Fifth Year – Part Two
The Wizarding world has now become increasingly edgy and frightened as Voldemort slowly gained power. His way of gaining power wasn't as quick as Grindelwald's rise; in fact, it was so slow that it almost went unnoticed. But Millicent Bagnold, who was quite a capable Minister of Magic, had the top Aurors on alert at all times. The world was steadily growing darker, with the Marauders and the girls in the midst of it all, waiting anxiously for the day that Voldemort would strike Hogwarts and murder them all.
"Why is everyone so touchy whenever I say Voldemort's name?" said James irritably, as one Hufflepuff shot him a terrified look before scurrying to his common room.
"They're cowards, that's why," replied Sirius matter-of-factly, as they started to head off to Gryffindor Tower. "But then again, even some of the bold Gryffindors say that You-Know-Who rubbish."
"They're afraid the evil git might strike at any second," put in Lily. "Of course, I don't know how Voldemort could hear you from wherever he is—"
"But that's the point," squeaked Peter. "You don't know where You-Know-Who is, so you must be wary and careful."
"Oh, don't tell me you're saying that stupid You-Know-Who stuff too, Wormtail." Sirius sighed impatiently.
"That's not the problem right now, Padfoot," said Remus hurriedly. "The problem is, Voldemort is after Lily and James. He can strike at any second. So we can't let Lily and James out of sight until his reign weakens a bit."
"Wait a minute," said Lily. "You want to be our watchdogs? Are you mad, Remus?"
"What's wrong with the idea?"
"Well, first of all, you can't watch us every minute. It's absurdly impossible and stupid. And second of all, Voldemort is going to be after us for the rest of our lives! We can't all share a house until he dies, can we? I mean, he won't stop stalking us and trying to kill us, since he's a very persistent man."
"Evans is right," said James, shaking his head. "We can't have you all watching us and sticking to us like glue. We can take care of ourselves."
"But really, if Voldemort strikes…" Violet trailed off, her eyes widening. "You may as well say good-bye to your lives right now if that's how you're going to be."
"Really," agreed Jennifer. "Vi's right. You guys definitely need protection."
"We don't need you guys bothering with us, though," argued Lily. "We'll have Dumbledore think of something; he always does."
Arabella chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I guess Lily and James are right. I mean, we can't be their protectors forever. I mean, Voldemort might murder us in one curse, and then what'll they do? I call for another plan."
"Don't say You-Know-Who's name!" hissed Peter, looking around with frightened eyes. But no one paid any attention to him.
"Look, mate," said Sirius, sighing with resignation. "What can we do to help, then? I'm not going to sit here and let you face the music on your own!"
"We can handle it, we don't want you to get yourself killed—" began James, but Sirius shook his head vigorously.
"That's the last thing I'll ever think of doing, Prongs. You're my best friend and my best mate. I have to help you, or I'll kill myself thinking about how I let down my best friend."
No one had ever heard Sirius speak so emotionally and beautifully before. They all knew that Sirius was smart and brave, of course, but none of his friends ever knew that strong bond of loyalty inside him that would never break, especially in a time like this.
Arabella grasped Lily's hand tightly. "I'll never let you down either, Lils. If you go down, then I go down."
Lily and James both smiled at their best friends. Arabella and Sirius had no idea how much those words meant to their best friends, whose lives were about to be cut short by a madman. But the warm moment was interrupted when a greasy-haired boy started running toward them.
"POTTER! SET ME RIGHT!"
The Marauders sniggered loudly. James smiled at Snape like he was an old friend.
"Why, Severus, when did you ever have boils all over your face?"
Snape seethed in anger. "Potter, take—these—stupid—boils—off—me."
"Why should I? You're loads better looking now."
Lily felt pity for the poor Slytherin and removed the boils from his face with a flick of her wand.
"Thank you, Lily," said Snape, nodding.
"Why did you do that?" demanded James, after they entered the common room.
"I felt bad for Snape," she replied simply. "Besides, why do you guys bully him anyway? Sure he's a slimy git and I hate him as well, but why must you bother him? Leave him alone!"
"Evans, Snivellus has always had his little beady eyes on the Dark Arts ever since he came to Hogwarts. I'm surprised you don't know this. His family has always been supportive of the Dark Arts."
"Still…that's no reason to bully him," said Lily defensively, though she already knew she was losing the verbal battle.
"No reason? Evans, he's likely to be a Death Eater, for Merlin's sake!"
"He is a Death Eater," corrected Sirius.
Remus and Peter remained silently, staring at their shoes.
"Lily, it's true," said Violet quietly. "Snape's parents used to be my mum's friends, and she used to date Mr. Snape. They've always been on the Dark Side as far as anyone knows; that's why Mum left him for Dad."
"Wait a minute," said Sirius, frowning. "Your mum almost married a Snape?"
"I wouldn't say married…" Violet turned bright pink.
"Oh, Sirius, sod off," snapped Jennifer, coming to her friend's aid. "Mrs. Walker didn't marry Mr. Snape, so what're you complaining about?"
"Can't you leave him alone, though?" asked Lily. "I mean, he hasn't done anything to you…You don't have to like him, can't you just stop hexing him and playing pranks on him?"
"Evans, that would ruin our reputation!" exclaimed James in horror.
"We are the Marauders, after all," added Sirius.
"Remus? Aren't you going to say something witty about this?"
"I—I don't think hexing Snape is right, but—what can I do?" stammered Remus.
Lily let out a frustrated sigh. "What can you do? Well, you can tell these two immature pricks to stop hexing Snape!"
"Hey, we can still hear you, you know," said Sirius.
"I know. That's why I want you to hear this."
"Oh…" Sirius gasped. "You don't think we're arrogant twits, do you?"
"Sirius, you just described yourself and Potter very well, I must say."
"Flower—you're our friend! Or, at least, my friend."
"Am I?" Lily pretended to look surprised.
"Lils," scolded Arabella, exasperated.
"Oh, all right, I'm joshing. Still, promise me that you won't jinx or hex Snape unless if it's a life-or-death situation. Or if he hexes you first."
The Marauders looked at each other and shrugged.
"Look, Flower, Prongs is the one who hexes Snivelly," said Sirius, raising an eyebrow. "We don't do anything."
Lily stared at James with an icy gaze. "Well, then, I'll just have to have you promise me."
James stared at her as well, undaunted. "I'm afraid no promise is made, Evans," he replied coldly.
"Ugh! You snobbish git! All you do is bully innocent bystanders around just because you're bored. Do you know how stupid that is?"
"Nope."
"JAMES HENRY POTTER, YOU ARE THE MOST INSUFFERABLE GIT IN THIS WHOLE ENTIRE SCHOOL! CAN YOU JUST STOP HEXING PEOPLE FOR THE FUN OF IT AND BE MATURE FOR ONCE IN YOUR MISERABLE LIFE?"
The whole common room became deadly silent. Not even a scratching of a quill was heard, as every head turned to where Lily was standing, and breathing harshly. The first years looked absolutely terrified, while the older students grinned at each other, knowing James Potter's fate for getting Lily into her famous redhead temper again.
"Bad luck, Prongs," whispered Sirius.
He didn't respond. Instead, his hazel eyes became glazed as he looked into Lily's eyes. They were flashing dangerously at him and sparkling furiously. For the first time, James realized that Lily Evans was very beautiful. He noticed her long, dark red hair and her stunning green eyes. Why hadn't he noticed her beauty before? That was probably what made him not make a witty or biting comment after Lily's explosion. He simply stayed silent and continued to gaze at Lily like he had never seen her before.
After a while, Lily felt quite unnerved at James was staring at her intently. What did that stupid prat want from her, staring at her like she was a whole new person? She scowled fiercely at him and frowned, but he continued to look into her brilliant green eyes. What was wrong with Potter?
"Potter, stop staring at me," she hissed venomously, as this continued on for quite some time.
Unable to control themselves, their six friends snickered rather loudly. Sirius and Arabella were looking hopefully at the couple, perhaps wishing that they would start pouncing all over each other at any moment. Remus and Jennifer just looked at each other and gave knowing looks, as if they understood exactly what was going on. Violet and Peter just looked at them, waiting for James' answer. It came a few seconds later.
"Why should I?"
She narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean, why should you? I told you to!"
"Yes, Evans, you did. But it's a free country, isn't it?"
"Not quite. It is in the States, however."
"Have you ever been there? I have. It's quite a delightful place, you know."
Their friends (as well as everyone else in the common room) were staring at them, dumbstruck. Lily had just yelled at James for being a prat, James had provoked her by staring at her incessantly, and now they were both having a cool conversation about the States. It was a bit too much for some of the watching Gryffindors.
"Oh, yes, Potter, I have been to the States. I've been to Ellis Island before. Very enjoyable, especially that Statue of Liberty."
"Really? I've been to Hollywood in California. And you should see how huge those Muggle actors' mansions are!"
"Even larger than yours?"
"Considerably larger, I suppose, though it is a difficult comparison."
"Hello?" Sirius was ready to explode as Lily had done. "Why are you guys just having a normal conversation here? You're supposed to yell at each other or something!"
The couple looked at Sirius like he was crazy, which he was, of course.
"Why should we yell at each other?" asked Lily icily.
"Why? Because—because—"
"Oh, Sirius, shut up and let them have their conversation," snapped Arabella, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend. "It's quieter this way. Now come ON, you have to help me on my Astronomy homework; you know how hopeless I am at the subject."
"But Bella…"
"NOW, Sirius."
Pouting, he followed his girlfriend to a table where a handful of Gryffindors were studying, though still watching the whole situation in the corner of their eyes.
"What was that about?" wondered Lily aloud.
James shrugged. "Hey, we have weird best friends."
"True."
"Are we actually agreeing on something, Evans, or is it my imagination?"
Lily smiled. "I think, Potter, that we are agreeing on something. Rare occasion, I must admit. This calls for a celebration."
"Unless if you have a prefect's meeting tonight." He raised his eyebrows.
She swore. "Or maybe not."
"Ooh, you have a dirty mouth, Evans." He tutted rather loudly. "No, no, ickle prefects don't say bad words, Evans."
"Oh, sod off."
***
Lily sighed, staring at the situation in front of them. James and Snape were glaring menacingly at each other, looking like they were wishing the other nothing but ill will. Snape had hexed James while he was heading for the school grounds, and now the two prats were dueling. Or, at least hexing each other until a teacher was in sight.
"Rictusempra!"
"Tarantallegra!"
"Furnunculus!"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
James' whole body stood stiff as a board and fell onto the ground with a painful crash. Many of the bystanders gasped, and some of the girls started to whimper and cry. They obviously belonged to the James Potter Fan Club.
"Git," muttered Sirius, clenching his knuckles. He quickly went next to James and took his wand out, about to say the counter-curse, but a shriek from the end of the corridor stopped him.
McGonagall was shaking with fury as she glared at the students crowding around the stiff body of James Potter.
"Who—did—this?" she managed to say.
Everyone looked at each other and than pointed accusing fingers at Snape, who was now completely white.
"Mr. Snape, what is the meaning of this?"
"Potter hexed me, Professor, so I returned the favor—"
"No, he didn't, Professor McGonagall!" cried Kevin Sharpe. "Snape hexed Potter first; I saw it myself."
"I see." McGonagall's lips thinned as she glared at everyone in sight. "Well, I suppose you're not lying, Sharpe, since you are the Head Boy, but I do assure you, Mr. Snape, Mr. Potter"—she looked at the two boys—"you will be sent straight to the Headmaster if this ever happens again. Black, put Potter to order again. Good day to you all."
Sirius hurried to James and muttered the counter-curse. James quickly scrambled to his feet and stood up right in front of Snape.
"We'll continue this later, Snivellus," he muttered.
"Do you see, Potter?" nagged Lily, as they headed to the school grounds for a bit of air. "Hexing Snape only causes more trouble; why don't you guys just leave each other alone?"
"I don't know Evans," said James bitterly. "Snape was the one who started it this time. Even you saw what happened. Funny really, though. You never seem to stick up for me, but you stick up for Snape plenty of times."
"Well, that's because—" Lily stopped and realized that James was right; she never did give him a single good word about it and spent the whole time on Snape's side—a Slytherin! How could she be so despicable?
"Yes?" he said icily.
"It's because—because I like you, all right?" she yelled. What am I doing, telling Potter that I like him? I must be out of my mind!
James' eyes widened, and he gaped at her, unable to say anything. The Marauders and girls exchanged knowing looks with each other and surveyed the scene with relish. But Lily had already run off to the direction of Gryffindor Tower, tears running down her cheeks. He took action at once.
"LILY!" he cried. "WAIT!"
But she paid no mind to him.
He was running after her, dodging trick staircases and the disapproving tittering from the portraits ("Really, the boy can show some consideration for us!" said one ancient maiden impatiently.)
"Pixie Dust," gasped James, as he reached the portrait hole.
The Fat Lady swung open, admitting entrance. He rushed to the direction of the fifth year girls' dormitory, but found himself slipping to the ground as he tried to climb the staircase. Several girls giggled and pointed at him from the fireplace.
"Potter?" Lily wiped the last of her tears and looked at James apprehensively. "What're you doing here?"
"Looking for you, of course. Look, I think we need to talk—"
A burst of sniggering followed as the girls by the fire started to blush and poke one another. James raised an eyebrow.
"Just what is so funny?" he retorted.
"You just said the four words that any girl or guy is afraid of," supplied one, who was exceptionally calmer than all the rest.
"Oh, sod off," he muttered viciously, and went over to Lily.
"Potter, just forget about what I said, all right?" snapped Lily.
"But—"
"Forget it."
"I won't! Evans, just listen to me…"
"Look, Potter, I don't like you, all right? I don't know why I ever said I did—"
"But—wait, you don't like me?"
"Of course not! Why else are we arguing here in the common room with other girls as spectators?"
"Then why did you say you liked me back there?"
The girls near them burst into a fit of giggles again. Both fifth years ignored them accordingly and continued their verbal attack.
"I wasn't thinking, Potter, when I said it. All right? Will you just leave me alone?"
"No!"
"And why ever not? I told you I don't like you—what else do you have to say, Potter? Huh? Come on, spit it out!"
"I—" James stopped himself just in time. "Nothing. You're right, Evans, we've nothing to talk about."
Lily nodded and went back to the dormitory, while James sank into an armchair away from the chattering girls by the fire. He had just realized something very important, and he needed to tell Sirius, Remus, and Peter—wherever they were.
His wish came true when the Marauders and girls bounded into the common room. They gave him questioning looks when Lily wasn't in sight. James nodded to the direction of their dormitory, and the girls nodded, going up one by one.
"Prongs, you all right, mate?" asked Sirius anxiously.
James looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. "Look, I have something really important to tell you."
"What is it?" said Remus nervously.
"I"—he lowered his tone—"I like Lily."
The three Marauders' jaws dropped open.
"Are you serious?" whispered Sirius hoarsely.
"No, you are," joked James.
"Really, Prongs."
"I'm dead serious."
Suddenly, Sirius broke into a grin. "See, didn't I tell you? I was right, wasn't I?"
"Padfoot, you really aren't helping," chided Remus. "Prongs, did you realize this just now?"
"Yes, Moony."
"After being so obvious since our first year?"
"Hey, and you told me I wasn't helping!" exclaimed Sirius, pouting.
James grimaced. "Was I that obvious throughout our past years here?"
"Definitely."
"Moony, what am I going to do? Lily hates me now!"
"She's always hated you," piped up Peter.
"Wormtail, don't try to help either," warned Remus.
"Look, Prongsies"—James twitched at Sirius' nickname—"I've got a plan that will work perfectly. It's called Operation Matchmaker. What'd you think?"
"What's it supposed to do?"
"Get you and Lily together of course! Or, at least have Lily like you."
"Which is saying that this Operation Matchmaker is a miracle-maker."
"Exactly, Prongs. Exactly."
"And Sirius, you're not exactly what I would call a 'miracle-worker', so I really doubt this is going to work."
"Look, Prongs, Padfoot may have a point," said Remus earnestly. "I mean, with a little help from the girls…we may just able to get Lily to soften up to you. After all, you have your moments when she does soften up to you."
James shook his head, staring at his friend. "Moony, I think that Padfoot is corrupting you—really."
He grinned. "Prongs, just listen to us, and we'll think of something, all right?"
"If you can think of something, I'll jump off the London Bridge if you ask me to."
"Really?" squealed Sirius, his face shining. "Would you, Prongsies?"
"Padfoot," said Remus, closing his eyes, "I told you NOT to help. Now go back to sleep. You too, Wormtail. This is a talk between professionals, so no amateurs are allowed."
Sirius pouted again, and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Don't do that, Padfoot, you look like a girl," said James, smirking.
"Hey, I'm not the one who likes Lily Evans!" he shot back, rather loudly.
"You like Lily Evans, James?" asked Frank Longbottom, looking up from his Herbology homework.
His girlfriend, Alice, broke into a huge grin. "I knew you had it in you, James. Now all you have to do is admit it to her."
"No way in hell am I ever going to do that," insisted James stubbornly.
Frank snorted, and Alice raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Well, why not?" she asked.
"Alice, you don't know Evans very well. She'll think I'm joking, for one thing, and then she'll hex me for trying to trick her. Really, you should've known that already."
"We've seen you and Evans together, James, and we know that you two are meant to be together. She likes you, too."
"Er—Alice? D'you maybe think you can help us solve their problem?" said Remus tentatively.
Alice's smile, if possible, became even wider and more sinister. "Of course, Remus. Anything for my boyfriend's kid friend."
"Hey, I'm fifteen!" said James defensively. "I'm not a little kid!"
"Well, you're sure acting like it," said Frank, now smiling as well. "We'll help, of course. Dad told me to take care of little Jamie for the Potters, anyway. Matchmaking is our professional job."
"Oh?" Remus sounded absolutely delighted. "You're professionals? Excellent!" There was a strange and wild gleam in his eyes, that reminded James and Sirius painfully of Wood and his tyrannical Quidditch practices.
"What happened to that quiet Moony we knew from our first year?" the latter demanded. "You were such a small and innocent creature, Moony. Now you're as sinister and demanding as Wood."
Remus rolled his eyes. "Hey, I really want Lily and James both to be happy and fulfill their destinies, so I may as well join the Insanity Club."
"Wonderful," said Alice, with that same gleam in her eyes as Remus. "Now…where shall we start?"
-
"Wait a minute, you want me to WHAT?"
"I want you to compliment her; you know, the usual."
"No, Alice, I don't know."
Alice sighed. "Tell her that her hair is nice or something, or that her eyes look spectacular today. Say something that'll make her day. And don't call her 'Evans', either; call her by her real, given name."
"You're asking for too much, Al," groaned James.
"What's the problem, then?"
"First of all, Evans—"
"Lily."
"Right, Evans. Anyway, she'll know I'm lying for sure since I've called her carrot-top for quite some time—"
"You've what?"
"Called her carrot-top," replied James casually.
"James." Alice moaned. "Why did you have to ruin my plan?"
"What did I do?"
"I thought that you and Lily had that sort of love and hate relationship…"
"Al, we don't HAVE a relationship."
"Right, but you get what I mean, don't you? Oh, never mind." She frowned at James' puzzled expression. "My point is, I thought that you and Lily were hesitant friends, and that with a few compliments and bit of flirting, you two would become a couple and live happily ever after. Now that I see it's not the case"—Alice sighed fretfully—"I don't know what to do."
"So Evans and I will be enemies forever?"
"Oh, James, her name is Lily. Lily, not Evans. You won't be getting anywhere if you can't at least call her by her first name, not her surname."
"But Evans sounds so much better."
"Oy, Frankie!" called Alice across the common room. "C'mere!"
"Don't call me that, Lisa," mumbled Frank, turning red, as he strolled over to the pair. "It's embarrassing."
"Never mind you. We're having difficulties with my brilliant plan. And don't call me 'Lisa', it's so…ditzy."
"All right, what's wrong?" He completely ignored the last comment.
"Potter doesn't have the—er—healthy relationship I thought he had, with Lily."
Frank's eyes widened. "You don't mean they—did you-know-what?" he said weakly.
"Oh, no, nothing like that!" exclaimed Alice hastily. "It's just that—ah."
"Ah? That's all you can say?"
"Did you two lovebirds forget about me?" demanded James. "I'm still here, you know."
"James, shut up," ordered Alice. Then she turned to Frank again. "They're natural enemies; they hate each other like Gryffindors hate Slytherins."
"You got that right," muttered James. Alice paid no attention to his comment.
"Look, Frankie, we have to think of a better plan for them to at least be friends."
"You're not friends?" asked Frank curiously.
"Where did you get an idea that we were friends?" asked James incredulously. "Evans loathes me."
"Well, obviously, since you're acting like a total prat right now, James," snapped Alice. "Look, at least call her Lily. Why do you even like her if you can't call her by her given name?"
Frank sniggered loudly and Alice shot him death daggers.
"Frank, shut up, before I am forced to hex you into oblivion. Then you won't know your own name, and I'll go find another boyfriend that's smarter and hotter than you are!"
Frank shut up immediately, his eyes darting away from Alice and James.
"Oh, but is there another boy that's smarter and hotter than Frank?" queried James innocently.
"James, we've no time to ponder my love life. We're talking about your love life now, unless if you want Evans to hate you for the rest of your life. Now, if the hair compliment doesn't work, try the eye one. She has beautiful eyes; you have to admit that."
"Whatever."
"Bad answer."
"I s'pose. For Merlin's sake, this is even harder than trying to dodge the Killing Curse from Voldemort! Girls are so complicated, I've just realized."
"Aren't they, though?" said Frank heavily. "I share your pain, James. I've had a steady girlfriend for three years, and she's a pain in the—ouch!" Alice swatted him painfully. "What in the name of Merlin was that for?"
"You're talking ill of me, Frankie. I won't have it."
"I thought we were talking about my love life," interrupted James sourly. "Now you guys are having a lover's quarrel again. Sometimes I'm grateful that I'm single, seeing what you couples go through."
Frank and Alice both turned crimson and gave him death glares.
"Well, I s'pose we should be helping little Jamie, Al," agreed Frank, after a while of thought. "But what should we do?"
"Becoming friends first is key," said Alice briskly. "You must be nice to Lily. I mean, really, what's there to not like about you? Just don't act like a prat, and nothing will go wrong with Operation Matchmaker."
"You took Pad—Sirius' stupid name for this?"
"He did insist, and I must say, even if I am a year older than the brat, his puppy face pout is very irresistible, even with a girl more superior than he."
"All right, Jamie, I will show you professional charm and flirting that Lily will not be able to resist." Frank grinned.
"Hey, I happen to have very high marks in that area. That's why you find most of the female population at Hogwarts chasing after me with lovesick faces."
"See, James, that's the first thing you have to change," said Alice, rolling her eyes. "Stop with that damn cocky attitude; it aggravates girls that way. Now I see why Lily can't stand you. You're such a—"
"All right, all right! I'll stop being cocky, or whatever. But mind you, don't kill me or hex me if I let something slip once in a while."
"I won't do anything if your cockiness is occasional, but it better not be often, or else you'll never get Lily. Number two: you must be polite to her at all times. And change that stupid hexing attitude of yours! I don't like it."
"What hexing attitude?"
"You always hex innocent bystanders—mainly Snape—in the corridors for no particular reason. Care to elaborate on that?"
"They bother me."
"How so?"
"They exist, don't they? That really ticks me off."
Frank laughed, but hastily turned it into a cough just in time.
"James Potter, I now realize why Lily hates your guts. You're incorrigible, you are. Can't you at least try to change yourself?"
"How, Alice?"
"Oh…I don't know. Be like Frank."
James raised an inquiry eyebrow. "And how will that help?"
"Well, look at it this way, Potter. Frank is every girl's dream boyfriend. He's cute, nice, intelligent, a sweetheart, and a dreamy romantic. Get him to teach you a few of his—er—charms, as he calls it."
"Aww…you really do love me, don't you, Al?" said Frank, wiping imaginary tears from his eyes.
Alice rolled her eyes. "Frank, you will do this job and do this job well. Or I will curse you into oblivion and get a new boyfriend. I'm serious."
"No, you're Alice."
"FRANK!"
"All right, all right, I'll do the job good." Frank smiled and clapped James' back. "Well, James, let's get to work on Operation Matchmaker: Step One."
***
"Why, Lily," said James in a sickly sweet tone, "you look absolutely beautiful today! And your eyes are greener than a fresh pickled toad—hey!"
Frank snickered. "Hey, I had to put in something humorous!"
"Frank, if you don't give me good stuff, I'll tell on you."
"Oh yeah? How?"
"I'll tell your dad that you've been treating me very badly, and tell Alice that you're not doing your job properly." He grinned smugly.
"Listen, Potter, you don't have that much authority over my father and my girlfriend."
"Oh, don't I? Would you like to find out?"
"NO! All right, I'll give you a good script. But first of all, you have to apologize to Lily."
"For what? I haven't done a thing to her."
Frank stared at him. "Let's see, Potter, what have you done to Ms. Evans? Oh, yes; you've called her 'Evans', played pranks on her, and disrespect her as a person and taunt and tease her. That enough?"
"Aww…c'mon, Frankie!"
"Now, James, or you've got no script from me."
"All right, I'm going!"
James walked up to Lily, who was chatting with Arabella, Jennifer, and Violet by the fire. Halloween had already passed, and winter had come, nearly freezing the Gryffindors.
He took a deep breath. "Look, Eva—Lily, I'm sorry about all those bad things I've ever done to you."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why the sudden apology?"
"I've just realized that I'm a conceited jerk and that I should improve more," said James quickly.
"Whatever, Potter. I accept your apology. Happy now?"
"Very. Oh, truce?"
"In your dreams, Potter. As if I'm that thick to fall for your stupid pranks."
James sighed and went back to where Frank was patiently awaiting him.
"Well, how'd it go, James?"
"She accepted my apology, but I think Evans only wanted to get me out of her hair. I tried to call a truce, but she told me, 'In your dreams, Potter'."
"Look, James, I think that Evans is right. You should stop hexing people around just for the fun of it. It's low, and it's definitely not what us Gryffindors are known for. Gryffindors are known for their nobility, bravery, and sacrifice—not hexing people around. That's Slytherin stuff. James—listen to me. If you don't stop this ridiculous hexing random people who annoy you, then you'll be going down into Slytherins' level. And they have a bad reputation in this school, if you know what I mean."
"Frank…you know I can never be a Slytherin. That's against my whole family! We Potters have been Gryffindors for as long as Hogwarts has been around. Not a single person has been in another other House."
"Well, I do hope you can keep it that way. I quit, though."
"WHAT? You can't do that!"
"I can, and I will. You're going to have to learn how to respect Evans on your own, buddy. Treat her like you'd treat your own friends…I know how close you four Marauders are. You four are like brothers."
"But she's a girl."
"Then treat 'er like a boy, for Merlin's sake! Don't be so narrow-minded, James."
"Fine! Let's see how you can handle Evans. Go on, then!"
"Potter, I have a girlfriend and I'm not going to lose her," said Frank firmly, glaring at the younger boy.
"Ah, well, that's your loss, then, eh?"
"What loss?" asked Alice, coming toward them. "How's the lesson going, Frankie?"
"I quit."
"You WHAT?"
"I quit, Lisa. Potter should figure this problem out for himself. 'Sides, he won't listen to me at all. Arrogant and proud git."
"Hey!" exclaimed James, pouting.
"Well, James, I'm 'fraid to say that Frank's right; you need to handle this yourself. Maybe your dear friends might give you a hand once in a while, but I think that you need to get Lily to like you without any help."
"How?"
"First of all, deflate your oversized head!"
"Very clever, Lise," agreed Frank.
"Second of all, stop hexing people for the fun of it!"
"Definitely one to remember, Potter."
"And lastly, respect the girl like who she is, not what other girls are."
"Huh?" said James stupidly, perplexed.
"James, you think of Lily as just any girl at Hogwarts. Those types of girls are flirty and bi—er—well, you know what I mean. Lily's not like that. The girls you know may be all over guys, but Lily's an independent individual who can think for herself and who's strong and free-willed. She doesn't flirt or try to lure guys into bed. So treat her like an individual, and not just a—an idiot girl like Deanna Jackson." She made a face at the very name.
"Well, I treat every girl the same," said James, frowning. "What're you going on about?"
"Treat Lily differently than how you'd treat other girls. You treat other girls by flirting and complimenting them and receiving giggles and batting eyelashes in return. Well, Lily and her friends aren't like that, thank Merlin. They're much more mature, and I'm sure that there are many topics that you and her share interest in. Take the issue of Voldemort, for example. You two share that common bond, knowing that Voldemort's after your future child…maybe discuss about the Dark Arts and how to get rid of it in our world."
"How'd you know—?"
"That's beyond the point, James. Discuss Charms with her. Lily loves Charms, as I hear of from other students. Have her tutor you in the subject. And in return, do the same for her in Transfiguration, as I've also heard that Lily isn't the greatest at that branch of magic."
"I've tried that before, Alice; Evans refused, since her pride was at stake."
"Ah." Alice smiled widely, her blue eyes lighting up. James and Frank both stared at her, wondering vaguely if she had lost her mind completely.
"What?" the two boys simultaneously asked.
"Ah, I know exactly what this problem is about, James. The problem lies with you…and Lily. She needs to thaw up to boys, I think. Lily's definitely dating material, but she hasn't gotten a date before, has she? So you have to know that she feels uncomfortable around boys."
"What're you talking about? She goes fine around Sirius and Remus and Peter—"
"Well, obviously, James, they're her friends! But you see, she does act differently around you, doesn't she?"
"Yeah," said James bitterly, "she hates me."
"She really doesn't. Give her time. Meanwhile, you have to listen to those three things I told you about: deflate, stop hexing, and treat her individually. Got that?"
"Yes, thank you very much, Alice—and Frank."
When the couple left, James sighed and buried his face into his arms. This wasn't going to be easy, for someone as hardheaded as Lily Evans. But he'd try.
And for the next few days, James tried. But his tries failed one by one, and soon, he forgot all about trying to respect and gain Lily's friendship and trust, and went back to his own arrogant self. Remus often wondered when James would finally "deflate his head a bit" and stop being the cocky and self-assuring boy that he was.
However, something as big as deflating James' precious ego wasn't too easy. Remus knew that James' bold and cocky personality would change, but he often wondered if it was impossible. His ego was extremely large, yes, but that was what he stood for. He stood for cockiness, boldness, and arrogance. That's what Remus has always known him for best. But under that ego, Remus could also see a frightened, lonely, and uncertain teen, facing the tragedies of dying at the young age of twenty-one years old from a Dark wizard.
The Marauders were certain that James would change. They knew that James really needed someone to guide and love him throughout his days: not them, not his family, but Lily. Lily would do the very thing—but only if she'd have him.
Lily was quite an extraordinary girl. She stood up for other students' rights, even Slytherins like Snape, and did whatever she could to make Hogwarts an enjoyable place for the younger students. However, Little Miss Perfect did have one flaw, and it was being blind when something was there right in front of her. She didn't even blink when James Potter desperately ruffled his hair and played with his Snitch to make her impressed; instead, she started to yell at him for being an egotist. When academics were involved, Lily understood everything. But when love was involved, Lily didn't understand a thing and didn't have a clue as to where to start. So whenever love was in front of Lily, she avoided as far as possible.
Both Lily and James' friends knew that they had to settle the whole dispute by themselves. They tried every matchmaking method possible, but none seemed to work for this couple. In fact, Arabella suggested to offer someone a handful of Galleons if they could actually get them together. For both were brilliant students; both stubborn; and both blind to love. It really made a horrible collaboration as one, but somehow, fate would allow them to be together and to die together.
Both have had their share of conversations, of course.
"Hey, Moony?" said Sirius one December day. "D'you think it's possible that Lily and Prongs won't get together and will go their separate ways. And when it does happen—"
"Padfoot, they're going to get together. Prongs just has to work out some priorities."
"I don't know if he can do it by himself."
"Trust me, Padfoot, Prongs is capable. Even though he's not progressing now, I know he will. With the rise of Voldemort terrifying our world, he'll go through such a dramatic change that Lily will be shocked to see the change in him. Really, it'll happen."
"Oh? And how do you know this, O Prophetic One?"
"Because I know. Listen, Padfoot. Lily and James are two different people. Lily's smart, studious, and wise beyond her years. James is arrogant, self-centered, smart, and loving sometimes. As they say, opposites attract. Those two stubborn prats are meant for each other."
And so they were.
- - - - -
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all the goodies, and I own basically nothing, except for the story and the pathetic characters that I made up with my distorted imagination.
A/N: *sigh* All right, no one tell me that this story is going to the dogs…because I know it is! It's so sad, isn't it? And it's so angsty and gloomy—I know, I want lots and lots of fluffiness too! I love fluffy stories, with Lily and James under the stars, saying romantic things *dreamy look* My point is, I know this chapter was really, shall we say, stupid, but it did have a bit of the cocky and bullying James as described in OotP. Thank you to all my reviewers, however! I can't believe you actually like my story!
Everyone read "Naked Quidditch Match"! It's hilarious! I would say it to be rated PG-13 or R, and it may be a bit inappropriate, but if you thrive on inappropriateness, then I suggest you read it. Copy and paste the link if the actual link doesn't work.