Chapter 22 Milestones
James led Lily back to the castle, slightly bemused by his own good fortune and completely unable to keep the blissful grin from his face. He had never thought the day Lily Evans kissed him for all the world to see and changed her mind about going out with him would come. Still, he did not intend to look a gift hippogriff in the mouth, especially since he was feeling better than he could ever remember feeling in his entire life.
As usual, there was a party in the Gryffindor common room after the match to celebrate the Gryffindor victory. Sirius and Peter went to the kitchens and brought back as much food and drink as they could carry, and the Gryffindors settled in to party until Professor McGonagall broke it up.
James and Lily spent most of the party together, sitting on one of the overstuffed sofas in the common room. Mostly they talked and laughed with each other and the various friends who came and went, leaving the snogging displays to Frank and Alice, who seemed, judging by the ardor of their snogging, to be inordinately pleased with each other.
James couldn't fathom what had happened between breakfast, when Frank had been a bit annoyed with Alice, and now, when they were all over each other. He reckoned that Alice, like loads of girls James had encountered over the years, was really turned on by Quidditch players.
Lily seemed to know something about it; when the couple came up for air long enough to get some pumpkin juice, Lily called out to Alice: "Finally caught that vulture, did you?" Alice just grinned in response and hurried off after Frank. Even when he asked her, Lily wouldn't tell James what that comment had meant.
Many of those who had seen Lily kiss James on the pitch stopped by to rib them both and made sure that everyone in the common room was aware of what had happened.
The worst of the teasing came from Sirius and Morwenna. Sirius, as the primary witness and best friend of one of the involved parties, was in rare form, entertaining the common room with spirited imitations of the pair until Lily hexed him with a well-placed Jelly Legs Jinx and refused to remove it until he promised to behave. James could see that despite all of the ribbing that his best friend was actually extremely happy for him, but even he became annoyed by Sirius' antics eventually and threatened to hex his ears off while Lily had him under the influence of the Jelly Legs.
Morwenna had not witnessed the actual kiss but had heard about it from various sources and came to see for herself if it was true. When she saw Lily and James sitting on the couch, hands clasped, she emitted a shriek and immediately hugged them both. She was a bit smug over the whole thing really, absolutely delighted to have been right about the pair of them, as she pointed out more than once. Lily was seriously considering trying her hand at the Jelly Legs Jinx again.
Apart from the incidents with Morwenna and Sirius, Lily felt that she was actually handling this relationship business quite well. She had been immensely relieved that James hadn't wanted to put on a snogging display for all the common room to see and seemed content to hold her hand while they talked and laughed together and with other people. More than content actually; he had an almost comical expression of bliss on his face.
The moment that Lily had been most proud of had been when Dorcas had caught up with her and James shortly after the match. As she played for the team, Dorcas had quite naturally been on the pitch at the time and had witnessed the kiss and she had come to ask them, meaning Lily, what they were about.
And Lily had taken a deep breath, squeezed James' hand a bit more tightly, and had uttered the sentence she had never thought to say in her whole life: "James and I are seeing each other."
Once she'd said it out loud, it was actually a relief to have it out in the open. Of course, this made the whole thing a bit more real, which was frightening, but it was less frightening than she'd thought it'd be, which probably had a great deal to do with James' hand holding hers. Lily had actually been lightheaded with the tangle of emotions that crossed her consciousness at that point: fear, relief, pride, happiness, and embarrassment. It was a heady experience.
The party raged on for the better part of the night till McGonagall, in her tartan bathrobe and hairnet as was traditional when breaking up parties, came in at quarter to one and ordered them all to bed.
Both feeling highly self conscious, James and Lily said a rather hasty good night accompanied by a brief kiss before climbing their respective staircases a bit after everyone else, except for Frank and Alice, of course.
Exhausted, Lily climbed the stairs with Alice, looking forward to some much-anticipated sleep. As soon as they opened the door, however, Lily could see that it would be quite some time before she got any sleep. Each and every one of her roommates were sitting on their beds, facing the door expectantly, waiting to hear the details.
* * *
Eight o'clock Sunday morning found most Hogwarts students still abed but it found Severus Snape sitting in his usual study room. However, Snape was not at work as diligently as he customarily was. Snape was sondering if he had done the right thing.
He had received a reply to his letter from Rodolphus Lestrange on Wednesday, informing him that Lestrange had spoken to Bellatrix and that there would be no attack on Hogsmeade at this time or in the immediate future. Lestrange had closed by congratulating Snape on avoiding this potentially disastrous situation that could have exposed and drastically harmed their cause. He also had hinted to Snape that he was becoming highly thought of in the right circles and had requested that he keep an eye on Bellatrix and ensure that her "enthusiasm" didn't get out of hand.
Enthusiasm indeed, Snape snorted to himself. Derangement was more like it. Bellatrix had no concept of good judgement, was incapable of weighing consequences.
Snape had debated about it for a good while, but in the end he had gone to see Dumbledore on Thursday morning immediately after classes. These additional patrols were bothersome to Snape as a Prefect, but more than that they were uncomfortable for the Slytherins in general. It was best for them to keep out of the spotlight because of the clandestine activities many of them engaged in in Voldemort's service, and a great many fingers had been pointed at them because of the new patrols.
Dumbledore had taken the news Snape had brought him as he took everything: very calmly, inscrutably, and intelligently. Snape admired these traits in Dumbledore highly; he himself wished he had such mastery of his expressions.
Quickly and with as few specifics as possible, Snape had informed Dumbledore that he had heard from a highly reliable source that no attacks on Hogsmeade would be taking place. Finishing his story, Snape had stood to go.
"Severus." Snape finally met that wise, piercing gaze.
"The safety of the entire school depends on my ability to make decisions," Dumbledore had told him gravely. "Keeping that in mind, can you tell me with certainty that it is safe to relax the extra security and reinstate the Hogsmeade weekends?"
Snape had tried to look away, but he was practically hypnotized by those knowing blue eyes. "Yes," he replied simply. "My source is excellent, I can assure you."
Dumbledore had studied Snape for another long minute, Snape growing increasingly ill at ease.
"I believe you, Severus," Dumbledore said finally, blue eyes twinkling. "And I trust your judgement. I will call a Prefects' meeting after dinner to announce that there won't be any more extra patrols."
Snape had nodded curtly and turned to go.
"Severus?" Dumbledore's voice rang out. Snape turned.
"I hope you know," Dumbledore began slowly, "that you can always trust me to help you." Confused, Snape had nodded again, more slowly this time, wondering just how much Dumbledore knew. Then he had turned and hurried from the room.
* * *
Recalling this now, days later, Snape was still highly uncomfortable. He'd never know how much Dumbledore knew, and that was disconcerting What did he know about Snape, about Lestrange and Bellatrix and Avery, Rosier, Wilkes, and the others, about the Dark Lord himself?
And Bellatrix, there was another mystery. Snape was actually quite surprised that he hadn't heard from her by now. He would eventually though, he was certain. Trying to put these thoughts from his head, Snape went back to his potion.
Less than an hour later, the study room door crashed open and Bellatrix glided smoothly into the room. Irritated that he'd have to find yet another locking charm, Snape sighed and attempted to regain some composure, studying Bellatrix. He had expected her to be furious about the whole episode but instead she seemed rather amused. However, Snape had seen that gleam in her eye before, and it was a gleam that immediately put him on his guard.
"So," Bellatrix finally began,"you've ratted me out, have you? I suppose you're quite pleased with yourself, you think you've won our little contest?"
Snape merely quirked a brow at her condescendingly, finding her melodrama to be ridiculous. Bellatrix laughed, a sound like nails on a chalkboard.
"I admit it, you know. You have won, and a very well played round it was. You knew all too well that I'd never go against Rodolphus, so you played that card. Clever Severus. Well done. Just don't think you've won the game because of one lucky hand. I have cards you haven't even seen yet."
"Enough, Bellatrix," Snape could only take so much. "You're a reckless fool who should be thanking me. You and your ridiculous machinations nearly ruined everything for all of us. Do you really think any of us would be allowed to remain here if the school governors thought we were Death Eaters? You nearly exposed us all and could have severely damaged our operation and completely compromised our secret!" He was shouting by the end, he was so incensed.
"You're the one who should be quiet, pet, and not speak of things you don't understand," Bellatrix spat. "You think you're in charge but you're wrong. I'm Marked, the same as you are, and I have just as much authority. And there are some of us who feel that the time is right for a change, for new leadership." Bellatrix paused, letting that statement sink in. "Oh, I'll leave dear Hogwarts and Hogsmeade out of it now, I can see your point and I won't defy those who matter to me. But I refuse to allow you to dictate to me outside of it." Bellatrix's eyes narrowed menacingly; clearly she meant every word.
Snape didn't say a word, he merely held the door open, indicating it with a mockingly eloquent sweep of his hand. Still glowering, Bellatrix made for the exit with no argument, but as she passed Snape she pressed a kiss to his cheek, her eyes momentarily softened, before sweeping out.
Snape closed his eyes for a long moment. Thoroughly deranged, foolhardy, and an ever-present threat Bellatrix may be, but she was also intensely loyal toa few things. Surprisingly enough, he seemed to be one of them.
* * *
James sat at one long end of the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall on Sunday morning, carefully saving the place next to him. As it grew later and later, the more nervous he became. He knew what he hoped Lily would do when she came down to breakfast, but he didn't know if she would indeed do it, if she would come and sit with him and have a conversation with him like a real couple, like Remus and Kathleen were doing across the table from him at that very moment.
Deep down, James was desperately afraid that Lily would wake up this morning and realize that she had made a terrible mistake, that she did not actually want to date James Potter and would start going out with someone really fabulous, like a professional Quidditch player or famous singer.
On his left, Sirius glanced over at his best mate and gave him a reassuring smile. James tried to smile back but failed miserably. Realizing he could not help his friend, Sirius returned to the discussion he had been having with Peter about the Appleby Arrows' newest Beater.
James caught a glimpse of red out of the corner of his eye and turned his head fast enough to see stars and introduce the possibility of whiplash. Lily had finally come down to breakfast, looking perfectly normal and hopefully not like she was about to announce her engagement to a world-renowned Auror.
Catching James' eye, Lily smiled, albeit rather shyly, and made her way over to the end of the table where he was sitting. "Morning," she greeted as she slid onto the bench next to him.
"Morning," James managed, giddy with relief and his residual whiplash. "Bit of a late start this morning, isn't it?"
"I'm desperately flattered that you noticed," Lily returned dryly. "Did you miss me or something?"
"No," James sputtered, attempting to pull it off. "Why would I miss someone I saw only nine hours ago? I just thought I'd - "
"Shut it, James," Lily said flirtatiously, smiling at him as she reached for the toast.
She'd called him James. Not Potter, not git or toerag, or anything else. James let the realization sink in. Naturally he knew that if you were going out with someone, you didn't call them by their last name, but knowing this and actually hearing it were two different things.
And for the first time in his life, James allowed himself to believe that maybe Lily Evans did want to be with him.
* * *
Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update, I had technical problems and have been very busy lately. To make up for it, I'm posting another new chapter this weekend. Thank you to all of my reviewers and special thanks to Sirius-Ella, (I'm seriously considering the suggestion) Marauder by Moonlight, Moonz, Four Stars, witch @ heart, blazedsorceress, Senna2, Raye Musgrave, BiNka, Ronald's Girl, lilynjamesAAF, small obsession, Queen Cari, cricketlover, Diana, and met19.
Like I said, another new chapter will be up this weekend, most likely Saturday. Until then, read and review!
James led Lily back to the castle, slightly bemused by his own good fortune and completely unable to keep the blissful grin from his face. He had never thought the day Lily Evans kissed him for all the world to see and changed her mind about going out with him would come. Still, he did not intend to look a gift hippogriff in the mouth, especially since he was feeling better than he could ever remember feeling in his entire life.
As usual, there was a party in the Gryffindor common room after the match to celebrate the Gryffindor victory. Sirius and Peter went to the kitchens and brought back as much food and drink as they could carry, and the Gryffindors settled in to party until Professor McGonagall broke it up.
James and Lily spent most of the party together, sitting on one of the overstuffed sofas in the common room. Mostly they talked and laughed with each other and the various friends who came and went, leaving the snogging displays to Frank and Alice, who seemed, judging by the ardor of their snogging, to be inordinately pleased with each other.
James couldn't fathom what had happened between breakfast, when Frank had been a bit annoyed with Alice, and now, when they were all over each other. He reckoned that Alice, like loads of girls James had encountered over the years, was really turned on by Quidditch players.
Lily seemed to know something about it; when the couple came up for air long enough to get some pumpkin juice, Lily called out to Alice: "Finally caught that vulture, did you?" Alice just grinned in response and hurried off after Frank. Even when he asked her, Lily wouldn't tell James what that comment had meant.
Many of those who had seen Lily kiss James on the pitch stopped by to rib them both and made sure that everyone in the common room was aware of what had happened.
The worst of the teasing came from Sirius and Morwenna. Sirius, as the primary witness and best friend of one of the involved parties, was in rare form, entertaining the common room with spirited imitations of the pair until Lily hexed him with a well-placed Jelly Legs Jinx and refused to remove it until he promised to behave. James could see that despite all of the ribbing that his best friend was actually extremely happy for him, but even he became annoyed by Sirius' antics eventually and threatened to hex his ears off while Lily had him under the influence of the Jelly Legs.
Morwenna had not witnessed the actual kiss but had heard about it from various sources and came to see for herself if it was true. When she saw Lily and James sitting on the couch, hands clasped, she emitted a shriek and immediately hugged them both. She was a bit smug over the whole thing really, absolutely delighted to have been right about the pair of them, as she pointed out more than once. Lily was seriously considering trying her hand at the Jelly Legs Jinx again.
Apart from the incidents with Morwenna and Sirius, Lily felt that she was actually handling this relationship business quite well. She had been immensely relieved that James hadn't wanted to put on a snogging display for all the common room to see and seemed content to hold her hand while they talked and laughed together and with other people. More than content actually; he had an almost comical expression of bliss on his face.
The moment that Lily had been most proud of had been when Dorcas had caught up with her and James shortly after the match. As she played for the team, Dorcas had quite naturally been on the pitch at the time and had witnessed the kiss and she had come to ask them, meaning Lily, what they were about.
And Lily had taken a deep breath, squeezed James' hand a bit more tightly, and had uttered the sentence she had never thought to say in her whole life: "James and I are seeing each other."
Once she'd said it out loud, it was actually a relief to have it out in the open. Of course, this made the whole thing a bit more real, which was frightening, but it was less frightening than she'd thought it'd be, which probably had a great deal to do with James' hand holding hers. Lily had actually been lightheaded with the tangle of emotions that crossed her consciousness at that point: fear, relief, pride, happiness, and embarrassment. It was a heady experience.
The party raged on for the better part of the night till McGonagall, in her tartan bathrobe and hairnet as was traditional when breaking up parties, came in at quarter to one and ordered them all to bed.
Both feeling highly self conscious, James and Lily said a rather hasty good night accompanied by a brief kiss before climbing their respective staircases a bit after everyone else, except for Frank and Alice, of course.
Exhausted, Lily climbed the stairs with Alice, looking forward to some much-anticipated sleep. As soon as they opened the door, however, Lily could see that it would be quite some time before she got any sleep. Each and every one of her roommates were sitting on their beds, facing the door expectantly, waiting to hear the details.
* * *
Eight o'clock Sunday morning found most Hogwarts students still abed but it found Severus Snape sitting in his usual study room. However, Snape was not at work as diligently as he customarily was. Snape was sondering if he had done the right thing.
He had received a reply to his letter from Rodolphus Lestrange on Wednesday, informing him that Lestrange had spoken to Bellatrix and that there would be no attack on Hogsmeade at this time or in the immediate future. Lestrange had closed by congratulating Snape on avoiding this potentially disastrous situation that could have exposed and drastically harmed their cause. He also had hinted to Snape that he was becoming highly thought of in the right circles and had requested that he keep an eye on Bellatrix and ensure that her "enthusiasm" didn't get out of hand.
Enthusiasm indeed, Snape snorted to himself. Derangement was more like it. Bellatrix had no concept of good judgement, was incapable of weighing consequences.
Snape had debated about it for a good while, but in the end he had gone to see Dumbledore on Thursday morning immediately after classes. These additional patrols were bothersome to Snape as a Prefect, but more than that they were uncomfortable for the Slytherins in general. It was best for them to keep out of the spotlight because of the clandestine activities many of them engaged in in Voldemort's service, and a great many fingers had been pointed at them because of the new patrols.
Dumbledore had taken the news Snape had brought him as he took everything: very calmly, inscrutably, and intelligently. Snape admired these traits in Dumbledore highly; he himself wished he had such mastery of his expressions.
Quickly and with as few specifics as possible, Snape had informed Dumbledore that he had heard from a highly reliable source that no attacks on Hogsmeade would be taking place. Finishing his story, Snape had stood to go.
"Severus." Snape finally met that wise, piercing gaze.
"The safety of the entire school depends on my ability to make decisions," Dumbledore had told him gravely. "Keeping that in mind, can you tell me with certainty that it is safe to relax the extra security and reinstate the Hogsmeade weekends?"
Snape had tried to look away, but he was practically hypnotized by those knowing blue eyes. "Yes," he replied simply. "My source is excellent, I can assure you."
Dumbledore had studied Snape for another long minute, Snape growing increasingly ill at ease.
"I believe you, Severus," Dumbledore said finally, blue eyes twinkling. "And I trust your judgement. I will call a Prefects' meeting after dinner to announce that there won't be any more extra patrols."
Snape had nodded curtly and turned to go.
"Severus?" Dumbledore's voice rang out. Snape turned.
"I hope you know," Dumbledore began slowly, "that you can always trust me to help you." Confused, Snape had nodded again, more slowly this time, wondering just how much Dumbledore knew. Then he had turned and hurried from the room.
* * *
Recalling this now, days later, Snape was still highly uncomfortable. He'd never know how much Dumbledore knew, and that was disconcerting What did he know about Snape, about Lestrange and Bellatrix and Avery, Rosier, Wilkes, and the others, about the Dark Lord himself?
And Bellatrix, there was another mystery. Snape was actually quite surprised that he hadn't heard from her by now. He would eventually though, he was certain. Trying to put these thoughts from his head, Snape went back to his potion.
Less than an hour later, the study room door crashed open and Bellatrix glided smoothly into the room. Irritated that he'd have to find yet another locking charm, Snape sighed and attempted to regain some composure, studying Bellatrix. He had expected her to be furious about the whole episode but instead she seemed rather amused. However, Snape had seen that gleam in her eye before, and it was a gleam that immediately put him on his guard.
"So," Bellatrix finally began,"you've ratted me out, have you? I suppose you're quite pleased with yourself, you think you've won our little contest?"
Snape merely quirked a brow at her condescendingly, finding her melodrama to be ridiculous. Bellatrix laughed, a sound like nails on a chalkboard.
"I admit it, you know. You have won, and a very well played round it was. You knew all too well that I'd never go against Rodolphus, so you played that card. Clever Severus. Well done. Just don't think you've won the game because of one lucky hand. I have cards you haven't even seen yet."
"Enough, Bellatrix," Snape could only take so much. "You're a reckless fool who should be thanking me. You and your ridiculous machinations nearly ruined everything for all of us. Do you really think any of us would be allowed to remain here if the school governors thought we were Death Eaters? You nearly exposed us all and could have severely damaged our operation and completely compromised our secret!" He was shouting by the end, he was so incensed.
"You're the one who should be quiet, pet, and not speak of things you don't understand," Bellatrix spat. "You think you're in charge but you're wrong. I'm Marked, the same as you are, and I have just as much authority. And there are some of us who feel that the time is right for a change, for new leadership." Bellatrix paused, letting that statement sink in. "Oh, I'll leave dear Hogwarts and Hogsmeade out of it now, I can see your point and I won't defy those who matter to me. But I refuse to allow you to dictate to me outside of it." Bellatrix's eyes narrowed menacingly; clearly she meant every word.
Snape didn't say a word, he merely held the door open, indicating it with a mockingly eloquent sweep of his hand. Still glowering, Bellatrix made for the exit with no argument, but as she passed Snape she pressed a kiss to his cheek, her eyes momentarily softened, before sweeping out.
Snape closed his eyes for a long moment. Thoroughly deranged, foolhardy, and an ever-present threat Bellatrix may be, but she was also intensely loyal toa few things. Surprisingly enough, he seemed to be one of them.
* * *
James sat at one long end of the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall on Sunday morning, carefully saving the place next to him. As it grew later and later, the more nervous he became. He knew what he hoped Lily would do when she came down to breakfast, but he didn't know if she would indeed do it, if she would come and sit with him and have a conversation with him like a real couple, like Remus and Kathleen were doing across the table from him at that very moment.
Deep down, James was desperately afraid that Lily would wake up this morning and realize that she had made a terrible mistake, that she did not actually want to date James Potter and would start going out with someone really fabulous, like a professional Quidditch player or famous singer.
On his left, Sirius glanced over at his best mate and gave him a reassuring smile. James tried to smile back but failed miserably. Realizing he could not help his friend, Sirius returned to the discussion he had been having with Peter about the Appleby Arrows' newest Beater.
James caught a glimpse of red out of the corner of his eye and turned his head fast enough to see stars and introduce the possibility of whiplash. Lily had finally come down to breakfast, looking perfectly normal and hopefully not like she was about to announce her engagement to a world-renowned Auror.
Catching James' eye, Lily smiled, albeit rather shyly, and made her way over to the end of the table where he was sitting. "Morning," she greeted as she slid onto the bench next to him.
"Morning," James managed, giddy with relief and his residual whiplash. "Bit of a late start this morning, isn't it?"
"I'm desperately flattered that you noticed," Lily returned dryly. "Did you miss me or something?"
"No," James sputtered, attempting to pull it off. "Why would I miss someone I saw only nine hours ago? I just thought I'd - "
"Shut it, James," Lily said flirtatiously, smiling at him as she reached for the toast.
She'd called him James. Not Potter, not git or toerag, or anything else. James let the realization sink in. Naturally he knew that if you were going out with someone, you didn't call them by their last name, but knowing this and actually hearing it were two different things.
And for the first time in his life, James allowed himself to believe that maybe Lily Evans did want to be with him.
* * *
Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update, I had technical problems and have been very busy lately. To make up for it, I'm posting another new chapter this weekend. Thank you to all of my reviewers and special thanks to Sirius-Ella, (I'm seriously considering the suggestion) Marauder by Moonlight, Moonz, Four Stars, witch @ heart, blazedsorceress, Senna2, Raye Musgrave, BiNka, Ronald's Girl, lilynjamesAAF, small obsession, Queen Cari, cricketlover, Diana, and met19.
Like I said, another new chapter will be up this weekend, most likely Saturday. Until then, read and review!