James was more nervous than he had ever been. Just breathe, he told himself, In and out, in and out. He obeyed himself and exhaled loudly. A little too loudly, perhaps.

The redhead across from him looked up from where she had been timidly examining her nails and eyed him curiously. "What's the matter, James?" she asked. "Am I boring you?" It was meant to be a joke, but her voice trembled a little too much for that.

James took no notice, however, as he was too busy attempting not to hyperventilate as he stared into her startlingly green eyes that, for one of the first times ever, were showing an emotion that wasn't hatred toward him. He blinked, uncertain. Was she really and truly concerned about him? Relax, James, he reassured himself, its not that far-fetched. She agreed to go on a date with you didn't she? Why would she be here if she hated you?

He turned his attention back to her. "Oh, no, Lily. You're not boring me at all. I was just, um, breathing loudly. I'm a little bit nervous." He grinned at her. She grinned back, a good sign. They lapsed again into silence. James stared at Lily, thinking about how lucky he was that she had finally decided to give him a chance.

It had been only 5 days ago that James had stumbled into the Head Boy's bedroom, exhausted after a particularly grueling Quidditch practice, to find a note lying on his bed. On the front was his name, in loopy handwriting, obviously a girl's. James groaned. Not another note from some random third year, he thought. He lazily flicked it open to see who it was from…and received the shock of his life.

Dear James, it read,

I know this is a little out-of-the-blue, but I would just like to inform you that, if you are still interested, I would be happy to accompany you to Hogsmeade this weekend. Come and find me in my room if you accept. If not…I understand, and don't bother telling me.

Fondly,

Lily

He had gone of course. He would have been crazy not to. James leaned back, debating on whether or not to ask about her sudden change of heart. He thought that she'd always hated him. He looked at her. "So, tell me about your dreaded sister Petunia." Lily laughed, and as she did, the tension in the room noticeably lightened. The pair was enjoying themselves immensely, trading stories and jokes.

Then, "Oh Godric!!! Curfew was an hour ago!" Lily hissed. "I need to get back. We have a Potions exam tomorrow.

James sighed, but knew she was right. "Hey. Listen, Lils, I know we aren't all lovey yet, but Sirius and I are hosting a party next Friday and… Iwonderedifyouwantedtogowithme."

"Sorry, didn't catch that last bit there." Lily said with a smirk. He gave her a sheepish look.

A smile crossed her face and she said, "Yeah, I'll go with you, now can we get back please?"

Giddy with excitement James nodded. "Yeah, let's go!"

They parted ways when they reached the Heads' common room, Lily giving James a little wave and a smile that made his heart flutter. He stared at where her retreating form had disappeared for a good minute, until the portrait hole opened and Sirius stepped in.

"Hey Prongs, how did your date with Evans go?" Sirius asked casually.

"Bloody brilliant..." James muttered, still in his trance.

"I take it you snogged her then?"

That brought James to his senses. "What? No! Lily doesn't do that. I would never…I mean, I would…I wish I could…well I…" James paused to look forlornly at Lily's door.

"Lily doesn't snog?" Sirius asked incredulously.

"Well, not yet anyway…She has this "five date rule", and, quite frankly, she hasn't ever gotten to that point in a relationship."

Sirius snorted. "You haven't let them get that far before hexing the guy into oblivion, more like."

James gave him a death glare. "None of those guys were right for her! It wouldn't have worked out anyway!"

Sirius gave him a sarcastic look, but before James could retaliate, his best friend had disappeared out of the portrait hole and was headed back to the Gryffindor common room.