This story is based on The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks. I don't intend on following it word for word. It is similar though. Don't spazz if it's different.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the plot or anything for that matter, so don't sue me. Props to JK Rowling and Nicholas Sparks.
Chapter 1
Halloween morning – Seventh Year
It was a beautiful day at Hogwarts. The sun was shining, a cool autumn breeze was flitting through the trees, and the students were enjoying their afternoon, hastily making plans for the Halloween ball that night. Well. Most of the students.
"Remus, won't you levitate those candles for me? Thank you – oh Alexa! No! No, I said keep the jack-o-lanterns their original color!" A very frazzled Lily Evans hurried over to the 5th year Ravenclaw prefect, who was holding a pumpkin that was a rather nasty mix of navy and bronze.
"I was trying to get them to mix into Ravenclaw colors," Alexa Rynne explained in a quiet voice, obviously frightened by the Head girl. She avoided contact between her own eyes and Lily's emerald green ones. Lily sighed in aggravation and tapped the pumpkin with her wand, murmuring a charm. It instantly changed back to its normal orange.
"There," Lily said with a weak smile. "Nothing to worry about." Alexa didn't return her smile, though, but instead pointed behind Lily. She turned, and her eyes widened in horror as she gazed at a pile of about 100 pumpkins, all in mixes of silver and green, gold and scarlet, black and yellow, and bronze and navy.
"Oh dear," Lily muttered, waving Alexa away. At this rate, she would never finish all the work she had to do.
'Come now, Lily, you need to make this Halloween ball work!' she thought angrily as she moved to fix the pumpkins. She glanced behind her as she fixed a Gryffindor pumpkin, watching the equally stressed prefects hurry around, decorating the Great Hall for the ball. Everyone seemed stress... everyone except her counterpart, Head Boy James Potter.
Lily narrowed her eyes when she saw him. James stood with Remus Lupin, one of his best friends and Gryffindor prefect, laughing and talking while they lit and levitated hundreds of candles. 'How can he not be the least bit worried?' she thought irritably, turning back to her pumpkins. 'Does Potter care about anything serious?'
Potter? Serious? What a laugh. James Potter was notorious being one of the biggest troublemakers Hogwarts had ever seen. Along with his three best friends – Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Remus - they constituted the ' Marauders', a group famous for their pranks. Lily thought them childish and immature and it was beyond her when she found that James Potter was to be Head Boy. Sure he was nice, but responsible? What was Professor Dumbledore thinking when-
"Lily?"
Lily jumped, startled, as a voice interrupted her train of thought. She turned around, a Slytherin pumpkin in her hands, and frowned. Speak of the devil. It was James.
"What?" Lily asked, fixing the pumpkin and moving on to another Gryffindor pumpkin. James glanced at her, then at the pumpkin in her arms, and smiled in amusement.
"What're you doing?"
Lily rolled her eyes and thrust her pumpkin at him. "A Ravenclaw Prefect misheard some instruction I gave, and turned all our pumpkins into house colors. Now, do make yourself useful and help me change them back."
James obliged and began to help her fix the pumpkins. They worked in silence for a few minutes before Lily realized that James had meant to ask her something.
"I'm sorry, did you mean to ask me something?" she said, mechanically reaching out for another pumpkin.
"Oh that," James said, his pile of fixed pumpkins increasing steadily. "I was meaning to clarify that we're going together tonight."
"We're going together?" Lily asked incredulously, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Since when?"
"We're Head students," James said simply, as if it made all the sense in the world. "That's what we do. Professor McGonagall said we're supposed to open with the first dance." He paused for a moment, then added, "Besides, I want to go with you."
Lily felt an odd feeling at the pit of her stomach. Since when did James Potter abide by what Professor McGonagall said? And furthermore, why was he insisting that they should go together? He was popular. He was handsome. He was smart. He had dozens of girls flocking to him like sheep. She, on the other hand ... well, let's just say she wasn't stalked by anyone 24/7 like James.
Old resentment built up inside of her. "Look. What makes you think I want to go with you-"
"Oh, come on," James said, running his hand impatiently through his ever messy black hair. "You're not still bitter about fifth year are you? Because, honestly. Don't you think we've all grown up a bit since then?"
Lily opened her mouth to speak, but stopped. It was during fifth year that she hated James Potter the most, with his arrogant attitude and constant misdemeanors. Especially that day at the lake... Lily frowned just thinking about it. But was he right? There was some truth in his statement. He had grown up some since then...
"I don't know..." Lily hesitated in her reply.
"You didn't already find a date?" James asked, and Lily saw a flicker of some emotion she couldn't place in his eyes. Lily shook her head in the negative, although she had already declined five offers, wondering why James cared.
"No."
"Well then," he said with a trace of a smile. "Seeing that the giant squid's taken by Peter, why don't we just-"
"Jamessssssieeeee!"
Lily and James both turned to the owner of the voice - Lily surprised, and James annoyed at the interruption. Patience Kingsolver, a seventh year Hufflepuff Prefect, was standing there with smile that tried to look seductive, but was tinted with nervousness, and enough lip gloss it looked as if one could skate across her lips.
"Patience. Hi." Lily had been raised well by her parents – she was an expert at looking pleased while her insides were registering anything but pleasure. Patience was one of the people that Lily and one of her best friends Arabella Figg liked to call one of the Marauder's "Groupies" – mostly tall, beautiful girls that were set on making a Marauder their own. She and her friends succeeded at everything... except for getting the attention of any of the Marauders for anything but maybe one date. Lily returned Patience's smile, even though it wasn't aimed at her.
James, however, was a different story. "What is it, Kingsolver?" he asked, dripping with disdain. Patience's clear blue eyes widened innocently.
"Why Jamesie," she said, flipping a curtain of blonde hair over her shoulder. "You haven't asked me yet to the Halloween ball tonight. I was getting worried." Lily stifled a laugh at Patience. With the look James was giving her, it looked as if he'd rather go with anyone in the world but her. And she was right - James looked anything but amused.
"Kingsolver. Look. For the thousandth time, I don't want to go with you!" James snapped irritably, looking as if he wanted to hurl the pumpkin he was holding at her. Patience laughed, but Lily could tell she was losing her nerve.
"Oh James," she said lightly. "You don't mean that." James thrust the pumpkin down in irritation.
"Bloody Hell! How daft can you get?"
Lily felt uncomfortable suddenly. She didn't like Patience, but she knew that James could cut her down harshly. Lily knew that James Potter was not afraid to hurt someone's feelings and his comments could be razor- sharp. She cleared her throat loudly, praying that she wouldn't regret this.
"He can't go with you," she said, "because he's going with me."
James and Patience turned to Lily in surprise. Patience's eyes narrowed in anger, but James's seem to light up.
"Really," Patience clicked her tongue in disgust, then spun on her heel and stalked off.
"Really?" James asked, with a smile. Lily shrugged.
"I suppose so. Since the giant squid's taken."
The two finished charming the pumpkins in silence. 'I wonder what Bella's going to say... me and James Potter.' Lily thought, as she finished her last pumpkin. 'Oh well. It can't be that horrible.'
"Any left?" James asked, noticing the pile of normal pumpkins. Lily shook her head.
"No..." she glanced around the room. The Prefects seemed to be finish with their work and we're beginning to file out, and the Great Hall looked marvelous. "I think we're done." James nodded, waving Remus over.
"Excellent. Well, since you and I have to be here early, shall I meet you at... around 7?" Lily nodded.
"Sure...that would be fine."
James smiled once more to her before walking off with Remus, leaving Lily alone in the Great Hall.
Well. Fancy that. She knew that she still harbored some resentful feelings towards James Potter, due to his lack of responsibility most of the time. But there was something about him... something about how he was so willing to just help her with... anything really. And how he wanted to go with her, plain Lily Evans, when he could have his choice of all the Patience Kingsolvers in Hogwarts.
How very interesting.
"Hey Lily."
Lily smiled brightly at the owner of the voice. "Hey Remus," she replied, as he sat down at the table she was at. She had always liked Remus – his demeanor was calmer and more mature than those of his friends.
"Everything looks wonderful. Terrific job," he commented, as his date, a close friend of Lily's, Emmeline Vance, sat down next to him.
"Yeah, Lily. Both of you did an amazing job," she echoed earnestly. Lily beamed; she had been so afraid of everything going wrong at the ball that she was practically crying until, well about an hour before, until James...
James. Surprisingly, James had provided terrific company, and he proved to be excellent at calming her nerves. She didn't know why... the trait that had annoyed her most was now proving to be something she envied. How was it that he was so calm, but so efficient? She'd spent so much time fuming over his relaxed attitude, that she never noticed how much work he could get done. And the way his eyes lit up whenever he saw her... Lily bit her lip. What was this feeling she was getting for him?
She, apparently, wasn't the only one thinking of him. "Where's James?" Remus asked, glancing around the Great Hall for his friend.
"Oh," Lily said, smoothing down the front of her dress robes nervously. "He's getting me something to drink."
"You two looked amazing together when you were dancing, really Lily," Em gushed, causing Lily's cheeks to flush. "If I didn't know any better, I could've sworn that you two had been together forever –"
"Really," an amused voice commented, stopping behind Em. Lily felt her cheeks redden more, and a knowing smile graced Remus' features.
"Hey James!" Em said, not noticing Lily's embarrassment. "We were just talking about you."
"Were you?" James said, taking a seat next to Lily, as Em chattered on about the ball's gossip.
"Emmeline Vance. Really, that ball's not even over yet and you already have this much gossip?" Arabella Figg glided over to the table, her date in one hand, and her drink in the other. Tall, with long brown hair and flashing grey eyes, Arabella could easily command the attention of any group. Lily tried desperately to catch her eye; she needed to talk to her about her James situation.
"Bella!" Lily finally said, just as Arabella was about to sit down. "Come with me, really quick. You too, Em."
"To where?" James asked as Emmeline stood.
"To the umm, lavatories!" Lily said hurriedly. "We'll be right back." And with that, the three girls scurried out of the Great Hall, leaving Remus, James and Arabella's date alone. Remus broke the silence.
"What is it with girls and going to the lavatories in groups?"
"What is it Lily?" Arabella asked, once they arrived in the lavatories. Em nodded.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked. Lily ran her hand through her red hair in agitation.
"It's about what you said Em," she finally said. Em looked confused.
"When...?"
"Right now! About me and James dancing!" Lily rubbed her temples, trying to calm her nerves. Arabella and Em still looked confused.
"When did she say anything about you two dancing?" Arabella asked. Lily then realized that Bella hadn't heard Em's comments about then, and opened her mouth to tell her when Em cut in.
"I just said they looked really good together," she explained. "That they looked like they'd been together for a long time."
Bella nodded shortly and shrugged. "Perhaps. But why's that bothering you Lils?"
"Because," Lily said, faltering. Her mind screamed at her to tell her friends, but her nerves were getting the better of her. "Dammit." She pounded her fist against the sink.
"What is it Lily?" Em questioned firmly, crossing her arms. Lily looked at her best friends, and took a deep breath.
"I think I... I think I'm starting to feel something for ... for James."
Back at the table, Sirius and Peter had joined the group. Sirius and Peter were in deep conversation, plotting to spike the drinks, while Remus and James talked between themselves. Arabella's date looked torn on whom to talk with, but finally decided on Sirius and Peter.
"Em was right, you know," Remus was saying airily. "You two looked nice together." James groaned in frustration.
"Dammit Moony. I like her so much, it's getting too hard for me to be so close to her without-"
"Yeah," Remus replied absently. He cleared his throat before continuing. "I think you should just do it, Prongs. Take the initiative." James glanced at his friend, his eyes widening.
"Are you serious?" he gaped. Remus shrugged, calmly sipping his drink. James was shocked – Remus was usually one to enforce taking the more logical, sensible way, never the rash one.
"Sure. I'm sure she knows you fancy her," he said, his attention moving slightly to the three others, as the embarked to spike the drinks.
"I should stop them," James said, smiling slightly. Remus grinned back.
"We both should." He shrugged. "Oops."
"Anyway," James continued, getting back on subject. "What should I-"
"Sorry we took so long," a voice interrupted, and James clamped his mouth shut as Lily, Arabella and Emmeline sat back down.
"Pleasant conversation?" Remus inquired. Arabella remained silent, and Lily hesitated.
"Sure," Em contributed, but saying nothing more. Lily glanced over to James, but he wouldn't make eye contact with her.
"What are they doing?" Arabella gasped, pointing to Sirius, Peter and her date stealthily making their way to the punch bowls. Lily stood to stop then when Albus Dumbledore, headmaster, rose at his seat at the teacher's table.
"I regret to tell you that this will be the last and final dance of this year's Halloween Ball," he said, as the room silenced. Lily could see Sirius cursing, their plan foiled. She smiled.
"I ask that our Head Students would lead this dance," Dumbledore continued, "and I also thank them and our Prefects for coordinating this ball." He brought his hands together in applause, and the room followed suit. Waves of applause splashed over Lily, James and the other Prefects.
"Well then," James said, amidst the applaud, offering his hand to Lily. "May I have this dance?"
They made their way to the dance floor, arm in arm. Lily prayed that James couldn't hear her heart, it was beating so loudly. The charmed string quartet began to play and they began to dance.
James spun her around, the same nervous feeling eating away at his stomach whenever he was near her. He glanced down at her, his heart fluttering. Her eyes were closed and a peaceful smile graced her features and her lips were right there...
Lily's head was spinning. Bella and Em were surprised with her news, but didn't protest. She knew that James fancied her, but what would he say when he learned she fancied him as well? She felt his grip around her waist tighten almost protectively as other couples joined them on the dance floor. She could feel the coolness of his glasses as they brushed against her cheek... and he was so close to her and everything about this felt so wonderful...
James could hardly breathe, and his mind was racing. What should he do... he groaned inwardly. He had faced rejection from her before, but something happened tonight... something clicked between them and was it wise for him to venture?
'Take the initiative...' Remus' voice echoed in his head, urging him on. James swallowed nervously, holding her a little closer.
"Lily," he said softly. Lily opened her eyes and smiled up at him.
"Hmm..." she murmured. Their eyes met, and it was then that James knew. He knew that he was in love with this girl, and that there was absolutely no one else in the world for him.
He leaned down and gently pressed his lips against hers. And the feeling was unexplainable, and an absolute joy filled him when she responded, kissing him back.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, people openly staring at the couple. Remus grinned broadly, Sirius, proudly, and Peter enviously as the Marauders glanced at their best friend.
But to Lily and James... they were the only two people in the world.