Chapter Twelve: The Twelfth Note

Lily was still in a very, very good mood. The last note was enough to send her to perpetual bliss. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face the whole day. As it was Saturday, she was walking freely out the grounds, enjoying the sight of the younger years playing around the lake.

"You're out early…" she heard a voice said.

Turning around, she wasn't surprised to see James walking his way to her. "It's a beautiful day…" she answered, giving him a very warm smile. She noticed that he was on his Quidditch robes and he was sweating rather lightly. "I take it you've been flying?"

"Yeah… It's been a while since I've flown alone…"

"Alone?" Lily asked. "You prefer flying alone?"

James nodded and said, "Yes, at times…"

They walked in silence again, not really knowing what to say. After a while, James found a good spot for them to sit on. "Do you want to sit?" he asked.

Lily smiled and nodded. She followed him as he seated himself under the tree, his back against it. "You've been in a very good mood since last night, Lils. What caused this?" He tried his hardest not to look guilty. Thankfully, Lily was too happy to notice that James was fighting control over his facial expression.

She was smiling dreamily when she spoke her answer. "It was him… I just thought it would be one of the not-so-happy-notes that he's been sending me, but it turned out good… very good actually."

James nodded his approval, relieved that Lily liked it very much. But although he was happy, he couldn't help but think that Lily was becoming too attached to the tulip guy. What will happen once she finds out about tulip guy and himself being one? Would she loathe him? Despise him?

"I like it that he poured his heart out on his notes. It almost broke my heart when I thought he was just paying revenge."

"But he wasn't…" James stated. Realizing that he was giving himself away, he quickly added. "Was he?"

"I don't think so…"

They sat in complete silence for a whole while before Lily started asking James about his plans for the following day.

He let out a laugh before saying, "Still haven't asked her yet…"

Looking seriously at James, she asked. "Now really James… what holds you back?"

"Her…" he said simply. "The thought of her holds me back."

"But why?" she asked confused. "The thought of her should inspire you, not scare you."

He looked at her, wanting to tell her exactly why he was holding back. Thinking that tomorrow's plan was better than this one, he chose to reply in a safer manner and shrugged his shoulder.

"Are you aware then that Valentine's Day is tomorrow?"

"Yes of course." James answered.

"Are you sure she hasn't found a date yet?" Lily asked. "'Coz you might be surprised tomorrow if she declines. You'll never really know if she already promised another bloke a date to Hogmeade."

"I'm certain she's dateless at this very moment…" James said confidently. "I'm rather certain she would be dateless 'til tomorrow."

"Are you telling me that she's waiting for you to ask her out?" Lily asked with a laugh. "You're so full of yourself, James."

"That's not really what I meant…" he said, trying to cover up the almost so obvious statement.

"Then what?" She asked.

James couldn't be more grateful when he saw Derek hopping his way to them. Finding the time a perfect way to change the subject, James hurriedly said, "Looks like the messenger is up early as well." He motioned his head towards Derek's direction as he saw a clueless girl in front of him.

As she saw Derek, her eyes literally lit up.

Again, Derek recited his oh so memorized line. "Hello again, Ms. Lily, but a young man wanted me to give this to you. He said he hopes you'll like it—and the other flowers to come." Smiling at them both, Derek made his way to his friends by the lake. Sensing that it would be hard for him to keep a straight face, James decided that it would be the best time for him to leave.

"I better go and get cleaned up," he said, dusting his robes from the grass. "I'll see you around."

Receiving a quiet nod and a smile, he left Lily alone. He was only a few meters away when Lily called him back.

"Hey James!"

Surprised, James stopped and looked at her questioningly. "Yeah?"

"Ask her already!" She shouted with a smile. "I'm sure she'll say yes!"

He shook his head in a humored manner before giving her an assuring smile. "I will…" With that, he left Lily with the note on her hands, ready to be read.

Because after all Lily, (12)

The message ended there. Random thoughts of possibilities lingered on Lily's mind. She was hopeful, but then again, she was doubtful.
As she read the note again, it seemed to her that it was ending.

What could be the last note, she thought. After all, Valentine's Day is tomorrow. If he won't be showing up on that day, then when?

She recited the other notes in her head, hoping to make sense out of it.

The distance between us was quite far, but the figure of you and him holding hands was a clear sight. (1)

From where I was standing, both of you were having a good time… (2)
Holding hands…

Walking with comfortable silence…
Knowing nothing about a man hurting—watching with tears drowning his eyes. (3)

His longing for someone…
His love—he knows he could never have. (4)

And then, what seemed like a dream, the reality of you and him was no longer—it was finally over. (5)

Destiny may have brought you two together, but it was also fate that broke you two apart from each other. (6)


There was no longer you and him…
My heart ached for your pain—and although I was hurting for you, my heart could not deny the joy of knowing you're no longer with him. (7)

I have loved you from afar…A distance I wish I could cover—somehow, to get to you… (8)

But I couldn't reach you…
You wouldn't let me… (9)

The sea of your doubts is blocking my way to you…
Pushing me away from you… (10)

Could you leave your uncertainties behind and give me a chance? (11)

Because after all Lily, (12)

Because after all what, Lily wondered. She was desperate to know what the next—and perhaps, the last note was. Could it be something good or something terrible? Merlin… He's killing her, she thought.

Though she was frustrated by the note's length, she still felt a bit happy that it was not one of those notes that saddened her. Sighing contentedly, she settled on watching the lower years play with the giant squid.

Lily wasn't, however, aware that Jenny was working on the plan to get everything perfect for tomorrow's day. What it was, nobody knows but the Gryffindors—well, except Lily of course.