epiphany, james potter

8.

tw: Lily musty Evans

To say that Hogsmeade was a mess was an understatement, it was utter chaos.

James walked her home after they ate dinner, it was quiet and dark but his presence calmed her down in a way.

He didn't feel overbearing or awkward to her, he just felt like she was safe.

Lyla smiled her whole way to class, defense against the dark arts to be exact, thinking of the way her day ended last night. She tried not to let Luke's word get to her, but they were still remaining in the back of her mind.

She walked into the classroom, going towards her normal seat with Lily and Marlene, when she went to sit down though, Marlene put a bag in her spot.

Lyla laughed and pretended to shove the bag off the chair, "Very funny guys, seriously move it."

Lily just glared and Marlene scoffed, "Don't act like you don't know what you did."

"What are you talking about?" Lyla raises her eyebrows.

Lily snarks, "You're a bad friend Black. Find somewhere else to sit."

Lyla just sighs confused, "Whatever."

James hits Sirius in the ribs with his elbow while whispering, "Move it Pads, this will be good for the plan."

James looks towards Lyla, "Lyla! Sit with me."

Lyla looks at Sirius, he fake smiles, "All yours."

She smiles awkwardly and sits down next to James, "I don't understand why Lily's mad at me."

James rolls his eyes, "In my opinion she's kind of dramatic."

Lyla nods but then stops, "She's still my friend. I shouldn't think like that."

"It's not bad to think it if it's true." James reasons, "I hope you're good at defensive magic, I'm pretty bad."

Lyla smirks, "I'm pretty good if I do say so myself."

James laughs, "Okay miss know it all."

Lyla rolls her eyes, "It's not bad if it's true." She mocks his earlier words.

"Class, today we will be performing disarming charms, your partner will be the  classmate you're sitting with." Professor Elaine announces.

Professor Elaine calls up a few pairs of students to demonstrate the spell, such as Lily and Marlene, Sirius and Remus, and a Slytherin named Narcissa who was technically Lyla's cousin was called up with her partner, Lucius.

Eventually Lyla and James were called up, and Lyla stood with full confidence that she would beat him.

The two turned their backs on each other, and Professor Elaine did a countdown of three. James immediately casted the Expelliarmus spell on her, which was a mistake on her part.

"Expelliarmus!" He shouted raising his wand.

Lyla blocked it easily, "Protego!"

She took his momentary pause as a easy way to win, "Expelliarmus!" She shouted and grinned when his wand was throw out of his hand.

He rolled his eyes dramatically, and he held out a high five, "Nice job Black."

"Thanks Potter, you weren't bad." Lyla compliments with a smirk.

They head back to their seat, and they watch the rest of their classmates fail or succeed.

The two smile and try to conceal their laughs while watching others fail miserably.

After class was over James and Lyla bid their goodbyes, while Lyla was leaning over to grab her books, she saw a large pair of boots standing by her face.

She glanced up to see her red headed friend with an enraged look on her face, "We need to talk Lyla."

"Uh sure." Lyla pauses, "I don't understand why you're mad though."

Lily just grabs the sleeve of Lyla's jumper, "Just come on Lyla."

Lyla follows aimlessly behind Lily, not necessarily having a choice in the matter.

Lily shoves Lyla into the broom closet, glaring at her angrily, "That was fucking low Lyla."

Lyla furrows her brows, "What are you talking about?"

"You know I like him." Lily says her voice cracking from anger.

"What?" Lyla pauses, "Oh James."

Lily fake smiles, "Yeah James you stupid bitch, why would you go on a date with him?"

Lyla's lips gape at Lily's rudeness, "It wasn't a date." She snarls.

"Yeah sure it wasn't, I bet you fucked him. Is that right you whore?" Lily spits.

"Okay you're out of line Lily." Lyla tries to reason, "You're being really mean."

Lily's jaw clenches, she raises her hand and slaps Lyla directly across her cheek, causing Lyla's face to move to the side slightly.

"What the hell is wrong with you!" Lyla shoves Lily back, "I can't believe you're acting this crazy about a boy."

"He isn't just a boy!" She screams at Lyla.

Yeah she was starting to realize that.