"How'd you convince her?"
"McGonagall's got more Christmas spirit than you'd expect."
James blinks at her, one brow quirked.
"I may have promised," Lily blows out a long, steadying breath, "Ipromisedwewouldtutorthethirdyears."
"Lily."
"Yes dear?"
"Lily, Lily."
Lily smiles her sweetest, most innocent smile. "I got us a Christmas tree in the common room!"
James cups her face with his hands and draws her close enough that their noses touch. "Lily, love of my life - "
His next words are cut off by Lily's choking gasp. "You - life - me?"
Blushing, but straight backed and proud, James nods. "S'not how I planned to say it - a bit too cavalier in the delivery - I wanted to talk about the fires of a thousand suns and whatnot."
Lily lets out a bubbling laugh and throws her arms around his neck, presses her lips to his. She pulls a breath away, smiling wide. "Still burning even with all the tree business?"
"Aw, Evans," James says with a lopsided grin, "If the marmalade incident of '75 couldn't quench it, nothing can."