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Lily had exchanged pleasantries with everyone at The Leaky Cauldron except James Potter. Hell, she even flirted with a few patrons of the bar. It didn’t mean anything, of course. She only had eyes for one man. That man was the very one she had so far avoided.
The red-headed witch ordered another shot of firewhisky. She didn’t notice James make his way over to the bar as she tilted her head back and let the liquid sting her throat.
“Are you avoiding me?” He asked.
“You should take it as a compliment that I’m talking to everyone here but you ,” Lily told him.
“Why is that?”
“You’re so gorgeous. I can’t say anything to your face.”
“You just did, Lily.”
“Yes, but tomorrow I can blame it on the alcohol,” Lily said.
“Is that so?”
Lily didn’t respond. Instead, she made her way back to the table where her friends Mary and Marlene sat.
“James is here,” she whispered to them.
“I know,” Marlene said. “I saw him at the bar with you. Have you finally told him how you feel?”
“Kind of.” Lily buried her face in her hands. “What if he doesn’t feel the same?”
“He does,” Mary assured her friend. “He’s fancied you for years, Lils.”
“But what if he doesn’t anymore?” Lily protested.
“He does,” Marlene promised.
Lily stood back up. “I’m going to the loo,” she announced.
As she made her way across the crowded bar, she felt a hand brush against hers. She looked up. James Potter.
“Lily, can we talk?” He asked.
“What about?”
“Well, you essentially just told me you fancy me and walked away right after.”
“I…” Lily struggled to speak. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” James said quickly.
They stood still for a long minute in the middle of The Leaky Cauldron, staring at each other, unable to hear the chatter of the other patrons over the buzzing chemistry between them.
“To be honest,” Lily broke the silence, “I’m only slightly tipsy right now.”
“Why are you telling me this?” asked James.
“I want you to know that I’m sober enough to know that I really want to kiss you right now.”
“Well.” James chuckled. “I suppose I should tell you I haven’t actually had any alcohol tonight. I’m sober enough to know that I want to kiss you, too. I have for a long time.”
Lily stepped closer to him. “James…”
James could swear he heard fireworks explode as he leaned in and kissed the woman of his dreams.