Author Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed Chapter 3! This story is so much fun to write, and having readers like you guys make it all the more worthwhile. Without further ado, I bring you Chapter 4! Enjoy it, guys.
Fourth Year
"Are you sure I look all right?"
Lily grinned as she twirled around in the middle of Hogsmeade. Her skirt caught the motion of the spin, and at that moment, she truly felt happy.
"I still can't believe you said yes to him!" Mary exclaimed, laughing as she took a sip of her butterbeer. "You, Lily Evans, are truly an enigma."
"Truly," Alice agreed, nodding. "Who'd have thought?" Her voice revealed slight envy as she spoke. "You've always hated this holiday, and now you're the first of us to get a Valentine." She sighed. "And he's gotten so dreamy!"
Lily bit her lip nervously. She knew her friend didn't sound as thrilled as she was; what could she do about that?
"Maybe I shouldn't go," she said, looking at Alice with great concern. "After all, it's completely against principle for me to actually participate in this holiday."
"Absolutely not!" Mary exclaimed, not catching Alice's jealousy. "You promised him you'd meet him at Madam Puddifoot's and that's exactly what you'll do. Besides," she added, "you've been looking forward to it all day."
Lily revealed a small smile. "I have," she admitted, blushing slightly. "Speaking of which, I should probably go find him now. I'll meet you after?"
Her friends nodded, and they parted ways. Lily made her way across the Hogsmeade square, until she reached the small shop where she intended to meet her Valentine. Suddenly, she heard a voice:
"I thought you'd never show up!" James exclaimed, approaching her at once.
Lily groaned. Not him! She thought to herself pleadingly. "What do you want, Potter?" she asked, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Where are my manners?" James took her hand and went down on one knee. He looked up at her with big eyes. "Will you be my Valentine?"
Lily shook her head vehemently. "No!" she exclaimed, pulling her hand out of his. "And before you try to ask me again, let me tell you this – I already have a Valentine."
James' smile faded into confusion. "What are you talking about?" he asked, truly not grasping the concept.
"I meant what I said." Lily crossed her arms. "Frank Longbottom already asked me, and I said yes."
"Longbottom already asked you," James repeated slowly. He sighed. "All right, then. I won't keep you." Frowning, he looked at Lily one more time before leaving.
A part of Lily felt somewhat guilty for this, but that guilt soon subsided. What do I have to feel bad about? she asked herself. I said yes to someone who doesn't annoy me to death.
Interrupting her thoughts came another voice. "Happy Valentine's Day, Lily," said Frank Longbottom in greeting. He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
Lily immediately began to blush, but she smiled. "Thanks, Frank!" she gushed, though she wished she sounded cooler than she did right now.
"Shall we go find out what the fuss is about this place?"
Lily giggled. "Yes, let's go."
They entered Madam Puddifoot's and sat down at a nearby table. Lily looked around, thinking about how tacky the flying cherubs in the place were. One of the things I hate about Valentine's Day, she thought to herself.
As they waited for someone to take their orders, the two immersed themselves in small talk. The entire time, Lily couldn't help but notice how right Alice was about him – Frank had gotten particularly attractive over the course of the year.
And best of all, his hair is neatly combed – not all rumpled and messy like James', she thought to herself happily.
But right when their teas arrived, so did two other people – James and Alice.
"Fancy seeing you here!" James exclaimed, pretending to be surprised.
"Alice?" Lily asked incredulously. What was her friend doing with James? She was slightly annoyed. "Why are you with James?"
Alice shrugged. "He asked me," she said helplessly. "Mary and I ran into James and his friends at Honeydukes. Mary's still back there with the boys now."
Frank smiled at her. "Why don't the two of you pull up chairs and sit with us?" he suggested, instantly drawn to Alice's pleasant features. "We just got our tea."
"Don't mind if we do." James winked at Lily, as he and Alice moved into their table. Lily glared at him, and took a sip of her tea to keep from saying anything he regretted.
Absentmindedly twirling a strand of hair, Alice watched Frank intently. Lily furrowed her brow in confusion as she watched this, wondering why Alice was really even here in the first place. James leaned back in his chair and watched everyone else in amusement.
"So, Lily – you and Frank," James observed, grinning. "Never would've seen that coming. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to make me jealous."
Lily rolled her eyes at him. "You're right, James. In fact, that's my main goal in life – to make you jealous."
James turned to Frank and shrugged. "Sorry, Frank, but it looks like your date's madly in love with me." He winked at Lily.
"Oh, sod off!" Lily exclaimed, fuming at him. She sighed. "Frank, don't listen to him. He's a complete idiot."
"Hey, I have a date too," James argued. "I can't be that awful if someone said yes to me." He placed his arm around Alice and pulled her close. "Especially someone as beautiful as Alice…"
"Alice probably felt sorry for you!" Lily retorted, instantly moving in closer to Frank.
Frank and Alice watched Lily and James intently, obviously somewhat entertained by their banter.
"Well, she said yes!"
"Frank asked me yesterday!"
"Well, I'm sure you must have bossed him into it!"
Lily nearly threw down her teacup. "I did no such thing!"
Suddenly, Frank stood up. "Alice and I are going to take a walk," he announced, looking into Alice's eyes. "Aren't we, Alice?"
Alice immediately followed suit. She couldn't help but grin at the suggestion. "Er, yes!" she exclaimed, looking to Lily somewhat apologetically though still appearing thrilled. "We'll see you both later, all right?"
And with that, they left Madam Puddifoot's, hand-in-hand.
"Thanks a lot, James," Lily said sarcastically. "You did that on purpose!"
"Frank and Alice will thank us later," James responded bitterly. "What's this about you saying you'll be Frank's Valentine when you've been telling me for years that you don't even celebrate that holiday?"
Lily groaned. "I actually liked Frank," she answered wearily, taking another sip of her tea to try and calm her nerves. "I was looking forward to this date all day."
"Oh." James sighed. He wanted to separate Lily and her date… but he didn't want to hurt her feelings. He didn't realize she had actually been happy with Frank. "I'm sorry."
"You'd better be." Lily took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, too."
James was puzzled. "For what?" he asked.
"Maybe if I hadn't fought with you, both our dates wouldn't have left," she admitted, even though it was easier to just hate James for what he had done. "Although it was mostly your fault…"
James brightened at this. Mostly. That meant that part of it was her fault too. He grinned.
"It was," he agreed. He stood up at once. "I'd better go… I can understand if you want me to disappear for a while."
Although it was completely against her better judgment, Lily stopped him before he could leave. "Wait!" she called out. He turned around. "Don't go."
James cocked his head in confusion. "You want me to stay?"
Lily shook her head. "Don't flatter yourself, Potter," she said defensively, stiffening at once. "I just don't want to look stupid sitting here all by myself."
James nodded understandingly. He wouldn't try anything funny for the rest of the day. "All right," he said, and he sat back down.
"Just promise not do to anything… Potterly… while we're here," she warned him.
"I promise," James said sincerely, grinning.
Lily couldn't help but reveal a small smile. I really need some more tea, she thought to herself confusedly.
Acknowledgments: I would like to thank CelticFairie, CurryCurran, meganidge, His Half Blood Princess, Tyem Marodyor, Ashley-In-Wonderland, risaroo852, and –Jeisa- for your reviews on Chapter 3. Hope you enjoy Chapter 4!