Chapter 3: Later at Hogsmeade

"Have a seat," Potter says, motioning at the booth bench across from him. "I already ordered ginger beer. Didn't expect you to take an age collecting your things."

"Ilene wouldn't let me leave," I say, reaching for my ginger beer. "She found out I was 'dating' you and staged an intervention."

"Glad I rank so high on her 'what are you thinking?' meter."

I laugh. "More like 'what the bloody hell are you thinking?' meter. She calmed down when I explained it was just a meal and studying. I study with Severus all the time and haven't rushed off to date him."

"Who would." Potter raises a dark eyebrow at me when I look up.

"That's not funny, James."

"Say it louder. The people in table two didn't hear." He reaches across the table to take both my hands in his. "Say it louder. I want everyone to know that Lily Evans called me 'James.'"

I pull my hands away, flipping through my potions textbook to this morning's lecture material. "Did you put something in your ginger beer, Potter? You're acting more peculiar than usual."

He shrugs. "I really don't feel like studying tonight, Lily."

"Well, I really don't care what you feel like doing tonight. I only agreed to study. Chat up another girl if you feel like doing something else."

"I'd rather try to convince you."

"Piss off."

He stands slowly, acting as if set to leave. "How soon do you think the Disciplinary Committee can meet? It would be such a shame to be drummed out final year. We'd all miss you."

"Fine!" I snap, blowing my breath out in a frustrated sigh. "What would you like to do after food and study?"

Potter's already back in his seat, legs stretched out over to my bench, crossed at the ankle. "A broom ride. Up over the castle and forest. It's splendid at night when the moon is full."

"That would violate my 'hands only' accord and I am unwilling to do that."

"A walk then?" he suggests. "Around the lake perhaps?"

"So I get a choice now?" I ask, looking up skeptically. "You won't plan to rush off to the Committee or say you will, rather?" I prop my chin on a fist. "Honestly, Potter, if you loved me half as much as you claim, I'd be the last person you'd want to drum out of school on a curfew technicality."

"I suppose I don't like who's room you were in," he says. "My room? Different matter entirely. I'd find a way for you to stay all night even if Sirius had to keep guard." Potter pauses before hitting on an idea that would sound very clever if I liked him in the least. "I do have an invisibility cloak. Why didn't I think on that sooner!"

I shake my head. "In your dreams, Potter. In your dreams."

He motions at the table between us. "We're here--together--on what you agree to call a date, planning on what to do with the rest of the evening. I do believe several of my dreams are already coming true."

"They may be your dreams, but they're my nightmares."

He shakes his head, eyes narrowing behind his glasses. "Look, Lily, the Prickle Puss routine is not going to work on me. If rejection deterred me in the least, do you still think I'd be chasing you after how many years now?"

"Four," I supply.

"Right. Four years of curses, hexes, threats, and rejection has done absolutely nothing to stop me. Frowns and Ice when I do finally get you to sit down across from me really have no affect." Potter ruffles his hair to make it stick even more on end. "Just face it, Lily. I've found my opening and snuck in. You're stuck with me."

"I should report you to the Committee."

He shrugs. "I have not broken any school rules."

"What exactly do you want, Potter?" I hiss, barely able to control my anger, hands shaking. "Spit it out. Why are you doing this? What is it you really want?"

"By now, I would think that would be obvious," Potter says, everything about him--face, voice, posture--calm as carrots. "All I want--all I really want--Lily, is you."