The Marauders (a HP fanfiction)

Chapter thirteen

September 13, 1973

James sighed as he walked through the corridors alone. Things had not been good with Fern since returning to school.

"Everything all right, James?" a girl's voice asked.

James stopped and looked up to see Lily.

"What's it to you?" he asked sourly.

"Sorry, I was asking," Lily said, turning around to walk away.

"No, I'm sorry, Evans," James replied with a sigh.

Lily turned around and responded, "Lily."

"Excuse me?" James asked.

Lily walked up to him, her face now inches from his.

"My name is Lily," she repeated.

"Right," James said as he cleared his throat.

Lily looked harder at James and decided to try again.

"So, are you okay?" she asked.

"No, not really," James admitted.

"What's the matter?" Lily asked, really concerned about his now.

Behind the next corridor, Sirius was watching the pair.

"Fern and I had another fight," James said.

He then noticed the look on Lily's face.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lily said.

James gave a small laugh.

"Sure you are," he said.

"I beg your pardon?" Lily asked, her thoughtful look gone.

"I see the way you look at me," James said.

Sirius put a hand on his forehead. James had blown it.

"You wish, Potter," Lily said.

She turned and left. When she could not be seen, Sirius walked up to James.

"Tough luck, mate," Sirius said, placing a hand on James's shoulder.

"I don't know why I just did that," James said.

"Come on, James. Let's get to the Great Hall and eat," Sirius replied.

James was not the same of the day.

xxx

September 14, 1973

When James walked into the boys' dormitory after classes had ended for the day, Sirius was pacing the length of his bed.

"You angry too?" James asked.

Sirius turned and nodded.

"What's your story?" he asked.

"I broke up with Fern," James answered.

He had had it. Quidditch seemed to be the only thing they had in common.

"I had a row with my brother," Sirius said.

James shook his head. Here he was complaining about his problems when Sirius's family matters seemed to be worse than anything he had gone through.

"Sorry to hear that," James apologized.

"I'm not surprised he's following the family way," Sirius said with a sigh.

"What are you saying?" James asked as he sat on his bed.

"He can't wait to join You-Know-Who," Sirius replied with his eyes on the ground.

"He's what?" James asked in shock, almost jumping.

"Yeah."

Sirius looked at James with defeat in his eyes. He wished he could save his brother from the path he was choosing.

xxx

September 15, 1973

The students were all gathering their things as Potions class ended.

"Remember, I need that essay on the Draft of the Living Death next class," Professor Slughorn told the class.

As Lily turned, she lost her footing and dropped her books and bag.

"Oh, bugger," she said.

"I'll get those," James immediately responded.

Snape's eyes grew as James bent down and picked up Lily's books.

"Thank you, Pot… James," Lily replied.

She found herself smiling even though she really did not want to give James the satisfaction by doing so.

"What was that for?" Severus demanded as Lily walked up to him.

"He just picked up my books for me," Lily said, giving him a hurt look.

"Didn't he just break up with…" Severus began as Lily put her hands on her hips.

"Fern? Yes, he did. What does that have to do with anything?" Lily asked.

"Oh, come on, Lily. It's obvious Potter fancies you," Severus said.

She looked away and replied, "I can take care of myself, Sev."

"I didn't say you couldn't," he muttered.

The rest of the way to the Great Hall was silent.

xxx

Later on the night, Sirius decided to talk to James about what happened with Lily.

"You fancy Evans, don't you?" Sirius asked.

"I'm not sure. There is something," James admitted.

It was not like he would just help anyone if their book fell. He and Sirius were usually the cause of it to begin with.

"Just admit it, James," Sirius said.

"I'm not admitting anything," he replied.

Sirius sighed and got into bed. Remus and Peter were already in their beds, but far from sleeping.

"If you say so," Sirius replied, letting his head hit his pillow.

James did the same, though he was sure he would not be getting any rest thanks to Sirius.