Rule #8: Roses and Chocolates Really Do Seal the Deal

School restarted in January. The Gryffindors eased back into Hogwarts. Remus, Aurora, and Lily continued to study with Snape. Cordelia still dated Peter. Sirius proceeded to romance Remus. Liam and Rory kept jogging every morning. James still pissed Lily off. And Porsche kept planning her summer wedding. Life went on. Which meant life outside of Hogwarts got worse.

"Lily, what's wrong?" Sirius asked as she sat with tiny tears in her eyes. Her knees were pulled up to her chest as she stared into the Common Room fireplace.

"Just miss my Mum and Dad...and half the male population at this school is trying to get into my pants," she said softly.

"Who? I'll beat their face in!" he said in mock rage.

"Whatever happened to actually dating a girl...I know this is the age of free love and shite, but are there any good men left? Someone who I can belong to, but I know belongs to me. Someone who I can depend on...who isn't in it to tame me, but is along for the adventure as a best friend...Am I crazy to hope that person exists?" She looked up at him, tiredly.

Sirius flicked his gaze to James who had arrived shortly after her rambling began. He was behind her. Sirius softened his gaze on the girl he'd grown to love as a sister and sat beside her. "You're not crazy...just the last of your kind, Lily Evans. And if James were half as smart as he thought he was...he'd do what he needed to prove he was that guy."

Lily sniffled as she cuddled into his chest. "Yeah..." she breathed.

Sirius nodded to the door for the other boy to leave before he was discovered. "I'm trying to be that guy for Remus...I just need to get the balls to tell him."

"He likes the way roses smell...send him some flowers from a secret admirer...do little things to peak his curiosity of the identity and for Valentine's Day...reveal yourself," Lily said softly, still in the shelter of Sirius' strong arms.

"Brilliant...time to put all my skills to the test," he teased.

"Just realize he's not the type to give it to you on the first date, Casanova," she drawled.

Sirius chuckled. "I'd hope not...he's a bit more important than that."

"Aw, my Snuffles is all growed up," she snorted.

"Clearly, you are feeling better," Sirius smiled.

"No...hold me a little while longer."

"Ok, Tiger Lily."


James was in shock...Lily, on some level, liked him. Wanted him to man-up already. No, needed him to. But was he ready? The guys had been saying for years that he'd have to quit his promiscuity cold-turkey, abstain completely, and pledge monogamy. Was he strong enough?

His mind drifted to Lily Evans and it was beyond question...for her he'd do anything. Squaring his shoulders, he made the decision to go all in. It would take time...clearly becoming her friend first was vital. Operation Tiger Lily was in effect.

At that moment, Lucius Malfoy strode to him. "Potter."

James grasped his wand in his pocket. Taming his suspicious aura. "Malfoy. What do I owe the displeasure?"

Lucius smirked. "Several of us will be joining Lord Voldemort's Club this summer...to secure our pureblood status in society. Can I count you in?" he purred sadistically.

"You mean join in the genocide of an entire innocent race? No way in hell, Malfoy. You can tell your psycho 'master' to go to hell. I will NEVER join his sick army."

"I thought you would have learned from your mudblood whore-"

James grabbed him by his collar and slammed the taller boy against the wall. "Don't call her that, you arsehole."

Lucius smirked. "Unhand me, Potter or shall I have you lose the Cup for raising a hand against a prefect?"

James seethed, releasing him. He watched the cocky blond go.

TWICE DENIED...


Remus was chuckling as he tried to rephrase his explanation to a jesting Snape. Suddenly, a First Year approached their study table with a bouquet of red roses. He assumed they were for Rory or Lily, startled when the timid boy handed them to him instead.

"Me?" He looked for the tag and read it softly. "Roses are red, violets are blue; My Remus, it's a secret but I love you. All yours, Admirer." He glanced up at his audience in happy disbelief. "No one's ever sent me flowers before." He noticed Lily's knowing expression. "You know who it is."

"Yes...but there's no way I'm telling you, my friend," she grinned.

Remus looked down at the bouquet, inhaling the aroma happily. His heart beat rapidly at the prospects.


"Porsche? Can I ask you something? About Lily?" James asked softly three days before Valentine's Day.

"Sure...within reason," Porsche said calmly. Aurora snickered beside her.

"Um...how do I befriend her?"

Both girls stared at him bewilderment. "Why?"

"Well...I've already decided to be both celibate and monogamous...harder than it looks, but I figured she wants a best friend first and a lover second, so...I wanted to make that happen," he rambled.

"Oh..." Porsche breathed.

"My..." Aurora sighed.

"God!" they finished in unison.

"You really do love her," Porsche smiled.

"Haven't I been saying that?"

"Yeah, but you haven't acted that way! James is maturing!"

"Sneak out of Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley for Fortesque's and shopping. Not a date! Just hang out," Rory suggested.

"Yeah! She totally needs a pick-me-up!" the other grinned.

"Alright...thanks..." He wandered out, deep in thought.


It was two days before Valentine's and Remus was giddy as ever. Someone was going through an awful bit of trouble to get his attention. And although he wasn't ever going to be able to have a real relationship with this mystery admirer...it was nice to know someone at least wanted him.

At any rate, the werewolf strolled into his dorm room to find a large white box on his bed with a red ribbon tied around it. Smiling, he carefully undid the bow and peeled back the paper. He chuckled happily. It was full of chocolates. And Remus LOVED chocolate.

At that moment, Sirius strolled in from the shower with a towel low on his hips. His skin still damp...Remus stared at him, his mouth going dry. "Another one? What is it this time? Lingerie? Book Club Membership?" Sirius asked gruffly, pretending to be jealous.

Remus cleared his throat, blinking back into awareness. "Chocolate," Remus sighed happily. "And he wants to meet me in Hogsmeade this weekend. Should I, Padfoot?"

Sirius exhaled, scrubbing his wet head with a towel. "You'll be kicking yourself if you don't..."

"Right. WIll you help me pick out a killer outfit?"

Sirius tried to contain his mirth as Remus blissfully popped a chocolate into his mouth.


James squared his shoulders and evened his breathing as he calmly approached Lily in Charms class. "Hi, Lily. Have any plans for this Hogsmeade trip?"

Lily looked up from her book and stared at him. "No...I mean I think I'm hitting the Broomsticks with the girls toward the end, but I..."

"Well, uh...I'm going on a mission of grave importance. Want to come?" he smiled.

"What is this, so called, 'mission?'" she drawled.

"Every Valentine's Day Hogsmeade trip I sneak off to Diagon Alley to send my Mum and sister flowers. You look a bit stir crazy, so I thought maybe you'd like to come?" We can make a stop at Fortescue's on the way out."

Lily blinked a few times and then grinned. "Yeah, I'd like that."

"Righteous. I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall at ten?"

"Okay," she said watching in bewilderment as he left.


Severus Snape was at a loss. He was...he had a crush on a certain blonde-haired witch he'd known for ages. The only problem was she was completely out of his league. She was just being a good, kind friend by hanging out with him. Nothing more.

"Hey Severus!" Aurora beamed as she came up beside him in the corridor. The Slytherin nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned his dark gaze toward her, swallowing at the sight of her twinkling blue eyes and beautiful slim figure. "Rory," he said, inclining his head.

"So, got a hot date for Hogsmeade?"

He snorted. "Honestly woman, you are hilarious. Who would want to give me any such affection?" he snarled, storming away.

"I would," she muttered to herself.


Lily made sure not to dress too much like this was a date, but not like they were just friends either. She didn't want it to be a date! She just wanted to look nice.

Exhaling, she took a step into the Entrance Hall, spying James leaning casually against a column. Several giggly girls stopped to flirt with the attractive Sixth Year. Lily held her breath, sighing in relief when he turned them down gently.

She calmly approached him, grinning as he smiled at her. Careful, Evans, or you'll get pulled in over your head. They walked with the others to town and then snuck away down an alley. Glancing around, James pulled out a portkey and the pair were whizzed over to Diagon Alley.

"So, when did this start?" she asked as they entered the flower shop.

James spotted some white daisies and picked a few. "When I was really young, my father started showing me what the 'Man of the Manor' is responsible for. It started with silly things like, all the cookies must eaten...and what Mum doesn't know won't hurt her...and it's gotten more serious as I've gotten older. Like I manage Evangeline's funds for her and I arrange half of the details when we travel as a family. But somewhere along those years I learned, 'all women of the house must receive flowers on Valentine's Day so they know how appreciated and loved they are.' Ever since I get Ev and Mum flowers. Ev loves daisies and Mum roses." He slid his eyes to the redhead as she longingly caressed an orchid's petals."

"That's sweet. My mother used to take me out for a manicure and a new dress and then that night, Daddy would take me to dinner at a fancy restaurant...but I guess that won't happen this year," she sighed wistfully. She watched him diligently construct two bouquets for his mother and sister. He paid for them and arranged for them to be sent to the two women.

James glanced over his shoulder, watching her wander throughout the store. "How much is the white orchid near the front?" he asked the florist softly.

The woman smiled warmly. "10 galleons, dear."

"Excellent. Could I have it sent to Miss Lily Evans at Hogwarts?"

"It'll be there by the time you get back." She winked.

"All set. Ready?" he smiled at Lily.

"Yeah."

"Fortescue's?"

"Yes. I haven't been there in ages!"

"Is there any other shop you'd like to stop by before we go?"

She bit her lip. "There is this shoe store over there. There was a pair of boots I really wanted...but I couldn't afford them. Maybe they're on sale...if you don't mind?"

"Not at all." As they entered the cobbler's he saw her shoulders sink. "What?"

"Apparently, they were on sale and now they're back to regular price," she said in disappointment.

"Well, at least try them on to make sure they're worth your heartache."

Lily grinned a little, asking the shop assistant to see a pair in her size. James sought out the cobbler himself. "Excuse me, sir?"

The old man looked up from his work at the young man. "What can I do for you?"

"See those boots the girl with red hair is trying? Could I have them sent to Hogwarts for Lily Evans as soon as we leave? Here's the money."

The old wizard smiled. "Of course. You're secret is safe with me."


Severus sighed as he watched everyone else leave for Hogsmeade. He had no desire to go. And no one cared if he did or not. It would be far more productive to work on his project than to revel in such frivolity.

He calmly headed to the library and buried himself in research. Two hours later, a house elf popped in beside him, shaking nervously. The creature handed the boy something and disappeared.

Severus looked down, unable to stop the smile that tickled his lips. It was a plush serpent toy with a paper heart adhered to its tongue. He pulled it free and looked inside the folded parchment. Will you be my Valentine?—Rory. P.S. This means I like you in THAT way. The next move is yours.

The breath left him. This had to be a sick joke. No way could she...that beautiful young woman, with fearless blue eyes and gorgeous hair. It couldn't be possible. And yet...it was Aurora and not some random girl. She did have a knack for loving people from the inside out...

Shaking his head, Severus clutched the snake desperately for the rest of the day.


Remus cautiously entered the classier restaurant in Hogsmeade. He glanced around, puzzled that not many people were there. His eyes shot to the back of a lone patron. His heart and breathing flew into hyperdrive, praying upon prayer that it ws who he thought it was. He swallowed thickly and crept closer to get a look at his admirer's face, ignoring the familiar scent. "Sirius?" he breathed.

The animagus turned, smiling in relief. "You came...here, have a seat." He stood and pulled out the other boy's chair.

"This is...you did all of it? The flowers? The poems? Everything?" Remus rasped.

"I wanted to get your attention...show you I was not playing around."

"S-So, the vow of celibacy WAS for me?"

Sirius bit his lip, leaning forward. "I realized...during the shunning that I...I love you more than a friend, but not as a brother either. And I thought maybe you did too..."

Remus had never seen his mate so insecure. A smile slid onto his lips. "I do. So, are you asking me to be your sole boyfriend?" Sirius nodded. Remus grinned, scooting his chair much closer to Sirius. "Then I accept," he purred, sliding a hand to Sirius' thigh.

Sirius' eyes widened and a huge smiled etched into his face.


Evangeline chuckled. "My brother is so sweet. Every year, he has these left for me," she sighed.

Lily grinned. "Well, I went with him this time...what?" She ran to her bed in excitement. There was an orchid plant sitting on top of a box on her duvet. It was the one, she'd admired from the shop! She levitated it carefully to her window sill and picked up the note stuck to the box. Women of the house always get what they want...no matter how unnecessary they think the thing is—James.

She tore into the box and gasped. They were her boots! The ones she'd craved for ages! "Why would James do this for me?" she murmured happily, turning to Evangeline with a boot clutched to her chest.

"Because he loves you and wants to see you happy again," Evangeline drawled with a smirk. "When are you going to let him win?"

Lily sat watching her cat curl up on her pillow. She smiled shyly as she gazed at the orchid. "James Potter...you outdid yourself this time," she sighed.