A/N: I'm done!!! I can't believe I completed this! OK, my computer was acting like an arse*ahem*, therefore this isn't the way it's supposed to be. Everyone's thoughts are supposed to be in a different font, but it didn't work. So now Lily's thoughts are in Italics, James' are Bold, and the others are a smaller size. Everyone complain to my computer. :( Also, I'm sorry if Remus' French grammar/translation was incorrect. I love you all soooooo much for reviewing! Oh, and happy late Hanukah & Ramadan, happy early Christmas, Kwanzaa, & New Years, and any other winter holiday I missed. Enjoy!
Dedication: To my uncle, who told me to write a story about a bear…
Disclaimer: What is JK's, I give to her, what is mine, I wish to keep. Toodles! ~Tahlya
A Step In The Right DirectionEveryone's thoughts during the walk towards the Three Broomsticks:
Lily: Oh my god, why ever did I agree to this? What was I thinking?!? I wasn't thinking, that's why. I knew he was going to be here, James always hangs out with Remus. Does he know Remus asked me to tag along?
James: What the bloody h*ll is she doing here? This is all some cruel joke, they're laughing at me… I knew Padfoot was going to find out sometime. And how did she get here? Who asked her out? Sirius? Remus? Peter? Oh, they're going to die, slowly and painfully, one by one…
Peter: James won't forgive me for this; he'll make me sorry… Why do I always listen to Sirius? He has such dangerous ideas! Oh boy, I'm in trouble now…
Sirius: This is perfect! I can't wait to get to the Three Broomsticks!
Remus: Well, so far they haven't looked at each other yet. I hope this works, at least for Lily's sake. If it doesn't, our doggie friend won't enjoy the consequences…
The group entered the pub and Sirius steered them to a booth farther back, considerably out of most people's view. When everyone was seated, he jumped up.
"I almost forgot! I've gotta get Ma some Toothflossing Stringmints. She'll kill me if I forget to bring them back again! I'll meet you guys in a bit, ok?" Sirius dashed over to Honeydukes. When safely out of earshot, he began roaring with laughter, scaring other students and patrons. This is going to be hilarious!
Remus tried to keep up a conversation, but it soon died, as neither James nor Lily would acknowledge each other's presence. He sighed. "I'll go get us some drinks.
James, Lily, you two want any Butterbeer?"
James nodded, Lily declined. Remus sighed again. "Fine. Pete, want to come get the orders with me?" Peter jumped up, looking extremely apprehensive. The two left in the direction of the bar, Remus discreetly pulling the Cloak out of his robe pocket.
James was still lost in thought for a while. She thinks I'm such a prat, I know… Why are they doing this to me? And why hasn't Sirius said anything? He's no good at keeping big secrets. It's too quiet…
Lily was having similar thoughts, so the couple picked up their heads at the same moment. Suddenly, they realized that the other Marauders had stranded them. Oh, crap. Look what messes you get yourself into, Lil! At least now you have to talk to him. That's good, I guess.
James finally spoke. "Well, it looks like we're not getting any Butterbeer, huh?" Boy, Potter, that was really pathetic.
Lily grinned wryly. "I guess not." You haven't humiliated yourself completely yet…
"Er-why don't we go see about getting some, then?" James said, half rising from the table.
"But, what if-won't they want us to save them a table for when they come back?" Lily flushed. Stupid! Ok, now you've humiliated yourself completely, girl.
"Alright." James sat back down.
Lily shot up like a rocket. "Er-on second thought, we could go take a walk and see if we could find those rascals…" Her voice trailed off.
James nodded. "And what I'll do to them when we find them-"
"You mean what we'll do to them!"
"Er-of course I meant we! The Chinese water torture works for me, how about you?"
Lily smiled. We're off to an ok start… "I prefer the method of: You hold them down, I whack them up the wrong side of the head with a Potions textbook."
"Devilish little vixen, aren't you?" This is turning out better.
"That's me." They had reached Honeydukes and peered inside. Lily's brow furrowed. "Didn't Sirius say he was coming here?"
"He probably said that to throw us off track. I'll bet you my Silver Arrow they're up at Zonko's right now." He turned to head up the path, but Lily caught his arm.
"Ooh, what are those?" She pointed to a set of chocolates inside the display case.
"Oh, those are ChocoBears. They're really neat. C'mon, I'll show you." He held the door open for her. He's a gentleman, too!
They made their way through the throngs of bustling students over to the case. The ChocoBears were little chocolate shaped bears, no bigger than a few centimeters tall. But not only were they adorably shaped, like many other wizard sweets, they moved!
"See, Lily, there are five kinds: Wild Raspberry (blue), Lime (green), Strawberry (red), Lemon (yellow), and Orange (duh). Each bear is filled with one kind of goo in a certain flavor. And the flavors correspond to their actions, look!" James pointed to a crouching bear that looked upset.
"He's a lemon, see, because he's all sour. You can tell what kind of flavor they are also by using this charm. Illumnia!" He pointed his wand at the bears and suddenly they lit up, revealing the color underneath the chocolate coating.
"Hey, you kids!" The balding shopkeeper came up to them. "Ya tamper wit' it, ya pay for it."
"Alright." Lily dug her hand into her robe pocket. "Oh no, I forgot to exchange my money over the last break!" She came up with shillings, not Knuts.
"Don't worry." James handed the shopkeeper enough money for a bag of ChocoBears. "Here, Lily. My treat." I'll have to borrow some cash off of Sirius for Zonko's later…
Lily smiled at him. But it's worth it for that smile! "You didn't have to do that, you know."
"It's ok. I probably would have bought them anyway," James fibbed. The two headed back out into the glorious June sunlight. Lily opened the bag and took out a few ChocoBears.
"Here." She handed him some, then proceeded to lick a few herself. James took the sweets from her. Her hands are so soft ! James bit off the heads of a ChocoBear. The goo gushed out, and the Bear seemed to writhe in pain. He put the thing out of its misery by popping it into his mouth. Lily watched him.
"James, you're morbid!" she laughed.
"I know. What are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing, really." She took another ChocoBear and then suddenly slipped her chocolaty hand into his. Both were surprised at her daring. After a second, James grinned at her, squeezed it, and they continued walking up the street.
Down the path, a trio stood huddled under an Invisibility Cloak.
"Amour, mes amis. C'est très merveilleux, no?" Remus grinned.
"Huh?" Peter asked quietly.
" That's French for 'Love is truly wonderful, don't you think?'"
"Agreed," said Peter.
"But it's not working!" Sirius whined. "They were supposed to kiss, at least, or something!"
"Padfoot, you can't rush love." Remus grinned. "Hey, at least it's a step in the right direction!"
Fin