Chapter 18 Impending Catastrophes
Time was passing quickly at Hogwarts; the term had now been in session for three weeks. The students had settled into their schedules and the new year, as they invariably did.
The seventh years' NEWT classes were proving to be a challenge right away, providing them with loads of homework. This in addition to their new Head duties kept both Lily and James' time quite occupied. They had to patrol several nights a week as well as lead and organize all of the Prefect meetings and selected staff meetings.
James took these new responsibilities more or less in his stride, still managing to have plenty of time to captain the Gryffindor Quidditch team, laze about with the other Marauders, and tease his classmates.
Lily, though she dealt with her new duties admirably well, didn't have quite as much time as James, nor did she understand how he managed to. She often stayed up very late finishing her homework and as a result was invariably late to breakfast and quite bleary-eyed when she got there.
"Right on schedule," Dorcas commented dryly one morning as Lily came tearing into the Great Hall approximately ten minutes before breakfast ended. She pushed a plate of food over to Lily that she and the other girls had saved for her, as had become their custom.
"Thanks," a very groggy Lily managed before she took a sip of her very strong tea, wishing it were coffee.
"Don't mention it," Alice smiled sympathetically. "How late were you up working on that Transfiguration essay, Lils?"
"On the Transfiguration essay, not late at all," Lily mumbled. "The Astronomy chart was another matter."
Conversation was rather stilted as Lily managed to inhale some of her food. Then the five girls rose to make their way to the Charms classroom, chatting about their plans for the day and the Transfiguration homework that was due that afternoon.
As the group passed the library, Remus Lupin emerged from it, still glancing down at the parchment in his hands with a frown of concentration on his face. As he looked up and saw the seventh year girls, however, he stopped short, blushing slightly.
"Hi, Remus," Morwenna greeted him rather curiously.
"Morning, everyone," Remus nodded to the group. "Hi Kathleen," he added, grinning shyly.
"Hello, Remus," Kathleen replied in what she assumed to be a nonchalant tone, blushing and returning Remus' shy grin.
"Oh dear," Morwenna said suddenly. "Alice, I've just remembered that we wanted to talk to Flitwick about - er - Summoning Charms! Remember?" Morwenna nudged Alice.
"Right," Alice caught on. "Dorcas, didn't you want to ask about them too?"
"Yes, yes I did," Dorcas said a bit too quickly and quite unconvincingly.
"Let's go right now and ask him before we forget again," Morwenna continued firmly. "Lily, why don't you come too?"
"Of course, Morwenna," Lily answered innocently. "Wouldn't want to miss a good Summoning Charm."
"We'll see you later, Kathleen," Alice called out impishly. It was clear that Kathleen was mortified by this obvious behavior. Quickly Morwenna, Alice, Lily, and Dorcas fled round the corner before Remus or Kathleen could react. Safely out of sight, they began to giggle madly.
"Fine Aurors any of us would make," Dorcas grinned.
"Summoning Charms, Morwenna?" Lily teased.
"Well, someone had to think of something," Morwenna sniffed. "Besides, it was perfectly obvious that they needed to be alone."
Kathleen and Remus were very nearly late for class, so it wasn't until Professor Flitwick had assigned the class to work on their Sealing Spells that the four girls could grill Kathleen on what had happened in the hallway.
"So spill," Alice hissed at Kathleen as she attempted to Seal the jar of water in front of her.
"And don't play dumb about it either," Dorcas put in, winking.
"All right, all right," Kathleen gave in with a sigh, but Lily could see that she wasn't as irked as she was pretending to be. "Remus and I exchanged letters all last summer and we spent some time together last year and - well - I fancy him and he fancies me and that's all there is to tell, really." Kathleen blushed fiercely and turned her attention to the little box she was supposed to be Sealing.
"'That's all there is to tell, really,'" Morwenna mimicked, hands on hips. "Nice try, Kathleen. After the arse I made of myself back there, I think I deserve some details."
"When did you spend time together last year?" Alice asked, tilting her head to one side. "I don't remember seeing the pair of you together."
"He was tutoring me," Kathleen explained. "So most of the time we spent together was in the library."
Or engaged in activities you wouldn't want your friends to see, Lily added to Kathleen's statement in her head.
"Tutoring? I didn't think you were doing badly last year," Dorcas' brow furrowed. "What was he tutoring you in?"
"Astronomy," Kathleen was suddenly quite interested in the Gryffindor emblem on her robes.
"Astronomy?!" Morwenna exclaimed. "Astronomy has always been your best subject, you always say so yourself!"
Kathleen suddenly looked up from her contemplation of her school robes. "I know," she said simply, grinning. All of five them shared a good, though stifled, laugh, earning them a rather puzzled glance from Flitwick, who failed to understand what anyone would find humorous about a Sealing Spell.
Lily was overjoyed that her friends seemed to be on their way to the relationship they both wanted. They seemed completely at ease together and got on well, but Lily was almost positive that Remus hadn't told Kathleen his secret, which concerned her. Remus and Kathleen weren't officially a couple yet, and before they were Lily felt that Remus should tell Kathleen where it was that he went every month. Kathleen was a very understanding person; Lily was sure that she wasn't the sort to irrationally hate someone just because they happened to be a werewolf. Remus seemed to know Kathleen quite well and trust her as a friend; he couldn't really think Kathleen would let his lycanthropy come between them. But Lily was afraid that if Remus waited too long to tell her, one day it would.
* * *
Transfiguration went on much as it usually did for the seventh years that afternoon. They handed in their essays and resigned themselves to taking copious amounts of notes during Professor McGonagall's lecture. Just before the class ended, McGonagall assigned them more homework, producing the usual enthusiastic round of groans, protests, and complaints to which McGonagall offered only her typical lecture on the importance and proximity of their NEWTs. The groans had barely died down when McGonagall made one more announcement. "Potter, Evans, I'd like a word with the pair of you after class, please."
James and Lily, both wondering what James had done now, approached their Professor and Head of House. McGonagall waited until the rest of the class had filed out and locked her door before speaking.
"Professor Dumbledore would like a word with both of you before you go to the Prefect meeting this evening. You're both to report to his office at 6:30."
"Have you any idea what this is about, Professor?" Lily asked, certain from McGonagall's odd behavior that something was up.
"I'm afraid that it is Professor Dumbledore's place to tell you that, Miss Evans," McGonagall replied crisply. But it was perfectly clear to both James and Lily that the Professor wasn't telling them everything.
"You may both go now," McGonagall added after a short pause. "I expect I shall see you both later on this evening." Knowing a dismissal when they heard one, the Head Boy and Girl made their way out of the classroom, puzzling over McGonagall's rather cryptic remark.
* * *
At precisely 6:30 that evening, the staircase that led to Professor Dumbledore's office, normally concealed behind a statue of a gargoyle, revealed itself. Lily and James, both of whom had been early for their appointment, started eagerly toward it. Once they were both standing on a step, the staircase began to wind its way upward to the Headmaster's office, the door of which was slightly ajar. Shooting Lily a quizzical look over his shoulder, James knocked on the door and was bade to enter.
Dumbledore sat at his desk, calm and inscrutable as ever. "Lily, James," he greeted warmly. "Do please have a seat." Dumbledore waited patiently until both students had settled themselves before his desk. "I have something of a rather serious nature to discuss with the pair of you."
"Whatever it is," James cut in earnestly. "Lily - I mean Evans - had nothing to do with it." Lily looked at James in surprise for a moment, then flushed when he caught her looking.
Dumbledore chuckled. "This isn't about one of your many practical jokes, James, though I must say I quite enjoyed Sirius' attempt to alter the wording on the school banner last week. Not that such language is appropriate for school." He added mildly. "No, this something far more serious.
"I have it on good authority," Dumbledore continued in a more solemn tone, "that a group of Death Eaters are planning to attack Hogsmeade some time in the near future, the very near future. While Hogwarts is well protected from an attack, I fear we may have some problems within the castle because of it," Dumbledore's clear blue eyes burned into both Lily and James' eyes in turn, implying what sorts of problems he was referring to.
"As a precaution until this particular problem can be dealt with," Dumbledore went on. "I am asking that all of the Prefects patrol the corridors in pairs, and that they do this until further notice. I do realize this will be an additional strain, but I would not ask it if it weren't necessary."
"We'll tell them tonight, sir," Lily said quietly, more disturbed than she cared to admit.
"There's one further request I would like to make," Dumbledore's expression remained solemn but mild and kind. "I want each and every Prefect to make especially certain that there are no students out of their common rooms for any reason. If they see anyone, they are to detain them and summon myself or one of the other professors, who will be patrolling the corridors as well, immediately to deal with the student." Dumbledore paused, glancing down at the roll of parchment in front of him. "I have written up a schedule and patrol area for each pair of Prefects. And, as Head Boy and Girl, I have a special assignment for the pair of you."
Dumbledore glanced first at Lily, then at James, his eyes piercing. "What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room," Dumbledore began quietly. "I have reason to suspect that some students may be planning to join the Death Eaters planning the attack. I want you to patrol together in the dungeons near the Slytherin dormitories. Part of the reason I made you Head Boy, James, and you Head Girl, Lily, is because I know you both to be trustworthy and capable. I am entrusting this secret and this responsibility to the pair of you."
"I understand, Professor," James was as solemn as Lily had ever seen him. Lily nodded her head in response to Dumbledore's gaze, too overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation to vocalize an answer.
Dumbledore rose. "If you don't mind, I'll accompany you to the Prefect meeting tonight." His eyes twinkled. "It seems best to deliver the bad news in person."
The three of them made their way to the anteroom off the Great Hall where the Prefect meetings were typically held, walking as allies for the first, though not the last, time.
* * *
Lily stifled a yawn and checked her wristwatch. Still another two hours of patrol to go. She sneaked a look at James. Potter looked as bored as she felt, though not as exhausted. Where did that boundless energy come from?
"So who in Slytherin d'you reckon is a Death Eater?" Lily was momentarily startled by the noise. Their patrol had been a silent one; there was too much discomfort on both sides for easy conversation and both had been lost in their own thoughts anyway, digesting the information they had received earlier.
"Dunno...." Lily replied slowly. "Dumbledore didn't exactly say that any of them were, did he?"
"Not in so many words," James snorted. "My money's on Snape personally. And on Bellatrix Black."
"I agree with you there," Lily's lips twisted wryly. "She's enough of a nutter to do it, that's for certain."
"And she'd certainly have the ringing endorsement of her family, not to mention her boyfriend," James put in. It seemed to good to be true; he and Lily were having a real conversation, without threats, shouting, or declarations of preferences for the giant squid. It was definitely too good to last, but James planned to do everything in his power to see that it did.
"Is her family into the Dark Arts then?" Lily was just as surprised as James by their conversation and had decided to see where it would take her in spite of the little voice in her head screaming at her to remember that she hated this boy.
"That's putting it mildly," James quirked a brow ironically. "The 'Most Noble House of Black' has been renowned for its pureblood pride for centuries. Bellatrix is very highly thought of in her family, held up as an example to follow"
"I had no idea," Lily said quietly. "Being a Muggle born I hear hardly any of that sort of thing, about people's families and such, I mean." Lily shrugged. "I barely hear about what's going on in the wizarding world at all when I'm at home."
"Does your family have any idea how bad things have gotten for us? For wizards, I mean?" James asked curiously.
"No, not really," Lily seemed a bit uncomfortable. "It all seems so far away when I'm at home, almost as though it isn't even real. And I don't want to worry them."
"Must be nice to escape from things a bit," James looked down at his shoes awkwardly.
"In a way," Lily shrugged. "But I'd a thousand times rather be living in the wizarding world with all of its problems than not know about it or have to live outside of it."
"Is there anything you miss about the Muggle world while you're here?" James was extremely curious about Lily Evans and intended to get as much information from her as she was willing to give during this exchange.
"Er - " Lily appeared thoughtful. "I miss little things really, like soft drinks and television and having my own room. And my family, of course," she added.
"D'you have loads of brothers and sisters?" Lily never said anything about her family.
"Not loads, just one. An older sister," Lily was twisting her hair round her finger. "What about you?" she asked quickly, apparently eager to get off of this subject.
"Only child," James replied simply. "I think I ended up being a bit more of a liability than my parents reckoned and they were scared off of the idea of having any more." James was both startled and delighted to hear Lily laugh. He couldn't believe it, he was fairly certain he'd never heard her laugh in his presence before. It was a beautiful sound.
James devoted the rest of their patrol time to making Lily laugh, feeling ridiculously triumphant when he succeeded. They talked about everything from Quidditch to schoolwork to the Muggle versus wizarding world as they walked slowly up and down the corridors, keeping a sharp eye out for anything unusual.
All too soon, in James' mind, it was time to return to Gryffindor Tower, their patrol over for the night.
"Goodnight, Evans," James said regretfully once they had reached the common room.
"Goodnight, Potter," Lily returned, giving him a hesitant but nonetheless dazzling smile before brushing back her hair and making her way up the stairs. Bereft of speech, James watched her go, feeling his stomach flip-flop a bit harder than usual.
* * *
Lily made her way up the stairs to bed, in a better mood than she usually was after a night spent patrolling, even with Dumbledore's revelation causing her head to spin.
James Potter. Lily thought about their conversation as she got ready for bed. He was a much more stimulating person than she'd thought he'd be and had turned out to be a decent bloke under the arrogance and immaturity, and for some reason he hadn't seemed to be either one particularly tonight.
She still wasn't sure why she'd opened up and talked to him. Perhaps it was the combination of her shock over Dumbledore's news and the prolonged period of time they'd spent together; it would've been rather difficult to keep silent during the entire patrol.
He'd actually been fun, Lily reflected as she climbed into bed. Fun and nice and normal, not a bullying git or an arrogant, horny bastard. He really wasn't all that bad once you got to know him, and he wasn't half bad to look at either.....
Lily sat bolt upright in her four poster. No. Oh, Merlin, no.
She sounded suspiciously like a girl with a crush and Lily would NOT allow herself to fancy James Potter. He was everything she detested, she couldn't fancy him. She didn't fancy him, not at all.
Well, maybe a bit when he smiled that heart-stopping smile. True, it was a touch arrogant, but it was basically irresistible.
And maybe a bit when he tried to make her laugh. Lily couldn't remember anyone ever going out of his way to make her laugh before.....
Oh, Merlin.
Lily buried her face in her pillow to muffle her groan. She FANCIED James Potter. Was this some sort of cosmic practical joke?
Get a hold of yourself, Lily told herself sternly. You DO have some say in who you fancy after all. You are a levelheaded, intelligent witch and you do NOT fancy that git. You hate him because of the way he treats other people and pesters you and is SO UNBELIEVABLY arrogant. You're just infatuated. Take a step back and calm down.
Yes, Lily reassured herself, taking that deep breath, I still hate him, I really do, and I don't fancy him even a bit. Lily rolled determinedly onto her side and closed her eyes firmly, then quickly opened them again when she could see James Potter's arrogant, charming smile behind her eyelids.
Lily pounded her pillow again in frustration. She did NOT fancy James Potter, she really didn't, and if she just said it often enough it would be perfectly true.
* * *
Author's Note: Sorry this chapter took me so long to post, the next one will be up a lot faster. I really appreciate all the reviews, with special thanks to LavenderBrown, Ronald's Girl, blazed sorceress, Risty, Captain Oblivious, and AshliRyTe. Keep reading and reviewing!
Time was passing quickly at Hogwarts; the term had now been in session for three weeks. The students had settled into their schedules and the new year, as they invariably did.
The seventh years' NEWT classes were proving to be a challenge right away, providing them with loads of homework. This in addition to their new Head duties kept both Lily and James' time quite occupied. They had to patrol several nights a week as well as lead and organize all of the Prefect meetings and selected staff meetings.
James took these new responsibilities more or less in his stride, still managing to have plenty of time to captain the Gryffindor Quidditch team, laze about with the other Marauders, and tease his classmates.
Lily, though she dealt with her new duties admirably well, didn't have quite as much time as James, nor did she understand how he managed to. She often stayed up very late finishing her homework and as a result was invariably late to breakfast and quite bleary-eyed when she got there.
"Right on schedule," Dorcas commented dryly one morning as Lily came tearing into the Great Hall approximately ten minutes before breakfast ended. She pushed a plate of food over to Lily that she and the other girls had saved for her, as had become their custom.
"Thanks," a very groggy Lily managed before she took a sip of her very strong tea, wishing it were coffee.
"Don't mention it," Alice smiled sympathetically. "How late were you up working on that Transfiguration essay, Lils?"
"On the Transfiguration essay, not late at all," Lily mumbled. "The Astronomy chart was another matter."
Conversation was rather stilted as Lily managed to inhale some of her food. Then the five girls rose to make their way to the Charms classroom, chatting about their plans for the day and the Transfiguration homework that was due that afternoon.
As the group passed the library, Remus Lupin emerged from it, still glancing down at the parchment in his hands with a frown of concentration on his face. As he looked up and saw the seventh year girls, however, he stopped short, blushing slightly.
"Hi, Remus," Morwenna greeted him rather curiously.
"Morning, everyone," Remus nodded to the group. "Hi Kathleen," he added, grinning shyly.
"Hello, Remus," Kathleen replied in what she assumed to be a nonchalant tone, blushing and returning Remus' shy grin.
"Oh dear," Morwenna said suddenly. "Alice, I've just remembered that we wanted to talk to Flitwick about - er - Summoning Charms! Remember?" Morwenna nudged Alice.
"Right," Alice caught on. "Dorcas, didn't you want to ask about them too?"
"Yes, yes I did," Dorcas said a bit too quickly and quite unconvincingly.
"Let's go right now and ask him before we forget again," Morwenna continued firmly. "Lily, why don't you come too?"
"Of course, Morwenna," Lily answered innocently. "Wouldn't want to miss a good Summoning Charm."
"We'll see you later, Kathleen," Alice called out impishly. It was clear that Kathleen was mortified by this obvious behavior. Quickly Morwenna, Alice, Lily, and Dorcas fled round the corner before Remus or Kathleen could react. Safely out of sight, they began to giggle madly.
"Fine Aurors any of us would make," Dorcas grinned.
"Summoning Charms, Morwenna?" Lily teased.
"Well, someone had to think of something," Morwenna sniffed. "Besides, it was perfectly obvious that they needed to be alone."
Kathleen and Remus were very nearly late for class, so it wasn't until Professor Flitwick had assigned the class to work on their Sealing Spells that the four girls could grill Kathleen on what had happened in the hallway.
"So spill," Alice hissed at Kathleen as she attempted to Seal the jar of water in front of her.
"And don't play dumb about it either," Dorcas put in, winking.
"All right, all right," Kathleen gave in with a sigh, but Lily could see that she wasn't as irked as she was pretending to be. "Remus and I exchanged letters all last summer and we spent some time together last year and - well - I fancy him and he fancies me and that's all there is to tell, really." Kathleen blushed fiercely and turned her attention to the little box she was supposed to be Sealing.
"'That's all there is to tell, really,'" Morwenna mimicked, hands on hips. "Nice try, Kathleen. After the arse I made of myself back there, I think I deserve some details."
"When did you spend time together last year?" Alice asked, tilting her head to one side. "I don't remember seeing the pair of you together."
"He was tutoring me," Kathleen explained. "So most of the time we spent together was in the library."
Or engaged in activities you wouldn't want your friends to see, Lily added to Kathleen's statement in her head.
"Tutoring? I didn't think you were doing badly last year," Dorcas' brow furrowed. "What was he tutoring you in?"
"Astronomy," Kathleen was suddenly quite interested in the Gryffindor emblem on her robes.
"Astronomy?!" Morwenna exclaimed. "Astronomy has always been your best subject, you always say so yourself!"
Kathleen suddenly looked up from her contemplation of her school robes. "I know," she said simply, grinning. All of five them shared a good, though stifled, laugh, earning them a rather puzzled glance from Flitwick, who failed to understand what anyone would find humorous about a Sealing Spell.
Lily was overjoyed that her friends seemed to be on their way to the relationship they both wanted. They seemed completely at ease together and got on well, but Lily was almost positive that Remus hadn't told Kathleen his secret, which concerned her. Remus and Kathleen weren't officially a couple yet, and before they were Lily felt that Remus should tell Kathleen where it was that he went every month. Kathleen was a very understanding person; Lily was sure that she wasn't the sort to irrationally hate someone just because they happened to be a werewolf. Remus seemed to know Kathleen quite well and trust her as a friend; he couldn't really think Kathleen would let his lycanthropy come between them. But Lily was afraid that if Remus waited too long to tell her, one day it would.
* * *
Transfiguration went on much as it usually did for the seventh years that afternoon. They handed in their essays and resigned themselves to taking copious amounts of notes during Professor McGonagall's lecture. Just before the class ended, McGonagall assigned them more homework, producing the usual enthusiastic round of groans, protests, and complaints to which McGonagall offered only her typical lecture on the importance and proximity of their NEWTs. The groans had barely died down when McGonagall made one more announcement. "Potter, Evans, I'd like a word with the pair of you after class, please."
James and Lily, both wondering what James had done now, approached their Professor and Head of House. McGonagall waited until the rest of the class had filed out and locked her door before speaking.
"Professor Dumbledore would like a word with both of you before you go to the Prefect meeting this evening. You're both to report to his office at 6:30."
"Have you any idea what this is about, Professor?" Lily asked, certain from McGonagall's odd behavior that something was up.
"I'm afraid that it is Professor Dumbledore's place to tell you that, Miss Evans," McGonagall replied crisply. But it was perfectly clear to both James and Lily that the Professor wasn't telling them everything.
"You may both go now," McGonagall added after a short pause. "I expect I shall see you both later on this evening." Knowing a dismissal when they heard one, the Head Boy and Girl made their way out of the classroom, puzzling over McGonagall's rather cryptic remark.
* * *
At precisely 6:30 that evening, the staircase that led to Professor Dumbledore's office, normally concealed behind a statue of a gargoyle, revealed itself. Lily and James, both of whom had been early for their appointment, started eagerly toward it. Once they were both standing on a step, the staircase began to wind its way upward to the Headmaster's office, the door of which was slightly ajar. Shooting Lily a quizzical look over his shoulder, James knocked on the door and was bade to enter.
Dumbledore sat at his desk, calm and inscrutable as ever. "Lily, James," he greeted warmly. "Do please have a seat." Dumbledore waited patiently until both students had settled themselves before his desk. "I have something of a rather serious nature to discuss with the pair of you."
"Whatever it is," James cut in earnestly. "Lily - I mean Evans - had nothing to do with it." Lily looked at James in surprise for a moment, then flushed when he caught her looking.
Dumbledore chuckled. "This isn't about one of your many practical jokes, James, though I must say I quite enjoyed Sirius' attempt to alter the wording on the school banner last week. Not that such language is appropriate for school." He added mildly. "No, this something far more serious.
"I have it on good authority," Dumbledore continued in a more solemn tone, "that a group of Death Eaters are planning to attack Hogsmeade some time in the near future, the very near future. While Hogwarts is well protected from an attack, I fear we may have some problems within the castle because of it," Dumbledore's clear blue eyes burned into both Lily and James' eyes in turn, implying what sorts of problems he was referring to.
"As a precaution until this particular problem can be dealt with," Dumbledore went on. "I am asking that all of the Prefects patrol the corridors in pairs, and that they do this until further notice. I do realize this will be an additional strain, but I would not ask it if it weren't necessary."
"We'll tell them tonight, sir," Lily said quietly, more disturbed than she cared to admit.
"There's one further request I would like to make," Dumbledore's expression remained solemn but mild and kind. "I want each and every Prefect to make especially certain that there are no students out of their common rooms for any reason. If they see anyone, they are to detain them and summon myself or one of the other professors, who will be patrolling the corridors as well, immediately to deal with the student." Dumbledore paused, glancing down at the roll of parchment in front of him. "I have written up a schedule and patrol area for each pair of Prefects. And, as Head Boy and Girl, I have a special assignment for the pair of you."
Dumbledore glanced first at Lily, then at James, his eyes piercing. "What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room," Dumbledore began quietly. "I have reason to suspect that some students may be planning to join the Death Eaters planning the attack. I want you to patrol together in the dungeons near the Slytherin dormitories. Part of the reason I made you Head Boy, James, and you Head Girl, Lily, is because I know you both to be trustworthy and capable. I am entrusting this secret and this responsibility to the pair of you."
"I understand, Professor," James was as solemn as Lily had ever seen him. Lily nodded her head in response to Dumbledore's gaze, too overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation to vocalize an answer.
Dumbledore rose. "If you don't mind, I'll accompany you to the Prefect meeting tonight." His eyes twinkled. "It seems best to deliver the bad news in person."
The three of them made their way to the anteroom off the Great Hall where the Prefect meetings were typically held, walking as allies for the first, though not the last, time.
* * *
Lily stifled a yawn and checked her wristwatch. Still another two hours of patrol to go. She sneaked a look at James. Potter looked as bored as she felt, though not as exhausted. Where did that boundless energy come from?
"So who in Slytherin d'you reckon is a Death Eater?" Lily was momentarily startled by the noise. Their patrol had been a silent one; there was too much discomfort on both sides for easy conversation and both had been lost in their own thoughts anyway, digesting the information they had received earlier.
"Dunno...." Lily replied slowly. "Dumbledore didn't exactly say that any of them were, did he?"
"Not in so many words," James snorted. "My money's on Snape personally. And on Bellatrix Black."
"I agree with you there," Lily's lips twisted wryly. "She's enough of a nutter to do it, that's for certain."
"And she'd certainly have the ringing endorsement of her family, not to mention her boyfriend," James put in. It seemed to good to be true; he and Lily were having a real conversation, without threats, shouting, or declarations of preferences for the giant squid. It was definitely too good to last, but James planned to do everything in his power to see that it did.
"Is her family into the Dark Arts then?" Lily was just as surprised as James by their conversation and had decided to see where it would take her in spite of the little voice in her head screaming at her to remember that she hated this boy.
"That's putting it mildly," James quirked a brow ironically. "The 'Most Noble House of Black' has been renowned for its pureblood pride for centuries. Bellatrix is very highly thought of in her family, held up as an example to follow"
"I had no idea," Lily said quietly. "Being a Muggle born I hear hardly any of that sort of thing, about people's families and such, I mean." Lily shrugged. "I barely hear about what's going on in the wizarding world at all when I'm at home."
"Does your family have any idea how bad things have gotten for us? For wizards, I mean?" James asked curiously.
"No, not really," Lily seemed a bit uncomfortable. "It all seems so far away when I'm at home, almost as though it isn't even real. And I don't want to worry them."
"Must be nice to escape from things a bit," James looked down at his shoes awkwardly.
"In a way," Lily shrugged. "But I'd a thousand times rather be living in the wizarding world with all of its problems than not know about it or have to live outside of it."
"Is there anything you miss about the Muggle world while you're here?" James was extremely curious about Lily Evans and intended to get as much information from her as she was willing to give during this exchange.
"Er - " Lily appeared thoughtful. "I miss little things really, like soft drinks and television and having my own room. And my family, of course," she added.
"D'you have loads of brothers and sisters?" Lily never said anything about her family.
"Not loads, just one. An older sister," Lily was twisting her hair round her finger. "What about you?" she asked quickly, apparently eager to get off of this subject.
"Only child," James replied simply. "I think I ended up being a bit more of a liability than my parents reckoned and they were scared off of the idea of having any more." James was both startled and delighted to hear Lily laugh. He couldn't believe it, he was fairly certain he'd never heard her laugh in his presence before. It was a beautiful sound.
James devoted the rest of their patrol time to making Lily laugh, feeling ridiculously triumphant when he succeeded. They talked about everything from Quidditch to schoolwork to the Muggle versus wizarding world as they walked slowly up and down the corridors, keeping a sharp eye out for anything unusual.
All too soon, in James' mind, it was time to return to Gryffindor Tower, their patrol over for the night.
"Goodnight, Evans," James said regretfully once they had reached the common room.
"Goodnight, Potter," Lily returned, giving him a hesitant but nonetheless dazzling smile before brushing back her hair and making her way up the stairs. Bereft of speech, James watched her go, feeling his stomach flip-flop a bit harder than usual.
* * *
Lily made her way up the stairs to bed, in a better mood than she usually was after a night spent patrolling, even with Dumbledore's revelation causing her head to spin.
James Potter. Lily thought about their conversation as she got ready for bed. He was a much more stimulating person than she'd thought he'd be and had turned out to be a decent bloke under the arrogance and immaturity, and for some reason he hadn't seemed to be either one particularly tonight.
She still wasn't sure why she'd opened up and talked to him. Perhaps it was the combination of her shock over Dumbledore's news and the prolonged period of time they'd spent together; it would've been rather difficult to keep silent during the entire patrol.
He'd actually been fun, Lily reflected as she climbed into bed. Fun and nice and normal, not a bullying git or an arrogant, horny bastard. He really wasn't all that bad once you got to know him, and he wasn't half bad to look at either.....
Lily sat bolt upright in her four poster. No. Oh, Merlin, no.
She sounded suspiciously like a girl with a crush and Lily would NOT allow herself to fancy James Potter. He was everything she detested, she couldn't fancy him. She didn't fancy him, not at all.
Well, maybe a bit when he smiled that heart-stopping smile. True, it was a touch arrogant, but it was basically irresistible.
And maybe a bit when he tried to make her laugh. Lily couldn't remember anyone ever going out of his way to make her laugh before.....
Oh, Merlin.
Lily buried her face in her pillow to muffle her groan. She FANCIED James Potter. Was this some sort of cosmic practical joke?
Get a hold of yourself, Lily told herself sternly. You DO have some say in who you fancy after all. You are a levelheaded, intelligent witch and you do NOT fancy that git. You hate him because of the way he treats other people and pesters you and is SO UNBELIEVABLY arrogant. You're just infatuated. Take a step back and calm down.
Yes, Lily reassured herself, taking that deep breath, I still hate him, I really do, and I don't fancy him even a bit. Lily rolled determinedly onto her side and closed her eyes firmly, then quickly opened them again when she could see James Potter's arrogant, charming smile behind her eyelids.
Lily pounded her pillow again in frustration. She did NOT fancy James Potter, she really didn't, and if she just said it often enough it would be perfectly true.
* * *
Author's Note: Sorry this chapter took me so long to post, the next one will be up a lot faster. I really appreciate all the reviews, with special thanks to LavenderBrown, Ronald's Girl, blazed sorceress, Risty, Captain Oblivious, and AshliRyTe. Keep reading and reviewing!