How Much I Love You

It had always been that way. James Potter had like Lily Evans ever since he was young enough to have a crush. In his third year he even considered asking her out, but got to nervous.

Lily was beautiful girl. She had long, flowing red hair and sparkling emerald eyes. She had never known that James like her the way she longed for him.

"Hey Lily, you coming?" called Bella from the stairs.

"Be there in a sec!" Yelled Lily. She had to look nice. After so many years of trying to get James attention they had finally started talking to each other, and become friends. She only wished she could tell him how she felt about him, but he always was with Sirius and Remus, so she never had.

She put on some muggle clothes since today was Saturday and robes were rather hard to run around in. People sometimes thought she was crazy, but her reputation of being popular never changed.

Nor did James. It was a strange thing. Lily and James were easily the most popular people, yet they never went out. Lily had boys sending her love notes and candy everyday, and James had girls who were always following him around.

When Lily walked downstairs she seriously thought about asking James out that second. But when she touched the bottom stair she was surrounded by other Gryffindor girls and was pushed into a corner, away from James.

<*>*<*>

Lily, her friends Bella and a few other girls were all seated in class. James was behind Lily. He had sat there purposely so he could look at her and hope she would turn around.

"Mr. Potter... would you please answer the question," growled Professor Bailey. Thank goodness he is retiring at the end of the year swore James. He wanted to impress Lily.

"Well if this class were that important, wouldn't I be listening?" he snickered. James friends grinned and Lily's friends were giggling. Lily was just smiling, and then she flipped her silky hair.

"Fine then, act like a idiot Potter. How about this? This you have a knack for being popular with people your age then you can have a student tutor you. How about...." Professor Bailey glanced around the room and her eyes stopped on Lily. "Lily Evans."

James couldn't believe his luck. He got to be tutored by the prettiest girl in the world. Lily was thinking along the same lines. All her friends had claimed that James had liked her since first year and sometimes she really did believe them. She turned around to set a time with James and tried not to sound snobby or overly eager.

As she moved her body to see his face James said, "The beautiful Lily Evans. I'd love to have you tutor me. Maybe we could have a little fun in bed." James claimed with a outgoing grin on his face.

Lily knew that he was jokingly mocking her.

"What time Potter?"

"Um... ten?" He knew the common room would be empty then.

"All right then." She turned back around.

<*>*<*>

James waited for Lily to come down. It was ten already. He had been looking forward to being with her.

"Hey Potter," she said calmly. She didn't feel calm though. Her heart was racing.

"Hey Lily. Its cold isnt it?"

"Suppose so."

"Let's get started."

They sat down on the couch and took some books out.

"You know, you don't have to pretend to hate me all the time."

"Who said that I hate you James? You could try harder in your classes you know, instead of just caring for yourself."

"And what do you care about?"

James suddenly got very self-conscience. "Well, I um, well you see, I um sort of..."

"Just spit it out Potter." Lily was actually curious. She had never seen him like this before.

"Lily I love you."

Lily sat just sat there. So all the rumors had been true? James Potter really did love Lily.

"I love you too James."

Her face was down and he lifted it up. He saw her grinning in a romantic sort of way. Then it happened. What she had been wanting since first year.

James kissed Lily. Actually he kissed her more then once... they went on for well over five minutes. It was a tender kiss, sweet and warm. Kisses like you see in a classic movie.

Lily was so happy. James was exploding with emotions. His very first kiss. It had gone perfect, just like he dreamed of.

<*>*<*>