Chapter 8

Authors Note: I am so, so sorry that this has taken so long to be posted. I don't own anything that you recognise from the Harry Potter series and sorry no lyrics this time.

Joan

The day was going far too slowly for it not to have been cursed or a time slowing spell placed on it. It turns out that the monotone voice can get even worse, especially when Robert is clearly nervous, like now, and he's trying even harder to keep his voice steady instead of giving it some character. It's also taking him three times as long to get his words out. At least he's not too bad to look at and I've never before appreciated how beautifully decorated the three broomsticks is. The walls have this royal blue paper on them with an ornate pattern in gold. All the woods is a varnished oak colour something else that I'd never noticed before.

It's amazing the things you notice when your bored.

And what you learn too, we've only been here two hours and I hand on heart swear that I've mastered sleeping with my eyes open, something that would have been useful during fifth year History of Magic classes.

"Then bam!" Robert smacked his hands together waking me up, the door opened behind me and a gust of cool air hit my back. I really want to be outside, sighing wistfully I attempt to go back to sleep, "The broom flew right into the tree."

The torture continues. Perhaps I can ask my parents to send me somewhere with white beaches, endless cocktails and peace and quiet for the summer. God knows I need something to keep me going.

I tried to look interested and nodded along with what Robert was saying. I picked up my Butterbeer and swilled the remains around the bottom of the tankard. Perfect, finally a way to get rid of him for a few minutes 'cause it turns out, Robert, yeah he walks as slow as he talks. I quickly finished what was left in the glass and forcefully put it down on the table. Please offer to get a drink. Please, Pretty please.

Robert looked at the empty tankard.

"Would you like another drink?" He asked slowly.

"Oh, yes please!" I replied gratefully but not because I was thirsty. He had taken the bait, fantastic a chance to escape. Robert walked to the bar and joined the mercifully long queue for drinks. Hallelujah! I looked around the crowded pub for a means of escape, I was really regretting not taking Lily's 'Get out of date free' offer this morning.

I could see tons of faces that I knew but none that I could really call a friends. A few of the girls from the Gryffindor smiled and waved before turning back to their dates or friends. Couldn't they see my distress? My eagerness to escape? Whatever happened to sisterhood?

Leaning back on my chair I could just make out Robert at the bar still a long way from getting served. He smiled at me, I wetly smiled back and groaned. What did I do in a past life? Why didn't Remus step in before he asked me out? I'm so going to kill that conniving werewolf.

I didn't notice that someone had slipped into Roberts vacated seat and was observing me quietly until I caught a glance of him. Is he trying to give me heart failure? My chair fell loudly onto all fours.

"Hello," He said calmly in a deep voice, "You look bored."

I was seething, I ask for a means of escape and I get HIM! The Heaven's have really got it in for me. From what I could see Sirius had gotten dressed up for Hogsmeade even though he didn't have a date. He always dressed for best when he got out of the school gates. Something about not disappointing the ladies, who did he think he was Barry White? The only girls who where stupid enough to fall at his feet where the ones with big boobs and no brains. Rather like Steph Stanford, Roberts baby sister. Let me tell you she ain't no baby.

"I am bored," Might as well be honest with him, "What are you doing here? I thought you were trying to nab that sales assistant in Zonko's?"

Sirius smiled, yawned and stretched. It didn't seem to be bothering him one bit that I was ready to launch a vendetta against him.

"Nah, can't be arsed anymore I've got a much better interest." he replied secretively. That sparked my interest, normally he asks my opinion on the girls he dates or is interested in and if I didn't like them then they were fair game. My opinion was often the only one that mattered to him.

I raised an eye brow, "Oh yeah? Who?"

Sirius got up hastily, "None of your beeswax, Adams" He nudged me playfully as he passed to walk out of the door.

I was still watching his leave when a tankard of fresh Butterbeer was placed on the table in front of me.

"What did Black want?" Robert asked as he took his seat. I said he wanted nothing. Which was true, then.

Lily

"Potter, let me make this clear now," I swallowed and took a deep breath, "In no way is this a date. I am only going to Hogsmeade with you to save Joan from Robert and publicly humiliate him." I said strongly as we walked down the hazardous path to Hogsmeade village.

I had rather foolishly refused to walk down the main and most used path to Hogsmeade with James by my side and had instead insisted that we take the back route. How was I supposed to know that it would take me through a woodland walk? James never warned me. I felt his hand go around my arm to stop me tripping over yet again.

"Lily I know this isn't a date," James threw a crooked smile, "But I can dream can't I?" he asked cheekily. I pulled my arm out of his grip and threw a scowl at him.

"So what's the plan?" I asked through gritted teeth. Joan better appreciate this. When James told me the plan I could have died. Alright, so it wasn't the best one I'd ever heard but it was simple and in a crowd of people it could ruin Roberts reputation for life as a good boy.

"That won't damage your reputation will it?"

I stared at him opened mouthed.

"What reputation?" I sputtered at him. He shrugged his shoulders and kept walking. Hogsmeade was in sight now and I could see that it was very, very busy. Since it was the first Hogsmeade trip of the year the third years were making the most of the new found freedom and where darting from shop to shop with arms laden with parcels.

I miss being that young again sometimes. James must feel like that all the time. Lucky, arrogant git. He'll never grow up. Maybe when he has a family he might, he seems very loyal if you ask me. Pity he's such a pain or I might have given him a chance.

"Yea they're all nutters." I turned to look at James who was watching the scene I'd been watching a second ago, "I mean look at them, the only people I know who can carry more bags than them is my mother. Believe me she could've shopped for England."

He was using past tense about his mother. It puzzled me for a moment until I remembered that his mother had died of old age about a year ago, shortly after Sirius moved out I think.

We found them in The Three Broomsticks looking very bored, but then Robert always looks bored. James stood back slightly and indicated for me to take the lead. We'd both seen Sirius outside who'd told us that he'd managed to slip my purse into Roberts jacket pocket when he went to get drinks. All I had to do was go up to Joan, tell her I'd lost my purse then pretend to see it and start and argument. I took a deep breath and kept walking towards them.

I bent down next to Joan.

"Joan, I'm sorry to disturb," I threw a glance at Robert, "But I've lost my purse and I can't find it." I tried to sound panicked.

Joan sprung immediately into action.

"What do you mean you've 'lost your purse'? How could you be so stupid?"

"I know I'm an idiot. I've left my wand back at the castle too by mistake."

Joan threw me a disgusted glare.

"Lily times are dangerous! Something could've happened to you! Your staying with me there's no way you can't walk about without a wand!" She seemed determined now. Blimey I must be convincing, people were starting to glance over at us from their tables. James was leaned by the entrance to the pub, grinning from ear to ear. I can't believe I'm doing this.

"As for your purse," Joan continued, "I'll just summon it. Accio purse!" I tried not to smirk as the purse came zooming out of Roberts pocket and into Joan's' hand. Joan looked at the purse and then at Robert as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She then looked at me and I confirmed that that was indeed my purse. Joan turned bright red. The pub fell quite and even Madame Rosmerta was glaring at Robert who looked like he wanted the earth to swallow him up.

"I didn't take it." Robert whispered shakily.

"Then why was it in your jacket?" I asked him angrily. I felt an arm slip around my shoulders.

"Everything alright here Evans?" I heard James ask me in a deep, concerened voice.

"Yea its fine, now." I pushed his arm off of my shoulders trying to pretend like everything was normal and that me and Potter hadn't planned this. It was extreme, I know, completely juvenile and very wrong. However a part of me was enjoying it. Even enjoying the feel of James's arm around my shoulders.

"It's not alright Lily! He," Joan pointed at Robert, "Stole your purse!"

James glared at Robert. It was all a blur after that, voices were shouting, Robert looked ashamed even though he'd done nothing wrong. The next thing I heard bought me back to reality. Joan was standing in between Remus, Peter and Sirius. When did they get here? and saying.

"Believe me this date," Joan choked the word out. " Is definitely over!" She looked at Robert disgustedly and fled the pub with her head held high.

I'm not sure that revenge is as sweet as they say.