Saturday night came around, and James was a bundle of nerves and excitement. He'd put on his best clothes—his version of 'nice,' which meant his least wrinkled shirt and a slightly rumpled blazer. He waited by the entrance to the Great Hall, tapping his foot impatiently.

When Lily showed up, James felt his breath catch. She was wearing a simple but elegant red dress, and she looked stunning.

"Hey, Lily!" James said, trying to sound casual.

"Hi, James," Lily replied with a warm smile. "You look nice."

"Thanks," James said, trying not to blush. "Shall we head out?"

They made their way to Hogsmeade, chatting about their classes and sharing funny stories. James found himself relaxing, and he noticed that Lily seemed to be enjoying herself too.

When they entered the Three Broomsticks, Madam Rosmerta greeted them with a friendly smile and led them to a cozy corner. They sat down, and James ordered a firewhisky while Lily opted for butterbeer.

"So, what do you think of the place?" James asked, trying to sound casual.

"It's really nice," Lily said, looking around. "I've heard a lot about it but never been here before."

They continued talking, covering everything from their latest magical mishaps to their plans for the summer. As the night went on, James realized he was having the best time. Lily was funny and smart, and he found himself opening up about things he usually kept to himself.

As they walked back to Hogwarts, the cool night air was refreshing. The stars twinkled above them, and James felt a contentedness he hadn't known before.

"This has been really nice," Lily said, her voice soft. "I'm glad we did this."

"Me too," James said, his heart feeling lighter than it had in ages. "I've wanted to spend more time with you for a long time."

Lily's eyes sparkled in the starlight. "I'm glad you finally asked. I had a great time."

James grinned, feeling like he was floating. "So, how about another date sometime? Maybe something a bit more exciting?"

Lily laughed, the sound ringing out into the night. "I'd like that."

When they reached the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower, James hesitated for a moment. "Thanks for tonight, Lily. Really."

Lily smiled, her eyes warm. "You're welcome, James. See you soon?"

"Definitely," James said, watching her walk inside with a huge grin on his face.

He turned and made his way back to the common room, still buzzing from the evening. The night had gone even better than he'd hoped, and he couldn't wait to see where things would go from here.