Chapter 53-The Tutor
"I don't trust him, Padfoot," James deducted. He was pacing the boys dormitory for a visit with the Marauders.
"What don't you trust about him other than the fact that he's a Slytherin?" Sirius asked, as he was polishing his broomstick. It was a March day and the weather was permitting for flying. He had plans to take Halle out on a broom later.
"I don't know. I haven't really met the guy," James said.
"Then how can you tell if you don't trust him?" Remus asked, looking up from a book.
"Lily's been with him every night this week. Do you think she's cheating on me?" James asked.
"With a Slytherin?" Sirius questioned.
"No," Remus said. "Lily loves you. You need to trust her."
"It's not her I don't trust," James grumbled.
"Every night though, mate?" Sirius asked.
"Every night. They meet in the library for about three hours every night to help him with his homework," James recalled.
"Is it even possible to have Charms homework every night of the week?" Sirius wondered aloud.
"My thinking exactly!" James exclaimed.
"How do you know he's not behind on work?" Remus inquired.
"Always the noble one," James said. "Moony always takes the underdogs side."
"If I didn't, who would?" Remus asked.
"Lily," Sirius and James said in unison.
"Why did you have to go and get a decent girlfriend, Prongs? If Lily was a coldhearted witch, we wouldn't have this problem," Sirius pointed out.
The three fell in silence. Peter was nowhere to be seen, but this was nothing new. It was odd to have lost a member. He was always quiet though, unobtrusive. It wasn't a great loss, it was only temporary.
"Can I ask you guys a personal question? With the honest truth?" James asked.
"What'd you do?" Remus asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh no, Prongs. You did something bad, didn't you?" Sirius asked, dropping the broomstick.
"Well, define bad," James said.
"Spit it out," Padfoot and Moony said together.
"I hired Snivellus to spy on this kid for a week," James said, closing his eyes, fearing his friends responses.
"Bad, Prongs. Very bad, Prongs," Sirius said.
"If Lily finds out Prongs, she's going to be furious. You'll never get back in her good graces," Remus said.
"But why is she allowed to go around helping this kid when I have to sit back and watch? I'm Head Boy. I should be able to tutor someone," James said.
"Well, volunteer yourself for tutoring. Someone's bound to sign up," Remus advised. "Lily may find it charismatic."
"Sometimes I swear he's speaking another language," Sirius said, looking at Remus oddly.
"She might think it's good. Charismatic is good, Padfoot," Remus said, raising his voice and slowing down the words for Sirius's level of thinking.
After a few moments, Sirius let out an, "Oh." James and Remus shook their heads.
"Good thinking, Remus. Thanks," James said, leaving.
"Don't thank me," Sirius called down the steps to James.
"I won't," James's voice rang.
The following sign appeared on the bulletin board in the Great Hall the following morning.
Need some assistance in Transfiguration or Defense Against the Dark Arts? Or both? Feel a little depressed about your failing grades and insulting remarks from others. Seek tutoring from the Head Boy. All are welcome for Study Session in Library, tonight at six o'clock after dinner (of course). See you then!
James saw few approach the sign. No one seemed to take it seriously. All those years of pranks and mischief were finally catching up on him. He groaned. Lily looked at him oddly.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing. Just having some issues," James said.
"It feels like we never get to see each other anymore. It's odd. I've been so busy. How about we schedule something to do this weekend? We could take a walk around the lake like old times. How about it?" Lily asked.
"Sure. Fine. Whatever," James said, in monotone.
"Well, don't get all excited about it," Lily said. Her eyes looked hurt and she picked up her books and
left the Great Hall.
Lily wouldn't even look at James as they sat in Transfiguration. When he went to offer a seat to her, she gave him the cold shoulder and joined Halle. Sirius shrugged and made his way to sit by James.
"Women," he muttered.
"Tell me about it," James said. His eyes remained focused on the back of Lily's head as they once had been.
He could scarcely pay attention to his work as he kept trying to get Lily's attention. He just wanted one moment to
apologize. Things just weren't working out as they were expected to. He would be meeting Snivellus in three days
time and he hoped Lily would not possibly find out. He would be in even more trouble with her than there was.
At six o'clock, James saw heard Lily slam the Portrait Hole shut to the Heads Room. He looked up and saw that she was gone. He could still smell her perfume and it lingered. He missed her.
How could she remain mad at him for so long?
He packed up some books and exited the Portrait Hole as well. He made way to go to the library, something he rarely did.
Many surprised glares were sent to James. Even Madam Pince, the old librarian, gave him a shocked look.
"Welcome back, Mr. Potter," she said quietly. He nodded in her direction.
He found an empty table near Lily, although not too close. He saw Cole and looked up. Their eyes met one another's. Lily followed Cole's glare and saw James.
"James, what is the meaning of this?" Lily asked. "Resorted to spying on me now?"
James didn't say a word. He wasn't planning on spying on her. He just wanted to make sure that there was nothing to be jealous of.
James sat for a moment. He hoped someone would show, so he wouldn't look so ridiculous.
"James Potter?" a voice asked.
He looked up to see a pretty girl with shoulder length black hair, black glasses and a superior expression. Something about her was strangely familiar.
"Yes, and who may you be?" he asked her.
"Grace Adams," the girl replied. That's when James noticed them. Her eyes. Her cold, black eyes. Just like her mothers.
Lily noticed as well. As she heard the last name, a shiver ran up her spine. Venus Adams' daughter needed tutoring,
and what a coincidence that James just so happened to be her tutor. It really was a small world after all.
A/N: See, not completely following the OC's storyline. Sorry about the cliffhanger. You all do remember Venus, don't you? Oh, she was a favorite of mine. Probably my favorite original character. So, tell me your thoughts.