Fourth Year – Part One
"Now, Lily, you know we made that truce," said James, pouting, as he dragged his trunk onto the Hogwarts Express.
"So?" Lily heaved her trunk up and started to drag it across compartments, looking for an empty one.
"So we're supposed to be at least on civil speaking terms," explained James slowly.
"What's your point, Pot—James?" Lily still found it a bit difficult to call James by his given name.
"You're not exactly acting 'civil' to me here, Lily."
"I'm not? I'm calling you by your first name, and I'm not throwing hexes at you. What more do you want?"
"Oh, but we shared such tender moments for the last few weeks. So…perhaps friends?"
"In your dreams, Potter."
"There you go again!" cried James. "I'm James, not Potter."
"Whatever. Now, where is Bella? She's gone off with Sirius to snog, no doubt. Maybe one day they can actually kiss normally, not snog passionately, touching each other at inappropriate places." Lily shuddered.
"Oh, but aren't us boys perverts, Lily?" teased James, grinning. "You said so yourself yesterday, when Sirius suggested to Bella that they should get some time alone in the same room."
"Well, Mum was definitely going to faint when she heard that," said Lily, chuckling. "Went completely white and fled to her room. Petunia wasn't so—er—calm about it either."
"Considering that she jumped up and started calling us idiots, morons, freaks, and perverted people who only think of the 's' word."
"It's sad, isn't it?" Lily sighed. "Well, we'd better find a compartment soon, or else—"
She stopped immediately, staring across at the people sitting in the compartment that they were currently in.
James squinted and saw that it was Remus laughing and joking with an unknown girl. The girl kissed him and smiled happily, but they both froze at the sight of Lily and James staring at them.
"Lily, James, it isn't what it looks like," begged Remus, his eyes wide.
Lily snapped out of her trance. "You know, Remus, I thought you were the decent sort, but I thought wrong. How can you do this to Jennifer? I thought she meant a lot to you, considering how much you guys cuddled over the summer. You guys were just snogging this morning at breakfast."
"I—"
"Remus, you're cheating on Jennifer for—her?" James looked at the girl next to him in disgust.
The girl jumped, looking frightened. "I—I didn't know Remus had a g-girlfriend," she stuttered. Her pale fingers twisted loose strands of curls on her forehead, and her dark gray eyes were wide. "Really—honestly—"
Lily's eyes softened. "All right, we won't tell Jennifer, but you'd better have a good excuse for her, Remus, since she's probably wondering where you are right now."
Remus glanced at the girl and sighed. "Listen, Tara, I'll see you later, all right? I'm going to go find my friends."
"And girlfriend," added James, still scowling at the small girl. They left the compartment, leaving Tara alone.
"Who's Tara and why were you two cuddling?" asked Lily snappishly as they went in search of the rest of their friends.
"Tara's my neighbor," said Remus calmly, "and we're really good friends, soon to become cousins, since my only unmarried aunt is getting married to her widowed father."
"Well, cousins can date too, you know," said James grumpily.
Remus laughed. "We're not dating, you goof. She's going to be my cousin! Relatives don't marry each other. Besides, she's like a sister to me, since my only one died when I was nine." His eyes became cloudy.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Remus!" exclaimed Lily, enveloping him in a hug. "I never knew that you had a sister, and I'm really sorry for jumping into conclusions too fast. I guess I'm just overprotective about my friends."
"Yeah, I'm sorry too," mumbled James.
"Remus!" They turned around to see Jennifer running towards them anxiously. Her thick blond hair was loose all over her face, as her blue eyes scanned them. "Oh, James, Lily, where were you guys?"
The trio glanced at each other. "We were just looking for you. Remus came along after he found us pass him."
Jennifer glanced at Remus suspiciously. "And you were looking for me for this long? It doesn't take half an hour to search the train!"
"I was talking to my cousin, Tara, about Hogwarts," said Remus quickly. "She's starting her first year, you know."
"Tara Jettison? Isn't she your neighbor, Remus?"
"Well, she's going to be my cousin soon, since my aunt is marrying her father. It'll just be like having a sister again."
Jennifer bit her lip, shuddering. Remus had told her about sweet Sarah Lupin, who had been a year younger than him, and how she suddenly disappeared when he was only nine. Now five years has passed, and Remus assumed her as dead.
"I'm sorry if I reminded you about Sarah, Remus," she said quietly, kissing him on the cheek. "I was just—worried. You know me."
"Yeah," said Remus sadly, his eyes casting a faraway look. "It's all right, I just—I just loved Sarah so much before she…died."
"Remus, just let it out," said Lily softly.
"I'm not going to cry," he said hastily, rubbing his eyes and making sure there weren't any tears. "I just miss her, that's all. I'm not sad about her dying; I'm just really lonely sometimes without her company. Tara's like Sarah all over again, and it gives me a lot of comfort to feel her presence. I'm not cheating on you, Jen, like a certain redhead and black-head seemed to think."
Jennifer laughed, while Lily and James both turned equal shades of red, scowling.
"Humph! Where were you guys?" It was Arabella, and behind her was Sirius, and both had on a worried expression.
"We thought you guys had missed the train or something!" she exclaimed wildly. "Thanks for worrying us so much."
"Where's Violet and Peter?" asked Lily immediately, suddenly remembering her other two friends.
"They're in our compartment right now. Honestly, Lily, at least you should've had enough sense to look for us! Where we all of you? Jen, I told you not to go gallivanting off to find your beloved Remus. Well, now that you guys found each other, why didn't you go and find us? We weren't so important, huh? Huh?"
"Bella, stop hyperventilating," said Sirius good-humoredly. "Now that we found them, let's all go back to our compartment. Those four were probably out having a double-snog date or something."
"I wouldn't be talking, Sirius," snapped James, as they all headed off to the compartment. "You and Bella were probably off doing the same thing. Poor Violet and Peter."
"Well, they were getting pretty passionate too, you know," argued Sirius, while the rest laughed. "What?"
"Violet's too sensible and Peter's too shy to get involved in something like snogging," said Lily, grinning.
"Yeah? Well, they were holding hands!"
"How passionate," said Jennifer dryly, while Arabella sniggered.
"Actually, they weren't very passionate, but they still sort of like each other. I heard that Dumbledore's hosting a ball next year!"
"How exciting," said Lily sarcastically. "We get to wear pretty dress robes and be all caked with makeup! I'm so excited!"
"Aww…Lils, just go with James if Snape asks you," said Jennifer, grinning.
"WHAT?"
"Oh, come on Lils, it's not like James will have a date by then, anyway. Besides, it's next year, what are you fretting about?"
"Hey!" cried James. "I can too get a date!"
"You turn girls down when they ask you to a date to Hogsmeade," said Arabella coolly. "I suppose that's your proof that you can get a date. You turn down everyone, for heaven's sake! When can you not turn down a girl and just take her?"
"Fine," huffed James. "I'll say 'yes' to the first girl who asks me to a date, whether she's pretty or ugly or whatever."
"If you lose, you owe me a Galleon."
"Since when did we make this a bet?"
"Since now."
"Can we change the topic?" asked Lily loudly.
"If you're getting bored, Lily, you can always join us," said a silky voice from behind. It was Snape and the rest of his gang, and they were grinning down at the six evilly.
"Get away from us, Snape!" snapped Lily. "Don't think I didn't forget out little incident this summer…"
"Oh, but why should you care, Lily? After all, it was only a threat to Potter, not you."
"They don't hate each other anymore, Snape, so of course Lily should care," said Sirius quickly. He wanted to see the priceless look on Snape's face.
"Y-you guys are friends?" he mumbled.
Lily shrugged. "Not necessarily friends, but on speaking terms."
"What's the difference?"
"We don't help each other out like friends would. Or actually like each other as friends do, for the matter. We're just civil to each other, then."
"Well, sooner or later, Evans, you'll regret your decision," spat Rosier, glaring. "One of these days, Evans, you'll wish that you had joined us, since the Dark Lord is gaining power from his followers." His eyes had an odd shine to it.
James raised his eyebrows. "Oh, really? That bozo, gain power? Ha, what a laugh!"
"James," snapped Peter nervously. "D-don't get them r-riled up like t-that."
"Is Pettigrew scared?" mocked Lestrange, stepping forward, smirking. "Really, Pettigrew, with a heart like yours…" He leaned forward and whispered quietly, so that only Peter could here, "…the Dark Lord may find it quite useful one of these days, since you're so close to Potter."
Peter just gulped, looking frightened. (A/N: Die, Peter! I'm glad that he's scared!)
Arabella glared down at the Slytherins. "Look, you slimy gits either state why you're here, or leave—simple as that. Surely Slytherins aren't that thick to understand what I just said, are they?"
Wilkes sneered down at her. "You Gryffindors are so cocky over yourselves, thinking that you're so perfect. Well, soon you lot will be the first to go once the Dark Lord gets a hold of Hogwarts. Of course, the Mudbloods go first before anyone else does." He glanced at Lily.
Snape tensed and looked over at Lily, too. "Perhaps we should leave, Wilkes."
"Why, Snape? Scared of the Mudblood? I wouldn't be still mooning over her, since the Dark Lord will be ridding of her first."
"Y-you're right, of course," he stuttered. "But…let's leave Potter to his romantic moments again." He made an attempt to sneer.
"Ah, but of course." Malfoy then stepped forward, grinning maliciously. "Perhaps we shall show Potter some of our new powers that the Dark Lord gave us—and our new names."
"Which ones?" asked Jennifer scathingly. "Slimy gits, empty-headed, or 'I'm-So-Evil-That-Everyone-Thinks-I'm-Stupid'?"
The Marauders and the girls all laughed, while Jennifer smiled triumphantly at the stunned Slytherins.
"No half-Mudblood is going to insult us," snapped Rosier. "We fashion ourselves a name—Death Eaters, loyal to our Master."
"All right, this is such a waste of time. You—you Slytherins all go away! Now!" Lily was furious.
Snape's gang shot her a last nasty look, besides Snape, and ventured out the compartment sullenly.
"Way to go, Lils!" exclaimed Arabella. "I was wishing those gits would get out of here soon enough."
"It wasn't too hard," said James smoothly. "All you do is tell them to go away."
"We've already told them that three times, but Lily actually got them to go," retorted Bella.
Lily waved her arm aside. "Whatever. You two stop arguing, or else I'll—"
"You know, Lils," said Violet suddenly, coming out of her usual daze. "You're the one who's always arguing with James, so why are you telling Bella?"
"I—" Lily was about to give her a logical answer, but found out that she had none. "Oh, never mind."
"Ha, ha!" cried Jennifer gleefully. "The great Lily Potter has been thwarted by the logical Violet Walker! Priceless!"
"Oh, Jen." Lily sighed. "Will you ever grow up?"
"I doubt it. But I sure wouldn't want to be like you now, or else I'll end up a stiff old lady. You and Violet will probably end up like one of those old ladies who carry a large handbag around and wobble up and down the street, hoping to be killed."
Arabella snorted. Jennifer was too—Jennifer. It was quite sad how she becomes joyful one moment and cynical the next. Good thing Remus was there to calm her down and have her loosen up towards boys.
"Hey, Lily," said James suddenly, "I heard that you were going to be made a prefect next year."
"Oh?" Lily perked up. "And where did you hear this?"
"Dad told me."
"How would he know?"
"Because he works at the Ministry, and they make the list of Prefects for next year every year. He showed it to me when he saw your name."
"When did he show it to you? You were at my house the whole summer!"
"Oh—er—" James scratched his head. "Oh, it was—um—well, I forgot! Anyway, you're Prefect next year."
Lily rolled her eyes. "I don't believe you. You're making this all up."
"Well, obviously. April Fool's!" he cried.
Lily raised her eyebrows. "Er—James? It's September, not April."
The rest of the Marauders and the girls laughed, while Lily smirked triumphantly at James.
He was very much embarrassed. "Well…fine, I'll save it for April then!" He pouted.
"Well, well, well." They all turned around to see Amos Diggory sneering at them. "If it isn't the dream team, always having your ways with everyone at Hogwarts." He glanced over at Arabella, shaking his head and then at Lily, grinning. "Well, Lily, I see that you aren't steady with anyone yet. Care to go to the first Hogsmeade trip with me?" He extended his arm to her, but she didn't take it.
"I'm sorry, Amos," she replied frostily. "But I think it'll ruin my reputation by dating someone like you. Maybe next time I'll actually consider it for one more second."
Jennifer stifled a laugh, and Amos looked her way. Jennifer wasn't as popular as Lily and Arabella were to the male species at Hogwarts, but nevertheless, she was still attractive to most. She suddenly stopped laughing, seeing that Amos' gray eyes were fixed on her blue ones. "Yes?" she asked innocently.
"Maybe you'd like to go to Hogsmeade with me," he said, flashing her one of his famous smiles that melted every girl's heart.
Jennifer reached out for Remus' hand, and said coolly, "Maybe I wouldn't. Don't you know? I already have someone that I love." She smiled at Remus lovingly, cuddling closer toward him.
Amos snorted in disgust. "How can you girls refuse someone like me? You three are the most popular girls at school, and yet you would rather date the Marauders than someone like Kevin Patil or me. Well, there's no one left except for that disgraceful, no good girl sitting over there next to loser Pettigrew."
Violet jumped, and her lip began to tremble. Her dark brown eyes flashed angrily at him. "You know what? You just think you're so Mr. I'm-So-Wonderful, but you're not! You're just a low-life rascal who plays with girls' hearts one by one until you've broken them all. Why should my friends or me date someone like you, then? Huh? That's a question that even Lily, James, or Sirius can't figure out, and they're the geniuses of Hogwarts! You just feel like you need to make fun of people like me. Well, you're not cool, Diggory. You're just a low-life jerk."
Everyone stood in stunned silence. Violet was more furious than they had ever seen her, even more furious when she stood against James or the Slytherins. Amos was surprised to see the quiet one of the girls so loud and outspoken. His lips curved into a smile.
"Not that quiet field mouse that you want people to assume about you, eh? I like feisty girls." He moved closer, but Violet pushed him back.
"Leave my friends and I alone, Diggory, or you'll get trouble from me." She drew out her wand and pointed it threateningly at Amos' chest.
Amos huffed and stalked out of the compartment without another word. There were a few more minutes of silence, but then the Marauders and the girls all cheered.
"You sure showed Diggory, Vi!" appraised Jennifer enthusiastically. "Now he'll probably never bother us again after what you did."
Violet flushed. "Do you really think so?"
"I know so."
"Knowing Diggory, he'd probably come crawling back to you girls again," said James pessimistically. "But the Marauders will protect you!"
"Oh, I feel so protected," said Lily sarcastically.
Before the both of them could start another argument, the lights on the Hogwarts Express started to flicker. Suddenly, everything went black, as the train slowed down.
"What's happening?" screamed Arabella. "Sirius? Where are you?"
"Right here, Bella," came a muffled voice on the other side of the compartment.
"Where?"
"Here."
"Where's here, you idiot?"
"QUIET!" yelled James. The eight of them became silent.
The driver was speaking through the whole train. "Please remain calm everyone. I'm afraid there's been a shortage of powder, and the train's run out of fuel…"
Everyone groaned, and Lily questioned, "Fuel? I didn't know you guys used fuel for transportation!"
From somewhere in a corner, James replied dryly, "Well, we don't use magic as the solution to everything, you know. When will you learn, Lily?"
"Yes, Mudblood, when will you learn?" A soft glow came, as a dark figure glided toward them. As the person lifted his hood, his face appeared—Voldemort.
"Oh, it's you," snapped James. "What do you want this time?"
"Why, don't be so impertinent, Mr. Heir," he mocked. "All I ask you is to join me. There are advantages to this. You and your little friends won't be harmed, as well as anyone connected to you won't be, either. Only my enemies shall be killed and tortured."
James narrowed his eyes. "Why should I believe you?"
"Because I am Lord Voldemort."
"So?"
"Master?" It was Snape and his gang standing at the doorway, looking shocked.
"Ah, Severus. How nice to see you again."
"What do you want from my friend?" demanded Sirius angrily, glaring at Voldemort. "Leave him alone, or else I'll be dealing with you."
Voldemort raised his eyebrows. "I will leave now, Severus. But I will be back, Potter." He disappeared with a faint 'pop'!
***
A couple of weeks passed since the incident on the Hogwarts Express, and fourth year was in full swing. They all had more work than ever, and everyone, with the exception of Lily, were groaning and complaining over it all.
"It's really not that bad," said Lily enthusiastically, as the eight of them worked on a nasty Potions essay in the library one day.
"Easy for you to say," said Arabella, staring blankly into One Thousand Herbs and Fungi and scribbling words onto her parchment. "You're at the top of the class next to James and Sirius. You're good at everything, Lils. Please respect the fact that not everyone is like you."
"Oh, sorry, Bella," apologized Lily sheepishly.
A bang was heard as Sirius slammed the book shut impatiently. "That's it, I've had it! I can't stand this work any longer! I'll be off in the common room…"
"Snogging with a girl?" supplied Arabella coolly.
Sirius stared at her, and then grinned. "Aww…you know I'd never, Bells. Only with you."
"I've seen you look at that Lori Paterson from Ravenclaw quite a lot lately."
He tensed, but faked a smile. "I'd never, Bella."
She rolled her eyes. "Su-re. Whatever, I'm going to go back to work."
Sirius rushed out of the library eagerly. A bit too eager, thought Lily. I sense that something not so good is going to happen soon.
Sure enough, the delightful scream of a girl echoed through the corridors, and Lily heard the laugh of Sirius along with it.
"What the hell is going on out there?" hissed Arabella. They all followed her out of the library just in time to see Sirius' lips on the one and only Lori Paterson's.
Her eyes filled with tears. "SIRIUS BLACK!"
Sirius jumped and looked at his girlfriend, his eyes widening. "No, no, Bella, this isn't what it looks like."
"Oh, isn't it?" Her eyes flashed. "That's it, Sirius. We've broken up and gotten together again twice, but it isn't happening a third time." She glared at her friends to emphasize more. "It's over between us—forever. You can go snog as many girls as you want now, Sirius. You're free from the burdens of old Arabella Figg." She pushed through the couple and headed toward Gryffindor Tower.
Lily's eyes burned into Sirius'. "I can't believe you did that, Sirius. After all those intimate moments you've shared with my best friend…you risk her affection with your hormonal desires?" She shoved him to the ground roughly, glared at James, Remus, and Peter, as if to say, "You'd better watch it, too", and went after her friend.
Lori looked awkwardly at the tense silence. "Sirius, you never told me you already had a girlfriend. I can't believe you did that to Arabella and I. She's a good girl, and you risked it just to snog with me? And now I've just found out that you 'had' a girlfriend. Well, Sirius, now you've lost both of us." She bit her lip and ran off to where the Ravenclaw common room was.
Finally, James spoke up. "That was low, Sirius. Real low."
"I know," his best friend sighed. "I don't know what I was thinking. Lily's right, my hormones are definitely taking the better of me. If I liked Arabella that much, then my hormones wouldn't have taken over. I feel so ashamed." He buried his face in his arms.
Remus looked at him sympathetically. "Don't worry, Sirius. Arabella will forget about this soon enough and you two will get back together again." But James saw doubt and worry in those gray eyes of his friend's, as he looked at Sirius comfortingly.
Sirius shook his head. "No, she'll never forgive me. Bella's right, I'm such an idiot, and I definitely don't deserve her. I may as well rot to the earth and die."
"She'll be over it." They turned around to see Jennifer speaking. Her eyes were red. "I know Bella. She'll forgive you, but it'll be a long time before she even thinks about it. Why did you do it, Sirius? Now you have two girls against you."
He shook his head. "I'm an idiot. Just—let me think this over, all right?"
Jennifer nodded, and leaned against Remus. "You can have all the time you need, Sirius. Because I have a feeling that it's going to take Bella quite a while to forgive you."
"But you said—"
"I said she'll forgive you eventually," she said quietly, "but just not soon."
Sirius sighed. "I deserved it."
Meanwhile, back in the fourth year's girls' dormitory, Lily was trying to comfort her friend.
"Arabella Figg, stop being so stubborn! I know what Sirius did was wrong, but you know he didn't mean it. If he could choose between a life of snogging and a life with you, he would definitely pick the latter. You know he lo—likes you to death."
Bella raised up her defiant face, but Lily could see traces of tears in them. "I don't care. He can have all the girls in this whole school for all I care. Maybe I shouldn't have chased away Amos." She sighed.
Lily stared at her. "You know you hate Diggory—and every other boy you've dated. Forget about them. You know Sirius needs you."
Arabella laughed bitterly. "Ha! If he needs me, then why did he go off and snog Lori Paterson? And lied to me about it?"
Lily stayed silent, not having an answer for her questions.
Suddenly, the dormitory door burst open, revealing the Marauders, followed by Jennifer and Violet. The girls quickly sat at their respected four-poster beds, while the boys shifted uncomfortably through the tension that was nearly visible in the air.
"Well?" snapped Arabella. "What do you four want?"
Sirius stepped up, gulping. "I-I wanted to say that I'm sorry," he stuttered nervously.
"Oh, really? Well, that's nice to hear. Now, go away and snog some girls; you're wasting my good afternoon."
"But—"
She stepped right in front of him, motioned the rest of the boys to follow, and said "Good day", before slamming the door in front of their faces.
"Sirius feels really bad about it, Bella," said Violet quietly, as Arabella returned, rather red-faced.
"I'm not really in the mood, Vi." Her voice sounded tired.
Lily sighed. Her best friend was feeling terrible about snapping at Sirius, but she knew that Bella only did it so Sirius couldn't hurt her anymore. Suddenly, out of the blue, her mind shifted to James, and how he's probably pondering the same thing at this very moment.
Why am I thinking about him? He's only Potter, after all, she thought.
-
Not much really happened for the next few weeks. The rest of the school had recovered from the shock when they first saw Lily and James acting civil to each other at breakfast. Hurst had nearly fallen off his chair at the staff table, while McGonagall had wiped her spectacles at least three times. Dumbledore, of course, smiled knowingly at the two speaking politely to each other, mildly amused by everyone's reactions.
"Why doesn't everyone just bloody stop staring at me?" grumbled Lily, as she sat down for breakfast a week later. "What is it with people these days?"
"Well, Lils," said Arabella, trying not to laugh, "you and James are acting civil and polite to each other. That's something that doesn't happen every day. I mean, usually you two just start arguing every time you see each other. It's not natural to see you two being nice to each other."
"Well, they'll have to get used to it, then," snapped Lily.
As if to make matters worse, James came trotting to them with Sirius behind him. "Hey Lily!" he said enthusiastically.
"James," replied the redhead, nodding curtly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Why?"
"You look so—down."
The flower sighed. "Ah, but don't I always? Nothing's going right these days." She looked over at Arabella and Sirius sitting at opposite ends, not making eye contact at all.
James saw too, and sighed wistfully. "Don't worry about it, Lily Flower. They'll get together; I know it. In the mean time, you shouldn't worry. I mean, we are still fourteen after all and a bit too young."
Lily looked amused. "Is this James Potter speaking? I'm usually the one who tells you that sort of stuff, while you just don't believe me and go snogging with a third year or something. Are you sure you're feeling all right?"
"I'm fine!" exclaimed James in exasperation.
"Oh, all right then."
But before James could persuade Lily to make a decent and interesting topic of conversation, a scream was heard in the Great Hall. Apparently, Sirius had accidentally spilled a jug of pumpkin juice on Arabella, causing her to think he did it on purpose and slapped him. Remus coughed, hiding a smile, while Jennifer's eyes began to water as she tried not to laugh. James, however, could not restrain his amusement; he burst out laughing.
Bella looked positively livid and ready to strike. "Can you tell me what's so amusing, James Potter? Perhaps you need a good beating as well."
That shut James up very well.
"Oh, Bella, don't be hard on the boy," said Jennifer, trying not to smile. "After all, the Marauders are always like this, and you've never cared before."
"Well, I've now seen that Amos is right—the Marauders are a bunch of immature pricks who don't have any respect for anyone in this school."
"Amos?" questioned Lily, alarmed.
Arabella smiled. "Oh, Lily, I didn't tell you guys, did I? I apologized to Amos, and now we're together again. I guess I sort of misunderstood him last year. After all, the Marauders did influence me then."
Jennifer raised an eyebrow. "Bella, does that mean that…you aren't friends with the Marauders any longer?"
"Friends?" Bella laughed, though it sounded quite different from her normal one. "When were we ever friends with them?"
"Bella, are you feeling all right? You dated one of the ringleaders, for goodness' sake! Are you daft?"
"I haven't a clue what you're talking about, Jennifer Dean, but I can assure you, I've never dated a Marauder in my life."
Jennifer gave Lily a bewildered look and whispered, "What the hell is wrong with this girl?"
Lily sighed. "I think she's in denial. Sirius snogging Lori went to her mind, I suppose, so she's trying to pretend that she's barely even spoken to the Marauders in her life."
"What? And she forgave Diggory? I think this has gone too far—"
"If she continues like this, then we'll think of something."
"Does she have to be so stubborn?"
On the other side of the table, Sirius was eating quietly, not even laughing at some joke that James occasionally told to him, Remus, and Peter. Even the teachers at the staff table knew that there was something wrong with Sirius lately. He was usually the bubbly and dashing teenager who had girls falling to his feet, but lately, he was quiet and reserved, that even his fan clubs were rather intimidated by his odd behavior. But James knew better. He knew that his best friend missed Arabella more than anyone or anything else, and that he was extremely guilty over being entranced by Lori Paterson's beauty and letting his hormones get the better of him.
He poked his best friend gently. "Sirius? You all right?"
Sirius shook his head. "I'm fine."
"You know, we have to work on our potion."
His eyes were disinterested. "Right. We have most of it done, right? We can finish by next year and have our forms ready."
"Aren't you excited? I mean, not everyone can turn into an animal at will, you know." James was desperate to get his friend into his energetic form again.
"Mmm. But how will we know it'll work?"
The black-haired boy decided to end the conversation, since he wasn't used to Sirius being so pessimistic and gloomy. He leaned forward to Arabella and whispered, "Can I talk to you?"
Bella's eyes flew up in surprise. "Why, why would such a popular boy talk to little old me?"
James raised his eyebrows. "Pardon?"
She shook her head. "I never did know that a Marauder would be so polite."
"Bella, are you all right?"
"She's in denial," hissed Lily, grabbing James.
"Is she mad? She doesn't even know me!" James was indignant at not being known, especially by one of his closest friends.
"I told you, she's in denial. She's furious at Sirius, so she's ignoring the whole lot of you. Bella's pretending that she doesn't know you guys at all, except for the fact that you four are the most popular boys in the school."
"That's stupid," said James, looking rather put-off. "I mean, I haven't done a thing."
"Don't worry, she'll get over it, if that's what you're worrying about," assured Lily confidently. "People like her always do."
"Mmm-hmm…right. You know, I'm really worried about those two. They're not acting normal."
"James." Lily sighed. "I told you not to worry. Now, let's all enjoy ourselves, shall we?"
"Hey, Lils?"
"Yeah?"
"Will you go with me?"
"Where?"
"To the dance?"
"What dance?"
"The dance."
Lily sighed with frustration. "What dance?"
"Hello? Earth to Lily, little Miss Perfect? You know, the Halloween Ball coming up.
"Er—right. What did you want again?"
"Will you go with me?"
Lily thought for a moment, then smiled wickedly. "Sure. Then we'll really surprise everyone."
James laughed. "Oh, you'll have no idea."
Remus leaned over and whispered to his friend, "What's so funny?"
"Huh? Oh, me and Lily are going to the ball together."
"It's Lily and I are going to the ball together. And are you? Oh, wait 'till the whole school sees you to arm-to-arm! McGonagall will faint!"
"That'll be the laughingstock, won't it? And, oh"—James grinned—"what about Sirius and Arabella? They have to get together."
The tired boy smiled back at his friend. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Old-fashioned closet trick?"
"Definitely."
The two boys grinned mischievously and told their plan to the girls."
***
"James…geroff!" Lily breathed hard. "Get off!"
"Whoops, sorry Lils." James climbed off the redhead delicately. "You know, you look beautiful."
She smiled and blushed. "You look great, too. But I know you don't mean it when you said that I look beautiful."
James brushed back a lock of her curling red hair. "You're the most beautiful girl in this Great Hall right now, Lily."
Remus gave a hacking cough and James jumped back, flushing. "Perhaps you can get on with the plan, James."
"Oh—er—right." James fumbled with Sirius and Arabella's wands and handed them to Lily.
"Lily and James Potter!" Arabella shrieked from the nearby closet, causing several couples who were wandering around the deserted corridors to jump. "Get me out of here!"
"James, what do you think you're playing at?" shouted Sirius. "Sarah's waiting for me back in the Great Hall! She'll dump me if I'm found here!"
"So let her!" exclaimed James. "You don't like her. You like Bella, and you two have to make up tonight, or we won't let you out."
"Lily?" croaked Bella. "You don't mean that?"
"Oh yes, we do, Bells. Now, do you really like Amos? If you do, you have to say it in front of my face right now."
There was a silence, and Lily smiled in satisfaction. In fact, she was so engrossed in the whole plan that she hadn't noticed James staring at her the whole time. Her red hair was curled into beautiful ringlets, while she wore robes of a deep green that brought out the brightness and beauty of her startling green eyes. Her blood red lips were curved into a smile, and her eyes sparkled like emeralds. James quickly caught his breath at the sight of her.
James didn't look half-bad either. His untidy black hair was still where it was, since he had trouble managing it with every single hair gel and charm he could think of to make it neat. He was wearing robes of navy blue, while his sleeves were rolled up, revealing muscles that made most of the female population swoon and glare at Lily jealously as the couple had headed down to the Great Hall.
Both of them had no idea what the other thought of them, so they plaintively ignored the fact, though they did steal glances at each other as they pressed their ears against the closet door. The rest of their friends watched them in amusement, for it was so obvious that they've never seen two people more in love than Lily and James, though the two stubborn teens would never admit it. Jennifer was itching to match up the both of them, though Remus had to tell her logically how it wouldn't work out at all, seeing that they were barely friends yet.
"Wait until they're close friends, and then we'll move to the next step," he had said wisely. So Jennifer impatiently waited for her two friends to become friends with each other.
The six other friends finally gave up on Sirius and Arabella, since it was obvious that they weren't going to make up that night or the next day, so they unwillingly let out the two.
"That was a waste of a good evening," said Jennifer, sighing, as she watched Sirius and Arabella stomp off toward their dates without a single glance at each other. "It's hopeless, I'm starting to think."
"Don't say that, Jen," smothered Violet. "They'll become together when they're ready. In the mean time, let's all enjoy ourselves with what's left of the evening. After all, it's not over, you know."
"Would you care to dance, Lily Flower?" asked James, bowing, as he took Lily's hand politely. Lily graciously accepted and they waltzed away as the music drifted throughout the large room.
We were strangers
Starting out on a journey
Never dreaming
What we'd have to go through
Now here we are
I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you
No one told me
I was going to find you
Unexpected
What you did to my heart
When I lost hope
You were there to remind me
This the start
Life is a road
And I want to keep going
Love is a river
And I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road
Now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there
When the world stops turning
I'll be there
When the storm is through
At the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with you
We were strangers
On a crazy adventure
Never dreaming
How our dreams would come true
Now here we stand unafraid of the future
At the beginning with you
Life is a road and I wanna keep going
Loves is a river and I wanna keep going on
Starting out on a journey
Life is a road and I wanna keep going
Love is a river and I wanna keep flowing
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning…with you
Lily and James swayed peacefully to the music as it played softly. As it died away, applause was heard, and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" played.
After the ball, everyone agreed that it was very exciting and groaned over classes the next day. Lily and James linked arms as they joined the other Gryffindors in the common room to party until midnight.
"That was great," said Jennifer, smiling dreamily as she flopped onto a sofa in the common room.
"Why? You and Remus snogged?" teased Lily.
"Nah. It was just great. Oh, and you and James were getting pretty cozy there yourself. You guys are really meant for each other, but still can't see it yet. I don't know how much it takes to make you see it yourselves."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"I mean, the song that you guys danced to—it said a lot about you. You and James have been through a lot together, and you've found each other. All you have to do now is realize the fact that you're in love with him and vice versa, so you guys can get married and have Harry." Jennifer winked. "Though Harry should be born when you're in your mid-twenties, Lils, I mean, I think you're a little too young if it was earlier…"
"Jen!" exclaimed Lily, blushing. "Don't say those things!"
"Sorry, Lils, but I had to warn you."
Lily shook her head, smiling. The words of the song echoed in her head slowly, like a revolver.
We were strangers
Starting out on a journey
Never dreaming
What we'd have to go through
Now here we are
I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you
Was it true what Jennifer had said? Lily looked around at James, who was casually dangling a foot in the air while talking to Sirius, Remus, and Peter about the upcoming Quidditch game, Gryffindor versus Slytherin. His untidy, jet-black hair fell onto his face and he brushed it off, his brown eyes locking onto mine. He grinned at me, blushing, and continued to discuss things with the rest of the Marauders with red cheeks. I smiled. Even though I couldn't see James more than a friend, I knew that I would someday, for he was just the person I ought to have to be with me forever.
- - - - -
A/N: All right, first off, I have to apologize big time for how long it took me to update. I'm so sorry that you guys had to wait for more than a month, and that this chapter might be boring, bad, or weird, but it was the best I could give you. I had major Writer's Block, and I had way too much homework that I had to work until 10:00 PM. But I promise to update sooner, since there's less than three more weeks of school! :D
Again, thanks to everyone who reviewed and commented, I really appreciate it!