A/N: I know I haven't updated in a little bit but we just got done with our musical and I was in it so I am a little tired out. I am also suffering from a little bit of writer's block so this might be a filler chapter if I can come up with something. If you leave a review with an idea I might be able to post again tonight-(hint hint, wink wink)-so I am making this up as I go along. It might suck a little or it might suck a lot. I'm thinking the latter so bear with me. Here we go… be kind, please!!!

Disclaimer: Grr… should explain it.

Chapter 18. Sweets, Treats, and Lilies

Lily arrived at the Great Hall with dinner just about to start. She began to wonder if James and Sirius were going to make it down to dinner. She saw Aly, Emma, and Sam on the bench halfway down the table. They waved her over and she sat between them. She turned to the girls.

"Do you think that James and Sirius will---"

The words were not even all the way out of her mouth and the doors flew open to reveal James and Sirius sprinting through them.

"Have no fear, the sexiest beasts in Hogwarts are here!" yelled Sirius and threw his arms wide.

Half the girls in the school sighed and batted their eyes at them. Sirius was basking in the glory of his sex-god symbol when James cut his glory time short. He slapped him in the back of the head and pushed him towards the bench. The girls on the bench laughed at the two and slid down to make room as Peter, (git), and Remus were on the other side. James steered Sirius to them.

Lily slid down to make room for James and he crawled in beside her. He smiled and silently thanked her with his eyes. She looked and understood. They turned as Professor Dumbledore stood up to address the school.

"Everyone, before we start, I would like to let you all know that the first Hogsmead trip of the year is this weekend. We have had a busy time recently and this was very quickly planned but we figured you needed some extra time to get ready for our big surprise that will happen this year."

James and Lily shifted in their seats. They knew things hadn't gotten planned because of the busy schedule and James's parents' death so they felt a little guilty. Dumbledore continued.

"This year we will be hosting a ball at Christmas time before the break. It has been decided that this will not be an ordinary ball, but a masquerade ball. Therefore, you will all be in costume and you must wear a mask. You have some ground rules you have to follow. Once you decided what you're going to be, you must write it down and sent it to me. This will prevent you from telling anyone who you are so it will be a complete surprise. Your mask will also be charmed so you will not be able to remove it until the clock chimes midnight. Our two Heads will be planning this so if you have any ideas or other rules you would like to have, please let them know. Now, eat up."

"YES, FOOD!!!!"

Sirius dived for the plate in front of him and proceeded to stuff his face as usual. Everyone in the vicinity shot him disgusted looks and edged away.

They enjoyed dinner and lily was very excited when dessert came. Her favorite, chocolate trifle, appeared in the table. She grabbed the bowl at the same time James did.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You can have it," he said and gave the bowl to her. She looked at him and held it out.

"You know, James, I can't eat all this by myself. It's unhealthy." He smiled and took a huge helping.

"Sorry, but it's just my favorite. My mum used to make for me for my birthday. I never liked cake so this is what I always asked for."

Lily looked at him and saw he had tears in his eyes. "Oh, well, here."

She held out the bowl. He laughed and pushed the bowl back at her. "I don't want all of this, either. Take some."

She laughed and James took it upon himself to dish her up some. They smiled and went back to dinner.

Lily woke up the next morning and stretched. She was very excited to be going to Hogsmead today. She went over to the bathroom door and knocked. A muffled "Come in" came from the other side so she opened the door and went in. James was bent over the sink as he brushed his teeth. Lily's breath caught in her throat again as she realized he was shirtless, again.

He straightened up and looked at her and smiled. She smiled back and made to stand at the sink. James gave her a pat on the shoulder and left to go to his room. She breathed a sigh of relief as his door closed.

'Thank goodness that's over.'

Lily made her way down stairs after getting dressed. She was wearing a cream colored cami with a dark blue cropped jacket and dark washed jeans. She got to the bottom of the stairs when she saw James's shaggy black mane of hair. He was sitting on the sofa, apparently reading a book. She came down behind him and started reading over his shoulder. It was the book she had hidden and found him looking at a long time ago. He was a few pages into it and seemed to be enjoying himself when she cleared her throat. That noise caused him to jump in surprise.

"Oh, um, hey Lily. I was just, um," he sputtered.

"Reading, right?" she said as she fought to control her giggling.

"Yeah. Um, I was waiting for you."

"I can see that. Is there any particular reason?"

James looked at the floor and mumbled something she couldn't quite catch. (Three guesses what?) He looked up and said, half-heartedly, "Well, I was going to ask if you would go to Hogsmead with me, but-"

"I'd love to."

James stopped abruptly. His eyes were huge and his mouth hung open. Lily started to giggle again.

"Are-are you serious?"

"No," replied Lily, "Your best friend is. And yes, I would love to go to Hogsmead with you."

YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

"YYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!! YES, YES, YES, YES, YEEEESSS!!!!"

James began doing a victory dance around the room when Lily called him over.

"Don't ever do that again, James."

"Ok."

They turned and walked out the door and down to breakfast.

"There is no possible way…"

"Did you hear that…?"

"She hates him…"

"Did you know Potter and Evans are going to Hogsmead together?"

"WHAT"

Remus, Sirius, Sam, Aly, and Emma yelled all together. They heard that last group of gossipers go by and couldn't believe their ears. There was no possible way that they had heard correctly. James and Lily could not be going together. However, they knew that they had heard right when they saw the two walking in together, laughing.

They just walked in when they saw that it was time to go leave for Hogsmead. Lily and James set off for the stores. They made their first stop at Honeydukes, one of Lily's favorite places in Hogsmead. They were embraced by the sweet smell of chocolate as soon as they crossed the threshold. Lily immediately made her way over to the truffles case. She squealed with delight when she saw they had her favorites, Chocolate Rivers. (Just so you know, these are supposed to be truffles with liquid chocolate inside, my dream candy!)

James saw her look longingly at them and walked over to the saleslady.

"I would like 2 dozen of the Chocolate Rivers truffles, please."

"Absolutely," said the lady and went over to get them. Lily saw her open the case and pull out her favorites. She gave them a look of longing as she packed them up and took them away.

James appeared right behind her with the box. He tapped her shoulder and she turned. He placed the box in her hands and opened it. She smiled, closed the box, and hugged him. He took the box and they walked out of the store.

"Where to next?" asked Lily.

"Umm, actually, I want to run somewhere really quick, but can I meet you at the Three Broomsticks in, like, 2 minutes, please?"

"Yeah, I'll see you there, bye."

'Ok, flowers…flowers…'

"Hey Lily, I'm back," said James as he walked through the door and found her at one of the tables in the back. "So, have you ordered anything yet?"

"Nope, but I was just about to," said Lily as she looked around for the waitress.

"Hey, I have an idea. Let's take some butterbeer to go. I want to show you some place and it would be nicer than here."

They got up and got their drinks and James led her out the door. They walked along the street until they came to a small path leading through the woods. It looked as though it hadn't been traveled often and Lily was a little apprehensive about going. James sensed this and held out his hand.

"Lily, I have been here before. It's fine. Trust me," he said and she grasped his hand and they set off. They walked a little ways until the trees began to clear and the smell of water hit them. All of a sudden, they emerged into a small clearing bordering on a large lake. Lily gasped and James looked at her with a smile.

"Do you like it?" She nodded her head vigorously, obviously lost for words. She turned to look at him.

"It's so beautiful."

He looked out at the lake. "I know and you're the first person I've ever shown this to."

Lily looked at him. He looked so at peace. She couldn't believe that he had taken her somewhere so special and so close to him. She was truly touched and moved that he would trust her so much.

James moved away and set out and blanket. He beckoned to her to come and join him. She sat down and turned to look at him.

"Umm, Lily, I would really appreciate it if you would tell anyone about this place. I'd like to keep it a secret, between us, you know?"

"I'll never tell," said Lily and they both laughed. James pulled out the drinks and offered one to her. She accepted and took a long drink.

They sat in silence, taking in the scenery and each other company.

"Oh," said James, reaching behind him, "I forgot to give you these."

He pulled out a medium sized bouquet of lilies.

"I know it's corny, lilies for a Lily, but they always make me think of you and-"

He never finished his sentence for Lily had just reached over and flung her arms around his neck.

"Oh, James. Thank you so much. I couldn't have had a better day," she said and kissed him on the cheek.

A/N: So does this make up for my lack of updating for a while b/c it may be some time before I get another out b/c I'm so busy. I will try, though!!!

PLEASE REVIEW!!! It may give me initiative to get typing again!!!