A Life of Love

~Chapter 4~

"Yea, there's only one thing missing." James sighed again.

"What?" Remus asked, in an exasperated voice, leaning his head against his hands.

"Wings." James said, and smiled. Remus laughed. Sirius groaned.

"If you said that to Lily's face, she'd like you even more," he blurted out.

Remus thought about what he had just said. James froze and widened his eyes. Sirius looked dumfounded.

Remus slapped his forehead, "Oops," said Remus nervously.

"Did you say what I think you said?" James slowly unfroze.

Remus looked tense, "No, no. I said she'd like you. Not-," Remus began, but Sirius spoke up.

"She actually likes this weirdo? Too bad," sighed Sirius.

James jumped up, "YES! SHE DOES! HA HA! THIS IS GREAT!" He started to do a sort of jig around the library.

Sirius jumped up and tried to catch him, "James! STOP! We're going to get kicked out of the library!" Sirius grabbed James by the arm, and pulled him to his seat.

"She really likes me! When should I ask her?" James was grinning very widely.

"Uh," began Remus, "I didn't mean she'd like you, she just wants to got to the Ball with you..."

James glared then threw his hands up and exclaimed, "SAME THING!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The four days, James was uncontrollably happy. He would always smile at Lily and Lily thought he was acting sort of different, but she didn't know why.

After school was over, James sat in the common room, and played wizard's chess with Remus. Sirius was asleep snoring on the Common Room couch.

James was not extremely good at Wizard's Chess like Remus was, so he just played so that he could do something while he waited for Lily to get her Homework done. James cleared his throat.

"Remus?"

"Hold on, let me kill your King," ordered Remus the piece to kill James' king. James' didn't really care. "What do you need?"

"Well, I-I feel sort of bad. I mean, I started liking Lily when she looked pretty. I'm not sure if I like her for who she is," sighed James.

Remus looked up, "Well, what do you like about her? Instead of her looks?"

James laughed slightly, "I like her sense of Humor, I like how she's not afraid to be stand up what she believes in, and I like how smart she is. Wait, I DON'T like her for the way she looks! Thanks Remus," James smiled.

James asked impatiently, "Blimey, when is she coming down?"

Remus thought. This boy is getting impatient. He's asking me stupid questions that he already knows.

"LILY! ARE YOU DONE YET?" Remus yelled.

Sirius awoke with a snort. He yawned and stretched, "She's still not down here yet?" Sirius asked sleepily.

"Nope." James pondered about how he was going to ask Lily to the ball. He knew there was only one way you can ask, but he wanted to ask in a charming way, that would make her say yes right away. Finally, Lily came walking down the steps. She was wearing jeans and a lilac colored sweater.

She stopped, "Wait, where are we going again?" Lily asked.

Remus sighed, "Flying! We're going to practice flying!"

Lily frowned, "On my own broom?" Lily asked sounding worried, as she sat down on the couch.

"Only if you want to. You can fly on my broom if you want, it's the latest brand, and it can fit two people on it," James suggested.

Lily smiled, "Okay, let's go," said Lily. She stood up, and hit Sirius with a couch pillow.

He flinched, "Huh?" Sirius asked.

"Are you coming, Padfoot?" Remus asked, holding up his broom.

Sirius smiled, "Of course," Sirius stood up. He grabbed his broom, as if he was wide-awake.

The Group walked down to where the Lake was. It was a slightly windy night, but they had on warm clothes. Lily still though huddled close to James. He liked it.

Sirius spoke up, "Okay, how about we just stay sort of around Hagrid's hut and the Quidditch Field. We can meet back here in twenty minutes," Sirius winked at James and took off.

The sun was just going down and Sirius was already up there, soaring like a very fast bird.

Next went Remus, he smiled and said, "Have fun!" then he went off towards the Quidditch pitch, flying in and out of the trees.

James climbed on his broom and held it for Lily to climb on. She didn't move. She looked nervous.

"Come on, Lily. I won't let you fall. It's perfectly safe. If you fell, before you'd hit the ground, I'd swoop down and catch you. Okay?" James smiled.

Lily laughed and slowly got on. "Are you really that good?" Lily quickly wrapped her arms around James' waist. She squeezed.

James' breathed in, "Just relax Lily. You don't have to squeeze that hard."

Lily let go just a little bit, "Sorry," said Lily.

"Okay, I'm going to slowly lift up, and we're going to go." James lifted his broom up and they went flying into the sky. Lily gripped again hard around James' waist. James didn't really mind. The night was silent.

James smiled, "See, isn't it wonderful?" James asked. Lily put her chin on James' shoulder.

"It's beautiful." Lily remarked quietly. They went flying over Hagrid's hut, and saw the tools and giant knives that Hagrid owned. James glanced around and then looked forward.

"Lily?" He asked as they floated high above the ground.

"Huh?" Lily said, now laying her head on James' back. James had been rehearsing this question over and over.

"I was wondering." James began.

Lily lifted her head, "Yes, James?"

"Well," James didn't know what to say. Finally, he took a deep breath.

"Will you, uh, go, um, to, you know, the, um, the ball with, uh, well, me?" James blushed.

Lily put her chin on his shoulder and smiled, "Yes, James Potter I will go with you," she whispered into his ear.

James lightened up his face. "Really? You-You want-,"

Lily laughed slightly. "Yes, James. I want to go with you." Lily's cheeks turned a slight color of red. She had never really talk to a boy like that before.

"Well, thanks Lily!" James said, he was extremely happy. Lily smiled again.

"Anytime."

The rest of the ride, James and Lily were just enjoying the view, and the feeling of quietness.

"Lily, I'm going to go down now." James slowly sped towards the ground. Lily laughed and tightened her grip around James.

Finally, James landed. Sirius and Remus were sitting on the ground, shaking their heads, and smiling. Lily hopped off and stretched.

"So, how was it?" Remus asked.

James nodded his head, "Fun." He looked at Lily and blushed. Sirius whispered something into Remus' ear. Remus laughed.

"What?" Lily asked. Remus shut his mouth.

"Oh, nothing!" The boys got up.

"So, shall we go?" Sirius asked, picking up his broom. Lily started walking.

Remus held back, "So, what did she say?" Remus asked James' as the walked back to the castle.

James smiled eagerly, "Well, she said that she wants to go with me!" James gripped his fist.

Remus laughed, "Really? Great!"

They high fived each other and James leaned his head towards Remus.

"Maybe I can actually go out with her. I can ask her at the ball! This perfect!" James looked up at the stars. They twinkled in every direction. It was a beautiful sight.

This was a great night. It couldn't be better. James thought.

All of the sudden, Remus tripped over a rock and went flying forward.

"AH!" Remus fell on the grass, and stupidly, James didn't notice and he tripped right over Remus' body. He swayed his arms clockwise to stop. Lily turned around.

"WHOA!" James fell straight forward, and he pulled Lily with him.

"JAMES!" Lily screamed, and pulled Sirius' sleeve to stop.

"HEY!" Lily, who was pulled by James, pulled Sirius to the ground.

It was exactly like the Domino affect... except funnier.

All four of them lay on the grass, laughing. Lily sat on James' lap, and Sirius laid next to Remus who was rubbing his back painfully.

After they calmed down, Lily looked at James. His black untidy hair was messed up even more, and his bright blue eyes shined in the night.

Lily smiled as James looked up, and moved his hair out of his eyes.

He is SO cute! Lily thought. Gosh, aren't I lucky? I'm going to the ball with one of the most handsome boys in the school! Oh, Margie will KILL me. Yes!

Lily stood up, and put a hand down to where James was sitting. James looked at her with confusion.

"And you think you can pull me up?" James asked, smiling, as he raised his eyebrows.

Lily shrugged, "It's worth a try." Lily smiled sweetly. James laughed. Lily was acting very funny tonight.

"Ok." James put his hand up. Lily grabbed it.

Geez, her hand is soft. Wow. James thought.

Lily on the other hand, laughed, as she tried to pull James up from the ground. It seemed like he weighed a ton! She pulled with all her strength, but she hadn't even lifted him an inch off the floor. James laughed.

"My gosh Lily!" And with that, James pulled her down to the ground in a flash. Lily landed on top of James and he fell back.

She looked into his eyes, and he looked into hers. Lily's green eyes flashed. James stared at her with awe. Lily smiled and quickly rolled off of James. James was still laying on the ground. Lily looked around to look at Sirius and Remus, but they weren't there.

Towards the distance, she saw two brooms flying towards the castle, and then pulled together as they high fived each other. She could hear a slight laugh, as if it was almost not there. Lily smiled.

James sat up. He looked around, "Where the hell did Remus and Sirius go?"

James asked Lily. Lily smiled and pointed towards the castle. James looked towards the castle to see to figures opening the door to the castle hall. James sighed.

"Don't tell me they planned this?" James asked, standing up. He dusted his pants off.

"Every bit of it." Lily said flatly. She looked at James, who just stood there. Lily widened her eyes. She cleared her throat loudly. James looked at her. She was holding her hand out.

"What?" James raised his eyebrow. Lily shook her hand. James understood.

"OH! Yeah, sorry!" James quickly pulled Lily off the ground as if she was a leaf. She sort of jumped in the air.

"Whoa, James! I'm sort of light, remember? You're not pulling up Sirius or anyone that big. Not so strong!" Lily laughed.

James blushed, "Sorry." James looked at Lily. Her smile was beautiful. "So, do you want to go?" James asked, picking up his broom. Lily smiled.

"Yeah, let's go." Lily said, and she started walking towards the castle, but James walked very slowly.

"Um... James?" Lily asked. "Do you want to go?" Lily motioned towards the castle.

"Well, there's something I wanted to ask you." James walked up to Lily. She looked at him curiously.

"Yeah?" Lily asked, she hadn't any idea what he was talking about.

James put his hands on his head. He looked very nervous.

"Well, it's sort of too early, but, well," James motioned Lily to sit down with him.

James sat down and pulling the grass out of the ground.

"James!" Lily sat down next to him. "What do you need?"

James breathed in deeply. "Willyoubemygirlfriend?" James said extremely fast. He blushed. Lily looked confused.

"Wait what? All I heard was be and g-girlfr- oh..." Lily drifted off her sentence.

James, the cutest boy in school had just asked her out. She looked towards the mountains as her soft long hair blew against her cheek.

She thought about if she really wanted to be his girlfriend. She looked at the corner of her eye. James was sitting there, waiting for an answer. His hair was silently moving in on his head, and his blue eyes looked almost baby blue.

Lily turned around and looked James straight in the eye, and she thought whether or not, James was the boy who would actually be her first boyfriend. Did she really want this boy that was her best friend be treating her extra special? Sticking up for her, and James panicked.

"You don't have to be if you don't want to... I just, well, I like you..." James became extremely embarrassed.

He had just told this girl that he liked her. But... this girl... was not like other girls.... She was just different... better? Perhaps... James thought she just might be a one of a kind girl... a one of a kind girl that just happened to enjoy him for who he was... not his looks... not his ways.... But on the inside, and this one of a kind girl just happened to know what James was like... on the inside...

"Well, um..." Lily began, but James cut her off.

"Lily, it's fine. Really. You don't have to..."

James seemed pretty convinced that Lily had said no, but she really hadn't said anything. Lily looked at James. He looked like he didn't really care if she said no, but she could see the James inside that really liked her and that was really bummed. James just kept blabbing on.

"You know, forget it. I didn't want to-," James was certain until Lily cut him off.

She beamed, "James... Shut up and listen!" Lily blushed slightly. James closed his mouth instantly. "I want to be your girlfriend."

James looked at Lily, and he was really surprised. He widened his eyes. Lily laughed slightly. James grinned.

"Um..." He didn't know what to say. A girl that he liked very much had just said that she wants to be his girlfriend. Not any kind of girl... a girl that you can only meet once in a lifetime. This was really surprising.

All of the sudden, James felt really confident and he smiled and laughed. This assurance made him feel like he was on top of the world. He just wanted to stand up, and dance around. He wanted to show Lily how much he really appreciated this. But, something inside him told him to stay cool, and to act casual.

"Thanks Lily! Geez, wow. Uh, here, let me help you up!" James jumped up and put his hand out to Lily.

She smiled. Hey, this will be fun. Full bodyguard service, and a reason to flirt without being suspected! Yeah!

Lily took James' hand and James' pulled her up, yet fast again. Lily sighed. James looked guilty.

"James, James, James, when will you learn?" Lily asked in a mock stern voice.

James shrugged, "Do you want to go up now?" James asked, jabbing his thumb towards the castle.

"Sure, but I'm still not tired!" Lily laughed. She walked with James up to the castle door. James stopped. He looked at Lily.

"Um, Lily? Can we kind of keep this a secret? You know, about you and me?" James asked nervously. Lily smiled.

"Yea, of course." Lily was about to open the door, when James' stopped her. His voice turned deep.

" Here, let me do that for you!" Lily laughed while James' opened the door.

Inside, it was dark, with only the tiny candles on the sides of the walls. Lily pulled out her wand.

"Lumos!" She whispered. Now she could clearly see James face, and the pathway in front of her. All of the sudden, James tripped over the rug. He almost fell forward, but his foot stopped him. Lily laughed and hit him on the shoulder.

"Shh! Do you want to get caught?" Lily asked, trying to keep stern, but laughing at the same time. James shrugged and smiled.

All of the sudden, Lily ran into something, "Hey!" Lily was scared out of her mind. She showed her wand over towards the object. James gulped. It was Professor McGonagall. Lily breathed in. Professor McGonagall looked very mad.

"Come with me, you two!" She turned around and walked into the hall. Lily and James were forced to follow. Lily grabbed James' arm. James smiled. Lily had never, ever, received a punishment of any kind, and she didn't want to start tonight.

They walked slowly to Professor Dumbledore's office. As they walked farther, the colder it was.

Finally, they went into Professor Dumbledore's office, and McGonagall ordered them to sit down on the couch. James looked around. Fawkes was sitting on his perch. It looked very sick. James knew what was going to happen, but Lily didn't. Then, Fawkes fell off his perch, and was on fire. James nudged Lily and she screamed.

"Oh my gosh! What happened?" Lily asked. James thought she was horrified.

"Nothing. Why? Are you scared?" James teased.

"The bird had just been set on fire! Who wouldn't?" James was sure Lily was completely horrified.

James laughed. Professor McGonagall shot a look at him. James shut up in an instant.

"Potter, I would like you to know that this isn't time to play and have fun,"

Professor McGonagall looked at Lily. "It is against the rules being outside after hours. Unfortunately, it is out of my power to address the time and place of where you would receive your detentions. It is up to Professor Dumbledore, to what your result will be."

All of the sudden, Professor Dumbledore came into the office, and saw Lily's shocked face. He chuckled slightly, and walked over to Fawkes cage, where Fawkes had once been. Now, replacing the pile of ashes was a ugly little baby bird.

"It is most unfortunate that you had to first glimpse Fawkes on his Burning day. Do you have any idea what a burning day is for a Phoenix?" Professor Dumbledore asked Lily quietly.

She couldn't recall anything about it. All of the sudden, James tapped her on the shoulder, and quietly did a little act as if he was melting, and then stopped when Professor McGonagall cleared her throat rather loudly.

Lily recognized what James was doing. It was what Sirius did when Professor Binns was talking about the history of a Phoenix. Lily was also too lazy to listen, so she decided to watch Sirius.

"The Phoenix burns and then is reborn." Lily said quietly. She was still extremely scared of what Professor Dumbledore would do.

Would they be punished?