Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling. No profit is being made from this story. I am simply having fun and providing entertainment for other readers.

Chapter 5

Yes

By FreiMe

October shockingly came and went in a big blur for me. I was so busy with homework, studying for N.E.W.T.s, Head Girl duties, and planning the next two Hogsmede trips that I was shocked when I found my self two weeks into the month of November. I had been spending a lot of time with James lately. And I'm not just talking about planning the Hogsmede trips and the ball…

We enjoyed each other's company so much that we often found ourselves strolling the grounds together or hanging out in our private common room for hours at a time. Every time I would return from an enjoyable time with James Potter, an annoyingly amused smirk would appear on Becca's face.

"Oh shut up you!" I would tell her, pretending to act casual. Although I tried to act like the only feelings I had for James were friendly, my damned cheeks always gave me away as they turned redder then my hair.

One day as Becca and I were studying in the library together, the topic of the upcoming Hogsmede trip wandered its way into our conversation. "Where do you want to go first when we get there?" I asked Becca, looking up from my Charms essay.

Becca flushed. She began mumbling and babbling senselessly. I stared at her. "Er – can you say that again, please? And this time speak so that I can understand what you are saying," I said, sounding amused.

"I – erm – you see, we were sitting in the common room together and he just asked me and I didn't know what to say so I just said sure," Becca said quickly, not looking me in the eye.

"Becca what are you talking about? Did someone ask you to go to Hogsmede?" I asked, raising my eyebrows and grinning at her. Becca swallowed and then nodded.

"Who is the lucky man?" I questioned, smirking at her uneasiness.

Becca mumbled a quiet answer again. "Becca, I can't hear you. Come on, just tell me. Who is it?" I pressed on.

"Sirius Black."

I began giggling uncontrollably. Madame Pince shot me an angry look and I stopped, but I continued to smile. "Oh I knew you fancied him Becca! I just knew it!" I said with a knowing grin on my face. Becca blushed and glared at me.

"Look it's no big deal alright?" she said, but I saw her eyes dancing with delight as she thought about the fact that she was going to be hanging out in Hogsmede with Sirius Black.

I shook my head. "You tease me all the time about James. Now it's my turn to get back at you," I told her, causing her to roll her eyes and look back down at her essay.

I was happy for Becca, but now I had no one to go to Hogsmede with. Of course I could go with some of the other seventh-girls; I was pretty good friends with some of them. But I found them sort of annoying because all they did was talk about guys…and guys…and guys…and clothes….and guys. That's about it.

"You could go with James," Becca said one day during breakfast in the Great Hall. She smirked at me.

Yeah, I wish. "No I don't really want to go with James. Becca, we are just friends!" I said with an exasperated tone. It seemed like the fiftieth time we had gone over this.

"Oh come on Lily we all know you like him!" said Becca, clearly unaffected by the fact that I was getting very frustrated.

I paused and looked up from my bacon and eggs. "What do you mean, we?" I asked curiously. Becca sighed, and looked at me with a piteous look in her eyes.

"What?"

"Lily will you quit being so blind? James likes you! He has always liked you. And now, you like him, so why don't you just tell him and be done with it?" Becca said calmly. I simply stared at her.

That was ridiculous! It was laughable! I don't like James!

Do, too.

Do not!

Do, too!

Oh sod off will you?

Fine, cranky-pants.

After I was finished with the "Do not – Do too" battle in my mind, I looked up to find Becca staring back at me. Her mouth was twitching, and I knew that she was resisting the urge to start smirking at me.

"I've got to get to class. See you later," I said quickly, jumping up and walking out of the Great Hall. Out of the corner of my eye I saw James jump up quickly and follow me.

I stopped outside the Great Hall and waited for him to catch up with me. When he finally did, I smiled at him. "Hey Lily," James said smiling at me. I blushed and for some reason, I felt like I wanted to say something witty to impress him…

What?!? Ooohhh You like James! You are in love with James Potter!

I am not!

Don't start this again because I will win!

I don't like James!

"Er – Lily are you alright?" came an uncertain voice.

What? What?

I snapped out of it. "Oh yes – er sorry what were you saying James?" I responded, smiling at him as we walked up the marble staircase together.

"I was wondering if you wanted to meet me out by the lake this evening so that we could plan some more of the ball," James said, clearly amused by the fact that I was zoning out.

"Yeah sure, that'd be fun," I said grinning up at him. James smiled.

"Alright I'll see you then!" James winked at me and walked off. Wait – James winked at me? What was that supposed to mean? Did he do it on purpose? Was he trying to tell me something? Did he have something in his eye?

After a long, boring day of Potions, Arithmancy, and Herbology, I walked down to the lake to meet James. I found him already setting up a blanket for us to sit on while we planned the upcoming Yule Ball.

He beamed at me as he saw me walking towards him. I smiled back, blushing slightly. James patted a spot on the blanket next to him for me to sit. I sat down, put my bag next to me, and turned to him.

"Hi."

"Hi."

There was awkward silence. I could tell James was feeling just as uncomfortable as I was. "So – er – let's get started then," James said finally breaking the uncomfortable quiet. I nodded my head and we set to work…

I was giggling profusely. James had said something funny. Although it was not incredibly funny, I still found my self giggling. James didn't know what to say. He just smiled and began laughing as well.

Then he stopped laughing and turned to look at me very seriously. I stopped giggling and turned to him, with a questioning look on my face. James looked nervous. I was puzzled.

"Lily – er – I know that Becca is going to Hogsmede with Sirius and I thought – er – maybe you m-might not have someone else to go with and – ," My heart was pounding. James seemed extremely nervous. I was unsure, but I thought he was going to ask me to go to Hogsmede. "And so I was wondering – er – if you didn't want to go alone then you might want to go with me?" he finished. I could hear him breathing rather quickly.

Say yes! It's just a single word! Say yes you stupid prat! Say it!

"Yes."

There you go!

James's eyes widened and he looked incredibly relieved. "Really?" he said, failing to conceal the happiness in his voice.

I laughed and nodded my head.

James looked as happy on the outside as I was on the inside. Earlier that day I had finally admitted to myself – and only to myself, not to Becca – that I was secretly hoping James would ask me to go to Hogsmede with him. And he just had.

Whether it was a real date or we were just going as friends I didn't care…All I knew that I was going to Hogsmede tomorrow with James Potter and I was going to have the time of my life.

I began smiling to myself the night before Hogsmede while I was laying awake in my bed. James had seemed so nervous when he asked me. Yet, in fifth and sixth year, he was not afraid to make a complete prat of himself by acting completely arrogant and conceited when he would ask me to go out with him. I had to admit, I definitely preferred the way he asked me earlier out by the lake. It was cute. He was nervous. He was cute. Did I say that already?

A/N: And there you have it – another chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it. I tried to get it up much more quickly then Chapter Four because I didn't want anyone else biting my head off. Please give me some feedback!