CHAPTER 37 – The Halloween Feast
The next week was a blur for Lily and the other Gryffindor. For Lily; part of it was because of the massive headaches she felt daily as a result of her memory being erased. The headaches made it hard for her to focus and she easily became frustrated with normal every day chores. James, she felt reluctant to admit, was a big help for her during the week. Even though he had Quidditch practices, homework, a prefect meeting to lead, and their weekly patrols on Friday evenings, he made sure to spend a few quiet moments with her every night in their common room, making her laugh. Suddenly, before they knew it, it was Halloween day.
At the moment, she was seated in the Heads common room alone, reading through her Advanced Guide to Defense of Dark Magic textbook. She had read the last three sentences multiple times but the words were swimming through her mind, disconnected. She rubbed her temples and read each word slowly and carefully. As commonly noted…..even a moment is enough for the upper hand….nonverbal magic should be used….more difficult spells must be learned at…control is….this principle is essential when… Aggravated with herself, Lily flung the book from her lap and sighed heavily, leaning forward and resting the temples of her head against her hands, her elbows propped up on her knees. She hadn't even heard the portrait hole open nor did she notice the seventeen year old boy standing there with an amused expression on his face.
"I guess it's true," he stated, throwing himself on the couch beside her.
"What's true?" She asked, hardly looking over at him.
"What they say about red heads," James replied matter-of-factly.
She pulled her head up and glared at James. He was making fun of her. She was struggling and he was poking fun at her pain. She did not have a temper. He raised his hands in the air innocently but his expression was enchanting. She decided to let it go because for some reason the look on his face made any anger or frustration she was feeling melt away.
"What've you been up to today?" She asked curiously, this being the first time she had actually seen him.
"Plotting," he answered mysteriously.
"Plotting? You're Head Boy now James. You'd better not get into trouble; or at the very least get caught," She laughed lightly.
"And that, my dear, is the key. Not getting caught. Don't you worry, I have a very important Quidditch game to win next week," He folded his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
If Lily was completely honest she would admit that James was quite the handsome young man. He wasn't wearing his usual set of glasses; she had noticed in Charms class that he took a great interest in a few specific charms. Ever since then he was seen more often than not, without them. She fought off the urge to ask him if they made him self-conscious. James Potter, self conscious? Now that would certainly be a laugh. She held her tongue and continued to observe while he was preoccupied with something else. His face was very fine and even when he was completely relaxed there seemed to always be a tiny mischievous smile. His eyes, a deep hazel, were quite fetching against his dark, messy hair. It being a Saturday, he was dressed casually but very nicely. His toned arms disappearing into the sleeves of his blue shirt and leaving clues as to what the rest of him might look like.
Lily blushed at the sudden thought. Was she becoming attracted to James Potter? Well, he had always been attractive but this was odd behavior for her. She had always been very controlled and very proper. She shook her head a little to clear her thoughts. This did nothing for her current headache; she massaged her crown with the tips of her fingers. She noticed James, his attention was turned to her and now he was the one assessing her. She made eye contact with him, which neither of them broke. She wanted him to feel embarrassed that she had caught him staring, even though she had been doing just that. Instead they only locked eyes and she began to feel uncomfortable and….something else. Was it, excitement? No, that was not quite it. She couldn't be sure and she didn't think she wanted to know. She was the first to break the gaze as she looked down at her shoeless feet.
"You know, there are a lot of nerve endings in your feet. Massaging them is a good way to relieve headaches," James said, still staring and leaning away from Lily, against the arm of the sofa.
"I…Where did that come from?" Lily laughed.
"My grandfather was a healer before he died. It's known in the muggle world as well. Both worlds share a lot of information together," James shrugged awkwardly in the position he was sitting.
"You've taught me something knew today Potter, and I didn't even have to throw a book," She said smiling.
"I was offering you know," He said, scooting closer to her.
Lily was suddenly very flustered, "yes, well, we ought to be at the Halloween Feast early, don't you think? Head Girl and Boy and all."
James laughed at her excuse, at least she wasn't calling him a git with an over sized head. He had made progress with her and although he hadn't coddled her with the after effects of last weekend he really was worried. Her headaches were becoming less frequent but he could tell they were painful. Pomfrey had said they would go away with time and Lily refused to take a potion whenever she felt a little pain. He had done very well at hiding the anger he felt inside. Every time he saw her clutching her head or tossing her books to the side with frustration he wanted to find Severus Snape and rip him limb from limb. It was the look in the poor boy's eyes that helped him control himself. That look of self hatred and complete and utter sorrow. If James had thought for a moment that Snape had needed more punishment than that, he would have been cursing him from morning until night the whole week long. That sure would have made him feel better. As furious as he was with Snape it was nothing compared to the rage he felt for the Slytherins involved.
Hence, "plotting" had been the Saturday event for the Marauders. Peter was especially into the idea. He pushed for even more violent acts against them, mentioning how they had caused him so much pain. Even Sirius knew there was a line that they could not cross and Peter's enthusiasm was a bit frightening. James had been in his own little world and hadn't noticed Lily standing in front of him, leaning toward him, her face inches from his. She had been trying to get his attention.
"I understand if you want to meet your friends," She said, standing up straight.
"Sirius is with some Ravenclaw, Martha?" James guessed her name, "They'll just meet us there."
"You two seem so different. I mean I used to think you were the same. How are you so different but so close?" Lily asked curiously.
"How did you used to think of me?" James asked her, knowing the answer.
"I had always thought of you as a braggart," Lily admitted.
"An egotist you say? Well you would have been correct if I did not possess what I was boasting about," James gave her a sly grin.
"If you want to get technical," Lily rolled her eyes in his direction and stood straighter.
Maybe James had lost some of his arrogance and maybe, just maybe, Lily had learned to find that trait endearing. Either way, something had indeed changed for both of them. She had also just agreed that he was everything he had boasted and she crossed her fingers that he might not have caught it.
"Sirius and I are different but then we are a lot alike. Sirius is just better at hiding that side of himself than I am," James stood up to join Lily on the walk to the Great Hall and quietly added, "He has a lot more reason than I do."
"Because of his family?" Lily didn't know the full details but it was no secret that the Black family was not proud of their Gryffindor son. Especially after the howler he received.
James nodded solemnly and with tight lips. Something inside Lily warmed at the sight of Sirius' best friend looking so concerned for him. James and Sirius, through all their laughs and immaturity, really cared about each other. She had thought the walk down to the Great Hall with James might be uncomfortable but found it refreshing. He was willing to open up to her, it seemed. James was showing her a side of him she hadn't seen; he was a very honest person. Perhaps that was part of being a Gryffindor.
"How has Peter been doing?" She asked him curiously, he hadn't seemed so great that week.
"Physically he's fine. Mentally?" James chuckled, though half serious, "He's out for revenge that one. Gave us a right scare too, the things he says."
"Poor Peter. He didn't deserve any of that. He'd done nothing wrong," Lily defended.
"Neither had you," James pointed out, "Still don't remember anything?"
James honesty had made her feel safe, "I normally dream about my parents. This week it's been jumbled, sometimes I see a shape of someone. A dark shape. I can never get close enough to see him. It's just a dream though."
"I thought that's where all that racket was coming from," James tried teasing her.
For Lily, her nightmares were embarrassing, something that made her look weak. She walked on, saying nothing in return. James took the hint and stuck his hands in his pockets, walking by her side. Lily's nightmares had begun to subside but it was still a weekly thing that she preferred to keep to herself.
They walked through the arches of the Great Hall, toward the Gryffindor table and Lily whispered, "Have you figured out who might've been involved?"
"Lily, I feel comfortable saying I know who did it. It was nothing unexpected. Mangy Slytherins," James replied, noticing Remus seated next to Peter.
"Not all Slytherins are bad. I'm not happy with Severus but I don't think he'd ever do something like that…" Lily sound fairly certain.
"You'd be surprised what some people will do," while they sat with Remus and Peter he added even more quietly, "or what they won't do."
Lily shot him a questioning look but Braxton and Amelia found a place beside them. She knew which Slytherins James was talking about and she was sure this was something he would not let go. Especially with Peter pushing so hard for pay back. Amelia had been stuck to Braxton like glue for the longest time. When Lily was in the hospital wing she visited her with Braxton, the two holding hands. It was something she had been meaning to ask Amelia about. She hadn't seen any other type of affection from the two at all. She'd have to find some alone time with her best friend to figure out what was going on.
Just as the feast began to magically appear across the table, Sirius found his way next to James and Dumbledore stood. The students all looked very interested, especially since dinner was never started with only half the Professors in attendance. Lily noticed that Professor McGonagall, Slughorn, Flitwick and a few others were missing. Dumbledore clapped his hands together once for attention.
"Happy Halloween. We will excuse some of the Professors for a few extra moments as they are finishing final preparations. Tonight, after the feast, the table will be cleared and each year will be receiving defense instructions. We ask that you find a familiar partner to duel with under our supervision. We would like to ensure you are sufficiently preparing yourself for a possible attack as well as enjoy yourselves."
Whispers began to crop up of Dumbledore's intentions as well as what he thought of to be fun. He paused to allow them a few moments before he continued very clearly.
"The first hour will be seventh and first years, followed by sixth and second and the last hour for third through fifth. We also expect the older students to catch on more quickly and when they do; to assist the younger students. We will all be working together and I would appreciate if your partners were from different Houses. With that said those of you waiting may enjoy dessert in the magically enhanced Entrance Hall," his eyes twinkled with surprise, "which will be patrolled by Professors."
"Now! Enjoy!" He raised his hands merrily and the clanging of utensils began.
Whole lot of conversation in this one but I think it was much needed. I didnt want to linger on a hospital scene, its been done plenty of times. I also think I need to start pushing the friend line with Lily and James bit by bit. So I thought this was a good place to start and possibly the dessert gathering after the protection lessons? Of course, in their time of war things can never stay perfect for long ;-) A lot of you were suprised James didnt kill Snape in the last chapter. He is maturing and learning to control himself but that doesnt mean Snape is getting away without so sort of revenge.
Thanks again to my stupendously marvelous reviewers from last chapter! SeriouslySiriusBlack, roflshvuakomail, xritaskeeterhatersx, Moon-lover1994, Sarahrules336, AnnieSometimes, and iloveredshoes. THANK YOU! I think I will start dedicating chapters for amazing reviews because I have been getting some great ones!
Sarahrules336: Loved your review! And you are dead on about how this will come to effect Peter Pettigrew.
Read, review, and return! :-)