Chapter Nineteen: Enter Lily Evans

Lily Evans was very upset. She had owled all of her friends and no one had returned a single post. Not even her boyfriend. And now her horrible sister Petunia was mocking her.

"Lily has no friends! Not even her freak of a boyfriend wants to write to her!"

Even though Lily didn't want to believe it to be true, she had to agree with Petunia. After all, no one had written to her. And James told her that he had a surprise for her. Honestly, the nerve of that boy. Lily had thought that perhaps perfect Prefect Remus would find it in his heart to write her a message – but no letters came fluttering in. She had even had the urge to confide in her mother, but Mrs. Evans only replied, "Be strong Lily-flower, for blessed are those who wait."

She had overzealously finished all her NEWT practice books as a means of making herself feel better, but her mood did not lift until the next day at dinner.

"Lily, Petunia, dears?" said her father carefully after swallowing the mashed potatoes.

"Yes?" they enquired sweetly.

"How would you all like to go on a little vacation, just our family?"

"Marvelous," breathed Petunia, her jubilant expression clashing with her horsey face, "But just one thing."

"And that is?"

"Could, Vernon come?"

"Absolutely not," shrieked Mrs. Evans, who was not fond of Petunia's rotund paramour. Petunia made a very childish face, much to Lily's amusement, who used the opportunity to ask where they were going.

"California. Los Angeles, I think."

"Sounds fantastic," replied Lily weakly.

It did, but it would have been better if she had at least heard from her friends during the break. Everyone was quickly packed, ready to leave on the next flight out of London/Heathrow airport. Lily vaguely remembered Remus mentioning something about California to Sirius – could it be? It was probably just wishful thinking that she might actually see her friends once in a while, she thought bitterly. The Evans family arrived at the airport with extraordinary ease, but Lily heard some strange whispers from the flight attendants.

"I'm so glad there aren't any celebrities on this flight."

"Yesterday was terrible."

"I heard that Narcissa Avery was on, with her body double and her dashing boyfriend."

"Indeed – and her limousine driver was late!"

"Odd how her limousine driver looked like her boyfriend…."

For the third time that week, someone thought confusedly that Narcissa Black had gotten married to the strutting, but pubescent, Avery. Lily thought it unlikely, since if she were married, she wouldn't have a boyfriend. And why would all these Muggles know her name? The taxicab arrived from the airport at the Hilton, Los Angeles, where they quietly settled into one of the family suites. It was quite comfortable really – with the breezy California air whisking about her. After a while, Lily decided to get a stick of gum from the convenience store, and perhaps, she thought wickedly, she would peruse the magazines.

The convenience store was nearly empty, except for one peroxide blonde cashier. Lily strolled up to the aisle to select a brand of gum – but not before she saw the tabloids stacked in the aisle. Her eyes grew wide as she read the titles – drinking in the pictures and their captions –

"National Enquirer: Gorgeous Narcissa Avery two-times co-star with dashing brunette, Scrimgeour is shocked." This particularly revolting tome featured a girl that Lily recognized as Harold merely holding Gerald's hand shyly.

"Star Reports: Scrimgeour has a mental breakdown as he frightens eager fans during autograph session." The picture accompanying this headline was far more interesting – for Sirius was pictured holding what appeared to be an actual heart, glaring at a girl who superficially resembled Luhrmalleen Delaware.

"In-Touch Weekly: Miss Avery seen with over twelve different men in just the last week – the possible nymphomaniac tells all in a shocking story." Although the headline boasted twelve men, Lily could only see three pictured with Luhrmalleen – one of whom was obviously Sirius. Furthermore, it seemed that one of the pictures was of Harold, not Lummy.

"Celebrity Update: Tragic actor Rufus Scrimgeour throws all of his furniture from hotel window at the Beverly Hills Hotel."

"The F-Y-I 90210: Scrimgeour's agents, Rome and Jimsie are found arguing in a bar – possible scars remain."

"The Beverly Hills Sun: In a ghastly tale, we find that Jimsie, Scrimgeour's own agent, has been stealing the love of his life, Miss Avery, away from the tragic actor." Upon closer scrutiny, Lily found that it was not James, or Jimsie, but Gerald, who was shown with Harold on the cover.

"The Rumor Mill – if it's a rumor, its here first: Jimsie Potts, Scrimgeour's agent, has actually been two-timing the lovely Miss Avery for a red-haired beauty found off the coast of Scotland, whose name remains unknown." Lily blushed to find that the red-haired beauty was none other than herself; the picture was taken by a couple of kids on one of their school trips.

"The Satellite Files: Rome Lycan, the young co-agent for the brilliant actor, Rufus Scrimgeour, is really a werewolf. The inside scoop in this thrilling tale – inside!"

In her surprise, Lily picked up all of the tabloids, and nearly forgot the stick of gum until the last minute.

"Got a crush on Rufus Scrimgeour?"

It took a moment for Lily to figure out that the cashier was talking to her, and by that time she had forgotten the question.

"Sorry?"

"I asked, do you have a crush on Rufus Scrimgeour?"

"I'm afraid I don't."

"Why're you buying all these tabloids then?"

Lily couldn't very well say that they were covered with pictures of her friends, so she simply opened and closed her mouth like a fish.

"I totally know what you mean. I was obsessed with Rufus ever since that show started –"

"Show?"

"C'mon girl, have you been living under a rock? Sirius, the Teenage Wizard, only the hottest show on television. It's on four times a week now, biggest money-raker that ABC ever got. Did you hear – it's not even produced by them."

Lily tried to look interested in something other than the girl's blinding hair. The garrulous cashier pretended not to notice – and continued merrily,

"It's produced by these two – protijays – or however you say it. From England, you know. Come to think of it, Rufus Scrimgeour has the most gorgeous British accent. Kind of like yours, actually."

Lily hadn't realized that she had said enough words for her accent to be evident. She had deduced from the ditzy cashier's tale and the numerous tabloids that Sirius was somehow being referred to as "Rufus Scrimgeour" and that Lummy was "Narcissa Avery". But it seemed rather absurd that they would have gotten all these pictures in England – unless….

"Miss, where do Rufus and Miss Avery, reside?"

"In England, I 'spect, but they're on tour now."

"Tour?"

"Honestly, girl, where have you been? Mr. Scrimgeour did this autograph session at this hotel the other day – my friend Larissa Adams got one – so jealous – here's the flyer."

The girl had fished out a very wrinkled blue paper from her pocket.

"Come one, come all – calling all fans of the exalted Rufus Scrimgeour, star of the TV Show, Sirius, the Teenage Wizard. Autograph will commence at 5 p.m. in the Cardinal Ballroom, of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the temporary residence of the star." The flyer ended with the address, and a date from two days ago. Lily had a thought – she needed to find her friends –

"Could I, er, keep this?"

"Actually, they're really rare. You'll have to get your own."

"Could I just copy down the address?"

The cashier rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed, but nodded. Lily quickly scribbled down the address on one of her newly purchased tabloids –

"9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90210." The cashier snapped at Lily until she returned the crumpled paper,

"Do you really think he wants to see you, filthy redhead?"

Lily quickly ran from the convenience store and into her parents' room, and asked breathlessly,

"Could I please take a cab over to the Beverly Hills Hotel, it's urgent."

"But darling, we just got here."

"I'll be back in a flash – just – could I borrow some money for cab fare?"

"Alright, darling, just call us if anything happens."

She raced out of the hotel, hailed a cab, and pushed the address in the cab driver's face. His face contorted into a sneer –

"Keep your papers to yourself, miss – d'you think I don't know where the Beverly Hills Hotel is?"

They soon arrived at the pink and green behemoth, and Lily hastily paid the drive. She trounced into the lobby, and enquired as to where Jimsie Potts was staying. The lady at the front desk gave her a once over and looked at her with a frown.

"As though one of our most exalted guests would have anything to do with you."

"Just give him and ring and tell him Lily Evans is looking for him."

The lady looked at her piteously, as though this demand would not accomplish anything, but amazingly, she obliged.

"Hello?"

"There's a Miss Lily Evans looking for you."

Lily heard whoops of merriment issuing from the phone. She waited for the front desk attendant's response –

"I expect that means he wants to see you. He is residing in the Presidential Suite."

James Potter was more excited than he had been in days – Lily Evans – his Lily Evans, was coming to see him in mere seconds. He brushed his hair nervously, and as he heard the knock on the door – he nearly tripped over the sofa in his enthusiasm. Lily was standing there with a huge pile of tabloids in her hands.

"What, pray tell, is the meaning of this, James Potter?"

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That's right, Lils, put James in his place! And Review, because we love it!