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~ 1000 Words ~
By: Oy! Angelina
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It was an hour's time after daybreak as the Marauders emerged from the Whomping Willow passage and crossed the castle grounds back to Hogwarts. Once again, Sirius, James, and Remus were concealed beneath the invisibility cloak as Peter scurried about their feet in his rat form. Once they had found a place where they were certain no one could spy them, the three boys threw off the shroud and Peter returned to his normal state. After all, no one really cared if a student was up early; it was being out late that was a problem.
As expected, the foursome had resolved most of their differences throughout the night and on the way back to school that morning. Their nights away at the Shrieking Shack had always served as bonding experiences for the Marauders as it was seen as a testament to the loyalty of friends as well as their willingness to be supportive and understanding of one another. Apologies were distributed as needed and James and Sirius were even on speaking terms once again (so long as the conversation had NOTHING to do with Lily Evans).
Operating on absolutely no rest with the promise of a long Monday ahead of them, the Marauders would be counting on a good deal of sugar and caffeine to carry them through the dry spots of the day until they could nap after classes. Remus and James were particularly worn since this was their second sleepless night and James still had Qudditch practice to look forward to. Since breakfast would be served in a little over an hour and there was little point in trying to sleep, the boys agreed to head to the library to cram for the classes they would have that day.
While all (except for maybe Peter) constituted some of the brightest minds admitted to Hogwarts, the four still had their stronger and weaker subjects and often provided a crash course for one another when someone was confused over a specific lesson. James had a scary grasp of Transfiguration, Sirius was more than adept with his Charms, Remus was lessons ahead everyone in Defense Against the Dark Arts (along with a little practical experience), and Peter seemed to retain information for Herbology more than well. Their remaining subject they always muddled through together and were rarely worse off for it.
Cloak slung over his arm, James told his three friends to head on ahead of him and get started since he needed to return his family heirloom back to its rightful place before it was noticed. Waving brief farewells, James made his way back to the Gryffindor tower. James struggled to keep his mind from drifting over to Lily, as it so readily did, by mentally reciting his notes from Professor McGonagall's lecture on Friday for turning toads into timepieces (this was very complicated since they had to make sure the watch kept perfect time). Their class time today would be spent putting there theory into practice.
James halted before turning the corner, as a set of familiar voices seemed to be coming his way. Quickly adjusting his cloak to avoid being spotted, James watched Lily and Arabella Figg pass along him unsuspecting. Arabella had the same expensive looking camera from their trip to Hogsmeade swaying about her neck as they headed toward the outside. Curious as to why they were up and about so early, James stalked behind the girls and they left through the archway the boys had entered in only moments before.
"Do you think Professor Brewsteem will notice if I make a photography potion in class instead of our assigned work?" Arabella questioned as the started to take off the lens on her camera.
"I'd wager probably not, but you shouldn't neglect your lessons." Lily chided.
"I know, I know! I just want to develop all the pictures I've been taking after I finish off this roll." Arabella explained. "I would have done it all yesterday if I wasn't so busy fashioning little voodoo dolls for Sirius and Peter amidst my retching." Although she looked worlds better from what Remus had described, James guessed Arabella was still more than bitter about her hangover.
"Why not get a few pictures by the trees?" Lily suggested as she gestured over to the Forbidden Forest for Arabella's benefit.
"Good a place as any." Arabella shrugged. "Then maybe a shot or two of the lake."
Struck by a suddenly clever seemingly plot, James did what he could to quietly sprint ahead of the girls and into the forest.
"So no sign of James or the others this morning even?" Arabella asked as they tread the grass.
"Not hide nor hair." Lily shook her head. "Though I assure you there will be plenty about once I get a hold of that bunch! I'd swear they're tying to make me out to be a fool!"
"Aren't we a narcissist?" Arabella joked. "I sincerely doubt that lot devotes large blocks of time to fashioning ways to annoy you."
"So you're saying it's just a natural affect of their personalities?" Lily smiled.
"Exactly!" Arabella exclaimed as they reached the mouth of the forest. "Go on, Lily! Lean against a tree so I can get a nice pose of you!"
Obliging her friend, Lily took several steps toward a rather large oak when a mature stag made its way out of the Forbidden Forest. Jumping back with a little bit of a start, Lily reversed her movements toward Arabella.
"Oh look at that!" Arabella chirped merrily. "I didn't know deer were about in the Forbidden Forest!" She readied her camera and fired off a shot at the buck with a dark and untamed coat.
"Well if it's been surviving in there, it probably carnivorous or breaths fire." Lily eyed it suspiciously. The stag studied the two girls and an amused sort of manner for a moment before trotting up to Lily and nuzzling her affectionately. Lily stiffened at first at this, but eventually relaxed as she began to pat the deer along its back.
"Carefully, Lily! He's luring you into a false sense of security!" Arabella gasped dramatically. Lily made a sarcastic face as she continued to pet the evidently tamed buck.
"Certainly a pleasant creature." Lily observed in a cooing voice, afraid she might accidentally frighten the stag off. Arabella took a few steps back, camera poised
"I think I'll get a shot or two, hm?" Arabella adjusted her leans before committing the scene to film. "He sure seems to fancy you! Looks like you found your date for the Yule Ball!"
Lily laughed as she pet the deer's head.
"It would appear so." Lily smiled. Letting her camera hang off her neck, Arabella shot Lily an inquisitive look.
"So who are you going with, since we're on the subject." Arabella demanded. "Bet you're telling the boys to form a line to the left!"
The stag's head cocked to Lily as though awaiting her response as well.
"Oh don't you start in on me!" Lily laughed looking at the stag in disbelief. "Bad enough she's a snoop!"
"You're sta-ling!" Arabella sang. "Come on, Lily! There must be someone in this school full of handsome young wizards that you could come off your pedestal to spend an evening with."
"Oh? And who are YOU gracious enough to settle for?" Lily diverted the question.
"No less than the elusive Mr. Potter!" Arabella replied almost triumphantly.
Lily couldn't say she was really surprised by Arabella's answer but it still managed to shock her a bit regardless.
"I thought you two were just friends." Lily stated as she continued to stroke the deer at her side who seemed to suddenly get agitated.
"I'm asking him to a dance, Lily, not to walk down the bloody aisle!" Arabella laughed. "We can go as friends, though a girl can hope he won't feel so platonic once he catches sight of me in my new dress robes!"
Lily only nodded to this as she felt the stag relax under her touch. Adverting Arabella's eyes, Lily felt more than a little intimidated by the comely blonde whose perky attitude and winning smile were things not easily rivaled. Between her attractive looks and charming personality, Lily was almost worried that Arabella might not be entertaining false hopes. After all, she had been giving James the cold shoulder lately and maybe he was looking for someone to warm up to.
"Well good luck with that." Lily tried to sound sarcastic even though she was feeling defensive. "I very much doubt James could manage to find his way into dress robes considering he's too much of a wanker to find his way back to bed last night."
Arabella giggled a bit before stopping with a quizzical expression.
"Well that's odd." Arabella noted as she watched the stag. "Is it just me or did it look like he just gave off a pissy snort and roll his eyes?"
Lily smiled at the deer as she ran a hand down its neck.
"Fan of James, eh?" Lily commented empathetically. "Well, he can be decent in those sparse instances it occurs to him."
"Now if you're done using James to distract me, why not answer my question?" Arabella teased. "You'd look smashing on Sirius's arm and I know he's dying to take you."
"Well, that may be but he's categorized under "prat" in my book at the moment." Lily huffed. Sirius hadn't even bothered to offer her a proper apology yet. Although James had decided to mix a bit more tension into his, at least he had attempted to make peace with her the day before.
"Then who do you plan on taking?" Arabella whined impatiently.
"Umm.well the boy I had hoped to go with.that won't be working out for me." Lily confessed glumly. Arabella's brow knitted together with a look of concern.
"Why not?" Arabella demanded, offended on her friend's behalf. "Is he terminally thick or something? Spurning you would get his arse kicked by half the school, myself heading up the parade!"
Lily smiled at the protectiveness of her friend and shook her head.
"No, actually he seems to be very interested in me." Lily clarified and Arabella grew more confused.
"So then, what's the problem?" Arabella shrugged. "I mean, if you fancy him and he fancies you, what else do you need?"
"Honesty, for starters." Lily sighed.
"Bold face liar, is he?" Arabella offered a weak smile.
"When it suits him, yes." Lily smiled a bit. "Of course, he's so bad at it I can't imagine how he ever gets away with anything."
"Maybe he's just bad around you." Arabella suggested. "Maybe he really wants to be honest."
"Maybe." Lily replied thoughtfully. "Still, it's a complicated sort of thing that would only get more muddled if we went to the ball together. It's like putting a lid on a boiling cauldron. Everyone can go about ignoring it until is boils over and makes a bigger mess than before."
"Well what makes it so difficult in the end?" Arabella attempted to understand.
"He's the brilliant author of his own life, but seems to have trouble ever recognizing the needs and motivations of everyone around him." Lily tried to rationalize. "He's so caught up in telling this grand and epic tale, everything that would make it sincere somehow gets lost between the pages. I trust when people are retelling the events of his life, it will be a very good story. I just don't think it will be a happy one at the end."
"And you need that?" Arabella walked over to Lily and put a hand on her shoulder. "Some white knight to come along and carry you off like a princess into the sunset?"
Lily shook her head.
"Nothing so gallant." Lily corrected. "I'd just be thrilled with a good, old fashioned ' and they lived happily ever after'."
"Oh I always hated those!" Arabella crinkled her face, causing Lily to laugh. "For all you know they could up and die right after that! It's not like it specifies how long they go on to 'happily live'."
"What does it matter?" Lily challenged. "I mean, if they were blissful and in love, who cares if they lived to be nineteen or ninety?"
"I guess not, but the former would make for a grim sort of tale." Arabella shrugged. "Getting offed so young..."
"Well, yeah." Lily relented. "But they died beautiful, in the peak of their lives, never having to question one another's love. It would be like living fast and free, without ever having to worry about the world catching up to you as it's bound to do."
"That's how I feel with James." Arabella sighed romantically. Lily tried not to roll her eyes, but guessed she wasn't the only woman James had this sort of affect on.
"It's good that you're head over heels for James, you'll be needing that." Lily observed solemnly.
"Why do you say that?" Arabella pressed.
"It will be a lot harder for him to go about, disappointing you, what with all his walking on water." Lily's expression was more than amused as Arabella's jaw went slack a bit as she tried to be indignant.
"You're horrible!" Arabella just laughed. "Come on, let's see if breakfast is out. If you're going to make fun of me, I may as well be eating while you do!"
Lily gave the buck a few more loving strokes before patting it on its head.
"We'll we're off.Mr.er." Lily searched her mind before turning to Arabella. "We didn't bother to name him."
"Can I put a vote in for Mr. Coat-rack?" Arabella smirked.
"Okay, now THAT time he rolled his eyes." Lily chuckled as she walked off with Arabella and gave the deer a wave goodbye. "See you around, Mr. Buck. Don't be a stranger and we'll work on a proper name for you for the next time we meet."
As the girl's disappeared into the body of Hogwarts castle, the stag trotted back into the Forbidden Forest to where he had left his invisibility cloak. Reverting back to his usual human form, James Potter sighed as he made his way back to the school.
"Great, now if I can only resign myself to being her pet deer, Lily and I will get along famously." James muttered to himself as he over stepped a large root.
Although few truly dangerous or bizarre creatures ever bothered to venture out of the heart of the Forbidden Forest, James kept his wits about him and his wand at his side as she strolled. Spying the clearing a few paces ahead, James replayed Lily and Arabella's conversation and felt more than a little depressed. It was evident that Lily seemed to really like him but it wasn't fair to expect her to do all the compromising if they were going to have a shot together.
When she had been alluding to him, James thought a lot of what she said was right. He was very insistent upon getting his way and found himself more than oblivious at times to whether it came at someone else's expense. The only way James could feel worse about his selfishness is if he knew he did it intentionally. He hoped he'd be able to let Arabella down once and for all without it hurting her too much since James was sure, if he could dictate matters of the heart, that he could have been more than smitten with the energetic girl. James decided that Lily was right and he needed to devote a little more substance to the manner in which he conducted his life. Now all he had to do was figure out how to give himself, Lily, and even the sweet Arabella a happy ending.
Still, James never pegged Lily as such a romantic.
* * *
A popular class in spite of the frequent injuries to Professor Kettleburn, Care for Magical Creatures had the Marauders, Lily, Arabella, and most of the other 6th Year Gryffindors together. As opposed to virtually every other subject, the boys in their three and a half years in the class had come to behave slightly more serious during the period since they were partial to all their limbs and fingers. What made the class most enjoyable was the utter lack of Snape. Kettleburn carried out a crate with ten jars filled with insects before turning to address his students.
"Since I'm still nursing the wounds inflicted from the Cockatrices we handled last Friday, I've decided on a far less combustible activity for today." Professor Kettleburn introduced. "We will be working with some Bowtruckles in the Forbidden Forest. Anyone care to explain what a Bowtruckle is for the benefit of the class? Ah, of course, Miss Evans."
"Bowtruckles are nature guardians native to Western England, Germany, and Scandinavia. They inhabit trees, feeding off insects and look as though they were made from bark and leaves themselves. They are traditionally peaceful but become exceptionally hostile if they feel the tree they are protecting is being threatened." Lily reported.
"Good then, ten points to Gryffindor." Kettleburn nodded approvingly. "Alright then, everyone understand all that? Your assignment for today is to walk a bit into the forest, find a Bowtruckle, and try to make friends with it. You can never have too many friends in the Forbidden Forest. You will work in pairs but travel in groups of six just to be on the safe side. Each duo will have a jar of insects to offer to the Bowtruckles they come across and I CANNOT encourage you enough to not come across as a menace."
Kettleburn looked thoughtfully at the Marauders, pointing a bandaged hand at James and Sirius.
"You there!" He said in an accusing voice. "Weren't you the two who attempted to ride off on that Hippogriff 3rd Year?"
"Er, yes." James admitted, stifling a grin at the memory. It was filed under the "it seemed like a good idea at the time" events in James's life.
"Lasted eight seconds once she started bucking!" Sirius said a little too proudly. Some of the class snickered then.
"Yes, well I don't think I'll be letting you two collaborate on this one." Kettleburn didn't seem to find the instance as amusing as his students. "Mr. Black can partner with his Prefect and perhaps if Miss Figg's safety is an issue, it will proved Mr. Potter a moment of pause. Alright now, that said, find a partner the rest of you, grab a jar, and set out with two other pairs. Keep in sight on one another!"
As everyone else began to pair up, Sirius made his was over to Lily as he watched Arabella drag James off excitedly with her. Lily nodded in acknowledgement, but appeared to be stiff in dealing with Sirius. Of course, he recognized it was more than warranted given the past few days.
"If you're planning on mounting a Bowtruckle, I'm just letting him have at you." Lily warned as she grabbed a jar and followed Remus, Peter, James, and Arabella into the Forbidden Forest. "Don't suppose you'll be telling me about where you and your friends were last night?"
"Sorry.can't." Sirius smiled apologetically. "Nothing personal."
Making sure his friends were all invested in their own conversations, Sirius turned to Lily with his most sincere expression.
"Um, look Lily." Sirius started awkwardly. "I know this is a day over due, but I'm sorry about my behavior Saturday night. They'll be redefining the term "git" thanks to me and Peter and I assure you that we won't be blind-siding you like that again. We could have gotten you in trouble with McGonagall and that's not right since you've been a more than pleasant Prefect to us all things considering. Anyway, no more drinking parties unless you give the go ahead and Peter and I will NEVER attempt to brew our own ever. There are more kindly poisons I know of then that we passed about. But seriously, sorry."
"Well, so long as you can admit it." Lily sighed and accepted the apology since it sounded more than heartfelt. "But I still plan on punishing the lot of you for all the discord you caused me that night. I don't want Professor McGonagall to get involved if I don't have to but I have to make an example so the other students won't think I'm a push over."
"Absolutely!" Sirius agreed. "You name our penance and we shall serve it out with smiles."
"Tell you're friends they can expect to tutor some of the younger Year students from now until Winter Holiday, practically every evening." Lily informed and Sirius took it with a grin. "That should keep you all out of trouble and where I can see you. That and it will be a help to a couple of the struggling students in the House."
"Sure thing then!" Sirius agreed. "
"And please don't corrupt them as you've done so marvelously with yourselves." Lily pleaded while Sirius laughed. They both were scanning the trees, hoping to catch sight of a thoroughly camouflaged Bowtruckle.
"Got it, no extra credit or field trips." Sirius nodded before shyly glancing over at Lily. "So.are we alright then?"
"I suppose we are now." Lily decided with a smile.
"Good." Sirius took a glance to make sure the rest of the class was out of earshot for their conversation. "Because I want to talk to you on behalf of James."
"Oh trust me, James doesn't need your help to talk on his behalf." Lily replied with a snort.
"Actually, I think he does." Sirius argued. "You're a great girl, Lily, but hard headed at times. And what I said at the party, well that was a case of crossed signals. James really didn't know what Peter and I were up too so he wasn't using you or anything like that."
"He's already set me straight." Lily stated.
"James also gave me the impression, no details mind you, that you two were getting along pretty well before hand." Sirius continued on. "And well, if that's true then I think you should give the boy a fair go. He's the best friend a bloke could ask for and I'm sure that's only half of what he's capable of as a boyfriend."
Lily stopped walking to start up at Sirius with a sympathetic expression.
"James is lucky to have a person like you speak so highly of him." Lily complimented. "But he and I have things we need to work out between us before I can even consider such a thing."
"Well, couldn't you think about it at the Yule Ball.with him." Sirius tried. "I mean, even if nothing comes of it, I'm sure we'd all have a good time!"
"I think Arabella is planning of doing that." Lily informed Sirius.
"Yeah, but James wants to go with YOU." Sirius stated as though to close the subject. "I understand that Arabella is really sweet on James but she's fond of you too. I think if she knew what it meant to the two of you, ' Bella would be more than reasonable."
"There's more to it than that." Lily insisted.
"No there isn't!" Sirius countered. "I'll take Arabella to the dance, she'll have a grand time and won't even look twice at you and James. It's that simple."
"I.already have plans for the ball." Lily said while clearing her throat.
"Oh come on now!" Sirius spoke as though offended. "Who'd be mad enough to do a thing like that?"
Insulted, Lily threw Sirius a cross glare and he shrank away defensively.
"No, not that no one would WANT to take you." Sirius clarified. "All I meant by it was half the school thinks you're going with me and the other half figures you and James are a couple. I just can't think of anyone who'd be brash enough to challenge a couple of guys as manic as us."
"Severus Snape." Lily answered.
"Oh well, yeah that prat would - " Sirius stopped half-way through his sentence. "ARE YOU SERIOUS!"
The other Marauders and Arabella all turned to look at Sirius who smiled and pretended to investigate a shrub.
".that nightshade ISN'T edible!" Sirius covered his outburst. "Fascinating stuff." The other four in the pack turned back to their own assignment and ignored Sirius's weirdness. No longer paying attention to either him or Lily, Sirius turned to her.
"I'm sorry, I have a little insanity caught in my ear!" Sirius hissed in disbelief. "What would possess you to say yes to going to the ball with SNAPE?"
"Are you done with the theatrics, Sirius?" Lily growled. "I don't see how this is any of your business."
"It is if you're just looking to get back at James!" Sirius declared. "I mean, you want to be mad at him, fine! That doesn't mean you need to use Snape as a bid to make my friend jealous. Trust me, he'll find ways to act irrational and deranged all his own!"
"How DARE you!" Lily glowered. "Did you just imply that I'm using Severus as some pawn to throw at James?"
"Well then why don't you clarify for me what the appeal is?" Sirius pressed.
"All the Prefect have to attend whether they want to go or not. Severus hates these sorts of things and would be miserable otherwise. So he asked me to accompany him so he'd have someone as talk to!" Lily justified. "It's nothing more impressive than a friends thing. I assure you I can think of better ways to spend my time with Severus that to rile up James!"
"Yeah, and I'm sure the same goes for Snape." Sirius sneered. "If you catch my meaning."
"Sirius, the BOWTRUCKLES caught your meaning!" Lily said in a huff before turning over to Peter and Remus. "Remus! Trade partners with me please!"
Remus glanced over to the two quizzically.
"What makes you think I want him?" Remus laughed.
"Please!" Lily breathed desperately. "I'm not getting any work done."
Checking with Peter, who only shrugged in ambivalence, Remus and Lily traded off. Stepping up by Sirius who was glowering, Remus raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, what did YOU do?" Remus accused. "You're not still looking to usurp her from James are you?"
"No!" Sirius insisted. "In fact, I'm trying to help him but Lily certainly won't make that a simple sort of chore."
"Yeah, because she's so easy on James." Remus commented drying. "Let's just find a damn Bowtruckle, hmm?" With his new partner, Sirius tried to find something to feed Remus's jar of insects to. More than once, Sirius was tempted to pass along what Lily had just told him, but stayed his tongue.
He wanted to talk to Snape first before he raised an alarm.
* * *
In the drafty Potions dungeon, the Gryffindors and Slytherins congregated amidst themselves as they prepared to brew batches of Fire Repelling Draughts (which Brewsteem emphasized WOULD NOT be tested in class). As usual, the Potions Mistress left the class to workout their partner arrangements for themselves and only bothered to address them with the occasional nervous comment about in-class safety.
"I swear with all her hissing and pacing, you'd think she was one of Arabella's thirty cats!" Peter chuckled under his breath, prompting Arabella to elbow him in the side.
"My pretties are nowhere near THAT high strung." Arabella informed indignantly. "You're my partner for today because I think I shall like to yell at you more."
"Great, always wanted a second mother." Peter muttered as he set his stuff down next to Arabella.
Sirius moved past the two Gryffindors and took the stool next to Snape in the corner of the classroom. Snape gave Sirius a glare of hatred and disbelief.
"Something in particular I can reject helping you with, Black?" Snape demanded as he watched Sirius start to pull out his Potions' equipment.
"You're going to be my partner today!" Sirius flashed an obnoxious broad smile at the Slytherin boy as he made it clear it wasn't to be taken as a request.
"The hell I am." Snape corrected.
Lily entered the room with James just behind her and caught sight of the bizarre scene.
"What's Sirius playing at? Why would be want to be Snape's partner?" Lily nudged James as she observed the conversation. "He's just looking to stir up trouble!"
Lily moved to say something to Sirius, but James caught her arm.
"Hold on, now." James urged, seeing this as an opportunity to take Lily as his own partner. "Snape's a Prefect too isn't he? He should be able to handle Sirius if he gets out of hand. Besides, I don't reckon Snape would appreciate having a Gryffindor girl come along and rescue him in front of his House."
Lily weight James's words in her mind. She knew Sirius was probably planning to harass Snape for taking her to the ball, but also realized that James was right and she would only end up embarrassing all three of them if she went over. Breathing a heavy sigh, Lily found a station with James.
"Last chance to go along peacefully with this." Sirius warned.
"Take your one man spectacle over to Potter's end of the dungeon." Snape ordered definitively. Sirius shrugged as he stood up to address their Potions Mistress (and subsequently the class) in a loud and projected voice.
"Professor Brewsteem!" The instructor seemed to cringe at being involved in the class.
"Mr. Black?" She questioned warily as Sirius threw up his most charming grin.
"I'm a little unclear on the lesson for today, seeing as I'm far more adept at setting things aflame rather than repelling fire. I'd like to work with Snape so I'll be sure to understand it." Sirius explained in an innocent sounding voice. Snape rolled his eyes while the rest of the class murmured or snickered.
"Wouldn't it be less. traumatic for all involved if you simply worked with either Miss Evans or Mr. Potter?" Brewsteem questioned as she eyed the smiling Gryffindor. "They're both as capable in Potions as Mr. Snape."
"Oh and I would normally agree with that, Professor! But I'm afraid I'm far too muddled to afford being distracted by either of them." Sirius assured without breaking his smile. "I mean, James is hilarious and as big a prat as myself and Lily, you ravishing Veela! How can you expect any bloke to keep his mind on his work around you?"
Sirius threw a wink at Lily, to which she responded with a disgruntled noise from the back of her throat. James had his nose pressed into his Potions book so no one could see him stifling his laugher until the Slytherin Lestrange spoke up.
"If that's true, then why do you suppose Potter's immune?" The Slytherin's cackled at their peer's innuendo while James threw a cross look their way. Lily buried her face into her hand.
"In summation, since Snape is utterly unappealing to me on an emotional OR physical level." The class watched Snape bristle as Sirius gave him a swift pat on the back. "I'd like to partner with him!"
"If I say 'yes', will it end this conversation?" Brewsteem asked in a tired voice as she took note of the discord in her class.
"Not on my part." Snape assured as he started to rise, but Sirius roughly pushed him back down into his seat.
"Also, I think Snape could use my help with handling the ingredients." Sirius added.
"I fail to see how you could be of any help to me, Black." Snape retorted in his most condescending tone.
"You will if I break both your hands for protesting too much." Sirius replied under his breath so only Snape could hear without breaking his grin. More than annoyed with the futility of his complaints, Snape's lips tightened into a furious sneer as she settled into his seat.
"Fine." Snape said curtly through his teeth.
"I thank you for your attention." Sirius expressed gratitude as he joined his new partner. Slowly the class went back to their assignment and Professor Brewsteem returned to staring vacantly from her seat.
"The shallow recesses of your mind cannot begin to fathom how many points your little stunt has cost Gryffindor." Snape informed as he set up his cauldron.
"Yes, we all stand in awe of the mighty badge." Sirius mocked as he began to mince the salamander tongue. Sirius had completely dropped his charming act and was doing what he could to be more than menacing. "I want to know what you think you're doing with Lily Evans."
"Already bragging about her plans is she?" Snape smirked at Sirius's evident annoyance.
"Don't play games with me you conniving git!" Sirius snapped. "Or I swear you'll find I lack the restraint James has when it comes to bashing in your snooping nose."
"Go ahead, Black." Snape's black eyes shined. "It will be a very happy holiday for me to see the expression on your face when they expel you for assaulting a Prefect."
Snape studied Sirius's expression and smugly grinned as both knew he had just called the Gryffindor's bluff.
"I thought not." Snape spat out. "Don't confused me with someone who gives a damn about your idle threats. Of all the things that have the potential of intimidating me, Black, I assure you spoiled, pretty boys of rich wizards don't even make the list."
"You're taking Lily to the ball over my dead body." Sirius declared.
"You say that as though it can't be arranged." Snape parried.
"Look, we could flirt back and forth like this all afternoon..." Sirius ground his teeth. " But I'm just going to lay it out straight. Whatever you have planned for the Yule Ball isn't going to happen. I'm not going to let you use Lily just to piss James off or humiliate her just because she's Muggle-Born or however else you Slytherins get your wands off."
"Last I checked, Evans is more than capable of managing the affairs of her own life. As I am my own." Snape bared his teeth. "Regardless of however you and Potter will contrive this situation in order to spare your raging egos, know that she accepted entirely of her own accord. And if that's not good enough for you, may I recommend drowning your sorrows in some other attractive co-ed?"
Sirius was seeing red and took deep breaths to avoid smashing a beaker into the side of Snape's head.
"There's nothing you can do to persuade me to retract my offer and only Evans has the right to refuse it." Snape advised. "So why don't you save your ragged breath, Black?"
Certain that Snape was only playing at some means to hurt Lily, Sirius was frustrated that he wasn't able to advert the danger. Sirius had kind of hoped that he would have been able to drive Snape off, but knew then that wasn't going to happen since he was so insistent upon being a bastard about it. Knowing that he'd probably be seeing a whole lot of Madam Pomfrey if he tried to dissuade Lily again, Sirius was struck by a third option that wouldn't win him many friends but would piss Snape off royally.
"Won't do things the easy way then?" Sirius's eyes flickered, but didn't blink. He felt more than a little manic at the moment. "Hope you're into threesomes then because I plan on being your shadow that night!" In the meantime, Sirius could only hope that, once he found out, James would put forth a more valiant and effective effort than he had.
Sirius flashed an obnoxious grin at Snape's seething glowering, and hastily gathered up his supplies.
"Well THANK YOU for your time, Snape, but I think I have it now!" Sirius announced in a booming voice to the class, causing a couple groups to almost tip their cauldrons and shoot Sirius unappreciative glares. Sirius made his way over to Remus and a Slytherin called Nott's station. "Oy, Nott! Get the HELL away from MY partner!"
Professor Brewsteem sighed as she massaged her temple and looked over to Arabella and Peter, who were seated the closest to her.
"You two.your new assignment is to whip me up a headache tonic." Brewsteem instructed over Remus's protests of being partnered with Sirius again. This seemed to be an open invitation for a verbal melee throughout the dungeon.
"You'll be forever known to the Gryffindors as St. Remus if you keep Sirius away from the rest of us!"
"Put a stopper in it, Black before we see how well Lupin's Fire Repellent really works!"
"Why don't you slither up here and hiss that to my face, Avery!"
It was most assuredly a Monday in Potions.
* * *
Returning to their dormitories after lessons, the Marauders started to pull the curtains against their windows, bringing a false night to their bedroom. Peter and Remus both flopped on their beds, pathetically mumbling about their wish to sleep. Sirius looked a little too high strung to turn in right away and James had practice on the pitch in half an hour.
"Lucky, sodding prats." James muttered bitterly as he started to change into his Quidditch robes.
"It gets worse." Sirius assured. "Lily's going to have us tutor the under classmen as punishment for sneaking out and the party on Saturday. We have our afternoons planned from now until holiday."
The Marauders shared a groan as Sirius could only shrug.
"It's either that or McGonagall." Sirius put things into perspective.
"Great so now after I'm done helping some 1st Year squib with turning a beetle into a button I get to start on my own work?" James moaned as he pulled his shirt over his head.
"I always said our James was a philanthropist at heart." Remus sarcastically commented. "Not all of us are as brilliant as you James."
"He's just cranky because he hasn't slept in two days." Sirius diagnosed.
"Bullocks to that!" James protested. "The sleep deprivation only makes me stronger."
"You'll be singing a different tune later." Remus reported. "We're due for Astronomy tonight."
James stopped dressing to gape at Remus in shock before remembering that he was right and proceeded to start stomping about the room in frustration.
"Bloody hell! I'm never sleeping again!" James moaned.
James collapsed on his bed to scream into his pillow and hit the headboard in a tantrum. Remus laughed madly on his back, staring at the ceiling while listening to his friend's fit. Peter turned to Sirius, who were both propped on their elbows watching James with amusement.
"You know, it's an odd thing." Peter smirked. "For once I DON'T envy Prongs."
Recollecting himself, James finished pulling on the rest of his robes and grabbed his broom. He threw the door open and muttered something about getting to sleep once he was dead. Sirius jumped off the bed to follow after James.
"Here, I'll walk you to the pitch!" Sirius offered as he joined James at his side.
"Act of pity or something on your mind, Padfoot?" James questioned as they made their way out of Gryffindor Tower.
"Yeah.I was hoping we could discuss Lily for a bit." Sirius cleared his throat. James stole an uncertain glance at Sirius before he locked his sight ahead.
"Sure.I was probably going to bring it up if you didn't." James agreed awkwardly. "I was curious to know what was going on with you, her, and Snape today. I mean, you were peculiar for even you."
"It's not for the reason's you're probably assuming." Sirius assured. "I spent the whole day working on ways to get you a clear shot at Lily. I'm giving in to you, James. I think you're more serious about Lily than I ever was."
James looked at Sirius again, first in disbelief than with relief. He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and smiled apologetically.
"I'm really sorry this happened." James insisted, but Sirius shook his head.
"I'm not. Never seen you happier, mate." Sirius smiled briefly before his expression fell grim. "That's why I hate to tell you this."
"What is it?" James questioned with his brow furrowed. Sirius looked to his feet as his hands searched for a place to hide in his pockets. Taking a sharp gasp, Sirius locked eyes with his best friend.
"James, Lily's going to the Yule Ball with Snape." Sirius said matter-of-factly. James reacted as though Sirius had just slapped him in the face.
"You're sure?" James pressed in a hollow voice.
"I heard it from Lily and confirmed it with Snape." Sirius nodded solemnly. "James, I've done everything I could think of to remedy the situation but."
"No, it's alright." James felt nauseous at the thought of the girl he adored hanging of the arm of the person he loathed most. "Not your fault."
"We're going to fix this Prongs!" Sirius vowed as they existed the castle. "You and I will put our clever heads together and come up with a brilliant means to trade Snape out for you. I'm sure Remus and Peter will help us too. This isn't the end of it, James."
"No I suppose it isn't." The shock hadn't left James's tone. He glanced over to the pitch and adjusted his grip on the broom. "Well, thanks for walking me. I need to ponder on this a bit, I guess. Maybe flying will clear my head."
Sirius nodded along as all words of comfort failed him.
"Yeah, I'll see you at dinner then." Sirius waved as he walked back to the castle feeling more miserable on his friend's behalf than he ever felt for himself. Even if you lost a girl to your best friend, you at least could be certain they were both ending up with a good person.but to your enemy.
Heading back to the dormitories, Sirius brooded over his vow to James and tried to think of the best way to realize it. While walking along one of Hogwarts main corridors, Snape was passing along his left. Sirius locked eyes with the Slytherin boy but neither said anything. The hatred in their glares expressed more than words could ever. Catching the smug, triumphant look over Snape's pasty features, Sirius felt himself making a new vow.
He would spare no expense or stop at any prank to wipe that look from Snape's face.
* * *
Arabella could hear Sirius swearing something about Snape from her room. Shacking her head at the usual angst, she went back to developing her photographs. In her bathroom turned darkroom, Arabella was surrounded by a bunch of Muggle style photographs just waiting for a breath of life. Precisely mixing the Potion that she would use to animate the images and memories she had preserved on film, Arabella didn't want to risk damaging them.
Her first and failed batch had left an entire roll of her pictures of her cats irreparably motionless. Deciding that still shots of her cats were better than none and thankful that she hadn't damaged any of her more favored photographs, Arabella was sure she had it right this time and decided to test it on some of the shots she had taken just that morning.
Finding the ones with Lily and the stag from the Forbidden Forest, Arabella poured the potion into a basin and dipped the picture in. Adjusting the glasses she occasionally dawned for reading and close inspections, Arabella's cat-like eyes awaited results. She watched as the preserved character of Lily begin to stoke the deer, occasionally turning her smile away from it to grin out from the photo. Arabella giggled merrily as she studied her creation.
"I swear that randy stag keeps winking at Lily." Arabella laughed to herself as the hung the picture to dry along a cord.
Happy that it appeared to be working and nothing had combusted yet, Arabella went to work on the remainder of the film until she came across the ones she had taken at Hogsmeade.
"Oh these are going to be smashing!" Arabella beamed as she started to animate the memories, reliving them all over again. When she came upon the picture of her, Lily, and the usual Gryffindor foursome of boys, Arabella silently predicted this would be her favorite shot. Dipping it in the solution, Arabella watched.
It was taken just before they were all on their way back to Hogswarts. From left to right it was Remus, Sirius, Lily, James, Arabella, and Peter. Most of the time, everyone was facing forward, laughing or smiling out of the picture, with the occasional adoring glance Sirus would cast Lily's way when he drew her a bit closer or one Arabella would direct towards James as she squeezed his arm. But neither James nor Lily seemed to notice all this in the photograph.
.They were too busy staring longingly at one another.
Feeling the smile drain off her face, as though someone had just pulled the stopper, Arabella's eyes darted over the photo for several long moments before she looked away.
"Oh, bloody hell." Arabella sighed as she hung the photo along with the rest and finished the remaining pictures with far less enthusiasm.
* * * * * *
AFTERWARD
Ah! I know she said yes! Can you believe it? I wouldn't if I hadn't written it! Oh I know I'm going to get some letters about Lily going with Snape.ugh.oh well. I guess you can only please some of the people some of the time and this makes sense in my head somehow so this is what I'm running with. I know my version of Snape would kick my ass with interests if I tried to apologize so I won't.