Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. All characters belong to a woman with a great imagination and determination, capable of creating this world that is the center of so many stories.
Chapter 10 – The Apology"James, is what I'm hearing true?" Sirius asked as James took his seat next to him in Potions. Remus also sat down next to Sirius.
"I'd have to say, it sounds like you had a pretty busy lunch, Prongs," Remus said quietly. James glared at both of them.
"Look, Amber got on my nerves, okay?"
"Got on your nerves?" Sirius said incredulously. "Mate, you made her cry. From what I hear, it doesn't seem that it will stop anytime soon."
"Listen, she's lucky I didn't curse her to hell right then and there! She deserved it!"
"Why, did she say something about Evans?" Sirius said and laughed. When no reply came, his laughter quickly died out. "That's all she did? Say something about Evans?"
"Look, don't push it, Padfoot."
"Prongs, mate, you're mental. You freaked out over some crap said about Evans!"
"Padfoot, don't push it."
"James, you've just made one of the hottest girls in this school break down in tears! All over Evans, of all people? You're mental!"
"Look, I said drop it, okay? I'm not discussing this with you, especially not now!"
"James, you're losing the Potter charm," was the last thing Sirius said before Slughorn showed up and they began to brew their potions. James glanced over to Lily's empty seat as she burst into class five minutes late, spilling apologies one after the other. She took her seat and began brewing her potion.
Ten minutes after that, McGonnagall walked in, looked around at the students, and went up to Slughorn's desk. After about three minutes of discussion, she left once again, glancing at James on her way out.
"Prongs, I think you may be in trouble," Remus stated from his cauldron. James frowned.
"There's nothing for her to be mad about. I didn't do anything."
"Right, mate," Sirius said sarcastically. "You're only Head Boy and all you did was harass another student to the point of tears."
"Me harass her? She's the one that insisted on changing her face until she found one I liked so she could sleep with me!"
"Well? Why didn't you sleep with her?"
James turned to his friend, his mouth opening and closing but no sound coming out. "Why would I?" he finally asked, finding his voice.
"Why? Because she can be anything you want her to be, James, that's why!"
"Look, Padfoot, you may be looking for sex, but I actually want a relationship," James muttered irritably.
"James, you're mental! The only reason I haven't hit you for that comment is because you can plead insanity and I'll go to Azkaban! Last I remember, you were the one making all those jokes about your ideal woman and how you wished someone like her existed."
James looked over to Lily as she was cleaning up. He poured his potion in his vial. "She does exist."
"What, Evans? James, mate, you're really-"
"Mr. Potter and Miss Evans, seeing as both of you are done brewing your potions, Professor McGonnagall would like to see you two. Just give me your vials and I'll clean up for you," Slughorn called out. James hurriedly got up to avoid giving Sirius the chance to finish his sentence. After they handed in their vials, they set off to the transfiguration teacher's office, walking in silence. They entered, and McGonnagall bid them to sit down, which they did.
"Mr. Potter, I am shocked to learn of your incident with Miss Conley this afternoon," the teacher started.
"Amber?" Lily asked. "What happened?"
"It seems our Head Boy had reduced her to tears and publicly threatened her," McGonnagall said, looking at James.
"Well, I didn't hex her, now did I?" James asked sulkily.
"And may Merlin help you if you did! You're the Head Boy now, Mr. Potter. You can't go around threatening people!"
"Well, look, she was getting insufferable and being very disrespectful to…others."
"Then, instead of telling her you'll disfigure her permanently, you should have taken some points away!"
"I lost my temper, okay? I'll try not to let it happen again. I'm sorry."
"I think you owe Miss Conley the apology."
James looked at both McGonnagall and Lily in disbelief. "Owe her an apology? She should be thanking me I didn't turn her skin green!"
"Mr. Potter! You will apologize to Miss Conley and Miss Evans will watch you do it to bear witness. And you will do it during dinner tonight, so everyone can see our Head Boy is not a complete moron!"
James picked up his bag. "Can I go now?"
McGonnagall looked at him, livid. It took all her efforts to dismiss them before she herself exploded.
"What happened?" Lily asked. James shot her a sideways glance. "Between you and Amber, I mean."
"Nothing. She was just getting on my nerves, that's all. Look, Evans, don't worry about it. I'll apologize to her during dinner and everything will be good as new."
Lily eyed his suspiciously. "I somehow doubt that's the whole story."
"Evans, you're a regular Sherlock Holmes!" James said sarcastically.
"And how do you know who Sherlock Holmes is, Potter?" Lily asked, curious.
"I did take muggle studies for a year, Evans. Something must have seeped through my brain."
"Well, Potter, I'm impressed that you would make an allusion like that. That's great!" Lily said, beaming at him as though he was a little boy who had just learned his first sentence. James shook his head.
"Evans, you are by far the most puzzling girl I've ever met."
Lily said nothing, but instead turned to corner to get to the Great Hall. "Now, remember, you have to apologize, not make matters worse."
"Yeah, I know," James said, walking to where Amber was sitting. "Conley," he said as she turned towards him. "I'm sorry about all the things I said. I didn't mean to make you cry," James said, trying to sound concerned. Amber smiled at him.
"I knew you couldn't have meant it James. You just got confused, that's all. We'll continue our little conversation another time, shall we?"
James swallowed his response and turned around, sitting next to Sirius. Lily went to the other side of the table and sat next to Remus.
"Hello, Remus," Lily said, smiling at him. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry about my behavior this morning. It's just, it's going to take me a while to get used to the idea."
"It's okay," Remus responded, smiling with relief. "I understand. It was not exactly how I planned you to find out."
"It was not exactly my favorite way to find things out either," Lily said and smiled. "Your secret's safe with me. It might take a while for things to go back to the way they were."
"I understand. Thanks, Lily."
Lily smiled and got up, taking her usual seat at the end of the table near no one and opening a couple of books.
"And that is why you exploded in public?" Sirius said, indicating Lily.
"Shut up," James said irritably and bit into his dinner roll.