Characters and setting belong to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 1

"Students." Dumbledore's voice rose above the loud conversations throughout the Great Hall at lunch one afternoon. The hall quieted down quickly and turned to face him. "As you all know, Valentine's Day is fourteen days away…" he continued with a twinkle in his eyes and a growing smile on his face. "Upon request, the staff and I have decided to organize a Valentine's Day ball." He paused for a moment as the hall erupted into excited whispers. "Now I understand this is short notice and many of you do not have the appropriate attire. We have taken the liberty to owl all of your parents about the upcoming event. The carriages will be taking students to Hogsmeade tomorrow and on Sunday so you can shop for your formal wear. As for the students who aren't allowed in Hogsmeade, I have arranged for the great hall to be turned into a formal wear shop where you can purchase dresses and dress robes imported from various shops around Hogsmeade. Have a wonderful rest of the day and good luck with your shopping." And with that, Dumbledore sat back down at the staff table to finish his lunch.

James didn't even think about it. The second Dumbledore sat back down; he jumped up and fumbled around in his pocket for his wand. He knew exactly what he wanted to do. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea, Prongs…" Sirius called, but James waved it off and continued his mission.

"Oh boy…" Marlene McKinnon warned her best ate as James made his way towards them with a look of determination in his eyes.

Lily looked up and let out a tired sigh. "When will his bloody joke end?" She muttered, glancing into his eyes. His beautiful, amazing, hazel eyes. 'Stop that Lily.' She thought to herself. 'It's all a joke to him; it has been since first year…' But she couldn't help but wonder why he had been carrying it on for so long. They were in their sixth year, maybe it wasn't a joke… She snapped out of her thoughts as James stopped next to her.

He took a deep breath as he spun her around and got down on one knee. How did she make him so bloody nervous? He waved his wand and conjured a bouquet of lilies as he looked into her eyes. "Lily Evans…" He began, looking into her beautiful, green eyes. "I know you think I'm a thick-headed arrogant toe-rag. And I admit that I can be quite arrogant at times, but you don't understand that I'll change for you, Lily! Please! Please, just give me a chance to prove to you that I'm not all that you think I am. Lily Evans, will you please do me the honour of going to the ball with me?" He asked, practically begged, with his eyes full of sincerity as he handed her the lilies hopefully.

Lily was silent for a moment, staring at him as she took it all in. James Potter was on his knees in front of her, practically begging her to give him a chance. It finally clicked… he really liked her. It wasn't a joke like she had thought all along.

The hall was silent. Completely silent. Every student and professor at Hogwarts was watching them, mouths agape. James felt his face heat up a bit as he searched her face for anger, completely unaware of everything else in the world. At that moment, it was only Lily and James. She was the only person that could make him blush or feel weak like this. He could crumble into her hands with one glance, and she didn't even know it. James potter was totally, completely, head over heels in love with Lily Evans.

Instead of narrowing her eyes and reaching for her wand, Lily gave James a smile; her cheeks were nearly as red as her hair. She slowly reached out and accepted the flowers before jumping into his arms and hugging him tightly. "Oh, James!" She said happily, a grin growing on her face as she took in his scent, the feeling of his muscular arms around her and the softness of his black, messy hair in her hands. "You really aren't joking, are you? Yes! I would love to go to the ball with you!" She managed to say it in a whisper, struck with happiness. Lily Evans was totally, completely, head over heels in love with James Potter.

James was in complete shock as the hall erupted into applause. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, wondering if he were dreaming. He buried his face in her flaming hair, breathing in the scent of strawberry and vanilla. No. This wasn't a dream. It was real life. And in real life, Lily Evans was actually hugging him tightly and not letting go. He stood up, with her still firmly in his arms, and spun around with a grin on his face. "Thank you, Lily." He grinned widely. "Wait…joke? Why would this ever be a joke?" He asked, slightly confused.

Lily blushed slightly and pulled away just enough to look into his eyes again, her arms still wrapped tightly around him. "Do you want to go for a walk, Pot—James?" She asked with a small smile.

"More than anything in the world, Lily." He grinned as he set her down reluctantly. 'Lily.' He thought. 'Lily. Lily. Lily. Lily. Lily. Lily Evans… no…Lily Potter.' He could never get tired of hearing her name, or saying it, especially with his surname after it. He was brought from his thoughts with a bit of surprise as Lily laced their fingers together and led him from the Great Hall. He felt his cheeks heat up again as she looked up at him with a smile, hoping to Merlin she couldn't read minds. He flashed her his signature grin and ran his free hand through his hair, mostly out of habit, the other feeling as though it were on fire from her touch.

- This is my first fic that I'm publishing and I hope you all like it. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see in later chapters as well. Thank you :) -