Take Me to Your Heart

DISCLAIMER: The characters, settings, and such are not my trademark. These belong to J.K. Rowling, the most talented author ever!

Okay. I probably had the most problems with this chapter. What song muse calls this is 'brain stuck'. It's been awhile since I had this brain stuck. Ouch.

Chapter 4: Changes
Written by melancholic orchid

The leaves crunched loudly as James trudged in the school grounds on that crisp autumn day. He had just come out of a meeting about the Halloween Fest for October. Of course, he never really cared for these activities. Maybe he never had a chance to see what it was like. Maybe dancing and partying wasn't really his thing. He never really took any interest in these things… until now.

Gazing at nothing, he pictured what it would be like if he asked Lily to the Halloween Fest. He could see himself stammering and having a lost for words as he talked to her, alone. The only answer he could get from her was a flat 'No'. But a guy could dream, could he not? So why was he not able to see her saying 'Yes'? He knew that hoping for a 'Yes', pretending that she said 'Yes' and in reality, a 'No', would pierce right through his lonely heart.

After a long period of thought, James cleared his mind and jogged up to where his friends were.

"What took you so long?" Sirius said.

"I was just thinking up stuff that could be incorporated in the Halloween Fest. You know I just came out of the conference," James lied.

"Sure… You were thinking about the oh-so-wonderful Evans weren't you?"

"Yeah?"

"Come off it, James. Accept the truth. She does NOT like you. Even if she's slightly friendlier to you."

This fool doesn't understand! "Look," James said, "Can we just drop this?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, oh-so-great leader." Sirius made a mock bow to James, which made him slightly irritated at his dear Padfoot.

"Like I've told you before, there's no leader. We've all contributed to the Marauders equally."

"Oh and I'm sure this is another one of Lily's suggestions."

"Well… not exactly. I was just… influenced by her." Smirking to himself, he added, "And perhaps to impress her."

Sirius didn't think James' light humour was so funny. "James, I know you said that Lily will be yours, but can you do that on your own time? Ever since you two had been having your midnight strolls, you've been listening to all of her what you call suggestions on how we should run the Marauders. She isn't a Marauder, is she?"

Wait a minute… Is this guy jealous?

"Yeah!" Peter squeaked.

"Oh, will you shut up?" Sirius said, raising his voice, "Why do you always butt into other people's business? Huh? Who let him in here in the first place?"

"Er… you did… Sirius," Remus reminded him.

Angry with sheer regret, he cursed under his breath for recruiting Peter into the Marauders, making Peter squeal in fear. Remus tried to stifle his laugh while watching the short scene but he was a bit late. Sirius glared at him, after seeing him chuckling. Once Remus' fit of laughs subsided, Sirius turned to James.

"Care to answer my question?"

"Oh! Er… what was the question? That silly scene was too much for my brain."

Sirius grunted. "Ever since you two have been patrolling, I hear all these suggestions about how we should run the Marauders. Our Marauders. Before, you'd always strut your giant arse everywhere you go, acting as if you're the high king. And now, you trail off behind us and say there's no leader, when you were the one who announced yourself as the official leader."

Ouch. James had never seen Sirius say things like that about him seriously. It had always been just a joke. This time, instead of laughs and smirks, he felt a new sensation of emotional pain… and from his best friend. It hurt because he too, knew that, that was true.

Lily was the only other person besides the Marauders themselves who knew about the Marauders. She probably picked it up one day when James was blabbing. Damn her excellent hearing ability and outspoken mind! But Padfoot was right. She wasn't a Marauder.

"… So let me tell you this." Sirius concluded, "It's great that you're determined to get the girl of your dreams. Really. But this is YOUR issue and not any of ours. I think it would be a better idea if you just plot out your own plan to announce your undying love for her instead of changing the Marauders… just for her."

James wasn't really capable of thinking at the time, since half of his brain is thinking about Lily. He felt stupid, for not slashing back at Padfoot for being so wise. Is this how your mind works when you're in love? Confused? Damn that! I can't even beat the oh-so-wise-fool.

"Hmmm… I guess you're right, dear wise old man," James joked, "So, you think I should undo the rule and be leader once again… strutting my giant arse everywhere I go?"

Sirius' serious face was replaced with a broad smile. "Well, maybe we'll keep the 'no leaders' rule."

For the past few weeks, Lily had noticed tiny changes in James. Of course he still remained that prank playing git, but he wasn't such an arrogant prat anymore and slowly progressed from a mischievous insolent fool to a humorous and sort of mature human being. Along with that, she had noticed a change in herself as well. Instead of exploding in annoyance whenever he opens his mouth, she'd smile at him once in awhile… not flirtatiously but as a friendly gesture.

Did she have feelings for him? No. She couldn't have. But her heart tried to fight the logic and tell her that, that was true. She just didn't understand this feeling yet. The battle between the logical and the heart raged on within her, making her as confused as she could ever be.

"Oh, crap," she muttered after realizing that she had someone to tutor in five minutes. She slung her bag over her shoulders and briskly jogged to her destination. Nice going, Lily. You HAD to be daydreaming before tutoring, huh? Geez…

"Why hello, Lily. You're a bit late today," someone said.

"Sorry, Severus. Lost track of time," she replied.

"Well come in then. I don't want to waste anymore time."

"Yes. Of course." Lily sat on the chair that Severus had brought out.

"Since you're late, we'll have to stay here a bit longer than usual to make up for the minutes I've lost."

"Sure. It's only fair." After rummaging through her bag to find her books and pens, Lily assisted Severus with Transfiguration and helped him study for the Transfiguration exam.

After an hour and fifteen minutes of tutoring, Lily ended the session with a smile and assurance.

"It's funny how I can ace every subject, except for Transfiguration," Severus said, packing his bag.

"You'll ace Transfiguration soon enough, Severus. And don't worry. You'll do fine on the exam," she reassured him, "Oh… and I'm sorry that I was late today. It won't happen again."

"Well… at least you came."

"Bye, Severus. And good luck!" Lily smiled as she waved.

A/N: Ha! Now I know what A/N means. Sorry about my 'slow' learning. I don't think well during summer. Haha… Ack! This chapter would probably be the hardest chapter I've ever worked on… so far. Plus I don't even like this chapter. Geez…

I want to thank my loyal editors Lauren and Crodo. Thanks to Inspiration Day that had inspired me… of course. (What would be the point of Inspiration Day if it doesn't even inspire you?) Thank you to all who reviewed my story and personally to one reviewer, crazylily, for suggesting that I write 'OK' as 'okay'. I'd like to make my viewers satisfied, so 'OK' will be 'okay' from now on. Okay? Okay.

If you have any suggestions that would make my story better, please let me know. I'd really appreciate it. And if you don't, please review anyways. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

I know you people think I've made Severus Snape a bit out of character. I admit I did make him OOC. Perhaps I'll explain why in the next chapter. This author's note is long.