Okay. Really sorry about the delay. I hope some people still bother to read it... my life got crazy for a while! So here goes!

James watched Lily through every one of their classes. This was, in fact, nothing unusual. He had stared at her ever since second year. First year he had been too busy learning how to blow things up... James smiled fondly at the memory.

But something was different now, because Lily wasn't turning around to glare at him when she felt his eyes on her. No, she had turned around a few times, but each time- there had been three so far- she had just given him a smile and turned back around.

He was on top of the world, a feeling he had been getting quite often lately. In fact, he decided, maybe he would talk to her today... There was that dance. They could always go to that together. He smiled as the class was dismissed. Lily and her friends were already in the hall, so he would have to run to catch up... Throwing his books into his bag, James sprinted from the classroom.

Rounding the corner, he came to a dead stop. There was Lily, but she was taking to Diggory. And from the look in his eyes, he was asking her to the dance. He had drawn her away from her friends who were a few feet ahead, but Lily's back was towards James. Say no, he pleaded with her silently. Say no! Amos gave Lily a small smile, and walked away, waving over his shoulder. James saw Lily wave back. His heart sunk. He had always hated Diggory, but now he despised that man. He was a terrible Quidditch player besides. What did Lily seen in him?

Not wanting to wait for his own friends and hear their jeers- his friends were nice, but they didn't seem to realize what Lily was to him- he trudged down the hallway, in the direction of Lily and the Great Hall.

Suddenly he realized that he was right next to Lily. She hadn't moved since Diggory had left. Still forcing himself to be polite, he smiled at her.

'How's everything going?'

'Uh... Pretty well,' she answered cheerfully. Her eyes looked distracted though. 'Are you all right?'

'What? Oh- yeah... yeah, everything's great,'

'You're not very convincing,' he grinned in spite of himself.

'Oh,' she blushed and looked away.

'So?' he prompted. 'Tell me?'

'Just... Diggor-- Amos.'

'Oh? And what about Diggor-Amos was bothering you?'

Lily blessed him with a small smile at the name. 'Oh... just... this Halloween Dance,'

'That bothers you?' He was teasing her, but he hoped she didn't mind. The truth was, it was his nature to tease and prod for answers.

She didn't seem too bothered. 'Not the dance in itself, no,'

'But Diggory does?'

She sighed. 'Not all the time,'

'Aha!'

Lily stared at him. 'What?'

'Ladies and Gentlemen! The time has come at LONG LAST. Yes, prepare yourself, folks. Lily Evans- yes, you heard me, Lily Evans, has admitted to NOT LIKING SOMEONE,'

She rolled her eyes at him, but grinned all the same. 'Not entirely true,'

'Whatever do you mean?'

'Well, first, I just said that I don't exactly like him all the time. Some of the time he's... bearable... And plus, I've told you before that I don't like you,'

'Please tell me that's all past tense,'

She laughed- he remembered how much he loved that laugh- and tossed him a sly look. 'Well, I don't know...'

'I'm wounded, Lils... mortally wounded,' James cried, falling against the wall in mock agony. He slid to the ground, still clutching his side. '

'What drama. Ever considered the theater as a form of work?'

'Theater? No!'

'Then what?' she asked. She offered him a hand, and James took it, thinking briefly about how ridiculous it must look for Lily to be pulling him up.

'Seriously?'

'Yeah,'

'Well... I think I'll become an Auror,'

'Really?'

'What about you?'

'I was thinking the same thing,'

'What? No!'

She frowned slightly at him. 'Why not?'

He knew he was blushing, but he didn't care. That was the most absurd idea he had ever heard! 'Well,' he floundered, trying to explain the obvious, 'you might get hurt,'

She looked amused, which, for once, had not been James' intent. 'So could you,' she countered easily.

'That doesn't matter,'

'To some people it might,'

'Like who?

'Well, I might miss your constant affections and jokes,' she laughed. James smirked. 'Admit it, Lils, you'd miss me,'

Her brilliant green eyes danced. 'Oh, I might. You have your uses,'

'I do?'

'Sure. Without you, I'd barely have a chance to see Sirius,'

'Sirius? So... ?' he stopped. 'Oh. I get it. That wasn't funny,'

'What said that I was joking?'

'I did!' he cried indignantly.

They had reached the Great Hall James realized with faint astonishment. He decided that he needed to be bold. He almost laughed at himself- that was ludicrous, James Potter, telling himself to be BOLD.

'Lily?'

'Yes, James?'

'What did Diggory ask you?'

'To the dance,'

'What did you say?'

There was a slight pause. James' life hung on her next words.

'I said I'd think about it,'

A start.

'What would you say if I asked you the same question?'

'What do you mean?'

She was teasing him, stalling for time. He realized that, as he realized his own heart was pounding so hard he was sure she could hear it. He didn't care. He wanted Lily. Wanted her and didn't care what she said to him. He needed to ask.

'Want to go to the dance with me?'

'The Halloween dance?'

She was killing him. 'Yes, the Halloween Dance,'

'Well. I would like to say yes, but then what do I tell Diggory?'

'That a better offer came along?' He was desperate. He grinned at her, and she blushed.

'Tempting,'

'Or tell him the truth,'

'Which is?'

'That he's a pompous idiot who know everything, and knows he knows everything, and is just an overstuffed pretty boy who does not deserve you, and you could mention that the love of your life came and whisked you away and honestly, how could you resist that?'

She smiled at him.

'Tempting, James.'

'Well? You're killing me, Lily,'

'Why is that?'

'Why is that? Why is that? Because, Lillian Evans, I have thought you were beautiful since first year when I didn't think girls were acceptable, let alone pretty, and I thought you were brilliant since second, and I knew you were amazing in third, and I've loved you since the beginning of this year when I changed and you changed and you didn't hate me and I didn't act like an idiot every time I was around you and now I, James Potter, am begging you, pleading, asking, anything... please, please, please grace me with your presence by my side at the Halloween Dance,'

'Don't ever call me Lillian again,' Lily told him, but she had a smile on her face and she was looking up at him fondly. Fondly! Yes! Please let that be a good sign... 'I think, James Potter, that you have convinced me. I would love to accompany you to the upcoming dance,'

And that was that.

Okay. That is NOT the end... although it might be a better one than I have planned, but I want this story to follow them for longer..... so review PLEASE.. thank you SO much! I love you guys! AROD