Fourth Kiss

Ch. 1

After making her rounds as head girl, Lily Evans delicately pulled James Potter from the Marauder's car (not protesting when Sirius Black called her "luv" or asking Peter why he was shining James's shoes).

The two sat in a vacant car near the caboose. A little small talk flared up like the blue in a fire, but Lily had been thinking to herself all day more seriously, and very quickly they were checking the car for enemy spells and discussing Order business.

"I'm fetching you on the second of January, then?"

"Please, as early as possible. You can't be too early. After I see my parents off, I won't want to sit around."

"You're implying I'd let you sit around and wait?"

"You've been known to be detained at the most inconvenient times conceivable!"

"But not at important times, like this." As James's scowled, Lily realized they were treading a thin line.

"Well—I don't mean to find reasons to be angry. I'm sorry."

James did not become angrier, but she could see he was unhappy. "It'd be so much safer if I came with you."

"Please, it's the last Christmas I'll have with my parents, and I want to spend it alone. It could be the last time I see them. If I could floo to headquarters, I would, but you know I very well can't. And, it's far less dangerous in the slums where I live."

"OK, but keep that mirror on you and use it every night. Especially—"

"If I'm taken. Get off it—if the Dark Lord gets me, it's useless."

"Fuck!" James threw his hands threateningly. She'd crossed the line. "When are you going to stop joking like that? It's disgusting!"

When he closed his mouth tightly, she knew he wasn't planning to open it again. Being the child he still was, he pretended to fall asleep lying on his seat and let his thick hair cover his face completely.

She let him stay that way for a few minutes, thinking ugly things to herself, before lying behind him and wrapping an arm around his side. She spoke quietly in his ear.

"You're saying goodbye like that?" She huffed. "Come here."

"I would, but I've lost my nards," James muttered, finally smiling and giving into the redhead's charms. "Op—no, I found them!"

She gave a wild giggle and blush. "That's manky!"

Together, they escaped into the deliriousness of their new young love.

a/n: R&R and get a shout out next chapter.

Sincerely,

sourpie.