The Marauders Abroad

Chapter Four: Unexpected Art Show

'Huh. The squid hasn't showed up down there yet,' thought James as he stared out the window. Professor Binns' voice droned on. James was surprised that he hadn't fallen asleep yet. He didn't usually, but he would doze on and off. History of Magic was the perfect place to catch up on whatever sleep he might have missed the night before.

Looking around the classroom, James was surprised to see Lily watching him. Whereas most girls would have giggled and dropped their gazes, Lily simply kept looking straight at him. She didn't care if they were caught staring at each other. Everyone else was asleep, or really close, so what did it matter?

After a few moments, they broke the look and James went back to staring out the window. Lily went back to drawing in her sketchpad.

When class was over, James was more than happy to be able to walk outside in the sunshine. He needed the fresh air to wake him up.

He had just stepped onto the top step when a hurried Lily accidentally bumped into him, and almost went tumbling head over heels down the stairs. James' reflexes from being the Gryffindor Seeker helped him catch her before she could tumble down the stairs. A few cheers around them made James grin and Lily blush.

It was only then that they realized the compromising position they were in. Lily's back was pressed up against a wall, with James being pushed into her by all of the rushing students. James couldn't move anywhere, so they were both flushed when there was finally room to move. Lily rushed off again, but not before calling over her shoulder, "Thanks, Potter! I owe you one!"

The sun glared into James' eyes when he stepped out of the doors. He was momentarily blinded by the reflection of the sun off of the lake. When he could see, he noticed all of his friends waiting for him under their favorite tree. It was farther away from everybody else, and was much cooler in the hot sun. Added to that, it was on a small hillock, which gave them the perfect perch. They could see everything that went on below them.

James settled down among the tree's roots and leaned back. It certainly was hot and stuffy in Binns' room. He knew that his friends were just as grateful to be out of there, so he didn't say anything. Silence reigned for a few minutes before they started discussing this years international Quidditch teams. James was all for the Holyhead Harpies, even though they were the only all witch team. His teams were the Harpies and the Catapults, but either which way, one of his teams was going to win. Sirius was with him, and Peter said that they didn't stand a chance against the Kestrels. Lupin, of course, just listened.

A little way away, Lily sat by herself on the hillside. Her knees had been drawn up to her chest, and her arms were wrapped around them. Resting her chin on her knees, she studied the land. Her sketchpad sat in the grass next to her. After a moment, she picked it up and started drawing.

Soon, you could see the shape of three boys. She decided to follow her instincts and leave Peter out of it. They were all relaxed under a shady tree. Two of them held their heads high, like kings watching over their land. The third sat there smiling faintly at the world while the wind ruffled his hair. All three had a faint air of arrogance.

The finished work was really quite beautiful. Despite the subjects and her known disdain towards them, Lily had to admit that it was by far her best picture. Soon, she turned to a new page. On it, the outline of Hogwarts took shape. The castle soared into the noon sun, looking both majestic and faintly menacing at the same time. Overall, there was a sense of protection radiating from the building in the picture.

"That's good. I mean, that's really good," murmured a voice from behind her. Lily recognized the voice as that of James Potter. His voice was very familiar to her. It was a voice you heard once, and couldn't forget.

"Well, from your point of view it would be," she snapped at him. He merely grinned and settled down next to her.

"Maybe so, but if you ever sold these, wouldn't people like me be the ones to buy them?" he asked charmingly. He picked up the pad from her lap.

"Do you mind if I look at your work?" Lily was surprised at his sudden serious side. She nodded and he opened to the first page.

It was a charcoal of Dumbledore. The next was of Flitwick. James laughed. She had captured the little man's spirit.

Pictures of teachers and other students flashed by before he stopped. Lily looked over and blushed. It was a picture she had drawn of him during a Quidditch game. In it, he looked a little dangerous, but was laughing as he dove straight to the ground to capture the Snitch.

James looked at the picture for a few minutes without comment. He turned to the next page and wasn't really surprised to see his face again. This time, he was laughing at a joke that Sirius had told him. He knew because he could see Sirius, Lupin, and Peter in there with him.

The next drawing was of him walking through the halls carrying his books. For once, his friends weren't around him and he looked more serious than usual. He couldn't quite remember when that had come to be.

The next few drawings were of Sirius and Lupin. Lily had somehow managed to catch the essence of both of them. She was better than she thought. Finally, he came back to today's picture.

"No Peter," he murmured. She almost shivered at his voice. "No, no Peter," was her reply. He surprised her when he looked up grinning.

"Good. He'd ruin our elegance and pride." Lily couldn't help but laugh at that. James really was a puzzle.

Suddenly, he drew in a breath. "Well, you know earlier when you said you owed me one?" He held up a hand to stop her from speaking. "Don't say anything, I don't want to lose my courage." Lily didn't say anything, so he dropped his hand. She looked at him expectantly. "Umm...er... I was...kind of...wondering... Oh, bloody hell! Will you go to Hogsmeade with me this next time?" Lily paused for a moment. It was what she had been hoping for for years now. She finally smiled, really actually gave him a true smile.

"Why not? It should be fun." James stared at her.

"You mean it? This isn't some sort of prank or anything, is it?" he asked suspiciously. She shook her head.

"But," she started.

"Great, there's a but. There's always a but something," he groaned." Lily laughed again.

"I just though that you'd better know something." James simply looked at her. "I don't go anywhere with someone I'm not dating," she stated. There, she'd said it and he was probably going to tell her that she could go on her own then.

"Fine." She couldn't believe that she'd actually heard him correctly. "What?" James laughed long at the look on her face. "I said fine. It means yes." He smiled slowly at her and had her knees weakening.

"So, I guess that means we'll be seeing a lot more of each other," she somehow managed. He smiled that smile again, and Lily was glad that she wasn't standing up.

"Oh, yeah. A lot more of each other." When she would have answered, the bell rang and they had to return to classes. Lily walked down the hill with the arm of Hogwarts Most Eligible Bachelor wrapped around her shoulders. She smiled at the angry and jealous glares directed at her.

Her entire seventh year was starting to suddenly look up.