Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. However I DO own the plot.
Chapter 1:
"Lily dear, please get ready for the despidida party," Lily's mother announced, "Our presence is very needed at the Midnight Garden Ball."
Lily looked up from the book that she'd been reading. Looking at her mother standing beside her in a long white gown with rich beads making a pattern at the edges, she sighed happily, Okay! Just one more party and then I'm free to go.
She stood up from the chair she had been reading in and followed her mother to the guest room where she stayed for the last couple of months. Tomorrow she would finally be leaving Barcelona and would be going to Hogwarts. Pleasant images of her friends filled her mind and she grew excited and impatient to leave. It wasn't that she didn't like Barcelona. The people here were very nice and very hospitable, but she missed her friends terribly.
She wore a deep red gown with a halter at the top and flowed at the bottom accenting her round curves. While a maid was fixing up her make-up, Lily's mother removed an envelope from her purse and, judging by the seal on it, came from Hogwarts.
"This just came this afternoon. I know you don't like me invading your privacy by opening your letters, but this one was from your school and as a parent, it is my liberty to see what you've been up to," Lily chuckled lightly at that notion. Her mother continued, "So I opened it and imagine my surprise when I saw this badge with the words 'prefect' written in it." Her grin looked so wide that it could have broke.
Lily yelped and took the envelope from her mother's hands. When she realized that she wasn't really kidding about the prefect badge, she screamed happily, an unladylike feat that made her mother frown disapprovingly.
"Lily Estelle Marie Nicola Evans!" she huffed, "If you do such a thing again I swear you won't hear the end of it." She scolded her, although Lily was certain she saw a tinge of laughter behind those deep emerald eyes.
"Forgive me for such actions mother," she curtsied, "I was merely grateful of the fact that all my years of obedience, hard work, and patience at Hogwarts have finally paid off."
Her mother grinned. "Well, we shouldn't let your sister and your father wait. Are you ready?"
"Wait a moment. Alice, can you help me with this stupid red mop you people call my hair?" she turned to her maid. Her mother laughed.
"We can't help it if that's what you were born with." She moved so that Alice can fix her hair. She styled it to a simple chignon with curls at each side of the face that framed her oval face. "Done." Alice said quietly yet with so much enthusiasm.
"Well then, let's go." Lily stood up and followed her downstairs. She noticed that her sister was there waiting by the door frowning at something that her father said. She also noticed that when her mother saw them she tensed. Looking up at her mother in question, all Lily received was a nervous smile.
"Now that we're all here, shall we?" her father boomed happily. Lily's mother left her side and took her father's outstretched hand.
The ride to the Midnight Garden Ball was uneventful. Lily kept sending her parents confused looks as to what they were hiding from her. Her sister, Petunia, was still wearing her frown from her earlier conversation with her father at the villa. All in all, no one spoke throughout the whole ride.
***OOO***
"Good Evening, Señor Martinez, Señora Martinez," Lily curtsied at the hostesses of the party.
"Why, good evening Lily, ija," Mrs. Martinez smiled. "You're becoming prettier every time I see you."
Lily blushed. "Muchos gracias, Señora," she looked around, "I can see that you had worked very hard for this. It's so beautiful! I have never seen such fresh orchids and those decorations are very artistic and colorful!"
Mr. Martinez laughed. "That is only nothing, ija. Even with the numerous balls and parties you've been to, you have yet to see that grandeur of our parties. We are very much known for our splendid parties and artistic decorations."
"I can see that, Señor. You truly have the best." Lily remarked admirably.
"Gracias, ija. Now can you find me your father so that we can talk? I've been wanting to speak to him about something important."
"Of course, Señor." She curtsied and left.
While looking for her father, Lily admired the color-filled decorations that give beauty to the entire place. People of all kinds, muggle or magical, dressed so finely were laughing merrily and looked as though they enjoyed themselves immensely despite their differences. She spotted her father by the bar talking to a couple of handsome young men who looked bored at whatever her father was telling them. Furious, she went up to them and tapped her father lightly on the shoulder.
"Pardon me, father, for interrupting your interesting conversation," she stopped to give a quick glare to the two other men, "but Mr. Martinez has been meaning to speak to you about something important."
"Ah, yes. I almost forgot about that," her father said, then looked at the two other men "Excuse me but I think we'll continue our conversation next time. By the way, this is my daughter, Lily Estelle Marie Nicola Evans. Lily, darling, might I introduce to you, James Potter and Sirius Black. James here is the son of an important man who makes relations with us muggles. Pretty impressive, eh? I suppose I'll leave you three now to further acquaint yourselves." He bowed swiftly and turned, but before he did so he glanced at James Potter for a second, then walked away.
"Well, Miss Evans, it's an honor to finally meet you," the man her father introduced as Sirius Black took her hand and kissed it gently. Lily, still furious at their actions towards her father earlier, removed her hand from his grasp.
"If you have any intention of getting on my good side, then it was wrong of you to do such a thing in front of my father." She remarked irately. She expected the two men to be furious at her for saying such things, but instead they laughed.
"Why Miss Evans, I never knew you had this amusing side in you." The other man, James Potter, grinned.
Lily became confused. "Whatever do you mean by that?"
"If you were talking about our bored faces earlier, I admit it was real. But it was merely because he said the same thing again and again that you can't help feeling bored at it." James said.
"And exactly what did he say repeatedly that made you two bored out of your mind?" she inquired.
"Correction. We weren't really bored. That was an exaggeration," Sirius said, "And to answer your question, it's strictly confidential. But I'm sure you'll find out soon about it since you're involved in it—" he was unable to finish since his mouth was muffled by a gloved hand.
"I believe that's all we can say for now, Miss Evans," James interrupted and grabbed Sirius' arm, "If you'll excuse us, we have to—"
"Oh no you don't," Lily started, but the two men were already turning their backs on her. The nerve! She thought as she followed the two.
Minutes later she realized that she would never be able to catch up to them because they were walking too fast. She gave up and sat on a bench by the lake where she thought the two were a few moments ago.
From a distance she could faintly hear the sounds of Spanish ballads played at the party. It's soothing, soft tone made Lily relax and lean into the tree standing beside her.
"You know, if your mother sees you here, sitting like that, I bet you a hundred galleons she'll burst into tears at your lack of etiquette." A deep, masculine voice spoke behind her. Lily chuckled.
"I'm used to it," she said, "But it's only during times when I forget my position in society."
"And what is your position, señorita?" he asked.
She turned around to face him. "The second daughter of a highly respected diplomat who is expected to do good so as to let the people know that my father raises her daughters very well. And very properly."
"Did he do a good job in it?" he smiled cheekily.
Infuriated, Lily stood up immediately and faced him. "Do you think he did a good job at it?" she said, poking her fingers at his well-concealed chest.
"From the likes of you, I think not." He said, his smile getting wider at how his remark was affecting her.
"Ugh! What don't you like about my father? He's the kindest man I have ever known in my life! Moreover, he is less arrogant and less cocky than you!" Lily exclaimed, practically raising her voice to the standard of an improperly trained young woman. She paused, realizing what she had just done. Straightening her shoulders and lowering her voice, she said nonchalantly. "If you think you have a chance of really getting on my father's good side, then think again, because I swear to god, you won't."
Waiting for a complaint but receiving none, she walked away furiously. She walked for about five steps until she heard him shuffling behind her until he finally caught up with her.
"Listen, Lily, I—"
"Mr. Potter, don't call me by my first name unless I allow you to do so."
Annoyed by her abruptness, he stopped her by holding both her shoulders. Lily squirmed underneath those large hands of his and refused to look at him.
"Miss Evans," he started formally, "At least give me a chance to apologize. I was being a rude person who had no feelings whatsoever of what another is feeling, and I am a bastard for doing that. I'm sorry." he pleaded. Lily grimaced at his bluntness.
"Fine." Was all she said before she walked again.
But James stopped her again.
"Why don't we start over?" he asked.
Lily didn't know what to do, but his smile and pleading eyes were so persuading that she finally gave in.
"All right." She shrugged.
"Great!" he offered his hand in a gesture of greeting. "Good Evening, miss. My name is James Potter."
Lily smiled inwardly at his formality. "Good evening, James Potter. I am Lily Evans," she said as she allowed her hand to be within his large ones.
"Beautiful Evening we have here, eh?" he indicated, raising his hand to the sky. Lily laughed.
"Nice take on choosing topics."
"I know. I'm pretty good at it," he paused. "I've heard from your father that you received your prefect badge today. A goody-goody, are you?"
Lily gave him a sideward glance. "No, I'm not…. Maybe I am… So what if I am?"
He grinned. "There's nothing bad about that. I bet your parents are very proud of you."
She smiled fondly. "I know, they are proud of me as much as I'm proud of them."
Minutes later they were having such an animated conversation that they didn't bother to go back.
"It's amazing how time flies, doesn't it?" James said, looking at his watch.
"Yeah, it does." Lily replied, smiling softly at him.
James sighed as a comfortable silence ensued. From here, he could hear the faint sounds of a person singing a slow, rhythmic tune that makes the ladies shiver with glee. He slightly turned his head to look at the redheaded beauty beside him, looking up at the sky. Wearing her deep red gown, she symbolized the perfection of a red rose. She had skin so white and creamy that is longing to be touched, and lips so rosy that is longing to be kissed. She looked so beautiful, yet an attitude so fierce that she draws more attention that the norm, similar to that of the thorns that are the essence of the rose.
"How old are you?" she asked suddenly.
"Twenty-one."
"Oh." Was all she said as she turned to him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," her father's deep voice was heard from the large tent where the party was held.
Lily didn't bother to hear her father as she stared into his beautiful brown eyes.
"Twenty-one's not that old" she spoke honestly.
"How old are you then?" he inquired.
"Fifteen."
Lily felt James' eyes flicker with surprise, then tenderness.
"I'm proud to announce an event that will undoubtedly surprise you all…"
"Fifteen's not that young." He whispered huskily.
"I know."
"You're young yet you act like an adult."
"I was raised to do so." She said, shifting her gaze to his lips unnoticeably.
"Then you must be very experienced in…some things." he whispered, finally noticing where her gaze was at.
Alarm bells went ringing in Lily's head, yet his eyes were so full of desire that she couldn't resist.
"Two families have agreed to finally announce what we have kept private for some time now…"
"So passionate, so dedicated," he whispered, leaning closer.
"Tonight, you are the very first people who would hear the…"
Their lips were inches apart, then half an inch. They kept on getting closer, and closer…
"engagement of my daughter, Lily Estelle Marie Nicola Evans to James Potter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Potter."
Lily immediately pushed herself away from James Potter's embrace and stared at him in shock.
A/N: Whew! I'm finally done! It took me almost two weeks to write this. Always write, stop, study, sleep, write, stop, study, and sleep. School's so tiring!!!!! Anyways, I hope you liked this story. Flames are welcome… I think.
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