Flower Tears Marauder Fears

Chapter 4: Annoyances and Difficult Decisions

Lily shifted as far as she possibly could away from James; resulting in her being tucked into a corner while James stood looking quite comfortable… staring.

"" What do you find so interesting Potter?" Lily snapped irritably.

"Nothing" James said nonchalantly as he continued to stare at her.

"THAN STOP STARING!" Lily yelled.

"Temper, Temper, Temper" James pretended to scold "You won't make a very good head if you have such a short temper."

"Potter, unless you want to spend the next year in the hospital wing stop annoying me" Lily threatened barely restraining her short temper.

The staircase finally came to a stop after what seemed like an eternity. Lily and James stepped off (James wearing a grin which could only be called smug; Lily looking as if she was ready to strangle a banshee).

"Why do I let him get on my nerves, so often?" Lily thought furiously, as the pair heard Dumbledore's booming voice.

"Enter" he said loudly but cheerfully, from inside his office.

Both Lily and James entered and sat in the chairs they were offered. Lily looked in wonder at the mess of objects placed around their headmaster's office. She identified quite a few things but others were still mysteries. Her eyes wandered from the golden phoenix on its perch, to the pensive in his cabinet, and the portraits splayed on the walls.

James on the other hand looked at Dumbledore with a rare genuine smile.

"Hello Mr. Potter!" Odd turn of advents we have here. You're in here for opposite reasons than usual." Dumbledore said his eyes twinkling behind half moon spectacles.

Lily (who by this time had finished looking around the room) gave Dumbledore a small smile of her own.

"Good Morning Professor." She said, momentarily forgetting why they were there.

"Good Morning Ms. Evans. AS I'm sure you've both been informed you were chosen to be this year's Heads." Dumbledore said watching both closely.

James open smile turned to one of anxiousness and … nervousness. Lily's own rare smile disappeared to be replaced by an unhappy frown. She had been secretly hoping that this was all an elaborate joke of some kind.

"Now I realize that you both have had your differences in the past Dumbledore said firmly "But as it is, you will both be expected to work TOGETHER on all heads' tasks."

"The first tasks you will be given responsibility of are: one ball at an important date (Christmas, Valentines Day…), another type of formal that allow students a break after exams, and the annual hogsmeade trips for the 3rd years and up. All final decisions have to first be checked over with me or Professor McGonagall. Now with being a head comes much responsibility, teamwork, and trust. It's your choice to accept or decline." Dumbledore finished waiting and watching as the two made their decisions.

Lily took a deep breath "I can get out of this." she thought "I can give up my biggest dream to avoid an annoying prat." A feeble voice in her head told her. "Where's your sense of dignity? Of adventure?" a louder voice replied "Don't let him ruin your life!"

"I accept" Lily told the room forcefully.

Dumbledore nodded, a small grin appearing on his face as he turned to James.

James was startled he was sure that Lily would simply refuse, he had begun to feel immeasurable guilt. No matter how much he enjoyed annoying and pranking people he would never do anything that would stop them from living up to their dreams. "You know how she feels about you." A sincere voice in his head told him "Do you really want to ruin the year for her?" James had almost decided to refuse when another thought interrupted him "Don't let this opportunity pass! This is your chance to show her who you really are!"

"I accept." James said slowly unsure what he was getting himself into.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore announced thoroughly pleased "Now as it's getting quite late I'm sure both of you will want to go to bed. If you go see Professor McGonagall she will show you your new dormitories. Sleep Well!"

After Lily and James had bid Dumbledore "goodnight", a chuckling laugh filled his office. Looking from his desk to the portrait behind it Dumbledore asked:

"What do you find so amusing Nicholas?" addressing the portrait, pictured there was a man in dress robes with a cool smile.

"This is definitely not going to be a boring year." The portrait claimed wisely.

"Not at all." Dumbledore agreed, smiling broadly.

"Not at all."

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(A/N: Hello again! How'd you like it? Please review, many thanks again to those who have read and more to those who review. I appreciate all forms of criticism (although preferably positive) but I accept any!)

Madusa's Daughter