Monday breakfast was, to say the least, awkward. As soon as he entered he saw the entire hall turn silent for a good 10 seconds before going back to their food. Yeah, news traveled fast at Hogwarts. As he moved to his usual spot, he saw Lily enjoying a croissant and a cup of coffee. She noticed him and rolled her eyes playfully. At least she wasn't mad at him. He almost spoke too soon as he saw James plotting murder on his person, or that's what it looked like. A frowning Sirius Black didn't find much to add to it.
It sort of made him feel bad that Lily might've had the same treatment. But he reminded himself she was as strong, if not stronger than him, which is why she gave him that cheeky grin. As he took his breakfast, he did notice some gossiping at the Slytherin table at his expense. But it was mostly harmless banter, no foul comments. He was grateful for that, he had to think his status in Slytherin as seeker and Regulus' friend granted him some leeway.
On his way out he was met with a strange sight, a paper bird, and Harry had to smile thinking of its purpose. Lily. He let it land on his hand, after which it fluttered and folded into a small note.
Just sent you my little birdie to tell you the Slug Club will be meeting at 7:15 tonight. You know where Slughorn's office is right? Look sharp Harry-boy! Love, Lily.
She truly was incredible. But, 'love'? He had to stop his mind spinning from the possibility that Lily Evans was falling for him. No way.
-sSsSsSsSs-
Harry fiddled with his tie. He was wearing a gray shirt, but the deep green tie – in honor of Slytherin as Regulus had told him – was refusing to behave.
"Oh Peltier, you're giving me a headache!" Luci said jumping from the couch and running over.
"Sixth bloody year and can't fix a tie." She took the green piece of fabric from him and slung it around his neck. Her hands were fast and nimble. She clearly had practiced this before.
"Thanks."
"Can't have you looking like a Ministry reject representing our fine lot." She paused. "Heard your girlfriend is attending."
"She's not my-"
"Save it."
"Besides if it doesn't work out." She winked.
"Slytherin through and through are you?"
"You know I am." She tightened it around his neck, maybe a little too tight. "And so are you don't you forget it."
"Not with you to remind me." He chuckled. "Thanks again Luci."
She went back to the couch shaking her head.
Later he made his way to Slughorn's office at a brisk pace. As coincidence would have it he ran into Lily on the way there. Again she managed to catch him breathless. She was wearing a bright red cocktail dress and heels of the same color, her elegant legs emerging daringly from the flowing fabric. His eyes lingered on toned calves. If her outfit from Saturday had brought out her femininity, it was nothing compared to this. He had to really try not to gawk.
"Wow. Lily."
She slapped his arm. "Flirting already?"
"No. Just. You look incredible."
She blushed and he detected a hint of seduction in her mesmerizing eyes as they caught the light of the Hogwarts torchlight. "You look pretty dashing yourself, Harry."
"Let's not keep the good professor waiting," she said with a wink, "this'll be fun."
He knocked as Lily was holding his arm and Slughorn opened with his trademark smile. "Harry, Lily, good of you to join us. Bless your timing, everyone is already here."
Introductions were made. Three of the Sluggers – or whatever silly name Slughorn would have called his catches – had parents at the Ministry, shocker. One other he recognized as the Captain of the Ravenclaw team, a quick stringy girl with piercing blue eyes, and if Luci was to be believed a liking for foul play. The next was apparently the daughter of a potion master and quite talented herself. She was a younger Slytherin, but had kept quiet about the hubbub around Harry's inclusion. Two others were of prominent families and apparently model students, a girl from Hufflepuff named Sherry and a boy from Ravenclaw named Terrence.
Thankfully he was seated next to Lily. The conversation meandered over the parentage of the students, more particularly the three from the Ministry and the two from big name families. The veal souffle was no disappointment. He and Lily exchanged amused glances as the drudgery continued.
As the main course was served, wild boar with a side of cranberries, Slughorn directed his attention to Harry.
"Tell me. You're a bit of a mystery around here. What about your parents?"
Harry prepared to recite the story he had agreed upon in his head. "My parents lived in France for a long time. We moved to Britain wen I was six. They both work in a private capacity, often traveling, minor charms for personal use. They're very busy people so they arranged private tutoring from a young age. They still thought I should get the experience of a classical education, that's why they sent me here."
"How fascinating. Where did they study?"
Harry took a bite of the boar. Lily was right, the food was worth it. Clearly the Hogwarts kitchen had been better in earlier years.
"A very exclusive private school near Bordeaux."
Lily felt the need to chime in. "That's where they fell in love isn't it? Remember, you told me."
He nodded. "That's right."
Slughorn chuckled and sipped from his wine. "Wonderful isn't it, education bringing people together?"
Harry turned to Lily and saw her grinning.
Nearing desert the conversation turned to quidditch and it was as he took a bite from his cream puffs he felt a leg, Lily's leg, rub up against his. He froze. All pretense went out the door that instant, she was playing footsie with him and he felt an erection forming in his pants.
His mind deliberated between running out the door and pinning her on the floor in front of the Slug Club. He snuck a side-way glance and could see her biting her lip, seemingly very interested in her cream puffs. He didn't have the constitution for these type of mind games. Not at all. He cleared his throat.
"Yes, Harry?" Slughorn said.
"Hmm. Sorry, dry throat."
"Well, by all means have some more wine."
He did and Lily was giggling something fierce. He did not think that was funny. Not one bit.
Thankfully it didn't take too long for the party to wind down. Lily had taken to running a finger along her neck and that too was not helping. He had to conjure images of Umbridge to placate his raging boner before he could stand up.
He was about to leave when he saw something that filled his veins with ice. On the chimney, out of view of the dinner table, was a single glass bowl, filled with a single goldfish. His heart sunk. Out there all along stood a single reminder that the bright young woman he had made a friend of, who he had been flirting with over the past few weeks was fragile, mortal. And if he didn't do something about it, she would be lost forever. The realization was almost too much as Slughorn interrupted his thoughts.
"Pretty isn't it?"
"Yes."
"A gift from our dear Lily. Amazing what one can do with charms. That's why she gets a place at this table, because she's the kind of person who would make such a gesture for an old man like me." He smiled.
Harry gave a half-hearted smile back. "Thank you professor, for inviting me."
Horace placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's my pleasure Harry. You keep up your studies and you'll find a place at this table as well."
Everyone else had left. Lily was standing behind him but he couldn't bear to face her right now. He made his excuses and left.
As he was about to round a corner he heard her voice. "Harry!"
He stopped. Tears had begun welling up in his eyes.
"Not very gentlemanly walking away from your date like that." She said with a hint of annoyance.
"Sorry." he said with a lump in his throat.
"Harry? Are you all right?"
He nodded but didn't face her.
"Harry."
He almost expected it. Before he knew what was happening he could feel the warmth of her lips on his. Not able to let go, he placed one hand on her hip pulling her closer. Her lips parted and a moment later all he could feel was her tongue entwined with his. She eased into it sensually, he asked for more. He pulled her body flush, felt her leg against his and she moaned into him. Her smell, her taste, drew him in deeper. Her perfume had a hint of cinnamon and it brought a warmth to his soul he never knew he needed. He savored the heat of her breath and all reason left him.
It must've taken a while for the kiss to end, because his breath was ragged when they parted. He put his hands on her arms and drunk in her entranced gaze. She took in a deep breath and let out a drawn-out sigh.
She laughed and he smiled.
"How do you keep surprising me like this, Harry?"
She put a single hand on his chest, stroking his tie. "I'll forgive you just this once."
"You're so kind." he replied.
Her infectious giggle felt like music to his ears and he laughed too.
"Don't go thinking you'll get more tonight." she said biting her cherry lip.
"Sweet dreams." she whispered, gracing his lips with a fluttering kiss.
She turned to the dorms and he took his time watching her walk away, he now noticed, heels in hand.
-sSsSsSsSs-
It's not that Harry didn't see the huge taboo that had just happened. It's not that he didn't see the flaw in involving her in his life so intimately. But he felt tired of being alone, tired of chasing misery. A year of war and 6 years of being hunted by Riddle had taken its toll. He had a taste of what 'normal' was like and it was like a torrent of glacier melt. Refreshing.
He felt guilty about lying to her. If he told her… He didn't want to think about it. It was much easier and more convenient to be the Slytherin Harry right now.
So when he saw her in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class the next day, he tried his best not to have a nervous breakdown.
Their teacher was a pleasant but terse young woman named Margaret Fiddlywinks. The order of the day was dueling. After half an hour of warm up exercises, volunteers were asked to step forward. Harry gave Regulus a pointed look and his friend gave an innocent look back, mouthing 'what'. During their exchange Lily had moved to participate.
"Yes, miss Evans. Anyone would like to take their chances?"
He saw Sirius whisper something to James as he made his way forward.
"Mr. Black, very well. You know the rules, no hexes, curses and show good sportsmanship."
They both stepped on the platform, but not before Sirius winked at a pleasantly round Hufflepuff girl and made her giggle. Harry shook his head, Sirius' reputation as a skirt chaser wasn't unwarranted.
Lily was deviously grinning and the friendly interplay was obvious as they presented their wands. They took their ten steps and Fiddlywinks gave the signal. "Draw!"
Harry clinically analyzed their movements. Sirius was practiced, but so was Lily. The shield spells were timed well and although neither exhibited unusual talent they managed to keep up well with the pace of combat. A stunning spell broke a vase startling just about everyone but Harry. Neither gained much ground until out of nowhere Lily managed a perfect wordless parry of Sirius' disarming spell, stunning him and sending him flying backwards.
He got up with a groan and they shook hands. Lily was beaming, and Harry was probably the only one who fully knew why.
More students took part, although none showed as much promise. James stepped up as well and disappointedly looked his way when instead a Ravenclaw student went to challenge him. Harry had to grin, there was no way he would give him the satisfaction, to the dismay of the Ravenclaw student who was hit with a particularly angrily uttered stunning spell.
When Regulus stepped forward he gave Harry a look meaning for him to accept the challenge. He couldn't refuse his friend.
As soon as the duel started it was clear that Regulus had taken his private tutoring very seriously. Stunning and disarming spells darted silently around the room as neither had the time to utter the incantations. This was as close to the real thing as he had experienced since he crossed the barriers of time and it was a brilliant display of Slytherin talent. As the minutes extended, it was clear Regulus didn't have the stamina of a war veteran. Deftly dodging one of Regulus' spells Harry found a target with a Jelly-Legs Jinx. He was breathing heavily, leaning on his knees and thankful to professor Fiddlywinks for undoing it.
To his credit Regulus didn't take his loss badly, he smiled as they shook hands and they both took a rest on one of the side benches as the final few students took their turn.
"You... never... told me... you were a... bloody dueling genius." Regulus panted.
"Right back… at you." Harry answered, they both laughed.
It could not be more clear how much of a tragedy it would be if Regulus Black joined Riddle in his fight. He was going to fix that. And he would need Lily to achieve it.
-sSsSsSsSs-
Harry sat at the dainty table thumping his leg nervously. This was the first time since their passionate good night he would meet in private with Lily. An irrational doubt did cross his mind that she wouldn't show.
He sipped from the tea he poured from the endless teapot. As he shakily put down his cup he heard the doors open.
"Unbelievable. It works." he heard Lily gasp.
He stood up. "Welcome to the Room of Requirement."
"Nearing six years at Hogwarts and never even heard a whisper of it. You are a mystery, Harry." she said as she embraced him.
He smiled at her, his worry about keeping her in the dark was nagging at him again.
They both sat down and he poured her a cup. "So? Have any ideas?"
She drank from her tea and answered. "Well, I was thinking we could find a common ground. Something they both like, to get them to talk."
He nodded. "Right. That's a good idea. What's their common ground?"
"They don't really have common friends, well except for us. Also it's not like they're typical model students so that's out of the question. Can't drop 'em off at the library with an assignment."
He grinned remembering the instance of how they met.
"Too bad Regulus isn't a girl, Sirius would've probably made a move by now."
Harry choked on his tea. She had a talent for catching him unawares.
Lily giggled. "Oh what? Too saucy for you?"
He laughed and caught his breath for a moment. "Wait. Sirius likes quidditch right?"
"Yes, he does. But he's a hardcore Gryffindor supporter, won't shut up about it it almost gets annoying."
"We're playing Gryffindor next week. Now, I'm not saying it's a foolproof plan, but can you get him to come to the Slytherin lockers after the match? If we win, at least he'll have to respect that."
She put a hand on his knee. "Are you so sure you'll win then?"
With the talk of plans and quidditch he felt his Gryffindor bravery surface. "Guess you'll have to watch me."
She smoothly put a hand on his neck and drew him closer. This wasn't the clumsy surprise kiss from Monday night. It was slow and passionate. Her tongue was warm and playful and she added to it by running her leg against his. When she pulled back she licked her lips and gave him a lustful look.
"Oh I will."
The heat from that kiss didn't really cool off when they caught up on the events of the past few days. The sweet way she held his hand was enough to short-circuit Harry's brain. All he could see was her and he was completely at ease.
As they said goodbye to leave for dinner, she drew him into another longing kiss. The whole way to the Great Hall his heart was jumping all over his rib cage.