For Emily (why the caged bird sings).

Five year old Lily Luna Potter ran out of the house to the backyard, pulling Teddy along with her. "C'mon, Teddy! We're gonna be late!"

"Late to what?" The 16 year old asked as he followed the fiery redhead.

"The ball of course!" Lily exclaimed, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "That's why I'm in my princess dress," She told him.

She was wearing a silvery white dress and heels that looked much too big for her. He didn't know how she could walk in the shoes, let alone run and drag him.

"Of course," Teddy played along. "How silly of me. Can you ever forgive me, Princess?"

"Of course I can!" She exclaimed. She stopped running and turned to him. "We're here!" She announced.

Teddy smiled, looking around the garden. It was a beautiful summer night and the flowers were in full bloom. "Indeed we are,"

"Now," Lily instructed bossily. "You have to ask me to dance,"

"Right," Teddy said, "Er- Come dance with me, Lily Flower!"

"No, no, no!" The little girl stomped her foot angrily, sighing in exasperation. "I'm a princess Teddy! And you're the prince! You have to bow and say, 'Fair princess, would you please dance with me?' and I'll say, 'Of course, Prince Teddy.' It has to be like that or I can't dance with you Teddy!"

"Oh," Teddy said, chuckling. "Silly me. Let's try again," He grabbed her dainty hand and kissed it. Lily giggled. "Fair princess, will you bestow upon me the honor of dancing with you?"

"And you have to bow," Lily reminded him.

"Yes, ma'am," Teddy said cheekily. Lily giggled harder. Teddy bowed, kissed her hand, and asked, "Fair princess Lily, whose hair is as red as a flickering flame, and whose eyes are as brown as…. Er – whose eyes are very pretty shade of brown, who wears the most beautiful princess dress ever… May I have this dance?"

"Of course, Prince Teddy," The 5 year old giggled. She grabbed his hands and he started spinning her in circles. They spun around and around, laughing and dancing.

After a long while, Lily announced the ball was over. They had to go home.

"Teddy?" She asked, "Will you carry me? My feet hurt,"

"Of course they do, I don't know how you can walk in those shoes," Teddy smiled and picked the little girl up, carrying her towards the house. She yawned against his shoulder. He carried her up the stairs to her room and tucked her into bed.

"Teddy?" She asked sleepily as he stood to leave the room.

"Yes, Lily Lu?" He asked. "What is it?"

She smiled, her face a picture of innocence. "Teddy, will you marry me?"

He stared at her blankly for a few seconds, then smiled. "I think," he said, kissing her on the forehead, "That that's a question for another day,"

"Okay," Lily agreed.

"Goodnight, Lily,"

"G'night, Teddy," She whispered. "Love you,"

Teddy chuckled. "Love you too, Lily Flower,"

Written for the following Challenges/Competitions on HPFC:

The If You Dare Challenge (prompt #623: Innocence)

The Greenhouses Competition (Carnation: write about a character as a child)

The HP Potions Competition (Cupid Crystals: write about a proposal or a wedding).