Inevitable

Chapter Three

Potter Becomes James

Mincing your words makes it a lot easier if you have to eat them later- Franklin P. Jones

Lily woke up early on Saturday morning, along with the rest of the school. It was October twenty-third, and the day of the first Quidditch match of the season, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. Lily wasn't looking forward what she was going to do, but she knew she'd feel a lot better once it was over.

She was not normally a morning person, which explained the puzzled looks she got from Pat and Lene when she joined them in the bathroom.

Lily scanned the Great Hall as she entered for breakfast. The Gryffindor house team wasn't there yet. She looked up and down the Slytherin table and saw Snape sitting near the end with Nott. She sat down at the Gryffindor table and gulped down a quick breakfast.

No matter what, she told herself, I will keep my breakfast down.

The Gryffindor team entered to loud applause from their table. Lily joined the others in standing on her chair to clap, a ritual she usually had no patience for. She gulped down the last of her orange juice and jumped down to the ground.

"Good luck today, James," she said to him.

He gaped at her for a moment, and Lily knew why. She had never called him James before. Never. The name sounded strange when she said it - it felt strange to say 'James' without 'Potter' attached to the end, as she was wont to use his full name in extreme anger. He had always called her 'Lily' or 'Evans,' usually the former. Her switch of names was an idea formed the night before, she could hate Potter, but James might turn out to be someone reasonable. That way she could stand to be around him, and she was going to be nice to him until her conscience stopped yelling at her.

She made sure he was watching her as she walked by him, and down towards the Slytherin table. This is humiliating, she thought.

"Hello Severus," she choked out, as he looked particularly greasy.

"Leave Mudblood," he responded, not even looking at her.

"Severus, look at me," she said with as much authority as her queasy stomach would allow her. She knew that most of the Hall was watching her now. A Gryffindor, especially a Muggle-born Gryffindor, did not just waltz over to the Slytherin table to talk.

Snape stood up and turned to face her, anger radiating from his face. Lily blinked hard, swallowed, and did it.

She kissed him. She took his face in her hands and kissed him lightly on the lips before turning and sprinting back to the Gryffindor table. She didn't turn to see what Snape's face looked like, she was to busy downing more orange juice as the hall stared at her.

One face she did notice, however, was James'. He was smiling, bemused by what she had just done. He was perhaps one of the few people in the Hall who knew what the hell the Head Girl Lily Evans had been thinking. Lily was relieved when she saw James' face; the worst of this day was over.

*

The Quidditch game started at eleven o'clock. Lily, Pat and Marlene went out at ten thirty to get good seats. They managed to get three seats together at the top of one of the Gryffindor viewing stands.

"I still can't believe you did that!" Pat exclaimed to Lily.

"I can't believe you only spent half an hour brushing your teeth after," Lene laughed.

"What was going through your head?" Pat asked.

"Promise you won't tell anyone?" Lily waited for them to nod before continuing. "Yesterday, I talked to James, to tell him he won and everything. He called it off. He said I don't have to go out with him and I didn't have to kiss Snape or anything!"

"So why did you?" Lene asked, looking confused.

"I felt bad," Lily admitted. "He managed to spend a week on the ground, then tells me I don't have to hold up my end of the bargain because I'd be miserable. I'm not going to let him be noble. It completely ruins my mental image."

"So you kissed Snivellus? I think I'd rather have kissed James." Lene scrunched up her nose.

"I'm going to ask him out after the game," Lily said quietly.

"What!" Pat shrieked. "You're going to ask him out, that's - that goes against everything you've said for the last three years!"

"No it doesn't," Lene stepped in for her best friend. "She's always said that you shouldn't back down on your word, so Lily's doing exactly what she believes in."

"Thanks Lene," Lily said. "Look, it's starting."

Fourteen players with brooms, seven in red, seven in blue, walked out to the centre of the pitch. The referee, the new flying teacher, Madam Hooch, was already there. She watched as the captains shook hands, then got them into position. The whistle blew and they all shot off into the air.

"It's Ravenclaw with the Quaffle." The voice of Michael O'Conner rang over the pitch; he was commentating. "That's Alice Higgins with the Quaffle, tearing down the pitch. She dodges Blake Thomas and - nice Bludger work by Sirius Black. Higgins drops the Quaffle, it's caught by James Potter! Potter with the Quaffle, he passes to Thomas, back to Potter. Potter ducks the Bludger, up to Holly Jacobs. It's Jacobs with the Quaffle, she goes for it, round the Keeper - Gryffindor SCORE!"

Lily stood up and cheered with everyone as Holly, a fifth year, soared by the stands. She scanned the other players, trying to see what they were doing. The Chasers were setting up plays, the Beaters seemed to be having a war between themselves, and both Seekers were high above the pitch, scanning the ground.

"Higgins with the Quaffle, it's Higgins soaring up the pitch passes to Garret Doyle. It's Doyle with the Quaffle, over to Jenna Prince, intercepted by Potter! Gryffindor with possession, Potter's going and - stolen back by Prince! Prince with the Quaffle, ouch! Prince just hit with a Bludger. Jacobs catches it, passes to Potter, passes to Thomas, back to Potter. Potter's got a lead, he's going, gets 'round Flannigan, Gryffindor scores! That's twenty-nil for Gryffindor!"

Lily stopped watching the game. Quidditch had never been of much interest to her, even though over three-quarters of the school was obsessed with it. Her eyes wandered away from the pitch out to Hagrid's cabin. Hagrid was the groundskeeper, and was usually at the games to cheer for James. I wonder where he is today, she thought to herself. Her eyes moved from the cabin to the Forbidden Forest, where she saw something move at the edge. She stood up, gripping the railing in front of her. Straining her eyes, she tried to see what it was, it moved like a human, but it was to small to be Hagrid. What was it?

"Lily! Lily what is it?" Pat asked her.

Lily looked down at Pat, then back at the Forest. It was gone.

"It's nothing. I just thought I saw something," she said. "What's the score?"

"Thirty-twenty for us," Marlene said. "Pay attention Lily!"

"Ravenclaw scores! It's thirty all, folks!" Michael said. "Ryan passes to Potter. It's Potter with the Quaffle, he passes to Thomas, and it's Thomas streaking down the pitch. OH - Thomas hit with a Bludger, and Doyle picks up the Quaffle streaking in the other direction and - OW - that looks like it hurt. Legal though, sit down Ravenclaws, Potter stole the Quaffle! It's Potter with the Quaffle, he goes around Prince, she kicks him but it doesn't do anything. He's going for the hoops, he shoots it - hit away by Flannigan, but wait, Potter gets it as it bounces back, POTTER SCORES! Forty-thirty in favour of Gryffindor!"

"What's this! The Seekers are going. It's Nathan Morrison for Ravenclaw and Michelle Chen for Gryffindor streaking towards the ground, does anyone see the Snitch? I don't see it. They've pulled level, they're going toward the Gryffindor end. Ugh! They've crashed into each other, but wait, wait it's Chen standing up. Does she have it? Yes! Chen has caught the Snitch! The game is over, Gryffindor wins one hundred and ninety points to thirty!"

The stands erupted with applause. People streamed out onto the pitch to make sure the Seekers were all right, and to surround the other players. Lily found herself being swept along in the crowd. She was pushed and pulled down the stairs, finally regaining control of where she went once on the pitch. Everyone was still screaming in applause, excitement, or disappointment.

Looking around her, Lily couldn't see anyone she knew. She spun around, hoping to see anyone, but there was nothing but a sea of people. Standing on her toes, Lily managed to see a red Gryffindor Quidditch player in front of her. She elbowed her way through to find none other but James Potter, surrounded by a large group of girls.

"James, you have to come get a Butterbeer with me," one girl giggled as she hung off his arm.

"No, come with me," another pleaded.

He was looking from one girl to the next, with a small, amused yet bored smile on his face. He was obviously enjoying the attention.

Something inside Lily snapped. She didn't know why she was so mad, but she felt something she had never felt before swell up inside her. How DARE they! Her body was shaking. She wanted to strangle all those stupid little girls hanging off him. She needed to talk to him, she needed to get this off her conscience and dammit, she was supposed to go to Hogsmeade with him.

"James," she said loudly, brushing away her nervousness and walking up to him. "Hey, good game. I mean, you played really well."

His eyes met hers, and he looked confused as he responded to her, "Thanks Lily."

He has a reason to be confused, she thought, I made it clear that I hate him.

"Do - Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?" she asked in a rush.

James stared at her. His eyes widened and his face went slack for about half a second. Then he regained his composure. "I don't know Lily," he began teasingly, "I've already promised a lot of people I'll go get Butterbeer with them..."

This is why I hate him, Lily told herself, he's teasing me.

"All right, then," she said, and started to walk away.

"Lily - wait," she heard his voice in the noise behind her. "Tonight around seven, I'll meet you in the common room, okay?"

"See you then," she said over her shoulder as civilly as she could.

*

Lily stormed up to the common room, muttering under her breath about how much she hated James Potter. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going, and got a nastily cold shock when she walked straight through Nearly Headless Nick.

"Are you sick, Lily?" he asked her as she stormed through him.

She didn't answer, but continued her storming until she had reached the common room. Then she flopped down on the couch in front of the fire. Glancing over the back of the couch, she saw that there was no one there over second years.

Oh no, they've all gone to Hogsmeade. I completely forgot!

She jumped back up and sprinted back out the portrait hole.

"You just went in!" The Fat Lady yelled at her back.

Lily pushed aside a tapestry and ran down the steps behind it. She jumped the trick step, but was going so fast that she tripped when landing on the next step down. She heard a snap as she landed on the side of her foot, and her whole leg gave way launching her forwards. She put out her hands to stop her head from hitting the stone step and her wrist bend back on the impact. She rolled down the rest of the stairs, unable to stop. She tumbled through the tapestry at the bottom, and found herself staring up at the ceiling.

"Ohhhh," she moaned quietly. Her ankle hurt like hell, as did the rest of her body. Lily tried to stand up, but her wrist was bent the wrong way, and her one leg wasn't supporting her. "Somebody," she called weakly down the hall. "Someone help me."

No response came. Everyone was either at Hogsmeade or in their common room. Lily tried to roll over, but being on her stomach or side didn't help matters much more. She put down her good hand, and using the wall managed to stand herself up. She leaned against the wall, looking down the hall for any signs of movement.

"Well, well, well," said a voice in her ear.

Lily jumped, startled, and lost her balance, falling again. Looking up, she saw Peeves hovering where she had been leaning against the wall.

"Peeves," she said, "please, go get someone to help me to the hospital wing. Please, I'm really hurt."

"Now," said Peeves in a sing-song voice, as if speaking to someone invisible, "what is Hogwarts' Head Girl doing on the floor? Is she upset because her boyfriend is out in Hogsmeade? Is she on her way to steal from the kitchens? What should we do with her?"

Lily grimaced as she pulled herself into a standing position.

"Fine, Peeves. I'll just get there on my own." She hopped along the hall, falling again at the end. She sat there, leaning against the wall, and felt tears streak down her cheeks.

It hurts so much. Where is everyone? If James hadn't been so superior this wouldn't be happening. Where is he? Where is Lene? Aren't they worried about me? Damn Peeves, why couldn't he be helpful for once. Ow, it hurts. I will not cry. Tears welled up in her eyes, she tried in vain to stop herself.

Suddenly, Lily heard footsteps on the flight of stairs below her. "Help!" she called. "Someone!"

She looked down the stairs and was extremely relieved to see none other but Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster, come up.

"Why Lily," he said, "whatever has gotten you into this predicament?"

"I fell down the stairs," she said truthfully, her voice strained. "Can you help me to the hospital wing?"

"Why of course," he said. He then conjured up a stretcher for her to lie on.

They went to the Hospital Wing, where Madam Pomfrey was busy with Michelle Chen and Nathan Morrison. They both had concussions, and Morrison had what was going to be a huge black eye from crashing into Michelle. Professor Dumbledore helped Lily onto a bed before going to speak with Madam Pomfrey. He whispered something into her ear and she nodded, glancing at Lily.

"Hey Michelle," Lily said weakly.

"Hi," Michelle replied, her pupils growing and shrinking. "What happened to you?"

"Stairs. Saw your capture, it was really good." Lily grimaced as she slid back against the pillow.

"Except for the after effects." Michelle laughed, touching her head delicately. "Painful after effects. Why aren't you in Hogsmeade? James stayed grounded for a week."

"Did he tell everyone?" Lily asked bitterly.

"Well, he is the captain. He had to tell us why he wasn't going to practice. Let me tell you, I never want Black in charge again."

"He called it off last night. Said I didn't have to live up to my end. That's why - I don't even want to think about it - that's why I did what I did this morning. It was part of the deal."

"Well, I'm really, really glad you had a reason for that. If he called it off though..."

"I wanted to live up to my end. I'm meeting him later for something."

"Okay. I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to."

"Thanks Michelle." Lily smiled as she leaned back into the pillows. The pain was numbing, and she felt slightly better.

"Now Miss Evans, what did you do?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she came up beside Lily's bed.

"Broke my ankle. I think my wrist too," Lily told her.

"Yes, yes. Quite a nasty break in the ankle."

She waved her wand over Lily's wrist, and mumbled something. Lily felt a warming sensation in her arm. The bones moved painlessly and bonded together again. Then Madam Pomfrey did the same thing over her ankle.

"Thank you," Lily said.

"No problem at all, dear. Run along now, dinner will be starting soon. Oh yes, Professor Dumbledore would like to speak with you and your friend Marlene McKinnon on the eighth of December, in his office."

Why?

Lily left the Hospital Wing and went down to the Great Hall, where everyone else had just began eating dinner. She felt the eyes of many hit her as she entered, she had after all kissed the most unpopular git there that morning. Lily held her head high as she walked over to the Gryffindor table, limping slightly as she had only just been healed. She squeezed in beside Marlene, after waving to everyone who had said hello to her.

"Hi, did you guys have a good time in Hogsmeade?" she said trying to sound cheerful.

"Yes," Pat said, "where were you?"

"First I forgot, then I fell down the stairs and broke my ankle. I just came from the hospital wing now." Lily helped herself to a large portion of mashed potatoes.

"I know someone who was looking for you," Marlene said teasingly. "He said you looked a tad upset at seeing his little fan club."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Lily said, focusing her eyes on her food.

"So you did ask him," Pat said triumphantly. "I think Lily was a little jealous when she found out how much competition she really does have."

"That's the thing though," Lene began as though Lily wasn't even there. "She doesn't have any competition. She's the only girl he actually likes. He just likes to have the rest follow him around worshipping, but he'd never consider following any of them around."

"We all know he has no problem following Lily around," Pat said, giggling.

"It's not working," Lily said. "You aren't going to get me to tell you what I think of him." She paused before continuing. "Did he look like he was really enjoying himself with all of them?"

Marlene smiled. "Not half as much as he does when you bother to yell at him. That says something, when you're mad at him it means more than all of them hanging off him."

"I guess so," Lily mumbled. "Wait! No! I hate him. I have to hate him, what's going on with me?"

"I think you've finally stopped fighting the inevitable," Pat said with a glint of humour in her eyes.

"No, it's not inevitable," Lily said. "I don't like him. I DON'T. I just... don't like the idea that all those silly little girls are torturing him. Just let me eat in peace. Stop interrogating me!"

Pat raised her eyebrows at Lily's outburst.

"Fine, you don't like him. But you might feel differently when you get back from wherever he's taking you tonight." Marlene reached across the table for the chicken.