The last summer winds blew through James Potter’s dark unkempt black hair as he sat on the steps of his home. He fiddled with a snitch in his pocket and nervously tapped his foot. He and his mum were supposed to be leaving for the train station, but she was frantically searching throughout the house for the keys to a magical vehicle lent to the Potter family from the Ministry.
“Mum,” James called from the porch as he released the Snitch into the neighborhood for good. “Why do you need keys? You’re a witch.” A red faced Mrs. Potter appeared behind the door and rolled her eyes out of ignorance.
“Thanks, James,” she said graciously. Her long black hair was the opposite of his own, silky and smooth. Her warm hazel eyes were dancing in laughter, but also in sadness as she was watching her only son leave her once more. This time was also the last time. “What would I do without you?”
“Knit,” he figured. “You would do a lot of knitting. You always tried that when I was younger, but I refused to give you a moments peace.”
“That you did,” she said. She watched as her seventeen year old son, now of legal age, levitated his things into the trunk of the car. He had passed his apparation test, but had agreed with his mum that they would drive to King’s Cross for old time’s sake.
James was quiet for the entire ride, his thoughts wondering upon things he didn’t wish to share with his mum. Right before he had left last year, an awful, dangerous thing had happened. Sirius Black, James’ best friend, had told Severus Snape, a slimy sixth year who James and Sirius despised, that Remus Lupin resided in the Shrieking Shack once a month. What Sirius failed to mention was that Remus was a werewolf and transformed every full moon in that shack. James had heard wind of this and had to save Snape, much to his displeasure, for Remus’ sake.
Remus had been mad at Sirius for the longest time after that, two weeks, and had finally managed to mend their friendship before leaving. James hoped that the Marauders would still be as close as ever this year.
It was rare seeing James without Sirius as the two of them were practically like brothers. The summer before sixth year, Sirius had moved out of his parents’ home and into the Potter’s house. Yet, this summer, Sirius had inherited money from his late Uncle Alphard and had bought himself a flat in London. James had visited there often, but it was odd boarding the train without his best friend.
As he saw the magical barrier between Platforms 9 and 10, James turned and smiled down at his mother. Between the end of sixth year and the start of seventh, James had experienced a growth spurt and now towered above his mum.
“Oh, James,” his mother cried, wiping a tear from her eye. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too, Mum,” he insisted, leaning down to hug her. “Tell Dad that I’ll miss him as well.”
“Oh, I will,” she said, fixing his shirt and trying to straighten his hair. “You behave now. I don’t want anymore owls from Professor Dumbledore saying that you and Sirius have blown up the trophy room.”
“That was in second year, Mum,” James reminded her. “Keep up with the times.”
“Goodbye!” she waved, before watching her son run his trolley through Platform 9 ¾. She then walked back to her car, unaware of a set of eyes watching her.
Lily Evans had just arrived at the station, held up by her sister Petunia, and had seen James Potter actually acting like a human being with his mother. She looked at Mrs. Potter, a kind woman, and wondered how James had come out of such a lovely lady. She looked over at her own mother, with her thick auburn hair and dazzling blue eyes. Mrs. Evans was a caring woman, a woman who supported Lily and all that she did.
“I’m going to miss you,” Lily said, hugging her mum. “I don’t know what I'd do without you.”
“Well, you better write to me,” her mother insisted. “I’ll be busy with Petunia’s wedding, so it’ll be refreshing to hear from you.”
Mr. Evans kissed the top of his daughter’s head.
“Make us proud, Lily,” he said to her. Lily looked down at her Head Girl badge thoughtfully. Although she knew she had always done well in school, she hadn’t really imagined becoming Head Girl. It was an honor for her.
“I will,” she said quietly. “I have to go now. I love you.”
She walked through the barrier and smiled up at the steam engine. She looked around for her best friend, Cindy Davis. Lily and Cindy had pretty much been thrown together from day one. They were both in the same year, Gryffindor house, and shared a dorm with a bunch of superficial girls who were sometimes described as demonic. They had to stick together in order to survive.
“Lily!” a voice called from the left. Lily turned to see a pretty girl with short blond hair and bright blue eyes. Cindy was not the prettiest girl in the school, but something about her made her stand out from the rest. Lily tended to think it was her eyes, but the boys of the school believed it was her smile.
“How was your summer?” Cindy asked excitedly. “Meet any boys?”
“I live with my parents and my sister,” Lily reminded her. “In Kilmara. There are no boys to speak of that are halfway decent.”
“I met one,” Cindy said. “My parents shipped me off to a camp with other magical folk and I met this boy named Ben who goes to Durmstrang.”
She waggled her eyebrows at Lily and Lily laughed.
“We better find a seat,” Lily said, boarding the train and heading down the aisle. “Everywhere looks pretty full. God, Petunia was complaining to my mum about the color of her wedding dress. She held her up for at least ten minutes talking about the pros and cons of the color pink.”
“Sounds fascinating,” Cindy insisted. “Here, let’s sit in this one.”
Alice Newton, a shy seventh year girl who also occupied their dorm, was sitting alone and watching people out the window. Cindy and Lily had never really gotten to know Alice, as all of Alice’s friends were either in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, but they had always thought she seemed normal compared to the others in their dorm.
“Hi Alice,” Cindy said boisterously. She sat down across from the small, brunette and smiled.
“Hi Cindy,” Alice replied in a somewhat grateful tone. “Lily. You don’t know how relieved I am that someone sat with me.”
“What do you mean?” Lily asked, sitting down next to Alice.
“Well, you know my friends in Hufflepuff?” The other two girls nodded. “They think that Frank Longbottom likes me, which he clearly does not, so they sort of resent me now.”
“That’s crazy,” Cindy said, rather indignantly. “It’s Frank’s decision who he likes, not theirs, and if they were true friends it wouldn’t matter.”
“I don’t know where they would get that idea anyways,” Alice mumbled. “I barely know Frank.”
“But he’s handsome,” Cindy commented. Her blue eyes innocently surveyed the blush rising in Alice’s cheeks. Suddenly, a bright gleam of light, caught her eye before she could comment on it. “Lily, you made Head Girl?”, looking questionly at the badge.
“Oh yeah,” Lily remembered, standing up abruptly and opening the door. “Sorry, but I need to go to the front of the train, into the heads compartment.”
“Good luck,” Cindy and Alice called from the compartment.
Lily’s heart raced as she moved towards the door. The carriage door was right in front of her, but Lily couldn’t move to open the door. Something in the back of her mind told her that once she opened that door, there was no turning back. Call it intuition, but Lily had good sense about things. Most things, that is.
Quickly, she opened the compartment door and her green eyes opened wide in surprise. Someone was already in the compartment waiting for her. A tall, slightly more filled out James Potter stood by the window and turned quietly as she opened the door. He didn’t say anything to her, didn’t even smirk, just shyly smiled and picked up a piece of parchment from the seat.
“Potter,” Lily managed to say in disbelief. She couldn’t get over the way he was looking at her, right into her eyes. It was nerve wracking. It was as if he was examining her to the utmost extent. He was seeing her! She didn’t know how much she liked that. “You’re Head Boy?”
He nodded and handed her the piece of parchment.
“McGonagall left that,” he said in a deep voice. “It’s a list of passwords. I already gave them to the Prefects. That’s just for your knowledge.”
He headed towards the door and before he shut the door, he mumbled, “Congratulations on becoming Head Girl, Lily.”
She had never held a more civil conversation with James in her life and she had only said four words to him.
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“Prongs!” Sirius yelled as James entered the compartment. He nearly lunged for James as he hugged his friend. “Where’ve you been? Party started twenty minutes ago.”
He was referring to the sweets, the other Marauders, and the blonde Hufflepuff all within the compartment.
“Moony, Wormtail,” James acknowledged before sitting down. “Padfoot, I was in the Heads compartment. I made Head Boy.”
Silence filled the compartment. Sirius’ mouth hung wide open. The blonde stopped chewing her gum. Peter stopped scratching his head. Remus stopped tapping his foot.
After a couple minutes of stunned silence, they all told James congratulations, except Sirius who believed becoming a figure of authority was a mortal sin.
“You’re on the dark side now, Prongs,” Sirius whispered hoarsley. “Well, Lily’s on the dark side with me too,” James announced. Remus nodded, although a question popped into his mind.
“You’re still going after her then?” Remus asked cautiously.
“Slowly,” James assured his friend. “I’ve decided that all previous attempts were rubbish. Lily seems like the kind of person who needs to be led into things. I figure I’ve been doing things wrong for years.”
“What do you mean? You’ve gotten loads of girls before,” Sirius reminded his friend, looking rather annoyed.
“Not Lily,” James said quietly. “Lately, she’s the only one I’ve wanted.”
“Wow, Prongs,” Peter commented, slyly. James looked up at his friend. “You’ve grown up.”
“I think I have,” James said.
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Full Version: The Mask
thankyou to all those who left feedback, I really appreciate them. Aniwayz here is the next chapter.
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Once Lily had attended the feast, supervised the first years’ tour of the dorms, and been introduced to the Heads bathroom and lounge, Lily made her way up the stairs to her dorm with less energy than she had relied on.
“A dance,” Lily grumbled. “We’re going to have a blasted dance at this school.”
“I know,” Cindy said anxiously. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be absolutely marvelous.”
Alice smiled. The three girls had gotten to know each other a lot better on the train ride and during the feast. Alice had admitted how uncomfortable she had always felt in the dorm, what with all the other loony girls frolicking around.
“This dance is going to be the biggest headache since the O.W.L’s,” Lily insisted. “First, I’m going to have help organize it, the girls in our dorm are going to go spastic this entire month, there is going to be much more trouble at that dance than necessary, and both the girls and boys’ self-esteem is going to be under a lot of pressure. A dance is the last thing we need.”
“You’re no fun,” Cindy teased, sticking her tongue out. Her blonde hair was held up into a messy bun with an eagle feather quill. Somehow, she made it work. “So Alice, who do you want to go with?”
“Hmm,” Alice contemplated. “Maybe Remus Lupin. He’s nice and fairly attractive.”
“You like the good boys?” Cindy asked, making a face. “Me? I’m more into bad boys. Something about rebellion just draws me to them. Evan Rosier seems like a good possibility.”
“You’re joking,” Lily exclaimed. “Rosier? The same Rosier that stages loud conversations about his latest Muggle hunting trips?”
“What can I say? I might not support his cause, but he does have a very sexy head of hair,” Cindy gushed, holding a pillow on her bed. “Recklessness is a definite turn on.”
“What about you, Lily? Anyone in particular you’re thinking of going with?” Alice asked, obviously trying to change the topic off Rosier.
“That is, if I go,” Lily reminded the two.
“You’re going,” Cindy automatically responded.
“How can you be so sure?” Lily inquired.
“There is no way in hell or heaven that James Potter would let you miss this dance for a second,” Cindy retorted, looking her friend daringly in the eye.
For once, Lily was left speechless on the subject of her supposed enemy, James Potter.
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“Potter, Evans,” Professor McGonagall addressed as she approached the two of them at dinner. Lily and James looked up at the Transfiguration teacher. “Professor Dumbledore and I discussed the upcoming dance this afternoon. We think it would be best if done on Halloween. So, this means that the planning will have to start immediately.”
“Sure thing, Professor,” James assured the teacher. He looked over at Lily. “When do you want to get started on it?”
McGonagall saw that her two students were planning on meeting, so she headed back to the staff table. “When are you free?” Lily asked him, knowing all too well about his strict Quidditch schedule.
“Tonight,” James offered. “And also on Friday.”
“Sounds good to me,” Lily decided. “Tonight the two of us will make the basic outline. Friday we’ll think of jobs the Prefects can help us with. The following week we’ll go into detail.”
James nodded and they went back into eating their desert. Sirius eyed the scene skeptically, an odd feeling arising. He had never seen the two of them act so civil towards one another. He wondered if maybe he was imagining it. He knew he wasn’t when he saw Cindy Davis and Alice Newton looking bemused as well.
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Once Lily had attended the feast, supervised the first years’ tour of the dorms, and been introduced to the Heads bathroom and lounge, Lily made her way up the stairs to her dorm with less energy than she had relied on.
“A dance,” Lily grumbled. “We’re going to have a blasted dance at this school.”
“I know,” Cindy said anxiously. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be absolutely marvelous.”
Alice smiled. The three girls had gotten to know each other a lot better on the train ride and during the feast. Alice had admitted how uncomfortable she had always felt in the dorm, what with all the other loony girls frolicking around.
“This dance is going to be the biggest headache since the O.W.L’s,” Lily insisted. “First, I’m going to have help organize it, the girls in our dorm are going to go spastic this entire month, there is going to be much more trouble at that dance than necessary, and both the girls and boys’ self-esteem is going to be under a lot of pressure. A dance is the last thing we need.”
“You’re no fun,” Cindy teased, sticking her tongue out. Her blonde hair was held up into a messy bun with an eagle feather quill. Somehow, she made it work. “So Alice, who do you want to go with?”
“Hmm,” Alice contemplated. “Maybe Remus Lupin. He’s nice and fairly attractive.”
“You like the good boys?” Cindy asked, making a face. “Me? I’m more into bad boys. Something about rebellion just draws me to them. Evan Rosier seems like a good possibility.”
“You’re joking,” Lily exclaimed. “Rosier? The same Rosier that stages loud conversations about his latest Muggle hunting trips?”
“What can I say? I might not support his cause, but he does have a very sexy head of hair,” Cindy gushed, holding a pillow on her bed. “Recklessness is a definite turn on.”
“What about you, Lily? Anyone in particular you’re thinking of going with?” Alice asked, obviously trying to change the topic off Rosier.
“That is, if I go,” Lily reminded the two.
“You’re going,” Cindy automatically responded.
“How can you be so sure?” Lily inquired.
“There is no way in hell or heaven that James Potter would let you miss this dance for a second,” Cindy retorted, looking her friend daringly in the eye.
For once, Lily was left speechless on the subject of her supposed enemy, James Potter.
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“Potter, Evans,” Professor McGonagall addressed as she approached the two of them at dinner. Lily and James looked up at the Transfiguration teacher. “Professor Dumbledore and I discussed the upcoming dance this afternoon. We think it would be best if done on Halloween. So, this means that the planning will have to start immediately.”
“Sure thing, Professor,” James assured the teacher. He looked over at Lily. “When do you want to get started on it?”
McGonagall saw that her two students were planning on meeting, so she headed back to the staff table. “When are you free?” Lily asked him, knowing all too well about his strict Quidditch schedule.
“Tonight,” James offered. “And also on Friday.”
“Sounds good to me,” Lily decided. “Tonight the two of us will make the basic outline. Friday we’ll think of jobs the Prefects can help us with. The following week we’ll go into detail.”
James nodded and they went back into eating their desert. Sirius eyed the scene skeptically, an odd feeling arising. He had never seen the two of them act so civil towards one another. He wondered if maybe he was imagining it. He knew he wasn’t when he saw Cindy Davis and Alice Newton looking bemused as well.
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lol, seems like most of guessed the connection between the title & the story now. And yes, you guys are right, it is going to be a masquerade. aniways, here is the next chapter.
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“Sorry I’m late,” James apologized as he approached the table Lily had sat at in the library, for the past twenty minutes. He placed his bag down and took out a piece of parchment. “Peter held me up. I was helping him with his Transfiguration homework.”
That’s thoughtful. Lily commented inside her head.
“That’s ok,” Lily said, although she had fully intended on lecturing him. Now, it seemed so petty. She had her own parchment and quill in front of her and was tapping it nervously. “So, what do you want to start with?”
“Well,” James began. “They want a Halloween dance. Obviously, Dumbledore is getting tired of the normal feast and festivities. I think he’s looking for something new. Something that the school has never seen before.”
“That’s great and all,” Lily agreed. “But what hasn’t Hogwarts ever seen before? Hogwarts has been around nearly forever. What would be new & different in a school like this?”
“Well, dances are all about your date,” he told her.
“No they’re not,” Lily contradicted. “Dances are about unity. They’re a symbol of togetherness within the school.”
“Evans, be real here,” James replied, cocking an eyebrow. “Dances are all about the person you’re going with. Come on, you live in a dorm full of high maintenance girls. What are Hogsmeade weekends all about to them?”
“Dates,” Lily answered dully, clearly dejected. “And how much makeup they can load onto their face.”
James snorted. “Precisely. Now, what if we shake things up a bit? What if your date remains as the most important factor, but you simply don’t know who your date is?”
“You mean like, disguises? Costumes?” Lily asked, trying to imagine the frenzy this dance would create.
“I mean a masquerade. Masks,” James told her. “With masks, your date is important, but you don’t choose them for how good looking they are. You choose them for the person that lies behind the mask. It’s all about depth.”
Lily contemplated and then smiled. “I like it. The shallowness that usually accompanies these sort of events will no longer be allowed.”
“It could create inter house unity,” James pointed out. “Slytherins and Gryffindors have a well known rivalry. If a Slytherin boy and a Gryffindor girl get to know one another at the dance, who knows what could happen? The entire feud could be broken. The ideas and traditions of each house could combine and create a more equal atmosphere.”
“The entire blood hypocrisy could be diminished,” Lily finished, realizing just how much of an impact this dance could be. “Where did you come up with such a brilliant idea?”
Apparently, James had come up with it. He didn’t say this, but Lily could tell. Instead of bragging, his cheeks turned red and he tried to change the topic. The fact that they were carrying on so well was making both of them quite nervous. Lily felt flushed, unusually flushed, and decided that before things got too complicated, she better leave.
“Well, you had some good ideas today, Potter,” Lily complimented, gathering her things. “So Friday then? Same time and place?”
“Guess so,” James commented. “Want to walk back?”
She hadn’t realized he would be leaving with her. Now that she had thought about it, it made sense. He rarely spent time in the library, he was often frolicking about with the rest of the Marauders.
The two of them walked quietly down the halls, the torches on the wall being the only light to guide their way. James strolled casually, his bag on his shoulder and his hand in his pockets. Lily, on the other hand, was more preserved and uptight, clutching her books to her chest.
“So, what are your plans for this masquerade? Going to meet up with any masked men?” James asked her, smiling.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she teased. “Actually, I might not even go.”
He hadn’t thought about that. The entire time, the appeal of a dance was thrilling. It would be an opportunity to see Lily. He hadn’t taken into account that she may not even like dances.
“You have to go,” James protested. “You’re Head Girl.”
“You’ll be going,” Lily reminded him. “It’s not like you won’t be able to handle it", she said, though with a half-mind.
“It’ll be fun,” James insisted. “Please?”
And since when was she letting James Potter convince her to do anything?
We’re Head Boy and Head Girl. It’s normal for them to be civil to one another. Normal. Completely normal. Why is it that he’s getting in my head all the time though?, Lily thought. So many thoughts were jumbling around in her brain. She hated him, she didn’t despise him, she hated him.
“Fine,” she said before she could stop herself. “I’ll give it a try.”
“You won’t regret it,” James called as he dashed down the hall to find his friends.
“You can’t guarantee that,” she whispered to herself.
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A couple of weeks passed and soon, the start of October and the fall season began. Hogsmeade weekend had quickly approached and Lily, Cindy, and Alice were sipping hot mugs of Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks.
“Ah, nothing’s better than a hot mug of Butterbeer,” Cindy expressed, caressing the mug as if it were her infant. Her hair was fringing in her eyes, but she quickly shoved it away by blowing it out of her face.
“I can’t keep it in any longer,” Alice squealed. “Those Hufflepuffs were right. Frank Longbottom fancies me. He asked me out for today, but I told him I wasn’t sure.”
“Scratch what I said before about the Butterbeer,” Cindy corrected herself. “Nothing’s better than a handsome Quidditch player that asks you out.”
Hmmm, handsome Quidditch player who likes me, Lily pondered dreamily. James.
Lily stopped sipping her Butterbeer when she realized that she had non-verbally called him James. If she was calling him James in her head, surely she would be calling him that out of her head. She couldn’t call Potter anything but, Potter, it would give him signs that she liked him, which she clearly did NOT.
She started banging her head against the table.
“Lily,” Alice said in a weary, somewhat scared voice.
“Shh,” Cindy hushed. “Something’s going on in her head that she doesn’t like. This happens usually around exam time. Lily honey, it’s ok. O.W.L’s are over. You did well on them.”
“It’s not that,” Lily grumbled, raising her head from the table and allowing her sleek, red hair to fall to her shoulders. “I am just really frustrated about this dance.”
“I’m not,” Cindy assured her friends. “You told me it was a masquerade, right? Well, I may not be able to see their face, but I can see their body.”
“That is so shallow,” Lily scorned her friend.
“But oh so true,” Cindy reminded Lily. “Alice, tell me that’s not what you were thinking of when Lily told us about the dance?”
Alice giggled at Cindy, blushed, and refused to answer.
“Well, cretins like Sirius Black are going to be thinking the same thing about the girls,” Lily groaned. “When James and I talked about it, the entire thing was supposed to steer the students away from the shallowness of it all.”
“Oh,” Cindy answered, in a mock mystical voice. “And what else have James and you been talking about?”
James, Lily thought to herself. I called him James. Damn, I knew this would happen.
And with that, she started banging her head against the table, again.
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“Sorry I’m late,” James apologized as he approached the table Lily had sat at in the library, for the past twenty minutes. He placed his bag down and took out a piece of parchment. “Peter held me up. I was helping him with his Transfiguration homework.”
That’s thoughtful. Lily commented inside her head.
“That’s ok,” Lily said, although she had fully intended on lecturing him. Now, it seemed so petty. She had her own parchment and quill in front of her and was tapping it nervously. “So, what do you want to start with?”
“Well,” James began. “They want a Halloween dance. Obviously, Dumbledore is getting tired of the normal feast and festivities. I think he’s looking for something new. Something that the school has never seen before.”
“That’s great and all,” Lily agreed. “But what hasn’t Hogwarts ever seen before? Hogwarts has been around nearly forever. What would be new & different in a school like this?”
“Well, dances are all about your date,” he told her.
“No they’re not,” Lily contradicted. “Dances are about unity. They’re a symbol of togetherness within the school.”
“Evans, be real here,” James replied, cocking an eyebrow. “Dances are all about the person you’re going with. Come on, you live in a dorm full of high maintenance girls. What are Hogsmeade weekends all about to them?”
“Dates,” Lily answered dully, clearly dejected. “And how much makeup they can load onto their face.”
James snorted. “Precisely. Now, what if we shake things up a bit? What if your date remains as the most important factor, but you simply don’t know who your date is?”
“You mean like, disguises? Costumes?” Lily asked, trying to imagine the frenzy this dance would create.
“I mean a masquerade. Masks,” James told her. “With masks, your date is important, but you don’t choose them for how good looking they are. You choose them for the person that lies behind the mask. It’s all about depth.”
Lily contemplated and then smiled. “I like it. The shallowness that usually accompanies these sort of events will no longer be allowed.”
“It could create inter house unity,” James pointed out. “Slytherins and Gryffindors have a well known rivalry. If a Slytherin boy and a Gryffindor girl get to know one another at the dance, who knows what could happen? The entire feud could be broken. The ideas and traditions of each house could combine and create a more equal atmosphere.”
“The entire blood hypocrisy could be diminished,” Lily finished, realizing just how much of an impact this dance could be. “Where did you come up with such a brilliant idea?”
Apparently, James had come up with it. He didn’t say this, but Lily could tell. Instead of bragging, his cheeks turned red and he tried to change the topic. The fact that they were carrying on so well was making both of them quite nervous. Lily felt flushed, unusually flushed, and decided that before things got too complicated, she better leave.
“Well, you had some good ideas today, Potter,” Lily complimented, gathering her things. “So Friday then? Same time and place?”
“Guess so,” James commented. “Want to walk back?”
She hadn’t realized he would be leaving with her. Now that she had thought about it, it made sense. He rarely spent time in the library, he was often frolicking about with the rest of the Marauders.
The two of them walked quietly down the halls, the torches on the wall being the only light to guide their way. James strolled casually, his bag on his shoulder and his hand in his pockets. Lily, on the other hand, was more preserved and uptight, clutching her books to her chest.
“So, what are your plans for this masquerade? Going to meet up with any masked men?” James asked her, smiling.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she teased. “Actually, I might not even go.”
He hadn’t thought about that. The entire time, the appeal of a dance was thrilling. It would be an opportunity to see Lily. He hadn’t taken into account that she may not even like dances.
“You have to go,” James protested. “You’re Head Girl.”
“You’ll be going,” Lily reminded him. “It’s not like you won’t be able to handle it", she said, though with a half-mind.
“It’ll be fun,” James insisted. “Please?”
And since when was she letting James Potter convince her to do anything?
We’re Head Boy and Head Girl. It’s normal for them to be civil to one another. Normal. Completely normal. Why is it that he’s getting in my head all the time though?, Lily thought. So many thoughts were jumbling around in her brain. She hated him, she didn’t despise him, she hated him.
“Fine,” she said before she could stop herself. “I’ll give it a try.”
“You won’t regret it,” James called as he dashed down the hall to find his friends.
“You can’t guarantee that,” she whispered to herself.
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A couple of weeks passed and soon, the start of October and the fall season began. Hogsmeade weekend had quickly approached and Lily, Cindy, and Alice were sipping hot mugs of Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks.
“Ah, nothing’s better than a hot mug of Butterbeer,” Cindy expressed, caressing the mug as if it were her infant. Her hair was fringing in her eyes, but she quickly shoved it away by blowing it out of her face.
“I can’t keep it in any longer,” Alice squealed. “Those Hufflepuffs were right. Frank Longbottom fancies me. He asked me out for today, but I told him I wasn’t sure.”
“Scratch what I said before about the Butterbeer,” Cindy corrected herself. “Nothing’s better than a handsome Quidditch player that asks you out.”
Hmmm, handsome Quidditch player who likes me, Lily pondered dreamily. James.
Lily stopped sipping her Butterbeer when she realized that she had non-verbally called him James. If she was calling him James in her head, surely she would be calling him that out of her head. She couldn’t call Potter anything but, Potter, it would give him signs that she liked him, which she clearly did NOT.
She started banging her head against the table.
“Lily,” Alice said in a weary, somewhat scared voice.
“Shh,” Cindy hushed. “Something’s going on in her head that she doesn’t like. This happens usually around exam time. Lily honey, it’s ok. O.W.L’s are over. You did well on them.”
“It’s not that,” Lily grumbled, raising her head from the table and allowing her sleek, red hair to fall to her shoulders. “I am just really frustrated about this dance.”
“I’m not,” Cindy assured her friends. “You told me it was a masquerade, right? Well, I may not be able to see their face, but I can see their body.”
“That is so shallow,” Lily scorned her friend.
“But oh so true,” Cindy reminded Lily. “Alice, tell me that’s not what you were thinking of when Lily told us about the dance?”
Alice giggled at Cindy, blushed, and refused to answer.
“Well, cretins like Sirius Black are going to be thinking the same thing about the girls,” Lily groaned. “When James and I talked about it, the entire thing was supposed to steer the students away from the shallowness of it all.”
“Oh,” Cindy answered, in a mock mystical voice. “And what else have James and you been talking about?”
James, Lily thought to herself. I called him James. Damn, I knew this would happen.
And with that, she started banging her head against the table, again.
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“Masquerade, huh?” Sirius asked when James told him the news. The four Marauders were sitting at the bar of the Three Broomsticks, drinking four hot mugs of Butterbeer.
“Yep, that’s the plan,” James said, in-between sips of his drink.
“So I won’t be able to see any chicks’ face at all, the whole night?” Sirius inquired, making sure that he had the correct idea .
“Exactly,” Remus told Sirius. “The idea is for us to get past the outside appearance.”
“What do you mean?” Sirius asked. “This dance is practically screaming shallowness. Hear me out. So, we can’t look at the girls’ faces, but we can look at every other part of their body. Don’t you think that’s a bit shallow? I mean, trust me, I am the male equivalent of shallow. I know it when I hear it.”
James knew some guys would take it the wrong way. The dance was about getting to know people. It was his way of showing Lily he, himself, wasn’t completely shallow.
“I talked her into going,” James announced.
"Who", said Sirius absent-mindedly.
"Moaning Myrtle, no, who else do you think, he means Lily, of course", said Remus, giving Sirius a disbelieving stare. Sirius scowled in response.
“Lily Evans is going?” Peter asked. “I heard she wasn’t.”
“Well, I told her it would be fun and she reluctantly agreed. It was odd. We have been carrying on fairly civilly for the past month,” James noted. “I am rather enjoying it.”
“Well, be sure to be careful around her. She’s pretty fragile,” Remus told his friend.
“You’re telling me,” Sirius said, looking over his shoulder. James turned to see Lily banging her head against the table. “Well, she has beauty and brains. Obviously, there was no room for sanity. Hey, you can’t have everything, mate.” he said, shrugging.
You can’t have everything, James thought to himself. But what if someone means everything to you? Does that count as everything? All I really want is Lily. But how do I get her?
He knew it would all lead back up to the dance. It was his one chance to show her that he wasn’t a complete git.
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ok, i know it's short, compared to the other chapters, but i just need to change something in the next bit, so hopefully the next chappie will be up by 2morrow or the day after. :)Aniway, your Feedback is always great fun to read, so feel free to review.
“Yep, that’s the plan,” James said, in-between sips of his drink.
“So I won’t be able to see any chicks’ face at all, the whole night?” Sirius inquired, making sure that he had the correct idea .
“Exactly,” Remus told Sirius. “The idea is for us to get past the outside appearance.”
“What do you mean?” Sirius asked. “This dance is practically screaming shallowness. Hear me out. So, we can’t look at the girls’ faces, but we can look at every other part of their body. Don’t you think that’s a bit shallow? I mean, trust me, I am the male equivalent of shallow. I know it when I hear it.”
James knew some guys would take it the wrong way. The dance was about getting to know people. It was his way of showing Lily he, himself, wasn’t completely shallow.
“I talked her into going,” James announced.
"Who", said Sirius absent-mindedly.
"Moaning Myrtle, no, who else do you think, he means Lily, of course", said Remus, giving Sirius a disbelieving stare. Sirius scowled in response.
“Lily Evans is going?” Peter asked. “I heard she wasn’t.”
“Well, I told her it would be fun and she reluctantly agreed. It was odd. We have been carrying on fairly civilly for the past month,” James noted. “I am rather enjoying it.”
“Well, be sure to be careful around her. She’s pretty fragile,” Remus told his friend.
“You’re telling me,” Sirius said, looking over his shoulder. James turned to see Lily banging her head against the table. “Well, she has beauty and brains. Obviously, there was no room for sanity. Hey, you can’t have everything, mate.” he said, shrugging.
You can’t have everything, James thought to himself. But what if someone means everything to you? Does that count as everything? All I really want is Lily. But how do I get her?
He knew it would all lead back up to the dance. It was his one chance to show her that he wasn’t a complete git.
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ok, i know it's short, compared to the other chapters, but i just need to change something in the next bit, so hopefully the next chappie will be up by 2morrow or the day after. :)Aniway, your Feedback is always great fun to read, so feel free to review.
The week of October 31st was a very anxious, impatient week for the students of Hogwarts. Students, third year and above were anxious about the dance. Students below third year were anxious about sneaking in. Professor Dumbledore’s face appeared young and festive, even with the increasing power of a dark wizard of the name Voldemort.
Friday night was the dance, so teachers basically felt as though it was completely useless to try and teach. The autumn leaves strolled past the windows, looking particularly beautiful in the mid-day sunlight. The air grew slightly colder, but the weather was still fair.
All in all, the day was perfect for a dance. James smiled to himself as he recalled the plans he and Lily had made only a month before. They had all come alive the night before. The Great Hall was decorated extravagantly, a band was hired, and the usual amount of chaos leading up to it had already been diminished.
As James and his fellow Marauders headed onto the grounds to sit beneath the willow tree they had affectionately dubbed their own, the topic of the dance sparked up.
“So Padfoot, who’s going to be your date?” Peter asked, sheepishly. Sirius grinned, letting out a bark like laugh.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, wormtail. Date? You obviously don’t know me well enough,” Sirius told his friend.
“How many are you bringing?” James inquired.
“Four as of now,” Sirius informed them. “But, we still have four hours left until the dance. Who knows how many I could be taking by then?”
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Although it was too cold to dip their feet in the lake, Lily, Alice, and Cindy sat on the shore, feeling the waves let off a nice breeze.
“So Cindy, who’s going to be your date?” Alice casually asked.
Cindy’s bright blue eyes filled with laughter. Her smile was so wide all her sparkly white teeth were being shown.
“Date? Innocent Alice. How much you have to learn,” Cindy replied. Alice looked over at Lily for explanation.
“What she means is that there is more than one,” Lily correctly interpreted.
“There is three right now,” Cindy reported. “Should be an interesting evening.”
“Do you even know all their names?” Lily asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Does it matter?” Cindy retorted, rather playfully. “It’s a masquerade.”
“That it is,” Lily muttered.
“So, Lily, you’re the Beauty of the ball, who’re you going with?” Cindy asked.
“No one,” Lily answered.
“I like that move,” Cindy deduced. “She’s planning on finding someone at the dance. It’s understandable.”
“I’m not going because my hormones are out of whack like yours are,” Lily insisted. “I’m going to make sure that there is no fighting, no drinking, no indecent exposure…”
“No fun,” Cindy finished for her. Lily retorted with a don't-try-and-act-smart-with-me look.
“Well, I don’t have a date either,” Alice said. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t leave without one.”
“Atta girl,” Cindy commented, smiling.
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While Cindy and Alice took lots of time to get ready, Lily had simply thrown herself together in twenty minutes. She had worn the dress she had picked out the weekend before, put on very little makeup, and thrown her hair up into a messy up do. She really didn’t have much reason to look extravagant.
Cindy was busy doing Alice’s hair into an elegant French twist. Her rusty, brown hair was now sleek and shiny. Her makeup was done finely and her pale blue dress was neatly on. Cindy hadn’t even done her own makeup yet or put on her dress.
Her hair was curled loosely and her dark midnight blue dress was hanging on the door. “Voila,” Cindy announced, the finished touches completed on Alice. “You look marvelous, darling.”
“You look really great, Alice,” Lily insisted. Her own mask was on and she was ready to go.
“The two of you better not wait for me,” Cindy said. “I might take a while.”
“Alice, are you ready?” Lily asked. Alice nodded. The two of them walked down the stairs and into the Common room. Only a couple of blokes were in there, most likely waiting for Cindy, but otherwise, everyone else had already gone to the dance.
When the two of them arrived, they pushed open the door, revealing the sound of music and the sight of hundreds of people in masks. It was almost breath taking. Lily smiled at the sight of her and James’ plan. They were so enchantingly brought to life and they were startlingly amazing.
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Friday night was the dance, so teachers basically felt as though it was completely useless to try and teach. The autumn leaves strolled past the windows, looking particularly beautiful in the mid-day sunlight. The air grew slightly colder, but the weather was still fair.
All in all, the day was perfect for a dance. James smiled to himself as he recalled the plans he and Lily had made only a month before. They had all come alive the night before. The Great Hall was decorated extravagantly, a band was hired, and the usual amount of chaos leading up to it had already been diminished.
As James and his fellow Marauders headed onto the grounds to sit beneath the willow tree they had affectionately dubbed their own, the topic of the dance sparked up.
“So Padfoot, who’s going to be your date?” Peter asked, sheepishly. Sirius grinned, letting out a bark like laugh.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, wormtail. Date? You obviously don’t know me well enough,” Sirius told his friend.
“How many are you bringing?” James inquired.
“Four as of now,” Sirius informed them. “But, we still have four hours left until the dance. Who knows how many I could be taking by then?”
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Although it was too cold to dip their feet in the lake, Lily, Alice, and Cindy sat on the shore, feeling the waves let off a nice breeze.
“So Cindy, who’s going to be your date?” Alice casually asked.
Cindy’s bright blue eyes filled with laughter. Her smile was so wide all her sparkly white teeth were being shown.
“Date? Innocent Alice. How much you have to learn,” Cindy replied. Alice looked over at Lily for explanation.
“What she means is that there is more than one,” Lily correctly interpreted.
“There is three right now,” Cindy reported. “Should be an interesting evening.”
“Do you even know all their names?” Lily asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Does it matter?” Cindy retorted, rather playfully. “It’s a masquerade.”
“That it is,” Lily muttered.
“So, Lily, you’re the Beauty of the ball, who’re you going with?” Cindy asked.
“No one,” Lily answered.
“I like that move,” Cindy deduced. “She’s planning on finding someone at the dance. It’s understandable.”
“I’m not going because my hormones are out of whack like yours are,” Lily insisted. “I’m going to make sure that there is no fighting, no drinking, no indecent exposure…”
“No fun,” Cindy finished for her. Lily retorted with a don't-try-and-act-smart-with-me look.
“Well, I don’t have a date either,” Alice said. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t leave without one.”
“Atta girl,” Cindy commented, smiling.
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While Cindy and Alice took lots of time to get ready, Lily had simply thrown herself together in twenty minutes. She had worn the dress she had picked out the weekend before, put on very little makeup, and thrown her hair up into a messy up do. She really didn’t have much reason to look extravagant.
Cindy was busy doing Alice’s hair into an elegant French twist. Her rusty, brown hair was now sleek and shiny. Her makeup was done finely and her pale blue dress was neatly on. Cindy hadn’t even done her own makeup yet or put on her dress.
Her hair was curled loosely and her dark midnight blue dress was hanging on the door. “Voila,” Cindy announced, the finished touches completed on Alice. “You look marvelous, darling.”
“You look really great, Alice,” Lily insisted. Her own mask was on and she was ready to go.
“The two of you better not wait for me,” Cindy said. “I might take a while.”
“Alice, are you ready?” Lily asked. Alice nodded. The two of them walked down the stairs and into the Common room. Only a couple of blokes were in there, most likely waiting for Cindy, but otherwise, everyone else had already gone to the dance.
When the two of them arrived, they pushed open the door, revealing the sound of music and the sight of hundreds of people in masks. It was almost breath taking. Lily smiled at the sight of her and James’ plan. They were so enchantingly brought to life and they were startlingly amazing.
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“Prongs, won’t she recognize you?” Sirius asked as he repeatedly kept switching partners. There were seven girls in all who had forcefully claimed the right to be his date.
“I don’t think so,” James answered, adjusting his crimson mask. “She’s very naive when she wants to be.”
Sirius rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Prongs.”
James looked over towards the entrance and his breath was literally gone. He was speechless. The most beautiful creature he had ever seen had stepped into the Great Hall. He knew at once it was Lily. Her bright green eyes behind her black silk mask gave her away. She had on a satin white dress that was simple and elegant. Her hair was wild, but neat all at once. The red curls dangling on her shoulder made her look like some sort of goddess. Her bright smile at the sight of the dance was alluring.
But James decided that, he wouldn’t rush into things, but instead wait for the opportune moment. Timing was indeed everything.
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Lily had lost sight of Alice almost immediately. The amount of people in the hall made it hard to keep track of someone. There were so many people in masks that it was confusing as to who was who.
She steered herself towards the punch bowl. She watched as her fellow classmates danced away, hopefully not as shallow as they would have been at a normal dance. She felt someone touch her shoulder. She turned to see a tall guy with a black mask on.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked her in a deep pleasant voice. It was somewhat entrancing.
She had nothing better to do so she agreed. He took her hand and led her out to the dance floor. They danced through the entire song, having fun and laughing merrily. She felt quite irratic to whoever was behind that mask, for some reason.
When a slow song came on, he thrust her body to his and danced closely to her. She wasn’t sure how much she liked dancing that close, so she tried to step back a little, but felt his hand on her back. His hands started to travel and she was immediately disgusted. She tried escaping his grasp, but found it difficult to do so. She then tried pushing. Soon, she was at the point where she was losing hope of ever escaping that guy’s grasp. At that moment, she felt him being thrown off of her. Another guy in a red mask had pushed him out of the way. Lily smiled gratefully. She looked at all the people staring at her and felt embarrassed. She decided that she needed some fresh air away from everyone.
Another small smile crept across her face as she thought of that guy in the red mask.
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Cindy had had quite enough as she pushed another random guy off of her. This one’s breath smelled of alcohol. She would not put up with a drunk date. Things always got messy in the end.
The dance had been fun when it started, but after awhile, she had grown bored with all the guys who had approached her. They all seemed the same. She thought the masquerade would be a time of mystery, but was proved wrong.
She walked out of the Great Hall and up the stairs, her heels clacking as she did so. When she had reached the Astronomy tower, she pushed open the door. Surprisingly, there weren’t any couples making out by the stars. She walked over to the balcony and breathed in the air. She opened her eyes and looked up at the stars.
“It’s beautiful at this time of night,” a voice said from behind her. She saw a man, wearing a silk blue mask, sitting at the end of the balcony. He grinned, quite sheepishly. “You needed to get out of there as well?”
She nodded. “All my dates were drunk and noisy.”
“As were mine,” the man said. “Things get far too predictable at dances.”
Cindy smiled, hearing her own feelings escape from this mystery man’s mouth. She sat beside him. He took in her smell of lilacs and smiled. Her silk blonde hair was curled loosely and her bright blue eyes were penetrating into his own.
She rested her head on his shoulder, hoping that it was Evan Rosier underneath that mask. She had always found his hair quite irresistible. The two of them sat watching the stars for some time. Only when the masked man turned his head did they feel friction. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth. He then turned his head back to the stars.
Cindy turned her head also, somewhat curious about this guy. Normally, she would never meet anyone content with only a kiss. For that, she felt comfortable
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Alice walked sadly out of the Great Hall and into the hallway. She took off her mask and stared at it in her hands. She saw someone else come out of the Great Hall, sit on the wall beside her and take off his own mask. He looked over at her in surprise.
“Guess you’re not a masquerade fan, either?” Frank Longbottom asked. Alice smiled.
“Nope,” she answered. “I’m always afraid that I’m dancing with someone who will end up, being a Slytherin.
“I don’t really like the whole mask idea,” Frank confessed. “It may work for some people, but I don’t feel you’re really getting to know the person that way. I mean, where’s the truth in hiding behind a mask?”
“I don’t really like the whole mask idea,” Frank confessed. “It may work for some people, but I don’t feel you’re really getting to know the person that way. I mean, where’s the truth in hiding behind a mask?”
“There isn’t any,” Alice replied. She smiled and blushed as Frank’s hand touched her own.
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As Lily stood outside, she heard leaves crumpling behind her. She turned and saw the man in the red mask smiling at her.
“Why’d you leave? I was just about to ask you to dance,” he told her in a suave, smooth voice.
“It was very stifling in there,” she told him. She realized that she had taken off the mask as she came out of the Great Hall.
“Don’t worry,” he insisted. “I won’t tell anyone.” He seemed so strangely familiar, yet she couldn’t really find a face for him. “Would you like to dance?” he asked her, holding out a hand for her to hold. “Here?” she questioned.
“Yes,” the man told her. “Here. We can still hear the music from the Great Hall.”
She reluctantly took his hand and rested her head on his chest. He smelled so fresh and clean, always a good smell on a boy. They danced for what felt like hours, until there was no more music.
Then, slowly, he leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Lily was surprised to find herself kissing him back. This was not the Lily Evans she was used to, who randomly kissed masked men, but she kind of liked it.
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“I don’t think so,” James answered, adjusting his crimson mask. “She’s very naive when she wants to be.”
Sirius rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Prongs.”
James looked over towards the entrance and his breath was literally gone. He was speechless. The most beautiful creature he had ever seen had stepped into the Great Hall. He knew at once it was Lily. Her bright green eyes behind her black silk mask gave her away. She had on a satin white dress that was simple and elegant. Her hair was wild, but neat all at once. The red curls dangling on her shoulder made her look like some sort of goddess. Her bright smile at the sight of the dance was alluring.
But James decided that, he wouldn’t rush into things, but instead wait for the opportune moment. Timing was indeed everything.
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Lily had lost sight of Alice almost immediately. The amount of people in the hall made it hard to keep track of someone. There were so many people in masks that it was confusing as to who was who.
She steered herself towards the punch bowl. She watched as her fellow classmates danced away, hopefully not as shallow as they would have been at a normal dance. She felt someone touch her shoulder. She turned to see a tall guy with a black mask on.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked her in a deep pleasant voice. It was somewhat entrancing.
She had nothing better to do so she agreed. He took her hand and led her out to the dance floor. They danced through the entire song, having fun and laughing merrily. She felt quite irratic to whoever was behind that mask, for some reason.
When a slow song came on, he thrust her body to his and danced closely to her. She wasn’t sure how much she liked dancing that close, so she tried to step back a little, but felt his hand on her back. His hands started to travel and she was immediately disgusted. She tried escaping his grasp, but found it difficult to do so. She then tried pushing. Soon, she was at the point where she was losing hope of ever escaping that guy’s grasp. At that moment, she felt him being thrown off of her. Another guy in a red mask had pushed him out of the way. Lily smiled gratefully. She looked at all the people staring at her and felt embarrassed. She decided that she needed some fresh air away from everyone.
Another small smile crept across her face as she thought of that guy in the red mask.
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Cindy had had quite enough as she pushed another random guy off of her. This one’s breath smelled of alcohol. She would not put up with a drunk date. Things always got messy in the end.
The dance had been fun when it started, but after awhile, she had grown bored with all the guys who had approached her. They all seemed the same. She thought the masquerade would be a time of mystery, but was proved wrong.
She walked out of the Great Hall and up the stairs, her heels clacking as she did so. When she had reached the Astronomy tower, she pushed open the door. Surprisingly, there weren’t any couples making out by the stars. She walked over to the balcony and breathed in the air. She opened her eyes and looked up at the stars.
“It’s beautiful at this time of night,” a voice said from behind her. She saw a man, wearing a silk blue mask, sitting at the end of the balcony. He grinned, quite sheepishly. “You needed to get out of there as well?”
She nodded. “All my dates were drunk and noisy.”
“As were mine,” the man said. “Things get far too predictable at dances.”
Cindy smiled, hearing her own feelings escape from this mystery man’s mouth. She sat beside him. He took in her smell of lilacs and smiled. Her silk blonde hair was curled loosely and her bright blue eyes were penetrating into his own.
She rested her head on his shoulder, hoping that it was Evan Rosier underneath that mask. She had always found his hair quite irresistible. The two of them sat watching the stars for some time. Only when the masked man turned his head did they feel friction. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth. He then turned his head back to the stars.
Cindy turned her head also, somewhat curious about this guy. Normally, she would never meet anyone content with only a kiss. For that, she felt comfortable
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Alice walked sadly out of the Great Hall and into the hallway. She took off her mask and stared at it in her hands. She saw someone else come out of the Great Hall, sit on the wall beside her and take off his own mask. He looked over at her in surprise.
“Guess you’re not a masquerade fan, either?” Frank Longbottom asked. Alice smiled.
“Nope,” she answered. “I’m always afraid that I’m dancing with someone who will end up, being a Slytherin.
“I don’t really like the whole mask idea,” Frank confessed. “It may work for some people, but I don’t feel you’re really getting to know the person that way. I mean, where’s the truth in hiding behind a mask?”
“I don’t really like the whole mask idea,” Frank confessed. “It may work for some people, but I don’t feel you’re really getting to know the person that way. I mean, where’s the truth in hiding behind a mask?”
“There isn’t any,” Alice replied. She smiled and blushed as Frank’s hand touched her own.
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As Lily stood outside, she heard leaves crumpling behind her. She turned and saw the man in the red mask smiling at her.
“Why’d you leave? I was just about to ask you to dance,” he told her in a suave, smooth voice.
“It was very stifling in there,” she told him. She realized that she had taken off the mask as she came out of the Great Hall.
“Don’t worry,” he insisted. “I won’t tell anyone.” He seemed so strangely familiar, yet she couldn’t really find a face for him. “Would you like to dance?” he asked her, holding out a hand for her to hold. “Here?” she questioned.
“Yes,” the man told her. “Here. We can still hear the music from the Great Hall.”
She reluctantly took his hand and rested her head on his chest. He smelled so fresh and clean, always a good smell on a boy. They danced for what felt like hours, until there was no more music.
Then, slowly, he leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Lily was surprised to find herself kissing him back. This was not the Lily Evans she was used to, who randomly kissed masked men, but she kind of liked it.
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Wow, I'd just like to say 'thanx' to all you guys who posted comments on my feedback thread I really appreciate them, oh and Polandbaby16, your right, Cindy & Sirius do end up dating. Aniwayz, here's the next chap.
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Halloween at Hogwarts had never been more extravagant. The usual house colors were gone, replaced by the bright shades of crimson, turquoise, magenta & topaz. Music was cascading throughout the castle, as were the dancers. The partners of each person rarely seemed to switch though. It seemed as if almost everyone wanted to know exactly who was hiding behind the mask.
The stroke of midnight was the official time of revealing one’s self. Once the music had stopped, everyone looked at the clock. The stroke of midnight was upon them. Professor Dumbledore swayed his wand and a loud, chiming sound propelled throughout the room, onto the grounds, and into the starry night.
In the Great Hall, masks were whipped off and the person behind it was revealed. Professor Dumbledore studied the atmosphere, almost anticipating the moment a shrewd scream would be proclaimed after a fairly brutal shock. Yet, he heard none. He watched as the students actually seemed pleasantly relieved. He looked for his two Heads, but was unable to locate either of them. It was due to them that this momentary unity was able to occur.
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Cindy rested her head upon the masked stranger and smiled. She was thoroughly enjoying the mere company of a boy, opposed to the inevitable pressure dating endured. Just sitting quietly and watching the stars was enough for her.
The warm body beside her looked over, his mask still in place. She hadn’t realized that she was wearing hers, making her just as mysterious to the other as he was to her.
Both of their heads snapped up as they heard a loud chime of bells. That must have meant that it was midnight. Cindy cursed silently, almost wishing that she could sit on the balcony with this unfamiliar person forever.
She was fairly sure it was Evan Rosier, although she knew from experience that Rosier was much more hands on. The person beside her was into intimacy, but only in the smallest gestures. He liked kissing her forehead, holding her hand, whispering in her ear. It was very romantic. She wished all men would treat women as such.
The two of them turned to face one another. Cindy looked into the captivating gray eyes of her date for the hundredth time that night and smiled. Simultaneously, the two of them pulled their masks off.
Cindy would have fallen straight off of that balcony due to shock if it had not been for Sirius’ arm. He pulled her up, his own mask lying forgotten on the edge.
“Sirius Black?” Cindy asked hysterically, almost thinking it was far too surreal to be true.
“I should have known,” Sirius muttered to himself. “You have the brightest smile of all the girls at Hogwarts.”
He didn’t say this as a compliment though, merely a fact. It wasn’t that Cindy and Sirius had an infamous grudge against one another, unlike Lily and James. The two of them barely knew each other. The only telling they had heard of one another was usually not so good. Cindy was known for playing the field and enticing the male species with her bright blue eyes and gleaming smile and Sirius was known for his astonishing good looks, impeccable charm, and inability to commit.
It was so odd that from all the horrible things she had heard of Sirius, Cindy had gotten to know a very decent, sweet guy. The man with the mask had been so gentle and caring, so unlike Sirius Black. Cindy was simply astounded. The positive was that she had been correct in commenting that the mystery man had great hair; Sirius deifinately did.
“This is really awkward,” Sirius exclaimed, abruptly. Cindy nodded her head.
“I mean, it’s not that you’re horrible or anything. Its just that...I’ve always thought that we were on opposing sides.”
“Yes,” Cindy answered. “We’re too alike for our own good. It's very wrong.”
“Wrong on a lot of levels,” Sirius commented. “I mean, James is my best mate, Lily is yours. I date a lot of girls, you date a lot of guys. We’re both very desired individuals. If two people of the same desirability came together, there would be no hope left at Hogwarts.”
“You’re right,” Cindy agreed morsefully. She bit her lip and looked up at him. She couldn’t help but think that he was extremely sexy.
Sirius was noticing that Cindy wasn’t the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, but he could understand why most guys at Hogwarts were infatuated by her. He had never seen anyone like her.
“What the hell,” Sirius mumbled, kissing her on the lips once again. They were too entranced by one another to realize that something extremely significant was going on down below them on the grounds.
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Lily had stopped kissing her dancing partner and had gone on to resting comfortable on the soft ground with her head resting on his chest. His heartbeat was pacing unusually quick, but she guessed it was just nerves. The entire night she had been trying to place a face to this mystery man, as well as her previous dance partner before him.
She smiled as she realized she hadn’t had this much fun at school. Usually, she was too concerned with everyone else’s well-being to focus on her own.
A loud, melodic chime rang through the grounds and Lily looked down at her hand to see her black silk mask resting still in her hands. She looked up at her partner, and found him easing himself up. She stood and looked over at him
He didn’t seem to be reaching to reveal himself as he should have. Instead, he frowned sadly.
“I have to go,” he told her quietly.
“What?” she asked, extremely perplexed. “Why? Aren’t you going to tell me who you are?”
He walked slowly away, not turning his back on her just yet.
“I can’t,” he said dully. “I just can’t.”
“Will I ever see you again?” she asked him.
“Yes,” he assured her. “I will be sure that we meet up again. Thank you for the most amazing night.”
With that, he ran off into the castle. Even though Lily was sad that she couldn’t see her mystery date, she had to admit, it was better this way. She was glad she didn’t have to be disappointed. Someone completely horrendous could have been under that mask for all she knew. But, when she thought about it, it was hard to imagine that person as being anything, but sweet.
She walked back to the castle slowly, a smile dancing across her face every step of the way.
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Halloween at Hogwarts had never been more extravagant. The usual house colors were gone, replaced by the bright shades of crimson, turquoise, magenta & topaz. Music was cascading throughout the castle, as were the dancers. The partners of each person rarely seemed to switch though. It seemed as if almost everyone wanted to know exactly who was hiding behind the mask.
The stroke of midnight was the official time of revealing one’s self. Once the music had stopped, everyone looked at the clock. The stroke of midnight was upon them. Professor Dumbledore swayed his wand and a loud, chiming sound propelled throughout the room, onto the grounds, and into the starry night.
In the Great Hall, masks were whipped off and the person behind it was revealed. Professor Dumbledore studied the atmosphere, almost anticipating the moment a shrewd scream would be proclaimed after a fairly brutal shock. Yet, he heard none. He watched as the students actually seemed pleasantly relieved. He looked for his two Heads, but was unable to locate either of them. It was due to them that this momentary unity was able to occur.
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Cindy rested her head upon the masked stranger and smiled. She was thoroughly enjoying the mere company of a boy, opposed to the inevitable pressure dating endured. Just sitting quietly and watching the stars was enough for her.
The warm body beside her looked over, his mask still in place. She hadn’t realized that she was wearing hers, making her just as mysterious to the other as he was to her.
Both of their heads snapped up as they heard a loud chime of bells. That must have meant that it was midnight. Cindy cursed silently, almost wishing that she could sit on the balcony with this unfamiliar person forever.
She was fairly sure it was Evan Rosier, although she knew from experience that Rosier was much more hands on. The person beside her was into intimacy, but only in the smallest gestures. He liked kissing her forehead, holding her hand, whispering in her ear. It was very romantic. She wished all men would treat women as such.
The two of them turned to face one another. Cindy looked into the captivating gray eyes of her date for the hundredth time that night and smiled. Simultaneously, the two of them pulled their masks off.
Cindy would have fallen straight off of that balcony due to shock if it had not been for Sirius’ arm. He pulled her up, his own mask lying forgotten on the edge.
“Sirius Black?” Cindy asked hysterically, almost thinking it was far too surreal to be true.
“I should have known,” Sirius muttered to himself. “You have the brightest smile of all the girls at Hogwarts.”
He didn’t say this as a compliment though, merely a fact. It wasn’t that Cindy and Sirius had an infamous grudge against one another, unlike Lily and James. The two of them barely knew each other. The only telling they had heard of one another was usually not so good. Cindy was known for playing the field and enticing the male species with her bright blue eyes and gleaming smile and Sirius was known for his astonishing good looks, impeccable charm, and inability to commit.
It was so odd that from all the horrible things she had heard of Sirius, Cindy had gotten to know a very decent, sweet guy. The man with the mask had been so gentle and caring, so unlike Sirius Black. Cindy was simply astounded. The positive was that she had been correct in commenting that the mystery man had great hair; Sirius deifinately did.
“This is really awkward,” Sirius exclaimed, abruptly. Cindy nodded her head.
“I mean, it’s not that you’re horrible or anything. Its just that...I’ve always thought that we were on opposing sides.”
“Yes,” Cindy answered. “We’re too alike for our own good. It's very wrong.”
“Wrong on a lot of levels,” Sirius commented. “I mean, James is my best mate, Lily is yours. I date a lot of girls, you date a lot of guys. We’re both very desired individuals. If two people of the same desirability came together, there would be no hope left at Hogwarts.”
“You’re right,” Cindy agreed morsefully. She bit her lip and looked up at him. She couldn’t help but think that he was extremely sexy.
Sirius was noticing that Cindy wasn’t the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, but he could understand why most guys at Hogwarts were infatuated by her. He had never seen anyone like her.
“What the hell,” Sirius mumbled, kissing her on the lips once again. They were too entranced by one another to realize that something extremely significant was going on down below them on the grounds.
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Lily had stopped kissing her dancing partner and had gone on to resting comfortable on the soft ground with her head resting on his chest. His heartbeat was pacing unusually quick, but she guessed it was just nerves. The entire night she had been trying to place a face to this mystery man, as well as her previous dance partner before him.
She smiled as she realized she hadn’t had this much fun at school. Usually, she was too concerned with everyone else’s well-being to focus on her own.
A loud, melodic chime rang through the grounds and Lily looked down at her hand to see her black silk mask resting still in her hands. She looked up at her partner, and found him easing himself up. She stood and looked over at him
He didn’t seem to be reaching to reveal himself as he should have. Instead, he frowned sadly.
“I have to go,” he told her quietly.
“What?” she asked, extremely perplexed. “Why? Aren’t you going to tell me who you are?”
He walked slowly away, not turning his back on her just yet.
“I can’t,” he said dully. “I just can’t.”
“Will I ever see you again?” she asked him.
“Yes,” he assured her. “I will be sure that we meet up again. Thank you for the most amazing night.”
With that, he ran off into the castle. Even though Lily was sad that she couldn’t see her mystery date, she had to admit, it was better this way. She was glad she didn’t have to be disappointed. Someone completely horrendous could have been under that mask for all she knew. But, when she thought about it, it was hard to imagine that person as being anything, but sweet.
She walked back to the castle slowly, a smile dancing across her face every step of the way.
_____________________
The morning after the masquerade, students were actually grateful for the chance to sleep in. The sun challenged it’s way in through the window panes, shining carelessly into the eyes of those in slumber.
The sun was not what had woken Lily up that morning though. The sound of someone cursing furiously and hopping up and down woke her. She rubbed her eyes carefully as she attempted to pry them open. When she did, she saw her best friend holding her toe and swearing in pain.
She was still clothed in her dress from the night before and had her hair and makeup still on, although they looked a lot less neat than they had the night before.
“What did you do?” Lily asked her friend.
“Stubbed my toe,” Cindy confessed, jumping on her bed and immediately tucking herself under the covers, without even changing out of her dress. Her velvet mask fell to the floor beside her.
Alice, who had woken up just as Lily had, smiled at her friend playfully. “Did you just get in?” Alice asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively. “Yes,” Cindy sighed. It was a sigh of joy though, as Lily noted.
“What were you doing all that time?” Alice wondered.
“Snogging,” Cindy divulged.
“With who?” Lily gasped.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Cindy teased before closing the hangings around her bedpost and going to sleep. “Alice, who did you end up with?” Lily inquired, still lying lazily in bed. “Frank Longbottom,” Alice told her friend with a hint of a blush in her cheeks. Lily smiled, happy that Alice had finally gotten herself together with a good guy.
“How did that happen?” Lily asked.
“Well, neither one of us really found much honesty in the entire hiding behind a mask ordeal,” Alice answered. “It may work for some people, but the two of us found ourselves outside the Great Hall. I talked with him until two in the morning. He is a very interesting person, it turns out.”
Lily grinned, knowing that Alice seemed gleefully happy for a reason. Although, Alice wasn’t one to overlook Lily’s glowing face.
“Why’re you so flushed, Miss Evans?” Alice asked. “Did you too find yourself a suitable guy?”
“I think I did,” Lily replied, not going into much detail. She found herself almost hoping that she had known who was hidden behind that mask.
“What a pretty owl,” Alice commented as a tainted, brown owl pecked its beak at the window. “Who does it belong to?”
Lily let the owl in through the window and saw that it had dropped two roses and a note.
Dear Lily,
I had one of the best times of my life last night with you. I would love to see you again. Meet me tonight by the lake at 11:00.
Someone as beautiful as you deserves more than just one rose. See you tonight.
There was no signature. Although, the note was not signed and the owl was unfamiliar, Lily knew precisely who it was from and with that she smiled.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Both James and Sirius returned to the dorm at the exact same time. Peter and Remus looked up with suspicion at their two friends.
“Where have you two been?” Remus asked.
“I was just returning from the Owlery,” James told them. “I came back last night though, unlike Padfoot.”
Sirius grinned, walking sleepily over to his bed and lying down with a silly expression all over his face.
“I take it things went good?” Peter asked his friend.
“Bloody fantastic,” Sirius replied, his head resting on his pillow. “Best snogging of my life.”
“Who was she?” James asked his friend.
“Hmmm, I’d tell you, but then I’d have to decapitate your head from your shoulders, use it as a bludger, and eventually use it as a chew toy during full moons,” Sirius told his friend, shutting his hangings and going to sleep.
“A simple ‘I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you’ would have worked just fine,” James mumbled, still smiling though.
“Bonus points for his excellent creativity,” Remus pointed out. He returned to reading his book, on top of his bedpost. He looked over at his friend with an amused look.
“I take it you found Lily last night?” Remus asked.
“Sure did,” James replied. “It was magical, Moony. I mean, I’ve never felt this way around a girl before.”
“You’ve always liked Lily though,” Peter reminded his friend.
“I have,” James admitted. “But last night was what did it for me. She’s truly magnificent. Plus, we kissed.”
“Lily Evans kissed you?” Peter, Remus, and even Sirius from behind the curtains asked, hysterically.
James nodded. “She doesn’t know it was me though.”
“Prongs, you idiot. You didn’t tell her who you were?” Sirius asked, who seemed to have finally regained his senses.
“I should have?” James questioned. “I mean, what if she was horribly disappointed?”
“You’re the one who created this bloody masquerade idea. I thought you were going to use it for your advantage,” Sirius reminded his friend, now poking his head, from behing the hangings.
“Well, I was,” James said. “But now it’s the 'Masked Man's' advantage.”
“Masked Man?” Peter inquired. “I like it.”
“Well, Masked Man is better than Masked Loser,” James informed his friends. “Lucius Malfoy was basically trying to force himself on Lily last night. I could have killed him.”
“We should,” Sirius answered, now giving up much hope of going to sleep. James’ stupidity would have given him nightmares.
“I have tried so hard to get her to like me,” James told his friends. “But now I’m starting to think she’ll never accept me. The only way she’ll like me is if she doesn’t know who I am. If this is the only way to get Lily, I’ll do it.”
The fellow Marauders stayed silent. They all knew that when James set his mind to something, there was no trying to back him out of it. It was hopeless. He would have to learn on his own that he was going about things in the wrong way.
_________________
F/B
The sun was not what had woken Lily up that morning though. The sound of someone cursing furiously and hopping up and down woke her. She rubbed her eyes carefully as she attempted to pry them open. When she did, she saw her best friend holding her toe and swearing in pain.
She was still clothed in her dress from the night before and had her hair and makeup still on, although they looked a lot less neat than they had the night before.
“What did you do?” Lily asked her friend.
“Stubbed my toe,” Cindy confessed, jumping on her bed and immediately tucking herself under the covers, without even changing out of her dress. Her velvet mask fell to the floor beside her.
Alice, who had woken up just as Lily had, smiled at her friend playfully. “Did you just get in?” Alice asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively. “Yes,” Cindy sighed. It was a sigh of joy though, as Lily noted.
“What were you doing all that time?” Alice wondered.
“Snogging,” Cindy divulged.
“With who?” Lily gasped.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Cindy teased before closing the hangings around her bedpost and going to sleep. “Alice, who did you end up with?” Lily inquired, still lying lazily in bed. “Frank Longbottom,” Alice told her friend with a hint of a blush in her cheeks. Lily smiled, happy that Alice had finally gotten herself together with a good guy.
“How did that happen?” Lily asked.
“Well, neither one of us really found much honesty in the entire hiding behind a mask ordeal,” Alice answered. “It may work for some people, but the two of us found ourselves outside the Great Hall. I talked with him until two in the morning. He is a very interesting person, it turns out.”
Lily grinned, knowing that Alice seemed gleefully happy for a reason. Although, Alice wasn’t one to overlook Lily’s glowing face.
“Why’re you so flushed, Miss Evans?” Alice asked. “Did you too find yourself a suitable guy?”
“I think I did,” Lily replied, not going into much detail. She found herself almost hoping that she had known who was hidden behind that mask.
“What a pretty owl,” Alice commented as a tainted, brown owl pecked its beak at the window. “Who does it belong to?”
Lily let the owl in through the window and saw that it had dropped two roses and a note.
Dear Lily,
I had one of the best times of my life last night with you. I would love to see you again. Meet me tonight by the lake at 11:00.
Someone as beautiful as you deserves more than just one rose. See you tonight.
There was no signature. Although, the note was not signed and the owl was unfamiliar, Lily knew precisely who it was from and with that she smiled.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Both James and Sirius returned to the dorm at the exact same time. Peter and Remus looked up with suspicion at their two friends.
“Where have you two been?” Remus asked.
“I was just returning from the Owlery,” James told them. “I came back last night though, unlike Padfoot.”
Sirius grinned, walking sleepily over to his bed and lying down with a silly expression all over his face.
“I take it things went good?” Peter asked his friend.
“Bloody fantastic,” Sirius replied, his head resting on his pillow. “Best snogging of my life.”
“Who was she?” James asked his friend.
“Hmmm, I’d tell you, but then I’d have to decapitate your head from your shoulders, use it as a bludger, and eventually use it as a chew toy during full moons,” Sirius told his friend, shutting his hangings and going to sleep.
“A simple ‘I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you’ would have worked just fine,” James mumbled, still smiling though.
“Bonus points for his excellent creativity,” Remus pointed out. He returned to reading his book, on top of his bedpost. He looked over at his friend with an amused look.
“I take it you found Lily last night?” Remus asked.
“Sure did,” James replied. “It was magical, Moony. I mean, I’ve never felt this way around a girl before.”
“You’ve always liked Lily though,” Peter reminded his friend.
“I have,” James admitted. “But last night was what did it for me. She’s truly magnificent. Plus, we kissed.”
“Lily Evans kissed you?” Peter, Remus, and even Sirius from behind the curtains asked, hysterically.
James nodded. “She doesn’t know it was me though.”
“Prongs, you idiot. You didn’t tell her who you were?” Sirius asked, who seemed to have finally regained his senses.
“I should have?” James questioned. “I mean, what if she was horribly disappointed?”
“You’re the one who created this bloody masquerade idea. I thought you were going to use it for your advantage,” Sirius reminded his friend, now poking his head, from behing the hangings.
“Well, I was,” James said. “But now it’s the 'Masked Man's' advantage.”
“Masked Man?” Peter inquired. “I like it.”
“Well, Masked Man is better than Masked Loser,” James informed his friends. “Lucius Malfoy was basically trying to force himself on Lily last night. I could have killed him.”
“We should,” Sirius answered, now giving up much hope of going to sleep. James’ stupidity would have given him nightmares.
“I have tried so hard to get her to like me,” James told his friends. “But now I’m starting to think she’ll never accept me. The only way she’ll like me is if she doesn’t know who I am. If this is the only way to get Lily, I’ll do it.”
The fellow Marauders stayed silent. They all knew that when James set his mind to something, there was no trying to back him out of it. It was hopeless. He would have to learn on his own that he was going about things in the wrong way.
_________________
F/B
That night at 11:00, Lily stood by the lake in a sweatshirt. The chilly air of November was even worse, when one stood by a body of water. She hugged her arms around her, trying to keep warm. She was waiting, like the fool she was. She cursed under her breath, disappointed for even heeding the note.
He probably won’t even turn up, Lily thought to herself. I bet whoever’s behind that mask is having a good laugh to himself now. Why did I even come?
Just as she was about to turn back, she heard footsteps coming from the castle stairs. He was dressed in his cloak, his scarlet masked fixed properly on his face. It was night and she could barely see him, apart from his warm eyes and his mask. He walked over to her and smiled. He handed her another red rose.
“For you,” he told her, slightly blushing. He seemed shy to her, which she liked. She hated overbearing people who felt that they were almighty. Lily hated the way women were thrown around as men’s property. She felt they were all created equally. A little bit of chivalry never hurt though. She blushed as she took the rose in her hand. Surprisingly, the thorns had been removed. She smiled up at her mystery man.
“When are you ever going to take that mask off?” she asked him softly, raising her hand up to remove it. “I want to know who you are. I want to know who I’ve been dreaming about; day and night.”
He gently eased her hand away, clearly uncomfortable. “Not yet,” he told her. “When the time is right, you’ll know. Right now, can’t we just be with each other?”
She nodded as he leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. She had never felt so attracted to someone who hadn’t even shown her their face. It was more than physical. Whoever was behind that mask was a caring, sensitive person.
The two of them shared slow, shy kisses, not wanting to rush too far into things. Lily liked the fact that she didn’t know who it was. She thought it was better this way. Yet, the nagging feeling of curiosty in the back of her mind wouldn’t go away throughout the entire night.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning, Lily walked into the Great Hall and sat down at the Gryffindor table red eyes and yawning. She had fixed her hair back into a loose ponytail and it was obvious she wasn’t as collected as usual.
“Morning,” she stifled out as she helped herself to a glass of orange juice and a bowl of warm oatmeal.
“Good morning,” Cindy said pleasantly. “What a good morning it is. And I, for once in my life, have the pleasure of asking you where you were last night and who you were with.”
“Oh,” Alice responded as well, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Are we talking about the Head Girl of Hogwarts? Because, if we are, it would be very interesting to know what lured the Head Girl from her dormitory so late? I don’t exactly remember 4 AM being part of curfew".
Lily grinned, focusing her attention on her oatmeal. She knew the suppression of information from her friends was slowly killing them.
James entered the Great Hall, his glasses sitting crooked on his nose and his robes hanging off his shoulders loosely. There were dark bags under his eyes, but a fulfilled smile brightened his picture.
“Morning boys,” he said as he sat down across from his fellow Marauders. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Oatmeal again,” Peter whined. “Can’t those house-elves become a bit more original?”
“Forget the oatmeal,” Sirius insisted. “We have a very happy Prongs on our hands here. I take it all went well with a certain flower last night?”
“That they did,” James informed them.
“Well, if I’m correct, Prongs, I don’t see Lily rushing over to greet you,” Remus surveyed. “She looks happy, but she hasn’t even acknowledged the fact that you’re sitting in the same vicinity as her.”
“Well, she doesn’t really know yet,” he said quietly.
“Idiot,” Sirius muttered. “How do you expect to win her over if you haven’t even told her who you are?”
“I’m sorry,” James explained. “But like I said before, if this is the only way I get to spend time with Lily, so be it. I’ll live behind a mask forever if that’s what it takes. I’ve never felt so happy in my whole my life. Never. I’m getting to know the real her. If she found out, she wouldn’t give me a chance, even if her life depended on it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Sirius mumbled, shoveling in a large spoonful of his fourth bowl of oatmeal.
_____________________________
f/b
He probably won’t even turn up, Lily thought to herself. I bet whoever’s behind that mask is having a good laugh to himself now. Why did I even come?
Just as she was about to turn back, she heard footsteps coming from the castle stairs. He was dressed in his cloak, his scarlet masked fixed properly on his face. It was night and she could barely see him, apart from his warm eyes and his mask. He walked over to her and smiled. He handed her another red rose.
“For you,” he told her, slightly blushing. He seemed shy to her, which she liked. She hated overbearing people who felt that they were almighty. Lily hated the way women were thrown around as men’s property. She felt they were all created equally. A little bit of chivalry never hurt though. She blushed as she took the rose in her hand. Surprisingly, the thorns had been removed. She smiled up at her mystery man.
“When are you ever going to take that mask off?” she asked him softly, raising her hand up to remove it. “I want to know who you are. I want to know who I’ve been dreaming about; day and night.”
He gently eased her hand away, clearly uncomfortable. “Not yet,” he told her. “When the time is right, you’ll know. Right now, can’t we just be with each other?”
She nodded as he leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. She had never felt so attracted to someone who hadn’t even shown her their face. It was more than physical. Whoever was behind that mask was a caring, sensitive person.
The two of them shared slow, shy kisses, not wanting to rush too far into things. Lily liked the fact that she didn’t know who it was. She thought it was better this way. Yet, the nagging feeling of curiosty in the back of her mind wouldn’t go away throughout the entire night.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning, Lily walked into the Great Hall and sat down at the Gryffindor table red eyes and yawning. She had fixed her hair back into a loose ponytail and it was obvious she wasn’t as collected as usual.
“Morning,” she stifled out as she helped herself to a glass of orange juice and a bowl of warm oatmeal.
“Good morning,” Cindy said pleasantly. “What a good morning it is. And I, for once in my life, have the pleasure of asking you where you were last night and who you were with.”
“Oh,” Alice responded as well, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Are we talking about the Head Girl of Hogwarts? Because, if we are, it would be very interesting to know what lured the Head Girl from her dormitory so late? I don’t exactly remember 4 AM being part of curfew".
Lily grinned, focusing her attention on her oatmeal. She knew the suppression of information from her friends was slowly killing them.
James entered the Great Hall, his glasses sitting crooked on his nose and his robes hanging off his shoulders loosely. There were dark bags under his eyes, but a fulfilled smile brightened his picture.
“Morning boys,” he said as he sat down across from his fellow Marauders. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Oatmeal again,” Peter whined. “Can’t those house-elves become a bit more original?”
“Forget the oatmeal,” Sirius insisted. “We have a very happy Prongs on our hands here. I take it all went well with a certain flower last night?”
“That they did,” James informed them.
“Well, if I’m correct, Prongs, I don’t see Lily rushing over to greet you,” Remus surveyed. “She looks happy, but she hasn’t even acknowledged the fact that you’re sitting in the same vicinity as her.”
“Well, she doesn’t really know yet,” he said quietly.
“Idiot,” Sirius muttered. “How do you expect to win her over if you haven’t even told her who you are?”
“I’m sorry,” James explained. “But like I said before, if this is the only way I get to spend time with Lily, so be it. I’ll live behind a mask forever if that’s what it takes. I’ve never felt so happy in my whole my life. Never. I’m getting to know the real her. If she found out, she wouldn’t give me a chance, even if her life depended on it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Sirius mumbled, shoveling in a large spoonful of his fourth bowl of oatmeal.
_____________________________
f/b
ok, this is a real short chap
----------------------------------------------------
A couple of weeks passed without a word from her masked man. Lily was starting to wonder whether their paths would ever cross again. Her thoughts were lingering on him while she sat in Transfiguration. She had never felt that way about someone in her entire life. He seemed so sincere, so trustworthy, but she was starting to wonder if somehow it had all been a dream.
“Miss Evans,” Professor McGonagall acknowledged. “It is the end of class and I see that your wand has remained untouched throughout the entire session. How do you ever expect to catch up with the rest of the class if you keep daydreaming like this?”
Lily snapped back to reality. She looked at the board for the assignment, but panicked as she realized that she had to get to her next class.
“I am so sorry, professor,” Lily apologized. “I know I could do better, but-”
“There are no but’s Miss Evans,” McGonagall told her. “You are one of the brightest and most responsible students I’ve ever taught. Somehow though, this year, Transfiguration has become your weak point. I know it’s in you somewhere, you just need a bit of help. I am going to assign a tutor for you.”
“A tutor?” Lily asked, appalled. “Professor, I-I’m Head Girl. I should be the one doing the tutoring, not receiving it.”
“When your marks come up, then we’ll see if your statement holds true. Until then, you will meet your tutor in the library tonight at seven o’clock sharp. Don’t disappoint me, Miss Evans,” McGonagall told her before walking into her office.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“What’s this?” Sirius asked as he snatched a piece of parchment away from James. “You’re tutoring Evans? Ha! Finally, now you can forever forget about the whole mask charade now. You’ll be seeing her three times a week, for an hour", he said joyfully, before walking through the portrait. ”
James nodded. He knew he should have been excited about it all, but truly, he wasn’t. He knew that it could take Lily all eternity to realize that he wasn’t such a bad guy. The mask was the only way he could be real with her.
Almost reading his thoughts, Remus spoke up, “Why don’t you try pretending you’re wearing that mask while you’re with her? Except, you won’t be hiding behind it. You’ll be showing her the real you.”
James nodded once more. He hoped that things would go alright. He really did. Until then, all he could do was wait
______________________
f/b
----------------------------------------------------
A couple of weeks passed without a word from her masked man. Lily was starting to wonder whether their paths would ever cross again. Her thoughts were lingering on him while she sat in Transfiguration. She had never felt that way about someone in her entire life. He seemed so sincere, so trustworthy, but she was starting to wonder if somehow it had all been a dream.
“Miss Evans,” Professor McGonagall acknowledged. “It is the end of class and I see that your wand has remained untouched throughout the entire session. How do you ever expect to catch up with the rest of the class if you keep daydreaming like this?”
Lily snapped back to reality. She looked at the board for the assignment, but panicked as she realized that she had to get to her next class.
“I am so sorry, professor,” Lily apologized. “I know I could do better, but-”
“There are no but’s Miss Evans,” McGonagall told her. “You are one of the brightest and most responsible students I’ve ever taught. Somehow though, this year, Transfiguration has become your weak point. I know it’s in you somewhere, you just need a bit of help. I am going to assign a tutor for you.”
“A tutor?” Lily asked, appalled. “Professor, I-I’m Head Girl. I should be the one doing the tutoring, not receiving it.”
“When your marks come up, then we’ll see if your statement holds true. Until then, you will meet your tutor in the library tonight at seven o’clock sharp. Don’t disappoint me, Miss Evans,” McGonagall told her before walking into her office.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“What’s this?” Sirius asked as he snatched a piece of parchment away from James. “You’re tutoring Evans? Ha! Finally, now you can forever forget about the whole mask charade now. You’ll be seeing her three times a week, for an hour", he said joyfully, before walking through the portrait. ”
James nodded. He knew he should have been excited about it all, but truly, he wasn’t. He knew that it could take Lily all eternity to realize that he wasn’t such a bad guy. The mask was the only way he could be real with her.
Almost reading his thoughts, Remus spoke up, “Why don’t you try pretending you’re wearing that mask while you’re with her? Except, you won’t be hiding behind it. You’ll be showing her the real you.”
James nodded once more. He hoped that things would go alright. He really did. Until then, all he could do was wait
______________________
f/b
Lily sat at a table in the library where the tutoring sessions usually took place. She looked down at her Transfiguration book, glumly. She didn’t know when she had started falling behind in the subject, but now it was getting out of hand, she couldn't even transfigure a cat into a pillow, without it scratching the desk.
Yet, she knew that she had never felt happier in her life. That counted for something.
James Potter rushed in and set his bag down on the table in a hurry. “Sorry I’m late,” he told her. “There was a nasty fight in the halls that I had to break up. Apparently, a small game of Exploding Snap isn’t for everyone, anyway, I'm your tutor.”
Lily smiled, although she was somewhat disappointed. James Potter seemed to be everywhere she turned. She had to patrol with him, he was in her classes, he was in the halls, he was at the Quidditch pitch, he was in her common room, and now he was her tutor.
“So, McGonagall told me you that needed help,” James started off. “I’ve been in classes with you before and I think I know what part of your problem is. You don’t concentrate hard enough on the task.”
Lily looked at him dumbfounded. “I don’t concentrate?" she reinerated. "How do you think I am so good at Charms? Charms is all about concentration. Trust me, I concentrate.”
“Then why didn’t you even pick up your wand today in class?” he asked her, quizzically. She stared, dumbfolded. She didn’t know what to say. He had her there. “Well, I think it’s best to go back to the small stuff and work our way up.” He pulled out a quill before her. “Let’s try a simple Vanishing Spell.”
“A Vanishing Spell?” Lily repeated. “That was from two years ago. Why do we need to try that again? I'lll have you know that I-"
“Just do it,” James cut her in mid-sentence.
Lily huffed irratically & pointed her wand at the quill & said with poise "Evanesco". It moved slightly, but otherwise, the spell had no effect on the quill, whatsoever.
“You’re not concentrating,” James insisted. “Try it again.”
“Evanesco,” she repeated, gruffly. The red coloring of the feather, rearing the quill was distracting her. It reminded her of the mask her mystery love wore. Thoughts of him came barging into her brain once more. She hated the fact that she couldn’t keep her mind clear and her thoughts straight. A slight, but definate blush was rising in her cheeks.
“This isn’t working,” he declared, sighing. “Obviously, your mind is on something.”
“The Masquerade Dance,” Lily mumbled, now suddenly fascinated with floor.
“Ahh...,” he sighed, leaning back in his chair. “The infamous masquerade.”
Although, it made him feel good to know that she was thinking of him, it made him feel even worse, when she had no idea that it was in fact him underneath that red mask. She was so smart, but he was getting the feeling that she was intentionally avoiding trying to figure out who he was. She was curious, but at the same time, she liked the allure of not knowing.
“You know, why don’t you try focusing your full attention on this quill,” James advised her, trying to cap up his thoughts. “Forget about the masquerade. To you, it doesn’t exist. This quill is the only thing you’re worried about. You want it gone. Try the spell one more time. Forget everything about Halloween night.”
She did as he had advised, emptying her mind and focusing on vanishing the darn quill. Nothing except reciting that incantation was in her thoughts. Evanesco, Evanesco
“Evanesco,” she recited, closing her eyes. Then she heard James laughing.
How dare he laugh at me, Lily thought angrily, as she flung open her eyes, so that she tell him off, but instead found that the quill was gone. She had successfully vanished it...
Suddenly, she started laughing as well. She had never laughed harder in her life about something so petty. She wiped tears from her eyes and clutched her side as stitches formed. She looked over at James and saw the warmth in his hazel eyes as he laughed.
“I did it,” she said finally.
“Yes, you did,” James told her, grinning. “Congratulations.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she told him apprehensively. “It’s weird. Last year, I would have never been able to laugh about something like this. I wouldn't have found such satisfaction in achieving something so small.”
James smiled. He was glad she was appreciating her hard efforts.
“You deserve it though,” he informed her. “You managed to overcome an obstacle. Concentration was one of your problems and you proved to me right now that you can sit down and concentrate on a task.”
She grinned sheepishly, enjoying the empty space the quill had once sat upon. She set her hands on the table, but was surprised when it brushed against one of James’. They both jerked their hands away immediately, although Lily noticed that he was blushing strongly. She, herself, felt heat rising in her cheeks.
“Lily...,” he said to her, something that was rare for him. “I...do you think...that maybe, just this once, you...you could accompany me to Hogsmeade?”
He wasn’t asking her out in his usual cocky manner, she surmised. He was truly asking her, propositioning her for a date, just for the pure satisfaction of being in her company.
She felt a sudden pang of guilt, when she heard the word, “No,” drip from her lips. She appreciated James' good nature, after that tutoring session, but she wasn’t ready to forget about how she felt around that mystery man. “I’m sorry, but I can't.” she said, determined to avoid his gaze.
“That’s ok,” James told her, clearing his throat. “I-I understand. I’ll see you later on patrol, then.”
With that, he grabbed his bag and walked out of the library. He knew that while the red mask existed upon his face, the person behind that mask would never be able to win over Lily Evans.
______________________
F/B
Yet, she knew that she had never felt happier in her life. That counted for something.
James Potter rushed in and set his bag down on the table in a hurry. “Sorry I’m late,” he told her. “There was a nasty fight in the halls that I had to break up. Apparently, a small game of Exploding Snap isn’t for everyone, anyway, I'm your tutor.”
Lily smiled, although she was somewhat disappointed. James Potter seemed to be everywhere she turned. She had to patrol with him, he was in her classes, he was in the halls, he was at the Quidditch pitch, he was in her common room, and now he was her tutor.
“So, McGonagall told me you that needed help,” James started off. “I’ve been in classes with you before and I think I know what part of your problem is. You don’t concentrate hard enough on the task.”
Lily looked at him dumbfounded. “I don’t concentrate?" she reinerated. "How do you think I am so good at Charms? Charms is all about concentration. Trust me, I concentrate.”
“Then why didn’t you even pick up your wand today in class?” he asked her, quizzically. She stared, dumbfolded. She didn’t know what to say. He had her there. “Well, I think it’s best to go back to the small stuff and work our way up.” He pulled out a quill before her. “Let’s try a simple Vanishing Spell.”
“A Vanishing Spell?” Lily repeated. “That was from two years ago. Why do we need to try that again? I'lll have you know that I-"
“Just do it,” James cut her in mid-sentence.
Lily huffed irratically & pointed her wand at the quill & said with poise "Evanesco". It moved slightly, but otherwise, the spell had no effect on the quill, whatsoever.
“You’re not concentrating,” James insisted. “Try it again.”
“Evanesco,” she repeated, gruffly. The red coloring of the feather, rearing the quill was distracting her. It reminded her of the mask her mystery love wore. Thoughts of him came barging into her brain once more. She hated the fact that she couldn’t keep her mind clear and her thoughts straight. A slight, but definate blush was rising in her cheeks.
“This isn’t working,” he declared, sighing. “Obviously, your mind is on something.”
“The Masquerade Dance,” Lily mumbled, now suddenly fascinated with floor.
“Ahh...,” he sighed, leaning back in his chair. “The infamous masquerade.”
Although, it made him feel good to know that she was thinking of him, it made him feel even worse, when she had no idea that it was in fact him underneath that red mask. She was so smart, but he was getting the feeling that she was intentionally avoiding trying to figure out who he was. She was curious, but at the same time, she liked the allure of not knowing.
“You know, why don’t you try focusing your full attention on this quill,” James advised her, trying to cap up his thoughts. “Forget about the masquerade. To you, it doesn’t exist. This quill is the only thing you’re worried about. You want it gone. Try the spell one more time. Forget everything about Halloween night.”
She did as he had advised, emptying her mind and focusing on vanishing the darn quill. Nothing except reciting that incantation was in her thoughts. Evanesco, Evanesco
“Evanesco,” she recited, closing her eyes. Then she heard James laughing.
How dare he laugh at me, Lily thought angrily, as she flung open her eyes, so that she tell him off, but instead found that the quill was gone. She had successfully vanished it...
Suddenly, she started laughing as well. She had never laughed harder in her life about something so petty. She wiped tears from her eyes and clutched her side as stitches formed. She looked over at James and saw the warmth in his hazel eyes as he laughed.
“I did it,” she said finally.
“Yes, you did,” James told her, grinning. “Congratulations.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she told him apprehensively. “It’s weird. Last year, I would have never been able to laugh about something like this. I wouldn't have found such satisfaction in achieving something so small.”
James smiled. He was glad she was appreciating her hard efforts.
“You deserve it though,” he informed her. “You managed to overcome an obstacle. Concentration was one of your problems and you proved to me right now that you can sit down and concentrate on a task.”
She grinned sheepishly, enjoying the empty space the quill had once sat upon. She set her hands on the table, but was surprised when it brushed against one of James’. They both jerked their hands away immediately, although Lily noticed that he was blushing strongly. She, herself, felt heat rising in her cheeks.
“Lily...,” he said to her, something that was rare for him. “I...do you think...that maybe, just this once, you...you could accompany me to Hogsmeade?”
He wasn’t asking her out in his usual cocky manner, she surmised. He was truly asking her, propositioning her for a date, just for the pure satisfaction of being in her company.
She felt a sudden pang of guilt, when she heard the word, “No,” drip from her lips. She appreciated James' good nature, after that tutoring session, but she wasn’t ready to forget about how she felt around that mystery man. “I’m sorry, but I can't.” she said, determined to avoid his gaze.
“That’s ok,” James told her, clearing his throat. “I-I understand. I’ll see you later on patrol, then.”
With that, he grabbed his bag and walked out of the library. He knew that while the red mask existed upon his face, the person behind that mask would never be able to win over Lily Evans.
______________________
F/B
“Where’ve you been?” Cindy inquired accusingly, as she turned over on her bed. Lily walked over to her own bed and lay her things down on the floor.
“Tutoring with Potter,” she told her.
“James Potter is your tutor?” Alice asked, skeptically. She was sitting on Cindy’s bed as well, having her nails painted. Cindy and Alice had grown into good friends, as well as confidants.
“Unfortunately,” Lily mumbled.
Cindy snorted. “This coming from the girl who called him ‘James’ not too long ago?” she reminded her, enjoying the torment she was causing her friend. She knew Lily had a particular soft spot for anything involving James Potter, whether she wished to admit it or not.
Lily rolled her emerald orbs at her friend and rest her head on her pillow.
“He asked me out again tonight,” Lily told them.
“And, what did you say?” Alice asked, eagerly.
“No,” Lily told them. She sighed. “It’s not that he hasn’t grown up; he has. It’s just that I don’t see him or any other boy at Hogwarts like that. In fact, I’ve found someone who’s equally up to my level and is able to understand me in ways I never thought possible.”
“What’s his name?” Cindy inquired, her blue eyes shining widely for information.
“I don’t know his name,” Lily regretfully informed them. “He wears a mask every time we’re together. A simple, patterned red mask that seems to be just enough to keep his identity from me.”
“So, you’re giving up James Potter, the real deal, for some, no good, secretive phony?” Cindy asked, half-yelling. “I don’t like the sound of that, Lily. He could take full advantage of you and you wouldn’t even have a name.”
“He’s not like that,” Lily told her friend. “He’s sweet and gentle and he seems to actually care for me.”
“Why is it that you’re allowed to reveal yourself to him, yet he wont even take off his mask?” Alice asked, firmly. “Obviously, he’s trying to hide something.”
Lily had never thought of it that way. But she didn’t like looking too deep into the meaning.
“It really doesn’t matter,” she told them. “He’s nice to me and that’s all that matters.”
Cindy gave her a quizzical stare. Alice sighed “As long as you’re happy,” she told her. “We’ll support you.”
-----------------------------------------------------
Cindy was lying next to Sirius on his bed and was holding his hand and smiling at him. He was playing with her hair, enjoying its' radiant softeness. Her blue eyes danced with joy as he sent butterflies through her stomach. She leaned in and kissed him.
“Get a room,” Peter called from the other side of the dorm. Cindy giggled as Sirius sent a shoe flying at his friend’s head. It missed.
“You could have seriously injured me,” Peter complained.
“That’s what I was going for,” Sirius replied. Then he turned to Cindy. “I suppose he’s right though. Do you want to take a walk?”
“I’d love to,” Cindy told him, climbing out the bed. She looked over to see James sleeping in the bed in the far right-corner. She thought she saw a pair of red underwear under his bed and cringed at them. She picked it up, fully intending to lecture the Marauders on being a bit more sensitive, when she realized that it was a mask...a patterned red mask. She looked over at Sirius, shocked.
__________________________
f/b
“Tutoring with Potter,” she told her.
“James Potter is your tutor?” Alice asked, skeptically. She was sitting on Cindy’s bed as well, having her nails painted. Cindy and Alice had grown into good friends, as well as confidants.
“Unfortunately,” Lily mumbled.
Cindy snorted. “This coming from the girl who called him ‘James’ not too long ago?” she reminded her, enjoying the torment she was causing her friend. She knew Lily had a particular soft spot for anything involving James Potter, whether she wished to admit it or not.
Lily rolled her emerald orbs at her friend and rest her head on her pillow.
“He asked me out again tonight,” Lily told them.
“And, what did you say?” Alice asked, eagerly.
“No,” Lily told them. She sighed. “It’s not that he hasn’t grown up; he has. It’s just that I don’t see him or any other boy at Hogwarts like that. In fact, I’ve found someone who’s equally up to my level and is able to understand me in ways I never thought possible.”
“What’s his name?” Cindy inquired, her blue eyes shining widely for information.
“I don’t know his name,” Lily regretfully informed them. “He wears a mask every time we’re together. A simple, patterned red mask that seems to be just enough to keep his identity from me.”
“So, you’re giving up James Potter, the real deal, for some, no good, secretive phony?” Cindy asked, half-yelling. “I don’t like the sound of that, Lily. He could take full advantage of you and you wouldn’t even have a name.”
“He’s not like that,” Lily told her friend. “He’s sweet and gentle and he seems to actually care for me.”
“Why is it that you’re allowed to reveal yourself to him, yet he wont even take off his mask?” Alice asked, firmly. “Obviously, he’s trying to hide something.”
Lily had never thought of it that way. But she didn’t like looking too deep into the meaning.
“It really doesn’t matter,” she told them. “He’s nice to me and that’s all that matters.”
Cindy gave her a quizzical stare. Alice sighed “As long as you’re happy,” she told her. “We’ll support you.”
-----------------------------------------------------
Cindy was lying next to Sirius on his bed and was holding his hand and smiling at him. He was playing with her hair, enjoying its' radiant softeness. Her blue eyes danced with joy as he sent butterflies through her stomach. She leaned in and kissed him.
“Get a room,” Peter called from the other side of the dorm. Cindy giggled as Sirius sent a shoe flying at his friend’s head. It missed.
“You could have seriously injured me,” Peter complained.
“That’s what I was going for,” Sirius replied. Then he turned to Cindy. “I suppose he’s right though. Do you want to take a walk?”
“I’d love to,” Cindy told him, climbing out the bed. She looked over to see James sleeping in the bed in the far right-corner. She thought she saw a pair of red underwear under his bed and cringed at them. She picked it up, fully intending to lecture the Marauders on being a bit more sensitive, when she realized that it was a mask...a patterned red mask. She looked over at Sirius, shocked.
__________________________
f/b
“What is this?” Cindy inquired slowly, holding up the mask before her, while her frosty eyes bored into Sirius. Her face had gone pale and thoughts were racing rapidly through her mind. Silence lingered throughout the room; only James’ heavy breathing from the bed beside her could be heard. Peter, Remus, and Sirius all looked at her, stunned and unable to answer. “Someone tell me,” she insisted, impatiently. “Before I take this to Lily.”
“That’s....um ...James’,” Sirius managed to say, breaking the ice.
“I assumed so,” Cindy informed him firmly, her mouth thinned tightly, opposed to the bright smile she almost always carried.
“James is into...s-some pretty kinky stuff, eh?” Sirius explained nervously, Peter nodded enthusiastically in agreement. “Ol’ Florence Merryweather ought to be able to account for that. I heard her calling him Zorro one night. Pretty disturbing if you ask me.” he added, quickly.
“Zorro, is it?” Cindy asked once more, looking down at James from where she was standing. “So I suppose this has nothing to do with the masquerade that occurred last month? It has nothing to do with why Lily doesn’t know the identity of her dance partner? You know, I should go and tell Lily right now,” she said, ferociously.
“Come on, Cindy,” Sirius pleaded. “Give the boy a break. I mean, he may not be the brightest candle in the chandelier, but his heart’s still in the right place.”
“Treachery, is what this is,” Cindy cried out, almost knocking over the copper lamp. James stirred slightly, but managed to roll over and forget the sound of a shouting seventeen-year-old girl beside his bed.
“Let James do it himself,” Remus reasoned softly, after finally coming out of his stupour. “He’s in love with her. We all know it. This is the only way she’s been able to tolerate him and for some reason, that brings him some sort of comfort. Let him be the one to tell her.”
“Well, I suppose it is a bit romantic,” Cindy added reluctantly. She set the red mask down upon the messy floor and walked over towards Sirius.
“That’s the spirit, love,” Sirius commented merrily. “Now, let’s go take a walk. We can talk about it if you like.”
“I’d rather not,” she told him quietly. “I don’t like keeping things from her.”
“Well,” Sirius sighed, leading her down the steps. “Not all of us are truly comfortable with taking a leap of faith. Especially James when it comes to Lily.”
------------------------------------------------------------------
The month of December was upon Hogwarts and James still hadn’t broken the news to Lily about his secret identity, even with Cindy’s threat at hand. Yet, there had been no visits from the mysterious red masked stranger. James had continued tutoring Lily and had grown even fonder of her, if possible. Somehow, he enjoyed the person inside of her more than any other person he had ever met, including his friends. He felt a connection with her unlike anyone else.
That particular night, Cindy smiled as her ocean-like eyes darted up at the sky once more. She was sitting on the ledge, an oversized sweatshirt covering her knees and her feet peaking out from beneath. Her attention was straying elsewhere, but the fact that the night was calm gave her a serene, almost peace-like, feeling.
“Frank and I are taking things slow,” Alice explained to Lily, her hair in a loose ponytail and her eyes gleaming at the mention of her boyfriend of over a month. “We had our first kiss last night.”
“Where was it?” Cindy inquired from the ledge.
Alice smiled and blushed. “We were taking a walk and all of a sudden, he just leaned in and kissed me. It was perfect.” She sighed dreamily.
Lily grinned as she listened to her friend. Alice had always been shy and reserved, but through the past couple of months, Lily and Cindy had grown extremely close with her. It was interesting and refreshing to have a new person, an entirely new perspective, to speak with. She was kind and sensitive. Lily had never seen her so radiant as she was when she was speaking of Frank Longbottom. Her face glowed and Lily was fairly sure, these were the first signs of love.
“That sounds wonderful,” Lily agreed. She, herself, was almost craving the romantic stories her friends shared with her. She had given up hope on the mysterious stranger, whom she had reserved a spot in her heart. For almost a month she had heard no word.
“Last night, Sirius made it official,” Cindy informed her friends. Her voice was soft and happy, but the look on her face told Lily otherwise.
“Is that a problem?” Lily questioned.
“No,” her friend answered. “It’s just that I am afraid of what will happen if we break up. I love spending time with him, but once you’ve made a commitment, things go downhill.”
“Cindy, is Sirius like every other guy?” Lily asked, locking her emerald green eyes onto her friends’.
"No,” Cindy replied. “I feel different when I’m with him. I know I’m not being used. I know he cares about me, thinks I’m special, and is completely satisfied by the mere company I provide him.”
“Then I think you know that your relationship with him won’t be like every other one you’ve had,” Lily explained. “Give it a chance. You never know how great it can be until you’ve tried.”
Cindy nodded, taking in the words, although a curious expression crossed her face.
“I never took you as a hypocrite, Lily,” Cindy mused, shaking her hair out of her ponytail and letting it sit free.
“How is Lily a hypocrite?” Alice asked, seeing Lilys' shocked face.
“I reckon that you’d never know what great things could come out of a relationship with a certain...James Potter until you’ve tried,” Cindy responded, before walking into her dorm.
“Potter?” Lily inquired to herself. “The very same Potter who I happen to have a remarkably horrible history with?”
“What was the last horrible thing he’s done to you?” Alice asked, raising a perfect eyebrow at her friend.
“Look, I know he’s changed,” Lily assured her. “I do. He’s much more responsible, he doesn’t indulge in his immature ways anymore, and he’s stopped badgering me about Hogsmeade. I just...don’t think it would ever work.”
“If this is about that mask guy,” Alice started. “I want you to know that I don’t agree with it one bit. For all we know, the guy could be cheating on his girlfriend with you. He could be the vilest individual at this school. You deserve an honest guy, Lily. Someone who hides behind a mask is not willing to have a consistent relationship with you. You’re at his beck and call whenever he needs some downtime from his real life. It’s fraud, it is,” she added aggressively, before she too, left for the dorm.
Lily had never looked at it that way. Fraud, scandal, lies. She was not a bad person. Yet, something about the mystery of it all intrigued her. She knew Alice had a point. She just couldn’t spare the thoughts and longing for someone who cared about her the way this person did. She liked feeling special and she didn’t want that feeling to go away.
____________________________
f/b
“That’s....um ...James’,” Sirius managed to say, breaking the ice.
“I assumed so,” Cindy informed him firmly, her mouth thinned tightly, opposed to the bright smile she almost always carried.
“James is into...s-some pretty kinky stuff, eh?” Sirius explained nervously, Peter nodded enthusiastically in agreement. “Ol’ Florence Merryweather ought to be able to account for that. I heard her calling him Zorro one night. Pretty disturbing if you ask me.” he added, quickly.
“Zorro, is it?” Cindy asked once more, looking down at James from where she was standing. “So I suppose this has nothing to do with the masquerade that occurred last month? It has nothing to do with why Lily doesn’t know the identity of her dance partner? You know, I should go and tell Lily right now,” she said, ferociously.
“Come on, Cindy,” Sirius pleaded. “Give the boy a break. I mean, he may not be the brightest candle in the chandelier, but his heart’s still in the right place.”
“Treachery, is what this is,” Cindy cried out, almost knocking over the copper lamp. James stirred slightly, but managed to roll over and forget the sound of a shouting seventeen-year-old girl beside his bed.
“Let James do it himself,” Remus reasoned softly, after finally coming out of his stupour. “He’s in love with her. We all know it. This is the only way she’s been able to tolerate him and for some reason, that brings him some sort of comfort. Let him be the one to tell her.”
“Well, I suppose it is a bit romantic,” Cindy added reluctantly. She set the red mask down upon the messy floor and walked over towards Sirius.
“That’s the spirit, love,” Sirius commented merrily. “Now, let’s go take a walk. We can talk about it if you like.”
“I’d rather not,” she told him quietly. “I don’t like keeping things from her.”
“Well,” Sirius sighed, leading her down the steps. “Not all of us are truly comfortable with taking a leap of faith. Especially James when it comes to Lily.”
------------------------------------------------------------------
The month of December was upon Hogwarts and James still hadn’t broken the news to Lily about his secret identity, even with Cindy’s threat at hand. Yet, there had been no visits from the mysterious red masked stranger. James had continued tutoring Lily and had grown even fonder of her, if possible. Somehow, he enjoyed the person inside of her more than any other person he had ever met, including his friends. He felt a connection with her unlike anyone else.
That particular night, Cindy smiled as her ocean-like eyes darted up at the sky once more. She was sitting on the ledge, an oversized sweatshirt covering her knees and her feet peaking out from beneath. Her attention was straying elsewhere, but the fact that the night was calm gave her a serene, almost peace-like, feeling.
“Frank and I are taking things slow,” Alice explained to Lily, her hair in a loose ponytail and her eyes gleaming at the mention of her boyfriend of over a month. “We had our first kiss last night.”
“Where was it?” Cindy inquired from the ledge.
Alice smiled and blushed. “We were taking a walk and all of a sudden, he just leaned in and kissed me. It was perfect.” She sighed dreamily.
Lily grinned as she listened to her friend. Alice had always been shy and reserved, but through the past couple of months, Lily and Cindy had grown extremely close with her. It was interesting and refreshing to have a new person, an entirely new perspective, to speak with. She was kind and sensitive. Lily had never seen her so radiant as she was when she was speaking of Frank Longbottom. Her face glowed and Lily was fairly sure, these were the first signs of love.
“That sounds wonderful,” Lily agreed. She, herself, was almost craving the romantic stories her friends shared with her. She had given up hope on the mysterious stranger, whom she had reserved a spot in her heart. For almost a month she had heard no word.
“Last night, Sirius made it official,” Cindy informed her friends. Her voice was soft and happy, but the look on her face told Lily otherwise.
“Is that a problem?” Lily questioned.
“No,” her friend answered. “It’s just that I am afraid of what will happen if we break up. I love spending time with him, but once you’ve made a commitment, things go downhill.”
“Cindy, is Sirius like every other guy?” Lily asked, locking her emerald green eyes onto her friends’.
"No,” Cindy replied. “I feel different when I’m with him. I know I’m not being used. I know he cares about me, thinks I’m special, and is completely satisfied by the mere company I provide him.”
“Then I think you know that your relationship with him won’t be like every other one you’ve had,” Lily explained. “Give it a chance. You never know how great it can be until you’ve tried.”
Cindy nodded, taking in the words, although a curious expression crossed her face.
“I never took you as a hypocrite, Lily,” Cindy mused, shaking her hair out of her ponytail and letting it sit free.
“How is Lily a hypocrite?” Alice asked, seeing Lilys' shocked face.
“I reckon that you’d never know what great things could come out of a relationship with a certain...James Potter until you’ve tried,” Cindy responded, before walking into her dorm.
“Potter?” Lily inquired to herself. “The very same Potter who I happen to have a remarkably horrible history with?”
“What was the last horrible thing he’s done to you?” Alice asked, raising a perfect eyebrow at her friend.
“Look, I know he’s changed,” Lily assured her. “I do. He’s much more responsible, he doesn’t indulge in his immature ways anymore, and he’s stopped badgering me about Hogsmeade. I just...don’t think it would ever work.”
“If this is about that mask guy,” Alice started. “I want you to know that I don’t agree with it one bit. For all we know, the guy could be cheating on his girlfriend with you. He could be the vilest individual at this school. You deserve an honest guy, Lily. Someone who hides behind a mask is not willing to have a consistent relationship with you. You’re at his beck and call whenever he needs some downtime from his real life. It’s fraud, it is,” she added aggressively, before she too, left for the dorm.
Lily had never looked at it that way. Fraud, scandal, lies. She was not a bad person. Yet, something about the mystery of it all intrigued her. She knew Alice had a point. She just couldn’t spare the thoughts and longing for someone who cared about her the way this person did. She liked feeling special and she didn’t want that feeling to go away.
____________________________
f/b
“Prongs, you need to tell her,” Remus told his friend one day as he saw a red rose on James’ bed and a piece of perfumed-parchment lying out. It suspiciously looked like a note to Lily.
“I know,” James sighed as he fell down on his bed. He shut his eyes momentarily and took in a breath of clarity. He knew he was being dishonest. He knew that each time he met with Lily in the library, her thoughts would be elsewhere. He only wished that there were some other way.
“If she doesn’t like you for who you are, Prongs, then I don’t think she’s worth it,” Sirius chimed in. “No girl is.”
“Siruis, the entire time I’ve known Lily Evans, something about her caught my attention. Something inside of her seemed to just scream out at me, ‘Don’t give up on me’. I’ve been living off of that feeling I get. My instinct tells me not to back off, but the evidence in front of me says otherwise. If she doesn’t like me after I tell her, I won’t forget her, but I’ll respect the fact that nothing I do will ever change her mind,” James told them, sincerly. “I’m going to tell her. This weekend.”
“I’m proud of you, mate,” Remus said, clapping his friend on the back. “Good luck.”
“I tutor her tomorrow,” James announced, to no-one in paticular. “Hopefully, she’ll forget about the Masked Man.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The Slytherin Common Room was dark and cold that evening. Six people stood before the fire, in silence with expectant looks upon their faces, Severus Snape being one of them, these six were willing to do anything and everything that their master asked of them in order for his new plan to succeed. Although he wouldn’t be there personally, the Dark Lord was recruiting once more.
With a pop, the worn yet deceptive face of their master appeared within the fire. The fire in the Slytherin Common Room was the safest way of communicating without being intercepted. A feature that guaranteed this safety was the fact that it wasn’t traceable by the Ministry of Magic.
“Ahh...my followers,” the Dark Lord greeted coldly, his dark eyes scanning the six before the fire. “Snape, Malfoy, Black, Rookwood, Avery, and Rabastan. The loyalty in this room has not wavered for one moment, especially not now when I need you all the most.”
“Master,” they chanted in devoted whispers. He smiled once more, sending chills up each and every one of their spines.
“I have heard news of a new society Dumbledore has created in order to prevent my power from merging even more,” Lord Voldemort informed them. Nasty comments were muttered at the mention of the mudblood-loving headmaster’s name. “The Order of the...Phoenix, as I have been told, has not yet been fully developed, but with the talent in this school, it is highly possible that Dumbledore will be welcoming students to join. Now, it is your job to track down and persuade the following people to join me. Bring them to me, however reluctant they are, and let them meet their new master," he added with a cold shrill.
“Yes, my Lord,” they murmured feverently, in response..
“Good,” he commented smoothly. “Now, I wish for you all to bring me the following people using whatever means necessary; Bones, Longbottom, Patil, Black...and Potter!
Snape scowled as his master mentioned Potter’s name. He didn’t wish for Potter to join their side. He more than hoped that he would have the opportunity of killing James himself, one day. Yet, whatever his master asked, he received.
The six of them bowed as their master’s head popped out of view.
“Potter,” Lucius Malfoy contemplated, smirking widely. “That should be a real treat. Why, his entire family are devoted to stopping our noble cause. Severus, follow him up. Bella, follow your cousin. I’ll take care of Longbottom & Patil, along with Rookwood. Avery and Rabastan, you follow Bones. This Saturday, at the stroke of midnight, we’ll bring them to our master.”
The others nodded, knowing well enough, not to argue with Lucius. He was highly respected by the Dark Lord and was a member of Voldemort’s Inner Circle. And with that, they turned, and headed for their respected dormitories.
Snape cringed at the idea of following Potter, but he would do what he must, for he was now supporting a cause, which he knew would earn him respect one day in the wizarding world. He looked down at his arm, and saw the snake hissing violently from its' emitted skull, before he too went up to his deserted dormitory.
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“I know,” James sighed as he fell down on his bed. He shut his eyes momentarily and took in a breath of clarity. He knew he was being dishonest. He knew that each time he met with Lily in the library, her thoughts would be elsewhere. He only wished that there were some other way.
“If she doesn’t like you for who you are, Prongs, then I don’t think she’s worth it,” Sirius chimed in. “No girl is.”
“Siruis, the entire time I’ve known Lily Evans, something about her caught my attention. Something inside of her seemed to just scream out at me, ‘Don’t give up on me’. I’ve been living off of that feeling I get. My instinct tells me not to back off, but the evidence in front of me says otherwise. If she doesn’t like me after I tell her, I won’t forget her, but I’ll respect the fact that nothing I do will ever change her mind,” James told them, sincerly. “I’m going to tell her. This weekend.”
“I’m proud of you, mate,” Remus said, clapping his friend on the back. “Good luck.”
“I tutor her tomorrow,” James announced, to no-one in paticular. “Hopefully, she’ll forget about the Masked Man.”
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The Slytherin Common Room was dark and cold that evening. Six people stood before the fire, in silence with expectant looks upon their faces, Severus Snape being one of them, these six were willing to do anything and everything that their master asked of them in order for his new plan to succeed. Although he wouldn’t be there personally, the Dark Lord was recruiting once more.
With a pop, the worn yet deceptive face of their master appeared within the fire. The fire in the Slytherin Common Room was the safest way of communicating without being intercepted. A feature that guaranteed this safety was the fact that it wasn’t traceable by the Ministry of Magic.
“Ahh...my followers,” the Dark Lord greeted coldly, his dark eyes scanning the six before the fire. “Snape, Malfoy, Black, Rookwood, Avery, and Rabastan. The loyalty in this room has not wavered for one moment, especially not now when I need you all the most.”
“Master,” they chanted in devoted whispers. He smiled once more, sending chills up each and every one of their spines.
“I have heard news of a new society Dumbledore has created in order to prevent my power from merging even more,” Lord Voldemort informed them. Nasty comments were muttered at the mention of the mudblood-loving headmaster’s name. “The Order of the...Phoenix, as I have been told, has not yet been fully developed, but with the talent in this school, it is highly possible that Dumbledore will be welcoming students to join. Now, it is your job to track down and persuade the following people to join me. Bring them to me, however reluctant they are, and let them meet their new master," he added with a cold shrill.
“Yes, my Lord,” they murmured feverently, in response..
“Good,” he commented smoothly. “Now, I wish for you all to bring me the following people using whatever means necessary; Bones, Longbottom, Patil, Black...and Potter!
Snape scowled as his master mentioned Potter’s name. He didn’t wish for Potter to join their side. He more than hoped that he would have the opportunity of killing James himself, one day. Yet, whatever his master asked, he received.
The six of them bowed as their master’s head popped out of view.
“Potter,” Lucius Malfoy contemplated, smirking widely. “That should be a real treat. Why, his entire family are devoted to stopping our noble cause. Severus, follow him up. Bella, follow your cousin. I’ll take care of Longbottom & Patil, along with Rookwood. Avery and Rabastan, you follow Bones. This Saturday, at the stroke of midnight, we’ll bring them to our master.”
The others nodded, knowing well enough, not to argue with Lucius. He was highly respected by the Dark Lord and was a member of Voldemort’s Inner Circle. And with that, they turned, and headed for their respected dormitories.
Snape cringed at the idea of following Potter, but he would do what he must, for he was now supporting a cause, which he knew would earn him respect one day in the wizarding world. He looked down at his arm, and saw the snake hissing violently from its' emitted skull, before he too went up to his deserted dormitory.
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Thursday night came quickly, as James sat at a table in the library. Tutoring Lily had been about the only good thing going on in his life, at the moment, besides his entire mask charade, and he always enjoyed it. He felt that the two of them were relating on a closer level now.
But for some odd reason, he felt as though someone was staring at him. He quickly snapped his head behind him, to see if maybe Lily was looking for him, but only saw a row of shadowed bookcases. He shrugged and continued doodling on a scrap piece of parchment, while awaiting Lily.
Lily rushed in, flushed, and disordered, at about five minutes later. She set her books on the table and sat down, catching her breath.
“Sorry,” she told him, while panting restlesly. “I almost forgot about our session tonight. I guess my mind was just wandering off elsewhere..”
“It happens,” James said understandably, although inside he was feeling a bit queasy.
I guess she hasn’t forgotten about the Masked Man, he thought to himself. Damn, I really hoped she would have. It would have made this whole thing so much easier.
He turned his head quickly again as the feeling of being watched, still lingered on him. Yet, no one was there. He sadly turned back to Lily and tried to teach her the basic principles of human transfiguration, without letting his suspicions engulf him.
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Later that night, after Lily had long since returned from her tutoring session with James, she sat upon her bed, listening to Alice chat merrily with Cindy about her boyfriend, Frank.
Lily smiled a bit as she remembered; the accomplished and proud look on James’ face as she had successfully changed her hair to midnight black and then back to it’s original auburn colour.
A tap at her window made her forget. She opened it and revealed an entrancing grey owl. She smiled as she untied the letter from the owl’s leg. Cindy & Alice, stopped in mid-chat and watched on disapprovingly.
Dearest Lily,
I’m so sorry I haven’t been in touch. But, don’t you ever think for a moment that I’d forgotten about you. You’re far too unforgettable. Meet me by the lake tonight in five minutes time. Be sure to bring a sweater.
XoXo
She rushed off of her bed, grabbed a jacket and nearly tripped down the stairs.
“What was that about?” Cindy inquired, although she knew exactly who the note was from.
“It was love, Cindy,” Alice explained quietly, looking at the mysterious owl, who was now flying off into the dark sky. “She’s...in love with a stranger.”
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Severus Snape slipped out of the castle quietly, James Potter was walking hurriedly in front of him. He saw that Potter was fumbling around with something in his pocket and wondered why on Earth he was out on the grounds at this time of night.
Snape found a comfortable bush and hid behind it, stealthily. He watched as James ruffled his hair as the wind shifted through it. The night was frosty and cold, yet Potter was only wearing a thin sweatshirt.
The answer to his previous question was soon answered. James took out a red mask from his pocket and slipped it onto his face, his eyes shining through it. Snape watched in curiosity and then, hearing movement from the castle entrance, shifted his gaze.
Lily Evans was walking down the castle steps merrily, smiling at Potter. Snape couldn’t believe his eyes. Evans and Potter. Evans and Potter were seeing each other? Hell had indeed frozen over.
He was about to leave Evans and Potter to their stupid mask games, when he heard Lily say, “Why don’t you just tell me who you are?”
Snape stared blankly at the two, while regaining his position behind the bush. So, Potter was hiding behind a mask and secretly spending time with Evans, without telling her his identity... what a coward. Snape thougt, a small smile creaking up his shadowed face. Pleased with this acquired information, he grimaced and slipped out of the bush and back into the castle. Lucius Malfoy would indeed love to hear this information.
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f/b
ok, I know it was a bit...slow, but basically this chap is just the setting up for the next 2-3 chaps.
But for some odd reason, he felt as though someone was staring at him. He quickly snapped his head behind him, to see if maybe Lily was looking for him, but only saw a row of shadowed bookcases. He shrugged and continued doodling on a scrap piece of parchment, while awaiting Lily.
Lily rushed in, flushed, and disordered, at about five minutes later. She set her books on the table and sat down, catching her breath.
“Sorry,” she told him, while panting restlesly. “I almost forgot about our session tonight. I guess my mind was just wandering off elsewhere..”
“It happens,” James said understandably, although inside he was feeling a bit queasy.
I guess she hasn’t forgotten about the Masked Man, he thought to himself. Damn, I really hoped she would have. It would have made this whole thing so much easier.
He turned his head quickly again as the feeling of being watched, still lingered on him. Yet, no one was there. He sadly turned back to Lily and tried to teach her the basic principles of human transfiguration, without letting his suspicions engulf him.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Later that night, after Lily had long since returned from her tutoring session with James, she sat upon her bed, listening to Alice chat merrily with Cindy about her boyfriend, Frank.
Lily smiled a bit as she remembered; the accomplished and proud look on James’ face as she had successfully changed her hair to midnight black and then back to it’s original auburn colour.
A tap at her window made her forget. She opened it and revealed an entrancing grey owl. She smiled as she untied the letter from the owl’s leg. Cindy & Alice, stopped in mid-chat and watched on disapprovingly.
Dearest Lily,
I’m so sorry I haven’t been in touch. But, don’t you ever think for a moment that I’d forgotten about you. You’re far too unforgettable. Meet me by the lake tonight in five minutes time. Be sure to bring a sweater.
XoXo
She rushed off of her bed, grabbed a jacket and nearly tripped down the stairs.
“What was that about?” Cindy inquired, although she knew exactly who the note was from.
“It was love, Cindy,” Alice explained quietly, looking at the mysterious owl, who was now flying off into the dark sky. “She’s...in love with a stranger.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Severus Snape slipped out of the castle quietly, James Potter was walking hurriedly in front of him. He saw that Potter was fumbling around with something in his pocket and wondered why on Earth he was out on the grounds at this time of night.
Snape found a comfortable bush and hid behind it, stealthily. He watched as James ruffled his hair as the wind shifted through it. The night was frosty and cold, yet Potter was only wearing a thin sweatshirt.
The answer to his previous question was soon answered. James took out a red mask from his pocket and slipped it onto his face, his eyes shining through it. Snape watched in curiosity and then, hearing movement from the castle entrance, shifted his gaze.
Lily Evans was walking down the castle steps merrily, smiling at Potter. Snape couldn’t believe his eyes. Evans and Potter. Evans and Potter were seeing each other? Hell had indeed frozen over.
He was about to leave Evans and Potter to their stupid mask games, when he heard Lily say, “Why don’t you just tell me who you are?”
Snape stared blankly at the two, while regaining his position behind the bush. So, Potter was hiding behind a mask and secretly spending time with Evans, without telling her his identity... what a coward. Snape thougt, a small smile creaking up his shadowed face. Pleased with this acquired information, he grimaced and slipped out of the bush and back into the castle. Lucius Malfoy would indeed love to hear this information.
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f/b
ok, I know it was a bit...slow, but basically this chap is just the setting up for the next 2-3 chaps.
“A red mask, you say?” Malfoy inquired, his sleek blonde hair reflecting the cascade moonlight . “That’s interesting.”
He darted a look over at Narcissa, who was sitting on the couch with her arms folded and her lips pursed, and said to her firmly, “Cissy, leave. I need a word with Severus.”
Reluctantly, Narcissa Black got up and walked up the steps leading to her dorm room.
“Severus,” Lucius addressed calmly. “We should use this to our advantage.”
“I felt the same way,” Snape said smoothly. “I feel that a little...blackmail, could be in the works.”
“Oh, yes...off couse” Malfoy pondered. “And just between you and me, I asked Narcissa to leave because I have a confession to make. While I was at that ridiculous masquerade, I came upon a girl at the punch bowl. And...well, let’s just say that I overdid myself, a tiny bit and someone tore me off. This... someone must have been Potter. Quite a blow to the head, he is. And I imagine that Evans must have been, the girl I was dancing with," he spat in sheer disgust.
“That would explain a lot,” Snape reasoned, although he was tempted to mock Lucius for his 'romatic' display. “Potter would do anything to protect Evans.”
“Anything..you say?” Lucius quipped, a warped smile appearing on his shallow face.
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James sat upon the hard Earth, the night breeze sending chills up his spine. Yet, he couldn’t find the inspiration to move. Lily Evans had her head in his lap and he was stroking her soft, red curls.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. His hand brushed by her ear and he soon realised that it was getting late. He frowned and tried lifting her head off of him. She only shifted slightly and snuggled her arm around his.
“Do we have to leave?” she asked quietly.
He wished the answer were no, but sadly, that was not true. He wished they could stay like that forever, but he knew they would get caught if they did.
“Yes,” he replied, solemly. “We do.”
“Will I ever see you again?” she questioned, looking up at him.
“Of course,” he assured her. “This Saturday, at midnight, meet me by this lake. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
She smiled and tried to get up. Yet, she only fell back into his lap and closed her eyes. She was asleep within minutes.
He sighed and lifted her into his arms, bridal style. He walked her back into the castle like that. He entered the common room where Cindy Davis was sitting awkwardly on the couch, obviously waiting for both him and Lily.
“Did you tell her?” she asked, a flicker of hope darting in her eyes, as she saw his rather large figure enter the room. She sighed, exasperatingly, when he shook his head. “Good going, James. Why don’t I just tell her myself?”
“Lower your voice,” he advised. “Here, let me put her on the couch.”
“Fine,” Cindy said, frustrated, as she made room for Lily's sleeping figure. “You have to tell her sometime though.”
He nodded, took off his mask and sighed. “Cindy, I’m trying...I really am. You have no idea how hard it is though. I-I think I .. love her.”
“James, I’ve always known that,” Cindy said, her voice softening. “Always. I just... don’t understand why you’d hide behind some mask like that, just to get her to spend some time with you. Are you a Gryffindor or not?”
James sighed yet again. “I’m telling her this Saturday.”
“You better. Don’t, disappoint me, Potter, or i'll have no choice but to tell her,” Cindy said menacingly, as she made her way up the stairs, to the left .
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F/B
ok, I am sooooooo sorry, I know it was short.
Please don't hate me! And I feel so guilty, but please...bear with me. I promise that the next chapter will be really good. and once again...sorry (i know some of you, were looking forward to long chapters).
He darted a look over at Narcissa, who was sitting on the couch with her arms folded and her lips pursed, and said to her firmly, “Cissy, leave. I need a word with Severus.”
Reluctantly, Narcissa Black got up and walked up the steps leading to her dorm room.
“Severus,” Lucius addressed calmly. “We should use this to our advantage.”
“I felt the same way,” Snape said smoothly. “I feel that a little...blackmail, could be in the works.”
“Oh, yes...off couse” Malfoy pondered. “And just between you and me, I asked Narcissa to leave because I have a confession to make. While I was at that ridiculous masquerade, I came upon a girl at the punch bowl. And...well, let’s just say that I overdid myself, a tiny bit and someone tore me off. This... someone must have been Potter. Quite a blow to the head, he is. And I imagine that Evans must have been, the girl I was dancing with," he spat in sheer disgust.
“That would explain a lot,” Snape reasoned, although he was tempted to mock Lucius for his 'romatic' display. “Potter would do anything to protect Evans.”
“Anything..you say?” Lucius quipped, a warped smile appearing on his shallow face.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
James sat upon the hard Earth, the night breeze sending chills up his spine. Yet, he couldn’t find the inspiration to move. Lily Evans had her head in his lap and he was stroking her soft, red curls.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. His hand brushed by her ear and he soon realised that it was getting late. He frowned and tried lifting her head off of him. She only shifted slightly and snuggled her arm around his.
“Do we have to leave?” she asked quietly.
He wished the answer were no, but sadly, that was not true. He wished they could stay like that forever, but he knew they would get caught if they did.
“Yes,” he replied, solemly. “We do.”
“Will I ever see you again?” she questioned, looking up at him.
“Of course,” he assured her. “This Saturday, at midnight, meet me by this lake. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
She smiled and tried to get up. Yet, she only fell back into his lap and closed her eyes. She was asleep within minutes.
He sighed and lifted her into his arms, bridal style. He walked her back into the castle like that. He entered the common room where Cindy Davis was sitting awkwardly on the couch, obviously waiting for both him and Lily.
“Did you tell her?” she asked, a flicker of hope darting in her eyes, as she saw his rather large figure enter the room. She sighed, exasperatingly, when he shook his head. “Good going, James. Why don’t I just tell her myself?”
“Lower your voice,” he advised. “Here, let me put her on the couch.”
“Fine,” Cindy said, frustrated, as she made room for Lily's sleeping figure. “You have to tell her sometime though.”
He nodded, took off his mask and sighed. “Cindy, I’m trying...I really am. You have no idea how hard it is though. I-I think I .. love her.”
“James, I’ve always known that,” Cindy said, her voice softening. “Always. I just... don’t understand why you’d hide behind some mask like that, just to get her to spend some time with you. Are you a Gryffindor or not?”
James sighed yet again. “I’m telling her this Saturday.”
“You better. Don’t, disappoint me, Potter, or i'll have no choice but to tell her,” Cindy said menacingly, as she made her way up the stairs, to the left .
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F/B
ok, I am sooooooo sorry, I know it was short.
Please don't hate me! And I feel so guilty, but please...bear with me. I promise that the next chapter will be really good. and once again...sorry (i know some of you, were looking forward to long chapters).
Saturday approached much more quickly than James had anticipated. He was regretting that night, his heart agonizing at the thought of Lily despising him. He didn’t know if he could withstand the pain.
He passed her in the hall that morning as he made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. She seemed positively upbeat, merily chatting with Alice. He felt almost ashamed for having to bring her down, when she was obviously so happy.
He walked into the hall, trying to avoid her concious presence. It would only make things harder.
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“I’m going with you tonight, Severus,” Lucius Malfoy informed Snape that morning. “I’ve assigned Longbottom & Patil to Avery & Rookwood, so that’s all taken care of.”
Snape was taken aback. “May I ask, why? Do you feel that I am, perhaps, incapable of capturing my own assignment?” he asked coldly, biting down his resentment and holding his anger.
“Not at all, Snape,” Malfoy insisted, sensing Snape's obvious rage. “I just want to get my revenge on Potter and the mudblood, after what happened at the Masquerade.”
Snape grinned, his feelings of disgrace instantly replaced with a cunning manner. That didn’t sound too bad.
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“Sirius, do you have to go?” Cindy asked as he got up from the baroque windowsill in the astronomy tower.
“Sadly,” Sirius explained. “I got a note from James this afternoon about meeting him up with him at midnight.”
Cindy looked at him, a sharp intake of suspicioun forming at her gaze. “Where?”
“Charms corridor,” Sirius told her, shrugging it off. “Got to go, love.”
He kissed her on the cheek and left the tower.
James said he was going to confess to Lily, not meet up with Sirius, she thought.
For a couple moments, she sat there. contemplating the entire scenario. She looked down out of the window and onto the grounds. Sure enough, she saw James pacing by the rippled water. She got up and rushed out of the door, hoping that Sirius, wasn’t in trouble.
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As Lily walked cheerfully down the stone steps of the castle and onto the grounds, she smiled contently, the smell of her jasmine perfume filling the air. She saw him standing by the lake and she rushed up to him, kissing him swiftly.
He didn’t look as happy as she did, for some reason. She caustiously pulled away from his body, observing his facial expression.
“I...listen Lily...we...,” he started off.
“No,” Lily interrupted sharply. “Don’t say it. You don’t want to see me again, right...y-you want to...”
“That’s not it,” he insisted, alarmed by her rapt accusations. “I just...I want to tell you something...."
His hand slowly crept up to his crimson mask and he was just about to pull it off; when a rather piercing laugh came from behind Lily. His eyes widened in shock, as he saw Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape, their wands out and sinister looks of glee on their stubbled faces.
“Well, well...isn’t this romantic?” Malfoy taunted, his mind swelling with pride, as he noticed that the duo were wandless. “Two lovebirds taking a stroll by the moonlit lake.”
“What do you want?” James spoke up nervously. He eyed Lily, through the corner of his hazel orb and remembered that he still had his mask on.
“Join us,” Malfoy offered quietly, taking advantage of James' vulnerability. “Join us... tonight. Become one of us.”
Lily's gaze darted frantically from her mystery date to Malfoy and Snape.
“What is going on? Someone explain to me,” Lily demanded. “Now!”
“Ahhh...you want to know what’s going on my little mudblood princess?” Malfoy asked, his face twisting into a sneer. “You really want to know? The truth may kill you.”
Malfoy grabbed her fast, his arm gripped around her waist and wand aimed at her neck, and faced her towards James, who had been forcefully prevented from stopping Malfoy, by a rather harrased-looking Snape.
With a delicate flick, Severus Snape revealed the man behind the mask to Lily Evans, once and for all.
“That’s right, mudblood,” Malfoy whispered maliciously into her ear. “There’s James Potter for you.”
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f/b
*evil laugh* LOL, haha. Sorry, but I just couldn't resist the cliffy. lol, well there you are...the Masked Mans' identity is finally revealed.
He passed her in the hall that morning as he made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. She seemed positively upbeat, merily chatting with Alice. He felt almost ashamed for having to bring her down, when she was obviously so happy.
He walked into the hall, trying to avoid her concious presence. It would only make things harder.
--------------------------------------------------------------
“I’m going with you tonight, Severus,” Lucius Malfoy informed Snape that morning. “I’ve assigned Longbottom & Patil to Avery & Rookwood, so that’s all taken care of.”
Snape was taken aback. “May I ask, why? Do you feel that I am, perhaps, incapable of capturing my own assignment?” he asked coldly, biting down his resentment and holding his anger.
“Not at all, Snape,” Malfoy insisted, sensing Snape's obvious rage. “I just want to get my revenge on Potter and the mudblood, after what happened at the Masquerade.”
Snape grinned, his feelings of disgrace instantly replaced with a cunning manner. That didn’t sound too bad.
---------------------------------------------------------------
“Sirius, do you have to go?” Cindy asked as he got up from the baroque windowsill in the astronomy tower.
“Sadly,” Sirius explained. “I got a note from James this afternoon about meeting him up with him at midnight.”
Cindy looked at him, a sharp intake of suspicioun forming at her gaze. “Where?”
“Charms corridor,” Sirius told her, shrugging it off. “Got to go, love.”
He kissed her on the cheek and left the tower.
James said he was going to confess to Lily, not meet up with Sirius, she thought.
For a couple moments, she sat there. contemplating the entire scenario. She looked down out of the window and onto the grounds. Sure enough, she saw James pacing by the rippled water. She got up and rushed out of the door, hoping that Sirius, wasn’t in trouble.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As Lily walked cheerfully down the stone steps of the castle and onto the grounds, she smiled contently, the smell of her jasmine perfume filling the air. She saw him standing by the lake and she rushed up to him, kissing him swiftly.
He didn’t look as happy as she did, for some reason. She caustiously pulled away from his body, observing his facial expression.
“I...listen Lily...we...,” he started off.
“No,” Lily interrupted sharply. “Don’t say it. You don’t want to see me again, right...y-you want to...”
“That’s not it,” he insisted, alarmed by her rapt accusations. “I just...I want to tell you something...."
His hand slowly crept up to his crimson mask and he was just about to pull it off; when a rather piercing laugh came from behind Lily. His eyes widened in shock, as he saw Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape, their wands out and sinister looks of glee on their stubbled faces.
“Well, well...isn’t this romantic?” Malfoy taunted, his mind swelling with pride, as he noticed that the duo were wandless. “Two lovebirds taking a stroll by the moonlit lake.”
“What do you want?” James spoke up nervously. He eyed Lily, through the corner of his hazel orb and remembered that he still had his mask on.
“Join us,” Malfoy offered quietly, taking advantage of James' vulnerability. “Join us... tonight. Become one of us.”
Lily's gaze darted frantically from her mystery date to Malfoy and Snape.
“What is going on? Someone explain to me,” Lily demanded. “Now!”
“Ahhh...you want to know what’s going on my little mudblood princess?” Malfoy asked, his face twisting into a sneer. “You really want to know? The truth may kill you.”
Malfoy grabbed her fast, his arm gripped around her waist and wand aimed at her neck, and faced her towards James, who had been forcefully prevented from stopping Malfoy, by a rather harrased-looking Snape.
With a delicate flick, Severus Snape revealed the man behind the mask to Lily Evans, once and for all.
“That’s right, mudblood,” Malfoy whispered maliciously into her ear. “There’s James Potter for you.”
_______________________________
f/b
*evil laugh* LOL, haha. Sorry, but I just couldn't resist the cliffy. lol, well there you are...the Masked Mans' identity is finally revealed.
As Sirius walked down the Charms corridor, he peeled his eyes open in search of James. He hadn’t really inquired his friend about the meeting, seeing as the note had strongly advised him not to. It had said that all would be explained at midnight. A curious, chilly feeling crept up on him, sending him shivers. He could only wonder what his friend would need to talk to him about.
“Expelliarmus!” shouted a crewd voice from around the corner. Sirius tried to grasp a hold of his wand, but failed. Instead, it flew onto the ground, in front of; Bellatrix Black. Her long, dark hair glistened violently, in the dark, her shadowed eyes shining in glory.
“Ahhh...dear cousin,” she emphasized slowly, a malicious glint forming at her eyes. “So much you have to learn.”
Sirius glared at her, anger bubbling inside of him. She pointed both wands at him, a victorious grin fastened upon her stubble face.
“What do you want, Bella?” Sirius demanded impatiently. “I’m not going to waste my time, listening to your useless rants.
"I think you may have me confused with dear old Auntie Agather Black,” Bellatrix insisted. “She's the one, who always insists that your mind has been corrupted."
“Wouldn’t shock me,” Sirius spat, his mind tainted, at the name of his horrendous mother. “She’s always been a bit twisted and mental."
“Harsh,” Bellatrix whispered . “Did our mudblood-loving Mr. Potter convince you of that?”
Sirius thought for a moment about her reference to James. He instantly realized that it had not been James who had sent the note; it had been Bella.
“Now...we can do this the easy way or...the hard way,” Bellatrix informed him, a slight sneer threatening to ignite her face. “You can come willingly...or I can bring you by force. What shall it be?”
“And where, might I ask, are we going...to your little hidey-hole?” Sirius asked cheekily.
“To the Dark Lord,” Bellatrix informed him, not at all amused by his cheek. “For some odd reason, he wants you to join him.”
“Probably wants to add one more to his Black collection,” Sirius mumbled, rolling his eyes. “Your dear master has always been a bit insane, if you ask me.”
“DON'T YOU DARE...insult the Dark Lord, in my presence,” Bellatrix shrieked, sending a hex over at him. Sirius dodged it flahly, smirking.
“Well, let me set the record straight,” Sirius said daringly, his voice turning quite stern. “I will never join him. Never.
“As if you have much choice in the matter,” Bellatrix proclaimed, her eyes turning into a dark shade of red. “You should have gone with the easy way, when you had the chance, Sirius," she seethed, her jaw clenched in pure hatred.
She raised both wands, her mouth opening to recite an incantation, when suddenly, she fell over onto the tiled floor, her mouth frozen in mid-sentence. Cindy turned the corner and flashed her infamous smile. Her bright blue eyes were shining in triumph.
“Cindy!” Sirius said, running up to her and kissing her, in relief. “That was brilliant!”
“I try,” Cindy said jokingly. “I knew that this must have been a set up. James is down by the lake right now.”
They both stood in silence for a moment, before Sirius looked up at her in panic.
“If they wanted me to join this Dark Lord, there is a very high possibility that they wanted Prongs as well,” he informed her, his voice shaky. “We need to get down there. Quick.”
She nodded and he grabbed her hand, before picking up his wand at the foot of his stunned cousin. The two of them set off down the flight stairs and towards the grounds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
“That’s right, mudblood,” Malfoy whispered into her ear. “There’s James Potter for you.”
Lily looked over at the man that had previously hidden behind the mask. James Potter looked up at her, his hazel eyes apologetic & anxious and fear lined across his face. His unmanageable black hair was now more obvious than ever. She wondered how she hadn’t noticed it before.
She felt the color draining from her face and her heart surged with anger. Her emerald eyes were filling with small tears of both disappointment and hatred. After all those tutoring sessions & nightly patrols, he hadn’t once told her. Not once. He had used her to fulfill some sick fantasy that he had desired since fifth year. Inside, she was struggling, but as Malfoy held onto her, she acknowledged that she had stopped putting up a fight. He was know gaining full control of her body.
“Let go of her,” James screamed, as Malfoy tightened the hold on Lily’s neck. “Stop it. You’ll kill her. Stop!”
“And if I do...what’s in it for me?” Malfoy demanded, his frosty eyes scanning James. “What’s in it for me?”
“I’ll do whatever you want,” he pleaded, avoiding Lily's penetrating glare. “I’ll give you whatever you want. Just don’t hurt her. Don’t hurt Lily. Take me instead. Hurt me.”
“Pathetic,” Snape muttered, while smoothing out his robes. “Absolutely pathetic.”
He then revealed a mask of his own from within his cloak. A white skeletal face adorned the front and hid the fact that a Hogwarts student was concealed beneath it. Malfoy took one of his own from his pocket, one of his arms clinging onto Lily, the other placing the mask on his face.
“Join us, Potter,” Malfoy sneered, a look of triumph creeping up his face. “Join us and your precious mudblood shall be spared.”
Lily looked to the ground, knowing full well what James would choose. The entire Potter line was known for their nobility and stance against the Dark Arts. There was no way James would agree to this, no matter how strong his infatuation with her was. She was preparing herself to die.
“Fine,” James answered softly. “Just let her go.”
She looked up at him, soft tears releasing themselves from her eyes. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. James Potter, joining the dark side? She felt Malfoy’s hand release itself from around her neck, as she choked on a gulp of air. She fell to the ground roughly, scraping her arm on a thistle. The blood flowed freely, embedding the flowers nearby. But she ignored the small juts of pain seeping through her, and looked up at James.
“No, James,” she whimpered from the ground as Malfoy and Snape grabbed onto his arms. “Don’t go.”
_________________________
f/b wow, ok...I know that was a randomn ending, but I really had to end it there...sorry well, there it is, and i'm also sorry if it wasn't as dramatic or as spectacular as you imagined it would be, but I still hoped that it kept you reading.
“Expelliarmus!” shouted a crewd voice from around the corner. Sirius tried to grasp a hold of his wand, but failed. Instead, it flew onto the ground, in front of; Bellatrix Black. Her long, dark hair glistened violently, in the dark, her shadowed eyes shining in glory.
“Ahhh...dear cousin,” she emphasized slowly, a malicious glint forming at her eyes. “So much you have to learn.”
Sirius glared at her, anger bubbling inside of him. She pointed both wands at him, a victorious grin fastened upon her stubble face.
“What do you want, Bella?” Sirius demanded impatiently. “I’m not going to waste my time, listening to your useless rants.
"I think you may have me confused with dear old Auntie Agather Black,” Bellatrix insisted. “She's the one, who always insists that your mind has been corrupted."
“Wouldn’t shock me,” Sirius spat, his mind tainted, at the name of his horrendous mother. “She’s always been a bit twisted and mental."
“Harsh,” Bellatrix whispered . “Did our mudblood-loving Mr. Potter convince you of that?”
Sirius thought for a moment about her reference to James. He instantly realized that it had not been James who had sent the note; it had been Bella.
“Now...we can do this the easy way or...the hard way,” Bellatrix informed him, a slight sneer threatening to ignite her face. “You can come willingly...or I can bring you by force. What shall it be?”
“And where, might I ask, are we going...to your little hidey-hole?” Sirius asked cheekily.
“To the Dark Lord,” Bellatrix informed him, not at all amused by his cheek. “For some odd reason, he wants you to join him.”
“Probably wants to add one more to his Black collection,” Sirius mumbled, rolling his eyes. “Your dear master has always been a bit insane, if you ask me.”
“DON'T YOU DARE...insult the Dark Lord, in my presence,” Bellatrix shrieked, sending a hex over at him. Sirius dodged it flahly, smirking.
“Well, let me set the record straight,” Sirius said daringly, his voice turning quite stern. “I will never join him. Never.
“As if you have much choice in the matter,” Bellatrix proclaimed, her eyes turning into a dark shade of red. “You should have gone with the easy way, when you had the chance, Sirius," she seethed, her jaw clenched in pure hatred.
She raised both wands, her mouth opening to recite an incantation, when suddenly, she fell over onto the tiled floor, her mouth frozen in mid-sentence. Cindy turned the corner and flashed her infamous smile. Her bright blue eyes were shining in triumph.
“Cindy!” Sirius said, running up to her and kissing her, in relief. “That was brilliant!”
“I try,” Cindy said jokingly. “I knew that this must have been a set up. James is down by the lake right now.”
They both stood in silence for a moment, before Sirius looked up at her in panic.
“If they wanted me to join this Dark Lord, there is a very high possibility that they wanted Prongs as well,” he informed her, his voice shaky. “We need to get down there. Quick.”
She nodded and he grabbed her hand, before picking up his wand at the foot of his stunned cousin. The two of them set off down the flight stairs and towards the grounds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
“That’s right, mudblood,” Malfoy whispered into her ear. “There’s James Potter for you.”
Lily looked over at the man that had previously hidden behind the mask. James Potter looked up at her, his hazel eyes apologetic & anxious and fear lined across his face. His unmanageable black hair was now more obvious than ever. She wondered how she hadn’t noticed it before.
She felt the color draining from her face and her heart surged with anger. Her emerald eyes were filling with small tears of both disappointment and hatred. After all those tutoring sessions & nightly patrols, he hadn’t once told her. Not once. He had used her to fulfill some sick fantasy that he had desired since fifth year. Inside, she was struggling, but as Malfoy held onto her, she acknowledged that she had stopped putting up a fight. He was know gaining full control of her body.
“Let go of her,” James screamed, as Malfoy tightened the hold on Lily’s neck. “Stop it. You’ll kill her. Stop!”
“And if I do...what’s in it for me?” Malfoy demanded, his frosty eyes scanning James. “What’s in it for me?”
“I’ll do whatever you want,” he pleaded, avoiding Lily's penetrating glare. “I’ll give you whatever you want. Just don’t hurt her. Don’t hurt Lily. Take me instead. Hurt me.”
“Pathetic,” Snape muttered, while smoothing out his robes. “Absolutely pathetic.”
He then revealed a mask of his own from within his cloak. A white skeletal face adorned the front and hid the fact that a Hogwarts student was concealed beneath it. Malfoy took one of his own from his pocket, one of his arms clinging onto Lily, the other placing the mask on his face.
“Join us, Potter,” Malfoy sneered, a look of triumph creeping up his face. “Join us and your precious mudblood shall be spared.”
Lily looked to the ground, knowing full well what James would choose. The entire Potter line was known for their nobility and stance against the Dark Arts. There was no way James would agree to this, no matter how strong his infatuation with her was. She was preparing herself to die.
“Fine,” James answered softly. “Just let her go.”
She looked up at him, soft tears releasing themselves from her eyes. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. James Potter, joining the dark side? She felt Malfoy’s hand release itself from around her neck, as she choked on a gulp of air. She fell to the ground roughly, scraping her arm on a thistle. The blood flowed freely, embedding the flowers nearby. But she ignored the small juts of pain seeping through her, and looked up at James.
“No, James,” she whimpered from the ground as Malfoy and Snape grabbed onto his arms. “Don’t go.”
_________________________
f/b wow, ok...I know that was a randomn ending, but I really had to end it there...sorry
well, there it is, and i'm also sorry if it wasn't as dramatic or as spectacular as you imagined it would be, but I still hoped that it kept you reading.
ok, I just wanna say thanx to eagleanimagous, Kelso2010, kelli, miss_r_weasley, X-Girl for also leaving their feedback aniwayz...here is the next chap!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon hearing her feeble voice, he looked over at her with the same hazel eyes that she had been dreaming about for months, the same eyes that had enchanted her, many months ago. No matter how much deceit and confusion he had caused, he genuinely cared for her. He was giving himself up, in order to protect her. Even though she still felt a rush of anger soaring through her veins, she couldn’t let them hurt him. She couldn’t.
“Stop!” she screamed, trying to get up. She quickly fell as she tried, her emotions taking their toll on her. “James, don’t join him!”
The three of them were already at the castle doors when she gave up hope. She slammed her fist against the ground and cried. She hadn’t cried in years, but these tears wouldn’t cease. She let it all out, the hate, the anger, the hurt, the love, the devotion. Everything came spilling out all at once and she didn’t know if she even wanted it to stop.
He needs my help, she reminded herself. He needs me. He just gave himself over to the Dark Side for me and all I can do is sit here and cry. I damn well need to get up and help him.
With much determination, she pulled herself together and stumbled towards the doors, blood threatening to leak through her thin, bandaged cloth. She cried out in relief as she saw Cindy and Sirius, their wands held sharply with them and panic accompanying them.
“Oh, Cindy! Sirius! They took James,” she cried out, almost collapsing on her step. “They took him!”
“Lily, calm down,” Sirius coaxed quietly, while holding her up firmly, and ceasing her rapid blood flow with his wand. “Where did they take him?”
“The Slytherin Common Room,” she told them, through broken tears. “I’m sure of it. That’s the only place where they can possibly meet up... it's the only place in the whole of Hogwarts that has an undetected fireplace. And now they have James," she wailed.
Sirius nodded and headed back into the castle, both Cindy and Lily followed him, briskly. Lily figured that Sirius already knew the route to the Slytherin Common Room, but instead of going there, they were walking back towards their own common room, passing the portaits, all now resting in deep slumber, on the way.
“Sirius,” Lily said quietly. “Why are we here, shouldn't we be heading towards the Slytherin Head-quaters?”
They had reached the Fat Lady and Sirius had entered the portrait hole, after brashly waking up the plump figure.
“We need to save James,” she whimpered, her head resting on Cindy’s shoulder. Cindy tried her best to look soothing.
“Accio cloak,” Sirius recited. A cloak made of sleek silvery material flew from the upstairs dorm.
“Is-is... that an Invisibility cloak?” Lily asked, a mixture of pure anticipation and doubt taking over her face.
Sirius nodded. He threw it to Cindy. “The two of you need to wear it when we go in.”
“What about you?” Cindy questioned suspiciously. “Please tell me you’re not going to do what I think you’re going to do.”
“I’m going to hand myself over to him,” Sirius informed them, leading the way, while Lily & Cindy slipped under the cloak, while walking in petrified silence.
~
Once they reached the hallway to the Common Room, Sirius saw Bellatrix approaching him, her arms folded across her chest and a sly grin plastered upon her face.
“I knew you’d show up,” she said suavely. “Nice trick your half-blood friend Davis pulled back there. Luckily Avery saw me and revived me. So...why this change of heart?”
“If I may confess, I’ve been considering it for a quite a while...you know with mother insisting that I prove my nobility to the Black name,” he told her, in what he hoped was a convincing voice. “I’ve always assumed that my loyalties belonged to Hogwarts and Dumbledore, but after talking with Regulus, I’m having a few doubts.”
“You talked with Regulus?” Bella asked, in suprise.
“Just this afternoon,” Sirius lied. “The reason why I turned you down was because I was caught between Regulus and James...and I'm sorry", he added deceptively.
"Well...I...you....at least you know now where your loyalties now lie...Black,” Bellatrix said, whispering the password to the portrait of 'Ferculas the Great'. The portait tilted slightly and revealed a circular door. “Follow me.”
Bellatrix entered quickly, but Sirius stalled by pretending to cough, thus allowing Cindy and Lily to enter efficiently, passing him swiftly.
He looked around the cold, dark room and abruptly saw Malfoy punching James across the face.
“Just a bit of payback, if you know what I mean...Potter,” Malfoy spat. “Now that thats' settled, our master should be with us at any moment, we must ignite the fireplace,” he informed the crowd, while walking over and lighting the decayed wood with the tip of his sleek wand.
Frank Longbottom, Wilker Bones & Kumar Patil were seated beside James, also nursing severe scars, with angry expressions on their faces.
“He should be here soon...I can feel it,” Snape announced, his left arm shaking slightly and his mask still firmly placed on his face, while the others murmured in agreement.
Sirius reluctantly sat down on the couch next to James, whose nose was now bleeding badly. Sirius was resisting the urge to hex the whole lot of them, as he felt Lily and Cindy pass by and stand behind them. He heard Lily whisper sharply, “Incendio” and James’ ropes were burnt from his hands. James kept them there just in case... and felt a splint wand slip into his bruised hand.
The fire spitted a few noisy sparks for a moment and everyone present turned to look at it. James and Sirius took their chance.
“Stupefy!” they bellowed, Lily & Cindy joining them; a red flash of light luminated the room. The five Slytherins who had all been cowering over the fire, were all frozen in their fix. Sirius turned to release Frank and the others, when he heard a icy voice, that echoed through the walls.
“Well, well, well,” a cold voice from the fire said. “If it isn’t Black and Potter?”
Lord Voldemort had made his appearance from within the fire just in time.
______________________________
f/b
I'm so nice, aren't I?
aniwayz...here is the next chap!----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon hearing her feeble voice, he looked over at her with the same hazel eyes that she had been dreaming about for months, the same eyes that had enchanted her, many months ago. No matter how much deceit and confusion he had caused, he genuinely cared for her. He was giving himself up, in order to protect her. Even though she still felt a rush of anger soaring through her veins, she couldn’t let them hurt him. She couldn’t.
“Stop!” she screamed, trying to get up. She quickly fell as she tried, her emotions taking their toll on her. “James, don’t join him!”
The three of them were already at the castle doors when she gave up hope. She slammed her fist against the ground and cried. She hadn’t cried in years, but these tears wouldn’t cease. She let it all out, the hate, the anger, the hurt, the love, the devotion. Everything came spilling out all at once and she didn’t know if she even wanted it to stop.
He needs my help, she reminded herself. He needs me. He just gave himself over to the Dark Side for me and all I can do is sit here and cry. I damn well need to get up and help him.
With much determination, she pulled herself together and stumbled towards the doors, blood threatening to leak through her thin, bandaged cloth. She cried out in relief as she saw Cindy and Sirius, their wands held sharply with them and panic accompanying them.
“Oh, Cindy! Sirius! They took James,” she cried out, almost collapsing on her step. “They took him!”
“Lily, calm down,” Sirius coaxed quietly, while holding her up firmly, and ceasing her rapid blood flow with his wand. “Where did they take him?”
“The Slytherin Common Room,” she told them, through broken tears. “I’m sure of it. That’s the only place where they can possibly meet up... it's the only place in the whole of Hogwarts that has an undetected fireplace. And now they have James," she wailed.
Sirius nodded and headed back into the castle, both Cindy and Lily followed him, briskly. Lily figured that Sirius already knew the route to the Slytherin Common Room, but instead of going there, they were walking back towards their own common room, passing the portaits, all now resting in deep slumber, on the way.
“Sirius,” Lily said quietly. “Why are we here, shouldn't we be heading towards the Slytherin Head-quaters?”
They had reached the Fat Lady and Sirius had entered the portrait hole, after brashly waking up the plump figure.
“We need to save James,” she whimpered, her head resting on Cindy’s shoulder. Cindy tried her best to look soothing.
“Accio cloak,” Sirius recited. A cloak made of sleek silvery material flew from the upstairs dorm.
“Is-is... that an Invisibility cloak?” Lily asked, a mixture of pure anticipation and doubt taking over her face.
Sirius nodded. He threw it to Cindy. “The two of you need to wear it when we go in.”
“What about you?” Cindy questioned suspiciously. “Please tell me you’re not going to do what I think you’re going to do.”
“I’m going to hand myself over to him,” Sirius informed them, leading the way, while Lily & Cindy slipped under the cloak, while walking in petrified silence.
~
Once they reached the hallway to the Common Room, Sirius saw Bellatrix approaching him, her arms folded across her chest and a sly grin plastered upon her face.
“I knew you’d show up,” she said suavely. “Nice trick your half-blood friend Davis pulled back there. Luckily Avery saw me and revived me. So...why this change of heart?”
“If I may confess, I’ve been considering it for a quite a while...you know with mother insisting that I prove my nobility to the Black name,” he told her, in what he hoped was a convincing voice. “I’ve always assumed that my loyalties belonged to Hogwarts and Dumbledore, but after talking with Regulus, I’m having a few doubts.”
“You talked with Regulus?” Bella asked, in suprise.
“Just this afternoon,” Sirius lied. “The reason why I turned you down was because I was caught between Regulus and James...and I'm sorry", he added deceptively.
"Well...I...you....at least you know now where your loyalties now lie...Black,” Bellatrix said, whispering the password to the portrait of 'Ferculas the Great'. The portait tilted slightly and revealed a circular door. “Follow me.”
Bellatrix entered quickly, but Sirius stalled by pretending to cough, thus allowing Cindy and Lily to enter efficiently, passing him swiftly.
He looked around the cold, dark room and abruptly saw Malfoy punching James across the face.
“Just a bit of payback, if you know what I mean...Potter,” Malfoy spat. “Now that thats' settled, our master should be with us at any moment, we must ignite the fireplace,” he informed the crowd, while walking over and lighting the decayed wood with the tip of his sleek wand.
Frank Longbottom, Wilker Bones & Kumar Patil were seated beside James, also nursing severe scars, with angry expressions on their faces.
“He should be here soon...I can feel it,” Snape announced, his left arm shaking slightly and his mask still firmly placed on his face, while the others murmured in agreement.
Sirius reluctantly sat down on the couch next to James, whose nose was now bleeding badly. Sirius was resisting the urge to hex the whole lot of them, as he felt Lily and Cindy pass by and stand behind them. He heard Lily whisper sharply, “Incendio” and James’ ropes were burnt from his hands. James kept them there just in case... and felt a splint wand slip into his bruised hand.
The fire spitted a few noisy sparks for a moment and everyone present turned to look at it. James and Sirius took their chance.
“Stupefy!” they bellowed, Lily & Cindy joining them; a red flash of light luminated the room. The five Slytherins who had all been cowering over the fire, were all frozen in their fix. Sirius turned to release Frank and the others, when he heard a icy voice, that echoed through the walls.
“Well, well, well,” a cold voice from the fire said. “If it isn’t Black and Potter?”
Lord Voldemort had made his appearance from within the fire just in time.
______________________________
f/b
I'm so nice, aren't I?
The seven Gryffindors' snapped their heads fearfully towards the fire. Indeed, a man with dark, jet black hair, dark, vacant eyes, a waxy, somewhat gaunt face, and a menacing smile was staring at them all through the glowing embers of flame, an amused expression adorning his hollow face.
Upon seeing him, Sirius, Cindy, Wilker, Frank, Kumar and James made to exit the portrait hole, but for some reason, Lily couldn't move; her gaze was determidley fixed upon the figure before them. She seemed mesmerized by the face embedded inside the bright, flickering flames.
“Lily,” James said urgently, trying to usher her out of the room before someone came down from a dorm upstairs and revived the Slytherins. “Come on, we need to go.”
Instead, she slowly walked towards the fire, her eyes somewhat glazed over & her skin growing pale, despite the warmth of the room. She sat down roughly on her knees, as Lord Voldemort laughed.
“Lily...Evans,” he said softly, his voice barely higher than a whisper. His eyes harldy moved a twitch, as he spoke the words. It was as if he was intent on staring straight into her orbs, piercing the very colour inside them. “It seems as though Potter here has tricked you.”
James stepped closer, wiping the blood from his nose, and tried to grab a hold of Lily’s arm to help her up. Yet, to no avail. It simply remained limp & somewhat cold.
“W-What are you doing to her?” James demanded fiercely. He lifted her from the ground, but she didn’t seem to notice.
When Voldemort didn’t answer, James began to worry. “Stop it!” he shouted. He saw her eyes begin to prickle & tear, as he panicked. “You’re hurting her! Stop!”
“Join me,” Voldemort roared, his eyes still focused on Lily’s. “Join me, Potter, and I shall let her go.”
James knew Lily would never want him to join the dark side, despite all the accusations & insults against him. Yet, what choice did he have? He couldn’t bare to see her get hurt anymore...he couldn't...
“I-,” he started, jitterly. Yet, something intantly seemed to happen. Lily’s head snapped back to the ground & her knees weakened, as she collapsed to the floor once more; and her arm sprang up to her temple instinctively. Voldemort’s head vanquished from the fire, as soon as his eye-contact with her was broken.
She let a few small tears stroll down her cheeks and rubbed her forehead. She looked around, dazed, until her red-eyes landed on James’.
“W-What happened?” he asked her, his voice unsteady & threatening to break out in several octaves. She shook her head furiously, obviously trying to shake her thoughts in order, as Sirius and Cindy burst into the room once more.
“What are you guys doing here?” Cindy demanded, while panting ferociously. “We thought you were behind us, but when we turned to look, the two of you were gone.”
"And where is that...creep that was in the fire, just a few minutes ago", asked Sirius, who was also clutching his chest & panting heavily.
James gave his best friend and Cindy a look that clearly stated ‘Leave it alone for now’, as he heaved Lily off the ground & pulled her dainty arm over his shoulder. And the four of them headed out of the Common Room in minuscule silence.
___________________________
f/b
Upon seeing him, Sirius, Cindy, Wilker, Frank, Kumar and James made to exit the portrait hole, but for some reason, Lily couldn't move; her gaze was determidley fixed upon the figure before them. She seemed mesmerized by the face embedded inside the bright, flickering flames.
“Lily,” James said urgently, trying to usher her out of the room before someone came down from a dorm upstairs and revived the Slytherins. “Come on, we need to go.”
Instead, she slowly walked towards the fire, her eyes somewhat glazed over & her skin growing pale, despite the warmth of the room. She sat down roughly on her knees, as Lord Voldemort laughed.
“Lily...Evans,” he said softly, his voice barely higher than a whisper. His eyes harldy moved a twitch, as he spoke the words. It was as if he was intent on staring straight into her orbs, piercing the very colour inside them. “It seems as though Potter here has tricked you.”
James stepped closer, wiping the blood from his nose, and tried to grab a hold of Lily’s arm to help her up. Yet, to no avail. It simply remained limp & somewhat cold.
“W-What are you doing to her?” James demanded fiercely. He lifted her from the ground, but she didn’t seem to notice.
When Voldemort didn’t answer, James began to worry. “Stop it!” he shouted. He saw her eyes begin to prickle & tear, as he panicked. “You’re hurting her! Stop!”
“Join me,” Voldemort roared, his eyes still focused on Lily’s. “Join me, Potter, and I shall let her go.”
James knew Lily would never want him to join the dark side, despite all the accusations & insults against him. Yet, what choice did he have? He couldn’t bare to see her get hurt anymore...he couldn't...
“I-,” he started, jitterly. Yet, something intantly seemed to happen. Lily’s head snapped back to the ground & her knees weakened, as she collapsed to the floor once more; and her arm sprang up to her temple instinctively. Voldemort’s head vanquished from the fire, as soon as his eye-contact with her was broken.
She let a few small tears stroll down her cheeks and rubbed her forehead. She looked around, dazed, until her red-eyes landed on James’.
“W-What happened?” he asked her, his voice unsteady & threatening to break out in several octaves. She shook her head furiously, obviously trying to shake her thoughts in order, as Sirius and Cindy burst into the room once more.
“What are you guys doing here?” Cindy demanded, while panting ferociously. “We thought you were behind us, but when we turned to look, the two of you were gone.”
"And where is that...creep that was in the fire, just a few minutes ago", asked Sirius, who was also clutching his chest & panting heavily.
James gave his best friend and Cindy a look that clearly stated ‘Leave it alone for now’, as he heaved Lily off the ground & pulled her dainty arm over his shoulder. And the four of them headed out of the Common Room in minuscule silence.
___________________________
f/b
It had been an extremely long & shocking night for all of them. Once they had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady & poked her awake; Cindy and Sirius headed up to the Boys’ Dorm to fall asleep, leaving Lily and James to talk.
James transfigured a quill into a small ice pack and gently rested it on Lily’s aching forehead. He had a slight idea of what had happened to her, but would let her tell him when she was ready.
She leaned back against the velvet armchair, holding onto the ice pack, and her eyes seemed to become immersed in deep thought. James sat back and became mildy fascinated by the plush carpet, his own mind toggling around with theories. He knew that she was mad at him, probably more than mad, but he really hoped that they could put it all behind them...he truly did.
“I don’t think I’m mad at you anymore,” she confessed after what felt like an eternity of sitting in the Common Room. He jerked his head up and looked up at her, in pure suprise.
“You’re not?” he inquired, a flicker of hope sparking his voice. “Because if you are, I completely understand. That was a horrible thing to put you through, Lily...and I apologize. I really didn't mean for...”
“Don’t,” she insisted sharply, cutting him off, and giving him the most penetrating stare that she could muster, through the ache. “Don’t...apologize for it. It was dishonest and low, I admit. Yet, it wasn’t completely horrible... Even though you were hiding behind some stupid mask...you seemed real to me. Almost like a fairy tale, but you were actually real. It wasn’t just a make believe romance...it was real”, she said firmly, boring her pale emeralds through his heated skull.
James nodded slowly, staring at the glass cup on the table, as if willing it to explode into shrapnels, wishing he had told her sooner than she had found out. He had never meant for her to discover his true identity that way.
“The moment Snape took that mask off, I swear I could've given an insulted hypogriff a run for its' money,” she continued, ignoring the icepack; that was now leaking & serenting her face in slow trickles. “It was all so shocking & uncalled for. For a while, I told myself that it didn’t matter who you were because you treated me well...which you did. You treated me with respect and you were a gentleman the entire time. Yet, all those times you could have told me...you didn’t...”
“You don’t understand,” he told her, his gaze determindley avoiding her blank stare. “You have no idea how I felt. I-I know I should have told you, but you make it sound like it was an easy option. Trust me, it wasn’t. That first night we were together, I couldn’t find the nerve to tell you. I’d just experienced the most perfect moment of my life and I knew that if I told you that it was me, you would overreact... and I wouldn’t blame you, seeing as I’ve proved myself of being a huge prat in the past, but this...this was my chance to show you that I’m not a prat anymore. Well, at least not as big of a prat. And then, in the library, I saw you were fantasizing about the mask and...I couldn’t just ruin it for you. I just...I-I guess I was a bit stupid...”
Lily nodded slowly, although his explanation was not what she had expected. She had thought that Potter had done it just to live out some kinky dream he’d had, but it seemed to involve so much more...And, she had never realized how intimidating she was either. She felt her eyes soften up as she watched his face...looking tensed & almost scared.
“Lily...I-I’m really sorry,” he told her, as he lifted himself off the stilt chair & walked towards her. He bent down on his knee, in front of the armchair & held her hand and for the first time time that night, looked deep into her emerald orbs with longing & hope clinging to his every motion. “You’ve never ever let me get to know you on such a...personal level...and I needed that chance. I needed to know you, Lily. The real you... I-I love you.”
She blinked, unable to believe what she was hearing. James Potter had just told her that he loved her...and for once he actually looked like he meant it...
“James...,” she said softly. He looked up at her, his distinctive hazel eyes looking hopefully into her own. “When we were in the Slytherin Common Room, the...man...in the fire, h-he seemed to be mixing with my mind and bringing back old memories that he knew I found... horrible. At the sight of the very last one, I managed to break away from it. Do you know what that image was?”
“What was it?” he asked her carefully.
“It was when Malfoy and Snape took you away from me...and you didn't look back,” she told him, her voice almost touching the inner core of his ear. “They took the one person who had made me feel so special. They took you away from me...”
James stared at her plainly. He didn’t know how to react to this. It was a powerful emotion and very unexpected. He almost felt as if he were dreaming... He simply nodded in response, while loosening his grip on her hand.
“James Potter...you are an arrogant, bullying toe-rag,” she told him, causing his eyes to become wide & nearly split open. “But... I’ve never felt as special as I did when I was with you", she added softly.
“That’s a shame,” he told her, in a relieved tone. “Because you are very special. And you deserve all the love in the world, Lily.”
She smiled and leaned down to kiss him. It was awkward, seeing as they’d already kissed before, but something about that moment was defining. It was their first real open kiss and it was shy and new to both of them. Yet, it felt perfect.
Sirius and Cindy had crept down the marble stairs quietly and were both observing the scene. They watched as Lily pulled away from the embrace and slipped her hand inside the pocket of James' weary robes' and pulled out the red mask. She went to throw it, but someone interrupted her.
“Hey,” Sirius intervened, revealing his & Cindys' hiding place in the shawdows. “That could be useful...don't chuck it.”
With that, he and Cindy walked up the stairs, giggling and whispering something along the lines of ‘Zorro’.
Lily and James laughed and both relaxed comfortingly on the couch.
“Were you really going to join the dark side for me?” she asked him, after their laughter had died down.
“Yes,” he confessed, fumbling with his fingers'. “I was. He was going to hurt you and I...I couldn’t let that happen.”
“Thank you,” Lily said quietly, while gazing at her own scraped nails.
“For what?” he inquired, looking up at her.
“Everything,” she murmured into his ear, while leaning close to him. “Everything...”
_____________________________
f/b
omg...that has got to be the most corniest thing i've ever written...urgh...excuse me, while I recover from shock....ok, I know the chap was a bit sudden & weird, but...I hope it was still worth the read...
James transfigured a quill into a small ice pack and gently rested it on Lily’s aching forehead. He had a slight idea of what had happened to her, but would let her tell him when she was ready.
She leaned back against the velvet armchair, holding onto the ice pack, and her eyes seemed to become immersed in deep thought. James sat back and became mildy fascinated by the plush carpet, his own mind toggling around with theories. He knew that she was mad at him, probably more than mad, but he really hoped that they could put it all behind them...he truly did.
“I don’t think I’m mad at you anymore,” she confessed after what felt like an eternity of sitting in the Common Room. He jerked his head up and looked up at her, in pure suprise.
“You’re not?” he inquired, a flicker of hope sparking his voice. “Because if you are, I completely understand. That was a horrible thing to put you through, Lily...and I apologize. I really didn't mean for...”
“Don’t,” she insisted sharply, cutting him off, and giving him the most penetrating stare that she could muster, through the ache. “Don’t...apologize for it. It was dishonest and low, I admit. Yet, it wasn’t completely horrible... Even though you were hiding behind some stupid mask...you seemed real to me. Almost like a fairy tale, but you were actually real. It wasn’t just a make believe romance...it was real”, she said firmly, boring her pale emeralds through his heated skull.
James nodded slowly, staring at the glass cup on the table, as if willing it to explode into shrapnels, wishing he had told her sooner than she had found out. He had never meant for her to discover his true identity that way.
“The moment Snape took that mask off, I swear I could've given an insulted hypogriff a run for its' money,” she continued, ignoring the icepack; that was now leaking & serenting her face in slow trickles. “It was all so shocking & uncalled for. For a while, I told myself that it didn’t matter who you were because you treated me well...which you did. You treated me with respect and you were a gentleman the entire time. Yet, all those times you could have told me...you didn’t...”
“You don’t understand,” he told her, his gaze determindley avoiding her blank stare. “You have no idea how I felt. I-I know I should have told you, but you make it sound like it was an easy option. Trust me, it wasn’t. That first night we were together, I couldn’t find the nerve to tell you. I’d just experienced the most perfect moment of my life and I knew that if I told you that it was me, you would overreact... and I wouldn’t blame you, seeing as I’ve proved myself of being a huge prat in the past, but this...this was my chance to show you that I’m not a prat anymore. Well, at least not as big of a prat. And then, in the library, I saw you were fantasizing about the mask and...I couldn’t just ruin it for you. I just...I-I guess I was a bit stupid...”
Lily nodded slowly, although his explanation was not what she had expected. She had thought that Potter had done it just to live out some kinky dream he’d had, but it seemed to involve so much more...And, she had never realized how intimidating she was either. She felt her eyes soften up as she watched his face...looking tensed & almost scared.
“Lily...I-I’m really sorry,” he told her, as he lifted himself off the stilt chair & walked towards her. He bent down on his knee, in front of the armchair & held her hand and for the first time time that night, looked deep into her emerald orbs with longing & hope clinging to his every motion. “You’ve never ever let me get to know you on such a...personal level...and I needed that chance. I needed to know you, Lily. The real you... I-I love you.”
She blinked, unable to believe what she was hearing. James Potter had just told her that he loved her...and for once he actually looked like he meant it...
“James...,” she said softly. He looked up at her, his distinctive hazel eyes looking hopefully into her own. “When we were in the Slytherin Common Room, the...man...in the fire, h-he seemed to be mixing with my mind and bringing back old memories that he knew I found... horrible. At the sight of the very last one, I managed to break away from it. Do you know what that image was?”
“What was it?” he asked her carefully.
“It was when Malfoy and Snape took you away from me...and you didn't look back,” she told him, her voice almost touching the inner core of his ear. “They took the one person who had made me feel so special. They took you away from me...”
James stared at her plainly. He didn’t know how to react to this. It was a powerful emotion and very unexpected. He almost felt as if he were dreaming... He simply nodded in response, while loosening his grip on her hand.
“James Potter...you are an arrogant, bullying toe-rag,” she told him, causing his eyes to become wide & nearly split open. “But... I’ve never felt as special as I did when I was with you", she added softly.
“That’s a shame,” he told her, in a relieved tone. “Because you are very special. And you deserve all the love in the world, Lily.”
She smiled and leaned down to kiss him. It was awkward, seeing as they’d already kissed before, but something about that moment was defining. It was their first real open kiss and it was shy and new to both of them. Yet, it felt perfect.
Sirius and Cindy had crept down the marble stairs quietly and were both observing the scene. They watched as Lily pulled away from the embrace and slipped her hand inside the pocket of James' weary robes' and pulled out the red mask. She went to throw it, but someone interrupted her.
“Hey,” Sirius intervened, revealing his & Cindys' hiding place in the shawdows. “That could be useful...don't chuck it.”
With that, he and Cindy walked up the stairs, giggling and whispering something along the lines of ‘Zorro’.
Lily and James laughed and both relaxed comfortingly on the couch.
“Were you really going to join the dark side for me?” she asked him, after their laughter had died down.
“Yes,” he confessed, fumbling with his fingers'. “I was. He was going to hurt you and I...I couldn’t let that happen.”
“Thank you,” Lily said quietly, while gazing at her own scraped nails.
“For what?” he inquired, looking up at her.
“Everything,” she murmured into his ear, while leaning close to him. “Everything...”
_____________________________
f/b
omg...that has got to be the most corniest thing i've ever written...urgh...excuse me, while I recover from shock....ok, I know the chap was a bit sudden & weird, but...I hope it was still worth the read...
*sigh*...ok; this is last & final post of the fic...
_____________________________________
The end of the school year meant the last of farewells & hugs for the seventh years & also the last scene of Hogwarts. The night before the students graduated, James and Lily were inside the empty boys’ dorm.
“Lily,” James called from his bed where he was looking at photographs. “What are you doing?”
When she failed to answer, James eyed the bathroom door suspiciously. “Lily...are you still in there?”
Still no answer. "Lily!"
With no warning whatsoever, the door snapped open and Lily was wearing the oh-so-familiar red mask, its' shining seams glistening through the light. James laughed heartedly as she said, “Call me Zorro.”
"Getting a bit old, don't you think?", he asked. These days, the mask was somewhat of a joke between them. Yet, it was insistently kept around for a reason that could not be explained.
~
The stunned Slytherins had been found that morning by a fellow sixth year, who had revived them all. When James, Lily, Cindy, Sirius & Frank had informed their headmaster about the incident, he had simply raised his eyebrows & promised to collect evidence.
Yet, somehow, the Slytherins were able to avoid any pressing details due to Lucius Malfoy wooing the authorities slyly & shielding any questions concerning Voldermort. And without any evidence; the witness gryffindors could not convince the Aurors & School-Governors.
"But he was there...in the fire; we all saw him," screeched Sirius, making violent gestures.
"Mr Black, I have personally inspected the Slytherin Common Room & spoken to the students & I assure you nothing of the sort happened," replied the low, gruff voice of the Head Auror.
"But, how do you know they were telling the truth, for all you know they could be bluffing their sorry heads off," insisted Cindy, dertermined to stand up for them all.
"Miss...Devron, is it? I shall well let you know that I have been working as an Auror for almost ten years now. Do you think that I am that incompetant as to not recognize a direct lie," he replied, inquisitively; eyeing Cindy.
And with that, the issue was reluctantly dropped; although Dumbledore had assured his strong belief in their story.
~
The N.E.W.T’s were taken as usual, causing Lily to turn into a nervous wreck. Yet, this year she had James there to ease her tension. With his help, she felt that she would atleast accomplish an 'A' on her exam overall, if not an 'O'.
Now, as the seventh year died away, Lily sat next to James on his bed, her head resting against his shoulder, as she contemplated that she had made the right decision to forgive him. After all, in a way, he had saved her. Not only from death, but from loneliness.
And as she held the red mask in her hand, she smiled at the way it refelctd the moonlight. It wasn’t something to be ashamed of. Although, it had caused a lot of hurt & confusion; it was a token of their love and it served as a constant reminder of how much they loved one another. And for that, Lily was grateful for the mask.
___________________________
f/b
ok........um....yeah...i'm sorry; I know some of you were expecting more...but...I really didn't want to drag the story on & make it all complicated...so yea....I know it wasn't a paticularly long fic...but I hope it was still worth the read...and i'd also just like to say a very big THANKYOU to everyone who took the time to read it & also left feeback and hopefully I see you again, if I decide to write another fic. But for now, bye...
_____________________________________
The end of the school year meant the last of farewells & hugs for the seventh years & also the last scene of Hogwarts. The night before the students graduated, James and Lily were inside the empty boys’ dorm.
“Lily,” James called from his bed where he was looking at photographs. “What are you doing?”
When she failed to answer, James eyed the bathroom door suspiciously. “Lily...are you still in there?”
Still no answer. "Lily!"
With no warning whatsoever, the door snapped open and Lily was wearing the oh-so-familiar red mask, its' shining seams glistening through the light. James laughed heartedly as she said, “Call me Zorro.”
"Getting a bit old, don't you think?", he asked. These days, the mask was somewhat of a joke between them. Yet, it was insistently kept around for a reason that could not be explained.
~
The stunned Slytherins had been found that morning by a fellow sixth year, who had revived them all. When James, Lily, Cindy, Sirius & Frank had informed their headmaster about the incident, he had simply raised his eyebrows & promised to collect evidence.
Yet, somehow, the Slytherins were able to avoid any pressing details due to Lucius Malfoy wooing the authorities slyly & shielding any questions concerning Voldermort. And without any evidence; the witness gryffindors could not convince the Aurors & School-Governors.
"But he was there...in the fire; we all saw him," screeched Sirius, making violent gestures.
"Mr Black, I have personally inspected the Slytherin Common Room & spoken to the students & I assure you nothing of the sort happened," replied the low, gruff voice of the Head Auror.
"But, how do you know they were telling the truth, for all you know they could be bluffing their sorry heads off," insisted Cindy, dertermined to stand up for them all.
"Miss...Devron, is it? I shall well let you know that I have been working as an Auror for almost ten years now. Do you think that I am that incompetant as to not recognize a direct lie," he replied, inquisitively; eyeing Cindy.
And with that, the issue was reluctantly dropped; although Dumbledore had assured his strong belief in their story.
~
The N.E.W.T’s were taken as usual, causing Lily to turn into a nervous wreck. Yet, this year she had James there to ease her tension. With his help, she felt that she would atleast accomplish an 'A' on her exam overall, if not an 'O'.
Now, as the seventh year died away, Lily sat next to James on his bed, her head resting against his shoulder, as she contemplated that she had made the right decision to forgive him. After all, in a way, he had saved her. Not only from death, but from loneliness.
And as she held the red mask in her hand, she smiled at the way it refelctd the moonlight. It wasn’t something to be ashamed of. Although, it had caused a lot of hurt & confusion; it was a token of their love and it served as a constant reminder of how much they loved one another. And for that, Lily was grateful for the mask.
THE END
***
___________________________
f/b
ok........um....yeah...i'm sorry; I know some of you were expecting more...but...I really didn't want to drag the story on & make it all complicated...so yea....I know it wasn't a paticularly long fic...but I hope it was still worth the read...and i'd also just like to say a very big THANKYOU to everyone who took the time to read it & also left feeback
and hopefully I see you again, if I decide to write another fic. But for now, bye...
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