The Way The Cookie Crumbles

Chapter Thirteen

"That was a boggart?" Lily questioned as her eyes widened slightly. She glanced at her friends. "That-That was no mere boggart."

"Fully aware of that, Red," Sirius told her. "We attempted the regular spells, but nothing came of it. It was focused primarily on you."

"Lily, it was deeply rooted in dark magic." Everyone turned to Remus as he spoke. "Boggarts usually don't have that type of power. That was absolutely the work of dark magic."

"We suspect it was a Slytherin," Mariana speculated as she patted her hand. "Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Slughorn searched your room for anymore enchantments. Thankfully, nothing came out of it."

Lily shivered at the thought of her bedroom. Images of yesterday rushed into her mind. She instinctively squeezed James's hand. She blushed when he glanced sideways at her sudden gesture. His concern shone in his hazel eyes, but she pretended that she hadn't reacted at all.

"I'm starting to think people don't want me to date you, Mister Potter," she teased, with a slight smile.

"Well, tough, they need get over it and move on," he grumbled, pulling her into a protective embrace.

They were all seated in the common room. It was unchanged and still charmed to how Lily and James had it for the study group before that horrible incident yesterday. Lily was leaning against James on the sofa. Remus was sitting in the armchair while Mariana, Sirius, and Peter sat on the enlarged cushions and pillows. They had all been working dilligently on their studies when she had decided to join them downstairs.

Madam Pomfrey had just visited her, deeming her well enough to move around. Her wrists were still healing, but they weren't progressively bleeding through her bandages anymore. Madam Pomfrey recommended that she not overdue it and just rest, meaning no head girl duties to tend to. However, she did say that her wounds would be healed enough to attend classes tomorrow, but she emphasized to get as much rest as possible.

"Are you okay?"

Lily looked over at Mariana and smiled. She nodded her head, trying not to think of the yesterday's events. She sighed as she snuggled up closer against James. She loved the smell, the warmth of his body, and his closeness. All these things she associated with feeling protected and safe.

"I'm just glad I already took care of everything before the weekend," she said softly. She looked down at her bandages, noticing the growing dot of blood pooling. "Bloody hell," she murmured in frustration, drawing James's attention. "Why won't these wounds heal?"

James placed his sheets of parchment aside on top of his opened textbooks. She swallowed when he carefully inspected the soiled bandage.

"C'mon, Sweetheart," he murmured as he helped her up from the sofa. "We'll be right back."

James ushered Lily upstairs into his room where the bandages and medicine were. He quickly cleaned her slowly healing wounds and rewrapped her wrist with fresh bandage after applying the cream to her puckering wounds. Once he was done, she watched him walk into the bathroom to most likelu dispose of the old bandages.

Lily took the time to idly inspect his handiwork. How in the world did James know how to take care of others so well? She sighed, waiting for him to return. When he did, he walked over to her and sat down next to her on his bed.

"Sweetheart, how're you feeling honestly?"

His question caused Lily to bow her head and nervously worry her bottom lip. She glanced up at James then took a deep breath.

"I'm still shaken up," she admitted. "I can't believe all that happened just in a few days. I-I didn't think people were that cruel. I could understand the dirty looks and even that note, but that whole sicking a boggart tampered with black magic on me just blows my mind."

James nodded. "Very Slytherin tactic. I seriously didn't think anyone from Slytherin carried a torch for me," he said. "After Sirius and I tormented all the Slytherins, I didn't think that was even possible."

"James, you're a pureblood," she said slowly. "I can see why Slytherins would get mad."

"But why wouldn't they just target me?"

"Because you're not the mudblood, right?"

Lily sighed, remembering that term flung at her by the one person she thought would never say it. Sev had gone down the wrong path. She would've defended him with her life. They had met way before Hogwarts. When he was sorted into Slytherin, he began to slowly change. Their friendship that seemed so strong was strained then it began to fray. In the beginning, she normally would go up against James and Sirius when they targeted him.

Sixth year had already been a tough year as it was then Sev flung her friendship and loyalty back in her face. Maybe she shouldn't have tried to talk to him when he was surrounded by other Slytherins, but he shouldn't have sank so low. He taunted her and called her unthinkable names. Later, he tried to take it back, but she wouldn't have it. He not only humiliated her, but he also betrayed her trust. Ever since then, she had ignored him and he ignored her as well.

"That's sick and twisted."

"But it is the unfortunate truth," Lily whispered, avoiding his eyes when James openly observed her.

"That's true," he admitted then sighed. He took her hand. "I hope you know that it isn't true."

"Tainted blood. Watered down blood. How does anyone decide who is better and who is worth it?" she asked, looking at James now. Her eyes reflected her confusion and pain. "If someone can attack me with so much malice, is there any shred of truth in their claims?"

"Okay, one," Jame said. His eyes narrowed slightly with fierce determination. "Being pureblood or being halfblood or whatever precentage blood doesn't make you better or worse. What it comes down to is how you use it. It's how you apply yourself. It's how you work at it to become the witch or wizard you are."

"James-"

"Two," he interrupted. "Lily, two, they have no right to claim a bloody thing. If they truly think you aren't worth everything you've earned then they aren't worth being acknowledged or known." When Lily opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head as he continued. "Honestly, you are incredibly talented and gifted. Trust me, I've been on the receiving end more than once. I personally know what you're capable of firsthand. Whatever you do is never let them get to you. If you let that self-doubt slip in your mind, they've won. They don't know you. If they had, they would never breathe a word against you."

"James, it's not that easy."

James sighed, raking a hand through his hair. Lily watched as emotions flicker across his face. She couldn't help but remember the emotions that rushed across his face during a particular moment of time. She blushed, wondering why of all things during this point in time that memory pressed into her mind. They were sitting on the very bed he deflowered her on. She squirmed when James happened to look at her and noticed her blushing. He raised an eyebrow in question.

"Don't-Don't ask," she stammered quickly.

She patted his hand awkwardly. The heat in her cheeks burned more when sparks of pleasure burst through her at the contact of his skin against hers. She scooted away from him quickly attempting to clear her mind.

"Lily-" he began. His voice was laced with humor.

"You're right," she blurted out. "You're right. It's just sometimes I get caught up overanalyzing everything thinking that if a person can believe something so strong that there has to logically be merit to their claim."

"Well, wouldn't that depend on their state of mind to begin with, Sweetheart?" James asked. Lily just stared at him with a startled look. "What? If a seed of an irrational thought is already planted in the mind of an individual, wouldn't that bypass any merit to rational claims? No matter how logical or rational his or her reactions may seem, it all originates from the root of it all - the mind. If the mind is already corrupt then their claim is flawed since actions take their cue from the mind... Usually..." He growled, shaking his head. "And bloodly hell Lily, why are you looking at me like I have two heads-"

She grabbed him and silenced him with a kiss. If she had been slightly turned on before, Lily was definitely bothered now. She proceeded to kiss him passionately as she drew closer to him even if he wasn't responding at the moment. Then she felt him melt against her returning her kiss. She crawled on top of him and straddled him. Abruptly, she stopped, leaping off of him.

She quickly straightened out her clothes. She eyed a slightly panting James, who was sitting on his bed with his clothes skewed, his eyes glazed over, and his lips red and bruised. He swallowed hard as his eyes met hers.

"What-What was that all about?"

"You're full of surprises, Potter," she told him. A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. "I knew you had it in you, but you don't show it often. It's a shame you don't actually."

"Lily, what're you-"

"Don't take this the wrong way," she told him. "When you show me you have a brain and know how to use it, it does things to me."

"You pounced on me, because I-"

"Because I wanted to praise you for your intelligence and wisdom," she clarified, shrugging her shoulders. She walked over to him and dropped a kiss on his mouth. "Plus as I said, it does things to me."

"Intelligence turns you on?" he asked slowly in confusion.

"No, not really intelligence. Wisdom does and maturity. You're wise beyond your years, Potter. I've always known that, but you didn't show it," she whispered, looking into his eyes. "Potter, I hate to say it, but you're quite a catch. Now that you've got it all together, it's a surprising twist."

"And why is that?"

"Because I looked into your eyes when I was younger and saw the potential," she said. He still looked confused. "This was exactly what I had been afraid of... That you'd become the man I needed and wanted, but you could never be mine. It made me hate you in a way."

His features softened as his hands skimmed her hips before gently rocking her forward unto him. Once she was settled on his lap straddling him once again, Lily steadied herself by grabbing him to keep herself steady.

"Sweetheart," he mumured, before swooping into kiss her. "I'm not going anywhere. Well, except maybe to take a cold shower right now." Lily blushed all too aware of his dilemma. "I'll be down in a moment, okay? They're probably wondering what happened."

Lily nodded in agreement. He steadied her as she got off him. She walked to the door and opened it. She paused, looking over shoulder. She looked him up and down.

"Mm, it's too bad."

James frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I could've used a shower too."

She winked at him before rushing out of the room and closing the door to him calling out to her. She grinned as she took off downstairs aware that their friends would most likely question her and pry about their whereabouts. She was actually looking forward to Sirius's ribbing.

Lily wasn't looking forward to classes. Madam Pomfrey deemed her well enough to attend classes, but she made it clear not to overdue it. It had been a long weekend. She hadn't ventured out of the Head's common room. She had agreed to meet with Headmaster Dumbledore after her last class to discuss what had happened. He had given her the weekend to recover.

It was the first time Lily stepped in her bedroom since that horrible experience. She wasn't alone when she entered her bedroom. James had accompanied her. She had changed into her school uniform in her bathroom. She was in the process of stumbling out of her bathroom and quickly yanking on her robes. She almost fell tripping on her feet.

"Whoa. Easy there, Sweetheart," James chuckled, pushing off from the bedpost.

She blushed, slowly surveying her bedroom. Everything was cleaned up. There was no traces of disarray or blood. There wasn't an enormous closet. She swallowed as the memories flooded her. Tears filled here eyes and she quickly reached for her bookbag. She didn't need want to make a scene. She just wanted to leave so she did. She rushed downstairs with James after her.

He caught her in the common room. He captured her elbow and gave her a little tug causing her to spin around to face him. She didn't want him to see the tears that were already escaping down her cheeks.

"Lily," he murmured. She let him wrap her his tight embrace. "It's okay, Sweetheart. Just let it out."

"I shouldn't be afraid of my own bedroom."

"Well, I think you have every reason to react this way," he assured her. "You went through some pretty traumatic events in that room."

"Why can't everything be normal?" Lily murmured when she felt somewhat calm.

"Normal. What's that? Normal is boring, Sweetheart."

Lily sighed as she drew back. She gave him a small smile that she was certain didn't reach her eyes. She adjusted the strap of her bookbag and righted it on her shoulder. She quickly brushed away the wetness with her hands. She hated to feel weak and vulnerable, but so much had happened that it was hard not to be overwhelmed.

"Well, normal is safe."

"Sweetheart, have you looked at the world we're living in?" James asked gently. "The things we learn about and the things we face. With magic comes awesome power and with awesome power comes drastic extremes... Normalcy isn't something that stays with us." He sighed as he grabbed her hand. "C'mon, we should get some breakfast. It's the morning and we're already in a serious discussion. That's not how to start the day, Miss Evans."

She chuckled as he continued to lead her out of the common room and back into the real world where there were dark glares and scathing remarks. She was nervous when James and her made it to the Great Hall. She swore everyone had went silent when their eyes came across her. Gossip was being spread and she hated to be the center of attention. She tugged at her robes making certain it covered her wounds.

"Does everyone know?" she whispered to James as they made their way to their friends.

"Well, Sirius had ran back into the Great Hall to grab Dumbledore and McGonagall," James admitted. "Remus went to get Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing. It was bound to gain attention, Sweetheart."

She nodded in understanding. She bit her lip as she felt the burn of eyes upon her. She heard the whispers circulating. She heard a particularly vicious one with someone in Ravenclaw remarking that if she hadn't been such a whore then maybe she wouldn't have been placed in that position in the first place. She swallowed at the harshness of her tone and implication. Did they really think she deserved what had happened to her?

She frowned when James had abruptly froze. His entire body jarred up. She eyed her boyfriend, noticing the fury radiating off of him. Her eyes widened as he regarded the girl in the Ravenclaw section who now had the decency to look ashamed. He had obviously heard her.

"James, it's-it's okay," Lily whispered as she tugged at his hand and urged him to keep walking. His hazel eyes flicked to hers and held hers. "It's okay. I'm-I'm okay."

"Sweetheart, no," he murmured, noticing the tears on her lashes. "No, you're not okay. This is not okay."

"James," she warned.

She watched him give her a sad lopsided smile before chuckling as he shook his heads in disbelief. Her heart began to pound when he squeezed her hand. He mouthed to her that he loved her before he addressed the prying eyes watching their exchange.

"Okay, everyone, listen up!" he called out.

He kissed her hand before he let it go to step up on the bench. It didn't take long at all to have everyone focus on him. How he always managed to gain everyone's full attention baffled her. She scanned the crowd, even the professors looked on. They didn't even bother to stop James either. They just watched and waited. Her eyes went to James who stood above everyone.

"I've heard the rumors lately. I've watched them rip apart someone that I care about deeply," he said, looking around the Great Hall. "Now, I don't know what you may have heard, but I am certain it is completely false. Although, I firmly believe this is a private matter, I can't sit back and watch." He gestured to Lily. "I gave Lily a ring to remind her that I won't be running away out of fear anymore. It's a promise that I'll protect her from any pain and danger that is in my power to do so. So let me just completely wipe away any bloody confusion right now, she is my soulmate in every way. I have always loved her since I first laid eyes on her and I will continue to love her. I will marry her some day." His eyes were on hers when he confessed that. His eyes darkened as he took in everyone in the Great Hall. "You have no idea what she has suffered from hurtful remarks to a boggart tainted with dark magic. To hear all of you sit back and judge her like you have a right to do so, it makes me feel sick inside. If you think I'm going to sit back and watch any word or action taken against Lily, you got another thing coming. Mark my words, you mess with her, I will mess with you. Anyone from this point on who dares to mess with her will have to tend to me, got it?"

There was complete silence that accompanied his impromptu announcement. Lily surveyed the Great Hall nervously. She didn't know what to expect. Her eyes widened when Sirius and Remus exchanged looks before standing up.

"Same goes for me," Sirius said as he got up on the bench. "You mess with her, you mess with me."

Remus nodded. "You mess with her, you mess with me."

Lily watched as Mariana smile up at Sirius proudly before she too got up and pledged the same. She continued to watch in amazement when quite a large number of students ranging between the houses along with the professors stood up and pledged their agreement. Choked up with emotions, she bowed her head and squeezed her eyes shut against the temptation to cry.

"Oh, one more thing," James said, causing her to look up. "If I ever find out who put the bloody boggart in her room, there is nothing that anyone can do to stop me from getting my hands on you."

Lily bit her lip to keep herself from smiling. He jumped down from the bench and swiftly grabbed her hand. She didn't mind that he took the lead and led her to where their friends were. She sat down next to Mariana and James sat beside her. She was still holding on his hand. She squeezed his hand and he squeezed back.

He looked into her eyes. She studied him before placing a kiss on his cheek in appreciation. He smirked as he let go off her hand and placed an arm around her shoulder to pull her towards him. She felt him kiss her temple.

"Sweetheart, I love you," he murmured.

She smiled. "James, I love you too."

He tensed for a moment. It was the first time she had truly said it aside from that emotionally charged night. This felt right to say when he was fighting for her not when he was attempting to let her go. He leaned back and looked into her eyes for a moment. She watched him lick his lips and then he dropped a brief but firm kiss on her mouth.

"Eat up, Sweetheart," he said. She noticed a nice rosy hue appear on his cheekbones. "You are still recovering."

She nodded as she return her gaze to the table. She eyed her friends who gave her a smile. Sirius was in the midst of telling a humorous story. She sighed, realizing no matter what she faced now that she wasn't alone. She reached for a serving spoon to dish out some eggs.

Thanks Anastasia for the review to this chapter and following the story! Yes, Lily had told James that she loved him in the classroom during rounds and it had changed the path the relationship was going on. She was fighting for him. This was the first time that she had said she loved him without the looming risk of losing him. I wanted the first time she said it after everything and now that they're together to be opposite of the first - when he is standing up for their relationship and fighting for her. So, I clarified it in the chapter with a tiny edit. :)