Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
~Lily~ Trust Your Friends, Not Rumors
"The house elves outdid themselves this year," Sirius said loudly. The group of friends were walking back to the Common Room after the Welcome Back Feast.
"No Padfoot. You outdid yourself. Honestly you've eaten an unhealthy amount of Treacle Tarts," James scolded.
"They are divine," Sirius said dreamily. He threw his arm around Marlene and kissed her cheek with a loud smack.
"Gross," Peter said scrunching his nose. Lily looked over her shoulder to see Emmeline and Remus falling behind a bit. Remus reaching for her hand and Emmeline blushing and smiling too. Lily smiled to herself, watching all her friends falling in love around her. Marlene had Sirius, Remus had Emmeline, Mary had Reginold Cattermole (a Hufflepuff in their year), and even Peter had Joanne Brocklehurst. Everyone had someone, even James had Melissa, even if he really didn't like her that much he still had someone. And Lily knew she should feel left out, but she was perfectly content. She had all her friends. Lily was lost in her happy thoughts when a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Lily," the voice said. She gulped and turned around. She already knew who it was and she couldn't believe he was trying to strike a conversation here around James and Sirius of all people.
"Snape," Lily said trying to make her voice sound unforgiving, which was not difficult for her. She was still upset with him and she did not fancy seeing him.
"Snivellus. I'd recommend that you leave now, before things get out of hand," Sirius said pulling his wand out.
"I just want to talk," Severus pleaded to Lily, ignoring Sirius' words. He seemed desperate and scared, very unlike the boy she knew. Severus always kept his emotions under lock and key, except for his anger. This was concerning and it scared Lily.
"You lost the right to do that when you called her that awful word," James said, raising his wand higher.
"James stand down," Lily asked. She wasn't sure what was going on with Snape, but she didn't want them to get into another fight. She didn't need them to play the hero for her.
"You're seriously giving this tosser the time of day?" James said outraged. Sirius and Marlene already had their wands out, ready to fight beside James. Remus had his hand on his wand, only defensively.
"Just give us a moment," Lily begged. James looked like he'd never leave that spot, the determination and distrust was plenty evidence. But Remus came over and pulled him away.
"I'm not happy about it either, but Lily can make her own decisions," Remus told James and Sirius. James nodded and entered the Common Room hastily, as if that would help him make sure she was alright. Once everyone left, Lily turned to her old friend and said, "I'm not happy with you. But what's going on?"
"I'm sorry," he said, just like he had months ago.
"I'm not going to accept your apology any more than I did last time. But I'm out here because you look frightened out of your mind and I'd like to know why," Lily said fiercely.
"It's- it's the Dark Lord. He's becoming restless. He's attacking more and more Mud- Muggles and Muggleborns," Snape began.
"Tell me it's not true," Lily gasped, "You aren't a- You called him the Dark Lord!" Thoughts crashed in her head. He couldn't be a Death Eater, could he? Her best friend Severus from Spinner's End couldn't, but the new Snape. The brooding Snape who makes Dark Spells and calls her Mudblood, possibly. She didn't want to believe it.
"No. I'm not a Death Eater, but I can protect you. The Dark Lord he- he knows about you. He knows you're talented and would look past your blood status if you pledge your allegiance to him. You'd be safe Lily," Snape said, reaching for her hand. She quickly pulled away.
"It's as if you don't know me at all. And to be quite honest, I'm not sure if I know you anymore either. I would never and will never join a man as evil and discriminatory as him. And that you'd think I'd go against people of my blood status to save myself disgusts me. Sev, YOU disgust me," Lily shouted, her voice echoing in the empty halls.
"I love you, Lily. I'd do anything to save you," Snape begged. She loved him too, deep down she knew it.
"Well that's the thing, isn't it. I don't need your help. I don't want your love. I'd rather die fighting than live as a sorry excuse of a human being," Lily said. She was disgusted and horrified at what Snape had become. He had stooped so low.
"You love Potter, don't you? That's why you are saying these things. You used to tell me that you despised him, Lily. What happened?" Snape said quietly.
"A lot, Snape. James used to be a bully, and I'd be the first to remind him. But he changed, he matured and he grew up. He has been there for me and he is fighting for the right side. He cares about everyone, but doesn't care about blood status. He'd never betray his friends, or delve in the Dark Arts. He loves his family and friends. He's brave and funny and strong and intelligent. And most importantly, he's a damn good person. And that's more than you could say for yourself. You're a coward who hides behind his friends," Lily said viciously. She wasn't going to stand for Snape to call James Potter a bad person. At the word coward, Snape looked taken aback. Her bright green eyes glowered at him.
"You don't understand, Lily! Potter and his mates are sheltered prats. They don't know the first thing about the real world!" Snape said passionately. And before Lily knew what was happening, she felt her fist aiming at his face and heard a loud CRACK. Snape was backing up, trying to catch the blood dripping fast from his nose. He swore in pain and looked at Lily like she was a stranger.
"I won't stand for it, Snape. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter are anything but sheltered. They've been through so damn much and are still stronger than you. So don't say another word about them or a broken nose will be the least of your worries," Lily said scowling. She had never felt so angry in her life, her fist was throbbing a bit, and she felt like crying.
"I'll leave you alone. I guess we really are destined for separate paths," Snape said wistfully, "I'll love you always, Lily. And I'm forever sorry," He ignored the blood spilling from his nose. And Lily felt guilty but she knew she was in the right. Snape turned and walked away and Lily slumped against the wall. She felt the tears come and then the portrait swung open. It was James.
"It's ok, Lils," James reassured, sitting next to her. Lily rested her head on his shoulder.
"Who's blood is that? Did he fight you?" James asked worried, he held her tighter. Lily shook her head no.
"I punched him," she said after a while. James made a sound of amazement.
"Did you forget you were a witch?" James said smiling. He knew just what to say to make her feel a bit better. She even smiled back at him.
"I was just so mad, I couldn't think," Lily said. James waited, as to let her continue if she wished, "He wanted me to join the Death Eaters because You-Know-Who would be willing to overlook my blood status, because I'm a good witch. I told him that You-Know-Who and him both disgusted me. Then he started saying how I should hate you."
"What'd you say?" James said, brushing her tears away.
"I told him that you were a good person and that you had changed from when we were younger. Then I told him that he was a coward. And he said that you, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were all sheltered prats. That's when I punched him. I didn't even know I was doing it, I was furious. The four of you have been through so much and for Snape to say that, well it got to me," Lily sniffled.
"I've never been so proud in my life," James said grinning. Then he looked serious, "But I have to admit, I am rather sheltered. I'm pureblood and my parents are rich and spoil me. All of you have problems that I can't even dream of dealing with."
"You don't give yourself enough credit, James. You are here, admitting that you have it easy, but you are doing everything you can to help your friends. You carry their burdens and try to fix their problems. So sure you might not face the same issues as Sirius, Remus, or Peter but you do everything you can to make their lives easier. I mean you became an Animagus for crying out loud. And your family practically adopted Sirius. So don't think less of yourself."
"You forgot yourself. You have to face discrimination from purists. I can't imagine facing them. And your sister and you don't have the best relationship either. And you have an evil ex-best friend on top of it all. You are so damn strong Lily Evans," James said touching her cheek.
"You're sweet," she said smiling. Then she saw a bit of mischief and nervousness on his face. The look that said 'I have an idea'. He jumped onto his feet and offered her his hand.
"I need to show you something," James said. She took his hand, unsure what was going on.
"Where are we going?" Lily asked as he pulled her through the portrait.
"Boy's dormitory," he responded. Uh oh, Lily thought. She didn't want him to get any ideas. Sure, she thinks he's handsome and a great person, but that doesn't mean she likes him. Right?
"What are we doing there?" she questioned. She knew that if worst came to worst she had her wand and could hex him. But the thing isn't she trusted that he wouldn't do anything she was uncomfortable with, but that she wasn't sure she'd want to stop him. So she let herself get pulled up the stairs, ignoring looks from wide-eyed third years. James swung the door open to see his three dormmates all inside, slightly shocked to see Lily.
"What's goin' on?" Peter asked as James rummaged through his trunk.
Lily shrugged and said, "I'm in the dark on this one."
"Here," James said, tossing miscellaneous objects on his bed. There was a mirror, a piece of parchment, and a cloak.
"What is it?" Lily said looking around. "Well that's the mirror you used in the Dungeons and in Diagon Alley. You had that parchment in the Dungeons too."
"Well as I'm sure you figured out, this mirror is used to call it's pair. Sirius has the other and they are connected, so we call each other like a muggle tellypone. All we have to do is say each other's name," James explained and Sirius pulled out his mirror.
"It's telephone, and that's wicked. Where did you get them?" Lily asked as she picked up the mirror.
"My parents gave them to me for my 13th birthday. We mainly use them to talk when we are in separate detentions, but they've helped us out of some tight situations.
"Will it work if someone else is using them or is it only connected to your names. Like if I'm holding Sirius' would you have to say Sirius' name or mine?" Lily asked.
"I think it would work with your name," James said shrugging. Then he picked up the parchment, "And this... this is another closely guarded secret. This is the Marauder's Map." James unfolded the seemingly blank piece of parchment and said 9 words.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Lily watched, she wasn't sure if it was a joke or something. But then thin ink lines began to spread from the point that his wand had touched. They crisscrossed and touched every corner or the page. Then in large and curly green ink it read: Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present THE MARAUDER'S MAP.
Lily looked at the map, it showed every detail of the Hogwarts, inside and out. The truly amazing part was the tiny ink dots attached to each name, written in tiny handwriting that matched Remus'. It showed where every single person was. It even showed Filch's cat roaming the 3rd floor corridor. Lily's eyes scanned the page. And there was Marlene and Mary in the Common Room. And then she saw herself, surrounded by the 4 boys. She took a few steps to the right while she looked at the map and her dot moved with her. She stood there shocked and kept her eyes glued to the parchment. She saw Adrian Woodluck's labelled dot was almost directly on top of Lucinda Talkalot, the pair of them were in a broom closet on the 5th floor and it was information that she could've lived without knowing.
"This is incredible," Lily exclaimed. "How did you do this?"
"Well it all started back in first year. You see, Wormtail here, he could never remember where anything was in the castle. And then we kept finding all these secret passages. They mostly lead to Hogsmeade. This one is behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy, we found it our first year. Then this one is behind the mirror on the fourth floor, it's very roomy. Then to get to the Shrieking Shack, you take this tunnel here. And if you say 'Dissendium' at the one-eyed-witch statue it leads into the cellar of Honey Dukes. And there's a few others as well. All of them were quite useful, especially when Sirius' parents refused to sign his permission slip to Hogsmeade in 3rd year. And we figured it would be useful to know where Filch and other authority figures were so we could escape them easier," James said with a casual elegance, as if this incredible piece of magic wasn't a big deal.
"How does it track everyone?" Lily said, then she remembered something. A charm that could be fatal if done incorrectly, "Wait, no way. Please tell me it isn't the Homunculus Charm! Damn you! That's incredibly dangerous if you get it wrong! You all could've died!"
"Calm down, Red. We almost die quite often, you'll get used to it," Sirius said lounging on his bed.
"I can't believe you guys did all of this. I mean I knew you guys snuck out on occasion and did quite a few pranks, but the level of illicit spells is insane. It's insane yet incredible," Lily said overwhelmed. "So it can only be opened if you say 'I solemnly swear I'm up to no good?"
"Yup," James said smiling at her.
"That's quite cheesy I hope you know," she teased. "So this is how you found me that day in the dungeons."
"Yeah it's Rule 1. And also today, that's how I knew Snape was gone," James admitted.
"So you were spying on me?" Lily raised an eyebrow as she said it.
"Technically not, I mean I couldn't listen or see you. Just where you were," James defended.
"So stalking, yeah?" Lily amended.
"Well when you put it like that..." Sirius said.
"I'm only kidding, but this is so cool. So this shows every single room in the castle?" Lily asked. James sighed and looked poutily to his friends.
"No. It shows every room and secret passage that we know of, except one room just seems unplottable. Ever heard of the Come and Go room?" Remus asked. He seemed frustrated that it couldn't be plotted. Lily shook her head.
"Well the house-elves told us about it once. We needed a place to hide after a full moon. Mrs. Norris caught us coming back in and Filch would've found us with the house-elves sooner or later. And we were trying to make it back to the Common Room, but Prongs' leg got broken during the night and we were moving slowly. So the room presented itself to us in a time of need. Inside was everything that we could've needed. It had medical supplies to clean up our wounds and it had beds for the night," Remus told her, "This all happened back when we were designing the Map and the next day we tried plotting it, but no matter how many times we tried, it always disappeared. We tried all different types of inks and quills with an assortment of charms, but it wouldn't work. It was quite frustrating and it isn't that we claim to know every secret of Hogwarts, but I think we are pretty close."
"Yeah, like did you know that the sink in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom drains into the lake. You sort of just jump right into it and suddenly you're swimming. We couldn't plot that either since it's in the pipes, but it's a useful backup plan," Sirius told her.
"Also there's a bunch'a shortcuts in the castle. Behind that wizard statue on the first floor is a passage that leads to the third floor and it's covered by wood panelling," Peter said. "Got me outta some trouble a few times."
"Jesus," Lily said, "And I thought I knew the castle pretty well." She said in a shocked laugh.
"Easy to find things when you're looking for them," James said shrugging.
"Woah, it even tracks Peeves!" Lily said excitedly, "I had no idea the charm extended to Poltergeists and animals. It said nothing about that in the books I read."
"We didn't know either, but it's useful I suppose," Remus told her.
"I can't believe you did this. I feel like I'm dreaming," Lily said. These boys were so incredibly genius. How they had time to do all of this and still excel in their classes was beyond her.
"If I knew you'd like it so much, then I would have shown it to you ages ago," James joked.
"Can I see you all?" Lily asked.
"Love, I'm afraid you already can," Sirius said teasingly.
"I mean in your Animagus forms, you prat," Lily said with a laugh. Sirius grinned at her, brushing his dark hair from his face, before suddenly shrinking. Fur sprouting from his skin and becoming more and more dog-like. He had long shaggy black hair and the very same grey eyes. Although they looked less calculating as a dog. Sirius trotted over to where Lily stood, slightly shocked, and she reached down and started petting him. She pet his silky black hair, running her fingers across his back. Hesitating only when she came across a patch of furless skin. She frowned, looking at the white line streaking across his back. Now that she looked closer she saw similar scars crisscrossing throughout his fur.
"Is this-?" Lily asked, not able to fully articulate. Her eyes unintentionally found Remus', who looked away ashamed. Sirius transformed back to his human form.
"Yeah," James answered, "We've all got scars, but they don't hurt us too bad in Animagus form. We've all got a higher tolerance for pain as animals." Lily cursed herself for making Remus feel ashamed.
"Alright, what about you and Peter then?" Lily asked, desperate to change the topic.
"Mine's kinda unimpressive if you's comparin' it to them," Peter told her with a shrug. Lily opened her mouth to reassure him, but his had already shrunk into his rat form. The rat seemed frightened and skirmished at being in the presence of such tall beings. It crawled onto one of the beds by digging it's nails into the quilt. Lily smiled at Peter and held her arm out for him to climb onto. And he crawled into the palm of her hand.
"Careful, Red, beasty creatures like him probably have rabies," Sirius taunted. Peter quickly jumped out of Lily's hand, before returning to human form. He took a swig from a flask on his bed. Lily frowned at Sirius.
"I liked you better as a dog," Lily said. Sirius looked at her with a grin, before turning to Peter.
"What's that on your lip, Pete? Are you foaming at the mouth?" Sirius asked. Peter wiped his mouth.
"Go take the mickey out on someone else. It's from my Butterbeer," Peter said raising his flask.
"Hey it's a sound worry. Who knows if Animagi can carry over diseases," Sirius said, with a not so subtle glance at Peter. Lily knew what he was trying to do. And she was about to tell him to leave Peter alone, but Peter handled it himself.
"Well then shouldn't you go on and get checked for fleas," Peter quipped, "We didn't wanna have'ta tell you Padfoot, but you've been itchin' yourself kinda a lot ev'ry Full Moon for quite some time now." Sirius opened his mouth in outrage as everyone started laughing.
"I do not!" Sirius said loudly. "I take pride in my hygiene and hair, unlike you, you ugly rat." Lily realized then and there that they were joking with each other. If it was any other group of people, then someone would've ran away crying.
"Peter, I think you're a very pretty rat," Lily said, fluttering her lashes at him.
"Not prettier than me as a stag!" James said abruptly. Lily laughed.
"Well let's see it then. So far I've seen a very pretty rat and a flea-ridden dog-"
"I do not have fleas!" Sirius shouted.
"Only joking, Sirius. You're a very cute doggo," Lily reassured.
"That's right," he said with a smirk. James was frowning at them.
"You have my full attention, James," Lily said. And James transformed. Becoming a large buck with beautiful antlers that resembled ivory and a muscular body covered in short light brown hairs, except where scars crisscrossed his body. He was a majestic creature sitting in the middle of a Hogwarts dormitory. Sirius as a dog and Peter as a rat didn't seem so incredibly out-of-place like James did. And the stag took up a good part of the room, giving him no room to move without breaking multiple objects. So then he transformed back into James. Lily stared at him blankly for a second as he adjusted his glasses and was back to normal.
"You're a beauty James. A true sight for sore eyes," Lily said, trying to sound teasing. But James blushed and she hoped he didn't take it the wrong way or the right way. She wasn't sure what she meant. So she laughed nervously and avoided his eyes.
"Are there any other secrets I should know?" Lily asked hopeful. She couldn't believe the sorts of magic they possessed. James motioned to the cloak on his bed, it shimmered in a translucent type of way.
"Put it on, go ahead," Sirius ushered. Lily picked up the cloak and threw it over herself. It had a musty old smell and she was promptly disappointed. It wasn't particularly exceptional as far as she could tell. The boys realized this and smirked at her, waiting for her to get it. Lily looked down confused, but her body wasn't there. Well she was there, she just couldn't see herself.
"An invisibility cloak?" she said in amazement. She knew that plenty of people made knock-offs with bad disillusionment charms, but this one had no flaws. It kept her completely invisible.
"Yeah, it's a family heirloom," James told her, "Passed from father to son." Lily spun around in amazement, watching her invisible self.
"Does the Map pick up on an invisible person?" Lily asked.
"It does actually. We wanted to be able to see everyone. But we had to make some accommodations to that. It will pick up on Animagi in their animal form, but only if the user knows that the person is an Animagi. We wanted our secret to be safe in that regard, in case anyone found the Map before it was closed," James said.
"How do you close it?"
"Mischief managed," James said placing his wand gently onto the map. Lily watched as the thin ink lines faded, leaving the map as inconspicuous as before. She thought that the closing words were cheesy too, but she didn't mention it.
"This is all so incredible," Lily said, unable to contain her excitement. She sat on one of the boys beds and laid back. "I'm not saying it was alright, but I understand a bit more why you all were so snooty when you were younger. Not you Remus, of course. Or Peter for that matter."
"Oi, I feel personally attacked. What about you Prongs?" Sirius exclaimed pretending to be offended.
"Yeah me too!" James said playing along.
"It was a compliment!" Lily said.
"Really? Would you mind saying it a bit nicer?" Sirius asked batting his eyelashes. Lily laughed.
"James, Sirius. You are less arrogant than you used to be," Lily said her voice dripping with false sincerity, "Better?" James punched her shoulder lightly.
"Say it like you mean it," James insisted.
"You all are geniuses," Lily said truthfully. "and I admire the impressive magic you've accomplished, despite the illegality of it all."
"Better," James said, tackling Lily onto the bed. Lily yelled playfully and tried to get away.
"Don't make me hex you, James," Lily said threateningly.
"I suppose a genius like myself could take you," James teased.
"I shouldn't have said anything at all," Lily moaned. She reached for her wand, that was pressed between her and the bed. She decided to use a tickling spell on James, so he could get a taste of his own medicine. She nonverbally cast the spell and James jumped off of her, wheezing from laughing. Lily released the jinx and smirked at James who was lying on the floor.
"Feisty, aren't you? Like a tiger," Sirius said appreciatively.
"A tiger, Padfoot?" Remus said chuckling.
"Yeah, that striped cat thing we learnt about in Muggle Studies," Sirius said.
"I didn't know you took Muggle Studies," Lily said. She didn't think Sirius would be one to do that. He didn't seem like the type.
"Oh, well I only did it because it'd piss off my family. I think I'm the first Black to ever take Muggle Studies," he joked, but Lily could hear the pain beneath it. Her heart panged when she heard it, she knew how he felt. Maybe not to the same extent, but she empathized.
"I didn't know you paid attention in Muggle Studies," Remus jibed.
"I happen to have 7 O.W.L.s last year, so watch your mouth," Sirius said back.
"I got 7 too!" Remus exclaimed.
"Yeah, well I took harder classes than you," Sirius bickered.
"They seem to have forgotten that I got 9 O.W.L.s. But I'll just let them fight it out," James whispered to Lily. Lily had got 9 O.W.L.s as well. She was quite proud when she got the owl with her results.
"-never studied a day in your life," Remus said.
"Oi, calm down. How did this even start?" James said, breaking their argument up.
"Oh I thought of a brilliant nickname for Red," Sirius said smugly.
"No, I said that you never pay attention in Muggle Studies," Remus corrected.
"Yeah, but while you were insulting my brilliance, I was forming a genius nickname. Because naturally all the greatest thinkers can multi-task."
"What is it?" James queried.
"Tigerlily," Sirius grinned. Lily didn't actually mind it. She figured it could be a lot worse coming from the Marauders. I mean the only dog related nickname they could fathom was Padfoot, really? "We also learnt about some muggle flowers back in third year and that one was all red, like your hair!"
"What d'you think?" James asked.
"Fine with me," Lily said with a shrug. Then Marlene burst through the doors.
"James, Melissa is outside the Common Room and she's furious," Marlene said looking concerned, as if Melissa was extremely dangerous.
"Bloody hell," James said, "Is she really mad?" Lily knew that James could already tell the answer. The look on Marlene's face was rather explanatory.
"I'd say either transfer to Durmstrang or be ready to get into a row," Marlene advised.
"What did I do?" James asked.
"Well some fourth year told Amelia, that's Melissa's sister, that you were comforting a crying Lily and took her up to your dorm by the hand. And Amelia must've told Melissa. I always liked Amelia, she's a brilliant witch," Marlene explained. Lily and James both winced, it sounded bad and it was true. And Lily felt bad for causing James' girlfriend to get so upset.
"Maybe it's for the best, I don't really fancy Melissa that much anyway," James said. He looked sheepishly at Lily and Lily blushed. She didn't know where she and James stood. Her stomach flipped at the uncertainties.
"Well I wouldn't go into it like that. If she breaks up with you then you're fine, but if she doesn't then today isn't the best time to break up with her," Remus said thoughtfully.
"Yeah I guess," James sighed, "I should go." He walked out the door and looked back into the room as if he wished he could stay there instead. Then he disappeared down the stairs and was gone. Lily said goodbye to the Marauders and her and Marlene walked towards their room.
"So if you weren't snogging James, then what were you doing?" Marlene asked, stopping in the hallway.
"Not much," Lily lied. She hated doing it, but like James said it was Remus' secret to tell.
"Does 'not much' have anything to do with what they needed to talk in private with you about on the train," Marlene pressed. Marlene and her never kept secrets and she knew that Marlene needed something to be satisfied.
"Well they wanted to give me an official Marauder's nickname now that I was well- their friend," Lily said. She didn't want Marlene to be upset with her or betray the Marauders.
"So..."
"So what?" Lily said confused.
"What's your new friendship nickname?" Marlene asked, Lily thought she heard some bitterness.
"Tigerlily. Sirius thought he was brilliant coming up with it. Apparently they learnt about flowers in Muggle Studies," Lily said in a light-hearted tone.
"Sirius gave you a nickname?" Marlene asked. And this time Lily definitely heard the bitterness and hurt.
"Well it was more a collective effort, I suppose," Lily explained. She was trying to do damage control.
"Okay," Marlene said, her voice hollow.
"What's wrong Marls?" Lily asked.
"I don't know. I mean, Sirius and I are wonderful together. But neither of us are actually relationship material. Y'know what I mean?" Marlene explained. Lily shook her head in confusion. "Well Sirius, he has always been a snog only type relationship, never anything more. And I have basically been the same, except I'd keep the guy around for a while longer. But once Sirius and I started snogging it was different, we stayed together for months. Not exclusively nor defined, but we always came back to one another. Until we broke up, but even then we got back together eventually. But now we've been 'dating' for a few days and nothing has changed. Our relationship was always casual at most and the only difference is that now he'll hold my hand in public."
"And do you want more from him?" Lily said still confused.
"I'm not sure. I don't need like a public declaration of love. I just want him to put in more effort now that we are dating," Marlene said shakily, "And it's the first day back and he isn't spending it with me. He spent it with his friends, which I understood, but then they are including you in their little group."
"And you feel left out," Lily finished, "Not because he isn't spending every minute with you, but because they are taking me in when you are the one dating Sirius." Marlene nodded.
"Am I a horrible person?" Marlene asked touching Lily's arm.
"Of course not Marls. You are my best friend and I'd never stand for a horrible best friend. You're great and I understand. But don't worry, it's only the first day back and they just wanted to give me a nickname. That's all," Lily comforted her, "Now go hang out with your boyfriend." Marlene smiled, washing away the sadness.
"Come with me. Let's see how James is doing," Marlene said.
"No, I think I'm going to settle in. I haven't been to the room yet," Lily told her. She didn't want to intrude on her friend and she had a lot to think about concerning her new Maraudership.
"Alright Lils, I'll see you later," Marlene waved before turning around. Lily smiled and waved before entering the dorm. Only Emmeline and Dorcas were inside. Lily figured Mary was off with Reginold Cattermole. They were very cute together and absolutely perfect. Both were quiet and caring and loving. And it made her heart swell to see the two of them so happy and in love together.
"Hey," Lily said as she entered.
"Hey Lily," Emmeline said, "Have you seen Remus?" Lily was expecting the question and didn't want to go through the same situation as she did with Marlene.
"Yeah, he's with the guys in their room," Lily said sitting down on her bed.
"Ok. What did you all talk about during the train ride? Did he mention me?" Emmeline interrogated.
"Oh... er no. We didn't mention dating or anything like that. But I'm pretty tired, I think I'm going to get to bed. First day of classes tomorrow after all," Lily said cutting the conversation short, with a fake cheeriness. The two girls said goodnight and Lily closed her bed curtains. But Lily was in no state of mind to fall asleep. She wanted to think about how incredible the Marauder's Map is and how rare the cloak is, but the thing at the front of her brain was if James and Melissa broke up or not. Lily didn't know why her brain was obsessing, and it really wasn't all that important. Hypothetical scenarios of Melissa and James falling in love ran through her brain. What if they didn't break up? What if they eventually get married and have kids? Lily saw them kissing in front of an altar. What if James didn't love Lily anymore? Did she fancy him after all? And images of James' lips were present as she fell asleep.
When she woke, a note was placed on her pillow beside her head. Her heart leapt, her first thought was that it was from James. It wasn't and she hated that she was so disappointed. She unfolded the note and it read:
Miss Lily Evans,
Please join me in my office this Friday at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I ask you not to share this note with anyone else and to come to the meeting alone.
-Professor A.P.B. Dumbledore
P.S. I enjoy Ice Lollies
~James~ Conquests and Quidditch
James walked down the dimly lit corridors. It would've been a good time for him to clear his head and think, that is if it weren't for the hand in his. James looked over at Melissa to remind himself that she was still here. She was staring at him, with puppy eyes. He looked away and sighed. He wishes that Melissa had broken up with him a few weeks ago when they had that big row, but she insisted on working it out.
The conversation went like this:
"Hey Melissa, how-" James said, but his calm words were cut off by screams.
"Don't act nice, James! What's going on with you and Lily!?" Melissa shrieked. James winced and tried not to flinch.
"Look Mel, I'm not sure what you've heard, but me and Lily are only friends," James informed her.
"Do you always comfort your crying friends then bring them up to your room by the HAND!?" Melissa shouted, her face so red. James wasn't sure why holding someone's hand was such a big issue, but Melissa didn't seem very rational.
"Lily is one of my close friends and she was just being harassed by Snivellus. So I figured she could use a laugh so the Marauders and I cheered her up for a bit. I promise that nothing happened," James insisted. He didn't know why he was trying to defend himself, if he wanted her to break up with him. He just couldn't let anyone get away with calling him unfaithful. He waited for her to rehash it and scream some more, but she didn't.
"Do you love me, James?" Melissa asked.
"What?"
"Do you love me. Simple yes or no," Melissa repeated. James felt his stomach churn. He didn't want to lie to her, he was horrible at lying, but telling the truth would upset her.
"Er, no I don't, but we've only been dating for a few days," James said quickly.
"Do you love her?" Melissa asked referring to Lily. James knew he had to lie. He couldn't tell the truth, he just couldn't.
"Lily and I are just friends," he insisted, not wanting to say the words outright.
"That isn't what I asked."
"Well I'm in a relationship with you, aren't I? If you'd like to change that then go ahead and continue interrogating me," James said getting mad.
"I didn't mean to- I just-" Melissa muttered.
"Well I'm going inside. I'll see you tomorrow," James said briskly before turning around.
"Do I get a kiss?" she asked sweetly. James faced her and just felt sick to his stomach. Not that there was anything wrong with Melissa, just that he couldn't stand that she wasn't Lily.
"Alright," James said awkwardly, before pecking her lightly. "'night."
"Goodnight James," Melissa said cheerily.
James was brought back to reality as Melissa tried to escort him into a secluded corridor to snog.
"Oi," James said in surprise, "Stop that, will you." James spotted Lily coming towards them. She was walking beside a male figure, he couldn't tell who. But the bloke was making her giggle. The past few weeks they had got along fine, but whatever romantic moments they had shared were now nonexistent. It was like she was distancing herself from him, not as a friend, but as whatever they were. He knew that the both of them had almost kissed at the party and they had held hands on many occasions. They shared secrets and adventures and it made James happy. But now that James and Melissa had been dating for almost a month, him and Lily were plainly platonic. Not that he could blame her, or maybe he was just imagining that they were sharing romantic moments anyway. He hated that Melissa and him were still together. And Lily was super nice to Melissa too, always inviting her to be included and asking him how things were with Melissa. Not only was she nice to Melissa, she was extremely nice to the Marauders. A few days after they got back from holiday, it had been the full moon. And the entire day Lily was nervously glancing at Remus' empty seat. She walked with them to the castle gates and begged them to be safe. She waited up all night in the hospital until they returned. And when they got there she hugged everyone for the longest time, it was sweet seeing her concern and love. She waited with Remus until he was well again, refusing to gasp when she saw all of their scars. It was the first time she called them by their nicknames and James knew. He knew she was everything.
"Is that Lily?" Melissa said, peering around the corner. Lily and the boy went into an unused classroom. Alone. James gulped and hurried out of the hallway, heading back to the Common Room. "Who's she off with? Never thought I'd see her as a Prefect sneaking around with a bloke after curfew."
"James! Where are you going?" Melissa called out behind him. She ran up to meet him. "What the hell?"
"Sorry, I've just remembered that I... um I promised that I'd tutor Wormtail tonight. I have to go, I'm sorry," James said, kissing her cheek and running in the opposite direction. He barged into the Common Room and bounded up the stairs. Only Remus was inside, but James didn't stop to chat with him. He grabbed the map and searched for Lily's dot. Aha! She was with Benjy Fenwick in an empty classroom. And James had a feeling what they were doing and he didn't like it. He ran a hand through his hair and flopped back onto his bed.
"Alright Prongs?" Remus asked.
"Lily's with Fenwick in an unused Charms classroom," James told him.
"Oh," Remus didn't seem to know what to say.
"Well how are things with you and Emmeline?" James asked trying to distract himself.
"We get along well enough. I mean I really like her and all, I just don't know how the relationship would fare with me disappearing once a month," Remus confessed. "And it isn't like I haven't snogged a girl before, I just haven't ever had a real relationship. Which is what I want with Emmeline."
"I think that you can't really worry about how it'll affect you, because if the relationship isn't strong enough then it isn't meant to be. Besides, you don't want to get emotionally invested in someone who doesn't trust you or accept your condition," James told him. "But don't worry. I'm sure there's a lovely gal out there for you."
"I suppose," Remus said, "But you already have your soul mate in your sights, so you don't have to worry."
"D'you mean Lily?" James asked. He loved Lily with all his heart, but if she didn't love him back then they couldn't be soul mates. Relationships were a two-sided thing and it didn't seem as if Lily's stance on their relationship would change.
"Of course, who else?" Remus smiled.
"Well if you can't tell, both of us are apparently with other people," James pointed out. But he hated that he reminded himself that Lily was frolicking with Benjy Fenwick.
"C'mon Prongs. The two of you are perfect for each other," Remus insisted.
"Yeah, but that doesn't matter if she won't give me a shot," James said depressingly.
"Well how is she supposed to give you a shot if you're pushing her away?"
"Me? I have been more than clear that I like her," James told him.
"Yeah, but in a few short months she became one of your best friends. And that's when you decided to spring on her that you love her then run off and get a girlfriend whom you hate before she could even sort out her feelings," Remus said, "She obviously feels like she can't get close to you anymore because it would ruin your current relationship. Because just the fact that you comforted her, almost made you and Melissa break up."
"Well if she wants to get closer with me then why wouldn't she want to break me and Melissa up? I sure as hell wouldn't mind," James said.
"Prongs, you have to understand. Lily isn't like any other girl. She isn't going to be manipulative or cunning in order to get something done. And now everyone is telling her that she needs to date you and it's making her feel like she can't give in even if she wants to. And if she probably felt so guilty that she almost broke you and Melissa up and would feel horrible if it actually happened," Remus patiently explained, "So if you want Lily to give you a chance, you will have to put yourself in a position where that could happen."
"Wow, Moony how could a person feel so much? And how on Earth could you be so insightful about girls?" James wondered. Remus only shrugged.
"But that's all great and everything, but it's all banking on the fact that Lily has feelings for me," James said. He could feel a flicker of hope stirring in his chest, he wanted to squash it before it hurt him all over again.
"I'm not saying that she does," Remus said, "But, if she could possibly at some point later on have feelings for you, and you are prepared to wait however long for her, then you are going to have to be single. If you want her to develop feelings, then you have to be her friend. She's already seen you be such a great person and that's why she's your friend. You just need to be there for her."
"Of course I'd be willing to wait for her, but now she's out with Fenwick. How am I supposed to let her 'develop feelings' or whatever, if she's dating another guy?" James asked pouting. The fact that Lily was still with Benjy Fenwick in an unused Charms classroom for the past half an hour had slipped his mind momentarily.
"If it's meant to be then it'll happen. Just don't distance yourself from her if she is dating Fenwick," Remus warned, "Just be her close friend for now. She doesn't like feeling forced into anything, even if she wants it too. So keep being friends until she's ready."
"Alright, I mean it's more than what I had last year," James admitted. He flopped back onto his bed and just thought things over. If Remus thought that Lily could like him one day then that's a good sign. And for just a moment he forgot that he had a girlfriend, that Lily was probably hooking up with Fenwick, and that they were just friends. He allowed himself to imagine Lily as his girlfriend for the first time in forever. He imagined him holding her hand and kissing her beautiful lips. He imagined her kissing him back and putting her hands through his hair. He imagined her saying that she loved him back. And for a while he hadn't been happier, even if it would only ever be in his head.
Suddenly an owl made a sound from outside. James jumped up and opened the window to let a school owl inside. There was a letter attached to the foot that James untied. He recognised the handwriting sprawled out.
James Potter,
Please come down to my classroom as soon as you can. I have something I need to discuss with you and it is of the utmost importance.
-Minerva McGonagall
James grabbed the Marauder's Map and checked to see where Lily was. He found her name almost instantaneously. She was still holed up with Fenwick in that stupid classroom and McGonagall was all the way across the school James sighed and put it away.
"What's the letter say?" Remus asked.
"It's just Minnie. She wants to see me. Probably about how we snuck out yesterday night," James said with a shrug.
"Okay, see you," Remus replied, going back to his Muggle book. James didn't know why he even bothered with Muggle books. It wasn't going to help him in Hogwarts.
"Bye," James said before leaving the dormitory.
He walked down towards his Transfiguration teacher's room. It was odd that she was asking to meet with him after dinner. He approached the door and knocked. It felt weird, James never used to knock before entering her room.
"Come in," McGonagoll's stern voice called out. James pushed the door open and smiled at her.
"Hello Professor," James said, the polite words unusual.
"Professor? Knocking? Much less pranks? What's got into you, James?" McGonagoll asked with a faint smile.
"I dunno. I have just seen an error in my ways I suppose," James said, even though they both knew the real answer.
"And you came to this epiphany all by yourself? Without the help of Miss Evans perhaps?" she said with a smile. James loved his teacher. She had a stern front during class, but always had a soft spot for the Marauders. And she understood James better than most.
"Not sure what you mean, Professor. Perhaps I'm always polite and caring," James joked.
"Everyone has noticed how you and Miss Evans are suddenly getting along," McGonagoll said, insinuating that James and Lily are more than friends.
"Well like you, my new friend, Miss Evans, has just picked up on my kind and caring side too," James said grinning, "But I assume you called me in for more than to speak about school gossip." He saw his teacher's face flush a bit when he called her out.
"Of course. So as you know, we won our first match against Ravenclaw," she began, her face lighting up, "And at that match... well there was a scout. A Professional Quidditch scout."
"No way!" James said with wide eyes. "And-and they noticed me?"
"They came to see you. I didn't want to tell you, because I knew that you'd over think it. But just before I sent you the letter, I received a letter from the Wimbleton Wasps. They really like you, James," Minerva said with a proud smile. Of course McGonagoll considers Quidditch to be of the utmost importance.
"Wow," James said, letting the idea sink in. He always wanted to be a professional Quidditch player. And he didn't care what team picked him up, even the Wasps.
"Is it still your ambition to become a professional Chaser?" his professor asked, noticing the smile fading from his lips.
"Well it has always been my dream and I'm truly honoured to be scouted, but-" James said unsure, "but I don't think that that will be the best course of action for me anymore."
"And why is that? I hope you realize that if I respond saying you aren't interested that you may not get another chance?" McGonagoll informed him. He hated seeing her disappointed, but he knew it wouldn't be fair of him to do it.
"Well with the war going on it seems kind of silly to become a sports player. I should be fighting, not playing a game," James said, "And Dumbledore had sort of mentioned the Order and I'd like to join." James watched as tears threatened McGonagall's eyes. This was a woman who was destined to become the greatest Quidditch player of her age, but suffered a horrible injury. He knew that she lived through her players a bit, reveling in their success and insuring their victory. He knew that James had the opportunity to become a professional Quidditch player, an opportunity that she had taken away, and James was throwing his away. But he never expected her to cry over it.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you Professor. I just thought-" James started to apologise.
"Disappoint me!? Merlin James, I am so proud of you. That was a very Gryffindor thing of you to do," she said with a sniffle. She came around from her desk and hugged James. James immediately felt loads better. She was proud of him. He was doing the right thing. He was doing the right thing.
"So I can join the Order?" he asked hopefully. Neither of his parents were in the Order, but neither of them were very young. He really wanted to be making a difference and he knew Dumbledore would do that before the Minister.
"No, not yet. I'll speak with the Headmaster about after you graduate, but not while you're in school," his Professor said smiling.
"Alright. I should probably get to bed then," James said.
"You really have grown up, haven't you?" she said nostalgic. James smiled at her, the teacher who was the first to reprimand him when he stepped out of line. But before she'd reprimand them for a prank, she'd always slip a smile. And if he'd duel a person who made anyone uncomfortable than she'd give him a biscuit when they were alone. She'd give him points if they were wrongly taken away from him. She was always looking out for Sirius and his family issues, Remus and his secret, and Peter and his grades. And with James she would simply smile, and it was the best feeling. Besides when Lily became his friend, that was the best feeling ever.
"Everyone has to at some point," James said grinning, "I'll see you in class Professor." James emphasized Professor and waved goodbye. James walked back up to the Common Room feeling lighter than ever. Smiling by himself in the dark, that was true joy.
"Just give it some thought, ok? I think it'd be great for us both," Lily said to Benjy as the exited the classroom. James was very aware of her hand on his bicep.
"I will. I think we'd have fun and y'know do the world a favour and all," Benjy replied with a grin. Lily laughed.
"Bye Benjy!" Lily called out.
"Goodnight Lily!" Benjy replied with a wave, before turning the corner. He saw Lily smile to herself too and James' heart sank from his blissful state of mind.
"Hey there," he said, leaning up against the wall. He forced a friendly smile when he saw her surprised face. She looked as if she was caught doing something wrong.
"James," she said recovering, "Spot me on the map, did you?" For a moment he thought she was going to yell at him, but she was joking with him. Like all friends do.
"No actually McGonagall wanted to see me," James said holding her letter up.
"Interesting. And what was so important that she needed to see you after curfew?" Lily inquired.
"Let's go somewhere a bit more private to talk. Peter said that the Gobstones Club was having a tournament in there," James said. He was glad that he overheard Peter talking about it, because he wanted some more time with Lily.
"Big news I assume?" she asked. James nodded, "So where are we going?"
"One last secret of the castle," James said grinning. He wanted to grab her hand and pull her through the dark hallways, but he felt that it was inappropriate now.
"Thought I knew them all now," Lily said giggling.
"Oh silly Lily, not even the Marauders know all the castle's secrets. Hell, I'm not sure that Dumbledore even knows them all," he said with a chuckle.
"Why didn't we bring the cloak? We are out after curfew and someone could come from anywhere," Lily said worried.
"Well Tigerlily, why were you out after curfew? Some late night snogging with Fenwick, yeah?" James said, trying to sound like a friend who was teasing her. He wasn't sure if she could hear the jealousy.
"No, nothing like that. Benjy is a sweet guy and a wonderful friend, but nothing could ever happen with us," Lily said clamming up.
"And why is that?" James pried, "Does he have bad breath? Does he call his girlfriends absurd nicknames?" James was trying to make her laugh, but she wasn't.
"Can we talk about something different, James?" Lily asked, her voice cold. It surprised him, he hadn't heard her talk to him in that way in a long time. Or at least it felt that way, but her voice brought back memories of 5th year all over again.
"Trouble in paradise?" a voice called out from the darkness. James grabbed his wand. He knew that voice. He hated that voice.
"Lumos," Lily said, a bright light emerging from the end of her wand.
"Snivellus," James scowled. The greasy haired prat was standing 20 feet away from them with a cold sneer.
"Potter," Snape said, "Strutting around the castle at night like an arrogant bastard. Typical." James was resisting the urge to hex him. He would've already started duelling if Lily hadn't strategically placed her hand on his bicep to stop him.
"I'm not arrogant. And it seems to me that you're also strolling the castle," James retorted. James watched as Snape's cronies, Avery and Mulciber came out of the shadows.
"An arrogant person has a disregard for the rules. Which you certainly obtain. You think that just because you've won Lily that means that you can walk around showing her off like a trophy?" Snape insisted passionately. James had never heard his voice like that, and it confirmed his theory. James wasn't the only one in love with Lily.
"I am not an object to be won! I am a person, as is James, but for you and your cronies the same certainly doesn't apply," Lily said with a burning look in her eyes. James saw him flinch, and apologies were evident on his face yet she kept going. "I figured a broken nose would be enough to make you leave me alone." James looked at Snape's crooked nose. Lily must have had a good punch.
"Fine, I'll leave you and Potter to go snog in peace," he said. They walked past and Snape never looked back, but James had a suspicion that Snape loved Lily. And for some reason he was saying those things to protect her. Once they were out of sight, James spoke.
"Hey, we can head back to the Common Room now if you'd like," James comforted.
"No, I don't want to go back yet," she said, her voice cracking but still strong. She looked like she wanted to take his hand is hers and she almost did, before pulling away. So James did the work for her, he grabbed her hand. A small and dainty one enveloped in a large and rough one. Hers were cold, his warm. She pulled away.
"We can't do things like that, James," Lily said reminding him of their friendship.
"Sorry. Just wanted to make you feel better," James apologised. He silently led her down the hallways of the fourth floor. When they reached the mirror, James muttered an incantation and the mirror swung open. He stepped in and led her into the roomy secret passage and brought her over to some chairs that the Marauders had set up one time. Lily looked around in awe.
"A secret passage?" Lily said with wonder.
"Yup."
"This is more amazing than I imagined it would be," Lily said.
"Lily?" James asked. She was staring at him confused, "What can I do?"
"I'm fine. Just tell me your big news," she said. James sighed, he knew that each encounter with Snape hurt her more and more. And James hated that Snape meant so much to her when he'd done nothing to earn her affections.
"Oh well at the first match there was a scout from the Wimbleton Wasps. They sent McGonagall a letter saying they are interested in me," James said. He didn't know if Lily would like him turning down their offer.
"That's amazing James!" Lily leapt forward and hugged him. James caught a whiff of her strawberry scented hair before she quickly let go.
"Uh thanks," he said unsure how to tell her.
"Hasn't this been your dream for the longest time?" Lily asked.
"Well yeah I suppose it has," James answered.
"So do you start after you graduate or... or like as soon as possible?" Her voice caught as she said it, making James smile.
"Don't worry. You aren't getting rid of me that easy," he joked. Then he got serious after a moment, "Well I suppose that's because I'm not going to join the team."
"Why not?" she asked, "Are you waiting for a better team to be interested?"
"No, I just don't think dedicating my life to a game is prevalent during the war and everything. There are loads of more important things," James said confidently. Like you, he thought.
"But isn't this your dream?" Lily asked with wide eyes.
"Maybe it used to be. Now I don't think childhood dreams have their place anymore. It's one side or the other and I plan on fighting," James told her.
"That's valiant of you," she said with a smile, "It doesn't seem fair, does it?"
"What?"
"This war is for the kids. The kids are the ones who are being recruited and forced to fight. To give up their dreams and possibly their lives. And we didn't start this. This is a war led by adults. You-Know-Who, Dumbledore, the Minister. All of them are adults, but neither side would get anywhere without the children."
"Yeah not fair at all. But what about you? What are your plans for after we graduate?" James asked Lily.
"Well my dream was to become a potioneer. Like your dad," Lily said wistfully, "but you're right. That's only a dream. We have a war to fight."
"Yeah. Maybe after the war you'll become a potioneer and I'll be a Chaser," James said trying to lighten the mood.
"Maybe," she replied deep in thought.
"What's wrong?" he asked again.
"Hm? Oh nothing. Well actually a lot."
"Anything you'd like to talk about?" James asked.
"Just another thing with my sister. It's quite stupid actually," Lily rambled.
"Well I'm here to listen and I doubt it's stupid," James said.
"So this morning I got a letter from my sister. Tuney is getting married to this Vernon bloke. Vernon Dursley. And well I'm not sure why, but I figured I'd be in the wedding. I am her sister after all, but I'm not, and I know it shouldn't bother me. But it does." Lily said. She's fiddling with fingers, avoiding looking at him. She pulled the letter from her pocket and gave it to him to read.
Lily Evans,
Hello. Just so my intentions are clear: I did not want to write this letter. About how everything went down at Christmas, I'm sorry things didn't work out, but it is for the best. Regardless of my wishes, however, Mum still made me write this.
Vernon proposed to me last weekend. It is truly a wonderful ring and he's a wonderful man. We are both extremely excited. And due to our mutual happiness, we decided we wanted a brief engagement. The wedding will be held on April 17th, 1977 at our Church. Once more, Mum and Dad insist that you are in attendance, which will then force a bunch of problems for me. I will have to inform Vernon of your 'situation' and I promise that he will not like it anymore than I do. I will have to make sure that you will be under control and as normal as someone like you can possibly attempt to be. And third, I will need to make sure you do not go off and scare any of Vernon's family away.
Lastly, to make myself clear you are NOT a bridesmaid nor my maiden of honour. That role will reside with Anna, one of my oldest and most normal friends. You will not have any hand in the wedding ceremony nor the celebration. So please don't even bother returning home until the day of the wedding, or better yet, save everyone the trouble and do not come at all. If you decide to come however, do try to blend in. Wear something normal and not any freakish attire that you so often dress in at your school. Nor let on that you are a witch, because the Church isn't very forgiving of people like you and I'd prefer not to be associated with that. Also there won't be any need for any gifts from you. I can do without any more freakish sweets or questions from any of my many guests regarding you.
Cordially,
Petunia Evans (Dursley)
"Oh Lily," James said, pulling her into a hug. He felt her melt into him and her worries lifted momentarily.
"I know it's stupid and I should've expected it after how we ended things, but as kids we'd always dream of our wedding. And we promised each other that we'd be each other's maid of honour. But now everything fell apart," Lily said. James pulled away from the hug.
"You are the farthest thing from stupid. And your sister is a right foul git," James said. "Even worse than what I was expecting. She's horrible!"
"I know," Lily said, with the corners of her mouth turning up, "Try living with her."
"Since I'm an only child and all, I can't even imagine, but it has affected Padfoot. Him and Regulus were best friends growing up. And Padfoot never fully knew how wrong with his parents beliefs, because it was all he knew. But when he came to Hogwarts and sorted Gryffindor, his parents were furious. And we taught Sirius that he can't call Muggleborns a you-know-what, because he hadn't realized it was offensive. When he returned home for Christmas, him and his parents had their first real fight. And he always got in loads of trouble. He'd be locked up for days and this was still while his parents had their claws in Regulus, because Regulus was still at home. Regulus only saw his big brother coming home from school saying things radically different to what they were always taught and getting beaten for it," James explained. "And ever since him and Regulus have on opposite sides of this war. Regulus got sorted Slytherin which didn't help Sirius try and teach his brother. And everyone can see that he doesn't whole-heartily believe what they say. When they attacked you and I, Regulus didn't even try. And Sirius knows this and when he ran away to my house, he tried and get his brother to come with him. He pleaded with him and Regulus said that he couldn't. That his parents and his House would never forgive him. He begged Sirius to stay, because he always made living at home more bearable. But Sirius couldn't have, they were starving him and locking him away. He told his brother that he had to go, but he'd always be there for him no matter what." James watched as she started to tear up.
"And here I was all these years, thinking that Sirius was a skin deep bully," Lily said with an apologetic huff. "And now I'm crying that I'm not in a silly wedding of two people who hate me. When Sirius and Remus have way bigger problems than myself."
"Don't say that. You have every right to be upset by your sister and her lump of a fiance. You are constantly pitted against and you still wake up with a smile. You are amazing and I'm sorry that people are bigoted and your sister is a git," James told her.
"It isn't your fault."
"No, but I wish there was anything I could do to make you feel better," he said sadly.
"You could come to the wedding with me," she offered, "My mum made Petunia still invite me although I'm not in the wedding."
"Of course! When is it?" James asked, feeling happy that she asked him rather than anyone else. Someone such as Benjy Fenwick.
"Over Easter break," Lily said coming to a realization, "Never mind, you can't come."
"Why not?" James complained. How could she say something so touching than take it away. And she said it in such a way that made him feel like he'd done something wrong.
"You have a girlfriend, James," Lily said with a sad chuckle. He sighed, he forgot about Melissa. He supposed that he had done something wrong by going out with Melissa in the first place.
"For now," he mumbled. He needed to break up with Melissa, he felt like things were changing with Lily and he could have a chance.
"What?"
"I need to go find Melissa," he said more clearly.
"No you are not," she said grabbing his sleeve.
"Excuse me?"
"I will not allow you to break up with you girlfriend because of me," Lily said not letting go of his sleeve.
"Well she's getting in the way of our friendship which is much more important to me than my relationship with her. And her and I breaking up is long overdue," he said grinning.
"Well you can't break up with her now, it's the middle of the night," she pointed out, "I'm not even sure where the Hufflepuff Common Room is, much less how to enter."
"Well Tigerlily, I'm a Marauder," he said smirking.
"Still it's quite rude to break into someone's room in the middle of the night to break up with them," Lily said.
"I'm not breaking in, I'm just entering the room because I know how. And it isn't that late," he said.
"I suppose there isn't anything I can do to stop you?" she sighed.
"Well before we were friends, you would have no problem hexing me," he said smiling. Lily playfully raised her wand and he started running.
"Get back safe!" she called out behind him.
He ran through the halls and towards the kitchens in the basement. He sought out the particular still-life painting that was one of many along the corridor. Aha! He swung the painting open and walked forward. There were several large barrels and James had unfond memories of trying to get the password right. If you did it wrong then the barrels would drench you in vinegar, he couldn't get the smell off for days.
He grinned and tapped the barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row 5 times. The barrel opened up, without vinegar, and James went through the earthy passage way. When James got to the end of the upwards sloping tunnel, he entered the low ceiling room. It was decorated with the yellow and black of it's emblem. There were several large armchairs and honey coloured wood tables. Hanging plants were all over and the fireplace was always burning. James definitely preferred the Gryffindor Common Room, but the Hufflepuff was a close second. It always made him feel at home when he went inside. The Slytherin Common Room was dark and dank and the Ravenclaw was too stuffy.
James went over to the large round wooden doors that distinguished the girls and boys dormitories from one another. He took a piece of parchment from his pocket and scribbled a note down. He knew that he couldn't enter the girl's dormitory so he flew a note up to Melissa. Once he put the charm on the parchment it flew up the stairs with a low buzzing sound. James sat on one of the plush armchairs and waited for Melissa to come down. And ten minutes later, James was ready to call it quits and break up with her tomorrow, but he heard her footsteps coming.
"James?" she said, her voice tired but happy.
"Hey Melissa," he replied nervous.
"How did you get here?" she asked confused. "Did someone let you in?"
"No, I figured out the barrel password back in third year. I must say that the vinegar is a nice touch," James said with a smile. Melissa smiled and kissed him on the lips lightly.
"Melissa look," he began as he pulled away, "we've had our fun, but I think it is time to end things between us."
"You woke me up in the middle of the night to break up with me?" she said in disbelief.
"You're great, but I can't really see us going anywhere," he said gently.
"I can't believe you James! I'm in love with you for Merlin's sake," she yelled and James winced. Her usual soft brown eyes were filled with fury and rage.
"You- you're in love?" he stammered. He now understands how uncomfortable Lily felt when he confessed his love for her.
"Yes," she said firmly.
"Oh."
"What do you mean 'oh'" she demanded. Oh no. I am in over my head for this one, he thought.
"I mean I'm sorry Melissa, but it isn't fair to either of us if we keep this up," he tried to explain.
"Is this about Lily?" she asked, sounding defeated.
"No this is about me and you," he comforted.
"Do you fancy her?"
"A bit, I suppose," he said unable to lie, but restrained from the whole truth.
"Well you should know this that she fancies you too," Melissa said. She looked like she hated saying what she said, but she forced herself to regardlessly.
"I really don't think so," he told her truthfully.
"I've seen the way she looks at you," Melissa said bitterly, "And the thing is, the entire female population of Hogwarts would love to hate her because you are so hopelessly in love with her. But no one can, because she is so biologically nice and she doesn't even try."
"Thanks Melissa," James said with a smile. 'Biologically nice' was the perfect way to describe Lily.
"Yeah well I didn't say it for you. I said it so you don't go breaking the heart of another girl while you wait on Lily. Anyways, I have to go cry my eyes out for a few hours before breakfast," she said.
"I'm sorry, please don't cry over a tosser like me," he said.
"Can't help it," she said sadly. She walked back through those round wooden doors and didn't look back.
AN: Well over 1,000 views! Yay!