Look into my eyes, you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart, search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you
Look into your heart, you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am, take my life
I would give it all, I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you
-Everything I do, Bryan Adams
"Breathing Life In Me"
"That was the most magical moment of my Life Lils." Reah sighed as the two girls sat talking in Lily's room in the Head Dorms.
Lily smiled as her best friend gazed out in the Quidditch Pitch, her eyes following one player who even from such a distance seemed to be jubilantly over-enthusiastic this fine day.
"And here I thought that you would be the last of us to get into something serious." Lily teased, but her eyes betrayed her, the emerald orbs were so sincerely full of love and happiness for her best friend that Reah felt her heart warmed.
"Is it okay to miss him already?" She asked, sighing again.
Lily's peal of laughter filled the morning air.
"Wait till Alice finds out. You aren't going to hear the end of it."
Reah's eyes widened in alarm.
Not after you spent the whole of last year making suggestive remarks every time she even said 'Frank'. And I am not even counting the times you and Sirius spied on their dates, all around Hogwarts." Lily smirked.
Reah grimaced. She was in for trouble. Alice was going to take revenge, not least now that she and Frank were past the whole getting to know one another stage of the relationship, they were going to gang up.
At least she had Sirius.
And she smiled, despite herself.
Sirius.
And she sighed. It had already been seven hours that they had smuggled into the head dorms together.
"Shit! I am going to be surrounded by love-sick couples. Merlin!" Lily slapped her forehead in mock horror.
"Oh, I can think of ways in which you will entertain yourself enough." Reah grinned, and before Lily could swot at her skipped into the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Lily leaned her head on the window sill as she looked away from the messy haired player who was busy shouting himself hoarse, giving orders and flying, and looking incredibly irresistible in the early morning rays. Lily could make out his grin from even the huge distance, as he playfully whacked his best mate's head, who was completely over the moon in his bubble at the moment, doing all kinds of stunts, and fooling around.
She stared into the beautiful lakeside, and tried to understand her own feelings.
And then she heard his laughter, again. Carried her way, by the light breeze.
"Prongs!" Sirius had dived and tackled James who was just landing on the pitch. They both wrestled on the ground and Sirius said something that had made James laugh.
His laughter sent a warm tingle down her spine. And she smiled, unknown even to herself, his booming laughter had always made her smile.
First Year
"Hey, Lily!" A slightly breathless James Potter called over the chatter of voices in the corridor.
Lily turned to look at him as he ran up to catch up to her.
"What?" She glared.
It was only yesterday that this boy had turned her Frog's eyes green in transfiguration. "It matches your eyes." He had grinned. And all the students, all the Ravenclaw's also, turned to laugh. She had blushed, matching the color of her fiery hair. He always made fun of her. Poking her in class, stealing her hair-ties and always, always, pointing at her eyes and saying, 'BUT THEY ARE SO GREEN.'
"Er-A frog, a green frog with green eyes Potter?"
Lily Evans did not like James Potter. He was always tripping Severus, in corridors, in potions and always pranking students.
"I got you something." James panted as he finally caught up with her. She looked past him once.
Reah was busy laughing with Sirius over some assignment that Sirius had done wrong.
Lily was instantly curious. "What?" She asked, looking straight into his slightly heated face.
James removed a small flower from under his black robe.
Lily looked at it, mesmerized.
The small evening primrose was nestled in his palm. The petals opened and closed, blossoming, and showing off it's true beauty.
"It's beautiful." She said softly, still staring at it.
James grinned.
"I was out at Hagrid's last night when I found it. I charmed it a bit, to make it er, open-close" He offered it to her.
"For me?" Lily gasped.
"Yeah. I, er, Reah once told me that it's your favorite." There was a slight pink tinge to his ears now.
Lily felt a small jolt as her skin touched his but was completely mesmerized by the blossoming flower.
James smiled as he gave her the flower and then ran off with his robe flying after him.
Lily walked up her dorm and put the flower in a small water bowl, by her bed side.
James Potter wasn't so bad after all.
"Lils, what did your mom say about you coming home for some weeks this summer?" Reah asked as they sat at dinner that night.
Just then, James loud laughter interrupted her thought processing, from the other end of their house table. Lily and Reah, as well as most students had turned to look at the four first-year boys."Sirius! -" James laughed loudly, and Remus snickered as Sirius Black jumped up from beneath the table, his hair covered in sloppy noodles, vegetables and was that chicken bits?
All students chuckled as Sirius glared at his best friend and dumped custard on the messy haired, scrawny little spectacled boy, who ducked in time.
Above the chuckles, Lily smiled as she heard the loudest laugh. From the messy-haired boy himself, floating at her above the din.
Second Year
"Sev!" Lily called softly as she jumped to his side.
Severus Snape smiled at her as they walked towards the library together.
"Hey Lily."
"What did you want to work on today?" Lily asked as they sat together in the library table.
"Er, Slughorns's essay?"
Lily shifted her books and removed her potions textbook. She frowned.
"Hey, Sev, I meant to ask you, can you help me with the workings of essence of Dittany? "
Snape looked up from his own reading. His dark hair falling on his pale face, as he stared at the girl in front of him. His dark black eyes softened as he looked into the emeralds.
"You are reading ahead? Again?" His tone teasing.
Lily blushed. "er-"
Severus laughed as he took the book from her hand and looked at the text.
"It's a healing potion Lily. It is rare, because it is difficult to make. We will be only doing the theory of this potion. It can be used on cuts, bruises, animal bites- it kind of helps the skin knit itself and at most times, helps reduce scarring." He told her, slowly.
Lily nodded as she took down some of it down in her small notes-book as she called it.
Severus smiled, his dark eyes glinted with inexplicable greed as he took in the fiery hair and her small frame.
"Thanks." Lily said brightly. And then continued reading the book. Severus smiled as he went back to his own reading.
After about an hour, Lily started packing and this startled Severus.
"I am kind of hungry, I think I will go to dinner early." She said as a way of explanation. Severus shrugged.
"See you in class tomorrow."
"But looked at her haltingly, "is there something wrong?"
Lily sighed. "Are you alright?"
Severus' expression turned into a perfect poker, "What do you mean?"
Lily hesitated. "In class, I saw you pass notes with some of those big guys, you know, Malfoy and Avery, I think."
Severus shrugged. "Just some stuff. House-stuff." He said quickly.
Lily seemed to think fo a minute before saying, "See you."
Snape watched her leave and sighed, she thought she heard, "I am sorry Lily."
Lily was thinking. Severus was changing, she could see it. In the way, he was getting so deeply involved in the dark arts. Like all Slytherins. She sighed. Not so hungry any more. Her mood darkened as horrible thoughts engulfed her, would Severus be okay? He was her best-friend, but these days he was just so immersed in something- with those boys from fifth year- Malfoy, Mulciber-
She stopped in her tracks. She took a steadying breath and turned the corner. Only to stop again.
At the far end of the hall way, near the foot of the staircase; there was a sight which gave her hope. Reah and James were laughing their heads off as Sirius was trying t remain indignant as he pushed his butt of the floor and dusting his backside. Reah was doubled over, and James was laughing openly.
His careless laughter hit her, like a life-jacket in the drowning storm.
She would be fine, everything would be fine because HE was laughing. And she felt herself smile and turn, walking the other way, for dinner.
Third Year
"JAMES POTTER"
The yell woke up half the castle, the fine spring day.
James grimaced. He was banking on the fact that she might have missed it. He e heaved off his blankets and shuffled his way to go down to a very irritated Red-head.
Sirius cracked open one of his eyes. Remus shot up so fast that James wasn't sure if that was actually human or not.
"James-mate, What did you do?" Remus asked as he followed.
Remus and Sirius and even Peter had learnt since many experienced escapades that, James Potter and Lily Evans should by no cost be left alone for any length of time, that is, if they valued their friend's life.
But Sirius and peter were way too lazy to get up, thought they would be down in time for the best part.
Remus grimaced. last day of holidays. Here goes my piece, the werewolf's expression said.
James muttered something incoherently.
Lily was pacing in the common room, which was mercifully empty since it was the last day of the Christmas holidays.
Lily turned with her hands o her hips to glare at the marauder.
Remus sighed and plopped himself on the couch, this might be interesting, actually, he was itching to know what had James done really, this time.
"Yes love?"
Remus cringed. James had a way with words, especially when it came to this certain red head.
"...of.." she said in a dangerously low voice.
"And YOU CHARMED TRIXIE? MY LITTLE OWL? Into pecking me on the head, because I DIDN'T REPLY TO YOUR CARD? THAT CARD THAT SINGS IN SHRILLY VOICES- TO LILY, MY WALKING CHRISTMAS TREE- are you even LISTENING? POTTTER!"
James bit his lip, she looked so damn cute when she got angry. He found her anger endearing, like a furious kitten, soft and harmless, and so unaware of her own vulnerability.
And he felt a searing stab as she stomped on his foot, angrily.
But he couldn't help but drown in the depths of the magnificent eyes, up, so, so close. For a minute, that small thirteen year old boy, forgot to breathe.
"YOU ARE SO ANNOYING." she yelled and turned as James sighed, rumpled his head and watched her small retreating figure.
"You charmed the card to do what?" Sirius laughed as he walked right into James while coming down, finally.
"If we have a daughter, I am a gonner." He muttered, as the rest laughed.
"Mate, that red head just called you the most annoying person- oh- you missed the part when she said she is going to castrate you, slowly, torture phsically and then gleefully murder you in your own bed." Remus said cheerfully.
Sirius laughed. "But why a gonner, anyway James?"
James sighed. "Those damn eyes. That one pair of eyes makes me forget to breathe, two pairs on the same pretty faces and I might as well kiss my heartbeat good-bye." He muttered.
"I see your point, but with the castrating threat-" He was cut off as they heard a shriek and Lily came flying down with her owl, Trixie.
James sighed, as he struggled to get the bird off, of the red hair, as Lily winced as the owl pecked her head again.
Reah was laughing hysterically as she plopped down on the floor by the fire. Sirius and Remus chuckled as Lily shot James a death-glare which he didn't notice.
"NO!- Trixie," James said sternly and owl shuffled it's wings to look at him shrewdly from beady small black eyes.
"You do not peck Lily, okay?" He continued, as if speaking to owls, was something he did regularly.
The owl hooted, then flew off the open window, as Lily stood gaping slightly.
James would have said something of an apology if not for a certain mass that flung himself at him, that exact moment. Tackling him to the floor.
"You can talk to animals JAMESIEEE?" Sirius yelled in his ear. "TEACH ME! teach ME!"
Reah was right next to them. Exchanging a sly look with Remus, they both launched themselves on the two marauders and tickle-fest ensued. Sirius was fast enough and surprised Reah by gaining dominance and had her pinned on her sides.
However, the common room was filled with shouts of laughter from a scrawny messy-haired ticklish on the stomach boy.
Lily huffed and walked up, but couldn't stop the smile that played on her lips as she heard his booming laughter ring.
Fourth Year
This was the year where boys finally saw girls, and the fact that most girls had returned from the summer, growing up, very obviously in some parts, helped the boys start to see them in different light.
So, it's not like James Potter was to be blamed when he saw Lily Evans on the platform.
"MERLIN'S PANTS! The summer seems to have done YOU GOOD." He nearly shouted. And to the embarrassment of the a certain green eyes, red headed witch, a lot of people turned to stare at her.
She grinned when her father, Jack Evans cleared his throat and glared at gangly boy, with messy raven hair, and round glasses.
James flushed slightly as his mom and dad laughed at him. His mom hit his head, "Is this what I have taught you James Daniel Potter?"
James grinned at her, cheekily.
She sighed, "you are so like your father."
"HEY" Daniel Potter said indignantly, as the Evans' laughed.
"Sorry." James mumbled. "But you look great Evans." He winked and scampered off after giving a nervous look to a confused Jack Evans.
"Hi, I am Isabelle Potter and this is my husband Daniel Potter." Isabelle Potter introduced herself to Lily's parents.
Catherine Evans was laughing at her own husband's dumbfounded look, honestly what was a girl's father to do?
She smiled, she liked this family, this had to be the James Potter that Lily had mentioned in every letter, every day of every summer. Of course, about how annoying he is.
"You must be the parents of James Potter, that we have heard so much about." She laughed as her daughter huffed and walked away from her parents, but smiled at James' parents. She had always been in awe of the two head aurors, especially Daniel Potter, she had seen him in too many prophet clippings, he was senior member of the wizengamot.
"It's nice to meet you, I am Catherine and this Jack."
The parents chuckled at their children's behavior.
"I must apologize for James." Isabelle started but Catherine waved her off.
"Absolutely not. This is the age where they have to be kind of silly.. And I am kind of looking forward to know what happens in the years to come." She laughed as she caught all three of the others in surprise.
Her husband looked strangled, she laughed and said, "come on Jake, you were no worse when you were fourteen."
Lily walked back to see them all laughing.
Jack Evans pulled his daughter to hug her, to feel his youngest daughter, safe in his embrace. "I could talk to that little James boy if you want?" He said softly in her ear.
"I am sure I can handle him daddy." Lily said just as softly.
He let go of her, and she stood and introduced herself to James's parents,
"Hi Mr and Mrs. Potter." She said shyly.
Daniel Potter smiled, his son chose well. And all Potter men were destined to be falling for red heads, and tough red heads at that, he though as an after thought. Isabelle Potter looked at the girl that she knew had captured her sons' heart a little ruefully. But she had to give him this, she was going to make a fine woman soon.
"It's good to finally meet you Lily."
"JAMESSSSS! NO!" A whimper sounded before James had jumped from the train door and without intending right into a surprised Remus.
Everyone laughed as the two tangled onto the platform floor.
"Do you two want to tell me something?" Sirius drawled as he looked down at the mass of two boys, his best friends down on the floor.
Other parents and students shook their head and continued their own good-byes. They were used to the ways of the marauders, but a few first years looked, mouths hanging open.
Few girls had dreamy looks as they sized each of the three boys. Damn, the summer did them good, no, great. James had shot up at least a feet and a half. Sirius a slight shorter that that and Remus matching the other two.
Their faces were turning more firmer, their cheeks losing the boyish air and getting faint outlines of stubble. Their shoulders were now broader, and they just seemed more mature, suddenly.
The three stood laughing. And around them it was a haze, all that mattered was the three, and then a smaller, chubbier boy joined them and they laughed louder, hugged stronger and around them people gave them a wide berth, and looked upon them with some kind of reverence. They were the marauders.
Lily heard the loud laughter that she had come to recognize and her lips twitched.
Isabelle and Catherine both noticed her glance and smile and smiled too, they seemed to have a mother's intuition.
Fifth year
"JAMES FREAKING POTTER"
Eight Gryffindors were fooling around the lakeside.
James looked as Lily yelled his name, almost in his ear. Her red head was plastered to her head, her robes clinging to her curves, that made his mouth go dry and her eyes, her eyes sparkled with indignation.
"YOU-YOU ABSOLUTE GIT!"
"HEY- I just saved you Evans!"
There were loud chuckles from around them but they both waved them, to be quiet. It was kinda comical, their eyes, locked, their bodies inches from each other and obviously- their mind on the same wavelength at least when it came to the audience, that particular audience.
"SAVED ME!" Lily practically exploded. James took a step back slightly but looked back determinedly.
"YOU PUSHED ME IN THE DAMN LAKE! AND IT'S BLOODY MID JANUARY."
She shivered slightly. James instantly picked up his robe that he had pushed off before jumping in to 'save' her; and wrapped it around her shoulder.
That thawed her for a second where as the audience smirked now.
"But I did a gentlemanly thing- chivalrous?"
"WHAT?" Lily hugged the robe closer but exploded again.
"Yeah, like- you know- Sirius told me- to be your- er- Knight in shining armour." He said, turning a slightly pink shade.
Reah stared at Sirius.
"YOU GAVE HIM THE IDEA?"
"Er-"
"WHAT?" Lily screamed again, ignoring the other two.
"Yeah- he said girls like that, kinda." He offered.
Lily shook her head in disbelief.
"ANYTHING ELSE?" She said, exasperated.
"oh- I just wanted to show you that I am better than- that- the giant squid."
That was it for the other six. Alice, Frank, Sirius, Reah, Remus and Peter doubled over in laughter.
"YOU-YOU ARE HOWLING MAD! REALLY. ARE YOU INSANE?" She shoved past him to run up the castle, to change.
James looked innocently dejected, "what did I do?" He shook his head, "women."
Bu he turned his attention the laughing pile of humans and his hand flew to his head. Damn, Lily looked sexy, dripping hair, indignant, eyes flashing and merlin, those curves.
"SIRIUS! What were you THINKING?" Reah yelled in frustration.
"He doesn't think." Remus offered as the shaggy haired bloke glared at hi playfully.
"HE TOOK IT WRONG." He yelled in defense.
"When does-" Reah sighed.
"Never mind", she ran up to check after her friend, and make sure the red haired calmed down, merlin help if someone came in her way at this time.
James was still lost in his own world, it was true, Lily was his whole world and he couldn't help but feel warm, even remembering the feel of her in his arms. He sighed, still grinning. He loved her.
Lily was drying her hair at her dorm window and looked down to see James standing and Sirius- Remus taking the mickey out of him. But he was off his own land somewhere, grinning.
And then suddenly Reah shoved Sirius and ran up, presumably to herself. This brought James around who laughed loudly as Sirius lost his balance on Frank's foot that conveniently appeared then and fell on his head.
Lily grinned, as she checked out the messy black still-dripping locks, white shirt emphasizing broad shoulders and Quidditch toned chest and damn, those arms, that one dimple when he laughed, and well she said very softly to herself, "the giant squid has nothing on James Potter. Hell, no guy has anything on that arrogant git."
Sixth Year
"EVANS! I LOVE YOU." James Potter proclaimed, as he and his team entered the common room, after winning the first match of the season.
"Yeah?" Lily asked, her smirk taking James by surprise. The whole room watched, as he grinned back after a second.
"Hell Yeah."
"You know what?" Lily sauntered nearer to him.
His mouth dry, "What's that?"
"That's a great coincidence, because I love me too." She grinned and laughed as she turned around and with one backward glance, sly wink in the frozen guy's figure, and went up to her own girl's dorm.
Sirius and Reah were laughing the loudest as James stood stock still, he had got it bad.
"She got you there mate. She got you there." Sirius clapped him on the back. Reah smiled and hugged him, "ANYWAY, THAT WAS ONE HELL OF A MATCH! CONGRATULATIONS!"
And James grinned back as he hugged her back. The cheering started again as everyone came running to the messy-haired sexy captain, congratulating him, and hanging on his every word. Sirius and James were easily the best players on the team, heck the best players in Hogwarts, and James had now been the captain for a year. James ruffled his hair and glanced at the staircase that led to the irl's dorm once more before turning and talking to Remus and Reah.
2 Days Later
"If you were a booger, I would pick you first" James grinned as he plopped on the arm of the chair that Lily was working on.
"Are you saying that you pick your boogers?" Lily asked, not bothering to look up from her essay.
"No, I just meant..."
"It's okay Potter, I'm not going to hold it against you... oh wait yes I will" Lily laughed as James looked disgruntled.
Another weekend later
"Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?" James grinned hopefully, his face carefully masked, his swagger in place.
"I've known you since first year, it's kind of too late for that." Lily didn't stop writing her letter.
"If you were my sister, incest would be cool." He was still leaning against the wall beside the fireplace, the twinkle in his eye ever mischievous.
"..."
"Point taken." James grinned.
"Where are you getting these from? And wait, who gave you the idea of pick up lines anyway?" Lily cringed as James grin widened.
"Padfoot, it works for him, every time."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"There are a lot of fish in the sea, but you are the only one I'd want to catch!" James was feeling suddenly stubborn, this HAD to work right.
"I thought you were allergic to fish." Lily smirked.
"Well, I am, but..."
"So if you caught me you would die?"
"I guess, but..."
"Okay, you can catch me."
"Really?"
"No."
"Damn." James swore.
"I ran out of them now."
James looked downright mournful.
Lily laughed. Her tinkling laugh warmed his heart, by merlin, that woman was beautiful.
"I am sure you will come up with more, come tomorrow."
James heart skipped a beat, he grinned before turning ad shouting, "PADFOOT."
Lily shook her head as she went back to writing her letter.
Sirius laughter flew down in the common room followed by a loud shout of laughter from the idiot himself and without realizing, Lily's lip twitched into a smile.
Lily pulled back from her memories, the small moments that led up to this day. Somewhere along those silly arguments, his stupid efforts, her rants, his stubbornness to refuse to accept no, his mischievous eyes that made her feel like the only girl in the world, his over-protectiveness, the countless spats, the pranks, the outings, the odd quirks, the time when she noticed him starting to mature, the focused look, the playful teasing, the single dimple that broke on his left cheek when he grinned that one smile- every time she looked at him, she had fallen for the pompous jerk. She looked at the flower that was still siting on her bedside table. She hadn't even told Reah why it was so special. She had never exactly not it herself, but she loved that flower, she had never thrown it away. She kept it, right beside her.
Lily hugged her knees to her body and rested her cheek on them.
"OYE!" Reah yelled as she walked back into the room.
Lily fell flat on her back, in her sudden panic.
"REAH!"
Reah laughed at her friend's position.
"Attacking the floor?" She asked innocently.
Lily narrowed her eyes at her EX-best friend.
Reah rolled her eyes. "Come on, I want to go to the training session before heading to the village."
Lily turned away her face childishly.
"Oh COME ON, I am sorry!" she whined, dragging her friend to make her stand.
Lily suddenly grinned mischievously.
"Okay."
Lily dashed off to change in the bathroom without giving any other explanation, leaving a very confused Reah.
Reah shrugged and started brushing her hair and applied slight make-up, a bit of lip gloss and some mascara before smiling at her reflection.
She had worn her faded jeans, which were looking as if they were made just for her, and a red sweater that hugged her body perfectly. She felt good.
Lily ran out of the bathroom in only her towel and started searching for her clothes which she had forgotten to take inside with her. reah grinned. "Need help?"
"Jeans." Lily mumbled.
Reah grinned widely and scooped up the thrown pair of dark jeans. "This?"
Lily looked up and sighed, "YES."
She already had a white top in her hand and she bounded inside the bathroom again.
10 minutes later both girls were walking from the head's dorm to the Gryffindor common room.
"ALICE!" Lily greeted their friend who was coming out of the common room.
"REAH, LIL!"
They three turned to walk to the the great hall,
"Why? No Hello to me?" Remus smirked as the three turned in almost co-ordinated movement.
"REMUS." All three threw themselves on him, together. And he almost stumbled but thankfully kept his balance, and laughed with them.
"Now that's the welcome I like."
Laughing, all four made their way to go for breakfast. Making plans for the day in Hogsmeade.
Lily suddenly remembered something, "Hey Alice- there's something that you are GOING TO LOVE!"
Reah groaned. Remus looked confused.
"Reah came in kinda late, LATE last night."
"Merlin's BEARD! WHO? WHO?" Alice squealed. Lily laughed, clearly enjoying this.
"Sirius and you were together right?" Remus asked suddenly.
Lily smirked.
"Oh they ARE together."
"WHAT?"
Some of the people turned their heads to look at all the commotion. But turned back when they saw them grinning, it was kinda usual, normal now.
Reah was blushing crimson. "Lily." She said sourly.
"Oh look, Sirius." Lily said suddenly, pointing towards the doors.
Reah turned back to look immediately, "What? Where?"
Lily, Alice and Remus burst into laughter.
"Whipped already are we now?" Alice grinned and Hi-Fived Lily.
"Shut up." Reah muttered darkly but she was still grinning and her face was heated.
"Let's go to the pitch-." She said after about 2 minutes.
"Already so impatient too?" Alice was clearly having way oo much fun.
Reah groaned.
"Fine. fine. let's go." Remus said, taking pity on her.
"This is so not going to grow old!"
"Shut up."
"S-I-R-I-U-S and R-E-A-H" Alice was almost singing.
"Have I said that I hate you guys?"
'No, but I love you too." Alice grinned.
"Wench."
"S-I-R-I-U-S and -"
They were still teasing Reah when they tuned a corner and were met with a horrifying scene.
James was pushed into a wall, his lips being in a kind of passionate lip lock with a blonde girl. Her hands were in his hair and she was practically grinding him into the wall, but his hands were very still on his sides.
Reah, Alice and Remus stood shocked, they thought that James was finally getting somewhere with Lily.
Lily. Lily had tuned so pale that she looked ghostly, her hands had turned white, was this James? James that she was only an hour ago finally decided to tell him about her feelings? Her James?
It couldn't be. The words rang in her brain.
"PRONGS WHAT'S TAKING SO LON-?" Sirius asked running to a stand still in shock, he had come from the other end of the hallway.
It couldn't be.
That seemed to shake the passionately linked pair. James opened his eyes in shock and seemed to push the blonde away from him.
He turned to Sirius but Sirius was looking at something behind him and he turned.
The Hazel met Emeralds.
And as always, the sight of Lily knocked him off. Her long wavy auburn hair pulled up in a light ponytail, her dark Jeans fitting her perfectly, and her white plain cotton top made her look so beautiful that it almost hurt, she was just so painfully perfect.
But Lily felt moisture brim around her eyes, and her feelings triggered the fury.
It couldn't be. The words sounded more foreign.
"Jamesie-" the blonde tried to catch his attention.
"Get off me-" He pushed her hand away and turned once again to his Lily, but caught only the fiery red hair that turned into the corner, away.
He started running immediately after her.
He didn't even look up to notice his other friends who were still frozen.
"LILY! LILY!" He finally caught her wrist and turned her around.
Lily blinked back her furious tears. "WHAT POTTER?" She spat and James flinched back from her.
It couldn't be. The words were now almost shrilly. Everything about her was telling her that this was a mistake but she couldn't deny what she had just seen. All the past years, the random encounters that she had stumbled into, of James and some other girl- the horrible feeling of watching someone draped all over him, someone touching his hair; the uneasy feeling that she had always denied.
It couldn't be.
"It's not-" he tried saying.
James felt a pang as another tear dropped out of the emerald eyes that he almost worshiped.
Lily turned to run away again but James held her wrist strongly, again.
"I didn't-" He stopped as Lily snatched away her hand. He let it go, as if burned by the rejection. Didn't she have any faith in him? Sure, he used to date, now and there, snog a few girls randomly, but that was almost two-three years back. And now? Now that he was actually making some progress, finally-
She started walking away, her back turned and he felt her frame shake from her silent sobs and his heart broke.
"LILY- NO!" He said desperately, walking behind her. He had to try. ANYTHING. ANYTHING AT ALL.
Lily whipped to face him and her emerald eyes shone with anger and pain, her emerald eyes turned a darker shad, ivory almost.
"It was all a show, RIGHT?"
His eyes shone with fear as she turned to face him in the dark corridor.
It couldn't be.
To be in reach of your greatest desire- To almost be in grasping distance, and then it was torn away. He felt himself sinking, drowning and cutting in places as he looked at her. HER.
"No-" he tried. Despite it, he would try, try till there was nothing left inside him.
"Save it." She almost snarled as she turned and walked away. Away from him.
She didn't see the way he slumped against the wall, his head into his hands. His jaw clenched and his heart broken.
And he thought, It couldn't be. Not after everything, not now. Not now.
" PRONGS! JAMES! Prongs?" Sirius cried as he ran towards him.
"What-? Reah asked carefully. She shook her head, as if trying to see the memory, properly, trying to see past the obvious. Remus and Alice too came up finally.
"I thought you were taking Jessica vane up to the Hospital wing?" Sirius asked carefully. He put one hand on James's shoulder.
James almost shook with fury at the witch's name. And then he snapped. "She was faking it." He spoke through his teeth.
"James, what happened?" Reah asked flatly.
Sirius shook his head.
"You know Jessica Vane, from Hufflepuff? Yeah, like the countless other, I mean from other houses, BLOODY FUCKING- gits, they came up in our, OUR session. And that bitch faked her fall-" At this James groaned as Sirius continued, "and James being the ever-good gentleman told her to go to the hospital wing where she faked that she couldn't even stand and James was helping her to the wing." Sirius finished through clenched teeth.
"But-?"
"One minute I was helping her walk and second she had me pinned and then next second I heard Sirius and then Lily-" James voice broke and his fists clenched.
James looked at Sirius, seeking reassurance. "How could she just walk away?"
"WHY? Everything I do, I do it for her. Lily." His eyes closed as his jaw clenched further. He saw her pain, in her eyes. Those eyes that were accusing him, the look on her face, the pain, the hurt there, that agonized his very soul.
He turned around and Reah gasped as he punched the wall with his fist. There was a side nail, unkempt that pierced his side palm, and the skin tore, blood dripped. But he didn't even flinch, his eyes transfixed to where he had last seen her retreating figure.
But Sirius was not listening anymore. He ran past them towards where Lily had run off.
"Lily," She heard Sirius call after her as she sunk beneath the tree near the lake. her tears fell, as her anger dissolved, her heart broke.
"Lily," he said gently as he looked down at the girl who he had come to consider as part of his family, this was the girl that had captured James's heart since the first ride to Hogwarts, and even though he disliked her some quirks in the first few years in school, he had come to regard her with respect and since this term, come to love her.
He sat down by her and gently wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders.
Lily sobbed as she leaned into him and he tried rubbing her back to calm her down.
"I had only started to fall for him." She said and Sirius felt his a pang himself.
'You need to listen to me Lily."
Lily sighed and sat up, "I knew he would leave, it was just the chase. The thrill of a game." She shook with pain as she hardened herself.
"Lily- don't you know him at all?"
At this, Lily's eyes shot to meet the exquisite grey ones that looked at her with a sincerity that was so intense that she was rooted.
"James Potter." Sirius said, smiling slightly.
"He is sometimes so stubborn that I feel like murdering him with my bare hands." At this Lily smiled, the ghost of hope flickered in her eyes.
Sirius smiled at that. Continuing, "He is so overly enthusiastic that I find myself doing things simply catching his enthusiasm. Though I know it's completely idiotic. But heck, it's contagious." At this Lily laughed, obviously, she knew this too.
"He is so absolutely noble, that he makes me feel ashamed and guilty for doing even something small as bragging about a snog session with some- some girl even between us boys." At this Lily looked up, truly listening now.
"James is like- like gravity. Every guy wants to be more like him. He just radiates so much good in him, that everyone, me- you, every one wants to be with him. Be near him."
"He believes in things which gives me hope."
"And today, he was so chivalrous that I want to rattle him to pieces."
"What?" Lily asked, confusion plain in her face.
"Jessica Vane." Sirius said through gritted teeth. His voice suddenly fierce.
Lily's heart throbbed painfully. The image of James - but she stopped it was painful enough and she focused on Sirius.
It couldn't be. And this time, she wanted to believe it.
"There were so many of them that turned up today- even though they are not Gryffindors, they all wanted to come ad still try out." He said crossly.
"She faked her fall. Broken ankle. James being James was guilt trapped into taking her to the Hospital wing." He finished.
And then Lily saw the image. James's hands that were clenched to his side, the way he almost pushed her off of him, and his horrified look and then he turned and finally met her processed this. But soft footsteps broke through her thoughts and she saw James standing there, his gaze pained, vulnerable and anguished.
Sirius jumped to his feet, clapped James on his back and ran back inside the castle.
"Lily-" He said softly and she looked back at him, and her feelings suddenly strengthened. Her confusion now cleared and she was ready. She nodded softly and motioned for him to sit next to her.
James sighed and his hope burned, maybe.
Their feet dangled in the air above the lake.
"Trust me? Please?" James pleaded as he looked into the depths of those magnificent eyes that had him wrapped around their little lashes.
Lily sighed and scooting a little closer, leaned her head on his shoulder. James felt some of his pain loosen. He carefully put an arm around her slim waist and she leaned in, smelling that familiar scent. She was finally where she belonged.
"I am sorry."
It couldn't be. And this time, she believed it.
"What- What are you sorry for?" James was flustered.
He pulled back to look at her face.
"For not believing in you today. I should have known better." James was shaking his head but she put her finger to his mouth. And he stiffened immediately.
"For every time that I completely and unjustifiably insulted you, humiliated you when you were just asking for my attention." She sighed. But continued, "For never telling you the truth above my own feelings, for being a complete bitch-" But James took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles lightly.
Lily blushed.
"Lils, I was an ass. I was a complete moron at times. And I put you in some embarrassing situations myself." He watched mesmerized as Lily loked up at him in- admiration?
"Please don't hate me." Lily whispered.
James's eyes widened. Hate.
"Lily." He grabbed her face in his hands, as she tried to look away from his intense gaze.
"You think I can hate you?" He said lightly. They were now staring at the rising Sun, that was almost up now.
"Believe me, I tried, Fourth Year- Fifth, but wasted effort." He chuckled and she sighed, in relief. But she laughed too. And he couldn't help but join in too. Her tinkling laugh with his bass harmonized into a dream like melody. A joyous sound with an air of unity after an era of wait.
And then she saw his hand, still bleeding and she gasped and took it in both of her hands. "What?-"
James shook his head, "It's nothing." He said softly.
The Sun finally pushed above the clouds, shimmering them in it's brilliant light. The light of new day.
Lily then finally looked up to meet his smoldering gaze.
And then James said the most amazing thing that had ever reached Lily's ears. It literally broke her heart because it was so sweet and deep.
"Lily, my world kind of pathetically revolves around you. It's like you are breathing life in me."
Okay, this chapter is definitely going to be my MOST favorite CHAPTER! =D
It literally makes me go- Oh My GOD! =P
But wait, they aren't together yet. Maybe in some chapters now? or maybe the next? BWAHAHHAH!
So I got THREE reviews for the last chapter. THREE! I mean, I love those three reviewers insanely of course but THREE?
Grrrr!
So I am definitely not updating till I get at least five reviews for this. Come on guys! It's reasonable enough. ;)
And I have also kind of been a re-posting spree, correcting whatever grammatical errors that I could catch in the first few chapters. I might still have missed something, I will try getting them again, later.
ANYWAY, sorry for the long wait, but I made it extra long and fuffly and cute and dramatic, so it makes up right? ;;)
R & R?
