Part of the 100 Word Prompt Challenge (word: rescue), the Emotions Challenge (emotion: tense), and the Year Long Scavenger Hunt ([D14] Write about an unusual weapon) on HPFC.

Whatever Works

She had been walking the halls by herself. There were a good deal of students around her, but once she reached the Charms corridor, she was alone. James was about to go for it, but Sirius held him back.

"Don't bother her, Prongs. Look, she's all alone. She might take it the wrong way."

Remus agreed and Peter just nodded.

James was not deterred, but before he could make his move, a few Slytherin boys came up to her. James tensed, but he couldn't hear what they were saying.

Suddenly, Lily reached for her bag and pulled out her… rat tail? She must have thought it was her wand, but she was quick to throw it at one of the Slytherin's faces. He shrieked and brushed it off his nose.

Before they could stop him, James was walking out into the hall and reaching into his bag. They all knew what he had in his bag, so Sirius, Remus and Peter ran in the opposite direction. James was determined to be the hero, though, and he didn't have anything else to use. He grabbed one of the dungbombs in his rucksack and threw it down the hall. It exploded into noxious gas, which caused the Slytherins to run for it.

Lily was covering her whole face with her hands, but James didn't need to. It was pathetic, but he was so used to that smell that it really didn't bother him anymore. Without a word, James lifted his wand and the foul fog dissipated.

She was standing over her rucksack with a rat tail to her right and her wand abandoned to her left.

"Might wanna keep this closer, Evans." James picked up her wand and handed it to her. "There are snakes everywhere," he said ominously.

Lily took the wand from him, giving him a small smile. "I suppose you want a 'thank you.'"

"It's not a requirement, but if you like."

Lily shook her head with her beautiful smile. "Why a dungbomb?"

"Why a rat tail?" asked James.

"Whatever works." She picked up her rucksack and her rat tail and started to walk away.

James yelled after her, "What about that 'thank you'?"

Lily didn't turn around, but she yelled back, "You said it wasn't required."

Making his way back down the corridor, James couldn't control his smirk.