Disclaimer: Blah...blah...blah...no one reads the disclaimer anyway...
Chapter 6
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James's heart was beating faster than he had ever remembered it beating before as he watched Lily retreat down the staircase. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. But then again, he had always thought she was beautiful. For those few seconds where James was able to look into Lily's eyes before she noticed and started yelling at him, James felt a strange feeling. He felt like everything was right. He wanted to hold her, to protect her from the world...
James snapped out of it when he felt someone's eyes on him. He looked up and to his astonishment, he saw that it was Lily. But she wasn't staring at him with that hateful glare he was used to seeing; it was another emotion, a different emotion; it was an emotion he had never seen in her eyes before when she looked at him. They made eye contact, but Lily quickly looked away.
"Prongs, mate, let's head down to the ball," Sirius suggested. James nodded and climbed through the portrait hole and headed down to the Great Hall with Sirius and Brenda. Remus had already gone to meet up with his date from Hufflepuff.
James had decided to go solo to this ball. He didn't think it would be right to be leading some other girl on when he knew he was in love with Lily. Plus, he didn't feel like having some annoying girl clinging to his arm and begging him to dance during every single song...
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Lily had been waiting outside the Great Hall doors for ten minutes while holding onto Josh Chapman's arm. She actually found him incredibly annoying. He kept on talking on and on about his skills at Quidditch. He was so arrogant, even more arrogant than James. *No – no – even more arrogant than James USED TO BE, not how James is now* said a nagging voice in her head.
"So that's how I defeated Hufflepuff in the big game last year," Josh finished haughtily. "Isn't that great Lily? Lily? Lily are you even listening to me?" Josh asked. Lily wasn't paying a bit of attention to him. She found Josh's conceitedness revolting, so she was completely ignoring what he said. Instead, she was watching James.
She thought he looked so cute in his dress robes, standing there looking so insecure without his date. Without his date? Where was James Potter's date? Normally when James would have a date, the girl would be clinging onto his arm the second she was able to. Lily was puzzled. Perhaps she had...gone to the bathroom? Maybe...er...maybe he didn't have a date? That particular thought sounded very strange to Lily. Normally the poor girls would be lining up to ask James to the ball. He was bound to have picked somebody.
"Lily? Er – Lily? It's time to go inside! Let's go!" Josh said. Lily sighed. "Okay, let's go," she said, in the best "excited" voice she could muster up at the moment. When they entered the doors into the Great Hall, Josh lead her over to a table and they sat down.
"You want to dance, Lily?" he asked turning to her. "Erm – in a bit," Lily answered him. She didn't really feel like dancing with some self- satisfied prat right now and listening to his endless stories about how terrific he was. "Ugh, fine," Josh said rolling his eyes. Lily was rather surprised. This rude, conceited prat didn't seem like some fabulous Prince Charming to her. She would much rather be with James right now. Wait, James? Lily just admitted to herself that she wanted to be with James?!? Yep, she was definitely losing it...
After three more songs of Lily turning him down, Josh was starting to get annoyed. When the next song came on, he said, "Lily come on let's dance." He didn't ask – he said. "No, Josh, please I really don't feel like- ," Lily began, but she stopped. Josh had grabbed her arm a little harder than she would have expected, and she thought she saw a flicker of anger flash across his eyes. She chose to ignore it, however.
She gave a sigh and said, "Alright let's go," but before she had even said it, Josh started leading her out onto the dance floor. "Josh, take your hands off my butt," Lily said as she felt Josh's hands going lower and lower. Josh rolled his eyes, and put them back on her waist.
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James felt miserable as he watched Lily dancing with Josh. He should have just asked her! Why didn't he just ask her himself? He knew someone was bound to ask her that day! Why didn't he just do it in the Gryffindor common room before anyone else was able to?! James had thought he saw Josh putting his hands on Lily's butt. And then again, maybe he was just being paranoid...
No longer wanting to watch Lily dancing with Josh, and because he was sick of fighting off the annoying girls who kept begging him to dance, James stood up from his chair and walked outside onto the grounds.
He sat down on a bench and put his head in his hands. He was in a private spot surrounded with bushes where he supposed that no one would bother him; he didn't want to be bothered. He just wanted to think. Lily was driving him mad. Could she ever just be a bit civil towards him? Okay, so maybe he was reaching too far by hoping she would date him, but he wished she could at least have a conversation with him without blowing up, and without telling him how she hated everything about him...
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"Josh, I already asked you once to please take – your – hands – off – my – butt!" Lily said, slowly saying the last part. Josh let out a long, arrogant sigh. "Lily, let's go out onto the grounds. It will be much more private out there," he said. "Well Josh I – I don't think-," Lily began, but Josh ignored her protests. "Lily, come on!" he said grabbing her arm rather forcefully.
"Josh! Ouch let go! You're hurting me!" Lily yelled at him as he lead her onto the grounds and in a private spot surrounded by bushes. "Josh what is wrong with you?" Lily asked him. "Look, it's much better out here. It's quieter; there's not as many people around," he said grinning.
"Josh, I don't want to be out here! Let's go back!" Lily said hoping he would say yes. Josh stood there for a minute, almost as if he was thinking her question over. Then, he said, "You're right, let's not stay out here," and Lily sighed with relief. "Let's leave the ball and go up to my dormitory. It'd be much more fun up there. Come on Lily, you know you want to," he said smirking.
"Ugh! Leave me alone you perverted idiot!" Lily said starting to walk away. Josh grabbed her arm again, and this time, he was gripping very tightly. "Ouch! Josh, let go! LET GO!" Lily screamed at him. She tried to get out of his grasp, but his grip was too tight. Then he pushed her onto the ground, got on top of her, and started kissing her.
"Josh, no! Please, leave me alone. Let's just go back inside," Lily practically whispered. Josh laughed and ignored Lily. "JOSH STOP IT!" Lily said shouting at him. When he laughed again, Lily decided she'd had enough; without really thinking, she punched him in the face. He rolled off of her in pain, and Lily quickly started standing up. But then Josh stood up too, and grabbed her wrist harshly, this time causing her pain.
Lily was getting scared now. Josh's eyes were blazing with anger and he was breathing very heavily. He had one arm around her neck, and she tried desperately to wriggle free, but it was no use. "NO ONE – PUNCHES – ME!" he fumed, pushing Lily hard to the ground and kicking her in the stomach.
Lily cried out in pain. He kicked her again, even harder. She was winded; she couldn't move, she couldn't get up. Her head had collided very harshly with a rock when she had hit the ground. Again, Josh got on top of her. "How does it feel Lily? Does it hurt? I guess it shows you who is boss now, doesn't it?" he whispered intro Lily's ear, as tears began rolling down her cheeks. Josh started kissing her neck as she tried uselessly to get out from under him.
The second time Lily had tried to wriggle free, Josh punched her square in the face. "STOP IT LIY! Just don't bother," he said. Lily let out a whimper. "Just be quiet Lily! No one can hear you, and no one can help you. Lily, you're-," but Josh didn't finish his sentence. Someone – Lily couldn't see who – had pulled Josh off her.
Lily was completely oblivious to what was going on between Josh and the person who had come to help her. Her eyes were very swollen; her vision was blurry, and she could barely see, let alone breathe. She heard some one punching someone else, and then heard Josh's cry of pain. Then there was silence. The last thing she heard before the world blackened around her was a deep male voice, a familiar voice, saying angrily "Never, ever, ever come near her again."
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A pair of blazing, cold red eyes were glaring at her through the darkness. Then a white hand, whiter than any hand Lily had seen before, rose up a wand. A high-pitched voice shouted, "AVADA KEDAVRA!" and Lily fell to the ground. She was dead...
Lily sat up and screamed. She looked around, fearing that she would see those cold red eyes again, but she didn't' she saw several beds, curtains, and a woman fussing over her carrying a potion. "Relax, child!" said Madame Pomfrey, the school nurse. She was in the hospital wing. Wait, the hospital wing?
Nightmares of the previous night came flooding into Lily's mind. Ball...Josh...Fight...What had happened last night after she passed out? "Here, take this potion, Miss Evans," Madame Pomfrey said, practically forcing the potion down Lily's throat. After finishing it, Lily made a face.
"I know, disgusting isn't it? Well, you got some bad bruises last night Miss Evans. Lucky Mr. Potter found you before that other boy put you in worse condition," Madame Pomfrey said.
"WHAT?!?" Lily blurted out, not quite meaning to be so loud. Madame Pomfrey gave a look of surprise before she said, "Last night Mr. Potter heard you and that boy yelling so he went and he helped you out. But you passed out, supposedly from all the injuries you received. Mr. Potter came in last night carrying your limp from. I of course flipped and shooed him out, much to his protest."
"Oh," Lily said. She was rather speechless. James had done something like that to help her out? Okay, so he wasn't as bad as she thought...
"Lily!" screamed three familiar voices as the hospital wing doors flung open and three girls came rushing in. "Oh now what's all this?" Madame Pomfrey said looking flustered. "Please can we stay?" Kioko begged her. Madame Pomfrey sighed. "Five minutes. That's it. Miss Evans needs her rest," she said walking away.
Lily's three friends nodded their heads vigorously and then pulled up chairs by Lily's bed. "How are you feeling Lily?" Janelle asked. "Do your bruises still hurt?" Brenda asked fearfully. Lily winced as the pain came flooding back into her head and stomach. "I'm fine, really," Lily said.
She didn't feel like talking about it right now. "Everyone's talking about what happened," said Kioko. "How did they all find out?" Lily asked amazed. "Ashley Janston was in here last night for a head ache or something of the sort. She saw James come in here with you and everything," Janelle said. "And you know that girl can't keep her mouth quiet," Brenda added.
Lily smiled weakly. "So – er – has – has James been here?" she asked, trying to sound casual. Kioko and Brenda smirked at each other. "Yeah, he's been here alright," Janelle said grinning. "What's so funny?" Lily asked. "James has been here just about every hour checking to see how you were," Kioko informed her.
Lily blushed furiously. Fortunately, Madame Pomfrey came hustling back into the room. "Time's up. Out, out!" she said ushering Lily's friends to the door much to their objection. "Lily we'll see you tomorrow!" Brenda said before Madame Pomfrey shut the door on her.
"So, when do I get to leave here?" Lily asked fearing the answer. "You can leave tomorrow morning IF, and only IF, you get a good sleep. Oh, and you have to promise to come and see me every afternoon this week to get your potion," Madame Pomfrey said strictly. Then she gave Lily a sleeping draft and Lily felt her eyelids getting very heavy. Within minutes, she fell asleep.
The next morning Lily awoke very early as the bright sun shone through the window and onto her face. Madame Pomfrey was already awake giving some potion to a second-year who had the flu. "Oh, I'm surprised to see you awake this early Miss Evans, I thought you'd sleep a little later," Madame Pomfrey said.
"You're not going to make me stay another day are you?" Lily asked her fearfully. "Well, no, I suppose not," Madame Pomfrey said. Lily gave a breath of relief. "But if you don't come and get your potion this week, I will make sure you stay in here another day," Madame Pomfrey said warningly. "Don't worry, I won't forget!" Lily said to her.
After Madame Pomfrey gave Lily a potion to ease the pain from her bruises, Lily got dressed behind the curtain and prepared to leave the hospital wing. "Miss Evans, you better not forget to come see me every afternoon this week! It's very important! If you don't, you could end up passing out again!" Madame Pomfrey warned her. "I'll come, don't worry! Now can I please go?" Lily asked eagerly. Madame Pomfrey nodded, and Lily raced out of the ward.
The corridors were quite empty in Lily's opinion as she ran down them and headed for breakfast in the Great Hall. Of course, it was rather early; Hogwarts students weren't usually up and about at this hour.
When Lily entered the Great Hall, she spotted a few early risers at each house table. Surprisingly, Brenda was already awake; she was sitting next to Sirius and giggling furiously. They looked like they were having a nice time together, and Lily, not wanting to disturb them, pretended as if she hadn't seen them. She was about to take a seat at the opposite end of the table when Brenda looked up and spotted her.
"Lilyyy! Over here! Come sit down!" Brenda yelled across the hall, motioning for Lily to come over. Brenda jumped out of her seat, beaming, and gave Lily a hug. "Good to have you back, Lily!" she said happily. Lily raised her eyebrows. "Thanks, but I was only gone for a night," she said grinning. Brenda shrugged.
"Hey Lily," Sirius said to her as she sat down across from him and Brenda. "Hey Sirius," Lily said. For a few more moments it was quiet until Brenda spoke. "So – er – are – are you feeling alright?" she asked. Lily nodded. "Yeah, yeah – er – I'm okay," she said. "I can't believe Josh! What a jerk!" Brenda said as she glanced at the bruise on Lily's arm. Lily didn't say anything. She didn't want to talk about what's-his-name. She was more interested in finding out where James was.
"Josh Chapman – the stupid ass," Sirius said as he glared down at his pancakes. Lily shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "If you want Lily, I can pound him into a bloody pulp for you!" Sirius said, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes. "Sirius don't. Really, it's okay," Lily said. "How can you say it's okay?! I mean, look at your arm!" Sirius said.
Lily rubbed her arm absentmindedly and looked back up at him. "Really Sirius, I would much enjoy watching that asshole get beaten into a pup, but I just want to forget about it, alright?" Lily told them. Brenda and Sirius glanced at each other and nodded.
Lily hadn't noticed how several people were now in the Great Hall, looking at her and pointing at her to each other. Lily blushed. "I think I'll go to the library, you know? Get caught up on some homework or something," Lily said quickly, throwing her napkin onto the table and walking speedily out of the Great Hall.
As she was walking down the corridor, she realized that she wasn't in the mood to go do any work at the library, so instead she turned and headed for the doors that lead out onto the grounds. She paused when she walked out into the swift, gentle breeze. Several people were outside sitting on the benches doing homework and what not. Lily didn't feel like being around people at the moment.
Upon spotting the lake, she decided to walk down to it. It didn't look as thought there was anyone sitting by it; it was the perfect chance for her to have some time to herself. But as she climbed through the bushes and entered the clearing where the lake was, she stopped dead in her tracks.
James was sitting by the lake and soaking his feet in the cool water; his socks and shoes were in a crumpled pile next to him. For a moment Lily had pondered whether she should just run on the spot. But her feet wouldn't let her go that way.
She slowly approached James and sat down next to him. For a moment, neither said anything. Then Lily turned to him. "Hi," she said quietly. James smiled at her. "Hi," he said in return. "James, I – well – er – I want to er – thank – I want to thank you James," Lily finally said. "I don't really know exactly what happened last night," she continued, "but I know that you helped me out. I know what you did for me, and I just wanted to say thank you."
James smiled. "You're welcome," he answered. Lily couldn't help but think how cute his smile was. Several more minutes passed by before James inhaled a long breath and finally spoke again. "Lily, I know you've heard this come out of my mouth so many times before, but this time I'm really serious. I like you Lily, I really like you," James paused, and inhaled another breath, "Lily I – I love you," he finished.
Lily looked deeply into his eyes and tried to uncover what emotion was hidden behind them. Behind those happy, cheerful (beautiful) blue eyes, she saw sadness, and grief. She knew James was hiding something...
Lily began moving closer to him. James began moving his face towards hers, and Lily did the same towards him. James exhaled heavily. Lily took a large intake of breath. Their lips were just centimeters apart...
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Wow, that chapter took a while! I really like this chapter, and I hope you guys like reading it as much as I love writing it! I'm sorry for the long delay, I've been busy. But I promise I will set Chapter 7 up ASAP and while you are waiting, please drop in and leave a review and give me your opinion! I want to know what you think1 I'm hoping for lots of good feedback (good or bad!) (
Chapter 6
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James's heart was beating faster than he had ever remembered it beating before as he watched Lily retreat down the staircase. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. But then again, he had always thought she was beautiful. For those few seconds where James was able to look into Lily's eyes before she noticed and started yelling at him, James felt a strange feeling. He felt like everything was right. He wanted to hold her, to protect her from the world...
James snapped out of it when he felt someone's eyes on him. He looked up and to his astonishment, he saw that it was Lily. But she wasn't staring at him with that hateful glare he was used to seeing; it was another emotion, a different emotion; it was an emotion he had never seen in her eyes before when she looked at him. They made eye contact, but Lily quickly looked away.
"Prongs, mate, let's head down to the ball," Sirius suggested. James nodded and climbed through the portrait hole and headed down to the Great Hall with Sirius and Brenda. Remus had already gone to meet up with his date from Hufflepuff.
James had decided to go solo to this ball. He didn't think it would be right to be leading some other girl on when he knew he was in love with Lily. Plus, he didn't feel like having some annoying girl clinging to his arm and begging him to dance during every single song...
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Lily had been waiting outside the Great Hall doors for ten minutes while holding onto Josh Chapman's arm. She actually found him incredibly annoying. He kept on talking on and on about his skills at Quidditch. He was so arrogant, even more arrogant than James. *No – no – even more arrogant than James USED TO BE, not how James is now* said a nagging voice in her head.
"So that's how I defeated Hufflepuff in the big game last year," Josh finished haughtily. "Isn't that great Lily? Lily? Lily are you even listening to me?" Josh asked. Lily wasn't paying a bit of attention to him. She found Josh's conceitedness revolting, so she was completely ignoring what he said. Instead, she was watching James.
She thought he looked so cute in his dress robes, standing there looking so insecure without his date. Without his date? Where was James Potter's date? Normally when James would have a date, the girl would be clinging onto his arm the second she was able to. Lily was puzzled. Perhaps she had...gone to the bathroom? Maybe...er...maybe he didn't have a date? That particular thought sounded very strange to Lily. Normally the poor girls would be lining up to ask James to the ball. He was bound to have picked somebody.
"Lily? Er – Lily? It's time to go inside! Let's go!" Josh said. Lily sighed. "Okay, let's go," she said, in the best "excited" voice she could muster up at the moment. When they entered the doors into the Great Hall, Josh lead her over to a table and they sat down.
"You want to dance, Lily?" he asked turning to her. "Erm – in a bit," Lily answered him. She didn't really feel like dancing with some self- satisfied prat right now and listening to his endless stories about how terrific he was. "Ugh, fine," Josh said rolling his eyes. Lily was rather surprised. This rude, conceited prat didn't seem like some fabulous Prince Charming to her. She would much rather be with James right now. Wait, James? Lily just admitted to herself that she wanted to be with James?!? Yep, she was definitely losing it...
After three more songs of Lily turning him down, Josh was starting to get annoyed. When the next song came on, he said, "Lily come on let's dance." He didn't ask – he said. "No, Josh, please I really don't feel like- ," Lily began, but she stopped. Josh had grabbed her arm a little harder than she would have expected, and she thought she saw a flicker of anger flash across his eyes. She chose to ignore it, however.
She gave a sigh and said, "Alright let's go," but before she had even said it, Josh started leading her out onto the dance floor. "Josh, take your hands off my butt," Lily said as she felt Josh's hands going lower and lower. Josh rolled his eyes, and put them back on her waist.
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James felt miserable as he watched Lily dancing with Josh. He should have just asked her! Why didn't he just ask her himself? He knew someone was bound to ask her that day! Why didn't he just do it in the Gryffindor common room before anyone else was able to?! James had thought he saw Josh putting his hands on Lily's butt. And then again, maybe he was just being paranoid...
No longer wanting to watch Lily dancing with Josh, and because he was sick of fighting off the annoying girls who kept begging him to dance, James stood up from his chair and walked outside onto the grounds.
He sat down on a bench and put his head in his hands. He was in a private spot surrounded with bushes where he supposed that no one would bother him; he didn't want to be bothered. He just wanted to think. Lily was driving him mad. Could she ever just be a bit civil towards him? Okay, so maybe he was reaching too far by hoping she would date him, but he wished she could at least have a conversation with him without blowing up, and without telling him how she hated everything about him...
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"Josh, I already asked you once to please take – your – hands – off – my – butt!" Lily said, slowly saying the last part. Josh let out a long, arrogant sigh. "Lily, let's go out onto the grounds. It will be much more private out there," he said. "Well Josh I – I don't think-," Lily began, but Josh ignored her protests. "Lily, come on!" he said grabbing her arm rather forcefully.
"Josh! Ouch let go! You're hurting me!" Lily yelled at him as he lead her onto the grounds and in a private spot surrounded by bushes. "Josh what is wrong with you?" Lily asked him. "Look, it's much better out here. It's quieter; there's not as many people around," he said grinning.
"Josh, I don't want to be out here! Let's go back!" Lily said hoping he would say yes. Josh stood there for a minute, almost as if he was thinking her question over. Then, he said, "You're right, let's not stay out here," and Lily sighed with relief. "Let's leave the ball and go up to my dormitory. It'd be much more fun up there. Come on Lily, you know you want to," he said smirking.
"Ugh! Leave me alone you perverted idiot!" Lily said starting to walk away. Josh grabbed her arm again, and this time, he was gripping very tightly. "Ouch! Josh, let go! LET GO!" Lily screamed at him. She tried to get out of his grasp, but his grip was too tight. Then he pushed her onto the ground, got on top of her, and started kissing her.
"Josh, no! Please, leave me alone. Let's just go back inside," Lily practically whispered. Josh laughed and ignored Lily. "JOSH STOP IT!" Lily said shouting at him. When he laughed again, Lily decided she'd had enough; without really thinking, she punched him in the face. He rolled off of her in pain, and Lily quickly started standing up. But then Josh stood up too, and grabbed her wrist harshly, this time causing her pain.
Lily was getting scared now. Josh's eyes were blazing with anger and he was breathing very heavily. He had one arm around her neck, and she tried desperately to wriggle free, but it was no use. "NO ONE – PUNCHES – ME!" he fumed, pushing Lily hard to the ground and kicking her in the stomach.
Lily cried out in pain. He kicked her again, even harder. She was winded; she couldn't move, she couldn't get up. Her head had collided very harshly with a rock when she had hit the ground. Again, Josh got on top of her. "How does it feel Lily? Does it hurt? I guess it shows you who is boss now, doesn't it?" he whispered intro Lily's ear, as tears began rolling down her cheeks. Josh started kissing her neck as she tried uselessly to get out from under him.
The second time Lily had tried to wriggle free, Josh punched her square in the face. "STOP IT LIY! Just don't bother," he said. Lily let out a whimper. "Just be quiet Lily! No one can hear you, and no one can help you. Lily, you're-," but Josh didn't finish his sentence. Someone – Lily couldn't see who – had pulled Josh off her.
Lily was completely oblivious to what was going on between Josh and the person who had come to help her. Her eyes were very swollen; her vision was blurry, and she could barely see, let alone breathe. She heard some one punching someone else, and then heard Josh's cry of pain. Then there was silence. The last thing she heard before the world blackened around her was a deep male voice, a familiar voice, saying angrily "Never, ever, ever come near her again."
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A pair of blazing, cold red eyes were glaring at her through the darkness. Then a white hand, whiter than any hand Lily had seen before, rose up a wand. A high-pitched voice shouted, "AVADA KEDAVRA!" and Lily fell to the ground. She was dead...
Lily sat up and screamed. She looked around, fearing that she would see those cold red eyes again, but she didn't' she saw several beds, curtains, and a woman fussing over her carrying a potion. "Relax, child!" said Madame Pomfrey, the school nurse. She was in the hospital wing. Wait, the hospital wing?
Nightmares of the previous night came flooding into Lily's mind. Ball...Josh...Fight...What had happened last night after she passed out? "Here, take this potion, Miss Evans," Madame Pomfrey said, practically forcing the potion down Lily's throat. After finishing it, Lily made a face.
"I know, disgusting isn't it? Well, you got some bad bruises last night Miss Evans. Lucky Mr. Potter found you before that other boy put you in worse condition," Madame Pomfrey said.
"WHAT?!?" Lily blurted out, not quite meaning to be so loud. Madame Pomfrey gave a look of surprise before she said, "Last night Mr. Potter heard you and that boy yelling so he went and he helped you out. But you passed out, supposedly from all the injuries you received. Mr. Potter came in last night carrying your limp from. I of course flipped and shooed him out, much to his protest."
"Oh," Lily said. She was rather speechless. James had done something like that to help her out? Okay, so he wasn't as bad as she thought...
"Lily!" screamed three familiar voices as the hospital wing doors flung open and three girls came rushing in. "Oh now what's all this?" Madame Pomfrey said looking flustered. "Please can we stay?" Kioko begged her. Madame Pomfrey sighed. "Five minutes. That's it. Miss Evans needs her rest," she said walking away.
Lily's three friends nodded their heads vigorously and then pulled up chairs by Lily's bed. "How are you feeling Lily?" Janelle asked. "Do your bruises still hurt?" Brenda asked fearfully. Lily winced as the pain came flooding back into her head and stomach. "I'm fine, really," Lily said.
She didn't feel like talking about it right now. "Everyone's talking about what happened," said Kioko. "How did they all find out?" Lily asked amazed. "Ashley Janston was in here last night for a head ache or something of the sort. She saw James come in here with you and everything," Janelle said. "And you know that girl can't keep her mouth quiet," Brenda added.
Lily smiled weakly. "So – er – has – has James been here?" she asked, trying to sound casual. Kioko and Brenda smirked at each other. "Yeah, he's been here alright," Janelle said grinning. "What's so funny?" Lily asked. "James has been here just about every hour checking to see how you were," Kioko informed her.
Lily blushed furiously. Fortunately, Madame Pomfrey came hustling back into the room. "Time's up. Out, out!" she said ushering Lily's friends to the door much to their objection. "Lily we'll see you tomorrow!" Brenda said before Madame Pomfrey shut the door on her.
"So, when do I get to leave here?" Lily asked fearing the answer. "You can leave tomorrow morning IF, and only IF, you get a good sleep. Oh, and you have to promise to come and see me every afternoon this week to get your potion," Madame Pomfrey said strictly. Then she gave Lily a sleeping draft and Lily felt her eyelids getting very heavy. Within minutes, she fell asleep.
The next morning Lily awoke very early as the bright sun shone through the window and onto her face. Madame Pomfrey was already awake giving some potion to a second-year who had the flu. "Oh, I'm surprised to see you awake this early Miss Evans, I thought you'd sleep a little later," Madame Pomfrey said.
"You're not going to make me stay another day are you?" Lily asked her fearfully. "Well, no, I suppose not," Madame Pomfrey said. Lily gave a breath of relief. "But if you don't come and get your potion this week, I will make sure you stay in here another day," Madame Pomfrey said warningly. "Don't worry, I won't forget!" Lily said to her.
After Madame Pomfrey gave Lily a potion to ease the pain from her bruises, Lily got dressed behind the curtain and prepared to leave the hospital wing. "Miss Evans, you better not forget to come see me every afternoon this week! It's very important! If you don't, you could end up passing out again!" Madame Pomfrey warned her. "I'll come, don't worry! Now can I please go?" Lily asked eagerly. Madame Pomfrey nodded, and Lily raced out of the ward.
The corridors were quite empty in Lily's opinion as she ran down them and headed for breakfast in the Great Hall. Of course, it was rather early; Hogwarts students weren't usually up and about at this hour.
When Lily entered the Great Hall, she spotted a few early risers at each house table. Surprisingly, Brenda was already awake; she was sitting next to Sirius and giggling furiously. They looked like they were having a nice time together, and Lily, not wanting to disturb them, pretended as if she hadn't seen them. She was about to take a seat at the opposite end of the table when Brenda looked up and spotted her.
"Lilyyy! Over here! Come sit down!" Brenda yelled across the hall, motioning for Lily to come over. Brenda jumped out of her seat, beaming, and gave Lily a hug. "Good to have you back, Lily!" she said happily. Lily raised her eyebrows. "Thanks, but I was only gone for a night," she said grinning. Brenda shrugged.
"Hey Lily," Sirius said to her as she sat down across from him and Brenda. "Hey Sirius," Lily said. For a few more moments it was quiet until Brenda spoke. "So – er – are – are you feeling alright?" she asked. Lily nodded. "Yeah, yeah – er – I'm okay," she said. "I can't believe Josh! What a jerk!" Brenda said as she glanced at the bruise on Lily's arm. Lily didn't say anything. She didn't want to talk about what's-his-name. She was more interested in finding out where James was.
"Josh Chapman – the stupid ass," Sirius said as he glared down at his pancakes. Lily shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "If you want Lily, I can pound him into a bloody pulp for you!" Sirius said, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes. "Sirius don't. Really, it's okay," Lily said. "How can you say it's okay?! I mean, look at your arm!" Sirius said.
Lily rubbed her arm absentmindedly and looked back up at him. "Really Sirius, I would much enjoy watching that asshole get beaten into a pup, but I just want to forget about it, alright?" Lily told them. Brenda and Sirius glanced at each other and nodded.
Lily hadn't noticed how several people were now in the Great Hall, looking at her and pointing at her to each other. Lily blushed. "I think I'll go to the library, you know? Get caught up on some homework or something," Lily said quickly, throwing her napkin onto the table and walking speedily out of the Great Hall.
As she was walking down the corridor, she realized that she wasn't in the mood to go do any work at the library, so instead she turned and headed for the doors that lead out onto the grounds. She paused when she walked out into the swift, gentle breeze. Several people were outside sitting on the benches doing homework and what not. Lily didn't feel like being around people at the moment.
Upon spotting the lake, she decided to walk down to it. It didn't look as thought there was anyone sitting by it; it was the perfect chance for her to have some time to herself. But as she climbed through the bushes and entered the clearing where the lake was, she stopped dead in her tracks.
James was sitting by the lake and soaking his feet in the cool water; his socks and shoes were in a crumpled pile next to him. For a moment Lily had pondered whether she should just run on the spot. But her feet wouldn't let her go that way.
She slowly approached James and sat down next to him. For a moment, neither said anything. Then Lily turned to him. "Hi," she said quietly. James smiled at her. "Hi," he said in return. "James, I – well – er – I want to er – thank – I want to thank you James," Lily finally said. "I don't really know exactly what happened last night," she continued, "but I know that you helped me out. I know what you did for me, and I just wanted to say thank you."
James smiled. "You're welcome," he answered. Lily couldn't help but think how cute his smile was. Several more minutes passed by before James inhaled a long breath and finally spoke again. "Lily, I know you've heard this come out of my mouth so many times before, but this time I'm really serious. I like you Lily, I really like you," James paused, and inhaled another breath, "Lily I – I love you," he finished.
Lily looked deeply into his eyes and tried to uncover what emotion was hidden behind them. Behind those happy, cheerful (beautiful) blue eyes, she saw sadness, and grief. She knew James was hiding something...
Lily began moving closer to him. James began moving his face towards hers, and Lily did the same towards him. James exhaled heavily. Lily took a large intake of breath. Their lips were just centimeters apart...
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Wow, that chapter took a while! I really like this chapter, and I hope you guys like reading it as much as I love writing it! I'm sorry for the long delay, I've been busy. But I promise I will set Chapter 7 up ASAP and while you are waiting, please drop in and leave a review and give me your opinion! I want to know what you think1 I'm hoping for lots of good feedback (good or bad!) (
