Beaubaxtons to Hogwarts
Disclaimer: I wish that it was mine but sadly, it is J.K. Rowling's work. I'm just a fan.
Author's Note: I'm very sorry that I haven't written in a long time. I was grounded for forever and schoolwork is just impossible. I'm in a bit of a writer's block so please, bear with me here! Also, Lily didn't have a very strong reaction here because she's used to the pain but it still hurts her. James was just really angry and he didn't realize what was happening to Lily. All that mattered to him was that Snape was an asshole. That's why he didn't go to Lily and be all like "Oh it's ok. I'm here." He was just really pissed. I hope that helped with Chapter 10.
Summary: Lily suffers at her old school so she decides to run away. She came to Hogwarts under an alias name hoping to make friends somewhere else. However, she was wrong. She met James and his gang and they decide to play pranks on her just for the fun of it. But will James's feelings change as well as Lily's?
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Chapter 11- Confessions, Fights, and Old Enemies
"For the millionth bloody time, I'm fine! Stop badgering me with all your questions!" Lily exclaimed loudly at breakfast. James, Remus, Sirius, Tia, and Peter were all crowding around to make sure she didn't break down and cry or whatnot. "If you continue this, I will bloody start crying again and you wouldn't want that would you?" Lily sweetly smiled at them. They soon quieted down and continued eating their breakfast.
'Finally!' Lily sighed with relief then took out her timetable. She made a face. 'Transfiguration. Oh bloody hell.' She tucked her timetable in, checked her watch and stood up. The group looked at her.
"Where are you going?" James blurted out. Lily rolled her eyes.
"I'm going to class, that's what. There's no harm in that right?" She was about to walk away before someone grabbed her arm.
"Oh no. You're not going alone." She turned to see that it was James who had clutched onto her arm. Lily huffed out a sigh and stuck her chin high.
"Very well then. You could come but I don't see the point." They walked out, leaving amused smiles on their friends' faces.
"Now that's what I call love." Sirius grinned. Tia only slapped him on the head, leaving Sirius porridge on his nose.
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Transfiguration Class
"Now class, I understand that NEWTs are coming up soon so that is why I have assigned a project for you." The class groaned but one look at Professor McGonagall's face shut them all up. "And," she continued, eyeing everyone, "I will be the one assigning your partner." The class again groaned which this time Professor McGonagall ignored.
"Black, Bones."
"Vargas, Lupin."
"Potter, Evans." She trailed on, leaving Lily to her thoughts. 'No! This is a mistake! It's a nightmare!' She groaned inwardly and placed her head on her desk.
"Miss Evans? Something wrong?" She quickly looked up to see Professor McGonagall looking concerned yet amused at the same time. Lily gave out a fake smile.
"I'm fine Professor. Just a little dizzy."
"I see. Well, if you're healthy enough, won't you kindly take a seat next to your partner?" She looked around and noticed that everyone was with their partner. Lily blushed, and grabbed her books, landing a seat next to James.
"Are you alright?" James asked quietly while Professor McGonagall explained the project.
"Oh just peachy." Lily replied sarcastically and continued writing what McGonagall had written on the board. James gave one last look to Lily before following her example and listening to the professor for once.
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Lily trudged upstairs, tired from the whole day. She hated today. Especially with the Slytherins glowering at her, some smirking, some just casually walking their way but eyeing her. She's been called a whore, a mudblood or a slut whichever one by them. Very well, she could be that but she knew that the rest of the population of Hogwarts thought differently.
She walked inside the common room then gasped. There was James Potter...and Clair Delacour snogging each other's throats out on the couch! She couldn't breathe. She sank to her knees, holding the wall as a support. There was her so-called friend and her enemy just...just...oh she couldn't say it!
James looked up. He's been busily trying to button up his shirt and push away this slut for the past 20 minutes. He saw Lily, lying on the ground, shocked of the whole ordeal. He saw her look up and her eyes showed so many emotions. Sadness, hurt, betrayl, anger...love?
"Lily. Look, I can expl-"
"Don't give me that bullshit James!" Her eyes were burning with hatred and fire. It flowed through her blood and veins and impure thoughts seem to creep back inside her head. She had only one mission now, to torture James Potter to his bloody death. "I heard enough "I can explain"s to last me a lifetime!" He had toyed with her heart and played with her mind. Now, her heart was broken and her mind shattered.
"Yes, I understand but you need to really hear this."
"I don't need to hear anything. You've just crossed the line Potter. I demand a duel. Now!" James stood up defiantely, but refused.
"No Lily. We're going to resolve this in another way. Hey, I sound like you now." He joked under Lily's piercing stare.
"How can you joke at a time like this?" She hissed at him. James only shrugged his shoulders. "Besides, resolve what? You, fraternizing with the enemy?" Those words seem to echo back at her, a fresh memory that seemed to flash back in her mind. She looked towards Remus's direction but he calmly looked the other way, unable to be amused or concerned with the whole situation. He was calm, yet afraid with the results. He knew what a temper Lily had and whenever she made a decision, she never backed down from it.
She looked towards James and narrowed her eyes. 'He looks scared. He should be because I'm ready to blast Hogwarts all the way to space!' How could her own "friend" betray her like that after everything she told him about her past life, including that bitch who was sitting on the couch with a smug look on her face. She only looked away with disgust and took out her wand. James let out a frustrated groan.
"Fraternizing? I wasn't fraternizing! This is all just a big misunderstanding! Lily, just listen to me dammit before you do anything stupid. It's all a misunderstanding!" Lily posed as if her wand was her sword.
"Prove it." Those two words seemed to have clicked into James' head and set off something because James took out his wand too.
"Fine then. We'll have it your way." He snapped at her. They took 5 steps forward, opposite directions. Everyone in Gryffindor watched, anticipating at the results. They faced each other, hazel met emerald. Each took their position...and waited.
Not a single word nor sound was uttered in the common room. Finally, James, looking defeated, lowered his wand. Some people in the crowd gasped. James never backed away from a duel and here he was, looking as if he lost.
"This is stupid." He muttered and walked towards the portrait door. Lily looked stupefied.
"Hey! You can't do that!" Lily called out to him, angrily debating against him.
"Says who?" James called back. Lily slumped her shoulders.
"Says me." She murmered and collapsed on the chair, blacked out and oblivious to her surroundings.
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Girls' Dormitories
Lily woke up and groaned, clutching onto her head. Somehow, she landed herself in her own bed and was unable to quench anything at all. All she could see was Tia looking at her with a grieved look on her face.
"Lily? Are you alright?" Her voice was low and concerned.
"Yeah, just that this splitting headache just bloody kills!" Tia sighed and sat down on her bed.
"Do you remember anything yesterday?" Lily pondered for a second.
"No, nothing." She admitted then sank back on her comfy pillows. "I bet I did something stupid." Tia clicked her tongue and gave out a cough which sounded more like a laugh.
"Uh...yes you did." Lily groaned.
"Potter's mad at me?" Tia grinned.
"Oh, it's back to Potter now?" Lily just sighed.
"It was the Emalac Potion." Lily only stared tiredly at Tia. "It must've been done during dinner because you were quite calm before then. Do you remember who sat beside you besides me?" Lily shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I don't remember anything."
"My guess would be that Delacour girl or Snape." Lily's eyes snapped open.
"Delacour?" She asked harshly. Tia nodded sadly. Lily gave out a frustrated sigh and placed a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes. "She's here now? Just great. Just when I thought I had everything sorted out, she comes back in the picture. I hate this. I bloody hate this." Tia only patted her arm and gave her a glass of water along with some asprin.
"I remember you told me once about as-asporon? Oh god, what's that blasted word again?" Lily gave out a small smile.
"Asprin?"
"That's the one! Well, anyways, here you go. I have to go back to class."
"What time is it right now?"
"It's past noon. Around 1 o'clock. I wrote down your homework for you so far and went to some of your 'extra' classes." Tia scrunched her nose. "Honestly, I don't understand how you could just manage all that extra homework and such." Lily chuckled.
"Practice I guess." Tia sighed.
"Yes well," She laughed and gatherered her books and placed them in her book bag. She swung her bag over her shoulder and gave out a smile. "Well, I'm off then. See you later Lily. I'll see if I could grab something from the kitchens. Bloody hell, you haven't eaten for a whole day! I suppose that Emalac potion swung in. Read all about it, seeing that I don't know a bloody thing about it." Lily rolled her eyes and pulled the covers over her head.
"Thanks Tia. Night."
"Afternoon." Tia corrected, laughing and closed the door quietly. Lily only kept her eyes open as she tried to recollect her memories but nothing came out.
"What the hell did I do yesterday?" Lily whispered.
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The Next Day
"Lily! Oh Lily!" Lily only clutched her books more tightly, gritting her teeth together. If that bitch one more bloody time... "Lily!" Lily whirled around and faced the annoying voice.
"What Delacour?" She hissed at Clair. Clair only smirked and held out her timetable.
"Professor McGonagall 'as asked me to tell you that you must give me a tour of 'ogwartz." Lily snatched the timetable out of Clair's hands and quickly read over it.
"Herbology is outside. Transfiguration on the second corridor. Charms and History of Magic on the third, now bloody leave me alone." She threw the parchment at Clair and stomped off to the library.
"But Lily-"
"I said to bloody leave me alone! Go shag Potter or something!" She let out a frustrated groan and collapsed onto her own special seat and took out her homework. Except... "Oh bloody hell! I left it upstairs!" The pressure of having her enemy in the same school, in the same house, in the same dormitories as her was just over the top. She crammed her books in once again and stormed outside once again. At least she was gone.
Lily let out a sigh as she jumped over the trick step and continued trudging upstairs to the Gryffindor common room.
"Gobbledonks." Lily said tiredly and went inside as the portrait door opened. James. That was the last person she wanted to see. Carefully, avoiding his eye, she walked quietly upstairs and grabbed her homework. She was about to creep out when she heard a noise behind her. She whirled out to see James. His gaze seemed to scare the wits about of her. She hoped that her knees weren't wobbling but she doubted that they will listen to her wishes. "Ja-Potter?" He only stepped forwards, towards her.
"Evans." His voice was thin like ice. Lily winced but stared at his eyes. 'Remember Lily, you have dignity and pride. Don't forget that!' "I've been meaning to have a chat with you."
"Well, so sorry that you've wasted your time because right now, I have to run." She was about to leave when James grabbed her arm.
"Wha-Potter, let go of me!" Lily cried out angrily. Who was he to touch her like that?
"Not without a talk from you I won't." He growled. "Now sit down."
"No, I prefer to stand. What's with this interrogation?" Lily snapped, crossing her arms, shifting her books as well. James sighed and stood across from her.
"What I want to know is what was with your behaviour yesterday?" Lily turned away from him, bit her lip then stared at him again.
"I don't know. I don't remember." She answered quietly.
"Don't give me that crap. Of course you remember! How could you not?" James stared angrily at Lily. 'What is wrong with this girl? Either she's daft or she just wants to deny everything.'
"I don't alright! Someone gave me an Emalac potion so now I don't have a bloody clue of what happened!" James looked confused.
"Emalac potion?"
"Yes, an Emalac potion!" Lily snapped at James, irritated of this whole interrogation. "It reveals a person's inner thoughts and actions that they wish to perform. Obviously, I heard from Tia that I wanted to duel you which is positively outrageous and stupid. Whenever I get angry, I always want to just hex someone all the way to China. The person has no idea what they are doing, sort of like they are in a trance which is why I don't remember anything!"
James became silent, absorbing all the information Lily just told him. 'Emalac potion? But who?'
"If you're wondering who it might be, I have no idea who it was. It was either Delacour," at this, Lily made a face. "Or Snape." This time, she took a step forward, an inch away from James' nose. At the distance they were at, James could notice faint freckles splashed across her face. "Why are you so concerned about me? Shouldn't you be running to Clair?"
"Shouldn't you be running to your mummy?" He imitated her voice. He then realized what he had said and he knew he was in for it. He shouldn't have said that. He looked at her and noticed a faint trickle of tears coursing down her cheek. A look of sadness sweapt over her face but quickly disappeared replaced by anger.
"I suggest you not to repeat that." She said in a low whisper. 'How dare he! He knows about my mum. How could he just say that front forward to my face?'
"Or what?" There he goes again. He inwardly sighed. What the bloody hell was wrong with him? Lily inched forward once more so that their noses were practically touching.
"I mean it." Then she turned away and disappeared and before James knew it, he was alone.
James sighed and ruffled his hair. A habit that Lily would always scowl at. He didn't care. Lily wasn't there right now. She'll never be. She'll never say nice things or smile or laugh with him. She'll always stay angry at him. He couldn't blame her. He gave out a harsh laugh. 'Even I would hate myself if it wasn't for my "big" ego. I don't understand why I just did that right now. Say those mean things to her. Something is definately wrong with me. Maybe I'm the one drinking the Emalac potion.' He shook his head and walked out of the common room. He needed to think.
He creapt outside towards the Forbidden forest where there, he changed into his animagi form, a stag. Whenever he was in his animagi form, he felt free and light, as if a heavy burden was just lifted from his shoulders. All those problems belonged to James. Freedom belonged to Prongs. He galloped inside the forest but didn't go too deep. He knew what dangerous things lurked inside that dark and murky place.
He somehow ended up at the lake where he heard some crying. He turned his head towards where the crying had come from and surprise, surprise, it ended up to be Lily. He felt guilt pang inside his heart. 'Go away.' He thought, annoyed as if it was actually a living thing. But guilt seemed to settle down like a cat and lay there until something else came by. 'Forigveness.' He thought sadly and walked slowly up to her. Lily looked up, surprised.
"A stag? Why would a stag be here?" Lily asked, as if she was talking to someone. Prongs only crept up closer and more slowly and pawed his foot on the grass. Lily stretched her hand out slowly to pet him and surprised, Prongs actually let her. "Well, I don't care where you came from, you seem friendly unlike Potter." She seem to bitterly spat out his name like that. Prongs winced. Lily thought it was because of the tone of her voice. "Sorry." She continued to pet him.
"I don't always hate him. He can be quite nice and charming. He likes to take care of me you know. I always thought it was pity but I thought differently. I guess if he was ordered by me then he would actually follow it. I told him not to pity me so he doesn't pity me. He just shows his concern which is what I think seems sort of nice." She continued to pet him and soon Prongs could be lulled by her voice. The touch of her hand on his silky fur seemed comforting and he wished she would never stop, and as if she granted his wishes, she didn't.
"Why did he say that to me? Why did he say those hurtful things? I mean, maybe he was pressured by the way I always inched closer to him. I always do that when I argue. I never leave space. I always need to see them clearly, face to face instead of distances apart." She gave out a small laugh that seemed to tinkle like bells. "I'm not exactly pretty but you're attracted to stags so who am I to say that I'm not pretty to you? I'm sorry, I guess I'm rambling off again."
'Her, not pretty? Yeah right. She must really have low self-esteem. I guess it's partly my fault.' James thought grimly and continued to listen to Lily. She told him about school, her parents, her sister, her old life at Beauxbaxtons.
"Beauxbaxtons wasn't all that great but it was an ok school. Professors seemed really nice but I figured it was mostly out of pity. Clair was the ring leader of the whole hatred towards me. When Tia, my friend, told me what had happened between Potter and Delacour, I thought I would just faint right there and then. I mean, I told Potter all about Delacour and there he goes, just betraying me like that and snogging the daylights out of Delacour. I thought I would just vomit." She gave out a laugh and stared at Prongs. "You have pretty eyes. They're like James'. His are hazel, did you know that? I never noticed that before. I thought they'd be a mucky brown colour but they're a pretty hazel colour."
Prongs stared at Lily. 'She remembers my eye colour? No one's ever commented on my eyes before. Ha, she thinks I have pretty eyes. I think I'll stare at her more often.' He never realized this, but he was falling for her. He was captivated by her eyes, her flowing hair, her personality especially her spitfire. 'I've never felt this way about a girl before. It seems she's the first.'
"James! Where are you, mate? Jamesie ol' boy! That Delacour girl's looking for you!" Prongs looked up to see Sirius, Remus, and Peter all looking for him. 'Oh right! The plan for tonight! Bloody hell, I forgot all about it.' He then groaned inwardly. 'Delacour? It seems it's always about Delacour these days.'
"Oh great, Potter's friends! I hope they don't scare you off." 'No,' James thought silently, 'Actually, I'm anticipating at what they would say when they see Lily and I together.' He made a small move as if he was actually scared of the noises.
"Oh don't go!" Lily pleaded. James made an effort not to laugh right there and then. 'It seems Lily's taking a liking to ickle ol' Prongs. At least she likes one side of me.' "I'm sure they'll leave soon." 'Which is highly unlikely. They'll probably pester you, sweet Lily.' Lily continued saying soothing words to James, and petting him.
"Oh hello Lily. Have you seen our dear old friend James?" Lily made a look of pure venom.
"No," she replied icily. 'And I thought she liked my eyes.' James thought, pouting. Well, at least trying to. Sirius, Remus, and Peter stared at the stag. Remus nudged Sirius.
"What the bloody hell is James doing?" He hissed at Sirius.
"How am I supposed to know? I'm as clueless as you are!" Lily stared puzzled.
"What are you two whispering about?" She asked suspiciously. Somehow, she had a sneaking suspicion they were talking about the stag.
"Uh...we were talking about how thick-headed James was." Sirius then grinned staring at the stag. 'Oh, if only I could just tackle him and wipe that stupid grin off his face.' Remus started chuckling and Peter gave out a nervous laugh.
"Well, we're going to find balloon-head James so you two just go back to your...business. By the way, where did the stag come from?" Lily shrugged her shoulders.
"He just came up to me. I thought it was sort of weird since stags aren't native around these parts but he must've just wandered off or..." She trailed off. Sirius was eagar to listen.
"Or what?" He asked, anxious to hear what Lily thought.
"Or someone's animagi." Sirius' eyes widened and Prongs made a weird sort of sound. Sirius laughed nervously.
"That's stupid. That person could've been caught by now." To his surprise, Lily laughed.
"Of course, that's why I hesitated to answer. Besides, no one can be that intelligent to start animagi even at seventh year. They have to be extremely good at Transfiguration." Sirius nodded, enthusiastically.
"Of course, of course. Well, I'm off then. Have fun." He winked and skipped off leaving a bewildered Lily and a relieved James.
"Well, that was a tad odd, wasn't it?" She checked her watch then gathered her stuff. "Lunch is over soon so I best be off. Now you take care of yourself alright? You're so majestic, I wish I could keep you but heavens, where will I put you?" 'In your bed?' James thought suggestively. Lily shook her head and laughed. "I hope to see you again soon. I think I'll name you Prongs like what Sirius calls James sometimes. It seems to suit you. Good-bye for now." She got up and walked slowly back towards the castle.
James waited for a few moments before changing back to his human form. He learned a lot for now, including the fact that Lily seems to have a small crush on him. 'Thanks Lily.' He grinned and soon got up, brushing the grass away and headed towards Hogwarts.
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Safiya Femi: Wow! That is a lot! Crud man, I'm tired from all that. The computer screen seemed to have gotten to me. Is this too much? I thought it was. I suck at writing. I seem to always forget SOMETHING. Oh um...next chapter, there's going to be some spoilers from Order of the Pheonix ok? So uh...just a little warning there. I missed the computer and fanfiction and you! Especially my reviewers which are you! Well, some of you. That's ok! James and Lily's personalities have changed eh? I dunno, I liked it changed. It seems alright because the story gets more developed and the characters are also being more developed. Developed of what I don't know. Review!
Disclaimer: I wish that it was mine but sadly, it is J.K. Rowling's work. I'm just a fan.
Author's Note: I'm very sorry that I haven't written in a long time. I was grounded for forever and schoolwork is just impossible. I'm in a bit of a writer's block so please, bear with me here! Also, Lily didn't have a very strong reaction here because she's used to the pain but it still hurts her. James was just really angry and he didn't realize what was happening to Lily. All that mattered to him was that Snape was an asshole. That's why he didn't go to Lily and be all like "Oh it's ok. I'm here." He was just really pissed. I hope that helped with Chapter 10.
Summary: Lily suffers at her old school so she decides to run away. She came to Hogwarts under an alias name hoping to make friends somewhere else. However, she was wrong. She met James and his gang and they decide to play pranks on her just for the fun of it. But will James's feelings change as well as Lily's?
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Chapter 11- Confessions, Fights, and Old Enemies
"For the millionth bloody time, I'm fine! Stop badgering me with all your questions!" Lily exclaimed loudly at breakfast. James, Remus, Sirius, Tia, and Peter were all crowding around to make sure she didn't break down and cry or whatnot. "If you continue this, I will bloody start crying again and you wouldn't want that would you?" Lily sweetly smiled at them. They soon quieted down and continued eating their breakfast.
'Finally!' Lily sighed with relief then took out her timetable. She made a face. 'Transfiguration. Oh bloody hell.' She tucked her timetable in, checked her watch and stood up. The group looked at her.
"Where are you going?" James blurted out. Lily rolled her eyes.
"I'm going to class, that's what. There's no harm in that right?" She was about to walk away before someone grabbed her arm.
"Oh no. You're not going alone." She turned to see that it was James who had clutched onto her arm. Lily huffed out a sigh and stuck her chin high.
"Very well then. You could come but I don't see the point." They walked out, leaving amused smiles on their friends' faces.
"Now that's what I call love." Sirius grinned. Tia only slapped him on the head, leaving Sirius porridge on his nose.
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Transfiguration Class
"Now class, I understand that NEWTs are coming up soon so that is why I have assigned a project for you." The class groaned but one look at Professor McGonagall's face shut them all up. "And," she continued, eyeing everyone, "I will be the one assigning your partner." The class again groaned which this time Professor McGonagall ignored.
"Black, Bones."
"Vargas, Lupin."
"Potter, Evans." She trailed on, leaving Lily to her thoughts. 'No! This is a mistake! It's a nightmare!' She groaned inwardly and placed her head on her desk.
"Miss Evans? Something wrong?" She quickly looked up to see Professor McGonagall looking concerned yet amused at the same time. Lily gave out a fake smile.
"I'm fine Professor. Just a little dizzy."
"I see. Well, if you're healthy enough, won't you kindly take a seat next to your partner?" She looked around and noticed that everyone was with their partner. Lily blushed, and grabbed her books, landing a seat next to James.
"Are you alright?" James asked quietly while Professor McGonagall explained the project.
"Oh just peachy." Lily replied sarcastically and continued writing what McGonagall had written on the board. James gave one last look to Lily before following her example and listening to the professor for once.
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Lily trudged upstairs, tired from the whole day. She hated today. Especially with the Slytherins glowering at her, some smirking, some just casually walking their way but eyeing her. She's been called a whore, a mudblood or a slut whichever one by them. Very well, she could be that but she knew that the rest of the population of Hogwarts thought differently.
She walked inside the common room then gasped. There was James Potter...and Clair Delacour snogging each other's throats out on the couch! She couldn't breathe. She sank to her knees, holding the wall as a support. There was her so-called friend and her enemy just...just...oh she couldn't say it!
James looked up. He's been busily trying to button up his shirt and push away this slut for the past 20 minutes. He saw Lily, lying on the ground, shocked of the whole ordeal. He saw her look up and her eyes showed so many emotions. Sadness, hurt, betrayl, anger...love?
"Lily. Look, I can expl-"
"Don't give me that bullshit James!" Her eyes were burning with hatred and fire. It flowed through her blood and veins and impure thoughts seem to creep back inside her head. She had only one mission now, to torture James Potter to his bloody death. "I heard enough "I can explain"s to last me a lifetime!" He had toyed with her heart and played with her mind. Now, her heart was broken and her mind shattered.
"Yes, I understand but you need to really hear this."
"I don't need to hear anything. You've just crossed the line Potter. I demand a duel. Now!" James stood up defiantely, but refused.
"No Lily. We're going to resolve this in another way. Hey, I sound like you now." He joked under Lily's piercing stare.
"How can you joke at a time like this?" She hissed at him. James only shrugged his shoulders. "Besides, resolve what? You, fraternizing with the enemy?" Those words seem to echo back at her, a fresh memory that seemed to flash back in her mind. She looked towards Remus's direction but he calmly looked the other way, unable to be amused or concerned with the whole situation. He was calm, yet afraid with the results. He knew what a temper Lily had and whenever she made a decision, she never backed down from it.
She looked towards James and narrowed her eyes. 'He looks scared. He should be because I'm ready to blast Hogwarts all the way to space!' How could her own "friend" betray her like that after everything she told him about her past life, including that bitch who was sitting on the couch with a smug look on her face. She only looked away with disgust and took out her wand. James let out a frustrated groan.
"Fraternizing? I wasn't fraternizing! This is all just a big misunderstanding! Lily, just listen to me dammit before you do anything stupid. It's all a misunderstanding!" Lily posed as if her wand was her sword.
"Prove it." Those two words seemed to have clicked into James' head and set off something because James took out his wand too.
"Fine then. We'll have it your way." He snapped at her. They took 5 steps forward, opposite directions. Everyone in Gryffindor watched, anticipating at the results. They faced each other, hazel met emerald. Each took their position...and waited.
Not a single word nor sound was uttered in the common room. Finally, James, looking defeated, lowered his wand. Some people in the crowd gasped. James never backed away from a duel and here he was, looking as if he lost.
"This is stupid." He muttered and walked towards the portrait door. Lily looked stupefied.
"Hey! You can't do that!" Lily called out to him, angrily debating against him.
"Says who?" James called back. Lily slumped her shoulders.
"Says me." She murmered and collapsed on the chair, blacked out and oblivious to her surroundings.
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Girls' Dormitories
Lily woke up and groaned, clutching onto her head. Somehow, she landed herself in her own bed and was unable to quench anything at all. All she could see was Tia looking at her with a grieved look on her face.
"Lily? Are you alright?" Her voice was low and concerned.
"Yeah, just that this splitting headache just bloody kills!" Tia sighed and sat down on her bed.
"Do you remember anything yesterday?" Lily pondered for a second.
"No, nothing." She admitted then sank back on her comfy pillows. "I bet I did something stupid." Tia clicked her tongue and gave out a cough which sounded more like a laugh.
"Uh...yes you did." Lily groaned.
"Potter's mad at me?" Tia grinned.
"Oh, it's back to Potter now?" Lily just sighed.
"It was the Emalac Potion." Lily only stared tiredly at Tia. "It must've been done during dinner because you were quite calm before then. Do you remember who sat beside you besides me?" Lily shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I don't remember anything."
"My guess would be that Delacour girl or Snape." Lily's eyes snapped open.
"Delacour?" She asked harshly. Tia nodded sadly. Lily gave out a frustrated sigh and placed a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes. "She's here now? Just great. Just when I thought I had everything sorted out, she comes back in the picture. I hate this. I bloody hate this." Tia only patted her arm and gave her a glass of water along with some asprin.
"I remember you told me once about as-asporon? Oh god, what's that blasted word again?" Lily gave out a small smile.
"Asprin?"
"That's the one! Well, anyways, here you go. I have to go back to class."
"What time is it right now?"
"It's past noon. Around 1 o'clock. I wrote down your homework for you so far and went to some of your 'extra' classes." Tia scrunched her nose. "Honestly, I don't understand how you could just manage all that extra homework and such." Lily chuckled.
"Practice I guess." Tia sighed.
"Yes well," She laughed and gatherered her books and placed them in her book bag. She swung her bag over her shoulder and gave out a smile. "Well, I'm off then. See you later Lily. I'll see if I could grab something from the kitchens. Bloody hell, you haven't eaten for a whole day! I suppose that Emalac potion swung in. Read all about it, seeing that I don't know a bloody thing about it." Lily rolled her eyes and pulled the covers over her head.
"Thanks Tia. Night."
"Afternoon." Tia corrected, laughing and closed the door quietly. Lily only kept her eyes open as she tried to recollect her memories but nothing came out.
"What the hell did I do yesterday?" Lily whispered.
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The Next Day
"Lily! Oh Lily!" Lily only clutched her books more tightly, gritting her teeth together. If that bitch one more bloody time... "Lily!" Lily whirled around and faced the annoying voice.
"What Delacour?" She hissed at Clair. Clair only smirked and held out her timetable.
"Professor McGonagall 'as asked me to tell you that you must give me a tour of 'ogwartz." Lily snatched the timetable out of Clair's hands and quickly read over it.
"Herbology is outside. Transfiguration on the second corridor. Charms and History of Magic on the third, now bloody leave me alone." She threw the parchment at Clair and stomped off to the library.
"But Lily-"
"I said to bloody leave me alone! Go shag Potter or something!" She let out a frustrated groan and collapsed onto her own special seat and took out her homework. Except... "Oh bloody hell! I left it upstairs!" The pressure of having her enemy in the same school, in the same house, in the same dormitories as her was just over the top. She crammed her books in once again and stormed outside once again. At least she was gone.
Lily let out a sigh as she jumped over the trick step and continued trudging upstairs to the Gryffindor common room.
"Gobbledonks." Lily said tiredly and went inside as the portrait door opened. James. That was the last person she wanted to see. Carefully, avoiding his eye, she walked quietly upstairs and grabbed her homework. She was about to creep out when she heard a noise behind her. She whirled out to see James. His gaze seemed to scare the wits about of her. She hoped that her knees weren't wobbling but she doubted that they will listen to her wishes. "Ja-Potter?" He only stepped forwards, towards her.
"Evans." His voice was thin like ice. Lily winced but stared at his eyes. 'Remember Lily, you have dignity and pride. Don't forget that!' "I've been meaning to have a chat with you."
"Well, so sorry that you've wasted your time because right now, I have to run." She was about to leave when James grabbed her arm.
"Wha-Potter, let go of me!" Lily cried out angrily. Who was he to touch her like that?
"Not without a talk from you I won't." He growled. "Now sit down."
"No, I prefer to stand. What's with this interrogation?" Lily snapped, crossing her arms, shifting her books as well. James sighed and stood across from her.
"What I want to know is what was with your behaviour yesterday?" Lily turned away from him, bit her lip then stared at him again.
"I don't know. I don't remember." She answered quietly.
"Don't give me that crap. Of course you remember! How could you not?" James stared angrily at Lily. 'What is wrong with this girl? Either she's daft or she just wants to deny everything.'
"I don't alright! Someone gave me an Emalac potion so now I don't have a bloody clue of what happened!" James looked confused.
"Emalac potion?"
"Yes, an Emalac potion!" Lily snapped at James, irritated of this whole interrogation. "It reveals a person's inner thoughts and actions that they wish to perform. Obviously, I heard from Tia that I wanted to duel you which is positively outrageous and stupid. Whenever I get angry, I always want to just hex someone all the way to China. The person has no idea what they are doing, sort of like they are in a trance which is why I don't remember anything!"
James became silent, absorbing all the information Lily just told him. 'Emalac potion? But who?'
"If you're wondering who it might be, I have no idea who it was. It was either Delacour," at this, Lily made a face. "Or Snape." This time, she took a step forward, an inch away from James' nose. At the distance they were at, James could notice faint freckles splashed across her face. "Why are you so concerned about me? Shouldn't you be running to Clair?"
"Shouldn't you be running to your mummy?" He imitated her voice. He then realized what he had said and he knew he was in for it. He shouldn't have said that. He looked at her and noticed a faint trickle of tears coursing down her cheek. A look of sadness sweapt over her face but quickly disappeared replaced by anger.
"I suggest you not to repeat that." She said in a low whisper. 'How dare he! He knows about my mum. How could he just say that front forward to my face?'
"Or what?" There he goes again. He inwardly sighed. What the bloody hell was wrong with him? Lily inched forward once more so that their noses were practically touching.
"I mean it." Then she turned away and disappeared and before James knew it, he was alone.
James sighed and ruffled his hair. A habit that Lily would always scowl at. He didn't care. Lily wasn't there right now. She'll never be. She'll never say nice things or smile or laugh with him. She'll always stay angry at him. He couldn't blame her. He gave out a harsh laugh. 'Even I would hate myself if it wasn't for my "big" ego. I don't understand why I just did that right now. Say those mean things to her. Something is definately wrong with me. Maybe I'm the one drinking the Emalac potion.' He shook his head and walked out of the common room. He needed to think.
He creapt outside towards the Forbidden forest where there, he changed into his animagi form, a stag. Whenever he was in his animagi form, he felt free and light, as if a heavy burden was just lifted from his shoulders. All those problems belonged to James. Freedom belonged to Prongs. He galloped inside the forest but didn't go too deep. He knew what dangerous things lurked inside that dark and murky place.
He somehow ended up at the lake where he heard some crying. He turned his head towards where the crying had come from and surprise, surprise, it ended up to be Lily. He felt guilt pang inside his heart. 'Go away.' He thought, annoyed as if it was actually a living thing. But guilt seemed to settle down like a cat and lay there until something else came by. 'Forigveness.' He thought sadly and walked slowly up to her. Lily looked up, surprised.
"A stag? Why would a stag be here?" Lily asked, as if she was talking to someone. Prongs only crept up closer and more slowly and pawed his foot on the grass. Lily stretched her hand out slowly to pet him and surprised, Prongs actually let her. "Well, I don't care where you came from, you seem friendly unlike Potter." She seem to bitterly spat out his name like that. Prongs winced. Lily thought it was because of the tone of her voice. "Sorry." She continued to pet him.
"I don't always hate him. He can be quite nice and charming. He likes to take care of me you know. I always thought it was pity but I thought differently. I guess if he was ordered by me then he would actually follow it. I told him not to pity me so he doesn't pity me. He just shows his concern which is what I think seems sort of nice." She continued to pet him and soon Prongs could be lulled by her voice. The touch of her hand on his silky fur seemed comforting and he wished she would never stop, and as if she granted his wishes, she didn't.
"Why did he say that to me? Why did he say those hurtful things? I mean, maybe he was pressured by the way I always inched closer to him. I always do that when I argue. I never leave space. I always need to see them clearly, face to face instead of distances apart." She gave out a small laugh that seemed to tinkle like bells. "I'm not exactly pretty but you're attracted to stags so who am I to say that I'm not pretty to you? I'm sorry, I guess I'm rambling off again."
'Her, not pretty? Yeah right. She must really have low self-esteem. I guess it's partly my fault.' James thought grimly and continued to listen to Lily. She told him about school, her parents, her sister, her old life at Beauxbaxtons.
"Beauxbaxtons wasn't all that great but it was an ok school. Professors seemed really nice but I figured it was mostly out of pity. Clair was the ring leader of the whole hatred towards me. When Tia, my friend, told me what had happened between Potter and Delacour, I thought I would just faint right there and then. I mean, I told Potter all about Delacour and there he goes, just betraying me like that and snogging the daylights out of Delacour. I thought I would just vomit." She gave out a laugh and stared at Prongs. "You have pretty eyes. They're like James'. His are hazel, did you know that? I never noticed that before. I thought they'd be a mucky brown colour but they're a pretty hazel colour."
Prongs stared at Lily. 'She remembers my eye colour? No one's ever commented on my eyes before. Ha, she thinks I have pretty eyes. I think I'll stare at her more often.' He never realized this, but he was falling for her. He was captivated by her eyes, her flowing hair, her personality especially her spitfire. 'I've never felt this way about a girl before. It seems she's the first.'
"James! Where are you, mate? Jamesie ol' boy! That Delacour girl's looking for you!" Prongs looked up to see Sirius, Remus, and Peter all looking for him. 'Oh right! The plan for tonight! Bloody hell, I forgot all about it.' He then groaned inwardly. 'Delacour? It seems it's always about Delacour these days.'
"Oh great, Potter's friends! I hope they don't scare you off." 'No,' James thought silently, 'Actually, I'm anticipating at what they would say when they see Lily and I together.' He made a small move as if he was actually scared of the noises.
"Oh don't go!" Lily pleaded. James made an effort not to laugh right there and then. 'It seems Lily's taking a liking to ickle ol' Prongs. At least she likes one side of me.' "I'm sure they'll leave soon." 'Which is highly unlikely. They'll probably pester you, sweet Lily.' Lily continued saying soothing words to James, and petting him.
"Oh hello Lily. Have you seen our dear old friend James?" Lily made a look of pure venom.
"No," she replied icily. 'And I thought she liked my eyes.' James thought, pouting. Well, at least trying to. Sirius, Remus, and Peter stared at the stag. Remus nudged Sirius.
"What the bloody hell is James doing?" He hissed at Sirius.
"How am I supposed to know? I'm as clueless as you are!" Lily stared puzzled.
"What are you two whispering about?" She asked suspiciously. Somehow, she had a sneaking suspicion they were talking about the stag.
"Uh...we were talking about how thick-headed James was." Sirius then grinned staring at the stag. 'Oh, if only I could just tackle him and wipe that stupid grin off his face.' Remus started chuckling and Peter gave out a nervous laugh.
"Well, we're going to find balloon-head James so you two just go back to your...business. By the way, where did the stag come from?" Lily shrugged her shoulders.
"He just came up to me. I thought it was sort of weird since stags aren't native around these parts but he must've just wandered off or..." She trailed off. Sirius was eagar to listen.
"Or what?" He asked, anxious to hear what Lily thought.
"Or someone's animagi." Sirius' eyes widened and Prongs made a weird sort of sound. Sirius laughed nervously.
"That's stupid. That person could've been caught by now." To his surprise, Lily laughed.
"Of course, that's why I hesitated to answer. Besides, no one can be that intelligent to start animagi even at seventh year. They have to be extremely good at Transfiguration." Sirius nodded, enthusiastically.
"Of course, of course. Well, I'm off then. Have fun." He winked and skipped off leaving a bewildered Lily and a relieved James.
"Well, that was a tad odd, wasn't it?" She checked her watch then gathered her stuff. "Lunch is over soon so I best be off. Now you take care of yourself alright? You're so majestic, I wish I could keep you but heavens, where will I put you?" 'In your bed?' James thought suggestively. Lily shook her head and laughed. "I hope to see you again soon. I think I'll name you Prongs like what Sirius calls James sometimes. It seems to suit you. Good-bye for now." She got up and walked slowly back towards the castle.
James waited for a few moments before changing back to his human form. He learned a lot for now, including the fact that Lily seems to have a small crush on him. 'Thanks Lily.' He grinned and soon got up, brushing the grass away and headed towards Hogwarts.
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Safiya Femi: Wow! That is a lot! Crud man, I'm tired from all that. The computer screen seemed to have gotten to me. Is this too much? I thought it was. I suck at writing. I seem to always forget SOMETHING. Oh um...next chapter, there's going to be some spoilers from Order of the Pheonix ok? So uh...just a little warning there. I missed the computer and fanfiction and you! Especially my reviewers which are you! Well, some of you. That's ok! James and Lily's personalities have changed eh? I dunno, I liked it changed. It seems alright because the story gets more developed and the characters are also being more developed. Developed of what I don't know. Review!