Playing the Part
By: Shrk-bait
Chapter 2: Just a Crazy Theory
Love is blind. Also psychotic. -- Larraine Lage
"So, what do you think?" Dumbledore asked, an air of childishness and excitement in his voice.
"Sounds fantastic. Will a student be directing it or a professor?" Lily inquired, clearly interested in the entire concept.
James; however, was somewhat less energized.
"Professor Harris, the Muggle Studies Professor has volunteered to direct. Since you both have taken the course and should be familiar with the play, I was hoping that you would be a part of it."
"Wait . . . part of it? As in, helping-out part of it, or acting-in-the-play part of it?" James blurted out, hanging on Dumbledore's next words.
He said it with an unspoken urgency, his frantic voice betraying the calm, collected persona he had strived to maintain throughout his years at Hogwarts.
Lily smirked. Potter was afraid of more work. Typical Potter, she thought.
"Erm . . . both, actually, Mr. Potter. Though she hasn't informed you all, Professor Harris will require the assistance, especially in playing roles, from her current and former students, as well as any others who are willing to participate. I think she said something about applying classroom lessons to life. You will be receiving recognition for your services in the play, which will undoubtedly add to the list of achievements that your future occupational choices will examine in order to see if you are fit for whichever career you choose to pursue. Seeing as how you are both Head students as well as former Muggle Studies students, I was hoping that you would take an active role in this production."
Dumbledore continued on to discuss technicalities with Lily, who was listening attentively to every word he said.
James, on the other hand, having gotten the answer he was looking for, tuned out the Headmaster's voice and settled back into his seat, sitting languidly with his feet stretched out in front of him.
"This is going to be quite a handful of hard work and dedication, especially for you two. I expect you both to help put on a show that Hogwarts would be proud of." Dumbledore pointed out, his gaze lingering longer of James.
"You are both excused. You may discuss further details in at the next Heads meeting, though I do believe that Professor Harris will be gathering all the people who will be involved in the play very soon."
Lily rose, shook Dumbledore's hand and strolled out of the door, down the stone staircase.
"Sounds like a lot of work. Are you sure you can handle it?" Lily mocked, not bothering to look at him while she spoke.
"Of course, Evans." He snapped back, catching up to her and matching her quick pace. "I can handle anything and everything. It's more of whether I am willing to or not."
"Well, let me tell you, Potter, you better be willing to this time." Lily muttered underneath her breath.
They went their separate ways, nodding curtly to each other.
He thinks he's so great. I just can't stand him, she thought to herself.
Little did she know that James Potter's thinking as he walked the opposite way, was strangely familiar to hers.
"She's so . . . full of herself. And she says I'm the egotistical one! Just because I asked her out multiple times a few years back doesn't mean I'm cocky. What is her problem? Any other girl would be flattered, but NO. Evans had to get all . . . insulting. She infuriates me. I have no idea why I was even attracted to her in the first place." James ranted, pacing back and forth.
"Prongs, would you mind sitting down? You're making me dizzy, pacing around wildly and whatnot." Sirius whined, clutching his head in his hands.
"NO, I will not sit down! I can't sit down when I feel like screaming. She's so . . . ARGH! I can't even think of words to describe Evans."
"Unattainably beautiful? Remarkably witty? Incredibly attractive?" Remus offered, looking up from behind his book, Hogwarts, a History.
"NO! Evans is none of those things."
"Well, if I recall, that is how you described her in 5th year, right before she shot you down like . . . a bird during hunting season."
"Forget the past, Moony. That was AGES ago. I was young. I was carefree. I was stupid."
"It was only a few years ago!" Sirius exclaimed, sitting up from his languid position on the couch. "Wizard's chess anyone?"
"Sure, I'll play. A few years makes a difference, Padfoot. I've grown up and grown out of my feelings for Evans. I don't see why we need to bring it up again. She exasperates me to no end." James declared, motioning dramatically with his hands.
Quite a few minutes of silence passed, only to be broken by James' frustrated groans at the shattering of his chess pieces.
"What about this play you keep mentioning? Romeo and Juliet? Sounds like such a bore. Can't believe Harris is actually going to make us pitch in." Sirius muttered, not taking his eyes off the board as he contemplated his next move.
James shrugged, his eyes staring fixedly on the pieces before him, though his mind had wandered far from the Sirius' comment.
"Do you remember listening to her go on about fellytones and please-men and all that a few years ago? Why I took that class in the first place baffles me."
"If I recall correctly, you wanted to 'better understand the mind of a muggle-born', namely Lily." Remus pointed out, chuckling. "Isn't life ironic?"
"Shut it, Moony. Why I was even attracted to her, even in my years of adolescence, confuses me as well. She's such a bother." James retorted sourly.
"If I recall correctly, you thought her cleverness and beauty were intriguing. You have to admit, Prongs. Evans has grown up. She's definitely gotten better looking since your little endeavor in 5th year." Sirius grinned, moving his chess piece across the board. "Checkmate. I win."
He leaped up and began dancing foolishly, a broad grin spread across his face.
"We should talk about Evans more often. You're a terrible chess player whenever we talk about her." Sirius suggested, still giddy with excitement.
"Bollocks. You were lucky." James pouted, crossing his arms across his chest.
Inside, he knew Sirius was right. He always lost whenever they talked about her. Heck, he lost at anything and everything other than Quidditch, even when he thought about her. No need to say, Sirius had quite a long winning-streak in 5th year.
Bugger, bugger, bugger.
"He thinks he's so cool. But he's not. He won't even take responsibility for anything he does! He's always making those cocky remarks and flashing that grin of his that's supposed to 'melt a girl's heart'. Well, he doesn't fool me. He's just a smug bastard that thinks he's the king of the world. I can't stand him." Lily fumed, glaring hard at the intricate tiles lining the floor of one of Hogwart's smaller hallways.
"What are you muttering about, Lils? James Potter, I presume?" Charlotte guessed, knowing she was undoubtedly correct.
Lily spun around at the sound of Charlotte's voice. Immediately, her bitter frown became a huge smile at the sight of her two friends.
"What did he do this time?" Kira asked nonchalantly, almost as if she was reciting the phrase.
"Oh, you know. Just the usual. Being a git and whatnot." She replied simply. "He's such a . . . gah! I hate him!"
"Lily, do you realize that these reoccurring declarations of hatred for James take up a rather large amount of our time? Have you ever considered just letting it go?" Charlotte asked, exasperated.
"What? Of course not! How could I possibly let his childish, irresponsibly, annoying antics go?" Lily responded quickly, her face showing slight confusion at Charlotte's comment.
With that, she stormed off to the Gryffindor common room, completely abandoning her previous plan to study in the library.
The remaining pair sighed, watching her retreating figure.
"What are we going to do with her?" Kira asked, massaging her temple.
"No clue. You know what? I don't think she really despises James Potter as much as she lets everybody think. I think she actually has feelings for him, buried deep beneath all that hostility." Charlotte analyzed, thoughtfully rubbing her chin. "You know what they say. Love is blind. Maybe I'm crazy."
Kira stared strangely at her friend, her right eyebrow cocked far above the other.
"You are crazy." She teased, giggling.
A stout figure strolled into the crowded classroom, her stubby feet moving swiftly beneath her somewhat bulky figure, hidden beneath a loose, worn-out black robe. She tucked back a few of her chestnut-colored stray hairs and rapped her knuckles expertly on the wooden table, demanding attention from the people in the room.
"Many of you have been questioning this rumor that's been going around school. And I'm telling you it is true." Professor Harris announced proudly to the classroom, filled with a large array of students ranging from the youngest 1st year to the oldest 7th year.
"What? You mean Severus Snape really is half-ogre, one-thousandth house elf, and one-eight goblin?" Sirius barked from the back of the classroom.
His comment was followed by howls of laughter from the majority of the classroom, including the rest of the Marauders.
"Actually, I was referring to the rumor that Hogwarts will be putting on its very first play, Romeo and Juliet. Now, if you would kindly let me continue . . ."
Sirius grinned cheekily at his friends, who were in the midst of suppressing hysterical laughter. Lily took a moment to roll her eyes before refocusing her attention on the Professor's words.
Black has always been addicted to attention. What a prat, she thought silently.
"Those currently occupying this room have arrived here out of their own free will or are my Muggles Studies students. The play is quite popular, so I won't take the time to explain it to you. Are there any questions?"
"How will you be choosing the roles?" a timid 1st year piped up, her cheeks turning slightly red as eyes all around the room centered on her.
"Good question, Miss Jacobs. We will be holding auditions a month from now. That should give everyone a chance to choose which part they wish to play. I would like to remind everyone that this should be taken seriously. Those who are chosen for a part will be bound to it. No excuses."
The Marauders snorted, apparently having their own separate conversation in the back of the room. Professor Harris glanced upward at the ceiling and muttered something that sounded vaguely like the words 'why me?' before continuing.
"I urge you to pursue a part in this production, rather than simply helping conjure the sets. For those of you who are actually interested in performing and creating life-long memories with your other cast members, I assure you, this experience will be extremely rewarding. For the rest of you," Once again, her eyes narrowed as her vision passed over the four boys in the back corner of the room. "Think of this as an incentive. Actors and actresses will be allowed to miss a few classes that conflict final dress rehearsals. They will also be excused from projects, essays, or other assignments during that time, if they are part of the cast."
As these words left Professor Harris' lips, every student in the room was instantly silent, looking around to make sure they had heard her correctly.
The opportunity to be excused from classes and assignments was a rarity that came along once in a blue moon. Even if it was only a week or so of exemption, the chance was clearly too alluring for the students to pass up.
"Please tell me I wasn't dreaming, Professor. Did you just say that actors will be excused fromassignments and lessons given during the time of final rehearsals?" Sirius inquired, joining the rest of the Marauders as they crossed their fingers beneath the table. "Which is approximately a week?"
"Yes, you heard me correctly, Mr. Black. I have asked all the Professors and they have grudgingly agreed. Though Professor Argos proved to be quite a problem." She muttered thoughtfully.
James turned around in his seat, his arm laid casually upon the desk behind him where Sirius was seated.
"Typical. Argos is such a nutcase." James whispered, referring to their Defense against the Dark Arts professor. "How Dumbledore got him to agree to this is a miracle."
James redirected his attention to the front of the classroom, when a sudden movement of flaming red hair caught his eye.
She turned around in her seat and was quietly conversing with her friends, who were seated behind her. He watched her grin at her friend's comment, eyes twinkling joyfully.
So the Head Girl wasn't paying attention. James made a mental note to mention this to Evans in their next dispute.
Remus' eyes followed James' gaze to Lily and he smiled, noticing what even James had apparently not.
Lily leaned her head on the palm of her hand, her elbow propped up on the desk. To Lily, Professor Harris' tedious speech about the play was nothing new, seeing as how the Headmaster had already given her most of the details.
"Psst! Lily!" a voice whispered from behind her.
Lily straightened up and scanned the room for the owner of the voice. Careful not to disturb the Professor's explanation, she turned around to see Kira and Charlotte sitting behind her.
"So, Lily, are you going to audition for a part in the play?" Charlotte asked excitedly, her voice still the sound of a whisper.
Lily shrugged, rolling her eyes as the Marauders continued to disrupt Professor Harris' speech.
"C'mon, Lily. You know what character you'd be great as?" Kira asked, eyes wide as a brilliant idea popped into her mind. "JULIET!"
"HA! You must be joking! Me, Juliet? You've really lost it this time."
"Really, Lily! You'd be a great Juliet. Just imagine if Scott Davies was Romeo . . ." Charlotte murmured.
The girls all sighed simultaneously, staring off into space, picturing the charming, not to mention downright handsome, Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain reciting Shakespeare to them on bended knee.
They grinned at each other, holding back their giggles.
"Hmm . . . maybe auditioning for the part of Juliet wouldn't be so bad. I mean, there's no guarantee that I'd get it, but if I did . . ." she carried on, reentering her dreamland. "Wow."
Romeo's got to be out there somewhere, Lily imagined, her typically girly thoughts tearing her away from reality.
Students spilled out of the classroom, exuberantly chatting about the upcoming play to their friends.
"So, Prongs, plan on auditioning?" Remus asked as they made their way to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Haven't thought about it yet. Since we have to participate, I might as well get a part in the play and get to skip a few classes at the same time . . ." he shrugged, unaware of a trio of girls that were approaching.
"Humph. That's Potter for you. As shallow and predictable as we all thought he was. You really live up to expectations, Potter." Lily smirked scornfully, looking at James with a face of pure disgust.
"You're not welcome here, Evans. So why don't you take your friends and go figure out a way to bother someone else." He retorted, matching the look of detestation on Lily's face.
"Sod off, Potter. We're not here to talk to you; we're here to talk to Remus." Kira snapped, instantly turning to Remus and ignoring the rolling of James' eyes.
"We need you to settle a dispute. Since you're the only sensible one around here," she looked over the other Marauders quickly. "We need you to decide."
She stood on her tiptoes and placed one hand on his shoulder to balance herself.
"Charlotte and I both think Lily should audition for the part of Juliet, but she doesn't think she would be a good Juliet. This is preposterous. Do you agree with us; that she should try out?" Kira released her hold on Remus and looked at him expectantly.
"Of course I agree." He exclaimed, amazed that they would even think he would disagree. Then, he turned to Lily and looked her in the eye. "It would be a shame if you didn't, Lily."
Lily nodded understandingly and sent Remus a look of gratitude for calming her indecisive nerves. His words did little to ease the uncertainty in the pit of her stomach, but at least he had made some sort of attempt.
James was green with envy, glaring jealously at Remus and Lily. Though he wouldn't be caught dead admitting it, it irked him that the three girls considered Remus such a good friend, while considering the rest of them trouble-making gits.
The girls walked off, whispering quietly among themselves.
"Moony, old pal. Feel like filling us in?" Sirius grinned hopefully, curious as to why the girls had addressed only one of the Marauders.
"Erm . . . not particularly. You'll find out soon enough." Remus answered, walking away.
"Moonyyy! Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud! Just tell us why Evans and her friends like you so much. I mean, what's wrong with us?" Peter whimpered, hanging his head.
"There's nothing wrong with us, Wormtail. Evans and her friends are the only girls who don't like us, the majority of us, anyway. Why would you even wantthem to like you? Don't waste your energy worrying about Evans. She's really not worth it." James spat out bitterly, his hazel eyes eyeing Remus skeptically.
"Looks like someone is a little jealous . . . wouldn't you agree, Moony?" Sirius laughed testily.
"I must concur, Padfoot. Seems like Prongs over here is a bit ruffled that Lily doesn't like him." Remus replied tauntingly.
"Shut it, both of you, before I make you. Evans and I have a mutual hate-hate relationship. And I don't intend to change that. You're both loony if you think I would ever want Evans to like me." James growled, storming off moodily.
"Temper, temper. Prongs has quite a temper." Sirius noted, watching James shove a 3rd year Slytherin out of his way.
"I do believe it is only when one, Miss Lily Evans, gets under his skin." Remus added. "This pretty much means that Prongs is in a horrid mood everyday."