Marauders Match-making Inc.
*…And this is the chapter you've all been waiting for! *grins evilly* Sorry it took so long. I was quite sure how to put my idea into words. I just have a few things to say:
To answer your review, Katy (Grimm Sister) — James accepted the date with Marcia before he knew Lily had broken up with her boyfriend. The way I'm writing James, he wouldn't have said yes to Marcia, had he known Lily had broken up with her boyfriend. I was actually thinking the same thing you were thinking when I made sure James accepted the date before he knew about Lily's break up… and remember, Lily is happy that her friend got a date with James because right now she has no feelings for James other than "friend" feelings. Besides, I've got the whole Marcia/James thing worked out, so don't worry about it.
And Katy, I'll be reading your story as soon as I find the time. I will also read yours too, Dani, when I can, and if you still want me too, I'll write a summary.
Thanks for everyone else for your comments. Most people have said that Lily dating Cornelius is just wrong. Personally, I agree, but my instinct to pull fun twists into this story overruled my disgust. LoL. I think it was Missy who said that the whole Fudge thing was interesting. That's pretty optimistic of you. Cool.
Oh, and anyone who takes French, did you notice the name of the restaurant? I named it that, purposely. If you don't know what it means, go to freetranslation.com…and enter the name in the FrenchàEnglish column.
OR I suppose I could be nice and tell you that the restaurant's name in English means "The Masked Love." Hmm…I wonder why I chose that name? ;^D
LoL. Thanks for the reviews. Keep them coming, please.
By the way…I'm sorry if this chapter seemed to outlandish, or short. I just wanted to get it out to you.
-Kait*
Disclaimer: The plot of this story is based on the ABC Family movie, "See Jane Date." The characters are property of J.K. Rowling. The only thing that belongs to me, are the changes I made to the plot I borrowed, and the new characters that you don't know from the Harry Potter books. Is that alright with you then?
Chapter 4- The First Trial and Error
"So, James, do you have everything you need?" Peter asked him, in the front hall at James' house, the night of the "big date."
"Yeah, Peter," he replied for the hundredth time, getting sick of answering the same questions over and over again.
"Then you have the pepper I gave you?"
James looked incredibly exasperated as he straightened his shirt collar in the mirror, and began to tackle the tricky task of getting his hair to lie flat.
"Wormtail…I'm sure I don't need the pepper. It is a restaurant, and I've never been to a restaurant that didn't have pepper there for you to use for free."
"But what if they don't? It is a French restaurant," he said, still pushing the idea of bring-your-own pepper, as he picked it up off of the table next to the lavishly designed mirror.
"Fine, Peter, I'll take the pepper with me," James agreed, giving in for the heck of it, and grabbing the pepper shaker from his friend's hand. Then he shook some into his hand and stuffed it down into his pocket. The rest that didn't reach his pockets sprinkled aimlessly onto in oriental rug. James surrendered the pepper back into Peter's palm, and continued to try and style his hair.
"Okay…that's one way to go about it, Prongs."
James rolled his eyes mockingly.
"Individuality is everything, Peter," James said smiling, just to annoy him. Then he seized his jacket from the coat hanger, and started out the door. "See you later, Peter!"
"What am I supposed to do while you—"
The ornate door was unintentionally slammed in his wake.
-~-~-~-~-~-*-~-~-~-~-~-
"James? Why do you smell so oddly?"
That was the first thing Marcia had said to James when they sat down in the restaurant. She had been very distracted with James' oddly distant behavior. She couldn't see how one person could go from funny and charming, to acting completely remote in less than twenty-four hours. It was as though he was a different person.
James glimpsed at the table for a moment. Stupid Peter, there is pepper on the table. It's right next to the red candles, and roses, like it should be.
"New cologne," James said plainly, looking at the door to the restaurant like it was about to fly away.
Marcia fiddled with the fancy, red table-cloth as she pondered what to say next. You would think that a normally chatty person would never run out of things to say, but Marcia had. She'd used all her conversation starters on the way to the café. They had worked just as well as they were working now…
…Not at all.
So…am I supposed to make more small talk, or wait for him to break the ice, she thought as she stared at James, who was still glancing in the direction of the door.
He took a look at Marcia, then a look back at the entryway. He peeked again at Marcia, and then back at the door, Marcia, door, Marcia….
Nope, she thought again to herself, I believe it's high time James stepped in and spoke in more than one word answers!
After a few silent minutes passed by, Marcia sighed, and looked at James. Hearing her sigh, he had enough decency to glimpse away from the entryway, and at Marcia. She sent him an encouraging smile, and he grinned sheepishly back at her.
"So how has work been?" He asked her, taking the hint, and focusing all his attention on her. After all, he was no dummy.
That was Peter's job.
"Not bad… though I suppose things could be better," she said, smiling quietly, "But then again, with Voldemort around—"
"Hey Marica, James," Lily's voice interrupted, not knowing that she had just single-handedly ruined their attempt at any conversation.
She, and her date, Cornelius Fudge (whom James still couldn't believe she had asked to come with her on a date, of all things), had just entered L' Amour Masque, smiling, and greeting the seated couple, as they were led by the waiter to the table.
Wow…that waiter isn't half bad on the eyes, Lily thought to herself as she approached the pair with Cornelius. Wait! What am I saying? I'm here with Cornelius, and I asked him, so I can't look at other men. Though, can I say that James looks very handsome tonight. Just like when I used to go out with him.
These thoughts set off a smile on Lily's face, as Cornelius pulled out her chair, and Lily sat down. Then Cornelius engaged James in a conversation he did not want to be a part of, business at the ministry.
"You look wonderful, Marcia," Lily stated quietly as she sat next to her, admiring her floral blue skirt and powder blue, v-necked, blouse. The outfit set off her golden locks beautifully.
"Not so bad yourself, Lils," she whispered back, gesturing to her simple black dress, that stopped just above her knees, accompanied by a silver necklace, with a single ruby.
"What can we say, we clean up well!" Lily said softly back to her friend, and let out a little laugh, "As do James, and Cornelius, and he actually turned out better than I thought he would!"
"See, it wasn't as bad as you considered it would be!" Marcia replied and giggled back, pulling an 'I-told-you-so.'
Lily just let it slide, for once.
The waiter returned, almost instantly, saving James from the unwanted discussion with Cornelius.
"Here are your menus. I will be back when you are ready to order."
"Alright, thank you," James said, waving him off.
They all looked through the menus, translating the French to English for one another. So finally when the waiter came back, they all were ready to order.
Once their orders had been placed, Cornelius dismissed himself from the table momentarily.
"I just need to use the loo for a second," he said, excusing himself, and got up to walk away. Then he started again shyly, "I'll be right back, Lily."
Two people had completely different thoughts at the same time.
Great. Now I'm a potential third wheel.
Great. This is the perfect opportunity to put Operation'Marauders' Matchmaking' into affect. Hey, that's catchy.
And the only guy left at the table, discreetly sprinkled all the pepper in his pockets into the napkin of the man that had been sitting next to him.
-~-~-~-~-~-*-~-~-~-~-~-
The food arrived, and James was thoroughly disappointed with the results of his mission thus far. Although, when Cornelius had come back he had put the napkin in his lap, and hadn't touched it since.
It was clearly evident anyway that Cornelius and Lily weren't working out so well, anyway. They disagreed on almost everything, and had nothing in common except for the fact that they worked at the same place. And when Cornelius had found out Lily was a muggle-born, he had become a little distant. He tried to seem interested, but Lily could tell he wanted the date to end soon. Well…maybe not…but that was sure how Lily felt!
While talking, he got a little bit of sauce on his nose from his baguette. He wiped it off quickly.
Suddenly, Cornelius was hit with the worst sneezing fit anyone in the restaurant had every seen.
James had to stifle a laugh, as the girls politely said, "God bless you."
"God bless you."
"God bless you"
"God bless you"
"God bless you!"
"Are you alright, Cornelius?" Lily asked, concerned, touching his arm.
Lily touching Fudge's arm bothered James.
A lot.
He wanted to burn a hole through Fudge's arm.
But he had to admit, Peter's plan was brilliant.
It had worked, which was a near miracle for Peter.
Unfortunately, when Cornelius' sneezing died down, he pulled his napkin to his face to blow into it. It was a poor decision, in James' opinion.
The sneezing persisted on loudly.
"I think we had ought to get you home, Cornelius," Lily said, taking the matter into her own hands, "You might be sick."
"I—sneeze—suppose—" he replied.
"Come'on," she said, helping him up, and handing him a tissue, "Thank you for the dinner, James, Marcia. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay. Bye Lily, bye Cornelius. Feel better, okay?" Marcia said, frowning.
"Bye. Feel better," James echoed, as the pair left the restaurant.
I'll have to get that napkin as a souvenir, James thought, grinning to himself.