Huge thanks to my beta, MrsBates93
"Hey Lily, happy birthday." He said, smiling.
Lily returned the smile. "Thank you." She sat down; putting the new silver handbag Dorcas had given her on the table. "But I didn't think you knew when it was."
"Marlene told Sirius, and he told me." He reached down and pulled a box out of his bag. "Here, I got you this."
"You didn't have to." But she took the offered gift and carefully pulled off the wrapping paper.
Lily lifted the lid off the light blue box. Inside was a silver charm bracelet with the letters L-I-L-Y, and a lily flower next to the 'Y'. "Wow," Lily breathed as she carefully lifted it out of the box. "It's beautiful."
"Just like you."
Lily blushed at the compliment. Usually what came next was, 'Will you go out with me?' or something along those lines. Usually, Lily dreaded it, her mind already screaming, 'No!' and a hex forming on her lips before the question had even been asked.
But ever since the start of the year, when she had found out that James was the Head Boy to her Head Girl, she had seen a change in him. He had stopped hexing people for no reason and he hadn't pulled as many pranks. Lily had actually found herself liking him a bit more, but he was still one of the Marauders, so she still remained sceptical.
Especially since he hadn't asked her out yet this year. For all she knew, it could all be another ploy to win her over.
Lily suddenly remembered what Dorcas had said about her being headstrong, especially when it came to James Potter, and she couldn't help but agree with her friend. But as James helped to fasten the clasp of the delicate bracelet around her wrist she found herself blushing again and a small part of her wanted him to ask her out, if only to prove to herself that she wasn't as headstrong as she thought she was.
James leaned back in his seat. "Do you like it?"
Lily nodded. "I love it. Thank you."
They worked in silence for a while, arranging the patrol roster for the next two months.
Lily suddenly broke the silence, "Why haven't you asked me out yet?"
James looked up, a teasing grin on his face. "That's a bit narcissistic of you, isn't it?"
Lily sighed. "Maybe it is, but you haven't bugged me all year and I want to know why."
"So, you miss me?"
"What? No!"
James grinned and his eyes lit up. "Admit it Lily, you miss me. We wouldn't be having this conversation if you didn't."
She did, but she wasn't going to let him know how much. "Only a little."
"Sure." His tone implied that he knew it was more. "Look, Lily. The reason I haven't asked you out is because I know you don't want to go out with me. I would love to spend time with you, I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't, you're smart and beautiful and a very talented witch and you stand up for what you believe in."
"I know I've said no in the past but things change, we change. And I really admire your persistence."
James smiled. "So, will you go out with me Lily?"
Lily giggled, "Yes, you fool."
Their hands met on the table and James leaned across and pecked Lily's cheek. "Who'd have thought there would ever be harmony between us?"
Lily gave a small laugh. "Who'd have thought indeed?"
