~ Author's Note ~
Welcome to 'Your Emerald Eyes'
Chapter Seven - Confession
I hope you enjoy!
(Disclaimer - Rowling owns it all, Merlin praise her.)
The week slowly passed by. Their subjects were finally coming together and it was beginning to feel like they were merging into one big mess of information. Lily liked it that way. If it didn't feel like they were all being overloaded with information, it didn't feel like they were learning anything. Everyone could tell that NEWTs were upon them.
Lily hadn't had much of a chance to finalise her plans of getting James to like her. She'd struggled to bring it up with Alice because she knew that the minute she did would be the minute she accepted she was head over heels. She wasn't sure she was ready for herself to know that - let alone anyone else. So, as a result, she'd wanted to wait until Friday. There was to be no prefect meeting which meant no seeing James and if she stayed hidden away, avoiding him like she had all week, it would finally give her the peace of mind she needed to conclusively decide if she liked him or not.
However, it was Friday morning and she was with James.
They'd been summoned to Dumbledore's office immediately after breakfast which meant walking together. Just the two of them. Meaning conversation needed to happen, leading to eye contact. If only he were wearing sunglasses.
'Why has he called us?' James asked, looking at his watch. 'Is it because we skipped out on a prefect meeting this week?' he asked Lily.
'I -' she started, only to be interrupted.
'Because I really don't think we needed one. What else was there to talk about? How we present ourselves at meals? Proper etiquette? There's only so much we can do.'
Lily rolled her eyes. 'Calm down, Potter, you sound like a scared child. I'm sure it's nothing to do with that. We asked him about the Elite Defence Club, remember?'
He slapped his knee as he walked. 'Shit! I forgot about that. I hope he lets us arrange days.'
Lily looked at him, trying to pin her gaze at his forehead and not his eyes. 'Why? Do you have more important things to do?'
He ignored that question, leaving Lily to think he definitely did have more important things to do.
'James?' Lily said again. 'What could be more important than this? You said it yourself, there's nothing more essential than helping Dumbledore.'
This time he rolled his eyes. 'Sometimes we need to do things, Evans, things that aren't of any concern to Dumbledore.'
They stopped in front of his office entrance, Lily saying the password. 'Well, I'd like to see you explain that to him.'
James ignored that, too.
In a way, it helped Lily. If he didn't talk it meant no looking into his eyes. However, she kind of wanted him to talk.
They knocked on Dumbledore's door and were welcomed inside, two chairs set in front of his desk. He was writing a letter to someone, his eyes quickly glancing above his golden glasses.
'Lily,' he smiled. 'James. Do take a seat.'
They did, James bouncing his legs restlessly.
'I've called you here today to discuss what you've recently brought to my attention.' He put his quill down and held his hands together. 'Your idea was a club?'
'Yes, Professor,' James said quickly, looking around the room.
He nodded, 'You like this idea, Miss Evans?'
Lily nodded. She'd done a lot of thinking about it and believed there was merit to the idea. 'Having as many students as we can in one place will help us. We'll be able to see who can fight, who'll be able to deal with pressure, and get to know the people we could be working with.'
He looked at them both, eyes dashing between the two of them. 'I do not believe it is wise to proceed with an organisation like that,' he admitted, James' movements halting, his eyes locking with Dumbledore's.
Dumbledore raised a hand before James could argue. 'First and foremost, listen to my reasoning.' James' mouth shut. 'I hate to admit it but the darkness outside of Hogwarts has stretched within the walls. Some students see fit to follow an ideology that we don't share, one that will lead them to the Death Eaters. Some, I do believe, already are.'
Lily's mouth dropped open. 'Already are? How can you know that? No one here is older than eighteen, that's mad!'
He nodded, then sighed. 'Is it any different to the two of you, willing to fight for me?'
Lily looked to James, who quickly diverted his gaze, a sad look in his eyes. She shook her head.
Dumbledore sat back a bit in his chair. 'Along with this, I'd not allow anyone beneath the seventh year to join you. I can assume that - with the two of you having been here for nearly seven years - you know your fellow classmates rather well?'
Lily nodded.
'Well then, all I can offer is this,' he smiled. 'Such times require passion, intuition, and intelligence. I can't allow this idea to be pursued, and if it were I'd face a serious talking to from Minerva.'
James snorted, a grin finally appearing on his face.
'However, as Head Boy and Girl, I've given you a duty. If you would like to think of another way to filter out the people appropriate for this future endeavour then, by all means, carry on. Until then, unfortunately, I have to say farewell.'
James grinned and Lily could have sworn he winked. He looked at Lily and motioned to stand up. 'Thank you, Sir. We won't let you down.'
'I know,' Dumbledore said, standing up with them. 'I'll summon you if I need you; I'm afraid to say I'm leaving for a few weeks so if there's anything urgent, Minerva is your woman.'
They both nodded, Lily smiling. 'It'll be fine, Professor.'
His blue eyes agreed with a glint as he waved his wand to open the door, James and Lily walking out. Lily looked back quickly on the way down the stairs, Dumbledore's back turned, leaning against his desk and deep in thought. She finally noticed his age. His silver hair glistened and she could only imagine how much he'd been through in his life. However, he'd have a plan. She knew he'd be the one to guide them through this war, and for that, she would forever follow him.
They reached the corridor at the bottom of the stairs, James turning round to look at Lily with a smirk. 'There we go,' he said, the two of them alone, 'that settles it. We'll have to arrange a few people - only those we completely trust - and organise a system so -'
'Wait,' Lily interrupted. 'What are you on about?'
He frowned, 'You heard Dumbledore, right? He said as Head Boy and Girl, having given us a task, we should take it into our own hands.'
'Yeah,' Lily agreed, looking at his confused face and the wrinkle on his forehead, 'but he said find another way, not the one we had planned?'
James shook his head, starting to walk, Lily following him. Having been called straight from breakfast they needed to rush to Herbology. 'No, he definitely meant that we needed to carry on and just do it in secret.'
'I can't agree with you on this one, James,' Lily admitted. 'As much as I liked the idea -'
He held his hand up. 'If you liked -'
'Did you just hold your hand up to interrupt me, Potter?' Lily asked, angry. That was her biggest pet peeve. She could deal with interruptions, but holding up a hand was the rudest way to do it. 'Don't hold your hand up at me, especially when I'm on your side.'
He rolled his eyes, 'You're not on my side, Evans, you're never on my side.'
'Excuse me?' she growled, her ears beginning to redden. She was lucky her shoulder-length hair covered them. 'Never on your side? If you'd care to listen, Potter, you'd know full well that I more than adequately supported the idea of a defence group. Actually, the very fact that I was the one who brought it to Dumbledore's attention should give you that much knowledge.'
'Why not carry it on with me, then?' he asked, the two walking down a different corridor, one that led outside to the greenhouses. 'He wants us to do this and he wants us to do it together.'
She could feel the heat of frustration in her stomach. 'I'm not going against his will, James! He's right, no one under seventh-year should be involved and we know everyone in our year.'
They stopped outside their class. 'What do you suggest then, Evans?'
She shrugged dramatically, reminded of how argumentative he could be. She breathed in calmly, then sighed. If he could mature - as he put it - she could control her temper a bit. 'I don't know, James. We can think of something tonight.'
He shook his head. 'Can't do tonight,' he said simply, 'and tomorrow is my time to organise Quidditch slots for all the houses and get the notice out to the Gryffindor team that we'll be starting soon.'
Her hands were on her hips. 'What are you doing tonight?'
'Nothing I can tell you about, unfortunately,' he said, looking away from her.
A thousand reasons went through Lily's mind but she couldn't be bothered to ask. She was well aware as to the clock ticking by beside them. 'Whatever,' she said, 'let's go inside.'
They opened the door, a handful of eyes upon them. The lesson had already started, everyone in teams trying to tame a fire-breathing plant. Evidently, some of them had heard their arguing outside. They shared Herbology with the Hufflepuffs so at least they wouldn't ask questions. She hated the attention that somehow always came with being with James, whether it was positive or not. James headed over to Sirius and Peter, Lily to her group. She was lucky that Herbology was taught by Professor Sprout and was always loud; they could always chat here.
'What was that about?' Marlene asked her, looking over to James. 'You're red, Lils.'
'I feel red,' Lily muttered, 'I can't believe you all heard that.'
Mary screamed, the plant in front of her burning her hand. 'Shit!' she said, under her breath, bringing a smile to Lily's face as she poured a cool, anti-burn gel on her hand. 'If it's any help, Lily,' she said, tears in her eyes, 'we could only hear muffled voices.'
'Thanks, Mary,' she said, taking her hand and looking at the red splotch. 'Here, I know a spell.' She waved her wand, Mary thanking her, her skin turning white again.
Alice grinned, 'At least it wasn't anything worse. Could have been an aggressive snogging session.'
Lily hit her arm, putting some goggles on as Mary and Marlene chuckled. 'Where's Remus?'
Alice waved her wand, the plant instantly calming down. She always had a way with plants. 'Ill, according to Peter. Sirius was being a prick this morning so he was the only one speaking sense.'
'Again?' Lily asked. She'd always been curious as to why he was ill so often but never followed it up. There was no way she'd allow herself to invade his privacy like that. Everyone had something to hide. 'What was Sirius up to?'
Marlene snorted. 'What's he always like when James is gone?'
'A depressive, dramatic mess?' Lily guessed.
'No,' Marlene said, 'well, yeah, but not this time. What's he like the other times?'
'Emotional, aggressive, and touchy-feely?'
Alice giggled, 'Guess who it was he was touching.'
Lily shrugged, Mary plucking a flower from the head of the plant and putting it in a bowl.
'Marlene,' Alice revealed.
Lily rolled her eyes, 'Of course he did. He's always had a little thing for her.'
Marlene stuck her tongue out in disgust. 'We're like cousins.'
Lily thought to herself. 'Didn't he tell us his parents were cousins?'
'Don't even go there,' Marlene laughed, the rest of them joining in.
'Thanks for cheering me up, girls,' Lily smiled.
Alice winked. 'You can tell us what's wrong later.'
Lily agreed. She'd have to. Not just yet, though. 'When will Sirius go after one girl?'
It was Marlene's turn to try and get a plant, Alice's spell wearing off. There was a shout behind them, this time James' hair on fire.
He won't like that, Lily half-smiled to herself.
'I don't think he has it in him,' Mary admitted.
Alice disagreed. 'He will, I have my suspicions. I think he just needs a stern talking to and some guidance. If Lily gets with James she can give him the girl perspective he really needs. He just ignores us at the minute.'
Lily stuck her middle finger up at Alice, the girls laughing.
'Love you too, Lils,' she giggled.
Then, as if on cue, the front of Alice's jumper lit up in flames. She screamed in shock, Marlene reacting immediately and firing water from her wand.
'Aguamenti,' she cried, soaking Alice in water, splashing Lily as well.
The room went silent, Lily wiping her wet face and looking at a cold, drenched Alice. Her jumper and shirt had burnt through, part of her purple bra visible.
'Hey, Alice,' Sirius called across the silent and shocked room.
She turned to face him.
He looked as though part of him knew he shouldn't say anything, but he grinned. 'Nice bra.'
'Worth it, though,' Alice said, the four girls in the Gryffindor dormitory.
Alice was drying herself off, just having had a shower. They all needed one after how explosive Herbology ended up being. She was the last since it was mostly her fault. Sirius had called out to her and Alice responded by smiling sweetly, showing him more bra, then firing a mass of purple sludge out of her wand and straight into his face. The table next to them got splattered and Sirius' table was soaked; only the final Hufflepuff table managed to miss it. Professor Sprout happened to walk in seconds after, her young, plump face furious, quickly waving her wand to save the plants before they died. Once finding out what happened she gave Alice and Sirius detention for the evening to clear up the rest of the room.
'Did you have to show him your boobs, though?' Mary asked, embarrassed on her behalf.
Alice nodded, oblivious to her nudity as she dried off. She didn't want to miss any conversation. She'd been the same since first year, Marlene and her exactly alike in terms of embarrassment. Neither of them cared about being nude. Mary and Lily were a little more reserved about it. The problem with people who were as comfortable as Alice and Marlene, however, was that they missed other people's discomfort, so Lily and Mary quite often had the door opened on them while they were in the shower. Not that it bothered Lily, she just didn't go out of her way to show off. Mary, on the other hand, would rather it didn't happen.
'I needed his full attention,' Alice said. 'I wanted that sludge right in his nose.'
'You're lucky you remembered a bra this morning,' Mary noted. 'It could have turned out a lot worse.'
Alice giggled, pulling a new shirt over her head. 'If that had been the case I would have sent pink sludge with round, brown nipples.'
Lily and Mary laughed, Marlene snapping her fingers.
'It was purple because that was the colour of the bra!' she pieced together.
Alice rolled her eyes, 'Right you are, Marls. Tell me what colour yours is and I'll demonstrate again.'
'No thanks, Al,' Marlene grinned, 'I'm good.'
Alice quickly finished dressing, pulling her boots on. 'So what's on the agenda this afternoon?'
'Finding out why James and Lily were having a heated discussion?' Mary smiled, looking back to Lily.
Lily rolled her eyes, panic building inside here. She avoided all of their gazes.
'What is it, Lils?' Alice asked.
Lily shook her head, looking silently at the floor. Her mouth was as dry as could be.
They all laughed, Marlene taking her hands. 'Right, girls, it's time to play the guessing game. Lily, you can answer these by nodding or shaking your head.'
Lily nodded, more panic welling up inside her. She could feel every inch of her skin burning.
'Was it a personal argument? Marlene asked.
Lily shook her head.
Mary stepped up. 'Something to do with Dumbledore that you disagree with each other on?'
She nodded.
The girls giggled. It was often Lily Evans, master wordsmith with brilliant quick wit and sarcasm, was lost for words.
Alice's turn. 'So the argument was because of Dumbledore, related to head student duties?'.
'Yes,' Lily finally managed to say.
'So,' Alice continued, 'due to the fact you have never, ever been afraid of telling us something before - head duties or not - I have to assume that something has happened that you're ashamed of?'
Lily thought about that one. 'Almost ashamed.'
The sunny sky outside was slowly clouding over. It was due to rain this afternoon, definitely a pain in the arse to everyone with Care of Magical Creatures. Luckily, the girls had the afternoon off.
'Ashamed…' Marlene whispered to herself. 'Were you on the wrong side of the argument?'
'No,' Lily said. 'In fact,' she finally mustered some courage, 'the argument is only a little part of it.'
Mary raised an eyebrow. 'It's not just the argument?'
Alice suddenly clapped. Then Marlene shouted.
'Shut it, Marls, I figured it out first!' Alice laughed, cackling away to herself.
Marlene joined the laughter, 'Mary's going to owe me money!'
Mary suddenly clicked, holding her hand to her mouth as well. 'Holy Merlin, Lily! You fancy him!'
Lily slapped each of them on their legs, hushing them. 'I do not like James Potter, I simply think that -'
'He's gorgeous?' Marlene suggested.
'Sexy?' Mary said.
'The love of your life?' Alice grinned.
She hit Alice again, 'You're the one that's meant to back me up, Al!'
They all laughed again, raindrops beginning to hit the windows.
'Shit, Lily,' Marlene breathed, falling onto her own bed. 'What the hell happened?'
Lily sighed, also laying back on her bed. 'I don't know. Ever since the evening he blew up at me for accusing him of pulling a prank he -'
'Wait,' Alice interrupted, 'you've known that long and didn't tell us?'
'No, Al, I didn't know, I still don't know. I don't know anything about James Potter anymore. I can conclusively say that I don't hate him but it's not like I'm in love with him. I think there's a possibility, however, that I'm a little attracted to his eyes.'
Marlene snorted. 'Is that a euphemism? Do you mean something else? Did you mean to say 'arse'?'
They all laughed again. 'No, Marls,' Lily said. 'It's just that evening we stopped talking I realised I didn't necessarily want my life at Hogwarts to not include him. He pisses me off - big time - and there's no one that annoys me more but I'm sick of us arguing and fighting. I want him to treat me how he treated me in the carriages on the way here, peacefully, looking at me like I'm pretty.'
They all looked at Lily, smiles in their eyes.
'Peacefully?' Mary asked her. 'Oh, Lily.'
'What?'
Alice walked to her bed and squeezed in beside her, holding her hand. 'She means that this is the first stage that begins the rest of your life.'
Marlene sat up, grinning. 'We're going to help you, Lils.' There was a glint in her eyes, not unlike how Sirius gets before he says something witty. 'We're going to make James Potter fall in love with you. We're going to plan and put together a masterpiece - Mary, get over here! We need outfits, a makeup routine, body-beauty session -'
Marlene carried on and Lily smiled, a huge sigh of relief escaping her stomach. She should've told them sooner. Deep down she knew they wouldn't laugh at her or make her feel silly. She knew that they'd take her by the hand and help her no matter what.
'He's going to fall in love with you, Lily,' Alice whispered to her. 'He's going to fall in love with your emerald eyes.'
~ Author's Note ~
Thank you to TrueHomiePiP, , bkromhout, and the guest reviewer for your kind words and encouraging feedback. I hope you all like this chapter as well!
Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this chapter please leave a review! What do you want to happen?
Again, sorry for the long wait, but I hope you liked it either way.
