The Marauders seamlessly glided through the hallways. As if they simultaneously existed and did not exist, depending on their preference. Easily owning the hallways they traveled, or passing through as if they had only ever been a rumor. James leading the way. His step was lighter than it had been thus far this year. But then again, his plans this morning were much different than they had been for the first part of the year. They entered the Great Hall with purpose. Immediately locking onto their target. Lily sat at the table next to her friends. Though there was a polite distance between them. She was facing her friends but seemed to be in a world all her own.
The Great Hall quieted as James confidently walked over to Lily, taking the seat directly across from her. The Marauders fanned out in the seats around them. Lily looked up in surprise. The hall was silent.
"Good morning Lily," James said with a cheeky smile.
The Great Hall erupted into whispers and giggles. Was it true? Could it be? James and Lily back at it again? Every eye in the room, including those of the professors and headmaster, were glued on Lily and the four boys.
"Good morning James," she said with a quiet smile.
James examined her, she seemed a bit more rested than she had earlier that week. It made him smile. Secretly, he wondered if his being there could have helped at all. But he did not dare let himself dream considering that she hadn't been aware of his presence last night. All the same, his heart was full. Sitting across from her, speaking with her, starring at her all he wanted, James felt as if he was breathing for the first time in a year.
Lily's friends giggled and whispered amongst themselves, but Lily did not seem to notice. She simply looked at James, curiously studying his odd behavior. He had ignored her all year and suddenly wanted to say good morning? She wondered if something interesting had happened regarding Head duties, but she could not imagine anything that would have made him look this, well, this happy.
"Are the eggs any good this morning?" James asked while gesturing towards Lily's untouched plate.
She looked down and hastily threw a bite of food into her mouth while nodding. She hadn't realized she hadn't actually eaten anything since filling up her plate. Sirius reached in front of her face and began to pile bacon onto his plate.
"Good morning to everyone as well. Now let's EAT! I'm going to starve to death waiting for you two," he picked up a fistful of eggs from the platter.
"Sirius, use utensils. You're not a dog," Remus said reproachfully, but with a small smirk.
"Ahoooo!" Sirius howled.
"Ah come on, settle down now," James laughed as he filled his plate.
Lily's friends laughed hysterically while leaning in closer to the new conversation. They seemed hungrier to watch the situation unfold than they did for their breakfasts. Lily shot them a slight glare, but it did not deter them.
"What are you guys up to this morning?" Alice asked while scooting down to fill the gap between herself and Lily.
"We are starting a top-secret operation today," James said with a mischievous smile.
"James, you're head boy now!" Lily scolded, "You can't just go around pranking people like you used to. I thought you outgrew that."
James smiled; Lily had been quick to reprimand him. It showed some of her old spirit flaming back up inside her.
"Don't worry, it's not a scandalous operation," Remus assured, "I give you my word."
"Well," Lily paused, "I trust you Remus."
Remus smiled.
"What are you doing today?" James asked Lily.
"I'm not sure," she admitted.
"So, you don't have any plans?" he asked.
"I ma-"
"No!" Alice interrupted, "She has no plans. Free as a pixie."
Lily grumbled something about studying but the conversation seemed to carry on as if she hadn't said anything at all.
"Great, then you can join us," James said cheerily.
"That would be fun!" Peter exclaimed.
"She would love to," Marlene chimed in.
"What about your top-secret operation? Won't I spoil it?" said Lily.
"That doesn't start until tonight. And I will have to let you free eventually," James said with a funny smile, "It's not like I can follow you into the girl's dormitory."
Remus chocked on his drink. Peter patted him on the back while starring up at the ceiling.
"So glad to know I won't be held hostage all day and night," Lily said sarcastically.
"Keep her as long as you want," Alice said while patting Lily on the head.
Alice did not know what the Marauder's intentions were. And frankly she did not worry too much. She had always suspected that James Potter's affections towards Lily were true. Even if he did go about it the wrong way. And she secretly had hoped that he would win her over. Someone fun and spontaneous would be good for Lily. Not to mention the fact that he had worshipped the floor she walked on for nearly seven years. Alice had been a bit worried when he suddenly dropped Lily like a crying mandrake, but she had also suspected a lot of guilt behind the action. Nevertheless, Lily was actually eating her breakfast and James seemed happier than he had been in a long time. She could not see a thing wrong with the two of them spending a little more time together. It would be good for the both of them.
The group carried on throughout the early morning. Sirius doing his best to win everyone's attention. James, watching Lily like a hawk. And Lily, seemed hesitant, but not all together uncomfortable with the newfound interaction between herself and the Marauders'. It was odd. She hadn't truly interacted with people in a while. It seemed almost unnatural, but a pleasant kind of unnatural. She had missed the noises, the laughter, and the smiles that friendship could offer. And then there was James.
"Lily, do you want to go to the quidditch field with us?" James asked.
"She does," Alice said immediately while packing up Lily's things and handing them to her, "She would love to."
Lily walked out of the Great Hall engulfed by the Marauders. Each of them begging for her attention as they walked. Quietly, from across the room, two bright eyes twinkled from behind a pair of half moon shaped spectacles.