How To Lose a Wizard in 10 Days
Chapter Three – Failure and Light bulbs
Lily sighed and buried her head into her arms in defeat. She had tried everything she could think of to at least try and cheer Arabella and Katie up, but nothing she thought of worked. She took them out to eat fine foods (Well, if you count the Leaky Cauldron as fine food… it's the thought that really counts!), she got them both manicures and pedicures, she brought them to the movies, and she even brought them shopping! Even shopping didn't make them feel better! What else could Lily do? Her wallet was getting lighter and lighter as the day went on. She sighed. The measures she took to ensure her best friends' happiness. She was truly a goddess.
She did this all in one night, and the next morning, Lily was beat. Lily banged her head on the table several times, wondering where she went wrong. Lily was just about to raise her head, to wake up Arabella and Katie, and get ready for another day at Teen Witch offices.
"Lily?" A timid voice said from the corner.
Lily's head shot up and immediately answered, "Katie?"
"And Arabella," Another soft voice interjected. Arabella and Katie walked in, with small smiles on their tear-streaked faces.
"We just wanted to say," Arabella began.
"That thanks for trying to cheer us up," Katie finished, grinning.
"Yeah," Arabella said. "We have an awesome friend."
Lily smiled. "You just noticed that? Pfft."
"Oh, well sor-ree!" Arabella exclaimed.
"I guess it's our fault that we got dumped," Katie said, a bit of sadness showing up in her voice.
"Why do girls always think that?" Lily said. "It's not really your fault! Frank is just an arse! A very big one!"
"But so cute…" Katie replied dreamily. "And it was my fault that I got dumped."
"You're just like everyone!" Lily exclaimed, slamming her fist on the table. "It's not your fault, Katie! You're perfect and your ex-boyfriend was being an asshole! How can I ever convince people like you that it's not their fault that their boyfriend dumped them? It's not because of your weight, looks, or anything! WHAT CAN I DO!"
"Jeez," Arabella said, taking an apple and biting into it. "Write an article about it, or something. Just shut your mouth!"
Lily looked inspired. "You know, Bell, that's a great idea! I should write an article on how it has nothing to doe with the girl's outer appearance that loses the guy – it's all about the actions!"
Arabella glared. "So you're saying Frank dumped me because I annoyed him?"
"Well," Lily said, stuttering a bit. "In a g-good way… It's not really your fault though. I mean, many women make the same mistakes you make. It's pretty common." Lily added quickly.
Arabella's face tensed to a slight smile. "So, you must thank me, the great one… for giving you this prestigious idea," Arabella said, bowing slightly. "And Katie, too, of course. We both got dumped."
Lily laughed and clapped her hands. "Of course, the story will be focused on you two!"
"Hell no!" Katie exclaimed.
Lily and Arabella were surprised from this sudden outburst.
"Yeah, don't," Arabella said, shaking her head. "It's already embarrassing enough to have been dumped and moping around for a few days."
Lily grinned. "Okay, I won't use your lives for my article. But I have to check with Lana about it first… Come on, let's get ready for work."
- - - -
The motorcycle's engine revved up, but slowly died down. Sirius was standing next to his 'wonderful masterpiece'. He groaned and sighed a long sigh.
"You think I'd get paid for my failures…" He muttered. "I'd be a damn billionaire."
"Sirius, how's the motorcycle going?" Remus asked lightly, holding a beer.
"Not good," Sirius said, stretching and scratching the nape of his neck. "The engine won't work… I revved it up and everything, but all of a sudden, it just… died."
"Ah," Remus observed. "Did you change the oil? Maybe it's out of gas."
"Didn't you change the gas?" Sirius asked. "Like… last week?"
"No," Remus replied. "You never told me to."
Sirius smacked his head and groaned again. "Moony, we're such idiots! No wonder this damn thing won't work! NO GAS!" Sirius danced around like a crazed maniac. "My motorcycle works!" He sang over and over.
Remus chuckled and advised, "You better hurry up and go change it."
"Yeah, you're right. I so have to surprise Jamesie!" Sirius said, clapping his hands in glee. "He'll be sooo happy!"
Remus rolled his eyes and patted Sirius on the back. "Sure he will. He'll be absolutely peachy happy about it," Remus said.
"Yay!" Sirius exclaimed. "I can't wait!"
"Anyways," Remus replied. "James just beeped me up on the Locator and he said he's got this wonderful presentation prepared for tonight to show Chris and the girls."
Sirius glanced at Remus. "Think it really is?"
Remus sighed. "We have to hope for the best, don't we? James is our only hope if we ever want to handle a 'large' customer."
Sirius sighed. "He's not going to make it, huh?"
Remus glanced back. "Doesn't look like it."
- - - -
Lily applied her make up in a rush. She was almost late. She was supposed to arrive at 9:00 and right now it was 9:52. Katie and Arabella had already left because they got a head start on dressing. Lily sighed and tilted her head to the side. She had decided on a white blouse and a fiery-red skirt… just to match her hair. She applied some red on her eyelids and some gloss on her lips. She grabbed her bag and apparated out to Teen Witch offices.
Pop! Lily arrived, barely making it. She rushed to the secretary and checked it.
"Just in time, Lily," Heather said, grinning slightly. Heather McRay was the secretary for their business.
Lily grinned back, out of breath. "Thanks!" Lily said.
"No problem," Heather replied. "Best you get to your office quickly, I think Lana is in a bad mood today."
"Yikes," Lily said back, quickly rushing to her cubicle. As soon as she got there, Lily was on a roll! First, she was actually not late for once, and got to her office on time. Lily booted up her computer and turned around, looking for Arabella and Katie. They shared the same cubicle.
"We were wondering when you'd show up," Arabella said, grinning.
Katie smiled. "Oh, finally, you're here and not late. This is a serious miracle!"
"Oh, hush, now," Lily said, smiling. "Don't tease me, I know you're all jealous."
"Jealous of you," Arabella scoffed. "Oh please."
Lily smiled. She had really done her work well, hadn't she? Her best friends and coworkers are finally feelings themselves and not depressing or moping around. Lily sat down and relaxed. Everything was going her way… Well, she had to ask Lana about the article, of course.
"Oh, Lily!" A voice said, interrupting Lily's thoughts. It was Lana. Her black hair was pulled back in a bun and she was wearing a tradition Japanese kimono. She even had chopsticks sticking through her bun.
"Very nice ensemble," Lily commented, smiling.
"Very nice," Katie and Arabella echoed.
"Oh, thank you, girls!" Lana exclaimed gaily. She turned to Lily. "I've been loving your work, but the deadline for your next article's about 2 weeks. Any ideas for your next how to?"
Lily cleared her throat. This was it – the time to present her idea to Lana. "Yes, I've gotten a lovely idea," Lily said.
"Oh, really?" Lana replied, looking excited. "What is it?"
"Well," Lily started. "It all started out when Katie got dumped and then Arabella."
"Oh," Lana said. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, but both of them, they were complaining that they were fat and ugly, and that was the reason they got dumped," Lily said. "Just like many of our readers. I mean, look! They're great women… they're just not very good handing at relationships. Just like our readers."
"Ah," Lana said, pursing her lips. "A dating how to."
"Yes, so I was thinking I could write an article about the typical mistakes females do to get the opposite sex," Lily said, proving her point, and beamed proudly.
"How are you going to write it?" Lana asked.
Lily was stumped. She didn't think of how to write the article. "With my computer…?" Lily laughed.
"No, I mean, are you going to really date a guy and lose him or just use Katie and Arabella's personal life?" Lana asked.
"No!" Lily said quickly.
"I think you should date a guy, and slowly lose him!" Lana said, her eyes twinkling. "They say the best article comes from experience."
Lily thought about it. She really didn't need a boyfriend or a "man" in her life… but this'd make a great article and maybe a bonus in her paycheck. "Sure, Lana," Lily grinned. "I'll start on it right away."
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days…" Lana said, fantasizing about the title. "Wonderful, I'm already loving it."
Lily smiled. "I'm glad I can please you."
"That's my girl," Lana said. "Now, come, I want you to meet two executives from an advertising company that we're going to help them advertise in our magazine. You may leave work after that to find the 'lucky guy', Lily."
Lily smiled and grabbed her bag, Katie and Arabella did the same.
"Thank you," Arabella mouthed. Katie nodded. Lily stuck her tongue out. Maybe she should've used their personal life for an article… Nah.
Lily followed Lana's step into the main hallway and saw two neat dressed women waiting for them, chatting with Heather.
"Girls!" Lana called out.
The two women turned around and smiled.
One of them stuck out her hand and said, "Carolyn Green and that's Jessica Spears. We're here on advertising business."
"Oh, welcome ladies! This is Arabella Figg, Fashion and Trends," Lana said, motioning to Arabella. "Katie Sanders, Fitness and Health." She motioned to Katie. "And Lily Evans, our 'How To' girl." She pointed to Lily.
"Oh, I've seen your column, Lily," Jessica replied. "It's really great. What are you working on now?"
"Oh, I'm wor-" Lily said.
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," Lana interrupted, smiling at the title. "She's actually going to start dating a guy and then drive him away in a week and a half."
Jessica and Carolyn laughed.
"Poor guy," Jessica commented. Carolyn nodded and chuckled in agreement.
"Schooch!" Lana said. "Go off and find the lucky guy!"
Lily smiled and left with Arabella and Katie.
"Where are we going?" Arabella asked.
"Home," Lily said. "I gotta take a bath."
"But what about the article?" Katie asked.
Lily laughed. "There's plenty of time for that. The Leaky Cauldron, tonight."
- - - -
James straightened up his robes, ran his fingers through his hair nervously, and tugged at his ear. This was a 'good luck' ritual that he had performed every time he had to get up in public to make a speech or something. James took a few deep breaths… Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale. He was in front of The Leaky Cauldron, waiting for Chris, Jessica, and Carolyn.
Carolyn and Jessica both walked into the room, wearing the sexiest and most revealing clothes they owned.
"You… wanted to see us?" Carolyn asked.
"Yes," Chris replied. "James wants to ask us something."
"Oh, really?" Jessica said, arching an eyebrow.
"What is it?" Carolyn asked sharply. "We're in a meeting."
"Well," James said, glaring slightly. "Ladies, I've took my time and my effort to make a presentation for all of you."
Jessica snorted while Carolyn yawned.
"Ladies, let James make his point," Chris said and turned to James. "Continue."
"I think I should be in charge of this Delaure account."
"What?" Jessica exclaimed. "No way."
"Ditto," Carolyn said, looking flushed.
"Ladies!" Chris said, holding up his hands. "Let James make his point!"
"Yes, thank you Chris," James looked at Jessica and Carolyn menacingly. "Anyways, it's always Jessica and Carolyn that get to handle the major accounts. I know I'm head of the Quidditch and Sports department, but I'd like a chance to prove myself too. I'll do anything you want, to put it bluntly."
"I like my workers to have courage," Chris said, stroking his chin. "But what can you offer us, James? I know you're good at selling Quidditch, but these girls are good at selling anything."
"I'm not just only good at selling Quidditch," James replied. "You've just never given me the chance to do anything. I have the courage and bravery to go to farther limits… do anything!"
"Do anything?" Chris asked.
"Yes," James said. "I love diamonds… and I love women. What has women got to do with all of this? Well, it's usually the women who want the man to get them the diamond. Usually, that's the case. And I can get the man and the woman to fall in love with diamonds."
"So you're saying that you can make women fall in love with you or the diamonds?" Jessica asked.
"Both," James replied simply. "I'm just your average ladies man."
"Cocky and courageous," Chris noted. "I like."
"Not cocky," James said. "Confident."
Chris nodded. "So make a woman fall in love with you, James?"
James shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
"Okay, we'll pick someone," Jessica said.
"Right now, right here, in the Leaky Cauldron," Carolyn grinned.
James grimaced but smiled fakely. He raised an eyebrow. "Bring it on, girls."
"James, it's already been brought."
Author's Note: Sorry, but I could not help but NOT add that last line. Haha.
Love Always, Angeline
