Who can kiss Lily Evans First?

Over the next couple of days, James and Lily were considerably much warmer to each other. They could be seen strolling along the river, eating lunch together, and working on their essay.

One morning over breakfast, James and Lily were deep in a conversation. Sirius, with Peter not far behind, walked up in his usual fashion. He seated himself across from James and Lily.

"Aww, if it ain't Mr. and Mrs. Potter," he said in a singsong voice. Lily just smiled.

"Do us a favor Sirius, and sod off."

"I don't know how many times I've been told that today. I think it was five, wasn't it Peter?" he said. Peter squeaked.

"So James, you were telling me about taking her to the ball. When's it gonna happen?"

"Sod off Sirius," he replied.

"Make that six," he said resuming to his bacon and eggs. Remus sat down next to Sirius.

"Oh hey Remus! James and I were discussing the Medieval Witch burning method. It takes place during the Goblin Massacre right?"

"Actually, the Goblin Massacre was in 14 something, so I think it was a bit later than that," he said.

"Nah, I thought it was pretty far back!" James said, with a smile on his face.

"Well, who knows? I see you two have become fonder of each other," he grinned.

"We're friends. I've said that three times today. Our silly quarreling days are over," she said, with a small grin at James. He just shrugged.

"Now about this ball," Peter said. "Who are you guys taking?"

"Ball?" Lily said, with her face screwed up. "I hate balls. Unless someone I actually like is taking me. I turned down Arthur yesterday."

"But he's one of the cutest guys in school!" Sirius said, cottoning on.

"Just because he's cute doesn't mean I'm going with him," she stated simply. "He has to be kind, funny, intelligent, sweet..."

"Ok! I get the hint!" Peter squeaked. Lily smiled mischievously.

"Anyway, we need to go now," Remus said, grabbing Sirius and Peter by the arms.

"Yeah, see you!" Sirius called out. Lily turned to face James.

"Are they always that...crazy?" she asked.

"Yep."

"I pity you," she said sympathetically. "Anyway you never said who you're taking!"

"Well it's actually what you said. I just don't like balls very much, unless I have a certain person in mind..." he said, trailing off. Lily blinked.

"Oh. OK" She poked her eggs a bit and sighed. James winced. I hate it when she sighs...she sounds so...distressed. Come on James, you can do it.

"Lily?" he said quickly.

"Yes?" she said, right on cue.

"Do you...want to...I dunno...I'll completely understand..."

"What?" she said titling her head to one side.

"Do you want to go to the ball with me," he said, enunciating every syllable carefully.

"Umm, yeah sure!" she said, her face breaking into a huge grin.

"Really?" he said, startled.

"I was actually hoping you'd ask," she said, taking his arm playfully. Right outside the doors, Remus, Sirius, and Peter were all high-fiving each other.

"Plan C...phase two..."

* * * * *

James was sitting in the common room with a very large book in his hands. He sighed and absentmindedly turned the page. He was glad that Lily had said yes...but there was just one problem...

"Hey Sirius," he said automatically, as his best friend sat next to him.

"Why so gloomy? You got the best looking girl to go with you!" he said, astonished.

"Well, it's not that..."

"What is it?"

James mumbled something quietly, and almost angrily.

"WHAT?" Sirius repeated.

"I can't dance! OK? I've never danced with a girl before!" James angrily glared up at Sirius as he began to laugh. "What's so funny?"

"EVERYONE can dance James, don't be daft!" he said in a somewhat dignified voice. "All you have to do is let your body move to the music!" he said.

"But...what if it looks stupid?"

"OH please, the ever-so-popular James is asking ME, Sirius Black, for dancing lessons. This is gonna be good. Now, Jamie Boy (James glared at him), we are going to meet tomorrow night, at 9:00, in the Astronomy Tower, and I'm going to give you dance lessons." Sirius ruffled James' hair and left the common room. James angrily tried to flatten his hair, but even he knew that that was fighting a losing battle.

* * * * *

On the night of the Yule Ball, James nervously paced the common room, waiting for Lily. Sirius had been giving him lessons for the past couple of days, and he was a little antsy about it. At last, he heard her voice from the stairs and he turned around to face her. She was wearing dress robes of brilliant green, her long red hair pulled into an elegant bun.

"You look...nice?" he asked quizzically. She swatted his arm playfully. "How was I supposed to know what to say? Would you take it as an insult if I truly said you looked great?"

"Come on James," she said, a smile on her face. They approached the doors of the Great Hall and looked at each other.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready," she smiled. They pushed the doors open and gasped. This couldn't be the great hall...could it? It looked more like a Victorian Ball Room set in the 19th Century. They had definitely used a remodeling charm. The other students were all talking happily, while a few were dancing. He chanced a glance at Lily, whose eyes were full of anticipation. She gave him a big grin and he smiled back. As he started to move, she stopped him.

"Maybe we shouldn't dance first. I think we should eat," she said, looking around the room as the dance floor crowded.

"If you want to," he said happily.

* * * * *

After they had eaten something, they walked out onto the dance floor. James awkwardly took her in his arms and just stood there for a minute.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Well...Sirius has been giving me dancing lessons...but I still kinda feel...weird," he said.

"James, it's easy!" A fairly fast tune picked up and he started sweeping her around the room, amazed at his own success. Lily was laughing and he seemed to forget all of his cares in the world. A sudden tap on his shoulder brought him back to reality. He turned around and found himself face to face with Severus Snape.

"Could I cut in?" he said greasily. James reluctantly stepped away, and Severus firmly took her by the arm as another dance started.

"Seems you're quite taken with Potter aren't you?" he said in her ear.

"Yes, a lot more than I am with you, like I ever was," she said coolly. He spun her around forcefully, knocking her off balance.

"You should join my side, take hands with the dark arts, and we will live and rule together," he hissed. She tried to pull away but he had a firm grip on her.

"How about it?"

"Never..." she replied in a hoarse whisper. He tightened his grip on her arm and she grimaced. Just then, James broke through and Severus backed away.

"We were dancing Potter," he said.

"She didn't look too happy about it," James said, examining her arm.

"She was fine, weren't you Lily?"

"Get away from me," she said, jerking her arm away from him.

"You watch it mudblood..." Severus started, but James lost control and punched him squarely in the nose. Severus stumbled over but quickly recovered and lunged at James, taking him with him as he fell to the floor. Professor McGonagall, who came running over yelling, broke up the fight.

"Stop it boys right now! That's 20 points from each of your houses, now please control yourselves!"

"You'll be sorry..." he said to James. With a swish of his cloak, he was gone. Professor McGonagall stormed away, muttering to herself something about 'rude and careless boys'.

"You OK?" he asked.

"James I'm fine! But you!" she said, placing a finger to his bruised and bleeding cheek.

"Aww, it doesn't hurt much," he said, feeling his bruise with a grimace.

"You sure?" she said, biting her lip, her big green emerald eyes full of concern.

"Yeah. Maybe you should go up to the common room. You're feverish and it looks as if you could be ill!"

"But..." she started.

"Come on. We hate balls, remember?" he said, a smile playing on the corner's of his lips.

"Umm, sure, OK" With a last glance at his cheek, she started to walk up the stairs to the common room. He followed her, making sure no one was following. At last, they reached her dormitory door. She made to open it but he blocked her way.

"Lily," he said.

"Yes James?" she said, her voice quivering.

"Umm...about tonight...I'm really sorry about the whole fight thing. The ball was practically ruined.

"Oh James..." she started, but he placed a finger to her lips.

"I want to make it up to you by...by taking you to Hogsmeade. Tomorrow."

"But James, tomorrow's Christmas, and the Hogsmeade trip isn't until next weekend!"

"I know...but just trust me. We'll go tomorrow." He took a deep steadying breath.

"Well, goodnight," she said, opening her door. But before she walked in, she quickly stood on her tiptoes and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek. James stood there until her door shut with a snap. He gave a shout of joy and flew down the stairs and out into the night, his broomstick over his shoulder, ready for a night of pure fun.