Now, this chapter just rockets off, action packed! It just kind of explodes! I was going to make this chapter quite mellow but this came into my mind and soon my pen was flying! So, therefore I introduce, Flowing Marbles. *Lights dim*
Highlights from Chapter 1, Frazleburst, Madame Malkin’s, Snifflers! Oh My!
~
“I said how on earth did you get to be the Head Boy? I mean, you of all people,” Sirius pointed at the red and gold badge on James chest. James looked down at it, his smile growing larger at each second.
“Why? You jealous?” James teased.
Sirius laughed, “And have to walk down the corridors each night, looking for some little brat wandering around?”
“Hey, that little brat could be you, Sirius,” James poked. Sirius punched him in the arm.
~
Lily squinted her eyes and read the name engraved in it. James Potter. Lily felt her shoulders droop knowing that she was going to have a long year.
~
“Congratulations on becoming Head Boy, Potter,” Lily said curtly.
James raised an eyebrow, “Thanks Evans, it will be an adventure working with you at the late of night.” James wiggled his brows.
Lily growled, “This is why I hate you Potter. You think you are so great when all you are is just a great bigheaded jerk. I think it’s about time you’ve grown up.” Lily left the room, leaving James with his jaw open.
~
James raised his eyebrows, “Surely you, of all people would have read the paper by the portrait outside?” Lily looked at James confused.
James sighed, “Well, you wouldn’t have gotten shocked it you weren’t in no rush. It said that in order to go to your room you had to make a password together. I don’t know why but rules are rules.”
“Since when did you care about rules?” Lily asked before she could stop herself. Instead of frowning, James laughed.
~
James just smiled to himself as he stood up and walk to his door.
“Yep, this is going to be my year at its best.”
:Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter universe.
_________________________________________________________________________
Lily smiled at her work and looked up from it. She had finally managed to make her little piece of cotton turn into a white kitten. The kitten looked up at her with its round hazel eyes, yawning. Lily petted its head.
"Good job, Miss Evans." Lily looked up to see McGonagall speaking, "No homework for you tonight."
Lily was glad of that. Watching the corridors late at night was hard enough; homework would just overpower her. Though, walking with James wasn't as difficult as she thought it would be. Sometimes he would be bouncing off the walls, irking Lily in every way possible, but usually he was pretty mellow. Lily thought it was because he was just tired, but she was noticing a serious change in him. Though, on those mellow nights, he WOULD throw some crazy comments here or there. She would usually laugh at the wackiness of them. Lily continued absent-mindedly petting the kitten when she heard a loud burst of laughter. She turned around, facing her doom.
"Hey, Evans," James said, joyfully.
"Potter." Lily couldn't help but wonder what James and Sirius were up to. James had already changed his cotton into a kitten, though it had brown fur, and he was ignoring its clawing for attention on his robes. Sirius had his head in his arms, covering his work. James poked Sirius in the arm.
"Come on Padfoot, you couldn't have messed up that bad." All James got back was a shake of the head and a muffled answer that Lily couldn't make out. James frowned and tried to pry him apart but Sirius wouldn't budge. James shrugged and pulled out his wand.
"If you don't let me see, I will force you."
It was the way that James had said 'force' that made Lily gasp in surprise. Surely James didn't mean that he was going to do an unforgivable curse? Especially during class! James pointed his wand at Sirius' arm, an evil smile playing on his face.
Lily pulled out her wand and with a flash of light, James' wand flew into Lily's hand. James looked at Lily in surprise, even Sirius peeked.
"What was that for?" James asked, curiously looking at her.
"How could you? I thought he was your friend?" Lily shook his wand in front of James face.
James just stared at her, Sirius pulling out his wand and tucking in his arms.
"What are you talking about?"
"You were going to--"
Professor McGonagall cut off Lily, "Alright, class is over. Pack up."
There was a flash from Sirius and soon he was looking up. He had changed whatever he had into the original cotton ball and was curiously looking at James and Lily.
Lily started packing up but was interrupted with a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to an impatient James.
"I need my wand," James said shortly.
Lily hesitantly handed the wand back to James. Soon, he was out walking out with his friends. Lily was frowning.
Lily walked uncomfortably up to James. He was waiting at the end of the hall, so they could patrol the corridors.
"Evans, any time," James said impatiently.
She didn't know exactly why she felt uncomfortable. Though, during class that little thing James said had frightened her. She always thought James hated Dark Magic.
They walked in silence for a couple minutes. Lily was trying to think of something to say.
"Why did you do that earlier?" James cut into her thoughts.
She looked up at James, "Huh?"
James looked suspiciously at her, "Why did you take my wand?"
"I thought you were going to do an unforgivable curse," She said quietly.
"Why?"
Lily looked down at her hands. She wasn't really sure why. In fact, now that she thinks about it, he was probably going to do some stupid hex on Sirius, "Err..."
James looked down at her, frowning deeply, "What makes you think I would do that?" He stopped walking, looking at her, "Is that who you really think I am?" James's voice grew louder, "Why on earth would you think of something so stupid? I thought that you were smart Evans. What makes you- why would you-," James growled in frustration, "I would never hurt my friends." He glared daggers at Lily.
Lily was shocked that James was actually yelling at her. She thought that he would play it off, but seemed to take it deep down to the heart. "I'm sorry."
James sighed and continued on walking. Lily watched him turn the corner, his footsteps ceasing. Suddenly there was a loud yelp of surprise. Lily saw flashes of light and heard some foul language. Frowning, she ran to the end of the hall and gasped in shock.
Severus Snape, Bellatrix Black and Parker Torregus had teamed up on James. James had a deep gash on his right cheek, blood flowing freely down his robes, and was holding his stomach in pain. James lifted his wand at Parker, said "Stupefy," and Parker fell over, stiff as a board. Bellatrix tried to stun James, but James blocked the spell with a shield.
It was now even, only Snape and Bellatrix were left. Lily pulled out her wand and ran over to James. At first, James didn't notice Lily, no fear showing in his eyes. Though as soon as he saw her besides him, Lily saw the fear rising. Snape pointed his wand at Lily and tried to stun her but James put up a shield. The red light bounced off and headed straight for Snape but he managed to dodge it. Panting, Snape stood up, snarling, Bellatrix smirking.
"Get out of here," he ordered Lily, sending a Jelly-Leg Jinx at Snape. Snape was caught off guard, dropping his wand and his knee's wobbling crazily
Lily shook her head and pointed her wand at Snape.
"Dormire Sol."
A blue smoke whirled around Snape and he crumpled to the floor. Lily had put him to sleep, not being able to wake up without the sunlight bathing him.
"Only you Bellatrix," Lily said. She looked quickly at James. James was a ghostly pale from the blood loss but looked confident about the outcome of the battle.
"Crucio."
Lily looked back and just stared at Bellatrix, a purple light coming out of her wand. Her mouth hung open. Suddenly a dark figure jumped in front of her, blocking the bright light.
Lily heard al loud yell of pain by her feet. She held back a cry at what she saw. James was writhing around in pain, having taken the bullet for her. Bellatrix was smiling evilly now, laughing.
"James!" She went down to her knees beside him.
She looked up and pointed her wand at Bellatrix. Glaring, she tried to stun her but she merely blocked it off. James was breathing shallowly now. At least she had gotten the spell off of him.
"Now, now, Miss Evans. You might not want to throw a temper. Might spoil your thinking," Bellatrix said coolly.
Lily stood up frowning, her eyes blurry with tears. Blinking them away, she heard movement on the ground but ignored it. Bellatrix threw a hex at her but she blocked it.
"Membrana Volitare!" and Bellatrix's skin started flapping crazily. She had put the Bat-Bogey hex on her. She scooted around James, who was breathing deeply when she tripped over her feet. She fell to the floor, screaming and scratched the palms of her hands as her wand scattered away. Her heart started beating wildly as she saw Bellatrix slowly advance, flapping skin casing her startling face.
She held her breath when Bellatrix stopped and pulled her wand up. Grasping around the floor, she quickly picked up her wand and pointed it at Bellatrix. Lily saw Bellatrix smirk.
"Give up now, Miss Evans. Or your boyfriend will get a taste of my best yet." Bellatrix had not pointed her wand at her, but actually at James.
Lily felt her heart race. She quickly said the first thing that came to her mind -- "Marmoris Oris" -- and marbles were over flowing Bellatrix's mouth. She then opened her mouth and had to keep it open, gagging.
Bellatrix looked over at Lily, her eyes watering from choking on the marbles and pointed her wand at James. Lily saw a pale pink light produce out but Lily slid her way in front of James and quickly produced a shield. The light bounced off and hit the wall, causing some dust to flutter.
Bellatrix glared and flicked her wand. Ribbons flew out, like Dumbledore did for the school song; only they were evergreen silk. Lily read what it made out: "If either of you tell anyone of this your family's life is in stake because of your foolishness." The ribbon then fluttered down to the ground and dissolved into the ground. Even though marbles were pouring out of her mouth, Bellatrix was still smiling, her eyes flaring with amusement of Lily's horror.
Her family. She didn't want to lose her family over this. Not even her jealous sister, Petunia. She nodded silently, tears forming in her eyes. None of this was suppose to happen. She was supposed to have a fun year, not worrying about her family's life.
Bellatrix quickly levitated Snape and Parker and left, leaving a trail of marbles that each popped once they touched the ground.
Shaking, Lily stood up turned to James and was surprised to see that he was standing. She silently prayed that he didn't see anything and quickly grabbed his wrist, trying to get him away from them.
"Crucio."
James saw Bellatrix Black point her wand at Lily and jumped in front of Lily, knowing the consequences. He knew that Bellatrix was going to use an unforgivable curse on Lily, but he didn't think he would be able to take it if he saw Lily in such pain.
When the curse hit his body, nothing happened at first. But when his body hit the floor, it seemed as if he had lit his body on fire while landing on needles, his insides were being torn up. He arched his back and tried to get pain out of him, his mind going blank. All he could think of was screaming out the misery.
After a few seconds it stopped, though to James it felt like minutes. He heard yelling and he remembered where he was. He tried to move his body but he either had no energy or will to move. James just lay there when he heard clattering noises and Lily's voice. He then heard a cry from Lily and some odd rushing noise that sounded as if it were a waterfall.
Tired of just lying there and not helping, he forced his leg to move and surprised himself when he found himself standing up.
Every joint in his body was aching as he stood, watching Lily walk quickly up to him. James was surprised to see that Bellatrix, Snape and Torregus were gone. His heart soared with pride at Lily's accomplishment but his legs started wobbling. He put his hand down on her shoulder for support but withdrew quickly when Lily was shaking hard. James felt a pang, wondering if Lily was hurt anywhere.
"Are you okay?" James's voice came out huskily, "What about the others?"
Lily stopped and smiled weakly at James. "You're okay!" she said and hugged him, which surprised him, causing him to stumble a bit.
James was even more surprised when Lily let go and looked up at him, crying. Frowning, he wiped the tears off of her cheek causing Lily to flinch. He cocked his head to a side, and stared at her beautiful green eyes. What had happened to her?
Lily couldn't help but cry knowing that James was okay. He had actually jumped in front of her, willing to take pain for her. If James were to have died- Lily stopped herself, James is alive. James lifted his hand slowly, and wiped the tears off her face.
She looked at James, seeing an entirely different person. He wasn't an arrogant jerk but someone who really cared for his friends- and her. He still liked her even after all she had said to him.
She pulled out her wand and laid it above his cut, healing it. James had closed his eyes during the process.
"Thanks," James said softly.
Lily was about to respond with an automatic "You're welcome" when she stopped herself.
"Thank you Potter. Thank you for--" Lily's voice trailed off. She couldn't think of anything to say. "Um -- I'm sorry for assuming the worst. I'm sorry for everything." Lily blinked back tears. She was not going to cry again, she already showed she was weak.
James nodded slowly and smiled at her. Lily smiled back weakly. Her heart had a warm feeling thinking of James rescuing her. She was also still surprised at him and felt as if she had to do something. Just what?
"Err -- I think we should go to Dumbledore," James said.
Lily sighed and turned around. Helping James walk, they walked down the hallway. Lily had to think of something. She knew that James was right, to go talk to Dumbledore. But she didn't want to risk her family. Somehow, she had to persuade James. Just how would she do it?
_________________________________________________________________________
((A/N: Please Review!
Coming up: James and Lily have a heartful conversation.))
I would like to give a huge thanks to my beta, The Grey Lady