Ok, I was just on here, reading over my story, when I realized I hadn't posted the 4th chapter yet. Seriously, I thought I put it on here 2 days ago. I must of spaced out or something when I was suppose to be adding this chapter. Anyway, thanks for the reviews guys, keep 'em coming ^.^.
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CHAPTER 4- Two Social Outings
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In the hallway the next day a pack of party invitation is handed to Peter. "Future Princeton Grad Bogey Lowenstein proudly presents a Saturday night bash in the Astronomy Tower. Casual attire".
Peter holds the invitation up to Remus.
"This is it. A golden opportunity! James can ask Lily to the party." Remus said excitedly.
"In that case, we'll need to make it a school-wide blow out." Peter said, re-reading the invitation.
"Will Bogey get bent?" Remus asked.
"Are you kidding? He'll piss himself with joy. He's the ultimate kiss ass." He said, passing an invitation to a group of jock-type guys, who immediately start asking people if they're going to the party.
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Later on Lucius stands in the hallway with Violet, holding a notebook. The notebook is home to Lucius's "modeling" career. Cheesy print ads of him -- running in a field of daisies, petting a owl, and so on are on the front cover.
" Which do you like better?" He asks Violet, holing up two photos. In one, he's pouting in a white shirt. In the other, he's pouting in a black shirt.
"I think I like the white shirt."
Lucius nods thoughtfully.
"It's more…" He said searching for the right word
"Expensive?" Violet offered.
"Exactly." He said, shutting his book. "So, you going to Bogey Lowenbrau's thing on Saturday?"
"Hopefully."
He gives her his best flirtatious smile. "Good, 'cause I'm not gonna bother if you won't be there."
He taps her on the nose and she giggles
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Later, in the Library, Violet sits across from Remus, who's transfixed, as always.
" Have you heard about Bogey Lowenstein's party?" Violet asks him
"Sure have." He said
"I really, really, really wanna go, but I can't. Not unless my sister goes." She said, visibly pouting.
"I'm workin' on it. But she doesn't seem to be goin' for him." Remus said, then he looks up. "She's not a..."
"Lesbian?" Violet offers. "No. I found a picture of Jared Leto in one of her drawers, so I'm pretty sure she's not harboring same-sex tendencies." She said
"So that's the kind of guy she likes? Pretty ones?"
"Who knows? All I've ever heard her say is that she'd dip before dating guy that smokes."
Violet said as Remus furiously takes notes.
"All right. What else is she partial to?" He asked.
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James sits at the bar in Hogs Head, sipping on a firewhisky.
He looks up when he hears a commotion at the door. Lou the bouncer-type guy is in the midst of throwing Peter and Remus out.
" Lou, it's okay. They're with me." James calls from the bar.
Lou looks at James, surprised, then reluctantly lets the two non-deviants pass through.
James guides them to a table and sips from his goblet.
"What've you got for me?" He asked
"I've retrieved certain pieces of information on Miss Lily Evans I think you'll find helpful." Remus said pulling out a piece of paper.
"Number one. She hates smokers." He said
" It's a lung cancer issue." Peter included
"Her favorite uncle."
"Dead at forty-one."
James sits up.
"Are you telling me I'm a -"non-smoker"?" He asked, spitting out the word.
" Just for now." Peter insured.
"Another thing. Violet said that Lily likes -- pretty guys." Remus said hesitently.
This is met with silence. Then:
"What? You don't think I'm pretty?" James challenged
Peter smacks Remus lightly.
"He's pretty!"
"Okay! I wasn't sure." Remus said, looking oddly at Peter before returning to the list.
"Okay -- Likes: Muggle-type food, feminist prose, and "angry, stinky girl music of the indie-rock persuasion".
"So what does that give me? I'm supposed to buy her some pizzaz or whatever, and a book and sit around listening
to chicks who can't play their instruments?" James asked
"It's pizza." Remus said, receiving a glare from James.
"Ever been to Club Charms, it's right here in Hogsmade?"
"Yeah." James said
"Gigglewands is playing there tomorrow night." Remus said
" Don't make me do it, man" James said, placing his head in his hands.
"Assail your ears for one night." Peter said
" It's her favorite band." Remus added.
James groans. "Well, at least she's not against sneaking out of Hogwarts." He mumbled
"I also retrieved a list of her most recent CD purchases, courtesy of Witch Charge Card." Peter said
He hands it over.
" Peter -- did you get this information "illegally"?" James asked, smiling.
Peter puts a finger to his lips.
" I prefer to think of it simply as an alternative to what the law allows." Peter said, smiling way too big.
"I'm liking' you guys better." James said nodding.
He looks down at the list of CDs.
"This is really music?"
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Loud music comes from the girls dorms, the room is decorated with indie rock band posters and flyers.
Lily and Macey dance as they dress and apply make-up. Violet enters, interrupting their fun.
"Can you turn down the Screaming Menstrual Bitches? I'm trying to study."
Lily doesn't move, so Violet crosses to the wizard-type stereo, turning down the volume.
"Don't tell me you're actually going out of the castle? On a school night, no less." Violet accuses.
Lily shoots her a glare
"Oh my God, does this mean you're becoming normal?" Violet asks excitedly.
"It means that Gigglewand is playing at Club Charms and we're going." Lily said
"Oh," Violet said, disapointed. "I thought you might have a date." She paused.
"I don't know why I'm bothering to ask, but are you going to Bogey Lowenstein's party Saturday night?"
"What do you think?" Lily deadpanned.
"I think you're a freak. I think you do this to torture me. And I think you suck."
She smiles sweetly and shuts the door behind her. Lily doesn't bat an eye. She grabs her purse and opens the door.
"Let's hit it." She said to Macey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lily and Macey walk into the club, Macey nervously pulling out her fake ID. The giant, afroed bouncer, Bruce, looks typically monosyllabic.
"You think this'll work?" Macey whispered to Lily
"No fear." Lily said.
They approach Bruce. Lily puts on her happy, shiny face
"Hello! We'd like two for Gigglewands!"
Bruce looks the girls up and down.
"I can count." He says
He looks at their IDs. Macey gently moves Lily aside, wearing a face that could only be described as "I AM a Victoria's Secret model."
" I'll bet you can.."
She sticks out her chest and licks her lips. Bruce stares at her deadpan and hands her back the IDs.
"Go ahead… And you" He said to Macey
"Yes?"
"Take it easy on the guys in there."
Macey winks at him and walks inside. Lily follows behind, shaking her head.
Not long later, James walks up to Bruce, who's frisking a badly mow hawked, Multi-pierced boy. Bruce pulls a switchblade out of the boy's inside pocket.
"Next time, leave the Bic at home, Diggory."
"It's a bottle opener." He said innocently.
Bruce pushes him inside the club, then sees James.
" Potter, my man."
They shake.
"Always a pleasure, Brucie."
"Didn't have you pegged for a Gigglewands fan. Aren't they a little too pre-teen belly-button ring for you?"
"Fan of a fan." James explained "You see a couple of minors come in?"
"Never."
"Padua girls. One tall, decent body. The other one kinda short and undersexed?" James adked
"Just sent 'em through."
James starts to go in
"Hey -- what happened to that chick you brought last time? The one with the snake?" Bruce asks
James laughs and goes into the club
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Onstage, the all-female band Gigglewands is parlaying their bad girl sass into a ripping punk number.
Near the stage is a joyful mass of pogo-ing teens at the bar.
James bellies up and looks around the club. Gigglewands finishes a song.
"Hello, out there. We're Gigglewand and we're from Olympia." One of the singers shouts
A teenage boy in the audience takes the opportunity to scream.
"Pet my kitty!" Someone yells
"Meow." The singer relies.
They rev into their next song.
Near the stage Macey and Lily glow with sweat. When they hear the opening chords of the song, they look at each other and scream with glee as they begin to dance. They couldn't be having a better time.
James signals to get the bartender's attention and looks across the bouncing surge of the crowd. He spots Lily and Macey singing along, he pauses.
The gleeful Lily -- dancing and looking completely at ease. None of her usual "attitude". James is transfixed. And most definitely attracted.
Near the stage Lily looks at Macey.
"I need a drink!" She shouts to be heard over the music.
She makes her way through the crowd to the bar.
She signals for the bartender and as she's waiting, looks around. She spots James a few feet away
"Shit." She says to herself.
She sneaks a glance. He's staring, but this time he looks away before she can. Despite herself, she's miffed.
The bartender arrives
"What can I get you?" He shouted
"Two butterbeers."
She looks at James again. He's completely absorbed in the band. She scowls. The drinks arrives and she marches off, forgetting to pay.
She walks up to James.
"You're not fooling anyone." She states
James looks at her, surprised
"Hey. Great show, huh?"
" If you're planning on asking me out you might as well get it over with." She yelled over the music.
" Excuse me?" He yelled back
"That's what you want, isn't it?"
"Do you mind? You're sort of ruining it for me." He said, gesturing towards the band
Lily steams. And watches him watch the band.
"You're not surrounded by your usual cloud of smoke." She commented, still yelling to be heard.
The band takes a break, so they can stop yelling now
" I know. I quit."
He leans back, making no attempt to hit on her. She moves
closer.
"Oh, really?" She asks
He motions toward the stage. "You know, these guys are no Bikini Kill or The Raincoats, but they're right up there."
"You know who The Raincoats are?"
"Why, don't you?"
She's completely taken aback. He uses the moment to his advantage and brushes her hair back as he speaks right into her ear.
" I watched you out there I've never seen you look like that" He whispers
Lily steps away, brushing the hair back that he just touched. Her cheeks pinken.
His cocky side is back in a flash
"Come to that party with me." He offered
At that moment, the band starts another SONG
"What?" She yelled
The bartender approaches.
"You forgot to pay!" He yells to Lily
"I got it, Rick." James yelled back, tosses some coins on the bar.
Rather than thank him, Lily simply watches him, trying to figure out his motive.
"Nine-thirty then." He yelled
A few people have gotten between them at the bar and she can't hear a word he's saying. She gives him one last look and heads back into the crowd.
James smiles. She didn't say no this time.
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Remus and Peter are in the Great Hall.
" So, then she says that she almost didn't wear the Kenneth Coles with that dress because she thought she was mixing, you know, genres. And the fact that I noticed -- and I'm quoting here -"really meant something."" Remus said
Remus looks At Peter expectantly
"You told me that part already." Peter said, his mouth full.
"Hell, I've just been going over the whole thing in my head and -"
Lucius appears over Remus's shoulder.
"Hey. Dingo Boingo"
Remus and Peter look at each other And turn around
slowly.
"I hear you're helpin' Potter." He says to Peter
"Uh, yeah. We're old friends" Peter said nervously
"You and Potter?"Lucius asked, raising an eye brow
"What? We took bathes together when we were kids." Peter said.
It's incredibly obvious that he's lying. Lucius eyes him then turns to Remus.
"What's your gig in all this?"
"I'm just the new guy." Remus says.
Lucius turns back to Peter, grabbing his shirt and twisting it.
"You better not fuck this up. I'm heavily invested." He spat
"Hey -- it's all for the higher good right?" Peter squeaked.
Lucius lets go of Peter and shoves Remus against the wall for good measure, as he walks away-
" Is it about me?" Remus asked.
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Lily sits outside waiting for her appointment with Miss Perky , bored and annoyed.
The door opens and Miss Perky escorts James out.
"You're completely demented." Miss Perky says
"See you next week!" James said happily
Lily stands and James sees her.
Miss Perky watches in horror
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah." James said at the same time Lily said "No."
Miss Perky grabs Lily and shoves her into her office.
" Dear God, stay away from her." She says to James. " If you two ever decided to breed, evil would truly walk the earth."
James gives Lily one last look before the door shuts, then
smiles-
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Violet and April stand outside Lily's dorm room. Music is blaring and the door is shut. Violet looks at her watch.
"She's obviously not going."
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Across the carpet, two pairs of teenage girl feet sneak past. Violet and April, teddy bear purses in hand.
At the Common Room enterance a rusling is heard. The girls freeze.
Miss. Perky, who is the Head of Gryffindor House at the time, emerges from the portrait with a mile-high sandwich.
The girls are like statues. Miss Perky jumps.
"Miss Perky, I –"Violet started
"And where're you going?" Miss Perky asked, straitening herself.
"If you must know, we were attempting to go to a small study group of friends." Violet answered.
"Otherwise known as an orgy?" Miss Perky asked, unfased.
"It's just a party. Miss Perky, but I knew you'd forbid me to go since my Dad made sure the staff knew I couldn't go anywhere unless "Gloria Steinem" over there goes, and she isn't going --"
She points to Lily, who comes downstairs, wearing a baby tee and battered Levis. Her relaxing-in-dorm look is about 400 times sexier than her at-school look. She wanders toward the water pitcher.
Miss Perky directs her attention toward Lily.
"Do you know about any party? Lily?"
Lily shrugs as she fixes a glass of water.
" Miss Perky, people expect me to be there!" Violet said angrly
" If Lily's not going, you're not going." Miss Perky said. "I'm under strict orders."
Violet turns to Lily, eyes ablaze
"You're ruining my life'. Because you won't be normal, I can't be normal."
"What's normal?" Lily asks, cocking her head to the side.
"Bogey Lowenstein's party is normal, but you're too busy listening to Bitches Who Need Prozac to know that."
"What's a Bogey Lowenstein?" Miss Perky asks, not familiar with the student.
Lily sets down her glass, ready to do battle.
"Can't you forget for just one night that you're completely wretched?" Violet asks.
"At least I'm not a clouted fen- sucked hedge-pig." Lily said.
Violet tosses her hair.
"Like I'm supposed to know what that even means."
"It's Shakespeare. Maybe you've heard of him?" Lily says crossly.
"Yeah, he's your freak friend Macey's boyfriend. I guess since I'm not allowed to go out, I should obsess over a dead guy, too." Violet snaps
"Girls." Miss Perky warns.
Lily stares Violet down
" I know about the goddamn party. I'm going." Lily says.
Violet and April look at each other, thrilled, and burst into gleeful screams.
A startled Miss Perky pulls out a letter, written by the girl's father.
"Can we go now?" Lily asks as they finally stop cheering.
"Promise me you won't talk to any boys unless your sister is present." Miss Perky says, reading off part of the letter.
"Why?"
"Because she'll scare them away."
Lily stomps to her dorm, grabbing her wand off the table and a jumper from the coat rack. She flings open the door and...
There stands James.
"Nine-thirty right?" James asked.
Lily's in shock
"I'm early." James said, continuing.
She shakes her head. "Fine, lets go."
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Bogey, a short future Quidditch Star in a tux, greets his guests like a pro, handing out cigars and butterbeers.
"Nice to see you. pub to the right, shots on the roof.
The Astronomy Tower is filled to capacity with Hogwart's finest. Lily pushes through the crowd. James saunters in behind her.
Lucius, on the roof, lines up a row of shots amid much whooping and hollering within the jock crowd.
Lily enters, then quickly tries to make an about face. Lucius sees her and rushes over to block her, standing in the doorway to the stairs.
"Lookin' fresh tonight, Pussy-Lily."
Lily gives him a death look and then stops and points at his forehead.
"Wait -- was that?-- Did your hairline just recede?" Lily asked, acting horrified.
He panics, whipping out a handy pocket mirror. She's already walking away.
"Where ya goin?"
"Away."
"Your sister here?"
Lily's face shows utter hatred
" Leave my sister alone."
"And why would I do that?" He asks smirking.
A ruckus sounds from the pub part of the room.
" A fight!" A jock yells
The other jocks rush to watch as two Coffee Kids splash their cupfuls on each other.
"That was a New Guinea Peaberry, you Folger's-crystals-slurping-buttwipe." One says
Caffeinated fists fly. Lucius slithers away from the door to watch, giving Lily one last smirk, just as Violet walks into the kitchen.
"Just who I was looking for."
He puts his arm around Violet and escorts her out
"Violet" Lily says in a warning tone.
Violet keeps walking, ignoring Lily.
A guy pouring shots hands Lily one. She downs it and accepts another.
"Drink up, sister." The guy says, handing her more.
James walks up
"What's this?"
"I'm getting trashed, man." She said mockingly. "Isn't that what you're supposed to do at a party?"
" I say, do what you wanna do."
"Funny, you're the only one" She says downing another.
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Remus and Peter enter the Tower. Remus looks around for his beloved, while Peter schmooses with all in attendance and dishes dirt simultaneously.
"Moose, my man! " Peter said, high-fiving a jock.
"Ranked fifth in the state. Recruiters have already started calling, born for Quidditch." He whispered to Remus.
Remus nods intently
"Yo, Clem." Peter said, grabbing his belt as to look more 'western' to the cowboy.
"A Patsy Cline fan, but hates the new Leanne Rimes. " He whispered to Remus
Peter spots Violet and April, watching the skirmish, and points Remus's body in her direction.
"Follow the love, man' He said.
Violet cranes her neck
"Where did he go? He was just here."
"Who?" April asks
" Lucius." Violet says, preoccupied with searching.
Remus walks over.
"Evening, ladies."
Violet turns and graces him with a pained smile.
"Hi." She says
"Looks like things worked out tonight, huh?" He says, smiling.
Violet ignores the question and tries to pawn him off
"You know April?" She asks, pointing to her friend.
" I believe we share an art instructor." Remus says, nodding at her.
"Great." April says
"Would you mind getting me a drink, Remus?" Violet asks quickly.
"Certainly Butterbeer? Firewhisky? Dragon Breath?
Violet gives him a tense smile.
"Surprise me."
He heads for the kitchen. Lucius walks up and grabs her around the waist.
She giggles as he picks her up and carries her off -- just as Remus returns, a drink -- complete with a napkin and straw -- in his hand.
April glares with a jealous fury after Violet and Lucius, then gives Remus the once-over and walks away.
Peter appears.
" Extremely unfortunate maneuver." He said
"The hell is that? What kind of 'guy just picks up a girl and carries her away while you're talking to her?" Remus asks, outraged.
"Buttholus extremus. But hey, you're making progress." Peter said, patting him on the back.
"No, I ' m not." Remus said smacking himself in the head.
" She used me! She wants to go out with Malfoy. Not me. I'm an idiot!"
Peter pats him on the shoulder again.
"At least you're self-aware."
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Lily and a crowd of White Rastas and Cowboys stand in a drunken group hug singing "I Shot the Sheriff". Lily has another shot glass in hand.
James is showing a scar to an inebriated, enraptured cheerleader. He looks up at Lily and he smiles, it meeting his eyes then looks away.
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Violet stands next to Lucius, sipping from her beer
"So yeah, I've got the Witch Weekly thing going -- and the new robes gig " that's gonna be huge. And then I'm up for an ad for Queen Joe next week."
"Queen Joe?" Violet asks
"It's a gay cruise line, muggle thing, but I'll be, like, wearing a uniform and stuff."
Violet tries to appear impressed, but it's getting difficult.
" Neat..."
"My agent says I've got a good shot at being the 'IT' guy next year."
He looks over her shoulder and waves at someone. Violet takes the opportunity to escape.
"I'll be right back."
Violet walks down the Astronomy Tower stairs and to the girls lavatory she shuts the door and leans on it with a sigh. April applies lip-gloss in the mirror.
"He practically proposed when he found out we had the same dermatologist. I mean. Dr. Bonchowski is great an all, but he's not exactly relevant party conversation." Violet said,.
"Is he oily or dry?" April asked, rubbing her lips together.
"Combination. I don't know -- I thought he'd be different. More of a
gentleman..."
April rolls her eyes
"Violet, I don't think the highlights of dating Lucius Malfoy are going to include door-opening and coat-holding." She said
" Sometimes I wonder if the guys we're supposed to want to go out with are the ones we actually want to go out with you know?" Violet sighed.
"All I know is -- I'd give up my wand to go out with a guy like Lucius." April said
There's a knock at the door. Violet opens it to find a very drunken Lily.
"Violet , I need to talk to you -- I need to tell you –" Lily started
"I really don't think I need any social advice from you right now."
Violet grabs April's arm and they exit.
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Whatdda ya think? Flames are welcomed, just review please. ~~~Mystery~~~
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CHAPTER 4- Two Social Outings
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In the hallway the next day a pack of party invitation is handed to Peter. "Future Princeton Grad Bogey Lowenstein proudly presents a Saturday night bash in the Astronomy Tower. Casual attire".
Peter holds the invitation up to Remus.
"This is it. A golden opportunity! James can ask Lily to the party." Remus said excitedly.
"In that case, we'll need to make it a school-wide blow out." Peter said, re-reading the invitation.
"Will Bogey get bent?" Remus asked.
"Are you kidding? He'll piss himself with joy. He's the ultimate kiss ass." He said, passing an invitation to a group of jock-type guys, who immediately start asking people if they're going to the party.
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Later on Lucius stands in the hallway with Violet, holding a notebook. The notebook is home to Lucius's "modeling" career. Cheesy print ads of him -- running in a field of daisies, petting a owl, and so on are on the front cover.
" Which do you like better?" He asks Violet, holing up two photos. In one, he's pouting in a white shirt. In the other, he's pouting in a black shirt.
"I think I like the white shirt."
Lucius nods thoughtfully.
"It's more…" He said searching for the right word
"Expensive?" Violet offered.
"Exactly." He said, shutting his book. "So, you going to Bogey Lowenbrau's thing on Saturday?"
"Hopefully."
He gives her his best flirtatious smile. "Good, 'cause I'm not gonna bother if you won't be there."
He taps her on the nose and she giggles
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Later, in the Library, Violet sits across from Remus, who's transfixed, as always.
" Have you heard about Bogey Lowenstein's party?" Violet asks him
"Sure have." He said
"I really, really, really wanna go, but I can't. Not unless my sister goes." She said, visibly pouting.
"I'm workin' on it. But she doesn't seem to be goin' for him." Remus said, then he looks up. "She's not a..."
"Lesbian?" Violet offers. "No. I found a picture of Jared Leto in one of her drawers, so I'm pretty sure she's not harboring same-sex tendencies." She said
"So that's the kind of guy she likes? Pretty ones?"
"Who knows? All I've ever heard her say is that she'd dip before dating guy that smokes."
Violet said as Remus furiously takes notes.
"All right. What else is she partial to?" He asked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
James sits at the bar in Hogs Head, sipping on a firewhisky.
He looks up when he hears a commotion at the door. Lou the bouncer-type guy is in the midst of throwing Peter and Remus out.
" Lou, it's okay. They're with me." James calls from the bar.
Lou looks at James, surprised, then reluctantly lets the two non-deviants pass through.
James guides them to a table and sips from his goblet.
"What've you got for me?" He asked
"I've retrieved certain pieces of information on Miss Lily Evans I think you'll find helpful." Remus said pulling out a piece of paper.
"Number one. She hates smokers." He said
" It's a lung cancer issue." Peter included
"Her favorite uncle."
"Dead at forty-one."
James sits up.
"Are you telling me I'm a -"non-smoker"?" He asked, spitting out the word.
" Just for now." Peter insured.
"Another thing. Violet said that Lily likes -- pretty guys." Remus said hesitently.
This is met with silence. Then:
"What? You don't think I'm pretty?" James challenged
Peter smacks Remus lightly.
"He's pretty!"
"Okay! I wasn't sure." Remus said, looking oddly at Peter before returning to the list.
"Okay -- Likes: Muggle-type food, feminist prose, and "angry, stinky girl music of the indie-rock persuasion".
"So what does that give me? I'm supposed to buy her some pizzaz or whatever, and a book and sit around listening
to chicks who can't play their instruments?" James asked
"It's pizza." Remus said, receiving a glare from James.
"Ever been to Club Charms, it's right here in Hogsmade?"
"Yeah." James said
"Gigglewands is playing there tomorrow night." Remus said
" Don't make me do it, man" James said, placing his head in his hands.
"Assail your ears for one night." Peter said
" It's her favorite band." Remus added.
James groans. "Well, at least she's not against sneaking out of Hogwarts." He mumbled
"I also retrieved a list of her most recent CD purchases, courtesy of Witch Charge Card." Peter said
He hands it over.
" Peter -- did you get this information "illegally"?" James asked, smiling.
Peter puts a finger to his lips.
" I prefer to think of it simply as an alternative to what the law allows." Peter said, smiling way too big.
"I'm liking' you guys better." James said nodding.
He looks down at the list of CDs.
"This is really music?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Loud music comes from the girls dorms, the room is decorated with indie rock band posters and flyers.
Lily and Macey dance as they dress and apply make-up. Violet enters, interrupting their fun.
"Can you turn down the Screaming Menstrual Bitches? I'm trying to study."
Lily doesn't move, so Violet crosses to the wizard-type stereo, turning down the volume.
"Don't tell me you're actually going out of the castle? On a school night, no less." Violet accuses.
Lily shoots her a glare
"Oh my God, does this mean you're becoming normal?" Violet asks excitedly.
"It means that Gigglewand is playing at Club Charms and we're going." Lily said
"Oh," Violet said, disapointed. "I thought you might have a date." She paused.
"I don't know why I'm bothering to ask, but are you going to Bogey Lowenstein's party Saturday night?"
"What do you think?" Lily deadpanned.
"I think you're a freak. I think you do this to torture me. And I think you suck."
She smiles sweetly and shuts the door behind her. Lily doesn't bat an eye. She grabs her purse and opens the door.
"Let's hit it." She said to Macey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lily and Macey walk into the club, Macey nervously pulling out her fake ID. The giant, afroed bouncer, Bruce, looks typically monosyllabic.
"You think this'll work?" Macey whispered to Lily
"No fear." Lily said.
They approach Bruce. Lily puts on her happy, shiny face
"Hello! We'd like two for Gigglewands!"
Bruce looks the girls up and down.
"I can count." He says
He looks at their IDs. Macey gently moves Lily aside, wearing a face that could only be described as "I AM a Victoria's Secret model."
" I'll bet you can.."
She sticks out her chest and licks her lips. Bruce stares at her deadpan and hands her back the IDs.
"Go ahead… And you" He said to Macey
"Yes?"
"Take it easy on the guys in there."
Macey winks at him and walks inside. Lily follows behind, shaking her head.
Not long later, James walks up to Bruce, who's frisking a badly mow hawked, Multi-pierced boy. Bruce pulls a switchblade out of the boy's inside pocket.
"Next time, leave the Bic at home, Diggory."
"It's a bottle opener." He said innocently.
Bruce pushes him inside the club, then sees James.
" Potter, my man."
They shake.
"Always a pleasure, Brucie."
"Didn't have you pegged for a Gigglewands fan. Aren't they a little too pre-teen belly-button ring for you?"
"Fan of a fan." James explained "You see a couple of minors come in?"
"Never."
"Padua girls. One tall, decent body. The other one kinda short and undersexed?" James adked
"Just sent 'em through."
James starts to go in
"Hey -- what happened to that chick you brought last time? The one with the snake?" Bruce asks
James laughs and goes into the club
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Onstage, the all-female band Gigglewands is parlaying their bad girl sass into a ripping punk number.
Near the stage is a joyful mass of pogo-ing teens at the bar.
James bellies up and looks around the club. Gigglewands finishes a song.
"Hello, out there. We're Gigglewand and we're from Olympia." One of the singers shouts
A teenage boy in the audience takes the opportunity to scream.
"Pet my kitty!" Someone yells
"Meow." The singer relies.
They rev into their next song.
Near the stage Macey and Lily glow with sweat. When they hear the opening chords of the song, they look at each other and scream with glee as they begin to dance. They couldn't be having a better time.
James signals to get the bartender's attention and looks across the bouncing surge of the crowd. He spots Lily and Macey singing along, he pauses.
The gleeful Lily -- dancing and looking completely at ease. None of her usual "attitude". James is transfixed. And most definitely attracted.
Near the stage Lily looks at Macey.
"I need a drink!" She shouts to be heard over the music.
She makes her way through the crowd to the bar.
She signals for the bartender and as she's waiting, looks around. She spots James a few feet away
"Shit." She says to herself.
She sneaks a glance. He's staring, but this time he looks away before she can. Despite herself, she's miffed.
The bartender arrives
"What can I get you?" He shouted
"Two butterbeers."
She looks at James again. He's completely absorbed in the band. She scowls. The drinks arrives and she marches off, forgetting to pay.
She walks up to James.
"You're not fooling anyone." She states
James looks at her, surprised
"Hey. Great show, huh?"
" If you're planning on asking me out you might as well get it over with." She yelled over the music.
" Excuse me?" He yelled back
"That's what you want, isn't it?"
"Do you mind? You're sort of ruining it for me." He said, gesturing towards the band
Lily steams. And watches him watch the band.
"You're not surrounded by your usual cloud of smoke." She commented, still yelling to be heard.
The band takes a break, so they can stop yelling now
" I know. I quit."
He leans back, making no attempt to hit on her. She moves
closer.
"Oh, really?" She asks
He motions toward the stage. "You know, these guys are no Bikini Kill or The Raincoats, but they're right up there."
"You know who The Raincoats are?"
"Why, don't you?"
She's completely taken aback. He uses the moment to his advantage and brushes her hair back as he speaks right into her ear.
" I watched you out there I've never seen you look like that" He whispers
Lily steps away, brushing the hair back that he just touched. Her cheeks pinken.
His cocky side is back in a flash
"Come to that party with me." He offered
At that moment, the band starts another SONG
"What?" She yelled
The bartender approaches.
"You forgot to pay!" He yells to Lily
"I got it, Rick." James yelled back, tosses some coins on the bar.
Rather than thank him, Lily simply watches him, trying to figure out his motive.
"Nine-thirty then." He yelled
A few people have gotten between them at the bar and she can't hear a word he's saying. She gives him one last look and heads back into the crowd.
James smiles. She didn't say no this time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remus and Peter are in the Great Hall.
" So, then she says that she almost didn't wear the Kenneth Coles with that dress because she thought she was mixing, you know, genres. And the fact that I noticed -- and I'm quoting here -"really meant something."" Remus said
Remus looks At Peter expectantly
"You told me that part already." Peter said, his mouth full.
"Hell, I've just been going over the whole thing in my head and -"
Lucius appears over Remus's shoulder.
"Hey. Dingo Boingo"
Remus and Peter look at each other And turn around
slowly.
"I hear you're helpin' Potter." He says to Peter
"Uh, yeah. We're old friends" Peter said nervously
"You and Potter?"Lucius asked, raising an eye brow
"What? We took bathes together when we were kids." Peter said.
It's incredibly obvious that he's lying. Lucius eyes him then turns to Remus.
"What's your gig in all this?"
"I'm just the new guy." Remus says.
Lucius turns back to Peter, grabbing his shirt and twisting it.
"You better not fuck this up. I'm heavily invested." He spat
"Hey -- it's all for the higher good right?" Peter squeaked.
Lucius lets go of Peter and shoves Remus against the wall for good measure, as he walks away-
" Is it about me?" Remus asked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lily sits outside waiting for her appointment with Miss Perky , bored and annoyed.
The door opens and Miss Perky escorts James out.
"You're completely demented." Miss Perky says
"See you next week!" James said happily
Lily stands and James sees her.
Miss Perky watches in horror
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah." James said at the same time Lily said "No."
Miss Perky grabs Lily and shoves her into her office.
" Dear God, stay away from her." She says to James. " If you two ever decided to breed, evil would truly walk the earth."
James gives Lily one last look before the door shuts, then
smiles-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Violet and April stand outside Lily's dorm room. Music is blaring and the door is shut. Violet looks at her watch.
"She's obviously not going."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Across the carpet, two pairs of teenage girl feet sneak past. Violet and April, teddy bear purses in hand.
At the Common Room enterance a rusling is heard. The girls freeze.
Miss. Perky, who is the Head of Gryffindor House at the time, emerges from the portrait with a mile-high sandwich.
The girls are like statues. Miss Perky jumps.
"Miss Perky, I –"Violet started
"And where're you going?" Miss Perky asked, straitening herself.
"If you must know, we were attempting to go to a small study group of friends." Violet answered.
"Otherwise known as an orgy?" Miss Perky asked, unfased.
"It's just a party. Miss Perky, but I knew you'd forbid me to go since my Dad made sure the staff knew I couldn't go anywhere unless "Gloria Steinem" over there goes, and she isn't going --"
She points to Lily, who comes downstairs, wearing a baby tee and battered Levis. Her relaxing-in-dorm look is about 400 times sexier than her at-school look. She wanders toward the water pitcher.
Miss Perky directs her attention toward Lily.
"Do you know about any party? Lily?"
Lily shrugs as she fixes a glass of water.
" Miss Perky, people expect me to be there!" Violet said angrly
" If Lily's not going, you're not going." Miss Perky said. "I'm under strict orders."
Violet turns to Lily, eyes ablaze
"You're ruining my life'. Because you won't be normal, I can't be normal."
"What's normal?" Lily asks, cocking her head to the side.
"Bogey Lowenstein's party is normal, but you're too busy listening to Bitches Who Need Prozac to know that."
"What's a Bogey Lowenstein?" Miss Perky asks, not familiar with the student.
Lily sets down her glass, ready to do battle.
"Can't you forget for just one night that you're completely wretched?" Violet asks.
"At least I'm not a clouted fen- sucked hedge-pig." Lily said.
Violet tosses her hair.
"Like I'm supposed to know what that even means."
"It's Shakespeare. Maybe you've heard of him?" Lily says crossly.
"Yeah, he's your freak friend Macey's boyfriend. I guess since I'm not allowed to go out, I should obsess over a dead guy, too." Violet snaps
"Girls." Miss Perky warns.
Lily stares Violet down
" I know about the goddamn party. I'm going." Lily says.
Violet and April look at each other, thrilled, and burst into gleeful screams.
A startled Miss Perky pulls out a letter, written by the girl's father.
"Can we go now?" Lily asks as they finally stop cheering.
"Promise me you won't talk to any boys unless your sister is present." Miss Perky says, reading off part of the letter.
"Why?"
"Because she'll scare them away."
Lily stomps to her dorm, grabbing her wand off the table and a jumper from the coat rack. She flings open the door and...
There stands James.
"Nine-thirty right?" James asked.
Lily's in shock
"I'm early." James said, continuing.
She shakes her head. "Fine, lets go."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bogey, a short future Quidditch Star in a tux, greets his guests like a pro, handing out cigars and butterbeers.
"Nice to see you. pub to the right, shots on the roof.
The Astronomy Tower is filled to capacity with Hogwart's finest. Lily pushes through the crowd. James saunters in behind her.
Lucius, on the roof, lines up a row of shots amid much whooping and hollering within the jock crowd.
Lily enters, then quickly tries to make an about face. Lucius sees her and rushes over to block her, standing in the doorway to the stairs.
"Lookin' fresh tonight, Pussy-Lily."
Lily gives him a death look and then stops and points at his forehead.
"Wait -- was that?-- Did your hairline just recede?" Lily asked, acting horrified.
He panics, whipping out a handy pocket mirror. She's already walking away.
"Where ya goin?"
"Away."
"Your sister here?"
Lily's face shows utter hatred
" Leave my sister alone."
"And why would I do that?" He asks smirking.
A ruckus sounds from the pub part of the room.
" A fight!" A jock yells
The other jocks rush to watch as two Coffee Kids splash their cupfuls on each other.
"That was a New Guinea Peaberry, you Folger's-crystals-slurping-buttwipe." One says
Caffeinated fists fly. Lucius slithers away from the door to watch, giving Lily one last smirk, just as Violet walks into the kitchen.
"Just who I was looking for."
He puts his arm around Violet and escorts her out
"Violet" Lily says in a warning tone.
Violet keeps walking, ignoring Lily.
A guy pouring shots hands Lily one. She downs it and accepts another.
"Drink up, sister." The guy says, handing her more.
James walks up
"What's this?"
"I'm getting trashed, man." She said mockingly. "Isn't that what you're supposed to do at a party?"
" I say, do what you wanna do."
"Funny, you're the only one" She says downing another.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remus and Peter enter the Tower. Remus looks around for his beloved, while Peter schmooses with all in attendance and dishes dirt simultaneously.
"Moose, my man! " Peter said, high-fiving a jock.
"Ranked fifth in the state. Recruiters have already started calling, born for Quidditch." He whispered to Remus.
Remus nods intently
"Yo, Clem." Peter said, grabbing his belt as to look more 'western' to the cowboy.
"A Patsy Cline fan, but hates the new Leanne Rimes. " He whispered to Remus
Peter spots Violet and April, watching the skirmish, and points Remus's body in her direction.
"Follow the love, man' He said.
Violet cranes her neck
"Where did he go? He was just here."
"Who?" April asks
" Lucius." Violet says, preoccupied with searching.
Remus walks over.
"Evening, ladies."
Violet turns and graces him with a pained smile.
"Hi." She says
"Looks like things worked out tonight, huh?" He says, smiling.
Violet ignores the question and tries to pawn him off
"You know April?" She asks, pointing to her friend.
" I believe we share an art instructor." Remus says, nodding at her.
"Great." April says
"Would you mind getting me a drink, Remus?" Violet asks quickly.
"Certainly Butterbeer? Firewhisky? Dragon Breath?
Violet gives him a tense smile.
"Surprise me."
He heads for the kitchen. Lucius walks up and grabs her around the waist.
She giggles as he picks her up and carries her off -- just as Remus returns, a drink -- complete with a napkin and straw -- in his hand.
April glares with a jealous fury after Violet and Lucius, then gives Remus the once-over and walks away.
Peter appears.
" Extremely unfortunate maneuver." He said
"The hell is that? What kind of 'guy just picks up a girl and carries her away while you're talking to her?" Remus asks, outraged.
"Buttholus extremus. But hey, you're making progress." Peter said, patting him on the back.
"No, I ' m not." Remus said smacking himself in the head.
" She used me! She wants to go out with Malfoy. Not me. I'm an idiot!"
Peter pats him on the shoulder again.
"At least you're self-aware."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lily and a crowd of White Rastas and Cowboys stand in a drunken group hug singing "I Shot the Sheriff". Lily has another shot glass in hand.
James is showing a scar to an inebriated, enraptured cheerleader. He looks up at Lily and he smiles, it meeting his eyes then looks away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Violet stands next to Lucius, sipping from her beer
"So yeah, I've got the Witch Weekly thing going -- and the new robes gig " that's gonna be huge. And then I'm up for an ad for Queen Joe next week."
"Queen Joe?" Violet asks
"It's a gay cruise line, muggle thing, but I'll be, like, wearing a uniform and stuff."
Violet tries to appear impressed, but it's getting difficult.
" Neat..."
"My agent says I've got a good shot at being the 'IT' guy next year."
He looks over her shoulder and waves at someone. Violet takes the opportunity to escape.
"I'll be right back."
Violet walks down the Astronomy Tower stairs and to the girls lavatory she shuts the door and leans on it with a sigh. April applies lip-gloss in the mirror.
"He practically proposed when he found out we had the same dermatologist. I mean. Dr. Bonchowski is great an all, but he's not exactly relevant party conversation." Violet said,.
"Is he oily or dry?" April asked, rubbing her lips together.
"Combination. I don't know -- I thought he'd be different. More of a
gentleman..."
April rolls her eyes
"Violet, I don't think the highlights of dating Lucius Malfoy are going to include door-opening and coat-holding." She said
" Sometimes I wonder if the guys we're supposed to want to go out with are the ones we actually want to go out with you know?" Violet sighed.
"All I know is -- I'd give up my wand to go out with a guy like Lucius." April said
There's a knock at the door. Violet opens it to find a very drunken Lily.
"Violet , I need to talk to you -- I need to tell you –" Lily started
"I really don't think I need any social advice from you right now."
Violet grabs April's arm and they exit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whatdda ya think? Flames are welcomed, just review please. ~~~Mystery~~~