Disclaimer: Are we still doing this? I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: I know, I know I should update my stories. But sometimes a one-shot just grabs a hold of me. Hope you guys like this one! Xx

Lily Evans had always loved fairy tales. She had dreamed of a prince coming along and falling in love with her, had daydreamed about kissing for hours. All of that had crumbled with Ben. Ben Hanson was a nice guy. A wonderful guy, actually. The Hufflepuff was incredibly handsome and charming. So what was wrong with her? They'd gone on a Hogsmeade date, and it had been…lackluster, to say the least.

Lily sighed, tossing her long red ponytail off of her shoulder and closing the book she'd been trying and failing to read for the last hour. She couldn't sleep. Your first was supposed to be like the movies and the books. Fireworks and magic, not a real person and an absence of feeling. It was definitely her fault.

"Hey Evans," a voice sounded from behind her. Someone pulled her ponytail and Lily glared at Sirius came around the couch and flung himself down on it next to her. He looked at her, frowned, and sat up. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," she said, with a smile that fooled most people. Sirius raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "I'm just being stupid."

"Wanna talk about it?"

She stared away from him, towards the portrait hole. "No."

"Come on Lily," he said. Her eyes shot to his. He rarely used her first name. "I thought we were friends now." She stared at him for a moment, biting her lip. She couldn't tell him: it was too embarrassing. And yet…. He was probably the most well-versed on this particular subject, and it was driving her crazy she knew there was no way she'd be able to sleep tonight.

"Don't laugh."

His expression was uncharacteristically solemn. "I promise."

"I went out with Ben today, you know?" she started hesitantly.

"Hanson?" Sirius nodded. "Yeah. Solid dude."

"Exactly," she muttered. "Well, we went to Hogsmeade, and I felt…. nothing." She looked up at him from beneath her hair.

"You're gonna have to give me a bit more than that, Lily flower," he prodded. She smiled, despite herself.

"I just…oh hell. We kissed and it was terrible," she said miserably. "Are first kisses supposed to be gross? I thought they were supposed to be magical. There was no spark. Just a lot of nothing."

"Ahhhh," Sirius said in understanding. "First kisses are awkward, and you don't really know the person, and…well."

"It wasn't just our first kiss," she said, barely moving her lips and definitely not looking at him. "It was my first kiss." She ducked her head.

"Oh," he said. "Lils…"

"No, it's okay. I mean, I know life isn't like the books, but I thought it would be at least close."

"I'm sorry," he said. "But it sounds like Hanson just isn't the right guy for you. You don't have to be feeling it with every guy you kiss."

"But…I mean…when you hook up with someone aren't your kisses always passionate?" Lily hated herself for asking.

Sirius tilted his head to the side, considering. "Mostly, but that's because we're both turned on. And even then, it takes a few minutes to get into a rhythm with a new person. When people talk about the spark they're usually talking about a rush of attraction flooding their body and it sounds like you just weren't attracted to Hanson. Trust me, when you meet the right person, it will be like the movies."

"It just sucks. I don't think I want to see him again. But he's wonderful, and I'm wondering if it was because I'm inexperienced…?"

"Did he seem like it was good for him?"

Lily nodded shyly. "He said wow after."

"Then I don't think you're a bad kisser. If you want I could always kiss you, show you how it's done."

Lily looked at him in horror and he barked out a laugh. She coloured, immediately apologetic. "Godric Sirius, I'm sorry. I'm sure you're a great kisser, in fact I've heard you are," he smirked, and she rolled her eyes, "but I don't think I want to kiss you and feel a rush of attraction, or whatever you called it. I really like being your friend."

"See? That's all you have to say to Hanson. You're wonderful, but I'm just not feeling it."

Lily blinked, marvelling at how smart and considerate Sirius could be. "You're a good friend, Sirius Black." He slung his arm casually around her.

"So are you, Evans, so are you." They were quiet for a while. "And hey, feel free to never tell Prongs I offered to kiss you. He'd kill me."

Lily turned red in anger. "That insufferable…" she trailed off at Sirius' amused smile. "Whatever. See you around, Sirius. And thanks."

"Anytime Lily petal." She snorted as she made her way up to the girls' dorm.

"Hey James?"

"Hmm?" he responded absently, head in a transfiguration book. They'd been living in the heads dorm for months, but it was still weird to see him there every time she got back from class.

"It's been a long time since you asked me to Hogsmeade." He dropped the book and Lily hid her smile. His eyes were intense when they met hers, filled with raw hope. It took her breath away.

"I know," he said quietly.

"Ask me one more time," she said softly. "I mean, if you still want—"

"Go to Hogsmeade with me?" he blurted.

"Yes."

He was across the room in seconds, arms stretched out as if to hug her. But when he reached her she couldn't stop herself and suddenly they were kissing and, oh. Fireworks. A heady wonderful rush. Her brain quit working and all she knew was an intense happiness. They pulled away, breathing hard.

"Sirius was right," she murmured, in a daze.

"What?" he asked, staring back at her lips.

"Nothing," she responded, beaming. "Nothing at all."