Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Shakespeare.
AN: Enjoy! (And review!) Oh, and we're pretending that Tonks is older in this.
Love's Labor's Lost- Act II
Lily Evans was the princess of France. Her poor old father, the king of France, was deathly ill. Therefore, Lily was made to attend to all the business matters of the family. He was also her only family member. At least the only one she would refer to. She had an older sister, Petunia, but Petunia was never very political, and furthermore, was soon getting married to Vernon Dursley, the king of Norway. Lily was never really on good terms with her older sister, though. Lily had been best friends with her older sister, until Petunia decided it wasn't cool to hang out with your siblings. That was a load of BS to Lily, though. That was of course, what Petunia had said. The truth was, Lily had been accepted to a school for prodigies, and Petunia wasn't.
It was a shame that Lily had lost her best friend, but at her school, she had gained more friends. Lady Alice Prewett came to be considered by Lily her best friend in the world. She also became quite close to Lady Marlene McKinnon, and Lady Nymphadora Tonks, even though Nymphadora (or Tonks, as she preferred to be called) was several years younger.
Lily also met several annoying boys, or playboys, as you might call them. James Potter, who was currently the king of England (though, how he managed not to kill off the entire population was an utter wonder to her), and Lord Sirius Black. They could not be more idiotic, to her. They were also friends with Lords Remus Lupin and Frank Longbottom. Those two were quite nice. But, it was a wonder to Lily how they stood James and Sirius.
Whatever had happened then, that was the past. She had just of now, been told by her father that she was to go bargain with the king of England over some money problems from some past war. All Lily could think of was that she'd be spending a whole month, at least, with that oaf of a boy. Yes, boy. James Potter would never be more than that in her mind.
"Your Highness," said Lord Amos Diggory, her attendant. He was of the French court, and was to guide her through the dealings with England. As if she needed help. But she couldn't deny, that at least, he was quite polite and nice, unlike certain lords.
"Yes, Sir Diggory?" said Alice, who would be accompanying Lily, along with Marlene and Tonks.
"I have several tips, for when you make these deals."
Lily couldn't help how he put an emphasis on the word you, and Lily understood that Amos knew quite well that she was the one in charge.
"Oh, yes, go ahead."
"Now, madam, you must stay polite and positive."
Tonks and Marlene snorted quite loud. Alice was completely snickering. Lily made a mental note to talk with them later.
"You are the one that your father sent, you are his sole inheritor. You represent him."
Lily sighed, knowing this was true.
"Now, furthermore, Potter is still single."
Lily's eyes grew to the size of saucers, knowing what he was implying.
"Think of the money that we are demanding, as simply, the dowry for a queen."
"Now, Amos, you surely cannot be saying, that you expect me to flirt with the man who ruined my life for a good seven years."
"Why, yes! That is exactly what I'm saying."
"There has to be some reason not to… I can't! I won't! I-" Lily started to ramble, but was cut off by Marlene whispering in her ear.
"Aha! The king of England is taking an oath to study for three years straight! No interruptions, meaning, no women. Wait. That can't be the king of England. James Potter? No, he must have died! And there's a new king, isn't there?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Then that just can't be true. It can't!"
"I'm afraid it is," Marlene sighed.
"What, do you keep track of these things? One would think you doted madly upon that Lord Black. Oh, wait, you do!" Tonks laughed.
"Be quiet."
The carriage they were in stopped the constant rumbling, and the coach announced, "We have arrived."
Lily peeked out, and saw the proclamation hanging at the front gate. She sighed. This wouldn't be easy to do, without getting her tongue chopped off, that is.
"Amos," She said. "Go and find the king, or one of his lords, and tell them that I have arrived. The princess of France seeks a personal conference with him."
"I shall leave straight-away."
After he left the safety of the carriage, Lily turned to his friends. "I have heard," she looked pointedly at Marlene, "that Potter would be studying with three of his mates. By any chance, would you know who they are?"
"Longbottom is one," Alice said.
"Yes, and what do you know of him?"
"He is quite esteemed. I have met him. He is quite good in the arts, and wonderful in combat. The only taint on hi perfection would be his sharp wit, and stubborn will.."
"You sure do seem to like mocking him."
"I wonder if it signals a secret passion," Marlene muttered to Tonks.
"Well, who else?"
"Lupin," Tonks added. "He is very well accomplished, and as I have seen, a good man. He is probably the most worthy of our attention out of the lot."
"Is that all?" Lily asked.
"Not quite," Marlene said. "There is another, one more. Black, they call him. Wit as sharp as the cold of winter. I had an hour's talk with him once, at a ball. And never before, have I lost a discussion. He is very juvenile, but, yet, interesting."
"Good god! Are all of my friends in love?" Lily teased.
"Just as you are in love with Potter," Marlene retorted, earning smirks from Alice and Tonks, and a scowl from Lily.
From the shadows, another of Lily's attendants, good old Xeno Lovegood, spoke up, "Amos is coming back."
Lily stood up, straightening her dress, and stepped out of the carriage, and beckoned ot others to follow. They did, and when Amos was in talking distance, Lily said, "Any news?"
"The king knew of your coming. Unfortunately, he and his lords have sworn to their oath, and will not break it. Though, I am not quite sure about that Black fellow. All I have really learnt is that he intends to house you in the fields."
"Does he wish another war?!" Marlene demanded.
"AH, quiet. Here he comes."
James, Sirius, Remus, and Frank walked down to the front gates, where the ladies were standing. James noticed that Lily was looking extraordinarily radiant that day.
"Ah, fair Lily. Welcome to my court," he greeted, bowing, while kissing her extended hand.
"I would prefer you not kiss my hand. Now, for your greeting, I will give you back your fair, but as for the welcome, I feel I have not received that. I just heard that I would not even be allowed to enter your court, let alone your gates."
"You shall be welcome to my court, though."
"Then please, escort me there."
"Please listen. I have sworn, taken my oath."
"Why, if you don't want another war on your bankrupt country's hands, then you shall just have to break your oath."
As they continued to argue, Sirius stepped aside, over to Marlene, and started chatting.
"Am I right to assume I danced once with you in Madrid?"
"Did not I dance with you?"
"I know you did."
"Well then, there was no need for you to ask the question in the first place!"
"You cannot be so quick into conversation."
"It would have bored me anyhow, to deal with your long questions."
"Your wit's too sharp for me, I see."
"Yes, quite."
Sirius sighed, knowing he would get nowhere with her, but continued with the banter, hoping James was doing better.
"Lily, your father here wants the payment of a hundred thousand galleons. But, we did not borrow that much at all. These calculations are quite wrong."
"You do my father too much wrong. This wrongs the reputation of your name, to deny to pay what you have borrowed!"
"I do protest our accounts never recorded it. But if you prove it, I will repay it."
Sirius was still not doing much better.
"Marlene, I do praise you much, in my heart."
"Ah, I am touched, or would be, if you had a heart."
"If I had it my way, you would have just heard it groan."
"Is the fool sick?"
"Sick in the heart."
"Ah, to bad. Maybe we will have to bleed it."
"What good would that do me?"
"My physician agrees."
"Well, would you prick my heart with your eye?"
"No, with my knife."
"God! Save my life!"
"Yes, from long living."
"I really don't think I like this."
A few meters away, Remus and Frank were standing in front of Amos.
"Sir, I pray you," Remus started. "Who is that lady over there?" he asked, pointing to Tonks, and tucking a bottle of French champagne into Amos' arms.
"The heir to the duke of Naples. Nymphadora Tonks, is her name, albeit, she prefers just Tonks."
"Ah, thank you, good sir. I fare you well."
Frank, taking his cue from Remus, stepped up, and asked, "I beseech you, who is she, in the white?" while handing Amos a loaf of bread, and gesturing towards Alice.
Amos raised his eyebrows at the bread. Who gave bread as a bribe? He decided to trick that poor man.
"A woman, sometimes."
"I desire her name."
"She has one, but to desire it? I would see it more fit to desire the woman herself."
"Whose daughter is she?"
"Her mother's, I believe."
"God damn you! Can you not get your answers straight?"
"Do not be offended. She is the heir to Italy."
"She seems to be a sweet lady."
"Maybe," Amos said, but Frank did not hear. He wandered off, staring dreamily at Alice.
The king and his men left, as they assured the women they had good reason.
"That Black boy," Alice started. "he is one mad-hatter, as it seems."
"A definite jest."
Lily cut in. "Wonderful wits, you have, but hey are better spent on Potter and his boys."
Amos smirked, and said, "Contradict me if you must, but I should say, Potter is infected."
"With what?" Lily squeaked, scraping at her hands, as if that would disinfect her.
"With that of lovers."
"And why would you say that?"
"Oh, it could be seen in all of his actions. The way his eye would always be straining to glimpse you, he stumbled, impatient to speak, or might I add, impress you. His eyes were enchanted with you. I shall say, if you want those galleons, spare him but one passionate kiss."
"Girls, come. I must say Amos has gone insane!"
"But it is true, it will work!"
"Yes, you have loved so many times that you speak knowingly," Marlene retorted, sarcastically.
"No, no! He is Cupid's grandfather, and learns his secrets and ideas likewise!" Alice laughed.
"Do you listen, you mad wenches?"
"No."
"What, then do you see?"
"Yes, our way to leave. Au revoir, Amy!"
"You are al to hard for me."
AN: Ooh! Romance has started! How will it end? Wait to find out, and in the meantime, review! Or, you could just read the play, 'cause that's where I'm getting the plot from, and some of the lines are exactly the same. I challenge you to finding out which characters correspond to which!