A/N: So, this is the longest chapter written so far. I worked really hard on it and I hope you all enjoy it. Please, please, PLEASE review and let me know what you think. Thanks and enjoy :)
(Lily's P.O.V.)
Dating James Potter is not what most girls in this school would think it is. It isn't all about physical activity (though we do have our share of physical activity…not what you're thinking! Merlin, it's only been two weeks. I'm not that big of a slag). He's really the best. I still feel like a wicked old hag for getting so upset with him last week when I was just being too quick to judge. But really, being with him…it's one of the best choices I've ever made.
One of my favorite things about this whole relationship business is that James is great to vent to. Seriously, he just sits there and listens whole-heartedly. Which is what he did yesterday ever so sweetly after I received this goddamn letter.
Lily,
Mum said I had to be the one to write this, not her, so here it is. Vernon proposed three days ago. I accepted. We plan to wed in the spring, sometime around your Easter Holiday off. The engagement party should be around Christmas time. Mum says you could bring a guest, but I'd rather you did not. One freak is enough. If you do, however, please don't cause any funny business. I plan on telling Vernon about your…condition, I'm just not quite certain when I will yet.
So, that's that. See you at Christmas.
-Petunia
Oh Merlin, I was fuming. James and I were alone in the Common Room when I let him read it. And then he let me yell about it.
"Who the hell does she think she is? 'One freak is enough?' 'Your CONDITION?' She treats me like such rubbish and I'm so sick of it! All I ever do is try to be nice and civil and try to act like we used to when we were kids and she just can never put our differences aside for one goddamn second!"
"I know you're upset, and you have the right to be…but just…maybe you should try to be happy for her? She is getting married, after all."
"I am happy for her…a little. I would be a lot happier for her if she was nice about it to me and actually cared about me! She treats me like I'm vermin!"
"She's just jealous, Lily."
"I know, I know…But I just miss the way it used to be with her, you know? She used to be like my best friend! And now she acts like we're enemies! We're sisters, for God's sake! It's like we don't even know each other anymore…Ugh, I am so ANGRY! I really just…why are you looking at me like that?"
"You're cute when you're angry."
"James, this is not the time for your stupid compliments!"
"You asked."
"You shouldn't have answered."
"Glad to know you like my compliments, by the way."
"Oh will you hush! Ugh, I am so infuriated with her!"
"What can I do to help? Since, you know, my compliments are useless."
"Shut up, you know I didn't mean it."
"You drive me mental, Evans."
"Same to you, Potter."
"So, what can I do for you?"
"I don't know. Snog me?"
"Your wish is my command, your majesty."
I can't help it, all right. Snogging James Potter is literally the best medicine in the world for any problem. Soon enough, my anger had subsided and Petunia was the last thing on my mind. And then when we finally stopped (does it really matter how long we were going for?) we just talked and laughed and joked. And that also made it all a lot better. So when I went to bed instead of being angry out of my mind, I was happy. Which was, you know, really nice.
And then I woke up this morning, and the realization hit me.
Today was our first trip to Hogsmeade.
Today, ladies and gentleman, was my first real date with James.
Kim and Wendy weren't in the room when the catastrophe began. "Good morning, sunshine," June said, sitting on my bed. "Ready for today?"
"No. I'm never leaving this bed. Ever," I said, and put the blankets back over my head.
"Fine, so we'll just tell James you decided to keep your date in your bedroom and he'll be right up."
"Boys can't get up the staircase!"
"He'll find a way," said Delia.
"No, he will most certainly not!"
"Okay, calm yourself, ginger," Delia said and then began brushing her teeth.
"I am calm! I'm calm. Real calm. Cool as a cucumber. Yeah, yeah, I'm great. Brilliant really. Date day, yaaay."
"Uh, Lil-"
"I mean, it's not like it's any different from us being together in school, right? I mean, no of course not. It's no different at all. Right. Yes. Maybe I should get ready. Where's the nearest emergency exit?"
"Lily!" June shouted at me.
"I'm going to muck everything up! I'm going to act like a complete fool and James is never going to want to see me again and is just going to find some easy fifth or sixth year to shag with in a broom closet and it's going to be because I'm a wretched date! Wretched!"
"Oh, Merlin," June said. "It took James all these years to finally get you to agree to go on a date with him to Hogsmeade, and you're going to back down and break the poor bloke's heart?"
"No, but I'm just-"
"And you know James would never think of you as anything less than the best he could ever ask for. So stop being so worried over nothing and get dressed! And do something about your hair, maybe," she said.
What was wrong with my hair? Oh my god, what was I going to wear? Oh shit oh hell oh bloody bleeding hell. I'm DOOMED.
I looked at June, who was wearing her tightest jeans and a black long sleeved shirt. Her hair was straighter than usual and she was at the mirror finishing up her makeup.
"Are you excited for your date?" I asked June.
"Hell yeah I am," she said. "Noel said he's got it all planned out. I'm so excited! Ahh!"
Delia came back and said, "Yeah, and I know the plan."
"REALLY? TELL ME, WOMAN!"
"Snog, snog, more snog, shag, some food, repeat," she said.
"That isn't funny," June said.
"I thought it was," I said.
"Oh hush you," she said to me. And then she turned to Delia. "What about you? What are your plans this Hogsmeade trip?"
"I'm going with Darren Tanner."
"What?" both June and I shouted.
"What?"
"Darren Tanner," said June.
"Yes," Delia responded.
"Seventh year Ravenclaw."
"Correct."
"Best friends with Michael Nodan."
"I believe so."
"Wow."
"It's really not a big deal," Delia said, starting to change.
"How is this not a big deal?" June asked. "You're going on a date with your ex's best mate! How did that even happen?"
She shrugged. "He asked me. I said yes. It's not like we're dating or anything. I told him I'm not ready to really date yet. We'll probably just snog a lot and I don't know what else."
I frowned at her. "Delia, I love you, but don't you think that's a little…I don't know, unfair to Michael?"
"Michael's going with Wendy."
"That bitch," June hissed.
"June, Wendy isn't a bitch," I said. "She's fairly nice when she wants to be."
"Oh, really, Lily?" June said to me, smiling maliciously. "Remember in fifth year when Wendy and James sha-"
"That bitch," I said, making June smile, but I suddenly felt like I was going to vomit. I remembered that night, Wendy returning to our dorm room with a triumphant glow, and yapping about it to Kim, not caring that we heard, and that by the next morning so did the entire school. All anyone could talk about was how James Potter and Wendy Chase shagged. Obviously, I didn't care then. I was still on the 'I hate Potter' wagon and Patrick had asked me out that night, so the whole situation was very unimportant to me. Now I was ready to Avada Kedavra her arse.
No, Wendy actually isn't that bad. Kim is, though. Wendy just gets around more, I guess.
"It's fine, I don't really care," Delia sighed. "I'm just saying, if he's going on a date with my dorm mate, I can go out with his. Really, it's nothing. Now, can I get ready? And, er, Lily, you should, er, fix your hair."
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY HAIR?
June started to laugh, obviously catching my angry-slash-worried-slash-depressed expression as I jumped out of bed and looked in the mirror.
There was nothing wrong with my hair. Nothing at all.
Those horrid, horrid mates of mine.
"I hate the both of you," I said. They were both hysterically laughing.
"You love us," said June.
"Not when you both try to make me a nervous wreck! You know how I get about my hair!"
"That's going to be a problem once you and James start shagging, because, well, you know, sex-hair and all," said Delia.
"Delia…"
"Aw, look, she's blushing," said June, patting my head.
"I am not," I lied. I was totally blushing. My face was on fire. I went into the loo and just stared at myself in the mirror. I was still uncomfortable talking about this. We've only been together for two weeks! I know Delia doesn't go by my wait-for-love standards, and neither does June really, and I know in the past James hasn't either but…James isn't stupid. He wouldn't go out with me if he thought I would…you know…so quickly. Would he? No, of course he wouldn't. I mean, it's not like it's out of the question or anything, just…I mean…
Stop thinking about it, Lily. Stop it, stop it, stop it.
It's not important.
Not important at all.
….
OKAY NEW TOPIC.
Um…um…um…
Fuck.
Unicorns. Rainbows. Waffles.
Yes waffles. I want my waffles. Thus, I must get ready for my date now so I can go downstairs and eat my waffles. With James.
Right. James. I'm going on a date with James. My boyfriend. Who has no intention of taking advantage of me in any way because he cares about me too much. Yes. Of course.
Okay. I'm calm. I'm cool.
I'm going to have a great day. I'm going to have a wonderful, beautiful date with James and everything is going to be good and fine and perfect because I'll be with him and that's all that really matters.
I breathed, feeling a lot better. I didn't need to think about any of that stuff. It wasn't important right now. It'll happen when it happens, right? Right. And James is completely and totally respectful towards me, though he still makes bold moves here and there, not that I really mind, and you know, maybe I encourage them now and again… I mean, I'm not a total prig. But I'm not a slag, either. And I'll be ready when I'm ready and I am not ready right now and James knows that and I shouldn't let Delia and June freak me out about it. James wouldn't pressure me, so I shouldn't pressure myself.
I was happy where I was with James.
I wanted to go be with him. Right now.
So I washed up and then came out of the loo and ignored June and Delia and I guess they realized I was annoyed with them since I didn't respond to a single thing they said to me. Hmph. They deserved it. I wasn't going to let them make me all nervous for no reason right before my date.
I decided to wear my nicest jeans, which doesn't say much, but, oh well, a green long sleeved shirt that hugged my body in a not-too-tight but not-too-loose kind of way, and my black flats. I wore these nice diamond stud earrings my Mum got me for my fifteenth birthday, and I left my hair down, just for James, and brushed it for the millionth time. I tried not to overdo the makeup, but I put on mascara, a little eyeliner, some blush, and a darkish nude colored lipstick, because I hate lipgloss. Damn lipgloss never stays on for more than three minutes.
Okay. Breathe. This is nothing. No big deal. It's going to be great.
I was about to leave the room when June said, "Wait, Lil."
I turned around and just stared blankly at the both of them.
"Delia's sorry for her rude remark," she said.
"Shut up, you partook in it," Delia said.
"Fine, we're both sorry," June said.
"We really are. We were just kidding around," Delia added. "We didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."
"Just as long as you tell us when it happens," June said.
"June!" shouted Delia.
"What? You were thinking it too-"
"It's fine," I interrupted her. "Forget it. I'll see you guys downstairs."
"Lil, we really are sorry," said Delia.
I smiled slightly and said, "It's really okay. I'll see you," and then left the room. I didn't want to think about it anymore so I wasn't going to. I was overreacting anyway, probably.
I skipped down the steps, singing to myself, trying to ignore the nervous thoughts in my head telling me to RUN WHILE YOU CAN LILY because I am done with my running days. Psh. They are long, long gone. Now I only run to things, or, er, into things (which I do a little more often than average), but not away from things.
Once I got to the Great Hall, I straightened myself out and walked with as much poise as possible to the Gryffindor table, though my legs were shaking uncontrollably and I was going to fall down any second now. It was Remus I spotted first, who did not look too cheery. He was standing up, talking to some Ravenclaw girl I couldn't see because her back was faced to me, but she had blonde hair. He looked highly uninterested and seemed to be staring off into space rather than actually looking at her. He spotted me too finally and gave me a worried smile, one of the classic Remus, You gotta help me, here, Lily, looks and I laughed and waved, to which the girl turned around with a nasty look on her face because someone who was obviously not as of upmost importance as her was being paid attention to, but her expression seemed to relax when she saw it was me because I was already taken by a Marauder and Remus was as free as a werewolf frolicking in the Forbidden Forest.
I finally realized the girl was Tess Collins, a sixth year Ravenclaw prefect who was smart but very self centered and always had a crush on dear Remus. Remus, however, never particularly fancied her, but was never anything but a sweet, kind gentleman to her. Was he going with her to Hogsmeade? Hmm. Interesting.
I passed them and then saw James's back sitting next to Peter, and across from them was Sirius, eating away like a madman.
I tapped James on the shoulder but didn't say anything because, well, words weren't coming out.
He automatically sat up straighter and then turned his head, and then his eyes widened, and then I got nervous because I wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing.
And then he smiled a lopsided smile, which made my stomach do flips and my heart started pounding rather hard against my chest. He got up from his seat and stood up.
He gave me a once over, and I stood there awkwardly blushing for a moment, but then I decided I could give him one too.
Now, the thing about James, is that he will literally do anything to drive me mad, in a good way. So the first thing he does, obviously, is wears a goddamn sky blue button down collared shirt. Now, let me tell you something. Not only is sky blue my favorite color, but on blokes, especially this particular bloke, I literally swoon and melt and die. Like, it is my weakness. Not only that, but the sleeves were rolled up to the elbows and, damn it, he looked really bloody good like that. Okay anyway, he was also wearing some nice beige pants and what looked like nicer and cleaner sneakers, and his hair was just the perfect amount of messy where it looked just perfect.
And I wanted nothing more than to kiss him right there on the spot. But, unlike some people, eh-hem, I have more class than that.
I looked back at James's face, who was grinning ridiculously wide at me, but in a shyer way than usual, and his hand immediately flew up to his hair, so I knew he was nervous too. "You…you look r-really great, Lily," he stammered.
I smiled back at him. "You don't look too bad yourself."
He bit his lip, and I was very proud of him because I knew he was holding back his urge to kiss me, which was good, because I wanted this to be a good and proper first date and you don't snog the moment it starts, especially in public.
Though I was struggling almost as much as he was.
But he did, however, take my hand and intertwine it with his own, which was enough to make the butterflies in my stomach go berserk. And then he kissed it, like a goddamn prince. Where the bloody hell was he taught these things? Charm school? Why was I not notified of this? I'm going to look like a complete fool while he keeps pulling stunts like that, the bloody bastard.
We sat down together, and there, right in front of me, was a plate.
A plate of waffles.
With the exact amount of syrup I put on it.
Not only that, but there was also a hot chocolate with chocolate whipped cream on it.
And that's when I lost it. "Are you trying to make me look like an idiot or something?"
"Wh…what?"
"Here you are, with your stupid sky blue shirt and your stupid hand kissing and then you already have my entire dream breakfast set out right in front of me and I don't have anything to top you! Goddamn it, James," I said, and then dug into my waffles, mostly because I was trying as hard as I possibly could to not just snog him right there in front of the whole bloody school.
James, Sirius, and Peter all started laughing rather loudly, and it really wasn't funny, because now they were just making me look like an even bigger idiot.
"It isn't funny," I mumbled before I swallowed some of my waffle.
Then, James, my prat prince, put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "You're beautiful," he whispered against my ear, and then kissed my cheek, causing my stomach to do flips like you wouldn't believe. "Don't you know I love how you look when you're angry?"
Psh. And he tells me to get new material. "I'm not angry," I said, feeling my face heat up. "I'm ashamed."
"Fine. You're adorable when you're ashamed too," he said, and then released me from his grasp. "And you don't have to do anything to 'top'me."
"Lily doesn't really seem like a top kind of bird, are you, Evans?" Sirius asked, chuckling.
"Har, har," I said, making a face, taking a sip of my hot chocolate. "What about Carly, Sirius? Is she a top kind of bird?"
"Well, it depends-"
"I was kidding!" I shouted. James sniggered and I elbowed him in his side.
Remus finally joined us with a deep sigh, sitting down next to Sirius, putting his head down on the table.
"Er…you all right, mate?" asked Peter.
"No," said Remus. "Someone kill me now."
"Not looking forward to your date, then?" asked James.
"Oh, so you're going with Tess?" I asked.
"Unfortunately," Remus sighed, picking his head up.
"Oh, c'mon now, Moony!" Sirius exclaimed, slapping him on the back. "She's fit, probably an easy snog, has enough brains for you, what's the problem? It's just one day at Hogsmeade."
"I don't fancy her, though. I don't even like her as a person," Remus explained.
"So what do you like her as?" asked Peter.
"Nothing."
"Look, mate," Sirius said. "Just because you didn't have enough nerve to ask De-"
"WHAT!" I shouted, almost spitting out my hot chocolate.
"You're a git," Remus muttered, putting his head back down.
"Wait, wait, wait!" I shouted. "Remus, you fancy-"
"Oh, hey June, Delia, how's it going?" Sirius suddenly asked really loudly. I turned to see they were almost at the table. I guess Sirius was giving us a good heads up.
Remus fancied Delia? But…But James and Sirius told me he just thought she was fit! What had changed?
I looked at James, who mouthed, "later," obviously understanding that he would need to give me an explanation or I'd smack him.
And not the good kind of smacking (ha).
"It's going terrible," June said, plopping down next to me. "I already caught Emily and Henry snogging down the corridor! And now I'm going to have to see them all day in Hogsmeade snogging away and I really do not need to see such things!"
"June, you're making it a bigger deal than it is," Delia said, sitting down next to Remus, whose head shot up the second she started speaking.
Wow. Is he really that obvious about it? Has he always fancied her? I NEED TO KNOW OH MAN IT'S KILLING ME.
"I am not," June defended herself. "She's not even fifteen yet! And she's snogging!"
"Like you were doing any differently at her age?" Sirius chimed in, wiggling his eyebrows.
Oh, right. Sirius and June snogged in the beginning of fourth year. In the Quidditch locker rooms. It was June's first snog. June was complaining to Sirius about how Delia was bothering her (and me) about never having snogged, and then Sirius just right then snogged her, and June didn't stop him because, well, she didn't fancy him but, most birds in this school knew then and still know now that if you get the opportunity to snog a Marauder (as long as both you and they are single, obviously) you should not pass it up. June had told me when it was over, Sirius smirked and said, "Now you can tell her to shut up."
And that was that.
"Oh shut it, you. You're shagging a fifteen year old. So you can't really take part in this conversation."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Her birthday's next week, so then she'll be sixteen. Is that any better?"
"No, not really," she answered.
"June," I said. "This isn't really about, er, Sirius's sex life choices."
"Thank you, Lily," Sirius said.
"Of course."
"Well, in June's defense," James chimed in. "Thorne really is an arse."
"Yeah, amen to that," said Sirius.
"Thank you. But tell that to Emily!" June shouted, exasperated.
"Like she'd listen," said Peter.
"To James she would, one hundred percent. What fourth year doesn't have a crush on him?"
"Oh, Lils, looks like you've got some competition," Delia teased.
"Ooh, I'm scared," I said.
"And they don't have a crush on me?" asked Sirius in a slightly offended tone.
"Jealous, are you, Padfoot?" asked James, suddenly taking my hand again and interlacing my fingers with his.
Goddamn it, those bloody butterflies have made their great return after such short time gone.
"Only a little," he said, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.
"No, they do, but more so James," June stated.
They continued their little discussion and I chimed in here and there, but I couldn't help but notice (okay so I was watching them adamantly) that when Delia and Remus weren't paying attention to what we were saying, they were engaged in their own private conversation.
WHEN DID THIS EVEN START? Has my head just been so far up my arse all this time that I haven't noticed?
Oh, Merlin.
Eventually, we finished our breakfast and people started heading out. June left with Noel, Sirius and Carly went on their way, Delia went to Darren, Peter went with some Hufflepuff girl I don't know (aww, he got a date!), and Remus waited until Tess came and dragged him away. James and I were the last to leave from our lot, lingering at the table, hands still intertwined, his thumb occasionally rubbing against the back of my hand.
Once everyone cleared out, and most of the Great Hall was empty, James leaned in and gave me a quick soft kiss on the lips, and then almost whispered, "You really are beautiful."
It was things like that which drove me absolutely mental. Something he said a while ago, he felt the need to repeat now, and was waiting to say it this whole time?
You know, it was really unfair as a girl, because I couldn't say things like that to make him feel all special and warm and crazy. I wouldn't even know what to say, anyway.
"I…I'm really not," I stammered, putting my forehead against his.
"Of course you are," he said, squeezing my hand. "You're Wonder Woman, remember?"
I felt myself blush. How the bloody hell was he able to do this? Ugh. "You know, we never copyrighted that."
He laughed, and then kissed me quickly once more. "I think somebody else already did that, love."
"So let's steal it from them. I think we suit the titles better, don't you?"
"Most definitely."
I smiled at him as we both stood up from the table, James taking a small rucksack he had with him, and started to slowly walk to the exit to Hogsmeade. Everyone had just started to move, and we lagged behind. At first we walked in a pleasant silence, keeping our sides close to each other. Eventually, James released my hand from his and then put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. I put my arm around his waist and we walked like that.
He kissed my head and then said, "So, Evans, after all my pestering you, why have you finally decided to agree to join me on this lovely October day in Hogsmeade Village for a- dare I say it- date?"
"Well," I started. "After giving it much thought and consideration, I decided, hey, why not just say yes and get the bloke's hopes up and then at the end of the day just crush his dreams so he'll leave me alone for good? Woops, I think I just told you my secret plan. Well, it feels better that it's all out in the open now and everything."
"Well, what you didn't know is that I was onto your secret plan all along and came up with my own secret plan to throw you off."
"Oh really?" I asked, looking up at him, smiling. He was grinning too. He looked down at me.
"Yeah," he answered.
I waited a few moments before I said, "Well?"
"What? Oh, you thought I was going to tell you?" he asked, and then laughed. "You're cute."
"Hey, I told you my plan!"
"That was your mistake."
"You're the worst."
"I know. That's why you're my girlfriend."
"Because I only go for the worst?"
"Precisely. You only go for someone on the same level as yourself."
I rolled my eyes. "You're a git."
"Keep insulting me, why don't you."
"Okay, you-"
"I was kidding."
"I wasn't."
"Mhm."
"Be quiet, you," I demanded.
We kept walking and continued our playful banter as we made our way to the main part of the village. It was adorable seeing the looks on the third years' faces. We saw June and Noel snogging behind a tree (how subtle) and Delia with Darren looking completely uninterested in whatever he was talking about while they walked into the Three Broomsticks with most of our year.
"So, where to?" I asked. "Three Broomsticks? I could really go for a-"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Oh…?"
"It's too crowded. Everyone goes there first. And last time I checked, you and I, aren't everyone. So we're doing things different. Got it?"
I smiled. "Sounds good to me."
"Good."
"So, where to then?"
"Honeydukes."
I laughed, finally letting myself out of James's grasp. "Honeydukes? Seriously, James? This early?"
"Yes, seriously. Don't you know me by now? And I know you, and you've got a whole mouth filled with sweet teeth and I know you're really craving some chocolate right now."
I sighed. "You know me too well."
He grinned. "Let's go!"
He grabbed my hand and then we started running, yes, RUNNING, towards Honeydukes.
"Why are we running again?" I asked, giggling as we ran.
"We've got to get there before all the third years beat us!"
Oh, god. He was such a child. Not in the, Merlin, James you're so immature kind of child way but in the, please stay this spirited forever kind of way.
I loved it.
Once we made it there, James let go of my hand and said, "Pick as many things as you'd like. It's all on me."
"James, you don't-"
"Don't worry about it," he said, pulling my face towards him and kissing my forehead. "But here's the catch."
"Okay. Shoot."
"You don't know most of the candy here, right?"
"Not really. I'm still not so familiar with the muggle versus wizard food…and I just don't come in here too often."
"Brill. Okay, you can only pick out things you've never had before, never heard of before, never seen before. They have to be completely foreign to you. Got it? And I'll go pick out the good stuff, and in three minutes we'll meet at the front and I'll chuck all the rubbish you picked up thinking it was actually good. Got it?"
He was mental. Mad. A maniac. "Uh…sure. Why are we doing this, though? And why only three minutes?"
"I can't ruin my whole plan, Lils. And three minutes because I told you we have to get what we can before the third and fourth years come and clean everything out! Ready?"
"Sure, I guess?" I laughed.
"Okay, go!" he shouted, and then disappeared somewhere down the aisles.
I chuckled to myself as I walked through the opposite aisle, looking through the many different assorted sweets. I picked up almost anything chocolate, a few things raspberry flavored, and something that was every flavored but I had no clue what it was.
When I met James two minutes and fifty seconds after we parted, he was waiting for me with a grin. "Well, let's see what you picked."
I put it all out on the counter. He raised his eyebrows, nodding his head. "Not bad, for an amateur. You didn't even pick that much." He reached into his pocket and took out a little bag, filled with money, I presume.
He paid the bloke at the front and, as if right on cue, a literal herd of third years and some fourth years came bursting into the place, with wide eyes and bright faces, ready to explore the world of Wizarding candy.
We shoved all the candy in his rucksack and we continued on, laughing as we walked out of the shop.
"Told ya," he said.
"So, are we going to eat them?"
"No."
"No?"
"Not yet. Saving it for later," he said.
"Okay. So now what?"
"Hm…give me a minute," he said, pacing.
"Don't you have a plan?"
"Er, right, about that. The plan is me making things up as I go along."
I laughed, because that is so something he would do. "I should have known."
"Let's just walk around for a bit."
So we did, but instead of for a bit, we walked around aimlessly for a while, hand in hand, talking about who even knows what, laughing, mocking each other, and towards the end a very little bit of snogging, and I didn't even mind that people could probably see us even though it wasn't like we were standing right in the middle of the road because we were actually hiding behind one of the shops but goddamn it he looked so good and he was just being such an adorable goofball that I couldn't not snog him just a little by now! But I guess we were both smart enough to come to our senses and stop it while we could still control ourselves. We decided it would be better if we went to the Three Broomsticks now since it was most likely less full now.
We walked in and, yes, it was less full, but there were still loads of kids, including the younger years. We were looking for a table when we passed Remus and Tess's table.
"Oh, hello James. Lily," she greeted us.
"Hi, Tess," I said. "Hey, Remus."
Remus smiled slightly.
James and I stood there awkwardly for a moment, until James said, "Well, we'll see you later-"
"Why don't you join us?" Remus suddenly asked.
James and I looked at each other. I could tell that he was thinking the same thing as I was. It wasn't Remus we didn't want to be with, it was Tess. But then I saw the look on Remus's face and it was screaming out HELP ME PLEASE I'M DYING andI suddenly found myself saying, "Sure, of course."
James elbowed me not so subtly. "Yeah, sure…Hey, er, Lil, come with me to get drinks, yeah?"
"We'll be right back," I told them before James dragged me to the counter.
"What did I ever do to you for you to hate me this much?" he asked.
"Excuse me?"
"It's fine, it's fine. We just got to think of an escape plan. Uh…what could we use, what could we use…Of course! Head Duties. Ha! Okay, we'll sit here for, give or take two to three minutes, and then you'll say, 'Hey, James, love, I think McGonagall wanted us back early to do-' and then I'll interrupt you and say, 'Oh right Lily, darling, that thing' and then we'll run off and be free. Ha. I'm a genius."
"James," I sighed, though I wanted to follow his plan. "We can't abuse our title."
"And why not?"
"Because it's immoral!" I shouted. "And look at Remus, he looks as if he's suffering!"
"He doesn't have to share the pain," he muttered.
I rolled my eyes and then whispered, "You'll turn into an illegal animagus and spend every full moon running around the forest with him when he's in pain, but you can't just sit down with him for thirty minutes with his date, no matter how awful she is."
"Yeah, sounds about right."
I gave him a look.
Then he sighed, "Fine, fine…five minutes."
"Twenty."
"Ten."
"Fifteen," I compromised.
"Fine, fifteen. No more. If after fifteen minutes we can't take it anymore, we leave. Immediately. Deal?" James asked.
"All right, I guess," I sighed. "You know, you're not being a great friend."
"I am a fantastic friend," he said. "Now go entertain those two while I get us some butterbeer, eh?"
"I hate you," I said, and went to sit with Remus and Tess at their table.
I put on my least fake yet fake smile and sat down across from Remus.
"Where's James?" asked Tess.
"He'll be back in a second," I told her. "So, er, how is your day going? Remus?"
"Just peachy," said Tess, obviously seeming annoyed by my presence. Well, well, Miss Tess, I'm not so fond of you either! Hmph!
"It's nice," said Remus, unconvincingly. Poor guy. I noticed he kept looking in the corner, and that's when I turned my head and saw Delia snogging Darren.
Oh, Merlin. This was not good. Not good at all.
Not in the slightest.
You could see it on his face. He was trying to hide it, obviously, but he was not happy. You could tell by his eyes. He seemed sad, or upset, or disappointed…something along those lines. I guess he really did fancy her. But I still didn't get how this all even started? I had to ask James later.
We sat there in an awkward silence for a few moments, and then I said, "So, er, Tess, did you do well on your O.W.L.s?"
"Yes, I did, thanks for asking," she said in a not so appreciative tone, but more of a boastful tone. "I got all Es and Os."
"Well that's fantastic. Good job," I said as polite as I could.
"Yeah, I'm hoping to get Head Girl next year," she said, perking up a bit.
"After my job, are you, now?"
She gave a quite obvious fake laugh. Ugh, cut the rubbish.
"I'm sure you have a great chance," I told her.
"Well, thank you. It'd be great if I did because I want to get a job at the Ministry in the Magical Law department and getting Head Girl would really help my chances," she said as James slipped in next to me, handing me my butterbeer. I took a sip as she continued, though not really paying attention to anything she said because James took my hand under the table and those goddamn butterflies came back and I still don't understand why they do that EVERY SINGLE TIME HE DOES IT but they do like mad. She continued on as I noticed Remus still looking in the corner where Delia and Darren were, fidgeting in his seat awkwardly. Poor kid. I don't even know how long Tess was talking for, but eventually James and I somehow ended up having a thumb war under the table, both of us trying to hold back our laughter. I won, and then James pinched my leg really hard out of anger for always losing to me at everything. I held back a yelp of pain and continued drinking my butterbeer as James sniggered to himself and Tess was, amazingly, still talking.
Eventually, she stopped, and James took an obvious sigh of relief, that dolt. Either she didn't notice or just didn't care. She smiled and then turned to Remus and smiled at him, who in return gave a weak smile back. I turned as subtly as I possibly could to see if Delia and Darren were still going at it, which they were.
"Well, that's all, er, very fascinating. I'm sure all your hard work will pay off and you'll make it into the program," James said, which I was highly confused about because I wasn't paying attention at all and neither was he so how did he know what the sodding hell she was talking about?
It suddenly made more sense how James was able to not pay attention in class yet still know what was going on.
He had to teach me how to do that.
"Well, thank you, James," she said, rather flustered. Oh, sheesh. You have your own marauder right beside you, don't go macking on mine!
"Well, anyway, James and I, we, er, must be on our way. Professor McGonagall wanted us back at the castle early for a meeting," I heard myself say.
It had not been fifteen minutes.
I saw James try to hold back a grin as he said, "Yeah, sorry mate, but we gotta run. We'll see you around," and then he stood up and took my hand as I stood up as well, and we waved goodbye to them and walked out.
The second we stepped out, James started to howl with laughter.
"What?" I asked, laughing too.
"That was maybe seven minutes. You completely have less patience than me!"
"I…I do not!"
"I was even able to last. And listen! Well, partially."
"I can't help it! She just drones on and on and on and on and on about herself, acting like no one else matters, just, blah," I said, laughing as James suddenly put his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. I reached up and gave him a light kiss. "So, what's next on our agenda?"
"We're going back to the castle."
"Wait, we are? I thought that was just a ploy."
"Well, it was," he said, letting go of me. "But now it's part of the day's plan."
"All right, whatever you say, I suppose," I said.
So we started to walk back when James took out some of the candy from his rucksack. "Okay," he said, opening a bag. "Every flavor licorice wands. You take first."
I closed my eyes and reluctantly took one out of the bag. They were all the same color so there was no way of knowing the difference. I took a bite and chewed, and then I realized it tasted like spinach.
I must have been grimacing because James started laughing. "What'd you get?"
"Spinach," I said, chewing it anyway. "Not very fond of it. Blach. Now you take one."
"Oh, that's nothing," he said, chuckling. He took one from the bag. He took a bite of it and made a very pensive face, trying to see what it was. "Hmm, I got coffee. Not too shabby."
"That's not fair!" I laughed.
"Jealous?" he asked, sticking it in my face.
"Er, no, I'm good with my spinach, thanks."
He shrugged, grinned, and then took another bite.
"James," I said.
"Yes?"
"Can you tell me what's going on with Remus and Delia now?" I asked, and then took another bite of my licorice wand.
He looked at me as he finished his own licorice wand, contemplating it. "Well, I don't know anything going through Delia's mind but…"
"Just please tell me. I don't know if you saw but Delia and Darren Tanner were snogging in the booth in the corner at the Three Broomsticks, and Remus kept looking at them. I felt so bad."
"Yeah, I saw," he said, throwing the licorice wands back in his rucksack and taking out some chocolate candy bars, handing one to me. "All right, but just, do me a favor and don't say any of this to Delia."
"You have my word," I promised.
"Okay. So, you know how we told you Remus only ever thought Delia was fit and just a mate? We weren't lying. He never fancied her, or at least none of us thought he did, including himself. A few nights before the Quidditch match, Peter, Sirius, Remus and I were hanging out in our dorm and Sirius may have done a bit too much of teasing Remus for haven't snogging a girl since last term sometime in like January."
"So?"
"So, at the after-party, I guess Delia was telling Remus what happened with Nodan, and since she was single now, and, like I said, he thought she was fit, and he was a bit drunk, mind you, he snogged her and I guess she didn't really mind and snogged him back," he said.
"Delia never really minds a snog," I told him. "From anyone."
"Yeah, well, anyway," he continued, after nibbling on his candy bar. "I guess after they snogged he decided he fancied her, and he was going to confront her about it but, er, well, he kind of overheard Darren ask her and Delia say yes, so he never did. The end."
"So, just because they snogged, he fancies her now?"
He shrugged. "Nah, I think it's that after snogging he realized he had a really good mate who was a really good snog who could be a really good girlfriend, if Moony wasn't so afraid of commitment. He thinks snogging her just made him realized he did actually fancy her."
"Why is he afraid of commitment?" I asked, taking a bite of my chocolate.
James sighed. "Why do you think?"
"I don't know, that's why I'm asking you?"
He rolled his eyes. "The whole, er, werewolf thing. He doesn't want anybody to get hurt, or get hurt himself, like if someone found out and then thought of him as a…"
"A monster," I finished for him.
"Yeah," he replied.
"But he's not. I didn't think that when I found out."
"I know. And that's because, well, you're you," he said, taking my hand.
"What does that mean?"
"You're just nice. You don't see people the way everyone else does. You only see the good. Well, except with me. You only see the arrogant bullying toerag I am," he said, grinning slightly, and I couldn't tell if he was just kidding or he was remembering the times I 'hated' him and feeling bad, but I had a feeling it was the latter.
I rubbed his hand with my thumb. "Yeah, well, now I only see the good in you, because there's nothing but good to see."
"Rubbish," he said.
"No really! You're so sweet, and caring, and bold, and loyal-"
"Nah-"
"And funny, and smart, and brave, and enthusiastic, and you have the biggest heart-"
"No I-"
"And you're always there for me, and your mates," I said, smiling. "And, you know, you're a pretty handsome looking chap, if you must know."
He squeezed my hand, grinning mischievously now. "Oh, yeah?"
"Dashing, really," I said as he stopped walking, making me stop with him.
"And how are my snogging skills?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows, leaning in.
I rolled my eyes, leaning away. "Now you're just fishing for compliments."
"I know. So go on."
"How about no."
"How about yes."
"My mouth is busy with this chocolate bar at the moment, thank you very much," I teased, taking a bite of what was left of it, and then started walking again, dragging James with me.
"How about you keep complimenting me."
"You know what, James, mate, I'm starting to remember the bad in you."
"I thought there was no such thing," he reminded me.
"No, no. I don't know I was thinking," I said as we entered the castle. We started walking up the marble staircase. "You're stubborn, and a bit too persistent, and you jump into everything head first without a single thought, and you still mess up your hair, not that I'm really complaining about how it looks but it's a bit childish, and you're immature, and you still play with that snitch like it's your security blanket."
We made it into the Common Room and I continued on. "And you drive me mental on purpose, and you forget very important things like rounds-"
"That was once!" he shouted in defense as we got to the boys staircase.
"We're going to your room?" I asked, suddenly ridiculously nervous. The conversation with Delia and June popped back into my mind. Not that he was going to do anything, but…I mean… I mean we've only been in there once and who knows how far he would've tried to go if we weren't interrupted…not like in the moment I minded or anything.
"Do you not want to?" he asked, not seeming to mind if I said I didn't.
But I did want to. But I was nervous. I shouldn't be, but I was. "N-No, I do," I answered, trying to hide the shakiness in my voice. Breathe, Lily. Nothing is going to happen that you don't want to happen.
"You all right?" he asked, as we started to ascend.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine… So er, where was I?"
"My forgetfulness when it comes to my responsibilities," he said.
"Oh, right. And you're horrible at Wizard's chess. And thumb wrestling," I said once we finally got up there.
"Mhm," he answered, chuckling as he closed the door.
"And you can never admit defeat."
"That isn't completely true."
"Oh, rubbish. And you're a showoff."
He lied down on his bed and stretched. I made the decision to sit down next to him as he kicked off his shoes. I slipped mine off as well and sat like a pretzel on his bed as he continued to lie there.
"So, you still hate me, then?" James asked.
"Yes, very much so," I told him.
"I can see that," he said, bending over, reaching something from under his bed.
"I'm glad."
Then suddenly, he handed me a single lily. Yes, the flower. My favorite kind of flower, as terrible cliché as it is that it's my favorite.
"Nicked it from the Green Houses," he said as I took it, then running a hand through his hair. He sat up, facing me. "It's corny, but, you know, it's your favorite, so…"
I looked at the flower, and then back at James, and then back at the flower. It was beautiful, and it looked new and young and fresh, and I knew as soon as I got back to my room I would have to put it in some water next to my bed.
"Still hate me?" he asked with a shy smile as I stared at my flower. My heart melted every time I looked backed at James. It was the sweetest thing. Goosebumps were all over my body and I felt like crying, which was stupid, but I can't help that I'm an over emotional hormonal teenaged girl.
I put the flower down on his bedside table in front of a picture I didn't really get a good look at, and then, to put it gently, I mauled him.
And that's putting it gently.
He started laughing a second after I attacked, my lips crushing his and now both of us lying down, me half on top of him, and then he kissed me back passionately, putting his arms around my waist while mine were on his face.
And none of my previous thoughts were floating around but they were safely buried in the back, relaxed and not acting up or making me nervous. I forgot all about it and embraced the fact that I was (sort of) on top of James Potter and snogging him very happily.
We stayed like this for a few minutes, until eventually James grabbed me tight and turned us over as I laughed against his fluttering kisses against my lips, and then he was slightly on top of me, and I took advantage of the situation and (to much of James's [and my] liking) started moving my hands around James's body, admiring his perfect physique. Blood Quidditch blokes, always the fittest. James started doing the same to me, not that I really minded so much. And after along while, he started kissing my jawline and my neck, causing me to release a few involuntary, er, noises…making James grin a bit too wide, if you'd ask me. And that all just encouraged him. And we kept kissing as I started to slowly unbutton his shirt, though, I must say, I really did love how that shirt looked on him. But, I really loved his upper body exposed as much as possible, really. Can't put that sort of sight to waste and cover it up so constantly. James's hands started going under my jumper onto my bare skin, moving higher and higher up, until reaching my chest and, er, well, fondling it, I guess? Is that the word? Well, anyway, I finally finished unbuttoning those ruddy buttons and finally broke my lips apart from James's, breathing heavily as I helped him out of his shirt, and I took it and threw it somewhere on the bed, causing James to chuckle before I brought my lips back to his forcefully. We kept kissing for another minute or so while my hands happily explored the muscles and such all around his arms and chest and back. Merlin, he was fit. And then James's hands went to the hemline of my shirt, tugging it slightly. I sat up with him as his lips left mine and he pulled it off over me. He took a few good moments to let his eyes wander with his mouth slightly open, which made me feel just the slightest bit uncomfortable and self conscious because I didn't have too much to even look at up there, if you get me, and my bra was still on and I intended to keep it that way. But he finally just smiled his goofy git grin and went back to kissing me, and we returned to our lying down position.
We continued snogging and hand-wondering for quite some time, and I have no idea how long it was, but eventually we finally parted, both of us practically out of breath and very flustered to say the least. James lied down beside me and I cuddled up against him while he put a relaxed arm around my body, kissing my hair.
We stayed like that in silence for a while until I said, "Yeah, I still hate you."
I felt him chuckle, and he took my hand and intertwined it with his. "You have a funny way of showing it."
"I spend all my days snogging the blokes I hate the most."
"So you've snogged Mulciber? And Avery?"
"Oh, yeah. Loads of times. They're not nearly as good as you, though."
"Oh, I can imagine," he said.
"I'm a honestly more than worried that you're imaging what kind of snogger Mulciber or Avery are-"
"I didn't mean it like that!" he shouted.
I laughed. "Okay, sure, love."
I suddenly noticed a moving picture that was on James's bedside table behind my flower. He was a lot younger. His dad was in it too. They were both on brooms, James's looked new, and James was laughing and his father was chasing him. At one point they both waved to the camera, and then James zoomed right in front of the lens and made a face, crossing his eyes and sticking out his tongue, and then the picture started over again.
"When was that?" I asked, motioning to it.
I looked up at him. He smiled slightly. "It was right before second year. Mum and Dad got me a broomstick to tryout with and use for Quidditch."
"You were cute," I said.
"Yeah, you didn't think so back then, if I remember correctly," he said.
I rolled my eyes. "I meant you and your dad. Though you were," I added.
"Oh, yeah," he said quietly.
"You okay?" I asked, suddenly worried at his tone.
"Er, yeah, I'm fine," he said, loosening his grip on me.
"What is it?" I asked sitting up.
He ran a hand through his hair and sat up as well. "It's nothing…it's just…you know how I told you about what happened with my Dad this summer?"
"Yeah, but he's better, right?"
"Yeah...just… you know, Mum and Dad barely ever write over the school year. They're both always 'too busy,' which is rubbish… anyway, I've only gotten one letter from each of them so far, and Mum's came the other day…and she said he isn't doing so well, though he thinks he is, and she's worried about him…and Dad acts like everything's fine in his letter and…I don't know, I just wish I was around to help more, that's all."
My heart dropped. I felt horrible. I knew how James felt. Exactly how he felt. And he didn't even know that because I never told him anything about my Dad and… Now I just felt like a terrible person. I wanted to tell him, I wanted to help, I just…I still couldn't tell him everything. I hated talking about it, and with him…I know I'd lose it, and James doesn't deserve that when he has his own problems.
So I just said the best I could. "I'm sorry, James. Don't be so worried. Your father's been an auror for years, he knows what his limitations are. And your Mum's there to help when she can. They're capable of handling things on their own, as hard as it seems. I promise."
"I…I guess you're right," he sighed.
I pulled him in and hugged him tight and close, and he relaxed his head on my shoulder. After a while, he kissed it and muttered, "Thanks."
"Of course, James," I said, letting go and then kissing his lips ever so lightly. "Any time."
"What about your family?" he suddenly asked.
Er…what?
Um. No.
"What do you mean?" I asked nervously.
"You just never really talk about them," he answered.
I looked down at my lap. "What's there to say?"
"I don't know. You just never really mention them, that's all. Only when you're upset with Petunia, but…"
"Are you decent?" I heard Sirius shout before opening the door.
Suddenly, James was hovering over me, and I realized he was only doing this so that Sirius didn't see me as exposed as I was.
"You could have waited for an answer, git!" James shouted.
"Sorry, it's urgent," he answered, rushing to his bedside table, taking out some kind of potion. Then he turned his head to me. "Hey, Lils," he greeted me.
"Quit looking at her or I'll kill you," James said.
"Okay, okay, sheesh," Sirius said, chuckling. "You know, we have curtains around our beds for a reason, Prongs."
"Sod off," James said, getting off me and pulling the curtain on one side so that Sirius couldn't see anymore. I searched the bed.
"Er, James, where's my shirt?"
Sirius howled with laughter. I rolled my eyes but laughed as well.
"Just take mine," James said, handing me his.
I took his and put my arms through the sleeves and then buttoned up most of the buttons.
James smiled at me.
"What?" I asked.
But before he could answer, Sirius was at the foot of the bed where the curtains weren't covering us.
"Well, I'm off. Carly's waiting for me. Had to drink the potion, you know. Anyway," he said, bending down. "Here's your jumper, Lils," and threw my shirt at me. "Don't have too much fun, kids."
And then he left, and James and I both ended up laughing. Then James stopped laughing and just kept looking at me and smiling. "What?" I asked again.
"I like how you look in my shirt," he told me, leaning in close.
"Well, I like how you look out of your shirt," I heard myself say.
Wait. Did I seriously just say that?
Oh my god what is wrong with me.
James, on the other hand, chuckled lightly and moved some hair out of my face and placed it behind my ear. "Yeah, I like you that way too…"
"But I like me in your shirt," I answered. "So case closed."
"Damn," he smiled, and then leaned in and kissed me.
We kissed for a few more minutes until we finally parted and I yawned.
"Tired?" he asked, kissing me again.
"Just a little," I answered.
"Want to lay down?"
"Mhm," I responded.
James lied down and I once again cuddled up beside him, his arm around me. I closed my eyes and felt James running his hand through my hair, and then I fell asleep.
I don't know how long I was out for. Probably a bit too long. But I woke up to voices. I didn't open my eyes.
"We're not gonna wake her up," said Peter.
"It's late," Remus pointed out.
"Yeah, I know," James said. "But she's tired. She'll get up when she gets up."
"Well, I'm starving," Sirius said. "And I don't know about you mamby pambies, but I'm going down to dinner and I ain't waiting for nobody."
"You wouldn't be so hungry if you didn't spend your whole afternoon shagging C-"
"You're just jealous, Moony," Sirius replied, "That you did nothing with your totally fit date because De-"
"Don't start with me, Sirius," Remus said in a tired voice.
"I think we should go down now, hm?" said Peter, trying to end the tension.
"Yeah, let's do that," Sirius said. "See you, Prongs."
"Bye, James," said both Remus and Peter.
I heard their footsteps fade and the door close, and I started to hug James tight. He kissed my forehead. "I'm awake," I whispered.
He sniggered. "I figured once you started suffocating me. When did you wake up?"
"Nearly a minute ago."
"Sorry about them," he apologized. "I told them to lower their voices-"
"It's okay," I told him, finally opening my eyes. I was still in his shirt and his chest was still bare, just the way I liked it. "How long have I been asleep for?"
"A couple of hours."
"What?" I shouted. "And you've just been laying here awake?"
"No, I fell asleep a few minutes after you did," he told me. "I only woke up a few minutes ago when they came barging in here."
"Oh," I said, relieved that I didn't leave James here helpless while I slept away against him. I looked up at him. "Well, did you sleep well?"
"Yes," he said, kissing my lips gently. "Did you?"
"Yeah. You're quite comfortable," I told him, snuggling my head into the crook of his neck.
"Glad to know," he laughed. "Do you want to go down to dinner?"
"Hm…not yet," I said. "Let's lie here a little more. I'm too tired to walk."
"Sounds good," he said, holding me close.
We lied there for a few more minutes. It was really nice and I didn't want to get up, I didn't want our first date to end ever, and I wanted to stay with him like this forever.
But then my stomach growled. Really loud.
"Uh…I think I'm hungry," I said as James laughed loudly.
"Yeah, me too," he said, letting go of me. "Can I have my shirt?"
"Oh, right," I said. "Can't I just wear it?"
"And what am I gonna wear?"
"Er, another shirt?"
He rolled his eyes. "Lily."
"Fine, fine. Hand me my shirt," I said.
He did. And then he just sat there.
"Um, look away," I said.
"Why?"
"Because I'm changing."
"So?"
"So, I don't want you to watch!"
"I saw you not too long ago without a shirt on for quite some time. What's the difference now?"
"Because we're not in the moment anymore!" I said, laughing.
"So let's get back in it."
"Um, no. Now look away. Or leave."
He sighed. "Fine. I have to use the loo anyway," he said, leaning in and kissing me again.
He got up and went into his bathroom as I took off his shirt and threw on my own. I sat near the bedside table, looking at the picture again, picking up my flower and twirling it in my hand. Then I opened his drawers.
"Snooping?" he shouted as he opened the bathroom door.
"Yes," I answered, and he chuckled.
There was one draw with just two single envelopes with James's name on both of them…in my handwriting.
My letters?
I picked up one of them and took the letter out of the envelope.
Dear James,
I'm so sorry I haven't responded so often. I've been quite busy…A lot's going on here with my sister and my parents and all…but that's no excuse. I should have replied sooner.
I am so incredibly sorry about your father. He knows what the risks are of his job, like you and I both know but we still want to pursue it, no? I hope it doesn't discourage you. Your father seems like a brilliant man who knows his strengths, and I'm sure he'll let himself rest and he'll get better soon. Your mother's a Healer? I never knew that. Well, I'm sure she's doing the best she can to help him heal. And I'm sure you're doing the best you can, as well. Your family is lucky to have a son like you, James. I know you're probably doing everything you can to help.
You don't need to write back if you don't have time. I completely understand. You're a good bloke, James. I hope everything gets better with your father. I'm sure it will.
All the best,
Lily.
"Uh, Lily…"
"You…you kept my letters?" I asked, turning around and looking at him.
"Uh…yeah…" He muttered, rubbing his neck.
Oh my goodness. I could cry.
"Lily, I-"
"Wait here one second," I said, kissing him, and then getting up with my flower and running out of the room.
"Where are you going?" he shouted after me, but I continued on.
I ran from the boys staircase to the girls and into my room where, thankfully, no one was there, and I ran to my bedside table, put down my flower, and opened up my drawer and took out five envelopes that said my name on it and ran back to the his dormitory.
I reentered and James was finishing buttoning his shirt, looking quite confused by my disappearance and reappearance.
"Lily, what-"
I held up the envelopes and that made him quiet. "I…I kept yours too."
He took them from me, shuffling through them. "But…why?"
I breathed. I can't believe I was going to tell him this. "Because…well…getting your letters is what… it's what made me realize I really did fancy you. Every time I would get one from you I'd get butterflies and everything… and when I got a letter from someone else I was disappointed it wasn't from you. And I just kept thinking about you from the moment we got home and then even more once I got your first letter… and then I realized I had to break up with Dave because…well…I fancied you…And you were so sweet in them and you-"
James interrupted me with his lips crushing against mine, and he literally lifted me off my feet, not breaking the kiss. I kissed him back and he kept me like that, up in the air, for what must have been a solid minute while we snogged passionately. Eventually, though, he set me down and we parted.
He didn't even say anything. He just smiled at me…my prat prince smiling his prat smile, making my stomach flip over about a dozen times. And then he put his forehead against mine and said, "Thank you."
"I didn't do anything," I whispered.
"You're always doing something…" he muttered quietly. "Always doing something to just drive me mental for you."
He kissed me again, soft and quick. "Well, you're welcome," I said, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. "I really had a…a wonderful time today."
"Me too," he said.
"Well, dinner?" I asked.
He smiled. "Sure."
I leaned in and gave him another kiss. We both slipped on our shoes and took each other's hand again and walked downstairs. I ran up to my room to put my letters back, and then we went together to the Great Hall.
The whole dinner we were rather distracted with one another, causing many eye rolls from both of our mates, but we didn't really care.
What I did care about, however, was the rapidly growing feelings I had towards this stupid boy, a boy who I never thought I could feel this way about, and how much it frightened me.
And boy, did it frighten me.
A/N: Ah, so there you have it. Their first official date. James's chapter won't nearly be as long as this one- so sorry about that! Anyway, the more reviews, the faster the update (and reviews would be extra extra nice considering the length of the chapter) ! :) Thank you.