Now I Know What Love Is

Disclaimer: I have no intention of profiting from this story. J.K. Rowling owns James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew and Lily Evans. I own Ella Butler and Courtney Grant.

Summary: Lily Evans wished with all her might that someone could come into her life. Someone so special that she could fell the spark's sizzle when she first meets him. So, she's turned to the world of regency romance writing, until her wish comes true.

Authors' Notes: This is a weird fic. At least I think it is. Um, I'm trying a new perspective I guess, that the world doesn't revolve around bubble-gum. (Don't ask.)


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Lily rubbed her eyes and stared at the man in front of her again. "This can't be true. Did Ella and Courtney set this up?" she asked finally.

"Ella and Courtney, ma'am?" James asked.

Lily laughed slightly. "You're a great actor, you know." 'And a hot one, too.' she added to herself.

A look of confusion settled in James brown eyes. "I assure you, madam, I don't know what your talking about."

"It's okay. You can give up this charade." Lily said a little bit louder then she intended, as she flopped onto the cream couch.

James didn't say anything. "Would you excuse me for a second, go ahead, make yourself at home." Lily rushed out of the room.

She nearly ran to the hall phone and dialed the number of Courtney's cell phone. (Did they have cells back then?)

"Hello?" Courtney asked as she answered the phone.

"Hi Court. About that guy you sent to pose as James Potter from my books..." Lily started.

"Hold up a second. What guy?" Courtney asked, slightly confused.

"You know, that guy, who James....from A Night Without You..." she trailed off.

Courtney bit her lip. "Yeah, Lils. I know who your talking about, but I didn't send any guy."

The phone fell to the floor as realization struck Lily, right on her foot. "Oww! Ow, ow, ow. Courtney, are you still there. Ow, God!"

"What happened?" Courtney inquired.

"I dropped the phone on my foot. But, I have to go. Bye!" the phone went back on the receiver and Lily went back out into the living room. She smiled, and smoothed out an imaginary crease in her grey woolen skirt.

"Are you alright, madam? I heard you cry out in pain." James asked, offering her a hand.

Lily stepped around his hand, wincing in pain as her still sore foot – clad only in gray knitted stockings – touched the floor. She eased herself in the nearest chair and looked up at James. "So tell me, who are you really?"

James sighed slightly. "I told you before, madam, I'm James Potter."

"Why do you keep calling me 'madam'?" Lily asked, rubbing her foot.

"Because you have not yet informed of your name."

Lily's lips formed a perfect 'o' shape. "It's Lily Evans. And you can sit down, too. I'm starting to get a crick in my neck staring up at you."

James sat down opposite of her and was silent. "What are you thinking about?" Lily asked him.

"I was thinking about what a strange place this is. Do you live here?" he questioned.

Lily nodded, urging him to go on. "And I was wondering what that odd black box in the corner is."

She looked to where he was gesturing. "Oh, that's my T.V."

"T.V." James sounded confused.

"Television. It's like a picture box. With people moving around and acting out scenes." she tried to explain.

That didn't help James, but it gave him a sort of an idea. Lily spent the next half hour giving James a short tour of the apartment, and explaining various items. It ended with James now knowing what a coffee maker, a microwave, and a radio. Lily seemed a bit more at ease with him, and leaned towards believing that he really was James Potter.


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When Lily checked her watch it was one o'clock. "Do you want to get something for lunch?"

James looked at her oddly. "Don't you have any servants to prepare and serve meals for you?"

Lily shook her head. "Gosh, no. But we can go to the Greenery. That's just down a few blocks. It's really good. But first, I think we need to go shopping." she looked over his clothes.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing right now." he asked, checking out his own clothes.

"Well, there a little '1817-ish.'" Lily finished. She grabbed her purse and slipped on her grey suede shoes, and took James out to the elevator.

They took it down to the ground level and walked out the revolving door. Their first stop was Jacob's men department. Of course the salesclerks gave Lily odd looks, and James even odder looks – some were staring – as Lily searched for a pair of pants.

"Aha! These are perfect!" Lily exclaimed as she held up a pair of dark denim pants. Plain and simple. "Go try them on." she hissed, pushing James into the nearest dressing room.

He came out a few minutes later. "They fit nicely."

Lily nodded, and headed over to the shirt rack. She found a perfect white t-shirt with a blue stripe running vertically. "What do you think?" she asked holding it up.

James shrugged, seemingly nonplused, and paid for the pants and shirt. They walked out five minutes later, Lily's credit card limit pushed over the limit, and James a step closer to being fashionable in 1979.


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Main Street was strangely busy for the time of day. The streets were also populated with busy people rushing to and fro. Lily and James were walking against the crowd, trying to make their way to the Greenery.

Then out of no where, a man dressed all in black came out and pushed Lily, who was a step in front of James, and on the street side, into the street. Right in the path of an oncoming car.


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A/N: How was this? Sorry for the cliffie! Let me know what ya Athink!