Sirius Black looked at his best friend as he smoothly discussed Halloween decorations with Jessica Norwan.
It has been hours since their 'meeting' was scheduled to be over, and yet James was still sitting with her in one of the library's many unmarked tables. In the library.
Sirius himself was staring at them through numerous books located on a conveniently reached shelf by which he was standing, crouched like only marauder can. Remus was sitting behind him, by a table, reading. Of course. After many long, tiresome objections the latter was able to convince Sirius to join him to a study session for an upcoming test. The fact that Sirius would obviously refuse to read, study, or open any of the books was over looked at the time. It was Remus's own choice to overlook it again once they got inside. So Sirius was left to his boredom.
Well, until he saw his most trusted partner of crime with a Slytherin.
People in Hogwarts were talking. The gossip filled the ancient halls. Everyone knew something about why James Potter was suddenly giving up of Lily Evans, as well as his… surprising 'interest' in this popular Slytherin 7th year. The rumors stated- in the most ridicules, unbelievable, stupid belief that-
"He's dating a Slytherin. "
Remus looked up, giving one absent-minded glance at the unlikely couple. "Yeah," he said, in a somehow distracted tone, before turning back to his book.
"He is dating a Slytherin." Said Sirius again, not lifting his gaze form his best friend, who was so unexpectedly foreign to him.
Remus looked up again, looking at the two more intently then the last time. "Yes," he re-concluded, looking back down.
"He is dating a Slytherin," repeated Sirius. Again. Remus looked up. "Yes, I know." He said more clearly, earning a hawk-glare form the librarian.
"He is dating a Sly-"
"Padfoot!" hissed Remus. " I get it! He's dating a Slytherin! What's the big deal??" The librarian, already irritated with the two, waved her wand in the general direction of the exit. Remus smiled at her a charming smile. He wasn't a marauder for nothing.
"Don't you see?" insisted the young Black. "First Peter goes off with that Vanessa person, and now James is with her! What if you suddenly pick up one of them- Narcissa, maybe-"
"Bloody hell, Padfoot, I've been dating Coral for months! You're overreacting. "
"But…" Sirius trailed off, unsure what to say.
What was up with James? It was as if he didn't know him anymore. It wasn't Prongs.
Remsu rolled his eyes, looking back down and jotting something on a piece of paper.
First was the strange silence during the train ride, Sirius decided. His best friend would have been telling stories and jokes, planning pranks and running chess tournaments and bets with chocolate frogs. Not this James. He sat there and listened. (Listened!) And at the feast- what did he eat? A pickle? Less? There wasn't even a point offering a food race, not with the only possible candidate to challenge the unbeatable Sirius Black picking at his food like- like…
And he kept wincing, flinching, hurting… unable to carry his own bags, remembered Sirius, frowning. And of course there was the blood, and Evans' curse… cutting? Would James do that? And how the bloody hell did he manage to hurt his own back? With a kitchen knife?!
And why the sudden interest in schoolwork? Why no prank plans? Why was he so closed- so untrusting? Aren't we trustworthy? Sirius thought, getting worried by unpredicted complications.
Why was he not stalking Evans? Popped the Question.
Why?
xxx
From the thoughts of Lily Evans:
He is supposed to be tutoring her. Not socializing.
Look at her. Just look at her. How pathetic. I bet she doesn't even know the theory of metamorthmadus.
They are sitting why to close. What is she trying to do?
This can't be legal!
"Err, Lily, I was wondering about this problem in the HW assignment-"
"Just as second!"
"But-"
"Wait!"
"You're supposed to be tutoring me. I don't get this."
First years!
"Fine. What? This? You just- like… just do the spell out loud and see what happens. Then you write it down. "
"But it says 'describe the properties of the'-"
"Yeah, so you need to see what it does, and record it."
"Record…?"
God! Those wizard kids know nothing! Home schooling is so… ahh!!!! Didn't they teach him english???
"Look, just write down what you see."
"But-"
"Now!"
Merlin, please help me. Please.
Oh My God. His hand. On her shoulder.
They are definitely not studying!!!
"Listen, Jessica…"
Jessica? So now he's in first name terms with her? She's a bloody Slytherin, Merlin's Beard!
"Do you want to- like- "
"Did you say something, Rupert? "
Oh My God.
"No…"
He's asking her out.
xxx
From the journal of James Potter:
Today was... really good.
Which is sort of weird, since I practically just discovered I have a curse on me.
I don't think anyone realized this yet, but I never went on a date. I mean- with no one. At all. Not even a drink. Since 4th year I've been chasing Evans. And that really helped me, didn't it? I still can't believe what an idiot I've been. Oh, well. No help crying over spilt potion, right?
But it seems like I'm doomed to be single forever. The two only girls I like won't give another glance at me. Well, not a romantic one, a murderous one, maybe, and a friendly kind of grin.
I lost you, didn't I?
Well, let me start over.
Evans and me met up today, for the first time in a few days. Which is a record, by the way. I bet the teachers are having bets about how long I can keep ignoring her in the teacher's lounge. They're all gonna lose their money- I'm done with her.
Did I say that already?
We met at an empty classroom on the second floor, where tutoring sessions are always held. There weren't that many people there, and by that, I mean more perfects came to tutor then student came to get help. Whatever. There was a chart clipped to the door, with all the subjects written in it, and what tutors taught what. I saw Remus's name under 'Defense' and 'magical beasts'. How predictable. Chuckling, I surveyed the rest, seeing Evan's name wasn't there. And here I thought she was never late.
I wrote my name next to the 'transfiguration' section. My calling- I swear. Right after brooms and flying... But that's another story.
I didn't know what to do next. Here I was among all these perfects that seemed very used to the tutoring concept. I looked around for a familiar face, finding none. Remus was sitting in a corner with a charge, showing them something on a piece of parchment. Some of the other perfects gave me death glares- I'm not very popular in this crowd. Half the people wanted to be the Head Boy themselves, and the other half didn't appreciate my constant rule breaking for the past couple of years. No one offered any help. Everyone were busy. Everyone were explaining, or showing, or- other staff.
I stood there hesitantly, swallowing and breathing hard. This was embarrassing. Humiliating. James Potter will not be made fun of! Plus, I was beginning to panic. I told Evans I could handle being head boy without her, but I wasn't really showing it. I mean, I couldn't even tutor, which was supposedly the easiest part of the job. No students came up for help- with good reason. I can't even teach a rat to jump- believe me, I tried that a lot with Peter- how was I supposed to tutor a person a complicated subject like transfigurations? I was no teacher!
Suddenly Evans showed up. She was smirking at me, seeing me stand there like an idiot. She wrote her name down next to 'charms', sitting down on an empty table, which was quickly filled with a group of noisy kids demanding her help.
Prat.
I turned around, towards the door, completely ready to erase my name of the stupid chart and go find Sirius or something. If I needed something at the moment, it was cursing someone to the next century. Who cares what my step dad would do?
"Excuse me." I said rudely, pushing a pink haired girl that was signing her name on the chart. Her books fall to the floor. I cursed. Loudly. I heard some of the younger students gasp, and giggle. Merlin.
"Please- you don't have to-"
"It's no problem, really, 't was my fault-"
We both crouched down, quickly gathering notes, books, and quills that rolled around every which way. I looked at the cover of one of the texts. It was the seventh year's adv N.E.W.T.s transfiguration. My eyes grew huge. Yes! Someone for me to tutor!
I looked up to see if I recognize my first charge. The pink hair, skirted with blonde strikes, which must have been the original color, falling over two sky blue eyes, which didn't recognize me yet. It was Jessica.
"Hi!" I said densely, staring at her. She raised her eyes, pushing a few hair locks back into a loose ponytail. She smiled, rising to her feet, a thing I forgot to do. No problem. I stood up as quickly as humanly possible, picking up the last of the books. "I didn't know you'd b here…"
Her smiled widened. " I didn't realize you'd be here, either. I- I've never been here before."
Flooded with relief of not being alone, I took the remaining books form her hands. " Same here. I guess we'll learn from each other, then. "
She grinned, following my to an empty table.
"What do you need help with?" I asked, opening the book absent mindedly, while staring at her. Her eyes were so strange… unreadable. "Transfigurations, right?"
"Yes," she agreed, stopping my pointless page flipping by grabbing my still frankly moving hand. Then she blushed, quickly removing it, taking the book away, instead. "I just got completely lost in that last lesson, and no one in my dorm could explain it to me, since they aren't taking the advanced class. I thought about going to McGonagall, but I figured she'll just send me here, because, well, because it's tutoring. " She blushed again. I offered a smile, taking the book and placing it between us. She shouldn't have been embarrassed. It's not like I didn't get tutoring from Remus every single day in prior years, having never listened in class. She got the book was in the right page, which is more then I had to show for myself.
"McGonagall was talking about the theory of the elements- how to magically transfer one element to another. We started to touch it last year, remember? All the junk with metal meeting metal and what not? Well, that formula she gave us was supposed to explain it-"
It kept on like that for a while. She would ask a question here and there, clarifying what ever I didn't describe well enough. Those questions where pretty rare, to my great surprise. Jessica was fun to teach, because she always understood all my jokes about how ridicules this and that were. Schoolbooks are very overrated.
"I don't get it," she stated finally, sitting back.
"What? You just have to use a potion to change gold instead of a spell- it's has a more complicated magical core. That's why all those creature love it so much- including humans, obviously- "
"No!" she pushed me playfully. "I don't get how you can figure all this staff out. All the formulas that aren't in the book and the actually difference between the different elements- how sis you know about the classifications? There's nothing about that in the book!"
"That' because it's not in the book. " I scratched my head, putting the quill down. " I made them up. It's just so much easier."
"Well, I think you should tell McGonagall about them."
I started chocking.
"What?!" exclaiming, still fighting to breath, I looked at her with shock. " McGonagall?! I'd rather be in a detention."
"Why?" she insisted, placing a hand on my back, helping me get my bearings back under control. "This staff is amazing. She would love some easier ways to teach this to us, and I bet other students will be so glad to learn this…"
I looked at her doubtfully. " I don't know…"
"Well, think about it. " she said, giving me a friendly smile. "Okay?"
A smile slowly made it' sway to my lips. "Okay."
There was an awkward silence.
"Listen, Jessica…" I started. Damn, why was this so hard? It was never this hard with Evans. And I had planned this; after all, it was part of the plan to get people to forget of the blood… "Do you want to- like- do something tonigh-"
"NO!"
She backed up, and we both realized I had my arm on her chair. I pulled it back, thanking Merlin I had a chance to get it to Madam Pomfrey before coming here. Jessica looked at me with her huge, blue eyes terrified. She was now sitting away from me on the bunch, her hands resting on the sit tensely.
"Oh." Yeah, ok. No problem. I guess I wasn't meant to ever date anyone. No problem. " Never mind."
I guess she could see I wasn't really over it, because she slowly came back closer. I looked at the book intently, oblivious to the quite murmurs surrounding us, which were the other students teaching. I didn't want to meat her eyes. Would she hate me, like Evans did?
"James, I…"
She obviously had nothing to say. Her voice was strangely weak, shy and pained. I still didn't look at her.
"It's not you, really, its…." She didn't say anything after it. I made a small noise even I can't recognize. "Please, let's just go back to how it used to be. I can't have a boy friend right now."
I looked up. She was hiding something; I could see it in her eyes. Was she… in the same situation as me? With her dad- or mom- or… was she?
"You know what, you're right. I shouldn't have asked you. It was stupid. Forget about it." I said, trying to seem cheerful. "Pretend it never happened, ok? " she nodded, the strange look not completely gone form her eyes. "Great. So about that element potion…"
I came back to my dorm only after completing rounds, which I was supposed to do with Evans every night. We both agreed it'd be better to separate doing it. Jessica and me worked on her transfiguration problems until pretty late, after everyone was already gone. I had to run all the way to the head's room, where Evans made a point of ignoring me. Wonder what's up with her. Anyway, after finishing up my own homework, I jumped over to the Gryffindor common room to see the marauders. (I think I'd move back with them to the dorm. I don't seem them at all lately!) Sirius was looking at m funny, but when I looked at Remus for an explanation, he just rolled his eyes. Maybe it's my writing so much. Better stop soon. I need to talk to them about Remus's upcoming problem, anyway…
From James Potter's Journal:
Later today
Bloody hell.
Ok. My mood is just about ruined now.
When I cam e into my room, again, I noticed an owl in the wondow. Poor creature must have been ther for hours, and I neve rnoticed! What was it doing here that late, anyway?
I figured that one out the minute I opened the letter. It fled away aimmidietly, leaving me with no way to relay to the sender.
Which was my 'dad'.
He wants me to come home this weekend. Meaning tonight, since it's Friday. He has something to talk to me about.
At first I considered not going, but two things stopped me- first, he said he already sent the paper work to McGonagall. And second- what if something happened to mom? What if he did something to her? She wasn't in any condition to protect her self right now, still sulking of my dad's death. No way. I had to go.
Only one problem.
How do I explain o the marauders why I'll be missing the full moon?
Late, I know. I was in vacation. I think it's a little longer then normally, so you shouldn't complain. Too much.
Next chapter would be 4 POVs, to make up for this one. James, Aly, Lily, and Sirius. You can guess what each is about.
I promised a clue to one of the reviewers. And since everyone keeps asking it, I'll just give it to you all- the marauders (no one else!) will find out about James's secret a few days after the second full moon. Someone will be going to St. Mango's (or somewhere similar) after that. Lily will find out quite a while after. I'm not telling when.
On to the reviewers (18! New record!)
x. by yours truly .x- I'm glaf you liked the Lily POV. It's a strange way to write, but… it is fun. The pink hair- there is a reason for that, and I think it'll be next chapter. Or it will be a few chapters away; I'm not sure.
Infiniteternity-what compliments! Thank you! You get y characters just the right way. Lily isn't a bitch; she just has a big problem realizing she likes James, which of course she does.
Shruzz- I have not intention of quitting this story. J
eight-cent-plantation- thanks. I stayed up until 2 am last night to finish this chapter, but you still bit the record. I hope this was ok.
Black Blood Dragon Goddess- Great, so we're ok. Won't you have a computer in India? Or no internet connection, or something? Well, look at the bright side. When you get back, there will be more then one chapter waiting for you…
Nika Dawson-it does seem like something they would do, doesn't it? (Hint!)
Stag-star- weather he's going out with a Slytherin or not wasn't the hint, and I'm not telling! The hint is above, I hope it satisfies you.
Hpisthegreatest- the answer to your question- when everyone will find out- is above. And yes, she should be getting better. Why isn't she? You have three chances to guess. 8)
Gryffincri- lily, the poor girl, is going insane. I wouldn't want to be in her place for the world. Aly's POV will be next chapter. I'm glad you like her. Sorry you had to wait to weeks…
Amenti- the fact that you reviewed is already something- you don't to make it interesting. It is an awesome bonus, though… ;-p
Advisor dragon: Wow, I feel so proud of myself! Though I bet you have some advise after this chapter. James didn't come out as good as I wanted. Oh, well.
Whitelight72- thank you, I like her denial, too. It's just so fun imagining what she'd do… LOL
Lexy Granger- short? Really? Oh well. This was a little longer… hopefully it's enough. What do you people have with long chapters? They take forever to read… next chapter's 4 POVs. How about that?
Librastar-err… cough cough I can't promise no more blood… sorry… it's scheduled to appear rather soon… cough sorry. A promising conflict. Hmm. That's a nice way to put it. She is boiling mad write now… but it's Lily. She won't stay insane for long. But she'll get very very mad right before Christmas, so stick around!
Lunababe- I'm having some problems with the 'update soon' concept, obviously, thanks to one evil thing- midterms. Hate 'em. Three chapters, then. We agree. Great!
Beck- was it clear enough what his plan was? He wanted to get a girlfriend. Which he never did before. Did you like this chapter as much as the last one? (Be honest! I accept criticism!!:-D)
Minathia- you're right… I never broke a bone. Ever. I actually wanted to get rid of the arm on the second day of school, after the Lily incident. But it didn't fit, nor did it fit after words, so I had to keep stretching it. I'm gonna go with the numb choice. He couldn't feel it. Thankfully, I finally found a place for it and it is no longer a big part of the story. Thanks for pointing it out, though.
FlamingThunder -again with the oh so common question! LOL the answer is above. in y A/N. I'm glad you liked the last chapter.
