DISCLAIMER: NOt mine, never have been mine, never going to be mine, never going to try and pass them off as mine.
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Those Wicked Eyes
Chapter 3~ Another side of Lily
"Aunt Connie is going to be upset with you, James," Katie told him as they stood on the train platform at Hogwarts. James wasn't going home for Christmas, due to the piles of work he had with NEWT's, Head duties, and regular school work. He hated missing out, but his parents had understood.
"I know. But she'll get over it. You'll just have to give her an extra hug for me, okay?"
"Sure."
"And you have the presents I'm sending, right?"
"Yes, James. But mine wasn't in the pile." He beheld her with amusement.
"Of course not. You really think I'd leave you alone with your present? You're not *that* dense."
"Thanks for the compliment, *Prongs*," she said sarcastically. Then she laughed.
"All aboard!" the conductor cried.
"See you, Midget," James said, hugging Katie.
"Ew! Get off! People will think we're related!" Katie joked, but hugged him back nonetheless.
"Give everyone my love," he told her as she boarded the train. She looked out the window.
"Only if you promise to think about what I keep telling you!" He sighed. Lily.
"Fine," he said, sticking his tongue out at her.
"All right then. Love you!"
"Love you, too!" he called as the train pulled away. He waved until the train was out of sight.
James trudged through the snow back to the castle. This would indeed be a white Christmas. He hurried to the Common Room to warm himself by the fire.
"Your sister off safely, then?" James jumped.
"You just love doing that, don't you?"
"Doing what?" lily asked, sitting next to him.
"Sneaking up on people. Why aren't you at home?"
"Dumbledore said it would probably be safer if I stayed here."
"Voldemort?"
"Yes. You say his name?"
"Dumbledore told me that fear of a name—"
"Increases fear of the thing itself. I know. But Dumbledore said he'd be targeting Muggle-borns first. So I'm here. Mum and Dad understood. And my sister Petunia was overjoyed." James laughed quietly. He was thinking about what Katie had told him repeatedly.
*You like Lily; admit it!* Did he?
No. Of course not. The very thought was ridiculous.
"Why are you staying?"
"Oh, so much work. Too much work. I've left my homework for too long. I've gotten everything in on time, but I have a pile of stuff to finish that's due after break. I'm swamped! Plus, and don't spread this around, okay?" he asked, leaning closer even though no one would overhear them in the secluded common Room. "But the family is convening at my Aunt Connie's this year. And no offense to her — I'm sure she's a very nice lady to others — but, I spend two weeks every summer at my Aunt Connie's, and she's always on my case about everything. I need to dress up for dinner, I need to comb my hair better, I need to think up a better topic for conversation than whatever it is I'm talking about. Things like that. Plus, she's always complaining about my career choice. 'Who wants to be an Auror? Why don't you go into the Ministry like your father?'" He sighed. "She probably won't be as bad with family around, but I know she'll still find ways to get on my case about everything."
Lily laughed, eyes sparkling. Goodness, but she looked pretty when she smiled. What was he thinking?
"Come now. It can't be as bad as all that."
"Oh, really?" he challenged. "Would you like to spend the summer with my Aunt Connie? I'll give you an owl when I leave; you can come along. We'll have to shove you under an Invisibility Cloak so she doesn't know you're there. Then you can witness firsthand the joys of Connie Potter!"
Lily laughed harder, and, playing along, she said, "sounds like a plan! But where would we get an Invisibility Cloak?" James' eyes twinkled.
"You really want to know?"
"What?"
Glancing around, as if to make sure no one else was present, he gestured to Lily with one finger. "Come here." She followed him into his room, where he set about unlocking the trunk at the foot of his bed. From it, he pulled out a silvery material.
Her eyes widened. "James! You have an Invisibility Cloak?"
"My father gave it to me when I came to Hogwarts."
"Is that how you . . ."
"Played all my pranks? Most of them. But that's not all I've used it for." He stopped, considering. "Come on," he said finally, leading her back into the Common Room.
"Come on where?"
"Care to go for a nighttime stroll?"
"James! It's after ten! We'd be out of bounds."
"Are you trying to tell me, Lily Evans, that you have never once broken a rule in all your seven years at Hogwarts?" She blushed.
"Well, once or twice . ."
"Then come on. I'm going to show you something you'll never get another chance to see."
She bit her lip. "All right," she said finally.
He grinned. "Great." He threw the Cloak around both of them and heard Lily gasp as she disappeared. "You have to be quiet, okay?" She nodded. He pulled a piece of parchment out of his pocket. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he whispered. The Marauders' Map swam into view on the paper.
"What is that?" she whispered.
"Shh. I'll tell you in a minute." Silently, he pushed the door open and stepped out into the empty corridor. Glancing at the Map, he saw that Filch was patrolling the Entrance Hall, while Mrs. Norris was on the fourth. He led her carefully to the Southeast Tower. Once inside, he pulled out his wand.
"*Lacamus*," he whispered, locking the door behind them. "Mischief managed." He pulled the Cloak off of them and led Lily up to the top of the tower. "There. See?" He pointed out across the lake. Hogsmeade lay nestled in the trees across from the castle, illuminated by torches and lampposts. It looked like a winter wonderland with the snow in the air. The moon shone from a hole in the snow clouds, casting a silvery light over the partially frozen lake while the snow fell upon them.
"Oh, wow," she breathed. "It's beautiful." She stood in wonder of the scene, her emerald eyes sparkling, snow in her hair. His breath caught in his throat as the snow crystals caught in her eyelashes, forming water droplets that cascaded down her cheeks when she closed her eyes. Even if she was Sunshine Lily, she was still beautiful.
"Happy Christmas," he whispered in her ear.
They stood entranced for a few more moments, their breaths coming out in white puffs of air as their cheeks grew rosy from the cold. She when she began shivering, he suggested that they head back to the Common Room. She nodded, still caught up in the wonder of the Christmas scene.
He led her down a secret passage. She hissed in his ear, "this doesn't look like the path back to the Common Room."
"That's because it's not. Shh." Before them stood a large painting of a bowl of fruit. He reached up and tickled the pear. A door appeared, and James pushed it opened, pulling Lily in after him. Immediately they were surrounded by House Elves.
"James Potter, sir, you have come back. What can we do for you, sir? Ham? Chocolate cake?"
James laughed. "No, no, Matty. Just two bottles of hot chocolate. You've got enough to do preparing the Christmas feast for tomorrow. Which, I must say smells delicious." The elves blushed.
"Sir is too kind," Matty said, rushing off to fetch what he wished.
"Wow. How'd you find this place?"
"Wasn't that hard. I'll tell you later."
"I'll add it to my list."
Three elves were hurrying toward them, bearing a silver platter, which was holding two plastic bottles of hot chocolate, plus a tin of biscuits.
"Is sir sure he will be wanting nothing else?"
"Yes, Matty. Thank you."
"And you, miss?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"You just get back to fixing the feast," James told them. Bowing, they hurried off. Back in the Common Room, Lily pulled James onto the sofa with her.
"So. What am I supposed to tell you?" James asked, taking a drink from his hot chocolate and handing the other bottle to her.
"What that Map is and how you found the kitchens."
"Right. We, me and Sirius, found the kitchens in our second year. We were up in the Common Room after hours one night, uh, doing research—"
"Planning yet another prank on the Slytherins, you mean."
"Hey, you call it what you want, I'll call it what I want. Anyway. The House Elves didn't notice we were there, but we saw them. And, we decided to . . follow them to see where they went. Tickle the pear, and get into the kitchens."
"What about that map?"
"Oh, this?" He handed it to her.
"How does it work?" He grinned.
"Watch. I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Ink swirled out from the center of the of the parchment, lines spreading across the page, showing a map of the castle with tiny, labeled dots moving around it.
"'Misters Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present The Marauder's Map.' Who are Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs? Oh, wait. Aren't those the nicknames—"
"Yep. I'm Prongs. Sirius is Padfoot, Remus is Moony, and Peter is Wormtail."
"You made this map?"
"Yes, we did. Took us two years, but we made it. The Marauder's Map. It's bewitched to show every person in Hogwarts, exactly as they are. Not to be tricked by Invisibility Cloaks, Polyjuice Potions, or Animagus forms. One hundred percent foolproof. And you can't tell anyone. Promise?"
"Yes, of course. I know how to keep a secret."
"I believe that." He caught her eye, and she looked away, blushing. "So. Did you like your Christmas present?"
"Oh, yes. The view is beautiful from up there. It's one of the most . . wonderful sights I've ever seen!" She looked so enraptured that he just had to laugh. "And just what is so funny?"
"It's just . . I never thought I'd take you, of all people, up there."
"Oh, yes. What was that nickname? Sunshine Lily?" He sighed.
"Katie told you?"
"No. I overheard you talking with the Marauders a while ago. It's okay. It didn't bother me. I don't mind. I'm cheerful; I know that."
"We didn't mean it badly or anything."
"I know. I kind of like it, to tell you the truth. But the trouble with you Marauders is that you tend to judge people before you know them. When all you have to go on are outward appearances. You shouldn't. There might be a lot under the surface that you aren't aware of. Just keep that in mind, won't you?" He nodded, a bit dumbfounded. "Well, thank you. I had a great time talking to you tonight. Happy Christmas."
He lay awake that night, thinking.
*I took Sunshine Lily–no. Just Lily, I suppose. Anyway. I took Lily to the Southeast Tower, which is my private getaway that I've never even shown the guys. And, I showed her the Map, the Cloak, and how to get into the kitchens. What's more, I enjoyed being with her tonight. This is crazy! I can't really be falling for Lily, can I?*
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A/N: There! Another part done! It may be a while before I can update again,though. SO be patient, please, and review!
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Those Wicked Eyes
Chapter 3~ Another side of Lily
"Aunt Connie is going to be upset with you, James," Katie told him as they stood on the train platform at Hogwarts. James wasn't going home for Christmas, due to the piles of work he had with NEWT's, Head duties, and regular school work. He hated missing out, but his parents had understood.
"I know. But she'll get over it. You'll just have to give her an extra hug for me, okay?"
"Sure."
"And you have the presents I'm sending, right?"
"Yes, James. But mine wasn't in the pile." He beheld her with amusement.
"Of course not. You really think I'd leave you alone with your present? You're not *that* dense."
"Thanks for the compliment, *Prongs*," she said sarcastically. Then she laughed.
"All aboard!" the conductor cried.
"See you, Midget," James said, hugging Katie.
"Ew! Get off! People will think we're related!" Katie joked, but hugged him back nonetheless.
"Give everyone my love," he told her as she boarded the train. She looked out the window.
"Only if you promise to think about what I keep telling you!" He sighed. Lily.
"Fine," he said, sticking his tongue out at her.
"All right then. Love you!"
"Love you, too!" he called as the train pulled away. He waved until the train was out of sight.
James trudged through the snow back to the castle. This would indeed be a white Christmas. He hurried to the Common Room to warm himself by the fire.
"Your sister off safely, then?" James jumped.
"You just love doing that, don't you?"
"Doing what?" lily asked, sitting next to him.
"Sneaking up on people. Why aren't you at home?"
"Dumbledore said it would probably be safer if I stayed here."
"Voldemort?"
"Yes. You say his name?"
"Dumbledore told me that fear of a name—"
"Increases fear of the thing itself. I know. But Dumbledore said he'd be targeting Muggle-borns first. So I'm here. Mum and Dad understood. And my sister Petunia was overjoyed." James laughed quietly. He was thinking about what Katie had told him repeatedly.
*You like Lily; admit it!* Did he?
No. Of course not. The very thought was ridiculous.
"Why are you staying?"
"Oh, so much work. Too much work. I've left my homework for too long. I've gotten everything in on time, but I have a pile of stuff to finish that's due after break. I'm swamped! Plus, and don't spread this around, okay?" he asked, leaning closer even though no one would overhear them in the secluded common Room. "But the family is convening at my Aunt Connie's this year. And no offense to her — I'm sure she's a very nice lady to others — but, I spend two weeks every summer at my Aunt Connie's, and she's always on my case about everything. I need to dress up for dinner, I need to comb my hair better, I need to think up a better topic for conversation than whatever it is I'm talking about. Things like that. Plus, she's always complaining about my career choice. 'Who wants to be an Auror? Why don't you go into the Ministry like your father?'" He sighed. "She probably won't be as bad with family around, but I know she'll still find ways to get on my case about everything."
Lily laughed, eyes sparkling. Goodness, but she looked pretty when she smiled. What was he thinking?
"Come now. It can't be as bad as all that."
"Oh, really?" he challenged. "Would you like to spend the summer with my Aunt Connie? I'll give you an owl when I leave; you can come along. We'll have to shove you under an Invisibility Cloak so she doesn't know you're there. Then you can witness firsthand the joys of Connie Potter!"
Lily laughed harder, and, playing along, she said, "sounds like a plan! But where would we get an Invisibility Cloak?" James' eyes twinkled.
"You really want to know?"
"What?"
Glancing around, as if to make sure no one else was present, he gestured to Lily with one finger. "Come here." She followed him into his room, where he set about unlocking the trunk at the foot of his bed. From it, he pulled out a silvery material.
Her eyes widened. "James! You have an Invisibility Cloak?"
"My father gave it to me when I came to Hogwarts."
"Is that how you . . ."
"Played all my pranks? Most of them. But that's not all I've used it for." He stopped, considering. "Come on," he said finally, leading her back into the Common Room.
"Come on where?"
"Care to go for a nighttime stroll?"
"James! It's after ten! We'd be out of bounds."
"Are you trying to tell me, Lily Evans, that you have never once broken a rule in all your seven years at Hogwarts?" She blushed.
"Well, once or twice . ."
"Then come on. I'm going to show you something you'll never get another chance to see."
She bit her lip. "All right," she said finally.
He grinned. "Great." He threw the Cloak around both of them and heard Lily gasp as she disappeared. "You have to be quiet, okay?" She nodded. He pulled a piece of parchment out of his pocket. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he whispered. The Marauders' Map swam into view on the paper.
"What is that?" she whispered.
"Shh. I'll tell you in a minute." Silently, he pushed the door open and stepped out into the empty corridor. Glancing at the Map, he saw that Filch was patrolling the Entrance Hall, while Mrs. Norris was on the fourth. He led her carefully to the Southeast Tower. Once inside, he pulled out his wand.
"*Lacamus*," he whispered, locking the door behind them. "Mischief managed." He pulled the Cloak off of them and led Lily up to the top of the tower. "There. See?" He pointed out across the lake. Hogsmeade lay nestled in the trees across from the castle, illuminated by torches and lampposts. It looked like a winter wonderland with the snow in the air. The moon shone from a hole in the snow clouds, casting a silvery light over the partially frozen lake while the snow fell upon them.
"Oh, wow," she breathed. "It's beautiful." She stood in wonder of the scene, her emerald eyes sparkling, snow in her hair. His breath caught in his throat as the snow crystals caught in her eyelashes, forming water droplets that cascaded down her cheeks when she closed her eyes. Even if she was Sunshine Lily, she was still beautiful.
"Happy Christmas," he whispered in her ear.
They stood entranced for a few more moments, their breaths coming out in white puffs of air as their cheeks grew rosy from the cold. She when she began shivering, he suggested that they head back to the Common Room. She nodded, still caught up in the wonder of the Christmas scene.
He led her down a secret passage. She hissed in his ear, "this doesn't look like the path back to the Common Room."
"That's because it's not. Shh." Before them stood a large painting of a bowl of fruit. He reached up and tickled the pear. A door appeared, and James pushed it opened, pulling Lily in after him. Immediately they were surrounded by House Elves.
"James Potter, sir, you have come back. What can we do for you, sir? Ham? Chocolate cake?"
James laughed. "No, no, Matty. Just two bottles of hot chocolate. You've got enough to do preparing the Christmas feast for tomorrow. Which, I must say smells delicious." The elves blushed.
"Sir is too kind," Matty said, rushing off to fetch what he wished.
"Wow. How'd you find this place?"
"Wasn't that hard. I'll tell you later."
"I'll add it to my list."
Three elves were hurrying toward them, bearing a silver platter, which was holding two plastic bottles of hot chocolate, plus a tin of biscuits.
"Is sir sure he will be wanting nothing else?"
"Yes, Matty. Thank you."
"And you, miss?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"You just get back to fixing the feast," James told them. Bowing, they hurried off. Back in the Common Room, Lily pulled James onto the sofa with her.
"So. What am I supposed to tell you?" James asked, taking a drink from his hot chocolate and handing the other bottle to her.
"What that Map is and how you found the kitchens."
"Right. We, me and Sirius, found the kitchens in our second year. We were up in the Common Room after hours one night, uh, doing research—"
"Planning yet another prank on the Slytherins, you mean."
"Hey, you call it what you want, I'll call it what I want. Anyway. The House Elves didn't notice we were there, but we saw them. And, we decided to . . follow them to see where they went. Tickle the pear, and get into the kitchens."
"What about that map?"
"Oh, this?" He handed it to her.
"How does it work?" He grinned.
"Watch. I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Ink swirled out from the center of the of the parchment, lines spreading across the page, showing a map of the castle with tiny, labeled dots moving around it.
"'Misters Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present The Marauder's Map.' Who are Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs? Oh, wait. Aren't those the nicknames—"
"Yep. I'm Prongs. Sirius is Padfoot, Remus is Moony, and Peter is Wormtail."
"You made this map?"
"Yes, we did. Took us two years, but we made it. The Marauder's Map. It's bewitched to show every person in Hogwarts, exactly as they are. Not to be tricked by Invisibility Cloaks, Polyjuice Potions, or Animagus forms. One hundred percent foolproof. And you can't tell anyone. Promise?"
"Yes, of course. I know how to keep a secret."
"I believe that." He caught her eye, and she looked away, blushing. "So. Did you like your Christmas present?"
"Oh, yes. The view is beautiful from up there. It's one of the most . . wonderful sights I've ever seen!" She looked so enraptured that he just had to laugh. "And just what is so funny?"
"It's just . . I never thought I'd take you, of all people, up there."
"Oh, yes. What was that nickname? Sunshine Lily?" He sighed.
"Katie told you?"
"No. I overheard you talking with the Marauders a while ago. It's okay. It didn't bother me. I don't mind. I'm cheerful; I know that."
"We didn't mean it badly or anything."
"I know. I kind of like it, to tell you the truth. But the trouble with you Marauders is that you tend to judge people before you know them. When all you have to go on are outward appearances. You shouldn't. There might be a lot under the surface that you aren't aware of. Just keep that in mind, won't you?" He nodded, a bit dumbfounded. "Well, thank you. I had a great time talking to you tonight. Happy Christmas."
He lay awake that night, thinking.
*I took Sunshine Lily–no. Just Lily, I suppose. Anyway. I took Lily to the Southeast Tower, which is my private getaway that I've never even shown the guys. And, I showed her the Map, the Cloak, and how to get into the kitchens. What's more, I enjoyed being with her tonight. This is crazy! I can't really be falling for Lily, can I?*
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A/N: There! Another part done! It may be a while before I can update again,though. SO be patient, please, and review!