A/N: I gots me a new story up! It's called "Scarred" for those of you who don't know. PLEASE read it. I implore you all to read it! Please! If you really luv my stories, you'll at least check it out. It's a MWPP fic (lol – of course) and the main character is Remus. They're only 13 in this fic, but it's really quite cute, I think, and it's only going to be 4 chapters long. So PLEASE take the time to read it. Thanks!
calforniagurl: I'm glad you liked it! I like their lil' fights, too! Heehee. And I'm happy that I put you in a good mood, also!
gab3: Haha, yes, it's quite delicious. One word of advice, tho – don't drink it on an empty stomach. Bleah. Heehee, yeah, Jessica Simpson. Happy you liked it!
Angel Black1: lol – AP English. Ah. Not taking it was probably the best decision I made after seeing so many of my friends struggle helplessly . . . And the poem. Teehee. Yes, Lily and James SHOULD try to figure that out . . . Thanks for reviewing!
Nathalie17: You'll have to read to find out about the letters. All of the fluffy goodness is in this chapter! Heehee. Thanks!
MWPP Fanatic: Moony is a very good actor. And YES, James most definitely does need Lily. Romance . . . (sigh)
Tim Knispel: Yeah, mystery letters are cool. Heehee. Thanks, I'm glad you like the idea. I've seen it in movies and stuff a lot, so I thought, "hey, why not try it?" Glad to see it worked! And yeah, your name, haha. Hey, do you think I could use it in a future story? At least your last name, anyway . . . Thanks again!
iLuvDuckies29: I'm glad you like it! You'll find out about those letters soon enough! Here's more, and thanks for reading!
Erkith: Heehee, thanks! I'm glad you liked the disclaimer. You're the first person that commented on it . . . and the story, glad you like that, too! Here's more!
sunni07: HAHA, yeah! He does! (gets hit by tomatoes from militant feminists b/c I wouldn't remember to duck) LOL. Oh, and even if JKR does reveal how Lily and James got together, I still wouldn't stop writing MY stories . . . I'm betting a lot of other people won't either, so I really wouldn't worry. (SMILE!)
Miss Effie: Thank you very, very, very much! I'm really happy that you like it! Um . . . I hope this has the happiness you're looking for. If it doesn't, then it will come along soon. Promise! Heehee, I will most definitely keep up the sexual innuendo. I love including that . . . It makes me laugh, too.
Spikora: Thanks! Well, of course, the letters have to do with Remus and Sirius! They're the Marauders! You think they WOULDN'T be behind this idea? LOL. (evil grin back)
Nikki: I'm glad you liked it! I hope you like this one, too! Thanks for the review!
Book Lover990: Thanks bunches! Here's more for you!!!
silentauror: Thanks a lot! I look forward to writing the rest! Heehee. And I'll think about another (ahem) stag ride. lol
TenkunoMeiou: YAY! I will! Heehee. Thanks for revewing!
Quiteona: Right. All Remus's idea. And the others are helping. Yeah, you do say that every time . . . But it's okay! It's cool, it makes me wanna write more! Yup, I'm feeling a LOT better! Thanks a lot!
anniePADFOOT: Haha, so I see you've resorted back to the laziness . . .Tsk, tsk. What shall I do with you? Oh, I know! DETENTION! And you lose your house 20 points! Jk, jk! Oh, yeah, I get it. About the idea. That's what I thought you meant, but I just wanted to be sure . . . yeah, it IS a new concept. It seems like in almost every story I read, Lily gets mad at James, so I wanted to show that Lily is NOT perfect. Guess I did alright, cuz now people are telling me Lily's evil. Heehee. Thanks for the review!
Jessica: YAY for no confusion! Confusion is a bad thing that should go away and die! (unless of course, if you wanted to confuse someone else on purpose. Then, it would a good thing!) Heehee, now I'm confused . . . Oh, yeah. Your review. I'm supposed to be answering that . . . Well, I'm glad you like it! And don't do anything bad! Bad is not good.
Animalluvr75: Thank you soooo much! I'm glad you like all the chapters!
TitouMoony: HI HI! Remus IS in this chapter, so don't worry! He's still here! Heehee. Here's more! I hope you like it!
THANKS AGAIN, EVERYBODY! HERE'S MORE!
---
Disclaimer: Teehee, it's not mine, and I'm feeling particularly hyper today, a wee bit tipsy (even tho I've never drank a day in my life), and deliriously happy . . . (even tho I still don't own Jessica Simpson)
Chapter Fourteen – Pokery
"Sirius, did you remember to put the letter in his Quidditch robes?" Remus asked, as he scanned the bleachers for three available seats.
"Yeah," Sirius answered. "He'll find it when he's changing. And I sent the other one to Evans off with an owl."
"Good," Remus said, triumphantly. "This is going to work! I can feel it. This is the best idea we've had in a long time, Padfoot. I have complete confidence that – "
"Hello, Remus," an extremely familiar voice said, causing Remus to freeze up completely.
He spun around, his face bright red. "Oh, uh, hello, Kathryn." He smiled tightly. "How are you?"
She grinned. "Just fine. And you?"
"Peachy," Remus choked. From behind Kathryn, Sirius was making googly-eye faces. Remus made himself a mental note to strangle his friend after the match.
"I was wondering if you would like to sit with us," Kathryn offered. "It's not much room because Patricia and Lily are there, too, but we could squeeze you three in."
"Okay," Peter said quickly. Remus guessed he was tired of standing. He looked over at Sirius, who was now making fish faces behind Kathryn's head. Remus gave him a hard smile.
"Sirius? Would you like to go sit with them?" he said, evenly.
Sirius batted his eyelashes as Kathryn turned around, awaiting his answer. "I'd looove to," he said, clasping his hands together.
Remus rolled his eyes as Kat and Peter laughed. He sighed, starting up the bleachers towards a head of noticeable red hair. It was going to be a long match.
---
"What the - ?" James snatched his hand out of his Quidditch robe sleeve, and examined it. He had a paper cut. Carefully, he reached back into his robe, and plucked the blameworthy piece of parchment from his sleeve. It was a plain white envelope.
James groaned. "Not another one!"
He tore the letter open, and pulled out the parchment, reading it quickly. "'Are you miles away?'" James made a noise of annoyance, and struggled against his urge to tear up the piece of parchment.
"Are you miles away? Miles away from what!?" he exclaimed.
"Um, J-James . . ."
"Who the hell is sending these!?" James continued.
"J-James . . . the game . . . "
"WHAT?" he snapped, turning angry eyes on one of his teammates, who flinched in return.
"The game is about to start. We've been called out already."
"Shit!" James quickly stuffed the letter with the rest of his things, wincing as his finger came into harsh contact with the bag. Then, he dressed in record speed, and grabbed his broomstick – a Windstorm360.
Damn the letters. He was going to win this stupid game!
---
"'Are we getting any closer?'" Lily read. She scowled, rereading it a second, and a third time.
"Is that all it says, Lily?" Esther, one of Kat's Ravenclaw friends, asked her.
"That's all it says," Lily sighed. "See the others? They're all the same. They each have one cryptic message, and then that's it."
"And there's no explanation, or anything?" Esther said.
"None," Lily shook her head. "Pat and Kat think they might be from some sort of secret admirer, but I'm not so sure – " Lily suddenly stopped speaking.
"Hey, Lils!" Sirius said, ambling up to them. "Howsit going?"
"Just fine," Lily answered, narrowing her eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be watching the match?"
"I could say the same for you and your friend," Sirius said, grinning. He winked at Esther causing her to turn a violent shade of scarlet.
Lily sighed, deciding to ignore the display. "I would've stayed, but you know that owl that was flying around one of the goal posts? It was looking for me. As soon as I left, it delivered this letter to me."
"And your friend?" Sirius said, switching his gaze back to Esther.
Esther's eyes widened. "Um, I-I don't . . . "
"She detests Quidditch," Lily said, smirking. "Loathes it."
Sirius's own eyes widened. He appeared taken-aback. "What!? But-but . . ."
Lily giggled. "My dear, Esther, you seem to have rendered Mr. Black speechless."
Sirius clutched at his throat in a fit of dramatics while Lily laughed, and Esther looked slightly terrified.
Lily cleared her throat. "Sirius, you never did tell us what you were doing out here," she said, smiling.
Sirius shrugged. "Maybe I was curious. What does that letter say?"
"None of your business," Lily replied at the same time that Esther blurted, "It's a love letter."
"Esther!" Lily exclaimed. "It is NOT a love letter, and Black, don't you dare go running your mouth. It's nothing of the sort, I assure you!"
Sirius's mouth dropped open. "You, too?"
"What?" Lily asked, confused. "What do you mean, me, too?" Her eyes suddenly darkened. "Wait. Has someone else been receiving love letters?"
"Oops," Sirius said, sheepishly. "Um, Evans, just forget I ever said that, okay?"
"No, I most certainly will NOT," Lily said. Sirius tried to back away, but she grabbed him by his shirt collar. "Tell me, Black! Who else has been getting love letters?"
"I can't tell you," Sirius said. "Marauder honor, and all that jazz."
"So it's one of your friends, then, is it?" Lily said, tightening her grip. She hesitated. "Tell me . . . is it Potter?"
Sirius stared at her. "Why would you think that?"
"Well . . . it wouldn't be Remus, on account of Kat's possessiveness," Lily said, grinning. She let go of Sirius. "And it wouldn't be you because all the girls who fancy you are too bloody FORWARD to be sending love letters, if you don't mind me saying."
"Oh, no, no. Go ahead and insult me. Really, I don't mind," Sirius muttered.
"And Peter?" Lily continued, as if she hadn't heard him. "Getting love letters?" She was faintly repulsed by the idea. "Um, I really don't think it's likely."
Even Sirius had to agree with that one, and Esther nodded. "So, it's Potter, then?" Lily asked, her tone conveying nothing.
Sirius searched her face. "Yeah, it's James," he replied. "But I won't tell him you're getting them, too. He'll go ballistic."
"What? Why?" Lily asked, curiously.
Sirius just shook his head. "I've already said too much, Evans. I have to get back to the match before Remus starts to wonder. Bye."
Esther watched him go, a look of longing on her face. "Lily . . . you don't suppose he's behind it all, do you?"
"What?" Lily raised her eyebrows. "Behind all of what?"
"You know," Esther said, her eyes on Sirius's back. "He could be the one. Sending you both the love letters . . . making you fall for each other. He's romantic enough to do it."
Lily snorted. "Sirius? Ha! Not bloody likely!"
---
"BLOODY PAPER CUT!!!" James roared that night in the common room. "STUPID BLOODY PAPER CUT COST ME THE MATCH! COST GRYFFINDOR THE MATCH!"
"James, we still have a shot at the cup. It's not like we've lost the entire season. It's just one match – " Remus said, reasonably.
"ONE MATCH!? ONE MATCH, MY ARSE!"
"James, calm down," Remus said, refusing to back down. "It's ONLY one match! You can make it up, later. Just sit down. Relax, and tell us exactly what went wrong."
Casting a final glare around the common room, James let out a breath, and collapsed into his favorite couch near the fire.
"You can continue with all of your conversations. Nothing to see here!" Sirius announced, and at once, the noise level in the common room went up as people did exactly what he told them, and continued with their conversations. Sirius grinned, and turned his attention back to James.
"Paper cut," James said, hoarsely. "I got a paper cut. Another of those damn letters cost me the snitch."
Remus's and Sirius's eyes went wide. "Really?" Remus said. "Oh." He seemed to be at a loss for words.
"Well, what did it say this time? Any explanations?" Sirius asked, exchanging a glance with Remus.
James didn't even notice. "No," he sighed. "It said, 'Are you miles away?'"
"Cryptic," Remus commented.
"I know," James said. "And I still have no idea who's sending them."
"Uh, James . . . this may not be the best time to tell you this, but . . ." Sirius hesitated.
"Spill," James said.
"I, um, I kinda, sorta let it slip to Evans that you were getting love letters."
James stared at him, unblinkingly. "How, Sirius? How did you SORTA let it slip?" His voice was very controlled, but there was a muscle twitching on his face, a sign that he was either about to reach out and break something, or he was about to start yelling again.
"Now, don't get mad, Prongsie," Sirius said, quickly, "but Evans said she's been getting them, too."
"What?" James's expression switched to one of utter surprise. "Really?"
"Maybe it's a Head thing," Remus put in. "Maybe you guys should get together and talk about it."
"Hn. I don't think so. I don't really have a desire to talk to Evans about anything," James said, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "Nice try, though."
Remus and Sirius exchanged a sour glance. Nice try indeed.
---
"Well, whether you like it or not, Potter, we have to work together," Lily said, exasperatedly. She threw up her hands in annoyance when he continued to ignore her. "WORKING together means TALKING to each other, Potter!"
James merely turned another page of "Quidditch Past and Present." Lily felt her face heat up. He was SO aggravating! Moving quickly, she snatched the book out of his hand, and tossed it on the floor behind her.
"You are really starting to annoy me," Lily snapped.
"That's a brand new book," James replied, mildly. He grabbed his wand, and summoned the book back to him, only aggravating Lily further.
Lily closed her eyes and counted to ten, trying to relax herself, while James looked on in amusement and boredom. "Potter . . . as much as we both don't want to do this, we have to, okay?" she said, opening her eyes. "You weren't at the meeting, so it's my job to fill you in. So would you let me do that, and stop being so difficult?"
He just shrugged.
Lily sighed. "Professor Dumbledore has this new idea for the school. He feels that the issue of Muggleborns and Purebloods – their differences – are becoming too serious outside of school in the wizarding community, and he wants to keep things light and easy inside the school. To "tone everything down a bit," he says. So he wants us to come up with an idea that would show the school how BOTH Muggle technology and Wizarding technology can benefit everyone, if we would all just take the time to see past the differences."
James brought his eyes up to meet hers. "Any ideas, then?" he said, casually. He ran one hand through his hair, mussing it up.
Lily ignored the action, sure he was doing it only to annoy her. "No, actually," she admitted. "I was hoping you would think of some."
Before he could say anything, an owl flew into the library through an open window, and slammed into the side of James's head, causing both owl and human to yelp in pain.
"Oh, no!" Lily exclaimed. She jumped up and ran to the other side of the table. "You poor thing!" She knelt down, completely ignoring James, and cooed at the stunned owl.
James glared at her. "You are something else, Evans."
Lily glowered at him for a second, then turned back to the owl. "I know. He just has such a BIG head that you couldn't see around it . . . Just ignore the mean, mean boy."
James snorted. "I think you mean to say, ignore the mean, mean GIRL."
"Why, Potter, I had no idea you thought of yourself in that way," Lily said, coldly. The owl flapped its wings, dropped a letter on her arm, hooted its thanks, and flew back out of the window. It was a plain white envelope.
"Just give me my letter, Evans," James said, glowering.
"What makes you think it's for you?" Lily said, holding it back, out of his reach.
"Who would write to YOU?" he shot back.
Lily bristled. "Obviously, this letter is for ME, Potter, or else the owl wouldn't have dropped it on me!"
"Well, he did fly into MY head, first! Maybe he was confused!" James argued.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Potter." Without even bothering to check the name on the front, she started to open the letter.
James was in front of her, and the letter was in his hands before she could blink. He was face to face with her. Lily stopped breathing. This was familiar.
"Don't read my private mail, Evans," James said, quietly, but firmly.
Lily took a step back, suddenly feeling rather dizzy. "It's not yours," she muttered. "Just look at the name. I'm sure it says, 'Lily' on the front, just like the rest of them."
James gave her a strange glance, then turned it over without argument this time. He glanced at it, then glanced up at her. Then, back to the letter. "It . . . It DOES say Lily."
"See? I told you – " She made a grab for the letter, but James held it away from her.
"And James," he added. "It says Lily and James."
"What?" she said, moving closer to him. She took the letter before he could protest, and finished opening it.
Lily and James stared wordlessly at the letter, then back up at each other. "This is it," Lily said, wrinkling her forehead. "Some of these lines. They're from the letters I've been getting."
"Me, too," James said. "This first line, here . . . 'Lately, I find I'm caught up in these thoughts . . .'"
"How will you come to me?" Lily continued, shakily.
"How will we connect these hearts?" James said in turn.
"Are you somewhere near, hidden like a four leaf clover?" she looked up at James, no longer needing to read the letter. She knew the lines by heart.
"Are you miles away?" he said. His eyes were no longer on the letter, either.
"Are we getting any closer?" Lily whispered. She was being drawn in, hypnotized by those hazel depths of . . . passion?
"There's more," he said, suddenly, tearing his gaze away from hers. "'I already see us moving mountains . . .'"
"'I already see us walk in water . . .'"
"'I already see the clouds we're flying over and under . . .'"
"'I can really see us having babies, walking through the park and being lazy . . .'"
"'I already see myself falling in love eternally,'" James finished, looking back up at her. His eyes asked a silent question, tentative hopefulness replacing the tension in the air.
"I'm sorry, James," Lily said, biting her lip. "I am so, SO sorry. Nothing gave me the right to do that. Nothing. I understand if you hate me, but please don't. Please, please don't because . . . because . . ." Lily blushed.
James turned crimson, sensing what she was about to say. "It's okay, Lily. I mean, it's not okay, but you don't have to – "
"I like you, James."
---
A/N: MWAHAHAHAHA! I WILL END IT THERE! MWAHAHAHA! Why, you ask? Because Ice Cream is calling, that's why! MWAHAHAHAHA! Lol – I'm gonna be even more hyper later cuz of this . . .
And don't forget to read "Scarred." I REALLY would love to know what you all think of it! Thanks a lot!
Ariana S.
calforniagurl: I'm glad you liked it! I like their lil' fights, too! Heehee. And I'm happy that I put you in a good mood, also!
gab3: Haha, yes, it's quite delicious. One word of advice, tho – don't drink it on an empty stomach. Bleah. Heehee, yeah, Jessica Simpson. Happy you liked it!
Angel Black1: lol – AP English. Ah. Not taking it was probably the best decision I made after seeing so many of my friends struggle helplessly . . . And the poem. Teehee. Yes, Lily and James SHOULD try to figure that out . . . Thanks for reviewing!
Nathalie17: You'll have to read to find out about the letters. All of the fluffy goodness is in this chapter! Heehee. Thanks!
MWPP Fanatic: Moony is a very good actor. And YES, James most definitely does need Lily. Romance . . . (sigh)
Tim Knispel: Yeah, mystery letters are cool. Heehee. Thanks, I'm glad you like the idea. I've seen it in movies and stuff a lot, so I thought, "hey, why not try it?" Glad to see it worked! And yeah, your name, haha. Hey, do you think I could use it in a future story? At least your last name, anyway . . . Thanks again!
iLuvDuckies29: I'm glad you like it! You'll find out about those letters soon enough! Here's more, and thanks for reading!
Erkith: Heehee, thanks! I'm glad you liked the disclaimer. You're the first person that commented on it . . . and the story, glad you like that, too! Here's more!
sunni07: HAHA, yeah! He does! (gets hit by tomatoes from militant feminists b/c I wouldn't remember to duck) LOL. Oh, and even if JKR does reveal how Lily and James got together, I still wouldn't stop writing MY stories . . . I'm betting a lot of other people won't either, so I really wouldn't worry. (SMILE!)
Miss Effie: Thank you very, very, very much! I'm really happy that you like it! Um . . . I hope this has the happiness you're looking for. If it doesn't, then it will come along soon. Promise! Heehee, I will most definitely keep up the sexual innuendo. I love including that . . . It makes me laugh, too.
Spikora: Thanks! Well, of course, the letters have to do with Remus and Sirius! They're the Marauders! You think they WOULDN'T be behind this idea? LOL. (evil grin back)
Nikki: I'm glad you liked it! I hope you like this one, too! Thanks for the review!
Book Lover990: Thanks bunches! Here's more for you!!!
silentauror: Thanks a lot! I look forward to writing the rest! Heehee. And I'll think about another (ahem) stag ride. lol
TenkunoMeiou: YAY! I will! Heehee. Thanks for revewing!
Quiteona: Right. All Remus's idea. And the others are helping. Yeah, you do say that every time . . . But it's okay! It's cool, it makes me wanna write more! Yup, I'm feeling a LOT better! Thanks a lot!
anniePADFOOT: Haha, so I see you've resorted back to the laziness . . .Tsk, tsk. What shall I do with you? Oh, I know! DETENTION! And you lose your house 20 points! Jk, jk! Oh, yeah, I get it. About the idea. That's what I thought you meant, but I just wanted to be sure . . . yeah, it IS a new concept. It seems like in almost every story I read, Lily gets mad at James, so I wanted to show that Lily is NOT perfect. Guess I did alright, cuz now people are telling me Lily's evil. Heehee. Thanks for the review!
Jessica: YAY for no confusion! Confusion is a bad thing that should go away and die! (unless of course, if you wanted to confuse someone else on purpose. Then, it would a good thing!) Heehee, now I'm confused . . . Oh, yeah. Your review. I'm supposed to be answering that . . . Well, I'm glad you like it! And don't do anything bad! Bad is not good.
Animalluvr75: Thank you soooo much! I'm glad you like all the chapters!
TitouMoony: HI HI! Remus IS in this chapter, so don't worry! He's still here! Heehee. Here's more! I hope you like it!
THANKS AGAIN, EVERYBODY! HERE'S MORE!
---
Disclaimer: Teehee, it's not mine, and I'm feeling particularly hyper today, a wee bit tipsy (even tho I've never drank a day in my life), and deliriously happy . . . (even tho I still don't own Jessica Simpson)
Chapter Fourteen – Pokery
"Sirius, did you remember to put the letter in his Quidditch robes?" Remus asked, as he scanned the bleachers for three available seats.
"Yeah," Sirius answered. "He'll find it when he's changing. And I sent the other one to Evans off with an owl."
"Good," Remus said, triumphantly. "This is going to work! I can feel it. This is the best idea we've had in a long time, Padfoot. I have complete confidence that – "
"Hello, Remus," an extremely familiar voice said, causing Remus to freeze up completely.
He spun around, his face bright red. "Oh, uh, hello, Kathryn." He smiled tightly. "How are you?"
She grinned. "Just fine. And you?"
"Peachy," Remus choked. From behind Kathryn, Sirius was making googly-eye faces. Remus made himself a mental note to strangle his friend after the match.
"I was wondering if you would like to sit with us," Kathryn offered. "It's not much room because Patricia and Lily are there, too, but we could squeeze you three in."
"Okay," Peter said quickly. Remus guessed he was tired of standing. He looked over at Sirius, who was now making fish faces behind Kathryn's head. Remus gave him a hard smile.
"Sirius? Would you like to go sit with them?" he said, evenly.
Sirius batted his eyelashes as Kathryn turned around, awaiting his answer. "I'd looove to," he said, clasping his hands together.
Remus rolled his eyes as Kat and Peter laughed. He sighed, starting up the bleachers towards a head of noticeable red hair. It was going to be a long match.
---
"What the - ?" James snatched his hand out of his Quidditch robe sleeve, and examined it. He had a paper cut. Carefully, he reached back into his robe, and plucked the blameworthy piece of parchment from his sleeve. It was a plain white envelope.
James groaned. "Not another one!"
He tore the letter open, and pulled out the parchment, reading it quickly. "'Are you miles away?'" James made a noise of annoyance, and struggled against his urge to tear up the piece of parchment.
"Are you miles away? Miles away from what!?" he exclaimed.
"Um, J-James . . ."
"Who the hell is sending these!?" James continued.
"J-James . . . the game . . . "
"WHAT?" he snapped, turning angry eyes on one of his teammates, who flinched in return.
"The game is about to start. We've been called out already."
"Shit!" James quickly stuffed the letter with the rest of his things, wincing as his finger came into harsh contact with the bag. Then, he dressed in record speed, and grabbed his broomstick – a Windstorm360.
Damn the letters. He was going to win this stupid game!
---
"'Are we getting any closer?'" Lily read. She scowled, rereading it a second, and a third time.
"Is that all it says, Lily?" Esther, one of Kat's Ravenclaw friends, asked her.
"That's all it says," Lily sighed. "See the others? They're all the same. They each have one cryptic message, and then that's it."
"And there's no explanation, or anything?" Esther said.
"None," Lily shook her head. "Pat and Kat think they might be from some sort of secret admirer, but I'm not so sure – " Lily suddenly stopped speaking.
"Hey, Lils!" Sirius said, ambling up to them. "Howsit going?"
"Just fine," Lily answered, narrowing her eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be watching the match?"
"I could say the same for you and your friend," Sirius said, grinning. He winked at Esther causing her to turn a violent shade of scarlet.
Lily sighed, deciding to ignore the display. "I would've stayed, but you know that owl that was flying around one of the goal posts? It was looking for me. As soon as I left, it delivered this letter to me."
"And your friend?" Sirius said, switching his gaze back to Esther.
Esther's eyes widened. "Um, I-I don't . . . "
"She detests Quidditch," Lily said, smirking. "Loathes it."
Sirius's own eyes widened. He appeared taken-aback. "What!? But-but . . ."
Lily giggled. "My dear, Esther, you seem to have rendered Mr. Black speechless."
Sirius clutched at his throat in a fit of dramatics while Lily laughed, and Esther looked slightly terrified.
Lily cleared her throat. "Sirius, you never did tell us what you were doing out here," she said, smiling.
Sirius shrugged. "Maybe I was curious. What does that letter say?"
"None of your business," Lily replied at the same time that Esther blurted, "It's a love letter."
"Esther!" Lily exclaimed. "It is NOT a love letter, and Black, don't you dare go running your mouth. It's nothing of the sort, I assure you!"
Sirius's mouth dropped open. "You, too?"
"What?" Lily asked, confused. "What do you mean, me, too?" Her eyes suddenly darkened. "Wait. Has someone else been receiving love letters?"
"Oops," Sirius said, sheepishly. "Um, Evans, just forget I ever said that, okay?"
"No, I most certainly will NOT," Lily said. Sirius tried to back away, but she grabbed him by his shirt collar. "Tell me, Black! Who else has been getting love letters?"
"I can't tell you," Sirius said. "Marauder honor, and all that jazz."
"So it's one of your friends, then, is it?" Lily said, tightening her grip. She hesitated. "Tell me . . . is it Potter?"
Sirius stared at her. "Why would you think that?"
"Well . . . it wouldn't be Remus, on account of Kat's possessiveness," Lily said, grinning. She let go of Sirius. "And it wouldn't be you because all the girls who fancy you are too bloody FORWARD to be sending love letters, if you don't mind me saying."
"Oh, no, no. Go ahead and insult me. Really, I don't mind," Sirius muttered.
"And Peter?" Lily continued, as if she hadn't heard him. "Getting love letters?" She was faintly repulsed by the idea. "Um, I really don't think it's likely."
Even Sirius had to agree with that one, and Esther nodded. "So, it's Potter, then?" Lily asked, her tone conveying nothing.
Sirius searched her face. "Yeah, it's James," he replied. "But I won't tell him you're getting them, too. He'll go ballistic."
"What? Why?" Lily asked, curiously.
Sirius just shook his head. "I've already said too much, Evans. I have to get back to the match before Remus starts to wonder. Bye."
Esther watched him go, a look of longing on her face. "Lily . . . you don't suppose he's behind it all, do you?"
"What?" Lily raised her eyebrows. "Behind all of what?"
"You know," Esther said, her eyes on Sirius's back. "He could be the one. Sending you both the love letters . . . making you fall for each other. He's romantic enough to do it."
Lily snorted. "Sirius? Ha! Not bloody likely!"
---
"BLOODY PAPER CUT!!!" James roared that night in the common room. "STUPID BLOODY PAPER CUT COST ME THE MATCH! COST GRYFFINDOR THE MATCH!"
"James, we still have a shot at the cup. It's not like we've lost the entire season. It's just one match – " Remus said, reasonably.
"ONE MATCH!? ONE MATCH, MY ARSE!"
"James, calm down," Remus said, refusing to back down. "It's ONLY one match! You can make it up, later. Just sit down. Relax, and tell us exactly what went wrong."
Casting a final glare around the common room, James let out a breath, and collapsed into his favorite couch near the fire.
"You can continue with all of your conversations. Nothing to see here!" Sirius announced, and at once, the noise level in the common room went up as people did exactly what he told them, and continued with their conversations. Sirius grinned, and turned his attention back to James.
"Paper cut," James said, hoarsely. "I got a paper cut. Another of those damn letters cost me the snitch."
Remus's and Sirius's eyes went wide. "Really?" Remus said. "Oh." He seemed to be at a loss for words.
"Well, what did it say this time? Any explanations?" Sirius asked, exchanging a glance with Remus.
James didn't even notice. "No," he sighed. "It said, 'Are you miles away?'"
"Cryptic," Remus commented.
"I know," James said. "And I still have no idea who's sending them."
"Uh, James . . . this may not be the best time to tell you this, but . . ." Sirius hesitated.
"Spill," James said.
"I, um, I kinda, sorta let it slip to Evans that you were getting love letters."
James stared at him, unblinkingly. "How, Sirius? How did you SORTA let it slip?" His voice was very controlled, but there was a muscle twitching on his face, a sign that he was either about to reach out and break something, or he was about to start yelling again.
"Now, don't get mad, Prongsie," Sirius said, quickly, "but Evans said she's been getting them, too."
"What?" James's expression switched to one of utter surprise. "Really?"
"Maybe it's a Head thing," Remus put in. "Maybe you guys should get together and talk about it."
"Hn. I don't think so. I don't really have a desire to talk to Evans about anything," James said, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "Nice try, though."
Remus and Sirius exchanged a sour glance. Nice try indeed.
---
"Well, whether you like it or not, Potter, we have to work together," Lily said, exasperatedly. She threw up her hands in annoyance when he continued to ignore her. "WORKING together means TALKING to each other, Potter!"
James merely turned another page of "Quidditch Past and Present." Lily felt her face heat up. He was SO aggravating! Moving quickly, she snatched the book out of his hand, and tossed it on the floor behind her.
"You are really starting to annoy me," Lily snapped.
"That's a brand new book," James replied, mildly. He grabbed his wand, and summoned the book back to him, only aggravating Lily further.
Lily closed her eyes and counted to ten, trying to relax herself, while James looked on in amusement and boredom. "Potter . . . as much as we both don't want to do this, we have to, okay?" she said, opening her eyes. "You weren't at the meeting, so it's my job to fill you in. So would you let me do that, and stop being so difficult?"
He just shrugged.
Lily sighed. "Professor Dumbledore has this new idea for the school. He feels that the issue of Muggleborns and Purebloods – their differences – are becoming too serious outside of school in the wizarding community, and he wants to keep things light and easy inside the school. To "tone everything down a bit," he says. So he wants us to come up with an idea that would show the school how BOTH Muggle technology and Wizarding technology can benefit everyone, if we would all just take the time to see past the differences."
James brought his eyes up to meet hers. "Any ideas, then?" he said, casually. He ran one hand through his hair, mussing it up.
Lily ignored the action, sure he was doing it only to annoy her. "No, actually," she admitted. "I was hoping you would think of some."
Before he could say anything, an owl flew into the library through an open window, and slammed into the side of James's head, causing both owl and human to yelp in pain.
"Oh, no!" Lily exclaimed. She jumped up and ran to the other side of the table. "You poor thing!" She knelt down, completely ignoring James, and cooed at the stunned owl.
James glared at her. "You are something else, Evans."
Lily glowered at him for a second, then turned back to the owl. "I know. He just has such a BIG head that you couldn't see around it . . . Just ignore the mean, mean boy."
James snorted. "I think you mean to say, ignore the mean, mean GIRL."
"Why, Potter, I had no idea you thought of yourself in that way," Lily said, coldly. The owl flapped its wings, dropped a letter on her arm, hooted its thanks, and flew back out of the window. It was a plain white envelope.
"Just give me my letter, Evans," James said, glowering.
"What makes you think it's for you?" Lily said, holding it back, out of his reach.
"Who would write to YOU?" he shot back.
Lily bristled. "Obviously, this letter is for ME, Potter, or else the owl wouldn't have dropped it on me!"
"Well, he did fly into MY head, first! Maybe he was confused!" James argued.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Potter." Without even bothering to check the name on the front, she started to open the letter.
James was in front of her, and the letter was in his hands before she could blink. He was face to face with her. Lily stopped breathing. This was familiar.
"Don't read my private mail, Evans," James said, quietly, but firmly.
Lily took a step back, suddenly feeling rather dizzy. "It's not yours," she muttered. "Just look at the name. I'm sure it says, 'Lily' on the front, just like the rest of them."
James gave her a strange glance, then turned it over without argument this time. He glanced at it, then glanced up at her. Then, back to the letter. "It . . . It DOES say Lily."
"See? I told you – " She made a grab for the letter, but James held it away from her.
"And James," he added. "It says Lily and James."
"What?" she said, moving closer to him. She took the letter before he could protest, and finished opening it.
Lily and James stared wordlessly at the letter, then back up at each other. "This is it," Lily said, wrinkling her forehead. "Some of these lines. They're from the letters I've been getting."
"Me, too," James said. "This first line, here . . . 'Lately, I find I'm caught up in these thoughts . . .'"
"How will you come to me?" Lily continued, shakily.
"How will we connect these hearts?" James said in turn.
"Are you somewhere near, hidden like a four leaf clover?" she looked up at James, no longer needing to read the letter. She knew the lines by heart.
"Are you miles away?" he said. His eyes were no longer on the letter, either.
"Are we getting any closer?" Lily whispered. She was being drawn in, hypnotized by those hazel depths of . . . passion?
"There's more," he said, suddenly, tearing his gaze away from hers. "'I already see us moving mountains . . .'"
"'I already see us walk in water . . .'"
"'I already see the clouds we're flying over and under . . .'"
"'I can really see us having babies, walking through the park and being lazy . . .'"
"'I already see myself falling in love eternally,'" James finished, looking back up at her. His eyes asked a silent question, tentative hopefulness replacing the tension in the air.
"I'm sorry, James," Lily said, biting her lip. "I am so, SO sorry. Nothing gave me the right to do that. Nothing. I understand if you hate me, but please don't. Please, please don't because . . . because . . ." Lily blushed.
James turned crimson, sensing what she was about to say. "It's okay, Lily. I mean, it's not okay, but you don't have to – "
"I like you, James."
---
A/N: MWAHAHAHAHA! I WILL END IT THERE! MWAHAHAHA! Why, you ask? Because Ice Cream is calling, that's why! MWAHAHAHAHA! Lol – I'm gonna be even more hyper later cuz of this . . .
And don't forget to read "Scarred." I REALLY would love to know what you all think of it! Thanks a lot!
Ariana S.