Be Here Now
Disclaimer: The wonderful world of Harry Potter belongs to Jo Rowling.
A/N: Hey everyone! Here's chapter 31!
twilightstargazer: Thank you so much!
Temy the Bloodedge: Thanks!
Laveycee: James wouldn't kick anyone out, and he'd probably give some to his mother and sisters.
headinclouds123: Thank you!
x.o.x.o.x.
As the days passed, the shock of the loss of Charles Potter was lessened on his daughter, son, and surrogate son. The funeral was sad but also reviving. After seeing their father being laid to rest, James and Hilary became more of themselves, which was a good thing, as today was their eighteenth birthday.
Lily jumps out of bed and runs over to James's door, pushing it open. "Happy birthday, Jamie!"
James, who had already gotten up, smiles at her. "Thanks, Lils."
Lily runs over and jumps on him, kissing him. "Ready for breakfast?"
James nods. His eyes hold a wistful, sad look in them though, and Lily correctly guesses the reason.
"You're sad that your dad isn't here to celebrate your third most important birthday so far," she states, leaning back to look at him in the eye.
Surprised, James shrugs. "Third?"
"Your first birthday is the most important, seventeenth is the second."
James nods in understanding. "And yes, I guess I am sad. But I can tell he's watching over me."
Lily smiles, slipping her hand into his elbow. "I'm glad."
x.o.x.o.x.
When James is in his Quidditch Captain office drawing out plays and Hilary is studying in the library, Lily gathers Remus, Frank, Peter, Sirius, Alice, and Dorcas together in the Head Common Room.
"We need to throw a party for those two," Lily declares. "It's all we could do."
Sirius looks at her admiringly. "I didn't know you had it in you, Lily-petal!"
Lily scowls at the nickname. "I pulled that prank with you and owned up to it, didn't I?"
Remus laughs. "She's got a point there, Padfoot."
"Okay, back to the party," Alice yells.
Silence.
"I think all the seventh years from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw except for Maya and her gang," Lily suggests.
"Why not?" Peter blurts before he can help himself.
Sure enough, everyone else looks at him weirdly.
"Since when do you befriend Death Eaters and their pals, Pete?" Frank asks curiously.
Sirius and Remus eye him suspiciously while Alice, who was the only one to actually sincerely like Peter besides the Marauders, says sharply, "Lay off him, boys."
Frank relents and takes his gaze off the rat.
Remus hesitates slightly but removes his gaze as well.
Sirius continues to glare suspiciously at his friend. There was something… off about Peter lately.
"Sirius," warns Alice.
Lily, who was also suspicious, says hesitantly, "No Maya, Peter, but maybe her gang would be nice enough. I highly doubt they know their leader is a Death Eater, and being Hufflepuffs, I doubt they'll become ones."
Dorcas nods in agreement with Lily. "Maya's gang is nice. They aren't vicious like her. They're just attention-seeking and thrive under Maya. I know for a fact that all three of them are completely against Death Eaters, even Naomi."
Lily flinches. "Don't mention Naomi in front of Hils unless you want her to blow up Hogwarts."
"And I like this school, thanks," adds Sirius.
"Where's James, by the way? And Hilary?" Frank asks.
"I think James is in the Quidditch captain office drawing plays and Hilary is in the library cramming," Dorcas answers.
"Where exactly are we holding this party?" Remus questions.
"Here?" suggests Alice.
"Yeah, it's neutral ground and James's home," Sirius amends.
Lily, however, shoots down the idea with a violent shake of the head. "No way! I am perfectly fine with throwing a surprise party for my best friend and boyfriend, but I am not willing to trash my home!"
"Lily is right. People could get, ah, frisky and ruin this place," Remus backs her up. He refrained from using 'drunk' because although all the guests would be of age, it was against the rules to drink within Hogwarts. Not that many people followed that rule.
Lily looks at him suspiciously. "I know you were going to say drunk, Remus. And I happen to know for a fact that everyone follows the no drinking rule except the Marauders, especially Sirius, who happens to spike the punch bowl, therefore making many people drunk."
At the amazed looks, Lily sighs in frustration.
"I'm not stupid you know!"
Everyone hastily removes their looks.
"Okay," Lily says, taking charge. "I've decided that the party will be in the Room of Requirement. That place could just clean up and all that stuff when we're done, so we won't have to bother. Any objections?"
"Nope," Sirius chirps for everyone.
"Good. Sirius and Peter, you are in charge of food. That's a risky choice, but there's no other. Frank and Alice, I'm leaving you to decorations. You two have a pretty good eye for that sort of thing, and you could work together fine. Remus and Dorcas go around and invite people. You two are quite popular with the three Houses, and Dorcas can reach the Hufflepuffs in the common room, while Remus could get in touch with the Gryffindors in our common room and the Ravenclaws who are probably hanging in the library, cramming for NEWTs. I'll go get permission from Professor Dumbledore," reels off Lily. "Got that?"
"Head Girl vibes," mutters Sirius.
Lily glares. "I heard that, Sirius."
Sirius smiles sweetly.
Shaking her head, Lily laughs. "Get going."
x.o.x.o.x.
"So is it alright if we use the Room of Requirement and have a party for James and Hilary?" Lily asks after finishing her explanation in the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore nods, his blue eyes twinkling. "Normally, I would say no, but it is Friday, and you seventh years need some fun to get your minds off what is approaching. As for Mr. and Miss Potter, they need this fun not just for getting their minds off what is approaching, but for getting their minds off what has already happened. Very good of you to come up with this idea, Miss Evans."
Lily beams. "Thank you, Professor. I'll be going now."
"And Lily?"
Lily turns from the door. "Yes, sir?"
"I do not regret selecting you as the Hogwarts Head Girl in the 1977-1978 school year."
Beaming from pride, Lily replies, "Thank you, Headmaster. Goodnight."
"Good night, Miss Evans."
x.o.x.o.x.
Lily walks into the Gryffindor Quidditch changing room and walks over to the door that leads into the captain's office. She pushes the door open and is greeted by the sight of James looking stressed.
"Hey Jamie!" she chirps.
James looks up. "Oh, hey, Lils."
Lily is concerned as she walks over to sit in the chair across from him. "What's wrong, James?"
"I got all these perfect plays drawn, and then my best Chaser goes and gets himself hurt," James sighs. "Well, not hurt. Just ill. Extremely ill. I wish him all the best, but I'm shorthanded. I've got to find a new Chaser by next Saturday, which is the next game."
"Can't you fire up the reserves?"
"I don't have a reserve Chaser."
Lily tilts her head, considering. "I'll play."
James looks up from his papers. "What?"
Lily laughs. "I'm not nearly as bad at Quidditch as I am at Transfiguration." She catches the look on his face and adds, "Don't try to deny it, James. I'm horrific at Transfiguration."
James closes his mouth. "Lils, I thought you were uncoordinated and hated heights."
Rolling her eyes, Lily says, "Technically, I lied."
"Why?"
"Because you probably would have forced me onto the team, and I don't do well under pressure! Have you seen me before exams?"
James considers this. "Oh."
Lily nods, agreeing. "Yes, oh. I practically rip people's heads off at the slightest comment." Here she allows herself a grin. "Oh, dear, what did you get yourself into, Jamie?"
James stands from his chair and walks around the desk to hug Lily. "I fought for you for six long years, Lily. I won't let exam pressure get to me."
"And James?"
"Yes, Lily."
"I'll play."
Remembering the reason she was here, James pulls back and heads back to his desk. "Are you sure, Lils?"
Lily nods adamantly.
"So I'll have four of my classmates on the team. Well, only three. You, Sirius, Hilary, and I are all seventh years."
Lily shrugs. "Ask Gryffindor if they want to win. If they say yes, then tell them to lay off. I'll do my very best to win every game I play in." She pauses. "James, I do not plan on being Chaser permanently."
"Okay."
"Come on, now! Let's go," Lily cries, dragging James up.
x.o.x.o.x.
Sirius enters the library, looking around. He seriously (excuse the pun) had never been in the library since third year, when he, James, and Peter were studying to become Animagi. His grey eyes scan the room, finally landing on his girlfriend. He walks over silently and hugs her from behind.
"Ah!" Hilary yelps, whipping around.
"Sh!" hisses the librarian venomously.
Hilary shoots her a winning smile. "Sorry."
Scowling ferociously, the librarian storms away.
"Sirius Black! If you get me kicked out of the library before exams, I swear I will behead you and kick your head and body into the Atlantic!" Hilary threatens.
"Ooh, has turning eighteen turned you vicious, Hils?" teases Sirius.
Hilary glares. "What do you want, Black?"
"Is that any way to address your boyfriend, Hilary? Lily-petal doesn't acknowledge Prongs with 'Potter' anymore," mock-scolds Sirius.
Hilary glares harder. "You are so annoying, Black! Why do I date you?"
As a reply, Sirius casts a quick glance around, and leans in, capturing her lips in a heated kiss.
After a few moments, Hilary pulls back and says breathlessly, "I guess that's why. So what do you want, Sirius?"
"Come with me and you shall see," Sirius declares, waving his wand to replace all her books on the shelves- in the correct places too.
Hilary sighs. "That just lost you a date, Sirius. I'm taking away one to study with Lily."
Sirius pouts. "But Hiiilary!"
Hilary shakes her head. "Just get me there quickly."
Sirius laughs and drags her by the hand, heading for the Room of Requirement.
x.o.x.o.x.
In front of the blank wall, the two couples meet.
"Happy birthday," James and Hilary wish each other simultaneously.
"You haven't spoken this whole day?" Lily asks, amazed.
Both twins shake their heads.
"I've been studying all day," Hilary says.
Sirius and Lily both snort. "Wonderful way to spend your eighteenth. Even Lily didn't spend her birthday studying, and she's the queen of books!"
Lily glares but drops it.
"And I've been stressing out over Quidditch all day. I've got a new Chaser."
Sirius and Hilary perk up. "Who?" Hilary demands.
"The prestigious Head Girl," James announces ceremoniously.
Lily rolls her eyes as her best friend and close friend gape at her.
"So we've got two Chasers in the group and two Beaters," whoops Sirius.
"Let's kick some Slytherin butt next weekend!" Hilary cheers.
"But now…" Lily says mysteriously, pacing three times in front of the wall. A door appears. "It's time to have…."
She swings the door open to reveal a jumping party. "Fun!"
x.o.x.o.x.
The next morning, Hilary and James wake up to a room scattered with wrapping paper and presents, along with a terrible hangover. The others also wake up with hangovers, but no presents, and Lily wakes up cheerful and happy.
x.o.x.o.x.
A/N: There you go! Coming up next: The Easter holidays! I really hope you like it. It doesn't have much drama or action, but you'll see. There's probably only four chapters left! Oh, and I express my joy that the Boston Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks last night! Go Celtics! Until the next chapter…
~TrueLoveIs4ever