A/N:...i'm so mean! I had this chapter written *before* I left for vacation, but I didn't put it up...lmao...sorry, guys! It's here now, though!...i hope it doesn't suck *too* much...
Chapter Five:
Slimeballs and Complicated Situations
Bella ran after Lily before most people in the room came into realization of what had just happened. There was dead silence in the room, until a certain someone decided to speak up.
"Well! The nerve of some people!" Victoria said, as if she didn't realize James was madder than hell at her.
Finally, James came out of his complete state of shock. He pushed her out of his lap, "GET OUT NOW!" he yelled furiously
"But, Jamesie! You don't need her! We could be together forever!" Victoria said, in the voice that usually got her whatever she wanted.
"Get out! Haven't you caused enough trouble?"
"Fine, then. Don't expect to be with me again!" She whimpered, "Ever!" She added, uneasily, she was shocked that James hadn't protested yet.
"Good!"
"You don't mean that, Jamesie!"
"Wanna bet? Get out!" Victoria then ran out of the room, in fake sobs, making sure to wait five minutes outside of the apartment door for James, whom she was positive would come chasing after her.
"Lily Evans! Get out of the shower now! Stop trying to drown yourself! We're going to talk! NOW!"
Lily groaned, and came into the kitchen after a few minutes. "Fine, fine, Bella, suit yourself. But, I don't want to talk."
"What happened, happened, Lily." Bella said consolingly "You can't change it. All you can do is decide what you want to do about it."
"I don't want to do anything about it!" Lily snapped
"That's not an option."
"What do you expect me to do, Belle?" Lily said, her red eyes filling up with tears again, "What? Do you expect me to go and forgive him, and throw myself into his arms, knowing that he probably doesn't even love me?"
"What I want you to do doesn't matter. What you want yourself to do is all that matters." Bella said calmly
"Well, I want to hate him! I want to hate him forever!"
"Sorry, Lil, but, it doesn't seem like that's going to happen either."
Lily just sobbed.
"LILY! Stop! I hate seeing you this way! Look, here's what you're going to do. I hate to do this, because I think I love the idea of you and James more than you and James both do, probably, and I'll miss you like hell, but, you need to get away. Go to Hogwarts early. I'm sure Dumbledore won't mind. I mean, you are a professor now. And it's nearly August, you'll only stay for a month."
"Another pint, Hildy," James ordered. He was at McCoulter's, a small wizarding pub. He had already had more than his share of alchohol, and, to say the least, he was a bit tipsy.
"James, you've had quite enough," Remus scolded
"No...Remus...I need her..." James mumbled
"JAMES! We're leaving," Remus dragged James out of the pub, completely ignoring Sirius, still inside saying some quite...obscene...things to Hildy, the blond woman that was working at the counter.
James and Remus apparated back to the apartment, where James began to be lectured.
"Prongs, I hate to say this, but, I'm not sure if you'll ever get her back. Maybe it just wasn't mean to be..." Remus began, "Anyways, I think you need to leave. Get away from this place. Remember how Dumbledore offered you that Defense Against the Dark Arts job while Professor Ferneligus takes the year off, studying? It's only for a year, and you won't have to think about...her. Who knows, maybe you'll meet some other nice girls."
(A/N: tehehe...you didn't actually think I'd send Lily off to Hogwarts without our dear old Prongs, didja? Actually, I was planning to at first, but I decided against it...)
James didn't answer, seeing as he was in the middle of a hangover.
While James was busy vomiting, a red-eyed red-head was busy packing her things, and randomly mumbling phrases like, 'I can hardly wait to be away from that horrible Potter', 'I'm going to go crazy without him!', and 'Oh, wait a second, I am going crazy!'.
"Yes, of course you are," Bella laughed, as she walked in, "And I'll miss your insanity!" She hugged her friend
"Well, I'll miss you too, Belle. Bella, have you and Sirius made up yet? It wasn't at all his fault, and I'd feel so guilty if you broke up with him all because of me." (A/N: Lily's having serious mood swings, isn't she? One second, she's going insane, and the next second, she's feeling guilty...tehehe...)
"Funny you should mention it." Bella began, "I made up with Sirius...I was a bit worried you'd be mad, but, I missed him."
"Don't worry, Belle, I couldn't get mad at you! It'd be too hard to find a new best friend!" Lily joked playfully.
"Speaking of new best friend," Bella's head turned toward Lily's suitcase, which was already almost packed. It had a charm on it, so that it could fit anything, and stay the same size. Lily was, at the moment, tossing in her journal, scrapbook, and a box with other memoirs and such. "You'd better not go and get one when you go off to Hogwarts, and leave me all alone!" (A/N: *sob* I just realized that when I write the Hogwarts segment of this fic, I wont have Bella! Ack! I'll miss her! And Sirius! *sob* how will I survive?)
"Course I won't." Lily smiled, "Who could there be at Hogwarts who'll make a better best friend than you? Nobody, that's who. I heard from Dumbledore that he's considering SNAPE to teach Potions, or Defense Against the Dark Arts. He's this real jerk, he was in Slytherin at Hogwarts. He was always calling me a mudblood."
"He sounds like a jerk." Bella nodded, "Well, when you get bored, owl me!" Lily had finished stuffing her things in her suitcase.
"I think we should get going. Let's take Floo Power to King's Cross. Dumbledore said the Professors' train comes at 6:15...that's not too long from now." Lily frowned, "I hate to leave you, Belle. I'm gonna miss you so much! But, I have to. I just need to get away..."
"I know that, Lil...I'll miss you a ton, though! I wish I could come!"
"So do I, Belle. Oh, well, we'd better be going." With that, Lily tossed some powder into the fire, and hopped in, saying "King's Cross!"
"James, Dumbledore says there's a train for Hogwarts staff leaving for King's Cross this evening." Remus said, "I think you'd better take it."
"Ok...it doesn't really matter, though, Moony. Nothing does." James said, in a way very unlike himself. He was completely without hope.
"James, things will get better. Just give it time, and things will sort themselves out."
"I sure hope so, Reme. I just miss her so much." James said hopelessly, "I can't live without her, Remus, I can't."
Remus glanced sadly at his friend. It wasn't fair that James should have to go through this. "Come on, Prongs. Sirius is meeting us at King's Cross." Both Marauders then apparated away, unhappily
"Bye, Lil!" Bella hugged Lily. "I'll see you during Christmas, I hope?"
"Yup! And I'll owl you every day, twice a day!"
"And talk to me through the fireplace occasionally?" Bella asked
"You can count on it," Lily replied, grinning "Bye! I'll miss you!"
"Bye..." Bella sighed sadly, as Lily crossed into the platform. (A/N: the month-early staff train is in da same platform as the regular one, namely, platform 9 and ¾)
Lily cautiously walked onto the train. There was no one to look for, like all the other times on the familiar train. Then, she heard her name, and her head tilted, to see a familiar greasy haired man. Snape? What did he want from her?
"Severus?" Lily asked, in a polite way. She didn't like Snape much, but maybe he'd changed?
"Lily! I didn't know you were teaching here. I am teaching Potions here."
"Oh, that's...err...nice, Severus," Lily said, but was saved by a blond girl coming in. Lily recognized her as Anna Halliway. She was two years older than Lily, but they had been friends during Hogwarts.
"Lily? Lily Evans! Oh, it's so nice to see you! Come with me!" Anna dragged Lily out of the compartment. Anna giggled, "You didn't want to talk to him, did you?"
"Of course not! I've hated him since we went to Hogwarts!"
"Good. I was nervous for a second," Anna laughed, "He's quite a moron. Oh I'm so glad you're teaching here! The entire staff is so old! I came to teach right after you graduated, last year. I'm teaching Astronamy, it's quite fun, and the children are so adorable! Seeing them brings back such memories. Dumbledore told me you were coming, and I was so happy! What're you teaching?" Anna said all this very quickly, as if it were one ongoing sentence.
"Charms, it was my best subject back in Hogwarts."
"Oh I remember! You were always helping the Marauders play pranks on the Slytherins!" Anna laughed
"So, are me and Snape the only new professors this year?"
"Oh, no! Of course not! There's one other new professor. You'll remember him, James Potter." Lily's face went pale, "You know, the ex-quiddich player? Oh, my goodness! The paper wasn't true?" Anna said, noticing the look on Lily's face
"No! Well, yes...kind of..." Lily went on to tell every bit of her story.
"Oh, Lily!" Anna said sympathetically, "I'm so sorry! That's terrible! Really! You think you know someone, and he turns out to be so...ugh! Well, if he's smart, he'll quit. I can't believe he could do something so heartless!"
James sat down in a compartment. He felt a bit uncomfortable sitting in a compartment with Professor Sinistra, and Professor Binns, who were making a conversation. They insisted upon him calling them George, and Thomas, but it felt all too odd. He had stopped talking, and began looking out the window boredly ignoring their conversations, until he heard her name.
"Yes, yes, Lily Evans too. And Severus Snape. They were both in your year, were they, James?" Said Professor Binns
"Yes, they were...why?" James asked curiously, cringing at what they might say.
"Oh, they're teaching here this year." Flitwick replied.
"T-teaching? Here?" James said, nervously. Lily would be teaching with him? This would not be good.
"Yes, teaching...here...why so shocked?"
"Oh, nothing, I was just...surprised." Yes, he was surprised. As well as nervous, and a bit happy. James sat back in his seat. There had to be some way to get Lily back. And then it hit him; an idea. Lily wouldn't go for it, but it was something.
"So, Lily, what was it like being a reporter?" Anna asked. She was so talkative! Bella liked to talk too, but not half as much as Anna. She could blab nonstop for hours on end, never letting Lily get a word in. "Is it glamorous? Did you get to interview famous people? If I were a reporter, I'd love getting to meet famous people! Esspecially Kella Charmington! You know, the singer? Did you ever get to interview her? She is super! And-" Anna was cut off by a familiar black haired man, walking into the compartment. Anna glared, and Lily sat speechless, with a look of utter disgust and horror on her face. "What're you doing here?" Anna said, "Don't you know you're not wanted."
"Could I talk to Lily?" James said calmly.
"Lily doesn't want to-" Anna began, but was cut off, to her surprise, by Lily.
"Ok." She said, almost as calmly as James. "Sure."
"In private?" James asked, glancing at Anna
"You know, you're really pushing it, Potter. Lil, come out and get me when you're done." At that, Anna glided out of the compartment.
"Ok, Potter." Lily said icily "This had better be good."
"Lily, I know you hate me. And you probably have good reason..." James started, Lily just glared at him, "But, Lily...Ok, look. If you could just at least be my friend. Or at least let things be the way they were at Hogwarts. We're at Hogwarts again, so could we just forget about everything?"
"No, Potter. We can not forget everything. You know it as well as I do."
"Please, Lily" James begged, "I miss you. Can we just forget about everything? Couldn't things be like they were during Hogwarts? Where we hated each other for no good reason?"
James was grinning. Lily couldn't help it. That grin could easily charm any girl. "Fine" She groaned "But, I still hate you."
"And, so do I, Lily dearest." James smiled, and skipped out of the room.
Lily had on a small smile, as Anna came back in. "What happened?" Anna asked, curiously, as Lily told her ever detail. "And you're going along with it? After everything that jerk did?"
Lily gave a smile that clearly said, 'I-couldn't-help-it'.
"You surprise me sometimes, Lily. And here I was, under the impression that you thought James Potter was the scum of the earth!"
"I do!" Lily said defensively
"Yeah, sure you do." Anna laughed
"There is nothing funny about this! Grr...I hate James Potter! I do!" Lily said
"Right" Annie said "Anyways, I heard an interestingly juicy fact about James Potter and Severus Snape."
"Oh, do tell!" Lily giggled
"Well, before James came into this compartment, he got into a fight with our dearest Snapey." Anna was trying unsuccessfully to hide her laughter
"They're always fighting, though! They hate each other."
"Exactly, but, now they seem to have yet another reason to hate each other. It seems that both of them seem to be in 'love' with the same exact girl."
"What?" Lily took a few seconds to realize who the girl was. "Oh, god! Me? Snape likes me? Eww! How disgusting!"
Lily took a seat at the staff table in the Great Hall. It felt awkward not going to sit down at her familiar spot in the Gryffindor table, but instead being seated in between Severus Snape, and James Potter, whom had raced for the seats next to her, and across from Anna. It felt even odder, seeing the empty house tables all around. The students wouldn't be there for another month. The teachers then all began engaging conversations. Professor McGonagall was chattering away about a few students who had wreaked havoc among Hogwarts last year. Lily thought she had seen a mischievous grin on James' face, as McGonagall spoke. Lily then remembered the bunch that The Marauders had 'trained', claiming that they did not want their talents to be forever lost.
After a few minutes of dinner, Lily received an owl from Bella.
Dear Lily,
I miss you so much! This is my first of many owls to you. Nothing has really happened since you left a few hours ago. I mainly just worked, and I'm going out to dinner with Sirius in a few minutes. How are things going at Hogwarts so far? Umm...I heard from Sirius that you-know-who (a certain dark haired man, whom you're currently avoiding) is there. What terrible luck! Well, I can't lie to you and tell you I'm not a bit happy. I really think you two are both just too stubborn for yourselves. I know what James did with Victoria was wrong, but you could at least hear him out. Sirius says Victoria was the one who kissed him, and even though he might've done better pulling away, he was just desperate, Lily. He really does love you. But, he felt like he'd lost you. Well, I'll stop talking about him now. I know you don't like it. Anyways, I hope you're liking Hogwarts! Tell me every single detail! I have to go now! I miss you a ton!
Lots of love,
Bella
Lily smiled. She turned toward James and looked at him for a second. Maybe she'd forgive him. She wouldn't be able to trust him enough to go out with him, but she'd forgive him all the same. She looked away from James, and back down at her letter, grinning.
"Lily? Can I talk to you?" Snape asked, as Lily was walking down the corridor, Anna by her side and James not too far behind her.
"Err...ok, Severus."
"Alone?" Snape gestured to Anna.
Anna rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine, get rid of me, will you? See you, Lil!"
"Lily, I really-" Snape was cut off by the splashing of blue paint all over his head. Lily tried to repress a giggle, and wondered who had done that. She, of course, hadn't seen a jealous and mischievous James Potter hiding behind the suit of armor to her left.
James flunked himself onto his bed, in his room. It was in the staff quarters, and quite a bit bigger than the dormitories. It was quite lonely, without Sirius, Remus, and Peter. Hogwarts was going to be hell. Unlike Lily, there was no one he could possibly befriend. He needed Lily like he needed air, and having her here, refusing him, was not going to help.
James opened the letter he had gotten at dinner.
Prongs,
We all miss you! How's Hogwarts? I heard Lily's there. I think that's brilliant, but Remus says I shouldn't talk about her. By the way, Remus and Peter are reading this over my shoulder. Remus says he hopes you're having fun, and Peter says that he hopes you're pulling some good pranks. Wait, now Remus says you shouldn't be, because they'll end up firing you. I, personally, have to agree with Wormtail on this one. What's the fun of Hogwarts without pranks? I heard Anna Halliway is there. She's quite the looker, if my memory doesn't fail me. Remus says I shouldn't say that about her, seeing as I have a girlfriend. Well, she can't be half as hot as Bella. By the way, we're still going out, as you've probably noticed. Well, best of wishes!
~Padfoot
P.S. Peter and Remus say they miss you, and are getting sick of me hanging out with them instead of you-wait a second! Hey! Well, I have to go and kill our friends now! Bye!
James smiled widely. What he would give to be with the Marauders right now. Hogwarts didn't seem to be looking like such a great idea anymore. He missed being an auror and putting his life on the line. Lily had agreed to hate him like she usually did, but he knew things would never be the same between them.
"Lily...erm...last time we didn't exactly get to finish our talk." Snape said, and Lily inwardly groaned. "Would you like to go out to the pond? We could talk."
"Umm..." Lily tried to think of an excuse to get out of it. Unable to, she put on a fake smile, "Sure, Severus."
They walked out by the lake. Snape started talking, "Lily, ermm...well...I..." He stopped talking, and grabbed her around the waist, kissing her.
Lily was shocked. She tried to pull away, but he grabbed her wrist, and pulled her tighter. She was just about to slap him, and move away, when who else but James Potter, with his jaw-hanging, saw them.
James felt a pang of jealousy, along with a shot of anger. What was Snape doing kissing HIS girl? Well, not quite his, but, he could dream couldn't he? He was infuriated when he read the look on Lily's face. It clearly said 'let-go-of-me-you-slimeball'. He ran up to Snape, and tore Lily from him.
A/N: Does anyone know Lily well enough to guess what she'll do next? Kudos to everyone who knows! lmao...well...anywayz...I'm hoep you liked this chapter! It was kinda bad...I think...but, things are gonna get better once the students get to Hogwarts...*grins*...dontcha guyz miss Bella and Sirius sooo much? Ack! I do! *sigh* well, we'll be getting letters from them...but we won't see them again in person till X-mas...*sob* well, thanks SOOOO much for the reviews, guyz!!! OMG! I just checked my average!! *dances* 20 reviews per chap!!! That's AMAZING!!! *huggles the reviewers* I wuvvvv u guyzzz sooo much! Thanks! I have more than TWICE as many reviews per chapter as I got or The Phoenix Ring...that's...beyond belief...well...reviewers, here's your time to shine:
Thank-Yous:
G.D. Jade: I know! Don't you just HATE Victoria? Grr...well, I kinda like her...as a character...she's so much fun to write...(which is why we haven't seen the last of her...*wink* *wink*)...anywayz...you're soo write...poor Lils...nothing ever does go right for her, does it? lolz...o well...thanks!
Kirbee: *nodz* James IS quite a moron, isn't he? Lmao...figures...he's my favorite...I'l take his side, though, and say, Lily was being stubborn...I mean, she *did* totally refuse him...and he was sad...*nodz* I tend to lean more towards siding with James...but, James *did* do a very moronic thing...but, o well...what he just did might make up for it...and then what Lily does next chapter will bring her ratings way down...*wink* *wink*...lolz...anywayz ...thanks for the review! Btw, feel free to hit James on the head! I'm sure many other reviewers would be thankful...lol...
Princess Hermione: You can't wait? Well, luckily, you didn't have to for the amount of time it took you to read this chapter...*nodz* but, unfortunately, you'll have to wait for the next one...but, I'll try and be quick, just for you! XD well, thanks!
Jazz: *giggles* I'm guessing you're referring to the cliffie? Hehe...then, I guess you'll be upset to see dat I ended this chap in a cliffy-ish too...hehe...
Y. Kuang: hehe...funny...I was just telling another reviewer how Victoria was a good character...lol...well, as I was telling the other reviewer, you'll be happy to know dat our dearest Vicky is coming back in future chapters...she hasn't quite caused enough trouble yet...hehe...another cliffy hater...*g* well...thanks!
Katy Kat: hehe...I know he shouldn't have...he has a knack for doing the wrong thing, doesn't he? Lmao...thanks!
Sierra Sitruc: YAY! Glad you liked it! Thanks!
Shits and Giggles: Hehe...I know...cliffies suck...but, it's the only way I can keep people coming back for more...if I didn't, ppl would just accept the fact that this fic sucks, and move on to other fics...hehe...so, I'll keep writing cliffies, thank u very much...lolz...well, thanks!
Libertygrl413: ooo...u liked Maria's scheme? Hehe...I like Maria lots...*sigh* I'm gonna miss her...she's prolly not coming back into the fic, though...and, yup...guys can be total jackasses...but, u gotta love them! Lmao...well, thanks!
Gigi: XD...wow is a really kool word...*nodz* and I'm glad you're using it to describle my fic...although it doesn't quite fit my fic...my fic is more along the lines of..."Ugh! This sucks!"...lmao...well...thanks!
AmiAmiNSusu: you really love it? Wow...thanks!
Martini Addict: lolz...I guess I'm alone in rooting for James...know who James reminds me of? A lot? I dunno if you watch Boy Meets World, but, James reminds me of Cory...*nodz*...and, if u do watch BMW, u know the ski-trip-girl? Well, that's kinda Victoria...'cept the ski-trip girl (I forget her name, lol) is nice...and Victoria...isn't...but, anywayz...dat's kinda my wittle analogy...Lily's the one who thinks it over...and James is the one who knows they'll be together forever...anywayz...thanks!
QueenOfTheQueer: WOW! I'm your IDOL? OMG! U just totally made my day! Thanks sooo much! *g* I was in a bad mood till I read your review...and suddenly, things were perfect again! YAY! Thanks!
Kase: lol! Don't die! Here's the chapter! Lmao! Thanks!
Jak: hmm...u think I should kill off Victoria? I dunno...I just might...but I doubt it...but I will consider it...well, thanks!
OliverWoodsChic: ooo...it's good? I don't think so, but thanks anywayz!
Thistlemeg: lolz...sure...go ahead...whack Victoria...lmao...ooo...btw, I know this have nothing to do with the review, but u reviewed my friend's fic! YAY! Lolz...it was called "Seeking the Truth", and it's by Coolrunnings (or EZ Cheez E...or whatever she changed her pen name to...lolz) (more commonly known to me as Brittany, Shorty, or Letti Confetti...lmao...) ...anywayz...thanks for reviewing it! It made her vewy happyyy...*nodz* anywayz...thanks for reviewing my fic toooo!
Felicity Aulia Evans: ooo...u reviewed my friend's fic too! (see the review above for more details...lol...)...well...thanks! for reviewing both of our fics! XD
~*Crystal Lily*~: Yup! Always new twists! *g*...well, thanks!
ChocolatKiss: hehe...you hate cliffies...lolz...well, glad you liked it! Thanks!
Lady Wildcat: Ahhh! Not the spatulas! *hides* spatulas scare mee...not as much as ice does, though...*nodz* hehe...well, tell you're neighbor's mentally retarded donkey hi from me! Lmao! Thanks! P.s. nope...it hasn't died! It's heree!! Please attack me with the donkey! *hides* hehe...
Angelchains124: hehe...sugar highs are fun...glad you like it! Thanks for the review!