Dark: I was totally surprised that someone actually liked this story. I really thought that I would leave it out to rot, thus disappointing my friend Kelly whom this fic is detected to, but enough yapping, I'm updating.

Disclaimer: Me? Own Harry Potter? Are you kidding? As if…

Dedication: Kels of course

Warning: This fic is definitely Alternative Universe

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Petunia often called her 'an immature little brat' but Lily knew better. She knew that although at times she could act a lot like a child, her mind and soul were very much more complex. Her reflexes weren't too shabby either. So when the sound of something breaking echoed throughout the quiet garden the redhead whirled around quickly, her hand gripping a broken branch she picked up. Heart speeding, she managed to choke out a few chosen words before the lump in her throat grew too big to swallow.

"Who's there?"

Not a sound replied. All was silent with the exception of the heavy beating of Lily's heart and her shallow breathing. Forcing herself to speak she adjusted her hold on her only 'weapon,' the branch.

"Answer me!"

A man stepped out from the shadows, his dark hair moving with the wind. Slowly, but smoothly he spoke.

"A woman should learn to hold her tongue." Lily clenched her branch tighter in desperation before inching backwards.

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?"

The insufferable man in question quirked his eyebrow. "You mean to say, you don't know?"

For that moment, Lily let her arms drop to her sides, fingers tightened so hard that the branch snapped. "Of course I don't know! I wouldn't be asking otherwise! OUCH! Now look at what you made me do!" Huffing with anger, Lily let the two pieces of the branch fall to the ground with a clutter before examining her hand. "I'm bleeding thanks to you!" Muttering under her breath about stupid men and their need to sneak up on defenseless women, the red head wiped her blood on her skirt fully intending on ignoring the man who was steadily approaching.

Before she knew it, he grasped her slender hand in his rough ones and kissed the bright liquid. "You should clean it before it gets infected."

Confused at the intimate gesture, Lily pulled her hand out of his. "Don't touch me."

"But it is my right to do so."

"Are you insane? What makes you think that you have the right to touch me?" Her fury rose and she whirled on the man.

"I am James Harold Potter, your future husband."

"Wa…" She was cut off, as the towering man now known as James leaned down, his dark eyes glinting mischievously in the dark nighttime sky. And he captured her surprised lips with his.

For a second Lily melted. She pressed herself against his chest deepening the timid kiss. But when his tongue asked for entrance into her mouth the blissful moment turned back into reality. Quickly Lily broke off the kiss looking at him with wide eyes as she raised a hand to feel her dainty lips. James followed her fingers with his eyes hungrily.

She stepped backward. "Oh my god… you stole my first kiss! You jerk!" She swooped down and grabbed a stone before hurling it at James. He barely managed to dodge it, even with his superior reflexes. "I can't believe you did that! You nasty jerk!" One stone after another flew towards its target – James's head. One managed to bounce off his forehead. "Ow! Where did you learn to throw?"

Lily hesitantly moved towards the whining guy. "I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"

"Nah." With a chuckle he wrapped his arms around the unsuspecting Lily. Blushing, she wiggled in his arms, trying to get free. "Let me go, you nasty pig!"

When he didn't even blink at her ranting, Lily subdued, slowly bring his hands towards her lips and she…

"OW!" James yowled, bringing his injured hand to his chest as Lily scrambled away. "You bit me!"

Lily crossed her arms at his accusing tone. "Of course I did." She said. "You wouldn't let me go."

His gaze softened at her fragile looking form – she was so beautiful. The moonlight glimmered down on her sender figure, and the night sky brought out her pale skin making her look ethereal. She was perfect, he concluded.

"Never. I'll never let you go." To the heavens he whispered a happy thanks to matching him with the woman before him, and he took a step towards his future bride.

"Are you mental? I'm not yours in the first place so get that straight moron!" she poked him in the chest as her wild tongue lashed at him.

"Are you not Petunia, my intended?"

Suddenly, everything dawned on her. Wide-eyed and innocent Lily looked up. "OH! So you're Petunia's husband-to-be!" Then she plopped down on the ground in agitation. "That's just great," she muttered under her breath, "my first kiss was from my future brother-in-law. Man oh man does this take the cake." (Dark: I know the language is more modern than medieval so let's just say it's an alternative universe of our world too. It's modern time with the language and knowledge and so on but there are still knights and the kings are still in power okay?)

"You're not Petunia?"

"Are you kidding? No way!"

James sighed; he knew it was too good to be true. "Well!" he spoke. "We'll just have to get that fixed. I'll ask for your hand in marriage."

"MA-MARRIAGE! You are crazy!" she swatted his hand away. "We just met! And another thing, I'm just eighteen! You can't possibly expect me to marry! You better be joking!"

"Eighteen is perfect for marriage." He shot back. "And I am not joking…"

"I am most certainly NOT marrying you!"

"We'll see about that."

"I'm NOT!"

"Are too."

"Not."

"Too."

"Not."

"Too."

Frustrated Lily threw her hands up in the air. "You are IMPOSSIBLE!" She gave him one powerful shove before stomping back to her room.

Stunned, James watched her until she left his vision. Then slowly a grin spread across his handsome face. She's perfect.

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Fuming, Lily made her way to her bedroom. She became careless in her stride, her quiet footsteps, turned loud with anger. Marry me? He doesn't even know me, that moron! She flailed her arms around the air. Stupid jerk.

She only half noted that she was back in her room, as she flung herself onto her soft bed. Stupid man. Stupid jerk Lily recited to herself, bringing one of her pillows to her chest, resting her chin on it. He doesn't even… know me… Yawning with exhaustion she allowed herself to crawl under her blanket and fell right to sleep.

"Lady. Lady! LADY! You must awake lady!"

Groaning, Lily pulled her pillow over her head, trying to block out the pestering nose above her. So when her pillow was taken from her reach, Lily sputtered in protest, grabbing upwards blindly for her beloved pillow.

"Wake up Lady." Disheveled, Lily raised her head up. Rubbing her tired eyes she asked. "What is it Matilda?"

"Your father wishes for you to be there for your sister's husband's arrival."

Tired and grumpy, Lily waved her hand. "Fine, please leave so I can change."

Matilda left, frowning in disproval of Lily's behavior.

Lily grabbed the first thing she saw and dressed herself, not even bothering to comb her hair before running to the throne room.

"Sorry father." She managed to say between her gasps. "I slept in."

Lord Evans nodded absentmindedly, motioning to an empty chair beside him before turning to the 'jerk' and picking up his conversation. Lily had to force herself not to glare at James because she knew if she even looked at his smug face she would grab her fork and throw it at him. Instead she pretended the beef on her plate was James's face and stabbed it repeatedly.

Lily never noticed James's hazel eyes following her every movement, but someone else sure did.

Petunia who was instantly enamored with the brilliant James watched him like a hawk. But ever since he first stepped in the room, he ignored her presence talking to only her father, then that brat Lily (Dark: It's in Petunia's point of view so don't kill me!) had to come in. His gaze never left her! Jealousy wrapped itself around Petunia and she moved her chair closer to James. Soon enough she was basically plastered against his arm, not even a fly could squeeze between them.

Lily went on killing her breakfast, never noticing the sharp stare James shot Petunia or the way Petunia fluttered her eyelashes comically at the knight.

"Lily!" Lord Evans demanded firmly.

Lily slowly looked up, her fork mid-stab and guilt crept on her face. "Yes Papa?"

He scowled at her informal tone of voice. He did love her, he really did, however he needed James to accept Petunia's hand and Lily was ruining things.

"Where are your manners? Introduce yourself."

She was about to shake her head and lean back stubbornly but the cold look that her father gave her…

"I am Lily Evans, Petunia's younger sister… it's a pleasure to met you." She said through gritted teeth. Hazel met emerald.

"The pleasure," James responded, eyes never leaving hers. "Is all mine." He bent his head and kissed her hand.

Lily resisted wiping her hand on her dress as she had done the night before. It wasn't as though he was ugly, quite the contrary actually. He was as handsome as they said the devil was with his dark jet-black hair and plotting hazel eyes, not to mention his to-kill body. It was his stupid, arrogant personality that repelled Lily.

"That's nice." Lily mumbled under her breath, taking her hand away from his as though he was slime. Her reaction amused him and the impish twinkle that had faded grew in his eyes.

"So…" Lord Evans interrupted. "Will you take my daughter's hand in marriage?"

He didn't even hesitate, staring straight at the uncomfortable Lily. "Yes."

The nervousness in his voice was gone and Lord Evans gave a heartfelt chuckle. "Then it's settled, you two shall be bounded in matrimony."

"Finally." Lily added making sure no one could hear her. "At least he won't be able to bug me anymore."

She failed to realize the male seated across from her could hear her every word. "That's what you think my little flower." He replied, just as quiet as her stifled murmur. Then he stood.

"The Potter tradition includes the male asking for the hand of the woman he wishes to marry, please allow me that much."

Thrilled by his obvious manners, Lord Evans sat back and relaxed knowing he was turning Petunia over to good hands. Petunia herself looked as though she had died and gone to heaven, as she placed her fingers on the table waiting for James to take it. He didn't.

Instead he moved to the other side of the table where Lily sat, looking delighted at the entertaining scene play out before her. He shifted her chair so that he could kneel before her. Grabbing her hand he reached for the ring he had brought with him.

"Lily Evans… will you marry me?"

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Dark: MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Evil cliffhanger! Anyways I just wanted to let you know that you don't have to review because I know that I suck at writing. This fic is up only because I dedicated it to Kelly my friend… although I'm pretty sure my writing's an insult to her… I don't know why she like it… oh wells.