A/N For Molly and Paris, for inspiring me. Words cannot express how thankful I am.

Snow Day Chances

by Olivia Wolfe

Chapter One

Wont' Take Snow For An Answer

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except for the ideas of the story, and one character. All other characters, places, etc. belong to Ms. J. K. Rowling.

Gardeners are good at nurturing, and they have a great quality of patience, they're tender. They have to be persistent. ~Ralph Fiennes

It was a typical December morning here at Hogwarts. Or so I had thought.

I wake up this morning like I do any other Saturday. I pulled back the drapes of Hogwarts' archaic windows to see that the first snow was starting to fall. Then a thought strikes my mind: Today is the winter trip to Hogsmeade. Yes! I quickly dressed, brush my red hair, and rush down the stairs, through the Gryffindor Common Room, and as I round the corner, heading to the Great Hall, I run into something — rather someone.

"Oof," I wheeze. Whoever I ran into nailed me right in the gut.

"Merlin, I'm sorry," exclaims my attacker. They look down as I look up. Of course, I would run into bloody James Potter, the only bloke who asks me out only every other day.

"Oh! Lily! Merlin, I really am sorry." He extends his hand to help me up.

I shoot him a false smile, bat his hand away, and stand up on my own accord. "Thanks Potter, but I'm just fine without your help." I hurriedly stalk off, leaving James by himself.

I turn around to sneak a glimpse of his defeat. He was just standing there, looking helpless. I chortle. All of the sudden he gets a panic-stricken look about him. I figure he was just being himself, roll my eyes and continue walking. I walk into the Great Hall just as I hear a command.

"Lily, wait!"

Git, I think. Why is he so James-ish today? Lauren and Alice look up from our usual table with quizzical looks on their face.

My face burning, I turn around on my heel, to find James Potter running towards me. Once he finally reaches me, I look at him with such detestation. Yet he didn't seem fazed.

"What do you want," I glower. I like to think that I am pretty convincingly mad. Unfortunately for me, I look straight into his eyes. Why do I always look at his eyes? Each time I do this, I lose myself in those mesmerizing hazel depths. I can feel my face begin to soften.

"Lily," he whines.

I roll my eyes. I now know exactly what pretty-boy Potter wants.

"Merlin, Lily." This I did not expect, especially coming from. He had said it so breathlessly. Almost as if, I was supposed to be taking him seriously. I couldn't let my guard down. It is, after all, James Potter.

"James," I retort in a mocking manner.

The git deviously grins. "This is your final opportunity to accept my offer of a date in Hogsmeade today," says Potter said in a sing-song voice.

I know he is joking. Not about the date, but about this being my final opportunity. There are plenty of other Hogsmeade trips, and plenty of other opportunities for him to ask. Hell, he would keep asking until one of us died. His poker face isn't that good.

Yet, even in knowing this, I don't know what compelled me to look at him directly in the eyes and utter the one syllable word that would change our history for good.

"Yes."

He stares at me. He looks like Peeves has scared the living daylights out of him. His face is pale, his eyes dilate, and I swear that I hear his heart thumping. Then, that went away in a split second. His mouth forms into a smile that is as big as his ego and his hands pat down his forever disheveled hair. Sheepishly, he peers over my shoulder and makes a head movement that resembled a nod. I whip my head around to see Sirius and Remus grinning right back at me. Well, Remus is grinning. Sirius, on the other hand, has his jaw extended all the way to the floor, because Lily Evans finally gives into James Potter's constant pleas, and they were there to witness it. I turn back to Potter.

"Potter, you set me up! One time that I finally get tired of you asking and say yes, you meant it as a practical joke," I growl. I could feel my cheeks flush. I am so livid.

"No! I swear, I mean it!"

"Whatever." I turn around on my heel, and head towards my friends.

"Oh, Lily," Potter calls after me. "Meet me here in an hour."

I try to ignore him as I sit down with Alice and Lauren. I could tell at this point the shade of my face matched my hair colour. Lauren looks me in the eyes and smirks.

"What," I ask with my mouth full of a muffin.

"Well, this is an attractive look for you: stuffing your face and it being red all over. It seems to be that Lily Evans has finally said yes to James Potter and she may have the same feelings towards him."

I snort. That is hardly the case.

"Come on, admit it, you caved," Alice told me, nudging my side.

I roll my eyes in a feign disgust. "Bullocks."

"You did so! We could hear you two. In fact, the entire Great Hall heard and saw it all happen."

My face was burning even more than it already was. Great.

Lauren, thankfully, could see how uncomfortable I was and quickly finished her toast. "Come on guys, let's go get Lily ready. After all, she does have a date to get ready for."

"Not so fast," I mutter, surprising even myself, "mail's coming in."

Surprisingly, I had mail for once. And it is in Petunia' handwriting. I nearly choked on my breakfast. Why did my sister, who hated me, write to me? I tear open the letter to see her perfect handwriting say:

Dear Lily,

You're most likely confused about why I'm writing, er, owling you. Well, I thought since no one else likes you besides mum and dad to write you, I might as well. Plus mum made me. She thinks it's going to make us *best friends forever*. Joy. So I suppose I should tell you what is going on with me. Vernon and I are back together-for good this time. Mum's pleased about it, but father is not quite as excited. He disapproves of us being so serious so young. But neither he nor you would know about it.

Anyway, you missed the annual Thanksgiving meal with everyone here. Mum went about nuts. Father did nothing, but watch TV. Of course. It was quite nice though. It was almost like before, when you weren't born, and I was the only child. When the family asked about me and met my boyfriend. I wish you could have been there. Oh wait, I don't.

Unfortunately, the old times were soon forgotten, because Uncle Doug asked about you, and of course mum had to go bragging about you. God, you just always have to be the center of attention, don't you.

Well, that's all I really want to tell you.

Love,

Petunia

Ugh. Just like her to be so rude and uncaring. And such a snob. How do some guys ever go for her? What do they see in her? Well, he is a muggle, I chuckle to myself. I was so lost in my thoughts and the letter that I had forgotten where I am, until Alice clears her throat and Lauren looks curiously at the letter in my hands. I mumble a "Petunia" and roll my eyes. They both nod. But I know they don't get it. Alice is an only child and Lauren has two little sisters. And they were both born into Wizarding families.

Once again, my thoughts were interrupted, this time by Lauren shrieking.

"UGHH"

I snap my attention to her, more alarmed than ever.

"Sweet Merlin, what?"

"Because you had to say yes to Pretty-boy over there, Sirius thinks that's a sign that he can hit on me. Not that I mi-, er, I mean, damn Marauders. Thanks."

I could hear the sarcasm in her voice when she thanked me. I wink at her. She scowls back. Alice snorts. I look down to where the Marauders sat, and James caught my eye. Green meets hazel. He is looking at me, almost as if he is watching me. Not in a stalker way, but in a total state of admiration. I immediately break eye contact and proceed to turn red. Again. Which then causes Lauren be the one to snort.

We sit there for a bit, until the Marauders left, at least. As soon as they leave, Alice turns and smirks.

"Let's go get you ready for your date, Lils."

A/N: Hey there dear readers! Please be gentle on the reviews. This is my first Harry Potter related fanfic. Or be harsh. Whichever you prefer. But please do rate and review! I'd love to hear what you all think of this! I have some great plans for this budding romance.

Always,

Olivia