Ch. 7: Rumors

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me in any way, shape, or form. I'm just borrowing them, for a while.

Author's Note: Thank you, reviewers, as always—you are beautiful. I'm sorry for the obnoxiously long wait, if you're even still out there. It's been stressful and I didn't have time to write. However… my best friend has inspired me to strike up the quill once more. Therefore:
This chapter goes out to you, Kyle.

…

The rest of Lily's day passed by slowly. She soon found out that she had all of her classes with at least one of the self-proclaimed 'Marauders'. She didn't mind as much as she thought she would. Beside her newfound friends, she also had either Emmeline, Alice, or Frank in all of her classes. Everywhere she went, she saw at least one person whispering behind their hand to another. How did news spread so fast in this school, Lily pondered, but tried to and successfully pushed it out of her mind. Let them talk…

Unfortunately, Lily could not escape the dwelling rumors. She was walking outside after classes, wrapped up in her regular robes and Gryffindor scarf, when a group of sixth-year Slytherin boys pushed one of their peers toward her. He nearly ran into her, and she stared down at him (he was at least two inches shorter than her, which was odd because Lily was rather short herself). He was wearing a stupid grin, and merely stared at her.

"Can I help you?" She asked, thoroughly annoyed.

"Oh, yeah, you can," the young boy winked suggestively. "Wanna come down to breakfast with me tomorrow?" He wiggled his eyebrows. After he said this, he ran away, back toward his group of friends, all of whom were laughing hysterically and looking back at her. She watched them give high-fives to their friend.

Lily fumed! This whole rumor thing was getting very old, very fast. She wished dearly for something to happen to someone else, as bad as that sounded, so people would stop badgering her like they were.

Finally snapping, Lily walked over toward the group of boys. She stood before them, and opened her mouth, but it wasn't her who spoke.

"Fifty from Slytherin, Rookwood, and a week's detention."

Lily whipped around. James was standing a mere two feet from her. She smiled appreciatively, thinking that James could not have had better timing, and turned a cold stare back toward the group of boys.

"Oh? What for?" The boy called Rookwood spat, stepping forward. He seemed quite brave for a Slytherin.

"Oh, disrespecting the Head Girl, harassing a fellow student, defamation of character… I'm sure those'll be good enough reasons for Professor Slughorn. Oh yeah, hey, Lily—aren't you a part of the Slug Club?"

Lily smirked and nodded. "Wonderful," James continued. "You'll never hear the end of it, Rookwood. I do believe that Miss Evans here happens to be one of Professor Slughorn's favorite students. I've been meaning to have a chat with him anyway…

"Get to class, the lot of you, before I take any more points."

At that, the small crowd dispersed, cursing James's name. Lily could not be more grateful, but she felt terrible. She knew more people would do this to her, and James would not always be there to back her up.

"You saved my arse back there, James. They're so…"

"Rude? Inconsiderate? Idiotic?… All of the above?" James offered, smiling.

"Yeah, that among other things…" Lily trailed off, trying to let off steam by breathing deeply. In. Out. In. Out. "I sort of wished I could have handled it myself, though."

Suddenly, she felt James's hand on her shoulder. "Don't let it get to you, Lily. They're just a bunch of bloody wankers. There are lots of people who respect you completely."

"Yeah? Like who?" Lily said sarcastically and disbelievingly, feeling idiotic. At the moment, it seemed like nobody respected her. She was furious for it.

There was a pause. Lily looked up at James, whose hand had still not left her shoulder. His hazel eyes were peering into hers. He had a calm, gentle look on his face. It calmed Lily down immensely. The wind blew hard, sending her hair, scarf, and robes swishing around, dancing harmoniously with the autumn leaves. She wondered why she was blushing so badly—she could feel it in her neck and ears. He stared intently at her. It was almost starting to creep her out, but… not in a bad way, if that made sense. It didn't to her. He just seemed so reassuring when he responded in nothing more than a loud whisper.

"Like me."

…

James slowly took his hand off of Lily's shoulder, feeling rather nervous. Their eyes had locked, which sent his heartbeat skyrocketing and his stomach clenching. God, how those green eyes intoxicated him. He couldn't look away. He felt the wind whip at his face, drying out his eyes behind his round glasses. His breathing came shallowly, and he blinked, unable to take it anymore. Lily looked away.

"Well… erm, thanks," she said hesitantly, looking as though she wasn't exactly sure what to say. James kept his eyes on her, feeling his heart and stomach and brain all collide and become one large, fuzzy, messy something inside him.

"No problem," he replied, smiling genuinely. "And I'm not the only one," he added. He didn't want to look like a complete fool. "Remus and Peter do, too."

"Well, I'm glad I've got the approval of three-fourths of the Marauders," Lily said sarcastically, smiling. "That will really get me somewhere in life. After all, I really aspire to cause nothing but mischief and with you three behind me, I'm sure to accomplish it."

"Ouch, Lily, I'm more than just trouble," James joked, pretending to stab himself in the heart at her words. "C'mon, all the professors adore you—especially Slughorn. He's practically in love with you." James smiled. "You'll see in Potions later today… It's always, 'Miss Evans, great work,' this and 'Superb Job, Miss Evans!' that… I swear to you, Lily, he'll pop the question any day now."

Lily laughed, and James couldn't help but chuckle along. She turned to him. "He says the same things about Snape, you know."

Lily nodded in the direction of a lone, black-haired figure that was walking towards the castle at a brisk pace, his old robes billowing out in the wind. James's face contorted with disgust. "I bet he's already been asked," he said semi-seriously. "You know, I've always had my doubts over that Slughorn—"

Lily laughed again and elbowed him slightly, and James grinned and laughed as well, feeling rather proud that he could keep this conversation going. Her laugh… it was pleasant and natural, and he loved the sound. He wished he could hear it every day forever.

"Don't be jealous," Lily replied fiendishly, smiling at him.

"Oh? I hope you don't mean I'm jealous of Snape, Lily, because I don't think I'd ever sink that low," he replied, looking over to where he had last seen the greasy Slytherin. He was nowhere in sight.

"No, of the fact that you aren't a part of Professor Slughorn's little group." Lily shivered as she said this, and James noticed.

"Cold?" James asked, and she nodded. "D'you want my cloak?" Lily looked hesitant at first, but nodded all the same. He gladly took it off and gave it to her, despite the cold that rushed through his body, chilling him to the bone. As he watched her put on his cloak (and noticed how good she looked in it), he wondered how Lily withstood it this long… and then mentally kicked himself for not offering it sooner. He continued. "Ah, yes, the infamous Slug Club. Well, Lily, I have a confession to make. I, James Potter, had actually once been invited to join this little fellowship that you lot have going."

"No!" Lily said, looking appalled. James nodded.

"Yes, yes I was, way back in first year. Sirius, too. We were young, carefree, innocent—" at this, Lily snorted. "—and we were good at Potions. Us two, you, and Snape have always been pretty good in that class, I think, according to Slughorn. He pulled us after class the first day and told us that we 'had potential' and he would be 'honored' if we joined him for a little get-together."

"The first day, huh?" Lily replied, looking as though she was thinking it through. James knew that concentrated look all too well, having memorized it over the past six years. "Well, I knew you were good at practically everything, but I always thought Potions and Charms were sort of my thing."

It took James a second to contemplate her compliment wrapped inside a casual piece of conversation, and he could feel his neck and ears go red.

"They are," he responded quickly. "You could definitely outdo me in both those classes. I like Transfiguration more, myself. Anyway, we told him we'd think about it… and the next day, we wreaked havoc in his class."

"Oh, I remember," Lily replied. "We were mixing a simple potion to cure boils that day, and you—"

"Added Snape's porcupine quills before he took it off the fire. D'you remember the look on his face?" James started reminiscing, putting his arms behind his head and leaning back slightly, but stopped immediately when he saw the look on her face. "Oh yeah, you were sitting behind him, weren't you?"

"Yes, Potter, and I was covered in boils for two hours before Madame Pomfrey could even fix me up because Snape was so bad!" Lily replied argumentatively.

"Sorry, love," he responded sheepishly, taking his hands from behind his back and stuffing them in his pockets. He hung his head in shame, actually starting to feel bad and regret it. "You know I didn't mean to. I did a lot of stupid stuff."

"Yeah, it's alright, I guess…" Lily replied. "I mean, it didn't happen again until two years later…"

"Hey, those boils were a complete accident, Peter didn't mean to add his horned slugs before his beetles, honest. We tried to stop him." James made sure to flash her a melt-your-heart kind of grin that he used on girls in the past. Lily seemed unfazed.

…

Lily frowned. "Oh, yeah, I know it was an accident, but I can hardly count telling Peter what he did wrong after his cauldron exploded a warning."

It was James's turn to frown. "Nevertheless, it was an accident. He was sitting in front of me, and was I supposed to watch his every move? Anyway, Pete's a good guy, so what if he's got a few mishaps to him. It doesn't matter to me, and it shouldn't to you."

"I didn't mean it like that," Lily said, suddenly feeling bad. "I wasn't implying—"

"Yeah, I know," he interjected quickly, cutting her off. "No matter. Look, Lily, it's getting really cold—you want to head inside? I have to get my Quidditch gear anyway."

"Practice tonight?" Lily asked, curious. James shook his head in response. "Oh. Just for kicks, then? When's the first game?" Second Saturday of October. Lily already knew.

"Second Saturday of October. Are you going to head down and watch me rule the pitch?" James wiggled his eyebrows as they started walking. The wind blew at Lily's hair and an auburn lock got caught in her mouth. She pulled it out and replied.

"I'll be there, but I'm not so sure about the whole… ruling the pitch, deal. After all, isn't it against Ravenclaw?" Lily smiled innocently. They passed the Quidditch Pitch at that moment, and Lily turned to gaze at it as they walked past.

"Yeah, so what?" James replied incredulously. Lily noted the curiosity in his eyes as he looked from her to the Pitch and back again.

"Oh, I just hear they've got a new Keeper, I think his name's Higgs? They say he's been playing since he was five, and he's rather good." Lily said. She was thoroughly enjoying the look of horror and amusement that was currently occupying James's face.

And then, he grinned, one of his old grins that used to annoy Lily so, but she now had gotten used to. "Oh, go on, Lily. I've had a broom plastered to my arse and a Quaffle attached to my wrist since I was three months old; I'm not even exaggerating. I can handle this kid."

"Oh? You can, can you?" Lily teased, smirking. She really was having fun with James… as strange as that sounded to her in her mind. It was true. They reached the grand oak doors that led inside Hogwarts castle. James pushed one open

"Definitely. Gryffindor will have this in the bag… we haven't lost any new players this year, and last year, as you know, we did win the Cup… Why, don't you think I can?" James teased right back.

"I'm not sure…" Lily responded, still smirking. They climbed stairway after stairway, through corridors, passing portraits and students alike. Both of which, Lily noted, seemed to whisper behind their hands more and more as the two passed by. She blushed slightly and her smirk faded quickly.

"What's the matter?" James asked. Lily pretended not to notice the wink he just gave a random sixth-year Gryffindor as they passed. More whispers, behind more secretive hands, with more smirking looks.

"My GOD, I'm Head Girl for crying out loud! I think I should be allowed to go down to breakfast in the morning with my opposite, don't you?" She said loudly to James, but staring at the particular cluster of Ravenclaw girls. "I'm going to head to the Gryffindor Common Room and meet up with Alice and Emmy." She turned to go, when she remembered James's warm cloak on her shoulders. She went to take it off. "Oh, here's your—"

"Hold on to it for me," James interrupted her, shaking his hands in the air as a way of saying, 'keep it.' "Just… leave it somewhere in our Common Room, I'm sure I'll find it eventually."

Lily looked at him questioningly. She saw him smile innocently and then turn on his heel and strut away, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Thanks," she whispered to herself, confused. "I think."

…

"Prongs, m'boy," James heard Sirius's voice ring out. "Prongs, Prongs-y, Prongs-y Pooo…" Now sounding very sing-songy, the figure of James's best friend skipped out from behind him. Sirius kept humming the tune as he stopped frolicking to walk with him. James noticed that he had his broom in his hand.

James laughed. "Oi, mate," he replied. "And how was your day?"

"Spectacular, oh yes, spectacular indeed…" Sirius trailed off. He started to swing around his Nimbus happily and grinned with that look, a look that James recognized all too well. Ever since they were second years or so, Sirius had been one for the ladies. It was common knowledge that Sirius was a player, and it shocked James that that fact didn't stop girls from fawning over him.

"So who is it this time?" James asked immediately.

"Why, what makes you think that?" Sirius responded, pretending to look appalled at such a suggestion. "Why, I am innocent…"

James threw him a look.

"Alright, alright…" Sirius winked. They passed a portrait of an older gentleman in a frilly-collared suit, who mimicked Sirius behind his back. James stifled a laugh, for his friend hadn't noticed. "You know that… Jocelyn something… I'm not sure her name, actually, I've never talked to her before yesterday."

"I see. That Jocelyn something… I'm glad you specified yourself there, Padfoot, it would've been really confusing if you hadn't."

Sirius shrugged. "I'll point her out sometime, perhaps. Still on for a go on the pitch tonight? I'm pretty sure it's still open."

James nodded with a grin. They reached Tenderfoot, who growled playfully at their arrival. "Chanceux," he said simply. The griffin's amber eyes flashed. Sirius and James entered together and quickly bypassed the common room and into James's personal dorm.

"So rumors have been flying all day, have they not?" Sirius voiced, sounding like he was trying to make casual conversation. "Good ol' Hogwarts. Word spreads like wildfire here… not being cliché or anything."

James grimaced. "Yes, rumors… it's bullocks. So what if the bloody Head Girl walks down to breakfast with the Head Boy and his best friend! My god… It's not like we had a big orgy here last night or anything, for crying out loud."

Sirius barked a laugh. "Yeah, but it's not like you'd mind at all." James threw him a look started to fish around in his trunk for practice robes. "Just grab your broom and Quaffle and let's go, Prongs, before it gets too dark to see my hand in front of my face."

"I'm sure your hand wouldn't enjoy the site anyway," James snapped back, throwing Sirius a lop-sided grin and laughing immaturely at his own lame insult.

"Ah…haha…" Sirius gave him that look. "Good one, James."

"Well darling, I try," James took the opportunity to give a short bow. "Now let's go."

A short while later, James and Sirius were well on their way to the Quidditch Pitch, which cast tall shadows against the slowly setting sun. A light breeze played with their already-messy hair. James reached up to ruffle his mop of black locks. Not that they needed it; they were as unkempt as ever.

"Seen Moony or Wormtail lately?" Sirius asked. (A/N: I just realized that they aren't in this entire chapter. I guess I'll have to add them in the next.) James shook his head. "Y'know, me neither. I thought I would've spotted them in the Common Room or something. They can't have gone to bed, it's not even dinner yet…"

"Yeah? They don't normally go anywhere together. Seven sickles says Moony's in the Library and Wormtail's in the kitchen, nicking food before dinner," James bet Sirius.

"I'm not gonna take you up on that one, you're probably right." They reached the pitch. They shuffled across the always clean-cut grass to one of the goalposts. James couldn't wipe the grin off his face as he mounted his Nimbus. It was a brand new model, hot off the market, and he had only flown it once since he bought it.

James kicked off the hard ground, Sirius not far behind. He felt the rush, the squirmy-sinking feeling that his stomach always got when he rose into the air. He breathed in the scent of the higher altitude and he climbed… and climbed… and climbed up into the sky until he was past the goalposts, past the tallest tower of the stadium. James's senses mixed; colors blended into scents and the whistling wind became the feel of the cool wood under his fingers.

"Oi, Prongs!" Sirius called. James spiraled downward toward him and met Sirius level at a point just below the goals. He inhaled fully, still smiling that smile that riding a broom always plastered on his face.

"Exhilarating," James breathed out. Sirius nodded.

"I read that that thing can turn three hundred and sixty degrees at any fixed point in midair."

James's eyes got wide and, still grinning, he said, "Interesting… very interesting… let's see what this baby can do."

…

"Tired, Lily?" Alice asked. Lily's friend was cuddled up with Frank underneath a cozy blanket. Lily stopped staring out the window and glanced at her friend.

"Not really. Why?" she replied. Emmeline scratched away at a piece of parchment mercilessly, looking frustrated.

"You've been staring out the window for the past twenty minutes. You started writing your mother and you've barely got a sentence done," Frank answered for his girlfriend. His dark hair fell into his eyes and he shook it away carelessly.

"What? I've got more than a sentence written…" Lily's eyes fell down at the piece of yellowing parchment before her. "Dear Mum and Dad," was all it said.

"Oh. Well I've just been watching whoever's out on the Quidditch Pitch," she said honestly. It was true. For the past twenty minutes, she had been watching them. She could not distinguish who it was, exactly, that was so amazing but there were two figures out there, practicing together. It was like they were synchronized or something, Lily thought. It was a shame that she wasn't really one for flying, because she loved Quidditch so…

Emmeline grunted, scratching off an entire paragraph she had just taken so long to write.

"Yeah? Lemme see…" Alice stood up and took the step and a half over toward Lily. She squinted out the window.

"Wow," they both whispered as the two acrobatic riders paired up and did a complicated move that Lily didn't dare try to describe. It looked professional, but it was over as soon as it began, for one of them threw what appeared to be a Quaffle at the other's retreating form. The victim jumped on the other's broom and they flew around together, fighting playfully.

"I think I know who that is," Alice said suddenly, as if a light bulb had just lit up atop her head. "I'm pretty sure that's James Potter and Sirius Black."

Lily almost grimaced but then said, with a voice full of awe, "They're very good."

"Yeah," Frank piped up suddenly. "James has got this new broom, a Nimbus… it's got the combined reliability of the Oakshaft with the Cleansweep's easy handling…"

"Yeah? I heard it goes up to a hundred miles an hour," Alice said, watching the two boys on the Quidditch pitch begin to land as the sun set.

"That's awfully fast," Lily said. Her stomach felt woozy at the mere thought.

"Yes, but it's actually really safe—" Frank began.

Emmeline cut him off quite abruptly. "Ugh! I QUIT!" She half-screamed and crumpled up her paper and threw it in her bag.

Lily, Alice, and Frank all stared at her, along with a pair of first years that just strolled by.

Emmeline laughed nervously. "Let's go down to dinner, shall we…?" She grabbed her bookbag and headed toward the portrait door. Alice and Lily exchanged confused expressions with Frank. He shrugged and they followed her, quite confused.

…

Author's Note: Hey guys. I am so incredibly sorry about the long wait. However.. it is now Spring Break and I am more than willing to post some more of this story now that I actually have time to kill. Please don't shoot me… double Kudos for you guys who review…