Chapter Four
The Astronomy Tower
As the clock struck twelve that night, Lily reluctantly slipped out of bed. She was already dressed in black head to toe, but not especially prepared. She had never ventured in Hogwarts halls after bed-time and she was nervous. Dang that Amelia! Lily cursed, as she passed the sleeping forms of oblivious Andie and Gen, wishing she take them with her.
All I have to do is drop of the letter near a pillar and run out of there. No, don't run. If you run, someone might hear you. Peeves, perhaps and he'll make your life miserable.
Pulling a face, Lily performed a charm that caused her to merge with the background. Lily sighed, directing herself down the spindly staircase that led to the common room and the portrait door.
"Amelia you owe me big time," she whispered to herself. A stair beneath her creaked an the armour on the landing clanked. Lily decided it would be best if she shut up and just got this ridiculous favour over with.
Unfortunately the astronomy tower, Hogwarts highest tower was quite a ways off. Lily found herself panting after 6 flights of stairs. She felt strangely bare and light.
It must be the charm.
Yet, she was thoroughly spooked out. She expected Peeves , the poltergeist to come swooping down her every instant chanting some silly, made-up rhyme.
It took her another ten minutes to arrive at the opening of the tower and she did, panting, puffing and wiping the sweat off her brow. Lily scurried up the stairs to the notorious Hogwarts make-out spot, her heart thudding rapidly against her rib-cage.
A footsteps seemed to echo through the window hall and Lily quickly made her way to the pillar to drop off the letter. Just as she was about make her escape, she heard two voices.
"Oh, James, you're so sly-"
"This is a good spot, Cynthia,"
"Oh, James," Cynthia gave a girlish giggle.
Lily froze, her voice caught in her throat.
This is horrible!
Cynthia Goodwin, the Hufflepuff tart and James Potter!
Lily groaned inwardly and then quickly sneaked a peek. They were leaning against the balcony, kissing passionately and doing few other things that went past Lily's vocabulary. Not a scene she especially wanted to walk into!
Wait! She was disillusioned! They wouldn't know she was there, unless she made a sound.
Confidently Lily strode past them.
Ha! They can't see me!
However, Lily did not notice James and Cynthia had untangled themselves to test if their eyes were seeing correctly. Nor had she realised the disillusion charm had worn off. Lily was visible as a flashing neon sign.
Look, I'm Lily Evans and I don't belong here!
"Lily Evans?" James ventured, his voice thick with incredulity. Lily went numb with fear, her green eyes widening considerably and her heart threatening to fail.
Did James have X-ray vision? Could he see through the charm?
To Lily's horror, Cynthia began laughing as well.
"Lily, who are you with?" she enquired, her face a mask of vicious curiosity.
Lily gulped, turning to face them, her face beet red.
This is not happening. This is not happening!
"Yes, who are you with?" James asked, in a voice that suggested he was just not merely curious, but quite bothered.
He tightened his grasp on the petite brunette at his side.
Lily's lip curled, in spite of her awkward situation. Almost every girl in Hogwarts liked James and he took advantage of it.
"Um…" Lily began, as her brain bombarded her with irrelevant names.
"Oh, I was her with Amos. You know, Amos Diggory," Lily suddenly and in a stroke of brilliance blurted. A second later it all seemed so impossible and Lily flushed a bright scarlet.
If it were possible, Hufflepuff's Amos Diggory was nearly as popular and revered, not to mention good-looking as James Potter. Except he was a rather goody-two shoes and everyone was surprised he wasn't made head boy, after all. Andie classified Amos as a self-righteous Hufflepuff, but a good catch all the same. Yet there was a quality was curly haired Amos that irked Lily. It was the constant urge to be better than everyone else.
Suddenly a high-pitched question startled Lily. "You two are going out?" Cynthia Goodwin screeched in wonderment, her eyes gleaming and her mouth turned up in a sceptical smile.
James unattached himself from Cynthia to run his long fingers through his mess of black waves. His eyes clouded over slightly, but then grinned wickedly. Lily glanced at the floor.
"And Diggory wasn't gentleman enough to walk his girlfriend back?" His words were edged in steel.
Lily continued to regard the floor as she pondered upon the question.
Hmm, why did the normally courteous Amos Diggory, your boyfriend, not walk you back?
Because he isn't your boyfriend!
You're a liar!"Amos isn't here. We came here a while ago and I forgot…my hair-elastic…" Lily finished off, her voice faltering.
"Really," Cynthia exclaimed, "how very important, Lily."
James joined in the laughter as Lily's cheeks burned. "I must admit, Evans, you almost caught me there."
"I'm not lying!" Lily cried in a weak attempt to recapture their trust.
Stupid James! It had all started with the skinny-dipping by the lake. And if Lily had been as prudent as she always was, she wouldn't be in this whole mess now.
"You'll see," continued Lily, bravely, throwing still chortling Cynthia and James a condescending glance before making her well-deserved escape.