He was doomed, why hadn't he thought about this before? Now he was going to look like a fool when everyone else has a date and he doesn't. James Potter covered his face in his hands. He either had to think of someone who'd possibly go out with him at once or pretend to be sick the other day and stay out of the trip. The latter seemed far easier and appealing than the former one.

'Hey, James!' said Daniel Thompson, captain and chaser at the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

James looked up.

'What's wrong? Wanna come and sit with us?' he offered.

'No, thanks, Dan. I'm okay!' he said and lowered his head on his lap again.

This was the worst he had felt ever. He was Seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team; it was amazing how he couldn't manage to get a date for a Hogsmeade trip. Someone climbed in through the portrait hole, but James didn't look up. His spirits had flown unnaturally low and he couldn't muster up the courage to look around at all the happy faces of his fellow Gryffindors when he was in such sorrow. He was seated in a chair next to the fire. He heard someone sit opposite him. 'Is it Padfoot, Moony or Wormtail?' he thought glumly. He was sure one of them was there to talk about their date and what they were planning to do tomorrow. Then he heard whoever it was seated in the armchair opposite him clear their throat almost pleadingly.

He decided he had to face whoever it was sooner or later and thinking that it was best to get over the worst as quickly as possible. He slowly raised his head and then sat bolt upright at the sight which greeted him. Lily Evans accommodated the chair opposite him. James's mouth went suddenly dry. He gulped. Lily didn't seem to be in a bad mood. But why was she sitting there? He looked away, trying to look uninterested. After a very awkward pause:

'Er...James?' said Lily, tentatively, breaking the silence.

'Yeah?' James shot back, almost abruptly.

'Umm... I thought over what you just said' Lily started, growing steadily redder with every word.

James waited... he wasn't even sure what he was expecting over here.

'I...umm...decided to accept your offer' she said, closing her eyes as she said this.

James was too shocked to believe what he was hearing and pinched himself on the arm, earning a sever pain. He hastily closed his mouth and, flabbergasted, stared at Lily.

She was now blushing very furiously and looked down quickly so James wouldn't see her flush.

James opened and closed his mouth for a few seconds, then finally finding his voice:

'Lily, you can't believe how...how...' he stammered

'It's okay James, we can see how it goes tomorrow and further plans can be made after that' she said quickly and firmly. 'See you tomorrow' she smiled, got up and hurried towards her own dormitory, closely followed by Jennifer, who had been watching all the time.

James slumped back in his seat (he had been on the edge all this while) and heaved a sigh of relief and bliss. He couldn't believe his luck! After all these years, Lily Evans had given in and had agreed to go out with him! He smiled inwardly and grinned at himself for being such a 'lucky dawg'.

'What's up?' asked Sirius, taking a place next to James.

'Nothing' James lied

'Yeah, okay, I so believe you!' he said mockingly. 'C'mon, what is it? A person doesn't just smile to himself for nothing!' he said. 'Unless, the person is some sort of a maniac' he added thoughtfully.

'You'll see tomorrow!' said James, grinning mischievously. He got up and set off towards his own dormitory, leaving Sirius gaping at him.