Playing the Part
By: Shrk-bait
Chapter 8: Testing Limits
It is better to lose your pride to someone you love, than to lose your loved one to your useless pride.
-- Unknown
"Does anyone know where James is?" Sirius questioned, while he and the other members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team waited impatiently for James to arrive.
"Last time I saw him, he was walking with Lily Evans on the fourth floor." Mercedes spoke up, absentmindedly scratching at the peeling paint on the handle of her aged broom.
"Oh, right. He should have been done talking to Harris by now." Sirius grumbled, grinding his toe into the moist earth.
"Oy! Why aren't you lot practicing? I'm not here for a few minutes and you turn into a lazy bunch of toads?" James called from the other side of the field, running up to the cluster of players with his broomstick clutched tightly in his right hand.
"A few minutes? C'mon, Capt! It's been nearly a half an hour!" a lanky, dark-skinned boy by the name of Miles, commented.
"Oh, quit your whining and mount your brooms, before I make you all fly laps around the field!" James bellowed, insulted by the boy's insolence.
The team hurriedly boarded their brooms, knowing not to mess with the captain when he was in a bad mood. And he was in a bad mood.
James sighed and swung his leg over the broom, pushing off hard against the ground.
"So, how did Evans react when she realized that you're actually going to be Romeo?" Sirius grinned, while smacking a nearby bludger across the field.
"She 'accidentally' hit me in the nose, apologized, and then I think I may have said something offensive to her, so now she's back to hating my guts." He responded, scrutinizing the moves of a younger chaser at the same time.
"All in a days work, eh?" Sirius grinned.
James grunted a response, tenderly patting his nose to ensure that it was completely healed. Fully satisfied with his inspection, he cocked his head towards the younger Quidditch players, motioning for Sirius to follow him.
"Now, if we could just forget about the ever-sadistic Evans for a moment . . . let's teach these amateurs how to play real Quidditch."
And with that, he smirked, directing his broom towards the unsuspecting cluster of younger players – many who were about to learn why no one dared to defy James Potter.
"I can't believe James, of all people, was cast as Romeo." Charlotte exclaimed, once she had heard the news.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hooray for Potter. All hail Potter, king of the talented and blessed." Lily said dryly.
"Lily . . ." Charlotte scolded disapprovingly.
"I know! I know! I shouldn't be so negative and narrow-minded and blah blah blah. It's so hard! Especially when I'm talking about Potter! He's so . . . infuriating!" she blabbed, sending her friend a defiant glare.
"Fine. Be nastily mean to James. See if I care. But don't come running to me when you end up doing something drastic in front of the entire school because of your burning hatred of James. Unless you control your anger, you're going to end up making a fool out of yourself, Lily. But far be it for me to try and offer some sound advice." She stated.
"Oh fine. I hate it when you do that. Fine, fine, fine. No more horrible comments about Potter." Lily agreed.
"Brilliant. Just think of it as . . . testing your limits." Charlotte suggested energetically, quite the opposite of the sour expression on Lily's face.
They sat on the plush, scarlet armchairs in silence. Charlotte stared at Lily, slightly amused by Lily's scrunched up face.
Kira walked in, her head held high and the audition results in her fist. Her smile spanned across her face, but quickly changed to confusion, as she watched her two best friends sitting together in silence. One, who was fighting the urge to giggle and the other, who seemed to be fighting the urge to speak.
"What's going on?" she whispered to Charlotte, who refused to take her eyes off Lily.
"Lily's decided not to say anything mean to anyone -- even James. And I'm just waiting for her to crack." Charlotte informed her.
"Ooh! Let me play! I bet you . . ." she eagerly plunged her hand into the pocket of her robes and pulled out an assortment of oddly shaped coins. "Seventeen sickles that she'll crack within the next 5 minutes."
Charlotte arched her eyebrow and tore her eyes away from Lily to look at Kira, who was confidently extending her hand.
"Fine. I have faith in Lily. She can do it for longer than that. We have a deal." She shook her friend's hand firmly.
Lily glared at them, though her piercing jade eyes laughed good-heartedly at her own predicament.
I'll show them, she thought. I won't say anything negative about Potter.
Just as she made her personal vow, James and Sirius sauntered into the room, sweaty and drained from a grueling practice.
Charlotte emitted a groan, while Kira cried out in imminent victory. Lily simply focused her attention on the fringe of the blood-red rug beneath her, wondering what horrific thing she had done that was ghastly enough to have the world set against her.
"Oh, this is going to be fun." Kira plopped down upon the loveseat and dug around her pockets for some leftover candy.
Discovering a half empty bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, she began popping them into her mouth, while watching Lily with intense cerulean orbs.
"Want some?" she offered the bag to Charlotte, who was watching with equal concentration.
"Ladies." James greeted, flashing is trademark smile. "Evans."
Lily's mouth forced an exaggerated smile, her teeth clenched tightly together.
"Oy! What's wrong with Evans? She looks constipated." Sirius whispered to Kira, while slyly trying to nick some beans.
She slapped away his hand and replied, "She promised herself that she wouldn't say anything terrible about Potter."
"Ooh, scoot over!" he ordered, sliding next to her on the loveseat and observing them in silence.
"Care to place a bet?" Kira whispered. "I've got seventeen sickles that she'll crack in the next five minutes, and Char thinks longer. You want in?"
"Hell yeah. I bet seventeen sickles that she'll insult him in the next minute." He enthusiastically agreed.
Lily, overhearing their conversation sent them all icy glares, folding her arms across her chest.
Being of strong will power and mind, Lily pursed her lips, determined not to let them slip. The seconds of the clock seemed to tick, as James spoke fervently with his fellow Quidditch teammate about strategies and techniques to improve their performance on the other side of the common room.
"You really drove us into the ground today, James. Why so rough?" Miles questioned, wiping the sweat off his dark brow and brushing the dust off his filthy robes.
"Let's just say, I wasn't in the best of moods when we began practicing. And the best way to relieve stress, anger, feelings in general is to train – hard – for Quidditch." James explained, inconspicuously glancing over at Sirius and the group of girls seated on the couches.
"Damn. Someone must have made you pretty mad, judging by today's practice." Miles commented, inspecting his battered legs and calloused hands. James grinned sheepishly, the thought of a red-headed spitfire lingering in his mind.
Sirius; however, grew more and more agitated, constantly glancing up at the clock. Being Sirius, he blatantly refused to act as a spectator and watch his money fly away from him. It was time he took matters into his own hands.
"Prongs! Did you ever let Snivellus out of that broom closet?" he crowed, calling for James' attention.
James' hazel eyes lit up as he strutted over to the sitting area. Lily watched him with disgust through her forest green slits.
"You know what, mate? I don't think I did. Ah . . . s'okay though. I'm sure the slimy git will get out of there eventually." He guffawed sadistically.
Lily maintained her artificial smile, though she was seething inside.
"Or, we could just let him out tomorrow morning." He added, maliciously.
That was it. She couldn't take it anymore.
"JAMES POTTER! How could you? What makes you so much better than anyone else, that you can decide who should be punished and how? You're a bullying, insolent, irresponsible JERK!" she bellowed, storming out of the room.
"Geesh. It's just Snivellus!" he muttered, before marching up the staircase to the boys dormitories.
A few seconds of silence ensued, before Sirius cut in, demanding payment.
"You cheated! You provoked him to provoke her! Manky git!" Kira scowled, reluctant in giving up her sickles to someone as devious as Sirius.
"Tsk, tsk. You know what they say, all's fair in love and war." He replied simply, ecstatic about gaining a total of 34 silver sickles.
"I should have known better. Those two are like oil and water." Charlotte sighed, gazing longingly at her lost coins, as Sirius professionally inspected them.
"Well, it's a pleasure doing business with you ladies." He announced before leaping over the couch and bounding up the steps two at a time.
"Attention, students! Attention!" Professor Harris squealed, failing miserably at calming the rowdy students.
Lily had managed to gain control of a small group, but there was little she could do to get the attention of such a magnitude of energetic people.
"Potter! Help!" she hissed, taking a momentary break from scolding a 3rd year Ravenclaw for scaring a group of 1st years with tales about cannibal professors that boiled students who received detentions in the cauldrons in the dungeon.
"Oh, but you seem to be doing such a wonderful job without me!" he smirked, leaning casually against the wall.
Just as he said this, a spurt of ice cold water hit the back of her head, turning her auburn locks a dark blood red shade with dampness.
She performed a prompt drying spell and spun around angrily, before facing James.
"Okay, okay! I'll help. Don't get your knickers in a twist." He agreed, laughing.
He stuck two fingers in his mouth and blew loudly, emitting a deafeningly high-pitched whistle that got everyone's attention.
"Listen up, you lot. Professor Harris and your lovely Head Girl," – he stated somewhat mockingly, grinning mischievously at her. "Have been trying to get your attention this entire time. We're starting rehearsals now, so pay attention!"
Time stood still, some glaring, others, simply staring at him.
"So SIT DOWN!" he ordered forcefully.
Immediately, there was a rumble of feet moving across the wooden floor as practically every student followed James' command.
He looked back at Lily, who was glowering and Professor Harris, who seemed to be in awe. Looking around the Great Hall, he spotted Sirius and Remus, who nodded with approval at him, their faces obviously impressed by his commanding skills.
"W-Well then, I guess we'll read through the script without acting. Make sure to have a clear voice and to mind your pronunciation. Here are your scripts."
With a wave of her wand, each student held a thick book in their hands, with the words 'Romeo and Juliet' on the cover in gilded script.
She scanned her list for the name of the student beginning the play.
"Morgan LeFaye, if you would kindly begin."
Two households both alike in dignity
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean . . .
The reading passed quickly, though some students had become restless, lost in the relentless stream of old English. Breaking away from the monotony of Shakespeare, the Headmaster summoned Professor Harris to his office.
"I'm afraid I must leave you for a moment. Can you two continue on with rehearsals?" she asked James and Lily.
They both nodded understandingly, though James seemed much more pleased at her departure than Lily.
"So . . . we'll continue from . . ." Lily leafed through the book, her eyes scanning for the desired page. "Act 2, scene 1."
"Can I go forward when my heart is here? Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out." James read, his words practically faultless.
Lily scoffed inwardly in disgust, while still maintaining her unbiased expression.
"Romeo! My cousin Romeo!" Remus called out, exuding confidence when others would have felt foolish.
Save for James' lucky achievement of the part of Romeo, Lily decided that Professor Harris had done a rather good job, selecting those who seemed to best fit the role. Remus, as the kind, peaceful, ever-faithful companion and Sirius as the hot-headed, jocular comrade. It all fit.
She shook her thoughts out of her head, realizing the awkward silence that had befallen in the Great Hall. She skimmed her script, immediately shifting her critical gaze towards Sirius Black.
"Eh hem. Black?" she coughed loudly, as to catch his attention.
"Oh, is it my line already? Dreadfully sorry, I was a bit preoccupied with being bored out of my mind." Sirius yawned loudly.
James and Remus shook their heads disapprovingly, though their faces were lit up with broad smiles.
"Black, don't be such a nitwit. Just read the line." Lily demanded, shaking the book so he could see.
"I'm hurt, Evans. You're words wound me, but the show must go on! Where were we again?" he motioned dramatically, rising from his seat.
"For goodness sake! Are you dull? Your bloody book is open to the right page. You read the line after it says Mercutio. You know, the part for which you were cast? How you managed to get it still eludes me. Just read the damn line, Black."
"Evans! Such manners . . ." he scolded playfully, walking over to stand next to her.
"Oh, don't bother with her, Padfoot. Evans is just sore because she can't perform the entire play by herself and make it perfect." James jumped in. "She has to deal with us, incompetent fools."
"I'm glad you recognize your own idiocy. Now, the play?"
"Yes, about the play. It's a bit depressing, eh? What, with the two lovers killing themselves . . . I say, we tweak it just a bit. What d'you say Evans?" Sirius asked hopefully, swinging his arm over her shoulder.
"You can't go around changing Shakespeare!" she squeaked incredulously, instantly shifting her shoulder and causing Sirius' arm to fall.
Remus and James snorted, holding back snickers as Sirius frowned at them.
"How about just the part when I die? I think I should just gut the piece of filth and run off with a good-lookin' girl. Shakespeare really doesn't do Mercutio justice, just killing the poor chap off."
"No! For the last time, NO! You ca—" she moaned, burying her head in her hands.
Sirius beamed, looking over at his two best friends, who happened to be quarreling softly.
"Prongs, don't be such a wanker. He isour friend. And you knowhow he can get. Cut her some slack and tell him to sod off." Remus urged, watching sympathetically as Lily struggled to regain control. "You are Head Boy, you know."
"She's never going to be able to control all those students if she can't even handle some innocent teasing from Padfoot. I'm helping her out, mate. Honestly, I am. She's just too worried about telling him off in front of all these people. If we were alone, she'd have absolutely no problem. Evans has got to shed her whole insecurity deal." He insisted.
Remus nodded in response, though he couldn't help but feel a bit remorseful for the stressed red-head.
"So, Evans. How 'bout we shove Romeo over here off the garden wall and Mercutio will run off with Juliet . . . I mean, come on. Would you choose a dull sissy like Romeo or a hot stud like me – I mean Mercutio?" Sirius pushed, grinning suggestively.
She shot him a tense look, her eyes a dark jade.
"Or we could ju—" he began; fully delighting in testing Lily's every nerve.
"Petrificus Totalus." She muttered, pointing her outstretched wand at the arrogant nuisance of a Black.
He crashed to the floor, his arms and legs attached stiffly together, his body rigid against the hard wood floor. An eerie silence spread through the Great Hall. No one dared to mess with Lily Evans when it came to magic.
"Now . . . does anyone else have anything to say? Any problems with the play, any insatiable needs to further irritate me?" she addressed the gaping students, her voice soaked in bitter sweetness. "No? Then how about we continue reading?"
The students rushed to find a seat, pages rustling furiously as they searched for the correct page. Sirius, his entire body still petrified on the floor, glared at Lily, who blew him a kiss teasingly.
James caught Remus' eyes, a condescending expression on his face. One that clearly said 'I-told-you-so', which Remus promptly returned by sticking out his tongue at James.
He loved being right, loved the satisfaction of it all. He knew how aggravated Lily could become, as well as what lengths she would go to just to get rid of that source of irritation. He knew how self-conscious she was, how she wanted to make a good impression, be a good example for the other students.
But no one could hold it together forever. And James Potter delighted in breaking that collected mask she struggled so hard to maintain. Call it crude curiosity, boredom, call it whatever you want. James – he called it fun. Bother her enough and you had one crazily peeved witch on your hands. Insulting, publicly humiliating, hexing . . . her temper was uncontrollable. Being on the receiving end of her temper dozens of times, as dangerous as it was – he had to admit, was rather addicting.
There was something about her that provoked him to push her buttons. Perhaps it was her renowned rage or her skill with a wand . . . or something else. Either way, he took immense pleasure out of getting a rise out of her. It was a strange feeling, which coursed through him when they clashed -- staring deep into those gorgeous lit up pools of green.