0000 For their outing to the village, Lily had dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt sporting Horned Serpent colors. For her hair, she did a simple braid that hung down her back. Lily made a mental note to ask Andrea about different hair dos that would be appropriate.

Lily and co made their way to the main part of the castle where the carts were already waiting. People were milling about claiming a cart or two for their friends or dates. Renee said, "I can't wait to hear all about your outing with Oliver."

Lily blushed. "Lily!" Lily turned and saw Oliver standing near one of the carts. Renee gave her a little push towards him. Lily glared at her friend, before gathering herself and heading over to Oliver.

Oliver said, "You look beautiful today, Lily."

Lily blushed. She replied, "I thank you, Oliver."

Oliver opened the cart door and said, "Shall we? I got a two-person cart."

Lily smiled her thanks and took Oliver's hand to help her into the cart. After climbing in himself, the Pukwudgie shut the door. They were soon off to the village. They chatted for the fifteen minutes that they were in the cart from the school to the village.

Once they arrived in the village, Oliver helped her out of the cart and Lily looked around in awe. It was a stunning display. They had arrived in the middle of the village square, and the businesses were spread out from there. Tables in the square for get together, and outdoor dining on good days.

Oliver said, "Quite a sight0000, right?"

Lily said, "Yes. I already love this layout. I've seen Hogsmeade a few times. It's the village that Hogwarts students get to visit once every few months and it pales in comparison to this."

Oliver chuckled. He said, "Is there any place that you need to go first?"

Lily said, "I need to personally pick up some things from a clothing store, and I will probably need a couple of more notebooks. My roommate who is a second year is asking me to pick up some things as well. I think it'll probably be best to also stock up on some potion supplies."

Oliver said, "Okay. How about we just start at one side of the village and go around."

They ended up in Sawyer's Fudgetier first. Lily was amazed out the amount of fudge that they had. She got two sampler platters ordered and had them delivered to the school to her room. The proprietor smiled at Oliver when he too ordered some peanut butter and chocolate fudge to be delivered to his dorm. They then moved onto the next shop, which was Cox's BooksPlus. In there, Lily just browsed, and picked up a few fiction books that looked interesting. Oliver picked up some recent comic books that he was interested in reading. They rounded out their morning in the Apothecary dubiously named Snape's Apothecary. It was somewhat busy with students refilling their supplies.

Oliver then led Lily over to a place call the IlverShire. It looked to her like the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. Inside, they quickly found a table. A waitress came over and said, "What can I get you two lovelies today?"

Oliver said, "I'll have some Pepsi for now. How about you, Lily?"

Lily looked at the menu and said, "Lemonade for me."

The waitress said, "Be right up."

Oliver said, "Their fish and chips are to die for here, in my opinion, but I have also heard great things about their burgers."

Lily smiled and looked at the menu further. Since being a student in the United States, she had expanded her palate. She saw that they had chicken quesadillas and decided that's what she would have with a side of fries. When the waitress came with their drinks, they placed their orders.

As they were waiting for their food, Oliver said, "How is Quidditch going?"

Lily said, "Its going good. I'm a little leery of Monica right now but thankfully she is just a reserve like me. Gregg is beaming with praise at my ability. I think he was glad that he wasn't demoted because of it."

Oliver laughed. Lily smiled. It was good to hear Oliver laugh. Oliver said, "I can see Gregg being like that. He is a talented seeker but needs improvements in different areas."

Lily nodded. They continued to talk throughout their meal. After they finished eating, Oliver paid despite Lily's protest. He smiled and said, "It's a gentleman thing to do, Lily."

Lily blushed. She knew most would consider this their first date, but was it? After leaving a good tip, Oliver helped her out of her chair, and they left the place. They continued around the square where they went into every shop: Yost's Cauldron's and more, Gutheim's Joke Shop (Lily didn't buy anything), Warren's Notebooks and more, and ended with Hatmaker's Department store, where Lily picked up a few feminine things. Every store promised to have their things delivered to their dorm rooms, for which Lily was thankful. She didn't want to lug all her purchases back to the school.

It was nearing four o'clock. The last of the carts would leave at 7. Oliver turned to her and said, "Go back to the school or stay in the village and have supper here?"

Lily bit down on her lip. She would really like to go back to the school and get through the things they had bought today, but she also didn't want to leave Oliver's company. He was such a gentleman.

Oliver said, "I understand your dilemma, Lily. How about we head back to the school. Next month, possibly stay here in the village?"

Lily smiled her appreciation. They headed back to the town square where the carts were waiting. Oliver helped her into one, and then climbed into it himself. They were joined by another couple, which turned out to be Jasmine and James. Lily groaned. James smirked at her.

Jasmine said, "Lily, fancy meeting you here."

Lily said, "Likewise, Jasmine."

Jasmine said, "Did you enjoy your first visit to the village?"

Lily nodded. She said, "Even more so because of the company I was with."

Jasmine smiled knowingly at Lily. James was looking at Oliver with a smirk that Lily did not like.

Lily said, "James, don't even think about it."

James said, "What?"

Lily said, "I know that smirk. Don't even consider it."

Oliver was looking from James to Lily wondering what the heck. They soon arrived back at the school. Oliver got out and immediately turned to help Lily out. After helping Lily out, they headed towards the dorms. At building 4, Oliver said, "I had a wonderful time, Lily."

Lily said, "Same, Oliver."

Oliver smiled and kissed her on the cheek. He said, "I hope we can do this again, soon."

Lily smiled her answer. Lily went up to her room and Oliver walked away whistling.

James saw that and quickly kissed Jasmine and telling her she would see him at supper. Jasmine said, "Don't do anything stupid, James. Lily would never forgive you."

James said, "It's a big brother thing. Hey Oliver, wait up!"

Oliver turned and saw it was James hollering at him. He stopped and waited for James to join him. Oliver said, "What can I do for you, James?"

James said, "You listen good, Oliver. If you hurt her in anyway, you have me to answer to, you hear me?"

Oliver smiled and said, "I hear you loud and clear, James. I have no intention of hurting your little sister. I understand your need to protect her. I have a little sister of my own. She's in her first year."

James said, "Then we have an understanding."

Oliver said, "Of course."

Back in her dorm building, Lily sighed as she went up to her room. Julia and Renee were not in sight so they were either still in the village or in their rooms unpacking their things that they had bought. Opening her room, Lily was astounded at how much was there. She hadn't realized that she had bought so much.

Audrey came out of her room. She said, "I got the notebooks and stuff that you picked up for me, but not the fudge."

Lily said, "I paid for the fudge for both of us. I got two different sampler platters that each had different samples in them so we could try them together."

Audrey smiled her thanks. Lily quickly unpacked the things that she had bought. She had bought some new notebooks for Ancient Runes, Potions, Alchemy, and Arithmancy. After putting everything away, Lily took the samples out into the common area of their room and both girls tried two pieces.

Audrey said, "So far, I like the peanut butter and chocolate."

Lily said, "The red velvet is to die for. We'll keep a list of the ones we like and next month, I'll pick those up, but for now, we need to head up to the school for supper. I'm honestly surprised my friends haven't tried to ambush me yet."

Audrey snickered.