Sorry, people, I feel so terribly that I let you wait for so long, and yet I am so flattered by all your reviews. I promise the next part won't take me that long, it's just that I was on vacation, no computer anywhere near me for two weeks, so that explains a bit, I guess. Once again, sorry and thanks that you waited.
Okay then, here's part 6 for you...
I'd Love You To Hate Me
Part 6
Lily jumped down the stair, taking two steps at once as she was eager to get breakfast. Behind her, her long, wet hair was flying like a heavy veil. James followed her closely, watching every move. Neither of them noticed that Sirius caught Remus' hand and stopped him from going after them. Making sure that Lily and James were far enough not to hear him, Sirius grinned at his friend.
"How about spreading some well-chosen rumors in school?"
Remus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What would the content of these rumors be?"
"Oh, I thought that one about Lily and James being alone in the Bathroom for more than an hour, including some moans we heard through the door, might do it."
Remus remained silent for a while, thinking hard. Sirius, being the impatient bundle of energy he was whenever it came to pranks, didn't give him much time though.
"So, whaddaya say?" he pressed.
"Shh. I'm trying to decide whether I should punch you to remind you that James is your friend and Lily the object of your affections, or if I should tell you that you're a genius."
"I'd prefer the latter."
"Oh, really?" Eyes wide open in mock surprise; Remus looked at his friend. "I'd never have guessed."
"I take it that you'll help me then?"
"I didn't say that."
"No. But deep inside, you know that you want to do it!"
Remus just raised a brow in answer.
"Oh, come on, Moony! Puh-lease!" Sirius practically begged on his knees.
"Okay, okay." Remus gave in, knowing that his friend would do it anyway, with or without his help. For James and Lily's sake, with his help would be a lot better for them. "But forget about those moans! The together-spent hour in the bathroom's enough."
"Aw..."
"Sirius, I mean it!"
"Oh, okay."
***
By the time Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter and Anatasha set off for the Potions dungeon to attend their two first lessons, the rumor about Lily, James and the Prefects Bathroom was already going around in school. It was debated by students who were standing in the corridors, groups crowded together, but as soon as the red- and the black-haired Gryffindor came into sight, they quickly changed the topic. So when they finally entered the dungeon, it was likely that, in the whole school, Lily and James were the only ones who didn't know that they had spent the last night together, doing something nobody will find hard to guess.
Sure enough, Severus Snape was already waiting for them; the opportunity to embarrass two of his worst enemies was too good to let it slip.
"Who would have guessed? Our two lovebirds finally got together." He was walking next to Lily, a broad smirk all over his face and adapting his steps at hers.
"Huh?" Lily stared at him in confusion, both amazed and worried by his unusually cheerful attitude that was so unlike his normal nasty behaviour.
His smirk broadened, now unmistakably gleeful, but instead of answering, Snape turned around and shot a glare at Sirius. "You. In the Library. 2 p.m. For our project."
Sirius crossed his arms before his chest, giving back an even nastier glare. "And if I don't have the time?"
"I'd be delighted to see you expelled."
For a long moment, it seemed as if both boys were ready to start a brawl. They were trying to stare each other down, not blinking at all. Remus quickly stepped behind Snape to stop him if needed. Following his example, James prepared himself to grab Sirius, just in case. Fortunately, they didn't have to interrupt: After what had seemed like an hour for all the students around them, Sirius bent his head.
"Okay, I'll be there. Only because I know how important this project is."
Without another word, Snape sat down at his usual spot in the first row, just when Professor Kert entered the dungeon and slammed the door behind him. Instantly, the students shut up and hurried to their seats.
(A/N: Everything written in blue italic letters is what the mind-reading hat shouts out. I can't remember who asked me this (gurl?), but Kert can't hear it.)
The Potions professor, now dressed in his black robe instead of the blue one he always wore when he didn't teach, the wizard hat on his head, slowly walked up to his desk, making sure that he cast his stare on every Gryffindor during the process. In front of his chair, he stopped, turned to the class and pressed the hat on his hair; a part of his daily routine.
"Good morning, class." Although this morning would be incredibly improved if I didn't have to see your disgusting mugs in front of me.
The pupils took in a sharp breath, hearing what the hat shouted out to them, but either Kert didn't notice their confusion or he was too used to see nothing but confusion on his students' faces. Anyway, he just went on talking.
"We'll brew a invisibility potion today, nothing complicated. Unless you're all completely dumb - and I'm afraid you are - there shouldn't be any problem at all." Ha! Most of the Seventh Years aren't able to brew it, I'm eager to see how much you'll mess things up. And all potions with Limer feathers that go wrong can have some really nasty effects...
"I think the best for you is to work in groups of two. Of course I'll choose them." And I will make sure that I am the only one to like these groups. If I have to see your ugly faces in front of me for a whole two hours, then I can at least have some fun.
***
Lily was sitting next to James, chopping the waddleworms in neat pieces. Of course they had ended up together; Kert had made sure to let them work in a group as he had heard the rumors. At the moment, he was inspecting the work of his students, unaware of their uncomfortable silence and occasional snickers at some of the hat's outbursts. After he had just lectured Sirius about letting Snape do all the work, the Professor slowly made his way to the back of the room where Lily and James had chosen their places to hide their amused faces for as long as possible.
"So. Let's see what we have here. Mr. and Mrs. Potter." Kert sneered, his harsh voice made Lily nearly jump, and James reached for her hand just in time to prevent her from attacking her own finger with the knife by mistake. Once he held her hand, James didn't let go, but neither of them noticed. Not until the Professor looked down at their intertwined hands.
"How cute. Now could you please control your hormones and get back to work?"
The two teenagers blushed and James dropped Lily's hand like a hot potato.
Why did I do this? Was a bit obvious that I like her, wasn't it? On the other hand, isn't that exactly what I want her to know? Three weeks aren't that many. But I certainly don't appreciate it being yelled out by Kert. - James
How come I didn't notice that we were holding hands? Must be the air inside of this stuffy dungeon, it clouds my brain, no wonder I can't think clearly. Explains why I'm feeling so dizzy, too, I guess. - Lily
"Well, really generous that you decided to concentrate on your work again. Considering how bad you already messed things up, it's certainly necessary. Maybe it's just the lack of sleep?"
"Um... What?" Lily and James exchanged a confused glance.
Kert was watching them with a smug look on his face. Didn't think I already heard of your nightly adventure, eh? Well, you're wrong, my dears, you're wrong. The Prefects Bathroom, what a nice place for two young lovers. A shame that I won't just let you enjoy each other's company in my class. How about a detention? Two nights of no sleep at all, that makes 48 hours without sleep, not good for your health, no, not at all... - Whoahoa, I'm so good!
Two pairs of eyes locked a green and a dark brown one, confusion clearly written in both; then, suddenly, the brown ones became lit by a spark of realization.
You're dead. Padfoot, Moony, you're so extremely and positively dead. Dead, dead, dead!
***
To speed everything up a little: Lily and James got their revenge. Once Lily was filled in, she was as eager as James to get Sirius and Remus back. And so, only three days later, Sirius could be seen making his way to the Great Hall, soaking wet from head to toe, leaving wet footprints on his way. Luckily for him, Filch didn't manage to catch him, but still: Sirius hadn't enjoyed his encounter with the Giant Squid. No need to say that he wasn't pleased with the photos James and Lily had taken and then distributed all over the school.
As for Remus, they had thought about replacing his normal hat with the mind-reading one. However, two points had spoken against this: Firstly, they were afraid that Remus might think anything about himself being a werewolf (Lily had found it out in her third year), and secondly, they didn't know how hard it would be to get the hat back. At the moment, it was in Kert's office and the teacher was trying to make the hat tell its owners, Without any success. Till now, at least. So instead, they made McGonagall believe that Remus was the one who had dyed her office in glowing blue paint that smelled very much like rotten eggs. It had been worth a detention: Remus had to help the elves in the kitchen to wash the dishes - without magic. No need to say that he had been pretty furious afterwards. No need to say that this didn't bother Lily and James at all.
It was nearly two weeks after the infamous potions lesson now, and time found the two adolescents in the Library, brooding over books with titles like "Love and its Powers", "The Magic of Love" or "Stronger than Death". In the last few days, it had become quite a usual sight to see them work together in peace, bent over rolls of parchment, laughing quietly or discussing things together. If someone would have asked them, none of them would have noticed anything, but they were the only ones that didn't see the change. Although they were still arguing from time to time, their fights had become less serious, and often they ended in laughter. Not only the way they were fighting had changed, though; the topic was pretty different as well. A couple of weeks ago, you could hear Lily yelling across the common room at James that he was a big-headed monster, now it was more common for her to yell at him because she didn't agree with the way he wanted to pull their next prank.
Right now, they weren't talking about pranks, though. The time for them to finish their assignment was drawing nearer and nearer, and still they hadn't found anything to prevent someone from dying because of Avada Kedavra. Two hours of searching and leafing through what seemed to be every single book that even mentioned the word love were enough, Lily decided. Letting out a sigh, she leaned back in her chair and looked over at the boy who was sitting across from her, concentrating hard on the book he was studying right now.
How odd, Only a couple of weeks ago, I hated his guts. Well, he hated mine, too. And now we're almost spending all our time together, except the nights. I don't mind, though, I could see this mass of black hair and those deep brown eyes every single minute of my life, and I wouldn't get tired of it. Come to think of it, I guess I almost like him. Or maybe I don't like him, it's more like... Love. No, not love, of course not, curse that stupid subconscious mind of mine, how could I love a guy I have been enemies with since the start of our first year at school? I mean, there's a saying, something like 'best friends become best lovers', but I can't think of anything similar that goes for enemies. Opposites attract? Nah, we aren't even that different, it's more like we were too much alike to get along. Emphasis on 'we were'. We're still alike, but we get along pretty well, I'd say. Although... Which girl could handle spending so much time with him and not fall in love? - Once again, same word. Love. Rubbish!
"Lily?"
"Huh?" Lily quickly looked down at the pages of her book, hoping that James hadn't caught her staring at him.
"Are you alright?"
"Sure. Sure, I'm fine, why'd you ask?" Except that my heart's trying to leap out of my throat, I'm fine, really.
"Oh, I dunno, you just looked weird. As if you were somewhere far away." Yeah, we could fly away, just you and me and our brooms... Alone, under the starry sky... - Whoa, I've seen way too many muggle romance movies. Way, way, way too many.
"No, I was just... thinking, I guess. I'm getting frustrated. We'll never find this counter curse!" Not exactly the truth, but good enough.
"Well, I'm not willing to give it up. There has to be something, it's always like that in the world, actio and reactio, or whatever it's called. For every thing, there is an opposite power, like destructing and creating, or birth and death. So if Avada Kedavra is death, there has to be something opposite, something that gives life instead of taking it away, and that's what we have to find now." Smooth talk, James, very intellectual. This is surely enough to win you her heart. Yeah, right, what a great speech. Probably she's thinking that I read tips on how to win the love of someone instead what we really need, the practical powers of love. I can just imagine the entry: 'Convince her that you're not like the others, that you're different. Show her how thoughtful you are, and how wise. And if you are neither, then just act as if.'
He gave her a quick glance to see her reaction, but all he saw was that she looked really tired, her eyelids dropping. He shook his head. "Lil, if you are too tired, then go to bed, I can work alone for some time, no prob." Or maybe a shower would wake you up.
"No, it's okay. I just need to relax for a minute."
I say it, I don't, I say it, I... "How about that shower? You owe me!" He grinned broadly at her.
Lily immediately jerked out of her daze with her eyes open wide. "You still remember that?"
"How could I forget?" It's the hope that you'll take it with me someday that keeps me awake during History of Magic...
"Boys!" Lily shook her head in exasperation. Why is it that I can't live with you, but neither can I live without you?
"Hey, did I just hear a sexist remark from you?"
"Well, did you?"
"Yup. As a Prefect, I could assign you a detention, you know." James grinned. I already have an idea: You have to stay with me for the next month, every single second together. How 'bout that?
"I could do the same to you, Jamie-poo, you're not the only Prefect in the room." The girl smirked back, and James felt his heart skip a beat.
"Jamie-poo?" Since when do you call me Jamie-poo?
"Oh, that's how all those lovesick girls call you. I overheard one of their conversations. Is it true that you've got the hots for Brenda?" Please say no, please say no!
"What????" James spat out, his face red. "For Brenda? Are they mad? I wouldn't even talk to this brainless girl if she didn't try to start a conversation all the time!" Now, with you, that's a different question, but as long as they don't talk about me having the hots for you, I'm happy.
Lily shook her head, laughing quietly. "You should get yourself a girlfriend, James. Really, it would scare them off." I'd be glad to help you here. Just ask.
"You think so?" I ask her, I don't, I ask her, I don't...
"Yep." I'd really like to know what's going on in this brain of you at the moment.
I don't ask her. Not now, at least, I still have nearly one week till I have to kiss Slimy. Better use all the time I have instead of screwing it up right now. "Let's say: I'm working on that matter."
"Oh, really?" Lily leaned forwards eagerly. "Who is it?" Damn, that's it. My chances are close to zero now; we're just friends. Or that's how he would put it. Despite his constant babbling about a shower, that's just the way he is, it means nothing.
You. "You don't think I'll tell you, do you?"
"Why don't? We're friends, aren't we?"
Yeah, that's what you think of it. "Yes, but that doesn't mean that I tell you everything!"
"Not fair. Do I have any secrets from you?"
"How would I know?"
"Well, I don't."
"Hmm... Who're you in love with?" James Potter, James Potter, come on, just repeat my words, James Potter...
Uh-oh, touché. Why didn't I think about this? "Erm... Won't tell." I don't wanna lie to you.
Damn. "See? You have secrets to." Oh well, at least you didn't say that you're in love with Sirius. I don't know if I could handle that.
"But this is not a secret. It's just... private. Or something like that."
"Of course it's a secret."
"Maybe. - Let's finish this, okay? We don't have much time left to get our assignment done, and still no sign of anything that could help." Not exactly an inconspicuous change of topic, but definitely the best I could manage.
"Kay."
*****
This part is bad, isn't it? I know it is. Don't be mad at me, I'm fighting huge writer's block, haven't written anything for this story in such a long time, I'm a bit out of it right now. I hope it will be better when I start the next part, probably the last one, or the last but one; I don't want it to get boring. Once again, sorry.
RavenNat: You want to know my favorite character out of the Harry Potter books? Uh... *goes red* Would you laugh at me if I'm telling you that it's Dobby? Sounds strange, I know, but he's sooooo cute with his socks... Besides, two of my six best friends read the books as well, and every time one of us just mentions his name, we're in hysterics 'cause we think he's soooooo funny. Well, I guess we're a bit weird, but hey! Who's not?
Chrissy: I really would answer your question. Really! But I don't know what you mean by 'flavor'?!? Can you explain? Then I'll answer, promise.
Merky, Skyeflyer, metal mouth, :-): You think that I want to make it easier for James to kiss his worst enemy? *g* Nah! I'm going to enjoy this scene too much, I just can't let Jamie-boy off so easily, and the boy's in for a life-long experience! *Lol* But nevertheless thanks for your suggestions, I'm just too evil to use them. - Oh, and Skyflyer, I hope it was okay for you. I mean, it's not as if they did anything, they were just talking.
Elendil: Who can say where the road goes, where the day flows, only time. And who can say if your love grows, as your heart chose, only time.... Thanks for making me one of your favorite authors!
Kelly Ann: I inspired you? Yippie! That's more than I ever hoped for when I posted my first story here. It's great to hear that people like it, but if people get inspired, that's even better.
Sonnchen: Computer-Verbot ist das letzte! Zum Glück hab' ich 'nen eigenen, und die Zeiten, wo meine heißgeliebten Eltern versuchen, mir was zu verbieten, sind auch vorbei. Glück!
Chinook, Jenn: chinook - You like the German accent? Well, I'm sure you could hear it when I speak. *g* I live in the South, near the frontier to Switzerland, only a hundred feet away. The next city is Basel, dunno if you know it. What's the name of the place you'll live, Jenn?
Sirius: James already admits it, not to her, though. And Lily... Well, she's still unsure.
SM: I don't think I'll write a story with an NC-17 rating. Or maybe I'll do sometimes, when I'm bored in school, just out of curiosity what people write in their reviews. Isn't there a saying, something like 'Curiosity killed the cat'? Anyway, I certainly won't write it right now, I already have problems to post enough of my other series; I can't start anything else.
MoonSerpent: I had school till Friday the 22nd. But at least my holidays were longer, till the 8th January... Only one week back in school, and I already have a lack of sleep...
Lily Black: Noch 'ne Deutsche?
Christa Crabbe: Sirius in leather? Uh-huh, I don't know... Would you like that? J