The Lily

Chapter Two: The Date

Lily stared at James numbly. You've got to be kidding, she thought hazily.

Anaiya elbowed her in the ribs. Lily shot her a look and turned back to James.

"All right," she said, reluctantly.

"Great."

~

Lily stood in the middle of her dorm, twisting her hair around her fingers.

What should I wear?

Lily scraped her teeth across her bottom lip. What am I thinking? He's only Potter.

Anaiya burst into the room.

"Okay, I'm going to help you get ready," she bubbled.

Lily groaned.

"This is going to be so much fun!"

Lily snorted.

"Let's see... put on these robes..." Anaiya thrust an emerald green robe at Lily.

As Lily changed, Anaiya rummaged through Lily's make up.

"Okay, let's look at my makeup..."

Lily rolled her eyes.

"Perfect!" Anaiya whirled around holding a small pot of gold eye shadow, a tube of lip gloss and blush.

Lily backed away looking horrified. "Anaiya, you know I don't wear makeup."

"Which is obvious from the meager supplies you do have."

Lily relented and allowed Anaiya to put the makeup on her.

Anaiya stepped back and handed Lily a mirror. Lily was surprised that it actually looked good. Anaiya hadn't used a lot of makeup like some girls tended to. There was a shimmer of gold on her eyelids, a soft pink tinge on her cheeks and berry-colored lip gloss on her lips.

Lily opened her mouth, but Anaiya barreled on before she could say a word.

"And for your hair..." She grabbed a curling iron and advanced toward Lily.

Lily shifted uneasily.

Anaiya attacked Lily's long hair. The result was long spiraling curls nearly to her waist.

Lily stood before a full-length mirror gazing at her reflection in awe. The green robes brought out the color of her eyes and clung to her curves, the makeup accentuated her features and the curled hair was the perfect touch.

She turned to Anaiya. "I don't know what to say."

"Say 'thank you'."

Lily smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome!" Anaiya chirped. "And to repay me, you can tell me all about your date with lover-boy."

~

Lily walked down the stairs to the girl's dorm nervously.

James turned towards her and Lily saw a look of amazement pass across his face.

"Lily... you look lovely," he breathed.

Lily smiled, "Thank you."

"Shall we go, fair lady?" James asked, bowing and offering his arm.

"We shall, kind sir," Lily answered, curtsying and accepting his arm.

They walked out the portrait hole together, leaving the occupants whispering.

~

"What would you like to have?" James asked.

"A butterbeer."

"Coming right up."

"James?"

He looked at her, eyebrows raised questioningly. "Yes?"

"I brought money, so I can pay my way."

James stared at her.

Lily frowned. "What?" She brought a hand to her face wondering if there was

something on it.

"Most girls don't pay their way. They expect me to pay for them."

"Well, I'm not like most girls."

James grinned, his eyes twinkling, and said, "Obviously." Briefly, his eyes flicked toward her hair.

Lily narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

He turned away, still grinning.

~

Lily was amazed that a person could have an intelligent conversation with him. You wouldn't have guessed from his trouble-making reputation.

Though he is quite good at transfiguration,

Lily mused.

Throughout the day Lily was finding herself liking James more and more.

It would have been perfect, had all the girls they came across hadn't shot venomous looks at Lily.

As they came into the Entrance Hall, James took her hand and turned towards her.

He hesitated, then asked, "Lily, would you let me kiss you?"

Lily blinked, looking startled. Millions of thoughts ran through her head. Finally, she reached her decision.

"All right."

Eyes gleaming, he slid a hand to the back of her neck and brought his lips to hers.

His mouth caressed hers, lips warm and smooth. He nibbled playfully on her bottom lip. She murmured his name and flexed her fingers beneath his. He shifted her closer, angling his head.

Gently he moved his hand from her neck to her face, tenderly framing her face. His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand.

Taking his lips from hers, he kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her cheeks.

Lily smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Rubbing his thumb across her cheek, he asked, "What?"

Her smile widened. "You taste like butterbeer."

James chuckled and brushed a kiss over her curls.