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((Okay! I have been thoroughly disgusted with my last pathetic attempts at chapters! They are pathetic! So, now, I ask you (my readers) to forgive me!!!!!!!! Lol Seriously. I have decided that this chapter can't be less than 6 pages long. And You're finally getting some l/j action! ::wink:()
Innocent Deceptions
Chapter 12
"Lily!!" Bella screamed as she jumped up and down. "Lily! We're going!" She catapulted through the hall and landed on a very surprised Lily. "DO YOU HEAR ME?" She screamed at the top of her lungs. "I SAID WE'RE GOING!!!!!!"
Lily pulled the letter out of Bella's hand. "Blah blah blah..Sure, you can have five tickets for the game! I'll see you in Paris!" She leapt on Apple and Bella at the same time and Apple pulled in Mary and with Mary was Fletcher. "We're going to Paris! We're going to Paris!" Lily chanted as they swung around in a circle. Finally, Fletcher broke away. "Lily, that's enough." He whined. "You're making me look bad."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Yes, you surrounded by gorgeous girls makes you look horrible." Fletcher smiled at this and tried to pull them back into a circle. Bella laughed. "Fletcher, stop molesting. You have a girlfriend, munchie!" He stuck his tongue out at her and she laughed.
"Transfiguration is next. La la la." Bella sang in a tune known only to herself as they walked towards their class. Lily walked most of the way with them, then went to her charms class which was just a little way away. "Charms for Lily. Da da da da!" Bella kept going, regardless of the slightly 'odd' looks the rest of the school was giving her. "Paris in two days! Tlo lo lo lo lo. Quidditch is the greatest. Dwa da da da."
Bella had been known for her eccentric personality ever since the first quidditch game. She had painted a muggle rowboat Ravenclaw's colors, and then had sailed around the field with a little help from Lily on the flying charm. Lily had also charmed it to avoid hitting objected, but she felt it unnecessary to mention this precaution to Bella. Bella would probably claim it was unneeded and she was wasting her skill, when she could be oh, say fixing Bella's hair.
Lily giggled at her friend and waved at Professor McGonagol as the rest of the group entered the Transfiguration room. McGonagol gave her a rare smile and Lily was on her way.
"Ah, Lily!" Professor Flitwick chirped as she arrived. "How are you this fine day? Doing well, I hope! Good good. Now, today, I would rather like to see if you could do a empathy charm." Lily sat down in amusement. He started every class like that. Asking how she was, then continuing. But he did mean well. And she really learned things from him. She quickly focused on him again, knowing that otherwise she would soon be lost.
"An empathy charm basically makes the user of the charm an empathy for a given amount of time. The length of time depends on the ability of the caster. The charm is very fickle however and I am often unable to use one. It is one of the charms that works best if you already have that ability, because then it just enhances your already present abilities."
Lily nodded and he continued. "The words to the charm are 'amigis donere'. Supposedly, in Latin, it means to give to the spirit. Which may be why it works so well with people who already have that talent. Ready to try?"
Lily nodded and pulled out her wand. "Amigis donere." She intoned quietly as she closed her eyes and waved her wand slightly backward. She opened her eyes cautiously, knowing that she might not find things as she expected them to be. Suddenly, Professor Flitwick was glowing! Really, literally, glowing a very soft, pale blue! "Professor! I'm seeing colors! Is that supposed to happen?" The light blue Flitwick started jumping up and down.
"Oh Lily! That's perfect! That means that you see aura's as well!" He was now twittering somewhat like a bluebird. Lily suppressed a laugh. "There have been rumors that the spell can have that kind of an effect, but no one has had that ability in the entire time we have recorded records of such spells!" Lily viewed him carefully. He was now concealing something, she was sure. "Lily," he began slowly. "Would you mind trying another spell?" He was concealing.glee? Why was he bothering? She grinned to herself. She liked this charm.
She nodded. "Of course." He slowly flipped through an old manuscript that he had been getting a few of her more complicated spells from. "The spell is Feyore Fugere. A French wizard created it, so you must include the accent. Feyore Fugere." He repeated the spell once more, and she nodded. "Feyore-" As she began, she heard, or perhaps felt, him mutter a spell under his breath as well. "--fugere!" she finished with a flourish. She flicked her wand, as always, but this time, the spell seemed to toll her mind. She felt her power pulsing within her. No, actually, she saw the power pulsing within her. She looked curiously over at her professor's. He had power too, but it was pulsing at slower intervals and with less strength.
Ye gods, her head was aching from this spell. Perhaps it was both spells at once. Though two spells had never made her tired before. The blue, pulsing light coming from Flitwick and the brilliant gold coming from herself, was driving her mad. She quickly ended them both.
"Professor? What was that?" She looked at him suspiciously. "And what did you say when I was saying the spell?" The professor smiled at his prized pupil. And so the pupil usurps the teacher. Even so, he thought, I am filled with pride. "That spell, Lily, disabled your wand."
At her gasp of fury, he chuckled. "No, not permanently. Your wand will be fine as soon as you say the counter charm. Now Lily, please, try a simple spell without using your wand." She stared at him crazily. Surely he knew that the only wizard able to do wandless magic was Merlin! He was bloody insane! Her favorite professor had gone off the deep end. Sighing, she put her wand on the table. "Wingardium leviosa." She said it perfectly and flicked her finger at the professor. He floated into the air. Merlin, her head hurt again. Professor Flitwick was screeching now. "Lily! Put me down! I say! Put me down!" She looked at him in amazement, finally bringing him down from where he was currently floating near the ceiling.
"Lily! I must tell Dumbledore!" As soon as he reached the ground, the short man ran for the door. Lily sighed and got up as well. Now her head hurt. Horribly. And what was all of this about wandless magic? It was impossible! Surely he knew that.
~*~
"Lily, I know this must come as a surprise to you." Dumbledore said as he looked at her. Currently, his office was full of all of her teachers, one or two of them sobbing about 'how they were so proud'. "It comes as a surprise to us all. We all knew you were bright, of course. But to be able to do wandless magic." He shook his head. "That is an honor that is bestowed rarely. Perhaps once in a millennium. However, this century, we have had two Merlins, as they are known." His gaze fell upon a figure surrounded by shadows. He slowly walked forward. "Lily, this is Alastor Moony. He is the head Auror."
Auror?? Lily's mind was flying. First they tell her that she has some wonderful rare talent, and now they were introducing her to a real Auror?? And it had to be the Head Auror, didn't it? Just when she was confused out of her mind. That's just how it happens. A job she had been dreaming about ever since the attack on her parents. But now he would see her at her worst! Why is that just how life goes?
"Lily," His gravelly voice fell oddly in her ears, and quite suddenly, his young face turned into a old haggard face with one glass eyeball. She shivered as the vision passed. She had never been prone to premonitions before, but that sure felt like one. "Lily, you have a gift that is needed by our Ministry right now. We would like you to consider taking a job there as an Auror, after your time at Hogwarts is up." He shared a look with Dumbledore. "We also feel you should be trained thoroughly in the use of this gift. Professor Dumbledore himself, as well as Professors Flitwick and McGonagol will help you train this gift. You will be taken out of classes that aren't quite as urgent." He winked at her and she smiled. His blue eyes were unconcerting, but he seemed like a very nice person. "Now Lily, I would really like to know if you would ever consider taking a job in the ministry. As an Auror."
Lily's eyes brightened. "Well, you know my parents.I mean, I would. I mean, yes! I would love to be an Auror." She could finally avenge her parents' death.
Alastor Moody smiled. "Very good. I somehow thought you would feel that way." The other professors and he quickly left, leaving her alone with Dumbledore. "Professor?" She questioned wearily. "Who was the other Merlin?" She looked at him questioningly. Was it Dumbledore himself?
"Lily, my dear." He met her gaze. "It is Voldemort."
So, she thought as she lay in her bed that night, she is his equal. Very interesting. Perhaps revenge was possible.
~*~
Lily woke up early the next morning and she rolled over groaning. Then she remembered what day it was. It was Saturday! Quidditch in Paris! She jumped up and hopped from bed to bed singing. "Quidditch in Paris for me today! Quidditch to see the man of my dreams!" She ended in a falsetto voice as pillows were hurled at her. Mary groaned and got up. "Lily, what are you spazing about?" Apple yelled from beneath the pillows.
Clothes! Oh no! she had nothing to wear! She ran over to the closet they all shared and quickly fished through it. What to wear.what to wear. "You're wearing this." A sleepy sounding Bella said from behind her. Bella handed her two boxes and Lily grabbed them both. "Bella you're the bestest friend a girl could have! Ever! Truly!" Bella nodded and wiped her eyes. "Yes. Tear, tear. Now open the boxes." She yawned slowly. "It's to early.."
Lily quickly ripped off the brightly colored wrapping paper and pulled out a thick sweater that glimmered green and light blue, the colors of James' quidditch team, the London Majors. ((Yes, I did just make that up. Sorry, if I was a nice person, I would go check the quidditch book. But I'm not, so it is okay.))
Then she pulled out a pair of jeans from Buffalo, which was a popular muggle brand, and a belt and a cute purse. "Bella, you're the greatest! I love it! It's perfect." She hugged her friend. Bella shoved her off the bed. "Yes, yes. Now go start getting ready. You'll never be prepared in time, otherwise."
"Come with me." Lily pleaded. "I need help! I need advice! How to do my hair?? What if I look bad?" It's the first time you've seen James since school! Her mind was whirling, the events of last night mainly forgotten. Bella sighed again. "I knew you would say that. I knew it."
The two girls quickly (for them, not for anyone else) applied their make up, got dressed, fixed each other's hair, and were actually ready in just under three hours! Apple and Mary had gotten up in the meantime and had gotten dressed in approximately an hour. Then they went to pick up Fletcher, who looked like he had only been awake for ten minutes (which was actually realistic).
Finally, now that they were all ready, they all leaned in an gripped the port-key that would take them to Lily's aunt's house. After the first quick jerk behind their navel, they were there painlessly. Lily's aunt was sitting in the living room. "Aunt Marie!" Lily yelled cheerfully. "Darling! I must paint you again soon! You have changed so much!" Lily's aunt sniffed and Lily's friends shared amused glances. "Aunt Marie, these are my friends, Bella, Apple, Fletcher, and Mary. They're from my school. Guys, this is my Aunt Marie."
Lily's aunt led them to the kitchen where a lunch was set out. Biscuits, jelly, cereal, lasagna, and a dish of what looked like rice pudding was there. Fletcher shrugged and dug in, as did Apple. Mary and Bella shared a look of surprise, but then ate as well. Lily, who was used to it by now, had a bit of everything.
The meal was quickly scarfed down, since everyone was anxious to get to the quidditch match. She quickly hugged her aunt and left the apartment. Lily pointed out all of the sites in the city that they passed. "See? You can see the tip of the Eiffel tower from here."
After looking for just over half an hour, they finally found the designated spot for the match. Lily and Bella were frantic because they were 20 minutes away from being late! Too close in Lily's mind!
~*~
James sat nervously in the locker room, half-listening to his coach and half worrying. He didn't know why really, but he was decidedly nervous. Remus punched him on the back as usual. "Buddy boy, you nervous?" But instead of his usual tradition (Of course not. You nervous? Naw. I wanna play. You wanna play?) He sort of coughed and said. "You never know." Remus grinned at his friend. "I know.something..you.don't know." He spoke slowly as though trying to infuriate James (which he was)
James frowned. "What do you know?" Remus shrugged. "Nothing really. Just that Bella was gonna bring a few friends to the game today." James coughed. "Bella? As in Arabella Figg? Lily's best friend, Bella?" Remus sighed and looked curiously at his fingernails. "Yeah. That's the one."
James glanced quickly in the mirror. Oh god. He was finally going to see Lily again. Finally. He had to play perfectly. After everything that happened, they were definitely going to have a serious conversation, and it might as well happen after he had impressed her. A little.
~*~
Lily, Bella, Fletcher, Mary, and Apple piled into the front row seats that Remus had got them. "Look! They're coming out!" The friends cheered ecstatically as the Majors entered the field. After going through a few impressive looking drills, they all flew more slowly. James glanced around the crowd. Where was she? He caught a mane of red hair and smiled as he saw Lily. Lily looked up, following James around with her eyes. Then, his eyes caught hers and he winked at her and mouthed, Here's looking at you, kid. Lily smiled, blushing remembering the joke he had made about that muggle movie. Kid, don't look at me! She mouthed back. He smiled tentatively and flew away.
She followed him the entire time, even when the other team came on the field to warm-up. The match was starting now and James was poised, totally ready to play. She smiled at his concentration. God, it felt so good to look at him again! She fingered the ring that she always wore. Or that she had worn since the night of the ball.
~*~
The game was in play and the Chudley Cannons were losing by thirty points. In order for them to be in the running for the World Cup, they had to win by atleast 200 points. Their seeker was tiring quickly, and James knew that he had to act quickly. Remus had the ball, but three players surrounded him. "Moony!" James called, grateful to have a nickname that no one else would recognize when he used it. James flew above Remus' head. Remus looked up in shook, but quickly threw him the ball. James raced toward the basket. It was him and the keeper now. James faked to the left, then zipped to the right. But then he zapped back to the left again and shot the ball. An orange jersey hurtled out of nowhere, knocking him off his broom. He caught it with one hand, and quickly pulled himself back up.
"The shot is good. Penalty shot also awarded." The referee spoke, his voice magically enhanced. The crowd erupted in cheers and the seeker looked at him gratefully. James lined up. It was him and the keeper, once again. This time, the plan etched in his mind, he started out the same way. To the left, then to the right. But instead of going back to the left, he did a slight twitch to the left, which the keeper followed, but in the same motion threw the quaffle to the right. The elation of victory rising in his chest as he shot was declared good, he looked down into the stands, his eyes magically drawn to Lily. She smiled and mouthed, Here's looking at you, kid. He quickly grinned and mouthed his reply. Remus was beside him now. "Come on, James. The game isn't over yet."
~*~
Lily couldn't wait for the game to be over. A smile was stuck on her face as the seeker caught the snitch. The stadium erupted in cheers and she grinned ecstatically as the teams flew to the ground and shook hands.
"Come on, Lily!" A few other fans were going out onto the field and Lily nervously picked at her hair. "Do I look okay?" She asked hurriedly. "Arabella Figg, if you let me go out there looking horrid, I'll never forgive." Bella rolled her eyes. "You look spectacular. Now let's go."
Remus walked over to Bella immediately, and gave her a quick hug and kiss. Lily's heart beat quickened as she saw James walking over toward her. Why couldn't they be like Remus and Bella? Was it that hard? James walked the final feet, slightly hesitantly. "Lily." He said just that word, but to Lily loads of feeling was put in it. Her hand was tingling and she quickly looked down at it. His gaze followed her own. "I'm glad that's the only ring you have on." He carefully took her hand into his own, holding her eyes the whole time. She pulled her hand away and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh God. James, I've missed you and I-" "Lily," He was so happy to have her in his arms again, but her slowly pulled back. They couldn't make the same mistake they had last time. "I think we ought to talk first."
Oh, he didn't know the half of it
CLIFFIE!!!!!!!!! Hahahaha! So funny! I'll update soon.don't worry! ::Wink::
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((Okay! I have been thoroughly disgusted with my last pathetic attempts at chapters! They are pathetic! So, now, I ask you (my readers) to forgive me!!!!!!!! Lol Seriously. I have decided that this chapter can't be less than 6 pages long. And You're finally getting some l/j action! ::wink:()
Innocent Deceptions
Chapter 12
"Lily!!" Bella screamed as she jumped up and down. "Lily! We're going!" She catapulted through the hall and landed on a very surprised Lily. "DO YOU HEAR ME?" She screamed at the top of her lungs. "I SAID WE'RE GOING!!!!!!"
Lily pulled the letter out of Bella's hand. "Blah blah blah..Sure, you can have five tickets for the game! I'll see you in Paris!" She leapt on Apple and Bella at the same time and Apple pulled in Mary and with Mary was Fletcher. "We're going to Paris! We're going to Paris!" Lily chanted as they swung around in a circle. Finally, Fletcher broke away. "Lily, that's enough." He whined. "You're making me look bad."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Yes, you surrounded by gorgeous girls makes you look horrible." Fletcher smiled at this and tried to pull them back into a circle. Bella laughed. "Fletcher, stop molesting. You have a girlfriend, munchie!" He stuck his tongue out at her and she laughed.
"Transfiguration is next. La la la." Bella sang in a tune known only to herself as they walked towards their class. Lily walked most of the way with them, then went to her charms class which was just a little way away. "Charms for Lily. Da da da da!" Bella kept going, regardless of the slightly 'odd' looks the rest of the school was giving her. "Paris in two days! Tlo lo lo lo lo. Quidditch is the greatest. Dwa da da da."
Bella had been known for her eccentric personality ever since the first quidditch game. She had painted a muggle rowboat Ravenclaw's colors, and then had sailed around the field with a little help from Lily on the flying charm. Lily had also charmed it to avoid hitting objected, but she felt it unnecessary to mention this precaution to Bella. Bella would probably claim it was unneeded and she was wasting her skill, when she could be oh, say fixing Bella's hair.
Lily giggled at her friend and waved at Professor McGonagol as the rest of the group entered the Transfiguration room. McGonagol gave her a rare smile and Lily was on her way.
"Ah, Lily!" Professor Flitwick chirped as she arrived. "How are you this fine day? Doing well, I hope! Good good. Now, today, I would rather like to see if you could do a empathy charm." Lily sat down in amusement. He started every class like that. Asking how she was, then continuing. But he did mean well. And she really learned things from him. She quickly focused on him again, knowing that otherwise she would soon be lost.
"An empathy charm basically makes the user of the charm an empathy for a given amount of time. The length of time depends on the ability of the caster. The charm is very fickle however and I am often unable to use one. It is one of the charms that works best if you already have that ability, because then it just enhances your already present abilities."
Lily nodded and he continued. "The words to the charm are 'amigis donere'. Supposedly, in Latin, it means to give to the spirit. Which may be why it works so well with people who already have that talent. Ready to try?"
Lily nodded and pulled out her wand. "Amigis donere." She intoned quietly as she closed her eyes and waved her wand slightly backward. She opened her eyes cautiously, knowing that she might not find things as she expected them to be. Suddenly, Professor Flitwick was glowing! Really, literally, glowing a very soft, pale blue! "Professor! I'm seeing colors! Is that supposed to happen?" The light blue Flitwick started jumping up and down.
"Oh Lily! That's perfect! That means that you see aura's as well!" He was now twittering somewhat like a bluebird. Lily suppressed a laugh. "There have been rumors that the spell can have that kind of an effect, but no one has had that ability in the entire time we have recorded records of such spells!" Lily viewed him carefully. He was now concealing something, she was sure. "Lily," he began slowly. "Would you mind trying another spell?" He was concealing.glee? Why was he bothering? She grinned to herself. She liked this charm.
She nodded. "Of course." He slowly flipped through an old manuscript that he had been getting a few of her more complicated spells from. "The spell is Feyore Fugere. A French wizard created it, so you must include the accent. Feyore Fugere." He repeated the spell once more, and she nodded. "Feyore-" As she began, she heard, or perhaps felt, him mutter a spell under his breath as well. "--fugere!" she finished with a flourish. She flicked her wand, as always, but this time, the spell seemed to toll her mind. She felt her power pulsing within her. No, actually, she saw the power pulsing within her. She looked curiously over at her professor's. He had power too, but it was pulsing at slower intervals and with less strength.
Ye gods, her head was aching from this spell. Perhaps it was both spells at once. Though two spells had never made her tired before. The blue, pulsing light coming from Flitwick and the brilliant gold coming from herself, was driving her mad. She quickly ended them both.
"Professor? What was that?" She looked at him suspiciously. "And what did you say when I was saying the spell?" The professor smiled at his prized pupil. And so the pupil usurps the teacher. Even so, he thought, I am filled with pride. "That spell, Lily, disabled your wand."
At her gasp of fury, he chuckled. "No, not permanently. Your wand will be fine as soon as you say the counter charm. Now Lily, please, try a simple spell without using your wand." She stared at him crazily. Surely he knew that the only wizard able to do wandless magic was Merlin! He was bloody insane! Her favorite professor had gone off the deep end. Sighing, she put her wand on the table. "Wingardium leviosa." She said it perfectly and flicked her finger at the professor. He floated into the air. Merlin, her head hurt again. Professor Flitwick was screeching now. "Lily! Put me down! I say! Put me down!" She looked at him in amazement, finally bringing him down from where he was currently floating near the ceiling.
"Lily! I must tell Dumbledore!" As soon as he reached the ground, the short man ran for the door. Lily sighed and got up as well. Now her head hurt. Horribly. And what was all of this about wandless magic? It was impossible! Surely he knew that.
~*~
"Lily, I know this must come as a surprise to you." Dumbledore said as he looked at her. Currently, his office was full of all of her teachers, one or two of them sobbing about 'how they were so proud'. "It comes as a surprise to us all. We all knew you were bright, of course. But to be able to do wandless magic." He shook his head. "That is an honor that is bestowed rarely. Perhaps once in a millennium. However, this century, we have had two Merlins, as they are known." His gaze fell upon a figure surrounded by shadows. He slowly walked forward. "Lily, this is Alastor Moony. He is the head Auror."
Auror?? Lily's mind was flying. First they tell her that she has some wonderful rare talent, and now they were introducing her to a real Auror?? And it had to be the Head Auror, didn't it? Just when she was confused out of her mind. That's just how it happens. A job she had been dreaming about ever since the attack on her parents. But now he would see her at her worst! Why is that just how life goes?
"Lily," His gravelly voice fell oddly in her ears, and quite suddenly, his young face turned into a old haggard face with one glass eyeball. She shivered as the vision passed. She had never been prone to premonitions before, but that sure felt like one. "Lily, you have a gift that is needed by our Ministry right now. We would like you to consider taking a job there as an Auror, after your time at Hogwarts is up." He shared a look with Dumbledore. "We also feel you should be trained thoroughly in the use of this gift. Professor Dumbledore himself, as well as Professors Flitwick and McGonagol will help you train this gift. You will be taken out of classes that aren't quite as urgent." He winked at her and she smiled. His blue eyes were unconcerting, but he seemed like a very nice person. "Now Lily, I would really like to know if you would ever consider taking a job in the ministry. As an Auror."
Lily's eyes brightened. "Well, you know my parents.I mean, I would. I mean, yes! I would love to be an Auror." She could finally avenge her parents' death.
Alastor Moody smiled. "Very good. I somehow thought you would feel that way." The other professors and he quickly left, leaving her alone with Dumbledore. "Professor?" She questioned wearily. "Who was the other Merlin?" She looked at him questioningly. Was it Dumbledore himself?
"Lily, my dear." He met her gaze. "It is Voldemort."
So, she thought as she lay in her bed that night, she is his equal. Very interesting. Perhaps revenge was possible.
~*~
Lily woke up early the next morning and she rolled over groaning. Then she remembered what day it was. It was Saturday! Quidditch in Paris! She jumped up and hopped from bed to bed singing. "Quidditch in Paris for me today! Quidditch to see the man of my dreams!" She ended in a falsetto voice as pillows were hurled at her. Mary groaned and got up. "Lily, what are you spazing about?" Apple yelled from beneath the pillows.
Clothes! Oh no! she had nothing to wear! She ran over to the closet they all shared and quickly fished through it. What to wear.what to wear. "You're wearing this." A sleepy sounding Bella said from behind her. Bella handed her two boxes and Lily grabbed them both. "Bella you're the bestest friend a girl could have! Ever! Truly!" Bella nodded and wiped her eyes. "Yes. Tear, tear. Now open the boxes." She yawned slowly. "It's to early.."
Lily quickly ripped off the brightly colored wrapping paper and pulled out a thick sweater that glimmered green and light blue, the colors of James' quidditch team, the London Majors. ((Yes, I did just make that up. Sorry, if I was a nice person, I would go check the quidditch book. But I'm not, so it is okay.))
Then she pulled out a pair of jeans from Buffalo, which was a popular muggle brand, and a belt and a cute purse. "Bella, you're the greatest! I love it! It's perfect." She hugged her friend. Bella shoved her off the bed. "Yes, yes. Now go start getting ready. You'll never be prepared in time, otherwise."
"Come with me." Lily pleaded. "I need help! I need advice! How to do my hair?? What if I look bad?" It's the first time you've seen James since school! Her mind was whirling, the events of last night mainly forgotten. Bella sighed again. "I knew you would say that. I knew it."
The two girls quickly (for them, not for anyone else) applied their make up, got dressed, fixed each other's hair, and were actually ready in just under three hours! Apple and Mary had gotten up in the meantime and had gotten dressed in approximately an hour. Then they went to pick up Fletcher, who looked like he had only been awake for ten minutes (which was actually realistic).
Finally, now that they were all ready, they all leaned in an gripped the port-key that would take them to Lily's aunt's house. After the first quick jerk behind their navel, they were there painlessly. Lily's aunt was sitting in the living room. "Aunt Marie!" Lily yelled cheerfully. "Darling! I must paint you again soon! You have changed so much!" Lily's aunt sniffed and Lily's friends shared amused glances. "Aunt Marie, these are my friends, Bella, Apple, Fletcher, and Mary. They're from my school. Guys, this is my Aunt Marie."
Lily's aunt led them to the kitchen where a lunch was set out. Biscuits, jelly, cereal, lasagna, and a dish of what looked like rice pudding was there. Fletcher shrugged and dug in, as did Apple. Mary and Bella shared a look of surprise, but then ate as well. Lily, who was used to it by now, had a bit of everything.
The meal was quickly scarfed down, since everyone was anxious to get to the quidditch match. She quickly hugged her aunt and left the apartment. Lily pointed out all of the sites in the city that they passed. "See? You can see the tip of the Eiffel tower from here."
After looking for just over half an hour, they finally found the designated spot for the match. Lily and Bella were frantic because they were 20 minutes away from being late! Too close in Lily's mind!
~*~
James sat nervously in the locker room, half-listening to his coach and half worrying. He didn't know why really, but he was decidedly nervous. Remus punched him on the back as usual. "Buddy boy, you nervous?" But instead of his usual tradition (Of course not. You nervous? Naw. I wanna play. You wanna play?) He sort of coughed and said. "You never know." Remus grinned at his friend. "I know.something..you.don't know." He spoke slowly as though trying to infuriate James (which he was)
James frowned. "What do you know?" Remus shrugged. "Nothing really. Just that Bella was gonna bring a few friends to the game today." James coughed. "Bella? As in Arabella Figg? Lily's best friend, Bella?" Remus sighed and looked curiously at his fingernails. "Yeah. That's the one."
James glanced quickly in the mirror. Oh god. He was finally going to see Lily again. Finally. He had to play perfectly. After everything that happened, they were definitely going to have a serious conversation, and it might as well happen after he had impressed her. A little.
~*~
Lily, Bella, Fletcher, Mary, and Apple piled into the front row seats that Remus had got them. "Look! They're coming out!" The friends cheered ecstatically as the Majors entered the field. After going through a few impressive looking drills, they all flew more slowly. James glanced around the crowd. Where was she? He caught a mane of red hair and smiled as he saw Lily. Lily looked up, following James around with her eyes. Then, his eyes caught hers and he winked at her and mouthed, Here's looking at you, kid. Lily smiled, blushing remembering the joke he had made about that muggle movie. Kid, don't look at me! She mouthed back. He smiled tentatively and flew away.
She followed him the entire time, even when the other team came on the field to warm-up. The match was starting now and James was poised, totally ready to play. She smiled at his concentration. God, it felt so good to look at him again! She fingered the ring that she always wore. Or that she had worn since the night of the ball.
~*~
The game was in play and the Chudley Cannons were losing by thirty points. In order for them to be in the running for the World Cup, they had to win by atleast 200 points. Their seeker was tiring quickly, and James knew that he had to act quickly. Remus had the ball, but three players surrounded him. "Moony!" James called, grateful to have a nickname that no one else would recognize when he used it. James flew above Remus' head. Remus looked up in shook, but quickly threw him the ball. James raced toward the basket. It was him and the keeper now. James faked to the left, then zipped to the right. But then he zapped back to the left again and shot the ball. An orange jersey hurtled out of nowhere, knocking him off his broom. He caught it with one hand, and quickly pulled himself back up.
"The shot is good. Penalty shot also awarded." The referee spoke, his voice magically enhanced. The crowd erupted in cheers and the seeker looked at him gratefully. James lined up. It was him and the keeper, once again. This time, the plan etched in his mind, he started out the same way. To the left, then to the right. But instead of going back to the left, he did a slight twitch to the left, which the keeper followed, but in the same motion threw the quaffle to the right. The elation of victory rising in his chest as he shot was declared good, he looked down into the stands, his eyes magically drawn to Lily. She smiled and mouthed, Here's looking at you, kid. He quickly grinned and mouthed his reply. Remus was beside him now. "Come on, James. The game isn't over yet."
~*~
Lily couldn't wait for the game to be over. A smile was stuck on her face as the seeker caught the snitch. The stadium erupted in cheers and she grinned ecstatically as the teams flew to the ground and shook hands.
"Come on, Lily!" A few other fans were going out onto the field and Lily nervously picked at her hair. "Do I look okay?" She asked hurriedly. "Arabella Figg, if you let me go out there looking horrid, I'll never forgive." Bella rolled her eyes. "You look spectacular. Now let's go."
Remus walked over to Bella immediately, and gave her a quick hug and kiss. Lily's heart beat quickened as she saw James walking over toward her. Why couldn't they be like Remus and Bella? Was it that hard? James walked the final feet, slightly hesitantly. "Lily." He said just that word, but to Lily loads of feeling was put in it. Her hand was tingling and she quickly looked down at it. His gaze followed her own. "I'm glad that's the only ring you have on." He carefully took her hand into his own, holding her eyes the whole time. She pulled her hand away and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh God. James, I've missed you and I-" "Lily," He was so happy to have her in his arms again, but her slowly pulled back. They couldn't make the same mistake they had last time. "I think we ought to talk first."
Oh, he didn't know the half of it
CLIFFIE!!!!!!!!! Hahahaha! So funny! I'll update soon.don't worry! ::Wink::