Chapter 10
Luck O' The Irish
To my dearest Lauren and Paris: I don't know what I'd do without you all! You are every source of inspiration. Plus, you keep me slightly sane
Previously: Lauren turns to me, eyes wide with disbelief and amazement. I meet her gaze. We nod in agreement.
James Potter and I have the same desire.
James and I are standing in front of the Mirror. He looks at me and smiles.
"What do you see, James?"
"I see us together. It appears that we're married," he says while waggling his eyebrows. I laugh. "We're at King's Cross with a son and a daughter. He has my hair, and your brilliant eyes. The daughter has you hair, and my eyes. Our friends are there too. I believe it's our son's first ride to Hogwarts." He pauses. "What do you see?"
"Funny you should ask."
"And why's that?"
"I see the same thing." James wraps his arms around me after I say this.
"Lily, I…"
"Lily! Get up!"
My eyes fly open. I look above me to find Alice grinning down at me as she pinches me.
"What was that for," I hiss.
"Shh, that's what you get for not wearing green last night to bed. Now, be quiet, or you'll wake Lauren up."
My mind is whirring now. Why should not waking Lauren be such a big deal? And since when was wearing green today so important? My eyes open wide. I look on my nightstand to see my calendar. It reads: March 17, 1977. Below, in my neat handwriting reads: Lauren's birthday and St. Patrick's Day.
I get up quickly and see that Alice already woke up the other girls in our dorm, including the three seventh years, Dorcas, Marlene, and Hestia. We all walk over to Lauren's bed. We gather around her bed and inhale a large breath.
"I swear, if you sing to me, being crucio'd will be the least of your worries."
"Hey, Alice, I think that you may have forgotten that Lauren is NOT a morning person. But that shouldn't matter, because it's her birthday! Happy birthday, Laur," I say, pulling my best friend in for a tight hug.
"Yeah, yeah, let's just get ready and go to breakfast. I'm starved," Lauren mumbles.
As we sit down in the Great Hall, Sirius swoops down beside Laur and kisses her.
"Happy birthday, love," he whispers in her ear.
She giggles while I roll my eyes in a feigned disgust. But before I can even make a snide remark, I feel a pair of lips atop mine. A very nice smelling James is in my presence.
Lauren takes the opportunity to groan and roll her eyes in feigned disgust.
Sirius chuckles and puts his arm around Lauren while we settle into our normal morning routine.
"Hey, Lily," he says, getting my attention, did you know that James' grandfather was Irish?
A very wide-eyed Remus interjects, "Lily, don't listen to Sirius. He only wants James to get lucky with you."
"Maybe that's why his Liquid Luck disappeared from the top of his nightstand," Peter teases.
James is turning redder and redder by the second. If he keeps it up, he'll be the shade of my hair.
"But James' grandfather really was Irish," claims Sirius.
"Sirius, just let it go," mumbles James.
"But Prongsie, that's all the more reason to get lucky!"
"Sod off, Padfoot," James huffs while taking a vicious bite into his toast.
"Oooh, that's my boyfriend. Always proving he's the alpha male," I tease.
"Morning, all," Remus greets. "And a happy birthday to you, Lauren."
She smiles. "Thanks, Remus."
We all finish up our breakfast and James, Remus, and I make our way to History of Magic just as class was about to start.
"Good morning," Professor Binns says, "today, we'll be talking about the consequences of wizard seclusion after the signature of the Statute of Secrecy." He pauses only long enough for us to get our quill and a piece of parchment out. "Upon the signature of the International Statute of Secrecy.."
"Sir, what was this International Statute of Secrecy," James asked.
Professor Binns sighed. "Mr. Potter, out of curiosity, have you ever read your text book?"
"No, sir, I have not."
I roll my eyes.
"Well, Mr. Potter, if you must know, the International Statute of Secrecy is a law in the wizarding world that was first signed in 1689 and officially established in 1692. The law was laid down by the International Confederation of Wizards to safeguard the wizarding community from Muggles, and hide their presence from the world at large."
"What were the reasons for creating this?"
"Mr. Potter,"
"Professor Binns, please I'm curious," James drawled, with a smile that could fool me.
Without missing a beat, Professor Binns says, ""Mr. Potter if you are so curious aboiut this, please find time to see me on your own time."
Half of the class sniggers.
"Alright, upon the signature of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689, wizards went into hiding for good…" He drones on. Merlin.
Finally the bell rings, and James and I make our way to Muggle Studies.
"Oh thank god, I never thought that class would end!"
"Really, James, was all of that necessary? He seemed kind of ticked."
"Puh-lease. It would have been more interesting if he went along with it."
"Okay, whatever helps you sleep at night," I giggle as we round the corner to Muggle Studies.
"Alright, class," I hear Professor Bray start, just as James and I enter the room, "after last week's lecture on electricity, I'd like you to write an essay on Why Muggles Need Electricity. You may use your book and your notes. It will be due in two weeks. You may begin."
"Er, Lily," James whispers.
"Yes, James?"
"I forgot my book. Can we share yours?"
I sigh. "Alright."
After classes, I make my way to the Gryffindor Common Room. James stays behind to talk to Professor Bray about something.
"Oi, Evans, I've been looking for you," a voice says.
I look up and see Sirius in front of me. "Really? And why is that?"
"Well, as you know, James' birthday is next week, and Lauren's is obviously today. Would you fancy helping me and Remus plan a surprise party?"
"What about Peter?"
Sirius looks at me with a look of shock. "Lily, everyone knows that Peter can't be trusted with this kind of secret. He'll crack under the pressure of it all!"
I sigh. "I suppose you're right. Do you mind if Alice helps out too? I'm sure she'd love to."
"Alright, Evans, that sounds good. You and Alice brainstorm ideas, and Remus and I will too. Then, you and I will hang out together one tomorrow's visit to Hogsmeade. Sound good?"
I nod. "Oi, I'm starved. I think everyone else has already headed to lunch. Do you care to join?"
"Evans, have you ever known me to pass up food?"
The man had a point.
Lunch flies by much sooner than expected. We make our way to the Common Room, and Lauren shrieks.
"Bloody hell, what's the matter," Sirius asks.
"It's storming outside! It always storms on my birthday," Lauren complains.
We reach the Fat Lady.
"Quid Agis," I say. She smiles at us and swings open. We walk in just has a huge roll of thunder sounds. I must have jumped pretty high up, because James protectively wraps his hand around my waist and pulls me in for a hug. Sirius, along with Lauren, however is making obscene gestures towards the both of us.
The storm is terrible. The lightening outside looks more frightening than anything I have ever seen back home.
"Hey, Lily," Alice calls.
"Yes?"
"Me and Lauren are going to go upstairs to the dorm, all right?"
"Alright, I'll talk to you all in a bit."
"Yeah, James, I need some sleep, and, I think Moony and Wormtail can use some quiet time too."
"Okay," James shrugs.
As Sirius, Peter, and Remus go upstairs, James leads me to a couch that is in front of the fireplace. Instead of talking, we just sit there. While he watches the fire, I'm looking at the big window, watching the lightening fill up the sky. It must have been at least thirty minutes before either of us says something.
"Hey, Lily," James says.
I turn my head to face him.
"I'm going to go up and come up with some Quidditch strategies. Is that all right?"
I nod. "Go ahead."-
As James leaves, Alice, and Sirius and Remus come down.
"Hey, ready to plan," Remus asks.
I nod.
Sirius sits down where James was just a few minutes ago. Remus and Alice sit on the floor, with their backs to the fire. Remus hands me a piece of parchment with a list of names and places on it:
Firewhiskey and butterbeer from Rosmerta
Invitees: Mary MacDonald, Dorcas, Marlene, Hestia, Mason McGonagall, Haley Abbott, Dylan Smith, Luke Fisher, Frank Longbottom'
Place: Room of Requirement
"Sirius, are you actually inviting mine and Laur's ex-boyfriends?"
"Of course I am! They pose a threat to neither James nor I."
Alice and I roll our eyes. They both are such big headed gits.
A few minutes later, Lauren walks downstairs with presents in her hand.
"I guess you found our presents," mumbles Alice.
"I thought I'd save you the trip to and fro," Lauren says, with a smile playing on her lips.
"Ahh, there is a reason you scored higher on your OWLS than I," Alice mumbles again.
James makes me stand up and takes my seat. Lauren wedges herself between Sirius and James, and James has me sit on his lap.
"Well, Laur, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and open them!"
She needs no more instruction and proceeds to tear open the first one: from Alice and me. "AHH! You guys shouldn't have! I love it," Lauren exclaims, pulling a stuffed animal, in the shape of a kitten, from the box. "I shall name her Mia!"
"There's more," Alice notes.
Lauren reaches to the bottom of the box and brings out the picture of the three of us at the lake last summer.
"Oh guys, I love you," Lauren says, while looking at the picture. "But, tell anyone of went down that summer, and I'll have both of your bloody heads."
Alice and I smirk and exchange a knowing glance with Lauren.
"We solemnly swear," we chorus.
Lauren goes back to opening her present from James, Remus, and Peter. They got her Romeo and Juliet. "Oi, boys, how'd you know I've been itching to get a copy of this?"
James, the ever-smirking git of a boyfriend, says, "We have our ways, dear."
"My turn," Sirius says, excitedly.
Lauren grabs the box from his lap and tears it open. I can't see anything, but I can hear Lauren gasp.
"Oi, Lauren, are you going to tell us what it is, or keep us waiting," Alice laments. "Lily, don't give me that look. I know you were thinking the same thing."
I nod.
"It is fresh parchment and new quills," Lauren says, while Sirius turns a bright shade of pink.
"Oi, woman," he cries. "There's also a picture of me in there."
"Sure," James replies with a smile playing up on his lips.
"Well, all this celebrating has left me tired. I'm going to turn in for the night," Alice says as she stands up from her spot on the floor.
"I'm coming too," Lauren says, stifling a yawn.
I move to follow them. As I start to squirm, James wraps his arms around me, making it impossible for me to move.
"You're not allowed to leave."
"James."
"Lily."
"Potter."
James refuses to let go. Lauren rolls her eyes and walks closer to the stairs towards our dorm.
"Not so fast, Ranson."
James and I look up to see Sirius grabbing Lauren's wrist, and pulling her towards him.
"You didn't really think you have already gotten all of your presents yet, did you?"
Before Lauren could see anything, he pulls her in and kisses her.
I roll my eyes and lean in to kiss my boyfriend.
Remus clears his throat. "If you all don't mind, I don't need the images of you lot kissing each other burned into my head."
Alice stops at the top of the stairs. "Oi, are you two coming or not? Or would you rather snog the sense out of those two blokes?"
"Don't give them any ideas, Alice," Remus cries. "That's the last thing we need!"
Both Alice and Remus broke out in a fit of giggles.
As James subconsciously loosens his hold around me, I break free. "Goodnight, James."
The sun shines through the dorm in the usual brilliant way that it does. It's Saturday morning and all of us are getting ready to go to Hogsmeade. By 9 am, we stroll down the stairs and meet the boys in front of the Great Hall and we go off on our way to Hogsmeade.
"Lily," Sirius whispers as we arrive, "You'll need to come with me."
I only nod.
He turns to Remus. "Remus, I need you to cover for me and Lily while we get things ready for tonight."
"Alright," says the other, understanding what Sirius meant.
We sneak off to the Three Broomsticks.
"Sirius," Madame Rosemerta cries, "What can I get for you today?"
"I need quite a few cases of firewhiskey. We're throwing a party for James and Lauren tonight."
Madame Rosemerta gives me a once over then turns to Sirius. "Alright, the two of you follow me."
I follow Madame Rosemerta and Sirius through the back, behind a door, and down a passageway. We get to a door near the end of the hall and she leads us into what I assume is a storage room.
"Alright, here are all the cases of firewhiskey I have. Take as many as you need, but Sirius dear, don't take all of them."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Sirius says and smiles playfully.
"When you're done, just go through the passageway. Sirius, you know the way."
He nods as she leaves and closes the door behind us.
"Alright, Evans, pick up a few cases and bring them with you."
"Sirius, how am I supposed to do that?"
"Well, it's not like you're not a witch or anything."
"Oh right… Wait Sirius, how many are YOU bringing?"
"That information isn't important. I just need you to carry three more."
"Sirius, you know that I really don't approve of this…"
"… but because it's your best friend and boyfriend, it is okay. Now can we get a move on?"
"Fine," I huff. "But where does this secret passage lead to, exactly?"
"Hogwarts, of course."
I follow Sirius through another door with the (many) cases of firewhiskey levitating behind us. Soon enough, we're inside the halls of Hogwarts. We go up a few flights of stairs and down a hall. Finally, we stop in front of a bare wall.
"You want to be here, right Evans?"
"I suppose I do. What does that have to do with anything?" My question is answered the next second, when a door appears on the wall. I immediately recognise the door from my birthday dinner. We make our way through the door and the first thing I see is quite a few house elves working on decorating.
"Alright, as you can see, some of the house elves are helping set up. If you don't mind, take a walk around the room to make sure everything's okay."
I oblige and he puts up the firewhiskey.
"Oi, woman, James and Lauren are going to get suspicious sooner or later," Sirius calls.
I hurry back and we sprint our way back. As we enter the back door of the Three Broomsticks, I hear three voiced.
"Oi, Remus, do you have any idea where Lily went, I need to talk to her about something?"
"Where did Pad—er—I mean Sirius go?"
"Uh, well, they, erm, needed to discuss something. But no worries! I'm sure they're right inside here."
Sirius and I burst through the back door and quickly find a table. James, Lauren, Remus, and now Alice and Frank all walk in right after the two cups of butterbeer Madam Rosemerta sent our way landed on the table.
A shadow appears over the table. Sirius, who is across from me, looks up and grins. "Oi, it took you long enough!"
At 6:00 pm, I find myself grabbing James' head and pulling him down the hall.
"Lily! Where are we going," James laughs.
"You'll see. It's a surprise!"
We get to the wall and the door appears automatically.
"Close your eyes," I warn.
He does as he's told and closes his eyes and lets me guide him through the doorway. The room was completely silent.
A smirk is playing up on James' lips. "Coming back to finish what we started," James teases.
I lean up close to his ear so he can hear me, and whisper, "Open."
"SURPRISE," everyone yells just as Sirius and Lauren enter too.
"What," Lauren cries.
"Happy birthday to you! It's a surprise party," I inform her.
"I don't like surprises."
I laugh and then go over to James. "Surprised?"
"Beyond. Is that why, er, you and Sirius sneaked off together earlier."
"Of course!"
Our conversation then is interrupted.
"Lilyflower! How good to see you!"
I turn around. I know that voice all too well. I look up to find Dylan Smith, 7th Year Ravenclaw and my ex-boyfriend. I dart my eyes around the room to see that Lauren's ex, Luke Fisher, trying to engage in a conversation with her.
I turn around to James. "James, go say hi to everyone please. Make sure you thank people. You know, show them how well James Potter remembers etiquette class," I tease.
Begrudgingly, James turns around and starts talking to Mason McGonagall, another Gryffindor Quidditch teammate.
I turn my attention back to Dylan. "What do you want?"
"Lily, love, all I want is you."
"Merlin, Dylan, we broke up because you cheated on me!"
"But you deserve better than pretty-boy Potter. Honestly, you called him an arrogant bullying toerag just this fall!"
"And what makes you think that you're any better than him, Smith?"
I assume that the same thing is going on with Lauren,because as I glance over, I notice Sirius handing his bottle of firewhiskey to Peter and walking, well more like drunkly marching, over to where Lauren and Luke were standing.
I glance back over at Dylan, who is now droning on about how much better than James he is. I look back over to Lauren, just in time to see Sirius punch Luke square in the face. As I watch this, I fail to notice that James is marching up to Dylan. I turn around just to have James push me back as he punches Dylan.
"Oi, what was that for," Dylan and Luke asked in unison.
Though I do not hear what Sirius says, James looks just looks at the Ravenclaw. "You need to learn to stay away from my girlfriend," James growls then turns to kiss my forehead. "Are you alright, love?"
I nod my head.
"Hey, Sirius, Remus, and Peter: What do you think we should do with these to blokes?" Both must be completely and totally drunk.
"Obliviate them," cried Haley Abbott.
Sirius grins. "Sounds fair to me!"
Both boys mutter "Obliviate" towards mine and Lauren's exes.
Remus picks the boys up after the spell is cast and throws them out of the room.
Hours after the incident, I take notice that I hadn't seen Lauren in a bit. Last I saw her, she and Sirius were talking to Marlene and Hestia.
James turns from his conversation with Frank and Mason and whispers, "Something wrong dear?"
"No, I just haven't seen Lauren or Sirius in a bit."
"I haven't either. But then again, the room is big."
We turn back to the conversation, where Mason is doing a fairly accurate yet drunken impression of Americans.
People are starting to leave and I still haven't seen my best friend or her boyfriend. I start checking all of the cupboards until I find one that's locked from the inside. I try the handle at first.
"Shit," I hear someone whisper.
"Alohamora," I door opens for me to find Sirius and Lauren, snogging each other senseless.
"Come on, Lily," I hear James call. "That cupboard's obviously taken. We can find another." Then, loud enough for Sirius to hear, "Or we can just take the dormitory!"
"James Potter, you are so wasted."
"I swear I'm not."
"Prove it."
"Alright, if I were wasted, I would have already shagged you senseless by now."
Woah! I've gone basically a month without posting. *cries* Please forgive me! School is terribly wicked.
Anywho. Thank you all for reading even when I took a hiatus. You rock. Siriusly.
Anyway, thanks for reading this chapter. It's not one of my finer one's, but i still sort of like it.
Anyways, please read and review!
Reviews to me are like an article of clothing to house elves. YEAH.
Olivia Update:
My band is state honor band! A super high achievement meaning we'll be playing a concert at the State Music Educator's conference. *squeal*
Please review, once more.
xoxo,
Olivia