It was fall at Hogwarts, meaning the grounds were frigid and the students were often found studying around a cup of hot chocolate courtesy of the house elves in the kitchen. This particular night Lily Evans could be found hunched over her Transfiguration book late into the night trying to stay warm under her cloak. She had a big test tomorrow and she resisted sleep after her patrols with lots of coffee and promises to herself of a nap tomorrow.
James Potter and his best friend, Sirius Black, were roaming around the castle, per usual at this hour, when they decided to wander in the library. Sirius pretended to ignore the fact that James feigned innocence when they saw Lily in the library and knew he chose to come here for this reason. For the past year Lily had been growing closer and closer to their friend group and they began to care for her. Sirius was just as worried as James that she was overworking herself again.
"Boys," Lily said quietly respecting the golden rule of the library, "I can see you spying on me."
Sirius swore and James grinned before plopping down in the seat next to her. He couldn't help but stare at her, the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, and didn't even pretend to be bashful about it. Sirius sat across from them and leaned back in his seat. Lily noticed he wasn't wearing any robes and cloak but only his shirt lacking his tie.
"Sorry Lils, we had it in good information you were going to pass out in here again. James here was beside himself at that so we came to fetch you." Sirius yawned.
"You should be wearing a jacket, Sirius. I don't want to have to nurse you back to health." Lily said ignoring him and beginning with her motherly rant.
"Oi! The only boy you'll be nursing back to health is me." James put in.
Sirius laughed and even Lily had to grin at this. He didn't really bother her anymore and frankly she liked spending time with him as a friend. Even when he made jokes like those she didn't get riled up anymore.
"Ah Potter, I see you're still dreaming then." She laughed, "But you two should really get to bed. We have a test tomorrow."
The boys rolled their eyes at her and showed no signs of leaving. James tugged on the bottom of Lily's hair, he had a habit of doing this when he wanted her attention, and Lily found herself enjoying it.
"You need to go to bed too, Evans. You're taking the same test." James reminded her.
"Plus, you need loads more beauty sleep than I do." Sirius quipped.
This time Lily was the one rolling her eyes. She ignored her two friends and began to read the pages in front of her. Unfortunately she really was tired so all the words began to blend together and she felt her eyes closing. Suddenly she felt herself being hoisted out of her seat and when she opened her eyes she was extremely close to her be speckled friend. Sirius had gathered her books and left the library.
"If you wanted me sweep you off your feet Evans, all you had to do was ask." James teased into her ear.
"If you two get any closer people will begin to speculate you're seeing each other." Sirius teased.
"They already do." Lily groaned and with that she fell asleep in James arms.
The next morning the four closest things Hogwarts had to celebrities, the Marauders that is, sauntered in to class right at the last second. Their favorite teacher, although they would never admit it out loud, Professor McGonagall, gave them a nasty look but let it slide. Sirius winked at Mary McDonald in the front row and James looked around for his favorite red head. When he didn't spot her in her usual seat in the front he began to worry, missing a test was Lily's greatest fear.
"Moony," James whispered, "Where's Evans?"
"How should I know James?" Remus hissed back, not wanting to get in trouble.
"You're a prefect! You should know these things." James said quietly but fiercely.
"And YOU'RE headboy!" Remus said in an exasperated tone.
"Boys," McGonagall said sharply, "Lower your voices and pay attention or you'll be writing lines until you can't feel your fingers."
"Bit harsh." Peter put in to cheer his friends up. "'Cept it could be worse, with that woman."
"Has anyone seen Evans this morning?" James asked.
Remus ignored him, Sirius began to write a not to Mary, and only Peter paid him any attention. James wondering about Lily was a pastime they all were familiar with. Peter, wanting to be helpful, pulled the map out from his pocket in his robe. Just as he was about to point out Lily's dot on the map she burst in the room herself.
Lily was panting and her hair was flying all around her face. Her green eyes were unusually wide and she was sporting bags under her eyes, something the boys were used to seeing lately.
"Professor McGonagall," she panted, "I'm horribly sorry I'm late, I overslept! Please let me take the test."
Professor McGonagall's eyes softened ever so slightly at the head girl who always managed to take on triple the amount of a regular student. With it being N.E.W.T year, the days getting colder, and her duties ramping up she decided to give her a pass.
"Sit down Ms. Evans we haven't begun yet. Please don't make this a habit." She said sternly but not unkindly.
After class Lily and her best friend Mary were slowly making their way out, waiting for the boys, when Mary addressed her friend.
"You never behave like this, Lils." She whispered, keeping an eye on Sirius.
"I'm just tired is all. You know all the work I've taken on." Lily yawned.
James bounded up and was about to lecture her on getting more sleep when he noticed she barely seemed to be paying any attention to anything surrounding her. He watched as Sirius flirted with Mary, Remus and Peter argue about Quidditch, and he knew that he was okay with just walking with Lily; whether she was paying attention or not.