Above All Else
Chapter 6: Dates, Dares, and Doubts
So sorry for taking so long to write! After I got back I went to a friends and then on vaca. I didn't have time to update! But here I am at last… updating finally! Thanks for the reviews! I appreciate it lots! And thanks to a few reviewers who even added me to their favorites! *Does a happy dance*
DISCLAIMER: I take no claim over any of JK Rowling's wonderful creations! What you notice as hers is hers, what you don't notice… well, that's mine!
PLEASE R/R: I really appreciate any reviews I get!
This chappie will have:
~some jealousy on the boys behalf b/c certain girls are on dates
~a quidditch match
~a game of dare
~James and Sirius talk about what Dumbledore meant when talking about 'The Four'
~Sirius acting SERIOUS! *Gasp*
~~~~~~~~~******CHAPTER 6******~~~~~~~
"If Potter made me do one more freaking 'practice dive' I think I would've accidentally lost control of my broomstick and connected the handle with his head," a muddy fifteen-year-old moaned.
"I feel for you, Danni! We can only hope it would've popped a whole in it and let some of the air come out of Potter's inflated head! Merlin only knows why Johnson let him take over the practice when he had to go to the Hospital Wing," an equally dirty redhead fumed.
As the two girls emerged from the showers 15 minutes later, they dressed quickly and headed down to dinner, Lily leaning on Daniella for support as she grimaced at the pain from her throbbing ankle. Glancing around the Great Hall, they saw Charisma and Maddie sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table, whereas the Marauders were luckily sitting at a good 50 feet away. Taking a seat next to the other two girls, Daniella and Lily let out a soft groan.
"Ahh… I'm in pain. I sprained my bloody ankle," said Lily squirming in her seat, wincing in pain as she tried to get comfortable.
Charisma laughed at the sight. "Take it Potter's not going to easy on you?"
"Easy is the understatement of the century," muttered Lily in reply.
"Bloody hell, I'm in serious need of a massage!" Daniella winced as she attempted to rub out the painful knot in her back.
"I can help you there," came a voice from behind her. Before she could turn around two hands situated themselves on her back.
"BLACK! Kindly get your filthy hands….. ooooooooh!" Daniella moaned ever so slightly as the hands continued to work their way around her back. Suddenly snapping out of her reverie she turned and slapped Sirius Black across the face. Then flinging her hair over her shoulder, she got up and stalked out of the Hall.
"Above all else, I will always hate you, Sirius Black," Daniella said, spitting out his name as though it was poison to her lips.
"Talk about de ja vu, I remember those exact words from when she first yelled at me in first year," Sirius said, grinning to himself.
Madison buried her face in her hands, Remus shook his head, Peter shook nervously, Charisma just gave him an odd look, James laughed, and Lily glared.
"It's not funny Potter," Lily coldly said, turning to fix him with the Look, not just any look… the Look. Danni had always used it as a defense mechanism, using the icy glare would probably make Albus Dumbledore himself tremble. Having spent so much time around the latter, Lily had picked it up herself, finding it quite effective. "Your friend, has again single-handedly managed to make Daniella upset enough to not finish dinner!"
James and Sirius let out a snort of laughter. It was common knowledge that she had an appetite that could rival anyone's and hardly ever passed up the chance for a snack.
"Why thank-you, Lily flower! I do believe you just complimented me," Sirius replied, while James smirked.
"Padfoot, you just don't know when to stop," muttered Remus to his friend.
This time it was Sirius who earned the glare from a certain redhead. Lily dropped her fork with a clatter, and stood up immediately. Stepping over the bench, she took a quick step, forgetting all about her weakened ankle. As it gave out beneath her, she let out a cry of pain and hurtled towards the floor. Just inches away from hitting, a pair of strong arms encircled her waist saving her from a potentially painful collision with the ground. Helping her to her feet, Lily let out a sigh of relief. "Thank y…" The words died from her lips as she turned around to meet the hazel eyes of James Potter. Lily turned away without another word, and was helped out of the Great Hall by Charisma and Madison, both shooting furtive glances back at the boys. As the three girls disappeared from sight, James turned back to his fellow Marauders.
"Well that went well," Remus said tiredly.
"Indeed it did…"
~~~~~****~~~~~
A week had past since the 'massage' incident, and the first quidditch game of the season was upon them. Throughout the halls, Gryffindors and Slytherins could be seen hexing each other in the halls. Enormous tension had built up between the two houses, as a result of the narrow Gryffindor defeat the previous year.
As the Gryffindor quidditch team dressed in their scarlet robes, James Potter began to talk. "Ok team, we've got this. Last year was a close one…" Several of the players frowned at the remembrance. "But… we've worked our asses off this year. No one deserves this more than us. Johnson is still in the Hospital Wing from Malfoy jinxing him, but we still stand a better chance than anyone else. We've got a tremendous Chaser line-up, two unbeatable beaters, a keeper who can stop just about anything, and a fresh new seeker who has one hell of a lot of talent! We all want this, now lets go out there and get it! We've worked for hours on end, practicing every single thing imaginable!"
Lily interrupted him muttering, "He means every single thing, for the love of Merlin, we practiced the god damn hokey pokey on our brooms." Several of the others snorted at this.
"Evans, just for once, shut up. Or, you can go out with me. Either way it's a win-win situation," he said as an afterthought. Lily looked disgusted while Sirius grinned and said, "Prongs, ol' pal, this isn't the time to ask out fair Lillian." Daniella whacked him upside the head for that comment.
James cleared his throat and began speaking as a still smirking Sirius rubbed the back of his head. "As I was saying, we've worked on everything. We've got nothing holding us back. You all have everything going for you, the only thing that can hold you back is your lack of confidence in yourselves. I'm telling you right now that this is the best damn team Hogwarts has ever seen. As much as I know we all would love to see the smile wiped off those slimy git's faces, we don't have anything to prove to them. Prove it to yourselves!"
"Alrighty then! Hands in," Daniella screamed. After a team cheer, the seven Gryffindors mounted their brooms, waiting to be announced by Remus Lupin.
"And donned in scarlet, comes the Gryffindor! Chasers Daniella Flynn, James Potter, and reserve Paul Finnigan are showing promise, followed by beaters Sirius Black and Kristoff Wood. Next up Lily Evans, a fantastic keeper if I might add. And last… but certainly not least, Seeker Starla Spinnet!!!" The Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff stands broke out into a roar of tumultuous applause.
"And here comes the Slytherins, clad in green. For chasers they've got Jesselma Flint, Lucius Malfoy, and Yolanda Wippestein. Next out, beaters Eldon Wilkes and Marco Rosier… fat, ugly beasts they are…"
"LUPIN!"
"Oh yes, sorry 'bout that bit Professor. Seeker Bellatrix Black and Keeper Rodulphus Lestrange finishing off the Slytherin team."
As James and Lucius Malfoy shook hands, both looking as though trying to break the others hand, the game commenced.
"Gryffindors got an amazing team this year. And Flynn grabs the quaffle, speedy thing she is. And shes off… swerving a bludger hit by that oaf Rosier. She's got a shot, she shoots… but wait it was a feint. Flynn passes to Potter who lays it easily through the hoops. Great play, that was! 10-nill Gryffindor!"
A half an hour passed, and Gryffindors led 50-10. There had not yet been any sign of the snitch. As James flew past Starla Spinnet, he said "Just keep your eyes pealed. Your doing great! Our last seeker had nothing on you." He laughed and then sped away to attack the quaffle. As Starla grinned in spite of herself, she saw a flash of gold hovering over the Hufflepuff stands. Within a moment, she was in a fast dive.
"And the quaffle is taken… oh wait! Spinnet has spotted something. She's in a fast dive, with Black right on her tail. Nice bludger work by Sirius Black, hitting his cousin in the arm. Looks like Spinnet's gonna crash… ouch!" Remus grimaced, along with the cries of many others. Starla Spinnet had just landed head first into a crowd of third year Hufflepuff's, her hand clenched in a fist.
"Merlin! Spinnet's got the snitch! Gryffindor wins 200-10 points! What a game, spectacular team effort!"
Hours later, well after a party had commenced in the Gryffindor Common Room, the Marauders joined the Merlour's in front of the fireplace.
"Nice game, Evans. Especially nice save at the end there," James raved. Lily chose not to respond. "You all did great! Put those prats in their place. We're sure to win the Cup with you four on the team," yelled Charisma over the music.
"Where did you get all the butterbeer for tonight?" Daniella questioned suspiciously.
"A man never tells his secrets," Sirius said.
"So you're a man now? Could've sworn you needed balls to be of that gender," Daniella replied. The others laughed, but Sirius' smile turned to a frown.
"Are you trying to tell me that I'm scared of a challenge? You're on! Fancy a game of Dare?"
"It's truth or dare, you great moron," Lily said.
"That it is, Lily dearest. Only, truth is boring. Dare's are so much more…" James began.
"… Risky?" Madison supplied.
"Yes… so much more risky," James finished.
"You're on," Lily said. The other seven nodded in agreement. After three singing outbursts, two declarations of love, four outfit changes, and five pranks, it was James' turn.
"Remus… I dare you to kiss Madison." Sirius, Peter, Charisma, and Daniella stifled a laugh. Remus glared at James, Madison blushed furiously, and Lily let out a faint smile while still feeling a bit sorry for Madison. (A/N: Lily doesn't feel sorry for Madison because she thinks Remus is a bad guy, she feels sorry for her because she doesn't think that they like each other. Who knows? Maybe they do? Maybe they don't?)
"Well… c'mon now. Not afraid of a challenge, are you Moony?" James taunted. He had a hunch that his best friend might have a crush on his Merlour counterpart.
"Not at all," he replied and with that he land over and planted a kiss on Madison's lips. Both breaking away, blushing furiously. After Charisma completed her dare of putting the Flatulence Jinx on herself, she turned to Daniella and Lily.
"Daniella and Lily…"
"You can't dare two people!" Lily protested.
"Afraid, Lils?"
"Never Potter! Bring it on, Carrie," Lily fumed. Then added, "And don't let me hear you calling me Lils again!" James merely grinned. Sirius, James, Lily, and Daniella competed in quidditch, pranks, grades, and their social lives. While the girls really did seem to think they hated the boys, James and Sirius just enjoyed the rivalry.
"Ok… Daniella and Lily, I dare you to ask the first two boys in sixth or seventh year who you see tomorrow to go to Hogsmeade with you," Charisma said. Daniella and Lily shared a quizzical look, but nodded none the less. James and Sirius both grinned maniacally, Charisma who noticed this then added, "but they have to be from either Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff." James and Sirius both looked crestfallen. "But Carrie, this would've been the perfect revenge," whined Sirius. Charisma laughed at this and shrugged innocently.
The next morning James and Sirius awoke at 6 AM, both having a very determined, yet mischievous gleam in their eye. This was probably the earliest either of them had ever woken up. James liked to sleep until about 8:30, while Sirius loved sleeping until noon. Creeping into the girls dormitory, by way of the secret passage behind the meadow painting, the two boys leaned over Lily and Daniella's bed, muttering the words "Caeco temporalis" under their breath. Smiling to themselves, James and Sirius walked back to their dorm to get dressed for the day. Heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast by seven, they managed to arrive back in the Common Room by eight o'clock.
"It'll be 10:30 until Flynn wakes up on her own accord," Sirius said.
"True… but Lily Flower will be up by 9. Then of course, she'll scream bloody murder and wake up Danni-Boy as well."
"Good point, Prongs… good point." Just then, a yawning Remus walked downstairs. As he spotted James and Sirius he had to double check his own vision.
"Why are you two up? Sirius, your like a damn hibernating bear! You never wake up before 11 on a Saturday. What are you up to?"
"Calm down Moony! We just had a little er…incentive this morning," James said smiling sweetly.
"Sure you did…"
Sure enough, one hour later, every sleeping person in Gryffindor tower was awoken by the human alarm clock, Lily Evans.
"Bloody hell Lils. I'm dead tired! Gimme' a few more minutes," Daniella moaned turning over in bed.
"I'M BLIND!!!" Lily opened her eyes, but saw nothing but black.
"What?" Daniella shot up out of bed. "AAAHHHHHH! I'm blind too!"
"POTTER!!!!!"
"SIR BLOODY EYES!"
"Calm down. Erm… I'm sure we can fix it." Maddie suggested timidly.
"Looks like you won't be asking anyone out afterall. Should've known they'd do something like this," snorted Charisma.
Downstairs the boys were snickering. "Expect its time to run?" Sirius asked.
"Why bother? They can't see us! Meaning, they couldn't find us if we were right under their noses," James said gleefully.
"I should've known you did something," Remus said.
"Of course we did!"
"What this time?" Peter asked, having just joined them.
"Let's just say they won't be going on any dates today," James snickered.
Just then Lily and Daniella appeared. Lily was wearing a skimpy satin nightgown, while Daniella had on just a tight camisole and tiny shorts. Sirius let out a whistle, forgetting he was suppose to be quiet. Remus and Peter, both not wanting to be faced with the wrath of Lily Evans and Daniella Flynn, made for the Great Hall.
"Shut it, Padfoot!" James hissed, hoping the girls couldn't tell that they were in the Common Room.
Lily grabbed hold of Daniella and began walking in the boys direction. The girls were now just a few feet from them, and the boys began backing up… straight into a wall.
"Damn it," James muttered. Just then Lily tripped over the rug and let out a scream, as she began falling. For the second time in two weeks, strong arms grabbed her around the her small waist and lifted her to her feet.
"Ah well, the gig is up. Miss Evans, I do believe you've got us. But might I add, this is the second time in two weeks that I've saved you?"
"Don't flatter yourself, Potter. You forget that both times it was your fault I fell. Now fix our vision this instant," Lily yelled.
"Why don't you just perform your wandless magic or something? Sounds like something the Four might do," Sirius burst out. Realizing his mistake he instantly swore under his breath.
In a deathly calm voice Daniella said, "Change us back now, Black." Reluctantly James and Sirius performed the countercurse.
"I forgot you were hiding under the Invisibility Cloak that night." James and Sirius' eyes grew wide at this comment. Sensing their reaction's Lily said, "Merlin, we know you have that thing. You've been using it for years! Honestly, Madison even saw you using it! We insist that you keep quiet about whatever you heard that night."
"Erm… we don't know what the Four are though. Sorry for listening in," James said quietly, suddenly growing extremely nervous.
"I didn't think you would. But still, you mustn't tell anyone about this, even your friends," Daniella added, though she tried to sound harsh when saying this, their was a frightened note in her voice that Sirius recognized. She then managed a laugh and added sarcastically, "Voldemort might not be too happy if the whole wizarding world found out what we were. You know, it'd be harder if we were protected."
Sirius and James both shifted uneasily. The four students looked at one another, as thought daring one another to speak. It was Sirius who began first, "You mean no one's protecting you?" He spoke uneasily, almost with a note of panic.
"We're big girls, Black. I assure you we can handle anything, even you," she spoke with almost a note of sincerity as she gave Sirius a faint smile. Why am I smiling at him? Why is he being nice? Why am I talking to myself? This is getting weird, Daniella thought to herself.
"Still, it's not safe. Even your temper doesn't match Voldemort's when he wants something, Evans," James added, glancing at her.
"I imagine I can hold my own. Afterall, I've got more going for me than temper. You both dare to speak Voldemort's name?" Lily asked.
"Why not? What's the good in saying You-know-who? I bet it only makes him happy to hear people fear him so much," James reasoned, with Sirius nodding along.
"Nice deduction, Sherlock," Daniella joked.
"Elementary, Ms. Watson," James responded.
"Oh Merlin!"
"What is it Black?"
"I do believe we are having a moment, Flynn."
"Never."
"Impossible."
"yeah right."
"Just making sure," Sirius laughed. It was only then that the girls realized they only had on their barely-there pajamas. Blushing furiously, they ran back upstairs to change. As they came back down with Charisma and Madison, the girls headed off to the Great Hall. The girls had been gone about three minutes, when James and Sirius realized Lily and Daniella were going to ask two guys out. As they ran, James said, "I bet Lily won't get a date. Haha…. I'll laugh so hard!"
"Man, she'll get a date alright! Even if you don't exactly get along, Lily's hot," Sirius yelled back. They had just reached the Great Hall and nearly vomited at the sight that met them. Lily Evans was being hugged by Collin Patil, while Daniella was caught in a liplock with Andrew Potter.
"Told you they'd find dates," Sirius said dully, looking a little off about something but still attempting to smile.
"Guess you're right," James replied. Wow, Lily's gorgeous. Damn that Patil! We're suppose to be friends, but he goes and steals Lily from me! Bloody hell! Where did that come from? This is mad, I don't like her really. I just like asking her out to annoy her… right? I'm not thinking this! I'm not thinking this…
"What are you thinking?" Sirius said staring at his best friend skeptically.
"How amazing it is that Lily actually got a date!" Wish it was me! Here I go again.
"Sure you are," Sirius said turning back to the girls where Daniella was gawking at Andrew for kissing her. Why do I care if she kisses that git? Wait, Andy's one of my friends, so why the hell am I dissing him? Flynn isn't even that good-looking, ok maybe just a little. Ok a lot. But she's not my type. I go for the peppy, blonde-haired (A/N: this is not meant as an insult to blondes! I'm just saying that Sirius prefers them usually) tan-skinned type. Dammit… Flynn's hot and we all know it, but I still don't like her! I just like making her mad, and her laugh… and her eyes…and her smile… and… HOLD UP? What the bloody hell am I thinking?
"What are you thinking?" It was James turn to ask this question.
"That we should go to Hogsmeade," said Sirius forcing himself to smile. Unfortunately, the day was miserable for him. James was off on a date with his latest flavor of the week, Jennifer Davies, a pretty Ravenclaw in their year. Sirius, though being followed by admirers shrugged them all off, very unhappy for some reason. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he didn't seem to want to spend time with any of those girls. When he saw Daniella with Andrew, his stomach gave a lurch. Sirius told himself it was because he was hungry. The following week, Andrew and Daniella were seen together often, having acquired a new relationship. Lily and Collin only went to Hogsmeade together, both feeling they preferred staying friends.
"Can I tell you something?" Collin had asked when he had sat with Lily at the Three Broomsticks.
"Sure."
"Listen, I liked you a lot over the summer, but the feeling has seemed to have kinda left. You're really great. Smart, talented, funny, and hot as hell, but I kinda like someone different, so…"
"Collin, don't worry about it! I didn't want to ruin our friendship either. You see, Carrie dared Danni and I to ask the first people we saw to Hogsmeade and you were it! Not that there isn't someone I'd rather spend a day with, just I love you like a brother, nothing more."
"Lily, you're the best."
"So, who do you like?" Collin laughed at that, shaking his head at her.
As the week had passed, Sirius had grown just that… Sirius. Everyone was worried about him, they had never seen him so mellow. He still pranked, still smiled, still laughed, but all his actions seemed to be devoid of happiness. Sirius Black was going through the motions of life, without feeling like he was really there. Something was bugging him, he just couldn't explain what…..
~~~~~~~*******AUTHORS NOTES******~~~~~~~~
Hope you liked it! That was my least favorite chapter. I'm so tired of writing, it's 2 in the morning and I started this at like 9:30. Ah… I need my sleep now. Hmm… reviews are appreciated, as is constructive criticism. I hope to publish another chappie tomorrow, or today rather. I'll write soon.
Caeco Temporalis – Blind temporarily
Next chapter is the big one!!! Ok, there won't be much romance or hatred or that kinda thing I don't think. It's kinda going to explain some things. *CoughMerlin'sfourCough*
Luv always,
MissSLEEPYBlueEyes