Disclaimer: I disclaim the characters and stuff on the story. Only the plot is mine.

I love Lily
By: Hay Lin Felton

The Date

"Lil, come on!" Lila pleaded and Lily sighed irritably as she put down her book,

"Give me one, just one good reason why I should go out with him," Lily stated firmly.

Lila was being insane and pushy. She had just 'suggested' to Lily that she should go out on a date with, who else? James Potter.

"Well, for one, he is great looking," Sabrina spoke up and Lily rolled her eyes,

"I'm surprised at you, Bri. I said, give me a GOOD reason,"

"Well, he likes you," Lila stated and Lily exhaled sharply,

"Do you realize how lame that sounds, Li? Okay, let me rephrase: Why do you insist I go out with him?"

"Because he likes you," Lila said again and Lily tilted her head, eyeing her friends exasperatingly as if telling them to give her a better reason,

"Because he asked me to," Lila confessed, "And I don't want to seem like I'm only promising him things just to get close to him and his friends, although I do want to get close to them, and I just hate turning him down, you know that, Lily." she spoke brokenly,

"You and every girl in this school," Lily mumbled and Lila looked down at the floor, on the verge of tears

Lily sighed in resignation, "Fine. If it means that much to you, I'll do it," she finally said, cringing at the thought of being out on a date with that unbearable prat, "But you owe me big time Li, BIG TIME," she stated firmly and Lila looked up and smiled at her, her eyes glassy,

"Okay Lil! Thanks a lot!" she embraced Lily tightly and Lily hugged back,

"But please, Li, don't do promises like this anymore. Especially when it involves me,"

Lila pulled away and smiled, "I won't,"

Lily smiled back, not seeing Lila's crossed fingers behind her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Marauders were huddled at the corner of the common room and were talking in low voices.

"When do we push through?" Remus asked,

"Sunday night would be great, so if we'll get detention, it wouldn't be on a weekend," Sirius answered, "You all know your assignments?"

"I make a scene," Peter said proudly,

"I call the teachers," Remus said

"And we deploy," Sirius finished, facing James and mirrored his mischievous smile

"James?" a squeal from the stairs to the girl's dormitory erupted and James looked up to see Lila scurrying towards him in her tight strapless blouse and short skirt.

James could feel Sirius's penetrating stare at Lila.

"What is it, Li?" he asked

"She said 'yes', Lily actually agreed to go on a date with you this Saturday!"

James's brown eyes widened for a moment before he tried to smile calmly. But his insides were doing dangerous flips,

"Really?"

"Yes! I told you I could convince her," she smiled broadly and James nodded,

"I've always had faith in you, Li,"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That Saturday, Lily brushed her red hair grudgingly as Lila babbled on and on.

"I promise you'll enjoy yourself today, Lil," she said as she pulled one of her own short leather skirt and showed it to Lily. Sabrina made a face,

"What is that?" Lily asked outrageously, "I am so not wearing that!"

Lila pouted as Sabrina pulled one of her hip-huggers, "What about this?"

"Or what if I pick from my own clothes?" Lily motioned to her closet, "After all, why would I dress up for the likes of James Potter?"

"We just want you to look extra pretty since this is your first real date," Lila pouted,

"Stop exaggerating, I'm not that bad." Lily retorted as she pulled out a green turtleneck and pulled it over her head.

"Yeah, there was Marcus Diggory, and Benedict White and. . . What was the name of that guy again? The really creepy one?"

"Tom Riddle? Yeah right. And what did you do together? Read books? Discuss Defense against Dark arts and how it's 'full of rubbish'? He's so weird, don't you think Lil?" Sabrina asked and Lily paused,

"A bit, yeah," she shrugged as she pulled on a beige knee length skirt with tiny green leaves patched on the hem, "You just can't guess what's going on in his head,"

After she stepped into her tan thigh-high boots, she faced her friends,

"Well, how do I look?"

"Like a muggle," Lila squinted but Sabrina smiled encouragingly,

"But a conservative yet irresistible muggle. James wouldn't be able to keep his hands off you,"

Lily exhaled sharply, "Well he'd better not get any ideas," she mumbled as she headed for the door, "Remember, you owe me, Li!" she called out

"Sure Lil," Lila rolled her eyes

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

James stuck his hands in his pocket as he paced around the common room.

"Would you stop it? You're making me sick," Sirius complained

"Yeah. Stop being so tense because you're making me tense as well," Peter put in

"Just relax, James. It's not like it's your first date," Remus added,

"I am relaxed," he snapped just as Lily stepped down from the stairs, looking so stunning and really. . . pissed.

"Lil!" he smiled, walking towards her and taking her hand, which she carefully pulled away,

"Hey James," she said flatly, avoiding eye contact.

"Well, shall we go?"

"Sure," she shrugged as she glanced at his friends and they were all smiling at her. Sirius was smiling broadly, Remus was smiling encouragingly and Peter was smiling apologetically.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They ate at the Crystal Bowl, one of the most posh and expensive restaurants at Hogsmeade and Lily almost admitted to herself that she was really impressed but she convinced herself that James was just probably flaunting his wealth since it's pretty obvious to the whole school how wealthy he is.

"So how do you like your food?" He asked, his brown eyes shining and Lily stared back.

He has beautiful eyes, she noted, and a great smile.

"It's good, actually," she shrugged before looking up at him, "So, to what do I deserve the honor of being asked by James Potter?" she asked, eyeing him carefully,

"Because, Lily dear, I think you're interesting," he answered without missing a beat and Lily was far from convinced,

"Oh come on, Potter, you don't think I'd fall for that do you? Because I won't,"

"Oh but it's true, Lily," he drawled and Lily grew more annoyed by the second,

"Oh I'm sure you've said those lines a thousand times before. . . oh I get it now, I'm your latest conquest, is that it?" she raised an eyebrow and James smiled, amused,

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You very well know what I mean, Potter!" she exclaimed, her face heating up, "You're probably thinking of getting me to bed to add to your long list of. . ."

"Lil, do you know how pretty you look when you're losing your temper like that?" he interrupted, smiling and Lily gaped at him before she just gave up arguing with him.

"So, are you enjoying yourself?" James asked a little later as they stepped out of Honeydukes, where he bought her some sweets.

"Really, you shouldn't have bought me all those things," Lily said as she gestured to the bags of stuff James had bought her. Two new novels, a color changing stuffed owl, an authentic mood ring, the sweets among other things that she just showed mild interest at.

"You're right, but I want to," he just simply replied and Lily sighed. Does James always buy his previous women this many presents? Most probably.

"Suit yourself," she finally spoke and James wrapped his free arm around her shoulders before she moved away from him, "We should head back,"

Instead of looking disappointed or even mildly faltered, James only shrugged even looking a bit amused, "Okay,"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"This is nice, isn't it?" James asked as inched closer to Lily and she instinctively moved away. James bit back a smile. Lily was by far without a doubt tougher to handle than most of the girls here in school. They were seated at the big, overstuffed love seat across the fireplace at the common room, which surprisingly, was by far empty. Lily looked around,

"Where are the people?" she asked, mostly to herself as James leaned back lazily and rested his arms on the back of the couch,

"Probably downstairs," he shrugged and Lily just shrugged until she faced him,

"So, thanks for asking me out," she said and James just smiled into her beautiful green eyes,

"No prob, Lil," and for the first time, Lily Evans smiled. At him.

"I had a good time, honestly,"

"I'm glad you did," he said, not taking her eyes off her as he leaned his face closer to hers. Lily's eyes were wide and her mouth was opened slightly in obvious panic as she leaned away slightly but that was the only movement she did. Her breathing became heavy and rapid and just as their lips were nearly touching, the portrait hole burst open and his three friends entered, laughing and chatting loudly.

Lily quickly jumped away from him as his friends suddenly stopped talking.

"Um, hey guys," Lily said nervously and Remus was the first one to break the silence,

"Hi Lil. Had a good time?" he asked awkwardly, before eyeing James, who was clearly irritated,

"Yeah," she nodded briefly, "I- I have to go upstairs now, though" she gestured nervously before turning and heading up the stairs,

When Lily was out of earshot, James faced his friends, his dark brown eyes flashing,

"You idiots!" he screamed, "We were this close," he said, pinching his thumb and forefinger, "Then you had to barge in!"

Sirius was trying to hide his amusement, "Oh, so we came in a bad time?" he asked innocently,

"'Bad' is an understatement! You came at the worst time! Don't you know how hard it is to even get her to come near me?"

"So it's hard for you?" Sirius asked, looking triumphant and James knew where he was going,

"Well, Lily Evans is different, Sirius. She isn't like the others,"

"Well, I guess I'll just have to try her then," Sirius said testily and James narrowed his eyes menacingly at him,

"Well it's just too bad because you cant and you'll never get to!"

Sirius laughed, "Since when have you become so possessive of a girl?" before he went up to the dormitories, shaking his head in mirth. James glanced at his two other friends, trying to hide amused smiles,

"Don't say a word," he warned before following Sirius to their room,

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"My god, was I just about to kiss him?" Lily mumbled to herself as she stared at her bed's canopy.

It's a good thing we were interrupted, because I sure couldn't have stopped myself even if I tried, she admitted, thinking of James's penetrating brown eyes and really beautiful lips.

"Hey, Lil, how did the date go?" a voice from the doorway interrupted Lily's thoughts and she tried not to smile so broadly,

"Fine," she mumbled and in a flash, Lila and Sabrina were on either side of her,

"Details!" Sabrina exclaimed

"It was just the usual, really. We went to lunch and he bought me stuff," she shrugged, trying to stay cool and both her friends looked at each other in surprise, and Lily suddenly felt funny as she sat up and observed her friends,

"He bought you stuff? What kind of stuff?" Lila asked,

"You mean he hasn't bought you anything when you went out?" she asked

"No, we just went for a walk by the lake then. . . you know," Lila shrugged

"And we just hung out in his room," Sabrina added,

Lily swallowed hard. She didn't like the feel of this.

"Oh my god, Lil! I think he definitely likes you!" Lila exclaimed

"Or maybe since you dislike him, he decided to buy you off to get you into bed," Sabrina, the logical one, provided and Lila made a face at her,

"You are so twisted you know?"

"I was just being realistic, I mean, James is James and he never changed for any girl no matter how virginal or pretty they are," Sabrina argued and Lily shook her head,

"I think you have a point, Bri, but he better not get his hopes up cause I'm so not going to sleep with him no matter what. And besides, our one and only date is over, remember?" she finished, ignoring the tiny flop of disappointment in her stomach and Lila suddenly reddened,

"Actually Lil," she began and Lily didn't like the sound of that,

"Li, please don't say that you've just. . ."

"Promised James another date with you? Yeah, she did," Sabrina put in,

Lily finally stood up and sighed in frustration as she headed for the door.

"Lil! Where are you going?" Lila asked worriedly

"Out!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

He and his friends were in the middle of going through their plans for tomorrow night when a loud and angry voice interrupted them.

"Potter!"

James looked up and saw Lily, with her hands on her hips and her striking green eyes flashing.

"What's up, Lil?" he asked

"Can we talk?" she snapped as he hurriedly followed her to the corner of the room, and she faced him.

"Why did you buy me those things?" she asked and James's eyebrows knitted,

"Because I wanted to, I thought you already knew that,"

"Are you sure you're not just trying to get me to bed?" She snapped and James smiled,

"I'm not that transparent, am I?"

Lily's eyes widened and her jaw dropped, "So that was what you're trying to do? Why you big, obnoxious. . ."

"Lil, I was joking," he said calmly and Lily still clearly wasn't buying it, "I bought those for you because you like them and I want to see you happy,"

"What? That doesn't make sense at all,"

"I like you, Lily," he smiled. Well, it was half true. But he still couldn't deny that he wanted so much to sleep with her.

Lily eyed him peculiarly, seeming not to believe him, "What?"

"You're different, and I like that,"

"So you're not just trying to get me to bed?"

It took a moment for James to answer that so Lily just threw up her hands in the air frustratingly,

"Your impossible! I can't believe I almost believed you!" she exclaimed in frustration,

"Lil, hold on. Let me explain,"

"Just save what you're doing for another girl, will you, Potter? Because you'd only be wasting your time with me!" she said, motioning for the stairs,

"Lily! Wait!" James followed her to the stairs and grabbed her hand, "I meant what I said when I told you I like you, and no, I'm not trying to get you to bed," he stated, trying to look convincing.

Lily just looked at him, "Why do I find it so hard to believe you?"

He just shrugged and finally, after a brief pause, Lily sighed.

"Fine. Whatever you say James," she folded her arms and looked at him inquisitively, "Any other 'truths' that you'd care to tell me? Perhaps about what's on your mind right now?"

James furrowed his brow, "Um. . . that I'm thinking about how I want to kiss you so badly?"

Lily reddened as she narrowed her eyes at him, "I'm talking about that stupid promise that Lila gave you. You know, that I would go out with you again?"

"Oh, that," he smiled, "So would you?"

Lily just shook her head, "Look, if you want to ask me out, just say it,"

"So if I asked you out right now for a date tomorrow, you'd say 'yes'?"

Lily tilted her head, pretending to think before she said, "No,"

"Hey! That's unfair! You said. . ."

"I said, just ask. I did not say that I'd agree,"

James was silent for a moment then Lily smiled,

"I'm joking. Sure I'd go out with you, if you still want," she trailed off and James's brown eyes brightened,

"You bet I do,"

Lily then looked at him sternly, "That is, providing no monkey business from you, Potter. Do you hear? Just plain hanging out and getting to know each other better, okay? Oh and no more buying me stuff,"

"So, we just hang out and talk,"

"That's right,"

"No monkey business,"

"Yes,"

"And no more buying you stuff,"

"Yep,"

"Can I at least pay for lunch?"

"Sure,"

"Can I get a kiss then?"

"Maybe in your next life," she replied without missing a beat

"Can't blame me for trying," James shrugged, and Lily just patted him jokingly on the shoulder,

"Nice try, though," she said before heading up her room.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Lil, are you still mad? Where have you been?" a worried Lila asked her,

"No, Li. I'm not mad at you," Lily replied flatly as Lila led her to the bed and sat beside her,

"So, where have you been?" Sabrina asked, sitting on her other side,

"Downstairs to talk to James,"

"Ooh! About what?" Lila asked, leaning closer

"Oh, stuff. Just cleared a few things with him, that's all," she shrugged

"And?" Sabrina coaxed.

"And what?" Lily asked and Sabrina eyed her knowingly before she sighed, "Can't hide anything from you, can I?"

Sabrina shook her head.

"Okay, so I agreed to go out with him again tomorrow," she said and Lila's eyes went wide.

"Oh my god, Lil! That's so exciting! You'll finally get to kiss James Potter,"

"Wait! Hold on. Who says I'm going to kiss him?"

"Simple rules of dating, Lil. Second dates always ends with a kiss,"

"Who would make a stupid rule like that? And sorry to disappoint you but I don't have any plans of kissing James Potter, thank you,"

"Duh! Nobody plans on kissing. It just happens," Lila sighed dreamily and Lily just rolled her eyes, unable to conceal her smile.

"I am not kissing him, okay?" she said, although in her mind, she was debating whether or not she should. . . well, it all depended on James.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"So, what are your plans after graduation?" Lily asked, sipping her butterbeer

James looked at his drink pensively, "Maybe I'll just stay at home," he shrugged, "What about you?"

Lily frowned slightly at him before she paused to think of an answer. They've been asking and rebounding questions for about half an hour now and it seemed pretty dull, although it was certainly informative. He only gave brief answers before rebounding the question to her, whish she answers completely. He looked at Lily's beautiful lips as she tilted her head to one side, looking thoughtful. God, how much he wanted to feel those lips against his.

"Maybe an auror. It depends, actually. I mean, I also want to have a family and have children but. . ."

"But. . ." James prodded and Lily just shook her head,

"I don't know, I just couldn't imagine my 'right guy' yet, that's all," she said and James looked at her fixedly,

"That's funny, I could picture my 'right girl' just perfectly,"

Lily blushed, getting his point.

"You sure never run out of things to say, don't you?"

"It's a gift," he shrugged, "So, what about your ideal guy. What exactly are you looking for?"

Lily's eyes suddenly looked dreamy, "Well, he surely must be sensitive and thoughtful," she began and James made a mental self check-up.

I'm sensitive. I certainly can sense if Sirius is up to no good even before he tells me. And I'm undoubtedly thoughtful, I think about her all the time, don't I? That's certainly thoughtful.

"And sweet, romantic, smart, responsible. . ."

Wait, I'm pretty sweet. I mean, my mum said so when I gave her that birthday present last month. Romantic? Well, I'm pretty sure Terri from Ravenclaw said that to me, or was it Trisha? Anyway, I am smart. . . I did get an O from my Arithmancy O.W.L.S., wait, that was Remus. I don't even take Arithmancy. And responsible? I think I'm . . .

"James?"

James snapped out from his thoughts, "Huh?"

Lily looked at him curiously, frowning, "I just asked you a question. Obviously your mind's wandering,"

"No. . . in fact, I was just thinking your question through, that's all," he lied and Lily looked at him expectantly,

"So?"

"What?" he looked at her blankly and Lily just shook her head disapprovingly,

"I just asked you what type of girl do you like?" she repeated, clearly trying to be patient

"Well, I really can't say exactly what I'm looking for in a girl. . ."

"Right. How could I have been so stupid? Of course you don't have an 'ideal girl' since you practically change girls every week," Lily laughed sarcastically

"Hey, I resent that!" James retorted. Actually, most of them don't even last a week.

"Okay, forget it," Lily smiled, "Let's just go for a walk, shall we?"

"Great," James smiled as he gulped down his drink and threw a few coins in the table.

"This is nice," Lily mumbled to herself as the late afternoon breeze swept to her face. James couldn't agree more as he looked at Lily. It was very nice indeed. Her red hair, her closed eyes, her perfect nose, her full lips. . . everything. What he wouldn't give to have her in his arms even just for a night.

"What are you thinking about? You seem awfully quiet," Lily was now looking at him, her clear, green eyes looking at him closely. James blinked a few times,

"Huh?"

Lily just sighed, "Maybe you ought to be somewhere and doing something else since you've been practically distracted since we left the castle. Maybe we should just head back," she said, looking annoyed

"No. I'm sorry, I mean, I didn't mean to. . ."

Lily folded her arms and stared at him, "No, I'm serious. We could go back if you want to. I'm not pressuring you to bear with me for a few more hours. Surely you'd rather hang out with your friends, I don't mind at all,"

James smiled slightly, "Do you realize you sound like a jealous girlfriend?"

Lily blushed, "I do not! I'm just. . . oh never mind! Let's just head back to the castle, okay?" she shook her head and James grabbed her wrist,

"Lil, wait! Hey, I'm sorry for spacing out but I really want to continue our date,"

Lily looked hesitant, "Are you sure? Because like I said, I'm not forcing you to. . ."

"Lily, you don't need to force anything on me especially when it comes to spending time with you," he said smoothly and Lily smiled slightly,

"Okay. Just don't count on that line to work the next time,"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lily swallowed hard. I can't believe I'm actually enjoying our date.

She snuck a glance at James, who was busy inspecting the new models of flying brooms displayed in one of the shops.

Do I like him? Impossible. He's been nothing but obnoxious and conceited all through our date, but then again, he's funny and kind of, I don't know, sweet.

Lily hugged herself as she watched James's profile again. He looked so serious and pensive and he is undoubtedly good looking especially when he's smiling and laughing and even when he looks solemn, but she liked his eyes the most. They were so expressive and penetrating that one could get lost in those pair of dark brown eyes but at the same time, they looked mischievous and mysterious. Like he was keeping a secret.

"Lil? You ready to go?"

"Oh, um, yeah sure. Where to next?"

"Wanna head over to the Shrieking Shack?" his playful smile was back

She knitted her brows, "Aren't we not allowed to go there? I mean, I hear it's pretty dangerous inside,"

"Oh, don't worry, I'll protect you," he shrugged confidently and Lily just shook her head,

"Okay, why not," she finally gave in.

Inside the Shrieking Shack was dark, dusty and musty. Lily wrinkled her nose as she tightened her grip on James's hand, which she had no choice but to hold since it was very dark. James led her to the cleaner part of the house, near the long-neglected fireplace and pulled out the sheet covering a cushy, red sofa and motioned for her to sit down.

"I'm not even gonna ask how you manage to find your way in here," she mumbled as she marveled at the surroundings. Given time and some furniture, this could be a pretty decent house. "I heard this place is haunted,"

"Nah! We come here all the time. It's not haunted," he shrugged, inching nearer. This time, Lily made no thought to move away. James's mouth curved into a smile,

"Um, James?" she whispered as their lips were only centimeters from each other,

"Yeah?" his voice was husky

"I don't think we should do this," she said nervously, feeling torn. Part of her wanted to kiss him, but another part of her didn't want to give in that easily.

James sighed.

"I mean, it's getting dark and. . . well, you know," she tried to reason but James only nodded,

"You're right Lil. We really should be heading back," he said, pulling her up and Lily could feel a heavy weight in her stomach.

"Well, I hope you're not mad at me or anything," she said in a low voice, although trying not to sound as concerned as what she felt and James turned to her, his eyes wide in surprise,

"Never thought you'd say that, Lil,"

"Don't get too cocky. I just don't fancy people hating me, that's all," she defended, not trying to look at him in the eye.

"Of course," James mumbled to himself

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As they entered the noisy common room, James immediately found his friends, looking busy in the corner of the room. It was Peter who looked up and saw him first,

"Hey Prongs!" he motioned for him to come over and James glanced at Lily, who was now engaged in a conversation with Sabrina and Lila.

"So, how's it going?" he asked as Sirius was stuffing his robes with the goods,

"Just in time," he smiled mischievously, "All we have to do is sit and wait for the dinner bell,"

James smiled as he sat down beside Remus as Sirius handed him half of the goods,

"So, how did your date go?" Remus asked, and James glanced at Lily, who was talking animatedly with her friends,

"It was okay,"

"Okay? Just okay?" Sirius asked incredulously, then he shook his head, "You must be losing your touch, James. If that were me. . ."

"Well, it isn't you, Padfoot," James interrupted snappishly and Sirius smiled,

"Fine! Sheesh! Calm down, will you? So how long do you have to wait before you could finally, you know,"

James shook his head, "I'm not quite sure. I swear, that girl's bad for my ego,"

Remus laughed, "Finally found your match, eh, Prongs?"

James didn't answer. He just looked at Lily as she tucked a strand of her beautiful red hair behind her ear and smiled at what her friend had said.

He could just imagine her lying beside him, her striking red hair spilled all over the white pillows and her smooth, creamy skin nearly blending with the white sheets. Her emerald green eyes looking at him, heavy lidded and seductive, inviting him for a kiss, and her rose-colored lips provocatively parting slightly.

James shook his head as he realized that the students were heading out the portrait hole for dinner. Sirius stood up and grinned at him,

"Time to deploy," he said before the four of them headed out of the common room.

Author's Notes: I know it's all still pretty mundane so far but I promise to make it a bit exciting in the future. . .