Disclaimer: If I owned the world of Harry Potter then I wouldn't be broke.
Chapter 2- Grins, stares and awkward silences
24th of August, 1977- 7:15pm
Guess what! Today I went to Diagon Alley with Emmeline. We had the best time ever. After we had bought our school supplies, we bought ice creams and talked for ages. Em went to Spain for three weeks. Boy, am I jealous! I have always wanted to travel. Unfortunately, Dad can never take much more than three days off at a time, except for Christmas. We once visited my great grandmother in Scotland, but that's as close as I've got to a vacation. Maybe I'll become an Auror and be sent to some exotic country as a spy. I doubt it, but it's nice to dream.
I'm so excited about school! I know it sounds weird, but the Summer Holidays always seem really dull compared to Hogwarts. You'd think I would spend my holidays watching T.V. and sleeping in. But instead I've been bored, thinking longingly of Hogwarts. I know, I'm weird. Perhaps I should check myself into St. Mungo's. I doubt they could do anything for me though.
Petunia is frantic at the moment. She's lost her favourite shirt. Some guy is taking her out to the movies tonight. I wonder how much she's paying him. The shirt's drying on the line, I saw it there this morning. I'm not going to tell her though. I want to see how long it takes her to find it.
24th of August, 1977- 8:45pm
It took Petunia 22 minutes to find the shirt. By this time it had started to rain quite heavily. Mummy had to dry it in the dryer whilst Petunia fumed about how someone must have put it on the clothes line on purpose. I admitted to nothing.
Her 'date' picked her up at eight o'clock, so for once I can have a quiet evening. The guy was huge. His name was Vernon and he seemed to speak in grunts and growls. I think he and Petunia are made for each other. Hopefully they will buy a house in the country… and never visit.
Anyway, I better stop writing now. I plan to read at least half of my new Charms book before I go to sleep. Charms is my favourite subject. I guess I really did pick the right wand.
1st September, 1977- 4:10pm
I can't believe them! The nerve of it! Here I was, thinking that they may have grown up a bit, then they pull this stupid prank. It's not even remotely funny!
Let me explain. For once, the ride from King's Cross Station was peaceful. Sure, there were plenty of people running around, that's to be expected. But there was no duelling, no beating up of the Slytherins, no stupid pranks. I was even discussing the possibility that the Marauders had gained some sense over the summer holidays. Hah, as if! All of a sudden there was the sound of several small explosions. Then there was the sound of several screams and loud exclamations of disgust. Of course I went to see what all of the fuss was about, being a Prefect and all. The problem became obvious when I neared the toilets. I was almost knocked out by a horrible smell. There was also a large amount of green smoke wafting out of the toilets. I clenched my fists in anger. I knew exactly who pulled this little stunt.
"Potter, Black, get out here NOW and explain yourselves!" I yelled, storming down the train to the Marauders' usual compartment.
When I entered their compartment however, I found Potter and Black sitting calmly, playing chess. Pettigrew was watching and Lupin had his nose in a rather thick book.
I cleared my throat loudly at the four.
James Potter looked up and grinned. "Sorry Evans, I didn't see you there. You see Sirius and I are playing a rather intense game of chess here."
As if to prove this, Black said, "Check."
"Don't pretend you don't know a thing! Who else would pull such a stupid pointless prank?" I fumed.
"What prank?" Potter asked innocently.
"I'll show you!" I said through gritted teeth as I pulled him out of the compartment, towards the toilets.
"Oh," Said James Potter. "That prank." He said, looking with interest at the now abandoned toilets.
"Yes, that prank, Potter! Now clean it up, that smell is horrible." I ordered him.
Potter looked at the toilets, apparently deep in thought (as if!) before replying. "As much as I would like to claim responsibility for this brilliant prank, I'm afraid I had nothing to do with it. As you saw when you entered so gracefully, we have been occupied with chess the whole time. We were nowhere near the toilets, ask anyone present when this wonderful bomb hit." He said simply.
I stared at Potter in disbelief. How could he pretend he had done nothing? The prank baisically had 'The Marauders' stamped all over it. I walked into the toilet cubicles through the green haze, looking for something that might incriminate them.
"I wouldn't go in there if I were you." He said idly.
"Well, your not me." I said, still searching. Just then I spotted something. It looked like a dragon hide sack, or part of one. On it was printed 'Property of the Marauders, DO NOT TOUCH!' I looked at Potter, a grin spreading across my face. "Well look what we have here?" I held it up to the boy.
"Damn!" he muttered to himself. "They were meant to disintegrate."
I was about to reply when I felt my head spin. The next thing I knew, the floor was rising very fast.
When I opened my eyes, Potter was leaning over me.
"I told you not to go in there." He said.
"Like I would listen to you. How long have I been out of it?" I asked.
Potter pretended to be hurt. "You don't trust me, Lily? Why ever not?"
I snorted and sat up quickly. "How long have I been out of it?" I repeated.
"Five minutes, since the spell worked. You know, you look a lot less scary with your eyes closed." He commented.
I glared at him. "Well don't get used to it." I stood up. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and show this to the Head Boy." I held up the dragon hide. "Enjoy your punishment." I said as I walked off.
He only grinned back at me. Stupid annoying Potter.
~*~
It didn't take me long to locate the Head Boy and Girl, they were having a discussion in a compartment near the front of the train. Whilst I might have been a Prefect, something like this had to be discussed with one of the teachers, or the Head Boy or Girl. I explained to them what had happened, including the part where I fainted from the smoke. Then I handed over the dragon hide.
The Head Boy took one look at it and frowned. "This says 'property of Lily Evans.'" He said confused.
I looked at the dragon hide. Sure enough it no longer said 'property of the Marauders.' Instead my name was printed on it. "Why that Potter. I ought to strangle him!" I muttered under my breath.
Luckily the Head Boy believed me. It was no secret what I thought of the Marauders' pranks, or any pranks for that matter. I left the Head Boy to dole out the Marauders' punishment, and went to tell Emmeline what had happened, and to write in this.
"That was very clever of him. Just count yourself lucky that he didn't change your hair colour or something. Even worse, he could have kissed you!" Emmeline thought the idea of getting anywhere near a boy was terrifying. Whenever she was forced to partner with a boy in class, she looked like a deer caught in a car's headlights.
Well, now you have experienced first-hand what those Marauders are capable of. I'm sure you agree with me when I that they really need to grow up. What they did isn't even clever.
Oh, by the way, in total 20 people were knocked out with the green smoke before the Marauders cleaned it up. Word is spreading that the Marauders lost 20 points and got 20 hours of detention, five hours a week. I think the punishment wouldn't have been anywhere near as bad if they hadn't knocked out 20 people. I mean, what if someone had hit their head on something sharp? They could have got hurt quite badly.
2nd September, 1977- 8pm
Boy, am I glad that day is over! First day of classes is always the hardest for me. If you have started a new subject, then there's a new classroom to find, and a new Professor to meet. Even if you don't, there is still homework to hand in and receive set over the holidays. Another reason is that everyone is all fidgety. It's hard to sit in a classroom for over an hour when you have spent the last two months letting your brain turn to mush. Two boys in particular are skilled at reminding everyone that they aren't use to sitting still. One of these boys in particular has a habit of staring. Non stop, all through class. Usually he stares at the wall. I mean it's none of my business who stares at what. But it makes classes rather difficult if you are stuck with them as a partner.
Yes, you heard (or more like read) right folks. I have to do my very important, very influential-on-my-overall-grade charms project with non other than Mr James Potter. I might as well quit school now whilst I'm ahead. In case you have forgotten, Charms is my favourite subject and very important to me. Oh, how I hate Potter. I'm sitting in the Library now, waiting for him to turn up so we can start our very important Charms project.
BUT HE'S LATE! IT'S 8:10! HE'S TEN MINUTES LATE! I AM SOOO ANGRY WITH
2nd September, 1977-9:40pm
He saw the diary. He snuck up on me. "Actually, I'm only five minutes late." He said.
I ignored this and suggested we get started. He just sat down and grinned at me.
"I never realised I was worth appearing in your diary, Evans. I'm honoured." He placed a hand over his heart.
I could feel myself blushing furiously. "I wasn't writing pleasant things about you." I argued.
"Want to come with me on the next Hogsmeade weekend?" He asked casually.
"Wh- what?" I stuttered in disbelief.
James Potter rolled his eyes. "I asked if you wanted to go out with me."
"Potter, I do not want to go out with you. Especially at the moment. This project really matters to me, so could we please focus?"
Potter shrugged. "Whatever."
It's official, I loathe James Potter. And I hate the way he shrugs. It's so… 'I don't care about other people.' But that's James Potter for you. You should see his shrug. It should be banned. Like the way he ruffles his hair. He must think that girls dig untidy boys. Idiot. Horribly annoying ball of ooze. Please excuse me whilst I fall into a daydream in which James Potter is grinded into the ground by an oversized foot. Does the future have Monty Python? I suppose if a dairy can survive then a video tape can.
I just read over my diary. Do you realise that since I got back to school, I have done nothing but write about how annoying Mr Potter is? I am appalled. From now on, there will be minimum Potter and maximum happy positive thoughts… does the giant foot count as a positive thought? It certainly makes me feel happy.
Right. Positive thoughts, here I come.
Alright, I give up. It's getting late anyway. Goodnight futuristic Monty Python deprived people.
4th September, 1977- 2:05pm
Oh, how I love weekends. It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon (though not sunny) and I have no homework to do. Well, except for long-term stuff. Like a certain Charms project.
Neither does Emmeline. But what does she do, she burries her nose in a book. I'm not fond of reading during the day. It seems a waste. Not when there are adventures to be had. Speaking of adventures, I swear the Marauders are up to something. They are looking very excited about something. Right now they're walking around the lake. Wait, now they're heading for the Whomping Willow. I hope Potter and Black get themselves thwacked. A few days of peaceful classes would be nice. Though they haven't been as bad as last year… so far.
10th September, 1977- 8 pm
I have decided that our teachers have an evil conspiracy. They wait until your just beginning to enjoy your reduction in homework, then wham, they load it all on you. It's so unfair. Don't they realise we don't like homework? Don't they realise we don't explode with joy at the prospect of Potions essays? Evil, scheming…
Oh yeah, the whole positive thing. Whoops! Well, here's something positive for you. James turned up on time for our Charms project. In fact he was waiting for me. Maybe it's just to lure me into a false sense of security before they unleash a huge prank on me. In fact, he looked really… eager. Weird huh.
Anyway, so now I'm sitting in the common room, having just finished my Tranfiguration homework. I even skipped dinner. My stomach is not pleased. Perhaps I could sneak down to the kitchens and beg the house elves for a couple of sandwiches, except I don't know the way. Remus is sitting on a nearby couch. Maybe I'll ask him. Despite being a Prefect he participates equally in the Marauder's mischief.
9:10pm
Well, it didn't go quite as planned. I asked Remus and he said he'd be happy to show me. He didn't know where James, Sirius and Peter had gone, so he was glad to have my company. I've always liked Remus. I mean, not crush like. He's just always been really helpful and considerate. He almost acts like a big brother. So anyway, five minutes later I found myself past the Great Hall and in a corridor full of pictures of food. Remus led me to a picture of a bowl of fruit. He reached forward and tickled a pear. It squirmed and changed into a door nob. Remus opened what was now a door and I stepped into the kitchens, me right behind him.
I saw several things at once. Stoves, benches, everything you would expect in a kitchen, except there was more of everything. And in the centre of the room stood James, Sirius and Peter, surrounded by a small crowd of house elves bearing trays laden with goodies.
"Hi Remus." Said Peter through a mouthful of what appeared to be a cream puff. In one hand he had an éclair and in the other, a doughnut.
"What's Lily doing here?" asked Sirius, also with his mouth full of cream puff.
"Lily said she was hungry." Answered Remus, shrugging.
James swallowed his mouthful of jam tart. "Lily… hi." James had been staring at me the whole time as if I was a ghost. "How become… I mean, you're a Prefect."
I blushed faintly. "Well, Remus comes down here and there's no rule against students coming down to the kitchens. You're just not supposed to know how." I answered, hoping I sounded convincing.
Sirius shrugged and selected a pink iced doughnut.
James blushed and quickly looked away, as if he suddenly realised he'd been staring.
I followed Remus over to the trays, still being held by numerous house elves. After a minute, Remus started talking about school. Peter and Sirius joined in, but James remained very quiet.
After about half an hour or so, the subject of school was well and truly exhausted and I could feel a yawn coming on.
"I think I'll head back up to the tower." I said, not being able to resist yawning.
"Yeah." James said. "Let's go Sirius, we've still got that Potions essay to finish."
"I'll come up in a minute. I still reckon I could fit in a few more chocolate chip cookies." Sirius grinned.
I rolled my eyes.
"Me too." Said Peter, always eager to eat as much as possible.
"Me three." Said Remus.
James looked alarmed. "But…"
I shrugged and walked back to the door. "Thanks for showing me the kitchen, Remus." I walked out of the kitchens and made for the Entrance Hall.
I was just about to ascend the marble staircase when I heard the sound of running footsteps from behind me.
James came into view. "Can't… have you… wondering these halls… alone." Panted James.
"I'm a Prefect Potter, I'll be fine." A replied, a little irritated.
"What if Filch catches you. At least with me around you can say you caught me defacing a classroom or something."
"Well, thanks… I think." I answered, not sure whether this was a good thing or not.
We walked in silence the whole way. It was very eerie. I mean, it's not as if James hasn't been alone with me before. We had met many times in the library to do our Charms work. But this was different. When we met to do homework, James would joke whilst still doing his fair share of the work. Now it seemed he couldn't think what to say, as if he was nervous. But the idea of James Potter being nervous around a girl was ludicrous. Ever since his first year James had been flirting with all of the girls, along with Sirius. He almost always had a girlfriend, not that they hung around for very long. He had no shortage of offers, what with being on the Quidditch team as Seeker and a member of the Marauders. But they usually tired of him fairly quickly. They said that he was very inconsiderate, that he never paid much attention to them, even when he wasn't at Quidditch practice or getting into mischief with his friends. So with all I had heard about him, his behaviour was indeed very strange. We came to the portrait hole and still he had not said a thing. I decided to break the silence.
"So, I guess I'll see you around." I said, hoping for a goodbye of sorts.
James looked startled. He had been staring at me again. "Oh… um, yeah." He was studying my face now.
I didn't like him staring at me. It was worse than his sudden shyness. I felt oddly aware of myself. Maybe I had a mark on my face. Maybe I had a big ugly pimple on the tip of my nose. Thinking of this, I touched my nose quickly. "Do I have something on my face? A pimple?" I asked nervously.
"Why would you have a pimple on your face?" asked James, as if it would be unusual. "I-I mean no. You don't." He was still studying my face.
"Ok then." I said. This was getting way too weird. I walked through the portrait hole.
James followed.
I was about to climb the stairs to my dorm when James called out to me.
"Hey Lily, I've got Quidditch practice on Monday and our Charms essay is due on Tuesday. Why don't we meet here tomorrow morning and we'll finish it off." He suggested.
"Sure, whatever." At least he was acting normal again. "Goodnight." In spite of how uncomfortable he had been, I gave him a small smile.
He grinned back. "'Night Lily."