(Fwee! Chapter 19! I'm getting really excited about the story! Oh, and don't get too attached to the idea of Kaleb and Sirius as a couple. It…um…isn't going to work out that way.)
The Marauders, for surely Lily and Kaleb can be labeled as such by now, sat in the common room, on two sofas and an armchair. Lily was curled up on one of the sofas, and was also rather tucked against James' side, who had an arm draped around her lazily. Sirius, Remus, and Kaleb sat, in that order, on another of the sofas, with Kaleb having her legs sprawled out over those of Remus and Sirius. Peter was currently sitting in a chair, a potions text open on his lap.
"You looking forward to tomorrow, Lils?" Kaleb asked, smiling at the redhead.
"What? What's tomorrow?" James asked, arching a brow.
"My fifteenth birthday." Lily said, as she drew patterns into the fabric covering the sofa.
"What! You never told me that tomorrow is your birthday! Now I have to get to Hogsmeade somehow tonight for your gift." James said, plotting just how to sneak from the tower.
Remus shrugged. "You can come with Siri and me, we still have to get her presents too. Peter apparently remembered it from last year, he already bought one."
Peter looked up from his potions work absently. "Oh? Yes, that was the day they transfigured me into a human toad. That's the only reason I remember."
"Sorry, Peter." Lily said, sheepishly. "If it makes you feel any better that took ages to figure out how to do."
Peter snorted. "Oh yes, much better."
"Anyway, I don't want any of you to worry about presents for me. Your presence is all I ask." Lily said, leaning her head back against James' arm.
The following evening, Lily was greeted with streamers and confetti as she entered the fifth year boys dorm. Her hands instantly went up to brush the confetti out of her hair, only to see that the other four people in the room had it all through theirs, and didn't seem to care.
"Happy Birthday Lily, my love!" Kaleb said, almost bouncing with excitement.
"What is all this?" She laughed. There were lilies everywhere they covered the floor, the beds, they even hung in bouquets in mid-air.
"It's your birthday party! And if you don't get good and smashed, I'm going to be mortally offended." Sirius said, thrusting a bottle of butterbeer into her hands.
"Far be it from me to ruin the party." Lily said, with a roguish smile. She tossed back some of the butterbeer, to the delight of Sirius.
"Now for the most important part!" James said, after they were all sprawled across Sirius' bed and getting a little tipsy. With an overdramatic flourish, a pile of gifts appeared in the middle of the bed.
Lily smacked Peter, who happened to be closest. "I told you lot that I didn't want any presents! What, do I need to tattoo it to your foreheads?" She laughed.
"Maybe next year we'll get tattoos, Lils, open mine first!" Remus said, who wasn't the least bit drunk, but enjoyed the atmosphere. He thrust a rounded package into her arms.
The red and gold paper came off rather unceremoniously, leaving Lily holding a beautifully engraved silver bowl. "Oh…Remus…" She gasped. "It's a Pensieve! It's so beautiful…thank you!"
"Now you won't have to use a bedpan." Remus said impishly, as she looped an arm around his neck and kissed his cheek.
"At least not for that." Sirius reasoned. "Mine next!" A hastily wrapped package was dumped in her arms, and Lily opened it, almost excruciatingly slowly.
"Oh get on with it!" Kaleb tossed a pillow at her friend, who stuck out her tongue.
Lily ran her hand over the embossed cover of a large tome. "'Chained to the Moon' by Amadeus Astrid." She read.
"I figured since you're, you know, the studious type, that you might like it. It's really interesting, plus you can find all sorts of tidbits in there to use against Moony!" He laughed, and was suddenly under the attack of a werewolf with a pillow.
During all of this Lily had opened the book and began reading, all the while biting her lower lip, in the pensive way she had when she read. A quick 'accio' brought the volume from Lily's hands.
"No, Lils. You can't read it tonight." James said. "It won't be any fun if we're getting smashed and you're reading!"
"Oh all right. Thank you Sirius, it's a lovely gift." She said, and kissed Sirius on the right cheek.
Peter flushed slightly as he handed his carefully wrapped gift to the fiery girl. Lily unwrapped the gift, and laid the paper aside carefully before squealing in delight. "1001 All New Gags, Jokes, and Pranks! I've had my eye on this for weeks! Thanks, Peter." She said, and despite how embarrassed he seemed by it, she gave him the standard kiss on the cheek as well.
"Why are you people giving her books? Do you not want her attention?" Kaleb asked, exasperated, 'accio'ing the book from Lily's hands. Lily pouted, and Kaleb thought that maybe she'd forgive her once she received her present.
"Mine next, my love. I promise it isn't anything you'll be reading." Kaleb laughed, and thrust her present into the redhead's lap. The paper was off unceremoniously, and a length of silvery cloth pooled in her lap.
"Oh, Kaleb. An invisibility cloak? These are really rare…" Lily ran her hand over the material in awe.
"I figured if we wanted to sneak out without these gits we wouldn't have to steal hornhead's cloak." Kaleb said smiling. "Now, do I get a kiss too?" She teased.
Never one to back down, Lily leaned over and pressed a kiss to Kaleb's cheek, at the corner of her mouth. Sirius wolf-whistled, and Remus told him to shut up.
"Now for mine." James said simply, and produced a small square box. Lily looked at him quizzically, and took the ribbon off of the velveteen box. The lid snapped back, and Lily gasped.
"It's a Claddagh ring. I…I hope you'll wear it this way…" James said, placing the elegant gold ring on her left ring finger, the crown pointing outwards.
(A/N If you aren't familiar with Claddagh rings, check out this website: http://www.claddaghrings.com/history.htm)
Lily stared at the ring on her hand, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. Her mother had worn a claddagh ring that her father had given to her when they became engaged. When Lily was small her mother told her about claddagh rings, and all they mean.
James smiled nervously. "What, no kiss? When a bloke's friends are getting luckier with his girlfriend than he is, there is something wrong." He laughed. James immediately found Lily in his arms, her lips pressed tightly to his. She was trying to convey through that one kiss that she knew all that the claddagh meant, and that she…that she loved him.
By the time Lily sat back, James was gasping for breath.
Remus nudged Kaleb, and said mildly, "Now I'm feeling a bit slighted."
"Me too." Kaleb nodded.
Sirius laughed and draped his arm around Remus' waist. "Poor little wolf-boy."
Later, in the true spirit of getting thoroughly smashed, the Marauders were sitting around doing shots. Lily and Remus had had twice as much as the other three, and weren't even nearing a tipsy stage.
"There you go, being all spoil-sport like! Can't even get properly smashed." Sirius scolded, having firmly planted his feet in the land of Tipsiness.
"All right, you three. Let's go…prank the Slytherins! Then we can…we can kip out in the Astronomy Tower and plot pranks." Kaleb said, feeling generous enough to allow Lily and James some alone time.
No one in the dorm was actually drunk, per se, they were just…relaxed. More relaxed than they had been pre-alcohol. Due to this rather relaxed state, the four people in question thought it was a great idea, and clambered out of the dorm to prank the unsuspecting Slytherin House.
Lily laughed and watched them go, and then turned back so she was facing James. A quick glance at the clock told her it was 9:47.
"I'm officially fifteen as of this minute." She said, smiling. She approached James and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Happy Birthday, love." James whispered, and he kissed her. Because Lily's eyes were closed neither of them noticed the change they underwent. A gold ring now outlined her pupils, and the outer edges of her irises.
Lily inhaled deeply, and then kissed James again. She was more insistent this time, and she could feel a growl rising low in her throat. 'Mine.' The thought came unbidden to her mind, and she whispered the word into James' mouth.
She nudged him backwards, guiding him towards the bed she knew belonged to him. Lily felt his legs hit the side of the bed, and she pushed him backwards. "Mine…always…" She whispered.
(A/N Yeah, they shagged. And yeah, they're underage. I don't condone that sort of activity when minors are concerned, but for the story that's how it had to be.)
The Marauders, for surely Lily and Kaleb can be labeled as such by now, sat in the common room, on two sofas and an armchair. Lily was curled up on one of the sofas, and was also rather tucked against James' side, who had an arm draped around her lazily. Sirius, Remus, and Kaleb sat, in that order, on another of the sofas, with Kaleb having her legs sprawled out over those of Remus and Sirius. Peter was currently sitting in a chair, a potions text open on his lap.
"You looking forward to tomorrow, Lils?" Kaleb asked, smiling at the redhead.
"What? What's tomorrow?" James asked, arching a brow.
"My fifteenth birthday." Lily said, as she drew patterns into the fabric covering the sofa.
"What! You never told me that tomorrow is your birthday! Now I have to get to Hogsmeade somehow tonight for your gift." James said, plotting just how to sneak from the tower.
Remus shrugged. "You can come with Siri and me, we still have to get her presents too. Peter apparently remembered it from last year, he already bought one."
Peter looked up from his potions work absently. "Oh? Yes, that was the day they transfigured me into a human toad. That's the only reason I remember."
"Sorry, Peter." Lily said, sheepishly. "If it makes you feel any better that took ages to figure out how to do."
Peter snorted. "Oh yes, much better."
"Anyway, I don't want any of you to worry about presents for me. Your presence is all I ask." Lily said, leaning her head back against James' arm.
The following evening, Lily was greeted with streamers and confetti as she entered the fifth year boys dorm. Her hands instantly went up to brush the confetti out of her hair, only to see that the other four people in the room had it all through theirs, and didn't seem to care.
"Happy Birthday Lily, my love!" Kaleb said, almost bouncing with excitement.
"What is all this?" She laughed. There were lilies everywhere they covered the floor, the beds, they even hung in bouquets in mid-air.
"It's your birthday party! And if you don't get good and smashed, I'm going to be mortally offended." Sirius said, thrusting a bottle of butterbeer into her hands.
"Far be it from me to ruin the party." Lily said, with a roguish smile. She tossed back some of the butterbeer, to the delight of Sirius.
"Now for the most important part!" James said, after they were all sprawled across Sirius' bed and getting a little tipsy. With an overdramatic flourish, a pile of gifts appeared in the middle of the bed.
Lily smacked Peter, who happened to be closest. "I told you lot that I didn't want any presents! What, do I need to tattoo it to your foreheads?" She laughed.
"Maybe next year we'll get tattoos, Lils, open mine first!" Remus said, who wasn't the least bit drunk, but enjoyed the atmosphere. He thrust a rounded package into her arms.
The red and gold paper came off rather unceremoniously, leaving Lily holding a beautifully engraved silver bowl. "Oh…Remus…" She gasped. "It's a Pensieve! It's so beautiful…thank you!"
"Now you won't have to use a bedpan." Remus said impishly, as she looped an arm around his neck and kissed his cheek.
"At least not for that." Sirius reasoned. "Mine next!" A hastily wrapped package was dumped in her arms, and Lily opened it, almost excruciatingly slowly.
"Oh get on with it!" Kaleb tossed a pillow at her friend, who stuck out her tongue.
Lily ran her hand over the embossed cover of a large tome. "'Chained to the Moon' by Amadeus Astrid." She read.
"I figured since you're, you know, the studious type, that you might like it. It's really interesting, plus you can find all sorts of tidbits in there to use against Moony!" He laughed, and was suddenly under the attack of a werewolf with a pillow.
During all of this Lily had opened the book and began reading, all the while biting her lower lip, in the pensive way she had when she read. A quick 'accio' brought the volume from Lily's hands.
"No, Lils. You can't read it tonight." James said. "It won't be any fun if we're getting smashed and you're reading!"
"Oh all right. Thank you Sirius, it's a lovely gift." She said, and kissed Sirius on the right cheek.
Peter flushed slightly as he handed his carefully wrapped gift to the fiery girl. Lily unwrapped the gift, and laid the paper aside carefully before squealing in delight. "1001 All New Gags, Jokes, and Pranks! I've had my eye on this for weeks! Thanks, Peter." She said, and despite how embarrassed he seemed by it, she gave him the standard kiss on the cheek as well.
"Why are you people giving her books? Do you not want her attention?" Kaleb asked, exasperated, 'accio'ing the book from Lily's hands. Lily pouted, and Kaleb thought that maybe she'd forgive her once she received her present.
"Mine next, my love. I promise it isn't anything you'll be reading." Kaleb laughed, and thrust her present into the redhead's lap. The paper was off unceremoniously, and a length of silvery cloth pooled in her lap.
"Oh, Kaleb. An invisibility cloak? These are really rare…" Lily ran her hand over the material in awe.
"I figured if we wanted to sneak out without these gits we wouldn't have to steal hornhead's cloak." Kaleb said smiling. "Now, do I get a kiss too?" She teased.
Never one to back down, Lily leaned over and pressed a kiss to Kaleb's cheek, at the corner of her mouth. Sirius wolf-whistled, and Remus told him to shut up.
"Now for mine." James said simply, and produced a small square box. Lily looked at him quizzically, and took the ribbon off of the velveteen box. The lid snapped back, and Lily gasped.
"It's a Claddagh ring. I…I hope you'll wear it this way…" James said, placing the elegant gold ring on her left ring finger, the crown pointing outwards.
(A/N If you aren't familiar with Claddagh rings, check out this website: http://www.claddaghrings.com/history.htm)
Lily stared at the ring on her hand, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. Her mother had worn a claddagh ring that her father had given to her when they became engaged. When Lily was small her mother told her about claddagh rings, and all they mean.
James smiled nervously. "What, no kiss? When a bloke's friends are getting luckier with his girlfriend than he is, there is something wrong." He laughed. James immediately found Lily in his arms, her lips pressed tightly to his. She was trying to convey through that one kiss that she knew all that the claddagh meant, and that she…that she loved him.
By the time Lily sat back, James was gasping for breath.
Remus nudged Kaleb, and said mildly, "Now I'm feeling a bit slighted."
"Me too." Kaleb nodded.
Sirius laughed and draped his arm around Remus' waist. "Poor little wolf-boy."
Later, in the true spirit of getting thoroughly smashed, the Marauders were sitting around doing shots. Lily and Remus had had twice as much as the other three, and weren't even nearing a tipsy stage.
"There you go, being all spoil-sport like! Can't even get properly smashed." Sirius scolded, having firmly planted his feet in the land of Tipsiness.
"All right, you three. Let's go…prank the Slytherins! Then we can…we can kip out in the Astronomy Tower and plot pranks." Kaleb said, feeling generous enough to allow Lily and James some alone time.
No one in the dorm was actually drunk, per se, they were just…relaxed. More relaxed than they had been pre-alcohol. Due to this rather relaxed state, the four people in question thought it was a great idea, and clambered out of the dorm to prank the unsuspecting Slytherin House.
Lily laughed and watched them go, and then turned back so she was facing James. A quick glance at the clock told her it was 9:47.
"I'm officially fifteen as of this minute." She said, smiling. She approached James and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Happy Birthday, love." James whispered, and he kissed her. Because Lily's eyes were closed neither of them noticed the change they underwent. A gold ring now outlined her pupils, and the outer edges of her irises.
Lily inhaled deeply, and then kissed James again. She was more insistent this time, and she could feel a growl rising low in her throat. 'Mine.' The thought came unbidden to her mind, and she whispered the word into James' mouth.
She nudged him backwards, guiding him towards the bed she knew belonged to him. Lily felt his legs hit the side of the bed, and she pushed him backwards. "Mine…always…" She whispered.
(A/N Yeah, they shagged. And yeah, they're underage. I don't condone that sort of activity when minors are concerned, but for the story that's how it had to be.)