Disclaimer- NOT MINE!!
This is my first story, so please review!!
This chapter is a bit longer than previous ones, but never the less, I hope you enjoy, this chapter starts as James' POV :) Also, thanks to my faithful reviewer, and you know who you are!! LOL =)
Chapter 6- Hogsmead Kitchen Angel
I stood up so quickly that the book that was laid forgotten on my lap flew up into the air, hitting a random first year in the face. Saying a fast apology to the embarrassed boy I, among with almost all the common room fled to where Lily was.
Her auburn hair was matted and seemed wet and darker, probably because her skull had cracked and now there was a large amount of blood dripping onto the fine oak floor.
Ok, I felt a bit revolted but this was no time to be all 'eugh oh my merlin! Bblloooodd! I FEEL FAINT!'
I wanted to be over this girl called Lily Evans, I didn't want that insane feeling in my stomach whenever I heard her name, I didn't want that feeling whenever I saw her large emerald eyes, no matter how much I secretly loved the feelings as well.
"Everyone stop crowding her!" I barked, instantly everyone moved backed, Alice and Maria put Lily on the floor whilst I tried to move to the centre but someone else beat me to it. I couldn't see his face, but I could tell from how gentle he examined Lily's head that this boy had feelings for her. I know I'm not really being masculine right now, but it was just a feeling, it clicked. You get me? Anyways-
"Someone get Madam Pompfery." His voice sounded strangely familiar…
"Why what's wrong with her?!" Alice asked meekly, she was holding Lily's hand tentatively and there were tears in her eyes.
"She's cracked her skull, if we don't get her quickly to Pompfery she could get a brain haemorrhage." (pronounced hemerage LOL didn't know it was spelt so weird..)
There was a gasp from Isobel who so far had not said anything. I agreed silently, haemorrhage is bad…
"I'll carry her." Came the voice again, I KNOW WHO IT IS! Matthew Parker, he's on the Quidditch team like me, I heard he liked Lily, just never thought it was true.
Matthew then searched desperately around the room, his eyes finally glancing at me.
"James, can you come to like hold the doors and also to back up the story with Pompfery?!" He practically pleaded. Err, I didn't know what to stay, my voice stammered as Sirius prodded me in the back hastily.
"Err, I mean yeah. Sure. Lets go now."
Matthew carefully picked Lily up bridal style, there was a piece of cloth against her head, to try and slow the bleeding. Her face was tucked right near his chest and one arm was around her waist whilst another holding her legs, I felt a twinge of jealously.
We didn't talk on the way to the infirmary, Matthew was busy holding Lily whilst I was busy holding open the doors, soon we came to the hospital and whilst Matthew laid Lily on a bed I ran to Pompfery's office. Knocking every second until she answered the door with an annoyed look on her face.
"Mr Potter what on earth are you doing?!"
"Lily Evans…fell…blood…hurt.." I gasped; she nodded her head quickly and told me to wait at her bed whilst she gathered her equipment.
I grunted and paced quickly back to her bed, only stopping at what I saw…
Matthew had sat at the foot of her bed and was now stroking Lily's face, a look of desire plastered in his eyes. I furrowed my brow as Matthew did not notice I was there, his hand went from her head and cheeks down to her lips, carefully tracing the perfect structure. I had had enough.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Matthew turned to look at me, but didn't say anything as Pompfery bustled in but he gave me that boyish smirk, like he was inside my brain jesting that Lily was his, and no one else's.
We both waited as Pompfery analysed her skull, waving her wand around Lily's head, muttering enchantments and charms while she was at it. After about five minutes Pompfery stopped and nodded her approval, she was about to leave when-
"Well…?!" Matthew and I prompted together, she turned to look at us and raised her eyebrows.
"She has lost a bit of blood, the fall made her break some bones in her upper neck but I'm sure that by tomorrow she will be fine.
"But what about all the blood?!" Matthew asked lamely, ok it wasn't really lame, I was thinking that too.
"She just has weak skull strength, nothing too serious. I am just going to give her a strengthening potion for her bones and a blood replenish potion." We both watched as Pompfery poured a vile of what seemed green liquid down her throat, after 10 seconds she poured down the other vile and turned back to look at us.
"You two will have to leave now, she'll be in perfect strength tomorrow, should I be expecting any more visitors?!"
As if on cue the hospital doors opened and in poured Alice, Maria, Isobel… my stomach churned as I also saw Adam Bottler, there was also Frank, Sirius, Remus and Peter, also some of Matthew's friends who were giving him thumbs up and little grins.
Madam Pompfery groaned in disapproval but there was nothing she really could do, she just bustled back into her office and slammed the door. Lily's friends including Bottler walked to Lily's side. Alice was already crying hysterically and Bottler had grabbed Lily's hand, and was rubbing his thumb against her palm.
"Subtle prongs mate…very subtle." Sirius whispered playfully as the rest of the marauders made their way near me.
"What the hell are you on about?!" I snapped, Sirius turned to look at Lily and then turned back to me.
"I'm James Potter and I do not love Lily Evans at all, ho ho m'boy that's right." Sirius mimicked, I assumed it was supposed to be me but it sounded like-
"Slughorn?!" I asked with my eyebrows raised. Sirius shrugged his shoulders mumbling that his mimicking was getting worse and worse.
I sniggered but when I was about to say something else Pompfery came in and ordered everyone to go, with one last look at the unconscious angel- (what the ruddy hell is ruddy wrong with me?! Unconscious angels ggeeezzz.) I went out of the room but halfway there my fellow marauders and I were interrupted by-
"Taylor?!" I asked, at her name she turned around, a grouchy look was there but when she realised it was me it turned a smile…
"Oh. Hey James." She said uncomfortably, even though I didn't really like her I was still a bit concerned.
"Hey, what's wrong?!" I asked gently.
"Oh, it's nothing," She sniffed, trying to hide a letter that was lodged in her hands, I saw it and pried it out of her hands, ignoring her comments.
Dear Miss Hartley,
We regret to inform you that there was a death-eater attack at the Hartley Hall, and neither of your parents survived, however we have spoken to your aunt and uncle and they have warmly agreed to take you in. You have my deepest sympathy as your parents were greatly admired in the Ministry of Magic, I hope you will follow their footsteps in joining our ministry.
Sincerely Jeremy Potter, Minister for magic.
"Oh." I am such an arse, no wonder she didn't want me to see it, the marauders leave quietly and now it's just Taylor and I.
"Taylor, I'm sorry. I didn't kno-"
"No, It's not your fault James," She whispers, I can tell she's crying and so I gingerly wipe the tears that are falling down onto her cheeks. She gives a watery chuckle and then the next thing I know she is sobbing at my chest. How the hell do you comfort a sobbing girl, do just stroke her back saying '.' ?! Cos that's what I did… I don't know if it helped or not, because she was still crying, but her wails seemed to soften.
Once she had done a lot of sniffling she looked up at me and smiled slightly.
Wow, ok I never realised that she is actually kind of cute…
Don't say that! She's the enemy!!
I said 'kind of'
But you like her better than Lily…
I don't like Lily!
Yeah yeah.
"Thanks James." She said wearily, I nodded my head and patted her back comfortingly.
"Do you wanna go back to the Common Room?!"
She shook her head and looked at me like I was a mass murderer "Merlin no! Not like this, I think I'm going to head to the Great Hall, get some food…"
Immediately I grabbed her hand and pulled her gently to a painting, ignoring her whining.
"It's a picture of fruit." She sniffed. I grinned at her, watching her frown become more confused as I started to tickle the pear that lay in the middle of a golden dish, it squeaked and giggled. After a few shrieks of laughter the pear turned into a doorknob.
"What's in there?!"
"Come in and see."
I grabbed her hand and pulled her through the painting, I heard her gasp and I too was always in awe. The Hogwarts Kitchens. The brick walls are decorated with paintings of the four houses, there's a large fire always roaring, emitting a nice pleasant warm feeling to the air. Not to mention once you go in you are constantly attacked by house elves that immediately begin to serve you at once, thrusting all kinds of foods and beverages under your noses and insisting you eat something, they simply won't take no for an answer.
Taylor is beaming around the room whilst giggling slightly as the elves inquire if this is my girlfriend.
GOD NO! "Nah." I say casually, the elves squeak with delight.
"Alright, can I get the usual please, Thornby?!" I ask this small house elf, I know all house elves are small, but Thornby is like the runt of all house elves, she has the most adorable green eyes, and they remind me so much of Lily's emerald eyes.
"Yes Mister Potter! Certainly Mister Potter! And what would the Missus like?!" Thornby says excitedly.
"Erm, can I just have a ham sandwich with a bottle of butter beer please?!"
As soon as she says it the elves have already conjured the food and now lead us to a wooden table. They leave us alone and continue doing… well whatever house elves do…
"Wow." She says again.
"It's amazing right!" I laugh; she looks at me and pouts her lips playfully.
"What you laughing at?!"
"Ah, nothing really. You're just so funny; you are completely in awe…"
"I am," She whispers seriously. I silent myself as I tuck into my ham and cheese quiche and listen to Taylor, "We never had a house elf, my parents insisted it was just slave labour, no matter how many times I said that the elves like to work." She laughed to herself at the memory but I could tell that tears were swelling in her eyes.
"Hey," I say gently, "Think about it this way, they're in a better place. Away from all this grief and endless war mongering."
She shrugs her shoulders "I suppose."
Then there is an uncomfortable silence between us and then suddenly Taylor's chair breaks and she falls into me, causing me to fall on the stone floor and her on top of me.
"Uff." We both groan.
"MISTER POTTER!" Thornby shrieks, with her very high pitched squeal I suddenly start to giggle.
"Taylor." I groan jokingly, "Gerrof me."
"Sorry." She blushes, she begins to stand, and I get that feeling when a comfortable warmth has left you, you want to stay like that forever, but you don't at the same time, so I push it hastily to the back of my head. Taylor and I are acquaintances, friend's maybe, but definitely nothing more, HELL NO!
We walk in silence back to the Gryffindor Common Room and we smile as we come to the separation of the stairs, the girls left, and the boys right.
"Well.." She sighs, "I had fun, thanks."
"We're friends right?!" I ask suddenly, merlin, I hope I didn't sound desperate then…
"Right?..."
"Good, because I need to go back to my dorm now, the others are probably waiting for me-"
"Yeah, same."
"So, bye." I smile quickly, I swear I hear her sigh, but I am not turning back. Friends and no more.
"So, what happened?!" Peter asks nonchalantly as I come into our dorms.
"Why?!" I ask suspiciously, they each have that scary look on their faces.
"Did you and Taylor kiss?!"
"What?! Sirius, I don't like Taylor… I mean I do, but I don't 'like' her… I'm just building up our friendship…"
"AHA!" Sirius screamed. "Unless, you and Taylor being all flirty is part of the plan to get Evans of your back?!"
"Really Pad-foot?! Well, why didn't I think of that…" I'm sure he detected my sarcasm because he frowns and then starts hitting me with his cushion.
"Padfoot. What the-ouch-hell?!" I laugh, his hits with a cushion really hurt actually.
"PILLOW FIGHT!"
(Lily POV)
Ouch. Head hurts. Throbbing. Headache… MAJOR headache, it won't stop. Wait a second, where the hell am I?! I was in the girl's dormitory before, now where am I.
"Miss Evans!" A voice shouted, it was kind of throaty and unfamiliar, but the voice sounded gentle.
"Drink up, Miss Evans. This will clear your head up."
"Okies." I slurred, I felt someone pour liquid down my throat, it smelt foul but once I had got over the smell, the taste was quite pleasing.
"There you go, Miss Evans. Now how many fingers am I holding up?!" Madam Pompfery asked.
"3." Pompfery nodded and smiled.
"You're all better now."
"What happened?!"
"You tripped, falling head first. I must remind you Miss Evans; fire-whisky is not for light drinkers." Pompfery sounded almost amused; she had a twinkle in her eye and smiled at me knowingly.
"Uh-hu. Ugh, my head hurts." I moaned.
Pompfery held out a blue potion, I eyed the label, - Hangover potion. Sighing and closing my eye (who knows what this is going to taste like!) I took a gulp.
"Ugh." I felt like I was going to be sick, but Pompfery forced me gently to take in the bottle.
"Better?!" I was about to scoff and retch, just giving a small 'no' but I actually did. Pompfery must have seen me recoil and smiled to herself again.
"Can I go?!" I asked hopefully, already swinging my legs off the hospital bed.
"Oh no you don't!"
"But, Madam Pompfery! There's a world out there!"
More like there's a James Potter…
You're not helping!
I don't mean to…
Oh?!
Why don't you listen to me for once
Why?!
Because, James Potter is about to come through that door… NOW!
"Uhh, Am I interrupting something?!" Came the voice of the only James Potter. Oh my merlin, how the hell did she do that?!
"No! What is it Mister Potter?!" Pompfery asked smoothly, removing her hands from my waist. I guess we did look as bit strange, the nurse's hands around my waist and me trying to escape, she was trying to make me stay in the hospital… just so you know…
"Professor McGonagall wanted to know how the patient is." He said to Pompfery, honestly, THE 'PATIENT'!! I'm ruddy Lily Evans, can't he even call me my last name??!!!
Apparently not…
I ignored the little voice in my head and glared at 'Potter'. If looks could kill he would be dead!! Dead as dead!!
"Well, maybe if you ask the patient you may know." And with that Pompfery went to check out another patient, he had boils all over his body, ouch.. they must burn.
"Ok then.." He frowned and then turned to me with a weird expression… I can't even describe it..
"You better then?! Not that I want to know… McGonagall does…"
"Yes, I am fine thanks." I say coldly, at least I hope so…
"Good." He says nonchalantly, not even looking at me.
"Good." I sniff.
He turned away from me and was about to go out of the hospital when he turned back, a giant mouth-watering smile placed on his lips.
"Oh yeah, everyone is coming to see you, so prepare to wear ear-plugs…" Before he's even finished talking the doors open and in come loads of people, Alice, Mari, Izz, Adam… quite a few, all coming in like a swarm of flies.
"LILY!!"
"ALICE!!" I laugh, mimicking her happy loud tone; she shrieks and runs to my bed, pulling me into a hug. Maria and Izz come and join it as well.
"Can I join ladies?!" Black asks us, his eyebrows waggling.
Izz snorts, "You wish Black."
He pulls out his tongue, winking at me slyly. I shake my head, trying to remove all thoughts of James Potter out of my head. I turn my head to the door and my green eyes meet hazel. Potter. He looks at me worriedly and sort of shifts his head uncomfortably, I turn my head away when I hear my name.
"Hi. I'm Matthew Parker. I don't know if you remember but-"
"Oh my merlin yes! We had potions last year!"
"Yeah, so you do remember." He grinned.
"Of course I do!"
"Miss Evans, Mr Parker was the one to bring you here, you should thank him." Pompfery smiled hurriedly, still working on the guy with boils…
"You brought me here?!" I asked with a smile.
"Err, yeah I did. But James helped as well, he carried the doors- NO I mean, he held open the doors.." Aww, poor Matthew, he's embarrassed now.
"Well, thanks Matthew, and you to Potter." James grunts and turns away, talking to Black and Remus. Remus is nice enough.
"Hey, Lily." Matthew asks again, he looks kind of nervous, so I smile to him reassuringly. "Well, there's this Hogsmead trip this week-end. And if you're feeling better I was wondering if you wanted to go with me…"