Up to No Good// James Potter

Chapter 12

When Marlene had calmed down, she left the boys and went in search of the brunette. However, when she walked into their shared dorm, all she found was a sleeping redhead.

"Lily," the blonde whispered shaking her gently. "Wake up, Lils."

Out of the three girls, Lily was the easiest to wake up. She was also the least dangerous. In fourth year, Sirius had once sported a black eye for a week after trying to wake up Vanessa. And while we are on the topic of sleeping Lily Evans, she was a really pretty sleeper. Anyone who had ever watched her sleep was forever jealous.

Letting her eyes flutter open, the redhead looked at Marlene who was sitting at the edge of her bed. "What's up, Marls? I was just taking a nap."

"You know you don't sleep at night whenever you take naps," the blonde chuckled. Lily only shrugged and smiled tiredly at her. "How long have you been sleeping?"

Confused by her question, Lily looked to the window trying to see how much darker it had gotten. "I'm not sure, maybe around half an hour. Why?"

"Did you see Vanessa come in here?"

The redhead was getting more confused by the second, "I heard the door open earlier, it might've been her. But she walked back out almost as soon as she came in. What's wrong, Marls?"

Marlene sighed deeply motioning for Lily to make room and letting herself fall back on the bed. "She came in all angry just now. I was in the common room with Sirius and Nessie came in and went right up the stairs ignoring us both. James came in behind her looking-"

At that Lily scoffed, "What did that prat do to her now?"

"He was just as confused as we were, I don't think it was him. Anyway, then that bitch Miller came and she was being her usual self so I'm pretty sure I broke her nose and then-"

"You what?!" Lily exclaimed, sitting up quickly. She shook her head, her two girls and their tempers.

Marlene, following her friends actions, sat up. "She called Nessie a slag and accused her of going after Lestrange for his money!"

The redhead's eyes widen and her jaw dropped, "I hope you got her good."

"I'm worried about her, Lily. I've never seen her like that."

"You're worried about Miller? You're the one that punched her!"

The blonde looked at her friend with a blank look. "And people think you're smart," she scoffed. "I'm talking about our girl, Lily. I'm talking about Vanessa."

Their conversation after that got a bit quieter and their yells could no longer be heard from outside the door. Vanessa felt a little guilty worrying them, she should've just pretend to be fine for a few more moments. Stupid Potter, she muttered even though she knew it wasn't his fault.

Taking her hand off the handle to her dorm, she walked back down the stairs and peered into the common room. There were a few scattered Gryffindors throughout, but no one that would pay her any attention.

That would've been true except for the boy sitting in front of the fireplace, who she didn't see. He probably wouldn't have seen her either except he chose the exact moment she passed by him to stretch.

"Wait, Wright. Hold up."

For a split second she considered pretending to not have heard him but decided against it in the end. Plastering a confident smile on her face she turned towards him. "Potter, sorry about earlier."

It was funny how well he knew her. Maybe it was because she was so much like Sirius or because despite everything, they had spent so much time together over the past five years. Whatever it was, he knew better than most people what each of her facial expressions and body language said.