Chapter Eight
James’ voice rang out through the near silent library, and Lily’s face tightened. Holly noticed however, a slight blush fell over her cheeks. Huh.
“I’ve gotta run,” Lily murmured, rolling her eyes. “I’ll talk to you soon about that study session okay?” Pressing a firm kiss to the top of her head, she took off weaving her way through the bookshelves to lose the Potter boy.
James bounded up to Holly with an excited grin on his face. He looked lovesick and Holly rolled her eyes. She got the sense she would be doing that a lot in the marauders presence.
“Elwood!” James exclaimed coming to stand in front of her, “You know my Lily? Are you two friends?”
Friends was a strange way to describe what she and Lily shared. They were bonded, definitely, and very similar, but Lily seemed more like a caretaker than a friend at times. Regardless, she wasn’t keen on explaining this to James Potter and his squad of boys.
“I suppose so. We walked to class together last year a lot because we shared classes, and… well, you know.”
The group of boys (minus Remus) looked at her stupidly.
“The- well the whole Dark lord thing? Muggleborns being targeted?”
Realization seemed to set in for Peter, but Potter and Black still looked lost. She refused to believe that they didn’t know what was happening in the world, certainly not with Black’s family being who they were. And honestly, could they be that oblivious?
“Why did you walk to class together? Why didn’t I notice you with my Lily?” James asked, his eyes wide and innocent. He really did just want to know, unfortunately he just seemed to be a bit dull.
“Prongs,” Remus butted in, “Perhaps, it's because you don’t notice anything but Lily? Ever? And they walked together because there’s safety in numbers.”
Holly opened her mouth to corroborate the story, but was cut off by Black who was looking at her with a new understanding.
“Oh.” He said, “You’re Muggleborn.”
Holly couldn’t help the way that her blood turned to ice, or the fear that crept into her veins at his words. She knew about Black's disownment last year, as did the rest of the school. But she also knew his family, who they were, what they did . She couldn’t help but remember what he was, a pureblood. Holly was confident in the fact Remus wouldn’t be friends with someone who was blood prejudice, but the difference was still there. She was a Muggleborn. The marauders were a mix of halfbloods and purebloods. Was she safe? Could she ever be sure?
Sirius Black seemed to catch on to the strange tilt of his words and grinned at her taking a barely noticeable step back.
“Well no matter, if you need us to walk you to classes we’d be happy to. No one around here messes with us.” He smirked confidently and Potter clapped his shoulder.
“That’s right, we’re the Marauders.”
Holly looked at them all a bit surprised at their willingness to take her to and from classes. She knew it was probably an empty promise, but it was a kind gesture nonetheless and she smiled to herself.
“I think I’ll be alright,” She said, “But I’ll be sure to extend your offer to Lily.” She smirked as Potter’s face lit up.
“Really? Do you think she’d take it? Do you know her well, the stuff she likes I mean? I could bring her things she likes when I see her-”
“You want to Pavlov her?” Remus asked with a snort, and Potter stared at him blankly. Holly supposed there wasn’t much of a curriculum for psychology here.
“Lily doesn’t really like things, like material items. Sure she likes gifts, but she doesn’t want to be showered in fancy things all the time. You’d be better off with a different plan.” Holly said, cracking her book open again. She knew they were here to talk about a prank, but maybe she could ignore them away. Truly she was exhausted, her sleep plagued with nightmares the night before and the sooner they left the sooner she could go back to her room and nap.
Potter was staring at her with wide excited eyes.
“Holly Elwood. Holly, Holly please. I have a wonderful idea.”
Holly stared up at James Potter with a sinking feeling in her stomach, and looked at Remus, who just laughed and shook his head.
“Will you help me win Lily’s heart? You help us plan pranks, you could help me plan my way into her heart! It’ll be fun!”
“.....Don’t use those puppy-dog eyes on me Potter.”
“Is that a yes?”
“...”