Author's notes:- The second chapter's up. It's pretty long, so I hope it's not boring. Thanks to the very few people who reviewed my last chapter. Come on guys, you can spend a few minutes writing a small review. And please don't flame me, I feel very sad. I'd just like to thank very quickly, 'sun chime' my beta-reader, and Firebolt-2002.
Disclaimer:- I own only Kathy, Karen and Alicia!
CHAPTER 2
Her bright blue eyes shone in my memory
Her single smile could make a blind man merry
Her hair was soft as silk; her eyes a deep ocean
She seemed the creation of some amazing beauty potion.
With her exquisiteness she left others far behind
Even with the sun for a torch, a person like her no one could find
I looked at her once; i immediately fell for her
For from the others she seemed to differ.
When she walked, heads would turn
Boys would smile, girls would burn
I saw her, but for a minute so short
Yet knew she was what every boy sought.
-James Potter
'Ouch!' Lily screamed. 'Sirius, if you don't stop throwing Chocolate Frogs at me this very minute, I swear I'll stuff them all down your throat without thinking twice.'
'OK, little tigress.' Sirius said solemnly.
'Urghhh . . . do not call me "little tigress". You know I absolutely despise that.'
'Lily honey, isn't that reason enough for me to call you "little tigress"?' he asked deliberately stressing on the words.
'That's it. I cannot sit here any longer with that. . . that. . . creature bugging the living daylights out of me.' And Lily stomped out of the Common Room.
Sirius just looked at her march out haughtily. 'What's with her?' he asked Kathy.
'Dunno,' Kathy replied shrugging, 'She's never been so hyper at you. I mean everybody knows you're intolerable at times, but I thought she'd have gotten used to you by now.'
'Exactly.' Then he looked at James who was slumped in a rocking chair, an expression of deep thinking on his face.
Sirius winked at Kathy. She took the hint.
'Say James, aren't you going to go behind Lily? She just left the room so she could be alone with you. Must've have thought you were clever enough to take the cue.'
'Huh?' James murmured, looking bewildered.
'Prongs, I think there is something of utmost importance on your mind because of which you are not being able to keep it on what is being said by your friends. And that too by those friends whom you've met after two whole months.' Sirius said dramatically, trying to appear hurt.
'Sorry, I'm just a little distracted, I guess. What were you saying anyways?'
'I was telling you that Lily is waiting for you.' Sirius answered impatiently.
'Where?'
'Good heavens! You should know that. Why are you asking me?'
Lily re-entered the room, looking more like a tigress than ever.
'There she comes!' Sirius announced.
Lily just ignored him and walked on, her head held high.
'Yeah, what is it Lily?' James questioned.
'What is what?' Lily asked raising her eyebrows.
'Well, what you wanted to tell me.' James suggested.
'Tell you what?'
'How should I know?'
Lily narrowed her eyes and slowly turned to face Sirius. 'Maybe, you can enlighten us on what it is that I want to tell James.'
Sirius just looked at them with a shocked expression, but couldn't hold it for long and eventually broke into fits of laughter.
'What's the joke?' Remus asked entering the room.
'Nothing, Remus. Sirius here is just being his usual irritating self.' And with that Lily once again walked out of the room.
Remus just looked at Sirius and Kathy. Their eyes also reflected the same confusion he felt.
* * *
Lily was sitting alone in her dormitory on the bed.
'What is wrong with me?' she asked herself. 'Why am I being such a grumpy old woman?' But she knew exactly what it was that was bothering her. James had been extremely spaced out ever since the time he'd seen that new American girl. He'd ignored Lily throughout the Great Feast and seemed to be lost in his own world.
'Rrrrrrrrrrrr' she felt her stomach rumble. 'Why didn't I eat?' she asked herself angrily.
Lily got up and went to the mirror. She decided to try out something she'd just read in a Muggle book on Human Psychology. She told herself firmly. 'Look Lily, you are overreacting. It's not like he's in love with her or something. It's just momentary and he'll get over it. Remember, if you continue behaving in a ridiculously erratic manner, your friends are going to get fed up with you. Just try and understand – HE'LL GET OVER IT!'
'Who'll get over what?' Kathy asked sounding surprised. 'Lily, you're talking to yourself. Are you OK?' She was standing in the doorway.
Lily turned a deep red and tried desperately to hide her embarrassment. 'Oh that. . ummm. . . I was just. . .well. . . I was trying out something new I learnt. Forget that. Yeah what is it that you want to tell me?'
'How'd you know I wanted to tell you something?' Kathy asked coming into the room.
'It's obvious. After the way I behaved out there, anybody would be curious to know what was wrong with me?'
'Well, you guessed that right,' Kathy began slowly, 'then maybe you can also tell me what is bothering you. I mean I've seriously never seen you so cantankerous.'
'Kathy, you're my best friend so I won't hide anything from you, but seriously right now is not the time OK?'
'OK! But promise me you'll be normal again.'
'Yeah OK.'
Lily smiled.
* * *
Lily finished reading her storybook and snapped her fingers to turn off the magical light.
She just tossed and turned on her bed for a while but soon fell asleep.
That night, she had the most beautiful dream in her life. She was walking by the lake. It was dusk and the picture of the sun setting was still lingering. Then ahead from the mist, walked in someone. Lily couldn't see who it was at first. She strained her eyes. Then when he reached further ahead, she saw it was James. He was walking towards her. When he reached her, he smiled the most vibrant smile, and then gave her a large bunch of lilies. 'These are for the most beautiful flower in the world,' he said.
SPLASH!
'Oww, what the hell is going on here?' Lily sat upright in bed and saw she was completely drenched.
'OK, who's the wise guy?' she asked angrily.
'Guess who?' No one's voice could be as smiley as his. Sirius!
'You. . .' Lily began and then stopped immediately. She wasn't going to behave like yesterday. No way!
'My dear Bandit Queen, aren't you going to scream at me?'
'No.'
'And why not?'
'Well. . . that's 'cause I guess I owe you an apology for being unduly rude last night.'
'Ahhhh, you know I don't mind.' Sirius said generously, giving her a broad smile.
'Now since I'm done with having said sorry. . .' Lily picked up her pillow and flung it at him. 'Why did you have to throw water at me, you. . . you water buffalo?'
'Firstly, I'm not a water buffalo and secondly, it's nine o'clock. You missed breakfast.'
'Oh my god. I didn't.'
'Yes you did.'
'Shit!'
'Why are you looking so grief-stricken?'
'Because I'm extremely hungry.' Lily said sadly.
'Well, you're just going to have to wait for lunch. Unless. . . I can sneak up something for you from the kitchen.' Sirius said matter-of-factly.
'Thanks Sirius,' her face broke into a smile, 'you're the best!' She jumped up and gave Sirius a hug.
* * *
James was sitting on the window-sill trying to concentrate on the book he was reading. The pages were flapping because of the immense breeze.
'What is it that is distracting me so much?' he was wondering.
In the pages of the book, he could see Alicia's face. In the sky outside, he could see Alicia's face. In the lake below he could see Alicia's face.
For the first time in his life he found himself thinking about a subject like 'love at First Sight.' He'd tried to look for Alicia at breakfast but apparently she'd skipped the meal. Maybe he'd meet her at one of the lessons.
James was still lost in his thoughts, when Lily saw him sitting there. She walked up to him, and just looked at him for some time. Then she bent and tried to read the book by placing her head on his lap.
'Lily, what on earth are you doing?' James came back to the present.
'Well, I was just trying to see how you read a book, holding it upside-down! Why'd you stop? Go on. It's a very interesting style.' Lily said.
James laughed. 'I guess I was just thinking about something. Anyway, why didn't you come for breakfast?'
Lily's spirit's rose a little. 'He noticed,' was what came to her mind. Aloud she said 'I overslept and besides, I was having an out-of-the-world dream.' The dream was still vivid in her imagination, and she felt the warmth when she remembered it.
'Oh!' was all James said.
Lily began searching for something to say, 'So, how were your holidays?'
'Hmmm, they were okay.' James replied.
'By the way, Karen was asking about you last night. I thought you broke up with her.' Lily told him.
'I did. She's much too sticky. She was getting hyper even when I talked to you guys. God, I can't stand such people.' James screwed his face. 'That was the expression she always made when I talked to someone else.'
Lily smiled sympathetically. 'I know that one all too well.'
They were silent for a while. Lily just looked at James taking in his appearance.
His eyes seemed to have some faraway look in them. He's grown taller. The top button of his robe was open and she could see he had tanned deeply on his body. Why was he so handsome?
Just then Sirius and Kathy came running into the room holding some packets.
'Hey, are you guys done with flirting yet?' Kathy asked teasingly.
Lily answered almost instantaneously. 'No. We aren't. Why'd you come to bother us?'
'Sorry,' Sirius said putting up his hands, 'I just got some food for you but since you're too busy. . .' And he turned to leave with the packets.
'No wait.' Lily jumped up and ran to Sirius. 'What've you got?'
'Some pastries, éclairs, biscuits, tea, etc. etc.'
'Yummy!' Lily said gleefully. 'You guys can also share it with me,' Lily offered.
'Thank you for being so generous, your Highness.' Sirius said and bowed.
'Oh! That's OK.' Lily set the food on the table and went to get some plates.
* * *
James, Lily, Sirius, Kathy and Remus were on their way for their first lesson of the year. . . Transfiguration.
They entered the classroom and took their seats. James dropped his pen on the floor. When he bent to pick it up, he saw someone take the seat next to him. He knew who it was! When he straightened up from the floor, his head banged on the desk next to his.
'I'm so sorry,' the girl next to him said.
James casually said, 'It's OK.' He rubbed his head, and looking in her eyes he knew he was bewitched. She was much too beautiful.
Then he put out his hand. 'Hi! I'm James.'
The girl smiled and shook his hand. 'I'm Alicia.'
'So. . . how'd you like our school?' he asked.
'I haven't even seen it as yet,' she answered, 'but what I have seen is quite nice.'
'You're going like it very much once you've settled down.' James said confidently. 'It's just impossible to not like Hogwarts.'
'I'd like to believe you,' Alicia said.
There was silence for a while, then James suddenly said, 'How'd you like a tour of the school. I can show you everything, the classrooms, the grounds, the lake. . .'
'Hey, I'd like that,' Alicia said enthusiastically.
'Cool, so we can go after this class.' James told her.
'Alright.' Alicia said smiling.
'Today, we shall study how to change a . . .' McGonagall's voice trailed off. James was lost in thought again, of Alicia of course.
* * *
After the class was over, James gathered his stuff and walked out of the classroom. Alicia was nowhere in sight, but she'd said she would meet him, so he decided to wait for her. As he stood in the corridor, he noticed Remus leaning over the railing of the balcony. James knew Remus had been gloomy off late, but he didn't know why. 'Maybe I should go check him out,' he thought.
He walked up to Remus, and put an arm around his shoulder. 'What's up, Moony?' he asked in a cheerful voice.
Remus looked extremely down but he said, 'Nothing. Just looking. The view's great from here.'
James sensed immediately that something was wrong. 'Remus, what's wrong? He asked. Remus didn't answer. 'You are just not being your self. I mean I've seriously never seen you crestfallen. Look Remus, I'm your best friend; you can count on me. At least tell me what the problem is.' James said all this in a gentle voice.
'Nothing's wrong, James. Honest!' Remus said quite unconvincingly.
'Remus, will you cut it out,' James said firmly. 'I've known you long enough to sense when you're disturbed and when you're fine.'
Remus just looked at the ground below.
James felt exasperated. 'Remus, if you're going to continue like this, it's not going to solve your problem, whatever it is. You're going to have to talk it out with friends. And believe me, I am your friend.' He said this genuinely and pressed Remus' hand to reassure him.
Remus looked at James.
'I can never lie to you can I?' he asked. Than he slowly said, 'Something is wrong. . . with me. Something is terribly wrong with me.'
James just stared at him. He didn't know what to think. 'And. . . ?' he prompted Remus.
'And. . . James, I can't talk about this here and right now. But I'll tell you later in the day, OK?'
James thought for a while and then said, 'OK.'
'Hi James.' It was Alicia's voice.
James turned around to face her. 'Oh, hi. I was just waiting for you. Hey Alicia, you just go ahead, I'll join you in a minute, alright?'
She said, 'OK.'
'And by the way, this is my friend Remus.'
'Hi Remus,' Alicia said smilingly. 'James, I'll go ahead. Join me.' Alicia turned and walked away, her books in her hand.
Remus raised his eyebrow questioningly.
'I promised to give her a tour of the school.' James said simply.
'Well, well, well,' Remus said, 'you've got one hell of a doll to give a tour of the school. Say, James how is it that you always manage to get all the beauties?'
James grinned. 'I'll teach you how to, but later. Just take care.'
Remus nodded.
James ran to meet Alicia.
* * *
'Hey Kath, have you seen James anywhere?' Lily asked.
'Why, are you missing him Lily?' Kathy asked cheekily.
'No. Much to your disappointment, I'm sure. He'd borrowed my book and I needed it so I was looking for him. Now, would you please tell me if you've seen him.' Lily said.
'Nah. But you can ask Remus.' Kathy suggested.
'There's Sirius,' Lily said as Sirius entered the Common Room. 'I could ask him if he's seen James.'
'You do seem keen on finding your lover-boy.' Kathy remarked. Lily narrowed her eyes. 'But Sirius won't be able to help you.' Kathy informed her.
'And why not?' Lily enquired.
'Because he's been with me the whole time.' She suddenly stopped and bit her tongue. 'Uhm Lily, I've got some work to do. See you later.'
Kathy ran out of the room, pulling Sirius with her.
Lily stared after them. 'There's definitely something going on between Kathy and Sirius.' she thought.
Then she went to look for James. She looked for him all over the place, but James was nowhere to be seen. 'Where is he?' she wondered.
She went to look for him in the library and found Remus pouring over a book. She sat down beside him.
'What are you reading?' she asked him.
'Some history of some wizard in some age,' he answered.
Lily nodded. 'That's seems interesting. Remus, do you know where James is? He borrowed my book and I needed it right now.' She added hastily.
'Yeah. I met him. He's giving Alicia, that new girl, a tour of the school.'
Lily's mouth fell open. 'He's what?'
~*~*~
Abrupt end to another chapter! Please, please, please, review.
