4. Fireworks
When the spinning surroundings came slowly to a halt, she saw that they were now standing in long grass, not far from a small, shady copse of trees.
When she'd managed to compose herself and still her unsteady stomach, Lily turned to James.
"Why didn't you tell me it was a Portkey?" she asked indignantly.
"I wanted it to be a surprise."
"What kind of surprise was that supp-"
He placed one hand gently over her mouth and guided her to turn around.
She gasped. They had been transported to the top of a tree-strewn hill, which towered over the large expanse of beautiful land below. He tilted her head upwards, directing her eyes to the sky.
They grew wide at the sight above. Dozens upon dozens of tiny, twinkling lights sparkled from the dark night. And right over their heads, her shining light pouring onto their faces, was the full moon.
"Best view of the sky for miles around."
Lily suddenly noticed that James's hand was gone. He was over by a clump of overgrown bushes, pulling a large bundle out. Indicating for her to join him, he laid the small red and white blanket that had been hidden from sight, onto a patch of flattened grass.
Then she noticed the pile of fireworks beside him.
"What's the occasion?"
"Occasion?" he asked.
"Fireworks, Portkeys, roses…?"
"You are," he replied. Lily blushed. Strangely, she saw strong determination in his eyes. Gone was his distance, his odd behaviour. She couldn't figure it out.
He pulled out a box of matches.
She was puzzled. "Didn't you get the 'Wet-Start' fireworks?"
"No, I got Frank to get some Muggle ones through a friend at the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Department at the Ministry."
"But James-"
"Don't worry," he assured her. "No one will miss them."
He went down the hill a little. She followed him to where he set the fireworks in the ground while reading a list of scribbled instructions from a folded piece of parchment.
She still looked apprehensive, but soon started laughing at James's attempts of lighting a match. After snapping four, and burning three completely, he finally managed to light one properly. Quickly, he set the fireworks alight and they ran, hastily, back to the blanket.
They watched as a golden light exploded upwards into the sky, scattering gold, glowing flakes of radiance. She watched them for a few moments and was about to turn to James, to comment on them, when he pointed upwards.
"Don't look away just yet," he said, grinning. "I added a special touch."
Slowly, Lily looked upwards. Her mouth dropped open at what she saw.
Against the blackness of the sky, the lettering of pure light, stood out brilliantly.
*** Lily Evans-Will You Marry Me? ***