"Shit."

Lily Evans dove behind the counter of the Apricot and Aines Boutique. This couldn't be happening. How did he find her? Why was he here?

Kelly stared at Lily as if she were mentally unstable. Lily didn't blame her. She probably was.

Kelly pursed her lips, "I'm missing something, aren't I?"

Shit, Lily thought again, praying that he hadn't seen her. She banged her head against the back of the counter methodically.

"See that bloke that just walked in?"

Kelly squinted, peering over the people in the shop, "The one with the glasses or his friend with the long hair?"

"Glasses," Lily spat like the word had a bad taste. "That's James Potter."

Kelly squinted, "James Potter...oh, that boy from your boarding school that you hate?"

"That's the one," Lily grumbled. Lily thought about the last time she'd seen James. How she agreed to...no. She wouldn't think about it. She couldn't. "And now he's come to torment me."

Kelly smirked, "Or he's come to, you know, Christmas shop. We do work in a shop, Lily. People come in here to buy things."

Lily new Kelly was teasing, but the comment still put her off. Kelly did know about what had transpired between her and James. How Lily had been dreading every moment leading up to when she'd have to see him again.

She didn't know the moment would be so soon.

Kelly shrugged, "I don't think he saw you. Granted, you ran for cover the moment you saw him." She smiled a bit, "He's not at all as you've painted him. He's actually quite handsome."

Lily pulled her knees to her chest. Handsome, yes, and so many other things. "He's very difficult to deal with."

"So are you at the moment," Kelly laughed, flicking back her blonde hair. "Get off the floor, would you?"

"What if he sees me?"

"What do you think he's gonna do? Hit you with laser vision?" Kelly laughed again. Kelly didn't know Lily was a wizard. They'd known each other for a few years and as far as Kelly was concerned, Lily attended Hecate's Co-Educational Boarding School in Scotland.

An obnoxious tone began ringing from behind them. Kelly clicked her tongue, "That'll be the phone." She gestured for Lily to get up, "Man the counter."

"No! What's if he-"

"I've got to get the phone, Lils!" Kelly yelled as she went to the employee door. "I'll just be a moment!"

Shit. Lily was alone at the counter now. She thought leaning over night make her less noticeable. But her red hair would be a dead giveaway.

Lily looked around the small store and saw James and Sirius across the way. Both wore black coats and their Gryffindor scarfs wrapped around their necks.

Kelly was right: James was very handsome. She'd been thinking that for a while...

The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin had everybody in a joyous mood. Even Lily was getting caught in the spirit, though quidditch had never been her cup of tea.

She'd gone to the library before the game to check out a book on Ancient Runes when she ran into James.

"What are you doing in the library?" She asked.

He gave the smirkish grin of his, "Looking for you."

"I didn't even know you knew where the library was."

He laughed, "I've something to ask you."

"It's Evans!" James booming voice bright Lily back to the present. Strongly, she fought the urge to slide back behind the counter again.

Lily gave an unenthusiastic wave, "What are you doing here?"

"Christmas shopping." James approached her, Sirius in tow. "Do you work here? In a muggle shop?"

Lily nodded, wrinkling her nose, "It pays, Potter. Not all of us will inherit enough money to buy out The Ministry when we came of age."

Her snarky comment did not bother him. They never did. In fact, it made him smile, as if he took her constant rude comments as high compliments.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" Lily asked.

"Christmas shopping," he repeated.

She rolled her eyes, "Are there no shops where you live?"

"What?"

"Why'd you come all the way out to Spinner's End? You don't live near here." Lily tapped her finger along the counter.

James gave a flirtatious smile, "Keeping tabs on me?"

"Don't flatter yourself," Lily deadpanned. "Remember, a few weeks ago you asked where I lived? I said 'Spinner's End' and you said 'Where's that?'." She looked for some sign that he understood but he gave none. "You don't live over here, Potter, so why are you here?"

James picked up a small porcelain pig sitting on the counter and rolled it between his fingers, "We're staying with Peter for the weekend. He lives over here."

"Moony's staying with us too," Sirius added, looking happy to finally have something to add to the conversation.

Lily studied them, "Well, it's been wonderful chatting with you two. Now leave."

Kelly walked out from the back, holding a box of merchandise in front of her, "Lils, that was Veronica. She said that she wants me to close tonight, so you can leave now if you like."

Shit, Lily thought as a sly smile grew on James's face. She'd been dreading this moment for all of the Christmas holiday. She didn't know it would be so soon.

"What?" Lily asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Lately, being around James had been giving her this weird feeling for in her stomach. She'd always had very strong feelings for him, but now they were becoming more positive then negative.

"How's about we make a bet?" James said. "If Gryffindor loses today, I'll stop talking to you for three months."

"Sounds great," Lily replied.

He grinned, "But if we win, you agree to go on a date with me."

Lily thought for a moment. If he'd asked her this last year, she would've said no immediately. But this time was different. Three months was a long time and Gryffindor was not favored to win.

Lily squinted, "Just one date."

James nodded, but his smile showed that he had confidence that this one would lead to more.

She held out her hand, "Deal."

"How's about we grab a bite to eat?" James asked, putting down the little pig statue and leaning towards her. Lily saw Kelly watching them from across the store, obviously more interested in them than the ornaments she was restocking.

Lily shrugged, "That might be an awkward outing for Sirius."

James laughed, "Sirius wouldn't be there."

"Why are we talking about me like I'm not here?" Sirius said with a pout. James didn't acknowledge him. "Whatever. I'll just wait outside." He turned and left, leaving the two of them alone.

James leaned closer, and Lily was afraid he might be able to hear her heart pounding. Smug, impertinent, jerk. Toying with me like I'm that stupid snitch he carries around with him.

Lily backed up, tiding up the counter, "How's about we don't go on a date and say we did?"

James shook his head, "We had a deal, Evans." Lily sighed, but she knew he was right. Gryffindor had won and now Lily was in his debt. I can't believe this is happening.

James continued, "I'll be the perfect, gentlemen." He placed his right hand on his heart, "I'll open the door for you and pull out your chair. I'll pay for your meal and we can talk about whatever you like. You don't even have to kiss me."

"Oh, I wasn't planning too," Lily added. She exhaled, "Fine, I'll go with you. Just let me clock out."

It was probably the best day of James Potter's life.

Lily Evans (Lily Evans!) was on a date with him. He couldn't believe this was happening.

He was so happy Gryffindor had won, it was almost like fate. He was so happy he saw Lily in the shop. Again, it seemed like fate.

And actually, their conversation was going really well. James was hoping he could show her that he was more than just the meat head she thought he was. He wanted to show her that there were other parts of him.

And he wanted her to like those other parts.

She'd just been telling a funny story about how she'd accidentally turned her sister's dolls into snakes when they were younger. Her laugh was absolutely adorable, like bells or rain drops or something.

James smiled, "I turned Snape's school books half-spider one time. They'd crawled all around the school."

Lily rolled her eyes, "And then I smacked you for that."

"Yes. You hit very hard." They both laughed and she flushed a little in a very cute way.

Her eyes downcast to her plate, "I wish he hadn't joined up with those disgusting people." She pushed her pasta around her plate. "I know you don't like him very much, but he was my friend. My best friend."

"I know," James added sympathetically. Everyone but Lily knew that Severus definitely thought of Lily as more than a friend. He still did, it seemed, but he had stopped trying to talk to her.

"I hope we don't have a war," Lily said, meeting his eyes. "Everyone says we will, but I hope we don't." Her eyes widened and she laughed nervously, "I'm sorry. That just got really dark."

James shook his head, smiling, "Don't be. I like talking about things with you." He gave a small laugh, "Sorry. That sounded better in my head."

Lily grinned, "You know. You're not so bad, James."

James. She'd called him James. Not Potter, or idiot, or shut-up-go-away. She called him James.

He raised his brow, "Am I good enough to get a kiss?"

She sipped her drink, "Don't push your luck."

For some reason, Lily agreed to let James walk her home. He walked rather close to her and she sort of liked it. Lily had never been on a date. In fact, she'd never been pursued by anyone before. The whole experience was new to her, having someone want to date her. Someone wanting to be something more than a friend.

It was funny that less than two hours ago she'd been dreading spending time with him. He was such a different person when they were alone together. He wasn't "Potter" anymore, he was just James. And Lily liked James. She liked him a lot.

She didn't want the date to end just yet so they took a detour and walked to the small park near her house. She used to come here all the time was Severus and now she was here with James. How peculiar time could be.

It was an old playground; it was rusted and worn from years of play. Snow had dusted over everything, the swings, the slide, and the monkey bars. The little creek was frozen as well.

"I haven't been on a swing in years," James said with a laugh. His laugh was warm, like a campfire or a blanket. They both took a swing and sat, swaying back and forth from the rickety old chains.

"I used to come here a lot when I was little," Lily said with a sad smile. "I haven't been back for a long while."

"Did you come here with Snape?"

Lily froze. Severus was never a topic James brought up...well, not on purpose. In fact, it was a topic no one ever brought up around Lily at all.

But Lily nodded all the same. "We were best friends once."

"I know."

Lily felt a lump in her throat. She realized that she'd never really talked about Severus with anyone...not after the incident.

She took a deep breath, "I met him here. My family are all muggles so I knew that I was...different. I came here to show Petunia what I could do and she said I was a freak and told out mother. Mum thought Petunia was just making it up and told me to stop scarring her." She looked over at James, feeling rather stupid. He wouldn't care about this, he hated Snape. "Sorry, I know you don't really care-"

"And then what happened?" He asked, his eyes still locked on her. His eyes were so piercing she thought he was looking straight into her heart.

She shrugged, "Well, then I met Severus and he told me that he was just like me. That we were special. And for someone who was constantly told that they were a freak, it was nice to hear. We were friends for a long time after that. Around fourth year he started in with the wrong crowd, but he was never mean to me. It bothered me that he was friends with them, but he never wanted to talk about it. My friends wondered why I still hung out with him. I was wondering the same.

"Later I found out the awful things that they were doing and told him to stop. It just got worse from there until..." Lily didn't have to say it. James knew what she was talking about. That day after O.W.L.s testing. The worse day of her life. When the person who was supposed to be her best friend called her a mudblood. The person who had once called her special called her a freak.

Lily shook her head, "I'm sorry, that certainly didn't lighten the mood."

James gave a kind smile, "No, it just... I don't know you at all, do I?"

Lily kicked her legs, giving her swing motion, "I haven't really let you."

He began swinging as well and they stopped talking for a little while.

Lily laughed at him, "Bet I can swing higher."

He smirked, "If I can swing higher than you, can I get a kiss?"

Lily smirked, "I see you're back to your usual self." But she couldn't hold her cold demeanor. They laughed like little children.

Until the chain on James's swing broke and he plummeted to the ground.

Lily stuck out her heels, digging them into the ground and stopping herself.

"James!" She yelped, rushing to him. He moaned something under his breath and grasped his elbow. "Are you hurt?"

He shook his head, "I'm not bad, just bleeding. Probably bruised myself."

"You're so stupid."

"Are you honestly blaming me for the swing breaking?!"

Lily rolled her eyes, "Force of habit. But don't give me a heart attack like that, Potter." With her right hand, she scooped up some snow and handed it to him. "Put this on your elbow. It'll help." She stood. Offering her hand, "Let's get you to my house. I don't live far. I could get you some bandages."

James nodded and they started on their way.

Lily's mom squinted, studying James Potter from behind the kitchen counter. He was lying on the couch in the other room, ice placed on where he'd bruised himself.

Lily didn't like the way her mother was studying James. It looked like her mother knew a secret, something Lily didn't know.

"So this is that boy you hate?" Her mother said just loud enough for Lily to hear.

Lily shrugged, washing her hands in the sink, "I don't hate him..."

"You refer to him as 'Bloody James Potter.'"

"Mum! He'll hear you!"

Her mother smiled, "Sorry," she whispered. "You two were on a date?"

Lily didn't meet her mother's eyes, "Not a date. Not really."

Her mother clicked her tongue, turning to glance at James again, "He's a very handsome young man."

"Mum!"

She raised her arms in surrender, "I'm just saying. And you're an amazing girl, Lily. I think he may fancy you."

Lily swallowed, "No one fancies me." She grabbed a towel and dried off her hands, methodically rubbing them together. "Besides, I'm just helping him. Then he'll leave."

Her mother shrugged, "He can stay as long as he likes. I'll go upstairs. Leave you two some space."

"Mum..." Lily protested, but her mother just gave a smirk of a smile and retreated to the stairwell.

Now it was just Lily alone. With James Potter. In her house.

Ugh.

She walked over to the couch slowly, as if trying not to make a sound. Her efforts must've failed because he turned over his shoulder and smiled at her.

"Hey," She said.

He smiled, "Hey."

"How're you?"

He clicked his tongue, "Well, other than the bruised rear end and my crippling embarrassment, I'm fine."

She laughed, "You don't have to feel embarrassed."

"I broke a swing. Who the hell breaks a swing?"

Lily sat down near his feet, staring at him, "Well, if it's any consolation, I did have a fun time on our date."

He perked up, "Really?"

She nodded, "Yes. I did."

"I felt sort of ridiculous."

"Yeah...well..." Lily leaned closer to his face, brushing back some of his dark, messy hair. She wasn't sure why, it just felt natural.

James grabbed her hand not letting her pull away from him. She didn't care. She didn't want to.

"So you refer to me as James Bloody Potter?"

Lily laughed, "So you heard that?"

He nodded, "I heard most of it. You really think no one fancies you?"

She shrugged, leaning on her arm, "Not really."

James smirked, "Christopher Dugan fancies you." Lily raise a brow. "And Samuel Francis. Johan Carpenter...and..." He swallowed, "Well, me."

Lily wasn't sure she'd heard him right. His expectant look told her that she had.

The clock in the living room chimed the hour.

"It's really late," She said, backing away from him. "You're parents are probably missing you."

James reached up, trailing a hand through her hair. "I'm staying at Peter's remember. I doubt they care."

"Oh...yeah..." Lily said laughing a bit. "It's midnight. That means it's Christmas Eve."

"Almost Christmas," he pulled her in a little bit closer. Lily was starting to feel a magic that she hadn't felt before. It bubbled up inside of her and made her feel warm.

James rested his hand on the back of her neck and brought her closer to him.

He meant to kiss her. And she meant to kiss him.

With a loud creak, the front door opened.

Lily backed away from James as though he were on fire. She turned over her shoulder to see Petunia walking in with her usual sour expression. It became even tarter when she saw James on the couch.

"Who is this?" Petunia said in her taught sounding voice.

"James Potter," he answered quickly. "Lily and I were out and I...er...injured myself."

Petunia pursed her lips, "Hmmm. I'll be upstairs in my room then until he leaves." And with that she quickly dashed up the stairs. They heard a door shut and then no more.

Lily looked back at James and found herself blushing. She'd almost kissed him. She couldn't believe herself.

James sat up, scratched his head and sighed.

"Are you okay?" Lily reached out a hand and he pulled himself up.

He nodded, swinging his legs over the side of the couch. "Still bruised. And disappointed." James nudged her arm, "We probably should've fixed that swing."

She shrugged, "It'll be fine. You should get back to your friends."

"Damn my friends," he said. "Sorry."

Lily smirked, "It's quite all right. Though you really must go. It is very late. My mother will be suspicious. Can you apparate?"

James nodded, "I actually don hurt that bad."

"What?"

He shifted, "I was sort of...lying about the pain."

Lily studied him, "Why?"

"Well..." He moved closer to her, "So I could spend more time with you." Lily felt that wonderful anticipation again. She wants him closer to her. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted... "Do I get that kiss now?"

Lily squinted, "You are impossible."

James gave the most egotistical of grins and finally kissed her.