Chapter Text
“I am so excited for our trip.” Lily said while hugging James goodbye.
“Me too! I’m going to go say one last bye to the boys, why don't you go talk to Marlene or something.” James then ran off before Lily could reply.
Remus, Sirius, and Peter are talking on the platform about to board. “Hey mate, I thought you were leaving with Lily to go to Cornwall.”
James takes a minute to catch his breath. “I am but I have something really important I need your help with.”
“I am going to propose to Lily…”
The Marauders all cheered and clapped him on the back. “Congrats mate.”
“Yeah, but I need it to go perfectly. So you guys need to come with me to Cornwall.” Remus, having nothing else to do and no home to go back to, agreed immediately. Sirius was also very quickly on board. Peter took some convincing but eventually conceded.
“Okay brilliant. All you need to do now is get to Cornwall without Lily knowing. I will tell you guys more later.” James left to go back to Lily while the Marauders began formulating a plan.
…
James and Lily are on the train heading to Cornwall, while unbeknownst to Lily, Remus, Sirius and Peter are in the carriage across from them. Remus is sitting with the invisibility cloak and Peter as a rat is in his pocket, while Sirius is a dog laying on the ground.
Lily was trying to make plans for their upcoming beach vacation but James was obviously distracted by their neighbors across the aisle.
“I think Cornwall has really nice castles and… James, what is your problem? Why do you keep looking over there.” James, realizing he was staring a little too long, snapped back to the conversation. “Oh sorry um nothing, I was just thinking about the propos… I mean castles.“
“...Okay, anyways. I was saying we could definitely go to the castles and then I hear there's some beautiful gardens as well.”
The train pulled into the station as the sun was setting. James and Lily gathered their bags from the overhead racks and then exited to the platform.
Remus sighed audibly. “That was close. Good job lads, only one more day to go.” They grabbed their bags and slowly trailed behind James.
Suddenly James and Lily stop walking and James turns around toward them. They jump behind a pillar just as Lily looks in their direction. James walks past them and signals for them to follow him into the toilets. Remus still with the invisibility doesn't gather anytones attention but Lily catches Sirius walking into the toilets. “Was that a dog? I wonder if the station has animal control” She whispers to herself.
…
“Guys that was brilliant, she doesn't suspect a thing! But I forgot to tell you all something. I sort of only booked a hotel for me and Lily so you are going to have to figure out a place to stay.”
The three of them groan but James continues on without acknowledging their laments.
“Okay let me tell you the plan. On the second day I take Lily onto the beach and I will have a nice dinner prepare, which you guys will make, then while we’re eating and the sun setting, you guys pull up on a boat, which you need to find somewhere, and then launch fireworks, you gotta buy those too, that say ‘Will You Marry Me?’”
“Mate are you serio…” Sirius begins but Remus elbows him in the ribs. “We are happy to do all that of course.”
“Awesome you guys are the best.” James then turns out and runs back to Lily.
“Hey Lils ready.” Lily nods and they head out of the station. Lily pulled out a map to check which direction they needed to walk in. “I think it's just easier if we apparate.” James offered. “Absolutely not. I want a full muggle trip before we are released into the wizard world as adults. Okay this way." Lily began taking off just as James realized he had a full bladder that wouldn't last a mile walk. “Wait, I need to pee real quick.” Lily stopped and whirled around. “But you JUST went.”
“Yes but I had a lot to drink. Okay, right back.” James ran off back into the train station and into the toilets and he saw the marauders once again.
“I actually have to pee now. But don't worry I covered it perfectly.” Just then a tent whizzed into the bathroom and toppled James. “Bloody hell lads, what is this?” He goes up rubbing his head.
“Our tent, because someone didn’t book us a room.” Remus said stuffing the tent into his infinitely charmed backpack. “Okay… but don't put it anywhere toooo obvious where Lily would see.”
“Don’t worry mate, we aren't stupid.” Sirius reassured him.
…
“Okay just put that pole here peter.” Remus was holding an instruction manual while trying to instruct a failing Sirius and Peter into pitching the tent. “No no Peter the hammer is to mallet it into the ground.”
James and Lily are in their hotel room unpacking their bags. “What is all that yelling outside?” Lily asked James. James went to peek out the window and saw the Marauders trying to pitch a tent right on the beach only a meter away from the hotel. He rubbed his eyes and replied. “Just some homeless idiots. I need to go check something out in the lobby real quick.”
“What are you doing guys!” Peter and Sirius dropped the tent at the sound of James yelling.
“Um pitching a tent, obviously.” Peter replied
“Yeah but right outside the window, Lily will see you.” The three of them exchanged glances. “Right well we didn’t think that one was your window. Peter swore he saw you guys go to the other side of the hotel.” James groaned “Just move it okay.”
James went back into the hotel while the boys picked up the tent and moved it to the parking lot on the opposite side of their window.