* Prankstier than thou*
Lily spent the rest of the day merrily conjuring party accessories with Mrs. Potter. They were chatting so womanly, that the boys felt very out of place with all that female gibbering. So they went out to have a "look" at a certain vehicle.
Sirius fancied himself in love with that bike.
Now, in any other prominent wizarding household the house-elves would see to the décor and preparation, but Mrs. Potter liked the finer arts of amiable gestures better, and wanted to do it herself for her husband.
Lily, sentimental as always, offered to help, and soon she couldn't help but feel very much at home and comfortable with James' mother.
Mrs. Potter was not exactly beautiful, but she had a graceful demeanor, and lovely coal black hair. And she was very efficient. And insinuative.
"So, what do you think of my boys?" she had asked with an expression of pure mirth and know-it-all dimples.
Mrs. Potter referred to Sirius and Remus as her boys as well, they lived there for quite a while during summer break she knew, and their parents were friends. Just like James called Sirius' sisters his own, since James was an only child. James had always been fond of families and the comfort that came with it. The Black's had been a part of his life for so long, they were all family to him. If not in blood, Sirius and James were brothers in spirit and soul.
Surprised at her open question, Lily had stared wide-eyed at the wall she was decorating. She concentrated on a quallyflower so as not to blush.
She cleared her throat. "I think they're good boys. They are really clever, even though they use it for slightly juvenile purposes . . . They require constant attention."
Mrs. Potter laughed. "I think you're right, Lily."
Then she looked thoughtful. She looked around and seemed as if she was straining to hear them.
There was a complete calmness in the house.
Too quiet.
Lily suddenly felt paranoid. Mrs. Potter started to say something along the lines of "You don't suppose they-" when they heard loud commotion and banging from outside.
"I knew this would happen. Oh, dear, Mrs. Almer will not be pleased. Today, of all days, Lily, you just keep on- - - doing this, and I'll be right back. Those boys. . ." Mrs. Potter muttered and left in a scurry of her skirts.
Lily smiled. She just hoped this wasn't a diversionary tactic. That meant the scheme itself was quite immeasurable and terrible.
She busied herself again and started humming Christmas carols to herself.
*
Sirius leapt across the front room in an attempt to escape whatever fury some ADULT had in store for him. Who would have thought Tazmanian Gappa Undergrowth was so--- explosive?
"It's winter even."
James had headed towards the living room, most probably where Mrs. Potter had last been, and where she would last think to look for them. Smart lad.
"I've taught him well."
Remus had escaped behind the greenhouse, and was most probably heading for a quick flight around the manor and then heading inside again.
Peter had followed Sirius and then scampered into the library.
"Let's see what Lily's up to. She'll want to congratulate us on a mission gone awry."
*
Lily was still humming when James crashed into the room. Literally.
He went straight into a table and managed to knock almost every item on it. A very heavy book landed on his foot, and a vase broke under the weight of another.
He swore loudly and gripped his foot. Then he scowled at the offending book and threw it childishly away.
He looked up very sheepishly when Lily giggled. Then he flushed and grinned.
Lily was still laughing when she spoke. "Oh, you're in trouble now. Your mother's in a whirl. You'll be dusting the library any moment."
He snorted. "S'not my fault", he said, lifting his head proudly.
Lily had stopped laughing and went to help him up from the floor. He took her offered hand and stood up. He looked wistfully down at their hands, and met her eyes.
Her expression changed from a slight gloating to almost heartbreakingly longing.
And then she blushed just a hint, before loosening her hold and letting go of his hands.
He sighed, and raked his other hand through his hair.
She smiled at him, and turned to charm a Bubble Box behind her.
"Lily, I-" he didn't know what he wanted to say, but he sure as hell knew he wanted to say something. Was he the only one who felt this burden on his chest?
She turned around to face him again, and he gulped. He opened his mouth, but then Sirius barged in, panting hard.
Lily kept her gaze at James for a while, but seeing he wasn't going to say anything right now she turned to Sirius.
"Sirius, you're incorrigible."
He merely grinned smugly and said:
"I just KNOW that's a muggle term for "sexy"."
When Lily rolled her eyes and let them rest on James, Sirius still winking his eyebrows suggestively.
"When are Chara and Aludra arriving?" she asked James.
"Fairly soon, I guess. They wanted to check the guest list with Mum, gossip and all that. Why? Already anxious to get away from us lads?" he cheeked.
"No. But I am getting a little tired of Sirius' attitude. 'Mr. Prankstier than thou' gets on my nerves."
"Sure I do. It's called sex appeal. Some girls just can't handle it sometimes." Sirius made tutting noises.
Lily smiled wearily. Sirius wasn't that cocky around girls, he was a little insecure around them still, but around James and Remus he joked around, and he tried to make Lily feel a bit more appreciated in an immature boyish kind of way. Like wolf-whistling at her.
James was still quiet, looking at Lily pensively. He wanted to ask her if they could talk somewhere more privately, so James could hint a bit more about his feelings, and explain that disastrous conversation at breakfast that morning. Maybe he would ask her to save a dance for him tonight. Although she probably would dance with him anyway, since he was a friend and a host.
Compulsory dance.
Not because she . . . "Likes me".. No.
He looked out the window and shuffled his feet.
"Always so bloody nervous around her. Wish I knew what to do."
Lily was singing again.
She had a very lovely voice, sweet and soothing. She didn't have a strong set of pipes, she was no opera singer, but he felt all happy and mushy even when she hummed.
"Talk about merry and bright. She lights this place up like a Christmas tree. I never felt so conscious of breathing before. I have to concentrate to remember to take each breath. Coherent speech will be out of the question then." James thought.
Sirius was trying to talk to him, James realised. He mentally fell out of the clouds, and landed heavily on a broom. Quidditch had come home with him for Christmas it seemed, Sirius, Remus and Peter were all thrilled about the upcoming match.
Lily smiled at them, going on about some chaser's ability to fix a score.
If they continued talking in such a pleasing manner, Mrs. Potter would reprimand the neighbour's poltergeist instead of her own boys.
Surely.
Mrs. Potter was an avid Quidditch fan. She almost married an Appleby Arrow player. Before falling madly in love with his brother of course.
Lily didn't see any harm in that. After all, Mr. Potter Senior was just as handsome as Mr. Potter Junior.
If only the younger would come to his senses and make the first step. Soon.
"Tonight, mayhaps?"
* * * A/N: Moving ever so slowly on with the story. Tune in tomorrow!
Not.
Birthday/New Year's Party coming up in the next chapter, and rest assured I will not describe her dress in fervent details. I hate that. They didn't even HAVE high-split, short skirt, criss-crossed back, glitter sandals and delicate tendrils in the seventies.
Ugh, the mental picture.
Some of the Ff's on the net have Yule Balls planned out for the sole purpose of dressing people up. I never get to use my IMAGINATION the chapters are so descriptive.
Thanks ever so to all reviewers, I even got a challenge! I might answer it. The rules were messed up, but I think I got the gist of it. Some even think there is a plot to this story after all. Hmm. Odd, that.
Disclaimer: J.K.Rowling owns the universe. I own myself and whatever smidgen of a plot you THINK you can find in here. Look between the lines. There, yes.
Tazmanian Gappa Undergrowth: Made up. No explanation. Just a two-second glimpse of brilliance if you please.
Quallyflower: also sheer greatness.
~*TTFN, your FNBF
Lily spent the rest of the day merrily conjuring party accessories with Mrs. Potter. They were chatting so womanly, that the boys felt very out of place with all that female gibbering. So they went out to have a "look" at a certain vehicle.
Sirius fancied himself in love with that bike.
Now, in any other prominent wizarding household the house-elves would see to the décor and preparation, but Mrs. Potter liked the finer arts of amiable gestures better, and wanted to do it herself for her husband.
Lily, sentimental as always, offered to help, and soon she couldn't help but feel very much at home and comfortable with James' mother.
Mrs. Potter was not exactly beautiful, but she had a graceful demeanor, and lovely coal black hair. And she was very efficient. And insinuative.
"So, what do you think of my boys?" she had asked with an expression of pure mirth and know-it-all dimples.
Mrs. Potter referred to Sirius and Remus as her boys as well, they lived there for quite a while during summer break she knew, and their parents were friends. Just like James called Sirius' sisters his own, since James was an only child. James had always been fond of families and the comfort that came with it. The Black's had been a part of his life for so long, they were all family to him. If not in blood, Sirius and James were brothers in spirit and soul.
Surprised at her open question, Lily had stared wide-eyed at the wall she was decorating. She concentrated on a quallyflower so as not to blush.
She cleared her throat. "I think they're good boys. They are really clever, even though they use it for slightly juvenile purposes . . . They require constant attention."
Mrs. Potter laughed. "I think you're right, Lily."
Then she looked thoughtful. She looked around and seemed as if she was straining to hear them.
There was a complete calmness in the house.
Too quiet.
Lily suddenly felt paranoid. Mrs. Potter started to say something along the lines of "You don't suppose they-" when they heard loud commotion and banging from outside.
"I knew this would happen. Oh, dear, Mrs. Almer will not be pleased. Today, of all days, Lily, you just keep on- - - doing this, and I'll be right back. Those boys. . ." Mrs. Potter muttered and left in a scurry of her skirts.
Lily smiled. She just hoped this wasn't a diversionary tactic. That meant the scheme itself was quite immeasurable and terrible.
She busied herself again and started humming Christmas carols to herself.
*
Sirius leapt across the front room in an attempt to escape whatever fury some ADULT had in store for him. Who would have thought Tazmanian Gappa Undergrowth was so--- explosive?
"It's winter even."
James had headed towards the living room, most probably where Mrs. Potter had last been, and where she would last think to look for them. Smart lad.
"I've taught him well."
Remus had escaped behind the greenhouse, and was most probably heading for a quick flight around the manor and then heading inside again.
Peter had followed Sirius and then scampered into the library.
"Let's see what Lily's up to. She'll want to congratulate us on a mission gone awry."
*
Lily was still humming when James crashed into the room. Literally.
He went straight into a table and managed to knock almost every item on it. A very heavy book landed on his foot, and a vase broke under the weight of another.
He swore loudly and gripped his foot. Then he scowled at the offending book and threw it childishly away.
He looked up very sheepishly when Lily giggled. Then he flushed and grinned.
Lily was still laughing when she spoke. "Oh, you're in trouble now. Your mother's in a whirl. You'll be dusting the library any moment."
He snorted. "S'not my fault", he said, lifting his head proudly.
Lily had stopped laughing and went to help him up from the floor. He took her offered hand and stood up. He looked wistfully down at their hands, and met her eyes.
Her expression changed from a slight gloating to almost heartbreakingly longing.
And then she blushed just a hint, before loosening her hold and letting go of his hands.
He sighed, and raked his other hand through his hair.
She smiled at him, and turned to charm a Bubble Box behind her.
"Lily, I-" he didn't know what he wanted to say, but he sure as hell knew he wanted to say something. Was he the only one who felt this burden on his chest?
She turned around to face him again, and he gulped. He opened his mouth, but then Sirius barged in, panting hard.
Lily kept her gaze at James for a while, but seeing he wasn't going to say anything right now she turned to Sirius.
"Sirius, you're incorrigible."
He merely grinned smugly and said:
"I just KNOW that's a muggle term for "sexy"."
When Lily rolled her eyes and let them rest on James, Sirius still winking his eyebrows suggestively.
"When are Chara and Aludra arriving?" she asked James.
"Fairly soon, I guess. They wanted to check the guest list with Mum, gossip and all that. Why? Already anxious to get away from us lads?" he cheeked.
"No. But I am getting a little tired of Sirius' attitude. 'Mr. Prankstier than thou' gets on my nerves."
"Sure I do. It's called sex appeal. Some girls just can't handle it sometimes." Sirius made tutting noises.
Lily smiled wearily. Sirius wasn't that cocky around girls, he was a little insecure around them still, but around James and Remus he joked around, and he tried to make Lily feel a bit more appreciated in an immature boyish kind of way. Like wolf-whistling at her.
James was still quiet, looking at Lily pensively. He wanted to ask her if they could talk somewhere more privately, so James could hint a bit more about his feelings, and explain that disastrous conversation at breakfast that morning. Maybe he would ask her to save a dance for him tonight. Although she probably would dance with him anyway, since he was a friend and a host.
Compulsory dance.
Not because she . . . "Likes me".. No.
He looked out the window and shuffled his feet.
"Always so bloody nervous around her. Wish I knew what to do."
Lily was singing again.
She had a very lovely voice, sweet and soothing. She didn't have a strong set of pipes, she was no opera singer, but he felt all happy and mushy even when she hummed.
"Talk about merry and bright. She lights this place up like a Christmas tree. I never felt so conscious of breathing before. I have to concentrate to remember to take each breath. Coherent speech will be out of the question then." James thought.
Sirius was trying to talk to him, James realised. He mentally fell out of the clouds, and landed heavily on a broom. Quidditch had come home with him for Christmas it seemed, Sirius, Remus and Peter were all thrilled about the upcoming match.
Lily smiled at them, going on about some chaser's ability to fix a score.
If they continued talking in such a pleasing manner, Mrs. Potter would reprimand the neighbour's poltergeist instead of her own boys.
Surely.
Mrs. Potter was an avid Quidditch fan. She almost married an Appleby Arrow player. Before falling madly in love with his brother of course.
Lily didn't see any harm in that. After all, Mr. Potter Senior was just as handsome as Mr. Potter Junior.
If only the younger would come to his senses and make the first step. Soon.
"Tonight, mayhaps?"
* * * A/N: Moving ever so slowly on with the story. Tune in tomorrow!
Not.
Birthday/New Year's Party coming up in the next chapter, and rest assured I will not describe her dress in fervent details. I hate that. They didn't even HAVE high-split, short skirt, criss-crossed back, glitter sandals and delicate tendrils in the seventies.
Ugh, the mental picture.
Some of the Ff's on the net have Yule Balls planned out for the sole purpose of dressing people up. I never get to use my IMAGINATION the chapters are so descriptive.
Thanks ever so to all reviewers, I even got a challenge! I might answer it. The rules were messed up, but I think I got the gist of it. Some even think there is a plot to this story after all. Hmm. Odd, that.
Disclaimer: J.K.Rowling owns the universe. I own myself and whatever smidgen of a plot you THINK you can find in here. Look between the lines. There, yes.
Tazmanian Gappa Undergrowth: Made up. No explanation. Just a two-second glimpse of brilliance if you please.
Quallyflower: also sheer greatness.
~*TTFN, your FNBF