James' jaw dropping in shock, was quickly followed by a shout of glee that nearly deafened Sirius Black.
I still might have a cha-ance. I still might have a cha-ance. James' mind was doing a victory dance of its own. In fact, he was happy enough to hug Sirius. So he did.
"Wow, mate. I guess you're a little excited about this, aren't you?" asked Sirius. "Now get off."
"I can't believe it!" James cried as he let go of Sirius. Then he sobered a bit. "Sirius, you don't think this is just a prank, do you?"
"James, if this had been a prank, it wouldn't have been Heather passing the message to me, in private, by herself. That's just not something that girl would do. She's just not that cold hearted of a person."
"True. So should I just go ask Lily out now, or should I continue as I have been?"
"Continue as you have been. Make her really want you. You've been showing her the real you, and that is apparently who she likes. Not the almighty, marauding, quidditch captain face you used to show around her. Keep it real."
"Okay then. Do you think it would be okay if I asked to Hogsmeade the weekend after next?"
"James, you're over-thinking this. Ask her when you feel the time is right. Why are you asking me anyway? You've never needed dating advice before, so why bother now?"
"I don't know Pads. I guess I just really want this to work, and seeing as how you're basically the person in Gryffindor Lily is least likely to date, I figured your advice would be exactly what not to follow."
"Nice. And thanks for that. Besides, I'm sure you don't need to worry about Evans saying 'no'.
It will all work itself out."
"Thanks Padfoot."
"Yup."
"Well, 'night."
The next day, Sirius began his quest to ask out Kaity Matthews, the Hufflepuff beater. Since it was Saturday, and unusually cheery outside, he figured that he might as well start out there. As he wandered down the corridors, he walked right into the only other person he needed to talk to today.
"Why hello, Lily-bug. Lovely day outside isn't it?" Sirius said nonchalantly as he pulled her off the floor.
"Thank you. And yes, it is. . . Umm, Sirius?"
"Yes Lily?" He figured she could go first. That was the rule anyway.
"I was wondering. . . Did you umm. . . get to talk with James yet about. . . about. . ?" Lily asked as she shifted her weight from her left foot to her right, and back again, clearly anxious to know what James had said in response to this news.
"I certainly did," Sirius answered without giving away the information she wanted so badly.
"Well. . . What did he say?" Her anticipation was easy to see now.
"Not much really," Sirius began, and he saw Lily's face fall, and the hope in her eyes begin to dissipate, so he continued. "It would be more appropriately described as he exploded with glee. He even went as far as to give me a hug. I swear I could almost see his brain cells dancing," Sirius laughed.
"So he might ask me out again?" Lily was openly begging for information now.
"My guess is that by the next Hogsmeade trip, you two will be glued arm in arm wandering all through the village like a couple of lovesick puppies."
"You said that slightly sarcastically. Should I be worried?"
"Only if you, Lily-bug, have not had that possibly needed conversation with a certain Hufflepuff beater named Kaity, by then."
"Sirius, I can assure you that conversation will not be necessary. I happened to overhear her say something at breakfast which would greatly please you," snickered Lily. "In fact, I believe I even heard her say she would be practicing by herself on the Quidditch pitch today, if anyone needed her," she added with a sly smile that Sirius didn't seem to catch.
"Well then, I believe that concludes our matters of business. Thank you Miss Evans. I feel I must go fetch my broom." And with that, the dashing Sirius Black sped off in search of his broom.
Men who believe themselves in love are quite the clowns of modern age, Lily mused to herself. I wonder when James plans on. . . Darn! There I go again, getting lost in my thoughts. And since when do I daydream about James? I wonder-
"BOO!" shouted a deep voice as two large hands began tickling her ribs mercilessly.
"Ahh!" Lily screamed as she turned to look at the messy haired boy who was now looking at her intensely rather than tickling her. He looks so sweet right now.
"So where was it I saw my best friend running off to just a moment ago, would you happen to know?" James asked grinningly, flinging his arm around Lily's shoulders. They began walking back down to the lake, where Lily had just come from, but was where James was heading them.
Lily hugged the book she had been reading earlier, which had been hanging by her side, to her chest. In a teasing voice she responded, "I would happen to know. He ran off to go fetch his broom so he could chase after the Hufflepuff he fancies so much."
"Did she really run away from him that fast?" James joked, "Or was there another purpose for him needing his broom in this particular chase?"
"The latter," Lily giggled. "It would seem her plans for the day include several flying exercises, which, I presume, Sirius will now want to help her with."
"Hmmm. . . you seem more informed about his love escapades than I do. What other secrets do you hold, Miss Evans?" James teased.
Lily glanced up to his face and laughed at the cock-eyed expression he was giving her. "I believe you should know most of them by now."
James thought of the information Sirius had disclosed last night for a second, but swiftly returned his attention back to Lily.
"But let me think. . .hmm. Did you know that Heather and Remus grew up on the same street but never met until they came to Hogwarts?"
"Hmm, yes, I believe I did know that," answered James while 'thoughtfully' rubbing his chin.
"Darn, let's try again." Lily replied as she noticed a group of fourth years staring at her and James as they walked past the Great Hall. Her plan was working. "Let's see. Did you know that Peter once asked out April, and she nearly said yes out of pity?"
"Actually, I think I did now that."
"Really?" Lily asked almost bewilderedly.
"Yup. Remember those two weeks in fifth year when Sirius and April dated?"
Lily nodded. "And you kept trying to convince me we should double."
James blushed a little but continued. "Well, it would seem that she told Sirius that little fact one night while they were going out. Sirius was so shocked, he told everyone n the dormitory. It's a good thing Peter was asleep or he would've fallen off his bed."
Lily chuckled at the thought, and the wind carried the sound lithely through the air. They were outside now. James' arms till over Lily's shoulders, walking toward a large, deserted maple tree on the edge of the lake. Of course, now that they were outside, there were also a lot more people looking at them.
"Ignore the others," James muttered to Lily as he felt her tense under his arm. "Live in the moment. Relax." He was pleased when he felt her do so.
They continued walking towards the tree in companionable silence. When they got to the tree, James slid his arm down to Lily's hand and pulled her down to the base of the trunk.
As James leaned his head back against the rough bark and stared at the sky, Lily though about doing the same for a moment, but then decided James' shoulder looked much more comfortable. So instead that was where she let her head rest. She grinned a bit when she felt James' muscles jump a small bit when they felt her do so. Then it was quiet except for the noise of the other students, the lake, the wind, and the birds for a few seconds, the shade covering from the sun's glare.
"Hey, Lily?" James started.
"Yeah, James?" Lily asked with her eyes closed, head still leaning against him.
"I was just wondering….I'm you seem like…..ummm….if I asked you out now, wou-would you go out with me? Maybe Hogsmeade in two weeks?" James finally got out.
Lily's eyes flew open, and she lifted her head just enough to peer into his eyes. On James' face she saw none of the prattish moron she usually saw asking her out. No, rather she saw earnestness covering worry, which covered hope, which covered an even deeper adoration on the face of a truly great young man. And the only focus of his eyes was her own, and her mind was made up.
"James, you've really grown. Now you are exactly the kind of person whose affections I feel I could return." Her face, which before had been stoic, now filled with an easy and vibrant glow, "so yes, I will go out with." A small pause, "James, I would even be your girlfriend if you wished."
The look on his face couldn't be anything but the purest joy. "In this case, that is precisely what I wish."
"Good," said Lily, smile still stuck to her face.
And this time when her head reached James' shoulder, she felt his head meet the top of hers and his hand find hers. Through Lily's smile a sigh escaped, and James felt he couldn't get happier.
AN: Just so everyone knows, it is still Friday where I live, so I am not a liar. I simply forgot today was Friday. Hope you enjoyed. Happy black friday. Don't forget, the fic day isn't over yet.