Chapter 4 - Judge and Conviction
When the applause was gone Lily and James disappeared again in the crowed. They both felt like they were teenagers who had been discovered snogging in the trophies room by the caretaker. While still out of breath they regarded each other expectantly.
"Is that the way you mix up society?" Lily smiled and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Well," James coughed, "Usually I don't dance with Sirius." He grinned and she began to laugh.
"Good to know," she winked and straightened his tie, but stopped when she noticed what she did.
Prongs grinned down at her and whispered a seductive, "Thanks."
"No problem," she whispered embarrassed.
"Wow! What can I say about that show?" Someone laughed behind them and they both turned to see Sirius approaching them. On his arm he had a young woman with brown curls and gentle blue eyes. "I only left you two alone for a few seconds!" Padfoot snapped playfully. James also laughed.
"Someone had to get this party started. Now you can follow my lead and by dancing with Marlene," and he welcomed the girl by embracing her.
"My dear," she grinned. "You two charmed the crowd and the charm is lost. It wouldn't be the same."
Lily could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. "Please excuse me for a moment," she smiled. She had to get away from James and his aura. Actually, she would have loved to have stayed within his proximity, but she had this feeling that she would reveal something from herself in Marlene McKinnon's presence. Something important that should remain unsaid and unknown. At least for a while longer.
James watched as Lily walked away. He was entranced as she walked gracefully out of the dance salon to freshen up, or he assumed to freshen up. In a trance, he admired her figure until the last dip of her dress had disappeared.
"Do you think she wears underwear?" Padfoot pondered and Marlene shot him glare.
"James, close your mouth. You don't look very attractive at the moment," Marlene chastised him and he followed her instructions.
"Yeah exactly, Prongs," Sirius smirked, "Not we're going to have to give you a bib."
"Look who is talking," countered James sourly. "You aren't one to reprimand anyone on drooling over girls . . ." Sirius looked like James had just slapped him.
"James," he said in a formal tone. "What you're talking about? Especially since we're in the presence of a lady," he gestured to Marlene. She rolled her eyes, but grinned nonetheless.
"Save it, Sirius," James snorted.
"As you wish, my love," he smiled sweetly, "Now, you Jamie, do you still want to talk to Augusta? Perhaps she will sign the contract and then you'll be promoted and not our attractive Lillian." He batted his dark lashes.
"Sirius!" Marlene slapped him indignantly on the shoulder. "What are you doing?"
"I'm only worried for James' career!" he said as he rubbed the place where she had hit him.
"It does not concern only James' career!" She said again. "It's really unfair. Lillian doesn't deserve that."
"Doesn't deserve or deserve, it's all the same," he repelled her opinion. "Well then, go Prongs. Come on, go!" And he pushed him forward. James looked miserablely at them.
"See? He doesn't want to go! " Marlene said obviously.
"Sure he does!" And Padfoot pushed him roughly into Augusta's direction. "Come on! Move!" He instructed him and James went hesitatingly toward the formidable looking woman. He felt like he was 5 years old again, like the time he had to go to her and had to say, "Good day," to Augusta Longbottom for the first time. She had looked always looked so formidable, as if she would eat everyone who said a wrong word.
"Sirius, you've made a large mistake," Marlene hissed, "James isn't concerned about his job! He never was and you know it. There is more between them." She told him hotly.
"What should there be?" He asked insulted.
She looked at him disbelievingly. "Don't actually you're that stupid, are you? You just saw them together. Think about it and then come talk to me!" And she rushed off.
Sirius looked surprised after her. Think? Think about what? Oh boy, women were always so complicated. Never they could answer directly. Always these damn suggestions, he growled.
"Where is everyone?" Asked Lily, which was suddenly beside him.
"Marlene went back to talk to her mother," he lied, "And James is getting himself a drink."
"Oh," she answered and played with her hands. An awkward silence settled between them as Lily continued to play with her hands and looked around the salon. Witches and wizards passed them and smiled friendly. Until Lily discovered Fabian and Gideon Prewett both of who were observing the salon with eagle eyes.
"Quick", she whispered urgently to Sirius. "Mr. Black! Please hide me!"
"Oh so formal now," he laughed, "Any friend of James is a friend of mine. Call me Sirius," and he placed himself protectively in front of her. Fortunately for Lily they were standing close to a large Benjamin tree, which helped to cover them.
Lily peeped between the branches and past Sirius' shoulder. Any friend of James is a friend of mine? Her eyes searched the high wizarding society, but she didn't see dark, untidy hair anywhere. This chance had to be used, even if it wasn't particularly fair of her.
"Well, Mr. Black..."
"No!" He scolded her, "I said call me Sirius."
"Mh, okay. Sirius... "
"Yes, Lillian?" He interrupted her again, which caused her to roll her eyes with frustration.
"If any friend of James is a friend of yours that means that I am a friend too, correct?"
"Yes...?" Padfoot answered with curiosity in his voice. What was Lily up to?
"Friends help friends, correctly?"
Sirius turned and looked at the redhead out of the corner of his eye. His black hair fell easily in his face and he brushed it with a hand to the side. His eyes studied her in detail and his left eyebrow rose expectantly in a sign he was waiting to hear what she had to say. Abashedly, Lily lowered her eyes and played with her hands again. Since when have men had such an effect on me? Lily pondered. When was the last time I lowered my eyes? That hasn't happen for ages. What is it about these British men?
"We could spare us many troubles if we just get over everything as soon as possible. I talk with Augusta and then everyone gets what they want and everybody will be happy," she said. A glint flamed up in Padfoot's eyes and his mouth slowly formed to a smile.
"That was a good attempt, Lillian."
"My friends call me Lily." she winked now more confidently.
"Lily, it was a good attempt, but not good enough," Sirius taunted lightly.
"I don't understand what you mean," she asked suspiciously and tried to keep from glaring at her client.
"Lily, Lily, Lily," He answered in a blaming tone, "I don't understand every word that comes out of a woman's mouth, but I know exactly what you're up to." She thought about her chances and figured that it was worth a shot. Damn, she swore. He got me.
"Was I even close to getting you to close this deal?" Lily inquired and stepped out from behind Sirius.
"It would certainly have worked with Peter, but not with me," he answered truthfully.
"Peter?" Lily asked curiously, "Who's Peter?"
"Nobody important . . . ah, there's James," Padfoot said and distracted her. Peter was not his favorite topic for discussion. When Prongs was close, Sirius could see that his best friend had been out of luck.
"How did it go?" he whispered nevertheless.
"Have you ever tried to give a dragon a bath?" James asked. Sirius grinned at this answer and patted him on the shoulder. Lily regarded the scene. Hadn't James gone to get himself a drink? He had returned with out one, and Lily found that strange. While she was lost in her thoughts, a sudden flash of reddish hair snapped her back to reality.
"Sirius! Quick! Hide me!" She pleaded and again Padfoot placed himself protectively before her.
"What's that suppose to mean?" James asked astonished and slightly jealous. Wait . . . he was jealous?
"She is hiding because of Fabian and Gideon. They're hunting her like a hawk hunts mice.
"Understandably," Prongs placed himself beside Sirius to hide Lily better.
"Are they gone?" She asked after a few moments.
"You can come out," answered Sirius and stepped to the side, so that Lily stood between them. "I need a drink, you too?" Both James and Lily declined and Padfoot rushed off to the bar.
"So..." Prongs began. "Would you like..."
"Lillian," someone said suddenly from behind them and Prongs knew immediately who it was. Please don't say anything to me, James pleaded. Lily didn't need to know that he had asked Mrs Longbottom again about the contract.
"Auntie?" Lily turned to her. "How can I help you?"
James thought it was very funny that Lillian called Augusta Longbottom, `Auntie.' Could one really give a nickname to this woman? Only if they were as courageous as a lion, and Lillian Evans was more than courageous.
"The Sprouts would like to meet you," the old woman said to her kindly, but with her usual formidable face.
Lily looked desperately to James and then at a nearby grandfather clock. It was nearly 11 o'clock.
"Auntie, I have . . ." she truly wanted to say that she had promised Minnie that she wouldn't come back too late. But when she thought of that reasoning, she knew she couldn't say that. What would James think of her if he knew that she gave such outrageous promises to her cat? And for what? Just so she didn't have to deal with the bad mood of her cat the next day. For days Minnie would stretch her small furry body in her face, if she didn't come home on time.
"I need to get up early tomorrow. James and I were just talking about leaving. We have to do a lot of work tomorrow," Lily looked at her with large puppy dog eyes that would have softened anyone's heart. And that `anyone' included one, Augusta Longbottom.
"Well alright then darling. A rain-check will do for now, but next week I want you to meet them!"
"As you wish, auntie," Lily sweet-talked and embraced her cordially.
James had watched the scene with amusement and awoke from his dazed state when Lily nudged him. He said good-bye somewhat more formally to Mrs. Longbottom and together he left with his charming companion.
"That was close," she breathed relieved, "I don't think I could stand to have her showing me off again."
"This time you would have had me for support," James flirted when he helped her into her cloak. He put a coat on, that underlined his elegant style even more and left Lily with butterflies in her stomach.
What would happen now when they left the party together, she pondered. Would he use the next opportunity to take her into his arms and kiss her? Probably not, Lily told herself off and linked her arm with his.
"Would you like to have a little walk?" James asked and drove his hand through his hair. It was already clear that this was no gesture from nervousness, but from habit.
"Sure," Lily replied and moved closer to him, and then they stepped out the door and into the clear night. The door closed behind them automatically and together they walked down the stairs. Weak light illuminated the sidewalk and only the noise of Lily's high heels rang out in the night.
"It's a beautiful evening," Lily said aimlessly.
"Despite having narrowly escaped the doom of having discussions with the most boring wizards Britain that is the best conversation starter you have? The weather?" James asked mockingly and looked down to her.
"I didn't mean it like that. No, I meant the evening with you," and Lily had said, but she actually wanted to keep for herself. Oh no, how could I? Desperate she closed her eyes. What had her mother told her? Never show a man too early that you like him. Otherwise he will fluff up like a peacock and stalks around like one.
"I think the evening with you was beautiful too," returned James steadfastly and both stopped. Lily looked up to him. His face was half in the dark and his otherwise brown eyes looked now black. The shadow of small hairs along his jaw line glittered briefly when he smiled and a scent of his cologne surrounded her. A gust of wind arose and drove under her cloak. She shivered, but in the next second James had already wrapped his arms protectingly around her.
His warmth filled her body or was it her own heat that arose in her? It was long ago that someone had held her in his arms in such a way.
Emerald peered into dark eyes. There it was again, this moment where everything around them crackled. Again the air was electrified and made it possible that anything and everything could happen. James bent slowly down to Lily. Nearer and nearer came her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and led him to her. Everything was so perfect . . . and nevertheless both suspected that they suddenly . . .
"HEY! WHY DID YOU GO WITHOUT ME?!"
. . . would be disturbed. Frightened both turned their faces into the direction of Sirius. Their cheeks brushed together and both got an electrical impact, which caused Lily and James to jump apart. Sirius walked hastily to them. Neither of them dared to look at the other.
"You could have waited for me," snapped Padfoot, when he had reached them.
"Everything went rather fast," James choked, but at that moment he would have loved to Avada Kedavra his best friend.
"Yeah, sorry," Lily said nervously, "Well, I should go now, it is really late." Briefly she looked up to Prongs. "See you tomorrow, James. And I'll come to your house around 9, Sirius. Good night." she said gently and disapparated.
"Padfoot, if the Unforgivable Curses were not unforgivable, you would be punished right with one of them," James growled.
"Hey, sorry, mate!" Sirius patted him on the shoulder. "If I had seen what you two were doing, I would have waited patiently."
"That is it," James growled, "We did nothing!"
"Then it wasn't bad that I disturbed you," Sirius concluded logically. James let his shoulders hang.
"I'm going home; I need something to distract me."
"Well, you do that, Jamie-kins, your time will come!" Padfoot grinned, before he disapparated likewise.
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Lily apparated into her flat, everything was dark and only the light of the streetlight shone through the curtains.
"Oh Merlin," she sighed while turning on a light. "Minnie? Where are you?" She called, but no meow rang out. "Minnie? You small, thick fur ball, if you are laying on my bed again so help me . . ." Hastily Lily ran for her bedroom.
There was Minerva lying curled up to a ball and sleeping peacefully. "Minnie! Wake up, you wont believe what happened . . . well almost happened." Her cat lifted her head leisurely, blinked sleepily, and regarded her owner with partially opened eyes.
"He almost kissed me," Lily babbled like a small girl who had just gotten a new doll. "Can you imagine that? We were that close and . . . Oh Minnie," Lily sighed and fell on her bed, that her cat was strongly jostled and let out an aggravated meow.
Minerva rose gracefully, stretched briefly, tripped a few steps, and collapsed with a slump onto Lily's chest, which was cause for a momentary loss of air.
"Minnie!" She coughed. "Now be happy for me!" But her cat showed no sign, but closed the eyes and waited for her to be finally chucked behind the ears.
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James ran through his dwelling with a butter beer in his hand. His tie hung loosely around his neck and his shirt was opened and pulled out from his trousers. Now playing piano, he sighed and sat down on the bench, but then it occurred to him that the piano was broken. Then I'll just have to listen music, he went over to his stereo and pressed the play button. A piece of concert sounded immediately and a James closed slowly his eyes and listened to the music.
Tomorrow I'll ask her if she'll go out with me, he swore and drank another sip of his butterbeer.
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With great difficulty Lily had lifted Minerva from her belly to prepare for bed, when she heard it. Music was playing again from the neighbor's apartment.
"Oh, please not tonight," she groaned, "This idiot always plays music at the latest hours." She rushed into the living room, where her wand lay on the table. "Silencio!" she said and pointed to the wall. Immediately there was silence. That should do it, thought Lily as put her wand back and walked back to her bedroom.
James opened his eyes with astonishment. The record wasn't finished yet. Why had the music grown silent? "This is certainly another joke of Padfoot and Moony," he growled and took his wand. "Finite!" Prongs said and again the music sounded and he leaned relaxed back.
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Lily had set one foot into her bed as she stiffened. This can't be happening, she thought furiously and went back into the living room. Rearmed with her wand, she said the incantation again.
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James opened one eye questioningly. The music had again grown silent. Why was this happening? Padfoot hadn't done these pranks since their second school year and now he pulled these old thinks out of his prank factory. That's what he used to call his brain sometimes. Slowly James took his wand and ended the charm again.
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Lily had just turned around when she jerked back. "Argh!!!!! This can't be happening!" she swore. "Not again! Silencio!"
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"Finite!" James countered, when again silence occurred.
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"Silencio!"
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"Finite!"
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"Silencio!"
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"Finite!"
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"Silencio!" Lily said furiously and cried afterwards, "Turn off the damn music!"
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Prongs had heard the request of his neighbor clearly through the wall. "Okay!" He roared back and switched everything off. "I can't even listen to music if I want," he mumbled and went into his bedroom.
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"Finally!" Lily sighed and went to bed.
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James hastily walked down the sidewalk. It had seemed like it was an eternity before Augusta had signed everything. She did that on purpose, that hag, he swore and walked faster. Small clouds decorated the silver-blue sky. It had become colder and small clouds ascended from passing people as they breathed in the cold air.
Actually James wanted to apparate directly to the office, but his sense of honor forbade it, because he already knew that Lily would be coming in the Muggle way from Sirius. In the last night many things had been going through his head, which had been interrupted when his neighbor had disturbed him. Old woman, he growled again. And then there was another dead mouse on my threshold again this morning. I will pay that cat back when the next opportunity presents itself. I said it to her in a good way, and James conceived plans, how he would cure Minerva of putting dead animals down before his dwelling.
His rambling thoughts found a sudden end, when he had reached the stately red brick building. Impatiently he entered the elevator. As usual he zoned out to the sound of the sleep-inducing music, which was playing in each elevator. Passengers awoke only from this trance when the "Bing" sounded that announced the right floor.
"Bing"
James looked up, the indication of the third floor was illuminated and he stepped out.
"Good morning, James," He was welcomed like always with a sugar-sweet voice by Estelle.
"Morning," he hummed back and went into his office. The receipt lady looked astonished after him.
When Prongs closed the door behind him he recognized instantly the one person behind the desk. To be exact, it was Lily who sat behind her desk and only her and his desk stood in the office. Where was Melanie's desk?
"Hello James," said Lily somewhat shyly.
"Hello Lily, what you're doing here?" He asked astonished.
She smiled at him. "I waited for you."
James placed his bag perplexedly on the table. "W-w-why?"
"I wanted to go with you to talk to David."
"O -- Okay, then let's go," he babbled and took the briefcase with the documents from his bag.
Silently they left the office and went down the corridor to David Dunvegan's office. James had thousands thoughts running through his head when he knocked and opened the door, after an imperious "Come in!" sounded. Both looked surprised for a short moment before glancing at each other.
Carefully they entered the huge office. David sat enthroned like always behind his gigantic desk, which seemed to Lily in this moment rather like a judge chair, with James and her on the dock.
"Aha, there you are. Sit down, I must have a serious word with you two," he said grave.
Lily had immediately the feeling of distrust and worry. What was the matter? Had She done something wrong that she didn't know of? James sat down beside her and regarded his boss expectantly.
"Lillian, James," he began. "At first, what leads you to me? Did you two come to the realization that it was wrong?"
"We brought along our contracts," Prongs answered calm, but was surprised at the same time what David meant. Did I do something? James pondered and felt transferred back into his time at Hogwarts. But now he didn't sit in front of a friendly Dumbledore, but before a controlling David Dunvegan.
"Okay, okay," their boss waved the fact aside, which astonished his visitors, more than everything. David seemed very tense and at the same time annoyed.
"I'll get directly to the point," he continued to speak. "A&V stands for fairness and sincerity and the both of you were horrid examples for all your coworkers for the past few days. I don't tolerate contests among coworkers, particularly not between my best mediators!" He nearly shouted. "We could have lost these lucrative orders, and then you would have paid for it with your salaries, Mr. Potter and Miss Evans."
Since when are we on last name terms again, considered James during this speech.
"Remember for the future that there are no rivalries under my leadship. Otherwise you can pack your things. And for the promotion, neither of you are applicable any longer. Miss Mosag finished her contract yesterday. Only because of Melanie did I know about your little game. I am deeply disappointed in the both of you. You can both leave my office, now," closed Dunvegan red faced.
Lily and James looked at him flabbergasted. What had he just said? Melanie had already finished everything yesterday? And she had told Dunvegan that both James and Lily had tried to sabotage the others negotiations?
"You can go now!" David dismissed them and they rose and left wordlessly.
Lily closed the office door behind her and put a silencing charm on it. She had the feeling that it would be getting very loud very quickly
"Well, who would have thought that, " James pondered and looked outside the window.
"What do you mean? That Melanie was faster? Or that she betrayed us?" noted Lily sourly.
"I've never seen David that furious . . . if you hadn't started this whole thing this wouldn't have happened at all. And we wouldn't have to watch what we're doing the next time."
Lily stopped halfway. She had started to walk towards him and . . . what she had wanted to do she didn't know. Maybe just stand beside him. But after this sentence everything yelled in her not too.
"Wait a moment . . . I started everything? I didn't start this whole ordeal!"
James turned around to face her. "Don't deny it, it's too late anyways." He put his hands into his pockets in a nonchalant movement. Lily, however, looked absolutely threatening.
"I did not certainly start this. You called Sirius first!"
"Me?! I didn't call Sirius at first. I only called after you had already gone to Augusta-I-eat-everyone-who-comes-too-close-to-Lillian-Evans-Longbottom. And I wouldn't have called Sirius at all, if Mel hadn't told me where you went!" Prongs roared back. "Thus it was obviously YOU that started this whole thing."
"Well then, James," Lily crossed her arms as she spat out his name, "I have news for you. I only went to Augusta after Melanie had told me you were calling Sirius Black to tell him to delay everything. Otherwise I would have never considered visiting my aunt!"
"When did Melanie tell you that I would call Sirius?" James asked perplex and completely calm.
"When you went out of the office," she answered fiery.
"Lily?"
"Yeah?"
"I was gone to get you a coffee," he said dryly.
"You . . . What?"
"I wanted to get you a coffee and apologize again."
In Lily's head everything began to work itself out, "She tricked us," she babbled, "That disgusting piece of shit out played us!" She swore angrily.
"Lily, don't swear."
"I can swear when ever I want," and she began pacing the office up and down discharged occasionally frustrated sounds. "Argh, and then she told David . . . And, argh . . . honey around the beard!" Lily babbled. "I . . . I don't get it."
James came to her and stopped her in her speech and pacing. "Hush," he calmed her down and held her at the shoulders. "We'll pay her back, won't we?"
"How can you remain so calm?" She inquired frustrated.
"During my school time with Sirius I learned a lot," and he took her into his arms.
Still agitated she seized his shirt and tried to shake him.
"James, I want to pay this bitch back. I don't know yet how, but I want her head!" He smiled down to her.
"I want to, too, and we will have her head on a silver plate," he grinned and patted soothingly on her back. James felt in this instant like he was in heaven and he enjoyed each second. Even if it wasn't a lucky day.
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James unlocked the door and stepped over a new dead bird. This beast, he grumbled about Minerva, Oh, if I get you.
James had gone home earlier, because without Lily he didn't want to remain in the office any longer than necessary. She had gone to explain everything to Augusta. From what Lillian had told him, her aunt was eager to have a word with him.
Frustrated he threw his bag into a corner and took an innocent looking mirror in his hand.
"Sirius," he said and seconds later the face of his best friend appeared.
"Ah! May I congratulate on your wonderful promotion?" He laughed soundly, "Why the long face?"
"I am not promoted, Padfoot. And Lily isn't either," and thereupon he told the whole story.
"That is a woman after my own heart," Sirius still grinned after James had concluded the whole story.
"Believe me," shook Prongs his head. "You would get yourself a stomach ache from dealing with her."
"Well, it doesn't matter now, what happened happened. I know what we are doing now. I'll fetch Moony and we bring along a few drinks and something to eat. What you think of my fabulous idea?" Padfoot wiggled requestingly with his eyebrows.
"Oh, I don't know..." James hems and hawed.
"Don't be so modest, Mr. Potter." Sirius smirked. "See you in a few!" And his face disappeared.
Twenty minutes later Remus and Sirius stood in his living room, loaded with several different bags, each with the different markings of innumerable restaurants.
"What have you done? Attack every restaurant in London?"
"One could call it that," nodded Moony and carried everything into the kitchen. A little bit later they sat with loaded plates and different drinks in the living room. Remus forced James to tell everything that had happened and when time passed they emptied the plates, butter beer bottles and an old bottle of fire whiskey that Sirius had brought along from his cellar.
When Prongs told them everything he also told them of Minerva. A general shock went through the three and then Padfoot jumped up enthusiastically.
"I have an idea. Can you look from your balcony into the apartment next door?"
James regarded him ponderously. "Yes, you can. Why?"
"You'll see," and Sirius stormed on the balcony. Skillfully he bent around the partition and looked into the living room. There lay Minerva rolled together on the sofa.
"What is your plan?" Prongs asked eagerly looking over his friend's shoulder.
"Mix something under into her cat food."
"You want to kill her, don't you?" James asked with a wry smile on his face, "I don't think that'd be a good idea . . ."
"No, where would be the fun in that? I only want to make her drunk," Sirius replied with a laugh.
"Cats can smell alcohol," reminded Remus, who stood now behind them.
"What we are wizards for," slurred Padfoot, took his wand and beside Minerva appeared a cup.
"What do you give her?"
"Fish, what else. And now quiet and look."
Minerva smelled a seductive smell. She opened her eyes ponderously and saw the cup only few centimeters away from her. Distrustfully she looked to the balcony. There the neighbor stood and waved with a white cloth that he had pulled from his pocket. Suddenly Minnie jumped up and stormed to the cup. Eagerly she gulped everything down her throat and then fell to the side and remained lying stock-still.
"Padfoot, you killed her! I thought you said you didn't want to do that!"
"Blah, I didn't kill the cat! She's only drunk."
"Promise?"
"Sure. Now let's go in. I'm getting cold," and Sirius shoved James and Remus back into the warm living room.
Lily unlocked the door a little later and switched the light on. She was totally exhausted and wanted to have a simply calm evening. She was still annoyed about Melanie Mosag and she was sure that nothing could change that condition.
"Minnie? Where are you?" She called weakly, but no usual meow sounded. "Minnie?" Slowly she entered the living room and saw her cat in an untypical position lying on the sofa.
"Minnie, what are you doing?" She laughed and went to her. Something was foul here. "Minerva?" And Lily shook her carefully. Her cat opened slowly her eyes and Lily yelped shocked. One eye was small and the other one large.
"Minerva, what happened to you?"
"Meow."
"Are you . . . drunk?!"
"Meow."
"How can you be drunk?"
"Meow."
"Fish, what fish?"
"Meow."
"The fish that the neighbor gave you?"
"Meow."
"There is no cup anywhere. You're certain that you went through the cat flap on the balcony."
"Meow."
"I can imagine that you don't know anymore."
"Meow."
"Yes, I take you to a vet."
"Meow."
"Yes, I take you to the best veterinary in all of London!" Lily insured and got Minerva's cat basket. Carefully she inserted her and apparated with her to Diagon Alley.
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James and Sirius laughed hysterically about a prank they had played on Severus Snape when someone kept ringing the doorbell. Ponderously Prongs wanted to rise, but Moony, who was still relatively sober, held him back.
"I'll go," and he disappeared in the corridor, when it rang even more aggressively.
Lily stood fuming in the corridor and waited for her neighbor to open the door. Now he pushed my patience. I will show him . . . Makes my cat drunk without reason . . . oh just wait!!
When the door was opened a young man stood there completely in contradiction with her expectations. In front of her was a man with light brown hair, a gentle face, and affectionate amber eyes. A small smile lay on his lips.
"I can help you?" He asked friendly.
Lily had to gain her strength again and succeeded after a few seconds. That was guy who made Minnie drunk? But then she heard laughter in the background.
"Well yes, you certainly can!" and she handed him a sheet of paper.
Remus took it surprised and unfolded it. It was the bill from an animal hospital. "If I see you near my cat again you'll wish you were never born!" Lily threatened, stormed furiously away and slammed her door.
Moony looked flabbergasted after her. So that's James' neighbor, he determined in a well-meaning manner. If he knew whom he has as a neighbor . . . laughed Moony mentally and closed the door.
"Who was that, Moony?" James asked with a heavy tongue.
"Your neighbor and she brought a bill for an animal hospital."
"Well, yeah. I'll look at it tomorrow. Put it there," Prongs pointed to his desk and no thought occurred to him how his neighbor knew that he was responsible for Minerva's condition.
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