Cruel Summer
The Gryffindor portrait door swung open, and James stepped inside quickly. The room was full of students bustling about, making noise and generally waiting until the Ball started. He looked around, trying to locate his three best friends over the din. Everyone was dressed formally, James noticed, as he pushed through the bodies and made his way over to a small crowd of people.
He frowned slightly when Sirius, with his arm around a girl, came into his line of sight.
Huh…I thought we were all going together…maybe not…
`Prongs!' Sirius greeted loudly, holding what looked to be a bottle of Firewhiskey.
Everyone turned to look at him, and James acknowledged their welcome then turned quickly to Sirius, `Padfoot…I need to speak to you…'
`Can't at the minute mate,' he replied, pulling the girl tighter to him and grinning, `kinda busy…'
The Head Boy glared at his so-called best friend and looked at the girl he was standing with. She was blonde - typical Sirius - assez pretty and her magically manicured fingers dug into Sirius' arm as though he was a figment of her imagination that she didn't want to give up just yet. Looking at Remus and Peter, he noticed they too were with girls and he cursed them silently under his breath.
Gits! They could have at least told me! Now I'm gonna look like a right idiot!
Sirius had apparently dislodged the girl from his arm for a second to clap him on the back. James looked at him as he gestured to the Common Room door. Professor McGonagall was standing there, dressed in formal dress robes. James wasn't surprised that the Transfiguration teacher had overlooked Lily's request to wear Muggle clothing that evening. And he was glad that he didn't have to witness the stringent teacher actually wearing them.
`Now Gryffindor's, it is almost time for the Halloween Ball to begin. I will ask you all to follow me now to the Entrance Hall and wait patiently until the Ball is opened by the Head Boy and Girl.'
James groaned inwardly, he'd forgotten about that.
`Where is Mr Potter?'
All eyes turned to him as the Professor spoke his name. He stepped forwards towards her.
`Ah, there you are. Miss Evans is in the Entrance Hall already, if you would…'
James followed her gesture towards the door, and reluctantly moved towards it. He wanted to speak to Sirius urgently, but trying to explain this to McGonagall and a room full of people seemed slightly out of the question. The Head Boy sighed as he made his way out to the corridor, and walked in the direction towards the Entrance Hall.
***************************
Lily couldn't stop thinking about him. About the kiss. What was she thinking? She was dating Matthew…the boy that was holding her hand possessively at that moment now.
She had walked down the wide stairs, gripping the thick wooden banister, and dressed in the clothes that James had bought her. Looking forward, she saw Matthew standing with his friends by the side of the Hall, talking and laughing.
One of his Quidditch team mates, she vaguely recalled as being William Everly, caught sight of her and nudged the Chaser. Matthew looked around and his mouth fell open slightly, taking in the sight of her.
Embarrassment quickly crept up Lily's skin as she noticed a lot of people with there eyes on her. Some of the girls looked bitter, grasping their boyfriends tightly as she made her way down towards hers.
Matthew didn't know what to say when she stopped in front of him. His wide eyes gazed over The Dress, unbelieving that this was actually her.
`Erm…wow,' he mumbled dumbly, `you look…really pretty.'
Lily smiled and said a `thank you', but the compliment somehow didn't sound as nice as when James had said it. She didn't know what was wrong with her. Why was this happening, now of all times?
This is so twisted…I'm standing here with my boyfriend; dressed in the clothes of the guy I just kissed…how much more `soap opera' can this situation get?
Matthew held her hand tightly. His possession, she realised. However, she wasn't too bothered about it; it was something to keep her mind off the Head Boy…maybe.
`Miss Evans?'
Lily turned around quickly, and faced Professor McGonagall, `I am now going up to Gryffindor tower to alert the students that the ball will soon begin, you and Mr Potter will open it for the students as it is done every year. I will be down shortly.'
Lily froze as she said his name…she had completely forgot about the Heads opening it.
Damn…what the hell am I going to say to him…?
Nothing of course…just smile then get the hell out of there…
…god, did I mention the `soap opera' thing…
`Lil?' Matthew's voice brought her out of dream land, `are you okay?'
She nodded mutely, and he smiled and kissed her softly on the lips. James' memory flashed into her mind and she pulled away, mumbling something about make-up as an excuse. He seemed to buy it as he turned back to his friends leaving the Head Girl to stop and think about James again.
***************************
Walking down the long, wide staircase, he saw her standing there with him. The Ravenclaw kept stealing little glances at her and he knew how he must be feeling…it was like when he saw her walk out of her bedroom door.
Stunned…unbelieving…bliss…
…I'm going insane…
`Mr Potter?' McGonagall beckoned, bringing him out of his thoughts, `the Ball's going to start now…if you would locate Miss Evans, then you can open it together.'
James sighed and nodded towards her. He looked over to where she and Matthew were standing, and made his way towards them, plucking up the courage. What was he going to say?
Stopping behind the Head Girl, he tapped her softly on the shoulder, `Lil?'
Lily's stomach sank as she heard him say her name, but taking a deep breath she turned around, `Yes?'
`McGonagall wants us to open the Hall now.'
Matthew had turned around quickly as James had spoken, and he glared at the Gryffindor Seeker standing across from Lily. He watched in annoyance as she nodded slightly and turned back to him.
`I'll see you soon Matt okay?'
Matthew paused for a second as she looked at him, waiting for his answer. He glanced at James before looking back at her. He wanted to shout at her `No it's fucking not okay!' but, obviously, he didn't.
`Yeah…fine…' he kissed her in front of James a little longer than he normally would have; liking to know it made the Head Boy squirm just that little extra, and turned again back to his friends.
They stood awkwardly for a couple of seconds until Lily sighed in exasperation and made her way over to the Great Hall doors. The doors were decorated as well, James noticed before turning back to face everyone. A silence fell over the Entrance Hall, as the students all fixed their eyes onto the Head Boy and Girl. Lily glanced up at James as they paused, she knew they all were expecting her to open it by magic, but her wand was up in the Head Common Room.
`Do you have your wand?' she whispered at James.
He frowned slightly, `Yeah.'
`Get it out.'
Lily turned back to the students, `Erm…thanks everyone for waiting patiently for tonight…I really hope you all enjoy it. I'm glad most have come dressed in the way I asked and that's really pleasing to see...erm…don't think there's much more to say on the matter…so…'
She took James' wand out of his hand and pointed it at the Great Hall doors, `I now pronounce the Ball…open…Alohomora!'
Pushing the doors back, the Great Hall was finally open for everyone to see, and the students moved slowly through the doors, gazing wondrously at the sight of the Hall. James could see Lily beaming at the expressions of their faces, and after everyone had entered, James turned back to her.
`Wand?'
Lily smiled, a little embarrassed, `Yeah, sorry…I'm not usually that rude…I left mine in the Common Room.'
`That's ok,' he answered, his eyes flicking up to her face as she handed it back, `but…maybe a dance with the Head Girl…might make up for it…'
She paused, quickly masking the surprise of his enquiry, `Erm…sure, of course…later though yeah?'
James nodded silently, a smile playing over his lips. Lily turned around and walked up towards the group of Ravenclaw boys, James' eyes still on her as Matthew caught her and whispered something in her ear, making her smile.
Bastard.
`Prongs!' James heard someone shout, `Over here mate!'
He turned to see the rest of the Marauders standing by the side of the Hall, obviously trying to hide the substantial amount of alcohol from the Professors. Sirius was waving him over, the girl he had on his arm before, now talking avidly with some of her friends. The Head Boy walked over, grinning at his comrades (A/N: Hehe I love that word, it's so English…).
Sirius handed him a bottle of Firewhiskey, which he took a mouthful from discreetly. The group of girls noticed his arrival, and they turned around to the two Marauders.
`The Hall looks great James,' a girl, that James vaguely recalled as being Claire, said, `you must have put a lot of work in.'
`Oh, I didn't d…'
`He did put a lot of work in, didn't you mate?' Sirius said, cutting him off, `Day and night he planned this!'
`Wow…' the girls breathed in unison.
Claire looked up at him, tossing her chocolate hair over her shoulder and curving her lips into a smile, `Well…it certainly has paid off…'
Sirius grinned at James as he glared back at him, then mumbling `Erm…yeah thanks.'
Downing more of the strong alcohol that Sirius had given him, James looked over to Lily's direction. Unbeknownst to the Head Boy, Sirius followed his gaze, knowing exactly what had drawn his best friend's attention before actually seeing her. Sirius noticed that Remus had also followed where the two Marauders were looking, catching his attention and earning a smirk.
Oh, this is gonna be brilliant!
As if he read his mind, James turned back to face Sirius, and asked, `So…got any pranks lined up then?'
The corners of the boy's mouth curved up slightly, and he took a gulp of the fiery drink, `Just the one…'
But before James could question what this `prank' exactly was, Sirius' attention was caught by Amiya, across the Hall from them. Saying that he would be back in a minute; Sirius made his way over towards the black-haired Slytherin, his eyes roaming over the sleek black dress that clung to her. James was fairly familiar with her, they had spoken before and such, but what he failed to come to terms with, was Sirius' acknowledgement of her. Usually, due to the fact that a lot of his relatives were in that house, Sirius ignored most of them; not really wanting anyone to think of them in any proximity.
However, watching his best friend now, he seemed to highly enjoy the fact that the mysterious girl had called him over. James noticed that a lot of the students were taking heed of the large Hall floor and the gentle music that Lily had arranged. Thinking of her again, he looked back to where Matthew had her in a tight embrace, moving her gently with him. The Chaser's hands on the small of her back, sliding over the silky material of the dress he had bought her, making him bristle and seethe with unnatural anger.
James watched Lily move into him as he kissed her shoulder softly. It was a whisper of a kiss…so soft…so gentle…it made James want to stride over there and break every bone in his body.
His eyes shifted over to where Sirius was last, and was amazed to see the Marauder with his arms tight around the Slytherin girl, whispering things into her ear. The things, James guessed, were obviously rather sexual, as she was looking up at him every now and again, smirking. James couldn't deny that Amiya was attractive…in a raw, mystifying, Slytherin kind of way, but he couldn't understand Sirius' use for her.
Apart from sex obviously…
After a while, he watched them pull away from each other, Amiya giving Sirius a sharp nod before he walked away back towards where the rest of them were. Grinning at James momentarily, he walked over to his `date' and slid his hand up her back. The girl turned around, anger glinting in her eyes.
`You're unbelievable Black!' she hissed at him, `You really think I'd date you now, after you danced with her!'
Sirius looked at the girl for a second before coyly running a hand up her arm, `Of course Emm, `cause you know that I like you better than any Slytherin…right?'
James shook his head, laughing under his breath as Sirius manipulated the situation so easily and efficiently. There was no hope for that Emma-girl.
The Head Boy was brought back to earth hard as he heard a voice next to him, `James?'
Wishing and hoping that it was Lily, he turned around…disappointment coursing over his features before he had time to mask it. Amiya looked back at him and smiled.
`Expecting someone else?'
James shook his head and went to speak, `Wha…n…'
`A particular…Head Girl…maybe?' she cut him off, smirking.
`I…I don't know what you're talking about,' he said, cursing himself at how lame that was.
Amiya just smiled, `Of course you don't.'
James' eyes widened in surprise as she stepped forward, closer, his mouth doing an imitation of a goldfish as she took his hands in hers. All she did was smile craftily and pull him towards her.
`Dance with me?' she whispered.
James felt his mouth go dry, `I, erm…sure.'
For god sake James, where's your confidence…she's just a girl…if you can't do this with her, how the hell are you going to manage Lily?
`Nah, but this is different,' his mind spoke as Amiya ran her hands up his arms to pull them around her small waist, `this girl is dangerous, you know that.'
She's just a Slytherin…
`Yeah well, if she's just a Slytherin, why is she d…?'
Holy fuck…her hand's on my…
`Amiya…' James swallowed, `I don't think you should erm…'
She looked mock-innocent up at him, and he watched curiously as her slightly glossed lips curved into a smirk.
`Did Sirius put you up to this?'
Cocking her head slightly, she trailed her hand up his side, away from…earlier areas, `No.'
Amiya pressed herself against him more, moving her small hands up his arms. Resting one on his shoulder, she moved so she could willingly play her fingers along the opening of his shirt, her eyes flicking up to his occasionally.
`Why would you think that?'
James shrugged, `I don't know…was just a thought I guess.'
`Well, don't…' she said, looking up so her lips were near his, `don't think…don't guess…'
Again, James' mouth went dry, and he was vaguely aware of his fingers sliding over the smooth material on her back. He looked down into the black pools of her eyes. It was surreal, just barely able to see the pupils…James thought that he could imagine getting caught in there, unable to be free. And not in a good way. They danced with mischievous intent, which James knew was Slytherin through and through.
Guilt trickled through him as he felt her fingers slide into his hair. He glanced over at Lily; she was still in the firm embrace of Matthew, him clutching her tight as they danced. What was he doing?
`They look good together, don't they?'
James looked back to the girl in his arms, frowning slightly. She spoke again, `but I know that's not what you care about…you know that you and she would look better…'
`Amiya, it's not like th…'
`Sssh,' she stroked his neck softly, then continued, `you'd do anything for her…and you'd do anything to stop them…it burns, doesn't it James…you know it's wrong but you just-can't-stop-lusting after her…can you?'
Her black eyes searched his intensely, but he kept silent. Apparently, this was what she was expecting, and a small smirk played at the edge of her lips. The Slytherin moved her body against his, and she drew her hand up to cup his face. Flicking her eyes up to meet his, she paused.
`Don't worry James…things can change…'
Amiya pressed her lips against the soft curve of his throat, and then moved away. James, still speechless, watched her as she sauntered back towards most of the Slytherins were.
What the hell just happened?
*****************************
Lily sat on one of the chairs that had been carefully placed around the large hall. She surveyed everyone closely, watching their enjoyment and feeling glad. Taking a sip of the punch that had been placed on the Professors table, she saw Rachel walking towards her, beaming. The Gryffindor girl wore a beautiful magenta dress that tumbled to the floor, the tiny little straps barely holding it up Lily noticed with a small smile.
`Lil' you look amazing! You haven't shown me that dress before.'
Lily looked at her best friend as she sat down on the chair beside her, `Yeah I know, it was a gift.'
`Really?' she asked, her eyes lighting up, `Oh my god, was it a present from Matt?'
The Head Girl licked her lips in hesitation, `Erm…not exactly.'
Rachel frowned, `Who gave it to you?'
`…James…'
`Are you serious? Oh my god, that's a bit…unexpected…to say the least.'
Lily sighed, `I know, and I don't know what to do…there's something else…I-I kissed him.'
Rubbing her temple where a headache was starting to form, she looked at Rachel. Expecting to see a look of horror on her face, she was shocked to see the expression was…well, actually kind of blank. Sighing, Rachel took a breath as of though she was about to speak…but then let the breath out in another sigh.
`…say something.'
Looking at her awkwardly, Rachel asked, `Does Matt know?'
`Of course not…do you think he'd be dancing with me if he did?'
Rachel shrugged silently, and then looked at her best friend, `Does this mean you like James now?'
`No…maybe…I-I don't know.'
Lily closed her eyes in exasperation, then said quietly, `He asked me to dance…I said yes…was that the right thing to do?'
`Well…' Rachel began, `it sounds like he likes you too.'
`Oh I know that,' she said, brushing it off fast, and earning a shocked expression from the Gryffindor, `but was I right to accept?'
Rachel shrugged again, `Dunno, but what harm can it do right…it's one little dance…and if Matt gets annoyed just…I dunno, blame it on the punch - which I'm certain has been spiked by Sirius.'
Lily let out a small laugh, and looked over to wear the boy in question stood, with all his friends…including James. Following her gaze, Rachel looked back at her.
`It'll be okay Lil',' she said, patting her arm and getting up, `you'll be fine.'
The Head Girl nodded mutely, and looked down at her hands. Did she like James?
I don't think like is the question here…
`Well, it's definitely not the other!' her mind laughed.
Hmm, are you sure?
Lily looked back at the Head Boy, shock coursing through her as he caught her gaze and smiled slightly. Not knowing what else to do, she smiled back, the uncertainty she was sure being evident to him.
Her heart suddenly leapt into her throat as she saw him start towards her…she knew what was going to happen, and she could feel herself starting to fall.
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