Chapter 10- The Date
Lily landed on her hands and knees in the middle of a small café. She sat there for a minute and looked around. There was a couple in the booth in the far corner, and a waitress behind the counter, but other than this, it appeared empty. Potter, I'm going to wring your neck, Lily thought with malice. She started to get up when a pair of strong arms helped her off the ground.
"Sorry about that," James said. Lily whipped around.
"What the… why are we… POTTER," Lily was more confused than angry as she tried to figure out why they were in Hogsmeade and James just smiled.
"Don't worry about it. I got permission from Professor Dumbledore to come here," James knew this would be a primary concern and really had taken care of the factor. Dumbledore even seemed amused by the idea of James and Lily going on a date.
"A-alright…well," Lily thought about how she looked. "You could've at least told me. I didn't even get to get ready."
"What did you have to get ready?" James asked as he lead her to a nearby table.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Just look at me, James." Lily retorted referring to the lack of make-up and the school clothes still on.
"You look perfect to me," James said before looking away quickly. Is he blushing, Lily wondered, but brushed it off.
"So," Lily started in after an awkward moment of silence. "What have you planned tonight?"
James looked back at her excitedly. "It's a surprise, but I thought a cup of tea might be a nice start."
"Yeah," Lily said, a little less enthusiastic than James. The waitress came over with two cups of tea, as if on cue. Probably by James's cue, Lily noted.
"How were classes today?" James asked Lily causing her to almost choke on her drink. Lily hadn't expected to actually have an opportunity to talk tonight.
Lily looked at James waiting for him to say something more and forget she was there, but James just looked intently at her after taking a sip of tea, waiting for a reply. "Well, I don't know, you were there."
"Yeah, but I want to know how you liked it," James stated.
Lily was floored. "I thought it was okay, I wish Professor Riddle hadn't given us the pop quiz, I just know I failed it."
"You? I doubt it," James said with confidence. "I'm sure you're over exaggerating."
"No I'm really not. I mean, did you get that question on the properties of Gillyweed?" Lily found that this was easier than she thought, talking to James that is.
They discussed the pop quiz, different elements of what had been happening to muggles around London lately, and the different aspects of life at Hogwarts in general. Lily found it to be highly intellectual, something she hadn't expected from James, and that it was pretty even in the amount of talking. Lily was even afraid that she was dominating a bit, so she started to hold back. After a half an hour and three cups of tea a piece they were ready to leave.
"Wait, I don't have a coat," Lily said, remembering taking it off and putting it on her bed.
"Here," James put his own coat around Lily. "You won't need it for long anyways." The sly smile returned on James's face.
James started leading the way toward the homes in Hogsmeade. They walked in silence. Lily was looking up at the stars and the moon, which was a half moon this night, and had put her hands in the coat pockets. James smoothly walked next to Lily and, when the moment was right, stealthily placed his left hand in the pocket with her right one. She looked down from her star gazing for a moment, but looked back up and let James keep his hand where it was. Score one for Potter, James thought.
They arrived at a place just outside of the town when James stopped Lily. "Wait here for just a minute."
"Alright," Lily said, skeptical of what was going on. James went around the small hill that separated the village from the wooded area just beyond. He came back with a red bandana in hand. "What's that for?" Lily asked a smile playing at her lips.
"I just need to put this on you," James said.
"What for?"
"You'll see," James was giddy with anticipation.
Lily allowed James to tie the bandana around her eyes and lead her somewhere. Lily felt the snow beneath her feet start disintegrating and wondered where they were going. She also noticed a drastic change in temperature. The coat that she was shivering in was now too warm to keep on, but Lily couldn't take it off as James was still leading her. "Stay right here," James said and went behind her and did something then came back, standing behind Lily. James undid the knot on the bandana and unveiled Lily's eyes.
Lily gasped. In front of her was what appeared to be a field of flowers; crocus, orchids, daisies, wild flowers, and so on. She noticed a small pond just ahead of her that had water lilies in it and lily pads. Two swans swam around in the pond and nearby a cherry blossom tree stood tall with branches of bright pink blossoms swooped down. To her right she noticed a horse, white in color and tall, with a saddle and bridle already dressing it. Lily was at a complete loss for words.
"Samantha told me you hate the winter, so I thought a little bit of spring might work," James said softly from behind her. Lily turned around with the biggest smile James had ever seen.
"This is beautiful! How did you do this?"
"Well, I didn't do it by myself," James admitted. "Sirius and Remus helped unthaw and make everything grow, and Peter kept the horse happy."
Lily looked at the mare again. "Where did you get her," Lily walked over to pet the horse. James followed, but kept a distance from the beast.
"My mum has a friend who raises horses, she leant me this one. Her name is Nellie," James couldn't stop smiling. This is going better than I imagined, James thought.
"How did you know that I liked-"
"Horses? Remus said something about you taking lessons when you were younger or something," James said. "Did you want to ride Nellie?"
"I'd love to!" Lily exclaimed. She hadn't ridden a horse in year, since her parents sold her pony because it would be better cared for in the country. Lily then noticed what she was wearing: a skirt that just hit above her knees. I can get away with that, I just have to get up first. "Look away," she told James
"What?"
"Just do it," Lily commanded. James turned around and Lily put her left foot in the stirrup and got onto the horse. "Okay," Lily notified James, then looked around for another creature… there wasn't one. "Aren't you going to ride?"
"Uh," James vocalized nervously. "I think I'll just watch you for a bit."
"Don't tell me you'll ride a broom, but you're afraid of horses."
Now it was personal. "I am not afraid," James said.
"Then why don't you hop on with me?" Lily challenged.
"Two people ca-can't fit on," James attempted.
"Sure they can, unless you're too afraid to-"
"I'm never too afraid to do anything," James said and made his way over, accepting Lily's hand to help him up behind her. "There see?" James said confidently while his arms squeezed Lily's middle. Lily rolled her eyes and took off on Nellie. James clung tighter and Lily laughed at him. They made their way around the area sectioned off from the frozen outside world. Lily was kind, though, and made the way quickly to the pond and the Cherry tree. She helped James get down first, and made him turn away again as she got down herself. Lily removed the bridle and saddle from Nellie and they let her wander around, eating the grass.
James sat down under the tree, and Lily sat down next to her frazzled date. "Thank you, James," Lily said.
"No problem," James smiled, but looked slightly green in the face from his recent adventure. "So, should I get my broom and take you flying now?"
"Nope," Lily said definitely.
"Why, are you too scared," James tried giving her a taste of her own medicine.
"Yep," Lily said with a smirk. James's plan failed, and he started pouting over it. "Fine, maybe next time."
James didn't say anything, but his heart jumped at the inference to 'next time'. They started talking again while giving bread crumbs to the swans.
"So where were you all day," Lily asked.
"Hiding out," James said.
"But I looked everywhere, where were you?"
"Somewhere you wouldn't have looked for me."
"The room of requirement?"
"You didn't check there," James raised an eyebrow.
"No, wait, I did," Lily started to think hard of where she could have missed, but gave up. "Just tell me where."
James tried to suppress a large smile, "the library." Lily laughed.
They spent nearly two more hours in that spot before James saw the portkey that Dumbledore said he would arrange to bring them back before it got too late. James and Lily grabbed it and they went straight back into the Head common room.
"Thank you for the wonderful evening," James said as he grabbed Lily's hand and leaned down to kiss it. "So, do I have a date for the Yule Ball."
Lily smiled and thought of what a clever answer might be. Not able to think of anything witty or clever she simply placed her lips on his for the answer. "Goodnight," she said, going into her bedroom and leaving a stunned James to mull over it all.
A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to update, I've just been busy lately. It might be a while for the next chapter, because I just started classes again so hope you don't get too angry with me, but I promise the faster and more reviews I get, the faster I'll write another chapter =)
I want you all to know that I'm not reverting to Lily being a flirt in that last part, it's more because I can see Lily doing something like that to shock the hell out of James. I think she'd also do it because he was a great date (he was oh so cute) and because she actually knows him, as apposed to a guy she's just met and happens to have a date with. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you to:
DK Lili: Thank you for your review, yes the notes are sweet, I wish I had a guy to do that for me =(
Katkit: The notes were fun! And, yes, very romantic, but I think James is the type to go super cheesy with something like this.
JamieBell: Kyla's great isn't she? I wasn't sure if cala lilies would be too cliché because her name is Lily, but I've always loved them, and no one seems to be complaining =) I also liked James's note taking because it was just too funny.
Kita: What character did you play? That is a GREAT musical. I LOVE Linda Eders. Hope you like this chapter!
AAandACForever: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. It was fun to write, because I just love the romantic fluff =) I liked writing this one too.
Mgirl: Here you go…the date =)
Emeraldxangel: Not entirely perfect, but thank you =)
Lilypad-7879: I'm glad you like it! Hope this one lives up to the 'favorites' list. If you like this one, check out some of my other stuff, if you have time. I would really appreciate it!
Josephine Sawyer: Thank you! No, you don't have to write me emails if you don't want to. Either way is helpful. I'm glad you liked the last chapter so much. I'm afraid you'll be a bit disappointed with this one, but I tried my best on a fried brain.
Mione-xaiver: Again, I say not perfect, I'm far from perfect, but thank you!
LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Thank you for your review, if you want to read more of my stuff, please do and review (I just rhymed). Thank you for any of your time and support!