Summary: He thought she hated him. She thought she was just bragging rights. He kept missing his chances. She was running away scared. A story of love that follows Lily and James from 6th year until graduation. R/R!
Disclaimer: So no one sues me, I'm not JKR, I could never compare to JKR and you all know that. She is the almighty goddess of all things Harry Potter/magic. Her riches are not mine. Enjoy!
Christmas Break…
Lily grit her teeth, trying her best not to rise to it. She wouldn't sink to Petunia's level, however vicious her insults may be. Every time Petunia threw one her way, Lily's insides curled and she felt as if she were seven years old again. Only Petunia had the power to do that and Lily hated it. She had to be strong in front of everyone else she knew to make up for her useless feeling, or everyone would find out how she really is.
"Petunia, dear," said Rob, Lily's father, wearily. "You know what we've told you about treating your sister nicely."
Brutally, Petunia spat, "I have no sister."
Jennifer, Lily's mother, slammed her hand on the table. "Petunia! You will not talk like that in my household." Right after, Jennifer collapsed into fitful coughs, eyes watering.
Rushing to her side, Lily asked, "Mum, are you all right?"
"That's right, Lily, suck up," Petunia said, throwing down her napkin from lunch. "You don't need to, they've always liked you better anyways. I should've just stayed at college over break."
"Petunia! Get back here!" Rob yelled, but Petunia had already slammed the front door. The next sound they heard was Petunia's much whined for Ferrari start up and the tires squealing as it drove away.
Tears welled up in Lily's eyes but she shook them away and patted her mother's back soothingly – Jennifer was still coughing. "What's wrong with her, dad?" Lily asked.
Rob shook his head. "Nothing, Lily, she must have a cold of some sort. I would try to stay away from her over break if this keeps up." Rob went over to his wife and helped her up. "Lily, get her a glass of water, I'm going to put her to bed." The coughing continued all the way up stairs and Lily filled a glass quickly with water and ice.
A few moments later, Lily had given her mother the water and her coughing reduced some. Rob led her out of the bedroom and closed the door behind them, sighing and rubbing his eyes. "Dad," Lily began timidly, "do you think mum might've picked up some illness from one of her patients?" Lily's mother worked at a hospice – a place where terminally ill patients go to die. Some of them had contagious symptoms and, although it was an excessively sanitary environment, it was possible for a nurse to catch a virus accidentally.
Shaking his head, Rob said, "No, I don't think so. Last I heard she was working with breast cancer patients and that's not contagious."
"But is it a possibility?" Lily pushed.
Rob sighed again and looked at his watch. "I need to get ready to go the restaurant."
Lily nodded. "Will you be working on Christmas Eve?"
Patting her shoulder, Rob said solemnly, "You know I will, I have been every year." Rob was the owner of one of the best restaurants in town. It served authentic Italian food and guests had to wait at least three months to get in, depending on the season. Around Christmas, it was more like six and it got so busy that sometimes her own father had to go back and help the chefs prepare food. "Take care of mum and if Petunia comes back, tell her she's grounded."
Snorting, Lily said, "Sure, like that will happen."
"Ignore her, Lily, that's what we've always told you."
Nodding once again, Lily ushered her father into his room to change and went to her bedroom, closing the door softly and lying down on her bed. She flipped the muggle radio on and listened to a song she didn't know while staring at the ceiling. Lily had to catch up on muggle music from the past four months.
"And now a favorite of the year, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen!" announced the overly excited DJ and Lily turned it up to listen – Queen was one of her favorite bands and she had not heard this song yet.
Lily listened to the radio for an hour, jotting down the names of songs that appealed to her. She had been dancing around to Afternoon Delight when she heard Petunia's expensive car pull up in the driveway. Lily looked out the window and saw about three large shopping bags in the small backseat.
"Thanks for the help," Petunia snapped as she walked past Lily's room, carrying the bags a moment later.
Gulping, Lily called out, "Dad says you're grounded, I was supposed to tell you."
Petunia stepped backwards into her doorway. "He can't tell me what to do, I don't live here. It doesn't matter anyway – I was just getting my stuff so I can stay at Vernon's for the rest of break."
Lily raised her eyebrows questionably. "Vernon?"
With a smirk, Petunia said, "Yes, Vernon, my boyfriend. You probably don't know what that is, I doubt there is anybody at your freak school who likes you anyhow."
Furiously, Lily thought of James' obsession and almost brought it up, but it just made herself that much angrier for thinking of James while away from school. "Just shut up and leave me alone," Lily said, turning her radio back up.
"I'm surprised you can stand up for yourself, you're such a pathetic weakling."
Lily scrunched her eyes shut. "No – I'm – Not…" Lily said slowly.
"Whatever, weirdo, I'm leaving and you can leave that message with precious mummy and daddy," Petunia said, exiting the room, which was a good thing because Lily was just about to lose it and she could not get another warning for Improper Use of Magic from the Ministry – she would be expelled. Lily knew Petunia's name-calling was immature and petty, but it hurt her all the same.
"At least she'll be gone the rest of break," Lily said to herself and went to check on her mum, turning her thoughts on worries about her.
Shouting filled Remus' ears and he didn't know if he could stand it anymore. He knew that they were happily married before he was bitten and each blamed the other for Remus' condition. Remus also knew his parents were scared of him and wanted that innocent four year old back, the one who was pure and didn't turn into something unspeakable once a month.
Ever since third year, Remus had gone to James' house during the summer and the day after Christmas. His parents still insisted on Remus staying for Christmas even if he didn't really see them and rarely got presents, but as soon as he could, Remus would escape to James house.
This year Remus knew Christmas would not be celebrated. His mother Leontine, who used to put up the most dazzling decorations, had not even attempted to get out the garland and just resorted to drinking herself into a stupor. Gifts would not be presented because the only time Remus had seen Leontine was to drag her up to bed the day he got home – she had lain passed out on the floor.
As it was Christmas day, his father Forbes was off work; usually it was his escape and he often spent nights there. It was early in the morning and Leontine most likely had a hang over and was probably itching to get her hands on some Firewhisky. Remus had no clue what Forbes was so mad about, probably his mother's drinking and neglect towards Remus, although if the latter was the option, Forbes had no room to talk and was just being a hypocrite to make himself feel better.
Remus was in his room, reading Muggle and Wizarding literature, as he had taken to doing since he was a young boy. Usually over break he never left his room and always made sure to pack non perishable food from Hogwarts to keep in his trunk until he could go down to the kitchen after his parents had gone to sleep. Remus couldn't stand to see the fear on their faces once he walked in.
Currently though, Remus had given up on reading, for the shouts had grown so loud that he could not concentrate. Instead he let his thoughts wander. Remus wondered how Sirius was doing in his own hell and if he was already at James' house. Depending on how bad he was treated each year, Sirius went James' house at some point during break. Last year he had gone straight over and, although James' parents were very hospitable, they didn't believe in conflict and wished for Sirius to spend at least some time at home during Christmas. But he and Sirius always went straight to James' house for the summer and stayed there for the duration.
The yells intensified and Remus cringed. Focus on something else, he thought to himself and began wondering how James' wonderful Christmas was going. His parents spoiled him rotten but at least he was happy. Next Remus' mind wandered to Lily – he knew next to nothing about her home life and was wondering how her Christmas was going. He amused himself for a moment with a picture of Lily crying over missing James and writing him love letters. Another picture came up of James reading these letters and jumping around excitedly.
Sadly, James really did love Lily unconditionally, even if he didn't completely realize it yet, and Remus thought that Lily treated him so rotten in order to hide her feelings for him. No other guy could stay devoted to a girl for so long when she had insulted and shot him down every possible way. Indeed, Lily looked worn, as if she was running out of things to tell to James.
Remus heard a slap and a gasp. He didn't worry too much – although Forbes was a hypocrite, he had never raised a hand to Leontine and she was the one usually hitting him. I might have to go James' a day early, even if I hate to impose…Remus thought to himself, then shook the thought away. He could handle it; it was only until tomorrow, after all.
Sirius hated this place. It was dark, malevolent, and full of magic that made Sirius' skin crawl. He knew his parents were big supporters of the Dark Arts and are following a somewhat new evil leader named Voldemort. His family called him the Dark Lord and Regulas had recently joined his following, Death Eaters, they called themselves. Sirius was sure the Ministry was aware of Voldemort, but they weren't doing much to stop him – disappearances and brutal killings of muggles and wizards alike had been connected to Voldemort through the Daily Prophet, but no comment from the Ministry.
Orion and Wallburga, Sirius' parents, were the most evil, wretched people that Sirius had ever come in contact with. Their hatred for his lack of sinful behavior was unequaled – they had cursed Sirius regularly for his "sour attitude" and "unwillingness to follow family traditions". Sirius mind got so dark when he was at home that it made him ill.
There was a Christmas party downstairs and all the evil influential families were dancing, drinking, and chatting. Malfoy's, Lestranges', Crabbe's, Goyle's, Avery's, Carrow's, Gibbon's, Dolohov's, and many more Sirius couldn't name. Orion had required his son down in the party, even though Wallburga insisted he was an embarrassment. "No son of mine, no matter how regrettable, will be rude to any guests we entertain."
So now Sirius stood in the farthest corner of the party, wearing dress robes and watching drunken men and woman dance around with narrowed eyes. The lively music did nothing for the dark feel of the house but Sirius was sure the guests didn't mind. He took a powerful swig of the strong, alcoholic beverage he had snagged and grimaced, not from the sting of alcohol but from the life he was imprisoned in.
Soon his mother wandered over, stumbling drunkenly towards him. "Why aren't you dancing?" she slurred, eyes unfocused.
Usually Sirius did not have a loose tongue at home, for dire consequences happen. But Sirius had drunk three of the unknown alcoholic beverages and he was feeling a little free with his words anyway. "Because I don't want to be in this hellhole," he said simply.
Wallburga's eyebrows arched furiously. "Are you insulting my party?"
"That and the people in it," he said disdainfully, emptying the rest of the alcohol in his glass and throwing it to the floor, causing it to break.
Stomping her foot, Wallburga said, "You better stop while you're ahead, boy, or I'll get your father."
"Go ahead, I'm not going to listen to whatever you two say anyway," Sirius replied, stepping on the broken glass, crunching it more and grounding it into the expensive rug.
Orion had appeared at Wallburga's side in a second and he reached around his wife, grabbing Sirius' forearm roughly. "Let go of me," Sirius growled. Orion didn't say a word, but instead dragged him upstairs and away from the party.
Sirius was brought to his room and thrown on the ground. Immediately, Sirius tried to stand, but his father had a wand pointed to his throat. "You'll learn to never disrespect us again," Orion uttered.
For a response, Sirius spat in his father's face. "Is that disrespect?" he asked sarcastically and tried to get up again.
"Crucio!"
Glittering lights made James' living room magical. Christmas was always James' favorite time of year and this year was no different. He was excited to see what he got and excited for his parents to open the gifts he gave them. James dutifully delivered gifts to his parents and made his own pile, all the while humming to Christmas music playing throughout the house.
James had insisted that his parents open their presents first and he had been right – they loved them. "I can't believe this…signatures of all the players from the Pride of Portee in their Championship year – 1962," Harold, James' father, bolstered excitedly. After all, he was the one who made James a Quidditch fanatic.
"Pearls!" Hallie, James' mother, gushed. "Pearls! Look Harold, I can't believe our son is so intuitive. How did you know I wanted pearls?"
Trying to shrug in an aloof and casual way, but failing, James said. "Well, I just wanted to show my appreciation to you guys…"
Harold and Hallie immediately showered James with compliments and praises, making his already large head inflate more. Next he opened his own gifts and got mostly things he needed, but the best was the latest broom model – a Nimbus 1850. "It's an early release broom, not due out until next year, but they agreed to give me the first one," Harold explained. "It's the best there is, the only one good enough for our son."
Their house elf, Flappie, brought out tea for the family before Harold and Hallie had time to inflate James' head more. Flappie was named so because her ears flapped about wildly and, although she was freed from the family eons ago, Flappie continued to serve the Potters and was very dedicated to the family. "Oh, Flappie," James said, beckoning the little elf over. He pulled another package out from under the tree and handed it to Flappie.
Excitedly with tears in her eyes, Flappie gently tore the paper wrapping off of the gift and squealed. "A new apron!" the house elf exclaimed, immediately ripping off her faded yellow daisy apron and putting on the new blueberry covered one. "Thank you, Master Potter, it tis the best gift that Flappie has ever received!"
"Even better than the sundress?" James asked, mirth in his eyes.
Flappie opened her mouth, then closed it quickly, smoothing out her beloved pink sundress. "No, Mr. Potter, Flappie indeed forgot the dress. But Flappie loves both!" the elf said, it's head bobbling eagerly and its large blue eyes as wide as saucers, as if she was trying to convince James of her enthusiasm for her gifts.
Ah yes, one big happy family, celebrating Christmas without any worries. Even though Harold and Hallie were old for wizarding standards and most everyone the Potter's knew were in ominous situations concerning the rise of a new sorcerer, all that was shielded out of the overtly joyful living room as they sipped their tea and marveled at their presents, chatting casually of this and that.
"Oh my, I almost forgot to ask, how is Sirius?" Hallie asked her son. "Have you heard from him at all?"
James' expression instantly turned worried. "The first day back, Sirius sent me a letter saying this year wouldn't be so bad since Regulas was off doing something or another," James said, slyly leaving out the fact the Regulas has joined the Death Eaters. No matter how much Sirius hated his family, he would never sell any of them out. Sirius was fiercely loyal. "But I haven't heard back from him since – usually he is here by now."
Harold gave a slight "humph" and set down his teacup. "I hope he didn't take our suggestion to spend a little more time at home over Christmas break offensively. We just hoped he and his family might work out their differences – "
"And I've told you a million times," James cut in, "that him and his family are too different to ever get along."
Sighing, Hallie said, "I'm just worried about him, that's all. He's like your brother and our son and we love having him, especially since his own family is so dreadful." She turned to Harold. "Maybe we should go and check up on him, just to see if he's alright, maybe even ta-"
But Hallie was cut off when the fire turned green and Sirius was suddenly standing in the Potter's living room. "Sirius!" they all said together, but as soon as they did so, Sirius fell to floor, crumpled in a ball. James rushed to his best friend and rolled him on his back; taking in the lines on his face and the way his body shook. "Sirius, wake up, tell me what happened!" James shouted, shaking his friend.
Sirius opened his eyes slightly and croaked, "My dad…got mad at me. Used Cruciatus – it seemed so long…"
Hallie's mouth dropped and Harold's face hardened. As he was an Auror, he had been hit many a time with the Cruciatus curse. "I can't believe that! It's against the law, especially on a minor – we have to do something, Harold," Hallie said in broken sentences.
Absently, James corrected, "No, he turned seventeen five days ago…"
"Still," Harold said, Summoning his cloak, "it's a serious offense. I'm going to the Ministry and getting backup to arrest him."
Shaking his head, Sirius groaned slightly and said, "No, there's a party with a bunch of Dark wizards there…"
"The more, the merrier," Harold said wearily. "I might not be home tonight, or tomorrow for that matter."
Hallie shook her head. "Harold, you're retired, you shouldn't be doing this – " But he was gone before she could finish her sentence. "Sirius," she said with a stern voice, "you'll be living with us until you can find your own place and I don't care how long that takes. I'm sure Harold will get all of your things out of your room for you."
Sirius nodded. "Sorry for making him miss Christmas."
"Don't worry about it dear," Hallie said reassuringly, squeezing his shoulder. "Now, let's get you to the sofa. James, I can't seem to find my wand, could you?"
James nodded, still a little in shock that his best friend was just tortured. James had turned seventeen almost a month after school had begun and so he could do magic outside of Hogwarts.
Just as Hallie and James were getting Sirius settled and Hallie had James Summon her wand so she could perform some muscle relaxing spells (Hallie was a retired Healer), the fireplace turned green once more and Remus spun out, landing unsteadily on the carpet with a couple bags in tow. "Sorry, Hallie, but I had to come a day early. I hope you don't mind," Remus said in a rush, then his eyes focused on Sirius' ashen face. "What happened?" he asked, dropping his bags and going to stand next to James.
"Sirius and his dad got in a fight and his dad used the Cruciatus on him," James said gravely.
Remus let out a string of cursing insults. "Remus!" Hallie said, giving him a reproachful look. Remus looked properly abashed. "It's not a problem if you stay here, but I will not tolerate language in my household. You know the rules."
Uttering a small sorry, Remus took his bags upstairs, then retrieved some water for Sirius, who accepted it gratefully. They spent the next hour discussing Remus and Sirius' home lives while Hallie treated Sirius' muscles, going to bed when finished because "I'm getting too old for this and I'm absolutely exhausted. Goodnight, dearies."
Once they had exhausted that topic, James' eyes flashed with sudden remembrance and he turned to Remus. "What did you need to tell me about Lily? You said you would talk about it when you got here."
Sighing, Remus first told Sirius, "Don't interject with your idiotic ideas."
Sirius held his hands up defensively. "Hey, I've just been through a traumatic experience!" he tried to joke, but his eyes darkened slightly and he cringed.
Remus scanned his friend a little longer, then turned back to James. "I've told you this before but I really want you to listen. You are getting nowhere with her and I know you're hopelessly in love with her. But you have to stop asking her out every five seconds. If you just be nice and sincere with her, I know she'll warm up to you eventually."
"Eventually," James said with disgust. "I'm sick of waiting."
An opportunity to convince James lit up in Remus' mind. "I'll make you a bet. It's been five years of you attempting to ask Lily out with many rejections, correct?" James nodded slowly. "I bet that she will fall for you before we graduate using my way rather than your bashing her over the head with will-you-go-out-with-me's."
James thought it over for a moment. "How much?"
"Fifty galleons, I could use the gold," Remus said carelessly, knowing James had risen to it.
"Fine," James replied, holding out his hand. Remus took it. "You've got a deal."
"I can't believe he's still asleep," Peter said, poking Sirius on the train once more.
"I can't believe he didn't wake up after the fireworks," James said, looking down at his friend scornfully.
Rolling his eyes, Remus bent down to Sirius and whispered something in his ear. Immediately, Sirius sat up ramrod straight and looked around. "Where? Where?"
Remus began laughing while Peter and James looked confused. "What's where?" Peter asked, scratching his head.
Shaking his head, Remus told Sirius, "False alarm, I suppose. You better get changed."
Sirius glared at him, grabbed his robes out of his trunk that Harold had gotten for him (along with a few other of his belongings), and said simply, "I have to use the bathroom."
Once he was gone, Remus said with mirth still lingering in his eyes, "I told him there was a girl wearing hardly nothing asking for him outside the compartment."
At first James blinked slowly at Remus, then cracked a grin. "That's all we had to do? Wish I would've thought of it before I wasted most of my Filibuster Firework supply."
Sirius arrived back a few moments later and the friends sat chatting casually. Soon the conversation moved to pranks and Sirius was unusually silent as they discussed ideas they had for the second half of their 6th year. Suddenly, Sirius clapped his hands and said, "I've got it! Why don't we lace some sort of light poison in the Slytherin's food and it will make it seem like they're dying, but they are just really sick."
All of his friends stared at Sirius for quite some times, trying to register what he just said. "Sirius…why in the hell would we do that?" James asked incredulously. "Our pranks are not intended to cause fatal physical or emotional harm – just slightly embarrass or highly entertain."
Glaring slightly, Sirius' rebuttal was, "Fine then, how about hanging Mrs. Norris by his tail in the Entrance Hall and setting him on fire?"
"Are you being serious?" James asked.
Trying to grin, but instead ending in a grimace, Sirius said, "I am Sirius."
"Those jokes are something we would never consider and you know that, Sirius," Remus said, frustration seeping in his voice – the full moon was getting close. "I don't know what is your problem, but get it together and stop acting crazy."
Abruptly, Sirius jumped up and grabbed Remus by his shoulders, slamming him up against the wall. Right after James and Peter grabbed each of Sirius' arms and tried pulling him away. "Don't ever call me crazy again," he hissed.
Finally, James and Peter managed to sit him back down. "Snap out of it, Sirius!" James yelled. "Do you realize what you just did to your friend Remus?"
Sirius' eyed sobered from the anger instantly and he looked genuinely apologetic. "S-sorry, mate. I don't know what's gotten into me."
Shrugging, Remus said, "Don't worry about it, you've had a tough break." At first it looked as if Sirius wanted to protest the implied weakness towards him, but he just bowed his shoulders and nodded.
Dinner in the Great Hall was normal as usual, except Sirius was antsy the whole time and kept whispering loudly to James horrid prank ideas he had to play right that second. James continuously shushed him and at one point actually had to hold him down so he wouldn't jump up and try to make all the teacher's robes fly off in hopes for a laugh.
It took all three of the Marauders to get Sirius to the dorm room and keep him there. Bizarre prank ideas continued to issue from his mouth and he jumped around wildly, looking for a victim to test them on. Even Rita had to leave Lily and Aurelia at one point and ask if the Marauders needed any assistance with the spasmodic Sirius.
"I still think making the main staircase into a slide that lead to a pit of alligators was a good idea," Sirius grumbled as he changed into his nightclothes.
Having enough, James slammed his trunk shut and turned on Sirius, who shrunk back a little. "Listen to yourself! Every single thing that's come out of your mouth today has been evil! Burning animals? Poisoning students? A pit of unavoidable alligators? You sound just like the rest of your family!" Sirius' face went from ashamed to furious. "I know you feel unloved and unwanted by them, but you have us. You're seventeen; legal, and you have enough of your Uncle Alphard's money to get a flat in London. Don't sink to their level…be the Sirius that we like, not a torturer like the rest of your family has become."
Sirius gave James a hard, blazing look but James stood strong against it, raising his chin defiantly. Remus and Peter watched silently, Peter twittering with excitement. Finally, Sirius began changing out of his pajamas and back into his robes, stooping down to put a couple things in his cloak. "Sirius…" Remus called out sternly as he was about to leave, but Sirius paid no heed and slammed the door behind him.
"Ohhhhh take my Galleons, if that's what you wish, but be a doll and don't steal my fish!" Sirius sang hoarsely, romping around the fourth floor in a dizzy daze, clutching a bottle of Firewhisky in his right hand and his left hand reaching aimlessly towards the ceiling. It was around midnight, at least three hours since Sirius had stormed out of his dorm room.
An hour earlier, James had left his dorm under his Invisibility cloak with the Marauder's map in hand, searching for Sirius Black on the map. His dorm mates had been very concerned with what a brash and angry Sirius might do. Sirius had always been a bit of a loose cannon, but add anger into the equation and not even Cassandra Trelawney could unfog the future to predict what he would do.
It had taken James a while to find Sirius, for at first he didn't appear on the map. Soon his dot appeared on the map, walking across the lawns in a weaving path. Mrs. Norris held up James for quite a few moments, and by the time he left that sticky situation, Sirius had managed to speedily get up to the fourth floor without making any noise. What he was doing up there, James had no clue, there wasn't much interesting on the fourth floor. But once James had reached the third floor, he could hear very bad and very drunk singing coming from someone whose voice was remarkably similar to Sirius'.
Turning a corner, James saw his best friend, hair a mess, clothes rumpled, eyes bright yet bloodshot and an almost empty bottle of Firewhisky dangling in his fingers by his side. He was tripping over his own feet, walking the same path over and over again. "Sirius," James called.
Sirius looked over his shoulder, eyes widening in shock. James realized that he still had the Invisibility cloak on and immediately peeled it off. Sirius eyes relaxed then turned into pinpoints of anger. "Wha tha hell do ya want?" Sirius slurred, stumbling a little and pointing a shaky finger accusingly at James.
"Look," James said quickly, "I'm sorry for what I said. I was irritated and I didn't mean what came out of my mouth."
Suddenly, Sirius grinned, making his face contrast sharply with the resentment that had previously been placed there. "Tha's oat-kay, buddy! I forgive you, because ya wanna know why?" Sirius placed a heavy hand on James shoulder and looked him seriously in the eye. "Because tha's wha friends do for each other."
Then he burst out laughing as if it was the funniest thing there ever was and James leaned back from his friend – his breath was rank. "God…" he muttered and then immediately grabbed Sirius' forearms to balance him. "Listen, Sirius, we need to get back to the common room before we're caught out of bed," James explained in a voice usually used when talking to a two year old.
Sirius looked confused. "But we're out of bed all tha time." Sirius pointed to the lump of cloth near James' feet. "'n we have tha in-vis-a-billie-bee clock."
James shook his head. "We can't both fit under there anymore and we've never been out of bed with you drunk."
Gasping, Sirius replied with dignity, "I am not drunk." He took care pronouncing each word, then contradictorily took a large swig of Firewhisky, his face turning redder even in the semi-darkness.
Rolling his eyes, James began almost literally dragging Sirius back to the dorms. He had to hush him several times for talking too loudly and for singing his very bizarre made-up song. "Hey, hey James!" Sirius shouted and James promptly shushed him. But it only made him louder. "I saw something red over thataway." He pointed to a spot just beyond a corridor.
"It's probably your eyes messing with you, now shut up and walk yourself back to the Common Room."
"No, no James," Sirius said and began tugging roughly on James' sleeve. "I really saw something red, see there it is again!"
Sirius pointed once more and this time James did see a flash of red coming toward them and his stomach dropped out. "Hey, look James! It's Lily! Go on, ask her out, mate!" Sirius slurred and punched James in the arm.
"What in the world is going on?" Lily asked dangerously, her prefect badge gleaming in the moonlight. James was transfixed that her hair could still shine so brightly in the dim light. "What are you two doing out of – hey…is that a Firewhisky?" Her voice turned suddenly enraged as she pointed to the bottle, slack in Sirius' hand.
Why couldn't Remus have caught us? James begged to no one in particular. He's never patrolling our area when we get in trouble at night. "Lily, let me explain," James said and heaved Sirius to a standing position – he was starting to slump over.
"Yes, Lillian flooow-er, this is Firewhisky," Sirius said solemnly, holding a hand over his heart. "I am dreadfully sorry thisss unfor-two-nat occ-or-ance, er, occ-or-ed."
Lily's eyes smoldered. "He's drunk!" she hissed to James. "I can't believe you two, this will get you expelled! You're underage!"
James shook his head. "No, Lily, you've got to listen to me." James saw Lily's eyes flashed and his voice immediately turned soft and low as he leaned toward her. "Please, just hear me out, okay?"
At first it looked as if Lily was going to argue, then she nodded reluctantly. "Go on," she replied dubiously.
Quickly, James explained in brief what had happened with Sirius over Christmas break and the scene in the dorm room that made him storm out. "And I found him on the fourth floor like this. I'm just trying to get him back safely…I don't know what he might do in this state," James said, reaching out and grabbing Sirius' arm without taking his eyes off Lily; Sirius had started to wander off.
Lily had a hand over her mouth in shock after the story and she nodded slowly. "Okay, okay I'll let you off this time."
Letting out a relieved breath, James said sincerely, "Thank you."
Sirius looked between the two and smiled widely. "Aww, James I knew ya've loved her to pieces since foreva, but I didn't know she loved ya too!" James and Lily just stared at him, embarrassed, while Sirius continued smiling at the two, rocking back and forth clumsily on his heels. "Anywho… Ohhhhh take my Galleons, if that's what you wish, but be a doll – "
Before he could get any louder, Lily whipped out her wand and said, "Silencio!" Sirius' mouth continued moving and James saw he hadn't realized he had been muted.
"Wish I'd of thought of that earlier," James said with smile, running a hand through his hair nervously. "It's been a pain in the arse trying to get him through the castle quietly."
Lily allowed herself a smile, then said in a business like manner, "We better get a move on, other prefects are patrolling." She grabbed Sirius' right arm and James took the left, guiding a muted yet seemingly singing Sirius through the halls.
"Is Remus patrolling?"
"No, it's not his night, I think he's doing it tomorrow, though."
They continued small talking on the way to the Common Room, a sarcastic insult thrown here and there, as was the Lily and James tradition. But Lily was surprised that he didn't try to ask her out, not once and James was surprised that Lily was actually helping him.
Just before getting to the Common Room, Lily vanished Sirius' bottle (he cried out silently in protest) and got him inside the Common Room quickly, steering him away from the few awake student's prying eyes. "Can you help me get him upstairs?" James asked, heaving Sirius into a standing position for the second time that evening. Lily nodded and helped get him up the stairs.
Remus was still awake in the dorm, but Peter had fallen asleep. James backed in first, clutching Sirius' arm. "Ah, good, you found him – " Remus began, but stopped immediately when Lily entered. "Oh, good evening, Lily," he said and hurried over to help with Sirius, who was about to fall over.
They spent a good few minutes in awkward silence as they put Sirius in his bed and worked to keep him there. Lily removed the Muting Charm and Sirius immediately picked up in the middle of his sentence. "…don't want to go to bed, I'm not tired."
"Does anyone know any Sobering Charms?" James asked. "My dad me one once, for safety measures, but I can't remember it."
Nodding, Remus mumbled something and Sirius immediately clutched his head in agony. "What the hell – why'd you do that for?" Sirius spat angrily and then noticed Lily for the first time. "And what is she doing here?"
"Just go to bed, Sirius," Lily started comfortingly, but Sirius interrupted.
"You're not my Goddamn mother," he nearly yelled. "Don't tell me what to do."
Lily looked hurt; she wasn't used to people talking to her like that. "Really, Sirius, just sleep it off and you'll feel better," Remus said.
Sirius laughed bitterly. "Oh that's rich. I don't remember your dad torturing you just because you didn't want to dance."
Remus knew he was only talking this way because he had a splitting headache that wasn't allowing him to think straight, but the words still bit him. "Maybe not, but my father has ignored me since I was four, so don't act like you're the only one with family problems." And with that, Remus climbed into his four-poster and closed the curtains.
"I should go," Lily whispered to James, her eyes on a stunned Sirius rubbing his head.
Nodding, James took her elbow and said, "I'll walk you down."
To James' great surprise, Lily didn't pull her elbow away as he led her down to the Common Room and butterflies began to appear in his stomach. "I can't believe his family did that too him," Lily said once they had reached the foot of the girl's staircase.
"Yeah, but you've heard how the Black family is," James said and Lily nodded in agreement. "Hey, I'm sorry for what he said in there," James began apologizing but Lily held up her hand.
"No, it's okay, I understand…he was a little out of his head."
Laughing, James replied. "He's always a little out of his head." Lily laughed also and James' heart beat faster. He couldn't believe they were actually having a civilized conversation…and he got to see her genuinely laugh because of something he said rather than watching it from across the room. "Well, thanks for helping and for not getting Sirius expelled."
Shrugging, Lily said, "No problem, I hope he gets better."
James nodded and another awkward silence passed between them. "Well then, goodnight," Lily chirped.
"Goodnight," James said and she ran up the stairs. James watched her go, feeling elated that they had a normal conversation. Maybe Remus was right after all.
Meanwhile, Lily collapsed into bed, thinking that James wasn't that bad in the end.
Author Notes: Wow, I'm very proud of myself! I got this one out so quick!
This chapter was very hard to write, because I had to establish character background in a setting outside Hogwarts without the goofy or sarcastic personalities I'm used to writing. I also tried to show an extreme contrast when it came to Remus' and Sirius' home lives compared to James' happy, go lucky, spoiled rotten lifestyle. Actually, as I was writing this and the last chapter, I realized how James is very similar to Malfoy; only he does of a heart of gold buried under all that arrogance (sorry to all you Draco lovers out there!) Besides that, I rushed through it in attempt to get it out the same day as the last one, which obviously didn't happen, but at least it was a lot less than a month to update!
See last chapter author notes, I'm still in desperate need of seventh year filler things after Lily and James are going out and a better way for them to finally get together. I know have another idea for them to get together, thanks to JustCallMeDollface, but if anyone has any other ideas, let me know! Even if you think it's cliché or cheesy, tell me because I usually get inspiration from almost anything.
Thanks to those who already sent in ideas, I've typed them in my outline with your name next to them! I owe you a diamond ring, or some other expensive gift of your choice.
And my birthday is in one day!
R/R!