The Untouchable
Chapter Six: Toil and Trouble
By: Ruth3
Disclaimer: I'm actually beginning to act like J.K. Rowling since I left all of you people that I love wait almost a year for a next chapter, but I'm still not J.K. Rowling
Summary: Lily Evans, now Fifth Year at Hogwarts, was made an Untouchable – someone who CANNOT date within their own house. What happens when James Potter (the Ladies' Man) wants her? R&R to find out!
Author's Note: If I were all of you I'd hate me, seriously. This fic is brilliant, not to sound conceded or anything – but I reread all the chapters and I couldn't tear my eyes away from it. It has been so long that I didn't even realize it was mine! And once was done reading the 5th chapter I wanted more and to complain for the lack of updating! Anyways, I don't have a good excuse except for that I took a very long break from fanfiction but am now back! I updated my other fic, if you'd be so kind to check that one out. Enjoy this chapter; updates will be up to weekly – or even twice a week or more!
To My BRILLIANTLY, PATIENT Reviewers:
Lololchik I'm so sorry, I did it again!! I promise not to do it anymore though, enjoy!
kat6528 He actually didn't get left out of the prank, Sirius said that because he knew James would get mad – it was like Sirius did a "prank" of his own. Lily got mad because she is quite stubborn, and if you think about it – is just as arrogant as James. Enjoy!
pakita88 I'm glad you loved it! Enjoy?...
Lily Natalia Evans I'm not sure exactly how it is going to be explained, but I'll try my hardest! Enjoy!
KristiexxNguyen Thanks and enjoy!
blood-witch17 Oh no, I wasn't planning on having them find out soon. James and Lily know what they're doing, hopefully! Enjoy…
yellow-and-blue-soccer-player Thanks and enjoy!
flossie1 I updated! Kind of really later, but enjoy!
carameLisSa Yes, you'll see in this chapter! And I do that too, when the author responds to a review I always forget what I had wrote to them, hehe. Enjoy…
padfoots-angellover Thank you and enjoy!
Bluetiger94 Aww, I hate when computers get virus – it totally stinks! Well, I hope you had a good first seven months of 2004 and enjoy this chapter!
Ri0t-Gurl Do you have a livejournal? Enjoy!
Agloechen I'm sorry! I left you waiting again! I dearly apologize. Enjoy! I won't do it anymore, promise!
BANANA! No, I wouldn't be able to do that. I like that line too, I use to use it all the time – it kind of died out now, though. Enjoy this chapter!
Raven09 Thank you, I'm glad you find it cute! Enjoy!
Mep Hehe, didn't get hit by a truck – thank goodness! Enjoy!
Irish Lass1 Yes, I'm scared that I lost all my faithful reviewers too! I wouldn't blame them though. Enjoy!
Reader I updated! Enjoy!
Bombshell Here you go! Enjoy!
Cerulean Sapphire I'm glad you like it, and here is the 6th chapter! Enjoy!
Lilycharmer359 I'm glad you find it original. Enjoy!
Slytherin'sdarkAngel... not logged in E-mail me if you're still interested in beta-reading. My e-mail is: GurLeyGurLpiEaol.com. Thanks and enjoy!
LightningFairy Thanks and enjoy…
eX Driver Liz "Wrath of Evans" oh man that cracked me up! I'm going to have to put that in my fic somewhere, thanks for the line! I hope you enjoy. And do you think them arguing is too much?
Aimee and Beth Muahaha. I'm quite aware they didn't start dating until 7th year – according to their peers. Get it? That's why this idea is bullet proof – if no one finds out until then, then for all the knew – they didn't start dating until 7th year. wink Enjoy this chapter!
Lololchik Exactly right.
Heather Thank you very much! If you could have left your e-mail, I would have sent you a notification for when I update; so I don't know if you'll be continuing reading or not since I'm not positive if you go on fanfiction anymore! Enjoy!
lenajade You need to save it as a 'web archive' and it'll work. Lily isn't mad because she fell in love with James, since she isn't in love with him, but at the fact that she gave in to him the night before and it looked like he was "flirting" with her best mates – making her jealous. Enjoy!
MegHarts Hehe, she is mad isn't she? Enjoy!
pakita88 I'll e-mail you right now to let you know. Enjoy!
MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus Very emotional. I just wanted to thank you for reviewing MY fic, I absolutely love yours – it's an honor that you read one of mine! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Shree I'm writing! Enjoy!
wondergirl03 Hehe, thanks babe! Enjoy!
Lololchik Thanks! How many reviews have you left me ;) You're such a faithful reviewer…enjoy!
real-eyes-realize-real-lies212 Thanks and enjoy!
Jen I'm glad you like the plot, and enjoy!
Jen103 Yay! I have a "biggest fan"! Awesome!! I hope you enjoy this one too!! Are you from the UK?
Hannah(Lololchik) (lololchickhotmail.com) I emailed you!! I hope you get it before you get the alert from fanfiction!
Lyra Here you are! Enjoy! How'd you come across this by the way? This is the first time you reviewed, I think…
Suddenlyreal Thanks for reviewing all 5 chapters today!! Enjoy this one, would you?
Thank You's: It's finally summer 2004! I hope all of yours is going wonderfully. I assume you all have seen Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban already. When you leave a review, drop a review for this chapter AND the movie – I'd like to know your opinions about the latest movie installment. I have mixed emotions about it, it was really good the first time I saw it; and then when I saw it for the second time I felt very disappointed. Daniel, Tom, and Rupert were as cute as every, though, and Emma looked very pretty – I'm sure all the guys drooled over her. I can't wait until the 4th movie, hopefully it'll be extremely better – and they better not leave that much out, all those events are very important to the plot. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter and I apologize again for my lack of updating! Lily and James are too unpredictable…
On With the Story…
"Lily Evans! What has come over you?!" Arabella demanded to know.
Paris chimed, infuriated, "That was definitely uncalled for. You had absolutely no reason to be that cruel to James, he gave you a compliment on how beautiful you look this morning!"
"He's the one – " Lily started.
"No," Arabella coldly argued, "you're the one! You didn't even see James this morning! First, he was hurt by his best mates, the people that matter dearest to him. Then you come along, you the girl that he fancies to death! And explode at him all because of a compliment, causing more pain. Absolutely preposterous.
"So, please by our guest, and tell us exactly why you had to do that; especially because of the circumstance." Arabella finished, glaring at Lily.
"He had a row with his mates?" Lily asked remorsefully.
"Yes," Paris said simply.
Lily groaned and banged her head on the table; Paris offered her a sympathetic pat on the back. "I didn't know," Lily murmured.
Arabella sighed, "Well, Lily – if you would just try to be civil towards him. Why were you going to have a row with him as well?"
Lily sat up and leaned back on the bench, "I ugh – " Lily began, trying to think fast, "I, um, found a dungbomb in my Charms book that I left down in the Common Room; assuming it was from Potter."
Paris gave her a skeptical look, "So…for all you know, it might have not been from James?" Lily just shrugged.
"Lily, Lily, Lily," Arabella sighed, "just try to give him a chance as a friend; he's really not that bad." Lily rolled her eyes.
"Whatever you say, Bella. Maybe he only has respect towards people he doesn't fancy – but to me, he's an arrogant prat," Lily argued, "I'm going to go get my stuff for today's lessons. I'll meet you in Care of Magical Creatures, if I'm late tell Professor Kettleburn that I wasn't feeling well, would you?" And with that, Lily exited the Great Hall.
Lily walked slowly to the Gryffindor Common Room, feeling terrible about everything. How could I be that thick to think he'd betray me like that? He didn't tell anyone about me being the Untouchable; therefore keeping my trust to heart. Why, why did I get myself involved with this… Lily thought to herself.
"Why!" Lily said allowed.
"Have you gone mad, Evans? Or is it a normal habit to talk to yourself?" Lily looked up to see James standing in the entrance of the Portrait Hole a few meters ahead of her, she saw how he was grinning – oh how she loved that grin!
Growing pink in the cheeks she replied hastily, "Sorry about earlier, I – I didn't know." Not dare looking at James in the eyes, she said the password to the Fat Lady and walked into the deserted Common Room, hearing James' steps that followed her.
"Didn't know about what?" James asked, "The fact that I wasn't flirting with your friends, but receiving their comfort? Or, the fact that my mates decided to deliberately offend me this morning?"
Lily turned around but still didn't meet his gaze, "Both," she muttered; taking interest into her shuffling feet. James stepped closer to her, reading for her hand; but Lily backed away. "Not here," she hissed.
James smiled cockily, "No one's here, Lily."
"Not now, then."
"How come?"
"I – I, I just don't know!" Lily hysterically cried, "I just don't know anything anymore. Alright? I just don't know." And she plopped onto the couch. James sat done awkwardly next to her and put his arm around her.
"It'll be okay, Lily, it'll be okay," he said soothingly; stroking her arm.
Lily looked at him, "How do you know? How can you be so brave? If someone finds out…if you accidentally let it slip! If I accidentally let it slip; do you know what will happen?" James shook his head. "Precisely, neither do I." With that, Lily stood up and walked to the girls' dormitory where she grabbed her books that she'll need for the day, and her bag. When she returned, she expected James to be there – but he was gone.
Lily sighed sadly, and briskly walked out of the castle. She approached the students just as the bell rang signifying her almost tardiness; and joined her mates, who were standing a few meters away from the Marauders Lily couldn't help but notice. "Took you long enough," Bella hissed. Lily shrugged and attempted to pay attention to today's lessons, but couldn't help but here some of the Marauder's conversation.
"Look, James; I'm - " Sirius tried.
"I said forget about it," James hissed through gritted teeth. Sirius awakwardly looked at him, but didn't say anything.
"W-what took you so long?" Peter stammered.
"Couldn't find my books," James said simply. Remus looked at James intensively, he had seen James' books on the dresser where they always were; how James missed them – he didn't know.
"My stock on filibuster fireworks are running low," Sirius muttered in barely a whisper. (At this point Lily could no longer hear what they were beginning to discuss.)
"Are you suggesting…" Remus said, raising an eyebrow. Sirius just mischievously grinned.
"Tonight," James murmured as he smirked at the other three.
"B-Brilliant," Peter stuttered. The three then turned their attention towards the lesson about centaurs.
Close to the end of the lesson, Professor Kettleburn instructed, "Please pick a partner of the opposite gender to do a project concerning centaurs; the similarities and differences of the female and male centaurs. Please write a meter worth of parchment about the comparisons of their appearance, personality, purpose, and talents. This will be due next Wednesday. Please get started – NOW."
Lily groaned, she hated working in partners – she was too much of an independent person and everyone knew that she was very controlling and wanted it perfect. She glanced at Arabella who was talking to Paris, both looked annoyed that they had to work with a boy; knowing that every boy in 5th Year is a prat. Lily looked around; scanning her options for the project; although most people already found a partner they would like to work with. Lily bit her lip in desperation as she spotted a girl walking towards Remus Lupin, the other Prefect in Gryffindor.
Lily knew what she had to do, she hurriedly walked towards Remus and tapped his shoulder, "Remus, would you mind being my partner for this project?" She asked desperately. All four Marauders looked at Lily for a moment, Lily glanced at James for a second and saw a flash of jealousy rise in his eyes – but he had vanished as soon as it had appeared.
"Err – "
Lily looked disappointed, "Well, if you don't want to you don't have to. I just figured you would take this project seriously."
Sirius looked appalled, "Are you saying that I, or Peter, or James, would not take this project seriously?" Lily smiled.
"Yes, I believe so."
"Well, then," Sirius stated with a grin, "too right you are. Well, I'm going to go ask someone before – "
"Remus," The girl that was approaching him earlier called, "Remember? You promised you would be my partner the next time in this class – to help me out." Lily sighed.
"Well, see you around then – better go find someone else." She turned around and as she started to walk, she was pulled back by someone.
"Wait, Evans!"
Surprised, she turned around, "What do you want Potter?"
"Err – " James said as his hand immediately went to his hair, until he saw Lily's unimpressed look and he dropped it back to his side, "Care to work together?"
Lily eyed him suspiciously, "Potter I doubt we'll be able to work together, let alone finish this project. So n - "
"She'd be delighted to!" Bella chimed in, coming out of nowhere, "Sirius mind working together? I'm running out of options." Sirius just shrugged, and Bella took that as a 'yes', "Wonderful."
"Remus – " Paris began but then saw the girl, "Oh, I s'pose you're already taken. Err, Peter, care to work together?" Peter nodded.
"All set then, Lily," Bella stated, "Looks like you're going to have to work with James – everyone else is taken." Lily gave Arabella a death glare, Is she trying to ruin my life? Lily thought, She acts as if she's trying to set me up with him!
"Alright, Potter," Lily said through gritted teeth, "I'll be your partner. But there will be no fooling around, and I'm in charge."
"Evans, lighten up!"
"Lightening up, Potter, won't earn me top marks," she spat as the bell rang, "Bella (Lily nodded her head towards her), Paris (nodded her head towards her too), come on – lets go."
Lily scribbled her findings onto a piece of a parchment. It was a Friday night (lessons were over) and she was spending it in one of her favorite spots in the castle – the library. It was the one place that everyone knew where she was, but wouldn't dare disturb her – it allowed her to isolate herself from others and clear her mind. She decided, keeping in mind of the big project in Care of Magical Creatures, that she would finish all of her other homework assignments as soon as possible; then start on the project.
Although she was working with James, he was still James Potter – the same person that procrastinates and is definitely unorganized. Lily gives herself a schedule, and follows it – having homework done days before everyone else or its due date; it was the one thing that left her in control. Although James did things differently than her, he still receives very good marks; he's probably the second most intelligent person in their class, Lily being first.
Unfortunately, she was debating whether or not she should do the whole project herself. If she did, James would receive full marks as well – not as if he could not if he was doing it by himself; it would just be that she had to share her intelligence. Another drawback was that James would obviously get mad and start a row with her; he despised being bossed around and is quite as stubborn as Lily when it comes to doing things the "right" way.
Lily yawned and noticed it was getting reasonably late. She gathered her things together and decided she would go check out a few books on centaurs so that she could take her work to the Gryffindor Common Room, Perhaps if James saw me it would oblige him to assist me. Lily walked towards the "Mystical Creatures A - D" section and immiedately saw a few books that would be resourceful.
"The Mysteries Behind Centaurs," Lily muttered to herself as she grabbed it, "that would work…" She held onto it and kept looking, "Behavior of Centaurs – that would work too." Stacking the rather heavy books, she decided one more would be efficient for now, "The Ultimate Guide to Centaurs, brilliant."
Lily put the books in her bag and charmed it so that her bag was feather light. She then walked out of the library to head to the Gryffindor Common Room. The corridors were pretty dark, and Lily had a feeling that she wasn't the only one walking about. The hairs on her neck prickled up, so she quickened her pace as her ears perked up to hear any unexpected noise. It had to be at least 10:45 which meant no one was suppose to be wondering around, even if she got caught she would be in trouble.
As she approached the stairs she heard someone talking, "Lumos!" she muttered. Looking around, she saw nothing.
"Hey – isn't that Evans out of bed?" She heard a voice say. "Ow! That was my foot!" The same voice cried.
"Who's there?" Lily asked shakily as she raised her wand above her head, "Show yourself!" Lily turned around in circles, but still couldn't see anyone. Bringing her arm down, she decided that she would just leave – it wasn't safe to be out by herself. She quickly said the password to the Fat Lady and clumsily walked inside. Still feeling uneasy, she decided she would take some notes about centaurs. Lily pulled out a piece of parchment, a quill and ink, and The Ultimate Guide to Centaurs.
Lily muttered little things to herself that she scribbled down as she read, more to keep her awake. Lily put down her quill and leaned back in her chair to release a huge yawn. She decided she'd just read and finish taking notes tomorrow…
"Evans," a voice hissed, "Evans, wake up!" Lily moved her head a little, obviously deep in sleep. How beautiful she looks, like an angel, James couldn't help but think, She even wrinkles her nose every once in awhile, he chuckled to himself, I never realized that she had those freckles…
Lily slowly opened her eyes, and frantically forgot where she was! She looked up and saw James grinning at her, "About time," he said.
Lily groaned, "What time is it?"
"A few hours past midnight."
"Oh my," Lily replied slowly, "I must have fallen asleep…"
"What were you working on?"
"Oh nothing," Lily hastily said, trying to remove the things from sight.
"Oh really?" James replied as he took the book, "The Ultimate Guide to Centaurs" James read, "You weren't starting the project without me, were you?" He looked dismayed.
"Well, I was – " Lily began.
"It's called a partner project for a reason Evans," James argued.
Lily looked mad, "I was just getting a head start; taking notes." She then showed him the notes she had written down thus far.
"I still would have liked to help you, you don't have to do everything you know," James said sincerely.
Lily blushed a tiny bit and realization dawned on her, "Why are you up so late?"
"Oh, I – " James stuttered, his cheeks gaining a pink tint as he raised his hand to his hair, "I couldn't sleep," he ended hoping it sounded convincing. Lily eyed him suspiciously.
"And why not?"
"Err," he replied as he thought fast, definitely wasn't going to tell her that he had been out and about with his mates, "Too much on my mind," Lily raised an eyebrow, "that's why I came down here – to clear my head, you know?" Lily's gaze softened, I can't believe she bought it, James thought.
"That happens to me all the time," Lily replied with a sweet smile. She then began to put her things into her bag, "Well, I better get to bed. Thanks for waking me up, that would have been terrible to have woken up later with a cramp in my neck," she let out a chuckle and stood up.
James grabbed her hand, "Lily, did you really not want to be my partner?"
Lily looked at him quizzically, "Truthfully, I would have preferred Remus. Besides, wouldn't it have been suspicious if I had run up to you and asked you?" James nodded, "I'm sure I would have given Sirius a heart attack." James laughed at that, and his laugh caused Lily to smile – she couldn't help it.
"True, so you don't mind?" James asked again, squeezing her hand out of nerves or interrogation.
"As long as you do your work, Mr. Potter," Lily teased and her gazed dropped to their hands, how strong his hands are, Lily smiled to herself.
James grinned, "I will. Why don't we work on it tomorrow? If you're not busy that is…"
"Lovely," Lily replied as she let out another yawn, "Well, I'm going to go to sleep in my bunk, an actual comfortable place," Lily stated, grinning. James let go of her hand and nodded, although he didn't look like he had intentions of moving.
Lily stood on her tip-toes and kissed James' cheek, "Goodnight, James," and she walked away.
"Goodnight, Lily," he replied at her retreating back as his hand stroked the spot on his cheek where her lips just touched.
Author's Note: How was that for over seven months of no posting? I have a lot of ideas actually! This chapter wasn't that great because there wasn't any suspense; trust me – there is going to be A LOT. I'll have a new chapter up within this week, I hope you enjoyed it!
Again, I'm trying to make things not move too fast so I'm slowly progressing with this fic. Trust me, once we get there, there will be plenty of drama and surprises!
Lots of Luv xoxo Hugs N Kisses! REVIEW – for good or for bad –
Ruth