Chapter Ten
The holidays hadn't been a cheerful time for James nor Lily. Sirius had tried to cheer James up, but it was extremely difficult when the door was repeatedly being slammed in his face. After the first few days of his failing attempts, he stopped trying. Remus and Peter had had satisfactory holidays, with lots of family and presents. Felicity seemed to have the best of all, with no Ministry-related parents or hateful siblings.
"Did he come back to say goodbye?" Lily asked after James had explained his father's departure on Christmas Eve. James solemnly shook his head. "Oh James," Lily laid her head on his chest and he held her close to him.
"He could die Lil'." James said quietly, fighting back the urge to cry. Lily looked up at him. James was rarely caught with the look of concern across his face, but right now Lily knew he was upset. She didn't know what to say, and in desperation, held onto him tighter.
The New Year brought many new things. People were doing well in school and acting particularly cheerful towards one another, most likely as part of a new years resolution. Some students, however, seemed to have made it their resolution to make other people's lives as difficult to lead as possible. Lucius and Severus were no exception.
On Thursday evening, James was serving detention with his Charms Professor when Lily was on her way to get him. They had planned to watch the full moon on the lawn.
"Won't we get caught?" Lily had asked. James had grinned mischievously and shook his head.
"I want to try out my father's Christmas present." He had told her.
Lily continued to think of what it could be that James had gotten for Christmas from his father. It must have been expensive. Maybe it was some sort of transporter, like a portkey. That wouldn't work at Hogwarts though, Lily reminded herself. At least I don't think it would, she went on contemplating whether a portkey would be feasible at the school. She hadn't even noticed that there were three boys standing in front of the door James had been serving his detention. Lily looked up out of her intense thoughts to see Malfoy, Snape and Amos. She knew Amos was a nice boy, who was friends with James and the others. Why on earth he was hanging around with two greasy Slytherins was beyond her.
"Miss Evans." Lucius hissed, continuing his habit of sneering and spitting like a cobra whenever he saw her. She glared at him. She then looked at Amos, and tried to ignore Snape and Malfoy's cold stares that seemed to be piercing through her skin, and eating away at her insides.
"Hiya Amos," she smiled.
"Hullo Lil'." He smiled at her nervously. Lily looked at him, raising her eyebrows expectantly and half waiting for him to explain the scene before her. "Uh, how're you?" he asked, his deep voice stumbling a bit.
"Oh." Lily said flatly, realizing he wasn't going to explain anything. "I'm fine. Is James out yet?" she asked.
"Potter?" Malfoy interjected. Lily rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Not that I was talking to you Malfoy, but yes. James Potter."
"Oh I see. I'm afraid he's already gone to meet you outside for you're pathetic little gathering." Malfoy said. "Snape here thought he saw you go out there, must've been the wrong girl Snape." Lucius said to Snape, not sorry or concerned at all. In fact, he was most pleased with himself.
"Thank you Malfoy," she said, and turned around to find James, incredibly angry.
"Where are you going?" Malfoy's sing song voice wafted into Lily's ear drums, and she cringed in disgust. Away from you! She wanted to say, but didn't.
"To find James." She said, not looking at the three boys behind her.
"Won't that be a tad difficult? What with you not being allowed outside after night fall and all those pleasant rules that you, Miss Evans, seem to abide by so much." Lily turned around, rigid and furious with Snape and Malfoy. Once again, Snape had done the dirty work while Malfoy reported it.
"Then I'll go to the common room, and he'll come back if I don't come out." Lily said, about to leave when Malfoy spoke once more.
"Wrong again I'm afraid Miss Evans." His lips curled into an evil grin. "Potter can't get in ... the doors are all locked."
Any comments are greatly appreciated! Sorry it took so long to get this to my other computer to send to the net!!!