A/N: :) The edited version of Chapter 3… *drumroll*\
After All These Years
Chapter Three – ROAD TRIP!..well, not really..
"Hm, interesting…" Lily murmured to herself. She was just finished reading the letter that James had sent her and patting the sickly green owl with her hand. After one day of knowing James, he's asking for her and Arabella to go to France with him? How faintly queer.
"What is?" Arabella said, raising an eyebrow while eyeing the green owl. "And what in bloody name is that thing?!" It was Sunday afternoon and Arabella was flipping through Teen Witch magazine, searching for the newest, most fashionable robes and a few fashion accessories, the usual ritual.
"Well, the Marauders want us to go to France with them. As in, on a trip," Lily said, handing Arabella the letter. Arabella put down her Teen Witch magazine and took the letter from Lily.
"Oh my gosh, this is so exciting! We have to go!" Arabella pleaded.
Lily put a hand on her hip. "We just met them."
"No! I've known Remus for about 5 months now!" Arabella wailed.
"I've known Sirius and James for about a day now," Lily said, crossing her arms.
"No you haven't. They went to Hogwarts with us," Arabella pointed out. "That's about 7 years now. And they're really nice guys!"
Lily glared. "Like they were nice to me when we were back in Hogwarts? Oh sure they were nice to me now, since I've changed so much and all."
"Well, yeah, but it's not like they're trying to hurt you, Lils," Arabella said.
"I know that! B – " Lily protested.
"They're trying to be your friend!" Arabella interrupted.
"Duh, everyone wants to be MY friend," Lily pointed out.
Arabella snorted and then made puppy eyes. "Lily… please? I've only been going with Remus for, like, about a week and he's asking me to go to France with him? I'm totally crazy about him and I think he feels the same way. Please do this for me. I couldn't go on a trip with the Marauders without my best buddy by my side! Please, please, please?! And you know you have a thing for James, so let that be an extra plus!"
"You know, I was going to go but then the whole James threw me off," Lily replied irritably. "I don't have a thing for him. It's James Potter. Ew."
Arabella coughed. "M'hm. Sure. Then it's Sirius?"
Lily glared. "No."
"Oh, come on Lils! Be adventurous – please? You know you want to go!" Arabella smiled.
"Oh, I do want to go shopping in Paris…" Lily said, still unsure. "Okay, okay, Bell… if it means that much to you, I'll go."
"Yay!" Arabella squealed happily and then covered Lily with hugs. "I LOVE you, Lily Evans!"
"Oh, yes, yes," Lily chuckled. "I know that. But one more thing."
"Oh my god," Arabella said. "You haven't changed your mind that fast, have you?!"
"No, I'm still set on yes but what about our jobs? Daily Prophet? You know how hard we worked to get those!" Lily frowned. "I don't want to risk losing it."
"I don't either…" Arabella replied unsurely. She thought for a while until she got the answer.
"Easy – we'll just ask for some days off. You know Shaun, our boss, he's nice about it," Arabella said simply. "Please, please, please, Lily? Do this for me… I hardly spent time with Remus!"
Lily rolled her eyes. Inside she was smiling. Two weeks in France, the most romantic city just about EVER? Maybe she'll find true love… Or maybe not. "Let me go write a note to Shaun first – just in case." Lily grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and wrote furiously on it, until she was finished. She sent it off with Daisy, Arabella's barn owl and sighed.
"Well, let's write back to James," Arabella grinned. She seemed excited. Two weeks with Remus in France??!! This was to die for!
*****
"Well, here's the moment of truth," James said, opening up the letter.
"You want Lily to go, don't you?" Sirius teased.
"Hey, when's the wedding Prongs?" Remus sniggered.
"Hey, that's my line!" Sirius protested, looking cross.
"Shut up. I only like her as a friend, okay? But I will admit – she's really … well, beautiful and pretty nice," James grinned. He finished reading the letter and his chocolate eyes lit up. "Ooh, they said they'd go."
"Even Arabella?" Remus asked, his eyes hopeful.
"She said no, she has to work, and she loathes you, Rem," Sirius said, bending over to eye the letter.
"WHAT?!" Remus said, flabbergasted. He started to turn pale, but then grabbed the letter out of James's hands.
James nudged Sirius in the ribs. "Moony, Padfoot was joking; she's coming too," James rolled his eyes. "I think you should know by now."
"Oh, good. I can't believe I fell for another of Sirius' stupid jokes," Remus said, shaking his head sadly while grinning underneath. "Two weeks with her on vacation!"
Sirius and James sighed together. They could already hear the wedding bells.
*****
"Oh. My. God. What should I wear? What should I bring?" Arabella panicked, just realizing she was going to spend two weeks with her boyfriend. "TWO weeks with Remus! I need TWO weeks of robes and accessories!"
"Calm down, Bell! CALM DOWN!" Lily said reassuringly. "Breathe, Bella… breathe…" Lily was making breathing hand motions to Arabella.
Arabella took deep breaths and calmed down.
"Now, this is what we'll do, okay? We'll go to Diagon Alley for some accessories and robes," Lily said and Arabella smiled. "Then we'll go shop in London for Muggle clothes – they're really quite fashionable and pretty these days, you know."
Arabella cracked a grin and swooped down to give Lily a huge hug. "What would I do without you, Lils?"
"Hm, I really don't know," Lily said, pursing her lips as if in deep thought. "You'd probably die of panicking." Lily grinned while getting her bag.
"Are we going now?" Arabella asked.
"Nothing better to do," Lily shrugged, grabbing her purse.
*****
"Um, how about this one?" Arabella asked, modeling white hip huggers and a sky blue v-neck shirt.
"Um, twirl around," Lily directed. Arabella obeyed and twirled.
"So, how is it?" Arabella asked expectantly.
"Wonderful, it looks great on you. Remus' eyes should pop it when he sees you," Lily grinned wickedly.
"Good," Arabella grinned. "I was just going for that. I love this shirt; it just really matches my eyes, don't they? Purple and blue go so well together."
"Yes, they really do," Lily agreed. She was eyeing the store to see if she'd like anything. Usually, Lily loved shopping, but today, she was tired again, so she felt drained.
"Ooh, I love this!" Arabella sighed happily. "This week has been the best."
"I'm happy for you," Lily smiled.
Arabella went to look through more racks.
"Don't you think you bought enough? I mean that's like the millionth outfit you bought today," Lily warned. She didn't want Arabella to go bankrupt before their trip!
"I suppose you're right," Arabella said. She went into the fitting rooms and came out, wearing her regular clothes. They purchased the clothes and left.
"Aren't you going to buy any new clothes, Lily?" Arabella asked.
"I don't think so…" Lily said, looking at the ground as they walked through the streets of London. It was quite beautiful since it was spring. Flowers were blooming, birds were chirping, the sky was a wonderful shade of blue. "I think I'll check out the fashions in Paris – the clothes there are so much better than London's."
"That's because you bought almost all the clothes in London," Arabella snorted.
Lily grinned. "I should really start saving again."
"Perhaps," Arabella agreed. "Then give me the money to fund for my wedding with Remus!"
Lily laughed. "I thought there was no wedding?"
Arabella grinned.
*****
James, Sirius, and Remus apparated to Lily and Arabella's flat.
"Ready?" Sirius yelled.
"In a minute!" Lily yelled down to Sirius, and turned to face Arabella. "Okay, Bella, do we have everything packed?"
Arabella got the list and said, "Clothes, check. Luggage, check. Make-up, check. Skin toners, check. Tooth brush and paste, check. Pictures, check. Camera, check. Money, check. Stationary, Vitamins, Travel Kit. Check, check, check!" Arabella grinned. "C'mon, Lils. Let's go."
Both of them grabbed their luggage, which was several cases, to James, Sirius, and Remus.
"Remus!" Arabella smiled, opening her arms for a hug. They hugged and kissed hello. Lily rolled her eyes and giggled and said 'hi' to James and Sirius.
"Can you two please stop snogging or get a room? I actually want to go to Paris now!" Sirius said impatiently.
"Okay, okay, Padfoot," Remus replied, grinning.
"So how're we going to get to the airport?" Lily asked.
"Airport?" James questions, bewildered. "What's that?"
"Oh, wait. Never mind – Muggle thing," Lily said, shrugging it off. She'd just remembered that they were wizards, and knew nothing of Muggle transportation. She sighed and hoped the method of getting to France wouldn't include Sirius' famous flying motorcycle. "Never mind, so how are we going to get there?"
"Road trip!" Sirius screamed. He started laughing. "Just kidding. I'm Half, so, Lily, I know all the Muggle things.
Everyone stared at Sirius.
Lily smiled. "Thanks," She said. She felt happier because someone on the trip would understand her when she said ordinary Muggle things. Things were definitely starting to look brighter.
"Anyways, we're getting there by Portkey," James said, staring at Sirius if he was mental. "Seriously, Padfoot – calm down."
"Portkey to… France?" Lily choked out in a disbelieving tone and raising her eyebrow.
"Of course," James said and shrugged. "Anything's possible."
"Not with our luggage," Arabella said, pointing at three suitcases, two duffel bags, five little bags, and a huge box. Lily eyed that each Marauder were holding a little duffel bag.
"Whoa! What the hell are you guys bringing to France? It's only two weeks!" Sirius said, his eyes popping out as he saw their luggage.
"You always have to be prepared," Lily said with a shrug.
James pulled out two bags from his duffel bag and handed them to Arabella and Lily. "Here," he offered.
"What're these?" Lily said, taking the bags and eyeing them suspiciously. "One of your jokes?"
"No, not these bags. They're Stuff-O Bags. Stuff-O Bags have no limit. You can stuff a piano in that," James said.
"Wow, this is so cool!" Arabella squealed. "Now, go into the living room while we unpack and pack."
*****
"Ahh, that's much easier to Portkey with," Sirius smiled. Arabella and Lily were carrying the little bags and grinned back.
"Okay, the Portkey is right here," James said, pulling out a large blue phone.
"A Phone?" Lily asked curiously.
"The tour people sent it," Sirius replied.
"Anyways," James said, examining his watch. "It leaves in 10 seconds. Hurry up and grab any part of it!"
The five some quickly grabbed the phone and felt a jerk at their navel.
Whoosh!
*****
"Wow," Sirius said, shaking his head slightly. "That was fast and I think I got a head rush from the Portkey."
"Tell me about it," Lily muttered.
"That navel jerk was weird," Arabella said.
"Duh," James replied. "We used a port key."
The five some arrived in front of a glamorous looking hotel. It looked like castle, part prehistoric Roman building. It was large with many wings, and held up with many white turrets. The walls were made out of a lovely shade of granite. It was a very classy place, with lots of fancy knick-knacks.
"Wow, this place is breathtakingly beautiful, James," Lily commented exhilaratingly. She started in amazement as the hotel.
"Breathtakingly cheap, also," James grinned.
"This is seriously a nice hotel, James," Remus smiled. "Thanks."
"Yeah, thanks, James," Arabella smiled.
An escort came up to James. "'Ahr 'oo a Meester Jamie Pottehr?" He asked in a beautiful French accent.
"Why, yes I am," James replied. "Pleased to meet you, sir."
"Oh, but 'ze pleazehr is all mine, Monsieur, I'm Pierre," He winked.
'Great, they send us a homosexual bellboy,' Lily thought.
"Anyway, I am 'ere to escourt you to the welcuhm meeting hosted by Mademoiselle Chantelle D'Bour. Please – follow me."
Everyone followed Pierre into the grand and luxurious hotel. The inside looked quite as magnificent as the outside did. Long, grand staircases were put in select locations inside the hotel's first floor. Pierre led them into a hallway, first door to the left.
They entered into another magnificently decorated room. A woman in front was lecturing around 10 guests.
"I can't believe the gay escort hit on you," Sirius snickered.
"Shut up," James glared. "That wasn't funny."
"Oh yes it was," Arabella, Remus, and Lily chorused together.
"Okay, you 'ave all arrived, oui? My name is Chantelle D'Bour – zee monojur ov dees tour of zee booteeful country ov Fronce," a woman in black said. She was a petite woman with perfect curves on her body. She had blue eyes and brown hair and a dazzling smile. Everyone replied 'yes' and she continued. "Okay, ze very first stop on our tour weel be zee Eiffel Tower, 'ohn ov zee most populehr places in Fronce. We weel veeseet ze Eiffel Tower tomorrow morning aht teen o' clock. Please be on time. Ze tour bus weel defehnetly not wait fehr you."
"I zink I like zhat wooman," Sirius whispered to James, imitating her accent.
James chuckled silently and replied, "I zink I like zhat woman, too! Oui Oui!"
Lily glared at James and Sirius, putting up an index finger to her lip, indicating 'Shh! Be quiet when someone's talking' sign.
"Please cuhm up 'ere and geet your 'otel room keeys," Chantelle said, pointing at the table next to her filled with many hotel keys.
Lily whispered, "James you go."
James glanced at Lily, irritated, but went up anyways and grabbed their hotel room cards. Chantelle finished her speech and everyone got up to leave.
*****
"James," Lily began slowly. "Why are there two keys?"
"Oops," James flushed. "I think I accidentally booked only two rooms."
"Nice going, James," Sirius said, grinning.
"Well, I'm with Remus," Arabella replied.
"Fair enough," Sirius said. "I'll room with James and Lily then."
"Oh, fine," James said, pouting along with Sirius. James gave Arabella and Remus their card. Then he inserted the key and went in his room, followed by his Lily and Sirius. They all sighed in relief and dropped their bags. It was a very luxurious suite. There were two large queen-sized beds with an abundance of pillows on them. There was one couch, a bathroom, one table with matching chairs, and a television.
"Ooh, look at that! A medium-sized… black box!" Sirius exclaimed, pointing at the hotel mini-bar resting on the table.
"It's a mini-bar, Sirius, a mini-bar," Lily said slowly and clearly.
"A mini-bar, as in a small bar? Alcoholic beverages?" Sirius asked with interest.
"What do you think?" Lily asked, rolling her eyes.
Sirius grinned. "I don't think."
Lily sighed, "Figures. Wow, James, you must be loaded to afford a suite like this." Lily walked around in awe, looking at the suite.
"If you're impressed with this, you should come and see the Potter mansion," Sirius replied. He sat down on of the beds and started fiddling with the remote to the TV. "By the way, Lils? What's that box?" Sirius pointed to the TV.
"It's called a television. It's a form of Muggle entertainment," Lily replied.
"Telleveezun," Sirius said, trying to pronounce it.
"Tell-uh-vis-yun," Lily said, slowly and clearly. "You can see images of people on it.
"That's ludicrous," Sirius replied calmly, waving the matter off with his hand. "Absolutely crazy."
"Oh really?" Lily asked, flipping the switch. The television turned onto the news.
"WOW!" Sirius exclaimed, amazing. He rushed up to the television and stared.
Lily rolled her eyes. "So what do you guys want to do?"
"I dunno," James replied dully. "I think a game of Truth or Dare is in order."
"Truth or Dare?" Lily questioned.
"No, let's make it strip Truth or Dare," Sirius grinned evilly, turning his attention away from the Muggle 'box' and to his friends.
"Strip Truth or Dare?" Lily questioned, raising an eyebrow.
James shrugged. "Nothing else better to do."
"Alright then…" Lily agreed, still a bit hesitant. 'What am I getting myself into?' She thought as they arranged their places in a circle.
*****
A/N: Wow, this chapter is LONG! 10 Pages on MS Word! Wow, that's long. :) I hope you enjoyed it. Read + review, please!