AN: Yes, yes, I'm a few days lake. Ok, a week late. Sorry, life happens.
Theanks to my reviewers: In Love With Prongs, MayFairy, Veronica Willis, Loslote, A Fan, TWHATT18, SiRiUs-PaDfOoT-bLaCk2351,, & roflshvukomail!
Im writing this in class. I feel so BA.
*SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS AT END OF CHAPTER*
Red
Chapter 6
I had given Potter a talking-to after his little tantrum in the library. I clearly told him that I could talk to whoever I wanted, whenever I wanted. He stood there like a child who had just been told off by the teacher and grumbled an insincere apology.
He acted like PMS-ing girl who had just ran out of pads for about a week more, until he finally pulled the wand out of his knickers.
"I just decided to move on. Sure I'm still mad about y-that person, even though it's a completely irrational anger, but I just stopped moping about it. But I still don't like what they're doing."
"So it's a person?" I asked. We were doing rounds rather slowly, and I was just trying to keep from being bored; it really didn't matter to me as long as he was over it.
"Yeah, a close frie—acquaintance. I think."
"Close acquaintance? Isn't that an oxymoron of sorts?"
He chuckled. "Well, I guess so."
A few minutes after a comfortable silence, he asked "What if someone you knew, say, Brittani, was doing something that she wanted to do, and didn't involve you, but it made you angry, would you do something about it?"
I gave him a weird look. "Since when did you ask for my advice?"
"I didn't," he said hastily. "I was just asking you a perfectly innocent question to...determine your character, your reasoning."
"Riiiight. Potter, I am not as thick as you think I am. It's blatantly obvious you want a piece of my never ending wisdom."
"But I don't think you're thick!" he defended himself.
"Mhm."
"Just answer the bloody question," he groaned.
"Ok. Well, I suppose that if it made her happy, then I would be okay with it. But if it was hurting her, then I would do something."
James groaned loudly. "Why do you have to be so nice?"
I raised my eyebrows. "Nice?" I repeated incredulously.
"Yeah, nice."
"You're joking. I've treated you horribly for the last few years. And you're calling me nice."
"Yes, I know. To me, you have. But to everyone else, kind and selfless and nice."
"H'm. Is that a compliment?"
"Why, yes; yes, I do believe it is."
"Well, then, I suppose that thanks are in order."
"I dare say I must agree with you."
"Thank you, then, Mr. Potter."
"You are welcome my fair lady."
"...Too far there, Potter," I told him.
"Sorry."
"So, what exactly did you want my advice for?"
"A friend," he replied nonchalantly, reusing to meet my eyes.
"Does this friend happen to be named James Potter?"
"No," he said a little too quickly. I laughed.
"Suuuure."
"No, Really! Remus needed the advice."
"You're a horrible liar, you know."
"C'mon, Evans. I am not!"
"Correction. You can lie to the teachers, but that's pretty much it."
"Nu uh. You can't be a marauder and not know how to lie. It just doesn't work like that."
"Then you must be a pretty bad marauder, because that lie right there was awful. Remus, needing advice? He's the one who would give advice."
James sighed. "Too true. I should have thought that one over more."
"Back to the question: why do you need my advice?"
"Because," he muttered. "I thought you might be able to help."
"Oh. Well. Was it helpful?" I asked, a little taken back."
He smiled. "Yeah. It was."
XXX
I yawned widely as I staggered through the common room door. Potter and I had just chased three students up four flights of stairs and six corridors. After catching them, I had slouched down against the wall and nearly fainted, while Potter gave them a way too light talking to, and then sent them off with a smirk on his face; after all they had been in the midst of planning a prank. Of course Potter would never discourage pranking, but encourage it. Since the marauders were leaving after this year, they were probably eager to find someone to fill their occupation of 'biggest pranksters of all time'. For all I knew they were probably holding auditions.
Now, consequently, I was dead on my feet. It had annoyed me how Potter had just got back up after all that running and energetically asked if I was ready to get going back. I gave him a look that clearly said no. I honestly wouldn't say I'm fat or anything, just really, really, really out of shape. He then dragged me to my feet and all the way back to the common room.
During that exhausting trip back to the common room, I thought over some things.
First of all, I had a good time with Potter the last few days during patrols…I was actually enjoying his company.
Second of all, I needed to get in shape.
Third of all, I needed a stimulating, long talk with Brittani, during which I was going to go over all the slightly frightening events of…the past few days.
I found Brittani sitting in her usual chair by the fire and flipping through a magazine full of broom models. I snagged her by the arm, and dragged her to my common room.
"Nice to see you too," she said wearily, plunking down on my couch. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"There have been some… strange things that happened that need your attention."
"Oh, really, and I thought you only dragged me here to comment on the weather tomorrow," she said dryly.
I gave her a look. "Ok, ok, all sarcastic comments are done," she said, putting her hands up in surrender.
"Potter has grown on me."
"WHAT? The world is ending, the world is ending…Merlin I'm not going to heaven, I can tell you that. I'm not ready to go to hell!"
I gave her a light slap and rolled my eyes. "Really, Brittani, he has. I used to think that he was the worst human being corrupting the planet, but now, just straight up indifference. No love, but no hate. Actually, at the rate my mind is leaving me, I wouldn't mind being his friend in a bit."
Brittani shrugged. "He's a nice guy. I guess it's just taken you a while to realize that. Most people—except teachers and Slytherins—think he's alright.. It was just you, Lils, who thought he was disgusting."
I groaned. "Yeah, he was always nice to everyone else. But to me he was a complete arse."
"And now he's not."
"True."
"So, being the kind-hearted person you are, you are unconsciously are forgiving him of his past transgressions."
"But I don't want to!"
"Well, it looks like your heart got the best of you this time."
"I guess so," I grumbled. "It's just so…weird. It's like we are almost becoming friends."
"People do change, you know. Think about it, did you enjoy it when he was a jerk?"
"No," I muttered resentfully.
"Then why are you upset?"
"…I don't know. It's just such a drastic change."
XXX
I met up again with Jacob, and it went as well as the last time. Thankfully, Potter didn't show up again and ruin it like he had earlier. I had internally forgiven him for it when he had said that he had gotten over what had been bothering him. He had probably been so rude out of anger about whatever was bothering him.
I liked Jacob. He had a kind personality and was easy to talk to, and didn't look too bad either. He was diligent in his studies, accomplished in quiddtich, had good manners; almost Mr. Perfect.
Almost.
See, there was this…ugly side of him that rarely ever showed itself. For instance, he showed up late both times we met up. He was very protective, almost over-protective. Whenever another guy would walk by, his hand would just to mine, or around my waist. We weren't even going out yet. Especially when Potter came by the last time we met up, he had been almost as bad as the messy-haired boy himself. Or the previous day, in Charms, Brittani was gone dealing with her youngest brother and some bullies so I was bereft of a partner. Potter had good-naturedly asked if I needed a partner and if so would I like to be partners with him? I had gratefully agreed; knowing that he was decent at charms and I wouldn't have to be stuck with someone who was failing the class. Jacob had instantly stormed over and demanded what Potter was doing with me, and without waiting for an answer he grabbed me roughly by the elbow and dragged me off to his table. He acted like that for the rest of the class but when we met today everything was fine and dandy. He was just so…possessive sometimes. It was like I wasn't a person, just a possession.
I reasoned that as long as the ugly side of him didn't show too often, I was perfectly fine with frequently being in his company
XXX
Brittani and I were heading to herbology when Potter came up and cornered me.
"Would it be alright if Remus took over rounds for the night?"
"Why."
"I have an engagement."
"Didn't we already go over this Potter?" I asked, remembering the last time Potter had ditched.
"Yeah, but this time I've hired a sub," he grinned.
"Do I want to know why?"
"Prolly not," he laughed.
"Doesn't poor Remus have better things to do?"
"Yeah, but I'm making it worth his while. He gets seventeen bars of Honeydukes chocolate."
"…Give one to me and you got yourself a deal," I compromised, sticking out a hand for him to shake.
"Oh, Evans, always want something out of it, don't you?"
"Well, I might as well take advantage of the situation."
"Done." He eagerly shook my hand.
XXX
I met Remus at the Great Hall after my last class of the day. "Just like old times, eh?" he grinned as I walked into the Hall. I smiled as I remembered how we had always done rounds together the past two years.
"Yeah. Just like old times."
We started off around the grounds, the light of the moon illuminating the rolling greens. The sight was truly breathtaking, as it always was. The water in the lake stirred slightly, moved by the calm wind.
We walked around one side of the lake, to the skirts of the forest. Remus broke me out of my stupor; "Have you thought about how dangerous things have been getting?"
"Yeah. I try not to, but it's just something you can't ignore. But do you think that Voldemort guy is really going to do anything?'
"Yes, its not just him anymore. He's got followers, called Death Eaters or something. They do all the petty things, murdering and torturing muggles and muggle-borns. But him and the top Death Eaters are the ones causing the damage to the ministry and neighborhoods."
"Think he'll stay way form Hogwarts?" I asked, worried for the students who would come after me.
"If he's smart, he'll go straight here. Think about it. Kids are easy to persuade; they are still determining who they are and what they believe. And, we are the future generations. If he corrupted the minds of the people who will eventually populate the wizarding word, then he could take over easily when we all get older and the prominent generation."
I groaned. "It's too true. If he starts to, we have to do everything in our power to—"
Remus threw his hand over my mouth.
"Voices," he hissed, almost inaudibly. We stilled.
I listened, gripping Remus's arm tightly. I could make out the voices, and exactly what they were saying.
AN: OOH, cliffy!
Its weird. When I started writing this chapter, I was in school and looking forward to a qualifier tournament this weekend. Now, I'm out and have a broken toe and probably not going to be able to play.
Previously…..Lily Evans is back for her seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and has been appointed Head Girl. With just her luck, the person who irks her the most, James Potter, is Head Boy. He isn't as bad as she thought; fairly tolerable at best. They go to their first day of classes and she is his partner in Potions class. After Potter takes away her Transfiguration book, telling her that she doesn't know how to have fun and only studies, he forces Lily to go outside with him. He has her prove that she really can have fun by jumping in the lake. Later that day he proves that he really can't handle responsibility by skipping out on rounds. Lily goes to study with Jacob Dawson, the handsome, smart, quidditch captain from Ravenclaw, and quite enjoys his company. James is very irritated at something, and Lily picks up on this right away. He doesn't specify why he is so angry, though, and rudely interrupts Lily's and Jacob's study session.
