Disclaimer: Harry Potter doesn't belong to me. ::--:: At least I have my own imagination!
The First Steps
James wanted to slap himself mentally for arriving late on a first date. Hadn't he waited what seems forever to this day? It's not my fault actually. Trust that redhead to tear my life upside down.
Panting slightly, he stopped in his tracks, staring at the empty Great Hall. He was about to curse out aloud when he found Emiko sitting quietly on a chair, watching all the commotion outside the window.
"Lin!" He called out. A smile crept out.
"James, you came!" she stood up immediately, her smile replacing her frown. She was very pretty, and no one denied that. Boys would stare at her mesmerized; girls would glare at her jealous.
"Sorry I'm late, will you ever forgive me?" James asked dramatically.
"Let me think about that." Emiko replied, as James linked his arm into hers.
"James Potter at your service." He bowed gentlemanly.
"Prepare me a golden horse carriage that will take us to Hogsmeade." She played along, no longer feeling uncomfortable.
James picked her up and said, "Since there's no golden horse carriage, the next best thing is me."
"Remus!" Lily pretended to act surprised. "Why aren't you going to Hogsmeade?"
"I should ask the same to you." Remus smiled tiredly.
Lily shrugged. "Been there, done that. It's the same thing after a while."
"I agree with you. James and Sirius obviously doesn't think so." He plopped down next to Lily.
"Do you think that it's safe for me to make friends now?" Lily asked suddenly. She looked at him straight in the eye.
"I'm worried about you, Lily. You can't go on forever pretending that you don't exist. You are just as good as everyone else and you deserve friends. Take my advice and be the Lily that I use to know."
"Thanks Remus. You're right, what's a person to live for if she doesn't have any friends? I might as well go to hell." She looked down at her hands, remembering the terrors of being lonely.
"Make sure you find someone that you can truly trust, then you can share your secrets with that person." Remus replied encouragingly.
"I'll do as you say. Now, how about a game of Wizard Chess?" Lily brightened up.
Lily was reading a book called Charms Complications. She had taken notes on the tips to a successful Copying Charm. I can manage without Potter's help. Thinking about him made her flush in embarrassment on what happened earlier in the day. She looked up and saw the Marauders sitting near the fireplace.
James saw Lily and the two stared at each other for a brief moment. He made a decision to talk to her.
"Hey." James greeted casually.
Lily pretended not to notice.
"Hello, I'm talking to you." He shouted into her ear.
Lily slammed her book shut. "I, unlike all the other girls in the school, am not hypnotized by your charm."
"That's the best compliment I had all day." James grinned. He found it extremely amusing to watch her seethe in anger.
"Potter, what do you want?" she glared.
"This isn't about what I want, this is about what you want." James became serious. (No pun intended.)
"What I want? There are a lot of things I want. One thing you can do to help is to get away from me."
"Touchy." He replied sarcastically. "I'll go but then there will be no one to help you become an Animagus." He added quietly.
"What did you say?" Lily was suddenly attentive.
"I said I'll help you." He shrugged indifferently.
"You're willing to help me?" she asked in wonder.
"Sure, why not. Seeing we're on the same boat." James shrugged again. He was studying her face, watching her emerald green eyes light up in interest.
"But why?" Lily asked again. Is there a reason for this?
"Because I like to rescue a damsel in distress." He smiled cheekily. He wondered if she would ever tell him her name.
"Firstly, I'm not a damsel, and secondly, I most certainly needs no rescuing." She retorted in an amused tone.
"Well, are you free tonight?" James asked cockily.
"What is that supposed to mean?" she looked at him defiantly.
"You know, our secret mission." He whispered slyly.
"Tonight. 11. Meet me outside the portrait." She replied quickly.
"Deal." He said. He secretly wondered if that girl always sneaks out after curfew.
"Prongs, what's wrong with you today?" Sirius asked. "Have you heard a word I said?" The Marauders were each lying on their four-poster beds.
"What did you say?" James asked back.
"I say that tonight we slip into the Slytherin Common Room and conveniently chuck a few dungbombs in." Sirius chuckled.
"But do you know the password?" Remus challenged him.
Sirius snorted. "Bet it's something lame like pureblood. Anyway, I think I know the password. I overheard some Lucius Malfoy telling his friends something of the kind."
"I can't. Not tonight." James replied decisively.
"Why not?" Sirius looked disappointed.
James ignored him and pulled his covers over his head.
"Moony?" Sirius asked weakly.
"Too tired." He too pretended to sleep.
"Wormtail?" he asked again. Not surprisingly, Peter was already snoring.
Lily made sure that all her roommates were asleep before she tiptoed out of the room. She was used to it, having it done so many times already. She wasn't totally sure if Potter was going to come or not, but she did believe he was sincere.
"Lumos." She heard a wand being lit up. It was James. They greeted each other in a rather awkward manner.
"Get under the invisibility cloak." He ordered.
"Don't worry about me. I'm used to sneaking around without been seen." She refused.
"Well, if you're sure." James responded. The two had reached the library in no time.
"Alohomora." Said Lily, and the door swung open.
They located the book easily and James warned her not to touch anything.
"Accio book." James pointed his wand. It came crashing down from the bookshelf.
"Now what?" Lily asked.
"I brought this." James pulled out a blank notebook. "For the Copying Charm."
"Mind if I try?" Lily pulled out her wand.
"Wait, there's something you need to do first." Lily heard James mutter something like...Abi omnia quae celare, which meant 'go away to all that hides'. A green spark flew from the wand and you can suddenly see all the locks appearing and being destroyed.
"Done," he said in satisfaction.
Lily did not reply. She was impressed. When did he become so good at Charms anyway? James nodded to Lily.
"Idemius." She called. An invisible quill began copying all the words at a very fast rate. The pages flipped endlessly and it took a few minutes until the whole book had been copied.
Lily pocketed the copy and gave him a grateful smile.
The duos were heading back to the Gryffindor Tower when Lily suddenly heard footsteps. She motioned him to be silent.
"Come under the invisibility cloak unless you want to be busted." He murmured.
Lily bit her lip. In the end she consented.
It was strange being so close to James Potter. He drew her closer so that they couldn't be seen. Lily felt very uncomfortable and looked anywhere except his face.
To their surprise Professor McGonagall came along and walked past their spot. She looked very worried and frantic. She muttered the password and descended to the Headmaster's office.
As soon as McGonagall was out of sight, Lily took of the Invisibility Cloak. They made the rest of their journey back without a word.
At breakfast, the Marauders were busily snatching the Daily Prophet away from each other. Apparently, there had been 4 murders committed yesterday night. The Ministry is currently tracking down the murderer although they have no idea who it is.
James left his seat and was walking to his first class. He suddenly felt someone brush past him and a note stuffed in his hand. He turned around to see a figure wearing a black balaclava vanishing down the corridor. He smiled to himself; he had a pretty good idea who that was.
He unfolded the note, it read:
Thanks for your help. Since I have nothing in return, I might as well tell you my name.
-Lily Evans.
Just a minute longer. than this.
Just a little closer. than this.
I would get to know you
A little bit better
I could tell you
If only we had
Just a minute longer...
Tada, I like this chapter! i made it extra long so it deserves more reviews!