Tears

"Looks like we're rolling into the station, guys. Let's get going." He lifted his trunk with ease and started down the corridor, whistling to himself, until a flash of auburn fire caught his eye. "Do you need some help, Lily?" he asked.

"Um--no, thanks--I'm--good," she said, clearly struggling.

He grinned at her back. "Allow me," he said, taking the burden of her trunk effortlessly onto his own shoulders and continuing down the corridor.

"I could have managed," she protested half-heartedly, trotting behind him.

He gave her a look over his shoulder.

"I got it on the train, didn't I?" she responded.

He kept walking, but said simply, "My way's faster." And indeed, they had already gotten onto the platform.

"Lily!"

She turned and saw him. "Dad!" she cried, and ran into his arms, her trunk temporarily forgotten. James, with the forgotten trunk, followed at a more leisurely pace.

"I've missed you, Lily. The house just isn't the same anymore. I'm glad you're home again," he said softly. She just squeezed him more tightly and said, "I love you, Dad."

After a moment, Mr. Evans noticed the patiently waiting James next to Lily's suddenly materialized trunk. "And you who might this young man be, Lily?"

She let go reluctantly and turned around. "Oh! Dad, this is my friend, James Potter. He's Head Boy."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Evans," said James, shaking Mr. Evans's hand.

Lily's father, still shaking the proffered hand, scrutinized the young man before him for a moment before allowing a smile to soften his face and saying, "A pleasure to meet you, as well, James."

"James Potter, I have been scouring this platform for you!"

James whipped around to find his very flushed mother, arms akimbo. He immediately turned sheepish. "Sorry, Mum," he said, scuffing the ground with his foot and avoiding any gazes.

"Well come here, you silly boy," she said, opening her arms.

Having been released, he grinned and enveloped his mother in an enormous hug. "I've missed you, Mum."

"Then why didn't you immediately come find me, you silly boy?"

"James was only carrying my trunk for me, Mrs. Potter," interjected Lily.

"Oh, who are you, dear?" she asked, now taking notice of the surrounding people.

"This is Lily, Mum."

Recognition dawned. "Oh, so this is Lily Evans," she said.

James nodded, hoping frantically that Lily wouldn't notice his ears turning pink.

"I'm pleased to finally meet you after all James has said about you."

Lily looked surprised, but had the sense not to say anything further.

"And this is Mr. Evans, Lily's father," broke in James.

Mother and father shook hands. Suddenly, a clock began chiming somewhere.

"Oh, dear, just look at the time! We really must be going. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Evans, Miss Evans."

"You too, Mrs. Potter. Happy Christmas, James!" she called after them.

***

"So that was the Lily Evans you've been pining after all these years," said Mrs. Potter as they were exiting the station.

"Yes, Mum."

"Well, I must say, she is pretty."

"The most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on, Mum. But she doesn't care a whit for me."

"Well she let you carry her trunk for her."

"Barely."

Mrs. Potter sighed. "Look on the bright side, James: you're friends now, which is more than you've ever been before."

"That's not enough! I can't stand being so close to her but not begin able to get any closer!"

"Be patient, James. She's only this year started to get to know you, and with all of the work and responsibility of being Head Girl and in her last year on top of the additional turmoil of losing her mother this year, romance probably isn't the first thing on her mind. Give her some time. I'm sure she'll come around."

"I'm not so sure."

"Well if you're not sure, James, how on earth will she be? Show her that you care, that you like being with her."

"I've been trying, Mum, but I don't want to scare her off by moving too fast. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep this a secret from her, though. I think--I think I love her."

Mrs. Potter stopped and looked her son square in the eye.

"She's been the only girl on my mind for years! Girls come and girls go, but she's . . . she's different. I can feel it."

"If you really think this is love, James, then there's no need to hide it. She needs to know."

"But if I told her, she'd go mental! She'd never speak to me again!"

"I'm not saying you need to tell her in so many words, but show her that you care. That you'll always be around for her if she needs anything. You don't need to hide everything."

"Oh, God, this is so hard."

"If she's as smart as you say she is, she'll catch on soon enough, and she'll react the way she feels. And then you'll know."

"She's going to drive me insane."

"Welcome to love, James."