Sixth Year – Part Two
"Potter, for the eight-thousandth time, I will not go out with you!" screamed Lily furiously.
The Marauders and girls were heading down to the Great Hall together, and James decided that it was a good time to ask Lily out once more, since he had been "deflating" for the past few months. However, he was highly mistaken, and very surprised, when Lily's answer was a "no".
James sighed miserably. "Oh, fine. Don't go out with me then. Don't marry me. Don't fulfill the prophecy." With that, he walked into the Great Hall, ignoring the many girls who were currently drooling all over him, as usual.
"I think you were a little harsh, Lily," said Arabella, watching James with pity. "You could have at least had a more pleasant tone."
"Why don't you want to go out with James?" asked Jennifer curiously, as she snuggled closer to Remus. "He's changed, hasn't he?"
"Not enough. He still shows off, especially in Quidditch…"
Sirius snorted. "How many times do we have to tell you? He's not showing off in Quidditch, he's just trying to make new moves so that we can fool the other teams!"
"James loves you, Lily," said Remus gently, glaring disapprovingly at Sirius' tone of voice. "Give him a chance. Please?"
"Why? Why are you all so tenacious about me accepting James as a boyfriend?"
"We want both of our friends to be happy," said Violet, who was silent the whole time. "You love James, too, Lily; you just have to look deep inside you and see for yourself."
She narrowed her eyes. "Right."
The seven of them entered the Great Hall, and found James eating his breakfast with an unusual enthusiasm. He ate nearly four pieces of toast at once, gobbled a whole plateful of sausages, and drained down his pumpkin juice.
"Bye!" he said in an out-of-key voice. "Must get ready for Potions; you know how Hurst gets if we're late. See you!"
"Poor Prongsies," said Sirius in a serious* tone.
"He'll be all right," said Remus confidently, as he piled his plate with scrambled eggs and bacon.
"How do you know?" was the skeptical reply.
"Because Lily will have to say 'yes' sooner or later, and then everyone will live happily ever after."
"You make everything sound so simple, Moony."
Remus smiled. "I'm not serious, Sirius."
"I know you're not. I am."
He rolled his eyes. "Not this again."
"Oh, yes. This again."
Remus groaned loudly.
Meanwhile, the girls were chattering cheerfully at the other end of the Gryffindor table. Arabella was discussing her plans for working at the Ministry later on to Jennifer and Violet, but Lily was lost in her own thoughts.
Maybe I shouldn't have yelled at Potter…after all, he looked a bit upset, she thought, remembering James' defeated look.
"Hey, Lily?"
"What?" She snapped out of her reverie, looking alarmed. "Who died?"
"No one." Arabella looked at her best friend strangely. "I was asking you where you were going to stay after graduation."
"Probably with my parents, until I find a flat of my own." She shrugged. "What about you?"
"I was thinking that maybe we can share a flat together…that is, until James proposes." She grinned wickedly.
Lily spat out the pumpkin juice that she was currently draining down. "What?"
"You're going to marry him sometime," said Jennifer matter-of-factly, as she reached out for a muffin.
"I don't have to marry him. I live my life as I please."
"Sure. But why wouldn't you marry him? You love him, remember?"
Violet suppressed a laugh when she saw Lily's expression. "Don't tease Lils, girls. It isn't nice. Lily will make the right decision when the time comes."
"Exactly!" exclaimed Lily triumphantly. "Listen to Violet. She's the voice of reason and peace."
"How are things going between you and Jack, Vi?" asked Arabella curiously.
"Wonderful." Violet flushed. "Jack's really nice, and he's so sweet! He's planning to take me to a Christmas luncheon at Hogsmeade this weekend, since it's close to the holidays."
"What a romantic," sighed Arabella, smiling. "Wish Sirius was like that."
"Oh, but you still love him," teased Lily lightly.
"Yes, I do. Do you love Jackson, Violet?"
"Well…it's a bit soon to tell, isn't it?" She looked uncertain. "I mean, we've only been seeing each other for four months."
"He's cute," commented Jennifer, giggling.
Lily rolled her eyes. "I thought you loved Remus."
"Oh, that I do. But still, you can't deny the fact that Jackson Bradley is a very good-looking boy."
Arabella and Violet laughed.
"My dear Bella," said Sirius, coming up to them, "may I escort you to the dungeons for our pitiful Potions class?"
"You may." She giggled again and took the arm that Sirius offered.
"What about you, Ms. Jennifer Dean?" said Remus, grinning. Jennifer bounced out of her seat and held his hand, following after Arabella and Sirius.
"Guess it's only you and me, Vi," said Lily, shaking her head after the two couples.
"Oh! Er—I have to meet Jackson for a moment." Violet looked embarrassed.
"Oh, go ahead."
Lily watched as Violet went over to the Ravenclaw table, where Jackson was looking at her with admiration and love. He kissed her lightly, and they walked out of the Hall as well.
She sighed. Everyone was paired off in her year, except for Lily. It wasn't as though she couldn't get a boyfriend; nearly half the males were in love with her. No, it was because she couldn't find the right boy that would love her and never leave her. Lily sighed once more, and slowly followed Jackson and Violet.
When she entered the dungeons, she found that all her friends were seated already. But what was worse, they were all coupled together: Sirius and Arabella, Jennifer and Remus, and Peter and Violet (the latter didn't like the former, but she felt bad for him). Lily gave a look of revulsion and thrust her bag onto the table where James was sitting alone. She didn't want to take a chance with any of the Slytherins.
"'Lo, Evans," greeted James slowly, as his hazel eyes widened in surprise. "Er—I thought you hated me. You could find another seat if you want."
Lily forced a smile. "I don't want to sit next to a Slytherin, and you're loads better than them."
"Oh, thanks, I feel so loved," he said sarcastically. She laughed.
"Well, well, if it isn't Evans and Potter," sneered Professor Hurst, sweeping into the classroom.
James narrowed his eyes. Since when did the git care about us?
"Sir," said Lily, glaring.
"I thought you two hated each other," he continued with malice. "I guess not, then. Like Dumbledore says, opposites attract…"
Lily and James' mouths widened in shock and disbelief, while the Slytherins snickered loudly. The Gryffindors, especially their friends, shot them looks of sympathy.
"Sir," repeated Lily, her voice shaking.
Hurst ignored her and continued talking. "Today we will make an Aging Potion, and you will be working with the person sitting next to you." He grinned evilly at Lily and James.
Both sixteen-year-olds would not look at each other.
An hour later, everyone completed and experimented at the potion, and were admiring the older versions of each other. Lily had even longer dark red hair and her almond-shaped green eyes were even more dazzling than ever. James was much taller than he was before, his hair stuck in all directions, but his hazel eyes had a look of understanding, expected from someone who have experienced a lot.
Arabella was currently laughing at Sirius. "Oh, Sirius, look at you!" she giggled. "You're hair is long!"
"Hey, I still look sexy, don't I?" he retorted, while Remus and Jennifer chuckled.
"Whoa, Moony, you look like the full moon's close," said Sirius, his eyes widening.
"Padfoot!" cried James, irritated.
"Oops, my mistake. Sorry, Moons."
"Moons?" questioned Remus, raising an eyebrow.
"Hey, it's cool, right?"
"Er—"
"Say yes."
"Er—"
"Never mind." Sirius huffed indignantly.
"You look pretty," said James to Lily.
"Thanks." She flushed. "You look good yourself."
He grinned. "I haven't changed a bit and you know it. Just got taller, that's all."
"Yes, but still…" She shrugged.
"Aww…" said Sirius mockingly.
"Black, I suggest you sit down before someone gets hurt," said Hurst curtly. "I will be giving you the counter—yes, Mr. Potter?"
"Can we stay like this for the rest of the day?" he asked innocently.
Hurst thinned his lips. "I'm afraid not, Potter," he said, looking oddly like a livid McGonagall. "Now, does anyone else have any stupid questions they would like to ask me?"
James turned red, while the Slytherins chuckled.
"Prat," muttered the former.
"Did you say something, Mr. Potter?"
"Oh, no, sir." James smirked.
Hurst narrowed his eyes. "Don't you use that tone with me, Potter. Just like your parents; reckless fools, they are."
"Don't you insult my parents," he said in a deadly calm voice that even startled Hurst.
Lily's green eyes were watching James throughout the whole discourse between him and Hurst. His clear hazel eyes were full of determination and loathing as he gazed into the Potion master's cold gray eyes.
"That's no way to speak to a professor, Potter," spat Hurst.
"So sorry, sir. But 'tis true. My parents aren't fools; you just don't like them because you fancied my mum at Hogwarts!"
There—he had said it. The secret that he had kept from even Sirius throughout his life. Professor Hurst had fallen in love with Sarah Johnson at school, but when the latter rejected him for Daniel Potter, Hurst became bitter with the world. James had been quite disgusted when his mother revealed her past to him, for he hated Hurst almost as much as he hated Voldemort, the Dark Arts, and Snape.
"You—" gasped Hurst. "Your mother told you this!"
"Indeed." He mimicked a "Hurst-smile", as the Marauders called it.
Just then, the bell rang, and Hurst was still eyeing James with hatred. "Class dismissed," he muttered.
Everyone nearly trampled each other, coming out of the dungeons, for they didn't want to be present when Hurst would deal with James. However, the Marauders, with the exception of Peter (A/N: the bloody coward…how I hate him!) lingered behind, waiting for James.
"Listen, Potter," said Hurst lividly. "I'll have no more of this insolence from you. You're just as arrogant and strutting as your father is."
"Don't insult my dad!"
"I remember Potter Senior back at Hogwarts," he continued, ignoring James. "He was the mightiest player in the castle. He went for the empty-headed girls, stole all of their hearts, and never returned them." He smiled wryly. "He was also quite egotistical. Any pejorative made at him bounced off like a ball. But then he actually met his match when your mother caught his eye.
"She didn't like your father, much, Potter, your mother. Had the same opinion of him as Evans does for you. But then somehow the git managed to capture her heart as well. They got married straight out of Hogwarts, and now, twenty years later, I'm stuck with another Potter, who's just like his father."
James opened his mouth, but said nothing. Instead, he glared at Hurst. "Look, my dad might've been arrogant at Hogwarts, but he's not now. He loves Mum and I, and he'd do anything to protect us."
Hurst sneered. "Is that so, Potter? Well, I'll be darned if Daniel Potter's changed."
The sixteen-year-old ignored his Potions Master, got his books, and left the dungeons with the Marauders trailing behind him.
"Can you believe that Hurst?" he muttered viciously. "Insulting my father right in front of me!"
"Look, mate," said Sirius impatiently, "don't pay any attention to the git. He's not worth your time. But doesn't Snape hate Harry?"
"Yeah." James sighed heavily. "It's all my fault. Think of it: if I didn't start hexing Snape last year, Harry wouldn't have too take too much of Snivelly's wrath."
"Prongs, Padfoot is right," said Remus, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it. That's exactly what Hurst wants you to do, don't you see?"
"I s'pose."
"How are things going with you and Lily?" Sirius tried not to look too curious.
"All right, I guess. She doesn't hate me, so that's a start. But I'll never give up on her. She's too good to lose."
"That's the attitude," said Remus, grinning. "You know, if you start going like that more, Lily will fall for you in no time."
"Yeah, but I don't want to force her. I just want her to really love me out of her own accord, you know?"
Sirius shook his head. "Gee, Prongs, never knew you'd turn your head for a girl."
"Nah." Remus gave Sirius a helpless look. "You're saying it all wrong, Padfoot. What he means is, he never knew that a girl could turn your head like this."
James smiled. "Lily isn't just an ordinary girl, you know."
"Enlighten us, then."
"Moony!" cried Sirius, glaring at the brown-haired boy. "Do you know how mushy this is going to be? We'll be standing here all night!"
James chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't lecture you, Paddy."
"Oh, Paddy, is it? Oh, I got our new nicknames! Moons, Wormy, Paddy, and Prongsies!"
Remus rolled his eyes and laughed along with the other two boys.
"Where were you guys?" said Jennifer, raising an eyebrow, as they entered Gryffindor Tower. "We thought you were hexing Snape again."
"Hurst," was the only reply.
Arabella sighed. "What did he say, James?"
"Git. Insulted my dad, he did! Can you believe the nerve of him? Why, I ought to—"
"Don't do anything rash," warned Lily.
"I won't," reassured James, smiling slightly now. "It's just, can you believe the nerve of Hurst? He's just angry that Mum never liked him, and he was jealous of Dad at school."
"Sounds like the relationship between you and Snape."
Sirius grinned. "Though you have to admit, Prongsies, that if we didn't pick on Snivelly half the time at Hogwarts, we'd have never gone this far."
"Yeah, but now Snivellus hates Harry. Everything has a bad ending to it, I say."
"Never knew you were so thoughtful, Potter," commented Lily.
"I never was," returned James, "until you."
***
"Evans? What's wrong?" James peered at Lily's tear-stained face closely.
"I had a dream," she whispered. "And…you were captured by Death Eaters and almost killed! Oh, James, it was awful!"
They were both sitting in the Gryffindor common room. It was approximately around four o'clock in the morning, and both sixteen-year-olds were feeling particularly tired and cross.
"I had a dream as well," said James quietly. "You and Harry were attacked by Death Eaters at some place called Godric's Hollow."
"Godric's Hollow?" repeated Lily. "That's where Godric Gryffindor used to live. It was named after him after he died."
"It's a good hiding spot as well," he said.
"Hiding spot?"
"You know, if you're in danger and need to go into hiding. It's saved millions of lives during Grindelwald's rise in power."
"And I thought you hated History of Magic," said Lily dryly.
"Oh, I do," affirmed James. "But I find that Godric's Hollow is a very interesting place, even though it holds bad memories of the past."
"That was more sentimental than I give credit to you for, Potter."
James grinned wickedly. "I can be a hopeless romantic if I want, Evans."
"Oh, I'm sure."
"You'd better be." Then he frowned. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine, James," sighed Lily impatiently.
"Oh, you must be, then, since you called me by my birth name."
"Then you shall have to return the favor, Potter. After all, I do have a give name besides 'Evans'."
"But I like 'Evans'!" insisted James. "It's cool!"
Lily merely rolled her eyes in response."
"James? Lily?"
They both turned around and saw Frank Longbottom at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing sleep out of his eyes.
"What are you doing here, Frank?" asked James curiously.
"Couldn't sleep," he replied thickly. "Been thinking too much…"
"About Alice?" said Lily softly.
He sighed. "Yes. I dumped Trish. She didn't take it too well, mind you, but it had to be done. Alice claims that she loves Sturges, though. May as well wish her good luck."
"What?" said James incredulously. "You mean, you're not going to tell her that you're sorry you dumped her, and that you love her?"
Frank shook his head. "James, it's not that simple. She's with Sturges, and I don't want her to break his heart. Sturges has been one of my mates since first year, besides Juan"—Lily winced at the name—"and he deserves the best. And the best is Alice."
"No, Frank. You have to tell Alice, or else you'll never live through your life, knowing that you never took the chance and asked her for a second chance. If Alice marries Diggle, she won't be happy either. You two are destined for each other, mate. If you don't take action and act like a true Gryffindor, you will really regret it later on."
Lily and Frank both stared at him. James had never talked so rhetorically before, much less even talked sense at all. But here he was, in broad daylight, lecturing one of the most intelligent students at Hogwarts and the Head Boy.
"Thanks, James," said Frank, his mouth curving into a smile. "I'm glad you've told me that. You're right. If I don't tell Alice, who knows what'll happen. And I know that she's not happy with Sturges, either."
"That's it," agreed James encouragingly, "tell her. After all, why not? You have to take chances in life, since it's not so simple like black and white."
"Wow, Potter," breathed Lily. "I never knew you could talk like that."
He shrugged. "Hey, I have my moments. Pretty good, huh? Maybe I should even open my own advice column on relationships."
Frank smiled. "You know, James, that isn't such a bad idea. Maybe you should." He yawned. "Well, I'll be off to get some shut-eye, and face Alice in the morning. 'Night, all." He disappeared to the seventh-year boys' dormitory.
"I'm glad someone's happy," said James, his eyes sad.
"What's wrong?" said Lily, looking concerned.
"Oh, it's nothing," he replied hastily. "Really."
"No, Potter, something's wrong, and I need to know what."
"Fine, do you really want to know?" He took a deep breath. "You know I love you, Lily, and I really want to be with you for the rest of my life. But why won't you go out with me? It's been bothering me for ages, and I really need to know why. I mean, I've changed, haven't I? I'm not a bullying git anymore, so to speak. So what's wrong?"
"Potter, I don't want you to change because of me!" cried Lily. "I want you to change for you, not me. I want you to realize that all you've down for the past years were wrong, and to amend those mistakes."
"I do realize it, Evans. Just—oh, forget about it." He shook his head. "May as well go ask Deanna to Hogsmeade, since you won't go."
"Hogsmeade?" said Lily, nonplused.
"I was planning to ask you, but since you seem to hate me so much, I'll be asking another girl, then. It's only a day away from Hogwarts, after all."
"I'll go with you," she blurted.
James looked faintly surprised. "Will you? That's wonderful! Er—it's on Valentine's Day, so…" He smiled sheepishly.
"You planned this all, didn't you?" Lily returned the smile rather reluctantly.
"Not at all. I didn't expect for the world that you'd say yes. But I'm glad you did, because I do have something planned for my date." He winked secretively.
Then both fell silent, and were that way for quite a while, just enjoying each other's presence in the common room. That was, until a great banging from the sixth-year boys' dormitory startled the two of them.
"Sirius," informed James at Lily's surprised expression. "It's nothing, really. It happens nearly every morning, I think."
He was quite right, and a few minutes later, Sirius came down to the common room and grinned at the sight of Lily and James.
"Ooh, busy last night, were you, Prongs?" He winked suggestively.
James blushed. "Oh, shut it, Padfoot. We were just talking, since we had another nightmare."
"S-ure, whatever you say, Prongs." He chuckled and went through the portrait hole and disappeared out of sight.
"Hi, Prongs," said Remus, appearing from the stairs. "I couldn't find you this morning. Were you down here all night?"
"For about three hours, yes."
"All right. Did Sirius already go down to the Great Hall? I swear, that boy's eager for anything related to food." He shook his head and went out as well.
"At least Moony didn't question me," said James hopefully.
"Remus is the pragmatist of your group. Obviously he understands that we wouldn't do anything—er—inappropriate." Lily blushed.
James grinned. "Inappropriate, eh? Care to elaborate?"
"Pervert," was the only response.
"Don't you know it!"
"I thought you changed, Potter," said Lily disapprovingly.
He rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'm going down to breakfast. You coming?"
"I'll wait for Bella, Jen, and Vi. You go ahead."
James strolled out of the portrait hole and accidentally ran into someone along the way to the Great Hall.
"Oh, sorry," he muttered, and looked up to see Alice. "Oh, hey, Al."
"James, what are you doing here so early? I thought you and your friends slept late on Saturdays."
"Oh, Lily and I were up the whole night. Where's Sturges?"
Alice stiffened. "He's still asleep, I think."
"I talked to Frank last night."
"Oh, did you? Why was he up?"
"Er—couldn't sleep. Poor bloke had a lot on his mind."
She frowned. "Why do you care? Not even his own friends do."
"Look, Alice, Frank's been my mate since we were little kids; he's like an older brother and mentor to me."
"I guess Operation Matchmaker's working." Alice smiled.
"Huh?"
"You know, that stupid thing that Sirius came up with."
"Oh, yeah! That…well, I've given up on it."
"Have you?"
"Yeah. I've realized that nagging Evans won't do much for me, so I've decided to let her make up her own mind."
"That's quite sweet, Jamie. Now, tell me the real reason why you're keeping me up."
"Why do you think there's a reason?" James tried and failed to make a face as innocent as possible.
Alice rolled her eyes. "Oh, pur-lease, James! You never miss out on a meal. Now, is this about Frank, or is it not?"
"Why would it be about Frank?"
"Oh, brother! James, just tell me already!"
"All right, all right! Yes, it is about Frank. Why won't you have him?"
She snorted. "He's with his dear Trish, remember?"
"He broke up with her."
Alice stopped walking, and stared at James. "Are you kidding me?"
"I'm dead serious."
"But—but—why?"
It was James' turn to be exasperated. "Well, isn't it obvious? He loves you, Al! Not Trish, not any other girl…you. He's just afraid to tell you because he doesn't want to make Sturges heartbroken."
"You—Frank told you to do this, didn't he?"
"No, I just figured that lending him a hand would help." James smiled. "Well, let's go already, Alice. You're holding up everyone else, and I'm starving."
"Hey, Alice, go out with my mate Frank!" cried Juan through the impatiently waiting crowd.
Alice sighed. "Oh, shut it, Demise! Don't you ever leave people alone?"
"No way!"
James grinned at the impatient and weary Head Girl in front of him. "Don't worry about him, Al; he's a git."
"Potter, what are you doing here still?" asked Lily, pushing through the crowd. "Oh, good morning, Alice."
"'Morning, Lils," greeted the Head Girl warmly.
"C'mon already!" exclaimed James, looking annoyed. "I'm starving!" He bounced into the Great Hall, much to everyone's relief.
"Men," the two girls muttered, shaking their heads and following him."
"Don't you know it!" he called back, feigning hurt. "Men make the world go 'round!"
"You know, I can hardly see any change in him," commented Alice.
"True, but you know he has," returned Lily, smiling fondly at the messy-haired boy.
***
"Oh, Potter, this is beautiful!" said Lily in amazement, as James took her to a nearby table decorated with lavish flowers and colors.
"Yeah…I had it reserved special, too," said James, grinning. "You like?"
"I love it!" she exclaimed, inhaling the sweet scent of the pink sprayed roses.
James sighed contentedly and settled down in the chair opposite Lily's. He tousled his messy-black hair, mostly out of habit, and settled to staring fondly at Lily, hoping that she was having similar thoughts of him as he of her. Which, surprisingly, she was.
For at that moment, Lily was thinking about how sweet James was being to her. Perhaps she was softening up too much to him, since even the toughest girls cannot resist a romantic. But Lily knew, deep down, that James had changed for the better, and was falling in love with him, as much as she denied it.
"Evans?" He cocked his head to one side and peered at her through his round glasses.
"Yes, Potter?"
James' face flamed red. "Er—I hope you enjoy today…" He trailed off, looking embarrassed.
Lily smiled, despite the situation. "Of course I will."
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Evans and Potter."
The two turned around and saw Bellatrix Black clinging onto Rodolphus Lestrange's arm, sneering.
James groaned. "Oh, what do you want, Bella?"
"I just thought I'd never see the day when you and the Mudblood are getting along." She sniggered along with Lestrange.
"Why are you with Lestrange?" snapped Lily. "You don't care for him; you just want him because he's a 'respectable, pureblooded family'."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, Evans. It's so obvious, isn't it? Purebloods don't marry because they love each other; that's so common. Mother and Father just want us to keep up our pureblood lines. Unlike Andromeda, who went gallivanting off right after Hogwarts with that Mudblood…"
"Probably Bella's lousy cousin told you all those lies," added Lestrange.
"Sirius," she spat, as if it were a swear word.
"Sirius is my best friend," said James, his voice rising, "and I think it's right sad for him to be related to a bunch of Death Eater-wannabes! Even his little brother's turned on him! Regulus, that little—"
"Now, now, Potter, I don't think you want to finish that sentence," said Bellatrix sweetly. "After all, I am telling the truth. My sister preferred to marry that Tonks, and now she has a child that's a Metamorphmagus!"
"So?" James frowned at her. "What's so bad about a Metamorphmagus? They're really rare."
"I'll tell you what. Andromeda named her Nymphadora, that's what! Can you believe my ex-sister? Marrying a Mudblood and destroying one of the purest bloodlines is a crime itself, but giving a child a name so hideous?"
"That sister of yours has always been a bad egg, Bella," said Lestrange, shaking his head and putting his arm around her waist. "Don't bother explaining to Potty and the Mudblood."
Bellatrix giggled and hugged her boyfriend in front of Lily and James, who made disgusted faces while they were having their "moment" together. Soon the Slytherin couple left the table, still clinging onto each other.
"That is so wrong," commented Lily in a hushed voice. "Slytherins 'fraternizing' with each other. What'll happen next?"
James snickered. "Soon Sirius will pronounce his undying love for Voldemort, that's what."
"You know, that's not too impossible," said Lily thoughtfully. "When you know Sirius, you'll believe anything."
"C'mon, Evans! I've known him for half my life, and the guy would never do anything quite like that. Not even for a joke, I reckon. Treacle tart?"
"Thank you, Potter." Lily accepted the dessert graciously, along with a glass of butterbeer.
"Would you like some tea, Ms. Evans?" continued James politely. At least he had to change his tone of voice, since Lily did deserve to have a good day without insults.
"What kind of tea?"
"Raspberry or Green?"
"Green, please."
"Jolly good." James handed Lily a steaming teacup of strong tea.
"Why are you acting this way?" Lily raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"Hey, it's Valentine's Day, and boys tend to get nicer. It is, after all, a girl holiday."
"Girls get boys presents, too," she retorted.
"How do you know? You don't have a boyfriend," he pointed out.
"That may be true, but Bella, Jen, and Vi bought presents for their boyfriends."
James smiled. "You know, you should get a boyfriend. I mean, one of the smartest and most beautiful girls at Hogwarts doesn't have a girlfriend. Boys are dying to go out with you."
"Only you'd think that," said Lily, returning the smile. "Boys don't pay much attention to me anymore. They're going for girls like Deanna now. 'Sides, I don't need a man. I can stand on my own two feet, thank you. I can't find a good enough boy anyway…Bella, Jen, and Vi all get the good luck."
What about me? thought James silently. Aren't I good enough for you now?
"What about you, Potter?"
"What?" His head shot up in alarm.
"You asked me 'what about me'? Well, what about you, Potter?"
"Er—" James looked around frantically for an excuse, but nothing came to his head. Where was Sirius when you needed him?
"Well?" Lily glared at him with a look of annoyance.
"Er—Happy Valentine's Day and I love you?"
She rolled her eyes. "Nice try, Potter, but I won't be falling for that."
"I thought you were talking about me, so I said 'what about me'?" he suggested hopefully.
"Yuck!" cried Lily, jumping out of her seat.
James stared at her. "What's wrong? What did I do?"
"No…look!" She jabbed her finger toward another side of Madam Puddifoot's.
He blinked. A couple was sitting there, snogging like there was no tomorrow. The boy had dark hair that fell elegantly over his forehead, while the girl had light brown curls that tumbled over her shoulders. They looked oddly familiar—
"Sirius and Arabella?" he breathed.
Lily nodded, frowning. "And that's not all! Look!" She pointed to a couple that could only been Frank and Alice.
"Whoa! I thought Al was still going out with Diggle."
"She is! But I guess Sturges ditched her or something."
James grinned and beamed at Frank, who was holding Alice's hand and visibly shaking. The Head Boy saw James looking, and waved back, smiling.
"Finally, those two are together. I thought I'd die, seeing Frank so forlorn."
"They make a very cute couple," mused Lily.
"Yes," he agreed readily.
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Why aren't you saying something cocky? Like 'we do too', or something like that."
"Why would I do that?" questioned James, nonplussed.
She blinked. "Because—that's what you always do whenever you take girls out to dates!"
James laughed. "Oh, Evans, I haven't asked out a girl or been on a date for a long time, since fourth year, or something. I've only been out with Deanna and Melissa Andrews, and I've gone out with you once in third year."
"Yeah, but that wasn't anything serious," objected Lily.
"You're right, it wasn't. 'Sides, those girls aren't much anyway. I only want one girl and I'm betting that you know who it is."
"Do you always flatter girls? Because it's definitely not working on me."
"Nope." He chuckled. "I told you, Deanna was all over me, not vice versa, and Melissa was just a fling. Maybe girls flock all over me, and maybe I used to want to impress them, but I don't now, if you haven't noticed already."
"You still stare at Melissa, even though she's been going out with Jason Mackenzie since fifth year."
James' hazel eyes twinkled. "Why do you care? Jealous?"
"Me, jealous? In your dreams, Potter." But Lily was blushing furiously now.
"Hey, Lily, James," said Violet, waving, as she plopped into a chair next to their table along with Jackson. The latter didn't say anything, for he was looking at Lily and James with an amused expression on his face.
"Hello, Violet," returned Lily, smiling. "Hi, Jackson."
"'Lo, Lily, Potter." Jackson grinned at James roguishly. "You two dating or something?"
"No," responded James quickly. "Why'd you think that, Jack?"
"Obvious, isn't it? Only couples come in here, especially on Valentine's Day."
"Jack!" hissed Violet angrily.
"Oh, so is that it?" said Lily, her voice rising. "You brought me here so we can go out and snog, Potter? Well, then I'm out of here!" She stood up and brushed her robes.
"Wait!" he cried, with a sidelong glance at Jackson. "It's not like that…"
"I was just joshing, Lily, nothing to be angry about," said Jackson hurriedly. "Really, it was just a joke."
"No, no, I'm glad you warned me, Jackson. Thank you. As for you, Potter"—she glared at him malevolently—"you can kiss those dreams of us going out and marrying good-bye." She promptly got out of the small tea shop, the door closing with a small snap.
"Oh, wonderful," said James, groaning in his hands.
"I'm sorry, James!" said Jackson in horror, his eyes widening. "Really, if there's anything I can do, just name it. I'll allow you to win the game next week. Anything!"
"Nah, it's all right, Jack," he said, smiling. "It's my fault, really. I guess Evans really never liked me anyway."
"Oh, James, we're sorry for spoiling your date with Lily." Violet blushed apologetically. "I know how much you wanted her to like you…"
"Look, it's all right," he snapped, his temper rising. Why couldn't they understand?
"It isn't," said Violet, starting to get angry. "Don't be so stubborn, damn it!"
Jackson stared at his girlfriend in awe. Violet was usually sweet and quiet, but now…
"You love Lily, so you have to show her that you do! Lofty 'I love you's' won't help, James; actions speak louder than words. So show her that you care for her and would do anything to protect her. Show it."
"I guess you're right, Vi," sighed James. "But how can I? She'll never speak to me again."
"Go talk to her," said Violet knowingly. "She's by the lake, I know it."
James said good-bye to the couple, and hurried up to Hogwarts. Violet was right. Lily was strolling by the lake in her light pink sweater and Muggle jeans, wiping tears out of her eyes.
"Lily?" he called tentatively.
She fixed her almond-shaped eyes onto his face and sighed. "Do I have to forgive you again?"
He gave her one of his cocky grins. "Don't have to."
"But I guess I will." She sighed again and said, "I'm sorry."
"For what? It isn't your fault, it's mine."
"No, James, it's my fault and I'm really sorry. I guess I just got carried away. I really do like you, but I don't love you, Potter. I need more time. But when I thought you thought of me as just another fling—"
"You were scared," he interrupted. "Oh, Lily, I'm sorry. I didn't make it clear enough for you. I love you, and you should know that. And I'm going to show you that I do."
"Really?" Lily looked faintly surprised.
"Of course."
She smiled and hugged him tightly. James was taken aback, but melted into the hug.
"I do like you, Potter," she said quietly. "I just need more time. I do promise, though, that I won't date any other boys. If that's what's worrying you."
Now it was James' turn to be surprised. How did she know him so well? But then, his father always told him that enemies knew you better than your friends. His mouth slowly turned upward into a shy smile—something that Lily didn't think he had in him. Shyness and James Potter just didn't mix. However, it was right there in front of her. James was blushing and stammering just like any other boy would, when he confessed his love to a girl. Lily grinned widely. He had changed.
Passersby could see a boy with messy black hair beaming at a redhead girl, and hazel eyes locking in with green. They would see the boy's deep love for the girl, and the girl's uncertain feelings for the boy. But they would see friendship in both eyes…perhaps the most important thing of all. However, they could also see the girl's hidden love for the boy, and how she was scared of love, and how much pain it would cause.
"I'll always wait for you, Lily," said James gently. "You can have as much time as you need. You can even date other boys, until you realize your feelings for me."
Lily's green eyes sparkled with tears. Every girl loved a romantic, and she knew that this time, he wasn't lying. James was sincere this time. "Thank you, James," she replied, smiling.
And that was how they passed the rest of the Hogsmeade day: just smiling at each other.
- - - - -
Disclaimer: I own nothing and J.K. Rowling owns everything.
A/N: OMG, I am SO sorry that it took me AGES to get this done! But I've been really busy lately (yeah, I know, but life isn't easy, right?), and I was in New Hampshire on vacation for a week as well.
All right, I'm too lazy to thank every single reviewer this time, since there were more than thirty, and time is money. So I'll just thank all of you! Oh, yeah, and there was a reviewer (sorry, but I forgot your name!) that asked for some hints of the next chapter. Well…I don't have anything planned on the top of my head, but I can tell you that Lily goes out with another boy in the next chapter, but James isn't jealous (isn't he sweet?) But that's all I can tell you, because I nearly always improvise my stories as I go along.
Mucho gracias to all my reviewers! :D