Mood swings, suspensions and handcuffs
chapter 3
It was four weeks after the closet incident and the six were doing some last minute homework. Lily and James had decided to lay low for a while on Operation burgundy fox in case the group figured out what they were up to.
"Are you copying my essay?" Lily asked as she caught James leaning over to look at her work.
"No!" He said, although it was obvious he was lying.
"You are!" She punched his arm playfully.
"Am not!"
"Are too."
"Come on Lils. It's not James' fault he's awful at charms. He's the worst in the class. How does he pass?" Remus wondered aloud. Lily snorted and James glared at her.
"Lily, I have an idea." James said smartly.
"What?"
"You do my charms essay and I'll do your transfiguration one."
"Deal." The two swapped papers. Their friends just shrugged and went back to work.
"James, I need to talk to you about Operation burgundy fox."
"Ok. Let's go." They walked over to the couch.
"Did you get them?" Lily asked excitedly.
"Got them."
"What do these ones do?" Lily asked amused. So far he had got the wrong ones twice. Once he got lover cuffs. The name pretty much explains. The second time he got Muggle handcuffs.
"These ones stay on until their lips touch."
"Good enough. I doubt they'll do anything other than kissing that would make their lips touch."
"Right. Phase two commence."
"You got it Sparrow."
They walked out of the common room and put on the invisibility cloak. The then waited for some one to enter the room and walked in behind them. The snuck over to the group. Luckily Sirius and Abby were sitting together. In one quick motion they clamped the handcuffs on. They silently made there way outside. They took off the cloak and made their way inside.
"What the hell?" Sirius cried wrenching up his hand.
"Alohamora." Abby tried but the handcuffs stayed put.
"What happened?" James asked as they reached them.
"Some ruddy idiot put some weird handcuffs on us." Abby explained.
"Did you try unlocking them?" Lily asked.
"Do I look stupid?" Abby asked.
"Yes." Sirius said smiling.
"Shut up! This is our fault!"
"HOW!"
"Everything is always your fault!"
"Why?"
"It just is."
"That's not fair!"
"What's not fair is me being handcuffed to you!"
"I know what those are!" Remus said suddenly.
"What do they do?" Abby asked quickly.
"They stay on until you to kiss on the lips." He said laughing.
Damn Remus! Lily thought. Why must he know everything! They were supposed to spend time together and kiss freely! James was thinking along the same lines.
"Are you going to kiss?" Remus said after he stopped laughing.
They looked at each other before Sirius bent down quickly and pecked Abby on the lips. They then both cringed and Abby hugged Remus tightly.
"We're going to the library." James said pulling Lily away.
"Damn Moony! Why does he have to know EVERYTHING?" James complained when they were in the library.
"Just what I was thinking. Oh well. On to Phase three, I guess."
"Switching bodies?"
"You bet."
"This better work, or else I have to flirt with Abby and you have to flirt with Sirius! I don't want to do that."
"Me neither. If worse comes to worst we'll have to do it to make them jealous."
"I suppose. It's all in the name of true love, I guess. Let's just hope this works. Are we going to change bodies too?"
"I don't know." Lily said. "It would be fun."
"Yeah. We'll see when the time comes."
"Right. Let's plan it after the Quidditch match."
"The Slytherin one."
"Yeah, in three weeks, after the Christmas holidays."
"Ok. Let's hope all goes to plan Sparrow."
!LATER!
Lily watched happily as the two captains shook hands, glaring daggers into each others eyes. She always felt a happy rush just as the game was about to start. She looked to James who was watching her. She shook her head and looked up. Perfect weather for flying.
"AND THEY'RE OFF!" The commentator yelled. He was a 5th year boy by the name of Kent Ashley.
Two hours later the teams were getting angry. It had been a dirty game. As always when playing Slytherin. Gryffindor was in the lead by forty points. Lily sat at the opposite end of the field from the other chasers who were putting their plan into play. They appeared to be playing keep away with the quaffle but they had a strategy planned out. The only ones down this end were Herself and Malfoy. He was guarding her, not very well either. Lily was getting rather ticked off. He kept making snarky comments and calling her a mudblood.
"Hey Mudblood?"
"Stop calling me that Malfoy." She said through gritted teeth.
"Why Mudblood?"
"Because if you don't I'll get off this broom and beat you into oblivion."
"No you won't. I like calling you a Mudblood. That's what you are. Your blood is dirty. Your parents are worthless muggles who will be killed by the Dark lord."
"That's it!" Lily yelled before standing up on her broom.
"WHAT IS LILY EVANS DOING! IS SHE CRAZY?" She heard the commentator yell.
"You're going down Malfoy." She narrowed her eyes before lunging at him and knocking him off his broom. All of a sudden they were falling but Lily was so angry she just kept punching. Malfoy was scared he was going to die when he hit the ground he just let her. They were very high up and the whole stadium watched in silence as the two neared the ground. James couldn't let his best friend die like that. No way. He sped to catch her but she was too far away. He tried but there was no way he could reach her. The fact that they were going to hit the ground was evident to the crowd now. People were screaming to help them. Lily's friends were in hysterics. Dumbledore, however, seemed quite sure they could handle it on their own and would no action be taken. Five feet before they hit the ground Lily whipped out her wand and cast a softening charm on the ground and Malfoy. Then with a THUMP Malfoy hit the ground and Lily sat daintily on top of him. She sat grinning knowing she had won. She stood up from the unconscious Malfoy and waved charmingly to the crowd before she saw Professor McGonagall came rushing towards her and pulled her away.
James smiled. That was his best friend for you. He heard cheers and turned around to see the Gryffindor seeker holding the snitch. Life can't get any better.
!LATER!
"SUSPENSION!"
"Yes suspension."
"When?"
"Tomorrow." Lily said weakly.
"How long?" Abby demanded.
"Only three days."
"ONLY THREE DAYS! I'm going to be stuck with nothing but male company for THREE days! I'm going to DIE!" Abby wailed.
"What's this about?" Sirius asked as he and the Marauders entered the common room.
"LILY'S SUSPENDED!"
"WHAT!" James yelled.
"Only for three days."
"I haven't even been suspended before and look at what I've done!" Sirius said proud of Lily.
"Well, apparently Malfoy has cracked ribs, two broken lags, a broken arm and a concussion."
"Good on you Lils." Sirius said patting her back. She smiled.
"When does it start?" Peter asked.
"Tomorrow." She sighed. "So did we win?" She flopped down onto the couch.
"Yeah. After your display our team caught the snitch." James sat beside her putting his arm round her shoulder. "What am I going to do without my Little Lily for three days?"
"I don't know. I know you can't live without me." She shook her head.
"Too right. I've seen you every day since we were five…except you know that unfortunate trip to America." Lily cringed at the memory. "Even then I had a picture of you."
"You're right. I have an idea." She jumped up and ran to her dorm.
"Where's she going?" Sirius asked after watching there display with a smile.
"Don't know." James shrugged.
"Aw…Jamsies going to miss Lilykins." Sirius taunted.
"Shut up!" James threw a cushion at him.
"Here." Lily said coming back downstairs.
"What?"
"It's a picture of me and you. Now you won't be lonely." She smiled and handed him the picture. "I made a copy so don't even think about throwing it away."
"Wouldn't dare."
"Let me see." Sirius whined.
"It's just a picture taken in one of those muggle photo booths." She handed him the picture.
"Aw…isn't that cute." It was a picture of Lily and James with their arms around each others shoulder, Lily was leaning on James shoulder and he was leaning on her head, they were poking out their tongues and looked on the verge of laughter.
"When was this?"
"This summer. I took Jamsie shopping. He just wanted to try on all the dresses, it got dreadfully boring."
"I did not!" He said indignantly. "YOU DID!"
"I don't wear dresses!"
"Neither do I! I'm a MAN!" He puffed his chest causing every one to snort.
"Oh Jamsie we need to speak about Operation burgundy fox."
"Right! Over here."
"They're too cute." Abby whispered to the others.
"They're so damn blind! We just need to knock some sense into them." Sirius said frustrated. "I mean even those bimbos can see it!" He waved to the bimbos who were glaring daggers at Lily who was talking quietly with James.
"What do you think Operation burgundy fox is, anyway?" Remus asked.
"Probably a plan to steal Professor Hydengarners toupee."
!LATER!
"Ok, you know how we need to get the ingredients for the potion, for phase three?"
"Yes."
"And they aren't in the students store cupboard."
"Yes."
"I'll just get them from Diagon Ally while I'm suspended." She said happily.
"But your Mum won't let you out." He pointed out.
"I'll just sneak out and Floo there. Our fire place is connected because you are too lazy to walk next door." James smiled.
"Well, it came in handy."
"You're right. For once being lazy paid off. So, I'll just go while my Mum is at work. Dad is on a Business trip."
"What about Petal?"
"Yes Petunia may be a problem. She won't let me go. She hates magic and me so…we need sleeping potion! I'll slip it into her drink and while she sleeps I'll get the supplies and come straight back."
"Ok. We've still got some from last weeks prank."
"That was brilliant by the way."
"Of course. We're Marauders." He smiled.
"Which is why I am surprised it was brilliant."
"Don't try hide it, I know you'll miss me."
"Of course, but you'll miss me more." She poked his chest.
"I know. Now who will call me Jamsie and imitate all my old girlfriends?"
"Stale Poptarts." She corrected.
"Oh right. Who will imitate all my stale poptarts?"
"You can always use Sirius." She grinned.
!LATER!
"See you, Lils!" James said giving her a huge hug and a bag with the sleeping potion in it.
"Remember if you get lonely, look at the picture."
"Of course, it's right here." He showed her.
"Look I've got my copy too." She pulled it out. "Maybe we'll be looking at it at the same time."
"I'll be looking at it ALL the time. I just look so damn gorgeous in it." Lily snorted.
"Jamsie you can let me go…your latest poptart is getting jealous."
"Right." He let her go reluctantly and turned to his friends who were grinning. "What?"
"Nothing." Remus said slyly.
"Fine. Bye Lily" He waved.
"Bye, every one!" She picked up the floo powder. "Lily's Evans house."
"Why is it Lily Evans house and not her parents?" Peter asked as Lily disappeared into the fire.
"I set it up and I don't go to visit her parents." James rolled his eyes.
!LATER!+
"LILY MAREE EVANS!" Her mother shouted as she helped Lily up from the floor.
"Yes mother?" She braced herself for the yelling.
"HOW DARE YOU BEAT SOME POOR STUDENT UP! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! A MALE TOO! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! AND ON A BROOMSTICK!" Her mother breathed.
"HE STARTED IT!"
"I DON'T CARE! YOU MARCH UPSTAIRS AND STAY THERE!"
"FINE!" She ran upstairs and slammed the door.
"Aw the little freak got suspended for taking on one of he freaky friends." Petunia taunted.
"GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"
"As if I want to be in here with you." She spat.
Lily jumped on her bed and sat thinking. Stupid family. They don't even know.
With that thought she fell asleep.
Many hours late she woke. 8.00. They didn't even call me for dinner. I'm going for a walk. She changed into muggle clothes and climbed down the trellis.
They don't understand. They don't know what it's like to be called a mudblood. To have an entire House full of kids against you.
She kicked a stone and walked down the path. She saw James' house. I wonder what he's doing now. She pulled out her picture of the two and looked at it. I bet he's happy, whatever he's doing.
!LATER!
"James, stop looking at that picture." Abby said sternly.
"What? I'm not!" He said scrambling to put it away.
"You are too! It's 8.00 at night and you've been looking at it all day."
"SO! I miss my best friend! Is that a crime?"
"I suppose not. She's my best friend too and I'm not continuously looking at a picture of her. She's only been gone one day."
"Yes, but I've seen her and talked to her every day since we were five, except when she went to America. Even if it was just a quick 'Hello' while she was getting the mail. Even when one of us was sick! I've seen her EVERY DAY. It's a routine. I won't get through school!"
"I'm sure you'll live." She was hit with inspiration. "Don't you think this is a little more than best friends missing each other?"
"What do you mean?" He asked curiously.
"I mean…usually best friends don't act like this."
"What are you implying?" He said narrowing his eyes.
"Maybe…you like her a little more than friends."
"WHAT!" He jumped up. "That is absolutely untrue! How could you think that? I'm not going to stand here and be accused. I'm going to fly!"
"There's a storm coming!"
"Yes…well…SO!"
!LATER!
It was 1.13am the next morning and Lily Evans knew she was toast. She had just started walking and lost track of time. It was freezing outside and she had just gotten home. Her Mum would have noticed she was gone and she was going to kill her. The trellis was too wet to climb so she opted for the front door. All the lights were on and there was a note tacked to her door.
Lily Maree Evans.
I know you snuck out and when I return you are in deep trouble. I must go away for a few days so Petunia is in charge. You are to listen to her and you are not going ANYWHERE! You stay put. When you are home for the summer I will sort out your punishment! Don't think you will go unpunished madam!
Your mother.
Lily trudged into her room. Great. Petunia is in charge. What a splendid 2 days I will have. With that in mind she fell asleep.
!LATER!
"Mr Potter, will you PLEASE stop glaring at me?" McGonagall demanded.
"Yes Professor." He said, but as she turned around he gave her the finger. He was angry at her for suspending Lily and he had been in a bad mood all day. He wasn't used to not seeing Lily every morning at school. It just didn't make sense to him. They were in their last class that day. Transfiguration. His friends noted he was sulking and tried to stay away from him. In Herbology he had practically murdered his partner for asking what was wrong. They really didn't want to see him in charms tomorrow. Lily's favourite subject. He was continuously looking at the picture of the two and then he would glare at everyone around him. At first his friends were glad he missed her so much. Now, it was just plain scary.
The bell rang and James stalked out of class with his friends hurrying to catch up. Sirius still found it funny he was acting this was so he was trying not to laugh as James shot dirty looks at a group of 2nd years who were blocking his way.
"Prongs mate, calm down." Sirius said clapping his back. James sent him a glare that could melt cheese and Sirius stepped back a little. "I'm scared." He whispered to Remus.
"Me too."
"WILL YOU STOP TALKING ABOUT ME?" James exploded. Everyone around him stepped back and watched silently. It wasn't everyday James Potter exploded like this and never at his friends. Except once in fifth year, at Sirius.
"We're sorry, mate." Remus said holding up his hands.
"THAT'S IT! I'm out of here!"
"Wait! What about-"
"I don't care! LEAVE ME ALONE!" He stalked off.
"You think he could be any more obvious?" Peter asked.
"He's still denying it to himself." Abby sighed. "I confronted him last night and he freaked out."
"Stupid Prongs." Sirius sighed.
!LATER!
Lily woke up late and turned over.
"I SLEPT ALL DAY!" She cried.
"SHUT UP, FREAK!" her sister called from downstairs.
Great, now I'll have to go to Diagon Ally tomorrow. She took out her picture. I miss James. She buried her head in her pillow and went back to sleep.
!LATER!
"LILY!" James screamed. He woke up the next morning in a sweat. He had had a dream about Lily the night before and was getting scared. He looked at his clock. 11.00 am. Damn, I slept in. Why didn't my friends wake me? I missed a few classes.
He looked at his picture of Lily and himself…again.
"Lily, hurry up and get back." He sighed. "Stupid McGonagall."
He got up and got ready for Lunch.
"Hey Guys." He said glumly walking into the great hall for lunch.
"Hi." They said in union. They seemed to be searching him, as if to see if he'd attack them.
"Did you just wake up?" Abby asked.
"Yes. Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Well…we were…scared."
"Why?"
"Er…no reason." Sirius said quickly.
"Charms after lunch." Peter said and the group sent him daggers.
"Charms is Lily's favourite subject." James sighed. Everyone was a little frightened of the new depressed James. He could unleash his anger at any moment.
"Hey Jamsie." James spun around to see his latest girlfriend, Tanya. He thought it was going to be Lily.
Sirius and Remus hit their heads repeatedly at the use of the nickname. It would just remind him of Lily. Abby put her head in her arms.
"Go away." He snarled.
"But I'm you're girlfriend." She sat in his lap and draped her arms around his neck.
"Not anymore." He pushed her off coldly. The girl burst into tears but at James' fierce look she stopped blank. She stood up and scuttled away. "Stupid b!tch."
"Prongs, wasn't that a little harsh?" Peter asked. Everyone sighed at his stupidity.
"HARSH! HARSH! JUST GET OFF MY BACK! WHAT IS WRONG WITH EVERYONE? LEAVE ME ALONE!" He yelled before grabbing his bag and stalking off to charms. The entire hall watched as he left in silence. Dumbledore was smiling amusedly.
"Jeez, he's worse than a girl on PMS!" Sirius complained.
"I'm glad Lily comes back soon." Remus said.
"Me too. I'm scared of the psycho James." Abby said picking up her bag.
"I can't believe he still thinks he doesn't like her." Sirius complained.
"So blind." Remus said and they walked out after him.
"What was that about?" McGonagall asked after James had left.
"I believe he is a little upset about Miss Evans being suspended."
"That would explain why he was shooting dirty looks at me yesterday. I though they were just friends."
"They are."
"Doesn't seem like it."
!LATER!
It was 12.30 Lily decided she had to do it now. She slipped the potion into Petunias drink and watched her silently. Petunia suddenly slumped to the floor in a deep sleep. Lily grabbed her bag full of Galleons and set off.
"Diagon Ally." She said and was whisked off.
She landed in a heap and quickly straightened up. She headed towards the potions store. She looked around and saw some one who looked like James. She shook her head and it was a red head who looked nothing like him. She turned around and bumped into…James? She blinked and it was an old woman. She gathered her ingredients and walked to the counter. She looked up and saw…James? She eyed the person and they seemed to morph into a blonde lady. She whipped around and saw a shop full of people who looked like James. She screamed. I'm going crazy! She turned back to the cashier.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
She turned around and saw normal people. None of them looked anything like James. She paid and left. On the way back to the fireplace she saw James everywhere. She saw him in children and adults, even a few animals. She decided she was temporarily insane and flooed back to her house. She saw Petunia on the floor. Only it wasn't Petunia it was…James. She screamed again. I'm insane. I've lost my mind. She looked again and it was Petunia. She ran up to her room and hid under her covers before falling asleep. She would make the potion later.
!LATER!
James sat in Charms waiting for the bell to ring. When it did he saw the class fill up. No one dared sit near him after his outburst at lunch and he liked it that way. Lily was his partner in charms and he wouldn't let anyone take her place. The Professor stood at the front of the class and talked to them. James wasn't really looking. He was eyed the picture. He decided he wasn't mental. He just missed his best friend. Any one would be this upset. He beamed at the Professor. He was Lily's favourite teacher, he deserved to be treated well. The Professor asked a question. James actually knew the answer. He NEVER knew the answer in charms. Lily tutored him and he never remembered anything. He flung up his hand as Lily usually did.
"Y-Yes Mr Potter?" The Professor was a little scared that his worst student knew the answer that no one else did.
"The charm was first used in 1914." The Professor looked at him oddly.
"That is correct."
He asked another question and James knew the answer to that too. He answered and he was correct. The Professor asked a few more and the class watched intently. James Potter did not know charms theory…that was Lily's specialty. They didn't think he was bad…just not good. He never paid attention and seemed to know nothing about the subject. His friends had their mouths open. What was up with James? Lily goes away and suddenly he knows everything there to know about charms. They weren't stupid. They knew Lily tutored him, although he didn't know they knew. It was just, even with Lily tutoring him he still didn't get it. Now, he did. The Professor figured he was somehow cheating. Only Lily knew every answer when asked so he decided to test him on a really hard question.
"What angle must you hold your arm at to get the correct motion when using the freezing charm that was banned in 1912?"
James racked his brain. Lily had mentioned this once. A long time ago. Realization hit him. He shot his hand up.
"37 degrees, Sir."
"C-correct." James beamed. At least tutoring was finally paying off. "C-class dismissed."
"Such a nice man." James said as his friends joined him.
"James, you hate him. You always say you hate him and that charms is a waste of time." Abby said eyeing him weirdly.
"I do not. Charms is a great subject."
"Are you alright Prongs?" Sirius asked carefully.
"Perfectly fine. I just wanted to express my love for charms. It is fascinating." The group looked at him oddly.
"Good. I thought you'd still be sore about Lily being gone." Peter said. The group were in awe of his stupidity. James' smile faded and it turned into a piercing glare. He whipped out his picture.
"I miss Lily." He said sadly. The group let out a breath, glad he hadn't exploded.
"We all do mate." Remus said gently.
"Do you think she missed me?" James asked.
"Of course."
"Good. I want her to come back. I'm bored without her."
"She'll be here tomorrow." Sirius said.
"She will?" James' face brightened. "When?"
"As soon as she can."
"That's not soon enough." James pouted. A few girls passing sighed because he looked so cute.
"Don't worry about it. She'll be here soon and then she'll never leave again."
"Yes she will." He said sounding hysterical. "What if she gets in an accident? What if she dies?"
"She's not going to die." Sirius said quickly. He was seriously worried for his friend's sanity.
"What about when she gets married? What if I can't see my best friend? What if her husband doesn't let me talk to her?" he sounded panicked.
"That won't happen if you're her husband." Sirius mumbled.
"What?" James asked.
"I said…that won't happen."
"What if her husband hates me? What if she marries Malfoy?" He started deep breathing. Any other time they would have laughed but he sounded genuinely concerned.
"She won't marry Malfoy. She just beat him up."
"You're right! He won't marry my Lily. I won't let him."
"What did you say?" Abby asked quickly.
"I said…er…he won't marry Lily. I won't let him."
"No you said MY Lily." She said smiling.
"I did not!" He stomped his foot.
"Yes you did." Sirius said happily.
"You…YOU! I DID NOT!"
"Calm down James." Remus said trying to stop James from yelling again.
"CALM DOWN! I'M NOT MAD! I DON'T NEED TO CALM DOWN!"
"Shh…just take a deep breath."
"NO! You aren't my mum! My mum is at home, where LILY is." He glared at every one.
"Just wait a minute-"
"NO! I'M SICK OF TALKING! LEAVE ME ALONE!" He stomped off.
"I'm so glad she comes back tomorrow." Abby sighed. "I don't know how much more I can handle."