A/n; June 23rd (had to write the original date of it, I didn't just read OotP): Ok, well I don't know if any of you have finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but I might have to change some things. But that's ok, nothing major! So anyway, er… did anyone else cry a lot? I still haven't gotten over the initial shock and I'm like 'hey he's still living – oh wait, no he's not.' Very tragic stuff – why couldn't Hagrid have died? I'm sorry if you like Hagrid but he's not one of my… favorite characters. Sure I love him but… you know I would've preferred if he died. Anyway, enough blabbing, tell me your thoughts on Order of Phoenix! I thought it was spectacular – although there was absolute ZILCH H/H.
And I promise I'll be killing off characters. Not to sound… mean or anything but I honestly cannot keep up with the amount of characters I've created for seemingly no purpose. You'll have to forgive me as I sort of… add in Sabrina to this chapter. She's been somewhat neglected during the whole story.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"Fiona, you can't leave!" James pleaded, nearly latching himself onto her shapely legs. He was making a spectacle of himself on the Black's driveway. Fiona didn't seem to be paying any attention to her whimpering boyfriend.
"James, do you think I'm going to stick around for more people to die?" Fiona asked sharply, tossing her trunk into the back of the Black's car. "And maybe even myself?"
"Mr. Black might not be well enough to drive you home," James said flatly.
"You're not even sad that I'm leaving!" Fiona shouted accusingly, flipping her blonde hair out of her face.
"Am so!" James lied.
She pursed her lips and stared at him for a second. "Sure you are."
Lily and Sierra came outside, wondering what the noise was. Sirius, Amos, Sabrina and Arabella were inside not doing anything in particular.
"What's going on?" Lily demanded, and then spotted Fiona. "Ooh… girlfriend leaving you, Potter? Well, don't feel bad it won't be the last one –"
"Shut up, she's not leaving because of me," James said stiffly.
"Well yes, that and I'm totally freaked out by all the deaths and attacks and – I need my beauty rest! My hair's going to start falling out," Fiona said matter-of-factly.
"Is that so?" Sierra said in a mockingly horrified tone.
"What a shame," Lily added unremorsefully.
"But Fiona, you can't leave me!" said James pitifully, desperately trying to keep her with them.
"Why not?" Fiona asked with her eyes flashing. "If I had more sense, I'd have left a very long time ago – wouldn't want to interfere with your chances with Evans!"
Lily's jaw dropped. "Oh! That is just – sick! Ok, for one thing Potter has no chances with me and I don't want to even – think about that!"
Sierra just simply raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think Potter wants to 'have a chance' with Lily?"
"Isn't it obvious? He's been chasing after her all summer!" Fiona shrilled, jabbing a finger in James' chest.
Lily looked ill, Sierra looked thoughtful and James looked outraged.
"Well…" Lily said massaging her right temple with her right finger.
"Er – have not!" James protested feebly.
"Where's Mr. Black?" Fiona asked, ignoring James' protests.
"Inside somewhere--he said he had to owl his wife about something," Lily said, "does he even know that he's taking you home?"
"Yes," Fiona sniffed.
"Well I'll help you get your things in the car," James said like a defeated man and lifted one of her three suitcases into the trunk of the Black's car.
"Thank you, Jamesie," Fiona said affectionately. She forgot her anger long enough to give him a peck on the cheek.
Lily rolled her eyes and started back for the house with Sierra on her heels. Mr. Black met up with her halfway with a harried expression on his face. He talked to the two girls for a minute before running back inside. Since the latest attack, everyone had been a bit jumpy and apprehensive. Lily had been awakened that morning, and every other morning that week, to the sound of people Apparating and the sound of whistling wind past her window as brooms flew past.
Lily and Sierra suddenly turned around and walked back towards the car.
"Well, looks like we'd all better grab our stuff – we're leaving!" Lily said cheerfully and then turned to Fiona. "And we're taking you home, as promised."
"Where're we going to go?" James asked curiously.
"Apparently to your house, Potter," Lily said smugly.
"My house?" James questioned, confused.
Lily nodded. "Apparently your house is the safest – nobody wants to kill a Quidditch player."
"That would make sense," James said after a moment of though. "Are you still going to stay with us Fiona?"
"Er – no thanks," Fiona smiled politely, dusting off imaginary lint on her spotless pink cardigan.
"Isn't it a bit hot for that?" Lily asked, who was wearing shorts and a short-sleeved blue shirt.
"Never too hot to wear designer!" Fiona said in a bubbly voice, pointing to her white high waters and matching pink tank top and cardigan.
"I suppose that's true," Lily said thoughtfully.
"You women and your clothes," James said with a roll of his eyes.
Lily wanted to point out to him that she would never swap fashion tips with an air headed bimbo like Fiona but she held her tongue.
"I'm going to go pack up my things then, if we're to leave," she said instead, and then turned around to give James a cheeky grin. "And of course, I'll let you two say your goodbyes."
"Thanks Evans," James said through gritted teeth.
"Welcome!" She replied brightly and skipped into the house. Sabrina and Arabella were finishing up their breakfast of homemade pancakes and powdered sugar. Arabella looked like a snowman whose face had melted all off, save for her mouth.
"We're going to Potter's house for the rest of the summer so we'd better start packing up – Mr. Black said he wanted to leave by midday," Lily called over her shoulder as she ran up the stairs.
She approached the door of the girl's room and heard shuffling around in it, occasionally a giggle.
Frowning, she rapped on the door. "Sierra?"
"Be there in a second Lily," Sierra called distractedly from the other side.
Lily heard mumbling and then a laugh and then a weird sort of silence. Someone, as apparently there was another person in the room, opened the door slowly.
"Yes, well, it's lovely you've got a guy in the room – hello Sirius – but we've got to get packing because we're leaving by midday," Lily said smiling despite of how discomfited Sierra looked.
"Really? Well then! I'll leave you two wonderful ladies to do just that," Sirius said winking at Sierra and bowing low with a grin.
"Bye Siri," Sierra said sheepishly and wiping her mouth off with the back of her hand.
"So sorry you had to see that Lily m'dear," Sirius said kissing her hand.
"Er…" Lily said rolling her eyes. Sirius galloped down the stairs, singing loudly as though nothing had happened.
"Sierra, Sierra, Sierra," Lily shook her head.
"What?" Sierra asked feigning innocence.
"Did you honestly think you wouldn't get caught?" Lily asked with a small smile.
Sierra sat down on her bed; the covers were mussed and it wasn't just because she hadn't made her bed that morning. "Well, no but –"
Lily grinned. "Oh, stop it. Don't feel sorry."
Forgetting her embarrassment, Sierra regarded her with a confused look. "What're you talking about?"
"I mean – don't… think that you have to be sorry for what just happened. It happens, you know?" she replied.
"I… am still lost," Sierra admitted.
Lily sighed and sat down next to Sierra. She smoothed out the wrinkles in the covers and tried to explain where she was coming from. "I know how much you like – love, Sirius, and I just want… you to be happy. So don't apologize for the things you know in your heart is right."
Sierra gave Lily a watery smile and hugged her friend. "That is so sweet Lily. And you know it's so hard for people to understand that – thank you."
"What are friends for?" Lily returned her friend's smile, "just make sure you tie something to the door next time."
Sierra let out a shaky laugh. "No problem."
Sierra sighed, raking a hand through her long black hair. "Sometimes I think Sirius is the only one that understands what I'm going through – he's much more than a boyfriend… I – I know this is going to sound ridiculous but I really think he's my soul mate."
Lily smiled a sappy smile that only girls smiled when they talked about this subject. "Really?"
"Really. And I know that sounds –"
"No. It doesn't sound ridiculous – it sounds perfectly wonderful. I hate to admit this, but sometimes I just feel like I'll never be able to find someone, even though we're so young, like you've found Sirius," Lily admitted.
Sierra smiled feebly. "You've got Potter."
"Please don't start that," Lily said bitterly.
"Why can't I? You've still got this year and then 6th and 7th year to change your mind," Sierra reminded her.
"I'm not going to," Lily said confidently. Getting antsy (this topic usually did this to her), she got up and dragged out her suitcase. She began to throw various items into it, wishing she could change the topic.
"If you'd just stop fighting it –"
"I'm not fighting anything! I don't know what shred of hope you are all clinging to that makes you believe there's anything between me and Potter!" Lily said angrily.
"You cannot deny the chemistry Lily," Sierra said calmly despite Lily's heated outburst.
"I can damn well try to," Lily said savagely.
"Whatever you say," Sierra said and she too began to pack. The room was silent until Lily snapped her trunk and suitcases shut, finished. She checked her watch and sighed impatiently. She wished they would leave already – Potter's house was bigger and Fiona would be out of their hair.
"I'm going down for lunch, are you coming?" Sierra asked tentatively.
"Look, I'm sorry I snapped at you –"
"Don't apologize, Lily; maybe we really are having false hopes – I'd just hate for you two to hate each other when the rest of us are all friends," Sierra said, dismissing Lily's excuse before she had a chance to get it out.
"I can handle it – I've done a decent job of it so far, haven't I?" Lily said.
"You're a marvelous actress," Sierra admitted.
"And I'll remind you not to try anything funny," Lily said warningly.
"Whatever do you mean?" Sierra asked innocently.
"You know what I mean – locking us in broom closets, tricking us into playing truth-or-dare, forcing us under mistletoe at Christmas," Lily said naming off the most obvious ones.
"Aw damn, there goes the year's plans!" Sierra laughed.
"That's not even funny," Lily informed her.
"Just joking – but I'm not promising we won't try a bit of mischief," Sierra said with a wink and closed the door.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
It was early in the morning, around 5 A.M., when the Mr. Black decided was a better time to leave than midday. Lily, however, was a bundle of nerves, as the first day at her new term at Hogwarts was fast approaching. She was still avoiding James as much as possible; it'd been hard the last day because he and Fiona always seemed to be trying to make up for lost kissing time--they were always discovered in linen or clothes closets. She was almost sad to see Fiona leave; she certainly kept James occupied. And yet Lily had this inexplicable feeling of joy knowing Fiona would be gone within a day and things would be back to normal. At least as normal as normal could get around James and Sirius.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Having a restless night, she finally stopped tossing off her covers and rolling around to look at the clock and climbed out of bed. She checked the clock one last time; it read 4:30. It was still dark and could faintly see the white surf through the fluttering curtains. She silently tiptoed down the stairs and sat at a stool on the counter, her elbows rested on the polished surface and leaned her chin on her fists. She concentrated on the silence of the house and her thoughts slowly drifted to her family. She'd been thinking more about them than she ever had. Not that she missed them or anything… well, she missed her mother. Once Candice married her stepfather, she'd gotten distant. Like she was a puppet for him – which Lily wouldn't put past him.
Footsteps interrupted her train of thought and before she knew it, a sleepy-eyed James Potter ambled into the kitchen. He looked like he was having a hard time identifying who it was that was sitting at his kitchen counter; he was without his trademark glasses. He wore a plain white cotton shirt and faded plaid boxers – Lily couldn't help think he looked adorable all bleary-eyed with his hair sticking up more than usual. Then suddenly she got a hold on herself and mentally slapped herself.
Wonderful, she thought bitterly and turned around to face him.
"What the hell are you doing up now?" James asked in a foggy voice.
"Why does it concern you?" Lily replied sharply.
"I heard someone shuffling around – thought it was a mouse. Turns out I was right," James replied with astounding wit at that time of morning.
"Just go back to bed – I need some time to myself," Lily said, turning around again and trying to ignore the barb.
A few seconds passed and she could still sense his presence. To her utmost displeasure, he sat down next to her.
"Do you want bodily harm done to you?" Lily asked dryly.
"I'm just sitting here thinking too," James said.
"Don't make me get physical, Potter."
"That'd be something I'd look forward to," James said sardonically.
"What? Fiona not doing her job?" Lily spat.
"You know, what is your deal? You've done nothing but degrade me at every chance you've gotten this whole summer – Fiona's a nice girl!" James exploded heatedly.
"What's my deal? What's yours? You're the one who's always in my face! I'm just trying to counter your ridiculously rude remarks about me!" she hissed angrily, hoping the row wouldn't turn worse.
"I do not!" James said indignantly.
"Oh no," Lily said with a sarcastic laugh, "I suppose you just hex me and insult me all the time because it's your way of being nice."
"Well, compared to what I do to Snivelly, I treat you like a Queen," James pointed out.
"This is true," Lily mused with a small smile, her temper cooling somewhat.
"So… what's the deal between you and Amos?" James asked casually, trying not to let anything show through his façade of coolness. He continually tried to block the images of Lily and Amos dancing and looking like the happiest couple in the world; it made him ill.
"Amos? Oh, nothing. He's a nice guy but… far too boring," Lily said with a little wave of her hand. She hoped he didn't notice the split second of nervousness that flitted across her face.
"Mm. He looks like he's a good dancer," James commented neutrally.
"Wonderful dancer," Lily said evenly. She wondered what ploy he was trying to pull her into.
"You two are cute together," James said, practically choking on his words.
"Mm. He's too old," Lily mused, "but I suppose he is cute."
She almost laughed at the face James was pulling. Like he was trying not to say something he'd regret.
"What happens next, Mr. Potter? Between you and Fiona, I mean," she inquired innocently.
"Oh. Well, we're basically over – she's going home today and then… next victim," James said just as coolly as Lily had discussed Amos.
"You're not going to chase after her in true romantic hero fashion?" Lily inquired, knowing perfectly well James wasn't the knight in shining armor type.
"Nope. Saving my strength for someone worth chasing," James said.
"I suppose that's logical."
"Yeah, it is. Because I figure I won't meet the girl of my dreams, or whatever it is that I'm looking for, at Hogwarts," James admitted a bit sadly.
His saddened words plucked a chord in her heart, twanging bitterly. Did this mean he was over her? Did this mean that she was over him? Her heart plummeted – his words about not finding love at Hogwarts scared her. Maybe she wanted him to find her – maybe someday she'd let him find her.
"I'm sure there's someone out there for you – if it's not Fiona, then certainly someone else. You can't have dated everyone at Hogwarts already!" Lily said lightheartedly, or at least attempting to sound lighthearted.
James smiled a little. "You forgot yourself."
"What?"
"Well, if it's not Fiona and it's not you, then I suppose there is someone out there," James said with a shrug.
"Why rule me out so soon, Potter?" Lily asked with a wink.
Before James could pick up his jaw off the floor, she hopped off the stool and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for listening to me."
James could only nod mutely. Did Evans just say what I thought she said?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"Dad? Mom? Vanessa? Orion?" James called, opening the door. His parents and his siblings were nowhere in sight when the whole troupe of people from the Black's house showed up at the Potter's front door. Minus Fiona, of course--she'd left without even a tear. Though Sirius practically had to insert himself between the two to break them apart from their goodbye kiss.
"Jamesie!" Vanessa cooed. She appeared suddenly at the top of the flight of stairs and then rushed down to greet them, dressed in her work robes and wore a bored expression. It transformed into a wide smile when she saw her little brother standing in the doorway. She swept him up in her arms and planted a big, mushy affectionate kiss on his cheek.
"Agh!" James said, disgusted and wiping his cheek furiously. Lily had to hold back a snigger – she knew she'd like his sister; though she didn't know Vanessa at all they seemed to have the same sense of humor.
Sirius, never being one to beat around the bush or be polite, snickered loudly.
"Where are mom and dad?" James asked, swatting his sister away.
"They're outside."
"And Orion?" James inquired, almost hesitantly. You would have to be completely thick not to know James disliked Orion.
"Who? Oh yes, I seem to recall him – Orion, did you say his name was? That brother of ours – seems to think working at the Ministry is more important than ever coming home to eat or sleep," Vanessa said shaking her head.
"That bad?" James said, "perfectly predictable. Didn't he get asked to play for Puddlemere?"
"Of course, being Gryffindor Quidditch Captain and all. But no, he got an offering as assistant to the Minister himself and found it far more interesting," Vanessa replied.
"I see. Well, you'll have to excuse me – I've got hungry friends and in desperate need of a good night's sleep," James said airily, "and tell mom and dad I'm here."
"Can do, brother dearest. Glad you're home," Vanessa said cheerily.
James rolled his eyes. Vanessa was still as obnoxious as ever and halfway up the stairs, he heard her grab Sirius into a tackle and smother him in kisses like he was her brother as well.
"SIRIUS! My Lord, you've certainly beefed up since you were that scrawny 11-year-old way back when!" Vanessa said teasingly, "I'm sure you're very popular with the ladies at Hogwarts!"
"And you're still the same… old… Vanessa," Sirius gasped out of her bear hug, trying to wriggle out of her grasp.
She cackled and let him go. He ran up the stairs past James and nearly barricaded himself in James' room. "Your sister still scares me, mate."
"She still scares the lot of us," James replied. Lily smiled to herself and wished she had an annoyingly loving sister like James had. Instead she had bratty old Petunia who was probably just waiting for her to show up on their front porch so she could finish properly beating Lily up. Vanessa seemed to be the same age as Petunia, around 19 or 20.
"Here Lily, you can stay in the usual room," James said, indicating the lavender room she'd roomed almost three years ago.
Sierra dropped her suitcase and stopped to admire Lily's room. "Wow, Lily. That's a nice room," she dropped her voice, "of course James gives it to you."
Lily whacked her friend in the arm.
"And Arabella can have the same room as before," James continued, "and if Sierra wouldn't mind, she can bunk in my sister's room. She'll never be home anyway."
Sierra shrugged. "As long as my room is as nice as Lily's, I'll be fine."
"Or you can just bunk with Sirius," Sabrina said with a wink.
Sierra blushed bright pink. "If James doesn't mind."
James rolled his eyes. "Try and keep your hormones in check, you two."
Sirius, also a decidedly pinker shade, mimicked an X over his heart. "Cross my heart and hope to die."
"I hope you do die, you've made me a laughingstock!" Sierra cried in mock distress, smacking him upside the head.
"Alas Sierra, your loveliness is envied by everyone and words simply cannot encapsulate how your beauty has captured my heart!" Sirius proclaimed with grandeur and kneeled on one knee and kissed her hand in true chivalrous fashion.
"You'd better run, Black," Sierra said with a wicked smile on her face.
Gone was the impish smile from Sirius' face as he bolted for the stairwell. Sierra, hot on his heels, chased him down the stairs and startled one of the maids who worked in the Potter's household and upset a freshly laundered load of sheets. The maid, obviously very disgruntled, yelled a few unsavory words at the giddy teenagers sprinting towards the door.
The people upstairs laughed uproariously.
"Well, I'm off to unpack – are you two coming?" Lily asked pointedly.
Sabrina and Arabella exchanged looks. "Er –"
"I said are you two coming?" Lily asked through gritted teeth.
"Of course!" Sabrina said with a forced laugh. "Excuse us, James."
"I understand," James said with a smile.
"I envy them so much," Sabrina said with a sigh, sitting on Lily's bed once they were alone in the room.
"Oh, Sierra and Sirius? Me too," Arabella said, still thinking they were talking about Lily and James.
"I don't," Lily lied. Of course she envied them! Sierra had everything a typical man was looking for in a girl: beauty, femininity, humor, intelligence and a sense of humor. And Sirius was the perfect guy, but everyone knew that already. Lily wasn't sure what it was about her that made her seem like a repellent for boys. She ticked off the first noticeable ones in her head: pale skin, too many freckles, huge green eyes, and her horrible carroty-red hair. Not to mention she was short and far too spiteful for her own good. Most boys, if she'd let them get close enough, were terrified of her spitfire attitude. And even if they didn't get that close, they'd heard stories of her and Potter.
"You're not jealous? How can you not be?" Sabrina asked incredulously. Then it dawned on her. "Oh, of course, you've got the same thing they have with Potter."
"DO NOT!" Lily said loudly. "And I've already had this conversation with Sierra so don't try and talk to me about it."
"Oh? So he's been on your mind all summer? And you came to Sierra with your woeful boy problems?" Arabella asked mischievously.
"He has not," Lily said in a wavering voice, "and I do not have boy problems. And I had Amos this summer, so Potter was the farthest thing from my mind."
"Amos is also a very dull boy," Sabrina said picking at her nail polish.
"How do you know?" Lily asked defensively, "We had very interesting conversations."
"I can tell by his looks; very dull," Sabrina said examining her handiwork on her nails.
"I think he's quite attractive," Arabella said helpfully.
"Thank you!" Lily said, relieved, "at least one of us thinks sensibly. I think he's quite nice and an overall gentleman – more so than Potter."
"You're not even giving him a chance! You've never given him a chance," Sabrina pointed out.
"I have so! What about that whole drama this Christmas?" Lily protested.
"Oh, you mean you throwing yourself at him for some sympathy?" Sabrina said icily.
Lily narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"She didn't throw herself at him, Sab," Arabella said.
"Lily, I'd hardly call that making an attempt to reconcile with him. It was just a messy snog or two – and it was around the holidays. Everyone gets caught up in the cozy atmosphere, even someone so dead-set against someone like Potter," Sabrina said in the same cold voice.
"Sabrina, Misty died," Lily said with an obvious shake in her voice, "James was just being helpful – it's a Gryffindor's duty."
"Whatever you want to call it, it was a pathetic cry for attention that you couldn't get any other way from him," Sabrina said.
"What are you saying? Are you saying that I used Misty's death as a way to fling myself at him?" Lily was so irate she could feel her vision going red.
"That's such a low thing to say Sabrina!" Arabella said, tightening her hands into fists.
"It's the truth," Sabrina said coolly and marched towards the door.
Arabella moved swiftly towards Sabrina but Lily held out her arm to stop her friend.
"I knew it was trouble bringing you with us," Arabella spat. "You've got no right talking trash about Lily; she didn't even do anything to you!"
"She stole Amos away from me," Sabrina said quietly.
The room was silent for a moment, an incredulous, second-long second that seemed to last an eternity.
"Stole him." Arabella's jaw nearly grazed the ground.
"I didn't do anything of the sort!" Lily protested. "This is ridiculous. He obviously likes me and –"
"He liked me first!" Sabrina shouted, losing her cool. "But then you had to come flouncing through here like you own the damn place and whisk him off!"
"Well you can have him! I hope you have a happy life together!" Lily said spat, almost in tears.
Sabrina left the room and slammed the door, causing a picture frame hanging on the wall to fall and shatter.
"Oh, here. Let me get that," Arabella said and moved to pick it up.
Lily sat down on the bed, taking deep breaths. "You don't have to clean it up, I'll get it later."
"It's all right, it's only a few pieces of glass," Arabella said, throwing them in the trash bin.
"Do you think I stole Amos away from Sabrina?" Lily asked in a tiny voice.
Arabella scoffed. "First of all, Sabrina and Amos were never ever like that. He never even laid eyes on her as far as I know. And second of all, you didn't steal him from her because he was obviously taken with you and not her. And she's just jealous anyway!"
Lily smiled weakly. "And you don't think I threw myself at Potter?"
"You don't need to throw yourself at him – he notices you just fine."
"Thanks Arabella," Lily said sniffling. "You know, ever since Misty died, Sabrina hasn't been the same."
"I know," Arabella said methodically, "probably because they were attached at the hip when they came to Hogwarts."
"Then she started staying out late and ignoring us," Lily added.
Arabella nodded. "I think the girl is trouble."
"I'm beginning to think you're right," Lily said with a nod.
"I just hope for her sake that she doesn't do anything that lands her in deep trouble," Arabella said.
"I hope she's smarter than that," Lily said.
And for the first time in a long time, she let that comment about James noticing her slide without some denial.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Settling into James' house was easier than she imagined. It was quite unnerving for her to feel so at home at his home.
About a week before school was to start, a most peculiar thing happened. It all started with an early start and a quick breakfast before everyone rushed upstairs to get dressed and play around in the balmy summer weather. Sabrina and Lily weren't talking anymore; the whole house (save for the adults) seemed to have picked up what was going on. Obviously – Lily wouldn't even ask Sabrina to pass the salt; she'd just get up and get it herself. The house seemed to be divided, the group against Sabrina. Which wasn't very fair but then again Sabrina did say some pretty mean things to Lily. But this was but a trivial matter, a mere fly in the soup, compared to the hurricane of a shocker that was to happen that summer.
"So Lils, what's up with dear Amos and you?" Sirius asked, lounging around on an inflatable inner tube in the Potter's pool. There was barely a breeze and yet the girls refused to jump in the water. Of course, Sabrina avoided everyone else and didn't accompany the rest of the group out to the pool. She was probably busy trying to conjure up an escape away from the Potter's house before the school term started. Lily took a long sip of her iced tea and adjusted her tinted heart-shaped sunglasses before replying.
"'Dear Amos' has not really replied to the owls I've been sending him," Lily fibbed. She fiddled with the drawstring on her revoltingly raunchy black bathing suit Sierra had talked her into buying at Madame Smutte's. It wasn't that big of a lie – Sabrina would always shoot daggers at her whenever she knew Lily was writing to Amos; when she wasn't looking, Lily would rip up the letter she'd written into tiny pieces and fling them out the window. Her hopes had sunk of them getting closer, dreading that he wouldn't even remember her name once they got back to Hogwarts.
"Oh well, just another casual summer fling," Arabella said cheerily.
"Yeah…" Lily replied half-heartedly. She was torn: sometimes she felt like he wasn't quite the person she'd like to date (but then again, what kind of person was that? She'd never really dated anyway), but lately she found she missed him. He always made her smile and the conversation never ran dry between the two.
"Aw. Cheer up Lils, there's always James!" Sirius chirped brightly, after Lily had slowly drifted off into her thoughts. He sounded serious; at least he gave the illusion he was totally serious.
"Whoopee," Lily said darkly, snapping back from her reverie. Arabella shifted onto her stomach to let her back tan for a while and then grabbed a magazine from the stack Vanessa had brought out. Sierra was out cold, her blue bikini contrasting nicely with the new tan she was working on. She'd borrowed Lily's earplugs and was slathered up in tanning oil. She smelled strongly of coconut.
James emerged just after this brief exchange of words, looking absolutely smashing in black swim trunks and skin tanned to perfection. Sure he'd looked a bit paler during the school year, but his tanned skin came back within a few days of being out in the sun. And oh, how Lily hated him for this. And she hated him even more for being the blossoming sex God he was.
Draining her glass and about to go inside to refill it, she stood up and threw off the towel she'd had wrapped around her waist. James made no move towards her as he passed her but smiled in a devilish way. She couldn't help but wonder what he was up to.
"Hey Potter, where's the – AUGH!"
James had grabbed a hold of her waist and flung her into the pool within a matter of seconds. Fortunately, it was the shallow end, only around four feet deep. Arabella turned around quickly, laughing and her sunglasses falling off the perched position on her nose as Lily emerged, her red hair splayed all over. Sirius cackled and applauded James; Sierra awoke with a jolt, her magazine falling with a smack to the ground.
"Did Potter push her in? She must've provoked him," Sierra said with a smile.
"POTTER! That wasn't even funny!" Lily shrilled; James bowed.
"You didn't look like you were having any fun," James said with an innocent smile.
"You're such an idiot," Lily snarled, thoroughly put out she'd gotten her hair wet. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. "But if you were a real gentleman, you'd help me out."
"Of course," James said still trying to compress his laughter.
Lily extended a wet hand, bracing herself against the poolside with the other. James grabbed her and as soon as she felt his weight shift, she pulled hard and he toppled gracelessly in. She laughed along with Sierra, Sirius and Arabella who were all enjoying the flirtatious interaction between the two. James popped up, spitting out water like a fountain and thoroughly mad that he'd been tricked. She ruffled his hair and tried to dunk him. However, he proved again that he was taller and more powerful than her a little too late and she was soon seeing the underwater sights of his pool. Coming up for air, she only had time to inhale a short breath because James had already waited for her to emerge. He shot her a playful smirk and picked her up without much effort and started to lift her out of the water, prepared to toss her back into the water. Suddenly he stopped, his handsome smile abruptly gone; they were pressed right up against each other and the electricity flowing through them both would be enough to keep a back-up generator running smoothly for a week. She was suddenly too aware of her hair forming a sort of wet curtain around them, her arms wound around his neck and how she relished the feel of him being pressed right up against her; his eyes darkening with some foreign emotion she had yet to experience, not to mention that she was flat against him, feeling every muscle tense from contact. He relinquished his strong, almost protective grip on her hips and she swam away from him like he was a shark.
Lily practically jumped out of the pool and wrapped her towel fully around herself; entire body was burning with embarrassment and something else she couldn't put her finger on. Something that had made her want to know how close they could get.
Arabella and Sierra shot each other looks. Yet the look on their faces could not help but display that they relished the fact that there was still a spark between the two teenagers.
Lily exhaled loudly, pretending like nothing had just happened. "Excuse me."
She walked briskly into the house and slammed the door shut; an uneasy tension filled the air. James grabbed a towel and sat down on Lily's previously occupied seat, patting his face with the towel.
"What… just happened?" Sirius asked slowly, pushing himself off the edge of the pool and floating backwards.
"That was weird. Cool and utterly sweet, but weird," Sierra said with her eyebrows still furrowed.
James sighed and shrugged; pretending like this wasn't affecting him either. "No big deal."
Arabella shot a disbelieving look at James, whose eyes were downcast and didn't see her anyway. Arabella then looked knowingly at Sierra over her shoulder and then turned back to James. Sierra rolled her eyes in a statement that plainly said 'duh!'
"Does Jamesie have something to tell us all?" Sirius inquired innocently with a devilish smile.
"No…" James trailed off, color rising in his cheeks.
"Aww. I told you guys – he's bonkers for Lilykins!" Sirius said teasingly.
"I swear –"
Lily cleared her throat behind him, her cheeks still visibly red. James looked up, the blush in his cheeks returning. "I think you're sitting in my seat."
"Terribly sorry," he mumbled and got up, sitting at the pool's edge.
"What just happened?" Sierra asked in an undertone.
"I have no idea," Lily said in a hushed voice.
"Hmph. You don't like him, my arse. There's more spark between you two than in a heat lightening storm!" Arabella hissed.
Lily sighed submissively. What just happened in the pool could qualify as one of the scariest things that had ever happened to her – because she liked it. She wanted to deny it and embrace it at the same time. The conflicting emotions banging around inside her were enough to make her go cross-eyed.
Dazedly, she stood up slowly and walked back into the house without a sound. This time, the girls followed her as she trudged slowly up the stairs.
"Lily, what's wrong?" Sierra asked worriedly.
Lily flopped on the bed, burying her head in the pillows. Something muffled came out but nobody even bothered to discern what was said.
"What?" Arabella asked loudly.
Lily sighed, propping herself up on her elbows to face her two friends.
"Oh… I sense a heart-to-heart talk coming on," Arabella said knowingly.
"What would you guys think if I told you that I might still like him?" Lily asked timidly, plucking at the pillowcase and staring fixedly on nothing particular outside.
Sierra and Arabella glanced at each other.
"Well?" Lily pressed, her face turning pink again.
"That's great news, Lily!" Arabella exclaimed, trying to contain her glee.
"Lily, honestly, it's about damn time!" Sierra said with a huge grin. They both reached over to hug her.
Lily smiled sheepishly, burying her face in her hands. "You can't tell anybody – I don't want to spring it on him."
"Like he doesn't already know," Arabella snorted.
Lily looked panicked. "He DOES?"
"Well… I think he might have a vague idea. Yes, he's a male and incredibly dense about these things, but he's not stupid Lil," Arabella replied.
"So what should I do? I mean, we can't just go BOOM! Let's be best friends again," Lily said miserably.
"Now this is why you've got best friends to keep you in check. The first thing you've got to do is never ever let him onto the fact that you like him. Play hard to get, always go out of your way to be nasty to him; because if he's got the slightest inclination you like him, he'll go be a prat and ignore you, and you don't want that," Sierra said sagely.
"Well, I know that, but what if he likes me too?" Lily asked worriedly.
Arabella gave her a knowing smile. "Trust me Lily; you may have been the last to realize it, but James is most definitely still interested."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Of course that's not the end of the story; it hadn't even started. As it turns out, when the three girls ventured out of Lily's room, everyone had already gathered for lunch and was munching happily on a simple lunch of sandwiches and chips and juice.
"Sierra! You missed it – I did a perfect 10 dive!" Sirius said, as proud as a child who had shown his mother a finger painting.
Sierra laughed and kissed him. "I'm sure you did."
"It wasn't a 10 – it was a belly flop! I swear, Sirius is so klutzy he puts Evans to shame!" James said loudly.
Lily's stomach dropped at his words but quickly covered it up, in case it showed on her face. This was going to be harder than it sounded. Play hard to get, play hard to get, she repeated in her mind.
"Thanks Potter," Lily said sarcastically, grabbing a sandwich off the big plate in the center of the table.
"Welcome," he said through a mouthful of peanut butter.
Lily shot him a revolted look and took a ladylike bite.
"So… what're we going to do the rest of the day? Lounge by the pool?" Sierra asked hopefully.
"Yeah… my dad said later he'd take us to Diagon Alley to buy our supplies and such –"
"Can you believe our 5th year term starts in a week?" Arabella exclaimed. "Where did those four years go?"
"Mm… they did fly, didn't they?" Lily mused aloud. Nostalgic thoughts filled her mind of the things waiting there for her: her bed, her books, and the promises of an exciting new year.
"I don't want to go back – I'd rather sit here in the sun and not have a care in the world," Sirius said, leaning back in his chair and throwing down his crumpled napkin.
"You do that anyway, idiot," Sierra said punching him playfully in the shoulder.
"Oh. Right."
"Well… that was nice, but I'm off again. Great pool, Potter!" Arabella said, getting up and then pushing her chair in and grabbing a fresh towel. "Are you guys coming?"
"I'm going to stay here and clean up," James said.
Sierra looked at Lily pointedly. She cocked her head to the side and pretended to itch her neck all the while giving Lily exaggerated looks.
Picking up on the hint, Lily jumped up with her plate, following James to the sink. "I think I'll help Potter out, actually. It's the least I can do to repay him for everything he's done."
Everyone stared at her in amazement. Even James nearly dropped the porcelain plate he had in his hands.
Sierra smiled encouragingly at her and gave her a small thumb's up. "Well, I'm off then with Arabella and – Sirius, stop eating! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to eat and then go swimming? – I guess you guys will holler if you need any help?"
"Yeah," Lily said feeling a bit panicked about being alone with James.
The screen door slid shut and Lily and James were alone in the kitchen. James silently picked up Sirius' plate and carried it over to the sink, dousing it in water and then stacking it on top of two others.
"Thanks for helping," James said stiffly.
"Welcome," Lily said just as woodenly. Their hands accidentally brushed as they both moved to pick up Arabella's plate. Both of them instantaneously snatched their hands away as though they'd been burned. The jerky movement knocked the plate off the table and broke into neat porcelain shards.
"Oh, damn," James said and ran to get a dustpan.
"I'm so sorry! Those look expensive," Lily said, feeling dreadful she'd broken one of their plates.
"Yeah, keyword there being looked," James said with a small grin. The charmed dustpan quickly swept up the pieces, floated over to the trash bin, and dumped them in, the pieces clanking against the side.
Lily quickly went over to put the jar of peanut butter away in the pantry. She was just closing the door when she felt something cold and gooey hit the back of her neck and slide down her back. She yelped, reaching back and trying to get at the thing sliding down her back. She whirled around and saw a dumbfounded James holding a jelly knife that looked suspiciously like it'd been loaded with a shot of raspberry jelly aimed at her.
"Did… you just throw raspberry jelly at me?" Lily asked stupidly. She squirmed as it reached her lower back and she quickly reached around to scoop up the jelly.
"Er… no! I promise – I was just pulling the knife out of the jar and it just… ricocheted off it, I swear!" James said innocently.
Lily smirked. "I know you better than that, Potter. And it wasn't very nice – you just ruined a perfectly good bathing suit top!"
"It's called water, Evans," James said dryly, "and
that hardly passes as a bathing suit top."
Lily was mortified. She turned her back to him again to put the peanut butter and a bag of flour caught her eye. Smiling devilishly, she took a handful of it and hurled it at James.
White powder exploded everywhere, making it look like Christmas in the Potter's kitchen. His entire face and hair was coated with flour. Coughing and making white dust fly up, he wiped his glasses off and stared at her in disbelief.
"This means war, Evans," he said with an equally impish smile.
With a gleeful cackle, she took the entire flour bag in her arms and dumped it all over him. Laughing, he took the jar of jelly and smeared it all in her hair.
"Oh, my God! That's going to take forever to get out of my hair!" Lily shrieked, smiling broadly all the same.
James ran over to the Muggle refrigerator they owned, paying no attention to her, and pulled out a carton of eggs. He opened it and smashed an egg on her head. Yelling as she felt the gooey yolk slide down her back, she reached over him and did the same thing.
Mayhem ensued and the air became thick with flour, honey, eggs, grain, anything they could get their hands on. She was about to lob a huge blob of mustard at him when she suddenly lost her footing (probably due to the mass amounts of gunk on the floor) and slipped and slid for a few feet before she finally lost her footing altogether and would have crashed painfully to the floor, had it not been for James. He caught her by her upper arms as she tried to regain her footing. Her feet slid uselessly around the slippery floor, impossible to find her footing. She tried to grab onto something but slipped again, accidentally elbowing James in the gut. With a loud grunt and losing his grip on her, they both toppled to the ground. James hit the ground first, falling ungracefully for the second time that day, and Lily landed on top of him.
It was all she could do not to burst out laughing in a fit of nervous laughter. How odd that she had landed in James Potter's lap and having it be a twist of fate at the same time.
"Well…" James said awkwardly, "this is… an interesting position to be caught in."
"I'll say," Lily said as she made a move to get up. He let her, but only until she was properly sitting. He never released his grip on her arm.
"Are you ok? You didn't hit your head or anything?" James asked worriedly, smoothing the jelly-coated strands of hair away from her face, his eyes searching.
"Oh, no I'm fine," Lily said quickly, trying to break free of his grasp. She was becoming increasingly alarmed by that peculiar look he had in his eyes.
"James… you can let go," she said quietly. She had given up on struggling away from him.
"Now, are you sure you want that?" He asked quietly, his voice shaking.
She was about to her mouth to say something when suddenly he leaned over and kissed her. Square on the lips. Surprised so much she nearly had a heart attack, she attempted to fight free but he only clutched her harder, only deepening the kiss.
Jesus Christ. What a way to be kissed – covered in raspberry jam and flour, Lily thought to herself, completely giddy with happiness.
When the finally broke apart, nothing but silence resulted. Both of their cheeks were incredibly flushed and her pulse was pounding like a jackrabbits.
"Er… well… I guess we'd better clean this up," James said quietly.
"Y – yeah," Lily stammered. He helped her up and they quickly set to work.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
YAY! The end! Finally! Some more lxj action for you. =D R/R!