You all probably hate me at this point, but I finally managed to finish 21. It has been a hectic past month. Im working a show and at rehearsals nightly, my sister just had a baby, and Im back in classes. My show closes in a few weeks, so I will do my best to keep writing in between then, but it may be a bit before I get the next one out to you. But I loved how many of you sent me reviews and how many of you asked me to keep updating, you're what kept me trying to get this chapter out. So here it is! I hope you enjoy and please review! I love your feedback. :)
Chapter 21
"You every going to talk to me again Ginger?" Sirius chuckled from behind Lily as she stormed down the hallway, James and Remus at her side. As the name tumbled from Sirius' mouth however, Lily's wand was already out of her pocket and without even having to turn around, pointed at Sirius' shoes. A rope quickly materialized from the end as she whispered something under her breath and spun around his ankles. A smile immediately pulled on the corners of Lily's mouth as a loud thud sounded behind them. "He honestly should know better at this point." Remus laughed glancing back to see Peter attempting to untie the rope from Sirius' legs.
"But he never will. He's too proud to fear a girl." Lily sighed as she thought it over. "This isn't funny Evans!" He shouted from a good distance back now. A few girls in passing began to giggle at the sight of Sirius struggling on the ground. "I'd expect better escaping abilities from someone with your trouble background." The voice chimed behind him causing his body to become completely rigid. "Well when one of your mates does it, its not so easy since they know your escaping capabilities." He smirked as he glanced around to see her smiling down at him, her books held tightly against her. "Did you upset Lily I take it?" She giggled lightly seeing the locks of red hair in the distance between two boys. "Of course he did." Peter grumbled as he attempted to cut the ropes with his switchblade, only to find that the rope was unaffected and his knife had been chipping away. "No one could make rope this intense to punish Sirius." Hestia hadn't noticed Peter was there and quickly became silent. Her cheeks had taken on a rose tint and she focused all of her attention on the ground.
Sirius picked up on the mood change instantly and glared back at his friend. "Run ahead Wormtail. I know how you'd hate to miss breakfast. I'll find my way out of this." Peter smiled and quickly nodded as he rushed off down the hall to catch up with the others. "Thank you." Her voice was almost a whisper. "Of course." He nodded as he attempted to push himself up, only to stumble back down again. A giggle once again escaped her lips as she stepped forward, pulling out her wand and giving a quick wave. The rope began to disintegrate around Sirius' legs and once it had completely vanished he glanced up at her in amazement. "How did you manage that one?" A sinister smirk appeared on her face as she pushed herself up from beside him. "My own little secrets." She winked and began to walk down the corridor. "Well I hope you're willing to share because I am quite interested!" He called after her as he pushed himself up and rushed to her side.
"It's been a bit Lily." James sighed as she continued to lean against the wall outside of the Great Hall. "And your point is?" She continued to fidget with the loose string hanging from her sleeve. "You have to go in eventually. Were getting our schedules today." James chuckled as he watched Lily's brow furrow as she began to think of solutions. "Remus will grab them for us." She smiled after a few moments before glancing over at James only to see his usual crooked smile spread across his face. "It's waffle day though." Lily's smile dropped. James felt a chill of accomplishment flow through him as his memory of Lily's favorite breakfast day being waffle day helped his pull. "You're a cruel git, Potter!" She let out with a puff of breath as she crossed her arms. As she glared up at him, she felt her heartbeat quicken as he stepped forward and rested his elbow above her head and leaned over her, a serious expression spread across his face. "I'm not a git. I'm not being cruel. I am trying to help my friend go talk with her other friends, so she stops sleeping in my bed and being a bed hog." By the end, his smirk had returned and Lily couldn't help but feel as if she were going to melt under his gaze. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly; attempting to calm herself before the storm she was about to walk into because James Potter was making her. As she let out her soft breath, she glanced up to see that James was still smiling down at her. "Ready now Red?" She felt a soft giggle escape her lips as her mouth pulled itself into a smile. "You're smiling! I'm safe! You're not mad at me!" James pushed back from the wall and laughed as Lily shook her head at him. "You're odd. You know that? Very odd." He immediately stuck his tongue out and crossed his eyes as Lily walked by him and into the Great Hall.
The moment she walked through the doors though, she paused. Celia's eyes were the first to lock with Lily's and she could clearly read the pity she felt for her. She didn't want pity from people. That's why she kept it hidden and never mentioned it. "They can't hurt you. I'm right here." His voice was soothing as he whispered behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders, slightly nudging her forward. As they moved forward and reached the table, the eyes of the group all sat on Lily. The boys of the table not as phased by what had happened last night as the girls were. Lily slid into the space next to Remus and immediately; James sat at the spot next to her, blocking Marlene from moving over. From the moment she sat down, Lily's heart was set on one thing. Waffles. Where were the waffles? She looked down the table to see the only plate closest to them on Remus' side was filled with scrambled eggs. As Lily turned and looked past James, the plate that sat right between Marlene and Mary was filled with breakfast meats. She quickly stood and glanced about all of the tables within the Great Hall and not a single one held a plate of waffles.
"You lied to me…" She murmured, but it didn't go unnoticed by the group who sat around her. Marlene was the first to speak up after a few moments. "Who lied, Lil's?" Lily's eyes turned over to James who smiled up at her and began to shovel a spoonful of eggs into his mouth. "You foul little weasel! Of all things to lie to me about, you choose Waffle day?" She slowly lowered herself back to her seat, eyes not moving from James'. "Lily, when has the first day of classes ever been Waffle day?" She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed her mouth as she realized Marlene was right. Never in the past five years had it ever been waffle day on the first day of classes. That's when it hit her and a smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. There was Marlene, and here was Lily, and not a single conflict between the two of them. The terrible subject hadn't been mentioned and the group of girls were chuckling away at the frustration Lily aimed toward James. As she glanced over at him, a smirk was spread across his face, which she immediately reciprocated.
"I see you have discovered my plan." He chuckled as she shoved his shoulder, knocking him into Marlene, who fumbled not to drop her blueberry jam covered toast into her lap. "Merlin!" She shrieked as she caught the toast; jam side down on her hand. "Sorry Mar." Marlene glared over at James as she dropped the toast back down on her plate and wiped the jam off of her hand. Avoiding any more conflict, Lily glanced about for a new option to eat. "Just wanted waffles." She mumbled to herself, frustrated as she grabbed and slathered a slice of toast with grape jam. Not soon after, McGonagall strolled by the table, flicking her wand every few steps and sending a piece of parchment into each student's hand.
As the group received their schedules, small groans escaped the lips of a few students nearby. "Again!" Peter sighed as he glanced over his schedule. "Let me guess, back in third year Charms, Wormtail?" Remus sighed as he glanced over his friends shoulder. "I thought I passed last year!" A sudden laugh escaped Mary, which drew the group's eyes to her. "He blew up Flitwick's desk trying to move a quill!" A large snort sounded from James and Sirius as Lily and the other girls stared on in complete shock. "How is that possible?" Marlene scoffed as Remus nodded, burying his face in his hands. "If you fail this time Pete, any hopes of working in the Ministry like your Dad are done." Remus mumbled through his hands. "This stupid subject!" He yelled, voice filled with frustration as he rose from the table and stormed off. "It's like he's stopped trying in general." Celia let out from the edge of the group. A slow circle of nodding heads began as groups of people began to stand around them to begin their journey to class.
"Anyone heading up near Divination?" Lily questioned as they began to stand with the rest. "I can go as far as McGonagall's office." James nodded, following Lily towards the staircase as the others made their way down the first floor halls to Muggle Studies. "Why are you heading to McGonagall?" Lily questioned as she watched the others vanish down the hall. "She wanted me to try an Upper level class during my free period." James let out a small laugh as Lily glanced over at him. "James Potter. The Bad Boy. The Heart Throb… The Smarty Pants?" She mocked as they reached the second floor landing. "Oh shut it. Aside from you, I'm up there in our class!" He nudged her shoulder lightly. "Not everyone can be as smart as you are, Lily." She felt her cheeks flush as he made eye contact with her and the look on his face, for the second time that day, was completely serious. She felt the churning feeling in her stomach return as their eyes remained locked with one another.
James' mind sat in an angry fog as Lily Evans, the girl he pined over for years, was in a deep eye lock with him. The rose in her cheeks glowing strong and the want to look away was not even a thought in either of their minds. He suddenly felt his heart skip a beat at the small flick of her eyes. They didn't move from him, but instead from his eyes, to his lips and back. Everything he ever wanted sat there before him. No girl glanced at a boys lips unless there was something she really wanted. Did Lily really want him? After all this time? He couldn't help but let the smile that pulled at the corners of his mouth show itself. "Lily…" A smile appeared on her face as he spoke her name. She couldn't explain it, but her mind had an idea of what it wanted, even if it was the pompous, toe-rag who she used to hate. A smile spread across his face as he waited for her to say or do something to let him know. As her mouth began to open, she could see him become eager with anticipation.
"Jamie!" A voice shrieked happily nearby and seconds later he was gone from her frontal view and knocked to the side. Deirdre Sinclair had James' face in her hands, her lips forcibly pressed against his. Her stomach dropped and the pricks felt as if they were punching her tear ducts as the tears attempted to well in her eyes. As they broke away, James instantly glanced to Lily who simply shook her head. He felt a pain in his heart seeing the hurt in her eyes. Deirdre followed his eyes and caught sight of her. After a small breath, Lily hid all signs of pain from her face. She had trained herself well after years with her father being sick. "Hullo Evans." She smiled, sliding her arm through his. "Sinclair." She gave a soft nod and glanced at James. "Well, I'm off. Good luck with the new class, Potter." With that she turned on her heel and glided off down the hall.
Potter… It hit him hard. She cared. And thought he didn't. Lily Evans actually cared about James Potter, and he was with someone else. "What class was she talking about?" Deirdre's voice pulled him back in and he glanced over to see he'd made a horrible mistake the night before. Sure she was pretty and liked him, but if he had thoughts of a breakup all summer, why would that change? "Its nothing Deirdre. Just swapping a class." He mumbled as he turned away from her and walked into McGonagall's office.
As she reached the Divination landing, she let out a sigh of relief to see the door still closed and a group stood in waiting. She wasn't late. She was actually early, or Freeman was just over sleeping again. Most likely the latter. "Fancy seeing you here." The deep voice sounded behind her, causing chills to run up her spine. She wasn't sure how to feel in this situation anymore. After the way he acted on the train toward her and after everything she told James… Maybe it was just the feelings for him overlapping something that she should be considering. Maybe she should give him a chance to possibly prove himself. As she turned, she was taken back slightly to see his school look. She had only seen him in his fancy robes, which in Lily's mind were revolting. He always looked like a pompous git in them. The Ravenclaw robes were a good look for him…very good look.
"What brings you up here?" He questioned as his group behind him whispered curiously. "My class. I'm in a few above the normal level." She made sure to smirk as proudly as possible as he looked her up and down with surprise. "Well. Brains and Beauty." A familiar rush flowed through her as she smiled up at him. He wasn't too bad. His robes made him seem more common to her now and less like the arse at the game. "It'll be interesting seeing you every morning now." She continued to smile until a familiar voice made itself known over the mumbles of the crowds. "Lily!" Both of them turned toward the stairs where Alice and Frank pushed through the forming crowd. As she looked over the two of them, she could see that Alice's cheeks were flush and her hair not as pin straight as usual. Frank who was usually dressed to perfection was slightly disheveled with part of his shirt left un-tucked. Lily smirked as the two approached innocently.
"Where have you two been? We missed you at breakfast." Lily let out a hint of amusement in her voice, which Alice easily picked up on. "Uh.." Frank began as he quickly glanced down at Alice who nervously glanced back up at him. "We were… um… we just…" She stumbled through her words and her eyes stayed on Frank. Lily glanced up at Barty who was trying not to let out a laugh as they watched the two scramble. As they finally broke eye contact and looked over at them, the attic door crashed open causing many of the surrounding students to jump. Freeman appeared at the door and stared about at all of them. "Sorry about that! Everyone hurry, we have a lot to cover!" He yelled as he stumbled back into the room. The group began to push through the door after him. Lily glanced back to see that Frank and Alice had already rushed off and pushed into the crowd. She looked over to Barty to see him standing there chuckling to himself as he looked down at Lily, slipping his arm around her shoulder as they moved their way into the classroom, her stomach flipping uncomfortably with every step. It wasn't a good flip and she tried to ignore it as they sat down, but something didn't feel right here.