The Prophecy

--Chapter 7--

Pigheaded Idiots

"Hey, Evans. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Gryffindor Tower looking for the Butterbeer and other hidden party items," James said, grinning.

"We were just talking about you, James," the woman said. "You've told us quite a lot about Lily, and your letters describe her very well."

It was then that Lily regained speech again. "So, you are Potter's mum and dad?" she asked the couple.

"What did you do this time to deserve the surname?" Mr. Potter asked James.

"Merely existing," James answered.

"Of course we are. I forgot the introductions, didn't I?" Lily nodded. "Well, I'm Sarah Potter and this is my husband, Edward. I swear I would lose my head if it weren't screwed on tight enough. It must be all the stress from all these attacks."

"Mum and Dad are Aurors," James added to get rid of the confused look on Lily's face.

"Aurors? Really? What is that like?" Lily asked, enthusiastically.

"It's a bit strenuous at times but it can be very satisfying at the same time. I just feel bad leaving James alone as much as we do. We're always being pulled away at the last minute and James is left with no one for company except the house elves." Mrs. Potter paused then added, "I just had the most marvelous idea. Lily, how would you like to visit during your breaks? I'm sure James would love your company and Edward and I would be pleased to have you."

Lily looked from Mr. and Mrs. Potter to James then back to his mum again. She didn't believe she had just been invited to go to the Potter place. "Wow…Um…I'll have to think about it, Mrs. Potter."

"Take your time, dear. Your break isn't for another two months. And please call me Sarah. I feel so old when you young people call me Mrs. Potter." Sarah turned to her husband. "Should we get going?" One nod and she turned back to Lily and James. "We'll see you later, James. And Lily, don't forget about our offer. We'll write." She gave James a quick kiss on the forehead, engulfed Lily in a hug, and waved at the two of them as her and her husband left the pitch.

--- --- ---

Celebrations had gone long into the night as the Gryffindors soaked up their victory over Ravenclaw. Morning came far too soon for four seventh year boys in particular. As the sun shone brightly through their uncovered windows, the Marauders resigned to the fact that sleep would not be possible any longer.

"Who was the git who forgot to shut the drapes?" James mumbled, pulling his covers over his head.

"Moony, your bed is closest. You should've closed 'em," Sirius said, shielding his eyes against the rays.

"You two were the last in the room. You should've closed them," Remus replied. He dragged himself out of bed, casually dragging James' sheets along with him.

"Bloody hell!" James cursed, chills creeping along his spine. "Moony! Show your face so I can hex you properly!" he pointed his wand at the bathroom door only to have his hex bounce off the door and hit Peter. A squawk issued from a bundle beneath the maroon and gold sheets. "Sorry, Wormtail," James said halfheartedly, still partially asleep.

The Marauders roused themselves from their warm beds after having attempted to fall asleep only to have their stomachs awaken them. The symphony of gurgling and moaning became too much for the boys and they decided to satisfy their growling stomachs.

The benches in the Great Hall groaned under their weight as they sat down heavily. Their movements were lazy as they scooped an assortment of food onto their plates and started shoveling the much needed nourishment into their bellies.

"I see someone has finally decided to make a presence," Lily remarked behind him. James looked up at her and, without a reply, gulped down his remaining pumpkin juice. "How late did you all stay up last night? You look like zombies."

"Nice to see you to, Evans," Sirius replied sarcastically. "You should know that McGonagall shut down the party earlier than we had planned since she made you help get everyone up to their rooms. But since you are so worried about our well-beings, I suppose I could tell you why we got close to no sleep last night." He paused, yawning.

"And?" Lily probed.

"It's all your fault, Evans."

"How is your lack of sleep my fault?"

Sirius opened his mouth to answer but was stopped by a spoonful of food crashing into his face. He furiously wiped it away and stared at his best mate, who had gone back to eating as if nothing had happened. "All right, Prongs, since you don't want me saying anything, you can tell her yourself."

"Tell me what?" Lily asked. Her irritation started to grow, these boys got on her last nerve without even trying.

"Hey, James? Isn't that your owl?" Kelly asked. A large owl had landed in front of James and was feasting off the food left on James' plate. He was oblivious to the fact that a big bird was eating his food since he was glaring at Sirius, who was still eating with a fervor.

Lily looked at Kelly, irritated that she would not receive an answer. Kelly just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly; this was her payback for the inquisition she had received last night after the party. All three of them had wanted to know every detail about how Sirius had asked her to Hogsmeade, what she was planning on wearing, what they would do while together, and many more questions that Kelly found tiresome and extremely annoying. She would try to switch the subject to her and James but no one took the bait and continued to grill her about Sirius until she had threatened to hex each of them until they landed in the hospital wing. They had stopped just while they slept but once morning came the inquisition and constant teasing resumed. The arrival of the Marauders was what had stopped them and now Kelly got a bit of payback for distracting James from Lily's questions.

Across the table, James had opened the letter, reading eagerly. A short moment later he let out a snort and nearly choked on a bite of toast.

"Did you mum really just call Snape an evil little git?" Sirius laughed.

"She said what?" Katie asked.

"Read it for yourselves," James said, handing the letter to Katie who then handed it to Lily. The girls huddled around her and giggled as they read the letter from James' mum.

Dear James,

Congratulations once again on your victory over Ravenclaw! We knew you could do it. Didn't we always tell you that if you set your mind to achieving something you would be able to do it? So you see that your mother hasn't lost it completely after all.

Not yet, at least. Your mother has been fretting about you constantly since you were named Captain, always saying how crushed you'd be if you lost a match and how it would destroy you. I told her that we didn't have to worry about it; you've got talent, James, and a wonderful team under your belt. I told your mother this numerous times but she never listened. Well now she knows how right I was.

And he has reminded me every possible moment since we got home after your match. He would send me messages saying that I was wrong and 'should have more faith' in my son. Well, you can be sure that he received a nice little hex after that one.

Lily laughed. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were such nice people and had a sense of humor. Their relationship was something Lily wished she would find someday. She wanted someone that she could joke around with but could be serious with too. She continued reading, finding each sentence more enjoyable than the one before it.

So, yes, I might have been wrong, but I know you will have a great season and can't wait to hear all about the next match. And send your friends our love. We saw Remus and Peter for a brief moment but did not have the chance to talk to Sirius since he was chatting with a pretty brunette.

Lily could see the blush rising in Kelly's cheeks and hoped Sirius would see it. Besides, it would be so much easier if Kelly just admitted her feelings for Sirius. Lily had a feeling that Sirius might like Kelly back. He could have just forgotten about the bet but instead he sought Kelly out to ask her formally to Hogsmeade. That said something to Lily.

But your friend Lily is such a sweet girl, everything you described her to be and more. I would have expected her to be extremely hurt by what Severus had called her (I agree with you and your friends that that boy is an evil little git), but she just shook it off. It takes an outstanding person to be able to do that. I know that she is an extremely talented witch, but watch over her, James. There are some people who would do anything to keep people with Lily's heritage out off the wizarding world. And don't forget to remind her that she is welcome to visit any time she would like and I would love to hear from her.

Don't screw up!

Love Mum and Dad

The girls laughed heartily as they finished reading James' letter, joining in with the laughter still coming from the Marauders. Lily tried to hide her reddening cheeks and attempted to laugh along with them.

"So, Evans. It seems that my parents have fallen in love with you. It's not everyday that my mum tells to pay careful attention to a girl. Usually she tells me that girls have cooties and I should stay far away from them. I don't know what you did to her but I think I should do as she says." James walked to Lily's seated figure and bowed. "James Potter, at your service." His reply was a cup of pumpkin juice in the face.

"Nice try, Prongs," Sirius said as James wiped the juice from his face and Lily sat up to leave the Great Hall. "I thought your dad said not to screw up. Last time I checked, getting something thrown at you is not a good thing."

Lily heard more laughter coming from her friends and the Marauders as the exited the Great Hall and assumed that James was scowling at his best mate.

--- --- ---

"Watch out for her, James," Katie quoted the letter again. She ducked the approaching pillow with ease and giggled madly.

Lily had been the subject of much teasing the entire day after the girls had read the letter James had received from his parents. They would not stop quoting it.

"Come on, Lily. It was quite funny," Amy justified the constant teasing.

"It was, like the first or second time, but you three have been quoting that stupid letter the entire day. And, frankly, I'm sick of it," Lily said, sitting on the end of her bed.

"Sorry, Lily. We couldn't help it." Katie added, throwing the pillow back to Lily.

"Yes, you could've helped it. You were oblivious to the fact that Kelly was also mentioned in the letter. Remember? The pretty brunette that they saw Sirius talking to?" Lily watched Kelly's face flush and smiled. "Why are you embarrassed about that? You were so worried about that bet that Katie had made with Sirius and the date that was part of it, but now he sought you out to ask you to Hogsmeade. That's a good sign, Kel."

Kelly shook her head vigorously. "He was just sticking to the bet. He's not the type to back out on a deal. He is a Marauder after all." She looked out the window for a moment, as if she was contemplating whether to speak again. "Sure, I was thrilled when he came up to me after the match. Actually, I was shocked. I couldn't form a sentence at first. I thought he was going to laugh at me and walk away, but he just smiled and waited for me to reply. When we confirmed plans for Hogsmeade, he had the biggest smile on his face and I thought that he was sincerely happy that we would be hanging out. But I'm not going to get my hopes up. Not like last time."

Lily walked over to Kelly's bed and sat down beside her, taking her hands in her own. "Kelly, look me in the eye." She did. "Andrew was a jerk, a self-absorbed arse that is known around school as a player. You're not dealing with the same guy. He led you on, making you believe that a relationship was just around the corner. Sirius isn't like that. Sure, he might take on a few girls once in a while for a good snog, but he never has them believing that more is going to happen. Have a little faith, okay?" She enveloped her best friend into a tight hug.

"You know what, Lily?" Kelly asked when Lily sat back. "I never thought I'd hear you defend a Marauder. Then to hear you defend them two nights in a row…I think I might make you get your head examined." A pillow quickly found its target. Kelly's head.

Kelly hugged the pillow to her chest and smiled for a moment before her expression turned somber. "Lily?"

"Yeah?"

"Why did that letter bother you so much? You were enjoying it as much as we were, up until they mentioned Snape." Kelly looked at her intently, attempting to read her expressions.

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I don't really know them but they still care enough to want someone to look out for me. I just met them. Why would they do something like that? And maybe it had to do with the fact that people might want to hurt me again."

"Again?" Kelly asked. "Someone has hurt you before?"

All three girls were now crowded around Lily on the bed. "I didn't say again," she replied simply.

"Yes, you did. We all heard you." Katie and Amy nodded at Kelly's statement.

Lily's heart beat rapidly within her chest. She swallowed quickly. "I didn't mean to say that. You see, now I know that that must have been what bothered me so much. I don't like the thought that someone might be after me; it scares me, and it makes me say things that I don't mean to."

Kelly looked at her skeptically. Katie and Amy nodded beside her. "That's understandable," Amy said. "It is scary, but you have a lot of people that won't let anything happen to you."

"Sometimes that's not enough," Lily mumbled.

"Sorry. I didn't quite understand that," Katie said.

"I know that you guys will look out for me, but this thing is bigger than all of us." Lily looked out the window, where the leaves were steadily changing from green to red and gold. How soon would all of them be gone?

"Lily, the Potters wanted James to make sure nothing happened to you. He's their son; he knows what they go up against every day they go to work. He's the best guy for the job," Amy pointed out.

"I don't need a bodyguard. And I'm not going to let him think I need one. And that goes for the three of you also." Lily stated. "I can take care of myself," she said quietly, more for herself than for the others.

An awkward silence lingered for a moment, a heavy silence where there was much to be said but no one could find the strength to say it.

"So…" Kelly ventured. "Are you going to write to the Potters and visit their place?"

"I don't think so. I know the invitation was genuine but it would be weird. Do you know what I mean?" Lily said, a bit confused and unsure.

"I think I understand," Katie said. "You don't want to be that close to James because then he might realize that you don't think he's a complete git and that you harbor feelings for him. If you're in his house, you may see what a really nice guy he can be and fall for him even more than you already have."

"That is not even close to being true," Lily stated.

Kelly scooted a bit closer to Lily. "Humor me for a second." Lily nodded curtly. "Didn't you just say what a good guy Sirius is?" Lily nodded again. "Well, Sirius and James are a lot alike. You want to believe that James is the same guy that humiliated Snape after the OWLs our fifth year. They have all grown up a lot, including James. They're not at all like you choose to remember them. How else did I fall for Sirius?"

She smiled, seeing thoughts wrack through Lily's brain. Slowly, a grin crept onto Lily's face. "I know why you fell for him," she said. "Because of his extraordinarily good looks and his rumored first-rate snogging abilities."

Kelly tried to hold in her laughter but it all came out as a snort. "I have to admit that those are definitely pluses." The girls dissolved into a fit of giggles. The laughter slowly subsided as each girl ran out of breath. "Now, seriously…" Katie began to giggle again. "That was not meant to be funny."

"But it still was," Katie chortled.

"You're just giggle-happy," Lily said. "Go on, Kelly. I think I know what you're going to say but you might as well get it out now and I won't have to listen to it later on."

"As long as you don't try and interrupt," Kelly said. Lily agreed so she continued. "James isn't that bad of a guy. Do you remember when Katie made that ridiculous bet with Sirius?" A quick nod. "And I ran into James outside Gryffindor Tower? I started talking and you know how stupid things come out when that happens. Well, I kind of let it slip that I liked Sirius and you know what James did about it?" Lily shook her head. "Absolutely nothing. Sirius has no clue that I like him."

"So what?"

"Lily! Stop being so stubborn! James is a good guy and you need to give him a chance. You need to admit to yourself that you like him. Do you know how much better life would be if you did?"

"Life would not be any better because then we would be living a lie."

Kelly shoved her face into the pillow that she still held. "You're living a lie right now!"

If you only knew how much, Lily thought.

She did not deny it so Kelly let the matter drop. They had tried so much already to make her admit the truth but there was nothing they could do.

"Will you at least write to them? It's common courtesy," Amy said.

"Of course I'll write," Lily answered. "I don't have a problem with the Potters, just one Potter in particular. It'll be nice to have someone who was born in the wizarding world that I can ask questions that I would normally ask my mum. She's really nice; there's no reason not to write her."

Lily got off the bed, retreating into the bathroom. Their conversation was now officially over; there would be no more trying to change Lily's mind or bringing up her invitation to visit the Potter's. Anything that led or would lead to talking about James was taboo.

--- --- ---

Professor Binns droned on, floating high above his desk, unaware of the students around him—most had laid their heads on their desk and let their eyes flutter to a close. Only one student was still focused on his lecture. She pushed her auburn hair out of her way as her quill scratched along with parchment.

Lily wrote down the date Binns had just mentioned and was distracted by a weird noise beside her. She elbowed Kelly, whose head shot up from its resting place on the desk.

"Huh? What?" Kelly asked groggily, looking around the room confusedly and then at Lily. Kelly rested her head in her hands and groaned. "Why can't we be done already? How much longer do we have to endure this?"

Lily fought between wanting to laugh at Kelly's melodramatic attitude and wanting to throttle her for complaining about her napping period while Lily listened intently and took notes that would be borrowed later.

Deciding to do the former, Lily smiled at her friend. "Now don't be so pessimistic. You've had an entire hour where you could do nothing more than start at Mister Black and let your daydreams run wild."

"If you haven't notice, Mister Black is currently sitting behind us. I can't very well gawk at him while he is sitting in the back of the classroom," Kelly muttered, displeased at the fact she had just said. "I'm surprised you have not fallen into daydreaming yourself since Master James happens to be sitting directly in front of us." Kelly winced from the swift kick she received from Lily underneath the table. A grin was on Lily's face as Kelly nursed her sore led, only to suppress a snort as a bunched piece of parchment contacted with the back of Lily's head.

"Oh crap!" Kelly heard Sirius whisper behind them. "No, Evans, don't—"

His plea stopped abruptly as Lily smoothed out the parchment in front of her. A blush rose in her cheeks only to be replaced by a scowl. Her eyes were filled with daggers and her lips pursed tightly. Lily clutched the parchment in her fist and shot from her seat when they were excused from class.

The students filed out quickly, eager to put distance between themselves and their History of Magic classroom. The Marauders, Lily, and her friends had been among the last ones to escape. Lily watched the Marauders speed up in front of her. She quickened her step, her fist wrapped tightly around the ball of parchment.

They were only a few feet in front of her now. Lily stopped and chucked the parchment at James' head. He turned quickly, confusion spread across his face. Picking up the crumpled parchment, James watched warily as Lily approached.

"You can tell you buddies that they can leave. I need to have a word with you," Lily said. James made no move to follow her instructions. Well, then, she thought, they'd just have to listen to her yell at their mates once again. "What the hell was that?" she pointed at the parchment.

James quickly opened it and glanced over it.

So, Prongs, why do you insist on tailing Evans when she will never give you the time of day and all she does is bite your head off whenever she speaks to you?

For the same reasons that you like Kelly. She's smart, beautiful. What isn't she?

Prongs, you need a good snog. You're starting to go all soft on us again. But I guess she's not too bad to look at. She does have a nice ass, after all.

James' face was devoid of any color, but Lily didn't care. He should be afraid of her at that moment.

"So you have anything to say about this?" Lily snarled. His mouth gaped open, making him look like a goldfish. "That what I thought. So you think this is the way to woo a girl? Nice try! Next time you want a piece of ass, go date a donkey. Come to think of it, you'd be made for each other."

Lily stared at James, waiting for him to say something, but no words would come out of his mouth even though it was moving. She threw her arms up into the air and rushed past the boys. They had parted, leaving a path for her. She could feel their eyes on her as she walked away.

A hand wrapped around her arm and pulled her to an abrupt stop. She whipped her head around to look at her capturer. It was none other than Sirius Black, best mate and accomplice to her nemesis.

"Evans, we need to talk," he said. Lily fought against his hold on her arm but his grip only tightened. "Just listen to me for one second. Okay?" she glared at him. "James had nothing to do with that note."

"Really?" Lily said sarcastically. "That was his handwriting, wasn't it?"

"Cut the crap, Evans. You know what I mean. I wrote that to antagonize him. I knew the moment he read that last line that he would call me a jerk and tell me that you didn't deserve to have someone talk about you like that. After that I was going to "accidentally" throw it a little short. Then, you would read it and see that he does care for you, even though you don't want to see it that way."

"I think you're full of it and don't want to see him tank once again. I understand that you're trying to cover for him, but he's a big boy. He has to take care of his own messes once in a while." She found a way out of his hold and started walking off toward Gryffindor Tower.

"I'm guessing she didn't believe you," Kelly said behind him.

"Not even close," he answered. "Hey, Evans!" he yelled down the corridor. "You need to get your head examined!"

Maybe he was right.

--- --- ---

Dear Mrs. Potter,

No, that wasn't right. Lily quickly crumpled up the parchment, throwing it in the trash. She redipped her quill and started anew.

Dear Sarah,

We're halfway through our first week in October and I'm waiting eagerly for the weekend to arrive. Classes have been hectic as usual. Every professor is trying to prepare us for the NEWTs and are heaping on the homework. It's a miracle that I find enough time on one day to finish it all, plus do my duties as Head Girl. Patrols have been pretty boring lately though, which is surprising. Maybe once students get into their routines they'll find that sneaking out at night is the perfect way to have fun when things get mundane, and then I'll actually have something to do on patrols. Isn't that awful? Wanting other people to get into trouble just so that I don't fall asleep on the job?

So, the real reason for my writing is to ask for some advice; I just needed a bit of a warm-up to get to it.

There has been this guy that has been nothing more than a pigheaded idiot whenever he is around me. Everyone has said that he likes me, but frankly I don't see it. He's insufferable. I swear his favorite pastime must be bothering me and making my life miserable. The past few years he has made it a weekly event to tease or hex someone, whether they deserved it or not. Except so far this school year, nothing like that has come up. Has he really matured like all my friends have been telling me? I keep waiting to catch him jinxing someone. My girlfriends say that it's because of me that he's stopped being so childish and jinx-happy. How can that be true?

The past month has been so confusing and I don't know what to think anymore. One day I got knocked out and he carried me to the hospital wing and then stayed by my bedside until I woke up. Then, one day we were having a perfectly civil conversation with each other. I don't know how or why but I enjoyed it. We were outside talking and didn't even notice that everyone had left and it was getting dark. He wouldn't let me walk back by myself, and for good reasons. A bunch of people decided to harass us and we didn't look too good afterwards. We spent a few hours in the prefect bathroom cleaning up. He looked so awful and I felt so bad for him; he had protected me and ended up taking most of the assault. The only thing I could do was help him clean up. He was so sweet that night. It didn't matter to him how hurt he was; his focus was on me and only me. I don't understand! We had hated each other for so long and then in one night that seemed to have disappeared. My thoughts toward him had changed so drastically. Could I possibly have started to like him?

Everything seemed to be changing. But soon a rumor started about the two of us and I reacted in the worst way possible. I yelled at him, thinking that he had started it. I didn't even let him get a word in edgewise. I don't know why I got so upset. Did I want the rumor to be true?

But after that, he went back to being a prat. I couldn't understand what had happened. We had been getting along so well; things were changing, but then everything went downhill again. I really don't know what to think anymore. When I look at him I can't help but feel a little twinge of attraction to him. But he can be so irritating!

Please let me know what you think. I'm sorry I've heaped all this on you. I just don't know who else to tell. My friends wouldn't understand.

Thank you so much for listening (or reading in this case).

Sincerely,

Lily Evans

--- --- ---

To be continued…

--- --- ---

A/N: So I have finally had the time to write again. If you have read my profile recently, I have given all my excuses for not updating the past four or five months, including working, spending a lot of time with friends, and getting ready for college. Well, now I've been in college for a bit over a month and am loving every bit of it, but I've finally found the time to write more of "The Prophecy." Aren't you oh so happy now? So, go and review! Humor me!

Coming up: Lily receives a reply from Sarah (Mrs. Potter) and an unexpected invitation. The first Hogsmeade weekend arrives, along with Sirius and Kelly's date.

PS – You will soon know the reason for the title of this fanfic. So stay tuned!