Ha! I'm on a roll today! I can't seem to stop writing! First of all, I want to thank ALL of my reviewers! You guys rock! If it weren't for the reviews, I would have no will to write this, so keep 'em coming! Secondly, don't get excited and expected at least a chapter a day from me, because sorry, but it won't happen. However, I'd say at LEAST a chapter a week…but don't hold me to it! Anyway, just enjoy!
Oh, by the way, * * * signals a chance in scenes and : : : signals a flashback! :p
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Three weeks had passed since the daring attack on Fudge's classroom, and the culprits had never been caught. The students, of course, had their own list of suspects, Sirius and James included. However, the students never suspected that Lily was involved in any way, shape, or form, which was perfectly fine with her. She was still nervous that someone would find a way to discover the truth and then she would be blamed for the incident just as much as Sirius, James, and Lupin.
That Friday afternoon, Lily was lounging lazily outside, propped up against a tall oak tree, a book nestled in her hands. She was reading one of her favorite Muggle-books, Gone With the Wind, a book where the main character, Scarlet, didn't realize she was in love with Rhett Butler, a man who loved her but whom she had treated horribly, until it was much too late. She smiled, wishing for a man to love her as Rhett loved Scarlet.
"Lil, I'm up next!" Jewlie called from a few feet away. Lily looked over at Jewlie Makerson, grinning brightly.
Lily set her book down, then got up, walking over to Jewlie. "Well, good luck," she said. "I've got to talk to Chase, but I'll be right back."
"All right," Jewlie said. "God, I'm so nervous."
"You're trying out for a Chaser right? Or Keeper?"
Jewlie shook her head, her sleek, red hair reflecting the light from the sun. "No," she said. "I think I more Seeker material. Plus, since Eddie Akers graduated last year, they're in need of a new Seeker."
"Well, don't worry too much," Lily said. "You'll do great."
"Thanks!" Jewlie said, running off to the group of Ravenclaws anxiously waiting their turn to try-out.
"Chase!" Lily called, rushing over to the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Chase, Malkia, and Jenina McAfferty, a dark-haired sixth year, were the team's Chasers. The team was down two Beaters and a Keeper, the three having graduated the year before. James, of course, was the team's Seeker, but, much to his dismay, not the captain. Jenina was team captain and in charge of selecting the new teammates.
"Yes?" Chase asked, parting the group, to make her way to Lily. Her silky black hair was thrown up in a messy bun, strands falling out perfectly around her face.
"Have you seen Alice?" Lily asked. "She wasn't at breakfast."
Chase and Jenina exchanged looks.
"What?" Lily asked.
"She didn't want to tell you," Chase began. "She knows how you think quidditch is a waste of time."
"I do not think quidditch is a waste of time," Lily said, acknowledging the glares she was receiving from the team. "I'm just not much into sports, that's all."
Chase dismissed her with a smile. "Not matter. Alice is trying out for Keeper. I've been helping her practice. This morning she was getting some last minute practice in. She's really quite good."
"Why didn't she tell me?" Lily asked, hurt that her best friend had kept such a significant piece of information from her.
"She didn't think you'd understand," Chase said, shrugging. "This doesn't bother you does it?"
"No, no, not in the least," Lily replied. "I just wish she would have told me."
"Well, she's over there with Sirius if you want to talk to her," Chase remarked, pointing to two figures about fifty feet away.
"Yes, thanks," Lily said, rushing past Chase and the others to the spot where Alice and Sirius were chatting. Hey," she said, stopping next to Sirius and looking up at Alice expectantly.
"H…hi Lil," Alice said quietly.
"Hey, Lil," Sirius said.
"So?" Lily began looking up at Alice.
"So…what?" she asked meekly.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Alice, you could have just told me you were trying out for the quidditch team. Why didn't you?"
Alice shrugged. "For two reasons. One, I know how you dislike sports severely, so…"
"Please, Ally, you know I would have supported your decision to try-out," Lily remarked.
Alice smiled. "I know, but, also…" Alice shot Sirius a look signaling for him to leave.
Sirius held up his hands in surrender. "I can take a hint," he said grinning as he hustled away.
"Well…" Alice continued. "It's just that, if I make the team, which Chase keeps telling me I should, I'll be spending a lot more time with the team."
"So?" Lily asked.
"Well, I'll be spending more time with Chase, and Sirius, and…"
"Wait, Sirius is on the team?" Lily was now officially confused.
Alice nodded. "He just made Beater. James convinced him to try out."
"Oh," Lily nodded.
"But, anyway, I'll be spending more time with them and…well, James, and…"
"Is that what this is about?" Lily asked. "James?"
"Well…no, you see…"
"Ally!" Chase's loud voice boomed. "You're up!"
"OKAY!" she called back. She turned to Lily. "Look, I'll talk to you more later."
"But…" Lily called after her as she turned and ran away, towards Chase and James.
Now Lily understood why Alice had been afraid to tell her about quidditch try-outs. Alice making the team would not only mean that she would be spending more time with James, but that she would have much less time for Lily.
Lily sighed, and walked over to the bleachers where many quidditch fans had already gathered, eager to watch the players practice. At least she had the first visit to Hogmeade tomorrow to look forward to. Trying to inform herself that she was perfectly all right with spending less time with her best friend, Lily sat down near a group pf fourth year Gryffindors who were staring intently at the players.
"Look at him go!" one particularly giggly girl exclaimed. "Isn't he cute?"
"Beyond cute," another girl said dramatically.
Lily looked up in the sky and wasn't surprised to see it was James they were gawking over.
"Lily Evans?" the giggly girl asked, her eyes growing wide. Lily was almost certain her name was Melody Migglins.
"Oh my God!" her friend exclaimed. Lily thought her name was Lacey Burtumicks. "You know James Potter, don't you?"
Lily nodded. "Yes, but trust me girls, he's not all that impressive."
Melody and Lacey looked appalled.
"He's wonderful," Lacey insisted.
"I know, he's so perfect and…" Melody began and then stopped. "Oh," she said suddenly.
"Oh?" Lily questioned. "Oh what?"
"She's the girl who keeps turning James down," Melody informed Lacey.
Lacey stared at Lily incredulously. "But…why?"
"She thinks she's too good for him," Melody remarked.
"I do not!" Lily defended herself. "You girls really have no idea what you're talking about. You don't know James at all. You don't know how terrible he can act sometimes."
"Yeah, right," Lacey remarked. "You're just trying to ruin James's life because you're jealous of him."
"Excuse you!" Lily shouted standing up, furious. "Do not pretend to know me, because you don't!"
"I know that you're a snotty little bitch who has nothing better to do than make good people like James fall in love with you, just because you can!" Melody shouted.
By now people on the quidditch fields had turned to watch the fight between the two fourth years and Lily.
"You have some nerve to come up to me and start accusing me of…" Lily started, her green eyes piercing through the girls intensely.
"Lil, stop!" Chase called out to her. "It's not worth it!"
"Shut up Chase!" Lily remarked. "Don't pretend like you understand either!"
That struck a nerve with Chase. Hadn't she always been there to support Lily? "Hey, that's NOT fair Lil, and you know it!"
"Just stay out of this for once!" Lily remarked, now taking her anger out at Chase instead of the two fourth years.
"Fine!" Chase shouted. "Do whatever the hell you want! I don't care anymore!"
"Good!" Lily shouted, rushing down from the bleachers onto the quidditch field where Chase was standing.
"And another thing," Chase started chasing after Lily. "You wouldn't have all of these problems if you…"
"If I what?" Lily asked, turning around to face Chase.
Chase didn't flinch. "Stop stringing guys around Lily. Stop playing with their hearts like they're your toys or something."
Lily's eyes narrowed. "Thanks for the advice." Her voice held fake politeness in it. "But I'm not you, Chase."
With that said, Lily turned on her heel and stormed away from the quidditch field, leaving an open-mouthed Chase behind.
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"Lily!" James called out, running to catch up with her. "Lily, stop!"
Lily scowled, stopping just before the portrait of the Fat Lady. "What do you want?" she hissed. She was still fuming from her fight with those Gryffindors and with Chase. The last person she wanted to see right now was James Potter, the cause of it all.
"I wanted to give you this," he said, flashing her a book. Lily looked down, confused for a moment, then realized it was her Gone With the Wind book that she had been reading earlier.
"James, just stop!" she remarked.
"Stop what?" he asked incredulously.
"Stop being nice to me!" she yelled. "Don't you get it? I don't like you! I can't stand you! What else can I do to make you see that?"
"Lily…"
"No!" she cut him off. "It's my turn to talk now. Stop pretending like we're going to get together, because we're not. And you actually have others believing that we are together and they think I'm treating you badly and…it's not fair to me James! So just stop it already! This may sound harsh but there's obviously no other way to get through to you! Just stop!"
"Is that what you really want?" he asked quietly.
"Yes!" she all but shouted. "Just stay away from me! Stop bothering me! Stop pretending we're together when we're not! Just stay out of my life!"
"Fine!" James yelled, throwing her book at her.
Lily bent over and picked up the book that had fallen to the ground, watching James as he ran away. Perhaps now he would stop obsessing over her and get a grip on reality. Maybe now she could actually live her life without constantly worrying about how to get away from James. She forced a smile onto her face, wondering why in the world she felt so guilty, especially since the source of all her problems had just vanished from her life.
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Lily skipped dinner that night in order to finish her latest Potions assignment. Professor Fudge had assigned all of the Gryffindors extra homework, whereas the Slytherins had gotten off easily. When Sirius protested, Fudge merely said that the Slytherins actually knew what they were doing in Potions as opposed to the Gryffindors, which was extremely untrue, especially since Lily had produced the perfect Healing Potion. The only one of the Slytherins who seemed to know what they were doing in Potions was Severus Snape, but then again, he had always done extraordinarily well in that subject. Fudge just favored his own house over the others.
After adding the last finishing touches onto her essay, Lily stacked her rolls of parchment on top of her trunk, and put away her inkbottle and quill. She turned suddenly as she heard the door to the dormitory creak open. She turned back to her bed once she saw that it was only Malkia. However, Malkia looked rather happy about something, which was a first for her. She strolled right over to Lily, plopping down on the bed beside her. Lily stared at her, bewildered.
"Are you lost?" she asked.
Malkia shook her head grinning viciously. She was extremely fake looking, Lily thought, wondering how on earth they had ever once been friends. Malkia's dark brown hair had been dyed bleach blonde, giving her what Muggles referred to as the "trailer trash" look. She was Porto-Rican with dark, olive skin that severely contrasted with her light, bottle blonde hair. She always wore layers and layers of make-up, making her look much more like a lady of the evening, than a student.
"Well?" Lily asked impatiently.
"Oh, nothing," Malkia said, dragging out her words as she spoke.
Lily sighed. "Okay, then go away."
"Well, if you must know," Malkia said, grinning. "I just thought you should know that you might as well find yourself some new friends."
"What are you talking about?" Lily asked impatiently.
Malkia grinned again. "Remember our fight in third year?"
Lily nodded. She remembered that fight extremely well…
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"He asked you out?" Alice said, amused, as she sipped her butterbeer from inside the Three Broomsticks.
Lily laughed. "It's insane, isn't it?"
"Well, what did you say?" Malkia asked, shooting straight for the point.
"Well, no. I mean, I told him no," Lily said.
"What?" Alice remarked, shocked.
"Good response," Malkia replied.
"But Lil, he must be devastated," Alice said sadly.
"Fine, then you date him," Malkia remarked, "but in all honestly, Lil, you made the right choice by turning him down. You can't trust men, or anyone for that matter. You'll only get hurt."
"Yes, I suppose you're right," Lily said, nodding.
"Poor James though," Alice added.
"Oh, come off it, Ally," Lily said. "He's dated at least a dozen girls already. One rejection is nothing to someone like him."
"Yeah, I guess," Alice admitted, polishing off her butterbeer. "Hey, guys, I'll be right back, I'm going to get a refill."
"All right," Lily said, stepping out of the booth, in order to allow Alice to climb out.
Alice scooted out of the booth, and hurried over to the counter where the owner, Drake, was pouring an elderly witch a glass gillywater.
"Oops, sorry," Alice replied, accidentally bumping into someone.
"It's all right," the girl said, bending over to retrieve the bag Alice had knocked down. When she peeked out from underneath the dark curtain of hair, Alice saw that it was Chase Valetta, her fellow Gryffindor third year. Although they were in the same house, Alice never spoke a word to Chase, mostly because Lily and Malkia hated her, and also because she was rather intimidated by her. She was so stunning and confident, everything Alice wished she could be.
"I…uh…" Alice wasn't sure what to say. What could you say to a person had avoided for two entire years?
"It's all right," Chase said. "You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to." Alice was amazed. After all of the taunting and teasing she had endured from Malkia and Lily, Chase was still as cheerful and pleasant as ever. Plus, she didn't seem to hold any sort of grudge against Alice.
"No…I…I just…" Alice trailed off, still unsure of what to say.
"You want to get a butterbeer or something?" Chase asked.
"I…uh…" Alice peered over Chase's shoulder and noted that Lily and Malkia seemed to be in a heated discussion. "Okay," she replied at last.
"Are you sure?" Chase asked. "Because if you don't want to, I'll understand."
"No, I'm certain," Alice said slowly, ordering two butterbeers. A few moments later the two girls were sitting comfortably on the other side of the pub, much to Alice's relief, sipping their butterbeers heartily.
"So are you trying out for the quidditch team?" Chase asked. Chase didn't know Alice too well, but had spotted her once, reading a quidditch book.
"Oh, no, I…no," Alice said.
"You should," Chase said. "I'm trying out this year. For a Chaser actually, you know, now that, Marlena is gone."
"Yes, she was an excellent Chaser," Alice added. "But I just don't have time for quidditch this year."
"Understandable," Chase agreed.
With the quidditch topic over with, the two girls fell into a deep, uncomfortable silence. Finally, knowing there was no use avoiding the inevitable, Alice spoke up.
"Can I…can I ask you something?" Alice began.
Chase nodded. "Of course."
"Well, you see, the reason why I…why I never spoke to you before was because of all those horrible things you said about Lily. But…well, talking to you now, I just can't seem to picture you actually saying everything Malkia claims you said."
Chase grinned. "Malkia's a manipulator. But, if Lily wants to believe her and never even ask for my side of the story, that's her choice. See, Malkia's was angry with me because of something relatively stupid. You remember our first day at Hogwarts, right? Well, Malkia apparently liked Sirius Black. When he asked me out that first day at Hogwarts and I declined, she was furious. She confronted me in the bathroom that night telling me I had no right to treat men like trash and things like that. But we were so young, you know? I honestly hadn't the faintest interest in boys yet."
"I see," Alice urged her to continue.
"Well, anyway, Lily came in and heard us yelling. When she asked what all the fuss was about, Malkia told Lily that I had been talking about her and saying terrible things, like calling her a Mudblood."
"Why didn't you explain what really went on?"
Chase smiled. "She wouldn't have believed me. The four of us barely knew each other, but Lily already trusted Malkia more than she trusted me."
"Oh," Alice said, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt rising inside of her. "I…I never knew…"
"Don't blame yourself," Chase said. "It was all Malkia's fault."
"Lily should know the truth," Alice said getting up.
"Alice…I don't think that's such a good idea," Chase began reluctantly. "I mean, Lily probably won't believe me and, well…"
Alice, however, hadn't heard a word Chase had said. She was already on her way over to Lily and Malkia's table. She always knew there was something rotten about Malkia, but even this was low for her. She had never fully trusted Malkia and could tell that Lily didn't either. Now, they both had good reason not to trust her ever again.
"Lily," Alice replied, as she reached the table. "Can I speak with you for a second?"
"Uh, sure, Ally," Lily said, sliding out of the booth and following Ally over to where Chase was sitting. Once there, Alice and Chase explained the entire situation to Lily.
"I can not believe it!" Lily shouted, causing several heads to turn in her direction. "She's horrible! Simply horrible!"
The three then marched over to a clueless Malkia, each yelling at her with fierceness. The fight became so loud that Professor McGonagall, who was seated a few tables away, had to break them up.
"I'll never speak to you again!" Lily shouted over her shoulder as McGonagall dragged her out of the Three Broomsticks. "Never! You're nothing more than a conniving, sneaky, underhanded, self-serving snake!"
From that day forth, Lily, Alice, and Chase had never spoken another kind word to Malkia, or she to them.
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"Well," Malkia continued, her brown eyes glittering with excitement. "Chase brought it up after you left the field."
"What?" Lily asked, shocked.
"Oh, yes," Malkia remarked. "So I let it slip that you never really believed her version of events and had never forgiven her for calling you a Mudblood."
"Get out, Malkia!" Lily roared, pushing her off of her bed.
Malkia grinned. "If I were you, I'd look for some new friends. Chase and Alice don't seem to like you very much anymore."
"This has nothing to do with Alice," Lily remarked.
"Oh, but it does," Malkia said. "You see, she's appalled that you still believe me over Chase, and extremely hurt that you kept this to her. Oh, and she was upset over you yelling at Chase for no good reason."
"Which I will apologize for, because I'll admit, I was out of line," Lily started. "But…"
"There's more," Malkia said. "James came back. Chase kept prying until he told us what you said to him. Ouch. Chase and Alice were furious by that point."
"You started all of this!" Lily shouted. "You somehow managed to…"
"Love to stay and chat, but I really must be on my way…" Malkia began.
"You're horrible!" Lily shouted.
"Goodbye Lil," Malkia said viciously, heading for the door.
"And I don't believe you! I believe Chase!" she screamed.
"Tell it to the judge," Malkia remarked, slamming the door.
Lily sat, frozen, wondering how in one instant her entire life could have shattered into a million pieces.
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Lily didn't have a chance to talk to Alice or Chase that day. However, she did find out from Peter Pettigrew that Alice had, in fact, made the quidditch team. She had waited up for Alice and Chase in the dormitory, but must have dozed off before they came in. When she awoke the next morning, they were gone.
Lily quickly dressed for the occasion, knowing how cold it was outside. She slipped a heavy woolen sweater and jeans on underneath of her Hogwarts robe and left her curly, red hair down, grazing her shoulders.
Nothing left to do, Lily headed down to the common room, praying for a chance to speak to Chase and Alice alone. To her disappointment, the two were surrounded by James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter, and worst of all, Malkia. Jenina and Jeffrey Hayes were also nearby, and Lily assumed that he was one of Gryffindors new Beaters, along with Sirius.
As Lily approached the group, they quieted and she could sense the tension in the atmosphere. The only vaguely friendly expressions were those of Remus and Peter. Even Jeffrey Hayes, who Lily had never really spoken to before, seemed hostile.
"Chase, Al, can I…" Lily began.
"We're busy," Chase cut her off.
"Yes," Malkia remarked. "We were having an interesting discussion about our families, when yours popped up. Is your sister really as ugly as Alice said?"
Lily looked at Alice betrayed. Indeed, Petunia could be horrid, but she was still her sister, and Lily couldn't bear to hear anybody other than her friends speak ill of her. Malkia especially.
"Lil, I…" Alice began, suddenly looking guilty and ashamed.
"Let's go," Chase said, getting up, not allowing Alice to finish. "I'm famished."
"Wait, Chase!" Lily called.
"Oh, and James was telling us about the most ridiculous book," Malkia added as the group prepared to leave. "Gone With the Wind, I believe it was called. Have you heard of it, Lil?"
Lily felt a heat rising in her cheeks, and she bit her lip, willing herself not to cry. Inside, they were all laughing at her, every single one of them. She couldn't stand it! Not Alice! Not her best friend! If only they would let her explain, let her…
Just then a wonderful thought occurred to her. James! Surely, he would forgive her! That would be her ticket back in!
"James…" she began.
James shot Lily a look that contained a mixture of pain and anger. "Don't look at me," he remarked. "I'm staying out of your life. Remember?"
Lily stood there, flabbergasted, watching her best friends leave without her, knowing that by the end of the day, the entire school would hate her.
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TBC…Spoilers for the chapter: The Chapter will begin at Hogsmeade…there will be an upcoming Halloween Ball…much, much more in store, so stay tuned!