Disclaimer: All the characters mentioned in this story, as well as place and settings and other details, belong to J.K Rowling. Not. To. Me.
Love is a Funny thing, Chapter 14
Lily awoke on the morning of Valentine's Day to a loud, happy shriek. Much too loud for her sensitive ears—especially in the morning. Normally she would have pulled her covers a little tighter across her body and remained safe in dreamland for at least a couple more minutes, but she recognized the shriek as Michelle's. And Michelle had never, ever shrieked in all their six years as friends.
She pulled herself groggily up, still clutching onto her blankets. Her hair must have been sticking up about three feet into the air, but she really didn't care.
Lily immediately saw a rapturous-looking Michelle sitting cross legged on the floor with a gigantic bouquet of red roses in her hands. There was an excited twinkle in her black eyes that did not often appear. Michelle seemed incapable for speech.
"Awww, from Sirius, 'Chelle?" Lily asked, grinning at her friend's joyous expression.
"Yeah, isn't he sweet?" Michelle said giddily, still staring at the gorgeous roses. They were beautiful red roses—full in bloom, every one of them, and somebody had cast an ever-fresh charm on them so that they wouldn't wilt. There was also a silky white bow tied around the stems, and a note attached to that.
Michelle quickly read the card accompanying it. "Aww, Lily! It's twenty five roses because that's the date we got together! You know, on Christmas." She added needlessly.
Lily smiled and nodded in reply.
As Michelle was admiring her roses, Amanda came cheerfully bounding over in her pajamas and fuzzy slippers.
She didn't have the rapturously excited look that Michelle wore, though—her face looked borderline laughing and "awww, isn't that sweet". She held a card with a picture of a quidditch player zooming about on the front, and a single white rose that was attached.
"Who's it from?" Lily questioned. "And why does it look like you're trying not to laugh?"
"It's from Mitchell." Amanda half-giggled. Lily looked at her oddly.
"So, why is that so hilarious?" Lily demanded.
Amanda, not being able to contain her laughter any longer, burst into fits of giggles. She handed the card and rose over to Lily.
It was a card from Mitchell Laves, who, Lily decided, did not have the world's best handwriting. She squinted to read the writing.
"Roses are red
Violets are blue
As a chaser and person you're great
And will you be my valentine too?
Sorry, I've never been the best of poets. You're a really great girl and I can't wait to see you on the Hogsmeade visit.
Love, Mitchell"
Amanda burst into a fresh bout of laughter as Lily read it aloud.
"Aw, it's sweet, isn't it? He wrote poetry for you." Lily commented, handing Amanda back the note, who seemed to be having trouble regaining control of her calmness.
"Yes… the fact that he can't write poetry didn't stop him in the slightest…ah, well, I've always admired bravery in a boy…" Amanda said, brushing a tear (coming from her laughter) out of the corner of her eye.
Suddenly a snowy owl flew in through Michelle's open window. It was a lovely, pure white one, with pretty eyes and a bunch of flowers in its mouth. It fluttered in, looked around confusedly, spotted Lily, then dropped the bouquet in her lap. It then flew off, having completed its delivery.
Lily stared at the flowers in her lap. They were light purple—lilies! She grinned. Her namesake, often hated and often loved.
"Who're they from?" asked Amanda interestedly, squinting over at the flowers.
"I think I can guess." Said Michelle knowledgeably, winking largely.
Lily merely opened the card that was attached to the purple ribbon which bound the ten or so flowers together. She opened the small envelope, and out came the note.
Lily,
I know this is a little late but…will you go to Hogsmeade with me? You don't have to say yes. Happy Valentines Day.
James
p.s I figured everybody would be getting roses today. But here are some lilies, I hope you like them.
Lily scanned the letter again and smiled. Michelle bounced over and read the card over her shoulder.
"Your boyfriends aren't very smooth writers, are they?" Michelle teased jokingly.
"He's not my boyfriend!" Amanda and Lily said simultaneously. The two grinned at each other.
"Well then let's see what Sirius wrote!" Amanda demanded, grabbing the envelope with "Michelle" written on the front. Michelle turned rather red but made no move to retrieve it from Amanda, who was now opening the envelope.
Dear Michelle,
I can't believe we've only been together since Christmas. I love being with you and you're a really special person as well as a great girlfriend. All the times we spend together are really extraordinary, and the tree by the lake is developing a really special place in my heart (as well as the corner in the common room, the empty classrooms, etc.). I love you, darling, and I'm really happy being your boyfriend. Here are twenty five roses…since we got together on the 25th, Christmas day. I am looking forward to seeing you at Hogsmeade, and later that night…it's a surprise though. Meet me at 12:00 in the common room. Happy Valentine's Day.
Love, Sirius
"See, now HE knows how to write a love letter." Sighed Amanda dreamily, flopping back on Lily's bed. "Ah, well. Can't have everything in life."
"Yes, and he's all mine!" joked Michelle, still blushing slightly.
"Ah, well. So Lily, are you going with James?" Amanda inquired.
Lily flushed a bit. "Well, it was awfully nice of him to ask me and…erm…he…I…..umm…" she fidgeted a bit.
"Lily, just say you'll go with him!" Michelle said exasperatedly, throwing her hands up.
"Yeah, but…" at this point, Lily lowered her voice a bit to a hushed whisper "what about Hazel? I mean, who would she go with?"
As if to answer her question, Hazel sleepily came over to join in on the conversation. In her hands there were ten white roses with gorgeous slender stems, all bound together with a thin red ribbon.
"Hey guys." She said sleepily, brushing a lock of hair out of her eyes.
"Morning, Haze." Lily responded. "May I ask who those are from?" she grinned.
"Dunno, didn't read the card yet." She replied, turning the bouquet around in her hands. "Ah, Michelle, I see Sirius went a bit overboard." She smiled gently, spotting the twenty five fat red roses that sat in Michelle's lap.
"Yes, well, I don't mind." Michelle said. "So, open the card!" she said encouragingly.
Hazel slipped the letter out of the envelope and began to read. Michelle, Lily and Amanda watched her with excitement. Finally, Hazel finished the card with a wide grin that she was unable to suppress.
"May I?" asked Lily, and when Hazel nodded, she took the letter and read aloud to the three.
"Hazel,
There are ten roses here and there is a reason I love you for every one.
I love the way you laugh.
2. I love to make you smile
3. I love the way that you are kind
4. I love the way that you care so much and go the extra mile
5. I love the way that you look at me with forgiving eye
6. I love the way that you hold my hand
7. I love the way you kiss
8. I love the way you don't care what I can't control
9. I love the way you try to help everybody and not just yourself
10. I love all these things about you, it's true…but most of all, I love you. Will you be my girlfriend?
Love, Remus "
The girls all burst into fits of cooing and "awwwww, isn't that sweet!"s.
"So you guys are going out!" shrieked Amanda excitedly. "Yay! Love is in the air!" she said in a silly way, doing a bit of a dance around the room.
"It is indeed." Said Lily with a smile.
Most of the population of the school passed through the day in a lovey-dovey haze. A pink, sparkling, heart-adorned, cupid-with-harps-ish haze. At breakfast there had been pink, heart-shaped confetti floating about from the ceiling. Somebody had dressed the tablecloths in loud pink shades with moving mouths that puckered kisses. James rather thought that the whole think was a little unnerving when you were innocently trying to eat your scrambled eggs in peace, but the girls seemed to love the whole thing. They cooed and chatted excitedly about their dates for Hogsmeade, and the rest of the day.
Amanda had forced Lily to "make a special effort" today, as it was Valentines Day, after all. Or rather, Amanda had made the effort for Lily. She'd expertly applied some shiny gloss to Lily's lips ("Now, I didn't put on lipstick, because it'd get all over him if you kiss." She'd lectured knowledgeably,), a softly sparkling cream-white eye shadow that set off Lily's emerald eyes, ("You don't want to overpower him, but you want your eyes to stand out, which is why I've used this shade," said Amanda,) and a tiny bit of blush, ("You've got to put some color in your cheeks, Lils.")
Lily made her way, at precisely 11:00 am (the time the two had planned to meet) and met James, standing there rather awkwardly.
"Hi Lily!" he said, visibly brightening when he saw her appear. "You look gorgeous!" he added.
"Thanks, James." She replied. "So, let's go!"
Lily was happily relieved when she saw that her and James could carry on a conversation as easily as ever. By the time they reached Hogsmeade, they were animatedly chatting about quidditch. Lily didn't really think it was all that great of a sport, but enjoyed watching games and cheering her team on all the same.
"You mean to say you've never gotten on a broom—since first year?" asked James incredulously, eyes wide and disbelieving.
"Yeah." Lily said. "I'm not one for heights, really." She clarified.
"Well, you've got to go on one! C'mon, Lils, please? I'll teach you?" he said wheedling, putting on his best puppy face. His eyes were drawn as wide as quarters, and he attempted a sort of sad frown. Lily couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, I don't know…" she said as they walked down the narrow, crowded streets of Hogsmeade, full of Hogwarts students walking about with their dates. The feeling in the air was merry and loud.
"Please?" he asked again with the puppy face.
"Fine, fine." She relented.
"Yes, we'll start tonight!" he said excitedly, grabbing her hand (just so they wouldn't get lost in the crowded street, Lily reasoned with herself and her pinging nerves) and pulling her along.
"Well, when will we meet then?" Lily asked reasonably as James and her walked along—hand in hand. She couldn't suppress a wide grin that was spreading all over her face.
"Ah, you'll know. I'll come for you." Said James mysteriously, winking at her in a hugely hilarious manner.
"Mystery boy, are we?" Lily asked jokingly as they walked along.
"You don't know even half of it." He joked.
"Ah, here we are! The Three Broomsticks." James announced, pulling her in to the bustling, warm place. They moved through the huge and varied crowd that seemed to always be assembled there, and claimed a lone table for two at the far edge of the store, right near the window. Lily sat down.
"Shall I get us some drinks?" asked James.
"Sure." Lily replied.
"Butterbeer okay?" he questioned.
"Yeah that'd be great." She responded, and he disappeared off to the bar, invisible because of the ever-shifting and loud crowd.
James returned a few moments later with two huge tankards full to the brim of butterbeer. He set one down in front of himself, and one in front of Lily, careful not to spill a drop of the white foam that threatened to overflow. They chattered on about what seemed like everything under the sun. There was finally a comfortable lull in their conversation, both sipping their tankards. It was February and getting warmer every day, but there was still a certain chill in the air. The butterbeers warmed the two up sufficiently.
"James, can I say something?" Lily asked, setting her half-full tankard down on the worn wooden table.
"Fire away!" he replied.
"Wait, hold on—you've got a bit of foam on you upper lip—" Lily said.
"Have I got it?" asked James, brushing at his mouth.
"No—here—" Lily said, leaning across the table and brushing the white foam off. Her fingers lingered a bit longer than necessary. Both felt some butterflies tingling in the bottoms of their stomachs.
"Well—I just wanted to say—oh, it doesn't matter." She finished embarrassedly.
"I'm sure it does." Reassured James.
"Um, well, this is kind of—well, really late, about two months—but I just wanted to say thank you for the gorgeous snow globe. I love it." She said awkwardly, but she meant every word.
"No problem." He said easily, tipping back a bit in his chair.
"Yeah, I've always been kind of late with thank you notes and everything." She said.
"But can I tell you something?" James asked, leaning forward over the small table. Lily, without really realizing it, leaned forward too.
"Yes?" asked Lily almost inaudibly. James's face was barely two inches away. She could see his sparkling eyes and slightly crooked smile clearly, as well as his—mouth—which was continually coming closer and closer and…..closer…
Finally the distance between them closed and they knew that everything was right. James's lips tasted like butterbeer, and although it would have been difficult to imagine it previously, his lips brought more warmth to her than butterbeer ever could. Lily returned the kiss with a passion, and her insides felt like they were crashing around—but in an undeniably pleasant way. She had all the things one was supposed to have in a kiss-fireworks exploding in her mind's eye, sea crashing in her ears. And it was so nice that she almost wanted to stay there forever and beyond.
Because right across this rickety wooden table in this crowded and noisy place, Lily and James were finally kissing.
And it didn't stop for a long, long time—until an old cranky lady with shockingly white hair scared them apart with a "Children these days! Public affection, Merlin! I'm trying to drink my pumpkin juice for goodness sakes!"
The mood back at the girl's dormitory, late at night, was a decidedly a happy and giddy one. All were recounting the days' romantic events and eagerly awaiting evening, when many of their dates would be picking them up for some excursion or another.
Amanda was counseling Michelle on what lingerie to wear. Michelle didn't much care, and was going to wear a cheap everyday sort of underwear, but in the end Amanda—and the pretty purple lace lingerie that Michelle never wore because it was too uncomfortable—won out.
As night wore on, Michelle disappeared to the common room for her "surprise" ("Astronomy Tower! Said Amanda knowledgeably), as did Hazel, for a walk round the lake with Remus. As Hazel told the girls, she and Remus had officially gotten together today. Her friends were all very happy for her—it had been a very long and difficult road leading up to Remus and Hazel's relationship.
Amanda, finally, also disappeared (around 11:30) to meet Mitchell at some place or another. Lily waited another half hour for James…was he even going to come? Perhaps he was just playing around with her. Maybe he wouldn't even come at all. Lily didn't know why, but that brought a sinking, disappointed feeling deep into the pit of her stomach. Would James really do that?
Finally, with a sigh and around midnight, Lily decided she'd just give up and go to sleep. She was just undressing when she heard a rap on her window. Her shirt was halfway up—she stood like a deer in headlights. She wandered over to the window—and—James?
She quickly and embarrassedly pulled her top back over her stomach, and opened the window. Her heart was beating as fast as it ever had, probably. What if he'd come a second later—he'd have seen her undressing! The thought brought a whole new level of butterflies into her stomach, and her heart pounded as she pulled window up. A cool breeze of night air blew in, making her hair (which was down), float around.
James seemed to be blushing as well. "Hey, Lily." He said. He was sitting easily on his broom, right outside of her window. He grinned up at her. Lily was shocked. This was something out of a romance novel…certainly not something that actually happened to real, live people like her. She attempted to regain her composure.
"Hi James!" she whispered. She didn't know why she was whispering, it just seemed to feel right.
"Hey, sorry I'm kind of late." He said. The wind blew his hair around even more, making it stick up at every angle possible. The whole situation seemed kind of unreal to Lily.
"It's fine—hold on, I've just got to put on a cloak, okay?" she grabbed one from her bed—where she'd been undressing. Her cheeks flushed as she put it on.
James was still there when she returned in her cloak. So it wasn't some kind of wishful thinking (although she hated to admit it) or a dream. It was real.
"How am I going to get on the broom? It's the seventh floor!" said Lily worriedly.
"Don't worry, you'll just climb out." Said James as though he did it every day.
"I'd kill myself!"
"Ah, but you won't when you've got me here." He said, grinning. "Here, sit with your legs dangling down, then I've got you."
"If I'm killed, it's your fault." Said Lily jokingly. A kind of reckless energy was coursing through her veins.
"I'll take the responsibility." Replied James, still smiling.
Cautiously Lily sat herself on the sill—legs dangling all the way down! She could fall and break every bone in her body from this height. The night air swept over her face, and it felt nice. For some reason, she wasn't as nervous as she would have otherwise been.
"Good." James said.
He took her by the waist—Lily could feel his warm hands through her cloak and shirt, gripping her sides as if he'd never let her go, and pinging nerves shot pleasantly through her—and he lowered her onto the back of the broom. She felt completely safe in his arms, even though she was at such a height. Lily grabbed around his waist once she was carefully settled, not even feeling embarrassed.
"There we are." James said gently. Now, I'll just fly a bit, so you'll get used to it. Okay back there?" he asked. Lily nodded into his strong back. He grinned in spite of himself.
James began expertly maneuvering the broom, softly flying through the night air. Lily had never experienced anything like it. It was completely unreal—soaring through the night on the back of a broom, holding onto her (she hated to admit it) her crush—no, just a very close friend who was a boy who coincidentally she'd just kissed that very day—flying. Adrenaline was continually rushing through her, but she liked it.
They continued flying like that for quite a while. James was a brilliant flier, Lily had to admit that. So good, in fact, that she felt some of her nervousness begin to ebb slowly away. They swooshed pleasantly through the air for about half an hour. She'd never felt this way before, ever in her life. But she knew that she liked it a lot.
After a long while, James finally returned Lily to her window. Lily felt vaguely sad that it had to end so soon, although they'd been flying for quite some time. James, again, lifted Lily back into her room. She clambered into her dormitory. They hadn't said much to each other, but then again, not much was needed to say.
"Thanks." Lily said simply when she was back inside. James still hovered outside. "That was amazing."
"Glad you think so." He said.
They both stayed silent for a moment.
Lily broke it by leaning out into the night air and softly kissing him on the cheek. "I had a wonderful time, James."
He kissed her on her lips—catching her by surprise—and she was precariously leaning into the night air. The same old feeling of pleasant adrenaline and butterflies surged through her. When they finally broke apart after a while, they stared at each other for a few moments.
"Happy Valentines Day, Lily." Said James, grinning, and he flew away.
And as Lily sank back into a chair, she couldn't help the sm
ile that was stretching itself over her face.
In both the boys' and girls' dormitories, stories were being told about the romantic day.
The girls were huddled in a circle in the middle of the floor, trading stories about their days and dates. All were eating the chocolates that Amanda had received from Mitchell.
"And he brought me up to the Astronomy tower-" Michelle was saying.
"Told you so." Smirked Amanda.
" Yeah, well. And we snogged for about half an hour, it was brilliant. He made these fireworks go off and it was gorgeous and do you know what the last ones spelled out?" she was saying excitedly.
"What?" asked Lily. She had already told the group about her very romantic evening excursion with James.
"They spelled out in pink—I love Michelle! How sweet is that?" said Michelle, as if it needed an answer.
The girls all cooed and "awww"ed accordingly.
" So THOSE were the explosions me and Remus kept hearing when we were walking!" said Hazel.
"Bet NOW you're glad you wore the lingerie I told you to!" said Amanda. Michelle only blushed.
"We didn't do anything, you know, BAD—" said Michelle.
"'Course not." Said Lily.
"Really!" Michelle said.
"So, what color lingerie was she wearing? Or couldn't you see in that light?" smirked James jokingly.
"Guys—" said Sirius warningly.
But James and Remus were already spiritedly reenacting the supposed scene.
"Oh, Sirius, you're so GORGEOUS!" said James in a falsetto voice, fluttering his eyelashes towards Remus.
"But oh, my darling, you're such a sweetiekins!" Remus said, trying (and failing) to imitate Sirius's voice.
"Oh, dear, what a kind thing to say!" squealed James, still in the high girly voice.
"May I kiss you, darling?" asked Remus in a deep, gravelly voice that again sounded nothing like Sirius.
"Oh, of course!" shrieked James excitedly.
"Ah, shut up, you two. How was it with your dates, hmmmm?" asked Sirius. Both boys immediately shut up.
"Oh, Lily, my love forever!" said Sirius (pretending to be James), using Peter as his partner. "I have come to take you off on a romantic broom journey because I am so romantically inclined!" he said.
"Oh yes, darling!" Peter attempted to reply in a breathy girl voice.
"Shut up." Said James good naturedly.
"Did you two kiss?" asked Remus, half-smirking.
"Yeah." Said James, grinning. "Did you and your dear girlfriend?"
"Yes." And we needn't even ASK Sirius that question."
"Hey! I resent that!" Sirius shouted, pummeling Remus with a pillow.
All in all, after everything was said and done—it was realized that sixteen year olds were not, in fact, too old for pillow fights.
A/N: I'm really sorry if all that was sickeningly fluffy and romantic. I honestly could NOT help it! Anyways, if I do say so myself, I liked that chapter FAIRLY well…probably mostly because Lily and James finally kissed. FINALLY! Ok, sorry.
The kissing booths will be pretty soon, have no fear—superwoman is here! Hahaha. Sorry about that little burst of hyperness.
Ooooh, you know what I just noticed? This is chapter 14, and it's the 14th (of February—in case you haven't noticed from this chapter…and if you haven't you should probably read it again…) in the story! Ha! Not amusing to anybody but me, yes, but I felt the need to point it out, sorry.
Okay, as always, reviews are sooo appreciated…especially long ones (hint, hint…!). Ideas, rambles, comments, flames, whatever! They make me write SO much faster, so if you want a chapter soon…you've got to review! Please. I love them so much. And I'm not above begging either…(grins).
Plus my extra special imaginary cupcakes with vanilla or chocolate icing, with sprinkles. (winks)
Now, onto my lovely review responses! You guys are awesome! Eimme, taniita: I'm glad you liked the boys are thick reasoning. I also want to do the notes at the end of chapters, but I thought this one didn't exactly fit. But I'll probably be doing that for upcoming chapters. Shadowy dreamer, Lily Jane: I know, I was SO mad at Remus while I wrote that chapter…I hope you won't be mad at him now, though! SweetSouthernGal, Miss Lady Maurauder: I'll try to update soon…haha, my hyper fan! I love being hyper! Steelo: Well, happy? (grins) They've kissed! I hope I did the scenes justice. Deathgirl977: Sorry about James not being a seeker…but only in the movie did it say James was, in fact, a seeker. I think, at least. Ashley, Lady Knight 1512: I'm glad you liked it! I also really like lemon icing too. That's so funny about your friend's name, too. Lala, travelledtheworldandthe7seas: I'm glad you liked the chapter and story so far! I do think I'll start gym…wish me luck! Oh, my email got cut off but it's on my profile if you want to email me. Mgirl: Yeah, I know…I felt so bad for Remus in that last chapter! Crazy turtle: Go ahead with your eating preferences! I'm also glad you liked the notes and hope you like Remus and Hazel's get together too! Jameslover, Nix707: Thanks for the long review! I'm glad you like how I write Lily and James…I agree, it's easier because J.K hasn't written much about them, so more's up to me when I write. Genius04: Yeah, but it was also everybody else's fault…I'm glad you like Michelle's character, I do too.