Can't Buy Me Love
Summary: Lily paid James for him to pretend to like her, to impress a boy. Well, James isn't pretending anymore, but how will she ever know with HIM in the way?
Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing but the plot and optional characters.
Therapy
"And this is my home away from home." James said with possibly the widest grin on his face that Lily has ever seen.
Lily laughed, "Zonko's Joke Shop." she said reading the sign. "I thought Hogwarts was your home away from home." she said.
James walked to the door, "Well it is, so that would make this my home away from home, but my other…" he stopped in mid sentence, "I'll get back to you on that one."
Lily walked into the door and instantly smiled. She could automatically tell that this was one of James' favorite places. It was bright, fun and everyone seemed to know who he was.
"James!" Lily's head whipped around to see the man calling him from behind the counter. James took Lily's hand again and led her up there. "Look, we just got some stuff in, hasn't been on shelf's yet. I saved it for you. Go ahead back there, take a look around." the guy whispered to James.
James smiled back at Lily and walked to a room behind the counter and led Lily in. He sighed a happy sigh when he first looked at all the boxes. He immediately dug into one of the boxes.
"Do you always get to do this?" Lily asked.
James' head popped up from one of the boxes, "Usually I get them sent to Hogwarts before they get put out in stores. But when I'm here for Hogsmead weekend, I get an unlimited supply and get to test the products."
Lily laughed, "Do you have a club card?" She jokingly.
James pulled out a gold card, "Gold Member." he said.
Lily laughed and looked into one of the boxes. "Hmm…" she cleared her throat, "Turns hair desired color for one week."
James smiled, "Grab three of those."
Lily did as she was told, "For who?" she asked.
"Paige Alix and Molly." he said simply.
"How about this?" She asked and pulled out a jinxed quill.
James smiled, "Good yes! Grab me a box full!" he said his arms full of stuff.
Lily laughed, "Okay then."
"Grab one of those, uh…5 of those and 10 of those." James commanded upon seeing different things.
"You have fun back here, and I'm going to go out front and see what I can get." Lily said.
James raised his eyebrows, "You're into this stuff?" he asked.
"Well," Lily started. "Now that I can get this stuff…I don't see why not. I have a few people I have to get back at." Lily said smirking and walked out.
Lily put it all on the counter, "How is this all supposed to make me feel better?" she asked.
"Just wait." James said handing over his card in place of money.
"Now who's this?" The man behind the counter asked looking at Lily.
Lily put her products on the counter and smiled, "Lily Evans." She replied.
"Lily." he said looking at her. "Haven't seen James with a girl for a long time. Not since Paige was back in here with Sirius and James." Lily smiled. "Actually, haven't seen many girls here."
"Well, get used to seeing me." Lily said pulling out her wallet.
James took her wallet, closed it and handed it back to her. He took out his card and slid it over the counter. "It's on me." He said to Lily.
Lily smiled and took the bag. "Thanks." she said.
"Hey Lily. Didn't you say that you're becoming a regular?" The clerk asked. Lily nodded. "Well then, let me introduce you to our club card." he said sliding a card over the counter that read 'Member.'
Lily laughed and took out a pen to sign it and fill out information. "I have a lot of payback to do." she said and handed him the card back, "better get me another card."
The clerk laughed and handed her a card that was silver and read 'Silver Member'. "That's more like it." She said.
"Where to?" James asked. He looked at his watch. "We have…" he looked up and smiled, "forever left until we have to leave."
Lily laughed, "Aren't you the one who's supposed to decide?" she asked.
James laughed, "Okay then. Let's go to Honeydukes." He said and guided her down a street.
"Chocolate covered cockroaches?" James asked holding them up.
Lily laughed and picked up a box, "How about Blood Lollipops?" She asked jokingly.
"Okay seriously, let's get good stuff." James said picking up a basket.
"Chocolate Frogs, a must." Lily said throwing some in the basket. James walked down the aisle. "Catch!" She yelled and threw a box of Every Flavor Jelly Beans.
After an hour of cnady throwing, candy tasting and paying for it, they walked down the streets of Hogsmead once again.
"So Lily, I know nothing about you except that you're a beautiful girl and fun to hang around and hate boring guys." James said.
"Well, what do you want to know?" She asked.
"Anything, everything." James said using his hands to emphasize his words.
Lily smiled, "Okay, let's start with family." She said. "My mum, Rose. She loves to cook and read. She's the typical housewife. I got my ugly hair from her." Lily said pointing to her hair.
James twirled a piece of her hair around his finger, "I dont think it's ugly." he said. "It's rather different, I like it," he said.
Lilly smiled, "Why thank you."
"Anyone else?" James asked.
"My sister Petunia." she said.
James chuckled, "I'm gussing your family likes flower names?" He said.
Lily laughed, "You guessed right. My sister Petunia. Who's a real bitch."
James looked confused. "Why?"
"Well, she calls me a freak, never writes to me or talks to me for that matter. We used to be really close. But, I came here to Hogwarts, and that's how it all started." Lily said. "And then my dad. Oh god, how do I explain him?" Lily laughed. "He's crazy. He loves sports, and loves to spend time with his family." Lily looked at James. "What about your family?" She asked.
"Hmm..." James said taping his chin with his index finger. "Well, my mum is one of the most beautiful, couragious, fathful woman I have ever known. My dad, is a prankster who always sees the good in people. He loves Quittage" he laughed, "Overall they're kinda never home, they are Aurors after all."
"So, in the Summer, you stay by yourself?" Lily asked.
"Pretty much. The guys come stay over, Paige and Alix do sometimes, Molly does once in a while. You should come this summer. Remus is going to be in Egypt and Peter is going to his Aunt's." James replied.
"Sure, sounds fun. Molly is going to America the whole summer." Lily said. "What ever happened to you and her?" Lily asked.
James chuckled and turned the corner entering another street. "We went out for three days. She was a total bitch, and high matinance." James said.
"That's what Paige said." Lily told him.
"Paige likes to think that she knows eveything about me." James said.
"HOGWARTS STUDENTS PLEASE ENTER THE CARRIGES." A professor said a little further down the street.
"Wanna walk back insted?" James asked.
"Sure." Lily said. "So anyways, what do you mean?"
"Well, my parents are her parents are friends." James said.
"Well, you and Paige are." Lily pointed out.
James looked at her, "I never really talk to her about serious things. Like family, or summer plans, or anythign really. We only talk about Pranks and Quittage."
"Why?"
He shrugged, "She's not really the person who wants to know details."
"So I've noticed." Lily laughed.
James noticed that they were halfway back. James, being the gentleman he was, put his arm out for her to hold.
Lily smiled and took it, her head automaticly leaning against his shoulder. "What else about you?" she asked.
"Oh let's see. What don't you know about the famous James Potter?" He said jokingly.
"Favorite color?" She asked.
"Easy. Gold." He said.
Lily laughed, "Why gold? It's not really masculine."
James smiled, "That's what everyone says. But gold is strong, solid. Like me." he said. Lily laughed. "I like your laugh." he said.
Lily smiled, "So Mr. Potter, what is your...favorite food?" she asked.
James sighed, "Oh gosh..." he got lost in thought. "All." he said.
Lily laughed again. "Favorite getaway?" she asked.
"The sky. I can fly all day." He said smiling. "Now I get to ask you questions." he said as the school came into sight.
Meanwhile...
"They look so cute together!" Alix squealed as their (Sirius, Molly, Paige, Remus) carrige passed by the two laughing, and Lily holding James' arm.
Sirius looked out the carrige. "I knew it." he said.
"WHAT?" Paige yelled. "Is this his 'therapy'?"
"Chill out Paige." Remus said.
"No! That little bitch stole James! She's not even pretty or skinny!" Paige yelled.
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "News flash Paige, she's hot."
"Just wait Lily Evans." she muttered under her breath.
Back to James and Lily...
"My favorite season?" She asked him. "Fall. Not too cold, not too hot."
James nooded in understanding. "Quittage season begins." He said.
Lily laughed, "It's going to be dinner soon, want to go inside?" she asked.
James looked at the school, at his watch and then her. "Just a little longer." James said.
Lily smiled and turned to the direction on the Lake. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" She asked.
James smiled, "A year ago if you asked me I would say Seeker for the Chudly Cannons, but I think Auror is more sensible." James said. "What about you?"
"A healer." she said without hesitation.
"I don't know about that Lils. Your beauty might distract the other doctors." James said wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"I know right?" She said jokingly.
James stared at her. "What?" she asked.
He tucked a loose curl behind her ear, "You're just so different." James said.
"Well, I do have yo to thank." She said. "You introduced me to your friends." he said.
"Yes, it's all my doing." James said and laughed. "I'm not talking about the outside, you're spirit, drive and feelings and look on life is so much different that everyone elses." He said.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Take Sirius for example. He's my best mate but doesn't have a serious bone in his body. He has two emotions, mad and funny." James said.
"Oh really?" Lily said surprised. "What's your life goal?" she asked looking at the setting sun.
James stopped at a tree and sat down, his back to the trunk. He mentioed Lily to sit down with him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and her head leaned back on his chest.
"To be a good father, loyal husband and lead a happy life." He said.
"That's it?" She asked. "No Quittage trophies, no money or anything?"
James shook his head, "Family comes before anything. No one really needs all that money, Love is good enough." he said.
Lily smiled, "For a rich kid, you sure have a great outlook on life."
"Never say that again." James said.
"Which part?" She asked.
"The rich kid. I don't need people calling me spoiled rich kid." James said.
Lily sighed, "Hand me a chocolate frog will you?" She asked.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to eat before dinner?" He asked.
"No." Lily said seriously.
James laughed and handed her one. "Did you see the look on Snape's face after we pranked him yesterday?"
Lily laughed, "That was priceless!"
Hours went by, Lily and James sat there talking watching the sun set and the moon rise.
"James, it 10:00." Lily told him.
James looked at his watch and got up, helping Lily up, "Let's go in." He said picking up the empty candy boxes.
Lily and James reached their common room and went inside. "Thanks James, today has been amazing." She kissed his cheek. "You're a great friend."
Those words stung James like a bee. He smiled, "See you tomarrow. You're coming to the match right?" He asked.
"Of corse." Lily said and smiled walking up the stairs, thinking of a hazel eyed boy with messy balck hair.
James walked up to his dorm and slammed the door. "Great friend?" He said tohimself. "Friend?" he repeated unbelievibly. He sighed and fell back on hisbed.He would show Lily that he could not only be a great friend, but a great boyfriend.
Did that line just kill you? "You're a great friend" hehehehe...
REVIEW! Thanks for all of mine! I love you all!
-Kelsey