Disclaimer: not mine
A/N: Hey, *bounces on chair in excitement* am going to collect copy of order of the phoenix at midnight tonight!!!!! YAY *grin*, so might not post for a couple of days, I need to read the book first! Thank you for all the reviews! I will try to post again on Monday.
A/N2: Just a quick note to say that I'm going to carry on the story after the release of book 5 as if book five hasn't happened, because JKR has hinted we're going to find out more about Harry's parent's past, but for the sake of my plot line (yes there is one!) I'm going to have to ignore book 5.
Summary: crystal explanations, and Bella is diagnosed with foot in mouth disease!
CHAPTER 11
Lily rolled her shoulders as she sat at the back of the divination classroom waiting for Professor Aperio to arrive. Madam Pomfrey had finally let her out of the hospital wing, she still felt kind of woozy but being stuck in there by herself was sending her out of her mind. She shook her head to wake herself up as the elderly wizard finally arrived. Five minutes late, Lily grumbled internally.
"Today we are studying crystal properties," Prof. Aperio said loudly upon entering, causing James to sit up in his seat with interest. "The rare pink crystal: Necessitas, is of particular interest to divinators," he started. "Unfortunately I have no example to show you, but this is a replica of one in the Ministry of Magic's collection," he held up a crystal identical to the one hidden in James' robes. "If used properly it is possible to discover any persons intimately connected with your destiny, for example a true friend, or someone without whom it is impossible to fulfil your idcirco, or purpose. A light will emanate from it if those of intertwined futures are touching the crystal at the same time…" Prof. Aperio trailed off as a startled yelp was emitted from the back of the classroom, making most of the students turn around to look at the source of the noise.
Lily stood up dusting herself off. "I fell off the chair," she explained, looking around mortified. She dared to glance at James, but could see only the back of his head. James firmly faced the front of the class, his face a picture of complete shock. My fate's intertwined with Lily's? James thought, trying to ignore the jump of his heart at the idea. I wonder if this is what Dad meant when he said the crystal reminded him of Mum…maybe it glowed when they touched it too, he considered, resolving to find out.
~*~*~*~*~
James nervously approached Prof. Aperio after the rest of the class had left. "Sir?"
"Yes, Potter?" Aperio inquired.
"Is this a Necessitas crystal?" he asked, holding out his Dad's crystal nervously.
"Incredible, James. I do believe it is," he said, rummaging around in his draw for a hand lens. Holding the crystal up for closer inspection he asked "Where on earth did you get this?"
"It was my Dad's… Sir, I was wondering , could it reveal your true love? It's just that Dad said he always kept it with him because he felt closer to my Mum?"
"Well," Odiosus Aperio, started looking thoughtful, "I suppose it is possible, if you believe in that tosh about soul-mates and what-have-you, but that is not the purpose of this particular crystal. It is more likely that your Mother was important in helping your Father fulfil his purpose. Does that help?" he asked, raising his head to look at James.
"Yes, sir," James replied
"You hold onto this crystal James, it will help you find those that are important to you." Aperio added smiling, leaving James' thoughts swirling in confusion, what was his parents' purpose? Why were he and Lily connected?
~*~*~*~*~
Lily was pacing her dormitory, shaking with rage. "This is all his fault, him and that stupid crystal," she muttered angrily, sending a venomous glare towards the piece of crystal sitting on her dressing table. "I would never have known about our stupid intertwined futures, if he hadn't shown me that stupid thing, damn it! This is all his FAULT!" she said, yelling the last word for emphasis. Fee peeked nervously round the door, glancing at the rampaging Lily.
"Er, Lils?" she inquired delicately
"What?" Lily snarled,
"Bella's waiting in the great hall, it's time for dinner," Fee explained.
Lily's eyes narrowed, "Fine, but you'd better keep Potter away from me," she said, practically spitting James' name. She stormed past Fee and down the stairs, slamming the door behind her.
"Oooookay," Fee said quietly, staring after her friend in shock.
~*~*~*~*~
James was talking to his friends in the Great Hall, but he couldn't stop his eyes from straying over to the entrance. Bella was sitting by herself at the other end of the Gryffindor table so surely Lily had to arrive sometime.
Peter looked up and saw what his friend was watching. "Looking for someone?" he asked innocently, causing Remus to cough rapidly in order to hide his grin, well aware of James' antics.
"No!" James exclaimed, his ears rapidly turning red. Peter raised his eyebrows disbelievingly, but said nothing, which didn't do anything to alleviate James' acute embarrassment.
"Look there's Lily!" Peter said jokingly, looking over Remus' shoulder. James' head whipped round causing the other three to burst out laughing.
~*~*~*~*~
Bella drummed her fingers, she could see the Marauder's laughing at something further up the Gryffindor table but there was still no sign of Lily or Fee. Bella grinned slightly at the plan she was forming. She was going to get Lily to think about how she felt about James if it killed her. She had a feeling that the time Lily had spent in the cave with James had changed something. Bella smiled when she saw Lily and Fee heading towards her, yep she was definitely going to ask about a certain Mr. Potter.
Lily stormed down the length of the Gryffindor table deliberately avoiding looking at the Marauder's in case she accidentally ripped James' head off. Fee ran her hand through her hair as she half-jogged in order to keep up with her friend. What the hell is up with her? I thought she was finally warming to James! Fee thought. Her eyes glanced over to where the Marauders were sitting, she smiled slightly when she saw James' eyes follow Lily. Her smile quickly turned to a frown as her eyes met with Sirius'. She turned back to look for Bella, trying desperately to ignore the fluttery feeling in her stomach.
"Hey, Lils," Bella said, grinning cheerfully, completely unaware she was walking into the lion's den. "Have talked to James today?" Fee's eyes widened and she desperately made cutting motions across her neck, in an attempt to get Bella to shut up.
"Why would I ever talk to that… that… total moron?" Lily spluttered, causing Bella to frown in confusion.
"But, you two have been getting on really well, there's been definite sparkage," Bella said, out of the corner of her eye she noticed Fee putting her head in her hands.
~*~*~*~*~
Sirius stared down the table. "What's wrong with Fee?" he asked, as he watched her bang her head against the table.
"According to you… nothing," Peter said smirking. Remus tried to hide his chuckle as Sirius glared fiercely at the littlest Marauder. Fortunately, an argument was avoided by a disturbance at the far end of the table.
Lily stood up and yelled loudly "How on earth could you think I would like that complete git!? With his stupid glasses and stupid uncontrollable hair!"
All eyes at the table turned to James as he sat frozen in his seat, the tips of his ears glowing red. He stood up slowly. "If you've got something to say, Evans, why don't you say it to my face?" he stated, storming towards her.
"Fine!" Lily retorted, exasperated. "You have ridiculous hair! Don't you ever use a brush?" she glared at him. "Happy now?" she added sweetly.
"I have ridiculous hair!?" he exclaimed. "Have you looked in a mirror lately?"
Lily's mouth twisted in annoyance and then eyes flashed with victory as she remembered what he had said in the cave. "Liar" she hissed. "You like my hair!"
James could feel the blush creeping up his neck, as he desperately tried to think of a retort. "Fine, be delusional!" he sneered. "Like anyone would ever find that orange colour appealing."
Lily drew back her hand to slap him and froze. Finding him not worth the bother, she lowered her hand and stormed out of the room.
"Well that went well," Bella whispered to Fee, who glared at her.
