A/N: I don't own the rights to any of these characters, settings or anything to do with Wizarding World. This is a work of fiction based on
the universe created by J.K Rowling.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - JAMES
June, 1978
James drained the remainder of his coffee, helped himself to another piece of toast and a few more pieces of bacon. Remus sat opposite him, reading the latest Daily Prophet and drinking glass after glass of orange juice. The ceiling of the Great Hall was cloud free and a vibrant shade of blue, a beautifully warm day for Graduation. James ate his bacon as Remus scoffed and shook his head.
"What is it Moony?" James asked.
"Harold Minchum has announced he's increasing the number of dementors at Azkaban…" Remus said, shaking his head again.
"Ahhh Minchum." James replied, "Doesn't he know that's not going to do anything at all?"
"You know how politicians are James, all talk and no real action."
"We need a new Minister of Magic. Everyone knows You Know Who is getting stronger by the day and pretty soon it won't matter how many dementors are at Azkaban."
"They're all going to escape and join him, if that's what he wants."
"They sure are, Moony."
James finished his breakfast and poured himself a glass of orange juice as Peter dropped down next to him and angrily stuffed a piece of toast in his mouth. James took a swig of his juice and caught Remus' confused eye.
"Cara told Wormy that he has been the best friend ever to her at school." James explained.
"And that's a bad thing because?" Remus responded.
"Because that's it. Friends. She's not interested in anything else." Peter said and grabbed another piece of toast.
James patted Peter on the back, "Can't win every time I'm afraid."
"Now hang on a minute James, you and Lily started as friends. Who's to say Peter and Cara won't eventually get together?" Remus asked.
"She's dating some muscly Ravenclaw bloke." Peter said.
"Ah." Remus said, "Well… What James said then."
James chuckled, "No reason you can't enjoy the friendship."
Peter rolled his eyes, "She's actually quite boring."
Remus shook his head, "Oh Peter."
James looked up to see Lily enter the Great Hall with Marlene. Lily was beaming as she sat down, her long red hair hanging loose down her back. James' heart skipped and he smiled. He could sit there and watch Lily all morning, listening to her describe her dream from the night before as she always does at breakfast and share her goal for the day. She was the most driven, wonderful and thoughtful person he had ever met. James skulled the rest of his juice and jumped to his feet.
"Where are you off to?" Peter asked, "I just got here."
"Sorry Wormy, just need to see Sirius." James said, "Any idea where our drama queen is hiding this morning?"
"He went down to the Quidditch pitch with Carodac and Benjy." Peter said.
Remus stared at James, "Everything okay?"
"Everything's fine Moony, we're graduating from Hogwarts today!" James replied beaming, "A walk around the grounds with my brother is just what I need before the big ceremony."
"And you say I'm gay", Remus teased.
James spun on the spot, "You once said I was camp enough for everyone."
Peter laughed, "That is the most accurate description of you."
James winked, "Alright, I'm off. We'll see you two soon."
Remus nodded, "I'll go collect our graduation robes and we'll meet you in the dormitory for 11?"
"It's a date!" James responded.
James hurried along the hall, stopping briefly to kiss Lily along the way before he dashed out through the Entrance Hall and down the front steps onto the Hogwarts grounds. James strode across the grass, past students sprawled out along the grass enjoying the freedom of the end of the school year. A vast shadow suddenly covered James and he looked up to see the gameskeeper, Hagrid.
"Alright there young Mr Potter?" Hagrid asked.
James grinned and playfully boxed at Hagrid, "Today's the big day Hagrid!"
"This place will be a lot quieter without you four here." Hagrid chuckled, "And it won't be the same."
"We'll come visit you Hagrid and we'll be in the order as well so you'll still see plenty of us." James said and Hagrid beamed.
"I'd like that, you're always welcome at my hut, all of you and bring Lily as well!" Hagrid said and continued to walk, "I best be off, Dumbledore's got me setting up for the ceremony. Got to make sure everything's in order."
"I'll see you later Hagrid, don't work too hard!" James replied and watched as Hagrid walked off toward the lake where rows of chairs had been conjured before a large stage.
James broke into a run and at last reached the Quidditch pitch, panting as sweat dripped down his neck. Carodac, Benjy and Sirius were zooming around the pitch, a quaffle moving quickly between the three of them. James grinned and strode on to the pitch.
"Oi Padfoot!" James called out waving up at the boys.
Carodac, Benjy and Sirius all began flying in James direction and James ducked as the quaffle zoomed past him. Sirius chuckled and pulled his broom to stop, twenty metres above James. Carodac continued flying to collect the quaffle and Benjy slowly flew around grinning at James.
"I brought my spare broom James, if you fancy joining us?"
James shook his head, "I'm alright, thanks Benjy."
Sirius frowned and descended to the ground, stepping off his broom in one swift motion. James smiled at Sirius, he loved how Sirius understood exactly what he needed without needing any words.
"I'm going to call it lads." Sirius said and rested his broom over his shoulder, "See you at Graduation!"
"See you later boys, don't get up to too much more mischief!" Carodac said, before zooming up into the sky again with the quaffle.
"Bye lads, enjoy the last day!" Benjy said and flew off after Carodac.
Sirius turned to James, "Everything alright Prongs?"
"I'm going to ask Evans to marry me."
"And here I was thinking you wanted to spend your life with me!"
James chuckled and took Sirius' hand, "You will always be the love of my life Padfoot!"
Sirius laughed and linked his fingers through James', "Don't ever let Remus hear you say that."
James grinned and the two of them walked out the Quidditch Pitch hand in hand. A gentle breeze rolled across the grounds and James listened to the trees rustling as they walked along the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
"So you're going to marry Evans then? Were you expecting me to be surprised by this revelation?"
James chuckled, "I suppose it's not a surprise for you, no. What I meant was I'm going to ask her today."
"Today? How are you going to swing that? Have you got a ring? How are you going to do it? Can I be there?"
"Yes, today. It's been something I've been planning to do so I can swing it just fine. My parents are bringing my Grandmother's ring with them today. I've got a plan and no you're not going to be there!"
Sirius pouted, "If I'm not going to be there can't you just tell me now?"
James rolled his eyes, "Not this time Padfoot, this one's for me and Evans."
Sirius squeezed James' hand, "I'm happy for you Prongs."
"Thanks Padfoot. I was going to wait until a little while after we graduated. Mum was bringing the ring today so I can see it and hold on to it for the right moment."
"And you've changed your mind to do it today instead, why?"
"I saw her this morning. She came into the Great Hall with Marlene and I watched her for a moment. Talking, laughing, eating her breakfast and I didn't feel afraid anymore about asking her. I want to spend every day with her for the rest of my life. I want all of it, the ordinary, the wonderful, the bad and the scary. Everything."
"Oh Prongs, you romantic."
"Sod off!"
Sirius tugged at James, "I think it's great. I think it's the best thing that's going to happen today and we're graduating!"
James beamed and squeezed Sirius' hand, "And Remus will be moving in with us now too."
"He most certainly will be!"
"How are you feeling about that Padfoot?"
"I'm excited. Waking up with Remus every day, it's everything I want."
"Good. We're going to be like one big happy family! And when Lily and I have children they'll have their Uncle Padfoot and Uncle Moony right there!"
"Prongs… We can't all live in the same house for the rest of our lives?"
"Why not? It's big enough!"
"Oh Prongs, that's a battle you're going to lose against Evans for sure!"
James pouted and pulled his hand free, "Neighbours then, we'll be neighbours."
"Like I told you earlier in the year, we'll be right next door Prongs. Always." Sirius said and looked down at his watch, "Blimey, we better start getting ready for the big ceremony."
James and Sirius hurried back to the castle and up to the dormitory. James winked at Peter and Remus and began changing into the graduation robes Remus had laid out for him. Peter was already changed and sitting cross-legged at the end of his bed beaming. James watched as Remus helped Sirius get into his robes, Sirius shook his head so his hair fell around his face. Remus pushed some hair out of Sirius' eyes and kissed him. James smiled and pulled on his graduation cap, turning to boys.
"Let's get this show on the road boys!" James bellowed and the others pulled on their caps and whipped out their wands.
"I can't believe we're finally graduating!" Peter said.
"Believe it Wormy, it's our moment to shine!" James said and pointed his wand at the door, opening it.
James led the boys downstairs to meet the girls, Lily beamed at James and took his hand in hers. Marlene and Alice jumped around with Sirius and Remus. Lily kissed James gently and tugged on his hand until they all clambered out of the portrait door and raced down the stairs together where the other seventh year students were grouped, in the Entrance Hall. Professor McGonagall began grouping the students into their houses and together they walked out the front doors to the grounds. James looked around at his peers and grinned. The ceremony whirled by, James and Lily made their speech together and Frank, their top student, delivered his. The parents clapped, some cried and James felt so happy throughout he felt he could burst.
And it was over, just as quickly as it started. The chairs by the lake were empty except for the four boys sitting with one another, their robes open and their limbs dangling over one another. James lit himself another cigarette and watched as the sun continued to set over the lake. Sirius and Remus sat to his right tangled up together sharing a cigarette silently watching the sun go down. On his left Peter sat twirling his graduation cap in his hands grinning at the lake.
"Tomorrow we'll travel back across that lake." Peter mused.
James inhaled another drag of his cigarette and groaned, "Oh that's going to be unpleasant. It was bad enough coming here on the first night in the boats. Leaving the same way but hungover. Merlin, help me!"
"That's going to be a nightmare." Sirius added.
"Five galleons says Padfoot will be the first one to vomit." James laughed.
"You're on." Remus said, "He'll be second."
"I won't vomit at all!" Sirius argued.
"You will." Remus countered, "You're a sympathetic vomiter. I'll vomit and that will set you right off."
Sirius chuckled and James sighed, "We've done it boys. We've actually done it."
"Graduates of Hogwarts." Remus mused.
"When really we should've been expelled years ago!" Peter chimed in.
"Do you remember that night McGonagall found us levitating our beds around the castle?" Sirius asked.
James laughed, "Well technically we weren't out of bed!"
"Yeah she didn't seem to find that so funny." Remus said.
"What about when we charmed the furniture in the common room to be invisible and everyone kept walking into things." Peter said, "I laughed so much I made myself sick."
"All over the invisible armchair too!" Sirius said.
James chuckled and finished his cigarette, "And all the nights we spent exploring the grounds, mapping out the school and racing through the forbidden forest. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat."
"Me too." Said Sirius.
"And me." Remus agreed.
"Every single moment." Peter said.
They stayed there for a while longer until the sun had completely set and the clear night sky twinkled above them. Sirius led them back to the castle and up to the seventh floor where they found their peers having a party in the secret room. Sirius beelined to the nearby table and began making a drink for them all, Peter joined him and they carried back four cups of whatever strong concoction Sirius had managed this time. They lifted their cups together and downed their drink in one. James coughed and spluttered while Sirius shook his head.
"Honestly Prongs, you'd think you'd be used to my drinks by now!"
"I don't think I will ever be used to the drinks you make Padfoot!"
Remus chuckled and headed back to the table to make himself another one. James gazed around the room at his peers; some dancing, some playing games and laughing wildly, some sitting in different areas discussing what happens next. And then he found her. Her red hair whirled around her as Lily danced with Marlene. She looked the most carefree James had seen her since her parents died. She smiled as she twirled around and laughed with Marlene. James clasped his hand to his heart, she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Sirius began shimmying his way to the girls, swinging his hips dramatically and twirling in an over the top manor, Remus sheepishly following him shuffling uncomfortably along to the music. Peter appeared next to James again and handed him a drink.
"It's nothing like Sirius'." Peter said, "I promise."
"Cheers Wormy!" James said toasting Peter, "Let's join the others."
James downed his drink and made his way to the others, wrapping his arms around Lily and swaying with her. Marlene caught James' eye and winked at him, he'd organised for her to keep Lily busy straight after the ceremony so he could go set up for later tonight. James had managed to disappear back into the castle, put it all together and return without anyone questioning his absence. He couldn't wait to take Lily there. James continued to dance with Lily for a few more songs before Sirius suddenly pointed his wand at the speakers, silencing the music and jumped up on the nearby table.
"Listen up five's because a ten is talking!" Sirius bellowed.
"Oi!" A voice from the other side of the room cried out.
James wrapped his arms around Lily and looked up at Sirius, "Carry on Padfoot!"
"Thank you James!" Sirius said, "Ladies and gentlemen we have graduated from Hogwarts!"
James cheered with his peers and planted a kiss on Lily's cheek. He watched across the room to see Carodac and Benjy whoop together and tumble back on to a couch with some Hufflepuff girls.
"We've studied hard for seven years… Well. Some of you have studied hard the entire time." Everyone laughed and Sirius grinned, "I've preferred to prank you as often as I can and just dazzle you all with my presence!"
Remus caught James' eye and shook his head, Peter chuckled and poured them all a drink. Sirius twirled on the table and dramatically curtsied. The students around James chuckled and Sirius continued.
"I'm proud of you all. Every single one of you in this room. Tomorrow we'll sail back across the lake and back to our homes. Some of you might take up jobs in the Ministry, a bit boring if you ask me. Or in a shop, maybe you'll be the next Quidditch superstar or writer for the Daily Prophet. Who knows?"
James frowned as Sirius dipped his head and steadied himself, the last thing he needed was a drunk Sirius toppling over. But Sirius snapped his head back up and stared hard at everyone around the room.
"What I do know is there's a fight happening out there. A fight to take all of that away from you. And I don't know about you lot, but I sure as hell am not going to let them take my future away from me. I want it too damn much."
Sirius gazed around the room, silence clung to the air as their peers watched Sirius carefully. James hugged Lily tighter and gave Sirius an encouraging nod, Sirius cleared his throat and raised his cup. Everyone in the room raised their cup along with him.
"Here's to us. The us that worked hard and formed bonds never to be broken. The us that encouraged each other along the way, the us that will walk out of this castle tomorrow and into a war. We're going to fight back and protect our future and our world. They won't take it from us!"
The room erupted into cheers and everyone downed their drinks. Sirius jumped down from the table, flicking his wand so the music started again, and planted a kiss on Remus. Lily turned to face James, tears swimming in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but James kissed her instead and pulled her into a hug. He met Sirius's gaze over her shoulder and smiled at him. Sirius nodded at James, smiling, and nodded in the direction of the exit. James' stomach began to do flips as we pulled back from Lily and took her hand in his.
"Come with me." He whispered and Lily nodded.
James led Lily through the room and out the door. They walked in silence down the stairs until they reached the Charms corridor on the third floor. Lily looked around confused. The corridor was dark except for the soft lanterns on the walls and the moonlight that shone through the windows. Lily turned to James.
"Why are we here James?"
"Give me one moment?"
"James…"
"Just one moment, please."
Lily nodded and James dashed into the nearby classroom. He waved his wand around to light the candles he had placed around the room and then flicked his wand at the string lights he had placed around the room so they levitated and twinkled softly in the air. The rug was in the empty space in the middle of the room with cushions and blankets, a bottle of champagne on ice and two glasses set up ready. James smiled and steadied himself, it was now or never. James walked out the classroom and stretched his hand out to a confused looking Lily. She clasped his hand and let him lead her into the classroom. Lily gasped as she walked in and gazed around at everything James had set up. She walked slowly to the centre of the room and stopped by the rug, she turned to James.
"James… This is… This is perfect."
James took a deep breath and took Lily's hands in his, "On my first night at Hogwarts I met a red haired girl who left me speechless, for the first time in my life. I sat down next to her after I was sorted and I hung on every word she said. She was a Muggle Born and so amazed by magic. That night was the first time she'd ever been to a castle. She loved the colour purple and smell of the dust settling after rain. Petrichor she told me, it's the sweetest smell in the world. She said she loved sunflowers and she wished her sister could come to school with her. I listened to her all night until the prefects took us all to the common room and our dormitories. I was only eleven years old but that night I told Sirius that one day I would marry that red haired girl."
Tears rolled down Lily's cheeks and she squeezed James' hands. James' breath caught in his throat and he steadied himself. He smiled at Lily and continued.
"Being with you is exactly where I need to be. It feels like living in my present and my future at the same time. It's having a safe place to land and the warmest place to call home. I'm not afraid to show you my ugly because you've taught me it's lovable too. I appreciate beauty so much more now because you've shown it to me in its most raw and natural form. Loving you feels like someone finally explaining why a heart beats. I can look at every moment that has happened in my life before you and I don't want to change a thing because everything has happened in a particular way to lead me to you."
James pulled his hands away and reached into his pocket, Lily gasped as he pulled out a small velvet box. James opened it to show a tasteful diamond ring, the silver intricately setting the stone. Lily smiled at James as he pulled the ring out and stowed the box away. He took her hand again and steadied his breath.
"I don't know what will happen when we leave this castle tomorrow and I don't know how this war is going to go. All I know for certain is that I love you and I'm going to love you tomorrow and the next day and every day after that. I'm not proposing because I'm afraid we have limited time, because I know we have a lifetime ahead of us and I want to spend as much of that time tied to you in every way possible. Lily Evans, will you marry me?"
Lily cried softly as she moved closer to James and whispered, "Yes."
James slid the ring on to Lily's finger and pulled his face to her, kissing her fiercely. James gripped Lily close to him and they swayed on the spot for a long moment. Lily eventually broke away from James and led him to the cushion covered floor. James opened the champagne and filled their glasses. Lily beamed at James and raised her glass.
"To us." She whispered.
"To us." James responded.
They sipped their champagne and Lily inspected the ring on her finger, beaming. James watched her smiling and felt a warmth throughout his body. He'd been entertaining fear the closer he got to graduation, not knowing what will happen when he gets outside the castle has been eating away at him and ruining the last few moments he's had at Hogwarts. All of that left him now. He felt like he could face anything now that Lily was going to be his wife, now that he would spend a lifetime with the red haired girl who taught him how to love.