Disclaimer: I only own the plot, the rest belongs to J.K. Rowling.
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Levitating my trunk onto a carriage, I grin at James trying to do the same a couple of metres away, while eating a Pepper Imp, so steam billows out of his ears as Sirius barks with laughter. Hearing someone calling my name, I spin around, and see Alice running towards me, dragging a protesting Frank by the hand.
"So you got back together then?" I inquire, and she beams.
"He was being stupid, and apparently slapping him gets rid of his stupidity. Well done, Lils."
I open my mouth to speak, but someone taps me on the shoulder. "Can I help you?"
Turning, I look at Sirius Black, who actually looks worried. "Evans, Prongs is fighting Mulciber, and he can't afford to-" I've already got my wand out, and I run around the corner past the carriages, to a clearing, where Mulciber and James are circling each other. James is spitting blood from his mouth, and the Slytherin has a bloody nose. "Break it up. NOW." I wave my wand, creating a Shield Charm between them, and the blond boy snarls.
"Awww...the Mudblood's come to save the blood traitor. How sweet." James growls and fingers his wand, rage clear on his face.
"Get going, Mulciber." I snap, as Sirius goes over to James.
"The Mudblood thinks she's worthy to speak my name, now, does she?"
Sirius grabs the back of James' robes to stop him jumping at the boy, who's impeded by my Shield Charm.
"At least I have enough brains to fill an eggcup. Tell me, how is it physically possible for you to get out of your cave every morning? You would think that would be impossible for you, seeing as it requires brain cells." Sirius laughs, and I break the Shield Charm as the wannabe Death Eater turns and strides away.
As I'm walking over to James and Sirius, a jet of white light cuts across the clearing, streaking across my face and cutting it, though only Sirius notices; James is too busy cursing Mulciber colourfully. I let out a groan, and watch as Sirius tries to convince James to go back to the carriages. After a few minutes of heated arguing, James sprints out off the clearing, and Sirius hurries over to me, frowning worriedly.
"You ok, Evans?"
"I think so. It won't stop bleeding though." I finger the small gash on my cheek.
"Cowardly git. Your back was turned."
"How did the fight start in the first place?"
"He insulted you, and Prongs told him to take it back. Yeah...it escalated from there."
"He would do that...for me?"
"Wow...you really don't know a thing about Prongs, do you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, he's done that plenty of times."
"Done what?"
"Fought with someone because of you."
"WHAT?!"
"Maybe I shouldn't have said that..."
"Who?! Who has he fought with because of me?"
"Only a couple of people..."
"A couple means 2! And that counts as a lot, Black!"
"Yeah, well Prongs is just like that."
"But why would he do that?"
"You really don't get it Evans?"
"NO!"
"He likes you."
What?
"What?" I say quietly, heart pounding. He couldn't, could he?
"Yeah, you may argue, but you are friends, I guess so he feels kind of protective."
"Right." I breathe a sigh of relief, ignoring the seed of disappointment in my chest.
James is just an arrogant toerag, who happens to be funny and protective and hot. Yep. Arrogant toerag.
"Who did he fight? Be honest."
He sighs as he lists the names, counting them off on his fingers.
"Mulciber, several times. Malfoy. Diggory, once. Boot, you know, the Ravenclaw prat in sixth year."
"Why, though? What did they do?"
"Insulted you, cheated on you after one date, going to ask you on a date for bad reasons, stuff like that."
"Wow...I had no idea... I've been horrible to him, and he's been looking out for me."
"Yeah...Oh Merlin."
"What?"
"The carriages will have gone."
With that, he picks me up and sprints out of the clearing, quickly putting me down in the last remaining carriage, before swinging himself in. "Got your trunk?" he isn't out of breath at all, which is MOST unfair, since I am panting, and I didn't even have to walk!
"Yeah, I shrunk it." I hold it out for him to see, and he nods appreciatively.
"Me too."
As the carriage speeds away into the night, I prod him hard in the arm.
"Oh and Black?"
"Yes, Evans?"
"I can run by myself, thanks."
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When we finally arrive at the Great Hall, James and Remus are waiting at the Front Door, sending the students towards their House tables. He notices us, and my heart can't help skipping a beat at his concerned expression.
James runs over, almost knocking over some second-year's and studies my face anxiously, his hands on my shoulders.
"What happened to you face, Lils?"
"Mulciber..."
"He hurt you?!" Hs face looks murderous, and his eyes are glinting dangerously behind his glasses.
Sirius cuts in, looking sheepish. "I tried to mend it, but-"
James punches him on the arm, and I can tell by Sirius' wince that it hurt.
"That's for not sending her back to the carriages after me, like you SAID you would."
"Yeah, but-"
"Ok," I say briskly, cutting off Sirius' retort. "You can argue later, but right now we need to go to the feast."
They mumble apologies and follow in after me. I sit down next to Alice, who is peering around excitedly near the head of the Gryffindor table, and James sits down on my other side.
"Hey Lily! James said you would be late. I heard we're getting a new professor!"
"Yay." I mumble sarcastically and James snorts. I look up at him and he winks, making me blush. Ducking my head to hide my flushed cheeks, I hear Sirius whisper something to him like 'break through' and him hissing beneath this breath, in the way that he does when he's happy.
Not that I've been watching him.
Professor Dumbledore stands up and everyone falls silent.
"Before we begin the Sorting, I would like to introduce our Head Students for this year. May Lily Evans and James Potter stand up, please." James stands up, and I do too, blushing wildly.
"I, as well as your fellow students, I'm sure, would like to wish you the best of luck." He starts to clap, and as the teachers begin, the students do too. I'm smiling bashfully when I feel James take my hand. Looking up at him, he cocks his head questionably, silently asking if it's okay. I grin, and squeeze his hand, then look out, around the Hall, at the clapping students and the scowling Slytherins.
I've never felt more proud.
Danke,
She-who-loves-fanfiction xx
