"Really?" ~ A Jily Fanfiction

Chapter 3: Siriusly. . . a Motorcycle?

Yep, that's right. Sirius Black. Sitting on a dang motorcycle with aviator sunglasses. Lily couldn't speak from horror. That is, until Marlene nudged her. Of course, knowing Marlene, an elbow nudge is more of a stab with the olecranon.

"Really, Sirius? Marlene-" Lily started but was swiftly cut off.

"What do you mean, 'really,' Lils, darling? Don't you mean, 'Siriusly'?" came the standard snarky response. "Anyway, this isn't how we were supposed to mean. Let's redo this thing."

Sirius cleared her throat before whipping off his sunglasses. "Good morning, Evans. Like the ride?"

"This can't be happening," Lily muttered, glancing between the motorcycle and Marlene. "You never said he'd be here! And a motorcycle? Do wizards even drive these things?"

Marlene shrugged. "I told you transportation would be covered. C'mon, it'll be fun.

"Fun? What do you mean, fun? It's illegal, isn't it?"

Sirius smirked and patted the seat behind him. "Come on, Evans, live a little."

Lily snorted. As if his idea of "living" didn't involve at least three near-death experiences.

Lily took a step back, eyes darting between Marlene's expectant face and Sirius's smug grin.

"Live a little?" she repeated, incredulous. "You mean risking my life on that... that... thing?"

Sirius feigned a look of offense, placing a hand over his heart. "Evans, you wound me! This 'thing' happens to be a masterpiece of Muggle engineering, not to mention my pride and joy. She's even charmed for extra safety—mostly."

Lily narrowed her eyes. "Mostly?"

"Relax, Lils," Marlene said, rolling her eyes. "Trust me, he's a decent enough driver."

"Decent enough?" Lily scoffed. "That doesn't fill me with confidence."

Sirius grinned. "Don't worry, Evans, I promise not to let you fall—unless it'll make you hold on tighter," he said, with a wink. 

Lily groaned. "Shut it, Black."

"Yeah... I supposed James'd kill me... Oh, well."

Marlene climbed on behind Sirius. "Come on, Lily, you can trust Sirius... sort of. Besides, he swears he's only nearly crashed once."

Lily groaned again. "If I die, you guys had better pay for my funeral. I haven't saved up enough for this." Even so, she reluctantly climbed on behind Marlene.

"That's the spirit!" Sirius crowed. "Hold on tight, Evans. And for Merlin's sake, try not to scream."

Before Lily had a chance to regret her decision, Sirius revved the engine, and the motorcycle roared to life, rattling under her grip. She clutched Marlene's shoulders, her knuckles turning white.

"Ready, ladies?" Sirius called over his shoulder, flashing them a daring grin. "Next stop: the clouds."

"Wait—clouds?!" Lily shrieked. "You said nothing about flying!"

With a mischievous laugh, Sirius gripped the handlebars and muttered something under his breath. Suddenly, the motorcycle lifted off the ground, tilting upwards as it took to the sky.

Lily shrieked, then shrieked again.

Marlene turned her head and yelled over the roar of the engine. "For the sake of Merlin's younger sister! Shut up, Lily, or I'll push you off."

Lily ignored her. "Sirius Black, you are absolutely mental," she yelled. 

"What's that, Red?" He called back. "I can't hear you!"

"I SAID-" but Lily was cut off as Sirius abruptly changed direction. Down, instead of up. 

"YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL ME, SIRIUS BLACK," Lily yelled above the roar of the wind and the engine.

"JUST TRUST HIM," Marlene yelled back.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, TRUST HIM? THIS IS SIRIUS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT-"

Thud.

"See, Evans? I told you to trust me," Sirius said, grinning as he dismounted. "And admit it, you enjoyed yourself."

As they hopped off, Lily steadied herself, her legs slightly wobbly, but her face still lit with a lingering hint of excitement. Marlene grinned at her. "Told you it'd be fun."

Lily shook her head, letting out a reluctant laugh. "Alright, maybe just a little. But don't think this means I approve of that... death trap."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Death trap? This 'death trap' just gave you the ride of your life.  And, please. I prefer 'free-spirited chariot of freedom.'"

Lily rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Thanks, Black. But next time, I'm sticking to cars."

"Oh, Evans, where's the adventure in that?" Sirius winked, then shot a smirk at Marlene. "Ready for the summer of chaos?"

Marlene laughed. "Oh, this is just the beginning."

Suddenly, someone flung open the doors of the mansion with a grand flourish. 

"Welcome, to McKinnon Manor!"

And there, standing smugly in the doorway, with an all-too-familiar glint in his eye, was the last person Lily expected to see.

A/N: I don't think that even qualifies as a cliffhanger, as I'm sure you all know who it is. Still, it keeps up the suspense, no?