ME: Well, lovely ducklings (yes, I did just call you ducklings), these characters belong to JKR, except Sara and Lucy. I have made a decision about this chapter. You'll have to read to find out, and you may not like it, so I'm sorry if you don't. But, it's a key part to what is going to happen very, very soon. Thanks to everyone that reviewed! I'll dedicate later :D. Onto the story!
Two of them wore identical, mischievous grins. Another had a curious yet dumbfounded look to him, and the last had the expression of one who disapproved greatly of what was going on.
The marauders.
The four boys continued in their not so peaceful way to Hogsmeade, plodding over the worn out path that so many had walked on.
"I can't believe she actually agreed," Remus muttered disbelievingly, shaking his head.
James stared at his friend. "And what is so wrong with me that darling Lily wouldn't?" He laughed, speeding up his pace. The others quickened their steps to keep up.
"Prongs, everything is wrong with you," Sirius cackled, eyes following a group of Ravenclaw girls ahead of them.
"Prongs isn't so bad," Peter chirped excitedly, eyeing the girls also. The Ravenclaw's were giggling excessively, seeing James and Sirius behind them.
Sirius jogged ahead, catching up with them. "Excuse me," he began, "I lost my teddy bear. Can I sleep with you?" He asked playfully to a pretty brunette. She burst into high pitched laughter, nodding repeatedly.
Remus brow wrinkled as he thought. "Well. Guess he's done with Sara." James's grin widened. "Lucky girl. Speaking of lucky girls, we're going to be late for Lily if we don't hurry. I'm supposed to be there at 12:20. It's 12:15, and this is the first time Lily has ever said 'sure' to any time I've asked her out. As friends. I'm not going to be late." He began speed walking, passing Sirius and his new fan club.
"You told me that you were dating!" Remus shouted from behind him.
"Where is he?" Lily wondered aloud. She was waiting completely alone in the Three Broomsticks, clutching a mug of butterbeer. She glared at the clock on the wall, taunting her with each tick, tock of the seconds passing. Seconds passing that James Potter was late.
She sighed. I'll wait 5 more minutes…
Minute one. The old wooden door remained closed, the room seemed silent despite the light chatter of students talking. Lily admired the dust particles that were caught by the light coming from an old window.
Minute two. Maybe Severus had been right, despite what James had said. Lily had finally agreed to James, and already he was eleven minutes late. Was he not going to show up at all? The dust particles were looking more and more ugly every moment.
Minute three. Maybe something was holding him up. It was possible, Lily knew.
Minute four. Or maybe not. Did he not like her anymore? Was she waiting there for something that didn't actually exist? The table her arms rested on was getting uncomfortable. She shifted anxiously.
Minute five. The door remained still. She got up to go, but sat back down again. Why couldn't she just leave? He wasn't coming. But half of her was waiting for James still. The other half felt betrayed and hurt. She'd wait one more minute.
Times up. Maybe James hadn't matured at all. It had seemed like it, but now…
Lily stood up slowly, trudging to the door.
"C'mon Pads, lets get going," James laughed, grabbing Sirius's elbow and pulling him away from the girls. "I've got 4 minutes left to go, and I will not be late," He said with a fierce determination only a Gryffindor could accomplish (or possibly a very angry Slytherin).
James settled for a quick walk, yanking Sirius along with him. They were only just entering Hogsmeade. "I'm going to head to Zonko's, I have to meet Lucy there," Remus shouted from behind them, taking a left turn to the colorful candy shop nearby. Peter trailed along with him like a duckling. (ME: ha..ha.. Duckling..) Sirius and James, alone now, began to go even faster, when they saw It. The infamous greasy haired Snivellus Snape, talking to a large Slytherin seventh year.
"Slytherin will win next year, I know it. Gryffindor doesn't stand a chance with Potter as their seeker," the seventh year sneered loudly, obviously spotting James and Sirius. James glared at them, but held himself back.
Severus smirked. "And Black will probably go bashing his team over their heads with that bat of his. He's a disgrace to his family name. No wonder they hate him. He doesn't even deserve the name Black," he finished with a snarl.
Sirius stopped in his tracks, paralyzed. Time seemed to freeze. A single thought went through James's head: Oh God. And then Sirius exploded, taking off after the Slytherins, tackling Severus to the ground. James ran after him, desperately attempting to pull him off Severus.
"Don't-" Sirius smashed his fist into Severus's nose. Blood splattered over his robes. "Ever-" He grabbed the hand Severus had feebly attempted to slap him with, "Compare me-" He twisted Snape's wrist until Snape yelped in pain. "To-" He pulled his arm back and elbowed Snape in the stomach, "Those-" he kicked Severus in the knee, "PEOPLE!" Finally, he lifted his fist once more and rammed it into Snape's cheek, leaving a giant red indent on his face. He lifted himself off of Snape, calmly dusting off his robes. His dark eyes turned to James, humor completely gone. "Lets go." He growled, beginning to leave.
The seventh year Slytherin blocked his way, looking intimidating. Sirius matched him.
"Pads, we don't have time for this. I'm late." James said, staring at his watch.
"Oh crap. I'm really late. Lily's gonna be so angry." He glanced at Sirius, who was beginning to relax a little more.
"Okay." Sirius replied. His voice was quiet, emotionless, and flat sounding.
The two boys sprinted off, leaving the Slytherins glaring after them.
When James got to the Three Broomsticks, he flew inside, skidding to a stop and looking everywhere.
Lily was gone.
