So we finally find out who stopped her. Hope you enjoy. Same disclaimer.
I slowed and a hand caught my shoulder. I looked up and saw Michael standing there. "Mandy?" James said.
"Go on I'll be fine." I answered.
"Manda." James prodded.
"It is fine, I just needed to ask you something." Michael said.
"If she'll date you?" Black spat.
"No, it's about something else."
"Alright shoot." I ordered. He steered me in the direction we had been going. The Marauders lagged behind but we both knew they were eavesdropping.
"Is something wrong?"
"NO, why would something be wrong?"
"Because that silver tongue of yours is cutting my head off and because you look like someone just took away your favorite type of entertainment," he said softly.
"I'm sorry man. James won't let me spar with Black anymore. I made him a promise that I wouldn't start anything if Black didn't meaning I'm only allowed to retaliate and he just stopped Black from starting it."
"But that's what you wanted isn't it? You hated sparing with Black because you're starting to fancy him and James is giving you the chance to get to know him without all the fighting." Michael hissed in my ear.
"I don't want to get to know him." I answered just as quietly.
"Why not?" Mike asked, his tone returning to normal.
"I ... it's just complicated."
"What is?"
"The reason ... I just can't."
"Why not?"
"It's complicated."
"How so?"
"It just is."
"That brings me back to my original question. I need your help with Charms."
"But the holidays are coming up."
"I know and it's just part of our homework and I need your help with it."
"Alright, tonight?"
"Seven thirty in the library." He leaned down and whispered. "We'll talk about why it's so complicated then." Then he strode to his table. When we sat down at the table a lot of girls looked at me weird.
"Amanda what kind of gift is this exactly?" Black asked.
I caught Ashley's eye and smirked. "A good one." I answered.
"Then why can none of my adoring girls come with in three feet of me?"
"It'll wear off after dinner I swear." I answered rolling my eyes. After dinner Ashley caught up to us and hugged me.
"You're the best big sister ever." She squealed.
"Don't let Cathy hear you say that."
"Alright."
"Stripes, what did you do?" James asked.
"Don't worry your handsome little head Prongsie, it doesn't matter now." I smirked. I flicked my wand at Black and we were swarmed with tons of fan girls.
"Siri-poo, where have you been all week?" A fan girl squealed. I cringed and moved closer to James.
"What's the time?" I asked.
"7:15." James answered.
"Crap got to go. Michael's waiting."
"Can't keep dear Mikey waiting." Black taunted.
"Shut up you prat." I spat back.
"Aw Siri don't listen to her she's just jealous." The girl said. I sneered at her.
"Don't start." James said.
"I'll be fine James." I said. He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Mandy, there are some spots that don't wash out so easily."
"Yeah, Black should know that all too well."
"Mandy, I just want you to be careful."
"I know and I will I promise." I assured him. James gave me a strong, one armed hug and a small smile. I returned it and then broke away headed to the library.
"If I didn't know better I would say those two are flirting." Lily said.
"Aw is our dear Lily jealous?" Remus asked.
"No, it's just weird." Lily defended.
"Knock it off, she's like my baby sister." James said before I walked out of hearing range.
When I spotted Michael in the library I let out a sigh of relief. "Talk," he ordered as I settled into a chair next to him.
"What about your Charms?"
"I could turn them on if you would like." I blushed and looked away.
"That's not what I meant and you know it." I said.
"I know, but I did my homework yesterday I just wanted to get you down here so we could talk."
"You could have just ..."
"Potter's too protective for anything aside from homework talk with a Slytherin so I used what I had to. It wouldn't surprise me if he had someone watching even now."
"Our backs are to the corner and we'd be able to see them if they were."
"None the less..." He said before casting a privacy soundproof bubble around us.
"Show off." I teased, "next time ask for help in a subject you're not good in."
"Why?"
"Because if they're watching they just saw you're good at Charms." My ears perked up as something like a cloak rustled. The soundproof bubble stopped sound from going out but not in. Something rustled again and I glanced to the left past Michael to the bookshelves where something big and black caught my eye. It looked like a shoe before it disappeared again. "Invisibility cloak." I muttered. I looked at Michael and sighed. "Do me a favor, turn and put your back to that bookcase."
"What's up?"
"Just do it." Michael shrugged and did as I asked. I inhaled through my mouth and caught the scent of broom polish, outdoors, and dogs. My tiger senses were kicking in overdrive and it made me mad that he didn't trust me.
"So tell me how it's complicated."
"It just is." I stated looking around.
"Mandy, is something wrong?"
"Gut feeling something's up."
"It'll be alright. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you." He said placing a hand on my knee. I saw a book move and my tiger roared.
"Are you alright?" Michael asked.
"I don't really know."
"Come on then, tell me how it's complicated. I promise I won't tell anyone."
I looked at the floor and began to speak. "It's just that I'm already physically attracted to him and if I get to know him I might start to fancy him and if I fancy him my opinions will change and I might fall for him and he'll get hurt if I date him." I said keeping my head down. James knew how to read lips and if he could read mine he might figure out what we were talking about and I didn't want that to happen.
"Ok." Michael said slowly as if absorbing what I had to say. "What I don't understand is how that's complicated."
"I don't want to see him get hurt." I said before casting a shield bubble around us. I shifted my seat and put my head in his lap resting my chin on his far thigh. I was glad neither of our chairs had arm rests. He started rubbing my shoulders before he spoke.
"How will he get hurt?"
"Every guy I've ever dated got hurt or something bad happened to him. I don't want that to happen to him."
"You know what I think?"
"No, but I'm sure you're gonna tell me."
"I think you already have fallen for him, that's why you care so much about what happens to him."
"I ..." I started.
"You do, don't deny it." So I kept quiet. It wasn't like he was going to believe me anyway. "I thought so, but you have to let go of the fact that maybe he'll get hurt and accept the fact that you can't control everything. If he does get hurt then he will and even if you think it's your fault, it might not be."
"But it could be."
"Yeah, but You-Know-Who could also storm the castle and Evans will fall for Potter."
"Neither will ever happen."
"More than likely not but there is a chance they could right?" Michael said.
"Sure." I answered not liking where this was going.
"Things will happen and when they do, deal with them then, and don't blame yourself too much. If the guy gets hurt due to his cat or owl dying or someone he cares about dies or he gets disowned then it's not your fault."
"But what if they die because of me or if his parents disowned him for dating me?"
"If he is willing to take that risk then it's on him not on you. You won't cause something like that intentionally; it's not your style. Listen to me because I'm about to quote you. Listening?"
"Yeah."
"You said nothing is ever that fun unless there's a risk to it."
"No what I said was the greater risk the greater the fun but that's not always true."
"Yes, but if you didn't risk anything the reward wouldn't be as sweet." Michael said in a Remus-I-Know-Everything like tone.
"Why do you make me think?" I said flipping onto my back in order to look up at him.
"Because someone has to make you think about what you don't want to or are trying to ignore."
"That still doesn't help."
"Alright here's the deal, I know you're going home for the break but no matter what you'll end up at the Potters' so get to know Black, talk to him and find out about the softer side he has and if he still hasn't changed after we get back, I won't push you."
"Alright," I said hesitantly.
"There's nothing to lose here, Circe knows, you may even make a new friend."
"Sure, thanks Michael."
"You can call me Mike if you want." I looked at him carefully and saw that he would prefer it.
"Thanks Mike."
"I'm still going to call you Seeker though."
"Fine." I stood and pulled him to his feet. After removing both the privacy and shield bubbles I hugged him. "Thanks again." I whispered.
"No, I should be thanking you."
"For what?"
"For listening. I know you didn't want to, and for talking to me. I bet it was difficult."
"Yeah but now I feel better. So we're in an agreement, you thank me and I thank you now I can rest a bit easier."
"Yeah, I'll always be here if you want to talk, Seeker." I pulled back and kissed his cheek.
"I appreciate it."
"Anything for you." He said caressing my cheek. There was pain in his eyes but I just let it go. Hugging him one more time before I turned to leave, I was happy and sad although I didn't know why. "Happy Christmas Seeker."
"Happy Christmas Mike." With that I left. My ears caught the sound of footsteps going passed me. I sighed and let them go for now.
"Hey Seeker." Mike called. I stopped and heard the footsteps in front of me do the same.
"Yeah Mike." I called back.
"Don't be too hard on them, they care about you and don't want you to get hurt. You can't be too careful these days. I wish I had someone who cared about me like that."
"You know I'd protect you Mike."
"I know but it's just not the same."
"You can always count on me."
"Thanks, night Mandy."
"Night Mike." He nodded and headed for the dungeons as the three of us headed for our Common Room. The hint of broom polish told me that James was there but the smell of dogs alerted me Black was with him.
Once we reached the Common Room the boys darted up the stairs and I saw Remus sitting on the couch reading a book. I strolled up behind him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He marked his page then looked up at me. His face fell and he swallowed hard.
"Hey Mandy." He said softly.
I moved my hands to his shoulders and looked at him cautiously searching his face. "Save your own arse and tell me you told them not to." I demanded keeping my voice low.
"Told who not to what?" Remus asked, although he seemed truly interested, he also seemed to sense danger.
"Potter and Black, they were spying on me."
"I could tell James was thinking about it but I didn't know he'd actually go through with it. I did warn him it was a bad idea. How'd you know?"
I tapped my nose. "The nose knows." I said removing my hands.
"Stripes tomorrow is the start of break, don't make them miss the train." He sighed. I saluted him and moved silently upstairs. I shut the door quietly and saw both of them reading Quidditch magazines.
"What the hell does she think she was doing?" James asked glancing up from his magazine at Black.
"I don't know Prongs, maybe they really were just talking." Black answered.
"With her head in his lap?"
"Maybe, I mean it didn't really look like something was going on, at least not like that."
"I don't want him anywhere near her."
"Me either mate, maybe we can talk her out of his friendship over holiday. Or just to be careful of him."
"She's going home with Dixon over hols."
"We'll see her eventually Prongs and don't worry if we can't change her mind we could always threaten him."
"Or you could leave him the bloody hell alone, you ... you ..." I trailed off before cursing in German. I leaned back against the now silenced door with my arms over my chest. "He's never done anything to me. He's my friend, damn it and no matter what you say or do will change that."
"Mandy, we weren't..." James started lamely.
"Shut up Potter. Do you think I didn't hear you, or smell you? The invisibility cloak makes you invisible not silent if I know where you are. Why else would we cast not only a shield bubble but also a privacy bubble? You have to remember my condition. I heard your footsteps, saw the book fall from the bookcase and stop in midair. I'm not dumb or stupid guys. And Black should learn to cover his feet better."
"Mandy, we just want..."
"I don't give a flip about what you wanted James, I'm glad you care about me and that is one of the things that is stopping me from hexing you so bad your mum wouldn't even recognize you, but you have to realize I am perfectly able to take care of myself, you have to loosen the reigns or you'll lose me for good. If I didn't trust him I wouldn't have cast the shield bubble. You know how quick I can draw a wand and hex someone; you know I'm the top ranked student in our defense class, possibly in defense across the school. I don't want you to trust Michael that's not what I'm asking of you."
"It's not?"
"No, I'm asking you to trust me. That's all you have to do, trust me. Do you trust me?" I asked.
"Of course I do Mandy. I've always trusted you. I just don't want you to get hurt, I can't lose you."
"James no one has died in this castle for thirty years and before then it wasn't since the medieval times, and before that it was back when the founders were here." He didn't say anything so I sighed and sat down on Talon's bed. "Did you know Lily and Parker don't want me to be friends with you?" I asked.
"What?" Black snapped finally speaking.
"This doesn't involve you Black, stay out of it." I snapped. James shook his head at Black and looked back to me.
"Why not? I could never hurt you." He asked.
"They don't trust you. They know what you're capable of."
"Then why don't they say anything?"
"They did, in first and second year but then they let me walk with you, be alone with you, talk to you, play pranks with you because they realized that they can trust me and they can tell how much you mean to me."
"But we've been friends for ages, I wouldn't spend all that time getting to know you if I just wanted to hurt you."
"Have you ever tried listening to the words coming out of your mouth or do you just talk for the fun of it?"
"What are you talking about Mandy?"
"In a round about way she's calling you a hypocrite mate," Sirius said. I shot a look at Sirius but didn't know if he would take it as a thanks or a 'stay the hell out of this'.
James looked at me carefully but I could tell his mind was spinning quickly. Several minutes of silence later his eyes cleared and he was more focused on me. "Come here." He said opening his arms to me in a move that would generally bring me comfort. The pleading look on his face sent waves straight to my soul, waves of pain and desperation.
"NO! No, damn it. You're not allowed to do this; you're not allowed to make me feel like this. You're just not." I cried frustrated.
"Mandy, you know I'm not—" He said lowering his arms.
"No, damn it." I shouted before lying down on my stomach on Talon's bed and burying my face in to his pillow. Slowly it became damp with my tears of frustration and pain.
"Mandy." I heard James' voice break. I knew he was breaking inside as well but I couldn't bring myself to move to him. A bit later my tears subsided and the boys had started talking again. I'm guessing they thought I had fallen asleep.
"What way did you make her feel?" Black asked.
"Can't you tell? I made her feel like dragon dung. I made her feel like it was all her fault and we had every right to do what we did."
"But we did."
"I know Pads, but I shouldn't have made her see that. It wasn't fair and it was a really stupid move."
"Maybe Moony can say something to her."
"That's not something I thought I'd ever hear you say." James answered.
"Someone call me?" Remus asked. I turned my head and looked at him. "What did you do to her? She looked like she wanted nothing better than to hex the crap out of you two then storm up to her room and now she's ..." Remus trailed off looking into my eyes. I glared at him and he took the hint. "Sleeping?"
"I made her feel terrible." James said.
"What did you say?" Remus asked sitting beside me and rubbing my back. Sirius summarized what had happened and at points Remus would just a bit harder to calm me. He sighed heavily when Sirius finished and I could tell he was looking over at James.
"What do I do now Moony?"
"I can't believe you're clueless. She's your best friend you should know by now."
"Apologize, I know that much but ..."
"Let her calm down, don't wake her up to apologize do it in the morning."
"But what about the Slytherin?"
"First start using his name because I doubt he's going anywhere Prongs, second she's going to hang with him whether you like it or not and there's nothing you can do about it. Realize that she does care for you, but he's her friend too. They need time together just like when she spends time with Lily and Parker. You can't hold this grudge much longer or it'll tear your friendship apart. Look James, I'm being dead straight with you, you have to give her private time with Michael, it's not about trusting him, it's about trusting her. If you can't trust her you're screwed. You two are closer than brother and sister, but if you don't let go a bit you'll lose her. If you absolutely can't trust her to be with him then use more caution when you follow her. I'm completely against you following her when she's with Michael but if you must, I'm warning you: DON'T. GET. CAUGHT. You're a Marauder for Merlin's sake; if you can stay out of detention and not get caught when you pull pranks then put the same skills to use when you follow her."
"What if she gets hurt?"
"Have you ever known her to completely misjudge a guy?"
"Wood."
"No, she knew he was no good but well ..."
"Padfoot."
"Don't go there, Prongs it'll take all night. The only guy she's ever misjudged was Talon. Other than that she's known exactly what she's getting into. If she does get hurt then you do what you did to the rest of the guys who have hurt her. Kick their ass, although I'm sure she'll beat you to it."
"So we just sit back and do nothing essentially." Black said.
"Big word of the day Padfoot?" James cracked. I could imagine Black sticking his tongue out at James when he didn't respond.
"Yes that is exactly what I'm saying you do. It's all you can do boys."
"But ..."
"There are no buts about it James, unless of course you want it to be your butt that she skins." Remus stated firmly.
"Hey Prongs." Black said softly a couple of seconds later. My breathing had started to feel a bit painful but I didn't realize why.
"Yeah Pads?"
"Didn't someone say Mandy had problems lying on her stomach for more than three hours straight?"
"Dixon said it didn't she?" James answered. I closed my eyes as Remus' hand once again came in contact with my back. "Roll her over Moony; she needs to be able to breathe." Remus gently rolled me over onto my back but I rolled back onto my side facing away from James. The curtains behind me slid shut blocking Remus' view of James and James' view of me. I thought I felt a sting of disappointment but I really couldn't tell.
"Just make it up to her later Prongs there's no point in trying now." Remus said as he stood from the bed. Their conversation dulled back into Quidditch, sports, and Christmas stuff which lulled me into the darkness of sleep.
There you have it. Nice and long to hopefully make up for my lack of updating. Sorry. Completely forgot I had this written.