VINGT SIX

the second first date!

"FUCK," LILY GROANED as she pulled away, her ears slightly shot from the cheering around her.

"What's wrong, love?" James asked, furrowing his brows in confusion.

"It's going to be ruined- wait!" Lily exclaimed. "You're in the middle of a match you idiot!" 

"Rose's got the snitch," James shrugged.

"No she hasn't!" Lily exclaimed, trying to get him to turn back to the match. "She's still chasing something."

"Rose has got the snitch," James said firmly and then he held up his hand and counted down from five and the second he put his last finger down, not breaking eye contact, an enormous cheer erupted.

"Granger-Weasley has caught the snitch!" Ben screamed into the mic. "Gryffindor wins this match!" 

James just smirked down at Lily, who looked between him and the pitch with furrowed brows and desperate confusion.

"How did you — " Lily breathed out.

"Because quidditch is my thing," James said as he smirked even harder ( if it was possible ).

"I thought your hair was your thing," Lily retorted.

"Just like you," James said with a dark glint in his eyes as his voice got lower. "Multiple things can be my thing."

"What does he mean?" Ruby teased.

"If you must know, Lily is magnificent at hea-" James started before his mouth was covered by Lily's hands. He spoke against her hands, but only a muffled noise came out. He reached up and forced her hands down.

"I was going to say Head Girl duties," James teased. "Why? were you thinking I'd say something else?" 

"I hate you," Lily grumbled as her face glowed bright red.

Charlie and Ruby, on the other hand, were cackling with laughter at the altercation between the two. It was just like old times, except now both of them had finally gotten over themselves and gotten together. 

Lily bit her lip as she looked at James, who was still looking at Ruby and Charlie with bright eyes. She grabbed his hand, gaining his attention.

"Meet me at the bottom of the field?" Lily asked.

"Why?" James asked, confused.

"You'll see," Lily said slyly. 

"Well you could just ride down with me," James said with a smirk as he referenced his broom.

"Not in a million years," Lily protested as she snatched her hand away from James before he could pull her over. 

She told Henry that she was going out and quickly ran down the stairs of the quidditch stands. Low and behold, James was on the ground before her, waiting in his full gear.

"If we go anywhere, I have to take this off first," James said as he gestured to his gear.

"Um- alright, but hurry up," Lily said as she nervously bit the inside of her cheek. He really did need to hurry up if it was going to be perfect ( and Lily Janes Edwards accepts nothing less than perfection ). "I'm going to find Nyah. I'll produce my patronus and when you're done, cast yours and they'll interact and I'll know you're done."

"Or you could come and change with me," James suggested with a smirk.

"As much as I would adore to see Fred's underwear, I think I'm going to pass," Lily said as she motioned to Fred Weasley entering the communal boy's Gryffindor tent. 

"Touché," James replied.

"Well do hurry up!" Lily exclaimed as a smile found itself on her face. 

James sent her a wave and jogged over to the tent, leaving her to find Nyah after she produced her lioness. No sooner did she have to think of the girl, but Nyah Thomas appeared in all of her glory and ushered Lily into the Gryffindor girl's tent to escape from the pouring rain. 

"Ny!" Lily exclaimed as she jumped into the girl's arms.

"Ach! I'm sweaty!" Nyah exclaimed.

"Oh I don't care at this point," Lily said with a giggle. "I'm so proud of you! You were brilliant!"

"Thanks Lil," Nyah said with a huge grin. 

"Nyah," Lily exclaimed. "You were so good!" 

"Yeah, I hope so," Nyah said as she scratched the back of her neck and not so discreetly looking at the Holyhead Harpies recruiter who was in the stands.

"Look, if they don't approach you today, I'll be so shocked! You were on fire!" Lily exclaimed as she grabbed Nyah's attention again. 

"Well I guess we'll have to see," Nyah said quietly. 

"Is everything alright?" Lily asked, her enthusiasm toning down a bit at her friend's nerves.

"I just really want this. I mean I know I have other options, but the Harpies are it! More Harpies players than anyone else, maybe other than the Magpies, make it onto team UK," Nyah explained. 

"Hey!" Lily comforted. "Look at me. You're the best bloody player that I know — don't tell James or else he'll throw a fit — but it's true. You're better than him, better than Ryan, better than all of the people here and you've got the biggest shot of anyone, ok?" 

"Yeah," Nyah said, nodding a little. "Ok." 

"That's the spirit," Lily said kindly while trying to think of something to distract. "So, James's birthday, what are you thinking of wearing?" 

Nyah lit up at the question and started talking animatedly about a white dress that she'd just gotten from a shop in Hogsmeade that went perfectly with this pair of heeled sandals that she'd been wanting to wear for a while. While Lily was intently listening, she felt a nudge at the back of her head, knowing that James was ready. At the same time, she saw Nyah's eyes drift behind her and outside the tent because of a sudden movement and then did a double take.

"Bloody hell," Nyah breathed out as she stared behind them. Lily turned to see her new lioness ( that her friends had promptly admired ) nuzzling a lion. Directly across from them stood James Sirius Potter under the stands with his hands in his pockets, his quidditch cloak moving with the wind over his quidditch sweater and pants. "You two are made for each other."

"But his patronus is ... is a basset hound, I don't understand," Lily stuttered as she stared at the lion and lioness playing in the grass together. 

"Perhaps yours wasn't the only one that changed," Nyah suggested with a nudge in Lily's side. "It's sort of poetic, the more you think about it."

"What?" Lily asked, confused.

"Well, I'm assuming that his changed around the time yours did and by then you were both in love with each other, so it's sort of like you changed to fit each other," Nyah explained as she looked over at Lily. 

A blush painted itself on Lily's cheeks as she struggled to contain a smile. 

"You know, if you want to make it to that date before the sun sets, I suggest you better get moving," Nyah whispered to the Ravenclaw, who couldn't stop staring at her patronus. 

"Shit, you're right. Thank you again for helping with that," Lily said with a quick smile as she scrambled back to reality. 

Nyah curtly nodded and pushed Lily forward, towards James before Lily broke out into a light jog. Rosy cheeked and with a huge grin, Lily reached James and immediately grabbed his hand. 

She broke out into a run, James following with a confused face until he let go of the reality that she might reveal any part of her plan and he quickly started to run as well while still holding onto her hand. He trusted her to guide him wherever she wanted to go. 

The rain hurt a little bit against their faces as they ran towards a place that James, weirdly, had never been before. Lily seemed anxious as they ran, but laughed no less. Both of their cheeks and noses went red from the cold. 

James was confused when Lily pulled them through a thick brush, but was astonished at the other side. It was a smaller lake that had an amazing view of Hogwarts. He realized that you really had to be looking for it in order to see it from the castle, but it was there nonetheless. He now understood why she was so anxious. 

As the sun set and the sky was painted gold, it reflected off of the pool of water and the castle lit up. The windows were adorned with streaks of gold and silver and positively glowed in the light. So, actually, did the rain and it seemed as if little drops of gold were falling on them. 

James was awestruck. He couldn't speak, only his mouth hung open as he watched, until he remembered that they were getting absolutely drenched so he took off his quidditch cloak quickly and held it over both of their heads. 

Upon realizing that she was no longer being rained on, Lily looked up just as James turned back to the sunset. She smiled, her eyes soft as she watched him watch the sunset. She'd seen it a couple times before and decided it was the perfect date. He loved new things, but he also loved familiar things and this was the perfect marriage of that. 

"This is gorgeous, Lil," James breathed out as he watched as the sky turned blue and purple, making everything else turn the cooler colors. 

Clouds started to shroud the sunset as more rain bucketed down and Lily wasn't happy anymore.

"I had a whole picnic planned and everything," she pouted. "But everything's wet." 

"It's alright," James said softly as he gazed down at her. "This was perfect because I just saw the second most beautiful thing in my life while standing next to the first." 

Lily blushed and looked as if she was about to cry, but she wasn't. 

"You know what," Lily said slowly as an idea came into her head. "You're right, it's ok. I have a saving grace!" 

"Alright, sunshine, lead the way," James said, still looking at her.

They walked this time, having no rush and also not wanting to be pelted with water anymore as James continued to hold his cloak over them. He had cracked a corny joke as they made their way back to the castle, making both of them laugh. From a little ways away ( and under the protection of the castle walls ) Nyah snapped a polaroid of the two laughing together. She knew they'd want it later. 

Lily couldn't breathe from laughing so hard as they made it to the dry safety of the castle. She grabbed his hand and dragged him to the hidden door near the entrance and down the stairs, by then he knew where they were going and started to lead. Once they made it down, he tickled the pear on the painting and the Hogwarts kitchens were revealed. 

There was a huge wooden island in the center of the kitchen lined with stools. Surrounding this kitchen were a couple of ovens and stovetops as well as counter space. Neatly, ingredients and utensils were put away on shelves and in cupboards above the counter. It was all brown and green toned and reminded them of the Hufflepuff common rooms. 

It was quieter because it was after dinner, but all of the house elves that were there cleared off when James and Lily entered. It was ideal as Lily was doing the cooking this time. She transfigured a towel into an apron. 

"Chef Edwards, what are we having?" James asked with an amused smile as he sat at one of the stools. 

"Well what would you like my love?" Lily asked as she leaned over the island, facing James, her head in her hands. 

"Hmm ... how about ... tomato soup?" James asked.

"With a toasted cheese?" Lily asked.

"Sounds wonderful," James said dreamily. 

The warm air from the ovens that were preparing pastries for the morning enveloped them in a warm hug and dried them off. Lily made the soup from scratch ( the only way you should make it, in her opinion ) and while it was simmering, she cut the bread and sliced the cheese to toast them.

Soon enough, two bowls of tomato bisque and two toasted cheeses found themselves in front of Lily and James as they sat next to each other in the quiet kitchen. The rain battering down created a perfect ambiance of peace as they sat and ate in comfortable silence. 

"You know," James said as he licked the tips of his fingers. "This has to be the best first date I've ever been on." 

Lily rolled her eyes, but smiled nonetheless.

"It could have been better," Lily grumbled.

"Nah, I don't think it could've," James insisted.

Lily shot him a dirty look.

"It's true! What's better than tomato bisque and a toasted cheese?" James asked. "And besides, I love being with you, whether it be at a golden lake or in the Hogwarts kitchen." 

Lily leaned forward and captured his lips in a soft kiss, both of them smiling into it. She pulled away, but only slightly so their noses still touched and their gravity hadn't separated. She looked in his eyes at the flecks of gold in his sea of hot chocolate brown. 

"I love you," Lily said quietly. 

"I love you too," James said as he broke out into a grin. 

He softly grabbed her chin and tilted her head up, bringing her back in for a slow, sultry kiss. Lily took in a deep breath and sighed as she deepened the kiss by moving over and straddling his lap. She pulled away, barely.

"You should get to the party," she whispered.

"What party?" James asked with a smile as he pulled her in again.

He groaned into this kiss, and was disappointed when she pulled away again.

"At Gryffindor tower. Your win, remember," Lily said as a soft smile found itself on her face. 

"So what, it's just a party," James protested softly.

"But I want you to have fun," Lily pouted.

"Well do you want to go to the party?" James asked.

"Not particularly," Lily murmured. 

"Well then, how about we head back to the dorm and have our own party there?" James suggested. 

Lily smirked, hummed in agreement and hopped off of James's lap. She brought out her wand and waved it silently, cleaning up the dishes and leaned against the door frame, waiting for him. Once he'd collected himself, he grabbed her hand and practically dragged her back to the dorm.

Approximately a week later, James Sirius Potter walked into every single one of his classes that day and was met with various pots of bearnaise sauce instead of the class materials. The teachers were quite alarmed at the fact that they couldn't change them back until 2:48, on the nose, when they all burst back into their original forms. 

What James Sirius Potter did notice, however, was his cousin and his girlfriend struggling to contain their laughter in about every class and then he remembered. Winter holiday when they were supposed to be taking out the trash, but, instead, they were laughing over a pot of bearnaise sauce.

"Is this your prank?" James whispered to Fred and he only nodded in return. "It's so random."

"So?" Fred asked. "It's hilarious."

"It's just ... odd," James grumbled.

"Oh," Fred cooed. "I see. You're jealous because your girlfriend, who is brilliant, by the way, pulled a genius prank with me that makes absolutely no sense."

"What!" James whispered harshly. "I am not jealous."

"Sure, Jan," Fred muttered.

James shoved his arm, but quickly stopped when Professor Clearwater tapped on their desk.

"Anything you want to share? Mr. Potter? Mr. Weasley?" Clearwater asked.

"No, ma'am," James answered quickly with an innocent smile.

Fred just shook his head and gave her a dimpley smile.

"Very well," Clearwater grumbled. "Your paper is due next week before the spring holidays."

A chorus of teenagers sounded as they left the classroom saying thank you and acknowledging the assignment.

James was giddy, he had postponed his birthday party because of the quidditch match and it was that weekend. Even better, he knew Lily had a cute dress to wear to it ( he'd overheard her and Nyah in her room a couple nights ago during one of their many sleepovers ) that was, per usual, 70s inspired.

He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that he'd spend his 18th birthday party with Lily Jane Edwards, his girlfriend. And then later that night, when they were sober, he'd get an after party all to himself complete with the sweetest soundtrack he'd ever heard. 

"Your party tonight is going to be the biggest thing ever," Fred exclaimed as he jumped on James as they walked down the hallway. "You know what this means right?"

"What does it mean, mate?" James humored him.

"Room of Requirement," Fred said with a wide grin. 

"Room of Requirement!" James repeated with enthusiasm.

"What about the Room of Requirement?" a voice piped up from a little ways away.

James and Fred turned around to face Lily Edwards and Nyah Thomas walking down the hallway. James immediately lit up and looked at Lily with sun filled eyes. He turned and mock saluted Nyah and she nodded in return. As they approached, James stuck his hands in his back pockets and leaned back. 

"Just the biggest birthday party ever," Fred revealed.

"I'm so excited!" Lily exclaimed as she laughed lightly and smiled widely at James. "You're finally 18!" 

"Damn right I am!" James exclaimed. "When do you turn 18?"

"Oh I am 18," Lily revealed.

"What?" James asked, very confused.

"My birthday's January 1st, new year's day," Lily replied.

"So you mean to tell me that you were at my house, with my family on your birthday ( and you know how seriously we take birthdays ) and didn't say anything?" James asked incredulously.

"I have to say I'm with James on this one. If any of our parents found out ... all hell would break loose," Fred whistled out. 

"Sorry I didn't tell you it was my birthday?" Lily asked sarcastically.

"What she's trying to say is that she doesn't really like to celebrate it," Nyah clarified. "Only we  and her parents know her birthday. Everyone else just guesses." 

"What!?" James roared. "You don't like your birthday?"

Lily shook her head.

"Wh- how- it's the best day of the year!" Fred exclaimed. "It's the one day that everyone has to pay attention to and compliment you!" 

"Yeah, I don't really like that," Lily said meekly.

"You- I- You're unbelievable," Fred huffed.

"Sorry?" Lily said, though it sounded more like a question. 

"I'm going to change that," James said with determination.

"No, you're not," Lily said firmly. 

"Oh yes I am!" James exclaimed.

"Please don't," Lily begged him. 

"But Lil! It's ... it's ... it's Lily day! It's the day for you!" James spluttered.

"I've never liked my birthday because it's on an inconvenient day and I'm not a fan of the attention that it brings me," Lily said firmly. 

"But it celebrates like who you've become and stuff!" James exclaimed.

"But why can't you celebrate that any other day?" Lily retorted.

"Because it's your birthday!" James exclaimed. "I'm going to make you love your birthday." 

"Why are you so concerned about this?" Lily yelled, her face growing stony. 

James was slightly taken aback, Lily never yelled, but, nevertheless, he soldiered on. 

"Because I care about you!" James exclaimed.

"It's a lost cause James — " Nyah tried to interject. 

Lily then realized she had yelled at someone and not just someone, James and on his birthday too. 

"Shit," Lily muttered. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you." 

"'t's alright," James muttered. 

Lily pulled him in for a tight hug which he quickly melted into, showing that he did, really, forgive her. 

"I'm going to change that though," James muttered into her shoulder. 

"Alright James, sure," Lily ( fake ) conceded, she really just didn't want to fight about it more with him because she knew he'd never back down. 

They pulled away to meet the raised eyebrows of Fred Weasley and the easy smile of Nyah Thomas.

"There you all are!" someone called out. 

They all looked to find Ruby Macmillan, alone. 

"Where's Charlie?" James asked as she approached the group.

"He's at a family thing in Japan," Ruby revealed.

Charlie had left Hogwarts to go to Japan with his family to celebrate the Spring Equinox. In modern times, the school had allowed for absences related to religious and cultural holidays, like how Estelle left every year for Tết.

"Oh, cool," James muttered and looked down awkwardly. If he was being honest, he was looking forward to seeing Charlie, but it is what it is. 

"I think your boyfriend is sadder about him being gone than I am," Ruby muttered to herself, even though it was directed at Lily ( and she heard and burst out laughing ).

"What!" James defended. "He's a great ... dancer." 

"I'm sure he is, James," Lily said smugly. 

"I'd know," Ruby added. 

"Besides James's weird crush on Charlie, we have to get ready!" Nyah exclaimed as she tugged on the girl's hands. 

James just shrugged, he may have been 'straight', but is anyone ever really when Chris Evans and Zendaya exist? No. 

Ruby pulled back with a guilty smile.

"I promised I'd help Annie with her eyeliner back at the dorms, perhaps you could come there?" Ruby asked.

"Everything's at Lily's," Nyah whined. 

"Ny, it's alright! We'll get ready at my dorm and we'll meet Rubes there. We're all going to the same place after all," Lily negotiated. 

"Alright," Nyah said with a nod as Ruby nodded too.

"I'm coming back with you," James said as he turned towards Fred who just nodded curtly. "Don't want to be there for ... that."

"Was that a hint of sexism I hear?" Lily asked as she glared at him.

"No, I just know that getting ready is a sacred tradition to some girls such as yourselves where secrets and tears are shared that are too holy for us mere boys to understand," James explained innocently.

"Good," Lily muttered. "Your cousins trained you well."

"They did," James said with a big smile causing dimples to form and his eyes to close slightly. 

"Goddamn himbos," Nyah grumbled.

"Don't act for a moment like Ryan Allen-Chang isn't one too," Lily retorted as they stared at the boys. 

"True," Nyah conceded. "Well, let's go!" 

"Bye, love!" James called after Lily as she blew a kiss his way. 

"You guys are dating and you're still a simp," Fred chuckled.

"I don't remember asking for your opinion," James retorted. 

"So, you woke up today and chose violence," Fred deadpanned. "Noted."

"It's my birthday!" James exclaimed.

"Not really," Fred corrected.

"It's my birth month, hoe, let me be," James fired back. 

"Violence, I tell you," Fred joked. 

"Oh shut it," James grumbled as they headed to the Gryffindor dorms. 

Lily and Nyah did have quite a good time alone in her dorms. They went through about 30 different makeup looks and different combinations with the help of Lily's closet and the multiple options that Nyah had brought ( she couldn't make a decision to save her life ). 

They giggled over one of Ryan's romantic gestures that involved fireworks with Nyah's face in them and Lily recounted her and James's first date part one again and told her all about what had happened the week prior ( spare a few details ). 

They were in a fit of laughter over a memory from third year when they realized the time and the fact that they hadn't actually started getting ready yet. They both scrambled up and started to apply makeup and prep their hair. They double checked each other and, eventually, deemed themselves ready. 

Nyah walked out of Lily's bathroom and Lily will swear that she fell in love with her a little bit. Nyah strutted out in white stilettos and a tight, spaghetti strap, white dress that flared a little bit at the bottom. Her hair was natural and curly, framing her face. 

Lily was wearing a pair of fitted red overalls with a rainbow horizontal striped long sleeved mock neck shirt, sheer black tights and knee high black gogo boots. Nyah had helped her blow out her hair and curl it slightly at the ends. And stood with her mouth hanging open.

"No," Nyah stated. "Not acceptable."

"Nope," Lily replied. "This is not okay."

"Who allowed you to be this beautiful?" Nyah yelled.

"Who allowed you to be this beautiful?" Lily yelled back.

"Who allowed you to take? my breath? away?" Nyah yelled as followed Molly's direction.

"Call the healers, call the aurors, because there has been an emergency-" Lily yelled back. 

"You are stunning. I have no breath," Nyah yelled at her.

"Ummmm I can't look right at it," Lily said as she looked away briefly. 

"We should probably go," Nyah said through some laughter.

Lily nodded gravely. They weren't too late, so people were already there and the party was practically in full swing. Lily spotted James across the room talking with Henry and latched onto Nyah's arm so she wouldn't faint. He looked gorgeous. 

James was wearing a pair of mid rise purple slacks, white button down that was unbuttoned at the top and a couple down as well with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his forearms and yellow tinted sunglasses that he'd borrowed from Henry. He'd decided to kind of match with Lily's ( usual ) 60s aesthetic that time.

If they weren't in public, Lily would've made an inhuman noise.

"Are you seriously fangirling over your boyfriend?" Nyah teased.

"Um excuse me!" Lily whisper yelled. "Is he not the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen?"

Nyah crinkled her nose, but then nodded her head from side to side.

"Not my type, but I see it," she said as she tried to pry Lily's death grip off of her. "But also hang on ... you're literally one of the most stunning people I've ever seen."

"You're right," Lily replied tentatively as she breathed out aggressively.

"And a bad bitch," Nyah affirmed. "Say it."

"I'm a bad bitch!" Lily yelled.

"You're a bad bitch!" Nyah yelled.

"You're a bad bitch!" Lily yelled back.

"I'm a bad bitch!" Nyah yelled as they both cheered and threw their hands up.

"There you two are!" James exclaimed as he, Henry and Ryan managed their way over to them. 

"Didn't have to look too hard, mate, all you have to do is listen for two people yelling that their bad b — " Ryan joked, but was hit in the stomach by a smiling Henry. "Rude!"

"You should thank me, I saved you," Henry said with a sarcastic smile. 

"I'll enlighten him, don't worry," Nyah grumbled as she walked over and grabbed Li's hand, leading him to the dance floor. 

"Oh, is that Charlie?" Henry asked awkwardly.

"Charlie's not-" Lily protested, but he was already gone. 

"You look — " James breathed out as Lily looked back up at him. "I- I think I'm falling in love with you all over again."

Lily leaned up and slowly kissed his cheek.

"I think it's a little something other than love," she whispered into his ear and then kissed lightly right below it before walking off to get a drink. 

James's neck went bright red and he did a 20 second snoopy dance before turning on his heel and following after her. 

In true James fashion, 60s music was prevalent as well as some Taylor Swift ( because he's secure folks ). James and Lily jumped around to Hard Day's Night and Our Song and ( kind of ) slow danced to Love Story and Lover. The night never really slowed down. 

They both let loose and danced away the entire night until it was time for James's birthday cake. Fred, Lorcan and Lysander came out with a huge sheet cake that had a picture of baby James showing his bum and looking over his shoulder innocently. Everyone, including James, laughed once they saw what it was. 

The cake had 18 candles on it that sparkled and cracked like mini fireworks going off. James had stars in his eyes as the room started to sing him happy birthday and he wrapped his arm around Lily's waist. Life couldn't get any better for James Sirius Potter. 

"Blow out the candles!" James heard Lily exclaim through all of the cheering.

He looked down and saw her kind eyes and had a flashback to the train ride at the beginning of the year. The first time she'd smiled at him and the first time he'd seen those goddamn eyes that made him melt every time. 

He shook his head a little, turned back towards the cake and blew out all of the candles. When he did, they went out briefly, but then a glow came from them and 18 fireworks shot up from each of the candles and burst in the ceiling. 

Lily and James held onto each other as they watched in awe with everyone else. James had seen it 18 times now, but it was still no less magical. He laid his head on Lily's shoulder and she tangled her hand in his hair as they watched the last couple explode. 

The rest of the party was led into by the intro of "Tongue Tied" by Grouplove. James leaned Lily down, one hand on her waist and the other under her chin, and brought her into a sweet kiss that earned wolf whistles from many of their friends. 

Lily started to laugh at the attention, breaking the kiss and she threw her head back in laughter. James smiled down at her as he held her waist and the other hand that had held her chin intertwined with Lily's hand. 

It was picturesque because they were really, truly happy.