"Lily – Lily!"
Lily awoke with a start, aware that someone was shaking her violently by the shoulders. She looked up and saw Melissa with a sort of desperation in her cinnamon colored eyes.
"Sorry. Guess I'm kind of drowsy to – to – today," Lily said, stretching her hands behind her head and stifling a yawn.
"Finally! Now go get changed! We're leaving for Hogsmeade in 10 minutes!" Both Melissa and Dana were ready to go, and were only waiting for Lily who had fallen asleep in the common room and wasn't anywhere near ready to leave.
Lily was the only one of the three to have a date, but she knew her friends, they would probably meet up with some guys once they got into the town.
"I'll be down in just a minute," said a now very rushed Lily, as she darted up the stairs to her dormitory. She opened her trunk and sorted through her non-school uniform clothes. She pulled out a pair of tight fitting jeans and an emerald short sleeved sweater. She hurriedly threw on the choice of apparel and began applying some light make-up. Just enough to bring out the color in her eyes, although her green sweater already did a very good job of it already.
Brushing her long red hair and pulling it into a loose bun with a few strands falling next to her face, Lily grabbed her wand and stuffed it into her pocket. She surveyed her appearance in the floor length mirror and walked quickly down the steps where her friends waited.
When Dana saw Lily, she grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the portrait.
"Come on!"
They made their way to the entrance hall where students from all houses mingled before being allowed to proceed to Hogsmeade. Lily spotted Sirius near the wall entertaining some younger students. Wherever Sirius is James is not too far away, she thought searching the crowd for her date.
She found him pacing back and forth and talking Remus in a very agitated and slightly nervous voice.
"What if I screw everything up? What if I do something to offend her? Bloody hell! Who knew that taking girls out on dates was so damn nerve-wrecking!"
Lily smiled to herself. She knew that James wouldn't have wanted her to hear that so she pretended she hadn't and came up behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders and said, "Boo!"
James jumped and barely managed to suppress a shriek. He slowly turned around to see his beautiful Lily standing there, obviously quite pleased with herself for startling him half to death. He couldn't help but notice that no matter what she wore, or how she did her hair, she was just as gorgeous. She was his. Or was she? By accepting to go on a date, did that mean she would say yes if he asked her out? God he hoped so.
Lily was actually surprised to find that she had startled poor James so much and put a reassuring hand on his arm.
He gulped. Lily didn't know the affect her touch had on him.
He forced a smile and offered her his arm which she gladly took. They made their way into town and after a few moments decided to go to the Three Broomsticks first. They entered the pub where Madam Rosmerta, the owner, heartily greeted them.
"Rosmerta! How are you today?" James asked, losing his nervous air. Upon hearing the witch's response, Lily figured that he must be a regular customer.
"Why hello, James. I see you've brought a lady along this time," she winked at him and he smiled his toothy grin that made every girls heart flutter. She seated the two teenagers at a table in the back and said, "What can I get for you two today?"
Before James had a chance to answer, Lily had already spoken, "We'll have two butterbeers, please."
James rolled his eyes. He had so wanted a firewhiskey at the moment, to calm his nerves. But Lily go the best of him, and he nodded his head.
"They'll be right out, dears."
James could stand it no longer. He comically rolled his eyes as dramatic as he could and pretended to splutter, "Butterbeers? And to think I could have had a firewhiskey! But oh no! Miss Lily Flower here is opposed to drinking alcohol."
Lily playfully slapped his shoulder and said, "I'm doing you a favor. Unless you want to get drunk of course."
"You know, getting drunk isn't as bad as you might think. I take it you've never had too much to drink, have you?" James looked at her inquisitively and cocked his head to one side.
"As a matter of fact I have been drunk before. Think what you may, I am not as perfect as you might have supposed." She grinned wickedly.
"What? Of course you're perfect. Getting drunk and being perfect have nothing to do with each other. Have a drink is just fun and nauseating. What is life without fun? You are perfect, and I don't see how people could disagree."
Lily blushed and looked back at James who was desperately trying to hide a laugh, but failing miserably. It came out as half a grin and half a snort. She couldn't help but laugh with him. She looked into his hazel eyes and easily got lost in them, drowned in the light dancing in them. She was interrupted, however, when Madam Rosmerta came by with their butterbeers.
"Here we are, two butterbeers." She placed a drink in front of both of them and tottered away, stopping at other tables along the way.
"Drink up me hearties, yo ho," Lily murmured as she lifted the butterbeer to her lips.
"What was that?" James asked, obviously very confused at Lily's reference to muggle pirates.
"Oh, nothing. It's just a muggle thing."
James nodded and didn't question her any further. He didn't think, even if she explained it thoroughly enough, that he would understand simply due to the fact that it was muggle and James was about as opposite-muggle as a witch or wizard could get.
They continued to talk about odds and ends from quidditch to dungbombs and about how James wasn't really an arrogant prick because he was loyal to his friends and only pranked people he really hated, like Snivellus. They also touched upon the subject of Remus' monthly sickness, but James very quickly veered away from that topic. After some time James suggested that they walk outside the shops, and Lily eagerly agreed. It had been a long while since she had been in Hogsmeade and she desperately wanted to see if anything had changed.
They thanked Madam Rosmerta, walked out of the pub and headed for Zonko's Joke Shop. Lily hadn't particularly wanted to visit this store, but James had practically begged her, and she had a hard time refusing him.
As the two walked along the busy road, James became more and more agitated and restless until Lily could stand it no longer.
"James, what's wrong?" she asked looking him in the eye.
"Er – well, you see," he began, tripping over his words and fumbling with his hands. He glanced at Lily who was gazing at him with concern. He had started doubting that she would say yes if he asked her out, but when he saw that look of emotion in her eye, he decided he better chance it.
He turned to face her squarely and started over.
"Lily, we've been good friends for a while now, and I really enjoy it. More than you think. I've been mulling it over and finally figured out that you are the girl of my dreams. You're beautiful, smart, good-natured. But as much as I tell myself that being friends is just fine, somewhere deep down inside of me wants more."
He took her hand in his and gazed at her intently as if prompting a response.
"James," she said, shaking slightly but had difficulty putting a sentence together. Was James about to ask her out? Instead of looking at the anxious black haired boy in front of her, Lily took a particular interest in her shoes.
James hesitated a moment before reaching out and toying with one of her ringlets of her bright red hair. Acting on reflexes Lily recoiled ever so slightly at the touch of his warm hands on her skin. She looked away, so as to hide the blush that was rising in her cheeks. James cupped her face in his hand and brought her gaze back to his own eyes.
"Lils, would you go out with me?" He said this in as polite and caring yet serious way as possible, and Lily noticed. She didn't hesitate before responding for she already knew her answer.
"Yes, James, I would love to be your girlfriend." She smiled a true, honest to god smile as he pulled her into an embrace. She hardly noticed the huge grin plastered on his face, but she did notice when James picked her up off her feet and swung her around through the air.
They both laughed and he put her down gently. Glad to have firm ground under her feet she intertwined her fingers into James' and let him take her wherever he wanted. He knew now that he had her full trust and confidence. And now that he had it, he would do everything in his right power to keep it that way.
James told her to close her eyes as he walked down the street. Every so often he would whisper in her ear which made her tingle inside. Much to Lily's surprise, James led her into Honeydukes. She knew this simply by the fact that as he opened the door and led her inside, the smell of all the varieties of sweets and candies that were sold there filled her nose. Her eyes fluttered open and he nudged her.
"Go pick out whatever you want. It's all on me," he said, amused at the look he got from her. She had a mixture of pure happiness and utter confusion.
"No, I couldn't make you pay for that," she began put we waved it away with his hand. While she walked over to where the Fondant Frenzies, essentially fudge bars without the chocolate in them, were shelved, James strolled over to another section. When they finally met again, after picking out several different candies, they looked at each others' stash of food. Lily had chosen two Fondant Frenzies and a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. James, on the other hand, had picked out quite an assortment of sweets. From what Lily could tell, he had bought a few Fizzing Whizbees, some Droobles Best Blowing Gum, and several Canary Creams. These seemed like odd choices to Lily but she didn't say anything.
"Want to head back to the castle, James?" asked a tired Lily. She stifled a yawn and was about to turn when she heard a familiar voice shouting at her and James.
"Oi, Prongs! Where have you been, mate? We looked everywhere for you! We had a hunch you'd be here with the ever so lovely Tiger Lily though." He chuckled and shouted to Peter who came running up panting.
"Look who we found, Pete," Sirius said gleefully and he motioned to James and Lily.
Lily, who hadn't said anything yet, stepped forward and said, "Don't you guys have dates? It is Valentine's Day you know."
"Of course I have a date, I just don't – know where she is. You see she sort of went off without me and I haven't found her. Probably off with another guy anyways," he shrugged and sneaked an arm around Lily's waist. "But maybe I could share Lily here. I'm sure Jamesie-poo wouldn't mind if I just borrowed his date for awhile, would you, mate?"
"This might come as a shocker to you, Padfoot, but I would mind sparing Lils to you. There is a reason she accepted my offer and not yours," he winked at her and turned back to Sirius who was now pouting.
He stomped a foot on the ground and said in a falsely cheery voice, "Oh come now. Tiger Lily, you wouldn't mind having a double date would you?"
Lily just laughed and shook her head at a now hurt Sirius Black. He humphed in mock indignation and turned on his heel, Peter very close behind.
"I know when I'm not wanted," he said in a pretend hurt tone and headed towards a group of older girls across the street.
When Lily and James were finally alone again, she ventured to ask, "Where's Remus? I thought he'd be hanging out with Sirius and Peter."
"Oh, Remus actually has a date. Wouldn't tell me who though," he responded and shrugged. "I'll ask him about it later if we don't run across him here."
Deep in conversation, the two wandered back up to the castle arm in arm, both enjoying the other's company. When they reached the common room James stopped and turned to face Lily. The red head looked even more beautiful by the light of the fire.
"James, I had a great time today, so thank you," she said blushing profusely. He looked longingly into her eyes and was amazed at their natural beauty. The emerald green was illuminated by the firelight and had a certain gleam which they usually did not have.
She leaned forward awkwardly and kissed him on the cheek and said, "Goodnight, James."
"'Night, Lily."
Even after she had left, James stood rooted to the spot, fingering the spot on his cheek where Lily had kissed him. He couldn't quite get it through his mind that Lily had said she would be his girlfriend. His girlfriend. He could finally call her his own after so many years of refusal. He gingerly took the steps to his dormitory two at a time. He pushed open the door and jaw dropped at what he saw. Dana was sitting on Remus' lap snogging him in the middle of their room.
James slammed the door and the two quickly untangled themselves from each other. Dana's face was already pink and steadily growing in color as she dashed out of the room, pushing James aside.
"Since when were you two together?" James asked in an amused voice, not at all disturbed at having seen the two kissing their hearts away. He had, on many occasions snogged girls in his room only to be burst in upon, and he knew the feeling of being embarrassed beyond belief so why make Remus fell even more uncomfortable than he already was?
"Since this afternoon," came the reply that he had most expected.
James chuckled and after a few seconds said, "You two make a good couple you know."
Remus forced a smile and said weakly, "I've got to go finish some homework. I'll see you later." And with that he too ran from the room pushing James out of the way. James sighed and lay down on his bed. He looked up at the canopy hanging over the bedposts which he had bewitched to look like the night sky – just like the Great Hall.
He closed his eyes, only intending to take a short nap before heading out to the kitchens for his late night snack of apple pie. He occasionally had these fetishes and tonight was one of the those nights. He cleared his mind and replayed the happenings of the day. He loved just being with Lily, and the fact that she was his and that they had a friendly conversation was astounding to him. Slowly sleep overtook him and he floated away to his dream world.