Sirius Black's Twin

Nervousness

The Marauders were back at Hogwarts, all of them aware of what had happened just a few months ago; but James had moved on - he was almost as care free as he was before the horrible tragedy had happened.

Lily and James were both very friendly towards eachother, and James didn't seem to feel the need to ask her out every time she looked at him anymore. He also gave up on a few other habits he had. Like running his hand cockilythrough his hair, or playing with a snitch by the beach tree next to the lake, neither did he taunt Snape - but used defensive spells whenever Snape tried to curse him.

Lily felt her love for James swel every time she seen his smile. Lyra had informed Lily of what had happened that terrible summer and Lily tried desperatly not to show ny sympathy - but James knew that she knew; and he wasn't happy about that.

"Why did you tell her?" James asked Lyra sadly. "Now the only way she'll go on a date with me is out of pity."

"Lily doesn't go on pity dates," Lyra said, rolling her eyes. "In fact, Lily was talking about you just last night with the girls and I; she likes seeing the mature side of you."

The more Lyra seen James and Lily together the more envious she became, though. Nick had long since graduated from his Wizarding school and the only time she would get to see him would be on holidays, which was a month away. She wished hat she could kiss him good morning every time he waited for her at the bottom of the dormitory steps like James did with Lily - though the two never kissed.

Finally, one night as James and Lily said good night to eacother in the empty common room, James felt curouge buold up inside of him.

"Lily?" He said before she left up her dormitory steps.

"Yes?" She asked, turning to him, her startling green almond shaped eyes seeming to stare to his very soal.

James flet himself hesitate, remembering all the times that she had rejected him the other years and he flet his courage falter. What if asking her out broke their friendship? Would she be disgusted of him and start to call him 'Potter' again? Lily was never one to give people second chances, would she give him a second chance?

"What is it James?" Lily asked. James loved when she said his name. "You can tell me anything. . . I won't get mad."

Lily knew exactly what he was going to say, and she thought it was sweat how nervous he was. She reached out and grabbed one of his hand in hers and squiezed it, silently urging him to ask the question she had been hoping he would ask all year.

"Theres a. . . well, there's a Hogsmeade tripcoming up on Friday," James rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly with him free hand, trying to ignore the shocks going up his arm where Lily's small hand held his.

"Yes?" Lily said, a smile forming on her lips.

James didn't notice the smile, because he was staring at his shoes, mentally preparing himself for rejection. "I was wondering if you would like to go with me."

"Yes." Lily said, her small smile now growing until it hurt her cheecks.

"Oh, okay, that's okay I guess - wait. . ." James' head snapped up and he stared at Lily as though he had never seen her clearly before. "Did you. . . did you say yes?"

"Yes," Lily said cheeckily. "You seemed shocked, Potter."

James had been dreading it if she ever called him Potter again but the way she said it now made him want to cheer.

"I - I. . ." James didn't know what to say.

"Goodnight, James," Lily said, smiling at him.

She walked up the dormitory steps and had just closed the door when she heard James' loud cheer; "YES!"

She laughed softly and closed the door fully, happily waiting the day that she would go on a date with James Potter.