Chapter 13: The Day After…Weird…but Good.
Lily was woken that morning by an excited blonde first year, jumping around her bed rather hysterically. “Lily!!!! LILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” the first year excitedly screamed. Lily ventured to open one eye to see who it was.
“Ugh, Maxine Creevey, we can work on your Potions work tomorrow….” Lily groaned.
It was about eleven in the morning, but Lily had not gone to bed until about 6, you must remember.
“That’s not it, Lil! I’m doing better in Potions, thanks to you! But, I wanted to ask you a question!” she excitedly babbled.
“What?” Lily mumbled.
“Did James Potter, THE James Potter, kiss you last night?!” Maxine asked excitedly.
Lily sat straight up in bed. “WHAT?! How do you know about that?!”
“So it’s true?! OH MY GODDDD!!!! I have so many people that wanted to know! And it’s not exactly hard to find out, Lil, you two are ALL anyone’s TALKING ABOUT!!!”
“It’s not necessarily true, no.”
“What do you mean?” Maxine asked in confusion. Dear Maxine, so excitable, but yet, so blonde…at least she was true to her hair color. She was never quite witty, but she certainly wasn’t ambitious, and wasn’t hard-working enough to finish one homework assignment, so the sorting hat decided her bravery would have to do. That’s how Maxine became a Gryffindor. But, dear Lord, was she annoying.
“I kissed him,” Lily replied simply.
“EEEE!!!” that was all the blonde needed. She was practically already downstairs after hearing Lily say that.
After the door slammed shut, Lily flopped back to sleep, she wanted to get plenty of rest before exploring with James tonight.
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James was woken up in a similar way to Lil, by an excited first year. A boy, of course. His name was David King, a sandy-haired, energetic boy that practically worshipped James. James was always nice to him, of course, but that didn’t change the fact that he was incessant and annoying.
“James!!! Oi!!! JAMES!!!!” David yelled.
“Hey kid, no yelling before at least half of us are up. Those are THE RULES,” said a very grumpy Sirius.
“Oh, sorry. James! C’mon, get up!” he said, in a softer voice.
“S’better,” mumbled Sirius.
“Fine, David, what is it?” asked James irritably.
“Everyone in the common room are babbling about you and that Lily Erans…Emant….Ettan…”
“Evans.”
“Right. Her. Well, they’re all wondering if the rumors are TRUE.”
“What rumors, David?”
“That you KISSED her…that you guys are an ITEM…” he said in a whisper.
“Well, they’re not…she kissed me….and I dunno what we are yet.”
“Oh, okay…but she still KISSED you!”
“Yeah.”
“YOU’RE LUCKY!!! Wow…I want to be JUST like you!!!”
With that, David went on his merry little way, and all of the Marauders prepared to sleep in for at least a couple more hours.
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David and Maxine got down the stairwells at about the same time, and eagerly shouted in unison, “LILY KISSED JAMES!!!!”
The entire common room started buzzing with thought.
Do
you think they’ll get married?
They
seem so great together, how long will it last?
What will their kids look like? (B/A/N- God that’s a scary thought, eh? J/k…I think Harry’s cute too, so I can’t talk.)
Soon everyone gave up on waiting for Lily and James to wake up, and went down to breakfast and to spend a nice lazy Saturday doing nothing.
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Lily woke up at about 2 pm, and walked groggily out of bed in her bathrobe. The twins were still asleep, she saw. Those two could sleep for practically forever.
She went down to the common room, and it was empty. Lily sighed, she was so confused. She really had feelings for James…but everything was going so fast. She just wanted time to slow down, so she could have plenty of time to get to know James. Lily realized that she had not yet written her letter to her father, and quickly ran up to her dorm for pretty ink, a quill, some candy, and a lot of parchment.
Lily walked lightly down the steps to the common room humming a tune. It was going to be a wonderful day, she decided. She couldn’t wait until that night. A night…a night…with James. She sighed with content, and sat on a couch next to the fire. Lily neatly tucked her knees underneath her body, and thought of things that she wanted to say.
Dear
Dad,
Everything here is fine. I miss you terribly. I just want you to know, I have not taken off
that locket. Nor do I plan to. How are things in your world? Petunia still being
tiresome? Hehe.
Well, she’ll be happy; I’m finally sending a letter in the DAYTIME like
a NORMAL PERSON. (The normal person that I’m not and never plan to be anyway
and she can take that for using capitalization to emphasize her point.) Hmmm. Well, Dad, don’t panic, but I’ve met a boy. A very nice one, he’s a real gentleman. I’m getting to know him better, and I
certainly won’t seriously date him until I know him rather well. I wouldn’t even consider it. I just wanted to let you know that I did meet
a boy, his name is James Potter by the way…he’s my age, and he’s a Gryffindor
too. I can’t wait for you to meet him,
perhaps over Winter Holiday? I think you’ll like him quite a bit, Daddy. He’s very funny. My classes are going great!! Tell Mum and Pet
I say hello, and take care of yourself!!! I miss
you!!!
With
Love from Your Princess
Her dad would love that letter she decided. She sealed it and was about to send it off with Hermia when she re-decided. “Emie… can I borrow Helena again?” she whispered. “ ‘Course,” said the groggy Emie. “Thanks.” And with that, Helena was off on the long route back to London. Lily had kept Hermia here for a reason. She had one more letter to send.
Dear
James,
As many feelings as I do have for you, James, I really don’t know that much about you. Mind if I ask you questions? No? Okay, good. Here goes-
Birthday? Mine is on March 17th. (B/A/N- Hehe…my bday! St Paddy’s Day rules!)
Parents’ names? My parents’ names are Charisse and Hayden.
Siblings? I have one sister, Petunia.
She’s a muggle, and boy is she a pain.
You might say she’s not terribly fond of me!
Pets? I just have Hermia…she’s my owl.
Do you have an owl?
Favorite Type of Music? I like all types…music is very important to
me. I like classical and jazz,
everything from Beethoven to Buffett. Jimmy Buffett, that is.
Write
back…and I can’t wait till our adventure tonight. Where are we going, anyway?
It’s your cloak, and you really know the school, so you should get to pick.
Love
Lil
Yes, that sounded about right. It restated that she had feelings for him, and was certainly cordial enough, but not terribly mushy in case he was weirded out by everything. She quickly sent it off with Hermia, and really hoped James would write back soon.
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James was wide awake, and had been awake since a little before 2. All of the rest of the Marauders were sleeping peacefully, but James was never one to sleep in. Soon he heard a tapping on his window. Lily! James thought excitedly. He read her letter and smiled. Of course he would write back, he decided.
To My Little Princess,
Hey there. I’m glad you took
time to ask me those questions…I’ve wanted to know that stuff about you for
awhile. Here goes-
Birthday- December 16th
Parents’ names- Thomas and Emilia
Siblings- none (B/A/N- I know a lot of other fics give James siblings, but it’s my opinion that if he had siblings, those siblings would have been smart enough to escape Voldemort after their brother died, and then Harry would have had family besides the Dursleys…so this way, there’s no questions…I just had to explain my reasoning!)
Pets- An owl, Lysander. Hey, have you read the play “A Midsummer
Night’s Dream” by the Muggle author, Shakespeare? Of all the
coincidences…
Music- hmm…I like a lot of music, like you. I love classical and jazz, those are really
interesting. I’m a big fan of a lot of
current stuff, like Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Bad Company, Little Feat, Led
Zeppelin, etc.
I can’t wait for our adventure either…I’ll talk to you soon!
Love James
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lily excitedly opened James’ letter. She couldn’t believe he wrote her back so fast. It was too good to be true, she loved getting letters. (B/A/N- just like I love getting REVIEWS hint hint, wink wink, etc.) When Lily finished reading his letter, she looked up with a smile. It was really sweet; he sure seemed to like the same things she did. Lily couldn’t wait till tonight, but she was getting really hungry. Breakfast was definitely over, she sighed. She didn’t want lunch; she still wanted to eat her breakfast. She could almost smell the fried eggs and bacon…and the orange juice…agh, this wasn’t helping. She needed to find somebody with access to the kitchens; her hunger was driving her insane! Lily ran upstairs and quickly showered, and decided what to do. She grabbed her bag, which she only took with her out of habit, and walked down the staircase for the billionth time that morning.
She cautiously tiptoed up to the boys’ dorms. First she passed a neat door with a gold sign that said “First Years”, then another neat door with “Second Years” and another with “Third Years”. Then she came to the Fourth Years’ door. It was…green. Lily imagined that the color choice had been Sirius’, he didn’t exactly have much sense. Where the sign was supposed to be, there was sign that said:
-The Marauders-
What Do You Want?
Be You a Lass,
Step through Our Looking Glass…
Be You a Lad,
Depart,
We’d be Most Glad.
We’re not trying to be Rude,
It’s Just Part of Our Mood.
Love us,
Or Leave Us,
Just Know we’re Not Poets.
Lily burst out laughing after reading their sign. That was probably something the boys had to collaborate on, she doubted James or Sirius knew about the Muggle story “Alice Through the Looking Glass”. Remus was the avid reader; he probably had to proofread it first. She read it once more, and decided that she liked the last line the best. It was really hilarious. Suddenly, Lily’s stomach started growling really loudly. Lily sighed, remembering why she was here in the first place. Lily knocked on their door.
“Who is it?” asked a familiar voice.
“It’s…Lily.”
The door flew open immediately, and James fell flat on his face because Sirius tripped him on the way to the door. James threw an extremely angry look at Sirius that plainly stated ‘We’ll settle this later, buddy’. James turned around, making sure to attach his smile back on, so Lily wouldn’t see the angry look he just flashed at Sirius. Remus was awake, but Peter was still asleep. Thank God they were all fully dressed; Lily didn’t think she could handle that embarrassment.
“So, Lily darling, how can I help you?”
“Well, there were two things I wanted to say.”
“Yes?”
“Number One: I love that SIGN! It’s hilarious!!”
Sirius smiled, “You really like it?” he asked eagerly. “My idea, you know.”
“I gathered that, Sirius,” Lily said, barely containing her laughter. “Lemme guess…the color of the door was your choice, too.”
“How did you know?” Sirius said in bewilderment.
“Wild guess…anyway. The reason I came here was because I was really hungry for breakfast, but they’ve already stopped serving it…”
Remus’ eyes glinted. “Are you suggesting, Miss Lily, that we break INTO the KITCHENS?” he said in mock shock. “You make it seem like WE’VE done something like THAT before.”
“Shut up, Remus,” laughed James. “‘Course we’ll help you, I’ll get the Invisibility Cloak, and we’ll go.”
“Great,” she smiled.
James put on his shoes, grabbed the silvery cloak, and took Lily’s hand. “See ya later guys,” he said aimlessly back to the Marauders.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“See, you tickle the pear right here…” he said quietly to Lily. James had not let go of her hand the entire time they had been walking together. Lily was on top of the world.
“Oh,” she smiled, “thank you for all your help James…I’m starving…I hate eating lunch when I get up, I always have to eat breakfast first. It’s a stupid habit I guess.”
“No,” James laughed, his bright brown eyes glinting, “I’m the same way.”
“Really? Wow. We’d better take off the cloak while we’re outside…Imagine what the house-elves would say!”
“They’d think spirits were materializing in Hogwarts…or that it’s haunted, which it already is.”
They both started laughing, and James carefully folded the cloak and put it in Lily’s bag.
“Hello, sir and miss!” said the squeaky voice of a female house-elf.
“Hi there, I’m Lily…and this is James. We’re sorry to trouble you…but we missed breakfast. Would you help us get breakfast, please?” she asked with a smile.
“Of course, just a moment, please make yourselves comfortable!”
“They’re really nice, house-elves,” said Lily quietly. “They sure have it rough, though.”
“I know what you mean,” James agreed, in the same quiet tone.
After they had stuffed themselves with top-quality eggs, bacon, and kippers, they decided to take a walk around the lake. James was still holding her hand.
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“Lil, about tonight,” started James.
Lily’s face fell. Those three words were never good; they meant some guy wanted to cancel on her…like they always did.
“No, James, its okay,” she started, “You’re probably busy…it was a stupid idea anyway…I didn’t think you’d say yes in the first place.” With that, Lily withdrew her hands from James’ and started walking slowly in the other direction.
She felt warm arms slide around her waist.
“No, that’s not it at all. I just…wanted you to know that I’m really…nervous…I want to make a good impression on you, you make me really nervous Lily,” stated James, his heart pounding furiously.
James, you IDIOT! said his head. Now she’s going to think you’re insane! You’re so STUPID!
Lily’s mind was running too. He’s being so honest…I should be honest too…Come on Lily! You’re making him feel stupid, he’s baring his soul, and you can’t even reciprocate the FEELINGS!
Finally Lily spoke, “I’m nervous too, but I’m still really looking forward to it,” she said with a smile.
He smiled back, “Me too. I’ve decided where I want to go with you…dress pretty warm okay? I’ll meet you in the common room at, say, 10? It’s before Filch starts his rounds and most everybody will be out of the common room by then…I can’t wait, Lily,” he whispered. James kissed her lightly on her cheek, snuggling up to her for quite awhile. (B/A/N-I really meant snuggling, just so you know…not snogging. They weren’t making out…he just had his arms around her waist, and she was leaning back into his chest basically. Just so you know…I have to have a mental picture when I read stuff)
Lily smiled, she was really happy. She had resolved not to let this get too far too fast, but having his arms around her waist was just fine with her.
Tonight would be amazing. She was already deciding what to wear.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Emia and Avia were awake by the
time Lily got back to the girls’ dorm.
It was about
“Wow, almost two hours with James,” she sighed.
The twins were brushing their hair and primping themselves, but stopped when Lily came in.
“Where have-”
“-you BEEN?!”
“With James,” Lily smiled. “And we’re definitely going somewhere tonight. He said to dress warm, that he had the place all picked out, and to meet him in the common room at 10 pm tonight.”
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!” the twins jumped together excitedly. “That’s awesome, Lil! Can we help you get ready?”
“Of course…what should I wear, do you guys think?”
“Hmm…well, you’ll want your hair down, because it’ll be cold, wherever the hell you’re going,” started Avia. Avia was the twin most suited to hair; she was irreplaceable when you needed a hairdresser.
“I think, since your cheeks will be pink from cold and BLUSHING, you should stay away from warm colors…you’ll look like you’re on fire,” stated Emia critically.
“Oh definitely Emie,” continued Avie, “I think cool colors like blue or teal would be great on her. Too much green will make her look sickly.”
“Yeah…how about wearing a t-shirt, and your bright blue sweatshirt? It’ll go great with your eyes. Just wear some jeans with it, you don’t want to look too dressy,” said Emia wisely.
Lily nodded. “Hair?” she asked.
“I’ll do it, but there’s nothing to do really. I’ll curl it for you though, straight hair wouldn’t look that great with that turtle necked sweater,” said Avie.
“Thanks guys, you’re so great. What would I do without you?!”
“Go insane?” they suggested in unison.
All three burst into laughter, and quickly cleaned up before going down to dinner.
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At dinner, they sat by the Marauders (of course), and discussed their homework from the week.
“The new Potions Professor actually didn’t give us that much homework,” said Avia.
“Shhh, Avie, you’ll curse it!” said Remus with a smile.
“What was our homework this week anyway? I don’t really remember…I know I wrote it down, but…well, I’m too lazy to go get it…” Lily babbled. (B/A/N- Just like me! *smiles proudly*)
“Well, Lil,” said Sirius, “in Divination we have to make a paragraph about why Venus’ orbit around some other planet creates controversy in relationship land for the Taurus.
In DADA, we have to have a good weekend. That’s what Veronica, er, Professor McVane, said.
In CMC, we have pretty much nothing. Just research and be ready to take on Fwoopers…Professor Tucker reminded us to bring earmuffs, to protect our sanity.
In History of Magic…well…I don’t know, I fell asleep, but hopefully nothing.
In Potions, we’re supposed to research the Love Potion and understand its effects on Muggle and wizarding society, but we don’t have to write an essay or anything.
In Herbology, we don’t have anything either.
In Transfiguration, we’re supposed to study The Standard Book of Spells and know how to turn a bunny into a broomstick. I’m definitely reading up on that, because she says if we do it for her perfectly on Monday, we can keep the broom…I want to enchant mine into a brand spanking new Comet 170!!!!
Not much else…wow, the teachers sure are more lax with homework at the beginning of the year, eh?”
“Thanks for the run-down, Sirius,” said Lily with a smile, “I’m going to get my homework done after dinner, do you guys want to do yours then too? It’ll be an excuse to get it over with, and then we’ll have all day tomorrow to hang out.”
“Sounds good to me,” said Sirius.
Emia nodded her approval, and so did Avia.
All of the Marauders said it was a good idea, and they all decided to meet in the common room at 8 pm with all their supplies.
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“Done!” Lily declared triumphantly as she finished her Divination homework.
“Good job, Lil…I still have a couple more sentences to make up,” Sirius said worriedly.
So far, Lily had studied with James, and they had finished CMC, Transfiguration and Potions already. Then Lily left James to his Arithmancy while she did her Divination. Now they were both done. Sirius and Remus finished right after Lily, they were always very quick at absorbing information through studying, but they were horrible at lying on Divination. Lily had it down to an art. Professor Trelawney called her a True Seer. That title was not totally underserved, Lily did indeed get premonitions, and she was ages ahead of the rest of the class in gazing into crystal balls and such. It all came naturally to her. But as far as Professor Trelawney’s useless homework went, she didn’t care. The Professor practically worshipped Lily anyway, so Lily just put something that sounded wise but was in fact obvious. Her homework that night read:
When Venus makes its flight around Jupiter and the moon, things go unnaturally well for a Taurus. Taurus are often seen as pushy, but during this rare time of unity between Jupiter and Venus, the Taurus is more like a Pisces, emotional and understanding. Problems become useless, answers become clear. One will see the truth if one searches deep within themselves. The life within will sustain them, and give them vivacious laughter. Taurus has a good effect from the unity of Venus and Jupiter, probably the best portion of the year for them. They should however, beware of dogs, soda pop, and Cockroach Clusters.
James read this and burst out laughing. “You think the old bat will really accept this, Lil?”
“Hey, it’s just like her…she eats this stuff up. It’s a general horoscope filled with babble, generalizations, and product placement. She’ll probably want to KISS me, for chrissakes,” said Lily with a grin.
Everyone started laughing, and Emia and Avia proudly stood up, finally finished with their homework.
It was about 9:20 by then, and Lily signaled with her eyes to the twins. It was Showtime.
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