This chapter is kind of…er…stupid and pointless, in general
It's just a filler for what is happening next time, so please don't be disappointed
Chapter 10
-Rodeos, flowers and gifts
James woke up later and Lily was still sleeping. He moved a little and she didn't move. He noticed that she was extremely cold and shaking in her sleep.
"Lily?" He asked quietly to wake her up.
"Lily?" He shook her a little.
"Lily?" he was getting worried and shook her harder. She still didn't wake. He touched her head and felt she was freezing.
"Shoot! Lily?" He shook her. He got an idea. He tried the whistle but she didn't move. "Snakes and ladders, this isn't good..." It was about six at night and he had slept all day. Surely some one would have noticed. He stood up and saw a blanket fall off. Well, some one covered us but they didn't realise something was wrong.
"Lily?" he tried again, he shook her. She shivered violently and James became frantic. She wouldn't wake up. Her skin was turning from a purple colour to a pasty white.
"LILY!" he screamed. She didn't budge. He picked her up and ran out the portrait hole. He knew he wasn't supposed to go to the hospital wing but it was important and it was his fault. I shouldn't have covered her in snow! She's so much smaller; of course she'll feel it more. I should have realised.
"Mr Potter?" The matron asked. "You are not supposed to be here. Professor Pinxter said-"
"I know! This is important! Lily won't wake up!" Madam Cherri looked at the girl in his arms and widened her eyes.
"Lay her on the bed!" She said quickly. He did so and stood there waiting.
"What do I do now?"
"Leave."
"NO!" he cried.
"You must!"
"No! I won't leave her!"
"Mr Potter! I know you care for her but I must insist."
"I'm not leaving her side." He growled. When he was angry he was scary so the matron allowed him to stay. She conducted tests and tried giving her potions but Lily didn't wake. James watched her the whole time holding her hand.
An owl swooped in and Madam Cherri quickly grabbed the letter. She frowned and walked towards the bed.
"What?" James asked worried. He didn't like that look.
"I'm afraid it's…" She trailed off. "I'm afraid it's magical pneumonia."
"What's that?"
"Muggles get pneumonia and it's bad even then but in the magical world there is a certain type of snow that mixes with the magic in the air. Only certain people can be affected by it, hardly any in fact. When you are the snow seeps into your skin and gets into your blood stream…"
"Well?" He demanded.
"It freezes your blood and-"
"What do you mean freezes your blood? You mean makes you cold right? Not literally?"
"I'm afraid it's literally. It slowly works and the victim…"
"She's not going to die, right? I mean there is a cure."
"There is…but I'm afraid it took so long-"
"WHAT? YOU MEAN SHE'S GOING TO DIE?"
"Mr Potter I'm sorry but-"
"YOU'RE SORRY! SHE CAN'T DIE! SHE CAN'T!" He turned to her. "LILY! PLEASE DON'T DIE!" He cried. "Lily…" He whispered.
"Don't die on me. Please don't leave me." He held her hand tightly. "Remember what I told you? I'm going to stand for you, I'm going to stand by you and when you can't stand anymore I'm going to lean down and pick you up. I will ALWAYS be thereto help you up and you may have fallen down now but you just need me to pick you up. Come on, Lily, get up." The matron watched and felt tears stinging her eyes. She hated seeing this. She watched as the boy brushed her hair out of the girls face and let his tears fall onto the bed. She had to do something.
"Mr Potter!"
"What?" he croaked. Sadness and tears filled his voice.
"This is highly illegal but I may have a solution." James' head snapped up.
"What? I'll do anything!" He said standing up still holding her hand.
"Well…I'm not supposed to tell people this but there is one way to save a person in this case. They must swallow the petals of a certain flower. They only grow in one place that is known and there are not many of them. They grow in a place where you are forbidden to go but it may be the one thing to save her at such short notice."
"Where is it? I don't care if it's illegal."
"The very middle of the forbidden forest." James gulped. He'd never been in that far before. "There is a small patch of daisy looking flowers. The petals are the colours of the rainbow. We must get that flower."
"I'll get it."
"This could get us both in a lot of trouble so I must ask you if you're sure."
"I am."
"Good. Do not speak of it to anyone. You probably have one day at the most. I will give you a potion that will cause you to be invisible until you reach the forest so you aren't seen, and then you must take some when you leave. I will notify your friends of what has happened and what you are doing. I trust they will keep it a secret. I wish you luck."
"I will be back in time."
"Here is the potion. Be careful, dangerous things lie in those woods."
"I'd do anything for Lily, even if I have to die trying to save her."
"She's lucky to have someone so much in love with her as you are." James' eyes grew wide.
"Were just friends." He protested.
"Of course, you best get going. Remember you have a day at the most."
&SCENE CHANGE&
James had taken the potion and ran into the forest. He changed into Prongs and ran as fast as he could. It would take him a while to get there. He was running when he was suddenly hit by something. He transformed back and came face to face with a troll. He became worried. The troll came closer and raised its club. James ducked out of the way and fumbled for his wand. He grasped it just when the troll thrust his club at him. He ducked but in the process he dropped his wand. Damn. I'm going to die.
He heard the troll cry out and saw it fall to the ground. He looked around to find a heard of centaurs. They each held bows and arrows.
"Young Mr Potter, we have been awaiting you. The stars let us know you would be visiting. Make no mistake we will not always help you but for a cause so noble you may pass through…this time." The sky was dark and the stars seemed extra bright now.
"Thank you so much. I must be going now. I'm running out of time."
"Yes. By all means go and save the human you love." Am I that obvious?
"Thank you again. I owe you." He turned and ran off. He transformed back into Prongs and made his trip faster.
&SCENE CHANGE&
"I wonder how James is doing." Remus sighed. Once again they were sad over one of the twos escapades.
"Why are they always being so stupid?" Abby asked. "What if Lily dies?" Tears were trailing her cheeks once again.
"I don't know." Remus smiled sadly and hugged her.
"If Lily dies we're in for a lot of trouble." Sirius said gravely. "Can you imagine what James would be like? He would take it the hardest of us all. I swear, if Lily dies I honestly think James will do something drastic."
"He's so stupid." Abby sniffed. "Why can't he just admit he likes her?"
"I shouldn't tell you this, but I think it's the right time." Sirius took a breath. "I was talking to him this morning and he was holding Lily while she slept and I accused him of liking her and…well…he told me he loved her."
"Love?"
"Yes. He made me swear not to tell but I think some good news would be healthy right now."
"This just makes things ten times harder." Abby said sadly. "If she dies, he'll probably kill himself. I know you don't want to believe it but I think he will." She let the tears run freely.
"I know, but she won't die. If I know James then he'll do anything to save her. He's never loved anyone so much and I don't think he'll give her up without a fight." Sirius said sternly. "She won't die and neither will James."
&SCENE CHANGE&
James was galloping along when he came to a thin bridge. He slowly stepped out only to be shocked. He tenderly tried again and was flung into a nearby flowerbed. He gingerly stood up and walked to the bridge. He assessed the bridge for a few moments before coming to a decision. James transformed back into human form and stepped onto the bridge. He was filled with relief as he felt no shock or zap. He slowly tried to make his way across when small creature jumped on top of the bridge.
"What is your reason for being here?" It hissed. The dainty creature looked harmless. It was pink and looked fragile but James figured looks could be deceiving.
"I am here to find a flower to save my friend."
"Your friend?"
"Yes."
"I will allow you to pass but be aware not all creatures here are as noble as I and you will come across many a problem. If you wish to stay free from danger follow this path," It clapped and a path appeared, "It will take you to the centre of the forest, I assume that is where what you want resides."
"How do I know I can trust you?"
"You don't." The creature smiled and disappeared. James decided to take the path and hope he could trust the creature. It was morning and he was getting tired but he figured he better keep moving. He followed the path for what seemed like hours until he saw a small river. He was right to trust the creature; there had been no danger so far. He transfigured a leaf into a boat and quickly crossed the river. He entered a clearing and saw what he was looking for. There was a tall cliff that was made from rocks. On top of the cliff there was a patch of rainbow coloured flowers. He sighed and wondered how to get up there. He wished he'd brought his broomstick but now was not the time for regrets. He couldn't transfigure one. He couldn't levitate. He probably couldn't summon the flower, because he didn't know the name and he sucked at charms. He could try.
He stared at the flower just so the charm was certain what flower to summon. He held out his wand.
"Accio flower."
Nothing.
"Accio flower."
"ACCIO FLOWER!" He cried. The flower zoomed into his hand. Third time is a charm.
He quickly dashed back and followed the path. After a long time he reached the bridge. He didn't have much time. The creature came up again.
"I see you have what you came for."
"Yes, thank you." He smiled. He needed to leave.
"Good Luck, Mr James Potter."
"Thank you." He left wondering how the creature knew his name.
He sprinted as fast as he could back to the edge of the forest. He assumed it was about 2.00. He quickly took the potion he needed and ran across the grounds. When he was inside he dashed up the stairs and into the hospital wing. As the potion wore off he flung open the door.
&SCENE CHANGE&
"LILY!" James enveloped her into bone crushing hug as soon as he the curtain was pulled back.
"James…I need to breathe." Lily gasped.
"Sorry." He said sheepishly letting go of her.
"Guess what!" Lily cried loudly. She jumped from the bed as though she had never been sick at all and started jumping up and down.
"What?" James asked happily. He was glad to see his friend was well and cheery.
"WE'RE HAVING A RODEO!"
"Hmm?"
"A RODEO!" She grabbed his hands and started swinging them.
"A RODEO!" He yelled as if just realising.
"A rodeo?" Sirius asked.
"A RODEO!" They screamed together.
"What is…a rodeo?" Abby asked watching the giddy pair.
"A rodeo is only THE BEST thing since sliced bread!" Lily exclaimed.
"We went to one a year since we were 10! Our mothers took us and Lily even got us a turn on the bulls a few times. It's a muggle thing and there is bull riding and all sorts."
"Yeah! It's so much fun!"
"How did you manage that?" James asked excitedly.
"Well…when I was resting I had a dream. There were blue bulls charging at hay and then just before they hit they turned into orange horses. They then swerved and the hay turned into a clown and the clown jumped on the horse that went crazy. The clown tamed the horse and it turned into a pink calf and he jumped off and lassoed it. I woke up and thought about it. All the signs were pointing at one thing…have a rodeo. Dumbledore walked in to check on me and I asked him and he said we could have one."
"Wow! This will be so great!"
"Lily no wonder you're passing divination you're as crazy as the crackpot teacher."
"Thanks. James, you and I have to organise it over the Christmas holidays so you're staying here."
"Yes, Miss Lily sir." He mock saluted.
"Anyone else staying?" Lily asked ignoring James.
"I am." Abby said smiling.
"Right. So James and I will organise the rodeo over the holidays and then on the first week back we can have it."
"Excellent. I can't wait to see old Snivellus on a bull." Sirius grinned.
&SCENE CHANGE&
"So…what are we doing for the rodeo?" James asked. The holidays had started and they were working late that night.
"We can organise that soon. I was thinking about Operation burgundy fox."
"What about it?" James smiled.
"Well…it would be a shame for two so in like to not get together so we have to get them there."
"You're right. What's the plan turkey?" Lily winced.
"I was thinking…we should put Abby in danger and Sirius can save her. You know like in all those movies. The princess will fall for her knight or rescuer and they will be wed and live happily ever after."
"That's very cliché. Just what we're looking for."
"Exactly as I thought Sparrow."
"How will we put her in danger?"
"Hmm…I don't know. We'll work that out later. On to the Rodeo."
"You know most years have balls but we have a rodeo. We are so cool."
"Modesty is your strong point Mr Potter."
"Ha. So we've got when. Where?"
"Dumbledore is transfiguring the Quidditch pitch into a Rodeo thingy so that takes care of where." Lily gestured with her hands.
"A rodeo thingy? That's what it's called?" He rose an eyebrow.
"Shut up. I don't know what it's called."
"Ok. Next, we'll use a spell so no one can use magic to cheat. How about who?"
"Do I think of everything?" James nodded. "Ok. I think all the seventh years."
"Good idea. The kiddies could get hurt." James chuckled.
"James, how are we getting the bulls?"
"Well, I asked Dumbledore that and he said he'd transfigure them too. Much easier I suppose."
"I guess. I'm glad I don't have to do that."
"But why? What about when you transfigured that Giant pelican that swooped down and caught the drunken me?" James teased.
"Shut up."
"Christmas tomorrow." James said randomly.
"CHRISTMAS!" Lily started bouncing. "What did you get me?"
"Well…I can't say."
"WHAT? WHY NOT!"
"It's a surprise."
"You're stingy." Lily pouted. She looks so cute like that.
"Am not." He stuck out his tongue.
"Are so." Lily duplicated the gesture.
"NOT!"
"SO!"
"AM NOT!"
"ARE SO!"
"YOU'RE STINGY!"
"YOU ARE!"
"YOU ARE!"
"THE ONLY THING YOU'RE NOT STINGY AT IS WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD!"
"ARE YOU SAYING I'M FAT!" James gasped.
"Hmm…that sounds like what I'm saying." She mocked thought.
"SCREW YOU!" He stood up angrily.
"You sound like a chick!" Lily laughed.
"Well you look like a man!"
"SHUT YOUR FACE JAMES POTTER!" She stuck out her leg and kicked it under his, tripping him over.
"OW!" He cried.
"That's what you get!" She teased. He sat up and pulled her legs out from under her.
"OUCH!" She cried. A few people gathered on the stairs and watched them. After they saw who it was they turned and walked away because it happened all the time.
"You got what you deserved." He said helping her up.
"Well…" She pushed him down. "Now you did too."
"HEY!" He stood up and she took off. He ran after her still rubbing himself from where he had hit the ground.
"YOU CAN'T CATCH ME!" She laughed.
"YES I CAN!" He chased her up and down a few hallways until she stopped. He leapt onto her and tackled her down. Unfortunately he didn't realise she had stopped because of the stairs and they went tumbling down them. They tumbled down the stairs with many thumps and cries of pain and finally hit the bottom with a THUMP.
"Jeez James." Lily moaned.
"Sorry." He said weakly. They lay there for a while until they could stand up.
"I'm never doing that again." Lily complained.
"Me neither. I think I broke my back." He stretched.
"Drama queen."
"So. But seriously I think I did something to my ankle."
"Well look at this." Lily turned.
"JEEZ! IT'S NOT MEANT TO BEND LIKE THAT!" James yelped.
"DUH!" She grinned weakly.
"Here." He pulled her so she leaned against him. They slowly made their way to the hospital wing with James hopping and Lily limping.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE NOW?" Madam Cherri cried.
"We…er…fell down the stairs."
"You two." She shook her head. "You must be my most frequent patients." She ushered them to bed.
&SCENE CHANGE&
"Pst."
"Pst."
"Pst."
"PST!"
"Lily."
"Hmm?" Was the girl's tired reply.
"It's Christmas." James grinned. He was sitting on her bed in the hospital wing where they had had to stay the night.
"Christmas!" She said brightly sitting up. "Where's my present?'
"Here." He handed her a small package, wrapped in silky blue paper. She opened it gently. She stared in awe of what seemed to be a small figure of a bird. The bird was made from what looked like porcelain and seemed so delicate and fragile.
"It's a turtle dove. You have one and I have one." He held another delicate bird in his hand. "Magic turtle doves. When one of us in danger they touch their turtle dove then the other persons dove will glow silver and heat up. If that person touches their dove they will be transferred to the one in danger," Lily smiled at him gently.
"Sort of like a portkey that works when you're in danger?"
"Yes, like that. It's small enough so that you can carry it around and I'll carry mine, so if you're every get in trouble I can help you."
"Don't you mean if you get in trouble I can help?" Lily teased.
"No, I don't get in danger. I'm sorry if you don't like it. I really didn't know what to get you. I asked everyone I knew and they had no idea. I looked in heaps of shops and there was nothing I thought was good enough for you. I'm sorry, you can exchange it if you want and get a better present. I'll even go with you and exchange it for you and you can choose something else. I know you probably hate it and I'm really sorry. I just didn't know-"
"James, I love it. It's perfect." She smiled and hugged him. James felt a blush creep up his neck and he grinned and hugged her back. "Thank you." She murmured.
"It was nothing."
&SCENE CHANGE&
"I can't believe James got me this." Lily held the turtle dove as though it were the most delicate thing in the world. "It's so sweet. Why would he go through so much trouble?" Abby snorted.
"Are you really asking that question?"
"What? I mean I know we're friends but I didn't go through that much trouble. I feel really guilty."
"Yeah, well…you haven't realised it yet."
"Realised what?"
"Nothing."
"What should I get him for his birthday? It has to be special, something wonderful. What do you get a boy who has everything?" Lily searched her brain.
"I bet he'd like a good, long snog." Abby said quietly, but not quiet enough.
"That's really funny. James doesn't think of me like that."
Abby stood up. "You're serious? You think he doesn't like you, scratch that LOVE you." Lily felt a rush of joy but she quickly stomped on it with her doubts.
"I don't think we can even fall in love so young, Abby."
"Obviously James can."
"Why? Who do you think James loves?" Lily asked confused and jealous. Abby put her head in her hands.
"YOU!" She said exasperatedly.
"James doesn't love me. One, we're too young, two, this is James and three, James doesn't think of me like that. I think you're confused. We're just good friends. James-"
"MERLIN! Lily when are you going to open your eyes and see what everyone else sees? That boy is head over heals, topsy turvy, out of his mind in LOVE with you." Abby exclaimed. Lily snorted. In a way she wished it was true but she knew it wasn't so she shut down her hope.
"Abby, I don't know what you're seeing but James doesn't think of me that way."
"Are you blind?" Abby grabbed Lily's arm and shook her lightly.
"James and I just aren't like that. We're friends. James doesn't think of me that way." She repeated yet again although she didn't want to believe it.
"He. Is. In. Love. With. You." She shook her a little harder before letting her go and pacing the room a little.
"Abby, how many times must I say it? James doesn't love me, he doesn't even LIKE me like that. We. Are. Friends."
"Lily, Lily, Lily. That boy is head over heels for you. I see it, Sirius sees it, Remus sees it, those ditzes who throw themselves at him see it, HELL even PETER sees it."
"No, James only thinks of me as a friend." Lily said not really liking that sentence at all.
"You are SO oblivious sometimes." Abby said walking out.
I wish he did love me. Lily sighed.
&SCENE CHANGE&
The next day James was ignoring Lily. He was so embarrassed about the gift he brought her that he stayed away from her. He was afraid she would figure out what he felt for her and it would ruin their friendship. She was getting angry that every time she would come close he would leave. Not only did it make her feel angry but she was sad too. He's probably too busy shagging some bimbo in the broom closet to bother with talking to me. She thought angrily. At that moment the object of her thoughts rounded the corner. His eyes widened at the sight of her and he quickly turned to walk the other way.
"Oh no you don't!" She called. "STOP!" She ran up to him.
"Yes?" He asked nervously.
"Why have you been avoiding me?"
"I haven't." He lied looking away from her.
"You have."
"I haven't. Now…er…I have to go."
"James, what the hell is wrong with you?" Lily asked throwing her hands up in frustration.
"Nothing." He said quietly, before turning away.
"DON'T TURN AWAY FROM ME!" Lily screamed and whirled James around so he looked her in the face.
"Nothing is wrong." He said looking away from her eyes.
"DON'T LIE TO ME JAMES POTTER!"
"What do you want me to say?" He said bringing his eyes to meet hers.
"The truth would be a start." She said dangerously. I doubt you want to hear that I'm in love with you.
"I don't know what to tell you."
"TELL ME THE TRUTH!"
"I CAN'T TELL YOU THE TRUTH!" He roared. She looked surprised.
"Why the hell not? I thought we were friends."
"We are." He said grudgingly. I wish we could be more.
"Well it doesn't seem like it." She turned away. He stared at her.
"Lily."
"What?" She snapped.
"I want to tell you, I swear I do. I can't…it's just…" How do you tell your best friend since forever that you've fallen hopelessly in love with them?
"Just what? I thought we told each other everything."
"I want to tell you…I really do…but you're the one person I can't tell." He pleaded.
"Why not? I tell you things."
"I know. I just…can't. Please trust me Lily. I wouldn't keep it from you if it wasn't important." Lily sighed.
"Fine. As long as you promise you will tell me one day."
"One day." He smiled weakly.
"Ok, stop avoiding me then and let's go get something to eat." She linked her arms in his.
"Alright, let's go."
"You know, I thought you were avoiding me to be with some bimbo in a closet."
"I promise that's not it. You'll always come before them." He said reddening. He's sweet.
"Come to think of it you haven't had a girlfriend for a long time." Lily said thinking.
"Er…that's because…I er…I-"
"Do you have your eye on some one special? Is it that Ravenclaw girl with the purple hair?"
"Yes! That's it!" He said quickly. Lily felt a little queasy.
"I'm sure you two would make a great couple." Is it just me or did she sound a little…jealous? It's just me.
Stupid purple head ditz. I hope she gets torn apart by violent merpeople and then her remains are fed to the giant squid. Why do I have to have a crush on my best friend? WHY?
&SCENE CHANGE&
"WELCOME HOGWARTS STUDENTS TO THE FIRST EVER HOGWARTS RODEO!" The sound of Kent Ashley boomed through the now transformed arena. There were seats surrounding the huge pen filled with all the Hogwarts students from first to sixth year. The pen was dusty and there were gates and stalls where the bulls and broncos were held. "AS YOU ALL KNOW THIS EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY OUR VERY OWN LILY EVANS AND JAMES POTTER! COME UP AND TAKE A BOW YOU TWO!"
Lily and James made their way up to the commentator's box and bowed to the students. They then made their way to the stalls for the first event.
"ALL SEVENTH YEARS MUST PARTICIPATE AND NO ONE YOUNGER BUT DON'T YOU WORRY KIDS YOU MAY BE ABLE TO JOIN NEXT YEAR! I BELIEVE THE FIRST EVENT IS READY…3…2…1…RELEASE THAT BRONCO!"
&SCENE CHANGE&
"Lily is dominating every female event." Sirius smiled.
"She hasn't got much competition has she?" Peter asked. Another ditzy girl fell to the ground. As with the others who had fallen she sobbed and left wailing about her mussed hair and ruined clothing.
"At least that one didn't ride around the barrels like she was on a fashion parade." Sirius grinned. "Though I didn't mind the girls' flaunting it."
"Why did you make everyone compete, James?" Remus asked, ignoring Sirius
"Lily's idea. She said no one else would try out for the female events." He shrugged.
"AND LILY EVANS IS UP! HERE WE GO! 3…2…1…LET IT RIP."
Lily was on her horse and racing around the barrels. She had her head bent down low in purpose, even if she didn't need to try she was going to do her best. She zipped around the third barrel and controlled her horse excellently. She raced past the timer and James grinned happily. She jumped off the horse and dusted herself off.
"That's my girl." James whispered to himself, staring at her with pure adoration.
SCENE CHANGE
Lily laughed as she watched Sirius fall off the bull. The crowd winced as he hit the ground with a thump and lay on his back. A few seconds later he rolled over and hurried up and out of the path of the maniac bull.
"Nice try." Lily congratulated him from her perch.
"Shut up." He grumbled. He walked by with a noticeable limp.
"NEXT UP IS JAMES POTTER! 1…2…3 LET HIM LOOSE!" The announcer cried. Lily smiled as James held his hand in the air. She looked down to the cow boy hat in her hands. James had given it to her to look after. She felt the smooth rim and looked back to James. He twisted and turned on the back of the bull with a face of determination on his face. Lily watched him grinning. He is so stupid. She sighed. No, I'm stupid. Stupid for falling for him. She recalled her last sentence. Falling for him? I'm mean stupid for getting a crush on him. Just a little crush. She giggled as she nodded her head in tune to the song. James finally fell from his seat and Lily watched him walk slowly over.
"Lily!" He smiled happily.
"Jamsie." She nodded. She jumped off the gate she was sitting on and walked over to him. She reached up and put his cowboy hat on that he had given her to look after. "Now you're a real cowboy."
"Why Thank you, Little lady." He winked.
"You're welcome, partner." She smiled at him.
"OUR NEXT PARTICIPANT IS SEVERUS SNAPE!" The announcer yelled. Lily and James exchanged smirks.
"This ought to be interesting." James smiled as they sat on the gate.
"You bet."
"3…2…1…RIDE THAT BULL!" And he was off.
SCENE CHANGE
"I can't believe Snivellus can ride a bull!" Sirius whined. The rodeo had gone all day and Sirius was walking funny from riding the animals.
"You're just mad because you didn't win anything!" James grinned. He had come out first in most of the male events only to be beaten by Snape two times, once by Remus and once by some bulky Ravenclaw. He patted his trophies and turned to find Lily.
"Shut up!" Sirius pouted. He winced as he walked up the stairs.
"I told you to wear that cup thing Sirius!" Lily laughed. She had just caught up. She was levitating a wheelbarrow for all her trophies. Sirius stopped for a minute to stop the pain and let the others get in front of him.
"Well you could have told me that would happen."
"How was I to know? I am a female."
"Believe me, I've noticed." James muttered.
"What?"
"I said…er…that…you did great today." He blushed and Sirius and Remus snickered.
"Thanks. I really didn't have any competition though. I mean the female side were all ditzes who were afraid to chip a nail or mess up their hair. Except Abby, but she has no balance."
"Still, you won every time! You were great!" James complimented her and Peter joined in the snickering.
"You were great too. I'm with Sirius though; I can't believe that Snape can ride a bull!"
"Greasy git! It's a wonder he didn't slip off!" Sirius said from behind them.
"Hello Lily dearest." An oily voice called. She turned on the step to see Snape. Her jaw dropped along with many others and she slipped trying to get to the next step. She tumbled down to the bottom taking James, who had reached out to catch her, and Sirius, who was behind her, down with her. They landed in a heap on the bottom with James on the bottom, then Lily and then Sirius.
"Sirius, can you get off?" James said quietly. He was quite liking this position, except the fact that Sirius was on top of them.
"Yeah Sirius." Lily said flustered.
"I like this position. It takes the pain away."
"Maybe for you." Lily growled. "You don't have to have your fat arse sitting on you."
"I should think that would be impossible." James chuckled causing Lily's stomach to shake. Her head was facing his chest and the smell of him was making her somewhat giddy. Lily pulled her arms out from the awkward position they were in and hugged James. She didn't know why but she just felt like it. James was grinning like a bloody idiot on Christmas they didn't notice the weight shift off of them. He embraced her too with his eyes closed. He should have thought that would have been difficult with Sirius on top of her but his brain was too clouded with something he couldn't name to realise.
"Aw." Abby whispered grinning. "That's so cute. They don't even realise Sirius has moved off of them."
"I know. Look at them. Hugging on the floor at the bottom of the stairs." Remus smiled.
"JAMSIE!" A shrill female voice screeched. Lily and James snapped their eyes open and noticed their friends staring. They hurriedly scrambled up, blushing and James tuned to the owner of the voice.
"Yes?"
"Well…" She twirled her hair. "I heard through the grapevine that you like me, so maybe we should like go the Hogsmeade this weekend together." It was the Ravenclaw with the purple hair. James didn't know what to do. He didn't like this girl but he had told Lily he did. If he didn't go Lily would know he was lying.
"Er…sure." He missed the flicker of hurt that passed through Lily's eyes. She slowly bent down to pick up her trophies.
"Great!" The ditz kissed him on the lips and walked away. James wiped his lips off, though no one saw. His friends were watching Lily and she was concentrating on her trophies.
"Well, I'm going to bed." She fake yawned. "Night all."
Abby shook her head and followed.
"Night." Peter and Remus said together.
"Why did you do that?" Sirius asked angrily.
"What?"
"Why are you going to Hogsmeade with her? I thought you liked Lily."
"I do. I told Lily the reason I hadn't had a girlfriend in a while was because I like that girl. If I said no she would know I was lying."
"You have to tell her how you feel."
"WHAT? WHY?"
"You're not only hurting yourself like this." Sirius said before he walked, awkwardly, up the stairs.
&SCENE CHANGE&
Abby walked into the Girls' dorm and saw Lily sitting silently on her bed, looking at a picture.
"Why am I so stupid?" Lily suddenly said after 2 minutes of silence. Abby stayed quiet because she wasn't so sure that Lily was talking to her.
"Why did I have to fall in love with my best friend?" Lily banged her head on the bed post. Abby gasped. Lily's eyes widened and she snapped her head around to her. "I didn't mean that!" Lily said quickly.
"Yes you did!" Abby said grinning.
"NO!"
"You did mean it!"
"OK! I…er…am a lesbian. I'm in love with you." Abby snorted.
"Please Lily, you are not gay. Just admit you love him. I won't tell."
"Ok. I love him."
"Who?"
"James. I love James." She said quietly.
"Hmm?"
"I LOVE JAMES!"
"I knew it!" Abby did a little dance.
"What am I going to do? He only likes me as a friend." Abby snorted. "What?"
"Nothing." She said innocently.
"That wasn't a nothing snort. That was a 'whatever' snort."
"FINE!" Abby threw her hands up. "I'm telling you this for the last time. James is in love with you. I swear."
"No he's not. If he was why is he going out with that Ravenclaw cretin?"
"I don't know."
"See."
"NO! HE IS!"
"It's ok, Abby. I can handle unrequited love."
"But-"
"No, it's ok." Abby growled in frustration and walked out.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" She yelled once she was downstairs.
"What?" James asked. He had been sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.
"Why did say yes to that girl when it is so obvious you are in love with Lily."
"I'm not!" He looked away. She grabbed his tie and pulled him to her so she was face to face.
"You are. I know. EVERYONE except Lily knows. Why do you think those ditzes kept clinging to you? They knew one day you would realise you loved her. They tried to stop it but guess what…YOU FELL IN LOVE ANYWAY!"
"Shh!" He whispered pulling away from her. "Ok. I'll admit it. I love her. She drives me crazy. It is killing me not to have her feel the same."
"Why did you say yes to that girl then?" She tapped her foot.
"Lily asked me the other day if I didn't have a girlfriend because I liked that girl. I said yes because I couldn't say 'Actually I don't have a girlfriend because I'm head over heels in love with you' could I? If I had said no tonight Lily would know I was lying."
"I get it. You have to tell her."
"WHAT? That's the second time I've been told that tonight! Why?"
"By keeping it a secret you're not only hurting yourself." She walked away.
"WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?"