Take Me to Your Heart

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters, settings, and such. I only own my own plot and song muse owns chapter 1. J.K. Rowling is the greatest writer on the planet! At least, I think so.

Chapter 2: A Bad Reputation
Written by Melancholic Orchid

After the meeting with the Headmaster, James turned around to find Lily and tell her what the Headmaster had said. To his luck, Lily was just a few metres away from him. He scurried toward her. Having longer legs was an advantage to James because he caught her just in time before she opened the door to a compartment.

"Hey, Evans," he said, "You missed the meeting with the Headmaster."

"Yeah? So what?" Lily said coldly.

"Well, the Headmaster wanted me to tell you some important information that you missed at the meeting."

"I know what he said already! He said all this 'special opportunity' stuff and to patrol the school on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I know."

"That's pretty much it." Awkward silence fell between them. "Well, if you didn't catch everything while you were eavesdropping, you can come to me and I'll tell you," James said, breaking the silence. Lily scowled at James and disappeared into Alice's compartment.

James sighed and he too, walked back to his compartment. He loved her so much. It would mean the whole world to me, if she told me that she liked me, James said to himself, even though he knew that it would be highly unlikely for Lily to like him. He exerted one more, heavy sigh before walking into the Marauders' compartment.

"Too bad James is Head Boy," Alice said, after Lily told Alice her story.

"Yeah." Lily heaved a miserable sigh, ""But he was kind of different this time...like...when he was alone."

"Well, he DOES like you, Lily. You know that. Does he still call you Evans?"

"He still does...but he uses my first name when he talks to other people, like when he was talking to the headmaster. Isn't that weird?" The two best friends giggled.

After a long discussion about Lily being Head Girl, the train was getting closer to Hogwarts. Everyone began to pack up their belongings and changing into their school robes. Why does that stupid git still like me? Lily pondered to herself while she packed up. I'm sure he realizes that I don't even like him and yet, he still trails behind me, hoping that I'll like him back. Yeah right!

"Are we there already?" Alice asked once the train stopped. Lily peered through the window. "I guess so." Lily smiled. So they took some of their belongings and filed out of the train, along with everybody else.

James yawned during the Headmaster's speech. It was practically the same thing over and over again. Luckily, it wasn't very long this time. He wasn't that anxious either about the Sorting session. So, to take away the boredom, he stared at Lily. Her beautiful complexion, her feisty red hair, her gleaming eyes and her red lips that he longed to touch with his own. He loved everything about her. He even loved her short-tempered attitude.

"James!" someone said, "Snap out of it, you lover boy!" James turned around. It was only Remus. "Shut up," James laughed.

And right before their eyes, food appeared right on the tables. "Let us feast," the Headmaster said and everyone ate a delicious meal.

"So what makes you so sure that you'll get Lily this year?" Sirius asked, with a mouth full of meat.

"Because my dear friend," James replied, "I'll make it happen. I am not going to wait for a miracle this year."

"But James," Remus said, "I don't think that is exactly fair for Lily. You know, Lily doesn't like you, ever considered that concept?"

"Well, yeah but, whatever, Remus. You know me. I never give up when I want something."

"Hmph. I still don't think it's fair for Lily," Remus muttered.

"Why?" Sirius said, "Do YOU like her too?"

"No. I only like her as a good friend. I just don't like the idea of Lily being forced to like James."

"Well, keep your opinions to yourself Remus, because James is still gonna do it." Remus sighed sadly.

After dessert, everyone was full, and the tables were cleared. The Headmaster stood up and said, "Good night to you all and have a wonderful rest. We'll see you all in the morning."

Patrolling duty was almost over for Lily, but where was James? That arrogant, no-good prat wasn't even perambulating the area with her. He doesn't even deserve being Head Boy. What has gotten into the Headmaster to think that James is worthy of being Head Boy? Lily scowled in a puzzled way. Suddenly, her Terrific Timer beeped, indicating that her duty tonight was finished. "Thank goodness it's over for the night," Lily whispered, relieved. Quickly, she walked toward the portrait. "Silly Fig," Lily whispered. The portrait of the Fat Lady nodded and allowed her in.

"Hi Lily!" someone squeaked.

"Oh! Hello Alice. Hi Frank. I didn't see you guys there." Alice toddled toward Lily and gave her a warming hug. "So, how was patrolling the halls?" Alice asked, pulling Lily away from her. Lily shrugged. "I was OK."

"Where's James?" Alice asked, scanning the room for any sign of the Head Boy.

"Apparently, he didn't –" Three exhausted boys barged in the common room. "– show up."

"Where were you?" Lily said, raising her voice, "Why weren't you patrolling the halls?"

"What are you talking about?" James asked.

"It's Tuesday! On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, we are supposed to patrol the halls, and it's Tuesday! For the love of peace!" Lily retorted angrily, "And YOU didn't show up!"

"Cool it, Evans," James said. But by now, Lily's face was as red as her flaming hair.

"Don't tell me to 'cool it', James Potter! If you do this next time I swear, you'll be in big trouble. If I'm lucky, you might lose the job of being Head Boy." Lily stomped hard on the ground and trudged in the direction of the girls' dormitory. Everyone stood stock still, staring at Lily.

"Wow," Sirius muttered, "I've never seen her that angry before. Did you see that? Her face was so red; it practically matched the colour of her hair!"

"Shut up, you!" Remus said disapprovingly.

"I wonder what's gotten into her," James said dumbfounded.

"You wonder what has gotten into her!" Alice exclaimed, "You can't be serious, James! It's because of you that Lily is upset! I can't believe a smart person like you, ask the most stupid questions."

"Oh. You think I'm smart? Why thank you," James said, trying to add humour into the conversation.

"That isn't the point! Lily was pretty upset that she had to guard the halls herself. She's right. You don't deserve being Head Boy, James." Alice took Frank by the hand and whispered something in his ear. Frank nodded and they walked to their dorms. "Good one James, good one," Sirius sniggered, when Alice and Frank were out of sight.

"Ah, shut up, Padfoot," James muttered, and they too, lumbered to their dormitory.

James couldn't sleep that night. Flashbacks of their discussion in the common room that night kept playing in his head. Sirius was right. He had never seen her so angry at him. "Well, if you're going to get her," he whispered to himself, "You're going to have to try harder. Surely, if I attempt to do better as Head Boy, maybe she'll think of me differently. It's worth a shot."

"Tell me you're not thinking of Lily again," Sirius yawned.

"OK. Then I won't tell you anything," James replied.

"What's up? Is this about the 'Lily going beyond mad' thing?"

"Well, yes."

"Look. Just forget about it OK? She just probably ate something rotten during the meal."

"Sure."

"Just go to sleep, James." Sirius tucked himself back into his covers and went to sleep. James sighed. He just doesn't understand how I feel – so much for a great friend. James stared blankly into the darkness of the night, attempting to create another plan to get Lily. After being so frustrated, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Lily.

COMMENT: Thank you song muse for helping me with my story. Thanks for starting off my story, helping me think of a title and suggesting a good plot for the story.

I hope you like MY first chapter in 'Take Me to Your Heart'. Please review. Suggestions and stuff are welcome.