Take Me to Your Heart
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these characters, settings, and such. I also don't own this chapter. All credit on this chapter goes to song muse. J.K. Rowling is the greatest writer ever! (Long live Dumbledore!)
Chapter 1: A Year to Remember
Written by Song Muse
He had tried everything – seriously. At first, he had thought it would be easy. How hard could it have been? After all, he was reasonably good-looking, popular, smart, Prefect, and the best Quidditch player at Hogwarts.
And it still wasn't enough. He had always passed his rejections as her playing hard to get…But honestly, how long could one play the game? Surely not for the whole time James had liked her, which started in fourth year. He had the fleeting thought that maybe just maybe, she wasn't into him. It was possible. After all, Narcissa from Slytherin surely didn't like him.
The girl – no, woman he adored was Lily Evans. She was the red-haired beauty of the Gryffindors. She was the smartest and kindest witch in the year. And, she was the object of James' affection.
He didn't get it. What was she so repulsed by? She claimed year after year, time after time, that it was his attitude, and he had worked on that. He had!
It hurt him every time she said no, which was a lot of times, and his hope of ever knowing her inside out lessened every single time. But he never gave up. James never gave up on anything.
Lily… he wanted to be with her – to BE with her. Not like the other guys she dated who just wanted her so they could show off, or gain a quick snog. No. James was brought up to be different.
He just wanted to… hold her hand. Talk to her, without her getting angry or annoyed or without her yelling at him. He wanted to learn about her. And maybe, if things went well between them, maybe kiss her one day… but those days were running short.
This had to be the year. He knew he told himself this every year, but this time, he was determined. This was his last chance. This might be the last time he saw her… forever. James' seventh year was the difference between maybe a lifetime with Lily, or… a life living in his parents' basement, as a hermit.
Pushing the thoughts to the back of his head momentarily, James turned back to his parents for the last time before the Christmas break.
They were at the Hogwarts Express, waiting for James to board the train. He had his trolley beside him, ready to go. Many students were saying their last goodbyes to their families. James had not sited any of his friends, yet. Except for Sirius, but he had rushed off to claim their seats quickly.
His mom smiled lovingly. His father's arm was around her waist. "Mum, Dad, I'll miss you a lot." He hugged them both at the same time tightly. "See you at Christmas, okay?"
James' mother kissed him affectionately on the forehead. James blushed as she said, "Write to us often, pumpkin!"
Did she have to say that? Oh well… he watched his parents wave for the final time, before walking away and Apparating discretely into thin air.
He sighed. He loved his parents. They were the best in the world… most of the time. A snicker was heard behind him.
Swirling around, he almost collided into a greasy-haired, long-nosed, pale boy wearing dark, depressing clothes. James eyes hardened as he looked upon the boy he had grown to hate –Snape. "Watch out, Snivellus. Or we'll be starting our fun earlier this year," he growled, as he shoved the boy out of his path, making a point of avoiding him as he walked furiously into the train. Where the bloody hell was Padfoot?
God. Bloody. Bastard. Laughing about his parents. He actually had the nerve. James fumed silently. Now in a bad mood, he bluntly ignored the calls from blushing girls, his Quidditch teammates, and a tall, fair-haired boy.
When they saw the look on his face, they all became quiet. They all knew his tendency to curse others when they got in his angry path. All, except the fair-haired student, that is.
This student rushed ahead of him, "James."
Looking down, James hurried along. He didn't want to talk to any one. He just wanted to find Padfoot, and the other Marauders and plan another full moon.
"James."
"PRONGS! WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU!"
Prongs, hey? James looked up, and peered into the boy's face, his own face changing from a curious one to a wide smile. Remus! Moony! Wereman! Pulling his friend into a manly hug, he took the time to mutter, "Moony, were your moon days as promising as the ones we all spend together?"
Remus paled. "Not quite…"
James nodded, understanding, pushing his friend forwards. "Let's go find Sirius."
Remus was the first to go into the compartment. Sirius lay on the seat, taking up the whole right side of the compartment.
"Sirius. How was your summer?" Remus asked, as he plopped himself down on a seat. He pulled out a long book, entitled, 1006 Ways to Spend Your Moon-Filled Days.
Sirius smiled toothily. "Good. Mrs. Potter makes the best food in the world."
Remus smiled. "And how was dear Jamsie?"
The boy lying down sighed dramatically. "Well, if you exclude him wanting to play Quidditch every single second of his life, and his tendency to talk about Evans…and, oh yeah, his constant talk about Evans, it was all right. I guess."
James entered the compartment. "What about me?"
Remus grinned rather wolfishly, "Padfoot was saying how lovely you were this summer."
Mocking surprise, James gasped, turning quickly to Sirius. "Padfoot!" he exclaimed. "Long time, no see!"
Sirius remained laying, looking handsomely bored with himself. "I know, Prongs. It's been heartbreaking not having you by my side…"
Remus added, "For ten minutes."
James laughed. It was good being the Marauders. Yes, it was fun with just him and Sirius for the summer, but it was refreshing to have Lupin's intelligent humour added to the mix.
Speaking of the Marauders… "Hey guys, where is –"
The compartment door slid open, revealing a stout, twitching boy, who smiled almost rat-like at his friends.
"Never mind."
"Sorry, James, for being late. I was saying my goodbye to my mother."
Remus seemed vaguely surprised, looking up from his book. "Huh. That's interesting. I didn't see you there. And I was waiting for quite a while."
"Well," Peter added nervously. "Must've missed me…"
James looked strangely at Peter. He didn't have to apologize to him. He was just wondering where he was… Peter's just weird sometimes.
Saving Peter from wetting his pants from all the attention, Sirius got bored with the toping, turning to James and starting a conversation with James and Remus.
"So Prongs," he looked at James, "now that you're Head Boy, does that mean that we can't fool around. No pranks, no Snape?"
James looked back at Sirius, with a grin. "Well, I can't stop you if I can't see you."
"But what about you? I know you're going to try and impress Lily, and her probably being Head Girl, you won't have anytime to do any of it, James," Remus added, smartly.
"Look, I'll try okay?"
Sirius was unimpressed, "Don't say that Prongs. We all know how much you want Evans. Give up this act. You are going to stop doing pranks with us, just because she is Head Girl. Say it."
"No, I won't because it won't happen."
Sirius growled. "Say it."
"NO."
"SAY IT!"
James stared angrily at his best friend. Controlling his anger, he said to no one at all, "I need to meet up with the Headmaster for instructions. See you back at school."
"Nice one, Sirius. You know James would never do that to you. You guys are like brothers," Remus said quietly.
"Yeah, brothers!" Peter added excitedly.
Sirius looked at Peter. "Shut it, Wormtail."
"Sirius, look. Although he is in love with Lily, he will always need you by his side, just as you need him and as I need all three of you during my phases. You need to stick by his side, as a friend. And as the brother James thinks you are."
He sighed. "I know. It just feels like…"
Remus asked him quietly, "Like what?"
"Like he's going into this new world of… love and he's doing it… without me."
Sirius looked away, and sat up, staring at the window. Frowning, he said, "I'm just afraid that once he gets in… he'll never come back. I afraid that James will forget about me…because I know how great Evans is… I just… don't want to lose the first person who stopped to actually care about me, you know?"
Remus bit his lip, nodding. He knew the feeling. He was going through it too.
"LILY! OH MY! I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU!" screamed a girl with long brown hair and cute dimples.
Lily smiled. Alice seemed so happy! As she entered the train compartment to meet her best friend, her smile turned into a large grin.
Sitting next to Alice was Frank Longbottom, the boy Alice had been crushing over for the past year. Lily noted the way that Frank was gently holding her hand; as if to make sure that he wasn't going anywhere soon.
It was so adorable, and cute. They were perfect for each other. They were both smart, each wanting to become Aurors. So they were both taking advanced classes of all the major subjects… with Lily.
As Lily sat down, she asked, "How did this happen?"
Alice blushed, taking a loving look at Frank, before saying, "Well, we met up at Diagon Alley by coincidence, of course. I knew then what I needed to do. So, we went off to get butterbeers, and as we were drinking, I confessed."
"You did?"
"Yes. Strange of me, wasn't it? I know. But I had to say it. The feeling was eating me alive. And now… here we are!"
Lily turned to Frank. He was such a nice guy. "Hey Frank."
Frank smiled, blushing. He was always a quiet one. "Hi Lily."
Alice looked excitedly at Lily, who smiled, amused, back at her.
The boy next to Alice must have noticed. He looked at her and said, "Is it okay for me to go talk with some of my friends?" He grinned, "I have the slightest inclination that you guys want to talk… without me here."
Alice bit her lip, smiling, as she nodded. Frank squeezed her hand, reassuring her, as he got up.
"I'll see you guys later, okay?"
As soon as he left, Alice broke down. "Oh my God! Isn't he so sweet?"
"Yes he is… you guys are so cute together. Wow!"
Alice blushed.
After Alice had told the whole story in complete detail to Lily, it was then that she realized she was late to go see the Headmaster.
Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. She was so stupid. She was late… For the first assignment she had a Head Girl. Smart one, Lily. "Oh Alice. I am so sorry to leave you alone but… I need to go see the Headmaster for duties… I'll see you later, ok?"
"You're Head Girl? You didn't tell me!"
Lily smiled. "It must have slipped my mind. You and Frank were too much for me, I guess."
Alice giggled as Lily exited the compartment.
As she walked hurriedly towards the front of the train, Lily couldn't help think if there was a love like that waiting for her. She knew that Alice loved Frank, and it seemed that Frank loved Alice too…
Lily had gone out with a few guys, here and there. But none of the relationships were as meaningful as the one Alice and Frank seemed to have. They just… connected, like… they already knew what each other were thinking at some time.
No, Lily. Don't say that. That was exactly what stupid James Potter said to her at the end of last year. Evans, you don't see it, do you? That's okay. It is said that love is blind, right? Well, look, if you're blind then I'll just tell you. We connect, Evans. I felt an instant connection to you in fourth year. It was so powerful, you know? Urgg. What did he know about love, anyways? He spent all his time mooning over her, like she was some goddess, which she wasn't.
It would have been flattering, if he weren't so blunt about it. We connect, Evans. Usually people who connect and are on the same wavelength call each other by their first names. She had never heard him say her first name. Ever.
She finally got to the first compartment, and saw through the window that the Headmaster and the Pott- WHAT! POTTER WAS HEAD BOY! FOR THE LOVE OF PEACE! WHY ME! WHY! ME! This was going to be one tiring year. One year with Potter. God no. How the hell did he make Head Boy anyway? He was smart, yes, but he was the meanest boy in the world. He was the biggest prat in the world. He had the biggest ego in the world. He played stupid pranks with his weird friends. Well, Remus was okay, but she grew to understand him when they had Prefect duty together… grrr…
She listened in, not wanting to break their conversation…
"So, to wrap it all up, you need to patrol every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday – the whole castle."
James nodded. "Yes, Professor. Anything else?"
The Headmaster stood up. "Oh, and make sure Miss Evans hears of the information I told you okay?"
James sighed, tired. "Alright… I'll tell Lily…"
Lily. He said Lily. Okay, he says her name when he was talking to other people but to her he called her Evans. He was so messed up.
She scuttled back to Alice's compartment, as quick as she could. She didn't feel like talking to Potter. Not yet. She wanted to have just a bit of a life before he ruined it.
COMMENT: Thank you song muse! Thank you for the chapter, helping me invent a good title, and suggesting a good plot for the story.
Please review and I hope you'll enjoy chapter 2.