It's not mine; it's all J.K. Rowling's.
Chapter 7: In Which Lily is Claustrophobic
or
In Which Lily Discovers an Intense Dislike for Christmas Trees
Our heroine's last sticky situation:
Oh my god! A wall? What's a wall doing there? I'm trapped!
ooo...ooo
I squeezed my shoulders perpendicular to the passageway and placed both of my hands on the newly arrived wall. I imagine I looked something like a mime, discovering I was in a box. Except unlike a mime, this is real. I'm trapped!
I twisted back parallel with the walls and quickly stuck my hand through the doorway, seeking the assurance that I wasn't truly trapped (except by that git, Potter). Of course, as soon as I'd done that I realized I had once again set off the ripples. Now I couldn't see through the blasted doorway again. Darn, stupid, worthless, motherless, useless doorway!
I took a deep breath.
I am not going to panic.
I am not claustrophobic.
So now worries, right?
I hit the button that made my watch glow. It's 9:35.
Can one develop claustrophobia late in life (like the teen years)?
Nah ... right?
9:36.
How long has Potter been standing there?
It's been at least 20 minutes (or 2, but who's counting?).
9:37.
What if it's not him?
What if he's dead?
Can you be dead if you're standing up?
I'm sure it's possible.
Oh gods, he could be dead!
9:38.
I have to get out of here.
I can't wait anymore!
I'm getting out of here right now!
I inched myself right up to the doorway and I felt the nothingness rippling around me. I pressed up against Potter's back and he still didn't move.
Of course, I can't let a little thing like a big, strong man standing in my way stop me (think about what that could do to my reputation!).
Using all of my strength, I bent down a bit and shoved my shoulder right into the small of Potter's back. It worked beautifully! I practically flew out of the corridor.
As soon as I'd cleared the doorway I sank to my knees. I realized I was shaking. I tried to stop, but my limbs just kept trembling. Stupid muscles.
You know, I might be a slight bit claustrophobic now that I think about it. I mean, good lords above, that was scary. I took a deep breath and released it slowly, giving my heart time to stop racing, so that I could hear something other than its pounding in my ears.
I looked up and saw Potter had sunk down on the floor, rubbing his back. I was about to say a few choice words to him about leaving me trapped in a small space for ... well if not 20 minutes, close enough cough 4 cough. Then I caught sight of another pair of feet behind Potter.
I slowly raised my eyes up, up the robe, up the chest ... I had an idea of who this was, but I didn't want it to be.
Oh dear gods!
I looked up and met Professor Vittles sour eyes.
"Well, well, well, both our head students out and about during classes. I wouldn't have expected this of you Miss Evans, although Mr. Potter on the other hand has made it a tradition." Vittles smirked, and James threw him a mock salute. "But best of all, it seems that I've discovered the secret entrance to the little paths you and your friends use to evade teachers."
I was surprised that Vittles managed to get the words out he was sneering so much. He must practice in front of his mirror at night; that's the only explanation. I looked at James and felt a pang of guilt; he looked so stricken.
It's all my fault, isn't it? If it weren't for me being so stupid/slightly claustrophobic, Vittles wouldn't know where the passageways were. And if James hadn't been helping me get away from Mr. Hulk, this definitely wouldn't be happening.
Vittles stalked around us and put his hand through the wall. "Clever," he said, and with a creepy evil little giggle he pushed his way through the wall. He's enjoying this way too much.
I crawled over to James, still feeling terribly guilty, and put my arms around him.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"No, it's alright," he said, moving so I was sprawled over his lap, "I'll just have to let the boys know ..."
So that was why he was taking this so hard, his friends. He must be feeling like he let them down. I doubt they'll take it too badly (if he leaves me out of the story; I sometimes get the feeling they don't like me very much). Still, it's kind of cute when he's goes all ultra-loyal and starts worrying about his friends.
James wrapped an arm around me and gently touched the side of my face. "If I'd known you were scared, I'd have just slugged Vittles and taken the detentions." I giggled a bit as he displayed a mock punch.
I can't believe I just giggled, it's so ... girly.
He smiled a heart stopping, bone melting, 'I am the sexiest man on earth' smile and I remembered why I was feeling girly. It's all his fault, stupid git. I smiled back and he groaned, letting out a sigh.
"Sirius is going to kill me," he whispered, dropping his head on my shoulder, pulling me into a tight hug.
This feels really nice ... like nothing in the world could ever hurt me. He should so consider renting out his hugs in addition to his hands. I'm telling you this guy could make a fortune if he put his mind to it.
"I doubt Sirius will kill you. He'll probably think it's funny ..." Sirius thinks everything is funny. I mean how many people crack up while buttering toast in the mornings because it's just sooo amusing.
James lifted his head up and smiled a bit. His eyes caught mine and I couldn't move.
Well, I couldn't move except for the invisible force pulling my lips closer to his, but do I even need to mention that anymore? I mean, it's become a foregone conclusion that I can't go anywhere without these magnets switching on.
His lips had just brushed mine when Vittles stormed out of the corridor (well, really squeezed out, he's much bulkier than James).
I jerked back from Potter and ended up half-sitting on the floor with one leg sprawled over Potter's lap.
I'm going to die of embarrassment.
I'm going to internally combust with humiliation.
Professor Vittles just caught me kissing Potter. (Of all people, why him? WHY?)
I think I'm turning red. I can literally feel my cheeks heating up.
Vittles just stood there staring at us for a second and I wished that the floor would turn into quicksand and suck me up.
"I suppose I must trade in a whale for a minnow," Vittles said, with a melodramatic sigh. "I was so looking forward to finding the rumored secret passage ways through the school, but I suppose a little hidey hole for lovers will have to do."
What? How could he have not seen the passage ways, I mean they were right there ... right there behind that stone wall I triggered.
Score! I am the queen of awesomeness! (Even if the whole thing was slightly unintentional.)
Vittles rather sad look suddenly brightened. "I still get to humiliate our school Heads, though!" That sick sick man. How can he get pleasure out of humiliating people (me specifically, I'm just so ... well, the sort of person who shouldn't be humiliated)?
"You little lovers can both do detention tonight with me. Meet me in my classroom at 8:30."
Detention! I haven't had a detention since last year. I was trying so hard to be a nice responsible Head Girl and now I have a detention. This is all Potter's fault! But at least I don't have to feel bad about letting Vittles find his secret passageways (since he didn't)! I love those extra surprise bonuses that come with bad things.
"We are not lovers!" Potter said, his voice filled with surprise and indignation. I snapped my eyes to him. Am I that vile that he doesn't even want Vittles to know he's been kissing me? Am I that repulsive?
Oh gods, what if it's my blood? You don't think ... no, no, it couldn't be. He's not like that. He wouldn't. Would he? Besides, I kind of thought he was enjoying those kisses. Even if I was ... not.
Vittles raised his eyebrow. I don't blame him; I mean, he'd just seen us kissing. I looked back at Potter and shook my head at the ridiculous innocent face he was pulling. Turning his head toward me, he winked.
What is he up to? Oh ... he's trying to get us out of detention, isn't he? Honestly, you'd think he could come up with a better excuse, like I'd really been performing CPR because he'd momentarily stopped breathing at the shock of being accused of using secret passage ways, which he would never use (even if he did know about them). Really, couldn't he just acknowledge that we'd lost and needed to go recoup our losses and get to our next class ... Defense Against the Dark Arts with Vittles. Darn!
Maybe I should just declare my life is over and become that person who takes orders at the drive through.
At least he isn't ashamed about kissing me. Not that it matters, but ... never mind.
"Oh, really, Mr. Potter," Vittles said, his voice dripping with so much skepticism I was almost tempted to ask him if he had a sponge so I could mop it up a bit.
"I suppose you must at least attempt to weasel out of detention," he continued, "But I really can't let this one go since I do have proof."
"What proof?" James asked in a voice that made it sound like he was bartering for ... well, I'm not sure, but something.
Vittles waved his wand and muttered a spell under his breath.
I felt my lips tingling ... and my cheek. What's going on? What did he do? I'm having the most desperate urge to pin Potter to the ground and kiss him senseless.
Make it stop! Make it stop!
I looked at Potter against my better judgment and got a start. His lips were glowing pink. I hesitantly looked at Vittles who was smirking with self-satisfaction and I knew my lips must be glowing as well. Potter swiped a hand at my cheek and I realized he'd kissed me there as well.
Great. Just great. I'm a nice glowing Christmas tree of Potter's kisses. I hate Christmas trees!
Maybe I should cover my head with a bag. That could work quite well ... if I had a bag. My lack of preparedness ruins all of my best plans. How about I rake my hair in front of my face like Cousin It from the Addams Family? That could work!
My thoughts were cut off by Vittles who started laughing. I mean really laughing. Not just a chuckle or passing kind of laugh, but a full, straight out, leaning on the wall for support laugh. I've never heard him laugh like that before. It's kind of freaking me out. I wish he'd stop. Besides what's he even laughing at?
"I don't believe I even want to know," he choked out in between his laughs, sounding eerily like a kid who couldn't stop laughing.
So wherever Potter kissed me recently is glowing. So what? Big deal. At least he hadn't been kissing my neck (now that would be something to laugh at). I didn't do any embarrassing kissing (although kissing Potter in general is kind of embarrassing). I only kissed his lips and ... Oh Crinkle French Fry Saints of the Worlds, please let it not be true ... and his shoe.
I looked down in horror and sure enough, there it was, glowing on his shoe, my payment for being rescued.
It's glowing pink! Pink!
I didn't even have to think before I grabbed the shoe off of his foot and hugged it, with the laces side toward me, to my chest. James looked at me in confusion.
Thank you lords above, he hadn't seen it! Those Crinkle French Fry Saints always come through for you.
Vittles was now sagging against the wall, clutching his sides still laughing hysterically. I know what he's thinking. Sicko! I guess Crinkle French Fries can't do everything, but at least Potter didn't see it.
"Well we've got to be going," I said, scrambling to my feet and physically dragging James up with me, "Things to do, places to see, people to murder, desks to break ..." I trailed off as we finally turned a corner and were out of sight.
Gods, I'm going to die in detention tonight. I won't be able to face Vittles; I just won't.
"What was that about?" James asked, his walk slightly off as he hurried after my quick steps in only one shoe.
Oh, I know what it's about, but there is no way I'm ever telling you. Ever! Never Ever! Never Ever plus two!
Ahem ... well, I'm sure if he could read my mind he'd get the idea.
I pulled the shoe out a bit and looked at it, still glowing. I hugged it back to my chest. I'll just put it in my bag. Wait ... where's my bag? Oh great. Just brilliant, I've lost my bag and I have no clue where to even begin looking for it.
"I don't know where my bag is," I said, my voice cracking a bit.
Why do I sound like I'm about to cry?
Why are my stupid eyes leaking?
Why am I having trouble not whimpering?
Why can't I just admit to myself I want to cry?
I'm not even asking myself to admit anything about this crying thing to ... to ... James Potter or someone like him ... just me.
I want to cry.
Oh good. I hate it when I have to lie to myself. After all, if there's one person you should definitely be honest with, that's yourself.
Then I spotted it, my salvation ... a girl's bathroom. Perfect! Beyond perfect! I shot a glance at Potter and saw that he hadn't noticed the bathroom yet (I suppose that's a good thing, lord knows we don't need him noticing the girl's room).
As we walked past the doorway, I stopped in mid-step, changed directions fast as lightning, and raced straight into the bathroom. I sank against the wall as the door banged shut behind me and let myself slide to the floor. A highly embarrassing whimper escaped my lips as I reached the floor and I hugged Potter's shoe even tighter against my chest, just desperate for something to hang on to.
"Lily!" My head shot up from where I'd let it sink on to my knees at James Potter's shout. I didn't answer; he then commenced banging on the wall.
Couldn't he tell that I was having an emotional breakdown? I mean, I'd just raced into the girls bathroom like it was my one salvation ... does that say emotional breakdown to anyone else, because I sure see that. Someone needs to go out there and inform that boy that when a lady is having an emotional breakdown he needs to stay the heck away or nasty and unpleasant things will happen to him. Like getting his limbs ripped off or having his eyeballs poked out with a nail file or ... I really shouldn't fantasize like this when I'm in the middle of a breakdown. I wouldn't want to give myself ideas.
Another sob escaped me in spite of my valiant attempts to suppress my crying. James shouted my name again. I didn't answer.
Can he not just give up and go away? I'm trying to be miserable here!
I yelped in surprise and nearly levitated off of the floor, as the door flew open and the one, the only James Tristan Potter waltzed into the girl's bathroom.
ooo…ooo
Thank you for reading! If you have free time or can make free time or are avoiding your summer homework feel free to review. It might be a while before the next update, but I'll get it up as soon as I can.
Daystar – Hope you had fun on the ol' vacation. I left you a lot of things to do. A new letter to write and a new chapter to edit. I just hope you can keep yourself occupied in my absence.
Freya Racinna – No worries about reviewing and certainly not reason to hit your head. I like to think there are multitudes of people reading my fic who haven't reviewed, so you can always help fuel that fantasy. I do like your words. I'm not so great about making up words although the stupid spell check seems to think I do all of the time. Thanksamillion!
TajM – I feel extremely special. Hehe. Yeah, the non-verbal spells, I'd already written up this chapter when HBP came out and I was rather mad that I had to fix things if I wanted to stay canon, so I rather insulted the non-verbal things. They deserved it though.
HauntedAngel – The Marauders are the best! Sorry I'm evil, but I've kind of developed this affection for cliffhangers. It's just so much fun to torture my beta with them.
Procrastinator-starting2moro – I'm not sure beating up the little kids will land you a James Potter. It's probably worth a try, though. I have a feeling that James mainly thinks it's sexy because his darling little Lily was the one doing. He's such a sap.
Lady Radcliffe – Cloning would be an excellent idea. I bet I could make a fortune renting him out.
suckerforlove – Hopefully not indeed!
PsychoLeopard – Fan of Wrede's? Most definitely. I love her enchanted forest chronicles! … and Mairelon the Magician and the Magician's Ward and I really really love Sorcery and Cecilia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot and I enjoyed the Grand Tour as well. I need to get a life, don't I?
FrEgOrGeLuVeR225 – I'm glad you like Lily. She's pretty cool.
devOtion – Of course we can't let anything too bad happen to Lily. Then where would Harry be?
Withered Quill – No worries, I've done my share of embarrassing reviewing, so I can completely sympathize. Don't worry Lily and James wouldn't let anything keep them from their invisible strings.
Shattered Serenity – I do feel most special. Please don't pull out the gun! I'm no good at working under pressure.
Prongsie-Jamesie – Wow, 7, that's a lot. I can't even imagine. You know James. Sure she's snogging him, but is she helplessly in love with him? These questions will plague him late at night until the matter is resolved one way or another.
Sunflour – I think all of my favorites are Lily/James, but unfortunately they tend to be of the sort that are abandoned and never updated. You are more than welcome to check them out, though.
famousindafuture – Don't cry!
Thanks and Hugs to: skyhoofhearted, Jen-bob-ohio, drumer girl, Lady-Slytherin-Warrior, deceptive shadows, Romula Linders, GoddessoftheMaaN, Mischief16, graceypoo, Kiyda, Seren Lunar Echo, funkysirius, siriusforeva, iris2489, Brighton Baby, x-woman1, Kit49, FireDemonKitsune84, Kuddls, and HarryluvsMoaningMyrtle.