A WALK TO REMEMBER
Summary – The summer before his fifth year, Harry Potter stumbles across his father's old journal from his seventh year at Hogwarts and he reads about the continuous adventures of him, the Marauders, and his mother, Lily Evans; how they met, how they fell in love, and what brought them to their horrendous deaths. This story is based on the movie and book called A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks.
Disclaimer – Unfortunately, I own absolutely nothing. All of the characters and their names belong to author JK Rowling and the plot and character traits belong to Warner Brother's and author Nicholas Sparks.
Chapter 6 – True Love:
That following Monday morning, James woke up bright and early feeling like skipping through the corridors of Hogwarts. He could not remember a time in his life when he had been happier. As he heard the Muggle-borns say it, he was on Cloud Nine. He leaped out of bed and quickly took a shower and got dressed before anyone else got up. Thinking of how he could surprise Lily, he grabbed a quill and performed a little bit of his famous Transfiguration. He slipped on his uniform and robes before skipping out of the boy's dormitories and up the the stairs to the girl's.
James quietly and timidly opened the door. He looked around and tried to guess which bed belonged to Lily. He slowly opened the hangings on one and saw that it was Achelle. James closed them hurriedly; the last thing he needed was for Achelle to see him standing over her bed with a gift. Then, he moved to the next bed and saw Fiona. Then there was the last bed, all the way by the window. James grinned to himself and opened the hangings and there she was, sleeping peacefully.
Her long red hair was in a messy tangle and her mouth was slightly open with a little dribble coming out of the corner. In truth, she was a mess, but, to James, she looked just as beautiful as she did the night of the Spring Play and last night. He smiled realizing he enjoyed watching her sleep.
After about a minute of watching her, he kissed her forehead gently. Lily yawned, stirred, and her eyes fluttered open, revealing those stunning green eyes of hers.
"Hey there, Flower," he said smiling. Lily smiled and sat up.
"What are you doing in here?" she asked, looking around frantically, making sure that no one was around. She would never hear the end of this if her uncle found out her boyfriend was sneaking into her dormitory.
"I wanted to give you this," he said, handing her a small white lily, which he transfigured from the quill. Lily's eyes glowed and she took the flower.
"Thank you," she said quietly, in her little mouse voice. James smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Do you want me to wait for you downstairs?" James asked. Lily beamed.
"Only if you want to…"
"Of course I want to!"
Lily's eyes glowed brighter with happiness.
Lily came down the steps, wearing her Hogwarts uniform and her hair was tied up in its usual ponytail. James smiled at her and held out his hand for her to take. She took it gladly and they walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast. As they walked in comfortable silence, James looked at Lily and reached up and took the hair tie out of Lily's hair, letting her red curls fall down her back.
"Hey!" Lily cried out in protest, trying to take her hand tie out of James's hand.
"Could you please leave it down?" he asked in a whisper, running his fingers through her long hair, which he thought could have been mistaken for red silk. "You're beautiful Lils and you shouldn't hide it." Lily blushed scarlet, but nodded after a moment. James smiled at her, she smiled sweetly back and once again, he entwined his fingers with hers.
"Hey Potter," came a slimy voice from behind the pair of them. James stopped short and frowned. He slowly turned around to face his school arch nemesis; Severus Snape.
"What do you want, Snape?" he snarled.
"I see you've fallen for a Mudblood," said Snape, gesturing towards Lily. James's face went red with rage but Lily tightened her hold on his hand.
"Don't…" she whispered it so low that James was surprised that he even heard it.
"I knew you were low, Potter," continued Snape, his bottom look curling with a cold sneer, "but I never thought you were that low!"
James let go of Lily's hand and stormed towards Snape, taking out his wand. He pointed it at Snape's face, who immediately stopped laughing and looked at James fearfully. Lily gave a small gasp.
"Never…ever…insult her like that again or I'll hex you so bad you're dead, slimy Slytherin ancestors will feel it," James snarled, his voice full on venom. Snape had never seen such a fury in James. He got so freaked out that he just nodded weakly, his black eyes full of fear. Lily just stared at James wide-eyed. Satisfied with Snape's reaction, James pocketed his wand and then kicked Snape right below the belt. Snape wheezed in pain as James took Lily's hand and led her to the Great Hall.
"You shouldn't have done that," she said quietly.
"Nobody insults you and gets away with it!" James said, frowning at the thought of Snape.
"But he's not worth it," said Lily.
"No, he isn't," said James shrugging simply. He looked at Lily and smiled. "But, you're worth getting a detention for." Lily blushed and smiled sheepishly. James grinned and kissed her cheek. Together, they walked into the Great Hall.
James and Lily walked right past Sirius, Remus, Peter, Achelle, and Fiona and towards the rejected side of the Gryffindor table. Sirius rolled his eyes and avoided eye contact with James, which did not seem to bother James at all. Remus looked at his plate, as though ashamed at what had happened between him and his friend and Peter just frowned. Fiona's eyes widened in shock as panic entered Achelle's eyes. She could not believe how James could have fallen for Lily Evans, the most unpopular girl in school instead of her, beautiful and popular. She glared openly at Lily with the utmost disdain, but Lily did not notice or care about what Achelle thought about her anymore.
Parker Starkson just frowned and shifted uncomfortably in his chair, not liking how his niece and James Potter had come in walking hand in hand. James had that twinkle of joy and love in his eyes; the same look he had during the Spring Play. Parker wondered if it was somehow possible that James Potter grew up and truly had genuine feelings for Lily. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry about it, Parker," a female voice said. Parker turned around to see Anna Potter staring at Lily and James with a knowing smile. "If anyone knows James, it's me and I can see that look in his eyes, and with that look, I know he would never hurt your niece. I think he truly cares about her."
Parker smiled gratefully, but still was not so sure. James may have his sister tricked and won over Lily's trust, but the boy had not gained his. It would be a very long time before a boy like James Potter gained his trust.
That Saturday night, since it was not a Hogsmeade weekend, Lily and James decided to go for an evening stroll around the Hogwarts grounds. James even managed to convince Lily to go into the Forbidden Forest.
"No way!" Lily cried. "We could get killed!"
"Oh c'mon, you I'd never let anything hurt you…"
"How exactly are you going to fight off werewolves, centaurs, giant spiders, and other beasts?" Lily asked, looking into the forest, horrorstruck with her hands on her hips in a stern manner. James turned and grinned at her.
"Like this," he said as he transformed into a beautiful gray stag. Lily's eyes looked as though they were about to pop out of her head.
"James, you're…you're an Animagus?" Lily gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, hardly daring to believe. James transformed back into himself and grinned and nodded proudly. "Wow…that's amazing!"
"So, do you think you're brave enough to tread the Forbidden Forest with Prongs?" asked James with a mischievous smirk. Lily chuckled and nodded.
"So that's how you got that ridiculous nickname," she said with a playful grin as she crossed her arms over chest. James laughed and transformed so that Lily could climb on his back and together, they rode through the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest as Lily looked around in pure amazement.
James was glad that Lily did not ask any questions about him being an illegal Animagus. It secretly told him that Lily trusted him and that she did not want to control James or any aspect of his life; and she clearly did not want to make him feel uncomfortable. She trusted him and that meant the world to him; it meant everything to him.
After their adventure through the Forbidden Forest (fortunately, they did not meet anything dangerous, as James stayed on the outskirts of the forest) James and Lily decided to take another walk around the Great Lake and watch the sunset, waiting for. It was a lot like the night that James first told Lily that he loved her. The stars were, once again, shining brightly, sparkling against the dark blanket.
James, not wanting to go inside the castle on such a beautiful night, sat down by the water's edge and motioned for Lily to sit beside him. Lily smiled and sat close to James. He put his arm around her shoulder and the two just gazed at the stars. They were silent. But it was not an awkward silence, but a pleasant silence, to show that they did not need to talk. They just enjoyed the moment and each other's company.
After a while, James and Lily walked back to the school. James was heading to the Gryffindor Tower, but Professor Starkson wanted Lily to stop by before she went to sleep. She had been spending so much time with her new boyfriend that he hardly saw his niece anymore. James insisted on accompanying Lily to the office and then back to Gryffindor Tower; not feeling comfortable with her wandering the castle all on her own with the Marauders still angry with her and Achelle still out for blood.
When James and Lily stopped in front of Starkson's office, James whispered, "Wait," and before they could knock to have her uncle come out, he gave her one last gentle good night kiss and Lily eagerly kissed back.
"Ahem," came a voice from the office doorway, interrupting the love struck couple. Starkson had apparently heard them coming down the corridor and answered the door before they even knocked. But, unlike most teenage couples who get caught kissing, Lily and James did not jump. They were not even startled. They just pulled away slowly, looking deep into each other's eyes.
"Lily, say good night to Mr. Potter," said Starkson, now sounding annoyed over the fact that Lily and James were still looking at each other lovingly.
They looked up and saw Parker standing in the doorway, his hands folded behind his back, a stern look on his face as he stood protectively beside Lily, glaring at James. The two did not argue with Parker. They just looked back at each other and continued staring in each other's eyes. Parker grew impatient.
"James, go back to Gryffindor Tower!" he snapped. "The night is over!"
James reluctantly tore his eyes away from Lily's and smiled at her.
"G'night, Lily," he said,
"Good night."
"Good night, Professor," James said politely, nodding at Professor Starkson before giving Lily one last smile and turning away. He turned the corner of the corridor and disappeared out of sight. Lily smiled as she watched him go.
"Lily, I can't believe you!" Parker snapped impatiently. Lily snapped out of her daze and looked at her uncle.
"Believe what?"
"You're playing with that boy-"
"Playing?" Lily asked, astonished, but quietly. It almost came out like a gentle hiss. Parker stopped and looked at his niece, the firm look still in his usual gentle eyes.
"Lily, you are a child," he said sternly.
"Parks, look at me," said Lily quietly. " I'm all grown up. I'm no longer a little girl, I am a woman. I'm not a child anymore."
"Then stop acting childish!" Parker nearly shouted angrily, nearly getting in her face. Lily stared at her uncle intently, a complete somber look on her own face. They stared at each other and when Parker backed off, Lily finally spoke;
"I love him," she said simply.
Parker suddenly felt sick. It was like Lily's words about how she felt about James pierced his body, feeling as though he would bleed out. He wanted to shout at his niece and tell her she was too young to know what love is. But, he looked at her green eyes and saw that they were filled with so much joy and adoration and much to his dismay and desperation, he knew that she was not lying about her feelings for James.
"Then be fair to him," sighed Parker, rubbing the bridge of his nose in a stressful manner. Lily nodded, her eyes getting glassy. "Be fair to him, Lily…before things get worse!"
Lily nodded before turning around and heading back to the Gryffindor Common Room. As she turned the corner, Parker sighed and tears slowly came to his eyes. He let them fall down his cheek without a care in the world. He could not believe that he was losing Lily, to a boy. And not just any boy; he was losing her to James Potter. Parker knew that no matter what he did, what he said, or how hard he tried, he realized that there was nothing to stop those two teenagers from loving each other.
It seemed that James Potter and Lily Evans truly loved one another. And there was nothing he could do except walk back to his office and go to sleep.
It was yet another starry Friday night and Lily and James decided to have a secret, romantic midnight meeting. They wanted to do some stargazing with Lily's Muggle telescope.
Lily decided it was best if she and James left at different times so that no one would suspect and report them. They would be breaking several rules, such as being in bed after hours and Parker Starkson would curse James into oblivion if he had found out what they had been up to. As a result, Lily reached the Quidditch Pitch before James and was patiently waiting for him while carefully setting up her Muggle telescope.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a pair of hands covered her eyes, startling Lily.
"Guess who?" a voice whispered in her ear. Lily smiled, immediately recognizing the voice.
"Mr. James Potter," she said grinning. The hand uncovered her eyes and she turned around to face her smiling boyfriend. She pecked him on the lips..
"I finished setting up the telescope," said Lily brightly. "Is there anything in particular that you wanted to see?"
"Hmm…" James thought for a moment, wearing a raised eyebrow. "I think I want to see…Pluto!"
"Uh, James, Pluto only rises a few minutes before the sun," she said chuckling, raising an eyebrow. James was suddenly smiling maliciously.
"Oh wow, that's right!" he stated as he started pulling items out of the duffel bag that he had brought with him. "That's why I brought us two bottles of hot butterbeer and a blanket." James took out the butterbeers and set them on the ground, than took out a soft, thick blanket and set it down before sitting on it himself.
"You planned this, didn't you?" Lily said slowly. James grinned again.
"Oh, I hope for it," he said playfully, patting the spot on the blanket next to him. Lily raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Are you trying to seduce me?" Lily asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow, and grinning slightly. James looked at her innocently.
"Lily Evans!" he gasped jokingly. "How could you accuse me of something so rude and pigheaded?"
"Because your name is James Potter and I'm fully aware of your reputation," she said still grinning. "So, are you?"
"Well, that depends," he said slowly. "Are you seducible?" Lily laughed at James's question, knowing that he was just goofing off with her. James smiled up at her too.
"I thought so," he said quickly, going through his bag again. "Therefore I brought a second blanket; one for you and one for me!" He placed another thick, comfortable blanket next to his own. Lily smiled sweetly.
"Thank you!"
James got up and walked up behind Lily, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek. Lily smiled and gazed at her stars, the back of her head resting on James's shoulder. After a minute of resting comfortably in her boyfriend's arms, Lily came out of James's embrace and started looking through her telescope again.
"Is there something wrong, Lily?" asked James curiously, wondering why she had pushed away from his embrace. Lily pulled her head away from the Muggle telescope, biting her lip.
"James…"
"What's wrong, Lily?" he asked in concern, taking a step towards her and reaching forward to cup her face with his hands. "Is everything okay?"
"James…I…" her voice trailed off and she looked at her feet for a moment, taking in deep, shaky breaths. After a few moments, she looked into his eyes and what he saw made him suck in a lungful of air and held it. Lily had never looked at him like that before and thrilled and scared him at the same time. "…I love you," she finally whispered.
She loved him.
Lily Evans actually loved him.
James felt weak at the knees for a second. It was the first time Lily had ever said those words to him. James just searched her eyes, seeing the love she had for him swelling up within them.
Passion and excitement searing through his veins, James leaned in and kissed her. Lily, of course, kissed him back eagerly. James parted his lips to deepen the kiss, but did not take it any further. He did not need to try and take advantage of Lily like that. He would not do that anyway. He knew that Lily did not want to go that far physically until she was ready, and he respected that about her and loved her too much to do that and risk losing her. Plus, kissing was enough for him. If James was being honest, Lily just sitting beside him and knowing that she loved him was more than enough for him.
James parted from the kiss and beamed at her. Lily smiled back. He sat down on the blanket, while Lily sat in his lap. James wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder, kissing the side of her face. They both stared at the sky for a minute before James turned to look at Lily.
"So, what's number one on your life to-do list?" asked James, sounding just as curious as he had the first time he had asked. Lily looked at the ground for a minute and sighed. She loved James and did not want to keep any secrets from him. He had told her all his secrets, fears, hopes, and dreams, and now it was her turn to tell him. She trusted and loved him and that was all she needed to tell him.
"You promise not to laugh?" she asked timidly.
"Never…"
"I want to get married in the church where my parents were married," she said simply, looking back at the sky. "It's silly…but…it's important to me."
James nodded in understanding and kissed her cheek again before resuming his attention back to the stars.
James stretched and yawned, letting his muscles crack and whine, as he walked down the corridor to get some food from the kitchens. He had just dropped Lily off at Gryffindor Tower, and she was asleep. They were out all night looking at the stars, waiting to see Pluto. However, James's appetite won over for his need for sleep.
As he walked down the corridor he saw Anna also walking down it and he was right behind her. James grinned to himself and snuck up behind her before nearly jumping on her back screaming "Guess who?" Anna nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Jimmy!" she half shouted, half laughed. "Don't do that! You scared me half to death!"
"Sorry, Annie, but it was just too tempting to resist," said James, grinning maliciously. Anna rolled her eyes and smiled. She looked at her brother and noticed that he was still in the same Hogwarts uniform and robes that he had worn yesterday and that it was only six o'clock in the morning. James was never up that early.
"Were you out all night, James?" asked Anna suspiciously and somewhat appalled. She knew that James knew many of the secret passages out of Hogwarts and into Hogsmeade and that he always snuck out. Even though she knew it about it, it never seemed to bother her. James was always innocently mischievous like that, even as a small child.
"Yeah," James answered truthfully and looking sheepishly. Anna stared at him for a second.
"You were with Lily, weren't you?" Anna was looking at him in concern and James rolled his eyes at Anna for even thinking like that.
"Yeah," James answered, "but it wasn't like that."
"James, you have to be careful! She's Starkson's niece and that man is very overprotective of her. He loves her and you just can't-"
"Anna!" snapped James impatiently. Anna stopped. James never called her by her fell name unless it was something important. So, instead of freaking out on her brother, she decided to listen to him instead. "It's different with her, okay?"
"It's different with her," Anna repeated sarcastically. She knew that James loved Lily, but he was still a teenage boy with raging hormones and she was still a pretty teenage girl. But, James stared at her square in the eyes, with the look on his face that Anna had never seen on him before. She did not even have the words to describe the look on his face and eyes.
"It is," he said quietly. And that was all that he needed to say. Anna saw the love in his eyes. That was when she knew that James's love for Lily was truly genuine; that it was true. Anna finally realized that her younger brother would probably step in front of a Killing Curse to save Lily. James loved that girl more than life itself. When coming to this conclusion, Anna beamed at her brother and punched him playfully on the arm.
"You better be different with her," she said smiling. James gave a weak grin and stared at the ground.
"What's wrong?" asked Anna, raising an eyebrow. "You were glowing a second ago…"
"Annie," he said, his voice croaking, looking back up at his sister. "I can't explain it. Lily is everything to me. It's almost like she's part of me or something and if something happens to her, something happens to me. She…she just has faith in me. And nobody, except you, has ever had faith in me. But, Lily…she…she makes me want to be different…better…"
Anna's heart nearly melted at James's words and the sincere, loving look on his face.
A note from the Jitterbelle. This may seem like a pointless chapter but I think it's important for future aspects of the story. I hope you also like the revisions I've made. Please don't forget to review the story, but most importantly, please don't forget to continue enjoying it!