wise men say
it looks like rain today
it crackled on the speakers
and trickled down the sleepy subway trains
for heavy eyes could hardly hold us
aching legs that often told us
it's all worth it
We All Fall In Love Sometimes
Chapter 29: Egotism
On Saturday, April 29, the Montrose Magpies played and beat the Chudley Cannons in a very brief game. No one was surprised. Despite its oddly faithful fanbase, the orange-clad team was really terrible.
Still, every win was a boost of confidence for the Magpies, and not long after the game James was spotted walking about like he owned the world.
"You've got way too much time on your hands," Lily laughed after catching him admiring himself in the mirror. "Don't you have something to do?"
James pouted. "No. Besides, we've just won two games in a two weeks… pretty damn good if you ask me."
"You're undefeated, James. I don't think the time span really matters."
He beamed and pecked her on the cheek. "That's the true."
"Good, now would you stop preening your ego in here? I am trying to work, you know." She indicated a half-filled form on her desk.
James leaned over, whimsically observing her handiwork while simultaneously attempting to slide his hand down her shirt. Lily swatted him away, still wondering how she put up with such a pig.
"Love isn't logical," he said after she voiced this concern. It brought a smile to the redhead's face.
That word again: l-o-v-e. It felt like getting twelve Outstanding OWLs or winning the Triwizard tournament: thrilling.
"What are you working on?" he asked politely, unaware of the effect his one statement had on Lily. "'Application for Employment'? You already have a job."
"Being a Quidditch player doesn't pay that well." Lily quirked a grin at him. "So I'm applying for a part-time job at the Ministry. Sort of a secretary position."
He laughed. "I can't see you being a secretary, Lil. You'd probably get fired for poorly seducing the clients or something."
"Hardy har har. Although it seemed to work on you."
James kissed her soundly, grinning like a madman. "You could've hit me over the head with a brick and chanted in Latin, and I still would've fallen for you," he told her. "I'm dead gone."
"Glad to know," she murmured with a faint blush. He looked quite pleased with himself.
James cast another glance at the application. "Previous Work Experience: professional quidditch; assistant junior manager, Flourish and Blotts; pumpkin picking – pumpkin picking?"
"I used to help out a pumpkin farmer when I was a kid," she replied defensively, the blush in her cheeks growing deeper. "He paid my sister and me £4 an hour."
James raised an eyebrow. "Pumpkin picking?"
"It was really miserable work," Lily allowed, covering her application with her hand. "Shut up."
"I know; I'm being a brick," he answered, grinning. "But you don't mind, right?"
"There goes that ego again."
He shrugged and strolled away from the desk, picking up a copy of the Evening Prophet which had been lying on the windowsill, still rolled and tied. He absentmindedly loosened the twine from the paper and flipped through the first few pages.
"Fudge's put out an educational decree, again," James commented offhandedly.
"He always is. What's this one?"
"Something about improved unity with Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. I dunno. Nothing important."
Lily studied her work. "A friend of mine goes to Beauxbatons. Met her when she came to Scotland for Easter holidays."
"Huh." James wasn't really paying attention to Lily's story. He was more concerned with the headline of the Sports section, neatly typed in boldface:
WAS MAGPIE-CANNON GAME FIXED?
Underneath, the article accused, "POTTER AND EVANS AT IT AGAIN."
"Oh, my God," James said. Hearing the cold tone in his voice, Lily stiffened and look up.
"What is it?"
"C'mere, this is bloody insane."
She rose from her seat and looked over his shoulder, slumping as soon as she read the headline. "You've got to be kidding me!"
"Talk about it."
"There's no way…" Lily trailed off, reading the article. "'The secret lovers are reported to have many friends throughout the league' – well, that's true, but how the f -"
"Look at this, " James said quietly, running a finger down the article. His finger traced the second-to-last paragraph. "'Betting on matches by members of the league is strictly forbidden due to the risk of a thrown game, but Evans and Potter don't seem to care…'"
He crumpled the newspaper up in his fist suddenly and threw it at the wall. "Bloody wacking Prophet!" he yelled.
"James, calm down," she said, grabbing his arm. "It's just one article…" But she, too, was shaky with surprise. Who would really accuse them of this?
He made a short noise of strangled anger in his throat and faced her, eyes ablaze. "I hate this f---ing town. All they live for is gossip, gossip, gossip. I love Quidditch, Lily… I would never -"
"I know," she interrupted, "and apparently I've been accused as well. But if we went around confronting over dumb rumor, people wouldn't have to think twice before making allegations. So let it go."
He heaved a great, frustrated sigh and threaded his hand through his hair. "I can't bloody let it go. I hate these rumors."
"They want us to answer. We won't answer."
James nodded, albeit reluctantly.
Lily gently retrieved the crumpled-up Prophet and set it face-down on the table, not quite wanting to look at it anytime soon. She would think about this later – right now, there were more pressing issues that she'd wanted to get to the bottom of. Something had just come to mind.
"James," the woman said softly as she looped her arms in his, "I need to ask you something."
He visibly relaxed, effectively distracted. "…yes?" he replied huskily.
"What's your captain's address?"
What a mood-killer – James's momentary anticipation flew out the window as he regarded Lily bemusedly. "My captain? You want to pay him a visit or something?"
"No, you brick," she said, rolling her eyes. "I just want to write him. I have good reason, I swear."
He eyed her with some skepticism, but picked up a piece of parchment and a quill from her desk, quickly scribbling something down. "Here," he said, handing it to her. "He's not fond of owls, so he may not reply."
"I think he will," Lily said confidently. "I would if I were in his position."
Author's Note: What on earth does she mean by that? I can't help but think this must be a really confusing situation for James. Poor fellow.
So, I hope people are still reading, because I realize that I suck at updating. Okay, I knew that a long time ago. But still. Sigh. You can thank the darling author Zay for this update... even though her reviews are always really kind, I sense a silent threat in them. Lol.
Please review? :D
