Emerald and Hazel

Chapter 12 - Past Encounters

James P.O.V

'Oh hey Marlene, where are you--'

I never finished my sentence as Marlene shoved me out of the way and started pounding on Lily's door.

Lily. I wasn't and didn't have any intention of speaking to Lily any time soon. I know I shouldn't be this mad about Lily's first kiss, but really? Snape. Of all people my mortal enemy! She could of chosen anyone, she could've chosen me! But she chose Snape. Does she have any idea how much an impact that has on my self esteem? Plus Lily is a bad habit. I spent six years chasing after that girl and all I got back was insults and reassurance that I was arrogant and egotistical and would never be a decent human being.

So I was finally going to try and move on. Trying to. So now my relationship with Lisa had become genuine and she was actually quite an nice and interesting girl.

'Lily!' Marlene's shouting brought me out of my deep and thought and I continued walking out of the common room only to be met with an out of breath Mary and Alice in tow.

'Have you-- seen-- L... ily?' Mary said catching her breath between words.

'I think she's in her room.' I said knitting my eyebrows together. Why does everyone want to know where Lily is?

It's not my problem anymore. You don't care.

You might
Oh sod off

The little voice in my head reappeared and quickly began walking again in hope that in my flurry of determination not to take the wrong stair case... again, that the little voice would disappear as if I had put my invisibility cloak over it.

'Hi.' Lisa walked up to me kissing me hello with a wide smile plastered on her face.

'Hey, you alright?'

'Mm-hm. But I need your help.' She said enthusiastically pulling a piece of paper from the daily prophet turning to stand beside me.

'What is it?' I chuckled.

'Dress robes silly,' she laughed, Lisa laugh was cute and girlish and those kind of laughs usually annoyed me but I was becoming slowly accustomed to it 'should I go with the violet colour, the magenta colour or the emerald colour?'

The word emerald immediately put me off and I instantly knew why.

'Violet.' I said simply, clearly my throat.

'Are you sure? Because I really like the emera--'

'Trust me, violet looks better on you. N--not that emerald doesn't, it's just that violet really brings out your eyes.' I tried to explain as she eyed me closely.

'So... violet?' She said reassurance once more.

'Yes, definitely.' I said completely sure of myself. She muttered okay and walked away smiling, filling out the form for delivery.

Good that I stopped her from picking emerald. Good, right? I mean violet does look good on Lisa and the last I wanted when I was attending the Yule Ball was to be reminded of Lily's eyes every time I looked at Lisa.

The Yule Ball... crap! I was supposed to be at a meeting right now arranging the Yule Ball for Christmas Eve! But how was I supposed to explain why Lily wasn't there? Oh well, I'll figure something out. What was Lily doing though? She never turns up late to meetings.

Lily's P.O.V

I was completely disoriented. For a moment it all felt so surreal that I squeezed my eyes shut hoping that I would wake up and this would have all been some twisted dream. But as I opened my eyes all that happened was tears streaked down my face and the muffled sounds coming from outside my door seemed completely irrelevant. Why should I care about that when I just found out my parents have just been murdered? Why I should I care when no one else does? Why should I tell them not to worry, or to go away or let them in when, nothing I could say to them could hurt more than this all consuming, dark, empty, haunting feeling that I can not even will myself to give a name?

I can't even find the strength to sob or shout or scream. All I can do is let the tears stream down my face.

The next thing I feel is a mass of arms warp around me and it shocks me how seeing the faces of my three best friends can give me the strength to sigh.

'Lily. I'm so sorry about your parents. Do you need anything?' Alice asked looking at me worriedly.

I shook my head sure enough that if I tried to speak I would break down.

'Lils. It's okay, you don't have to be strong in front of us. We're your best friends.' Marlene added in the nicest voice I've ever heard her use and Alice and Mary nodded in agreement sitting beside me.

'I--it j...just hurts.' I cried and the tears became more rapid and one forced its way out after another. No matter how hard I tried to resist and stop them they refused to halt and flooded down my face soaking my grey skirt.

They all hugged me tightly once more and muttered that they knew how I felt and I feeling of warmth that they all gave me soon passed and I no longer wanted to be the centre of attention.

'Okay,' I wiped my eyes, my voice still croaky 'I'm fine. Well I'm not, but I will be.' I nodded and forced a small smile but my face quickly fell again as it caused me physical pain to smile when I felt so depressed.

'Well, we'll go talk to Professor McGonagall for you.' Mary said before hugging me again.

I nodded and they all hugged me... again, and retreated to class.

Ten minutes later Professor McGonagall knocked on my door and talked with me about my current situation.

'Now, I assume you will need some personal time to... heal?' Professor McGonagall eyed me carefully to see my reaction whenever she mentioned my parents.

'Erm, yes, Professor if it's okay.' I was half hoping Professor McGonagall would force me to go to class and interact with my friends and talk to everyone... and James. But I don't have the strength for that and I think she knew that.

'As long as you need Miss Evans.' She smiled kindly at me and walked out.

I went to sit on my bed and rolled onto my back and tried to sleep. After half an hour of failing to fall asleep I picked up the book sitting on my bedside table.

I began reading it and realise I never bought this book. Confusion replaces every else in my brain and I flip to the front cover again and realise that I hadn't bought this book but I know who has.

*Flashback*

It was one week after I'd received my letter about becoming Head Girl, in Diagon Alley.

'Oh my goodness! Lily come look at this' Mary gestured me towards a new set of charms books labelled 'The finest works of Merlin and his remarkable creations'.

'Oh! I've been waiting for these to come back in stock for ages!

'You should get one as long as I can borrow it!' She said hopefully

'Oh I would but I only bought enough money for my school books, 9 galleons 5 knuts' I said suddenly a little annoyed

'Well I'd be happy to pitch in, for a price of course' I flinched at the voice I knew all too well. Potter.

*End of Flashback*

He bought it for me. I didn't think he actually would. How long has this been here? And what did he mean when he said 'for a price of course' ? I mean with James everything came with a price but he was hardly talking to to me these days. Wait let me rephrase that - he doesn't talk to me these days. And that obviously the way he wants it.

To be happy with Lisa. So what do I do with this then? It's an amazing book and I only read one page and that was only the introduction. Do I give it back? Do I thank him?

I'm definitely tired enough to sleep now. I closed the book and placed it on my bedside table and my head fell against my pillow. And I was grateful for the comforting sound of the rain against my window as I drifted into sleep.

A/N so that's chapter 12. I finally went back to what James said in Diagon Alley. Which is good because I had so many ideas I almost forgot about that! Anyway, vote and comment and tell me what you think. Thank you xx