The Surprise
Lily Evans was confused. Earlier that day, shortly after breakfast, she had finally, after all these years, accepted James' offer to be his girlfriend. They had sat together at lunch, and spent the whole afternoon together. Both of them had been feeling euphoric all day. At dinner though, James had suddenly gotten up and left halfway through dessert. He had only said he needed to do something, gave her a warm smile, and kissed her on the cheek. Something which had sent flutters through her stomach, despite her confusion.
Wondering what was wrong, Lily had picked up the remains of his strawberry pie, and had run after him. She figured he had gone to their quarters, where only the Head Boy and Head Girl were allowed. She hurried there, almost tripping a few times as she tried to catch up with him.
Once there, James was nowhere in sight, so she quickly whispered the password to the portrait that hid the entrance, and slipped inside. What she saw then, baffled her mind.
James seemed to be carefully setting up a table in the darkened room. There were two small treacle tarts on either side, and a few candles clumsily placed in the middle. He was currently carrying a bouquet of lilies, which he seemed intent on placing in the middle of the too small table.
Lily was shaken out of her examinations by a slightly scared voice saying, "Lily?"
Not expecting the sudden sound, Lily screamed and launched the piece of pie into the air, straight at him. Her shriek startled James, who, after getting a strawberry in his eye, stumbled. He dropped the lilies, and crashed into the table, knocking everything to the ground.
"Merlin! James, are you all right?" Lily asked worriedly, rushing over and helping him stand up.
"Don't worry Lily, I'm fine," he said reassuringly. "You actually weren't supposed to come in yet."
"Ugh, James, you're crazy, and you're going to get yourself killed at this rate," she said examining a small burn on his hand, before she turned to look him in the eyes, "but I'd rather be with you than without."
She whispered the last part, they both blinked. He leaned in, and she followed a second later, and they kissed lightly. After they parted Lily licked her lips and smiled at him. She could taste strawberry, and a hint of light treacle.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"You're welcome, I messed it up though," he said sadly.
"You did great," she told him. "I love you."
"I love you, too," James said, pressing his lips to hers once again.