Author's Note: Hello everyone! I'm back, and I will keep going with the story. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I really appreciate it, especially since I was kind of a jerk last time. I'm really sorry.I hope you enjoy this chapter! It's the longest one I've written so far!
Anyway, I do not own Harry Potter, as is abundantly clear by the fact that I have never even been to Europe. Maybe some day :)
Lily knew that it was all over when she saw McGonagall's steely gaze rake over her face. She tried not to think about her job options if she was expelled from Hogwarts at this moment. Would she be forced to take a boring job in the muggle world? Was she even qualified for a job in the muggle world if she hadn't gone to high school? Lily knew it was all Carrie's fault, and although she had so many other things to think about, she felt anger still flooding through her. How could Carrie have said all those things? Weren't best friends supposed to keep each other's secrets through anything?
Lily also felt a deep sadness flooding through her as she realized that she would be leaving Hogwarts to never return so much sooner than she had thought. It hurt to know that while her classmates were having feasts in the Great Hall, wandering around Hogsmeade, and preparing for NEWTs, she would probably be at home sifting through the few options she had left for the rest of her life. She couldn't stand to think about the way Petunia would sneer when she arrived back at home, but this was another thought that was zooming through her over-active brain.
"Ms. Evans, what in the name of Merlin has gotten into you? I never expected that I would have to call you into my office on the first night of your year as Head Girl," Professor McGonagall said interrupting Lily's thoughts and looking quite baffled behind her thick, mahogany desk.
"I'm so sorry, Professor," Lily said miserably, dreading what she knew would come.
"I know you are, Ms. Evans, but that doesn't excuse your behavior. When you were chosen to be Head Girl, I was very pleased. Your previous years at Hogwarts proved that you were worthy of the job. You were intelligent, well-respected by the other students, and trustworthy. But after tonight, I'm thoroughly disappointed," McGonagall said coolly.
"Professor, I can explain," James interrupted, but trailed off at the harsh look he received from McGonagall. It was just as well, as James had no idea how he would explain the thing so that McGonagall would soften. Was it even possible for McGonagall to soften? Maybe if he told her that Pixies had been set loose by some dimwitted second year and had been attacking…? No. That sounded dumb, but watching Lily squirm under McGonagall's harsh words had made James determined to do something to fix the situation, even if there wasn't anything.
"I'll get to you later, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"Wait, what? But Professor, for once I didn't do anything!" James protested.
"Mr. Potter, please be quiet or you will have to sit outside until I'm ready to deal with you," McGonagall said, looking at him sternly before turning to face Lily once again. James sat back, trying to think of what he could have done this time.
"I'll do anything I can to make up for it," Lily pleaded, feeling ashamed.
"Don't worry Ms. Evans. You will receive the consequences of your actions, but I'm not sure you'll ever be able to completely make up for everything," McGonagall said, her eyes steely.
"Please don't expel me Professor. I'll do anything if you let me stay," Lily begged, staring into McGonagall's eyes. She was clenching her hands in her lap so that it would be harder to tell how much they were shaking. She realized that disguising the tears that were pooling in her eyes was impossible as they began to leak down her face.
"Expel you, Ms. Evans? Why would I do that?" McGonagall asked in shock.
"You're not going to expel me? I can stay at Hogwarts and start my seventh year?" Lily said eagerly, ignoring the tears that she had begun to wipe away with the back of her hand.
"Well, of course. I am not about to expel the brightest student that Hogwarts has seen in quite some time," McGonagall said, unable to keep a slight smile off of her face.
"Oh, thank you, thank you Professor McGonagall! You don't know how much this means to me!" Lily squealed, beaming brilliantly at her Professor. She wouldn't have to go home and explain to her parents how she had carelessly thrown her life away. She could still go to Hogsmeade and take the NEWTs. Her future was still glimmering before her, open with possibilities. Lily was so relieved that she didn't even get upset at James when he grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"That being said," Professor McGonagall began in a somber tone.
"Wait, Professor. You're not going to take away her position as Head Girl, are you? Because if you are going to, then you'll have to find a new Head Boy," James said loyally. He couldn't imagine living or having to spend so much time with any other girl. This was his final chance to prove to Lily that they were supposed to be together. Maybe if he went back later and groveled before McGonagall. Maybe if he told her that he knew he and Lily were meant to be together, and that being Heads would be the only chance he would have to win her over…somehow he doubted that would sway McGonagall, but he was willing to try if it came to that. He would just have to make sure that Sirius never heard anything about it.
"I told you not to do that, Potter! Now you're just making the idea of firing me all that more appealing!" Lily whispered shrilly at James. Already the loss of her position as Head Girl was getting between them, he thought.
"I appreciate your loyalty, Mr. Potter, but that won't be necessary. I am not taking the Head Girl position away from Ms. Evans. I think that if she behaves herself from now on, she'll make a fine Head Girl," McGonagall said, another small almost-smile on her lips.
"Yes!" James shouted, unable to contain himself. McGonagall shot him a baffled look before she turned to Lily.
"Thank you, Professor," Lily said demurely, hoping that she would be able to live up to McGonagall's expectations.
"Now, I will have to give you a detention, and that will fix things as far as the school is concerned, but it may take you a bit of time to earn back the respect of your fellow students. After your display I'm not sure they will think of you as an authority figure."
"Yes, Professor," Lily said.
"Good. Come to my office at eight o'clock next Friday night for your detention," McGonagall said sharply.
"Yes, Professor," Lily said, trying not to sound too upset. She was upset that she would be getting her first detention, but she was also relieved that she hadn't been expelled and that she was still Head Girl.
"Now, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, shifting her gaze to him where he was slouching in the wooden chair next to Lily.
"Professor, I really don't know what I've done," James said.
"Really? You have no idea?" McGonagall said, an amused expression on her face.
"No, Professor. For once, I really haven't done anything," James said, frowning.
"Then let me refresh your memory. You pulled Lily and Carrie apart, tried to diffuse the situation before it escalated, and stuck up for your Head Girl when she was in trouble," McGonagall said, a stern look still on her face.
"Professor, I really don't see why any of that should get me into trouble," James said, a confused expression coming over his handsome features.
"You don't see anything that could get you in trouble?" McGonagall said sharply.
"No, Professor," James insisted irritably. It was just his luck that he had done everything to help fix the situation and he was in trouble. Lily stared dumbstruck at the professor. She couldn't see anything that would get James into trouble either. Maybe if he gets a detention he'll have it with me, Lily thought before she could stop herself. What was wrong with her? Did she really want to spend any more time with Potter? She didn't let herself answer that question.
"Maybe that's because for once I'm actually surprised at how maturely and responsibly you acted, Mr. Potter. I have to admit that I was worried when Dumbledore made you Head Boy, but I can see now, that if you continue in the way that you have started, and refrain from pulling immature pranks with those friends of yours, you will make a fine Head Boy," McGonagall said with a wry smile on her face. James and Lily gaped at her open-mouthed.
"What? You thought you and your friends were the only ones who could pull a prank, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall said, still smiling. It looked really strange to see even a small smile on her face.
"Professor McGonagall, if I had known about you prank-pulling skills, I would have asked for your help a long time ago. Let's band together and get Old Slughorn," James teased.
"What did I just say, Mr. Potter? I thought I thoroughly warned you to stay away from pranks for the year. You must provide a good example for the younger students," McGonagall said, her expression back to a steely gaze.
"Of course he will, Professor," said Lily, seeing that the conversation was heading in the wrong direction. She turned to glare at James, to remind him that he needed to take his job as Head Boy seriously.
"I solemnly swear," he promised out loud, but under his breath he finished, that I will be up to no good. There was no way that he could go through his final year at Hogwarts without pulling some pranks! He and the rest of the Marauders had a legacy to live up to!
"Good. You are both free to go. Maybe you should go to the Hospital Wing, Lily, your nose looks pretty bad," McGonagall suggested, "And Mr. Potter, Miss Evans?" They both looked back at McGonagall as they were about to exit the door.
"Yes?" they said at the same time.
"Don't give me another reason to call you in here."
The visit to the Hospital Wing had been quick. Hogwarts' healer had quickly fixed the broken bone in Lily's nose. After Lily washed the blood off her face, it was impossible to tell that she had even been in a fight in the first place. Luckily Carrie's trip to the Hospital Wing had been quick too, because she was long gone before Lily got there. She wasn't sure what would happen the next time that she saw Carrie. The only thing she knew was that she wouldn't let Carrie provoke her again.
"So, are you ready to go to our new home?" James asked once Lily was all cleaned up. He held his arm out in an arc, as if he was expecting her to put her arm through his.
"Don't call it that, Potter! We do not live together. We just happen to share a common room," Lily said irritably. It would be just great if Potter went around telling everyone they were sharing a room.
"Oh, well, I asked Dumbledore if we could have a cozier living arrangement, and," James began, smiling.
"Potter, I'm way too tired for this," Lily growled.
"Lighten up, Lily. It's was a joke," James said, rolling his eyes.
"Hi, Lily," called a sixth-year boy with sandy blond hair who was lagging in the hall near the Hospital Wing. Lily had never talked to him before, but she knew he was a Ravenclaw, mostly because he was standing in a group of other sixth-year Ravenclaws.
"Um, hi," she said.
"Hi, Lily," several of the guys called out at the same time, beaming smiles on their faces.
"You have a great right hook," one of the boys said with a sly grin.
"Um, thanks," said Lily, blushing slightly. She was, of course, embarrassed that everyone had seen her get into the fight with Carrie, but she didn't mind getting attention from handsome boys. Even if they were younger than her.
"You can fight me any day," called another boy from the group, this one was tall and handsome, with dark brown hair.
"How about I punch you in the face for her?" James asked, anger flooding through him. He had suffered through watching Lily get attention from other guys for the past few years, and he was sick of it.
"How about I punch him in the face for myself?" Lily shot angrily at James. James didn't always need to rush in to protect her. She could take care of a few creeps. As Head Girl, she needed to show her fellow students that she was tough and could handle situations by herself.
"Whatever works for you, girlie," said the boy, slinking over and draping his arm around her.
"Get your arm off her before I break it off," James said threateningly.
"Run along, Potter. This isn't any of your business. This is between Lily and me," said the boy, pulling Lily closer.
"I don't think so. The only think I want between us is at least ten feet. Let's go James," said Lily, grabbing James's hand and pulling his arm around her shoulders. Maybe if those revolting boys thought she was with James, they would leave her alone. And maybe if she flirted with him, James would forget all about the sixth-year pricks. She could sense James' anger and knew it wouldn't be long before he whipped out his wand. If that happened, it wouldn't be too long until they were back in McGonagall's office.
"Sure, Lily, dear. Let's go to our new home," James said, squeezing her shoulders and turning back to glare at the Ravenclaws once more before guiding Lily down that corridor.
"Ok, you can get your arm off of me now, Potter," Lily said once they had gone a floor up. Now that the Ravenclaw boys were out of sight, she wanted to put as much distance between Potter and herself. Smelling his woodsy cologne wafting up from under the collar of his robe was making it hard for her to think clearly. She vaguely wondered if he put some sort of girl-charming potion in it. She wouldn't be surprised if he did, the arrogant prick.
"That's ok, Lily, I don't mind keeping it there. What if those Ravenclaw boys are following us?" James asked, smiling down at her as they continued towards the forth floor, towards the entrance to the Heads common room.
"Get off, Potter. I'll take my chances," said Lily, shoving him firmly in the side.
"Geeze, Lily. Have you ever thought of being a beater?" James asked, running his side with a frown on his face.
"Yeah right! I can't even fly a broom," Lily said, snorting.
"What?" said James, stopping in his tracks.
Lily was several paces away before she realized that he had stopped. She turned to look back at him and took in his wide open mouth and his frozen pose. She rolled her eyes. Honestly, Potter was so daft that he just assumed that everyone was just as in love with Quidditch as himself.
"You can stop looking at me like that, Potter. Not everyone likes flying," Lily said in an annoyed tone. This was just one more bit of evidence that James was not the guy for her. The guy for her would not have Quidditch running through his brain 24/7.
"Are you kidding me, Evans? Flying on a broomstick and playing Quidditch are the best things about being a wizard!" James said, speaking in an incredulous voice.
"What about healing sick people? What about defending the defenseless?" Lily asked.
"Well if you want to be all noble, sure. But flying on a broom is at least the most fun thing about being a wizard," James said.
"Well, I happen to be a witch, so…" Lily began.
"That's lame, Evans, and you know it," James said, shaking his head at the short red-head.
"Can we just keep walking to our common room? It's getting late and I want a full night's rest before classes begin tomorrow," Lily said, turning around and striding away, not waiting for James to join her again. James walked quickly down the hall to catch up to her. Despite her small stature, she could really walk fast when she wanted to.
"You are such a nerd, Lily. It's our first night back, and it's not even eleven yet. Don't you want to catch up with your fr…" James began to say before stopping short with an 'oh merlin' look on his face. He hadn't said the word, but he knew Lily was bright enough to figure out what he was about to say.
"No, I don't think I will tonight. I have a lot to do," said Lily, unable to keep a hurt look off of her face. Normally, she, Hannah, and Carrie would have stayed up all night talking about their summer holiday, the school year ahead, and of course, boys, the night that they go back to school. And Lily would always complain and say she needed to get to bed every few hours, but she would continue to stay up until they all drifted off mere hours before they had to wake up. Remembering all this, Lily felt the prick of tears beginning to form in her eyes. It felt like she had a lump the size of a bludger shoved in her throat.
"You could always hang out with me and my friends tonight. Maybe Sirius will even let you paint his toenails," James suggested in a kind voice.
"And what makes you think I would want to do that?" snapped Lily. They had one more corridor left before they reached the statue of the first Hogwarts Head Boy and Girl, Wendy Aplomb and Malcolm Underhill, which guarded the entrance to the Heads common room, and Lily tried to let anger take over her body so that she wouldn't start crying in front of James. That was the last thing she wanted to do.
"I just thought you would, seeing as you dream about me without my shirt on," James said, smirking at her. He knew this would make her mad, but anything was better than watching her miserable face twitch with hurt while she tried to keep it all together.
"Please, Potter. That's not even true! And if I did, it would be a nightmare that I would hope to wake from instantly," she said, glaring at him. She found it easier to focus on her anger now, but she was still feeling the prick of tears. She hurried down the corridor.
"Whatever you say, dear," James said, still smiling. Maybe there was something wrong with him, but he thoroughly enjoyed their little fights. He enjoyed watching a fire light up in her eyes as she rounded on him and attempted to put him in his place.
"Don't call me that," spat Lily. They just turned the corner onto their corridor when she saw three figures leaning against the Heads statue. She sighed heavily. "I suppose this couldn't be avoided. Just tell your friends that they can't show up at all times in our common room. And if I can hear any noise in my room, I will kick them out!" Lily said angrily.
"Calm down, Evans. We'll probably just walk around the castle. We Marauders don't like to sit still for too long," James said, flashing her a smile.
"Whatever," she said, walking towards the statue.
"Hey, Evans," Sirius asked from where he was lounging against the wall.
"What do you want, Black?" Lily asked, grumbling.
"I was wondering, do you think you could send me a quick Owl the next time you and Carrie get into a fight? I do not want to miss it," Sirius said, his characteristic smirk plastered over his face.
"You're not even worth hexing," Lily muttered as she said the password and climbed into the doorway that appeared as the two statues swung forward like doors.
"So, I'm taking it you haven't won her over yet, Prongs," Sirius said as they walked along a random corridor. The Marauders never really had a direction in mind when they walked around the castle. They were just all too restless to sit still for too long.
"Didn't you hear what Carrie said, mate? She dreams about me without my shirt on! That's got to mean something!" James protested.
"I don't know, Prongs. Carrie could have made it up to make Lily mad," Peter suggested.
"Did you see the look on her face when Carrie said it, though? It was a mix between murderous and mortified. I think it was definitely true," Remus said.
"Well if Moony said it, I know I can believe it," James said, smiling.
"Even if she does have feelings for you, she'll never admit it, Prongs. That girl is way too stubborn," Sirius said.
"Just like someone else I know," Remus said.
"Did you hear that, Prongs? He called you stubborn!" Sirius said, smirking at James.
"I'm sure that's exactly who he was talking about, Pads," James said, rolling his eyes.
"Funny, Prongs. Anyway, I've always said you're going about this girl things all wrong. Why not just do what I do and pick a random girl to snog when you feel like it, and dump her before she gets a chance to whine?" Sirius asked.
"And get my nose broken several times in the process?" James asked.
"Please, that only happened four times, and a broken nose is easy to get fixed. It's far worse to try and fix your life once you have a whining girl following you around," Sirius said.
"It's good to see that you haven't let any sensitivity creep up on you over the summer, Pads," Moony said, rolling his eyes.
"Nope, I'm still the same Lady's Man of Hogwarts," Sirius said, strutting down the hallway. The three other Marauders all rolled their eyes.
"Well, James isn't like that. He really likes Lily. I doubt he even notices other girls," Remus said.
"How can I notice anyone else? Lily is so beautiful, so interesting, so cute when she's yelling at me?" James asked, feeling slightly embarrassed once he realized what he had just revealed. He turned slightly pick as the guys looked at him as if he was going loony.
"You're pathetic, Prongs. You need help, mate, but I don't want to get into all that now. Let's talk about what our first prank of the year is going to be," Sirius piped up, excitement clear on his face. It was times like these that James realized how well Sirius's animagus form suited him. He could practically see Sirius panting and wagging his tail.
"I don't know, guys, with Lily already upset," James began. His three friends turned and gaped at him.
"Did he just say that, Pads?" asked Remus, out of the corner of his mouth, his gaze still fixed on James.
"I'm not completely surprised, Moony, but I think Prongs has finally lost it," Sirius said, shaking his head pityingly at James.
"Ok, what was I thinking, right? I'm in," James said, rolling his eyes.
"He seems to have come to his senses now, but we better keep a close watch on him," Sirius said to Remus.
"Constant vigilance," Remus agreed.
James just rolled his eyes.
A half-hour after curfew, James entered the Head common room cautiously. He knew that if Lily caught him sneaking in she would be furious. But when he entered, he saw that the room was empty and dark. He hadn't taken the time to look around the place before he set off with the Marauders, and now that he was seeing the place he was in awe. The Heads common room was incredible, with a big, comfy looking couch and several armchairs spread out in front of a wide, marble fire place. Off to the left there were two solid, wooden desks that were set up back to back with rows of packed bookshelves lining the wall behind the desk, and to the right a small cupboard area where James imagined he could keep his stash of candy from Honeydukes.
There were several doors lining the walls of the common room, and James tried the one to the far right. Inside was a large bathroom, with a pool-sized tub just like the Prefect's bathroom, except that this room was also decorated in red and gold, and there was a picture of a massive lion that was silently opening and closing its jaw as if it were roaring, at the bottom of the huge tub. Not having been a Prefect, James had only seen their bathroom because of a prank the Marauders pulled in their fifth year. Remus's access to the Prefect's bathroom had come in very handy for scaring several of the Prefects while they were about to step into the tub. That charm that made them appear as sharks had come in very handy. And Sirius dressing up as a mermaid had been priceless, especially when an unsuspecting Snape had been caught in the trappings of infatuation until he realized that the mermaid swimming in the tub was only using a spell to make his voice appear feminine in the dark room. James chuckled to himself, remembering those pranks. His laughter echoed through the vaulted-ceiling room. James scanned the rest of the room, seeing a large shower, two sinks, one with his name written over it in gold letters, and the other with Lily's name written above it in red letters ,and of course, a bathroom stall.
The next door that James explored was a closet that had hooks for James's broom, hooks for his Quidditch robes, and a red and gold tiled floor for after a muddy practice or game. The walls were painted with a grinning James zooming in front of the goalposts, throwing the Quaffle past a unidentifiable keeper. The other players on his team were zooming around the ceiling, beating bludgers, and defending their goalposts. James even spotted a snitch zooming around the walls. James shut the doors, beaming to himself. The Qudditch closet was probably his favorite part of the room.
Continuing on his exploration of the Heads rooms, James came across a glass door that led out onto a balcony. The balcony was encased in glass and in the center of it was a round, glass-topped table overlooking the lake. On the table, there was a small piece of parchment. James picked up the parchment, thinking that Lily might have left him a note.
James and Lily,
Congratulations on being made Head Boy and Head Girl! I hope you will enjoy your rooms. The house-elves worked very hard to customize it to your liking. Relax and get all settled in tonight, because tomorrow at 8pm we will meet to discuss your duties as Head students of Hogwarts.
Have a good night,
Professor Dumbledore
James set the parchment down on the table, leaving it in case Lily hadn't seen it yet. He walked back into the common room and saw that there were only two doors left. One said Lily on it in red letters, and the other said James on it in gold letters. James hesitated outside the doors, his curiosity peaked. He knew he shouldn't, he knew Lily would be furious, but he couldn't resist. He didn't see any light coming from under her door, and he didn't hear any noise either. He slowly eased the door open. He couldn't see a whole lot of what the room looked like, as it was very dark inside, the curtains drawn across the window and only letting a narrow beam of moonlight fall upon Lily's bed. She was laying in bed with her back turned to him.
"Potter, what in the name of Merlin do you think you're doing!" Lily tried to bellow, but her voice came out watery and it cracked.
"Sorry, Evans, I just wanted to see if you were asleep," James said, hovering awkwardly in the doorway.
"Well, I'm not, happy?" Lily shot, unable to keep herself from sniffling. The tears were still pouring down her face and her voice showed her misery even more than when she first spoke.
"Um, are you alright, Evans?" James asked. He wanted to look her in the eyes, but she was still turned away from him.
"Go away, Potter," Lily said tiredly.
"I just, if you need anything," James began.
"Get out, Potter!" Lily said more firmly.
"I mean, I'll be right next door. If you want to talk, or just, I don't know, just have company but not talk. Anything you need," he said again.
"Potter!" Lily shrieked.
"Alright, I'm going!" James said, slowly backing out of her room.
As he was closing her door, though, James heard her call out softly, "Thank you, James."
AN: Well, thank you all for sticking with this. Sorry again for the gripes about the reviews. I will update soon! So, if you would like, I wouldn't be opposed to any reviews.
Thanks,
Littlemisskrissy