The Chaser: a Marauder's Era Jily Fanfic

Chapter Eight

James stood there, just staring at me, astonished. I wished he'd say something. I blushed, and turned my head to hide it.

"Would you say something, please?!" I said, reflexively after looking back at him to see he was still staring at me dumbstruck. A flush creeped onto his face, too.

"Yeah, erm, well, thanks," he said finally.

"Yeah, I'll see you then, then," I replied, lamely. After a smile, I went as fast as I could down the corridor before breaking into a run after I was out of his sight. I slowed down upon entering the Great Hall, and realised the smile hadn't ever left my face. Marlene looked suspiciously at me as I sat down between her and Mary.

"Why are you...smiling?" She asked, almost disgusted.

"Good morning to you, too, sunshine! Isn't a girl allowed to smile?" I drank some pumpkin juice.

"No," said Marlene, shaking her head.

"Not you," added Mary. I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks," I said, sarcastically. "Its nice to know how your friends react when you're happy."

"No, it's just... Well, why are you so smiley, anyway?"

"No reason in particular," I lied. It's not like I could keep the secret forever, though.

"Yeah, not falling for it, what about you Mar?" Mary was skeptical.

"Nah, most definitely not," Marlene agreed. "So, what's up, Lil?"

"I said, nothing," I tried again. "It's a lovely morning!" I realised that adding that sealed my fate: It was dreary, overcast, and foggy.

"Mmm? Yeah, you can lie better than that, Lil," Marlene said, looking pained by my unsuccessful lie. "So, it's obviously important, or she wouldn't've made such a foolish mistake... My guess: James?"

"Of course not!" I said, a little too quickly.

"Don't insult our intelligence! We might not be as smart as you, but we aren't like--"

"Mar!" Mary interrupted, with a warning. I was pretty sure Marlene had been just about to say 'Snevillus', who had been stupid enough to call me, 'Mudblood'.

"Anyway," Marlene recovered, hastily. "James."

"Alright, alright, fine!" I said, holding my hands up in surrender. "Yes, it's James!"

There was a pause. "What about James?" I didn't reply.

"No, surely not," Marlene said. "You're not gonna tell us it's James, and not say what happened? Did he ask you out? Kiss you? It's just cruel not to tell us!" Mary nodded frivolously in agreement. I smirked, and got up from the table, leaving their disappointed, disbelieving faces behind me.

I had only barely made it into the Entrance Hall when they caught up with me.

"C'mon, Lil!" Mary urged me, holding onto my arm.

"He asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him, I said yes," I said, as if I were telling them the correct way to brew a Sleeping Solution.

"I knew it!" Marlene screamed. They both started laughing, and I rolled my eyes before joining them.