Chapter 05 _Kiss in the Shadows_
"OH MY GOSH!", Lily shrieked as she woke up from her sleep that awakened James as well. "What the heck are you doing in here?"
James stood up, yawned and stretched. "I'm the one who's supposed to be asking you that question. What are you doing here in the BOYS' dormitory? Oh, by the way, good morning."
"What's so good about the morning when I'm seeing that spectacle of yours in the first place?" Lily questioned nastily. She took a look around - red bed sheets on red four-posters and Quidditch posters posted on the wall. Suddenly, she dashed out from the dormitory, humiliated.
"It seems that they've forgotten me." James murmured as he stepped out from the Gryffindor common room. He proceeded to the Great Hall alone with no sight of Peter, Remus and Sirius as companies. He then saw his friends munching sandwiches for breakfast. His dish and goblet aroused from the table as he grabbed a chair beside them.
Peter dehisced as he massaged his head. "My head is still aching because of that midnight adventure."
Sirius gave him a slight punch on the shoulder and threatened him, "The next time you'll do that again, you won't receive a punch from me - your memory will be lost."
Peter awkwardly brought his seat several inches away from Sirius. "The ball's fast approaching - seven days from now. Sirius, Peter who will you take as a date?", Remus asked. "There's no need to ask our friend, James. I'm sure Lily would be his date."
"Bulls eye!", Sirius shouted and teased. "You said it right Remy. We are all uninspired here except James who slept together with Lily!"
"Hey! I slept on the floor and she slept -"
"- on the bed." Sirius stood up from his seat. "I know. I KNOW. I think there's no big difference with that", Sirius said as he was walking back and forth, laughter visible in his eyes.
The students under the Gryffindor house, present in the Great Hall, went with the flow and teased James as well. He stood up, left the mad crowd and his unfinished food not because of humiliation but because of shame for Lily was also around. He went directly to his Muggle Studies Class.
Images flowed like spilled paints - a lean man dancing with a fair lady in pink . sweet music . elegant foods . floating candles.
James winked his eyes. It was just a dream, a beautiful dream, he thought. But it looked real.
"Now James, narrate to us the summary of Chapter five", Professor Martin Morriette, the Muggle Studies professor instructed him and interrupted his thoughts.
Help him. He's speechless.
"I never thought that you could be mentally absent at times James", Professor Morriette animadverted, tapping his wand on his left palm. "Class is over. Take note of the homework due on our first meeting when fall arrives."
James immediately stepped out from the classroom and went to the Gryffindor common room. He rested on the couch and minutes later Lily went inside too. She was about to step inside their dormitory when James called up, "Lily, can you be my -"
"Your what?", Lily intervened. "I need to go get my things and proceed to the library for I need to make an expository essay on werewolves. In short, I'm busy."
You're very busy, he thought. Always busy. How can I tell her my proposal? What could my dream mean?
"Hee-yah my friend!", Sirius went in. "Deep thoughts, huh?"
"Frolicking with Lily down the lake - you in tux and she in her best gown?", Remus butt in.
James stood up. "COULD YOU PLEASE STOP THAT?!" He was not in the mood to be teased. He went inside their dormitory and slumbered on his poster.
Days passed like a scurry car and before James knew it, the ball was one day ahead. He received a package from the orphanage - his tuxedo; same with his friends. He was about to enter the library when he saw Lucius and Lily talking in the corridor. He stopped behind the statue and listened to their conversation...
"Who's your date for the ball?"
"No one has proposed to me so far", she lied.
"Can I be your date?" "NO."
"Why? Are you expecting someone to?"
Lily fell silent - James' face was anticipatory. "Yes", her voice was ambiguous.
"Then who?"
"I can't tell you."
"I believe that you are referring to Mr. Potter, right?"
James gulped.
"I said I CAN'T TELL YOU! Besides, you are a Slytherinian. We have opposite likes, bicker attitudes", she ran towards the elevator but Lucius caught her arm. James was about to show up and defend her but Lily was able to release her arm from Lucius' firm grip, "I am warning you to be always on guard - that Potter is flamboyant!", he called back.
James sat on the floor and rested his back on the statue. "How will I tell her that I like her", he murmured. Face your fears James. No guts, no glory.
When the boys' dormitory was peaceful yet blatant, James stood up from his bed and went to the common room. He was amazed when he saw Lily staring outside the window. "Still awake even at this point of night?" He asked her with concern and stood up beside her.
Lily glanced sideward to see who was there. She maladroitly moved away from him when she knew James was around. "Is it your concern why I'm still awake?", she asked bitterly.
"Not really. Besides, I want to tell you something - ummm, never mind - no - can you be my date for the ball?" You made it! You finally made it, he thought happily.
She stared at him for a few seconds and gave a phony laugh, "You're kidding.'
"No. I'm not. Do I look like I am?"
"The ball will be tomorrow and you just proposed to me now."
"Am I too late?", James asked a sincere question.
"Not at all. I mean. guess so. In fact, I really don't know. You're the third person to propose - Riddle proposed the other day in which I neglected, same with Malfoy who proposed to me this morning", Lily confessed. "Now, won't you leave me alone?"
James held Lily's right hand. "Not unless you'll answer my question."
"I'll be like a 'wall flower tomorrow if I have no date", she instantly released her hand from his clutch, "and I don't want to be the attraction of laughter. Besides, we came from the same House. so, there you have it - you are my date for the ball."
James' face brightened up. "Me too, I don't want to be a laughing object tomorrow. Thanks by the way." He left the common room contentedly.
"What on earth have you done Lily?", she scornfully asked herself. "Do you really want to be the main attraction of humiliation and shame tomorrow?"
The castle was glimmering early in the morning. Professor Shiny, the Charms master of Hogwarts used several charms to levitate the candles in the air even without your concentration attached to it. Professor Dumbledore transformed insects into tables, chairs and other party necessities. The students were very busy as well in preparing their gowns and tuxedos. Peter, Remus and Sirius, as usual, were teasing James on his success in convincing Lily to be his date.
It was seven in the evening when Professor Dippet formally opened the ceremony. James picked up Lily and brought her down to the dance floor and danced all the way around. After an hour, James got several dishes for him and for Lily from the buffet table. Everything is just like my dream, he thought.
Lucius Malfoy approached their table furiously. "You said that no one asked you to be his date for the ball before I proposed to you. This is nice, very nice." He looked at James and gave him a vigorous glance. "Lily how's the night with Mr. Potter? I hope you are not wasting your time."
James stood up with his fists clutched. "Go back to your date Malfoy - if you have any."
He's so sweet and divine, Lily pondered. She felt his sweetness in every tendon of her body. "Thanks for that."
"No big deal."
Peter, Remus and Sirius came to their table, with no dates. "Enjoy the night my friend. This is it", they said in chorus and merrily left the couple.
"Can I have another dance with you?" James offered Lily his stretched arm. She accepted his offer and danced with him once again. Tom Riddle with his date, Pamela Suisse, went nearer to James and Lily while dancing. He whispered to James, "Watch out for the following days", and they left. James on the other hand ignored the threat.
Professor Dippet got his wand and placed it an inch away from his mouth as if it was a microphone, "I am going to announce the 'Couple of the Night' and I'm glad to say that this couple is from the Gryffindor house - Mr. James Potter and Ms. Lily James!'
The students from the Gryffindor house gave an earth-shaking applause while the students from the Slytherin house roared in disapproval. James beamed widely from ear to ear and took Lily's hand and went to the stage to accept the sash and bouquet of flowers; Lily was blushing.
"That's my friend!", Sirius proudly shouted.
"But he is a fiend!", Lucius yelled.
Professor Dippet continued, "Silence. The celebration must go on."
The 'Couple of the Night' stepped down from the stage and danced with the other couples.
"Ummm - Lily, I want to tell you something in private", James finally said with courage.
"Why can't you tell it to me right now? It's already late."
"No, I can't tell you now", he firmly said. They were talking in one of the corridors on the seventh floor. "I'll wait for you beside the lake. I am expecting you to be there", he rushed to the 6th floor staircase.
Lily walked towards the Gryffindor dormitory.
"Password please", the portrait of Sir Nicholas Cadogan asked.
"Godric", she uttered.
The porthole opened. She stepped inside the girls' dormitory and decided to disregard James' invitation. Molly Finnigan, her fellow Gryffindorian and her best pal tapped on her shoulder. "Something bothering you?"
"Honestly, yes." Lily answered in a low tone. "James told me to meet him outside the castle, by the lake. I don't know his reason, though." She opened a window and stared outside. "Professor Dippet won't permit that, do you think?"
Molly shook her head sideward.
"See! Besides, there's no excuse when we're caught. The ball's over and there's no reason why we got out from this magically guarded castle."
"Do you think his invitation is important?" Molly asked and stood beside her best pal.
Lily sat on her four-poster and tucked a pillow. "In fairness, I don't know. That geek must have been fooling me around again.but he sounded serious a while ago." She lay down on her poster.
Molly closed the opened window and laid down on her poster and said, "Follow what your heart says my friend." She forty-winked before hand.
A woman who is slightly attached to a man will do and give up everything.
Lily stood up and went out from the dormitory. She used the staircases going down to the Great Hall because the elevators were locked. Wearing her thin, silk nightgown, she stepped outside the castle, took her wand out and said, "Lumos!" Fool me James and you'll see. She felt myriad of emotions as she was pacing on the grounds, alone. She stopped for ten heartbeats when she sighted the lake and James. What a rendezvous! At least it's not a romantic scenario - just a little rowboat; he's not in a decent outfit, nor the place. I guess, he wants to say SORRY for all the things he had done in the past and THANK YOU for accepting him as my date for the ball. I wish I had my robes with me. It is so cold. She approached James and asked, "What's the big deal? Anything serious to talk about?" She inspected the place. "This place is odd. Did you ever think I like here?"
James looked slightly embarrassed on her question. "I always thought of bringing you here. Mind if I'll take you a ride on the boat?"
Lily felt her muscles teeter. What a question! Would a girl say 'YES' when she's asked that question by a like who has an untidy hair like him? Her thoughts were full of complains but she uttered, "Yes."
James looked up expectantly, gesturing towards the waiting boat with his hand that held the line and offered his other hand to Lily. Always a gentleman, she thought. Even without any string instrument and candles, this midnight blues is beginning to feel romantic.
Lily took James' hand and let him guide her into the seat at the other end of the boat. When it stopped wobbling, he carefully climbed in and took the middle seat. He skillfully steered them away from the dockside and out towards the middle of the lake with the light on their wands as their guide. He flashed a winning smile and stopped for a while. Lily looked at him impatiently. What a geek, she thought. Get rowing.
She reached an arm over the side of the boat and splashed a handful of water to James that caught him by surprise.
"Watch this!" James shouted merrily as he splat her with water.
Lily just giggled, suddenly very happy to share her midnight with her date. If only she could look forward to more jolly midnights with him. "Why did you invite me to spend time with you at dusk?", she asked pointedly.
"Ummm. I just wanted to apologize for all the things I've done in the past, I think you took it seriously." James' face flushed crimson. "And I want to show you my deepest thanks for you chose me as your date for the ball." He must have seen Lily shiver. "Here, use my coat. The weather isn't giving you a good condition." He placed his jacket on her.
"Thanks", she muttered. It was she this time that flushed crimson.
James took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. "Are Lucius and Tom your suitors?"
"I don't know. They just started showing affection to me two weeks before the ball.
James stopped rowing the boat. "Are you planning to take the vow on one of them?"
"No way!"
James' eyes brightened up with hope.
Lily pointed out a finger on him and said in a teasing tone, "You're jealous."
Again, he flushed crimson and was scrambling for words. "NO. I'M NOT! HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME!"
Both fell silent and later on laughed energetically.
James swallowed hard, choking down the sweet candy of happiness. He took the oars again and started rowing again, as if settling farther into the lake would somehow lead them to the 'unreal world.' But time's too short; he noticed that they've been there for hours. He slowly rowed back towards the dockside. "Anything you want us to talk about?"
Lily smiled mischievously. "Are you courting someone?"
"NO." James boldly replied.
"So, who's the girl the other Marauders are teasing you?"
"I have no idea", he lied. "Besides, do you know that we're the Marauders?"
"Of course! I know about it - everything! You, Peter, Remus and Sirius are the Marauders or the Wanderers." "I am badly impressed." He gave a fake laugh. He let go of the oars again. "Do you know one more reason why I invited you here?"
"Any other reason?"
"Yes. And I just proved to myself that you're such a great companion. I realized that you aren't very bad; that one should spend time with you to get to know you better."
Sentimental. Funny yet emotional. It's not easy to woo someone like me.
James leaned towards Lily. She felt thousands of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Their lips tenderly clasped and they kissed. The woods were alive with the buzzing of insects and the chorus of crickets chirping in unison. She easily slipped against his torso and let his arms encircle her waist, her arms encircling his nape. The kiss grew warmer and longer as the boat wandered lazily. They were far away from the shore but somehow visible, Lily sensed that she was far from reality.
"OH MY GOSH!", Lily shrieked as she woke up from her sleep that awakened James as well. "What the heck are you doing in here?"
James stood up, yawned and stretched. "I'm the one who's supposed to be asking you that question. What are you doing here in the BOYS' dormitory? Oh, by the way, good morning."
"What's so good about the morning when I'm seeing that spectacle of yours in the first place?" Lily questioned nastily. She took a look around - red bed sheets on red four-posters and Quidditch posters posted on the wall. Suddenly, she dashed out from the dormitory, humiliated.
"It seems that they've forgotten me." James murmured as he stepped out from the Gryffindor common room. He proceeded to the Great Hall alone with no sight of Peter, Remus and Sirius as companies. He then saw his friends munching sandwiches for breakfast. His dish and goblet aroused from the table as he grabbed a chair beside them.
Peter dehisced as he massaged his head. "My head is still aching because of that midnight adventure."
Sirius gave him a slight punch on the shoulder and threatened him, "The next time you'll do that again, you won't receive a punch from me - your memory will be lost."
Peter awkwardly brought his seat several inches away from Sirius. "The ball's fast approaching - seven days from now. Sirius, Peter who will you take as a date?", Remus asked. "There's no need to ask our friend, James. I'm sure Lily would be his date."
"Bulls eye!", Sirius shouted and teased. "You said it right Remy. We are all uninspired here except James who slept together with Lily!"
"Hey! I slept on the floor and she slept -"
"- on the bed." Sirius stood up from his seat. "I know. I KNOW. I think there's no big difference with that", Sirius said as he was walking back and forth, laughter visible in his eyes.
The students under the Gryffindor house, present in the Great Hall, went with the flow and teased James as well. He stood up, left the mad crowd and his unfinished food not because of humiliation but because of shame for Lily was also around. He went directly to his Muggle Studies Class.
Images flowed like spilled paints - a lean man dancing with a fair lady in pink . sweet music . elegant foods . floating candles.
James winked his eyes. It was just a dream, a beautiful dream, he thought. But it looked real.
"Now James, narrate to us the summary of Chapter five", Professor Martin Morriette, the Muggle Studies professor instructed him and interrupted his thoughts.
Help him. He's speechless.
"I never thought that you could be mentally absent at times James", Professor Morriette animadverted, tapping his wand on his left palm. "Class is over. Take note of the homework due on our first meeting when fall arrives."
James immediately stepped out from the classroom and went to the Gryffindor common room. He rested on the couch and minutes later Lily went inside too. She was about to step inside their dormitory when James called up, "Lily, can you be my -"
"Your what?", Lily intervened. "I need to go get my things and proceed to the library for I need to make an expository essay on werewolves. In short, I'm busy."
You're very busy, he thought. Always busy. How can I tell her my proposal? What could my dream mean?
"Hee-yah my friend!", Sirius went in. "Deep thoughts, huh?"
"Frolicking with Lily down the lake - you in tux and she in her best gown?", Remus butt in.
James stood up. "COULD YOU PLEASE STOP THAT?!" He was not in the mood to be teased. He went inside their dormitory and slumbered on his poster.
Days passed like a scurry car and before James knew it, the ball was one day ahead. He received a package from the orphanage - his tuxedo; same with his friends. He was about to enter the library when he saw Lucius and Lily talking in the corridor. He stopped behind the statue and listened to their conversation...
"Who's your date for the ball?"
"No one has proposed to me so far", she lied.
"Can I be your date?" "NO."
"Why? Are you expecting someone to?"
Lily fell silent - James' face was anticipatory. "Yes", her voice was ambiguous.
"Then who?"
"I can't tell you."
"I believe that you are referring to Mr. Potter, right?"
James gulped.
"I said I CAN'T TELL YOU! Besides, you are a Slytherinian. We have opposite likes, bicker attitudes", she ran towards the elevator but Lucius caught her arm. James was about to show up and defend her but Lily was able to release her arm from Lucius' firm grip, "I am warning you to be always on guard - that Potter is flamboyant!", he called back.
James sat on the floor and rested his back on the statue. "How will I tell her that I like her", he murmured. Face your fears James. No guts, no glory.
When the boys' dormitory was peaceful yet blatant, James stood up from his bed and went to the common room. He was amazed when he saw Lily staring outside the window. "Still awake even at this point of night?" He asked her with concern and stood up beside her.
Lily glanced sideward to see who was there. She maladroitly moved away from him when she knew James was around. "Is it your concern why I'm still awake?", she asked bitterly.
"Not really. Besides, I want to tell you something - ummm, never mind - no - can you be my date for the ball?" You made it! You finally made it, he thought happily.
She stared at him for a few seconds and gave a phony laugh, "You're kidding.'
"No. I'm not. Do I look like I am?"
"The ball will be tomorrow and you just proposed to me now."
"Am I too late?", James asked a sincere question.
"Not at all. I mean. guess so. In fact, I really don't know. You're the third person to propose - Riddle proposed the other day in which I neglected, same with Malfoy who proposed to me this morning", Lily confessed. "Now, won't you leave me alone?"
James held Lily's right hand. "Not unless you'll answer my question."
"I'll be like a 'wall flower tomorrow if I have no date", she instantly released her hand from his clutch, "and I don't want to be the attraction of laughter. Besides, we came from the same House. so, there you have it - you are my date for the ball."
James' face brightened up. "Me too, I don't want to be a laughing object tomorrow. Thanks by the way." He left the common room contentedly.
"What on earth have you done Lily?", she scornfully asked herself. "Do you really want to be the main attraction of humiliation and shame tomorrow?"
The castle was glimmering early in the morning. Professor Shiny, the Charms master of Hogwarts used several charms to levitate the candles in the air even without your concentration attached to it. Professor Dumbledore transformed insects into tables, chairs and other party necessities. The students were very busy as well in preparing their gowns and tuxedos. Peter, Remus and Sirius, as usual, were teasing James on his success in convincing Lily to be his date.
It was seven in the evening when Professor Dippet formally opened the ceremony. James picked up Lily and brought her down to the dance floor and danced all the way around. After an hour, James got several dishes for him and for Lily from the buffet table. Everything is just like my dream, he thought.
Lucius Malfoy approached their table furiously. "You said that no one asked you to be his date for the ball before I proposed to you. This is nice, very nice." He looked at James and gave him a vigorous glance. "Lily how's the night with Mr. Potter? I hope you are not wasting your time."
James stood up with his fists clutched. "Go back to your date Malfoy - if you have any."
He's so sweet and divine, Lily pondered. She felt his sweetness in every tendon of her body. "Thanks for that."
"No big deal."
Peter, Remus and Sirius came to their table, with no dates. "Enjoy the night my friend. This is it", they said in chorus and merrily left the couple.
"Can I have another dance with you?" James offered Lily his stretched arm. She accepted his offer and danced with him once again. Tom Riddle with his date, Pamela Suisse, went nearer to James and Lily while dancing. He whispered to James, "Watch out for the following days", and they left. James on the other hand ignored the threat.
Professor Dippet got his wand and placed it an inch away from his mouth as if it was a microphone, "I am going to announce the 'Couple of the Night' and I'm glad to say that this couple is from the Gryffindor house - Mr. James Potter and Ms. Lily James!'
The students from the Gryffindor house gave an earth-shaking applause while the students from the Slytherin house roared in disapproval. James beamed widely from ear to ear and took Lily's hand and went to the stage to accept the sash and bouquet of flowers; Lily was blushing.
"That's my friend!", Sirius proudly shouted.
"But he is a fiend!", Lucius yelled.
Professor Dippet continued, "Silence. The celebration must go on."
The 'Couple of the Night' stepped down from the stage and danced with the other couples.
"Ummm - Lily, I want to tell you something in private", James finally said with courage.
"Why can't you tell it to me right now? It's already late."
"No, I can't tell you now", he firmly said. They were talking in one of the corridors on the seventh floor. "I'll wait for you beside the lake. I am expecting you to be there", he rushed to the 6th floor staircase.
Lily walked towards the Gryffindor dormitory.
"Password please", the portrait of Sir Nicholas Cadogan asked.
"Godric", she uttered.
The porthole opened. She stepped inside the girls' dormitory and decided to disregard James' invitation. Molly Finnigan, her fellow Gryffindorian and her best pal tapped on her shoulder. "Something bothering you?"
"Honestly, yes." Lily answered in a low tone. "James told me to meet him outside the castle, by the lake. I don't know his reason, though." She opened a window and stared outside. "Professor Dippet won't permit that, do you think?"
Molly shook her head sideward.
"See! Besides, there's no excuse when we're caught. The ball's over and there's no reason why we got out from this magically guarded castle."
"Do you think his invitation is important?" Molly asked and stood beside her best pal.
Lily sat on her four-poster and tucked a pillow. "In fairness, I don't know. That geek must have been fooling me around again.but he sounded serious a while ago." She lay down on her poster.
Molly closed the opened window and laid down on her poster and said, "Follow what your heart says my friend." She forty-winked before hand.
A woman who is slightly attached to a man will do and give up everything.
Lily stood up and went out from the dormitory. She used the staircases going down to the Great Hall because the elevators were locked. Wearing her thin, silk nightgown, she stepped outside the castle, took her wand out and said, "Lumos!" Fool me James and you'll see. She felt myriad of emotions as she was pacing on the grounds, alone. She stopped for ten heartbeats when she sighted the lake and James. What a rendezvous! At least it's not a romantic scenario - just a little rowboat; he's not in a decent outfit, nor the place. I guess, he wants to say SORRY for all the things he had done in the past and THANK YOU for accepting him as my date for the ball. I wish I had my robes with me. It is so cold. She approached James and asked, "What's the big deal? Anything serious to talk about?" She inspected the place. "This place is odd. Did you ever think I like here?"
James looked slightly embarrassed on her question. "I always thought of bringing you here. Mind if I'll take you a ride on the boat?"
Lily felt her muscles teeter. What a question! Would a girl say 'YES' when she's asked that question by a like who has an untidy hair like him? Her thoughts were full of complains but she uttered, "Yes."
James looked up expectantly, gesturing towards the waiting boat with his hand that held the line and offered his other hand to Lily. Always a gentleman, she thought. Even without any string instrument and candles, this midnight blues is beginning to feel romantic.
Lily took James' hand and let him guide her into the seat at the other end of the boat. When it stopped wobbling, he carefully climbed in and took the middle seat. He skillfully steered them away from the dockside and out towards the middle of the lake with the light on their wands as their guide. He flashed a winning smile and stopped for a while. Lily looked at him impatiently. What a geek, she thought. Get rowing.
She reached an arm over the side of the boat and splashed a handful of water to James that caught him by surprise.
"Watch this!" James shouted merrily as he splat her with water.
Lily just giggled, suddenly very happy to share her midnight with her date. If only she could look forward to more jolly midnights with him. "Why did you invite me to spend time with you at dusk?", she asked pointedly.
"Ummm. I just wanted to apologize for all the things I've done in the past, I think you took it seriously." James' face flushed crimson. "And I want to show you my deepest thanks for you chose me as your date for the ball." He must have seen Lily shiver. "Here, use my coat. The weather isn't giving you a good condition." He placed his jacket on her.
"Thanks", she muttered. It was she this time that flushed crimson.
James took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. "Are Lucius and Tom your suitors?"
"I don't know. They just started showing affection to me two weeks before the ball.
James stopped rowing the boat. "Are you planning to take the vow on one of them?"
"No way!"
James' eyes brightened up with hope.
Lily pointed out a finger on him and said in a teasing tone, "You're jealous."
Again, he flushed crimson and was scrambling for words. "NO. I'M NOT! HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME!"
Both fell silent and later on laughed energetically.
James swallowed hard, choking down the sweet candy of happiness. He took the oars again and started rowing again, as if settling farther into the lake would somehow lead them to the 'unreal world.' But time's too short; he noticed that they've been there for hours. He slowly rowed back towards the dockside. "Anything you want us to talk about?"
Lily smiled mischievously. "Are you courting someone?"
"NO." James boldly replied.
"So, who's the girl the other Marauders are teasing you?"
"I have no idea", he lied. "Besides, do you know that we're the Marauders?"
"Of course! I know about it - everything! You, Peter, Remus and Sirius are the Marauders or the Wanderers." "I am badly impressed." He gave a fake laugh. He let go of the oars again. "Do you know one more reason why I invited you here?"
"Any other reason?"
"Yes. And I just proved to myself that you're such a great companion. I realized that you aren't very bad; that one should spend time with you to get to know you better."
Sentimental. Funny yet emotional. It's not easy to woo someone like me.
James leaned towards Lily. She felt thousands of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Their lips tenderly clasped and they kissed. The woods were alive with the buzzing of insects and the chorus of crickets chirping in unison. She easily slipped against his torso and let his arms encircle her waist, her arms encircling his nape. The kiss grew warmer and longer as the boat wandered lazily. They were far away from the shore but somehow visible, Lily sensed that she was far from reality.