List of Songs Used:
Heard it On the Radio by Ross Lynch from R5 (Sung by Halden) Link: watch?v=QlJ2ICRxpEQ&feature=channel&list=UL
Halfway There by Big Time Rush (Sung by James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter) Link: watch?v=1owJIQidGj8&feature=related
Give it Up by Elizabeth Gillies and Ariana Grande (Sung by Lily and Alice) Link: watch?v=kDeTCcL2FrE&feature=related
Stuck by Big Time Rush (Sung by James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter) Link: watch?v=s-JLyisbyWE&feature=related
Take a Hint by Victoria Justice and Elizabeth Gillies (Sung by Lily and Alice) Link: watch?v=MiYLLhBPxIk&feature=related
Superstar by Big Time Rush (Sung by James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter) Link: watch?v=wcvTCw2_gMo&feature=related
Sorted This Way by Not Literally (Sung by Lily and Alice) *Tribute to Hufflepuff's* Link: watch?v=gOxwo8TUQok&feature=my_watch_later_videos&list=WL1FA1E6B2F8ADD77F
Any Kind of Guy by Big Time Rush (Sung by James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter) Link: watch?v=JYw7v8-ySEI&feature=related
We R Slytherins by Not Literally (Sung by Lily and Alice) *Tribute to Slytherin's* Link: watch?v=_2izAotP9go&feature=my_watch_later_videos&list=WL1FA1E6B2F8ADD77F
Elevate by Big Time Rush (Sung by James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter) Link: watch?v=55H2ostS8f4&feature=related
Can't be Tamed by Miley Cyrus (Sung by Lily and Alice) Link: watch?v=sjSG6z_13-Q&feature=my_watch_later_videos&list=WL1FA1E6B2F8ADD77F
Paralyzed by Big Time Rush (Sung by James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter) Link: watch?v=qPD8Z51HDhU
Something to Dance For/TTYLXOX Mash-up by Bella Thorne and Zendaya (Sung by Lily and Alice) Link: watch?v=Cy7o_jNeoEw&feature=my_watch_later_videos&list=WL1FA1E6B2F8ADD77F
The City is Ours by Big Time Rush (Sung by James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter) Link: watch?feature=endscreen&v=jCZuoN2YOh8&NR=1
Watch Me by Bella Thorne and Zendaya (Sung by Lily and Alice) Link: watch?v=PPNMGYOm1aM
Halden= Ross Lynch
James Potter= James Maslow (Funny coincidence)
Sirius Black= Carlos Pena, Jr.
Remus Lupin= Logan Henderson
Peter Pettigrew= Kendall Schmidt
Lily Evans= In 'Give it Up' Elizabeth, In 'Take a Hint' Victoria, In the songs by 'Not Literally' Dana, Miley, Bella
Alice Fortescue= In 'Give it Up' Ariana, In 'Take a Hint' Elizabeth, In the songs by 'Not Literally' Ginny, Miley, Zendaya
Clothes: For 'Sorted This Way' by Not Literally, Lily and Alice are wearing whichever outfit you choose for them out of the music video. I don't know which one to choose so I'll let you guys decide, other than that the clothes will be explained.
LISTEN TO THE SONGS LISTED ABOVE TO UNDERSTAND THE PARTS OF THE CHAPTER.
SPECIAL EDITION Chapter 6
"Good evening students, I gathered you all here for a specific reason." Dumbledore said to the Great Hall standing up, everyone was paying attention to him, even the Marauders. "We are going to be having a dance in two weeks time-"
Everyone erupted into cheers cutting the headmaster off, he waited politely and when the hall died down again continued. James and Severus were now in a pact to get Lily away from Halden because Remus had told Severus that it was a rather brilliant plan considering who it had come from. That day they hadn't had much time to try and suede Lily away from Halden but it sounded like they were getting the opportunity. Let the chips fall where they may, as the muggles put it.
"This dance will be for fourth years and up, unless asked by an older student. This dance of course needs music which is why this creates a double feature event." Dumbledore was smiling brightly. "All Seventh years, and only seventh years, are welcome to form a band, the band will be excused from classes, which means no work for a week, you don't have to go to class and it will not be counted against you. At the end of this week each band will perform in front of the student body and we're calling it Battle of the Bands. Each band will battle to perform at the dance. Good luck and please make note that next Monday all those attending the dance will be released to Hogsmeade to buy dance clothes."
The hall was suddenly full of chatting teenagers. The younger students complained about not being able to go.
"Lily!" Alice screamed at her friend.
"What?" Lily yelled back.
"Let's be a group. I know that you can play lots of instruments, we can pre-record our music." Alice suggested and Lily paused before nodding.
"Okay, what should we call ourselves?" Lily asked her.
"We'll have to think about it, but let's go get approved." Alice and Lily ran to the front of the hall to Dumbledore to get their group approved.
"James you know what this means right?" Sirius asked looking at James, well, seriously.
"Yeah you're going to want to create a band out of the four of us." James replied waving to the group.
"We'll call ourselves the Marauders and-"
"Oh that's original." James teased.
"'Course it is, you thought you came up with it?" Sirius snorted.
"I think we should do it." Remus jumped in and Peter looked at him nervous.
"Really Moony, you agree?" James checked.
"Yeah, Peter knows the drums, I'm good at the keyboard, both you and Sirius know the guitar, Sirius the bass." Remus shrugged and the others began to agree.
"I'm in." James replied watching Lily and Alice out of the corner of their eye. They were speaking rather fast and a second ago they had yelled each other's names.
"I'll do it I guess." Peter joined in and we all stood up. The boys were approaching the front table to talk to Dumbledore when they saw Alice and Lily standing there. James stopped for only a moment before continuing behind them with his friends.
"Yay, let's go Lily!" Alice squealed and they both turned ramming right into the Marauders. Lucky for James, Lily crashed right into him.
"What were you standing there for?" Lily asked me glaring; Alice started laughing because she'd caught Remus off guard.
"I was standing; I'm going to be in a band, honestly Evans, do you need to know everything about my life?" I drawled.
"Whatever." Lily pushed past the four boys as her and Alice rushed off. Dumbledore was smiling slightly like he had something up his sleeve, but didn't say anything as the four friends approached him.
"We want to sign up the Marauders for the Battle of the Bands." Sirius announced and Peter stuck his hands in his pockets, James was staring after Lily, and Remus had a sudden coughing attack.
"This wouldn't be one of your plans just to get out of homework would it Mr. Black?" Dumbledore teased eyes twinkling.
"No sir, I have a head boy and a prefect to keep me in line." Sirius joked back and James smiled while Remus got his coughing fit under control.
"Well then, go work on your group, I would suggest the Room of Requirement to be a good place to start." Dumbledore winked and then the boys rushed off.
"He's right, that room has everything, plus we'll then have instruments and they probably even have recording booth.
"Hey Alice, record this on your wand." Lily yelled to her friend as she ran into the recording booth with an electric guitar.
She plugged the guitar into the sound system and then checked the tuning a bit. It was perfect. Alice placed her recording wand down on the control panel and began to turn the system on. The girls had immediately headed for the Room of Requirement and now they were setting up to record a couple songs, they had to get the music all situated by Saturday, true they had a week to do it, but it's better to get it done sooner rather than later. Lily began to play a few bars, getting the feel of the music; then she started singing.
The girls didn't notice the Marauders walk in, they were too concentrated on the music. James was staring open mouthed at her when he heard her sing. Not that he didn't think she had a beautiful singing voice, but the first time is always shocking to anyone. The lyrics seemed to fit what his and Lily's relationship was about. Sort of.
Lily stopped singing and Alice took the tape from the end of her wand so that she could plug it into the cassette player. Though Alice watched as it changed into a round disc and a player appeared on the recording console.
"Hey Lily?" Alice called and Lily came out of the booth, neither of them had noticed the boys yet. Every single one of them was staring at Lily in awe; they never imagined her to be as great as she was at singing.
"Hmm?"
"Look at this, the room of requirement changed the cassette into a CD!" Alice told her excitedly and Lily laughed which made James weak kneed behind her.
"Let's listen to it; then we can work on other songs. We can come up with lyrics later." Lily commented and the CD player played back what Alice had just recorded. "Okay, let's work on another song."
"Excuse me ladies but I believe it's our turn." Sirius suddenly said announcing their presence. Lily whirled around; Alice turned more slowly raising her eyebrows.
"Fine." Lily said trying to look like she didn't care.
"Come on Prongs." Sirius started dragging him to the recording booth.
"I work better with lyrics." James protested.
"Then work on lyrics, we'll start another song." Alice turned back to the panel.
"Hey Alice let's do this one together, just piece it together jump in whenever." Lily suggested.
"Sounds good." She agreed then looked at the panel again.
"Hey Remus do you mind helping us?" Lily asked her friend.
"No problem." He replied coming over.
"Traitor." Sirius muttered and James punched him roughly in the arm.
"Thanks Moony!" Lily gave him a hug before heading into the booth with Alice which had expanded slightly to accommodate both of them. Remus started the recording then set up the volume and Lily began the chords.
Lily stopped playing and Remus stopped the recording for them.
"Thanks Remus." Lily said when she came out; James was staring at her again so Sirius slapped him upside the head.
"You need to help me with lyrics so we can write the song." Sirius growled at his best friend who nodded and turned back to the parchment. Lily and Alice were pouring over the music and writing it down on their own piece of parchment.
"We should do a tribute to a couple of the houses." Lily suggested her voice floating over to the boys.
"Okay, that's a good idea, which houses?" Alice asked as they went over to another table that had appeared with comfy bean bags.
"Two houses that will be hard to win over like, Slytherin and Hufflepuff." Lily told her and Alice nodded in agreement.
"Hello, Prongs are you listening?" Sirius waved his hand in front of James face and he stopped paying attention to the girls who were now giggling their heads off at something.
"Sorry mate, it's a bit distracting." James apologized.
"What do you think of these lyrics?" Sirius asked him and he handed him the parchment which read:
"Padfoot my only question to you is-" James drifted off looking up at him with a serious look. "When did you become such a romantic?"
"The only solution is that there's a girl." Remus commented reading the lyrics over James' shoulder. Sirius started to turn red.
"Snuff it Moony." Sirius told him.
"Dude there's a girl!" James yelled high fiving with Remus and the girls looked over at them. "Which bird do you got your eye on?"
"Marlene." Sirius said so quietly that the other's nearly missed it.
"Dude, you have this one in the palm of your hands!" Peter told him patting him on the back and Sirius shoved him away.
"Let's work on some other songs, we can then finish the lyrics, figure out the music, split out the parts and be ready for Saturday." James suggested. "We all can write some possible lyrics then collaborate, maybe even give someone else our lyrics and they write the next part."
"That's a good idea James." Remus pushed his friends who shrugged and everyone pulled out a piece of parchment.
James stared at his piece for a moment before the words came and he began to write:
"James I think you just broke your own rule." Sirius joked looking over at James' now completed song.
"Never said it was a rule, but I think this song will be a hit." James replied. "I'll record it, then you guys can decide."
James walked into the booth picking up the blue guitar outside the door. Remus got up and walked over to the control panel again. He set it all up, gave James a thumbs up and sat down in the chair so everyone could see him, he took a deep breath trying to ignore Lily's presence and began to play. Before the third verse, James licked his lips and he looked at Lily. He took in how she was watching him carefully, her mouth slightly open as she watched him. Remus looked at Lily before turning back to James and grinning at him, James smiled back finishing the song.
"Prongs you're brilliant, you know that right?" Sirius asked as James exited the recording booth and Remus took the disc the room gave him.
"Oh you've only told me a couple hundred times." James teased his friend. Lily shook her head.
"I got the beginning of my song written, want to hear it?" Remus asked wiggling the sheaf of paper in the air.
"Go for it Moony." Peter encouraged and Remus dragged the keyboard into the booth while Lily and Alice poured over their pieces of parchment.
"Hey Lily, think you could work that board for Remus?" Sirius asked her and Lily looked up.
"Sure whatever." Lily replied before going over and getting the board all ready for Remus, James was just glad it hadn't been him who asked her to do it. Lily nodded through the window and Remus started a few chords getting used to the feel.
Lily shut the board off when he walked out, then handed him the CD, he took it carefully.
"I can't believe you just stopped there." Sirius was shaking his head at his friend.
"Hey, I was sticking to James' idea." Remus defended jokingly.
"Yeah well, I didn't." James smiled broadly and Sirius rolled his eyes.
'You got another verse written up yet?" Sirius asked his friend.
"Yep, here you go." James handed it to his friend who then shuffled the four pieces of parchment together.
"If you get your own trade with someone." Sirius told them handing the papers out. A moment later he announced, "I got my own, Prongs trade with me."
"What if I get my own by trading with you though?" James whined and Sirius gave him a look.
"Really?"
"Yep!" Then he took Sirius' lyrics and gave him Peter's instead.
Lily and Alice sat working quietly with only the occasional comment to the other; passing lyrics back and forth between them as Lily worked on the house tributes. Lily would occasionally laugh at lyrics she had written or the things Alice would put in her songs. She heard the boys laugh a couple of times, but it didn't bother her too much. Alice kept showing Lily a song that she preferred to call 'Can't Be Tamed', Lily thought it was a bit weird but enjoyed the words none the less.
"I can't believe you put that in there Alice!" Lily exclaimed laughing at her friend. The boys glanced over at them. "I mean come on: I'm not a trick you play, I'm wired a different way, I'm not a mistake I'm not a fake it's set in my DNA."
"Party pooper, just go sing it." Alice told her shoving her over to the recording booth. Laughing Lily walked into the room with her guitar.
Then Lily started attracting the boys' attention.
Lily finished and when she came out Alice was laughing.
"I can't believe you actually did it!" She cried wiping her eyes from laughing so hard.
"Shut it, I'm going to write an awkward song that you'll have to sing, you just watch." Lily teased her best friend and James was staring at her open mouthed until Sirius and Remus hit him.
"Ouch." He told them rubbing the spots where they'd punched him.
"Yeah, whatever." Sirius mumbled earning a punch from James. Then both boys were on the ground wrestling each other, punches flying everywhere. Lily and Alice watched shocked for a moment before bursting into laughter, Remus and Peter soon joined in.
"Hey Alice I got that awkward song for you done!" Lily teased her shoving her into the booth.
"I don't have any music!" Alice whined and Lily obliged by looking at Remus and he came over.
"Mind you, you're singing the whole thing." Lily told her.
"Are you kidding me though? This title 'We R Slytherins'?" Alice gave her friend a look and their conversation was broadcast across the Room of Requirement.
"I told you I was going to write one for Hufflepuff and Slytherin." Lily told her friend casually.
"We're not Slytherin's though!" Alice exclaimed and everyone was watching them through the glass.
"Oh come off it, it's just a song." With those final words Lily began to play and Alice rolled her eyes before singing it.
"I am going to hate you forever; I can't believe you made me sing that song." Alice told her as they made their way out of the booth, Remus shook his head while the other three stared at them like they were from Mars.
"Just wait until we perform it in front of the school." Lily told her setting the guitar down on its stand.
"What was that all about?" James asked suddenly in Lily's face.
"It was a song James, what's the matter with you?" Lily asked him shoving him away from her and trying to return to her seat with Alice.
"That song is a complete lie." James growled, almost foaming at the mouth.
"It's going to help get us votes." Lily told him trying to walk past him again but he stuck his arm out to stop her. "Honestly!"
"Even Slytherin's aren't going to vote for a muggleborn just because she wrote a song about their house."
"At least we can say we tried. I like Lilac though; she's a sweet girl, good at Herbology too." Lily told him, reminding James of that horrid night. It was awful; the only good part was that he'd sort of been on a date with Lily. "I think we're going to be friends because not every Slytherin is a Death Eater you know."
Then Lily shoved him hard and he stumbled back several feet, she huffed angrily, stomping back to her table with Alice. She sat down jabbing at another piece of parchment and Alice shook her head in James' direction before going back to her own project. James quietly headed back to his own table and his friends all gave him the same look Alice did. Why did everyone want to gang up on him today, was it 'Let's All Hate James Day' or something?
Lily was angry, no angrier than angry. She was downright furious with the boy who had- ugh, she didn't even want to think about it. That was when her next song came into her head. Lily counted the pieces of parchment that made up their songs for the Battle of the Bands.
"Alice, this song I'm working on, it's the last one we have to write." Lily commented finally having calmed down quite a bit after exerting her feelings into the song.
"Great, then it's just music and practice, plus all the pre-recording and blah." Alice stretched, punctuating the last word by sticking out her tongue and Lily laughed.
"I can tell someone's excited." Lily was giggling like mad.
"Yeah." Alice smiled brightly.
"What about outfits? I have a couple of ideas; do we want to sketch a couple out?" Lily suggested and the boys were suddenly listening very closely.
"What if we had a different outfit for every song? We could make them go with it and everything!" Alice squealed and Lily almost groaned.
"You're going to make them extremely sexy aren't you?" Lily sighed and James' perked up even more.
"Of course, that's a requirement when working with Alice Fortescue." Alice sniffed.
"Well, I'm doing the design for my Hufflepuff tribute, and it's going to be quite interesting. Anyway, I get to say whether or not it's too, feminine. Okay?" Lily asked her best friend who nodded vigorously.
"Once I'm done with this I'll get right on it." Alice told her looking back at her lyrics.
"Me too." Lily yawned stretching her sore back out. "What time is it?"
"Eleven o'clock, why?" Alice looked up at her friend.
"That's late! I'm going to go to bed okay? See you in the morning." Lily yawned again gathering up her band things then passing by the boys with a wave to Remus she was gone.
"Since when did you get to be such good friends with her?" Sirius asked looking at his friend shocked.
"All those times I was in the library doing homework Lily was there with me. We'd do it together and we talked, got to know each other quite well." Remus told him matter of factly.
"Oi, Potter!" Alice called over and James looked up at her.
"If you really want Lily you better write some special gooey song about her and such. Whether she knows it's about her or not; I suggest you go back to your dormitory too, I mean you might still be able to catch her." Alice told him and James caught on immediately.
"See you in the morning then?" James asked stuffing his things in his bag and rushing out of the Room of Requirement without a reply.
"Oi, what are you playing at?" Sirius asked her and Alice just grinned.
"Remus knows, don't you?"
"It's quite obvious really." Remus agreed.
"What are you two on about?" Peter asked looking between the two.
"If you knew Lily you'd understand too, she doesn't really fancy Halden at all." Alice explained slowly.
"Then who does she fancy? She seems pretty into Halden if you ask me." Sirius gave them quelling looks.
"She's in love with James, has been for years." Remus told him calmly.
"Why doesn't she just tell him then, instead of playing with his emotions?" Peter and Sirius were very confused.
"Because Lily doesn't know she likes him." Alice said as simply as possible.
"How can you be in love with someone and not know it?"
"Technically it's more like denial. Her subconscious knows how she feels, but Lily's conscious mind won't accept the feelings and pushes them away unknowingly to Lily." Remus started to explain but Alice took over.
"So to try and change her subconscious about James, her conscious mind started dating Halden, someone so completely different than James that it would seem impossible to be in love with him." Alice finished off, moving to sit with the three Marauders.
"How do you propose we get them together then?" Sirius questioned, a mischievous glint forming in his eyes.
"The Battle of the Bands is going to help, we need to get Halden to move more of his interests towards Lilac, and finally, the dance could very well be the final straw." Alice told them.
"If none of this works to sway her?" Peter questioned leaning forward.
"I heard something about Severus and James making some sort of agreement to get Lily away from James. That's an added effort, but even with all this happening in the background it could take forever to get them together. It can be dangerous and tricky playing with someone's emotions." Remus told them in confidence.
"I care for Lily, but honestly she doesn't really know what she wants." Alice sighed putting her head on the table.
"Well, then it's up to us to help push them together." Sirius stated.
"We know that, but there are things that will make us trip up, which is why we can't push too hard. Nudges every so often will be alright." Alice said.
"Wait, how do you know Lily likes James?" Peter suddenly thought and Sirius had to point out it was a fair question.
"Whenever she's mad who's she mad at?"
"James." It was an easy question.
"Whenever she complains to one of her friends about her pet peeves who is it always centered on?"
"James." Remus answered for the group since the other two didn't know.
"Who has cared about her six almost seven years straight without ever giving up on her?"
"James."
"And half the songs, who they sound like they're centered around?" Alice gave them a look and they began to grin at each other.
"James." The three boys responded at the same time each with their own evil smirk on their faces.
"Exactly." Alice told them before they all cleaned up and headed to bed, CD's tucked safely into their bags.
Lily woke up feeling quite refreshed and loving the feel of her plush pillows. She sighed contentedly rolling over and smelling in the cinnamon that rose from them, it reminded her of the way James smelt. Wait, why did she care or how did she even know how James smelt? Sometimes Lily swore she was losing her mind. After a moment there was a knock on her bedroom door, she shoved herself up off the warm bed and the minute she met the cold air she wanted to curl back down into the blankets, but the knock came again.
"Honestly, you need to take patient lessons." Lily yelled sleepily at the door. Her feet hit the cord hardwood floor and she shivered. Yawning she walked over to the door, she was wearing a pale pink night gown that went about mid-thigh, it was a silky fabric, it had quarter sleeves and a modest neckline, unless you bent over. Her hair was slightly poufy in the back, it was her morning look and Lily didn't really care, until she opened the door.
"Why aren't you dressed yet?" Alice yelled at her, James was standing in the little kitchenette, but when Alice yelled he looked up at her his jaw dropping. Lily suddenly felt uncomfortable and she tried to shut the door.
"I'm going back to bed."
"No you're not!" Alice shoved the door open, Lily falling backwards.
"What time is it anyway?" Lily yawned again and Alice glared at her.
"Seven o'clock."
"Okay, you get out and come back in two hours." Lily told her friend pushing her out of her bedroom, but she wouldn't budge farther than the bedroom door. Lily was worn out from trying so she bent over trying to get her breath back. James was still watching them and raised his eyebrows at Lily.
"You get up earlier than this for classes." Alice told her firmly.
"Yeah, but we don't have classes today so I want to sleep in! It's Sunday Alice!"
"No, I'm here so you have to get dressed and come with me to the Room of Requirement."
"Give me an hour then." Lily told her closing the door in her face.
She grabbed her clothes and headed to the bathroom, she locked the doors and then started the shower water; while waiting for the water to heat up, she attempted to straighten her red hair so it would be easier to wash. After her shower she applied all her normal amount of makeup and put on her clothes then after unlocking the doors, especially James, she did not want him walking through her room; she opened her bedroom door again.
"Wow Lily, fourty-five minutes." Alice exclaimed.
"Oh, then let me go sleep for fifteen minutes." Lily turned around but Alice grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of her room. The Marauders were sitting on the couch and they all turned to face her. "Good morning."
"No time for that, come on Lily!" Alice almost made her trip because she yanked her arm so hard.
"How is there no time for a good morning?" Lily asked yanking her hand back and standing her ground.
"I want to get these songs finished."
"We have six days Alice; honestly, it doesn't take that long to write a song. We've already got the lyrics and then all I have to do is record the songs." Lily argued.
"I'm surprised, I'd think you'd want to get it done as fast as possible to get back to classes." Alice gave her a look.
"Missing one day of classes won't be bad; even two. Come on Alice!"
There was a knock on the portrait hole door and Alice raised her eyebrows, Lily shrugged and opened it to find Halden standing there.
"Halden!" Lily screamed grabbing his hand and pulling him inside. "Good morning!"
Alice gave a look over to Remus, Sirius, and Peter who all nodded. James looked over at his friends for a moment before snapping his attention back to Lily and Halden. He looked away when Halden kissed her, ready to break something.
"Good morning Lily. I have some news." Halden told her and Lily looked up at him, unaware of everyone that was planning their relationship demise.
"What would that news be?"
"I've entered the Battle of the Bands; I'm doing a solo act."
"That's great news!" Lily exclaimed. "I'm in it too, with Alice."
"Nice." Halden told her with a kiss to her forehead.
"Excuse me for a moment; I need to go talk to someone." James muttered to his friends before slipping past the pair and downstairs to the Great Hall.
When he entered he saw exactly who he was looking for, breeching the Slytherin territory and breaking some of his own values, he approached Severus. He looked up shocked when James stood in front of him, Severus was having a boring breakfast and was sort of hoping James would tell him something worthwhile.
"He's in the Battle of the Bands." James told him through gritted teeth as the slightly crowded Great Hall; especially the Slytherins stared at him.
"Your plan?" Severus asked calmly knowing exactly what he meant.
"My friends and I are already in the Battle, I just thought I'd tell you in case you decided to join in." James told him, trying his best to refrain from the nickname Sirius and himself had dubbed on him during their first train ride to Hogwarts.
"Well I'm not; do I look like the singing type?" Severus asked waving to himself.
"No, but we agreed to tell each other about every development. I'm keeping to that agreement, bye Snape." With that James turned and walked away barely catching Severus' goodbye.
"Signora Potter."
Later in the day the Marauders were still sitting on the couch in the Head's Dormitories, Lily and Alice had been in the Room of Requirement working on their songs and clothes for a couple of hours and Halden was who know where. They only thing the Marauders would tell him was that Halden was not with Lily and Alice because Lily didn't want to share the Room of Requirement with her boyfriend. James found this extremely odd, but decided to ignore it. It might the first step to her liking him and dumping her boyfriend to date the ever 'smexy' James Potter. They were almost done with their lyrics so that they could finally go write the music when a knock came at the door.
"Hello?" James asked opening the door to find Halden standing there.
"Have you seen Lily anywhere?" Halden asked looking worried.
"Haven't seen her since she and Alice left this morning." James told him honestly.
"Do you know where she went?" He asked desperately and James glanced at his friends, Remus shook his head imperceptibly, to tell him no.
"No I don't." James told him.
"Yes you do, I saw you look at your friends." Halden looked like he was getting upset.
"Honestly Halden I don't know where she is," It was technically the truth because he didn't know how the Room looked or even if they were working in the recording booth. "I would tell you if I did, but if your girlfriend decides to hide her whereabouts from you that is not my problem."
Then James closed the portrait hole door and sat back down on the couch.
"That was the most awesome burn ever!" Sirius laughed high-fiving his friend.
Lily had been sitting in the Room of Requirement for hours on end pretending like she was working, but she wasn't. Not really. Lily didn't know why she didn't want to tell Halden about the room, really if he was desperate enough he could find it himself. It was her and Alice's recording room, it was theirs and theirs alone. Unless you counted the occasional presence of the Marauders as they had taken to calling themselves. It was their Band name; as stated yesterday by them while James was recording a song. Alice was drawing designs for clothing; Lily had finished her one design several minutes ago but continued to lightly run a yellow pencil over several sections to make it look like she was working.
"Lily are we ever going to work on the music?" Alice asked, but Lily never responded she was still running the yellow pencil over the drawing. "Lily? Lily? Anyone in there?"
"What?" Lily asked coming to after Alice waved her hand in front of Lily's face.
"I asked if we were ever going to write the music." Alice gave her a look. "Who you thinking about?"
"We can work on it right now, and I'm not thinking about anyone." Lily defended quickly; though she had been comparing James and Halden in her mind and wondering why she didn't tell Halden about the room, but she wasn't about to tell Alice about that.
"Well I have a deal for you." Alice told Lily and Lily gave her a weird look. "Just listen, has Halden asked you to the dance yet?"
"No, but he's my boyfriend so of course I'm going with him." Lily shrugged.
"You can't assume that, unless he downright asks you before another boy I'm requiring you to say yes to the first guy to ask you." Alice challenged.
"Fine, I bet he'll ask me then. I'll be going with my boyfriend." Lily told her setting down the pencil at long last.
"Okay, but remember, if another boy asks you before Halden you are going with him." Alice told her and Lily shook her hand in agreement. Lily didn't notice the evil smile that spread across Alice's face though, because she had gone to pick up her first recording instrument.
Lily was recording the third instrument (bass guitar) for their first song when the boys walked in. Alice noticed and flicked her wand ever so slightly; because today the Room of Requirement had produced a stack of CD's to record music on in the sound board. Alice smiled when she heard Sirius' yelp of surprise.
"What's the matter Padfoot?" James asked.
"Oh nothing, just nearly tripped." Sirius passed it off; James shrugged and went to sit down while Sirius passed the note that had appeared to his other friends.
I got Lily agree to go to the dance with the first boy to ask her because Halden hasn't asked her yet. Convince James to ask her. ~Alice
"Hey James, who are you planning on taking to the dance?" Remus asked executing Alice's plan quickly. Lily had just come out of the recording room to drag in the drums. She paused for a moment looking over at the boys before resuming her process of dragging them in.
"I don't know, haven't really thought about it." James shrugged watching Lily situate herself.
"She's like a one man band." Peter commented and James chuckled.
"You should ask Lily." Sirius suggested catching onto the plan.
"She probably is going with her –uh –with Halden." James purposefully jumped over the word boyfriend.
"You never know unless you try mate." Sirius told him and James eyes flickered onto Lily who was playing the drums and mouthing the words to the song. She started to smile as she kept the beat and it made James smile too.
"You're right." James told him and Lily concluded the song. She stood up and began to drag the drums out.
"Hey Lily, we're going to need those." Peter called and she looked up before shoving them back into place.
"I'll go ask." James stood up as Lily came out of the booth. "Lily, can I ask you something?"
"You just did, but go ahead and ask me something else." Lily smiled pushing a piece of hair that had fallen into her face off to the side. James chuckled at her joke.
"Will you go to the dance with me?" He asked looking at the floor, Lily's jaw dropped and she looked at Alice who gave her a 'You made a deal' look.
"Sure." Lily told him before walking over to Alice who was mashing the music together.
"That's what I thought." James mumbled then he realized what she'd said. "You said yes?"
"Yeah I did, don't be so shocked." Lily replied not looking at him, though he was staring at her.
"She said yes!" James whispered excitedly to his friends as he re-joined them. The other three were holding in their laughter, but they grinned at him and congratulated him. Alice passed them a wink and a thumbs up, which neither James nor Lily noticed.
At the end of the week Lily and Alice were dressed in their first outfit, which Alice would then transfigure into their next outfit. Lily wasn't great at Transfiguration and she was scared she'd get it wrong. They had on black tank tops with a silver jacket over the top , with sleeves that extended almost to their elbows, then they wore jean shorts that were a folded up with at least a two inch hem on the bottom. They had decked out their feet with Tennis Shoes giving them a cool look that Alice was sure would be a hit. The stood in the dark as everyone filed into the Great Hall, apparently only Halden, The Forestry (Lily and Alice, that's what they had decided to call themselves), and the Marauders were the only ones to sign up. Then the lights came on, but it was only one spotlight and it was centered on Halden for the first act. Lily hadn't had time to talk to him, but she watched him intently as he began to sing.
Halden finished and Lily clapped with the crowd, Lily prepared herself, so did Alice, but it turned to the Marauders next so they breathed for a moment. At least Lily did, until she heard their singing. Especially James.
James was dressed in a red shirt, with a necklace that had a feather and a sickle adorned to the string. His hair was as messy as ever, square glasses perched just right on his nose, and his jeans were amazing, tight fitting and framing him. He wore Tennis shoes that were really worn, but it made him look extremely sexy. Sirius was wearing a blue shirt and jeans with boots. Remus a white shirt with gray vest and jeans, plus black tennis shoes. Peter wore a brown t-shirt, jeans and Tennis shoes.
Sirius sang and suddenly fan girls were swarming the stage they were propped up on. Marlene was standing near the back staring at Sirius but not trying to swarm him. Peter was having a hard time holding in his laughter. Lily was staring at him open mouth, his voice was beautiful and the fan girls were now trying to swarm him as he sang and played the guitar. Alice could make out Lily's reaction even in the dark and she began to smirk. It was almost too easy. Lily noticed Remus was wearing a thick leather clasp bracelet on his left wrist. It made him look somewhat bad boy, which was hard to picture.
The group finished together and Lily and Alice were cheering, jumping up and down. Then as the cheering died down the spot light turned to the girls. Lily swallowed suddenly scared and Alice flicked her wand, the music beginning.
Boys were screaming this time, several of them called out: "I love you!" and Lily was holding back laughter. She could just imagine the look on James' and Halden's face at hearing that one. Frank was standing to the side of the stage cheering for Alice and she smiled at him. James was staring at Lily. He'd never seen someone look more beautiful while singing a song that was part break-up, part I like you. It was crazy, but the way Lily shone on stage it was so gorgeous he couldn't take his eyes off of her.
They finished with a snap and then turned like they were walking off stage. Everything got dark and the lights clicked on to the very front stage where Dumbledore was standing.
"Give it up," Dumbledore winked at the crowd and they laughed getting the joke, "for Halden Rosschester, The Forestry, and The Marauders!"
Everyone cheered, clapping, some people screamed out 'I Love You's' to the band in the question.
"Now please, make your selection of which band you like the best and send your answer in with the incantation: Picktus Mightus – Then say the band name. We have a score board that will tell us who wins."
Lily and Alice stood there holding hands watching the score inflate. Halden's stopped at ten while The Forestry and The Marauders continued to climb. It was rising higher and higher, the girls and boys were holding their breath. Finally both numbers stopped and The Forestry was one number higher. Lily and Alice started squealing and hugging each other, then there was a loud ding as The Marauders moved up one and tied with The Forestry. That did not mean anything good.
"It seems we have a tie." Dumbledore announced, sounding pleased. "I will now ask the bands to perform a tie breaker song."
The lights went out before turning onto four shocked boys, Lily giggled, but they recovered quickly and were hitting some chords.
Remus started out, then James stepped forward, he looked over at Lily and Alice as he sang his lyrics. Lily stood there with a smile on her face and James just sang it all to her. James patted his heart and pointed to Lily, Alice noticed that she turned a bright shade of red, then they noticed Marlene turning red as Sirius began to sing the sweet lyrics. Sirius was smiling watching Marlene, she began to make her way through the crowd to try and reach him. Like one of those dramatic chick flick movies Alice and Lily watched over the summer. James never took his eyes off Lily, even though he had crowds of adoring girls in front of him.
Severus had to admit the song had gotten Lily's attention, especially since James was staring at Lily and the lyrics fit. Halden wasn't looking too pleased, but he noticed Lilac watching him. Severus had a sudden idea, he was about to turn things up.
They finished, James relishing the last word on his own. Everyone was cheering, especially when Marlene was right in front of them Sirius pulling her up onto the stage and kissing her in front of everyone. Yeah, things were getting good, now it was time for James and Severus to steal away Lily. Lily and Alice had decided to stay in the same clothes for the two songs, so there was no need for magic.
Lily sang and Severus started to grin, he could already tell that this song was about James. Though it was creepy on many levels that Lily would write a song about James, even if it was against him… was there something else going on there? Severus thought; then quickly tried to push it away. He made his way back stage trying to find James.
"Potter." Severus hissed when he spotted him, James didn't know how he heard, but he did. He turned to find Severus staring at him intently.
"I'll be back in a moment." He excused himself from his friends and rushed over to were Severus was standing.
"What do you want?" James asked the slightly shorter man.
"I have an idea to Lily away from Halden." Severus told him quickly, watching Lily over James' shoulder.
"Okay, what is it?"
"Lilac." Severus told him in one word.
"What?" James was confused, what did his fail date have to do with this.
"Lilac is interested in Halden, she's been staring at him the whole time. If we can get her to make a move on him-" Severus explained wishing James wasn't so daft.
"We just have to get Lily to see it at the right moment." James was running through the plan in his mind. "How are we going to set this up?"
James didn't know and neither did Severus, they just stood there awkwardly for a moment.
"We could bring her into the loop." Severus suddenly suggested.
"Only if she likes Halden though." James warned.
"Right, I'll go talk to her, see you Potter." Severus then disappeared into the crowd.
James was staring; he was completely taking her in. She was amazing, the way she danced on stage, how she just seemed to let everything go when she got into the mood. Lily liked attention when she was doing something she enjoyed, otherwise she'd be like those at the back of the Great Hall.
Alice and Lily finished and it was simply amazing, Dumbledore stood and everyone watched as the board cleared itself and the numbers began to fly. James joined his friends on their stage, they were holding their breath. He could see Severus deep in conversation with Lilac who was now smiling adoringly, James was wondering if everything was going as planned. The numbers stopped whirring, oddly there was one for Halden, James and his friends were having a hard time holding back their laughter. The Marauders and The Forestry had tied yet again.
"It seems we have a second tie." Dumbledore chuckled.
"Professor, I don't mind sharing stage time with The Maruaders." Lily piped up, her voice broadcasting across the great hall because she was still hooked up to the sound system.
"What do you say Marauders?" Dumbledore turned toward the boys who looked at each other before shrugging.
"We don't care." James called out for the group.
"Wonderful, have fun at your dance next week." Then Dumbledore swept out of the room and the students screamed for an encore from the bands. They didn't though, because there was plenty of time next week at the dance.
Lily and Alice were fan girl squealing as they exited the stage, James shoved through the crowd to get to Lily. He saw Severus pointing to Halden and Lilac heading in his direction. It would take a while for Lilac to really be able to get Halden's attention so James had to distract Lily for a bit. He finally found her.
"Lily, can we talk?" He asked grabbing her wrist and pulling her to the side.
"Sure, what's up?" Lily asked and James started to fabricate something to tell her, he figured he might as well play off the plan.
"Halden, he's not really interested in you." James told her and Lily gave him a look.
"You're just saying that because you want me to yourself." Lily argued.
"No it's true, Lily I'm saying it because I care about you." James told her, she looked away from him and he glanced up at Lilac and Halden.
Lilac was getting pretty handsy with him and Halden wasn't pushing her away. Maybe he didn't feel the same about Lily then, that's when James got his idea. He tilted Lily's chin up and it was Hazel Eyes staring into Electric Green. Lily having no idea what James was about to do opened her mouth to ask right as he pressed his lips to hers; Lily was frozen, never had she been so violated in her life! Then without thinking about it Lily kissed James back. She pulled him towards her letting out a small moan, then realizing what she was doing pulled back quickly before slapping him across the face.
"How dare you! I have a boyfriend!" Lily turned around only to find Halden making out with Lilac on the other side of the Hall.
Everything seemed to slow down, James still processing that she'd kissed him back and slapped him, Lily registering that James had been telling the truth about her 'boyfriend', Severus realizing that James had take the advantage and kissed Lily. Lily swore the Hall could hear her heart pounding, it was thudding so loud. The sound completely died away, then without thinking about her reaction or whether she could've done something about it, she ran. When she reached an empty corridor she fell to her hands and knees weak from exhaustion, but her body wouldn't let her stop there, it had to break down an cry.
"What were you thinking?" Severus asked James once Lily was gone storming over to him.
"Well, I was trying to distract Lily and I couldn't think of anything beyond telling her that her boyfriend was cheating scum, so I kissed her." James explained. "I honestly didn't expect her to kiss me back! If that's what you're thinking."
The Great Hall was starting to empty and Halden and Lilac were still at it.
"Well you didn't exactly help the situation." Severus growled.
"How did I not?" James snarled back. "Lily's probably going to break up with Halden and she'll never speak to me again because I kissed her. Your way is clear."
Severus unable to form a response stormed away from James. Remus and Peter headed over to him; Sirius had gone off with Marlene, probably to make-out in a broom cupboard. Alice was standing watching the situation, though she looked like she wanted to run after Lily.
"I'm sorry mate, though before she realized it was you she was kissing it was pretty hilarious." Peter told him sort of with a hint of sensitivity.
"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better." James mumbled shrugging them off and leaving to go to the heads dormitories hoping Lily would be there.
She wasn't. James stayed up all night waiting to hear her return but she never did. In the morning James walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast and all his friends and Lily's looked at him sadly.
"Do you know where Lily is?" James asked them and they looked at each other.
"No, she didn't return to the dormitory last night?" Alice asked looking worried.
"Nope, I stayed up all night." James replied slumping down on the bench.
"That's why you look liked a brick wall landed on you." Sirius commented.
"Oh my gosh, we've got to look for her. We don't know where she's at!" Alice stood up, Marlene following. The boys realized what was going on and they stood up too. Just as they were exiting the Great Hall a high pitched, ear piercing scream echoed through the school.
"Lily!" James croaked, no matter how tired he was; there was nothing he wouldn't do to save Lily. They were running and the scream came again, they rounded another corner and found Mulciber and Avery standing over her wands pointed.
"Expelliarmus!" James shouted whipping out his want, it hit Mulciber and he was wandless.
"Stupefy!" Sirius shouted; then they were caught up in a duel. While the others kept the two distracted James ran over to Lily.
"You're going to be okay, I've got you Lily. Don't worry, everything will be fine." James whispered checking her body for any other injuries.
"I trust you." Lily whispered before she lost complete consciousness.
James picked her up carefully in his arms, she was heavier then he thought, but everyone is heavier when they relax. Avery and Mulciber were soon stunned into silence and Sirius and Marlene were dragging them none too gently up the stairs to the Hospital wing. James walked as fast as he could to get Lily to there. The minute he walked in with her limp body Madam Pomfrey was there directing him to one of the beds.
"What happened?" She asked checking Lily in the same manner James had just done, but with more spells involved.
"Avery and Mulciber attacked her, Sirius and Marlene are bringing them now." James told her and Madam Pomfrey nodded.
"Go sit over there somewhere." She told him before closing the Green Curtains around Lily's bed.
Eventually Sirius, Marlene, and the rest arrived. They threw the two boys onto a couple of beds, not caring to be gentle before joining James where he was sitting. He had a dead-pan stare at the curtains and no one bothered to ask what was going on.
"She's going to be fine Mr. Potter, they used the Cruciatus curse but there was no permanent damage. She'll be waking up in a few minutes." Madam Pomfrey told the group sliding the curtains away to reveal a sleeping Lily, her red hair splayed out making the pillow seem like it was on fire.
"Thank you." James whispered and she nodded before heading over to the Slytherin boys.
He sat down on the bed right next to hers and then took her hand in his.
"James do you think it wise to be holding her hand?" Remus asked him, sitting next to him on the bed.
"Hey, if she responds with a slap I know we're back to normal." James tried to joke, but no one laughed. Not even him.
"My head hurts." Lily moaned suddenly, putting a hand to her head.
"Yeah well, some Slytherin's used an Unforgiveable curse on you; a headache would be expected." James told her and she suddenly realized that someone was holding her hand. Lily looked over at James who smiled.
"What are you doing?" Lily asked, holding up their clasped hands.
"Comforting you." James suggested.
"Whatever." Lily replied pulling her hand away and rolling away from the group.
"James saved your life you know that don't you?" Alice asked her friend who was trying to ignore them.
"No. I remember saying 'I trust you', but that's pretty much it." She replied yawning.
"Well now you know."
"How come you never came back last night?" James spoke up and Lily turned back to him.
"I was upset that's why. How come you never looked for me?" Lily shot back, her eyes tearing up again. Somehow her body came up with them even though she thought they were all gone last night.
"I didn't know you wanted me to." James whispered; their friends started to creep towards the door trying not to disturb the moment that was growing.
"I didn't either." Lily whispered and James rubbed small comforting circles into the back of her hand. "I've just never seen James Potter back down from a challenge."
"I figured I shouldn't press my luck." James replied and Alice was trying to sneak back, but Remus was dragging her away.
"That's never stopped you before."
"A wise man once said that if you love something enough let it go, if it comes back to you it's yours, if not, it was never meant to be."
"So you're letting me go?" Lily looked a little sad.
"Are you coming back?" James asked her hopefully.
"Only time will tell." She whispered before, her eyes closed again. Lily had fallen asleep, after laying her hand gently across her stomach James joined his friends at the door.
"So?" Sirius wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at his friend.
"Who knows; only time will tell?" James smiled; sharing a private joke that had the other's staring at him like crazy.
"I don't know; this dress doesn't really fit me. I feel like it makes me look like a Christmas tree." Lily said looking down at the pine green dress. Buttons trailed up the bodice and it fluffed out at the bottom, light green lace flowed out from different points on the skirt, and cap sleeves stretched up over the shoulders from the top of the bodice which was flat across, just below her armpits.
Lily looked up when she didn't gain a response from her friends and found not only Alice and Marlene but James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Frank staring at her. The only reason Alice didn't reply was because she was glaring at Frank's reaction and Marlene was holding in her laughter at the looks on the boys faces. James' mouth was open and Lily couldn't help but giggle.
"I still think it makes me look like a Christmas tree." Lily laughed twirling around then placing a hand on her mouth. She gave them all a petty laugh and her eyes sparkled; a spot of drool could be seen on the corner of James' mouth.
"It fits your group name though Lily! The Forestry!" Marlene told her with a smile and a hug.
"I'm still not a big green fan; I'm more of a white person." Lily told her honestly.
"Ooh! I know just the thing." Alice ran off through the store then returned with a white belt, she strung it around Lily's waist. "Marlene, go look for some white sandals."
"What size do you wear Lily?" Marlene asked walking off.
"12." Lily said shyly and both girls stopped in their tracks.
"Did you say 12?" Marlene turned to her and Alice stepped back staring at her.
"Yes I know I have large feet, but it's not my fault. It comes from my dad's side and you know how genetics are!" Lily exclaimed looking at her friends desperately.
"It's fine Lily, we were just shocked." Alice told her going back to the belt she was adjusting on Lily's waist.
"But I wear a size smaller in sandals, so if you're looking at white sandals you should look for elevens. Besides, it would be nice if you could get wedges, I like heels, they make me taller. I never got to be six feet like my goal, but oh well. The heels do tend to help." Lily giggled again. "You got all that?"
"I think so; I'll bring back some options for you." Marlene gave her a peace symbol with her two fingers and left towards the shoe section.
"What are you guys doing here anyway?" Lily asked turning to the boys, Peter poking James who was still drooling over Lily. Sirius glanced back at his friend before smacking him. James rubbed his face and Lily couldn't help but giggle again, they were starting to think Lily was doing it just to drive the boys' nuts.
"Lily?" Marlene returned with several pairs of shoes in her arms, Sirius rushed to help her with all the boxes.
"I see you got lots of shoes for me then!" Lily laughed a wide smile across her face. "You boys never answered my question though. What are you doing here?"
"We were in here buying our clothes for the dance. When we saw Alice and Marlene-" Remus started but James cut in quickly.
"So Frank and Sirius dragged us over here to say hi to them, when you came out of the dressing room." James winked at her with a mischievous smile.
"Guess that explains that." Lily sighed adjusting the strap on her shoe. "What do you girls think?"
Lily stood up, three inches taller immediately, they were wedges and Lily was in love with the feel, but she knew immediately several hours in them would leave her feet covered in painful blisters.
"They're lovely!" Alice gushed.
"No, after two hours they'll be the most painful thing on the planet." Lily replied and Marlene shrugged at Alice.
The boys watched Lily go through pair after pair; until she found six inch heels that had soft fabric like velvet. It was white, wedges, straps that wrapped around her ankle; then a metal circle outlined the top arch of her foot, and they fit her personality completely.
"Lily that is the pair, they're perfectly you!" Alice said excitedly hugging her friend.
"I like them too." Lily told her.
"Why do you like heels so much?" Marlene asked looking at her with a weird expression.
"It makes it easier for kissing, don't you agree?" Lily replied turning to face Marlene with a wink.
"Does that mean, you and um-" Peter started un-able to complete the sentence.
"Whoever said I'd be kissing James?" Lily laughed sitting down and removing the shoes.
"He's your date!" They all said together, except James who was staring at Lily like she was crazy.
"I never said I'd kiss him and I never said I'd kiss at the dance. You can use these shoes for more than just a dance you know." Lily explained shaking her head. "Sometimes I wonder if any of you have any brains."
"Well technically the humans-"
"Remus if you go into a lecture about the human brain anatomy, anyway, I already know; it's just a muggle phrase." Lily told him as she stood up several inches shorter.
Then she walked over to the dressing room and closed the curtain. A few minutes later Lily exited in her muggle clothes again, the same thing she'd worn at the Battle of the Bands.
"Can't let good clothes go to waste." Lily announced flipping her red hair over her shoulder.
"You ready Lily?" Alice asked rolling her eyes at Lily's attitude since she'd woken up in the Hospital Wing after being tortured.
"Would you ladies allow the handsome Marauders to treat you to lunch?" Sirius asked leaning close to Marlene who turned pink.
"And Frank." Frank added taking his girlfriends hand.
"It seems that two Marauders are left out though, I guess two of us will have to take two men as our date." Lily commented pretending to count the number of people.
"I'll take two as my date." Marlene said and Sirius looked shocked giving her a look.
"I'm a one man gal." Alice said gracing her boyfriend with a kiss.
"I guess I'll have to pick up the slack then." Lily pretended like she was measuring each of the boys up. "I'll take Remus as one of my boys."
"I'll have Sirius." Marlene looked up at Sirius adoringly who put his arm around her shoulders.
"Who do you want to go on a date with Peter? Marlene or myself?" Lily questioned looking at the smaller boy.
"Uh-" Peter began looking between James and Sirius. Peter knew that if he chose Lily James would just about kill him and if he chose Marlene, Sirius would- who knows what Sirius would do. "You should let James pick first."
"Okay James, take your pick." Marlene turned to the Quidditch star, he turned bright red.
"Oh please, we all know that he's going to choose Lily." Alice rolled her eyes; that comment got to James, so just to switch it up, he could play make the other jealous type too.
"Marlene." James announced and everyone stared at him shocked, the worst part was that Lily looked like she was about to cry.
"Okay." Everyone could hear the tremor in her voice so Lily fought it down quickly. "Come on Peter, Remus, the lunch spots aren't going to stay free forever. I'll buy my stuff and we can go."
"You just made a monumental mistake my friend." Sirius told his friend clapping him on the shoulder.
"What were you thinking?" Alice hissed as he watched Lily walk out of the shop, bags slung over her shoulder and holding hands with Peter and Remus.
"I was thinking of making her jealous?" James rubbed the back of his head.
"You better do something special to fix this." Marlene told him before everyone began to leave. Man, James thought, this was going to be one awkward date.
James sulked all the way to the Three Broomsticks, but Sirius and Marlene were smart enough to wait for him before entering. James nodded at his friend and an unhappy sight met his eyes when he entered. Lily was laughing and having a good time with half of the Marauders, if he hadn't been an idiot he could've been the one making her laugh. Remus leaned forward to whisper in her ear, and Lily laughed kissing his cheek. James' blood was boiling, he could feel his face turning red and Marlene and Sirius exchanged a worried glance.
"You know you did that right?" Sirius asked his friend.
"Shut up Padfoot." James growled and Sirius shrugged.
"Just checking." Then Sirius and Marlene with a sulking James in tow went to sit at a table nearby Remus, Peter, and Lily.
On the way back to the castle after a day in Hogsmeade, Remus turned to Lily.
"Do you really love him that much?" He asked her and she looked at him confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"James, you really love him." Remus stated this time.
"I don't." Lily claimed biting her lip.
"Lily, we know you like him. You don't have to hide it from us." Peter told her and Lily glared at him.
"You, come with me." Lily grabbed Remus hand and dragged him with her up into the head common room. Then she brought him into her bedroom and closed the door.
James watched Remus and Lily run up to the castle together, now it was just him and Peter without a date. Who would've thought that he'd be in the same sinking boat as Peter… Ever.
"What was that about?" James asked Peter catching up with him, trying to get away from the annoying couples.
"No idea, we were confronting her about liking you and then she suddenly grabbed Remus and ran." Peter told him.
"Today has been ridiculous." James commented.
"You brought part of it on yourself by not choosing Lily." Peter told him.
"This last week has felt like 'Let's All Hate James', what is up with that?" James asked now more dejected than ever.
"All we've been doing is stating the truth, not necessarily hating on you." Peter told him with a shrug.
"Whatever." James replied hands in his pockets.
Then he left his friends and headed up to the head dormitories. When he stepped inside he heard someone crying, there's only one girl in the room too, so he went over to Lily's door. There he heard several things that shocked him.
"I would've thought- after what happened- that he'd at least choose- but he didn't- he's just like I've been saying all these years!" It was Lily's voice and it was slightly muffled.
"Hey Lily, you know he loves you. I mean he's been sticking up with your insults for six years straight." Remus replied with a light chuckle and suddenly James couldn't drag himself away from the door.
"That's not what I mean Remus and you know it!" Lily cried, there was a loud "Whoomp!" as someone was hit with a pillow.
"I don't know what you mean then; I thought that's what you were saying."
"I don't know what I'm saying!"
"Have you talked to Halden since the event?"
"No, he's never been around. I'm not about to go looking for him either, if he can't confront me because he's too busy with someone else than I don't care."
"Are you just using him as a rebound then?" Remus questioned and James pressed his ear more firmly against the wood trying to make sure he didn't miss the answer.
"I don't know, after the way he- I honestly don't know. It seemed so real before I realized what was going on, then everything changed, and now I feel like he hates me. That or I'm just another one of his fling girls. Make-out with once and then push them to the side. I never thought I'd be a fling girl." Lily sighed, James was beginning to pick up the feeling that they were talking about him.
"Why don't you just wait till Saturday then, maybe everything will be cleaned up by then?" Remus suggested. "Get some sleep; you're completely worn out from all that crying."
Then Remus got up and walked to the door, James quickly moved, jumping onto the couch and landing there not a moment too soon.
"You've really upset her you know." Remus told him sitting down on the couch next to him.
"Yeah, well." James said not sure what to say at all.
"Only you can fix this."
"Since when did she care about my feelings toward her?" James scoffed, with a glare towards the fireplace.
"Since that night, whatever that means." Remus replied with a look at James.
James looked up at his friends, surprised.
"Ah, so you know what she means." Remus chuckled. "Care to explain?"
"Not really, the story makes me sound like a jealous idiot. Which I was, but what we did was sort of mean." James said running his fingers through his hair, making it shimmer in the firelight.
"What did you do?" Remus sighed, neither noticed Lily's door open a crack as she listened.
"It wasn't technically my idea even if I agreed to it. You know how I made that agreement with Snape, well he approached me during Lily and Alice's second performance. Apparently Lilac was harboring a crush on Halden since our double date. Snape said that we could get Lilac to make a move on Halden and get Lily to see it. We were honestly hoping for the reaction he gave, but at the same time I wanted him to show he was faithful to Lily; if he did I could let Lily go. Finally accept that Lily will never be mine.
"I've been in love with since that first moment on the train. I'm willing to change for her. I want her to just know that if she loves someone else I'll let her go. As long as she's happy, that's all I care about." James explained and Remus saw a dash of red from the corner of his eye before James was wrapped up in a hug from Lily.
"That's so sweet; I never imagined something like that coming from you." Lily whispered into his chest; James sat there shocked for a moment before wrapping his arms around her.
"You're worth it." James told her and Remus smiled, trying not to roll his eyes. Everything was falling into place. Slowly, but surely.
It was the night of the dance and Alice and Lily were getting ready in Lily's room. Ever since the night she'd heard James' feelings laid out so completely and she'd hugged him Lily had tried her best to avoid him. Tonight though was a night she couldn't avoid him, she had to be near him. After all, she'd agree to be his date.
"James won't be able to keep his eyes off you." Alice complimented giggling.
"He can't do that much as it is." Lily muttered with a grin and both girls were laughing harder than ever. Both of them felt like their spleens were going to rip from laughing so much.
"Tonight should be interesting though." Alice commented when they got their laughing under control.
"Don't I know it?" Lily sighed finishing the last touch on her make-up. Then she reached for her butterfly holder, she swept her hair back and pinned inside the white jewels.
"Where did you get that hair piece?" Alice asked open mouthed.
"A Muggle Store, my mum got it for me thinking it would be pretty to wear for occasions like this." Lily turned around a smile on her face. "Why do we have to dress up fancy if we're just going to be transfiguring our outfits for the performances anyway?"
"Because we need something to transfigure silly, plus you look cute in that." Alice explained.
"I still don't get it." Lily mumbled so that Alice didn't hear her.
"Oh Lily! If we don't leave now we're going to be late!" Alice suddenly announced after a few minutes, Lily rolled her eyes opening the door to her room to find James, Sirius, Marlene, Remus, Peter, and Frank standing waiting for them.
"Who are your dates Remus, Peter?" Lily asked politely as she walked out, ignoring James' reaction.
"Oh we're going stag." Remus answered.
"I'm the only stag here." James quipped; Alice, Lily, Frank, and Marlene stared at him.
"Shut up Prongs." Sirius growled looking at his best friend.
"Can I talk to the Marauders alone for a moment please?" Lily asked and they looked at her shocked.
"Sure, just don't take too long Lily, we still have to perform." Alice replied. "Come on Marlene, Frank."
Once they were gone Lily turned to the boys with a small smile. "You really shouldn't let your secret slip like that."
"What secret?" Remus asked cautiously as the other boys' jaws dropped.
"That you all are animagus, except for the fact that Remus is a werewolf." Lily smirked and even Remus looked shocked.
"How'd you find out about that?" Sirius asked looking at him.
"Simple, you guys are not too subtle and you always miss rounds around the Full Moon. It just made sense. I figured that Moony was the werewolf because of his nickname, you guys really need to think of better nicknames." Lily explained with a smile.
"Then you know all of our animagus forms?" Peter asked.
"Well yeah, rats have tails that look like worms, so that one was a dead giveaway. I had to do more research in order to figure out Sirius and James' though. Prongs could've been any animal with antlers, but James just gave that one away because he wasn't being too brilliant. Then Padfoot could go to any animal with pads on its feet, but he never seemed like a cat person and he acts way too much like a dog."
"You're too smart for your own good, you know that right Evans?" Sirius questioned and she laughed.
Lily shook her head and the boys left through the portrait hole leaving Lily and James alone.
"Ready to go to the dance my lady?" James asked with a bow, holding out his hand.
"Of course." Lily placed her hand in his gently.
When they first arrived Alice dragged Lily off from her date so they could go backstage and get ready to perform. Alice transfiguring their clothes into Lily's design.
"Please welcome," Jordan Jordan started out, announcing the band about to perform, "Your Battle of the Bands Winner: The Forestry!"
Lily and Alice walked onto stage amid gales of cheers, when the crowd saw what they were wearing though, it got even louder.
"We're The Forestry!" Alice called out.
"For our first number we'd like to dedicate the song to the Hufflepuff house!" Lily cried her voice echoing across the Hall.
The group cheered majorly. Then Alice transfigured their outfits to be green dresses that stopped mid thigh. They were completely decked in Slytherin silver and green and were even wearing ties. Lily giggled at the outraged looks on most of the Slytherin's faces.
"Our next song goes out to the Slytherin's in the crowd!" Lily called as the music started.
"That was so embarrassing!" Alice hissed into Lily's ear.
"I know; they're going to hate me even more because I'm Muggle born." Lily told her friend a wide smile and a laugh continually bubbling from her mouth.
"Be prepared for the ferocious beast to escape us now!" Alice cheered to the roaring crowd as their outfits transfigured to look like a wild, black raven.
The girls sang the whole song together and it had the boys cheering for more, they were hot dancing up on stage. In more ways than one.
"We only have a couple more songs before we turn our time over to the Marauders." Lily called out.
"Here's something we like to call our Mash-up." Alice explained. "We each wrote part of a song, we sing it then mash it all together!"
"Be prepared for the awesome!" Lily joked, and their outfits changed again. This time skinny jeans and sparkly sequin tops with boots.
It was all rather confusing, not knowing which one to listen to, but it blended together so magically and everyone was impressed with their singing skills.
"The last song we will be performing is coming up." Lily called and people booed.
"But you get The Marauder's next so no need to feel down." Alice teased and Lily had to suppress a smile.
Fake feathers appeared in the girls' hair and they were dressed from head to toe in highlighter colors. They were absolutely vibrant.
"Thank you!" Lily yelled out to the crowd, sending a kiss through the air. Alice copied her as the exited the stage. Their clothes transforming back to what they'd worn to the dance.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Jordan Jordan was on stage again. "Who's ready to rock out to, The Marauders?"
"The Marauders! The Marauders!" The crowd cheered.
"Seems you have a bigger fan base." Lily told the boys as they started to file on stage.
"Nah, we're just more handsome." James told her with a wink.
"I'm not sure we can follow a performance of that magnitude." Remus joked as they set up on stage.
"I'm sure we'll manage Moony." Sirius told him laughing, everyone took their places and they began to play.
"We're the Marauders!" James yelled out and Lily and Alice stood to the side as to watch them perform.
The Marauders were amazing separated out but even better together. The girls were screaming their heads off and Lily rolled her eyes, then she turned away to go lean up against a wall and wait. Yet, she ran right into a brick wall instead, Lily looked up to find Halden staring down at her.
"Why have you been avoiding me?" Halden asked her with a growl.
"If you don't know then I'm not going to tell you." Lily replied pushing past him, but before she got far Halden grabbed her wrist pulling her back painfully.
"Ow!" Lily cried, trying to pull away from him. Only a few people noticed, one of them (luckily, or unlcuckily Lily didn't know) happened to be James.
James looked at Sirius who caught his eye and nodded. James silently slipped into the darkness of the stage, no one noticed and after the charm was lifted from him he walked quickly over to Halden and Lily. Arriving there at the same time as Severus, who nodded slightly.
"Let go of her Rosschester." James growled looking at Halden's hand, which was squeezing Lily's arm so tight that her hand was starting to turn white.
"It's none of your business. I need to talk to my girlfriend." Halden replied with an equally menacing tone.
"I'm not your girlfriend." Lily gasped out, eyes brimming with tears.
"What are you talking about lily? Has these two brainwashed you?" Halden looked at her desperately.
"I saw you with Lilac." Lily told him quietly, struggling to free her hand. Severus had pulled out his wand and muttered a spell that released Lily from his grip.
"I was never with Lilac." Halden whispered.
"Don't lie to me." She hissed stepping back, feeling James' arm right behind her.
"I'm not lying." Halden told her; then turned to James. "And aren't you supposed to be performing.
"I don't have any more solo lyrics for the song, so I'm here." James told him flippantly.
"I saw you, she kissed you and you pulled her closer."
"I never did that!" Halden claimed, looking frightened.
"Yes you did, at the end of Battle of the Bands."
"You saw that?" He asked shocked and James and Severus gave each other a look, this guy really was an idiot.
"I went looking for my 'Boyfriend' because that's what couples do, not snog other girls." Lily snarled putting quotations around the word boyfriend. Then Lily turned and had disappeared into the crowd.
"You can handle him right Snape? I have to get back on stage." James looked at Severus who nodded.
"Ob-viously." Severus replied and James put two fingers to his temple in salute as he left to go back to the stage.
James started and Lily stopped by the Great Hall doors turning around to face James. It seemed as if the words were meant for her, maybe if she just gave him a chance?
Severus started to get the feeling that James meant those words to be directed at Lily, but he didn't have the time to pay attention to that. He had to take care of the scum Lily had once called her boyfriend.
Several girls looked like they were about to faint. Sirius was holding back his laughter at Remus' expression, who was very shocked. Lily was now laughing openly as she stood in the doorway. Meanwhile Severus was having a staring contest with Halden. They finished and the crowd continued to cheer, Severus and Halden still going at their glaring/staring contest.
"Who's ready to dance?" Sirius called out and James gave him a look before laughing.
"I think it's time to elevate the dancing!" James called out and Remus cast the spell as they began to play.
They all started together and gravity was lost. Everyone was floating in the air; people were swooping around and dancing in the sky. Lily was surprised, The Marauders had skill.
"We have two more songs for you tonight!" Remus told the cheering crowd.
"This song goes out to the people we have crushes on." Sirius told the crowd; James turned and winked at Lily who giggled.
"Because every time I see you, you have me Paralyzed." James finished staring at Lily the whole time.
"Tonight Hogwarts belongs to us!" Sirius cheered and the group began to play their last song.
"Thank You!" James yelled out as the bowed and began to move off stage.
"We are The Marauders!" Sirius called waving a piece sign in the air before they all exited the stage.
"I see you're having fun taking care of this guy." James said walking up behind Severus and Halden who were still glaring at each other. Halden glanced at him. "Well Lily already broke up with him, so I guess that our mission is really over. I think Halden's had enough punishment. For now."
"If you date Lily, I will kill you." Halden growled pointing at the two boys then walked off.
"That was eventful." James muttered.
"What do you mean Potter?" Severus asked looking at the taller boy.
"Well, we can go back to hating each other and fighting for Lily's heart while trying to avoid a death threat by her ex-boyfriend. Don't you think that's lovely?" James smiled down at Severus, who was extremely shocked.
"It was good working with you Potter." Severus told him putting out his hand.
"Same to you Snape." James took Severus' hand and shook once.
Then Severus walked over to Lily and asked her to dance, Lily obliged out of kindness, James had a small smile on his face as he watched them dance. After that dance was over a few other people asked Lily to dance and James got progressively more jealous as more guys lined up. It was nearing the last dance of the night and James made his way over to Lily. As the guy she'd been dancing with bowed, James walked up behind him.
"Care to dance with me?" James asked her with a bow.
"Of course." Lily replied, taking his hand and he pulled her close as they swept around the dance floor. "What made you come over here?"
"The night is almost up and I haven't had a dance with my date yet." James told her smiling and Lily giggled.
"What happened to your friends?"
"Sirius is probably in a broom cupboard snogging someone, Peter is probably trying to find someone to dance with, and Remus might've gone back to the common room to read a book." James replied looking like he was contemplating something.
"Oh, you got left all alone then?" Lily asked looking up at him.
"I wouldn't say alone, I've had tons of girls come up to me, begging me to dance with them." James winked at her.
"You're still the same person you were in first year." Lily sighed looking down thinking, how did I ever fall in love with you?
"Lily, I love you and like the song said earlier, I will be any guy you want." James whispered leaning close to her ear.
"Oh James." Lily looked up at him, her eyes sparkling.
"What?" James looked shocked at her facial expression.
"You are a really sweet guy, I'm glad that I've known you." Lily told him quietly and James squeezed her hand.
"I'm glad to have you in my life, even if it means letting some other guy have you." James told her and Lily smiled.
I don't know if I'd ever want another guy. Lily thought looking up at the Quidditch star, she felt ready to cry.
"Shall we go back to the common room?" Lily asked him as the song came to a close.
"If you want." James smiled then they walked out of the Hall together and back to THEIR common room.
Edited October 18, 2013
Edit includes: some grammar and sentence structure, removal of song lyrics.