The last bit of their time left at Hogwarts passed much too quickly. Before they knew it, they were aboard the Hogwart's Express speeding back toward London. A typical train ride to or from school typically included Lily doing her utmost to avoid James and his advances. This time, Lily didn't want to miss a second of James' company knowing that all too soon she would be away from him for two solid months. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Remus and Sirius watching her and James appraisingly. They were still displaying a fair amount of skepticism that this was actually happening and James hadn't used magic to accomplish it. She could understand their confusion; sometimes, when she took stock of where she was, she couldn't believe it herself. Currently, she was sitting as close to James as she could be without being in his lap. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders and playing with a loose strand of her hair. His other hand held one of hers firmly.

"Prongs," Sirius said suddenly. When he had James' attention, he lobbed a small bag that sounded like it was filled with gold at him. "Your winnings."

Remus scoffed lightly and asked, "You couldn't have picked a more private moment to give him that?"

"What? I didn't want to forget to give it to him," Sirius said feigning innocence.

"Right," Remus muttered. "If you ask me, you're just trying to stir up problems."

"Now, why would I do that?" Sirius shot back.

"Maybe you think it will provide further proof to the depth of Lily's feelings for James," Remus said.

Lily listened to this conversation carefully and weighed her options. Finally, to everyone's astonishment, she casually asked, "So, what was the bet?"

A visibly uncomfortable James quietly said, "We bet every year if this will be the year that I finally win your heart. It seems really callous and stupid now. Someone who didn't know me better might look at the situation and wonder if, in my eyes, we're finally together just so I could win the bet, but I promise you, Lily, that couldn't be further from the truth."

"Maybe a worthy demonstration of your feeling for her would be to return the gold you just won," Sirius suggested slyly. "It would show that you cared for her more than the gold."

Lily laughed out loud at that and said, "Nice try, Sirius. I know he cares for me more than that sack of gold. Giving it back to you will prove nothing to me." Turning to face James more fully, she said, "I'd appreciate not being the subject of your future bets, but I know your feelings are true."

James visibly relaxed and, smiling, asked, "Lily, care to go stretch your legs with me?"

Lily nodded and he led her toward the end of the train where it seemed he knew of some nooks that were perfect for a bit of snogging. When they came up for air, he said, "I'm sorry about the bet. It really was stupid."

"It's fine," Lily replied smiling. "I've come to learn that some boys and their friends can really be prats, but none of what they do is meant to hurt anyone."

"Are you really Lily?" James asked, running a hand up her side as if checking to see if she was an imposter. "I'm pretty sure the Lily I know would have gotten angry and refused to speak to me for at least 24 hours."

Lily laughed and said, "No, I'm really an imposter named Snape."

James looked incredulously at her, but as his brain caught up with what she'd just said he pretended to retch.

Once she had regained her composure enough to speak somewhat coherently, she said, "That's for betting on me."

James shook his head with a grin. "You almost got me that time, Evans," he growled as he pulled her into a tight hug.

Lily sighed and referring back to his earlier question whispered, "Yes, it's really me. We have so little time left until we won't see each other for two months that I'm trying not to wreck it by getting angry about something that doesn't matter."

James kissed her again before saying, "Thank you, Lily."

Lily kissed him and replied. "Just don't forget about the date you promised me for this summer."

"Not a chance," James said. "I need to know that you won't forget about me. I'm afraid that once you're home and have a little space from me, you'll realize that you made a huge mistake."

"The mistake was not giving you a chance earlier," Lily said. "We could have had so much more time together."

"But, Lily! We have all the time in the world; our future is stretched out before us," James said. Lily smiled at his words; it was exactly what she'd thought while lying in his bed with him early this morning. She imagined it again and her smile grew.

She'd asked him a few nights ago but couldn't resist asking again, "You'll write to me this summer?"

"I will be the truest definition of a pen pal," James promised. "Another way I plan to keep you from forgetting about me."

After a bit more snogging and being interrupted by a sharp look from the witch with the food trolley, they returned to their seats for the duration of the trip.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

When the train pulled into King's Cross, James helped Lily get her trunk down from the overhead compartment and, together, they disembarked the train and exited the barrier. Rather than immediately seeking out their parents as they might have normally done, they found some space away from the bustle and traffic. They set their trunks to the side and took a moment to say good-bye. James pulled her into his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder and breathed in his scent. He whispered things in her ear and she felt her eyes prickle with tears. He was being unbearably sweet and making it impossible for her not to miss him insanely this summer. When he sensed that things were getting a bit too serious, he surprised her by dipping her and kissing her heartily. She laughed at him and wiped her eyes. "I see someone who could only be your mother approaching," James whispered. "Good-bye, Lily. I'll miss you."

Lily glanced toward where he was looking and, indeed, it was her mother and Petunia. She straightened up, gave James one last kiss and said, "I'll miss you, too. Good-bye, James."

He gave her a wink as she turned to meet her family. As she walked toward them, she couldn't help but think that she never could have imagined this happening just a few short months ago. It was becoming harder and harder to pretend that she wasn't falling head over heels for him.

Her mother wore an amused smile as Lily approached. She was clearly checking out the boy she had just seen her daughter kissing. Petunia, on the other hand, wore an expression of outright disgust and, when Lily was within earshot, she said, "Don't you have any self respect? Making out in plain view of everyone? Disgusting."

"Leave her alone, Petunia," said Lily's Mother, Jane. "A girl who's in love is allowed to kiss her boyfriend good-bye before a two month absence."

Out of habit, Lily found herself wanting to protest the fact that James was her boyfriend and that she was in love with him. She wasn't actually certain that either statement was true yet, but decided to say nothing.

"Lily in love," Petunia repeated in a mocking tone before laughing cruelly. "Why are you so sure it's love?"

"She has that look in her eyes," Jane explained. "A mother can always tell."

Petunia shot a searching look at Lily, trying to peer into her green eyes, as if trying to see the same thing her mother could see. Not being willing to let Petunia continue in this vein, she turned her head and cast her eyes to the floor. She heard her sister make an irritated noise beside her as they continued out of the station. Lily scanned the crowds one last time before they left looking for James. Their eyes connected and she blushed when her heart gave a happy flutter. He winked at her again and waved.

Once settled in the backseat of the car, Jane asked in a conspiratorial tone, "So, what's his name?"

Deciding not to play coy and pretend that she didn't know what her mother was talking about, even though it was a very tempting thought, Lily said, "James."

"James Potter?" her mother asked incredulously.

Lily's mind whirred, trying to figure out how her Mother knew about him.

"The James Potter who you have complained ceaselessly about every summer you've come home from school?" Jane asked, watching her daughter in the rear view mirror.

"Um, yeah," Lily managed.

"I thought you hated him," Petunia said. "You were always saying he was a git or a prat and talking about the horrible pranks he pulled on you."

"I was right, then," Jane said happily, "He was only pulling those pranks because he liked you."

"Yeah," Lily said feebly, feeling guilty again that she'd only just given him a chance after 6 years. Poor James.

"What made you finally give him a chance?" Jane asked.

"We got paired up in some classes and kind of became friends. Once we were friends, it just happened," Lily explained.

"How long have you been dating?" Petunia asked. Then, turning it into a competition, added, "Vernon and I have been dating for nearly a year now."

"I don't actually know," Lily admitted.

Petunia looked over the front seat at her and rolled her eyes. "Well, when was your first date?"

Knowing that the rest of the conversation would be irritating, Lily quietly admitted, "We haven't actually gone on a real date yet."

"And yet you were making out with him like that? In public!" Petunia asked sharply.

"Well, it's different at Hogwarts. We live in the same castle and eat all our meals together and go to most of our classes together," Lily explained. "There isn't really anywhere to go on a date anyway. Well, there's Hogsmeade but we weren't speaking during the last Hogsmeade visit so we didn't go together. He's going to come take me out on a proper first date sometime this summer."

"Lily and James have probably spent more time together than you and Vernon," Jane said observantly, "when you think about the living situation at a boarding school."

Lily could tell this comment irritated Petunia because she remained silent for the rest of the ride home. Petunia was a rules person; there were rules for everything and, according to her, they should be followed explicitly. Lily had chosen an alternate lifestyle years ago and Petunia could no longer accept her. In her eyes, Lily was a freak and wouldn't even consider the reasons why this lifestyle made her so happy. Sometimes, it made Lily sad that their lives had taken such different courses and that her sister would never be able to bridge the gap with her and be close like they once had been.

For the remainder of the ride home, Jane asked Lily about her classes and duties at school. Lily told her mother about whatever she asked about; punctuated with multiple stories about James, of course. "It sounds like you had a wonderful year," Jane said.

"I did," Lily said. "So good that being home this summer is somewhat bittersweet. While I'm always excited to come be at home, but this year, it's hard too."

"Because you want to be with James," Jane said knowingly.

Lily just nodded and wondered if Petunia and Vernon were as inseparable as she and James had become.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

When they arrived home, Lily ate dinner with her family, recounted a lot of the same stories about her year for her father, helped Petunia with the dishes, and then waited until she didn't feel like it was too early to pretend she was tired and go to bed. She wasn't actually tired; she was just ready to be alone with her thoughts in her room. She flopped down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. She wondered what James was doing. Merlin, she was pathetic. Apparently, she'd finally given into this and now her heart was fully involved. She reached under her pillow and pulled out her diary, which she'd stashed there earlier. She randomly paged through it and read passages that had to do with James. Some made her cringe at how horrible she'd been to him and others made her heart ache because they were so wonderful.

A tapping on her window interrupted her memories and she looked up in surprise to see a large gray owl perched on her windowsill. She opened the window and accepted the letter happily; sure that she knew who it was from:

My Dearest Lily,

I hope you had a safe trip home. I'm already finding that being home is not as much as fun as usual. While I'm happy to be home and not have to go to classes or study for two whole months, I am missing you. My parents saw us together and had a million questions. They couldn't believe that the girl I've been pining over for years finally gave me a chance. They are anxious to meet you. I'm hoping to convince my father to take me to the ministry with him sometime so I can take my apparition test. I missed the test at Hogwarts because I overslept after a long night of ware wolf watch. If I get my license, it'll be easier to come and see you this summer. Even if he won't take me, I will figure out a way to see you at least once for our date. What do you want to do on our date? Do you still have my green tee shirt? I can't find it with my stuff. I don't mind if you have it at all. I should end this letter so our owl can deliver it to you before you go to bed. Good night, Lily. Sleep tight and dream of me. I know I will be dreaming of you.

All my love,

James

Lily couldn't stop smiling as she pulled out quill and parchment to respond immediately. Before she settled at her desk, she opened the window and, seeing the owl still there, told him to wait because she'd have a reply in a few minutes.

Dear James,

My trip home was interesting. My mum seems very excited and happy for me in regards to you. My older sister Petunia was critical…but she usually is. It's feeling very bittersweet for me to be home as well. I love coming home to see my family, but I miss you as well, so much. I would almost sign up for summer classes if it meant I could see you. Who am I? This is not stuff I could have imagined myself saying a few short months ago. I'm not complaining though. You make me so happy. It'd be great if you could apparate here to see me. I have my apparition license; maybe I should come visit you… Are we going on a muggle date or a wizard date? I do have your green tee shirt; sorry, I didn't remember to get it back to you. Thanks for the letter. I'm sure looking forward to letters from you is going to be what gets me though this summer.

Sweet Dreams, James.

Love Always,

Lily.

Each went to sleep that night with smiles on their faces hoping that the summer would not seem too long.

Author's Note: Hello, I'm sorry there has been such a delay on this story. Life has been busy and that is the best excuse I can offer. I hope to update more regularly. Let me know if you have ideas for me for their date.

Massive thanks to my beta Terra Ferme for your quick and excellent work on this chapter. Thanks also for the long wait...I know in a different way you have been waiting as long on this chapter as the readers. Thanks for helping me keep some playfullness to this chapter - you rock!

Thanks all.

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