The Lily

Chapter Four: The Talk

Lily walked quickly down to the lake, hoping to get there before James. She sat down and ran over what she would say.

Lily watched as the squid swam lazily through the water. Shifting her gaze towards the castle, Lily looked for James. Sighing she turned back to the cool, clear water.

Idly, she wrapped a strand of hair around her finger.

"Lily?"

Lily blinked and looked up at James. "Hi."

"Why did you want to meet me here?" James sat beside her, his eyes locked on her face.

Okay. Here it goes. Lily took a deep breath and said, "Well, everywhere I go, someone is asking if we're together and I'm not sure how to answer, so I wanted to talk to you about it." Glad to get that off her chest, Lily smiled a trifle nervously.

James watched her for a moment, then said, "I would like you to be my girlfriend."

She felt the knots in her stomach ease a bit. "I would like to be your girlfriend."

He grinned at her, then leaned over to kiss her.

She felt the knots ease completely, to be replaced with fluttery sensations and liquid pulls.

The tenseness went out of her shoulders at the soothing feel of his lips on hers.

Everything is perfect, Lily thought fuzzily. Well, almost perfect, she amended as she thought of what had really been bugging her. She pulled away, frowning.

"Is something wrong, Lily?" James asked, looking concerned.

"Um, actually, there is..."

"What is it," he said taking her face in his hands.

"I heard someone say, 'James will probably be finished with her by the end of the week.' "

Sighing, he brushed his lips against her forehead. "That's not true. I have no idea where they would get something like that."

"Another person said, 'I think he deserves better than her.' "

"I think they're just jealous of you. After all, nobody has your hair," he ran a hand through it, "or your gorgeous green eyes. And," he said arrogantly, "you do have me." He grinned charmingly.

Lily snorted with laughter and swatted him playfully.

"Well, if it isn't the two lovebirds."

They turned around to find Sirius behind them, a mischievous look in his dark eyes.

James sighed and muttered, "Oh, no" under his breath.

Grinning wickedly, Sirius said, "So, Jamesy, did you sweep her off her feet?"

Looking at James, she saw his cheeks stained pink. Lily's eyes gleamed with amusement and interest. Smiling coyly, she asked, "Jamesy?"

"It's a nickname Sirius gave me," James said resignedly.

Before Sirius could say another word, James turned to Lily, "Would you like to go for a walk?"

Her lips curved, "Sure."

Relieved, he took her hand and helped her to stand. Looking at his friend pointedly, he said, "Good bye, Sirius."

He grinned disarmingly as they walked off together, hand in hand. "Don't forget to send me an invitation to the wedding!" He called after them.

Lily felt her face flush, glancing at James, she saw his face was pink as well.

They walked together in companionable silence.