Vires Mentis
III
"So, what did James want?"
That was Erin, straight to the point. No need for standard greetings.
"Nothing." She had been so distracted by Dumbledore that she had forgotten that Potter had accosted her. Was there something he wanted to say to her?
"Is that so?" Erin eyed her friend.
"What about you? How did you survive without me?"
"We both know the answer to that." A rather unimpressed look followed. The other three girls in their year were not very fond of Erin. Lily, generally more liked because of her more open disposition, had acted as a buffer between them. Lily knew that Erin's forthrightness often offended others, especially those of the female variety.
"So he didn't want anything from you…yes, that sounds just like him." Erin was devouring her sixth piece of toast. "What? Really, Lily, you should know by now you're terrible at changing the topic."
"Actually, I'm pretty good at it, with everyone else."
Lily was spared one of her friend's I-am-just-going-to-stare-at-you-until-you-realize-what-I-am-thinking looks as the Transfiguration Professor had finally made her way down the table to the two girls.
"Here you are Miss Kelly," McGonagall handed them timetables, "and Miss Evans."
"Thank you, Professor." Lily studied her schedule. She had double Charms first! Lily grinned, what a perfect way to start the week!
"Miss Evans, you wouldn't happen to know the whereabouts of Mr. Potter?"
Lily suppressed a sigh. Why was everyone grilling her about the stupid boy? "No, Professor, I haven't seen him at all this morning."
But, Potter wasn't here? The rest of his friends were eating breakfast. Odd.
"Well, when you do, would you give him this?" Lily forced out a 'yes, Professor' and grudgingly accepted Potter's schedule. Damn it, so now she was responsible for the idiot? Since when? Why didn't Professor McGonagall appoint this task to Black?
"So, where can we expect to see Mr. Mysterious today?"
Lily handed over the slip of paper, "I don't care." But where was he? Something was definitely up. No, no, she didn't care. Curiosity does not equate to caring, not in her books. Still –
"Ah, he's got a double spare. His first class is Herbology, that's after lunch, plenty of time to find him."
Great, so he was causing her trouble again, albeit in a different fashion than usual. Jutting out her lower jaw, she glared at the Marauders who were getting up to leave.
"Hey, Lily, what are you –?"
Paper in hand, Lily marched right up to the Gryffindor boys. Black turned to grin at her.
"Evans, what a delight! I'm sorry, but Jamesie isn't here right now, so I'm sure--"
"Precisely, which is why I need you to give him this."
Black didn't even look at what was in her hands, just smiled, his pale face looking more haunting than charming to Lily. She didn't know which he was going for.
"Well, it seems like we've hit a snag. I'm terribly sorry Evans, but if I ever denied James the chance of a meeting with you, I would never be forgiven." Black was back to being completely cheerful, or so it seemed. She could never be sure with him.
"Must you be completely--?"
"Cheerio, Evans! Happy Potter Hunting!" And the tree of them left the Hall laughing; Black with a mocking little salute.
Really! Even his friends were infuriating. Potter didn't even have to be here and he was making still making her life miserable. How on earth was he chosen as Head Boy? He was already relying on other people to take responsibility for him! Lily didn't want to think badly of Dumbledore, but this situation, there was almost some merit! Honestly, classes hadn't even started!
"Lily, you're muttering." Erin's voice sounded beside her.
"Oh, thanks," she accepted her book bag and heaved a sigh.
"Come on, some Charms will do you good."
Yeah, a different type of distraction would be welcome.
"Ah! We're going to be late!"
"Master Potter! Master Potter!"
"A long time since we is seeing Master Potter!"
"Where be sir's friends?"
"Master Potter is wanting breakfast!"
"What is sir wanting?"
James couldn't help but grin. The kitchens were a whir of frantic activity, as the elves dashed from one end to another preparing food for the Great Hall above. A handful of smiling elves surrounded him, and as usual, before he could even answer food was being handed to him.
Scones, toast, hash browns, tea biscuits, and a number of other items James couldn't catch were pushed into his arms.
"Actually, would you be able to spare some bacon for me, please?"
"If sir is wanting bacon we is giving it to sir!"
A napkin stuffed with bacon was placed on top of the miscellaneous items James was holding.
"Is Master wanting something more?"
"We is providing tea too, sir!"
James shook his head, "No, I have all that I need. Cheers!"
Turning, he made his was back through the portrait leaving the elves' multitude of farewells. James headed to the Lake, it was still early and the morning fog was still holding over the grounds. James settled himself under a tree close to the Lake and laid his breakfast out.
Contrary to other boys his age, James rather liked waking up early. There was something about the cool morning air that made him feel refreshed. Not quite the same as flying, but enjoyable in its own way. It was the quiet before the storm.
The sky was getting lighter.
Maybe he'd stay here a little longer.
"Prongs…"
"James."
"MR. POTTER!"
Bloody hell! James was catapulted upwards from his comfortable supine position on the ground.
"At ease, gentleman."
Of course. James didn't even need to look, "Hey, Sirius."
A pause, and then Sirius settled down beside him. James frowned, the sun was high. He hadn't expected to fall asleep for so long. Sirius was being quiet. James didn't know if he wanted to speak. It was relieving just to know that he had someone's ear whenever he wanted it.
"Falling asleep on the job, eh? Nice way to start your year as Head Boy."
An easy smile. "You know how it is; I can't conform to the usual way of things so I thought I'd start this one off with a bang."
It was comfortable falling into this routine. James knew that if Sirius was here, then he didn't have to be anywhere; they were taking the same classes. They were both hopefuls for the Auror Apprenticeship Program. Their paths had been chosen.
"Ah…and you decided to leave me out of all the excitement?"
"It's something I wanted to test out first, to make sure it was worthy enough for the Great Noble Mr. Black." James tried to keep the grin on his face, even if they were both looking over the Lake. He focused on the creatures on the opposite shore, slowly making their way towards the water.
Exhale. "And is it?"
Gracefully bending their heads down to drink, James thought the thestrals looked quite beautiful.
"Yeah…" breathe in.
"Yeah. It is."
There was something about note taking that put Lily's mind at ease. She could forget about the stress of homework, her duties, and people, and simply write down what the Professor was saying. Something that she could focus on even if her concentration on other matters was frayed.
Professor Flitwick began the two and a half hour class with a lecture on the amount of work that NEWT level courses required. Lily had a predator's smile fall onto her face. She loved a challenge. She was going to be busy with her extra duties as Head Girl but that wouldn't stop her from doing the best in her school work.
Charms flew by, and Lily had excelled in demonstrating some of the spells that Professor Flitwick had them review. They already had an essay to write by next week and seven chapters to read from A Theoretical Inquiry: Charmed. It was a good thing she had already read the first half of the book. Maybe she'd give it a glance over at lunch? Right, she needed to get her Herbology equipment and books.
"I've gotta jet, Lily."
"Oh, right, go ahead." Erin was one of those girls who were envied by all women. She was the type that could just eat and eat and never gain a pound. Being on the Gryffindor Quidditch team made her already insatiable appetite even greater. Lily didn't usually see her friend get grumpy, but when she was hungry she would almost shut down. It was actually quite comical to see, really.
"Don't forget to track down your lover boy!"
"GAH! ERIN!" But she was already speeding down the crowded hallway.
"I won't be carrying snacks in my bag for you anymore!"
Blinking, Lily noticed several wide-eyed first year students immobilized in front of her.
"Oh, hello, are--" The kids seemed to have recollected themselves and took off in the opposite direction.
"…you guys lost?" Great job, Lily. Now the first years are terrified of you.
Head Girl duty number 4: Be approachable. Uncheck.
Good feeling from Charms…was evaporating.
Lily growled. This is all Potter's fault! She stormed up flights of stairs, oblivious to others who were giving her a wide berth. If that idiot had just done his job, like he's supposed to, then she could do hers! Damn that idiot! Who takes off on the first day of school!
Finally she was standing in front of the suit of armour.
"From the beginning of eternity
To the end of time and space
To the beginning of every end
And the end of every place.
What am I?"
Stupid piece of metal junk! What kind of riddle is this supposed to be? She had to deliver Potter his schedule and a good punch in the face.
Breath tickled her ear, "Having trouble, Evans?"
"Eeeeeeeek!"
"Correct, Miss Evans."
Bewildered, Lily was caught between wanting to whack the owner of that voice in the head and asking what the answer was to the riddle. Turning, she found a one Mr. Idiot-Slacker behind her. Her scattered thoughts were interrupted.
"Shall we proceed?"
Lily grunted and stalked past Potter, too shocked to say anything. She would use the time stomping up the stairs to regroup. She waited for him to close the door before spinning around to confront him.
"And just where have you been?"
"Outside."
"What were you doing?"
"Working."
"What kind of work would be more important than getting your schedule and setting a good example for younger students?"
"Sleep."
Lily fought to keep herself collected. She would not yell, she would not lose it, she would maintain control. Remember, these are the kind of answers boys provide, because their brains are too ill equipped to handle longer, more complex sentences. It's fine, you're okay, you're cool, collected—
Then she caught a slight grin on Potter's face.
That idiot was actually enjoying this!
"I've missed your expressions, Evans."
Lily was knocked off guard, but not because of his words. His expression was something she hadn't seen before.
After a moment where Lily imitated a goldfish, she grasped at the next thought.
"What was the answer to the riddle?"
Potter's expression changed to a more familiar one, "Miss Evans, is it possible that you're asking for my help?" Then he laughed. Lily's face started to feel hot.
"I believe the letter 'e' was the correct response, which you happened to express so eloquently downstairs."
Lily wanted to wipe that self satisfying grin off his face.
"Oh, Sirius mentioned that you wanted to give me something?"
Lily Evans was something else.
James couldn't help but think so over the pain in his nose.
Maybe he had teased her a bit too much. James entertained that thought for a whole second before discarding it completely. It was worth seeing her act on unrestrained emotions, even if it was at the expense of his body.
James grinned in contentment and then winced, forgetting about his bleeding nose. He hadn't been expecting her to actually hit him. But that's what he liked about her; he could always count on an unpredictable reaction from the little tiger.
James looked in his hand at the offensive item that Lily had thrust into his face. The crumpled piece of parchment had several droplets of blood stained to it. Opening it revealed it to be his class schedule.
And he had been hoping for a love confession.
All well. There was always next time.
Going to his room to fetch his things, James felt better than he had in months.
Faolchu's Inane Ramblings
Small gestures are usually the ones we hold onto the most.
Thank you to all who took the time to review, your comments make me smile :D
I got some interesting guesses on Jame's middle name (^^), but alas, I won't be handing out toffees this time.
About this chapter: I really like writing James/Sirius moments. I'm actually rather envious of their relationship because they have such a tacit and deep understanding of each other. Sirius is going to be an interesting character to write. I don't want to cast him off to the side in this story, I'm hoping to put lots of development into his character. His background allows him to be a more complex character, especially in this prewar period where tensions are high between mixed and purebloods.
On another note, the house elves are so fun to write! I have a few house elf characters in mind, and I've been thinking of some names.
Can anyone give me some really wonky house elf names? Be as creative as possible!
All questions and suggestions are welcome! Thanks for reading!