Disclaimer: HP is not mine and will not ever be mine. I also do not own the poem 'Moonlight.' The brilliant Delilah Evans did that poem which will be featured in the next chapter. Thanks a billion!
Chapter 5—Final Preparations
"This is it mates," James said confidently. "Tonight is the night that Lily will become my fiancée."
"Don't be too cocky," Remus warned. "She might say no."
"Moony," Sirius said casually, "You have a bit of lipstick on your face."
Remus turned bright red as he quickly rubbed the remains of red lipstick off his cheek.
"So, what's the game plan for tonight?" Remus asked as he blotted away the rest of the incriminating evidence.
"I'm taking her out to dinner," James said, leaning on his chair, "Then, I'll charm her with my clever romantic words—"
Sirius sniggered, "Which ones? Besides, 'let's go snog'?"
"What about yours?" James shot back, "Your 'I'm hot, you're hot. Let's snog'."
"Shut up you two." Remus said tiredly. "Now, James, continue."
"Anyway, after that, I'll pay for the entire meal—as a gentleman should—" James shot a pointed look at Sirius, "And then I'll take her for ice cream."
"How romantic." Sirius said sarcastically.
"Shut up Padfoot, or you won't be my best man."
Sirius shut up.
"Then afterwards," James continued, still balancing on the chair, "I'll take her to a park. There, under the moonlight, I will recite to her my poem. Lily will be so touched by it she will start crying. Then, I'll whip out the ring and propose and Lily will say yes."
"What poem?" Remus asked.
James pointed to the piece of parchment on the table. "This one."
"Who is it by?" Remus inquired. "Did you think of it yourself?"
"Err," James looked embarrassed. "No, I didn't."
"Prongs," Remus moaned as he reread the poem, "This is by Elizabeth Barrett Browning!"
"I know."
"You copied it out of the book?"
"Oh come on mate," Sirius said, "Lily is smart but she's not that smart. She won't know that it's by some lady who wrote funny words."
"This is coming from someone whose last date thought that the play 'West Side Story' was about a story book from the United States." Remus said sarcastically.
"Okay," Sirius protested, "So Allison was a bit stupid—"
"A bit?"
"Ergh, guys, just stop."
The two stopped bickering as Remus said, "Why don't you think of another poem to write?"
"Why?" James whined.
"Because," Remus said patiently, "Lily is smart. She'll know that you copied that poem word for word out of a book."
"And how would Lily know?" James asked impatiently.
"Because," Remus said, "Sonnets from the Portuguese was Lily's favorite book in fifth year. I think she would know the poems in there."
"Damn." James said angrily.
"Oh, and by the way," Sirius said suddenly, "What restaurant are you taking Lily too?"
James thought for a moment. "Double damn." He said, "I forgot to book reservations!"
As he Apparated Sirius said sarcastically, "Oh yeah. He's collected."
"I think its time to call upon Theresa again." Remus said.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"She knows more about poetry than you and I know." Remus said. "I think she will help us."
"Then I'm leaving the room." Sirius said as he quickly left the sitting area.
Remus fought the urge to roll his eyes as he quickly owled his good friend. He would Floo but there was the chance that she would be showering—again.
--
The actual moment when Remus owled Theresa, she was busy cleaning up the family room—the Muggle way.
After Lily showered, she had come into the family room and shrieked that the room was a pigsty and that Theresa would clean it the Muggle way. With Windex, paper towels, a broom, vacuum and lots ofelbow grease.
"Stupid stain," Theresa muttered as she rubbed as hard as she could at a stubborn stain that would not come out, "Bloody thing."
There was a rap at the window at the precise moment.
"Lilleee," Theresa called, "Can you get that?"
There was no answer as Theresa remembered that her friend went out to get more groceries.
Scowling, Theresa threw the paper towel down and got up.
"Bloody interruptions." She muttered as she went to the window.
It was an owl.
Muttering, she opened the window and the owl flew in, sticking its leg out.
Theresa eyed the letter attached and untied it.
The bird flew away.
She unrolled the letter and read it for a few moments until she rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"They're hopeless." She muttered.
She Apparated.
--
"She should be here in five—four—three—two—one," Remus looked at his watch.
Pop!
"Zero." Remus smiled. "Excellent timing Theresa!"
"Who you calling Theresa?" Came the deep voice of James Potter.
"Oh," Remus said, his smile fading, "It's you."
"Gee, I'm glad to see I'm welcome." James said sarcastically as he collapsed onto the overstuffed couch.
"How'd it go?"
"Got the reservations," James said darkly, "It wasn't easy either. He wouldn't give me reservations until I pulled the famous 'Do you know who my parents are?' trick."
James' parents Margaret and Steven Potter were very well known in the magical community. Steven Potter had been the Minister of Magic until he retired and Margaret was still an accomplished Auror. She was nearing her retirement, however.
Remus chuckled.
"Why is Theresa coming over?" James asked, switching the subject.
"She's going to help you with your poem." Remus said. "When you came I thought it was her."
"I don't need any help." James said firmly.
"Yes you do." Remus said.
"No I don't. I can think of an excellent poem."
"The only 'excellent' poem was that crappy one that you wrote the first time I came over."
"Theresa!" Remus and James gasped, startled.
"That's my name, don't wear it out." Theresa Hudgens smiled. "I heard that you guys need my help."
"Yes."
"No."
"James!" Remus hissed.
"I'm sorry but I think I can write my own poem. Nothing is standing in my way."
"Except your bloody pride." Remus muttered.
Theresa chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll help you even if you don't want it."
"You come in when you we don't want you too." James murmured.
"I heard that."
"Shut up you two." Remus snapped, getting angry.
"That time of the month again Moony?" James whispered in hushed tones so Theresa could not hear.
"No, I'm just sick of you two always arguing."
"Fine."
"Let's see what you have so far." Theresa said.
James showed her a piece of parchment that had absolutely nothing on it.
Theresa rolled her eyes. "Okay, so there's nothing on it—never fear—we'll fix this problem up."
She shoved James out of the way and sat down in the seat.
"Hmmm." She thought, drumming her fingers against the desk. "Let's think of a good title first."
"How about 'My Darling Lily'?" James suggested.
"That sounds corny and retarded." Theresa snapped. "It needs to be short and simple."
"Sorry." James backed off.
A few more moments were spent in silence until Theresa snapped her fingers.
"I got it."
"Yes?" James looked up at her expectantly.
"Where are you taking Lily tonight?"
"That's the name of the poem?" James looked confused. "But you just said that the title needs to be short and—"
"No, you idiot!" Theresa whacked him on the head with the nearest book. "It was a question!"
"Ooh!"
Theresa and Remus exchanged heavy sighs.
"We're going out to dinner."
"That won't work," she muttered as she circled her hand in the air, gesturing James to continue.
"Then we're going to the park."
"That won't work either."
"Then I'm going to propose to her under the moonlight—"
"That's it!" Theresa yelped as Remus and James jumped two feet in the air.
"It is?" The two Marauders asked.
Theresa rushed forward and kissed James on the head. "You're a genius!"
"I am?" James asked in confusion.
"He is?" Remus asked dumbfounded.
A smile crept onto James' face as he smirked arrogantly. "I am."
--
"Therese?"
Lily's voice echoed throughout the flat as she set her purse and the bags down. "Theresa?"
No answer.
Anxious and confused, Lily went into the family room where she saw (to her disgust) the cleaning tools still out.
"That girl," Lily shook her head as she eyed a note.
Snatching it up, she read it and sighed heavily.
"Now what did she get herself in?"
--
Not even ten minutes later, James was starting to get a hold of this poetry.
With some help from Theresa, he had created a beautiful poem for Lily.
He was very proud of it too.
"See Remus," James said smugly, holding the poem in his hands as if it were pure gold, "I told you I could create a poem without any help."
Theresa cleared her throat and glared at James.
"Okay, okay, I created it with some help."
Theresa smirked.
"What are you doing here?" Another voice added to the trio.
James' heart sunk. He knew that voice.
Turning around, he saw that it was none other thanLily Evans.
"Lily!" Theresa and James squeaked.
"What are you doing here Theresa? And why is James holding some parchment like it is his lifeline?"
--
Dun, dun, dun! CLIFFIE. Don't you just hate me? Hehe.
Yes, I know, I said I wasn't supposed to update until early August but I couldn't resist myself. I needed to write this before I left for camp which is in 4 days! But this may be the last chapter until August. –shrugs- guess you'll have to wait until then to see what will happen. XD. Also, the next chapter will be a LOT longer. i've already written half of it out.
Until next time!
--Greekchic