Lily couldn't believe this was really happening.

She was walking out of the Gryffindor common room with James Potter. They were due for a butterbeer from The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, and Lily had to admit that she was nervous. If she had told her past self that she would be going on a date with James Potter, past Lily would have laughed and called her delusional. Yet here she was, walking the path to Hogsmeade beside him.

"Lovely day, isn't it?" beamed James.

Lily looked around. Winter hadn't quite settled onto the Hogwarts grounds, and the glow of Autumn was still keeping the weather warm.

"I guess it is," said Lily with a small smile. She felt James reach for her hand, and when she let him take it, she could've sworn that her skin was on fire.

They walked hand-in-hand with little words spoken until they reached the familiar sounds of Hogsmeade. As they reached The Three Broomsticks, James opened the door and gestured.

"After you, m'lady."

Lily rolled her eyes, yet couldn't help but giggle, as she stepped into the pub. Once the door shut behind James, she could've sworn all of the other Hogwarts students turned to stare. She had to admit, after all of the times she'd rejected James, this must've have been a strange sight. James put a hand on her waist, and she felt the familiar tingle where his hand touched her.

"Don't worry about them," he whispered, and Lily looked to see his brown eyes looking at her with confidence. She followed him to a table, and as a barmaid walked by, he ordered their drinks.

"So," Lily spoke, trying to avoid a prolonged silence. "Anything new with you this term?"

"Not much," replies James. "McGonagall has been a real stickler about transfiguration this year, though. 2 essays in a week!"

"Glad to hear I'm not the only one struggling," Lily grinned.

"Lily Evans struggling in class?" questioned James. "Unheard of."

"I'm not perfect or anything," Lily laughed.

"You seem damn near," muttered James, and Lily felt herself flush.

They continued to talk about classes, quidditch, friends, and anything else that came to mind as they sipped on butterbeer. Lily felt that James was a much different person than she previously thought, and he was actually quite lovely. He was sweet, a real gentlemen, and most of all, he knew how to make Lily laugh. Eventually, they saw the sun starting to set.

"We better get back to the castle," Lily said, and James got up to pay for their drinks. They were surprisingly alone for their trek back to the castle, and Lily couldn't help but wonder if James was enjoying tonight as much as her. She felt her nerves were much less present than they were earlier, especially as she felt James' hand intertwined with hers once again. Everytime he spoke, her eyes kept drifting to his lips, his perfect lips that she felt a strange urge to capture in her own. Kissing James seen far less repulsive than it had in the past. Quite appealing now, as a matter of fact.

As they reached the common room, James' hand didn't let go, and he pulled her inside as she giggled. They finally reached the staircases to their dormitories, and Lily felt a sense of disappointment. She knew it was curfew, but she wished she could stay with James a little longer. She hated to admit it to herself, but she had a truly wonderful time tonight, and had much different feelings about James. All of his laughs seemed charming and made her want to sing, and all of his smiles made her feel as though smiling herself. As she looked away from the staircase, she saw James admiring her.

"Well, better not keep Miss Curfew any longer," James laughed, and Lily saw his brown eyes sparkle. "I really enjoyed tonight". He took a step closer to her.

She took another step as well. "So did I. Maybe next time we could go somewhere a little more interesting, though."

She saw James' eyes sparkle yet again. "Next time?"

"If I happen to be free on a certain day, then yes, next time, James."

"Well then, I'll just have to check my schedule, won't I?" teased James.

"I think you just might," retorted Lily.

James placed a hand on her waist as he chuckled, "You really are something else, Evans."

And with that she grabbed the front of his shirt, and closed the space between them. As soon as their lips touched, Lily felt as if sparks were flying. James put both hands on her waist and was kissing her with urgency. Lily reached to grab his hair and felt like her whole body was alight with electricity. After what felt like hours, she pulled away for a breath.

James look mystified, his eyes dazed and glasses slightly askew. His flushed pink lips slowly stretched into a wide grin as he rested his forehead on Lily's.

"Wow."

"I know," breathed Lily as she tried to calm her lungs. She too was smiling like a maniac.

"Better not wait too long for that second date, huh?" James chuckled. Lily nodded as her hands traveled from his hair to his shoulders.

James' hands left her waist, and momentarily held her hands as he pulled away.

"G'night, Lily."

"Goodnight, James."

And with that, they both skipped up the stairs to their dormitories, neither quite believing what had just happened.