Chapter 54-She Speaks
"Adams, you say?" James asked this girl.
"Yes, Grace Adams. I just told you that," she said in a snotty tone.
"Is that a very common name?" he asked her.
"Not really. Should it be?" she asked him.
"Um, no I guess not," he said. His eyes darted to Lily, who was gazing over with intense curiosity.
"What can I help you with?" he asked her.
"Lily, why are you looking over there?" Cole asked.
Lily snapped back to attention and looked over at Cole. She felt uneasiness about this girl and hoped to god that she was not related to Venus. That woman had caused so much trouble it was not even funny. James and Lily hadn't felt the same after the so-called Venus episodes.
"Um, do you know that girl?" Lily asked. Cole glanced over at James and the girl. Something shined in his eyes, something that scared Lily.
"No," Cole said. "Why do you ask?"
"I've never seen her around," Lily said. "Just wondering."
"Can we get back to what we're here for?" he asked. He didn't want Lily to focus on James and Grace. He took note in his head that he had some words that needed to be said with a certain someone.
"Of course," Lily said. She opened her Charms book and flipped to where they had left off.
Grace opened her Transfiguration book and flipped open a page. She leaned into James and said rather loudly, "Oh, here it is. This is what I've been having trouble with." She could feel his eyes on her and she was beginning to wonder if her decision to come here had been wrong.
"Why are you yelling? I'm right here," he said. She leaned in closer and put her mouth to his ear.
"I know you're the same James Potter that put my mum in Azkaban," she hissed.
He took an uncomfortable inhale of breath. Of course, she indeed was related to Venus.
"I know she deserves to be there but it's my mum," she whispered once more.
"Listen, I don't know what you want me to say.." he started off.
"I'm not here because of her. I'm here because of him," she said.
"Him? What do you mean?" James asked her.
"The guy who's been shamelessly flirting with your girlfriend," she said so quiet he barely heard her. The impact of those words so powerful that he had to make sure he had heard the right thing.
His eyes averted so swiftly over to Lily and Cole. Grace nodded.
"You need to keep her away from him," Grace said.
"Why? You know him?" James asked.
"You can say that," Grace said.
"Will he hurt her? Is she in danger?" James asked. Grace started to gather her books.
She'd already put herself on the line for too long.
James stood up. "You're going to just leave after you tell me all this?"
"I can't say anything else. He's watching," she whispered.
She rushed out of the library, James gathered his bag and followed after her.
Lily looked over and noticed that James and the Adams girl were gone. She'd have to ask him about it later.
"Um, Lily, do you mind if I use the restroom. I'll be right back," Cole said sincerely.
"I'll be right here," Lily said.
Cole quickly walked out of the library to find the two people he hated most.
"What did he do to you?" James was asking Grace. She looked to her right and saw Cole. Her eyes grew sharp and aware.
"That is none of your concern, Potter," Cole said darkly. He walked over to the two of them.
"I need to have a word with Grace," Cole said.
"As do I. I am her tutor. You know how those relationships go," James commented angrily.
"It's just about schoolwork. Nothing of your concern. Now meddle off and go back to your precious Gryffindor house," Cole said.
James was worried Cole would hurt Grace later if he didn't leave, so he stared behind him as he walked off. He saw
Cole's caramel eyes follow him. James turned the corner, hoping he was doing the right thing. He opened his bag and
pulled something out.
"What did you tell him?" Cole asked, shaking Grace.
"Nothing. I told him nothing," Grace insisted. She wasn't letting her guard down, although there was a trace of fear behind her sharp black eyes.
"Don't ruin this for me, Grace. I know you told him something. Have you been following me?" Cole asked.
"And if I have? That poor girl should know what she's getting herself into," Grace hissed at him. Her wispy voice was unlike her mother's in it's distinct tone.
"You bitch," he said, raising his hand. He felt someone grab the end. He turned around and saw nothing.
Grace had begun to whimper, feeling tears sting her cheeks. James Potter took off his Invisibility Cloak and grabbed Cole's other arm.
"Run!" he yelled to Grace. Cole looked James into the eyes, daring him to do something.
"What did you do to her?" James asked.
"Nothing. You saw to that," Cole said.
"I don't mean just now. I mean before," James said.
"James, why are you out here with me when you have such a beautiful girlfriend inside?" Cole asked. He was changing the subject.
"If you ever so much as look at Lily, I will be sure to bring you as much pain as possible," James said, through gritted teeth.
"Oh, but we're in love James. You should know not meddle with fate," Cole said.
"She'll never love you," James said, hardly believing his own words.
"And why wouldn't she? I'm nice, I'm charming. I can carry intelligent conversation, I'm funny, I'm rich. I'm not horrible to look at. I have so much to offer, Potter. Lily has finally noticed that. She's gotten sick of your childish antics," Cole said.
"She told you all of this?" James asked.
"No. I can sense her troubles, and now, she has someone to confide in. Someone who is as lonely as she is. I tend to be very persuasive when I want to be, Potter," Cole said, not breaking his glare form James's angry pupils.
Before he could restrain himself any farther, James brought his fist back and punched Cole square in the face.
What he hadn't know was that, someone had come to check on her missing pupil. Lily had seen her boyfriend punching her friend out of some jealous rage.
She stared at him in disbelief. She just shook her head and mumbled, "I'm not going to take this any longer," before running off.
"Lily, if you only knew what he said," James said, using an excuse that seemed to never work. After all the years of beating on Snape for no reason, Lily would never believe him about this one.
Cole just sat on the ground, wiping blood from his mouth and grinning.
A/N: I hope you liked the chapter, although everyone must hate Cole right now. Please review.