Chapter 3
The initial bliss of being back at Hogwarts was soon replaced by worries everyone had of N.E.W.T exams, which were now approaching for the seventh years. Professor McGonagall had instructed Lily and James to hand out timetables that morning, which Lily was doing diligently whilst James had chosen to float his in the air, shouting out who they belonged to. Lily almost laughed as the timetables for the Slytherins seemed to have a knack of landing on their heads or in their breakfast, but she wiped the grin off her face when she caught Sirius looking at her.
"Potter – please can you hand them out normally?" she asked.
"Why of course Evans, I shall rise to the occasion" James said, immediately rising from the table and bowing to her.
Lily smiled sarcastically, but as soon as her back was turned, James handed the timetables to a 5th year Prefect, whispering "Oi, give out the timetables, cheers".
Once Lily had sat down again at the table, she immediately began to scan her own timetable.
"Oh no" said Marlene beside her. "Double potions first, no thanks".
"Oh dear McKinnon, complaining about lessons already? I might have to report that" said James.
Lily glared at him. "Just kidding of course, Evans" he smiled back at her.
"Prongs, look, it's Mulciber" snarled Sirius. "I think a good old jelly legs jinx is in order, to welcome him back" he picked up his wand from the table.
"Er, Padfoot, don't' - ok?" said James.
Everyone looked round at him with surprise.
"I just mean it's not a good idea – what with everyone here, the teachers" James trailed off.
"Oh please" snorted Sirius, "you're only saying that because Lil-" but mysteriously, he suddenly could not speak, as James had flicked his wand at Sirius and silenced him. Sirius looked furious and silently jinxed James, who suddenly burst out laughing uncontrollably. Lily looked up disapprovingly from her cereal, from Sirius who looked like he was trying to swear but with no sound, to James who was holding onto the bench from the laughter Sirius had jinxed him with.
"Boys, boys, please" she said standing up, eyebrows raised, hand on her hip. She pointed her wand at Sirius, then James, who were suddenly un-jinxed. "You are both seventh years, and James you are Head Boy!" she sounded angry. "I thought you said you were giving up the hexing for good".
"Come off it Evans, no one is getting harmed if we hex each other!" he said to her.
"I suppose, but you're not setting a good example. Thank Merlin none of the teachers saw" she hissed.
"Oh please – get off your high horse Evans, I saw you laughing" retorted Sirius.
"Maybe I smiled. But that does not make it funny Black!" she said to him.
James reached an arm across the table, touching her shoulder. "Look Lily – it happened once it won't happen again, I'm sorry".
She blinked. She had never received an apology from James before.
"Well thanks for apologising" she replied curtly.
Sirius muttered something about 'trouble in paradise', before the group soon made their way to Potions.
As soon as they reached the dungeons, the atmosphere became rather tense as the Gryffindors came face to face with the Slytherins, who included -
"Snape, I'm charmed as ever" said Sirius, pretending to wipe grease off his hands.
"Black, Potter" Snape spat in disgust. "I see Dumbledore has become a fool" he smiled maliciously. "Hogwarts really has sunk to new levels, seeing as this" he gestured to James "is its new representation".
Lily stepped out. "Hello Severus" she said to him, politely.
Snape raised one eyebrow. "I see congratulations are in order for the … happy couple. Nice to see you've let yourself go Evans, spending time with halfwits and … furry friends" he said to her cruelly, his eyes flickering towards Remus.
"I'll put you in detention Snape" said James. "I'm warning you".
"Warning me? Of a little detention?" Snape laughed. "Tell me, Potter, what will you file me down as having done? Having a little chat with the Sainted Head Boy? What will Dumbledore say when he realises his, grave, mistake?" he said silkily.
"Lay off Snape" said Lily, glaring at him.
"Settled for this then have we?" he asked her, but oddly not being able to look her squarely in the eye. "After everything you said about the Potter prat, you've finally sold yourself to him?" he asked.
"Ten points from Slytherin, for rudeness" Lily said, the anger in her voice recognisable now. "And watch it's not another ten, Snape", she snarled as the dungeon door opened and with one filthy look at Snape, she stormed in, James right behind her.