A/n: Before I begin I would like to apologize. This is a rather delayed chapter, and guess what, I'm going to use the pathetic way of explaining it: an excuse. I am uber busy with finals and banquets and… everything, please forgive me. On a brighter note, I finally killed my writer's block! And I got a beta! cookies go to Peter! Woot. Well, on with the chapter then!
Aimee
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The Truth isn't Far Behind me
Chapter Seven
A fair forgiveness
James ran his hand through his hair again, looking over the results in the mirror, perfectly untidy.
"James, will you just relax and stop your bloody worrying mate?" Sirius groaned from the cot in the corner of James' room.
"Oh, listen at who's talking Mr. Takes-four-hours-to-get-your-hair-perfect," James grinned as he continued to pull at his hair.
'Yes, but at least I'm making the world a more beautiful place by making my hair nice. I can't stand to watch you destroy yours."
"Well, you never know who you'll see."
"You mean Lily?" Sirius grinned.
"Only if I'm lucky."
"Well, I think that you should just give it up mate, she obviously doesn't like you. I mean, you kissed her and she—"
"Slapped me, yea I know."
"And that's not even it, she then made you leave, right?"
"Yes, but now, I have a new plan."
"Please, enlighten me." Sirius humored him, though he still gave James a skeptical look.
"Well, Black, I've now decided to change my ways. I've concluded that it's my last chance."
"And if it doesn't work…?"
"It has to." James mumbled somberly.
"That's pretty pathetic mate," Sirius shook his head. "And I'll only believe it when I see it."
"Oh, and see it you will. I figure that if I am completely selfless, then there is absolutely no way that Lily can call me selfish and pig headed and arrogant and-"
"I get the point mate. But the way I see it is that you shouldn't have to change who you are to get her, I mean, then you'd never be able to go back."
"Man, she's worth it. I'd change a thousand times over just for her to talk to me, civilly that is." James sat on his bed.
"Don't get all sappy on me mate, we have to get to the fair."
"Well, it's not my fault that you are eternally a play boy who can't handle to hear about real emotion."
"I'll let that slide, seeing as how I know that you will be joining me in my ways as soon as you realize that you're not going to be as successful as you think with Lily."
"We'll see."
"Yes, you will."
"Look there she is." James elbowed Sirius.
"You know, if you continue to do that, I'm going to sock you." Sirius growled rubbing his arm.
"Wait, who's he?" James squinted to see across the parking lot. It was definitely Lily, in the middle of a whole slew of people, but there was one guy that she was talking to, walking with.
"Maybe it's her boyfriend."
"Fat chance. He looks like he's thirty!"
"See, you don't need to worry, she really didn't like you because she wants a mature man."
"Can it. Let's go over there."
"Um, or not, we're supposed to be meeting Wormtail and Moony in like," Sirius looked at his watch, "Five minutes." But he needn't have finished, as James was already gone, walking across the parking lot. "Wait up mate!"
"I just need to see who he is…," James rambled absently, staring at the pair conversing.
"She's probably not even going to talk to you… what about Peter and Remus?"
"We'll get to them on time, it'll just take a minute… Oy! Lily!" He called, smiling.
She turned, her green eyes shining and her magnificent hair glowing in the sun. James' breath caught in his throat, she was so beautiful. Over this summer she'd changed, he couldn't quite place it.
"Potter." That was it. One word came to him, while she glared at him.
"Nice greeting, aren't you glad to see me?"
"Give me a while to think that over, and I'll get back with you." She retorted coldly.
"Listen Lily, can't we just be civil?" James asked in exasperation.
"I don't know, James, can you?" She turned. "Oh, hello Sirius, how was you're summer?"
"Just fine little flower." He smiled, easily falling into her old nickname.
"Oh, wow, you've not called me that in ages." She smiled.
"Well, I haven't talked to you in ages."
"True."
"It was nice seeing you Lily, but we've got to—"
"Who's he?" James cut in, looking the boy up and down.
Lily looked behind her, "Oh, that's just…" She stopped, an odd look crossing her face, and she smiled. "That's just my boyfriend, Michael."
Michael turned around. "Did someone say my name?" He smiled.
"Yes, it was me, just telling my friends about you." Lily smiled. "This is Sirius Black, and James Potter."
Michael held out his hand. "Nice to meet you guys. Are you her friends from school?"
"Sort of." James tersely replied. "So, you and Lily are… together?"
"What?"
"Yes, sweetie, I told them." Lily cut in, turning from Sirius and James to look at him for a moment.
"Oh, um, yea… I guess we are…" He looked at her uncertainly.
James smiled. She wasn't pulling the wool over his eyes. "So, that must be hard. I mean, how old are you, anyway?"
"Twenty-six."
James whistled. "Wow, that is a difference. I just want you two to know that I wish you the best of luck. Maybe later I can introduce you to Rebecca, my girlfriend." He studied Lily's face carefully as he announced his non-existent girlfriend. It didn't change.
"Oh, so you've gotten a girl now then Potter?" Lily toned evenly, giving him a benign smile.
"Yea, James' tell her about it." Sirius smiled beside him.
"Well, it's pretty serious. I mean, you opened my eyes Lily, and I realized that I needed some one who was mature enough for a meaningful relationship, and I gave up on my childish crushes." James tried to reply nonchalantly, almost choking on the words.
"I'm sure she's just lovely, and very… um tolerant." Lily gave him a poison sugar smile, while Sirius choked with laughter.
"That she is." Sirius guffawed.
"Well, James, I wish you the best of luck with… what's her face, and maybe she's the one for you. But we've really got to go." She smiled.
"Yes, so do we, we have to go meet Peter and Remus… and Rebecca." James added her name hastily to his list, trying to return her sarcastic smile, but his stomach was in knots. Why had he said that? It was so stupid, she obviously wasn't really dating this guy, Michael, so why did he have to complicate things?
"We'll have to meet up later so I can meet this mystery girl."
James gave a nervous laugh, "Yea, later."
"I think that we'd all like to meet her." Sirius mumbled at the two walked away.
"Oh shut up." James growled crossly.
"So, Rebecca, huh? Nice name."
"Shut up."
"Ah, don't be cross James… besides I don't really think she's dating that guy…"
"Of course she's not. But now I've got about an hour to produce a girlfriend." James mumbled as he fished in his pocket to pay his admissions fee.
"Good luck."
"Oh, it's not luck that's the problem. I don't want to get a girlfriend, I don't want to see Lily's indifference…"
"Face it mate, she really is over you, so come back to the dark side." Sirius smiled at him.
"Well, some one is writing those messages, and I'm willing to believe it's her."
"Foolish hope."
"What the hell was that all about?" Michael demanded, but his words fell on deaf ears. "Lily? Lily!"
Lily jumped. "Oh, sorry… What?"
"That! What was it? I mean, that boy, James he made me feel like some sort of cradle robber, when I'm not even dating you!" Michael exclaimed.
"Oh, Michael, I'm sorry. He's really a creep, and I just wanted him to leave me alone." She absently remarked, still staring after him.
"Maybe you shouldn't have. Besides, he's got a girlfriend."
"Yes, I guess he does. That's great, really. Now he will leave me alone." Lily whispered, not sure whom she was trying to console.
"Lily!" Olive squealed. "That was James!"
"I know!" Lily laughed. "Try not to have a conniption!"
"So…" Dana prompted where she'd run up beside Olive.
"So what?" Lily kept her face neutral as they walked up to the admission booth. "One please."
"Now what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't pay my girlfriend's admission." Michael smiled at her as he paid for her ticket.
"What!" Olive practically shrieked, staring at them open jawed.
"Oh. Well, he's not really my boyfrie—"
"Schnookums, now, don't go lying to my sister. She'll figure it out eventually." Michael grabbed her arm. "That's right, Olive. I asked Lily to marry me, and she's accepted."
Olive's eyes bulged supremely. "WHAT!" She shrieked.
"Michael, you're going to give her a heart attack!" Lily scolded, as he walked off laughing.
"So, you're not…" Dana began cautiously.
"No! Don't be crazy. I just… Well, when James came up, I panicked and told him that Michael was my boyfriend." Lily bit her lip, turning red in the face.
"Lily! He's like, ten years older than you!" Olive exclaimed, but she didn't look angry. "Why not grab Jeff… Or Daniel?"
"Because he asked me who Michael was, and I freaked."
"Oh, so he's worried about who you're talking to?" Dana smiled.
"Dana, focus. You're paying attention to the wrong details. Besides, he has a girlfriend." Lily groaned in exasperation.
"Really? Did Sirius say anything about a girlfriend?" Dana practically drooled.
"Who is his girlfriend then?" Olive asked, overriding Dana's question.
"I don't know her. Some one named Rebecca…"
"I've never heard of a Rebecca…" Olive murmured slowly, giving Lily a sly look.
"Well, maybe she doesn't go to Hogwarts. All I can say is good luck to her."
"Lily, you're jealous!" Dana squealed.
"What? No I'm not! Why would I be jealous of James Potter's girlfriend? I could have had him a thousand times over." Lily defended.
"Yes. You could have, past tense. But now you can't." Dana retorted evenly.
"What makes you think she couldn't Dana?" Olive put in. "I mean, he is still worrying about who talks to Lily."
"Yea, but now she doesn't have that incredible power over him."
"Oh, I bet she does."
"You guys, I'm still here."
"Right. Sorry Lils." Olive grinned at her, grabbing her ticket from the booth manager. "I forgot." She giggled.
"Well, besides, as far as James Potter is concerned, I'm dating Michael."
Olive looked up at the sky pleadingly. "Just kill me now."
Lily shoved her. "He's not so bad!"
"Yea, you're brother's kind of… hot." Dana teased, eyeing him where he stood talking to Lauren.
"Gag me. No. Besides, maybe he didn't tell you guys, but he's engaged." Olive grumbled.
"Oh, well, then the James thing must have been really awkward for him." Lily laughed.
"So, what are you guys up to?" The question came from Jeff, who walked up to the three, grinning goofily.
"Nothing, what do you want?" Olive rolled her eyes.
"Well, then, if it's nothing, then I will show you guys around." Jeff smiled more broadly.
"Jeff, I've been around here just as long as you have, so just… bug off!" Olive groaned, shoving her brother away.
"Well, here's the deal, everyone else has partnered and grouped up, and I'm the odd one out, so I'm sticking with you guys."
"No, you're not! We've already grouped!" Olive snapped heatedly.
"Fine!" Jeff growled. "I'll just walk around alone!"
"Good!" Olive smiled, obviously pleased that she'd won. "Well, Lily, Dana, lets go enjoy your first wizarding fair!" She grabbed them both about the arm and dragged them off towards a booth that appeared to be selling shrunken heads and talismans. "This is great, I come to this booth every year, it's got these incense that you can buy, and when you burn them, they give you real emotions, they evoke them I suppose. It's great, especially for bad moods… Jeff! What are you doing?" Olive finished crossly.
"What?" Jeff asked innocently. "I'm just walking around. My own path just happens to be very similar to you guys' path." He smiled.
"Well, then, you better walk a bit slower!" Olive glared at him.
"Awe, look at him!" Dana squealed. "He's like a lost puppy, how can we just leave him?"
"This one has the mange" Olive returned flatly.
Lily burst into giggles. "You guys are almost as bad as me and Petunia!" She exclaimed.
"There wouldn't be a problem if you would just go away Jeff." Olive looked ready to punch him.
"Oh, c'mon Liv, I mean, there are ups to having a qualified wizard with you. I mean, what if you need a spell?"
"I'll ask a Carny!"
"They are a little… off if you know what I mean…" Jeff quipped.
"Well, so are you, so choosing between being followed by a freak, and asking a freak for help, I definitely lean towards the latter! Come on Lily, Dana." Olive grabbed them and stalked the rest of the way to the booth of shrunken heads.
"How about that one?" Sirius asked dully.
James looked at the girl he indicated, and shook his head.
"No, no. You see she has to be… perfect. I want Lily to be jealous, and well, she's not going to do."
"Wait, I thought you were 'changing'!" Sirius exclaimed, quite bored of the game they'd made of finding 'Rebecca'.
"I am, as soon as I am done with this ordeal, I'm going to be a saint."
"Wait, why not become a saint now? Pick a girl that's not a model, one that's normal. Lily might think it's compassionate or what ever. But she'll definitely think you've changed."
"For the first time, you're right Black. I need a plain Jane. Some one that can symbolize my heart." James smiled as he scanned the crowd, surprised to see that there were now many more candidates for his 'girl-friend'.
After a moments scan, he picked her. It was a tall lanky girl with stringy blond hair and glasses. Perfect. He ran his hand through his hair and sauntered over to her, turning on his charm full blast.
"Hi." He said, smiling at her.
The girl looked around uneasily, as though to see if he was talking to her, then softly replied. "Hi."
"I'm James Potter, who are you?"
"Jennifer." She answered, her face turning red.
"Suck a lovely name. Listen, I have a proposition for you. Would you like to date me for the day?"
The girl oggled at him, then suspicion crept over her face. "What? Why?"
"Well, you see, me and my friend are lonely, and we need some female companionship, you see?"
"What's the catch?"
"The only catch is that we will call you Rebecca, and when a red headed girl comes around, I'll probably hold your hand…"
"So, what you think you can just use a girl?" She demanded angrily.
Just then a boy that James vaguely recognized walked up to them.
"Hey…" He said slowly, as he handed Jennifer a drink. "What's wrong honey?" He looked at James sullenly.
"Oh, nothing, this creep was just going."
"Sorry. Have a great day at the fair." James quickly went back over to Sirius who was laughing very hard.
"Wow, mate, that's got to hurt!"
"Shut up!" James grumbled crossly. "She would have come, but well, she had a date…"
"Sure…"
"Well, I'd like to see you do better!"
"Gladly."
James watched as Sirius sauntered over to two girls who were talking and giggling, then, moments later, they walked back over with him.
"Hi." The one with curly brown hair and braces smiled at James brightly. "I'm Julie, but you can call me Rebecca." She smiled broadly.
"Wow."
"Yea, see, I told you, its all about style James. This is Christie. These two will be out dates."
James smiled goofily, but that smile disappeared when he looked across the park to see Lily and her friends coming his way, and with a boy. He quickly grabbed 'Rebecca's' hand and reached up to brush her hair out of her face, which had the desired effect of her blushing and looking away.
"Oy, Lily!" James called to her, waving.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
"Oh, no!" Lily moaned as she saw James waving her over. "There he is…"
"There who is?" Jeff asked nonchalantly as he looked at her through a pair of glasses that made his eyes look gigantic.
She giggled. "Wow. Oh, yes, James. He's over there, and I can only assume that that is Rebecca over there with him."
"Well, who's that with Sirius?" Dana asked, eyeing the other girl.
"How should I know?" Lily murmured as James came to join them. She pasted on a bright smile. "Well, hello James. You must be Rebecca? I'm Lily." Lily smiled at the other girl, slightly surprised to see that she had braces, and was a little chubby, and not drop dead gorgeous.
"Nice to meet you Lily."
"So, Lily, where's um… what's his name?…"
"Michael." Lily muttered coldly.
"Oh, yes, where is he?"
"He's um… he's…"
"In the bathroom." Olive put in, making a narrow save. Lily gave her a gracious smile.
"Really?" James asked, as though it were the most interesting thing in the world. "Well, who is this?" He eyed Jeff critically.
"I'm Jeff." Jeff held out his hand. "So I hear you've met my brother?"
"Hmm, I suppose I have. Actually, isn't that him over there?" James asked, looking over Lily's shoulder. "But who's that girl he's with?"
Lily's stomach dropped as she turned. It was indeed Michael, walking hand in hand with what appeared to be his fiancée. She gulped as she turned back to James, searching her mind for an excuse.
"Th-that's. Well, me and Michael broke up you see…" Lily faltered, her face deep magenta.
"Really?" James asked, taking on a mocking tone.
Lily glared at him. Why was he such a jerk? "Yes really! Not that it's any business of yours Potter!"
She looked at her friends and barked crossly. "Come on!" And stormed away from him. Once again, she'd let him ruin her day.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
"Smooth." Sirius grinned as Lily stormed away.
"I've said it before Black, shut up." James groaned, dropping Julie's hand. "Um," He turned to her. "Thanks, but I think I'm good for now. You two can erm, go along."
Both girls looked rather disappointed as they left together. James didn't care though, he'd screwed up, again. He sat down on a bench and rested his head in his hands, and his elbows on his knees.
"Hey, don't worry about it mate." Sirius attempted to console his friend as he sat down. "She was just embarrassed that you caught her in a lie."
"Did you even listen to me? I was being a total arse!" James whined miserably.
"Yes, like I said, you won't be leaving me for long."
"We'll see. School starts soon… oh no."
"What?"
"Today is the 28th."
"Congratulations."
"No, it's… Today is Lily's birthday."
"What are you? Her stalker?"
"Sort of." James Grinned. "But, beyond that, I need to do something. I've been a prat and made her mad… on her birthday. It's a sacred day."
"Well, sucks to be you…"
James glanced over at the stage that was in the middle of the fair, where they were setting up for the mid day performance.
"Hey, do you know what the performance is today?" James asked, an idea forming in his head.
"Um, I think it's the Banging Banshee's, why?"
"Excellent."
"Why?" Sirius demanded.
"Oh, I have an idea…"
"Oh brother."
………………………………………………………………………………………
"Come on!" Olive whined as she drug her friends to the middle of the fair, pushing deeper and deeper into the crowd. "We've got to get good spots! It's the Banging Banshee's for crying out loud!"
"The who?" Lily and Dana asked simultaneously.
"Oh, you poor muggle borns!" Olive sympathized. "They are only the best rock band ever! Raul, the lead singer is such a dream."
Finally Olive quite pulling them when they were right next to the stage.
"Nice spot Ollie." Jeff nodded admirably, as he looked up at the stage. "Close enough for their sweat to hit us."
"Gross!" Olive exclaimed, while Lily and Dana just laughed.
Suddenly the field was darkened and lights flashed.
"Shh! It's starting!" Olive squealed.
Lily watched as a tall man ran up onto the stage, and the crowd went crazy. She clapped politely, but didn't really understand what the big deal was about.
"Hellooooo!" The man yelled, his voice magically amplified. "How are you all doing? Great! Before we begin, I have a very special message for a very special some one. Can a Lily Evans please come up here?"
Lily stared at him blankly, while Olive grabbed her and shoved her up the stairs onto the stage.
"You Lily?" He asked, and Lily just nodded fatuously. "Great, well, we've got a message here from James. He says he's sorry for messing up you're birthday, and that he hopes you can forgive him." Lily felt her face color as the crowd made a collective 'awe' sound. "And he says that you can meet him by the Lost and Found booth, because he was lost, until he knew you." Lily felt like disappearing into the stage. "Thanks dearie." The man led her back over to the edge of the stage so that she could get down, while the band started playing the birthday song.
Lily stood beside her friends for a moment, torn between crying from embarrassment, swooning for the sweetness, or screaming from James' audacity.
"Lily!" Olive shrieked.
"Huh?" Lily uttered absently.
"What are you waiting for?"
"What?"
"Go! James is waiting for you!" Olive shoved her.
"But… but…"
"GO!" Olive and Dana shrieked together.
…………………………………………………………………………………
James stood, leaning against a post, waiting to see if Lily would come. He didn't really think she would, he more hoped that she would. He was ready to give up when he turned and saw her standing there, looking at him, her face red.
"Lily." He breathed.
"Hi…" She murmured awkwardly.
"I'm so sorry…"
"How did you know?"
"Huh?"
"That today was my birthday. How did you know?"
"Oh, well, I've always known…" James watched her reaction closely, not sure where she was going with this.
"I see."
"Well, Happy Birthday."
"Thank you…" Lily replied slowly.
"I really didn't think that you would come."
"Neither did I."
"Wow… You look really great today—"
"James…" Lily moaned in exasperation. "Don't. O.k.? I don't feel like hearing it. I know I've been awful to you, and I'm sorry, but it's not my fault."
"I know."
"I mean, if it hadn't been for your… what? You know?"
"Yes. Lily, I know I've been really immature before, but I'm changing. I really am."
"James, I can't believe that."
"Why? Lily, please just give me a chance, I'll prove it to you!"
"Don't you get it James? I never gave you a chance because I'm smart. I've watched you go through girl after girl like it's nothing, and I'm not going to let myself just be another notch on you're belt… so to speak."
"But, Lily, you're the only one that ever mattered…"
"That's easily said James, but today, I saw no difference in you."
"But, I'm really trying."
"Good. I think that it will be good for you to change."
"I will. I'm changing, right before you're eyes, I'm doing it for you…"
"Don't. Don't do this for me. See, that's part of the problem, you need to realize that you need it for you."
"What can I do to make you realize that we are made for each other."
"Maybe instead of trying to woo me, you should try to show me that you've changed, because until I'm convinced, there isn't going to be any change in our status."
"So, you're not even willing to be my friend?"
Lily sighed. "James, I'll try to be your friend, but you can't try to… to, just don't be like you've always been around me, or that won't work either."
"I'm changing Lily."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
"Why does every one keep saying that!"
"You've got a lot to prove James."
"I know that. You'll see, then well, things will fall as they should."
"We'll see. Thanks for your apology James, but I really have to go…"
"I know." He held out his hand. "Friends?"
Lily took his hand and shook it. "Friends." She agreed.
"Bye Lily, I'll see you soon."
"Bye."
James felt like jumping for joy as he watched Lily walking away. She was as good as his now.
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There you have it. To my individual reviewers:
LilyList: Thank you for you're cough comments. They were… rude and totally inappropriate, but hey, you can't please everyone!
Tictacturtle: Hey, a new s/n coolios! Still working on reviewing you're story, the delay on this signifies the real lack of time I have. Sorry! I'll get it quick!
Fleury: Yes, I love Olive's family, to me they are the equivilance of the Weasleys. I love having them do things. Glad you like them!
Amandinka: Sorry! I took FOREVER!
Hplovesme: Initiation is sort of like a welcoming test. They are particularly infamous for sororities in college. Oh, and to your other review, sorry it's taken me forever to update! please forgive me !9
Singdownthemoonhorselvr: Um, I will TOTALLY go and check out your stories, but I am so swamped lately, I will, it's a promise! Just give me time! Please go check out my other story though, I quite like where it is going!
The Big Dance: Well as far as the Lily/Jeff thing, we'll see… hehe. I am extremely happy that you are liking my story, and I'm sorry it took me so long to update.
Random Rose: revives so she can read the chappie thanks for reading! Glad you like my story, and please keep reading and reviewing!
A BILLION COOKIES GO TO TURTLE FOR GETTING ME ANOTHER READER!
Well every body, that's it! Hope you all liked it, and you better review. Hehe.
Ciao!
Aimee