Please review thank u!!!
disclaimer: anything you recognize from the Harry Potter books is not mine. Anything you don't recognize is mine. Got it? Sure? Good.
Here she was, in a fine dress, in a fine room with the crown prince of Hallmark gaping at her like a fish.
Help!
"It's very nice to meet you, your highness." Lily stuttered. James suddenly broke free from the trance she had unknowingly put on him. He straightened, and stepped closer to her.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss...?"
"Evans. Well, it's not Evans anymore I suppose. It's, eh, Harvard-Edna. Miss Harvard-Edna."
"It is very nice to meet you, Miss Harvard-Edna," James took her hand, and kissed it gently, before letting it fall back to her side, "very nice to meet you indeed."
Lily smiled shyly. He was charming, and very handsome - and at least now she knew someone. Even though he addressed her using the strange new second-name she had, Lily could feel safe in the knowledge that she was on a much more social level with someone.
"So, I've heard you came from England. I have a friend who used to live there too. Only just arrived, actually. Just before you did."
"Oh, really? What's his name?"
"Lord Lupin."
Lily froze. Lupin, that was a strange name. She'd only heard it once before. Yet the Lupin she knew had been left in a children's home, he was far from a Lord - even further from being friends with a prince.
"You've heard that name before?" James questioned, breaking Lily's train of thought.
"Yes. He lived in the same children's home as me for a while. His father hadn't been able to look after him." Now it was James's turn to freeze. Remus had lived in a children's home in England. His father hadn't been able to cope with him. It couldn't be...could it?
"What was his name? It doesn't happen to be Remus, does it?" James asked nervously.
"Yes. Remus Lupin. How did you know?"
"Lord Remus Lupin is one of my best friends. I believe you already know people in this place, Miss Harvard-Edna."
"I would never have thought that Remus...oh, I suppose I should call him Lord Lupin now, shouldn't I?"
"You don't have to call friends by their titles. Many prefer their first names. I know I do."
"Oh."
The prince took another step closer and his fingers sought out Lily's hand again. He looked into her eyes and her breath hitched in her throat.
"My name is James. You of course may address me as such if you wish," he ran his other hand down Lily's cheek. Her eyelids fluttered for a moment but remained open, "and I should very much like to know the name of someone as beautiful as you, if I may?"
It took Lily a second to respond. Her mind was clouded and all she wanted to do was drown in his hazel eyes. "Lily. My name is Lily."
Somewhere in the city, a clock chimed. Midnight wrapped itself around the country and James continued to keep his arms wrapped around Lily.
"It's getting late," Lily observed. James nodded.
"I must take my leave, duchess." James pulled out of the embrace slowly and then headed for the door. Before he laid a finger on the handle, however, he looked back to Lily.
"I wonder if I could introduce a Hallmarkian tradition to you?"
"Of course."
James quickly went back to his protective position around Lily.
"In Hallmark, it is customary to kiss both cheeks of your company when you bid them farewell."
"Oh." She breathed.
"Perhaps I may demonstrate?"
Lily nodded shyly. James smiled and slowly kissed her warm left cheek. He then turned his head, and she automatically tilted hers, to kiss her on her right cheek. However, James stopped just above the faintly red skin of her cheek and instead captured Lily's lips.
At first, Lily was paralyzed. His lips were soft and smooth and slow so she wasn't frightened. Nervously, she began to kiss back. Both sets of eyes closed before James began to nibble on her bottom lip. She opened her mouth slightly but, instead of claiming it with his tongue, James just swept over her lips. They parted for air and he smiled.
"Oh dear," James smirked, "If I do say so myself, I have a terrible aim."
Lily nodded quickly, too embarrassed and breathless to say anything. His smirk became a sort of smile.
"Goodnight, Lily." He said as he kissed both cheeks - without 'missing' one this time - and then he left, leaving a very flustered Lily to get ready for bed.