Flawless

Chapter Seven: White Houses

Dedicated to Rebay, Queen of the Jono (than) s.

Lily woke up the next morning to the absolutely lovely sounds coming from her sister's mouth. She groggily sat up, checking the watch on her wrist, which read ten o'clock. She didn't bother waking up Petunia, quietly rummaging through her trunk. She gathered clothes and headed out the door, ready to take a shower.

And then she remembered that she had no idea where any of the bathrooms were.

Hmmm…well, okay then.

Lily bit her lip; should she risk getting lost? No, that was a silly option; surely she would be able to find her way back.

Well, maybe James will show me later and I could-

James! Yes, she could ask James now!

She turned down the hall, going to his room. Lily put a hand on the doorknob, knocking lightly.

"James?" She called, waiting for a reply. After a minute of silence, she knocked again. "James? It's Lily, can I come in?" She cautiously opened the door. James was still asleep, stomach side down. His mouth was open and loud snores were coming from his mouth. Lily debated leaving and waiting until he was awake; but since she had no idea when that would be—and since she didn't even know how to get back downstairs, Lily decided that she would stay.

Might as well…She thought as she stealthily moved to his bed.

"Erm, James?" Lily whispered. "James, wake up!" She tapped him on the back, suddenly realizing that he didn't have a shirt on. James gave a loud snore, turning his head. "James." She tried again, tapping him harder.

"Go 'way mum. Gimme five more minutes." He rolled onto his back, giving Lily a grand view of his chest…and his gorgeous fan-fucking-tastic abs…and…

Lily shook her head, blushing at her thoughts. She straightened up, her hands on her hips.

"James Potter! I am not your mother!" Lily shrieked, forgetting to be quiet. James woke up suddenly, yawning.

"Lily?" He asked, his hair even messier than usual. "What are you doing here?" His voice was hoarse as he sat up; apparently his nakedness was not bothering him half as much as it was affecting her.

"Erm, good morning," She said, feeling strangely gauche.

"Morning," James smiled as he looked around the room. "What time is it?"

"Ten." Lily said, swallowing nervously. "Um, I wanted to take a shower, but I don't really know-"

"Where it is." James finished for her.

"Yeah," Lily smiled.

Eyes on his face, eyes on his face…

"Well, I can show you." James kicked the covers back as Lily gave a sigh of relief, seeing that he was indeed wearing pants. James got up and Lily followed him out of the room.

"So Sirius comes back today?" She asked, trying to keep up with his long strides.

"Yeah," James nodded, making a right at the end of the hall. "He had to get some things from his house, money and whatnot. We're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow by the way; I suppose that you're coming with us as well." He smirked at her, turning yet again.

"I don't know how I'm going to find my way around this place," Lily muttered, making a mental map of the mansion.

"You'll get used to it." James stopped in front of a door. "Here is one of the bathrooms, there are five on this floor."

"And this is the closest one to the rooms?" Lily asked incredulously. James' smirk reappeared. It never dissapeared!

"No, but I got extra time to talk to you."

"James Potter!" That was very mean of you! I really had to use the loo!" She hit him on the arm lightly.

"I had to do what I had to do." James said jokingly. Lily stood her ground, eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry Lils," James sighed. He took her hands off of her hips, swinging them in his own. "I'll wait for you and we'll go to breakfast, okay?" He asked. Lily sighed as well, nodding nonetheless.

"Fine." She said grumpily.

"Fine, I'll be in my room." He turned, walking back down the hall. Lily smiled to herself; maybe staying wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.

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Lily got out of the shower feeling refreshed. Wrapping a towel around herself, she turned to face a misty mirror. Lily trailed her finger around it creating twirling lines on her reflection. Lily looked up, meeting her eyes. She took a deep breath, her lungs filling with steam. Her gaze traveled to her hair, dark and heavy from the water. It was beginning to frizz already, Lily noticed, trying to pat it down with a hand. She gripped the sink, feeling overwhelmingly dizzy all of a sudden. Blinking furiously, she tried to calm her breathing.

Calm down Lily, calm down. Breathe.

Her eyes started to water and tears stained her face. Lily's body was shaking dangerously and her sight was going out of focus. She held onto the sink harder, trying to keep her balance. Lily wobbled to the wall, sliding down it. She lowered her head into her hands, sobs racking her body harshly. Lily sat like that, her head in her hands, crouched in a corner of a bathroom, for another good ten minutes; listening to her cries. She finally got up, dragging on clothes and masking her blotchy face. Lily looked in the mirror again, bracing herself for another break down.

It's not my fault that he's gone bad. It's not my fault. You could have stopped him if you were a better person, a better girlfriend, you could have prevented it…but now it's too late.

Lily argued with herself, still staring into the mirror.

"It's not my fault." She said bitterly to her reflection. "It's not my fault."

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Lily left the bathroom, trying to remember how to get back to James' room. By some odd way, she managed to get there, thinking up excuses to explain what had taken her so long. "James?" She knocked on the door softly.

"Come in Lils." Lily opened the door to find James on his bed, reading some sort of magazine.

"Since when to you read, Potter?" She teased, sitting next to him and trying to see the papers. James dodged her, leaning over and moving the magazine. "Or is it smut?" Lily asked, attempting to see it again. "Is that why you won't let me see it? Is there a picture of a naked woman in there?" James looked at her reproachfully.

"I have not looked at any, what did you call it? Smut--since fifth year." He said pompously.

"James, that was two months ago." Lily countered, raising an eyebrow. He waved his hand in a carefree way.

"Fine then, I haven't watched or read any smut since I was fifteen!" He corrected. Lily smiled at the boy.

"Hmm, whatever you say." She said, patronizing him.

"Would you just hush Evans?" James said, pushing his body closer to hers. "Let me have a moment?" He asked quietly. Lily's face was nearing his rapidly.

"Okay," Lily said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll let you have this one."

"Thank you." James smiled, their faces only inches away.

Lily was beginning to get dizzy again, the smell of James washing over her. She titled her chin up a bit, giving James easier access to her lips. He lowered his head, a serene smile on his face. Lily closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to feel his kiss. Not able to take it anymore, Lily leaned forward, pressing her lips to his. James reacted immediately, nipping her lower lip. Lily parted her mouth as James'—

"PRONGS!" A scream from the door tore Lily and James apart. "I'M HOME!" The door opened quickly.

"God dammit Sirius!" James exclaimed, pounding the bed with his fist. Lily bit her lip, blushing heavily.

"What? Did you not miss me? Prongs, I've been gone for a whole week!" He haphazardly ran across the room, leaping onto the bed. Lily bounced upwards from the impact of his fall, rising into the air. She gave a little shriek, her heart rattling in her chest. It was only then when Sirius noticed her, jumping off the bed immediately.

"Prongs! Evans is on your bed!" He said in a stage whisper. Lily blinked at him.

"No shit." Sirius glared at her, his arms crossed, and Lily glared right back. Even in their first year they had never gotten along…not after Sirius had pushed Lily into the lake on the first day.

"Padfoot, Lily is going to stay here for a while." James explained slowly, as if talking to a five year old. Sirius' face clouded with confusion.

"Well then," He said, trying to conceal his anger. "Why?"

At school, James was always fawning after the girl; the summer was the only time that Sirius had when he was the center of attention—and having this privilege taken away was not the greatest way to end the summer.

Lily looked down, playing with her fingers.

"That's none of your business Pads." James said, jumping to Lily's defense. Sirius' eyes darted from James to Lily, attempting top figure out the reason.

"Are you guys fuckbuddies?" He asked stupidly, a serious look on his face.

"Sirius!" James yelped, "NO!"

"Merlin Black, why are you so—" Lily stopped angrily, trying to find the right word.

"Charming, talented, a terrific kisser?" Sirius suggested. Lily narrowed her eyes.

"I was going to say annoying." She said.

"Very weak Evans, couldn't you come up with a better word? What with your extended vocabulary? For instance, spoony, insipid, delusional…?" Sirius smiled arrogantly. Lily however, did not seem amused.

"Just shut up fucktard." She snapped. Sirius' eyebrows rose considerably.

"Prongs, did you hear what your girlfriend just called me?!"

"She is not my girlfriend Sirius, and frankly, I agree. Hush." James said tiredly to his friend.

"Fine, I can see whose side you're on."

"Padfoot, there aren't any sides." James said kindly, rubbing his temples.

"Well then how come you're on hers?!" Sirius pointed accusingly at Lily.

"I'm not!" James said, throwing his hands up in the air. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Would you just be quiet?" She shrieked. The boys looked at her. "Stop with the stupid banter!" She continued, getting off the bed. "I am incredibly hungry, shall we get some breakfast?" She turned to James, her hands on her hips. James nodded, getting up as well. He looked at Sirius.

"Aren't you hungry?" He asked.

"No." He said stiffly, arms crossed. "Not if she's hungry as well." James shrugged.

"Well okay then." He turned, walking out of the room with Lily.

"OKAY THEN!" Sirius shouted as the door closed. He sat on the bed with his back straight, eyes unblinking. After a minute however, Sirius got up and walked toward the door.

"Oh sod it."

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"Black, stop kicking me!" Lily yelped as Sirius; foot collided with her shin for the fifth time.

"Sorry," He muttered. They were sitting across from each other (James had separated them after the second time Lily had accidentally stuck her fork into Sirius' hand.), but James was beginning to wonder what the hell he had been thinking.

"I love Cheerios!" Sirius sang absently, pretending that the situation wasn't as awkward as it was. "I mean," He implored, "They're all so nicely shaped, circular, and slightly mushy when wet." He jabbed at the cereal with his finger as Lily stared at him blankly. "You know what I mean; they are the nectar of the gods, Evans, the gods." Sirius paused, meeting Lily's stare. "The Cheerio gods."

Lily looked at James, a scowl on her face. He smiled bashfully at her, shrugging as if to say, 'what can you do?' Lily crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. It was going to be a loooong day.

When breakfast was over (and after Sirius had dirtied up four cereal bowls, six forks, eight knives, and three pitchers of cranberry/mango juice) the threesome made their way back to James' room. They stood in the middle of the room, all feeling incredibly uncomfortable.

"I'm still hungry…" Sirius whined.

Well, two of them feeling incredibly uncomfortable.

"You just ate enough to feed all of Great Britain Black, how could you possibly still be hungry?" Lily snapped. Sirius narrowed his eyes.

"Well, some people have bigger digesting systems than others." He retorted.

"That does not make any sense!" Lily said, her brow furrowed. She sighed loudly, frustrated. "I'm going to see if Petunia's up yet." She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room. As soon as she was out Sirius let out a long breath.

"Well took her long enough, eh?" He smiled. James stared stonily at his friend.

"Why are you so mean to her?" He asked, clearly pissed. Sirius gaped at his friend.

"What? Are you serious?" A grin broke onto his face. "Wait, I'm—"

James cut him off. "Jesus Padfoot, I'm trying to have an actual conversation here. Stop with the bad puns." He snapped. Sirius' face fell.

"I'm nicer to her than she is to me." He mumbled.

"Well maybe if you made an effort she would try being nicer as well." James suggested.

"Humph." Sirius said grumpily. "I highly doubt that."

"It wouldn't hurt to try Sirius." James stared at him hard; he wanted the message to get through. Sirius held the stare, noticing how solemn his friend looked. He sighed, not wanting to get into a fight.

"I suppose I can try." He muttered.

James smiled. "Thank you."

Lily walked into Petunia and her's room angrily.

"Bugger him, the idiot. Honestly, he is a complete bastard, he's so-so—" Lily stopped her rant suddenly, looking around for her sister. "Pet, where are you?" She turned quizzically.

"I'm in the closet." Petunia's muffled voice came from inside a door. Lily began to walk in the direction, hesitant.

"Why the bloody hell are you in the closet?" She pulled the door open and let out a gasp. "Well," She stuttered. "Never mind then." Lily stopped in her tracks.

The word closet had never had a positive meaning to her; a closet was a place to stuff your clothes in when you parents told you to clean your room. This was no closet. It was heaven.

There was a long hallway, boxes of shoes neatly stacked in compartments in the walls, while elegant dresses hang from the thousands of hangers all lined up. On the other side of the oversized room there were boxes of jewelry, the diamonds and rubies gleaming.

"Shit." Lily muttered, still shell shocked.

"These people are my heroes." Petunia said, staring in awe. Lily nodded mutely.

Wow.

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The day passed quickly for Lily. With James' silly bantering, and Sirius trying his nest to be kind (which actually came out looking like he had a broomstick up his arse); Lily was grateful when the night came. Currently, she was sitting at the long table in the Potter's dining room, listening to James and Sirius exchange ways that they had embarrassed Lily in the past.

"And then, and then—" Sirius hiccupped though his laughter. "—Sluggy comes over and sees the gook on Alice's hand and Lily says—what did you say again Evans?" James was rocking sideways in his chair, trying to contain his mirth.

"I think that's enough Butterbeer for you two." Kate spoke from next to Lily. "Honestly, their sugar highs just go on and on." She mumbled to Lily.

"Oh, I know, I've seen them on Friday nights coming back from the kitchens." She laughed. Kate smiled widely at the girl before turning her attention to the boys again.

"All up to bed now." She said, raising her eyebrows at the two.

"Mum…" Sirius whined. "I am not yet fully digested!" Mrs. Potter tried to hide her smile.

"Up." She pointed. Grumbling, James and Sirius got out of their chairs.

"Are you two coming?" James asked, looking at Lily.

"We could help clean up…" Lily glanced at Kate.

"No, no, no!" The elder woman said, waving her hand. "You go. We've got House Elves to take care of that." Lily's eyes widened.

"You have House Elves?" She asked.

Kate nodded. "They've been in the family for generations. We treat them well and they enjoy working, really." She insisted as Lily's eyes became bigger. "I'm sure you'll run into Holly eventually."

"Oh," Lily said; only incredibly rich, powerful people owned House Elves.

"Come on!" Sirius said impatiently. "Are you coming or not?" Petunia got up, Lily following in suit. Sirius ran up the stairs two at a time; Petunia right behind him. James waited for Lily at the bottom of the stairs. As she approached, his smile grew and he stuck out his arm.

"May I assist you?" He said charmingly. Lily rolled her eyes but wrapped her arm around his nonetheless.

What a gentleman.

A/N: So, what do you guys think? A bit shorter than the previous chapter, but I think it's still a nice length…right? I had about four more pages written, but they just didn't fit into the flow at all. And I didn't think that Sirius was the best either, at first I did, but now…I dunno. I hope that you don't think that he was too OOC, my beta wanted some strange humour, and well, that's what came out. Now to think of it, I didn't like this chapter very much…I'm afraid that I'm getting a disease by the name of dun dun dun writer's block—which is why it took me so long to post this.

That and the fact that I practically BROKE my wrist. It's not that easy to write or type with a brace on your hand.

On an entirely different note: who saw Pirates? And who stayed after the credits to see the 'ten years later' thing?

And who saw that the movie (OOTP obviously) is coming out the eleventh?

Instead of the thirteenth.

CrAzY.

I'm done rambling now...I'll let you guys go.

Anyways, please review peeps!

I love you all individually,

Lexy