Written for my beautiful Seeker, Miranda (MirandaSwitch). You are fantastic, and I must say, I am such a fangirl over the way you use ALL your prompts. They are super creative, and you're a fantastic writer to boot! Thank you for joining the Cannons this season! Couldn't ask for anyone better! And, sorry I couldn't do Harmony. I tried.

QL Reserve League - S5, R2 (Where Are We Going?) - Captain (setting: Gambol and Japes)

Quidditch supplies: (restriction) no trio era

WC. 1074

A Date With James Potter

James Potter couldn't believe his luck when he'd been browsing aimlessly among the products in Gambol and Japes, and none other than Lily Evans walked in.

At first, he had to do a double take, because Lily in a joke shop was like finding a specific blade of grass in a large field. She never went to a joke shop. In fact, she'd told him on many occasions how unruly she thought all joke products were and how she'd much rather spend her money on items that would last longer than a few uses.

But there she was, clear as day, her long red hair flowing wonderfully past her shoulders in an air of magical beauty.

"Jaw off the floor, friend," Sirius hissed, startling James. With the appearance of Lily, he'd almost forgotten he'd come to Diagon Alley with his best friend, and roommate - both at Hogwarts and home.

"What do you think she's doing here?" James asked, unable to take his eyes off her. She was utterly divine. He'd always thought so, but seeing her in his element seemed to make her even more wonderful.

"Hoping to find you here, is my guess," Sirius said.

The words had barely left Sirius' mouth when Lily's eyes found the pair of them. She gave a vague smile, and to James' delight (and horror) she began to make her way towards them, where they just happened to be standing beside a shelf of love potions.

"Quick, she's coming this way," Sirius said, feigning panic. "Act like you've forgotten how to speak."

James casually moved away from the potions, making his way over to some firecrackers when she approached.

"Afternoon, Evans," he said, hoping he sounded casual. "Fancy seeing you in a place like this."

"I should have known I'd find the two of you here," Lily said, and to James' surprise she hadn't spoken with any contempt. It was a nice change to hear her speak to him in a way that didn't make him feel as if she'd rather be licking wet paint than talking to him.

"Is that why you came in here?" His heart began beating just a little bit faster. Especially when she smiled.

"It was, actually."

"Really?" James couldn't quite believe his luck. When had Lily Evans ever gone looking for him, unless it was to tell him off for something he had done?

His heart sank as that realisation dawned on him. What on Earth could he have done before school had even started? Maybe it was the owl he'd sent her after the first week of the holidays saying hi. She hadn't responded, so he'd figured she'd just ignored him… as she usually did.

"When you owl'd me," she began and James winced. Here it was, the blow he was now anticipating. A request to leave her alone… "you said you'd be here on this date, didn't you?"

"Er, yes? I always come to get all my new things on the second last Wednesday of summer. Have since first year."

"And you asked me if I'd like to visit a cafe with you at two o'clock."

James' palms had suddenly become very sweaty. He'd sent that owl almost as a joke, assuming she was once again going to refuse his offer for a date. He hadn't even combed his hair; he hadn't put on his cologne.

Behind them, Sirius, the blasted eavesdropper, fumbled with some potion bottles and they shattered on the floor.

"Well, it's almost two," Lily continued as if the clatter and then the scolding from Mr Japes hadn't even happened. "Did you… have a particular place in mind?"

James' mouth opened, and then closed, opened again, closed again.

"Of course he did!" Sirius said, coming to James' rescue. "We were just waiting to see if you'd show up, weren't we, James?"

Lily looked at Sirius, her eyes narrowed. "And… you're coming too, I see."

"Nope." Sirius shook his head, grinning. "Just keeping James company while he waited for you. You think I want to be there?"

This seemed to brighten Lily's mood and she smiled at James. "Great. So, where do you want to go?"

Sirius nudged James hard in the back, causing him to stumble forward toward Lily. Even he knew how that might have appeared to her - as if he was being presumptuous and leaning in to kiss her.

He went scarlet, regathering himself at the last moment. "Well…" he spluttered, "I do know of a-a nice p-place just off the main street. It's quite small, not too ex-expensive… if you're interested?"

He could almost hear Sirius rolling his eyes behind him. The ever-so-confident James Potter just seemed to lose his words whenever Lily Evans was around him. It was a condition, as Sirius liked to call it; a joke between him and Remus and Peter.

I hope I don't go James Potter on this girl.

"Sure," Lily said, and smiled at him. "That sounds nice. Lead the way?"

Another nudge from Sirius, and James was making his way to the exit of Gambol and Japes. Lily followed close behind.

"Are you wearing perfume?" James asked, glancing sideways at her. "You smell lovely."

For the first time, Lily blushed. "I… um… yeah," she said. "And thank you."

"You also look lovely," James added, noticing that she seemed to have gotten dressed up for the occasion. Beside her, he looked like some bedraggled dog who'd just escaped from the pound.

"Thank you," Lily said again, and to James' delight, she looked pleased by his compliments - for once.

They continued on in silence, and James desperately wanted to ask her what had made her change her mind about going out with him, but he thought that might have been pushing his luck. He probably just needed to take the chance she had given him and hope that he didn't mess it up.

He felt so nervous, but excited at the same time. As they walked along the main street, side-by-side, there were jitters in his stomach. They danced around to some weird beat that made him feel slightly sick.

A date. Lily Evans had come all the way to Diagon Alley just to go on a date with him.

With a grin and another glance sideways at her, his mind was made up. This was going to be the best damn date Lily Evans had ever been on. He was going to make sure of it.

Many thanks to Ciara (lannistersdebt) for beta-ing this! Miranda, I hope you liked it!