DISCLAIMER: I own nothing that you recognize as JK Rowling's.

Thirteen Days until Valentine's Day

By: On3-ShoT

Epilogue: Pitch Ditched

James and Lily were in their heads room, seemingly minding each other's business. Lily was working on some essays, while James appeared to be reading a book. He was lazily lying on the couch, his eyes, once in a while, wandering to where Lily was. He was waiting for the clock to strike nine for Quidditch practice.

"You know James, you could go now if you want to." Lily laughed, still scribbling hastily. "I know you're not reading that book."

"But I like watching you." James protested, straightening his robes and sitting himself upright. "You're still working on your potions essay?" he asked unbelievingly.

"Yeah…" Lily said, scratching out a word or two.

"I haven't started mine yet, though." He said, grabbing one of Lily's books and started browsing through it. "I promise I'll work on it." He said, before giving Lily the chance to reprimand him.

Lily nodded her head in reply, knowing full well that it was useless to ask him to start working on his essay. And besides, she thought, James will be leaving for Quidditch practice soon.

Lily was unaware that James was still going through the pages of her book. She was mindful though that he was still there.

"James, you're going to be late…" Lily said, her attention still on her parchment.

"It's only 8:30…" he said, standing up and sitting himself on the floor beside Lily. "Wanting to get rid of me sooner, I see."

Lily looked at him and playfully pushed him away as he bent down for a kiss.

"What now?" He asked, still smiling. "Can't a guy give his girlfriend a kiss?"

"You should go you know…" she said, ignoring James' advances.

Sighing dejectedly, he stood up and went his way to his room. "I'd just grab my broom then," he said, not looking at Lily.

Smiling triumphantly, Lily waited to make sure he was in his room before standing up to follow him.

He was going through his things in his trunk, throwing a thing or two on his bed. He was unaware that Lily was standing on his doorway, watching him search for his Quidditch gear.

Lily was standing there for about three minutes, but still, James was not acknowledging her presence. Sensing that James was not in the mood, she went back to the common room and resumed with her writing.

In less than a minute after she started writing again, James came out of his room, fully geared, his broom in hand. He was about to walk through the portrait when he decided against it. He went to where Lily was and kissed her head, mumbling 'I love you'before leaving for his practice.

Lily watched him as he walked out of the portrait and contemplated whether to run after him or wait for him to come back. She was tapping her quill nervously, debating the thought really hard.

After a minute of uncertainty, she found herself running through the deserted hallway, calling after James.

She quickly reached his side, and though she was panting, she still managed to look beautiful.

"Lily, what's wrong?" James asked in a concerned tone. "Are you ok?"

"How can you stay so calm when we both know you're pissed?" she asked, looking adoringly at her loving boyfriend. "Do you think you could skip practice tonight? Tomorrow's Saturday anyway. I'd like to have you for now." She was holding his hand, brushing it with her thumb, as if asking him to give in. "You're not mad at me are you? I was just playing with you a while ago."

James gave her a smile before gently placing his broom on the stone floor and circling his arms around his girlfriend's petite body. "I'm not as pissed as you think I am. I can never direct my anger or frustrations at you." He hugged her tighter as he felt his Lily hugging him back. "I was just a bit upset that you found your essay more interesting than your boyfriend. I wouldn't use the word 'important' seeing that it's obvious that school is more important that I am. I totally understand that part, but it's a Friday night, Lily. You still have a Saturday and a Sunday. I know I'm being a baby, but… I wanted your attention tonight.. At least before I leave for this damn practice."

"You're more important…" was Lily's short reply, letting James hold her closer and letting herself drown in the scent of him. "I can delay all these things for you if you'd ask, but I doubt it if you'd do that. But I'm telling you now, and I'm assuring you that you, James Potter, is more important than any essays or exams in this world." She looked up to face him and gave him one sweet kiss. "And I'm not just saying this to make up, or to make myself feel less guilty. If I'd get a failing mark tomorrow, two days from now or whatever, for dedicating a day for you, I wouldn't regret it. I love you and you mean the world to me. I couldn't find any reason to love you less. It may have taken me long years to see it, but now that I'm here, with you and loving you more and more everyday, I couldn't ask God for a more precious gift. You gave meaning to my every wake and although my life has never been meaningless, the moment that I made you a part of my life, I see to everyday with more life and enthusiasm. You filled my life with so much joy, with so much love, and I couldn't see why it took me this long to find you. You complete me, James. And I thank you because you chose to love me, even though we both know that I didn't go easy on you."

"You love me?" James asked, pushing away to look at her. "You love me?"

Hearing James say this, she blushed shyly and buried her face on his chest. "Yes, I do." Still refusing to look at him, she continued. "I know it's the first time I told you this out loud, but I've been wanting to tell you this for days. It just felt right tonight, so I said it without even thinking too much."

She felt James kiss her on her forehead, and heard him asking her to look at him. "You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that. Every moment I spend with you is like a dream. I was once a boy infatuated with a girl, and when I grew to become a man, my infatuation led me to a more complicated emotion. It was hard for me to love you, but I loved you nonetheless. I took a chance when I decided to be your friend; a greater chance when I started writing those notes in hopes that we could be something more, risking what great friendship I had with you. I don't know if there would be any man on this earth who could ever feel the joy your words brought me. I love you, I love you, I love you!"

Lily laughed freely before getting hold of James' upper robe and pulling him closer to her face. "Now is the time for you to kiss me, James."

They were smiling at each other before they kissed, and while they were kissing, they couldn't wipe the stupid smiles from their faces. They kissed, and kissed, and kissed some more, before hearing someone cough, wanting their attention.

"So uh, James?" Sirius said, looking at them as if they'd broke the biggest rule in Hogwarts. "Does that mean you're not going to practice tonight?"

"I'm afraid James is sick. Could you be an angel Sirius and tell the team that their captain wouldn't be with them tonight? Thank you!" She smiled at him and pulled James to the direction of their room.

James looked behind him and gave Sirius a puzzled look and shrugged his shoulder. "You can still watch them play, mate. You can act captain for tonight even though you're not in the team. Just don't be difficult." With a final wave, James and Lily disappeared on a corner.

Smiling at his friends, Sirius went on his way to the pitch.

---E-n-d---

A/N: I had this for more than a week now. My Internet was down for a month, so this last bit was delayed. I'm sorry. Please leave me a review, and I hope everyone liked this.

PS: I'm writing another LJ, but this one is a One-shot. If anyone is interested, you can put me on your author alert list.