A/N: Hello again... I actually have very little to say except to anyone
who actually reads the reviews of this story, yes, i DO know 'hong-a-long-a-
dong'. lol. Anyway thank you to Red-Emerald (yep, certainly lovey-dovey
mush coming up!), Child-of-Scorpio (don't worry about the last chapter, and
what did you want to say about James as Head Boy?), RedRaspberry (I'm glad
too lol), Invisible Voice (I am about to reload that chapter), he who cant
write (no no, they WILL get together and soon!), Sal Girl (well, sorry.
L/J action coming up but actually the rating will be higher for one,
optional, chapter. Sorry if that annoys you), KrisKG, atiya (no, Eihwaz is
my evil side... lol only kidding. we're two people, author and beta!) and
hong-a-long-a-dong (long review, excellent. more l/j coming and yes how
could i NOT know what you like and dislike? especially that film!) Oh and
thanks to Egypt'sStar who emailed her review direct.
Oh one last point - anyone who doesn't like James as Head Boy, sorry. It said in book one that he was and I am sticking to that. Over to Eihwaz!
B/N:subliminal message: Sev is a gorgeous god. WORSHIP HIM!!! ...except First Light of Eos Very long chappie today, you should be proud! And not too big a cliffie either *curses* I'm trying to work very hard on an IMPORTANT CHAPTER coming soon *grins* So be nice to me! Oh yeah, Edible Moose is wonderful *cheers* Oh and hong-a-long-a-dong - I don't give a damn about Sirius! I spose you mean Sev... *salivas over everything nearby in an unnattractive way*
A/N: Yes i DID add that last ** to Eihwaz's B/N! :D
Chapter 30
I was right, my parents were thrilled. For some reason, even now I was seventeen they still insisted on coming to pick me up from King's Cross. I think they were certain that now I was a witch, I lacked the practical sense to find my way around London. I think it also worried them that they didn't know what happened on the other side of the barrier. I had never let them come through - parents and legal guardians could come through, even if they were muggles, but I hadn't wanted them to. God alone knew what would happen when they came out, Dad probably remarking in a loud voice how clever it was... But I could tell them I was Head Girl, even in Muggle public.
"Oh, that's brilliant, darling!" Mum exclaimed predictably.
Dad beamed. "Little Lily, head girl," he mused. "Whew..."
I took my Apparating test two weeks later, and passed with flying colours. It was the only sort of magic I was allowed to do outside school, and I couldn't help taking advantage. Juliet agreed that I could come to her house one morning before Vernon Dursley was coming round, and Apparate back just in time to say 'hello'. The look on his face - and Petunia's - when I appeared out of thin air behind him was truly hilarious.
"Vernon!" I exclaimed sweetly. "Thank goodness you've not left. I was worried I might miss you - else I would have caught the bus. Hope you don't mind - must dash!" I leaned forward as if to peck him on the cheek and Disapparated again with a crack, but only out into the living room. I heard Petunia screaming at Mum, and five minutes later my parents came into the lounge trying not to laugh.
"Lily, that was extremely cruel!"
"But hysterically funny, you must admit," I said.
"Yes... yes... but really darling, you shouldn't. It is worrying, the silly things you people can do."
I Apparated excitedly round the room, causing Mum to cover her eyes and say "Lily, please!"
"Sorry," I said. "But I have to have some vent for my magic over the summer, you must see."
The summer went more quickly when I could get to see my friends so easily, and it was good fun winding up Petunia and Vernon Dursley. She would pay for calling me a freak. The last time I saw him before I returned to school, I said kindly, "It's all right, Vern, next summer I'll be able to do normal magic - I won't need to do so much Apparating. Potions and transfiguration might be more... interesting for you."
And then I left, bursting into peals of laughter at his face.
"Well, it sounds like someone had a good summer, anyway," Rebecca said as I recounted the story on platform 9 and 3/4.
"Oh, yeah, the best," I said. "Listen, I'm really sorry, I've got to sit in the front compartment like in fifth year... I'll try and get away as soon as possible."
"We'll save you seats."
"OK."
Professor McGonagall was waiting in the carriage already. "Ah, hello Miss Evans. Have you seen Potter?"
"No," I said. "Sorry, Professor."
"I expect he's causing mayhem somewhere... ah, Potter! Good morning."
"Talkin' bout me, Professor?"
She smiled, and I felt a flicker of my old irritation at him. "Yes, as a matter of fact. Now, are you two clear about what you need to tell the prefects?"
We both nodded - I had received my instructions by owl, and I presumed he had too.
"Good. Well, I'll leave you to it, then." She Apparated away.
"Are we allowed to do that too?" Potter joked.
"I wish," I said, before frowning.
He turned away, but I saw his amused smile. Careful, Lily! I admonished myself. He was sharp - but I could be sharper. He would not guess.
The first night back was not a problem. Potter and I were doing separate duties, and we didn't speak to each other more than necessary. Juliet and Rebecca marvelled at my calmness. "Only Lily could work beside her worst enemy," Juliet commented.
I laughed. "We've barely spoken, yet."
It began to deteriorate when we had to meet and discuss what we had been doing. Sirius Black seemed to keep turning up, and although he seemed just as annoyed as I was, I had to feign anger with him to keep with my old attitude. It did not bode well for our headship. Nor did it help that he kept catching me off guard, making me laugh or say careless things.
"Evans, you don't half have mood swings," he remarked once when we were patrolling at night. It was my least favourite duty, partly because it meant spending a long time with him, and partly because I found it incredibly embarrassing interrupting couples that were... busy.
I shrugged but didn't reply.
"And don't you think we should call each other Lily and James now?"
I glared at him. "No."
He smiled. "All right then. How about Tigerlily? It seems appropriate."
"Piss off," I said.
"Tut, what would Mother say?"
I reached over and slapped him.
"Ow! God, Evans, I was joking!"
"Serves you right," I said, but I felt guilty immediately.
"Well you can jolly well clear North tower yourself tonight," he said.
"What?"
I had come to appreciate him for making our presence known to each couple and just letting me dock points. Now it seemed he knew that I dreaded doing it.
"Only joking. But if you ever do that again," he said, "I'll make you." He pushed open the door. "Good evening, everyone, I'm afraid Evans and I are on patrol. Harris, Griffiths, Johns, Bones, Abercrombie..."
One boy stopped as he made for the door. "Do you not think it hypocritical that you're up here almost every other night, Potter?"
"No," he said coolly, "because I'm not, any more. Double points taken from Slytherin, please, Evans." I smothered a laugh and made the note.
"I saw that," he said, good humour returned. "So why won't you ever laugh properly?"
"Because you're an arrogant prat," I said cheerfully. "South tower next, yes?"
He didn't say much else until we got there, then began his usual run through names. "Malfoy, Parkinson, Shacklebolt, Finnigan, Podmore, Black? Padfoot, I told you I was out on patrol tonight!"
"So I forgot," said a sheepish voice. "Or... for bravery can I have points awarded?"
"No," I interrupted, worried that Potter might agree.
"Evans is right," Potter said, surprising me. "Just go, Sirius, and please, listen next time!"
He shuddered a minute later. "We always agreed we didn't want to see each other doing that," he said, and for once I let myself laugh properly.
My forgetting about Potter was not going at all well. I think I was masking it very well - certainly he hadn't guessed, and neither had Juliet or Rebecca - but inside it hurt more and more each time I had to pretend to hate him. I was discovering that maybe he wasn't just all right asleep - he could actually be very amusing, and he was a fair and responsible head boy. He even seemed less conceited these days. I began to understand why Dumbledore had chosen him as Head Boy - and that was saying something. Despite my... feelings... for him, I had still seen his faults and wondered.
Yet now it was more clear.
"First Quidditch match tomorrow," he reminded me one day in mid-October. "I shall expect to see you running onto the pitch at the end."
"You must be joking, Potter. I leave as soon as possible. It's just a game."
"But you like the Snitch, at least."
I did a double take. "Did you give me that?"
He pulled his innocent face.
"Potter! That terrified my sister two summers ago!"
"Good. So as repayment will you come onto the pitch?"
I crossed my arms. "I'm not coming onto the pitch, but if you win I'll..."
"Go out with me?"
My heart leapt but I frowned. "No. I'll... I'll..."
"Chaperone the next Gryffindor practice?"
"Why would you want me to do that?"
He smiled. "Could be fun."
"Well... all right," I said grudgingly. "But I'm not flying. Just watching."
He rolled his eyes but nodded.
"And only if you win."
"Course," he said. "But is that any condition, given our track record?"
I did not mention our deal to anyone else as I sat with Juliet and Rebecca, watching the match. We tended to gossip through them, but this time I was keeping an eye on the score as well. "I don't know how you're supposed to tell who any of them are," Rebecca was moaning as we watched the sky.
"Well the one with the Quaffle's usually Potter," said Juliet, "and you can see who the Keepers are... but apart from that I agree it's impossible."
"The ones in red are Gryffindors," I pointed out.
"Well, duh," said Juliet. "Oh, I don't know, it's a stupid game. So how're things going with Robert now, Lils?"
I shrugged. "All right. We don't really see each other so much now, but..."
"You never saw each other that much!"
"No, well, it doesn't help that his idea of a great date is an Astronomy lesson."
"And you don't agree? Lily, is this you?"
I laughed bashfully. "Well, I don't know, it's just not very... exciting, is it?"
"I had no idea you were so out for excitement. I thought that was what your temper was for."
"Hey!"
"Sorry. But really..."
I was about to reply when I heard a collective gasp from the crowd. I glanced up - one of the Gryffindor players was falling. I didn't need to be able to see to know who it was, and I was the first out of my seat. I pushed past my friends and ran down the steps onto the pitch just as he hit the ground with a dull thud.
"James!"
Professor Dumbledore was only a step behind me as I crouched beside my old enemy. He appeared to be unconscious. "James, wake up!" I knelt over him, watching for any reaction. "Come on, James, just open your eyes..."
"Madam Pomfrey's here, Lily," Dumbledore said quietly. I backed away a little, but continued to hover beside him. I knew this was a public way to show my change of heart, but... what if he died?
"James - James, please..."
I felt Sirius Black drop to his knees beside me. "Hey, Prongs mate, wake up!" At last his eyelids fluttered. "Do you know," he murmured, "that's the first time you've not called me Potter, Lily." And then he passed out again.
Rebecca and Juliet were shocked, of course. "Lily, it looked like you were his... his girlfriend, or something!"
"Oh, don't be silly. I just, well, it looked like a nasty fall. And he is Head Boy."
Juliet was clearly sceptical. "But you were there before Black! And he and Potter are inseparable, you know that."
I rolled my eyes, but it was true. I had given far too much away - to him as well as everyone else.
Oh one last point - anyone who doesn't like James as Head Boy, sorry. It said in book one that he was and I am sticking to that. Over to Eihwaz!
B/N:subliminal message: Sev is a gorgeous god. WORSHIP HIM!!! ...except First Light of Eos Very long chappie today, you should be proud! And not too big a cliffie either *curses* I'm trying to work very hard on an IMPORTANT CHAPTER coming soon *grins* So be nice to me! Oh yeah, Edible Moose is wonderful *cheers* Oh and hong-a-long-a-dong - I don't give a damn about Sirius! I spose you mean Sev... *salivas over everything nearby in an unnattractive way*
A/N: Yes i DID add that last ** to Eihwaz's B/N! :D
Chapter 30
I was right, my parents were thrilled. For some reason, even now I was seventeen they still insisted on coming to pick me up from King's Cross. I think they were certain that now I was a witch, I lacked the practical sense to find my way around London. I think it also worried them that they didn't know what happened on the other side of the barrier. I had never let them come through - parents and legal guardians could come through, even if they were muggles, but I hadn't wanted them to. God alone knew what would happen when they came out, Dad probably remarking in a loud voice how clever it was... But I could tell them I was Head Girl, even in Muggle public.
"Oh, that's brilliant, darling!" Mum exclaimed predictably.
Dad beamed. "Little Lily, head girl," he mused. "Whew..."
I took my Apparating test two weeks later, and passed with flying colours. It was the only sort of magic I was allowed to do outside school, and I couldn't help taking advantage. Juliet agreed that I could come to her house one morning before Vernon Dursley was coming round, and Apparate back just in time to say 'hello'. The look on his face - and Petunia's - when I appeared out of thin air behind him was truly hilarious.
"Vernon!" I exclaimed sweetly. "Thank goodness you've not left. I was worried I might miss you - else I would have caught the bus. Hope you don't mind - must dash!" I leaned forward as if to peck him on the cheek and Disapparated again with a crack, but only out into the living room. I heard Petunia screaming at Mum, and five minutes later my parents came into the lounge trying not to laugh.
"Lily, that was extremely cruel!"
"But hysterically funny, you must admit," I said.
"Yes... yes... but really darling, you shouldn't. It is worrying, the silly things you people can do."
I Apparated excitedly round the room, causing Mum to cover her eyes and say "Lily, please!"
"Sorry," I said. "But I have to have some vent for my magic over the summer, you must see."
The summer went more quickly when I could get to see my friends so easily, and it was good fun winding up Petunia and Vernon Dursley. She would pay for calling me a freak. The last time I saw him before I returned to school, I said kindly, "It's all right, Vern, next summer I'll be able to do normal magic - I won't need to do so much Apparating. Potions and transfiguration might be more... interesting for you."
And then I left, bursting into peals of laughter at his face.
"Well, it sounds like someone had a good summer, anyway," Rebecca said as I recounted the story on platform 9 and 3/4.
"Oh, yeah, the best," I said. "Listen, I'm really sorry, I've got to sit in the front compartment like in fifth year... I'll try and get away as soon as possible."
"We'll save you seats."
"OK."
Professor McGonagall was waiting in the carriage already. "Ah, hello Miss Evans. Have you seen Potter?"
"No," I said. "Sorry, Professor."
"I expect he's causing mayhem somewhere... ah, Potter! Good morning."
"Talkin' bout me, Professor?"
She smiled, and I felt a flicker of my old irritation at him. "Yes, as a matter of fact. Now, are you two clear about what you need to tell the prefects?"
We both nodded - I had received my instructions by owl, and I presumed he had too.
"Good. Well, I'll leave you to it, then." She Apparated away.
"Are we allowed to do that too?" Potter joked.
"I wish," I said, before frowning.
He turned away, but I saw his amused smile. Careful, Lily! I admonished myself. He was sharp - but I could be sharper. He would not guess.
The first night back was not a problem. Potter and I were doing separate duties, and we didn't speak to each other more than necessary. Juliet and Rebecca marvelled at my calmness. "Only Lily could work beside her worst enemy," Juliet commented.
I laughed. "We've barely spoken, yet."
It began to deteriorate when we had to meet and discuss what we had been doing. Sirius Black seemed to keep turning up, and although he seemed just as annoyed as I was, I had to feign anger with him to keep with my old attitude. It did not bode well for our headship. Nor did it help that he kept catching me off guard, making me laugh or say careless things.
"Evans, you don't half have mood swings," he remarked once when we were patrolling at night. It was my least favourite duty, partly because it meant spending a long time with him, and partly because I found it incredibly embarrassing interrupting couples that were... busy.
I shrugged but didn't reply.
"And don't you think we should call each other Lily and James now?"
I glared at him. "No."
He smiled. "All right then. How about Tigerlily? It seems appropriate."
"Piss off," I said.
"Tut, what would Mother say?"
I reached over and slapped him.
"Ow! God, Evans, I was joking!"
"Serves you right," I said, but I felt guilty immediately.
"Well you can jolly well clear North tower yourself tonight," he said.
"What?"
I had come to appreciate him for making our presence known to each couple and just letting me dock points. Now it seemed he knew that I dreaded doing it.
"Only joking. But if you ever do that again," he said, "I'll make you." He pushed open the door. "Good evening, everyone, I'm afraid Evans and I are on patrol. Harris, Griffiths, Johns, Bones, Abercrombie..."
One boy stopped as he made for the door. "Do you not think it hypocritical that you're up here almost every other night, Potter?"
"No," he said coolly, "because I'm not, any more. Double points taken from Slytherin, please, Evans." I smothered a laugh and made the note.
"I saw that," he said, good humour returned. "So why won't you ever laugh properly?"
"Because you're an arrogant prat," I said cheerfully. "South tower next, yes?"
He didn't say much else until we got there, then began his usual run through names. "Malfoy, Parkinson, Shacklebolt, Finnigan, Podmore, Black? Padfoot, I told you I was out on patrol tonight!"
"So I forgot," said a sheepish voice. "Or... for bravery can I have points awarded?"
"No," I interrupted, worried that Potter might agree.
"Evans is right," Potter said, surprising me. "Just go, Sirius, and please, listen next time!"
He shuddered a minute later. "We always agreed we didn't want to see each other doing that," he said, and for once I let myself laugh properly.
My forgetting about Potter was not going at all well. I think I was masking it very well - certainly he hadn't guessed, and neither had Juliet or Rebecca - but inside it hurt more and more each time I had to pretend to hate him. I was discovering that maybe he wasn't just all right asleep - he could actually be very amusing, and he was a fair and responsible head boy. He even seemed less conceited these days. I began to understand why Dumbledore had chosen him as Head Boy - and that was saying something. Despite my... feelings... for him, I had still seen his faults and wondered.
Yet now it was more clear.
"First Quidditch match tomorrow," he reminded me one day in mid-October. "I shall expect to see you running onto the pitch at the end."
"You must be joking, Potter. I leave as soon as possible. It's just a game."
"But you like the Snitch, at least."
I did a double take. "Did you give me that?"
He pulled his innocent face.
"Potter! That terrified my sister two summers ago!"
"Good. So as repayment will you come onto the pitch?"
I crossed my arms. "I'm not coming onto the pitch, but if you win I'll..."
"Go out with me?"
My heart leapt but I frowned. "No. I'll... I'll..."
"Chaperone the next Gryffindor practice?"
"Why would you want me to do that?"
He smiled. "Could be fun."
"Well... all right," I said grudgingly. "But I'm not flying. Just watching."
He rolled his eyes but nodded.
"And only if you win."
"Course," he said. "But is that any condition, given our track record?"
I did not mention our deal to anyone else as I sat with Juliet and Rebecca, watching the match. We tended to gossip through them, but this time I was keeping an eye on the score as well. "I don't know how you're supposed to tell who any of them are," Rebecca was moaning as we watched the sky.
"Well the one with the Quaffle's usually Potter," said Juliet, "and you can see who the Keepers are... but apart from that I agree it's impossible."
"The ones in red are Gryffindors," I pointed out.
"Well, duh," said Juliet. "Oh, I don't know, it's a stupid game. So how're things going with Robert now, Lils?"
I shrugged. "All right. We don't really see each other so much now, but..."
"You never saw each other that much!"
"No, well, it doesn't help that his idea of a great date is an Astronomy lesson."
"And you don't agree? Lily, is this you?"
I laughed bashfully. "Well, I don't know, it's just not very... exciting, is it?"
"I had no idea you were so out for excitement. I thought that was what your temper was for."
"Hey!"
"Sorry. But really..."
I was about to reply when I heard a collective gasp from the crowd. I glanced up - one of the Gryffindor players was falling. I didn't need to be able to see to know who it was, and I was the first out of my seat. I pushed past my friends and ran down the steps onto the pitch just as he hit the ground with a dull thud.
"James!"
Professor Dumbledore was only a step behind me as I crouched beside my old enemy. He appeared to be unconscious. "James, wake up!" I knelt over him, watching for any reaction. "Come on, James, just open your eyes..."
"Madam Pomfrey's here, Lily," Dumbledore said quietly. I backed away a little, but continued to hover beside him. I knew this was a public way to show my change of heart, but... what if he died?
"James - James, please..."
I felt Sirius Black drop to his knees beside me. "Hey, Prongs mate, wake up!" At last his eyelids fluttered. "Do you know," he murmured, "that's the first time you've not called me Potter, Lily." And then he passed out again.
Rebecca and Juliet were shocked, of course. "Lily, it looked like you were his... his girlfriend, or something!"
"Oh, don't be silly. I just, well, it looked like a nasty fall. And he is Head Boy."
Juliet was clearly sceptical. "But you were there before Black! And he and Potter are inseparable, you know that."
I rolled my eyes, but it was true. I had given far too much away - to him as well as everyone else.