A/N: Well I didn't take too long to update this time. Lol. I hope you all like this chapter! Thanks for the reviews guys! I always look forward to them.

Chapter 9

A Hypothetical Question

RECAP:

James looked at her and grinned, " Well, what to do now, we're all alone."

Lily eyed him suspiciously, " Don't pull anything Potter,"

At first he looked surprised but then laughed when he noticed her smirking.

" So, you want to go for a walk or something, it's pretty nice out." he offered.

She nodded, " Sure that sounds good." Any time she had alone with him was great... now that she faced the fact that she was pretty much in love with him.

END OF RECAP:

Lily scooted out of the booth and started towards the exit, but she felt something was missing. James walked up next to her and lightly poked her shoulder.

" Hey you forgot your purse back there," he said handing it to her and giving her the smile that melted any girl down to nothing more than a pile of water.

" Oh, thanks, I knew I forgot something," she laughed, trying to avoid his dark brown eyes.

" No problem, so where do you want to go?" he asked as he held the door open for her.

" Thanks, um,.. I dunno isn't there a park near by?" she asked, looking over at him.

She watched his facial expressions as he thought about where the park was, and she couldn't help but think how cute it was when he was thinking. She felt like pouncing on him and kissing him right then and there, but that would be a little too... forward.

James' eyes lit up and he nodded, " Yeah, here let's just apparate there," He held out his hand and she just looked at it.

He smiled and looked at her as if she were an moron, " Are you going to take my hand or are you just going to admire its sexiness all day?"

She rolled her eyes and slapped him playfully, " There's nothing sexy about your hand, James,"

Lily took her hand and looked up at him, he smiled and squeezed it gently, a tingling rush went through her body from the tips of her fingers all the way to the ends of her toes. Swallowing hard she turned from him and waited for him to apparate, closing her eyes tight she could feel the familiar feeling of them magically going from one place to another.

When she opened her eyes again she found herself standing on a crooked dirt path that was lined with blooming cherry trees. The petals from the trees had fallen onto the path and reminded Lily of the isle you walk down when you're getting married. It seemed a bit odd to her that the very man she had so quickly fallen for was standing next to her. His hand still latched to hers unknown to either of them, for they were to entranced with the beautiful park before them.

To her right was a slight hill that had a starry pond, much like the one at Hogwarts, sitting at its edge. Its waters were shimmering brightly in the light of the setting sun. Right in the middle of the peaceful pond was a little island about the size of a large house. It was scattered with trees and had what appeared to be a small fountain flowing softly in the distance, surrounded by a big willow tree and a few cherry trees. To sum it all up, it was a very beautiful and calming park that would surely make any depressed person feel happier in an instant.

" Where are we?" Lily asked turning to James.

He looked at her and smiled, " My favorite place, Moonlight's Edge."

She looked at him oddly, " Why is it your favorite place? I was sure the Quidditch pitch would be you favorite." she asked stressing the word favorite each time.

James flashed his white teeth at her in a wide smile, " Well, mum used to take me here when I was younger. It was one of the only times that she would take time off work to do things with me."

As their eyes met, that odd feeling that made her feel as if she were ready to hurl rushed into her stomach again. She glanced down at her feet, and in doing so she noticed that they were still holding hands.

Lily looked at him in shock at first but then smirked, " You know, you can let go of my hand right?"

He turned a bit red in the cheeks but then smiled and said " Yeah, I know,"

James then squeezed her hand grinned and turned still holding onto her, and began to walk down the path.

Lily thought she was going to die, her head was going crazy:

Oh, Merlin, my hand is starting to sweat! What do I do?

Well, calming down would help, genius!

I cannot calm down! That's impossible, he's holding my hand!

...So! Just breathe, usually that'll help you keep your insanity.

Oh, my, this is crazy... wait.. why is he holding my hand? Does he...

Like you? Uh, obviously!

Oh! My! Gosh! What do I do? Anytime now I'm going to say something stupid and then he will look at me weird and he will never talk to me agai-

Try acting normal, okay! If that doesn't work then give me a call, as for now I'm done talking about this... this is ridiculous, this was NOT in the handbook!

... But I can't call you, you're in my head. And ... What handbook?

Ugh! You are a royal git!

Snapping back into reality she realized James had led her to the edge of the pond. He was looking at her oddly and now had both of her hands in his.

" Are you alright, Lily?" James asked, sounding concerned.

She gulped hard and nodded, " Uh, yeah, why, uh do you, uh, ask?"

He widened his eyes, " Well you were mumbling over and over, ' can't call you, what handbook, what handbook?'"

She turned crimson, " Oh, uh that... heh, well you see I guess I was thinking to hard. Mum ... uh she asked me before I left the house to find her ... handbook and I didn't know what handbook she was talking about. Um and she didn't lend me her cell phone so I can't call her... heh, guess I was thinking to hard."

He grinned and let go of one of her hands.

Suddenly Lily became aware that her hand was starting to feel cold, and when she looked down she noticed his hand was no longer holding hers. She looked over at him and saw him staring right back at her.

James cleared his throat, " Lily,... I have a question... a hypothetical question, it might not be true I mean it isn't .. well it could be I mean its pos-"

She giggled and nodded, " Yes, James just ask, I understand its hypothetical.

He ran his hand through his messy hair only making it look worse, " Well, if I were to tell you that I ... liked you... as in more than just a friend... and even possibly more than just liking you, what would you say back."

A cold feeling ran down her spine but she ignored it. She looked down at her toes and then raised her head again and flashed him her bright smile. Walking towards him she rapped her arms around his neck and tip toed up next to his ear.

" I would say.. hypothetically of course, the same exact thing back to you." she then let go of him and winked.

James looked shocked at first but then a look of complete bliss overcame him. He stepped in closer to her and put his arms around her waist, pulling her in to him. She loved the feeling of being close to him so without even knowing she was doing it she slipped her arms around his neck again and looked him straight in the eye.

" So," he started, smirking the Potter smirk that had became famous among the ladies, " If I were to hypothetically ask you out, what would you say to that?"

Her eyes widened in excitement and her knees wobbled, hopefully they weren't speaking hypothetically anymore. Lily's inside feeling were hidden by the seductive smirk she had plastered to her face.

" I would probably say, yes,"

James leaned in closer to her and whispered in her ear, " Lily Evans, will you go out with me?"

Without moving she said, " What a dumb question to ask, of course I will!" She then turned her head and kissed him.. her first kiss ever, with the boy that she least thought she would share it with.

It was just like she had dreamed it would be, soft and tender yet fiery and passionate, she felt like she was floating on a cloud, like she was carefree without a worry in the world. What could be better than this? She wondered, well a little bit later she would find out.

As they pulled away from each other a shooting star caught the corner of Lily's eye.

" Whoa, look at that there goes a shooting star," she said dreamily looking up at him.

His lips curved up into a slow smile" Well, let's make a wish,"

Lily closed her eyes and thought hard about what she was going to wish for... and a second later she knew exactly what to wish for.

When she opened her eyes again she looked over at James and stared deep into his chocolate orbs, smiling genuinely, a smile that hardly anyone ever saw. She was so overwhelmed, and so excited all at the same time. Lily felt like she could just scream, out of it all.

" What are you smiling about?" he asked quietly with an odd look on his face.

She just shrugged, "Nothing... I'm just... happy I suppose."

James took her hand into his own and brought it to his lips, " And I will make sure that you always will be,"

Lily blushed a deep red, but James couldn't tell for the darkness around them. Hands locked they began to walk along the shimmering waters, thinking to themselves.

James broke the silence a few minutes later.

" Lily, I have been meaning to ask you something."

" Okay, go ahead. Shoot."

" Every year Sirius and Remus come over to stay for the summer. And um... Well, I know its awfully forward but we've known each other for awhile and all.. and well, I was wondering if you and the girls would come along. Sirius and Remus I expect will ask them. But it would be lovely if you'd come too,"

Of course she wanted to go, but the problem wasn't her it was her parent's. Hopefully when she got back home and she asked them it wouldn't turn into another Evans fight.

" That sounds great, that would be just fantastic! I would love to go, but I have to ask my parent's of course."

He gave her a nervous look once again, " Uh there's one more thing.. my parent's aren't going to be there the entire summer... only for the first week or so that you lot will be staying."

" Um, well... I'll just leave that out." she smirked.

James flashed his teeth at her and bent down, quickly pecking her on the cheek.

" I was hoping you'd say that."

Lily didn't say anything she just kept smiling, looking down at her watch quickly the time read, 12:15.

Her eyes widened " Oh, dear, we have to get back to the car. It's 12:15, could you apparate us there?"

He nodded, " Surely, hold on tight," he said as he squeezed her hand gently.

" Now I don't know about that... I don't think I want to hold your hand." Lily said jokingly.

James grinned and nudged her playfully with his shoulder." Sorry to late, you already are,"

A few seconds later they were standing next to the car. There standing with their hands on their hips, and looking rather annoyed were her two best friends and their dates.

" What took you so long?" Amanda asked.

Mallory nodded, " Yeah, we've been standing here for twenty minutes!"

Lily smirked, " Sorry guys, James and I had some... business to deal with."

They looked at each other in excitement and squealed, " Oh, my god! Are you guys... you know!"

James grinned and put his arm around her shoulders, " You mean going out? Because if you do then yes, we are."

Sirius walked over to James and clapped him on the shoulder, " Finally, mate, took you long enough."

James just rolled his eyes.

Mallory and Amanda had by this time attacked Lily and were hugging her like there was no end.

" Ohmygosh, this is great! I'm so happy now!" Mallory said, giggling loudly.

Lily smiled, " I'm happy too, but we have to go! James will you come with us? Because I might need you to be there when I ask my parents."

He nodded, " Sure we all apparated here so they have a way to get back. I'll meet you guys at my house, okay?"

Remus nodded, " Alright but, Mallory and Amanda's things are already at your house, I took them home to talk with their parents about it."

" Okay, see you lot later then,"

Lily gave them all quick hugs and waved as they apparated away before she hopped into the driver's seat and started the engine.

James opened the door, sat down and buckled his belt like a pro. Lily was expecting him to be completely confused.

As she drove off she looked over at him and asked, " So who taught you about cars? You seem to know some about them."

" My dad is rather obsessed with muggle items, that's why we have phones and televisions and why I have a car. My mother and I never really got into muggle items until father picked up a book at the library on them and made us all read it. We all found it quite interesting so we've gotten many muggle things over time."

" Oh, that sounds interesting, that's what my parent's did to Mallory and Amanda's," she laughed, " My dad loves getting witches and wizards to use muggle items, he finds it really funny when they haven't a clue how to use them."

James smiled and chuckled to himself. " So, how much longer until we get to your place?"

Lily smirked and defensively said, " What I'm boring you?"

He shook his head, " No! I just wondered."

She giggled, " Only kidding, actually this is my road so about fifteen seconds."

Lily pulled into her driveway, took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. Checking her watch as she walked over to James it said, 12:33. Thank heavens she was under curfew they may be more easy going now than if she had arrived ten minutes later.

James took her hand in reassurance as she leaded him to the door.

They stepped into the warm living room and there sitting on the couch watching some comedy show, where Rose and Richard Evans.

" Hey mum, hey dad, I'm back." She greeted, walking over to them and leaving James standing at the door.

" Ello pumpkin!" her father said, enveloping her in a hug.

Her mother smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek, " Did you have a good time?"

" Yeah, it was great." she smirked in James' direction, " There's someone I want you to meet."

Lily walked over to James and held his hand, " This is my boyfriend, James Potter."

" James?" Her father started walking towards him and looking him over, " Is this the same James that you've talked about every year since the spider deal?"

" Y-yes daddy, but he's changed,"

" Changed has he? How so?" Her mother quizzed standing next to her husband with her hands on her hips.

" He's not like that anymore, he doesn't pull pranks... as often," she added quietly.

Richard raised his eyebrows, " Really? As often huh? Isn't this that same James Potter that traumatized you in front of the entire school you're second year?"

James gulped hard, " Sir, I was young and ignorant then, I've made my mistakes. But I've learned from each of them. I have no desire to hurt your daughter, I never will. I care for her more than I've ever cared for any other person."

Rose's eyes glittered as she heard this, that was all she needed to hear, that he cared for her like that and she was happy.

" You do, eh? How long have you felt this way?" he asked, crossing his arms across his chest and examining him over top of his round spectacles.

He looked down at Lily and put his arm around her waist, squeezing her lightly, " Ever since the first time I set my eyes on her beautiful face,"

Lily looked up at him and smiled brightly.

" Oh come on Richard! He obviously makes our Lillian happy, look at her shine!" she whispered in his ear.

James and Lily hadn't broken their gaze and her parents had noticed that. Her father's eyes lightened and he put his arm around Rose.

" I remember when we looked at each other like that for the first time." he smiled.

Clearing his throat he extended his hand to James, " Sorry I don't believe we've been properly introduced, my name is Richard, and this is my wife Rose.

James smiled and shook his hand he then turned to Rose and nodded towards her.

" Its a pleasure."

Lily gulped hard again and sighed, " Now that you've met him and accept him I need to ask you something again."

Her father looked at her and smiled, " Sure pumpkin what is it?"

" Um, well would it be alright If I spent the summer at his house?"

Richard seemed a bit shocked and Rose's face went a little pale.

" The whole summer?" he asked.

She nodded, " Yes..."

" Well, I don't know..." Rose said, fiddling with the pearl necklace that Lily had given her the past Christmas. " That's an awfully long time."

" Please mum, daddy. Mallory and Amanda are allowed to go. Please!" She begged, giving them that ' I'll never ask for anything ever again!' look.

Her mother's eyes softened and she looked over at her husband again, " Well, I guess it wouldn't be that long, Richard what do you think?"

He seemed to be in deep thought. His eyes shifted from James to Rose to Lily and back to Rose.

" Oh, alright. I suppose it would be alright. Get outta here," he said jokingly shoving Lily playfully.

" Oh, thank you daddy! And you too mum! I'll go pack right now." Lily said. Her eyes seemed to be shining brighter than they ever had shined before.

James followed Lily up the stairs and into her room.

" Here I can do it much faster." James said, chuckling at Lily who was struggling to pull her trunk from one side of the room to the other.

She giggled, " Yeah, I bet you could."

With a simple flick of the wrist all of Lily's things flew into her trunk. James swished his wand again and the lid of the trunk closed and it floated over to him.

" All you need to carry is yourself and your purse. I left that out for you."

She smiled and walked over to him, " Thanks," she gave him a soft kiss and walked out of her room with him following behind her.

" We're going to apparate to his house, I'll see you guys later. Love you mum," she said as she hugged her mother goodbye. " Love you dad,"

" We love you too, now be good. And be careful, don't come home pregnant!" her mother chastised playfully.

Lily's face matched her hair and James had turned crimson. " Bye mum." She said rolling her eyes as she took his hand.

James smiled down at her, " Next stop, Potter Mansion!"

Within a few seconds a pop was sounded and they were gone.

A/N: I really like this chapter, I tried not to rush things too much, but I needed to get this one out. I hope you all enjoy this. Please review! I really would appreciate it! Reviews always encourage me to do better each time, so give me lots! Lol.

Love you all!

Lissa