Lily ambled lazily into the Great Hall the next morning. Not more
than two minutes later, she was joined by a very happy James. He didn't
even get himself food, just stared intently at Lily (who was using all her
will to ignore him).
"So, what do you say we start you 'togetherness' now?"
Lily rolled her eyes and left the table, heading for her first class. If only she had remembered James had a practically identical schedule to hers.
"Shall I walk you to Charms, milady?" came that sickeningly cocky voice behind her.
"I would actually prefer it if you didn't."
"Oh,"
"Did you expect a different answer? Honestly, don't ask questions you already know the answer to." Lily said coldly. James coughed so as to regain Lily's attention.
"Well, to risk sounding redundant-"
"Don't risk it."
"-Dumbledore did say we had to spend all of our time together and learn to act civil to one another."
Lily stopped in the middle of the hallway and sighed, clearly annoyed. "Fine. But if you try any of that... touching, I'll tell Dumbledore myself that the whole thing's off."
"Deal," James agreed reluctantly, but still kept his goofy grin. They continued on their way to Charms, all the while James's fingers took each opportunity to brush against Lily's hand in thwarted attempts to hold her hand. Upon arrival at the classroom, they found a very happy looking Sirius, face stained with a bright pink lipstick.
"Whoa, Padfoot, are you trying to let us in on a new decision of yours? You should have told me, we could have matched." James looked wildly around and his eyes landed on Lily. "Lils, mind helping me out? Do you know a quick way to get lipstick on my face?" James found himself trying his "seductive" eyebrow wiggle yet again. At first, Lily looked repulsed, then her faced morphed into a maniacally evil expression. She brought one hand to her lips and kissed her palm and brought it close to James's cheek. He looked like he was about to faint in ecstasy, but just as his eyes closed, Lily's hand rapped sharply at his face.
"Ow!"
Lily looked very proud of herself and turned her attention back to Sirius. "So, at breakfast you were single, but by first class you've got a girlfriend?"
"You bet. What can I say, I'm a stud."
"What's her name this week?" James asked, indulging his best friend.
"Uh... Marla? I know she's a Hufflepuff, fifth year, I think." Sirius answered hesitantly.
"You're a dog!" Lily burst out. Sirius straightened up and James looked alert, both looked suspiciously at Lily. "Right..." she said, confused by their immediate reaction, "I'm gonna go now before your utter stupidity rubs off on me." Lily left and slouched into her seat in the front row. James watched as she walked away, his eyes glazed over in happiness. Sirius looked over at James.
"Dude, she's hit you three times already and it's only the second day back."
"I know," James said dreamily, "She's fallen madly in love with me."
"Uh, Prongs? I KNOW love..." Sirius paused to flash a bright smile to a group of giggling Hufflepuff girls, "and what Lily feels towards you is most definitely not it."
"James giggled, not unlike the Hufflepuffs. "Padfoot, have a little faith. I know it, that's the girl I'm going to marry."
"What makes you think that? She's the only girl that DOESN'T like you, you know, besides the millions that chose to adore moi. She's pretty much the least attainable girl ever... wait. Where are you going?"
"I can't be around negative thinking. Besides, you know I'm no good at charms." James smiled and waved and found a new seat in the empty chair next to Lily.
"Potter..." Lily was about to tell him off when their professor came into the classroom and noticed the new seating arrangement.
"Very good, Mr. Potter, I think that's a fine choice. You could do well with help from Miss Evans."
Mr. Potter smiled brilliantly; Miss Evans rolled her eyes. Depending on which view one picks, that Charms class was either the longest, most torturous class, or the shortest, most exciting lesson ever. Transfiguration went quite the same, with James trying to explain Animagi to Lily.
"But HOW?" Lily asked for the fifth time, becoming thoroughly frustrated.
"I don't know hoe else to explain it to you!" James was also becoming frustrated; if he explained it any more specifically, people might get ideas about his extensive knowledge, and he couldn't have that, for Remus's sake.
"Fat lot of help you are." Lily grumbled.
"How about we finish this at the library tonight? Then you can help me with charms as well." James suggested.
"I can't wait," Lily said sarcastically, just before being dragged off to lunch by James.
"Hey Moony, Wormtail, where's Padfoot?" James asked while lowering himself onto the bench near Remus and Peter. Remus looked to Lily, who was still being held by one of James's strong hands. He almost felt sympathetic towards her- almost; well, at least he knew how bad James could get if he really wanted something.
"He said something about early dessert." Pete offered, pointing towards the doors that lead to the Hogwarts grounds. Out of curiosity, Lily followed the three to see what Sirius had planned. The first thing they saw was a giant bowl.
"Oy, you lot!" Sirius called from the rim, about four feet high. "Isn't it grand? The largest bowl of ice cream, ever! Made it for Martha, here." He said, indicating to the slightly shorter girl next to him. James jumped onto the bowl and surveyed his friend's handiwork.
"I thought you had a girlfriend named Marla." He whispered to Sirius.
"No, no, I just got the name wrong." Sirius whispered back and smiled, "I was close, though."
"Pig!" Lily accused and pushed Sirius over so that he fell into his bowl of ice cream. Martha's eyes widened and she jumped in after Sirius to "save" him. The rest of the Marauders doubled over in cackling laughter and Lily took the chance to escape James. She made for the castle and ran through random hallways, not caring where she went. That prick was really getting on her nerves.
"Lily!"
'Oh, right, he's athletic and he's following me. Damn.' Lily stopped running to catch her breath and James was not long to show up, panting, too.
"How on earth did you find me?"
"I'm just a good follower, I suppose." James said, stuffing a piece of parchment in one of his pockets. "Why did you leave?"
"I... er... wanted to look at this painting."
"Of a flamingo?"
"Erm... yes?"
"Come on, tell me the truth." James crossed his arms.
"Alright, stop dragging me everywhere, I highly dislike it."
"But, we're supposed to stay together, Dumbledore said. You know, the longer you're mean to me, the more time you have to spend with me, so you're better off at least pretending." James pouted.
"I GUESS we can, without me being held against my will." Lily resigned.
"How do I know you won't run away?"
"Oh, come OFF it. I won't." Lily groaned.
"Promise?"
"Yeah."
"I'll hold you to that."
"You will not hold me..."
James looked at Lily, wondering if she had meant to say that. "Of course I will HOLD you, Lily Darling." Catching his drift, Lily blushed and couldn't help but recall all the stupid things that came out of her mouth when James was around. While she was distracted with embarrassment, James lunged forward and enveloped Lily in a tight hug. "I told you I would hold you." He whispered to her cheek.
"I... will... not... be... told... anything, Potter!" Lily struggled in vain to get out of James's grip, but only seemed to strengthen his hold and get closer. Bugger him. Years of Quiddtich training paid off. She finally gave up and fell limp into his embrace until he got tired of it and let go (it took a WHILE), at which time he felt compelled to plant a loving kiss on her forehead.
"Urg, Potter. Don't do that again or I'll beat your little pretty- boy face." Lily glared over at James whose face had just gone from happy to elated. "What?"
"You just called me pretty..." James fluttered his eyelashes cutely. Lily smacked his arm, trying to hide her laughter.
"So, trust?" Lily squeaked.
"Yeah. I love you."
"Stuff it, Potter."
"That reminds me, I'm starving! You?" James prompted. Lily nodded vigorously. "To lunch then?" James put out his arm and Lily regarded it warily. "I'm not trying to drag you... just *escort* you." Lily took his arm tenderly and they wandered back to the Great Hall.
'Hm,' Lily thought, watching James out of the corner of her eye, 'So this is being civil. I suppose it's not that bad...'
***
A/N: I know, it's still all fluffy, but I had to get them to be at least nice before any action came, so now it'll be here soon. Sooner than this update. (I actually wrote this a long time ago, but was too lazy to type... don't be mad.)
TeenTypist: Thanks for that vote; I'm going to try for that soon. I'm glad I could enrich your vocabulary! Yes, ten days wasn't long, but how long did it take me for this one? :(
Aurora_borealis: Thanks!
CountessMel: If you're still reading, I will do so.
MorphManiac: Don't feel bad, it's ok! Just wanted to say the HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (I believe that makes the third time, boy I'm good). And see? What you say DOES matter, flamingoes and Sirius falling into a giant bowl of ice cream happened, just for you! I hope it didn't come out dumb...
Shayley Rain: Thanks! Though I doubt this counts as soon.
Lily Lupin89: YAY! Thank YOU!! Glad you won't steal, but if you would like to use certain elements, just ask. I'll probably be ok if you want to "borrow" anything. Just not the whole thing.
"So, what do you say we start you 'togetherness' now?"
Lily rolled her eyes and left the table, heading for her first class. If only she had remembered James had a practically identical schedule to hers.
"Shall I walk you to Charms, milady?" came that sickeningly cocky voice behind her.
"I would actually prefer it if you didn't."
"Oh,"
"Did you expect a different answer? Honestly, don't ask questions you already know the answer to." Lily said coldly. James coughed so as to regain Lily's attention.
"Well, to risk sounding redundant-"
"Don't risk it."
"-Dumbledore did say we had to spend all of our time together and learn to act civil to one another."
Lily stopped in the middle of the hallway and sighed, clearly annoyed. "Fine. But if you try any of that... touching, I'll tell Dumbledore myself that the whole thing's off."
"Deal," James agreed reluctantly, but still kept his goofy grin. They continued on their way to Charms, all the while James's fingers took each opportunity to brush against Lily's hand in thwarted attempts to hold her hand. Upon arrival at the classroom, they found a very happy looking Sirius, face stained with a bright pink lipstick.
"Whoa, Padfoot, are you trying to let us in on a new decision of yours? You should have told me, we could have matched." James looked wildly around and his eyes landed on Lily. "Lils, mind helping me out? Do you know a quick way to get lipstick on my face?" James found himself trying his "seductive" eyebrow wiggle yet again. At first, Lily looked repulsed, then her faced morphed into a maniacally evil expression. She brought one hand to her lips and kissed her palm and brought it close to James's cheek. He looked like he was about to faint in ecstasy, but just as his eyes closed, Lily's hand rapped sharply at his face.
"Ow!"
Lily looked very proud of herself and turned her attention back to Sirius. "So, at breakfast you were single, but by first class you've got a girlfriend?"
"You bet. What can I say, I'm a stud."
"What's her name this week?" James asked, indulging his best friend.
"Uh... Marla? I know she's a Hufflepuff, fifth year, I think." Sirius answered hesitantly.
"You're a dog!" Lily burst out. Sirius straightened up and James looked alert, both looked suspiciously at Lily. "Right..." she said, confused by their immediate reaction, "I'm gonna go now before your utter stupidity rubs off on me." Lily left and slouched into her seat in the front row. James watched as she walked away, his eyes glazed over in happiness. Sirius looked over at James.
"Dude, she's hit you three times already and it's only the second day back."
"I know," James said dreamily, "She's fallen madly in love with me."
"Uh, Prongs? I KNOW love..." Sirius paused to flash a bright smile to a group of giggling Hufflepuff girls, "and what Lily feels towards you is most definitely not it."
"James giggled, not unlike the Hufflepuffs. "Padfoot, have a little faith. I know it, that's the girl I'm going to marry."
"What makes you think that? She's the only girl that DOESN'T like you, you know, besides the millions that chose to adore moi. She's pretty much the least attainable girl ever... wait. Where are you going?"
"I can't be around negative thinking. Besides, you know I'm no good at charms." James smiled and waved and found a new seat in the empty chair next to Lily.
"Potter..." Lily was about to tell him off when their professor came into the classroom and noticed the new seating arrangement.
"Very good, Mr. Potter, I think that's a fine choice. You could do well with help from Miss Evans."
Mr. Potter smiled brilliantly; Miss Evans rolled her eyes. Depending on which view one picks, that Charms class was either the longest, most torturous class, or the shortest, most exciting lesson ever. Transfiguration went quite the same, with James trying to explain Animagi to Lily.
"But HOW?" Lily asked for the fifth time, becoming thoroughly frustrated.
"I don't know hoe else to explain it to you!" James was also becoming frustrated; if he explained it any more specifically, people might get ideas about his extensive knowledge, and he couldn't have that, for Remus's sake.
"Fat lot of help you are." Lily grumbled.
"How about we finish this at the library tonight? Then you can help me with charms as well." James suggested.
"I can't wait," Lily said sarcastically, just before being dragged off to lunch by James.
"Hey Moony, Wormtail, where's Padfoot?" James asked while lowering himself onto the bench near Remus and Peter. Remus looked to Lily, who was still being held by one of James's strong hands. He almost felt sympathetic towards her- almost; well, at least he knew how bad James could get if he really wanted something.
"He said something about early dessert." Pete offered, pointing towards the doors that lead to the Hogwarts grounds. Out of curiosity, Lily followed the three to see what Sirius had planned. The first thing they saw was a giant bowl.
"Oy, you lot!" Sirius called from the rim, about four feet high. "Isn't it grand? The largest bowl of ice cream, ever! Made it for Martha, here." He said, indicating to the slightly shorter girl next to him. James jumped onto the bowl and surveyed his friend's handiwork.
"I thought you had a girlfriend named Marla." He whispered to Sirius.
"No, no, I just got the name wrong." Sirius whispered back and smiled, "I was close, though."
"Pig!" Lily accused and pushed Sirius over so that he fell into his bowl of ice cream. Martha's eyes widened and she jumped in after Sirius to "save" him. The rest of the Marauders doubled over in cackling laughter and Lily took the chance to escape James. She made for the castle and ran through random hallways, not caring where she went. That prick was really getting on her nerves.
"Lily!"
'Oh, right, he's athletic and he's following me. Damn.' Lily stopped running to catch her breath and James was not long to show up, panting, too.
"How on earth did you find me?"
"I'm just a good follower, I suppose." James said, stuffing a piece of parchment in one of his pockets. "Why did you leave?"
"I... er... wanted to look at this painting."
"Of a flamingo?"
"Erm... yes?"
"Come on, tell me the truth." James crossed his arms.
"Alright, stop dragging me everywhere, I highly dislike it."
"But, we're supposed to stay together, Dumbledore said. You know, the longer you're mean to me, the more time you have to spend with me, so you're better off at least pretending." James pouted.
"I GUESS we can, without me being held against my will." Lily resigned.
"How do I know you won't run away?"
"Oh, come OFF it. I won't." Lily groaned.
"Promise?"
"Yeah."
"I'll hold you to that."
"You will not hold me..."
James looked at Lily, wondering if she had meant to say that. "Of course I will HOLD you, Lily Darling." Catching his drift, Lily blushed and couldn't help but recall all the stupid things that came out of her mouth when James was around. While she was distracted with embarrassment, James lunged forward and enveloped Lily in a tight hug. "I told you I would hold you." He whispered to her cheek.
"I... will... not... be... told... anything, Potter!" Lily struggled in vain to get out of James's grip, but only seemed to strengthen his hold and get closer. Bugger him. Years of Quiddtich training paid off. She finally gave up and fell limp into his embrace until he got tired of it and let go (it took a WHILE), at which time he felt compelled to plant a loving kiss on her forehead.
"Urg, Potter. Don't do that again or I'll beat your little pretty- boy face." Lily glared over at James whose face had just gone from happy to elated. "What?"
"You just called me pretty..." James fluttered his eyelashes cutely. Lily smacked his arm, trying to hide her laughter.
"So, trust?" Lily squeaked.
"Yeah. I love you."
"Stuff it, Potter."
"That reminds me, I'm starving! You?" James prompted. Lily nodded vigorously. "To lunch then?" James put out his arm and Lily regarded it warily. "I'm not trying to drag you... just *escort* you." Lily took his arm tenderly and they wandered back to the Great Hall.
'Hm,' Lily thought, watching James out of the corner of her eye, 'So this is being civil. I suppose it's not that bad...'
***
A/N: I know, it's still all fluffy, but I had to get them to be at least nice before any action came, so now it'll be here soon. Sooner than this update. (I actually wrote this a long time ago, but was too lazy to type... don't be mad.)
TeenTypist: Thanks for that vote; I'm going to try for that soon. I'm glad I could enrich your vocabulary! Yes, ten days wasn't long, but how long did it take me for this one? :(
Aurora_borealis: Thanks!
CountessMel: If you're still reading, I will do so.
MorphManiac: Don't feel bad, it's ok! Just wanted to say the HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (I believe that makes the third time, boy I'm good). And see? What you say DOES matter, flamingoes and Sirius falling into a giant bowl of ice cream happened, just for you! I hope it didn't come out dumb...
Shayley Rain: Thanks! Though I doubt this counts as soon.
Lily Lupin89: YAY! Thank YOU!! Glad you won't steal, but if you would like to use certain elements, just ask. I'll probably be ok if you want to "borrow" anything. Just not the whole thing.