Chapter 4
Hogwarts continued as usual for a couple of weeks. Thankfully they were in their sixth year so did not have exams, yet Lily often found herself helping O.W.L and even N.E.W.T students with their exams. She had been extremely busy with this on top of her own work and Prefect duties that she had barely seen the Marauders, except Remus, in lessons. Often from her friends she would hear news of the latest Gryffindor victory in Quidditch, captained by James of course, or much to her displeasure, of Sirius's latest romantic endeavours. Yet oddly, she had not seen James that much. Usually he would have a natural hack of finding her wherever she went and showing very public displays of affection. Or she would find him hexing some poor Slytherins and have to report him to Professor McGonagall. Yet recently, he had not appeared on her radar of troublemakers. She had reported Sirius a few times, yet still no sight of James apart from in lessons, when he would merely smile at her if they crossed glances.
"Come on Lily, we'll be late for Charms" said Dorcas Meadowes, picking up her things.
Lily smiled as she put down her fork from breakfast. Charms had become her favourite subject over the years. Picking up her bag, she followed Dorcas out of the Great Hall and up the stairs to the Charms classroom, where they took their seats. Lily looked around her –
"Where's James?" she asked. She could see Sirius, Peter and Remus but no sign of James.
Dorcas laughed. "Since when do you care?" she asked.
Lily smiled in return. At that point, James entered the classroom, looking slightly more dishevelled as usual. Since the back row was taken, he found a seat next to Lily near the front. Lily smiled, expecting him to make a comment, but he ignored her.
"Welcome, settle down now" squeaked Professor Flitwick. "Today we will be learning the Protean charm. Tricky, but necessary for N.E.W.T level".
Lily listened intently to Professor Flitwick's comments about the difficulty of the Protean charm, knowing full well that she had perfected this charm during the holidays.
"So, divide into pairs, let's see who can cast it first" said Professor Flitwick.
Dorcas turned towards Lily, but before Lily could confirm they were partners, she quickly turned towards James.
"Potter. Looks like we're together" she said in a matter of fact way.
James looked up at her, looking confused at Dorcas's face, but nevertheless bemused.
"I'm at your disposal Evans" he smiled cheekily.
She rolled her eyes jokingly at him, still smiling. "Come on James, try the charm. Why don't you etch something on one of the boxes, then cast the Protean charm and see if it turns up on the others?" she asked innocently.
James muttered under his breath and letters began to appear on the wooden box in front of him. It said the word 'match' on it.
"Match?" asked Lily, "really James, are you that obsessed with Quidditch?" she asked.
James laughed. "I'm James now am I?" he looked deeply into her eyes.
She blushed. "Well, it is your name" she said.
"I suppose so. Does this mean I get to call you Lily now?" he asked.
"Perhaps" she replied. "Try casting the charm" she said.
"Gladly, Lily" he winked at her.
James looked at the box in front of him and pointed his wand at it. "Proteus" he uttered, and the writing appeared on all three boxes.
"Impressive" said Lily.
"Really? A compliment from Madame?" asked James. "This must be my lucky day".
Once they had both proved they could do the charm, Lily and James spent the rest of the lesson discussing the accuracy of Sirius's impression of Professor McGonagall and Quidditch. When the bell rang, to the surprise of their friends, they for the next lesson together.
"Are they together or something?" asked Hestia, turning towards Sirius.
"I don't know Jones. I'm as clueless as you are" he replied.