Cruel Summer
The stadium roared as another goal was scored by their best player. The people were going wild as the ball was just flying into the net; as though it had a mind of its own.
`AND POTTER SCORES ANOTHER,' the commentator screamed, his voice incredulous.
The game was raw and savage, and yet he swerved away from opponents easily; the act seeming to be as natural as breathing. The ball traveled down the pitch, being guided by him until he reached his target. Sweat and anticipation was making his skin hot and clammy, the need to win pulsing deep in his skin. He looked to where the ball was supposed to go, the Keeper standing ominously in front of it; his hands outstretched and guarding.
Potter wiped his brow before setting off, adrenaline and excitement surging through his veins as he approached the goal. He could hear the screams of his fans, their cheers and enthusiasm drowning out the displeasure of the opposing team.
He felt alive.
With one punctual swing of a limb, the ball was sailing into the air, rapidly covering ground. Screams of fans became hushed as they watched in amazement; the ball cutting through the air at the speed of light.
The hush broke as the ball plunged into the back of the net. She watched him punch his hand into the air, the screams and delight from everyone creating a wonderful atmosphere in the stadium. Other players rushed at him and people were crying as they screamed in their seats, waving banners and massive foam hands.
The Angel watched Potter from her rainbow boat in the night sky, smiling vaguely to the triumphant vibes that were rolling off him. She was glad for him; he was at least the best football player in the south of the British Isles.
Looking across the pitch, she noticed Sirius casually transfiguring Peter into a candle, which was peculiar enough without the small Marauder somehow then dissolving into her sister. Nearby, Dumbledore was waving a banner, which had a picture of him drinking a goblet full of Firewhiskey on, and she frowned at the image it made of the Hogwarts Headmaster.
Gazing back at the game, the players had gone and she found herself standing alone on the soft spongy grass. But somehow, the football pitch had turned into the Hogwarts grounds, the moon; large and silver, caressing the tops of the Forest trees with its brilliant glow. Looking down at her hands, her skin looked translucent under the gentle light, her wrists thin and delicate and her fingernails long and neutral. Everything was right now; she knew. Everything was how it was meant to be.
The girl fell to her knees, the grass thick and lustrous against her legs. She laid her hand down against its springy texture, stoking the blades through her fingers, and noticing with satisfaction of the contrast of colour between the two alternate lives. Pure, rich jade against fair, cotton skin.
Beautiful.
Pulling her hand away gently, she noticed the light moisture of dew on the tips of her fingers. She watched the moisture strangely increase as it flowed down her skin into the palm of her open hand; pooling there and shining in the moonlight. The water seemed to change in front of her eyes, into a sharp silvery substance that she subconsciously associated with Unicorn blood.
`But it can't be…this isn't the same…nothing's the same as what I think…it's always like that…it will never change…'
The mystical girl gazed thoughtfully into the liquid silver, her reflection shining back at her; her face beautifully virtuous and innocent. But this was lost on the angel that perceived it; somehow in her mind she was tainted and unworthy of choices and desires. Nothing could be how she wanted anymore; someday, somehow it would show itself, and she would be waiting…the retribution she was truly worthy of having…it would be hers.
She tilted her palm, the fluid flowing over her hand and meeting with nothingness…a void of substance where it would fall to Earth again, starting the cycle, as everything else did in the end. But to her surprise the quicksilver separated like glitter falling through a light breeze; powdering the air and dusting her skin as it drifted.
The red-haired enigma watched it dance in the heavens, a wistful smile tracing her delicate features. Everything happened so fast, she realized, sometimes even without your knowledge…but even how hard you try, nothing you could do would be able to change the unknown decision.
`I know that voice; it's the voice of change…whether the change is good or bad will have to be discovered…and yet, I do feel safe here…maybe I always will…'
She turned back to face him, his dark hair falling floppily into his eyes as it always did. So familiar…so James. He looked at her with a pensive light, as though he was trying to figure her out, and then it changed again; back into the smile he always seemed to wear when he looked at her now. She smiled back, wanting to…enjoying the feelings it brought to be loved by him.
Was it real…?
…yes, I really do believe that…
The kiss was everything… yet nothing at the same time; it was confusion and excitement, and it was all she'd ever wanted. He was warm against her; holding her safely in his arms, protecting her from what he knew the world could become.
`Lily, I love you,' he said, into her hair as he held her.
She gripped him tighter as he spoke, whispering the words back before the image crumbled; as she knew it would soon. It would be over and she would go back to life without him, after all this was just a fantasy wasn't it…? Just something she wanted to play out…? In the end it's always a fantasy…and fantasies never come true…only in delusion…it was something everyone had to accept at one point in their lives.
The tug back to reality started to strengthen, but she wanted to hold on…to the illusion…and, more importantly, to him. But the pull was increasing fast now; escalating until neither one of them could deny or ignore it.
`No,' she sobbed softly, `no…please…'
She felt his fingers brush her hair, and he whispered back to her, his voice oddly far away, `Lily…come back to me, please? Please come back.'
The words choked in her throat; not making it past her lips and the sound not forming; all she could do was look at him, his eyes pleading with need. She wanted to tell him that she would be back, she would see him again, that she would do whatever it took to bring them together again. But still the words didn't form; the feeling of being underwater suffocating her and she wanted to pull her head up and be away.
`Come back to me, Lil,' he pleaded again, getting no response from her.
She was drowning in the lack of air, the lack of speech to tell him. Tearing her eyes from his searching gaze, she took deep breaths trying to alleviate the problem, but the large gulps of air she was taking was doing nothing to help her. Panicking, she looked up at him to see his hands tight around her throat, squeezing hard.
`Please Lily; please…it's not real…'
Her eyes bulged as she took in the sight and feeling; why was he doing this?
He wouldn't hurt me…would he? He wouldn't be the same…but that's what I thought before…no, I have to believe…
She looked up into the face that she loved, and watched with revulsion as the face dissolved into the face of all her hurt. She tried to break away from him; tearing at his fingers as they held her, but her limbs felt like a lead weight, and she couldn't lift them at all.
`He won't keep you bitch!' Matthew snapped, tightening his grip, `He'll screw you over…just like I did…'
`Lily! Please!'
Lily snapped her eyes open and promptly sat up in the bed, hyperventilating in the quiet room. After a pause, she turned her head slowly to face him, concern written all over his features.
`Are you okay?' James asked softly, `It was just a nightmare, that's all.'
She looked down at her hands, doubting her voice before she spoke, `I-It felt so real…'
The bed shifted as he moved towards her, taking her hands in his and tilting her face to look at him, `It's okay now, you're with me…I'll protect you.'
Lily smiled gently, loving the feeling of his hands on her. He stroked a hand through the disarrayed waves of her auburn hair, looking into her eyes as he leant forward and placed a sweet, simple kiss on her lips. Pulling back, she looked up at him, noticing for the first time the moon - so much like in her dream - casting a silver, watery glow across the room and over their skin.
Lily found that she didn't regret that night at all; she found it was how she would always have wanted it…with him. James brought her face to his and kissed her again softly; just a gentle brushing of lips to lips, and yet it was enough to make her melt against him.
`I love you,' he whispered, the words sliding over her skin and making it tingle.
Looking at her affectionately, James touched her shoulder and spoke, `It's Sunday…lay down with me for a while…just for a bit…'
Lily allowed him to pull her into his arms and lay them both back onto the bed; their heads sinking into the soft pillows as James drew the covers up and over them. She snuggled into the warmth of his body as he brought an arm around her and kissed her forehead gently. He smiled slightly as she let out a contented sigh and he held her close as they laid together, a pleasant silence draping them.
******************************
The Great Hall was fairly busy as Lily entered it alone. She and James had lain together for nearly an hour and a half, and it had made her so peaceful and content. The memory of last night was gorgeously vivid in her mind and she wouldn't want it any other way. Reluctantly, they parted ways outside the Head Common Room; James kissing her possessively and earning a whistle from an overly bold portrait, which hung in the corridor.
James had headed towards the Gryffindor Common Room, whereas Lily had proceeded to the large staircase en route to the Great Hall. She was vaguely surprised to see lots of 7th Years, but then realized that it was probably due to the lateness of the Ball, and that everyone had just gotten up. From the looks of it, the House Elves had known that this would be the case and arranged breakfast later for the 7th Years.
Lily made her way towards the Gryffindor table where she saw Rachel sitting with a group of other girls whispering and talking animatedly. Nearing towards them, Lily frowned when she heard her name mentioned.
`…Well, I say, good for her that's all…'
`What's going on?' Lily interrupted; seven heads turned to her and starting to babble.
`Look,' Rachel sighed, shutting them all up, `we just think that it was great, you standing up for yourself last night.'
`I see,' she answered quietly.
`Yeah,' a blonde girl piped up, `in front of everyone as well, it was so amazing.'
The others started to bestow their little agreements afterwards and Lily raised her eyebrows.
`Glad to know that my scandalous love-life - or whatever you would call it - is appreciated by everyone.'
The sarcasm was lost on everyone except Rachel, who winced slightly and then patted the bench beside her; beckoning her to sit. Just as she was about to take up the offer of her best friend, movement caught her attention. Lily turned to watch Matthew Reede walking - or stalking would be a better word - towards her, a lovely black bruise on the side of his face. The Head Girl sucked in her breath slightly and waited for what was to come.
`Lily, leave it,' Rachel pleaded, her opinion different now that she was actually near the action.
`Evans,' Reede growled.
Ignoring her best friend, Lily confronted him, her voice bitter, `On last name terms now, are we? How painful for me.'
The Ravenclaw narrowed his eyes, `You're gonna pay for this, bitch…humiliating me in front of everyone in the school.'
`You humiliated yourself,' Lily ground out, her lip curling in disgust, `and if you don't mind…'
Matthew pulled her back to face him, making the Head Girl panic slightly, and the other students to gasp, but somehow keep watching as though it was an interesting program on muggle television.
`Get your hands off me,' she growled, `before I give you another bruise like that on the other side.'
Lily knew she was playing with fire a little, but she was determined to not seem vulnerable in front of him; however she was a little relieved when he released her from his grasp, and turned away slightly
`Lily, come on,' Rachel tugged at her arm.
`No,' she said firmly, making him look back at her.
`This isn't the end Lily; I swear that you will pay for this.'
`Will she now?'
The voice came from behind them, and they all turned to see James, Sirius and Remus standing there, pointing their wands directly at the Ravenclaw.
James continued, `Somehow I don't really think so.'
`Who the fuck are you three, her bodyguards?'
Sirius glared at the boy in front of them, his eyes narrowing, `Not exactly.'
James moved forward next to his girlfriend, causing Matthew to step back slightly, his voice oddly menacing as he spoke, `I'd stay away from her if I were you, wouldn't want you to end up in the Infirmary again, would we?'
`Actually we would,' Sirius spoke up, his cold exterior melting slightly with the maniacal grin he wore, `but it isn't very sportsmanship, you know?'
Remus glanced over at him and snorted slightly and Matthew glared at the three Marauders, clenching his fists in his robes with anger at their calm exterior.
`Come on then Potter,' he goaded, his eyes flashing, `I'd like to see you fight me without your boyfriends backing you up, hmm?'
James bristled at the insult to him and his best friends, his gaze piercing into the Chaser and wishing he could kill him.
`I fully intend to fight you, Reede,' he spoke, trying to keep his cool, but it made his voice sound a bit clipped, `but not just yet…'
`Too scared?' he asked with relish.
James frowned, and then spat, `You fucking wish! I have better ways of fighting you…they hurt more, and they're more fun…for me that is.'
A smirk passed over his features and Lily wasn't too sure she liked where this was going. She looked back between James and Matthew, their expressions both in a strange contortion of cold fury. Lily was sure she could see Matthew moving his hand toward the pocket that held his wand, but she couldn't be certain.
James finally snarled, `If you ever…ever touch her, or even go near her again, I will make sure the only days that you have left here will be spent in the Hospital Wing…that, Reede, is a promise…and don't you fucking think I'm joking…'
James paused, holding his glare towards the Ravenclaw Chaser, then turned to Lily and took her hand. Glancing back at Reede's incredulous expression, he smirked inwardly, and drew her gently away. The sight must have been too much for Matthew though, and he quickly reached into his pocket for his wand. Just as he was about to mutter a spell at James, two voices shouted out.
`Expelliarmus!'
The whole of the Great Hall turned to watch Matthew Reede sail through the air from the force of the double spell from Sirius and Remus; his wand flying from his hand and snapping in two; it not being compelled to withstand such power.
The three boys snickered at him as he groaned on the hard floor; the rest of the school - even some of the Slytherins - laughing with them.
`Don't forget the match next week, Reede!' James laughed, `I hope you are ready…'
He and Lily turned, and walked out of the Great Hall together while he muttered under his breath, `…but I'm gonna kick your arse anyway…'
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