The Golden Deer

Chapter three- James drops a hint

Lily came back into the castle and proceeded to Gryffindor Tower to get to work before lunchtime, red-cheeked and breathless from the winter weather. She expected to see James Potter in the common room, but he was still wherever he was...

Lily settled in next to the common room fire with Advancing Transfiguration and was reading about the process of becoming an Animagus when James came in, pink himself, and sat next to her by the fire. "What have you been up to?" she asked suspiciously.

"Oh, I was just in the library. Studying, you know. Where were you?"

"If you were in the library, why are you warming your hands? And why are your cheeks windburned?"

"Bad circulation, I guess. So where were you?"

"None of your business, Potter."

"Okay. If that's how you want it." James got up to leave.

"I'm sorry, James. I guess I'm just stressed out from studying. I fancied a walk outside. Now, where we you, really?"

"I was outside too. Enjoying the scenery, you know."

"This Transfiguration chapter is so tedious. I can't see why anybody would want to be an Animagus; I mean, it's so difficult!"

"It's really not so hard, Lily. Anyway, think of the advantages! You could do alot of things you would never get away with as a human."

"That's like you, Potter. Always thinking of how to get away with something. You never think anything is too hard either; no, not for you, right? Look at this. I still can't understand how one determines the type of animal. It seems like you have no choice, but who would gamble on that? What if I turned into a warthog or something?"

"You wouldn't be a warthog, Lily. Your animal form comes from your heart. You have a beautiful heart." Lily felt herself melt.

"What would I be?" she asked, totally charmed.

"I don't know. Maybe a swan or a dove. Or a tigress. How about a doe?"

Lily's heart skipped. Was it her imagination or did he give her a knowing look as he suggested the doe? Did he see her with the magic deer? "And what would you be?" she asked.

"What do you think?" As he asked her this, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Lily suddenly had a very hard time thinking. James looked into her eyes and came closer to her. Just as his lips were about to touch hers, she pulled away.

"James!" she said in a scandalized voice. "What are you doing?

James only smiled. "Lily Evans, will you marry me?"

"I still haven't even agreed to go out with you. Stop teasing me like this."

"Lily, I'm being totally serious. I love you. This isn't just a game to me."

James' emphasis on that last phrase unsettled Lily. I think he was following me. Oh God! How much did he hear? "I... I don't know what to think. I'm going upstairs."

Lily stayed upstairs through lunch and all afternoon, just to avoid James and to avoid thinking about her feelings. By dinnertime, she had no choice. She was starving. She brought her outside things with her to dinner, and Sat down across from James who was already eating.

"I thought you'd never come down."

"I was hungry."

"So, why are you here over break, anyway? Your folks out of town?"

Lily was glad for some small talk. "They went to Wales to see my Mom's family. They go every year, but my sister's school has their break earlier than ours, so the two of us take turns going along every other year."

"You have a sister? Does she have gorgeous eyes too? Only because I can't wait for you for ever, you know."

Here he goes again. "Well, her eyes aren't green, if that's what you mean."

"No, what I mean is gorgeous. Don't you wonder why I never date anybody? It's those eyes of yours, Evans! You're really being cruel, you know. I'm a good looking guy, right?"

"I suppose so."

"So how long would you expect me to wait for you? A man has needs, Lily."

Lily changed the subject. "Um... do you know how to get into the kitchens?"

"Sure. Why?"

"I want some apples, and there aren't any out tonight."

"I'll get a couple for you."

As James was going, Lily said, "Actually, James, could you bring six? And maybe some sugar cubes, too."

"Hungry? No problem."

Lily waited while James was in the kitchen. Why can't I just admit I'm hot for him? Why am I so bloody stubborn? He came back with the apples and sugar tied up in a dinner napkin.

"What do you plan to do with this stuff?"

""Me? Oh, well it's for a friend, actually, I mean, nevermind. James... I found a really great place today out on the grounds. Maybe in the morning you could come for a walk with me and I'll show it to you, if you want to, I mean."

"Am I losing my mind, or did you just ask me out, Lily?"

"No. I mean, you're not losing your mind. But, don't get any ideas Potter. I just want to show you something, that's all."

"Where should I meet you?"

"How about just outside gryffindor tower after breakfast?"

"Deal," with that, he kissed her right on the lips. Lily resisted the old urge to push him away, and even considered the new urge to kiss him back, but he was gone in an instatnt, walking out the castle doors, leaving her glued to the spot. What am I getting myself into?