I would like to remind all my readers that nothing is my own, except what
is unfamiliar.....This chapter is going to seem slow, and I apologize for
the method to my madness....enjoy.
*Chapter 2: The Lion and the Snake
Lily awoke the next morning to a frustrated Beth. "I can't find my qudditch robes," she exclaimed.
"Damn it Beth, your match isn't until one, can't you let us sleep for crying out loud," said a grouchy December.
"No, James wants us all at the field by eight sharp, meaning I've got fifteen minuets to find my robes, eat breakfast and get down to the field," Beth said sharply.
Lily and her dorm mates were use to this type of Beth behavior during quidditch season, they often told her she'd lose her head if it wasn't attached. James was the quidditch tyrant, since he had been appointed quidditch captain in his sixth year, he had made it a point to make everyone on the team miserable on game day, it was the only thing he took seriously, in Lily's opinion.
"If I'm late again.....they're already pissed at me because of the whole Rodney thing," Beth cried.
"Beth, calm down, check under your bed, and I'll check in your trunk," Lily said finally.
"Here it is, thank you so much Lily," Beth gave Lily a huge hug and ran out the door.
"I wish I could kill her sometimes," December said coldly as she smashed her pillow over her head, determined not to wake up. Lily knew it was useless trying to get back to sleep, so she decided to get up and start her day. Her anger had blown over from the previous night, she still hated James Potter, but she didn't feel like ripping his head off anymore. It was a beautiful Saturday, and Lily thought she might go for a walk outside and enjoy the nice fall weather.
She made her way down to the Great Hall for a bit of breakfast, she was almost the only student up at this early hour, almost. Lily let out a frustrated sigh as she saw the Slytherin Quidditch team, lead by the jerk of Quiddith Captains Anthony Points.
"Look, it's one of the loser," he jeered, "come to eat while you still have the stomach to do so?"
"I'd watch it Points, or else I'll be forced to reprimand you," Lily warned.
"I don't care if you are Head Girl, your still a mudblood, a filthy piece of scum that doesn't deserve to be in this school," he shot back coldly.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore or McGonagall would like to hear your opinions of me," she said bravely, her heart was racing and she was fighting back tears.
"That's all you mudbloods can do, run to professors, you'll get yours, just wait," he stared at her like she was nothing, and pushed by her as he and his team made their exit from the Great Hall.
Lily stood there motionless, she couldn't believe she hadn't done something, anything. She looked over at the Slytherin table and she saw a greasy Severus Snape smiling wildly.
"What are you smiling at!" she shouted at him.
"Apparently, nothing," he said coldly, it was almost as if he had read her mind.
She shot him a glare and walked over the Gryffindor table to eat her breakfast. There were a few second years and one fourth year looking at her, she was Head Girl and she had let the Slytherins talk to her like she wasn't anything but mud. She smiled at them, but their looks of shock (or maybe her encounter with the Slytherins) has caused her to lose her appetite.
She finally made it to the front doors, and the crisp fall air stung her face as she opened them. "Just a short walk, and I'll forget all about Potter, Points , Snape and all of them," she thought to herself.
She walked around the lake, by Hagrid's (the game keeper) hut and finally down by the Quidditch field. She was curious to see how Beth was flying. Beth had been knock off her broom 25 feet in the air at the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw, last year. She had been in the hospital wing for almost a week, and she had developed a slight fear of flying thanks to the incident. Lily caught a glimpse of Beth spiraling down toward the ground with a Quaffle.
"Looks like she cured," Lily said happily to herself.
"Caught ya,"
She felt a pair of strong-arms grab her from behind, and a eerie voice in her ear. She let out a horrified scream.
The arms suddenly released and she spun around to a smiling James Potter.
"You bastard, you almost gave me a heart attack!" she shrilled.
"That's not very lady-like Evans," he smiled back. "Where were you last night? I waited."
A hurt expression suddenly developed on his face.
"I told you I wasn't meeting with you about anymore outings or events, you seem perfectly capable of planning them without me," she said coldly. She was still breathing hard, and holding her hands against her chest. They stood there in an awkward silence.
"I'm sorry I scared you, I didn't mean to upset you," he said sincerely. "Sirius said he saw someone over here spying, and I came to check it out."
Lily felt her face flush, and she began to yell, then suddenly stopped herself and shook her head, "that's okay, I guess."
"I came to see how Beth was flying, you know, after what happened last year," she said, although she didn't feel she owed him an explanation.
"Yea, that was a nasty fall, stupid prat Gobler, pelting that bludger at her when she had her head turned and all," he said staring over towards the Quidditch field.
"Isn't that the point of the game?" Lily asked.
"No, that was a cheap shot, she didn't even have the Quaffle," James argued. "At least we beat the bloody hell out of them." He smirked.
Lily smiled, "I honestly can't believe she got back on a broom after that."
"She's tough, I never had any doubts," James said confidently.
Lily stared over at him, she had never really talked to him before, he wasn't as bad as she had imagined. She could see what Beth was talking about, he did look different in him Quidditch robes, the small beads of sweat forming at his forehead, and that proud look in his eyes.
"What are you staring at Evans?" he smirked.
Lily blushed, why did he have to ruin this moment, "oh, don't be so arrogant," she spat.
She turned on her heels and stormed away, she glanced once over her shoulder and saw a smiling James watching her. She shot him back a smile and headed back towards the castle.
"What was that God awful noise?" Sirius yelled as he flew up behind James.
"Nothing," James said turning his head from Lily.
"Ah, Evans, finally tell her you love her mate?" Sirius said sarcastically.
"Shut-up you stupid prat." James replied as he punched Sirius in the arm. Sirius let out a bark like laugh as shook his head at his friend.
"Well, you better get with her soon, I'm getting tired of copying homework with L.E. doodled all over the edges," Sirius joked.
"Padfoot, if you learned to do your own work, we wouldn't have this problem," James said, "we'd better get back to practice, we've got a tough game this afternoon."
Later that afternoon the entire school began to crowd into the Quidditch stadium. It was the most anticipated match of the year, Gyrffindor and Slytherin.
"Come on Lily, let's sit up near the top, it's the best seats," December yelled as she grabbed Lily's arms.
Lily let her friend drag her up to the top rafter, in front of them sat Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. They were the two Marauders not on the house team. "Hey guys, save us a seat," December said pleasently.
Peter blushed and gave a mousy smile, while Lupin just replied, "oh course."
Dreamy Johnston wasn't far behind Lily and December. She gazed at them politely and took a seat next to December.
"What's up roomy?" December asked slyly. December knew that Dreamy rarely said a word, and when she did it was because she absolutely had to. To everyone's surprise Dreamy smiled and said, "thinking about asking Peter here to the dance."
"What?" December gasped.
"Me, I was thinking of asking Peter Pettigrew to the Halloween dance."
It seemed time had stopped for a split second, the quidditch teams entered the stadium, but the world was silent to everyone on the top rafter in the Gryffindor box.
"Me?" Peter choked out.
"Yes, you," Dreamy said stupidly.
December cracked a wicked grin, "well this is the gossip of the month."
Peter looked desperately over towards Lupin, as if he needed help, or advice, or anything.
Lupin just smiled, "I think the lady asked you a question Wormtail."
Peter gave Lupin a hateful glare, as if to say, thanks a lot.
Dreamy seemed to be getting impatient and finally spat out, "WELL?"
Peter still looking completely lost and confused nodded in her direction. Dreamy smiled and gave her normal indication she preferred to remain silent the rest of the match.
The rest of the group finally started paying attention to the Qudditch match. Gryffindor was killing Slytherin by 40 points. Suddenly Slytherin's team captain and seeker Anthony Points made a dive toward the tiny golden snitch. James Potter as suddenly right on his tail.
"Is that legal?" December asked Lupin.
He just shrugged.
James inched closer and closer until finally he finally was beside Points. He veered his boom violently into him. "FOUL! ILLEGAL PLAYER POSITION" Points screamed. As he was objecting the Gyrffindor seeker Kathy Bell grabbed the snitch.
Suddenly the stands erupted in protest. Half the group screaming foul the other half screaming fair play. Mr. Dafney (Quidditch official and flying instructor) shouted out, "FAIR PLAY, GRYFFINDOR WINS."
James Potter, Gryffindor team captain and chaser had just knocked Pointes away from the snitch and won the game. Everybody, but the Slytherins, were on their feet in celebration. Even Lily Evans found herself cheering and screaming in excitement. James Potter soared on his broom over the stands, and as he came close to Lily, he shot her a wink. Instead of turning her head in protest she blushed, and James felt his heart skip a beat.
The crowd slowly began to calm down, and the victorious Gryffindors waved to their fans as they departed from the stadium. December and Lily screamed out to Beth who was glowing from head to toe, they saw Sirius throw his arm around her in a victory hug as they disappeared from sight.
"She better not get any ideas," December said cooly.
Lily looked at her puzzled, but December never faltered. Finally she decided she was just going to have to ask. "What ideas?"
"About stealing my date to the dance," December said as she cracked a grin.
Lily's jaw dropped, "You and Sirius Black?"
"Yea, he asked me after your tantrum last night," December said casually.
"I didn't know you liked him like that." Lily replied.
"I'm not sure I do," she winked back. "Now we have to find you a date Lils."
"Oh no, I can do that perfectly fine by myself," Lily warned.
December shot her a playful grin and said, "I'm sure you can."
The two girls walked silently back to the common room. When they arrived, the party had already broken out. Lily started to protest, but December shot her a give it a rest Evans look, and Lily decided to let the celebration slide, this time. Somehow, someone had found a way to bring butterbeer, sweets from Honeydukes and all kinds of goodies from Hogmeade into the Gryffindor common room. Somehow, someone always did.
"I'm going to tell Professor McGonagall that the celebration is under control," Lily said forcefully. She hated having to tell Professor McGonagall that a party had erupted in her house common room, she felt McGonagall was disappointed in her every time. She disappeared through the portrait.
When she finally returned half and hour later she walked into chaos. The entire house was celebrating like Voldemort had just fallen from power. "What in the world," she muttered.
December was in the corner with Beth giggling about something, well at least Beth was giggling.
"I thought I could trust you guys to keep it under control?" Lily said to her friends.
"Can't, our team captain just created a new rule to Quidditch, it's being added to the books as we speak, the Potter exception is what their calling it," December informed her.
"A player can change position if necessary, when attempting to dislodge a bludger or keep the seeker from catching the snitch," Beth quoted with a smile. Lily rolled her eyes as if their excuse didn't satisfy her.
Lily was about to break up the party when December yelled, "don't be an old maid, live for once in your life Evans!"
Lily shot December a smile, and decided to let the insanity continue for a while longer.
"So Evans, hear who I'm taking to the Halloween dance and feast," said a cocky voice from behind her.
Lily spun around to see a confident Sirius Black gloating. "Yea, heard you got lucky this time," she responded.
December looked seriously at Beth who was giving her an envious smile. "The sun shines on a pigs ass every once and a while, doesn't Sirius," December said sarcastically.
"Don't play games with me love, you know your the luckiest girl in school right now," Sirius smirked back.
"No, your the fastest guy in school, you just happened to be the first person to ask me," she responded coolly. "I hear your fast in other ways too," she added with a grin.
"December O'Riley, are you trying to get fresh with me?" Sirius said with a cocky grin.
"Mr. Black, what kind of girl do you think I am," she replied casually.
Sirius turned his attention away from December and Beth and looked straight at Lily. "So who are you going to the dance with?"
Lily blushed. Sirius seemed to like her response, "James is still available," he added.
"But I'm not," she replied.
December and Beth both shot her a look of curiosity, but she shook her head and motioned she tell them later.
*Chapter 2: The Lion and the Snake
Lily awoke the next morning to a frustrated Beth. "I can't find my qudditch robes," she exclaimed.
"Damn it Beth, your match isn't until one, can't you let us sleep for crying out loud," said a grouchy December.
"No, James wants us all at the field by eight sharp, meaning I've got fifteen minuets to find my robes, eat breakfast and get down to the field," Beth said sharply.
Lily and her dorm mates were use to this type of Beth behavior during quidditch season, they often told her she'd lose her head if it wasn't attached. James was the quidditch tyrant, since he had been appointed quidditch captain in his sixth year, he had made it a point to make everyone on the team miserable on game day, it was the only thing he took seriously, in Lily's opinion.
"If I'm late again.....they're already pissed at me because of the whole Rodney thing," Beth cried.
"Beth, calm down, check under your bed, and I'll check in your trunk," Lily said finally.
"Here it is, thank you so much Lily," Beth gave Lily a huge hug and ran out the door.
"I wish I could kill her sometimes," December said coldly as she smashed her pillow over her head, determined not to wake up. Lily knew it was useless trying to get back to sleep, so she decided to get up and start her day. Her anger had blown over from the previous night, she still hated James Potter, but she didn't feel like ripping his head off anymore. It was a beautiful Saturday, and Lily thought she might go for a walk outside and enjoy the nice fall weather.
She made her way down to the Great Hall for a bit of breakfast, she was almost the only student up at this early hour, almost. Lily let out a frustrated sigh as she saw the Slytherin Quidditch team, lead by the jerk of Quiddith Captains Anthony Points.
"Look, it's one of the loser," he jeered, "come to eat while you still have the stomach to do so?"
"I'd watch it Points, or else I'll be forced to reprimand you," Lily warned.
"I don't care if you are Head Girl, your still a mudblood, a filthy piece of scum that doesn't deserve to be in this school," he shot back coldly.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore or McGonagall would like to hear your opinions of me," she said bravely, her heart was racing and she was fighting back tears.
"That's all you mudbloods can do, run to professors, you'll get yours, just wait," he stared at her like she was nothing, and pushed by her as he and his team made their exit from the Great Hall.
Lily stood there motionless, she couldn't believe she hadn't done something, anything. She looked over at the Slytherin table and she saw a greasy Severus Snape smiling wildly.
"What are you smiling at!" she shouted at him.
"Apparently, nothing," he said coldly, it was almost as if he had read her mind.
She shot him a glare and walked over the Gryffindor table to eat her breakfast. There were a few second years and one fourth year looking at her, she was Head Girl and she had let the Slytherins talk to her like she wasn't anything but mud. She smiled at them, but their looks of shock (or maybe her encounter with the Slytherins) has caused her to lose her appetite.
She finally made it to the front doors, and the crisp fall air stung her face as she opened them. "Just a short walk, and I'll forget all about Potter, Points , Snape and all of them," she thought to herself.
She walked around the lake, by Hagrid's (the game keeper) hut and finally down by the Quidditch field. She was curious to see how Beth was flying. Beth had been knock off her broom 25 feet in the air at the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw, last year. She had been in the hospital wing for almost a week, and she had developed a slight fear of flying thanks to the incident. Lily caught a glimpse of Beth spiraling down toward the ground with a Quaffle.
"Looks like she cured," Lily said happily to herself.
"Caught ya,"
She felt a pair of strong-arms grab her from behind, and a eerie voice in her ear. She let out a horrified scream.
The arms suddenly released and she spun around to a smiling James Potter.
"You bastard, you almost gave me a heart attack!" she shrilled.
"That's not very lady-like Evans," he smiled back. "Where were you last night? I waited."
A hurt expression suddenly developed on his face.
"I told you I wasn't meeting with you about anymore outings or events, you seem perfectly capable of planning them without me," she said coldly. She was still breathing hard, and holding her hands against her chest. They stood there in an awkward silence.
"I'm sorry I scared you, I didn't mean to upset you," he said sincerely. "Sirius said he saw someone over here spying, and I came to check it out."
Lily felt her face flush, and she began to yell, then suddenly stopped herself and shook her head, "that's okay, I guess."
"I came to see how Beth was flying, you know, after what happened last year," she said, although she didn't feel she owed him an explanation.
"Yea, that was a nasty fall, stupid prat Gobler, pelting that bludger at her when she had her head turned and all," he said staring over towards the Quidditch field.
"Isn't that the point of the game?" Lily asked.
"No, that was a cheap shot, she didn't even have the Quaffle," James argued. "At least we beat the bloody hell out of them." He smirked.
Lily smiled, "I honestly can't believe she got back on a broom after that."
"She's tough, I never had any doubts," James said confidently.
Lily stared over at him, she had never really talked to him before, he wasn't as bad as she had imagined. She could see what Beth was talking about, he did look different in him Quidditch robes, the small beads of sweat forming at his forehead, and that proud look in his eyes.
"What are you staring at Evans?" he smirked.
Lily blushed, why did he have to ruin this moment, "oh, don't be so arrogant," she spat.
She turned on her heels and stormed away, she glanced once over her shoulder and saw a smiling James watching her. She shot him back a smile and headed back towards the castle.
"What was that God awful noise?" Sirius yelled as he flew up behind James.
"Nothing," James said turning his head from Lily.
"Ah, Evans, finally tell her you love her mate?" Sirius said sarcastically.
"Shut-up you stupid prat." James replied as he punched Sirius in the arm. Sirius let out a bark like laugh as shook his head at his friend.
"Well, you better get with her soon, I'm getting tired of copying homework with L.E. doodled all over the edges," Sirius joked.
"Padfoot, if you learned to do your own work, we wouldn't have this problem," James said, "we'd better get back to practice, we've got a tough game this afternoon."
Later that afternoon the entire school began to crowd into the Quidditch stadium. It was the most anticipated match of the year, Gyrffindor and Slytherin.
"Come on Lily, let's sit up near the top, it's the best seats," December yelled as she grabbed Lily's arms.
Lily let her friend drag her up to the top rafter, in front of them sat Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. They were the two Marauders not on the house team. "Hey guys, save us a seat," December said pleasently.
Peter blushed and gave a mousy smile, while Lupin just replied, "oh course."
Dreamy Johnston wasn't far behind Lily and December. She gazed at them politely and took a seat next to December.
"What's up roomy?" December asked slyly. December knew that Dreamy rarely said a word, and when she did it was because she absolutely had to. To everyone's surprise Dreamy smiled and said, "thinking about asking Peter here to the dance."
"What?" December gasped.
"Me, I was thinking of asking Peter Pettigrew to the Halloween dance."
It seemed time had stopped for a split second, the quidditch teams entered the stadium, but the world was silent to everyone on the top rafter in the Gryffindor box.
"Me?" Peter choked out.
"Yes, you," Dreamy said stupidly.
December cracked a wicked grin, "well this is the gossip of the month."
Peter looked desperately over towards Lupin, as if he needed help, or advice, or anything.
Lupin just smiled, "I think the lady asked you a question Wormtail."
Peter gave Lupin a hateful glare, as if to say, thanks a lot.
Dreamy seemed to be getting impatient and finally spat out, "WELL?"
Peter still looking completely lost and confused nodded in her direction. Dreamy smiled and gave her normal indication she preferred to remain silent the rest of the match.
The rest of the group finally started paying attention to the Qudditch match. Gryffindor was killing Slytherin by 40 points. Suddenly Slytherin's team captain and seeker Anthony Points made a dive toward the tiny golden snitch. James Potter as suddenly right on his tail.
"Is that legal?" December asked Lupin.
He just shrugged.
James inched closer and closer until finally he finally was beside Points. He veered his boom violently into him. "FOUL! ILLEGAL PLAYER POSITION" Points screamed. As he was objecting the Gyrffindor seeker Kathy Bell grabbed the snitch.
Suddenly the stands erupted in protest. Half the group screaming foul the other half screaming fair play. Mr. Dafney (Quidditch official and flying instructor) shouted out, "FAIR PLAY, GRYFFINDOR WINS."
James Potter, Gryffindor team captain and chaser had just knocked Pointes away from the snitch and won the game. Everybody, but the Slytherins, were on their feet in celebration. Even Lily Evans found herself cheering and screaming in excitement. James Potter soared on his broom over the stands, and as he came close to Lily, he shot her a wink. Instead of turning her head in protest she blushed, and James felt his heart skip a beat.
The crowd slowly began to calm down, and the victorious Gryffindors waved to their fans as they departed from the stadium. December and Lily screamed out to Beth who was glowing from head to toe, they saw Sirius throw his arm around her in a victory hug as they disappeared from sight.
"She better not get any ideas," December said cooly.
Lily looked at her puzzled, but December never faltered. Finally she decided she was just going to have to ask. "What ideas?"
"About stealing my date to the dance," December said as she cracked a grin.
Lily's jaw dropped, "You and Sirius Black?"
"Yea, he asked me after your tantrum last night," December said casually.
"I didn't know you liked him like that." Lily replied.
"I'm not sure I do," she winked back. "Now we have to find you a date Lils."
"Oh no, I can do that perfectly fine by myself," Lily warned.
December shot her a playful grin and said, "I'm sure you can."
The two girls walked silently back to the common room. When they arrived, the party had already broken out. Lily started to protest, but December shot her a give it a rest Evans look, and Lily decided to let the celebration slide, this time. Somehow, someone had found a way to bring butterbeer, sweets from Honeydukes and all kinds of goodies from Hogmeade into the Gryffindor common room. Somehow, someone always did.
"I'm going to tell Professor McGonagall that the celebration is under control," Lily said forcefully. She hated having to tell Professor McGonagall that a party had erupted in her house common room, she felt McGonagall was disappointed in her every time. She disappeared through the portrait.
When she finally returned half and hour later she walked into chaos. The entire house was celebrating like Voldemort had just fallen from power. "What in the world," she muttered.
December was in the corner with Beth giggling about something, well at least Beth was giggling.
"I thought I could trust you guys to keep it under control?" Lily said to her friends.
"Can't, our team captain just created a new rule to Quidditch, it's being added to the books as we speak, the Potter exception is what their calling it," December informed her.
"A player can change position if necessary, when attempting to dislodge a bludger or keep the seeker from catching the snitch," Beth quoted with a smile. Lily rolled her eyes as if their excuse didn't satisfy her.
Lily was about to break up the party when December yelled, "don't be an old maid, live for once in your life Evans!"
Lily shot December a smile, and decided to let the insanity continue for a while longer.
"So Evans, hear who I'm taking to the Halloween dance and feast," said a cocky voice from behind her.
Lily spun around to see a confident Sirius Black gloating. "Yea, heard you got lucky this time," she responded.
December looked seriously at Beth who was giving her an envious smile. "The sun shines on a pigs ass every once and a while, doesn't Sirius," December said sarcastically.
"Don't play games with me love, you know your the luckiest girl in school right now," Sirius smirked back.
"No, your the fastest guy in school, you just happened to be the first person to ask me," she responded coolly. "I hear your fast in other ways too," she added with a grin.
"December O'Riley, are you trying to get fresh with me?" Sirius said with a cocky grin.
"Mr. Black, what kind of girl do you think I am," she replied casually.
Sirius turned his attention away from December and Beth and looked straight at Lily. "So who are you going to the dance with?"
Lily blushed. Sirius seemed to like her response, "James is still available," he added.
"But I'm not," she replied.
December and Beth both shot her a look of curiosity, but she shook her head and motioned she tell them later.