Chapter Six: The Sixth Note
It was a Saturday and the three friends were currently spending their day out. They were seated by the lake with their feet submerged in the water. "So? What do you guys want to do?" Katie asked as she played with a twig by her side.
"Nothing, really…" Jen said, eyeing the younger ones playing with the Giant Squid. "I just want to be out… it's been a while since I've been out here…"
"Me too…" Lily surprised herself yet again as her eyes wandered on the spot where the Marauders' where hanging out. Before her friends noticed, she scolded herself and willed herself to look away. "Have you guys any plans for Valentine's Day? It will fall on a Sunday after all."
"Chris planned something." Katie said.
"Are you two officially together, then?" Lily asked, not entirely interested.
"Not yet but we will be soon."
"When is soon?" Hailey asked excitedly.
Katie smiled dreamily and said, "I was thinking maybe later on tonight? What do you think?"
"That's wonderful…" Lily said, happy that she sounded excited. "Chris has been after you since forever."
"Yeah, and I'm glad he never got tired of me…"
They were silent for a whole while before Jen started talking again. "Do you guys see what I see?" They followed her gaze and was surprised to see something floating on the lake, surprisingly heading its way to them. "I think it's the sixth note." Jen said. Lily didn't wait for the floating object to reach them as she summoned for it. When it was safely clasped in her hand, she looked at her friends, asking for confirmation.
"Go ahead, Lils… Read it…"
"But I don't have the other five with me."
"As if we need it..." Katie said. "We practically memorized everything. Go ahead. Read it!"
Lily was disappointed to see that like the other notes, it was a short one too. It read:
Destiny may have brought you two together, but it was also fate that broke you two apart from each other. (6)
"I wish he would write longer ones… it's bothering me that he writes this short." Lily said.
"I wonder how long will this last…" Hailey said. "Do you think he would ask you out, Lils?"
"I have no idea..."
"What if someone asks you out?" Jen asked. "Would you go?"
"Nah... I don't think so..."
"Why?" Katie asked, knowing exactly why.
"If it won't be him, I'm not going."
"Who do you want him to be, then?" Jen asked.
"No one in particular. Just as long as he's not a Slytherine and he's not Geoff—or anyone associated with him."
"Hmmm… that's right…" Hailey said. "I would go mad if he turns out to be him."
"But what if he turns out to be one of them? Geoff or a Slytherine?" Katie asked.
Lily was about to respond when she heard someone call her name. "Amm, Lily?" The four of them simultaneously turned to face the voice. Hailey, Jen and Katie were having the same playful smiles on their faces. Lily however, was completely oblivious to her friends' reactions because she was having her own thoughts to attend to.
"Yes, James?" Lily asked, slowly standing.
"Amm, sorry to interrupt but Professor McGonagall called for us."
"Why?"
"I think it has to do something about Valentine's Day. I'm not entirely sure though."
"Are the prefects going to be there or is it going to be only us?"
"Only the heads…" James said.
"Ok then…" Lily turned to face her friends, and like a scared dog, they wiped the smiles off their faces. "Could you guys keep this for me? I'll meet you at the common room." She handed Hailey the tulip with the note as she followed James.
"What are you guessing is this meeting about?" Lily asked as they headed their way to the Professor's classroom.
"I think it has to do about what the prefects suggested on last week's meeting. You know, a date to Hogsmeade…"
"But it falls on a Sunday." Lily said. "Do you think the Professors will allow it?"
"I hope they will. I mean, think about all those girls fantasizing about their dates…" James joked. "I'm pretty sure most of the girls have thought about that already."
"You're probably right." Lily said. "So have you?"
"Have what?" James asked confused.
"Planned out a romantic date…" Lily said, stating it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Kinda…" replied. "How about you?"
"No plans… I'm still wondering who's been giving me those tulips."
"So you don't have plans then?" James asked, glancing at Lily.
"Nope…"
"Ok… but why not?"
"I'm not sure myself…" Lily laughed.
They reached the door and they found the Professor busily looking over some papers on her desk.
"Hello Professor." Lily greeted. As she looked up, James nodded his greeting.
"Sorry to have called you two today, but some of the prefects, particularly the ladies, have been suggesting non-stop for a trip to Hogmeade on Valentine's Day. But as we all know, it falls on a Sunday. I need you two to decide on that. The Head Master particularly asked me to leave the decision-making to you two as you two are capable of making such decisions."
"When do you need our answer, Professor?" James asked.
"As soon as you two have decided on it."
James looked at Lily, silently asking her of her opinion. Sensing his gaze, she looked back at him and nodded.
"I think a visit to Hogsmeade would do them well, Professor. This week has been a stressful one and I'm sure next week would be no different." McGonagall nodded her agreement. "What do you think Miss Evans?"
"I agree with James, Professor."
"Ok then. Notify the prefects about this. I expect you two to handle everything."