B/N: subliminal message: Sev is a gorgeous god. WORSHIP HIM!!! Wow! So many reviews! (Especially champtennis! whew! but NOOO! Sev is wonderful!!! He cannot die. Glad you agree about cliffies, though...) EgyptsStar: thank you (I think)... what has Lourdaise been saying about me?!? glares at Lourdaise Invisible Voice: thanks! (but I still say Sev/Lucius would be better...) Red-Emerald: I heart you! blushes Kate: can you read, dear? Just wondering... because we did warn you... atiya: umm, sorry. i guess all the emotions had been suppressed for so long that when stuff finally happened it was explosive (my excuse, anyways...) hermione: weeell, Lils WAS a virgin... grins
A/N: Yes, I too think it is ABSURD that Eihwaz now feels the need to do her own replies. But then again I guess she did author chapter 33 - incidentally I had NOTHING to do with that! So anyway. Now I will go through again! Thanks to Katrina Swan, KrisKG, Twilight66, child-of-scorpio, champtennis (WOAH! U r one DEDICATED reviewer! about 33 in total!!! i am glad u like it so much!), distant34 (ew to the towels!), PriBAngel, hermione (no offense taken - i agree with u. oh and as to the virgin thing - she was but eihwaz didnt want to go into all the pain and goriness, if that is what you meant... if not, what did u mean?), supergirl1036996, kate (well i think you are an 'immature dude' for calling that porn! havent u ever read a trashy chick lit novel? cos they arent porn and certainly no less graphic), Invisible Voice, Oliverwoodschic, Rae, Ecilla, Red-Emerald, sassafras, EgyptsStar, he who cant write, RedRaspberry (u'll see. actually no u probs wont see wot happens to rob... i think he sorta just disappears after this one! soz!), and atiya (soz, that was my fault, i got carried away with the run up and then eihwaz HAD to do her chap!!) WHEW. that was a lot of reviews - 20 - keep it up and enjoy the chap!
Chapter 34
My first lesson was Arithmancy - already I had to face Robert. He was as early to the lesson as me.
"So it's Potter," he said genially. "Well that's not too embarrassing for me."
"I... well... like I said, I think I'm making an awful mistake."
"So do your friends."
I forced a smile. "I know... but Robert, I just... he just... oh, I'm sorry, but we were never that close, were we? There was no... thrill, was there? You're a great friend, and I really, really didn't want to do that to you, but..."
He nodded. "I know. It's OK. We can still be friends. I only... want to say... well, would you take some advice?"
"Depends what it is."
He smiled. "By all means go out with Potter, but just be careful not to go too deep. He is ruthless when it comes to girls, and I know you're sensible, but I do see how easy it is to fall..."
I paused. He was right, I had almost forgotten James' reputation, but... he had said... "I'll be careful," I promised, and hugged him.
James was certainly more fun than Robert had ever been. The first evening flying had been surprisingly romantic, and since then he had taken me out regularly, to restaurants in various places, even abroad on one occasion, and to the Three Broomsticks several times. He appeared to know Madam Rosmerta, the barmaid, very well - she winked at me and I couldn't help going bright red, to James's amusement.
As for Juliet and Rebecca, they avoided me where possible, and otherwise ignored me. James' own friends were aloof, except for Remus Lupin. I presumed that this was another policy of theirs, although I had never and would never date Sirius Black... but maybe there were no exceptions to standard procedures.
Three weeks passed, and even I couldn't help becoming anxious about James' feelings. He seemed no less happy with me than ever, but he never did before dumping a girl. I put up as unobvious a guard as possible, but I remembered Robert's words - I should be careful.
I came into the common room one evening, having been to the library, to discover that I had mislaid one of my books. I was stretched out under a chair, trying to locate it, when I heard James's voice, and some people sat down.
"So, James, a month is nearly up," said Sirius Black's voice. My stomach clenched.
"Yes..." James replied, sounding wary. "And?"
"Er, Prongs, have you forgotten what normally happens after a month?"
There was a pause. "No, but..."
"You are dumping this one, aren't you?"
"Well, I... no," he said. "No, I'm not."
There was another, longer, break in the conversation. "Wow," said Peter Pettigrew's voice at last. "How much longer, then? A week, two?"
James coughed. "You clearly don't understand. I mean, I'm not - per se."
Sirius Black laughed, then stopped. "You're not serious?"
"Well, yeah, I am."
"You're actually going to go steady with one girl?"
"Yes."
"But - but Prongs..." That was Peter. "What about your image?"
"My image?"
"You can't have forgotten already," he whined. "You're meant to be a - a cool guy, a heartbreaker, a... not a steady boyfriend to Lily Evans!"
"What's wrong with Lily?" he said defensively. "I thought you liked her, Peter."
"I do, but you're... you're James. She won't... do things... I mean, you're completely different! She doesn't like Quidditch!"
"Quidditch isn't everything, and besides, I can talk her round," he said impatiently. "As for being completely different - you might be a bit wrong there."
Sirius Black took over again. "You know, Wormtail is right, Prongs. She won't go up North Tower."
James laughed softly. "Don't talk about things you don't know about, mate," he said. "We've gotta do something when we're on patrol."
There was a stunned silence. "I guess we'd better get to know her, then," Sirius said at last. "Evans!"
I stayed hidden. At last Remus Lupin spoke. "Padfoot, sit down. You're quite right, but you can't go racing off to make friends. It's a bit obvious."
"Oh."
"Well, anyway, James, I think it's great that you're staying with her," Remus added. "I always liked her."
"Thanks, Moony," he said, sounding relieved. "At least one of you's pleased."
"I'm pleased, J," Sirius said quickly. "Just surprised."
I took my guard down after that. October rolled into November, and we became Hogwarts most famous couple. Everyone had clearly been waiting for us to split up, but as two months passed and Christmas loomed, people were beginning to see that maybe someone had changed James Potter.
"It's madness!" squealed Emma Bones, hugging me. "You hated him and yet you've been going out with him for longer than anyone else! You'll be getting married next!"
I laughed. "Hardly."
"Well all right. But meet the parents, at least, don't you think?" Her eyes sparkled with teasing.
Juliet and Rebecca had finally decided that maybe I had been right. They had clearly observed me as I was initiated into James's gang, something that no other girl had been, and at least they apologised to me.
"We were wrong to jump down your throat like that," Juliet told me awkwardly. I accepted the apology, but nothing really changed. I hoped everyone would cool off over Christmas.
Petunia had not been happy to hear that I was coming home for Christmas; in fact she was already upset, and that added to it. She and Vernon had had to postpone their wedding, due to one of his parents going into hospital, and so she was still living at home.
"What is it with you and those birds?" she sneered as James's owl swooped in for the umpteenth time. "Can't you use a telephone?"
"No," I said, detatching the letter. "Sadly Hogwarts is too magic for electricity."
She seethed as I turned away from her.
At about six thirty on Christmas Eve there came a hard rap on the front door.
Petunia answered it, and there was a scream. "Freak!"
I ran out into the hall. James was standing on the front step. In one hand he carried his broom, in the other an Invisibility Cloak.
"James!"
He flashed me a smile, and then indicated Petunia, who was opening and shutting her mouth silently. "What's with her?"
"Oh - this is Petunia. My sister."
"Your sister?"
"Yes."
He stared, and then shook himself. "Well, Petunia, it's... nice to meet you. Lily, you've got to come back to school."
"What?"
"Dumbledore's recalling everyone to school. There's been an outbreak from Azkaban, the Dementors have defected and Voldemort appears to be planning his biggest ever attack. A sort of... night of power. Starting at midnight tonight."
I stared. "Who, what? Dementors?"
He tapped his foot impatiently. "Yes, Lily, Dementors - you know!"
"No, I don't know."
"Oh dear God. Right, OK, Dementors - they guard the wizard prison, Azkaban. They're creatures that live on misery... they have the power to suck every good thought out of a person - in fact, the Dementor's Kiss is when they suck out a person's soul through their mouth."
I was speechless. "That's - that's -"
"Yes, exactly. It's sick. But the point is, they've gone over to Voldemort. And you need to come back to Hogwarts, which Dumbledore says is going to be the only safe place tonight."
Petunia hissed in the background. "Don't be ridiculous."
We had both forgotten she was there. James looked at her. "Ridiculous?"
"Yes. All this scare-mongering for a stupid magician."
His eyes narrowed and I knew there was no way I could stop him as he took out his wand. "I'll show you what a 'stupid magician' can do," he threatened. "And I'm far from his league, far from a Dark Wizard. Petificus Totalus!" A jet of red light spun from his wand and her limbs snapped together and she keeled over backwards. She stared up in horror as she found she couldn't move. He pocketed his wand. "If you insult me or Lily again, I can do much worse," he vowed, then turned to me. "Come on. We'd better get moving."
I nodded slowly, and took him through into the lounge.
"Mum, Dad, this is James Potter. James, these are my parents."
Mum and Dad looked startled, and as I glanced at him again I realised why. They had never even seen me in wizard robes, and here he was in full magic attire.
"I'm afraid I have to go back to school," I said quickly. "There's going to be a... that is..."
"I can explain," James said swiftly. "Go and get your trunk."
"I'm very sorry, Mr and Mrs Evans," I heard him say as I departed from the room. Petunia was still in the hall. I released her with a line of green light that dissolved James's handiwork.
"So is he one of your 'friends'?" she asked, shaking.
"Yes."
Her eyes narrowed. "I see," she sneered. "Is he your boyfriend? How sweet, little Lily's found a boy who likes her..."
"And a damn sight better looking he is than Vernon bloody Dursley!" I exploded.
"Excuse me, I need to go and get my trunk."
"Are you insulting Vernon?"
"Absolutely," I said. "Move, please."
"Not until you take that back."
"Fine." I aimed a packing spell at my ceiling. "Accio trunk!"
I heard it leave my bedroom, and Petunia leapt out of the way just as it reached the bottom of the stairs.
"You freak!" she spat.
I ignored her. "I'm ready, James."
He came out into the hall, followed by my parents who both looked rather pale. I hugged and kissed them both. "I'll be fine," I promised. "That's why Professor Dumbledore wants us at school. It's safe there."
They nodded. "How are you getting to King's Cross?" Dad asked.
"King's - oh, no, we're flying to school," James explained.
"Flying?" Mum echoed, wide-eyed.
"Yes - it's all right Mum, he's an amazing flyer. I'll be fine," I told her.
James coughed. "In fact - do you think it would be OK for us to... mount in here? And then you can just open the front door. It's just... outside..."
Mum nodded vigorously and embraced me once more. James lifted his broom and straddled it. I gingerly got on behind and he threw his Cloak over both of us. Petunia shrieked as we disappeared.
"Well, bye, Mum - Dad," I said. "Could you open the -"
"Yes, yes." Dad hurriedly opened the front door. "Write to us, sweetie."
"Of course. Merry Christmas," I said as an afterthought.
"You too," they chorused.
A wave of foreboding came over me as I watched them.
"Well, goodbye," I said. James kicked us a foot off the ground. "And - I love you."
"We love you too," Mum called as we zoomed out of the door.
A/N: Yes, I too think it is ABSURD that Eihwaz now feels the need to do her own replies. But then again I guess she did author chapter 33 - incidentally I had NOTHING to do with that! So anyway. Now I will go through again! Thanks to Katrina Swan, KrisKG, Twilight66, child-of-scorpio, champtennis (WOAH! U r one DEDICATED reviewer! about 33 in total!!! i am glad u like it so much!), distant34 (ew to the towels!), PriBAngel, hermione (no offense taken - i agree with u. oh and as to the virgin thing - she was but eihwaz didnt want to go into all the pain and goriness, if that is what you meant... if not, what did u mean?), supergirl1036996, kate (well i think you are an 'immature dude' for calling that porn! havent u ever read a trashy chick lit novel? cos they arent porn and certainly no less graphic), Invisible Voice, Oliverwoodschic, Rae, Ecilla, Red-Emerald, sassafras, EgyptsStar, he who cant write, RedRaspberry (u'll see. actually no u probs wont see wot happens to rob... i think he sorta just disappears after this one! soz!), and atiya (soz, that was my fault, i got carried away with the run up and then eihwaz HAD to do her chap!!) WHEW. that was a lot of reviews - 20 - keep it up and enjoy the chap!
Chapter 34
My first lesson was Arithmancy - already I had to face Robert. He was as early to the lesson as me.
"So it's Potter," he said genially. "Well that's not too embarrassing for me."
"I... well... like I said, I think I'm making an awful mistake."
"So do your friends."
I forced a smile. "I know... but Robert, I just... he just... oh, I'm sorry, but we were never that close, were we? There was no... thrill, was there? You're a great friend, and I really, really didn't want to do that to you, but..."
He nodded. "I know. It's OK. We can still be friends. I only... want to say... well, would you take some advice?"
"Depends what it is."
He smiled. "By all means go out with Potter, but just be careful not to go too deep. He is ruthless when it comes to girls, and I know you're sensible, but I do see how easy it is to fall..."
I paused. He was right, I had almost forgotten James' reputation, but... he had said... "I'll be careful," I promised, and hugged him.
James was certainly more fun than Robert had ever been. The first evening flying had been surprisingly romantic, and since then he had taken me out regularly, to restaurants in various places, even abroad on one occasion, and to the Three Broomsticks several times. He appeared to know Madam Rosmerta, the barmaid, very well - she winked at me and I couldn't help going bright red, to James's amusement.
As for Juliet and Rebecca, they avoided me where possible, and otherwise ignored me. James' own friends were aloof, except for Remus Lupin. I presumed that this was another policy of theirs, although I had never and would never date Sirius Black... but maybe there were no exceptions to standard procedures.
Three weeks passed, and even I couldn't help becoming anxious about James' feelings. He seemed no less happy with me than ever, but he never did before dumping a girl. I put up as unobvious a guard as possible, but I remembered Robert's words - I should be careful.
I came into the common room one evening, having been to the library, to discover that I had mislaid one of my books. I was stretched out under a chair, trying to locate it, when I heard James's voice, and some people sat down.
"So, James, a month is nearly up," said Sirius Black's voice. My stomach clenched.
"Yes..." James replied, sounding wary. "And?"
"Er, Prongs, have you forgotten what normally happens after a month?"
There was a pause. "No, but..."
"You are dumping this one, aren't you?"
"Well, I... no," he said. "No, I'm not."
There was another, longer, break in the conversation. "Wow," said Peter Pettigrew's voice at last. "How much longer, then? A week, two?"
James coughed. "You clearly don't understand. I mean, I'm not - per se."
Sirius Black laughed, then stopped. "You're not serious?"
"Well, yeah, I am."
"You're actually going to go steady with one girl?"
"Yes."
"But - but Prongs..." That was Peter. "What about your image?"
"My image?"
"You can't have forgotten already," he whined. "You're meant to be a - a cool guy, a heartbreaker, a... not a steady boyfriend to Lily Evans!"
"What's wrong with Lily?" he said defensively. "I thought you liked her, Peter."
"I do, but you're... you're James. She won't... do things... I mean, you're completely different! She doesn't like Quidditch!"
"Quidditch isn't everything, and besides, I can talk her round," he said impatiently. "As for being completely different - you might be a bit wrong there."
Sirius Black took over again. "You know, Wormtail is right, Prongs. She won't go up North Tower."
James laughed softly. "Don't talk about things you don't know about, mate," he said. "We've gotta do something when we're on patrol."
There was a stunned silence. "I guess we'd better get to know her, then," Sirius said at last. "Evans!"
I stayed hidden. At last Remus Lupin spoke. "Padfoot, sit down. You're quite right, but you can't go racing off to make friends. It's a bit obvious."
"Oh."
"Well, anyway, James, I think it's great that you're staying with her," Remus added. "I always liked her."
"Thanks, Moony," he said, sounding relieved. "At least one of you's pleased."
"I'm pleased, J," Sirius said quickly. "Just surprised."
I took my guard down after that. October rolled into November, and we became Hogwarts most famous couple. Everyone had clearly been waiting for us to split up, but as two months passed and Christmas loomed, people were beginning to see that maybe someone had changed James Potter.
"It's madness!" squealed Emma Bones, hugging me. "You hated him and yet you've been going out with him for longer than anyone else! You'll be getting married next!"
I laughed. "Hardly."
"Well all right. But meet the parents, at least, don't you think?" Her eyes sparkled with teasing.
Juliet and Rebecca had finally decided that maybe I had been right. They had clearly observed me as I was initiated into James's gang, something that no other girl had been, and at least they apologised to me.
"We were wrong to jump down your throat like that," Juliet told me awkwardly. I accepted the apology, but nothing really changed. I hoped everyone would cool off over Christmas.
Petunia had not been happy to hear that I was coming home for Christmas; in fact she was already upset, and that added to it. She and Vernon had had to postpone their wedding, due to one of his parents going into hospital, and so she was still living at home.
"What is it with you and those birds?" she sneered as James's owl swooped in for the umpteenth time. "Can't you use a telephone?"
"No," I said, detatching the letter. "Sadly Hogwarts is too magic for electricity."
She seethed as I turned away from her.
At about six thirty on Christmas Eve there came a hard rap on the front door.
Petunia answered it, and there was a scream. "Freak!"
I ran out into the hall. James was standing on the front step. In one hand he carried his broom, in the other an Invisibility Cloak.
"James!"
He flashed me a smile, and then indicated Petunia, who was opening and shutting her mouth silently. "What's with her?"
"Oh - this is Petunia. My sister."
"Your sister?"
"Yes."
He stared, and then shook himself. "Well, Petunia, it's... nice to meet you. Lily, you've got to come back to school."
"What?"
"Dumbledore's recalling everyone to school. There's been an outbreak from Azkaban, the Dementors have defected and Voldemort appears to be planning his biggest ever attack. A sort of... night of power. Starting at midnight tonight."
I stared. "Who, what? Dementors?"
He tapped his foot impatiently. "Yes, Lily, Dementors - you know!"
"No, I don't know."
"Oh dear God. Right, OK, Dementors - they guard the wizard prison, Azkaban. They're creatures that live on misery... they have the power to suck every good thought out of a person - in fact, the Dementor's Kiss is when they suck out a person's soul through their mouth."
I was speechless. "That's - that's -"
"Yes, exactly. It's sick. But the point is, they've gone over to Voldemort. And you need to come back to Hogwarts, which Dumbledore says is going to be the only safe place tonight."
Petunia hissed in the background. "Don't be ridiculous."
We had both forgotten she was there. James looked at her. "Ridiculous?"
"Yes. All this scare-mongering for a stupid magician."
His eyes narrowed and I knew there was no way I could stop him as he took out his wand. "I'll show you what a 'stupid magician' can do," he threatened. "And I'm far from his league, far from a Dark Wizard. Petificus Totalus!" A jet of red light spun from his wand and her limbs snapped together and she keeled over backwards. She stared up in horror as she found she couldn't move. He pocketed his wand. "If you insult me or Lily again, I can do much worse," he vowed, then turned to me. "Come on. We'd better get moving."
I nodded slowly, and took him through into the lounge.
"Mum, Dad, this is James Potter. James, these are my parents."
Mum and Dad looked startled, and as I glanced at him again I realised why. They had never even seen me in wizard robes, and here he was in full magic attire.
"I'm afraid I have to go back to school," I said quickly. "There's going to be a... that is..."
"I can explain," James said swiftly. "Go and get your trunk."
"I'm very sorry, Mr and Mrs Evans," I heard him say as I departed from the room. Petunia was still in the hall. I released her with a line of green light that dissolved James's handiwork.
"So is he one of your 'friends'?" she asked, shaking.
"Yes."
Her eyes narrowed. "I see," she sneered. "Is he your boyfriend? How sweet, little Lily's found a boy who likes her..."
"And a damn sight better looking he is than Vernon bloody Dursley!" I exploded.
"Excuse me, I need to go and get my trunk."
"Are you insulting Vernon?"
"Absolutely," I said. "Move, please."
"Not until you take that back."
"Fine." I aimed a packing spell at my ceiling. "Accio trunk!"
I heard it leave my bedroom, and Petunia leapt out of the way just as it reached the bottom of the stairs.
"You freak!" she spat.
I ignored her. "I'm ready, James."
He came out into the hall, followed by my parents who both looked rather pale. I hugged and kissed them both. "I'll be fine," I promised. "That's why Professor Dumbledore wants us at school. It's safe there."
They nodded. "How are you getting to King's Cross?" Dad asked.
"King's - oh, no, we're flying to school," James explained.
"Flying?" Mum echoed, wide-eyed.
"Yes - it's all right Mum, he's an amazing flyer. I'll be fine," I told her.
James coughed. "In fact - do you think it would be OK for us to... mount in here? And then you can just open the front door. It's just... outside..."
Mum nodded vigorously and embraced me once more. James lifted his broom and straddled it. I gingerly got on behind and he threw his Cloak over both of us. Petunia shrieked as we disappeared.
"Well, bye, Mum - Dad," I said. "Could you open the -"
"Yes, yes." Dad hurriedly opened the front door. "Write to us, sweetie."
"Of course. Merry Christmas," I said as an afterthought.
"You too," they chorused.
A wave of foreboding came over me as I watched them.
"Well, goodbye," I said. James kicked us a foot off the ground. "And - I love you."
"We love you too," Mum called as we zoomed out of the door.