*************Of Insulting and Butterflies**************
'James looked at me again', her mind whirled for a short minute. Unfortunately for her face, her mind had slight difficulties grasping the fact that "again" wasn't necessarily as good a thing as she wanted it to be. Especially if she AGAIN went beet red in the face. But this time she didn't, or at least James didn't get time to notice as the train huffed its way into Hogsmeade station. She thanked her lucky star ("The Dog Star" or "Sirius", she found out last year in Astronomy class to everyone's great amusement on Sirius' behalf) and hooked her arm in with Remus' as they stepped out of the compartment. Remus was the True Gentleman of the lot. Sure James was a gentleman if he really wanted to or if it benefited the greater cause, Sirius the ever- dashing charmer, and Peter the sincere complimenter, but Remus never ceased to show his true Gryffindor spirit and being this all around perfect guy.
She loved Remus, but she wasn't IN love with him. If it hadn't been for James, she probably would have been, but as it turned out she knew she would never feel the same about anyone as she did James. James gave her this feeling, of comfort and loyalty.
James had this air of confidence and pride, but he was also down-to-earth and easygoing. The world seemed to go around at exactly his pace; two long strides and a pick-up step. He was practically never stressed or lazy (well sometimes on Sunday mornings) just real comfortable and casual. Her mental image of James was never in Hogwarts' black robes or in a Quidditch outfit, but in casual laidback style clothing. She preferred him without a shirt; however, she thought that would be slightly conspicuous to whether or not she had platonic feelings for him.
She was abruptly awakened from her thoughts as Remus asked her a question. "You're awfully quiet. Is something wrong?" he asked while she noticed three other heads nodding in her peripheral vision. "Yes, what pray tell, is bothering the little Mud-Queen now", sneered a voice from behind her. She turned around coming face to face with Lucius Malfoy and some of his other Slytherin friends. "I never said anything was bothering me, Malfoy," Lily said with dignity. "But now I have changed my mind. YOU are bothering me immensely", she said and walked away to the nearest horseless coach closely followed by Remus. Sirius laughed and slapped Lucius on the back. "Do you want to know what's bothering me, Malfoy?" he asked still smiling. But before Malfoy had a chance to answer, he continued. "You calling her names not even idiots like you deserve" he spat out. Malfoy glanced coldly up to the hand resting on his shoulder before stating menacingly "And what are you going to do to stop me, filthy Mudblood- lover?"
Sirius was about to beat him into a pulp, but James couldn't stop himself from getting there first and punched Malfoy in the face. Then he growled threateningly towards the rest of the Slytherin lot all of whom backed away two steps. "I'll see you in detention, Malfoy" James said and stepped away from Lucius body lying on the ground. He was confident that the Slytherin would tattletale to his Head of House, who would then tell professor Dumbledore who in turn would give him detention as well as Malfoy, as clearly this wasn't entirely his fault. The headmaster never seemed to tire hearing James' version of the story, no matter how colourful. Sirius was so mad he didn't say anything else to the rest of the Slytherins, he just stood standing there until Peter had to drag him away lest he would stare them into stone. James stepped into the coach Lily and Remus were already in and sat down beside Lily. He looked at Sirius who was clearly signalling that they shouldn't tell her James had knocked a fellow student to the ground. He nodded in agreement, after all, she didn't believe in violence and she was a Gryffindor Prefect no less. As a Prefect Lily was bad enough, but with Gryffindor courage she was deadly. We're talking licence permits for Fantastic Beasts.
Now she looked clearly disturbed, and James worriedly asked her if she was all right. She looked up at him with wary eyes and smiled very faintly. "Yeah." she said still holding his gaze as if to assure him she wasn't lying. He searched her eyes for more hints to what she was thinking about, before he grinned and commented her on her comeback remark at Lucius and slipping his arm around her shoulder giving her a one-armed hug. At this Sirius winked at him and preceded to tell Lily how proud he was of her until she blushed so hard everyone laughed. James was basking in the thought that she hadn't repulsively removed his arm, although he 'knew' that she probably only thought of him as a brother figure.
Lily silently thanked her stars yet again for not letting everyone notice how much she was blushing due to James' arm around her, and that they all thought it was Sirius exaggerated and unmerited praise that made her go red. She sighed inwardly as the coach stopped and James' protective arms let her go, but she smiled and bit her lip self-consciously when he poked her with his elbow and said with his handsome smile "Cheer up, the Sorting Ceremony is starting in a few minutes". James always knew pretty much exactly what to say to make her feel better, and when he winked at her in a knowing fashion, she knew the boys were up to new pranks almost certainly involving the innocent first-years. She smiled to herself as she climbed the stairs leading up to the ancient castle.
Lily never grew tired of their juvenile delinquent on-goings, their never- ending "no-no's" or "very-bad-but-hystericals". It was part of who they were, and she would never want to change that. No matter how many times they refurnished the girls dormitory. And disregarding the younger students who were daily battered from experimental pranks. And especially not considering how many detentions they served from the sole incident of doing something "interesting" to the caretaker's cat.
But maybe things would be different this year? After all, James was Quidditch Captain this year, and a likely candidate for Head Boy next year. He had to serve as a role model for his students. Right?
* * * That night Lily went to bed knowing for certain that this year would be different from all the previous years: there would be even more suicidal pranking and reprimands from the professors. Who would have known what trouble a coat hanger would be once it fell in the hands of the mighty Gryffindor Four? Or Severus Snape to be more precise. But James DID make a good impersonation of Peter Pan. Flying and everything. They should take an entrance fee just for the Feast entertainment.
But then again, this year would also be another year of conflicted emotions for James.
In the Common Room, they continued their version of Peter Pan, insisting Lily played Wendy. She didn't feel any better when James sprinkled "just a bit of homemade fairy dust" on her and insisted they take a flying lesson over the heads of giggling first year girls. He held her hand all the while they were in the air, and she had difficulties concentrating on what James wanted her to do as Wendy. It turned out the fairy dust was very efficient the first minute and a half, but she was also had reason to believe that the landing on top of James afterwards was what made her butterflies practically start a disco club.
He even had the nerve to ask her if she wanted to have a go again. Blushing furiously, she had pushed herself off James and looked embarrassedly around at the staring crowd. Ten points from Gryffindor if you get near me with that powder again. Is that clear, Mr. Potter? She said this clearly so that all the first years would know who they were to stay away from if they wanted to graduate with at least something similar to pastel-colours, and for the sake of telling James she wasn't really pissed off. Now, now, Lily, no insulting my little mix, besides, I was thinking fondly of you all the while making it, Sirius said not at all serious. Yes, I can see how "Let's make Lily fly a bit so we all can get a look under her robes" is a very grand way of showing your appreciation of me, she said with her arms crossed. Damn! I didn't think of that. I should have made Remus fly with you instead! James said snapping his fingers as if he was clearly sorry he missed such an opportunity. Lily put her hands over her ears and shook her head. Look, I don't think anyone wants any more of this nonsense, and I'm sure Prof. Mcgonagall would mind as well, so I strongly suggest you get on up to your rooms. And if I find you sneaking about in the Girls section I'll personally make sure you won't be so quick to make fun of MY lower regions, she said threateningly. Remus looked at Peter, who chanced a glance at Sirius, who stared wide- eyed at Lily who was glowering at James. James was cowering, and tentatively took a step backwards. Err. Any of you lads a bit tired or up for some. er. homework? James sniggered before sprinting up the stairs. Lily smiled. Surely Peter hadn't been so eager to go to bed before? And she was positive Sirius hadn't refrained from having the last snigger since first year. Maybe they had gotten new bed curtains with lullabies that Remus had to try out? She shooed the remaining people up to bed and went up to her own room.
The last she thing she thought before she fell asleep that first night back, was that those butterflies had probably invited guests and relatives by now, and relatives' relatives for that matter.
'James looked at me again', her mind whirled for a short minute. Unfortunately for her face, her mind had slight difficulties grasping the fact that "again" wasn't necessarily as good a thing as she wanted it to be. Especially if she AGAIN went beet red in the face. But this time she didn't, or at least James didn't get time to notice as the train huffed its way into Hogsmeade station. She thanked her lucky star ("The Dog Star" or "Sirius", she found out last year in Astronomy class to everyone's great amusement on Sirius' behalf) and hooked her arm in with Remus' as they stepped out of the compartment. Remus was the True Gentleman of the lot. Sure James was a gentleman if he really wanted to or if it benefited the greater cause, Sirius the ever- dashing charmer, and Peter the sincere complimenter, but Remus never ceased to show his true Gryffindor spirit and being this all around perfect guy.
She loved Remus, but she wasn't IN love with him. If it hadn't been for James, she probably would have been, but as it turned out she knew she would never feel the same about anyone as she did James. James gave her this feeling, of comfort and loyalty.
James had this air of confidence and pride, but he was also down-to-earth and easygoing. The world seemed to go around at exactly his pace; two long strides and a pick-up step. He was practically never stressed or lazy (well sometimes on Sunday mornings) just real comfortable and casual. Her mental image of James was never in Hogwarts' black robes or in a Quidditch outfit, but in casual laidback style clothing. She preferred him without a shirt; however, she thought that would be slightly conspicuous to whether or not she had platonic feelings for him.
She was abruptly awakened from her thoughts as Remus asked her a question. "You're awfully quiet. Is something wrong?" he asked while she noticed three other heads nodding in her peripheral vision. "Yes, what pray tell, is bothering the little Mud-Queen now", sneered a voice from behind her. She turned around coming face to face with Lucius Malfoy and some of his other Slytherin friends. "I never said anything was bothering me, Malfoy," Lily said with dignity. "But now I have changed my mind. YOU are bothering me immensely", she said and walked away to the nearest horseless coach closely followed by Remus. Sirius laughed and slapped Lucius on the back. "Do you want to know what's bothering me, Malfoy?" he asked still smiling. But before Malfoy had a chance to answer, he continued. "You calling her names not even idiots like you deserve" he spat out. Malfoy glanced coldly up to the hand resting on his shoulder before stating menacingly "And what are you going to do to stop me, filthy Mudblood- lover?"
Sirius was about to beat him into a pulp, but James couldn't stop himself from getting there first and punched Malfoy in the face. Then he growled threateningly towards the rest of the Slytherin lot all of whom backed away two steps. "I'll see you in detention, Malfoy" James said and stepped away from Lucius body lying on the ground. He was confident that the Slytherin would tattletale to his Head of House, who would then tell professor Dumbledore who in turn would give him detention as well as Malfoy, as clearly this wasn't entirely his fault. The headmaster never seemed to tire hearing James' version of the story, no matter how colourful. Sirius was so mad he didn't say anything else to the rest of the Slytherins, he just stood standing there until Peter had to drag him away lest he would stare them into stone. James stepped into the coach Lily and Remus were already in and sat down beside Lily. He looked at Sirius who was clearly signalling that they shouldn't tell her James had knocked a fellow student to the ground. He nodded in agreement, after all, she didn't believe in violence and she was a Gryffindor Prefect no less. As a Prefect Lily was bad enough, but with Gryffindor courage she was deadly. We're talking licence permits for Fantastic Beasts.
Now she looked clearly disturbed, and James worriedly asked her if she was all right. She looked up at him with wary eyes and smiled very faintly. "Yeah." she said still holding his gaze as if to assure him she wasn't lying. He searched her eyes for more hints to what she was thinking about, before he grinned and commented her on her comeback remark at Lucius and slipping his arm around her shoulder giving her a one-armed hug. At this Sirius winked at him and preceded to tell Lily how proud he was of her until she blushed so hard everyone laughed. James was basking in the thought that she hadn't repulsively removed his arm, although he 'knew' that she probably only thought of him as a brother figure.
Lily silently thanked her stars yet again for not letting everyone notice how much she was blushing due to James' arm around her, and that they all thought it was Sirius exaggerated and unmerited praise that made her go red. She sighed inwardly as the coach stopped and James' protective arms let her go, but she smiled and bit her lip self-consciously when he poked her with his elbow and said with his handsome smile "Cheer up, the Sorting Ceremony is starting in a few minutes". James always knew pretty much exactly what to say to make her feel better, and when he winked at her in a knowing fashion, she knew the boys were up to new pranks almost certainly involving the innocent first-years. She smiled to herself as she climbed the stairs leading up to the ancient castle.
Lily never grew tired of their juvenile delinquent on-goings, their never- ending "no-no's" or "very-bad-but-hystericals". It was part of who they were, and she would never want to change that. No matter how many times they refurnished the girls dormitory. And disregarding the younger students who were daily battered from experimental pranks. And especially not considering how many detentions they served from the sole incident of doing something "interesting" to the caretaker's cat.
But maybe things would be different this year? After all, James was Quidditch Captain this year, and a likely candidate for Head Boy next year. He had to serve as a role model for his students. Right?
* * * That night Lily went to bed knowing for certain that this year would be different from all the previous years: there would be even more suicidal pranking and reprimands from the professors. Who would have known what trouble a coat hanger would be once it fell in the hands of the mighty Gryffindor Four? Or Severus Snape to be more precise. But James DID make a good impersonation of Peter Pan. Flying and everything. They should take an entrance fee just for the Feast entertainment.
But then again, this year would also be another year of conflicted emotions for James.
In the Common Room, they continued their version of Peter Pan, insisting Lily played Wendy. She didn't feel any better when James sprinkled "just a bit of homemade fairy dust" on her and insisted they take a flying lesson over the heads of giggling first year girls. He held her hand all the while they were in the air, and she had difficulties concentrating on what James wanted her to do as Wendy. It turned out the fairy dust was very efficient the first minute and a half, but she was also had reason to believe that the landing on top of James afterwards was what made her butterflies practically start a disco club.
He even had the nerve to ask her if she wanted to have a go again. Blushing furiously, she had pushed herself off James and looked embarrassedly around at the staring crowd. Ten points from Gryffindor if you get near me with that powder again. Is that clear, Mr. Potter? She said this clearly so that all the first years would know who they were to stay away from if they wanted to graduate with at least something similar to pastel-colours, and for the sake of telling James she wasn't really pissed off. Now, now, Lily, no insulting my little mix, besides, I was thinking fondly of you all the while making it, Sirius said not at all serious. Yes, I can see how "Let's make Lily fly a bit so we all can get a look under her robes" is a very grand way of showing your appreciation of me, she said with her arms crossed. Damn! I didn't think of that. I should have made Remus fly with you instead! James said snapping his fingers as if he was clearly sorry he missed such an opportunity. Lily put her hands over her ears and shook her head. Look, I don't think anyone wants any more of this nonsense, and I'm sure Prof. Mcgonagall would mind as well, so I strongly suggest you get on up to your rooms. And if I find you sneaking about in the Girls section I'll personally make sure you won't be so quick to make fun of MY lower regions, she said threateningly. Remus looked at Peter, who chanced a glance at Sirius, who stared wide- eyed at Lily who was glowering at James. James was cowering, and tentatively took a step backwards. Err. Any of you lads a bit tired or up for some. er. homework? James sniggered before sprinting up the stairs. Lily smiled. Surely Peter hadn't been so eager to go to bed before? And she was positive Sirius hadn't refrained from having the last snigger since first year. Maybe they had gotten new bed curtains with lullabies that Remus had to try out? She shooed the remaining people up to bed and went up to her own room.
The last she thing she thought before she fell asleep that first night back, was that those butterflies had probably invited guests and relatives by now, and relatives' relatives for that matter.