A Fairy Tale

A Fairy Tale | Chapter 6

Sirius dropped Lily's hair into the potion and the liquid turned a creepy reddish-brown color. Peter, Remus, and Sirius towered over the cauldron to admire their wonderful creation.

"Things are definitely going to turn out right this time," Peter said, smiling proudly.

"It better," Remus said, looking at Sirius.

"What?" Sirius said defensively.

"Nothing." Remus sighed. "Come on. It's almost dinner time. Let's get this over with."

________________________________________________________________________

Remus poured the potion into Lily's pumpkin juice, while Sirius and Peter told lame jokes once again. This time, however, nobody bothered to laugh. Sirius continued to try though.

"So, anyways, the farmer said 'Why is it so easy to weigh a fish?' Anybody want to guess?"

Nobody did.

"Anybody?" Sirius asked again, more desperate this time.

Silence.

"Because fishes come with scales! Hahaha!" Sirius laughed loudly. His laughter died when he heard crickets chirping. Sirius looked around the Gryffindor table. He cleared his throat. "Ahem. Shoot, you people just don't know how to appreciate good jokes."

The Gryffindors rolled their eyes and turned back to their dinner.

Remus nudged Sirius, and the two kept an eye on Lily and her drink. She didn't pick it up all through dinner. Sirius's patience was wearing thin, and he opened his mouth, ready to say something to Lily, but a hand covered his mouth.

"Don't you dare say anything stupid!" Remus hissed. Sirius nodded and Remus let go. His hand was covered with bits of food.

"Ew," he said, wiping his palm with a paper towel. He shot Sirius a dirty look.

"Well you should've known better than covering my mouth when it's opened and full of food."

Remus was about to say something back, but at that exact moment, Lily picked up her pumpkin juice and drained it. The content washed down Lily's insides, and she felt as though she was floating on air. Lily soared through the sky, feeling free and happy. A figure appeared by her side and took her hand. Lily smiled. She didn't need to turn to know who it was. She could feel it. It was...James. Oh James...

An aloof look plastered across Lily's face, as she set her glass down.

"Hey, Lily, pass the--Lily?" Ronnie asked, noticing Lily's expression. Ronnie waved her hand in front of her spacing friend. "Lily? Hello?"

"Hi James..." Lily said dreamily.

"James?" Andie asked, arching an eyebrow. "As in James Potter? Since when did you start calling him 'James'? Isn't it always 'Potter this, Potter that'?"

"Potter..." Lily said absently. "James Potter...that's a really nice name, isn't it?"

"Evans, if this is some sick joke, it's not a very good one," James said.

"Call me Lils..." said Lily.

"But you hate it when we call you that!" Ronnie said.

"Yes, but this is...James..."

"Let's get her out of here," Andie said, grabbing Lily's arm. "She's probably coming down with something." Andie and Ronnie led a protesting Lily out of the Great Hall.

"But--but, James!" the Marauders heard Lily cried.

"Yes!" Sirius cheered, giving Peter a high-five. "It's working!"

"What's up with her?" James asked his friends.

The three shrugged innocently. Well, as innocent as Marauders could get.