Hey everyone… (dodges rotten fruit and vegetables) I am so so sorry for the horrible lack of an update. Between work, camping, and the holiday, my laptop was left forgotten. Can you all find it in your hearts to forgive me? Pretty please? With James and Sirius sugar on top? Hopefully this 5,000 word chapter will ease your frustration with me!
Now that my groveling is out of the way, thank you for the reviews! MortalFire101, NegligibleNaina, Real Men Play Quidditch, wild-daisy7, SucksRoyalHippogriff, MusicalMarvel, Whatchoofelloverfor, and Dramionelicious, you guys are awesome! I will let you know that no one has guessed what the boys are up to yet, so keep the guesses coming!
And without further ado,
Now onto the story!
After a day full of fun in the sun and lots of sand, the girls whined that they wanted to go inside. Sirius whined that there was sand in his shorts and he was going to chafe. Remus and James cringed sympathetically for their friend. The girls rolled their eyes at their dramatics. When they arrived at Sirius's house, Lily was the first to speak.
"Let's go out tonight," Lily chirped. They were planning on staying in for the rest of the week. After watching all the Disney princess movies, the boys had stumbled upon a cabinet full of all the other Disney classics. In true Marauder fashion, they had theatrically begged the girls to let them watch the movies. They really were overgrown, too-handsome-for-their-own-good, toddlers. It hadn't taken much for the girls to acquiesce to their request. This had led to whoops of joy and high fives.
"Sounds good to me," Katie replied, "where are we gonna go?"
"Somewhere fun of course!" Sara enthused.
"Ahem," Sirius made a show of clearing his throat. "It's always fun with the Marauders around," he said smoothly, putting his arms around both James and Remus.
Lily swooned slightly as the wind caught James's already messy hair. Looking to Katie and Sara, she saw they too had a glazed look in their eyes. Lily chuckled inwardly. Who would've thought that Katie Parkins would fall for Sirius Black's devilish wink? Or Sara Snow would fall for Remus Lupin's chocolate eyes. Or Lily Evans would fall for James Potter's sex hair. She gulped at the thought of the S-word and James Potter in the same sentence. She could feel heat on her cheeks and it certainly wasn't from the sun.
Tuning back into the conversation before her thoughts started lurking in dangerous places, she heard Sara's brilliant idea.
"How about the Boardwalk?" she asked. "It's this really cool place that only a few miles away. It's like a carnival!"
Lily smiled gleefully. She loved carnivals! She was about to voice this when she caught sight of the boys and Katie's faces. They were confused.
"Wizard kids," she huffed to Sara. She laughed in response. "We aren't explaining this one guys. You're in for a surprise!" Lily laughed. Katie smiled excitedly while the boys looked rather nervous.
"What do we wear?" Sirius asked, always the fashion-conscious one. Lily swore he was a girl sometimes. He spent more time on his hair than she did! Of course, no one spent more time on his hair than James. Just as she thought this, he reached up to ruffle his hair. Lily smirked.
"Just wear casual clothes, Sirius," Sara replied with a laugh.
"Can we puh-lease take the Jeep?" James pleaded. Lily could practically see him jumping up and down but he refrained. He was a Marauder, and Marauders don't jump up and down while begging. It was in the handbook.
"I suppose," Katie drawled out, feigning reluctance.
"Meet us back here in an hour and a half," Sara called, already heading towards her house.
"Why so long?" Remus whined as he watched her retreating form longingly.
"It'll be worth it later, Remus," Sara replied with a wink. Lily couldn't believe her blatant flirting towards Remus. Sara was usually a very reserved individual. Though she did relax around Lily and Katie, they had never seen her so carefree around a member of the opposite sex. It must be the summer air. There was something about the unique smell that only came round in the summer. It made one feel invincible, like they could conquer the world. When the flowers bloomed and the air turned warm, worries ceased to exist. Summer made you fearless. Lily smiled at the thought.
An hour and a half later, no less, the girls were all looking beautiful. Katie had chosen to wear capris with a flowing cream tank top. Sara opted for shorts and a slouchy, striped shirt. Lily felt ridiculous. After pulling out a ratted pair of shorts and an old t shirt to wear, Katie and Sara had stepped in. They had forced Lily into the tightest pair of jeans she had ever had the displeasure of wearing. She had complained that she would get hot in pants, but when she glanced down, she saw that the entire front of the jeans were ragged. Katie had told her they were called "destroyed" and they were supposed to be that way. Lily thought they were stupid. After a string of profanities and a few swings, the girls had wrestled Lily into a low-cut, black shirt. Lily huffed when she saw her reflection in the mirror. Taking advantage of her momentary distraction, Sara attacked her with a curling iron, teasing comb, and hairspray. Katie held Lily still as Sara turned her flat hair into that of a super model's. Lily gazed in wonder at it. Sara had fluffed her curls and given her hair just enough volume. Though she would never admit it, Lily loved it. She was even obedient when Katie demanded to do her makeup. She sat perfectly still until the eyelash curler came out.
"No way, K," Lily said, eying the torture contraption wearily.
"Lily just hold still. It doesn't hurt," Katie said as she moved towards Lily's lashes. She jerked backwards.
"No, Lily. Hold still," Katie said firmly as she motioned for Sara to hold Lily's head still. Outnumbered, Lily stayed perfectly still so she didn't get her eyelashes ripped out.
"Perfect," Sara cooed as she scrutinized their life-size Barbie. Lily huffed indignantly as she went to find her flip flops.
"No no, Lily," Katie said patronizingly as she held out a pair of bright red heels.
"Absolutely not. Not under any circumstances will I wear those. No way. No how," Lily said, backing away as her supposed best friends advanced on her already clad in heels.
James, Sirius, and Remus were sitting on the deck of Sara's porch. Being the gentlemen they were, they had drove the Jeep over to her driveway so the girls wouldn't have to walk. They all jumped in surprise when they heard a shriek and the sound of someone running. There was a loud thump followed by indecipherable shouting.
"That's Lily," James said confidently, "I'd know the sound of her yelling anywhere. It's not scared yelling either. It sounds like Katie and Sara are making her do something she doesn't want to do."
"You do have a lot of experience with her yelling," Remus mused as he twiddled a piece of grass between his fingers. "Just be thankful it isn't directed at you this time." James nodded with wide eyes. He was very thankful.
"Remember that time he charmed her books to change every name mentioned in them to 'James Potter'?" Sirius laughed joyously at the memory. James cringed slightly. He remembered that incident all too well. He had hoped Lily would just think she was imagining the changes. His intent was to get himself on her mind, to get her to think about him. His plan had failed miserably. Lily had noticed the difference right away when the goblin, Graust, had turned to his name. She had chased him around the common room, brandishing her edited textbook as a weapon as she screamed profanities at him.
"His head had a bump on it for weeks!" Remus guffawed as he and Sirius laughed at their friend's expense.
"Thanks gits," James said grumpily as he rubbed the spot on his head that had sported a knot for three weeks. He swore his head was misshapen from the blow. Thank Merlin for his hair. He thanked his lucky stars for his good genes. His thoughts were interrupted when the front door opened to reveal Sara and Katie. They looked slightly disheveled as they smoothed down their hair.
"What happened?" Sirius asked as he peeked inside the door for an intruder.
"Lily." Katie replied as she straightened her shirt.
"Where is she?" James asked impatiently.
"I'm right here," Lily called from inside the house. The boys peeked inside to see Lily still standing at the top of the stairs. She was gripping the banister tightly and she looked slightly upset.
"What's wrong, Lily? Come downstairs," James said as he moved towards the base of the steps.
"I can't," Lily said pitifully. She looked so sad as she gazed at the bottom of the stairs.
"Why not?" James asked, worried now. Lily pointed at her shoes with disgust. James glanced at them and then realized what Lily was wearing. His eyes raked up her body and cursed his hormones. The jeans she wore were skin tight and the rips in them gave her a bad girl look. The red heels only made her already long legs look even longer. Her low slung shirt left little to the imagination. As James's eyes finally reached her face again, his heart was beating a little faster. Then he took in her face. Her emerald eyes looked more like a stormy sea as they swallowed him up. Her hair looked as if she had just rolled around in bed with someone, but it was still neat. James didn't understand how his shy, sweet Lily could go from pretty to sexy in such a short time. As his imagination started getting carried away, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Why don't you just change shoes, Lily?" he suggested. Merlin, he didn't want her to take those shoes off. Not now, or later, or in bed… He shook his head again and started naming the twelve uses for dragon blood to himself. Oven cleaner, making a Sorcerer's stone, shoe polish…..
"I can't," Lily sighed, "Katie charmed them so only she can get them off my feet." James silently thanked Katie.
"Stay right there," he said as he ascended the steps. He stopped in front of Lily and stooped to put an arm behind her knees.
"What are you doing, James?" she asked as he put his other arm behind her shoulders. She let out a shriek as he swung her up into his arms, bridal style.
"I'm carrying you down the stairs so you don't break something," he answered reasonably.
"Oh Merlin," Lily thought. She was in James Potter's arms as he walked towards the door. "Shouldn't he be carrying me upstairs?" Lily laughed at her thought.
"Care to share? " James asked as he paused on the last step.
Lily grinned at him and said, "I was just thinking that under different circumstances, you would be carrying me over the threshold and up the stairs, not down the stairs and out the door." Lily was shocked at her own boldness but all her worries were forgotten when she saw James's face. He had broken out into a truly breathtaking smile and his eyes were beaming with joy.
"Maybe someday, Lily," he smiled.
"Maybe, Potter," she replied cheekily with a coy wink.
"Hurry up you two!" Sirius yelled from outside.
James grabbed Lily's hand and dragged her to the Jeep. She gave the vehicle an apprehensive look as she appraised the large jump she would have to make to get in the car. James chuckled throatily behind her as he wrapped his hands around waist and hoisted her into the seat easily. Lily gasped when his fingers squeezed the ticklish spot.
"Not ticklish, are we now, Lily?" James asked as he too climbed into the monstrous Jeep.
"James…" Lily warned as he inched towards her. He smiled and squeezed her shoulder.
"I'll leave you be. For now…" he trailed off mock-threateningly. Lily playfully smacked his knee and let her hand rest there.
"Prat," she said as she he rocked his knee back and forth. He just grinned crookedly at her before he covered her hand with his and looked out the window.
Lily studied his hand while he was distracted. It was tan from quidditch and the Florida sun. He had a freckle on the side of his pinky. She could feel the permanent calluses on his palm from handling quaffles and gripping a broomstick.
She was debating flipping her hand and entwining her fingers with his when she noticed his ring finger. It was slightly crooked as if it had been broken. Frowning, she ran a finger along it. James looked over to her and cocked an eyebrow as if to say, "What are you doing?"
"What happened to your finger?" she asked as she skimmed her finger along it again.
James grinned and Lily felt a story coming on.
"Please tell me you didn't ask him about his left ring finger," Sirius groaned. Remus looked at Lily in the rearview with weary eyes.
"She did," he lamented.
"It was a stormy morning in November…" James began with gusto.
"Here we go, "Sirius whined.
"The rain was hammering hard on the roof of Hogwarts, thunder rumbled like the Gryffindor lion, and lightning flashed across the sky," Lily laughed at his dramatics. "It was the day of the Gryffindor/Slytherin Quidditch match and tensions were running high. Avery was the Captain and you all know he and I don't see eye to eye," they all grimaced. Avery was a self-proclaimed Death Eater who spent most of his time hexing anyone who wasn't pureblood. "Anyways, our mutual dislike had escalated two days before because the prick tried to use the pitch when I had booked it. McGonagall stepped in and told him to leave, but he couldn't just drop it. He shoved into me every chance he got in the hallways, we even had a go in front of Slughorn's office but he came waddling as soon as he heard us shouting about each other's mother," Sirius snorted from the memory. "Now back to the day of the match. After a rousing pep talk in the locker room, my team was ready to go. None of us wanted to be beat out by a bunch of Dark Lord worshipping prats so we were all ready to kick some ass. When the whistle was blown, we had the Quaffle immediately and I sent it flying through to the hoop. The Quaffle hit the Keeper in the gut and sent him flying through the hoop still clutching the ball. Avery didn't like that too much. The game went on and we stayed neck and neck the entire time. Our Seeker was hot on the tail of the Snitch and the Slytherin Seeker was going the opposite way. Avery grabbed a Beater's bat and charged at me. I was too busy trying to catch the Quaffle McLaggen had thrown towards me to notice Avery. Just when I caught the Quaffle with my right hand, the bat came down on my left one. I had been gripping my broom with that hand and it unseated me. I knew I was about to fall off my broom and so did Avery. He hit the handle on my broom and I fell off," Lily gasped. She had definitely not been at this match! "I caught the foothold on my broom and prayed it wouldn't dive down. Luckily, it didn't."
"I swear that Nimbus can read your mind, James," Sirius interrupted. All three girls shushed him and urged James to continue. He smirked at how enthralled they all were with his little tale. Remus rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself.
"Where was I?" he asked, knowing it would annoy the girls.
"Hanging onto your broom. Now onto the story!" Katie exclaimed.
"Ah, yes," James replied nonchalantly. Lily tapped his crooked finger with her own and urged him to continue. "So as I clung to the broom and the Quaffle I knew Avery couldn't just let me be so I had to act fast. I tossed the Quaffle high in the air and swung up on my broom. Before Avery had time to realize what was going on, I gave him a kick in the knee and dived to catch the Quaffle before it hit the ground. I got to it about half a foot from the grass," Lily raised an eyebrow at him. "Ok three feet. Happy?" he asked. She nodded with a smile. "Anyways, I took off for the goal and threw the Quaffle just as our Seeker caught the Snitch. I jumped up on top of the ring and listened to crowd chant. It's really exhilarating, you know? Standing fifty feet off the ground, teetering on the edge, almost falling," Lily gripped James's arm tightly as if to keep him from falling. He grinned his lopsided grin and patted her hand to reassure her that he wasn't going anywhere. "I leapt off the ring and dove for my broom and flew around the pitch. McGonagall was so mad at me for jumping from that hoop, but really I think she was just worried. She always did have a soft spot for me." He said, shooting a grin at Sirius.
Sirius menacingly cracked his knuckles. "You stay away from my woman, Potter," he hissed. Everyone laughed but Katie who fixed Sirius with a look. "Second woman," he corrected. When Katie didn't lose the stony look, Sirius sighed. "You're my woman. My only woman," he enthused. Katie broke into a giddy grin and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. Sirius looked like a small child at Christmas. They all laughed at his expression, but he didn't seem to mind as he put his arm around Katie and pulled her closer to him.
"There's plenty of room, Sirius. You two don't have to sit so close," Lily teased.
"Shut it, Evans," Sirius said as he nuzzled Katie's hair.
"Look though, Sirius! There's enough room for us all to have a little space," Lily said, barely holding back a giggle.
"James, shut your woman or you're gonna get it," Sirius threatened as he breathed in Katie's floral scent.
"Me?" James piped up indignantly. "I didn't do anything!"
"His woman?" Lily hissed venomously. James patted her hand comfortingly.
"We're here!" Remus said before Lily could yell at Sirius. James opened the door and hopped out. He turned to help Lily, but when his hands went for her waist, she stopped him. Instead, she took his hand and slid out. To James's delight she didn't drop his hand when she steadied herself, but instead led him to the ticket booth. James grabbed his wallet and pulled out some Muggle money to pay for two arm bands.
"You didn't have to buy mine," Lily said shyly as she helped James put his neon yellow armband around his wrist. He smiled as he turned her wrist over to fasten her band on her arm.
"I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to," he replied as he finished putting her bracelet on. He brought her hand to his lips and placed a sweet kiss on her knuckles. As he brought their hands back down, Lily tangled her fingers with his. James smiled cheekily at her. Lily loved how something as insignificant as holding her hand could make James so happy. It made her feel like she was the only girl he saw. As if sensing her thoughts, James rubbed circles on the back of her hand with his thumb.
"Did I tell you that you look stunning?" he asked sweetly as they waited for their friends. Lily shook her head shyly. "I didn't? I really must be a prat because you are without a doubt the most beautiful girl I've ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on. Please forgive me for not tell you so," he said honestly.
Lily just stared. He had asked for forgiveness for not telling her she was beautiful? Dream boy had to be too good to be true.
"You're sweet," was all she could manage as his scorching, beautiful eyes burned her up. James just leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on the very corner of her lips. Maybe he should listen to Remus and Sirius, mainly Remus, more often. This whole backing-off-and-not-being-arrogant thing really worked! Lily gazed him a dazed smile that still stunned him speechless.
"When you two are done staring into each other's eyes like those Muggle romance movies, we're going to get in line for the karosail-thingy," Sirius called. James nearly growled at his best mate's interruption.
"I'm going to kill him," James said under his breath.
"Slowly," Lily agreed. James squeezed her hand and pulled her with him to catch up to their friends.
"What is a karosail?" Remus asked as his nose wrinkled at the unfamiliar name.
"Well it's a ride," Sara replied. "You get on a horse and you…"
"HORSE! I don't like horses and they don't like me. Remember that Hippogriff that tried to kill in me in Care of Magical Creatures class! Those things are half horse. I'm sure their cousins won't like me anymore than they do!" They all laughed hysterically at Sirius's outburst. "It's not funny, guys! This is serious! And I'm Sirius too!"
"They aren't real horses," Lily gasped between peals of laughter. "They're fake."
"Oh, thank Merlin!" he sighed dramatically.
"What do the horses do?" James asked.
"Well they spin around in a circle on a rotating circle and they go up and down on a pole. Wait!" Lily tried to take her words back, but the Marauders were already on the ground, rolling. Damn teenage boy minds.
"Are you sure this is a children's ride?" Sirius asked as he cackled.
"It sounds like something that belongs in Madame Puddifoot's!" Remus laughed. This sent the boys back into manic laughter as the girls tried to conceal their giggles. As they finally calmed down, it was their turn to ride. The boys raced to find their favorite horse.
"I want this one!"
"Too bad!"
"That one's girly!"
"No it isn't! Look at the hair on it! Totally manly!"
"There's jewels all over it!"
"Your mum has jewels all over her!"
"Oh yeah!"
"You heard me."
"Your mum's so fat, her Patronus is a cake!"
"You're so gay, when a Boggart sees you, it turns into lady parts!"
"I hope you fall off your horse!"
"I hope you go bald!"
"You take that back!"
The girls just shook their heads as they got on a horse next to each boy.
"Buckle your seatbelt, James," Lily said, feeling like a mother as she wrapped her own belt around her back.
"I thought that was your job," James shot back with a wink. Lily reached over and tugged on his hair, reveling at its silky texture.
"Not the hair, Lily," he whined playfully as she ruffled his untidy mop. James immediately stopped smiling and stiffened.
"James, what are you doing?" Lily asked worried as James's eyes turned to slits.
"Nothing, Lily. I thought I saw someone," James answered, making a conscious effort to arrange his features into a smile. It looked more like a grimace. Lily turned in the direction he had been looking but only saw a blonde haired boy eying her appreciatively. Lily shivered. Creep. Turning back to James, she had a thought.
"James, you aren't jealous are you?" Lily asked incredulously. James's eyes flickered back in the direction of the blonde guy.
"Me? Jealous? No." he answered too quickly for it to be truthful. Lily eyed him suspiciously.
"Maybe you're too pretty for your own good," James said under his breath.
"Good thing I've got a big, strong guy to look out for me," Lily said quietly as she put her hand on James's knee. He smiled a genuine smile then and took her hand in his.
The carousel started to spin and Sirius whooped as his horse went up and down.
"This is like riding a Hippogriff without having to be respectful!" he said gleefully.
"Sirius, shush!" Katie scolded him. "Muggles. Remember them? They don't know what Hippogriffs are."
"Oh yeah," Sirius seemed untroubled by this.
As they exited the carousel, they headed towards the Ferris Wheel.
"This looks fun!" Remus exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Sirius agreed as he looked at the tall, circular structure with childlike wonder.
James looked at it like it was going to fall over.
"What's wrong, James?" Sara asked.
"Is that thing safe?" he asked nervously.
"Yes," Lily laughed. "Come on, chicken."
She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the waiting seat. When the attendant let it rock back, James gasped. Lily grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight.
"It's alright, James," she soothed.
He nodded with his eyes closed ad his lips pressed tight together. As they moved farther up the ride and more riders got on, James grew tenser. Lily couldn't take the silence any longer so she reached over and pecked him on the cheek. He gasped again.
"What was that for?" he asked as he covered the place where she kissed him with his hand.
"To get you to breathe again," Lily replied, glad to see his beautiful eyes again. James gave her a tense smile. Lily reached over and smoothed the wrinkles of distress from his forehead. He slowly relaxed under her touch and slumped down in the seat, careful not to let any limbs dangle over the edge.
"So James Potter, Quidditch extraordinaire is scared of a Ferris Wheel," she mused to herself.
"I like heights. Love them actually," James said. "I just like to be in control of how high I am."
Lily understood then. He liked to know that he could get himself down when he wanted. She squeezed his hand comfortingly and he returned the sentiment. As they got off the Ferris Wheel, to James's immense relief, they looked around for more things to do. Katie decided she was hungry and wanted a corndog. Sirius refused to eat one because of what it looked like. He had a difficult time watching Katie eat the corndog and he squirmed uncomfortably. James laughed at him.
Next, they walked through the games section and looked at the prizes. Lily had a fit over a stuffed elephant at the milk bottle booth. James made a note of the place as they kept walking. When the girls went to the bathroom he grabbed Remus and Sirius and rushed back to the milk bottle booth. He paid for five balls and set to knocking the milk bottles down. His first throw was rubbish. These balls were not like Quaffles so he adjusted his throw and sent the next one flying at the bottled. They all tumbled down except one. James frowned and threw another ball. The same thing happened again. He threw his fourth ball and huffed. The game was rigged. While the attendant turned to help another customer, James whipped out his wand and muttered an incantation. He turned and waited for the attendant to watch. With deadly accuracy, blistering speed, and a little magic, James knocked the bottles down and smiled when he realized the attendant was the blonde boy from the carousel. Lily and the girls walked up then and looked at the boys.
"Want to pick something out, Lily?" James asked sweetly as he slipped an arm around her waist. Lily pointed at the elephant excitedly and hugged it to her. James smiled at her happiness.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, James!" she exclaimed as she hugged him to her, making sure not to squish her new toy.
Katie and Sara looked at Lily's stuffed animal sadly. Sirius grabbed Katie's hand and told her to find something she liked. She squealed and quickly saw a stuffed, pink pig. Sirius played the ring toss game. He won with a charmed ring and pointed to the pig proudly. Katie squeezed Sirius tightly as she looked at her pig.
Sara ended up finding a dog she absolutely loved. Remus won it by playing Skee ball. She kissed him on the cheek as she appraised the dog.
As they headed back to the car, Lily begged for cotton candy. Sirius agreed with her and bought a bag for himself after Lily purchased one. Much to James's displeasure, she had paid before he knew she was getting anything.
"Oh my goblin!" he explained after putting a piece in his mouth. "It just vanished! It's gone! How did it do that?" he exclaimed as he put another piece in his mouth. "It did it again!"
"You gotta love Padfoot," Remus laughed. James laughed and nodded his response.
The whole way home, Sirius chattered about cotton candy. Apparently sugar made him hyper. James chuckled when Lily voiced this thought.
"You should see him on Firewhiskey," he said quietly. Lily shook her head fervently, knowing alcohol and Marauders did not mix. James laughed again and Lily felt his chest rumble from the action. Sometime during the ride, she had shifted so she was lying on James. Her eyes started to droop as his fingers tangled in her hair.
When she woke up, her shoes were no longer on her feet and James was nowhere to be found. She groped in the darkness to adjust her blankets and found something soft and cuddly. She grabbed the unknown object and brought it close to her face. In the moonlight, she saw that it was the elephant James had won for her. Smiling, she hugged it tightly and settled back into her blankets. Her eyes started drooping and she fell asleep thinking about holding James's big, warm, callused hands. When she was deep in sleep, a small smile graced her face as she dreamed of Quidditch, cotton candy, and a crooked ring finger.
And there we go people! I hope everyone enjoyed our little Boardwalk outing! Keep the guesses about the boys' plans coming! I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!
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