Chapter 3 of yr4: Who the Hell is Nick Graves?
Lily scratched at her electric blue nail polish, it was already chipping anyway. She slouched in her seat, trying to listen to what Professor Vector was saying but found that his words floated in one ear and out the other. She glanced at Severus sitting beside her. He sat with his back straight, his quill hovering above the parchment. He was listening so attentively to the professor he forgot to take notes. She sighed and looked across the room to Josie. Josie sat with her head on her desk, her quill moving across the page. Lily hoped that she was taking notes and not writing to Mary. She looked behind her to see if Mary seemed to be waiting for anything. Mary had her legs up on the desk, chewing gum and twisting a strand of hair around her finger with a vacant expression. Josie was once again their only hope of passing Arithmancy.
Lily had promised herself that she would pay attention in this class this year, but she was too distracted- too irritated to focus. For one thing, James Potter kept flitting into her mind. She hated him. She hated everything about him. She hated the way he walked down the halls running his hands through his hair. She hated the way he chewed on his quills in class. She hated the way he ate his food. She hated that smirk that was always on his face. She hated the way his eyes would light up and he would get loud when he talked about Quidditch. She hated the way it seemed that every time they put their differences behind them and became friends, he would do something horrible again; like making leeks sprout out of Severus's ears.
And then he and his friends hadn't shown up at all today. Severus, of course, was the first to notice this in first period. "The stupid prats can't even turn up to class on the first day!" he had said. It was ridiculous, irresponsible, and disrespectful to the professors, not to show up to your first day of classes, but for some reason what Severus had said bothered her.
She was mostly irritated with herself, she supposed because she was still sore with Severus after the row they had over summer. Lily had gone to Ireland for a week because Eilidh's father died, she wanted to be there for her friend. Severus just didn't care. He didn't want Lily leaving because summer was the only time they could truly spend together. At school, there was always Potter, and classes, and other friends that got in the way, but during summer it was just them. Summer was always sacred to them, but another friend in need of support after a death of a close family member… that had to be an exception.
He had apologised and seemed sincere but then, when she told him that Eilidh's mother planned to keep Eilidh from returning to Hogwarts he seemed glad. Eilidh may not like Severus but she was always nice to him, so she didn't see why he would react that way. She didn't know how to confront him about it. For Severus it seemed like the issue was over and done with, he didn't even realise that she was irritated. Potter did and by God did that irritate her too. Why does Potter have to notice everything? she thought to herself, drawing flowers on her parchment so it looked like she was taking notes. She could hear Severus's voice in her head saying "because he's an idiot, why do you care anyway?" and she let out a quiet laugh. This Severus did notice. He gave her a questioning look which she responded to with a smile and a shrug then mirrored Josie's posture.
"Lily, we're supposed to be taking out our books," Severus whispered. Lily shot up and indeed everyone had their copy of "The Magic of Numbers" written by Pythagoras himself, out on their desk.
"Lily are you alright? You seemed distracted in class," Severus asked as they walked to the Great Hall for lunch.
"I was a bit distracted I suppose," Lily admitted. She smiled at him, seeing that he was really concerned. "It's nothing to worry about. It's just Eilidh and…."
"And?" Severus pressed. Lily shook her head.
"Just Eilidh. I'm a bit worried, I haven't heard from her since I got back. I'll just write to her after classes," Lily said. She smiled and waved goodbye to him before skipping off to the Gryffindor table to join her other friends. Mary and Josie had already found Marlene.
"Please tell me you were taking notes," Lily begged Josie, throwing her books down on the table and her rucksack into an empty seat.
"Mind you I was half asleep when I did." Josie yawn and reached into her bag to take out her notes. Mary looked over Lily's shoulder as she read through Josie's scribbles. "Magic in numbers. Numbers are the least magical thing on this planet! I can't believe I let you talk me into taking this ruddy class again."
"Thank you, Josie, you're the best," Lily smiled brightly and put the notes into her Arithmancy book.
"Mary, love, I hate my dress robes!" Persephone Machault announced as she took a seat next to her. "My mum made me go shopping with my grandmother and she kept me locked in the changing room the entire time! I've got old lady robes."
"Alice said Hogsmeade weekend isn't until the end of the month, but I'm sure we can help you find something for a decent price," Marlene said. Lily nodded in agreement.
"Thanks, guys!" Persephone said.
"No problem. I need to find proper shoes to go with mine anyway. The ones I got are not going to be kind to my feet and I actually want to dance that night," Lily said. Lily, was thoroughly looking forward to this Alum Ball.
"Reckon Sirius got taller over the summer?" Josie asked, twirling her hair.
"Who cares?" Lily said much too quickly and as a result nearly choked on her potatoes.
"Oi, he just came in with Eilidh!" Mary said, pushing Lily's shoulder so she would turn around though she didn't need to. The moment Mary said Eilidh's name Lily's head whipped around and sure enough there she was striding into the Great Hall smiling along with James Potter and his Merlin cursed friends.
Lily jumped to her feet and called Eilidh's name. She came running and as she got closer Lily noticed her eyes were red from crying.
"I thought you weren't coming!" Lily said, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Dumbledore came and changed her mind at the last moment," Eilidh answered.
"Good, I'm so happy you're here! Are you alright? You look like you've been crying," Lily asked, pulling on Eilidh's hand so she'd sit down.
"Oh, I'm fine. I was just telling them about my dad," Eilidh answered, nodding her head toward Potter and his friends. They were making quite a lot of noise with a group of sixth and seventh years. Lily wanted to ask why she had told them anything but didn't want to pry.
"We're sorry about that Eilidh," Mary smiled kindly and reached over Lily to touch Eilidh hand. Josie, Marlene, and Persephone nodded in agreement.
"Thank you and I'm fine. I just want this year to be a happy, exciting one," Eilidh said and smiled to reassure them.
"Well, you'll be happy to hear this then!" Josie grinned.
"Hogwarts is hosting a ball," Marlene said, sounding very much like McGonagall.
"The Alum Ball," Lily said.
"Slughorn's putting the whole thing together," Mary said.
"We were going to volunteer to help when we go to Potions if you want to join us," Persephone said. Eilidh looked hesitant.
"It might help keep your mind off things," Lily whispered and Eilidh smiled.
"You're right, it sounds fun," Eilidh said. Lily felt much better having Eilidh here with her and that she seemed determined to have fun. She was afraid that she would become distant after her father died but it seemed to be the opposite. "Right, so who are you all going with?"
"None of us has dates yet, except for Marley of course," Josie answered.
"Actually, I don't either. I broke up with Adam," Marlene said like she was telling them that it was rather sunny outside.
"When? You didn't tell us," Mary asked.
"Oh, this summer. I just realised that he wasn't right for me," Marlene said like adding that there was also a brisk wind.
"Did he do something?" Persephone asked.
"No, I kissed someone else," Marlene sighed. "A girl actually, so you see why he wasn't right for me?"
"Aren't you going to the dance with her?" Josie asked.
"No that was just a summer thing. I was kinda hoping to go with Annie, " Marlene answered. The girls thought a moment, trying to remember who Annie was. "From Hufflepuff. We had Astronomy with her."
"Oh right! She's cute," Mary said.
"I think she's going out with Jacob Wright, Marls," Lily said slowly.
"Is she! Damn, I'll have to find someone else," Marlene said, looking only a little upset.
"Why don't we just go together, make it a girls night?" Josie asked.
"Because I'd rather not end the night snogging you!" Mary laughed.
"It'd be the best snog of your life," Josie returned laughing along with them. There was a loud bustle of laughter coming from where James sat with his friends that caught their attention. To Lily's horror, James stood, looking very much like she was his intended destination. James smirked at her and ruffled his hair. Lily felt a familiar sickening somersault in her stomach she felt whenever James directed his attention to her.
"All right, Evans?" James grinned, extending an arm to balance himself on the table separating Lily from Mary. His voice was deep and mature and there was a glint in his eye as usual. She forgot to add this to the list of things she hated about him.
"We're eating, Potter," Lily answered.
"Yes, and it looks like your vegetarian diet is going well," James said. His hand shot to his hair again.
"Thanks," Lily said shortly.
"Could I have a word?" James asked, nodding away from the table. Lily hadn't the slightest idea what James had to say to her, but remembering that Eilidh had come in with him and that she said she had talked to him, Lily thought he might have concerns so she agreed. She smiled to her friends, signalling that she was fine and followed him.
He led her to the corner of the room and she was grateful for it. They were far enough away so no one could overhear their conversation but they still weren't alone.
"So, are you excited about this ball thing?" James asked succeeding in shocking Lily.
"Really, Potter?" she said, letting her irritations seep through her voice.
"What? Hey, if you think it's stupid-"
"It's just not what I was expecting you to talk about." She forced herself to remember that her fight with Severus was not his fault and never mind the trouble he had actually caused.
"What were you expecting?" James half laughed half looked concerned. She hated how confusing he was. She contemplated asking him exactly what he had talked about with her friend but thought that Eilidh would eventually tell her if it was anything important.
"I am looking forward to the ball, why do you ask?" Lily said. James, thankfully, didn't press into what her expectations were. Instead, he ruffled his hair again and said with a smirk;
"I just thought that you and I should go together,"
Lily suppressed a groan. She had hoped that he would drop this little "joke" he insisted on having with her. He was always flirting with her while his friends sniggered and he'd smirk like he was telling a first year that Dumbledore kept a flock of Strix (a flesh eating bird) in the dungeons. (He had actually done this last year. Lily had stayed up helping the prefects sooth their nightmares for an entire week.)
"I'd rather watch paint dry with Professor Binns commentating," Lily said, smiling sweetly.
"Wait!" James reached out an arm to stop her from turning back. "Does that mean you're actually going with that Graves bloke from Ravenclaw?"
"Who?" Lily asked. She knew no one by the name of Graves and she certainly didn't have a date to the ball yet.
"Nick Graves from Ravenclaw said he was going to ask you. Did you say yes?" James asked.
"If I did it wouldn't be any of your business," Lily huffed and stormed off going over her list again. She hated how James Potter always seemed to know things before she did. She hated how James Potter acted like a complete idiot. She hated how he always took his jokes too far. She hated how he brought the worst out of her. And above all she absolutely hated his stupid, stupid hair!
***Drifting17, thank you. Reading your review gave me relief. I know what you mean about not usually liking OC's, that's why I was so nervous about posting that chapter but I'm glad you liked her and thought she fit well in the chapter. For me, those details are what make reading and writing fun so I'm really glad you liked it. I thought people might have thought it a little ridiculous. Thank you again for your review and for continuing to read, I hope I never disappoint you. XO
CrazyFangirl100, thank you, I know Peter is like this constant reminder of what's coming and it makes me so sad thinking about it too. Just do what I do and pretend that everyone survives and Lily and James are living happily with their grandchildren. (picture James with James Sirius :D) I'm happy that you liked how I wrote the Marauders relationship. Their relationship is a key focus for me because it's cute and because it's one of the things that inspired me in the first place. Sirius told Harry in OOTP that he ran away to the Potter's when he was 16, so you're right. Thank you for your review and for reading. I hope you continue to like it and that I don't disappoint. XO
***I felt kind of bad changing POV right after a heavy OC chapter but when I started to write it, it seemed to just write itself so obviously I had to post it. I hope you didn't hate it. Please tell me what you think and if enough people like it I might do a Game of Thrones type thing where I switch between the Marauder's and Lily's POV (maybe Severus but I think I might be too biased to do it right. I'll try to write something and see if I like it.) I think it'll help with understanding Jily, at least why Lily's pissed off with James all the time because he doesn't seem to get it. (Yet. Seventh year come already!) But if you hated it I'll probably, most likely never do it again.
Just a small hint, Nick Graves is the guy Remus said was going to ask Lily Evans to the ball in Chapter 26 Alexithymia.
BTW I didn't know what that word (alexithymia) was actually a psychological condition. When I found it I thought it was just a cool word for having trouble expressing or understanding your emotions. Which it kind of is but on a much deeper (and not cute) level, so sorry. That'll teach me to use words I randomly found on a hipster post.
All rights reserved to JKR and to Wikipedia for the creepy bird.
A Strix is a bird, usually an owl, from Roman and Greek mythology that eats human flesh and blood. Creepy right?
I hate to leave you with that ugly note but;
Until next time,
XO******