AN: hi. Sorry about the ending yesterday, something came up and I had to leave. Anyway, here's chapter 8!
Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Thanks to Jegan for the plot!
To Nelly Potter: I don't have the internet right this moment to check if I have a review, but I sure hope you've sent one! I'll check after typing this.
THE SEVENTH YEAR ROLLER COASTER
Chapter 8: the article and consequences
"We put him away," whispered James as he slid into a seat next to Lily in charms, "as soon as he came out of the wing. He looks like a pig with multi colored warts. His hair is rainbow. He won't be out for around three days."
"Cool," Lily whispered back, "now at least he won't see when we read the article tomorrow. I am totally dreading seeing that article tomorrow"
"So am I Lils," said James, "so am I. I hate seeing you get hurt like this."
"Its ok" said Lily, "we'll get through this. Somehow."
The next day, Lily and Maggie nicked a copy of Witch weekly from one of their dorm mates. They flipped through the pages during breakfast.
"Hey," said James, coming in along with Remus and Sirius and sitting down, "anything in there?"
Lily nodded. "I just found it. Here" she spread out the magazine on the table. The article was on a double page, very bright, and with a huge blown up picture in a pink heart. The five of them leaned in, reading the pink piece.
CHEATING HEARTS
The engagement of Lily Evans and Hugh Dursley isn't as clean as pure driven snow, says Rita Skeeter, special correspondent. Lily Evans just might be cheating on Mr. Dursley.
On Saturday last, your Daily Prophet reporter found Lily Evans in the arms of James Potter, her fellow head, presumably giggling at something he said. It seems like they have been going out for quite some time now, behind Mr. Dursley's back of course.
Questioning of Hogwarts' students revealed a major and interesting insight into the love life of Lily Evans.
"She's always with James Potter," says Leslie Farrows, a sixth year student at Hogwarts, "and I don't think it is for Head duties either," she adds.
A large number of girls at Hogwarts agree with this. Looking at the picture, some have gone as far as saying that Lily and James are definitely in love. They also say that Lily Evans is frequently seen in the company of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black as well. She might be good friends with them, maybe more.
Personally, from my own school days at Hogwarts, I remember Ms. Evans being quite close to all three boys. Which leads to the question of whether she is gaining these boys' attentions by honest means, or ensnaring them, as some girls suggest, as, according to them, she is quite 'ordinary.'
And of course, on the other side is Hugh Dursley, her fiancé, bound to this questionable personality for life.
"Who's Leslie?" asked Sirius.
"She's a sixth year hufflepuff," said Maggie, "smitten by one of your charms, I suppose, extremely jealous of Lily, and, well, you know."
"Lil, are you okay?" asked James. Lily had been staring at the picture of the article.
"Maggie," she said, "there is no way on earth that I can convince my dad that this article is not true. Look at the photo."
The picture showed James, with Lily in his arms, and grinning down at her, while Lily laughed. Then they sprang apart, looking guilty. It played over and over again.
James groaned, "This is brilliant!" he said, "simply brilliant! The gossip girls will have spread the story of how Lily Evans is cheating on her fiancé with James Potter by break! Damn this school and its rumor- mongering ability!"
"By evening, my father's going to kill me," moaned Lily, "he's going to hear about it for sure"
"Maybe he won't" said Remus comfortingly, "he is in his office and room practically all day. Maybe he won't hear."
"But there's still a problem," said Maggie, "Hugh will hear. Definitely."
"How come?" asked Sirius, "he's in the hospital wing."
"Well," Maggie looked halfway between a smirk and a sob, "I heard a bunch of sixth years talking yesterday, and turns out that half of them have developed a crush on Hugh."
"No way!" said Sirius, "I though me, James and Remus were on top of the list!"
Maggie smiled mischievously, " not anymore" she said, "as far as those girls are concerned, Hugh is right up there with you guys," than she sobered down, "and they are going to tell him about this article. Definitely."
'Cheer up Lils' James slid the note over to Lily. Lily slid a note right back. 'James? I'm sitting right next to you'.
J: yeah, well I can't really say anything out loud, can i?
L: I guess.
J: on topic. Why so down?
L: hmmm… let's see… I don't know. Maybe because my stupid fiancé is going to be knowing all about that stupid article in that stupid magazine because of a bunch of stupid girls and being the stupid idiot that he is, will spill the whole thing to my dad, who will have me killed. Why would I be upset?
J: woah, down girl, down. I'm just trying to cheer you up, yeah?
L: sorry. I'm just a little edgy today.
J: its ok, Lil, I understand. It's cool. Anyway, you can still have fun when Dursley isn't here, can't you?
L: can't. There's a very minute chance my dad won't hear about the news. I can't risk hanging out with you guys.
J: we can still have fun on the sly, right?
L: I suppose… like we did last time. But it's a Tuesday.
J: so?
"Lil, Maggie, I promise, ok? The Room of Requirement, nothing flashy, just a cozy room, ok? Please?" James pleaded. Remus and Sirius turned puppy- dog eyes on them.
"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssse" pleaded Sirius.
"o- Kay" relented Maggie.
"Yeah!" cheered all three boys.
They went to the Room of Requirement and, for good measure, Lily paced in front of the wall. A door popped up, and they went inside. The room was divided into two halves. One with a blazing fire, a jug of hot chocolate, a plate of cookies, small bowls of marshmallows, chocolate chips, and cream. The other was a reproduction of the party room from their last visit. James, Sirius, and Remus' mouths hung open. Lily and Maggie grinned at each other.
"Its all yours, boys," said Maggie as she and Lily went into the room with the fire. The boys headed to the party room, but were back within five minutes.
"Its no fun without you guys," whined Sirius.
"Sorry Sirius," said Lily apologetically, "you're on your own this time."
"Come on," coaxed Remus, "please?"
Lily and Maggie looked at each other. And frowned.
"Fine" said James, understanding the silent communication, "you won't come to us, we'll come to you. . ." Sirius and Remus nodded, and plopped down on the couch. The party room disappeared. The boys poured themselves mugs of hot chocolate. The five of them sat in silence, thinking about life in general, and what the future would bring.
An: I sure hope you like it!
Dolphin
