Chapter 10
"Are you sure this is where she lives?"
"Positive! Now just throw the stone at the window…not that one Padfoot! A small stone!"
"Ah - gotcha!"
The was a delicate thud as the pebble bounced off the window. There was no movement from inside. There was another thud as a small stone one again bounced off the window.
"Lily!" the other boy hissed. "Li-"
The window edged open and someone leaned out. She pushed her red hair behind her ear and stared down at her garden.
"Who's there?" she called, straining to see in the blackness.
"Over here!"
Lily sighed and shook her head. She leaned backwards and began to shut the window.
"Lily - wait!"
"Wait for what Potter…what are you doing in my garden?"
James rubbed the back of his neck and glanced to Sirius. Sirius shrugged and turned away, whistling as he walked down the garden. James growled softly and looked uneasily at Lily. He sighed and pushed his hands into his pockets. He just couldn't think of what to say.
"This isn't working James," Lily said.
"What isn't?"
"Us - Sorry James but I just can't go on having a boyfriend that doesn't talk to me. Goodnight James," Lily said softly, closing her window as she disappeared into her room.
James stood stunned for a moment. What Lily said had hit him like a cannonball. They were supposed to be going out but he hadn't seen her or spoken to her since they were at Remus' four weeks ago. James hung his head and walked to the end of the garden where Sirius stood leaning on the gate. He patted James on the back and followed him out the gate. James remained silent as the walked down the road to the park where they could disapparate.
They made their way to the side of the large pond that was surrounded by trees. Sirius sat on one of the benches and James sat by the water. He swirled the glass like water with his hand, sending lonely ripples out across the pond.
"This is my fault," James sniffed, "I finally got her to like me enough to go out with me and now…"
Sirius got up and made his way to James' side. He sat on the grass beside him and stared out across the still water.
"Maybe you just weren't meant to be with each other," Sirius said trying to make James feel better. "But you might get a second chance. There is a whole year ahead of us."
James smirked. "I suppose you're right. And if I get my second chance I won't waste it," James smiled and slowly got to his feet. "I have another year. Come on Padfoot, time we were going."
"That's the spirit!" Sirius said jumping to his feet, "And by the way Prongs, I'm always right!"
James laughed and grabbed Sirius' hand, "Ready, one - two - three -"
"Boys, time to get up!"
A loud crash echoed through the Potter household followed by the sound of scurrying feet. Mrs Potter chuckled and made her way down to the kitchen. James jumped as a tired looking Sirius came crashing into his room. He stopped and stared at James, who was lying on the floor, with a huge grin on his face.
"Aw! Did poor Prongsie fall out of bed?" Sirius sniggered.
"Shut up Padfoot!" James snapped pulling himself back onto his bed.
"Oh - cheer up, we're going back to Hogwarts today!" Sirius said as he bounded out of the room.
James groaned and dragged himself out of bed. He quickly got changed and made his way downstairs. He paused on the last step and stared ahead. He hadn't thought about it till now. He was going to see Lily again. Just two days ago they had broken up and now he was going to have to properly face her.
Sirius head peered round the kitchen door and looked curiously at James. James smiled half-heartedly and trudged along the hallway to the kitchen. The smell of freshly made toast hit him as he walked through the doorway. Sirius sat by the worktop, stuffing his face with toast and gulping down a mug of hot chocolate.
"I guess the rest of this is for me," James said leaning over the table to get a slice of toast and jam.
"Touch the toast and you die!" Sirius smirked, "Make your own!"
James sighed and slowly turned away. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Sirius turn to the side and stare out of the window. James drew his wand as he sat down at the table.
"Wingardium leviosa," James whispered, pointing his wand at the plate of toast.
He watched as a single slice rose into the air. He grinned and slowly brought it towards him whilst making sure that Sirius was still daydreaming. It landed silently on his hand and James smiled to himself. The slice he had retrieved was coated thickly in a deep red jam. James slowly ate the toast until he spotted Sirius turning around. Sirius glanced down at his plate then to James.
"You stole my toast!"
"No I didn't, I made my own,"
"Ha! I don't thi-"
"Right boys, time to go. The train leaves in two hours!" Mrs Potter's not so delicate voice called through the house.
Sirius and James' eyes both shot to the plate. There was only one slice of toast left. Sirius leapt at the plate as James swished his wand. The toast flew into the air and began to race towards James. Sirius growled and grabbed at the slice. He missed and James jumped and grabbed the slice of toast. He began to dance about whilst eating the toast. Sirius scowled at James.
"I hope you choke!"
James shuffled backwards out of the room and down the hallway, stuffing the toast into his mouth as he went. Mrs Potter sighed as she brought the two heavy chests and an owls cage down the stairs. Sirius chased James down the hallway and into the living room.
Mrs Potter pulled on her coat as she walked into the room. "Let's go catch that train!"