Chapter 6
The days were getting warmer as summer approached. Yet, the news seemed darker every day. They would get constant updates of the bleak situation outside the castle from The Daily Prophet. But despite this, both Lily and James seemed quite happy. Ever since agreeing to be friends they had formed quite a close bond and were often found together. James had started to spend time with Lily's friends like Hestia, Dorcas and Marlene whereas Lily, despite being friends with them, found herself to be somewhat like an unofficial 5th member of the Marauders.
"The hand shoots back to his hair" said Sirius, doing an impression of James which had Lily in tears one day in the Gryffindor common room. They were watching James talk to a group of 7th year girls, observing his every move.
"Ooh look – he's talking about Quidditch now, you can tell because he keeps standing on his tip toes and tossing an imaginary ball around" replied Lily, watching James, paying particular attention to the way his surprisingly muscular arms moved.
At this point James turned towards them, politely excused himself from the 7th years and headed back to Sirius and Lily, both of whom were clutching each other from laughing.
"Oi! I saw you both! What's so funny about me?" he asked, looking bewildered.
Sirius and Lily tried to answer but couldn't make out words from their giggles. Remus sighed and stepped forwards.
"We are going to be late to Hogsmeade – all the tables at the Broomsticks will be taken!" he said, peering at his watch.
"We could try the Hogs Head?" suggested Lily.
"Bit off the map for you isn't it Lily?" asked Sirius.
"The bar man chucked us out years ago for buying Firewhisky anyway" said James.
"Remus is right – shouldn't we get going? I think we're all here" said Marlene, waiting with Dorcas.
"All except Hestia" reminded Lily, "I think she's got a date".
At which point, Hestia came rushing down the stairs.
"Sorry! Sorry! Couldn't find my lucky top" she panted.
"My my Jones, you look delightful, may I escort you out the common room?" asked Sirius, standing upright, offering his arm to her.
"Ok Black, but no thanks to the arm. What if Hamish sees?" she asked.
"Hamish?" asked Sirius.
"Oh no! You don't mean Hamish McLaggen?' asked James.
"Yes why?" replied Hestia.
"He's such a bore!" said James. "Right Sirius?"
Sirius was laughing again. "Have fun Jones, don't forget to try and pretend to look interested when he mentions his fishing trips!" turning to Lily, "I've got nothing to worry about! She'll go out with McLaggen, get bored and come back to me" he said quietly.
"You could tell her you're interested you know?" she said.
"I'll tell her when you tell Prongs" Sirius winked at Lily.
"I? What? James – but I …" Lily stammered.
"Don't worry redhead, I won't say anything" replied Sirius, following the others out of the portrait hole.
The day was lovely and the grounds of Hogwarts looked particularly pleasant in the sunlight. Lily was particularly excited to see her old friend Alice Fortescue, who was coming into Hogsmeade on her day off to say hello. Alice had always been kind to her, showing Lily the ropes when she had been Head Girl and Lily was in her first year as a Prefect. As they approached The Three Broomsticks, Hestia quickly turned to Lily, asking "how do I look?".
"Wonderful!" replied Lily, "go, he's probably waiting! Have fun" she called to Hestia, who was already walking over to Madam Puddifoot's, where she could see Hamish waiting for her with a bunch of flowers.
"Wow, flowers. Match made in heaven" said Sirius bitterly.
"Come on Padfoot, let's get you a drink" said James. "Lily – you coming?" he asked.
"Sure I will join everyone later I'm actually meeting Alice Fortescue" she replied.
She waited outside the pub for a little while, hiding her wand up her sleeve until she saw Alice making her way towards her.
"Alice!" she cried, running over to her and giving her a hug.
"Lily! It's lovely to see you!" she replied, smiling. "Shall we go inside?".
As they entered the pub Lily realised Remus had been right – it was packed. Nevertheless they found the table that James and Sirius had managed to squeeze in to by using an extendable charm, and found that Dorcas, Marlene, Peter and Remus were also sat round the table. The sight of Alice caused many cheers and warm greetings – many considered Alice to be the best Head Girl of recent years (of course not due to the fact she was in Gryffindor). Soon they were sat down, each with a Butterbeer, exchanging tales. Alice seemed to have a particularly interesting life, as she was now training to be an Auror.
"The Auror in charge of me – Moody – is absolutely bonkers but incredible. He works us very hard but it's worth it" she was saying.
"And how is Frank?" asked Remus.
Alice beamed. "Well I'm glad you asked actually, we're going to get married!" she squealed.
"Oh Alice that's fantastic!" said Lily.
"Congratulations – you're like my parents, they were both Aurors" said James warmly. Lily thought he might of flashed her a glance, but was unsure.
"Well thank you, all of you. Of course you're all invited – it will probably be something quick and quiet in the summer but I will send details" Alice was saying, looking at her watch. "I'm afraid I'm due back at the Ministry!" she said.
As she was saying her goodbyes and leaving the pub, Alice grabbed Lily's wrist and said "I need a word. Alone".
Looking puzzled, Lily followed her willingly.
"Lily – Dumbledore told us about your encounter with Mildred Bones's daughter" said Alice once they were outside.
"Yes – poor thing – she was surrounded by all these Slytherins" Lily began to say, before she was interrupted by Alice.
"Lily please promise me you won't tell anyone about this, not even Hestia".
"Oh I haven't – only me, Felicity and James know".
"James?" asked Alice. "I always liked him but I thought you hated him?" she asked.
"No I never hated him. We're friends now actually" Lily said.
Alice smiled. "I didn't like Frank when I first met him in 1st year you know" she said, knowingly.
"I'm not going to even pretend like I understand what you're inferring Alice! Don't you need to get back to the Ministry?" Lily asked jokingly.
"You're right! Well, I will see you soon I hope. And Lily, keep safe ok?"
"I will!" she replied.
And like that Alice was gone.
When back in the pub, Sirius asked Lily what Alice wanted but Lily gave James a knowing look and he changed the subject.
"Well friends – I thought we might play a little game" he said.
Everyone groaned. Whenever Sirius or James suggested a game it usually involved either something dangerous or breaking school rules.
"What's the game James?" asked Dorcas.
"Well – it's called 'Most Likely To'" replied James.
"Oh I know this one! Someone has to say a position or situation and everyone points their wand at who is most likely to end up in that position or situation" said Marlene.
"Ten points to McKinnon" said James.
"Right I'll go first – erm, most likely to end up completely naked in Professor McGonagall's office one morning" said Sirius, at which point every person round the table pointed their wands at him. He laughed, "you know you'd want to see that Moony", he said, teasing Remus.
"Alright I've got one – most likely to end up becoming Minister for Magic" said Dorcas. Lily, like most people round the table pointed their wands at James, except for James himself, who pointed his at Lily.
"Whilst I'm flattered, I think Evans here would be the perfect candidate –"
"Well I personally think it should be Wormtail" interrupted Sirius, at which point everyone laughed and changed their vote to Wormtail.
He laughed. "Thanks Sirius, erm, most like to, um, become a Healer?" he asked.
Marlene won this fair and square. Everyone knew she wanted to work at St. Mungo's from practically the first day of school when she had described, in detail, many nasty magical illnesses contracted from Dragons.
"Ok I have one!" said Lily, but before she could say it, she saw Hestia come in.
"Hest! We're over here!" she shouted. Hestia saw her, waved, then came and sat down, putting her head in her hands.
"What's wrong with you?" asked Lily.
Hestia looked up. "Worst date ever" she replied grumpily.
"Oh I'm sorry Hest – at least it's over" said Lily.
Hestia looked at her guiltily. "It's actually not Lils. It's still happening! I told him I had to go to the bathroom at Puddifoot's then came here!".
"Come on, he cant be that bad!" said Lily, trying to be supportive.
Sirius let out a hollow laugh. "McLaggen? He's not exactly date material – what did I tell you Jones?" he asked sarcastically.
"Shut up Black" she replied. "Lily you're right – I should just go and tell him I am not feeling well and leave. Ok I'll do it – wish me luck" she left the table.
"Maybe I should – " began Sirius, before Lily stopped him. "She should do this by herself Sirius" she told him. "Anyway where were we?" she asked the group.
"I have one – most likely to become an Auror?" asked Remus.
Lily noticed Sirius, Peter, Marlene and Dorcas point their wands at James, of course his parents were Aurors it was his life dream, but to her surprise Remus and James pointed their wands at her.
"Really James?" she asked, cheekily.
"Yeah. You've got me out of some sticky situations. And I think you and Moody would be hilarious together" replied James, smirking.
Lily playfully punched him on the shoulder, but was still impressed.
"I'm bored, Marlene what are you going to wear to the ball?" asked Dorcas.
"I'm not sure" replied Marlene. "Lily what are you wearing?" she asked.
"I have no idea – I completely forgot it was happening!" she said. This was not entirely true, as several people had asked her already.
"I thought you were going with Zacharias Goldstein?" asked Dorcas.
"No I –"
"I swear I heard him say you had said yes to him?" asked Marlene, looking confused.
"Well no – he did ask me but" Lily was failing to get a word in edgeways.
"Who are you going with Dorcas?" asked Marlene.
"I actually haven't been asked yet, but I have someone in mind I might ask myself" she replied, smiling at Remus, who seemed oblivious.
Feeling rather awkward about the situation, Lily decided to excuse herself from the group. She didn't want James to think she had a date for this ball. Then again he hadn't asked her – maybe they were just friends. Feeling ridiculously silly for worrying about all of this when there were darker matters happening all over the world, Lily left Hogsmeade and headed up towards the castle.