Disclaimer: I am most DEFINITELY not the brilliant Ms. Rowling, and HP is her masterpiece, while am just a die-hard fan! And High School Musical, as well as the songs, are not mine either!

A/N: Before you get on reading, I'd like to thank anyone who has read this story so far. Your support is much appreciated. Also, a big shout out to my HSM-obsessed friend, definitelynotahufflepuff, for proof-reading and guiding me plot-wise, as she is the HSM expert and I'm the unhealthily addicted Jily shipper and Marauder fan:)

Chapter 2: Head in the Game, Heart in the Song

It had been two whole weeks since the party, and all Lily could think about was the move and James. He was somehow plastered in her mind, an unforgettable memory, an unavoidable thought. Lying on her lilac bedspread, she stared up at the new ceiling, tracing the corners and the edges of it with her almond-shaped eyes. Sighing, she got up and went downstairs, entering the kitchen. Grabbing a snack, she flopped down onto the worn-out couch and flipped the TV channels with one hand on the remote and the other rummaging through the plastic bag, digging for potato crisp goodness.

After a week here in the new house, Lily was still getting used to it. She could remember the move so clearly. Her mum, optimistic as she was, carrying the cardboard boxes in with delight, telling her girls to get a move on in helping her. Petunia, her older sister, groaning in irritation, and after Rose Evans had practically shoved her off her chair, she had assisted. Rose Evans believed in kindness and hard work, but most of all, following one's dreams. Lily recalled her past self, struggling to push a box into the house, while Petunia walked out to get another while smirking in Lily's direction, obviously ignoring Lily's unspoken cry for aid. Sticking her tongue out at the tall blonde in annoyance, Lily had continued to push in vain for two more minutes before finally getting it inside, though how she had managed it was beyond her.

The house was still slightly unfurnished, the normal boxes lying everywhere, but the main furniture had been placed; their progress was remarkable when compared to their many other moves. Rose's company often relocated her, causing the three of them to move frequently. She was Lily's first friend, her source of wisdom and advice. Her only true friend… after what happened with Petunia. Her older sister, with her small inner pit of envy of the smart redheaded beauty, had fueled the distaste. Distaste had morphed to hatred and avoidance. Though Rose tried to unite the two girls as they had been at a younger age, the damage was done. Insults flung, anger built, confusion heavy. It was done. As for her dad, she had few memories, as he had been snatched by the clutches of cancer when she was young.

School was tomorrow, she thought with a bit of sadness. Summer was already over. School was in two days. Two days left to cherish the freedom - two days before a whole new adventure began.

"Mum, I don't feel well…" Lily muttered in anxiety. She glanced at her mother in fear.

"You're always nervous when you start a new school Lily-flower. You will do great; you always do," her mum replied with a calm smile, saying "And I made my company promise me to not transfer me again, so all will be well."

A hint of a smile on his face as he heard his companions' conversation, the blue-eyed principal cleared his throat quietly and spoke to the anxious teenager, adjusting his half-moon spectacles.

"Miss Evans, I have reviewed your outstanding transcripts. I am sure your talents will shine very brightly here at Hogwarts High."

"Thank you Mr. Dumbledore" Lily replied, a milligram of nervous energy dissipated.

Sighing, she whispered to her mum, saying softly more to herself "I don't want to be the school's freaky genius girl again…"

Patting her shoulder, Ms. Evans said "Just be Lily." Planting a kiss to her forehead, she thanked Principal Dumbledore again and smiling, she exited the school. Lily sighed quietly. Here goes nothing…

"Come Lily. I will direct you to your first period class" Dumbledore said kindly. Smiling weakly at the wise man, she followed him through the red-and-white colored hallways.

"Quit it, man!" Sirius protested, nimbly avoiding James' outstretched hand. Grinning, James chased him around the drama classroom, trying to mess up his groomed raven locks while Peter cheered with the rest of the basketball team. "What team? Lions! What team? Lions!" Shouting a cry of triumph, James messed up his best mate's hair. "JAMES POTTER!" Sirius yelled in anger. "You little-"

"Oh, shut it, prissy," James answered, and the whole team roared in laughter.

"Here is your classroom Miss Evans" Mr. Dumbledore said. Peeking inside cautiously through the window in the door, she saw a controlled ruckus occurring, as blurs of red-clad boys cheered and girls chattered; a cloud of noise. Glancing back at the principal, he smiled at her confused look at his lack of attempting to end the chaos. "Good luck," Dumbledore wished the redhead, and a thoughtful look in his calm blue eyes, he gracefully turned around and strolled away, not a care in the world.

Here I go… Lily thought, and then opened the door, letting the noise explode at full impact in her ears. No one noticed the redhead's appearance as she stepped inside, walking to the back of the classroom while trying to avoid the boys who almost trampled her with their roughhousing.

James, laughing from his success at irritating Sirius, looked around the small classroom. His eyes passed a laughing Peter and a redhead and a- wait a moment. It can't be! His hazel eyes frantically looked back and locked onto the redheaded girl retreating to the back of the classroom, the rest of the world a trivial blur. But before he could confirm it was actually her, a blonde girl with a gold bow headband in her hair blocked James' vision.

"Hey, James!" she chirped, twisting a lock of her long hair with her finger. "How was your summer?" She beamed a bright smile at him. Focusing back on reality, James looked at the blonde, who wore a fuchsia top and gold pants paired with yellow heels, replying "good," with a bit of frustration. "Now Serena, if you will excus-"

Suddenly, a middle-aged woman strode into the drama classroom, her light green eyes inspecting the room with an aura of authority that one could pick up just by looking at her.

"Boys! Get down from the desks right now!" the woman scolded, shaking her head; the boys immediately settled down in their seats, the class now more attentive. Serena smiled at him again, and walked away to her seat in front of a tall, sandy-haired boy with a stylish button-up shirt and a grey flat cap on his head. Sighing, James sat down when a sudden idea struck him. Reaching into his jeans pocket, he took out his phone and dialed Lily's number.

The teacher walked up to Serena and the sandy-haired boy, who were checking their phones. Clearing her throat to catch the attention of the two, she spoke.

"Ah, the cell phone beast has returned to our crucible of learning. Serena and Remus, hand over the devices. I will see you two in detention." Sticking out a bucket in front of them, she instructed "in here."

"Yes Miss McGonagall," Serena and Remus spoke. Sighing, they placed their phones into the bucket. "We have zero tolerance for cell phones in class so we will able to get to know you in detention." Miss McGonagall said.

Suddenly, a ring went off, and when Lily realized it was hers, she looked at the screen quickly to see the certain person who had contacted her. "James". Why was he contacting her now? James looked towards the back of the classroom, he saw Lily struggling to turn off her phone quickly. Grinning, his heart sped up involuntarily. It WAS her!

Sticking out a hand towards Lily, Miss McGonagall spoke "Cell phone, Miss Evans. And welcome to Hogwarts High." Handing over her phone reluctantly, Lily placed it in the teacher's hand, who put it into the bucket. Looking towards the front of the classroom, Miss McGonagall headed towards James. "Potter, I see your cell phone is involved as well so we shall see you in detention, too." She took James' phone and put it in with the rest of the devices. Letting out a small audible protest at this, Sirius spoke up.

"That's not a possibility for James, Miss McGonagall. We have practice!"

Focusing her eyes on the teenager, she replied. "Well then, Black. That's 20 minutes of detention for you. Count them."

A girl seated near Sirius snorted audibly, flipping her long black hair backwards. Smirking and muttering more to herself than anyone else, she whispered "That could be hard for Black, since he most likely can't count that high."

Startling the girl out of her thoughts, Miss McGonagall fixed a look at her. Was there a small gleam of amusement in her eyes? It was hard to tell. "Marlene McKinnon, 20 minutes for you too." Ignoring the whine of protest from the outraged teenager, the teacher strode to the front of the classroom, facing the device-less juniors. "So, any questions?"

Peter cleared his throat and spoke up. "How were your holidays, Miss McGonagall?" Sirius and James rolled their eyes as the majority of the class groaned. Suddenly, the school bell rang, and students started to exit the drama classroom.

"See you in detention," Sirius remarked casually to James, then left, glaring at Marlene, who only let out an exasperated sigh and fixed him with a no-nonsense stare. Running out quickly, James tried to calm himself as he leaned against the wall right outside the classroom door, waiting for her. He tried for a natural pose; anyone passing would have seen through the failed act. Lily exited the classroom, and James ran up behind her and tapped her shoulder. Whipping around, Lily noticed a very familiar boy… How was this possible?!

"James?!" Lily exclaimed in surprise "I don't-"

"Believe it!" James cried.

"Well me neither!" Lily replied in excitement.

Ruffling his hair with his hand, James' mouth became an involuntary grin. "How is this even possible?"

"Well, I moved to Gryffindale for my mum's new job transfer," she explained.

"Oh, okay" he answered.

Spotting a bulletin board, Lily's curiosity took over and she walked over to it, leaving a confused James, who quickly followed her.

Lily's eyes roamed over the bulletin board, taking in the huge title: "DRAMA CLUB", and she noted how no names were on the sign-up sheet yet.

Interrupting her thoughts, James commented "Anyway, welcome to Hogwarts. And now that you've met Miss McGonagall, I bet you would love to sign up for that," he gestured to the empty sign-up sheet.

"Oh, I won't be signing up for anything for a while, as I'm new and trying to get used to the school. However, if you signed up, I would consider coming to the show," Lily said.

"Oh no, I wouldn't sign up," James said in slight panic. What would his friends think? James Potter, star basketball player of the Hogwarts Lions, singing in a musical?! No… He couldn't. "It's impossible," he said, concealing his regret.

Suddenly, a blonde appeared, startling the two from their conversation. Smiling, Serena said "Impossible? After last season's incredible performance, I would have a difficult time believing 'impossible' is in your vocabulary!" Noticing the ginger for real for the first time as she was busy with James, she commented "So nice of you to show our new classmate around."

Turning abruptly to face the sign-up sheet, she whipped out a pink pen from nowhere. She signed her name on the sheet, taking up three-fourths of the space. Lily's eyes widened in slight amusement, meeting James' hazel eyes and mouthing 'Obnoxious much?' while James tried to hold in a snort. 'Serena Lupin' had been written in large font, pink ink glistening, with a fancy star over the 'i' in her surname. Looking back at the two, oblivious to their efforts to not start laughing, she inquired "Oh, were you going to sign up as well? Remus and I have starred in all of the school productions, and we gladly welcome newcomers. Many supporting roles are available, and I'm sure we can find something for you."

"Oh no, I'm just looking at all the bulletin boards," Lily replied. Eyeing the 'Serena Lupin', she added "Nice penmanship." Lily smiled at James, and then left, leaving him alone with Serena.

Serena began "So James, I didn't really see you in the summer. How was it?"

James casually said "You know. Basketball, parties... the usual." Lily-filled thoughts entered his brain at the word 'parties' and he tried to focus.

"When's the big game?" she asked.

"Two weeks."

Smiling widely, Serena patted his arm and exclaimed "You're so dedicated. Just like me! Hope you come to the musical. Toodles!" She ended and left.

"Toodles?"

….

Serena walked briskly towards the library, dragging along her brother whom she happened to find along the way.

"What are you doing, Serena?" Remus sighed in exhaustion. "I was busy reading-"

"We have work to do" she replied crisply. They walked past the wooden tables and studying students, reaching the computers. The blonde settled down at one of the computers, and said, "That new girl was eyeing the auditions sign-up sheet with too much interest, Remus. I'm going to figure out where she's from."

Promptly, Serena typed in 'Lily Evans' and clicked 'search'. The computer displayed a whole page of results about similar topics.

Her eyes widened. "Look Remus! 'Beauxbatons student leads Decathlon team to regionals'!" She continued to read aloud other titles of articles that all described Lily Evans' academic talent and awards. Smirking slightly, Serena printed one of the articles and grabbed it from the printer.

"Why are you…" Remus began in confusion. Then, a look of revelation struck his intelligent mind. "Oh, I see. You want to get her focus off of theatre by introducing the Decathlon team to her?" he asked.

His sister smirked in confirmation.

"You are devious" he replied. "Why not just leave her be? She seems nice."

Shaking her head, Serena eyed him in exasperation. "I don't want any competition to threaten us. Not as if she could in the first place, but I like making sure we are the best candidates for the part. And in this case, if my plan works," she smiled now, "Lily Evans will be too distracted with extracurriculars that are more suited for her to even audition."

Remus gave her a skeptical look, but kept his thoughts to himself as they exited the library together.

...

James was perched on top of a cardboard tree, stapling leaves onto it, as he watched Ms. McGonagall scold Sirius for not working. He let out a snort; this was the highlight of detention so far, and that was saying something. He was pretty sure Ms. McGonagall had already kept them for more than twenty minutes, but he knew that protesting would surely gain him another hour of this hellish activity.

Meanwhile, Lily distractedly applied paint to a prop meant to be a crescent moon. Already a detention, and it had only been one day. Way to go, Evans, she chided herself. Suddenly, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a girl came up to her with a smile on her face.

"Lily, I'm glad you're going to join the team!" Marlene said in elation.

"Wh-What?" Lily stuttered. "What are you talking about…"

"Marlene," the girl answered Lily's unspoken request for her name. "I saw the article you submitted, and I'd love for you to become the newest member for Hogwarts' Scholastic Decathlon Team!"

"But I didn't sign-up or send that article in" Lily replied in confusion.

Marlene simply gave her a smile. "Lily, you are so talented. Imagine how great the team would be this year with you in it!" Marlene seemed to have entered a daydream that probably involved a large trophy.

"I'm sorry, Marlene. I don't think I'll be joining clubs anytime soon, as I need to get adjusted here."

"So wonderful that you're joining the team, Lily! Aren't you glad, Marlene?" Serena had suddenly entered their conversation, secretly pleased to see that her plan was working.

"I'd be glad to push you off this stage" Marlene muttered under her breath; Serena didn't seem to have heard her, but Lily smothered her laugh quickly.

"Anyways, great to hear you're fitting in nicely" Serena said to Lily. She gave the redhead a smile and walked away, eager to tell Remus of her plan's success.

"Please think about it" Marlene said to Lily, and returned to her own detention duty. Lily watched her go and sighed, returning to her painting task unwillingly.

….

James was dozing off when he heard a shout. Shaken from sleep, he watched from the top of the cardboard tree as Ms. McGonagall argued with his father, who was also the basketball team's coach. After a while, Ms. McGonagall gave his father a formidable glare, and walked away in indignation.

His father motioned for James and Sirius, and after climbing down the tree and waking Sirius up, they joined their coach and hurried to practice.

...

James hadn't spoken to Lily all day since homeroom period, which dampened his mood a little, as she had deserted him, leaving him with Serena. But then again, he would have done it most likely as well. Shaking his head to rid his Lily-thoughts, he focused on the large gymnasium he was in. A big lion was painted in the center of the polished wooden floor where the Hogwarts basketball team were practicing.

Signaling Sirius' attention by passing him a ball, he said "So, the spring musical. Is it true you get extra credit for just auditioning?" His heart was telling him to audition with Lily, but his head was advising him to stick with basketball. He needed advice from his best friend.

"I don't know, but who cares?" Sirius replied, giving the conversation not much importance.

"Well, it doesn't hurt to get credit, you know? For college?"

Fixing him with a look, Sirius pointed out "Do you think Krum of the Dragons or Jones of the Cannons auditioned for their school musical? No. It's not regular music. It's show music. It's bad, mate." Shuddering, he walked away.

James sighed, then shouted "Alright Lions! Pair up, and let's do this!"

Their practice became an orchestra of sounds; quirky sneaker noises, pounding basketballs, and swooshes of balls being shot into the net.

Coach said to fake right
And break left
Watch out for the pick
And keep an eye on defense
Gotta run the give and go
And take the ball to the hole
Like an old school pro
He said, "Don't be afraid"
What you waitin' on?
To shoot the outside 'J'

James jumped and shot a flawless basket. The team was working in full swing.

Just keep ya head in the game
Just keep ya head in the game

And don't be afraid
To shoot the outside "J"
Just keep ya head in the game.

They kept practicing, the Lions in sync - a harmony of goals and passes, dunks and lay-ups. As they kept working, James became more frustrated with Sirius' previous answer.

Why am I feeling so wrong?

My head's in the game, but my heart's in the song!

She makes this feel so right.

The boys convinced him to keep going, yet he didn't forget about Lily.

After practice, the boys raced out of the gym, yelling "What team? LIONS!" over and over, a chant of pride. James stood in thought in the middle of the gym, panting and thinking. He shot his basketball into the net and slowly walked out, not joining in the chanting. What to do. What not to do. Too much. All too much.

….

This chapter is edited as of May 30, 2016, because I did have some plot holes in this chapter. Next chapter may or may not be out soon. It's hard to tell. Thank you!