The first Hogsmeade visit of the year was scheduled on Halloween.

Two days before that day, Gryffindor had Potions with the Slytherins.

Lily, for the first time in a Potions lesson, was working with Marlene instead of Snape. James saw it as a positive sign and hastily took a decision.

"Hey, Evans," said James after the class. "Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?"

Lily looked at James as if she couldn't believe her ears.

"Go—out—with—you?" she asked incredulously.

James messed up his hair and grinned nervously. "Yeah...that's what I meant...will you? Please?"

"Are you out of your mind?" shouted Lily. She turned and stormed off.

James stared after her, confused. "What did she yell me at for?" he asked his friends who had come up.

"To be honest, James...it was a bit too optimistic if you really thought she'd go out with you," said Sirius, trying to sound sympathetic.

"Why d'you want to go out with her?" squeaked Peter indignantly. "She is not even beautiful!"

"I bet James thinks her red hair and green eyes are really mesmerizing, don't you, James?" asked Sirius, unable to keep a straight face.

"Shut up, Sirius." James sulked continuously throughout the day.