Disclaimer: Any characters who seem familiar, do not belong to me. They belong to the amazing J.K. Rowling. Further, I own neither the play nor the movie musical, Grease, so any familiar lines or plot scenes are not mine.

Prologue: Love Is a Many Splendored Thing

"Two lovers kissed and the world stood still

Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing

Yes, true love's a many splendored thing"

The smell of salt and brine were strong in the air, the roar of the ocean the dominant sound. Gulls cried overhead and children squealed as they chased one another down the sand. The sun was high in the sky, a golden halo surrounded by white puffs. Multicolored umbrellas were dotted along the beach like a color-by-number picture. Parents supervised their children as they splashed in the waves, and teenagers talked loudly as they blasted their speakers. The shrill cry of the lifeguard's whistle blew every few minutes, warning people not to go out too far in the water. There was a slight breeze, strong enough to keep sunbathers cool in the sun, but still warm and gentle. It was the perfect August day.

There was a boardwalk along the perimeter of the beach that separated the sand from the road, and a young man could be seen walking along the wooden planks. He was tall and lean, with a head of wild midnight hair, and navy swim trunks, a lifeguard logo on his left thigh. He walked slowly along the boardwalk, one hand in his hair, pulling at the strands. He paused, adjusting his sunglasses on his nose. He ignored all the people around him as he scanned the beach. He glanced down at his waterproof watch, checking the time. 11:50. He had ten minutes until his shift, but he just had to see her before she left.

He looked back up, head swiveling again. He pulled off his sunglasses, as if he thought he could see better without the black lenses. He couldn't find who he was looking for anywhere and he was starting to feel anxious. Suddenly, a flash of red crossed his vision, and he watched as a girl about ten paces from him sprinted toward the beach. She gripped the wooden railing in her pale hands and stood on tiptoes as she looked at the lifeguard stand. His lips pulled up into a grin as he watched her. She was wearing a pale yellow sundress that fluttered around her thighs in the breeze. She was barefoot, as always, and her beautiful wavy hair blew behind her like an auburn banner. He could picture her expression: brilliant almond-shaped green eyes glancing around anxiously, her small white teeth pulling at her pink lips. His grin grew even wider as he closed the distance between them.

She was so focused on scanning the beach that she didn't hear him come up behind her. She jumped when he wrapped his arms around her stomach, pulling her into his chest. He felt the tension leave her body as she realized who he was, and she leaned back into him. "Hi," she said, her voice soft.

"Hello," he replied, turning his head and kissing the side of her neck. She sucked in a small breath and he smirked as he rested his chin on top of her head.

"I was looking for you," she said, putting her hands over his. He flipped one of his hands over so that he could intertwine his fingers with hers.

"Found me," he said.

They stood stood there in silence for a while, just watching the waves hit the shore. Lily sighed softly, and he felt her tense up again. "What time is your shift?" she asked.

He glanced at his watch once more. "Seven minutes," he responded, burying his face in her hair. She smelt like rosemary and juniper.

She turned around to look at him, and he saw her eyes darken with sadness. He was sure the emotion was reflected in his own eyes. "We leave at noon," she said. "Dad wants to avoid traffic." He lifted a hand, brushing his knuckles over her cheekbone. His heart beat heavily in his chest as he stared into her emerald irises. She was so beautiful, it hurt to look at her sometimes. She leaned into his hand, and bit her lip, trying to keep herself from getting too emotional. "Oh James, what if we never see each other again?"

His hand moved to the back of her head, and he wove his fingers into the soft strands. "Don't talk like that Lil," he said, trying to keep his own uncertainty hidden from her. "We'll see each other again."

"But how do you know that?" she asked. She was losing the little control she had over herself, and her voice started to take on a hysterical edge. "You're going away to school, and my Dad is moving us abroad. What if-"

He gripped the back of her head, pulling her mouth to his and successfully cutting off her rant. She instantly melted into him, her fingers gripping his t-shirt and she pressed herself more firmly against him. His hands shifted so they trailed slowly, so slowly down her sides till they rested on her lower back. His mouth slowly moved over hers, drawing out the kiss. She met him kiss for kiss, pushing up on her toes to press her mouth more firmly against his. He tried to memorize the taste of her, the feel of her warm body against his, but all too soon the moment ended.

"Hey, Potter! Why don't you let Lily come up for air, and get your lazy arse down to the stand!" He recognized the voice of his stand partner, Joe.

He barely pulled away from Lily's mouth to reply. "Be there in a minute!" He put his mouth back on hers and Lily wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Lily!" This time she pulled away as her sister called for her. "Come on you freak! Dad wants to leave, and if you don't come now, he'll end up coming to get you. Don't think he'd like discovering his little angel isn't so sweet and innocent after all," Petunia spat bitterly.

James chuckled as he heard Lily growl low in her throat. "I'm coming, Tuney!" she called back, her voice a little hoarse, he smugly noted.

He turned over his shoulder to see Petunia glaring at them fiercely, but eventually, the blonde did turn and walk back to the house the Evans' were renting. He looked back at Lily, whose eyes were now filled with tears. He brushed away one that escaped, and felt his own melancholy overwhelm him. "I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered, her voice cracking.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest again. She buried her face in his shirt, shuddering slightly. "I'm going to miss you too," he replied, wrapping the ends of her hair around his palm.

She snorted and pulled back to look at him. She had a wry smile on her face as she spoke. "Sure," she said sarcastically. "With all the bikini clad girls around, you'll never forget me."

"You're one to talk," he retorted, poking her in the side, and grinning when she squirmed. "You'll be getting wooed by French men left and right." He started speaking in a French accent. "Ma petite fleur, vous etês rayonnante comme le soleil."

Lily giggled, hitting his chest lightly, and opened her mouth to reply.

"Li-lyyyy!"

"Potter!"

Their names were cried at the same time, both in exasperation, and they winced simultaneously. "Guess that's our cue," Lily said.

He bent down and kissed her deeply, trying to make it last forever, but she pulled away too quickly for his liking. She brushed a hand through his hair, her eyes moving quickly over his face as she started to back away. Despite the August heat, he felt cold with Lily no longer in his arms.

"Goodbye James," she said. She kept walking backwards, eyes locked on his, until she reached where wood met asphalt and turned to face Petunia, who stood with her arms crossed over her chest, foot tapping impatiently.

He watched her disappear down the street and around the corner. "Goodbye Lily," he breathed, then turned to face the ocean. As he stared at the foam, he spoke a quiet plea to the wind. "We will see each other again."

He shook his head, feeling slightly ridiculous, and pulled himself away from the railing. He walked down the boardwalk and onto the beach toward the lifeguard stand to start his shift.

Author's Note:

Hey guys! So I was sitting on this story for a long time, debating whether to post it or not. I wanted to get more scenes done before I did, see if I liked it or not, but I've read and re-read this scene a bunch of times, so I went for it.

I've always loved the movie, Grease - Despite not caring for the way Sandy totally changes who she is for Danny. The music always gets me singing, so it makes up for a disappointing female protagonist - and I was watching it a while ago and just started picturing James and Lily as Danny and Sandy, and Sirius as Kenickie, and here we go! I hope you all enjoy!

xoxo

Evie