Later on that night, the Great Hall was, once again, filing up with eager students. It was a site to behold. Full of vampires, zombies, trolls, and even some students had dressed up in the muggles' idea of what a witch looked like. The air was filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing fellow classmates perform on stage. The voices of all the students combined seemed to form one wave of sound that crashed repeatedly towards the behind the curtain of the stage to reach the ears of the many nervous students brave enough to sing. Costumes more glamorous due to the competition, the shrieking of excited girls groups could be heard, along with the nervous mutterings of the shyer participants.
One groups seemed to stand out though. All members were wearing medevil attire, complete with tights and feathered caps. This group was especially nervous. Or, should I say one member of the group, the one with the most extravagant costume….almost princely, was.
"Is she here?" whispered James to Sirius as Sirius peeked out behind the curtain to look at the forming crowd.
"Yep," he replied. "She's standing next to her cute friends…..what's her name? Cindy, Clara…er…."
"Claire?" Remus supplied.
"That's it!" exclaimed Sirius. "Claire! I love blondes."
"Sirius, can you stop thinking about your love life for one moment and concentrate on the task at hand?" James said wearily.
"Whatever" Sirius said, still looking at the crowd, ignoring the glare directed to him by Professor McGonagal. "I still don't know how you talked us into this. I mean, look at me! I'm wearing tights for heavens sake! This is not cool! And why to you get to be the prince?"
"Because I'm Romeo, duh!" James explained, sounding as if it wasn't the first time he had to. "
Oh, come on! It's just one song! It's gonna work, I just know it." he continued.
"Whatever you say man, whatever you say." Sirius replied, rolling his eyes.
Meanwhile, Lily was standing patiently next to Claire in a medevil gown as the competition was getting started. So far they'd heard an OK version of 'Spell on my Heart' and a hideously murdered version of the witches 'I'm a Baby Girl'.
"Bloody Hell!" Claire exclaimed. "How much more of this are we going to have to live through before some decent acts come on?"
"I don't know," replied Lily, wincing as girl group singing the current version of 'My heart will go on' attempted to hit a high note and failed miserably. "I hope soon because this dress is kinda itchy."
"Tell me again why I came as Juliet?" Lily said, scratching slightly at her sleeve.
"Because," Claire said patiently. "You're always raving about Romeo and Juliet to me in the common room. Might as well get the chance to play the part."
"I guess so….but remind me next time to put a softening charm on the fabric." replied Lily.
The group has just finished and were bowing on the stage as the audience clapped, eager to get them off. Professor McGonagal approached the stage, whispering the 'Sonorus' spell while pointing her wand at her throat.
"Well," she started. "That was certainly….interesting."
"Now, for the next act, I give you James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew!"
The crowd cheered as the famous Marauders came onto the stage. Lily scowled in disgust when noticing the louder part was from the girls.
"Hey everyone," James started as the crowd quieted down. "Some of you may know this song, and I certainly hope you enjoy it. I'd like to dedicate it to a certain someone. You should know who you are."
"Here we go," whispered Claire to Lily as they music started.
Hey Juliet
Hey Juliet
Hey I've bee watching you
Every little thing you do
Everytime I see you pass
In my homeroom class
Makes my heart beat fast
I've tried to owl you twice
But I see you roll your eyes
Wish I could make it real
But you're lips are sealed
That ain't no big deal
'Cause I know you really want me
Yeah
I hear your friends talking 'bout me
Yeah
So why you trying to do without me?
When you got me?
When you want me?
Hey Juliet
I think…You're fine
You really blow my mind
Maybe, Some day
You and me can run away
I just want you to know
I wanna be your Romeo
Hey Julieeeeet
Hey Juliet
Hey Juliet'
By this time, the whole Great Hall was on their feet, cheering and dancing along with the song. The group smiled at each other before starting again.
'Girl you got me on my knees
Beggin please, baby please
You got my best DJ's on the radio sayin'
Hey Juliet, what you doing this week
Too far to turn around
So I'm gonna stand my ground
Give me just a little bit of hope
With a smile or a glance
Gimme one more chance
''Cause I know you really want me
Yeah
I hear your friends talking 'bout me
Yeah
So why you trying to do without me?
When you got
me?
When you want me?
Hey Juliet
I think…You're fine
You really blow my mind
Maybe, Some day
You and me can run away
I just want you to know
I wanna be your Romeo
Hey Julieeeeet (Hey, Hey Juliet)
Hey Juliet
Hey Juliet
I know you really want me
I hear your friends talkin about me
So why you trying to do without me
When you got me?
When you want me?
It don't take forever
For us to hang together
So believe me when I say
Hey Juliet!!!!!
Hey Juliet
Heeyyy Juliet
I think…You're fine
You really blow my mind
Maybe, Some day
You and me can run away
I just want you to know
I wanna be your Romeo
Hey Juliet
(Hey, Hey Juliet)
I think…You're fine
You really blow my mind
Maybe, Some day
You and me can run away
I just want you to know
I wanna be your Romeo
Hey Juliet
Hey, Hey Juliet
Hey Juliet
I think…You're fine
You really blow my mind
(Blow my mind)
Maybe (maybe)
Some day (some day)
You and me can run away (runaway)
I just want you to know
(Just want you to know)
I wanna be your Romeo
Hey, Hey Juliet
Hey Juliet
Hey, Hey Juliet
Hey Juliet
Hey, Hey Juliet
Hey Juliet
They finished, holding out the last note.
Everyone burst out into cheers, clapping as hard as they could, some whistly, other just screaming the groups name.
And as the group was enveloped in cheers, James Potter could only notice one thing. Not the fact that they'd done so well, nor the fact that Sirius and Claire were exchanging admiring glances for each other.
No, the only thing he noticed was that when he smiled at Lily Evans.
For the first time ever…..
…she smiled back.
Gazing at James, Lily could only think one thing.
'Maybe this year will be different after all.'