The third time, James was sure he had it right. He had bought Lily a beautiful ring made with the finest goblin-wrought silver galleons could buy. He had prepared, with Andromeda's help, a delicious candlelit dinner for the two of them. Lily came home that night, pleasantly surprised at the feast that awaited her. After a dessert of treacle tart, Lily's favorite, James finally plucked up the courage to pop the question.
But before he could even stand, the Floo suddenly roared to life.
The couple rushed over to the fireplace, only to see Sirius with a panicked and slightly irritated expression on his face.
'Prongs! Where the hell are you?' Sirius yelled, his normally cool voice now frantic.
'At home! Where else would I be?' James yelled back, confused.
"Don't you remember? We need to be there for Moony! The sun is about to set.'
'James, the full moon! It's tonight' Lily said her voice rising up a few octaves.
Lily had known about Remus' lycanthropy for quite some time now, seeing as the werewolf himself had warned her about it. Of course, Lily had been more than accepting. Which was more than any of them could have hoped for.
James' eyes widened as he remembered. The full moon! How could he have been so stupid?
'I'll be right there.' He replied automatically.
'Sorry love. I'll be home before you know it. Don't wait up for me' He said, kissing her cheek before stepping into the fire.'
'It's okay James, you go. I know Remus needs you.'
After the moon disappeared behind the clouds, and Remus was asleep, exhausted from his transformation the night before, James and Sirius sat down with some butter beers.
'Where were you last night Prongs? It's not like you to forget about something as important as last night.'
'Well, I was trying, for the third time, to propose to Lily." James said with a sigh.
'There, there mate. You'll get there eventually.'
'I hope I do.' James thought to himself.