Safety From a Distance

Chapter 10

"Well, Potter, what have you to say for yourself?" McGonagall asked me, her stern gaze directed purely on me.

            "Tonight was a wonderful night for flying!" I answered brightly.  I could've sworn that she wanted to kill me in that precise moment.

            "Really, Potter?  Saturday night seems like a wonderful night for detention."

            "It does, doesn't it, Professor?"

            "Potter," she started in a warning tone.

            "I was only agreeing, Professor," I answered, my eyes bright.  I then flashed a smile, the one I use to get my way.  Yes!  McGonagall's eyes softened!

            "Well, Filch gave you a detention, so you'll be serving it with him."

            I shrugged my shoulders.  Muggle cleaning, as per usual.

            I got up to leave, but before I could, McGonagall called out to me.

            "Oh, and, Potter?"

            "Yes, Professor?"

            "Mr. Black is still in the lead."  There was a smile her face as she said this, and I muttered a couple of obscenities under my breath.

            "Not for long, not for long," I said to her.  I then grinned and made my way back to the common room.

            After I gave the Fat Lady my password and went in, I was immediately assaulted.

            "James!  Are you in trouble?  Should I go turn myself in?" Lily asked me, her bright, green eyes wide and scared.  She was holding the invisibility cloak, and Sirius' broom was lying on the floor.

            "Evans, calm down!  No point in you getting in trouble, you didn't do anything.  Besides, I'm one detention closer to beating Padfoot!" I answered cheerfully.

            She was biting her lip, and clearly Lily didn't believe me.

"Listen, Lily, I've got a detention, but don't fret!  I was merely doing you a favor, so all you have to do is return the favor to me later, all right?"

            Lily still looked uncertain, so I put my arm around her shoulders and said, "But if you really want to turn yourself in, all my work will have been for naught and I'll get in more trouble for lying to a professor!"

            My amazing reverse psychology skills (Or perhaps persuasion skills!) were kicking in as I realized that Lily was seeing my way.

            "Only if you're positive that it's all right.  I'll go if you need me to go."

            I started to chuckle and I said, "Sometimes, you're too nice for your own good.  Nope, I don't need you to turn yourself in, that would make me feel worse, and then I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I made you miserable by making you attend detention."  I smiled charmingly at her (To no effect!) and said coyly, "You do need to take a shower, though.  You smell awful!"

            Lily's mouth dropped open, and she was laughing in disbelief.  "James!" She yelled and then she hit me.  "I can't believe you said that!"

            Laughing, I grabbed my cloak and Padfoot's broom.  "I can help you shower if you like!"

            Before she could attack me, I ran up the stairs, listening to a final screech of, "James!"

            I was still grinning when I walked into the dormitory.  Yet, when I went in, I was met with three stares, all having this expression in them.

            "Well, how did that "studying" go?" Wormtail asked nonchalantly.

            Padfoot had his arms crossed, and he was nodding his head.  I mimicked him, and Wormtail cleared his throat.  "Well?"

            "Oh, studying went well," I answered, my face blank.

            "Really?  What did you study about?"  Moony asked.  I turned toward him, and he still looked a bit pale.

            "Y'know, school," I answered vaguely.

            "School?  In what class do we have the subject 'school'?" Moony asked of Padfoot and Wormtail.

            "Oh, you don't know, Moony?" Wormtail asked.  "That's the class you aren't taking.  I guess you wouldn't know, but it's called "Knowing School."  Great class, we have to study about school, eh, Prongs?"

            I grinned as I started to get undressed and into my pyjamas.  I made a non-committed answer.  "Right, that's what I thought," Padfoot then burst out.  I could hear the smile in his voice.

            "What were you two doing on the Quidditch Pitch?" he asked, the excitement in his voice was too much.

            "We were studying school for the class About School.  We had to use your broom, so here you go," I said, tossing the broom to him.  His face was in shock as he quickly inspected it.

            "Knowing school, Prongs," said Wormtail suddenly.

            "What?" I asked confusedly.

            "You said 'About School', the class is 'Knowing School'," he told me, grinning.

            "Oh yeah, that class, too," I answered grinning.

            I then heard a squeak.  "You took my broom?!"

            "Actually," I started, "Lily took your broom.  You should know, that she can not fly."

            The choking noise was exactly what I needed to hear.

            "Padfoot, you git, you know that James and Lily didn't use your broom.  They were doing much more interesting things.  Things you'd be jealous of," said Wormtail, his smirk wide.

            "Shove off," Padfoot answered in return.

            I chuckled a bit and hopped into bed.  I was going to pull the hangings back, but Moony was giving me his look, and I sighed and admitted defeat.

            "Moony, you're just a little bitch, you know that?" I told him.  He merely smiled.

            "Okay, mates, so Lily and I decided that we wanted to go flying–"

            "'You', you mean," Wormtail interrupted me, this benign smile on his face.

            "No, you prat, it was actually she who came up with the idea."  I grinned and said, "If you would bloody quit interrupting me, I'd tell you."  I gave them a pointed look.  "Anyhow, we decided to go flying.  She doesn't have a broom, so I got yours, Padfoot.  Then we went to the pitch.  We didn't get to fly much because Filchy caught us.  Well, he caught me to be precise, and I told Lily to hide with my invisibility cloak.  Oh, and Padfoot, I got detention."

When I finished, I crossed my arms smugly.  I almost burst out laughing as Padfoot looked incredulous.

            "No snogging?  If I was alone with Lily, I would hope that she'd want to snog me!"

            I smiled dimly at Padfoot, and I walked to a chart on the wall.  I put another tally by my name. The chart was of our rankings in detention.  I was trying my damnedest to beat Padfoot.  I narrowed my eyes, as it seemed that he had acquired a couple more detentions today.  As for Moony and Wormtail, they were well up there but they didn't try nearly as hard as Padfoot and me.  I believe that we, as a group, held the record for any one year with the most detentions.

            "Only five more, Prongs, and you might be able to beat me," Padfoot said snootily.

            Grinning slightly, I said just as snootily, "So, Padfoot, who are you taking to the dance?"

            Padfoot made a rude gesture with his hands and I made one in return.

            "Will you girls quit bickering so the rest of us can get some rest?" Wormtail demanded of us.  I threw a pillow at him.

            "Thanks, mate.  I do like having two pillows."

            "Okay then," I answered and took Padfoot's pillow.

            "Hey!" he yelled in protest.

            "Hey," said Moony in return.

            "Well, since you offered," said Padfoot as he took Moony's pillow.

            "Ninnies," Moony said as he hit Wormtail on the head and then took both of his pillows.

            "That's the Remus we know and love!" Padfoot yelled happily.

            I was laughing at the look on Wormtail's face.   "Don't look so scandalized," I told him.  "Shove off," he said jovially as he summoned his pillow.  "Night, ladies," Wormtail said as he pulled back his hangings.    "Surely you jest," Padfoot yelled.  "'Tis only the middle of the night!"

            "Padfoot, do shut up.  When you take Arithmancy first hour then you can be as loud as you want, but until then, let's be quiet," was Wormtail's muffled response.

            I laughed and said, "You heard him, Padfoot.  Do shut up."  Before Padfoot could retaliate, I turned off the light and closed my hangings.  "Dammit, Prongs, you bloody cheater," Padfoot vented, laughing.

            "Night, everyone," Moony said.  I grinned sleepily and closed my eyes, not able to give a response.

~**~

            The next couple of days went by quickly.  Defense Against the Dark Arts was something of a memorable experience.  Moony whinged, Sam got agitated, and Padfoot tried his hardest to get Sam's attention.  I truly felt sorry for Moony.  I can now sympathize with him about Sam.  She got worse than before.  I now understand why he doesn't want her here.  She's too damn mothering!

            As for the dance, it was coming up in a couple of weeks, and we had yet to plan an incredible prank.  Sure, we had a couple of little things here and there, but other than that we had nothing at all!

            "Jamesie!  Jamesie!  Jamesie!" Padfoot yelled into my ear.  He was grinning brightly.

            "I just realized something!"

            "Did it hurt?"

            "Shut it, you.  Anyhow, I realized how we could use that room."

            "What room?"

            "Rowena's room.  Y'know, instead of a broom cupboard, and the Astronomy Tower is always occupied.  That could be a room that any of us could use."

            I shook my head.  If that was the only thing that occupied Padfoot's mind, was worried about him.

            "Padfoot," I started tiredly.

            "Y'know, Jamesie, Rowena had that wonderful room, we can't let it go to waste.  It would be…  upsetting her memory!"

            I rolled my eyes.  "Sure, Padfoot, sure."

"Fine!  I'm going to tell someone who appreciates my ingenious ideas.  Moony!" Padfoot then started yelling and was walking away.

            "No, he only humors you!" I yelled to him.

            Laughing silently, I went to the library.  There was usually no one in there, so that gave me a bit of free time.

            When I walked into the library, the librarian glared at me and watched me until I sat down at one of the tables.  I realized that I didn't have a book, so I stood to pick out one.

            "Muggles Uncovered by Benjamin Monesko… " I muttered to myself.  I smiled and pulled the book off the shelf and sat down at the table.

            "Muggles?  What a horrible topic," a voice said at my ear.  I turned around sharply and stared at the person.

            "Hello, James!"

            I started laughing and then I told her to sit down.  "I can't believe you said that, Lily, I was truly surprised!"

            Lily started giggling.  I started to chuckle with her, and then I heard the librarian start to snort and rampage.

            "Oh, Madame Bloomington!" Lily said smiling.  She held out a book, and tilted her head slightly.  "That was an excellent book that you recommended.  I did love it, and it was quite entertaining."

            I stood at her side nodding my head in affirmation, somehow, I apparently read it as well.

            The librarian actually stopped and smiled!

            "Oh, Ms. Evans, I knew you'd like the book.  When we got it in, I just thought of you."

            Lily nodded and smiled happily.  Lily put the book in her hands and she smiled happily.  "I loved it, it was very interesting, and you were so correct.  Thank you, very much for the recommendation."

            I kept nodding, but then the librarian glared at me.  "Keep your voice down, Potter.  No exceptions!"

            I nodded and grinned charmingly at her, the grin I use to get my way.  She nodded slightly and her face softened.  "I'm telling you, Potter, I'll kick you out if you don't abide by the rules."

            "Oh, I understand, Madame Bloomington.  Don't you worry about a thing!  Lily will keep me in line."

            She nodded and she went back to the desk to watch us.  When I was positive that she wasn't going to attack me, I quickly nudged Lily in the side.

            "How did you end up in her good graces?"

            Lily opened her mouth, and then she shut it.  She merely smiled at me and shook her head.

            "What?  What is it you were going to say?"

            "I was going to say something perverse, but I realize that it would be very inappropriate."

            I was intrigued, and I smiled.  "Lily, you don't know anything perverse to say it."

            Lily chuckled and said, "You are absolutely correct.  I don't know anything perverse to say it.  Well, what is it you were reading again?  Muggles Uncovered?  I believe that book is very inaccurate."

            She grinned as she walked to the shelf and pulled out a book entitled Muggles As Is.  Bringing it to the table, she deposited it in front of me and smiled widely.  "As stupid as they make Muggles sound, I have to say that it is very accurate.  Well, it should be, a Muggle-born wrote it."

            I took the book from her outstretched hand, and I flipped it to the back.  There was a picture of the author.  A smartly dressed witch who was blinking at me and then she winked.

            "Oh, she's a cheeky little thing, isn't she?" Lily said smiling.  "I swear, she'll flirt with anyone with a penis."

            My mouth dropped open and I stared with it agape at Lily.  "Did you just say penis?" I whispered incredulously.

            "No," Lily whispered back to me.  "I really said 'anyone who could play tennis'."

            I stared at her, my mouth still hanging open.  She did?  What was tennis?

            "Lily? What's tennis?"

            Sighing, she picked up the book and closed it.  "James, yes, I said 'penis' at first.  As for tennis, it's a Muggle sport played with rackets and a small bouncy ball.  I was never any good at it, so I never made the effort to play."

            I shrugged.  We really hadn't gotten to Muggle sports in Muggle Studies yet.  I picked up the book and opened to the first page.

            "Muggles are truly fascinating creatures.  As I was one for the first years of my life, I can honestly say that they can truly get along without magic.  They don't want to believe what is right in front of them, and the older they get; the more prone they are to look the other way.  Children are more susceptible to believing in magic, in which their adult counter-parts do not."

            "I told you she knew what she was talking about.  Although, living in the wizarding world has made the woman biased."

            I merely smiled and put the book down.  I wanted to talk to Lily, not about books, not about Muggles, but something purely Lily and me.  I didn't want to talk about anything that had to involve anyone else.

            "So, are you ready for the dance?"

            She grinned and said, "Of course!  I can't wait; I think that we're going to have the best time together.  Truly, it'll be wonderful."  Leaning in, her smile became wider.  "But, you are going to have to tell me the prank that you four are conducting."

            Leaning in, I got close to her and said, "But that would spoil the surprise."

            She crossed her arms and blew air quickly out of her lips.  She was exasperated, and then she rolled her eyes.  When she looked back at me, she was smiling quirkily.  "Oh, alright then.  If you won't tell me, then I suppose I'll just have to ask Sirius."

            I have a very distinct feeling that Lily knew what she was doing, so I shook my head negatively and grinned yet again. "No matter what you say, you won't be getting it out of me.  If you go to Sirius, then that's his ill-fortune to tell you."

            "Why would it be his ill-fortune?"

            "Well, I'd have to hex him, of course!" I said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.  Well, the thing is, it was!

            "Oh, James, you wouldn't do that, would you?"  Lily is staring at me with that look again, the one that says that she's right and I'm wrong, no matter what.

            "I suppose you're right," I told her.  I mentally smacked myself, though, because it just goes to show I fell to her womanly charms.  Although, I don't know why I'm saying that, as I've been held captive by her womanly charms since fourth year.

            "I guess that means you're going to have to tell me the prank, eh, James?" said Lily as she bit her bottom lip and stared at me as if I were the only person in the room.

            "Uh, um, right."  Oh, that was brilliant!  Goodness, I'm a failure.  "I mean, no.  I can't tell you, it would be mightily wrong."

            "Oh, fine then.  I suppose I won't say anything about it again.  Well, James, I must tell you I'm wearing blue robes to the dance.  So if you want to coordinate, then I suppose you know the colour now."

            I nodded slightly.  Blue robes, I had to get blue robes.  Well, I wasn't wearing anything that was going to stand out, so I'll wear navy blue.  Yes, that sounds about right, I'm wearing navy blue.

            "So, Lily," I said, taking the subject off of the dance.  I decided at that moment I was going to do something special for Lily at the dance.  "How are you liking Sam so far?"

            "Don't you mean Professor Lupin?"

            "No, I mean Sam," I answered her, grinning cheekily.

            "It looks as if she knows what she's talking about.  Not just that, she's actually showing us topics that will be necessary for us.  I like the fact that she isn't treating us as if we won't be able to handle it.  I'm very glad that she's showing us counter-spells and what dark creatures there are."

            I nodded.  I hadn't paid any attention, although, I believe that I should have paid attention.  There were so many things about this that we needed to know.  She was going over everything with us, and I mean everything to see what we knew and what we don't.

"Oh, yeah, Sam is doing a superb job," I said half-heartedly.  As much as I used to like Sam, there's something about her now that's annoying.  Now that Remus is older and she's older, she's treating him like some child who'll never grow up.  Like he'll never get to know the experiences of life.  I suppose she really doesn't know Remus any more.  Now I know why he was so apt for her not coming to teach.

            "Sirius seems to like her," Lily said, breaking me out of my reverie.  I jerked my head up to look at her.  I smiled charmingly and I said, "Sirius likes everyone."

            "He's like a dog in heat," Lily said, smiling.  Little did she know how true her words were.

            I was chuckling as she sat back and said, "So, James, you have detention tomorrow.  Are you all right with that?"

            "Sure, Sirius is taking it with me."

            "But, he had detention Wednesday," Lily said, confused.

            "I know, and after this one, he'll have tons more, I'm sure.  He doesn't care, as long as he breaks the record for any one person.  I can't remember who holds it.  I think it's actually Uric the Oddball."

            Lily looked perplexed and then she asked her question.  "How did you ever find out that information?"

            "Oh, well… um, I suppose you've never been into Filch's office, have you?"

            "No, I can honestly say I've not."

            "Well, he has folders of all the students who've been in trouble.  He has a folder dedicated to each of us and by us, I mean Sirius, Peter, Remus, and me specifically, and then he has a folder that has all of us together.  Sirius looked at his folder, and it's nowhere near as large as Uric's folder.  So he's trying to beat him, and I'm trying to beat Sirius.  Although, together, Sirius and I have him beat with the most detentions."

            Lily was really confused now.  "How in the world did Filch find out how many Uric the Oddball got in detentions?  Uric is older than Dumbledore!"

            I shrugged.  "How am I supposed to know that?  All I know is that Uric is in the lead."

            Lily shook her head at me and said, "Next thing I know, you're going to be telling me about how you've found something from the Founders."

            I'm positive my eyeballs almost fell out of my sockets.  How in Merlin's beard did she figure that one out?  "How did you know that?" I asked her, voicing my confusion.

            "Know what?"  She narrowed her eyes at me and then she said, "You did find something of the Founders, didn't you?"

            "Technically, it was Sirius.  Although, I guess that I shouldn't be telling you this.  Well, I don't see why not, as Sirius wanted to use it for his rascally deeds."

            Lily shook her head at me, but her eyes were glittering.  "Which Founder?  Was it Godric Gryffindor?" Lily asked.  I could tell that she was truly intrigued.

            "No, but it had to do with him.  Slightly… It was Rowena Ravenclaw, actually."

            Lily's eyes widened, and she started smiling brightly.  "Are you serious?  Rowena Ravenclaw?  That is incredible!"

            "Actually I'm not Sirius, but it did have to do with Rowena."  She narrowed her eyes at me and quickly blew air out of her lips.  "Well, are you even going to tell me what you found?"

            "No, I don't think I will.  There's too much heartache in that you confused me with Sirius.  I'm much better looking than him."

            "Oh, James, get over it.  Come now, tell me, what is it that you found?" she asked, her irritation showing through to the way that she was narrowing her eyes at me.

            "Well, we found Rowena's private quarters."

            Lily started laughing.  "Her private quarters?  How in Merlin's name would you have found that?  Those should be blocked off because they're… I don't know!  They're the sleeping quarters of the Founders!"

            I shrugged my shoulders and crossed my arms.  "You don't have to believe me, but it's true.  We also found out how she died."

            Sitting back in her chair, and looking levelly at me Lily said, "Show me."

            I stood up and held out my hand to her.  Grinning, I said, "If you'd like.  We'll have to talk to Moony, he has the letter."

            "Letter?"

            "Oh yes.  Her suicide letter."