Chapter 3
A/N: Hello ppls! OK, here's chapter 3. Don't have much to say, except: You know the drill, R n R!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters that you might find in Harry Potter. Happy?
~ Dream Sequence ~
The darkness was complete. For about two seconds. "Lumos", someone muttered. From the feeble light emitted from the wand, you could just see that it was the young man who'd left his family behind. However, grief didn't control his features right now. Instead, fear was written in every line of his young face. A torch flared some feet in front of him. Then another, and another, until he was surrounded by the flickering firelight. The clearing they were standing in was now visible. A large rock was in the middle, and trees surrounded the large space. There was no moon.
"Our master sends you his greetings, and heartfelt good-bye," one of the figures called out. Some of the fear dissipated then, as the man replied scathingly, "Then I guess I have nothing to worry about, for your slave-driver has no heart." Low chuckles came from the ring. "Brave words, for one who will be dead by morning." The first one said, "We have been instructed to make your death slow, and very painful." He laughed maliciously. "It will be our pleasure. Crucio!"
The man fell to the ground, screaming and writhing in agony. "You know, my friends, he shouldn't be allowed to move. It would be so much more painful. Petrificus Totalus!" The man stopped moving; his legs stuck tightly together, his arms at his sides, stiff as a board. The only way you could tell he was in pain was his eyes, which were shut tight.
"Let's have some fun, boys." The first man lifted the Cruciatus (sp?) Curse, and stepped forward. "Nott, hold him, will you?" Smiling evilly, another man came forward and hauled the stiff body of Jonathon Carter to his feet, and braced him. The first punch was thrown, and connected solidly with Jonathon's jaw. The pain was increased because his jaw could not move. The beating commenced, but Jonathon did not faint. When it was over, the first man asked, "Sommers, will you do us the honors?" Nodding curtly, a third person stepped forward. "Crucio!!" she yelled. At the same time, Nott muttered the counter-curse for the body- bind. Immediately, screams filled the night air, then ceased as Jonathon finally lost his battle with himself, and lost consciousness.
"We are finished here. There's no one to save him; he will not live. Leave him." They were right. Not a single good soul was anywhere near the area. Jonathon Carter spent a night slipping in and out of consciousness, and died as the sun was rising above the trees. "I'm sorry. . .," he managed, and then was gone.
A lone wolf, half starved, trotted into the clearing. Sniffing the still form of the man, he licked his chops. . .
~ End Dream Sequence ~
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Lily woke up, and managed to clap a hand over her mouth before she started screaming. The sheets were soaked; she was pouring sweat. Tears were streaming down her pale cheeks, and she shook so bad she had trouble getting out of her bed. Without even grabbing her robe, she ran downstairs to the common room.
Sitting in that same chair, she rocked back and forth, her knees drawn up to her chest. The sobs ripped from her chest, and the terror in her heart did not go away. She could still picture the wolf, and the blood. . . She could still feel his pain, and his guilt, and mostly, his release as he died. The tears flowed faster.
Eventually, they died off, but she did not go to sleep. Fear kept her up for the rest of the night, shaking and rocking back and forth, staring at the fireplace, where the fire dwindled until it was gone. When the first light of day came, she stumbled back up to her dorm and got ready for the day. She was ready before anyone else got up.
Back down in the common room, she did her best to collect herself. Controlling the fear she still felt, she stopped shaking, and managed to look like she normally did. Who'd notice anyway? ~James might. . .~ she admitted to herself. Trying to act normal, she waited until people started coming down the staircases, and then headed to breakfast.
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James *did* notice. Her first surprise that morning was that he had come down to breakfast by himself. And before Sirius. Her second surprise came when he sat down across from her. "Ummm. . . James, people can see," she stated matter-of-factly. "So?" he replied. "Lils, what's wrong? You've been crying." She had a hard time getting over the fact that he *did* notice. "I'm really not used to this. . ." she muttered. "It was nothing James," she finished, looking resolutely at her plate. He snorted. "Nice try Lils. It's never *nothing* if you've been crying, and since you didn't deny that obvious fact, I'm convinced I'm right." Reaching across the table, he placed a gentle finger under her chin and made her look at him. "You can tell me, Lily. That's what I'm here for." ~I have to tell someone, or else I might go crazy! ~ she screamed to herself. Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to tell him. . .
"James! Why didn't you wait for us?" It was Sirius. "You weren't late- wait." He stopped, with Remus and Peter right behind him. "Am I missing something here?" he questioned, looking from Lily to James, perplexed. "I'm not finished with you, Lily Evans," James muttered so only she could hear. Turning to face Sirius, he plastered a look so innocent it wouldn't fool a troll on his face and told him, "Padfoot, ol' buddy, I've been telling you for *years* you've been missing a human brain, but you haven't listened to me-," He was cut off because Sirius had smacked him up-side the head. "Seriously, Prongs, when did *this* happen?" he asked, gesturing to Lily, who was blushing to the roots of her fiery hair, staring at her plate. "Way to be subtle, Sirius," Remus commented dryly. "Moony's got a point, Siri. Have you no respect for Lily's feelings?" James turned back to Lily. "Lils, relax. Sirius has never had any tact; it's all charm. Anything more, and you should be scared." When she didn't look up, he said, in a mock-stern voice, "If you don't smile, I might have to resort to something drastic. Remember, we *are* in the Great Hall; it might be embarrassing." Dropping the voice, he grinned out-right at her, and forced her to look at him again. "I promised, 'member?"
She gave in, and smiled at him. "Much better," he said. "But you still have something to tell me after breakfast." Realizing the other three boys were staring at the two of them, he looked at each of them and raised his eye- brows. "Well? Breakfast is calling you, Sirius. Eat." That was all that the gaping boy needed. Deciding it was useless to ask any more right now, Sirius dropped onto the bench beside James, and the other two followed suite. As usual, he filled his plate with everything he could reach, and started wolfing it down. Lily couldn't help but stare.
James noticed her gaze, and told her, "It takes getting used to. Don't worry, he doesn't bite. Usually." All four of the guys grinned, and some food fell out of Sirius' mouth. A look of repulsion crossed Lily's face, and then was replaced by confusion. She didn't get it. "It's an inside- joke thing. You're not supposed to understand it. And you're not alone in your disgust." This came from Remus, who sent a reproachful look towards his friend. Lily blushed, and started playing with her food. "Li-leeeee! Open up some, Remus is probably the best of us all when it comes to friendliness. Sirius is a really cool guy when it's not at the breakfast table, and Peter is- well, Peter is just Peter." James was frustrated at her shyness.
"I'm not used to this, James," she told him quietly. "Usually, when someone talks to me, it's only, an 'oh, I'm sorry', or 'could you please move', and they don't even spare me a glance. This is weird." James sighed. She had a point. Remus assured her, "We won't do anything. . .rude, not to you. James might kill us." James grinned and punched his friend on the shoulder, while Remus pretended to be hurt and rubbed his shoulder regretfully.
~If they're friends with James, they can't be too bad~ she reasoned with herself. So, she smiled at them, and relaxed. A little. Her nightmare still lurked at the back of her mind. She didn't talk much, but answered questions when they were asked. Soon enough, it was time for Charms class, and they all got up and walked out of the Hall. James and Lily fell back a little, so James could continue to interrogate her.
"All right, spill. You didn't eat breakfast,"-she hadn't- "and you came down with tear-streaks on your face. Something's up. And I wanna know what it is." James stopped at that and waited for an answer expectantly. Lily sighed. ~He's being really demanding about this. . .but I asked for it.~ And that she had. "James. . . it's a long story to say the least, and we're gonna be late for Charms if we don't hurry." Glancing at him, she saw that he wouldn't let it go. "All right!! I *promise* I'll tell you, but not now. How 'bout during break? Meet me in the library, k?" It was James's turn to sigh. He'd been so close. "All right. But you will tell me, and please don't lie to me." Smiling at him, she nodded, and they walked into the classroom together.
"You're sitting with me, you know that, right?" James asked her. Rolling her eyes at his forwardness (A/N: is that even a word?), she followed him to where the rest of the Marauders were already sitting in a back corner of the room. ~To pass notes and plan pranks, I'm guessing,~ she thought with amusement. As she and James sat down, with a polite greeting to the other guys, Kimberly Andrews came up.
~Why am I going out with her, anyway?~ James thought. ~She's clingy, annoying, and has no mind of her own. Not to mention she's a total slut.~ To prove his point, she sat on the edge of his desk, leaned forward so that she was at an angle where James got a face full of her cleavage. She was wearing a really, *really* short mini-skirt, a clingy square-necked top, and *way* to much perfume. James had to control the urge to gag.
"Jamesy-poo, where were you yesterday? I looked everywhere for you, but couldn't find you. I was getting bored," she purred, and leaned in for a kiss. James pulled back. "Look, Kimberly, uhhhh," James started, "I don't think this is working. You really might want a guy who's more willing. Besides, I think I'm interested in someone else. . ." ~Where the hell did that come from? I wasn't planning on saying that to her. . . oh well, it seemed to have worked.~ And it had. Kimberly had started tearing up, and whined, "But. . . but James, we were doing so well together; how could I need someone else? You're the only one I love!"
Lily had been listening to the whole thing. Controlling the urge to snort and give Kimberly a piece of her mind, she thought furiously, ~Right, suuuure. Maybe you should tell that to Ricky, since you two were so close together yesterday!~ She had seen her and Ricky Richards snogging like there was no tomorrow yesterday in the library. ~Yes Kimberly, you are SO faithful1!~ she thought sarcastically.
"Yeah, right, uhhhh. . . sorry Kimberly, I guess it's just not meant to be. Ummm, I guess I'll see you around?" James finished lamely. She made a noise that sounded like she was choking on her tongue, and turned her nose up, like the stuck-up mindless slut that she was. (A/N: I got stuck here. I think I spent an all around of an hour or two to get through this paragraph; forgive me!) She walked back to her seat in a huff, and started telling her little 'posse' what had just taken place. Back in the corner, James seemed deep in thought, and the remaining Marauders were staring at their friend like he was insane.
"James, are you ok?" Sirius asked in concern. "Usually, you tell us before you break up with a girl. And why did you break up with her? She's gorgeous-," Remus interrupted him then. "-Brainless, stuck-up, sluttish, and untrustworthy." Lily spoke up then. "She was with Ricky Richards yesterday in the library, probably around the time when she got 'bored'. They almost got kicked out of the library." Remus grinned. He liked this girl. She wasn't shallow, like some other people he could mention. . . "But despite our opinions, maybe James might want to answer that question himself, sometime in this lifetime." Remus's grin broadened. ~Nope. Not shallow at all. She'll be good for James. Seems to have already had an effect on him, ~ he thought.
James flashed Lily a grin, before telling Sirius, "Remus is right this time, Padfoot. She's just like every other girl I've gone out with. I'm ready for someone different." ~When did I start thinking like this? Weird. But it's the truth. I want to date someone with a personality, and who would want to actually know me, ~ James thought. He couldn't wonder anymore, however, because Professor Flitwick came in, and class started.
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After Charms, the Marauders and Lily separated; she went to Potions, they went to Divination. The morning passed without incident. Well, Lily lost points from Professor Kay, for no reason Lily herself could honestly tell you. This was normal, though. Kay didn't like Gryffindor very much. After morning classes, the seventh years had lunch and a thirty- minute break.
Lily paced in the space between the bookcases, waiting for James. He was at lunch. She had decided to skip it. Eating was not on her list of needs. Sighing, she dropped into he nearest chair. She was tired. A result of her three nights in a row without sleep. Just sitting there, she must've slipped into a doze, because a voice seemed to pull her out of the fog. . . "Lils? You ok?" It was James. Yawning, she nodded, and motioned for him to pull up a chair.
"All right. Here goes. Don't interrupt me. For the past three nights. . ." Lily proceeded to tell him everything. Describing her nightmare of last night made her go pale and start shaking a little; the fear hadn't gone. She told him all of it; how she remembered everything with amazing detail, how she knew things even if they hadn't been obvious (i.e. Jonathon's name, the woman's eye color.), how she felt emotion so intensely after she woke up. . . everything.
When she finished, his first suggestion was, "Go to Dumbledore." She refused. "It's only dreams, James. Weird ones, but dreams just the same. I'm not going to bother the Headmaster because I can't sleep." James sighed. There was nothing he could do. He wouldn't press that she see someone, but if it got worse, he'd drag her to Dumbledore's office if he had to. "All right Lils, I won't push it. But at least go to Madame Darcy, and ask for a Dreamless Sleep Potion. You've got bags under your eyes, and you're yawning every two seconds." She was. In no mood to argue, and knowing he was right, she just nodded. She raised a hand indicating he should pull her to her feet. He did so. When he let go, she stumbled. Catching her before she fell, he muttered, "You're not fit to walk, let alone attend the rest of your classes." Throwing an arm over his shoulder, he supported her to the Hospital Wing.
"Madame Darcy!" James called. "Yes? What happened here?" she asked looking at the half- asleep Lily. James explained, and Madame Darcy complied. Seeing Lily was in no fit state do dose her-self, she gave the instructions to James. "Give her a spoonful of this before she goes to bed." She handed him a bottle of clear liquid. "I'm giving her permission to stay out of classes for today; she needs rest. Since I know you can't help her up to her dorm-room-," James grinned; he'd tried that before, "- I'm also giving you permission to stay out of classes, to make sure she sleeps at least in her own Tower." James nodded, and thanked her. Still supporting Lily, he headed to the Gryffindor Tower.
They had gotten about a third of the way there when Lily sagged and almost fell. "Shit Lily-," James cursed, because she had almost dragged them both to the floor. Sliding an arm under her knees and across the back of her chest, he carried her. "You need to eat more," he told the sleeping girl. Looking at her, he saw that she looked so peaceful when she slept. She was light as a feather. "I'll have to wake her to give her the potion," he told himself, and earned a calculating look from a painting of a fat man still eating.
They had reached the Fat Lady. "Lion's den," he told her before she could ask, and she swung forward. Climbing through, careful not to hit Lily's head on anything, he headed to the couch. Depositing her gently onto it, and sitting her up, he woke her. "Lily, sweetie, wake up. I need you to take a swallow of this." "James?" she muttered groggily. To tired to make any objections, she accepted the spoonful, and immediately went back to sleep.
He didn't want to leave her here in the common room; it would be too noisy between classes and people would ask questions. He couldn't take her to her room; it was physically not possible. "There's always my room. . .," he said to no one. Picking her up, he carried her up the stairs to the boys' dormitories, and to his room. Laying her on his bed and tucking her in, he sat and watched her sleep.
He too was beginning to feel sleepy. Yawning widely, he thought, ~Well, it's my bed, I'm sleepy, and it's not like I'm doing anything wrong. . .~ With that, he lay down beside her. (A/N: She's under the blankets, he's not. Just so you'd know.) On a whim, he reached up and closed the curtains of his four-poster. "You're amazing Lily. You're not like any other girl." He tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.
She made a small noise in her throat, and moved closer to James, seeking his physical warmth. Still deeply asleep, she relaxed in the curve of his body and tucked her head under his chin. James was almost asleep as well. "You're beautiful. . .," he whispered, and then gave in to his need for the peaceful oblivion of sleep.
All righty. I have finally plowed through that chapter. I was suffering a major case of writers block, so I'm not really satisfied with it, but it'll have to do. It's kind of an icebreaker thing. We should be getting down to business starting next chapter. Oh yeah, btw. This fic is probably very AU. You'll find out why. Because of that, I'm not going to go by OotP much, but if it will fit into the plot, I'll do it. Did that make sense?
A BIG thanks you to all my reviewers!!!! I've got twenty- three reviews so far (like, right now, as I'm writing this) and only two chapters!! I feel so loved!! I'll give a few 'personal responses', but if ur not mentioned, don't take it personally. I luv ya just the same!!!! Thanx ppls!!
White Rose- Thank you!! I like your adjectives, especially the compassionate one. And I don't plan on dropping this story anytime soon.
I Love Snuffles - Thanx!! I know, I'm eager for some action too, but if I go *too* fast, it'll all run together, so just bear with me. This plot has a lot of strings to it, and even I'm not all too sure of the ending yet!!
slytherindork00- Thanx! Lily *will* get some female companionship. It'll be two girls (so I can set Remus and Sirius up), and Lily will do the make-up thing. In case you don't all ready see it, James likes Lily right now, but he doesn't know it.
Lizmarauder4eva- That's a good idea!! I'm seriously considering it. In case I forget, when we get to Christmas Break, remind me, okay? Thanx so much for the review and the idea!!
A/N: Hello ppls! OK, here's chapter 3. Don't have much to say, except: You know the drill, R n R!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters that you might find in Harry Potter. Happy?
~ Dream Sequence ~
The darkness was complete. For about two seconds. "Lumos", someone muttered. From the feeble light emitted from the wand, you could just see that it was the young man who'd left his family behind. However, grief didn't control his features right now. Instead, fear was written in every line of his young face. A torch flared some feet in front of him. Then another, and another, until he was surrounded by the flickering firelight. The clearing they were standing in was now visible. A large rock was in the middle, and trees surrounded the large space. There was no moon.
"Our master sends you his greetings, and heartfelt good-bye," one of the figures called out. Some of the fear dissipated then, as the man replied scathingly, "Then I guess I have nothing to worry about, for your slave-driver has no heart." Low chuckles came from the ring. "Brave words, for one who will be dead by morning." The first one said, "We have been instructed to make your death slow, and very painful." He laughed maliciously. "It will be our pleasure. Crucio!"
The man fell to the ground, screaming and writhing in agony. "You know, my friends, he shouldn't be allowed to move. It would be so much more painful. Petrificus Totalus!" The man stopped moving; his legs stuck tightly together, his arms at his sides, stiff as a board. The only way you could tell he was in pain was his eyes, which were shut tight.
"Let's have some fun, boys." The first man lifted the Cruciatus (sp?) Curse, and stepped forward. "Nott, hold him, will you?" Smiling evilly, another man came forward and hauled the stiff body of Jonathon Carter to his feet, and braced him. The first punch was thrown, and connected solidly with Jonathon's jaw. The pain was increased because his jaw could not move. The beating commenced, but Jonathon did not faint. When it was over, the first man asked, "Sommers, will you do us the honors?" Nodding curtly, a third person stepped forward. "Crucio!!" she yelled. At the same time, Nott muttered the counter-curse for the body- bind. Immediately, screams filled the night air, then ceased as Jonathon finally lost his battle with himself, and lost consciousness.
"We are finished here. There's no one to save him; he will not live. Leave him." They were right. Not a single good soul was anywhere near the area. Jonathon Carter spent a night slipping in and out of consciousness, and died as the sun was rising above the trees. "I'm sorry. . .," he managed, and then was gone.
A lone wolf, half starved, trotted into the clearing. Sniffing the still form of the man, he licked his chops. . .
~ End Dream Sequence ~
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Lily woke up, and managed to clap a hand over her mouth before she started screaming. The sheets were soaked; she was pouring sweat. Tears were streaming down her pale cheeks, and she shook so bad she had trouble getting out of her bed. Without even grabbing her robe, she ran downstairs to the common room.
Sitting in that same chair, she rocked back and forth, her knees drawn up to her chest. The sobs ripped from her chest, and the terror in her heart did not go away. She could still picture the wolf, and the blood. . . She could still feel his pain, and his guilt, and mostly, his release as he died. The tears flowed faster.
Eventually, they died off, but she did not go to sleep. Fear kept her up for the rest of the night, shaking and rocking back and forth, staring at the fireplace, where the fire dwindled until it was gone. When the first light of day came, she stumbled back up to her dorm and got ready for the day. She was ready before anyone else got up.
Back down in the common room, she did her best to collect herself. Controlling the fear she still felt, she stopped shaking, and managed to look like she normally did. Who'd notice anyway? ~James might. . .~ she admitted to herself. Trying to act normal, she waited until people started coming down the staircases, and then headed to breakfast.
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James *did* notice. Her first surprise that morning was that he had come down to breakfast by himself. And before Sirius. Her second surprise came when he sat down across from her. "Ummm. . . James, people can see," she stated matter-of-factly. "So?" he replied. "Lils, what's wrong? You've been crying." She had a hard time getting over the fact that he *did* notice. "I'm really not used to this. . ." she muttered. "It was nothing James," she finished, looking resolutely at her plate. He snorted. "Nice try Lils. It's never *nothing* if you've been crying, and since you didn't deny that obvious fact, I'm convinced I'm right." Reaching across the table, he placed a gentle finger under her chin and made her look at him. "You can tell me, Lily. That's what I'm here for." ~I have to tell someone, or else I might go crazy! ~ she screamed to herself. Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to tell him. . .
"James! Why didn't you wait for us?" It was Sirius. "You weren't late- wait." He stopped, with Remus and Peter right behind him. "Am I missing something here?" he questioned, looking from Lily to James, perplexed. "I'm not finished with you, Lily Evans," James muttered so only she could hear. Turning to face Sirius, he plastered a look so innocent it wouldn't fool a troll on his face and told him, "Padfoot, ol' buddy, I've been telling you for *years* you've been missing a human brain, but you haven't listened to me-," He was cut off because Sirius had smacked him up-side the head. "Seriously, Prongs, when did *this* happen?" he asked, gesturing to Lily, who was blushing to the roots of her fiery hair, staring at her plate. "Way to be subtle, Sirius," Remus commented dryly. "Moony's got a point, Siri. Have you no respect for Lily's feelings?" James turned back to Lily. "Lils, relax. Sirius has never had any tact; it's all charm. Anything more, and you should be scared." When she didn't look up, he said, in a mock-stern voice, "If you don't smile, I might have to resort to something drastic. Remember, we *are* in the Great Hall; it might be embarrassing." Dropping the voice, he grinned out-right at her, and forced her to look at him again. "I promised, 'member?"
She gave in, and smiled at him. "Much better," he said. "But you still have something to tell me after breakfast." Realizing the other three boys were staring at the two of them, he looked at each of them and raised his eye- brows. "Well? Breakfast is calling you, Sirius. Eat." That was all that the gaping boy needed. Deciding it was useless to ask any more right now, Sirius dropped onto the bench beside James, and the other two followed suite. As usual, he filled his plate with everything he could reach, and started wolfing it down. Lily couldn't help but stare.
James noticed her gaze, and told her, "It takes getting used to. Don't worry, he doesn't bite. Usually." All four of the guys grinned, and some food fell out of Sirius' mouth. A look of repulsion crossed Lily's face, and then was replaced by confusion. She didn't get it. "It's an inside- joke thing. You're not supposed to understand it. And you're not alone in your disgust." This came from Remus, who sent a reproachful look towards his friend. Lily blushed, and started playing with her food. "Li-leeeee! Open up some, Remus is probably the best of us all when it comes to friendliness. Sirius is a really cool guy when it's not at the breakfast table, and Peter is- well, Peter is just Peter." James was frustrated at her shyness.
"I'm not used to this, James," she told him quietly. "Usually, when someone talks to me, it's only, an 'oh, I'm sorry', or 'could you please move', and they don't even spare me a glance. This is weird." James sighed. She had a point. Remus assured her, "We won't do anything. . .rude, not to you. James might kill us." James grinned and punched his friend on the shoulder, while Remus pretended to be hurt and rubbed his shoulder regretfully.
~If they're friends with James, they can't be too bad~ she reasoned with herself. So, she smiled at them, and relaxed. A little. Her nightmare still lurked at the back of her mind. She didn't talk much, but answered questions when they were asked. Soon enough, it was time for Charms class, and they all got up and walked out of the Hall. James and Lily fell back a little, so James could continue to interrogate her.
"All right, spill. You didn't eat breakfast,"-she hadn't- "and you came down with tear-streaks on your face. Something's up. And I wanna know what it is." James stopped at that and waited for an answer expectantly. Lily sighed. ~He's being really demanding about this. . .but I asked for it.~ And that she had. "James. . . it's a long story to say the least, and we're gonna be late for Charms if we don't hurry." Glancing at him, she saw that he wouldn't let it go. "All right!! I *promise* I'll tell you, but not now. How 'bout during break? Meet me in the library, k?" It was James's turn to sigh. He'd been so close. "All right. But you will tell me, and please don't lie to me." Smiling at him, she nodded, and they walked into the classroom together.
"You're sitting with me, you know that, right?" James asked her. Rolling her eyes at his forwardness (A/N: is that even a word?), she followed him to where the rest of the Marauders were already sitting in a back corner of the room. ~To pass notes and plan pranks, I'm guessing,~ she thought with amusement. As she and James sat down, with a polite greeting to the other guys, Kimberly Andrews came up.
~Why am I going out with her, anyway?~ James thought. ~She's clingy, annoying, and has no mind of her own. Not to mention she's a total slut.~ To prove his point, she sat on the edge of his desk, leaned forward so that she was at an angle where James got a face full of her cleavage. She was wearing a really, *really* short mini-skirt, a clingy square-necked top, and *way* to much perfume. James had to control the urge to gag.
"Jamesy-poo, where were you yesterday? I looked everywhere for you, but couldn't find you. I was getting bored," she purred, and leaned in for a kiss. James pulled back. "Look, Kimberly, uhhhh," James started, "I don't think this is working. You really might want a guy who's more willing. Besides, I think I'm interested in someone else. . ." ~Where the hell did that come from? I wasn't planning on saying that to her. . . oh well, it seemed to have worked.~ And it had. Kimberly had started tearing up, and whined, "But. . . but James, we were doing so well together; how could I need someone else? You're the only one I love!"
Lily had been listening to the whole thing. Controlling the urge to snort and give Kimberly a piece of her mind, she thought furiously, ~Right, suuuure. Maybe you should tell that to Ricky, since you two were so close together yesterday!~ She had seen her and Ricky Richards snogging like there was no tomorrow yesterday in the library. ~Yes Kimberly, you are SO faithful1!~ she thought sarcastically.
"Yeah, right, uhhhh. . . sorry Kimberly, I guess it's just not meant to be. Ummm, I guess I'll see you around?" James finished lamely. She made a noise that sounded like she was choking on her tongue, and turned her nose up, like the stuck-up mindless slut that she was. (A/N: I got stuck here. I think I spent an all around of an hour or two to get through this paragraph; forgive me!) She walked back to her seat in a huff, and started telling her little 'posse' what had just taken place. Back in the corner, James seemed deep in thought, and the remaining Marauders were staring at their friend like he was insane.
"James, are you ok?" Sirius asked in concern. "Usually, you tell us before you break up with a girl. And why did you break up with her? She's gorgeous-," Remus interrupted him then. "-Brainless, stuck-up, sluttish, and untrustworthy." Lily spoke up then. "She was with Ricky Richards yesterday in the library, probably around the time when she got 'bored'. They almost got kicked out of the library." Remus grinned. He liked this girl. She wasn't shallow, like some other people he could mention. . . "But despite our opinions, maybe James might want to answer that question himself, sometime in this lifetime." Remus's grin broadened. ~Nope. Not shallow at all. She'll be good for James. Seems to have already had an effect on him, ~ he thought.
James flashed Lily a grin, before telling Sirius, "Remus is right this time, Padfoot. She's just like every other girl I've gone out with. I'm ready for someone different." ~When did I start thinking like this? Weird. But it's the truth. I want to date someone with a personality, and who would want to actually know me, ~ James thought. He couldn't wonder anymore, however, because Professor Flitwick came in, and class started.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After Charms, the Marauders and Lily separated; she went to Potions, they went to Divination. The morning passed without incident. Well, Lily lost points from Professor Kay, for no reason Lily herself could honestly tell you. This was normal, though. Kay didn't like Gryffindor very much. After morning classes, the seventh years had lunch and a thirty- minute break.
Lily paced in the space between the bookcases, waiting for James. He was at lunch. She had decided to skip it. Eating was not on her list of needs. Sighing, she dropped into he nearest chair. She was tired. A result of her three nights in a row without sleep. Just sitting there, she must've slipped into a doze, because a voice seemed to pull her out of the fog. . . "Lils? You ok?" It was James. Yawning, she nodded, and motioned for him to pull up a chair.
"All right. Here goes. Don't interrupt me. For the past three nights. . ." Lily proceeded to tell him everything. Describing her nightmare of last night made her go pale and start shaking a little; the fear hadn't gone. She told him all of it; how she remembered everything with amazing detail, how she knew things even if they hadn't been obvious (i.e. Jonathon's name, the woman's eye color.), how she felt emotion so intensely after she woke up. . . everything.
When she finished, his first suggestion was, "Go to Dumbledore." She refused. "It's only dreams, James. Weird ones, but dreams just the same. I'm not going to bother the Headmaster because I can't sleep." James sighed. There was nothing he could do. He wouldn't press that she see someone, but if it got worse, he'd drag her to Dumbledore's office if he had to. "All right Lils, I won't push it. But at least go to Madame Darcy, and ask for a Dreamless Sleep Potion. You've got bags under your eyes, and you're yawning every two seconds." She was. In no mood to argue, and knowing he was right, she just nodded. She raised a hand indicating he should pull her to her feet. He did so. When he let go, she stumbled. Catching her before she fell, he muttered, "You're not fit to walk, let alone attend the rest of your classes." Throwing an arm over his shoulder, he supported her to the Hospital Wing.
"Madame Darcy!" James called. "Yes? What happened here?" she asked looking at the half- asleep Lily. James explained, and Madame Darcy complied. Seeing Lily was in no fit state do dose her-self, she gave the instructions to James. "Give her a spoonful of this before she goes to bed." She handed him a bottle of clear liquid. "I'm giving her permission to stay out of classes for today; she needs rest. Since I know you can't help her up to her dorm-room-," James grinned; he'd tried that before, "- I'm also giving you permission to stay out of classes, to make sure she sleeps at least in her own Tower." James nodded, and thanked her. Still supporting Lily, he headed to the Gryffindor Tower.
They had gotten about a third of the way there when Lily sagged and almost fell. "Shit Lily-," James cursed, because she had almost dragged them both to the floor. Sliding an arm under her knees and across the back of her chest, he carried her. "You need to eat more," he told the sleeping girl. Looking at her, he saw that she looked so peaceful when she slept. She was light as a feather. "I'll have to wake her to give her the potion," he told himself, and earned a calculating look from a painting of a fat man still eating.
They had reached the Fat Lady. "Lion's den," he told her before she could ask, and she swung forward. Climbing through, careful not to hit Lily's head on anything, he headed to the couch. Depositing her gently onto it, and sitting her up, he woke her. "Lily, sweetie, wake up. I need you to take a swallow of this." "James?" she muttered groggily. To tired to make any objections, she accepted the spoonful, and immediately went back to sleep.
He didn't want to leave her here in the common room; it would be too noisy between classes and people would ask questions. He couldn't take her to her room; it was physically not possible. "There's always my room. . .," he said to no one. Picking her up, he carried her up the stairs to the boys' dormitories, and to his room. Laying her on his bed and tucking her in, he sat and watched her sleep.
He too was beginning to feel sleepy. Yawning widely, he thought, ~Well, it's my bed, I'm sleepy, and it's not like I'm doing anything wrong. . .~ With that, he lay down beside her. (A/N: She's under the blankets, he's not. Just so you'd know.) On a whim, he reached up and closed the curtains of his four-poster. "You're amazing Lily. You're not like any other girl." He tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.
She made a small noise in her throat, and moved closer to James, seeking his physical warmth. Still deeply asleep, she relaxed in the curve of his body and tucked her head under his chin. James was almost asleep as well. "You're beautiful. . .," he whispered, and then gave in to his need for the peaceful oblivion of sleep.
All righty. I have finally plowed through that chapter. I was suffering a major case of writers block, so I'm not really satisfied with it, but it'll have to do. It's kind of an icebreaker thing. We should be getting down to business starting next chapter. Oh yeah, btw. This fic is probably very AU. You'll find out why. Because of that, I'm not going to go by OotP much, but if it will fit into the plot, I'll do it. Did that make sense?
A BIG thanks you to all my reviewers!!!! I've got twenty- three reviews so far (like, right now, as I'm writing this) and only two chapters!! I feel so loved!! I'll give a few 'personal responses', but if ur not mentioned, don't take it personally. I luv ya just the same!!!! Thanx ppls!!
White Rose- Thank you!! I like your adjectives, especially the compassionate one. And I don't plan on dropping this story anytime soon.
I Love Snuffles - Thanx!! I know, I'm eager for some action too, but if I go *too* fast, it'll all run together, so just bear with me. This plot has a lot of strings to it, and even I'm not all too sure of the ending yet!!
slytherindork00- Thanx! Lily *will* get some female companionship. It'll be two girls (so I can set Remus and Sirius up), and Lily will do the make-up thing. In case you don't all ready see it, James likes Lily right now, but he doesn't know it.
Lizmarauder4eva- That's a good idea!! I'm seriously considering it. In case I forget, when we get to Christmas Break, remind me, okay? Thanx so much for the review and the idea!!