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 Five

Misunderstanding

"What is this, date number four?" Alice wondered aloud as she stood behind Lily, who was preparing for yet another James-filled evening. It had been two months since their last date and Lily and James couldn't have been happier.

"For your information," Lily corrected her, mock-prissily, "it's date number five."

"Ooh, very special," Alice teased. "But really," she said, putting her hands on Lily's shoulders, talking to their reflections in the mirror, "I'm ecstatic for you two. You two make a good couple and I'm glad you took a chance on James."

"Me, too," glowed Lily. "But… sometimes I feel as though it's going to end any moment. What if one day he does wake up 'pacified'? That'd be… awful."

"Lily," Alice spun her around, so that her back was to the mirror. "That is not going to happen. It's plain to see that the boy's infatuated, head over heels for you. So don't let your insecurities get in the way. Just… live in the moment. You're not thinking long-term – at least not yet. So just let things go where they may."

Lily smiled. "Since when did you get so wise?"

Alice shrugged, smiling a little bit. "I always have been—you just never noticed."

Shaking her head and laughing, Lily left the room.

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"You look lovely," James declared the moment he saw Lily.

In return she flushed, saying, "Why thank you. You look rather dashing yourself."

James grinned. "Aren't I always?"

Jokingly, Lily swatted his arm. "I thought you had gotten over that vain streak."

"My narcissist habits will never die, I think," announced he.

Giggling, the two walked up the stairs. Their last few dates had been out of the castle, mostly at Hogsmeade. Since they had gotten together right before Christmas she saw him once during break. But they were back at Hogwarts and James was itching to see the next Star Wars movie.

The Room of Requirement looked the same as the last time they had visited it, decked out in Gryffindor colors and all. After the movie, the two, just lay on the couch for a few moments, sleepy and content.

Opening her eyes, Lily looked at her boyfriend, smiling, then frowning. He seemed so serious, so far away. What was wrong? Her heart seemed to beat a little quicker, but not in a way she particularly liked.

"James?" She inquired. "Is something the matter?"

"Um, yes, I mean no, I mean…" he trailed off, looking extremely uncomfortable. "Look, I need to tell you something."

Lily sat up, her back ramrod straight, tense and waiting. This was it, wasn't it? He was going to break up with her. Just like that. Well. If that was it, then, she would spare him the awkwardness. She stood up.

James looked at her, bewildered. "Lily? Where are you going?"

Narrowing her eyes, Lily was surprised. "I'm just making it easier for you."

"Easier?" he wanted to know. "How is this supposed to make it easier?"

God, how dense was he?

"I'll just leave, you know, spare us those embarrassing last moments."

"Last moments?" James's frowned deepened. "What are you talking about?"

Scoffing, Lily said, "You know exactly what I'm referring to. You were going to break up with me."

"What!" James exclaimed. He looked at her in complete disbelief. "Why would you… why would you think that?"

"I should have seen this coming," Lily said, the words tumbling from her mouth before she could stop them as she spoke to the ground bitterly, "I knew it. That was all you wanted. Just a couple of dates to prove your point. That yes, eventually Lily Evans can be worn down if one persists hard enough—"

"Is that what you think of me?" Jerking her head up, Lily saw an awful sight. James Potter, shoulders tense and jaw set, his golden eyes dark with anger. "Do you honestly think this is all a game? That I would waste my time if I was dating you just to prove a fucking point? Dammit Lily, I'm not fifteen anymore!"

Lily looked at him, skeptical. "Oh, yeah? If that's true, if you really weren't going to break up with me, then what in hell were you going to tell me?"

His lips curled in disgust, his eyes looking betrayed, he whispered venomously, "I was going to tell you that, despite how short of a time we've been going together, that I love you. That it's always been you and I was going to apologize for all of the stupid things I did to you in the past, that I'd only done them because I didn't know how else to get your attention. That was what I was going to say." He turned away, but before he left she could hear him say, "But now I know it would have just been a waste of breath."

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Alice Eaton was currently lounging in her room, reading a novel that Lily had gotten her that she, so far, particularly enjoyed: Pride and Prejudice. At that point in the novel, Elizabeth had completely turned down Mr. Darcy's marriage proposal (which shocked Alice to the core in that a) he totally loved her and b) how harsh she was to him! Okay, so he was a jerk. He still sounded scrumptious.)

Her thoughts drifted to another couple, quite like Darcy and Elizabeth. She applauded her self on a job well done in getting her best friend and said best friend's former worst enemy, together. They were so cute and worked so well together. She had so much faith in them, she and Black had a pool going on how long after graduation those two would tie the knot.

Hearing the jerking open of a door, Alice found a sobbing Lily Evans. "Lily?" Alice asked worriedly, hurrying over to the hysterical girl. "What happened?"

"James—I think he and I are over," wailed the Head Girl.

"Oh, damn," muttered Alice. "There go my twenty galleons."

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Note: Hello all! I know I originally said there would be about five parts in this series, but I couldn't help myself and so I added in that little fight scene. Perhaps I was being a bit cliché in adding that bit of P&P in, but let say, P&P is, without a doubt, the ultimate Romance Bible.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter; you guys always make my day. So thanks to: Randomisation, FreeSpiritSprite, Bellatrixgoestoazkaban, Gertrude, heartsdesire456, limurph, Erica, SnowflakeGinny, Eldhiel, yyyyy, Reading Robyn, green-mermaid, JaDe-ViPeR08, The ORIGINAL Meathead, and deannanic63. Love you all!

Until then! (which should be about… let's shoot for Tuesday. Hopefully.)