"How do I look?" I nervously asked, giving the dress robe a twirl.
"You're wearing that to a simple Head's meeting at Hogsmeade?" Marlene challenged. We've been having this kind of banter ever since the beginning of the term when James was made Head Boy and I was made Head Girl.
"Is there something wrong with wearing dress robes?" I refuted, despite the fact that I knew very well that a dress robe was way too formal for a meeting between friends.
"You look like you're going out on a date, not meeting with a 'friend'" Alice helpfully chirped in.
"Are you sure you don't have feelings for James?" asked Dorcas.
"100% sure" I lied. I was 100% sure that I do have feelings for him, but I will deny them for as long as I live.
"Well, miss I-don't-like-James-Potter-even-though-I-totally-do, you better get going because it's almost 11" Mary pitched in. Ignoring the first part of her offhanded comment, I hurriedly head out to meet James in the Great Hall.
Despite my raging hormones, I was confident that I'd have everything under control. All I had to do was treat him like I treat everyone else. Boy was I wrong. He was dressed casually, and his T-shirt emphasized his broad shoulders and muscular arms. Great. Now it's going to look like I tried too hard and my intentions will be misunderstood. Since when did I care about what others thought about my appearance? Oh right, ever since I started having a crush on James Potter. This was going to be harder than I anticipated.
"Hey, you look nice. Are you ready? I brought parchment and quills to draft the schedules" James's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Oh hi, let's get going" I responded, trying not to blush at the compliment.
Like usual, the Three Broomsticks was really crowded, but we eventually found a table for two. I could feel all eyes on us as we chatted. Lily Evans and James Potter? Together?
"Miss Evans, Mr. Potter. What a rare sight! What can I get you two today?" Madame Rosmerta greeted us.
"Two butterbeers, please" James ordered.
"Anyhow, let's get to work. Let's start with the 5th years and continue from there" I suggested. Working keeps my brain from wandering to other places, such as James's muscular arms or his hazel eyes. Even though forming prefects' schedules isn't hard, it'll be enough to busy my brain. All you have to do is pair up two people who don't hate or love each other with a fiery passion and assign them a time and location.
Forming the schedules didn't take long at all. By the time we had finished finalizing them and sipping our butterbeer, only an hour had passed.
"Well, it's a relief we got that over with. I'll just head back to the castle now. See you back in the dorm!" I bid farewell, ready to head back to the castle.
"No, you're not. Come on, it's our last year at Hogwarts. Do you really want to waste your Hogsmeade trips like this? We have lots of time left. You were probably too busy studying to explore properly. It's time for you to explore the proper way" James objected. Before I could reply, he grabbed my hand and dragged me outside to "finally live".