Lily blinked as, several feet down the table, James Potter suddenly stood up and climbed on top of it. Lily stared, about to ask Marlene what in Merlin's name he was doing, when his eyes suddenly fell on her and he commanded the attention of everyone in the room.
Frankly, I think it's immature for you to just avoid me like you have, over a kiss." Lily felt her face flush, hearing gasps all around her as the eyes of most of Hogwarts fell on her. She found herself unable to look away from James's piercing gaze as he continued.
His next words stole her breath.
And let me tell you, Lily, I love you.
She literally could not breathe. Lily felt Marlene's hand on her arm, as if to hold her up, and she choked a bit on her own saliva as she fought to get air in her lungs. He was serious, there was no doubt about that. She had never felt more convinced of the truth in his words.
There was an awful, ringing silence as James finished his speech, beseeching her to give him a chance. Lily felt the eyes back on her and knew everyone was expecting her to respond. For some reason, her eyes roamed across the room and she saw Professor Dumbledore, watching her calmly from his seat, a knowing smile on his wizened face. When she caught his eyes, he gave a very slight wink.
Lily's eyes went back to James's desperate ones, and she cleared her throat.
Am I really going to do this? Oh well, too late now...
"James Potter, you are an arrogant, mouthy, insufferable toerag," she said clearly, climbing up onto the table herself. Merlin, what the hell am I doing. "You are irresponsible, ignorant, immature, and loud." With each word, she took several steps closer to James. "You don't know when to stop, do you? You never know when enough is enough."
She was standing right in front of him now, and she had to tilt her head back slightly to meet his eyes.
"You know, I think that's why I fancy you."
And without thinking, without any hesitation at all, she kissed him.