Ch 4

Day 2: Piling On The Work

September 3, 1975

The next day was not only boring, but once again filled with loads of homework. The only thing that got Lily through the day was her meeting with Ava after dinner. Lily was excited to think that she might actually make the Quiddtich team, but another part of her was completely nervous.

What if I fail? Lily thought. Then the whole school will be there to witness it...

After eating a quick dinner, Lily made her way out to the Quiddtich fields. The autumn night was fairly chilly, but it felt refreshing against her face. The sun was already setting, so if they were going to practice, they wouldn't have very much time. After walking for a minute or two, Lily saw a sole figure standing in the distance.

"Hello Lily," Ava greeted without turning around, her gaze fixed on the field.

"Hi," Lily replied, standing next to her.

"As you can see, the sun is already setting so we don't have much time," Ava said.

Lily nodded.

"Tonight I thought we would just let you fly around a little and get the feeling of the broom," Ava continued. "I know you said you've been practicing, but I need to see where you are."

Lily mounted her broom with a look of determination on her face.

"All right," Ava said. "Show me what you got."

Lily kicked off, the crisp air washing over her face. In the air Lily felt like a totally different person; one that didn't have to worry about everyone's high expectations. Lily looped around some of the goal posts and then flew to the other side of the field. When Ava called her back to the ground, Lily reluctantly flew downwards; landing on the ground with a soft thump.

"You have potential," Ava said smiling.

"You really think so?" Lily asked excitedly.

Ava nodded. "Keep in mind that a lot of work is still involved," she said.

"I know," Lily replied. "But this is something I really want."

"Well," Ava said, "since it's getting pretty dark, I think we should head back inside. Before you go, I'm going to give you your first assignment."

Lily gulped. If I have to dance naked in the middle of the hall, I swear I'll protest...

"I noticed that you take other peoples opinions very seriously. You should worry about making yourself happy instead of trying so hard to please other people," Ava said. "So, for your first task I want you to get a tutor to help you in your weakest class."

Lily gaped at Ava. Lily needed a lot of things, but tutoring was not one of them. "But I'm doing pretty good in all my classes," Lily said.

"I'm sure there's at least one you need a little work on," Ava insisted. "Not everyone is perfect. And the reason for me giving you a tutor is since you're Head Girl people expect you to have perfect grades. It's almost as if they think that you should be great at everything. So, in getting a tutor, you will improve your grades, and show the school that you're just like any normal student."

Lily stared at Ava. She had a point, but with her Head duties, mounds of homework, and training for Quiddtich, tutoring just seemed like another burden to her already busy schedule.

"I took the liberty of finding you a tutor," Ava said. "You are to meet him tomorrow in the Transfiguration classroom."

"But what about Quiddtich?" Lily asked.

"Oh, after practice is when you go to your tutoring," Ava explained.

This lady is eee-vil, Lily thought. That is way too much work! I'm gonna die of over exhaustion and then I'm gonna have to stay in St. Mungo's and I'll have to repeat seventh year...

"Are you all right?" Ava asked.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Lily answered, "Yes."

As if reading Lily's mind, Ava said, "Don't worry about not being able to handle all this. You're a smart girl; I'm sure you can do it. And plus if you make the Quiddtich team, this will prepare you for the heavy workloads."

Lily sighed. Ava once again had a point...

Ava gave Lily a comforting smile. "You'll be fine. I'll see you again tomorrow after dinner," she said.

After bidding Ava goodnight, Lily decided to stay outside a while longer before going back inside. She laid down on the field and looked up at the sky. A few stars were starting to appear, and the moon was slowly rising. Lily couldn't believe that in just two days her life had changed so much.

About ten minutes later, Lily reluctantly got up. The ground was now getting quite cold, and so was the air around her. Lily made her way into the castle. When she got to the common room, Lily was about to go up to her dormitory and work on some of her homework, when she was stopped by James.

"Hey Lily," James greeted.

"Hello Potter," Lily replied.

"You ready to go?" James asked.

"Go where?" Lily questioned.

"To patrol the halls of course!" James exclaimed. "It is our duty to make sure that young students aren't up past their bedtime recking havoc."

Lily snorted. "I think you and your friends are the only ones that reck havoc around here," she said.

"Shall we?" he asked grinning, as he offered his arm to Lily.

Lily linked her arm with his, and together they exited the common room. It was already nine o' clock and they had to patrol for at least two hours. Lily could think of at least a thousand other things she would rather do than patrol the halls, but sadly she had to do it as part of her Head Girl duties. Lily was just hoping that James would be nice and quiet, and not too unbearable. But this was James she was speaking of...

The first hour went by pretty quickly. So far they had not caught any students out of bed. James and Lily hadn't spoken much either. The two walked in silence, except for the light humming of a song coming from James.

"What's on your mind?" James asked.

Lily looked up at him. "Not much," she replied.

"Oh, come on Lils. Something's on your mind; you have your 'I'm stressed out look' on your face," James said.

"How do you know what faces I have?" Lily questioned.

James shrugged. "I've been after you for years, so you'd think I would know a little about you by now," he said.

"Well," Lily started, "it's just that I have a lot going on right now and I'm not sure if I can handle it all."

"Like what?" James asked.

"Head Girl duties, mounds of homework, my Made coach..."

"Wait a sec...what's a Made coach?" James questioned.

"Made started out as a muggle television show, but now it's starting to work it's way into the wizarding world," Lily said.

When James looked confused, Lily continued.

"It's when people try something that they normally wouldn't ever do. For instance if you became a well behaved, rule abiding student," Lily said.

"Why would I wanna do that?" James asked.

"I was just giving you an example," Lily said.

"Oh, well what are you being Made into?" James asked.

Lily smiled. "You'll find out soon enough."

"I knew you would make a great stripper!" James exclaimed. "Do you think for my birthday you could pop out of a cake and give me..."

"James Potter if you finish that sentence I will have no choice to beat the poo out of you," Lily said.

James shrugged. "You can't blame a boy for dreaming."

With patrolling duty now over, Lily and James headed to the common room. When they entered through the portrait, James spoke.

"You wanna go to the kitchens?" he asked.

"No, I don't think so," Lily replied. "Maybe next time though."

James ran a hand through his hair. "Good night Lils."

"Night Potter," Lily replied, as she made her way to her dormitory.

James entered his dormitory and plopped down on Sirius' bed.

"Hello Prongsie," Sirius greeted. "Do you plan on sleeping with me all night?"

James stared at his friend. "I think I'll pass," James said.

"Oh, what a shame," Sirius said. "What's eating you mate?"

"Lily," James replied with a dreamy face.

"James, James, James...you really need to give up on her. A good shag will help you to move on. How about Jamie Koops from Hufflepuff? I'm sure she would love to date you...I'll make the arrangements," Sirius said.

"Padfoot, I don't want a date with Jamie," James said.

"Suit yourself mate," Sirius said with a shrug. Seeing that James was still all dreamy faced, Sirius continued. "But if Lily is what you want, then I guess I'll arrange a little match making."

"Brilliant idea!" James exclaimed.

"I kept telling you guys how great I am but no one listens to me!" Sirius said.

"Just make sure you get Remus to help you," James said as he got into his own bed. "I don't want Lily to hate me anymore than she already does."

A/N- Please review!