Marls opened the boys' dorm door and saw James immediately drawing curtains around his bed. Marls moved towards the bed.
"James, it's okay, it's me Marls," she said and James opened the curtains.
Lily saw that his eyes were red.
"Were you crying?" asked Marls.
"Where are you? What are you doing here?" asked James. Marls came out of the cloak but signalled Lily to stay.
"We both were stupid James, there was a misunderstanding," said Marls
"What misunderstanding?" asked James.
Marls sat beside him, "You remember the advice Remus asked for the date?"
"Yeah, I planned it for her, so how can I forget, both of them will be happy and I am fine as long as she is happy," muttered James.
"Really? Because Remus was asking for it because he wanted to take Mary, not Lily, we heard half of the conversation and came to the wrong conclusion," said Marls.
"What?" jumped James.
"Lily is here James, she will tell you what happened that day in the library," said Marls and removed the cloak from over Lily. "Now, Lily I think you understood what happened, explain it to him, I am going to give you some privacy, and don't worry I will make sure no one comes up here." And she left and closed the door.
Lily saw the sparkle on the sad face, she understood what has happened and listening to James just made her fall for him even more. She sat beside him on the bed.
"You thought there was something in between Remus and me? That he was going to take me on a date?" asked Lily and James nodded slowly. "You heard our talk in the library?" James nodded, "You were eavesdropping? Spying on me?"
"No, I was coming to you to ask something, and Marls told me you were there so we both came to meet you and when we were a few blocks away from you, we heard you both talking, you both said you like each other and I just ran away from there," said James looking down, not meeting her eyes.
"Oh, James! it was that he was being doubtful of himself and all that like you had told me when we were in Shrieking Shack. So, I told him that we all love him and that he need not worry about getting into a relationship, and that he is a good kisser as Mary was very happy about it," she looked at James, "I think you only heard a few parts of the conversation?"
"Yeah, only the love part and boyfriend and kiss part. I am sorry. It was great of you to help him," said James, he was hoping that Lily would be angry at him but when he looked at her she was looking at him curiously.
"It's okay James, we all make mistakes, but you should have asked me or Remus, why didn't you?" asked Lily.
"Remus said about not going public, and I didn't wanted to force you both to tell it, I thought you will tell when you are ready, it wasn't my place to say anything," said James.
"So, you would let a friend date me and be all sad?" asked Lily.
"As long as you are happy, that's what matters," said James. "And Remus is my friend, a good guy."
"And what if it was someone other than your friends?" asked Lily and James looked at her, is there anyone else then?
"As I said it's your happiness that matters, and I would be happy as long as you are happy," said James honestly.
"Really?" asked Lily and James nodded.
"I might be jealous," he said before he could stop himself. Lily has to bite back a smile.
"And what did you wanted to ask me that day in the library?" asked Lily after a few minutes of silence.
"It was nothing," said James.
"Don't lie to me, I can see when you lie to me," said Lily.
"Iwasgonnaaskyouout," said James hurriedly.
"What?" asked Lily but a wide smile crept on her face.
"I was gonna ask you out, I . . I . . if you don't want then I . . I will un.."He was cut by as Lily's lips crashed against his, he was frozen by shock, but soon recovered and kissed her back.
"Ask me now," said Lily breaking the kiss.
"Will you go out with me?" asked James.
"No. . " James' face fell, "Not like this, like old times," she said kissing him again and pulling back.
James grinned at her and her heart melted after finally seeing this grin after such a long time.
"Hey, Evans will you go out with me?" he grinned.
"Yes, Potter, I will go out with you," she laughed as he instantly reached and catcher her lips the moment she finished her sentence.
After Merlin knows what time, they broke apart and sat holding hands both red, and stealing glances at each other, a smile pasted on their face.
"I am very very happy, that no words can describe it," said James giving her hands a sqeeze.
"Me too," she smiled.
"You know, I would probably shout to the whole world that Lily Evans said 'yes' to me," said James.
"Yeah, I know that," she replied chuckling.
"I. .. just wanted to keep it secret for now," said James nervously and looked at Lily looking at him. "It's because of a lot of gossips is going on already regarding you, and also about me and you and me, being enemies and then friends sort of gossip. I just want to have you to me and I don't want other people to give their opinions on it. I want to have it private and enjoy this before we tell everyone."
He was thinking that Lily will get angry but she smiled at him, "I was thinking about keeping it to ourselves only, you know me continuously rejecting you and then saying yes it all goes wild in Hogwarts. And . . .and. . ." she trailed off and looked down.
James got worried and put his hand under her chin and raised it so their eyes meet again, he saw there was worry in her eyes.
"And what Lils?"
"It's just me being a muggleborn and you a pureblood, people will target you for it, for associating with me," she said.
"You know that I don't care about blood status and you know that my aunt was a muggleborn, people already target me for being a traitor and you know that I want to fight against them. So, they will attack me no matter what, you don't need to worry about it. I want to be with you and that's what I care about. I don't give a shit about what others think, only you matter to me," said James.
Lily smiled at him and gave him a kiss.
"Should we tell to our friends?" asked James.
"Nah, no need, Sirius will shout to the whole school," laughed Lily and James laughed too. "And did you know they always place bets on us?"
"Sometimes," said James.
"Oh, they place a lot of bets on us, they are betting on whether we will get together or not and other stuff," said Lily.
"How did you know?" asked James.
"Mary is very bad at keeping her things in the proper place, and a few weeks ago I saw her notebook and on the back of it was written all the bets, many people have been betting on us, like how many times we will argue, fight, hex, kiss, and one was about me killing you," said Lily.
"That's bad, let's not tell them then, it will be a good punishment for them and we will play with them too," chuckled James.
"That's an excellent idea," smiled Lily leaning back in him. "I should go or it will be late and I am not sure how long Marls will able to hold them."
"Yeah, take the cloak with you," sighed James as Lily stood up. "A goodnight kiss?"
Lily laughed and leaned toward him, and then bid him good night and left. The other three boys arrived after half an hour.
Lily was lying on her bed happily when the two girls entered, Mary was telling about the date to Marls and Lily heard all of it. So, James has planned it for her but gave it to Remus so that she could enjoy it. And her melt.
"So, what happened," whispered Marls laying beside Lily once Mary was asleep.
Lily was thankful that it was dark and Marls didn't saw her blushing.
"Well I explained to him that we I and Remus are just friends and that I was helping and James was sad that I didn't tell him, but now we are back to being friends again," said Lily.
"Come on I helped you both or else you both would have still been weeping, now tell the truth I deserve it and I will anyhow know it morning because James may be the best liar to others but he fails in front of me," said Marls.
"And in front of me too, and I in front of him," Lily blushed again.
"And in front of me, now tell what happened," demanded Marls.
"Okay, but don't tell anyone, promise?"
"Promise," and then Lily told her everything.
"FINALLY!" exclaimed Marls aloud.
"Hush, and yes, FINALLY!"
"So, you both are going to keep it secret?"
"Yes, we want to be just us and not include others, not even our friends who bet on us."
"Oh, so you know about it, Mary I suppose?"
"Yes, I read it in her notebook."
"I am happy for both of you,"
"I am happy too."
The next morning the marauders were all sitting together, they were early in the Great Hall and James Potter had the widest smile on his face.
"What are you so happy about?" asked Sirius.
"And why did you drag us here so early?" asked Peter, who was forced to awaken by James.
"Well I have some things to do,. . no not prank and I can't come without you lot," he said.
When the girls arrive Mary took the seat next to Remus and Lily found the space next to James and slid there, James grinned at her.
"So, you both are together, now?" asked James looking at Remus who had his hands around Mary's waist and has kissed her twice.
"Yeah, we are, thanks for your help James and your support Lily," said Remus.
"Well at least it was a get-together night for couples," said Marls winking at James.
"You told her?" he whispered.
"She would have known, anyway and she did help," whispered Lily.
"Thanks, Marls, for everything," said James. "Now, everyone look up."
They all did and suddenly flower petals of different different colour and fragrance started falling, it was such that all the petals would disappear on touching the floor and table but not any person. Each person was showered with their favourite flower.
"It's amazing James," said Mary as tulips fell over her.
"This is how I am feeling today and I want everyone to be part of my happiness," James ha;f-shouted happily.
"It's lovely and beautiful," gasped Lily turning to James as yellow Peruvian lilies fell over her and saw lilac flowers falling on him.
"It's just what my heart is feeling," he whispered to her, no one noticed them holding hands as the intensity of flower rain continues increasing.
A poem was sung by an unknown source but ie was beautiful,
"There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own,
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature's wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers."
"This Lily is my gift for you, the least I could do," he whispered to her and when the intensity has increased so much that no one was able to see the next person, James leaned in and kissed for a few seconds and when he broke the kiss, the intensity of rain started decreasing and then stopped and finally few more plants fell on Slytherin table which didn't disappeared, they all had thorns and unpleasant smell. "Oops, some spells are hard to control," he said winking at Sirius.
"That was breathtaking Mr Potter but I will take 5 points for rule-breaking," said Minnie approaching them, she had daisies in her hair. "And also 10 points for a beautiful display of magic." She gave him a smile and left.
"Well all it was a kind of cover-up to get to kiss the most beautiful girl," whispered James to Lily as he leaned to take a plate of eggs and brushed against her while doing so.
"Prongs mate you have to teach me Transfiguration today after classes," said Peter.
"No, I don't remember that, besides you are already doing well," replied James.
"You planned it, remember that day when we both ran into Dumbledore and we nearly lost the map and had to sneak another way," said Peter giving him a glare.
"Oh, yes, I remember now, thanks for reminding me," said James.
The last lesson was D.A.D.A., Prof. Murphy was teaching them about how to fight a dementor and Remus was assisting her without directly assisting her.
"So, who can tell the best way to fight a dementor?" asked Murphy.
"Yes, Ms MacDonalds."
"Patronuses, professor, The Patronus Charm," she replied.
"Correct, now I think it says you will learn about it in charms class next year, but I will show you one,. . . . Expecto Patronum!" she said and a small animal erupted from her wand and circled her for five minutes before disappearing, many people clapped and the professor blushed.
"Why a Patonus defeats a dementor?" asked Remus.
"Good question, because a Patronus represents happiness and warm feelings this defeats dementors who are horrible sad creatures," answered Murphy.
"Her character is just like her Patronus, shy and timid," said James to Sirius, Lily and Marls who were sitting near him.
"What was it? A raccoon?" asked Sirius.
"No, a Marakeet," replied Lily.
"I want an essay on today's topic by the next class," announced the Professor.
James left for the quidditch pitch after the class with Peter while the others for the common room, he and Lily exchanged a smile before parting.
"Prongs I am nervous," said Peter biting his nails.
"Don't worry about it, I have made sure that nothing happens to you, and if all goes to the plan no one will ever know that we ever went there," said James placing a hand around Pete.
"So, where is this place?"
"No, idea, but I know everything about and around it, so I am hoping it will go well,"
"And what if we fail?"
"We will have Dumbledore by our side, he will make sure that we return safely."
"What about you, I will go only if you promise that we will be safe,"
"I promise I will keep you safe and make sure you return safely here."
"And what about you?"
"I will be safe too, it's a marauder plan of heist, they will never know what hit them,"
"Yeah they know about Aurors but we marauders are different types."
"That we are, now let me explain everything to you."
And they talked for an hour before returning to the tower.
When James entered the common room, he found all his friends busy in writing essays, he himself took out his book and started writing when Lily came and sat next to him and gave him a parchment. He opened it and read:
James and Lily, we will begin the first lesson today at 9 p.m.
I hope that you both are ready.
-Albus Dumbledore.
P.S.: Jells Tots are tasty.
"What are Jelly Tots?" asked James.
"It's a muggle candy," replied Lily. "So, excited for the lessons?"
"Very."
"I hope I can manage it with classwork," sighed Lily.
"I will help you and you help me."
James gave the gargoyle the password and then they knocked on the door, it opened but the room was not how James or Lily had seen it before, it was a big empty room now with cushions all over the floor and wall. Dumbledore was standing in the middle beaming at them.
"Welcome, as we know we don't have much time, so we will directly start with the lesson, today we will be doing advance shield charms, non-verbally," said the professor. "I will show you how it is done and then you will do it."
The lesson was tiring, mastering nonverbal magic was head and needed a lot of focus and was mentally exhausting, but knowing that it will help in the war.
"Tonight's lesson was a success, I will send the message for the next lesson." They both thanked him and left, it was 10 and the corridors were empty.
James put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer giving her a kiss, Lily smiled and returned it. As they walked back to the Tower Lily stopped him as a question popped into her mind.
"What are we, James?"
"Umm. . What? I don't understand, we're students, wizards," he asked confusedly.
"Where does our relationship stands?"
James cupped her face between his hands, "Lily Evans, will you be my girlfriend?"
Lily grinned, and nodded enthusiastically, "Yes." she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, "But we are still keeping it between us."
"Yes, that we are," he grinned and then sighed "I am sorry"
"For what?" asked Lily.
"I always fantasized about taking you on a date and then asking you," said James.
"It's okay James, you know I heard every detail of it from Mary, that was your idea and it was amazing and then imagined being there with you." smiled Lily, "And that flower shower was really amazing,"
"I am glad you liked it, I was planning it just for you but to cover it I had to include everyone in it."
James woke up early the next morning and ran to the common hall, he saw Marlene, Adi and Kevin already there on their way to the great hall.
"So, ready for first quidditch match as a captain?" asked Adi.
"Absolutely, but I am nervous," said James honestly.
"Don't worry we will win, I will try to catch the snitch asap," said Kevin.
Today was the match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, James was under pressure, if they lose the match then he will be blamed for being a terrible captain and losing Gryffindor's first match. He has already ran his hands through his hair a hundred times already.
"James, wait I have a message for you," said Marls as they were about to move out of the common room. She leaned and whispered in his ears this brought a grin on his face, everyone left but James stayed and ran into the balcony, standing there was Lily.
"I didn't know you were a morning person and definitely not on weekends," teased James.
"Well my boyfriend is a morning person and this is an important day for him, so how could I have restrained myself from wishing him luck," said Lily kissing him. "So, nervous?"
"Yes,"
"Don't worry I am sure you will surely win after all those evening practices," said Lily.
"Following me are you, Evans?"
"Of course, not Potter, it just so happens my best friend plays quidditch and an arrogant boy is the captain of the team."
"But he is fucking hot"
"That he is," she said kissing him again. "Now, go or you will be late, and all the best."
James entered the Locker room his teammates had all already changed into quidditch robes, he changed as fast as he can and then turned to his teammates, his stomach writhing. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"The weather is not great, there's wind so beaters keep that factor in mind, now Elisa, the Ravenclaw beater Davies is a good chaser, he feints many shots so look out for that. Play by your strength and don't let me down; it is my first match as captain, and I want to win. So, I will give a party to you all if we win but you will face my wrath if we lose. .. . just kidding. Enjoy the game."
It had snowed just an hour ago and now cold winds were blowing, James exposed part soon felt as cold as ice.
"Captains shake hands," said Madam Hooch, and James firmly shook the hand of the Ravenclaw captain Lloyd. "Mount your brooms. On the whistle . . . . three. . .. two. . . .. .one. . . "
The whistle sounded, James and the others kicked off hard from the frozen ground, and they were away.
Adi got hold of the quaffle immediately and passed it to Marls. Alan, the new beater cleared the path for her and she scored the opening goal of the match. Cheers roared from the Gryffindor side and also some from the Hufflepuffs.
"Ali passes the quaffle to James, he ducks a bludger and flew aside Davies and has scored the goal," said the voice of Lee, which was greeted with cheers.
"Elisa Scott is the new keeper for the Gryffindor, Lloyd shoots the quaffle towards the goal post but Elisa has deflected it towards James. Elisa is just awesome, I have been asking her to go to Hogsmeade with me since the beginning of the year but she ignores me, if anyone has any advice please give me," said Lee and everyone laughed except for Elisa whose face now matched her robes.
"Mr Lee, focus on the match," barked Minnie.
"Sorry, Professor but if you would have given me advice earlier then I wouldn't . . . "
"I will remove you from here," warned Minnie and Lee focused back on the match.
The game continued for two hours, Gryffindor was leading with 190 to 120. Then, Kevin saw the snitch hovering near the snowy ground in the middle of the pitch, he dived hard, and looked like the other seeker was thinking it was Wronski Feint, oh he was so wrong before the Ravenclaw chaser realized that it wasn't a trick, Kevin has already caught the snitch, though his foot collided hard with the ground.
"Kevin has caught the snitch, and Gryffindor wins 340 to 120," shouted Lee and cheers and roars erupted from the scarlet side.
"YES!" James yelled. Wheeling around he hurtled back toward the ground, and hugged Kevin who was standing and beaming despite his injury, holding the snitch high in his fist.
After changing back they all entered the common room, where everyone was partying, James was patted on his back for winning and so were others. James took a seat beside Peter and Sirius, the latter handed him a butterbeer and they talked for sometime before Peter and Sirius went to eat some cake, James looked around for the red-headed girl, but couldn't find her, he saw Marls talking to Mary they had a serious look on their face. James walked up to them.
"What's wrong?" asked James.
"Lily, she received a letter about her aunt from her mother, she died yesterday evening," replied Mary.
"Where is she?" asked James.
"She was here in the common room with me throughout the match, but when people started returning from the match, and I got distracted looking toward the portrait hole for you all she disappeared, she isn't in the dorm, she must have gone out but I doubt it as I was looking there," replied Mary worriedly.
"Don't worry, I will find her," said James, and then he ran to his room, put the cloak over himself, and got to the balcony, and there she was sitting, clutching the letter in her hands and sobbing.
James sat beside her and hugged her, she looked at him and leaned into him.
"I am sorry, I missed your first match as a captain," apologised Lily.
"Don't be stupid Lils, it was just a match, I am sorry that I was not there for you earlier," said James.
"You should be out there celebrate with others," said Lily.
"I am not leaving you," said James.
"But it's important that you be there among your te. .. " but James cut her off, "You are more important than anything to me."
Lily snuggled into him, "Thank you, James. I am just being idiot, we all knew this was coming since the end of O. "
"It's okay, take your time," said James.
"I will not be able to go to her funeral,"
"Why?"
"Her wish was to be buried next to her husband, and he is buried in Dublin. Her son is taking her, my parents had already bid her goodbye, so no point in me going there as I only knew her and not anyone else."
"I see. Why don't you also bid her goodbye from here, close your eyes, imagine her, remember her, she is standing in front of you, then you say everything to her and bid her goodbye."
Lily thought about it for a minute and then did the same. When she opened her eyes after five minutes she felt a lot better.
"Did you do the same on the funeral day?" asked Lily and James nodded.
"Yeah, it finalized and lightened things. You know, I was afraid that I will never see him again but I forgot one thing."
"What's that?"
"The ones that love us, never truly leave us. And you can always find them . . . . in here" he placed his hand at his heart," in your heart"
Lily absorbed at what he had just said and this brought a smile to her face.
"Who told you this?" she asked.
"My mum, after Aunt May died," he replied his hand still at his heart.
"That's a really deep thing,"
"Yeah, it is" he sighed and then after thinking a lot he spoke, "Term is ending in a week. What's your plan?"
Lily shrugged,"As usual at home, Tuney will only come on Christmas Eve, before that she will be at some boy she met Vermin. And you?"
"No plans, so at home with mum, dad and Padfoot," replied James, "It will not be the same without Uncle Ben."
"If you don't would you like to come to visit me?"
James thought about all the things he had to do before answering, "I would love to, How about Boxing Day?"
"Perfect," said Lily happily. "We can go to visit around London and enjoy."
"Sounds nice, but we will go alone, no other friends this time," grinned James.
"I was thinking the same."
"Being selfish are we?" teased James
"It doesn't hurt to be selfish sometimes at least it's better than being arrogant," Lily teased.
"Do you feel like going in there?" asked James.
"Not really, but maybe a good snog session would convince me," she said and both of them grinned.
After half an hour, both of them entered the common room, having fixed their outfits. James handed her a butterbeer.
"To the first win as a captain and many more to come," said Lily, clinking their glasses. After that Lily took a seat on the couch while James went to get her some Jam Tarts and Scones(her favourites).
Lily watched as he picked a plate and put Scones on it when a girl put a hand on his shoulder and James turned to look they talked about something, it was Keeva, by the lip reading it looked like Keeva was congratulating him as James said 'thank you', they talked for a minute and then Lily saw James furrowed his brows and he was about to turn when the girl took hold of his face and started kissing him, some people wolf-whistled at this but without any delay, James pushed her away muttered something angrily to her and then began putting Jam Tarts and Treacle Tarts. Lily saw Keeva moving towards her friends with a smug look, this made Lily angry, she wanted to hit her really hard, not hex her but physically hit her.
"Sorry about that, but I didn't she caught me off-guard and I pushed her away instantly, sorry," said James as he sat in the chair next to her and gave her the plate. Lily looked at him, he was looking worried and nervous as he ran his hands through his hair.
"It's okay, I saw you were turning and that bitch did that, I want to hit her real hard," said Lily looking at Keeva.
"I didn't want to make a scene there, so I warned her not to do it," said James.
"That's nice of you," said Lily, and then noticed as a hand took a scone from her plate, she looked and saw Marls as she sat beside her, she was looking angry just like Lily.
"She is a real bitch," said Marls.
"Lils said the same," pointed James eating a treacle tart.
"Anyway, who is a better kisser?" asked Marls
"You know about us doesn't mean you can ask questions, but to make it clear, for me Lils is each and every time better than even any Veela," replied James and Lily blushed.
"Where are others?" asked Lily as she looked around the room.
"Well Remus and Mary are in boys' dorm, Pete is there sleeping behind that couch, and I don't know about Sirius," replied Marls.
"I woke up Pete early by mistake as his bed is nearest to the bathroom and I was panicking inside and he heard me and had to get in to hit me to shut me up. And Sirius will be probably out enjoying his time with someone," said James.
"When will he get serious?" asked Lily
"Believe me Lils we all are waiting for it, anyway what about you, Marls?"
"Still with 'the gentleman'," sighed Marls.
"You are as bad as Padfoot, both of you don't know what you want, even when it is so obvious," said James giving Marls a glare.
"Leave it, James, I don't want to talk about it," said Marls.
"What's it about?" asked Lily.
"She fancies Padfoot and he likes her but both are in the denial phase and I am being crushed between them," said James.
"Just like I was crushed between you and Lils," pointed out Marls.
"So, Sirius is the 'the guy' you fancied but didn't tell us?" asked Lily shocked.
"I would have told you, but I thought it will never happen so no point in telling anyone, it was that James somehow found out," said Marls.
"You keep asking me about him all the time and other things, it was pretty obvious," snorted James.
"Can we talk about something else now?" said Marls irritatedly and they began talking about Quidditch.
Please review!
HEY! IF YOU'RE READING PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND REVIEW IT. JUST WRITE ANYTHING.
Am trying to improve my grammar and writing.