The last week was for James the most intensive of his life. Not only because all professors decided that their own subject is the most important ordering essays and practice and on top of that there were other duties stubbing him straight into the eye, but also because he was exhausted just thinking about inviting Lily Evans to the Slughorn party.
"Are you even able to invite someone to the party if that person was already invited?" asked Sirius, making a ball bounce with the power of his wand. "I don't want to be mean, Prongs, but whether she accepts or declines, she will go anyway" saying that he stuffed his mouth with a chocolate frog.
Sirius came back from the Hospital Wing even earlier than he was expected to, nevertheless it didn't bother him to accept all the "Get well" cards and chocolates from young witches for following week.
"You make me feel so much better, Pads" snorted with sarcasm James "I almost feel like I won't puke looking at this Potion".
Remus giggled shortly "James, what happened to not be stressing out about it and just mentioning to her that it might be convenient to go together?"
"Marl happened", added Sirius, smelling random ingredient from the table "She told him that Lily was thinking about inviting some dweebish guy from Hufflepuff."
Remus cleared his throat in an awkward way, that made James and Sirius stare at him.
"What?" he asked quickly.
"You know something", quickly added Sirius, "You know who she is planning on inviting."
"Wow, how did you get all of this from only one noise?" asked surprised Peter.
"I don't know anything about any dweebish guy" said slowly Remus "but she told me that Diggory will be visiting as he also got invited what tells me…"
"That they are still writing to each other", James finished his thought.
Diggory was Hufflepuff's Quidditch Captain for the last three years. James knew him too well to miss the fact that he was in no way dweebish. Top of the class, maybe a bit too serious for his age, graduated last year and has already secured his place in the Ministry of Magic. His father was too proud not to mention it to James' parents over the summer.
"I am pretty sure that you don't have anything to worry about" padded his shoulder Black "And as I told you if she declines your offer, you will be there anyway to rescue her from Diggory's gluey hands."
"I don't think it was very comforting, Sirius" added Remus, when James left the room mumbling about having to take walk to think it through.
He left the empty class, where Marauders were brewing a potion that he was not supposed to know about as a Head Boy. Bad weather was bothering him, as he could be now flying above the Forbidden Forest, breathing-in the adrenaline and feeling wind in his hair instead of feeling all stressed and grumpy. He could go to the Common Room with the chance of meeting Lily reading a book on the sofa, or he could go to the library with similar probability of meeting her there between bookshelves or he could simply check Marauders map to know where she is and avoid her. The longer he thought about it, the more he was thinking about letting it go.
He turned into the direction of the staircase, trying to remember that vanishing step should be today fifth on the second floor.
"James!"
Sound of his name made him turn back immediately. His heart was beating faster with the hope that it was Lily calling him, but he had already known it. He would have been able to recognise her voice everywhere.
She looked messy, as if she was running around the castle for some time already, and everyone knows that Evans is not keen on sports.
"I swear, I have been looking for you everywhere," panted out Lily "Almost thought that you are avoiding me."
They were at the bottom of the stairs, she leaned against the marble handrail trying to catch her breath.
"Marauder's business," he shrugged casually his shoulders and added quickly looking at her frowned eyebrows "You don't want to know."
"Right…I guess I don't" she smiled.
His heart jumped at least few inches out of his chest, and he was already making up some stories in his head that she might have been looking for him for the same reason he was avoiding her. 'You wish, Potter' passed through his head.
"Soo...," he started climbing upstairs towards the Gryffindor Tower now that there was no point of thinking where potentially she could be. "Why have you been looking for me?"
Lily followed him rather unwillingly.
"Slug Club party" she said quickly.
"Marlene told me that you don't want to go" she added.
"McKinnon has a big mouth," snorted James "this isn't her business whatsoever if I am going or not".
They have just passed first floor and he didn't remember last time when it took him so long to arrive to the tower.
"We are Heads, Potter" she rolled her eyes "We are expected to go."
"For Slughorn amusement, you mean" he corrected her "He already tried to make his trophy out of me in second year and it didn't work well for him."
She rolled her eyes, remembering how indeed he got kicked out from the first Slug Club dinner with Black.
"It's because neither of you could behave!" said Lily, a bit louder than expected, catching the attention of two Ravenclaws that were passing by them. "You never take anything seriously!"
He was just about to counter her with a riposte when he felt sharp pain in his right leg. He might have remembered about vanishing stairs but here he was, grimacing of pain and stuck in the fake step.
Evans looked at him surprised and then she started to giggle.
"This isn't funny, Evans" he groaned "Give me your hand and pull me out of here."
She reached out for his arm, still giggling in a very disturbing and uncontrolled way. The moment their skins have touched; she could feel a weird tickling along her spine. She gave a good pull to help him out and once he was standing firmly, she continued to climb stairs in an awkward silence.
She could still remember the tickling and the way he was looking at her when it happened, as if he felt the same.
"If I go" he said to break the silence "It would be just to make sure that Diggory isn't behaving like a dick that he can be sometimes."
"James!" hissed Lily, giving him a slap on the shoulder.
"What? That's true, out of all guys you need to go with the one that was a womanizer before Sirius managed to book his first date."
She looked at him confused, they have just turned into the corridor, and she could already see portrait of the Fat Lady at the end of it.
"First of all," she pointed "I am not sure if anyone will ever be a bigger womanizer than Black is" he was already opening his mouth, but she continued "Second of all, I am not going with Diggory, he is already invited so why would I be inviting someone that is already attending?"
"Go with me" said James quickly without thinking "We are Heads, it's expected to see us together there."
She bit her lower lip, thinking intensively. They have just arrived in front of the portrait.
"Gobstones" he mumbled.
He secured her back when she was passing through the hole behind The Fat Lady. Again, the same shivers as before went through her body. Common Room was full of people as it was expected due to bad weather. All good spots next to fireplaces were already taken.
"Fine," she replied "I'll meet you here at nine. Just dress something appropriate for the dinner."
In this moment he was the happiest man on the planet.
"What the hell is happening here?", asked Sirius entering dormitory and dropping his bag on the first bed from the right.
He could see that James was standing in front of the mirror, while Remus and Peter were laying on their beds laughing their asses off.
"Jamie is playing dress-ups" explained Peter, holding his belly that was apparently hurting him from too much laugh.
"This isn't funny, Peter" James hissed "I am supposed to look representative."
There was a very wide smile on Sirius' face when he stepped forward.
"I reckon, Project Evans was successful?"
He came closer to look at his friend struggling with dress robes.
"It doesn't look right, mate," he commented, observing the way James was handling things.
James really wanted to punch Sirius in his stupid, smiling face. He had a feeling that it would make him feel better or at least relieve some of the stress. However, Sirius waved his wand, and James' dress robes began to tie themselves up.
"Household charms," Padfoot mentioned, shrugging his shoulders. "They can actually be useful sometimes."
"You've destroyed all the fun, Padfoot," Peter said with disappointment, rolling back on the bed and cuddling a pillow.
"A bit more, and you would have peed yourself," Sirius rolled his eyes and then turned towards James. "And you, Prongs, you need to get yourself together."
"Don't you say," James tried to smile in response, but it only resulted in him making funny faces. "This is what I've always wanted, and now it feels like I'm in the middle of a nightmare."
"Oh, I'm pretty sure you keep forgetting about Digory being there," Sirius smirked.
James let out a loud moan, reminding himself of that little detail.
"Have you actually used Sleekasy's?" Remus asked, observing James' hair.
"What happened to 'never ever using it in my life, thank you'?" Peter asked immediately.
Sirius burst into laughter.
"Cut him some slack, boys," he added. "If the old man's invention could bring him some luck today, why not use it?"
"I hate it," James moaned as he looked at himself in the mirror. He grabbed his wand and carefully tucked it into the inner pocket of his dress robes. Giving one last glance at the Marauders, he said, "I know you guys will stay up no matter what I say, but please, don't blow up the school while I'm gone. It would ruin the entire evening."
The doors closed behind him, yet he could still hear Peter's comments about how he was no fun anymore. He breathed deeply as he descended the stairs. It was still about five minutes to nine, but he didn't want to be late. He wanted everything to be perfect. Over the past three years, he had rehearsed this scene countless times, yet the thought of not being able to control it at this moment terrified him. His heart pounded twice as fast when he caught sight of the girl's dormitory doors opening through the balcony facade. Only the spiral stairs now stood between him and her. He could already hear her heels on the old stone, and a moment later, she stood before him. Her hair was curled, flowing loosely but clipped away from her face. He couldn't even find the right words to describe it accurately if someone were to ask. An emerald robe gracefully draped over her shoulders, perfectly complementing her dress, and he could swear that she had applied makeup.
"You're early," she said, and he smiled in a nonchalant manner that made her breath catch. "Looking quite fit, Potter, aren't we?"
If it weren't for the smile, she could barely recognize him. His dress robe, black and sleek, exuded an air of elegance that gave him a serious and refined appearance. However, what made the biggest difference was his hair—no longer messy, but instead smooth and perfectly styled. On one hand, there was something about this look that she found appealing—him all grown-up and serious, yet still carrying that mischievous twinkle in his eye. On the other hand, he didn't quite look like himself without his messy hair, as if he had just landed from a thrilling broom ride.
"Let's go," he added quickly "Dear Slughorn is waiting for you, for sure."
He offered her his hand to help her crawl through the hole behind the portrait, which she accepted. A moment later, they were already trespassing through the corridors leading to the dungeons.
This time, Slughorn went above and beyond. His office walls were literally oozing silver, and in the centre of the room stood a giant champagne fountain, filling enchanted glasses that levitated through the air, seeking their recipients.
Lily let out a silent sigh. "I feel like I will never get used to it," she commented, but he looked surprised. "To these glamorous events?" he asked, and she quickly shook her head. "To the magic."
Just as the glasses filled with champagne found their way to them, so did Slughorn.
"Lily, my dear," he opened his arms towards her, "I am so glad you could make it!"
"The pleasure is all mine, professor," she barely managed to squeeze out her short courtesy of an answer, while Slughorn's attention quickly shifted towards James.
"And you, Mr. Potter!" he exclaimed, his voice squeaking. "I see Fleamont is still in shape for potion-making?" Slughorn pointed at James' hair. "Even after so many years, he cannot stop himself, can he?"
James shook his hair, smiling. "Dad will never stop; it drives Mother crazy."
"Poor Euphemia, that woman must be a saint to keep up with both of you!" Slughorn laughed. "I am, however, very disappointed that you, Mr. Potter, never grew fond of Potions." He smacked his lips in delight after sipping champagne, patted James' shoulder, and added, "Excuse me, both of you, but it appears Mr. Diggory has just arrived."
Lily raised an eyebrow, awaiting an explanation. "Your father is a Potioneer?"
He nodded, taking a sip of champagne while closely observing Amos as he greeted everyone in his purple dress robes. "How come you've never mentioned it?" she persisted, continuing to probe the subject.
"If I had known my father would be such an intriguing topic for you, I would have used him to ask you out on a date back in fifth year," he replied.
"It's not funny, Potter," she commented. "I'll go say hi to Amos. Please try not to kill him with your eyes."
He moved further away from the entrance to get a better view and discovered that there was indeed an intention for dancing. He could see the magical orchestra already prepared, likely instructed to start playing after the greetings and drinks. Even from his position, he could spot Lily blushing, indicating that Amos was complimenting her.
"Well... well," he jumped up, hearing a female voice directed at him. "Who do we have here? James Potter in the flesh."
"Good to see you, too, Jones," he replied, setting his glass down on a nearby table. "Couldn't recognize you without your Quidditch uniform."
Jones, a Ravenclaw student and Quidditch captain from the same year, was known to be competitive and attractive. James was certain that Sirius had hooked up with her last year after her team lost the final game of the season, in an attempt to cheer her up. This year, James noticed that her body had even more curves than before. She was likely well aware of it, leaning towards him as she spoke. Her gold dress contrasted with her dark, tan skin and brown curly hair, giving her a diva-like appearance.
"If you're bored, we could... you know," she gave him a suggestive look, "sneak out."
"No offense, Jones," answered James with a mix of feelings, tapping the golden "H" badge, "but I am here a bit on duty."
She smirked, glancing at the badge. "Have fun then, Potter."
He pondered for a moment and then added, "Hey, if you ever need a companion for flying, you know where to find me!"
She was already walking away but turned back to him midway, laughing, "Sure, James, I was absolutely thinking about flying."
On the other side of the room, Lily was enduring the most tedious conversation she had encountered since the beginning of the History of Magic. Diggory was unbelievably proud of his current position at the Ministry of Magic, and it was the only topic he seemed capable of discussing. Frankly speaking, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures wasn't something that held any fascination for Lily. With a sidelong glance, she sought an escape from her predicament. That's when she noticed Jones flirting with James. He was so engrossed in the conversation that he remained oblivious to her presence. An unusual mix of emotions swelled in her chest—disappointment, anger, and a sharp, fleeting pain. She couldn't name it; it might have been first time she has ever encountered it.
She had been observing them for a while, sipping her Butterbeer until Jones walked away. He was running his hand through his hair by the time she stood next to him, handing him a bottle of Butterbeer.
"You looked like you might need one," she said, and he just nodded, gazing at the instruments appearing on the top of the dance floor as he had predicted they would.
"How was Diggory?" he asked her a moment later, noticing that he was heading in their direction again.
"Boring," she answered quickly, shrugging her shoulders. "He keeps talking about the Ministry as if it were his whole life."
James laughed briefly, considering that it might be true based on his opinion of all his father's friends who worked there.
"Listen, I'll give you a one-time get-away card to avoid hearing about the Ministry again, but you have to trust me. Otherwise, we're stuck with him."
She might have just nodded to agree, but she wasn't expecting what he has just pulled off.
One moment they were there, talking and the other second, he took her hand, spined her around her own axis, so that she could land in his arms.
"What the hell are you doing, Potter?" She asked, trying to jump away at the same time thinking that Potter should be forbidden to wear the dress robes. This is exactly what has messed with her head. His hair combed and in place and his athletic body looking not bad at all in this long, black silky dress robes.
"We are dancing, Evans" he said with a smirk, moving a bit closer to her, holding her tight not allowing any escape "This is what wizards do on the events like this, you know. Besides, Diggory looks pretty pissed off right now."
She didn't even know that he was such a great dancer, able to lead her even though she always had two left feet and at that moment she really enjoyed herself in his arms.
"Oh, I bet you are enjoying this moment, aren't you?" she asked sarcastically, looking up to see his face.
He was grinning, even not trying to hide "This is like taking Quidditch Cup straight from his hands". She rolled her eyes hearing this metaphor.
"Who said that you have won anything tonight?" she asked frowning at him.
"He definitely does not look like a winner, Evans."
The very next day she has woken up with an emerging headache, swearing at the whoever spilled pumpkin juice with Ogden's Old. Slughorn didn't worry about it too much, as he himself was a bit tipsy when she mentioned it later. He ended up giving her a free hand to investigate, but she dropped it after James convinced her not to spoil other's people fun and react only once they see suspicious behaviour. She was grateful for Firewhisky circulating in her blood, when Diggory found her, the very moment that Potter disappeared from his sight, embracing her without consent. She remembered getting away from his arms, making jokes about gossips that once destroyed someone's career in the Ministry. She might have drunk few more cups of the liquid to go through it and there was a very foggy image of her coming back to the Gryffindor Tower arm in arm with Potter.
The whole world was spinning when she was going downstairs to, what she would expect to be, empty Common Room on Saturday morning.
Remus was already sitting in their usual spot and going through what she expected to be Potion's book.
"Funny to see you here so early" he commented when she sat in front of him on the sofa "I thought you would be still sleeping after party."
She mumbled few words that no one would have been able to comprehend, leaning her head on the sofa's backrest.
Remus chuckled, smiling but decided not to give up:
"How was Slughorn's Party? You two had fun?" He asked and she almost chocked with the food after hearing that.
"Oh my god, Remus knows something. Have I embarrassed myself?" went through her mind.
"Why?" she asked carefully, "Did you ever have fun there?"
Remus smiled, changing the page of the book.
"Well, it was the first time when you went with James, and he has tendency of changing very boring events into fun."
"Oh, you are as much fun as he can be" she commented but seeing his doubting face expression "Someone has spoiled juice with Firewhisky."
He looked up from his notes and she used it as an opportunity to get everything out of her system:
"And Diggory was a pain in the ass and Potter was being Potter and I got drunk and now I am suffering, and I wouldn't be surprised if Slughorn was disappointed that we didn't prevent this juice-issue!" she squeaked.
"I can bet that old Horace enjoyed this juice more than any of you" winked Remus with a smile "You should ask James and Sirius for their magic potion".
She gave him suffering look.
"For hangover" he added quickly.
Lily was stubborn. She decided straight away that there is no potion that she need for a thing so simple as a hangover even if she didn't have to deal with many of them through all her Hogwarts years. She did get drunk once with Marlene though, when they sneaked out Firewhisky from one of the Maurader's parties, locking themselves in dormitory and allowing McKinnon to cry over a boy playing with her feelings.
She has changed her mind when on the way upstairs the world was spinning, and she felt sicker than while comfortable resting on the sofa. Swearing in her mind in all possible way, for why boys' seventh floor dormitory should be that far away.
One knock to the door later, she could hear a lot of mumbling and swearing and finally a shirtless Sirius Black occurred on the doorstep.
"Well, well…" he started "Who do we have here. I knew you will finally appreciate me enough, Evans."
"Remus told me that you have a magic liquid that will resurrect me, bring me back to living and finish this suffering once and forever."
Black opened door wider, allowing her to enter their dormitory and when she resisted, he rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Evans, we don't bite, you won't see anything better here than me half naked in front of you."
"You cannot imagine how easy it would be for me to puke on you right here, right now."
She commented, sneaking through the door.
Room was a mirrored version of girl's dormitory even though cover in complete chaos. Out of all the beds there was only one that looked quite clean and tidy with books carefully placed on the nightstand so she could only assume it belonged to Remus. The moment she stepped in through the door, Peter covered himself more heavily with the duvet looking like one big human burrito.
"Jamie is taking a shower" Sirius said, smiling widely, as if in respond of her giving a quick view to the room.
"I am not here for Potter; I came because Remus said that you can put me back into the living."
Black chuckled "Haven't you both been naughty last night, kids? Getting drunk on Slug's party if only I knew…"
Lily's face turn red, one could say it was from embarrassment or anger but before she managed to even think about riposte, doors to the bathroom opened rapidly. She swallowed loudly. There was in front of her no one else but James Potter straight from the steamy shower with only so much as a towel around his waist. Trying to identify who is standing in front of him in the room, he squinted, reaching out for his glasses.
Sirius, seeing that Lily's cheeks became flaming red, wouldn't be himself not to pick on it.
"Jamie, be the knight in armour to Evans and give her one vial of our special potion before she starts salivating".
Though James couldn't see clearly, Lily was looking as if she was about to explode when he handed her the blue liquid vial.
"I hate them" she dropped to Lupin, when shifting to girls' dormitory.
He sighted on the thought of the drama and went back to his reading wondering if these three would ever change.
