Lily in Full Blossom

Chapter 02: Skeeter's Punch

Pre-Author's Notes: This fic is based on the manga, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e also known as For You in Full Blossom. I had to change some elements from the Harry Potter story to make it work, so live with it. Yes, I am aware that some of the facts from the Harry Potter series is off, but I had to change it for the story. ^^


Lily stopped for a moment when she heard the bathroom door slam. She was staring at the tile in the bathroom and her face was as a red as a tomato. The water pounded her shoulders and back. Did he see anything?

James was still standing against the door and he sank to the floor. His cheeks were bright red. He shook his head. Why didn't she lock the door and draw the curtain close? What's wrong with her? If I had been any other guy...she's so stupid.

He stood up and went to his bed. Even though his vision was blurred he could still remember seeing a silhouette of her body because of a combination of the lamp and the small window in the bathroom. Maybe it's my eyes, but she's missing a bit up there...he shook his head. What was he thinking? Sure, she was flat chested, but it was the only way she could pass a boy.

He fell back on the bed and grabbed his Transfiguration book. He put the book on his face, so that she wouldn't notice how red it was. He didn't make a move when she finally emerged from the bathroom.

"I have your glasses," said Lily as she set them on the stand, "I'll put them on the nightstand for you." She was still drying her hair as she took a seat on her bed. She sighed as she looked at him. Thank goodness he didn't figure it out yet. That was awfully close. He's still not talking to me. He must hate me. How could anyone take a nap right now?

She stood up and decided to go to the library. She figured James was mad at her because she remembered Frank mentioning James not having a roommate prior to her arrival. She decided to give him back some peace. Maybe, she should just come back later on when he was gone.

James didn't move again until Lily was gone. He took the book off his face and picked up his glasses. He wiped them clean before putting them on. He closed his book as he sat up. He had to think about things.

It had been a difficult year for him. He was avoiding his friends, the Quidditch team, and his responsibilities as a prefect. Everyone was harping on him all the time. That was the reason why James was outside when that Lucas, he didn't even know her real name, ran into him. James figured out that Lucas was really a girl when she run into him in the bushes after she had ran from the broomstick-racing club.

At first, he wasn't sure if she was boy or a girl, but after getting a much closer look at her. He was sure of it. After what happened in the bathroom, he was positive she was a girl. But, why would any girl come into the school as a boy? James was sure from the way she reacted when he said he wasn't on the Quidditch team anymore that she was a fan of his.

Maybe, he should tell the Headmaster about her. James shook his head. That didn't sound right to him at all. He could keep her true identity a secret. He looked at her desk for a moment. He walked up to it. He found some really cute drawings of Professor Thorn, the Potions Master and head of Slytherin. They were drawings of Professor Thorn running from a bunch of potion bottles. James chuckled slightly at it before deciding to go and meet with Reggie Baker.

*

Lily sighed as she studied at the library. She wanted to make more friends in Hogwarts. Unfortunately, Bella was always busy with her friends in Ravenclaw. She sighed as she looked at the letter that Bella had passed to her when they had met in the hall.

Don't worry. Just be yourself and try your best. - B.

Lily sighed. How could she be herself and keep her gender a secret? She was always an optimist. I'll do my best. I'll be his friend if it's the last thing I do. She decided with determination. She packed up her stuff.

"Hey! New guy!" someone called out to her. Lily turned around and spotted the person who was calling her. He was as tall as James Potter. His black hair was straight and sort of longish. His eyes were also big and brown like puppy dog eyes. It was Sirius Black.

"Me?" asked Lily as she pointed to herself.

"Do you see anyone else around here?" asked Sirius with some annoyance. She looked around her with a confused look on her face. Sirius rolled his eyes at her. "Look, I need to talk to you. Come with me."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

Lily decided to go with him because she didn't want to go back to the room too soon, just in case James was still there. Sirius stopped for a moment. "I wanted to tell you to lay off, James. He's not into that sort of thing," he said.

"What?"

"He's not gay."

Lily's eyes widened. "What?! No! I'm not--" she stammered, but she gave up because she was tripping over her words.

"You're not?" asked Sirius as he looked at her closely. "You know...you really do look like a girl."

"I'm not!" exclaimed Lily passionately. Sirius eyed her suspiciously.

"Anyway, come with me," said Sirius. "They say that you're pretty fast on a broomstick. So, I thought that you might be interested in seeing the Quidditch team."

"Wait, just a minute. I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me who you are," said Lily.

Sirius looked at her for a moment then he laughed, "I assumed you'd know my name, too. You seemed to know James'. My name is Sirius Black. What's your name again?"

Lily gave him an annoyed look. "My name is Lucas Evans," she replied. They stopped at the Quidditch field. She spotted Frank Longbottom, who was the Gryffindor keeper. She realized that Sirius was dressed in a Quidditch uniform. "What's your position on the team?" she asked him.

"I'm the temporary seeker until James gets back. I'm usually one of the chasers, but we need James back and soon," said Sirius.

"What happened?" asked Lily.

"He didn't tell, you? Then, it's not my place to really say anything. I thought you were a Quidditch fan," replied Sirius.

"I am," said Lily excitedly. She accidentally let her voice slip into her natural, higher pitch. Sirius gave her a funny look. "I mean, of course, I am." She toned down her voice again.

Sirius mounted his broomstick and ascended upwards until he was up with all the other players. Frank looked at him, then looked at Lily. "What's going on?" asked Frank.

"I thought that I'd let him see what we do here. Besides, he might help us get James back up here," replied Sirius.

"Oh."

"Players. Let's do the duck formation," said Sirius, referring to the flight pattern in which the chasers got into a flying V formation like ducks did in the air.

The Bludgers were released for the practice, and Lily watched with wonderment as the Gryffindor team played. It was amazing. This was better than what the Americans played. They didn't even play real Quidditch, rather they played another variation.

One of the beaters hit the Bludgers out of the way of the chasers. Frank could see one of the chasers attempting to hit the ball in. As the keeper, his job was to block them, even during practice. He blocked the Quaffle by hitting it with the back end of his broomstick.

However, he had miscalculated the trajectory. The Quaffle went spinning out of control. The other beater hit a Bludger that collided with the Quaffle. Lily had no idea that it was coming straight at her until it was too late. She didn't even have time to dodge.

POW!

The Quaffle hit Lily on the head. She quickly passed out from the blow. Sirius called a stop to the practice. Frank was the first one on the ground. "Oh, no! Lucas!" moaned Frank. "I'm sorry!"

"I don't think he can hear you," said Sirius. "Let's get him to the infirmary."

"We'll finish later," said Sirius. "Let's go." Both boys supported Lily as they went towards the infirmary. "He's awfully light."

"Yes," agreed Frank.

James and Reggie were walking down the hall at the same time. The meeting with the other prefects was completed, but James had to stay behind because Reggie wanted to talk to James about his lack of participation as a prefect. Needless to say, James was sufficiently annoyed by Reggie.

"You'll never make Head Boy, if you're going to skive off your responsibilities. It's not that hard to be a prefect," said Reggie.

"I am not interested in being Head Boy," said James, but he stopped when he saw Frank, Sirius, and Lily. "What happened to him?" he demanded.

"A strange accident with the Quaffle. No big deal," said Sirius.

"It's my fault," said Frank. "We're going to take him to the infirmary."

"Wait. I'll carry him. Why don't you to run up ahead and make sure that damn Dr. Pomfrey isn't napping?" said James.

Sirius gave James a strange look. Frank nodded. "Let's go and get him," he told Sirius. They left.

James had Lily in his arms. He wasn't carrying her the same way the other two were. Reggie laughed, "You're carrying him like a kid or a girl. Why didn't you just let those two handle it?"

"I'm taking my responsibilities as a prefect. So, lay off," said James. He was holding Lily very gently as he walked off leaving a slightly stunned Reggie behind, shaking his head. She's really small and light he thought to himself. He unconsciously held her closer to his chest. She's so much trouble.

"Have you people ever heard of getting sleep to refresh one's psyche?" asked a voice with a slight French accent.

"You! You're always asleep whenever someone needs help!" exclaimed a very angry Frank.

"Oh, look the patient is here," said the doctor. He was tall and slender with brownish blond hair and long bangs. He wore a pair of glasses. "Now, everyone get out. Mister Potter, please put Mister Evans on the bed so I can look him over, then get out."

James looked at him dubiously. He had to do something. Dr. Pomfrey was going to find out that Lucas was really a girl. "Um...you see..."

"Uh...where am I?" murmured Lily.

"Lucas! You're awake! It's all my fault I'm so sorry about hitting the Quaffle like that. I didn't know it was going to hit the Bludger--"exclaimed Frank.

"You moron, it's not your fault," said Sirius.

"He's awake now. All spectators leave." ordered Dr. Pomfrey as he kicked Frank, who collided with Sirius.

"Wait!" protested Frank as James and Sirius dragged him out of the infirmary. Frank looked up because James wore an uncharacteristic look of worry on his face.

"What's up, Prongs?" asked Sirius.

"Nothing. It's all right, Padfoot," replied James. It was better that Dr. Pomfrey found out and reported it. At least, that would let James off the hook.

Lily sat up on the bed as she rubbed the side of her skull. "Oh, my head," she moaned.

"So, you're fully awake now?" asked Dr. Pomfrey as he approached her.

She looked up at him with her emerald eyes. He stopped in front her. He was so close to her that he blocked any exits she might have. "Then, why are you dressed like a boy, Miss Evans?"

Lily looked at him with wide eyes. He knows. My cover's been blown. But, before she could answer the door swung open again. James walked in. "If he's okay, we should go back to our room and get ready for dinner," he said.

"Yes, he's good to go. Perfectly all right," said Dr. Pomfrey with a congenial smile. The pair left the room. Dr. Pierre Pomfrey thought, I look forward to meeting you again.

Lily walked behind James as they headed back to their room. "Um...do you know anything about Dr. Pomfrey?" asked Lily.

"Yes, he's here for a bit because his mother, our usual nurse, had to take a leave of absence after her husband got sick. She wanted to stay with him. So, we got him. He's fresh out of wizards' medical school," replied James.

All I have to do is avoid running into Dr. Pomfrey again. I won't get kicked out of here. Lily was determined to stick it out no matter what.

*

The next morning, Lily woke up long before James and quickly took a shower and changed her clothes. James woke up some time later and got ready for the day. They went together for breakfast before their first class of the day, Transfiguration.

They stopped when they noticed all the people gathered around a bulletin reading a notice on it. "Guys, it's something you've got to see," said Frank as he caught up with them. "By the way, Lucas, I'm really, really sorry about what happened yesterday. Please forgive me."

"It's okay. No harm done. I've got a hard head," Lily assured him.

Frank gave her a sad look before he changed his face broke out in a smile. "Thanks! You're such a nice guy! You're my best friend!" he exclaimed.

"Um...when did that happen?" asked Lily. "What about the bulletin notice?"

"Oh, that...let's go," said Frank.

"Where did James go?" asked Lily. She turned and saw him with his friends Sirius, Remus, and Peter. She bit her lip as she followed Frank. The moment she saw the notice. "What the Hell is this?" she exclaimed.

Someone had taken a picture of James when he was carrying Lily to the infirmary. The person put a description on the side that had nothing to do with what really happened. "Scoop! The Transfer Student is a dangerous pretty boy!"

Lily fumed at the notice. "Who posted this?!" she demanded.

James came by and ripped down the notice without a word. The rest of the Marauders watched as he crumpled it up and threw it in the trash can. He walked onward with everyone else following behind him. Lily watched as he walked up to a girl who was sitting at the Hufflepuff table.

"The next time you screw around like that, Skeeter, I'm not going to let it slide," said James in a dangerous tone. He walked off. Everyone else broke off in different directions. Lily was about to leave when the Skeeter girl finally said something, "He's just upset that everyone now knows the truth. Heh. I guess they don't mind things like that America, do they?" she asked in a catty voice.

Pow! Lily punched Rita Skeeter in the face, not knowing what came over her. She completely forgot that she was supposed to be a boy. Boys don't hit girls. "Cool off! You pathetic bitch!" she shouted as she turned and walked off.

"Mister Evans, that was uncalled for. How dare you hit another student? How dare you hit a girl?" said Professor McGonagall in a disapproving voice. "Ten points from Gryffindor."

Lily opened her mouth before closing it. She turned and walked out of the Great Hall, not feeling hungry at all. I knew what I was doing, but I had no idea that punching people hurt this much. She inspected her hand to look for any bruising.

"That was some punch," commented Dr. Pomfrey. "You really are going all out, aren't you, Mister Evans?"

Lily's eyes widened in fear as she backed away from him. He reached out and grabbed her hand. "There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with your hand," he observed as he looked it over.

"I took self-defense classes," she said defensively as she pulled her hand back.

"That's good. Come back to the infirmary when you're ready to give me some answers," said Dr. Pomfrey as he walked off.

Lily stood there mildly stunned as he walked off. She heard footsteps coming towards her. She turned around. "Hey, Frank!" she exclaimed, forcing herself to be happy.

"I thought we'd go to class together. Here's some toast," said Frank as he gave her some buttered toast.

"Thanks," said Lily. "Let's go. I'd rather go early than sit at the Great Hall with everyone looking at me."

"Hitting, Skeeter? That's no big deal. She needs to be put in her place, but she's got stuff on almost everyone who could do that. She's really nosy," said Frank.

"I didn't mean to hit her," said Lily.

"It's okay," assured Frank.

"It's just that not a lot things have gone right since I've been here," said Lily.

"What do you mean?" asked Frank with concern.

"It's been so hard. I'm having trouble with James. He doesn't like me at all and he doesn't talk to me," said Lily sadly.

"Really? How couldn't he? That must be troublesome. You guys are roommates after all," said Frank.

"Yeah," said Lily. She sighed.

"Hey, don't feel bad," said Frank. "It'll turn out okay." Lily looked up at him. She gave him a smile. Frank's cheeks turned red at her smile. He cleared his throat. "Why don't we go to class?"

They both turned around the corner and caught sight of something. James was talking to a girl. She was pretty with long, silky brown hair and gray eyes. She was also taller than Lily. And more developed thought Lily sadly.

"I'm telling you I'm not interested," said James in a firm voice.

"But, James--" started the girl.

"Stop telling me what to do."

"Come on Frank, let's go the other way," said Lily as she grabbed Frank's arm and led him off. His face was furiously red. James heard her voice and stopped to look at them as they retreated.

*

When school let out for the day, Lily was feeling thoroughly depressed. There was no way she could compete with someone who looked like a model. If I were a real boy, I would do whatever she wanted. What did she want from James?

Lily decided to help Hagrid out and walk Fang because she didn't feel like studying or staying in the room with James. She was walking around the grounds as Fang seemed to drag her along from time to time, snapping her out of her stupor. Finally, they stopped at a slope near the lake. Fang sat down, so Lily sat down next to him.

"Do you mind if I tell you something?" asked Lily to Fang. Sure, he was a dog, but at least he would listen to her. Fang gave a bark. "I came all the way here to meet James Potter. I want to be his friend, but I messed up. I guess what people say is right: first impressions are everything."

Fang started to lick her cheeks. It was the only thing he could do to make her feel better. He also looked at her sympathetically. "Thanks, Fang. You're a great dog," said Lily, but she stopped because she could hear people talking.

"Just leave me alone! Why can't you understand that?!" demanded a very angry James.

"I know you, James. You love playing Quidditch. You just need to get back on the broomstick," said the girl from earlier.

"I don't care. Just get the hell away from me!"

Fang's ears perked up at the sound of James' voice. He stood up and dragged Lily along, who was still holding on to the leash. "Hey! Wait, Fang! Stop!" she shouted. She froze when she saw James and the other girl. They were staring at her. "I'm sorry. Got to run!" She quickly got on her feet and managed to drag Fang off.

She kept going until she was back at Hagrid's. "That was close," she said as she turned around. She felt her heart stop. James had followed her.

"Let's go back. It's getting dark," said James. Lily nodded.

As they walked back, Lily decided to say something, "She's pretty cute."

"Huh? Oh, you mean Julie," said James. "She's just one of the other prefects."

"Oh. You know I just remembered that Fang only likes you and Hagrid. Why is that?"

James gave her a slight smile. "I was the one who found him. He was just a puppy. I was at Hogsmeade one weekend. I saw how mean his owner was to him. He was too little to just follow commands, so I took him back to Hogwarts with me. Hagrid volunteered to keep him. The reason why he's still afraid of other guys is because his last owner was this really nasty man."

Lily nodded and smiled. She realized that James was really a nice person. "Why were you avoiding me today?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"It's because you're a--" James stopped. He didn't know how to answer that question. He looked at her for a moment before walking forward.

"James, where have you been?" asked a boy who walked up to them. He had brown hair and gray eyes. He was also very handsome. Lily realized that he resembled the other girl.

"No where," said James as he caught up with the boy. "By the way, this is Remus Lupin. Remus, you know my roommate, Lucas Evans."

Remus smiled and nodded, "Yes, I remember. Who couldn't? You were the one who punched Rita Skeeter in the Great Hall."

Lily's cheeks turned red for a moment. She looked away from Remus. He gave her a friendly laugh. "Let's go," said James. "Are you coming along?"

Lily looked at him for a moment. She realized he was talking about her. She shook her head. "I have something to pick up at the room," she said very quickly as she walked off. James and Remus stared after her.

She rounded the corridor to her room. She stopped because Julie was standing there. Lily quickly attempted to turn around and go back the way she came. Maybe, she could hide out at the library for a while.

"Wait, you. I need to talk to you," said Julie.

"Me?" asked Lily.

"Yes, you," replied Julie with a nod.

"Okay...but why?" asked Lily.

"I want you to stay out of James Potter's way," replied Julie.


Post Author's Note: Sorry for the length of the delay between chapters. I seem to be still in volume one of the original manga. There's more fun coming up soon. School's been getting in the way these days. I may not follow Hanakimi exactly, so don't rely on the manga to tell you what happens next.

What will happen next? Why is James shirking his responsibilities? Will Dr. Pomfrey reveal Lily's secret? Who does Julie think she is? I promise the next part will be funnier and cuter. By the way the character guide and how the characters from both works correspond can be found at http://honeydukes.dreamelf.net/blossom/blossom00.html.

The good news is that the next Harry Potter book will be out by June 21st. ^^ By the way, I know that you people are capable of reviewing. Come on now...show me some love. Give me a reason to hurry up on the next chapter. Or visit my journal at http://remyelf.livejournal.com to ask any questions. The first part has been edited, and it's been a little over a month since I've updated. ^_^;; I swear to go faster. Put me on author alert if you are a member of ff.net, I'm a support member so you can get the alerts even if you're not.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (For You in Full Blossom). I just borrowed these for my fic.