Chapter Five: Aquatica Petrolious

*Lily was amazed. Andrea seemed to eat up James’ every word, and within no time at all she was setting fire to the quill and summoning her books from across the room. As Lily watched James, she realized he was a natural teacher. He could captivate his student and help focus them. He could see where they were going wrong in their spells, and then figure out ways to help them correct the errors. All in all, Lily wasn’t so sure James Potter was half as bad as she had originally thought he might be.

He was even polite to Andrea. She already knew what he thought of her, but was surprised to learn that James was good at hiding his feelings. Poor Andrea had no idea that not only three days earlier James and his friend had been laughing at her.

“Well, I think you’ve got the spells down for now.” James stated suddenly.

“Oh? Maybe we could just keep working a little longer?” Andrea looked up at James hopefully.

“Why? If you have it perfect, there’s not much else I can do for you.” James laughed.

“Just because, well, maybe we could take up another half hour or so. You know, really practice.” Andrea pressed. James looked at her hard. She almost looked… desperate. Then it struck him. Andrea was afraid of Lily Evans. Not that he could blame her, but still…

“She isn’t as bad as she looks Andrea. Give her a chance.”

“What’s this?” Lily asked, not quite understanding the hidden message in James’ words.

“But James…” Andrea tried in a futile attempt to save herself form Lily. “Will you at least stay? Just in case?” James inwardly sighed.

“Sure. For you Andrea, anything.” He answered warmly. Why had he been so worried about tutoring this girl? Regardless of her looks, she really was very sweet and cheerful- not at all the dumb girl Sirius’ current girlfriend had warned him about.

“Well now. If you two are finished with your exclusive conversation, perhaps we can begin some time today?” Lily broke James’ reverie. He glared at her, but nodded.

“We’re finished Miss Evans. If you don’t mind though, I’ll stick around and watch.”

“As long as you’re not in my way.” Lily frowned.

“Of course not.” James acquiesced.

“Well then. Andrea, where did you begin having problems?” Lily asked tiredly.

“Uhhh…” The girl became flustered. “Around chapter two I think.” Lily sighed. She knew exactly what was going on. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. How far had the rumors that she had transfigured some one gone? The whole school probably thought she had.

“Open to chapter two please.” Lily instructed. “James, get her a glass of water.”

“Miss Evans, she didn’t…”

“To work with!” Lily snapped.

“Right.” James floundered for a moment, then rushed off to get the water. When Lily was sure he was gone, she closed her book and looked at Andrea. Taking a deep breath, she began.

“Andrea, look at me.” The girl in front of her slowly looked up until she made eye contact. “First off, I want to introduce myself. My name is Lily, please call me that and not Miss Evans.” Lily managed a small smile. “I’m not going to bite your head off, so don’t be scared. I’m here because I wanted to help you, not scare you.” She paused. “I should set the record straight for you- I never transfigured anyone, and I don’t intend to. I don’t know if there are any other rumors about me, but for the most part I can tell you they aren’t true. All I want to do is help you get better in transfiguration.”

“You, you promise you’re not going to transfigure me into an apple and eat me?” Andrea looked on, slightly scared, but also in awe. Who would have thought creepy Evans had a heart? Or that she wasn’t as bad as her reputation made her out to be?

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry if I’m a bit rough around the edges, that’s just me.” Lily even smiled again for the girl.

“Well, alright then.” Andrea finally agreed.

“Good. Well, shall we get down to business?”

“Here’s the water. Everything alright Andrea?” James asked as he returned out of breath. He had run as fast as he could to get the water; not wanting to leave Andrea alone with Lady Lily for any more time that he absolutely had to. After all, he had promised to stick around, just in case.

“We’re fine James, thanks.” Andrea gave him a wide grin. James’ eyes widened. What? She didn’t look scared anymore. James didn’t understand it. How could a girl who had been so afraid be so calm all of a sudden? What had Lady Lily said to the poor girl while he had been gone?

“Right. Well now Andrea, why don’t you tell me exactly where you lost track of the class?” Lily broke the silence.

“Oh. Well, it began around when we started actually putting the spells into work. I mean, I say them alright and everything, but they never turn out like I want them to.” Andrea answered.

“Hmm. Show me. Transfigure the water into jelly. The spell should be on the next page in the book.

“Alright.” The girl took a deep breath. “Aquatica petrolious!” She shouted out, swishing her wand at the water. The glass burst and the messy goo that had once been water splattered all over James.

“Aw bloody hell!” James shouted as he stood and wiped the mess from his glasses. Andrea sat laughing, and Lily was red from trying not to laugh. James glared. “Not funny girls. Now I have to go change.”

“Then go. You won’t be needed anyway.” Lily dismissed him with a wave of her hand. Andrea and James stared at her in shock. Andrea couldn’t believe Lily had the guts to act so authoritatively around James Potter, the most popular boy in school. It awed her. James, on the other hand, couldn’t believe ‘Lady’ Lily’s newfound arrogance. She had dismissed him as if he were no loss. It bothered him greatly for some reason, to know she thought so little of him.

“You can go ahead and leave if you want to James. I’ll be fine I think.” Andrea smiled.

“Sure?”
“Yeah.” Andrea looked back at Lily, who gave her a private wink. “I’m sure.”

“Alright… but if you need me, I’m in the common room.”

“Alright.” And Andrea turned back to Lily. “So do you know what I did wrong?”

“Could be one of three things…” James looked on for a moment longer, then stalked out of the room. What was going on? Was everything upside down today, or was it simply him? On his way back to the dorms, he was met with a thundering Sirius.

“James my boy! What the hell happened to you? You look like some one pranked you big time!”

“Shut up Sirius.” James muttered.

“Wait. I thought you were in tutoring sessions with Evans and White.”

“Shut up Sirius.”

“Did Evans do that to you? Oh man she got you good.”

“Sirius! It was a transfiguration accident, that’s all.” He growled.

“Whoa!” Sirius backed up slightly. Just then Remus joined them.

“Whoa what?” He joked.

“Prongsie here is in a rotten mood! Stay away of you don’t want your head bitten off, that’s whoa what!”

“Shut up!” James yelled again. Then he rolled his eyes and stomped off, once more set on cleaning up.

“Wonder what got into him?” Remus asked as they watched him go.

“I doubt we’ll ever know. James isn’t the sort to just give out his feelings.” Sirius became serious.

“Kind of ironic, don’t you think? The whole of the school is in love with him, and they’ve never even seen the real James.” Remus added.

“Makes me hungry. Let’s go by the kitchens!”

“Sirius!” Remus groaned, but allowed his friend to drag him off.

>>>)(<<<

“That’s perfect Andrea! Now all you have to do is add the wand.” Lily congratulated her student.

“Ok, here it goes Lily!” Andrea beamed at Lily. Though she had been unsure at first, after James had left, Lily Evans had almost become… normal. She didn’t scowl as much, and her voice seemed to lighten a few shades. Even her dark, cold eyes didn’t seem quite so piercing when Lily was alone with her. Not to mention now she had the transfiguration down, and it had only taken twenty minutes. Andrea lifted the wand and muttered her spell. Suddenly the candle in front of them blurred and morphed, and a large lamp sat on the table in front of them.

“You’ve done it. Good work Andrea.” Lily gave the girl in front of her a small smile. Though she didn’t normally like people, Andrea didn’t see quite so bad. The girl was incredibly friendly once she got over her shyness, and she seemed completely unaware of the stares her looks received when people walked by them. She caught on quickly too; it was just a matter of tweaking a few minor problems that had been holding her back.

“Thanks for the help Lily.”

“Sure. If you need any more help, or you have another question, you can ask anytime.”

“Would you be willing to set up another study hall with me? Just incase I forget something?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Thanks Lily, I really appreciate this!”

“No problem Andrea.” Lily blushed. She didn’t like the praise- praise was not meant for freaks like herself.

“You can call my Andy you know. All my friends do.”

“Did you have a date in mind?” Lily blew off her comment. But Andrea simply smiled and ignored Lily’s brusque attitude. After the tutoring lesson, she knew that Lily was simply like that on a regular basis.

“Next Thursday?” Andrea asked while packing her bag.

“Fine.”

“Bring James?”

“I’ll see.”

“Great! Thanks again Lily! I have to go… bye!” Lily sat stoically for a moment after Andrea the whirlwind left. Then she calmly began to pack her bag as well. It was getting late, and she just wanted to go to sleep, nothing more, nothing less. Sleep was good… very good… *