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The Wind Through My Hair
Lily ran, the damp grass beneath her, and the scenery rushing past in a blur. It was a windy night, and it had rained the day before, so all traces of any sort of cloud were gone, and only the infinite dark sky nearly engulfed her. It seemed almost a billion stars were twinkling solemnly down on her as she continued to run. Lily didn't even know where she was running. She didn't even know why. The only thing she could think was to get out of the great hall, away from everyone. She didn't want to seem weak.
Lily ran, not really feeling the aching in her legs, but only hearing the roaring sound of the air rushing past her and the feeling of the cool wind pressing around her body from all sides. It was going wildly through her loose red hair and gave her that chill in her stomach. She slowly came to a halt near the lake by a large tree, her legs collapsing . Lily leaned against the trunk and looked up at the sky, feeling more exhausted than she had realized.
Lily realized that she was crying. Her eyes were simply flooding, and she could now feel that her face was sticky with tears. She hadn't noticed before, and didn't until she had stopped running. It felt like a dream. This whole thing, a really unpleasant dream. Waking up happy, the letter, walking out of the hall...Lily felt like she was watching all of it from afar.
She sighed heavily, and shook her head. She couldn't believe she had even been worried that her parents were not going to be there for her graduation, or birthday. She had been so worried about that, until she realized they wouldn't be there for anything, ever again. What did she do now? She had no where to go, because she was, of this summer, an official adult wizard. Lily heard panting and heavy footfalls behind her.
He put his hand on the tree and leaned against it, catching his breath. "God, you run fast."
Lily did not respond but stared determinedly at the glassy lake. If James Potter ever saw her cry...she might just kill herself. Lily tried to inconspicuously wipe away the remnants of her tears, as she gained back her pompous, irritated facade.
"What do you want, Potter?"
"I just wanted to see if you were alright," he said. His voice was surprisingly soft.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Are you sure? Because you seemed kind of upset...I mean I would be too. I read that letter..."
"I'm not...I'm not upset. And why were you reading my personal mail? You shouldn't butt in, you know."
"Well, I was concerned. I didn't have to read it anyways. Everyone knows what sort of letter that was. Everyone's worried Lils."
"Don't call me Lils," she said through gritted teeth. "And why does everyone have to be worried? What do you mean 'That sort of letter?' The sort of letter that tells you a week afterwards that your very own parents...that they..." Lily could not bring herself to say it. James tried to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but Lily jumped up at it and gave him an accusing glare.
"Don't touch me!" Lily shrieked. James looked taken aback. He hadn't expected that sort of reaction.
"It's okay Lily. I mean, everyone understands..."
"It's okay that they've left me?! Is that what you're saying?" she asked, incredulous.
"No...that's not at all what I'm saying. Everyone knows how you're feeling...we all dread that happening to us! I mean, for a second I thought the owl would go to me. My parents are big against You-Know-Who," he said.
"Oh, so you're glad that the letter went to me, I'm sure! Well, Potter, now that I know you don't care about me, but rather, more about your own well-being, I'll just be off on my merry way," Lily said. Everything James said seemed mean to Lily.
"Hey, wait! I'm just trying to make you feel better," he said.
"Oh, right, make me feel better. You've only made my life a living hell from year one, why not make it a little better now?" Lily sarcastic tone and attitude was making James aggravated.
"You don't have to take all your anger out on me! And what have I done to make your life a living hell? You've only made my life worse by joining the Marauders! You don't know what the hell you're doing!" Lily looked like she might cry. James had forgotten that he had come out there to make her feel better, because she had made him briefly mad.
"Well, fine then! If I'm that much trouble, you can just do without me! That's just fine. Lily Evans won't have to put up with your stupid rules and your stupid flying lessons and your stupid face anymore! Consider me out!" She stormed off, crying again. All the Marauders had probably thought she was a fumbling idiot, and she was a nuisance for 92 days. Lily felt like a lost child.
James slumped down and sat by the tree. Lily Evans was more trouble than she was worth. He shook his head and put it in his hands. He had gotten rid of her a month and a half early, the Marauders should be relieved to know that they wouldn't have to drag her along on all of their pranks. They could easily go back to pranking everyday, instead of avoiding a prank at all costs. But somehow, James did not feel relieved of the load. He felt like he was carrying more.
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry that was so short, but I couldn't possibly add anymore without making it all out of place and out of order, and weird. But I'll probably update sooner since this chapter was so short. I hoped you liked it! Review!!!! =D
