When You Wish Upon a Star

Chapter Two: Of Flirting and Falling
By Christabell

As Lily and Peter boarded the train, Lily’s heart started racing. What if the “guys” didn’t like her? Petunia’s words floated into her head. ‘You are a freak. How can you even think that you will fit in anywhere?’ Peter looked over, and sensing her nervousness, put a hand gently on her arm to stop her.

“Lily, you have nothing to worry about. I know that you’ll fit in fine with us. I mean, how could anyone not like you? I barely know you, but you seem so willingly open, so nice, and pretty.” He blushed at the last word, but kept on talking. “You didn’t judge me by what I look like, or how clumsy I can be. Why wouldn’t they accept that?” Lily stepped over to him and gave him a friendly hug.

“Thanks Peter. You have no idea how much that helped.” The two friends proceeded to enter the compartment that had been occupied for the past six years by the Marauders. Peter opened the door to a blast of sound.

“Hey Peter! You made it! We thought you were gonna miss the train!” Lily stood back giggling as Peter got squashed under the bodies of three other boys.

“You wanna let me breath?” came the muffled response. The four guys picked themselves up off of the ground, and it was then that they noticed Lily. One of them, with shoulder-length black hair started nudging Peter in the ribs.

“So Petey... now we know why you were late, don’t we?” he said laughing. “Why don’t you introduce us to your new girlfriend?” They all looked over at Lily who was now falling over, laughing her head off.

“Peter, the look on your face is priceless! Anyways, we’re not going out. I met Peter at the train station, while I was lost today. I’m a seventh year transfer student from Durmstrang,” she managed to say between fits of giggles. “I’m Lily Evans. I assume that you’re Peter’s friends?” One of the boys, with horribly messy jet-black hair, started to speak.

“’Fraid so. I’m James Potter, this is Sirius, though he rarely is,” he said pointing to the boy with the long black hair, “and this is Remus.” Remus was the fourth boy, with sandy blond hair, and even though he looked calmer than the other two, Lily could tell that he had a wild side that could appear out of nowhere. James continued, “Sorry about Sirius. He’s hard to control around lovely ladies like yourself. You will be sitting with us, correct? Because I am not one to let someone as beautiful as you get away...” ‘Wow... she’s beautiful. I bet she won’t be able to resist the famous Potter charm....’ he thought, staring at her as he awaited her response.

“Well, when you put it that way, I suppose I must. Poor me. Stuck in a compartment with all of you. It’s times like these when I really begin to pity myself!” Lily grinned. ‘I like this guy,’ she thought. ‘And he’s definitely on the cute side. Ok fine. He’s wicked hott, and charming, but he can’t know that I think that. I mean, he doesn’t even know me! Why would he like someone like me?”

The other boys glanced about at each other, sharing knowing looks as the flirtation between Lily and James continued, throughly amused.

“Oh, but dear lady... how could anyone resist my amazing charms? I find it quite hard to believe that even you could do that.”

“How can I do that, you ask? Just like this.” Lily turned to walk out of the compartment, but James was too quick. Lily suddenly found herself facing an all-too-hyper teenage boy.

“I believe that you will be forced to stay then, Lovely Lily.”

“Well, I guess that means I have no choice in this matter. I shall stay.” Lily smiled at James. He flashed Lily a killer grin, and all five attempted to sit down. They soon discovered that it was hard to fit three sixteen year olds on one of the seats. Suddenly, the train jerked and the lights flickered out. Lily, the only one standing went flying. When the lights came back on, James scooped Lily off the floor, and sat her on his lap, holding her down.

“James, let go of me!” she whinnied. She turned around to glare at him, only to find it hard to stay mad at him. He looked at her with puppy dog eyes, faking a pout.

“Lovely Lily, you know that you don’t want to be mad at me...” he turned to tickle her, only to see her wince in pain.

“Lily? What’s wrong?” Remus asked, concerned. She gave him a painful smile, refusing to make eye contact.

“It’s nothing I’m fine....” she trailed off, wincing again.

“No. You’re not ok. What’s the matter Lily?” James felt horrible, think it was his fault. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you....”

“You didn’t,” she interrupted. “Don’t blame yourself. It’s my sister, Petunia. Every time I’m home from school, I get beaten up because of what I am. She always tells me that I’m an ugly, gross, freak that will never fit in. And then she beats me up. I’m able to fix some of the bruises, but I’m not that great at medical magic. It wasn’t much better at Durmstrang. I didn’t fit in at all, just like Petunia says. I was made fun of constantly for everything. It’s not much anymore. It’s just life. I’m used to it now.” Lily lifted up the hem of her tank top, revealing her bruised and cut up stomach. The boys gasped, imagining what her life at home must be like, and at once expressed their sympathies.

“Lily,” James started, “I know that I haven’t known you for that long, but I can tell you that you are not a freak. You are kind, courageous and trusting enough to tell us your problems, beautiful,” he touched her hair, twirling it around his finger slowly, and continued, “and you can’t say that you don’t fit in here. I mean, the four of us here are the four most popular guys in our year. I don’t want to brag, but it’s true. Do you really think we would just accept you like this if you were a freak? No.” He stopped suddenly, as Lily buried her head in his chest, sobbing. He sat there, glancing around at his friends, not quite sure what to do, rubbing her back, and hugging her. After several minutes, she lifted her head slowly, wondering what the four guys must be thinking.

“Thank you. Thank you so much,” she looked around, noticing a few confused looks. “I’ve never told anyone about that. Never had any friends, except those who used me for grades. I could never trust anyone with my secret, and within minutes of knowing you guys, I feel like I know you wouldn’t tell anyone or anything. And James?” she looked him in the face, “What you said was one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard. Thanks.” At that point, Remus chose to interfere.

“Umm.... Lily? I studied medical charms for the past few years as an extra class because of.... because of... oh well, I guess I can tell you this. You trusted me enough, so I can trust you too. I’m a werewolf. I was bitten when I was really young.” He looked at her, concerned as to what her reaction might be. She smiled reassuringly.

“Thank you for trusting me. I’m sorry about that Remus. I can tell that you don’t deserve that.” He sighed gratefully, glad that she didn’t hate him for that.
“Well, what I was saying was that I know a lot about the charms because after a full moon, I transform back and am covered with scratches and such, so I was taught how to heal myself. If you like, I’ll do what I can to relieve the pain and get rid of the bruises?” he asked shyly. Lily nodded.

“That would be great,” she said smiling. She lifted up the bottom of her shirt again, and Remus pressed his wand against the bruises, murmuring several spells. In no time, she was good as new. She leapt up and gave him a huge hug. James stared as she hugged his friend. He found it strange that he felt a twinge of jealousy, wishing that it was him, not Remus receiving Lily’s affections. He was brought out of his thoughts by Lily’s voice.

“Thank you, Remus. I can actually move without hurting now.... that hasn’t happened in a while.” The rest of the ride went uneventfully, with Lily learning more and more about the Marauders, and visa versa. They felt no need to keep secrets from each other. Lily had already proven that she was willing to trust them and could be trusted. The boys spent at least an hour explaining every prank that they had played. Lily, of course, felt the need to tell them just how she would have done the prank, and how much better hers would have been. By the end of that hour, she had the boys looking at her as if she was a goddess.

“Lily.... I think that we better include you in all our pranks now, huh?” asked Peter. Lily smirked.

“Oh yes. You better, or else I might have to start pulling the pranks on you!” she exclaimed, her whole face lighting up at the prospect. “And I have some pretty good ideas too.” The boys immediately informed her that there was nothing that she would not be included in because, as Sirius so nicely put it, “We need your ideas almost as much as I need your body!” which resulted in a hard slap from Lily and lots of laughs all around.

The announcement came on about their arrival to Hogwarts coming up soon. The all left the compartment to change into their robes, one by one. When Lily left, Peter looked straight at James, looking him straight in the eye.

“You like her,” he said. James blushed.

“Well.....” Peter laughed.

“Don’t worry, she likes you too, mate. Just ask her out already. The two of you are flirting so bad, it’s driving me crazy!” James’ face turned even redder, but he was saved because at that moment, Lily walked in the door. Remus left right after. As soon as Remus was out of the door, Sirius began to talk.

“Say, Lily,” Sirius started, “because of Remus’ condition, Peter, James and myself and going to help him out. We’re becoming Animagi. We know it’s illegal and dangerous, but we think Moony is worth it. You could join us, if you’d like. It doesn’t matter for the potion because we just divided it into however many portions we need. Remus doesn’t know about this yet. We’re going to surprise him on his birthday. Please say you’ll join?” Lily looked at all of their eager faces, and with a sigh of defeat, agreed.

“If I get sent to Azkaban for this, I am sooo blaming you!” She grinned. “Sure I will!”

“Sure you will what?” Remus was back. Sirius thought fast. His mind drifted to the previous conversation.

“Lily just agreed to go out with James!” he exclaimed. James and Lily glanced at each other and then glared at Sirius, who shrugged. The moment they turned away, he grinned at Peter, who decided that Sirius was a genius.

“Ummm.... yep. That’s right. James and I are now going out....” Lily said slowly. Remus grinned.

“I don’t believe it. Prove it to me,” he challenged.

“And how might you suggest we prove it to you?” James asked. With a smirk, Remus replied.

“How about a kiss?” James, never one to turn down a bet or dare, glared at him.

“Fine.” He brought Lily back down onto his lap, looking into her eyes. She nodded slightly, letting him know that it was alright with her. She closed her eyes and James pulled her closer, giving her a sweet and gentle kiss. She smiled, and quickly began to respond. Minutes later, they were interrupted by Sirius coughing loudly.

“Oh, my poor virgin eyes!” he exclaimed dramatically. James and Lily separated, both blushing and gasping slightly for air.

“Wow,” Lily whispered. “James, come on. I think that we need to talk.” She grabbed his hand, and the two of them walked out of the door.