Snowflakes in her Hair

AN: On a mission for the Order James Potter and Lily Evans have been told by the "powers that be" and Dumbledore himself that they should never again be together, but will they give into temptation when they are sent on a mission together that no one else can do?

James took her hand and led her down the stairs, Lily was apprehensive her eyes wandering above the stairs where a collection of dirty rum bottles dangled. She let James lead her further underground her eyes looking around as the lights gradually dimming.

The bar was bigger than she thought, the drinks bar lined one whole side and small tables were dotted in the centre of the floor. At the other side of the room were a few booths, one was set back deeply into the wall almost out of view of the bar. And ordering drinks Lily peered into this particular booth and her heart jumping into her throat almost seeing it was empty she wandered over. James following her with the drinks.

The table was surrounded by comfy sofa like seating and was secluded and a bright red candle was burning brightly on the table. Lily threw her bag down and shuffled her bottom along the seating settling herself in the corner and James joined her placing the drinks down. He perched himself on the cushions next to her. Lily shuffled closer to him.

'I've got one-word running through my head Lily,' he said leaning back against the head rest

'And what's that James?' she said her hand automatically finding his. He didn't reply instantly, instead

'You've no idea how much I'm resisting the urge to kiss you,' James said quietly. Lily's eyes widened not entirely knowing what to say next or make James feel uncomfortable she tried to make a joke.

'Willpower failing, huh?'

'You could say that,' James mumbled his eyes half closed looking at her

'I didn't think you thought about me like that anymore,' Lily said nervously sipping her drink, aware of his eyes on her.

'Feelings like that don't just go away,'

Lily shuffled slightly closer to him. Her hands fidgeting.

'Oh,' Lily bit her lip and felt his face move closer. She flopped her head onto his shoulder and watched him take another drink of his beer. Floating her hands over his lap she found his fingers and slipped her hand over his. 'Really?'

'Yes, really,' he said his voice husky

'You still think of me?'

'Of course I do, you're a hard witch to forget,' James said. Lily could hear his breathing start to shake.

'And hypothetically speaking,' Lily began removing her head from James' shoulder staring at him 'if things were different, do you think we would be together?'

'Lily, this is dangerous territory,' he muttered darkly 'you know what Dumbledore said'

'Humour me,' Lily said firmly her grp tight around her balled glass

'Yes, you know we would,'

She nodded biting her lip

'That's good to know' Lily added flashing him a small smile.

'It doesn't go away overnight, you can't just do that,' James explained, looking almost sorrowful that she had moved away from him.

'Why are we such a complicated thing, James?' she said suddenly placing her head back on his shoulder, he smiled down at her, his free hand had draped around her shoulder slowly. Lily snuggled closer into him.

'I don't know Lily. It's just the way we are.' James groaned his hand gently rocked her shoulders pulling her nearer. He looked down at her over his glasses, his head then leant atop of hers and he kissed her forehead. Lily shifted her weight and moved her shoulders against the back of chair sitting up. James moved with her.

'Oh James,' Lily sighed heavily her hand moving over James' thigh.

'Really am resisting over here Lily,' James said fiddling with his glass his eyes glancing down at her free roaming hand.

'That bright pink neon sign you once mentioned James?' Lily said pensively her hand now finding his again. He had once told her that her emotions were often so obvious a bright pink neon sign would've been less obvious.

'Yes Lily well I've tried powering it down' he smiled slightly, his turn to make a joke

'How's that working for you?' Lily said her head back leaning against James' broad shoulder, and Lily felt his arm starting to drop to her waist.

'Failing, badly,' James mumbled, as Lily moved her head once again this time James unable to resist her. Lily nuzzled her head beneath his chin collapsing into his chest, she rubbed her nose rubbed his and she smiled at him again. His lips then brushed against hers before her mind even had time to comprehend the situation. Lily didn't say anything when he moved his lips away.

They said nothing to each other for a second or two and James' hand clutched his glass and he drank deeply as the remaining amber liquid sloshed in the pint glass.

'So you still like me then,'

'What do you think…' James said not even daring to look at her.

Twenty minutes later they were preparing to leave, Lily dragged her robe on and James shuffled from the booth, he held his hand out and she jumped catching his hand. Lily shivered as the cold wind hit her face as they walked up out of the bar, she glanced to James who had pulled his coat collar up around his neck. Walking hand in hand Lily felt the warmth from James spread through her fingers as they clasped hands. The city was sparse and the road was deserted as the weather became colder.

Momentarily stopping in front of a tall statue of a well-known politician James turned to Lily, their hands still tightly clasped together.

'Lily,' he said raising her hand to his lips. 'You know my feelings for you never changed, they just got buried deep. Because they had too Lily,'

'And now James, where are they now?' Lily said a slight hopefulness in her voice and for a moment James was completely quiet.

'Well, James?' she said slightly infuriated by his silence.