Chapter 3
I know, I know. Three chapters in, and already I've dropped the ball on updating every Tuesday. Life's been busy. I had finals for all my classes, papers to write, two jobs, my position as editor-in-chief for my school's literary magazine, and packing and moving on top of that. I'm exhausted. But now I'm home for the summer and I've been unable to find work yet (though I should have an interview here pretty soon) so I should be able to update more often. I can't guarantee any specific dates, but I'll try to get them up as soon as possible. If I get reviews, that'll motivate me to get them up even earlier. (hint. hint.)
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own plot and an OC that'll show up later.
This could be the one last chance
To make you understand
As the Hogwartts Express pulled away from the platform, James waved goodbye to the other marauders and headed towards the front compartment. He and Lily were supposed to distribute passwords to the prefects and come up with a patrolling schedule for the first month.
Walking into the compartment, he spotted the object of desires standing on the seat, trying to push her trunk onto the shelf above. Frozen, James' eyes followed the curve of her shoulders, left exposed by her wide neckline, and the scraps of leg left uncovered by either the thigh high black boots or the denim miniskirt as she leaned down to pick up a bag from the seat next to her. Coming out of his daze, James leaned up against the now-closed door and watched, waiting for her to notice him. When she didn't right away, he heard opportunity knocking. Stepping behind her, James waited until she was climbing down.
"Hello, Lily."
As expected, Lily screamed and toppled over backwards right into his arms. Unfortunately, in her panic, her elbow flew back and made contact with his stomach. Out of breath, James fell hard to the floor. A ripping noise filled the air.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" Lily scrambled up to locate the sound of the rips. There was now a jagged tear up the side of her skirt, a few threads barely holding the top together. James caught a quick glimpse of red lace before she clenched it tightly closed. "Now look what you've done! I'm no good at mending charms!"
"I was just playing." James stood to brush off, only to find that is shirt had also been torn from neck to navel. Holding the edges together, he ran his wand over the edges, flawlessly repairing it. "I can fix your skirt for you."
Lily looked skeptical, but agreed. Kneeling down, James inspected the tear, un-guiltily trying to sneak a peek despite the smack she aimed at his head. When he stepped back, there was no evidence of the tear. Inspecting her skirt. She nodded, satisfied.
"Not bad. I might come to you with some of my other things once in a while. She sat down and pulled out a muggle pen.
"Do you have the perfect and password lists? We should get started." James pulled out the requested papers and helped Lily get everything ready for the new school year.
"… and now, I have one last announcement to make."
Full to bursting, James and the other four Marauders (Lily having been forcibly initiated during the summer), sleepily lazed as Dumbledore made the last few announcements.
"This year, as a special treat for Halloween, we will be hosting a talent show, with prizes for the best in each year."
James sat up so fast, he almost flew off his seat. Remus, Peter, and Lily looked confused, but Sirius knew what he was thinking. The two of them had been playing guitar and drums for years, and had recently discovered that Remus could play bass. They could start a band! Peter had no rhythm, but James figured they could find something for him to do.
Already planning the song in his head, James settled back into his seat. This was going to be perfect…
"James?" Dressed in a short white nightgown and open housecoat, Lily stood in his door frame. Setting aside his guitar, James tied his own housecoat shut as he was only wearing his boxers underneath.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"No, no. Nothing's wrong." She looked from the guitar to the sheets of music laying across his bed. "I just heard music and was wondering where it was coming from. I didn't know you could play."
"I was working on something for the talent show." Picking up the guitar again, he strummed a few chords. Seeing the look of wonder on her face he asked if she would like him to play something for her. Nodding, she took a seat on the edge of the bed.
Settling into a more comfortable position, James took a deep breath before playing a song he had written years ago:
Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday
Yeah
Lilly sat silently, focused entirely on the sound of James' voice and the flittering of emotion across his face.
Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for
Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay
You know I'll say,
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Lilly felt something hit her hand and discovered that she had started crying. Wiping the tears away, she refocused on James' face.
Just the way you are.
As the last few chords faded into silence, James held his head down. Crossing over to him, Lilly placed a hand on his arm. He looked up into her face.
"That was beautiful, James. Thank you." Hesitating slightly, she quickly placed a kiss to his cheek before turning to leave. Pausing at the door, she turned back and smirked at his still shocked look. "You might want to pack up soon. It's late, and we still have class tomorrow."
As the door closed, James packed everything away and fell back onto the bed with a goofy smile on his face.
