When You Wish Upon a Star

When You Wish Upon a Star
by Christabell

Chapter Eight: Of Disease and Divination

Lily leaded out of the window to get a closer look, only to see a figure on a broom flying straight at her. She screamed as the figure swept her up, pulling her onto the broom, and they flew out of the window.

“Who are you?” she asked timidly. “Please don’t hurt me...” The figure laughed. Lily sighed in relief. She recognized that laugh. She turned around and found her suspicions to be correct. “Good grief. You scared me out of my mind, Sirius!”

“Sorry, Lily. I didn’t mean to...” Sirius said innocently.

“What were you doing anyway, swooping in on me like that?” she demanded. The broom touched down on solid ground. Sirius grinned apologetically.

“Well, remember how we were showing you the Marauders Map? Well, that tower is the one place that one of us has found that isn’t marked on it. I discovered it last year, but kept it as my sanction... my place to think, and just get away from everything. Well, I was looking at the map and saw you near the entrance to the tower. Then you disappeared. The one problem with that tower, that I discovered my first time there, is that it vanishes, every night from 10:00 pm to midnight. I had just entered the room, and gone all the way up the stairs, to find that they emptied out into nothing. I’m not quite sure what would happen if someone was in it when it vanished, but I don’t think I want to find out.” Lily looked shocked.

“I guess we would have, if you hadn’t scared the hell out of me by coming to my rescue...” Lily admitted. “Thanks.” Sirius shrugged it off.

“It was nothing,” he said modestly. “Hey! There’s James. Let’s go talk to him.” Lily began to protest, but Sirius would hear nothing of it, and picked her back up, ungracefully plopping her down on the broom again, as they zoomed straight at James. He didn’t even flinch as Sirius screeched to a stop inches away from him. “James buddy! What’s up?” James didn’t respond. He was too busy looking at Lily.

“Ummm... Lily? Do you think you could listen to me now?” She sighed, knowing that they would have to talk sooner or later.

“Fine. You probably won’t leave me alone until I do, will you? I’ll talk to you tomorrow, actually. I’m going back to my dorm now. ” James nodded in agreement.

“Sirius, I’ll talk to you later tonight... fill you in and stuff.” James looked back to Lily. “Tomorrow,” he said firmly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

James and Sirius climbed up the stairs to their dorm in silence. They opened the door to a mess of clothes, school books, and all the personal belongings of the Marauders. James walked over to his bed, and with a sweep of his hand, cleared off at least twenty different things.

“So... go ahead and spill,” Sirius requested. James sighed. He looked over to where Remus and Peter were playing chess.

“I guess you guys should listen to this too.” They shoved the chess board aside and James began to tell them the whole story. When he informed them of what Malfoy had done, they all grew livid.

“Why that heartless bastard. If I had been there...” Peter threatened. “I can’t believe that even he would do that.”

“I wonder who will get a prankfest now?” Remus asked sarcastically.

“Guys, I know you’re mad. I am too. Just don’t do anything until I’ve managed to talk to Lily successfully, ok?” he questioned. His friends nodded reluctantly. Whether they would admit it or not, James was the unofficial leader of the Marauders, and as long as they could understand his reasoning, they tended to agree with his ideas. He finished telling them his story, and announced that he was going to bed.

“But James, it’s only 9:00! We never go to bed this early,” Sirius protested.

“Yeah, come on, Jamsey... you can’t be tired yet,” Peter agreed. James glared at them.

“I told you that I’m going to sleep and I meant it. Leave me alone.” The other three glanced at each other. They knew by now not to mess with James when he was in one of his “moods.” It was like a male version of PMS gone haywire, and nobody wanted to be around him when that happened.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Lily woke up early the next morning, just as the sun was rising. She couldn’t believe that it was only her second day at Hogwarts. It had felt like ages. Of course, anything was better than Durmstrong. She showered quickly and headed down the stairs. James was there already.

“Hey,” she said uncertainly. James looked up, startled to find anyone else up that early.

“Hey Lily. Would you mind talking now?” She shook her head. They walked out of the common room in silence. They would be talking plenty later. James led Lily to a room filled with spare Hogwarts robes, scattered at random on the floor, which he had dubbed, with quite a bit of input from Sirius, ‘The Room-with-a-thousand-Quidditch-robes-that-will-never-be-used-because-they-are-all-too-tiny’. He sat down in the corner, and Lily placed herself next to him. The next few minutes were dead quiet, so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. In fact, they did. Lily’s hairpin fell to the ground, the volume of the sound startling both of them, and James began to speak.

“Lily, I didn’t want you to find out about everything the way that you did. I was going to tell you slowly about my previous nature. But I need you to know that I’ve changed. Before this year, it’s always been a new girl a week. Someone to make out with, or even more when I wanted, a way to escape life. Then, as soon as I was sick of her, I would dump her, and find someone else within minutes.” He looked over at her, but wasn’t able to decipher any emotion in her eyes.

“Tell me something I haven’t heard already,” she replied sarcastically. “I caught on last night that you were just a *little* bit of a player.”

“Lily... please listen to me,” he pleaded.

“Okay, okay.” she coincided. James flashed a grateful smile, before sombering.

“Then, this summer, I found out that my sister, Katherine developed a disease called Moribundus Tabes. I believe that it’s almost like a form of the muggle virus, HIV, only this is found in solely in wizards. Anyway, Katherine has always slept around, when she was here at Hogwarts, and after she graduated. I took after her. I always looked up to her, and wanted to be exactly like her. Then I found out. They’ve given her another year to live. I... she told me not to end up like her. That she didn’t want me to die the way she is going to. That’s changed my mind about everything.”

“I’m so sorry, James,” Lily said kindheartedly. James continued speaking.

“What Malfoy said yesterday, yes, it’s true. Every bit of it. I’ve gone too far with too many girls, and I regret it now. When you asked me how many girls I’d been with, I didn’t want to scare you off, so I decided that I was going to tell you everything first, then explain. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, it makes a bit more sense now, but it still hurt me a lot,” Lily remarked.

“I know, and I’m very sorry for that. Will you forgive me? Be my girlfriend still?” James asked hopefully.

“I can forgive you, James, but I can’t be your girlfriend.” He looked shocked.

“Wha... what do you mean?” he stuttered. He had never been rejected by anyone, and had no idea how to handle it.

“I know that you don’t want to hear this, but I want to take things slow. I want to get to know you really well, but just as friend for now. If it turns into something more than that, so be it. But if you really like me and respect me, you won’t push me into a relationship before I’m ready.” James looked at her sadly.

“I guess that’s my only choice, isn’t it. Friendship or nothing for now. I need you to know that I’ll wait for you. Always.”

“James, you can’t say that. We’ve known each other for two days. Two days! That’s it. You don’t know me very well at all. For all you know, you could end up hating me, and tiring of me within days. And you would have saved yourself another chance to be a dumper. It’s good for both of us. Go ahead and date other girls. I will be fine with it,” Lily persuaded gently.

“Lily, there’s no one else I’d go out with now. I need you to know that. I will wait. It might kill me, but it’s worth a shot.” Lily gave him a quick hug and one last kiss on the lips.

“You’ll be fine... I know you will,” she stated. “I need to go meet Arabella and the girls. I’ll see you later, James.” She ran off, leaving James staring at her, as he so often did. He put a finger up to his lips, which were still tingling from the sensation of the kiss. There was something about Lily that made him know that she was worth waiting for. The two of them had something special, James had figured that out easily in the short time period. He was determined to prove to her that she would want more than just friendship.

~~~~~

Lily walked back to the common room, taking her time. She knew she had made the right decision. There was no way she would have been up to moving at the pace that James would have been used to. She just wasn’t that type of girl, and she was glad James could accept that without too much pain. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. A loud shriek threw Lily out of her thoughts.

“Sirius Black! How dare you!” Lily recognized the voice immediately. It belonged to none other than Arabella Figg. Lily hastened her steps, longing to be a witness to the amusing scene that was sure to be ensuing. As she entered the common room, she broke into a fit of giggles. Sirius was currently lying on top of Arabella, on the floor, the latter attempting to get up. Sirius seemed to be making this difficult, partially due to his added weight, his attempts to lock lips with Arabella and also the fact that he flat out refused to get up, innocently protesting that she was “nice and soft and squishy.” Lily had found out that it seemed like everyone in the school had realized that the two were made for each other, and that they would make the cutest couple. That is, everyone but Arabella. She had refused to believe that someone like Sirius Black would like her, no matter what her popularity status was. They bickered constantly, and according to anyone who talked to Arabella, she complained like crazy about him.

“Sirius, get up right now! And just for the record, I am not squishy!” Sirius chuckled.

“But my dear, must I really repeat myself and tell you once again that you are amazingly comfy. And yes, you are squishy.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, before adding, “Of course, I mean that in the nicest way possible.” Arabella squirmed, as Sirius’ lips almost met his target.

“Good grief, Sirius! Will you stop trying to kiss me?” she asked, exasperated. He grinned wider, if possible.

“Only if I succeed...” he said suggestively. Arabella looked shocked at his response.

“Does that mean you actually... like me, as in really like... mmmph?” Her question was cut off as Sirius finally achieved what he had set out for. He pressed his lips against hers, and she felt herself slowly responding to his kiss. As the kiss got more and more passionate, Arabella tried to concentrate her thoughts. All those girls had really been telling the truth. He really was an amazing kisser. Not that it was the first time he had kissed her, but those other times had just been typically “Hey Sirius, shut Arabella up,” kisses, and hadn’t meant anything. The two broke apart and stared at each other. Sirius looked straight into her eyes, seeing the yearning for more, a request that he was more than willing to grant.

“Get a room,” Remus said, jokingly. It was then that their second kiss ended, and they realized that they had been oblivious to the fact that almost all of the older Gryffindors had been witness to the whole scene. Arabella began to laugh, and Sirius joined her.

“We have a room, thank you very much. It’s not our fault that it’s occupied by more than just us,” she said, before returning to Sirius. “So... what now?” Arabella asked cautiously. Sirius leaned closer and whispered into her ear. Her face turned a bright, tomato red, a color to rival Lily’s hair.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Sirius!” she giggled.

“Yes, of course. Well, I still say that you’re squishy in a horribly nice way....” She smacked him playfully. “But squishy or not, will you be my girlfriend?” Sirius asked, hoping for the affirmative answer.

“Of course I will! But will you let me up now?” Sirius reluctantly got up, before offering a hand to Arabella. Lily ran over to them, a big smile on her face.

“Sirius and Ara!” she said, trying out the nickname. “Congrats! It’s great that you came to your senses so close to the beginning of the school year.” The two girls hugged.

“Ooo... Lily? Have you and James made up yet? Because if you have, then we could go on double dates! It would be so much fun!” Despite Arabella’s excitement, Lily’s grin faded slightly.

“We, umm, broke up this morning. I told him that I couldn’t go out with him because I don’t think I’d be able to trust him anytime soon. I told him that the most we could be in the near future is friends.” Sirius looked shocked at the news.

“But he was so positive he could get you back... so sure of himself.”

“I know, but it wouldn’t have worked out. Besides, I want to get to know him without the pressures of being in a relationship.” She sighed. “Ara, he told me that there wasn’t anyone else he’d want to go out with, and that he’d wait for however long it took me. Is that horribly selfish of me? To dump him to get to know him better when he obviously likes me?”

“Lily, you did what you thought was right. That’s all anyone can ask of you.” Lily smiled at her.

“Thanks a lot.” Sirius suddenly let out a huge grumble, disrupting the moment. He grinned at the two girls.

“That would be my stomach telling me that we are several minutes late to breakfast and we ought to be there right now or else it will explode. My stomach, that is. Not the breakfast. Oh god, that would be terrible! I wouldn’t get any food!” he proclaimed loudly, to the amusement of the others. “Come on, Remus, Peter. And you two lovely ladies. Breakfast is calling!” The four other seventh years quickly ran to follow their friend, whose speed was immediately shown when food was at stake.

~~~~~~~~~

The Great Hall was filled with hungry students, whose collective voices brought the noise level up to a dull murmur. Abruptly, a sprinting figure burst into the room, apparently attempting to mimic the cry of the wild while running, and failing miserably. The students paid no attention. Everyone but the first years were used to Sirius by now. He had made it down seven flights of stairs in record time, and was already inhaling his food, shoving more on his plate. Lily, Arabella, Remus and Peter entered soon after, out of breath.

“I take it you’re hungry, Sirius?” James asked, already sitting at the table, with Mari, Tiffany and Mel. He had a stack of pancakes on his plate to match Sirius’, but wasn’t eating anything. He looked over at Lily, who smiled sadly back at him. He sighed. There was no way she would change her mind. He would just have to suck it up and deal with it. He turned attention back to his food, and Sirius.

“James, what a stupid question. Why wouldn’t I be hungry?” Sirius asked, as though it were the most obvious thing ever. The four Gryffindors found their seats at the table and everyone quickly devoured their meals, headed off to their respective classes. Lily glanced down at her schedule.

“Divination... anyone else going there?” she asked. “I’m not exactly sure I can get there on my own.” Remus nodded, as did Tiffany.

“We’ll show you the way,” Tiffany said kindly. Lily had already noticed that, though Tiffany was a bit of a ditz at times, she had a very sweet disposition. The three slowly made their way up to a tower located in the place furthest away from the Great Hall. A ladder let itself down, and they climbed upwards. The room was dark, and the stench of perfume hit Lily, and she began to cough.

“Ah. Miss Evans. I foresaw it in my crystal ball that you would be joining us this year.” A mysterious voice floated to Lily’s ears, and a tall, thin woman came into view. She was as pale as a ghost, but it looked as though that was just her make up. She was wrapped in numerous scarves with bells and beads on them that jingled slightly whenever she moved. “I am Professor Augur. Can I assume that you have already gone over the basics of the art of telling the future?” Lily nodded.

“Actually, I found it quite boring. My old teacher at Durmstrong pronounced me a True Seer in my second year. I already knew more than her. I don’t suppose it will be any different here,” Lily stated flippantly. Augur looked shocked.

“My dear, how could you not love Divination? Especially if you are a True Seer, like me. There is always more you can learn.” Lily smirked.

“Really? Well, I know for a fact that True Seers have nothing to learn. No effort needs to be put forth to read the future. I can do it at will. I just chose not to. I like to live my life as I want to. I don’t dwell on what will happen to me next. I live in the present.” She sat down in her seat, and turned to Tiffany.

“What a fake... I mean, honestly, it would be better for them to find a real Seer to teach a class, rather than someone who just pretends she knows what she’s doing.” Tiffany giggled.

“I never bothered to put her in her place. I can’t say that I’m better than her, because I’m horrible at this class. I just take it because, well, Remus is here,” she paused before hurrying the rest of her sentence, “and it’s an easy grade.” Professor Augur coughed loudly, drawing their attention back to herself.

“Well, Miss Evans, I don’t suppose you would want to teach the class, then?” Lily didn’t respond. “I didn’t think so.” Lily laughed.

“I’m not saying I wouldn’t. I was just thinking of you, like the kind student I am. What would you do without a job? And also, say I did accept... would I get paid?” The professor glared at her, before rushing out of the room.

“You will regret this, Lily Evans,” she muttered, humiliated. Lily shrugged, and standing up, walked up to the front of the class.

“Well, I guess this makes me your new teacher for now. So... would anyone mind opening a window? This perfume reminds me of an old lady... a million of them all together. Gross.” Remus hopped up and opened one, while another boy opened the other. “Much better,” Lily grinned. “I’m afraid that I don’t really know anyone except Remus and Tiffany. I guess you’ll have to deal with that for a while,” she said apologetically. “So let’s get started. Divination isn’t all tea leaves and crystal balls...”

AN: And there we have it.... what do you think? Please give me any suggestions on my writing or plot line, or anything. I’ll consider whatever you have to say.