"You
know what this is about?" He asked her quietly
"No, but I don't think we're in trouble, if that's what your thinking. You
got a detention for the last stunt you pulled." James laughed at the
memory, Snape speaking backwards for a whole week he would not be forgetting
that in a hurry. Lily scowled in response
"It wasn't funny Potter, no one could work out the counter-curse, he could
have been stuck like it."
"Shame," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Anyway Evans
we're hear now, sugar," he paused
"Excuse me Potter stop with the names you call me Evans, Lily at a push
but I draw the line at sugar"
"Quills," He finished turning to grin at her "Really, Evans," he
said rolling her name out, caressing it with his tongue, "Whose big-headed
now? I was just saying the password."
"Whatever"
"No witty come back, that hurts." He said before entering the office.
"Ah Miss Evans, Mr Potter sit down" Dumbledore said smiling
"May I professor?" asked James gesturing at a bowl of sweets on the
desk.
"Go ahead." Dumbledore said smiling, Lily on the other hand could not
believe the audacity of the boy, asking his teacher for sweets, really.
"Well I suppose your wondering why you are here" began Dumbledore
"as you both know your 6th year is coming to a close, and it is time for
me to decide on next years head students, congratulations."
"Thank you professor" said James through a mouthful of sweets,
"but don't you usually let people know later, by letter?" he
questioned.
"Yes we do, but we thought that because of you relationship, it might be
better to see if you can work well together first. We will let you know of
further arrangements later on, you may go"
"Thank you" they both said together, getting up to leave. As they
reached the door however Dumbledore started to speak again. "Just to warn
you, it is either both of you as head students, or neither." He had a
serious look on his face, but they both noticed his eyes twinkling, as if in on
some private joke.
They began their walk back to the common room in silence, both immersed in
their own thoughts. It was not long however before James broke the silence.
"Lily," he began tentatively "I know we've had our
differences" Lily snorted at the understatement, but James carried on any
way," but this means allot to me, and I know it does to you as well, so, well"
"What your trying to say James is can we just try to get along? Funny I
was just gonna say the same thing my self."
James grinned down at her, she really was pretty he thought, not pretty,
stunning. There was no one at Hogwarts quite like her, dark red hair, matched
with bright green eyes, and her body. Whoa there mate he thought to himself
you've just said about stopping this.
"James, if we're going to get along, do you think you could possibly lay
of Snape for a bit? Not totally," she said cheekily, "I know you depend on
him for you main source of amusement, but just cool it a bit?"
"Sure doll"
"And James stop with the names, no more doll chick or sugar" she said
then as an after thought "quills"
He laughed, and Lily could see why so many girls fancied him that easy laugh,
the dark hair, that body, christ she thought to her self, am I finding Potter
attractive. eww no way.
"Sure," he said, "as long as you stop telling the rest of
Hogwarts how much you like my body, that was very damaging to me, I am quite
sensitive, you know." he couldn't resist teasing her about it. Realising
it was probably the wrong thing to have said he was suddenly worried, had he
ruined it again with his big mouth. But to his surprise Lily laughed hitting
him playfully on the arm.
"Was wondering how long it would take you to bring that up" she said
entering the portrait hole. Her friends looked up in shock. Was that Lily
Evans, their Lily joking with James.
"Who are you and what have you done with Lily?" Kate shouted at the
two newcomers.
"What?" said Lily.
But Kate wasn't interested, she was to busy laughing at the look on James face
at finally being able to have a conversation with the girl he'd fancied for
almost three years.
"Lily Darlin' we need a word." Kate said,
"Well go ahead and speak to her" Sirius said. Kate got up and dragged
Lily up to their dorm. "In Private" She said loud enough for every on
to hear.
In the large room they sat close together on the floor, so no one could hear
what was being said. "Well then Miss Evans, would you care to
explain?" Kate began.
"Would I explain what? Anyway what about you?" She asked.
"Explain why you just came in to the common room flirting with a boy you
claim to hate, after a mystery talk with the Head. Anyway me explain
what?"
"Dumbledore appointed me and James head students." she was
interrupted in what was meant to be a much longer monologue by Kate hugging
her.
"Well done" she screamed "Check it out, my best mates gonna be
head-girl"
"Only if me and James can get on, hence the, Hey I was not flirting."
She finished realising what Kate had said. "Anyway" She carried on
before Kate could draw her out into a debate in which she would probably say
something stupid, "What about you and Black, I come into the common room
and he has his arm round you, which you were looking very pleased about."
"And?" asked Kate failing to see Lilys point
"And since when did you two become friends?"
"Years ago we're both on the quidditch team aren't we. You really think I
ain't gonna become mates with some one who I train with three times a week? And
any way, I'd make sure I got to know someone who had a body like his, sharing a
changing room with the lads, you would not believe someone the talent I've
seen."
"I can not believe you, is that why you've always encouraged me to go on
the team?" Lily asked.
"Sure, I tell you what James ain't bad either, not as good as Sirius,
mind."
"You are terrible, any way lets go back to the rest of the crew."
Lily added
On entering the common room it appeared James had filled everyone else in on
what Dumbledore had said, because her friends almost knocked her over in their
attempts to be the first to hug her. In turn Kate turned to James and said, "I
hear congratulations are in order Jim." whilst ruffling this already messy
hair.
"Too right, I do believe a party's in order" He announces, not being
able to miss an opportunity for a trip down to the kitchens.
"I tell you what" said Kate pulling out a camera, "Photo first,
of you to, so we can remember you both devoid of the heavy burden of
responsibility. Then me and someone else can go and grab some food, whilst you
kick off the celebration."
Kate directed James and Lily to the sofa, and quieting Lily's protests put
James's arm round her for the shot. Taking the photo then turning to Remus she
said, "Do you fancy escorting me down to the kitchens to get some munchies
for this shindig?"
Before he could answer however Sirius stepped in, "No I don't mind."
Kate grinned up at him, "Let's do it" she said.
"Bloody hell with them two going we ain't gonna get any food 'til
tomorrow" complained Sarah
The others laughed, all apart from Kate and Sirius who threw mock dirty looks
at their friends and walked out.
"He really fancies her you know." James stated to Lily.
"What?" she questioned him, she only thought it was Kate who liked
Black.
"Yep, they get on really well too. Too bad she doesn't feel the same
way." He stated again, but the way his eyebrows were raised suggestively
made her think that he knew more than he was letting on.
"How do you know what she feels?" Lily asked, still surprised that
the most good looking boy at Hogwarts fancied her best friend who liked him as
well.
"He asked her out a couple of months back, and she turned him down. You
remember when we had that major falling out, the one where you went on that
major rant about me and Sirius? A couple of days after that." He knew that
Lily would pick-up on the suggestion that Kate turned him down, so not to hurt
her.
He wasn't wrong, she didn't need to say anything, the expression on her face
told him all he needed to know.
Turning to Sarah she asked if she knew what James was talking about.
"Sure, she was well upset after telling him no." She informed her.
"What? Why didn't she tell me?" Lily asked
"She didn't want you to feel bad. She knows what you think of the
Marauders."
Lily was upset now, she ran up to her room and sat in the corner, she knew she
wasn't visible from the door, and it was unlikely any of her friends would find
her. She couldn't believe that he stupid argument with James had caused Kate to
turn down Sirius. No wonder she hate Lily taking the piss out of her fencing
him. God she needed to put this right. Wait you've done more than enough she
told her self, be civil to James and they'll work it out. Be civil to James,
that thought wasn't as terrifying as it had once been, looking back she had
been nice to him all afternoon. Was she just continuing the argument out of
habit?
Absorbed in her own thoughts she didn't her the door open and Kate come in.
"Hey whats-up?" a voice interrupted her train of thought.
"Oh Kate I am sorry." Lily replied.
"I guess Jim told you then?" Kate questioned
Lily nodded. To her surprise Kate smirked, that trademark smirk, that by its
self could have put her in Slytherin. It was a mystery to the other Gryffindors
as to why Kate had been put in their house, Yeah she was loyal, and brave,
prepared to put herself out for her friends, but she could be crueller than
Snape, and her tongue was sharper than Malfoy's. Lily laughed.
"Hey whats so funny?" Kate asked, "I thought we were discussing
how you ridiculous feud with ol' Jim had cost me a date with the fittest lad in
this place."
"I just realised why you were in this house." Lily Said hugging her
as they left the room going back down to the party, Evidently Kate and Sirius
had done well in supplying enough food, "What you've done, no other
Gryffindor would have done let alone a Slytherin."
The next
day at breakfast the rest of the school was incredibly surprised to see Lily,
James, Kate, Sirius and their friends coming down together. Walking over to
them Griffiths, grinned, and knowing the events of the night before being a
Gryffindor himself.
"Great three in one go," he said addressing James Kate and Sirius,
"We've got practice tonight. For the match against Hufflepuff."
"Practice for a match against Hufflepuff, you are joking." Said Kate.
"We could beat those losers even if we were broomless." they all
chuckled, apart from Griffiths.
"That type of attitude will lose us the match. I you want to keep your
place on the team"
"Ok chill." Kate cut in, her and Sirius heard this speech at least
once a week, and she wasn't in the mood to hear it again, not this early any
way. The now stressed captain walked off muttering about how if the pair didn't
make such a good beater team how he would have great pleasure in kicking them
off the team.
"I don't know how you get away with that said James."
"'Cos we're fantastic." Kate and Sirius said together laughing.
"God, how arrogant can one person be?" asked Lily
"Two people." Kate and Sirius replied together.
"Whats with the double act peeps?" asked Lily confused.
Now it was Sirius and Kates turn to look confused. "What double act?"
they asked in unison.
"This is bloody stupid" Said Lily, "What double act?
Honestly."
"You'll get used to it" James cut in swiftly, to save Lily from
getting into another temper, "maybe that's why they make such good
beaters, them being on the same wavelength and all."
Lily couldn't believe how close Kate and Black seemed, and she'd been
completely unaware of it. No wonder Kate had always been annoyed by their
ribbing of her feelings for Black, potentially it looked like there could be
something serious there. If anything with either of them could ever be
considered serious.
"Hey." Remus said leaning down to the small group, "any of you
know if we had any homework for Potions?"
"What you talking about Moony, we don't have potions 'til this afternoon,
plenty of time yet mate." Sirius said unconcerned.
"Yep we had that essay on sleeping draughts" Lily interrupted,
"and Sirius I don't know what day you're on, but we have potions in
fifteen minutes."
"O.k. throw that new complication at me. Ta girlie. Who will be joining me
in detention tonight?"
"That'll be me mate" James replied, not looking to happy about the
idea.
"Me three" added Kate.
"That's great you lot you better pray that detention doesn't come tonight,
else you probably will be kicked of the team." Lily said remembering their
prior arrangements.
"Shit"
"We are so dead."
"He'll never kick his three best players of the team." We the three
responses. They all looked more cheerful at Kates point, "Anyway,"
Kate said carrying on, "we haven't been given the detention yet, might
never happen, if it does we'll zip down to the pitch afterwards for some
practice."
"Lets face the music then," said Sirius, "onwards to
potions" he finished pointing dramatically down the corridor.
"Sir, do I have to?" Kate wined.
"Yes young lady, how dare you suggest I a model student would permit you
to bunk a lesson?" he grinned picking her protesting body up, and carrying
her down the hallway, leaving Lily with James.
Walking along in silence James could help but think how much nicer this was,
compared to having her yell at him the whole time. He knew she wasn't ignoring
him, she was as aware of him as he was of her. Neither of them could work up
the courage to break the silence. Arriving at the potions room they found Kate
and Sirius had saved them seats together.
Lily couldn't believe her friend, sure she had called a truce with James, but
sitting with him at breakfast and now in potions. What was she thinking?
"Quiet down class." Said the professor announcing her presence to the
chattering students.
"And so the day begins" James said under his breath.
At diner in the great hall that evening a huge row was brewing at the
Gryffindor table. Strangely the rest of the hall was silent, wanting to listen
to the ranting of the usually calm Quidditch Captain.
"My three best players in detention tonight, you are joking."
Griffiths yelled.
"Great so we don't count for the team." shouted on of the other
players at the captain.
"Stay out of this if you want to be on the team tomorrow" he growled
not even bothering to look at the offender, who shut-up pretty quickly.
"Chill. You'll do your self an injury otherwise" said Kate in a voice
filled with mock concern, "We said we'll fit in a couple of hours when
we've finished scrubbing caldrons."
"What about practicing with the rest of the team? You thought about that
smart-arse" He shouted back, more angry than ever at her sarcasm.
"Don't speak to her like that." Returned Sirius.
"Leave it Sir," Kate said softly to the boy on her right. "Me and Sir
can work on those drills you came up with the other week, might be better with
fewer people around whilst we get the hang of them, and Jim can sort out his
manoeuvres dodging our bludgers." She said back to the now much calmer captain.
"Whatever" he muttered, "but if you're not on form for the
match, there'll be big trouble." he turned and walked off.
The rest of the hall started talking again. Lily turned to Kate, " His
problem is your all to good, he can't kick you off the team, so what can he
do?" They all laughed.
"We are pretty special." Kate stated, as if it were the most obvious
thing in the world. "Hey Lils, you fancy practicing with us? Bit of
competition, you know?"
"Fine, you let us know when you've finished with the caldrons, I'll be in
the common room." she replied getting up, "See yas all later."
"Bye Lily" James called. To his surprise she turned, flashed him a
sexy smile and walked off. The three remaining students got up and started to
make their way slowly to the potions dungeon.
"Wow, never thought I'd see the day Evans would smile at you like that
Prongs" Sirius said. All he got in reply was a dappy smile from James,
which stayed on his face until they reached the door to the potions room.
Coming out of the room an hour later James laughed, "That wasn't to bad,
lets go and get Lily."
"Was that the thought that sustained you through that last hour Jim?"
Kate asked innocently.
"Too bloody right it was" he said a little too loudly, startling a
group of first years.
They found Lily ready to play in the common room, with a broom on the floor
next to her. The other three ran to get their locker keys and the group when
down to the changing rooms where all their things were already.
"I'm gonna go and fly around a bit outside whilst you lot get ready"
Lily called to them.
"Sure thing kiddy" Kate replied, going behind a row of lockers for
some privacy from Sirius and James.
It wasn't long before thy joined Lily outside. Sirius and James were surprised
to see Lily could fly really well, and wondered why she had never tried out for
the team. When James questioned Kate he only got the reply "Why do you
think, POTTER", in a tone that implied Kate thought she was talking to a
particularly stupid child.
Jeez James thought to himself Lily must have really hated him.
It wasn't long before they had a mini game going, Lily and James as opposing
chasers with Kate defending Lily and Sirius as James beater. When they decided
to call it a night it turned out Lily and Kate had just won by 30 points.
Walking back into the changing rooms laughing at Kate's impression of James
trying to tackle Lily with out "hurting" her Sirius reached out
impulsively to hug Kate. She dodged away from him "Ewwww. You stink"
She screamed
"That really hurt you know" he whined.
"You'll get over it, I'm sure" she retorted. "Maybe sometime
after you've had a shower."
Entering the changing room they all went into separate cubicles, all James
could think about was Lily showering the other side of that thin piece of wood.
Completely wrapped up in his own thoughts he failed to notice the noise from
the other showers fade, until, "Prongs, what the bloody hell are you
doing" Sirius's voice cut through his thoughts, "You planning to come
out anytime soon mate? Even you couldn't smell that much surely" This was
followed by much giggling from Kate and Lily.
"Don't be stupid Sir." That would be Kate he thought to himself.
"He's just self-conscious."
"What our Jim self-conscious. Come on K be realistic." Sirius
replied.
"Well I don't think Lils has ever seen Jim in a towel before, what if his
body doesn't quite....." Kate left the sentence unfinished.
"Course it would, he has an overly firm arse remember" Sirius
responded.
A new voice came into the conversation, "shut-up Black. I was angry and
didn't know what I was saying."
At this point James came round the corner with a towel round his waist, leaving
a well muscled chest and arms exposed. He almost dropped the towel in shock
when he realised Kate and Lily were there, and not on the other side of the
lockers.
"Calm down potter I don't really want an eye-full of you starkers"
Kate said.
"Why are you two...........hey let me get changed." James fumbled
with his words, trying to form a proper sentence.
"Whats the problem Jim, not like I haven't seen you in a towel
before." Kate said lazily. Noticing his eyes flick towards Lily.
Lily however was amazed, god, the lad had a right to be arrogant she thought to
herself, what a body. Too late she realised she'd been staring at him. The
other three laughed.
"Lily, put your tongue back in your mouth" Kate mock-whispered
"Funny girl" Lily said with unusual sarcasm.
"I tell you what we'll go behind the lockers for 30 seconds, let Jim put
his boxers on, and then you can look some more, ok?" Kate said waggling
her eyebrows.
"Hey I am here for other reasons as rather than your personal
entertainment" James said as the two girls walked round the dividing
lockers.
James and Sirius could still hear their voices though. "Do you try to
embarrass me Kate?"
"No. Why would I do that? You cope more than well enough doing that by
yourself"
There was a loud thump and then "Christ Lily, what the hell was
that?"
"A shoe"
"Really? Anyway no need for that sarcasm child, I was to busy trying to
duck the thing than find out what it was."
"So K. Do you fancy young Mr Black then?"
"God Lily. Do you want to say it any louder I don't think they heard
you"
"We heard fine. Ta" James voice carried to them, followed by
"ouch, what the hell was that for Padfoot."
"I wanted to find out if Kate would go to Hogsmead with me on Saturday,
but now she knows I'm listening."
"So Kate if Sirius asked you to go to Hogsmead with him on say, Saturday,
would you go." Lily asked, playing along as if she hadn't heard any of the
conversation going on the other side of the changing room.
"Would you go to Hogsmead with Jim on Saturday if he asked you to?"
Kate retorted, and then a little louder "Jim you tart. Are you ready
yet?"
"Almost." Came a high feminine sounding voice. "Just need to do
my make-up. In the mean-time feel free to carry on with your
conversation."
Lily giggled. Since when did Lily laugh at anything Potter said? This giving
each other a chance deal really seamed to have pulled Lily out of the hating
James rut; did she hate him before more out of habit? Kate wondered
