A/N: Hello, everybody! I just want to say that anyone who reads this fic has impeccable taste, and should R&R because it would be much appreciated.
Disclaimer: All characters, settings and events that you recognise are the sole property of J.K.Rowling, and anything else is mine… All mine!
Rating: This fic is probably just a G, but may go up to PG-13 later, depending on where the story goes.
Summary: Lily has been at Hogwarts for four years now and is going to start her fifth in September. Her sister, Petunia, looks up to her in every way, and her boyfriend, James Potter, is the sweetest guy in school. Nothing lasts forever, so everyone says. Lily is about to find out, first-hand.
Chapter 4: Walk Don't Run
"Today, class, we will be learning about vampires!" He exclaimed as he attained his students' attention. Professor Shoy was the only teacher who was so into his subject that it was sickening. "Vampires have a rich history, unlike so many of the other creatures we have had the pleasure of studying. As you all should know, in the tales, they are fabled to bite a person's neck and drink their blood because that's where the jugular runs. The jugular is the artery that takes the blood to the brain. Vampires were around--"
James turned around to see who had nudged his shoulder and found Remus shoving a small piece of parchment in his face.
'Boring, this class, eh? And what is Shoy on?!' he read.
'I know what you mean, but Lils is paying a lot more attention than usual, isn't she? I mean, she's even taking lots of notes - she always used to steal mine'
'Oh come on, J. Surely you're not on about that again - she's a prefect just like you and you know that you have a duty to do as best you can! Seriously, relax.'
'I suppose you're right, but this prof is really giving me a headache. I might ask L if I can borrow her notes at the end, and go to the hospital wing.'
'I reckon you're onto something there, but then who would I have to talk to?'
'There's always Petey.'
'Not funny. As much as I love hanging around with Pete, he's not the greatest conversationalist.'
'Well then I guess you'll have to talk to Snape. Not my choice, but unless you want to try prying Lils away from her work…'
'Yeah, yeah, I get it. You're not really going though, are you?'
'Nah. Sirius is back tomorrow. I have a monster prank to pull as celebration!'
'Care to share?'
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A week later and entering the common room for the fifth time that day, James flopped down on the fire-broomstick-red sofa, where Lily was studying. She was concentrating so much that she didn't even notice as he snaked his arm around her shoulder.
"Hey gorgeous," he whispered in her ear, making her jump.
"Jesus, James. Don't do that." She went back to her book. "Runes homework due in day after tomorrow and I've hardly started."
"What have you been doing in the library all that time then? You keep saying you have homework, but then I see you rushing to get it finished the night before."
"Oh, I get distracted," she said off-handed. James removed his arm.
"By what?"
"Oh, just things."
"Or should I say who?"
She looked at him as if he was mad, but then a stony expression set itself upon her face. "Need I remind you that I was not the one that has cheated on my boyfriend three times before? Well, three times actually being caught, that is."
"Touché."
"I'm going to bed, so I'll see you in the morning."
"G'night."
She said nothing in reply and headed upstairs to her dormitory, leaving quite a confused James - she had never reacted like that before…
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"Come on, James. If you get it right this time, I'll let you fly my Shooting Star tomorrow." Sirius raised his hand for his friend to follow. He dropped his arm, and James cast the spell. "Well, I'm not sure if that's what you intended to do, but at least you got it mostly right…" He seemed rather uneasy as he looked James over. Ever since their second year, Sirius, James and Peter had been trying their best to become animagi - they even had nicknames for each other that they would only be called if they were successful. It was a difficult task, and even those with the proper schooling in the subject were only able to get it right after at least two years. James had managed to transfigure himself into a stag, which was the desired effect, but unfortunately, he had a squirrel's tail, as had happened the past two tries.
"Not, that ruddy tail again!" he exclaimed. "I'm never going to get this right! I mean, even Wormtail got it last week, and here's me, still sitting here incompetent!"
"Now really, it's not that bad. Seriously, we had considerably smaller animals to change into. You had to be the difficult one and become a stag because you wanted to impress Lils. And keep your voice down - we're not supposed to be here, remember?"
"Sorry," he whispered. "Have you told Remus yet?"
"No, we're not to tell him until we're fully-fledged, remember."
"But don't you--"
"No, I don't feel guilty about not telling him. You've asked me that loads of times already. My answer will always be the same. It's not the same as lying, and it's not going to upset him when he finds out. He'll be happy!"
"Ok, then."
Sirius raised his arm again, and let it drop. James tried again, in silence.
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"Hey, Lils." James called.
"Hey. We've got our prefects' meeting soon, you wanna walk with me?"
"Sure." For the first time since the incident in the common room, James was able to link arms with his girlfriend and give her a peck on the cheek. He grinned.
"You realise you've got to work with Severus today, don't you?"
"Do you have to call that slimeball by his first name? The sound of it makes me feel sick."
"I know you don't like him, James, but you'll just have to deal. Anyway, how is the planning going? Have you got a murder victim, yet?"
"Not yet, but I hope we will soon. I have my eye on someone for the part."
"Who?"
"Oh, nice try, but you'll have to find out with the rest of them," he smirked.
"Aww, please?"
"Don't give me that look, you know I can't resist it," he pleaded. "I can't tell you."
"Hullo, Lily," a voice cut in from behind. James didn't need to turn around to know who the owner was.
"Hey Severus," Lily smiling ever so slightly wider than she had been less than a minute earlier.
"Nice to see you've cheered up a bit from when I saw you last." He smiled at her, but she turned and looked uneasily at James.
"Yes, well, it was nothing."
"Look, Snape, Lily and I were having a perfectly nice conversation before you came along, so would you please leave us."
"'Til later, Lily." Severus bowed his head slightly to her, but glared at James as he turned away.
"Bye, Severus."
Once he had gone, James rounded on her. "You were unhappy? Why didn't you tell me? What was wrong?"
"It was nothing. I was just having a bit of a panic attack when I couldn't find the book I wanted in the library and the assignment was due in the next day. That's all."
"You sure?"
"Of course."
"Oh."
"Come on, let's go in. I think they're ready to start."
"Ok."
A/N: Thank you to all reviewers, both for this chapter and all of the previous. There isn't exactly a lot more that I can say in gratitude since I think my last few words in chapter three sums it up completely; your reviews really do make writing more pleasurable, and I appreciate every single one of them. Thank you. I have decided on a title change - this will probably happen numerous times before I am finally happy with it. On another note, The reason for my delay in uploading this chapter is that my computer unfortunately had a virus and the computer expert was supposed to be here on Monday 6th January, only he didn't show. I have been having serious withdrawal symptoms, especially since the damn thing had to be sent to Surrey for my cousin to fix it! Anyway, I hope that none of you will be at all shy if you have any critical comments, and I'll see you in the next chapter maybe J