Chapter 6:
Quidditch Stadium
Next day Lily was still unsure about the letter she had received. 'Is it someone who really wants to see me?' she questioned herself, in History of magic. 'It could be somebody's idea of a joke. Or maybe Snape sent it, so he could hex me when we're alone' The only way she could find out would be to go.
"So Lily, are you going tonight or what?" whispered Katy. Her and Sally and been giving each other the silent treatment, and communicating through Lily.
"I don't think you should!" whispered Sally, who was sitting on the other side of Lily.
"I think you should, I mean it could be someone who wants to ask you to the Ball!" said Katy, whilst sending a glare in Sally's direction.
"Well at least let someone go with you, just encase its someone you don't want to be alone with." Sally reasoned.
"I can take care of myself!" said Lily angrily. 'This is my decision, how dare they turn this into one of their petty fights!' she thought.
"We're all sure you can Lily!" said Sirius. Lily's face started to heat up, as she realised that she had stood up, and spoken quite loudly. The whole class was staring at her, and even Professor Binns had stopped reading. Turning bright red, Lily muttered 'sorry' and sat back down. When the class had either gone back to sleep, or were staring into space, Katy and Sally turned to Lily.
"I'm going to night," said Lily, after all, what did she have to loose. They both looked shocked, but didn't get a chance to say anything, as at that moment, the bell rang. The class all cheered, as it was now officially the Christmas holidays, and there was only three days until the Ball.
*
At dinner Lily kept smiling down the table at James, but was distracted by Sally and Katy, who kept glancing nervously in Lily's direction.
"Errr, Lily?" said Sally timidly.
"Yes?" said Lily not looking up from her food.
"Katy has something to tell you!" she said very fast. Katy scowled at her, before smiling, when she realised Lily was now watching her.
"Well?" Lily prompted.
"Sally and I were, well we were thinking about tonight, and we errr, we," she shot a nervous look at Sally, "and . . .. and we stand by your decision."
"What! That's not what you were go . . . . .oh yes" Sally said looking at Katy's anxious face, "stand by you, yeah!" Lily had the impression that wasn't what Katy was going to tell her, but she was too busy worrying about tonight's meeting, to care.
*
Lily sat nervously in the common room, with her cloak next to her, and a book in her hands. She couldn't read however, because she only had half an hour till she had to be down on the Quidditch pitch. She also couldn't read because of the racket going on in the room, where everyone was celebrating the end of term. James Potter among them. Lily had asked Remus about this strange disappearing of the party king,
"Our young Marauder is ill," he had said. Lily got up, and putting her cloak on, started to leave at 9: 10.
"Lily where are you going?" asked Sirius, stepping in front of her, coming out of nowhere.
"Just for a walk," said Lily smiling.
"Oh I'll come too!" he said brightly. 'Damn!' Lily cursed herself.
"No, no. I'll be fine alone," she said, "you stay here and have a good time." Lily prayed that he would believe her.
"Can't do that see, I promised a few of your friends that I'd escort you, safely down to the stadium." He said, starting to walk towards the portrait hole.
"I don't believe them!" Lily swung around, searching the room for sight of her friends. Cleverly, they had gone to bed out of the way.
"I'll leave you when we get there, if its someone you want to be left alone with," said Sirius.
"I know you will!" said Lily, beginning to walk. They walked quickly and quietly through the school.
*
There was a light breeze, and the sky was clear, showing the beautiful crescent moon. The grounds were covered in a thick layer of snow, but the gamekeeper had made a path. They didn't speak all the way down to the stadium.
"There isn't anyone here," said Lily when they were write outside the pitch.
"Maybe we should go inside?" suggested Sirius with a smile.
"Oh right," muttered Lily, feeling stupid. They walked onto the pitch, which was empty.
"Well, I don't think there is anyone here." Sirius stated. Lily's heart was court in her throat; she couldn't speak. She felt so let down, how could this person do this? At one point she thought it might be James, but he wouldn't stand her up. Maybe, her being here alone was the plan, and the writer never intended to come.
"James?" said Sirius suddenly, from behind her. Lily's heart leapt. She was about to turn around, when an arm slipped around her waist, and pulled her onto a broom.
They rose fast, and were soon flying away from the pitch, towards the lake. Lily was afraid of heights, so she was gripping the broom tightly with both hands. Her knees were going num, from where she was holding them tightly together, so as not to fall off.
"Relax," said the person behind her. She already knew who it was, so she wasn't surprised to see him sitting behind her. James Potter. She suddenly realised that next to her hands were his, only further forwards on the broom. Lily's back was pressed against his chest. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck, instantly she felt the fear melt away. Then before she knew it, James had stopped right above the middle of the lake. The fear flooded back, as she looked down.
"So Miss Evans, is this whisking you off your feet enough?" said James. Lily turned her head to face him. She was lost for words.
"I'm going to be famous," said James, "the first person ever to make Lily Evans speechless!"
"I'm not speechless!" said Lily, forcing herself to smile. She looked down again, but quickly snapped her head back up. 'Wow! Just stay calm, he won't let you fall' Lily told herself.
"Lily Evans," said James, taking her hand. "Will you give me the honour of being my date for the ball?" Lily's breath caught in her throat; she didn't know what to say. 'Say no!' said a voice immediately in her head, 'You'll get hurt again!' Lily's mother had always told her to follow her heart; her father had always said trust your head. What was she going to do? Her heart was saying 'Say yes!' but her head was saying 'Say no!'
"Yes," said Lily. She was surprised to hear that. She hadn't registered she was saying anything, until she had said it.
"Excellent!" he gave her that smile, and then he started flying back to the pitch. James felt as light as a feather, 'She said yes!' was singing in his ears. He felt like he should do something extraordinary, just for her. As they were descending onto the pitch,
"Did she say yes?" Sirius shouted from the ground.
"Yeah!" James yelled back. Sirius legged it out of the stadium, heading back to the castle. They touched down softly on the snow-covered pitch. They started walking up to the school; James had his broom over his shoulder, and a huge smile on his face.
"What are you grinning about Potter?" Snape came out of the shadows, just as Lily and James entered the entrance hall. They stopped walking as Snape was now blocking the way.
"I have a date for the ball," said James.
"Don't tell me your going with muggle-born here?" Snape sneered.
"And if I am?" said James, a look of pure loathing on his usually smiling face.
"I thought you could go no lower!" said Snape matching James's glare.
"At least I have a date!" said James, his voice echoing around the empty hall. Small pink tinges appeared on Snape's cheeks, and he clenched his hands into fists at his sides.
"I am going with someone," he snarled, "and she's not a Mudblood!" Before Lily knew what was happening, James and Snape had both wiped out their wands. They both moved forwards, into the centre of the hall, James leaving his broom behind him. Lily stared, her mouth slightly open, as they began to circle each other.
"Time for me to teach your big head a thing or two about loosing your pride!" said Snape. They both raised their wands.
"I should have done this ages ago!" said James calmly.
"Reducto!" shouted Snape.
"Petrificus Totalus!" James shouted at the same time. They both put up the same shield charm, to block the others curse. The force of the curses made them both fall backwards. James was first to his feet.
"Arania Exumail!" he shouted, just as,
"Enverte Statium!" Snape screamed. Neither of them managed to block the spells this time. They were both thrown off their feet, and hit the walls behind them with a great thud. They got to their feet quickly, never taking their eyes off the other one. They started walking towards each other.
"Stop it!" cried Lily. The boys looked round, as though they had forgotten she was there.
"You're making too much noise! A teacher could be on their way right now!" she reasoned. James's expression softened, and he lowered his wand. Snape was looking at Lily with disgust on his face.
"What makes you think I would listen to a filthy little Mudblo-" Snape began.
"Silencio!" said James, pointing his wand at Snape. He continued to talk, but no sound was coming out.
"Are you ok?" asked lily.
"Yeah. It'll take more than him to finish me off!" said James, smiling at Lily.
"I know, it's just you hit that wall pretty hard," said Lily, starting to examine his head.
"I'm fine. Honestly!" said James. Lily stopped examining his head, and smiled softly. Snape had his voice back. He pointed his wand at Lily.
"Rictus-"
"Expelliarmus!" shouted James, before Snape could finish. Snape's wand flew out of his hand, and he was thrown off his feet. He landed in a crumpled heap by the stairs.
"Thanks," said Lily.
"No problem," replied James. "You know you look cute when your scared"
"I'm not scared of him!" said Lily. She felt her heart flutter when he said she was cute.
"I meant when we were flying," he said.
"I'm not keen on heights," said Lily, pulling out her wand. "Pertrificus Totalus" she said pointing her wand at Snape. Snape had just begun to sneak towards his wand, when Lily's spell hit him. His arms snapped to his sides, as his legs snapped together, and he fell face forward, with a thud that echoed around the hall.
"Good one!" James grinned.
"Thanks," said Lily.
"Anyway, it was obvious," James continued.
"What was?" asked Lily, as James picked up his broom.
"That you were afraid of heights," he replied. They started walking towards the steps.
"Wait. Shouldn't we," she pointed to Snape.
"Nahh leave him there," said James. Lily grinned, as they continued up to Gryffindor tower. A couple of floors up, they saw James's fan club, walking towards them. James turned and grinned at Lily. He grabbed her hand, and they continued walking. The girls passed looking ready to cry.
"Lion heart," said Lily as they reached the portrait hole. It swung forward, and they entered to a full going rave of a party. Lots of people quickly crowded around them, with lots of questions.
"Are you really going together?"
"Your so lucky to be going with Potter!"
"How does he kiss?"
"Is Sirius telling the truth?"
"I never knew you had a thing for Evans!" They managed to get away from the people, and slump down on a sofa in the corner, with the rest of the Marauders.
"Who didn't you tell?" James asked a grinning Sirius.
"No one doesn't know!" he replied happily. Remus, who was reading, raised an eyebrow disbelievingly, while Peter sniggered into his food.
"What do you mean 'no one'?" said James exasperatedly.
"Well. I told this Hufflepuff couple, on my way across the grounds, so they'll tell everyone in their house. I told a group of Ravenclaws on my way up the stairs, so they'll tell everyone in their house. But I haven't told a Slytherin." He said counting them off on his fingers.
"Wow! So one house doesn't know!" said James with fake enthusiasm.
"Actually," said Lily, "We met Snape."
"So not a soul doesn't know!" said Sirius smugly. The group laughed. Lily looked round for her friends, but they were still hiding in their room.
"So James," said Sirius, "How are you going to spend your winnings?"
"Winnings?" said Lily.
"Yeah, for the bet," said Sirius.
"Bet?" said Lily frowning.
"Yeah," said James "I won a bet, that Remus would get over 100% on his Charms test!" he said. He gave Sirius a glare, and looked around for support.
"Yes, I got 110%," said Remus. There was silence.
"I'm going to bed," said Lily, getting up.
"Night Lily!" coursed the boys.
"Night guys!" said Lily smiling. James followed her to the staircase.
"Yes James?" said Lily turning to face him.
"I just wanted to say a proper goodnight to you," he said. His lips pressed against hers, and then drew away, as did he.
Quidditch Stadium
Next day Lily was still unsure about the letter she had received. 'Is it someone who really wants to see me?' she questioned herself, in History of magic. 'It could be somebody's idea of a joke. Or maybe Snape sent it, so he could hex me when we're alone' The only way she could find out would be to go.
"So Lily, are you going tonight or what?" whispered Katy. Her and Sally and been giving each other the silent treatment, and communicating through Lily.
"I don't think you should!" whispered Sally, who was sitting on the other side of Lily.
"I think you should, I mean it could be someone who wants to ask you to the Ball!" said Katy, whilst sending a glare in Sally's direction.
"Well at least let someone go with you, just encase its someone you don't want to be alone with." Sally reasoned.
"I can take care of myself!" said Lily angrily. 'This is my decision, how dare they turn this into one of their petty fights!' she thought.
"We're all sure you can Lily!" said Sirius. Lily's face started to heat up, as she realised that she had stood up, and spoken quite loudly. The whole class was staring at her, and even Professor Binns had stopped reading. Turning bright red, Lily muttered 'sorry' and sat back down. When the class had either gone back to sleep, or were staring into space, Katy and Sally turned to Lily.
"I'm going to night," said Lily, after all, what did she have to loose. They both looked shocked, but didn't get a chance to say anything, as at that moment, the bell rang. The class all cheered, as it was now officially the Christmas holidays, and there was only three days until the Ball.
*
At dinner Lily kept smiling down the table at James, but was distracted by Sally and Katy, who kept glancing nervously in Lily's direction.
"Errr, Lily?" said Sally timidly.
"Yes?" said Lily not looking up from her food.
"Katy has something to tell you!" she said very fast. Katy scowled at her, before smiling, when she realised Lily was now watching her.
"Well?" Lily prompted.
"Sally and I were, well we were thinking about tonight, and we errr, we," she shot a nervous look at Sally, "and . . .. and we stand by your decision."
"What! That's not what you were go . . . . .oh yes" Sally said looking at Katy's anxious face, "stand by you, yeah!" Lily had the impression that wasn't what Katy was going to tell her, but she was too busy worrying about tonight's meeting, to care.
*
Lily sat nervously in the common room, with her cloak next to her, and a book in her hands. She couldn't read however, because she only had half an hour till she had to be down on the Quidditch pitch. She also couldn't read because of the racket going on in the room, where everyone was celebrating the end of term. James Potter among them. Lily had asked Remus about this strange disappearing of the party king,
"Our young Marauder is ill," he had said. Lily got up, and putting her cloak on, started to leave at 9: 10.
"Lily where are you going?" asked Sirius, stepping in front of her, coming out of nowhere.
"Just for a walk," said Lily smiling.
"Oh I'll come too!" he said brightly. 'Damn!' Lily cursed herself.
"No, no. I'll be fine alone," she said, "you stay here and have a good time." Lily prayed that he would believe her.
"Can't do that see, I promised a few of your friends that I'd escort you, safely down to the stadium." He said, starting to walk towards the portrait hole.
"I don't believe them!" Lily swung around, searching the room for sight of her friends. Cleverly, they had gone to bed out of the way.
"I'll leave you when we get there, if its someone you want to be left alone with," said Sirius.
"I know you will!" said Lily, beginning to walk. They walked quickly and quietly through the school.
*
There was a light breeze, and the sky was clear, showing the beautiful crescent moon. The grounds were covered in a thick layer of snow, but the gamekeeper had made a path. They didn't speak all the way down to the stadium.
"There isn't anyone here," said Lily when they were write outside the pitch.
"Maybe we should go inside?" suggested Sirius with a smile.
"Oh right," muttered Lily, feeling stupid. They walked onto the pitch, which was empty.
"Well, I don't think there is anyone here." Sirius stated. Lily's heart was court in her throat; she couldn't speak. She felt so let down, how could this person do this? At one point she thought it might be James, but he wouldn't stand her up. Maybe, her being here alone was the plan, and the writer never intended to come.
"James?" said Sirius suddenly, from behind her. Lily's heart leapt. She was about to turn around, when an arm slipped around her waist, and pulled her onto a broom.
They rose fast, and were soon flying away from the pitch, towards the lake. Lily was afraid of heights, so she was gripping the broom tightly with both hands. Her knees were going num, from where she was holding them tightly together, so as not to fall off.
"Relax," said the person behind her. She already knew who it was, so she wasn't surprised to see him sitting behind her. James Potter. She suddenly realised that next to her hands were his, only further forwards on the broom. Lily's back was pressed against his chest. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck, instantly she felt the fear melt away. Then before she knew it, James had stopped right above the middle of the lake. The fear flooded back, as she looked down.
"So Miss Evans, is this whisking you off your feet enough?" said James. Lily turned her head to face him. She was lost for words.
"I'm going to be famous," said James, "the first person ever to make Lily Evans speechless!"
"I'm not speechless!" said Lily, forcing herself to smile. She looked down again, but quickly snapped her head back up. 'Wow! Just stay calm, he won't let you fall' Lily told herself.
"Lily Evans," said James, taking her hand. "Will you give me the honour of being my date for the ball?" Lily's breath caught in her throat; she didn't know what to say. 'Say no!' said a voice immediately in her head, 'You'll get hurt again!' Lily's mother had always told her to follow her heart; her father had always said trust your head. What was she going to do? Her heart was saying 'Say yes!' but her head was saying 'Say no!'
"Yes," said Lily. She was surprised to hear that. She hadn't registered she was saying anything, until she had said it.
"Excellent!" he gave her that smile, and then he started flying back to the pitch. James felt as light as a feather, 'She said yes!' was singing in his ears. He felt like he should do something extraordinary, just for her. As they were descending onto the pitch,
"Did she say yes?" Sirius shouted from the ground.
"Yeah!" James yelled back. Sirius legged it out of the stadium, heading back to the castle. They touched down softly on the snow-covered pitch. They started walking up to the school; James had his broom over his shoulder, and a huge smile on his face.
"What are you grinning about Potter?" Snape came out of the shadows, just as Lily and James entered the entrance hall. They stopped walking as Snape was now blocking the way.
"I have a date for the ball," said James.
"Don't tell me your going with muggle-born here?" Snape sneered.
"And if I am?" said James, a look of pure loathing on his usually smiling face.
"I thought you could go no lower!" said Snape matching James's glare.
"At least I have a date!" said James, his voice echoing around the empty hall. Small pink tinges appeared on Snape's cheeks, and he clenched his hands into fists at his sides.
"I am going with someone," he snarled, "and she's not a Mudblood!" Before Lily knew what was happening, James and Snape had both wiped out their wands. They both moved forwards, into the centre of the hall, James leaving his broom behind him. Lily stared, her mouth slightly open, as they began to circle each other.
"Time for me to teach your big head a thing or two about loosing your pride!" said Snape. They both raised their wands.
"I should have done this ages ago!" said James calmly.
"Reducto!" shouted Snape.
"Petrificus Totalus!" James shouted at the same time. They both put up the same shield charm, to block the others curse. The force of the curses made them both fall backwards. James was first to his feet.
"Arania Exumail!" he shouted, just as,
"Enverte Statium!" Snape screamed. Neither of them managed to block the spells this time. They were both thrown off their feet, and hit the walls behind them with a great thud. They got to their feet quickly, never taking their eyes off the other one. They started walking towards each other.
"Stop it!" cried Lily. The boys looked round, as though they had forgotten she was there.
"You're making too much noise! A teacher could be on their way right now!" she reasoned. James's expression softened, and he lowered his wand. Snape was looking at Lily with disgust on his face.
"What makes you think I would listen to a filthy little Mudblo-" Snape began.
"Silencio!" said James, pointing his wand at Snape. He continued to talk, but no sound was coming out.
"Are you ok?" asked lily.
"Yeah. It'll take more than him to finish me off!" said James, smiling at Lily.
"I know, it's just you hit that wall pretty hard," said Lily, starting to examine his head.
"I'm fine. Honestly!" said James. Lily stopped examining his head, and smiled softly. Snape had his voice back. He pointed his wand at Lily.
"Rictus-"
"Expelliarmus!" shouted James, before Snape could finish. Snape's wand flew out of his hand, and he was thrown off his feet. He landed in a crumpled heap by the stairs.
"Thanks," said Lily.
"No problem," replied James. "You know you look cute when your scared"
"I'm not scared of him!" said Lily. She felt her heart flutter when he said she was cute.
"I meant when we were flying," he said.
"I'm not keen on heights," said Lily, pulling out her wand. "Pertrificus Totalus" she said pointing her wand at Snape. Snape had just begun to sneak towards his wand, when Lily's spell hit him. His arms snapped to his sides, as his legs snapped together, and he fell face forward, with a thud that echoed around the hall.
"Good one!" James grinned.
"Thanks," said Lily.
"Anyway, it was obvious," James continued.
"What was?" asked Lily, as James picked up his broom.
"That you were afraid of heights," he replied. They started walking towards the steps.
"Wait. Shouldn't we," she pointed to Snape.
"Nahh leave him there," said James. Lily grinned, as they continued up to Gryffindor tower. A couple of floors up, they saw James's fan club, walking towards them. James turned and grinned at Lily. He grabbed her hand, and they continued walking. The girls passed looking ready to cry.
"Lion heart," said Lily as they reached the portrait hole. It swung forward, and they entered to a full going rave of a party. Lots of people quickly crowded around them, with lots of questions.
"Are you really going together?"
"Your so lucky to be going with Potter!"
"How does he kiss?"
"Is Sirius telling the truth?"
"I never knew you had a thing for Evans!" They managed to get away from the people, and slump down on a sofa in the corner, with the rest of the Marauders.
"Who didn't you tell?" James asked a grinning Sirius.
"No one doesn't know!" he replied happily. Remus, who was reading, raised an eyebrow disbelievingly, while Peter sniggered into his food.
"What do you mean 'no one'?" said James exasperatedly.
"Well. I told this Hufflepuff couple, on my way across the grounds, so they'll tell everyone in their house. I told a group of Ravenclaws on my way up the stairs, so they'll tell everyone in their house. But I haven't told a Slytherin." He said counting them off on his fingers.
"Wow! So one house doesn't know!" said James with fake enthusiasm.
"Actually," said Lily, "We met Snape."
"So not a soul doesn't know!" said Sirius smugly. The group laughed. Lily looked round for her friends, but they were still hiding in their room.
"So James," said Sirius, "How are you going to spend your winnings?"
"Winnings?" said Lily.
"Yeah, for the bet," said Sirius.
"Bet?" said Lily frowning.
"Yeah," said James "I won a bet, that Remus would get over 100% on his Charms test!" he said. He gave Sirius a glare, and looked around for support.
"Yes, I got 110%," said Remus. There was silence.
"I'm going to bed," said Lily, getting up.
"Night Lily!" coursed the boys.
"Night guys!" said Lily smiling. James followed her to the staircase.
"Yes James?" said Lily turning to face him.
"I just wanted to say a proper goodnight to you," he said. His lips pressed against hers, and then drew away, as did he.