It's not mine; it's all J.K. Rowling's.

Chapter 6: In Which Lily Escapes Death

or

In Which Lily Kisses Potter's Shoe

Where we left everyone's favorite heroine:

Alright, I'm guessing by now you've figured out that I didn't run into Potter. I have no clue who this guy is (much less who this brother person is). But I do definitely know he doesn't like James Potter.

ooo...ooo

In case I get kidnapped or something equally terrible, you should tell the aurors to look for a rather hulking guy. Seriously, he's about a foot and half taller than me. He has brownish hair and brownish eyes, very ordinary. If he didn't look like he wouldn't mind squishing me, I honestly don't think I'd have noticed him at all.

"Sorry ... sir?" I tried. I winced, flinching back as his arm shot out. I could feel his fist grazing my cheek.

Holy mother of crickets!

Holy mother of french fries!

I'm going to die!

Where's my wand? Where'd I put my wand?

I fumbled around in my pocket, trying to find it, but the Mr. Hulk grabbed my wrist, yanking it away. He held on tight as I struggled to twist out of his grip.

Ok, it's really official now ... I'm going to diiiiieeee!

"No need to panic just yet, little mudblood; that was just a warning. I don't miss when I want to hit you."

I would like to make a statement.

I, Lily Marie Evans, do solemnly swear and place it on the most permanent of records, that if James Tristan Potter showed up right now and rescued me, I would kiss his shoes.

I swear it, no matter how filthy they are!

Mr. Hulk leered at me and I did a feeble wave with my free hand. The silence was deafening. "So ..." I said, trying to break the silence, "You don't like Potter, huh?"

Wow, Lily, that was probably not the best ice breaker.

"No, my sweet little mudblood, I don't like your boyfriend very much. In fact it would be fair to say I loathe him."

"He's not my boyfriend!" I cried in a scandalized tone. How dare he accuse me of going out with Potter! I can't believe him. While I may be a slight bit of a loser, I can at least do better than Potter.

Mr. Hulk, Leering Hulk, ignored me and plowed right on. "Perhaps it's even due to him that you've drawn my interest. What better a way is there to strike a Potter than to hurt his woman?"

"Now hold on just one second, mister," I said, attempting to look down my nose at him, which was made rather difficult since I am a foot and a half shorter than him. So I was doing my best in spite of my vertical challenges and I poked him in the chest with my index finger to emphasize my words.

"You may go right on ahead and spread crazy rumors about Potter and I dating, which we are not, but you MAY NOT call me his woman because I am NOT and will NEVER be any man's 'woman'. I am my own woman and nothing, not a boyfriend, not a ugly punk pureblood, not anything will ever change that. Are we quite clear on this matter?" I raised an eyebrow at him and he laughed.

He tilted his head back and just roared.

I've just realized something. It's actually kind of important too. I think I'm going to add it to my rules to live life by list.

Rule Number 31: Never fly off the handle and spout pro-feminist rhetoric at a man who could probably kill you if he felt like it.

Darn, that's a good rule. I wish I'd come up with that earlier.

Abruptly his laughter cut off. This guy is insane!

"So you don't even let Potter claim you? That must drive him crazy."

My mouth is literally hanging somewhere around my knees.

Oh boy, being claimed by people. Mr. Hulk here is a real sicko and I'll even admit he's got Potter all wrong. While Potter obviously isn't the best person around, he isn't the sort who 'claims' women.

I can't believe it! I've finally found a man who makes James Potter seem like the most lovely and perfect man around. I need to write this down in my date book so I can remember it for all of eternity.

Sir 'I Lack Any Sense of Chivalry or Proper Behavior and am an Ugly Hulk' grabbed my other hand, forcing it above my head.

Darn! I was kind of hoping he wouldn't notice my renewed sneaking toward my wand.

"I think I'm going to have some fun with you mudblood. Then I'll leave you some place nice and public for dear Potter to find." He pushed me against the wall. His eyes were freakishly large and I felt like he was using them to freeze me, make me weak.

"D ... don't you think we could just talk and then I could go tell Potter a message for you?"

Mr. Sadistic Hulk laughed softly then forced his lips onto mine.

Oh gods!

I squirmed, trying to break away, but his hands tightened and I could feel my circulation being cut off. I maneuvered my foot and drove my heel down on his toe. He broke away from me, swearing and I used his distraction as a chance to break his grip on my wrist.

I'm not going to go down without a fight.

I won't be a girl who has to look back and say, "I wish I had fought, I wish I hadn't given in."

I'll never give in. Not ever. (Unless the conditions for surrender involve copious amounts of chocolate.)

I twisted around, letting my arm bend behind my back as I groped for my wand. I felt its smooth willow handle and I wrapped my fingers around it. My attacker used his hold on my other arm to whip me back around. As I spun I pulled my wand out. I used the borrowed momentum from my spin to make my disarming spell more forceful. When you're small like me you have to learn how to use an attacker's strength against them.

"Expelliarmus!" I yelled. To heck with non-verbal spells. They're over-rated anyway. Yelling has a certain appeal, especially when you desperately desire to blow the person you're cursing to Australia (and when he lands you hope he breaks both of his legs in several places).

I had to restrain a smirk of satisfaction as Mr. Hulk was flung from his feet and lost his grip on my arm (not as good as Australia, but we can't all get what we want).

I turned to run down the hallway, and get as far away from here as quickly as possible, when it hit me: turning my back probably hadn't been a good idea.

His spell hit me as soon as the thought ran through my mind. I felt my feet fling up over my head, and for a few fleeting seconds, I was completely upside down. Then I landed with a hard smack on the floor.

The only oddity in the situation was my face was actually not on the floor, but on what appeared to be a shoe. I was suddenly reminded of my silly promise about kissing Potter's shoes.

A small smile appeared on my face because I know whose shoes these are. Whose shoes they have to be because only one man will always be there when I need him most (and when I've made a ridiculously embarrassing promise involving his shoes) ... James Potter.

I quickly brushed my lips against the laces as James slowly knelt, keeping his eyes and wand trained on Mr. 'I Throw Spells at People's Backs and am a Filthy Hulk,' and helped me up. After I struggled back to my feet, James gently nudged me behind him, keeping his hand on my stomach. He hadn't looked at me yet and I got the feeling that he wanted his hand on me so he would know where I was.

I put my hand over his and he twisted his hand around so ours were entwined. For one blinding second I felt something I'd never truly felt before ... I felt whole. I shook my head and feeling disappeared. It must have been something I ate for breakfast.

Shifting my feet, I laid my other hand on his back. I figure that will give him a better feel for where I am in case ... well, in case he needs to know.

I looked at Mr. Hulk and I spotted my wand near his feet. He saw it too ... the idiot. He made a lazy flick with his wand, clearly intending to pick it up.

What's really freaking me out, though, is how nonchalant he looks ... like he could be yawning and it wouldn't look out of place. The only thing that gives him away are his eyes. They're hateful and calculating, staring straight at Potter.

Potter stared at my wand, which was halfway off the ground, and without even having to wave his wand, it fell back to the floor. (How come he's so good at EVERYTHING? Is there anything he's not good at? No wait ... don't answer that; I don't want to know.)

"Don't interfere with my spells, Potter," Mr. 'My Spell Just Got Stomped On and I'm a Stupid Hulk' snarled.

"I didn't do anything of the sort, Bryson. I can't help it if you are incapable of doing a simple summoning spell," Potter said archly, sounding every bit a well born pureblood.

Bryson? Hmm ... he looks more like a Hulk to me. Mr. Hulk is more fitting, maybe I'll just keep calling him that. After all, I can't seem to remember his real name anymore ... rats.

Mr. Smirking Hulk snarled through his clearly practiced in front of the mirror smirk, "You'd better keep a tighter leash on your woman Potter or else you'll find yourself sadly lacking anything to leash."

I felt Potter tense and I could practically feel the tension moving down my arm and through my entire body. Had Mr. Kind of Freaky Hulk just threatened to kill me? Oh god, oh god, I'm going to die! No wait, Potter will save me! Thank Merlin, I abso - bloody - lutely love Potter! Wait, wait ... not in that way! I mean in the 'He'll Take a Bullet/Death Curse for Me' kind of way. Jeez ... me in love with Potter, that's a laugh.

"If you know what's good for you and your family, you will watch your step around Ms. Evans," Potter said, his voice laced with barely controlled anger.

I hate this. I hate these stupid pureblood power wars. I mean, come on. How in the world can anyone be expected to understand what just happened? The only reason I get it is because Ally sat me down and explained it all, so I wouldn't accidentally get myself caught in the middle of a pureblood feud and end up dead (which is a highly undesirable state). I mean, who really cares that since Potter has just stated that I am under his protection, I am also under the protection of his entire family? So what if something were to happen to me, his entire family would technically step in on my side (which is just ridiculous since they've never met me)? And of course, now we have to sit around and wait to see if Mr. Hulk feels if his family has enough influence to risk offending Potter's family.

Oh boy, I'm glad I don't have to live like that. Back in the muggle world of suburbia, I live a nice pleasant life away from prominent bloodlines and their power plays.

Mr. Hulk's face looked like it was stuck somewhere between anger and frustration, giving him a sort of twisted look. It was completely unflattering. Serves him right.

Potter tightened his grip on my hand and then let go. I guess he's won this little match. No more danger!

I'm not going to die! I'm not going to die! Beyond awesome!

"Accio wand," Potter said, and my wand flew into is now free hand.

With a mock bow to Mr. 'I Just Got Beat (Hulk),' Potter turned and guided me down the hall.

As soon as we'd turned the corner, Potter grabbed my hand and started flat out running, pulling me with him. About halfway down this new corridor, he jerked me straight into a wall. At least, I'd always assumed it was a wall, but apparently not.

I felt a quick shower of coolness on my skin and I was in a dark musty corridor that reminded me of those long out of use areas of the dungeons. Potter pressed me against the wall of the corridor and looked back the way we'd come. I followed his gaze and was surprised that I could see right through the fake wall. I watched in surprise as Mr. Hulk paced by looking like an enraged tiger.

He paused for a second and I got a good look at him ... and his bright blue hair and rather grave-yardesque teeth. I giggled and Potter clapped a hand over my mouth. Mr. Blue Haired Hulk started and looked suspiciously around the hallway.

"You think you're so clever, Potter, but one day soon you're family will fall and you'll find there's nothing left for you." Mr. Hulk stalked off down the hall and I watched him go, feeling at a slight loss for no apparent reason.

I waited a bit for Potter to remove his hand from over my mouth, but he didn't. I looked at him; he was still gazing out into the hallway, lost in thought. I hope he didn't take what Mr. Stupid, I Know Nothing, Hulk said seriously.

"James," I mumbled against his hand and he looked at me startled.

"Oh, sorry," he said, moving his hand. I immediately felt cold and wished he'd put his hand back on my cheek.

He really ought to take that idea of renting out his hands seriously.

He's really close. I can feel his breath on my face. I wonder if the invisible strings are going to kick in?

I waited for a second ... they didn't. Darn! ... I mean ... Yay.

"Thanks for saving me, James," I said, looking him in the eyes so he would know I meant it.

"Uh ... look, Lily, Bryson and I don't get along very well. Our families go way back and it seems he's interested in pulling you into our spat." James sighed heavily and looked over my head like he was searching for something.

I wonder what he's thinking about. He looks so serious, like he's contemplating things I could never understand. Things I wouldn't even want to understand.

Desperate to break the silence I said, "Actually, I think it might kind of be my fault. I accidentally dropped my bag on this little Slytherin first year yesterday and he might have been Mr. Hulk's ... I mean Bryson's brother."

James' eyes focused on me and he smiled. It's kind of surprising how much I identify his face with a smile. He seems almost empty without it. I'm glad it's back.

"Attacking first years? Now that's sexy," he said, his voice whispering over my skin.

Is he trying to drive me crazy? Because if that's his goal he could just quit; he's already succeeded.

His lips brushed against mine and he made to pull away. My head started pounding immediately in protest. My fingers twitched and against my volition wrapped around his collar, pulling him back to me.

I suppose it was because I'd just realized something ... I couldn't live without James Potter. Without his arms around me. Without his lips on mine. Because at this moment, for some reason, I need him.

I abandoned my grip on his collar and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling myself even closer to him.

James should have found someone taller to become obsessed with his kisses. I mean, he has to bend a good bit to reach my lips; that must be killer on his neck. Hold on ... heh heh ... did I say obsessed? Because I'm not, not at all.

"James," I whispered, my lips brushing his again. He ran a hand through my hair and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek before pulling away.

"We need to get out of here," he whispered, "Bryson might come back with some of his goonies." Taking me by the hand, James led me through these dark back corridors. He never hesitated and it was obvious that he used them often. I smiled a bit, realizing these corridors were probably key players in his successful pranking record.

As we walked I managed to catch glances out of the other entrances to the corridors and I was astounded to see areas from all over the castle. Even though we never once walked up or down a flight of stairs the corridor led to areas on all of the floors. Definitely magical. I noticed as we continued on we were heading toward parts of the corridor that were progressively older and less maintained. The entrance corridors were getting smaller and more cramped, the ceiling stone was sagging in a bit, and the rock walls weren't as well made.

We finally stopped at a small exit, that looked suspiciously like all of the others, and James went in first, inching through sideways, squeezing through the small space. He let go of my hand as he faded through the doorway.

My view of the other side was obscured by the ripples his passage caused in the hidden door. I guess that's another consequence of the older passageways; the doorways ripple more. This must have been a prototype or something for the one we came through.

I inched in, happy I had a good deal more room than James. I stuck my right hand out in front of me and had to repress the urge to giggle as the liquid nothingness tickled my hand like a feather I couldn't quite see.

My wrist was just passing through the doorway when my hand ran into something. I felt around a bit and decided it was James' back (at lest I sincerely hope it's his back), stupid git. He's blocking my way out.

There's no way I'll be able to squeeze into a space that small. I gave James a gentle shove. He didn't move. Ugh! I pulled my hand back and braced it on the wall in front of me.

This is so uncomfortable. I let my hand slide down the wall and it caught on a rough spot in the rock. I absentmindedly picked at the area with my fingernail, tapping my foot in annoyance. I still couldn't see through the doorway since the ripples were slowly fading inward. Only the dark edges were clear.

Oh my gods!

I nearly jumped out of my skin as a whoosh of air gushed by my left side.

What was that!

I hesitantly moved my left hand toward the corridor, which had grown even darker, and it bumped into a wall.

Oh my god! A wall? What's a wall doing there? I'm trapped!

ooo...ooo

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed! If you are not trapped in a tiny enclosed space, like a certain heroine, or being threatened by a rather hulking man a review would be especially appreciated.

Daystar - You realize you're the one who told me to take it out in the first place. Oh well ... took you long enough on chap. 6. hehe. I'm going to do my letter, scouts honor (and we all know what I good girl scout I am). You should edit chap. 7. Right now, this very instant.

cuddlyjill - Who indeed?

TajM - I doubt it's the carnivorous sunflower you spotted. It may be a variety of strangling ivy or perhaps it's that rather viscious taragon herb that keeps trying to poke my eyes out. I agree ... that 3-day log in button is after me and my sanity (what's left of it anyway).

Procrastinator-starting2moro - Sirius is priceless. And I would desperately love to rent James' hands as well. He really ought to start up a business.

Fizzy - But of course he will. It's James!

Prongsie-Jamesie - Thank you ever so much. I know how viscious those sunflowers can be. You sure have a lot of sisters. Me, I've got one brother, but he's so annoying I just ignore him. Glad you liked the belt thing, I wasn't too sure about putting that in.

Sunflour - First, I love the pen name, very classy. Second, you should read more Lily/James, they're only the best pairing ever!

prongsiexlilyxflower - She did indeed. Good on you for noticing.

suckerforlove - Dear ol' Paddy and the adorable things he says.

Thanks and Hugs for: slippersRfuzzy, GoddessoftheMaan, Jen-bob-ohio, Withered Quill, Seren Lunar Echo, graceypoo, skyhoofhearted, Amber Tinted, JeminaDOTMS, chunky-01, Maxie Fonseca, cricketater, 4theoneandonly, Ctimene, and october tuscany.