It was a bright April day in the grounds of Hogwarts, and all was quiet. As was custom on such weekends, most students above third year had already left for Hogsmede; the exception on this occasion being the five youths standing just out of reach of the Whomping Willow.
"C'mon, Prongs," Sirius whined, as James continued to 'say goodbye' to Lily.
James removed one hand from Lily's waist in order to make a one fingered gesture at his best friend.
"Well, that's just rude," Sirius said.
James smiled against Lily's lips, before breaking away.
"I guess I should go," he said reluctantly.
"Well there's a great idea - why didn't I think of that?" Sirius muttered darkly, earning a slap around the head from Remus. "Ow, Moony!" he added, to which Remus smirked.
"I guess you should," Lily said regretfully, her hands still linked behind James' neck.
"This is sickening," Sirius muttered.
Peter sniggered.
James let go of Lily to face his friends, leaving one arm slung around her shoulders.
"Remind me why I'm going with you lot to Hogsmede?"
"Bros before hoes, mate," Sirius replied.
"Would you like to keep your extremities?" Lily asked.
"Preferably," he replied, smirking.
Lily grinned. "Like I was saying," she said, turning back to James. "You should go. I think your friends might be getting a little impatient."
"Are they now," James replied, leaning in closer to her again, so that he could smell her vanilla perfume. "I think they could wait a little longer."
"James," Lily laughed, "Go!"
His lips were once more precariously close to hers, but as he closed his eyes, he was surprised to feel a different pressure against his lips.
Lily was covering his mouth with her hand, smiling.
"Go," she said.
"You're no fun, Evans," James frowned, making full use of his puppy-dog eyes.
"I knew I preferred you to his other girlfriends for a reason, Evans," Sirius sighed.
"What other girlfriends?" she said immediately, turning to Sirius.
"Chill!" he said, "Joking."
"I don't like you, Black."
"You're dating my best mate… you have to like me."
"I most certainly do not."
"Stop flirting with my girlfriend, Pads," James cut in.
"I wasn't!" he protested. "I just have that natural effect on women!"
"Irritation, you mean?" Lily quipped, before turning back to James. "I'll see you later," she said, pecking him quickly on the lips. "The Three Broomsticks at one, right?" she asked.
"Right," he replied.
She gave him one last smile, and a wave to the other Marauders, before turning and walking away – to meet Alice and Marlene, no doubt.
"How the hell did I get so lucky?" James thought aloud.
"Six years of persistence?" Remus suggested.
"Devilishly handsome good looks?" Sirius added.
Remus frowned. "Y'know, you're partially responsible for his incredibly inflated ego, Padfoot."
Sirius shrugged.
"It was a rhetorical question," James said, still staring after her.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Course it was, Prongs. Now come on. We've got Marauding to do."
A/N: A little bit of in-relationship James/Lily, in contrast to pre-relationship in Lily's Story! Hope you enjoyed it – please let me know what you thought :)
