Well, I want to keep my introduction, but I've received a few reviews about
the weird format on my first chapter.I thought I'd tinker with it a
bit..please let me know if the problem persist.
For those of you who are just starting this story..Here is a brief introduction.
I love James and Lily stories, their mystery and their life seems so exciting and sad to me. I love the idea of a doomed loved, so I'm kind of an angst/romance type writer..The romance will be hidden so you'll have to look for it. The later part of my story will be almost completely angst, but considering what the subject will be..well, you understand soon.
Remember no matter how much I wish they were, nothing is my own!!!
Remember to read and review!!!! All feedback is greatly appreciated.
**************************************************************************** ****
James and Lily: The Seventh Year
Chapter One: Another Year
The morning sun was blazing through the window of the Gryffindor common room.
Lily Evans sat next to the fireplace and sighed. She was waiting for her best
friends to meet her down stairs so they could proceed to the Great Hall for
breakfast. While Lily was what they called a natural beauty, they were the
stereotypical 17 year old prep cases. Lily couldn't figure out what took them so
long to get ready.
It was their first full day at Hogwarts. Lily and her two friend were entering
into their seventh and final year. Lily was the brains of the group, she was
easily one of the smartest student of her year. She had also been named Head
Girl, and she often gleamed when she saw the sparkling badge on her chest. Lily
had fire red hair and stunning green eyes. She was the serious type, and didn't
feel there was time for unnecessary foolishness.
"About time," she muttered as her two dorm mates came giggling down the stairs.
December O'Riley was a tall slender girl with long black hair that fell
elegantly down her back. She had a the most charming smile you could possible
imagine. People often comment on how beautiful her smile was, only December
thought her teeth were a tad bit too large, so she often refrained from smiling
and preferred to wear a serious expression on her face. She wasn't as smart as
Lily, but her sarcastic comments often were appreciated as a bit of comic relief
by everyone who knew her.
Beth Simmons was a short giggly blond, her hair was short and bobbed. Her
cheeks often flushed and her nose was set in a pinch. She wasn't the serious
type, and she would much rather talk about boys than transfiguration or potions.
She was semi-athletic and was a chaser for the Gryffindor house team.
Their fourth dorm mate was aloof, never seen. Dreamy Johnston, she often
tagged along with her dorm mates, but wasn't always welcome. She came down
quickly after December and Beth. Dreamy had white whisy hair and deep sandy
eyes. She hardly said a word, and seemed to enjoy being the unknown Gryffindor.
"Well come on, Lils, were going to miss breakfast," Demember said quickly as if
it was Lily's fault they were running late.
"Like I'm the one who's putting London into a water shortage with my two hour
showers," Lily shot back.
The three girls chatted happily down the stairwell into the great hall, Dreamy
followed silently and disappeared before they reached their destination. Her
disappearance went unnoticed. They were running late as usual, and the hall was
already clearing out.
"Oh no, it's that foul James Potter," Lily said suddenly.
James Potter and the Marauders, they were the pranksters, the class clowns, the
troublemakers. If something happened that was outrageous and against the rules,
chances are the Marauders were behind it. They had driven Lily crazy the past two
years. She had been named prefect her fifth year, and keeping her fellow
Gyffindor's out of trouble, had been quite a challenge. While December and Beth
thought the Marauder's pranks were harmless and cute, Lily found them arrogant
and wrong. Her fellow Gryffindor prefect the past two years had belonged to this
elite group, Remus Lupin. Some help he had been, it was easier to turn his head
and ignore his mates than do what was expected of him as a prefect.
To add to Lily's headaches, James Potter, the most arrogant boy in school, had
been named Head Boy. The first time in 50 years two students from the same house
had been named Head Boy and Head Girl.
"Hello Evans," James shouted out happily. "Isn't it tradition that the head boy
and girl are spose to date?"
"Yea, can see that happening," December cracked.
"December, didn't see you, you look excellent this year," James said with a
flirty wink.
December let a smile slip, and replied, "right back at you."
She had more confidence than most girl twice her age. Beth gave a giggle, and
shot December a longing look, she envied December's ability to keep her cool in
the presences of the opposite sex.
Lily rolled her eyes, she wished her friends would not egg Potter on, she wanted
nothing more than for him to keep moving and leave her alone. She had lost count
of the number of times Potter had attempted to ask her out, if you could call it
that. The first time she had been thrown off guard and she had told him she'd
rather date the giant squid in the lake. He hadn't taken the hint. He was
arrogant, and that was one quality Lily couldn't stand in a guy. Suddenly she
felt an arm around her shoulder and heard that annoying voice say, "So what
about it, me and you, the hottest couple of the year?"
While James charm worked on most girls, it never worked on Lily. She curled her
lip and said,
" get your cocky hands off me." She jerked out from underneath his arm.
"I'm going to class, you guys coming," she motioned to her friends, and they
were out the door.
"He's just flirting with you," December said coolly as they made their way into
the charms classroom.
"I don't want him to flirt with me," Lily said quickly.
"Lils, he's one of the coolest guys in school, I mean you've never seen him at
Quidditch practice, so hot and sweaty, and gosh." Beth trailed off, her eyes
staring happily into space.
"For some reason nasty sweaty James Potter doesn't sound like a turn on," Lily
said rolling her eyes.
"Your just making it worse for yourself, he's a guy, your rejecting him, your
turning yourself into a challenge, guys like James love a challenge," December
said like she knew exactly what James was thinking,
"Hello ladies," Sirius Black said as he bowed and walked passed them toward the
back of the room. While Lily rolled her eyes again, Beth started to giggle. "How
was your holiday?" December asked politely and unaffected.
"Lonely, without you love," Black replied back.
"Not as lonely as mine," December replied back sarcastically.
Sirius was followed by the rest of the Marauders, they always sat in the back of
the classroom, and none of them presented themselves with an entrance like
Sirius's. James however did wink at Lily as he walked by, she snarled her nose
at him and turned her head towards the window.
Lily was talking nine N.E.W.T classes and to her disapproval, James was in all of them but one.
"Does he like to torture me?" Lily said hatefully to herself as James walked by
her and winked for the third class that day.
"Just go out with him, then he'll leave you alone," December urged, overhearing
her complaint.
"Like I would ever stoop to that level," she muttered back.
"I'd date him, couldn't hurt to have the reputation of being James Potter's
girlfriend," December said with an evil grin.
Lily glanced sharply over at her friend and stared at her in disbelief for a
moment, "D, you really have no shame, do you?"
"Like him huh?" December said, "though so, explains the defensiveness." She
turned back to her transfiguration book and acted like she had said nothing
important.
Lily huffed, and rolled her eyes, "me like James Potter, I'd rather go out with
Severus Snape."
December looked up from her book and gave her friend a whatever look. Lily's
mind began to wonder.
Lily kept busy, as did her dorm mates over the next month. Lily had Head Girl
duties, nine N.E.W.T classes, she was captain of the school chess team and was
in charge of planning all school events.
She was always an overachiever and like too much on her plate. The Gryffindor
common room was quite this particular afternoon, she sighed in relief, she had
so much to do. Beth was at quidditch practice and December had not yet returned
from her last class. Lily pulled out her planner. Prefect meeting at seven,
chess practice at eight thirty, and meeting with Potter at nine twenty- five.
The last thing on her list of things to do cause her shake her head in distaste. It
was the responsibility of the head boy and girl to plan all school outings and
events. Normally it consisted on a few Hogmeade visits and couple school feasts.
But, James Potter wanted to leave his memory of being head boy at Hogwarts. He
wanted to do something different, something exciting. Therefore he had insisted
that him and Lily meet to discuss some options. When she had ignored his attempt
to talk about this subject, he went over her head to their head of house, Professor McGonagall. McGonagall had arranged the time for the two to meet, much
against Lily's approval.
"Hello Lily," said a weary looking Remus Lupin as he came through the portrait.
Although Rumus had always been very polite to Lily, she still hadn't forgiven
him for all those times he had turned the other cheek and ignored the Maunders
disregard for the school rules.
"Busy?" he asked with a pleasant smile.
She nodded her head and gave a grin. Remus came over and took a seat on the
couch next to Lily.
"Gosh, I don't think I've every been so overloaded, I don't know how your
keeping everything straight with nine N.E.W.T. classes," he said casually.
"Good time management skills," she joked.
"I can't believe the first quidditch match of the year is tomorrow," he said
trying to keep the conversation rolling.
"I didn't even notice, I've never been much of a quidditch fan, that is Beth's
department," she replied.
"You are going to the game," he asked worriedly.
"I guess, I mean, Beth would kill me if I didn't," she responded puzzled.
"Good," he left it at that, leaving Lily without a answer to her curiosity.
"What time is the chess meeting tonight?"
His question caught Lily off guard, she was staring at Lupin with a puzzled
expression.
"What? Oh, eight-thirty in Professor McGonagalls class room," she finally
replied.
Just then December burst through the door, giggling loudly and bouncing up and
down. Her normal serious expression hidden behind a contagious smile.
"Who won the Lottery," Lily asked.
"Oh my gosh, got the best news!" she said gleefully, it didn't even appeared
Lupin's presences could keep her from sharing her news.
"What's the news?" Lily asked anxiously.
"You know Rodney Smith? Well, he finally asked Beth out! She's only had a crush
on him for like two years. I'm so happy for her, she just told me a second ago,
she was heading in to take a shower after quidditch practice, I've never seen her
so happy."
"That's great," Lily forced out.
Rodney Smith was a Slytherin and Lily just didn't trust him. He was the kind of
guy that had a different girl on his arm every week, but Beth was so shy around
guys, the thought of her having a boyfriend was astonishing. Beth had goggled
over Rodney for two whole years. "I don't care if he is a Slytherin, he so
cute," she would mutter.
"I hope he doesn't, you know," Lily said with concern.
"Oh Lily don't ruin the celebration, once she dates him, she'll see what a prat
he is and be over him, it's the best thing that could happen to her and us, we
won't have to endure her goggling any longer," December said like it should
have been obvious to Lily why she was so happy.
Lupin let out a small chuckle and mutter something like, "women" under his
breath.
"Your willing to see our friend suffer, so we won't have to hear her goggle
anymore?" Lily replied shocked.
"They'll never last, Beth's to smart to stay with him after one date, it's just
a crush, a phase," December replied her smile finally fading.
"I hope your right, or we might have to kill ourselves a Slytherin," Lily said
in a lighter mood.
"James and Sirius have lots of experience to help you there," Lupin interjected
in. "See you at chess tonight." He got up and headed up toward his dorm.
Just as he left the portrait entrance opened and a ecstatic Beth came running
in, her hair still wet from her shower. "He asked me to the Halloween Dance, he
asked me out!" Beth yelled happily.
She was glowing from head to toe and it appeared nothing could bring her down
from cloud nine.
"I know, D here just told me," Lily said with a forced smile.
"The guys are pissed, they're calling me a traitor, there is nothing wrong with
me dating someone in a different house," she said confidently. "Especially
Sirius, he tried to pelt me with a bludger at practice today."
Lily cracked a grin then something hit her, "What Halloween dance?"
Beth looked at her puzzled, and pointed at the announcement board.
Lily looked up toward the board.
ANNOUNCEMENT...Hogwarts Head Boy and Head Girl are happy to announce the
Hogwarts Halloween Dance, (Third years and above only) It will take place
October 31st at seven shape, Great Hall.
James Potter and Lily Evans
"I can't believe him!" Lily shrieked.
"Lils calm down, it's not that big of a deal, just took some of the pressure off
you," December said calmly.
Just then an un-expectant James Potter and Sirius Black came through the
portrait.
"Well, who are you going to ask?" Sirius was saying.
"YOU!" Lily shrilled.
James smiled and said, "something wrong Evans?" His innocent smile normally got
him out of most fixes, but not this one.
"WHY IN THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU GO OVER MY HEAD AND FORCE PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL TO MAKE ME MEET WITH YOU IFYOU ALREADY KNEW WHAT YOU WERE PLANNING TO DO!" she yelled angrily.
"I don't know, I just wanted to spend time with you I guess," James grinned
calmly.
Wrong thing to say.
"I DON'T WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU CAN PLAN THE REST OF THE EVENTS YOURSELF, SINCE YOUR SO GOOD AT IT...TAKE A HINT POTTER, LEAVE ME ALONE!" she cried as she turned to dash up the stairs.
"I take it were not still on for tonight then?" he asked hopeful. The girls dorm
room door slammed and everyone in the common room flinched.
"Those red head, they've got a temper Prongs," Sirius said as he patted his
friend on the back.
For those of you who are just starting this story..Here is a brief introduction.
I love James and Lily stories, their mystery and their life seems so exciting and sad to me. I love the idea of a doomed loved, so I'm kind of an angst/romance type writer..The romance will be hidden so you'll have to look for it. The later part of my story will be almost completely angst, but considering what the subject will be..well, you understand soon.
Remember no matter how much I wish they were, nothing is my own!!!
Remember to read and review!!!! All feedback is greatly appreciated.
**************************************************************************** ****
James and Lily: The Seventh Year
Chapter One: Another Year
The morning sun was blazing through the window of the Gryffindor common room.
Lily Evans sat next to the fireplace and sighed. She was waiting for her best
friends to meet her down stairs so they could proceed to the Great Hall for
breakfast. While Lily was what they called a natural beauty, they were the
stereotypical 17 year old prep cases. Lily couldn't figure out what took them so
long to get ready.
It was their first full day at Hogwarts. Lily and her two friend were entering
into their seventh and final year. Lily was the brains of the group, she was
easily one of the smartest student of her year. She had also been named Head
Girl, and she often gleamed when she saw the sparkling badge on her chest. Lily
had fire red hair and stunning green eyes. She was the serious type, and didn't
feel there was time for unnecessary foolishness.
"About time," she muttered as her two dorm mates came giggling down the stairs.
December O'Riley was a tall slender girl with long black hair that fell
elegantly down her back. She had a the most charming smile you could possible
imagine. People often comment on how beautiful her smile was, only December
thought her teeth were a tad bit too large, so she often refrained from smiling
and preferred to wear a serious expression on her face. She wasn't as smart as
Lily, but her sarcastic comments often were appreciated as a bit of comic relief
by everyone who knew her.
Beth Simmons was a short giggly blond, her hair was short and bobbed. Her
cheeks often flushed and her nose was set in a pinch. She wasn't the serious
type, and she would much rather talk about boys than transfiguration or potions.
She was semi-athletic and was a chaser for the Gryffindor house team.
Their fourth dorm mate was aloof, never seen. Dreamy Johnston, she often
tagged along with her dorm mates, but wasn't always welcome. She came down
quickly after December and Beth. Dreamy had white whisy hair and deep sandy
eyes. She hardly said a word, and seemed to enjoy being the unknown Gryffindor.
"Well come on, Lils, were going to miss breakfast," Demember said quickly as if
it was Lily's fault they were running late.
"Like I'm the one who's putting London into a water shortage with my two hour
showers," Lily shot back.
The three girls chatted happily down the stairwell into the great hall, Dreamy
followed silently and disappeared before they reached their destination. Her
disappearance went unnoticed. They were running late as usual, and the hall was
already clearing out.
"Oh no, it's that foul James Potter," Lily said suddenly.
James Potter and the Marauders, they were the pranksters, the class clowns, the
troublemakers. If something happened that was outrageous and against the rules,
chances are the Marauders were behind it. They had driven Lily crazy the past two
years. She had been named prefect her fifth year, and keeping her fellow
Gyffindor's out of trouble, had been quite a challenge. While December and Beth
thought the Marauder's pranks were harmless and cute, Lily found them arrogant
and wrong. Her fellow Gryffindor prefect the past two years had belonged to this
elite group, Remus Lupin. Some help he had been, it was easier to turn his head
and ignore his mates than do what was expected of him as a prefect.
To add to Lily's headaches, James Potter, the most arrogant boy in school, had
been named Head Boy. The first time in 50 years two students from the same house
had been named Head Boy and Head Girl.
"Hello Evans," James shouted out happily. "Isn't it tradition that the head boy
and girl are spose to date?"
"Yea, can see that happening," December cracked.
"December, didn't see you, you look excellent this year," James said with a
flirty wink.
December let a smile slip, and replied, "right back at you."
She had more confidence than most girl twice her age. Beth gave a giggle, and
shot December a longing look, she envied December's ability to keep her cool in
the presences of the opposite sex.
Lily rolled her eyes, she wished her friends would not egg Potter on, she wanted
nothing more than for him to keep moving and leave her alone. She had lost count
of the number of times Potter had attempted to ask her out, if you could call it
that. The first time she had been thrown off guard and she had told him she'd
rather date the giant squid in the lake. He hadn't taken the hint. He was
arrogant, and that was one quality Lily couldn't stand in a guy. Suddenly she
felt an arm around her shoulder and heard that annoying voice say, "So what
about it, me and you, the hottest couple of the year?"
While James charm worked on most girls, it never worked on Lily. She curled her
lip and said,
" get your cocky hands off me." She jerked out from underneath his arm.
"I'm going to class, you guys coming," she motioned to her friends, and they
were out the door.
"He's just flirting with you," December said coolly as they made their way into
the charms classroom.
"I don't want him to flirt with me," Lily said quickly.
"Lils, he's one of the coolest guys in school, I mean you've never seen him at
Quidditch practice, so hot and sweaty, and gosh." Beth trailed off, her eyes
staring happily into space.
"For some reason nasty sweaty James Potter doesn't sound like a turn on," Lily
said rolling her eyes.
"Your just making it worse for yourself, he's a guy, your rejecting him, your
turning yourself into a challenge, guys like James love a challenge," December
said like she knew exactly what James was thinking,
"Hello ladies," Sirius Black said as he bowed and walked passed them toward the
back of the room. While Lily rolled her eyes again, Beth started to giggle. "How
was your holiday?" December asked politely and unaffected.
"Lonely, without you love," Black replied back.
"Not as lonely as mine," December replied back sarcastically.
Sirius was followed by the rest of the Marauders, they always sat in the back of
the classroom, and none of them presented themselves with an entrance like
Sirius's. James however did wink at Lily as he walked by, she snarled her nose
at him and turned her head towards the window.
Lily was talking nine N.E.W.T classes and to her disapproval, James was in all of them but one.
"Does he like to torture me?" Lily said hatefully to herself as James walked by
her and winked for the third class that day.
"Just go out with him, then he'll leave you alone," December urged, overhearing
her complaint.
"Like I would ever stoop to that level," she muttered back.
"I'd date him, couldn't hurt to have the reputation of being James Potter's
girlfriend," December said with an evil grin.
Lily glanced sharply over at her friend and stared at her in disbelief for a
moment, "D, you really have no shame, do you?"
"Like him huh?" December said, "though so, explains the defensiveness." She
turned back to her transfiguration book and acted like she had said nothing
important.
Lily huffed, and rolled her eyes, "me like James Potter, I'd rather go out with
Severus Snape."
December looked up from her book and gave her friend a whatever look. Lily's
mind began to wonder.
Lily kept busy, as did her dorm mates over the next month. Lily had Head Girl
duties, nine N.E.W.T classes, she was captain of the school chess team and was
in charge of planning all school events.
She was always an overachiever and like too much on her plate. The Gryffindor
common room was quite this particular afternoon, she sighed in relief, she had
so much to do. Beth was at quidditch practice and December had not yet returned
from her last class. Lily pulled out her planner. Prefect meeting at seven,
chess practice at eight thirty, and meeting with Potter at nine twenty- five.
The last thing on her list of things to do cause her shake her head in distaste. It
was the responsibility of the head boy and girl to plan all school outings and
events. Normally it consisted on a few Hogmeade visits and couple school feasts.
But, James Potter wanted to leave his memory of being head boy at Hogwarts. He
wanted to do something different, something exciting. Therefore he had insisted
that him and Lily meet to discuss some options. When she had ignored his attempt
to talk about this subject, he went over her head to their head of house, Professor McGonagall. McGonagall had arranged the time for the two to meet, much
against Lily's approval.
"Hello Lily," said a weary looking Remus Lupin as he came through the portrait.
Although Rumus had always been very polite to Lily, she still hadn't forgiven
him for all those times he had turned the other cheek and ignored the Maunders
disregard for the school rules.
"Busy?" he asked with a pleasant smile.
She nodded her head and gave a grin. Remus came over and took a seat on the
couch next to Lily.
"Gosh, I don't think I've every been so overloaded, I don't know how your
keeping everything straight with nine N.E.W.T. classes," he said casually.
"Good time management skills," she joked.
"I can't believe the first quidditch match of the year is tomorrow," he said
trying to keep the conversation rolling.
"I didn't even notice, I've never been much of a quidditch fan, that is Beth's
department," she replied.
"You are going to the game," he asked worriedly.
"I guess, I mean, Beth would kill me if I didn't," she responded puzzled.
"Good," he left it at that, leaving Lily without a answer to her curiosity.
"What time is the chess meeting tonight?"
His question caught Lily off guard, she was staring at Lupin with a puzzled
expression.
"What? Oh, eight-thirty in Professor McGonagalls class room," she finally
replied.
Just then December burst through the door, giggling loudly and bouncing up and
down. Her normal serious expression hidden behind a contagious smile.
"Who won the Lottery," Lily asked.
"Oh my gosh, got the best news!" she said gleefully, it didn't even appeared
Lupin's presences could keep her from sharing her news.
"What's the news?" Lily asked anxiously.
"You know Rodney Smith? Well, he finally asked Beth out! She's only had a crush
on him for like two years. I'm so happy for her, she just told me a second ago,
she was heading in to take a shower after quidditch practice, I've never seen her
so happy."
"That's great," Lily forced out.
Rodney Smith was a Slytherin and Lily just didn't trust him. He was the kind of
guy that had a different girl on his arm every week, but Beth was so shy around
guys, the thought of her having a boyfriend was astonishing. Beth had goggled
over Rodney for two whole years. "I don't care if he is a Slytherin, he so
cute," she would mutter.
"I hope he doesn't, you know," Lily said with concern.
"Oh Lily don't ruin the celebration, once she dates him, she'll see what a prat
he is and be over him, it's the best thing that could happen to her and us, we
won't have to endure her goggling any longer," December said like it should
have been obvious to Lily why she was so happy.
Lupin let out a small chuckle and mutter something like, "women" under his
breath.
"Your willing to see our friend suffer, so we won't have to hear her goggle
anymore?" Lily replied shocked.
"They'll never last, Beth's to smart to stay with him after one date, it's just
a crush, a phase," December replied her smile finally fading.
"I hope your right, or we might have to kill ourselves a Slytherin," Lily said
in a lighter mood.
"James and Sirius have lots of experience to help you there," Lupin interjected
in. "See you at chess tonight." He got up and headed up toward his dorm.
Just as he left the portrait entrance opened and a ecstatic Beth came running
in, her hair still wet from her shower. "He asked me to the Halloween Dance, he
asked me out!" Beth yelled happily.
She was glowing from head to toe and it appeared nothing could bring her down
from cloud nine.
"I know, D here just told me," Lily said with a forced smile.
"The guys are pissed, they're calling me a traitor, there is nothing wrong with
me dating someone in a different house," she said confidently. "Especially
Sirius, he tried to pelt me with a bludger at practice today."
Lily cracked a grin then something hit her, "What Halloween dance?"
Beth looked at her puzzled, and pointed at the announcement board.
Lily looked up toward the board.
ANNOUNCEMENT...Hogwarts Head Boy and Head Girl are happy to announce the
Hogwarts Halloween Dance, (Third years and above only) It will take place
October 31st at seven shape, Great Hall.
James Potter and Lily Evans
"I can't believe him!" Lily shrieked.
"Lils calm down, it's not that big of a deal, just took some of the pressure off
you," December said calmly.
Just then an un-expectant James Potter and Sirius Black came through the
portrait.
"Well, who are you going to ask?" Sirius was saying.
"YOU!" Lily shrilled.
James smiled and said, "something wrong Evans?" His innocent smile normally got
him out of most fixes, but not this one.
"WHY IN THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU GO OVER MY HEAD AND FORCE PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL TO MAKE ME MEET WITH YOU IFYOU ALREADY KNEW WHAT YOU WERE PLANNING TO DO!" she yelled angrily.
"I don't know, I just wanted to spend time with you I guess," James grinned
calmly.
Wrong thing to say.
"I DON'T WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU CAN PLAN THE REST OF THE EVENTS YOURSELF, SINCE YOUR SO GOOD AT IT...TAKE A HINT POTTER, LEAVE ME ALONE!" she cried as she turned to dash up the stairs.
"I take it were not still on for tonight then?" he asked hopeful. The girls dorm
room door slammed and everyone in the common room flinched.
"Those red head, they've got a temper Prongs," Sirius said as he patted his
friend on the back.