OK first of all soooo sorry for how long this took but i was super busy and plus it would have been done and dusted earlier but stupid little children have been insisting on sitting on me and watching tom and jerry for hours on end sooooo not fun - did i mention HYPER CHILDREN - gah
also i had some trouble with this chapter before i realised i could just put something in somewhere else and yea complete mayhem in my mind for the past week or so - therefore this stayed on about 2 pages until yesterday and bleh - not to mention i have spent less and less time at home and even less in front of this damned machine - social lives can be so hard to handle - or rather parents say ANNA COME WE ARE GOING SHOPPING (so far that has been monday - thursday what fun)
Thank you all for your reviews - and of course some special thank yous
leafsgurl999- haha!! the school thing will be revealed - and i think its a quite nice thingy to be honest but hey i am writing this
Sash - a rat er NO - not peter and i dont actually remember saying anything but thats just my mind playing tricks on me right?
hpjsr - confussion is good - i hadn't actually worked out how to explain that until i dunno was it a week ago or summat? but yes all shall be revealed soon
Jessie - you weren't last wow!!! lol ok thats mean - thanks for the review - even though you are ignoring me HUMPH
Tish- i love you!! no really i do - i almost hugged the moniter when i got your review (reviews are such a rareity for moi apart from the four above :P i love them too :D) again all shall be revealed in time
Kmk - well didn't nearly hug the monitor - spilt drink over meself in excitment (how sad) lol - well here it is the next chapter enjoy!!
please read and review!
Chapter 5 – Meet the Rent
Three weeks had passed since that night and Lily woke up suddenly, an arm casually was draped around her waist and she could feel the warm naked body of James next to her. The sheets were cold and she could feel James' leg in between hers. He stirred next to her and he pulled her closer to him, she looked at the led alarm clock that James had placed on her side of the bed for her connivance considering she spent nearly every night at his house. It was nearly eight in the morning, so she turned around in the bed and wrapped her arms around James' neck, he was still sound asleep, so she drew herself closer to him and kissed him.
He groaned the woman could not possibly want more could she? Not that he minded of course but it was tiring. He kissed her back and rolled on top of her.
"Morning stranger," she breathed underneath him.
"Why so early?" he groaned.
"Because," Lily said through kisses. "You have to meet my father a lunch and you can't go looking like you just had sex."
"I would rather not go."
"Well he wants to meet you anyway, cause I'm not at home anymore. Now off I need to shower," Lily said pushing him off herself, sorry that he didn't resist
"Want help?" James called after her.
"I don't see why not," Lily said popping her head back through door wearing the shirt that James had given her and the boxer shorts that she had stolen from him. She watched amused as James stumbled out of bed. Maybe she was pushing him a bit to hard.
Only one other problem had arisen in their relationship. James would be leaving in a matter of weeks as his six months paid of doing nothing work began to thin. Lily was becoming attached to him, not just physically but he was just everything she wanted in a guy.
She could go round to his house whenever she wanted to and even if he wasn't in she could let herself in via the back door, the key hidden above the framed in a dent, if she needed someone to talk to she could call him and he would answer it within a ring, these things meant he was constantly there for her. Work or no work.
He could cook that was another attraction; his personality was to die for, he just seemed perfect and yet Lily could sense something that he was holding back from her, although that didn't bother her too much considering she wasn't exactly being honest.
Now about his leaving, Lily wondered whether they would stay in touch or just lose contact altogether. She hoped they would stay in touch, but what she really wanted was for James to take her with him, she would eventually tell him about her secret.
James stood behind her in the shower, his hands on her hips as she turned the water on and gathered together an assortment of bottles, containing shampoo and washing stuff. He loved the feel of her skin against his, the scent of her curly red hair, the way she kissed him in order to wake him up, shut him up or just have a snogging session on the sofa downstairs in front of the TV.
They weren't the only things he loved about her; she would turn up in the middle of the night just after he got home from working at the club and seduce him or make him less tense, or when he came home to find her cooking something in the kitchen.
With every other girl he had been with he felt like he was being used, but with Lily it was different, she came around to his house they talked, went out and came stumbling through the door, undressing each other.
However he would be leaving in a few weeks and he didn't exactly want to leave her. Would she want to come with him though? Would she be able to accept his secret? He pondered this for sometime now but he hadn't gone past the thought of the questions, her reactions were still set back in his mind for another time.
They now sat in a small café that Lily's father had wanted to meet them in. James was staring into his tea.
"James it'll be fine. My father won't ask any incriminating at least I don't think so," Lily said to him as Mr. Evans came through the door. "I'll see you later."
"Yea," James mumbled in response. He watched Mr. Evans walk towards the table. He stood up shook hands and sat down again.
"So you're the fellow my daughter spends all her waking hours with, not to mention some of her sleeping hours to," Mr. Evans said making James grin slightly.
"I would believe so sir," he replied.
Mr. Evans observed James. His grin wasn't cocky it showed that he liked spending time with Lily, he seemed of medium build, fairly intelligent but it was his beliefs and background that Mr. Evans was interested in. normally the first thing he would have asked a boy that Lily was seeing how much money his family had but it seemed that this time that would be inappropriate considering the amount of time Lily had spent with him.
When he thought about it a bit he could see that Lily enjoyed her time with James which could also be worked out by comparing the amount of time she had spent with Alex Piantnik, the man that he had recently chosen for her.
Mr. Evans had already lost one daughter to a pompous fat bastard but Petunia seemed to like him and at the time he had approved. Now he wanted his youngest to marry someone with a stable job and that could provide her with everything that she wanted. Alex in his opinion was just that, but was his opinion justified?
He sat across from James and could tell that the boy was nervous, just like he should be. He was fumbling with the empty coffee cup in front of him as though he had nothing better to do, at that moment in time anyway.
Mr. Evans had already established a firm but not solid opinion of James in the few moments that they had said nothing between each other. He was a gentlemen, kind, probably had little or no money but he didn't need any charity, he worked for whatever he had in his pockets and was grateful for it. James was also the type that wouldn't just leave a girl stranded; Mr. Evans knew that from experience.
"So Mr. Potter," he said suddenly startling James from his trance. "What do you do for a living?"
"I work in London sir," James said thinking what an Auror would be in muggle terms, "as a deputy head in a department of the Scotland yard. Most of it is paper work though."
"Then why are you here?" Mr. Evans asked confused at the thought.
"My boss. Lady J told me to come here, wasn't sleeping eating much mainly living off coffee and canteen food."
"But you've been here for almost six months!" he exclaimed
"That's the beauty of it I suppose I only asked for six weeks off and she gave me six months off, saying I needed to tan a bit, meet new people, sort my objectives in life out and stuff."
"I see," Mr. Evans said, "Why did you get a job here then."
"Got bored of just doing nothing. Not in my nature, I think."
"Well then, that's interesting," Mr. Evans, said. So the boy had a decent mainland job but that didn't give him a good idea of what he was like, his intelligence where he went to school and most important of all although not many people knew this; whether James was a believer. "What kind of education did you have?"
"Boarding school. My father worked twenty-four seven and I would have gone to a normal school but my mum died when I was ten and I had to be shifted from relative to relative for the whole year and it wasn't really fair on them."
"Where did you board?"
"Small school in Scotland."
Mr. Evans surveyed him. There was some truth in what he said, but he would not utter the name of the school and how long he was there for as though it was a bad memory or something, so Mr. Evans did not push him.
They sat in silence for a couple of moments and James was beginning to wonder if Mr. Evans would ask what he studied while he was at school, that would be hard to explain so he had decided to say oh you know just the normal things. He looked into his empty cup he needed drink. He caught the waitress's eye and she came over and poured him some coffee. Then still sitting in silence James heard the bells jingle indicating someone had come in.
"Oh James here you are," Abigail said while trying to keep a backpack on her arm. "I need a lift and I don't have money for a cab to the port."
"Abs, this is Lily's dad, Mr. Evans this is my school friend that I work with," he said in order of politeness before turning to his friend, "Err what's wrong?"
"Sirius called. My dad is in hospital."
"Ok, erm just let me pay and I'll give you a lift."
"Thanks, you're a star James."
"Yea right," James said rolling his eyes, "Sorry to cut lunch short sir, it was nice talking to you," James said to Mr. Evans as he paid for the drinks.
Mr. Evans watched as James and Abigail left, the bag now on James shoulder and an arm around Abigails waist guiding her. He smiled softly, he hadn't got round to what he actually wanted to talk about. Well there would be other opportunities to do that later. He was going to see Alex now. Should be interesting.
"But-" Lily stammered.
"No buts Lily, you have to go with Alex tonight," her father replied
"Its so boring though. Couldn't it at least be an interesting convention?"
"This is interesting!"
"Oh yea walking around looking at what else my father can own on this good for nothing island. Yes tonnes of fun!"
"He's taking you to dinner later in Il Divo – that Italian place you like."
"Nooo," Lily groaned. "Dad, you do understand that in the what two or so months I have been here I have seen him for less than two weeks which is like wrong cause it is. When you're supposed to be dating someone are you supposed to have like three or four dates a week. At least that anyway."
"What like you and James?"
"No we don't go on dates. We just sit around eating talking. You know friend stuff. How did lunch go?"
"He left before we ate lunch. Some friend of his, Abs turned up."
"Hmmm, nice girl, she is. Talk to her sometimes, while James is in the back."
"So they have no relationship with each other?"
"Dad, no. Been friends since school apparently, or so I think yea no yea since school. Wish I had kept contact with Hailey and Angela, but oh well can't cry over spilt milk. Did you get round to the magic talk?"
"Lily tell me how am I supposed to get round to that in a conversation?"
"I don't know. Talk about Gunther he's obsessed with mythical things that are actually true but yea he doesn't know that," Lily said now rummaging through her closet. "I have nothing to wear. Do I have to go?"
"Yes and he's picking you up in an hour."
"WHAT!" Lily yelled, and stepped out of her closet. "An hour, ONE HOUR!!"
Mr. Evans stopped listening to his daughter as she began to ramble on about how it was impossible for a girl to get ready in an hour etc, etc, etc.
James was alone that night serving people with drinks and such, he would be stretched and he knew but he had done it at least once or twice before, he would forever curse himself at the end of the shift but he enjoyed the challenge.
It was still early into the opening hours of the club and James was beginning to feel worse for wear. Just as he was about to start cursing Lily for coming round nearly every night to his house – not that he minded much he enjoyed it but it was starting to get too much – (anyway) he spotted one of his best friends walking over to the bar.
"Hey Moony what you doing here?"
"Being bored because Alegro has closed for the night cause something went 'down' before I got there, so no work tonight."
"Well then Moony, hop over and help me out, Abs was called in today."
"What excuse did she use?"
"Dad was in hospital I believe. Had to give her a lift to the port. Clumsy tart spent her pay too quick."
"Prongs you should know better!"
"Shut up and help me," James said to his friend as he spotted Mr. Evans entering the bar. "Ah fuck, serve going out back for crisps."
Mr. Evans saw James talking to someone who appeared to be a customer. Then he saw James going into the back and letting the other in to serve customers, when James re-appeared he expected the unknown to go back out, but he didn't.
James tried to ignore the fact that Mr. Evans was in the club. Although this would soon become harder as he came up to the bar and sat down to be served. Thankfully Remus got there before James even had the chance to finish serving the current customers, a rather large group of giggling girls.
"Moony," James said looking at his friend at the other till, "Got any small change?"
"No, people keep giving me notes and I am running out," he replied.
"Shit," James said. Why did this only ever happen when they didn't have any change in the safe? "I have to go over the road to get some cause I'm fresh out. Should be back in a minute," James said grabbing some cash then ducking under the entrance flap and going out the front.
Mr. Evans was surprised as James ran out the club but he said nothing he just continued to observe 'Moony' as James called him serve people single. Moments after James had left he came back carrying a bag of change.
"Right here you go, it's not much but yea. If it gets too dire exact amount or no change will have to be implemented. You know how that works?"
"No I don't Prongs I only work in a pub after all," Remus said rolling his eyes.
"Good point," James said looking at his friend before complying to serve someone who was behind him and trying to get his attention. "Yes, sir," he said turning around slightly agitated, "Ahh Mr. Evans. What would you like?"
"Vodka orange," he said, finally he had the boys attention.
"Hold that thought," James said noticing a brawl about to begin. He got the bouncers attention who nodded in response, "Sorry Mr. Evans what was that?"
"Vodka and orange."
"ALL OUT," Remus yelled.
"What?" James said shocked.
"No orange juice left, checked everywhere where you normally keep these things and there isn't a single drop of orange and you have no pineapple either. Looks like your about to run out of beer in this barrel, err and there is no white wine left."
"You have got to be kidding me," James said shocked. Abigail would have never left the stocks in such short supply. "Excuse me," he said walking over to a phone and dialling a number. "Hello…Yes sir it's James…what's wrong? We have nearly no wine, no orange or pineapple juice and are on are last barrel of beer…(pulling away from the phone)… But sir I don't deal with the stocks just with the accounts and such…no it wasn't Abigail, well she helped out she said what needed to be bought and Joyce ordered them…no sir Joyce isn't in tonight her night off…oh and we have no change sir…yes sir will do." James said and after making sure that Melbourne had hung up he slammed the phone on the receiver and looked as though he wanted to kill something.
Remus watched amused as a rather annoyed James walked past him and shut the music off, found a hand bell and rang it, once everyone was silent,
"Due to the lack of alcohol, and actual staff at this present moment I am forced to call last orders at 11.15pm at which time you shall finish your drinks and kindly leave at 11.30pm. If you have any complaints, don't come to me you can go to some other club there are plenty in this area. Please come again, hopefully next time there will be enough drink to last the night." James said with such force that most people left. The only people that remained where Mr. Evans and the group of giggling girls.
"Hey look on the bright side Prongs you can go out now!" Remus said brightly although he failed to avoid James glare, "Or not."
James began mumbling something incoherent about Melbourne while clearing up. Remus shook his head and began helping James clean up. James seemed to work double speed when he was angry although the reason was still unapparent.
"Oh yea James," Remus said suddenly, "I've been meaning to ask you. Where did you go err after me and Cindy left to go to the bonfire."
"I got my phone and left, couldn't be bothered to stay. Unicorn of Light – ooo yea so real," James laughed.
"But James!" Remus said sardonically "You have always believed in magic," he grinned to himself making sure that Mr. Evans did not see.
"Yea and your point would be Remus? I may believe in the stuff, doesn't mean it exists now does it, because if it did well then hmmm," James stood up and wondered what life would be like without magic. "It would be different."
Mr. Evans sat in the midst of the conversation amazed that he needn't bring it up the subject that he found most difficult to bring up
"Yea, very different, imagine flying carpets and animals that can talk or that change into humans, and things like werewolves, vampires and real giants being real," Remus said.
"What and they all gather at the full moon and howl and on Halloween at some crackpot school for 'young' magic people wizards witches whatever they would want to call themselves they have a feast and there are huge pumpkins in all the corners with hundreds of bats flying around the room and then at Christmas they have crackers with BIG hats inside them and things that are real," James said looking at Remus who nodded dreamily, "would there happen to be four boys who take the piss out of everyone as well?"
"Oh yea magicians we were right. James it's a thought, just because you can't believe in stuff like me and Sirius do…"
"But I do believe in stuff mate, but what I just said that's a fairytale, we live in the real world. Good and bad exists in it and if magic did too then well wouldn't we mere mortals be doomed? I believe everyone has a purpose in life a destiny and I believe in fate and true love. That I suppose has magic but its natural magic."
"You're a loony," Remus said as he realised that James wasn't just saying the things he was saying it hard and true. Hogwarts was a fairytale everything so peaceful, house rivalry of course, but that wasn't the point, 'mere mortals' were in danger because of Voldemort and his followers, "but then again your probably right. In one way or another," Remus muttered. "I'm gunna go home sleep maybe call some people. Should call my mum, hmm. See you around Prongs."
"Hey Moony?" James said as Remus was about to leave, Remus turned around, "Never mind it's not important. Thanks for helping out."
"A friend in need is a friend in deed."
"A friend who helps out when we are in trouble is a true friend – unlike others who disappear when trouble arises."
"Yea, I know. Mischief managed."
Both Remus and James stared at each other for a moment before turning around and doing what they intended to do moments before. Mr. Evans watched amazed at the two men who seemed to reliving something of the past.
Lily spent most of the evening following Alex around the convention she felt he could at least pay some attention to her and not totally ignore her. Maybe during dinner he would more attention to her than he did to the food. She sighed as he turned around and took her hand she forced a weak smile and followed him.
Throughout the dinner they talked a bit although small talk was not her thing she obliged and he kept leading the conversation into business and other things she did not want to talk about, she liked the in-depth conversations that she and James would have about complete rubbish they could banter about anything and still manage to get along because they knew it was only a different view of what one felt or perceived something. So she ended up just nodding and adding more wine to her glass. Later she would regret that.
Once they had finished the Spaghetti Bolognese dinner, Alex decided to go for a walk. "Somehow" they ended up in front of Alex's house. Lily although was conscience of what she was doing didn't realise where it was going until they had found their way to Alex's bedroom.
Wanting to get out she knew she couldn't so she lay down on his bed and waited while he went to the bathroom, on the verge of blacking out she forced herself to stay awake and found it hard to that once Alex had climbed on top of the bed and was looming over her, kissing her neck softly she wished he would just hurry up. It felt awful, there was no passion in what he was doing it was just sex.
Lily woke at around four in the morning she must have blackout during or after she and Alex had sex. She felt awful she had forgotten what it was like to wake up with pain all the way down her spine not to mention an aching head. She looked over to the other side Alex was sprawled untidily across the bed arm hanging off the side of the bed, head turned away from her probably drooling. She crept out of the bed and found her dress next to the door, she pulled it on and looked for her things else where in the room, most were next to the bed.
When she got outside she stood cold, she didn't take her coat with her, and looking for a way to find the main street she turned her head in both directions. Her mind was blank; she didn't even know what road she was on. So she walked or rather hobbled along the road until she a car drive past, so she stood on the corner of that road until another passed by which wasn't too long thankfully.
"Hi, can you tell me how to get to Mansfield Court?" she asked the woman who was sitting in the passengers seat.
"Err no sorry," she replied.
"That's ok," Lily replied shivering. She then saw a taxi and someone getting out, she ran to it, "Eighteen Mansfield Court please," she said through the open window, "But err I'll pay you once I get there, lost my purse."
"Sure thing m'am." The driver said.
Bzzzzzing, bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing, bzzing, bzzing, bzzing.
"SHUT UP!" James yelled into his pillow. Who in the name of God would be ringing the doorbell at this time of the night morning or whatever it was. After another burst of doorbell ringing there was an urgent rapping of the door, "Fine I give in, I'm bloody coming."
Lily stood impatiently at the door ringing the doorbell she really didn't need this, just as she was about to give up the door opened. A rather frustrated James in a robe opened the door, the second he saw the state he was in his expression lightened, filled with worry, he saw the taxi waiting, found some money and gave it to him.
"Lil's what happened," James said gathering her in his arms as she for the first time burst into tears.
He picked her up and carried her to the sofa, where he sat her on his lap and smothered her with kisses, embracing her, telling her sweet nothings until she calmed down.
"It…it…was horrible," she sobbed her voice was strangled.
"It's ok now, what was?"
"Alex. It was like when we," she paused and he understood, "it was horrible and I ache all over now and, and…" she trailed off and cried into his chest.
James didn't let her go and he kept bestowing kisses on her brow and on her lips until she fell asleep in his arms.
oh and i promise that i will update faster this time cause i know where i am going
on a sader note
i have to say with regret that there aren't that many chapter left in this ff tear but the amount is definatly under 5 and certainly should i go over five it wont be more than another 10 but i highly doubti will go over five
