Hey! Okay, his is the repost of chapter 9. I reposted it since I just saw a mistake in the characters, you know, the names were miswritten. Anyway, here's the new and improved chapter 9!

Chapter 9

The next day, Lily got up bright and early. Checking her watch, she saw that it was still around 8:00. She did all of her morning rituals, then slipped into a navy blue Ralph Lauren sweater (I have one just like it. Please don't ask. I just have a certain fascination with designer labels) and jeans. Drying her hair with a spell, she decided to let it loose, with only a studded clip to hold it slightly back. When she was finally ready, she left her bedroom.

She then left the suite and proceeded to the Dining Room. It was very sunny in there, with a few exotic plants accenting the bright look of the place. She spotted Rachel on a table not very far, and walked over to her.

"Hey Rachel," she smiled. "Mind if I join you?"

Rachel smiled back and said, "Oh no, not at all". Lily took the seat across from her and, after consulting the menu, ordered her breakfast. While waiting for it, she and Rachel chatted. Around thirty minutes later, they were both finished eating.

"Lily, any plans for today?" Rachel asked. When Lily shook her head, she said, "Do you wanna go out today, you know, explore the city, and more specifically, the shopping boutiques?"

"Perfect! I love shopping," Lily grinned and Rachel did the same. "So, is it only the two of us?"

"Well, actually…." Rachel trailed off as she and Lily saw Ryan and James approaching. "I as hoping they could show us around, you know, since they've been to Rome countless times before".

"Oh no, you've got to be kidding me. Evans is coming? My day just turned stormy," James said, glaring at her.

"Well, spending more time in your presence isn't exactly a picnic for me either, Mr. Egoistical Prat," Lily shot back, folding her arms and returning the glare. Ryan and Rachel exchanged a glance. Unknown to Lily and James, the two had planned this the night before, but making it strategic to make them seem innocent.

"Okay, the both of you, enough," Ryan interrupted. "Lily, Rachel, why don't the both of you go get your bags or whatever and we'll meet you at the lobby, okay?"

The two girls nodded and left, talking. They both went to their respective suites and grabbed their bags and, a few minutes later, proceeded down to the lobby,

"Finally! Took you long enough," James muttered as the two arrived.

"Potter, it's only been 5 minutes," Lily corrected him. James simply gave her a look and said nothing.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Ryan exclaimed and with that, the four teenagers stepped out of the hotel.

Since the Ventresca Hotel was located in the wizarding part of Rome, the places surrounding it were also magic. Well, James and Ryan, being the obsessed over Quidditch boys that they were, went right away to the nearest Quidditch sporting shop, with a promise that they'd meet the girls outside the shop at around 11.

Lily and Rachel immediately headed to the nearest witch's clothing store they could see, which, incidentally, happened to be Chic Witch, one of the most wonderfully designed and stylish designer clothes in the magical world. Add that to the fact that it also sold Muggle outfits and you've got an awesome boutique.

They were browsing through a rack at the Muggle Wear Section when suddenly, Lily held up a blouse and showed it to Rachel.

"What do you think?" Lily asked her friend.

Rachel gasped in delight and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, Lils, it's perfect for you! I'm sure James will be very pleased when he sees you in that outfit," she added slyly.

Lily gave her a look of disbelief and said, "Uh, Rache, please. I have no intention of pleasing Potter whatsoever". But still, she went to the dressing room and tried on the blouse.

She came out a minute later. Rachel gasped in delight once again. "What? Is it good, or bad?" Lily asked.

"Neither. It's gorgeous," Rachel said. And it was true. The blouse Lily had selected was a beige, semi- off shoulder, shear one, whose long sleeves were gartered to fit her wrist. It set off her appearance perfectly, and even Lily had to admit that she looked quite good.

Lily smiled. She closed the door once more and, a minute later, Lily went out, wearing her normal clothes. She fingered the price tag.

"Perfect! The price is just right," Lily said happily as she congratulated herself over her good fortune. She excused herself to go to the cashier as Rachel went inside another dressing room to try out an outfit.

After she purchased her outfit, she waited while Rachel went off to pay for her own blouse. Then they left and wandered around some more.

Finally, it was almost 11, so the two girls headed back to the Quidditch Supplies Store to meet the two cousins. They found them waiting outside.

"Come on, let's go have lunch," Ryan said. The three nodded and, as they proceeded to a quaint little café nearby, he added, "Hey guys. Why don't we leave the wizarding part and go to the Muggle part? We've been there before, and it's wonderful".

Lily and Rachel smiled again, as did James as they sat down to eat. Around twenty minutes later, they paid the bill, and left Wizarding Rome.

An hour later……

The foursome was walking around St. Peter's Basilica, admiring the structures when suddenly, a girl that looked just a few years older than them, came up to them. She was very pretty, with blondish brown wavy hair and olive skin. Judging from her outfit, she looked like she was from a rich background.

"Hello," the girl said, offering them a pretty smile. "May I ask who among is Lily Evans?"

Lily looked mildly surprised as she replied. "I'm Lily Evans. Might I ask who you are and how you know my name?"

"Oh, I'm Patricia. Patricia Thomas. You may know my younger brother from Hogwarts, right? Your boyfriend, Jake Thomas?" the girl said.

Lily and James's expressions turned agape. "Wait a minute. You're Jake's sister? He's told me so much about you when we talked a few times at school!" Lily said.

Patricia smiled. "Hmm, I wonder if they were good or bad. But anyway, I have something really important to tell you. Jake just owled me to make arrangements for him to be able to apparate here tonight," (In this fic, Jake's already seventeen, so it's legal)

"Jake's coming to Rome. Tonight. Why!" Lily was frazzled yet excited. She couldn't believe how sweet he was.

"Well, he said that the both of you hadn't been on a date as an official couple yet, so why not have it in a romantic place such as Rome? He wanted it to be a surprise, but I thought that it'd be best if you were prepared. I suggest though, that you wear something a bit classy; my brother's known for being the ultimate romantic," Patricia laughed. James just looked on with a shell-shocked expression.

"Thanks, Patricia. I really appreciate it. He's coming to my suite, right?" When she got a nod for an answer, Lily smiled happily. A few more minutes of talking, then Patricia left.

"So you're actually going to meet with Jake?" asked James as the foursome began to walk again back to the hotel.

"Yes, I am going to go on a date with my boyfriend whom you got for me," Lily said in a fake sweet voice. "Why? Jealous?"

"Of who? Jake? Please. I'd rather date the mermaids in the lake," James said, although, he couldn't help but feel a bit jealous….

"Date the mermaids in the lake? One, that is so fifth year, and two, even mermaids have enough common sense not to date someone as prattish as you," Lily shot back.

Obviously, they made their way back to the hotel, bickering, with Rachel and Ryan looking on, half amused, half exasperated.

"Guys I'm gonna go now. I still have to decided what to wear for my date," Lily said when they arrived at their suite. She went in, went inside her room, and slammed the door shut.

Turning to his two friends, James said, not really knowing why, "You know what? I think we should follow the two lovebirds on their date tonight. You know, just to make sure that Evans messes up and we can catch it on wizarding video or something and use it for blackmail?" And without waiting for their answer, he said, "Great! Meet me here as soon as I call you. Hehe. This is gonna be fun," And without further ado, he left.

Rachel and Ryan simply exchanged a look with one another that plainly said, "James is digging an early grave for himself". Really, they both felt that, if Lily were to see James spying on them, he would most likely end up in a coffin, mutilated by an angry redhead for ruining her date.

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Okay, I know it was a bit on the boring side, but the next chapter will be nicer, I promise….read and review, please!