Lovely Lily

James walked in between Peter and Sirius, with an arm around each, as they headed into Hogsmeade. Remus was pulled along by Sirius, all the while complaining about the damper the dark clouds overhead put on the mood. James, however, disagreed.

"Oh come of it Remus! Let's head to Honeydukes, that ought to lift those spirits!" James pulled away from Sirius and Peter, turning around to walk backwards. "Last one there has to buy!" With that James spun around and sprinted off, the water that soaked the streets from the early morning rain splashing around him.

Sirius took a quick look at Remus and Peter and then took off after James, chasing him down Hogsmeade's main street while yelling, "No fair, Prongs, head starts aren't allowed!"

Remus and Peter had stopped once James had taken off and Sirius had run off after him. Remus nudged Peter, gesturing to their left. "If we cut through here, Honeydukes is right on the other side," he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Poor James and Sirius are taking the long way around."

Peter laughed with him. "I guess sometimes it pays to be smart and slow," he said with a sly smile as he and Remus began to walk in the narrow alleyway to cut over to Honeydukes. "When we get there first, let's tell them we apparated, even though we won't learn how until next year."

Remus slung an arm around Peter as they exited the alleyway, Honeydukes already in sight. "Yes. We are absolutely doing that"

Meanwhile, James whooped happily as he continued to stay ahead of Sirius, ducking and dodging around other Hogwarts students who yelled plenty of insults James tucked away for future use. However, when he rounded the corner, he slammed to a halt so fast it was as if he had run into an invisible wall. He had caught a glimpse of red hair down the road. In the second of staring to try and pinpoint who it was, Sirius sprinted past him, slamming a hand against the door as he reached it, then high-fiving Peter and Remus.

"Hey James!" Sirius taunted, however still very much out of breath. "Last one… last one buys!" Then he bent over, his hands on his knees to catch his breath.

James rolled his eyes, mulling over the insults he had heard on his run over to see if any would be fit to yell at his friends as he walked towards them when he saw her.

Lily, with her flaming red hair and gorgeous green eyes was walking with two of her friends. Towards him. As James watched, he definitely didn't notice how she would sometimes pause to check her reflection in the puddles, brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear, then continue walking, skipping every other cobblestone as she steadily approached him.

"Hey Potter! You aren't going back on your bet now are you?" At this James was shaken out of his trance. He looked over at his friends as Remus finished speaking, then back over to Lily as she entered Zonko's Joke Shop. Without seeing him. James, once again, ran through his now large vocabulary of choice words as he approached his friends, hoping that they hadn't caught him staring.

"I'm not going back on anything, Moony," James called as he ran up to his friends. "I was just distracted by… how you two got here so fast." He said, pushing Peter into Remus, accidentally causing Remus to slip and fall outside the shop.

"They cut through," Sirius said, right as Remus and Peter said "Apparated."

James chuckled, helping Remus up off the ground after Peter had fallen into him. "Ahh, yes, because I'm sure my fifth year friends somehow managed to find a secret passageway to get to Honeydukes before me. Apparating is clearly the obvious winner." James maneuvered around his friends and pulled open the door to Honeydukes, casting one last glance over his shoulder towards Zonko's Joke Shop before following his friends inside. "You get one small bag each, mates! That's all I'm buying!" James called out, stepping off to the side to pull some gallons from his pockets, quickly counting them out to see how many he had.

"Hey Prongs! Look what I'm getting!" Sirius called over to James, holding up a package of Exploding Bonbons.

"You know you can't bring those into school, right?" Remus called from where he was browsing the chocolate section, some Honeydukes Best Chocolate in his hand.

"Oh bugger off Moony" Came Sirius' voice again, although James watched as Sirius slipped the exploding treat into his bag anyway. James tossed the money for their candy on the counter, then went to pick out his own goodies.

After waiting for Peter to decide between Chocolate Frogs and Chocolate Cauldrons because both would be too much chocolate but one would be too little chocolate, the group left the shop. Peter, doing away with the chocolate idea entirely, munched on a pack of Jelly Slugs. Sirius and Remus had split a Cauldron Cake and were each eating half, and James was opening his pack of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans.

"Man, what an awesome day," Peter sighed happily, Remus nodding in agreement. "Thanks for buying, James."

"Hey Potter, maybe you should lay off the candy," Sirius taunted. "You were the slowest, after all!"

"Bugger off, Sirius," James laughed, pushing his friend forward, then running ahead and jumping in a large puddle created by the rainstorm last night. The water splashed all over Sirius and James, Peter and Remus staying far enough back to only get splashed a bit.

"Careful guys…" Remus began, but James and Sirius had apparently made an unspoken agreement to get one another as soaked with rainwater as possible.

Peter, laughing, ran ahead to join them. Before he could jump in a puddle to splash James or Sirius, however, they each jumped in puddles and got Peter soaked too. "Hey!" Peter complained. "Not fair!"

Remus watched the situation with an amused expression, finishing his Cauldron Cake and wiping the crumbs off his hands. Sirius ventured up to him, looking, and smelling, every bit the part of a wet dog. With a playful grin, Sirius flicked some water off his hands onto Remus. Remus raised an eyebrow and Sirius darted off.

"What a prat," Remus sighed, although an unavoidable part in his chest pulled him forward, chasing after Sirius.

Peter, who was hiding behind one of the shops, jumped out and attempted to push Sirius into a large puddle. Sirius dodged out of the way, however, and Remus took the fall, getting him just as wet as the other two. A string of choice words left his mouth as he chased Sirius and Peter down the streets of Hogsmeade.

James, however, had snuck away from the group. He had his attention focused elsewhere, namely, Zonko's Joke Shop.

He ducked out from behind Honeydukes where he had hidden and headed that way, still dripping water but smiling happily at the thought of seeing Lily. The sun soaked his face and warmed his outsides, but the thought of getting to talk to her warmed every other part of him.

James ducked past an elderly witch outside Zonko's who yelled at him for entering while soaking wet, but James didn't hear.

As he entered his senses were immersed with bright colors, flashing lights, a number of scents and mostly laughing witches and wizards. As much as James wanted to look around and pick out some things he could use to get back at Sirius, he had a mission. After a quick scan around the place he realized with a heavy heart that Lily was no longer in the store. He silently cursed Peter for taking so long, then ducked out of the shop.

Stepping back into the sunlight, James shook the water out of his hair, then ran a hand through it as he scanned the streets of Hogsmeade. He was just about to give up looking when he caught a glimpse of a dark silhouette outlined on the wall opposite him. James could recognize that silhouette anywhere: Lily.

Play it cool, play it cool… He thought to himself, standing there with his hands shoved in his pockets, pretending like he didn't want to run up to her like a child. James tapped his foot, trying to think of an excuse he could use for 'bumping into her' but eventually knew he couldn't wait any longer. She was right there and he just had to see her. Turning, James sprinted towards where he could now see her leaning against the wall of the Three Broomsticks.

"Hey Evans!" James called out as he reached her. Now that he had gotten up beside her he could see that she was distracted by a small Pygmy Puff of a lilac color that was cuddled in a ball in her hands.

Lily turned and James was surprised to see a smile grace her lips as she saw him. "James!" She said, then, seeming to regain her composure, straighten up and said "You're… all wet,"

"I… I mean… yep!" James stuttered over his words, unsure of how to act cool about the fact he had been playing in puddles like a child. He figured an extravagant story was the way to go. "See, this racer was riding around on his broom, splashing people, and since you weren't watching I decided to block the splash that he was aiming at you… with myself," James grinned, running a hand through his soaking wet hair. "So… you're welcome."

"Ahh, my hero, I'm sure," Lily chuckled, holding out her Pygmy Puff to James. "What do you think of Potter?"

"Potter?" James was slightly flustered but tried to play it off. "Aww, Evans, I know you love me but come on, this is a little excessive."

Lily sighed, placing Potter on her shoulder. "I only named him Potter because first he fell out of the cage trying to get to me, then grabbed my hair and wouldn't let go, then bit me when I tried to set him back in his cage," She smirked, then rolled her eyes as Potter grabbed onto her hair and began climbing it. "Seemed like the only fitting namesake."

"Well Potter is very handsome," James began, watching the Pygmy Puff with a mixture of amusement and envy. "We are talking about me, right?"

"Bugger off James," Lily emphasized his name as she spoke, picking her new Pygmy Puff off her head and setting it on her shoulder again. "Both of you. Anyway, what's up? How's your Hogsmeade visit going?"

James sat there, trying to form words, but at this point was surprised Lily hadn't yet called him a prat or yelled at him or told him to go away or thrown something at him (which in her language also meant 'go away')

"James?" Lily asked, waving a hand in front of his face with a sigh. "Don't tell me, you ate one too many Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and now you feel sick." She laughed, gesturing to the almost empty carton in his hands.

"What? No…" James chuckled uneasily, shaking himself out of his stupor. He popped a bean in his mouth to focus, although was dismayed at the dirt flavor now coating his tongue. "Nope, not at all. It's been… expensive. Had to buy all the guys Honeydukes stuff since I lost a bet."

"All the guys?" Lily asked with a raised eyebrow. "Dare I ask how you managed to lose to all of them?"

James shook his head. "Oh it was truly tragic. I had made a bet I could beat them to the shop. Alas, in my final stretch, I was distracted by…." James quickly stopped talking, aware suddenly of who exactly he was talking to.

"Let me guess, a cute witch told you 'let's go have a fun time' and you just couldn't resist," Lily teased, nudging James playfully.

Oh I wish. I wish. James sighed. "Exactly, Evans! You know me too well."

Lily smiled and then they fell into an awkward silence. The red head rubbed her new Pygmy Puff Potter, who nestled into her hands, while James rubbed a hand along his neck, the water from his hair now mingling with sweat from their nerve racking conversation.

James cleared his throat and Lily glanced up at him expectantly. Bloody hell… James thought. Now she probably expects me to say something.

"Well green eyes," James began. Why? He didn't know. But he was looking into those gorgeous eyes and that muddled his brain something fierce. "Want to go loose some time with me?"

Lily laughed softly, a happy smile crossing her lips. Her nose crinkles when she's happy… James noticed. All of a sudden a swell of emotions rolled up from his stomach. He felt like he needed to clutch his chest. What is this? Why is when I look at her and see her red hair or emerald eyes or freckles or perfect smile… oh bloody hell, I think I'm falling for her.

"Hmm, well I have one nice, clean, dry Potter here…" Lily patted the Pygmy Puff in her hands before continuing. "And a soaking wet Potter grinning stupidly over there…" She put her hand to her chin, pretending to ponder James' question.

"Come on, Evans, you can't deny we belong together," James said with a sudden burst of confidence. "It's clear as crystal."

"Clear as crystal? Green eyes? Getting poetic today, are we, James?" Lily smirked, then laughed as James' confidence cracked and he ran a hand through his still damp hair.

"Come off it, Evans, I'm being charming here," He chuckled nervously, realizing suddenly that she still hadn't answered his question. "So, what do you say? Spend this beautiful day with me?"

"Alight, James, I'll give you a shot," Lily said, placing Potter back on her shoulder and putting her hands on her hips. "Want to go get something at the Three Broomsticks?"

James was afraid he nodded all too eagerly, but quickly forgot about that as they walked into the crowded pup and got a booth together towards the back.

Lily shrugged her bag off her shoulder and placed it on the table, her books spilling across the waxed, wooden surface.

"Doing a lot of studying, are we, Evans?" James asked, seeing that the titles on some of the books were for his least favorite classes.

"Unfortunately yes," Lily sighed, pushing her books back into her bag and pulling the bag onto the bench beside her. "Finals are coming up… although I'm not surprised you didn't come here to study."

James shrugged. "What can I say? I do my best work the night before tests," he chuckled and they fell, yet again, into an awkward silence. However, Madam Rosmerta joined them a few seconds later to ask what they wanted to order.

"I'll have a Butterbeer," Lily said with a smile, and James nodded to indicate that he would like one as well. The barmaid took their orders and left them to continue to dwell in their silence.

After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Lily spoke up again. "Why is this so awkward? We're just talking! It's not that big of a deal… right?" Lily's words came out in a rush and she pulled her hands through her long red hair.

"Yes! Yes, just talking… of course, that shouldn't be awkward…" James trailed off, racking his brain for something they could talk about. He, however, was finding it hard to concentrate. Lily was sitting right across from him. She'd basically asked him on a date. "So… where are your friends?"

Lily sighed, seemingly relieved to have something to talk about. "Oh, they went off to study because they're actually concerned about passing classes," She joked. "Apparently blokes like you and me don't care about our prestigious education."

James grinned. "Excuse you, Evans. I, unlike you, always put my studies first. I am clearly a model student and you should be jealous."

Lily's Pygmy Puff Potter jumped down from her shoulder onto the table and started rolling around on the soft wood. He rolled to the corner of the table and then began to chew on it.

"Wow… I knew he was like his name sake but I didn't realize how true it was. He really does take after Mr. Model Student here." Lily placed her head in her hands as she watched in amusement.

"See? Talent understands talent," James reached out, carefully removing Potter from the edge of the table and setting him upright, where he promptly laid on his face and went to sleep. James cringed and pulled his hand back.

James glanced up at Lily and smiled as he realized she had been watching him, not the ordeal with the Pygmy Puff. They both quickly looked away, each of their cheeks flushed with scarlet.

"Sorry…" Lily said quickly, removing her head from her hands and picking up her pet, placing him on her shoulder to sleep. "I just… lost myself in gazing… zoning out, you know."

"Mhmm." That was about all James managed to get out before his throat seized up and refused to open.

All of a sudden a loud noise came from the entrance of the pub, startling several customers as a trio pushed into the room.

"Come back here you foul prat! You rotten git!"

"Bloody hell…" James sighed and placed his head on the table. He could recognize that voice anywhere.

Remus and Peter entered his view, followed by an angry Sirius.

James looked up, shaking his head at Remus and Peter. "Moony, Wormtail, what did you guys do?" He asked, trying to suppress a laugh.

"It wasn't our fault!" Peter began in protest. James noticed they were all still soaking wet. "We were all splashing each other and then Remus and I tried to run away, and I guess Sirius didn't notice the loose cobblestone that Remus and I did and he kinda…" Peter trailed off.

"He took a dip," Remus finished with a laugh, turning as Sirius caught up to them and put both of them in a headlock.

"Careful! Careful mates, you're getting our table wet!" James said, pushing his trio of friends back.

"Our table?" Sirius glanced up, noticing Lily for this first time. "Oh! Hey Evans," he said with a smile, then resumed his headlock process.

"Hello boys," Lily said with a slight laugh, glancing at James.

"Man I'm hungry," Sirius said, letting Remus and Peter go and sliding next to James in the booth. "You guys haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Peter and Remus slid in next to Lily, so Lily and James were still across from one another, but now wedged between the wall and James' friends.

"It's not our fault you didn't see the loose cobblestone, Padfoot…" Remus began, until he, Peter, and Sirius had begun to argue playfully again.

Lily whisked Potter off her shoulder, shielding him from Remus' dripping wet clothes. She leaned across the table towards James. "What did you want to do today? I'm assuming this isn't what we had in mind."

James shook his head. "Definitely not. Maybe we could go somewhere and just… talk?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"James… I want to know everything about you, I hope you want to know everything about me too…"

James had to lean forward to hear her because she said her words in a whisper that he swore could silence every cynic in the room.

"I… me too… I mean, yes… I do…" James tripped over his words as he was, yet again, finding it very hard to concentrate. Lily was even closer to him and wanted to talk. Talk never happened with them. Maybe a quick hello, exchanging notes or quick remarks, but never talk.

"Let's get out of here," Lily grinned. All of a sudden she was standing on the booth bench. She jumped over the back to get out, then glanced over her shoulder. "Come on, Potter."

James followed her lead as to avoid his friends getting him soaking wet. "Two Butterbeers are on the way, mates," He said to his friends at the table. "Although I'm sure two of you can share." Then he was up and running after Lily out of the pub.

Oh, what a perfect day in Hogsmeade.