Marauders' Match-Making Inc.
*Hey, I'm writing again. Now don't expect this every time I write (as you know from how long it took me to write the last chapter). This story had just become a haven from the rest of the world.
By the way, just so you know, there's probably about 2-4 chapters left of this story (I can't drag it on forever, now.).
Hmmm…I don't have much else to say except: Thanks for the reviews I've gotten and enjoy Chapter 10, since the dating is not over just yet!
Disclaimer: The plot of this story is based on the ABC Family movie, "See Jane Date." The characters are property of J.K. Rowling. The only thing that belongs to me, are the changes I made to the plot I borrowed, and the new characters that you don't know from the Harry Potter books. Is that alright with you then?
Chapter Ten- One-Way Ticket Out of Date City
Lily walked through the halls of the Ministry of Magic as quickly as she could. As she neared the end of a hall, she broke into a slow jog. She hadn't talked to him in a week. She certainly had no intention of encountering him now.
"Lily—Wait!" James called, trying to work his way through the crowd.
Lily quickly went into the nearest room and barricaded the door.
"Hello, Lilisters," a voice from behind murmured cheerfully.
She turned around swiftly to see Sirius, holding a mug full of hot coffee. She sighed as relief washed over her. "You gave me quite the fright," she scolded him.
"I would hope my face doesn't look that horrible," he grinned at her and held up his mug. "Want a cup?"
"Sure," she said, smiling at him.
He poured the coffee in silence, and handed it to her. She took it graciously and sipped while he began to speak.
"Still not talking to him?"
"To James?" Lily inquired, appearing to be annoyed, "Why should I?"
Sirius felt a bit confused by this, but he tried not to show it. Instead, he leaned nonchalantly against the cream-colored wall with his hand on the self-cleaning counter.
"But you're talking to me."
"Were you the brains behind all those dates gone wrong?" she asked him, clearly angry with him. That much was obvious as she slammed her mug down on the counter, spilling the coffee partly. She huffed loudly as the counter cleaned itself.
Sirius wasn't sure whether he should feel insulted or set her straight.
He settled on remaining quiet, for once in his life.
Lily went on as though she had asked a rhetorical question. "He was the one that dragged you three into it. Even Peter told me that much. But how twisted is he to think he should be able to control who I go out with? I've just had it up to here with it."
"So we really blew it then?" Sirius said, looking into her eyes guiltily.
"Yeah," she mumbled, "You did."
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As Lily left the Ministry around 5 o'clock, she was approached by Gilderoy Lockhart, much to her surprise.
What was so surprising about it was that she hadn't seen him since Hogwarts, where he was a year behind her.
And now he'd become somewhat popular around the parts of London. Especially since he had been on the cover of Witch Weekly two months ago for winning the "Most Charming Smile" Award…
Sure, he had a nice smile, but what Lily liked in a guy was a brain, at least.
"Hi, Lily," he said brilliantly, "How have you been? Hopefully as wonderful as I have."
"I've been great, Gilderoy. No use in asking you how you've been since you have already supplied that great deal of knowledge," she said sarcastically, and began to walk away.
He still smiled back at her.
He didn't catch on my sarcasm?
Wow. He's even less intelligent than I gave him credit for.
"Well, I was wondering if maybe you would care to have dinner with me…say, tomorrow night?" he questioned her in his most polite tone.
"Well, I—"
How do you say no to a guy you most definitely don't, under any circumstances want to go out with, but still don't want to hurt his feelings?
Her thoughts were stopped up by James, who had just come out of the Ministry doors to see Lily and Gilderoy talking.
With each other, no less.
He could not help but stare.
"How about you meet me at the Leaky Cauldron at seven o'clock tomorrow? There's supposed to be a good wizarding musical group there," she offered to Gilderoy, flashing him a dazzling smile that almost out shined his own.
"I will see you there, then," he replied with a grin.
James was the only person not grinning at this matter.
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Lily was seated in a booth at the Leaky Cauldron with Gilderoy, wondering what in heaven's name she was thinking when she had accepted this date.
No, when she had proposed this date.
She had brought it upon herself. Death by being talked to death.
And not just about any old subject. About Gilderoy Lockhart, of all people. She was finding out about all the "adventures" he had been on, his future career choices, his good looks, his hopes, his dreams, and etcetera…
There was only so much one person could take.
At least she knew James and the boys hadn't done anything to sabotage this date. That was her one consolation.
That and the fact that the music here wasn't half bad…
"…And so, that's how I got rid of the Bandon Banshee. I've told it to other people and they actually thought it was quite the story. So what do you think?"
Gilderoy smiled happily again as he waited for her comments.
"It was absolutely intriguing," she said, with a tone of boredom in her voice.
Forget being well-mannered. It's not worth it.
"So do you want to hear another?" he asked, clearly pleased that someone had enjoyed his story.
"Why not," she responded, and propped her head up with her hands.
I've got nothing better to do.
At that exact moment, there was a loud clang as the bell on the entry door rang. Lily spotted him at the doorway, just coming in for a drink. He sat himself down at the bar.
Sirius Black. Her savior.
Okay, that was taking it a little too far, but please, Sirius or Gilderoy?
It's a no-brainer.
"Excuse me, for a moment?" Lily interrupted her date's current story amiably, "I need to use the ladies room."
She passed by Sirius said whispered, "Save me!"
Then she walked on to the loo, where Sirius stunned her by following. She stopped just outside the doors marked for witches and wizards.
"Not you're dream date, huh?" he said, giving her a grin.
"You've already used that line on me a few weeks ago, Sweetpea," Lily retorted, giving him a look. "Can you just get me out of here?"
"How do you think I'm going to do that one?" Sirius replied, scratching his head, "And besides I thought you didn't want my help with dates anymore, remember? The thing you're holding against James?"
"Sirius, stop being right and smart, it just doesn't suit you," she said.
Why did she feel childish all of sudden for staying mad at James?
Damn you, Sirius.
She felt herself saying that often, lately.
"Fine, then I guess I can't help," he grinned.
He started to walk away and go back to his place at the bar until Lily spoke up again.
"Wait, so now you're holding against me that I'm holding stuff against James? Blackmailer."
"It is part of my name," Sirius said, laughing a bit.
She just glared, but then changed her face to a look of hopelessness, "Gilderoy Lockhart, Sirius. Come'on… Old buddy, old pal."
"Alright," he caved. "Go back to your table and give me a second."
She did as he said (for once in her life).
"Well, where was I then…?" Gilderoy asked as she seated herself again. "Oh, right…The thing with the award…"
"Excuse me," Sirius interrupted, touching Lily on the arm, "Are you Lily Evans?"
"Why yes," Lily said, mocking overly maudlin actresses she had seen on muggle soap operas, "Yes, I am. Why?"
Sirius held up a napkin he had taken from the counter and read it like it was an official document.
"They need you at the Ministry, if you'll just come with me…"
Lily feigned a look of shock.
"What? But I'm on a da—"
"Lily, they need you," Gilderoy said nobly, "Go."
She felt bad for doing this, but hey…He had told her to leave….
"Well, okay…," she looked back at him slowly as she grabbed her coat, "You're sure it's not a bother?"
"Go," Gilderoy urged her.
"Thank you for the dinner, it was brilliant," Lily smiled, feeling genuinely happy now as she kissed him on the cheek, "Good-bye, Gilderoy."
"'Bye," he muttered, still stuck on the fact that Lily Evans had kissed him…Well, sort of.
"We've no time to lose," Sirius said hurriedly, rushing her out the door, "Au revoir, good sir!"
As they ran out the door, and down Diagon Alley, Lily couldn't believe she had made it out of there.
"Time to party," Sirius said to her, "Zonko's, a butterbeer and a visit to Madam Rosmerta with her crazy bunch sound good?"
"Sure," Lily laughed, "And since when do you know French, Mr. 'Au revoir'?"
"I'll never tell. Bring me death first."