Author's Note: Well, this is the last chapter, my friends. I figured I'd give it to you as a Valentine's Day gift. However, no, this chapter isn't set on Valentine's day. I do hope you enjoy it, though.
I'll try not to make this author's note long. Shout outs to the many people who've reviewed my stories, and thanks to those who reviewed multiple times. Your advice and input was wonderful! To fizban hat: I got my First Footing traditions from my etiquette book (You'd be surprised how comprehensive they are!), but the book is Australian, so it may not be entirely correct. I did do some research, but I never came across that, although it's probably correct.
Thanks to everyone who added me to their Author Updates and Favorite Authors list. You're all wonderful. The Myth of Innocence chapter should be out in a few days (The only delay I can see is that my toothache doesn't go away. It seems I've cracked a tooth!). The chapters may come more sporadically now that I'm back at school, but they will keep coming. Love to all,
Catia
Two months had passed since The Second Kiss. James hadn't done anything else – hadn't even attempted to – but he still remained in high spirits. He was adamant that since he had instigated the last two 'encounters', it was now Evan's turn to come to him. She had yet to realise that, though.
Still, James was perfectly confident that, given time (and some nudging from Sirius via Marianne) that she'd realise it was now up to her. All she had to do was give the word, and he'd be there. She just had to realise that she needed to give the word.
James finished the day without getting into any trouble, or pulling anyone into mischief. Sirius looked to be content not to get detention for a little while, and so (for one of the first times in their lives) they went to bed without sneaking outside of bounds after dark.
He didn't seem to be able to sleep. He would have thought that she'd have made her move on Valentine's Day. Only, that day had come and gone two weeks (and one day) ago, with most of the school receiving some sort of card, or present, or gesture of affection. It looked like only James had gone without.
He was just dosing off to sleep when the door to their room opened and a hooded figured entered. He didn't pay much attention – Marianne often had late night visits with Padfoot. Of course, when the figure ignored Padfoot's bed and continued towards his, James sat upright, reaching for his wand.
"What do you want?"
Silence. The figure reached his bed. James was about to hex the person to the next century when the person sat on his bed and removed their – her – hood. Lily. She smiled nervously. "I borrowed the cloak from Marianne."
"Oh." He nodded, not sure what else to say. What else should he say? There was nothing to say. "What are you doing here?"
She bit her lip. "Do you know what the date today is?" February 29th. He nodded for her to continue. "Well, since you're so infatuated with traditions, I figured I'd tell you about this one. Every leap year – on the 29th of February, there's an opportunity for the woman to ask the man to marry her."
She stopped. James held his breath, then let it out with a whoosh of air as she continued. "You know the first argument we had this year? The...the one outside of Transfiguration? How you said I was jealous?" Without waiting for an answer, she went on. "It isn't your wealth I'm jealous of, it was your family." A blush ran up her cheeks, peaches and cream staining her skin. "I have a sister, and she...she hates witches, and wizards. She spent most of the holidays calling me a freak and staying out of my way. And then I saw you when you were on the train, and your family loved you so much that..." She sighed. "Well, I got jealous."
She stopped, holding up a hand to keep him silent. She needed time to collect her thoughts. "The Sorting Hat wanted me put into Ravenclaw. It said I would do well there. But I'd already heard about Gryffindor on the train, and I thought it sounded wonderful. I knew that I needed to be in Gryffindor, because there'd be someone there to...to bring me out of my shell." She licked her lips. "Only there wasn't. They were nice enough, but there was no one daring me to do anything. Until you decided you wanted me." Her green eyes looked up at him. "You bring me out of my shell. Make me a better person." Her eyes darted around his bedroom. "Sometimes I try to do it myself, to prove that I should be in Gryffindor. That's what the Samhain thing is about. It's an ancient practice, but I came across it in Muggle studies and...and I'm just so sick of being safe Lily, of being Miss Lily-Evans-Who-Hasn't-Got-A-Daring-Bone-In-Her-Body. So I," she shrugged and smiled, not continuing.
She watched her fingers play with his bedspread. "Anyway, today is the Marry Me day." She looked at him sternly. "But don't get any ideas Potter. I'm not going to propose to you. First of all, I'm only seventeen, and secondly, I've been dreaming of the way my husband will propose to me for years, so I'm not going to give it up just because of some stupid tradition." She grinned at him.
"But I do like you, Potter. In fact, I like you something fierce. You...you make me feel good. Cherished. And, well, loved. And even if you are an arrogant prat, you're sweet – in your own way – and, well..." She sighed, slid off his bed and onto her knees. "Potter...James. Will you go out with me?"
Grinning, he answered quickly, just in case she changed her mind. "Oh Lily," he smiled. "I will! I can't believe you ever doubted that." He helped her stand, then led her to the door. He followed her outside, kissing her gently and quickly. When her returned, all three of his friends were awake and sitting up. It seemed Marianne and Theresa had informed Sirius and Peter of Lily's plan.
Peter and Sirius started re-enacting the scene. "Oh Lily," they laughed, their voices high and falsetto. "I will!" They started making smoochy noises with their hands.
James gave them a stern glare. "Mr. Prongs wishes to inform Mr. Padfoot and Mr. Wormtail that their mocking is irrelevant. It is impossible to burst my bubble."
He grinned at Remus, then at Sirius, who seemed to be trying not to laugh. "After all, I won. Mark my words, Padfoot. That girl will marry me." He leant back on his bed, grinning like a loon. "But I can wait."
Finis.