V-Day
"Now, I know that tomorrow is Valentine's Day," Professor McGonagall hesitated on the word like it was a curse word or something as equally dreadful. "But that is no reason why your Transfiguration abilities need to dwindle," she continued sternly, her eyes glaring around at the N.E.W.T. level class. "Mr. Black," she said with a sigh. "Do I really want to know why you have transfigured you lips to be five times their normal size?"
"Sorry, Minnie, I guess I got carried away," Sirius said with a wink. "I just wanted you to notice me. I've loved you for all these seven long years, you see."
"Mr. Black, my office tomorrow," Professor McGonagall shrieked, her lips nearly as thin as a piece of parchment.
"Oh, Minnie! I just knew you felt the same way! What time do you want me to pick you up, Valentine?" he asked roguishly.
"You will be serving detention with me, Mr. Black. I do not date students," she added stiffly.
"Say, Minnie, I'm graduating in nearly four months, can I owl you?"
"Mr. Black, your detention will be scheduled sometime next week after this nonsense holiday has been wiped from your system."
"But, Minnie!" Sirius retorted, but stopped when he was kicked swiftly in the shin by Rory.
"Sirius!" she squealed. "I want to spend our first Valentine's Day as a couple with you--for Merlin knows what reason--so shut the bloody hell up!"
"Save the feistiness for tomorrow, love. I'll be the one looking devilishly handsome, and you can swear something to show off those legs of yours, which go all the way up to the Astronomy Tower," Sirius replied wickedly. Rory punched him in the arm, but could not hide the grin starting to form on her face.
"So as I was saying, with human Transfiguration, it is often times crucial to--"
Just then, the dinner bell rang. The Seventh Years all began to scramble around, trying to get their books together. McGonagall announced over the clatter, "Your essays are due next class, and I expect them to be of better quality than your last assignment. Mr. Potter, if you could stay behind for a moment, please?"
James nodded and then told Lily not to wait for him. When everyone else had left the classroom, James walked up to McGonagall's desk. "Yes, Professor?" he asked.
"Mr. Potter, I have spoken with the Headmaster, and he has agreed to allow you and Miss Evans to go to Hogsmeade tomorrow evening as long as you return before curfew."
"Oh, thank you so much, Professor," James replied, smiling broadly. He coughed and stuck his hands in his pockets in an attempt to seem aloof. "This will be very beneficial to Miss Evans and I concerning Heads' Duties."
"I'm sure, Mr. Potter," she said, not even bothering to try and hide her disbelief. "Just try and do something for me," McGonagall added briskly.
"Anything, Professor," James said, still beaming.
"Do try to win the Quidditch Final against Hufflepuff.
"No problem, Professor," James replied breezily. "This is Gryffindor's year.
"That's nice to hear," McGonagall sighed.
"Bye, Professor," James said as he turned to leave the classroom.
"Oh, and, Potter," McGonagall called.
"Yes?"
"Is there any way you can try to control Mr. Black?" she pleaded.
"I'm sorry, Professor," James responded, stifling a laugh. "That I cannot do."
"So what did Professor McGonagall want?" Lily asked, slipping her hand into James's as they walked back from dinner.
"Oh, you know," James laughed. "She's grown tired of Sirius's antics and wanted a real man to be with for a change."
"James!" Lily exclaimed, shoving him away from her and crossing her arms over her chest. "Rory might put up with those jokes, but I am certainly not going to."
"Sorry, Lils," James apologized.
"What did she really want?"
"Head Duties," James replied slowly, which wasn't exactly a lie, considering he had
mentioned it to McGonagall, albeit it had just been a phony excuse, but still.
"Then why wasn't I there, as well? I was the Head Girl the last time I checked."
"Damn, you're good," James said under his breath.
"I know," Lily quipped, bringing her arms even closer to her chest.
"Fine, you caught me. I'm failing Transfiguration," James lied pathetically.
"James! Just tell me what is going on!" Lily insisted.
"What if I said it was a surprise?" James asked, stopping suddenly and turning to face Lily.
"A surprise?"
"A surprise," James repeated as he reached out to play with one of Lily's red curls.
"Does this surprise have anything to do with tomorrow?" Lily asked.
"Maybe," James teased, his lips moving along the vicinity near Lily's left ear.
"And I suppose that tomorrow's being Valentine's Day has never even crossed your
mind, right?"
"Of course not," James said, his lips currently resting at the hollow of Lily's neck.
"And that I shouldn't expect anything special," she continued, her voice shaking slightly.
"Nothing of the sort," James replied. They had reached the Portrait Hole to their Dorm.
After entering, Lily began walking toward her room. "Hey,Lily!" James called.
"Mmmm?"
"Make sure you wear something nice to our 'nothing' tomorrow."
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Sirius said as he, James, and Remus approached their three girls at breakfast the following morning.
"Sirius, you look bloody ridiculous," Lily said, snorting into her pumpkin juice.
"I'd like to think I look rather fetching, actually," he replied, posing in his outfit, which
consisted of a tight red spandex unitard covered only by heart-adorned boxers.
"Oh, sweet Merlin, what have you done with my boyfriend?" Rory gasped finally in horror.
"I'm right here, love."
"No," Rory argued. "My Sirius is occasionally attractive when he's not being an ass."
"Your words, they hurt me," Sirius replied, grabbing at his heart and pretending to look wounded.
"Not at much as that outfit hurts our eyes," James laughed. "Moony, you reckon it's been long enough?"
"Yeah, I think we got our point across," Remus said, laughing as his eyes swept across the shocked faces in the Great Hall. He then flicked his wand, and Sirius was in a pair of jeans and a dark blue sweater.
"So, are any of you going to tell us what that was all about?" Sarah asked.
"Truth or Dare," Remus replied.
"And Sirius picked the wrong one," James finished for him, smiling to himself.
"It was worth it, though," Sirius stated. "Apart from an honest day's work, I've never backed down from a dare, and I never will. Anyway, happy Valentine's Day, girls!" he concluded, throwing up his arms.
"Thanks, Sirius," Sarah laughed. "You too."
"Oh, there's nothing like Valentine's Day! A whole holiday designed for guys to be hit on by girls. What could be better?" Sirius asked.
"How about having girlfriend who makes all those other girls seem meaningless?" Rory spat dryly.
"That's good, too," Sirius said meekly.
"I have to agree with Sirius," James said. "Valentine's Day is alright."
"It's okay, I guess," Lily replied, gazing up at James, who winked at her.
"I dunno," Sarah pondered. "Before Remmy came along I wasn't really big on the whole Valentine's thing. I guess it all depends on whether or not you have someone to share the day with."
"And I'm the luckiest guy with a ferocious rabbit in the world because I get to spend my day with you," Remus replied as he snuggled Sarah into his chest.
"Gag reflex," Rory said. "Merlin, you two, it's eight in the bloody morning. Must you be so disgustingly in love?"
"Yep," Remus replied.
"I'm gonna go to the Owlery or something. I'm not hungry anymore," Rory decided, throwing down her muffin. "See you all later."
Sirius stood up after her. "Where the blonde goes, I go." His eyes bulged. "I've still got the boxers on," Sirius smirked, checking underneath his sweater.
"Like I really wanted to change that," Remus answered, rolling his eyes.
"Bet you Rory will."
"I'm going to get going, too," James said as he stuffed one last piece of bacon into his mouth. "I've got loads to do. Bye for now," James said to Remus and Sarah before kneeling down to whisper in Lily's ear. "I'll pick you up at six. Be ready."
"James, what are you planning?"
"Remember, something nice," James replied, ignoring her question completely and kissing her quickly on the lips.
"Rory!" Sirius yelled as he sprinted down the corridor, trying to catch up to her. "Wait up, Rory!"
"Sirius!" she cried, turning around. "What are you doing?"
"What? A guy can't talk to his girlfriend all of a sudden?"
"We were talking before," Rory pointed out. "There were words, dare I say, sentences exchanged."
"Well, maybe I want to talk to you more privately."
"We're standing in the middle of a corridor," Rory said flatly.
"Then we should go in here," Sirius said as he nearly pushed Rory into a broom closet.
"I should have known that you were planning this all along," she muttered. "You always have an ulterior motive, Sirius Black."
"What can I say?" Sirius shrugged. "I'm a man who knows what he wants."
"And that would be?" Rory asked teasingly.
"I think you know."
"Still, I've had a very tiring morning. Maybe you should help me."
"Okay," Sirius agreed gently before he began to kiss Rory softly.
"That's better," she stated.
"Not bad for a guy who's only 'occasionally attractive,' huh?" Sirius asked, grinning.
"You know you're fit," Rory replied, rolling her eyes.
"But I don't know if you think so," Sirius teased. "I think I am in need of some reassurance."
"Git," Rory laughed before leaning up to kiss him again. "Better?" she asked after a fashion.
"Yes, Rory, love, now I am fully prepared to snog you senseless."
"Well, it is Valentine's Day."
"So what are you guys doing today?" Lily asked Sarah.
"I don't know. Maybe we'll go to the Room of Requirement later, or something."
"Sirius already called the Astronomy Tower," Remus remarked.
"Interesting, so…." Lily said, feigning interest in her now cold oatmeal. "Do you have any idea where James is taking me?" she blurted out finally.
Remus chuckled. "You've waiting all morning to ask that, haven't you?"
"Yes," Lily admitted sheepishly.
"Sorry, Lily. I can't tell you. James would murder me if I did, and frankly, I value my life.
You're just going to have to wait and see."
"Bullocks."
Too slow for Lily's liking, six o'clock finally rolled around. When James walked in, precisely on time, wearing a black suit jacket over a white dress shirt, Lily was waiting 'patiently' on the couch. As soon as she saw him, Lily sprang up.
"For you," James said, giving her a small bouquet of lavender.
"Thank you, James," Lily cooed, sniffing the flowers. "So," she continued, spinning around. "How'd I do with the whole 'something nice' concept?"
"Dreadful," James answered, eyeing her low-cut red top, black pencil skirt, and red pumps. "I said to look nice, and you look phenomenal. Every bloke is going to be trying to steal you away from me."
"If it's no good, I can change," Lily offered.
"Silly, Lily," James laughed, shaking his head. "You are so beautiful. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes!" Lily exclaimed eagerly.
"Then let's get going."
"Aren't you going to tell me where?"
"Nope."
"James Potter, you and your surprises," Lily huffed.
As they approached the horseless carriage, Lily grabbed James's arm. "We're leaving the castle?"
"You don't honestly think I got you all dressed up to stay in school, do you?" James asked.
"Up you go," he added as he helped her into the carriage and then followed her in. Lily spent the rest of the ride trying to convince James to tell where they were going, but he
remained obstinate. Finally, when they had entered Hogsmeade, and they reached their destination, James turned to Lily and said, "We're going to a restaurant." He paused to let the message sink in and to watch her expressionless face. "What? No snappy reply?" he laughed, but Lily's mouth gaped. James had brought her to the fanciest place in Hogsmeade.
"James, I don't know if this is a good idea."
"Relax, Lils," James replied soothingly. "I've already made our reservations." Just then, the hostess came out and guided the couple to the best table in the restaurant.
"Can I get you two anything?" she asked.
"Some drinks would be nice."
"Of course, Mr. Potter."
"James," Lily breathed, looking around. All of the walls were made of glass, and there was a sparkling on the furniture that could only have been caused by diamonds. Everything was perfect down to their little square table to the rose petals scattered along the floor. "This is amazing," she sighed finally.
"I thought you'd like it," James replied, smiling at her. A waiter came and brought them their drinks, and James ordered something that sounded Italian, seeing as it wasn't a menu type of place. "You'll like it," James assured her.
And she did. The food was amazing, the soft music playing in the background was perfect, and she was with James. They still had at least four more courses to go when James turned to her and said, "You want to get out of here?"
"We can't!" Lily replied, scandalized. "We haven't finished yet! It would be rude!"
"Oh, they'll get over it," James said as he clanked a rather large bag of galleons onto the table, grabbed Lily's hand, and dashed out of the room. James quickly grabbed their coats, and they ran out of the restaurant.
"I can't believe we just did that," Lily said, laughing loudly and holding onto James for support.
"It was getting stuffy in there," James told her as he loosened his tie. "I wanted some fresh air. Besides, the stars are lovely tonight."
"What's next?"
"Chocolate."
"Good idea."
Holding a bag that was filled to the brim with all different sorts of Honeydukes' chocolate, James walked Lily over to the Shrieking Shack.
"We can't go in there!" Lily said, realizing James's intentions. "It's haunted!"
"Oh, Lils," James laughed. "Where's your Marauder spirit?"
"Precisely, James, spirit, as in evil ghosts that haunt that house!"
"Since when has evil ghosts translated into four teenage boys?"
"What?"
"Where do you think Remus goes to transform?"
"Oh, Merlin," she gasped.
"Let's go inside."
"You sure?"
"Oh, come on," James laughed as he picked Lily up, bridal-style, and brought her into the shack.
"Cozy," Lily commented, eyeing the ripped cushions and broken furniture.
"What can I say? We're animals!"
Lily laughed and plopped down on the sofa. James joined her and draped his arm across her shoulder. Lily sighed and closed her eyes, relaxing her head on James's chest. After a few minutes of silence, James broke Lily out of her reverie. "Hey, Lils?"
"Yeah?"
"There's something kind of important that I want to talk to you about."
"Okay, what is it?" she asked.
"Well, you see, I've been thinking about his a lot lately, and well, I think, what I mean to say is, er, I mean, uhh…."
"James," Lily laughed. "Spit it out."
"Idon'tthinkweshouldhavesextilwe'remarried."
Lily laughed. "Could you repeat that for me?"
"I don't think that we should have sex until we're married."
Lily just blinked at him. "Oh," she said finally.
"Yeah."
"Uh-huh."
"Yep."
"Alright then."
"Okay."
"So how did you come to this conclusion?" Lily asked.
"Well, I know you've always sort of thought that I was just after you for a shag, but I figure, if we get married first, that's commitment."
"James, you don't have to prove anything to me."
"I know that, but I want to do this, or rather not do it," James corrected himself with a grin.
"It's because you don't want to have sex with me, isn't it? You don't want me."
"Merlin, Lily, I think we both know that you make my hormones rage like crazy, but I just want my first time to be with you when you'll be mine forever."
"You're a virgin?" Lily asked, bewildered.
"Louder, Lils. I don't think Dumbledore heard you."
"I can't believe this!"
"What did you think I was a manwhore or something?" James teased.
"No, but you're a Marauder, and I always just figured you were more experienced than I was."
"Well, I've done a lot of other stuff," James admitted. "But not that."
"So, no sex," Lily confirmed.
James laughed. "No sex."
"Merlin, you're romantic, James. Candlelight dinner, chocolate, abandoned shack, and the chastity speech. How I ended up with the only moral Marauder, I'll never know. Even Remus gets to have sex."
He chuckled in response.
"Let's just see how long this holds up," Lily laughed as she kissed James.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Lily," James whispered as he pushed a stray piece of hair behind Lily's ear.
"Happy Valentine's Day, James."
"Merlin! We've got to go! McGonagall is going to skin me alive if we miss curfew."
"Oh, James."
A/N: the title of this chapter makes me laugh. i'm just immature that way. so, james reveals his virginity in this chapter. hope you enjoyed it. this is a tad awkward. thanks for reading!