Rainy Days and Mondays: December 1972

On reflection, Lily Evans thought that the rumours must have started during her very first year, though it hadn't been until second year that she had come across them herself. In her defence, she had been a little bit too distracted by the fact that she was attending a school of magic to have much time for gossip, and as she had stuck close to Severus for most of her early years at Hogwarts, she seemed to have missed out on a lot of the girl talk in the dormitories. And at the age of eleven, well, who really cared anyway?

As it turned out, a surprising number of people did- or perhaps Emmeline Vance and Rita Skeeter were simply everywhere at once. Lily didn't grudge people the need for a little gossip. Or at least, she didn't in later years, once she had come to realise how important it was for Hogwarts students to escape the ever-growing growing darkness that they all knew lurked just outside the walls.

But at twelve years old, that wasn't so easy to accept or even to understand. When Primrose Brown suddenly turned cold and haughty one morning, after the only thing Lily had done was pass James Potter a quill in Charms, it simply left her hurt and confused. And even a few months later, when Primrose seemed to have grown up a bit and apologised heartily for her behaviour, Lily still couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Especially since whenever she tried to tell people that she didn't even like Potter all that much, and that she was sure the feeling was mutual, she only seemed to be met with sniggers and knowing smiles. Feelings of anger and frustration and isolation, in a world that had otherwise been perfect, made her even more determined not to give Potter the time of day where anyone could see her. And he, for his part, didn't do much to help matters, going out of his way to antagonise her whenever someone seemed to be watching, and avoiding her with just the merest hint of apologetic and ashamed discomfort whenever they weren't. In time, she began to forget that it hadn't even been his fault to begin with.

The worst point came just before Christmas that year. Lily was sitting quietly in front of the fire in the Common Room, trying desperately to finish a mountain of Transfiguration homework that had been due the day before, and doing her best to ignore the large group of first and second years laughing and talking noisily on the carpet in front of her, practically swollen with Christmas spirit as they swapped chocolate frog cards and knocked each other over in their attempts to win at Exploding Snap. This was already a difficult enough task with the knowledge that she'd have to break concentration soon to go to Astronomy, without having to endure the moronic chanting and cheering which accompanied Sirius Black's careful defacing of the prefect rota on the noticeboard. Wow, Black if you swap round some of the letters in the names S. Podmore and F. Longbottom you get Loner Poobottom. How hilarious. I'm laughing my socks off.

Almost as soon as this thought crossed her mind, she felt annoyed with herself. She should really be more understanding. But it's Black, he's a bully and anyway, it's not like he'd care what I think… Still. She shouldn't take out her anger on people who didn't have anything to do with it. Instead, she glared at her Transfiguration books, trying to make sense of the muddling words and complicated charts.

Dear Lily, I know you're only young but your father and I think you should know…

Darling Lily, look after Petunia for me. She cares for you too, really…

Don't worry Lily, I'm only going further up and further in, just like in those books you were so fond of…

Always be yourself, Lily. Be kind and helpful and don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Your instincts are usually right after all…

My sweet, clever little girl, be strong. Mummy loves you. With a bit of luck we'll see each other over Christmas- perhaps you and Tuney could help me make the mince pies this year? I'm only sorry I've missed so much of your world…

It was too much. Her eyes swam and she slammed the book shut. She wanted to talk to Severus, but midnight wasn't for another hour and if she were caught wandering the corridors before Astronomy she'd get detention, or worse, she'd be docked house points. Still, it might be worth the risk…

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as a great cry erupted from the group in front of her. James Potter was attempting to wrestle Black down off the stool he had been using to reach the noticeboard and the two swayed dangerously in front of the fire as Black attacked his friend's face with a bottle of ink. Then Potter's foot slipped and he was falling, throwing out a hand to steady himself as he plummeted backwards…

…And, to her horror, tumbled straight into her lap. Her books and parchment went flying as she let out an unearthly screech and shoved him away from her. Potter, looking a little dazed, slipped onto the floor and rubbed the back of his head gingerly where it had caught on her Transfiguration textbook. "What-"

A group of nearby sixth years, who really should have had better things to do than torment a pair of twelve year olds, were sniggering.

"Oh they're so sweet." Lily heard one of the girls cooing as Black, now king of the stool, surveyed his defeated opponent imperiously. "I'd no idea you were so loud Evans. In fact, in honour of your people's loyal service to the Crown, I hereby decree that all such traitors as this specky midget be thrown to the banshees to deal with as they please."

A great roar of laughter greeted his announcement. Potter got to his feet, a nasty-looking bump throbbing on the back of his skull, as the sixth years giggled harder and a first year by the name of Towler bellowed. "Just snog and get it over with!"

Potter spluttered, still seeming slightly giddy, as he choked out the usual protests. Lily didn't stop to listen as she clutched at the pieces of parchment on the floor, tears stinging her eyes. Seemingly getting nowhere with his denials, Potter kicked out at random, his foot connecting with her notes and scattering them further across the floor. Lily made a grab for them but she was not quick enough to prevent them being torn under the unwitting feet of her fellow students.

At the sound of the ripping parchment, something inside her snapped. "For God's sake, you spoil everything!" She yelled at the offending boy, who stood shocked and speechless in front of her. "Why can't you just stay away from me?"

"Animal magnetism!" A third year boy piped up. He, it seemed, was a little more obtuse than the rest of the students in the Common Room, who had all fallen very silent. Tears stung her eyes and before she knew what she was doing, she had picked up the heavy Transfiguration book and hurled it at his face. The third year let out a howl of pain as the spine connected with his teeth but Lily didn't stop to apologise as she stormed away from the scene, shoving her way through the portrait hole and out into the corridor.

Leaning against the wall, she took a deep breath. So much for being kind and forgiving! But with all the noise and the jeering laughter and the people pressing around her, she had forgotten all of that. It's just a bit of fun to them, she thought as she tried to force herself to relax. They don't know how much it affects the people on the other end. They're just immature, don't mind them.

But still her breathing choked in her throat and, unable to hold it in any longer, she moved towards the stairs and flung herself down on the top step, letting out an angry sob.

For nearly ten minutes she sat there, hugging her knees as she rested her head against the banister miserably, her cheeks streaked with tears and her nose red. What was she supposed to do now? She didn't particularly care if a teacher caught her out after curfew anymore, but she couldn't go to find Severus looking like this. He would know something had happened and then he would probably make some snide remark about Potter and Black which, even if she happened to agree with it, was not something she felt up to listening to. After all, she knew that, although it helped to have someone to blame, it hadn't really been Potter's fault and she didn't particularly want to have to listen to rants about him. She didn't want to think about him at all. What she wanted was for someone to give her a hug and tell her everything would be alright- that it was all just silly nonsense which would blow over soon.

What she wanted, was her mum.

The thought of her practical, unshakeably positive mother only brought on a fresh wave of tears. Ever since the letter had arrived that morning, she had been walking around in a daze but now every emotion was flooding out of her- anger, disbelief, horror, grief. She was sure that Petunia had been pulled out of school, but as it was only a week to go until Christmas, her parents probably thought their younger daughter would be happier up here, away from the gloom of the house. They both wanted her to be happy at Hogwarts, but now Lily wasn't so sure. For all its magic, school didn't seem quite so wonderful anymore.

Something creaked behind her and she glanced around, half-hoping that the Fat Lady might have returned to her frame. She had always liked Aurora, who could be very comforting when not consuming copious amounts of painted sherry. But, to her dismay, the portrait swung forward, and she quickly turned her head away again, not wanting to be seen crying by any of her fellow Gryffindors.

"Er- do you want these back?" James Potter's voice asked.

Lily wanted to sink through the floor. However, it soon became apparent that the vanishing step on the staircase was not about to oblige her and, hastily wiping her eyes with her sleeve, she stood up and turned to face him.

Potter was holding out a stack of dog-eared parchment, his other hand stuffed in his pocket and his shoulders hunched stiffly. "Moony helped mend it. Got rid of the ink stains and stuff."

Lily snatched at her homework, not quite trusting him with it. Then, feeling guilty again, she muttered. "Tell him thanks."

There was a pause in which both studiously avoided the other's gaze. Potter removed his glasses and polished them on his jumper nervously. Then he finally managed to force the words out of his mouth.

"I'm sorry, you know. I didn't mean to fall."

"No, it wasn't your fault." Lily admitted through gritted teeth. She really, really wanted to be nice about it, but while Potter was not really responsible for her humiliation this time, she couldn't quite bring herself to feel sorry for him. To tell, the truth, she was quite sick of the sight of him and wished he'd go away.

Potter, however, clearly had no such intention and, after another brief, awkward silence, he shrugged lamely. "Well no hard feelings, eh?" He made a half-hearted attempt at a grin.

Lily blinked. "That's it?" She couldn't keep herself from blurting out. Potter looked mildly surprised and she blushed.

"Well, I mean, what about the other times? What about last week in Potions?" She asked, sounding a lot braver than she felt.

Potter shrugged again. "Well, fine then. Sorry for whatever I did to offend you then too."

"You threw a firework into Severus' cauldron." Lily said coolly. "If that Swelling Solution hadn't been made correctly-"

"Yeah, that was pretty funny," Potter said dreamily, and then, noticing the look on her face, scoffed. "Oh come on, it was just a joke-"

"Maybe. If that had been the first time." She shook her head, turning away. "Seriously Potter, just stay away from me. And Sev. Pick on someone else for a change."

"I'll stay away from him when he stays away from me!" He burst out hotly. "He's no harmless little Puffskein, your pal. Him and his mates put Sirius in the Hospital Wing for a week last year."

"I'm sure Black got his revenge," She couldn't resist shooting back. "That was the time that he let a rabid jarvey loose in the Slytherin dormitories wasn't it? And anyway, it wasn't Sev's fault really, he was just there. Mulciber was the one who actually hexed your little friend."

"Oh great, so he just associates with pure-blood supremacists, that's a relief."

"Didn't think you knew what supremacist meant, Potter."

"Didn't think you were one, Evans."

Lily gaped at him. Surely nobody could be that stupid? Eventually she realised she would have to spell it out. "You idiot. I'm muggle-born. In case you hadn't noticed."

That seemed to stump him; admittedly, they had rarely spoken outside of arguing with each other, but it still shouldn't have come as a surprise.

"Well," He floundered after a minute. "Maybe you should think about who you hang around with. I mean, it's not exactly safe-"

"Excuse me?" Lily's temper flared and she had to remind herself not to rise to the bait. Walk away, Evans, walk away.

After a few seconds of glaring at him, grinding her teeth and wondering if he was particularly attached to his knee-caps, she managed to regain control of herself.

"Maybe you should take a good look at yourself first before you start judging others, Potter. Moralising doesn't suit you." She spat, turning on her heel and stalking away before she lost control.

"Yeah well, you just wait!" Potter shouted after her, though in a voice that lacked some of his usual bravado. "You'll see what I mean!"

Lily hurried on towards the Astronomy Tower, feeling that the day could hardly get any worse. But if there was one thing she was sure of it was that, no matter the rumours, she could never be induced to fancy James Potter.

It was late the next morning when Emmeline Vance slipped into the Great Hall, having slept in considerably after a night of Professor Dexter droning on about light pollution and the magnificence of Jupiter. Luckily, Rita Skeeter was not known for rising any earlier than half nine even on weekdays, and so she was not too hard to spot amongst the last of the breakfast things spread across the Ravenclaw table. Casting a hasty glance over her shoulder at her own house, Emmeline noted with slight relief that only Frank Longbottom and Gideon Prewett were still eating, and that none of her own year were hanging around.

She hadn't been very popular in the girls' dormitory the previous night. After Lily Evans had knocked out Paul Sloper's front teeth with a Transfiguration textbook and stormed out of the portrait hole, everyone had suddenly felt quite ashamed of themselves, and not particularly well-disposed to the person they considered to be the source of the whole misunderstanding. Primrose Brown and Quinta Dunbar had been polite but cold, and Mary MacDonald had been quite blunt in her disapproval. As for Lily herself, Emmeline had not had the courage to look her in the eye when she next saw her in Astronomy, pale-faced and thin-lipped. Even if the others hadn't disapproved though, she had seen enough to know that the whole affair had gone too far.

Sliding onto a bench beside Rita, she dispensed with the usual greetings and compliments on her friend's attire, and got straight to the point. "We need to stop."

"Stop what?" Rita frowned. "Honestly, Sylvie, you're not very polite today. You haven't even asked me how my date went."

Emmeline winced. Rita Skeeter was a difficult person to chastise, but as a shy first year who had really just wanted someone to talk to, she had been quite grateful when the older girl had taken her under her wing on the Hogwarts Express. So grateful that she hadn't even complained much when Rita had decided that her middle name, Sylvia, was much prettier than Emmeline and insisted on addressing her as such. So grateful that when she had mentioned how nice she thought Lily Evans and James Potter would be together, she had done everything Rita said she should to try and force some kind of accord between them, regardless of her personal misgivings.

But now it had to stop. "We should leave Evans and Potter alone. Lily was really upset last night."

"Ooh, why? Lovers' tiff?" Rita's eyes were wide with glee.

Emmeline shook her head irritably. "No, nothing like that. I just- I think Evans is under a lot of pressure at the moment and we're not helping things with these rumours."

"What? Not helping? But Sylvia, we're helping her discover her true love!"

"Yes but…maybe this isn't the right time. You know?"

"No, I don't. You're the one who wanted them to get together," Rita pointed out irritably, as she emptied a box of Cheery Owls into her bowl. "Are you saying that you don't think you're right anymore? Is it Potter? Should we get some dirt on him, see if he's the problem?"

"No!" Emmeline said hastily. "Please don't talk to Potter! And I do think they should be together- or at least I did. But…we can't exactly force them to get along can we? It's not really our business after all."

"Look, if Evans is going to go around knocking out people's teeth then it becomes our business," Rita gave her a disappointed look as she dug a spoon into her cereal. "What, did you really think I hadn't heard? I'm surprised that you didn't tell me sooner."

Emmeline shook her head miserably. "I'm sorry Rita, but I really can't do it anymore. It's not fair-"

"Not fair? What's not fair is I spent all that time helping you with your little crusade and now there's not even any kind of decent pay-off. I mean really, Sylvie, you might think of the risks I take sometimes- I won't be able to show my face around Gryffindor Tower for weeks!"

Emmeline fidgeted and sighed. Rita was right, it was her own mistake and others were paying for it. She had to do something to make it up to her. After a moment, she began tentatively. "I really am sorry Rita. I've been a bit silly about the whole thing. But…well, don't tell him I told you, but I think Tiberius McLaggen really fancies you. And he won't talk to us if Evans and Potter keep fighting."

That caught Rita's interest. "Tiberius McLaggen? What would I do with an awful swot like him? Still," She mused, looking thoughtful. "He is very tall. And those muscles…"

She gave Emmeline an appraising look. "Alright, we'll give Evans a break for a bit. I was getting bored anyway."

Emmeline breathed a sigh of relief. It was a pity really, that her vision hadn't come true, but she wasn't willing to ruin someone's life over a silly little idea she'd had nearly a year ago. And anyway, one could always dream. Plastering a smile on her face, she buttered a slice of toast.

"So, how did your date go?"

Not the funniest or happiest of chapters, I'm afraid, but hopefully it's done its work.

Anyway, hope if you have any thoughts on it you let me know! And thank you very much to the Guest Reviewer who I obviously can't PM to thank :)

Chapter title taken from the title of the song 'Rainy Days and Mondays', by the Carpenters, from 1971