Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me. All rights go to JK Rowling/Warner Bros. I do not profit in any way.
Patrol
Lily hated patrol.
It's not that she didn't like the responsibility, or that she felt inadequate as a head; it wasn't that at all - she was used to the way the duty worked, knew every last broom cupboard in the castle that students would snog in, and she liked to think she was respected by most of the students after her two years of being a prefect, before becoming head girl.
No, it wasn't the job that was the problem, Lily thought as she left her dormitory with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. The problem was the company she had to keep - the one and only James Potter.
He was waiting in the common room for her as usual, and greeted her with a cocky grin and a hand run through his hair.
"Evening, Evans."
"Hello, Potter," she responded stiffly.
He turned to wave to Black, and followed her out of the Portrait Hole.
"Where're we going tonight then, Evans?" he asked, and Lily bristled with irritation. He should know where the Tuesday Evening patrol is by now.
"Charms corridor," she said shortly.
"Someone's in a cheery mood tonight! What's the matter Lils, did someone ask you out or something? That's the only time I've seen you this moody! Or maybe…"
The words were out of her mouth before she had time to think; "Shut up, Potter! Just shut up! You drive me insane with your stupid grin and idiotic comments and the way you mess up your hair because you think it looks cool. The arrogant looks you exchange with Sirius and the way you patronise Peter. I hate the way you flirt with McGonagall so she won't give you detention, and the way you treat all Slytherins with utter contempt! I really do not want to spend time with you but I have no choice, so please just shut up and stop making this even more unbearable than it already is!"
Lily regretted her ouburst almost immediately when James stopped and looked at her. However, he didn't look angry, as she'd expected. It was a strange gaze that he trained on her… There was something almost… hopeful about it.
"You've been paying a lot of attention to me, Lily Evans."
She almost shivered under his stare, and felt the fickle redhead blush creep onto her cheeks.
She didn't reply, looking down at the floor. They were in an abandoned corridor, somewhere between the Common Room and the Charms Department.
James was getting closer to her, so close that she could smell his aftershave… Pine. She backed up until she hit the wall behind her, but he didn't stop.
"Almost as much attention as I've been paying to you."
Lily couldn't move - it was like she'd been stunned.
"The way you chew the end of your quill, yet reprimand your friends for doing the same. The look on your face when Slughorn sings your praises, how your hand shoots up every time a teacher asks a question. The look you give Sirius when he's being an idiot, the little crease on your forehead when you read…" He whispered the last part: "The way you look up every time I enter the room."
"James, I…" he was so close now, he raised a finger to his lips to ensure her silence.
"Have you noticed as much about the Giant Sqid, Lily?"
This was wrong - he was James Potter. They should be on duty. But as his face grew closer and closer, Lily found herself standing on her tiptoes and winding her arms around his neck.
And then he kissed her, and there was no-one else in the world; just Lily Evans, and James Potter.
A/N: Another drabble for the lovely inhabitants of Tumblr ;) Prompt: Lily and James on Patrol.