinner was actually fun. James told me pranks he did with his friends, and I, in turn, related some of my healer horror stories:
"So I was trying to give some girl this potion for her excessive balding-and not just on her head, she was losing hair everywhere, like a dying chia but then she-" I started.
"A dying what?"
"This head that-oh never mind. Anyway she spit it all over me"
"No!" He gasped.
"Yes!"
"What happened?" He sounded properly aghast.
"Well, when the hair-that was growing all over me-was trimmed enough for them to tell who it was, they sent me to a solon."
"A solon? That is rather anticlimactic."
"It wouldn't be if you were there for nine hours."
That about sums up our night, until…
"So what do you think about Dink-"
"Lily, please, lets not talk about work stuff. But about the Order-"
"James, please, lets not talk about Order stuff." I said mockingly, but in the teasing nice way. It seemed as if everything would turn out alright.
--
A few hours and glasses of wine later...
"I had a surprisingly good time," I said as I walked him to my door.
"Surprisingly? Ouch, but me too. Friends for now?"
I looked at the extended hand and shook it. It was amazing what could happen during one dinner. I mean, look at what I did; this whole night and I didn't once make fun of his hair!
He tugged me closer to him with our still shaking hands and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and, before I could say anything, left. It wasn't lingering, open mouthed or anything that could have been considered more than "friendly." So why did my stomach feel as if it just went on a roller coaster through my digestive system? This was so not according to plan.
I wanted to get someing of just Lily and James. Kind of explain them more I guess. I think I am a hopeless review addict going through withdrawl. Someone help me!