James left Hogwarts through a little-used side door on the North side of the building. He didn't want to bump into anybody. He had a job to do.

It was bitterly cold outside. The grounds were blanketed in snow, which sparkled like crystals in the sunlight. The lake was almost frozen over. Shivering, James sympathised for the giant squid.

Turning East, James headed towards his destination, he knew Lily would be there. He made his way hastily to the rose garden, which was hidden far back in the grounds. Not many people went there, few students even knew of its existence. That was why Lily liked it he knew, she liked the flowers and the solitude.

James approached the garden. The narrow path leading to it was covered in snow and a set of footprints gave away Lily's presence. The garden was surrounded by tall hedges. Even thought winter had stripped them of their leaves, they still offered privacy and James was grateful. He didn't want an audience, should anybody venture by.

Reaching the entrance to the garden, James surveyed the scene. He wasn't a huge fan of flowers, but had to admit the place was pretty. The garden was, of course enchanted. The roses that should have withered along time ago were still fresh and bright, kept in bloom all year long by a special spell.

And there was Lily. She sat at the far end of the garden, on a stone bench covered by an awning that trailed in roses. She was wrapped in a thick green cloak with fur lining. She hadn't seen him yet.

James walked slowly towards her. His heart beat faster and faster. As he passed the centre of the garden, where four statues of the founders of Hogwarts stared inwards at him, Lily looked up, adding her scrutiny to theirs. Her look was just as stony as the silent statues' at being disturbed, but when she saw who it was, it changed to one of surprise.

"James!" she exclaimed "What are you doing here?"

"Just walking Evans" He was slightly put out by her surprise. "I thought I'd get some fresh air."

"Fresh air?" She challenged "Didn't you have a three hour Quidditch practise earlier?"

Damn her for being so clever!

"Yeah, but I, er..I like the snow"

"It's freezing James"

It wasn't going well.

"Well, you're out here Evans. What's your excuse?" James sat, uninvited, on the bench beside Lily.

"I don't need an excuse, Potter. I always come here and anyway, I wanted some time on my own'

"Oh"

James couldn't think of anything else to say, a feeling he was not used to. "I guess I'll go then" He moved to get up, but Lily put her hand on his arm and stopped him.

"No, it's okay. You can stay if you want."

Sitting back down, James shot a sidelong glance at Lily. She looked flushed. Perhaps it was the cold. Perhaps not.

For a while, neither of them said anything. It wasn't quite an awkward silence. But it was definitely not a comfortable one either. As it went on, James realised just how loud the absence of noise could be. When he couldn't take it any longer he opened his mouth to speak, but Lily beat him to it.

"James, I was wondering if you'dgototheYuleBallwithme?"

Then she was quiet again. She sat up tall, and looked straight forwards.

James was Gobsmacked. He opened and closed his mouth a few times. Then he repeated the action again, before regaining some composure. He also looked straight forwards and let her words sink in.

"Well Evans, I never thought…" he began, but she cut him off in an angry tone.

"Look James, if you're going to be like that, just go. I don't know why I said it anyway, what was I thinking…."

'No!' Thought James as she continued to rant. It was all going wrong. He had to put things straight, once and for all.

"Lily"

She stopped mid-sentence and stared at him. Well, that shut her up thought James. He'd never called her by her first name before.

"If you'd let me finish, you'd realise that I wasn't about to do my 'conceited pig thing' as I think you put it. You shouldn't always jump to conclusions"

Lily looked somewhat abashed at his reproof, and James couldn't help feeling a bit pleased.

"I realised that maybe I wasn't as great as I thought I was a while ago. That day with Snape, do you remember? She nodded, a small frown of admonition creasing her brow.

"Well" James hurried on, eager to avoid a lecture. "It's made me think, that day has. You made me think that perhaps it isn't so clever being so cruel to Snape. Even thought he is a snivelling, greasy little maggot.

Lily's frown deepened. She opened her mouth to speak, James headed her off.

"So anyway, maybe you haven't noticed, but I've tried to stop being so big headed. And it's because of you. I just didn't want you thinking badly of me." James drew a deep breath and ploughed on.

"Thing is, I like you Evans. I like you a lot. I came to ask you to the Yule Ball." He gave a short laugh. "But you beat me to it. But that's one of the things I like about you, you're full of surprises!"

James had was finished. He had said all and more than he had planned to and was quite shocked he had been so honest. He buried his chin in his red and gold scarf and waited for a response.

When he didn't get one, he decided to risk a look at Lily.

She was looking at him, no wait, through him. Roughly a middle-distance stare, right through his head. Her previously hard look had softened, and her lips were slightly parted. When she breathed, white clouds partially obscured her face.

"Lily?"

Damn! He'd promised himself to say no more. God knows what his brain might make his mouth say if he wasn't careful!

She stopped staring blindly, and focused on his face. She didn't say anything but leaned quickly forward and kissed his mouth. Then she pulled back slightly, although their faces were still almost touching. Smiling, she said "I'd love to go to the Ball with you James", then she sat back and looked out at the roses again.

"Even if your Quidditch skills are rapidly going down the drain"

James made a noise of indignation and Lily laughed warmly.

"Look Evans, I know you only like me 'coz you need help at Basic Charms"

It was her turn for outrage. With feigned chagrin, she moved to punch him on the arm. James caught her hand mid-swing, and held it in his own instead. Smiling shyly, Lily squeezed his fingers, then shifted closer to him on the bench.

All in all, thought James, it had been a good day.