Take Me to Your Heart

DISCLAIMER: I am not the possessor of the characters, settings and such. Credit goes to J.K. Rowling. I do own my own plot and made up characters.

I Know I Know I Know. This song is so annoying but addictive and catchy. Thanks Crodo for playing it at Claire's party… Oh well. I like Tegan and Sara anyways – kind of.

Chapter 9: The Perfect Prize

Written by melancholic orchid

The same as I love you you'll always love me too

This love isn't good unless it's me and you

I Know I Know I Know, Tegan and Sara

"And Gryffindor scored!"

The screams, shouts and jeers echoed on the Quidditch pitch once Gryffinodor scored another 10 points.

James scanned the cloudy sky for the Snitch to win the game.

"Gryffindor is on the lead with 60-50," said the announcer, Timothy Fraser.

James soared through the thick, misty clouds. "Come on," he grumbled, wiping his raven black hair from his face, "Come on Snitch. Come out, come out wherever you are."

Out of dumb luck, the golden Snitch shot up through the clouds and right past his nose.

"Hah! There you are!" He viciously swerved his broom in the direction of the Snitch.

"Slytherin scored! It's now a tie, 60-60," Timothy called.

Airborne, he ripped through the gloomy sky, catching quick glimpses of the golden beauty. Accelerating more speed, he chased after the Snitch.

"Come on."

"Slytherin scored again. Now Slytherin is in the lead with 70-60."

"Damn."

The golden Snitch was in arms reach. James removed one hand from the handle of the broom and cautiously reached out.

"Almost got it."

Suddenly, someone seared through the clouds, hitting James' arm sadistically.

"Shit!" he cursed.

The person who whacked his arm was the Slytherin seeker, Leo van Duke.

"Now my luck had to change," James garbled, clutching his sore, broken arm.

Leo saw the golden Snitch and flew after it. Regaining concentration, James too, followed the Snitch.

"Slytherin is still in the lead with 100-80."

"Crap. Didn't you guys listen to what I had taught you?"

In synchronization, the Seekers trailed after the Snitch. Leo deliberately bumped into James, trying to knock him off but James held on tight and didn't budge. With him being more experienced and skilled, he winged right in front of the Slytherin seeker, making Leo stunned and having a lost for concentration… for a few seconds at least.

James had caught up with the Snitch once again. He tried prying out his uninjured arm to grab the Snitch. He wobbled slightly, as he tried to hold and handle the broom with his broken arm.

"Urgh…" he grunted angrily. The pain seared agonizingly through his arm. But a broken arm wouldn't stop him. He reached out and…

"GRYFFINDOR WON!"

The shouts and jeers of the spectators filled the Quidditch pitch as James landed his broom on the sturdy ground. He raised the golden Snitch that was clutched securely in his hand.

This is for you, Lily… my golden Snitch.

My golden angel.

He smiled with triumphant and heartily congratulated this teammates.

James peeked through the scarlet and gold Quidditch cloaks and saw Lily running up toward him. He smiled toothily and walked out of the congratulating crowd of players and spectators.

"Good job," she commented.

"That's it?"

"No." She tilted herself to him and the couple enjoyed their first snog in public.

James didn't care if everyone stared at them. He won the game and got his prize. His arm was still in pain, but he ignored the anguish. James bent in closer, making it more zealous.

"Sirius," Remus said, "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Sure."

Remus led Sirius from the noisy crowd of the celebrating Gryffindors and into the boys' dormitory.

"Something's bother you," Remus began.

"I'm sure you remembered our discussion in the train to Hogwarts, Moony," Sirius replied, slumping onto his muddled bed.

"Quite right."

"Yeah. So now, it'll just be you, me and that idiot, Peter. Jamesie ol' pal will be off with his new girlfriend Lily Evans, the Gryffindor nerd and beauty queen."

"You jealous?"

"No! That's not what I'm trying to get at." He stopped. "And I thought you were the most intelligent one out of the Marauders."

"Sorry, sorry. It just sounds like you seemed sort of… jealous."

"Well I'm not, okay?"

"Okay."

"It's just that… that… he's leaving me. Leaving us. Now's he off into this loony lovey-dovey world with Lily. I don't know. I'm just gonna miss all of the stuff and pranks we did back then… It wouldn't be the same without Prongs. It would just be Padfoot, Moony and – Wormtail."

Confusion plunged into their discussion as Remus paused and tried to come up with reasonable advice.

"I understand," Remus sighed, "But you know, eventually we would all have to go our own separate ways eventually. Things weren't what they used to be when we first started Hogwarts. Now we are mature enough to make our own decisions and apparently, James chose to be with Lily more than being with us. But he'll still spend some time with us and you guys could do those abhorrent pranks. Just congratulate him. Besides, one day, you'll be leaving us too."

"Geez, Moony. You sound like a freakin' mom for crying out loud. When were you so wise?"

"I don't know. I guess it's a gift."

Sirius smirked. "More like a curse."

"Things should work out eventually. You'll get used to it."

"Hope so."

"Was it just me or are you madly, desperately, crazily in love with James Potter!"

"Um… it's just you?"

"Oh my god. You are so madly, desperately, crazily in love, girl!"

Alice hugged Lily jubilantly.

"You guys kissed! In front of everyone… Even in front of the Headmaster! What had gotten into your poor brain?"

Lily blushed fiercely. "I don't know, really. I guess it's just love."

"Love makes you crazy doesn't it?"

"Mmm hmm. You should know that, Alice. You've been in love with Frank since I can remember."

"I know. I just wanted to hear your opinion."

"I see." Lily nodded slowly.

"You better not be continuously snogging James Potter while you two lovebirds are patrolling the halls. Remember, your Head Girl duties are extremely important so don't take advantage of the fact that you two are on your 'midnight stroll'."

Lily chuckled. "I won't."

"I'm just making sure you don't."

"All right, Mom."

Alice smiled weakly. "Shut up."

"Well, I'm going to the Hogsmeade trip with him, obviously. It'll be our first date."

"I'm sure he'll make your first date something you'll never forget. Like the night you guys shared your first kiss."

Lily licked her lips, evoking the sweet reminiscence of the night of the Halloween Fest. "I don't know, but now that I think about it, I think that night was the most wonderful night of my life." She silenced herself. "Except for the encounter with Severus."

On the day of the Hogsmeade trip for autumn visit, Lily dressed as warmly and as beautifully as she possibly could for her first date with James. She smiled excitedly as she wrapped a star printed scarf around her slender neck to add the finishing touch to her attire. Beaming at her attempt, she wore a soft amethyst, woolen sweater with a pair of tight boot-cut jeans. She slipped her feet into a pair of pointy black boots and clutched onto a deep mauve purse.

As she walked toward him in the corridor, he grinned generally.

"Geez, Lily. Do you have to look good in everything you wear?" he teased.

"For you, I would," she played along.

She grasped for his hand and they walked out to meet up with the other students that were going to the Hogsmeade trip as well.

"Well, if that's everyone, then you may all proceed to Hogsmeade in an orderly fashion," they heard Professor McGonagall say as they met up with the students, "Let us be off then."

"What took you guys so long?" Alice asked, "You guys weren't making out on your way here, were you?"

James chortled. "I wish."

"Let's just say I took a little longer than I had anticipated just getting dressed," Lily replied.

"Silly girl!"

"Let's go to Honeydukes, Lily," James whispered in her ear.

"Yes. Let's," she smiled, "Do you two want to go to Honeydukes with us?"

"Lily," he muttered through his gritted teeth.

"That would be great! It could be a double date!" Alice squealed, "Do you want to, Frank?"

Frank shrugged his broad shoulders. "It doesn't matter."

"All right let's go!" Lily said as she held James' hand and walked down the cobblestones of the cozy street of Hogsmeade with Alice and Frank, trailing behind.

James didn't really like the idea of a double date. He wanted his first date as just a date. Just Lily and himself.

But he didn't want to make Lily feel miserable for her mistake, so he pasted on a sweet smile and walked calmly into the heart-warming shop. Honeydukes. He thought it was the most colourful, cheerful and the most scrumptious place he had ever been to. He loved the sweets. He liked the friendly shop-owners and loved the entire shop itself. Every time he walked into this shop, a grin would always shine on his face, even in the most pessimistic occasions.

"Come, Lily," he whispered, "Let's go get some of your favourites, Chocolate Frogs."

Lily licked her lips. "Sounds good to me. Let's go."

Lily took his hand as they walked toward the large stack of Chocolate Frogs. Lily beamed happily, taking several boxes of the chocolate candy.

James on the other hand, took a couple bags of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. The velvet texture of the bag, rubbed against his hand as he grasped for the last bag of candy.

"Are you done?" she asked, holding the Chocolate Frogs and other sweet, delectable treats.

"Mmm hmm," he replied, walking over to the cashier. They carefully placed their purchases on the lime green counter.

"That'll be 2 galleons and 2 sickles," the cashier said.

Just as Lily was reaching for money in her purse, James softly laid his hand on hers. "I'll pay for it," he smiled.

Lily smiled affectionately and mouthed out the word "thank you".

James reached for his wallet and placed the money on the French green countertop. The cashier took the money.

Cheerfully smiling, the cashier said, "Thank you very much and have a wonderful day."

"Thank you," the couples said simultaneously. They grabbed their bags of candy and walked out of the store and back onto the gray, cobblestone streets.

"Thanks again, James," she said.

"Not a problem," he replied, "I need to talk to you."

"I'm all ears."

James scanned the area, looking for a secluded spot. Laying his eyes at the forest nearby, he took her hand and led her to their destination.

Arriving at the forest, James and Lily sat on a large boulder. "There," he said, "This should be a pretty private place for now."

"So what are you going to tell me?" she asked inquisitively.

James inhaled deeply and began, "You know how this is our first date together, right?"

She nodded.

"Well… um… I didn't really agree so much with the idea of having a double date. It's our first date together and I wanted it to be just us. Only you and I. I thought you should know how I feel since we are together now, therefore we should get used to not keeping so many secrets from each other."

Lily nodded again and brushed her rose petal lips on his forehead. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I'm glad I got that off my chest."

Lily responded, "Why didn't you say so before?"

"I dunno. I just didn't want you to be upset I guess."

"Why would I be upset? How did I think about having a double date in the first place?"

He plainly shrugged.

"Well come along then," she said, hoisting herself off the large rock, "Let's go find Alice and Frank and I'll tell them that we're going out just as a couple, okay?"

"Sure."

Lily stepped into the Three Broomsticks and searched for Alice and her boyfriend. Smiling at her skillful spotting, she walked up to her best friend and sat down.

"Hello, Alice. Hello, Frank," she greeted.

"Hi, Lily. Where's James?" Alice responded.

"Oh, he's outside," the green-eyed splendor replied.

Alice looked perplexed. "Okay then. Want a Butterbeer?"

"No, no. It's all right. I just wanted to tell you about that idea of a double date?"

"Yeah."

"The both of us decided that since it is our first date, we should spend it with just the two of us. I'm pretty sure I haven't offended you."

"No! Not at all! Of course you may go!"

"Thanks, Alice."

"Not at all. Have fun, dearie!"

Lily stood up and waved. "You too."

She walked toward the door where she had entered and pushed it open and met up with James. "There."

A/N: Thanks Lauren! Thanks Crodo! Thanks to all you people who reviewed! Y'all so special!

This chapter is somewhat boring. It took so LONG to write because I have stupid school in the way. Well it's done. Finally! Ack! I really need to start making this story more exciting.

REVIEW! … uh... please review.

I got to stop with them darn ellipses (…).