Romance in the Hospital Wing
by Wo Ai Ni16
Chapter Four: What Do You Think You're Doing?!
Saturday; First Week of August 1978: 3:45 P.M.
Megan finally composed herself and cleared her throat again, "So, shall I lead you to Ms. Collins?"
"Yes!" James replied emphatically, following Megan at a brisk pace. Lily, still dumbfounded, walked behind both of them, leaving Madam Pomfrey muttering to herself about stubborn aurors.
Lily's mind was in overdrive, trying to comprehend the present situation. After over two years James finally shows up. A myriad of emotions went through her, the most dominant ones being confusion and overwhelming curiosity of James and Ameile's relationship. In the meantime, she felt over-conscious of herself, trying to brush away and tuck stray strands of hair and muttering a quick Scorgio charm to clean her dirty uniform. Somehow Lily also felt slightly annoyed at Megan. I mean, Megan is acting as if she is Ameile's nurse, the nerve of her! Ameile is my patient, not Megan's, and I should be the one to lead James to his girlfriend. Lily shook her head vigorously at the thought. Oh my goodness, no, scratch that.. what am I saying? Girlfriend? No, I'm assuming things. For all I know, they're just simple close auror partners or something...yes that's it.. partners.. nothing more. Not that I care of course, I mean for James to actually associate with someone as decent as Ameile is beyond me. (A/N: #1).
"Here she is," Megan whispered, drawing back the white curtains. He quickly stepped inside and Megan allowed herself a few feet away from the white curtains to give them some privacy. Lily, however, feeling that it was her obligation as Ameile's MediWitch, stepped inside along with James.
James knelt beside Ameile and gently brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. Her breathing was low and even. "Is she going to be alright?" He whispered, turning to Lily.
"Y-yes. I believe she was just hit with a simple hex to absorb away her energy. She should be fine with a couple of day's rest." Lily forced a comforting smile, although there were tears behind her eyes...and for what reason, she wasn't so sure...
"Thanks, Evans, for taking care of her," James said, turning back to Ameile to give her a quick kiss on her cheek before standing up.
After a several moments pause: "Do you, I mean, have you by any chance seen Alice? Was she in the fight?" Lily's voice was full of worry as she asked.
James smiled, "Yeah, she was in the attack, but don't worry; she's alright. As a matter of fact she was with me when I arrived in the Wing...but I somehow lost track of her when I was too busy yelling at Madam Pomfrey." He scratched his head in embarrassment and smiled sheepishly.
If they had been in a lighter situation, Lily would have laughed at James' old habits. She replied, saying, "Then she must be with Frank. He arrived about ten minutes before you guys arrived. Nothing too serious though, that a little Skele-Grow won't fix."
Lily smiled back, but couldn't help but notice the bloodstain in the chest area of James' auror robes. She could've sworn that it was much smaller a couple of minutes ago.. "Potter, are you bleeding?" She frowned and pointed to the bloodstain currently spreading very rapidly throughout his chest.
"What?" James looked down, "Oh, that. It's just a little scratch."
"You haven't changed, have you? 'Little scratch' my arse, if I don't fix that up now you could bleed to death! Now come here with me." She quickly grabbed his wrist and led him to a nearby cot in white curtains, just like Ameile's. Megan stared after them in confusion. To any passerby it could have looked like Lily was leading him to some dark corner to snog or something...
Lily pushed him behind the curtains. "Sit," she instructed him, while sterilizing her hands and taking a bottle of wound-healing potion from a cabinet.
James rolled his eyes and laughed, "You thought that I was a dog or something, ordering me around like that."
Lily scoffed in return. "Take off your robes," she said.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," James smirked.
"Potter! There's no time to be immature right now, just take off your robes and let me put this potion on you! Honestly, you can bleed to death, I'm not joking!"
"Alright, alright." James decided to follow her orders and lied on the cot. "Now that you mention it, I do feel kind of dizzy."
"That's one of its symptoms, James. Now help me unbutton these robes of yours."
James unbuttoned the first two, but lied back down as his vision began to haze over. "Unh, I don't feel that good." Lily became a blur of wavy, auburn hair to him.
"James! Come on, hold on now, don't pass out on me," Lily pleaded as she hurriedly took off his robe. She cursed under her breath at seeing another shirt underneath (How many layers does he have to wear?!) But the lack of blood already started its effects. James smiled up at her, eyes glazed over as if he was in a trance-like state. His left hand reached out to cup her cheek. Lily felt her insides freeze as she looked into his eyes. His warm, hazel eyes.. Her cheeks burned the same crimson when she looked at his photo not too long ago.
"You, know Evans," James whispered, "if you weren't so stubborn and gave me a chance back in Hogwarts, we would've been married by now." His eyes drooped and his head fell back in the pillows, unconscious.
Lily still stood frozen, bent over him, her breathing frantic and cheeks still burning crimson. What in the world just happened? She thought to herself. This is not good, this is so not good. With a deep breath she unscrewed the wound-healing potion bottle and opened up his shirt to expose his chest. There was a deep gash in the middle, with blood flowing down the sides. Lily quickly poured an ample amount of the potion on the cut, healing the wound instantly and cleaning the blood. She quickly muttered a charm to help James produce more blood to replace the ones lost. She muttered another charm to replace his dirty auror robes with clean collared pajamas and drew the blankets around him. Looking once more into his content face, she took off his glasses, placed them on the table, and left the curtains.
Turning around, Lily saw Megan looking at her with curiousity. "What did you do?" Megan asked, smiling knowingly at Lily.
Lily groaned and smacked Megan's arm, "Nothing, Megan! I just mended a deep gash in his chest, that's all. He lost too much blood already; he's currently unconscious."
"So..." Megan started in a shy voice. "Do you know if Ameile's his girlfriend or something?"
Lily shrugged, "I don't know for sure...he didn't say anything about her. They could just be partners for all I know." She looked at Megan, and teased her, "What's it to you, anyway?"
Lily was surprised to see Megan blush. "Oh, um.. nothing of course, I'm just curious. They do seem to care about each other a lot, though." Megan waved her hand, as if the matter wasn't a big deal to her.
"I think I should see how Frank is doing," Lily said suddenly, quickly realizing that she didn't look for Alice yet.
"Alright, I'll see you later Lily."
Department of Mysteries: Ethan Aberforth's Office; 4:00 P.M.
Ethan was currently organizing a large stack of papers when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in," he said, pushing the pile of papers aside his desk. His friend, Damien Churchill opened the door and took a seat on the chair in front of his desk.
"What's wrong, Damien? You look awfully trifled today," Ethan said jokingly.
Damien shook his head sadly, gesturing to Ethan that it was no time for jokes. "It's You-Know-Who. He struck again today."
Ethan frowned and leaned forward to study his friend. "What?" He refused to believe it.
"At Diagon Alley, one o' clock," his friend replied.
"In broad daylight? You're joking, surely the Dark Lord hasn't gone that confident in his powers yet."
"Well, apparently it seems that he is. The aurors believe that the number of his supporters doubled just this past month."
"Good god, don't tell me that we have another Grindlewald on our hands," Ethan said.
Damien smiled sardonically, "I bet if ever, You-Know-Who will be much worse than him." Ethan suddenly stood up. "Where are you going?"
Ethan wrapped his outer robes and made out for the door. "To check on Lily."
"Wait a minute, isn't she in Hogwarts right now, anyway?"
Ethan shrugged, "I just want to make sure she's alright."
Damien laughed and said, "More like you're just looking for an excuse to visit her, you heartstruck man."
Ethan shrugged again, smiling. Before he closed the door, he said, "Oh, and be a good assistant and organize those papers for me."
Damien turned around to see the towering stack of papers awaiting him and groaned. "I knew I shouldn't have come."
Hogwart's Hospital Wing; 4:00 P.M.
Alice and Lily were currently talking to each other about the attack as they sat next to Frank's bed. He was more than happy to give his own account of the attack, with of course some embellished parts to make him look more heroic.
"And then about five minutes into the attack, four Death Eaters surrounded me. But of course, I was experienced enough to use a simple large-range stupefying hex to render them unconscious immediately," Frank said happily, using his hand to show the moves he made with his wand.
Alice rolled her eyes and smacked is hand ("Ow! That hurt, my hand's bruised!"). Paying no attention to his complaint, Alice rolled her eyes, saying, "What do you mean you stupefied all of them, if Sirius weren't there to save your arse, you'd have boils all over you by now!" Lily laughed. Her two friends never changed.
Frank smiled, "Oh, alright then. Have it your way."
Alice turned to look at Lily, "So, how's James?"
Lily jumped at her seat with the mention of his name (which did not go unnoticed by Alice). "Oh, James, right. Well, he seems fine enough. The bloody idiot could've bled to death if I didn't force him to allow me to put some potion on his cut."
Alice frowned in worry, "Are you sure he's alright? James is very stubborn, I hope he's not hiding anymore injuries."
"Well, none that I know of anyway," Lily said nonchalantly. Then there was that burning question that couldn't wait to be asked, "Alice, what is between Ameile and James?" She prayed that Alice wouldn't take it the wrong way.
Alice glanced at Frank before answering Lily, "Ameile's James's girlfriend." Lily couldn't help but feel deeply put down by this. "They've been dating for what... a year, I think?" She looked at Frank to confirm her answer.
"Yeah, a year ago, when he saved her from that Cruciatus Curse," Frank said, nodding. "Ameile's head-over-heels for him ever since, I daresay."
"Hm, well, I'd better check on James since I have nothing else to do," Lily said as if she didn't care. "Just, to check if he has any other injuries, like you said." With that, she left Alice and Frank to themselves.
Once out of Lily's earshot, Alice smiled knowingly and turned to Frank, "Well, what do you think?" She asked her fiancé.
Frank laughed, "Oh yes, she's definitely in love with him."
Lily stood by James' side, looking over him. He actually seemed innocent when he slept. The thought made Lily smirk at herself. Yeah right, as if he'll ever be considered a saint. Now that she was alone with him, without having to take care of any of his wounds, she took the time to look over him. So you're the ever-famous auror and Witch Weekly's renowned #1 Eligible Bachelor. You are definitely not bad-looking in real life, and your photo did make you look very handsome. Hmm...if I weren't engaged right now, I would've thought that I actually love you. Lily rolled her eyes at herself. But of course not, I'm in love with Ethan and you're in love with Ameile. It's as simple as that. And don't think that just because you matured a little that I'm all over you. I still think that you're the little git you were since fifth year. Unconsciously, Lily reached out to brush her hands through James' untidy hair. "Damn you for being so handsome," Lily said out loud.
Still the same place (Hospital Wing); 4:20 P.M.
Ethan was walking throughout the Hospital Wing, after he got directions from Madam Pomfrey where Lily should be. The Wing was bigger than he thought, but he still felt foolish for not being able to find Lily in the sea of white curtains and beds. He stopped at the second corridor he passed, "Now was it a left or right from here?" He asked himself. Just then, a redhead bumped into him.
"Oh! Lily there you are! I'm so stupid, I couldn't find where you were," Ethan said, hugging the petite woman. He was surprised when she pushed him away.
"Um..I'm not Lily," the redhead said, looking up at him. Ethan looked at the woman in white pajamas and upon closer inspection he realized that she wasn't Lily. She had blue eyes and her hair was a lighter shade of red.
"My goodness! I'm so sorry, I thought you were my fiancée. You look so much like her," Ethan said, bowing his head in embarrassment.
"It's alright," Ameile said, although she felt really uncomfortable at his hugging her. "Lily, Lily Evans right?"
Ethan smiled, "Yes, do you know where she may be? I feel like an idiot right now, I can't even remember the directions Madam Pomfrey gave me."
"Well, I think that Lily Evans is my MediWitch...I'm not too sure, I passed out that's why. But I won't really be much of help, I'm lost too. I've been looking for my boyfriend James, James Potter."
"The James Potter?" Ethan asked.
Ameile blushed, So much for hiding my relationship with James from the media "Yes," she said timidly.
"Well then, how about we look for the two of them together?" Ethan asked, leading the way.
Back with Lily and James =)
Lily was still brushing her hands through James' hair when he smiled in his sleep. Lily smiled back at him, but was surprised when he suddenly said, "So you think I'm dashingly handsome, huh Evans?" And he opened his eyes, smirking up at her.
Lily jumped back, "You git! I thought you were asleep!" A crimson blush went over her cheeks once more.
James smiled again and reached out to tuck away a stray hair from her. " 'Thought' is the keyword, Evans. You thought I was asleep."
"So all this time you were just lying there pretending to be asleep?" Lily said aghast.
"Seems so, Evans. And might I add, you seem to have a great fondness for my hair."
Lily bit her lip, even she can't think of a back-comment for that. "Shut up, Potter." Although she couldn't help but smile.
James smiled in a melancholy way, "So it's really 'Potter' again, now is it?"
Lily was surprised at the sadness in his voice. "What do you mean?"
James decided to look up at the ceiling rather than in her eyes. "At the end of graduation. You said 'Good luck to you too, James.' I just thought that you'd call me James after you called me by my first name for the first time back then."
Lily's expression softened, "You remember that?"
James turned to her, "And you don't?"
Lily was taken back by his comment. "No.. I mean, I didn't, I-"
James interrupted, "Forget it."
"But it's not like you're any better, you still call me 'Evans'," Lily said pointedly, defending herself.
He just shrugged, "Whenever I tried calling you Lily, you always lash out at me."
Lily denied him, "No I don't." She whispered. James just simply raised his eyebrows at this.
To end the awkward silence between them he asked, "So..why are you here anyway? Unless you're just here to admire by 'dashingly handsome' face." He said the last part as a joke rather than in a conceited way.
The thing is, Lily didn't really go to him to do anything. I suppose as James said she was just there "to admire his handsome face" but of course she won't admit that. Lily quickly made up an excuse. "I just wanted to make sure your wound's completely healed," she said loftily.
James lied back down and placed his arms at his sides. "Well do check away, my darling MediWitch," he said, eyes sparkling in mischief.
Lily smiled, "Shut up." She paused, hands over his chest. "Can you unbutton your shirt for me?" She asked, not wanting to do the task herself.
James made a fake yawn, covering his mouth. "Why don't you do it? You seem to unbutton my shirt so well back then and my arms are too tired," he said dramatically, waving his arms to show his helplessness.
Lily scoffed, "You're so fake, James." But she proceeded to unbutton his shirt anyway.
"I do try," he replied.
Lily opened up his shirt to look at his bandaged chest. "I'm just going to unwrap them for a while to make sure your wound's alright."
"Mm-hmm," James mumbled, too busy looking into her eyes.
Lily unwrapped the long bandage and ran her hands lightly across the wound. "I think it's alright now," she said looking back at James. She blushed when she realized how close their faces were. James held her hand and placed it back on his chest. "Are you sure?" He whispered, his voice low and husky. They didn't realize that right in front of them, watching the entire thing were Ameile and Ethan, whose mouths were both open in shock.
Ameile was the first to compose herself and asked angrily, "What do you think you're doing to my boyfriend?!" Lily and James turned their heads sharply and gulped at seeing their shocked faces. Lily was close enough to hear James whisper, "Busted."
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Wooot Woot! How was that one?! LOL, some of my reviewers were complaining how disappointed they were, thinking that James would be Lily's patient and stuff.... you guys have such little faith in me! I promised that in my summary remember?
Well, in this chapter we had a lot of Lily and James action, and if you guys wish to think it, Ethan and Ameile action. Hm.. the latter is questionable. Here's some notes I would like to discuss to you guys:
A/N #1: I know it may be confusing for you guys how Lily seems to be in love with James and then her usual James-hating self comes back in. I do this on purpose to keep some conflict in the plot... I can't have them falling completely in love too soon! But yes, Lily does love James deep down, she's just too stubborn and in denial to admit it, thus the classic love/hate thing.
A/N#2: Now how about our Jamsiepoo? Hm.. well he's definitely more forward in expressing his love to Lily, despite being in a relationship with Ameile. Now don't get me wrong here, James doesn't mean to be a filthy cheating bastard to Ameile or anything... He just doesn't think of Ameile as a romantic lover. Instead, he prefers to think of her as his little sister =)
A/N#3: You guys should take note that Ethan works in the Department of Mysteries.. that's all I'm saying ; )
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To my reviewers: I do have to admit that I'm slightly disappointed.. I was hoping for more reviews =( ... sniff sniff Anyways:
ThreeEaredBunny: LOL, thanks for your compliment. Yes, I did partially fulfill the wishes of my reviewers by having a lot of Lily and James action I hope that will satisfy you guys for awhile.
Hp-Azn: As I said above in my author's note, have some more faith in me! LoL, I said that it would happen in the summary, did I not? =) Well here you go, tell me if you liked it!
TheSilverLady: Thanks so much, I hope to hear more from you
PadfootProngsMoony: Wow! Thank you, thank you =D I'm really happy to have my story on your favorites list, I hope that this will continue to be your favorite Review what you think of this chapter, please
LogaLog: Thanks, I hope you liked this chapter too.. tell me what you think =)
tRuE2U: Awww! I'm so sorry, I'm not sure I can fulfill that wish.. somehow this fic will have broken hearts in them =( But hopefully, they'll all end up with someone they truly love wink wink =D
restless-soul: Again, I said that I would do that in the summary, so here you guys go! LoL... but I even have more plans in store for James and Lily mischievous smile
ShimmeringEvil: Here's the update (though not as soon as I hoped), I hope you liked this chapter =D Review please!
Princess Pixie Ice: Hiiiiiii! hug Looooong time, no see? (eheh, you get wut I mean =P ) I'm really happy to receive a review from here... are you planning on any other L/J fics? If you do, I'll be more than happy to read some! =D
gryffspopgurl: Thanks for the answer for my Chinese question, lol ;;; Thank you sooo very much for your compliment, it really means a lot to me! =D I do agree with you, Lily and James Potter sound so much better, they're the ultimate couple, not L/OC or J/OC O.o haha, and about Lily and Ethan's engagement, I also agree with you that they're relationship is really weird, =D I mean, falling in love with your father's MediWitch? o.O Not really the most romantic relationship, huh?
Penguin 'N' Tales: Thanks for your compliment, I do aim to have as original a plot as I can... please continue to review!
chewy1: I know, I am evil, aren't I? LoL.. and I'm sad to say that I'm still evil for making the semi-cliffie on this chapter too! =D Don't I just have a knack for that? I hope you did like this chapter though, tell me what you think
FrEgOrGeLuVeR225: LoL, I never told you before.. but whenever I write back on your reviews, I always have to copy and paste your name! LoL, it's much easier and less confoozling for me =) But I do love it though I hope you'll continue to like my story =D
bebe-chrissy: Thanks so much for your compliment ; I really hope I'll continue to do wonderful, as you say =) Review please!
siriusremusjames: Heehee, the marauders, you gotta love them! Speaking of the marauders, I still have to get Remus and Sirius back in the picture Oh, and you're right, I am indeed evil, aren't I? But hey! Cliffies give me more reviews! LoL, I'm so cruel... sorry! But I think I just made another cliffie in this chapter too, huh? Well, I hope I updated quickly enough o.o
pinkoceanmist: LoL, yes you did spell Ameile's name right! =) And I suppose this chapter made you happy then, since you wanted some Lily and James action! Review and tell me what you think!
Hmm.. I hope I can get to 80 reviews for this chapter... care to help?