A/N: WHOOHOO! Hello everyone, and welcome to numero cuatro! This chapter was again written by sorrybut…but then I re-wrote everything into my own words, and it was too short, so I added a scene or two. Anywhoos…onwards duckies, to the story!

More at the end…

Flawless

Chapter Four: More Than You Bargained For

James took Lily's hand and they walked, swinging their intertwined fingers back and forth, and for some reason she wasn't sure of yet, Lily didn't mind it. The jaunty movement was a nice contrast to the dark mood of the day.

"Just through this door to the right," They had reached a large oak door that had been intricately carved. He pushed it open, revealing a vast garden with a flagstone path that veered off to the left. The path gave way to an alcove, framed with weeping willows, and gave the illusion that you were actually in someone's tiny, beautiful private garden.

There was a wicker table set for three, and on it sat the messiest cake Lily had ever seen.

"Come, come, I'm not sure how eager I am to taste James' baking, but I really would like to get to know you," Kate spoke enthusiastically from her chair, gesturing to the two empty ones.

"Mum!" James cried indignantly, "I put my heart and soul into that cake! What happened to the nice mother who loved each and every one of my creations?"

"Yes, well, I'll try it and smile." She leaned over to whisper loudly in Lily's ear. "But if you think that icing is disastrous you should have seen the kitchen!"

The red head smiled, laughing at the violated look on her new friend's face.

"Really Lils, my own mum!" He shook his head with mock disappointment. "People these days..."

The cake was cut and passed around. James started straight into his piece as Lily took a tentative bite. It tasted fine, but the gooey consistency left something to be desired. Mrs. Potter put her fork down and smiled,

"Sirius comes back from Grimauld tomorrow, he had a bit of unfinished business with his brother, perhaps we should save some for him."

James would have replied, but it looked as though his mouth had been glued shut by the frosting, instead he nodded, looking rather forlorn. Lily noticed this and said,

"Oh, but it's the thought that counts. Really you've done too much already. Mrs. Potter I really cannot thank you enough for healing my…erm…bruises."

"It's Kate to you dear, and really, I'm glad I could help. James tells me you're quite a student." She said kindly, making small talk.

Lily looked at James, a quizzical expression on her face. He jumped in, determined not to let the conversation fall flat.

"I just told her how good you are at Potions…I mean, The Slug is always talking about how wonderful you are…I just passed it on."

"No doubt you're a member of Horace's 'Slug Club'?"

"I was at the beginning, but I've avoiding them lately…" Lily trailed off shamefully.

"I had him when he was just starting out. Old Sluggy was probably only twenty years old. Anyways he'd have his little parties and he'd invite me every time. I think I only went twice though," The older woman looked thoughtful for a moment. "Once because there was going to be a famous seer, I was crazy about crystal balling. The second time James' father asked me to go with him," She paused again, smiling lovingly at her son. "He still doesn't know that I was invited in the first place," She laughed now, a faraway look in her pale blue eyes, a feature Lily had noticed straight away because of how different they were from James' murky hazel ones. "Relationships come out of the strangest places, you know?"

James smiled a secret smile at his flower before replying, "Yeah, take Peter for example. I rescued him from Snape who was about to hex him to oblivion and back. Somehow he managed to stick with us."

"Or my friend Alice," Lily turned to Kate, a smile spreading across her face, "She defended me from your son that first day on the platform."

"Oh, really, what did little Jamie do?"

"Oh, I don't remember exactly, something to do with my hair and how he was so sure that I had a temper, but he wouldn't mind, we could get married anyways." Lily smirked.

"James! Proposing marriage at such a young age, at least Sirius only went for the physical side. I tried teaching him to only date girls he really knew…but it all goes in one ear and out the other." Kate sighed, smirking at her son as well. She threw her hands into the air. "But what can a mother do?"

"I know, I know, Sirius is a tough one, but James here ended up okay." Lily reached over, patting him on the knee. "Absolutely infuriating at times, but he's grown up a bit. At least that's what I've heard."

James was so happy that Lily and his mum were getting along so well that he was scarcely listening to what the two women were saying; but Lily touching him (voluntarily nonetheless!) was a good sign, right? He glanced down at her hand, just above his knee and caught a glimpse of the time.

"It's nearly two o'clock you know." He spoke casually.

Lily jumped up.

"My parents were supposed to check in with me at half past one, just to make sure I'm still alive and all. I'm really sorry but I ought to head back and call them…make sure that they haven't panicked."

Not that they would.

"Alright, but we must meet again some time, it's been wonderful finally meeting you!" Kate gushed, standing as James did the same.

Again a question clouded Lily's face but she remembered her manners.

"Right, thank you so much, it's been a pleasure."

The two teens walked to the car in satisfied silence. As they began to fly, James turned to her abruptly and asked,

"Do you really think that I've matured?"

"Well, you left when I asked you to at the party, that was a definite improvement."

"Yeah, I wish I'd stayed though,"

"Me too, then I wouldn't have had to eat that cake!" Lily teased, nudging James slightly with her elbow.

"Excuse you! I thought that it tasted quite nice!" He said, leaning over to push her back lightly with his shoulder.

"Oh do you? Well I suppose that makes sense, you did look like you were enjoying having your mouth glued shut. I know I did."

"You'll miss me when I go."

"Maybe, maybe not. My hair definitely won't. I think you can permanently damage hair by changing its color too many times."

"I highly doubt that Lily-Bean, and besides, Sirius was usually the one who like doing that." James defended himself.

"Poor Siri…always taking the blame. Don't you ever take responsibility for anything?"

"I try to avoid it, unless it has to do with Quidditch."

Lily shot a sideways glance at him. The midday sun was flooding the car, and it lit up James' silhouette. He turned his head, feeling her eyes on him. Lily blushed as their eyes met, and James' familiar easy smile appeared on his face. They didn't break the gaze until they both realized at the same time that James was supposed to be driving a car.

A flying car.

James was sure that he got whip-flash from turning his head so suddenly, but as he felt a whooshing feeling in his abdomen-the feeling you get when you're free falling-he did not regret it. James pressed his foot into the pedal as he twisted the steering wheel dramatically. Lily let out a yelp, clutching onto the dashboard as she started to hyperventilate.

James finally got the car in control, thanking Merlin that they were nearly to her house anyways.

As they landed with a slight bump, James pressed the button and they appeared on the street.

Laughing slightly, Lily got out shakily.

"That was quite a ride." She commented as James walked around to meet her. James chuckled as well, taking her hand.

"I hope that you can forgive me for that one." He said charmingly.

"I may be able to find a way." Lily smiled.

"Good," James said, his smile becoming broader. "Would you like to have another argument?"

Lily tilted her head, smirking up at him.

"The three pound or the five?"

"What?"

"Sorry, Monty Python sketch." Lily laughed at herself.

"Thanks for completely ruining the moment."

"I did not." Lily took a step closer to the boy.

"Did too," James inched near her as well.

"Did not," Lily said in a softer voice.

"Did too…" James said with a sing-song swagger, capturing her lips with his only to be interrupted by a loud shout.

"Lily! What the fuck are you doing?"

A/N: My fist cliffy…excellent! I admit, I thought that this chapter was going to be longer, but…well…eh. Don't worry however; the next chapter (already written completely by me) is, like, twice the size.

That could be bad, or that could be good.

Up to you.

Also, I got so so SO many reviews last chapter!

Yay!

Now that the alerts are working again (thank god) I'm hoping for even more!!

R and R peeps, and I'll see you next week!!