Hey everyone! Sorry It's taken me so long to update but I just finished
school so yay! I'll have heaps more time now and I'm also going to be
working on another fanfic as well. Woo hoo! Everyone celebrate, I've
finally gotten up to double digits in chapters! Now I shall supply virtual
chocolate cakes for everyone who reviews and also a party hat!
Warning: This chapter contains high amounts of fluff that might just leave you up to your ears in cotton candy! Lol! Ok, so it's not that bad! Oh and everyone looking for James/Lily stuff in this fic, I hope this is good!
~*~Mystical Dreams
Chapter ten: A change in the wind.
James skimmed the many shelves of the Library, looking for something half decent to read. He never told his friends that he liked to come to the Library often, not even Sirius. He knew they would mock him, Sirius would say he was morphing into Remus, Remus would remind him of the many times James, himself had mocked him for reading so much and Peter would probably just laugh at him and end up getting knocked out by Sirius.
James smiled at this thought. He knew his friend would do anything for him, just like he did for Sirius.
He picked up a book from a high shelf and sat down in one of the wooden chairs in the far corner of the Library, where he couldn't be disturbed, but as he opened the leather bound book he heard a sobbing sound coming from behind the nearest bookshelf. He ignored it at first, thinking he was hearing things. Who would be in the castle on a nice sunny weekend like this? He thought to himself, but then a small voice in the back of his head told him that he was doing exactly that.
James then heard the sound again and he sat the book down quietly on the small table next to him. He then walked softly over to the bookshelf and peeked through a gap between the books.
There slumped against the wall, her head covered by her hands was Lily Evans, her dark chestnut hair falling about her knees as her head drooped to her chest.
James was utterly shocked, what was Lily doing here? He knew he had to get away before she saw him, here, in the Library and in his rush he accidentally knocked a book off the shelf.
Lily heard the noise as the book hit the floor, she jumped and her head sprang upward, looking for the cause of the sudden disturbance.
As James looked nervously between the shelves once more he saw Lily's tear streaked face and puffy red eyes, he'd never seen Lily like this before and it shocked him even more, Lily. . .had been crying?!
He stood there, dumbfounded; he didn't know what to do, should he just leave her alone? That was his first impulse, but somehow another part of him was telling him to go to her, comfort her.
Soon enough his conscience became the better of him and he emerged around the bookshelves.
Lily's head lifted slightly off of her knees as she heard the soft padding of shoes on the dusty carpet. She heard the footsteps cease a couple of feet in front of her.
"Go away" she said miserably, still not lifting her head.
"Lily are you ok?" James asked in what he meant to sound like a comforting tone but came out gruffly.
Lily knew that voice from anywhere; she had grown up with it forever in her ears.
"Piss off Potter!" she said infuriated that he was seeing her like this. She tried to hide her face as much as she could, determined to keep him from seeing that she had been crying.
James was a little put out by this command, though he didn't know why, it had never bothered him before when she had said many worse things than this to him, though not one of those times could he ever remember that he had any good intentions, but this time was different.
"Lily what's wrong?" James tried again.
"I told you, go away" she said again, but this time her voice was very shaky.
"It's alright; I'm not going to tell anyone"
"You wouldn't understand"
Tears were streaming down her face once more and James saw a tiny drop hit the floor. He walked over to where she was huddled against the wall and slumped down next to her. He then lowered his hand uncertainly onto her shoulder and looked at her, concern written all over his face.
Lily finally gathered up the courage to look at him, she let go of her pride and stopped trying to cover her tears, they rolled steadily down her cheeks and as James looked into her sad eyes a wave of guilt swept over him and he suddenly felt ashamed of all the cruel and spiteful things he had ever said to her over the years.
Lily tried to pull herself together but she just couldn't stop herself from crying. All the years of doubt came crushing down on her in one painful blow and she suddenly found herself sobbing uncontrollably into James' chest.
After James had overcome his shock he wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair soothingly, he wasn't one that was very used to comforting others, but somehow it came to him quickly with Lily and he relaxed.
She stayed there for a while, trying to collect herself and sort out her mingled feelings. When she slowly pulled away from him she looked into his eyes, they were full of pity and had a slight trace of concern in them, she felt, for the first time that she could trust James Potter and suddenly saw him in a whole new light.
"What's wrong Lily? You can tell me"
Lily was touched by the concern in his voice and she felt she needed to let her feelings out, she forgot about the many times he had, over the years teased her and taunted her and annoyed her, this was a different James sitting before her now.
"I-I'm just so sick of it" she started, choking slightly on her words.
"I'm sick of the bullying, the bitching, the cruelty, I've fought against it for so many years now but it really does hurt. I've seen so many others break because of it and now here I am, I swore I would never let those Slytherin cows get to me but now they have, and I feel even worse, I'm supposed to be the strong one who looks after the other muggleborns and stands up for them and now I'm breaking too, I'm letting them get to me"
James listened intently, he had had no idea what Lily had been going through over the years and it was saddening to see her face of steel shattered.
"And it's not just them, I heard some girls, seventh years, saying that I didn't deserve to be prefect, that Dumbledore just made me one because he felt sorry for me and I can't help but think I am a bad prefect, I mean, I didn't even remember to lead the first years at the beginning of year feast"
"Lily those girls just have sour grapes, you deserved that badge more then anyone else in the year"
There was silence for a minute until Lily said sadly, "I'm sorry, this must seem really stupid to you, crying over people saying things to me, embarrassing myself" she said looking down at her hands.
"Lily, everyone has emotion, you need to let it out once in a while, you can't be the heroine all the time"
Lily smiled weakly at him.
"Thanks" she whispered.
Lily then stood up, wiping the tears vigorously from her eyes.
"Well I had better go; Miria and Annie will be looking for me"
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence while the two just looked at each other, something didn't feel right, James needed to break the abnormality of all that had just happened.
"Alright Evans, but are you sure it's not just that time of the month again?" he asked, lapsing back into his usual reference to her and arrogant tone.
"NO!" she snapped, looking deadly, but as he watched her sweep from the cramped section he saw a small smile creep upon her features.
~*~
Lily walked into the great hall for breakfast the next day with a springing step in her stride, she was both cheerful and refreshed, feeling oddly more confident after her talk with James, even if it was abnormal and went against all of her morals she had set for herself. She hadn't told anyone about their talk, she had, of course been thoroughly upset and hadn't know what she was doing, she meant nothing by it and hoped that James hadn't told anyone either. It was a one off thing, something that she had by far not intended on doing, but she was grateful for it and saw James rather differently now, but he would always still be the same Potter to her. . . right?
Her mind kept wandering into that uncomfortable and frightful place in her thoughts that was theologizing what would happen if he had told someone, it would be the talk of the school, and she didn't think she'd be able to bare it. This one simple talk could end up being her worst nightmare. She shuddered at the thought.
Thoughts kept whirling around in her head, 'be nice to him or act as normal?' 'Well Evans, there's only one thing to do' she said to herself as she walked casually into the great hall 'this time you'll have to go with the flow'.
As she approached the Gryffindor table she was annoyed to find that her friends had taken seats opposite the marauders. She was very much tempted to go and sit with some of her other fellow sixth year friends but knew that it would look even stranger. 'Plus', she thought to herself as she walked towards them, 'you aren't going to let Potter mess up your life in any way are you now?'
She promptly arrived at her friend's side and sat down next to Andromeda.
James, who was sitting next to Sirius across from them said simply, smiling while he buttered his toast, "Morning Evans"
The table went silent, waiting for Lily's infuriated reply when suddenly. . .
"Morning" Lily replied off handedly, looking as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.
Sirius and Andromeda stared at them, amazed, Miria gaped openly, Remus, who had just taken a large gulp of orange juice, spluttered it everywhere in surprise and even Peter seemed to hold a perplexed expression. However, Lily and James just kept on eating, totally oblivious of those around them who were stunned into silence.
Sirius finally piped up.
"Did you-he just-you didn't- DID I MISS SOMETHING?!!!"
"For god's sake Black put together a coherent sentence!" Lily said, clearly annoyed.
"You were civil! For the first time in. . .no for the first time! Where is Evans and what did you do to her?" Sirius stated jumping up behind his chair, battle stance and wand at the ready, pointing it straight between Lily's eyes.
"You're a spy aren't you? You were told every memory most likely but what they didn't inform you is how much you and James hate each other. So what's his middle name huh? What is James's parent's name? Well, well, well, I bet you can't answer that!" Sirius claimed triumphantly.
Even though Lily was burning hot with embarrassment on the inside, there was absolutely no trace of it showing on the outside and her expression was still kept calm.
The whole hall had their eyes on the crazed marauder, waiting for Lily to reply.
"Dane, Michael and Elizabeth" Lily replied calmly, by now used to such an audience whenever Sirius Black was around.
Sirius turned an incredulous stare at James. "Your middle name is Dane?" He asked with a snort.
James glared at him as if daring him to say another word. "Yes, it was my grandfathers' name."
"Evans, how on earth did you know James' middle name let alone his parent's names?" Sirius asked in astonishment.
"I got an apology letter from Mrs. Potter in second year. She continued to blow up at him in the letter, as if it were a howler or something." Lily smirked playfully, "Really Potter I never knew you had a blue teddy named Fred when you were younger, and why on earth did you turn him pink?"
James went a pasty white, "Oh Merlin, she didn't?"
Lily smiled innocently, "I hear Freddy had a bad day that day."
"Why on earth did you get an apology from James' mum?" Andromeda asked, clearly amused at his predicament.
"Oh, well James thought it would be funny if he hit me with a tell all potion, what you do is you smash it at their feet and a vapor or smoke, whichever you prefer to call it, swims up around you, when you inhale it obviously, the person is compelled to 'tell all' as such, but what he didn't know was that I'm allergic to wormwood, so I ended up in the hospital wing for two weeks," Lily seemed quite thoughtful for a moment, "James where did you come off being so arrogant when your mother is so lovely?"
"It isn't arrogance, self confidence would be more appropriate, and I believe I actually get that from my mother Evans," he retorted, annoyed that he had allowed Lily to get the upper hand.
"No, what you have is arrogance, your mother doesn't boast, unlike you" Lily said smugly, "And may I add, her head isn't as big"
"How do you know how big it is?" Peter asked.
"She's been fitting me with robes at Madam Malkim's ever since I started at Hogwarts"
"Oh is she that lovely woman with curly brown hair and bright robes?" Andromeda asked.
"They're not bright! They're dazzling, they suit her personality" James said protectively.
"Alright Potter, Jeez settle down," Lily claimed, putting her hands up in submission, "We weren't insulting her or anything."
A sniveling voice sounded at James right, "Oh how touching Potty is all protective of his mother,"
James and Sirius whirled around as one and swiftly drew their wands before Severus even had time to register a look of shock and both boys cursed him into oblivion, with the best (and worst) spells they knew.
Snape hit the Slytherin table with a loud CRASH! And food went flying everywhere as he started to giggle uncontrollably.
"POTTER AND BLACK!!" yelled Lily and Professor McGonagall in unison.
The two boys sneered at Snape and then turned around to look up at the head table.
"What in Merlin's beard do you think you're doing?!" the Professor screeched.
All of the Slytherins sneered at the two boys as the Professor stared at them with her steely glare.
Lily promptly took out her wand and took the giggling charm off Snape, who, as soon as it had lifted, whipped out his wand, hoping to get revenge.
"Expelliarmus!" Remus shouted and Snape's wand flew out of his hand and into Remus'.
"Thank you Mr. Lupin" Professor McGonagall said curtly, turning only a moment to look at Remus.
The bell rang and all of the silent students didn't move a muscle as they stared at the sudden occurrence until the rest of the staff started ushering them out of the hall.
James and Sirius turned hopefully towards the great oak doors that lead to the grounds outside but professor McGonagall never gave in that easily.
"Don't even think about it boys! Up hear, now! Black, Potter, Snape and may I please request your presence as well Miss. Evans and Mr. Lupin"
All five of them trudged up to the head table towards the fuming Professor, Snape staring daggers into James' back.
"Miss. Evans would you care to recount the event" Professor McGonagall demanded more then asked.
"We were talking about Potter's mother Professor, and Snape made a rather crude remark as he walked past" Lily explained.
The Professor stared at the two boys with unblinking eyes.
"Do you honestly think this a mature way to act?" she asked them both.
"Well no Professor, but when have we ever acted-" Sirius was cut off mid sentence by Remus.
"They were provoked Professor"
"I understand that Mr. Lupin but the point is that they behaved immaturely, and by no account have they shown any justice towards their house in the act, I must say that I am thoroughly disappointed in you both and that I shall have to take 20 points from Gryffindor each" she said sternly.
Snape sneered at them both.
"Don't think you have weaseled your way out of this Mr. Snape, I assure you, there will be punishment enough heading your way very soon, in the mean time, hold your tongue! Forty points shall be taken from Slytherin for your provocation and childish behavior"
"Now get back to your classes before I decide to deduct any more points" she said severely.
"Professor, my wand" Snape gestured to his wand which Remus was still handling.
The professor nodded curtly and Remus handed the wand back over to Snape and all five of them turned to walk back and gather their bags but Professor McGonagall signaled for Lily and Remus to stay.
"I thank you both for your assistance in this matter, but Mr. Lupin, I hope you do not always feel compelled to get your two friends out of trouble, sometimes it would do them good to get a swift knock around the head. Just remember that, as a prefect there is no favouritism" Professor McGonagall said and promptly rose from her chair.
"Now if you would excuse me, I am already late for a class, and make sure you excuse yourselves and explain to your Professors where you have been"
Remus and Lily both nodded and then walked down towards their bags at the empty Gryffindor table where James and Sirius were waiting for them.
"Thanks, Rem, sometimes my tongue gets the better of me" Sirius said, slapping Remus on the back.
Lily snorted and muttered something that sounded strangely like, "yeah, sometimes" and then started to walk ahead of them.
"Hey Evans wait up!" James called after her.
"No thank you, I'm fine the way I am" she said not turning to look at him.
"Ok then but I was just about to tell my two loyal friends here about our little experience yesterday afternoon" he said slyly.
Lily stopped dead in her tracks and Sirius and Remus looked at James with perplexed expressions, and then remembered their act at breakfast.
Lily didn't turn around; she was filled with paralyzing dread and fear.
"That little snog of ours went quite well, don't you think? Nice and cozy in that broom cupboard hey?"
Lily couldn't help but sigh in relief; he had said things like this a hundred times over and even if it did happen (which it never would) no one would ever believe him. Lily was so relieved that she quickly formed an act.
"Yes Potter, magnificent, I must say your boyish good looks are very seductive" she said, putting on one of those girlish smiles that she knew made him go weak at the knees.
Remus and Sirius looked at her, horrified. Remus continually pinching himself on the arm to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
She walked slowly up to him, moving closer all the time until she came an inch from his lips when-
WHAM!
She slapped him square across the cheek.
"NEVER, EVER, SAY THAT AGAIN YOU SELF-CENTERED, EGOTISTICAL, ARROGANT ASS!" she screeched at the top of her lungs and then stormed out of the hall to leave James rubbing his red cheek in shock and the two marauders roaring with laughter.
However, this rather peculiar display did not, in any way, change James' feelings towards Lily Evans, if anything, they increased. Cool, calm and collected James went about that day in a daze, rubbing the red patch on his cheek and not even bothering to curse those who ran into him in the halls. Sirius had to punch him lightly on the arm when Professor Sprout asked him a question to get him to awaken out of his daydream.
Things had turned differently for Lily, however. Andromeda and Miria had much of the same reactions as Sirius and Remus when she told them why she was practically bubbling with hot, spewing fury as she walked in the door to the classroom and it only made them laugh even more when James walked in, with is dazed expression and slightly bruised, red cheek (damn that girl hits hard!).
But they both didn't know the real reason why Lily was so angry, they just thought it was for the usual reason, that she hated James and always had. They didn't bother to make the connection between breakfast and her different action of outburst. Lily was actually as much angry with James as she was with herself. The truth was that James actually was somewhat seductive, and for a split moment, she felt she actually wanted to kiss him and loose herself in those pools of hazel eyes. She was enraged with herself, how could she let him do that to her? Of course, he had always been a good-looking boy, but she knew his personality. . .or did she? She shook her head furiously, smashing the little voice in her head and cursing under her breath. Why did James Potter have to make her life so damn complicated?
"James for god's sake! Snap out of it! You're like a love sick puppy!" Sirius said, clicking his fingers in front of James' face.
James instantly snapped out of his daydream and looked at his friend in irritation.
"What! I'm fine!" he said reaching for a beef paddy.
"You've been off in a daze all day man! You've gone all lovey-dovey on us!"
"You know that's the closest I've ever been to kissing her" he said, once again, slipping off into a trance.
"Yeah, and probably the closest you'll ever get!" Peter said as he reached for the beef paddy on James' plate as all the others cleared.
James threw him a death stare but didn't say anything further.
~*~
Well now that all the lovey-dovey sappy stuff is over (for a while hehehe!) onto the serious stuff! Next chapter I'll have Christmas I think! Yes that will be good! I think I'll do that! Oh VERY IMPORTANT! I have a new story up, it's called Thunder and it's one about Tonks and Charlie, but their just friends, it's when the first met so, feel free to check it out! Also, I REALLY need to know how to do bold and italics on ff, cos it's extremely hard without it, so if you know how, do tell! Well thank you to all my reviewers, sorry I can't reply to everyone. I'd just like to say thanks to Bidett da Pigion Stalker, Agloechen, and my three new reviewers, Emily, Vixie Pixy and Flaming Flower (to answer your question about how long this fic is going to be, it depends really, I might just do to the end of 6th year on this one, then do a sequel for their 7th year. It depends on what I feel like writing really! But I'm set on getting their 6th year finished at least!) Thanks everyone! Hope to have the next chapter up soon! ~.^
~*~ Mystical Dreams
Warning: This chapter contains high amounts of fluff that might just leave you up to your ears in cotton candy! Lol! Ok, so it's not that bad! Oh and everyone looking for James/Lily stuff in this fic, I hope this is good!
~*~Mystical Dreams
Chapter ten: A change in the wind.
James skimmed the many shelves of the Library, looking for something half decent to read. He never told his friends that he liked to come to the Library often, not even Sirius. He knew they would mock him, Sirius would say he was morphing into Remus, Remus would remind him of the many times James, himself had mocked him for reading so much and Peter would probably just laugh at him and end up getting knocked out by Sirius.
James smiled at this thought. He knew his friend would do anything for him, just like he did for Sirius.
He picked up a book from a high shelf and sat down in one of the wooden chairs in the far corner of the Library, where he couldn't be disturbed, but as he opened the leather bound book he heard a sobbing sound coming from behind the nearest bookshelf. He ignored it at first, thinking he was hearing things. Who would be in the castle on a nice sunny weekend like this? He thought to himself, but then a small voice in the back of his head told him that he was doing exactly that.
James then heard the sound again and he sat the book down quietly on the small table next to him. He then walked softly over to the bookshelf and peeked through a gap between the books.
There slumped against the wall, her head covered by her hands was Lily Evans, her dark chestnut hair falling about her knees as her head drooped to her chest.
James was utterly shocked, what was Lily doing here? He knew he had to get away before she saw him, here, in the Library and in his rush he accidentally knocked a book off the shelf.
Lily heard the noise as the book hit the floor, she jumped and her head sprang upward, looking for the cause of the sudden disturbance.
As James looked nervously between the shelves once more he saw Lily's tear streaked face and puffy red eyes, he'd never seen Lily like this before and it shocked him even more, Lily. . .had been crying?!
He stood there, dumbfounded; he didn't know what to do, should he just leave her alone? That was his first impulse, but somehow another part of him was telling him to go to her, comfort her.
Soon enough his conscience became the better of him and he emerged around the bookshelves.
Lily's head lifted slightly off of her knees as she heard the soft padding of shoes on the dusty carpet. She heard the footsteps cease a couple of feet in front of her.
"Go away" she said miserably, still not lifting her head.
"Lily are you ok?" James asked in what he meant to sound like a comforting tone but came out gruffly.
Lily knew that voice from anywhere; she had grown up with it forever in her ears.
"Piss off Potter!" she said infuriated that he was seeing her like this. She tried to hide her face as much as she could, determined to keep him from seeing that she had been crying.
James was a little put out by this command, though he didn't know why, it had never bothered him before when she had said many worse things than this to him, though not one of those times could he ever remember that he had any good intentions, but this time was different.
"Lily what's wrong?" James tried again.
"I told you, go away" she said again, but this time her voice was very shaky.
"It's alright; I'm not going to tell anyone"
"You wouldn't understand"
Tears were streaming down her face once more and James saw a tiny drop hit the floor. He walked over to where she was huddled against the wall and slumped down next to her. He then lowered his hand uncertainly onto her shoulder and looked at her, concern written all over his face.
Lily finally gathered up the courage to look at him, she let go of her pride and stopped trying to cover her tears, they rolled steadily down her cheeks and as James looked into her sad eyes a wave of guilt swept over him and he suddenly felt ashamed of all the cruel and spiteful things he had ever said to her over the years.
Lily tried to pull herself together but she just couldn't stop herself from crying. All the years of doubt came crushing down on her in one painful blow and she suddenly found herself sobbing uncontrollably into James' chest.
After James had overcome his shock he wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair soothingly, he wasn't one that was very used to comforting others, but somehow it came to him quickly with Lily and he relaxed.
She stayed there for a while, trying to collect herself and sort out her mingled feelings. When she slowly pulled away from him she looked into his eyes, they were full of pity and had a slight trace of concern in them, she felt, for the first time that she could trust James Potter and suddenly saw him in a whole new light.
"What's wrong Lily? You can tell me"
Lily was touched by the concern in his voice and she felt she needed to let her feelings out, she forgot about the many times he had, over the years teased her and taunted her and annoyed her, this was a different James sitting before her now.
"I-I'm just so sick of it" she started, choking slightly on her words.
"I'm sick of the bullying, the bitching, the cruelty, I've fought against it for so many years now but it really does hurt. I've seen so many others break because of it and now here I am, I swore I would never let those Slytherin cows get to me but now they have, and I feel even worse, I'm supposed to be the strong one who looks after the other muggleborns and stands up for them and now I'm breaking too, I'm letting them get to me"
James listened intently, he had had no idea what Lily had been going through over the years and it was saddening to see her face of steel shattered.
"And it's not just them, I heard some girls, seventh years, saying that I didn't deserve to be prefect, that Dumbledore just made me one because he felt sorry for me and I can't help but think I am a bad prefect, I mean, I didn't even remember to lead the first years at the beginning of year feast"
"Lily those girls just have sour grapes, you deserved that badge more then anyone else in the year"
There was silence for a minute until Lily said sadly, "I'm sorry, this must seem really stupid to you, crying over people saying things to me, embarrassing myself" she said looking down at her hands.
"Lily, everyone has emotion, you need to let it out once in a while, you can't be the heroine all the time"
Lily smiled weakly at him.
"Thanks" she whispered.
Lily then stood up, wiping the tears vigorously from her eyes.
"Well I had better go; Miria and Annie will be looking for me"
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence while the two just looked at each other, something didn't feel right, James needed to break the abnormality of all that had just happened.
"Alright Evans, but are you sure it's not just that time of the month again?" he asked, lapsing back into his usual reference to her and arrogant tone.
"NO!" she snapped, looking deadly, but as he watched her sweep from the cramped section he saw a small smile creep upon her features.
~*~
Lily walked into the great hall for breakfast the next day with a springing step in her stride, she was both cheerful and refreshed, feeling oddly more confident after her talk with James, even if it was abnormal and went against all of her morals she had set for herself. She hadn't told anyone about their talk, she had, of course been thoroughly upset and hadn't know what she was doing, she meant nothing by it and hoped that James hadn't told anyone either. It was a one off thing, something that she had by far not intended on doing, but she was grateful for it and saw James rather differently now, but he would always still be the same Potter to her. . . right?
Her mind kept wandering into that uncomfortable and frightful place in her thoughts that was theologizing what would happen if he had told someone, it would be the talk of the school, and she didn't think she'd be able to bare it. This one simple talk could end up being her worst nightmare. She shuddered at the thought.
Thoughts kept whirling around in her head, 'be nice to him or act as normal?' 'Well Evans, there's only one thing to do' she said to herself as she walked casually into the great hall 'this time you'll have to go with the flow'.
As she approached the Gryffindor table she was annoyed to find that her friends had taken seats opposite the marauders. She was very much tempted to go and sit with some of her other fellow sixth year friends but knew that it would look even stranger. 'Plus', she thought to herself as she walked towards them, 'you aren't going to let Potter mess up your life in any way are you now?'
She promptly arrived at her friend's side and sat down next to Andromeda.
James, who was sitting next to Sirius across from them said simply, smiling while he buttered his toast, "Morning Evans"
The table went silent, waiting for Lily's infuriated reply when suddenly. . .
"Morning" Lily replied off handedly, looking as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.
Sirius and Andromeda stared at them, amazed, Miria gaped openly, Remus, who had just taken a large gulp of orange juice, spluttered it everywhere in surprise and even Peter seemed to hold a perplexed expression. However, Lily and James just kept on eating, totally oblivious of those around them who were stunned into silence.
Sirius finally piped up.
"Did you-he just-you didn't- DID I MISS SOMETHING?!!!"
"For god's sake Black put together a coherent sentence!" Lily said, clearly annoyed.
"You were civil! For the first time in. . .no for the first time! Where is Evans and what did you do to her?" Sirius stated jumping up behind his chair, battle stance and wand at the ready, pointing it straight between Lily's eyes.
"You're a spy aren't you? You were told every memory most likely but what they didn't inform you is how much you and James hate each other. So what's his middle name huh? What is James's parent's name? Well, well, well, I bet you can't answer that!" Sirius claimed triumphantly.
Even though Lily was burning hot with embarrassment on the inside, there was absolutely no trace of it showing on the outside and her expression was still kept calm.
The whole hall had their eyes on the crazed marauder, waiting for Lily to reply.
"Dane, Michael and Elizabeth" Lily replied calmly, by now used to such an audience whenever Sirius Black was around.
Sirius turned an incredulous stare at James. "Your middle name is Dane?" He asked with a snort.
James glared at him as if daring him to say another word. "Yes, it was my grandfathers' name."
"Evans, how on earth did you know James' middle name let alone his parent's names?" Sirius asked in astonishment.
"I got an apology letter from Mrs. Potter in second year. She continued to blow up at him in the letter, as if it were a howler or something." Lily smirked playfully, "Really Potter I never knew you had a blue teddy named Fred when you were younger, and why on earth did you turn him pink?"
James went a pasty white, "Oh Merlin, she didn't?"
Lily smiled innocently, "I hear Freddy had a bad day that day."
"Why on earth did you get an apology from James' mum?" Andromeda asked, clearly amused at his predicament.
"Oh, well James thought it would be funny if he hit me with a tell all potion, what you do is you smash it at their feet and a vapor or smoke, whichever you prefer to call it, swims up around you, when you inhale it obviously, the person is compelled to 'tell all' as such, but what he didn't know was that I'm allergic to wormwood, so I ended up in the hospital wing for two weeks," Lily seemed quite thoughtful for a moment, "James where did you come off being so arrogant when your mother is so lovely?"
"It isn't arrogance, self confidence would be more appropriate, and I believe I actually get that from my mother Evans," he retorted, annoyed that he had allowed Lily to get the upper hand.
"No, what you have is arrogance, your mother doesn't boast, unlike you" Lily said smugly, "And may I add, her head isn't as big"
"How do you know how big it is?" Peter asked.
"She's been fitting me with robes at Madam Malkim's ever since I started at Hogwarts"
"Oh is she that lovely woman with curly brown hair and bright robes?" Andromeda asked.
"They're not bright! They're dazzling, they suit her personality" James said protectively.
"Alright Potter, Jeez settle down," Lily claimed, putting her hands up in submission, "We weren't insulting her or anything."
A sniveling voice sounded at James right, "Oh how touching Potty is all protective of his mother,"
James and Sirius whirled around as one and swiftly drew their wands before Severus even had time to register a look of shock and both boys cursed him into oblivion, with the best (and worst) spells they knew.
Snape hit the Slytherin table with a loud CRASH! And food went flying everywhere as he started to giggle uncontrollably.
"POTTER AND BLACK!!" yelled Lily and Professor McGonagall in unison.
The two boys sneered at Snape and then turned around to look up at the head table.
"What in Merlin's beard do you think you're doing?!" the Professor screeched.
All of the Slytherins sneered at the two boys as the Professor stared at them with her steely glare.
Lily promptly took out her wand and took the giggling charm off Snape, who, as soon as it had lifted, whipped out his wand, hoping to get revenge.
"Expelliarmus!" Remus shouted and Snape's wand flew out of his hand and into Remus'.
"Thank you Mr. Lupin" Professor McGonagall said curtly, turning only a moment to look at Remus.
The bell rang and all of the silent students didn't move a muscle as they stared at the sudden occurrence until the rest of the staff started ushering them out of the hall.
James and Sirius turned hopefully towards the great oak doors that lead to the grounds outside but professor McGonagall never gave in that easily.
"Don't even think about it boys! Up hear, now! Black, Potter, Snape and may I please request your presence as well Miss. Evans and Mr. Lupin"
All five of them trudged up to the head table towards the fuming Professor, Snape staring daggers into James' back.
"Miss. Evans would you care to recount the event" Professor McGonagall demanded more then asked.
"We were talking about Potter's mother Professor, and Snape made a rather crude remark as he walked past" Lily explained.
The Professor stared at the two boys with unblinking eyes.
"Do you honestly think this a mature way to act?" she asked them both.
"Well no Professor, but when have we ever acted-" Sirius was cut off mid sentence by Remus.
"They were provoked Professor"
"I understand that Mr. Lupin but the point is that they behaved immaturely, and by no account have they shown any justice towards their house in the act, I must say that I am thoroughly disappointed in you both and that I shall have to take 20 points from Gryffindor each" she said sternly.
Snape sneered at them both.
"Don't think you have weaseled your way out of this Mr. Snape, I assure you, there will be punishment enough heading your way very soon, in the mean time, hold your tongue! Forty points shall be taken from Slytherin for your provocation and childish behavior"
"Now get back to your classes before I decide to deduct any more points" she said severely.
"Professor, my wand" Snape gestured to his wand which Remus was still handling.
The professor nodded curtly and Remus handed the wand back over to Snape and all five of them turned to walk back and gather their bags but Professor McGonagall signaled for Lily and Remus to stay.
"I thank you both for your assistance in this matter, but Mr. Lupin, I hope you do not always feel compelled to get your two friends out of trouble, sometimes it would do them good to get a swift knock around the head. Just remember that, as a prefect there is no favouritism" Professor McGonagall said and promptly rose from her chair.
"Now if you would excuse me, I am already late for a class, and make sure you excuse yourselves and explain to your Professors where you have been"
Remus and Lily both nodded and then walked down towards their bags at the empty Gryffindor table where James and Sirius were waiting for them.
"Thanks, Rem, sometimes my tongue gets the better of me" Sirius said, slapping Remus on the back.
Lily snorted and muttered something that sounded strangely like, "yeah, sometimes" and then started to walk ahead of them.
"Hey Evans wait up!" James called after her.
"No thank you, I'm fine the way I am" she said not turning to look at him.
"Ok then but I was just about to tell my two loyal friends here about our little experience yesterday afternoon" he said slyly.
Lily stopped dead in her tracks and Sirius and Remus looked at James with perplexed expressions, and then remembered their act at breakfast.
Lily didn't turn around; she was filled with paralyzing dread and fear.
"That little snog of ours went quite well, don't you think? Nice and cozy in that broom cupboard hey?"
Lily couldn't help but sigh in relief; he had said things like this a hundred times over and even if it did happen (which it never would) no one would ever believe him. Lily was so relieved that she quickly formed an act.
"Yes Potter, magnificent, I must say your boyish good looks are very seductive" she said, putting on one of those girlish smiles that she knew made him go weak at the knees.
Remus and Sirius looked at her, horrified. Remus continually pinching himself on the arm to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
She walked slowly up to him, moving closer all the time until she came an inch from his lips when-
WHAM!
She slapped him square across the cheek.
"NEVER, EVER, SAY THAT AGAIN YOU SELF-CENTERED, EGOTISTICAL, ARROGANT ASS!" she screeched at the top of her lungs and then stormed out of the hall to leave James rubbing his red cheek in shock and the two marauders roaring with laughter.
However, this rather peculiar display did not, in any way, change James' feelings towards Lily Evans, if anything, they increased. Cool, calm and collected James went about that day in a daze, rubbing the red patch on his cheek and not even bothering to curse those who ran into him in the halls. Sirius had to punch him lightly on the arm when Professor Sprout asked him a question to get him to awaken out of his daydream.
Things had turned differently for Lily, however. Andromeda and Miria had much of the same reactions as Sirius and Remus when she told them why she was practically bubbling with hot, spewing fury as she walked in the door to the classroom and it only made them laugh even more when James walked in, with is dazed expression and slightly bruised, red cheek (damn that girl hits hard!).
But they both didn't know the real reason why Lily was so angry, they just thought it was for the usual reason, that she hated James and always had. They didn't bother to make the connection between breakfast and her different action of outburst. Lily was actually as much angry with James as she was with herself. The truth was that James actually was somewhat seductive, and for a split moment, she felt she actually wanted to kiss him and loose herself in those pools of hazel eyes. She was enraged with herself, how could she let him do that to her? Of course, he had always been a good-looking boy, but she knew his personality. . .or did she? She shook her head furiously, smashing the little voice in her head and cursing under her breath. Why did James Potter have to make her life so damn complicated?
"James for god's sake! Snap out of it! You're like a love sick puppy!" Sirius said, clicking his fingers in front of James' face.
James instantly snapped out of his daydream and looked at his friend in irritation.
"What! I'm fine!" he said reaching for a beef paddy.
"You've been off in a daze all day man! You've gone all lovey-dovey on us!"
"You know that's the closest I've ever been to kissing her" he said, once again, slipping off into a trance.
"Yeah, and probably the closest you'll ever get!" Peter said as he reached for the beef paddy on James' plate as all the others cleared.
James threw him a death stare but didn't say anything further.
~*~
Well now that all the lovey-dovey sappy stuff is over (for a while hehehe!) onto the serious stuff! Next chapter I'll have Christmas I think! Yes that will be good! I think I'll do that! Oh VERY IMPORTANT! I have a new story up, it's called Thunder and it's one about Tonks and Charlie, but their just friends, it's when the first met so, feel free to check it out! Also, I REALLY need to know how to do bold and italics on ff, cos it's extremely hard without it, so if you know how, do tell! Well thank you to all my reviewers, sorry I can't reply to everyone. I'd just like to say thanks to Bidett da Pigion Stalker, Agloechen, and my three new reviewers, Emily, Vixie Pixy and Flaming Flower (to answer your question about how long this fic is going to be, it depends really, I might just do to the end of 6th year on this one, then do a sequel for their 7th year. It depends on what I feel like writing really! But I'm set on getting their 6th year finished at least!) Thanks everyone! Hope to have the next chapter up soon! ~.^
~*~ Mystical Dreams