Identity
By: FreckledIrishMaiden
Chapter 3: Concerts, Beer, and Butterbeer
Posted: 23-07-05
Summary: Lily Evans is quite an ordinary girl with an extraordinary secrete. Unbeknown to her fellow Hogwarts students, Lily is a member of The Imps, the biggest rock sensation in the wizarding world. Join Lily on her quest for love, friendship, and identity. AU.
A/N: Just a reminder that this is rated PG-13 and that there is some more mature subject matter in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter related characters, places, terms, or phrases. This goes for the entire story. So just remember, I don't own a thing, I'm just writing for my pleasure and hopefully yours as well.
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Saturday morning, Lily awoke to bright sunshine washing across her face. She felt an intense energy flooding through her veins mixed with a nervous tension. Lily always got really nervous before concerts. Lily glanced at the clock next to her king size hotel bed and was surprised to see it was still quite early, only 6:30. Lily tried to drift back to sleep to no avail before giving a frustrated sigh. It was impossible, Lily decided, she needed to do something, she had just too much energy. Making up her mind, Lily hopped out of bed and threw on a sports bra, tee shirt, and running shorts. In a matter of minutes, Lily's shoes were laced and she was in the hall closing the door behind her.
"Ella?" Lily whipped around at the sound of her alias's name, wasn't it a bit early for the paparazzi? She wondered. "Oh. Potter, it's you," Lily intoned before continuing down the hall.
"James, please call me James. What are you doing so early this morning?"
Lily explained that she had planning on going for a run to rid herself of some of her nervous energy, hoping James would leave it at that and let her be on her way. As tolerable as James had been the past two days, Lily wasn't sure she wanted, or could deal with him so early in the morning. But much to Lily's dismay, James seemed to have perked up at the word run.
"Run? You run? That's great! I was just going for a run as well. Mind if I join you? We can go at whatever pace you want," James offered. Lily grudgingly agreed to let James run with her, to refuse him, she decided, would be rude and uncalled for. "Do you play Quidditch?" James asked. "That's why I try to run in the summer, gotta stay in shape for the season, even if I can't fly because of the number of muggles around.
As soon as Lily and James exited the hotel, they started off at a run down the street towards Hyde Park, just a few blocks from the hotel. "No, I don't play Quidditch, I prefer to keep two feet on the ground," Lily said while concentrating on her breathing.
James turned around and started running backwards in order to look Ella in the eye to make sure she was completely serious. "You mean you don't like fly?" James asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Lily returned in mock seriousness, "I mean I don't like flying." Lily started to laugh at the look on James's face, "Man, you make it seem like some kind of sin or something!"
James just shook his head in disbelief at the girl next to him as he started running normally again. "Come on, lets pick it up," Lily said before she sped up. The pair continued their run in companionable silence, Lily because she was concentrating on her breathing, and James because; well because it took all his self-power not to stop and just to keep up, despite his screaming muscles.
When Lily and James arrived back at the hotel, James noticed Ella's breathing was quite normal, as if she hadn't just spent the past 45 minutes running. Meanwhile, James was bent double, gasping for breath. "Nice job James, I'm impressed. I didn't expect you to keep up. If I were to guess, I'd say we ran a good nine kilometers," Lily complimented while wiping sweat off her face with the bottom of her shirt, rewarding James with a brief glimpse at the pale skin that was Ella's stomach. "Well, I suppose we should get ready for breakfast, no?" How about you and your mates meet me and the guys in the hall in say… thirty minutes?" James just nodded, still struggling for air. He wasn't entirely sure he would be able to make it all the way upstairs to his room without his legs collapsing beneath him. His legs felt like extremely heavy jello. Lily watched James closely to make sure he made it to his room all right before disappearing into her own room with a smirk to take a shower.
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James staggered into his room and collapsed onto his bed with a groan. "Alright there Prongs?" Sirius questioned as he woke up.
"I've never been so sore in my life!" complained James, his voice muffled by his pillow.
"Why, where were you?" Sirius looked suspiciously at this sweaty friend.
"With Ella," James mumbled. "Damn that girl, she sure as hell knows how to give me a work out."
Sirius's eyes widened in shock, "Oy, Prongs! You've known the girl for two days and you've already managed to shag her? Bloody hell, I knew you were in to her but I didn't think it was like that!" Sirius finished letting out a low whistle.
James rolled over onto his back and threw a pillow at Sirius, "No you prat! I did not shag Vinys; we just went on a run you idiot! I know where your mind is you dirty bastard."
"Yeah, okay Prongs, a likely story, on a run… right," Sirius said doubtfully before disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door.
"I DID NOT SLEEP WITH ELLA VINYS!" James yelled at the bathroom door at the precise moment Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew walked it.
Remus raised an eyebrow at James, "Well that's good to know James, but you might want to yell a little louder next time, I don't think people across the English Channel quite heard you." James just groaned and pulled another pillow over his head, ignoring Remus's comment.
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After everyone was awake, dressed, and showered, the two bands crammed into an elevator and were debating on where to get breakfast. "How about the Leaky Cauldron?" Suggested Peter.
"No," Lily immediately killed that idea. "While you might like eating with a bunch of witches hanging all over you, I find it nauseating. Lets go some place muggle, where people won't know us."
At that time, the elevator reached the main floor and the doors parted to greet The Marauders and The Imps with a rush of noise and many bright flashes so that the lobby was covered in the purple smoke admitted when a magical camera took a picture.
"Ella! Benjy! We love you!" Two hysterical teens shrieked right in front of the elevators. "Well, I guess they found us," Benjy whispered into Ella's ear.
What looked like the manager of the hotel pushed his way to the front of the crowd to talk to the eight teens that were busy forcing their way out of the elevator. "I'm sorry gentleman and lady," The middle aged, balding man stuttered. "I don't know where they all came from. It is like one moment the lobby was empty and the next all these lunatics were everywhere! I don't know where they came from, and all dressed so strangely. Maybe there has been a mass break out at the institution. Anyway, I called the police. They should arrive any moment now and they can help escort you wherever you need to go. I'm so sorry to disturb you. Please forgive our hotel. Ah, here comes the police now."
Once the manager started retreating back through the crowd, everyone grinned at each other, enjoying the manager's confusion. "I'm guessing our being in London is providing the Ministry with some extra work this weekend," Remus yelled over the crowd.
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Hours later, Lily and the Imps had just finished all of their final sound checks and last minute preparation for the concert when the first group of fans entered the arena, adding to Lily's nerves. The young witches appeared to make a beeline towards James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter, would were all sitting on the edge of the stage, discussing one of their songs. Lily turned around and started walking back stage dejectedly. Before and after concerts, witches and wizards always seemed to swarm the male members of her band while she was always pushed to the back of the crowd. Lily had noticed that many men did not think that Lily was 'worthy' to be in such a big band, stereotyping rock bands as just for men. And females always just swarmed the guys because of their shallow natures. Lily hated thinking about it because it made her feel self centered, but she just wished that she could be treated the same even though she was a woman.
In the background, Lily could hear Sirius greeting the girls, "Ladies nice to see you!"
Lily started walking faster when she heard her name called out. "Ella! Please don't go yet!" Lily turned around to see that the three girls behind her had completely bypassed the Marauders, leaving Sirius looking crestfallen, and were standing by the edge of the stage as close as they could get to her. Lily approached the maybe fourteen-year-old girls timidly. "Can we have your autograph?" They all asked at once.
Lily crouched down and took the nearest quill offered, "Of course you can!" Lily smiled genuinely.
"Ella, you are so amazing! I wish I could play the guitar like you!" The shortest girl declared.
"Yeah, you are amazing! And it must be so hard to have to live with just a bunch of boys for an entire summer!" The first girls friend added shyly, causing Lily to chuckle.
"Yeah," Lily wrinkled up her nose. "Boys can be pretty annoying sometimes, huh?" Lily glanced at the four Marauders as she made her last comment, and caught James's eye. As their eyes' met, Lily had a strange feeling at the pit of her stomach and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Lily quickly blinked and looked away, trying to shake off this new and unwanted feeling caused by James Potter.
"Well girls, I've got to go backstage and change now, but enjoy the concert!" With that, Lily straightened up and walked back stage, feeling slightly ness nervous and more confident about that evening's concert. It was amazing how just three young girls could affect Lily's nerves and attitude.
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Approximately five hours later, the arena roared with applause as Lily's chest and upper lip glistened with sweat with the finish of The Imps last set. Lily grinned at all her band members as they took a bow. It had been a great concert. The arena was packed, all the equipment worked fine, the sound was great, and they didn't miss a beat. The Marauders joined the Imps on stage and they all gave a final bow to enthusiastic cheers.
Once the arena started to empty, the two bands stumbled back stage where Benjy fell onto a couch where Lily collapsed on top of him, into his lap. Laughing for no reason. "Man, I'm so exhausted!" Lily Exclaimed energetically. "Lets go out and party! The night is still young!" Gideon, Fabian, and Benjy could clearly recognize the signs of Lily on an adrenaline high.
James watched Lily and Benjy silently. He felt strangely jealous and possessive even though he knew he had no reason too. Ella was certainly an enigma. James had liked Lily Evans for the past two years but suddenly Ella Vinys comes waltzing along and he suddenly experienced the same strong feelings he had around Lily Evans, but now they were for Ella Vinys. After numerous rejections, his friends had tried to get James to move on and forget Lily for years to no avail. So how was it possible that within just seventy-two hours, James was falling for someone new, someone completely different than Lily Evans? James just didn't understand how his feelings could change so quickly after they had been the same for so long.
Ella jumped up and went to Sirius, the most awake person in the room beside herself, and pulled him to his feet. "Come on Sirius! Lets go to the discotheque. If these party poopers don't want to come, they don't have to, but I want, no I need to dance!" Sirius raised his eyebrows in amusement before consenting to go with Ella.
"I can't just let a pretty girl like yourself go to the discotheque unescorted now, could I?"
The two teens left the room before Ella stuck her head back in the door, raising one eyebrow. "Anyone else coming?" The remaining six boys exchanged glances before grudgingly following Ella and Sirius who were frolicking out the back door into the street, laughing loudly.
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Lily and Sirius were in the middle of the Saturday night crowd at the discotheque, the music pouring through their veins as they danced together. Lily was completely absorbed and was having loads of fun. She never thought that she, Lily Evans, would be able to have such a good time with Sirius Black. Throughout the night, there had been plenty of other guys who had tried to cut in and dance with Ella, but she stuck with Sirius, her preferred partner.
Meanwhile, James was sitting at the bar, jealousy washing through his blood. He was just watching Sirius and Ella dancing together. James picked up is glass of muggle beer and drained it, putting it back on the counter a little harder than he had meant to, next to the two other empty glasses. James ordered another beer as he watched Ella lean forward to say something in Sirius's ear, her hair touching the side of Sirius's face. James abruptly turned his back on the scene and picked up his new drink. He hated himself right now. He had never been a jealous person and he was surprised by how easily Ella did this too him and hated her for it. He was jealous, and jealous of Sirius at that, Sirius who was like a brother to him!
In a matter of seconds, the object of James's desire was leaning on the counter right next to James with Sirius on the other side. "Alright there James?" Lily said while Sirius ordered them both a drink. James didn't seem very receptive towards Lily's attempt at conversation so Lily talked around him to Benjy, sitting on James's other side. Remus, Peter, Gideon, and Fabian were all otherwise occupied with various dance partners on the dance floor.
After Lily had finished her fourth drink, Sirius ordered them both another with a mischievous look in his eye. "Okay Ella, I've got a proposition for you. I bet you I can chug this beer faster than you can." Lily studied the glass in front of her for a minute.
"You've got a bet Sirius," Lily said a little louder than necessary.
Sirius grinned, "Good, and when I win, you have to kiss me!"
Ella snorted, "If, you mean if you win. But if I win, then you have to kiss the bartender!"
Sirius groaned, "But, but, but, but he's a, he's a he!" Lily just grinned evilly and nodded. "Oh, fine, I'm going to win anyways! James, you be the judge."
And with that, Ella and Sirius brought their glasses to their lips and started to drink as fast as they could. By the time they had finished half of their glasses, half of the bar seemed to be watching the chugging teens, waiting to see whom would win and if Sirius would have to kiss the bartender. The contest was close, but in a matter of seconds, Lily had emptied her glass and slammed it down on the counter top, raising her hands in victory, concentrating on keeping the liquor down. Sirius had finished very closely behind but not soon enough. Lily stuck her tongue out triumphantly at Sirius as people at the bar started egging Sirius on to take his punishment for losing.
Reluctantly, Sirius got up off his stool and leaned across the bar and kissed the bartender before quickly pulling back to wipe his mouth on his sleeve. This even drew a laugh from James, and made him much happier now that he knew Ella did not have to kiss Sirius. Lily was grinning maniacally. She had finally gotten Sirius back for some of the pranks he had pulled on her over the years.
James was feeling happier than he had all night. Once the commotion had died down, James leaned towards Ella and asked her to dance. Lily accepted and the pair made their way onto the dance floor. In a matter of minutes, Lily was completely absorbed in the music and in James. She could hardly remember why she had ever hated him as their bodies mingled with the music. As the night went on, their dancing became slowly more intimate.
Lily could hardly realize how closely she was dancing with James; the alcohol had truly loosened her up so she just didn't care. James's hands were low, very low on Ella's back and Ella's hands were around his neck and in his hair. Ella and James were dancing to a slower song when James leaned his head into the crook of Ella's neck. "Oh, Lily," He mumbled into Ella's hair and She froze. Her muscles went rigid as she took a step back.
"What did you call me?"
"What?" James asked d confused before his eyes widened in realization of what he had just done. But it was too late. Before James could respond, Ella was already weaving her way through the crowd, making her way back to the hotel.
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Lily groaned as the sun shinned brightly in her eyes. "Bloody hell," Lily tried to sit up. "Would someone stop shinning that damn light in my face?" Lily managed to say before she collapsed back onto her pillow as her head started pounding.
"Yeah, sure Lily, and how do you propose we go about turning the sun off?" Gideon retorted sarcastically.
"Fine, but no need to yell, smart arse," Lily mumbled, hiding her head under the covers.
"Lily, it's bloody two o'clock in the afternoon. The bus leaves for Scotland in an hour. I suggest you pull yourself together before then and get ready!" Lily heard her manager, Chris's, voice before his footsteps retreated across the room and the door slammed behind him. Lily pulled herself up gingery to find Benjy, Gideon, and Fabian standing around her room. "What happened last night?" Lily asked while rubbing her eyes.
"We aren't all that sure. All we know for sure is that you got into a chugging contest with Black before dancing with Potter until he said something and you stormed off back here," Benjy answered.
Lily groaned, "I was dancing with Potter?" The three boys just nodded in unison. "And you seemed to be enjoying it," Fabian said quietly, just to the other guys.
"Damn. Well I'm taking a shower. Meet you guys in an hour?" Lily managed to get out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom.
She couldn't believe herself. She had only gotten drunk once before, she wasn't the type to drink heavily. Thinking about it, Lily realized that that was when she was on an adrenaline high too. There was nothing she could do about it now though so Lily stepped into the shower and let the warm water help wash away some of her headache.
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The Imps and Marauders arrived in Hogsmeade in what seemed like no time to Lily since she slept the entire bus ride. When the eight teens and the two managers disembarked the bus they were right in front of the Three Broomsticks.
"Madame Rosmerta has prepared four rooms for you guys even though she doesn't usually offer rooms to rent," Chris informed. "So be nice and respectful. I'm staying with an old school friend down the street. I'll se you in the morning. Please try to get a better night sleep," Christ said pointedly at Lily before stalking off.
As everyone else went off to bed, Lily stayed down in the pub. No matter what Chris said, after sleeping most of the day, she knew she wouldn't be able to fall asleep now. Lily took a seat at the bar. A few minutes later, someone pulled out the chair next to Lily and took a seat.
"Evening Madame Rosmerta," came James's voice. "Two Butterbeers I think?" James ordered, glancing at Ella. "I figure after last night, we've had enough alcohol, eh?"
Lily smiled slightly, leaning on the counter with her chin in her hands. Ella and James drank their Butterbeers in silence. When they had finished, they both just sat for a while before James asked if Ella wanted to go on a walk with him. Lily agreed thinking some fresh air would do her good.
After a few minutes of walking, James broke the silence. "You know, I don't know why I'm even doing this whole band thing." Lily looked at James questioningly. "What I really want to do is be an auror. I mean, it's great and all, really fun, but, I don't know."
"Really?" Lily asked. She was shocked. She had never heard James talk about something so serious before. She had always imagined James would love this band thing.
"Yeah. My dad was an auror. I think I'd like to do what he did, something that would have made him proud. And I think with the threat of Voldemort looking, the Ministry is going to need all the help they can get."
Lily studied James's profile; she had never seen this side of him before. "I think I'd like to be an auror as well," Lily said quietly. Lily had never confided her ambition to anyone other than Professor Dumbledore before.
"What's your reason?"
"Well, I'm muggleborn. So, I just feel it is my duty to protect the wizarding world so that, so that more muggleborns can learn where they truly belong and come to Hogwarts…. And Beauxbatons, like I did," Lily said hesitantly, afraid that James would laugh. But James just smiled understandingly at Lily.
They had arrived back at the Three Broomsticks. "You surprised me tonight," James said, walking Ella to her room. "Goodnight Ella." James said before walking into his own room and closing the door. Lily looked at the spot where James had just been. "You've surprised me too. Goodnight… James," Lily whispered to the closed door.
(End Chapter 3: Concerts, Beer, and Butterbeer)
A/N: I appreciate each and every one of your reviews. You are all awesome and I feel great knowing people are just even taking the time to read my story. As always, any thoughts or criticism you have, please share to help me improve and to make your reading experience more pleasurable.
A few people asked where I came up with the idea for my story, so here is how my train of thought went; I all started at an American English (a Beatles tribute band) concert, so keep that in mind. Here is what I was thinking about: The Beatles à British Invasion à British People à Harry Potter à James and Lily and the big secret we were supposed to learn about Lily à If their was a British invasion in the wizarding world à The Weird Sisters à The Marauders sound like a band name à Hey, what if Lily was in a band, that would be cool à Maybe I should write a fan fiction about it?
So that is how I came up with my story. Sorry if you found that hard to follow but that is how my brain works…
Don't be afraid to review! I'd love to hear from you!
-KK