He cut her off. Never mind. I follow your general idea. So-what is this place? He looked around with interest written all over his face.
Lily felt a strong urge to slap him. The Alendoren Cove, she told him with as much venom in her voice as was possible.
The who?
Alendoren Cove. Whyd you follow me here?
He shrugged. I figured you were in trouble. Or wherever you were going was dangerous. Now-whore you meeting down here?
Lily scowled. I really do hate you, Potter. Stay here. She set off in the opposite direction of Toms cave, but the next sentence out of James mouth forced her to stop.
Isnt where you want to go this way? He pointed directly towards the cave, and Lily let out a small shriek of rage.
So youve followed me here before, have you?
Nope. He shrugged. Its just that youre too smart to go directly towards where you intend to end up at, and I happen to know that, so its a pretty safe guess to say that youre going wherever the opposite direction is.
Lily scowled. Fine! Fine, fine! But if you breathe a word about this place to anyone, I will personally yank your intestines out through your nose.
I should think thats physically impossible.
Eyebrow raised, Lily stemmed her fists in her side. Oh, trust me, I will find a way.
He followed her down the beach. You know, knowing you, you probably would.
They reached Toms quarters relatively quickly, and Lily stepped forward, kicking James in the shin every time he made a noise. Peering inside the half-gloom, Lily could make out two figures talking in the back of the cave. She harrumphed loudly.
Hullo?
Tom jumped up. Lily! Welcome backoh, and who is this? he asked, pointing at James. Lily stepped on James foot as he opened his mouth.
Its a friend of mine-he was determined to find out wherever I was going, and, well, he obviously did. I came tonight to tell you that I wont be back for quite some time-its getting a bit too risky.
Tom nodded, throwing Lily a thankful glance. She smiled back at him.
This is James. James, meet Tom and- she gestured to the noble figure appearing next to Tom-Litharelen de Forneque. Theyre very good friends of mine-and theyre engaged, she added.
Oh. James was a bit puzzled, but he held out his hand. Pleased to meet you. And congratulations.
Thank you. Litharelen smiled as she led them towards the back of the cave. Have something to drink?
James declined, but Lily accepted gratefully. As she gulped down the small glass of litaleter, her eyes roved over the cave, in search of the pentacorn. Lily set down the glass and ran a hand over her mouth.
Lith, wheres Svordsja?
Litharelen smiled. I think shes outside, roaming. Want me to call her?
Lily shook her head. Ill do that, thanks. Can I let James meet her?
Tom grinned. Sure.
When they were outside, Lily grabbed James collar and shoved him against the nearest boulder.
I want you to understand several things while were here. One: if you tell Tom I am Muggle-born, I will get out my thumbscrews. Two: if you mention how we got here, we are both dead. You will be because I will have killed you; I will be because Tom wants this necklace to gain ultimate power. Understood?
James nodded weakly, and she released him. Good. So her eyes roved over the beach and came to rest on his face-want to meet Svordsja?
He frowned. Who?
Lily laughed, it seemed to him to be the first time in ages. She bit her bottom lip and let out a smooth, low whistle, and immediately afterwards, the ground seemed to shake as the most magnificent creature he had ever seen galloped towards them. Lily laughed again as she swung herself onto its back and looked down at him.
This, my friend, she said, patting the pentacorns neck-is Svordsja. Like a ride?
James stuttered a bit. Ive only ridden horses!
Well, I didnt ride at all before Svordsja. Come on up. Ill try not to let her throw you.
Gee, what a consolation. Seems to me that thatd be perfect for you.
Yeah, she agreed, wrinkling her nose-but then Id have to clean the blood spatters off of my robes. Stand over there, Lily tossed her head, pointing to a rock about a foot away from the sands,
She maneuvered the pentacorn to where James was standing. Svordsja shied several times, and reared dangerously when James accidentally pulled her mane, but he got on top of her back, behind Lily, without being thrown. He came close to it, however, when Lily bent down, whispering several soft words in the pentacorns ear, and Svordsja set off, thundering over the rolling tide.
He grabbed her around the waist; he was more used to a saddle and bridle. Have you ever been thrown off?
She laughed in the wind as she caught his words. No. Never. Svordsja likes me-dont you, magnificent?
He gave a sudden groan or gasp as Svordsja cleared a seven-feet-high jutting boulder in one jump, and almost pulled Lily off with him. She lightly swatted at his hands.
If youre going to fall off, kindly leave me on!
Ill try. He loosened his hold, but didnt let go. So, howd you first come here?
She smiled as the foam from two clashing waves hit her full in the face. Accident.
Accident?
Well, it was. I only saw Lith the first time, then I saw Tom about the third time I landed here. By the way, since this is your first time here, I think your bodys going to be passed out on the common room floor. Mine has lately been coming here with me; it didnt do that before. But I dont know how it is for you.
Me neither. Lil, this is actually kinda fun!
She laughed again. Why do you think I do it?
I dont know. She could feel him shrug. The fact that you could be killed?
Well, that, too, she admitted. Wed better be going, Lily added. Its almost one in the morning at Hogwarts.
How do you know?
Its this wonderful creation called a watch.
Oh". He looked a bit foolish for a moment, but then smiled. All right. You think we can do this again anytime soon?
Lily grinned. That depends on you.
Depends on me? He was a bit confused.
She smiled. Yes, depends on you. Depends on whether or not youre able of keeping a secret from your special friends. And, of course, anyone else who just happens to meander around-
He cut her off. All right, all right! I promised Id keep whatever this was to myself, didnt I?
Yeah, but-well, this is you.
I meant it. OUCH!
Lily couldnt help but laugh. She had steered Svordsja right into a crashing wave, and it seemed that James had been hit in the face. You all right?
Well, besides the fact that Im missing a jaw now, yeah!
Lily tossed her hair, smacking him in the face. Good. Then I dont have to worry about any dumb funeral arrangements. Anyway, were going back. She turned Svordsja around; back towards the cave, deftly guiding her mount over the jutting boulders that had taken their place in the swirling watery, dewy sea. She did have one scare, however; once, James came extremely close to sliding off, and he had to hold on to her waist; hard. He made her let out a sort of gasp, and though she didnt slip off, when she got her breath back and had seen him jump to the ground in front of the cave, she sat sidesaddle on the pentacorns back, glaring at him.
You do that again, mister, and Ill make a soprano out of you!
He held out a hand for her to jump down. And how do you intend to do that?
Let me demonstrate. She did exactly as he had done; put her arms around his waist and pulled tight as hard as she could, feeling quite satisfied when he let out a strangled squeak.
Thats what I mean when I say Ill make a soprano out of you. She let go, twirled around, and put a light hand on Svordsjas neck; led her back to the cave.
When she led the pentacorn inside, Litharelen took control of the brushes. Ill rub her down. Its about one-thirty your time though; youd better head back.
Tom hurried forward with two of the crystal glasses. Lily, James?
James declined again; Lily had the feeling he didnt trust any of the food or the drink given him, but she accepted hers, needing it after James had nearly squeezed the breath out of her.
Lily nodded. I will. Thanks, Lith. I really only came to say I might not be coming for a while is all-you understand why, dont you?
Tom nodded. Yeah. Thanks, Lily.
James frowned, but held his questions till they were far enough away.
Whatd he say thanks for?
Lily lightly smacked him on the back of his head. You had already figured out enough, so if I kept this up, probably all of Hogwarts would know. Mainly because you talk to much, but still
Hey! James was indignant. I do not talk too much!
She sighed. Of course you dont. My mistake. Oops. Terribly sorry. As usual. She stopped about fifty yards away from the cave, and quickly pulled James behind the highest piece of stone she could find.
Whats this about?
Idiot. Hold onto me, tight. You dont want to be lost in oblivion, do you?
He shook his head. For once, no. Taking her around the waist again, he nodded. Go ahead.
Lily squared her shoulders, pulling out the necklace. She turned her head slightly. Dont let go; if you do, Im not coming after you.
Aww, why not?
She sniffed. Even you should know the answer to that one.
I do. Well-do and did, you cold-hearted little demon.
Lily smiled self-satisfactorily. She took the necklace in her hand and hit it, hard, against the screening rock, and a minute later they were swirling through blackness and landed back at Hogwarts, slamming hard into the carpet.
It took a moment for them to catch their breath, Lily kneeling in front of a table, her head on her arms, and James spread-eagled on the floor. Lily was the first to stand up.
Satisfied now?
He nodded. Yeah. Say-howd you get there in the first place?
She shrugged. I told you. It used to be that if you just stared into the necklace, itd take you there, but then Serena did something to it, and now it only works if you hit it against something.
James frowned. Serena?
Yeah. She shrugged again. I was going to kill her, but then Id have to clean up the mess.
I see.
So. Lily turned to leave, but then she swirled back. And youre keeping this to yourself.
He nodded, opening his eyes for the first time since theyd been back and jumping up. Sure-LILY!
Sh! She almost dashed over to him, clapping a hand over his mouth. Will you shut up?
He removed her hand with an effort. Lily, your hair! And-my God, look at your eyes! You all right?
Oh. Lily scowled. You idiot. Thats the odd effect the Alendoren Coves water and the litaleter has on me. Problem with that?
He frowned. Well-no-but, geez, you look-well, yeah, pretty, but really odd!
James, shut up. I am odd. If I werent, well, I would just be like someone after a dementors kiss. And you can just keep your flattery to yourself and find someone who appreciates it. I dont, all right?
Whoa, clam down! He put an arm around her shoulders, as she sort of smirked and frowned at the same time.
Clam down?
I guess. I meant calm down. Anyway, whatever works for you. Come on, dont be so mad, not at me-I didnt do anything!
She folded her arms, knocking his from her shoulders. No, you only put me through the third degree and hazarded my life by following me.
Hey! He faked a hurt sniffle. What about my life?
She laughed. You should have noticed by now that I care more about mine than yours. Which isnt saying much, as I dont care that much about mine.
He reached back out and took her arm. Well, I do.
Self-absorbed little rabbit.
I mean about your life.
Oh.
She frowned. Why are you telling me this?
James shrugged. No reason, reallyI just felt like it.
She smiled. Good enough. Are you letting me go to bed now?
He grinned wickedly as he held both her wrists in a tight grip. No! No bed for you! Bad Lily!
Lily tried to duck and spin out of his grip, but she was laughing to hard too do so, especially when he started tickling her. It took her a full five minutes to sufficiently control herself up to the point that she realized that, even though it was two in the morning, she wasnt tired.
James?
What? He looked up expectantly.
Are you going to bed?
He shrugged. I guess so.
All right. She nodded. Then Im staying down here. Good night! Lily twisted around and vanished up the stairs, only to return moments later with the Adventures of Robin Hood. James was still flopped over a chair.
What was that about?
Lily sat down, crossing her legs. I figure that if I stay with you any longer, youll force me to reveal even more stuff that I really dont want revealed.
He grinned. Like your undying love for Severus Snape.
And yours for Lucius Malfoy.
Hey! He glared at her playfully. Dont make fun of my boyfriend, now!
Lily couldnt help it. She snorted loudly, giggling. James, that was really uncalled for!
He sighed affectedly. I know, I know. But- here he snapped his head up-it did make you laugh!
That had been the only reason hed said it. It wasnt as if he really liked her any way other than being her friend-she really was impossible to be around at many times-but she hardly ever laughed lately; the only time hed really seen her laugh was at the Alendoren Cove, when she was riding-and she did look really pretty when she laughed, he thought to himself as he glanced at the silvery strands crossing her newly-snake-shaped eyes and the long mane of hair that was down to her waist by now. But then he grinned, tossing that out of his mind.
The next morning at breakfast, the Quidditch fans were jabbering excitedly about the game, which was still on. Theyd brought in lots of reserve players so far, but on Saturday the original players were supposed to be back, which gave way to a lot of wide-eyed speculation on the length of the game.
Lily kept glancing nervously over at James; she had believed him at the time hed told her that he wouldnt tell anyone, but that assurance was slowly fading, and the fact that hed spilled about her father was pushing its way determinedly into her mind again and again. Finally, she caught his eye, and he gave her a small grin and a nod. It wasnt much, but it reassured her and gave her an appetite for breakfast, which was pancakes and French toast with cinnamon sugar, at least on her plate.
That Saturday and the next, she and Amanda were alone again, having fun yawning their jaws off. Lily had just finished winning a narrow chess game (Amanda was getting much better), and finally they engaged themselves in having a Chocolate Frog fight. It was only when they were picking up shards of chocolate from the floor, laughing themselves sick, that Amanda decided to ask what had been on her mind for several days.
Lily?
Lily, who had just finished accidentally shoving a card into her mouth instead of the Frog, spit the cardboard out and replied with a somewhat unintelligible Hm?
Lily, I- Amanda was looking for words. Whats going on with you and James?
Huh? This time Lily really did swallow half of the card. Excuse me?
I dont know- Amanda shrugged-youre usually smiling at each other, and I caught him passing a note to you once
Oh, that. Lily waved it away. Nothing. Nothing at all.
Well, what was in the note?
Lily noticed too late that shed made a mistake. That would be for me to know and you to wonder about.
Amanda lounged across the couch. Ill get it out of you someday! Or, if not me, than that Snape character.
Lily frowned. Severus?
Yeah, him-hes been glaring at James everywhere he goes, and looking at you with these really hurt expressions-Lily, that gits got it bad.
Got what?
Amanda scowled. Lily, you are one of the densest people. Cant you tell how much he likes you?
Lily sighed. Amanda, hes nothing more than my friend,--
Yeah, well, he obviously isnt satisfied with that appointment.
Her friend groaned. Amanda, shut it!
Just then, they heard a tapping of a beak on the windowpane. Lily jumped up, opening it and letting the falcon-like owl in, who let its letter be untied from its leg and then perched on the mantelpiece, cocking its head to one side as it took in the room. Quickly, Lily flipped over the envelope.
This is almost scary.
What? Amanda sat up hurriedly. To you from Snape?
Yeah. She ripped it open and quickly took out the letter, unfolding it and curling up in a chair, keeping it away from Amanda, who tried in vain to read it over her shoulder.
Dear Lily,
Im at the Quidditch game right now-well, of course you know that, but Whistler, that Italian Seeker, just wiped out the second reserve Seeker for Japan, so Ive got a few free minutes-hey, Id really like to talk to you. Meet me in the library common room or at the next Hogsmeade trip sometime? Id really love to talk to youbut anyway, I guess Ill be waiting for your answer then
S.S.
Lily slowly let the letter sink onto her lap as Amandas last observations started to sink in.
When the Quidditch fans returned Sunday evening, right before dinner, the match still hadnt ended and the amount of bets on the length of it were going steadily up. The highest so far had been five years, but, well, Peter just wasnt the brightest person around, to make it nice. Still, it was fun laughing at him, though it would have been funnier if he hadnt only staked three Sickles.
After dinner, Lily left the Great Hall early; she had no intention of going another night without sleep, which had happened last night; Amanda had kept her awake, talking and jabbering excitedly about the letter from Severus. When she left the entrance hall and stepped off of a staircase, no sooner had she stepped off than she was whisked into an empty classroom.
Severus?
He turned a sort of red. Lily, I just really wanted to talk to you.
Lily sort of half-frowned. All right-I suppose so. What?
He sat down on a desk, smiling softly as she let herself fall into a chair, flicking a strand of almost auburn hair out of her eyes. Lily, I want you to know something.
Yes?
Remember what I asked you during that Christmas party last year?
Lily turned a sort of red as she pulled her legs up to sit Indian-style. Yes.
Well-I just wanted to know if youd reconsidered lately. I dont want you to feel like I m pressuring you at all, really-I just really like you is all.
Lily dropped her head. Sure, he was wonderfully nice, and being who she was, she couldnt care less if he was a Slytherin or not, butwell, for some reason some other image kept drifting across her mind. Slowly, she shook her head.
Severus, Im only fourteen. I cant.
He shrugged. Its not like Im proposing marriage-
I know that! She cut him off. Im just not ready for this. I know you dont want to hear the its not you, its me! thing, butwell, thats honestly how it is. She smiled half-apologetically. Severus, I live half in my own little fantasy world of books and dreams and death as it is. I wouldnt be much good to you.
He shook his head; almost couldnt believe it. Lily, thats what I like about you. You-youre so different and interesting and-and-I dont know what it is, but youre one of the most amazing people I know. Almost pleading, Severus looked straight into her eyes. Lily closed her own, trying to think of how to formulate what she had to say. Finally, she flung her eyelids open.
Severus, since my mother died and everything with my father happened-I dont know-it just seems like Im not capable of feeling anything. Ive tried to imagine my dearest friends dying many times, and its like I dont care. I dont know if Im capable of liking anyone beyond friendship. I really dont. She let her lips partly cover her teeth for a minute, then told him the rest.
Severus, I tried to replay my mothers death and funeral last night. I didnt cry; I didnt anything. It was just a sort of numb feeling, like I cant care about it. And I honestly dont know whether Im capable of loving anyone or anything anymore.
Almost out of breath, she set her head down on folded arms and just sat there for a minute, only moving when she felt Severus hand on her shoulder.
Lily, Ill wait-Id wait forever.
They sat there in silence for a few minutes, and then Lily stood up.
Severus, Id better be going.
He nodded. Right, right. See you tomorrow?
She smiled. We have Potions first, dont we?
Yeah, we do. He slipped an arm through hers and escorted her back to about three corridors away from Gryffindor Tower, where he gave her a quick hug and then vanished almost before she could catch her breath.
Quickly, Lily pushed the portrait open (Greek fire), and was faced with a scraggle of first years, terribly desperate because they had just figured out how to stop up three bathtubs quite effectively, and, as Lily discovered when she entered the bathroom, theyd also forgotten to turn the water off
Halloween was that Monday, and the feast was terrific; the usual bats everywhere, the shimmering, sparkling candles, the jack-o-lanterns at the tables, placed at two-foot intervals along the white tablecloth, the orange and black decorations, and the sprinkled, iced cookies and pies that had been made in the shape of traditional Halloween pumpkins and bats. There were also crystal bowls of colored pudding, but Eva and Lily forced themselves to confiscate James and Sirius when they got a food fight look on their faces.
Somewhere in the middle of the evening, James leaned over to Lily. Lil, Amanda told me that you got a letter from Snape.
She did, did she?
So, what was in it?
Thats for me to know and you to wonder about.
Demon.
I know.
When Lily looked up, she met two terribly angry eyes. Though Lily had been sure she didnt care about James at all, Serena was still jealously eyeing Lily.
When the feast was over (around ten-thirty), one thousand stuffed students made their lethargic ways to their respective common rooms. Most of them fell asleep right away, even though theyd been given all of next mornings classes off, but Lily stayed awake, thinking, half-dreaming, and watching a mist cloud up the window in her dormitory.
The Quidditch game had been going on for two and a half months by the time that Lily had broken her previous records with a grade of one hundred and sixty on a Transfiguration exam. Her friends were getting heartily sick of seeing the self-satisfied smile on her face, and shed been warned by Amanda that if she kept that up, shed have her mouth cut off. It was the middle of November, and rain was whipping the windows. They had just been told that the Quidditch Inter-House-Cup would not be held that year, as the World Cup was lasting so long, so one dreary Tuesday afternoon, Lily was glaring at the rain hitting the glass as the complainers on the couches moaned about missing a year of Hogwarts Quidditch. The teams players, surprisingly, were the least outspoken; they were actually rather quiet and dismal.
Finally, Lily got bored with glaring at raindrops, so she stood up and left for her dormitory, mumbling about brainless atoms that didnt know better than to combine. Her comments earned her a lot of odd looks, but it wasnt as if she cared much.
Once in her dormitory, she threw herself onto her four-poster, trying to ignore the drafty breeze that was sweeping the tower. But when she had finished ignoring that, her attention was inevitably drawn to a group of giggling girls on another bed.
Right. So then I told him-
You didnt!
Well, of course I did. You dont think Ill let him go after her without a fight, do you?
I didnt think you would. Youre you, of course!
I know. But what do you think I should tell him next?
I dont know. The damsel in distress mode worked pretty well back in third year-you could try that.
Well, but thats so clich. I need something new. Does he like smart girls?
I guess so. He seems to like that other one there-
Dont ruin my day. I dont need to think of that right now.
Their voices dropped after that, but Lily had already heard enough of the conversation to bore her to a sort of dozing mood. Not sleep; she wasnt exactly sound asleep, just sort of lightly unconscious, so she was able to sit up quickly when the girls had gone to dinner and someone tapped her on the shoulder, hitting that person in the jaw with her shoulder. Which she did.
OW!
Lily cringed, rubbing her shoulderblade. Sorry. But dont ever do that again. By the way, youre not supposed to be in here.
James shrugged. Its dinnertime-are you hungry?
Lily thought about that for a few minutes and decided no, she wasnt.
Youre impossible.
I know. Any other reason you came up here to talk to me?
James sat down on her bed. Yeah-kinda. There is. Lily, I want to talk to you about that Amen Beach thingy.
The who?
With the funky unicorn.
Ah. Lily closed her eyes. The Alendoren Cove. What about it?
Yeah-that-hey, Lil, whats that Tom characters real name?
She frowned as she sat up straight. Tom Marvolo Riddle. Why?
James gulped. Lily?
Yeah?
You do know hes wanted by the Ministry?
Lily nodded. I could see that.
You know? How could you-I mean-
Lily gritted her teeth. James, if Sirius were wanted, would you turn him in?
He saw her point. Well-no-but still!
But still what? Tom and Lith are my friends. Live with it. And if not, then you can die.
He frowned. Lil, Tom hates all Muggle-borns. He could kill you.
She tossed her head. I saved his fiance from death. He isnt going to kill me.
James eyes opened wide. You what?
Oh, no. Lily clapped a hand to her forehead. Me and my big mouth.
Frowning, James pulled her off the bed. Lil, weve got to talk.
He pulled her towards the house-elf exit, and she followed, grumbling, frowning, and scowling all at the same time.
When they reached the chamber and James had shut the door securely, Lily managed to shake his hand off of her arm.
Will you kindly leave my arm in the socket! Contrary to popular belief, I do like having the use of it!
James sat down in a chair and directed her to one. Fuming, she placed herself in it, sitting Indian-style.
So, whats this about your saving Litharelen from death?
Lily sighed. There was no use asking him not to tell anyone; either he knew not to or he was a complete prat who would delight in seeing her disembowel a basin of Flying Squids every night for a month.
James, this isnt going anywhere.
Besides my brain, that is.
Besides what brain?
Ha. Ha. James was grinning bleakly. Im dying laughing. Lily. Tell me.
Lily took one good look at him, then, satisfied for the moment that her secrets were safe, she plunged into her narrative. Several times, James flicked his wand, providing her with a mug of hot chocolate, but otherwise, he simply sat there, listening to her talk. When she had finished, she set the mug down on the nearby table with a loud crash.
Wow. You know, Lil, if you changed the names around a bit, you could publish that as a book.
That may be. My question is: what are we doing about this?
He looked surprised. We?
Sure. Lily shrugged. You forced me to spill, so youre sharing the consequences. What are we doing about this?
James frowned, thinking hard. He ran his hand through his hair one more time before he looked up.
Well, obviously, youve got to keep this away from Dumbledore, which means away from your friends.
Lily raised an eyebrow. Only a rocket scientist would have figured out that much.
And youd better stay away from Tom for a while-you gave him an excuse last time you were there. Its getting dangerous-from what Ive gathered, hes getting more impatient for that necklace every day. If he finds you with it, and that youve kept it from him-well, your future really depends on how much he likes Litharelen.
I figured that, too.
He continued as if she hadnt interrupted him. And this would also mean keeping that necklace hidden, since I dont think it can transport itself there. How does it work again?
Lily pulled it our from underneath her robes. You hit it against something.
Oh. James held his hand out for it. Let me see somethingthanks, he added as Lily unclasped the necklace and laid it in his palm. Curiously, he examined the stone. Not one scratch mark or dent had defaced the golden talons or the midnight-blue stone, and a small silver mist was swirling around inside it. James handed it back to her, but then stopped in mid-gesture, his mouth half-open. Lily frowned.
James?
No answer.
James?
His fingers curled around the chain.
Potter!
He frowned, and just as she prepared to raise her voice again, he jumped up, holding it out. I just had a stroke of genius! Here, Lil, put it back on.
She grimaced. What?
He threw it at her. Just put it on!
As she obeyed, still somewhat confused, she saw him retreat to the other side of the room, brandishing his wand.
Lily, Ill use a small hex at first. Keep very still.
Lily nodded as she stepped forward two or three feet; there were only six feet between them. James aimed and flicked his wand once.
Tarantallegra!
A blast of almost clear blue light shot out of his wand and wend straight for Lily; when it reached her, James had aimed it at the necklace. It hit the stone and surrounded it in a blazing blue light, and before the blast of the hex had vanished in a flash, James could see the light of the curse being jerked back into the wand.
James nodded. Just as I thought. Itll repulse any spell aimed straight at it.
Lily frowned. What does that mean? Bad or good?
He dropped his wand. That depends on the way you look at it. The way I see it, for right now its good, because as long as it hits the necklace, you wont get hit with any curse or anything like that. The bad thing is that I dont know how long itll do that; under how strong a curse it can hold up against and it wearing the necklace affects you in any way; and if it does burst under a strong curse, whether the hexes will all come flying right out at you, which, at the least, would render you near death, depending on the amount of hexes its got in itself. I also dont know whether it has a mind of its own and gets a bit of power every time it sucks in the magic, and if it does that, will it get a mind of its own and/or can it control you. You see, he finished.
Lily quickly shut her mouth. I see.
So, he asked, are you going to continue wearing that?
Lily nodded. I have to. Who knows what could happen if it were stolen and that person angered Tom or Lith in any way?
James looked at her appraisingly. That is really brave of you.
Lily shook her head. Not really. I dont feel brave-I just figure that each of us has to die sometime, and Im one of the few people who dont want to die old and wrinkly and in a bath-chair.
He shrugged. I dont want to die.
Lily laughed. Well, if you want to keep hanging around me, thats going to have to change.
Why so?
My friend, look at where you landed when you followed me about a month or so ago.
He shrugged. True. But I sorta enjoyed that.
Ah. Lily smiled. Youre turning into me now. Starting not to be scared of deathtsk, tsk.
And thats a bad thing?
Depends on who youre with.
True.
They were silent for a few moments; then Lily broke out with a completely random thought.
What are you planning to do after Hogwarts?
James frowned. Why?
So we can have a topic of conversation.
Thats a decent reason. He considered it for a minute, then got an extremely wicked grin on his face. Lily was instantly alert.
What?
Im picturing you as a fashion model.
Lily narrowed her eyes. Youd better be glad that youre sitting several feet away from me.
I know. Thats why I said it when Im not three inches away from you. Id get slapped or worse.
She nodded emphatically. You would. Preferably worse, if I got my way. Which I would.
Hey now! James was grinning. Youre not counting the fact that Id fight back!
Actually, Lily smirked, considering your fighting skills, I am including that in my calculations.
Hey!
Its true.
He dropped back. Yeah. But one day Im going to get you to teach me how to fight.
One day.
Today would be good.
But today isnt going to happen.
Demon.
Wizard.
I dont take that as an insult, since that is what I am.
Ditto, ditto, Mr. Brooke.
He was confused now. Mr. Brooke?
Um-hum. From Little Women. I do it to please you, my dear, said Mr. Brooke, nodding at his wife. Ditto, ditto, Mr. Brooke, was her answer.
Ah. James shook his head. You read too much.
You read too little.
James was about to respond, but then he and Lily froze. Footsteps were sounding down the hallway, and James could tell Lily recognized them, as she cringed.
Who is it? he whispered.
Lily shrank back. Severus.
Snape?
Yeah, him. Can we leave?
Why?
Well-"Lily knew there really was no way out of this-he asked me to be his girlfriend a while back, and I said no, and if he finds us in here, Im pretty sure I can say goodbye to his friendship and that of any of the Slytherins.
And that would be a bad thing?
Lily gave him a Look.
All right, all right. He pulled her towards the exit, but just then, Severus feet stopped right in front of them. James and Lily withdrew from the door as if it had just turned white-hot.
What do we do now? Lilys voice was rather small and scared.
James eyes roved the room, and he quickly pulled her into a niche that was mostly covered by a statue of a Quidditch player with a K on his robes. As the entrance swung open, James quickly jumped back.
Whatre you doing here?
Severus grinned. Evilly. Very evilly. I found this in a room. Potions room, to be exact. He held out a bit of parchment.
