Transformations and Transfiguration

By: Jasmine

Chapter 9

"Site Seeing"

Lily had a very difficult time getting to class on time the next morning due to the herds of girls ambushing Jake with questions and giggling when he'd reply. She was getting very sick of listening to their repetitive inquiries of Jake's past, and after she noticed the same girl come up to Jake for the fourth time, she just had to put her foot down. "It's all right, Lily. They weren't really bothering me." Jake said calmingly, smiling at her knowingly.

"I know, but I couldn't take it anymore. We're already ten minutes late for Transfiguration." she replied, checking her watch apprehensively.

Jake placed an arm around Lily's shoulders, pulling her close. Lily glanced up in his direction. "Don't worry, Lils, you're the only girl for me." He grinned playfully. Lily let out her held breath, smiling as well.

"Please. I've told you two before," said Jasmine from their left, holding a hand up. "None of your mushy-gushy nonsense in front of me. I'd like to keep my breakfast down." Lily and Jake stared incredulously back at her, and she replied with a grin, rolling her eyes slightly. It'd been a while since she'd done that to anyone but Sirius Black. It felt a bit awkward.

As the threesome walked into class, Lily began apologizing for their late arrival when Jake cut in, smoothly explaining that Lily'd been busy showing him how to get to class. It was amazing how well he could keep a straight face and lie at the same time, James disgustedly pointing this out to Sirius under his breath. "C'mon, Prongs, he can't be all that bad. You say you caught him nearly kissing Evans last night and that's what makes him bad," Sirius paused for breath as James vigorously nodded his head, knocking his glasses askew. "But don't go telling me that you haven't done that loads of times before."

Jakes gawked at Sirius, his expression a mix between unbelieving and angry. Remus, however, voiced his own thoughts aloud. "Hilariously, Padfoot, that's very profound and deeply-thought out. If only you could act like that when around Jasmine, dearest." He teased, leaning back as Sirius threw a playful punch at him. "Hey, watch it. Full-moon's coming up."

Jasmine strolled into the Great Hall alone that night, humming a slow tune softly under her breath. She came and sat next to James casually and began filing her plate with food, not looking up until she'd brought her fork to her mouth. Three pairs of eyes had been following her every movement. "What?" she said through a mouthful of meat pie, placing her fork down with a clatter.

"What d'you mean by 'what'?" James responded rather irritably. When Jasmine verbally pointed this out, her eyes narrowed, he said, "Don't you mind me." He paused, losing his train of thought. Then, remembering what he'd meant to ask, he said, "Where the hell is Lily? I haven't seen her since our last class."

"Oh!" Jasmine gasped, her ringing laughter adding to James's annoyance. He grunted, making her stop abruptly and glare at him. "Well, I'm really very sorry for showing emotion. Won't ever happen again. As for Lily, she's gone to show Jake the grounds before students aren't allowed to be outside."

James slammed the palms of his hands on the table, making the utensils rattle. "Showing him the grounds, my arse." James exclaimed angrily, hastily standing and heading toward the Great Hall doors. "As if they're just going to enjoy the scenery." He huffed.

"Don't you go bothering their privacy!" Jasmine furiously called after him, standing so her voice would carry further. "They have just as much right to be out there as you or me!" But James was long gone by then. Jasmine's expression immediately transformed to a grin as she turned to Sirius and said, "How was that?"

"Perfect." Sirius replied, smiling as well. The two continued their meals in silence, Remus grinning as well. The three ignored Peter's incessant inquiries and the awkward glances and stares they were receiving as they finished dinner and made their way back to the Common Room, not caring even to check up on their friends' situations.

Lily sat on the damp grass, removing her socks and shoes, Jake just behind her. She carefully dipped her feet into the icy water, watching the ripples grow and disappear. "The lake's just gorgeous." she whispered, smiling at the twinkling stars above. Jake followed suit, rolling up his pant legs and sitting next to Lily. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"You're right. It is gorgeous." Jake replied softly, his dark eyes set on Lily's. At this range, he could count every one of her eyelashes. She looked up at him, genuinely beaming. The space between their faces became smaller and smaller until his lips gently touches hers.

Lily felt another presence behind them but decided against saying anything, as did James, his invisibility cloak upon him as he sat behind the couple, watching the scene grumpily. He'd almost had her, he was sure of it. Then he had to show up and throw all his work and plans into turmoil. He was sure he had a slither of a change until this boy appeared out of the blue and stole Lily away from him.

Unable to watch anymore of their happiness, James stood and strode off back to the Gryffindor Common Room and up to the boys' dormitories. He threw his cloak into his trunk, slamming it shut and climbing into bed without changing out of his clothes or even taking his glasses off.

Sirius called out to him a few times, asking if he was awake, but James ignored him. He didn't know how long he lay there, gruffly watching the scene from the lake in his mind, playing it over and over like a recording. He didn't even know when the door creaked open and shut as Jake returned from his 'site seeing'. All he knew was that he'd lost the one thing he'd been sure he'd get, and he didn't know if he still had the will to fight for its return.

Weeks seemed to fly by, and James gave Lily not even a glance let alone a word of mouth. She'd become slightly depressed by his absence, but pushed it to the back of her mind. She already had a special someone, and it was good that James was no longer there to ruin it for her. She repeatedly told herself this until she herself began to believe it.

Lily and Jake strolled hand-in-hand into the Great Hall one morning, seating themselves ahead of Sirius and Jasmine, who seemed to be at much friendlier terms now. James sat next to Sirius, his head down. "H-hey, James." said Lily nervously, smiling slightly at him. He grunted in reply before standing and leaving the hall without a second glance. "What's with him?" she asked though she was quite aware of the answer.

"Oh, forget him." said Sirius, waving his hand slightly. His eyes turned eager as he turned to Lily and Jasmine and said, "Have you two heard the latest? There's going to be a Halloween Ball this Friday. Dunno anymore about it because Dumbledore's supposed to be announcing it. Just that school's canceled on Friday as well."

Lily and Jasmine gaped at him, not even bothering to ask where he'd acquired such information. "I guess my new dress robes will definitely com in handy, then." Jasmine commented, grinned. "We all know who Lily's going with, no question there." Lily blushed a light pink, and Jake kissed her forehead, smiling all the same. "Now, about me..." she paused, looking around at the boys in the Great Hall. Sirius was failing to look uninterested, nudging her in the waist quickly, making her jump. "Oh, all right." Sirius soundlessly jumped in the air, fists held high above his head. "But this means nothing." Sirius nodded his head, still grinning maniacally. Jasmine rolled her eyes but still looked pleased.

Sorry for the annoyingly short chapter. I was planning alot more, but I haven't had the time to do anything but this. Actually, I've had writer's block for a while now. Anyway, I just looked at my reviews. has a heart attack The last time I looked, I only had 9! Now I have 22! Big shocker for me, the cause for my writer's blast, actually.

Anyway, sorry to say that I won't be updating too much for a while. Not too long. It's just that it's Spring Break and I have loads of homework and studying to get done, but I promise that once I'm done with all that, you'll have a nice long chapter 10. It's my first double digit chapter, so I'm excited! Don't mind me, I get a bit strange.

That's about all. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I love you all:) Oh, and Steelo, as to your request, I took of the 'no anonymous reviewers' thingy, so now anonymous reviews are allowed. I hope that'll give more reviews! Well, keep the reviews coming, and buh-bye for now!

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