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He was going to win Lily Evans over, and fuck everyone who says otherwise.
This year, Evans is going to go out with him, she’ll finally see how amazing and strong and smart he was, and she wouldn’t be able to resist his charm and finally say yes.
The moment he felt the sunlight seep through the curtains of his bed, he got out of bed, then looked at the calendar.
1 day.
Tomorrow was their Hogsemade Valentine weekend. Today was his final chance to ask Lily Evans.
Lily Evans will be his valentine this year, something inside his chest screamed that she will.
He stretched his arms and legs, then rubbed his eyes before walking over to his flower pots and smiling to himself.
Even if he didn’t take Herbology this year, James knew that he was in fact, a great florist, an amazing one, the best in the world.
His flowers finally bloomed. Lilies, just like Lily.
Blue lilies, Lily’s favorite color.
They looked beautiful under the bright sun. Sky blue petals with a darker shade of blue by the edges of each petal, gleaming with life.
If Lily Evans didn’t love it, then James was an idiot who knew nothing.
“GET UP GET UP GET UP!” James yelled out, pulling Sirius’ curtains open, who groaned and threw his pillow to cover his face.
“GETT UPPPPP!” James called out again, pulling Sirius’ blanket, then ran to pull Peter’s bed and pulled his curtains as well.
“GET OUUTTTT!” Peter yelled out, digging his face under his pillow.
James jumped over his bed, holding into one of the corners, “I just have to move along~” he started singing, “Just another town, another train!”
“Who the fuck lied to Prongs that he had a singer’s voice!” Remus’ yelled out, pulling his own curtains and throwing a pillow at James’ face, which he caught with a chaser’s instincts.
“Waiting in the morning rain!” He continued dramatically, picking up his useless hairbrush from his nightstand, “Lord give my restless soul a little patience~”
Again, he was attacked by another pillow from Peter this time, and again, he blocked it with his hairbrush.
“Why do you even have a hair brush?” Sirius commented, “Your hair is a total mess either way.”
“Just another town!” James continued, ignoring Sirius, who jumped at the mention of their favorite band.
“Another train!” Sirius jumped up.
“Nothing lost and nothing gained!” They sang together, then James threw his hairbrush to Sirius, who caught it with ease.
“Guess I will spend my life in railroad stations!” Sirius sand, dropping dramatically on his knees with the hairbrush acting as a singer’s mic.
“Guess I’ll spend my life on railroad stations!” James continued, dropping on his back like a child hit with the plague.
“Another word, and I’m going to grab the brush and smash it on your head!” Remus finally got up from his bed, picking up his pillow and returning it back on his bed like the neat freak he was.
“Fine, fine.” James said, getting off his bed, “Just don’t cry about it.”
They got ready, and James, again, tried to brush off his hair properly. How was Evans supposed to say yes when he couldn’t even tidy his hair?
“Why do you look..so neat today?” Sirius asked, looking how James had buttoned all of his shirt buttons, had his tie knotted tightly, and not a single wrinkle on his robes.
James cleared his throat, “I’m going to ask Evans out today.”
“Again?!” Peter exclaimed, “Didn’t she just rejected you like..three months ago?”
“Yes, but this time, she’s going to say yes, I am sure!” James replied, “My intuition says so, and you know how my ‘Potter’s intuition’ is never wrong!”
“That’s what you said last time,” Peter argued, putting on his robes.
“Last time, my intuition didn’t say so, this time, it does.” James said, taking out parchment from his bag and his quill.
“I have a feeling that she’s going to say yes someday,” Remus said, “You see, Lily and James had been on great terms this year.”
“See! Even Remus agrees!”
“But maybe not today.”
“Shut up! She”s going to say yes, and when she does, you’re going to treat me for butterbeer!”
“What?!” Peter exclaimed, “You promised us that you’re going to treat us to butterbeer!”
James shrugged, “Really? I don’t remember that?”
Soon, they were ready for breakfast. James excused himself and told them that he’ll join them for breakfast soon, and for them to grab him some pastries if he didn’t make it on time.
He grabbed his quill and parchment and started writing.
Dear Lily,
As Valentine’s Day is approaching, I, James Fleamont Potter, would like to take you out on a magnificent date that you shall never forget.
If yes, put on the lily,
If no, burn it.
Sending all love and kisses.
He picked up one of the lilies he planted moths ago and tiptoed downstairs along with his invisibility cloak, then checked if the sixth years girls dormitories before putting on the cloak and sneaking in. He couldn’t guess which bed was Lily’s, so he placed the letter on a random nightstand along with the blue lily.
Potions was okay today, not as terrible as usual.
“I just know the moment we graduate, he’s going to get fired.” Sirius said after they prayed to the universe for Slughorn’s fall for the thousandth time. Seriously, that guy is invincible when it comes to fate.
“We’ve got two free hours before, wanna go and fly a bit?” James suggested, turning towards Sirius and winking.
“Hell yeah!” Sirius agreed, then ran off back to their dormitories to get their stuff. James followed, running behind him to get as many flying time as possible.
Quickly, he took out his quidditch robes, put them on, then grabbed his broom before rushing down.
“Potter!” His name was called, causing him to turn around and face..
Lily Evans was walking up to him, not in a rush, and definitely not slowing down.
And she had the blue Lily right above her ear.
His heart was thumping like a maniac on a broom in his chest, but he managed to keep his silly grin up.
“Yes ma’am.” James replied, placing a hand on his hip.
She took out the blue lily out of her hair and passed it James, who questioned every single action he’ve done ever since he woke up. Did he do something wrong in potions? He was on his best behaviour today!
“I’m going to give you one last chance.” She said, “Ask me again, like a Gryffindor this time.”
Fuck.
He couldn’t tell if she was mad, or if she was glad. Her face was neutral, and he hated that! What was he supposed to expect right now!
But he’ve got no other choice.
So he cleared his throat, fixed his glasses, then looked into Lily’s bright green eyes.
“Lily,” he said, handing out the flower properly, “Would you give me the honour of taking you out on Valentine’s Day?”
She looked at him, with a small shy smile on her lips, then she looked at the flower, then back at him again, “I sure would.”
Silence filled the room, even James brain froze for a moment, not believing what his ears had caught.
“PLACE THE FLOWER BEHIND HER EAR!” Sirius yelled out, snapping James back.
Slowly, he reached for her face and pulled a strand of her fiery red hair behind he ears, then placed the blue lily right above her ear.
And then looked at her again, and before he knew it, she reached for the neck of quidditch robes..
the next thing he knew, his lips were against her.
She pulled away two seconds later, silence filling the common room, and without a second thought, he reached for her face, stroking her cheek with his fingers.
Again, their lips found their way to each other.
Cheers and yells echoed in the common room, and James, in his mind, was yelling and screaming and giggling like a teenage girl seeing her favorite character appear in a comic.
When she finally let go, he turned to his friends, “I’m treating you all to butterbeer.”
“MOONY!!” James yelled out, the blue lilies spread on his bed. Seriously, he was supposed to meet Lily in less than half an hour!
Lily!
He’s going on a date with Lily Evans!
“What?” Remus said, walking over to James.
“How am I supposed to do this?!”
Remus sighed, picked up the flower wrap and folded it in half.
“Did you know that she would say yes?” James suddenly asked, remembering Remus’ words yesterday that she’s going to say yes someday.
He saw that filthy grin in his face, “Ofcourse I did,” He answered, “I’ve known that she’s been in love with you for months.”
James paused, then turned his face to look at Remus properly, “Excuse me?”
Ever since December of their fourth year, Lily and Remus were getting close, like, close friends. In fact, maybe she became now closer than that slimy greasy bat.
“I said I’ve known since the start of this year.”
“AND YOU DIDN’T OLAN TO TELL ME!”
Remus picked up the dozen of lilies and aligned them together, then shrugged, “I gave her a promise not to tell, and it would ruin the whole vibe. It was fun to see you both yearning like idiot, had a quite of a laugh about it.” He said, “Plus, she feared that it was just a crush and she’d move on, so she didn’t want you to know.”
Good! Now there was something to ruin his mood.
But Lily had been in love with him from start of the year.
And she KISSED him!
On the LIPS!
That was great, that was even better than becoming one of the members of Order of Merlin!
He won THE Lily Evans over!
She LIKES him!
James left Remus to work with his lilies and turned to the mirror, checking his appearance one last time. His hair was—the usual, nothing can be done, and James had sworn not to use his dad’s Sleekeazy's Hair Potion.
But his shirt was clean, not even a single wrinkle in sight, his glasses lenses were also clean, his socks were matching, and he put on a warm leather jacket.
Oh, and he was two steps ahead as well.
He had worn a warm thermal shirt under his white shirt, in case Lily got cold and he’ll offer her his warm brown leather jacket like how his dad always packed a second pairs of gloves knowing that his mom always forgot hers.
It will be an unforgettable day!
And Lily WILL give him another kiss today.
“Ahh! I see lover boy is ready today!” Sirius and Peter got up to the dormitory back from breakfast.
“Do not forget about the butterbeers!” Peter reminded, and James groaned. What was so cold about butterbeers when he will not be with them?
“I won’t! I promise! If this date goes well, I’m going to invite you all in a second round!”
Cheers erupted in their dorm, all greedy for TWO rounds of butterbeers on James’ expense.
“Here.” Remus passed him the lilies bouquet, all nice and tidy and in place.
“You’re the best!” James said, before turning on his heels to leave.
“Ayyy, not so fast, lover boy.” Sirius walked over, then grabbed James arm before landing a kiss on his cheeks.
“AYO! WHAT THE FUCK!” James yelled out, wiping off his cheek, and the dormitory exploded into laughter.
“Don’t forget who sneaked with you past-curfew under that blasted cloak!” Sirius said, “Now go before Evans comes yo and drag you by that nest of a hair!”
“Have a great time!” Remus waved, James waved back, and went running down the stairs.
“DON’T FORGET THE BUTTERBEERS!” Peter shouted.
“I WON’T!”
“AND YOU DIDN’T HEAR THAT LILY HAD BEEN IN LOVE WITH YOU FROM ME!” Remus yelled out.
“SURE!”
Running down the stairs and through the corridors, he finally reached the Great Hall. He looked at his watch, five minutes early, a record!
But Lily was already there before him. Fiery and curled red hair down her shoulders, a paige jumper and a leather skirt styled with thermal tights and leather boots.
And of course, her iconic black Breton.
“Good morning!” James greeted, walking over to her, hiding the flowers behind him.
“Morning,” she replied, grinning like an idiot as well.
Today was going to be a great day!
He took out the flowers from behind, and offered it to her, “Lilies for my beautiful Lily.”
“Thank you.” She said, her eyes gleaming with surprise, before her smile reached her eyes.
“Come on, “ he said, offering his arm, “I’ve got a whole day planned.”
He didn’t plan anything.
His only plan was to plan this during the time of the plan.