A/N: I am SO sorry, everyone! My computer crashed, and I still don't have a decent word processor. My hard drive was completely erased! This format might be a little wacked, because I don't usually use WordPad, so my apologies start now.
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
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fae: Thanks, and I wonder too ... I do have a little smidgen of an idea working, but nothing finalized. Hey, if anyone has any suggestions, I'm more than open to them!
Snowlily: Thanks a bunch! Here's chapter 3.
Grim Wolf: I try to make them 'cute', really I do! Thanks for the compliment!
Tapaidh Sidh: Thanks for that! I read 'Suspended', and it was great! We do think a lot alike!
luv-jinxy: You are the first person to compliment me on the way I write! Thank you so much!
jules182hprox: 'The Way You Look Tonight' ROX!! Everyone else, READ IT! (if you haven't already, that is)
trashcan: Thanks! Reviews make me happy! They are absolutely inspiring!
On with the story ...
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Chapter 3: Of Matchmaking and Hawks
No less than two hours later, Lily and her mother were back in the Leaky Cauldron, and ready to call it a day. They loaded all their newly-boughten belongings into two large bags, said goodbye to the few people they knew, and headed out.
Soon after, they were boarding a train bound for home, when Lily's mother spoke up. "Lily, I noticed you speaking to that wonderful young man your father and I met at King's Cross Station. Is he one of your friends from Hogwarts?" she asked.
Lily blushed furiously. "I ... I guess so, I don't ... I don't really know him, mother."
"Well, get to know him then, dear! He seems like the type of person I would want my daughter associating with. What was his name again? John? No, it was ... "
"James, mother. James Potter," Lily corrected her, not realizing that a smile had crept to her lips.
Mrs. Evans took notice, however, and smiled herself. "Could this be the workings of a crush, Lily?"
Lily was so startled by this assumption that she nearly choked in the air around her. "Mother!" she finally spat out. "What ... where on earth did you get that idea?!"
"Exactly that, Lily. Just an idea ..." Mrs. Evans said mysteriously. That smile stayed, though, much to Lily's dismay.
Not another word was spoken after that, for Lily was deep in thought. 'What was she thinking?' Lily said inwardly. 'James Potter? Never! And I promised him we'd get together and 'do something', and that would do nothing but feed the flame, not hinder it! Why, why, why, why did I get myself into this mess? More so, how?'
Soon enough, the train pulled into the staion, and Lily and her mother each hauled one of the bulky bags out of their compartment, and off the train.
They met Mr. Evans, who quickly took both the bags from his wife and daughter. "Good shopping?" he asked.
"I suppose so, dear. Our Lily, though, did a little more than shopping," Mrs. Evans answered.
Lily squirmed a little, and blushed slightly.
Mr. Evans raised his eyebrows. "And what, pray tell, did that include?" he asked sternly.
"Lily just ran into a friend from Hogwarts, and they spent a few minutes catching up," Mrs. Evans said quickly.
The look on Mr. Evans's face suggested he knew there was more, but had no intention of asking for the details until Lily was well out of earshot.
Lily, through all of this, was utterly embarassed. She was grateful that her mother didn't know she had literally ran into James. She would never live it down!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning, Lily awoke to a tapping on her window. Lily jumped out of bed, thinking it was a reply from Delia. Liy had owled her and told her everything about her little escapade with James.
Once Lily had opened the window, she sighed. It wasn't Delia's owl, and it definitely wasn't her handwriting. The name 'Lily' was written in smooth, flowing letters. She opened it, and sighed once more. It was from James. She began to read, and almost laughed out loud.
Lily,
I know w're not all too familiar with each other, and I really appreciate you agreeing to spend time with me. Remus is visiting relatives in Canada this summer, and Sirius just left yesterday with his family for a vacation in the States. I'm kind of itching for company.
Don't get me wrong, here. I really look forward to seeing you, I'm just trying to explain-well, I just keep on digging down, don't I? I'll leave that at that.
You're hooked up to the Floo Network, right? I was thinking-can I come and visit you tomorrow, on Saturday? That is, if you're not doing anything.
Owl me, and let me know. If you want to, that is.
Take care,
James
Lily sighed, and examined the letter a little closer. The lettering seemed a bit shakey, as if James had been nervous while writing it. He might not be so bad after all. She quickly scrawled a reply, saying that yes, she was on the Floo Network, and Saturday would be perfect.
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Friday sped by and before Lily knew it, it was Saturday. Petunia had arranged to spend the day at a friend's house, someone Dursley or other, saying something about not wanting to meet any of Lily's 'freak' friends from her 'freak' school.
Lily had told her parents that 'a friend' was coming to visit, but conveniently for her, left out the part that her 'friend' was James. She didn't want any more of those looks from her mother.
Lily was sitting in her living room when James arrived. He stepped out of her fire place holding two brooms and a quaffle. Lily groaned silently. She hated flying.
James set his things aside, and dusted himself off. Lily giggled. There was soot covering James's hair, making his dark disheveled locks appear gray.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"You look as if you've aged about fifty years," Lily commented. She stood up, walked over to James, and reached up to brush the soot out of his hair.
"Uh, thanks," James muttered.
"So, James, what do you have planned for today?" Lily asked, giving him a sweet smile. She took a seat on their sofa, and motioned for him to do the same.
"Well, I was thinking, maybe we could play a little quidditch. I mean, if you want to. Because if you don't, we can do something else ..." he said, avoiding her eyes.
"James, lighten up a little!" she laughed. She could tell he was nervous.
"Sorry. I just, well, I'm kind of in new territory here. I don't have that many girl friends; in fact, I don't have any," James said. He chuckled in spite of himself, and visibly relaxed.
Just then, Mrs. Evans walked in. She had an amused expression on her fact. "Hello, James. It's so good to see you again!" she said, giving him a warm smile.
"Hello, Mrs. Evans," James said, jumping up to greet her.
"Please, call me Anne Marie. I'll leave you two alone, I didn't mean to interupt," she said with a sly smile, as she walked out of the room.
"Sorry, James," Lily apoligized as soon as her mother was out of ear shot. "I think my mother's trying to play 'matchmaker'," Lily added with a giggle.
"I don't mind," James said softly. He looked down at her, sitting on the couch. She was beautiful, more so when she blushed.
"Um, about that quidditch, James ..." Lily began, blushing.
"Oh, yeah. Quidditch." It took an effort for James to stay focused. "I was thinking, well more like wondering, if you would want to play quidditch. With me." That came out in a rush.
"James, I'm really not that great of a flyer. In fact, I hate flying," she replied weakly, not wanting to let James down.
"Oh." James was obviously shocked. He paused for a moment. "Why?" he finally asked.
Lily looked up at James uncomfortably. "I'm, uh, kind of afraid of heights," she finally answered, a bit embarassed.
"Oh!" James's mood visibly lifted. "Well, if that's the case, come on!" James grabbed a broom in one hand and pulled Lily along with the other. He wandered a bit until he found the door leading into her back yard.
"James," Lily hissed. "What are you doing? You can't fly out here!"
"Oh. Right. Any suggestions?" James asked, smiling sheepishly.
"There's some woods with a clearing about a ten-minute walk from here," Lily sighed.
"Come on, cheer up, Lily. You're going to have the thrill of your life!" James laughed at the expression on Lily's face, and motioned for her to lead the way.
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As soon as they arrived at the clearing, James scooped Lily up, and placed her on the broom behind him. "Hold on, Lily," James said, and raced upward.
Lily threw her arms around James's waist and shut her eyes tight. She really hated flying.
They suddenly stopped. James craned his neck to look back at Lily. He stifled a chuckle. Her eyes were shut tight, and on her face was a look of utter panic. "Open your eyes," he whispered.
She slowly forced her eyes open, and gasped at her surroundings. She looked down at the treetops, and her grip on James tightened.
"Lily," he gasped. "Not so tight!"
"Sorry," she said, and her grip loosened considerably.
James began slowly flying in circles. "It's not that bad, now, is it?" James asked her.
Out of nowhere, a great hawk appeared, flying at them head on. Lily screamed, and James had to swerve to avoid it. In less than sixty seconds, it was gone and over with.
"Lily, are you alright?" James breathed. She didn't answer. "Lily? LILY!"
Lily was falling, and falling fast. James, using his incredible flying skills, raced down at a ninety-degree angle, and flew just under her. As soon as she was close enough, he grabbed her and placed her on the front of his broom, facing her.
He brushed her hair out of her face andran his thumb across her cheek. He looked deep into her eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.
She suddenly flung herself at him, sobbing uncontrolably.
James put his arms around ehr, steering with his knees. "I'm sorry, Lily. You're safe now," he whispered over and over as he slowly lowered the broom back down to the ground. They stopped, and stayed in that position for a good five minutes.
Lily soom calmed down, and slowly pulled out of James's embrace. "Thank you, James," she said quietly, tears still creeping down her face.
"Come on, Lily. I'll walk you home." James put an arm around her waist, and she leaned into him for comfort. They slowly began walking in the direction of Lily's home.
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Again, I apoligize for the formating. None of the words I italicezed stuck, that's what I've been talking about. It will be fixed soon. Anyway, what did you all think? Review!!!
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
fae: Thanks, and I wonder too ... I do have a little smidgen of an idea working, but nothing finalized. Hey, if anyone has any suggestions, I'm more than open to them!
Snowlily: Thanks a bunch! Here's chapter 3.
Grim Wolf: I try to make them 'cute', really I do! Thanks for the compliment!
Tapaidh Sidh: Thanks for that! I read 'Suspended', and it was great! We do think a lot alike!
luv-jinxy: You are the first person to compliment me on the way I write! Thank you so much!
jules182hprox: 'The Way You Look Tonight' ROX!! Everyone else, READ IT! (if you haven't already, that is)
trashcan: Thanks! Reviews make me happy! They are absolutely inspiring!
On with the story ...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 3: Of Matchmaking and Hawks
No less than two hours later, Lily and her mother were back in the Leaky Cauldron, and ready to call it a day. They loaded all their newly-boughten belongings into two large bags, said goodbye to the few people they knew, and headed out.
Soon after, they were boarding a train bound for home, when Lily's mother spoke up. "Lily, I noticed you speaking to that wonderful young man your father and I met at King's Cross Station. Is he one of your friends from Hogwarts?" she asked.
Lily blushed furiously. "I ... I guess so, I don't ... I don't really know him, mother."
"Well, get to know him then, dear! He seems like the type of person I would want my daughter associating with. What was his name again? John? No, it was ... "
"James, mother. James Potter," Lily corrected her, not realizing that a smile had crept to her lips.
Mrs. Evans took notice, however, and smiled herself. "Could this be the workings of a crush, Lily?"
Lily was so startled by this assumption that she nearly choked in the air around her. "Mother!" she finally spat out. "What ... where on earth did you get that idea?!"
"Exactly that, Lily. Just an idea ..." Mrs. Evans said mysteriously. That smile stayed, though, much to Lily's dismay.
Not another word was spoken after that, for Lily was deep in thought. 'What was she thinking?' Lily said inwardly. 'James Potter? Never! And I promised him we'd get together and 'do something', and that would do nothing but feed the flame, not hinder it! Why, why, why, why did I get myself into this mess? More so, how?'
Soon enough, the train pulled into the staion, and Lily and her mother each hauled one of the bulky bags out of their compartment, and off the train.
They met Mr. Evans, who quickly took both the bags from his wife and daughter. "Good shopping?" he asked.
"I suppose so, dear. Our Lily, though, did a little more than shopping," Mrs. Evans answered.
Lily squirmed a little, and blushed slightly.
Mr. Evans raised his eyebrows. "And what, pray tell, did that include?" he asked sternly.
"Lily just ran into a friend from Hogwarts, and they spent a few minutes catching up," Mrs. Evans said quickly.
The look on Mr. Evans's face suggested he knew there was more, but had no intention of asking for the details until Lily was well out of earshot.
Lily, through all of this, was utterly embarassed. She was grateful that her mother didn't know she had literally ran into James. She would never live it down!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning, Lily awoke to a tapping on her window. Lily jumped out of bed, thinking it was a reply from Delia. Liy had owled her and told her everything about her little escapade with James.
Once Lily had opened the window, she sighed. It wasn't Delia's owl, and it definitely wasn't her handwriting. The name 'Lily' was written in smooth, flowing letters. She opened it, and sighed once more. It was from James. She began to read, and almost laughed out loud.
Lily,
I know w're not all too familiar with each other, and I really appreciate you agreeing to spend time with me. Remus is visiting relatives in Canada this summer, and Sirius just left yesterday with his family for a vacation in the States. I'm kind of itching for company.
Don't get me wrong, here. I really look forward to seeing you, I'm just trying to explain-well, I just keep on digging down, don't I? I'll leave that at that.
You're hooked up to the Floo Network, right? I was thinking-can I come and visit you tomorrow, on Saturday? That is, if you're not doing anything.
Owl me, and let me know. If you want to, that is.
Take care,
James
Lily sighed, and examined the letter a little closer. The lettering seemed a bit shakey, as if James had been nervous while writing it. He might not be so bad after all. She quickly scrawled a reply, saying that yes, she was on the Floo Network, and Saturday would be perfect.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Friday sped by and before Lily knew it, it was Saturday. Petunia had arranged to spend the day at a friend's house, someone Dursley or other, saying something about not wanting to meet any of Lily's 'freak' friends from her 'freak' school.
Lily had told her parents that 'a friend' was coming to visit, but conveniently for her, left out the part that her 'friend' was James. She didn't want any more of those looks from her mother.
Lily was sitting in her living room when James arrived. He stepped out of her fire place holding two brooms and a quaffle. Lily groaned silently. She hated flying.
James set his things aside, and dusted himself off. Lily giggled. There was soot covering James's hair, making his dark disheveled locks appear gray.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"You look as if you've aged about fifty years," Lily commented. She stood up, walked over to James, and reached up to brush the soot out of his hair.
"Uh, thanks," James muttered.
"So, James, what do you have planned for today?" Lily asked, giving him a sweet smile. She took a seat on their sofa, and motioned for him to do the same.
"Well, I was thinking, maybe we could play a little quidditch. I mean, if you want to. Because if you don't, we can do something else ..." he said, avoiding her eyes.
"James, lighten up a little!" she laughed. She could tell he was nervous.
"Sorry. I just, well, I'm kind of in new territory here. I don't have that many girl friends; in fact, I don't have any," James said. He chuckled in spite of himself, and visibly relaxed.
Just then, Mrs. Evans walked in. She had an amused expression on her fact. "Hello, James. It's so good to see you again!" she said, giving him a warm smile.
"Hello, Mrs. Evans," James said, jumping up to greet her.
"Please, call me Anne Marie. I'll leave you two alone, I didn't mean to interupt," she said with a sly smile, as she walked out of the room.
"Sorry, James," Lily apoligized as soon as her mother was out of ear shot. "I think my mother's trying to play 'matchmaker'," Lily added with a giggle.
"I don't mind," James said softly. He looked down at her, sitting on the couch. She was beautiful, more so when she blushed.
"Um, about that quidditch, James ..." Lily began, blushing.
"Oh, yeah. Quidditch." It took an effort for James to stay focused. "I was thinking, well more like wondering, if you would want to play quidditch. With me." That came out in a rush.
"James, I'm really not that great of a flyer. In fact, I hate flying," she replied weakly, not wanting to let James down.
"Oh." James was obviously shocked. He paused for a moment. "Why?" he finally asked.
Lily looked up at James uncomfortably. "I'm, uh, kind of afraid of heights," she finally answered, a bit embarassed.
"Oh!" James's mood visibly lifted. "Well, if that's the case, come on!" James grabbed a broom in one hand and pulled Lily along with the other. He wandered a bit until he found the door leading into her back yard.
"James," Lily hissed. "What are you doing? You can't fly out here!"
"Oh. Right. Any suggestions?" James asked, smiling sheepishly.
"There's some woods with a clearing about a ten-minute walk from here," Lily sighed.
"Come on, cheer up, Lily. You're going to have the thrill of your life!" James laughed at the expression on Lily's face, and motioned for her to lead the way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As soon as they arrived at the clearing, James scooped Lily up, and placed her on the broom behind him. "Hold on, Lily," James said, and raced upward.
Lily threw her arms around James's waist and shut her eyes tight. She really hated flying.
They suddenly stopped. James craned his neck to look back at Lily. He stifled a chuckle. Her eyes were shut tight, and on her face was a look of utter panic. "Open your eyes," he whispered.
She slowly forced her eyes open, and gasped at her surroundings. She looked down at the treetops, and her grip on James tightened.
"Lily," he gasped. "Not so tight!"
"Sorry," she said, and her grip loosened considerably.
James began slowly flying in circles. "It's not that bad, now, is it?" James asked her.
Out of nowhere, a great hawk appeared, flying at them head on. Lily screamed, and James had to swerve to avoid it. In less than sixty seconds, it was gone and over with.
"Lily, are you alright?" James breathed. She didn't answer. "Lily? LILY!"
Lily was falling, and falling fast. James, using his incredible flying skills, raced down at a ninety-degree angle, and flew just under her. As soon as she was close enough, he grabbed her and placed her on the front of his broom, facing her.
He brushed her hair out of her face andran his thumb across her cheek. He looked deep into her eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.
She suddenly flung herself at him, sobbing uncontrolably.
James put his arms around ehr, steering with his knees. "I'm sorry, Lily. You're safe now," he whispered over and over as he slowly lowered the broom back down to the ground. They stopped, and stayed in that position for a good five minutes.
Lily soom calmed down, and slowly pulled out of James's embrace. "Thank you, James," she said quietly, tears still creeping down her face.
"Come on, Lily. I'll walk you home." James put an arm around her waist, and she leaned into him for comfort. They slowly began walking in the direction of Lily's home.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Again, I apoligize for the formating. None of the words I italicezed stuck, that's what I've been talking about. It will be fixed soon. Anyway, what did you all think? Review!!!