Hey. I'm so sorry the last chapter was so short, so I made this one longer. Yay! Lol. I hope you enjoy...
Chapter Five: The Ceremony
Two hours later it was time to wake up and get ready for Graduation. Sadly, other things were on my mind.
Like, James Potter crying on my shoulder last night.
I slipped out of bed and walked through the bathroom that the two of us shared and into James' room, still in my pajamas.
I found him sitting up in bed, staring out the window. The sun was shining brightly and I winced at the sudden light I was exposed to. James turned his head ever-so slightly to face me and then turned back towards the window. I sighed, knowing how he wasn't going to be the normal James Potter again for a long while. This thought saddened me as I walked over to his bed.
I sat down on the edge, and slipped my hand into his, squeezing it comfortingly. James moved over and I pulled my legs up onto the bed so that we were sitting side-by-side. He laid his head on my shoulder and I began to run my hand through his unruly hair. About five minutes later I realized what I was doing and stopped, but then decided that if he wasn't protesting it he was probably okay with it. So I kept on stroking his hair softly.
As we sat there in silence I began to feel extremely comfortable sitting there with James. It was just seemed so...normal. Even though I don't think I've ever spent this much time 'alone' with James in the whole seven years we've known each other.
I think, looking back on our time together in that one day, our relationship was changed for the rest of our lives.
I watched James as his eyes closed after a while and he slept for about an hour. I decided that I should wake him up so we could get ready for the ceremony that took place in about an hour and a half. I had planned on taking an hour long shower and getting ready with a leisurely pace but now I guess I had to limit my shower-time to thirty minutes.
I shook James lightly and whispered into his ear.
"Wake up, James." He stirred slightly and opened one eye, staring at me sleepily. I smiled at the cuteness of this one glance. But immediately frowned when I realized what effect he had just had on me.
"What?" He muttered sleepily. It was the first word I'd heard him speak all morning.
"We need to get ready for the ceremony." I whispered. It felt like if I talked too loud the room would vibrate or something.
He just nodded his head and I slipped off his bed and walked into the bathroom before telling him I was about to take a shower. Right when I was about to close the door to the bathroom he stopped me.
"Lily."
"Yes?"
"I...just want to tell you..." James stuttered and I smiled weakly.
"Your welcome, James." I replied before shutting the door and taking my thirty minute shower.
As I walked into my room I yelled to James that the shower was free for him to use and I heard his door open and close. I walked over to my dresser and realized I hadn't chosen anything to wear under my robes. After all, after the ceremony we were going out to eat...well maybe. I don't know if we'll have as much fun after James went through all of that last night. But I still wanted to look good.
I finally picked out a black skirt that flared out a little at the knees with a pink tank top and some black slip-on high heels. Not too unique, but not too shabby, just like me.
I walked back into the bathroom after James told me he was done and walked over to the mirror. I looked at my reflection and scowled at my wavy red hair that hung lightly around my shoulders.
"You look beautiful, Lily." James said behind me and I gasped, not knowing he was there.
"Thanks." I replied, blushing. Once again, confused he had this effect on me.
"You don't look too bad yourself." I said, smiling slightly as he tried to flatten out his hair that happened to be sticking out all over the place.
"I guess we should go down." I said after I was sure my hair wasn't going to be able to look any better and James had stopped messing up his hair even more. James just nodded in agreement and followed me down to the Great Hall where the rest of the Seventh Years were standing, waiting for instructions from Dumbledore.
Abbey and Anais immediately saw me and hurried over, I looked over at James who looked extremely uncomfortable under the gaze of his peers. I frowned, concerned for him. Where were his best friends when he really needs them? Honestly.
Abbey grinned at me as they finally stopped before me.
"Hey, Lils. You're looking pretty good if I do say so myself." She winked at me and I smiled at her compliment.
"I completely agree." Anais said, smiling at me although I was sure her thoughts were on a certain blonde haired boy who just happened to be walking by us.
"Oh, Remus!" I called and he stopped. Anais' eyes widened in fear that I would tell him something about how much she actually cared about him.
"Yeah?" He asked and I walked closer to him.
"James needs you right now." I whispered and he looked at me with curious eyes before setting off in a search for James. He had walked away as Abbey and Nese had come up to me.
I watched as he disappeared into the crowd before turning back to my friends.
"You two look cute." I approved and Abbey scowled.
"I don't want to look 'cute'." She whined and I giggled.
"Whatever." I said as she sent me pretend glare. Anais just tried to ignore us point-blank, but I noticed her lips twitch upward into a small smile.
"Attention all Seventh Year Students!" Dumbledore had finally arrived and was standing at the front of the hall.
"Please take your seats. Will the head boy and girl please come to the front?" Dumbledore announced and immediately the whole group of students shuffled out onto the grounds where there was a small stage and about two hundred seats set out on the grassy lawn.
All the seventh year's took their seats at the front and parents sat at the back.
I hurried up to the front and walked up on stage, seating myself behind the podium and watched as James sat down beside me. His hands were shaking and I could only imagine what he was going through.
I caught his eye and nodded encouragingly and noticed his hands had stopped shaking as much as they had been earlier.
Almost five seconds later the ceremony began and Dumbledore stood at the podium, right in front of me and James.
"I would like to welcome all the parents to our Graduation Ceremony for all of our talented students...blah blah blah." Dumbledore went on talking about how talented and special each of us was. I knew I should've been listening but I couldn't concentrate on anything except for the fact that James was beside me.
Finally he began calling names.
"Lily Evans, our head girl and top student in almost all classes!" Dumbledore said to the crowd, that insane twinkle in his eyes. I grinned and walked across the stage, shaking hands with all of the professors. Professor McGonagall smiled at me and gave me a quick hug. I could've sworn I saw her wipe away a tear.
I walked off stage and waited for my friend's to come across. I hugged many people before Anais walked across and I screamed and cheered for her as she walked down the steps toward me.
"This is so awesome! We're finally done!" She exclaimed and I hugged her quickly, waiting for Abbey to get to the stage.
About ten minutes later she finally crossed and skipped over to us.
"Can we go home now?" She whispered into my ear and I laughed. For the moment I had completely forgotten about James, until he too, walked across the stage.
His face was completely straight. No smile, no smirk, not even a glare. Just plain, nothing there. It was sad seeing the most famous marauder walk across the stage with no last prank, no stupid little dance not even a smile.
Just a reflection of a person he used to be.
Glaz- Aw thanks, and yes it is sad for poor James..:(
Hermione Weasley192- Well it will fit in cuz I'm MAKIN IT FIT IN. Mwhahaha..lol. Thank you!!!
Katkit- Thanks, and yes it is sad. It'll get happier eventually though.
Sparxlie Pixie- Your longer chapter is up! lol
animerocksjapenrocks- Lol, I don't know how long it'll be yet. But I bet it'll be more than ten chapters...
PLEASE REVIEW! Thanks to all my reviewers so far, I really appreciate it!
-A Lesson Before Dying