A/N: I don't even know how long it's been.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise.
Chapter 17 - Flames
The day of the Gryffindor vs Slytherin match was upon them, and tensions at breakfast were high. James had dragged the team out of bed at 6am for a pre-warmup warmup and the bedraggled team could barely keep their eyes open.
"James, this is ridiculous," Marlene rubbed her eyes, "We're all exhausted. How are we supposed to play like this?"
"It's going to work I swear. Jericho Humple swears by pre-warmup warmups and he's a legend."
"Whatever you say mate," Sirius yawned, "I'm beat."
There was a long, tired pause.
"Oh come on, pull yourselves together," Lily sighed, "I don't want to sound like Potter, but your tiredness is just a mentality. A bad mentality. Get yourselves out of it, before you lose to bloody Slytherin and we have to deal with Mulciber's gloating for the next eight months. And drink some coffee. Strong coffee."
"Coffee," Marlene nodded drowsily, "Coffee is a good idea."
She didn't miss the slight smile on James' face.
After another twenty minutes of a slightly more uplifted breakfast, the team departed. Another warmup, or perhaps a pep talk. Lily wasn't sure.
Although not particularly into sport, Lily was patriotic. She showed loyalty to her team and had not missed a single Gryffindor match since first year. She loved the vibe of a Quidditch match, and despite not condoning the antics at after parties, she loved the vibe when they won. And since James Potter became team captain in his fifth year, they always did win. However eccentric his tactics might be, there was no doubt that he was successful. He was arguably the best team captain that Gryffindor house had ever seen.
It was soon time for the spectators to make their way down to the stands. The atmosphere was a mixture of tension and excitement. The Gryffindor seventh years made their way to their usual spot. Lily sat between Mary and Remus, a Gryffindor scarf wrapped round her neck. It clashed horribly with her hair, but it was the lesser of two evils when it came to choosing between that or a jumper.
The match kicked off with intensity. Halfway through, the two opposing teams were neck and neck. The game depended on someone catching the snitch, and Flora Randall was adamant it was going to be her.
James' play was dodgy.
He didn't like not being in the lead.
He didn't like his new broom.
He was losing control.
He fell.
Flora caught the snitch.
The world went black.
James blinked as he looked round the almost empty hospital wing.
"Oh good, you're awake," Madame Pomfrey said, as she bustled round, "You're free to go whenever you like. You - by some miracle - escaped with only a few minor cuts and bruises. And I suppose you won't want to miss the party us staff aren't supposed to know anything about."
James was speechless, "The teachers all know?"
"We weren't born yesterday, Mr. Potter."
"How long have I been out?"
"Barely even ten minutes. As you can see, your friends haven't had a chance to arrive yet."
The sound of thundering footsteps suddenly consumed the room.
"I spoke too soon."
"MATE WE WON!" Sirius roared as he bolted into the room.
"I heard," James gave a bemused smile, before acknowledging the sixth year seeker, standing towards the back of the group, "Well done Flora. You played well."
"Thanks James. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. In fact, Poppy says I'm free to go. Right?"
"Right. The sooner the better really. Your cohorts are disturbing my patients."
James looked at his 'cohorts'. It was a strange combination of people. Obviously his closest friends (Sirius, Peter and Remus), and then a few bedraggled team members (including Flora and Marlene) and then, standing tentatively at the back, was Lily Evans herself. He sauntered past the group, in his usual champion fashion and started to walk back towards the common room. He felt a touch on his arm, pulling him back.
"Potter," Lily was chewing her lip in worry, "Do you...you don't think the broom was intercepted do you? It only came via post this morning and...I don't know, I just thought maybe that's why you weren't in control."
"Careful Evans, you almost sound concerned," James teased lightly, before faltering, "But I'm not sure. I'd like to think that it was just a new broom. Like...you know when you get a new pair of shoes, and if you don't break them in, you get blisters the first time you wear them? It's like that. I didn't have a chance to break in the broom."
Lily's face relaxed and she nodded, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure that's it."
"Will I be seeing you at the after party?"
"I might swing by."
"You should. It wouldn't be the same without you there."
"Where the heck is Dorcas?" Marlene was growing increasingly irritated. And Sirius Black, was growing increasingly intoxicated. He'd made a drinking game which he'd roped Peter into - take a shot every time Marlene mentioned Dorcas Meadowes.
"I saw her at the game. She was sitting up in the stands with Lily and everyone else...you remember don't you Peter?"
Peter sheepishly nodded.
"And then after the game, she congratulated me on my win and said she'd see me later. Earth to Dorcas-" Another shot "-it is later!"
"Merlin's beard McKinnon, you're giving that Smirnoff Holmes bloke a run for his money."
"Isn't Smirnoff vodka?" Peter frowned.
"Godric knows, Pete, it's muggle stuff."
"Ugh, you two are useless!" Marlene stamped her foot, "I'm going to look for her myself." She stormed off. Sirius could practically see the steam coming from her ears but he couldn't help but long to follow her. After their near kiss, he was struggling to get her out of his mind.
"Why don't we check the map?"
"What?" Sirius wasn't paying attention.
"The map," Peter repeated, "Why don't we use it to find out where Dorcas is? Don't take a-"
It was too late. Committed to his cause, Sirius had already taken a shot.
"You know what Wormtail, that actually isn't a bad idea," His speech was starting to slur, "Where is the map?"
"In the dorm. I think."
"I'll go get it! I'll be stealthy," Sirius stood up, ironically knocking over his chair as he did so.
About five minutes later, Sirius stumbled back down the stairs to Peter, who was trying to not pass out on the sofa.
"Okaaaay," Sirius said, "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."
Peter watched in awe as the map sprawled out on the blank parchment. It never failed to amaze him that they created such a marvelous tool.
"Dorcas Meadowes," Sirius said, "We're looking for Dorcas Meadowes."
"Is that her?" Peter pointed.
"No, that's Doris Mellow."
"Always thought their names were stupidly similar."
This continued for about ten minutes before Sirius spotted her. His mouth fell open.
"Uh-oh."
"That can't be right."
"The map is never wrong."
"No way!"
"Pete..."
"It can't...there's...we have to tell someone."
"No! Hell no. We can't tell anyone."
"What do you mean?"
"Marlene can never find out about this. You understand? If we agree on one thing, it has to be that Marlene can never know."
"I'm not-"
"Promise me Pete."
Peter hesitated before nodding, "I promise Sirius."
Meanwhile, Lily Evans was standing hesitantly in the entrance way to the Gryffindor Common Room. A Quidditch after party wasn't exactly her scene. She'd much rather be curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a book. Unfortunately for Lily, she knew that these moments would be few and far between when she left school. There wouldn't be many parties to attend. There wouldn't be much to celebrate. She may as well make the most of it, while she still had the chance.
"Evans! You came!" James cheered as he caught her eye, "A drink?" His cheeks were rosy and his eyes glassy. He was much farther gone than she expected him to be.
"I'll pass," She said.
"Don't be daft. You can't go to a party and not drink. Just one?"
"I don't want a drink," Lily said, glancing round, "Oh my god, is that a second year? With firewhiskey?"
"Lighten up. I'm sure you were drinking at his age."
"I was not! He is twelve years old...this is a complete anarchy, Potter, you have to put a stop to it."
"I'm not going to stop people from having fun, Evans, and I won't let you do it either," James said. His tone was unlike one he'd ever used on her before. It was almost cool.
"It's not fun, it's dangerous," She bit back, snatching the firewhiskey from the boy as he passed. He let out a small squeak of protest before meeting the icy cold glare of the head girl, and scurrying away.
"Why bother showing up if you're just going to act like a teacher? What's the point? You're not stupid, you know what goes on at parties."
"I thought that you'd at least show some responsibility. You are the head boy."
"How could I forget? You remind me every time I'm laughing too loudly," He shook his head, "I don't understand you, Lily, I really don't. Every time I think we're getting somewhere...every time I think I'm getting through to you, you turn around and act like the stuck up brat you were in fifth year. I'm done with apologising to you. I was nasty, I'll admit that. I'll even stretch to agreeing that I was a bully. But you were nasty to me too. And you've never once apologised...not meaningfully anyway. Maybe it's the alcohol talking, maybe I am a stupid drunk, or maybe I'm just seeing clearly."
"The way I treated you was completely warranted. You were a bully!"
"I was protecting you! You were so blinded by that slimy snake. Everyone could see that he was playing you - everyone except you! I didn't handle things in the right way, but I was only ever trying to protect you."
"I didn't need protecting!"
"You did! And the fact that you still can't see that kills me everyday. The fact that you would still probably put Snape over me if it came down to it still hurts me everyday. I thought...I thought maybe I could push this all down. That we could be friends. But I can see now that we'll never be friends, Lily. You'll never respect me, so I'm done. I'm done." He shrugged, relieving her clenched fist of the stolen firewhiskey, and disappearing off into the party.
"I'm sorry I bothered you," Lily muttered under her breath. She struggled to put a mask over her hurt, but she didn't need to.
Because James Potter didn't look back.
Instead, he fell straight into the arms of Flora Randall.
A few weeks passed.
"You could just apologise you know," Marlene said.
"For what? I don't have anything to be sorry for," Lily said indignantly.
Marlene shrugged, "I just think this is stupid. You're clearly jealous."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not!"
"You are!"
"I'm...okay, maybe I am a little bit jealous. But it's not because I like him."
"Are we really going to do this again? Why else would you have been moping around for the last three weeks?"
"I don't know! I think maybe it's just...it's just strange to always think you're going to have something, only for it to be taken away. And Flora laughs really loudly. Have you ever noticed how loudly she laughs?"
"Can't say I have," Marlene looked uncomfortable, "Look, Lily...I know this isn't what you want to hear but I think you owe it to him to allow him to be happy. He's fought really hard for you, and now you either fight for him or you let him make his own mistakes. If it really is meant to be - and I think it is - he'll come back to you. But right now, he's happy. And despite the front he puts on, I can't say that there's many times since the summer where I've seen James truly happy."
"I don't think I can make him happy."
"Then you've answered your own question."
"It does make this whole winter ball thing a little awkward though...Dumbledore's asked us to organise it but he can't even be in the same room as me. I don't know what spurred this sudden change in character."
"He's just fed up. Or maybe he hit his head funny when he fell off his broom. He'll get over it, I'm sure. In the meantime, just be as professional as you can."
"It's bloody irritating."
"He's put up with enough of your mood swings over the years."
"Touche, Marlene, touche."
"Black, is there something you're not telling me?" Marlene demanded.
Sirius Black knew when the shadow was cast over his map it wouldn't be good. He'd disguised the map behind a Potions text book, but someone had clearly caught him out. And sure enough, he looked up to see Marlene McKinnon, fists on her hips, with a face like thunder.
"I'm not sure what you're referring to love."
"I'm referring to the reason why you've been avoiding me since the Quidditch after party. I know we're not friends, but it's a little insulting when you choose to sit next to some first year with a snotty nose just so you don't have to sit next to me at breakfast."
"I love Bernie Salt! He's a Marauder in the making."
"He's bloody pathetic. He'd probably get locked in a bathroom and still die of thirst."
"Are you jealous?"
"Not jealous. Just confused. You're hiding something."
"Am not."
"Are too! And Peter won't look me in the eye either. Was it something I did at the party? Oh Merlin, I didn't strip tease did I? Dance on a table in my underwear? Without underwear?"
Sirius scoffed, "I wish. I'd definitely mention it if you had. I'd've taken pictures too."
"Of course you would have. So I don't need to worry?"
"Absolutely not," Sirius looked uncomfortable as she sat on the arm of his chair, hair tickling his cheek.
"So, you wouldn't mind if I had a look at your Potions book? It's just, I've lost mine and I really need to complete my assignment..."
"'Course, read away," Sirius shrugged, hastily tapping the map with his wand and muttering 'mischief managed' under his breath, leaving a blank piece of parchment.
Marlene's satisfied smirk settled into a scowl as she saw that his Potions book really was just a Potions book.
"Black, I swear to Godric, tell me what's going on!" She cried, "Is it to do with your brother?"
"What? My brother?"
"You know...he's pretty insecure at the moment. And after that letter from your mother...I thought you might be looking out for him."
"I am. I'm always looking out for him. But he's beyond help. I've failed him."
Marlene frowned, "You haven't failed him. Far from it. You've fought for him. It's not your fault...he made his choice."
"Doesn't make it easier."
"Of course it doesn't," Marlene shrugged, "Do you want to go down to the kitchens? I'm absolutely starving. I skipped dinner."
"Why?"
"I was trying to find you and find out why you've been avoiding me. And now I've found you, you seem like the sort of person who knows how to get into the kitchens."
"Well, McKinnon, I wouldn't like to disappoint," Sirius smirked, shoving his book in his bag, and offering his arm, "May I?"
Marlene grinned, "You may."
Not even fifteen minutes later, Marlene was tucking into an enormous pile of mashed potato like she'd never been fed.
"So how is Evans taking Flames?" Sirius wondered as he watched her, bemused. He himself had opted for something more sweet - a stack of profiteroles.
"Flames?" Marlene frowned.
"Flora and James. Merged the names one day, and it sounded passionate so I stuck with it."
Marlene snorted, "Only you. And what's there to take? James has a girlfriend. Big whoop."
"Yeah but...does she not...doesn't she like him?"
"Lily? Like James?" Marlene looked horrified, as she lied easily, "Merlin no!"
"Alright McKinnon, he's not that repulsive."
Marlene paused, "James isn't just with Flora to make Lily jealous is he? Because that isn't fair on Flora. She's a nice girl."
"Funny you should ask. I was bloody convinced he was just trying to make Lily Flower jealous at first, but there's no way he would've stuck with her for this long if that was the case. They're joined at the hip! It's sickening really. Haven't you noticed?"
"Can't say I have."
"Bloody hell, McKinnon, you are dense."
"I'm not dense! I'm just not as obsessed with James' love life as everyone else seems to be."
"You're dense. Anyway, I wish he'd hurry up and break up with her because he's boring when he has a girlfriend - and they've only been dating for two weeks. I'm not even sure they're official...wait...did you say everyone?"
"She might break up with him," Marlene mused, ignoring him.
"No," Sirius said, "Marauders break hearts, they don't have their hearts broken. Did you say everyone?
"Sure Black. Whatever you say."
"Who else is obsessed with James' love life? It's Lily, isn't it!"
Marlene shook her head, "No! You must've heard the fifth years discussing it."
"Now you're hiding something from me."
"I guess that makes us even Black."