((Authors Note: See, I still can get a chapter up in a short amount of
time! Yay for me. Anyway, Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I have loved
every single one. To make some of you happy, I have upped the rating to an
'R' though I think it really could be a toss up between 'R' and 'PG-13'
Well, no biggie.
I've been having a writers block (of a sort) and I decided the best way to get out of a funk is to continue writing! So here is my just-getting-out-of- writers-block story!
TA DA!))
Innocent Deceptions Chapter 8
Deceit Compensated
"Jamsie boy!" Sirius jumped onto James' back as he entered into his office. James shrugged him off with a grin. "Sirius, I know its Christmas and you are tempted to give out hugs and talk of frolicking in the snow, but I would rather you didn't."
Sirius grinned back. Dumbledore had asked James to invite a few of his friends to Hogwarts for the Christmas ball. His eyes twinkling, he said he felt it might lighten up the place. So James had invited Sirius Black, his old roommate, Remus Lupin, one of his closest friends from school, and Peter Pettigrew. All were members of the infamous Marauders, and all looked forward to a reunion.
"So James," Sirius' smile faded as he was handed a glass of butterbeer. "What's on your mind? Besides the attacks. Something seems to have hit you personally. You've been.. Not yourself since summer. What happened?"
James' grip tightened on his glass and he forced himself to breathe calmly. "I'm myself. The same self I've always been." Sirius. Damn him for being so observant. James groaned internally. Like he hadn't tried to get Lily out of his mind. Like he hadn't tried to ignore her when she walked around with her boyfriend, smiling into his eyes. Like he hadn't resisted the urge to strangle her boyfriend with his bare hands. Of the above temptation, only one did he successfully resist.
Sirius looked at him seriously. "James-" He paused. "I didn't want to tell you this, but there's been talk about you having an affair with a student." He studied James' face and finally fell back into his chair. "James-", he began cautiously.
James cut him off. "Sirius, I know. I'm going through some stuff now. I can't get her out of my mind. I need a distraction of some sort. And Kirsten presented herself at an, uh opportune time."
Sirius stared at him incredulously. "James, listen I know you're stuck in a school of teenagers, but you can't date them! Why don't you give the Cheesecake girl a call? She seemed hilarious. Anything but one of your students!"
James shook his head impatiently. "That's just it, Sirius! She was one of my students!"
Sirius's expression deepened to one of confusion. "Then is she the one you're having an affair with? Who's Kirsten then?"
James sighed deeply and as he leaned back to explain, the door opened. A slightly haggard looking Remus Lupin walked in grinning like a dog. "James! Sirius!" He smiled hugely and James felt badly for him. Remus, being a werewolf, was finding life in the mainstream course of things very hard. Despite his position on a pro-quidditch team, his friends from Hogwarts were still a bright light for him.
His expression faded as he caught Sirius' eye. Falling down into a chair, he quietly said, "I suppose the rumors were true, then."
Sirius nodded. "And James was just about to explain. Weren't you, James?"
James sighed again and leaned back to begin his tale.
~*~
"Lily!" Bella called from across the hallway. Lily was exiting the charms classroom after her advanced class, which was the only class not canceled. Lily had asked for it to be continued so she could do some complicated decorations for the ball. Turning, Lily smiled at her friend. "Bells!"
"Long time, no see!" Bella smiled, though it seemed slightly false to Lily's practiced eye.
Lily smiled, trying to hide some of her confusion. Amos had been so protective and possessive of her. He seemed to want her with him all the time. But he was sweet, handsome, strong, rich, and he truly loved her. He loved her. That was enough. True love, where you loved each other was a fairy tale. At least she had found someone who cared for her as who she was. "I guess I've been with Amos a lot."
Bella's smile grew slightly pasted on. But still she said in her regular voice, "Lily, Fletcher and I were wondering if you would want to go to Hogsmeade with us this weekend. Fletcher has been dying to catch up with Amos, and we always shop together."
Lily frowned almost inperceptively. "I don't know, Bella. I'm just so busy. Amos really thinks- Wait, Bella, what's this about you and Fletcher?"
Bella's face fell. "We're the same friends we've always been, Lily." Her voiced seemed unsteady.
"Oh. Then why go together?" Lily frowned even more. Her friends blue eyes seemed to deepen in color and Lily recognized that as a sign that Bella was angry.
"We always go together, Lily! He always takes me to the ball! It's one of our traditions!" She paused, but continued with the momentum. "You haven't been here, Lily. I don't know where you've been. You only talk to Amos, we don't even shop together anymore!" Bella's voice was raising and filling the empty hall. Tears filled her eyes and her voice dropped to a mere whisper. "I don't even know you anymore. We were best friends, Lily." She whirled around and took off down the hallway.
"Bella!" Lily's voice seemed panicked.
"Lily?" Amos's deep tones sounded from the opposite end of the hall. "What's wrong?"
Lily's heart sank and she turned to her boyfriend. "Bella-" She paused, unable to finish.
Amos kissed her softly and put his arm around her. "Sweetie, first we really should finish the ball. It's in two days, you know."
Lily sighed, but nodded. "I guess so. I mean, no one would like it if the ball wasn't finished." He loves me. And James doesn't. Unwanted, the thought passed through her mind as she passed James's office.
~*~
Sirius and Remus stared in bewilderment at James. Remus cleared his throat. "So, essentially, you are having an affair with one student, to prove to another student that you are over her, when really you aren't?" James frowned. Remus always made things sound so simple. "I suppose so. If you want to put it that way."
Sirius nodded. "That seems to be it." His expression hardened. "I'm not sure what I really ought to say here, but James, I have to tell you that you need to break it off with the tramp. And perhaps apologize to the cheesecake girl as well, because she really struck my fancy. "
Remus looked over at Sirius oddly, but cut James off when he started to reply. "No, James, it's more than that. To be honest, she was right about the professionalism. You definitely need her put back into your class. Can you imagine how unfair you're being to this uh" He glanced at Sirius, "Cheesecake girl. She will need to have mastered Transfiguration in order to Aparate! At least find her a tutor. Do something."
James scowled. "She could always ask her boyfriend to tutor her. He is head boy."
Sirius glanced at him in surprise. "James, I do believe you are jealous of this 17 year old boy!" He stifled the urge to laugh. "Honestly, James."
Someone else banged on the door and James got up to get it, still scowling menacingly at his 'friends'
A prefect paled at his scowl. "Professor, Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you."
James nodded. "Alright."
The prefect fled and James nodded to Sirius and Remus. "Be back."
~*~
"James." Dumbledore's voice seemed flat. "Please sit."
James sat quietly in front of the desk, being reminded of his Hogwarts days when he was often found in this same chair.
"James, word of some ah, indiscretions has reached the board of directors. Though I have tried to convince them otherwise, they were unswayable." His blue eyes met James's own sadly. "I regret to inform you that you have been replaced."
James was shocked at first, but and Dumbledore looked at him with sympathy. "At the end of the term, Professor McGonagol will be returning. You have been a good teacher and you are free to stay here until you find another job."
James stood, nodded, and said a polite goodbye. "Fired." He muttered aloud. He had wasted his job on Kirsten? How could that have happened? He had never even slept with her. But they didn't know that. James sighed and entered his room once more.
After telling Sirius and Remus the news, Remus seemed almost ecstatic. "Remus," James began with exasperation. "I just lost my job! Why are you smiling like an idiot?"
"Because! James, we need a new chaser! You could be it! We could play together again!"
James smiled, despite the situation, and began to talk the plans over with his friend.
Later, when they were all exhausted, James lay on the couch, thinking about Lily. Christmas. Back when they were dating, it had seemed so far away. Now. He thought back to the ring he had got her. It was beautiful. It was uniquely Lily. A bright emerald, surrounded by diamonds and mounted in red gold, it bonded its wearer and its giver if they were true loves. He had found it in a small shop that was usually quite expensive, but when he looked at the ring, the shopkeeper almost threw it at him.
Lily would get the ring, he decided. It would be his final chance to find out whether they were really in love or not.
~*~
Lily didn't come into the dorm until late that night. "Bella?" She said quietly, walking over to her bed. "Bella, are you awake?" She swallowed. "I'd really like to talk to you."
Bella sat up drearily and looked at Lily. "What?"
Lily smiled at her. "I just wanted to tell you that I think we should go shopping together tomorrow. It will be fun. Amos isn't coming. I wanted it to be just you and me."
Bella smiled back at her friend. "That's great, Lily." She glanced at the ceiling. "Lily, about Amos-"
"Oh Bella!" With a deep sigh, Lily sat down on Bella's bed. "I don't know what to do. He talks about marriage. Did you know that? Like he thinks we would last forever. But he loves me. I know he loves me. Jam-" She swallowed again. "James didn't love me. I loved him. It's either love or be loved. In my future, I want to be loved! You know how I always dreamed of a fairytale love? Being in love, the fireworks, everything. It's all such a dream. None of its real."
Bella sighed and gave her friend a hug. "Lily, I think it does exist. I think it just works in odd ways."
"Bella?" Lily asked, in a very small voice. "Do you think James cared about me at all?"
Bella stared at the wall as she answered cautiously. "Lily, he obviously cared about you. If he hadn't cared about you, he wouldn't have done the things he has done. It's twisted, but he wouldn't have done them-he wouldn't have been so angry if he hadn't cared."
"But what about Kirsten?"
"Lily, I don't know. I guess if it were him, he could ask, But what about Amos?"
Lily nodded. "Thank you, Bells. I think I want to sleep now."
Bella nodded. "G'night, Lils."
As Lily went to sleep, her mind went back to a present she had bought in Paris over the summer. She had bought it for James. A sapphire, surrounded by diamonds and mounted on pale gold, the necklace was beautiful. It was said to bond the wearer to the giver, if they had true love. Though they were usually outrageously expensive, this seller seemed determined she should buy it, saying that he was sure she knew someone who would appreciate it. He said that it had a match somewhere, and without it, he didn't feel it was worth the whole price. In the back there was a slot where something could fit, though she didn't know what. She couldn't imagine giving it to anyone but James. It was definitely his.
She would mail it to him, she finally decided. In an unmarked, unsigned box. Let him think what he wanted to. If she felt him as part of her, she would talk to him. If she didn't, then no loss...really, anyway.
~*~
((DONE! SO what do you think??? I really hurried on that one, and I know there are a few grammar mistakes. But oh well. Ill find them later! It is late and I am tired!
I've been having a writers block (of a sort) and I decided the best way to get out of a funk is to continue writing! So here is my just-getting-out-of- writers-block story!
TA DA!))
Innocent Deceptions Chapter 8
Deceit Compensated
"Jamsie boy!" Sirius jumped onto James' back as he entered into his office. James shrugged him off with a grin. "Sirius, I know its Christmas and you are tempted to give out hugs and talk of frolicking in the snow, but I would rather you didn't."
Sirius grinned back. Dumbledore had asked James to invite a few of his friends to Hogwarts for the Christmas ball. His eyes twinkling, he said he felt it might lighten up the place. So James had invited Sirius Black, his old roommate, Remus Lupin, one of his closest friends from school, and Peter Pettigrew. All were members of the infamous Marauders, and all looked forward to a reunion.
"So James," Sirius' smile faded as he was handed a glass of butterbeer. "What's on your mind? Besides the attacks. Something seems to have hit you personally. You've been.. Not yourself since summer. What happened?"
James' grip tightened on his glass and he forced himself to breathe calmly. "I'm myself. The same self I've always been." Sirius. Damn him for being so observant. James groaned internally. Like he hadn't tried to get Lily out of his mind. Like he hadn't tried to ignore her when she walked around with her boyfriend, smiling into his eyes. Like he hadn't resisted the urge to strangle her boyfriend with his bare hands. Of the above temptation, only one did he successfully resist.
Sirius looked at him seriously. "James-" He paused. "I didn't want to tell you this, but there's been talk about you having an affair with a student." He studied James' face and finally fell back into his chair. "James-", he began cautiously.
James cut him off. "Sirius, I know. I'm going through some stuff now. I can't get her out of my mind. I need a distraction of some sort. And Kirsten presented herself at an, uh opportune time."
Sirius stared at him incredulously. "James, listen I know you're stuck in a school of teenagers, but you can't date them! Why don't you give the Cheesecake girl a call? She seemed hilarious. Anything but one of your students!"
James shook his head impatiently. "That's just it, Sirius! She was one of my students!"
Sirius's expression deepened to one of confusion. "Then is she the one you're having an affair with? Who's Kirsten then?"
James sighed deeply and as he leaned back to explain, the door opened. A slightly haggard looking Remus Lupin walked in grinning like a dog. "James! Sirius!" He smiled hugely and James felt badly for him. Remus, being a werewolf, was finding life in the mainstream course of things very hard. Despite his position on a pro-quidditch team, his friends from Hogwarts were still a bright light for him.
His expression faded as he caught Sirius' eye. Falling down into a chair, he quietly said, "I suppose the rumors were true, then."
Sirius nodded. "And James was just about to explain. Weren't you, James?"
James sighed again and leaned back to begin his tale.
~*~
"Lily!" Bella called from across the hallway. Lily was exiting the charms classroom after her advanced class, which was the only class not canceled. Lily had asked for it to be continued so she could do some complicated decorations for the ball. Turning, Lily smiled at her friend. "Bells!"
"Long time, no see!" Bella smiled, though it seemed slightly false to Lily's practiced eye.
Lily smiled, trying to hide some of her confusion. Amos had been so protective and possessive of her. He seemed to want her with him all the time. But he was sweet, handsome, strong, rich, and he truly loved her. He loved her. That was enough. True love, where you loved each other was a fairy tale. At least she had found someone who cared for her as who she was. "I guess I've been with Amos a lot."
Bella's smile grew slightly pasted on. But still she said in her regular voice, "Lily, Fletcher and I were wondering if you would want to go to Hogsmeade with us this weekend. Fletcher has been dying to catch up with Amos, and we always shop together."
Lily frowned almost inperceptively. "I don't know, Bella. I'm just so busy. Amos really thinks- Wait, Bella, what's this about you and Fletcher?"
Bella's face fell. "We're the same friends we've always been, Lily." Her voiced seemed unsteady.
"Oh. Then why go together?" Lily frowned even more. Her friends blue eyes seemed to deepen in color and Lily recognized that as a sign that Bella was angry.
"We always go together, Lily! He always takes me to the ball! It's one of our traditions!" She paused, but continued with the momentum. "You haven't been here, Lily. I don't know where you've been. You only talk to Amos, we don't even shop together anymore!" Bella's voice was raising and filling the empty hall. Tears filled her eyes and her voice dropped to a mere whisper. "I don't even know you anymore. We were best friends, Lily." She whirled around and took off down the hallway.
"Bella!" Lily's voice seemed panicked.
"Lily?" Amos's deep tones sounded from the opposite end of the hall. "What's wrong?"
Lily's heart sank and she turned to her boyfriend. "Bella-" She paused, unable to finish.
Amos kissed her softly and put his arm around her. "Sweetie, first we really should finish the ball. It's in two days, you know."
Lily sighed, but nodded. "I guess so. I mean, no one would like it if the ball wasn't finished." He loves me. And James doesn't. Unwanted, the thought passed through her mind as she passed James's office.
~*~
Sirius and Remus stared in bewilderment at James. Remus cleared his throat. "So, essentially, you are having an affair with one student, to prove to another student that you are over her, when really you aren't?" James frowned. Remus always made things sound so simple. "I suppose so. If you want to put it that way."
Sirius nodded. "That seems to be it." His expression hardened. "I'm not sure what I really ought to say here, but James, I have to tell you that you need to break it off with the tramp. And perhaps apologize to the cheesecake girl as well, because she really struck my fancy. "
Remus looked over at Sirius oddly, but cut James off when he started to reply. "No, James, it's more than that. To be honest, she was right about the professionalism. You definitely need her put back into your class. Can you imagine how unfair you're being to this uh" He glanced at Sirius, "Cheesecake girl. She will need to have mastered Transfiguration in order to Aparate! At least find her a tutor. Do something."
James scowled. "She could always ask her boyfriend to tutor her. He is head boy."
Sirius glanced at him in surprise. "James, I do believe you are jealous of this 17 year old boy!" He stifled the urge to laugh. "Honestly, James."
Someone else banged on the door and James got up to get it, still scowling menacingly at his 'friends'
A prefect paled at his scowl. "Professor, Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you."
James nodded. "Alright."
The prefect fled and James nodded to Sirius and Remus. "Be back."
~*~
"James." Dumbledore's voice seemed flat. "Please sit."
James sat quietly in front of the desk, being reminded of his Hogwarts days when he was often found in this same chair.
"James, word of some ah, indiscretions has reached the board of directors. Though I have tried to convince them otherwise, they were unswayable." His blue eyes met James's own sadly. "I regret to inform you that you have been replaced."
James was shocked at first, but and Dumbledore looked at him with sympathy. "At the end of the term, Professor McGonagol will be returning. You have been a good teacher and you are free to stay here until you find another job."
James stood, nodded, and said a polite goodbye. "Fired." He muttered aloud. He had wasted his job on Kirsten? How could that have happened? He had never even slept with her. But they didn't know that. James sighed and entered his room once more.
After telling Sirius and Remus the news, Remus seemed almost ecstatic. "Remus," James began with exasperation. "I just lost my job! Why are you smiling like an idiot?"
"Because! James, we need a new chaser! You could be it! We could play together again!"
James smiled, despite the situation, and began to talk the plans over with his friend.
Later, when they were all exhausted, James lay on the couch, thinking about Lily. Christmas. Back when they were dating, it had seemed so far away. Now. He thought back to the ring he had got her. It was beautiful. It was uniquely Lily. A bright emerald, surrounded by diamonds and mounted in red gold, it bonded its wearer and its giver if they were true loves. He had found it in a small shop that was usually quite expensive, but when he looked at the ring, the shopkeeper almost threw it at him.
Lily would get the ring, he decided. It would be his final chance to find out whether they were really in love or not.
~*~
Lily didn't come into the dorm until late that night. "Bella?" She said quietly, walking over to her bed. "Bella, are you awake?" She swallowed. "I'd really like to talk to you."
Bella sat up drearily and looked at Lily. "What?"
Lily smiled at her. "I just wanted to tell you that I think we should go shopping together tomorrow. It will be fun. Amos isn't coming. I wanted it to be just you and me."
Bella smiled back at her friend. "That's great, Lily." She glanced at the ceiling. "Lily, about Amos-"
"Oh Bella!" With a deep sigh, Lily sat down on Bella's bed. "I don't know what to do. He talks about marriage. Did you know that? Like he thinks we would last forever. But he loves me. I know he loves me. Jam-" She swallowed again. "James didn't love me. I loved him. It's either love or be loved. In my future, I want to be loved! You know how I always dreamed of a fairytale love? Being in love, the fireworks, everything. It's all such a dream. None of its real."
Bella sighed and gave her friend a hug. "Lily, I think it does exist. I think it just works in odd ways."
"Bella?" Lily asked, in a very small voice. "Do you think James cared about me at all?"
Bella stared at the wall as she answered cautiously. "Lily, he obviously cared about you. If he hadn't cared about you, he wouldn't have done the things he has done. It's twisted, but he wouldn't have done them-he wouldn't have been so angry if he hadn't cared."
"But what about Kirsten?"
"Lily, I don't know. I guess if it were him, he could ask, But what about Amos?"
Lily nodded. "Thank you, Bells. I think I want to sleep now."
Bella nodded. "G'night, Lils."
As Lily went to sleep, her mind went back to a present she had bought in Paris over the summer. She had bought it for James. A sapphire, surrounded by diamonds and mounted on pale gold, the necklace was beautiful. It was said to bond the wearer to the giver, if they had true love. Though they were usually outrageously expensive, this seller seemed determined she should buy it, saying that he was sure she knew someone who would appreciate it. He said that it had a match somewhere, and without it, he didn't feel it was worth the whole price. In the back there was a slot where something could fit, though she didn't know what. She couldn't imagine giving it to anyone but James. It was definitely his.
She would mail it to him, she finally decided. In an unmarked, unsigned box. Let him think what he wanted to. If she felt him as part of her, she would talk to him. If she didn't, then no loss...really, anyway.
~*~
((DONE! SO what do you think??? I really hurried on that one, and I know there are a few grammar mistakes. But oh well. Ill find them later! It is late and I am tired!