Standard disclaimers apply; no copyright infringement is intended.  All recognized here is forevermore J. K. Rowling's. Characters or scenes not recognized are mine.  By the by, this story is pre-OotP, so there are inconsistencies to canon.  Sadly, I won't fix them because it wouldn't contribute to my story.  Not that it could make it any worse, but hey—this is fanfic.

Safety From a Distance

Chapter 12

©PrincessLesse 2003

            "Jamesie?  Jamesie?  Wake up, sleepy head!"

            I opened one eye slowly and stared at Padfoot.  His visage was so blurry that I couldn't see any features.  I could tell by his voice that he was grinning loudly.  How on earth anyone could grin loudly was beyond me, but Padfoot seemed to be able to accomplish this little feat.  I wasn't sure there was anything he couldn't do.  Damn Padfoot and all of his abilities.  You know, in the morning the mind is quite stupid.  It's still trying to wake up, or perhaps fall asleep?  I don't know.

            "Jamesie, I know how much you must love me sitting here, with your little tendencies, but really!  I have to get going, and I couldn't possibly let you sleep in on a wonderful Sunday morning such as this!  Why, it's only 7:00!"

            "One day, Padfoot, you'll be the death of me."

            "Oh, James… that's the sweetest thing you've ever told me.  Do you promise?"

            I opened both eyes and glared at him.  "I award you no points for stupidity.  Ten points from Gryff…"

            "Ah yes, Prongsy, of course.  You have to be careful now, since you are allowed to deduct points."  Sirius was sitting on my stomach, and his arms were crossed.  I'm surprised I didn't suffocate in my sleep.  It seems that this was the aim that Padfoot was going for.  He's definitely trying to kill me; I know it.

            "James!  Get your lazy arse out of this bed!"

            "Padfoot, I can't because you're sitting on top of me.  How in Merlin's Beard am I to get up if you won't remove your fat bum?"

            "I know that you didn't just say that!  My bum is not fat!"  Padfoot turned his head and looked at his backside.  I sighed.  I hope the rest of my morning doesn't continue like this.

            "Look, just because you're grumpy in the morning, you don't have to take it out on me!"

            "Padfoot!  What are—"

            "Don't worry you're pretty little heart about it, Jamesie.  Believe me, I understand."

            At this, I watched as Padfoot stood up and walked towards the door.  Yet, before he left, he turned around and grinned at me.  He then threw a wink in my direction.  "I believe a certain someone is waiting in the Great Hall for you.  If you don't hurry, I'm going to have to make sure she knows that she has more than one option."

            My mouth dropped open and then Padfoot winked at me again.  "See you, Prongsy."

            I jumped out of bed, and I started to pull on my pants.  Then I smelled myself.  "Ugh, James, you smell like cottage cheese," I told myself.  I sighed and took off my pants and threw them on my bed.  It probably wouldn't be good to wear those, because they probably smelled as well.  I don't believe I'll be able to do anything right today.

            I started to take off my boxers when I realized it might be better if I brought a towel with me before I started stripping.  No telling when Padfoot might come back and try to surprise me.

            Walking into the shower and turning it on, the steam immediately started to fill the room.  I grinned as I stepped into the shower.  It took no time at all before I was out and running a hand through my hair.  I tried to flatten it, but the mirror just "tsked!"

            "You're fighting a losing battle, dear."

            "You're telling me.  Do you know how many hair products I've tried using on this hair?"

            "Actually, yes I do," my reflection replied.  I quirked my eyebrow which prompted my reflection to roll its eyes.  "I was there the whole time!"

            "Ah, that would explain it.  Well, do you have any suggestions?"

            "Spikes are nice, dear."

            "But, do you think Lily will like them."

            "How should I know?  I'm not Lily."

            I frowned at my reflection. He was a bit of a wanker.

            "No, I don't suppose you are Lily."

            "There you are, dear.  Now I believe that you can see that you're hair is hopeless."

            I nodded and then I grinned.  "In that case!"  I started to run my hands through my hair, making it more flyaway than it already was.  I winked at my reflection and then walked into the dormitory.  I started rummaging around my trunk.  I finally settled on a shirt and a simple pair of slacks.  No point in wearing the school uniform.  I then pulled out my robes and pulled them over my head.  I checked my reflection one last time, ("Stunning!") and I hurried down the stairs.  When I finally made it to the Great Hall, I saw Lily sitting with her friends, chatting and gossiping, no doubt.

            "Good morning, ladies."

            "Good morning, James," Savannah responded to me once I sat down beside Lily.

            "You know, I believe that there is somewhere we have to be, don't we, Lucy?"

            "What?  Oh!  Yeah, yeah, there's somewhere we have to—er—go!  We'll be seeing you, Lily!"

            "Yes," Savannah said again.  "We'll be seeing you.  Bye, James."

            I grinned at her and waved as she and Lucy started to walk quickly out of the Great Hall.  I turned towards Lily, who was grinning affectionately, but a look of annoyance was on her face.

            "Lily?"

            "Good morning, James.  Toast?"

            "Ah, yes please," I answered her confusedly.  I stared at her and poured myself a goblet of pumpkin juice in the process.  She was distractedly putting marmalade and butter on my toast.  I smiled at the act; butterflies were flying in my stomach at the moment.

            "Two pieces?"

            "Sure."

            We sat in silence as Lily was still buttering my toast.  I then thought about what I just said.  Peter probably would've loved that one.  Buttering my toast.  I have to admit, that was a fairly good one.

            I was snapped out of my daze when a plate was put in front of me.  I glanced at it, then at Lily.  She was eating a bagel with cream cheese.

            "So, James, what is it that you think you're going to be doing this morning?"

            "Well, I was hoping that perhaps—"

            "Jamesie!  Look at you!  You're up earlier than noon?  What's gotten into you?  Oh, look!  Hi there, Lily!"

            I started to groan as I saw that Peter was smiling at Lily.  He sat down by me and pulled my plate of toast from me.  I glared at him as he took a bite.  He then proceeded to drink from my goblet.

            "Anything else you need there, Peter?"

            He looked at me, and then he grinned, his cheeks full from the bread.  "Ah, 'orry a'out 'at, 'Ames!" Peter told me, his mouth full.

            "It's okay, Wormtail.  What is it that you plan on doing this morning?"

            It took a moment for him to answer because he had to swallow.

            "Actually, I wanted to know if you wanted to go to—uh… never mind.  You know, we can do that another time.  It can wait."  He grinned at me and then he turned to Lily.  "Lily!  How are you on this lovely morning?"

            "Oh, I'm fine, Peter.  How are you?"

            "I'm spiffing!  Say, you wouldn't mind if you could help me with some Charms work in a bit, could you?"

            I almost started to growl at Peter.  I could see his devious little mind working; he was carefully avoiding my gaze.  I swiftly turned to look at Lily, who was biting her lip and looked at a loss for words.  I finally caught her eye, and I shook my head negative.  She still looked so indecisive, that I had to help her.

            "Actually, Pete, we're doing something today."

            I watched as Wormtail turned around to look at me.  The grin on his face was devious.  I know that he is up to something!

            "Really?  James, you wouldn't do that to a mate in need, would you?  Deprive me of the best tutor I've had in ages?"

            I narrowed my eyes at him.  "I resent that!  I tutored you Friday night!"

            "Ah, you did, didn't you?  Well, you stunk at it!"

            I was about to retaliate when Lily spoke up for me.  "Come now, Peter, you know that James couldn't possibly be that bad.  He couldn't have faked some of the things that came out of his mouth."  I grinned and nodded.  "He didn't have enough time to take the ideas from someone else."

            I quickly stopped grinning and sent a glare in Lily's direction.  She merely smiled at me, as she seemed to have come to a decision.  "Yes, Peter, sorry, James and I are going to be doing something today, so no can do on the tutoring.  Perhaps another time?"

            Peter quirked his eyebrow and grinned charmingly at me as he spoke to Lily.  "No problem, Lily, I understand completely.  I—oh, what was I going to say?  Oh, yes, I believe that you should spend some time outdoors, it's a lovely morning."

            I glared at Peter.  Something was definitely not in my control, not with how everyone seemed to be acting in such a weird fashion.

            "We'll have to do that," I told Peter as I stood up and stretched.  When I did this, I made a rather violent head motion for Peter to leave.  He must've apparently got the hint, because he stood and bowed to Lily.

            "Oh, dearest, I must be off now.  Ciao!"

            I sat back down then, my shoulders hunching over the table.  Lily glanced at me before she smiled slightly.  She had buttered another piece of toast for me.

            "I believe that all of your friends are acting loony.  This morning, Sirius came to sit down at the table, proclaiming his love for me.  Then he said that he couldn't love me, because he'd be a traitor, and he then went on to proclaim that he'd rather rot in Azkaban than to be a traitor."

            I grinned at the news, but inside I was in turmoil.  Apparently Sirius really did still like Lily.  I wouldn't think he would've actually kept up the crush for so long, but that's Sirius for you.  You never know anything about him, except that he's fiercely loyal.  I suppose that's my only constant in Sirius, he'll always be loyal to us—his friends.

            "Now, Peter went all batty on us, as well.  He's in here raving about how I'm such a wonderful tutor.  I don't know where he's getting off on that, because he didn't pay one lick of attention when I was tutoring him last week."

            I nodded absentmindedly to Lily.  She was staring thoughtfully out into space, ranting about my friends.  It amused me, because she wasn't noticing that what was there of Gryffindor table was watching her rant.

            "The only person who hasn't done anything out of the norm is Remus, but the way that you three are acting makes me wonder if perhaps it's Remus who is actually doing something odd.  I don't know, it's too much for me to think about."

            I watched as Lily finally crashed back down into herself, because she blushed when she realized that everyone had quit eating to listen to what she was saying.

            "Oh, just continue with what you were doing.  I was merely ranting!  Right, James?"

            "Hmm, oh right.  Yes, she was merely ranting about my best mates, nothing to worry about."  I turned to Lily, who flushed again once she registered what I said.

            "Oh, James, I didn't mean to rant about your friends.  It was my mouth running too quickly away from my brain.  You're more than welcome to bash me, if you wish."

            I laughed as I pulled Lily out of her seat and out of the Great Hall.  "You've got your cloak?"

            "Yes," she asked me uncertainly.

            At that, I grabbed her arm and pulled her outside.  I breathed in the air as I tried to decide what I wanted to do.  I then tugged on Lily's arm as I said, "Want to go to the lake?"

            She grinned; her cheeks were rosy from the cold.  "Sure.  You think the Giant Squid is awake?"

            I shrugged.  "I'm not sure, but he should be."  I kept walking amiably to the lake, grinning like a fool as I kept thinking about Lily, whom was walking right beside me in perfect contentment.  At least, I assumed it was perfect contentment.

            "What are you thinking about, Lily?"

            "Oh, girl things, I suppose.  I'm not trying to think about reality, because that isn't the kind of thing that I like to think about on Sunday mornings such as this.  Anyhow, I'm thinking about the upcoming dance—I personally can't wait.  Hallowe`en is one of the better times of the year."

            I looked at Lily while she was prattling off about the upcoming ball.  I was ready for it, mostly for the fact that Lily was going with me.  I did enjoy such good fortune, especially when I could rub it in Padfoot's face.  Not that I'd do such a thing, but the fact that I could.  Yes, it's all about power.  Not that I want any, of course.  Oh!  Whom am I arguing with?  Myself?  I'm a bit off my rocker if that's the case.

            "James, did you used to dress up for Hallowe`en?" 

            It took a moment for the question to register in my brain, but I finally ground out an answer.  "Oh, yes, I did.  I always dressed up as a pirate, one of the types with the patches and the stubbly.  I even wore a bandana."  I quirked an eyebrow at Lily and then asked, "What did you dress up as?"

            "Oh.  Believe it or not, I dressed up as an Enchantress a couple times.  Just as good as a witch, I had thought, except prettier.  My sister refused to let me be a witch because she said that I would have to wear an ugly green mask with this horridly long nose with warts all over them."  I watched Lily shudder at the memory.  "I, of course, agreed whole-heartedly, because what is a younger sibling to do other than agree with the one person to whom you look up?"

            I nodded at Lily and I felt her pain at the memory.  A happy pain, I believe it was.  She was smiling, but there was the fact that it didn't light up her whole face.  I tried to comfort her the best way I knew how:  I grabbed her hand.  It didn't cease to amaze me when she squeezed my hand in return.

            "What did your sister dress up as?"

            "A princess.  Every time, too."

            I snorted and grinned at Lily.  She had showed me a couple of pictures of her family.  Her sister was no princess—but I suppose it was because she was no Lily, either.

            "You said you dressed up a couple of times as an Enchantress, so what else did you dress up as?"

            "I never varied in my range of selections.  I was always dreaming, thinking about things that a normal child wouldn't really think of.  So, if it wasn't something that had incredible magical powers, I dressed up as a vampire.  This really great vampire that had teased hair and blood everywhere."  I grinned fondly as Lily giggled childishly at the thought of her in her costumes.  "My mum's got pictures.  She's even got this picture of me when I was dressed up as a faery and not to mention this one embarrassing time when I actually did vary."

            This comment piqued my interest, so I stared at her until she finally looked at me.  She bit her lip and smiled.  "Oh, okay.  Well, I wore a wig and dressed up like Audrey Hepburn.  I thought the woman was gorgeous, not to mention all the old films my mum had of her."

            I looked at Lily confusedly.  Who was this Audrey Hepburn?  Was she important in Lily's life?  Lily also said that they had films of her.  Well, I've seen films before—in Muggle Studies.  Lily must've noticed my confused look because she started to laugh nervously and then answered my silent question.  "Audrey Hepburn is an actress.  A lovely actress who is most certainly beautiful in whatever she wore or—or anything!"

            I laughed for a moment before I quieted down.  I wasn't too dumb; I knew how easily girls could get their feelings hurt.  They were a bit irrational sometimes, but don't let me catch myself saying that out loud.

            "Oh, don't worry about that actress—I'm sure that she may be beautiful, but she couldn't be as stunning as you."

            Lily glared at me, and I merely grinned.

            "Flattery will get you nowhere, James Potter."

            "I suppose it won't, but how about he truth?  I'm serious!  You are very stunning!  You have this sparkling personality that draws in the worst and best of men."

            Lily raised her eyebrow at me, and I smiled charmingly.  "Besides, I'm sure you've noticed Sirius' advancements.  He's been trying to catch your attention for as long as I—"

            I was about to say, "As long as I have!" but I stopped myself before I could say something with such idiocy.  I'm sure that that statement would've shattered any semblance to a friendship we were forming.  So I finished off lamely.  The testament sounded weak to my own ears.

            "As long as I've known him."

            I let out a breath when Lily didn't comment, but smiled instead.  She was looking at me in that way that made me seem important, and I forgot about Padfoot for a moment.

            "Yes, well, I'm a special girl, and it takes a special guy to make me realize something that supposedly isn't there."

            "Oh, and what's that supposed to mean?" I asked her.

            Lily grinned at me and shrugged.  She was still holding my hand.

            "Come now, you can't tease me and then leave me without an answer!"

            Lily was still grinning, but it lost some of the sparkle that it held before.  "Well, I suppose that it could have to do with the fact that I don't give much foundation to love."

            I stopped for a moment and stared at Lily for a moment.  "What?" I asked eloquently.

            Lily just grinned at me, a sad grin, like she hated to come face to face with reality.  "I just don't believe in love."