Party Games
Chapter 15: Hide and Seek
James proudly wore his new watch, which declared the time of day according to his mood (sleepy in the morning, hungry at noon, anxious just before a Quidditch game) and, much to Lily's chagrin, noticed James's feelings for her and took to chiming loudly whenever she was in the room. She thought it was annoying; he found it entertaining.
It was on a trip to Hogsmeade when Lily really cracked. Stuck in the same carriage as the Marauders, they had not ceased to make fun of her and the constantly beeping watch that James refused to take off. When they finally arrived at the village, she leapt out of the carriage and made a beeline for Colton's Finery to beg Mr. Colton to take it back.
He upheld a strong, no-return policy.
An hour later, students piled into the Three Broomstick, Lily among them.
"Sorry about the watch, Lily." James peeked at Lily from under the table, startling her. "Do you hate me?"
"What are you doing down there?"
"It's not my fault!"
"I'm wearing a skirt!"
"I know." He grinned jauntily, and she kicked his shoulder.
He crawled onto the bench and settled himself beside her, looking quite prim. "I waited for you for half an hour," James informed her. "I though it would be easier to talk here, since the noise covers up the watch."
Lily didn't comment.
"And," James continued, not noticing her silence, "I thought you might let me buy you a drink for once." There was a pause. "Lily?"
"Tell you what," Lily said. Her eyes were half-shut, as if she were in deep thought. She was actually just tired and had a headache from the incessant chiming. "I'll hide, and if you can find me, then maybe I'll let you buy me a drink."
James, knowing she was probably not in her right mind, ventured, "Or maybe I'll hide and you can look for me."
Her eyelids snapped open. "Is that a challenge?"
"It is."
"You're on!"
An hour and a half later, Lily had all but given up. James had successfully hidden himself and forgotten to reappear. She was feeling increasingly irritated by the minute.
There was one place she still hadn't checked, and it was here that she paced back and forth, wondering whether to risk going into a recently haunted building to search when he'd probably snuck back into the castle.
"Oh, screw it," she said out loud and swung herself over the fence, running toward the famed Shrieking Shack.
Planks creaked as she walked through. The furniture in each room was destroyed - ripped to shreds - and even the dividing wall was beginning to lean under its own weight. Something had done terrible damage to an otherwise well-built house.
Cobwebs hung over the stairwell. This place had not been visited for months.
Brrring! Brrring!
Lily was alerted to a cupboard with one door gnawed off. So - he was here after all! That watch had given him away. She threw open the door to one James Potter, who cracked an eye open.
"Did I fall asleep?"
"I guess you did," she said, helping him up.
"Well."
"Well is right."
They stood in quiet for a short time, taking in the setting, before James made an observation.
"We're alone."
Pause. "Yeah."
There was another long, heavy silence.
"Why did you kiss me?"
Lily looked up. "When?"
"When we played Questions Only," James replied. "You let me kiss you. Why? I thought you didn't like me, Lily."
Lily looked to him, obviously surprised. "That's such a strange time to bring it up…" She wrung her hands for a second, looking helpless. Finally, she managed, "I don't know why."
"Lily." His hand found its way to her shoulder. "I really like you, and I want you to like me, too."
For a long, terrible moment, neither of them knew what to do. There was complete silence in the Shrieking Shack for perhaps the first time in its long career as a pair of hazel eyes locked with a pair of green.
Then he hugged her, and she didn't protest. Hands linked, and their lips brushed against each other has he spoke, "Lily? Will you try going out with me?"
Somewhere in between the hugging and the hand-holding and the kissing, Lily said yes.
So, this chapter is a major turning point for the story. I realize this chapter isn't as humourous as the previous; I also realize that it's much too early for them to be together, since they're only in about April of sixth year. Don't worry, though - there is no joy in Mudville. I don't intend to stop just because Lily has agreed to go out with James, nor do I intend to beat a dead horse. :)
I really never intended for this to be an ongoing story, but when I see how things linked together, I realize how much I like it that way.
I can't believe the number of reviews, favorites, alerts, etc. this has gotten. In my eyes, 200 reviews are what prove an author to be truly popular, and I can't express how flattered and astounded I feel about the attention I've been receiving. A lot of compliments have come my way which I treasure, and I've been told again and again that my writing has improved greatly. I owe this to Fiand to its wonderful authors and readers… thank you!
I owe special thanks to xxpiratesxx, who has relentlessly reviewed my work and kept me motivated for the next chapter! Thank you!