Harry Potter Isekai - Marauders Era

Chapter 18: Dating James Potter

Chapter 18

Marlene's POV

Dating James Potter has been surprisingly sweet. He is thoughtful and attentive to my needs and mood. James really had grown a whole lot from when I first met him. Maybe that's what attracted Lily to him in the original series. I also realize I have an unhealthy habit of thinking of Lily and why she ends up with James in the first place. I know I shouldn't but I feel guilty every once in a while when I feel especially happy. I always try to look towards Lily to make sure she's also happy and that I haven't put a damper in her life by being with James.

Lily and Severus are still going strong. He stopped hanging out with his Slytherin friends and became closer to Reggie. I'm happy that Severus is on a happier path in life. I hope that doesn't change, but I'm afraid I only hope that for my own selfish reasons. These feelings become a cycle, over and over and over again.

Today is my first official date with James. It is a Hogsmeade weekend however he told me we weren't going to town today. His reasoning being "We already had a 'date' at Hogsmeade. I want to make it special – different." So here we are, sitting next to the Black lake on the grass having a picnic.

"Sandwich?"

I nodded with a small smile, "Yes please." I happily took a bite of the sandwich, "How were you able to get all this food to take out of the castle?"

"I know my way around the kitchen. The house elves are more than happy to get you food if you ask." I nodded in understanding.

"So." He looks at me expectantly.

"So?" An amused smile adorns my face.

"I want to get to know you better. I feel we know the basic things about each other but that's about it."

"Okay, what do you want to know?"

"Ok! First off, what's your full name?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, "My full name? That's the deep stuff you want to know about me?"

"In my defense, I want to know everything about you." James gave me a toothy smile as I blush bright red.

"Marlene Elizabeth McKinnon. And yours?"

"James Fleamont Potter. Wait, your middle name is Elizebeth? Does anyone call you that?"

I paused for a moment before I replied, "No. No one refers to me by my middle name. I'm not named after anyone in particular so everyone just uses my first name."

James's eyes sparkled, "Can I call you Elizabeth?!" He said too eagerly.

"Why?" I tilted my head to one side.

"Well, I want a name that only I get to use for you." He cutely rubs the back of his head nervously.

Why does this boy keep making my blush? "Does it have to be Elizabeth though?"

"What's wrong with Elizabeth? It's pretty! Or what about Lizzie?!"

I eyed him with great amusement, "Lizzie?" He nods in affirmation. "Ok, but only when we're alone!"

"Deal!" He celebrates silently beside me as I laugh. "Ok, next: what's your favorite color?"

"Hmmm blue?"

He chuckles, "Of course it's blue. Mine is red by the way."

I laughed, "Of course it's red." I have smiled brightly the whole time thus far until I thought of a question of my own, "Hey James, I always wanted to ask: why me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you like me?"

"Why not you? You're beautiful, kind. You went out of your way to help me try to win someone's heart for years when you didn't have to- "

"You forced me to."

"Did not!"

"Did to."

"Did not! You could have kept refusing me, but you didn't. Spending time with you is really fun. I don't have to try to be someone else. You accept me for who I am, even though I'm an idiot."

"That's true."

"Hey!" I laughed at his playful glare. "You joke with me, just like now. What else can I ask for?" He shrugs good-naturedly. "Now do me! Why me?" He looks at me expectantly, making me laugh.

"Hmmm I'm not sure if I want to inflate your ego even more than it already is." I shake my head.

"What? No, tell me! Lizzie!"

"Ehhhh I'm okay." I shrugged my shoulders as I reached for another snack.

"Lizzieeeeeeeee!" I laughed at his antics.

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James's POV

Lizzie and I have been dating for a few months now. I'm falling for her deeper and deeper every day. I've been writing to my parents for a while now, telling them about the beautiful girl I'm seeing. Ma and Pa don't seem as surprised as I thought they would be. They wanted to invite her over for this year's Yule Ball at our manor. I hope to ask her to be my official girlfriend then.

"Marlene!" I shouted as I ran towards her in the great hall, "Do you have a moment?" She nods at me before following me out of the castle for a more private setting. "Lizzie, I have something for you." I giddily hand her the invitation.

She opens it slowly and reads the contents inside, "Yule ball?" I nod excitedly.

"Ma is going to send your parents an official invitation as well but this one is specifically for you."

She seems to be in deep thought before she looks back up at me, "Hmmk. I'll talk to my parents about it. I'm sure we can make it." She blushes and gives me one of her special smiles that I love so much.

"Great. I'm happy I'll get to see you over the holiday break." And truly, I am. Just a little longer and I can officially announce that Lizzie is mine and I am hers.