So I haven't been able to get a Jily/Princess Diaries (2) crossover out of my head, and I have lots of procrastinating to do right now, so enjoy my sloppy, unedited story of a Princess and the threat to her throne.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, The Princess Diaries, or even most of the spoke dialogue. This is purely for my own entertainment.
Lily arrived just a few minutes late to her 21st Birthday.
Her grandmother had warned her that the room would be filled with critics, as nobility from across europe and around the world would not be as lenient to wait for Gryffindor's princess as the citizens of her country often were. And yet, did this warning prevent Lily from spending just a few moments too long staring at herself in the mirror, still adjusting to the image of herself in a tiara. Surely, over the last seven years she had worn the jewels and felt their presence (they were, in fact, very heavy), but this was now her home.
No longer would she study at Columbia, rarely would she visit the San Francisco firehouse she had holed up in as a teenager. In a few months, Lily Evans would cease to exist. Lily Amelia Evans Reinaldi, Queen of Gryffindor would come to power by the end of the year. She shivered, terrified at the thought.
How could this country place its future in the hands of a twenty-one-year-old? She was barely an adult! She couldn't even arrive on time to her own birthday party!
These thoughts stood at the forefront of her mind as her name was announced through the heavy oak doors. She took a steadying breath as they swung open and the glittering ballroom was revealed.
The band struck up a tune as her grandmother led the crowd in a toast. Lily allowed herself one moment of awe before smiling down brilliantly at her well-wishers.
She descended the staircase carefully, keenly aware of the height of her heels and the width of her gown. As she reached the bottom without fault and let out a relieved breath, Mary hit her side, earpiece and clipboard glued to her person.
"Remember, dear, you'll have to dance with every available bachelor who asks. Tradition, and all that." The brunette murmured, careful of their surroundings.
Lily sighed, already noticing the predatory eyes of the men around her. Several already had outstretched their hands, ready to pull her to the floor moment she glanced their way. To Mary, Lily gave a subtle nod.
The duo arrived at the Queen's side, and Minerva gave her granddaughter a sidelong glance that clearly communicated Lily's tardiness had not gone unnoticed.
In true royal fashion, neither the princess nor the queen communicated their displeasure verbally. Instead, they spent the better part of an hour greeting their guests, listening to the visitors tell story after story, first impressions flying by at a moment's glance. Lily silently thanked God for Mary as the women whispered names in her left ear of the people she should already know.
When the receiving line had stalled out, Lily finally gave way to her first dance, which was with a lovely Greek fellow who spoke not a word of English. Soon followed three more men, each of whom seemed more interested with counting their steps than participating in conversation.
Lily had rather hoped she'd be able to practice her people skills while doing her duties this evening, but if this was any indication of her partners for the evening, it appeared she would need some extra practice.
As the band took a break, Lily snuck her way over to the table that held her cake, layers towering high. If she snuck just the right way along the back side of the second tier with a fork, Lily was sure no one would notice some missing frosting. It had been hours now since she'd eaten, and the spread all looked so delectable. And it was her party, after all. She nearly moaned as the cake hit her lips.
"I saw that." Lily jumped at the voice, and the tap on her shoulder.
Expecting to stammer her way through an apology, she turned around to find none other than Marlene McKinnon. Both girls gave a tiny squeal in greeting. Lily hadn't seen Marlene since the girl's birthday last fall, and quick letters hadn't been enough stay up-to-date.
Marlene had always grounded Lily, showing her that life as a royal was not always duty and poise. If Lily's 18th birthday had been any indication, Marlene had something special planned for the Gryffindor Princess' near future. Marlene gave her a mischievous smile. "Let's sneak to the kitchens and snag you some real food."
They happily discussed their lives- Marlene's recent tryst in Monaco, Lily's graduation and move to Gryffindor, as they wove their way across the room. Lily was so involved in a story about Marlene's favorite new bartender in Ibiza that she was unaware of the rather tall man she promptly walked into, smashing her heel onto his foot in the process.
The man winced, a hand flying to his jet black hair as he tried to settle himself without swearing. Lily's hand flew to her mouth, apologies spilling from her lips.
"That's alright, your highness, the fault was entirely my own," his voice was still strained he gave a bow, and as he straightened Lily took stock of him.
His hair was a mass of black, sticking out in all directions as if he hadn't even tried to tame it. His eyes were hidden behind thin-rimmed glasses, but they swirled a mix of brown and green, leaving a beautiful hazel staring back at her. His face was angular, a nose just bordering on large. His lips were curved in a wide smile, teeth shining brilliantly back at her. Marlene poked Lily hard in the back, spurring her on.
"Are you sure you don't want to exchange licenses or proof of insurance?" She joked, hoping he would understand the quip. So many of the nobles she met would take offence, or stare blankly at her, never having driven a day in their lives.
"No, no," his smile twitched, crooking to one side, "These shoes were a little large anyway, the swelling should help them fit."
Lily laughed, glad to be free of the formality which guided so many of her conversations these days. He tipped his head to her, and she caught a whiff of his scent as he passed. Her nose picked up on pears and soap, and she found it more pleasant than she expected.
"Nevermind the kitchens, I'll take a bite of him for dinner." Marlene whispered in her ear. Lily flushed and shook her head ruefully at her friend.
As the night progressed, Lily was sure her dance partners were getting more and more ridiculous. More than once she'd had to dodge flailing arms and feet, or bend back in odd positions as the men dipped her. She was exhausted, but one look at her grandmother told her this was a time to be strong.
Her current partner was holding her arm high above her head, urging her with his free hand to spin. She ducked under, attempting a small spin which he took as prompting to continue to spin her vigorously.
When she was so dizzy she couldn't see, she felt him release her hand and another pair of arms position themselves around her. He moved her in slow circles, allowing her dizziness to fade. It was only then that Lily realized her savior was the man from before, with the same black hair and hazel eyes.
"Your timing is impeccable, thank you." She breathed, and they moved easily across the floor now.
"You're welcome, your highness," He said. The words were all propriety but the curve of his mouth betrayed his amusement. Somehow it was all too formal, the two of them dancing and him referring to her by her title.
"Lily," she blurted, feeling very much like she was sixteen again, "I like to be called Lily." He hummed in agreement, and Lily was disappointed he hadn't repeated her name to her. She wanted to hear it in his voice.
"And you are?" She prompted again, frustrated that she didn't know his name, and that he hadn't given it to her.
She caught his eye and something flashed there for a moment before disappearing. "James," he said, "just James." He sent her into a gentle dip, and the momentary weightlessness distracted her. When he lifted her back to a standing position, they weren't dancing as closely anymore.
"Well, just James, I'm very glad to see my clumsiness hasn't affected your dancing," she attempted, hoping to lighten the suddenly more serious mood.
"You can step on my foot anytime, Lily," his voice was barely above a whisper, and it sent a pleasant tingle down her spine. Lily turned to look as James readjusted his grip on her hand, and when she turned back to him his face was closer than ever before. She could feel his breath on her nose. His eyes seemed so large, so full of… something.
Before she could figure it out, there was a tap on her shoulder (well, really moreso her arm, as the source of the tapping was really rather short).
"It is Prince Jacques' turn," the small, precocious person announced. James stepped away with a clipped bow, the moment broken. He did not meet her eye as he walked away, leaving her in the arms of an ostentatious twelve year old.
Several dances later, Lily was exhausted. She had not seen James since their dance, though her eyes had scanned the room for him more than once as she was introduced to members of Parliament (nearly all 29 of them). Just as she was finished meeting Lord Fenwick, she walked back towards Marlene, who sat with two other princesses undoubtedly judging the room.
As she turned back for one last glance, hoping to catch James' telltale black mop among the crowd of dignitaries, a server's tray knocked the tiara clean off her head. She gasped and reached out for it, only to find it had been caught by a man standing just to her right.
The server tripped over himself apologizing, but she calmed him. This was not the first time she had almost send a crown to its doom, nor would it be the last.
She turned to the man who was still holding her tiara delicately in his hands. He was looking at her curiously, and with a shade of condescension he gingerly placed the crown back on her head. "You should be more careful, your royal highness. Someone might try to take that away from you." His tone was light, but the words felt heavy.
Lily knew that not everyone in Gryffindor was pleased with a young American princess taking over the throne.
"Well, I certainly hope not, but thank you so much for all your help." She smiled benignly at the man, who but for his haughty demeanor would really be rather attractive, with long black hair and steel grey eyes.
He seemed to be built for nobility, from his commanding posture to the way his tuxedo fell perfectly across his body. Perhaps if he had been more genuinely kind, or if she had not already found someone to be enamoured with that evening, she would have favored him more.
Instead she turned around to see Dorcas motioning her over to another crowd of people, a clear sign that Lily's grandmother was not yet satisfied with her interactions for the evening.