Nerves on show in Hogsmeade

Chapter Ten;

Lily woke early that weekend, when she had time to calm down after the weeks events she realised just how nervous she was about Hogsmeade. So much had changed between her and James, how did everything change so fast? Or should she have given James more attention over the years?

Lily hated to admit it, but she was scared.

Lily walked down to the Great Hall with Lisa and Alice and waited for James to meet her.
"So have you got cold feet Lily?" asked Alice,

"I'm quite scared, I guess its just weird with it being James of all people" Lily replied.

"If its meant to be it will all come natural, that's how it was with me and Frank",

Lily smiled, it was nice to have advice off someone in a relationship, not that Nic and Lisa weren't helpful, but Alice had more of an idea.

The girls sat waiting in the Great Hall for over 20 minutes before they finally saw the Marauders enter.
"Don't worry Miss Evans, James wasn't going to stand you up, we just had to calm Moony down that's all" Sirius shouted.

As the boys made their way over Lily noticed that James had tried to tame his hair, Lily had to suppress a giggle as she realised it was stuck out at the back.

Lily was thankful for the distraction when Remus came over to her.

"Erm Lily, do you know where Nic is?" asked Remus, he looked very agitated and worried,

"She walked into Hogsmeade quite early, I think she went with one of the Chasers from the Hufflepuff Quidditch team" Lily replied, eagerly awaiting Remus' reaction.
"Well what's she gone and done that for? I really need to talk to her, I got myself ready to do this, I can't back out now, and why's she gone with him, I was under the impression she liked me and now I…"
"MOONY SHUT UP" shouted James, "You need to calm down, walk down to Hogsmeade with the rest of them and if you see her ask her for a chat"

Remus walked off and stood with Sirius, Peter and Lisa. Lily hadn't even noticed Alice leave with Frank she was that preoccupied.

"Erm, so… should we walk down now?" asked James,

Lily stood up and smiled nervously "I guess that would be a good idea if we actually want to get to Hogsmeade sometime today".

The walk down to Hogsmeade was not what Lily had expected, the others had left her and James to walk together, and she thought that the walk would be full of awkward silences, but she was wrong. Lily was really shocked by just how much conversation there was between her and James, it flowed easily, and Lily was really enjoying his company.
When James was with Lily he didn't seem as confident as he did walking around Hogwarts or playing Quidditch, he was so humble and interesting. Lily was finding it hard to believe that this was the same James Potter she used to dread bumping into.

James really was a gentleman, he held open the doors to all the shops they visited, and even bought her a chocolate frog. Lily hadn't felt so care-free and happy in a long time.
"James I'm really glad I decided to come with you today" Lily said as they stood outside the Three Broomsticks. James' face lit up, and a wide grin spread across his face.
"Lily, thank you for giving me a chance, I've had such a fantastic time" James replied, Lily was just about to enter the building when James tugged on her arm.

"Lily, I don't know whether it's too soon for me to be asking you this, but today has gone so well. It's always been you Lily, since first year. You're the only girl in Hogwarts who has ever caught my attention, your not afraid to speak your mind…I know that one far too well, and your so beautiful, inside and out. I'm sorry to sound soppy, but I really like you Lily, do you think you would consider being my girlfriend?" James looked down at the floor nervously whilst Lily stood there in shock.

"Yes James" said Lily; her thoughts were all over the place, no one would have bet on this…except maybe Sirius. James looked elated and hugged Lily tightly before twirling her around.
"James PUT ME DOWN" Lily laughed, and with that James put her down and took her hand, and they entered the Three Broomsticks as a couple.

Lily and James met up with the rest of the group inside the Three Broomsticks, and they all chatted about their days over a Butterbeer. Everyone was very interested to hear about James and Lily, and all seemed happy that they were a couple, but Sirius still insisted that Lily should award some points back to Gryffindor.

" So Jamesy boy, were going to ask Lily to settle a little bet between myself and Peter" Sirius said and smirked at Peter,
"Lily, when James asked you out was he all cool and smooth, or soppy?"
Lily burst out laughing and replied "Well I shouldn't condone you two making bets, but I'm going to say soppy" James blushed at this comment, making Lily wonder if she should have told the rest of the Marauders.
"PAY UP PETEY BOY" Sirius shouted and reached his palm across the table expecting money from Peter.

"Fine Sirius, I'll give you the money when we get back, but I bought your Butterbear so I don't think this is very fair".
The atmosphere at the table was very light hearted; the only person who looked out of place was Remus. Lily felt uneasy, he looked so troubled.

"Did you catch up with Nic?" Lily asked,

"No I haven't see her all day, it'll have to wait until were back at the castle, I was hoping for a little time alone but guess it's my own fault" he replied,

"Nics over in the corner over there with Alistair Roberts from Hufflepuff"

"She's with THAT idiot, he's so vain, and stupid, and Nic shouldn't be with someone like him, he's sleazy" Remus was becoming visibly upset.

"Well I'm sure if you talk to her when were back at the Castle it will be fine" Lily thought she might have calmed him down, but just at that moment Alistair walked past the table with a friend,
"Yeah I'm here with Nicola, from Gryffindor, you know the one with the huge…" Alistair was about to continue the conversation with his friend when Remus jumped up from the table.

"HER NAME IS NIC, AND SHE'S GOT MORE GOING FOR HER THAN WHAT YOU TWO PRATS ARE TALKING ABOUT" at this point Nic had walked over to see where her drink was,

"REMUS JOHN LUPIN, you ignore me for WEEKS and think you get away with insulting my date and attempting to defend me" Nic glared at Remus.

"Lily, I don't think this is going to end well" James whispered to Lily.
"I'm sorry Nic but I don't like that you're with here with HIM of all people, and I've been looking for you all day because I really need to speak to you"

"YOU told me I should be with someone like him" Nic snapped back,

"Err I have no idea what's going on here" Alistair interrupted.
"OH SHUT UP" both Nic and Remus said in unison.

Lily and James looked at each other and rolled their eyes, it was going to be a long night.

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