Afflictus

Rubius Draught

--James's POV--

Don't talk to her. You can't. You won't. Wow, she looks pretty. OH BLOODY HELL! CONTROL POTTER! I went through this mental conflict, as I sat down at the breakfast table. I promised myself that I would try to get over Lily, but it was so hard. Just thinking about it seemed impossible. But this was the last year at Hogwarts, and once I start getting over her, I could be with anyone, and eventually leave to become an auror, forgetting Lily, and leaving her behind all together. I picked up a glass full of juice. I didn't even know what it was. I was just focusing on not looking at Lily. I told myself I would do it in baby steps, first not talking to her, not looking at her, avoiding her, finding some other girl to be with. But the first step itself proved to be a monumental task for me. "Morning, James." her sweet voice broke through my cloudy thoughts. Lily was sitting opposite to me, waiting for an answer. I swallowed hard. I stuffed a piece of bread in my mouth, and kind of nodded my head in acknowledgement. Sirius gave me a weird look, and so did Emma and Grace.

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--Grace's POV--

James was being very awkward for the past day. He wouldn't even greet Lily this morning. I nudged Emma. "What's with Potter?" I whispered. She shrugged and looked at Remus. She lifted her eyebrows, and motioned to James with them. Remus bit his lip and had a look of worry on his face. Emma whispered back to me. "I think he's trying to get over Lily." My eyes went wide. "What?!" I whispered back a little too loud. Sirius and Lily looked at me. I smiled awkwardly and stuffed food in my mouth, and Emma kicked me under the table.

The most silent breakfast of our lives was now over. I had Runes, Emma had divination. Lily had potions with James and Sirius. She looked at James, but he looked away, and walked. Sirius followed. Lily frowned and looked at us. "What's with him? I can't be the only one that notices that!" She sounded so hurt. I looked down, and Emma denied any knowledge of James. Lily bit her lip, and walked away. I gave Emma a worried look and she returned the look, but we knew better than to follow her, "Besides, we have classes to attend." Emma said my thoughts out loud. I sighed. "He should talk to her. It's not fair." I complained. Emma sighed. "All is not fair in love." She said before she gave me knowing look and walked to divination.

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--Lily's POV--

I walked into class not a few seconds behind James and Sirius, and who do I meet? Amos Diggory. Well hello! I say annoyed in my head. He leans over the doorway. "Hi Lily. it's been a long time." I smile, he smiles along with me. "I have been watching your pretty smile." He starts, he leans in closer and I pull away a little. "Remember Hogsmeade? We can't go as strangers." He mused. "We're not strangers." I said, getting a little uncomfortable. Not today Amos. I was emotionally and mentally exhausted. "We're not friends." He called. He leaned in to kiss me, and without even thinking I turned. His warm lips touched my cheeks, and slowly pulled away. "Baby steps." He whispered before letting me walk past.

WHAT IN THE NAME OF HOLY MERLIN?! DID AMOS JUST KISS ME? DID I TURN AWAY FROM IT?! YOU WANTED HIS KIDS!!!!

BUT HE KISSED ME!!!!!!!!

I stand there in the doorway speechless. I look for a free seat to sit on before I fall of the floor. I lock eyes with James. He looks shocked, and almost angry, but in front of him was a free seat. A free seat next to Sirius. I knew I couldn't stand, so I wobbled my way to the bench, and sat. I sat down, and I saw Sirius open his mouth, but no words left, as the teachers voice rang through the class. "Morning, class! Now we have no time to waste. Get your couldrons ready. We will be brewing the Rubius Draught." The class went silent. "You will see the recipe on page 792, and all the necessary materials laid out in front of you. I have only left one per bench, as you will be working in pairs." Every word he said today only made it worse. Isn't it poisonous? I mentally questioned. I looked at the ingredients on the table, mandrake root, ethermine. All corrosive within a second of impact. "Professor! Isn't this acid deadly?!" A child asked from the back row. "Yes, yes it is. This is why, today I will be expecting your best behaviour. No tom foolery! Understood?" She looked at James specifically while saying that. "Someone could get seriously injured. And if you do, you will be in detention once you get out of the hospital wing - if you even manage to get out of the hospital wing - for the rest of the year!" She boomed, making everyone more scared. The class was whispering. I thought out loud in a whisper. "What in Merlin's name is she trying to do to us? Half of us can't even pour pumpkin juice straight."