A/N: You all are probably going to hate me. OR you might love me and think I'm ingenious. I'm hoping it's the latter option. I want to keep things interesting. And, I'm sorry for those of you that thought I rushed the end.
AND, sw67, are you ever going to let that go. I've apologized, dedicated chapters to you, and even gave a character a name that you liked. Do you like rubbing salt in an open wound? For cryin' out loud, let it go, man! And I mean the man part.
I forgot to put a disclaimer in the last chapter, so this one stands for all future chapters because it really is depressing me that I have to keep doing this to myself; crushing my hopes and dreams of owning this shin-dig. I DO NOT NOR WILL I EVEN OWN HARRY POTTER! My day is now ruined. Want to make it better? Review, 'kay?
Ch. 16. Figments, That's All They Are
RECAP-
This was his chance and he didn't care who saw him.
"Lily, wait."
She turned to look at him.
"Yes, James?"
"I love you."
"Dude," a sixth year had just come down the stairs and was standing between James and Lily, "thanks but I don't think you're my type."
James crossed the room in 4 strides and wrapped his arms around her.
"I love you," he whispered and kissed her.
James eyes snapped open. He couldn't do it. No matter what he said, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He had worked so hard to build a friendship. If he went up to her and told her he loved her, he probably would receive one of four options;
He would get laughed at right to his face, crushing his pride throwing him headfirst into a deep depression,
She would slap him across the face, crushing his pride throwing him headfirst into a deep depression,
She would whip out her wand and threaten to castrate him, calling him an arrogant jerk trying to attract attention, crushing his pride throwing him headfirst into a deep depression,
She would slap him, whip out her wand, threaten to castrate him, and, upon seeing his terror-stricken face, laugh in his face, crushing his pride throwing him headfirst into a deep depression.
Any way he looked at it, he was screwed.
'No girl should have this much control over me. I'm James Potter for goodness sake!'
'Then why does she do this to do if she can't?'
'I…I…I don't know…'
"I don't know."
He pulled himself up into a sitting position. He curled up his knees and rested his head in his hands.
'I'm in love with a girl that can hardly stand me.'
"Oh, the dramatic irony!"
'Whoa,' thought James, 'my mom and dad were right; I really am over dramatic.'
He laughed quietly. An image of his parents popped into his head.
It was half way through summer break and, for some odd reason, he and Sirius were up early enough to eat breakfast. They were on their fourth stack each when a small tapping noise could be heard through the window. A small barn owl was tapping, wanting to be let in.
James got up and unlatched the window. The bird hopped in and dropped its letters. James gave the poor things a little bowl of water and an owl treat. It gratefully accepted the thanks and dug in before flying off again.
James turned to pick the envelopes. The names read James and Sirius and they were the usual Hogwarts letter, no surprise there. What WAS a surprise was the fact that James's letter was unusually fat.
He tossed Sirius his letter and then proceeded to open his. He pulled out on piece of parchment containing his list of new school books. He put that to the side and pulled out a second piece.
James was wondering if they had written to let him know that he was still Quidditch captain, (like he'd ever forget.) He unfolded it and something small fell into his lap. He looked at the letter and dropped it to look at what had fallen in his lap. It was with utter shock that he picked up the small, little pin that had been hidden within the folds of the letter.
"OMIGOD! This has got to be a mistake. Dumbledore's off his rocker!"
James's parents followed by Sirius ran into the room.
"What's wrong? Son, are you ok?" His father knelt down in front of him.
"I'm fine," said James, holding up the letter, "but Mom might not be."
His mother reached out her hand and took the letter from him. She turned it over and scanned it quickly. She screamed and dropped it. Still screaming, she flung herself onto her slightly scared 17 year old son and hugged him. Sirius and Gregory looked at the letter which Sirius had picked up off the floor.
"There is no possible way. Dumbledore had to be out of his mind. Who in their right mind would make James Head Boy?"
"Hey! Ease up."
James stood up after brushing off his mother, who was now gasping for breath. He stood up on the couch and cleared his throat.
"Who wouldn't make me Head Boy?!" James glared as Sirius raised his hand.
"Oh, that was a rhetorical question, I gotcha."
He continued. "I've got great qualities to be a Head Boy. I'm strong, I'm loyal, I'm a great person to be with. Who would love me?"
"Son, get down from there. You'll kill yourself. You are definitely over dramatic." His dad turned and walked back into the kitchen. His mother had regained her composure and got up, kissed James on the head, and followed her husband into the kitchen to help clean up.
"Over dramatic? Conceited is more like it."
He laughed as he remembered how he had launched himself at Sirius and they began to wrestle in the living room.
James was shaken back to reality, though when he saw a faint outline of pink appear on the horizon. It was morning and he hadn't realized it. They had been up all night and no one had noticed it. Well, then again, with all the action going on, would?
James was feeling his body succumb to the idea of sleep. He picked himself up off the ground and turned to face the castle.
He was almost to the common room when he remembered that he had his own personal room in the Head's dorm.
'Shit, what if Lily's in there? I can't look at her right now."
'Well, you can't sleep outside, dumb ass.'
'Fine, I'll go but I won't like it.'
He turned and made his way to the portrait and, after giving it the password, made his way into the room. Thankfully, Lily wasn't there. He crossed to his door and went inside. He heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom.
'Lily must be getting ready for bed.'
And with that, he changed into his pajamas and crawled into bed and was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
A/N: So, do you hate me? I'll only know if you REVIEW! Please! Much love to all!
-Truth in the Moon