I know, I haven't been writing lately. Blame it on school. And actually, I have. I'm working on another L/J story but it's going to take some time to finish. And now here is Duck, a story that I suddenly had inspiration for yesterday. Hope you like!

"Lily flower!"

"Lily dear!"

"Lily-of-the-valley!"

"Lily love!"

"Lily honey!"

"Lily swan!"

"Lily duck!"

"Just shut up already, Potter!" yelled Lily irritably.

"No, I mean really, duck Lily!"

"Shove off and leave me alone!"

"No, DUCK!"

Lily's eyes widened as saw something hurtling through the air towards her but she realized too late. James winced as it hit her. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly, running towards Lily's fallen form.

"Ooww," Lily moaned. "Help..." She sagged onto the ground.

"Lily!" yelped James.

Madam Pomfrey had been having an awful day. Not only had at least five students arrived with colds, a Hufflepuff boy had gotten himself into a fight with a Slytherin and was now swimming around confusedly in a fishbowl, being a goldfish. She wasn't feeling so good herself, because she had stayed up all night tending to that Ravenclaw girl with a Bludger to the head from the Quidditch match. Quidditch. What a stupid game with far too many consequences. But then when Davy Gudgeon had run in telling her that Lily Evans had collapsed by the lake, she had just about had enough. She sighed and jogged outside.

Madam Pomfrey spotted a stricken James kneeling by an unconscious Lily. "What happened, boy?" she called, irritated with herself for sounding annoyed.

"I don't know, she got hit," answered James. "Oh no, oh no, oh no, she's never going to forgive me," he muttered, wringing his hands. "Oh no, please be ok but it's my fault oh no!"

Madam Pomfrey checked Lily's pulse, and then, leaning gently over her, said, "Hello?"

Lily's eyelids flickered. "Hi," she mumbled. "Where am I?"

"You are at Hogwarts, my dear, and you've just been knocked out. Shh.. Lie down, yes, that's it." Madam Pomfrey conjured a stretcher and helped Lily onto it.

In the Hospital Wing, suddenly all Lily's memories came rushing back to her. "James!"

"Yes?" He appeared, looking delighted.

"You.. You tried to warn me. You tried... But I wouldn't listen. Oh I'm so stupid, I'm so, so stupid!" She burst into tears.

"Now, now! Don't upset her!" Madam Pomfrey bustled out.

"No, it's ok," gasped Lily through her tears. "Thank you James, how can I repay you?"

"When you feel ready, come with me outside. There's something you need to see." He was biting his lips to hold back laughter but Lily took him grim face badly.

"Oh no, what happened?" she said wildly. "Let's go!" She jumped out of the bed and ran towards the exit.

"No, Miss Evans!"

"Lily!" She stumbled and reluctantly slowed. "Look it's nothing really."

"Show me!" she demanded.

"It'll still be there later," he pleaded hopelessly.

"Show me!" Lily was persistent and eventually James gave in. While they were walking she stumbled and grabbed James' hand for support. James did not reject it and instead wrapped his fingers around Lily's hand. "Where is it?" she asked.

"It's going to be a little bit of a shock," James said carefully. He might as well play it for all it was worth now that it was happening. "I'm going to show you...what hit you." He lead her to the lake, it's waters calm except for a few birds drifting on its surface.

"You told me to duck, and I thought you were just teasing me," Lily whispered, her voice faltering.

"Yes," confirmed James. "I said 'Lily, duck!' remember?"

She nodded uncertainly, unsure where this was going. She turned to James, who was pointing out to the banks of the lake, grinning widely.

She looked where he was pointing and saw several ducks walking around by the water. One of them, however, was wobbling dazedly in circles. As they watched, it plopped into the lake accidentally as it tried to walk in a straight line.

"Oops," giggled Lily. It really had been a duck.