Rating:
PG
House:
Astronomy Tower
Ships:
James Potter/Lily Evans
Characters:
James Potter Lily Evans
Genres:
Romance Suspense
Era:
1970-1981 (Including Marauders at Hogwarts)
Spoilers:
Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire
Stats:
Published: 09/18/2002
Updated: 09/18/2002
Words: 703
Chapters: 1
Hits: 3,065

When I'm Sixty-Four

Aloha Moira

Story Summary:
What was it that James Potter did to convince Lily Evans to marry him? And what exactly does it have to do with the Beatles? This one-shot, originally in the cookie jar, features a special appearance by Lily's sarcastic watch, and (of course!) the Marauders.

Chapter Summary:
What was it that James Potter did to convince Lily Evans to marry him? And what exactly does it have to do with the Beatles?
Posted:
09/18/2002
Hits:
3,065
Author's Note:
Thank you to everone who read and reviewed in the Cookie Jar... your support is much appreciated! Particular thanks to Axelle for all her flattery :)


Lily Evans looked down at her watch impatiently. Yes, he's late. Later than he was five minutes ago. Which happens to be the last time you checked, it flashed.

Cheeky sodding watch, she thought. It was so unlike James to be late, if anything, he was always far too early. She blushed thinking of the number of times she had answered the door sopping wet, wrapped in a towel. Of course, on those nights they didn't often make it out to dinner at all... she grinned at the thought in spite of herself.

Pacing around her flat, she thought of all the possible things that could be holding him up. Perhaps Sirius had Apparated in unexpectedly needing to talk... right, talk about his motorbike. She rolled her eyes at the thought of Sirius and his new "girl." Or maybe it was Peter... he hadn't seemed himself lately, that was for sure. Unable to help herself, she looked down at the watch again. It didn't even bother to answer.

Just when she felt like she was going to explode, she heard a soft rap on her door. Well, at least he's not standing me up entirely, she thought. As she opened the door, she gasped.

"James Potter, what in Merlin's name have you done to your hair?!" The messy jet-black locks that she knew and loved so well were gone, in their place a shaggy brown mop top. "And where on Earth did you get that?" she asked of the Muggle guitar he was carrying. James, however, said nothing, grinning at her in that infuriating way he seemed to save only for her.

Lily's eyes grew wider, and her jaw dropped halfway to the floor as James was followed in by Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew, all sporting the same haircut. They looked suspiciously like... no, never mind. That had been a truly Muggle phenomenon... and yet...

James cleared his throat. "You might want to sit down for this," he winked, and she obliged, but only because she was so thoroughly mystified. He looked at his three friends, then started, "A-one, a-two, a-one two three four..."

The group broke into a familiar harmony, and soon James's voice (Lily had forgotten how well he could sing when he put his mind to it) was crooning:

"When I get older, losing my hair,
Many years from now,
Will you still be sending me Valentines, birthday greetings, bottle of wine
If I've been out 'till quarter to three, would you lock the door?
Oh will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?"

Sirius's bass broke in with, "You'll be older, too..."

"And if you say the word, I will stay with you...

As the song continued, Lily began laughing hysterically, then sobbing, then both at the same time. She had no idea it was possible to be so overwhelmed with emotion that it would overload your circuits this way... but then, if she had learned anything at Hogwarts, it was to never underestimate James Potter. He finished:

"Send me a postcard, drop me a line
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say, 'Yours sincerely,' Wasting away
Give me your answer, fill in a form..."

The group held the note, and James Potter dropped to one knee, producing a gorgeous opal and dragonstone ring from one pocket. Her heart was beating faster than it ever had before.

"Mine forevermore?" he whispered.

Lily clapped a hand to her mouth, tears streaming down her face. She seemed to be having trouble speaking, but her eyes were shining, and that alone told James everything he needed to know. She nodded. "Of course I am," she answered, and the trio behind them finished the verse.

James slipped the ring onto her finger, then smiled wickedly. "I knew you'd say yes if the Beatles were involved."

"Really, James..." Lily started, but she didn't get to finish - by this time, her lips were pressed firmly against his. And as Sirius, Remus and Peter piled on top of them to create a massive Marauder bear hug, she couldn't help but think just how wonderful the rest of her life was going to be.