Diaries of Hogwarts Past

I don't own anything that you recognise.

Chapter 36 – 2nd Year at Hogwarts

For Cas, if you're reading this.

Lily's Diary 11:23am 14th February 1973

Well diary, today is Valentine's Day.

'YAY!' you might say.

Well I don't think so.

But I suppose I have to tell you what happened.

So today I woke up 7 like I always do, was changed by 7:30, as always, and at 7:35 I was just about to walk out of the common room (of course, like every other day), but suddenly I heard a voice call,

'Lily, WAIT!'

So I turned around to find James running down the stairs from his dorm.

He waves me over to the middle of the room and I walk over, extremely confused.

Then he knelt (yes, actually knelt) in front of me and said in a loud clear voice for everyone in the common room to hear (which, luckily, was not a lot of people),

'Lily Evans, will you go out with me?'

He was grinning, but not the smile I like, it was that arrogant grin that I hate.

I have no idea what expression was on my face, but I know inside I was absolutely horrified.

I mean, James is cute.

He's funny and charming and a Quidditch player, and great once you got to know him, but he's James.

My friend James.

FRIEND.

And he's totally not my type!

But he was still there, kneeling on the ground in front of me, grinning his face off.

'James...' I managed to croak out. 'James... I'm sorry... I can't... you're my friend... I just can't... I'm sorry...'

With that I ran back up the stairs and slammed the door to my room.

I didn't even know what happened to James after I left him kneeling there.

But I was so confused.

Why would James want to go out with me?

Does he actually want to?

Was it just a joke, or dare, or a bet that his friends have made him do?

Or was it sincere?

Did he actually want to go out with me?

And I'm only 13!

And he's only 12.

We're way too young for anything like that!

But was it only a joke, just to see what my reaction would be?

Thoughts like that ran through my head for the next half an hour, until Kelsey, Sav and Bee ran through the door after breakfast.

When they saw me sitting on the bed, probably with my eyes all red and puffy from crying, they gasped and ran over.

'So it's true!?'

'James Potter actually asked you out!'

'We couldn't believe it!'

'And you rejected him!'

'Why!'

'You just left him there!'

'Did he actually kneel!'

'And give you a ring?'

I just couldn't stand their shouting, so I screamed, 'YES!' Then I paused. 'Well, no to the ring, but he asked me out, and yes I... I freaked out and ran off.' I mumbled the last part.

They all stared, and then asked in unison, 'Why?'

'Well... James is my friend. And... We wouldn't work... and... What if it was a joke or something... and we're too young! And... And... And...'

They just looked at me.

'Well, you're going to have to face him sometime.' Kelsey said.

'What?' I replied, not comprehending.

Savannah rolled her eyes. 'You have to leave the dorm sometime. And since you go to the same school-'

'-And are in the same house-'

'-And are in the same class-'

'-And live in the same tower.' Sav finished. 'You're going to have to see him. And you're going to have to talk to him.'

I almost hit myself.

I'd almost forgotten that I'd have to face him, what with all the things running through my head.

'And think about it' Bee pointed out. 'You can't just never speak to him again. You left him kneeling in the middle of the common room. The least you can do is tell him why.'

I nodded, and then stood.

'Right. I'll go tell him n... later. Maybe tomorrow.'

I tried to sit back on the bed, but they stopped me.

'No no no no no!' They said.

Bee gave me a push towards the door and Kelsey said,

'No, you're going NOW. Step up and be a woman!'

'What if I don't want to be a woman? What if I want to be a girl?' I mumbled, but it didn't stop anything.

They all shoved, pinched, pushed, tickled, kicked and pulled me outside and onto the top of the stairs, where I could see James sitting in 'his' chair opposite the fireplace.

At all the 'ow!'s and 'hey!'s and 'eek!'s he looked up, but instead of turning away when he saw me he gave me a slight smile and stood up.

I walked down the stairs, trying to ignore the giggles from my friends who were pretending to not be paying attention, and when I got to the bottom he was already there.

'James-' I tried to say, but he cut me off.

'Lily, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you out, especially as a joke. I should've realised how you'd feel about it.' He looked at me until I realised I was supposed to say something.

'Oh. Um... wait, it was a joke?'

After a slight pause he nodded. 'Yeah... my friends dared me to. But that doesn't mean it was right to do that. I'm sorry.'

I sighed in relief and smiled.

'Wait, you're... ok, with that?' He asked hesitantly.

I nodded. 'Well, I suppose it's better than you actually liking me. It's just that I wouldn't really want to go out with you. No offense.' I added after seeing the look on his face.

'And why not?' He asked stiffly (probably just at the fact that a girl is defying his 'charms')

'Well, for one, I'm only 13. And you're only 12. It's just way too young. And we're totally different. It just wouldn't work out.' I blurted it all out, just relieved he didn't actually like me.

'Ok.' He replied. 'I should be getting back to the boys. See ya.'

With that he turned around and walked back up the stairs without looking back and I walked back up the stairs to mine.

I told my friends everything, and we all laughed at how freaked out I had been.

But I'm going to find Sev now.

He's going to find it so funny.

Love, Lily.

James' Diary 1:14am 14th February 1973

Today I did the stupidest thing in the history of stupid things I have ever done.

It was even more stupid than having that hot-dog eating contest with Sirius and then... well never mind.

But today I asked Lily on a date.

I didn't know what was going on!

I was just walking down the stairs and suddenly I couldn't let Lily walk out the portrait without saying anything.

And suddenly I was kneeling in front of her with a nervous smile on my face asking her on a date.

It was so exhilarating, but I was so scared too.

I had no idea what I was expecting to happen, but the end result certainly wasn't what I was hoping.

Her eyes went wide and an expression of pure horror crossed her face.

She started mumbling incoherent words, but I couldn't hear what she was saying, only see her mouth move around, forming words that I couldn't hear.

Then she ran back up the stairs to her dorm and slammed the door.

As soon as it did I was grabbed on both sides and practically frog-marched up the stairs into my room.

I was dumped onto the bed by Sirius and Remus and all three of my friends sat on Sirius' bed in from of me.

There's silence for a few moments before I try to open my mouth, but Sirius cut in.

'What, the hell, what THAT!' He asked.

'What?' I tried to ask, but he wouldn't let me.

'Asking a girl on a date? What about us? The Marauders! You know, US, NOT a girl! And Lily Evans! What were you thinking!'

I groaned and put my face in my hands. 'I wasn't' I moaned. 'She was just there... and I just had to ask... And her face... Euh I'm such an idiot...'

Sirius opened his mouth again, probably to say 'Yea, you are.' but Remus cut in.

'Wait, you actually like Lily Evans? Like, like like?'

'No...' I automatically deny it, but then give up pretending. 'Yea. Yea I do. Merlin what's wrong with me...? I'm such an idiot... Now we'll never be friends again... Merlin... I'm such an idiot...'

They all looked at each other.

'James.' Remus said again. 'If you need a solution, just say we dared you or something. But-'

'You actually like Lily Evans!' Sirius asked. He rolled his eyes. 'You actually asked her out? What about US!'

I blinked, and thought about it.

Telling Lily that it was a joke would probably make her mad at me, but at least nothing would be awkward, and she'd get over it.

Now that my mind was clearer and I had an excuse that wouldn't ruin my friendship with Lily, I could actually think.

'Guys, just because I asked a girl out doesn't mean that she takes preference over you! No one could! Guys, if you seriously think that a girl could ever come between us, then there's something really wrong.'

Sirius looked hesitant for a moment before saying, 'Since when did my name become an adjective?'

I smiled, knowing that he knew I was serious (NO SIRIUS JOKE INTENDED).

Remus rolled his eyes. 'Adverb Sirius. Not adjective. Adverb.'

Sirius turned. 'And I care... why?'

We all laughed, and then I spoke again.

'Really, you thought I'd ditch you? For a girl? Come on! Marauders do not ditch each other. Especially for girls. We're BFF's and all that. And I'm promising that all always be there for you guys. No matter what.' A funny expression crossed Remus' face, but before I could think about it Sirius shouted, 'All for one and one for all!' in such a dramatic voice that we couldn't help but want to laugh and he held out his hand.

We all piled our hand on top of his and shouted 'Marauders!'

Then we all sat there for a moment longer until Peter said, 'Well I hate to break up this little 'D&M' moment (deep and meaningful moment), but James kind of has something he needs to tell Lily.'

I nodded, took a deep breath and stood.

On my way out I heard Sirius say, 'I don't know what was sadder, the fact that you said D&M or the fact that I understood what you meant by it...'

So I spoke to Lily, confessed (untruthfully) that it was all a joke, listened to her list the reasons why she couldn't go out with me (which hurt a lot more than I'm willing to admit) and that was that.

My friendship was saved, my heart a little crushed, but I survived Valentine's Day.

Go me.

James.

Severus' Diary 5:23am 14th February 1973

Well, today was certainly... eventful.

What is it with Valentine's Day and fights over Lily?

But I'm not always complaining, I always seem to win them.

So, pretty much what happened is this:

This afternoon Lily came and found me and said she had a really funny story to tell me.

So she told me all about how this morning Potter had asked her out and said it was a joke 5 minutes later.

Well, there was a bit more to it than that, but that's pretty much it.

And yes, I was mad.

How could I not be!

He had asked Lily out for a joke.

A joke.

As soon as I heard the story, I stormed off to find Potter, ignoring Lily's shocked face as I turned around with a murderous expression on my own face.

I ignored all the 'wait!''s and the 'but honestly, I was happy that he was joking!''s and walked straight up to him in the Great Hall, chatting with his friends.

As soon as they saw me walking over they stopped talking and watched me warily.

Black moved his hand towards his wand, Lupin adjusted his position so he could stand up faster and Pettigrew shuffled backwards a bit.

The only person who didn't move after seeing me was Potter.

He just looked at me carefully.

I reached them quickly.

'May I have a word, James?' I gritted through my teeth.

Black looked like he was about to say, 'No way in hell Snape' But before he could open his moth Potter replied,

'Of course, Severus.' With the same emphasis on my name that I put on his.

He didn't move.

'In private?' I suggested.

He nodded and stood.

Lily still stood in the doorway to the Hall, not daring to interrupt now that I had gone this far.

We walked over to the other side of the Great Hall.

'What do you want Snape?' He asked once we got far out of earshot, no longer faking politeness.

'I want you to stay away from Lily.' I answered.

He looked confused. 'Why in Merlin's name would I do that? Lily's my friend; I can hang out with her if I want to.'

I crossed my arms.

'Yeah, but you can't make jokes about wanting to go out with her. Not to Lily. So just stay away from her.'

James' face turned from confused to angry.

'I can do whatever the hell I want!' he shouted. 'You can't order me around!'

Suddenly his wand was out and I was sprawled on the floor.

'Sev!' I heard Lily scream and she started running over.

I brought out my wand. 'Progre-'

'EXPELLIARMUS!'

My wand flew out of my hand and landed on the floor by the wall.

'Furnunculus!' He shouted again, and suddenly everywhere hurt.

'Sev!' Lily shouted again, getting closer.

James started sending stinging hexes at me, even when Lily leaped at him and started trying to drag his arm down.

It didn't stop anything; Potter was obviously a lot stronger than she was.

'James, STOP!' Lily screamed, but he just gave her another shove and she fell, crumpled on the floor.

She reached inside her robes and grabbed her wand. 'Pertrificus Totalus!' She cried and James froze.

Then she ran over to me and helped me up. 'Oh Sev.' She whispered. 'I'm so sorry.'

I opened my mouth to tell her it wasn't her fault, but I couldn't help but wince as I stood.

Lily frowned.

'One second' She told me and walked over to Potter, whose friends were still running over.

She walked right up to him, looked him straight in the eye and slapped him straight across the face.

The only thing that moved was his eyes, which widened in pain.

I only heard a faint whisper of what she said to him. 'I thought… my friend? …promised… Bye Potter.'

She turned around and only I could've seen the hurt in her eyes before she shook her head and walked over to me.

Then there was only compassion for me.

She helped me to the hospital wing and I got all fixed up.

But it was worth it.

Of course, I never meant for it to happen, but it did.

Lily now realizes who James Potter really is, not that false friendship he put out.

And hopefully she won't fall for it again.

But I think The Prank will be coming up very soon (Yes, with capital letters).

We've almost got it completely planned, but one little detail.

Maybe in a month or two.

Be ready for the funniest thing you'll ever see in your whole life.

Severus

Kelsey's Diary 7:17am 14th February 1973

Something amazing happened today!

And before you say, 'oh yea, Lily and James' fight' it's not.

Something happened to me for once.

Today I met the most amazing guy.

Funnily enough, I crashed into him.

I was running to potions and when I turned the corner he seemed to come out of nowhere and I ran into him.

I was knocked over (but of course, he barely moved) and all my stuff when all over the floor.

But before my glass inkwell could crash to the floor and smash everywhere, he caught it.

He actually caught it before it hit the ground.

'Oh I'm so sorry.' He said with a slight British accent (I, having lived in America for the first few years of my life before moving to England, noticed. Then again everyone has British accents here – his just seems… I don't know, cooler) 'Here, let me help you up.'

He stuck his arm out and I took his hand.

He pulled me up and handed me the inkwell.

'There you go.'

Then he looked at me.

'I haven't seen you around much before. Are you a… second year?'

I nodded. 'Gryffindor.' I clarified

He held out his hand again.

'Max Byers.' He said. 'Third year Ravenclaw.'

I took his hand to shake it but instead he brought it to his lips and kissed it.

I blushed. Um... nice to meet you.' I stammered, and then cursed myself mentally. Pull yourself together woman! I thought, and then cleared my throat.

'Well, nice to meet you Max, but I really should be getting to potions.' I told him while picking up my stuff and putting it in my bag.

'Here, I'll walk you! He said eagerly. 'I was heading down that way anyway. I had to see Professor Slughorn anyway about my essay.' He grabbed by bag off me.

'Well, although that's very kind of you, I am capable of carrying my own bag to class.' I told him, trying to take it back but he wouldn't let me.

'No, I'd like to.' He insisted.

I hesitated.

'Come on, you'll be late otherwise!'

I rolled by eyes and sighed, but started walking next to him.

On the way to class, I found out a lot more about him.

He seemed really eager for me to get to know him.

He's 13, turning 14 on May 19th, he's a keeper for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team and he loves transfiguration.

He's the eldest child in his family with 3 younger sisters, all of them magical.

One of them is coming to Hogwarts next year, and the others 7 and 4.

His dad works in the ministry as part of the Wizengamot (like the wizard court).

By the time I reached my class I knew almost all about him.

We stopped just before the door – out of sight of the class.

'Well, bye.' I said. 'And, uh, thanks for walking me.'

I felt almost sad that I had to go.

He smiled. 'No problem.' He said and handed me back my bag.

I took a step towards the door.

'Wait!' he said, and then blushed. 'Um, will I see you again?' he asked. 'At breakfast?'

I blushed too, much to my dismay. 'Uh, sure.' I told him. 'B-bye.' I said again and rushed inside.

'Nice of you to join us, Miss Maglens.' Slughorn said, only half caring, and ushered me to my seat.

Lily, Sav and Bee all looked at me questioningly but I ignored them.

I'll tell them… later.

When the whole Lily/James fight things blows over.

And when I work out whether it's worth telling or not.

And how I feel about it.

…But he was pretty cute :)

Kelsey

Ok, I owe like EVERYONE a HUGE apology. I promised that I would have this up like 2 weeks ago, but things came up (such as my mum banning me from the computer due to exams then the computer breaking the day they finished). And I know that's no excuse. But hopefully this chapter made up for it :D

I know I don't deserve it, but R&R? Please? Even just a sentence saying that you like it (or you don't)?

Alysa