Standing There By You

Ch. 59- Perplexing Propositions

A/N: Hello! It's been quite a while, I know… but my beta and I are very excited to be back in action! I promise I will be unflaggingly faithful to Standing There By You... promisepromisepromise.

In case you can't remember what happened last chapter (because I sure couldn't)...

The boys just went through a successful (albeit a bit painful) night as Animagi with Remus

Sirius found out about Lily's parents

Also, I haven't really elaborated on it and I'll definitely give more info about it in the future, but the students are currently vying for the position of Student Envoy, a sort of internship at the Ministry in which a fifth or sixth year student from each house will get to participate. (They turned their applications in last chapter.)

Okay, now read : )

…

James, Sirius, and Peter slumped farther and farther in their chairs, abandoning entirely their attempt to stay awake in the draining Transfiguration class they were being forced to endure. Aside from its usual dullness, the boys were impaired by the sleepless night they had spent out with Remus in their new-found animal forms. Thankfully, there was nothing particularly significant to be done that day.

"Class dismissed," Professor McGonagall announced, and the boys roused from their stupor appreciatively. As the students began departing from the classroom, she called, "And please, make certain you come prepared for your interviews tonight."

The boys gave a collective groan. "I haven't even started to prepare," James said, slinging his bag over his shoulder and languidly making his way out the door.

Sirius yawned. "My preparation will consist of a very long nap."

"Wonder if Remus remembers," Peter mused.

James teetered on the staircase, debating between heading toward his common room and the promise of a comfortable couch, or journeying across the entire school to stop by the hospital wing and remind Remus of the important evening. "Oh," he moaned, turning around with a heavy sigh. "Why must we be such good friends?"

"It's just who we are," Sirius said somberly.

"Give me a break," Lily pleaded, crossing her arms.

The boys halted their conversation at the unexpected remark and turned to face Lily, who was rolling her eyes incredulously. "What are you on about?" Sirius asked, offended by the undeserved assault.

"Your friend is sick and you act like visiting him is the most taxing thing in the world," she reproved, glaring at the boys.

Before anyone could respond, Julie cut in. "Do you know if he's still in the infirmary? Grace mentioned she was going to see him this morning and we haven't seen her for awhile. She wasn't even in Transfiguration."

"Er, yeah," James said, trying to appear nonchalant. "But he probably doesn't want--,"

"We'll go with you, then," Lily declared, striding forward and taking the lead.

"No--," Sirius started, but James shook his head.

"Don't even try," he said, watching the adamant redhead barrel before them. "Once a train starts roaring down the tracks, there's no stopping it."

Lily whipped around, walking backwards now. "Did you just compare me to a train?"

Sirius surveyed her and nodded approvingly. "She's even emitting steam," he remarked.

"Come on," Julie said, grabbing her irate friend's arm and dragging her toward the stairs.

James put a hand on his Sirius's shoulder and imitated a train, bobbing up and down as they ascended the staircase. Sirius smiled enthusiastically. "Choo choo!"

…

"Excuse me," Madame Pomfrey bristled, staring sternly at the line of students traveling through the hospital wing. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Eh, go on Pom," Sirius said, smiling affectionately. "You know you like it when we visit."

The young nurse shook her head in exasperation, but her expression had noticeably softened. "Hurry up, then," she permitted with a sigh, stepping toward Remus's usual bed and drawing back the bed curtains. She leaped backwards as if burned, and the students looked around her to see what was the matter.

"Oh, hello," Grace said slowly, lifting her head off of Remus's shoulder where it had previously been nestled. She smiled guiltily. "You're probably wondering what I'm doing here."

Lily wasn't the only one with the capability of transforming into a steam engine. "Young lady!" the nurse admonished, grabbing Grace by her elbow. "Have you been here all day! You have classes!"

"Yes," she said tentatively, trying to wiggle out of the angry woman's grasp. "But you see, we weren't doing anything very important in Muggle Studies… Or History of Magic… Or Transfiguration…"

"Out," Madame Pomfrey ordered, ushering her toward the door. "All of you," she said, looking around at the fifth years. "Out, out, out. Don't give me that puppy dog face, Sirius, I mean it. All of you, out!"

Remus dazedly lifted himself into an upright position. "It's all right," he insisted. "They can stay."

"Absolutely not," Madame Pomfrey declared. She pointed toward the door. Everyone ambled grudgingly into the hallway, except Grace who lingered persistently behind. "I mean it," the nurse said firmly. "Anyone without an ailment that is left standing in this room in five seconds will very much wish they hadn't." By then everyone had made their way into the hallway, save Grace who shifted on the tiled floor, scuffing her foot stubbornly along its ridges. The nurse's eyes glowed angrily. "Five… four…"

Lily shifted edgily outside the door. "Grace," she said tentatively. "Maybe you should just come along with us."

Grace ignored her, looking up with innocent, round eyes. Very pointedly, she lifted her hand

and gave a small cough. "I think I'm coming down with something," she told the nurse very seriously.

"I'm sure you are. Well, that will be the least of your worries if you don't--,"

"Please let her stay," Remus said, gazing pitifully at Madame Pomfrey.

For a moment she looked as if her resolve may have weakened, but she quickly returned to her mission. "No," she said inflexibly, warning, "Don't make me get Professor Dumbledore" when Grace crossed her arms and looked as if she had absolutely no intentions of leaving.

"All right," Remus sighed, shifting achingly so his legs dangled off the bed. "But I'm going to have to leave too, then."

Madame Pomfrey's eyes widened. "No!" she said, rushing forward. "You're certainly not ready yet; you need to stay here for the rest of the evening at the very least."

Remus shrugged one arm, and then grimaced deeply to stress how painful it was simply getting out of bed. He gradually took one agonizing step after another. "I'm sure I'll be fine…"

Madame Pomfrey's narrowed eyes relaxed, her determination waning. Remus stumbled forward and clutched his side, groaning aloud. "Oh… Fine," she relented.

Grace clapped her hands together happily. "Excellent," she said, smiling at Remus as she returned to his bedside.

From the hallway, James called, "See you later, Remus. Don't forget about the interviews tonight."

"Oh… right." He frowned, nodding. "Thanks."

"What's the matter with Remus, anyway?" Julie's concerned voice drifted into the room as the students made their way down the hallway.

"Peruvian Vipertooth," said James swiftly.

Sirius shook his head tragically. "Vicious buggers, they are."

Grace grinned as she hurried back to the chair beside Remus's bed. "No, no," Madame Pomfrey said, guiding her forcefully by the shoulders to a neighboring bed. "You said you were sick," she reminded her, snatching a bottle from a shelf along the way. She twisted off the cap and held up a spoon. "Open up!"

Grace grimaced as she recognized the very ill tasting medicine she had once been forced to take for a ghastly head cold. She made a disgusted face, but finally complied and opened her mouth. After the nurse rather cheerfully- too cheerfully, Grace thought sourly- gave her a large dose of medicine, she blanched and fell into a genuine bout of coughs; leaning against her pillow, she craned her neck to look at her amused boyfriend. "I hope you appreciate this," she said throatily.

Remus gave her a pleasant smile. "I certainly do. You're very entertaining, Miss Shadron."

…

"So Evans," James said loudly, hurrying to match her quick pace. "Ready for those interviews tonight?"

Lily hugged her books against her chest, staring adamantly forward. "Of course," she replied distractedly.

"I don't get what the big deal is about this… Student Envoy thing," Sirius muttered his opinion, falling carelessly behind. "Our professors are already piling on the work, why would anyone willingly add more?"

As hard as Lily was attempting to ignore the boys, she couldn't help but to counter Sirius's comment. "Being Student Envoy would be an amazing privilege. Imagine the opportunities and experience you would receive by working firsthand with Ministry members."

"My parents work for the Ministry," James said proudly, brushing off an imaginary piece of dust from the pocket of his robe. "It'll be fantastic to work with them."

Lily narrowed her eyes at James. "You aren't going to get the position," she said bluntly. "Your arrogance is disgusting." Straightening proudly, she added, "Besides, I'm obviously far more qualified."

"Blimey, Evans," James said, his voice soaked with sarcasm. "How ever do you manage to be so modest?"

Lily pulled her eyes away from James and shrugged, saying simply, "I only speak the truth. I would bet my life Professor McGonagall would see me as the better candidate, and rightfully so."

James took a large stride and swooped before her, blocking her way. Lily gave an irritated huff, trying earnestly but failing miserably to get past the boy who towered before her. He raised an amused brow at her fruitless attempt. "Would you really?" he asked.

Lily's face twisted confusedly. "Would I really what?"

"Bet your life," he reminded her.

"I…" Lily looked confused, but was determined not to act so. "Certainly."

"I just may take you up on that," James said, cocking his head thoughtfully. "But for something a little less extreme than your life. For legal purposes, you know."

A glint of understanding appeared in Lily's eyes. "What's your proposition, then?"

James paused a beat, thinking. "If I get chosen, you have to…" Leaning forward, he breathed the rest of his wager into her ear so only she could hear. Sirius and Julie looked on curiously as Lily stepped backwards and she let out a loud bout of laughter. "Ha! I would never--,"

"Thought you were confident you'd win," James cut in, smiling when she stumbled over her response.

"I… Well," Lily peered at James icily. "I am confident." Sticking out her hand for James to shake, she proclaimed, "It's a bet."

"Excellent," James said, swiveling around and continuing down the hall.

"Wait!" Lily yelled. "And what if I win?"

"You won't," James assured her, not bothering to turn around.

"James Potter!"

"Blooming Billywigs, Evans," James said, rubbing his ears. "You've got a mouth on you." He smirked. "That will certainly come in handy when you have to fulfill my wager."

…

"Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall greeted brusquely, her austere eyes narrowing at the boy she had come rather acquainted to having chats with in her office. This visit was unique, however, in that he had for once come willingly. "First of all, you must be aware that the title of Student Envoy is laden with--,"

"Quite aware," James returned with a self-confident smile. "I can handle anything."

She lifted a brow, muttering a simple "Mmm" in response. Glancing down at James's application, she scanned it for the sections she had previously made a special note of. "Under 'Additional Comments', you have insisted that you 'are most assuredly the only one to take into account for such an elite and demanding position, and--,"

"-- to even consider another candidate would be a waste of your precious time," James finished for her. "Very credible, isn't it?"

"Let's talk about credibility," Professor McGonagall said firmly, combating the swift boy to regain control of the meeting. "While you have managed to obtain scores of--,"

"The highest possible degree," James winked, "and more."

"Mr. Potter," the irritated professor said, tapping her quill impatiently. "If you would--,"

"I just want you to remember, professor, that everything I've done--,"

"Mr. Potter…"

"Be it schoolwork, quidditch, or to put it broadly, life--,"

"Mr. Potter…"

"I have been ultimately and quite astoundingly success--,"

"Mr. Potter!"

James finally drew his eyes upward to meet hers, slightly put off that she had disrupted him. "Yes?"

"The position of Student Envoy requires the ability to cooperate well with your fellow colleagues," Professor McGonagall continued tiredly. "Do you believe you could fulfill this qualification?"

James nodded assuredly. "Ah, yes. I have an amazing ability to listen."

…

In the corridor outside of McGonagall's office, James came across a slightly mad and very familiar redhead. She was sitting on a stone window seat, tapping her foot repetitively and quietly reciting something indistinguishable to herself. "If you can muster up the sanity," James said, leaning close and causing Lily to nearly fall off the bench in surprise, "I believe Minerva is ready for you."

Lily steadied herself and stood up primly. "Thank you," she said with as much dignity as possible.

"Best of luck to you," he called, as she walked quickly past him and through the door. Folding his arms when she failed to respond to his rare sincerity, he added ominously, "You'll need it!"

Professor McGonagall gave a small smile when she peered above her glasses and found Lily standing before her. "Welcome, Miss Evans. Please have a seat."

Lily smiled back, smoothing her robes as she slipped into a nearby chair. "Is that my application?" she asked eagerly.

The professor glanced at the papers laid out on her desk. Gesturing toward the tiny writing that overflowed each line and even spilled onto the back, she inquired, "Who else's would it be?"

Lily gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry… I had a lot to say."

"Quite all right," Professor McGonagall assured her. She traced the application with her pointer finger, stopping somewhere along the middle where the neat print rapidly swelled. "I see you have an interest in working with the Ministry."

"Oh yes," Lily replied, nodding in affirmation. "I've very interested to see how everything on the inside operates."

The professor acknowledged this with a knowing nod. "It is very intriguing. I think you would be fascinated by what goes on in a place with such power." Glancing downward, she continued with the next question. "You commented that your grades and record are enough to prove you're the best person to fill the position. How so?"

Lily straightened in her chair. "As you well know, Professor McGonagall, I've earned top grades in every one of my classes for four and a half years. My record at Hogwarts has been, and will remain, entirely blemish free, a blatant indication that I will be dutiful and successful at whatever tasks are set forth for me to complete."

After taking a few minutes to jot some notes down on her parchment, Professor McGonagall looked up and smiled. "Very well, Lily. You can send in Remus Lupin if he's ready."

"Remus?" Lily asked. "Oh, he's in the infirmary. He looked pretty ill, professor, I don't believe he'll be able to come. Should I tell him a good day to reschedule?"

Professor McGonagall frowned in thought; after a short pause, she shifted her parchments subtly to peer at her calendar. "Ah…" she said slowly, and sighed. "Well, rather regretfully we have a meeting to discuss the applicants with a few prominent Ministry members tonight, and it cannot be postponed. I suppose you should send in the next student… Juliana Taylor."

"Oh, certainly. Have a good evening, professor." Lily exited the room with a smile, immensely relieved that the interview had gone so smoothly. Entering the hallway in an excited hurry, she turned a corner and nearly stumbled right into her best friend. "Oh, sorry Julie," Lily apologized, stepping backwards. "I was just looking for you; she's ready when you are."

"All right," Julie said, paling a bit. She did not miss the lingering smile on Lily's lips. "The interview went well?"

"I think so," Lily replied, her smile growing. "Well, good luck!"

Julie mumbled a soft thanks, starting toward the direction Lily had came from. Before she pushed open the door, she breathed deeply, attempting to stifle her nerves. Unfortunately, this act seemed to only further excite the butterflies in her stomach; chewing her lip and concealing her anxiety as much as she possibly could, Julie stepped into the office and regarded Professor McGonagall with a tentative smile.

"Ah, Miss Taylor," the professor acknowledged, as she finished writing some notes on Lily's application. Leaning back in her chair, she raised her head and brought her attention to the reserved girl before her. "So you are interested in the position of Student Envoy," she stated, tapping the desk with the end of her quill.

"Very," Julie avowed, nodding quickly.

"The qualities that we require for such a position are distinctive; we are searching for someone who will be able to manage their schoolwork, as well as the responsibilities that come with being a Student Envoy."

"Oh yes, of course."

Professor McGonagall exhaled and examined Julie's application. "Your grades, Miss Taylor, are… decent, but by no means exceptional. While it's not a requirement for the position that you maintain a certain level of grades, it is unquestionably a deciding factor."

"Oh," Julie said, wringing her hands nervously as she tried to think of an appropriate response. "Well, I would certainly try my hardest--,"

"You don't try your hardest now?" Professor McGonagall questioned with a frown. "If you don't do your best in school, how can we know you wouldn't just push your duties aside like you do your studies?"

"No, I don't push them--,"

"Moving on," Professor McGonagall continued, surveying the application. "You haven't listed any experience with independent study… How do you think you would perform in a position that deals with such an extensive amount of research?"

Julie took a moment to consider her question. She wanted to tell her professor that no matter how difficult the assignment, she would put forth as much effort as she possibly could, but 'I would certainly try my hardest' had not turned out to be such a satisfactory reply. Pressured to say something, she finally mumbled, "Very well, I think."

"Mmm…" Professor McGonagall recorded something brief onto the paper. "That will be all then."

"Oh," Julie said, her shoulders drooping slightly. "All right."

"If you could please send in…" Professor McGonagall glanced down to see who the next applicant was and, closing her eyes, exhaled wearily. "Sirius Black."

"You called?" Sirius sang charmingly, strolling timely into the office.

"Goodbye Professor McGonagall," Julie bid quietly, but her professor's attention was already drawn to her new, admittedly demanding, guest. Frowning, Julie quickly gathered her things and stepped out of the office.

The professor smiled tersely as she motioned for Sirius to sit down. "Ah… Mr. Black, I noticed your application was a bit… different."

Sirius smiled in interest. "Was it?"

Professor McGonagall pulled his application out of a neat pile she had arranged on her desk. Pointing to its edges, she informed him, "Yes. No other student found it necessary to include illustrations."

Sirius smiled as he recalled the brilliant cartoon he had sketched, complete with speech bubbles and sound effects. "What can words tell you, really? I thought it was a very unique and accurate reflection of my character."

Professor McGonagall nodded tiredly. "I cannot argue with that."

…

Outside of the Transfiguration classroom, Julie felt something build up inside of her that she never felt before. All of the frustration she'd endured the past couple of months was finally spilling out, and perhaps it was that which propelled her to kick a large stone pillar with more force than she knew she was capable. She cringed when she realized much too late that her thin shoe was no match for the solid structure, but even the stinging pain rushing through her toes was not enough to keep her mind off her ringing disappointment.

For Julie, the holidays had left her feeling terrible inside, and with no one to confide in. Her mother's charisma had captured easily the hearts of her friends, and beyond Lily and Grace there wasn't anyone who she could confess her aggravations to. It wouldn't have mattered if they were there to comfort her anyway, because each fetching girl had their own unique forte- Lily, having a sharp mind and an adamant set of notions, and Grace, her admiral poise and social proficiency- and neither could ever truly understand. There were times when Julie's shyness and lack of particularity left her feeling more invisible than a ghost, and she was downright sick of it.

The position of Student Envoy was something that would make her stand out among her peers, something that could give her the opportunity to prove her worthiness to everyone- not just to her fellow classmates and her mother, but to herself as well. Unfortunately, her interview had been dreadful; there was no chance she had managed to surpass her peers by any means.

She heard the Transfiguration door creak open, and a few seconds later Sirius walked jovially by, not noticing Julie's slumped figure in the shadows of the hall. Julie felt a sense of urgency soar through her, as it dawned on her that perhaps it wasn't too late to show Professor McGonagall she was more qualified than everyone took her to be. Squaring her shoulders and exhaling deeply, she started determinedly toward her professor's office and forced herself not to look back.

"Miss Taylor?" Professor McGonagall looked up in surprise, peering up from a rather disorderly pile of papers. "Did you need something?"

"No," Julie said, shifting quickly on her feet to contain her burst of vigor. "Well, yes actually. I need to talk to you about the position of Student Envoy--,"

"I'm sorry," the professor said, casting a sidelong glance across her office. Julie looked around briefly, suddenly aware that two important looking Ministry members had joined them in the office. Professor McGonagall gestured them forward and told Julie firmly, "The interviews are over."

Julie adamantly remained where she was, fighting the urge to flee. "I don't believe my interview ever really started," she contradicted shakily.

Professor McGonagall peered at the girl dubiously. "Miss Taylor--,"

"I don't mean any disrespect," Julie persisted, her voice growing firmer, "but of the few questions you did take the time to ask in my interview, I can't say I had the chance to properly answer any."

Professor McGonagall tapped her quill indignantly against her desk, her expression exuding embarrassment and anger at the strangely acting girl's untimely intrusion. "Is that so?"

"It is," Julie maintained. "And you didn't even ask me the most important question of them all."

Professor McGonagall's cheeks flushing faintly as the Ministry members shifted in the doorway. "And that would be?" she asked tightly.

"Professor McGonagall," Julie said, softening her voice and dropping her accusatory tone, speaking instead with quiet, yet fixed conviction. "You asked about my grades and my past achievements, both of which I'll admit are a tad lacking. But… It isn't fair to automatically deduce from my history or natural academic ability that I won't give everything I have to fulfill what I know are thoroughly demanding responsibilities." Locking Professor McGonagall's eyes with her own, Julie continued fervently, "You never asked me why I wanted to be an Envoy. Professor, I'm ready to devote myself wholly to establishing a connection between the Ministry and the student body of Hogwarts. I know what it would take to make such a challenge successful, and I'm so unbelievably ready to prove myself to anyone who questions my capability to do so."

"Are you quite finished?" Professor McGonagall asked, tapping her glasses along the bridge of her nose to peer at the girl before her.

Julie nodded and fought to steady her breathing, which had grown heavy from her heated tirade. "Yes, professor."

"Very well," Professor McGonagall said, motioning to the empty hall behind the watchful Ministry members. "Please close the door on your way out, Miss Taylor. We have a lot to discuss, and any further intrusions would be most undesirable."

…

A/N: Well, there it is! The next chapter is going to be very eventful, so stay tuned ; )

Oh by the way… I love and appreciate soo much everyone who has reviewed since I posted the last chapter. You guys rock times one million!

...I would just like to make sure you know James would never ask Lily to do something incredibly raunchy. Someone just brought it to my attention that that is what it looks like...ahh don't worry he's not THAT big of a jerk!