Title: Fools and Luxury
Author: Meg
A/N: Hey guys! Thanks so much for the reviews, they made me want to continue! I'd like to thank Loza, MoonlitClarity, Laurie and Marauder's Mad for actually taking the time to. Again, please keep reviewing so I have a reason to actually keep going!

Chapter 2

Lily's POV

Our feet hit the floor of Potter's bedroom and I know that it wasn't the trip into the pensieve that gave me the sick feeling overcoming my stomach. I hastily sat down upon the bed and tried to clear my head. I was drunk...I wasn't in the right state of mind... Sensing that I was being watched, I looked up to find that Potter was grinning at me like there was no tomorrow.

"What?" I asked, immediately feeling annoyed.

"I won the bet."

I cocked my head sideways, trying to figure out what he was going on about. "What bet?"

"That if you had really kissed me, I could take you on a date. I won."

I felt like giving myself a swift kick in the ass. He had won. He was obligated to take me on a date.

Potter took a seat beside me, basking in his glory, and wrapped one of his arms around my waist. I grimaced. "Take your hand off of me."

"So how about tomorrow night at 8 o'clock."

"Take your hand off of me."

"And meet me down by the lake."

"Get your hand off of me, Potter." I was getting annoyed and he wasn't listening to one word that was leaving my mouth. Instead, he was thinking up plans in his head, remembering certain details and subconsciously flicking his dark shaggy hair out of his face. Eventually he stopped and looked directly at me. I decided this was my time to speak again...or perhaps scream.

"Potter! For the last time, take your hand off of me!" I yelled, trying to squirm away from his grip.

Instead of doing what I asked, his arm tightened its grip around me and he pulled me into his chest. I could instantaneously feel the beat of his heart against my cheek. Before I could react, he leaned his face over my neck, his hot breath sending shivers up and down my spine as the warmth grazed over my bare flesh. I could feel my palms moisten from both nervousness and anger. "Meet me down by the lake at 8 o'clock" he repeated in a surprisingly low voice. And with that, he stood up and left the room, leaving me gaping at him and quite unsure of what had just happened.

James's POV

It was breakfast time in the Great Hall and I was sitting with the Marauders at our table, mindlessly chewing on scrambled eggs and sausages while retelling what had happened the night before with Lily. I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest guy in the whole hall. "Padfoot, Moony, Wormtail...I am the luckiest guy in the whole hall."

Remus snorted and continued to spread his toast with marmalade while Sirius gave me a sly look. "You better not be planning any naughty things, Prongs. You know that will ruin your chance with Lilykins forever" he advised, and I gave him my 'I'm-not-a-complete-idiot' look, with a touch of 'but-I'm-not-saying-I-haven't-thought-about-it'.

"So what exactly are you planning for the date, then?" asked Remus with an interested look.

I scrunched up my face. "If I told you, I know you'd let it slip to Lily what my plans were, since you two are just the best of friends." I took another bite of a sausage.

Remus scoffed indignantly. "You're just upset because I'm the only one out of all of us that she can stand for more then five minutes."

Sirius gave a look of objection instead of voicing his opinion because his mouth was full of pumpkin juice and he swallowed furiously. "Oi mate! She can stand me for more then five minutes, I'm the most stand-able guy in all of Hogwarts..." his voice trailed off as he perked up and saw Maria walk into the Great Hall. Tegan was at her side, clearly in an in depth conversion with her, for her hands were moving in every direction. I very much admired these girls for two reasons: One, they were actually capable of becoming best friends with Lily. And two, they were both completely stunning in their own way, inside and out.

Maria had dark, straight hair that fell past her shoulders. Her big chocolate eyes could make anyone go crazy, especially Sirius. They drove him mad. She always had an optimistic point of view on things, and also the knack for clever pranking. Tegan's hair reached a little farther then the middle of her back and was more of a platinum blonde color. She also had a fringe that reached her pale blue eyes. They often reminded me of ice or something of the like. She had an incredible sense of humor and was a whip in school. I often consoled in her to give me tips about Lily.

They each took a seat, Maria beside Sirius and Tegan next to Remus. I suddenly felt strangely alone. All I had was Peter sitting beside me. I didn't feel much like wrapping my arm around his waist and giving him a kiss on the cheek like the others. "Where's Lily?" I asked, not even trying to hide the desperation in my voice. Like they didn't know I was obsessed with her.

Tegan grabbed a muffin from a plate and took a bite. "She's still up in your common room. I'd say she's a little shocked at what she saw last night."

"Well I'd say" Maria added in and picked up her fork and knife. "She's let herself down, hasn't she?"

I opened my mouth from surprise and both Sirius and Remus choked on their food and tried not to laugh, while expecting a bitter retort from me.

I smiled sweetly at her (rather in a sarcastic way) and stood up from the table. "I'll see you lot in class." I walked swiftly to the door and once I was out of view, I turned my brisk walk into an all-out sprint. I ran up the moving staircases and all the way to the 5th floor, where mine and Lily's portrait hole was. I reached the portrait and pronounced "chocolate frog" quite clearly. The portrait swung open and I crawled inside.

To be frank, Maria's word had upset me…but just a tiny smidgen. I knew that Lily was quite reluctant about this date, but something had changed this year…altered its course. Even if it was just a bit. Lily had actually accepted me. Last night was a key example. She had actually hung out with me.

I entered the common room and gave it a quick look before realizing that she wasn't there, so I headed up the stairs that led to our chambers. I took a left at the top and entered my room. I didn't want to go directly into her room, she would have a fit. I would enter her room from the loo.

I sped across my room and grabbed for the doorknob. What would I say to her? What would be my excuse for interrupting her? I snorted. Who cares? I'm James Potter; I'm very sly and cunning when it comes up to quick excuses! How could I forget all those times where I made them up in a split second to save myself from detention? I turned the doorknob and it creaked open.

Those ten seconds from when I opened the door were all a blur of blue, red…and Lily's naked body. All I knew was that I was now on ground with my hands bounded tightly behind me. I was forced to look at the ceiling for I had fallen on to my backside. I had a quick flash of sympathy for turtles when they were often in this situation, and reminded myself to help one out if I ever saw it struggling like I was. I assumed that Lily must have used a spell for my now tied-up wrists.

"POTTER."

I whimpered and cringed. Her voice rang throughout the loo.

"HOW DARE YOU."

I swallowed hard. She sounded like she was going to cut me open any second now. I turned my head slightly to the left and my eyes fell upon Lily, who was now wrapped tightly in a towel. How disappointing. But I can easily say her face was about the colour of her hair. I cleared my throat uncertainly; she looked like she wanted a good answer from me walking in on her while she was getting out of the shower.

"I…I…didn't know you were…" I nudged me head towards the shower, "in there."

She stomped over to me and got down on her knees, so I was able to look her in the face. "You liar" she spat at me. I could see her shaking visably with anger. I shook my head in disagreement.

"No really! I wanted to come talk to you about tonight."

She gave me a snide look. "Come talk while I was in the shower? Start up a nice 'ole chat when you knew I was in there?" she retorted.

I rolled my eyes. "As inviting as that sounds, that's not how it happened."

She glowered and stood up abruptly. "Right. You expect me to believe that. Okay." She sounded half convincing. She marched over to her door and opened it. She looked at me over her shoulder; there was a devious smile on her face. "Well Potter, I suppose you can stay here all day until someone helps you out of that mess. But don't expect it to be me." She had almost fully closed the door when she recalled something. "Oh. And if you're not out of there by 8 o'clock...I suppose that counts as not showing up for our date." Lily grinned at me and slammed the door close.

There was only one thing on my mind as I lay there on the cold floor or the loo: I had to make that date.