Chapter Twenty-four: Mind Games

Lily awoke the next morning to the rustling of paper. Curious, she drew back the drapes around her bed and blanched.

Dress and shoe boxes of every color littered the room, not a bit of the floor visible. Charlotte was in the corner flinging item after item over her shoulders, desperately scrounging for something.

"What…is…going…on?" Lily's jaw dropped. She scanned the room to see if anyone else was concerned with the disaster, but it appeared the two were alone.

Charlotte huffed and glanced briefly in Lily's direction. Her cheeks were flushed from exertion. "I can't find my new shoes."

"Er…which ones?" Lily slid out of bed and tugged on her robe, stumbling over a scaly green handbag.

"The ones Helen stole! I know she did!" she flung her arms in the air, a mildly insane look on her face.

"Maybe you just lost them."

"No, Lily," she turned viciously, "I did not just lose a 3,000 Galleon pair of heels."

"Well then ask for them back."

"HA!" Charlotte bellowed, kicking a box. "You don't ask the Queen of Hogwarts for a pair of stolen shoes. No." She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror which seemed to calm her significantly. She took a deep, cleansing breath. "No, you count your losses and regroup." She spoke like a general in war, eyes narrowed, a clenched fist gesturing to her reflection.

"Right…I've, er, been meaning to ask you…" Lily swallowed, not entirely sure this was the best time. "Where have you been getting all the money for this stuff?"

Charlotte hesitated a moment then tittered. "Oh, Lily, does that really matter? Look! See how fabulous this would be on you." She tossed Lily a set of hot pink robes.

"Er…"

"Keep it! It's a gift."

"This stuff must have cost a fortune, Charlotte!" Lily exclaimed, gesturing to the sea of clothes. "I mean, 3,000 Galleons for shoes? Really? Mine cost eight."

"Well, yes, Lily," Charlotte said gravely, "It shows."

Lily frowned down at her sad, worn sneakers.

"Besides," Charlotte waved a hand dreamily, "I can't possibly lower myself to such standards. I am a Vane, after all."

"Fine. Whatever. Can you at least clean up after yourself?" Lily dropped the bundle of hot pink into an open shoebox and stomped angrily to the loo. Well, it was more of an undignified shuffle, bits of glittery tissue flying with each step.

Charlotte frowned and pursed her glossy lips. She reached down and snatched the robes Lily had discarded. "Well you don't have to be so bloody rude about it!" She waved them pointedly. "I was trying to give you a gift!"

Lily paused at the door and sighed. Slowly, she turned back to Charlotte who was staring at the far wall with her arms crossed, foot tapping rhythmically. "You're right. I'm sorry, Charlotte. I've been in a foul mood. Forgive me?"

Her foot stopped tapping, but she continued to frown at the wall for a moment. Then, tossing the pink bundle aside, she went back to her search. "Whatever. So what's the matter with you this morning?"

Lily's head lolled against the doorframe. "Just…everything."

"By which you mean…?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. It's stupid."

"Ah-ah!" Charlotte tutted, her blonde curls whipping through the air as she met Lily's eyes. "Does it involve firewhiskey?"

"Somewhat."

"Then it's somewhat interesting. Speak." She waved a commanding hand and went back to her attempts to break into Helen's trunk.

Lily pushed the hair from her forehead, running her hand to the nape of her neck. "This whole thing with James…it's—it's— I don't know how to stop it."

"Did something happen between you two?"

Lily idly kicked a box lid. "Almost."

"I knew this would be interesting. Details."

"Absolutely not!"

Charlotte lifted her gaze slowly from what she was doing, lips curving deviously into a delighted smirk. "You liked it."

"No. He—he's so demanding. He never listens to me!" she stammered.

"Lily," she was still smirking. There was something seductive in her eyes. "Just because he doesn't listen to your words doesn't mean he isn't listening to your body language."

"I…"

She shrugged. "After all, the body never lies. James is reading you like a dirty magazine, and let me tell you, it's not just for the 'articles'."

Lily was blushing furiously now, unable to make eye contact. "Charlotte…"

"It's true. And you love it!"

"I don't!"

"Liar."

"Can we please talk about something else now?" she rounded the corner and snatched her toothbrush from the counter.

"Sorry, I don't think anything could top this conversation," Charlotte wandered in beside her and began primping to her reflection. "Lily the prefect: not so perfect."

Lily ground the foaming toothbrush harder into her gums, trying to tune her out. She spat and rinsed, a thought suddenly springing to mind. Delicately, she tapped the brush dry, peering at herself in the mirror. "Actually…there is something I wanted to ask you."

"Fire away." Charlotte was candidly adjusting her cleavage.

"Sirius…mentioned something about the deals between pureblood families." Lily turned to Charlotte. "What exactly does that entail?"

"Well," she wedged a hand down the front of her shirt, "usually a magical contract is signed."

"Mmm," Lily brushed her hair thoughtfully, trying not to sound too intrigued.

Charlotte eyed Lily's reflection frankly. "I know what you're getting at Lily, but a marriage contract is not something you just crumple up and throw away. Barring death, once the contract is signed, it can't be broken. I mean, really, Lily. You can't kill the girl."

She pursed her lips. "Sirius Black was engaged to her, and they broke that off in favor of James."

Charlotte nodded. "Yes," her gaze flickered away from her reflection and met Lily's emerald eyes. "But it was abolished on the account that Sirius Black is no longer considered a Black."

"How did you know about—"

Charlotte gave her a frank stare. "Lily, please."

Lily sighed and flopped back against the counter. "Then it is hopeless."

Silence filled the air a moment and then Charlotte spoke temptingly. "Well. There is one way."

Lily turned back to face her, unable to keep the eagerness from her voice. "How?"

She raised a delicate brow and brushed away a stray blonde curl with a fingertip. "If one is determined unworthy."

"Unworthy how?" her ears perked.

"Well, let's just say…" she bent her head and whispered throatily, "having a tarnished reputation."

Lily brightened. "Well, I just prove that Edith's family is dealing with the Dark Arts and—"

Charlotte chuckled. "I don't mean that sort of reputation."

"Er…what do you mean?"

Charlotte stared at Lily, her heavily-lashed eyes wide with meaning.

Lily was at a loss. "Er…what?"

Charlotte sighed exasperatedly. "Prove that she's shagging someone else!"

"Oh. Oh!" Lily blushed. "That sort of reputation. Got it."

"Good lord, Evans. Are you certain you're top of the class?" she rolled her eyes.

Lily frowned. "How am I supposed to prove something like that?"

"Be creative." Charlotte licked her thumb and smoothed a brow. "But you won't do it."

Lily's thoughts strayed to Sirius and Edith. "Why wouldn't I?"

"You're not that kind of person." She smirked. "Lily, unlike some of us, you follow a, er…what's it called…mor—mor—"

"Moral compass?"

"Yes. Er…that thing." Charlotte brushed the air. "The point is, exposing that person would mean ruining them for the rest of their lives. And no matter how much you despise someone, you could never do something so horrible to another human being."

Lily's shoulders sank. Edith was horrible! Why should she care? She would get what she deserved…her parents would probably, well…what would Edith's parents do to her? Likely Death Eaters themselves, what horrible fate would she be pinning on Edith?

"See? You're already reasoning yourself out of it. I can see it in your eyes."

"But…"

"But, but, but." She capped her lip gloss and smacked her lips. "Stop talking about arses unless it's James'. That conversation would be far more productive."

"What's that supposed to mean?"Lily groaned and dropped her head into her hands. "Ugh. This is so complicated."

"Actually," Charlotte chirped, "there's a perfectly simple solution."

Lily was afraid to ask. "What's that?"

"Shag James."

Lily gaped. "Absolutely not! Why the bloody hell would I do that?"

"Because you want to," Charlotte replied. "Deep down, past all of that 'I'm a prefect' prude rubbish, you really want him to get in your knickers."

"That is not true!" Lily stared her down shakily. "I am not like that—"

"Relax." Charlotte rolled her eyes. "It was just a suggestion."

Lily took a deep breath and steadied herself. "That's…" she said slowly, coming to a realization, "that's why Edith has been trying to keep me away from James."

"Spot on."

Lily frowned. "If James and I slept together and we were found out, the contract would be off."

"Edith obviously has motivations. She'll benefit from the marriage. Besides, if it falls through because of you, something that Edith could have prevented, imagine how furious her parents would be. The consequences may actually outweigh the benefits for her."

Lily was quiet a moment. "Do you think…James knows about this?"

"Of course he does."

"So, he knows that all he has to do is..." The thought made her blush. Her mind wandered to the previous night in the empty classroom…Could that brief moment have become the answer to his dilemma?

Charlotte's signature smirk danced across her face. "James could have anyone he wanted. He could have gotten out of this long ago."

Lily's heart began to race. Could that be true? Was he…waiting for her?

The smirk faded from Charlotte's face and she thoughtfully began unwrapping a pumpkin pasty. "Although, no one is foolish enough to risk their own reputation for his sake. It would be social suicide. I don't know a girl who would be willing do it, even if it is James Potter."

Lily's thudding heart stopped abruptly.

Charlotte took a lofty bite and swallowed. "So are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Lily swallowed, suddenly a bit pale. "Er…sure."

"Excellent. I need your help with something. Hey…are you feeling okay? You look a bit…peaky."

"Hmm? Yes, fine…just...nervous. The Quidditch game is today, after all." Lily stood awkwardly and threw on her cloak, wandering blankly toward the door. "Well I better get to the field. So, see you at the game, right?"

"Right…" Charlotte eyed her strangely.

"Great!" She slammed the door behind her and steadied herself against it.

Why did she allow herself to fall into his little traps? All this time James had known perfectly well what he had to do to get out of his marriage with Edith…and he was stringing her along to help him get the job done. He really thought Lily was that easy? He thought her that much of an idiot? She was so oblivious to wizard society, he assumed she could fall into bed with him like the other girls wouldn't, unaware of any consequences. Pathetic.

Well she was finished. With all of it.

Bitterly, she forced herself to focus. There was one thing she had left to do in order to rid herself of all this drama.

---

Edith was the last in the Slytherin Quidditch lockers, shuffling daintily through hers. She barely glanced over her shoulder, her heavily lashed eyes briefly spotting Lily hovering in the doorway, fists clenched and knuckles a snowy white. Edith smirked and turned her attention back to collecting her gear. "How did you get in here?"

"I have my ways."

"Lessons from dear James?" Edith slammed her locker shut and began pulling on her boots.

"I don't know what you're trying to pull," Lily spat, "but it has to stop."

Edith snorted, tightening the straps on her knee guards. "Look, Lily, you really have to stop blaming me for all these close calls of yours. There's only one person at fault, and it clearly isn't me."

"Really? Because the last time I checked, the two goons who assaulted me in the corridor last night were from your team."

"I can't be held responsible for the actions of others. Especially," her eyes met Lily's, flashing, "when some insist on getting in the way."

"You really don't have to try so hard to keep me away from James," Lily said bitterly, arms folded. "I'm done with him."

Edith straightened and tilted her head patronizingly. "Lily, why on earth would I be concerned about that?"

"B-because…" Lily stammered, taken aback. This wasn't going as planned. "Because I know about the marriage contract!" she finished hastily. "And I know what would happen if James strayed from your relationship. You think he'd sleep with me and ruin all your plans—"

Edith laughed humorlessly. "Lily, if James wanted out of the contract so badly, you think he would wait this long to make a move?"

"No one would be foolish enough to commit social suicide," Lily repeated Charlotte's words.

"Hmmph," Edith scoffed. "Lily, you really think James Potter couldn't find someone to sleep with? Please…he could have done so a long time ago. It's quite simple, really. All he has to do is make a declaration of true love to another." She watched with satisfaction as Lily paled considerably. "And since that hasn't happened so far, I have no reason to doubt James' intentions."

Lily's mind was racing. "But…" she swallowed hard, unable to make a comeback.

With a sigh, Edith strapped on her gloves and brushed past Lily. "Face it, Evans. You were never competition to me."

Fury rose in the pit of her stomach. "Then…then why did you have my father sacked? Or…or try to knock me from the Quidditch stands?"

She scoffed, tossing her thick dark locks over her shoulder as she headed for the field. "Please. Whoever said that was me?" She paused in the doorway and looked thoughtfully over her shoulder. "You just love to lay blame where it's easiest. And here I thought you liked a challenge."

Lily was lost for words. She stared blankly at the wall a moment, thoroughly confused. Charlotte had failed to mention the little tidbit about one declaring love for another. She swallowed hard, her stomach churning. Why was she getting upset? She'd already decided she didn't care about James anymore…so why should it matter that he didn't...have certain feelings for her.

Her thoughts wandered to the night before, and how intently James had tried to get her to reveal her own feelings…why? Was it just part of his cruel little game? One thing she was certain of: she felt like a complete and utter fool to think—even for a moment—that James might actually have—

"Where have you been?" Sirius stepped in Lily's path, eyes bright with anxiety. "We've been looking all over for you!"

Lily hadn't even realized she'd been walking. She looked around, realizing she was just outside the Gryffindor locker room…Then, with a sudden burst of fire welling in her chest, she unstrapped her gloves and wrenched them off. "I'm not playing."

"What? What's wrong?" Sirius stopped her and wheeled her around.

"I'm not doing this. I can't."

"Are you bloody serious? Lily, you can't leave right now!" he said incredulously. "You have to do this!"

"No." She folded her arms resolutely. "I won't do anything for James. I don't want any part of this anymore."

Sirius sighed, massaging his temples. Resolutely, he gripped Lily's shoulders, grey eyes piercing. "Then…" he said, "don't do it for that git. Do it for me."

She watched him hesitantly.

"Please, Lily. We'll have to forfeit if you don't play."

Her eyes traveled the ground, lingering on her worn sneakers.

"Lily," he warned, "You wanted to do this. I put myself on the line to let you on the team—"

"You're right." She shook her head, running a hand through her fringe, slicking it back. "You're right, Sirius. I-I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking."

Sirius looked relieved. "Good." He snatched her gloves and shoved them into her hands. Still he hesitated a moment, gripping her shoulder.

Lily looked at him, her eyes wavering. She tried her best to look attentive and secure, but she was failing.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Lily." His dark hair brushed his cheek before he shook it back. "I'm not that much of a fool."

"Certainly not like some men…" Lily frowned.

Then, without warning, Sirius pulled her toward him, hugging her close. For an instant, Lily let her guard down and sunk her cheek into the soft shoulder of his red Gryffindor Quidditch cloak, clinging to him tightly.

Just as quickly, Sirius released her and lifted her chin so that her emerald eyes met his grey ones. "Lily, if I had you, I wouldn't be such a fool as to let you go."

Lily's eyes widened.

"I'd kiss you," he smirked, "but I suppose that would just confuse things for you, love."

Lily laughed and wiped the corner of her eye before any tear could fall.

Sirius winked and directed her to the locker room. "A real woman needs no man!"

"What?" Lily furrowed her brow.

"…Isn't that what your girly mates would be saying to you right now?" he grinned. "You know… something about femme power? Burn the knickers or some such?

"Sirius Black," Lily grinned, "there is hope for you yet."

---

The roar of the crowd was deafening, and pounded against the inside of Lily's skull. She leaned her head against someone's locker, letting the cool metal ground her.

"Feeling all right there, Evans?" Eric MacLean placed a large but gentle palm on her shoulder. "It's time. Let's line up."

Unable to speak, Lily nodded her head and retightened her thick, red ponytail.

"Right, lads," Sirius barked, "This is it. Don't let your captain down." He ran a hand through his dark, feathery hair and smirked. "Remember, he'll be back to punish us—"

"— With double the drills," chimed a voice. James hobbled forth on his bad leg, addressing his team. "I'm sure you sods will all fly brilliantly." His eyes flickered over Lily briefly, but she didn't look him in the eye. "Well? What are you waiting for? MOVE!" he hollered.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The entire team bellowed in unison, piling out onto the field like barbarous warriors, waving their broomsticks like spears and swords.

Lily stumbled past James, keeping focused on the player's back in front of her, but he followed her with watchful eyes.

The light hit Lily's face, blinding her, and she stumbled slightly. The whole thing was a bit of a blur, really: the screaming students in the stands, the echo of the announcements, colorful flags whipping in the wind…

Dizzily she mounted her broom. When the whistle blew and the crisp air beat her face, she seemed to find some manner of coherence. She blinked and scanned the field, immediately catching sight of Edith.

Edith's lips curled into a frown. Lily grunted proudly. She obviously hadn't expected Lily to be on the field after their little encounter…not to mention the mishap with her little Slytherin cronies, both of whom were hovering in the distance, grim looks on their bruised faces. Edith must have missed the memo about her fiancé knocking her teammates unconscious.

One thing was certain at this point: Lily was not doing this for James. She didn't need to prove anything to him, but she did need to prove something to Edith—and herself.

She did a cursory inspection of the stands and could make out Mila waving her arms and cheering in the Ravenclaw stands. Charlotte, seated between a few blonde Gryffindor boys, was primping in a hand mirror while systematically tossing each boy a seductive wink between lip gloss touch-ups. Lily smiled to herself and turned determinedly back to the Quaffle, which, with a sharp whistle, was tossed into the air.

The game began.

Frankly, Lily wasn't entirely sure what everyone else was doing. Players whizzed past her and she sort of hovered about, whipping around in circles as they passed her by. The Gryffindor Seeker zipped below her and shouted, "What the bloody hell are you doing, Evans? The ball is over there!"

Flustered, Lily angled her broom toward the looming goal posts where most of the players were congregated. But by the time she arrived, they'd already dispersed, the Quaffle jetting between Slytherins. She saw Edith snatch the red ball and tuck it beneath her delicate arm.

But before Lily could even formulate a plan—

"THAT'S ANOTHER GOAL FOR SLYTHERIN!"

Rats.

The crowd hissed audibly.

Lily spotted James' face in the crowd. He'd just slapped himself in the forehead.

Just then, Sirius darted past her, circling her twice.

"Lily, remember," he said, grey eyes twinkling, "play to your weakness."

"But—"

Sirius jetted away before she could finish her sentence. She tailed him with her eyes, and watched as he beat the Bludger violently, knocking a Slytherin Chaser off his broom. Lily's eyes traveled over Sirius' shoulder and spotted Edith, clinging to the Quaffle like gold, eyes alight with triumph.

Now was her chance.

Lowering her body parallel to the broom handle, Lily effectively picked up speed. The feeling seemed so natural; her body seemed to meld to the broom as it weaved in and out of the other players, all astonished as she zipped under and over them.

"Evans, what the bloody hell—" a Gryffindor Chaser called angrily as she took a few strands of hair off his head, the sounds of his voice behind her before he could finish.

Lily wasn't listening; her eyes were on Edith, following the weaving tail of her shiny new Comet. It was then Edith glanced over her shoulder to see Lily gaining on her. The smirk quickly became a scowl. And then Lily was gone, dropping out of sight.

Panicked, Edith searched the air around her, but shrugged upon finding nothing. She pinpointed the goalposts once more, but then—

Zzziip! A figure circled her, nearly knocking her off the Comet. Steadying herself, Edith glanced up, but Lily was nowhere to be found. Then suddenly—

"AUGH!" Edith nearly dropped the Quaffle and was forced to loop back around to steady herself. Lily had reappeared, flying like a maniac, buzzing Edith like a fly. "Are you bloody mad?" She hollered.

Lily just grinned and made another loop. Edith took a dive and dodged her, clinging tightly to the Quaffle. But Lily was quick; in a matter of seconds, she was on Edith's tail again.

The goal posts loomed ahead, growing larger and closer. It was Edith's chance. She waited for an opening and let the Quaffle fly before Lily could—but there she was again, this time grazing the top of Edith's head with the tail of her broom. Edith fumbled and—

"SLYTHERIN JUST MISSES—AND THE QUAFFLE IS BACK IN THE HANDS OF GRYFFINDOR—AN EXCELLENT SAVE BY GREGGOR—"

Lily grinned at the look on Edith's face.

"You bloody—" Edith hissed to Lily, but the insult faded into thin air as Edith whisked past her to chase the Quaffle.

"GRYFFINDOR SCORES!"

The crowd roared. Lily, extremely pleased with herself, scanned the crowd a moment while she hovered idly outside the goal post. She caught the eyes of Charlotte and Mila, both waving their arms happily. And then she spotted James, his arms folded and eyes narrowed objectively. That would teach him to say a girl couldn't play Quidditch—but suddenly his eyes widened, and he began to shout. What…was he shouting at her? The prat—

"EVANS!" someone screamed, zooming toward her.

She glanced up just in time; a Bludger was headed straight for her face.

WOOSH! She ducked quickly. Sirius shot over her head, wielding his bat. With a hefty swing, the Bludger sailed straight back from where it came—one of the nasty Slytherin beaters that had cornered her in the hall.

"Thanks, Sirius," Lily gasped.

Sirius shook his head and winked. "Head in the game, love, not rolling on the grass of the Pitch." With that he zipped off, and Lily made to follow when—

WHAM! Something large and red smashed into her. She felt her grip loosen and her body slide off the broomstick.

She heard a distant scream and someone shouting her name, but the swirling sounds quickly faded, and soon everything was black.

---

A dark, blurry blob hovered over Lily a moment before shifting.

"I think she's awake…" someone hissed.

Her eyes were suddenly flooded with a blinding but blurry white light, and she had to blink several times to clear her vision. Everything ached, especially her shoulder. She groaned and tried to sit up.

"Evans?" the entire Gryffindor team plus Remus Lupin were lined up by her bed.

Lily cleared her throat. "Er…hello…all of you."

"You're all right!" Eric MacLean bellowed, throwing his arms wide.

"I am…" she shifted awkwardly. "Er…what happened?"

"The Quaffle," Remus chimed in.

Sirius shrugged. "On the bright side, you blocked the Slytherins from making a goal…"

"Cheers," she replied glumly.

"Yeah," the Seeker piped up, "Black here caught you before you hit the ground."

Lily's brow rose. "You caught me, Sirius?"

He winked. "S'pose I could have let you fall, but…what a waste that would be." It was possible he was actually blushing, but his shaggy black hair hid his cheeks.

"Thank you, Sirius…" she said, overcome with embarrassment. "I'm sorry I'm so clumsy. Well…did we at least win?"

There was a collective shuffling of feet. "Er…no," Eric MacLean piped, scratching his thin red hair. "You did a fine job, though. You have…interesting technique. Now Potter'll be back for the rest of the season."

"Well, we'd better let you rest," Sirius said.

"I should say so!" Madame Pomfrey reappeared, shuffling up to Lily with a steaming cup of something greenish. "Take this tonic, dear, and then get some rest!"

The team waved and said their final goodbyes before shuffling out, sweaty and dripping mud.

Lily took the opportunity to feel her face. It didn't seem too bad, but she could feel a small cut near her lip and right eye.

"Just a mild concussion, dear," Pomfrey pursed her lips. "I don't know why you all insist upon such a bloody sport. It's barbaric…" she hesitated a moment before clearing an empty glass from Lily's bedside table. "Although…it is admirable to see a lady dare to participate. Invigorating, actually."

"Oh…" Lily smiled as Madame Pomfrey bustled off, a bit of a spring to her step.

Just then, Lily was smothered by a screeching girl, blonde hair sticking in her eye.

"Lily!" Mila cried, pulling her close. "Are you alright? I though you would die for sure!"

"No," Charlotte chimed in, picking up the tonic from Lily's table and sniffing it with a scrunched nose. "Sirius Black was there to save her."

Mila frowned. "Why don't handsome boys ever swoop in and rescue me? The last Arithmancy exam, for example. I would have loved for Remus Lupin to solve my equations…"

Lily giggled. "I'm fine."

"So, good news," Charlotte set the tonic down daintily. "I heard from Madeline."

"Really?" Lily brightened then frowned. "Wait…you heard from Madeline?"

"Alright, fine. I opened your mail," she shrugged. "Anyway, she said she's coming back next term. She's going to be homeschooled or whatever. You know, her mother's dead or something…"

"What?" she screeched. "That's terrible!"

"Well have a look for yourself," Charlotte whipped out the crumpled parchment.

Lily snatched it and began reading.

Lily,

I hope you haven't forgotten me too soon. I just thought it would be courteous to send you a proper letter about my leave. My mum is quite sick, as you know, and with my dad out of work temporarily—

The word "temporarily" was scribbled rather quickly and illegibly.

--things here have become hectic. I'll return next term, but as for the rest of this year, I'll be homeschooled. I hope you have a good year, and good luck on all of your exams.

Madeline

P.S. …thank you, for…being so nice to me.

Lily shifted uncomfortably. "This…this is crap!" she spat.

"What is?"

"Madeline having to be homeschooled! Who's going to do that with her mother sick and father looking for work?" she frowned.

"So her mum is only sick?" Mila said. "Charlotte said—"

"My mistake," Charlotte shrugged. "Her handwriting is terrible."

"Well maybe that's due to all of her stress!" Lily grumbled, crumpling up the letter bitterly.

"What's gotten into you?" Charlotte glared. "She sounds fine—"

"To you, maybe—but I know exactly why she's in the position to start with."

Mila handed Lily her tonic. "Maybe you should relax and drink this…" she began to fluff a pillow.

"No!" she wriggled away from her, and snatched the pillow back. "It's Edith's fault that Madeline's father is out of the job—"

"Ah. The squib." Charlotte pursed her lips.

"Yes, the squib," Lily glared. "And there's no reason why he can't still work. He's perfectly capable. The Baldrics are just—just—bigots! Don't stoop to their level, Charlotte."

"I was merely stating a fact! Just because your face is all bruised and scratched doesn't mean you have to take it out on the pretty girls of the world," Charlotte flicked a curl.

Lily groaned exasperatedly. "This is ridiculous. I have to do something."

"Like what?" Mila tipped her head, wearing her sensible face.

"Like—like—get rid of Edith Baldric!" she spat.

Charlotte lifted an amused brow.

"This really isn't your problem, Lily," Mila piped up.

"Please…this is just another thing on a long list of things Edith Baldric has done to wrong people."

Charlotte giggled. "Is this because she hit that Quaffle at you?"

"She what—?" Lily bellowed.

"You're not helping,"Mila frowned at Charlotte and folded her arms. "Really, Lily. This sounds a little insane."

"Good. This calls for a little insanity. Starting tomorrow I am going to start digging up whatever dirt I can on that stuck-up weasel."

Mila eyed Charlotte in the hopes of exchanging concerned looks, but Charlotte already had a sparkle in her eye. "Cheers," she said, before whirling around and heading out the double doors.

But Mila remained behind, her blue eyes narrowed icily, and her delicate arms crossed. "This isn't you, Lily."

"Well maybe it's time for a new me."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then you're on your own," Mila shook her pale head. "Good luck."

"Fine." Lily looked away and waited until she heard the double doors slam shut. She sat and stewed for several minutes, peering at her reflection in the steaming green tonic. This was her chance to put things right. Did it really matter how she pulled it off? As long as it got done, right?

Lily fidgeted. The hours crawled by cooped up in the hospital wing with nothing but the sound of Madame Pomfrey's clacking heels. She tried to sleep, but couldn't get the image of Mila's disappointed face out of her head. Then she scoured the shelves of Pomfrey's office and found a few Healer texts to peruse, but afterward couldn't shake the feeling that she'd come down with a horrible case of Dragon Pox or had been bitten by a wild Kneazle.

Soon the sky darkened, and visiting hours were up. Lily sighed and snuggled up into her pillow forcing herself to at least try and get some sleep. After all, she had big plans for—

"Falling asleep so soon? It's only nine."

Lily's eyes snapped open. James was lounging in the bed next to her, hands folded behind his head. She frowned and rolled over. "It's not exactly the most exciting of places. Can you please just leave me alone?"

James shrugged and flipped open one of Pomfrey's Healer texts that had been lying on the floor next to her. He licked a finger and flipped a page thoughtfully. "Yes…" he frowned. "Just as I expected. You have a dire case of…the knicker twists," he eyed her sternly.

"James, please—" Lily turned away from him, but he appeared at the other side of her bed, without his crutch in fact. He was walking much better.

"The only cure, it would seem," his eyes twinkling mischievously, "is a good snog."

"Madame Pomfrey will hear you. I'd rather not get into more trouble with you."

"But you love trouble," James pouted, crouching down at the foot of her bed, his face dangerously close to hers. "Don't you? It's why you agreed to play Quidditch in my stead."

"About that," Lily growled, sitting up. James' eyes followed her. "It was a lovely time, but I think I'll retire. After all, if Sirius hadn't caught me—"

James' eyes immediately went dark. "Yeah, you'd be a pancake. Right, I get it."

"Don't sound so disappointed."

He scoffed and kicked the foot of the next bed over. "I should have—I should have done something—"

Seeing the intensity in James' eyes made Lily suddenly uncomfortable. She felt a pang in her heart, and had to swallow the lump in her throat. She couldn't be a part of this stupid game anymore. She couldn't let James Potter affect her like this.

"I should have caught you, not him—"

"James, stop it!" Lily cried, clutching her battered shoulder. A sharp pain went through it when she felt the jolt of anger, but she didn't care.

"Maybe you should calm down—" James tried to force her back down to her pillow, but she wasn't having it. She didn't really want James anywhere near her at the moment.

"Please, just leave, James…" she whispered bitterly.

He frowned, hazel eyes narrowing. "What?"

"I said leave!" Lily breathed heavily, her heart pounding.

Silence.

James stewed a moment, staring at Lily who was glaring at the foot of her bed stonily.

He opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it, snatching up his Invisibility Cloak. But when he reached the door, he turned back around. "Does this have something to do with Sirius? Because I saw you two outside the lockers—"

"Not that again." Lily's eyes burned. "This has nothing to do with Sirius. This is about you and me…and the fact that there— quite clearly— is no you and me."

"Lily," he laughed. James actually laughed. As if this was a big joke to him! He limped slightly back over to her bed and leaned in toward her. "What about last night? You know you wanted more—I could feel it."

Lily thought about what Charlotte had said to her—about James reading her body language—but she stared firmly at the blanket. He needed to read her lips for once—she was not going to let him drag her down for his own means and pleasure. "I'm not your plaything. There can't be a you and me, so leave me alone."

"Lily," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear, "there will always be a you and me, whether you like it or not."

"Well I'm not going to sleep with you, so you might as well just give it up."

"Whoever said anything about that?" he teased, placing a hand against the headboard so that she was trapped, unable to look away from him.

"Leave, James."

"Where's all this hostility coming from?" he laughed. "I thought we were friends, Lils."

Her eyes went cold, and James' smirk wavered a moment. "I don't want to be a part of this game anymore. I don't want anything to do with you," she spat.

The amusement on James' face quickly faded. His eyes searched hers a moment. "Lily…"

Her expression was steady and icy. "Get. Out."

James' eyes narrowed and he stood abruptly. He hovered a moment, pacing a few times. "Right." His laugh quickly turned hollow. "Then...see you around, Evans." With that, he kicked the bedside table, knocking a vase of flowers to the floor. Lily reached to catch it, just in time, and when she glanced up again, James was gone.

And that was that.

Expelling a heavy sigh that should have signaled relief, Lily shut her eyes and tried to think of something positive. The prospect of becoming Head Girl. Freedom from James Potter. The summer holiday. Anything.

All were completely ineffectual.