The Ultimate Revenge

The Ultimate Revenge

True love

It was five o' clock on Saturday. Lily and Alice were up in their dorm, preparing Lily for her date with James.

"You have to look stunning!" Alice announced

Lily's head snapped up as she eyed her friend in the mirror. "It's just James Potter!" she exclaimed in surprise.

"I know that, Lily! But Snape will no doubt be there," she argued. "You do want to make him jealous, don't you?"

"How do you know he'll be there?" Lily questioned. She despaired of Alice sometimes, she really did.

"Didn't you see his face when you agreed to the date with James? It was priceless!"

Lily snorted with laughter, but immediately felt bad for doing so. She paled.

"Lily? Lily, what's wrong?"

Alice was peering at her closely, a mixture of pity and worry on her face. Lily sighed and tried her best to rearrange her features into a convincing smile.

"Nothing!"

Alice didn't look convinced. "You don't have to go through with this, you know..."

I do!" Lily replied, gritting her teeth and straightening her shoulders. "Will you do my hair?"

Alice brightened at the request and set about curling Lily's poker straight hair. It was a whole hour before Lily was able to apply her make up and get dressed. She chose a simple yet elegant light green dress, which complemented her hair and eyes perfectly. It felt strange putting so much effort into her appearance to go out with a boy she couldn't stand. She'd never tried so hard with Snape... Lily was puzzled. She was just doing this to get her own back... wasn't she?

"Whoa, Lily! You look amazing... I mean, you always do, but..."

Lily laughed at James' flustered face. "Thanks... James," she replied. "So, where are we going?"

He looked at her blankly for a second then babbled: "The Three Broomsticks, yeah? That okay?" He bit his lip. It was really kinda cute. Lily smiled at this out of place thought.

"Sounds perfect!" she assured him, slipping her hand into his. He glanced down at their entwined hands and swallowed. Lily's stomach flipped. She frowned to herself. What the hell was wrong with her? This was Potter, for God's sake!

They walked briskly, chatting easily and swinging their clasped hands, feeling only a little awkward. Lily was surprised to realise she was actually enjoying his company. She should have agreed to date him months ago... Then she remembered. Snape.

Lily shook her head and tried to concentrate on what James was saying.

"So, I think Gryffindor is in with a good chance next week... What do you reckon?"

She could have screamed at him. Quidditch, honestly? On a date? Then again, this was Potter.

"Lily?" James looked a little hurt.

"Oh, sorry... Um, next week... against Slytherin, right?" Lily mumbled. James nodded, earnestly. "Yeah, should be great. You'll be great!"

He blushed at her praise and came to an abrupt stop. Not noticing, Lily walked straight into him. They both winced. "Ouch!" complained Lily, rubbing the affected area.

"Oh, Lily! I'm so sorry!"

She looked up into his hazel eyes and struggled to keep from laughing. "Apology accepted, I guess!"

He grinned at this. Lily turned to continue walking, but he grabbed her wrist and twirled her round. She brushed against his chest, and he held her there. Breathing heavily, he bent down and kissed her softly on the mouth. Moaning slightly, Lily returned the kiss.

A shuffle behind them made James whip round, hand reaching into his pocket for his wand. He growled. Lily turned around to see what had provoked such a reaction. Her stomach did yet another flip when she saw who it was. She groaned softly.

"What the hell are you doing? Following us or something?!" James demanded of Snape.

He gave his usual sneer and remarked coldly: "Why on earth would I want to follow you and the mudblood?"

Lily drew in a sharp breath. James went bright red with anger and pointed his wand straight into Snape's face.

"James, please! Just leave it! The slimy arse isn't worth it!" she begged, tugging at his sleeve. "Come on!"

James sighed, but allowed Lily to lead him away. "Stay away from me and Evans, Snape, or next time you wont be so lucky!" he called over his shoulder.

Snape laughed without humour and shot a venomous look at Lily. She tore her eyes away from his gaze. She couldn't handle this right now.

She broke free of James and started running as fast as she could into Hogsmeade. "LILY!" she heard James shout after her, but she refused to slow.

When he caught up with her outside the Three Broomsticks, she was already in floods of tears. "Oh, Lily!"

"I'm sorry for running off but..."

James shushed her and gathered her in his strong, muscled arms. She lay her head on his shoulder and cried for a long time. Nothing made any sense any more. She had been so sure about her love for Snape, but now? She didn't know what to think anymore. The only thing she was sure of was that being with James at this moment felt right...

An hour later and Lily was tucked up in bed. James had walked her right up to her dorm, ever the gentleman. She thought back to kissing him and smiled sheepishly to herself. She knew it would take time to get over Snape but she now realised that it wasn't going to be as hard as she had thought. She was already beginning to move on.

Before Lily closed her eyes, she decided that she wanted to keep on seeing James. He treated her right. She felt safe with him. He made it so easy...

She knew that she would always love Snape in a way, he was her first love after all. But he was so wrong for her and James was so right. When had the course of true love ever run smoothly anyway? It was then that it hit her with such force that the room began to spin. She was falling for James Potter!!!

But would it last this time? Lily wasn't sure but she found that it didn't even matter that much to her anymore. True love would find her in her own time...