One Sunny Afternoon

It was a beautiful day at Hogwarts. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and Lily just wanted to read her book on the castle lawn in peace. She didn't think that was too much to ask. Except, apparently, it was.

"James," she groaned for what must have been the twentieth time. "I'm trying to read. Can't you bother Sirius or something?"

James stopped poking her shoulder and folded his arms across his chest.

"Sirius is off somewhere snogging Remus," he said, his tone bordering on petulant.

Lily turned the page, realized the implication of what he'd just said, and froze. "Hang on. They finally figured out that they both liked each other?"

"Yes, that's why they're snogging now." James looked wistfully at her. "I don't suppose you'd be up for some snogging—"

"Absolutely not," Lily said sternly. "I'm trying to enjoy this lovely weather whilst it lasts, thank you very much."

"Well, we could always snog out here if you're so keen on enjoying the weather—"

Lily shut her book with a snap and a toss of her head. "James Potter, you know full well that I will do no such thing, because unlike you, I have morals. Now please, just...shut up."

James's mouth fell open in a most comical fashion — Lily might have giggled if she hadn't been so annoyed. "Shut up? That hurts, Lils."

"You'll be fine," Lily countered, rolling her eyes. She turned her back on him, took a deep breath, and opened her book once more. She managed to read two more sentences about the best way to harvest a squill bulb before James spoke again.

"So, what do you want to do in Hogsmeade this weekend, Lils?"

Lily took another deep breath and counted to ten in her head. James was not going to break her today. She could do this.

"Listen, James," she said as patiently as she could, "I need to get this reading done for Slughorn's class. If you could please, please be quiet for half an hour, I would really appreciate it."

"Can't you do it later?" he asked, reaching out to play with her hair.

She slapped his hand away. "No, I'm practicing some Charms work with Marlene later."

James raised an eyebrow. "Since when does Marlene need help with Charms?"

"If you must know, I'm not helping her, she's helping me," Lily huffed.

"Why can't I help you?" James's face took on a hurt expression. "I'm your boyfriend, I'm like the best person to help!"

"Because," Lily said irritably, "we wouldn't accomplish anything! You'd just act exactly the way you're acting right now!"

Having resolved that she would not get any reading done as long as she remained in James's presence, she got to her feet and made to leave. James leapt to his feet, too.

"Wait, Lils, don't go," he pleaded. "I was just having a little fun, that's all."

Lily glanced at him. He was giving her a hopeful smile that made her feel warm and fuzzy inside despite her annoyance.

"Fine," she sighed, cursing her boyfriend's charm — and not for the first time. "I will stay...if you let me finish this chapter."

James plopped himself back onto the blanket and gestured to the space beside him. "I won't say another word," he vowed.

Lily raised an eyebrow, but settled down beside the dark-haired boy and opened her book for what she hoped would be the final time. He slung his arm around her shoulders and she couldn't suppress the smile that formed on her lips.

"What are you smiling about?" James asked, apparently forgetting about his promise to be silent.

Lily shook her head. "You're so infuriating sometimes, and yet...no one manages to make me smile quite like you do."

James grinned and leaned in to kiss her. "I hope I can always make you smile."

She hoped so, too — but first, she had a Potions reading to finish.

Word count: 661