Boys Before Magic

Author's Note: I apologize for late update. I had final papers and final projects due now since I'm almost done with high school. Remember, I still need one character from Hana Yori Dango to make a cameo appearance in a future chapter. (Who knows… maybe he or she will become an integral character to the plot) Review this story with your vote.

Disclaimer: You know… I'm not going to repeat this again. You should know what this is for.

Although Bella and I are never seen together,

We share a special connection.

The surreptitious smiles and cautious winks

Confirm our persevering friendship in this harsh world.

I will survive no matter what the cost.

Chapter 4: Going Too Far

"Be strong, Lily. Good luck with your day!"

I smiled as I saw the black-inked words emerge and disappear on the golden pages of a tattered leather journal. With my feather quill, I quickly drew a smiley face in return. After I closed the journal, I muttered a password charm to keep nosy people from prying into my privacy.

It has only been three days since I have declared war with the Marauders. In three days, every student and professor knew the name, Lily Evans. While there are some annoying prats who joined the Marauders' crusade against me, most of the students have chosen to ignore my existence. Although all the Hogwarts professors regard me very highly, I noticed that they took extra caution not to let their students know about their respect for me. The house points that I have gained for my house were always rewarded to me discreetly after class.

It did not matter so much to me anyway. Luckily, I nullified most of the Marauders pranks with a simple reflect charm. It was amusing to see the dumbstruck look on students' faces when their curses backfire. A certain Gryffindor's worm-like hair happened to be my personal favorite.

As I changed into my school robes, I heard footsteps outside my door. Hoping to catch up with my fellow Gryffindor prefect, I slung my canvas book bag over my shoulder and rushed out of my door.

"Wait! I didn't get a chance to introduce myself."

I was one second too late. The entrance door shut right in front of me before I could catch one glimpse of my mysterious roommate.

'Maybe I'll see my roommate during breakfast,' I thought optimistically as I exited the room.

Charms classroom

"Now class, it is your wrist movement is extremely important in this charm," lectured Professor Swish as she frantically flicked her wand back and forth. "Now repeat after me. One swish, two swish, three swish, flick."

While the students waved and whirled their wands in the air, I took a moment to make sense of the past three days. I didn't bother braiding my hair anymore, since I found it easier to brush away all the dirt and scum the students throw at me. (The Zestful Refresher Hairbrush was the best investment I made this past summer.) My strong, exuberant character broke down the quiet, invisible mask that I have constructed during the past four years.

"Nice work," praised Professor Swish as she turned towards the blackboard behind her. "Your homework will be…"

I took out my quill to copy the assignment. When I looked up, I gaped at the white scrawl on the blackboard.

Lily Evans was a gang leader during junior high.

Jumping from one guy to another, she had two abortions done in one year.

The students started whispering around me. Coughing nervously, Professor Swish muttered a charm that erased the message from the blackboard and turned towards the students. Professor Swish hesitantly laughed and said, "That was an amusing joke. I guess I won't give you an assignment. Class dismissed."

Ignoring the students' stares and murmuring, I silently gathered my books and left the classroom. Once I exited the classroom, I noticed that all the students were whispering and pointing their fingers at me.

Annoyed, I took a deep breath and shouted, "For Avalon's sake, can't you mind your own business?!"

To my satisfaction, the students quietly turned around and ignored me.

'This has gone way too far,' I thought as I headed towards my next class. 'I have to end this nonsense.'

As I turned the corner, I accidentally bumped into a group of people. I mumbled an apology and looked up to see four grinning seventh-year boys blocking my path.

"Excuse me," I said as I slowly backed away from them. "Can I get through?"

One of the boys chuckled and replied. "Would you do anything to get through us?"

"Um…" I began looking for a chance to escape. "I'll just go a different way."

I felt a pair of hands grabbing my shoulders. Behind me, I heard a deep voice, "That's no fun. We took extra care not to have the Marauders see us. You should be thankful."

'Shit, I'm trapped,' I thought as I tried to break free from the grasp. "You know, rape is a serious crime. You will be expelled if you don't let me go."

"Expelled? Don't worry. The school doesn't kick out rich students. Do you want to play with us?"

I closed my fists in anger and replied, "I don't play with boring snobs."

"Interesting," another voice said behind me. "Don't let her go."

In panic, I shut my eyes and cried, "Let me go, you bastards!"

"What are you doing?!"

I thought I imagined a different voice, but I felt the loosening grasp on my shoulders. I slowly opened my eyes to see Remus standing before me.

"But Mr. Lupin," the seventh-year boy answered, "Mr. Potter asked us…"

"Let her go," repeated Remus as he coldly stared at the seventh-year boys. "Just let her go."

The four seventh-years bolted out of sight, and I collapsed onto my knees. I looked up to his gray eyes and whispered, "Thank you…"

Remus remained silent as he walked past me. I heard him mumble, "Don't misunderstand. I dislike such devious acts."

I turned to see him disappear around the corridor. Despite his apathetic demeanor, I have never felt such pure kindness and warmth. His eyes were engulfed with anger and disgust, yet there was a spark of concern in those eyes.

'I'm okay… I'll be okay. But I'm not familiar with this feeling…'

It was time for lunch. As I entered the Great Hall, I quickly observed a group of seventh-year students near James Potter and the Marauders. It was the same group that tried to rape me earlier.

As I approached the group, I overheard James shouting at them.

"Failed?! Even with four of you."

"I'm sorry, but she was strong and Mr. Lupin interfered."

"Remus?"

"Yes, he ordered us to let her go."

"I lost faith because of him."

"You mean, face?"

"Shut up," James growled. "I guess I won't give you the 1000 Galleons."

I heard more than I needed to. To put it bluntly, I was furious. I could not believe that good for nothing Marauder bribed students to rape me. Before I could give James a nice black eye, I heard a voice several feet away.

"Here she is again, give me that egg."

"I will not be fooled by the same trick!" I whirled to the source of the voice and shouted, "Immobilius!"

The flying egg stopped two feet in front of me and floated in midair. Everyone in the Great Hall stopped what they were doing while James and the rest of the Marauders surveyed the scene with amusement. The culprit was a sixth year male student with beady eyes. I could see drops of perspiration starting to form on his forehead when his beady black eyes locked onto my fiery green eyes.

Taking out my wand, I tapped the floating egg and transfigured it into a softball. I grabbed the ball with my right hand and threw the ball at the cowering culprit. Unfortunately, the ball did not smash his face as he blocked the ball with his arm.

"You bitch, you broke my Rolex."

With a smile, I replied, "I'm sure your rich daddy bought you that Rolex. Besides, it's your fault for provoking me."

After saying that, I walked to where the Marauders sat at the Gryffindor table. Ignoring the other Marauders, I focused my attention to James who had a sinister smile plastered on his goofy face.

"So Lily flower, had enough?" asked James when I approached.

'Bastard.' Without thinking, I landed an upper cut with my right fist on James's jaw. James went flying off his seat from the force of my punch. Dazed, James was sprawling on the hall of the Great Hall. Sirius and Peter could not believe their eyes. A girl knocked out James the old fashioned way.

'I did it. I need to escape before James gets up.'

I turned my back towards James and counted to ten to calm my erratic breathing. I have never felt so good in my entire life. Although James may torment me for the rest of my time at Hogwarts, I will not stay quiet.

Behind me, I heard James muttered, "Sister." Unable to subdue my laughter any longer, I quickly exited the Great Hall.

It has been so long since I have been in such a jovial mood. It was a Hogsmeade weekend, and nothing could ruin my present mood. Hogsmeade was the only sign of civilization within a reasonable distance from the school. Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, I would come here to work at Honeydukes, a famous sweets shop in the wizarding world. Although the Ministry paid for my tuition, room, and board, I still needed to earn income for personal use.

I wandered aimlessly through the bustling streets of Hogsmeade. The near-rape incident still haunted me in my dreams. As I watched students swarm in and out of the shops, I constantly thought about the enigmatic Remus Lupin. It has been two weeks since the incident, and I never personally thanked him. The hazing gradually decreased since I punched James in the Great Hall. Surprisingly, the Marauders have not pulled any pranks during that time either.

After awhile, I noticed the Shrieking Shack coming into view. I shuddered as I glimpsed at the rundown wooden shelter. I have heard horrible stories concerning this particular place. Several years ago, the villagers started to hear screeching howls and cries emanating from the shack every time there was full moon. For all this time, none of the villages dared to approach the haunted shack.

'It's probably a good idea to go back to the village.' I thought. 'It's not safe to be here.'

Before I started to return back to the village, I became aware of a soft tune of a violin coming from the shack. Entranced by the tune, I carefully walked towards the shack. The sweet melody enveloped me with its sorrowful innocence. I was footsteps away from the door.

'Who could play such a sad tune,' I thought. 'Who could have experienced such sorrow?'

The music stopped. Overwhelmed my curiosity, I slowly lifted my right hand to knock on the door. The door suddenly swung open. With a mahogany violin in his left hand, the mysterious Remus Lupin stood before me.

With a frigid stare, Remus said, "Oh it's you. I thought I heard someone approaching."

I blushed and answered, "I didn't know you would be in the Shrieking Shack. That was you playing the violin, right? The melody is beautiful."

Remus let out a heavy sigh and went back into the shack. I followed him inside to see him put back the violin in the black case.

"Don't stop playing," I abruptly blurted out. "I want to hear it again."

Remus closed the case and took a deep breath. "Why are you so interested in me? Anyone can play the violin. Could you please go away?"

Ignoring his last comment, I looked down and whispered, "I didn't get a chance to thank you for saving me. If it wasn't for you, I would have been raped."

"I should never have saved you then. I never imagined you would be sticking around me."

"I was so happy about that," I said as Remus faced me. "I hope I'll see you in the Astronomy Tower."

Remus brushed past me and responded, "If so, I will never go back."

Once again, Remus left me alone. It's strange. Despite his icy character, I did not get angry. Someone who could play such moving music must be a nice guy.

I exited from the Shrieking Shack and started my way back to Hogsmeade. When I returned to the village, one of the students waved at me and shouted, "Hey Lily!"

Surprised by this sudden act of friendliness, I nervously waved back. 'What's going on?'

"It's such a thrill. Imagine what the Marauders would do to us if they find out."

'I see…'

"Miss Evans?"

I looked up to see a trio of men in black suits. Dark sunglasses concealed their eyes. I uneasily nodded my head.

"Would you please follow us?"

Before I could react, I felt two pairs of hands grab my arms.

"Hey!" I shouted as I struggled against the hold. "What is the meaning of this?!"

One of the men covered my mouth with a small cloth. The cloth's intoxicating fumes made me dizzy and disoriented. When I opened one of my eyes, I noticed someone was behind the black-suited men. Remembering only an image of a grinning James Potter leaning against the black sedan, everything turned black.

Author's Note: Eh… I actually wanted to add more things to the chapter, but I noticed that I it was getting a little too long. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but the next chapter will not come until I'm done with finals (two weeks). If I manage to find time to edit, I'll amuse you with a special side story. In the meantime, leave a review!