The bags are securely tucked away in the boot of his Aston Martin, and the M4 is not too crowded as James merges onto the motorway. He relishes in the bright sunshine that's beating in through the window, though it does nothing to thaw the intermittent icy glares Lily throws at him. It seems a whole new level, even for her, to keep up this charade of displeasure as she sits in the heated leather seat beside him.

He doubts that she'll be able to keep up the silent treatment for the entirety of the two-hour drive. This is the last possible scenario he's imagined for the trip. Perhaps it was wishful thinking when he'd envisioned their weekend together countless times over the past week. Laughing and getting to know each other more, an extension of their visit to the Orangery. The fact that Lily has yet to mutter a single word unnerves James. This is not the Lily Evans he knows, and he's not willing to let her get away with the cold shoulder.

"Being in the presence of my company can't possibly disgust you so much that you're going to refuse to speak to me for the next two hours." His statement sounds a bit crude, but he's willing to take drastic measures to spur a reaction from her.

She shoots another death glare his way. "Maybe not your presence, but the fact that you've manipulated your way so that I'm sitting next to you right now does."

"And yet I've just succeeded in getting you to speak." He smirks, another small victory for the record books—not that he's counting.

"Keep telling yourself that."

"Is this truly the worst possible way you can think of spending your weekend?"

"I'm inclined to say yes, but seeing as how you've coerced my friends into coming as a means to get me here…" She doesn't finish her sentence, though it's clear she wants to say yes.

"That's not entirely true—"

"Oh, please, don't stop flattering yourself now."

"But I'm not. Sirius invited Marlene, not me. And Marlene asked Sirius if Remus could come because she assumed you'd already told me yes."

"Which was a wrong assumption," Lily interjects. "Remus and I would have been fine staying back in Sunbury for the weekend. I know he's eager to learn from Mona, which is part of the reason he came to visit."

James sighs. "Well, it's too late now, isn't it? We're on the way, so you might as well make the best of it."

"I will for them, but I make no promises for you."

She folds her arms over her chest and looks determinedly out the passenger window. Even with the pout, James can't help but notice how he's drawn to her.

"Of course not, I'd never ask for any preferential treatment on my birthday."

"I'm sure your mother has invited plenty of women who will give you whatever you need."

But there's only one person I want.

The words tantalize the tip of his tongue, but he's not daring enough to say them out loud. At least not this time. He doesn't want to push her too far when the weekend's yet to begin. Instead, he offers a sarcastic quip that may just rile her up even more.

"Be that as it may, they aren't exactly the company I seek."

"Ha! See? I knew you were behind all this."

"Lily—"

"Seriously, James, you can deny it until you're blue in the face, but I'm sitting here because of you."

"You don't mean to tell me you were serious when you said no?"

Lily scoffs, a derisive laugh cutting through the low hum of the engine and the tires speeding down the road. "Of course, I was serious! And naturally, Mr. Millionaire couldn't take 'no' for an answer."

Billionaire.

"I didn't think you were serious."

"Well, I was. And maybe you should take a course on the meaning of the word 'no.'"

"Would you like me to turn the car back around and take you home?" He knows he's only saying it out of spite, but his stomach churns as he waits for her response nonetheless.

"No. I'd just prefer it if you respect my wishes in the future."

James's body relaxes at the word 'no'. "Very well then."

Tentatively, he reaches over and covers her hand with his. "Allow me to apologize for wanting so desperately to take you away for the weekend that I was willing to resort to extreme measures to ensure you'd accompany me. I didn't realize it was such a despicable act."

"Is this your attempt at an apology?"

"If that's what you want it to be."

"James." Lily rolls her eyes but doesn't attempt to pull her hand away as he rubs the pad of his thumb gently over her knuckles.

"You know what they say, don't you?"

"What?"

"All's fair in love and war."

This time, she does pull her hand away and he immediately misses the contact. "I've heard the saying once or twice, but I'm a little fuzzy on this."

"How so?"

"Which is this? Love or war?"

James's breath catches in his throat. He hadn't thought about the ramifications of the statement before he'd said it. What does she think this is? Surely, it can't be love. There's no way he could be falling in love with Lily Evans. What they have is casual. A fling between two acquaintances who enjoy sharing their love of confections together. They are simply attracted to each other on the surface level, nothing deeper.

Though, the more he denies it in his mind, the more his heart makes him re-evaluate his thoughts. There is no possible way he could be in love with Lily Evans. Falling in love doesn't happen that quickly. And who's to say he's just forgotten what it's like to date? Or, at the very least, be interested in someone like that? It's been so long since he's allowed himself to venture into something with a woman. Clearly, he's just confusing love and infatuation. Yes, that's it.

So, like a coward, he deflects the answer the best he can.

"War, obviously."

"Obviously," she echoes. Her voice has lost its edge, and the softer tone catches James off-guard.

Out of the corner of his eye, he notices her jaw setting. He's so distracted by her response that he's at a loss for words. There's so much weight behind one simple word and James spends the rest of the drive wondering if it's laced with hurt, disappointment, indifference, or a mixture of all three.

Lily naps throughout the rest of the journey, leaving James with the soft sounds on the radio and the quiet landscape to help him pass the time. As he pulls off the motorway, James reaches over and gently places his hand on Lily's thigh.

"Lily, we're almost there."

She startles, though he tries to keep his voice as soft as possible. Her eyes are still drowsy with sleep as she looks around to make sense of her surroundings. His mind drifts to how Lily might look waking up beside him, that same dazed expression as she drifts into consciousness with their bodies tangled together. If James closes his eyes, he can feel her body pressed against his, covered in bedsheets as she blinks up at him and he offers her a kiss good morning.

This is new.

Sure, he's imagined her waking up in his bed after an eventful night between the sheets. Hell, he hopes that fantasy will become a reality this weekend if she'll ever drop the 'I'm pissed at you' act. But this vision holds so much more than a singular night together. The image that's in his mind now seems more...permanent.

Fuck, maybe I am in—no.

He shakes the ridiculous thought away. There is no way he's in love.

As he turns down the long drive, he sees the familiar brick pillars that line either side of the entrance to the estate. The wrought iron gate is open to accept its guests.

"You live here?"

The grand home seems to stretch out across the entire landscape in front of them. James has never given much thought to what visitors might think of the imposing Georgian home, with its brick exterior and symmetrical windows. The home stands three stories tall, with manicured bushes on both sides of the large paneled door.

"I grew up here, yes," James responds, trying to keep the hint of amusement out of his tone. He doesn't know whether she's appalled or impressed, so it's better to remain neutral.

"I feel like I shouldn't be surprised, but…" Lily continues looking around the vast expanse of land that surrounds the home. "Your family owns all this property?"

"Yes." James nods to the woods on the outskirts of the estate. "Sirius and I would get lost exploring in the woods a lot growing up. One time my dad had to come out and search for us on horseback. Our free reign became a bit more restricted after that."

Finally, a small smile escapes her lips, and he senses her frosty demeanor thawing. "Sounds like you and Sirius had quite the adventures growing up."

"We did. I believe the treehouse we built is still standing. I can show you if you're interested."

"On horseback?" His gut reaction is to defend against her sarcastic retort, but the smirk on her face brings back the conversational banter he's missed.

"That can be arranged if you'd like."

"We'll see."

James pulls around the circular entrance and stops in front of the front door. Benjy, his mother's dedicated right-hand man and trusty butler, hurries out to greet them as James flashes Lily a winning smile.

"Shall we?"

"We shall, though you let me sleep and now I haven't been able to ask any questions about your family," she chides.

"What do you want to know?"

"Who I'm meeting for starters. Like who's about to open my door?"

"That's Benjy. The family butler."

"Another—why am I not surprised?" she rolls her eyes just as the car door opens.

"Good afternoon, Miss Evans. So lovely to meet you."

Lily throws James one more annoyed look before turning to Benjy, who holds out his hand to help her out.

"Thank you," she says as she steps out of the vehicle.

James exits at the same time, leaving his door open and walking around the front to hand him the key. "Hey, Benj. How are you?"

"Doing well, James. Euphemia, Dora, and the rest of the guests are in the sitting room. Your mother is anxious to see you."

"Thank you. We'll head there straight away. Has Sirius arrived yet?"

"Yes, they got in about an hour ago. I should warn you that Walburga's here too."

James stifles a grunt, though poorly. "Wonderful."

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news."

"Not your fault, mate."

"Shall I take your bags to your rooms once I've parked the car?"

"Please."

Benjy nods before turning to Lily. "Lovely to meet you."

Lily watches as Benjy walks around the Aston Martin and steps inside while James walks closer to her, placing his hand on the small of her back. "Are you ready to meet my mum?"

She eyes him cautiously. "Why does that sound so foreboding? And who is Walburga?"

"My mother can be…" James trails off, choosing his words carefully before continuing. "A bit much. And Walburga is Sirius's mother. She's like Regulus, but ten times worse."

"Wonderful. Thanks for the warning."

They step inside the foyer and James leads her down the hall. He catches the way her eyes widen as she takes in the ornate fixtures. The hardwood floors are covered by a long runner that matches the one in the sitting room. The walls are adorned with regal wallpaper, and gold wall sconces illuminate their path.

"James! It's about time you've arrived! I was beginning to think you weren't going to show!"

His mother rises to greet him as soon as he crosses the threshold into the room. Enveloping him in a dainty hug, she makes a show of kissing the air on both cheeks. James is surprised she has refrained from planting two true kisses on either side but is thankful because he'd feel bad having to rub off the lipstick left behind. He knows his mother is showing off for her guests—namely Walburga—with an act of class and grace that he has always despised. But that's how things are when Euphemia Potter and Walburga Black are in the same room—it's a constant competition to see whose snobbery reigns supreme.

"Hello, Mum. We had a bit of a late start. My apologies."

"Nonsense! You're here now, and we've had a lovely time getting to know Sirius's new friends." She peeks around his shoulder to Lily. "And who is this?"

James can't help but notice how, despite standing tall with impeccable posture, Lily looks out of place. She's faking it well, but there's a tiny line that's indented on her forehead, giving the effect of a minute frown, and it looks as though she may be biting her cheek. Her feet are also pointed inward instead of facing straightforward, which might mean nothing, but it's not her usual stance.

"This is Lily. Lily Evans. Did you forget that I was bringing someone this weekend?"

"No, no! Of course not," his mother lies, surprise etching her face.

"She thought you were lying," Dora says under her breath, but loud enough for James to hear.

"Well, I wouldn't use such words, but James, dear, you must understand my surprise. You've never brought anyone home before. Forgive me for thinking you were only trying to appease me."

He looks back to give Lily an apologetic shrug, and when their eyes meet, he can't tell what she's thinking. Before he can question her thoughts, she tears her gaze away and looks to his mother.

Extending her hand, she says, "It's so wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Potter. You have a lovely home. Thank you for having me."

Euphemia holds out her hand and gives Lily's a weak shake as she offers a cold smile. The hair on the back of James's neck pricks up as he watches the exchange through narrowed eyes and wonders what his mum is playing at.

"Thank you. Lots of love and countless hours of painstaking decorating have gone into every room. Now, tell me about yourself."

"She's the girl from Belfast I was telling you about, Mia," Regulus interrupts before Lily can respond for herself.

"Ah, you're the baker? Is it true you're staying with Mona Sprout?"

"Yes, I am. She was kind enough to invite me into her home and I'm currently working with her to bring in new recipes at Puff's Pastries."

"Hmm, I see. Well, good for you then. And how did you meet my son?"

Lily opens her mouth to respond, but James interrupts this time. The way her jaw sets tells him he'll be in for an earful, but it will be worth getting his mother off her back.

"We met at the Belfast Bake Off. Then ran into each other when she came to London." James does not wish to give away an exorbitant amount of detail quite yet, not when he is still trying to figure out where their relationship stands.

His mother flashes a scrutinizing look in his direction before training her eyes back on Lily. "So, is this serious between you two then?"

"No!" Lily's a bit too quick to respond, causing a surge of hurt and disappointment to hit James squarely in the chest. "What I mean to say is that we've only seen each other casually a few times. We're more friends with a shared interest in baking than anything," she rambles on.

Out of his peripheral, James notices Marlene and the sandy-haired bloke who must be Lily's friend Remus share a skeptical look.

Huh, so they don't buy her words any more than I do.

A low cackle comes from Walburga as Sirius groans, and Regulus stands and joins Euphemia's side.

"Well, it's lovely to have you here at Peverell, Lily." Regulus's words drip with condescension, and James furrows his brows in question.

"Regulus, so lovely to see you again. I didn't realize you spent so much time here as well."

Lily plasters the fakest smile James has ever seen as he holds his breath at the impending exchange. He's not sure what to say or if he should even intervene this time.

"Oh, yes. Mia and I are close, close friends. I've been working rather closely with her on James's party this weekend. The decorations, menu, entertainment—"

"And most importantly, the guest list," Euphemia adds.

"The guest list? Mum, I told you I wanted this to be a small affair."

"Don't worry, darling, it will be small enough."

"Less than fifty?"

"Give or take a couple fifty more—"

"Mum!"

"James, we have a wide social circle and it would not look good to leave certain people off the guest list. Though, I'll say that Regulus was so very helpful in finalizing some additional names that I'm sure you'll appreciate."

Instinctively, James's hand reaches up to rub the back of his neck. Something tells him that Regulus has something planned, but he doesn't want to stress about what that could be. Lily is here. She is the most important guest to him, and that's all that matters.

"Well, I'm a bit knackered from the drive. Lily, why don't I show you to your room and we can rest up until dinner. If you'll excuse us."

He turns and walks out of the room, waiting in the doorway for Lily to follow. She glances back at her friends, and for a moment, James feels bad that he's dragging her away from them, but he can't stand being in the same room as Regulus for much longer. Besides, despite having two hours alone with her on the drive here, he craves more.

As they pad down the hallway, James turns to walk up the stately, mahogany staircase, with Lily following close behind. By the time they reach the top, Lily lingers, hands gliding up and down the banister in hesitation instead of following him down the hall.

"Alright, Evans?" James asks, turning to hold out his hand, hoping she'll take it so he can guide her the rest of the way.

"I'm fine. Your mother is…" she trails off, the right words likely escaping her.

"A lot? I know, I'm sorry. Don't mind her. She's just looking out for me in her overbearing way."

"I didn't realize how close she and Regulus were."

"Neither did I. Please don't mind them, or let Regulus ruin your weekend."

"I don't plan on it. Besides, I'm sure you'll do something sooner or later to win that title."

"Ye of little faith. Now, come on and let me show you your room."

They meander down the long hallway, doors interjecting the walls on either side, resembling that of a hotel floor. Perhaps it is a bit excessive, but the home was built this way two centuries ago, with additions here and there. It's always been a way of life for James to wander the halls in each wing, playing hide and seek with his father, attempting to hide in every single bedroom growing up.

When they reach the closed oak door that James requested for Lily's room, he reaches out to place his hand on the doorknob.

"James."

"Is something wrong?"

"You're not—this isn't—" she pauses and takes a breath. "What I mean to say is, we aren't sharing a room, are we?"

James feels his eyebrows crinkle together. "No. Did you want that?" He asks the question slowly, trying to avoid the smile that's tugging at his lips in delight.

"No! I just—when you said we were going to get settled it sounded like—never mind."

Hmm, so maybe she is thinking about sharing a bed too.

Little does Lily know that James's room is directly across the hall. Even if they aren't close enough to share a room yet, he still wants her as close as possible. He owes Benjy a huge thank you for arranging the room assignments and keeping it out of his mother's—and Regulus's, apparently—grasp.

"So, am I sharing with Marlene then?"

Lily's question brings James out of his reverie as he opens the door and gestures for her to go inside. Her belongings are already unpacked and her bag is tucked away in the corner.

"Sharing? Why would you share?"

"I just assumed—you've got a lot of people staying here, don't you?"

"Tomorrow, sure, but tonight, there aren't even enough guests to fill this wing."

"Wing? You mean, there's more? How many bedrooms are there exactly? Ugh, never mind, I don't think I want to know."

James chuckles at her debate. "Let's just say there are plenty of rooms for everyone to have their own. Though, if you want to share, I wouldn't be opposed."

Lily rolls her eyes, and amid her scoffing, he takes advantage and reaches out to grab hold of her arm to pull her close. Their noses are nearly touching as she lets out a soft gasp.

"Don't tell me you haven't thought about it."

"And give you the satisfaction? Please."

"So you have." He phrases it as a statement, not a question, and Lily huffs at his cockiness.

James is about to close the gap between them when something catches his eye. Hanging in her closet is a white garment bag with gold sparkly letters. He can't quite make out the words, but if he didn't know any better it looked like a—

"What?" Lily turns to see what he's staring at but keeps her body close.

"Nothing."

He is not about to ask her why she's brought a garment bag that looks like it may just be holding a wedding dress to Peverell. There's no way she'd ever do such a thing. Sure, dozens of other women may be crazy enough to try something of the sort, but not Lily. Never Lily.

Not that the thought terrifies him like he thinks it should. Instead, images of Lily in a white dress flash through his mind. He can see her, clear as day, walking down a long aisle covered in rose petals, on her way to him. His bride.

Whoa, no. Okay, now things are moving a bit too fast. I'm not even sure I'm in love with her.

But even as he thinks it, his heart gives a little flip and he wonders if he's further gone than he allows himself to admit.

"Wondering what's inside the garment bag?"

"Wha—oh, er, yes."

"Is there not a ball tomorrow night?"

"There is."

"So what would you expect me to bring for that?"

"Truthfully? I hadn't thought much about the logistics. I saw the white bag and—"

"Oh, please don't tell me you thought it was a—you know what? Never mind. I don't want to know if you were really about to lump me in with all those other money-obsessed women who'd do anything to win you over."

"When did I say any of that?" James's hand reaches up and he gently holds Lily's chin between his index finger and thumb, tilting her head toward him.

"You didn't."

"And I never would. You may be a mystery to me, but I know you'd never do something like that." After he reassures her, he leans in and presses a soft kiss on her lips. "Though, now I'm intrigued to see what the dress looks like."

"You'll find out in due time." Her voice is breathy as she leans in, waiting for him to close the gap once more.

James obliges, relishing in the feel of her body pressed against his as his tongue glides along her bottom lip. If he's not careful, he may just give in to his primal instincts and take her on the bed right now. It takes all his willpower to pull away.

"I should let you get settled before dinner, which is at six, by the way." James pulls away, though letting go of Lily is the last thing he wants to do.

"Right, thanks. I should text Marlene and Remus and see how they're settling in as well." Lily diverts her gaze away from his. "See you at dinner?"

James nods before he slips out of the room, closing the door behind him. He tries not to read too much into her body language, or the disappointment he feels after walking away.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be theirs to spend the whole day together, and he's already got the perfect plan to make it happen.