~Memories~
Chapter 8: In the Middle of the Night
DISCLAIMER: I don't own J.K. Rowling's characters.
A/N: This is the chapter I have been waiting to write since I started!!! Here we go...
*****
The next day dawned fresh and clear. Lily woke up groggily and lay in bed, the events of last night flooding back into her mind. And she remembered: the kiss. Lily groaned inwardly; she didn't know how she was ever going to face him that day.
Lily reluctantly dragged herself out of bed and shook Lyssa and Brooke awake. After they had all changed and freshened up, they trooped down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
The girls had breakfast with the Marauders. Breakfast was a rather uncomfortable affair for Lily and James, but the others were perfectly content. Peter was stuffing his face with food; Sirius and Lyssa were flirting endlessly; Remus and Brooke happily chatted; Lily and James were left to converse awkwardly, not looking at each other. It had been the most awkward meal in Lily's entire life (including the Christmas dinner she had eaten with her stern great uncle who told her and Petunia repeatedly to sit up straight and "act like the young ladies you are").
Much to Lily's dismay, the others had planned to spend the entire day together; she had hoped for some time alone so she could sort out her thoughts and emotions. Now, Lily would have to see and be around James all day.
That whole afternoon, Lily attempted to make some strained conversation between herself and James-attempts that fell sadly flat; James was very distant, much like the time before the dance. She tried asking James if anything was wrong, but he just brushed it off and pasted a false smile on his face-a mask that Lily could totally see through but felt too awkward pressing the matter about.
Later, the boys decided to go off somewhere, and the girls went down to the lakeside to discuss the previous night-something Lily definitely didn't want to spill the details over.
Lyssa told the other two her tale with a dreamy look on her face: After they had gotten something to eat and drink, Sirius had produced a long-stemmed rose from behind his back and presented it to his girlfriend, begging her dramatically to dance with him (which she did more than obligingly). Then, they had gone outside (after a few hours of dancing and endless flirting) and slow-danced under the light of the bright stars. He had kissed her good night-a far cry from a peck on the cheek (according to Lyssa, he was a very good kisser), and they had gone to their dormitories.
Next, it was Brooke's turn to unravel the events of her evening and gush over how sweet and romantic Remus was. They had apparently gone outside after a while. Then, Remus had brought her to a secluded area near the edge of the woods, and had shown her a place he had prepared for them. There was a fountain of marble streaming crystal-clear water, a set table and two chairs nearby. The area was surrounded by streams of golden light forming a dome-like shape, with an opening to enter and exit through. Brooke said that last night had been the most magical night of her life.
When it was Lily's turn to spill the beans, she became extremely tight-lipped and wouldn't say anything, despite the others' coaxing and persuading. Lily was confused and needed to sort things out a little. Besides, she wanted that kiss to be something private and special.
Later that night, after everyone had turned in to go to sleep, Lily kept tossing turning in her bed. She couldn't sleep and decided to go for a walk to think a little. She wandered aimlessly around the castle for a while, her mind whirling with thoughts. After a while, she found herself at the stairs leading to the Astronomy Tower. She climbed up the winding staircase and opened the door.
*****
James had been feeling awkward around Lily all day. He hadn't meant to kiss her last night. It had just happened, like a spur-of-the-moment thing. And now, his emotions and thoughts were al muddled together.
James liked coming to the Astronomy Tower at night, by himself. He enjoyed the solitary peace it gave him and the feeling of serenity enveloping him. There, he could just allow his mind to wander free. Tonight, he needed that badly, so he had come up and sat on the window ledge, gazing at the sky dotted with stars.
Suddenly, the door creaked open. Quickly, James threw his Invisibility Cloak over himself.
*****
Lily crossed the room and sat on the window ledge. She drew her knees up and set her chin on them, thinking, trying to settle her whirlwind of emotions.
Suddenly, a deep voice came from behind her and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Lily gasped in surprise and jumped down from the ledge. From out of thin air, James appeared, holding his Cloak.
"I-I'm not really sure. I guess just to clear my mind a little," Lily replied hesitantly. Then, her curiosity got the better of her and she asked, "Why are you here?"
"Same reason. I come up here sometimes, just to sort out my thoughts and stuff," said James. Then, he took a deep breath and decided to bring up the subject that they were dancing around.
"Look, I, uh, I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean for it to happen. It just sort of did. I just-I don't know. It's confusing. But...I have to say something. I think ever since I met you, that day on the train, I've liked you-a lot. But now, it's more than that. Lily, I think-I think I'm in love with you," James ended quietly, staring out the window.
Lily was in shock. And then, she was filled to the brim with happiness. She turned James' face towards her, and said softly, "You love me? Then kiss me."
She slid her arms around his neck as his encircled her waist. Their faces drew closer and closer. Lily instinctively closed her eyes and tilted her chin. Her lips met his in the softest and gentlest of kisses, leaving her dizzy for more. The kiss deepened and grew intensely, until it was raw passion. Finally, reluctantly, Lily drew back and saw passion burning in the depths of James' dark eyes.
"Lily, will you be my girlfriend?" James asked.
"Of course, James," Lily said softly back. Then, James captured her lips once more in a deep and passionate kiss...and at the same time, her heart.
*****
Later, they decided to go back to the common room. They walked down the dark corridors with James' hand loosely circling her waist, conversing quietly, but happily.
Then, out of the shadows, Lucius Malfoy stepped out. In the faint light, Lily could see that his face was twisted in a menacing sneer.
"Time to shut your mouth for good," he said to Lily, with a malevolent expression on his face. And then, Lily remembered.
*FLASHBACK*
Lily was walking to class distractedly one day last week, when she had heard some deep voices conversing in a corridor. She had stopped suddenly and listened closely. From what she could gather, Lucius Malfoy was working on a secret mission inside Hogwarts-for Voldemort!
Her concentration was so immense that she didn't notice she was losing her grip on the wall that separated her and Malfoy. She fell with a crash on the hard floor and heard the voices abruptly halt in the middle of their conversation. Malfoy looked up and saw a large quantity of red, curly hair fly around the corner. And then he knew who it was: Lily Evans.
He immediately tried to follow her, but Lily had cast a Disillusionment Charm on herself, making her blend into the wall she was standing flat against. As soon as Malfoy had not seen her after rounding the corner, he said softly, "I will silence that interfering Mudblood once and for all." The frozen quality in his voice made Lily's blood run cold and sent chills up her spine.
As soon as he had left for the Slytherin common room, Lily dashed away to her dormitory, and fell asleep. The next morning, she had forgotten all about her midnight adventure...but Malfoy had not.
*END FLASHBACK*
Lily tried to scream for help, but Malfoy quickly cast a Silencing Spell on her. James then advanced and cast a Stunning Spell, the impact of which rebounded on him from a quick Shield Spell. James sailed backwards and crumpled on the hard floor, the wind knocked out of him by the blow. Malfoy sneered in satisfaction. Then he turned back on Lily, who in her fright had backed up against the wall, emerald eyes wide with fear.
*****
James hit the floor hard, and felt air leave his lungs with a whoosh. His head began to spin and he started to see stars. Through his hazy vision, he could see Lily backed up against the wall, frozen in fear, with Malfoy advancing upon her with every step. As if in slow motion, James watched helplessly as Malfoy raised his wand and pointed it at Lily.
Summoning all his remaining strength, he raised himself up painfully and threw himself in front of Lily, as a spell made contact with his body.
*****
Lily watched, as if in slow motion, as James hit the ground again. Anger simmered in her blood and burst out in the form of wandless magic. Malfoy flew up in the air and hit the floor, knocked unconscious immediately. Just in case, Lily Stunned him. Then, she knelt in front of James and found that he was unconscious, but alive. She levitated the two bodies and headed straight for Professor Dumbledore's office.
When she got to the gargoyle, she said the first password that came to mind ("Lemon Drops") and the gargoyles jumped aside. She quickly stepped onto the circling staircase, directing the bodies with her wand. When she knocked, the oak door swung open of its own accord.
Professor Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, as if awaiting Lily's arrival. His fingertips were placed together, and he assessed the situation over his half-moon spectacles.
"Would you care to explain the situation, Miss Evans?" he asked gently, after removing the Silencing Spell. Lily began pouring out the situation, knowing that she could trust the headmaster.
Professor Dumbledore registered all the information then stepped around his desk. He conjured two beds with his wand, set the two boys on them and began to examine them. First, he took a look at Lucius. At last, he pronounced that there had been no damage done, except for a few bruises and other things Madam Blizter could heal.
He informed Lily that he would send Lucius down later that night to the Hospital Wing. He would serve a severe punishment for threatening a student, harming another, and would also be questioned of a link to Voldemort's service. The Headmaster also reassured Lily that she would not be receiving detention for being out late, or any punishment for knocking out a fellow student, as it was in self-defense.
Then, the Headmaster took a look at James. After inspection, he announced that he had no damage done physically, besides a few bruises, but he wasn't sure if anything else was affected.
"Headmaster, may I?" asked Lily. At his nod, she concentrated intensely on using her energy to heal James' bruised body. Then, Professor Dumbledore took out his wand and muttered, Ennervate.
To Lily's joy, James' eyes fluttered and slowly opened. They met Lily's bright eyes and were filled with puzzlement and confusion.
"Who are you?"
*****
A/N: HUGE cliffie! Sorry, couldn't resist. This is one of my favorite chapters! Hope you enjoyed it! Remember, REVIEW! The more I get, the more inspired I am to write faster. Thanks!