Heading the School

Chapter Eleven

It seemed as though every 7th year was having an amazing time with the shadow program except for James, Sirius, and Remus. Even Peter, who was working with the bank manager, was having a good time because he got to sit around and do nothing.

Moody was around some of the time, and other times he wasn't, but there was always a giant stack of papers to sift through. If it wasn't copying, it was filing, or it was finding old records for trials. When they asked Sturgis if he ever had to sift through papers, he laughed.

"Well, that's all I ever did!" he said.

"But you said that you went on raids with him!" James said.

"I went on one or two James," Sturgis said. "But that's only because Moody said that I was a good filer and I didn't complain."

However, there was going to be one break in the monotony. Lily's horrible sister, Petunia, was getting married at the end of November. And, praise Merlin, but James had been invited to leave school with Lily for a whole week.

They would still have to Apparate to Auror classes, but Moody had left him off the hook, citing that he could use two filers for a week instead of three. Not only that, but he had been informed that because of Petunia's fiance's large family (and large meaning literally) that he would have to be sharing a room with Oliver. Which meant that he could begin his training.

"James Potter!" Lily cried when she saw him walking down the hall, broom in hand. "May I remind you that this is a Muggle event!"

"So? Haven't Muggles ever seen a broomstick before?" he asked.

"Not one like yours," she rolled her eyes. "Go put it back and hurry, my mum expects us to be there in an hour."

"But...please?" James' eyes grew very large. "I promise I won't take it outside or anything. We'll just stay in my room. I've got to show him how to use it sometime before Christmas so we can start his Seeker training-"

Lily folded her arms and gave him her best impression of McGonagall.

"Please?" James said, walking up to her, dragging his broom and bag with a pout on his face. "Please?"

"James, Petunia will kill me. She's already not happy about me even being involved in the wedding and you coming. If she should find you doing any sort of magic-"

"I'll seal the door, I promise," he said, cupping her cheeks. "Please? Can I bring my broom?"

"James...if I hear any screams..."

"I promise! No screams from Petunia!" he said, kissing her nose. "But maybe screams from you- "

Lily rolled her eyes and shoved him away, throwing her bag over her shoulder walking towards the main doors of Hogwarts. James grinned and ran after her, his broom slung over his shoulder.

"C'mon, our anniversary was yesterday, 5 months," James said. "5 months is a long time, you know-"

"Ready to back out?" Lily said, giving him a sideways glance.

"I told you, Lily, I'm in it for the long run," he put his arm around her as they crossed the grounds to Hogsmeade. "I was just saying that it's been a long time."

"It has been a long time," Lily said.

"And it's been a great five months," James assured her. "The best of my short life."

"I seriously doubt that."

"Do you doubt that you make me that happy?" he asked.

"Yes, I do," Lily nodded as they passed the gates of Hogwarts. "Because I'm not sleeping with you or letting you do any of the things that you probably want to do."

"Well, I'll admit that it has been a bit...lonely...you know? But whenever you do let me go a bit farther, it's always well worth it."

Lily stopped and peered up at him. "Honestly?"

"Like when I saw you in your knickers for the first time?" He let out a slow breath. "That stayed with me for days."

"It's not much to look at," Lily blushed. "But you're sweet."

"Then again, I think that you're missing out quite a lot with this studly piece of work," he puffed out his chest and Lily laughed at him, slapping it down.

"I'm sure I'll find out about it in due time, James."

"So...you mean you will sleep with me at some point?" James said, perking up.

"Maybe," Lily winked at him and then Disapparated to her house. James blinked for a moment and then Disapparated after her. They appeared in the safe-spot at Lily's house, her shower. The curtain was drawn and they were in a very confined space. James took advantage of it and grabbed her by the hips and pinned her to the wall.

"Maybe, as in, yes?" he whispered. "When?"

"When I'm ready, James," Lily tried pushing him off of her. "Like I've said."

"I suppose that I'll just have to settle for your mind-bogging snogs then," he smirked and then leaned in to kiss her. As they both were lost in the moments that followed, neither of them heard the shower curtain slide open.

"AAAAAAHHHH!" A shrill voice broke through their mood and caused the two of them to wrench apart. Lily's face turned the color of her hair and she pushed James as far away from her as possible, causing him to trip over the edge of the bathtub and grab onto the curtain for balance, but, of course, it came toppling down with him.

"Oh my goodness, what is going on in here!" Petunia cried, running into the bathroom. When she saw what had happened, she paled. "Oh, Marge, did you....er..."

"Who is this?!" The woman demanded.

"Erm, this is my sister and her...boyfriend." She gave a very terse look to the flailing bundle of shower curtains on the floor. "What did you see?" Petunia asked.

"Those two were going at it like rabbits!" She bellowed, her face red as a tomato. Lily stood up, all thoughts of untangling her still buried boyfriend were lost.

"We were NOT!" Lily protested.

"Then what were you doing in there?" The woman asked. Lily began to flush. She couldn't explain to her what they were really doing in there-

"Of course, shame on you Lily!" Petunia interrupted. "I apologize. Her and her boyfriend have no tact, come now, Marge, you can use my bathroom-"

Lily gaped at her as they left the room. Her mother came in soon after that with a big smile on her face. "Oh, good, you're finally here, Lily. I was wondering." She looked around the bathroom. "But...where is James-?"

"I'm down here." A voice, muffled came from the curtains. Lily jumped and then bent down to find James amongst the shower curtains. When she finally found him, he was frowning with a cut on his forehead where he had banged his head on the counter.

"Oh, James, I'm so sorry," she said, kissing her two fingers and pressing it to his bruising spot. James was still pouting, but allowed her to pull him to an upright position.

"Do you want a bandage for that?" Mrs. Evans asked, stepping forwards over the mess on the ground.

"No, I think I can take care of it," James said, holding out his hand. "How are you doing, Mrs. Evans."

"Excellent, excellent. A bit stressed, no doubt."

"Mummy, where's Daddy?" Lily asked. Mrs. Evans' smile turned into a thin line.

"He's working all this week. You know, he has to bring in those extra dollars to feed all of these mouths."

Lily bit her lip. "Is he? Well, we'll have to stop buy the garage and see him, won't we, James?"

James, still a bit dazed from his fall, nodded. Lily put her arm around him and they all walked out of the bathroom.

"Wow." Lily said, as she stepped into the hall. Their house had never seen so many people. Or maybe it was the fact that they were all so large in stature. It seemed as though only one person could get through the hallway at one time, so it appeared that there were at least 100 people in the house.

"Who are all these people?" Lily asked.

"Vernon's family," Mrs. Evans' thin smile appeared again. She lead James and Lily down the stairs into the kitchen. Marge was already in there, and was currently gossiping about what she had witnessed in the bathroom to everyone in the kitchen.

"And then he had his hand-"

Lily cleared her throat. Marge stopped talking and gave her a once over. She then decided to spread her story further in the house and left the kitchen. The only two people in the kitchen were two very large older people and Vernon.

"Cookie, Chuck, this my other daughter, Lily. And her lovely boyfriend, James Potter."

James held in a snort for Mrs. Evans' sake, but was still thinking Who would name their daughter Cookie?

"Marge was just telling us then..." It would have been quite hard to tell the difference between the two of them if Cookie hadn't the bright green colored dress on; they both had brown hair cut the same way, mustaches (though Cookie's was much lighter), and big bulbous bodies. "Back from your private school?"

"Yes," Lily said, standing awkwardly, as the two occupants of the table were taking up most of it.

"What school was it again?"

"Hog-" James spoke up but Lily stomped on his foot.

"Hogans. St. Hogans," Lily grinned. The Dursleys looked at each other and raised their eyebrow.

"I've never heard of it," Chuck bristled.

"It's in Scotland," Lily smiled.

"And why, praytell, do you go there?" Cookie said. "And why was Petunia not given private tutelage?"

"Because Petunia didn't have the marks," James spoke up, frowning. He already didn't like these people the way they were so hoity-toity and making Lily's mum and dad work overtime.

"And how would you know that, boy?" Chuck asked.

"Because you need exemplary marks to get in-" James glared, but Lily put her hand on his chest before he could say anything more.

"You're not helping, Baby," she whispered. James was too stunned that she had called him ‘Baby' to say anything else.

"Well, is anyone hungry?" Mrs. Evans said, walking into the kitchen again. The Dursleys sniffed.

"I'm simply famished," Cookie complained.

"Why, because you haven't eaten in five minutes?" James mumbled and Lily gave him a stern look.

"Behave," she murmured.

"Well, how about I make us some sandwiches?" Mrs. Evans offered. The Dursleys rolled their eyes.

"But Holly, dear, we had sandwiches yesterday-"

"Didn't your mothers tell you to be grateful?" James spoke up suddenly, a big frown on his face. The Dursleys were aghast.

"Well I've never-"

"Goodness gracious-"

"James, how about we go see Daddy for lunch!?" Lily practically dragged James out of the kitchen and outside. Once they were out of earshot, she gave him such a punch in the shoulder.

"Ow!" James said, clutching at his shoulder.

"What the hell are you thinking?!" she cried. "Those are my in-laws!"

"They were being rude to your mum, Lily," James said, motioning to the closed door. "I can handle a lot of things, but rudeness to someone so sweet isn't one of them."

"James," Lily sighed. "I know that they're rude. They're mean and hateful people. But...Petunia loves their son, even though he's atrocious. And, if you care for me, you'll keep your tongue around them. Because I don't want to make this horrible for Petty."

James' shoulder's dropped. "You're a good person, Lily, better than I am."

"I'm not that great," Lily said, turning to walk down the street. "But thanks."

"Now that we're away from them, what's with this ‘Baby' business?" James turned around to walk backwards.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked, giving him a secretive smirk.

"You called me ‘Baby' in there," he took her hands and continued to walk backwards. "I do hope it's a permanent thing."

"Perhaps," Lily grinned at him. "I can't very well call you ‘Prongs' can I?"

"No, I suppose that would be a bit wrong," James continued to walk backwards, hoping that she would stop him before he hit anything that would hurt him. "You know, hearing my name while in the throws of passion-"

Lily hit him and gave him a mildly annoyed glare. "What has gotten into you today?"

He turned around and walked side-by-side with her. "Well, I get to spend a week in very close quarters with you, and that's a plus."

"James, you've got to behave. Those people already think I'm some sort of scarlet woman-" Lily muttered as they crossed the street to get to the garage at the end of it.

"So? They're a bunch of fat ogres-"

"Fat ogres? I do believe your talking about my new in-laws," said a voice from under the hood of a car. Lily grinned and left James' side to give her father a hug. He stepped aside from her and gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm dirty, honey-"

"Am I Petunia? Do I care?" Lily said, throwing herself on him and giving him a bone-crushing hug. Mr. Evans returned it with as much fervor. He looked up and walked over to James, giving him a handshake.

"James?"

"Mr. Evans," James returned it, smiling. Lily stepped back to grin at two of her three favorite men.

"So, what are you two doing around here?"

"Well, James was saying rude things about Vernon's family," Lily said. "And I had to get him out of there before he hexed them."

James blushed a bit. "I don't like them. They treat you and your mum horribly."

"I don't like them either," Mr. Evans said, putting his hands in his overalls. "But Petty loves Vernon and that's all we can ask for."

"Yes, now, would you like some lunch?" Lily asked. Mr. Evans looked down at his greasy clothes and shook his head.

"Sorry Lily, but I'm too dirty-"

"Daddy, I can fix that," she said, looking around and taking out her wand. A quick Scorgio spell and he was spotless again. Proud of his daughter and pleased at the fact that he could eat lunch with her and her charming boyfriend (who he did not mind in the slightest), Mr. Evans was in a considerable good mood.

Dinner, as it turns out, was a much more horrible affair. James spent half of it itching for his wand to blow off a particularly distracting mole on Vernon's cousin and the other half itching for his wand to hex Cookie Dursley out the front window.

Luckily for him, though, Oliver (who had been in school earlier) was currently keeping him distracted for the most part with every thing that had happened in the past four months. He had told him that he had brought his broom with him for some practicing and Oliver had been completely excited by this news. They were lucky enough to sneak away during dessert to try out James' broom.

Lily, for the most part, had stayed completely quiet. She had been grilled by Vernon's family as to her marks in her private school and they were displeased to find out that she was Head Girl and one of the tops in her class for marks. They were also equally (if not more) displeased that James was not only Head Boy, but he was also captain of one of the four football teams at the school and was still one of the top in their class.

"Sounds too good to be true," Cookie sighed, not looking convinced. "Why Vernon was the captain of the boxing team at Smeltings and he was so busy with that, he barely was able to make the top grades that he did. Perhaps the football team isn't doing so well because their captain is so distracted?"

"Well, James' team has won the Quidditch Cup three years in a row."

"The what?" Cookie sputtered. Petunia turned a very pale shade of pink and her parents looked at her sharply.

"It's...er...the name of the tournament..." Lily saved. "Yeah, the Quidditch Tournament."

"I see..." Cookie sniffed. "And this tournament, what is it?"

"It's the top two teams, and they compete in one final game to see who wins the cup." Lily was quite proud of herself; she could really bullshit well. Cookie seemed sated for the moment and was content to sip her tea, for the moment at least.

"So, what is it that your boyfriend plans to do after school?" Chuck asked.

"Er...." Lily swallowed. "We're both....going to be....working in the government."

"With marks as high as you say they are, why not do something that will showcase them better," Cookie said.

"Because-" She was cut off by the sound of a loud bang. But that wasn't what made her stop talking. It was her brother, plastered to the side of the window (all of the Dursleys were facing the other direction), on a broomstick. James appeared next to him, gave Lily the thumbs up, and began the process of peeling Oliver off of the window before anyone saw.

"What was that?" Cookie asked. Lily gave a nervous laugh and sipped her tea.

"A bird, probably," Lily laughed, nervously.

"James! You can't do that!" Lily whispered harshly at him, once dessert was over. "What if someone saw you?"

"It was dark, Lil, don't worry about it," James said, looking at her from her bed. That seemed to be the only place where they could find a bit of privacy. "Besides, I'm not that dumb."

"I wonder sometimes," Lily said, sitting down next to him. "What happened anyways?"

"Oliver's a natural!" James said, pulling her closer to him. "Great reflexes. I threw some footballs at him to see if he could catch them, and he caught every one."

"So why'd he run into the window?"

"His reflexes are great, but his broom skills aren't so hot. We'll work on that over Christmas."

Lily sighed and bent over so that her head was laying on top of her hands which were on the bed. "This is going to be the longest week of my life."

"Oh, I rather think our NEWTs are going to take longer," James said, running his hands along her spine. "Do you want me to rub your back?"

She peered up at him. "Why do you ask?"

James shrugged, "It's what my mum does when I'm upset." Lily sat up and leaned into him, putting his arms around her waist.

"I think I'll settle for a little cuddle," she said, grinning at him. "After all, we were stuck in Auror class during our anniversary."

"How about a little kiss too?" James asked. "Will you settle for that too?"

"Hm..depends on what your definition of ‘little' is....."

"Now don't worry, Marge, I'm sure that Lily will be more than happy to let you stay in her room- " Came the muffled voice before the door was opened. Lily, again, pushed James away from her, and he tumbled over the side of the bed to the ground.

"Oh, sorry, darling," Mrs. Evans said, giving her a tired look. "But Marge can't stay in Petunia's room with all of Petunia's wedding things. Can she stay in here?"

Lily was just lucky that her back was turned to help James up because such a grimace graced her face.