Merlin Keeperoliver Chapter Ten

It was Halloween and James was still Head Boy. Lily no longer thought of James as an idiot and was thinking of accepting his next asking for a date.

James and Lily both reported to Albus when they found out Peter never showed up for school. Albus showed them the letter he was sent by Peter telling him he had other things to do rather than waste his time barely getting by with his grades.

Sirius and Marlene were now better than close and Severus and Narcissa joined Frank and Alice in the betrowthed department. Lily became excited when Cissa told her about it. She was so happy for her.

Even Remus looked happier for some reason. No one knew the reason for it, but as long as he stayed this way they didn't care, as long as he didn't get hurt or hurt somebody else.

They were seeing less and less of Merl, as he would disappear as soon as classes were over and didn't return until the wee hours of the morning. There were even days where he would skip class and disappear for the entire day and still return late in the evening. What they didn't know was that Albus was also gone during these times.

They also didn't know that Amelia had taken over the Head of the OotP and Alistor Moody was her second in command. Albus had become just a regular member, but his word was still respected. Merlin had also taken a position with the group, but he didn't use the name Merlin. He called himself Buzz Walker, knowing Luke wouldn't mind his borrowing the name. He also changed his appearance and this got Albus thinking about his friend. He knew he was in school as someone else, so that is three different people he was representing, each with a different appearance. Maybe later when things aren't so hectic, he would look around.

The first Hogsmeade weekend was announced to the students and James was right there by Lily to ask her out. "Lily, I know you don't think much of me, but I can assure you that I have done quite a bit of growing up in the last year. Hopefully it is enough for you to notice and agree to go on a date with me this weekend."

"OK."

"Did you just say yes?"

"No, I said OK."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"I suppose."

"Now you are confusing the hell out of me. Will you go with me this weekend?"

"Perhaps."

"I think I liked OK better, It was more of a yes than perhaps. I'll try once more. Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend with someone?"

"Yes."

"OH, OK then, maybe next time it will be me you go with."

"Are you giving up already James?"

"Tell me what else I can do. You just said you were going this weekend with someone."

"You could ask me who it is."

"What difference does it make if it isn't me." James saw a smile form on her face. "OK, who is it, since you are so persistent on telling me?"

"You're taking all the fun away from this James. What happened to you? You use to be so aggressive about this dating business. You always asked me who it was taking me."

"I guess I have changed enough to respect your privacy when you tell me something that leaves a question."

Lily softened at this. James has grown up, and she liked this new James. "I'm sorry to put you through that James, but I had to see if you really had grown up. You have, and yes, I will to Hogsmeade with you this weekend." and she walked off to let it sink in.

Once she was out of sight, James was doing cartwheels down the hall. He didn't see her sneak back to see his reaction and smile at what she saw.

No one could take away the feeling James had as the day wore on. No one would have believed who the first one to guess correctly why he was so happy. Severus walked up to him and said, "She finally said yes to a date, didn't she?"

"You know it Sev. I can't believe it. I must have really impressed her over the summer and the start of the school year. I knew being Head Boy would change my luck."

"You actually think becoming Head Boy got you a date with Lily? You're either an idiot or have no faith in yourself. I tend to think you're an idiot."

"Doesn't matter why now does it. She said yes and that's all I care about."

"So when are you going to pop the question?"

"What question?"

"The question."

"If it is what I think you are asking, I have a long way to go before that comes up."

"Why? Just because this is your first date? You have known her now for seven years."

"Ya, but I wasn't on her favorite list for the first six. How can I wipe out six years in just six months."

"I was right, you are an idiot. You're thinking in terms of equal time. She has known you for seven years and has seen the change you made. She likes what she sees and has accepted you for that. The six years are now past and just a memory. It is time to make new memories. You saw what happened to me when I dropped the ball, so to speak. I didn't try to talk to her and lost her. Don't make the same mistake I did, James."

"How can you tell me that when Lily is that same girl you lost?"

"OK, have you seen Narcissa lately. If you have then you know why I can say this. Narcissa is just as beautiful as Lily, but on a different plain. Lily is down to earth, and Narcissa is heaven sent. Lily is a breath of fresh air and Narcissa is all I need to breathe."

"So you gave up the living for an angel?"

"Am I talking to Black here. Are you so dense that you don't even know what you are talking about. No, I didn't give up on the living to be with an angel. Narcissa is living, just like Lily. She is angelic, just like Lily. She is caring, just like Lily. She is mine, unlike Lily. Now, go away as you are starting to give me a headache."

He may have given up practical jokes, but he still had a away of getting under a person's skin. James walked the other way laughing to himself.

Merlin-}

Three months later, James was still Head Boy and him and Lily were still dating. He had been with her during the Christmas Hols and the train ride to and from Hogwarts.

It was one month to Valentine's Day and he was planning something special for that day. The gift was hidden so no one could find it. He wrote a poem for her and made plans with Professor Dumbledore to allow them to leave school grounds for the evening. It was just to Hogsmeade and the Three Broomsticks, but Rosie promised him a very special night.

The waiting for the special day was killing him with impatience. Each day became a week to James as the time seemed to crawl by. Both Remus and Sirius saw this and snickered behind his back. They never saw him so nervous. There was still two weeks left before the Hogsmeade weekend and it was murder for him.

As little as Merl had been around, he still was able to see James' condition and asked Remus what his problem was. "James has a date with Lily on Valentine's Day and the wait is slowly driving him crazy. He wants to go so bad that he is ready to kidnap Lily and just take her to Hogsmeade without waiting for the holiday."

Merl laughed at this, but inside he felt good about the progress that was made for his two friends who so badly needed to be together. He and Albus had been to so many different places looking for Horcruxes that he hasn't been able to follow the progress closely. They did manage to find the location of Hufflepuff's cup, but were unable to get to it. The reason they knew where it was came to them by accident. One of the guards at Gringotts complained that after the description Albus gave for it, he remembered how something liked that burned him when he was asked to place it in the LeStrange vault by some little guy, not much taller than the guard. He had a letter from Bellatrix Black and Rudolphus LeStrange granting him permission to enter the vault and place the cup in a secure place above the other contents of the vault.

Albus and Merl now knew someone was moving the Horcruxes to different locations. Just who, was not a question as they both felt it was the missing student, Peter Pettigrew. Why he was doing it was also not a question as they both felt that Voldemort felt something when ever they destroyed one of the artifacts. It now became a matter of time before they would have no more access to them. There was still one more they could get before it is hidden. With Peter hiding them, it could be anywhere with his capability to go where they couldn't.

At least things were working out for him with his friends. Everyone seemed to be happy with their mates, except for Remus who wasn't with anyone that he knew of. He did see Remus was happy for some reason, but could not figure out why and no one else knew the reason.

Merlin-}

Finally, Valentine's Day arrived and James was up earlier than everyone else to get ready for his date. He showered and shaved before getting dressed and was in the sitting room an hour before anyone else even got up. He sat waiting for Lily for over an hour. When she finally made her way downstairs, James melted at the sight of her. She was wearing a flowered blouse and very tight jeans with knee high boots. She was carrying her coat over her shoulder and her bag over the other one.

James jumped up to meet her at the end of the staircase and told her how beautiful she looked. He took her hand and led her to the sofa in front of the fireplace and helped her sit down. He then took out the poem he wrote her and gave it to her. She read:

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE THE DAY

WHEN I HEARD THE WORDS I LONGED FOR YOU TO SAY

YES JAMES, I'LL BE YOUR DATE

AFTER SO LONG A WAIT

BUT IT'S WORTH THE TIME FOR IT TO COME

NOT BELIEVING IT BY SOME

YET HERE IT IS, MY TIME TO SHINE

YOU AND ME ON OUR WAY TO DINE

I REALLY HOPE IT IS NOT OUR LAST

AFTER ALL THE ATTEMPTS IN OUR PAST

BUT TO SHOW US BOTH WHAT IS YET TO BE

A BETTER LIFE FOR YOU AND ME!

Lily didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was funny in a way, but so sweet in another way. It showed his frustration and his exhilaration. It showed her how much he really cared for her, and that was why she wanted to cry, making him suffer all these years. Maybe he did deserve it the first five years, but the last year and a half he really didn't and she should have had pity on him. James had proven himself and she knew it. But she had to be sure that he couldn't be persuaded by Sirius to go back to being a toe rag and a sot. Now it was time to see what he had planned for the day. The past few months of dating were fun and James was a gentleman for each date. It was enough to make Sirius sick because of the sweetness that flowed, but he never saw what he was doing to win Marlene's heart. If anything, he was even sicker than James.

James and Lily then left for Hogsmeade and the Three Broomsticks. When they entered, Lily was taken back by the display James had set up. There had to be over a thousand Tiny hearts and flowers creating a wall around a table, and another hundred surrounding a candle in the middle of the table.

James took Lily's hand and helped her to a seat. He then took his and reached across the table and took her hand again. Rosie then brought a glass of wine to the table for both and took their orders for their meal. Once she left, James got up from the table and went to Lily and got down on one knee. "Lily, for the past seven years I have loved you and tried to win your heart with stupid pranks for the first five of them. For the past two years I have tried to show you I changed. Now that you see that I have and agreed to be my girlfriend, I would like to take it to the next level. Lily Marie Evans, would you marry me and agree to be my wife?" and he pulled out the ring he had been hiding for the past eight months.

Lily had a tear in her eye and brushed it away with the back of her free hand. James was still holding her left hand and had the ring on her finger. Lily looked in to his eyes and smiled, "Even though it is against my better judgement James, I accept your proposal to be Mrs. Lily Potter." then she watched as James passed out and fell to the floor. Rosie saw this and let out a barking laugh.

"I always knew those four were idiots, but I never saw them as weak kneed. I better get my wand and wake the sap up."

"Don't bother Madam Rosemerta, he will be up and around by the time the meal gets here. In the mean time let him rest." Rosie laughed once again and left the two to their date.

A minute later James was alert enough to ask Lily if he heard right. Lily just nodded her head in agreement and James jumped up and pulled her in for a hug and a kiss that took both their breath away. James was floating on air when they both heard a disturbance outside and got up to see what the commotion was all about. The scene that appeared before them was two Death Eaters walking down the street destroying buildings and hurting or even killing innocent people. Once they saw James and Lily they changed their direction and came at them.

James took a stand between them and Lily to protect her. They both missed a white blur come across the path and attacked the two Death Eaters. Spot was soon joined by the other two kneazles Twilight and Sherbert and effectively took out the two Death Eaters. Then there were pops all around them and the Aurors took over the incident and took them into custody and took statements from everyone who saw what happened. Lily made hers while holding Spot in her arms and while James held her in his. The other two kneazles were gone from the scene.

Once they were back in the castle, it took them two hours before the crowd around them finally left them in peace. Lily was still holding Spot, and James was still holding Lily. Alice, Selena, and Marlene congratulated them both for their announcement. Later it would come from Severus and Narcissa. Remus was the only man to do it with a laugh, from their own house mates. Sirius was sitting down he was laughing so hard. He was lucky he was because Marlene hit him with a pillow hard enough to send him to the floor. He looked up with a glare, but ended it thwere when he saw the look on Marlene's face. He turned to Lily and said, "I'm sorry Lils, I didn't mean to make it sound like a joke. It is just, I never thought I'd see the day you would agree to his proposal. At least not on the first try. I thought you would make him sweat it out until the end of the year. Now if you wish to get even with me, Marlene and I have something we would like to say. Marlene, if you would please."

Marlene just shook her head, "I think I may have made a mistake, Lily. This numbskull asked me the same question James asked you, and like you, I said yes. Can you please tell me why I did this?"

Lily smiled and went to Marlene and pulled her in for a hug. "Because, Like me, you saw where they have changed for the better and we may actually be able to prepare them for the future. However, I have to tell James that there is no way he will be joining the Auror corps."

James heard this and could not be quiet, "Lils, that is what I have been working my entire school experience for. Why don't you want me to join?"

"Because what happened today in Hogsmeade. I don't wish to stay up at night wondering if I am ever going to see you again. What Marlene does is her business, but there is no way you are going to join."

"The same goes for you Sirius. I don't wish to burying another family real soon. I don't care what you do, as long as it has nothing to do with fighting."

Sirius heard this and dropped down on his knees, "Thank you my sweet, I didn't want to join the Auror corps, but when James asked me way back when, I was too stupid to argue."

James looked to Sirius and began to laugh, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you're right Pads. We were too young to think straight. I see where Lily is coming from and now that I have thought on the matter, I have to agree. I also see an opportunity for us and Moony to run our own business. He wpuld never have been able to join us in the Ministry, but he can join us for what I plan on opening. Now Lily, don't get mad when I say this, but I think we could open a joke shop, or better yet, buy out Zonko's. He is getting old and has not seen a new product on his shelves in ages. It is time for some new blood."

Lily and Marlene rolled their eyes but kept quiet. It may not be the ideal work, but it was safe work, and if it gave Remus a job, then all the better.

Remus was just standing there laughing at what was just said. He knew somehow Lily would get James to drop this nightmare he planned. Now he looked at his future with a brighter aspect. He didn't know what he would be doing after school was through. With this new development, he didn't have to worry about the future, and with the help of his friends, maybe he could find the right girl and settle down.

With all this happening, no one remembered that Merl still didn't know what was going on. That was until he finally made it back to the dorm late that night and was surprised to see everyone still up and being happy about something. He walked over to Lily, his favorite cource of information. "Do you mind telling me what is going on Lils?"

He was almost knocked over when she ran to hug him, "You're plan worked, Merl. James asked me to marry him finally, and I accepted. Sirius did the samething thing with Marlene and she accepted. And now, I talked James out of joining the Auror corps and Sirius was happy to hear it. Now they are going to open a joke shop and have Remus work for them."

Merl was about to answer this when James stopped him by saying, "No one said anything about Moony working for us?"

Lily pulled out of her hug with Merl and was ready to hit James when he continued, "I could never ask a friend to work for us, he would be an equal partner, just like he always has been with the Marauders. Lily, what ever made you think otherwise?"

She felt like runing and hiding in shame after the display but never got the chance as James took her in his arms to talk to her. "I know you didn't think much of me when we ferist met, Lils. In fact you probably wished to kiill Sirius and I. But did you ever see us put Remus down or shun him in all the time you saw us. We never wanted to hurt him and in fact, wanted him to know we were always there for him. Why else do you think we broke so many rules by becoming Animagi. We didn't want him to feel alone during this period. Were we really that bad, that you would think we would do this to our good friend?"

Lily held back the tears she wished to shed. "I'm sorry James. I know how much both you and Pads have changed. I made a bad judgement call and was ready to react to it. You showed me that I have some growing up to do and you also showed me that you will be there to help me with this project. I hope you can forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive, Lils. What ever you thought never came out until you just told us. Can't blame you for thinking, now can we. Now, how about you let Sirius and I talk to our partner about the future, and you go get freshened up for dinner."

Merlin-}

The end of the school year and the end of their schooling came to the seventh year class. It also set up the beginning of the lives of James and Lily, Sirius and Marlene, Frank and Alice and Severus and Narcissa. Selena and Xenophilius' plans were put on hold until Xeno got his Paper started. He was going to call it the Quibbler, which was a mix of puzzles, questions, dabbles and fantasy. Selena didn't really wish to wait, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

James asked Remus to find the right location for their venture if Zonko's didn't wish to sell. Remus first went to Zonko's and asked about selling out to the Marauders. At first the answer was no, but when Remus told him of the plans for the store and the ideas they had for merchandise, Zonko saw where a younger generation was needed to steer the store in the right direction. Fresh new ideas, and a zany group of people to run it. He heard of the Marauders from school and admired their brilliance. He finally gave in and gave a selling price to Remus, which he took to James and Sirius. Of course he also brought them his counter offer which Zonko didn't know as of yet.

The battle of financial bidding now took place. For each offer, there was a counter offer, until they came to an agreement for a fair price to both parties. The only thing Zonko asked was that any of his own products be taken off the shelves as he had the sole rights to them. The Marauders agreed to this as there were very few of these products, and they honestly felt they had better ideas for the free space.

It was also agreed upon for the four weddings to take place on the same day, which was Oct. 31st. Halloween was a special day for the Marauders, as it was the day they made their best pranks. It would also be a very hard day to forget for Sirius.

Marauder's Cove opened on the 1st of July and it was a success from the start. Once the first customer entered the store He saw the changes that took place and admired the new changes and the young men who brought them to Hogsmeade. He introduced himself to the young men, "Hello, it is good to see we have some new business minded people and some new and unique products. My name is Arthur Weasley and I have some children about ready to start school, and if I know them, they will be frequenting your store quite often. They are still a year away, but they will be wanting to see your store long before they are ready for school. I have a set of twins that are just four months old, but if they are like their uncles, they will be asking for jobs here when they become old enough."

Remus wanted to laugh at the long speech he just heard. Arthur seemed like a very nice fellow, and he looked forward to meeting his children, especially his twins. He watched as Arthur made his way through the store and pick up everything to examine it and laugh when he found out what it did. This was the type of customer they needed. It became ever funnier when he later learned that he worked in the Ministry in the Muggle Affairs Office.

Their first day had been a success, but they felt that if they had a store in Diagon Alley, their business would triple. So Remus was once again out shopping for a store to set up a second shop for the Marauders. He found a few places that would be able the amount of merchandise they had available. Unfortunately he had to deal with the Goblins of Gringotts for purchasing any one of the three. He knew the Goblins didn't let go of property cheaply. He got the prices of the three buildings and his choice of the best property. The one he selected as the best choice was one block from Gringotts and was the second highest price of the three.

The first highest one was across the street from Flourish and Botts, the book store. It was much larger than the one he thought they should get. The third was on Founder's Lane which was three blocks from Gringott's, but was the least accessible site.

He sat with James and Sirius to go over his plan for purchase. They would show interest of the one across from the book store. Remus knew the price would jump once the interest was shown. Then he would try for the one on Founder's lane. The price on that one would probably remain the same, but he would show the Goblins that it should drop because if it's location.

He would then just tell them to forget it, as their asking price was too much and start to walk out. When he was called back, asking why he didn't go for the one he really wanted, He would give them the excuse that it was too close to Gringotts, and they couldn't demonstrate their merchandise without getting complaints from them. This got the team OK, and Remus began his plan the next day.

It was just as he said it would be. When he told the Goblins of choice of the store across from the Book store, the price went up 10%. When he asked why, he was told it was because of the rennovatiuons done, and because of it's prime location. He then went to his second idea, and once again it went as he thought. The asking price stayed the same, and when he gave them a counter offer, they scoffed at the idea, calling it an insult.

"Well, thank you sirs for your time. It seems that we will not be able to do business with you, Good day to you all, and he got up to leave.

"Wait, you never asked us about our third property?"

"No sir, I didn't." and he once again turned and was ready to leave.

"Can we hear your reasoning?"

"It's too close to the bank. You would never allow us to test out merchandise."

"Surely it can't be that bad? Why would we be so against it?"

"Large crowds of people. Fireworks. Other loud noises. It's too much to ask you to sell to something that could cause such a commotion."

"Large crowds of people?"

"OH yes. Why we had over three thousand at our grand opening in Hogsmeade. Imagine what it would be like in Diagon Alley. Maybe even three times the amount. You would never allow such a crowd to gather in front of your bank."

"Why would that bother us?"

"It would scare your customers off. Of course, the people outside maybe some of your customers, so that wouldn't be so bad, now would it?"

The Goblin began to run figures around in his mind. Nine thousand people in front of the bank. If half of them held vaults in the bank, four thousand five hundred visitors. A normal day had four hundred visitors. Perhaps something could still get done that would benefit both parties. "Please give me a chance to talk to my superiors. I will be right back."

He came back with an offer that was twenty five hundred galleons cheaper that the first price. The building was bought, and James and Sirius asked Remus to run this store with him hiring all the help he needed.