Disclaimer: What a cute couple, but no, they're not mine. Unfortunately, my initials are not JKR.

Summary: One date; that was it. Just one date to pacify Potter's insane desire to go out with her. But things are never easy for Lily Evans.

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Pacifying Potter

Part Two

Propositioning

"I have a proposition for you, Black," came a sudden feminine voice.

Handsome and confident, Sirius Black lifted his head slowly from the Quidditch magazine he had been flipping through. "Let's hear it, then," he said calmly, knowing that it wasn't every day when the best friend of the Head Girl had a plan.

"Do you like Lily?"

Her question surprised him, and he regarded her suspiciously for a few moments. The silence that wrapped around them wasn't thick or uneasy, but it was obvious that there was a right answer to the question. In the background of the empty common room, they were aware of the crackle of the fire and the chiming of the clock, signaling that it was two in the morning. Both ignored it.

"Of course I like Evans," Sirius began. "She's a nice girl. Perhaps a bit harsh and oblivious at times, but she's an okay girl all the same."

Evidently he had answered correctly, for Alice nodded briskly. "Do you think she and James would be good together?" she continued, just as blunt.

"I think so, if Evans would get with the times and see that James has gotten his head out of his arse and grown up a bit. Lately though, I've been telling him it's time to move on," he confessed this without so much as a sheepish grin.

"So that was why James hasn't been asking her out lately," mused Alice out loud. "Listen, I'll get to the point. For the past week or so, I've repeatedly caught Lily staring at Potter. I think she's finally gotten a semblance of a clue. Yesterday I confronted her about it and let's just say that if Potter asked her out again, she wouldn't refuse. If you think that Potter might still like her at all, then if you could get him to ask her out again, I think our friends would be on the road to happiness."

Sirius regarded her closely. "And you're sure about this, Eaton? I don't think I can deal with another moping James again... I don't think you or Evans realize how hard he takes her rejections."

Truth be told, Alice could tell that James felt more than he let on when Lily rejected him. Who wouldn't? But it was only now that she suspected that what James felt for her best friend... it was more than a school boy's crush.

Hopefully, if all went well, there would be more than one date for him to prove his worth.

"I'm positive," Alice said firmly. "I wouldn't have come to you if I wasn't."

From what he knew of Alice Eaton, Sirius figured that she was a dependable, sweet sort of girl who wasn't the type to mess with boys' heads, unlike some girls he had known and dated. "All right, Eaton, you've got yourself a proposition," he stuck his head out, and Alice saw that familiar, mischevious spark light up his eyes.

She shook it, letting that same spark reside in her baby blues. "I'm glad that you were able to see things my way," she said playfully.

He grinned at her. "Let Operation Stag and Doe commence."

Alice was too pleased to comment on the odd name. Besides, it must have been a guy thing. Boys.

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"No."

"What? Why not?" Sirius Black was beyond frustrated. For the past half hour he had been cooped up in the dormitories, attempting to convince James to ask out Lily, girl of his dreams. With no luck.

"Why not? Hmm, let's think about this, shall we, Padfoot? What happens every time I ask her out?"

"She... declines?" Better to word it so that it doesn't seem so bad.

"Yeah, sure. Declines. Refuses. Wouldn't-do-it-if-there-was-a-choice-between-me-and-the-Giant-Squid refuses. She hates me, Padfoot!"

"Cut down the drama, would you, Prongs? Look. I have it on good authority that she's been staring at you for the past week."

"Probably because I have a zit on my face or something," James said grimly.

Rubbing his hand over his temples, Sirius took a deep breath. So damn stubborn. "Look, Prongs, I know I've been telling you to get over her but... it's obvious you're not. I think you should ask her out one more time. If anything, do it to move on. This is the last time, the grand finale, final act. If she says no, then you can finally heal, as it's obvious you haven't. And if she says yes... well. You know the rest."

It was evident that this idea appealed to James, for he was a silent for a few moments. Then, "I suppose one last time couldn't hurt," he said quietly, even though he was thinking of past rejections. "Besides, I think you're right. I need to move on. And this would be the perfect closure."

Sirius grinned. "That's the spirit, James."

Both fell into a comfortable silence until Sirius said impatiently, "Well, what are you waiting for?"

James looked surprised. "Wh—what?"

"We don't have all day, man! Come, now. Go find her—I have it on good authority that she's down at the library."

James gave a grin, and Sirius could spot the playful James he had not seen as of late. "Where else would she be?" He asked rhetorically, springing off his bed and down the stairs.

He could hear Sirius's laughter long after he closed the dormitory door.

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Notes: (waves) Hello everyone! First off, I wanted to thank those of you who reviewed: AnkSkywalker, daleia, blackolives10, Randomisation and Helena of Athens. I appreciate the reviews so much.

Secondly, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/requests for what Lily and James's date will be. I'm trying to do something that has a semblance of originality, but alas, I can't think of anything that won't be too cheesy or overdone. Any ideas?

Not quite sure when the third part will be up—whenever the urge strikes me, I suppose.

Thanks again and until next time!