People!
Update time.
Thank you for your reviews.
IT'S CHANGED (SNILY)
CHAPTER 6 Hearts
A mouse came running from the library. Probably again sent on order to watch out for the details of the situation. It had to escape all the big feet of people while like this, but then it wasn't very different in the other form either. Cowering and hiding that's what it's been doing.
After a long run from the library to the Gryffindor tower, escaping every foot that comes in the way, it was now standing on its all fours in front of the entrance of the Gryffindor common room. Looking in all directions, staying away from people's detective and prying eyes, the snout changed into a small nose, the tail disappeared, the fur vanished and there a man stood where just a moment ago a mouse was.
He walked inside the common room to find his friends waiting for him in anticipation. He was liked to be felt worthy. People depending on him. He reached them and took a seat beside them.
"Wormtail! You are back!" the messy-black haired boy squeaked.
"Yeah… I am"
"So, what did you hear about Evans?" James looked the only person enthusiastic about Lily. Sirius wanted to know about what Snivellus was up to by hiding in his dorm for five days. And Remus sat with his nose buried in a book, though his full concentration was on the conversation. Even though he wasn't interested in the what spying Peter did, he did want to know what his friends would do.
Listening to James question everyone deflated except for him.
"Nothing much, James, only that Snape and Evans are not talking again" Peter said with a shrug.
"What?! They are not speaking? I knew this isn't going to last long." He banged a fist on the other palm in triumph.
"No, no. This isn't how you think it is. As much as I heard… Snape asked… Evans to not do something for… her safety but… she still did it and this made him mad… perhaps?" He tried to remember all the instances but it's so difficult to even hear the whole conversation when you are so small and have small ears.
"Snape is commanding her?" he asked with mock- disbelief. "She must be very angry with him"
Now how could Peter break this to him that Evans was worried sick for Snape? She wasn't angry even one bit. And then he asked it for her own safety.
"Probably asked to be with him" Sirius laughed. "It is perhaps safe for him but certainly dangerous for Evans"
"I believe you all must leave this alone. They are friends and can solve their matters themselves" Remus suggested without looking up from his book.
"Moony! He can harm Evans! Don't you see?" James insisted.
"If he is, I have faith in Lily that she will be able to handle the situation" he retorted.
"They were talking about one more thing" Peter said timidly, not wanting to disturb the heated conversation.
"And what will that be? Better be something about what these three slimy Slytherins are up to" Sirius sat up straight.
"Well… no… probably. But what happened is they- No, Evans saw something which… radiated something. It something… felt like dark magic. It was an object. And felt like living or something… I couldn't catch that very well" he reluctantly gave out which made no sense to him.
But it surely did make sense to James who palled visibly. Then he shook his head as to clear it all and looked away.
"Some garbage I'd say" Sirius gave a scornful look in the air. "Dark Magic" he muttered mockingly.
Remus stood up after he believed no planning is going to occur. "I have to go for my Prefect duties. I hope you wouldn't wander the castle today"
They nodded, all distracted by their own thoughts. Remus gave them the last glance and said "See you tomorrow morning, guys" before walking towards the exit.
"I am going to the dormitory, there is no more fun here" Sirius stood up and went towards the circular staircase.
Peter waited for some time, if James had a question for him. But when James didn't speak a word and continued to dig a hole in the carpet by his stare, Peter walked away into his dorm too.
*Page Break*
James waited there till Lily showed up in the common room. He knew what Peter had related to them was familiar to him. He even remembered reading about it in Slughorn's office. It had given him nightmares about what Dark Magic was capable of.
Peter said Lily saw it. He hoped nothing had happened to her. If only the information can give him nightmares, what will happen of a person looking and feeling such a dark object.
He had to tell her not to touch any such thing. Be safe. Even though she perhaps wouldn't believe him, he had to tell her.
"Lily! Lily, here" he waved at her when she entered.
She gave him a bored look but walked towards him and took a seat on the couch. She met his eyes. "What now, Potter?"
He etched a bit closer so that they have no eavesdroppers. She looked confused by the seriousness on his face. What would Potter be serious about?
"Lily, this is very important. You need to believe me"
"Because you have given me many reasons to believe you" she mumbled. "I'm listening" she said aloud.
"Don't ask me how, but this has come to my notice that you came in contact with a dark artifact?"
Her eyes widened. "What are you talking about?" she knew her expressions were masking nothing.
"I know about it, Lily. You don't have to hide it" an even solemn frown set beneath his eyes.
"Potter, I have no idea from where do you- Wait! Are you spying on me?!" Rage boiled in her blood. Can't he just leave them alone?
Potter looked around to again check for any audience to their talk. Looked at her and bowed his head in defeat. "That thing can harm you, Lily. Please if you only hear me out once"
Lily stood up and started walking away, not wanting to hear another word he'd say. It would anyways be rubbish about some Slytherins plotting. She snorted to herself. As if she expected anything better from Potter.
James had to do something. There was no meaning in being subtle about this. He had to use his very own blurting approach. "I know what it was" he blurted out.
She paused in tracks. She turned around and gave him a bewildered look. James Potter knowing about Dark Arts? She sat again. "Tell me, I am listening" she said calmly.
He smiled. "So, I was for the detention in Slughorn's office-"
"I don't want to hear about your detention pranks"
"No! No, Lily. Listen to the entire thing" he insisted.
"Fine. Continue" the stunned look still not off her face.
"Yes, so, I was cleaning his shelves where I came across a book. It was dark" his eyes widened in remembrance.
"Dark!" she shrieked. "Why would Slughorn keep a dark book with him?"
"He is a Slytherin, Lily" he said casually, but after she gave him a look he hastily added, "For knowledge perhaps"
She nodded. "So, what happened then?"
"Yeah, it almost asked me to open it. So, I did" he shuddered involuntarily. "The page I opened talked about how to make a ho- hoc… hoctus, something"
"Hoctus?"
"I closed the book before I read the entire part. But the part I read was terrifying" sweat broke from his forehead "I don't know how do people even practice it"
"What did it say?" she whispered in concern.
He almost jumped with glee by the look in her eye, though he still was horrified. "That to become immortal you need to m-murder"- he shuddered again and Lily kept a hand on his arm. - "someone. After that you s-store your soul in an object. A part of himself." He slipped his head in his hands.
"James! It's okay. You don't have to say it if you don't want to" she put an arm around his shoulder. He leaned in the touch.
After a second, he shook his head and looked into her eye which seemed too close to his.
"But I have to" she shook her head, about to protest but he kept a finger on her lips, startling her. "Listen. I think the object you came across was this hoctus. It can do something very dangerous to you, Lily. I just want you to be safe"
The concern again was enough to flatter her from his attention. Why does this keep on happening to her? She almost blushed.
He didn't know that she was also met by the consequences of wearing the object. But he was trying to warn her of future danger. He was the most annoying person she knew but still he had a noble heart. Saved for his friends. He had done so much wrong but still sometimes he looked at her in such a way that made butterflies flutter in her stomach.
He removed his finger from her lips and leaned towards her. She could feel his breath on her face. Their lips a millimeter away. Lily jerked back. She never gave him the permission to kiss her. He looked confused.
"Thank You for your concern, James, but now I have to leave" she said stiffly, standing up. All the butterflies escaped in an instance by his stupid move.
He nodded sadly. Only if he had waited for some more time and let her melt? Or just had done it faster? He was such a fool sometimes.
*Page Break*
"Mr. Snape, sit straight"
He grumbled in annoyance. He had been sitting straight for far too long and it's been bloody hurting.
"Mr. Snape!"
"What?! Its damn hurting, could you do it any faster" he almost yelled at her. She pursed her lips in disapproval. "Sorry" he mumbled after realizing that he yelled.
"You better be, Mr. Snape. Never take that tone with me again, young man" Madam Pomfrey eyed him critically.
"Yes, ma'am" he muttered looking down in his lap.
"Hmm. Now sit straight for Merlin's sake, young man" she viewed his right ankle.
"I was- Sorry"
She waved her wand over his ankle a few times in some extremely complicated motions. She looked up at him after completing her work. "Now, young man. I have healed your ankle but it will probably hurt for a little while for that take this" she gave him a potion which he took gratefully after the pain he endured. "Take it. Now."
"Oh… Okay" he drank the vile tasting potion, grimaced at it.
"Now you are ready to go and for Merlin's sake this time take it easy, Severus" she held his eyes with concern. "I know last time you went away" she added though without any abomination.
His eyes widened. How does she know everything? "Thank you, ma'am. May I go now?"
"Yes, and take care" she left saying that.
He took his leave as well, walking cluelessly searching for his friends. He smiled. Though it didn't take long for it to be converted into a sad one. Perhaps they would never talk to him again. At least he can apologize once and thank them.
They would most possibly be in the library. So, that is where he decided to go.
He entered the library, searching for his friends. He roamed around stupidly, trying not to look like a stalker. He saw them sitting quietly and reading. They never did that when he asked. Then they had to blow up their chatter-heads. Lily wasn't with them, he observed.
He walked till the table when nervousness overtook him. All their eyes turned to him, he looked away. He cleared his throat. "May I sit here?"
They regarded him with a blank stare. No one said a single thing. Shane just made room for him between himself and Selene. He sat there. Now he was surer than before that they would never talk to him. A lump grew in his throat. He picked a book and hid his face in it.
The others were looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to start speaking, coming to them after five brutal days, which went unnoticed by Severus.
They all went back to their books letting him prepare himself.
Severus sat there; his face buried in the book when his lower lip trembled and the traitorous tears leaked from his eyes. He knew he was behaving like a kid who's just been scolded by his mother. But he couldn't help it. It was just sometimes that his emotions didn't stay in his control and this seemed to be one of those times.
He remained silent behind his book before his sniffling sound was enough to attract attention from the occupants of the table.
"Severus" all of them gasped.
His face burned with tears and shame. He wanted nothing more than to be swallowed by the floor. He didn't budge by the gasps. Still tried to stifle his growing sobs by biting his lower lip.
A hand came to his back, rubbing circles and the other took the book from his grasp. He felt all the more vulnerable. He sat back in his chair and hid his face and tears in his hands and the black fabric of his clothes. His shoulders shook and the comforting hand stopped rubbing his back. He didn't want it to be gone. But instead, it was wrapped around his shoulders. He leaned in the touch, taking comfort by the kindness. The hand rubbed his arm and a voice came.
"Shh, Severus. Shh… it's alright." It was Shane. How can a person possess so much kindness? Doesn't it ever get empty?
He gathered the courage to look up. He met the pale blue ones looking at him with concern. Selene got up from her chair and wrapped both her arms around him, his face buried in her robes. She rubbed the back of his head, coaxing him. All this time Shane's hand never left his arm, either.
Some of the senses came back to him. He pulled back, just enough to look into her pale blue eyes. "Why?" he asked hoarsely.
It was Shane who answered. "Severus, Severus, Severus. Why don't you understand, you are worth kindness and friendship?"
Why? Why this give to him? He hadn't done anything for them?
"Severus, friendship doesn't need anything in return, it's unconditional" Austin said, as if reading his thoughts.
Why couldn't he stop the tears? They are the kindest and nicest people he would ever know. He buried his face in Selene's robes again, his hands fisting the fabric.
"And then you know, Severus, that your eyes kill me" he felt a rumble by Selene's voice and he didn't have to look up to know that she was smiling teasingly.
He chuckled at the statement but it came out as a sob.
"Shush, now, Severus." Charm's hand took one of his hands. Even her arrogance voice changed to that of like Austin's.
Severus pulled back, taking his hands to himself, looking at his lap, though he tears kept coming.
"Sev…" someone breathed. He looked back to see through his blurred vision that it was Lily. "Sev…" she gasped again, taking the look of his face.
He didn't give her anymore chance to say anything. He rounded his chair and gripped her into the tightest hug he could give, startling her partially.
"Lily, Lily…" he sobbed.
"Sev, look at me, Sev" she cupped his cheeks and smiled. "Done sulking, Mr. Smug? After all, you decided to show your pretty face again" she smiled jokingly which hid her worry easily.
He wanted to snort at the statement but instead he pulled her into another hug. She was alright. All of them were alright.
She held him and let him cry his worries and guilts out. His sobs receded gradually. He pulled back, looking down. Lily came closer and kissed him on the cheek, that made his cheeks blush even redder. Shane, Selene and Austin chuckled while Charm gave a mild sneer. Lily looked confused by their reaction but dismissed it.
"Can we sit now?" she asked. On his affirmative they sat between Shane and Selene.
"You all don't hate me?" he blurted out.
"Hate?" Charm looked confused.
"I am so worthless-"
"Say that again, Severus, and I'll place a tickling charm on you" Shane tried to stay stern, but the smile on his face broke the act.
Severus gave a rough low chuckle, then continued. "I could have kept you all out but still let you. And then the thing possessed Lily. I could have prevented that too. What would you call me if not worthless?"
Shane gave him a stern glare, but it was Selene who spoke. "Merlin. First, get that look off your eyes. They can even convince a mountain troll to not to eat you" that earned everyone's laughter. "And then, Severus, Shane's not barking mad telling you that you are not worthless. He says it because you are not. And then we do not hate you, why would we? It was you telling us not to go in but Shane's half cracked head cannot comprehend that" Shane gave her a mock- offended look, she ignored it, still looking at Severus.
"And, Severus, I said this before, I am saying this again- You are not responsible for other's actions" Shane said firmly.
"I am sorry" he muttered; eyes downcast.
"Yes, Sev, it was me who wore it, you aren't at fault" Lily kept a hand on his arm.
"I am sorry"
Charm huffed. "Shut that up, Snape." She jerked her head in annoyance.
"I am sorry- sorry… So-" he paused, realizing he's speaking like a fool. "You are all being too kind to me, I don't believe I will ever be able to repay you"
"We are not too kind. We were sitting in silence when you weren't here and we chatter when you want quiet" Austin smirked. "And unless you become a Death-Eater we all are perfectly alright staying friends with you"
"I'll never be that. But I never even be able to return your favor" Severus retorted.
"You are over my patience level now" Shane took out his wand and whispered "Rictumsempra!"
The charm shot Severus in the stomach making him tickly. "Ah. No… No, no, No. Stop it, Shane. Urgh… HHAHAHA… I can't breathe… Stop it… Shane" he laughed, trying to catch breath. His eyes tearing up, because of laughter this time.
His laugh was infectious, made all the others join too.
"I told you not to speak that. Will you again?" Shane asked with the fake firmness in his voice.
"Urgh… HAHAHA… No… Stop this, Shane. I'll… never… never say that again… Shane, please… HAHAAH"
"But I am liking this… let's just continue it for a bit more" Shane had the mischievous smile.
Madam Pince's hiss of disapproval made Shane lift the spell. Severus panted, catching breath. "Don't do that again, it's bloody tickly"
"That is what is made for, Sev" Lily suppressed a laughter at his mock- glare.
"You all will convert me into a bloody Hufflepuff" he growled wiping his tears, then looked at Austin. "No offence, Austin"
"Ha! None taken. But I still think you'll suit" Austin winked.
"As if, I am perfect in Slytherin" he grumbled.
"No arguments there" Austin smiled. "Good, you are falling back in your grumpy disposition"
Severus scowled but flushed while the others chuckled. "I won the bet, didn't I, Lily?" Shane's eyes twinkled with mirth.
Lily kept a hand on Severus' arm and smiled. "Yeah… I'll give it to you"
Severus frowned. "What bet?"
"Ah… it was just that I said that you'll be blaming yourself for everything and when you decide to come back, well… you'll give everyone a hug to check if we are alright"
Severus looked down, flushed. "You all will be the end of me" he mumbled. Did he really do that? Selene swatted the back of head playfully, and he glared.
"Now, when everything is sorted, let's get back to work" Austin reminded, smiling.
*Page Break*
"Okay, well… let me summarize it. You are saying that the object compiled you to wear it, you really did not want to and got possessed" at her nod, Severus continued. "And then Potter knows about Dark Magic. He says that it's some Hoctus -really this is the first time I have heard of any such word- which is a part soul of someone, spelled into that object after a supposed murder"
"Yeah… this is what Potter said. But when I looked at the diadem the voice suddenly came out of nowhere. The voice was beautiful -if I can use that word- and sedative. It was tempting" her elbows resting on the open book she abandoned just after mere minutes of its opening.
"We'll keep that point in mind" his book laid untouched too since the discussion started.
"Wait, but as Potter stated the object is a-"
"Just, a second Austin. Muffliato" Severus took in the confused glances and sighed. "It's kind of a privacy charm. Anyone trying to eavesdrop will hear nothing more than a buzzing sound" they nodded in relief of being safe from the prying people.
"Where did you find that spell?" Charm asked.
"Ah… I created it"
"Wow, you are a genius, Severus" she admitted openly and a bit flirtatiously.
"Umm… thank you?" he flushed. Lily brows knit in observation. He doesn't get flustered so easily. Then why now? On Charm's compliment? She felt rather possessive of him.
"Sev was always a genius" she said smiling at him and he flushed again. Charm opened her mouth to say something, but she totally ignored her. "You were saying something, Austin"
"Yes… I was saying that the object has someone's part soul inside, but then how did it possess, Lily?"
"Perhaps, it's a different kind of a hoctus that possess people too. And if you haven't noticed this is the lost diadem of Rowena for centuries" Shane offered.
"No. I would rather give it to a protection ward around it by a very powerful witch or wizard who also was able to find the lost diadem" Severus said thoughtfully.
"The voice was of a man" Lily corrected.
"A powerful wizard then, who didn't want to die as soon as a normal person"
"It's about becoming immortal, not just dying late" Shane reasoned.
But it was Selene to retort. "We all have to die one day. If he thinks that making this hoctus will render him immortal then he is no more than a fool. This is like messing up with the laws of nature. No one can do that"
"True" Severus nodded "I will do some research over this hoctus, that thing in the school is dangerous"
"But I don't think you would find anything, Sev. Potter was cleaning Slughorn's shelves in a detention when he found that book. So, probably they are from the restricted section" Lily whispered.
"Right, then I have to get a way to break into Slughorn's office" he smirked "That wouldn't be too hard"
"Sev, have you gone insane?" Lily's eyes widened with disbelief "You'll steal for a teacher? And how? Mind to explain?"
"Lily, first it's not stealing. I'll just borrow it without him noticing. Then if Potter is capable, definitely I am" he pulled out a silvery substance from his bag.
"Oh… I almost forgot about that" she squeaked with excitement. "And I am coming with you this time" she said resolutely.
"What!? Absolutely not." he crossed his arms on his chest.
"I am coming, I will help in finding it and if we get caught, I'll make the excuse. Slughorn will buy anything I give him" she said with the uncharacteristic nose in the air.
"But, Lily…"
"Let her come with you. She is right" Selene prompted from a corner.
"Fine" he sat back almost with a pout.
"Thanks, Sev" she kissed him on the cheek. He blushed. Was it only him or her frequency to kiss him has actually increased? Whatever it was, a new warmth spread every time she did that. The desire to feel her lips on his intensified. He sat staring at her.
A moment later he realized what he was doing. He was such a fool. He cleared his throat and sat up straighter.
Shane clucked his tongue. "Lily, Lily. You are most oblivious person I would ever know" he muttered.
Lily heard him and furrowed. "Why?"
Severus shot a part glare; a part warning look and a part pleading look in Shane's direction, who in turn tried to mould the topic.
"Nothing, Lily, time shows us everything" a smile still played on his lips "Come on now the next trending issue"
Charm leaned on the table. "What's that?"
"Year's last Hogsmeade visit, Charm" Shane said as if it was obvious, while Austin flushed and Lily laughed.
"What is it, with both of you now?" Selene asked irritatingly. No one was being direct today, everyone had to talk in riddles, this infuriated her.
"Ah… nothing, really. It's just Austin perhaps will get a new girlfriend on Saturday, that is tomorrow" Lily twinkled at Austin.
All eyes went to Austin and he blushed even more. "You didn't tell us, Austin? How could you?" Selene mocked.
"Shut up, Selene. It's nothing, just a small date" he said, face looking ready to burn of heat.
"Date!" Charm shrieked in excitement "With whom?"
"Ah… Marlene McKinnon, she is-"
"The Gryffindor Chaser" Charm completed with disgust.
Austin's brows set together. "What's wrong with her?"
"She is a Gryffindor, Austin" she said as if it was an obvious reason for her contempt.
It was surprisingly Severus who came to their defend. "Not all Gryffindors are fools and bullies, just like not all Slytherins are Death-Eaters"
Lily smiled at him. She never knew he had matured after their fall out. She liked it that he defended her.
"But, Severus-"
"Congrats, Austin" Shane patted his back, intervening before Charm could start a useless fight.
Austin flushed. Lily smirked. "She thinks that Austin is hot, doesn't she, Austin? She was most fascinated by your legs"
He cleared his throat before he could choke of embarrassment and others laughed. "I always knew you had it in you" Selene smirked. When the laughter receded, she asked "Are you all coming? I am anyways not on a date"- she eyed Shane – "so, we can have the singles group going there, we don't want to disturb the couples"
Shane ignored Selene's gaze, took Lily's hand and knelt in front of her. "May I take you for a date, lady?"
Lily giggled, stood up in an exaggerated way and bowed. "Of course, I will be honored to"
Shane stood up proudly. "See? I am not single for tomorrow" he kissed her hand, making her giggle again.
Severus observed Shane. Why was he never good at this? Now, tomorrow Shane will be going with Lily and he was fucking jealous of him. He knew they were not anything more than friends and Shane liked Selene but still his teenage mind was irritated of not being with Lily.
"Well, I anyways have a stupid detention tomorrow, so I won't be there" Charm scowled.
"Bad luck, Charm" Selene kept a hand over her shoulder. Then her face lit up suddenly and she looked smugly at Shane. "I am going with the boy, who has the best eyes in the world. So, I am not single either for tomorrow" she smirked.
Shane walked towards her and asked in a very casual way "And who would that be?"
"Well, I'll ask him now" she walked towards Severus and stood at the back of chair. She wrapped her arms loosely around his shoulders and whispered in his ear. "What would like to go for a date with me tomorrow, Severus?"
He stiffened but then relaxed in the teasing play. "You said I have best eyes in the world?" he asked looking at Shane who in turn looked at them in casual anticipation.
She rounded the chair and sat on one of the arms of it. "Yes, you do, that wasn't a lie" she laughed.
He blushed. "Well… uh… fine, I am coming with you tomorrow, it's not like I have any other choice"
"I have to admit this, that I am a bit jealous of you, Selene. Your date looks just too adorable when he blushes like that and yes, his eyes are the best" Lily said flirtatiously looking at Severus.
Though she truly was. She wanted to go with Severus too, but spending a little time Shane wasn't bad.
Severus' nerves had too much with the admiration, they burned his entire face red. But he felt more than flattered. Lily admired him. He felt like he could fly without wings. He will remain ecstatic because of the statement for weeks.
Shane grinned from ear to ear over the statement. He would love if they both got together, they just seemed best for each other.
"What do you think, Lily? I don't have standards?" Selene showed her mock- offended face. "Ha… if people haven't heard, I am telling this again. I am going on a date" she teased with a mock-shout.
"So, I'll repeat once more too, that I am going on a date too for those who hasn't heard" he made the same gesture.
Charm rolled her eyes and leaned towards Severus. "I told you they are the biggest simps"
"They are" he agreed. Well, if he excluded himself from the situation.
Shane crooked an arm and Lily took it. They both walked off the table but suddenly shrunk back panting with their hands pressing forcefully on their ears.
"What happened?" Austin asked.
"Sev… lift this bloody spell" Lily shrieked.
"Oh… Sorry" he waved his wand and lifted it. "Fine… now?"
"Merlin, it's so powerful when you are near. It can pull a person into deafness" Shane exclaimed.
"I can still hear the ringing in my ears" Lily shook her head to get free of the odd feeling.
"It will go in a minute or two" Severus said sheepishly.
"Brilliant. Serves him fine" Selene whispered after they left.
*Page Break*
After what happened last day, James felt a new ray of hope coming from his heart. Perhaps, what happened the other day, Lily might be intrigued by how he felt and would like to come with him to Hogsmeade. He can ask her once more, couldn't he? He did that every time, what's new this time?
He came down from his dormitory and sat on the couch waiting for Lily, smiling. She walked inside, seemingly in a good and happy mood. Perhaps, he can just make it even better.
"Hey. Lily. Over here" he waved at her with a broad grin.
She walked towards him; her smile faltered a little but it was in place again. "Yes?"
"Uh… I was wondering, Lily, if you would like to come to Hogsmeade with me?" he asked expectantly.
"I am sorry, Potter. Someone has already asked me and I have said yes" she said crossing her arms on her chest.
"What!? You got a date?" his forehead creased.
"Yes. Is that so difficult to believe?" she said annoyingly.
"No, no, Lily. Not at all" he hastily stated. "May I ask whom are you going with?"
This person better not be Snape, He thought. A certain person had told him that they both were hugging in the library so fiercely that it might have broken a bone, but he dismissed it, of course that can't be true.
"Why do you care?" she asked stiffly.
"He is not a Slytherin, is he?" he ignored a question.
"No, he is a Ravenclaw" she gave smoothly.
"Oh… but who is he?" his forehead creased with worry again. What if he is more handsome than he is?
Lily hesitated but then gave in. "Shane Singh"
"Singh!?" Damn! That means the news about the letter was correct. Singh and Lily had something. And Lily looked happy. Merlin, what does Singh has and he doesn't? He sat there disappointed.
"So, Potter, if you have nothing more to say, I'll be on my way" And she walked to her dormitory.
Not seeing any more use of siting in the common room, James also walked to his dormitory.
"Hey, mate- what's up with you?" Sirius' enthusiastic mood deflated after looking at James.
"Lily is going out with Singh tomorrow" he said with the energy he could muster.
"Singh? That Ravenclaw? Ah… then he got it mate" Sirius kept a hand on his shoulder.
"What about me now, Padfoot? She looked happy" James groaned.
"She doesn't value you, Prongs" Sirius' muttered. "Why don't you go with McDonalds, she knows that you are a nice guy" he suggested.
"Whatever, Siri"
"You need some cheering up and this seems as the best plan" he grinned broadly.
"I have still not lost all the hope" James stated resolutely.
"Yeah, mate, McDonalds will meet you in the morning after breakfast at the gate" Sirius had already planned this to take his friend out of misery. And also, so, that James doesn't become a third wheel between him and Remus. For one day he wanted to be alone with him. Just those two.
"Why do I reckon this was all planned up?" James looked at him from the corner of an eye.
"Absolutely not, it's all a coincidence" Sirius laughed nervously. If only he were a bit subtle.
*Page Break*
To do list
Urghh… this was the first time he was doing it and he had no idea how to. He every time kept things in his brain but this needed to be written. But it was so bloody irritating.
1 Who made the Hoctus?
2 How did he find out about the lost diadem?
3 Sneaking in Slughorn's office to get the book with Lily.
That made a warmth spread in his chest and butterflies flutter in his stomach. She was going to be there for him. He shook his head. Concentrate. He chided himself.
4 Are there more of these Hoctuses?
5 Did he do this with the other artifacts too?
6 If yes. Then where are they?
7 Perhaps, another visit to that anonymous place?
-without Lily this time. Only if she ever listened to him. He knew she was going to insist on going with him. He can of course once try and this time pay total heed to the object. Or he can just go there without telling anyone. That seemed the perfect plan.
8 Oh yeah… Hogsmeade trip – only if Lily went with him. He sighed.
Perhaps, he is the only one who is paying attention and working so much over clues. He'll have to chide them once, to bring the sense of importance in them about that dangerous diadem. Last it possessed Lily and he didn't want someone else in the same position. He shivered involuntarily at the thought.
What he didn't know is that two more light in Slytherin Dormitory, one in Gryffindor, one in Ravenclaw and one in Hufflepuff were still on over the beds and the occupants making the same notes which he just did.
