I'm A Believer

I'm A Believer

(Song by Smash Mouth)

by Kyra

"What'd'ya mean, you're in love?" James whispered, staring up at his best friend, Sirius Black with utter disbelief. Remus Lupin spun so fast in his seat that he toppled out, spilling across the floor in a shower of books. Professor McGonagall turned sharply, and then relaxed as she saw Remus sprawled across the floor. He never got in trouble.

Remus scrambled to his feet, and faced Sirius for only a moment, staring at him in confusion. "Love doesn't exist," James continued softly, his head bent down to avoid McGonagall. But Sirius snorted. "You plan on explaining yourself after class..." James trailed off. Sirius nodded sharply, focusing on his match.

Outside the classroom, Remus, James and Peter cornered Sirius, pushing him up against a wall. "What'd'ya mean?" Remus demanded, poking Sirius in the chest with his finger with each word. "Who're you in love with?"

"Celeste..." Sirius breathed. "Last night, I told her I loved her..." The boys sucked in through their teeth, the "L" word! "You should have seen her face! Her eyes went all wide, and she squeaked! It was SO cute!" Peter pretended to pass out, hand on his forehead.

"Love isn't real," James said, turning on his heel. "At least not for me."

Sirius' laughter followed him, "Yes it is, Prongs! You just haven't met her yet!"

I thought love was only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else but not for me

James plopped himself down in a comfy armchair beside the fire, and pulled out a quill and a piece of parchment. Sitting alone, he began his Divination homework. Somewhere in his future was a love. James arched an eyebrow, he hated Divination. It was just a bunch of stars. He leaned back in the chair and watched the flames flicker mysteriously. He'd been alone for the past six years, while his best friend had fallen "in love". Love had to be out to get him.

Love was out to get to me
That's the way it seems
Disappointment haunted all my dreams

He dropped his quill, and bent to reach for it. Only then did he realize that the chair beside him was occupied. Tilting his head to the left, he saw long legs, wearing Muggle jeans, and a black shirt. Red hair tumbled over her shoulders, and her face was hidden by her long bangs. James felt his breath catch in his throat. Lily, he thought. She tossed her bangs, and he found himself staring into deep emerald pools.

And then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind

He'd been "hanging" out with Lily Evans for two years, and they'd never really admitted any feeling for each other. She flashed a smile at him, and tilted her head slightly to view him better. "Hey, Lil," James said, grunting to push himself back up into his chair.

Her scarlet hair tumbled across her shoulders as she flung a strand backward from her face. "Hey, James," she replied. "What happened to Remus in Transfiguration?"

James' eyes clouded over, and he scowled. "Sirius told us he was in love, and Remus fell out of his seat." Lily's eyes widened in shock as she stared at James. "Then Sirius got all noble on me, said that love was real... Whatever."

He felt a hand on his, and he looked up. His gaze met startling green eyes, alive deep within. "He's still your best friend."

"I know," James whispered, staring at her hand. His dark eyes flicked to her emerald, and his breath caught in his throat.

I'm in love
I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried

At that moment, Sirius strolled in, boasting loudly about his latest Quidditch victory. Lily glanced up, then nodded for James to go talk to him. James shook his head, entranced in her eyes, her breath, her hand. But he was forced to tear himself away, breathing deeply. She excused herself, and moved toward the girls dormitory.

"Define love," James said as Sirius leaned on the arm of the chair Lily had just vacated.

Tilting his head, and cocking an eyebrow, Sirius crossed his arms as he said, "Looking deeper then anyone else, seeing the stars that burn behind their eyes. Touching them, and a warmth overcomes you. Knowing in a moment, that you could kiss them in front of the Great Hall, and never care who was watching."

Nodding, James turned away. "Yeah," he whispered. "That's it."

Sirius teetered, and fell, crashing to the floor. "Whoa," he said, bolting up.

"Night, Sirius," James muttered, pushing himself out of the chair. As he walked up the stairs, a stream of images met him. Lily.

I thought love was more or less a given thing
But the more I gave the less I got, oh yeah
What's the use in trying
All you get is pain
When I wanted sunshine I got rain

But, when he reached his door, he found it was ajar. Pushing it open slightly, he found Lily, sitting on his bed, staring at her hands. "Lil?" he asked, moving into the room. "What's wrong?"

She looked up, tears staining her cheeks, a strand of hair trapped against her cheek in a trail of hot tears. "I used to think love wasn't real..." she whispered, staring up at him. "Then I met this guy... He had a fan club, you see. So I stayed away from him. But one day, he asked if I'd like to go watch the stars." She turned away to look out the window near his bed. "I thought that meant that he wanted to love me... But he didn't believe in it either."

"I didn't," James said, moving toward her. "But, I knew there was something about you, Lil," he continued. He brushed the hair from her cheek, "And then..." he trailed off.

And then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
I'm in love
I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried

Her hands were shaking. He could feel it. "Lily, I," he began.

But she cut him off. "You don't believe in love, and I understand that. Why should you? You've never had someone to love you... Not after your parents." James stared at her, she had never mentioned his parents, no one had, after the funeral. "But you do have someone to love you," she finished, "I'll be here, James."

Seeing the conversation as over, Lily rose to her feet. But James pulled her back.

What's the use in trying
All you get is pain
When I wanted sunshine I got rain

"Wait," he said. She turned to face him, shaking visibly. "I wasn't finished." He looked up at her, then brought her a step closer. "I wanted to say..." Again, he lost himself in the green pools, and trailed off.

And then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind

"I love you..." he whispered. "I have for awhile... But I wouldn't believe it." Her eyes filled with tears, and she collapsed into his arms. He spun her, and laid her down on his bed, kissing her lips gently, passionately. The way only James Potter could kiss.

I'm in love
I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried

The door burst open, and Remus, Peter and Sirius strolled in. "Holy Grapefruits!" Sirius exclaimed, clapping his hand to his forehead. Remus stumbled, then mockingly passed out on the floor, twitching occasionally. Peter fell to his knees, clasped his hands, and began to pray loudly. "It's about time, old chap!" Sirius said, leaning on one of the posts of James' bed. "I was beginning to doubt you."

James play punched Sirius, and reached to pull Lily up. But Remus leapt from the floor in a single bound. "No, no!" he exclaimed, reaching for Sirius and Peter. "We'll leave!"

As he pulled the two out, Sirius called, "My bed is far more comfortable then yours, Jamsie! Use mine!"

Glancing self-consciously to Lily, James refrained from a retort. But Lily beat him to it. "It'll be the only action your bed will ever see, Black!" The door slammed shut behind his retreating friends, as James turned back to Lily. She smiled at him, her eyes dancing, and the stars behind her eyes flickering with roguish innocence.

Then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
Now I'm a believer

James grabbed her, and they collapsed on his bed, kissing sweetly.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm a believer
I'm a believer
I'm a believer