Wherever Life May Lead Us • A Jily Love Story

chapter three

James POV

'Hey, Evans...'

My voice sounded gravelly, and seeing as though I had just lost all moisture in my throat, it was understandable. But my shock was nothing compared to Lily's. Her mouth hung open and her green eyes widened slightly. She obviously had no idea that she might have met me in this compartment.
Three weeks ago, I had received a letter informing me of my new position of Head Boy. Trust me when I say that it was the most surprising day of my life. Of course, it had to be a prank - something Sirius did. But no... he was just as dumb founded as me. No guilty face, or sign of struggle to keep in laughter. It was real. This moment was real.

'So, you're Head Girl then?'

I asked, again, in a voice that wasn't quite my own andyet one different from our first greeting.
I saw her cheeks blush rosy red, although I was not entirely sure why. It was quite unusual for her, this blushing was. Unusual for composed and sure Lily Evans.

'Well, yeah. I'm pretty sure I'm the only Lily Evnas in seventh year.'

I smiled at her sarcasm and again attempted to start some conversation.

'I think we should start by patrolling the corridors. If that's what you think,' I added hurriedly at the end.

'Yes, yeah. I think that's good.'

It was the most awkward conversation starter ever. Nice one, James. I made the first move towards the door, and after sliding it open for Lily to pass through, earning a smile, I asked,

' So how've you been? How was your break?'

I could tell that I had asked precisely the right thing, as almost immediately, she relaxed and started babbling.
I was glad that I could get her to talk to me, even if only about her holidays.

ooo

Lily and I had talked for hours as we walked the corridors, before I dropped her off outside her compartment, now filled with the faces of Marlene, Mary, Dorcas and Alice. As she went to open the door, almost as if it were an afterthought, she turned back to face me, stretched onto her tippy-toes, and did something she had never done before. She kissed my cheek. It just so happened that it was then my time to blush.
My face burned like fire, and I forgot to breathe when she threw me a small smile, which my brain, currently in overdrive, took to mean, Yep, I'm dying.

ooo

As I walked towards the compartment that held my best friends, a group of giggling girls opened their door and blocked the corridor.

'Hi, James!'

One of the girls addressed me, her voice so sickly sweet she could have single handedly caused diabetes.

'I'm Angelica. Angelica Vane.'

'Um... would you excuse me ?'
I squeezed through the group and continued past, leaving them thoroughly disheartened. But what did that matter? Lily Evens had kissed me! Feeling once again giddy, I walked stupidly into my friend's compartment to the greeting of a low whistle from Sirius, and I-told-you-so expression from Remus, and a vividly excited grin from Peter.
I raised my eyebrows and said, sounding disappointed,

'It wasn't as good as you think.'

Their reactions were just as I had anticipated. Each looked more crestfallen than when I nearly died scoring the winning goal to secure the Quidditch cup for Gryffindor last year. I couldn't help it. I gave a chuckle and said,

'I'm kidding guys. It was amazing,' earning another priceless reaction from them.

'Come here!'

Sirius grabbed me in the crook of his arm and ruffled my hair relentlessly, and soon we were all in a big group man-hug, with me earning a few slaps on the back.

'Nice one, Prongsy.'