Love Tactics: Chapter 9 [Bella/Lily]
Title: Love Tactics
Chapter Nine
Genre: Fun/Romance/Drama
Pairings: Lily/Bellatrix; maybe others if I feel like it
Rating: Teen
WARNING: CANON DIES WHEN I TOUCH IT.
Summary: James Potter and his friends run an underground association. They sell test answers, reputation, passwords and just about anything for the right price.
Lily Evans has tried to steer clear of the ‘marauders’ for as long as she can remember, but falling in love with the most unattainable person in school, she finds herself in need of their assistance.
In the business world, no punches are pulled and nothing’s ever sugar-coated. With a vast conflict of interest, James sets out to get Lily the girl of her dreams. It will take all of his cunning, every ploy he can muster, and not to mention calling in a few favors from past customers.
Love Tactics
Chapter Nine
- Falling In Place -
Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me. If it did, you can believe that the entire school wouldn’t be straight as rulers... not the bendy ones, normal rulers. EDIT: HA! I KNEW someone was gay! <3 Thanks J.K.
Author's Notes: At Bottom.
Usually Saturday morning breakfasts weren’t heavily populated as most students took the time off to sleep in, but as soon as Lily was half-conscious she raced down to the Great Hall, hoping to catch Bellatrix. But she wasn’t there. Let down, Lily noticed the Marauders already at the Gryffindor table. They were talking in low voices again and she went to join them.
“So?” She asked, “Do we know anything yet?”
Sirius shook his head and James looked like he was about to fall asleep in his eggs.
“Did he stay up all night?” Lily asked while she buttered her toast.
Sirius nodded. “And nothing to show for it. Maybe Malfoy slept outside school grounds.”
James mumbled something and took Peter’s bacon.
“What did you say?” Remus asked politely.
“I said, we need to corner a Slytherin and get them to tell us where he is.” James repeated, louder this time and with his mouth full.
“Disgusting.” Lily said and he only rolled his eyes in her general direction.
“You know,” Sirius said eyeing his best friend sympathetically as James struggled to pour his milk. “That’s probably our best bet. We aren’t finding anything just waiting for him to show up.” Sirius was finally tired of watching James spill it and poured it for him.
“So what are you saying?” Lily asked. “That we bully a Slytherin for information? Not very sporting. Why don’t you let me ask Bellatrix?”
Honestly, Lily just really wanted an excuse to talk to the other girl. An excuse to track her down and see her, instead of hoping they’d run into each other before long.
“And risk having to tell her about our notebook? No.” James disagreed and Lily hid her disappointment by eating more grapes.
The Marauders took to discussing among themselves just how long they thought Malfoy would take before figuring out the password. From what the masses say, he is pretty skilled at that sort of thing… would he know that you had to repeat the password to reveal each bit of information?
Lily zoned in and out of the conversation but her full attention was drawn by someone tapping her on the shoulder.
It was a friend of Vivian and Lily’s, Erica. “What?” Lily asked, on the defensive incase the other girl was unfriendly.
Erica looked down at her shoes for a moment before asking. “Can I sit here?”
Lily was confused; Erica and the others hadn’t spoken to her at all since the spat with Vivian. Why did she suddenly want to eat together?
Erica seemed to sense her hesitation and distrust. “I just wanted you to know… not all of us agree with what Vivian said that day.”
Lily was halved between relief and suspicion. “And why didn’t you say this before?”
Erica gave her an apologetic look. “I don’t know… Vivian was just… so angry at you… she couldn’t stop talking about it and I guess I was afraid? I didn’t want her angry with me too… but, I really admire what you did. I thought it was very brave to stand up for Bellatrix like that.”
“Well she’s really not as bad as she seems.”
Erica took to gazing at her toes again, “She blew up my school supplies in my second year because she said she didn’t like my socks.”
“…oh.”
“But, I think that giving people the benefit of a doubt is necessary sometimes. I mean, if you like her, she can’t be all bad.”
Lily beamed. “You can sit down, Erica. Thank you.”
Erica beamed back and they discussed the newest Arithmancy assignment over breakfast. Lily continually kept glancing at the door, waiting for Bellatrix to arrive. After what seemed like an eternity, Bellatrix complete with bed hair finally arrived at the Great Hall.
Bellatrix was one of the few girls in the school who didn’t bother ‘dressing up’ for Saturday morning breakfast. What was the point of wearing your robes and doing your hair if you were probably just wanting to go back to bed?
Lily excused herself away from Erica and made her way over to Bellatrix before the Slytherin could get to her table.
“Morning.” Lily smiled, a grin so bright that Bellatrix wouldn’t have believed it had anything to do with her.
“Morning.” She replied lazily and not subtly gazing toward the food.
“What are your plans today?” Lily wanted to know immediately.
Bellatrix thought about this for a moment before answering, “I have a N.E.W.T. study group until four.”
Lily tried not to show her descent in mood, but it was hard not to notice. “Oh. Well, that’s important.” She said, with no real zeal behind the statement.
Bellatrix actually looked pleased with this reaction and then said, “You are going to the Solstice Ball aren’t you? Next week?”
Lily shrugged. “I was thinking about it. Why?” Of course she knew why and it was everything she could do to keep from exploding of pure joy.
Bellatrix snorted. “Do I really have to say it? I don’t really want to go, if you’re not.”
This statement made all sorts of pleasant feelings swarm in Lily’s chest. It was as though a blanket of bliss had wrapped itself around her entire being.
“Well… I’ll make sure to be there.” Lily had all sorts of images of Bellatrix in a gown that made her feel hot and floaty. Or maybe Bellatrix was the sort of person who dressed down for that sort of thing? Maybe they should co-ordinate their outfits. Oh! But then Bellatrix probably wasn’t into that.
There were so many questions Lily had, but knew now wasn’t the time to ask them.
Bellatrix glanced around at the various students trudging in for their morning meal. “Look, do you want to meet me later?”
If Lily had allowed herself to speak aloud, it would have been: YES!! Instead, she nodded and then softly added. “I do.”
Bellatrix smiled. “Good. The Astronomy Tower? At 8?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.” And Bellatrix went to her own house table to fill her stomach.
Lily, with her heart alight, went back to the Gryffindor table. Where James had suddenly disappeared.
“Maybe someone should have gone with him.” Peter commented. James had left to go and get the Map. The faster they found Malfoy, the better.
“He’ll probably fall asleep,” Sirius said. “Prat. Doesn’t he know we still have jobs to do?”
“Well they’ll be short work if we lose all our information.” Remus said.
Sirius cracked his knuckles. “I swear, when I get my hands on Malfoy…”
~*~
James had slowly made his way up the stairs. He was jostled about in the hall and was having quite the time trying to focus, but he was too tired to care. Why hadn’t he just slept like everyone else? He didn’t even have a lead. No idea how Malfoy could be keeping himself out of sight, even from the Map.
James finally made it to the Dorm and considered just sleeping for the rest of the day. But he needed to check the Map first. He scanned the first floor, then the second… as he made his way through the familiar folds of paper, his heart stopped.
There. In the Slytherin Dorms. Lucius Malfoy’s dot was walking around the room. More than coffee or any spell, James’ mind turned fully awake. He raced out of Gryffindor, making a straight line to the Slytherin Dungeons.
~*~
“Well, I’m going to study a bit before going to Hogsmeade.” Lily announced. “Erica, do you want to come?”
Erica did and they were about to leave. Sirius called to them, “If you see Potter sleeping somewhere, give him a kick and tell him we have work to do.”
Lily waved and with Erica left the Great Hall. “I want to look at dress robes.”
“Oh!” Erica exclaimed. “For the Ball? I need to look too. Avery Lark asked me!”
Lily informed her that she thought Avery was quite the catch and did her best impression of ‘not being in another world.’ A world where she and Bella were dancing together and there was no one else in the world.
~*~
The remaining three Marauders watched as Lily and Erica left the Hall. Sirius stretched and sighed, “I’m sort of glad things are working out for her… I was a little worried for a bit.”
Remus nodded over his tea. “Yes. I was concerned as well for a while. But it all seems to be going smoothly for now-” Remus was startled by a shove. He looked disdainfully down at his tea-soaked robes.
Narcissa Black was more elegant than either of her sisters. She had more tact and was more observant, some could argue that that made her even more of a force to be reckoned with than her elaborate and quite hysterical older sister. She didn’t usually come so far from her entourage just to bother them.
“What do you want ‘Cissa?” Sirius asked lazily. “We don’t have time to play mind games with you today.”
Narcissa shrugged and was on her way. “No, I don’t imagine you do.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow. “What the hell was that about? Bella rubbing off on her?”
“I don’t know.” Remus answered. He bit his thumb lightly as he watched Narcissa approach the Slytherin table and speak to Bellatrix. She then turned to leave and Bellatrix followed her out of the Great Hall.
~*~
Lucius hated packing, especially when the house elves didn’t do it for you. He pondered whether he’d need his navy robes while at home and then decided that he didn’t. As he began the battle of getting the lid on his trunk to close, the dorm room door was unexpectedly thrown open in a most peculiar way.
It was peculiar because there wasn’t anyone around. He frowned, ghosts maybe? He moved toward the door and peered out. There was still no one. Deciding to forgive the door for blowing open of its own accord, he shut it and made to move back to his trunk.
This plan was stalled however by a black-haired boy in glasses standing where he hadn’t been moments before. “Where is it?” James snarled. “Give it back. Now.”
Lucius looked tired and quite put-out. “Potter, I don’t have time for this. Leave me alone.” And he turned back to his trunk… or he would have, if James hadn’t attacked him.
“Tell me where it is!” James demanded.
Lucius found it very hard to speak with weight pressing down on his solar plexus and the wind being knocked from him. “I… don’t know… what the hell… you are talking about.”
James pulled him up by the collar and then slammed him back into the floor. “The notebook. Where is my notebook?”
Lucius was quite thoroughly confused. “What?”
“THE notebook. The one with EVERYTHING in it! What did you do with it? WHERE IS IT?”
Lucius struggled to keep up. What notebook? Oh… that notebook?
“I don’t have it!” Lucius groaned, a headache beginning to emerge from the back of his skull and the lack of full breath was making him dizzy.
“I know you do! Rosemerta saw you take it!” James looked around the room and stood. He noticed the luggage. “Running away? Not with my notebook you’re not!” He dumped the trunk’s contents to the floor. “Where is it?”
Lucius placed a hand to his forehead. His possessions bouncing off the hardwood only increased the speed of his approaching migraine. His headache was spreading and mixing with anger. “I do not have your bloody notebook! And if I did, why the hell would I be running away with it?!”
James was breathing irregularly, his eyes darting from corner to corner of the room. He wasn’t convinced by Lucius’ lies. “Rosemerta saw you! She said she saw you take it!”
Lucius shook his head. “That’s ridiculous. I didn’t so much as touch it. It may come as a shock, but I do not find your possessions the least bit fascinating.”
James glared. “She said she saw a person in a dark hood with blonde hair leave with it.”
Lucius thought about this for just a moment before saying. “I don’t know what she saw, but it wasn’t me. My mother owled the Headmaster last night that my father is very ill. Narcissa came to fetch me from the Three Broomsticks, we left while you lot were busy chasing the Evans girl.”
James’ head hurt. Maybe from the lack of sleep. “So you… you don’t have the notebook?”
“As I’ve been saying since the beginning, no.”
“…but she saw… a blonde… oh… was Narcissa with you when you left?”
Lucius reluctantly searched his memory. “…yes. But she went back. I forgot my cloak and she went back to get it for me.”
“You don’t have the notebook?”
“No. Potter.”
“And you’re not running away with it?”
“I’m going to stay at home for a few days until my father feels better.”
The heat that had been attributed to James’ rage melted into heat of embarrassment. So, he’d attacked an innocent person… well… it could be worse, he could have remembered his wand.
Lucius didn’t say anything but gave a pointed look to the items that now littered the floor.
“Oh…” James said and picked up a bottle of some kind of shampoo-like substance. “I guess I’ll just… pick all this up, shall I?”
~*~
Sirius, Remus, and Peter were standing in the common room. No one had seen James in a while. The map was gone and so was his invisibility cloak.
“Do you think he found him?” Peter asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? He most definitely found him.” Sirius said and continued pacing. “And he didn’t even come find us first… what a prick. Wants all the glory to himself… selfish prat.”
Remus was worried for another reason. “He isn’t thinking clearly. What if he’s done something stupid?”
“I don’t think we need to worry about that,” Peter groaned. “I think it’s pretty safe to assume that he has.”
Sirius stopped pacing to bury his head in the sofa. “Where is he?” He moaned. “I want my notebook.”
They all jumped up as the portrait swung open and James entered.
“Where is it? Where is it?” Sirius grabbed at him immediately. “Did you punch him? Did he cry?”
James’ look wasn’t one of victory. “It wasn’t him.”
A stunned silence befell them. “What do you mean?”
“Malfoy doesn’t have it. Narcissa does.”
Remus exhaled a deep breath. “Oh great…”
And a new wave of horror settled around them.
~*~
Lily waited anxiously at the Astronomy Tower for Bellatrix. Her senses tingled with anticipation.
Despite everything that had happened since the last time they’d kissed, Bellatrix’s lips were all she could think about. All she wanted to think about. She mused to herself if jumping Bellatrix as soon as she was in sight would be bad etiquette.
The Astronomy Tower wasn’t the most romantic place Lily could imagine meeting, but she was going to take anything she could get. And Bellatrix Black was not going to get away with just a few kisses this time.
As Lily made her resolve Bellatrix finally came into view. Lily shot her the most seductive look she could manage, but it was returned with a harsh glare.
As Bellatrix approached her, Lily got the feeling something was very off beam.
“What’s wrong?” She asked and went to take Bellatrix’s hand but was brushed away.
“My sister showed me something interesting today.” Bellatrix said, her glare hadn’t softened any.
Lily couldn’t guess. “What is it?”
If anything, Bellatrix’s glare only grew darker. “A notebook.”
Lily’s heart stopped. Oh God. It couldn’t be. “B-”
“I don’t know what you think this is… but I can’t be… bought! “
“Bella…”
“175 Galleons. Is that what I am to you?”
Lily was horrified and hurting and sorry and deeply sheepish all at once. “No! Bella… that isn’t… it’s not like that!”
“It’s not what? It’s not like you hired a bunch of guys to make me think I was in love with you?”
That was exactly what it was like.
Lily could feel every inch of her body sag. Her spirit, her heart… everything was shrinking.
“Bella… I do love you… don’t you love me?”
Bellatrix crossed her arms and smirked. “If I say ‘no’ will you get your money back?”
Lily didn’t even bother with a reply. She stared at the floor as tears threatened to emerge.
“I’m going to the Ball with Lestrange,” Bellatrix informed her. “I suggest you stay the fuck away from me.”
As the stomping of Bellatrix’s boots faded away, Lily could feel her heart tearing down the middle and she was surprised she couldn’t hear it as well.
For the next few hours as couples giggled and made their way up the stairs to the Tower, they were immediately discouraged by the deafening sobs of a fifth-year-girl.
Author’s Notes: Am I a tease or what? Hahaha! No, no, it’s not over. I’m nearly through toying with their fragile emotions though! I solemnly swear it! You can have your sweet desserts, if you just sit through the entire meal okay?
On another note, it’s probably obvious by now that I enjoy using Lucius Malfoy as a scapegoat. He shows up randomly whenever I need a distraction from the main story or someone to rub James the wrong way. Bwahaha. I call it: GoatLuci!
If you're reading this for the first time, or maybe checking back for the billionith time. I'm sorry to say that my computer has been stolen... please keep your pants on while I try and figure something out for the future chapters... :(
Chapter Nine
Genre: Fun/Romance/Drama
Pairings: Lily/Bellatrix; maybe others if I feel like it
Rating: Teen
WARNING: CANON DIES WHEN I TOUCH IT.
Summary: James Potter and his friends run an underground association. They sell test answers, reputation, passwords and just about anything for the right price.
Lily Evans has tried to steer clear of the ‘marauders’ for as long as she can remember, but falling in love with the most unattainable person in school, she finds herself in need of their assistance.
In the business world, no punches are pulled and nothing’s ever sugar-coated. With a vast conflict of interest, James sets out to get Lily the girl of her dreams. It will take all of his cunning, every ploy he can muster, and not to mention calling in a few favors from past customers.
Love Tactics
Chapter Nine
- Falling In Place -
Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me. If it did, you can believe that the entire school wouldn’t be straight as rulers... not the bendy ones, normal rulers. EDIT: HA! I KNEW someone was gay! <3 Thanks J.K.
Author's Notes: At Bottom.
Usually Saturday morning breakfasts weren’t heavily populated as most students took the time off to sleep in, but as soon as Lily was half-conscious she raced down to the Great Hall, hoping to catch Bellatrix. But she wasn’t there. Let down, Lily noticed the Marauders already at the Gryffindor table. They were talking in low voices again and she went to join them.
“So?” She asked, “Do we know anything yet?”
Sirius shook his head and James looked like he was about to fall asleep in his eggs.
“Did he stay up all night?” Lily asked while she buttered her toast.
Sirius nodded. “And nothing to show for it. Maybe Malfoy slept outside school grounds.”
James mumbled something and took Peter’s bacon.
“What did you say?” Remus asked politely.
“I said, we need to corner a Slytherin and get them to tell us where he is.” James repeated, louder this time and with his mouth full.
“Disgusting.” Lily said and he only rolled his eyes in her general direction.
“You know,” Sirius said eyeing his best friend sympathetically as James struggled to pour his milk. “That’s probably our best bet. We aren’t finding anything just waiting for him to show up.” Sirius was finally tired of watching James spill it and poured it for him.
“So what are you saying?” Lily asked. “That we bully a Slytherin for information? Not very sporting. Why don’t you let me ask Bellatrix?”
Honestly, Lily just really wanted an excuse to talk to the other girl. An excuse to track her down and see her, instead of hoping they’d run into each other before long.
“And risk having to tell her about our notebook? No.” James disagreed and Lily hid her disappointment by eating more grapes.
The Marauders took to discussing among themselves just how long they thought Malfoy would take before figuring out the password. From what the masses say, he is pretty skilled at that sort of thing… would he know that you had to repeat the password to reveal each bit of information?
Lily zoned in and out of the conversation but her full attention was drawn by someone tapping her on the shoulder.
It was a friend of Vivian and Lily’s, Erica. “What?” Lily asked, on the defensive incase the other girl was unfriendly.
Erica looked down at her shoes for a moment before asking. “Can I sit here?”
Lily was confused; Erica and the others hadn’t spoken to her at all since the spat with Vivian. Why did she suddenly want to eat together?
Erica seemed to sense her hesitation and distrust. “I just wanted you to know… not all of us agree with what Vivian said that day.”
Lily was halved between relief and suspicion. “And why didn’t you say this before?”
Erica gave her an apologetic look. “I don’t know… Vivian was just… so angry at you… she couldn’t stop talking about it and I guess I was afraid? I didn’t want her angry with me too… but, I really admire what you did. I thought it was very brave to stand up for Bellatrix like that.”
“Well she’s really not as bad as she seems.”
Erica took to gazing at her toes again, “She blew up my school supplies in my second year because she said she didn’t like my socks.”
“…oh.”
“But, I think that giving people the benefit of a doubt is necessary sometimes. I mean, if you like her, she can’t be all bad.”
Lily beamed. “You can sit down, Erica. Thank you.”
Erica beamed back and they discussed the newest Arithmancy assignment over breakfast. Lily continually kept glancing at the door, waiting for Bellatrix to arrive. After what seemed like an eternity, Bellatrix complete with bed hair finally arrived at the Great Hall.
Bellatrix was one of the few girls in the school who didn’t bother ‘dressing up’ for Saturday morning breakfast. What was the point of wearing your robes and doing your hair if you were probably just wanting to go back to bed?
Lily excused herself away from Erica and made her way over to Bellatrix before the Slytherin could get to her table.
“Morning.” Lily smiled, a grin so bright that Bellatrix wouldn’t have believed it had anything to do with her.
“Morning.” She replied lazily and not subtly gazing toward the food.
“What are your plans today?” Lily wanted to know immediately.
Bellatrix thought about this for a moment before answering, “I have a N.E.W.T. study group until four.”
Lily tried not to show her descent in mood, but it was hard not to notice. “Oh. Well, that’s important.” She said, with no real zeal behind the statement.
Bellatrix actually looked pleased with this reaction and then said, “You are going to the Solstice Ball aren’t you? Next week?”
Lily shrugged. “I was thinking about it. Why?” Of course she knew why and it was everything she could do to keep from exploding of pure joy.
Bellatrix snorted. “Do I really have to say it? I don’t really want to go, if you’re not.”
This statement made all sorts of pleasant feelings swarm in Lily’s chest. It was as though a blanket of bliss had wrapped itself around her entire being.
“Well… I’ll make sure to be there.” Lily had all sorts of images of Bellatrix in a gown that made her feel hot and floaty. Or maybe Bellatrix was the sort of person who dressed down for that sort of thing? Maybe they should co-ordinate their outfits. Oh! But then Bellatrix probably wasn’t into that.
There were so many questions Lily had, but knew now wasn’t the time to ask them.
Bellatrix glanced around at the various students trudging in for their morning meal. “Look, do you want to meet me later?”
If Lily had allowed herself to speak aloud, it would have been: YES!! Instead, she nodded and then softly added. “I do.”
Bellatrix smiled. “Good. The Astronomy Tower? At 8?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.” And Bellatrix went to her own house table to fill her stomach.
Lily, with her heart alight, went back to the Gryffindor table. Where James had suddenly disappeared.
“Maybe someone should have gone with him.” Peter commented. James had left to go and get the Map. The faster they found Malfoy, the better.
“He’ll probably fall asleep,” Sirius said. “Prat. Doesn’t he know we still have jobs to do?”
“Well they’ll be short work if we lose all our information.” Remus said.
Sirius cracked his knuckles. “I swear, when I get my hands on Malfoy…”
~*~
James had slowly made his way up the stairs. He was jostled about in the hall and was having quite the time trying to focus, but he was too tired to care. Why hadn’t he just slept like everyone else? He didn’t even have a lead. No idea how Malfoy could be keeping himself out of sight, even from the Map.
James finally made it to the Dorm and considered just sleeping for the rest of the day. But he needed to check the Map first. He scanned the first floor, then the second… as he made his way through the familiar folds of paper, his heart stopped.
There. In the Slytherin Dorms. Lucius Malfoy’s dot was walking around the room. More than coffee or any spell, James’ mind turned fully awake. He raced out of Gryffindor, making a straight line to the Slytherin Dungeons.
~*~
“Well, I’m going to study a bit before going to Hogsmeade.” Lily announced. “Erica, do you want to come?”
Erica did and they were about to leave. Sirius called to them, “If you see Potter sleeping somewhere, give him a kick and tell him we have work to do.”
Lily waved and with Erica left the Great Hall. “I want to look at dress robes.”
“Oh!” Erica exclaimed. “For the Ball? I need to look too. Avery Lark asked me!”
Lily informed her that she thought Avery was quite the catch and did her best impression of ‘not being in another world.’ A world where she and Bella were dancing together and there was no one else in the world.
~*~
The remaining three Marauders watched as Lily and Erica left the Hall. Sirius stretched and sighed, “I’m sort of glad things are working out for her… I was a little worried for a bit.”
Remus nodded over his tea. “Yes. I was concerned as well for a while. But it all seems to be going smoothly for now-” Remus was startled by a shove. He looked disdainfully down at his tea-soaked robes.
Narcissa Black was more elegant than either of her sisters. She had more tact and was more observant, some could argue that that made her even more of a force to be reckoned with than her elaborate and quite hysterical older sister. She didn’t usually come so far from her entourage just to bother them.
“What do you want ‘Cissa?” Sirius asked lazily. “We don’t have time to play mind games with you today.”
Narcissa shrugged and was on her way. “No, I don’t imagine you do.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow. “What the hell was that about? Bella rubbing off on her?”
“I don’t know.” Remus answered. He bit his thumb lightly as he watched Narcissa approach the Slytherin table and speak to Bellatrix. She then turned to leave and Bellatrix followed her out of the Great Hall.
~*~
Lucius hated packing, especially when the house elves didn’t do it for you. He pondered whether he’d need his navy robes while at home and then decided that he didn’t. As he began the battle of getting the lid on his trunk to close, the dorm room door was unexpectedly thrown open in a most peculiar way.
It was peculiar because there wasn’t anyone around. He frowned, ghosts maybe? He moved toward the door and peered out. There was still no one. Deciding to forgive the door for blowing open of its own accord, he shut it and made to move back to his trunk.
This plan was stalled however by a black-haired boy in glasses standing where he hadn’t been moments before. “Where is it?” James snarled. “Give it back. Now.”
Lucius looked tired and quite put-out. “Potter, I don’t have time for this. Leave me alone.” And he turned back to his trunk… or he would have, if James hadn’t attacked him.
“Tell me where it is!” James demanded.
Lucius found it very hard to speak with weight pressing down on his solar plexus and the wind being knocked from him. “I… don’t know… what the hell… you are talking about.”
James pulled him up by the collar and then slammed him back into the floor. “The notebook. Where is my notebook?”
Lucius was quite thoroughly confused. “What?”
“THE notebook. The one with EVERYTHING in it! What did you do with it? WHERE IS IT?”
Lucius struggled to keep up. What notebook? Oh… that notebook?
“I don’t have it!” Lucius groaned, a headache beginning to emerge from the back of his skull and the lack of full breath was making him dizzy.
“I know you do! Rosemerta saw you take it!” James looked around the room and stood. He noticed the luggage. “Running away? Not with my notebook you’re not!” He dumped the trunk’s contents to the floor. “Where is it?”
Lucius placed a hand to his forehead. His possessions bouncing off the hardwood only increased the speed of his approaching migraine. His headache was spreading and mixing with anger. “I do not have your bloody notebook! And if I did, why the hell would I be running away with it?!”
James was breathing irregularly, his eyes darting from corner to corner of the room. He wasn’t convinced by Lucius’ lies. “Rosemerta saw you! She said she saw you take it!”
Lucius shook his head. “That’s ridiculous. I didn’t so much as touch it. It may come as a shock, but I do not find your possessions the least bit fascinating.”
James glared. “She said she saw a person in a dark hood with blonde hair leave with it.”
Lucius thought about this for just a moment before saying. “I don’t know what she saw, but it wasn’t me. My mother owled the Headmaster last night that my father is very ill. Narcissa came to fetch me from the Three Broomsticks, we left while you lot were busy chasing the Evans girl.”
James’ head hurt. Maybe from the lack of sleep. “So you… you don’t have the notebook?”
“As I’ve been saying since the beginning, no.”
“…but she saw… a blonde… oh… was Narcissa with you when you left?”
Lucius reluctantly searched his memory. “…yes. But she went back. I forgot my cloak and she went back to get it for me.”
“You don’t have the notebook?”
“No. Potter.”
“And you’re not running away with it?”
“I’m going to stay at home for a few days until my father feels better.”
The heat that had been attributed to James’ rage melted into heat of embarrassment. So, he’d attacked an innocent person… well… it could be worse, he could have remembered his wand.
Lucius didn’t say anything but gave a pointed look to the items that now littered the floor.
“Oh…” James said and picked up a bottle of some kind of shampoo-like substance. “I guess I’ll just… pick all this up, shall I?”
~*~
Sirius, Remus, and Peter were standing in the common room. No one had seen James in a while. The map was gone and so was his invisibility cloak.
“Do you think he found him?” Peter asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? He most definitely found him.” Sirius said and continued pacing. “And he didn’t even come find us first… what a prick. Wants all the glory to himself… selfish prat.”
Remus was worried for another reason. “He isn’t thinking clearly. What if he’s done something stupid?”
“I don’t think we need to worry about that,” Peter groaned. “I think it’s pretty safe to assume that he has.”
Sirius stopped pacing to bury his head in the sofa. “Where is he?” He moaned. “I want my notebook.”
They all jumped up as the portrait swung open and James entered.
“Where is it? Where is it?” Sirius grabbed at him immediately. “Did you punch him? Did he cry?”
James’ look wasn’t one of victory. “It wasn’t him.”
A stunned silence befell them. “What do you mean?”
“Malfoy doesn’t have it. Narcissa does.”
Remus exhaled a deep breath. “Oh great…”
And a new wave of horror settled around them.
~*~
Lily waited anxiously at the Astronomy Tower for Bellatrix. Her senses tingled with anticipation.
Despite everything that had happened since the last time they’d kissed, Bellatrix’s lips were all she could think about. All she wanted to think about. She mused to herself if jumping Bellatrix as soon as she was in sight would be bad etiquette.
The Astronomy Tower wasn’t the most romantic place Lily could imagine meeting, but she was going to take anything she could get. And Bellatrix Black was not going to get away with just a few kisses this time.
As Lily made her resolve Bellatrix finally came into view. Lily shot her the most seductive look she could manage, but it was returned with a harsh glare.
As Bellatrix approached her, Lily got the feeling something was very off beam.
“What’s wrong?” She asked and went to take Bellatrix’s hand but was brushed away.
“My sister showed me something interesting today.” Bellatrix said, her glare hadn’t softened any.
Lily couldn’t guess. “What is it?”
If anything, Bellatrix’s glare only grew darker. “A notebook.”
Lily’s heart stopped. Oh God. It couldn’t be. “B-”
“I don’t know what you think this is… but I can’t be… bought! “
“Bella…”
“175 Galleons. Is that what I am to you?”
Lily was horrified and hurting and sorry and deeply sheepish all at once. “No! Bella… that isn’t… it’s not like that!”
“It’s not what? It’s not like you hired a bunch of guys to make me think I was in love with you?”
That was exactly what it was like.
Lily could feel every inch of her body sag. Her spirit, her heart… everything was shrinking.
“Bella… I do love you… don’t you love me?”
Bellatrix crossed her arms and smirked. “If I say ‘no’ will you get your money back?”
Lily didn’t even bother with a reply. She stared at the floor as tears threatened to emerge.
“I’m going to the Ball with Lestrange,” Bellatrix informed her. “I suggest you stay the fuck away from me.”
As the stomping of Bellatrix’s boots faded away, Lily could feel her heart tearing down the middle and she was surprised she couldn’t hear it as well.
For the next few hours as couples giggled and made their way up the stairs to the Tower, they were immediately discouraged by the deafening sobs of a fifth-year-girl.
Author’s Notes: Am I a tease or what? Hahaha! No, no, it’s not over. I’m nearly through toying with their fragile emotions though! I solemnly swear it! You can have your sweet desserts, if you just sit through the entire meal okay?
On another note, it’s probably obvious by now that I enjoy using Lucius Malfoy as a scapegoat. He shows up randomly whenever I need a distraction from the main story or someone to rub James the wrong way. Bwahaha. I call it: GoatLuci!
If you're reading this for the first time, or maybe checking back for the billionith time. I'm sorry to say that my computer has been stolen... please keep your pants on while I try and figure something out for the future chapters... :(