I don't own these characters (and have no desire to) our very own J.K. Rowling does...

They exited the shop, Lily talking feverishly about the Wiz boys and how she loved their music and was addicted to all of their songs.

'Let's get into the Three Broomsticks for a drink, then we can explore around more. I never knew the village of Hogsmeade could be packed with so many irresistible shops!' exclaimed Lily, when she stopped talking about her favorite musical group.

'You took the words right out of my mouth!' cried James as they made their way through swarms of Hogwarts students to the entrance of The Three Broomsticks. It was a very popular pub in Hogsmeade and their specialty was Madam Rosmerta's (who was the lady at the pub) mulled mead. However, most of the students preferred Butterbeer, an extremely soothing drink that seemed to warm your insides as it slish-sloshed it's way down.

They sat down at a table and placed their orders. Talking to Lily was very amusing and very entertaining. Now that they were on friendlier terms, everything seemed right. James and Lily had loads in common. James was just getting to know Lily and already, he had figured out that she was no ordinary girl. She liked most of the stuff girls would consider 'too boyish'. It made him adore her more than ever (of course, it also gave him second thoughts on the gift he had got for her at the downtown gift shop). They talked over Butterbeer and treacle tarts.

'I love Madam Rosmerta's treacle tarts', Lily had exclaimed. 'They remind me so much of the ones my mum makes at home'

'Tell me, how do you find the contrast between the Muggle and the Magical worlds? As you've experienced both...' James asked her after a while, thinking why he hadn't asked her this before.

'Fascinating! Muggles have various ways that are far cleverer than any wizards. Of course, they manage to do everything without magic. And that's pretty hard now I see how easy everything is in the Magical World', Lily proclaimed.

James frowned. He was a pure-blood and came from a Wizarding family; he couldn't stand anything against his Wizarding world or against Wizards and Witches.

'Now you know you're a Witch, I think you should be more loyal towards the Magical World by the way' said James, grinning.

'Of course' smiled Lily. 'That was just my unbiased half speaking!' she said casually, with a wave of her hand.

They kept talking jovially about different aspects of the Magical and Muggle worlds and how they differed. Lily fascinated James by telling him different facts about Muggles and their history. He was absolutely rapt about electricity and how they managed to travel without Floo Powder and Apparation.

'Potter and Evans? Having fun on our little date are we?' drawled an ever-so-familiar voice.

James knew that voice very well and didn't need to turn around to see who it was. Pale face, pointed chin and with a mop of white-blond hair which was almost always slicked back, giving him his wicked appearance – Lucius Malfoy stood sneering at the pair of them. Severus Snape lingered awkwardly in the background enjoying the scene. He was too cowardly to come forward himself and usually took pleasure in others picking the fight instead of him.

Lily's expression suddenly became very wooden. She was always very uncomfortable in the presence of Lucius Malfoy. Lucius came from a pure-blood family. Everyone knew the Malfoys were one of the few pure-blooded families left. He was a Slytherin, which was the house that had turned out many dark wizards. The Fabulous Four or the Marauders had every reason to believe Lucius would turn out to be one too. Malfoy looked down on any one of Muggle parentage, and called them 'Mudblood' which, in the Wizarding world was a very foul name for someone who's Muggle-born, someone like Lily Evans. Although Lily knew better that she was far better than Lucius would ever be, it didn't help her feel more comfortable about herself. Malfoy had scorned and mocked her from the very first day, and since his parents were very rich and had a large number of contacts, the Marauders knew better than to pick a fight with him. He always seemed to get out of trouble easily than anyone else.

'You got a problem with that, buddy?' asked James offhandedly.

Lucius snorted. 'As if I haven't better things to worry about!' he scoffed.

'Doesn't look like that to me' said James coolly. He turned around and started talking to Lily again.

Lucius, having no comeback and not finding any insult to throw at James when he, himself didn't have a date and the Potter boy did, he whipped around and marched out of the pub, muttering 'Mudbloods swarming the place' as he left.

'If anything's got dirtier blood than you, I'm a Hinkypunk!' called James after him. He snickered briefly and turned his attention on Lily again.

She looked extremely uncomfortable and kept fumbling with her purse.

'Lily!' James wailed. 'Lucius is just a big, air-headed goof who thinks he's like, oh so cool! Don't let him get to you!' he said in a very assuring way.

Lily forced a tight smile. James grinned back at her, which made her smile broader than ever. He winked at her and got up from the table.

'C'mon! Let's get going. I have to go to Zonko's too. I'm currently running low on Dungbombs' he grimaced.

Lily laughed; she had begun to like James more and more with every passing second. He was out of the ordinary. A normal boy wouldn't have expressed his desire to go to a joke shop in front of his date. James, however, seemed to be very natural, he wasn't made up like Lucius, Lily thought.

'Sure' she smiled and got up from their table as well. It had been a wonderful day up till now and she didn't know what other surprises the rest of their time together was holding for her.

James and Lily got into Zonko's. It was packed with many students from Hogwarts. James got through easily because of the fact that everyone was terrified he'd jinx them if they didn't move. Lily realized this and scowled inwardly. She didn't like people others were terrified from; however, she wasn't likely to spoil her day just because of this thing. She placed her order of a few Dungbombs and Wet Fireworks along with a huge one from James. This surprised James very much. He had long before realized that Lily was apart from normal giggly-girlies. But Dungbombs? He shook his head to get back to real life. He was certainly discovering something new by the second. Girls usually preferred staying away from joke stuff like this. However, being a troublemaker he greatly appreciated the fact that Lily was unlike other girls he had known.

Sorry this chapter is such a drag, but I couldn't help but give some looooong details about their date! And thnx Lavender for your sweet reviews, do you really want chapter from one characters POV? I found such stories pretty boring... Anyways, what weakness do you suggest I put in our dear old James?