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Our story begins when Lily Evans experience a spontaneous desire for a stroll during a full moon midnight. The end of term was approaching and Lily had many things on her mind- the stress of the 6th year final exams and a newly discovered epiphany she didn't know what to do with. Attacks on the muggle born population were on a rising high this year. Voldemort has openly accepted that he was behind all of the recently reported killings and has asking the sacred 28 families to join the cause. The Ministry is in upheaval. Pure blood bigots have gotten more daring after Voldemort's public statement and several alarming incidences have taken place inside the security of Hogwarts wall. The tensions between Slytherins and all the other houses, is at an all time high. Petunia is as bitter and cold as always. At this rate, she doesn't know if she'll survive the start of the 7th year, let alone NEWTs. And during this inopportune time, she just had to realize she fancies James Potter, of all the damn people in this fucking Universe! She could certainly use some cheering up.
To be fair, the moon was looking particularly nice, breaking curfew worthy. Besides it was not like someone could tattle on her. Half the school was either asleep or snogging in dingy broom closets. She also strongly suspected that her peers were secretly intimidated by her.
Whether it was due to her prowess in certain dangerous curses, her reputation as quoted by a certain Sirius Black as a 'boring, stone hearted pompous, pretty, perfect prefect (emphasis of pretty though *wink*)'; or her being a red head with possession of a smoldering hot temper- she didn't know. James Potter, the so called 'quidditch extraordinaire' or better yet, the pompous bastard who also was her secret crush would be happy to affirm that statement.
Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear, the statement was going on in loop around her head, as she came face to face with the said boy, right in middle of her pleasant walk.
James Fleamont Potter. Transfiguration prodigy, McGonagall's favorite student, the ringleader of the Marauders. To summaries- basically the bane of her existence (and everything she wanted).
But what was he doing here? Shouldn't he be in his dormitory or perhaps at the kitchens because it was the time of his routinely raid. Not that she is keeping tabs on him, not at all. why would she? She was a prefect. It is her duty to keep up with habitual troublemakers, to prevent them from ruining the decorum of the castle; secretly stalking the said object of her fancy was merely a privilege bestowed along with the responsibility.
James voice brought her back to the present.
"Alright there, Evans?" He asked, with his usual arrogance and flirtatious grin. Though this one had an edge of humor attached with it.
"Are you stalking me, Potter?" She raised a brow while biting back a reciprocating grin. There was no need for him to sense her…recent change in her feelings for him. Why couldn't she drown back in the sea of denial she had been in for 2 years ? ;in regards to her feelings towards James.
"Do you want me to?" He accused back.
"Why would I want to? I mean, I hate you" she reasoned. though it sounded more like a joke, rather than a serious proclamation. She had stopped hating him long ago. When he was not being an annoying toe rag, he was fairly nice to be around. He was friendly, helpful and kind. He was also loyal to a fault unlike some people, something which she liked about him. That bespectacled idiot finally wormed his way into her heart. She dare says she considered him as her friend now.
But James face suddenly tightened, and a flurry of emotions went across his face. His charming grin fell from his face, leaving a solemn expression.
"Right, you made that very clear" he said with a steely smile "I was just going to bed, and looking at the time, I think you should go too" he concluded in a curt voice.
What happened to him? One moment he was in his usual mirthful mood and now he is suddenly cold towards her? This development troubled Lily more than she let on. She almost regretted her prior statement. 'This is what you've always wanted, isn't, for James to give up on you? Now why are you complaining?' Her voice of reason, that suspiciously sounded like Mary Mcdonald, crept inside her thoughts.
"I am a prefect, James, I was just out for a short stroll. I will go to the dormitory in a while" she said softly. It was not like she needed to give him an explanation. She could be out kissing in broom closets for all he cares. But something compelled Lily to do so.
"I am the quidditch captain as well, but I need my sleep and so do you. Besides, prefect or not, Filch will have our heads if we don't." He reasoned
"As if you care"
He let out a snicker.
"and why are you suddenly so interested in my welfare? I will go when I want to. You can go to sleep if you wish" she huffed, irritated. What is it with him? He is practically forcing her to go to sleep. Although his suggestion was apt but Lily's pride didn't agree. It was as if she enjoyed bickering with James.
"Believe me Evans, I am always interested in your welfare" he murmured, looking into her eyes. The continued to gaze each other in silence, with James casually brushing her hair behind her ear, as if under a spell.
Which was, sadly, soon broken when a sudden a loud howl followed by a brief bark, was heard. James whipped his head towards the source of the sounds. It came from the forbidden forest, not far from where they stood.
"Listen here Evans, don't meddle in things you don't understand. Now go to your dormitory" James' eyes were hard, and his tone full of urgency. It was probably the first time she has heard James talking to her, this way. She was admittedly hurt with his behavior.
Another howl resonated in the area.
"James I am not meddling with anyone's business. It is a lovely full moon night and I was-oh" realization dawned on Lily. Full moon night. Remus! Oh, how could she forget?! James was right. She shouldn't have been here in first place.
James was somewhat confused the sudden shift of emotion on Lily's face. First, she was lecturing him on her motives and now she is quiet with a concerned expression on her face.
"Lily?" She blinked at her name.
"How could I be so stupid? Remus- "
"You know?!" James was perplexed. How did she know about him? And how much? Did she tell anyone else?
"Yes, I know, I figured it out in the second year. It was Severus' theory but I didn't believe it at first. And Remus himself told me when we both were appointed as prefects", she explained, her mouth feeling sour after uttering his name.
"He told you?" He asked, completely baffled.
"Yes. He. Told. Me." She said slowly, stressing on each syllable, while holding back a smile after seeing James' comical expression. His eyes were alarmed and his mouth was hanging open. He looked adorable, she secretly thought.
"Don't worry I haven't told anyone; Remus is my friend. I wouldn't betray him." She said with a genuine expression.
James nodded slowly and closed his gaping mouth before shaking his head, as if trying to regain his lost composure. He was the epitome of smooth talk. It was very hard to catch him off guard.
"Right. So now that you know, maybe you wouldn't have any problem in going back to the common room" he stated. A desperate attempt at smooth talk.
Lily giggled, which sounded musical to him, and turned to leave for common room, her green eyes twinkling and auburn hair flowing with her. James let out a tired sigh. She was so innocent, so beautiful. And she hated him. As much as James hated being the subject of her scorn, there was nothing that he could ever do. He had changed during the course of this year. He has stopped bullying the passing bystanders, made an effort to focus on his studies and had toned down his pranks; risking Sirius' wrath. He has even stopped retaliating to Slytherins' provocation. But no avail. Lily wouldn't spare a glance at him. Until now James had dared to hope that Lily was warming up to him, considering their recent friendly and borderline encounters this year; but Lily's statement of hating him had shattered it beyond repair. He was convinced that his love would remain unrequited forever.
-LINE BREAK-
Lily was halfway through the journey back to common room when she realized she had forgotten to wish James good night. And he was supposed be on his way to come room, so she decided to search for him at the same spot he was last seen. She couldn't be fooled. He wasn't allowed to roam in castle freely, especially after cutting of her walk.
When she went back to the realized castle grounds, another howl interrupted her inner musings. Depending upon the amplitude, the source was close by. Lily hoped that James was okay and had somehow deserted the scene. The thought of James in danger was...unnerving at least.
Her eyes were frantically searching for any trace James could have left behind when she heard rustling of leaves behind her. Assuming it was Remus in his werewolf form, she whipped out her wand cautiously began to turn; fully prepared to immobilize her monster friend, but producer of the noise was not a werewolf.
It was a stag. A beautiful, proud stag; with his huge antlers held up high in the sky. His coat was shining in the moonlight- as if made up of the finest silks in the world; and his eyes, his eyes were the most breathtaking orbs of hazel she had ever seen...well a close second. Though she would rather die than admit this but, perhaps not even this magnificent creature could match the beauty of James Potter's eyes.
The stag was approached her with grace, a poise that the most prestigious of princesses would be envious to of. She was wonderstruck. How could something be so...perfect? The stag was looking at her with a reproachful stare, an observation she considered ridiculous. Because how was the stag supposed to know that it was way past her curfew and she was supposed to be in bed or that her close friend was roaming in the forbidden forest as a deadly werewolf and could potentially kill her if she didn't go from here. Still, she felt the remorse for disappointing the stag, the notion of which was again ridiculous.
She extended her hand towards the stag in a careful motion, hoping to pet him for a while. Instead of running away as expected of a wild animal, the stag bowed his head in acceptance, gazing at her eyes with his striking ones. She petted him for a while, occasionally gliding her hands against his silky soft fur. The stag too, leaned towards her, at her touch. The stag sat on the ground, his hind legs folded neatly under his body, his head of Lily's lap. They enjoyed the serenity of the atmosphere, the dazzling full moon smiling upon them and the gentle breeze singing them a lullaby.
"You know, you remind me of someone" she giggled, a little drunk from the exquisiteness of the night. The stag slightly tilted his head, which she interpreted as him prompting her to speak further.
"You remind me of James" she sighed with certainty. The stag abruptly peaked up from her lap.
"Why you look so surprised?" She chuckled.
"Yes, you remind me of him, you have the same regal composure, same striking features and breathtakingly beautiful eyes, but don't ever tell him I said that" she added after a moment. The stag was still ogling her as if she had grown another head.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" He stared at her, his eyes filled with incredulity.
"Oh, come on, not you too! I don't hate him" she exclaimed
"I just- oh well! I fancy him okay! I fancy him a lot. I have since 5th year."
"But he was such a jerk, he bullied people, constantly bragged about himself and persistently asked me out. I used to be so annoyed at him." The stag lowered his head in sorrow.
"Don't feel sad, he changed, you know, for the better. He corrected his past mistakes and no longer bullies other people. He showed another side, a persona I didn't know existed. Beneath all that faux pretends he is a kind, sensitive individual. The Marauders are lucky to have a friend like him."
"But he also stops asking me out after this reform, he began to treat me like any other. The moment I decided to say yes, he interests in me dissipated." She said ruefully.
"Perhaps he never liked me for real, I guess. He just wanted me for a chase. Besides I only have a crush, it will pass "she snorted. The stag suddenly sprang up, as if disagreeing with her.
"Wait, where are you going? "she inquired, but in vain. The stag had already vanished in the canopy of the forbidden forest. After hearing yet another howl from somewhere in forest, she decided for the best to return to the castle.
It wasn't safe for her to roam around here anyway. She smiled in the direction the stag had run, silently thanking him for his time, before finally making her way towards the Gryffindor dormitories. Talking to him had eased a heavy burden that had been weighing her down for quite some time. Now she could at least be at terms with her denial.
-LINE BREAK-
James wasn't able to believe his ears. Lily's words ringing in his head, her face still fresh on his mind.
"I just- oh well! I fancy him okay! I fancy him a lot. I have since 5th year"
"perhaps he never liked me for real, I guess. He just wanted me for a chase..."
Laying on his four-poster bed in his dormitory, Sirius and Peter snoring in the background, he was laughing at the irony. Lily thought that, he, James Potter didn't want her anymore. Yeah, in the alternate dimension sure. Because in this life he was unable to love someone else as much as he loved Lily.
"Prongs...stop laughing like a madman. I am tired. Moony was particularly being a pain in ass today and you pranced off to God knows where and worm tail was useless as always. I had to handle everything myself. Let me sleep for fuck's sake" Sirius moaned sleepily. But that petty insult from his best mate wasn't reciprocated with another taunt.
James just had a grin permanently pasted on his face. His mouth stretched so wide, it threatened to rip his face apart, but he wasn't fazed.
His slight detour was so worth it. Never in his entire life James had ever imagined that barging in one measly stroll under the moonlight, would hold such unique consequences, that too in his favor. He let out a dreamy sigh. Sleep wasn't coming tonight.