The Love of Patronus | JILY

Evans

          Lily Evans was changing after breakfast for the Hogsmeade first day, and she could not stop smiling. She was going out, on a date, with James Potter. Her first instinct was to go for her favorite romper, but it was November! It's freezing. She mentally slapped herself: Are you a witch or what?

          After a few simple charms, Lily was as warm as she could be, and wearing an incredibly cute outfit. After adding her black boots to the look and brushing her long red hair so that it flowed freely, she headed out into the common area. James was there looking care-free as usual, in his untucked shirt and jeans, but something was different. His untucked shirt was pure white, and clearly had been just recently cleaned, and his jeans were black and sleek, while his tie was black and shining. 

          She swung and twisted her wand into her belt-loop, which caught his notice immediately. He hopped off the couch, ruffled his hair and watched Lily silently. His mouth opened slightly before he spoke,

          "Evans, you look... beautiful." He wasn't embarrassed or nervous and Lily laughed lightly and asked,

          "Are you ready?"

          He nodded, still watching her, and then held the door open for her as they made their way down to the Entrance Hall. Lily's friends were grinning, winning, and making faces at her - something she pointedly ignored, and she quickly noticed that James friend's were doing similar things.

          "Where do you want to go?" James asked her, and Lily noticed his hands were clenching and unclenching in his pocket as they entered the Hogsmeade high street. Could he be as nervous as I am?

          "I kind of just want to wander, if that's okay." She smiled at him, and he grinned back.

          "Sounds great."

          They started walking, talking about random things that came to mind, nothing was awkward but it seemed like all of the usual date things had been covered during their friend's time. Finally, as they were passing the Shrieking Shack, Lily couldn't hold it in.

          "James," she started, and he looked over at her again. "I have to ask, and I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I really do need to know."

          James' jaw tightened slightly, and she was sure he knew what she was about to ask.

          "How many of these girls have... well... I think you know what I mean." Her voice was not rude or confronting, she was merely curious and honestly a bit worried.

          They stopped walking and turned to face each other.

          "Honestly? Quite a few." She sighed slightly and nodded, "But," She looked up as he took a step closer clearly eager to clear this up, "I've never slept with any of them."

          Lily's mouth opened in surprise. 

          "Please don't hate me for this," He went on, "But I've taken them all to the same place, the statue room on the third floor, in front of the door with the random door that's always locked."

          "You take them all to one spot? Why?" Lily couldn't help asking.

          "Because," He fidgeted slightly before looking up at her and taking a step closer, until they were less than a foot apart. "Because, I haven't stopped thinking about you since I was in my first year, and there was no way I was going to go parading my crappy decisions in front of you when you already hated me so much."

          Lily felt her entire body explode. James Potter thinking about her? Was this real?

          She smiled, and pulled his hand into hers, before turning back to Hogsmeade village with a new plan. He came with her willingly, and once they had reached the Three Broomsticks she turned to the side of the building. Between it and the shop next door, was a small crook filled with glowing flowers, that lit up the otherwise dingy area.

          She let go of his hand and leaned back against the wall lifting a foot to prop up against the stone. "So no one here?" He shook his head silently, taking in the sight of her.

          "Why not?" He opened his mouth with his eyebrows creased but she cut him off. "No, I mean why not now?"

          She raised one eyebrow at him, and he blinked down at her before his eyes clouded. She smiled as he took a step towards her, putting an arm on the wall behind her, level with her head and the other one on her waist.

          "Is that what you want?" He whispered as his lips brushed her ear.

          "I think we both know the answer to that," She responded, tugging on the tie around her neck.

          He brought his face back in front of hers. 

          "No interruptions." He murmured.

          "None." Her voice was slightly breathy, but if anything he smiled. Lily could swear the electricity between them was crackling as he stood there, inches from her face.

          And then he was kissing her, and she was completely lost. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, and his hands were pulling at her back. His lips were soft and persistent, and as her stomach blossomed with happiness she wondered why in the world she had waited so long for this boy when he had been right here the whole time.

          They broke away reluctantly, his face staying inches from hers.

          "You don't know how long I've been waiting for this, Lily Evans." He murmured, and she laughed softly.

          "I'm hoping that this means your offer will extend past this weekend?" She asked, and James looked quizzically at her. "About going out with you?"

          She felt a twinge in her stomach, would he be done now that he had what he wanted. He seemed to know what she was thinking because she tipped up her chin with a hand.

          "Don't ever think you're like those people." He whispered, forcing her eyes into his. "They were my distraction from you because for some reason you were oblivious to me.

          She laughed lightly, although the twinge did not completely go away.

          "Not anymore." She whispered back at him.

          "Thank the fucking heavens." He said, and she laughed until he cut her off again with a new kiss.