James and Lily Potter : Sixth year

Chapter 9: sixth year

He blinked. A couple was sitting there, snogging like there was no tomorrow. The boy had dark hair that fell elegantly over his forehead, while the girl had light brown curls that tumbled over her shoulders. They looked oddly familiar—

"Sirius and Arabella?" he breathed.

Lily nodded, frowning. "And that's not all! Look!" She pointed to a couple that could only be Frank and Alice.

"Whoa! I thought Al was still going out with Diggle."

"She is! But I guess Sturges ditched her or something."

James grinned and beamed at Frank, who was holding Alice's hand and visibly shaking. The Head Boy saw James looking, and waved back, smiling.

"Finally, those two are together. I thought I'd die, seeing Frank so forlorn."

"They make a very cute couple," mused Lily.

"Yes," he agreed readily.

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Why aren't you saying something cocky? Like 'we do too', or something like that."

"Why would I do that?" questioned James, nonplussed.

She blinked. "Because—that's what you always do whenever you take girls out to dates!"

James laughed. "Oh, Evans, I haven't asked out a girl or been on a date for a long time, since fourth year, or something. I've only been out with Deanna and Melissa Andrews, and I've gone out with you once in third year."

"Yeah, but that wasn't anything serious," objected Lily.

"You're right, it wasn't. 'Sides, those girls aren't much anyway. I only want one girl and I'm betting that you know who it is."

"Do you always flatter girls? Because it's definitely not working on me."

"Nope." He chuckled. "I told you, Deanna was all over me, not vice versa, and Melissa was just a fling. Maybe girls flock all over me, and maybe I used to want to impress them, but I don't now, if you haven't noticed already."

"You still stare at Melissa, even though she's been going out with Jason Mackenzie since fifth year."

James' hazel eyes twinkled. "Why do you care? Jealous?"

"Me, jealous? In your dreams, Potter." But Lily was blushing furiously now.

"Hey, Lily, James," said Violet, waving, as she plopped into a chair next to their table along with Jackson. The latter didn't say anything, for he was looking at Lily and James with an amused expression on his face.

"Hello, Violet," returned Lily, smiling. "Hi, Jackson."

"'Lo, Lily, Potter." Jackson grinned at James roguishly. "Are you two dating or something?"

"No," responded James quickly. "Why'd you think that, Jack?"

"Obvious, isn't it? Only couples come in here, especially on Valentine's Day."

"Jack!" hissed Violet angrily.

"Oh, so is that it?" said Lily, her voice rising. "You brought me here so we can go out and snog, Potter? Well, then I'm out of here!" She stood up and brushed her robes.

"Wait!" he cried, with a sidelong glance at Jackson. "It's not like that..."

"I was just joshing, Lily, nothing to be angry about," said Jackson hurriedly. "Really, it was just a joke."

"No, no, I'm glad you warned me, Jackson. Thank you. As for you, Potter"—she glared at him malevolently—"you can kiss those dreams of us going out and marrying good-bye." She promptly got out of the small tea shop, the door closing with a small snap.

"Oh, wonderful," said James, groaning in his hands.

"I'm sorry, James!" said Jackson in horror, his eyes widening. "Really, if there's anything I can do, just name it. I'll allow you to win the game next week. Anything!"

"Nah, it's all right, Jack," he said, smiling. "It's my fault, really. I guess Evans really never liked me anyway."

"Oh, James, we're sorry for spoiling your date with Lily." Violet blushed apologetically. "I know how much you wanted her to like you..."

"Look, it's all right," he snapped, his temper rising. Why couldn't they understand?

"It isn't," said Violet, starting to get angry. "Don't be so stubborn, damn it!"

Jackson stared at his girlfriend in awe. Violet was usually sweet and quiet, but now...

"You love Lily, so you have to show her that you do! Lofty 'I love you's' won't help, James; actions speak louder than words. So show her that you care for her and would do anything to protect her. Show it."

"I guess you're right, Vi," sighed James. "But how can I? She'll never speak to me again."

"Go talk to her," said Violet knowingly. "She's by the lake, I know it."

James said good-bye to the couple, and hurried up to Hogwarts. Violet was right. Lily was strolling by the lake in her light pink sweater and Muggle jeans, wiping tears out of her eyes.

"Lily?" he called tentatively.

She fixed her almond-shaped eyes onto his face and sighed. "Do I have to forgive you again?"

He gave her one of his cocky grins. "Don't have to."

"But I guess I will." She sighed again and said, "I'm sorry."

"For what? It isn't your fault, it's mine."

"No, James, it's my fault and I'm really sorry. I guess I just got carried away. I really do like you, but I don't love you, Potter. I need more time. But when I thought you thought of me as just another fling—"

"You were scared," he interrupted. "Oh, Lily, I'm sorry. I didn't make it clear enough for you. I love you, and you should know that. And I'm going to show you that I do."

"Really?" Lily looked faintly surprised.

"Of course."

She smiled and hugged him tightly. James was taken aback, but melted into the hug.

"I do like you, Potter," she said quietly. "I just need more time. I do promise, though, that I won't date any other boys. If that's what's worrying you."

Now it was James' turn to be surprised. How did she know him so well? But then, his father always told him that enemies knew you better than your friends. His mouth slowly turned upward into a shy smile—something that Lily didn't think he had in him. Shyness and James Potter just didn't mix. However, it was right there in front of her. James was blushing and stuttering just like any other boy would, when he confessed his love to a girl. Lily grinned widely. He had changed.

Passersby could see a boy with messy black hair beaming at a redhead girl, and hazel eyes locking in with green. They would see the boy's deep love for the girl, and the girl's uncertain feelings for the boy. But they would see friendship in both eyes...perhaps the most important thing of all. However, they could also see the girl's hidden love for the boy, and how she was scared of love, and how much pain it would cause.

"I'll always wait for you, Lily," said James gently. "You can have as much time as you need. You can even date other boys, until you realise your feelings for me."

Lily's green eyes sparkled with tears. Every girl loved a romantic, and she knew that this time, he wasn't lying. James was sincere this time. "Thank you, James," she replied, smiling.

And that was how they passed the rest of the Hogsmeade day: just smiling at each other.