The Forgotten Tale of Lily and James
Disclaimer: Not mine, not mine, not mine.
Ch5 - The Pot Calls the Kettle Black
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Lily and James had been getting along very well, to say the least. Well, there was no fighting, for everyone's sake. They still disagreed on many, many things but they tried to use compromises. The only close one was a couple days ago. Lily was a little angry that James skipped out on night patrol with her. She hated doing it alone, but James couldn't tell her that he was helping Remus transform into a werewolf. But that was the only one.
So the Christmas Ball had been planned. It was done. There hadn't been a Halloween Ball for nearly ten years because the Head Girl and Boy usually found it too stressful. But Lily wanted to take on the challenge, which meant absolute hell for the prefects in the beginning. But now it was better since her and James didn't fight over every miniscule detail.
The Christmas Ball would be fantastic. Everyone was impressively excited. Everything had been decided, guests, dinner, music, decorations, furniture arrangements, and even a dress code. The Prefects hated the younger children constantly being in their way, but also didn't quite find it fair that they were always excluded. One Prefect, by the name of Joanie Perks, suggested that they have their party earlier than the fifth, sixth, and seventh years. And oh, it had taken them such a long time to figure out the plansand the—well it's supposed to remain a surprise until it gets closer to the holidays. Only two more months until everyone was told about the Ball, and one more month after that and it was party time.
But for now, everyone would have to wait.
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Hogwarts had the fastest gossip chain. Six days after Chelsea Neptune began to spread rumors about Chanel, every single person was talking about it. People believed that Chanel had gotten knocked up, been gang raped, shagged a girl, and other completely ludicrous ideas. The rumors were disgraceful, Chelsea Neptune was a manipulative bitch and Chanel was beside herself. She put on a front so that people thought she didn't give a damn, her 'fuck you' attitude did fool many. But not her friends.
Lily and Eloise noticed that Chanel was struggling with keeping herself together. They knew that she had experienced troubling ordeals in her past and that her idea of coping with things wasn't always best. Chanel hadn't talked to Remus since the night that he caught her and Scott. Remus was spending all of his time with Mackenzie Lewis and Chanel never saw him alone. She was hesitant about approaching him while he was around his girlfriend, she was poisoning his mind about her. When Chanel told Lily and Eloise about how Mackenzie had acted towards her in the bathroom, they were shocked. Mackenzie seemed like such a sweet girl, always nice and caring about everyone. Oh, how wrong they were about her. Lily hadn't completely believed her until she saw Amanda Cohen's reprimand form. When Lily asked her about it, Amanda said that Mackenzie and Chelsea were plotting against Chanel so that Remus wouldn't be seduced by her. Lily was outraged.
It's been a week since she met with Scott. It's been a week since Remus caught her. It's been a week since things got out of control. Why did she meet Scott? Why was she so stupid? Why did she agree to do what she did? Why her? Remus was avoiding her and she couldn't even imagine what he had told Sirius and James about her. They all probably thought that she was such a whore. Maybe she was. Maybe she deserved it. Maybe.
She sat in her dormitory, on the floor. She sat in front of her trunk, which was located at the foot of her bed. She felt like she did when she was in her second year in her American school. But would she do it this time? Was it worth it? Would she make the same decisions that she did when she was twelve? She didn't know. Chanel touched the clasp of her trunk with the tips of her fingers. The cold metal reminded her of her past choices and she let go of the trunk. Not now. She could deal with it for now. Just not now. Not now.
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James walked into the Head's common room and grumbled to himself. Lily was sitting by the fire and reading what James assumed was a book she had someone send her from home. She glanced up when he walked in, but went back to reading only a moment later. James walked into the room and swore when he walked into and end table. He threw his books on the floor and walked over to the window.
"What's wrong with you?" Lily asked him, still reading intently.
"Nothing." James grumbled again.
"Obviously nothing is something, or you wouldn't have cursed off an end table."
"I'm just angry, alright?" James walked over from the window and sat on the opposite side of the couch.
"Well, fine. I'm just trying to make an effort here James." Lily gave him a look and went back to reading.
"I got into a fight, okay!"
Lily put down her book and looked at James harshly. "James, you know I don't like when you use magic against other people. It just isn't fair!"
"Well, Lily, you'll be delighted to know that this fight did not involve magic at all." James began to examine his cuticles.
"You got in a fist fight?! James, that's just—with who?" Lily did not condone violence, magical or the 'muggle' way.
"That seventh year, Jerome Athene. Do you know him?"
"So not only did you get into a fist fight, but you fought with a Slytherin!"
"I suppose you do know him then." James said, knowing all too well what would come next.
"James Potter! You can't go around fighting Slytherins, especially while you're Head Boy! Do you want to get your badge revoked? Do you? Do you!" Lily stood up so she was facing him, as he was sitting on the couch. He thought this was because she wanted to seem more intimidating, if she was taller than he was. Usually James was taller than Lily. She probably didn't like that. "Well?"
"No, Lily. I wouldn't like that." James said dully.
"Good! I don't want to have to be Head Girl next to Jordan Murrey! He is such an-- ugh!"
"So you only want me to remain as Head Boy so that you don't have to deal with anyone that you don't like. I understand. It's not because you like me or care or anything. It's just so you don't have to deal with Murrey!" James stood up now. He was taller.
Lily was horrified. She had come to like James' company over the past few weeks since term had begun. But she didn't want to tell him that. She liked the new James, he was very different from last year but still entirely the same. Lily didn't actually comprehend how this was possible. She couldn't tell him that she enjoyed hanging out with him, enjoyed doing their homework together, enjoyed reading while he sat on the couch next to her, and she would definitely not tell him that she enjoyed having a reoccurring dream about him.
"No! James, that's not what I mean it like, I—"
"Lily, stop! If you don't like being around me then why are we always together? Why wouldn't you tell me, huh? Are you scared I'll hurt you or something? Are you trying to be considerate of my feelings because you know I fancy you? Why, Lily, why?" James looked so angry. Lily didn't want them to fight. She liked them not fighting. She always had an answer before, but now she didn't. She wasn't angry with him like she used to be. She just wanted to go back to reading and have him sit next to her.
"Why do you think that I'm betraying you? I'm not! I do enjoy your company!"
"Lily! How can I know that for sure? It surely doesn't seem like you—"
"So you don't trust me!"
"You don't trust me either Lily Evans! See the pots and the pans are both black!"
Now Lily was getting angry like she used to, what a shame. Lily was just about to yell at him for something else when she realized what he said. Or what he was trying to say anyway. Her anger melted away. "What did you just say?"
"You don't trust me either, it's obvious Lily—"
"No, no, the other part."
"The pots and the pans are both black, I said. It means that you're---" James was trying to explain when Lily began to laugh. "What's so funny?! You think it's funny because I used a muggle phrase!"
"That's not h-how you say it! I-It's—" Lily couldn't quite stop laughing. "The pot calls the k-kettle black!"
James was embarrassed. He tried to use a muggle phrase and he had gotten it wrong. And now the girl he fancied incredibly was laughing at him. "Well, whatever, it's almost the same!"
"Where did you hear that?"
"Muggle Studies. We were learning about idiots or idi-somethings."
"Idioms?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, those."
She sighed. "It looks like we have to work on some things, doesn't it?" Lily was happy that their arguing was over. James nodded in agreement. "I'm going to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow or sometime."
Lily turned to leave but James grabbed her hand. Lily turned to face him. He didn't drop her hand and Lily made no move it pull it away from his grasp. He looked at her. His hazel eyes looked as if they were searching for something in hers. He may have found what he was looking for, or he may have not even been searching for anything at all, Lily probably would never know. Lily opened her mouth to speak, but James silenced her by pressing his finger against her lips. "Tomorrow." He whispered. Lily looked at the floor and smiled. She looked at him again, and said, "Goodnight, James." She turned to leave and her hand slid out of his. She gathered her book and her school bag and walked towards her room. She opened the door, which was proudly displaying a shiny, gold plaque.
Lily Evans
Head Girl
Lily smiled and closed the door behind her.
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Remus was half sleeping in a lounge chair when he saw Chanel. She glanced around the room from the last step of the stairs leading to her dormitory. It seemed as if she didn't want anyone to see her. She crept down the stairs and slowly made her way over to the couch. She moved tiredly and as if someone had sucked the life out of her. She must've just woken up, but why she was awake at eight o'clock on a Saturday was beyond him. She was just about to sit when she noticed him. She looked absolutely terrified and backed up five paces.
"It's alright Chanel, it's only me." He sat up straighter, his eyes closed now. He didn't want to make eye contact with her. He was still figuring things out. What to figure out, he didn't know. He just wasn't too keen on talking to her just yet. But he couldn't put it off forever. He couldn't avoid her forever. Or else he would a hypocrite, he despised when Sirius and Peter put off homework and studying. It never did them any good. He opened his eyes. She was sitting on the couch, staring blankly into the fire. "Chanel, we need to talk."
She looked up, looking oddly nervous. He looked her in the eye. She yelled, "Oh my god! You're breaking up with me!"
Remus' eyes widened. He leaned forward and looked around wildly. "Chanel, what are you talking about?" He was whispering even though there was no one else in the room. "We're not going together!"
She rolled her eyes. She was a very strange girl. "You don't want to be friends with me because you think I'm such a whore. I knew something like this would happen. Everything was just going too well."
"Chanel, I never said that I didn't want to be friends with you. What made you think that?" Remus threw her a quizzical look. Chanel got up and slapped his arm.
As she sat back down, she said, "Remus, you, ugh! You never start a conversation with a girl with the words 'we need to talk'. Are you out of your mind?"
"What? What's wrong with saying 'we need to talk'?" Girls were so, completely insane.
"Because, Remus." She rolled her eyes once again and said, in a you-should-know-this-you-stupid-boy sort of tone, "They're, like, forbidden words. It's basically like saying, 'I don't like you and I want to break up but I'm trying to be nice, so here it goes'!"
He leaned back against the chair. "You're crazy."
She smiled, ever so slighty. Then her serious face returned, and she waved her hand dismissively. "So you wanted to talk?"
"Well, I do still want to be friends with you. And I don't think you're a whore Chanel, I really don't. I was just, well, shocked. To see you. Doing that. With him."
She looked down at her feet. She felt like she was going to vomit, she was so nervous. But he seemed to be okay with the situation or at least was trying to take it well. "I don't know what to say. I completely regret it if that's what you mean."
"Er, no. I don't really know how to say this." She looked at him expectantly. He mumbled something incoherently.
"Excuse me?"
"I was jealous." Remus turned a brilliant shade of red.
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If Remus hadn't woken him up so early, he would still be sleeping. Poor kid fell out of his bed, he was tossing and turning so much. When Sirius heard the thump he was up and out of bed searching for the source of the noise before Remus even woke up. Now he was left to wander the hallways because no one else was awake at this ungodly hour.
He was wrong, there were two other people awake. He realized this fact after hearing their angry voices. Whoever they were, they were in a pretty heated fight. As Sirius neared the turn to the hallway where the people were, he could help but think that the voices sounded increasingly familiar. One of the voices was female and the other male. He felt like he had heard them very often. His curiosity was killing him, it took him an enormous amount of will power not to run up to the hallway. He walked at the normal pace and soon enough he was there. He rounded the corner. He raised his eyebrows.
He saw the back of a boy who was all too familiar and Eloise, her hair a straight, dark black. When Eloise's eyes glanced over in his direction, the boy turned to see who was there.
"I should have known it was you." Sirius leaned against the wall to his right. What the fuck was Eloise doing talking to him?
"You two know each other?" Eloise looked interested in the situation. Sirius was sort of impressed he had done such a good job of keeping that minor little fact a secret. Not that he was ashamed, of course, he loved being a rebel against his blood.
Sirius grunted. "Unfortunately."
The boy's mouth turned into a twisted smile. A sick, venomous smile that made Sirius' fists tighten. "Now, now, Sirius. Is that any way to treat your little brother?"
Sirius continued to stare at his piercing smile, he would love nothing more than to punch him. He saw Eloise's curious expression turn into one of shock from his peripheral vision. Her eyes widened, her mouth dropped, and her hair slowly turned navy blue and very curly.
"You're the same as ever Reg."
"And you're still a blood traitor." Regulus' eyes were still on his. Sirius wanted to smack that smirk off his face.
"Speaking of disgraces, how's Mum and Dad?" When Regulus only glared at him, Sirius continued. "May I ask you, brother, why you're harassing my friend this early in the morning?"
Regulus continued to glare. But this time he answered. "Tell that Mudblood to mind her own fucking business."
Before he knew what he was doing, his fist was crashing into his brother's face. Regulus fell over backwards. He stood up quickly though. Sirius watched him until he was standing up and opened his mouth to speak. Sirius silenced him with another blow to the face. While he was on the floor, Eloise walked around and kicked him in the groin. "You're the only fucking," She kicked him again. "Traitor!" She kicked him again.
Regulus lay there, his face contorted in pain and holding himself. Sirius gave Eloise a look of approval. By the time he looked back, Regulus was attempting to stand. Sirius brought his fist up again, and Regulus flinched. Sirius smirked and brought his fist back down to his side.
Regulus was incensed. "You're going to regret that." He paused to wipe blood off his lip. "The both of you. Mark my words."
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Chanel was thoroughly confused. She had just run out of Gryffindor Tower. She needed to find Lily, or Eloise, or both.
Remus had told her that he had been jealous! How awkward. Chanel thought he was kidding at first, of course. But he seemed to really care that she was with Scott. Oh, and he called Scott a bloody wanker! Chanel wanted to drop dead laughing at that but she could tell that Remus was trying to be serious, so she bit her tongue. He also told her that he didn't believe the rumors about her and that he would beat the person who started such vicious rumors about her. He was trying to be sweet but Chanel couldn't control it. She may have mentioned in a slightly bitter tone that Mackenzie fucking Lewis was a terror. He may have gotten angry. Just a teeny bit.
Chanel couldn't believe that he didn't believe her! Ever since the incident in the bathroom, Chanel could see her for whom she really was. It was lovely. She almost crashed into a stick with a dark blue mop on top. It was only Eloise. She was accompanied by Sirius Black. She would have to fill Lily in later. She needed to get this out. Now.