The Truth Of The Heart
Summary: Lily Evans has always, ALWAYS hated James Potter. So when they become Head Boy and Girl, nothing could be worse. But could working with him change Lily's opinion? Has she been ignoring the truth in her heart all along?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this….except a few minor characters, so please don't sue me, JKR, 'cause I have nothing you want….unless you're into human flesh (you're not, are you?)
A/N: Thank you guys all SO MUCH for your reviews – it's nice to know I haven't been forgotten! I would do review thank-yous, but if this fic gets taken down again for anything, it won't be going up again, so I won't risk it. Enjoy the reposted chapter 3! Seriously, I love you all LOADS!
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Chapter 3: Shocks and Consequences
"Finally!" Lily said, as she and Emma sat down in the Great Hall. Despite the fact that they were both rather damp (Peeves had decided to hold a water-balloon display in the entrance hall as the students arrived – his twisted way of celebrating, Emma had remarked), she was looking forward to some hot food and thought longingly of her warm bed up in the tower. Trying not to fall asleep, she focused on her plate.
That was when she noticed the envelope tucked under it, addressed to Lily Evans, Head Girl.
Curiously, she opened it, and removed a single piece of parchment. Her eyes skimmed over the words. 'Oh my . . .' she muttered, and she looked up the table to see James, who had apparently just read his letter, and was looking at her as well. For the few seconds that their eyes met, they both wore identical expressions of shock, although Lily's held some horror in it as well. She broke the gaze and banged her head down onto the table.
"Uhmm, Lily?" Emma questioned. She tapped Lily carefully on the back. "What exactly are you doing to the table?"
Lily's voice sounded muffled, but was quite clearly still full of despair. "Read the letter."
Retrieving the parchment from where it had fallen, Emma began to read, as Lily buried her head in her arms.
Dear Miss Evans,
We are pleased to congratulate you once more on becoming Head Girl. You will be working in partnership with the Head Boy, who this year is James Potter, also of Gryffindor. As role models for the rest of the school, the two of you are expected to work in co-operation with each other, and set aside any personal differences. Much responsibility is given to the Head students, and it is hoped that these new powers will not be abused.
As this letter may well be depriving you of a much-needed dinner, the full details of your jobs will be explained to you by Professor McGonagall. A weekly time slot has been set up, where you and Mr Potter will be able to discuss any business necessary, and it is expected that you will attend these meetings and devote at least two hours to the work given. You have kindly been granted permission by Professor McGonagall to use the Transfiguration classroom from 7 until 9pm on Monday evenings. Meetings will begin immediately.
With best wishes for the following year,
Albus Dumbledore
Minerva McGonagall
Emma looked at Lily. "What's so bad about this?"
Lily lifted her head and gave Emma a furious glare. "What's so bad? What's so BAD? Look at it! Work in partnership with James Potter? That I already knew, and screamed about. Work in co-operation and set aside personal differences? I'm sorry, but Potter and me? Co-operation? Not possible. And personal differences? There are so many, it'll take years to set them all aside! He'll spend half his time asking me out! And as for abusing powers, just watch Potter, Slytherin will have lost about two hundred points by the end of next week; you wait and see. AND I have to spend TWO HOURS locked in a classroom with HIM? What can we possibly - "
Much as Emma liked her friend, she was rather grateful when Professor Dumbledore rose to welcome everyone, cutting Lily off in the middle of her tirade.
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All too soon (in Lily's opinion), Monday evening arrived, and by 6 o'clock, she was in a mixed mood. Her classes had been fairly good, excepting Transfiguration, which she was beginning to worry about. On the other hand, the thought of spending two hours in a room with James Potter, trying to be polite, was not a happy one, and as the minutes ticked by, she began to dread the idea.
At ten to seven, Lily put her books away. She would have much preferred to stay in the library with Emma and do some reading, but she had no wish to get in Professor McGonagall's bad books on Day One.
Emma looked up in surprise as she got to her feet. "Surely you can't have finished all your homework this quickly?"
Lily nodded and picked up her bag. "Put it this way Em. At least if I feel the need to throw something at Potter after the meeting, I can do it without worrying that I have to finish a Potions essay as well." She smiled sardonically, and walked off.
"Good luck!" Emma called after her, earning herself a reproving glare from Madam Pince, the librarian.
With a sinking feeling, Lily reached the Transfiguration classroom and pushed the door open. Professor McGonagall was already waiting for her, and James was lounging on one of the chairs.
"Good evening, Miss Evans. Take a seat." Lily sat down on the chair next to James and dropped her bag on the floor.
"You're actually here on time, Potter?" she muttered.
"Oh, I usually am, just not for lessons," James replied, shooting her a grin that melted most girls' hearts. Lily remained untouched.
"Well, now that you are both here, I suppose I can begin. I know that the two of you do not always see . . . eye-to-eye." McGonagall eyed them both beadily, and the two seventh-years shifted uncomfortably. "However, the Headmaster and myself hope that as you seem to exhibit very worthy qualities in your own rights, you will be able to combine them and put them to good use."
"Your responsibilities as Head Boy and Girl are to set an example to the other students. You should at least try to keep up good grades, and stay out of childish fights." Here James grinned guiltily. "Unlike Prefects, you do not need authority to give out detentions, and you may take away points, providing that there are reasonable circumstances." Again, McGonagall gave James a Look, and continued. "You may have to deal with planning various school events and other things for the student body, and although you must make the plans, the Prefects are on hand to help you execute them."
Professor McGonagall looked down at a piece of parchment. "Now, your first task. I have no doubt that both of you are aware of the problems growing outside the school walls, both political and social. The Headmaster has decided that to raise the students' morale, two school events can be organised. They should be different, and involve the students in something enjoyable. Have you any ideas?"
For a few moments, there was silence.
"How about a fancy dress competition for the whole school?" James suggested. "We could hold it at Halloween, instead of the Feast, and have judges and things. We could even get some other entertainment as well!"
Lily considered the idea. "That might work," she said thoughtfully. "We could choose finalists, and then have a proper ball at Christmas where the winner could be announced."
"That would be an excellent proposal," Professor McGonagall said approvingly. "I shall pass it on to Professor Dumbledore. Do be aware that whatever you choose to do, it should be cost-effective. I'll leave you to discuss your options now." She stood up and gathered her books.
"You know, I do believe Dumbledore was right. When you two work together, you do appear to compliment each other very well." Giving them the merest hint of a smile, she swept out of the room. The door swung shut behind her.
James and Lily remained quiet, neither wanting to be the first to speak. Eventually, Lily sighed.
"Well, we're never going to get anywhere if we don't do anything. Are we decided on the fancy dress contest and the ball?"
To her surprise, James nodded. She hadn't expected him to be so . . . mature about this.
"Ok," she said briskly. Pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill, she began scribbling something down. James watched curiously. It appeared to be a list. She threw it across to him when she had finished.
"Halloween Contest," he read. "Things to consider. Name. Place. Food. Music. Drinks. Decorations. Time. Space. Order of events. Arrangements. Pre-contest and post-contest clearance. Judges. Commentator?" He put the list down. "It's going to be a lot of work. Honestly Lily, why'd you have to be so organised? It looks even worse this way."
For some reason, his remark stung. "Well maybe I just like being prepared," Lily said, her teeth gritted.
"Or maybe you don't like surprises," James shot back at her. "Just admit it Lily. You like to be in control of everything!"
"Like you don't?" Lily argued, her volume growing to match his.
"I don't!" Blotches of red appeared on James' cheeks and his hazel eyes were darkening. "I prefer to live life one day at a time and enjoy it. You think that if you haven't planned something in advance, it's going to be awful!"
"Oh and all of this comes from Mr I've-Never-Planned-Anything-In-My-Life-Least-Of-All-A-Prank?"
By this time, both of them were on their feet, Lily mentally psyching herself up for any insults coming her way, and so she was startled when James turned abruptly away from her. When he turned around again, his cheeks were back to normal, and his eyes had returned to their usual colour, although he was evidently still struggling to keep control of himself.
"This is exactly what we weren't supposed to do," he said, his voice at its original level.
Lily looked him in the eye for a moment, and seeing that he was sincere, made an effort to calm herself down too. "I guess we did turn into . . ."
"Monsters?" James supplied.
"Yeah." She looked around. "Maybe we should leave it here for today, in case we do something else . . . well, stupid."
James grinned. "Ok. We have the, uh . . . the basics sorted out." Sheepishly, he handed the now-crumpled list back to Lily.
Lily pushed it into her bag. "See you here next week Potter."
James paused, his hand on the doorknob.
"James," he said.
"Huh?"
"My name is James."
"I know that," Lily said, feeling confused.
"Well, maybe you should use it then." He smiled at her, and disappeared.
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Later on, Emma gasped as Lily told her what had happened.
"Lily!"
"What?" Lily threw a pillow at her.
"For heavens sake, Lils, are you COMPLETELY blind? You're telling me that James Potter actually did the adult thing for once and backed out of a fight with you? And he didn't even ask you out afterwards? Tell me that's not weird."
Lily considered it. Now that she thought about it, Emma was right. James had changed.
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A/N: So, there you go. Basically the same – just a few minor alterations where I've noticed a grammatical mistake. Feel free to leave a review – anything will do. The next chapter will be coming very soon!