(A/N: Real fast, I just want to say that I'm sorry for any POV-related problems, like pronouns and stuff. At first, it was in the I form, as in Lily talking, but then I went through, because I didn't like it, and changed it to the omniscient form or whatever it's called. I'm not the best English-person, so you must excuse me! However, if there is anything that is seriously wrong, feel very free to leave a review, and tell me to fix it! Cause I will. Anyway, thanks! -Lils)
Two: The Surprise of all Surprises
"Hey, Lil. Have you seen Remus?"
"Oh, all the sixth and seventh year Gryffindor boys are out playing Quidditch."
"Weird, isn't it? Guess Dumbledore just felt like letting us out of school for a day. He's off his rocker, he is." Emma said with a laugh.
Lily smiled and tossed the letter from her sister carelessly away.
"What's that?"
"Just a letter from Pet."
"Bet that's good news." Emma said. Lily looked up at her and nodded sarcastically.
"Aren't all her letters?" she muttered.
"Well, they- is that James?" she asked incredulously, staring out Lily's bedroom window.
Worrying about her sanity, Lily slowly turned in her chair to see what Emma was goggling at... Sure enough, James Potter was grinning mischievously at her from her window... Even though her room was up in one of the highest towers that year...
Lily laughed in surprise and pushed the casement open. Leaning over her desk, she grinned disbelievingly at him. "What are you doing?" she asked, with amusement.
James's grin widened. "Come with me."
"What do you-" She stopped, eyeing his broom suspiciously. "But-"
"Please?" he pouted, putting out his bottom lip.
"I..." Lily'd only ever been on one broom- and only because she had to learn how to ride one in first year... She couldn't even recall touching a broomstick since.
"I won't let you fall, Lily."
She opened my mouth to protest, but couldn't. She could only curse James and his puppy-dog-eyes. She found it almost impossible to resist him when he made that face.
"And you won't go too high?" she asked anxiously. He shook his head, and held out his arm.
"I won't- come on! It'll be loads of fun- I've been riding brooms since I can remember, Lil... I'll be careful!"
She shot a nervous glance back at Emma, who smiled back. She turned helplessly back to James and grinned uncertainly. "All right..." She took his offered hand and scrambled up onto the desk, then out the window. James helped her onto the broom, in front of him, wrapping one arm protectively around her. "Okay- I'm already scared..." she muttered, eyes tightly shut. James chuckled and put his warm hand over hers.
"I love you, Lil."
Carefully, she leaned back into him, looking up into his eyes. "I love you, too."
He looked at her in disbelief... Okay, so maybe not disbelief, really, but shock. She'd never said it to him… But she meant it.
"You mean that." He said quietly. Sometimes she got the impression he could read minds... Merlin, she loved him even more for it.
Lily nodded. "I mean it."
She twisted around the best she could and kissed him tenderly on the lips, wishing this moment could last forever...
Even if it meant she would have to get over her fear of heights.
----
Two weeks later, on their sixth month anniversary, James told Lily he had something exciting planned- and Lily, thinking he was going to lead her to a secret dragon, or a sleeping troll at the least, was a bit reluctant to follow him. He could only tell her she should trust him more.
"Where does this tunnel lead to again?" she whispered anxiously, trying to ignore the creepy feeling she got from the loudly dripping ceiling. Stumbling slightly on a rock, she pulled back on James's hand, causing both to stop.
"You'll see," he said mysteriously, grinning at her over his shoulder. "What, don't you trust me?"
"No, I trust you, it's just that-"
"All right then!" He winked impishly and pulled her forward (somewhat reluctantly on her part...) again. "Not much farther, anyway... Ah- here it is!" He gestured toward a dark set of stone stairs that lead up- and out of sight.
It took nearly five minutes to climb all the way up to the top, where James pointed to a tiny sliver of faint light directly above their heads. "Here we are..." He let go of her hand and pushed up on the ceiling near the crack of light. Once the trap door was up, he jumped out lightly and held his arm down to help her up.
"This... This is Honeydukes!" Lily breathed, feeling much more impressed than she would have been with, say the dragon she'd expected. "We're in Hogsmeade?"
"We sure are... Now- shall we, my lady?"
----
They went to get a drink in the Three Broomsticks, where Madame Rosmerta served them a midnight snack (even though our pockets were bursting with Honeyduke's best sweets) and free butterbeer. She said it was the least she could do. Lily imagined she was a bit happy that all four Marauders hadn't been brought along- to wreck havoc on her pub.
After an hour or so, James decided it would be best to go back to the castle- they were half way down the second-floor corridor, when they heard a loud shuffle and a voice croak, "Where are they, my sweet?"
James spun around, staring down the corridor. "Filch..." he muttered, taking Lily's hand.
"And it's past midnight!" she said urgently, pulling him away from the sound of Filch's muttering.
"Run!" James whispered as a door at the opposite end of the corridor flew open.
They sprinted up two flights of stairs, behind three secret tapestries, and behind a hidden suit of armor, hoping to get away from the wheezing caretaker. "That bloody cat!" James muttered as they rounded a corner. "It's a curse to all of..."
"We've almost got them!" Filch wheezed from behind a cracked door to our left.
"Bloody hell!" James whispered, looking frantically over his shoulder. "Here!" He pulled her over to a door hidden in dark shadow- one Lily wouldn't have even known was there if he hadn't decided to drag her over to it. They squeezed into the tiny space- both thinking it must have been the smallest, darkest bloody closet in all of Hogwarts.
"Well... Maybe they went behind that tapestry of that fairy with gold hair, after all..." Filch muttered disappointedly. Lily put her ear to the door, listening. "We might still catch them..."
His rapid shuffling grew softer... and softer... Until the only sounds heard were each other's rapid breathing.
"Think he's gone?" Lily whispered. But at the same moment, she heard a dull thud and James's muffled, "Ow! Bloody bucket... right in the way..."
"So that's a yes?" she muttered sarcastically.
"If he didn't hear that, he doesn't deserve to find us..." James said- she could practically hear him grinning. "But let's wait just another moment..."
Lily nodded and put her ear back to the door. Anything to ignore the fact that something (that something meaning James) extremely warm was pressed right up next to her side... And that James took one of her curls playfully between his fingers.
"How do girls get their hair so soft?" he asked.
Lily laughed. "Some people do actually take care of their hair, you know." She felt him put one hand to his hair.
"I take care of mine!" he said defensively.
She reached up to put her hand on his hair, too. "I'm sorry. It's the best hair I've ever seen." she giggled.
He put his hands on her waist in response. "Lil- you're amazing." He bent down and kissed her softly on the forehead. "Really amazing."
-----
As they walked into the warm common room, Lily looked sideways at James, smiling coyly.
"Er- James? I've realized something." she laughed quietly.
James looked up curiously. "What's that?"
"We're Head Boy and Girl." she said seriously.
"Erm... yeah. We have been all year..." James said with a slight grin. "Are you feeling all right?" he said after a pause.
Lily laughed quietly. "We didn't have to hide from Filch- we could have said we were making our rounds." James's grin faded.
"I hadn't thought of that."
"What can I say? I'm the brilliant one." she teased. James rolled his eyes and, with maturity beyond his years, stuck out his tongue.
----
"James, I had a lot of fun tonight." she said, snuggling closer into his arms. He gave her hand a light squeeze.
"Me too, Lil. Me too."
She smiled, thinking it had undoubtedly been the best six months of her life- she'd never been as happy as she was since she said yes to James.
"James, I... I love you." Lily said softly, making gentle circles on his hand with her thumb. He paused, then brought his hand to her face, turning it so that she had no choice but to look into his hazel eyes.
"I love you, too."
Their eyes stayed locked for one brief moment before then, at the same time, leaned in a bit towards each other...
And everything was right in the world.
----
----
Lily walked slowly down to the lake, watching the sun set in its streaks of fiery orange and yellow. She had homework- essays and reading for Potions, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, but, as she liked to say, why do today what you can always put off until tomorrow?
She picked up that line off Sirius. Emma kept telling her that she was around the Marauders too much... Lily don't think so.
She paused under the shade off the Marauders favorite beech tree. She'd always loved to watch the way the sun set over the lake...
"Hey, Lils."
Lily looked over her shoulder at the sound of James's voice. He smiled and sauntered up beside her. "Whatcha doin'?"
She gestured to the part of the lake where the light was reflected from the sun. "Isn't it beautiful?" she whispered.
He nodded and wrapped one arm around her waist. She put her hand on his and carefully set her head back into his shoulder. "Did I tell you about the letter I got from the Ministry?" she asked calmly and tried her best not to look too excited- even though she knew she was about to burst with happiness.
"No..." he said slowly.
Lily smiled. "You won't believe it..."
"I won't if you don't tell me," he teased, poking her gently in the side... Earning himself a jab in the ribs.
"I got accepted into the Department of Experimental Charms training program I wanted in." she said quietly.
James froze. "You got accepted!" she nodded. "That's good, Lil! I'll have to get the Marauders to help me help you celebrate."
"Erm... I know how you boys celebrate- I'm not sure I want in on it!" she said playfully.
"Ah, fine. Don't let me have an excuse for fun. But I'm happy for you, really." He kissed her cheek.
She smiled. "What about you?" she asked.
"No, not yet." He definitely sounded a bit disappointed.
"You'll get your letter."
"Oh, I know I will sooner or later- but whether or not it's an acceptance or rejection letter is another thing."
"You'll be an auror, James. I have no doubt about it." She started rubbing circles with her thumb on his hand.
He smiled like he did when he didn't believe what she said, but was glad to hear it anyway. His eyes moved back out onto the lake, and he looked suddenly thoughtful, with a far-off look in his eyes. He stayed that way for a moment, then he smiled slightly.
"You okay?" Lily asked.
"I'm fine... Ready to go back to the castle?" He asked, eyes sparkling.
----
"So, I've been thinking, Lil." James said unexpectedly, a few days later, as they were working on their homework. He tossed his quill back down on the table.
"What about?"
"Us."
Lily looked up fearfully. 'Us' could only mean two things... Something really bad, or something really good. "Okay..."
"And since, you know, you're going to be in London, for your Charms training, and I'm going to be in London for my Auror training-"
"You got your letter?!" she cried, all uncertain thoughts vanishing.
"Yeah- today, but that isn't the point-"
"But- you got your letter! How can that not be important to you? I'm so happy, James! I told you you'd get it- if only you'd listened to me all along! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" she said excitedly, sliding closer to him. "Congratulations," She hugged him.
"I know, I'm happy, and it is awesome- but-"
"Hey, Prongs." Peter threw himself into an armchair next to the fire.
"Back from your date?" James asked flatly.
"Yup." He grinned, a dreamy look on his face.
"Good, good... But I need to talk to Lily, could we have a moment?" James said with a hint of impatience, looking around the empty common room. The only other person was a tired looking first year, who, at the sound of James's voice, shuffled quickly toward the boy's dormitories.
"Peter!"
"Oh, right..." he mumbled, picking himself up ff the chair.
"Prat..." James muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Anyway, what was I saying? Oh... Well, I was thinking that since we're both going to be staying in London, it would be pointless for us to be living apart- we're going to be heading off to the same place everyday, anyway- and this way, we could see each other more- that is, if you want to..." James said quickly. He stuttered a bit over his words, and kept running his hand through his hair... A sure sign to Lily that he was nervous.
Obviously, he'd put a lot of thought into it... Lily had thought of it, entertained it briefly when James and she would talk about our futures. She knew deep down that she would like nothing better than to live with him while they did our Ministry training- she didn't want to be away from him, either. Her parents probably wouldn't like the idea, but she was not their little girl anymore.
Lily watched as James fidgeted nervously with a piece of string from the couch, waiting with bated breath for her answer. She was quite enjoying seeing him a bit uncomfortable. "I think it's a great idea. I'd love it."
He stared at her uncertainly, then smiled in relief. "I love you."
"I love you more."
He grinned cheekily. "I love you more."
"I love you more!"
"No, I love you more!"
----
A few weeks later, Lily sat up slowly in my four-poster, wondering what it was that had awaken her . Seeing nothing out of place, she threw back the scarlet covers and stretched her arms comfortably. She took a fresh change of clothes out of her trunk and tip-toed into the bathroom.
There wasn't a need to be quiet, really, she was just used to it. On most mornings, she would get up as quietly as she could, so as not to bother James, in the next room over. But he had gone early that morning to Hogsmeade- said he needed to take care of some things with the Marauders. So she slept in as late as he could.
And no, she didn't feel left out just because she hadn't been to any Hogsmeade visits without James since they'd been together... She thought it was perfectly fine that he wanted to be with his friends. Completely. Entirely. No problem at all.
Maybe she did feel a bit left out- but it was only a bit! Or maybe more than a bit. "All right," she muttered, "so maybe it was a lot- but what does that matter?
She thought it perfectly fine that she didn't want to spend the entire day alone. Emma went on a date, with Merlin knows who- she wouldn't even tell Lily.
After a quick shower, she walked back over to her four-poster, planning to pick up he room, then go down to the Great Hall for breakfast... That's when she noticed a folded slip of parchment on one of her pillows.
Lily- I'm sorry I couldn't go with you today- I wanted to, but the Marauders and I had to go look at some things. I promise I'll make it up to you! I'll see you tonight. Love, James
Lily sighed. ''Looks like it's just going to be me and my potions book all day.'' Great.
----
"Why didn't you go to Hogsmeade, Lil? It was a really nice day." Emma said happily, sliding into an armchair next to her best friend.
Nice day, my arse!
Lily thought it was easy for someone to say that when they'd spent the entire day having fun in Hogsmeade, on a date... But for someone who had stayed in the Head Common Room all day, doing potions, it was quite the opposite.
"Hey, Lil. How was your day?" James said from somewhere behind her.
"Oh, it was wonderful." she said.
Emma sat back in her chair, watching her though narrowed eyes, smiling slightly. That was her 'thoughtful' face.
"I brought you something." He held out a large striped sack. Lily took it eagerly.
"Mm... Thanks, James." she said, pulling out a slab of her favorite chocolate flavor- cherry-vanilla. "Yum."
"Thought you might like that." James grinned, sitting on the arm of my chair.
Emma laughed, and pushed herself out of her armchair. "I'll see you at dinner." Something in the tone of her voice told Lily quite clearly she knew she felt a bit left out.
----
"And then, she tried to blame it on me! It was so funny- you should've seen mum's face..."
Emma laughed and pushed her Transfiguration book out of reach. "I'd forgotten we came in here to study..." she sighed.
"Aww- it can wait 'til another day!" Lily yawned, pulling out another box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. She glanced up in time to see Emma giving her a funny look. "What?" she asked defensively, setting the box back on the table.
"Lily Evans- we have had N.E.W.T's the last two days- we have them the rest of this week, and we have them four days next week! How can you possibly tell me it can wait to another day?"
Lily stared at her, quite taken aback. "Em- if we don't know it by now, I doubt we'll ever know it." she argued.
"We're graduating in a little over two weeks!" Emma said hysterically.
"And that's only more of a reason to not keep our noses stuck in some old, musty book!"
She laughed as Emma rolled her eyes impatiently.
"That boyfriend of yours has had too much influence on-"
Everyone looked up in surprise as a loud burst of excited yelling came from somewhere in the direction of the boy's dormitories. "Merlin, I'm glad someone is happy." Emma said sarcastically.
Lily laughed quietly. The entire week, Emma had been in what Lily called her 'Ultimate Study Mode.' She had hardly had time for anything else. At first, it was a bit of a surprise to her, but she began to find it increasingly funny. Lily had always been more of the study type that Em- who was always the type to try and find any excuse not to study at all. Especially during O.W.L's. Then, it was exactly the opposite.
Again, everyone looked up as loud footsteps sound on the stairs- someone running with the force of a rampaging hippogriff coming down from the boy's dormitory. They all watched expectantly, until the Marauders came into sight, grinning- and looking extremely proud of something or another.
"Too much bloody noise! Lily- you're Head Girl, can't you enforce a little quiet?" Emma said irritably, giving Lily a pointed look. She ignored her and plucked absently at the feathery part of her quill, just to have something to do. Em watched her with a look disapproval for a moment before turning back to her book.
The Marauders made their way over to Emma and Lily, still smiling happily. "What are you all so happy about?" Lily yawned.
"What, can't a guy just be happy?" James grinned, pulling a chair next to hers. The Marauders snickered.
"Hmm... One guy, yes. The four Marauders? That's just suspicious." she smirked at them over the top of her quill.
James laughed. "Wanna know what's really suspicious?"
"What's that?" she said with another yawn.
"Em is studying, you're not." He smiled innocently. "Anyway, the guys and I are going to go out for a bit... We'll be back before our duties tonight, I promise."
"Okay," She took the tip of the quill and dipped it in Emma's ink.
"I'll see you tonight, love." He leaned over and kissed her softly... Only to have it turn to a rather passionate- and lengthy kiss.
He smiled as they pulled apart- leaving Lily quite breathless, Emma looking up in surprise, and the Marauders laughing at some unknown joke. And as for him? He grinned arrogantly around the common room, of course. Lily found it rather funny, Em found it rather annoying.
"Mad..." Emma muttered. Lily smiled at her.
"Aren't we all?"
-----
A few days later, Lily found herself walking up to Gryffindor Tower in search of James. Usually, they spent Saturdays with their respective friends, but that day, she just feel like being with him. She couldn't find anything wrong with that. They did miss the last Hogsmeade visit together, after all. Besides, Sirius and Remus were in detention for 'disrupting dinner' and Peter was probably with his Hufflepuff girlfriend.... Em was off studying again.
"Raspberry Ice," she said clearly to the Fat Lady in her pink dress.
"Oh, Bree- please tell me what's wrong!"
Lily glanced around as the portrait hole swung open. Kambrie Alex- a small first year- was sprawled out on one of the common room couches, sobbing. Her best friend, Nora Thomas- a petite girl with short, bleach-blonde hair and bright blue eyes- was kneeling by the couch, stroking Kambrie's long mass of black hair.
"Kambrie..." Nora sighed. "It's okay..."
Lily joined them at the couch and gave Nora a small smile. Her big eyes looked exhausted and red- she looked like she was ready to fall upon the couch and cry herself to sleep. Seeing the girls sad and tired was a rare thing for Hogwarts- most nights you could find the two lively first years telling funny stories by the fire, or pulling 'innocent' pranks on people in the halls. Rumor was that the two could even rival the Marauders. Of course, the four seventh year boys found the idea extremely funny- they would laugh until they had tears in their eyes just at the thought.
She slid onto the couch next to Kambrie. "Kambrie, dear, it's okay... Don't cry..." Lily said quietly, pulling her into her lap. Nora smiled gratefully and sat back on her heels.
Kambrie sniffed loudly and looked up slowly at Lily. Her normally bright, sparkling gray eyes were dark and sad. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and took a deep breath. She opened her mouth to say something, but once again dissolved into tears.
Nora sighed and frowned. "She keeps doing that," she mouthed.
Lily nodded and pulled out her wand. Conjuring up a large mug of hot tea, she pulled Kambrie into a sitting position. "Here, drink this, Bree..." She handed it to her. Kambrie nodded and took a tiny sip, tears still falling freely down her cheeks.
"A letter came earlier for her... It was horrible looking, Lily." Nora said sadly.
"It's... there..." Kambrie whimpered, gesturing towards a dark envelope on the floor. Nora picked it up slowly, pulling out an even darker slip of parchment with a short paragraph written in spiky letters of silver ink.
Lily watched as Nora read the letter quickly, then looked up fearfully at Kambrie, her eyes full of tears. "Bree..." she whispered, looking very pale.
Feeling a fresh wave of tears coming, Lily took the empty mug and set it on a nearby table. Nora turned her worried eyes to her, mouth wide open. "Vold... He-who-must-not-be-named...killed... all of- Kambrie's family..."
Lily felt a horrible sinking in the pit of her stomach. Why Kambrie?
----
Lily heard someone take a deep breath, like they were sighing, but didnt bother opening her eyes to see who. She thought it was probably Emma- she had a habit of leaving her dormitory and coming up to Lily's room. She said Lily's mattress was fluffier than hers. Heh, guess that's what she got for always telling her the new passwords.
But one single ray of light was shining right on Lily's face.
She left her eyes closed and tried to stretch out her legs, like she did every morning... But something stopped her... Something under her legs...
Lily opened my eyes, thinking she must have fallen asleep on the common room couch the night before, with Kambrie... She cried herself to sleep in Lily's arms....
But she was at Lily's feet, on the other end of the couch, and Lily? She was laying on James Potter's legs... And he was smiling at her. "What are you smiling about?" she said groggily, closing her eyes again and snuggling closer to him.
"You're beautiful when you're sleeping." he chuckled. She opened her eyes again and gave him a questioning look. "You fell asleep last night here, with Kambrie before I came back down from the Marauders dorm. I was going to wait here until you woke up, but I guess you never did... And I fell asleep, I suppose..." he said with a grin.
"Who opened that bloody window?" she groaned, putting her hand up to block the light. "And it's only shining on me..." she muttered.
"Not much telling..."
"Well, come on. Will you help me take her up to her bed?" Lily asked, getting to her feet and stretching properly.
"Anything for my Lily, no?"
"Anything at all."
----
"Are your parents here yet?" James asked.
Lily looked up at him with a sad smile. "They aren't coming."
"But- I thought-"
"I know- me too. They wanted to, but they can't make it..."
"I'm sorry, Lil..." His hand found hers.
She did want her parents to see her graduate. Well, really, at Hogwarts, there isn't a graduating ceremony, like muggles have, there is just a feast. But she'd still always dreamed of that day. Now that it was there, she was a bit disappointed.
She looked around the crowd, watching the people she'd spent the last seven years of her life with. Everyone was smiling- congratulating each other. Lily pulled her wizards hat back onto her head, trying to smile.
"James?"
James and Lily turned their heads to look at a tall witch with short brown hair. "Mum!" he smiled. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a warm hug. Lily tried to slip away, not wanting to interrupt the 'family moment' but James reached out and took her hand, pulling her back over to his mother, as an even taller man with dark, messy hair just like James's walked up behind her. "Dad!" So that's where he got the messy hair… Thought Lily.
James and Mr. Potter's faces cracked into identical lopsided grins. Guess that's where he got the grin, too.
"Mum, dad, this is my girlfriend, Lily. Lil- this is my mum and dad."
"Nice to meet you," she said nervously.
"You too, dear. We've already heard much about you." Mrs. Potter said with a smile. Lily shot an uneasy glance in James's direction.
"Good things, Lil." He laughed.
"So, James, how are things going?" Mrs. Potter asked pointedly. James's cheeks turned a light shade of pink and he looked quickly at Lily.
"Just about perfect... Especially tonight."
Lily, feeling quite left out, watched the looks James and his father were exchanging. She felt very left out... So she turned her attention to the front of the hall, where Professor Dumbledore had just joined the other professors at the table.
"Are you going..." Mr. Potter began, but trailed off, as he too noticed the Headmaster waiting for silence.
Lily saw James nod quickly. Professor Dumbledore held up his hands to the crowd across the hall. "May I have your attention please." It wasn't a question.
---
*****
"Did you see that?!"
"Wow! What a way to start the term! That was brilliant- wish we'd thought of it!"
"Lily- are you all right?"
Lily slowly turned her eyes to her new friend, Emma Morgan. "Em... What just happened?" she asked in a frightened voice.
"You fell out- and something long and gray pushed you back in!" Emma said breathlessly.
"It happens ev'ry now 'n then, little miss. I's nothin' to worry 'bout!" the tall man named Hagrid called over his shoulder from the boat in front of them.
"It was weird!" Emma said.
"It was cool!"
Emma and Lily turned to look at the two boys that had followed them into their boat. One had long, dark hair that fell into his dark gray eyes... The one that had the nerve to call Lily 'Red' on the train that afternoon. The other boy- was the one that helped her get her trunk onto the train- had black hair that stuck up in just about every direction and hazel eyes that were twinkling at her.
"How'd you do that?" he asked incredulously.
Lily raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Er... why would anyone want to fall into a lake? It's a bit chilly- do you fancy riding boats while you're soaked in cold water?"
The messy haired boy stared back, his face blank. "You are." He said simply after some time. The boy next to him snickered.
Lily frowned at the pair of them, unsure of how to treat their kind of behavior. "I don't know how I did it- I guess I just fell out when I was looking at the castle."
He nodded. "I didn't introduce myself on the train, did I? I'm James. James Potter." He said, holding out his hand.
She took it suspiciously. "Lily Evans."
"Charmed." He said without taking his eyes off hers... Or moving his hand. She tried to pull her hand back, but he tightened his grip. "Absolutely charmed."
"I'm sure you are." she said bravely, staring right back.
He grinned and tilted his head to the side a bit... Still having a firm hold on her hand.
"I'm Sirius Black!" said the other boy. He was grinning, looking between James and Lily. He shared a knowing look with James, whose grin widened. Lily sighed and turned with pleading eyes to Emma- to find her smiling mischievously, too.
He still had her hand in his.
*****
---
Everyone in the hall clapped as Dumbledore took his seat again. Lily sighed and leaned back a bit in her seat. Finally... She admired the headmaster, she really did, but sometimes, she thought it best just to sit down and shut up, to put it bluntly. At the Graduating Feast every year, several people made speeches- Dumbledore, the Heads of the Houses, the Head Boy and Girl... But when the headmaster got up there and blubbered for five minutes straight, Lily found it a bit hard to pay much attention. Of course, since it wa Professor Dumbledore, everyone was actually trying to listen- but it was just hard to, sometimes. At least he was the last one to do his speech.
Lily looked over at James as they made their way down from the Platform at the front of the Hall, toward their table. As she watched him, he looked up at Sirius and Remus and grinned. Halfway to their table, he put his hand on her arm, pulling her to a stop.
"Let's go for a walk, Lil... Please?" he put out his bottom lip in a pleading way. Sometimes Lily thought he could be too bloody adorable.
"Sure,"
Emma smiled at Lily as the couple got nearer to the door. "Your speech was great, Lil!" she called. "I was actually able to listen to it all!"
"Thanks, Em."
James reached over for her hand, entwining his fingers with hers... Trying to pull the attention back onto himself.
"They're perfect for each other..." They heard Emma sigh. Mrs. Potter beamed at her son. They knew she was pleased that her son could find a match that even their friends adored.
Lily looked back over her shoulder and smiled. "So we've been told..." James chuckled.
"I don't mind." she said softly as they walked out into a large garden with live fairies lighting the walkways. James smiled at her over the top of his glasses, and began to fumble with something in the pocket of his dress robes.
"Do you remember the first time I asked you to go to Hogsmeade with me?"
Lily laughed. "Of course I do. It was just after your first Quidditch game. All the Gryffindors ran down on the pitch- and you came and found me."
James nodded. "I'd been planning to ask you for ages- I figured that after the game was the best time... and I wanted to ask you before I changed my mind. I've never known a girl like you, Lily. No one has ever been able to make me speechless- no one has ever made me as nervous as you do... I could never love anyone like I love you." He paused and kicked at the small rose bush in front of him. He stared at it and took a shaky breath before continuing. "And that day- in first year, after that Quidditch match, I was so nervous... Well, today is no different- except that it's seven years later- we've practically graduated now, and it isn't a date I want to ask you about..." Slowly, he turnd his beautiful (in Lily's opinion) hazel eyes to hers. She watched him with bated breath as he put his hands over hers. "Lily, I love you- more than you'll ever know- if you ever do one thing- just one thing for me, let it be this... Will you marry me?"
Lily bit her lip to keep from crying- and realized for the first time that a small black box was waiting, open, in his hands... And he was on one knee.
"James, I..." But she was unable to go on. She looked into James's eyes... And he knew.
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Hope you enjoyed… don't forget to leave a constructive/supportive/your thoughts on it review. Or a flame. Anything, really. *winks*
Btw… (Disclaimer) Don't disclaimers get old to all of you? I never read them when I read other fics. So really, there probably isn't anybody reading this, if anyone is like me, so I don't know why I bother. Anyway, I DON'T HAVE A BOOK. Or five of them… *winks again*