I warn you, you may be surprised
"How does that sound?" James said to three very shocked Marauders.
"Wow. W-o-o-o-o-w."
"Ha! I shocked Moony into silence! I knew I was good!"
"It sounded awesome, James." Peter commented, very surprised. (And a little bit irritated. James was good at everything…"
"How did you learn to play like that?"
"He didn't" Sirius added. "Well, he can sing. But he had a charmed pick."
"Burst my bubble, why don't you, Padfoot." James growled.
"Just bringing on the truth, mate. But you really can sing. Every Christmas, your folks make you. Your dad showed me one of you when you were four."
Everyone brightened, except for James.
"I just don't get one thing, Prongs."
"And what's that, Moony?"
"We can never tell if your lying or not, but if Lily asked you to ask her to- okay, never mind, but if Lily already said yes, why are you doing all of this."
"All part of the plan, Moony. Your simple mind wouldn't understand."
Remus threw a sock at him and muttered something about how he was the only one who got an O on the last four quizzes.
"Aw, don't be bitter Moony. James just thinks that when he's done with this, Lily will want to marry him."
"It's a surefire plan." James nodded.
"So tonight at dinner?" Sirius asked.
"I hope they're serving mini-quiches."
"I don't get it."
"Please, Mary. Remind me never to 'challenge' any one in my life again."
"I still don't get it."
"Well that James Potter you. I wish I just waited to see what his plan was before I went out and embarrassed myself like that."
"Well, at least you've finally admitted your feelings for him. Though you did have a crush on him."
"Mary!"
"Lily, of course you did. That's why you didn't go out with any other guy."
"I did. There was that Jack guy, remember?"
"Yes, I do remember. You only went out with it because I set you up on a blind double date so I could go out with Braydon without feeling awkward but the date turned into a mess…"
"When you spilled soup over his trousers?"
"Please, please, don't remind me." Mary grimaced.
"Sure thing."
"Okay, remember how in fifth year when you and Snape…parted ways…how he attempted to sleep outside by the Fat Lady, you never took him back, even though James did all those things to him."
"Mary." Lily whispered, feeling sick. "You know that wasn't it."
Mary looked at Lily's face, remembered the whole story and felt grief-stricken herself. "Oh! Oh, Lily, I'm sorry, I-"
"Forget it."
Mary decided to let it pass and jump to a happier topic. "So! You'll be James's girlfriend very soon. Hope do you feel? Ecstatic?"
"Irritated." She grumbled.
"Oooh! I have an idea! Since we have the afternoon off, let's me, you and Alice have a girl's weekend. We can have snacks, and play truth or dare, and rekindle lost memories!
"Rekindle lost memories?"
"Yes, yes! This'll be so much fun!"
Lily had to smirk at Mary's excited expression. What a positive Polly. Who says positive Polly, anyways?
The four were just lounging around.
"Ok. I think that since this will be the very last time we play a trick on old Snivelly, we should do it soon."
"What do you mean 'last time'?" Said Sirius who was clearly shocked.
"C'mon Padfoot. Now that Lily sees I've matured we can't do much to him any more. Plus we'll be graduating pretty soon. We'll never have to look at anyone of his greasy hairs ever again."
"I supposed." Sirius sighed a bit too dramatically.
"That's the spirit. We can give him runs for the rest of the week."
"Yeah, that sounds great." Peter enthused. Then again, he enthused on just about anything as long as it came form James's mouth.
"A bit unoriginal, but I think it'll be fun."
Remus just sighed. "You guys. If you really want Lily to like you-"
"She already does."
"Well yes, but what I was saying was you really shouldn't. I mean you know how much she hates you, okay sorry," He pointed as James was about to object, "hated you for it. And head boy, James."
"Moony!" Sirius complained.
"What? I'm just pointing out facts."
"Why must you always rain on our parade?"
Remus looked uncomfortable. "Because I mature earlier than you guys?"
Which was also true due to his furry little problem. But all the uncomfortable climax was a bit too much.
"Have it your way, Saint Moony."
"I'm just trying to keep my best friends out of jail." He joked.
"So now what do we do for the rest o the day? We don't need Prongsie here to explain what a genius he is."
"Which I am."
"Okay, Lillian. Can I can you Lillian?"
"No, Alice. That's not my name."
"Liliana?"
"Only if I can call you Alicia."
"Do I get one too?"
"Sure Mary. What would you like to be called?" Lily noticed the enthusiasm in her voice. It was as if they were nine and making nicknames for each other. And then grimaced thinking about how the 'Marauders'
"Marisa? Maria? Mariah? Meredith?" Alice suggested, also giddy.
"Maryn! Or maybe Martia?" Mary said.
"Martia?" Lily asked. "No way. It should be Maryn. That's cute."
"Alright Maryn. Now that we're done the pointless section, Lily, or sorry, Liliana, truth or date?'
"Truth." Lily answered, truly feeling nine.
"Okay, when was the first time James asked you out?"
Lily blushed a little. "I don't remember."
"Don't lie."
"Okay. Um, the end of second year. He asked if we wanted to study. And I said no, and he got an outstanding on the exam." She also realized she didn't have to add the last part.
"Nice." Alice smirked.
"Fine! So, Alicia, truth or dare?"
"Dare, of course! I let my Gryffindor-ness show!"
So Alice ended up singing the Hogwarts anthem with the window wide open and waving at anyone who stared.
"Wow." Lily commented. "You take a 'challenge' as well as James Potter."
"You think everything I moving too fast?" Mary asked.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, just yesterday, it was you and Snape asking to sit in my compartment when we were going to Hogwarts for the first time. And now you're getting married to James!"
Lily threw a pillow at her. And let a chocolate frog bounce on her stomach.
"AHHHH!!" She yelled crushing the sweet chocolate.
"When are you going to going to get over your irrational of chocolate frogs, Maryn?"
"It's just not right. Frogs into chocolate. People eat them, Lily!"
"Wow. I can't believe it. Perhaps it's magic?"
"Shut up."
But Mary's dare happened to be to eat one of those chocolate amphibians. She wasn't too happy about that.
"Okay, so Mary, do you really like Sirius 'cuz he's good-looking?"
"Good-looking's an understatement, Liliana." She laughed. "I guess so. He's intimidating."
"He's so very full of himself, Black." Alice added. "But you know him and James are the top of a lot of classes."
"He barely studies." Lily scoffed more to herself.
"What time is it?"
"Ten to Six, you wanna start heading out?"
"Yeah. I'm hungry. Plus Alice ate all the chocolate cauldrons and licorice wands."
"I like sugar."
"I've noticed."
Lily smiled as they left their dorm room. They really needed a girl's afternoon more often. Time kinda did pass. Lily gulped. In a couple of short months she'd be saying good bye to Hogwarts. Unless of course, she decided to become a teacher, which was highly unlikely.
"Hey Lily, you know what I've noticed?"
"What?"
"Since you've been spending time around James, you've been zoning out a lot."
Lily blushed. That kinda has been happening.
The table had loads of food, as always.
"I really like mashed potatoes."
"That's not random."
"Not really. Not when they're right in front of you."
"Lily!" Lily turned around to face James.
"So are you going to unveil your 'grand plans'?"
"Definitely. Are you ready for this?"
"Not particularly." Okay. That was a lie.
He laughed, and then transformed a chair into a little stage, probably as big as bed. He hopped on.
"You like muggle music, Lily?"
"I guess." She did. She needed to go something during the summer when she wasn't avoiding her sister.
"Ok." James had wiped any nervous thoughts from his head. He was trying his best to be cocky, because this was definitely the best shot.
"Attention!" He said pointing his wand at his neck for volume.
Mostly everyone turned to him. Some of the professors looked worried.
"Charmed pick." Sirius commented to Lily. She was surprised until a red guitar appeared into James's arms.
Lily was even more surprised when he started playing.
And that was nothing compared to when he started singing.
Well you're the real tough cookie with the long history
Of turning me down, not so gracefully
Lily had recognized the song immediately, and groaned slightly at James's rewrite.
That's O.K., you've seen how I do it
I've put plan together and you see my supreme wit!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Why Don't You Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Fire Away!
Only he could turn a song into a brag about himself, Lily thought.
I come on with a come on, you have nice hair
You've got really nice eyes, we'll make a pair!
I really like you, now don't you see?
And it makes real sense, 'cuz I'm sure you like me!
He winked at her.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Why Don't You Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Fire Away!
Well you're the real tough cookie with the long history
And you've finally agreed to go out with me
Before you make up your mind
I think it's safe to say, that you really do shine!
I'll Hit You With My Best Shot!
Yeah, I really think it's My Best Shot!
I'll Hit You With My Best Shot!
Fire Away!
And then, there was applause. Lily was a bit bewildered. She looked around. Some of the guys looked pissed. A lot of girls were clapping. Some were looking angrily in her direction. Cassandra (from her Charms class, was it?) was one of them. Lily was annoyed that he could sing so well, but that really wasn't on the top of her mind at the moment.
"So Lily." He said, with a smug smile.
"Yes, James?" She said pretending that he hadn't just sung to her in the middle of everywhere.
"Will you be my girlfriend? Say yes, because I don't have another song for my encore."
"I guess so." She said, smiling. "Because you don't have another song, that is."
"So I win the challenge!"
"It was not a –"
And James had kissed her. There were some whoops from the audience but mostly surprised faces.
But Sirius, being Sirius had too interrupt.
"Hey, Prongs. Seeing the effect of your guitar playing and such, may I have your pick?"
"It's all yours, mate." He answered smiling.
"So, Lily? Can you believe it? You gave me a week to try and woo you into a date, and you become my girlfriend before my deadline. I must really be charming."
"Maybe. But you are also arrogant and egotistical."
"In a good way though, right?"
"I suppose."
"Are you ready for our date on Sunday?" He had emphasized the word 'date' greatly.
She sighed. "Well I guess we can give it our best shot."
Yay! It's finished! Did it surprise you? I wanted to do this as a song-fic originally, but I got this idea. And oh right! Disclaimer: I don't own that song, or any of the characters. And for those who didn't know the song, it's Hit Me With Your Best Shot, by Pat Benatar. Let's all overlook the fact it was made in 1979 and pretend it was 1978 for the Story's sake.
And I just had to add the little truth or dare part. Because, personally, I think that chocolate frogs are rather scary.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, alerted, favorited and I hope you enjoyed this little story.