Summary–Lily tries to enter the supposed club the girls in her year have suddenly created. But they want some proof of her worthiness before they let her in. In an not-so-well-thought through plot, the truth is...they're just trying to get Lily to give James a chance. friendship/romance

Disclaimer–I do not own Harry Potter, which belongs to its respective owner(s) and is only being used in a fan-made, fictional story.

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Shock and Awe – "quick paralyzing assault"

Chapter 5

By–Moon Prynces

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He watched from across the Great Hall with a sigh. He slowly walked over, remembering the earlier conversations with his friends.

"Sorry mate, you're on your own. I've still got this essay to write. Only five and a half more feet." Remus had said without looking up from his scribbling.

"Are you asking me?" Sirius had responded with a laugh.

"Hey James, do you know anything about this plant that's supposed to cure–" Peter had asked back, flipping through the pages of their Herbology text.

Now this was his last chance or else he'd fail that blasted Potions test she had been talking about.

"Hey Lily," James said, standing behind her eerily. His face was contorted in a grimace that he tried to hide when she turned around.

"Oh. Hey James," she responded.

The girl beside her, Gina, raised her brows at the boy challengingly. He was suddenly nervous with her gaze.

"Well, I was just wondering if that offer to help me out with Potions was still open," he mumbled out in a rush, glancing anywhere else.

He felt humiliated after having turned down her help the other day. His hands were sweaty and his face felt flushed – hopefully she didn't notice. Last thing he needed was her to throw all this in his face, or at the very least point it out.

He was not in his element. He was acting pathetically. He couldn't even help it. And it was all because of the damned slow smile that crept up on her face as she said "Sure, no problem!" in what had to be the girliest voice she possessed.

"Alright, tonight? Common room!" he suddenly spouted before turning around and power-walking away.

Lucky he hadn't tried to eat breakfast yet.

What isthis? he questioned himself. It's like...like I'm falling for her all over again!

Gina eyed the boy as he stomped away. "That was a little strange."

"What?" Lily said around an apple.

"It looked like–" She paused, looking unsure. "It looked like he was having a hard time talking to you."

Lily stopped chewing, then swallowed. "James?" She glanced at the door he had left through.

"Or maybe he wasn't feeling well and he was forcing himself to make plans with you quick before he had to leave!" Gina supplied quickly.

Lily was still staring as she thought about how his eyes couldn't meet hers, just minutes ago.

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The redhead cautiously took a seat next to James on the couch in a corner of the common room later that night. He was startled at first by her entrance.

"Uh, hey," he said jerkily, then busied himself by pulling a book from his bag. "Thanks for this, by the way."

"Hmm," was her response, watching him out of the corner of her eyes.

The next twenty minutes rolled along without any conversation outside of Potions. Lily was explaining how to chop up the ingredients properly and why they needed to be added at specific times, i.e. when the potion turns green instead of purple.

There was a pause as James scribbled something in his book. Lily watched his handwriting as he made a note to himself, the scratch of almost illegible letters coming together because he was too lazy to lift his quill for each to separate.

She was lost in thought as she imagined a random four letter word he'd written turn into cartoon-ish figures of him and the other Marauders, always connected by that little something.

James noted her spaced out expression. He cleared his throat and flipped the page, snapping her out of it quickly.

Lily blinked to herself. They both pretended to read the page.

Finally she asked, "Hey James, how good of friends are you with Frank Longbottom?" She looked up to try and meet his gaze but he didn't budge.

She had been wondering lately about that crush Alice had. Maybe she and some of the other girls could help with the situation. Irony at its best.

James was busy wondering what kind of sick joke was it that when he was finally able to get closer to Lily, she seemed to be interested in all his friends. He still had no idea as to what was going on with her and Peter, and he felt stupid for even thinking to ask his friend about it.

He sighed to himself and lifted his head after a moment. "Why do you ask?" he feigned nonchalance.

Before she knew it, Lily found the plan spilling from her lips. "I wanna set him up with Alice because she's liked him for way too long and I think she's starting to get all hopeless and depressed over it and she's my best friend so I don't want to see her sad!" she finished in a breath.

James tapped at his glasses randomly in thought.

"Yeah, okay, I know I sound like I've been hit with a bludger or something but really I think I could pull this off!" she rambled on, rolling her eyes in the beginning and ending with an excited tone.

He scribbled something that Lily almost read out loud. Her gasp of indignation made him grin, but not look up.

"I am not a loon!" she smacked at his arm.

The boy tried to use the book as a shield when she continued to assault him after it was clear he did not learn his lesson. Lily pulled back a second and smirked.

"I'm such an idiot!" she declared, contradicting her earlier defense, then pulled out her wand and poked his cheek.

"Uh, come on now. There's really no need for–" Even as he spoke with a slight nervous twitch he wasn't ready to quit and instead had lunged at her, grabbing her wrists and causing her to drop the wand as she struggled through her laughter and against his strength.

She tried to knee him as he caught both her hands and held them above her head. "Potter you had better let go of me or else," she stated menacingly. Then she smirked again. "Or else you're gonna have to find someone else to help you study!" she threatened, making him pull back quickly.

"Damned potions," he cursed as they both sat up and shared a chuckle.

"Wanna go over it again, just in case?" she asked, reopening the book for them.

He grinned, ready with a line about how spending any more time with her would be a blessing he couldn't turn down, but then something struck him. Hard. James looked up to find Lily tapping his head with her wand and pointing it to the book.

The boy smiled in appreciation at what she'd unknowingly prevented.

Even though Lily stopped paying attention after ten minutes, in which James demonstrated he knew what he was talking about, she didn't get up from the couch just yet.

He doesn't have a problem trying to talk to me. Gina was reading too much into his behavior. It's James Potter, he acts strange all the time! she thought, staring at him openly.

James absentmindedly scratched at his ear while rereading something to himself. "Hey Lily, didn't you say that it needs to sit for at least–" He glanced up swiftly to find her watching him.

"Huh?" Lily stumbled, surprised.

And so James Potter found himself at a loss for words.

The clock in the room chimed and they both looked up at it for a moment.

"Oh shoot!" Lily cursed, jumping up and grabbing her bag and notebook.

"Wha-What's wrong?" James questioned frantically.

"I said I'd meet up with Peter to–" Lily finally stopped herself as she realized something. Then she found herself staring at James in concern.

"See you later, Lily," he responded, gathering his stuff and smiling to her.

She walked away unsurely, wondering at her obliviousness. It was surely tactless to bring up certain topics around James.

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Lily took a long gulp of the hot chocolate put in front of her, even as it warmed her throat a little too much.

"You okay?"

She looked up to find Peter staring on in concern as the two sat around in the kitchens for a snack before heading up to bed.

"Yeah, just...haven't quite finished that essay yet," she smiled weakly.

The silence between them continued while the house elves went about their work, unbothered.

"Hey Lily, can I ask you...just what exactly are you doing?" the usually timid Peter Pettigrew questioned.

The redhead stared blankly. "What?"

The boy sighed. "You and I both know that one of my best mates has the crush of the century on you and you've been hanging out with me of all people!" he said obviously.

"But it's only beca–" She was cut off.

"He'd do anything for you! Everyone's tried to talk him out of it – his love for you. And I'm only making things worse for him now!" Peter jumped up, suddenly very passionate about his loyalties. "Just what are you doing – giving me so much attention when James is so in love with you?!" he shouted in disbelief, momentarily halting a good portion of the kitchen.

Lily stared up at him with no words. She watched as his face turned to disappointment and he hurriedly left.

Nearby house elves stared at her openly, because everyone in the castle knew of James Potter's infatuation with one Lily Evans. Slowly they resumed their tasks when all Lily did was stare down at her half-closed fist on the table.

A tall glass was placed in front of her suddenly and she looked down to see a house elf wink.

"Firewhisky," he whispered encouragingly.

She stared at it a moment before shaking her head and pushing the glass away.

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Sure Lily had been dense about some things up until this point. In fact she had been ignoring certain things point blank. She pretended all those years of harassment from James Potter had been in her imagination as she tried to let go of the past and move on from holding grudges. It was helped by the way he didn't flaunt his affection anymore and so rumors about them slowly diminished.

And though she should have been in a quest to complete this dare proposed by her new friends...the idea of dating Peter had been unconsciously erased from her mind when she decided there were nothing but platonic feelings there. Instead she kept hanging out with him so often because of her sense of duty and obligation to the task. That and she was realizing he was a good friend, as proved by his outburst just the other day in defense of his mate who was being hurt by her careless actions.

Really, what's a girl to do in such a tangled situation?

She went back to studying hard. She hadn't had a good conversation with any of the girls, including Alice, for days. She watched everyone more carefully instead of living her life like before.

Things seemed normal.

Except that she refused to acknowledge James' feelings for her. She watched him and the Marauders throughout lessons and from down the table in the Great Hall. He acted no different than the past few weeks. She was convinced he was over her and wondered why Peter thought otherwise.

She sighed to herself, lying flat on her back on a couch in the common room that was just about empty this evening.

I really am a weirdo. Normal people would confide in their friends. Share their worries and receive some comfort, she thought lazily through hooded eyes.

She had no idea where any of the girls were, or the Marauders.

Just when she was starting to doze off someone stood over her and shook her shoulder gently.

Her eyes opened leisurely as she looked up into the apprehensive gaze of Gina.

"Good. I was hoping you'd wake up," the girl sighed as Lily moved to sit up. "It's time to head out." She winked and made a 'shh' motion with a finger in front of her lips.

"What? Where...?" Lily supposed she was more tired than she looked if she could barely string a sentence together.

"It's a surprise. I was sent to get you because it didn't seem like you got the note." The brunette pulled on Lily's wrist for her to stand. "Have you got your wand on you? Alright." Gina dragged Lily to the portrait hole. "I guess you haven't been up to the dorms since lunch before the note was on–"

She stopped when the portrait opened and four figures walked through uncaringly. Lily's gaze instantly averted to her wrist, still being held.

Gina glanced around unsurely. "Hi, guys."

Sirius grinned as the others looked up. "Where are you two off to?"

"Just a little stroll," Gina responded lightly, avoiding his flirtatious look and continued moving forward.

"Better be careful, half an hour til curfew!" he called with a laugh.

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"This is amazing." She was momentarily pulled out of her stupor to marvel at the room.

"It's the prefect's bathroom," Mary stated proudly as the girls stood a moment. "You guys took forever! And you know we can't start the festivities with anyone missing."

"How did you–" Lily started.

Someone cleared their throat. "Ahem, I uh, happened to be acquainted with one of the prefects," Angela stated with a hand half covering her mouth.

Jessica laughed, "Angela used to date him and they even spent an evening or two in here."

Mary whistled to get a reaction as Angela glared at the tanned girl.

"That tub looks amazing, what do you think all the faucets are for..." Gina wondered, glancing around.

"Well I thought it'd be nice to have a little hot spring kind of treat tonight before we head up to bed. Just an hour would be enough, right?" Mary asked around.

"We don't exactly have the proper clothes for this," Alice mumbled, looking down at her shirt and tugged it.

"Don't worry! I've picked up a few things in transfiguration!" Angela suddenly exclaimed. "I could turn our clothes into swimsuits and then back again when we're done."

"Um..." Annie interrupted.

There was a pause.

"She's right! You can barely transfigure a pen!" Jessica nudged with a smile.

Angela pulled out her wand and flippantly waved it as she spoke. "Oh, what's the worse that could happen? You'll have a suit with sleeves?"

Gina and Alice were already taking off their shoes.

"I say the more experienced out of us do this. I don't want a suit that looks like a speedo," Mary said, pulling her hair out of its ponytail.

Everyone looked to Lily who was sitting at the edge of the large, empty tub.

"Huh?"

Ten minutes later the seven girls were wading through the hot water and giggling to each other.

"Let's see..." Jessica murmured, turning a faucet to find it let out bubbles that rose into the air. A few of the girls giggled.

"I hope we do this again," Alice sighed as she moved to lay her head near the pools edge while treading water.

Lily sat at another end and let her feet kick at the water without joining the others.

"Well, this is a special occasion!" Mary said with a grin, swimming around for a minute and attracting all eyes. She climbed out and got something from her bag.

"We're drinking?" Gina questioned uncertainly. "Why?"

Angela, who seemed to be in on the plan, smiled as she helped Mary with the goblets. After they were passed out to everyone she lifted hers and announced, "To Gina! For finally getting together with that Ravenclaw!"

Said girl turned pink and downed the drink without a word.

"What?"

"You guys are dating now?"

Mary answered instead with a wink. "Yup, I overheard as I was late getting to Charms. It was so cute the way she looked shell-shocked. At least you managed to answer, right?" She looked to Gina, who was trying to hide behind her hair that was plastered to her head.

"Yeah..." she giggled nervously. "Sorry I didn't mention it to any of you yet. It only just happened earlier and I'd forgotten when McGonagall gave us that assignment."

"Don't worry," Annie said, taking another sip slowly.

"Lily, you okay?"

The cheerful atmosphere was interrupted by Alice's concerned voice.

"Huh?" the redhead jerked, spilling some of her untouched drink into the water. She smiled. "Yeah." And with a nod she took a big gulp.

"...colder so it's a harder to go out on dates!" Gina laughed with Alice and Jessica at one end of the pool.

"Yeah but now he can keep you warm whenever you go out," Angela replied with a sly twitch of the lips. There were some laughs at Gina's innocent blush.

"That's right, you're lucky. Here's to...finding that person to keep you warm!" Mary spoke suddenly, holding up her goblet in another toast.

The girls assented with their own arms raised.

Lily tried to smile and go along with their celebration, though she didn't have much of a love life to go on.

"So you're spending all that time with Pettigrew lately," someone said to Lily as she started fiddling with a faucet.

"Hm? Oh, sure!" she replied, smiling.

There was a pause and no one wanted to ask. They all knew he was her choice for their challenge. Instead Annie came out with an even better question.

"Why him?"

The silence reigned until Alice purposely dropped her goblet, prompting everyone to decide they should leave in half an hour.

The main subject of everyone's thoughts waded through the water thinking, Should I just admit the truth and turn down their dare?

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"Now what?" someone questioned.

Two others glanced around without answers.

"Maybe we should give up, tell her it's off," one of them suggested.

"I guess..." the first voice said, looking disappointed. "It would have been something amazing to see James Potter and Lily Evans get together, if only she weren't so stubb–" The person trailed off as a truth was revealed.

This is what Lily overheard as she was combing the library for material to write her essay.

At first none of it made sense and she would have ignored it if her name wasn't mentioned. And now as she stood at the end of the aisle, caught eavesdropping and aghast at what she'd discovered, Lily realized why the voices were so familiar.

Angela, Mary and Alice stood there staring at her in shock.

"You-you were messing with me!" she suddenly accused.

"What? No! Lily we weren't–"

Alice's reply was cut off as Lily did a very unexpected thing; she threw a book at her best friend's head. In the middle of the library. They were all grateful when Madam Pince didn't suddenly appear in a rage.

"That challenge...it was all some-some joke to you guys, wasn't it?" Lily rambled on, not listening as they tried to explain. "Everyone knew!" she realized to herself. "You were trying to force me into dating James. He knew too, didn't he? That's why he asked about help with Potions..."

Lily stormed off in another direction, weaving through bookcases as Alice tried to follow, but she was at a disadvantage. Very few people knew the library like Lily did, and so she got away quick enough.

She didn't start bubbling over with tears at the humiliation. She was slightly angry at her own stupidity. But mostly she just wanted to get away and be alone for a while.

Part of her knew she was overreacting. She would have to cool down and go back for the rest of the story, still burning in shame of course because of what she'd found out.

But then she remembered this feeling even though it had been a long time ago. It was what made her face burn in embarrassment at the moment. It was what drove her feet to dash away even though they ached. It was why she couldn't face them until she calmed her frantic heartbeat and increased breathing.

Betrayal wasn't something new to her.

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Damn, I almost forgot about posting this chapter today. Okay well here goes. Tell me what you think.

Also, just to let you know, I have chapter six done as well, so it will be out in a week. And I really need to get started on chapter seven, which hopefully will be the end.

If you want to see how far along I am with this story or any others just go to my profile, which I have been updating almost every day.

7-19-10