Authors note: Chapter 9! I promise the story will be over REALLY soon. Just bear with me for a while. R/R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: Nothings mine cept for Christina and Haley and the plot of course.
Over the next couple of days Lily and James spent a lot of time with each other. Their friends always seemed to be busy doing God only knew what. They became better friends and Lily began to wonder how she had ever hated him. She wouldn't admit it, even to herself, but she was definately falling for him. James already knew that he liked Lily. He liked everything about her. Her gentle laugh, her sharp sense of humor, the way her eyes seemed to look into his soul, even the way her fiery curls hung down her back.
"Okay," said Sirius. "Everyone know what they've got to do?" The others nodded. "So Haley and Remus will distract Lily and Christina, you'll slip the truth potion into her pumpkin juice, right? Christina nodded. "And I'll make sure James is around to hear what Lily says. They all nodded.
"How 'bout we skip dinner and go to Hogsmeade?" asked James. Lily nodded.
"Let's go," she said. They walked through the streets, talking and giggling and generally being totally caught up in each other. James looked up and saw Professers Mc Gonagall, Flitwick and Binns walking towards them. He grabbed Lily's waist and pulled her into an alley.
"James?" whispered Lily. James put a finger to her lips, still holding on to her.
"Teachers," he mouthed. Lily nodded; half wishing that James had pulled her into the alley because he wanted to kiss her.
"Where are they?" asked Sirius impatiently. "Our plan will never work now. The truth potion is only temporary. It'll lose its power if they don't hurry on." The others nodded.
James seemed quieter when the teachers had gone. He walked next to Lily silently.
"Let's go to the three broom sticks," he said.
"Two butterbeers," said James when they finally got there. "Got a problem with that, Evans?" he teased. She laughed. Rosmerta brought their drinks to the table when James had gone to the bathroom.
"Good luck with him, dear," she said to Lily. "Not that you need it."
"What?" asked Lily.
"You and James make a lovely couple," she commented. "Hold on to him. Not that you'll have any trouble with that," she remarked. "I can see he really loves you and would do anything for you by the way he looks at you," she said. Lily's eyes widened as Rosmerta walked away and James returned.
"Lily?" he asked. "Are you okay?" Lily gulped and managed a weak smile.
"Sure," she answered. James chatted away; unaware of the fact that Lily was only half paying attention to him.
"James?" she interrupted. He looked at her questioningly. "Shut-up," she said. She leaned towards him and their lips met. The kiss was needy and passionate and felt far more comfortable to both of them than any kiss they had ever received before. Lily's mind was blank as she kissed him and her head was spinning.
"I hope I'm not dreaming," thought James, but the butterflies that overtook his stomach felt so real that he was assured it was real. They broke apart, faces flushed.
"I'm so sorry, James," said Lily, before running out the door, tears running down her cheeks James stared after her for about two seconds before making his decision. He ran after her.
"Lily," he called. He caught up with her and grabbed her waist. She collapsed into his arms and began to explain.
"I know you don't feel the same but I like you so much James. I'm sorry. So sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about," he said, gently. "I really like you too. I have since the day we came back from our first trip to Hogsmeade. I just didn't realize it until you started going out with Baz. I was searching for love," he continued. "Without realizing that I already had it." They kissed again in the middle of the street.
"James," said Lily, as they walked, hand in hand, towards Honeydukes.
"Yes Lil?"
"Just cos you love me doesn't mean that you can order for me and tell me what to do," she teased. "I'm a free woman and I'll do what I want. Got it?" She ran away from him, giggling and he took off after her, finally knocking her and tickling her. He reached down and kissed her again.
"I really do love you, Lil," he said.
"I love you too James," she answered. "Now shut-up and kiss me again," she demanded.