Project 731: The Lily and James Swap

Project 731: The Lily and James Swap

Year 7

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Chapter Four

When Lily woke up from bed, it was not a pleasant experience. Especially when she felt tiny weights peppering all over her body. Groaning, she sleepily opened one eye, and looked down to herself. What was all these while splatters — that felt all `yucky'? And the scent — it was very familiar to...No, it couldn't have been —

“Bat bogey!” Stifling a scream, Lily climbed out of the bed to find her nightgown wore plastered all over with them. Literally, they were stuck to her body! It was useless trying to ever take them off by hand.

“Oh Gods Lily, what happened?” A horrified-sounding voice broke in. It was Kris, with her hair flying from her face due to tossing around in her sleep. On a normal morning, Lily would have laughed and tease her best friend about it. But today was no normal morning.

“Someone,” snarled Lily, “thought it was funny to gob me with bat bogey…” Emily, who had woken up from Lily's dangerous growl, winced sympathetically.

Kris's brows snapped together. “Vasser!” Lily nodded furiously in agreement.

“Obviously! I mean, who else hates me as much?”

“Snape. Potter.” Emily suggested. Lily scoffed.

“Snape? He doesn't even have the brains to even pull up with a bat bogey hex. And Potter? Him — pull a prank?” She asked with disbelief, and was close to laughing.

“I have to say Em, that the idea of James Potter breaking into our dorm — in which he couldn't have — and pulling on a prank, not to mention, very early in the morning is quite absurd.” Kris said. Last night, they had met up in the Room of Requirement to discuss their prank on Vasser and her clique; not returning until midnight.

“Maybe…” Emily looked skeptical. “You never know…”

“Em, trust me, if it was James who pulled the prank, I would dance as a clown on top of the professor's table.” Kris retorted. Emily grinned, arching an eyebrow.

“You sound pretty sure, Miss Park,”

“She should be,” Lily cut in. “I'm going to take a shower.” The muggleborn felt anger bubbling inside her, threatening to erupt like a volcano. That no good, dirty, arsed-up Vasser! Her little friends were no better either. It was a good thing McClatchy and Pekes hadn't woken up. And I bet Vasser put McClatchy and Pekes up to it too! She thought, clenching her fist.

“I didn't want any trouble with you this year Vasser, but you left me no choice. Well, let's see how you like your next surprise…” She muttered under breath.

----

History of Magic was not pleasant either. Lily recalled the `catfight' she and Vasser had in the corridors after breakfast.

`A pair of black braids flew in rapidly when Lily and her friends got up from the table. Suddenly they were showered with indignant, furious shouts.

`“How dare you! This morning — you've gone too far Evans! And I've bet Park and Leigh helped you on this too!”' A tall girl with frizzy golden hair streaked with red cried. It was Ashton.

`Lily glared. `“What are you talking about?”' Emily crossed her hands whilst Kris stepped forward protectively.

`Vasser put on a face of disbelief. `“Funny you should say, as I recall eet was you who deecided ma —”' her voice lowered. `“Underwear should dangle outzide of ze dorm door!”' The Keeper of Gryffindor Quidditch team grinned delightedly. Lily and Emily exchanged looks. Why didn't we think of that? Lily thought.

`“We don't know who could have done it; otherwise, we would have awarded that person a medal.”' hissed Kris, bringing her wand out warily.

`“And it's funny that you should be talking Vasser. You needn't to act as if I've done everything wrong… the prank you pulled on me wasn't particularly enjoyable either!”' exclaimed Lily, brushing a strand of dark red hair out of her face.

`An expression of fury changed into puzzlement. Vasser blinked. “What?” she asked innocently.

`Emily rolled her eyes. Lily gave a snort. `“Don't give that `Blow me!' me look,” she shot back. The French raised an eyebrow in further confusion.

`“It's just another one of our expressions,”' murmured Pekes to Vasser.

`“And you two —” Lily continued, pointing at Pekes and McClatchy. `“Bet you had fun with the hex, didn't you?”'

`Pekes put on a disgusted look. `“You're just talking rubbish.”'

`“Dipsticks,”' Lily heard Kris mutter under her breath. `“I wouldn't be calling the pot calling pot kettle black!”' The Asian girl stalked away, as did Emily did silently, pondering.

`Vassser impartially glared after the trio. `“Zis isn't over yet, Evans,”' she growled.

`Lily smiled cruelly, crossing her arms. `“Who said it was?”' concluding her parting statement archly, she gave a mysterious smirk and walked out.'

A poke in the shoulder snapped Lily out her thoughts. “Hey, Lils!”

Irritated, she turned around. “What?”

“Your dear Captain,” smiled Kris roguishly at the furiously blushing face. “is holding a Quidditch tryout today after classes. Tag along with me?”

Lily grinned, trying not to flush. “'Course,”

Kris grinned back broadly. “Make sure to tell Em over there before Binns bores her to death.” Silently laughing, Lily tapped her fair-haired friend.

“Hm?” Emily asked groggily.

“Kris wants us to come along with her to Quidditch tryout today — you know how Potter requires every one of the players to appear at the tryouts.” remarked Lily with a roll of her eyes.

“Gah. I wish it was happening right now,” moaned Emily, burying her head in her arms.

Lily nodded with exaggerated boredom. “No kidding. Even Snape would be better company than Binns.”

Kris gave a mock-gasp. “Lily Evans! How could you say such a thing?”

Lily grinned and rolled her eyes. “At least we could tease him — or humiliate him at some way —” She stopped as James's words echoed in her mind. `Maybe I don't but I know it's not gonna be a girl who plays stupid pranks on people, harassing innocents and torturing people just because either they're bored or are so sensitive about insults.' She shook her head. “Never mind,”

Kris cocked an eyebrow, as Emily exchanged silent looks with the Asian dame. What had made Lily stop in her words like that? The trio lapsed into silence. Suddenly, something that felt round hit the back of Lily's head. Irritated, she immediately whirled around, trying to find the one who had pelted her with…well, whatever it was. With a freezing scorn, she tried in what seemed vain at first to whoever had done that. Chet's hand waved merrily in the air, giving her a wink. Giving him a mock-glare, he had started to mouth something at her.

She frowned, and mouthed back. What?

He pointed beneath her desk. Ducking her head, Lily's hand grabbed onto a parchment ball. Ah. So that was what he had hit her with.

Hey Lils, I have an idea for Halloween. -C

Lily wrote back vigorously. She had a Prefect meeting today about Halloween, the decorations, the food, etc.

And I gladly welcome it. What is it? -L

She tossed it back, as James, who had noticed the two throwing the same parchment ball gave Lily a look that she knew well as: You-are-so-immature look. She shrugged nonchantly, trying to look a picture of unconcern, but was failing miserably.

For the decorations, what if you hung like, muggle costumes of trick-o-treating? And I could help to get the food. I know a great place to get food. -C

He sent it rolling on the ground. She picked it up.

I think that's a good idea, Chet. I'll be sure to mention it at the meeting today. Tell me what the place is though, I'm curious. -L

Chet wrote back quickly with:

The house elves' kitchen. -C

She turned around, grinning widely. She mouthed: How do you where that house elves' kitchen was? He didn't answer, but responded by grinning back, twirling his finger around as if to tell her to turn around and sit back down. Lily stuck her tongue out back at him before settling down. Kris poked her shoulder.

“What was that all about?” she whispered, her expression unreadable. Shrugging, Lily gave her the ragged parchment ball.

----

Lily turned into the classroom where the meeting held. And for the first time, she was actually early. Early. It was a miracle.

James Potter seemed to have been thinking along the same lines. “You're on time, for the first time in your life, Evans,” He greeted her coolly, his arms crossed as he leaned leisurely on a chair.

“So I am — but perhaps I've never been on time because I wanted to spend less time with you, Potter.” She sneered, but was actually thinking the exact opposite.

He glared at her. “As if I wanted to spend any more minute with you, Evans,”

She sent him a sweet smile, an all-innocent look on her face. “Of course you do, Jamesie,” She said in a sickly, mocking tone that was often spoken to babies by women who were fond of babies.

He opened his mouth but the Prefects began shuffling in, and he stood up determinedly and immediately began speaking. “Halloween's coming in a few weeks, any ideas?” He asked promptly.

“A masquerade ball!” exclaimed an excited female voice.

“Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore wanted no balls this year,” James reminded the Prefect, as she put on a disappointed face. “Any other ideas?”

“Actually, a very good friend of mine contributed the idea of hanging muggle Halloween costumes in the Great Hall,” Lily spoke up, deciding that it was time that she asserted herself into the conversation.

“I disagree,” a smooth voice answered. “This is a wizarding school. Why should we hang up filthy mud —” The Slytherin Prefect started, but before Lily could retort, someone had gotten before her.

“As a Prefect, I would have expected a better choice of words, Mr. Snyder. Especially when I could do more than just writing you up for that, as it is my duty as a Head Boy.” James's calm, cool voice interrupted Snyder as silence befell the room. Lily, with slight surprise, turned incredulously to James, who did not look her way. Even though his words were collected, the anger and the smoldering fury of his face and eyes shocked her. She didn't know that he would have felt the anger of hearing that word as much as she did. Perhaps there was more to James Potter then she thought she knew. “Any objections?” Just by the tone of his voice, the Prefects knew better than to object.

“Good. Some of the teachers will be helping with the decorations. They've set up some rules, which I take all of the Prefects know, especially knowing what not to hang —” He turned to Lily, and she glanced back with an innocent look on her face. “They want the traditional decorations but are quite willing to accept any other ideas for it.” They nodded, and Lily spoke, feeling that it was time she asserted herself in the conversation again.

“Anybody willing to work on decorations?” She asked; holding a clipboard with her quill paused.

Few hands rose up.

“Alright, that goes to the Hufflepuff prefects,” Scribbling down the names, she looked up again. “Now that's settled…let's talk about the food…” At the corner of her eye, she saw that James looked strangely eager.

*

“You have no idea how hungry I am,” Lily announced, looking wistful. “All that lovely food descriptions in the meeting made by aw'fly hungry,”

Kris's stomach growled. “My stomach begs your pardon,”

“I think you're losing a battle, Lily dear,” Emily laughed, as the two joined in. Lily pretended to look offended, forgetting her hunger for a moment.

“Excuse me? I think you're thinking something wrong here!” The trio walked over to the table, smiling broadly at the delicious food laid out in front of them. Immediately, Lily and Kris began to dig in, stuffing themselves in.

“How ladylike you two are,” giggled Emily, as she daintily picked up a buttered roll.

“Of course we are,” said Kris, her mouth full of chicken. “We're the best paragons to follow.” Lily waved her chicken in the air with approval as if to say, `Here, here!' A boy slid in across of them.

“Hello girls. How are we doing this evening?” greeted Chet, with the usual smile on his face. Lily looked up from her plate and nodded, who began to gnaw at her chicken. “I see that your appetite isn't quite finished yet.”

Kris grinned, her mouth empty of the chicken. “Nope, but this just shows how ladylike we are, right?”

Chet nodded, straight faced, but it was clear that he was chuckling inside. “Yes, the Queen would be proud.”

“Our mothers would,” Lily and Kris chimed in, and looked at each other, looking satisfied.

“What's the schedule today?” He asked, placing black pudding into his plate. Lily grinned, remembering his reaction to seeing the black pudding. And now he was obsessed with it.

“Well, we have to go tag along with Kris to come see the open spots for the team,” answered Emily.

Chet looked mildly interested. He and Kris had a debate about whose sport was better: Quodpot and Quidditch. “What spots?”

“Beater and seeker,” responded Kris. “I hope Jack McMarine gets the spot for Beater. He's only in fourth year, but he's really good. That's the good thing about going to Quidditch tryouts — James let us have a say about whom to let in the team. After all, we want to kick the Slytherin's arses.”

Lily grinned. “Without a doubt,”

“Damn straight,” Chet added, with a wink at Lily. For a minute, Lily thought Kris had a put-out look, but shook her head as it was rapidly replaced with a laughing look. I must have imaging things.

A lone, tawny owl swooped down from the hall, handing Emily's regular subscription for the Daily Prophet. The blonde picked it up, unrolling the newspaper as she read while munching on her food placidly.

“What's on the news, Em?” Kris asked, curious.

Emily tensed. “The attacks on the muggleborns continued,” She said, with a cautious look at Lily. Lily turned pale, not noticing that James, Sirius, Remus and Peter seemed to be closely listening to their conversation.

“Can I see that?” requested Lily, her voice strangely calm. Emily wordlessly handed the newspaper over to her friend.

“`YOU-KNOW-WHO STRIKES AGAIN WITH THE MUGGLEBORNS!'” She read aloud to herself. Worried, Lily chewed her lower lip after she had finished reading the article. Little Whinging was the town the attacks were assaulted in…so far, she hadn't received any death warrants from the ministry…yet. She needed to send an owl to her parents. They had to okay.

“I'm going to write a quick letter to my parents,” She murmured, standing up. The worrying kept on nagging in her mind. Catching her friends' worried looks, she shook her head. “Don't worry `bout me — it's just a quick letter. I just wanted to make sure of something…” She trailed off, walking towards the Gryffindor Tower.

Was her parents okay? No one was hurt, right? The Daily Prophet hadn't helped…they never mentioned any names. Petunia's claims and shrieks filled her mind. Was Petunia right? She had acted as if their parents had already died — that thought made Lily cold with dread… `“Do you see the harm you've done, freak? Now that you had to become and be a witch, you've put the whole family in danger! You're supposed to be the `brains' of this family — hadn't you seen this coming?”' Lily shook her head. Don't think these stupid thoughts, Lily — you know they aren't true. She laughed aloud bitterly. They hadn't even gotten along before she had received her letter to Hogwarts. They shared a room, which was worse.

Please, please, God, please let them be alright. She prayed silently, refusing to see that was even a possibility.

----

When it came to Quidditch practice, Lily had acted as if that everything that had happened at dinner didn't happen at all. Chet, Kris, and Emily had all tried to get word out of her, but failed. Lily envied Kris's ability of hiding her emotions. She was quite good at when she wanted to.

Being an optimist, she refused to acknowledge the possibility, even if she already had by sending an owl.

It was cloudy evening, there was James, standing in the middle of the field with his commanding voice and his extremely messy hair ruffled by the wind. She smiled. Just looking at him made her feel better. There was Kris, and the rest of Gryffindor's team standing next to him, silently.

“Do see Jack McMarine?” Emily whispered, wrapping her scarf around her neck tightly.

“I think that's him…the average height guy with red hair,” She remarked, gesturing her hands toward that direction.

“He doesn't look like he could do much, but I suppose I shouldn't judge on looks,” observed Chet, who stood next to Lily. At first, Lily had silently agreed with him, but then again, with Kris lamenting on how good the `little guy' was, she was beginning to be convinced. Her Asian friend was a strong debater, serious situations or no.

James had seemed to be finished with his speech, and each of the tryouters was off flying in the air with the broomstick. Though she would never admit to anybody, Lily was afraid of heights. Not even her two best friends knew of her fear of heights. They had assumed that Lily just didn't like flying. Period.

“Have you noticed how the Quidditch uniforms make people look really good?” A voice giggled behind them. Yeah, especially James, Lily thought as Chet gave her a curious look at her dreamy expression.

“Hey — Lily, `d you want to join me and Kris had a Quodpot match this weekend?” A voice cut in into her train of thoughts.

“Huh?” Lily's spun around.

“Join Kris and me at Quodpot,” He repeated, smiling at her gently.

A smile began to spread across her face, a mischievous glint in her eye. “A date with my friend?” She asked, excited.

He laughed. “Nah. We couldn't settle our differences by words, so we're settling them with action. The only way to go for it,”

Emily shook her head, taking her attention off the tryouts. She, like Kris, was obsessed with Quidditch, but refrained from taking any part in the American's and Kris's debate. “Not that again,” She groaned.

Chet looked at Emily, grinning. “Kris likes `em,”

She nodded. “True — but that's Kris for you. She says they energize her.” They laughed, and Chet turned his mysterious cocoa eyes at Lily's green ones.

“So, what say Lils?” He grinned.

She shook her head. “Don't like flying,”

“Scared?” He smirked, teasing her as he poked her shoulder with his index finger. She put on a mock-offended look.

“Me? Scared? You, of all people, Chet, have to kidding me.” She teased back, waggling her finger at him.

“Of course not,” He wrapped his right arm around her shoulders. “I would never want to suffer Lily Evan's wrath. No man who's alive and sane would ever want to.”

Lily, still playing around, pushed his arm off as she planted her hands on her hips. “Are you mocking me, Charles Tolchoose? Better not be,” She added, growling.

Chet shielded his face with his hand, as if the sight of her blinded him. “Please, no, spare me, O' Warrior. I only plead innocence. Take the truth of my words!” He exclaimed dramatically, speaking in a British accent.

“Oh quiet, you two and stop flirting,” admonished Emily.

Exchanging evil looks, Chet and Lily both spoke, “Yes, dear Mother,” Emily, rolling her eyes, pushed the two off the bench before she glued her blue eyes to the tryouts.

A/N: I am sooo sorry that I took such a long time updating Chapter Five. I was suffering from writer's block, the terrible inflicted disease that was bestowed upon me. Ahem. Hope you guys can forgive me. And in return, I hand you delicious chocolate chip cookies. I've tried again with the French accent, which isn't too good, but I tried my best. I'll gladly welcome any French picker.

Here's a disclaimer for all of you to read, as I quote another author on ff.net: Don't own it. Don't like it? Don't read it.

Hope you liked this chapter!

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