Chapter XVII + Midnight Talks and Library Chats
***
Maria sat in the dark common room, alone that night. Lily was sleeping peacefully, of course. Alison was probably with Remus. Which left her alone, in the dark and cold common room.
Maria pulled her blankets that she had conjured up to her chin. She was lying down on the large couch, staring into the dying flames of the fire.
For some reason she couldn't sleep well. It wasn't the dreams, none of them had appeared tonight. After falling asleep, she would wake up 10 minutes later. It felt weird.
Suddenly a cold breeze swept pass her, and James Potter sat next to her.
"Couldn't sleep aye?" James asked. "Wasn't me in your dreams again, was it?"
"No, I just couldn't sleep." Maria said.
"Maybe it's the guilt-"
"NO. I AM NOT GOING TO APOLOGIZE. THEY STARTED IT FIRST AND DRAGGED ME INTO IT."
"OKAY2, don't be so touchy about it." James said, shaking his head. "Have you seen my… oh there it is." James said, taking a bottle of water from the coffee table. "I was thirsty."
"I can see." Maria answered, looking at him skeptically as he drank the water. Suddenly Maria laughed.
"What's so funny?" James asked, apparently a bit annoyed.
"AHAHA.. no, it's this inside joke of Alison, Lily's and mine." Maria explained. "You won't be able to understand it. Silly Lily and her crazy mind. So, we were taking about ourselves, taking turns. It was my turn but I forgot, and I said 'what? My turn?' Lily looked at me and said sarcastically, 'no it's the bottle's turn. Yeh… I went out with Evian'…" Maria laughed.
"I don't get it." James said dumbly.
"That's why its called an inside joke." Maria said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh…"
"So how's your wife?" Maria asked, winking.
"You mean Evans?"
"No, I meant Peter, of course Lily."
"She's fine I guess."
"Rriight…"
"I mean she's FINE." James said, emphasizing "FINE".
"You mean…" Maria said, not believing her ears. "You think she's pretty?"
James looked away.
"Oh come on James, you just told me that she's "FINE"…" Maria said. "Come on, fess up!"
James shook his head. "I hate you."
"What?"
"And Dumbledore too!"
"WHAT? WHY?"
"Be-because… " James sighed. "You made me think about her more now."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, James." Maria huffed. "And did you just say "more"? Does that mean you thought about her that way before?"
James turned pink.
Maria's eyes widen. "Oh my god… you really do like her right?"
"Well, if you hadn't told me about this, I wouldn't know and would still hate her guts."
"James, you two are destined for each other, you'll end up with each other anyway. It was in the prophecy. It's just a matter of sooner or later. And in this case, it's sooner." Maria said.
"Unless you prefer falling in love with her the hard way, for instance saving her from death, or something."
"That sounds more romantic." James muttered. "And it's NOT in the prophecy."
"Yes it is, something about green." Maria said, rolling her eyes again.
"Oh, so that's HER?"
"Do you know anybody else with eyes like her?"
"No actually." James answered.
"You haven't answered my question yet." Maria said thoughtfully.
"Yes I did. I said 'No actually'"
"My previous question. DO. YOU. LIKE. HER?"
"Um…" James said, fiddling with his fingers. "I can't stop looking at her. I feel like… angry or something weird when a guy approaches her. I feel my insides get hot if someone talks ill of her. My heart starts beating really fast when she's near, but when I talk to her everything comes out so harsh." James paused. "What do you think that means?"
"Means that you're in love, you fool." Maria said. "You've had so many girlfriends and you don't even know when you've fallen in love?"
"Well... I never loved any of them, if love is what I feel now." James said. "Maria, are you sure I love her?"
Maria let out an exasperating sigh. "I don't know, cause I'm not you. I'm just guessing, cause it seems like it. Of course, everyone has always thought you two had something going on, and you don't know how many howlers Lily gets from girls who THINK she's going out with you."
"You mean, everybody knew I liked her but myself?"
"And her. Remus told me that they had been trying for years to get you two together. But it never works."
"Really?" James asked. "I thought you all were just teasing us cause we fight so much."
"Hey James, could I know, how did you feel when Lily was with her exes?"
"Uh… well, I would feel weird inside, like I didn't think they deserved her or anything." James shrugged. "Hey, you know Lily went out with Todd Bowler right?"
"Only on one date." Maria answered. "She doesn't seem to like him very much, I wonder why she accepted his invitation."
"Well…" James began. "A few days ago I overheard some guys talking. About her. Seems like they have a bet going on her. Cause she didn't let him kiss her or anything. So the guy-"
"Of course she didn't. She doesn't like him."
"WAIT TILL I FINISH. As I had said, the guy was probably Bowler since he was the last date she had, right? And they were betting on her and all. God, even I don't do that." James said. "Well, I think I did, once…"
Maria gave James a look.
"Okay, so maybe it WASN'T once… maybe more like a few times…"
"Whatever James." Maria said. "But I think if Lily knows about it, she'll curse them to death and let Alison beat the crap out of them."
"But you guys are fighting now."
"Don't remind me," Maria muttered.
"Okay, I wont then. Anyway, what's this thing about Lily not kissing guys she doesn't like?"
"What do you think she is, a slut? Of course she only kisses guys she likes." Maria screeched. "You called her by her first name!"
"Yes I did. Is that a big deal?" James glared.
"Well… it's a big step!"
"Right." James said, biting his lip. "Hey Maria, I could tell you something right?"
"What is it?"
"Um… it's about me and Lily."
"Okay, shoot." Maria said excitedly.
"Well…" James sighed. "I kissed her."
"REALLY? WHEN? YESTERDAY????"
"Uh…" James started. "No. I kissed her on Christmas. Remember, when she received that letter? And I ran after her?"
"THAT DAY?" Maria asked. "But James, that was like… YEARS AGO!"
"No it's not, you dimwit. It's only a few months." James said, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, so I kissed her, and she… well, she … she… she kissed me back."
"REALLY?"
"Yeah, for a moment. Then she pushed me away and got mad at me, then she ran away."
Maria just gapped at him.
"Yeah well, if I hadn't known better, I would've thought she enjoyed it, until she came back to her senses and realized it was me."
"Maybe she enjoyed it BECAUSE IT WAS YOU." Maria pointed out. "Then she pushed you away because she was afraid of what she was feeling."
"You really think so?" James asked.
"Well, I'm just assuming. I don't want to put your hopes up high, but maybe it's the truth." Maria shrugged.
James was grinning from ear to ear.
"Thanks a bunch, ree." James said.
"REE?"
"It's tiring to say Maria all the time. And I heard Sirius calling you REE once."
"Oh, okay." Maria answered. "I could use a nickname. Alison's is Allie and Lily's got Lils…"
"Or Lillers, Lil, Lily-kins, Lily flower, tiger, carrot-head, pickles, …"
"Right. What did you do, make them up?"
"Most of them." James shrugged. "Anyway, thanks again Ree. Are you sleeping here tonight?"
"I suppose." Maria shrugged. "I don't really wanna go back to my dorm."
"Well, Remus's bed is empty." James said. "Only god knows where he's at this time of the night."
"No, it's okay." Maria nodded. "I'll go back after resting for a while."
"Alright. Thanks again Ree." James said, grinning. "Thanks."
"Your welcome." Maria smiled.
"Good night," James said, ruffling her hair.
***
"Do you know where Lily is?" James asked a few days after that talk he had with Maria.
After his talk with Maria, James thought about Lily more and more every second that it drove him crazy. His head was always spinning on the subject of Lily Evans. How dark and flowing her red hair is. How bright her green eyes are. How her smile lights up the whole Hogwarts. It began to make him feel as if he was obsessed with her. He never got the chance to talk to her these past few weeks, not even a ridiculous quarrel. He even dreamt about her. It was scaring him so much, he decided he should talk to her.
"No!" Huffed Maria, who was obviously in a bad mood.
"Are you sure, I need to talk to her…"
"Gee James, I told you, I don't know!!"
"Okay2." James replied, eyeing Maria weirdly. A few days ago she would probably be happy for him. "What's wrong?"
"Well, your lady love just spilled ink all over my Charms assignment." Maria glared.
"Maria, you're suppose to be a witch." James said, rolling his eyes.
"WELL, listen to this. All she said was a lame 'OOPS' and then she took out her wand. Instead of saying the cleaning spells she BURNT IT." Maria said, shaking her head. "AGH! I'VE SPENT HOURS WORKING ON IT!"
"Uhh…. Okay. Sorry Maria. Um, Gotta go." James said, continuing his adventure to find Lily. Now, where to start. He was thinking of asking people. Lily was usually with Sirius (and while James thought about that, he felt a pang of jealousy), but Sirius would interview him and tease him and it would get really annoying. James knew Remus was a bit more sensible about these kind of things, but he's always with Alison and Alison wouldn't let Remus tell him where Lily was, after all, they were still fighting. Peter—well, he wouldn't do much, he'll answer a dumb no and ask why he was looking for her. James scanned the common room. There was a few 5th years. James wanted to ask Owen Utcher, who was probably the only 5th year Gryffindor that James knew pretty well. But remembering that Owen had once asked Lily out, and got rejected, James decided not to.
In the end James decided to look for her himself.
***
Walking through the hallways, and stopping in front of the library door, James hesitated. He hadn't been in there for years, besides at nights. Eventually he took a deep breath and pushed the doors, walking into the classic decorated library of Hogwarts.
Unfortunately his arrival attracted looks from a few girls who were reading magazines in a corner, they were quite surprise to find James Potter in the library. Even Madame Pince, the librarian, gave him a curious look as she watched him scan the library. But even with all these girls watching him, the only girl he wanted to catch her attention was quietly occupied with her work, in a far corner.
Quickly thinking up ways to get her attention, James suddenly tripped over a quill that was left on the floor. It made him stumble over to Lily's side and let out a loud thump.
Even though it was an accident, it did catch Lily's attention. She looked up warily from her work and was surprised to find James Potter, sprawled on the floor.
"Potter, what are you doing on the floor?" Lily asked.
"Well, I'm fine, thanks for asking." James answered sarcastically. 'D'oh!' He thought. He got up and dusts himself off.
"What are you doing in here?"
"I go to school here, if you don't remember." James said, walking past her to the bookshelf behind her.
"What are you doing in the library?"
"To… uh, get a book!" James said, pulling a random book out of the shelf. He glanced at the book he was holding. 'The Dark War'…'hm, it sounds quite interesting.'
"Oh, that's a good book." Lily said, looking back at her work.
"Oh. Well…" James paused, quickly racking his brain for a nice conversation. "Remus told me it was a good book and made me get it."
"Oh" Sounds of books being closed, and parchments being rolled.
"Yeah…" James said, scratching his head. Man, what else could he say? "So, do you come here often?" Oh, great question.
"Yes I do." Then Lily paused. "You're weird."
"Excuse me?"
"You're actually being nice to me."
"Am I? Are you sure I am?" James said superiorly, but everyone could still see the tinge of red on his cheeks.
"Yes, because you never talk so un-sarcastic to me." Lily said.
James quickly thought of a way to change the subject. What can I say…? "You going to the quidditch match next weekend?"
James turned to face Lily, but was quite surprised to find her not in her seat. He looked around and saw that Lily wasn't in the library at all. Whoa, where did that girl go? James thought. Either she's quick or I was thinking too long to give her time to leave.
Feeling utterly stupid, James walked back to the common room. Oh, real smooth Potter.
A/n: YES. Finally uploaded new chapter. Thanks for the reviews, people! :) I went outta town diz weekend… I had fun. But I missed fanfics so much I started to dream about it. (FREAKY!)
James is acting a bit weird, even for himself, doncha think? The fight between the girls is still on. If you want to know what its about, STAY TUNED~~
REVIEW PLEASE!! :)
=sCHEm…
***
Maria sat in the dark common room, alone that night. Lily was sleeping peacefully, of course. Alison was probably with Remus. Which left her alone, in the dark and cold common room.
Maria pulled her blankets that she had conjured up to her chin. She was lying down on the large couch, staring into the dying flames of the fire.
For some reason she couldn't sleep well. It wasn't the dreams, none of them had appeared tonight. After falling asleep, she would wake up 10 minutes later. It felt weird.
Suddenly a cold breeze swept pass her, and James Potter sat next to her.
"Couldn't sleep aye?" James asked. "Wasn't me in your dreams again, was it?"
"No, I just couldn't sleep." Maria said.
"Maybe it's the guilt-"
"NO. I AM NOT GOING TO APOLOGIZE. THEY STARTED IT FIRST AND DRAGGED ME INTO IT."
"OKAY2, don't be so touchy about it." James said, shaking his head. "Have you seen my… oh there it is." James said, taking a bottle of water from the coffee table. "I was thirsty."
"I can see." Maria answered, looking at him skeptically as he drank the water. Suddenly Maria laughed.
"What's so funny?" James asked, apparently a bit annoyed.
"AHAHA.. no, it's this inside joke of Alison, Lily's and mine." Maria explained. "You won't be able to understand it. Silly Lily and her crazy mind. So, we were taking about ourselves, taking turns. It was my turn but I forgot, and I said 'what? My turn?' Lily looked at me and said sarcastically, 'no it's the bottle's turn. Yeh… I went out with Evian'…" Maria laughed.
"I don't get it." James said dumbly.
"That's why its called an inside joke." Maria said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh…"
"So how's your wife?" Maria asked, winking.
"You mean Evans?"
"No, I meant Peter, of course Lily."
"She's fine I guess."
"Rriight…"
"I mean she's FINE." James said, emphasizing "FINE".
"You mean…" Maria said, not believing her ears. "You think she's pretty?"
James looked away.
"Oh come on James, you just told me that she's "FINE"…" Maria said. "Come on, fess up!"
James shook his head. "I hate you."
"What?"
"And Dumbledore too!"
"WHAT? WHY?"
"Be-because… " James sighed. "You made me think about her more now."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, James." Maria huffed. "And did you just say "more"? Does that mean you thought about her that way before?"
James turned pink.
Maria's eyes widen. "Oh my god… you really do like her right?"
"Well, if you hadn't told me about this, I wouldn't know and would still hate her guts."
"James, you two are destined for each other, you'll end up with each other anyway. It was in the prophecy. It's just a matter of sooner or later. And in this case, it's sooner." Maria said.
"Unless you prefer falling in love with her the hard way, for instance saving her from death, or something."
"That sounds more romantic." James muttered. "And it's NOT in the prophecy."
"Yes it is, something about green." Maria said, rolling her eyes again.
"Oh, so that's HER?"
"Do you know anybody else with eyes like her?"
"No actually." James answered.
"You haven't answered my question yet." Maria said thoughtfully.
"Yes I did. I said 'No actually'"
"My previous question. DO. YOU. LIKE. HER?"
"Um…" James said, fiddling with his fingers. "I can't stop looking at her. I feel like… angry or something weird when a guy approaches her. I feel my insides get hot if someone talks ill of her. My heart starts beating really fast when she's near, but when I talk to her everything comes out so harsh." James paused. "What do you think that means?"
"Means that you're in love, you fool." Maria said. "You've had so many girlfriends and you don't even know when you've fallen in love?"
"Well... I never loved any of them, if love is what I feel now." James said. "Maria, are you sure I love her?"
Maria let out an exasperating sigh. "I don't know, cause I'm not you. I'm just guessing, cause it seems like it. Of course, everyone has always thought you two had something going on, and you don't know how many howlers Lily gets from girls who THINK she's going out with you."
"You mean, everybody knew I liked her but myself?"
"And her. Remus told me that they had been trying for years to get you two together. But it never works."
"Really?" James asked. "I thought you all were just teasing us cause we fight so much."
"Hey James, could I know, how did you feel when Lily was with her exes?"
"Uh… well, I would feel weird inside, like I didn't think they deserved her or anything." James shrugged. "Hey, you know Lily went out with Todd Bowler right?"
"Only on one date." Maria answered. "She doesn't seem to like him very much, I wonder why she accepted his invitation."
"Well…" James began. "A few days ago I overheard some guys talking. About her. Seems like they have a bet going on her. Cause she didn't let him kiss her or anything. So the guy-"
"Of course she didn't. She doesn't like him."
"WAIT TILL I FINISH. As I had said, the guy was probably Bowler since he was the last date she had, right? And they were betting on her and all. God, even I don't do that." James said. "Well, I think I did, once…"
Maria gave James a look.
"Okay, so maybe it WASN'T once… maybe more like a few times…"
"Whatever James." Maria said. "But I think if Lily knows about it, she'll curse them to death and let Alison beat the crap out of them."
"But you guys are fighting now."
"Don't remind me," Maria muttered.
"Okay, I wont then. Anyway, what's this thing about Lily not kissing guys she doesn't like?"
"What do you think she is, a slut? Of course she only kisses guys she likes." Maria screeched. "You called her by her first name!"
"Yes I did. Is that a big deal?" James glared.
"Well… it's a big step!"
"Right." James said, biting his lip. "Hey Maria, I could tell you something right?"
"What is it?"
"Um… it's about me and Lily."
"Okay, shoot." Maria said excitedly.
"Well…" James sighed. "I kissed her."
"REALLY? WHEN? YESTERDAY????"
"Uh…" James started. "No. I kissed her on Christmas. Remember, when she received that letter? And I ran after her?"
"THAT DAY?" Maria asked. "But James, that was like… YEARS AGO!"
"No it's not, you dimwit. It's only a few months." James said, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, so I kissed her, and she… well, she … she… she kissed me back."
"REALLY?"
"Yeah, for a moment. Then she pushed me away and got mad at me, then she ran away."
Maria just gapped at him.
"Yeah well, if I hadn't known better, I would've thought she enjoyed it, until she came back to her senses and realized it was me."
"Maybe she enjoyed it BECAUSE IT WAS YOU." Maria pointed out. "Then she pushed you away because she was afraid of what she was feeling."
"You really think so?" James asked.
"Well, I'm just assuming. I don't want to put your hopes up high, but maybe it's the truth." Maria shrugged.
James was grinning from ear to ear.
"Thanks a bunch, ree." James said.
"REE?"
"It's tiring to say Maria all the time. And I heard Sirius calling you REE once."
"Oh, okay." Maria answered. "I could use a nickname. Alison's is Allie and Lily's got Lils…"
"Or Lillers, Lil, Lily-kins, Lily flower, tiger, carrot-head, pickles, …"
"Right. What did you do, make them up?"
"Most of them." James shrugged. "Anyway, thanks again Ree. Are you sleeping here tonight?"
"I suppose." Maria shrugged. "I don't really wanna go back to my dorm."
"Well, Remus's bed is empty." James said. "Only god knows where he's at this time of the night."
"No, it's okay." Maria nodded. "I'll go back after resting for a while."
"Alright. Thanks again Ree." James said, grinning. "Thanks."
"Your welcome." Maria smiled.
"Good night," James said, ruffling her hair.
***
"Do you know where Lily is?" James asked a few days after that talk he had with Maria.
After his talk with Maria, James thought about Lily more and more every second that it drove him crazy. His head was always spinning on the subject of Lily Evans. How dark and flowing her red hair is. How bright her green eyes are. How her smile lights up the whole Hogwarts. It began to make him feel as if he was obsessed with her. He never got the chance to talk to her these past few weeks, not even a ridiculous quarrel. He even dreamt about her. It was scaring him so much, he decided he should talk to her.
"No!" Huffed Maria, who was obviously in a bad mood.
"Are you sure, I need to talk to her…"
"Gee James, I told you, I don't know!!"
"Okay2." James replied, eyeing Maria weirdly. A few days ago she would probably be happy for him. "What's wrong?"
"Well, your lady love just spilled ink all over my Charms assignment." Maria glared.
"Maria, you're suppose to be a witch." James said, rolling his eyes.
"WELL, listen to this. All she said was a lame 'OOPS' and then she took out her wand. Instead of saying the cleaning spells she BURNT IT." Maria said, shaking her head. "AGH! I'VE SPENT HOURS WORKING ON IT!"
"Uhh…. Okay. Sorry Maria. Um, Gotta go." James said, continuing his adventure to find Lily. Now, where to start. He was thinking of asking people. Lily was usually with Sirius (and while James thought about that, he felt a pang of jealousy), but Sirius would interview him and tease him and it would get really annoying. James knew Remus was a bit more sensible about these kind of things, but he's always with Alison and Alison wouldn't let Remus tell him where Lily was, after all, they were still fighting. Peter—well, he wouldn't do much, he'll answer a dumb no and ask why he was looking for her. James scanned the common room. There was a few 5th years. James wanted to ask Owen Utcher, who was probably the only 5th year Gryffindor that James knew pretty well. But remembering that Owen had once asked Lily out, and got rejected, James decided not to.
In the end James decided to look for her himself.
***
Walking through the hallways, and stopping in front of the library door, James hesitated. He hadn't been in there for years, besides at nights. Eventually he took a deep breath and pushed the doors, walking into the classic decorated library of Hogwarts.
Unfortunately his arrival attracted looks from a few girls who were reading magazines in a corner, they were quite surprise to find James Potter in the library. Even Madame Pince, the librarian, gave him a curious look as she watched him scan the library. But even with all these girls watching him, the only girl he wanted to catch her attention was quietly occupied with her work, in a far corner.
Quickly thinking up ways to get her attention, James suddenly tripped over a quill that was left on the floor. It made him stumble over to Lily's side and let out a loud thump.
Even though it was an accident, it did catch Lily's attention. She looked up warily from her work and was surprised to find James Potter, sprawled on the floor.
"Potter, what are you doing on the floor?" Lily asked.
"Well, I'm fine, thanks for asking." James answered sarcastically. 'D'oh!' He thought. He got up and dusts himself off.
"What are you doing in here?"
"I go to school here, if you don't remember." James said, walking past her to the bookshelf behind her.
"What are you doing in the library?"
"To… uh, get a book!" James said, pulling a random book out of the shelf. He glanced at the book he was holding. 'The Dark War'…'hm, it sounds quite interesting.'
"Oh, that's a good book." Lily said, looking back at her work.
"Oh. Well…" James paused, quickly racking his brain for a nice conversation. "Remus told me it was a good book and made me get it."
"Oh" Sounds of books being closed, and parchments being rolled.
"Yeah…" James said, scratching his head. Man, what else could he say? "So, do you come here often?" Oh, great question.
"Yes I do." Then Lily paused. "You're weird."
"Excuse me?"
"You're actually being nice to me."
"Am I? Are you sure I am?" James said superiorly, but everyone could still see the tinge of red on his cheeks.
"Yes, because you never talk so un-sarcastic to me." Lily said.
James quickly thought of a way to change the subject. What can I say…? "You going to the quidditch match next weekend?"
James turned to face Lily, but was quite surprised to find her not in her seat. He looked around and saw that Lily wasn't in the library at all. Whoa, where did that girl go? James thought. Either she's quick or I was thinking too long to give her time to leave.
Feeling utterly stupid, James walked back to the common room. Oh, real smooth Potter.
A/n: YES. Finally uploaded new chapter. Thanks for the reviews, people! :) I went outta town diz weekend… I had fun. But I missed fanfics so much I started to dream about it. (FREAKY!)
James is acting a bit weird, even for himself, doncha think? The fight between the girls is still on. If you want to know what its about, STAY TUNED~~
REVIEW PLEASE!! :)
=sCHEm…
