06. Real Bonding This Time

Sitting in her brother's room, awash in the comfort of home, Lily still could not believe that they had made it.

She'd never had such an adventurous evening, or been so daring, and -- she had to admit, as she let out a yawn -- it really took a lot out of you.

James's voice broke through her exhaustion with "So... we got the card."

Lily rolled her eyes and giggled. "I remembered to ask Teddy what to do to reverse the spell."

James laughed. "It's not like I didn't know," he said, expectedly cocky. "Lily, you do the honors."

Lily, seeing right through her brother's act, grinned as she ripped the Chocolate Frog card in half.

"Now try to read my mind," James ordered, and Lily did... try.

But she felt silly doing it -- nothing happened. She could only hear her own thoughts: Yes!

"That's that," she said. "It's gone."

"Yeah, and you looked a bit daft trying it," James said through his laughter.

"James!" Lily exclaimed. "After I saved your life?"

"I could've got out of it myself."

"Oh, I'm convinced. Why weren't you acting so sure of yourself before?"

At this James grew uneasy. "What do you mean?"

"You were thinking--"

"OK, Lily, that's really none of your--"

"James, this was during the time that you had made everything my business! I had to stay away from adults as much as possible in case they were thinking something I wouldn't want to hear! I was forced to hear Albus's boring thoughts! I heard you thinking too... someone named Allison? Anyway, you made that all happen, and I've got a right to know why you think Teddy thinks of you as a plaything!"

James groaned, then sighed. "Fine. Just... fine. The thing is that... there's this girl Allison Chang. I..."

"You fancy her," Lily decided, smiling. "Ooh, Chang -- is she the daughter of Cho Chang? Mummy told me about Cho, Dad once had a date with her... But she had this disastrous relationship with a Muggle. I suppose that would be why she would have her mother's last name..."

"Anyway," James pressed on, blushing, "Teddy told me he knew a way I could be sure if she liked me back... But then I lost my nerve and never used it. Then I wondered if maybe he'd used me... and then I kind of just continued thinking it. He was spending a lot of time with Victoire..."

"Oh, about that," Lily chimed in, giggling. "They're engaged. They just haven't told anyone yet, because Victoire's only just graduated from Hogwarts."

"What?" James gaped at her.

"It's true. And James... I think that's really why you suppose he's been ignoring you. He's just preoccupied with his upcoming" -- Lily couldn't hide her snigger here -- "marriage. It's hilarious; I really can't imagine Teddy married. But he'll truly be part of the family soon -- we'll really be related!" She grinned, and James grinned back, a little hesitantly.

"So he's... he hasn't got sick of me?"

"Not yet," Lily teased. "But I'm certain it's only a matter of time. No, James, I'm only joking," she assured him on his apprehensive look, "because... well, remember, when we were at his house, how I could hear Teddy's thoughts completely? I mean... nothing was hidden? Well, when I mentioned your name all he could think about was how fun you were, and how you always have a good time together."

"Really?"

"Would I lie to you?" Lily asked.

"You've got reason to," James grumbled.

"That I have," Lily agreed, though still cheerful and happy. They situation they had just been through had, in fact, made them closer, and Lily's little excursions into James's mind had helped her grow more familiar with the way his mind worked -- not to mention been very entertaining! This time, if she had been asked, she would have been able to say with a straight face that they truly were bonding.

Well, maybe. She still took quite a bit of pleasure out of teasing him. "So, about this Allison..."

"Oh, forget her," James replied. "She's not bad-looking, and I know her family's having problems, but still, she cries so much..."

"Well, of course, if she's got to be the object of your affections..."

"For your information, I am way too good for her."

"Sure, if you needed mind control to get her to like you..."

And at that moment and beyond, Lily Luna Potter felt truly content with life. She felt no want of her mind-reading ability back, no loneliness from being neglected by her brother, and she even -- for the moment, at least -- felt that maybe she could wait to get to Hogwarts to try magic again.

Author's Note:

Well, there you go – my first chapter Harry Potter story! I really wanted to write an innocent, sweet, young story, and mind-reading really intrigues me (I think it would be hilarious to read minds… even if Edward finds human minds dull, I would love it!), so this with my fascination of the second generation – especially Lily Luna Potter (she reminds me of Ginny) – equals this story.

It didn't turn out as well as I hoped, but what matters is what you think… If I had mind control, the first thing I would do is "convince" everyone who read it to leave a review! So save me the trouble, and please tell me what you thought!

–melissaeverlasting (Melissa)

melissaeverlasting AT yahoo DOT com