*Lilah POV*

I rushed past Sirius with a parting smile, eager to find James.

I scanned the hall, desperate to declare my love for him.

If I didn't do it now, I was scared that I might never build up the courage again.

Some Lion.

"James!" I called out, hurriedly squishing my way through the crowd, elbowing several sixth years out of the way.

"James!" I repeated, this time successfully catching his attention.

"Lilah?" James called back confusedly but began making his way towards me nevertheless.

It was only moments before we met in the middle, both slightly out of breath.

"James," I managed before throwing myself into his arms, one hand clutching his suit jacket and the other buried deep within his locks.

"Lilah? Lilah, what's wrong?" He pushed me back, scanning over me worriedly, noticing my smudged mascara.

His thumb swiped underneath my eyes, fixing my appearance.

"James I-" I broke, trying to find the correct way to say this without scaring him off. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to calm down before trying once more. "You're so kind and caring but you have this temper-"

"I know, I'm so sorry-"

"Would you shut up? I'm trying to declare my love for you for Merlin's sake!" I gritted frustratedly, ignoring his shocked look as I continued. "And I don't know why I love it so much but I like making you angry. I love how you challenge me. I love how our fire burns brighter, even when the only thing I want to do is hex you. I love how your face turns so red that I think you're literally moments away from keeling over. I love how you're not perfect. I love how we're not perfect. And I love how in my eyes your flaws are no longer flaws, but something to be fond of. They're one more thing to love about you. I love how when you look at me my heart starts to race and I swear it's seconds away from giving out because Merlin, how could I ever survive? The way you look at me sends shivers down to my bloody toes and I have a herd of elephants rampaging in my stomach, and if you don't kill me then that definitely will!"

"Elephants?" He questions amusedly, stepping closer to me to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Would you stop interrupting me?" I almost yelled, not appreciating how he wouldn't let me finish my declaration of love.

"Sorry! Sorry, do continue, Love."

"I love how you call me Love. I love how you get so worked up over Quidditch and how you get so easily jealous that you literally become a lion, or maybe stag would be more fitting." I ignored his shocked look at my knowledge of his animagus. "I love your stupid jokes and the way you care so deeply, doing your best to help out anyone if they were in need. I love how you kiss so passionately that I feel like I'm going to pass out-"

"But we haven't kissed?" James mumbled, scratching the back of his head in confusion.

A smirk slid its way onto my face as I cupped his cheeks, pulling his face down so that my lips could crash against his in a fiery hunger. His arms slid around me, supporting my weight as my knees gave out. I gripped onto his hair, clutching onto it tightly in passion, as I had desired to do for so long.

His lips were soft yet had a slightly rough edge, something I found extremely attractive. His nose brushed mine affectionately as he pulled back, panting as he tried to catch his breath.

"Merlin," he forced out, resting his hands on my hips.

"But most of all, James Potter, I love you."