Chapter 9

Since that day at Hogsmead, Fred and Lily arranged secret meetings every few days. They'd sneak out for dates after lights out, or steal kisses between classes. Fred would accompany her to the library to 'study', but really they would hide in the stacks and snog.

As the weeks passed, their meetings became less and less frequent. People, Draco and George for example, were getting suspicious. After all, everyone knew Lily didn't study.

Their meetings went from one or two every week, to one or two every couple of weeks.

One afternoon, just as it was getting dark, Lily was walking around the Hogwarts grounds, just to get a moment alone. Without people asking her about the twins. Without Draco being his usual snobbish self. And most importantly, without people who don't know her trying to be her friend.

She looked up and noticed a small black owl flying down low. It was her owl, Hex. She dropped a small bit of parchment in Lily's hand. It read:

'Lily,

Meet me down at the boathouse.

Fred.'

Lily smiled and clutched the note close to her chest. She took a deep breath and marched toward the boathouse.

It started getting darker, so she took out her wand and whispered 'lumos'. The end of her wand lit up into a white light. When she got closer to the boathouse, she saw a little yellow light that seemed to be floating. When she got close enough to see where she was going, she put her wand away.

She started to make out a shape. It was a person. Tall, broad shoulders and muscular. It was Fred. She noticed that the little yellow light was a red candle that Fred was holding. His face broke into a smile when he saw her.

He put the candle down on the floor beside him and rushed over to her. He placed his hands on her face and pulled her into a long and passionate, yet unexpected, kiss.

"I've missed you," he whispered.

"Freddie, you see me every day," she ran her hand through his ginger locks and he kissed her palm.

"I know, but it's not the same. It's so hard to be that close to you and not kiss you," he said taking one of her hands. He pulled out his wand with his other hand. He gave it a quick twirl in the air and dozens of red candles lit up, and soft music started playing, as if out of nowhere. There was a blanket and picnic basket laid out for them.

"Merlin!" Lily gasped, "Fred, its, its beautiful. I can't believe you did all this,"

"I'd do anything for you," Fred said putting his wand away, still holding Lily's hand. He smiled and placed Lily's free hand on his shoulder, and his free hand on her waist. Fred took a step closer.

"Fred," she said quietly, "I can't dance,"

Fred smiled and let go of Lily, just before placing both hands on her hips.

"Hold on to me," he said in a hushed voice. Lily wrapped her arms around Fred's neck. He lifted her up, and placed her down so she was standing on his feet. "you alright?" Lily nodded with a shy smile on her face. Fred kept his hands on her hips, and started to sway in time to the music. Lily rested her head on Fred's shoulder.

They danced like that for a few minutes that seemed like a few hours. When they were together, they felt as if time slowed down, nearly to a halt. Like every second was made just for them.

They eventually stopped dancing. Fred sat down on the floor, and Lily sat next to him. He ruffled around in the picnic basket before pulling out a small pentagon shaped box.

"Chocolate frog?" He held out the box to her.

"Why not," she said happily.

"You ready?" He put a hand on the top of the box, ready to open it. Lily nodded, still smilingly brightly. Fred opened the box.

"Ah!" She squealed as the frog jumped onto her robes. Fred laughed. "what's funny?"

He scooped up the frog in his hands. He broke it in half, and the frog stopped moving, like it was a robot and the battery died.

"Nothing, it's just the look in your eye that you get when something surprises you," He said casually, like it was just something you said every day.

He gave her half of the chocolate frog. She took little nibbles, while he munched it down in one bite.

Fred lied down and looked up at the stars. Lily lied next to him with her head on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, and it was racing.

"Lil?" Fred asked lazily.

"Mmm?" She responded.

"Why did you pick me?" Fred boosted himself up on his elbows, "you can have nearly any guy at Hogwarts, why me?"

She turned her head to look at him.

"Because," she smiled, "you're funny, cute, charming, caring, nice, protective, a total babe," she listed slowly. "that's just the start, so if you wanna know all the reasons why I love you, we're gonna be here all night, but right now, I just wanna enjoy the rest of our date,"

He closed the gap between them, claiming her lips in a hungry kiss.

They were both upset when the date came to an end. Fred packed it all up (using magic of course) then took Lily's hand and walked her back up to the castle. Lily hugged his arm as they walked. They had to be quiet; if they got caught they'd be in big trouble, in a million different ways. Fred wanted to walk Lily to her common room, but she didn't want to risk them both getting in trouble. He gave her a quick kiss goodnight, which turned into a not-so-quick kiss goodnight, then left to go to his common room.