Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
(A/N: ok, don't worry I will NOT put in a Snape/Lily romance. Ewwwww. And if you're a fan of it, I'm sorry to disappoint you or offend you in any way. And I will get L/J together soon, but not yet! Be patient, they have to be friends first, at least. Now calm down, I don't want to rush it! Believe me, I'll work out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~*~ 3:30 pm..
Diana and Lily walked into their dormitory and threw their books on the floor. Lily was excited because she knew that 4:00 were the Quidditch tryouts. Diana, however, was nervous but she didn't let Lily know this. They both knew how to play, and were quite good. Last year they even went to the Quidditch World Cup, courtesy of the Ministry providing tickets to Diana's mother, who worked there.
Lily wanted to try out for Quidditch simply because it was something new and different, and she got the chance to pester James, indirectly at least. She was thinking about how much she would love to see that vain in his temple throb. The thought made her smile.
Diana loved Quidditch, she really did, but the thought of the entire school looking at her to see if she made a mistake unnerved her. She felt that other students wanted her to be made out a fool, and she didn't want to fail. She didn't want to give Black the satisfaction. Then again, she thought it fit to prove him wrong, a secret objective of hers.
"Ok, let's go." Lily said, her smile still visible and overzealous. Diana simply nodded and smiled weakly. They didn't grab robes because they had none. They figured they would try out with the ones that were provided. Diana had a broom ever since she entered Hogwarts, but Lily went empty handed.
They slowly made their way down to the field with only one broom and their confident attitudes.
"Are we going to be nice?" Diana asked as they drew closer to the giant stadium. She could see a few students circling it, practicing.
"Yea. We want to make the team don't we?" Lily rhetorically asked.
"Sure. If you want to." Diana answered, shrugging.
"Listen if you don't want to then you could go back. I don't want to force you."
"No. I want to I'm just a bit nervous. Plus I'm not going to watch the games all by myself. I know I'll have Nicole but she doesn't like to make fun of the opposing team like you do. If you're up there, so am I." She said, and linked her arm with Lily's. She smiled and winked at her. While they were talking Sirius noticed them walking toward the field.
"Oh no." he said. "Prongs!" he yelled. James was a good deal away talking to a second year who couldn't quite balance himself on his broom. When he heard Sirius shout he turned around. Sirius pointed in the general direction of the girls and James saw them. Then he jogged towards Sirius.
"Damn it." James said, panting a bit. "What are they doing here?"
"Well judging by what they're carrying I'd say at least one of them came here to try out." Sirius explained. The girls were officially on the field now, and both of them gained some confidence upon seeing James and Sirius. Even Diana smiled genuinely at Lily, and then they both reluctantly chucked, for this behavior was slightly foreign to them. It's just nerves, they thought, and dismissed it quickly.
"Well if it isn't the bitch and the slut. What can we do for you this afternoon?" Sirius rudely asked.
Diana remembered herself, and her genuine smile changed to bitterness in the matter of seconds. "Oh, you see, we're out here for our health. It's quite a habit really. We like taking long and exhausting walks out to the Quidditch field carrying a broom. It really works you two should try it sometime. Oh, and since I'm such a slut, I assume you were referring to me, Black, I figured that once we got here I could molest some second years. That is, with your permeation." Diana said with an attitude. Sirius gave a fake smile, one that told her that he was incredibly irritated.
"Renton, I really am not in the mood for you right now. Excuse me." He said, and walked towards the mob of people in the background. James and Lily actually exchanged a confused glance, while Diana was slightly dumbfounded. It didn't go at all like she had wanted it to. She was disappointed.
Then they all saw two eager girls, about their age running towards them. One had light brown hair and the other was a dirty blonde. Both were about medium height and had sparkling personalities. There was a boy behind them, casually walking in the same direction.
"Lily! Diana!" they both shouted, as they grew closer, waving. The girls smiled and ran to greet them. James just stood by, feeling left out, his arms folded.
"Alice!" Lily cried to the brunette.
"Katrina!" Diana shouted in an equally enthusiastic tone.
"Oh it's so great to see you guys, it's been months." Alice cried, embracing Lily.
"Yes, where have you two been? Where's Nicole?" Katrina asked. They had run into Katrina the day before, but hadn't exactly exchanged hellos yet.
"Oh she's up in the common room getting a head start on the homework. We didn't see you two last night." Lily said.
"Oh we were here." Alice said. "But you two did seem a little preoccupied." She said, smirking.
"Hey Jimmy." Katrina said, with a mock smile. It was the first time she had noticed James there. She was on the other side of the field the whole time.
"Hey Kat." He reluctantly whispered. They had dated up until May of fifth year. They were only going out a couple of months, and the break was mutual.
"Oh, yes well." Diana began.
"Are you two here to play?" Katrina interrupted.
"Uh, yes." Lily answered.
"Really?" Katrina asked, surprised and perplexed. Then she glanced at James who was behind them, as if asking for an answer. All she got was a shrug from him. Then, the boy who was catching up behind them came into view. It was Frank Longbottom, Alice's boyfriend.
"Damn, you two run fast." He said casually. "Hey Lily! Diana!" he said, warmly and embraced the two. Frank was a sweet, generous boy who was always friendly with the girls. He always liked them, and never wanted to be apart of their hit list. He was in their year, like the girls. He had been dating Alice since last year.
"How was your summer?" he asked them both.
"Good." Lily said. Diana nodded in agreement.
"They're here to try out." Alice told him, and he shrunk back.
"Really?" he asked.
"Oh my god, yes. Everyone. Lily Evans and Diana Renton would like to try out for Quidditch." Diana annunciated, getting a tad irritated that everyone was asking the exact same question.
"Why?" James appeared to join their conversation. Lily just sighed.
"What's it to you?" she replied, smugly.
"It's MY team." He simply said.
This is true, she thought. "Well it's not like you can stop us."
"Oh really?" he said, glaring at her.
"Yea. There is no rule that states that just because you despise me, doesn't mean I can't play." She answered.
"Well are you any good? Because if you aren't then I suggest you get off the field, now." He stressed.
"We'll just have to see about that, now won't we Potter." She said airily. Just then Sirius walked back over to them, still cross and rather bothered.
"Why are you still here?" he sighed. "We have work to do, and I don't want you disrupting these tryouts any more than you already have. Either stay or go, just pick one so I don't have to wonder any more whether or not I can slap you out here." He said, rather forcefully, and looking at Diana especially.
"Now hold on. You've gone a bit too far Sirius." Frank said, trying to calm him down. "Just let them play. If they're terrible then they'll leave, but you aren't getting them out of here any faster by scolding them for no reason." He said, calmly. Alice and Katrina were rather taken aback.
"Ugh, fine!" James shouted. Then he looked at Lily and noticed she was obviously unprepared. "You don't even have a broom, do you Evans? Unbelievable." He stated, putting his hands on his hips.
"Here, use mine." Frank offered, handing it to her.
"And take these." Katrina said, taking off her red and gold robes. She handed them to Lily, who thankfully smiled. James just shrugged.
"Let's just get this over with. I don't want them getting us in more trouble then we are already in." Sirius said, and walked towards the benches. James followed him and they rounded up the children from the other years. They were eager to play and looked to their would-be captain with such respect and reverence. Lily found it silly, to be honest.
"What the hell is wrong with Sirius?" Katrina asked, confused.
"Yea." Alice said. "Since when does he care about getting in trouble? And he was mean to you Diana."
"I'm used to it." she shrugged.
"Yea, but..." Lily started. "He's acting weird, even for him. He was a little cruel. It wasn't playful at all. He wasn't even joking. It was like he was going out of his way to be mean."
"Whatever. The bastard can think whatever he wants of me. It hasn't stopped him in the past and it won't now. He's just being Black, that's all, and I'm perfectly fine with it." Diana said, truly not caring. Although she had to admit to herself that she was a bit insulted. It was directly referring to her and all, but she felt it wasn't too out of the ordinary.
"Alright!" they heard James shout and they all turned around. "We are going to go by year! Seconds first, obviously, then everyone else. We are going to start with basic drills. I want to see how you all score. I want you all to start with laps around the field, on your brooms to see if you can properly handle it. Second years can start now." All of them just looked up at him in awe. "Well what are you waiting for? Go!" he shouted and waved them off. James took his place next to Sirius on the bleachers. Diana and Lily sat with Frank, Alice and Katrina behind them.
"So what do we need?" Sirius asked, looking at James' layout. "Wood and Johnson have graduated so that means we need.."
"Well here's what we have so far." James cut him off. "Chasers: me and Andrew Spinnet, who remarkably isn't here..."
"He's in the hospital wing." Katrina explained. "A Care of Magical Creatures accident."
"Fantastic." James said, feeling frustrated. "We need two more Chasers. One of them will be a relief Chaser, we can't risk being short."
"Ok." Sirius nodded in agreement.
"We need a keeper. That's a big one. With Wood gone I don't know whom we'll get to replace him, and I don't know if these kids can handle it, especially against the Slytherins."
"What else?" Sirius asked, inquisitively.
"Well, we've got beaters. There's you and Frank, but we should probably find one more, just in case. And we've got a seeker, Kat." He said, pointing behind him.
"A great seeker." Alice said, boosting her friend's confidence. Katrina smiled and blushed a bit. She seemed nice and sweet, which she was, but on the Quidditch field she was untouchable and ruthless. Then again she had to be.
"But look." Sirius said. "All we have are these monkey wannabees who can't even fly in a strait line. And how are we going to see how they score without at least a relief keeper? Let's face it, we're screwed." He said, putting his head in his hands and contemplating the eventual beating they were going to get from the Slytherins.
"I'll do it." Diana said, casually. James and Sirius abruptly turned around.
"You?" Sirius mocked, and then started to laugh.
"Yes, me." She answered, looking him strait in the eyes.
"Renton, no." James said, shaking his head.
"Why the hell not?" she snapped back.
"Yea, she's a great keeper. She could wipe the floor with all of you." Lily chimed in.
"Would you like to prove that Evans?" James asked.
"I can do it. It's just a stupid tryout anyway." Diana said.
"Let her do it." Frank said, trying to end what they hoped would not be a fight.
Sirius and James looked like they had been betrayed.
"Listen. We don't have an option. Let Lily fly up there with her to help. What position do you play?" he asked, turning to her.
"Chaser." She answered. Again, James sighed and threw the notepad he was carrying on the ground.
"Oy, who's the captain here? Me, and I say what we are going to do for the safety and well being of this team." He said, trying to gain some authority. They just looked at him, not caring what he said. There was a pause, and the girls, all four, just eyed him wearily.
"Fine!" he shouted, throwing his arms up in the air. "Renton, get up there! Evans..well, I guess, show them how it's done if you two are so damn good!" he yelled. The girls nodded, and were satisfied.
"Alright then. Diana, you need robes, yes?" she asked turning to her friend. She had Katrina's but Alice didn't play so they were one short. Alice only came out to see Frank.
"Great. Padfoot, give her yours." James ordered.
"Huh? No way." He said, grabbing them as if she were about to rip them off his body.
"Just do it. I can't give her mine, because I'm captain and.." James said.
"Ugh, ok!" he said, and took the robes off immediately. Then he threw them at her and she caught them without a care. Then she slipped them over her head. They went passed her feet and were big around the shoulders and midsection. Everyone chuckled.
She just shrugged. "Oh well," she said, mounting her broom. Lily mounted Frank's with ease and they immediately shot up into the air. Then they circled once and came around to face the hoops. The second years, now joined by the third years, were still circling.
"Ok, everyone stop a minute!" James called from the bleachers. They immediately paused where they were and looked down eagerly at their beloved captain. "Here's what we're going to do! Renton here is going to be the keeper, temporarily, and Evans there is going to show you all how to score a goal. Then you will follow and repeat, got it?! Now go!" he shouted. "And listen to her, she's going to show you all how it's done!"
James sat back, cockily because he expected Lily and Diana to make fools of themselves. They have never tried out before so he always assumed they were either uninterested or terrible at it. Lily smiled knowingly at Diana, and she returned the glance.
"Ok, now here it is." Lily began. "What you want to do first is make the keeper think you are going in the opposite direction. There are many moves that can make this affective; unfortunately they require more than one chaser. But I guess I can manage.."
"Hold on, hold on!" James screamed, waving his arms at her. Then he mounted his broom and flew up beside her. "Need help already Evans? You've only been up here less than a minute." He pointed out.
"I was merely pointing out that.."
"What's the play?" he asked. "The one where you need more than one. It is, after all, most of them." He said.
"Ok." Then she drew closer to him. She didn't want the others to hear. "The Porskoff Play." She whispered. James moved slightly away and looked at her in a rather interesting way. He was impressed. He nodded approvingly.
"Excellent." He said. "Lily and I are going to show you the Porskoff play. Explain to them what it is." He said, looking at her.
She smiled. "Alright. Hand me that." She asked a student who happened to be holding a Quaffle. He threw it at her and she caught it. "Ok. The Chaser carrying the Quaffle flies upwards, leading opposing Chasers to believe he.or she, is trying to escape them to score, but then throws the Quaffle downwards to a fellow Chaser waiting to catch it.."
James continued to stare at her, impressed with her vast knowledge and clear depiction of the play that made Petrova Porskoff famous. He wondered what else he didn't know about her.
She continued. "Now, as you all should know, pinpoint timing is of the essence, and it must be done carefully." She exclaimed. "That's it. Diana, don't try too hard to block it, I am trying to illustrate a point." She called behind her. She nodded in understanding.
"Ok, now back up." James said, motioning with his hands. If it was going to work they had to at least be in the middle of the field. He and Lily flew, side by side to the middle, Lily holding the Quaffle.
Diana was ready, but not too ready since she intended on letting them score. Then, out of nowhere Lily shot at breathtaking speed towards the goal posts, with James right behind her. Then she shot up about twenty feet and aimed her sight downward. James was down below, ready and she threw the Quaffle back to him. He caught it dead on. Then, quick as ever he shot it into the center goal post, Diana obviously didn't move. Nor had she any reason to. The younger years cheered at this brilliant example of teamwork and technique at its best.
Lily swooped down beside him and he looked at her with the utmost pride, thrilled that she had accomplished the play so beautifully. He saw her wild, dark red locks blowing in the unruly wind and for the first time, he actually respected her.
"Wow Evans." He spoke, for he was at a loss for words. "That was..."
"Bloody fantastic!" Diana yelled at them, clapping to Lily. Lily turned back to James and shrugged.
"What can I say? I told you." She smirked. James returned the glance and then turned to Diana.
"Renton, let's see what you can do!" he yelled, cupping his hands over his mouth. She waved an ok while he motioned for the trainees to get started practicing what they had done.
Year by year the hopeless Quidditch wanabees tried to run past her with the Quaffle. She wouldn't have it. She had absolutely no mercy, which is what the team needed. Even Sirius tried to hide the fact that she was good, maybe too good.
"She is amazing!" Frank said, enthusiastically.
"Yea, well they are second and third years. They can't even fly strait let alone score a goal." Sirius smugly said. "Anyone can block that."
"I'd like to see you try." Katrina said, defending her. "Let's see how great you are, Black. Get one past her." She said as she pushed him. James looked at him inquisitively for a response, and cocked his head to the side.
Sirius stared at him with contempt behind his eyes. "But I don't have any..."
"Take mine." James said, handing him his robes.
"But you said.."
"I've got to see this, Padfoot, Captain or not." He said, and that was that. Sirius mounted his broom as well and flew towards Diana.
"Well, Black. Have you come to play?" she said, condescendingly.
"Let's see how hot you are now Renton." He said, as he grabbed the Quaffle from a quivering Fourth year.
And so they battled it out on the Quidditch field. Sirius tried every single play he knew of in the book. She was like a wall. Their intense hatred for one another seemed to intensify their defenses. Even though he didn't train as a Chaser he still knew what he was doing. He tried to hit her with Reverse passes, and the Hawkshead Attacking Formation, for which Frank flew up to help because they needed more than one Chaser. Katrina lent him her broom. Nothing. She came back three times as fast with Double Eight Loops and even perfected her own version of the Starfish and Stick. After about fifteen minutes everyone was dumbfounded and the three players were panting heavily.
"Whoa!" James spoke, thus breaking the silence. Everyone, even Lily, was speechless. She had never seen Diana be so aggressive. Sirius just looked at Diana, only once, without emotion and flew down to the rest of his teammates. She thought for a moment and then followed. The anxious students still up in the air waited for directions from James.
Diana landed next to Lily while Lily handed Frank back his broom. James had the silliest, happiest grin on his face that Lily couldn't help but smile back at him. He had never looked at her that way before.
"Wow!" he said, his head shaking. "I mean really! You guys can go, you're on, and that's it!" he said, practically laughing with happiness. He had just realized that the women of his nightmares had become his tool for winning this year. They would be unstoppable. Everyone else felt the same way.
Lily and Diana just exchanged confused glances while Sirius just sat back and said nothing. He had to admit that James was right, but he wasn't going to praise them if his life depended on it.
"Really Potter?" Lily asked, making sure if he wasn't kidding them. He nodded and she believed him.
"Oh this is so great! We are all going to be on the same team!" Katrina cried, embracing them. Then Diana and Lily turned to leave, waving at Alice, Katrina and Frank, and a civil nod to James and Sirius. Diana looked at Sirius and threw his oversize robes back to him. They practically ran back to the common room.
"You do realize that this season is going to be hell now don't you?" Sirius bluntly said, a bad attitude written all over his face. "Evans and Renton." he muttered, trailing off. "After all the shit they put us through, unbelievable." He muttered. James shook his head.
"I know. What the hell are we getting ourselves into? But they are just so good. To give them up would be a crime." He said, justifying his reasons. "But all we have to do is play." He mentioned. "That's it..." James muttered, convincing himself that it were true. ~*~ "Nicole!" both girls shouted at once and immediately she jumped up, scared silly. She was content on doing her homework in her peaceful and quiet dormitory, and their shouts came out of nowhere. When they saw her jumped they giggled.
"Damn it, you guys." She said, putting her hand over her chest. "Not funny." They continued to giggle.
"So how'd it go?" Nicole asked, interested. She closed her books and threw them off her bed. Lily and Diana just looked at each other.
"You are now looking at the new Chaser and Keeper for the Gryffindor house team." Lily said, rather animated and taking an exaggerated bow. Nicole laughed.
"Are you joking?" she asked, clutching her stomach from shock and amusement.
Diana nodded to confirm.
"Well, I don't know what he was smoking but it looks like we are in for quite a year. Only, don't attack each other on the field. It won't look good if the team turns against each other." Nicole said, half kidding.
"No, nothing like that. Although Black might ram Diana one day, we're still not sure." Lily said. Nicole chuckled. "Well, I'm going to start the essay for Professor Binns. Catch you all later." Lily said. She was still smiling when she got to her room at the end of the hall. Diana stayed in Nicole's room because they had to analyze their futures for Divination. They figured they would just make things up. But it was definitely a good laugh.
Lily plopped down on her bed, and laid down. Even though Potter was captain, she was excited to finally be on the team. He was what prevented her from trying out in the past. She learned how to play Quidditch from Diana's mother, Alison. She was friends with some of the players from Puddlemere United, who would come over when Lily would spend the last two weeks of summer vacation with the Renton's. Their parents were friends, much to the incredible embarrassment of Lily's sister Petunia.
Lily sat there thinking of a lot of things. She missed her parents; she hadn't seen them since June. They went on holiday in Paris while Petunia stayed home, complaining about how she would miss her boyfriend too much. What was his name? Lily wondered. Oh yes, Vernon. Disgusting man, she thought. And not even remotely attractive. He was probably the most vulgar man she ever met, well, next to Potter, she told herself. Then she rolled over an attempted to do some of her homework.
She started with Potions, the professor had assigned them an essay at the beginning of the period. She had to write three full sheets of parchment on the possible catastrophes of improper labeling. Pointless, she thought.
Somehow, and much to her distress she couldn't bring herself to concentrate. She kept thinking of the same thing. One annoying thought in particular that seemed to unnerve her so much that she even had to get up and get a glass of water. Potter, she thought. That smile...how come she had never noticed it before, she thought. It was sincere, genuine. She shivered at the thought. 'Why the hell am I thinking about this?' she argued in her mind. 'I hate him. I have every reason to hate him.'
She threw the parchment back in her bag, seeing no point in doing it because she wasn't concentrating anyway. She was jittery, she needed a cigarette, and badly. She didn't smoke much, only when she was overly stressed or nervous or excited. She didn't know what she felt at that moment. She went over by the window, making sure to steal Diana's lighter from her dresser. She opened the window a crack and peered outside. She could see in the distance the tall, majestic Quidditch hoops, and she smiled again. She saw no children flying about so she had assumed tryouts were over. She secretly congratulated herself for her impressive showing, and she remembered: he just looked so good...
Then suddenly she heard a knock at the other side of the room. Her door was open and when she turned she saw James standing there. She was slightly surprised, but she didn't mind just the same.
He was walking back to his room when he had this strange feeling that he wanted to see Lily. He had the sudden urge to speak to her. It didn't matter about what. As he neared her door he realized that it was open. He glanced in at first and noticed her sitting there by the window, a vacant expression on her face. When he looked deeper he realized how different she seemed to him. She was almost innocently pretty. He never thought so before because of the bad feelings. But this morning they had made their somewhat silent truce, and were civil the rest of the day, for the most part. And he did choose her to be on the team, despite how much he told himself that he disliked her. He knocked carefully, unsure of what was to come next.
"Hello." Was what came out. Sounded sufficient enough to him.
"What do you want?" she asked confused. Then she shook it off. "I mean, hello. Did you want to talk to me about something?" she said, trying to retain her usual demeanor with him. She didn't want to give him any ideas.
"Um, I just wanted to say, well, great job today Evans. You, uh, exceeded my expectations. Plus I was on my way to the dorms, and your door was open.." He said, rather inarticulately.
"The boy's dorms are on the other side Potter. You do know that right?" she said, sarcastically.
"Yes Evans. I just wanted to congratulate you, nothing more."
"Oh. Well I did tell you Potter. I told you so." She smugly said, and smirked.
He fixed his attitude to suit hers. "Well don't get your hopes up or anything. I just chose you because there was no one else. And we have to prove to Dumbledore that we can work in a civilized manner. All part of the plan."
She chuckled. "Plan? You wouldn't know a decent plan if it was screaming in your ear. We were the BEST, admit it." she ordered.
"Hmm, I don't know Evans.." He began, scratching the back of his head.
"Why you stubborn ass, how dare you.." she spat, annoyed. After all that he wasn't even going to admit anything. Such a child, she thought.
"No, now, Evans, before you get all hostile let me finish. You two were good. Well, you were great. But the best.that is certainly debatable."
"Ugh, unbelievable. Well I suppose I'll settle with that." She said, wistfully. "You've got to keep up that ego, after all." She said, returning her gaze back to the window. It was growing darker by the minute. The conversation seemed like it was over, but he couldn't quite bring himself to leave.
"Could I have one of those?" he asked. She just looked at him, her over assuming look plainly clear.
"Sure." She said, handing a cigarette to him.
"Are you sure you haven't poisoned it?" he asked.
"I don't think I'd poison my own, would you?" she said, squinting and leaning backwards on the sill.
"Right." He said, feeling a bit stupid. He lit it and their eyes met once more. He looked at her thoughtfully, trying to decipher what she was thinking. Then he asked her something he had been meaning to for the last hour.
"Why do you hate me Evans?" he asked. She almost chocked at his question.
"Sorry? Don't be stupid Potter you know exactly why." She said, catching her breath.
"Explain it to me." He said, serious like she had never seen him.
"Uh, well the same reasons you hate me." She said, matter-of-factly. He still looked at her, his expression unchanging. "Well, honestly? You're annoying, pompous, crass, callous, unfeeling, spoiled, apathetic, self- centered, perverted, immature, arrogant, stuffy, irksome, pesky, and you think you're right about everyone and every damn thing on this earth. You also have the most warped sense of humor ever, and your idea of yourself and women is completely and utterly false." She said, attitude behind every word. James started to break out laughing. Then he looked up at her; clearly she was infuriated at his response. It only made him laugh harder.
"If you're going to be an asshole then get out!" she cried, and pointed to the door.
"No, no, Evans. I'm sorry, really." He said, stressing his last word. "It's just that, you don't hold back do you?" he was chuckling. She just huffed and crossed her arms. "Oh, and taking what you said earlier, that should mean that I should hate you for those exact reasons?"
"That's not what I meant, and you know it." she spat, throwing the cigarette out the window.
"I know." He acknowledged, still smirking. "It was just, um, a humorous realization, that's all.
"Better late then never." She simply said. "So why do you hate me?" she said, curiously.
"Well, you are the biggest bitch I have ever met in my life." He said, throwing his cigarette out the window.
"Naturally." She was proud of that. "It's your fault I'm this way."
"Sorry." He oddly meant it.
"Don't be." She said, dismissing it. "It was fun, for awhile."
"And it isn't now?" he asked. She shook her head.
"No. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of you." She blurted out, not realizing it.
"Thanks." There is a pause, she shrugs, and he hesitates. "I don't want to hate you Evans."
She looks at him, unbelieving. "Like hell you don't. You just want peace among your precious team, Potter. It's ok. I don't care. It's not like it'll change anything."
"It doesn't have to be this way."
"Is this why you came here? To make friends with me?" she chuckled. "Please. I know you better than that." She said.
"Do you?" he wondered. "What makes you think that?"
"What makes you think you know me?" she replied.
"Evans. This so-called rivalry we have. Personally, it gives me a bit of a headache. No I'm not saying that we have to be buddies but, we can be indifferent to each other." He suggested.
"I thought we had already come to that realization this morning." She reminded him.
"Maybe." He said, raising an eyebrow at her. "I just wanted to say, I'm sorry. At 16 we should be acting like adults, not children."
"Are you sure that is possible, even for you?" she joked. He looked a little hurt.
"I don't know. I'll, uh, stop bothering you." Then he stood up strait and proceeded to leave.
"Potter?" she asked. He turned around. "I'm sorry too. Truce, officially?" she asked, with a hint of girlishness in it. A mischievous smile crossed his lips. She held out her hand. He nodded, walked over to her and took it. He let the grip linger for a few seconds. He noticed how soft her hands were.
"Truce." He said, and then he let go.
"You know what I noticed, out on the field today?" she asked, before he left.
"What?" he asked, leaning against her doorframe.
"You said my name. You've never done that before." He looked confused.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You called me Lily." She said with a smile.
"Oh. Is that ok?" he wasn't really sure.
"Well, it made me realize how annoying your voice truly is. You said it so nasally." She said, scrunching her face. He playfully huffed at her.
"See you at dinner Evans." He said, smirking, and straitening his position. He shook his head and walked towards the direction of the boy's dorms.
Lily closed the door to her dorm, and lingered there for a while. She smiled again, this time out of satisfaction.
"See you at dinner." She whispered. "James."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Yay, they're friends now! Happy? Well it took awhile to write so you better be! And yay for my reviews! I really love all of you. You guys are too awesome! I'm going to thank you all now:
*Guard Girl: thanks for pointing that out. I actually didn't realize it until I actually read it over after it was posted. I was typing a mile a minute at like 2 am. But when I did read it, it annoyed me too. Thanks for the heads up and I will avoid it in the future. There are definitely other ways to express sarcasm, so I'll take your advice. I always appreciate it.:)
*Miaka: you're good.no, you're great! Thank you soo much! : )
*Lily's Guardian Angel (Asuka): I love that I make you laugh and you love the story. I only hope that it turns out to be everything you say it is. You are awesome girl, and stay hyper, it makes me write fast!
*Sun Star: Yes, Yavanna thanked me before but, your welcome! Your story was awesome and I am so happy you reviewed mine! And thank you too, I am all about class, he he (well, not really :)
*Kaydee: I am so glad you love it, and don't worry. There will be no Snape/Lily romance thing. I hate it when people do it too. I'm glad you want more! And I love that you love my writing, even though I think it sucks, but thanks anyway! Love ya!
*Daniel's girl" Clam down! They will get together soon! Be patient! I made them friends, see!
*Monopoly Queen: thank you, and I will try to update as quickly as possible, but it's hard. Thanks, and you rock!
*Feather: yea, I know that Snape loving Lily is odd, but I have had a soft spot for the bastard for a while, and wanted to give him some emotions. And I will keep writing! And so should you dear! You know that I always love your reviews because you tell me exactly what I want to hear and you aren't afraid to criticize me, and tell me what you really think. I respect you, and always look forward to our little random chats. Thanks again, and talk to you soon!
*freakyfroggurl22: you're awesome too! I love you too! And you just kick ass all around!
*Alexa Donaghy: Ah Queen Alexa, you honor me with your lovely reviews! I am eternally grateful for my award as well as my many prestigious titles that you have so graciously given me. And there shall be only one Honorary Pixie, and that is me! I love my cookies and lollies too! I'm glad you like it! It is truly a compliment coming from such a crazy, fucked up bitch like you. But then again, aren't we all! Helz yea for insane bitches! You know you are the shit, and you continually cause me to laugh my ass off, which is why I remain faithful, because you are and always will be Queen. *Bows*~Princess Anna
Thank you all so much and I am so sorry to anyone I forgot. Keep them coming! 65, wow! I never expected it to catch on like it did! I blow kisses to all! Here, take a lollipop, all of you!~Angelxd14
(A/N: ok, don't worry I will NOT put in a Snape/Lily romance. Ewwwww. And if you're a fan of it, I'm sorry to disappoint you or offend you in any way. And I will get L/J together soon, but not yet! Be patient, they have to be friends first, at least. Now calm down, I don't want to rush it! Believe me, I'll work out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~*~ 3:30 pm..
Diana and Lily walked into their dormitory and threw their books on the floor. Lily was excited because she knew that 4:00 were the Quidditch tryouts. Diana, however, was nervous but she didn't let Lily know this. They both knew how to play, and were quite good. Last year they even went to the Quidditch World Cup, courtesy of the Ministry providing tickets to Diana's mother, who worked there.
Lily wanted to try out for Quidditch simply because it was something new and different, and she got the chance to pester James, indirectly at least. She was thinking about how much she would love to see that vain in his temple throb. The thought made her smile.
Diana loved Quidditch, she really did, but the thought of the entire school looking at her to see if she made a mistake unnerved her. She felt that other students wanted her to be made out a fool, and she didn't want to fail. She didn't want to give Black the satisfaction. Then again, she thought it fit to prove him wrong, a secret objective of hers.
"Ok, let's go." Lily said, her smile still visible and overzealous. Diana simply nodded and smiled weakly. They didn't grab robes because they had none. They figured they would try out with the ones that were provided. Diana had a broom ever since she entered Hogwarts, but Lily went empty handed.
They slowly made their way down to the field with only one broom and their confident attitudes.
"Are we going to be nice?" Diana asked as they drew closer to the giant stadium. She could see a few students circling it, practicing.
"Yea. We want to make the team don't we?" Lily rhetorically asked.
"Sure. If you want to." Diana answered, shrugging.
"Listen if you don't want to then you could go back. I don't want to force you."
"No. I want to I'm just a bit nervous. Plus I'm not going to watch the games all by myself. I know I'll have Nicole but she doesn't like to make fun of the opposing team like you do. If you're up there, so am I." She said, and linked her arm with Lily's. She smiled and winked at her. While they were talking Sirius noticed them walking toward the field.
"Oh no." he said. "Prongs!" he yelled. James was a good deal away talking to a second year who couldn't quite balance himself on his broom. When he heard Sirius shout he turned around. Sirius pointed in the general direction of the girls and James saw them. Then he jogged towards Sirius.
"Damn it." James said, panting a bit. "What are they doing here?"
"Well judging by what they're carrying I'd say at least one of them came here to try out." Sirius explained. The girls were officially on the field now, and both of them gained some confidence upon seeing James and Sirius. Even Diana smiled genuinely at Lily, and then they both reluctantly chucked, for this behavior was slightly foreign to them. It's just nerves, they thought, and dismissed it quickly.
"Well if it isn't the bitch and the slut. What can we do for you this afternoon?" Sirius rudely asked.
Diana remembered herself, and her genuine smile changed to bitterness in the matter of seconds. "Oh, you see, we're out here for our health. It's quite a habit really. We like taking long and exhausting walks out to the Quidditch field carrying a broom. It really works you two should try it sometime. Oh, and since I'm such a slut, I assume you were referring to me, Black, I figured that once we got here I could molest some second years. That is, with your permeation." Diana said with an attitude. Sirius gave a fake smile, one that told her that he was incredibly irritated.
"Renton, I really am not in the mood for you right now. Excuse me." He said, and walked towards the mob of people in the background. James and Lily actually exchanged a confused glance, while Diana was slightly dumbfounded. It didn't go at all like she had wanted it to. She was disappointed.
Then they all saw two eager girls, about their age running towards them. One had light brown hair and the other was a dirty blonde. Both were about medium height and had sparkling personalities. There was a boy behind them, casually walking in the same direction.
"Lily! Diana!" they both shouted, as they grew closer, waving. The girls smiled and ran to greet them. James just stood by, feeling left out, his arms folded.
"Alice!" Lily cried to the brunette.
"Katrina!" Diana shouted in an equally enthusiastic tone.
"Oh it's so great to see you guys, it's been months." Alice cried, embracing Lily.
"Yes, where have you two been? Where's Nicole?" Katrina asked. They had run into Katrina the day before, but hadn't exactly exchanged hellos yet.
"Oh she's up in the common room getting a head start on the homework. We didn't see you two last night." Lily said.
"Oh we were here." Alice said. "But you two did seem a little preoccupied." She said, smirking.
"Hey Jimmy." Katrina said, with a mock smile. It was the first time she had noticed James there. She was on the other side of the field the whole time.
"Hey Kat." He reluctantly whispered. They had dated up until May of fifth year. They were only going out a couple of months, and the break was mutual.
"Oh, yes well." Diana began.
"Are you two here to play?" Katrina interrupted.
"Uh, yes." Lily answered.
"Really?" Katrina asked, surprised and perplexed. Then she glanced at James who was behind them, as if asking for an answer. All she got was a shrug from him. Then, the boy who was catching up behind them came into view. It was Frank Longbottom, Alice's boyfriend.
"Damn, you two run fast." He said casually. "Hey Lily! Diana!" he said, warmly and embraced the two. Frank was a sweet, generous boy who was always friendly with the girls. He always liked them, and never wanted to be apart of their hit list. He was in their year, like the girls. He had been dating Alice since last year.
"How was your summer?" he asked them both.
"Good." Lily said. Diana nodded in agreement.
"They're here to try out." Alice told him, and he shrunk back.
"Really?" he asked.
"Oh my god, yes. Everyone. Lily Evans and Diana Renton would like to try out for Quidditch." Diana annunciated, getting a tad irritated that everyone was asking the exact same question.
"Why?" James appeared to join their conversation. Lily just sighed.
"What's it to you?" she replied, smugly.
"It's MY team." He simply said.
This is true, she thought. "Well it's not like you can stop us."
"Oh really?" he said, glaring at her.
"Yea. There is no rule that states that just because you despise me, doesn't mean I can't play." She answered.
"Well are you any good? Because if you aren't then I suggest you get off the field, now." He stressed.
"We'll just have to see about that, now won't we Potter." She said airily. Just then Sirius walked back over to them, still cross and rather bothered.
"Why are you still here?" he sighed. "We have work to do, and I don't want you disrupting these tryouts any more than you already have. Either stay or go, just pick one so I don't have to wonder any more whether or not I can slap you out here." He said, rather forcefully, and looking at Diana especially.
"Now hold on. You've gone a bit too far Sirius." Frank said, trying to calm him down. "Just let them play. If they're terrible then they'll leave, but you aren't getting them out of here any faster by scolding them for no reason." He said, calmly. Alice and Katrina were rather taken aback.
"Ugh, fine!" James shouted. Then he looked at Lily and noticed she was obviously unprepared. "You don't even have a broom, do you Evans? Unbelievable." He stated, putting his hands on his hips.
"Here, use mine." Frank offered, handing it to her.
"And take these." Katrina said, taking off her red and gold robes. She handed them to Lily, who thankfully smiled. James just shrugged.
"Let's just get this over with. I don't want them getting us in more trouble then we are already in." Sirius said, and walked towards the benches. James followed him and they rounded up the children from the other years. They were eager to play and looked to their would-be captain with such respect and reverence. Lily found it silly, to be honest.
"What the hell is wrong with Sirius?" Katrina asked, confused.
"Yea." Alice said. "Since when does he care about getting in trouble? And he was mean to you Diana."
"I'm used to it." she shrugged.
"Yea, but..." Lily started. "He's acting weird, even for him. He was a little cruel. It wasn't playful at all. He wasn't even joking. It was like he was going out of his way to be mean."
"Whatever. The bastard can think whatever he wants of me. It hasn't stopped him in the past and it won't now. He's just being Black, that's all, and I'm perfectly fine with it." Diana said, truly not caring. Although she had to admit to herself that she was a bit insulted. It was directly referring to her and all, but she felt it wasn't too out of the ordinary.
"Alright!" they heard James shout and they all turned around. "We are going to go by year! Seconds first, obviously, then everyone else. We are going to start with basic drills. I want to see how you all score. I want you all to start with laps around the field, on your brooms to see if you can properly handle it. Second years can start now." All of them just looked up at him in awe. "Well what are you waiting for? Go!" he shouted and waved them off. James took his place next to Sirius on the bleachers. Diana and Lily sat with Frank, Alice and Katrina behind them.
"So what do we need?" Sirius asked, looking at James' layout. "Wood and Johnson have graduated so that means we need.."
"Well here's what we have so far." James cut him off. "Chasers: me and Andrew Spinnet, who remarkably isn't here..."
"He's in the hospital wing." Katrina explained. "A Care of Magical Creatures accident."
"Fantastic." James said, feeling frustrated. "We need two more Chasers. One of them will be a relief Chaser, we can't risk being short."
"Ok." Sirius nodded in agreement.
"We need a keeper. That's a big one. With Wood gone I don't know whom we'll get to replace him, and I don't know if these kids can handle it, especially against the Slytherins."
"What else?" Sirius asked, inquisitively.
"Well, we've got beaters. There's you and Frank, but we should probably find one more, just in case. And we've got a seeker, Kat." He said, pointing behind him.
"A great seeker." Alice said, boosting her friend's confidence. Katrina smiled and blushed a bit. She seemed nice and sweet, which she was, but on the Quidditch field she was untouchable and ruthless. Then again she had to be.
"But look." Sirius said. "All we have are these monkey wannabees who can't even fly in a strait line. And how are we going to see how they score without at least a relief keeper? Let's face it, we're screwed." He said, putting his head in his hands and contemplating the eventual beating they were going to get from the Slytherins.
"I'll do it." Diana said, casually. James and Sirius abruptly turned around.
"You?" Sirius mocked, and then started to laugh.
"Yes, me." She answered, looking him strait in the eyes.
"Renton, no." James said, shaking his head.
"Why the hell not?" she snapped back.
"Yea, she's a great keeper. She could wipe the floor with all of you." Lily chimed in.
"Would you like to prove that Evans?" James asked.
"I can do it. It's just a stupid tryout anyway." Diana said.
"Let her do it." Frank said, trying to end what they hoped would not be a fight.
Sirius and James looked like they had been betrayed.
"Listen. We don't have an option. Let Lily fly up there with her to help. What position do you play?" he asked, turning to her.
"Chaser." She answered. Again, James sighed and threw the notepad he was carrying on the ground.
"Oy, who's the captain here? Me, and I say what we are going to do for the safety and well being of this team." He said, trying to gain some authority. They just looked at him, not caring what he said. There was a pause, and the girls, all four, just eyed him wearily.
"Fine!" he shouted, throwing his arms up in the air. "Renton, get up there! Evans..well, I guess, show them how it's done if you two are so damn good!" he yelled. The girls nodded, and were satisfied.
"Alright then. Diana, you need robes, yes?" she asked turning to her friend. She had Katrina's but Alice didn't play so they were one short. Alice only came out to see Frank.
"Great. Padfoot, give her yours." James ordered.
"Huh? No way." He said, grabbing them as if she were about to rip them off his body.
"Just do it. I can't give her mine, because I'm captain and.." James said.
"Ugh, ok!" he said, and took the robes off immediately. Then he threw them at her and she caught them without a care. Then she slipped them over her head. They went passed her feet and were big around the shoulders and midsection. Everyone chuckled.
She just shrugged. "Oh well," she said, mounting her broom. Lily mounted Frank's with ease and they immediately shot up into the air. Then they circled once and came around to face the hoops. The second years, now joined by the third years, were still circling.
"Ok, everyone stop a minute!" James called from the bleachers. They immediately paused where they were and looked down eagerly at their beloved captain. "Here's what we're going to do! Renton here is going to be the keeper, temporarily, and Evans there is going to show you all how to score a goal. Then you will follow and repeat, got it?! Now go!" he shouted. "And listen to her, she's going to show you all how it's done!"
James sat back, cockily because he expected Lily and Diana to make fools of themselves. They have never tried out before so he always assumed they were either uninterested or terrible at it. Lily smiled knowingly at Diana, and she returned the glance.
"Ok, now here it is." Lily began. "What you want to do first is make the keeper think you are going in the opposite direction. There are many moves that can make this affective; unfortunately they require more than one chaser. But I guess I can manage.."
"Hold on, hold on!" James screamed, waving his arms at her. Then he mounted his broom and flew up beside her. "Need help already Evans? You've only been up here less than a minute." He pointed out.
"I was merely pointing out that.."
"What's the play?" he asked. "The one where you need more than one. It is, after all, most of them." He said.
"Ok." Then she drew closer to him. She didn't want the others to hear. "The Porskoff Play." She whispered. James moved slightly away and looked at her in a rather interesting way. He was impressed. He nodded approvingly.
"Excellent." He said. "Lily and I are going to show you the Porskoff play. Explain to them what it is." He said, looking at her.
She smiled. "Alright. Hand me that." She asked a student who happened to be holding a Quaffle. He threw it at her and she caught it. "Ok. The Chaser carrying the Quaffle flies upwards, leading opposing Chasers to believe he.or she, is trying to escape them to score, but then throws the Quaffle downwards to a fellow Chaser waiting to catch it.."
James continued to stare at her, impressed with her vast knowledge and clear depiction of the play that made Petrova Porskoff famous. He wondered what else he didn't know about her.
She continued. "Now, as you all should know, pinpoint timing is of the essence, and it must be done carefully." She exclaimed. "That's it. Diana, don't try too hard to block it, I am trying to illustrate a point." She called behind her. She nodded in understanding.
"Ok, now back up." James said, motioning with his hands. If it was going to work they had to at least be in the middle of the field. He and Lily flew, side by side to the middle, Lily holding the Quaffle.
Diana was ready, but not too ready since she intended on letting them score. Then, out of nowhere Lily shot at breathtaking speed towards the goal posts, with James right behind her. Then she shot up about twenty feet and aimed her sight downward. James was down below, ready and she threw the Quaffle back to him. He caught it dead on. Then, quick as ever he shot it into the center goal post, Diana obviously didn't move. Nor had she any reason to. The younger years cheered at this brilliant example of teamwork and technique at its best.
Lily swooped down beside him and he looked at her with the utmost pride, thrilled that she had accomplished the play so beautifully. He saw her wild, dark red locks blowing in the unruly wind and for the first time, he actually respected her.
"Wow Evans." He spoke, for he was at a loss for words. "That was..."
"Bloody fantastic!" Diana yelled at them, clapping to Lily. Lily turned back to James and shrugged.
"What can I say? I told you." She smirked. James returned the glance and then turned to Diana.
"Renton, let's see what you can do!" he yelled, cupping his hands over his mouth. She waved an ok while he motioned for the trainees to get started practicing what they had done.
Year by year the hopeless Quidditch wanabees tried to run past her with the Quaffle. She wouldn't have it. She had absolutely no mercy, which is what the team needed. Even Sirius tried to hide the fact that she was good, maybe too good.
"She is amazing!" Frank said, enthusiastically.
"Yea, well they are second and third years. They can't even fly strait let alone score a goal." Sirius smugly said. "Anyone can block that."
"I'd like to see you try." Katrina said, defending her. "Let's see how great you are, Black. Get one past her." She said as she pushed him. James looked at him inquisitively for a response, and cocked his head to the side.
Sirius stared at him with contempt behind his eyes. "But I don't have any..."
"Take mine." James said, handing him his robes.
"But you said.."
"I've got to see this, Padfoot, Captain or not." He said, and that was that. Sirius mounted his broom as well and flew towards Diana.
"Well, Black. Have you come to play?" she said, condescendingly.
"Let's see how hot you are now Renton." He said, as he grabbed the Quaffle from a quivering Fourth year.
And so they battled it out on the Quidditch field. Sirius tried every single play he knew of in the book. She was like a wall. Their intense hatred for one another seemed to intensify their defenses. Even though he didn't train as a Chaser he still knew what he was doing. He tried to hit her with Reverse passes, and the Hawkshead Attacking Formation, for which Frank flew up to help because they needed more than one Chaser. Katrina lent him her broom. Nothing. She came back three times as fast with Double Eight Loops and even perfected her own version of the Starfish and Stick. After about fifteen minutes everyone was dumbfounded and the three players were panting heavily.
"Whoa!" James spoke, thus breaking the silence. Everyone, even Lily, was speechless. She had never seen Diana be so aggressive. Sirius just looked at Diana, only once, without emotion and flew down to the rest of his teammates. She thought for a moment and then followed. The anxious students still up in the air waited for directions from James.
Diana landed next to Lily while Lily handed Frank back his broom. James had the silliest, happiest grin on his face that Lily couldn't help but smile back at him. He had never looked at her that way before.
"Wow!" he said, his head shaking. "I mean really! You guys can go, you're on, and that's it!" he said, practically laughing with happiness. He had just realized that the women of his nightmares had become his tool for winning this year. They would be unstoppable. Everyone else felt the same way.
Lily and Diana just exchanged confused glances while Sirius just sat back and said nothing. He had to admit that James was right, but he wasn't going to praise them if his life depended on it.
"Really Potter?" Lily asked, making sure if he wasn't kidding them. He nodded and she believed him.
"Oh this is so great! We are all going to be on the same team!" Katrina cried, embracing them. Then Diana and Lily turned to leave, waving at Alice, Katrina and Frank, and a civil nod to James and Sirius. Diana looked at Sirius and threw his oversize robes back to him. They practically ran back to the common room.
"You do realize that this season is going to be hell now don't you?" Sirius bluntly said, a bad attitude written all over his face. "Evans and Renton." he muttered, trailing off. "After all the shit they put us through, unbelievable." He muttered. James shook his head.
"I know. What the hell are we getting ourselves into? But they are just so good. To give them up would be a crime." He said, justifying his reasons. "But all we have to do is play." He mentioned. "That's it..." James muttered, convincing himself that it were true. ~*~ "Nicole!" both girls shouted at once and immediately she jumped up, scared silly. She was content on doing her homework in her peaceful and quiet dormitory, and their shouts came out of nowhere. When they saw her jumped they giggled.
"Damn it, you guys." She said, putting her hand over her chest. "Not funny." They continued to giggle.
"So how'd it go?" Nicole asked, interested. She closed her books and threw them off her bed. Lily and Diana just looked at each other.
"You are now looking at the new Chaser and Keeper for the Gryffindor house team." Lily said, rather animated and taking an exaggerated bow. Nicole laughed.
"Are you joking?" she asked, clutching her stomach from shock and amusement.
Diana nodded to confirm.
"Well, I don't know what he was smoking but it looks like we are in for quite a year. Only, don't attack each other on the field. It won't look good if the team turns against each other." Nicole said, half kidding.
"No, nothing like that. Although Black might ram Diana one day, we're still not sure." Lily said. Nicole chuckled. "Well, I'm going to start the essay for Professor Binns. Catch you all later." Lily said. She was still smiling when she got to her room at the end of the hall. Diana stayed in Nicole's room because they had to analyze their futures for Divination. They figured they would just make things up. But it was definitely a good laugh.
Lily plopped down on her bed, and laid down. Even though Potter was captain, she was excited to finally be on the team. He was what prevented her from trying out in the past. She learned how to play Quidditch from Diana's mother, Alison. She was friends with some of the players from Puddlemere United, who would come over when Lily would spend the last two weeks of summer vacation with the Renton's. Their parents were friends, much to the incredible embarrassment of Lily's sister Petunia.
Lily sat there thinking of a lot of things. She missed her parents; she hadn't seen them since June. They went on holiday in Paris while Petunia stayed home, complaining about how she would miss her boyfriend too much. What was his name? Lily wondered. Oh yes, Vernon. Disgusting man, she thought. And not even remotely attractive. He was probably the most vulgar man she ever met, well, next to Potter, she told herself. Then she rolled over an attempted to do some of her homework.
She started with Potions, the professor had assigned them an essay at the beginning of the period. She had to write three full sheets of parchment on the possible catastrophes of improper labeling. Pointless, she thought.
Somehow, and much to her distress she couldn't bring herself to concentrate. She kept thinking of the same thing. One annoying thought in particular that seemed to unnerve her so much that she even had to get up and get a glass of water. Potter, she thought. That smile...how come she had never noticed it before, she thought. It was sincere, genuine. She shivered at the thought. 'Why the hell am I thinking about this?' she argued in her mind. 'I hate him. I have every reason to hate him.'
She threw the parchment back in her bag, seeing no point in doing it because she wasn't concentrating anyway. She was jittery, she needed a cigarette, and badly. She didn't smoke much, only when she was overly stressed or nervous or excited. She didn't know what she felt at that moment. She went over by the window, making sure to steal Diana's lighter from her dresser. She opened the window a crack and peered outside. She could see in the distance the tall, majestic Quidditch hoops, and she smiled again. She saw no children flying about so she had assumed tryouts were over. She secretly congratulated herself for her impressive showing, and she remembered: he just looked so good...
Then suddenly she heard a knock at the other side of the room. Her door was open and when she turned she saw James standing there. She was slightly surprised, but she didn't mind just the same.
He was walking back to his room when he had this strange feeling that he wanted to see Lily. He had the sudden urge to speak to her. It didn't matter about what. As he neared her door he realized that it was open. He glanced in at first and noticed her sitting there by the window, a vacant expression on her face. When he looked deeper he realized how different she seemed to him. She was almost innocently pretty. He never thought so before because of the bad feelings. But this morning they had made their somewhat silent truce, and were civil the rest of the day, for the most part. And he did choose her to be on the team, despite how much he told himself that he disliked her. He knocked carefully, unsure of what was to come next.
"Hello." Was what came out. Sounded sufficient enough to him.
"What do you want?" she asked confused. Then she shook it off. "I mean, hello. Did you want to talk to me about something?" she said, trying to retain her usual demeanor with him. She didn't want to give him any ideas.
"Um, I just wanted to say, well, great job today Evans. You, uh, exceeded my expectations. Plus I was on my way to the dorms, and your door was open.." He said, rather inarticulately.
"The boy's dorms are on the other side Potter. You do know that right?" she said, sarcastically.
"Yes Evans. I just wanted to congratulate you, nothing more."
"Oh. Well I did tell you Potter. I told you so." She smugly said, and smirked.
He fixed his attitude to suit hers. "Well don't get your hopes up or anything. I just chose you because there was no one else. And we have to prove to Dumbledore that we can work in a civilized manner. All part of the plan."
She chuckled. "Plan? You wouldn't know a decent plan if it was screaming in your ear. We were the BEST, admit it." she ordered.
"Hmm, I don't know Evans.." He began, scratching the back of his head.
"Why you stubborn ass, how dare you.." she spat, annoyed. After all that he wasn't even going to admit anything. Such a child, she thought.
"No, now, Evans, before you get all hostile let me finish. You two were good. Well, you were great. But the best.that is certainly debatable."
"Ugh, unbelievable. Well I suppose I'll settle with that." She said, wistfully. "You've got to keep up that ego, after all." She said, returning her gaze back to the window. It was growing darker by the minute. The conversation seemed like it was over, but he couldn't quite bring himself to leave.
"Could I have one of those?" he asked. She just looked at him, her over assuming look plainly clear.
"Sure." She said, handing a cigarette to him.
"Are you sure you haven't poisoned it?" he asked.
"I don't think I'd poison my own, would you?" she said, squinting and leaning backwards on the sill.
"Right." He said, feeling a bit stupid. He lit it and their eyes met once more. He looked at her thoughtfully, trying to decipher what she was thinking. Then he asked her something he had been meaning to for the last hour.
"Why do you hate me Evans?" he asked. She almost chocked at his question.
"Sorry? Don't be stupid Potter you know exactly why." She said, catching her breath.
"Explain it to me." He said, serious like she had never seen him.
"Uh, well the same reasons you hate me." She said, matter-of-factly. He still looked at her, his expression unchanging. "Well, honestly? You're annoying, pompous, crass, callous, unfeeling, spoiled, apathetic, self- centered, perverted, immature, arrogant, stuffy, irksome, pesky, and you think you're right about everyone and every damn thing on this earth. You also have the most warped sense of humor ever, and your idea of yourself and women is completely and utterly false." She said, attitude behind every word. James started to break out laughing. Then he looked up at her; clearly she was infuriated at his response. It only made him laugh harder.
"If you're going to be an asshole then get out!" she cried, and pointed to the door.
"No, no, Evans. I'm sorry, really." He said, stressing his last word. "It's just that, you don't hold back do you?" he was chuckling. She just huffed and crossed her arms. "Oh, and taking what you said earlier, that should mean that I should hate you for those exact reasons?"
"That's not what I meant, and you know it." she spat, throwing the cigarette out the window.
"I know." He acknowledged, still smirking. "It was just, um, a humorous realization, that's all.
"Better late then never." She simply said. "So why do you hate me?" she said, curiously.
"Well, you are the biggest bitch I have ever met in my life." He said, throwing his cigarette out the window.
"Naturally." She was proud of that. "It's your fault I'm this way."
"Sorry." He oddly meant it.
"Don't be." She said, dismissing it. "It was fun, for awhile."
"And it isn't now?" he asked. She shook her head.
"No. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of you." She blurted out, not realizing it.
"Thanks." There is a pause, she shrugs, and he hesitates. "I don't want to hate you Evans."
She looks at him, unbelieving. "Like hell you don't. You just want peace among your precious team, Potter. It's ok. I don't care. It's not like it'll change anything."
"It doesn't have to be this way."
"Is this why you came here? To make friends with me?" she chuckled. "Please. I know you better than that." She said.
"Do you?" he wondered. "What makes you think that?"
"What makes you think you know me?" she replied.
"Evans. This so-called rivalry we have. Personally, it gives me a bit of a headache. No I'm not saying that we have to be buddies but, we can be indifferent to each other." He suggested.
"I thought we had already come to that realization this morning." She reminded him.
"Maybe." He said, raising an eyebrow at her. "I just wanted to say, I'm sorry. At 16 we should be acting like adults, not children."
"Are you sure that is possible, even for you?" she joked. He looked a little hurt.
"I don't know. I'll, uh, stop bothering you." Then he stood up strait and proceeded to leave.
"Potter?" she asked. He turned around. "I'm sorry too. Truce, officially?" she asked, with a hint of girlishness in it. A mischievous smile crossed his lips. She held out her hand. He nodded, walked over to her and took it. He let the grip linger for a few seconds. He noticed how soft her hands were.
"Truce." He said, and then he let go.
"You know what I noticed, out on the field today?" she asked, before he left.
"What?" he asked, leaning against her doorframe.
"You said my name. You've never done that before." He looked confused.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You called me Lily." She said with a smile.
"Oh. Is that ok?" he wasn't really sure.
"Well, it made me realize how annoying your voice truly is. You said it so nasally." She said, scrunching her face. He playfully huffed at her.
"See you at dinner Evans." He said, smirking, and straitening his position. He shook his head and walked towards the direction of the boy's dorms.
Lily closed the door to her dorm, and lingered there for a while. She smiled again, this time out of satisfaction.
"See you at dinner." She whispered. "James."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Yay, they're friends now! Happy? Well it took awhile to write so you better be! And yay for my reviews! I really love all of you. You guys are too awesome! I'm going to thank you all now:
*Guard Girl: thanks for pointing that out. I actually didn't realize it until I actually read it over after it was posted. I was typing a mile a minute at like 2 am. But when I did read it, it annoyed me too. Thanks for the heads up and I will avoid it in the future. There are definitely other ways to express sarcasm, so I'll take your advice. I always appreciate it.:)
*Miaka: you're good.no, you're great! Thank you soo much! : )
*Lily's Guardian Angel (Asuka): I love that I make you laugh and you love the story. I only hope that it turns out to be everything you say it is. You are awesome girl, and stay hyper, it makes me write fast!
*Sun Star: Yes, Yavanna thanked me before but, your welcome! Your story was awesome and I am so happy you reviewed mine! And thank you too, I am all about class, he he (well, not really :)
*Kaydee: I am so glad you love it, and don't worry. There will be no Snape/Lily romance thing. I hate it when people do it too. I'm glad you want more! And I love that you love my writing, even though I think it sucks, but thanks anyway! Love ya!
*Daniel's girl" Clam down! They will get together soon! Be patient! I made them friends, see!
*Monopoly Queen: thank you, and I will try to update as quickly as possible, but it's hard. Thanks, and you rock!
*Feather: yea, I know that Snape loving Lily is odd, but I have had a soft spot for the bastard for a while, and wanted to give him some emotions. And I will keep writing! And so should you dear! You know that I always love your reviews because you tell me exactly what I want to hear and you aren't afraid to criticize me, and tell me what you really think. I respect you, and always look forward to our little random chats. Thanks again, and talk to you soon!
*freakyfroggurl22: you're awesome too! I love you too! And you just kick ass all around!
*Alexa Donaghy: Ah Queen Alexa, you honor me with your lovely reviews! I am eternally grateful for my award as well as my many prestigious titles that you have so graciously given me. And there shall be only one Honorary Pixie, and that is me! I love my cookies and lollies too! I'm glad you like it! It is truly a compliment coming from such a crazy, fucked up bitch like you. But then again, aren't we all! Helz yea for insane bitches! You know you are the shit, and you continually cause me to laugh my ass off, which is why I remain faithful, because you are and always will be Queen. *Bows*~Princess Anna
Thank you all so much and I am so sorry to anyone I forgot. Keep them coming! 65, wow! I never expected it to catch on like it did! I blow kisses to all! Here, take a lollipop, all of you!~Angelxd14