Downhill Lullaby (Marauders Era) {WIP}

Chapter Two: The Boy in Green

Lily and I are seated outside in the courtyard, tucked away in a corner from the masses of people gathered here too. The late summer sun hangs low in the sky, casting shadows all across the courtyard. It's almost Autumn and the Summer is slipping away fast, hence why everyone is trying to make the most of the afternoon sun. I watch Sirius, James, Peter and Remus stand around in a small circle talking gregariously to one another, mischief ripe in Sirius's expression meaning they are all up to something. Better if I don't know, but I hope it doesn't involve Severus this time.

"What do you think they're up to?" My gaze remains fixated on the group as I try to pick up any hints of what they are about to do.

"I'm not sure I want to know." Lily replies back. I can tell she's annoyed, she's barely spoken a word since we've been sitting here and her and James haven't talked for the past two days, and Lily hasn't budged on telling me why. "I just hope it has nothing to do with Severus." She sighs.

"My thoughts exactly."

The group is laughing loudly now, but I notice Peter whispers something to the others.

"It's definitely about Severus, Lily."

Lily has a soft spot for Severus. I'm not entirely sure why, but James seems to make his life living hell for no apparent reason. Before I wander to deep into thought, Lily nudges me as she jumps up from where she was sitting before, her cheeks flushing a deep red almost matching her ginger hair.

"Lily, what are you doing?"

"Teaching those idiots a lesson."

I scramble to my feet, in a pathetic attempt to try and prevent Lily from ripping James into pieces. I grab her arm but she shakes my grip off with ease.

"Lily, I don't think this is a good idea. You know how those boys are!" I say frantically, trying to keep up with her fast pace.

"Lily are you-" Lily cuts me off before I can finish.

"JAMES!" Lily yells, her voice booming throughout the courtyard, catching almost everyones' attention. Sirius laughs and James shifts awkwardly on his feet before resorting back to his some-what arrogant persona.

"Lily. Was there really a need for you to yell at me?" He says cheekily, obviously finding this amusing as is almost everyone else in the courtyard. Sirius mouths to me; "What is this all about?", to which I shrug my shoulders a little puzzled myself.

"I know you're scheming about something to do with Severus," Lily is now writhing with anger, her cool and collected temperance far-gone. "Why can't you boys just ever leave him alone? Is that all you can resort too to pass time? Bully my friend?" I notice Sirius look at the ground awkwardly. This means he has a part in it too.

"Look, Lily. He's not your friend, he's just a freak. Stop deluding yourself." James replies back, seemingly unshaken by Lily's fire.

Lily scoffs. "James, who are you to tell me who are my friends and who are not?" Lily is bright-red now, her arms crossed tightly across her chest and very irritated.

"Look that's not what I meant-"

"Then what did you mean James? Please, enlighten me." Lily is fired up right now and I know I should step in and do something before this conversation gets uglier. I grab one of Lily's arm with force and pull her away from James and the crowd that has begun to form around us.

"The shows over! Move on." I yell out, and the crowd dissolves within seconds, disappointment obvious that the situation didn't escalate any further.

"Lily, I understand your angry-"

"Do you really, Opal? Otherwise you would've realised this isn't about me, it's about protecting Severus and you shouldn't have stopped me." Lily fires back at me. I try not to take it personally because I know she is still heated from her spectacle with James.