Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

They didn’t start their nightly rounds until two weeks later. The teachers were giving the students some time to fit into their schedules, and the rules, because making the Head Girls and Boys begin their job. Lily had been dreading this time, but it had to happen sooner or later.

The rain was pounding against the windows, and a cold draft blew through the hallway as Lily sat on a bench waiting for James. They had agreed to meet at 9:00 just outside of the Gryffindor common room. She checked her watch it was five of, as she lowered her arm the portrait swung open and out walked James.

“Hey,” he said with a smile. They had only talked a few times, but they were so brief, James didn’t even count them as conversations.

“Ready?” Lily asked him rising up from the bench, trying to show she was only interested in doing their job, and not playing friends.

“Yeah, McGonagall said---“ James began.

“To keep an eye on the kitchens, the astronomy tower, though it is raining outside, and the doors that lead outside,” Lily interrupted as they headed down the stairs.

James mocked her for a brief second behind her back before following her down. He wondered why she was so uptight about everything. She hardly had any friends, well close friends. Lily was very popular in class, but outside of class her friends were few.

“I guess we can head to the kitchens first, catch people trying to get a late night snack,” Lily replied walking down toward the kitchens.

James followed along, feeling awkward in the silence. He amused himself by making faces at the portraits as they passed, and watched how their inhabitants reacted, some even went as far as following him down the hall making faces back at him.

Lily did not notice this, and it was a good thing for James, because she probably would have come back with a nasty comment. Without thinking twice, she tickled the pear on the door, and watched it swing open.

“Whoa Evans, you know about this? I figured a goody-two-shoes like you would have never known that trick,” James said as a few dozen elves flooded out.

“I am not dead you know, I do get hungry,” Lily quipped before thanking the elves as they brought her cookies, and milk, as she checked around for any students.

“Here,” Lily said shoving a cookie into James’ hand as she walked down the hall cramming one into her mouth.

James smirked, and ate the cookie as he followed her, jogging to catch up. “Thanks for the cookie,” he said taking the last bite.

“I don’t like white chocolate,” Lily replied nonchalantly as she headed towards one of the side doors that was slightly open, and she caught a whiff of smoke.

“Oh..er…well still thank you,” James said then froze when she pulled out her wand. Come on. What did I say now? James thought as he fumbled around for his wand. “Look whatever I said to upset you I’m sorry…” he said finally fishing his out just in case.

“You didn’t say anything wrong, now hush,” Lily hissed as she pushed open the door. There she found a younger girl, her shirt half untucked, and unbuttoned, pushed up against a wall with a guy leaning on her, a lit cigarette in his hand.

“Alright inside the both of you,” Lily said over the roaring rain. Honestly, if they weren’t protected from the rain from an overhang of the castle, she would have been angrier.

“Keep your knickers on,” the boy said before getting off the girl, and walking inside. The girl followed a few moments after buttoning up her shirt, giving Lily and James a nasty glare before taking a seat on the bench next to the boy.

“Names,” Lily said, since James seemed to shocked to do anything at the moment.

James looked at the scene, and honestly he was embarrassed to have walked in on that. He was glad to have Lily there since she had taken charge of the situation.

“Lynn Heaton,” the black haired girl said as she smoothed out her ruffled hair, and tried to get rid of the wrinkles on her shirt. “Ravenclaw sixth year.”

“Geoffrey Randal, Slytherin, seventh year,” the boy said taking a puff of his cigarette. Lily flicked her wand, and it was gone, leaving only a small wisp of smoke behind.

“Ravenclaw? I would have thought you would have been smarter than this,” Lily replied as she pulled out prewritten pieces of parchment to write out their names, years, houses, what they did, and their punishment.

“Just because you don’t get any attention from guys, doesn’t mean no one can.” The girl quipped with a snigger.

“She’s too uptight, and boring, not to mention homely,” the Slytherin boy said, causing the girl to collapse into a fit of giggles.

“Aey! Hush up!” James finally said glaring at the two of them. He glanced at Lily, watching her hand twitch slightly at the comment, before continuing acting as if nothing had happened. “That was inappropriate and unneeded.”

That hurt. Lily held back her tears; she didn’t want to give them the satisfaction that she knew they were craving, or cry in front of Potter. “You have detention for the next two days, and five points have been deducted from each of your houses,” Lily replied shoving the pieces of parchment at them.

“Make it ten each for those comments,” James replied watching them groan, and walk off in separate directions towards their respective houses.

“There was no need for that comment,” James said as he followed Lily down the hall.

“It’s fine,” Lily said staring at the ground as they walked along the hallway, heading back toward Gryffindor tower. Their duty was short this night, since McGonagall wanted everyone to have a taste of the work, while teachers were still roaming the halls. At ten the Ravenclaws were to start their rounds.

“But seriously Lily you don’t believe…” James tried to say.

“I said it’s fine Potter,” Lily replied as she climbed the stairs, her pace started to get faster until it was a brisk jog. She said the password, and quickly went to her room, shutting the door behind her before James could catch up.

“Lily!” James called after her, but it was no use she was gone. That really wasn’t fair what those other people said, though it was true she was a bit uptight, she was far from homely. He actually thought she was the prettiest person in the school.

Lily sat on her bed, and grabbed a pillow as she cried. So she was always worried about her grades, it didn’t mean she was uptight, she just didn’t have time for a boyfriend. Boys paid her plenty of attention she assured herself, and tried to tell herself she wasn’t homely. James had even said it wasn’t true, but James always tried to get girls on his side.

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James went to talk to the Marauders about his first night on rounds, and told them everything that had happened.

“I should go talk to her,” Remus said closing his book and grabbing his cloak.

“Why? She wouldn’t even talk to me,” James said eying him slightly.

“Cause we’re friends, and that’s what friends do,” Remus said staring back at him, a bit surprised he was asking his motive. “Jealous?” He asked him as he fastened the button on his cloak.

“No, she just seemed really upset, and I’m sure she doesn’t want to talk to anyone,” James said with a shrug. “Do what you want.”

“Well she really is uptight mate,” Sirius said as he flipped through his school book attempting to do some homework.

“I know, it still wasn’t nice,” James replied ruffling up his hair a bit.

“Maybe she needs a good lay you know? Someone to make her relax,” Sirius said casually.

“Shut up,” James said with a snip in his voice.

“What? I am just saying. Maybe I could get her to loosen up,” Sirius said. “Since you are over her and all. She is pretty damn good looking; she’s got some nice long legs, and a rack that tops my list.”

James just scowled behind his magazine but didn’t say anything.

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“Lily?” Remus called knocking lightly on her bedroom door. He had the password to the Heads’ common room since he visited James often, and studied with Lily once or twice.

“H-hang on,” Lily called as she sat up and began to wipe off the makeup that had run, and fixed her clothing. She opened the door, and smiled slightly at the bronze haired boy.

“Hey,” he said quietly walking in when she stepped aside, and she shut the door behind them. “Are you alright?” Remus asked taking a seat on her bed when she pointed to it.

“I’m fine,” Lily said taking a seat next to him, sitting Indian style so she could face him.

“Lily…” he said cocking his head slightly so his hair fell in his eyes.

“Alright, alright, I’ve been better,” she said giving in, pulling her pillow into her lap, resting her hands on them.

“Don’t listen to what they said you know it isn’t true,” Remus said tilting his head back upright.

“You’re only saying that because you’re my friend,” Lily replied shaking her head, though a small smile had appeared.

“No I’m not. You aren’t friends with James, and even he said it isn’t true,” he reasoned with a small smirk. James couldn’t hide it from him, even if he denied liking Lily, deep down Remus knew he still did. Who wouldn’t? He had to admit he had a small crush on her, though he only wanted to keep things friendly between them.

“James just wants in my pants,” Lily shot back.

“Well that still means he thinks you’re pretty,” Remus teased, and he rocked back slightly at Lily’s shove.

“Shut up,” she replied, though she was laughing.

They talked for a good while, and somewhere in the distance, the Hogwarts clock tolled eleven. “I should get going,” Remus said rising up from the bed stretching a bit.

“Yeah, test tomorrow,” Lily said with a smile getting up off the bed as well to see him out. When they made it to the door, Lily stopped him from leaving. “You’re a great friend Remus,” she said quietly, getting on her tip toes to hug him lightly. Goodness, when did he get so tall?

“It’s what friends are for,” Remus replied, hugging her back lightly. When he let go, both of them saw James sitting on the couch looking at them.

James couldn’t help but glare slightly at Remus. Why am I so jealous? They are just friends. And plus Lily hates me anyways. James thought to himself as he watched them. When he was caught, he quickly resolved to looking at the fire.

“See you tomorrow,” Lily said to Remus, and waved to him. When James looked up, she felt awkward not doing anything, so she waved and smiled at him before shutting her door.

“Weird, she hates you one minute, and is nice the next,” James muttered to himself.

“It’s what girls do,” Remus said, smirking at James’ reaction. Obviously he thought he had been quiet. Without another word Remus left, and James headed up to bed.