Tiger Lily

Standard disclaimer stand, as usual, I own nothing. Thank you to all of my readers, especially those who reviewed!! I love you!!J You have mad eme one happy person. Okay…and on with the story!

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Sirius lay, eagle-spread on his bed, head resting comfortably on his pillow, eyes glued on the green canopy above him. It was one of those rare instances where Sirius’ brain wasn’t really doing any thinking, scheming, or plotting…it was just sort of sitting there, not being used. Contrary to what many of the teachers believed, Sirius was quite smart- he simply detested schoolwork- and his thoughts were usually elsewhere when in the classroom.

Minutes passed by, and Sirius didn’t move. He lay there, and just…was. That is- until a few certain Slytherins busted into the dorm, loud and obnoxious as usual. Sirius didn’t move any part of his body except for his head, and he fixed the intruders with an almost eerily disconnected stare.

The three invaders stopped in their tracks, all talk between them ceasing immediately. The first to speak was- as usual, the stupidest: Hubert Goyle.

"Is he okay?" he asked in a classic stage whisper, pointing one thick finger in Sirius’ direction. The reply came forth from a tall, lean boy whose good-looks rivaled Sirius’ own.

"Why don’t you ask him?" Lucius Malfoy, mimicking the tone Goyle had asked his question in. Then, louder and more arrogantly, "What’s the matter Black? Searching for inner peace?" He and his cronies sniggered.

Sirius rolled his eyes and sat up, shaking the long strands of hair out of his eyes. "No…rather contemplating what kind of underwear my girlfriend wears." He smiled pleasantly at them. "What kind does your girlfriend wear Lucius?" He paused, then grinned evilly. "Oh, wait. You don’t have a girlfriend do you?"

Lucius lip curled. "Touché, Black. It’s true that I don’t have a girlfriend. Truth is…I could have any girl in the school if I wanted. Even that red-headed mudblood Gryfinndor you call your own." He sneered. "Something to think about, eh, Black?" He crossed to his night table and picked up a book. Sirius growled under his breath as the three left the room, Lucius smiling triumphantly.

Glowering, Sirius picked up his heaviest textbook and hurled it at the door- looking up in surprise when someone in the doorway yelped a cry of pain. He looked up, then turned away.

"God Snape. Here again?" he asked, standing up and stretching.

"I live here Sirius," Snape replied simply, crossing to his bed (which was right next to Sirius’ own) and flopping down upon it. "Lucius here?"

"Nah. Just left," Sirius replied, touching his toes a few times, then dropping to the floor, getting into a sit-up position. "Hold my feet, Snape?" he asked, peering up. The other boy nodded, dropping onto the floor and setting a hand of each of Sirius’ feet. "Why?"

Snape shrugged. "Just wondering. I didn’t really feel like talking to him…" he veered slightly back as Sirius came up and dropped back down, then settling into a more comfortable position. This continued on for a few more minutes, Sirius working out and Snape staring off into space.

"Something bothering you, kid?" Sirius asked, knowing very well that Snape hated that nickname. Sure enough, the other boy landed back in reality with a thump.

"I’m not a kid." He snapped. There was silence. "No.." he admitted finally. "Not really." Sirius did ten more sit-ups then turned and rolled over into push-up position. "You’re making me look bad, Sirius," Snape commented, crossing his legs "Indian style".

Sirius smirked. "You know Snape," he said, rising and dropping with ease. "If you worked out just a little bit…and washed that hair of yours about ten times, you could stop being such a freak and become…" he hopped up and struck an Adonis-like pose. "A Lady’s Man." Snape rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. You going to practice tonight?" he asked, struggling to stand up.

"Is tonight a practice night?" Sirius mused, extending a hand to Severus, who ignored it and got up on his own. "I suppose so then." He replied, shrugging.

"Sirius…you’re the captain. You ought to know this stuff…" Snape said, shaking his greasy hair out of his eyes. Sirius glared at him.

"I’ve got a lot on my mind, Snape," He snapped.

"Right. Sorry," the shorter boy said. "See you at practice," he called, grabbing his broom and heading out of the dorm.

Sirius sighed and crossed to the bed. He felt like he owed Snape something. They’d been roommates for a great deal of time now…Snape being the only one in the dorm smart enough to get what Sirius said, yet not to smart for his own good. Sirius appreciated a man like that. It was why he liked James and Remus, and why he couldn’t like Peter and Lucius and Crabbe and Goyle. He wouldn’t call their relationship friendship, for in truth it was far from it- but it was something.

Deciding that he was tired of thinking about relationships, Sirius climbed yet again out of his bed, crossed to the closet and grabbed his broom, deciding to head down to the field early and fly about for awhile. He dressed quickly in his Quidditch garb, and slunk down the staircase, praying not to be seen by Lucius and his cronies. He was in luck. Not a soul was in sight, which was hardly uncommon in Slytherin house. The others were most likely stirring up trouble elsewhere in the castle. Yawning slightly, Sirius opened the wall that led to the dungeon halls, moments later crossing the slightly damp grass to the Quidditch pitch.

What he saw there was (again) hardly uncommon. The classic Slytherin versus Gryfinndor battle was playing before his very eyes- Severus Snape against James Potter and the rest of the Gryfinndor team. Rather than going in and getting caught between the two houses, as he was often forced to do, he made a quick U-turn and headed instead to the Gamekeeper’s hut, hoping to visit with Hagrid.

He knocked on the heavy door four times, then waited. It opened seconds later to reveal Hagrid, who waved him inwards cheerily.

"Hey there, Sirius," he said happily. "Yer girlfriend’s here too…cup o’ tea?" he asked. Sirius nodded, setting his broomstick next to the door and collapsing into the chair nearest Lily, blowing her a kiss. She blew one back. Hagrid, watching the two lovers out of the corner of his eyes smiled softly as he turned to give the two their tea.

"Hello Lils," Sirius said, accepting the cup of tea that Hagrid offered. "How are things in Gryfinndor tower?"

Is it justmy imagination or did she suddenly go red? Sirius pondered, waitintg for Lily’s answer, which seemed to be taking a long time in forthcoming.

"Um…it’s fine…" Lily said, acutely aware of how red her cheeks had suddenly become. "I guess…" she downed her tea in one quick gulp. "I got to go, Sirius," she said, standing up quickly.

"So soon?" asked Sirius, bewildered. "Why…" he trailed off as Lily pecked him on the cheek, grabbed her coat, and dashed out the door, leaving him and the gamekeeper alone. "What’s eating her?" Hagrid shrugged, and offered Sirius a rock cake. Sirius declined politely. "I’d better go and see what’s wrong…" he said, still puzzled by Lily’s reaction to his question.

Hagrid nodded. "You’d best be doing that. I’ll see you later Sirius," he said. Sirius nodded and grabbed his broomstick, heading out to go and chase after Lily.

******

Lily paused at the foot of the marble staircase, panting from her long power-walk up the grassy slopes that led up to the castle. Oh God…I hope he doesn’t suspect…she prayed. The door opened behind her with a loud bang, and the object of Lily’s thoughts strode in, broomstick in hand. She whirled around, hands flying to her cheeks as she sought to find an excuse to not talk to him.

"Sirius!" she exclaimed.

"Lily," he replied, looking puzzled. "Why did you run away from me? I haven’t seen you in almost two days…not since you canceled that dinner."

"Oh that," Lily said. "I’m sorry Sirius…I’ve just been really busy…I’ve this big project due to Binns and James and I haven’t even started it and-" she stopped as she saw one of Sirius’ eyebrows raise.

"How is James anyway?" he asked, crossing his arms across his chest and leaning on the stair railing. "I hope he’s well…Funny thing- he too has been avoiding me. Have you any idea why?" Lily took courage from the fact that he didn’t seem to angry, simply puzzled. She could deal with a puzzled Sirius. She couldn’t work with him when he was angry, mainly because he wouldn’t listen to her when he was angry.

"Maybe…" she began, prepared to tell him the truth. "See Sirius…James and I were doing this project right? The one I was telling you about and-"

"Lily!" Damn James and his crappy timing, Lily cursed, turning around to face him. She whirled back around quickly, head spinning. Oh my god… she thought, beginning to panic. HE looks too cute standing there, all wet and dripping…in his Quidditch robes- DAMN HIM! She cursed again, trying in vain to recall a picture of Sirius to mind so that she cold James off of her mind. Unfortunately, the picture seemed to be taking while to come to mind.

"James," Sirius said coolly, seeming to guess what Lily was about to tell him. He has the eeriest way of doing that…Lily thought. Snape too…must be a Slytherin thing. "Lily and I were just talking…could you give us a minute? It’s kind of important." James looked confused.

"Um…okay. Lily…meet me in the library?" he asked. Lily nodded. "See you later Sirius," James called, heading up the stairs. Sirius nodded and gave a small wave, turning back to Lily.

"You were saying…?" he asked, gesturing for her to continue.

But the moment had passed. "Um…well, both of us are a little stressed. I haven’t been getting a lot of sleep lately and you know, the O.W.L’s are coming up, and if you don’t pass those then…." She trailed off as Sirius nodded and smiled.

"Sorry, sweet," he said, touching her cheek softly, and making Lily’s heart ache. "I’d forgotten how much these things mean to you…" he chuckled slightly, then his face lit up. "You know what you need?" he asked delightedly. "A fun day!"

"Sirius…" Lily said; but she could feel her spirits lifting and a giggle coming on. :"What do you have in mind?" she laughed.

"I dunno…what can two fifteen year olds do to have fun these days?" he teased.

Lily blushed, guessing the intention behind his words. "Let’s try and keep it G-rated shall we?" she asked, pecking him on the cheek. "Look, I’ll leave you to figure out what you want to do, and you can send word with Remus, kay? I have to meet James."

Sirius started to nod, then shook his head. "Not with Remus…he’s out again." Lily’s eyebrows rose questioningly. "Yeah I know. He says his mom is sick or something. Bunch of bull-"

"Sirius!" Lily interrupted.

"Oh all right. What’s that that Hagrid says?" Sirius asked. "Codswallop? Yeah. Bunch of codswallop if you ask me. I don’t know what’s wrong with him…but I’m gonna find out. Anyway, I’ll send word with Peter."

"Whatever you have to do sweetheart," Lily replied, tossing her hair. "I got to go so…"

"Bye doll," Sirius called, watching her disappear up the stairway. He sighed. "Now…to practice!" and with that, he made a U-turn and headed back outside.

******

James waited patiently in the library. His heart was beating a little faster than usual, but for the usual reason. Lily, his heart seemed to sing happily. Lily is coming! And sure enough, there she was.

God, does she look beautiful…he thought, all thoughts of their project going straight out of his head. Her hair, teased by the wind…his thoughts darkened. Or by someone’s fingers… "Lily!" she looked up, then smiled. "Sit, sit," James said, leaping at the chance to pull her chair out for her.

"Such a gentleman," Lily commented, smiling up at him. James smiled back. "So…ready to work?"

"Always." James replied, taking a seat across from her. "I got some books…. Goblin rebellions and stuff that I got from the-" He stopped. "Um, library…Lily, are you paying attention?" he asked.

"Hmm?" she landed back on the planet Reality with a thump. "Of course, Siri-" she paused, then blushed. "Whoops. Sorry James." James shrugged it off. Time will come sweet, when you’ll be talking to him and MY name will slip off your tongue that easily. And seconds later he was lost in daydreams of what else tongues could do.

"Now look who’s not paying attention," Lily teased, loving the way James’ ears went red. "Now- let’s get to page 24," she said, turning the pages for him. "And you read paragraph one, and I’ll do paragraph two, and we’ll go from there, okay?" James nodded. Lily smiled again and began to read.

Strange how being with James made her feel so comfortable…It was almost like being with Sirius, except for James was more serious. He could be fun, but he could also concentrate, and Lily liked that. Sirius was always playful, which she didn’t mind, but she also got upset when they were working on something and his thoughts were on the Quidditch scores instead of on vampires and werewolves, or Goblin rebellions, or whatever they were supposed to be studying. Oh Lord…Lily thought suddenly. What is happening to me? I’m happy…truly I am, she thought desperately. I adore Sirius, I love being with him…question is, do I lovehim?

"Lily? I’m finished." James said, his voice soft and comforting.

"James…I have to go," Lily said, a very odd look crossing her face. "I have to go- go and tell Sirius something." She met his eyes, and he was frightened of the emotion in them. "I have to go…" she grabbed her bag and ran, emotions overwhelming her in a way that she had never experienced.

"Lily, wait!" James called after her, jumping up. "Wait!" he rushed out into the hall and found it deserted. "Damn," he muttered. What did she realize? Was it good? Or was it bad? He paused for a moment in the door, then shook his head and went back into the library.