Without Warning

CHAPTER TEN: Painful Beginnings, Delightful Ends.

The following days soon turned into the following weeks as everyone put their heads down to study; including James and Sirius. They were undoubtedly the smartest people in their year at Hogwarts, but even so, they thought they better knuckle down in order to get the best results possible. Sirius did take a bit of persuasion however, and felt it his duty to inform everyone that he was born with the knowledge of all the text books in the school put together.

The days seemed to be flying by for Lily and James alike. This was strange in itself, as exam weeks tend to be the slowest things in the world for any student, magical or not. But on the contrary, time was zooming by, as the Celebratory Ball loomed ever closer.

Lily put it down to the fact that she was studying so much she had no spare time to get bored. James put it down to the fact that Lily was no longer jumping down his throat every twelve seconds. And they both, unbeknownst to the other, put it down to the fact that they had big plans for this Ball. Well, not so much the Ball, but the after party in Gryffindor Tower. It was being arranged with much vogue by none other than Sirius Black - whom had dubbed himself "Party Liaison Extraordinaire" and had made a point of a compulsory trumpet sound-off every time this name was announced to the room.

Remus, as a prefect, had discreetly turned a blind eye to the event and was rather looking forward to it himself - whatever else Sirius could be held accountable for, there was no doubt that he was an extremely good party planner ... And creator of great dins in general, really.

Lily had decided that she really probably did want to take her and James' "friendly terms" to "more than just friendly terms" but wasn't quite sure how she was going to go about it yet. She wasn't even sure how James would react - would he feel the same way that she felt about him? Whenever she thought about him she felt this burning desire to wrap her arms tightly around him and never let go. But would he feel the same way? He was known for his 'no strings attached' flings. Maybe that's all he wanted from her, too. Maybe all that stuff he'd said to her was because he wanted to experience a fling with someone different to the normal bimbos he had hanging off his arm? Well, she had decided she was still going to find out.

She would cast all her anxiety aside on the night and just...well, do it - with the help of a little fire whisky. She had a shrewd idea that she'd have to initiate most of this, as she was pretty sure James was still recovering from the time in fifth year when he'd tried to kiss her. She grinned as she remembered the thought.

"What're you smiling about?" Indigo asked, taking a swig of her butterbeer.

She and Lily along with the Parker twins were currently sitting in the Three Broomsticks, celebrating the end of their last exam - Charms. This was the only exam Lily had felt she would have done extremely well in. Transfiguration she would have barely scrapped by, but she knew she'd have passed everything else. Charms was her passion though, so she expected a good grade.

It was a Thursday evening in which all the sixth and seventh years who had finished their exams were entitled to "a sensible evening to celebrate," as McGonagall had delicately put it.

"Oh, nothing." Lily didn't even bother concealing her grin while she took a gulp of her own butterbeer. She knew Indigo was on to her.

"Uh huh. Yeah, sure - I believe you. No really, I do. Of course, it has absolutely nothing to do with a certain James Potter whatsoever. "

Lily gulped her drink down and spoke. "No, absolutely nothing."

"Oh Lily, I'm so happy for you! It's about time you two hooked up!" Grace squealed and then took a small sip of her water. She'd been on a diet ever since Frank Longbottom had asked her to the Ball. She was definitely out to impress. However, the decrease in sugar intake still hadn't done much to dent her overly fervent personality. Which was a relief, as it balanced out Phoebe's sullen mood perfectly.

"Er, thanks Grace. Never mind I used to hate his guts and all...But guys don't get too excited. We're just friends. We're not together."

"Yet," muttered Indigo perfectly audibly from behind her tankard.

"Personally, I don't know what you see in him," said Phoebe suddenly, tracing her finger carefully around the rim of her mug.

"The same could be said in reference to you, Parker," snapped Indigo. She still hadn't come to terms with the 'Snape fiasco' as Lily had dubbed it.

In fact, when Grace had found out, it had been one of the rare occasions that Lily and Indigo had seen her true temper flare. Insults and objects had been fired between the two twins. Grace had protested that they now wouldn't be able to be together on the night because of the age-long feud between Slytherin and Gryffindor. Phoebe had merely said she wouldn't want to hang around with gits such as Frank Longbottom and James Potter anyway and that Grace was as bad as they were for doing so.

"Charmed," sneered Phoebe in return.

"Guys, chill out. Phoebe, I appreciate your opinion and all, but I don't 'see' anything in him. As I said, we're - just - friends," explained Lily. This was a complete lie, but she didn't feel the need to render her feelings for James in front of a girl who saw something in Snape. Everyone knew he and James hated each other with the fire of a thousand suns.

Indigo opened her mouth to protest but stopped when she saw Lily give her a knowing look and a wink. Grace saw the gesture between the two girls, but kept her mouth shut. She had a fair idea of the passion that was brewing between Lily and James. She'd seen them the night she had arrived late back in the common room. They had been the only two left there, studying for Transfiguration. Standing discreetly out of view, Grace had seen James giving Lily notes to learn and while she wrote them down, he hadn't taken his gaze off of her face. He had this passionate, longing look in his eyes, which made it clear to Grace that Lily was not going to be just another fling like James' countless other girlfriends. She had seen it in his eyes.

Lily was for life.

There was a silence at the girls' table as they were all immersed in their own thoughts. Indigo, like everyone else, was hoping that James and Lily would get together, but she was also thinking about how she was going to brush off Peter at the Ball. She didn't want to be too harsh. The again, he seemed to be able to handle bluntness pretty well if Sirius' attitude was anything to go by.

"So, has everyone got their outfits sorted?" Grace asked excitedly.

Indigo groaned. She didn't even own anything that could be worn to a Ball. She turned to Lily with a desperate look and said, "I dub thee mine outfit designer!"

"Indigo! Why have you left it so late? The Ball is on Saturday!"

"I know, so we have the whole afternoon to go shopping," Indigo quipped.

"Don't forget to accessorise," piped up Grace earnestly. She loved reading all the Muggle magazines.

"Access a what?" Indigo was completely miffed. Coming from a long line of witches and wizards, she hardly ever ventured out in to the Muggle world.

"Earrings, necklace, bracelet, rings...just make sure they all match and go with your outfit," explained Grace knowingly.

Lily grinned. She loved shopping, and she couldn't wait to dress up Indigo.

"Well let's get going then! Grace, Phoebe - are you coming?" Lily thought it rude to leave Phoebe out, even if she was a miserable toad. She was pretty sure she already knew the answer, though.

"I'd rather not." Phoebe scowled, going back to her butterbeer.

"Oh I would love to, but I have some, er...prior arrangements. " Grace really had an appointment with her hair curlers.

"Fine, we'll see you later then." Lily smiled, grabbing a hesitant Indigo and pulling her out the door.

"Lily, I'm not sure I like the sound of this 'access a razor' thingy. It sounds a little frightening and far too...girly for me," Indigo explained nervously as they walked down the cobbled street.

"Don't be ridiculous, you'll love it."

"Okay, but if I look like a meringue or anything to that effect, I'm holding you personally responsible."

"Hmm, meringue you say? You know, Peter does like desert food..." Lily planted a thoughtful look on her face as they turned down an alleyway heading towards an evening attire shop.

"Lily, don't you dare! I'll -"

"Good afternoon McKinnon, Evans."

"Black," nodded Lily and Indigo in unison.

"I never thought I'd see the day when a Mudblood was giving someone such as yourself fashion advice, McKinnon."

"Call her that again Black, and I'll hex you so bad you wont be able to sit down for a week," snarled Indigo.

There had been a long enduring hostility between Indigo and Bellatrix Black for as long as Lily could remember. They had met on a number of occasions where everything from curses to bowls of soup had been thrown.

"I'd like to see you try, McKinnon."

"Don't tempt me."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't want to have to make a fool out of you...again."

"Give it a rest, Bellatrix." Lily rolled her eyes.

In a flash, Bellatrix had pushed Lily up against a shop wall, holding her by the scruff of her robes. It was as if she'd been waiting for Lily to address her. Bella's eyes flashed dangerously and Lily's gleamed right back at her.

"Never address me by my first name, you filthy little mudblood." Bellatrix pushed the tip of her wand up against Lily's neck.

"Get off her you miserable hag!" Indigo made a swipe at Bellatrix, but Bella and Lily were both ignoring her now, staring avidly at one another.

"Yeah," Lily panted quickly, "you're right. It is a disgusting name, really. I shouldn't even bother."

Bellatrix's eyes flared wildly again as Indigo made an attempt to pull her off Lily, cursing her furiously, but to no avail. Bellatrix was far too strong.

She jabbed her wand harder into the side of Lily's throat. "Don't think I'm afraid to use an Unforgivable, Evans."

Lily's eyes widened in shock. Only powerful dark wizards that were in cahoots with even more powerful dark wizards used the Unforgivable Curses.

Suddenly, there was a flash of red and gold sparks which threw Bellatrix flying backwards against a wall on the opposite side of the alley.

Lily immediately fell to the ground and grasped her neck where Bella's wand had burnt the skin. Someone came running over to her, crouching down to see if she was okay, but Lily was focussed on the scenario playing out over by Bellartix, who had already regained her composure.

"Well well, if it isn't my vile ickle cousin, Sirius. How are you Siri Wiri Diri dear?"

"Bellatrix," he growled in a dangerous tone that made even Bella step slightly backwards. "You stay away from my friends. You hear me?"

"Why Siri! I'm sure mummy dearest will be absolutely delighted to hear about your fraternising with Mudbloods and half wits in general."

"I don't care what you tell her - it wouldn't make a damned difference anyway. I have all the family I need right here," he gestured madly backwards towards the other person standing beside her and Indigo, whom Lily hadn't looked at yet.

Bella looked slightly shocked at this piece of news Sirius was dishing her.

"Very well, Sirius. I'll make sure to inform her of this development," she sneered.

"Good," barked Sirius in return. Inside however, he knew this was not a good development at all.

"Good," scorned Bella. She stepped forward and pinched Sirius on cheek in a would-be sweet old grandmother kind of way but failed due to her cold eyes and malicious sneer. She then turned to leave, but just before she turned the corner, she looked back and chanted something at Lily.

"Crucio!" Lily writhed in pain for what seemed an eternity but must have only been a couple of seconds. Bellatrix wasn't as skilled in the Cruciatus curse yet, but she would be in forthcoming years with a little help from a certain dark wizard.

Before any curses could be flung back at her Bellatrix had disappeared, leaving Lily on the ground, scrunched up in a little ball and shaking in shock. Indigo was by her side now, cussing madly about Bellatrix. Lily looked up to see whom the other person was who had been standing with her during Bella's confrontation with Sirius.

Of course - whom else would she have expected to see?

"James?" She felt embarrassed that he had seen her helpless like this.

James was too furious to reply, so he nodded. There was no way that that bitch Bellatrix was getting away with what she had just done. No way in Hell. Not only had she just insulted Sirius and used an Unforgivable, she had hurt Lily. She was going to pay.

But for now, he looked back down at Lily and regained his composure as he saw the frightened look in her eyes. She was trembling slightly, and he felt something lodge firmly in his throat. He swallowed hard - she didn't need to see how shaken he was.

He bent down and touched the singed mark on her neck. She closed her eyes at his touch. She couldn't decipher whether the tingling was because he was touching her, or because the mark was burning. Ow, yes okay, it was because it was burning. She grabbed his arm and held it to balance herself.

At her action, James nearly lost his own balance. Her touch had just sent this manic tingling up his arm. Good tingling though, not bad tingling. He looked at her slightly in awe. No other girl had ever had this effect on him before.

"Are you okay?" He asked slightly hoarsely.

"Y-yes. I mean I am now," she replied, her gaze not leaving his eyes.

"I'm going to kill that bitch," muttered Sirius.

"Hey, you and me both buddy. And I want the first blow!" Indigo said quickly.

In that instant, Sirius' respect for the girl rose completely and he felt suddenly rather disappointed that she was going to the Ball with Peter. The git. At least he still had the goddess that was Alice Fletcher.

Sirius turned back to James to see he was still fingering Lily's burn delicately.

"I can get that removed in a second," James whispered. "But it will have to wait until we're back at school."

"Okay," Lily said quietly, still immersed in his eyes.

"Can you walk?"

"Uh, I'm not sure. But when that curse hit me my legs seared with pain." She winced as she tried to stand up.

Suddenly she let out a cry and crumpled back down towards the ground. Indigo shrieked. Sirius flinched.

James caught her.

He thanked Merlin for his Quidditch reflexes.

As he helped her back up again, he looked at her face to see her pink cheeks stained with tears. She was obviously still in a lot of pain. Sirius and Indigo were wrong; James was going to kill Belltrix himself. Not with a wand, but with his own two hands.

"Lily, you can't walk," he said as she desperately clung to his arm in order to balance herself and then tried to step forward.

"I'm going to have to, James. Unless one of you can conjure a stretcher or something."

An idea hit him. A great, spectacular, perfect idea. He'd be the closest he'd ever been to her ever. He hesitated only for a split second before deciding he would do it.

In one swooping motion, he wrapped an arm around her waist, and scooped her legs up in his other.

She looked slightly shocked at first to be suddenly embraced in his arms. But she had no choice. So she wrapped one arm around his neck, and found her hand once again had started tickling the flicks of hair at the base of his neck.

It was heaven and agony for him all at the same time. Heaven because he had Lily in his arms - he never wanted to let go. Agony to see her in such pain, and the fact that he would have to let go at some point. He could have stayed like that forever. He was very strong even if his stature hinted otherwise, and had no qualms about carrying her. He loved the way she was tickling the hair at the base of his neck. In a weird way, he decided, he felt a sort of completeness with Lily in his arms.

She thought that this was far too clichéd and typical but decided that she couldn't exactly have it any other way as alternatives weren't really popping out at them. James was rather strong for a guy of his build and she felt perfect in his arms. She wasn't perfect, but James made her feel like she was.

But she still had thoughts of his intentions. A thought kept running through her mind - to fling, or not to fling? Most guys liked the no strings attached type of relationship didn't they?

Her musings were interrupted wen the four of them emerged onto the main street of Hogsmeade. Bellatrix was nowhere to be seen. Actually, hardly any Slytherin seventh years were to be seen anywhere.

"Guys," she said suddenly. "Don't make a big deal about this, okay?"

"What?" Indigo yelped. "No Lily, I'm going straight to Dumbledore about this. She used an Unforgivable. There's a reason why they're called that, y'know."

"Exactly," barked Sirius. "We're not letting her get away with this, Evans."

"No, please. I don't want the questioning or the - the interrogation. I just want to carry on as normal."

"Lily, come on!" Indigo cried.

"No Indigo. Seriously. Just leave it."

"Okay," James, who had been quiet for the whole argument, spoke softly. "Okay we won't go to Dumbledore."

"What?!" Sirius and Indigo yelled at the same time.

"But we will get our revenge on Bellatrix. She can't get away with this. Not on Lily, not on anyone. She must be dabbling in the dark arts to be able to even conjure that curse effectively - even if it only was for a few seconds."

"Dabbling? Prongs, she's more up to her eyeballs in it than Snape is! Who knows what she's capable of! She could even be involved with Voldemort - I wouldn't be surprised at all if she was. Which is more of a reason why we should go straight to Dumbledore. "

Indigo not knowing what else to say, as it seemed Sirius had stolen her words, looked at him carefully and then nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah!"

Lily looked at them desperately and sighed. Her complexion had that pale, washed out look to it and all she wanted to do was to fall asleep in James' arms. Though she decided drooling on his arm and shoulder probably wasn't the best look.

Her legs still throbbed with a numb, aching sort of pain and she wanted beyond anything for Sirius and Indigo to stop yelling. James seemed to read her mind.

"Guys, this isn't helping Lily. She needs some rest. The last thing she needs is you guys arguing with her over whether to tell Dumbledore or not. Let's just get back to school, and we'll talk about it there, okay?"

Sirius looked at James defiantly then looked at Lily and started nodding his head slowly. Indigo just looked at Lily in astonishment, nodded curtly, then turned on her heel to keep walking. The boys followed her lead.

**********

As the four of them entered the Gryffindor common room later that evening, James was still carrying Lily. She felt the eyes of everyone occupying the room fall on her and James. She tried to ignore the fact that people were now grinning knowingly and whispering to each other from behind their hands. Someone made a suggestive, catcall-type sound as Lily tried to ignore the fact that a warm, prickly flush was now creeping over her cheeks.

"Er, I think I'll be able to manage now, thanks James," she said swiftly.

She wanted to get out of this situation as quickly as possible. She'd never much liked being the centre of attention - not like James and Sirius did.

"Are you sure? I could carry you up to your dorm?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Anyway, you can't come up, you of all people should know that."

"Ha, and just what are you trying to insinuate, madam? Well, if you're sure you'll be okay..."

"Yeah, positive."

"I'll help her up anyway," added Indigo.

James reluctantly smelt the scent of Lily's hair one last time as he placed her carefully back down on the ground.

"Well, I guess I should get some sleep. You know, if I want to attend the Ball and the party and ... stuff." She felt herself blushing again slightly.

James smiled at her. "Yeah, you go. And Lily, honestly, if you don't feel up to it on Saturday, we don't have to go."

"Oh no, she'll be there!" Indigo piped up quickly as she walked towards the girls' dorm stairs. Like she was going to let that happen after all her hard work.

"Right, well..." James looked at Lily again. They were standing facing each other by the bottom of the stairs. "I guess this is good night, then."

"Um, yeah, I guess it is."

Why was this so awkward thought Lily? Probably due to the fact that you want to pounce on him at this very moment, she told herself. Unbeknown to Lily, James seemed to be thinking along the same lines, but was still recovering from when he'd tried to kiss her in fifth year. He decided to keep up 'the friendship' thing until the after party. Then he would just...tell her.

"Well, goodnight!" He said this a little too heartily and patted her on the side of her arm quickly, knowing if he stayed a moment longer he may lose all sanity and swoop in to snog her. He then turned to walk off back towards Sirius who was obviously telling Peter and Remus about what had happened, due to his over dramatised and candid hand movements.

"Er, James! Wait!" Lily held out her hand and touched the back of his shoulder. He froze in mid-motion then swivelled on the spot to meet her gaze; a surprised expression on his coy face.

"I...just um...well, thanks for, y'know." Oh god, had she really just said that?

"Anything for you, Lily," he said quietly, looking at his feet.

She decided his newfound modesty was just too cute to resist. Temptation got the better of her.

It happened in a split second when she thought back on it later, but it felt like it all happened in slow motion at the time.

She grinned at his rosy cheeks and edged a little closer to him. He was still looking at his feet. Biting her lip, she placed a hand tenderly on his shoulder and stood up on her tiptoes in order to be level with him. She still found herself to be considerably shorter, however. She lent in towards his face and veered off to his cheek where she planted a significantly soft kiss, letting her lips linger inches from his skin for a second longer.

"Thanks," she whispered in close proximity to his ear.

Pulling back, she saw his hazel eyes glinting at her in complete shock yet at the same time with a sort of longing that was daring her to give him more. She noticed the specks of gold floating around in his hazel orbs and smiled shyly.

Then she mentally shook herself, planting her feet squarely back on the ground again, removed her hand from his shoulder and walked off rather briskly up the stairs to the girls' dormitories. Her face was now completely the same colour as a lush Poppy.

Turning her head slightly, she looked back and grinned as she saw him still rooted to the spot, looking at her in a daze. She bit her lip again to stop herself from giggling like a little schoolgirl as she heard someone who suspiciously sounded like Sirius Black give a whoop of delight.

But James hadn't heard Sirius. He couldn't. The ringing in his ears was far too loud to hear anything else. He watched as she promenaded up the staircase and disappeared into her dorm. His face was as warm as a mug of hot cocoa and tingling on the spot where Lily had just kissed him.

Kissed him? Him!

Lily Evans had just kissed him, James Potter for the first time in his life where a neck brace and crutches didn't figure in the equation. Still in a daze, he stared at her dorm room door, lost for words and reached his hand up to cradle the cheek where she'd just kissed him

"The word is dither, Prongs." Someone slapped him on his back.

"Huh?" James hadn't even turned to face Sirius, he was still avidly watching Lily's closed dorm door as if in hope that she may come hurtling back down at any given moment to snog him senseless. But alas, to no avail.

"Dither. As in, all of a."

James shook his head and turned to face Sirius. "What?"

"Oh, don't worry...Prongs, you're in!"

"How...I...She's...she..."

Sirius raised his eyebrow. "...She's fallen for you?"

"But...I...I thought she'd only want to be friends!"

"Apparently not."

"But she used to hate me!"

"Apparently not...again."

"I...She said she'd go out with the Giant Squid before me!"

"Prongs, do you see a pattern forming here? She likes you. It's so obvious. Everyone can see it. Everyone can see that both of you are head over heels for each other except for yourselves! You told her you only wanted to be friends, but actually wanted more. And now she obviously wants more, as well! I swear, if you haven't snogged her by Saturday night, I'm seriously going to question your sexuality."

"But I was taking it slow, that was the plan!"

"You're acting like a girl."

"Pardon?!"

"You're getting all freaked out because you're smitten and now that this whole thing could be a reality, you're freaking out."

"Well excuse me, but I've never smitten - as you so eloquently put it - before. And I am not freaking out!"

"Whatever you say. The point here is tha-"

"Sirius, what have I told you about giving people advice?" Remus had appeared at James' shoulder with his eyebrows raised questionably.

"But Moony, c'mon! This is blatantly obvious." Sirius waved his hands around dramatically like he had been doing so earlier.

"Padfoot, did you ever stop to think that that kiss was just a thank you? Did you stop to think that if she wanted him to know how much she likes him she would have simply told him...and then snogged him?"

"Well, no."

"Hang on, so she does like me?" James' eyes lit up at what Remus had just said.

"Oh, well yeah. I mean Prongs, haven't you been paying attention?"

"See! I knew it!" Sirius crowed.

"Yes well done - would you like a golden star? However, you should still take it slow, James. I'd believe the reason why she's taking it so slow herself is because she's cautious of your...past." Remus patted James on the shoulder.

"What about my past?"

"Ever heard the term 'Player', Prongs? Or Man-whore perhaps?" Sirius grinned evilly.

"I am not!"

"No, you're not...anymore," grinned Remus wryly.

James looked incredulously from Remus to Sirius.

"So, I should just...keep doing what I was planning to do before that whole cheek kiss thing?"

"Exactly. Just tell her what you were planning to on Saturday night."

"Hey, why haven't you told me any of this?" Sirius asked in frustration at their confusing conversation. This was far too much like a girly heart to heart for him.

"Um yeah, that's due to the diagnosis of your foot in mouth disease, Padfoot." Remus grinned.

"I'm shocked! Well, what were you planning to say anyway?"

"Oh, uh...I was just going to tell her that this is for real and that I don't just want another a fling or anything."

"He's telling her he's serious," said Remus indifferently.

"No, I'm Siri - "

"Please please don't say it."

"Getting kinda old, yes? Okay. So you're telling her you're genuine?"

"Well -"

"Yes, yes he is." Remus replied for him.

"No fling whatsoever." James grinned broadly at the prospect.

Back in the girls common room, Lily was sitting, grinning on her bed. She'd decided she was going to take the plunge. She didn't care about his intentions. She'd deal with her broken heart at the time if it came down to that. If he was "Mr No-Strings-Attached Potter" than she could deal with that. Either which way, she had decided that she was going to have a fling with James Potter. She'd deal with the consequences later.