James couldnât sleep.
Ever since the Quidditch match, Lily had been less anxious to leave a room as he entered it. During classes, she often smiled or whispered jokes between assignments. He had tried not to notice, but it was very difficult not to gaze into her almond-shaped eyes for hours.
Well, until... him...
Lily sat in Transfiguration, a few days after the Quidditch match. Sadly, this was not her best subject. Professor McGonagall was a great teacher, but the spells were more difficult, required more instantaneous magic. Charms was more up Lilyâs alley: imagining what her task, performing the spell, and it was done.
Now, James was an entirely different matter.
She had dreamed the night of the Quidditch match that James had flown her to bed⌠It was a strange dream, but oddly comforting. Being around James had always been comfortable, even if it hadnât been enjoyable. Lily had never been afraid to stand up to him and say â“ shout â“ exactly what she wanted. Often, she found it therapeutic.
âI knew you would,â whispered Hannah over her horklump.
âWould what?â Lily retorted under her breath. It was difficult enough to concentrate, never mind gossip while do so.
âFall for him.â
Her emerald eyes flared. âWhat are you talking about? I am not falling for James.â
After a pause (and a small squeak from the horklump), Hannah responded. âI never said a name, Lily.â Hannah grinned knowingly.
Unfortunately, Hannahâs predictions had a tendency to be true. Madam Chariclo, the Divination teacher, was one of Hannahâs biggest fans.
Lily made every attempt to get rid of her thoughts of James, but they kept sneaking up on her. Like now.
At the end of the period, James was talking with Sirius and Remus, joking it seemed, not bothering to rush back to the common room.
God, he looks amazing.
What? Lily was shocked that such a thought had formed in her head. Not just formed, but practically spilled from her mouth.
At that second, James looked up, and smiled even wider. She tried to smile back, but wasnât entirely sure it had worked⌠he did look amazingâŚ. NO, he DIDNâT! What was wrong with her?
Before she got herself into any more trouble, Lily swept from the room.
That night at dinner, Lily could barely eat. Every time she looked up, her eyes seemed to wonder over towards⌠him.
âHey, Lily!â said a voice behind her.
Still very confused, Lily turned. âHello, Michael.â
Of course, Michael Pretone. He was a Ravenclaw, also a seventh year, and in line with James. Unfortunately for Michael, he had none of Jamesâ Quidditch talent, or his hair, or his eyes, orâŚ
âHow are you?â he asked.
âPretty good,â she lied back. James was staring at her, and she was doing all she could not to turn her attention from Michael.
âGood.â Why was he acting so nervous? âWell, actually Lily, I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade with me?â
Whoa. If ever her focus had been wavering, it was back. Date Michael? Umm, no, thanks. âThatâs a little far off,â said Lily, stunned.
âI know,â Michael said, now looking desperate, âso maybe we could hang out before then. How about Saturday?â
Jessica and Hannah had noticed as well. Michael was standing, looking down at Lily as though he might cry, and she felt extremely cornered. âAlright, I suppose.â
âReally?â
âYes, Iâd love to.â Somewhere behind her Hannah snorted, but no one else noticed.
âGreat! Well⌠Iâll see you later, then.â
Lily nodded, very cool.
As he walked away, she tried to return to her food. Jessica was trying to catch Lilyâs eye, but failing.
What had she done? Michael Pretone, the dork who constantly was asking for homework help from every girl in school? And she was dating him?
âLily, are you â“â
âIâm going upstairs,â said Lily. As she swung her bag onto her shoulder, she saw James. His usually contagious smile was nowhere to be found; he looked as though someone had told him that he was now in charge of controlling the Slytherins.
For a fraction of a second, she considered running over, apologizing profusely, and telling him she would gladly go out with him instead. But next second, she had reminded herself: You donât like him.
What did she owe him? He was an arrogant prat, playing every girl within these stone walls, and he had no right to dictate her dating choices.
Now completely disgruntled, she walked hastily from the Great Hall. Half way up the stairs, fiery hair flying behind her, someone called her back.
âLily! Hey, Evans!â James.
She stopped but didnât turn. He caught up with her on the third floor landing.
âLily!â His hazel eyes appeared from behind his thin-framed glasses several inches above her natural line of sight.
âWhat is it, Potter, Iâve got homework?â She hoisted her bag higher on her shoulder for effect.
He was giving her that same downtrodden look as before. âAre you dating that Pretone bloke?â he asked bluntly.
âYes.â
He laughed hollowly, but didnât speak. After an excruciating second, struggling with himself, he smiled sourly and walked up toward the tower.
âJames!â she called, running after him.
âWhat?â he called back. His robes billowed as he took long strides up the huge stairs.
âNo need to take that tone,â she chorused angrily. She was supposed to be the one storming off, not him!
âJust because youâre beautiful, Lily, doesnât mean you can lecture people.â
Her stomach did an involuntary flip at this, but she suppressed it. âIâm not lecturing you, I just wanted to ask you something.â
They were still climbing the stairs; her breath was extremely shallow, and he was pushing her nerves past endurance.
âAsk away.â Had they not been arguing, he would have been flashing one of his killer smiles right about now. The kind that made every girl swoonâŚ
âWhy do you care?â
He stopped here. They were standing just down the hall from the Fat Ladyâs portrait.
âWhy do I care?â he repeated. He looked at her, and whatever bitterness had been in his voice was not in his eyes. She realized her own anger was vanishing quickly. âBecause, Lily, youâre am â“â
âLily!â
Both Lily and James turned, mid-gaze, and looked at who had interrupted them. Michael Pretone was strolling up the corridor.
âLily, I forgot,â he said. He was holding some piece of parchment. Beside her, Jamesâ face was hardening, and he looked at her one last staggering time before shaking his head and entering the portrait hole.
âWhatâs his problem?â Michael asked, stepping beside Lily.
She wanted to yell at Michael, to tell him to go back, and have James come back into the hall. Her auburn hair fell into her face, and she swept it back slowly. God, this was a nightmare.
âAnyway, you didnât get a chance to write down my schedule.â
âThanks,â was all she could muster. His schedule? He had interrupted them about a class listâŚ
âSee you tomorrow, then.â He gave her a peck on the cheek, smiled, and walked off.
The next few weeks were hell. Classes were getting more complicated, and the entire situation with Lily and⌠Michael was making Jamesâ head spin.
Sirius and Remus were sportingly trying to help, but neither had succeeded. Every single second James was trying to think about her, it got worse. She was so much smarter than that idiot Pretone boy, and he was ugly. What was so special about him?
Whenever he and Lily were forced in a room together, they spoke in short sentences and didnât stay long. He wished she would just yell at him, give him an excuse to make her admit she didnât really like Michael. And then there was the kiss⌠He hadnât forgotten that kiss, over a month ago. They hadnât talked about it â“ acknowledged it even â“, but he wanted to find that Pretone bloke and (after sufficient beating with Siriusâ beater club) make sure he knew who Lily had last kissed.
Sleep was not happening tonight.
In order to get out some energy, he walked over to the window, putting on his glasses, and sat on the bench overlooking the lake. Suddenly, something down on the grass caught his attention.
Out on the grounds, a girl with long red hair was walking around the lake.
James looked at the clock-- it was well past midnight.
What in the world is Lily doing outside? Itâs against the rules⌠thought James.
Pulling on some jeans, a sweatshirt and his trainers, James rushed out of the common room and sped up to his room. Reaching under his bed, James pulled out the invisibility cloak and Marauderâs map. He ran down past the fireplace, through the portrait hole and along the corridors. When he finally got to the front gate, James opened up his map and saw that Lily was still at the lake. James quickly found the secret door around the dungeons out to the grounds, ran out under the cloak, and went to find Lily.
When he had reached her, he stayed invisible so as not to scare her. James saw Lily was pacing, hair and robes fluttering in the light breeze, apparently debating with⌠herself. He pulled off his cloak as Lily turned away; straightening up and dusting himself off, James cleared his throat.
Lily gasped and backed up a few steps. âPotter! What the⌠Please, I canât be seen! How late is it?â she rambled, pulling out her watch.
âPast one, I think,â replied James. He was more terse than he might have been a year ago. âLily darling, you shouldnât be out of bed.â
âIâm not supposed to be out here!â she went on, very annoyed by his pet name-calling. âDonât call me that, James. I am kind of⌠thinking, so can you⌠you know, go inside?â
His next words seemed to tumble from his mouth before he could bite them back. âI wanted to talk to you.â
Sighing, Lily nodded, crossing her arms across her chest in impatience. âWhat is it, then?â
âRemember in Diagon Alley?â Again, he had no idea why these words were coming from his mouth.
She didnât meet his eyes, but managed to splutter, âWe kissed.â
âGlad you remember,â he said quickly. âI wanted to ask you what that was.â She obviously didnât understand. âYouâve been acting like it never happened. Enlighten me. Are we going to go on, forever, pretending it was some sort of illusion?â
âI⌠donât want to talk about it!â Lily told him loudly.
âNo need to shout. Itâs just a question,â James replied, trying not to upset her further.
âI said I donât want to talk about it!â yelled Lily, infuriated with his calm demeanor. She was raging inside, and the only outlet was him.
âJust an answer! Thatâs all! Itâs not hard!â James said loudly so as to match her tone, but equally as mad.
âJames, that was⌠not real, OK?â Lily shouted at him, eyes flashing lethally.
âNot real?â She looked for a moment sad, as though the hurt look on his face was angering her.
âNo! NoâŚI â“ I⌠James, please listen to me. I just⌠I justâŚâ She swayed on the spot. He rushed over to help her but she stepped back.
âIâm fine, just let me get this out. James -â she said, looking him straight in the eyes. âJames, that was most honest second I have ever had with myself, and since then Iâve been trying to tell myself that that was just me being hormonal and tired and crazy. Iâve been denying thatâŚI have never felt more right in doing anything.
âIf you have given up, or you donât care anymore, I understand. I just thought you should know.â She took a deep breath. âYou, James Potter, are without a doubt, the only, once and forever love of my life.â
They looked at each other for several seconds, which felt more like years.
âI may like Quidditch, Lily, but I donât like games.â
âI get that you donât believe me,â she said, and something in her voice was pleading. âWhy would you? But Michael is nothing. All of those guys, theyâre nothing. Youâre so great and I am so, so sorry I hurt your feelings.â
Shock was spreading through him. Ecstasy, showed by skepticism. âDo you want to go out with me?â he asked.
âYes,â she said, and, at long last, she smiled. âI would be happy to,â she added.
âWhy? Why now?â He was confused, and as much as he wanted to believe her, he knew it could all be some sort of trick. A cruel joke.
âI donât know,â Lily replied honestly. âIf I did know, Iâd tell you. There are so many little things. But every time I see you now, all I can think is, âWhat did I do?ââ
âYouâre not joking, are you?â
She looked at him, emerald eyes over bright and earnest. âNo.â
And he believed her. âYou know I could never turn down an invitation like that.â
She was laughing, or crying, he couldnât tell, but he moved forward and caught her kiss. Fireworks, better than any combination he had invented or bought from any shop, lit the air around them. He was kissing Lily Evans, the girl of his dreams, and she wasnât pulling away.
He broke for air, smiling, and was even happier to see she was smiling too. He touched his forehead to herâs, smelling her wonderful scent.
âIs there any chance Michael Pretone is awake?â he asked, never losing his smile.
âWhy?â she whispered, slightly shocked.
âHis arrogant little face would just make this night too good to be true.â
She smirked. âHeâll be gone tomorrow.â
âVery good,â said James, nodding. âOne last thing, then.â
They were standing now in a small garden, near the side of the school that opened up onto the lakeâs lawn. Cool, stone steps led back to the castle, and graceful wooden benches adorned the yard between flowering bushes. He lowered her onto a bench.
âWhatâs that?â asked Lily, tilting her head to one side.
He couldnât stop himself â“ he wasnât sure if he meant it or not â“ but he dropped to one knee. âLily Evans, will you marry me?â
She laughed smilingly, then not sure he was joking, asked âWhat?â
âSorry,â he said, getting up. âSwept up, wonât happen again.â He stood up and looked down at her (he was nearly a foot taller).
âThat wasnât funny,â Lily said, smiling largely now. They sat on the bench for several minutes, not speaking.
âJames?â she said, into his arm.
âHmm?â
âWhat were you going to say when Michael interrupted us?â She didnât have to say when.
Grinning again â“ or was it still? â“ he looked at her. âThat you are amazing, and gorgeous. And smart. And funny. That youâre the most amazing girl in the entire world, and if you would go on one date with me I could explain how much I like you.â
She looked at him, feeling cool water in her eyes. âI really like you, James Potter." She stood up.
He hugged her; she was lost in his broad, protective shoulders and comforting arms.
âWeâŚ. We need to get back to bed.â
He arched an eyebrow.
âTo our dormitories, you prat, not a brothel.â
With a fake sigh, he held her hand tightly. They walked very slowly (it was far more difficult than she thought to walk and kiss), but eventually made it back to bed, without being seen.
After an eternity in the empty halls, they found themselves back in the common room.
âGoodnight,â she said sweetly. He wouldnât release her hand, not yet. It was like a dream he didnât want to wake from.
âCanât you just come upstairs?â
She looked offended. âJames, I donât want you to think â“â
âYou can sleep on my bed,â he interrupted, âand I can sleep⌠under⌠the bed.â
This time, she raised an eyebrow. âThat makes no sense. Goodnight.â
Lily made her way, reluctantly, to her room, and had opened the door a crack when she noticed a light was on. Beth and Jessica were still awake.
Quickly, and unsure as to why, Lily closed the door, and raced back downstairs.
James was still standing in the same spot, though truly amused. âGood morning, sunshine.â
âTheyâre⌠theyâre awake!â whispered Lily frantically. âOh, god! Theyâre all going to want an explanation, and then the entire school will know⌠oh, god!â She swore, temper rising.
He chuckled. âMy, my, Evans, you donât disappoint.â
âBe quiet, Potter, Iâm trying to work this out.â She walked around, not noticing Jamesâ widening grin. âWhat?â she demanded finally.
âLooks like my solution is the only way,â James said, shrugging. âShame, isnât it? Oh well!â
She looked imploringly at him, then at the sofa, the stairs. âLet the record show that I refuse to do anything of a less than proper nature.â
âThe record will put it in bold ink,â James said, nodding. He took her hand supportively, and they walked up the stairs.
The boys dormitory was lit only by moonlight â“ a glorious crescent moon was shining in. Jamesâ bed was the second on her right, the only empty bed.
She walked over to his bedside. Pictures of his parents, of the Marauders, a few magazines, and an Auror booklet covered his stand. Instantly she was drawn to the Auror pamphlet.
âYou are?â she asked in a whisper, picking it up and showing it to him.
âYeah.â
She was impressed; he tried not to look too pompous. Reflexively, she yawned.
âYouâre tired!â he said, remembering the hour.
âAnd you,â she said, with a coy smile, âare in no fashion watching me undress.â
âUndress into what, exactly?â
She didnât answer.
âI have my Quidditch robes?â he offered, in the same hushed tone.
âTheyâll do,â she said, accepting them as he drew his scarlet and gold robes from his armoire. âTurn around.â
He obeyed, and heard her unzip something, then several rustles of fabric, and then the creak of bedsprings.
âThank you,â she said. Her auburn hair was clashing with his gold-and-scarlet robes, but her emerald eyes shone.
âNever been more welcome.â James, trying to feel tired, found his pajamas and went to the bathroom to change. When he emerged, Lily had eased herself down in the bed; she looked comfortable. Her eyes traveled quickly over his loose shirt and plaid pants, before resting in his eyes.
âGoodnight,â she said, yet again.
He could tell she was asleep within minutes, but he wasnât as lucky. After a long sustained silence from Lily, James stood up from his make-shift bed of blankets under his real bed. She looked so beautiful, sleeping. Her perfume would be on his pillows for a long while after, as well, he was sure. Resigned, he pulled the curtains shut around her protectively, and got back on the floor.
Some part of him couldnât believe it. The rest of him was yearning to shout, âYAY!â at the top of his lungs. When he finally did sleep, it was only with the knowledge of what he had gained, and what he had to keep up with.
The next morning was Saturday. No one in Jamesâ suite usually got up before 10 oâclock on weekends, unlike this morning. This morning, Sirius Black â“ who had not heard James come back from his rendezvous with Lily the night before â“ woke up worried about his best friend. He rolled over in his bed, looked at the clock on his nightstand to see that it was just past seven A.M.
Lily wouldnât hurt James, would she? thought Sirius. She has got some temperâŚ
As early as it was, Sirius could not go back to sleep, and so proceeded to wake Remus and ask about their missing friend.
âHuh, what?â asked a groggy Remus.
âWell, Moony old boy! Seems our Prongs got lucky last night, âcause he didnât come backâŚâ Sirius let the rest go unsaid.
âNope. Sorry to disappoint, but I heard him come in at about one or one-thirty. I could have dreamt it, but â“â
Just then, Sirius noticed that Jamesâ hangings were closed.
âLook, Moony. He never does thatâŚâ Sirius whispered slowly.
Remus looked over at the bed, and forgetting his sleepiness, he rolled out from the warmth of his four-poster. Sirius led the way slowly toward the bed, where he gradually removed the drapes. The two boys stared down at the scene before them.
Lily was wrapped in Jamesâ spare Quidditch robes.
Remus gaped. âOh my god.â
Just as he was about to approach her, Remus tripped over an arm on the floor. Jamesâ arm.
âWell done, JAMES!â Sirius shouted. James woke suddenly. Realizing his current position â“ under Lily and in front of his friends, a.k.a. ânot goodâ â“ he put his finger to his mouth for quiet, and stood up, ushering his friends away from Lily. This protective thing wouldnât go away.
âFine,â Sirius whispered, trying not to howl with laughter. âWell, Prongsy, I knew sheâd come to her senses⌠though, I did not know sheâd come so fast, or so farâŚâ
âJames, please explain yourself before Sirius here goes blabbing theâŚerâŚmore elaborate version all over the place,â said Remus, serious but smiling.
âAlright, but if you tell anyone you will no longer have any desire to date.â They nodded. âWell,â James began diplomatically, âweâre sort of⌠togetherâŚâ
âThe understatement of the year!â said Sirius, throwing his hands in the air.
âAnd last night, she said she needed toâŚstay here, so she did. You both know how long this has takenâ â“ Sirius nodded, looking back at Lily â“ âSo just⌠keep it quiet, alright?â
âUgh. Honestly, James, you take the fun out of pranking and blackmail!â Sirius retorted.
âItâs only temporary,â whispered James thankfully. âBelieve me, I want to make a banner for her and throw a ball in her honor, but â“â
âOh you do, do you?â said Lily, rolling over to see a startled three-quarters of the Hogwarts Pranking Society.
James recovered first. âHi, sweet. How did you sleep?â asked James kindly, brushing the hair out of her eyes.
âIf at all,â Sirius muttered.
âShut up, Padfoot,â James hissed menacingly. âSo, Lils, you did sleep alright, yes?â
She smiled and sat up, careful to keep his robes covering her. âOf course.â .
You're also very, very attractive when Iâve just kissed you â“ mind, I havenât had much practice for that oneâŚâ she added, tracing his lips with her finger.
âAww, yuck! Get a grip, you two!â Sirius said in mock disgust from behind his arms, shielding his face.
Henry Kim and Kyle Brendly, the fifth and sixth Gryffindor boys in the suite were no longer fast asleep. Sirius dragged Peter out of bed, to the door and pushed him out towards the common room. Remus said from the door, âDonât worry. We wonât tell⌠not even Wormtail. See youâŚumâŚlater.â
And with a click of the door, Remus was gone. After they heard him walking downstairs, Lily got up and did several complicated locking charms on the door.
âWow,â James said in awe.
She returned and laughed.
She climbed back next to James who smiled and kissed her cheek.
âHonestly Potter, I didnât lock the door for a peck!â
âYou have no idea how much you saying âPotterâ gets to me,â James admitted, grinning.
âOh, really? Potter⌠Potter ⌠PotterâŚâ she said, kissing him first on the cheek, then on the lips.
âI didnât do anything wrong, did I?â James said worried, when Lily pulled away a few minutes later.
âNo.â She smiled and kissed him lightly. âWe have to stop, though. I have to go break-up with my boyfriend.â
He grimaced.
âUnless you donât want me to,â she said, looking indifferent.
âIf you must, you must,â he said in the same tone.
âThen I should probably go get dressed. Most of the guys arenât used to this outfit.â
They grinned, and she pushed away the covers, exposing her lower legs. âWatch it,â she cautioned, but she couldnât hide her smile.
âHere,â he said, as she neared the door. She caught his invisibility cloak, thankful for something to cover herself. In a second, she had disappeared, and the dormitory room opened, then shut for an invisible user.
He entered the Great Hall for breakfast, sitting with Sirius and Remus in a chair close to where Lily usually sat. He poured himself some cereal, not turning around to face the Ravenclaw table.
âWhat have you done?â asked Remus, careful to keep his voice down.
âI havenât done a thing!â James replied.
âWhatâs she done, then?â Sirius said.
âHad her wicked way with me,â James said happily.
âAnd I was hungry!â said Remus, pushing away his plate.
âI was kidding, Moony. She just went to ditch that stupid Ravenclaw git.â
âWell done,â said Sirius with approval.
âWHAT?â came a shriek from the other side of the hall. Thankfully, it was early for the weekend, otherwise the entire school would have seen Michael Pretone throwing a fit at Lilyâs dismissal.
âI just think we should be friends,â said Lily. She, unlike Michael, was keeping her voice down.
âAl â“ alright, if you want.â He seemed very choked up.
âYouâre really sweet,â said Lily kindly, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
James heard the peck a mile away, and had whipped around to see if she had indeed kissed him. As Michael walked away, sullen faced, Lily was making her way toward the Gryffindor table. She sat next to James on the bench, wrapping her arm in his.
âYou had a nice night, then? Sex wasnât too loud, yeah?â asked Sirius.
âIt was better this way,â said Lily mysteriously. âGood day to you all.â And she slid down to join Hannah, Beth, and Jessica, all of whom were looking perplexed at the Marauders.
James smiled and shrugged. Well played, Evans, well played.
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