A/N: I don't own Harry Potter, anything to do with Harry Potter, Taylor Swift, her song "Sparks Fly", or Speak Now. I don't own anything, I'm a kid!
Okay, so I know what I said in the author's note at the end of the last chapter, but I'm doing something totally different so please don't be surprised!
And I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while, but hopefully this super long chapter will make up for it!
I run my fingers through your hair
And watch the lights go wild
Just keep on keeping your eyes on me
It's just wrong enough to make it feel right
"Alice, what do you mean you can't go?" Lily asked as she plopped down next to Alice in the Great Hall for breakfast. Alice looked at her and smiled sadly.
"Lily I know I promised you I'd go to Petunia's wedding and all, but I have 3 exams on Monday and I need to study for them over the weekend." Alice said as she started on her breakfast. Lily played around with her food while she thought.
"So there's no way you can come?" Lily asked downheartedly. Alice patted her shoulder comfortingly.
"I know you wanted someone to be there with you, Merlin knows I do too, but I can't. My mum said that if I don't end up with good grades by break, I'll be grounded and won't be allowed to see Frank. I'm so, so sorry Lils." Alice said. They sat there in silence and ate their respective breakfast when Alice's eyes widened with glee and she jumped in her seat.
"Lily! Lily! I know what you should do!" Alice said happily. Lily looked at her in confusion.
"What?" Lily asked as she picked up her pumpkin juice and started to take a sip.
"Go with James!" Alice answered happily. Lily nearly choked on her juice when a hand started patting her back, trying to help her breath. She swallowed the juice and turned around to see James sitting down next to her.
"I heard my name. What's up, other than Lily almost choking on pumpkin juice?" James asked as he started on his breakfast. Lily shook her head to Alice, who apparently didn't seem to get the message she was trying to convey.
"James! I'm so glad you're here! Petunia's wedding is this weekend and you need to go with Lily!" Alice said quickly. James stiffened at the sound of Petunia's name, and looked over to Lily who avoided eye contact.
"So Petunia's getting married and Lily has to go. Where did I come into this equation?" James asked slowly, thinking about what Alice was saying.
"Blimey James, I remember when you used to jump at the chance to spend time with Lily, and now you're thinking about it. You're so different this year. Anyways, our dear old Lils here," Alice said as she grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her closer to Alice so that Alice was half hugging her, "has to go to Petunia's wedding. Now I don't know if you know, but Petunia's a prat. Anyways, Lily wanted me to go with her so she wouldn't have to deal with Petunia on her own, but I can't go because I have 3 exams that I need to study for. That's where you come in." Alice said as she started to get up. After she got all her things, she turned back to Lily and James.
"James, you're doing this. You don't have much of a choice, though knowing the both of you, you'll probably enjoy some quality time. Anyways, I have to go. I promised Frank I'd write him today about some finalizations on the wedding plans. Bye you two!" Alice said as she strode out of the Great Hall. Lily blushed at her words and James looked straight down at his food. Neither of them had talked about what had happened that night in their common room.
"James, er, you really don't have to do this. Alice can be a little off her rocker at times. I'll be fine, Petunia's not that bad." Lily said looking at James.
"She's bad enough to make you cry, Lils." James muttered as he looked up from his food and up at Lily. Lily let her hair fall, succeeding at covering her face with it. She started to eat her food again.
"It was a bad day, James. Don't worry about it." Lily said in between bites. James gave her a questioning look.
"When's the wedding?" James asked.
"Tomorrow, at 8 PM. I'm leaving after my last class. I'm coming back on Sunday, probably in the afternoon. I know it's really short notice, which is why I'm saying again that you don't have to come." Lily said as she finished up her breakfast and started to get up from the table when James hand caught her wrist. Her wrist buzzed with excitement at his touch and Lily had to try her best not to blush.
"I'm not letting you face that demon alone, Lils. We have our last class together, and then we'll leave together." James said smiling at Lily. Lily's heart grew two sizes as she nodded her head and smiled back at him. Then she left the Great Hall, with that same smile still on her face.
Lily's day went by in a flash, though she hadn't really wanted it to. Facing Petunia was going to be dreadful; though facing her with James would be a little less dreadful. Though knowing Petunia, she wouldn't be surprised if she ran James off. Wait, I'm going to my sister's wedding with James. Does that make him my date? Lily thought to herself as she walked to her last class, Potions. She nearly jumped out of her skin when James plopped down next to her.
"James? Why are you sitting next to me and not Sirius?" Lily asked James as she looked around the room for her normal partner, Abigail. Abigail was seated next to Sirius who seemed to be hitting on her. Sirius looked at Lily and winked. Lily rolled her eyes and put her attention back on James.
"Well, Sirius decided he wanted to talk to Abigail and get to know her better, so he decided her and I would switch." James commented.
"Poor Abigail." Lily responded. James looked at her and chuckled. Professor Slughorn walked in and class started, breezing by like all of Lily's other class. She made small chat with James throughout the most part, but also sat silently next to him and realized how comfortable and natural it felt. As the class ended, James and Lily got ready to head down to Dumbledore's office together.
"So, I didn't ask, but where is the wedding gonna be?" James asked as they reached the gargoyle.
"Oh, yeah I probably should've told you that. It's gonna be in London, but we're staying with my parents whose home is like 20 minutes away from London. Chocolate frog." Lily said and the gargoyle stepped aside. The two walked up the stairs to Dumbledore's office and knocked.
"Come in." Dumbledore's voice said from inside. Lily and James opened the door and walked in.
"Ah, Lily Evans and James Potter. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Dumbledore asked with a smile on his face. His half moon glasses were quite far down his nose and his desk was full of papers.
"Hello, Professor. I had requested that today I may be able to go to my sister's wedding for the weekend, and would be allowed one guest." Lily said politely.
"Yes, I do remember. But If I do recall correctly, that guest was to be Miss Alice Fortescue?" Dumbledore asked knowingly to James and Lily, a slight smile appearing on his face.
"Yes, it was supposed to be Alice but she wasn't able to go, and James was." Lily said gesturing to James. James smiled and looked at Dumbledore.
"Hello Professor!" James said as he went up to Dumbledore's desk and put out his hand. Dumbledore chuckled softly and shook it.
"Mr. Potter, I've caught myself longing for yours and your friend's presence in my office. It doesn't feel like a typical school year without the famous Marauders making their many journeys to my office." Dumbledore said as he eyed James. James turned to Lily and winked. Lily gaped at James's behavior towards Dumbledore. He was acting as though they were old friends.
"Ah, well, Professor, I can't really be in your office for trouble making if I'm Head Boy now can I? It would send the wrong message." James said as she went back to stand next to Lily. Dumbledore laughed and took his spectacles off.
"True, true. Well you two should get going. I hope you have a wonderful time together at the wedding." Dumbledore said, grinning at them with that knowing smile.
"We will, sir." Lily said as she and James walked out. James unknowingly grabbed Lily's hand and started to hold it as they walked, and Lily blushed.
"Wait, so how are we going to get there?" James asked as they reached the grounds.
"Yeah, sorry I forgot to tell you. We're apparating." Lily said as they reached the Three Broomsticks. They entered and saw that it was almost empty, just a few patrons scattered through the pub. Madam Rosmerta was behind the bar, not noticing that James and Lily had walked in. James led Lily forward towards the bar.
"Rosie!" James exclaimed happily, pulling Lily tighter to his side unconsciously. Lily melted into him and enjoyed the extra touch. Madam Rosmerta jumped at the voice and turned around, a small smile curling on her face at the sight of the two young Hogwarts students.
"Well isn't it my favorite Head Girl and my favorite troublemaker?" Rosmerta commented, chuckling slightly. James pouted a little at his title.
"Oh Rosie, didn't you know, I'm Head Boy?" James said straightening himself up.
"Ah, so that's why I haven't seen you and your friends sneaking around after dark nowadays?" Rosmerta said, drinking out of a cup. Lily shot James a shocked look as James shrugged.
"Hello, Madam. It's so nice to see you!" Lily said happily. Rosmerta looked her over and smiled.
"Same to you, Lily. I hope Jamesie here isn't giving you too much trouble? I'm surprised he was able to even win you over." Rosmerta said, laughing. James and Lily looked at her, perplexed by what she'd said.
"What do you mean "win me over"?" Lily asked cautiously. Rosmerta smile faltered as she motioned to their hands. Lily and James both looked down to see what she was pointing to, and quickly jumped away from each other like the other had caught fire. James hand flew to his hair, ruffling it as he avoided Lily's eyes. Lily blushed.
"O-oh we're not-" Lily started.
"Together." James finished for her, a little sadly. Rosmerta smiled at them with the same knowing smile Dumbledore had used.
"Ah, but of course. Anyways, what can I do for you two? I'm assuming you're here for something?" Rosemerta said, trying to break the obvious tension. Lily cleared her throat.
"Madam, I'm sure Dumbledore has spoken to you about our plans for travel?" Lily asked slowly. Madam Rosmerta nodded.
"Yes, yes, Dumbledore did mention that. You two should get going then, weddings are always hectic without the bride's sister and her date being late." Rosmerta said pushing them into a room.
"I'm not her… We're not-" James said, pointing at Lily and himself wildly. Rosmerta just smiled and shushed him. She opened the door to that Apparition room and led them in.
"Okay, will you two be apparating together or separately?" Rosmerta asked. James looked to Lily for an answer.
"Together. James doesn't know where I live." Lily said as she took James hand once again. James blushed furiously and avoided her eyes. Rosmerta just smiled at the two.
"Okay. Well then off you get. Have fun you two!" She said as she left the room with a slight wave. Lily looked to James who finally managed to look back. She smiled hesitantly.
"Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, Lils."
James landed awkwardly next to Lily in front of a small house. It was small in size, but it looked like something out of a picture. It was white, with forest green windowsills. It was two stories high, and had beautiful, colorful flowers lining the bottom of it. There was a driveway, and a cement path that led up to the door. James looked to Lily who landed right next to him, hands still interlocked. He smiled and she led them up to the door. When they reached the door, James pulled his hand away, not wanting her family to get the wrong idea. Lily frowned a little but managed to pull herself together before she rung the door bell. The door was opened but a tall, but too skinny girl with blonde hair and a too long neck. The girl looked at Lily, then James, and frowned. She huffed and walked up the stairs, leaving the door open for the two. James stood, confused as to what happened as Lily shrugged and smiled shyly, pulling on his arm to get him inside.
The house inside looked as normal and homey as it did on the outside. The first room they walked into was the living room where a man and a woman were sitting on the couch. The woman looked up and her face lit up when she saw the two of them. She whispered something to the man whose head shot up as he jumped off the couch and ran towards them, pulling Lily into a hug.
"Hi dad." Lily said, muffled because her face was pressed into her father's shirt.
"Hi Lily pad! I've missed you, dear." He said as he continued to hug Lily. The man was skinny enough for his age, a little round belly popping out. He had strawberry blonde hair, and the same eyes as the girl who opened the door, except his were filled with joy. As James took in the scene in front of him, standing awkwardly on the side when the woman who he assumed was Lily's mother came up to him. She was skinny, but average skinny like Lily, not skin and bones like the girl who opened to door. Lily was the spitting image of the mother, though there were some differentials. They had the same piercing green eyes and fiery red hair, but Lily had her father's nose and smile.
"Hello dear. And who might you be? I was under the impression that Lily was bringing her friend Alice." Lily's mother asked, smiling up at James in a motherly fashion.
"Oh, yeah, it was a last minute change. Alice was unable to come so I came in her place. I'm James, James-" James said before he was interrupted.
"Potter. James Potter, but of course! How wonderful it is to meet you! We've heard so much from our Lily." She said, enveloping James into a hug. James bent down and hugged her as Lily and her father broke apart and appeared next to them. Lily's mother went to stand next to her husband as Lily came to stand next to James.
"Only good things I hope." James said with a shy chuckle.
"Not in the beginning, but yes, towards the end only good things." Lily's mother said as she smiled.
"I'm Rose Evans, and this is my husband Nelson Evans." She said as the man outstretched his hand towards James. James took it and shook it.
"Hello, Mr. Evans. I'm James Potter." James said confidently. Nelson just smiled at him nicely.
"Yes, I know. Nice to meet you James. Lily has told us much about you." He said as they broke their handshake and he put his arms around his wife. Lily sighed.
"Dad!" She said exasperatingly and he dad just smiled. Lily wrapped her arm around James's arms and smiled. James, a little taken aback by the action, smiled down at her before her dad cleared his throat. James broke out of his trance and quickly looked back at the parents of the girl he loved. Rose and Nelson were both smiling brightly at them.
"Well, how about we go into the kitchen and get settled?" Rose suggested as she and Nelson led the two to the kitchen. Nelson sat down as Rose went to make tea. Lily sat down next to her father and James sat down next to Lily at the circular table. As Rose place the tea kettle on the stove she quickly came back to sit down.
"So, James, you go to school with Lily I assume?" She asked as she took her seat.
"Uh yes. Lily and I are in the same level. We're actually Head Boy and Girl together." James said as he straightened his glasses on his face.
"Wow, so you must be a really good student?" Her dad asked, eyeing James a little suspiciously. James chuckled.
"Let's just say in the past, I was a pretty bad troublemaker. But I've learned the error of my ways, and have grown up in the past few months. Apparently Dumbledore thought it'd be a good idea to try it out, and I've tried not letting him down since. Plus this new sense of level headedness has also brought on Lily to become my friend, so I'm not really complaining." James said confidently. Nelson listened to his response and nodded, apparently approving of James's answer as Rose got up to check on the tea. Lily smiled shyly at James and winked. The sound of someone coming down the stairs broke the peaceful silence that had covered the room.
"Petunia! Come say hello to your sister and her friend!" Rose said sternly. The ugly girl who opened the door walked in with too tight clothing and too much make up on her face. She smiled fakely at Lily and James.
"Hello Lily. Hello Lily's friend." She said quickly as she turned to leave, but Nelson stopped her.
"Tuney, where are you heading off to? Your wedding is tomorrow, shouldn't you be staying home tonight?" Nelson asked. Petunia looked at him and scowled.
"Father, this is my last night as a free woman! I'm going out with Vernon and a few friends. I'll be back in a little bit. Don't wait up!" She said as she again, turned to leave. Rose stopped her this time.
"Well, why don't you take your sister and James with you? It'd be nice of you to spend some time with your sister, what with the little time she has here." Rose mentioned and Petunia frowned.
"Back to the freak school on Monday? Thanks but no thanks, mother." Petunia said.
"It wasn't a choice, Petunia. Ask them." Rose said sternly, a little angrier than before.
"Fine. Freak, Freak's friend, wanna go to a party?" Petunia asked angrily. Lily gaped at her.
"Petunia, don't call Lily that." Nelson said fervently. Petunia sighed a quick apology. Lily looked at her, contemplating her request, and a wicked smile dawned on her face.
"Yes, yes we would, Petunia. Just give me and James a quick minute to change and we'll be right with you." Lily said quickly as she grabbed James's hand and led him to the staircase. James followed her perplexed.
"Where are we going?" James asked as they reached the bottom of the staircase.
"Sorry, I just really wanted to anger Petunia. You don't have to come if you don't want to." Lily said sincerely. James looked at her and saw the bit of sadness in her eyes and that made his mind up for him.
"No, of course I'm going. What should I wear?" He asked quickly, not knowing if he packed anything for a party. Lily gave him a once over.
"No, you're fine. You can wear that. I'm just gonna change. Be right back." She said as she ran up the stairs and into a room. James stood there for all of one minute before Lily bounded back down the stairs. She was wearing a dark green shirt that brought out her eyes and a pair of dark blue jeans. She was wearing a bit of makeup and James couldn't have believed Lily could look any more beautiful, though he preferred her without, he wasn't one to complain.
"Lily! How'd you do all that so quickly?" James asked motioning to her clothing. Lily laughed.
"James, I am a witch, remember?" She said, brushing a stray hair out of James's eyes. James looked down at her and stared into her vivid emerald eyes.
"I can't believe I almost forgot." He muttered as her gravity began to draw his lips closer to hers, until they were interrupted by an angry Petunia leaving the kitchen. The pulled apart right before she saw them. Petunia breezed past them and out the door, Lily and James quickly following behind. They all filed into the car, Lily opting to sit in the back with James rather than in the front with Petunia. As they began to buckle in, Petunia started backing out the driveway.
"Okay Freak and friend, you will not do anything to embarrass me. Just stick together and don't talk to anyone until I want to leave. Got it?" She asked as she sped down the road. James nodded, a little frightened to be honest.
"Whatever, Tuney." Lily said, rolling her eyes.
They rode in silence until they reached a house, similar looking to Lily's home. There were people inside and outside, and the music from inside was playing loudly. Petunia got out of the car and ran off quickly to talk to someone she'd seen, leaving James and Lily behind.
"Let's just get out, eat some food, drink some punch, and then we'll leave? Worse comes to worst, if she takes too long we'll just apparate home." Lily said, waiting for James to apprehend her game plan for the night. James looked at her and smiled.
"It's been a while since I've been to a party, Evans." He said, chuckling.
Lily playfully punched him and they got out of the car. They walked past the people partying outside and went inside. To the right were the kitchen and some food, and to the left was a makeshift dance floor with couples dancing. James pulled Lily to the dance floor immediately upon seeing it. He and her settled in the middle, swaying slowly to the music.
"Sorry you have to put up with Petunia and the rest of my family." Lily said, putting her head against James's chest, hearing his heart start beating a little bit faster.
"Nonsense. Your family's quite nice, it's just your sister whose a little bloody mental. But it's fine, I get to spend more time with you." James said. The music that was playing got a little more upbeat and someone started messing with the lights in the room making them colorful and flashing. Lily and James picked up the pace with their dancing, and Lily laughed as James's hair got messier with every movement he made.
"James your hair is uncontrollable. Let me try and fix it." Lily said as she started running her hands through his hair, trying to put it down. James moved closer so she wouldn't have to stretch so far and ended up right in her face. He stared down at her, hazel eyes locked with green.
"We never talked about what happened the other night." James said, voice low.
"What's there to talk about? I love you and you love me." Lily shot back. James narrowed his eyes.
"Well, when normal people love each other, they're usually in a relationship, which we are not." James replied.
"Maybe we should be." Lily said without thinking. She bit her lip, waiting for his response. James just smiled devishly, drunk on Lily's closeness.
"Be in what?" He asked innocently which made Lily giggle.
"Be in a relationship." Lily said. James started to go in for the kiss when Lily stopped him teasingly.
"You want to be in a relationship with me?" James asked, a little taken a back. Lily faltered.
"Yes." She said, trying to sound confident.
"Do you want to be in a relationship with me?" Lily asked. Just as she asked the question, Petunia burst their bubble, grabbing the both of them and pulling them towards the door.
"What are you doing?!" Lily asked angrily, mostly mad that her sister had interrupted such an important conversation. Petunia didn't answer her question. Instead she just made them get in the car as she started to drive off. Lily and James sat sitting in the backseat together as Petunia raced through the city.
James took Lily's hand in his, holding it. Lily looked down at their hands and back up to James, and James just nodded his head. Yes.