A couple weeks had passed since the prank had been pulled on lucius. It was still funny when lily thought about it. And, of course, when she thought about the prank she thought about the marauders, and when she thought about the marauders she thought about James, and when she thought about James she got very, inexplicably happy.

She could hardly keep a smile off her face.

So, as lily was walking back to the dormitory to do her homework and study for end of the year exams the edges of her mouth pulled up. She turned into the hallway where the painting of the fat lady hung at the end. She was just opening her mouth to say the password when

"Hey, evans!"

Lily turned around "yes, potter? You are aware we are going to the same place, you know," she pointed to the portrait "you don't have to yell to catch up with me."

"Yeah but it's more interesting that way. Mix it up a little, make sure don't things get too boring."

"Oh yes, James, because you're just sinfully boring."

"Don't i know it. Just earlier today i asked sirius about the weather." he put on a ridiculous voice "say, pal, have you seen those cumulous clouds, simply marvelous, wouldn't you say?"

Lily laughed "right, now if you don't mind," she turned back to the portrait and opened her mouth to recount the password but before she could get it out James grabbed her arm.

"Hey, hold on a second." a small wave of pleasure washed over lily at the touch

"Why?" she asked

"Because i want to ask you something."

"Any you can't do it in there?"

"I mean, we do already happen to be in the hall, i happen to need to ask you something, why not do it here." he was rambling. It was cute.

"Okay, fine. Go ahead."

"Right. So, as you know the last hogsmeade weekend is approaching," lily nodded "and with it being the end of the term i assume you're growing sick of the company you usually keep-"

"What?" asked lily

"I mean, i'm sure they're great and all but should you be sick of their company i'm always available."

"What?" lily was fairly certain she knew what he was asking but she asked again because watching him flounder around was kind of adorable

"Should you be interested in going to hogsmeade with someone other than your usual company you could always go with me."

"Oh, could i?" asked lily rhetorically

"Yeah, you could."

"We'll see." lily stated with a smirk and then walked through the portrait hole into the common room, leaving james in the hall. She almost said yes before he was even finished, but it was more fun this way.