Boys Before Magic

Author's Note: I'm trudging along. I'm sorry to everyone for the current lack of humor at the moment. (Trust me, it's coming) I guess the cliffhanger did scare some people. Don't worry, I will stay within pg-13 range unless I give you a warning beforehand.

Without further ado, here is chapter 5.

Disclaimer: Um… Same as always. Don't sue me.

Where am I?

Why is it so dark?

Why do I only remember your conniving smile?

Why do you mock me so?

Chapter 5: I'm A No-Brand Woman!

I couldn't believe my eyes. A look of triumph was etched in James Potter's face as he leaned against a midnight black Jaguar.

At that moment, everything turned black.

****************

"Lily!"

A petite little girl with bright green eyes flew down the stairs towards the kitchen. Along the way, she quickly pecked her father's cheek and mumbled hello to her older sister.

When she finally arrived in the kitchen, the little girl took a moment to catch her breath and earnestly asked, "Mum! Has it arrived?"

Handing the child a crème-colored envelope, the middle-aged woman smiled warmly and said, "Open it."

Turning her back towards her mother, Lily ripped open the Hogwarts seal unveiling the letter hidden inside. After a couple minutes of silence, the little girl whirled around with a broad grin.

"I got in Mum! I got into Hogwarts!"

The middle-aged woman nodded and replied, "Your figure is not so bad, but her skin can be tightened a little…"

My eyes fluttered open as I found myself in a brightly lit room. When I slowly got up and gradually regained consciousness, I saw four women studying me. I looked down to realize that only my white cotton bra covered my torso.

"What the hell!" I screamed as I vainly attempted to hide my chest. "Who are you?"

Ignoring my cries, a woman with small spectacles spoke, "Hold her down while I prepare for the radiofrequency procedure. And get rid of that ugly bra."

The two women held me firmly while one woman proceeded to remove my bra.

"No taste," I heard the disgusted woman muttered as she disposed my bra into the trash receptacle.

I was too shocked to move or respond. I was wandering through an ethereal dream as ephemeral flashes of James's conniving grin continued to haunt me. Unable to bear his James's shadow, I closed my eyes to escape. Before I knew it, deep slumber overtook me once more.

***************

"Wow, I never knew such a place like Diagon Alley exists."

"Stay close to me, sweetie. I don't trust some of these people."

"Oh Mum. Don't be silly! The Ministry people who came to our house were really nice."

"Lily flower, of course they were nice. I don't know about the rest of their kind though."

****************

"Excuse me, miss."

Waking up, I found myself looking up to an elderly maid. I was sleeping on a deep maroon couch in a massive living room with high cathedral ceilings. Confused and dazed as I was, I just nodded in response.

"Oh good," the old woman began, "you're awake. The master was afraid that you would sleep for the entire afternoon and miss your styling appointment."

'Master?' I thought giving the maid an incredulous look. "Appointment?'

"Miss, just please follow me into the next room."

Quietly, I stood up and followed the elderly woman out of the room and down the hall. After walking down the hall for what seemed like an eternity, the woman stopped in front of the double doors.

"You can just go in here," the woman said in a curt voice. "The stylist is waiting."

I cautiously opened the double doors to unveil a deluxe salon complete with mirrors and rotating pedestal chairs. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the large glass windows to illuminate the marble-floored salon. Instantly, a pair of hands grabbed my hands and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"What's going on?!" I shouted as I wrangled away from the stranger's grip. Then my jaw dropped to see an overly exuberant male with blonde hair and sparkling brown almond eyes. Wait a minute. Almond eyes? He looked slightly Japanese for some odd reason, but I thought Japanese people had black hair.

"Konnichiwa, Lily-chan!" the blonde male greeted as he took my hands once more. "I've heard so much about you, and I just can't wait to get started."

Ignoring the fact that he knew my name, I inquired, "Who are you?"

"Sumi-masen!" the blond male replied with a boyish grin. "Just call me Kazuya."

I swore that my jaw dropped to the floor. Did I hear him say that correctly? Kazuya, the new and upcoming stylist from Japan. His growing client list includes movie stars and models from both the Muggle and Wizarding World. What is he doing here? Why am I here?

"You're going to be gorgeous, Lily-chan!" Kazuya exclaimed as he studied me intently. "You already have that natural glow just like my dear friend, Tsukushi. I love your green eyes."

"You have to be kidding me," I interjected. "I'm only an ordinary Muggle girl."

Throwing his head back in disbelief, Kazuya chuckled and motioned me to a chair. "Sit here, Lily-chan," Kazuya instructed. "Close your eyes, and imagine your true beauty."

*******************

"Lily, I think there is a misprint on the ticket. There is no such thing as Platform 9 3/4?"

"Look Mum. There's a person waiting in between Platforms 9 and 10."

A young man in gray business attire paced back and forth between the platforms. As we approached the man, he looked up and greeted us warmly.

"Good morning! You must be the new Muggle student. The Ministry sent me to accompany you through the barrier."

Back then, I was very shy. Hiding behind my mother, I was apprehensive yet ecstatic. I saw him extend a hand towards me and said, "Come on. I'll show you how to go through the barrier."

I gently took his hand. It was warm and inviting. His encouraging voice rang through my ears. "All right, Lily. It's better to close your eyes and run through the barrier in case you chicken out."

When I faced the brick wall in front of me, I took a deep breath. Uneasiness still lingered as I steadied myself to take my first step into the wizarding world.

"Okay, Lily. I'm going to count to three."

I timidly nodded and stared at the brick wall.

"One."

My time has come.

"Two."

I'll show my family what I can do.

"Three."

I need to prove myself.

****************

"Lily-chan, you can open your eyes now."

I slowly opened my eyes and gasped. Who is this stunning and attractive young woman staring back at me? Wisps of my newly layered ruby hair softened my angular face. My cheekbones were highlighted subtly with a light pink blush. Dark eyeliner and mascara brightened my green eyes. A light touch of lip gloss finished the new look.

"AAAAGGHH!" I screamed as I leaned forward to inspect my mirror image. "Who is that? I don't recognize myself!"

Kazuya chuckled softly and showed off a wide boyish grin. "Maybe I overdid your makeover a little. Does it not suit you, Lily-chan?"

No words could describe this shock. The plain Lily Evans has transformed into a dazzling celebrity right out of Witch's Weekly. I shook my head and smiled warmly at Kazuya. "I love it."

Kazuya jumped with excitement and pulled me into a tight hug. If Kazuya had that much confidence in me, maybe I should be a little more confident in myself.

*******************

Although Kazuya is only a stylist, he still had a sophisticated taste in clothes and accessories. He led me into a closet that I swore was bigger than my flat. Clothes from Muggle designers like Versace, Gucci, and Chanel were joined by Wizarding designers such as Wyndia and J. Fawkes. Considering my Muggle roots, Kazuya opted for a crème-colored silk dress with a halter neckline. Since it was enhanced by Anti-Wrinkle and Anti-Stain charms, I would not have to worry about accidents. Truthfully, I did not want to think about it, knowing that there was no way I could have afforded to touch this dress to begin with.

After I got dressed, I was led into another room. Light from the setting sun shone through the tall glass windows illuminating the marble floors and leather sofas. A black grand piano stood in the opposite corner of the room. A gigantic painting above the sandstone fireplace caught my eye. A gorgeous woman with long and wavy raven hair stood before me. When she realized I was staring at her, she winked and gave me a warm smile. That was normal though, since paintings in the wizarding world happen to move at the subjects' will. I got used to it at Hogwarts. The fat lady is a prime example of this phenomenon.

Then, my eyes wandered to a photograph of four young boys that must have been taken during kindergarten or first grade. There was a sandy-haired boy with a serene smile standing in the background with a chubby boy with bright blonde hair. In the foreground, there were two boys with their arms over each other's shoulders. They both have black hair, but one of them had really messy black hair.

"That's a picture of us back in grade school."

I whirled around to discover James Potter standing right behind me.

'Shit," I thought, 'I forgot about him.'

"I see that you are infatuated with Remus," James continued with a smirk, "but I have to tell you that you have no chance."

I swear that James can be so arrogant at times that I want to strangle him on the spot. "So what," I spat back. "It's none of your business. Anyway, where am I?"

"Oh this tiny place," James replied. "It's one of my many vacation houses. I always stay here during Hogsmeade weekends. Better yet, whenever I want to get away from Hogwarts."

"Haha," I laughed sarcastically. "Thus, it shows your endearing laziness and unnecessary wealth."

I could have sworn that I saw veins popping out of James's forehead. James gave me a strained smile and said, "Just so you know. Your whole makeover cost me about 2000 Galleons, and that does not include the dress you are wearing."

My eyes went wide. 2000 plus Galleons?! Recovering from the number shock, I changed the subject. "Who is the lady in the painting?"

James bluntly answered, "My sister."

I doubled back again as I looked at James and the woman in the portrait. The wavy yet unruly black hair. The resemblance is striking. Why didn't I figure this out before?

"She's a different kind of lady though," James explained with a slight smug tone. "However, I proved that an ordinary Muggle like you can be attractive."

I didn't like the direction of this conversation. "So, what are you doing?"

James shook his head and looked at me as if I was a dumb mountain troll. "Maybe I overestimated your cognitive abilities. I'm just saying I will allow you to talk to me despite our differences. Although you will still be bullied, you can have a richer life when we are alone."

"Huh? Did I punch you that hard?"

"What's wrong? You're with the only heir to the Potter name. I can buy anything in the world, both Muggle and Wizard. You should be honored."

I let out a deep sigh as I tried to subdue my growing annoyance. "Potter, give me back my clothes. I will pay for my hair later."

"Don't be so stupid."

I looked at James incredulously. "Stupid?! Give me a break. I have enough sense to not blow 2000 Galleons on a petty makeover. You thought you can buy my mind. HAH! I don't think so."

Just as I reached the exit, James chuckled and declared, "You are just a poor Muggle. I'm a brand guy from the wizarding world."

I turned around and crossed my arms in defiance. "I'm a no-brand woman who is different from girls you know." With a broad grin, I once again left a speechless James behind me.

********************

I had no idea how much time I have spent at Potter's vacation home. After finally finding a servant, I found the entranceway leading back to the village. When I closed the gate behind me, I turned and bumped into a person. Coincidentally, it was none other than Remus Lupin.

Remus looked down and sighed, "It's you again."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back in Hogwarts?"

Remus eyed me with both suspicion and amusement. "Well, James is a friend of mine, and I have special permission to live at this place periodically. So if you'll excuse me."

Just before he turned to leave, I blurted out, "Is there anything you can't buy with money?" I quickly averted my eyes. My cheeks must have matched my hair at that moment. "Oh, never mind…"

"Air."

I looked up and saw Remus let out a warm chuckle before he entered through the gate. Merlin's ears. I found it. I found something you can't buy with money.

Author's Note: Sorry. That chapter took me longer than I thought it would. Editing can be somewhat frustrating. I apologize that the next few chapters will have to wait til I get back from vacation. Until then.