I do not own any of the mentioned characters or the world of Harry Potter. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

AU. It's been a year since Lily, James and the gang graduated from Hogwarts. Before going in different directions in their life James and Lily had become quite good friends, but does that mean they wont have feelings for each other? Let's see...

Finding You Again

Lily POV

I look around the corner, certain to see hooded Death Eaters, but instead I catch a glimpse of something surprisingly familiar. Messy, black hair and glasses.

"James!" I shout, trying to wave without drawing to much attention, "James Potter! By Merlin's underpants! It's you!" I start running towards him and practically jump into his arms.

"Blimey, Evan!" He smirks at me, clearly surprised, "Long time no see" I smile at him, and feel my heart starting to beat faster. Then suddenly I'm high up in the air, but before I have the time to curse my attacker, someone shouts.

"LILYKINS!"

"Sirius! Hi! Have you missed me?" I ask laughingly, when he (finally) lets me down again. He nods and gives me a big goofy grin.

"I've missed you too" I say, giving him a hug. "Things just aren't the same without my home-dog!"

Both James and Sirius laugh at my joke, and I feel that I just can't stop smiling stupidly. 'Merlin, I really have missed having them around' I think to myself.

Before any of us have the time to say something more, there is a loud BOOM and a burst of glass fragments rain over us when a window is smashed over our heads. Sirius waves at me and I follow the boys when they run away from the building. I begin looking for Marlene McKinnon and Frank Longbottom, as I came here with them.

"So... What are you doing here, Lily? He asks me when we reach a safer place to hide, giving me one of his crooked smiles.

"Oh, you know, I'm trying hard not to be killed, so the same old" I say smirking at him. He snorts, but seems to understand that I'm not completely joking.

Suddenly I hear heavy panting and someone groaning, so I draw my wand, the same does James and Sirius. But it isn't Death Eaters this time either, it's Marlene, and she's dragging on a semi conscious Frank. I gasp, and hear Sirius cursing.

"Lily! Merlin, you have to help me! Some blasted moron hexed Frank, and I didn't want to leave him alone, but he's heavy. And I, and I..." Marlene trembled, and when both James and Sirius went to take Frank's weight from Marlene I quickly wrapped my arms around her, giving her a tight hug.

"I'm glad you're okay, Mar" I whispered in her ear, "Let's get out of here" I said to the others, and we disapparate.

James POV

Sirius and I put Frank in the spare bedroom in our flat, while Lily tucks Marlene on the couch. As we appear in the doorway I see Lily sitting on a kitchen chair, looking exhausted.

"Lily, sweetheart, do you want to sleep here?" Sirius asks me softly, but she just shrugs.

"Thank you, but I really need to get home to my own apartment so I can shower and change clothes" she excuses herself with a small smile.

Sirius looks at me seriously, but nods and helps Lily up from the chair by taking her hand. He gives her a long hug, and I can only thin 'I want to be the one holding her'. I can see Lily peaking over his shoulder, so I try smiling at her. Sirius releases Lily, but she almost falls, so he grabs her arms to secure her.

"Are you sure that you can get home safely?" he asks, she smiles and nods, but he continues, "I really think that Prongs here should follow you home. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you right?"

Lily laughs at him, but as she turns to me to say that it is not necessary, I look into her eyes trying to tell her that I wont take no for an answer. So she turns back to Sirius.

"All right, since Mar and Frank is staying here I guess I'll see you tomorrow" She says as she gives him a hug, "Good night, Sirius"

"Good night Lily-petal", Sirius says, as I offer Lily my arm.

When we arrive at her flat, Lily opens the door and steps in. When I stay outside she lifts an eyebrow and smiles tiredly.

"If you're not in a hurry to get back, you could come inside for a cup of tea or something" she suggest, but when she sees me hesitating she adds, "But I do understand if you are tired and want to go home."

I chuckle a little bit, but move inside. I close the door behind me, as she enters her small apartment. I look around and notice a small table, unwashed dishes, and piles of clothes.

"I'm really sorry for the mess, tea?" she says, as she flicks with her wand to remove the clothes.

"It's okay, I'm just surprised that you're such a slob" I laugh and she blushes, "But yes, tea would be nice."

She nods and begin warming up the kettle. I stand there, watching her moving around, taking out cups and tea. But as she starts walking to the sink, I stop her.

"Come on, it can wait. Sit down" I says, gesturing towards the empty chair. We both sit down sit down, and she seems to relax.

"It's been over a year since last time I saw you" I say, smiling, "It's way too long, and we've really missed you." she gives me a warm smile.

"Yeah, same here. How's Remus? And Peter?"

"They're well, Remus is still living in his parents' house, and Peter keeps him company. Sirius and I are living in Sirius's flat, which is actually fine." We continue talking about our whereabouts for the past year, and I learn that she is working at the Leaky Cauldron, and I tell her that both Sirius and I are up for Auror-training. We're having a nice time chatting, until she yawns.

"Merlin!" I exclaim, "You wanted to sleep, and here I am, keeping you awake!" she laughs at me.

"James, it's fine, I think it's nice talking to you after so long."

"Same to you too, Lils" I say warmly. But then I stand up, saying, "Well, I really should go now, so you can take a shower and get to bed."

She nods and gets up too, following me to the door. She hugs me, and I can feel myself melting.

"Thank you for following me home, James" she says, "I really have missed you so much."

I sigh into her hair, hugging her tighter. As I try to step away, she doesn't let go, and therefore we stand there a while, my arms locked around her waist, she on her tiptoes, her head by my collarbone. Then I feel her beginning to shake, a sob slips out of her and I hold her closely. Caressing her back with my right hand, I try to comfort her.

Lily POV

I don't even know why I'm crying, but it feels so good when he holds me. When my tears dries up, I force myself to let go of him. He glances at me to make sure I'm okay. I try smiling, but it probably looks awful because James starts chuckling.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, Lily" he says, trying hard not to laugh. But then he stilled and looked at me, "Do you want me to stay with you for the night?"

I freeze, not knowing what to answer. Do I want him to stay? Yes. But why do I want him to stay? Because I simply need someone with me tonight? Or because I, despite my strong disapproval of his behaviour in school, am developing feelings for him? Pushing the thoughts away I meet his gaze.

"If it's not too much trouble for you, it would be nice not being alone since Marlene is at your place." I say tentatively. Nodding, James pushes me in front of him to show the way.

"I really need to take a shower, but you can just stay here or in the kitchen while I'm showering" I say, showing him my minimal living room. Before I enter the bathroom I turn to James saying "And please, don't destroy anything." He grins at me, promising to be as careful as a Marauder could be.

When I return from my shower, wet hair in a bun and a pyjama on, James is sitting on my sofa, half asleep. So I get him a pillow and a blanket and tuck him in, not much difference from tucking in Marlene. He sighs as his head rests upon the pillow.

"Thank you Lily" he says silently, "and I thought I was going to take care of you" he chuckles, and yawns.

"Good night, James" I whisper placing a kiss on his hair, "Thank you for staying"

A/N: Thank you for reading my first chapter! Tried hard not to make Lily and James OOC (out of character), but if you think they are, please comment it in a review.
Hope you enjoyed reading!

DreamHawthorn