Chapter Two

Lily walked down the staircase leading from her dormitory to the Head's Common room, to see James standing in front of the full length mirror, putting on his Gryffindor tie. Lily watched him silently from above, stationary, leaning against banister. She stared at his elegant form, broad shoulders, and a tall, strong, athletic body. She could see the muscles on his back through his white shirt that was pulled flush against him due to his slightly hunched over state. His brilliant unruly black hair was always so effortlessly windswept, was an aspect of his appearance that Lily had always secretly rather liked (although no one would be able to get that piece of information out of her). She caught a glimpse of his face. It was once childlike, with smooth skin and cute chubby cheeks. Now it was a man's face; a strong jaw, a slightly too long nose, a hint of stubble and those wonderful hazel eyes. Usually they contained laughter and mischief but these days they had a serious element to them as well. He truly had grown up, mused Lily. She glanced down at his mouth, his lips widened into a wonky grin.

"If you wanted to check me out in private, Evans," smirked James. "Don't do it when I'm stood in front of a mirror."

Lily flushed red, what an idiot. "I was wondering what you were doing. It's a little late to be getting dressed."

"I looked a bit scruffy without the tie so I thought for your sake I'll put it on again," said James, turning around to face her. His tie was on but loose, his top buttons undone.

Lily walked past him, and stopped by the portrait door. She looked over her shoulder and her eyes raked over his body, from under her thick eyelashes. With a slight smile she said, "You still look scruffy." She swung the portrait door open and turned to look at him again. "Are you coming or what?"

"Coming," grinned James, easily catching her up as she exited the common room and started rounds. "So did you have a good time with what's his face?"

"You know perfectly well he's called Scott," said Lily with a frown. "But thanks for asking anyways. Yes I had a lovely time with him. Did you have a date today?"

"I had two in fact."

"You had two dates on the same day?" asked Lily dumfounded.

James smiled. "Your complete naivety and innocence is sweet."

"Oh shut up," glared Lily, tucking a strand of fiery red behind her ear in frustration.

"I didn't mean that in an offensive way," said James with a sigh. "You're really touchy, you know that? Sorry, I probably shouldn't have said that either. Yes I did have two dates today and they were both unsuccessful."

"By unsuccessful do you mean that they wouldn't have sex with you?" asked Lily, with a slight smirk but more with an expression of curiosity. James studied her for a moment, making her feel self conscious and nervous, and his hazel eyes burning a hole into hers.

"Do you really think I act like that?" said James, with an inquisitive smile. Lily blushed, not being able to look into his soft hazel eyes. "It's okay; I'm not surprised you think that after the way I've treated you over the past couple of years. I'm sorry for that by the way; I was a hormone filled randy teenager."

"Surely you still are a hormone filled teenager."

James laughed. "Well I am a man, and suffice to say every man has sexual needs. You girls aren't any different though. Sirius acts on his needs whenever he can because he lacks that sense of maturity. Remus doesn't act on his needs at all because he's too shy and feels very insecure. Peter, I'm not sure whether or not he has needs to be honest, because he's a lot more immature. I, however, have learned when and how to act on my needs because sex is great but it's going to be on a whole other level with the right person. By unsuccessful, I meant that we just didn't click."

"You've just shown me a whole other side of you," admitted Lily, with a faint smile.

"I don't know if you've noticed but I have grown up," said James, silently lighting his wand up as they walked into a darkened corridor.

"I've noticed," said Lily. "After all, how could I not notice the lack of proposals coming my way from you?"

"Again, I truly am sorry about those," said James, a sincere expression splashed across his face. "This is nice, you know, talking, having a conversation. It's better than doing rounds in silence."

"Would you say we are friends now?" asked Lily, timidly, nervous about what she was going to say.

"Yeah I think I would," smiled James, looking at her oddly. "Why?"

"Because I need to ask you a favour and I need you to consider it seriously no matter how insane it sounds," said Lily quickly without pause. She knew she was starting to act a little crazy but her whole world was about to turn a little crazy.

"What is it?" asked James, concerned. He stopped walking and put a hand on her arm to stop her too. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine," said Lily with an uneasy smile. "What I'm going to ask of you will sound completely ridiculous but please don't laugh." He nodded with a reassuring smile on his face, interest glowing in his eyes. "I need you to teach me the basics."

"The basics of what?" asked James confused. Lily groaned, she really didn't want to spell it out to him, embarrassment flooded her face. "You can tell me."

"Of sex."

James started laughing but stopped as he saw a glimpse of her red tinted face. "You're serious about that aren't you?"

"Yes, as stupid as it sounds, yes I am serious about it," confessed Lily, staring straight at him with an unexpected newfound confidence. He still looked fairly bemused and unsure about what she had asked. She could understand, of course, what an odd request she had made and that it would probably take time for him to get his head around it. He ran his hand through his already unruly hair; he was seemingly nervous too then.

"I can't fully comprehend what you're asking of me, Lily, start from the beginning and explain please."

"Oh okay," said Lily, her voice higher than usual. "Scott wants to have sex with me on Valentine's Day and I'm nervous, alright. I excel in everything I do and I'm used to doing that. Sure I can't play Quidditch to save my life but that's not my thing anyway, no offense. Scott has done it before and I don't want to look like a beginner, like I don't know what I'm doing. I want to be good at it but how can I be good at it if I don't practise? I haven't even kissed with tongues before for Merlin's sake."

"Let me get this straight, you're asking me to take away your virginity, have sex with you and basically help you cheat on your boyfriend?" asked James, his face screwed up. "Lily, you're right, it is ridiculous and I won't do it."

"Why not?" pleaded Lily, shocked by his reply. "A year ago you would have jumped at the chance to sleep with me."

"I still would now," sighed James, gazing at her lustily. "But not like this. This is wrong, if you love Scott he should be the one to take your virginity; not me. I won't do that to you."

"But I'm asking you to, begging you to even," said Lily, her sad emerald eyes fixed on his. "I don't want to be a beginner with him. I need you to teach me."

"People shouldn't be taught how to have sex," said James sadly. "It will come naturally. Sure, it will be awkward the first time it always is but that's what happens Lily, it's how it's supposed to be. I won't take that experience away from you."

"I don't want to have that experience," shouted Lily angrily. "If you won't do it I'll go to Sirius. He'll shag me; after all I have breasts and a pulse."

"He won't do what you want though," said James with a bitter laugh. "You want someone to show you it step by step whereas Sirius will shag you once and kick you aside. I love Sirius like a brother but I will not let you ask him this."

"Who I sleep with is none of your business, Potter," muttered Lily, angrily. "I'm carrying on with rounds. Whether you follow me or not, I don't care."

Lily put on a brave and determined face as she walked ahead of him, despite the fact that she was currently tearing herself to pieces on the inside. How could he have said no? He'd spent years chasing after her, to the point where no one else would. He was to blame for the fact she hadn't explored sex before because he'd never given her a chance.

She whipped out her wand as she heard noises come from an unused classroom down the corridor. She could hear James' steady breathing behind her; she knew his wand would be held confidently in front of him as he wasn't scared of anything.

She walked silently towards the door and peered through the window. She was shocked yet enthralled at what she saw. Two students, fifth years from what she could recall, were completely engrossed in each other. The girl was clutching the front of the boy's robes whilst they frantically kissed, his hands entwined in her dark brown locks. Lily glanced down towards the floor, she couldn't bear to watch but she wouldn't open the door to reprimand them either. She wanted that, she wanted to feel comfortable doing things like that. She walked away from the door, looking up at James with sad teary eyes. He was confused and concerned, and he stepped towards the door to have a look through the window too. She heard him sigh as she slid down the wall, sitting on the floor, drawing her knees up close to her.

She watched on as he swung the door open with exaggerated noise to break up the loved up couple. They broke apart, red faced and embarrassed. She zoned out, barely hearing James telling them to go back to their dormitories and heard them groan as James took points off their houses. She hardly noticed him slide down next to her until he grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently causing him to flinch briefly.

"You do realise what you want to do is cheat on your boyfriend?" said James, with a frown.

"But I'm cheating on him, for him," said Lily, chuckling slightly. "That made sense in my head, whether it did to you or not I have no idea."

"I know what you mean," said James. "Why did you ask me? Everyone knows Sirius is notorious when it comes to sex. I'm experienced, sure, but not in the way he is."

"I came to you because I know you're attracted to me," admitted Lily, blushing lightly. "And I have noticed you grow up so I figured you'd be sensible about this and you would treat me with respect."

"I'm glad you think so highly of me," smirked James. He turned to face her properly. "When I called you naive I didn't mean it in a derogatory way. You wouldn't be you if you were a promiscuous vixen who knew the ins and outs of sexual fantasies and happenings. You look so lost."

"Are you going to help me find the way?" asked Lily, her emerald eyes shining with hope. She watched him as he ran a hand through his hair with a sigh.

"When you look at me like that, it's hard to say no," chuckled James. "If the sweet, innocent Lily Evans is comfortable with this then who am I to back down from the challenge?"

"You'll really do this for me?" grinned Lily happily, throwing her arms around him, smothering him in a hug. "Thank you so much. I'll do anything you want in return."

"Lily, you're giving me sex with no strings attached," smirked James. "It's every male's wildest dream."

"Well, it looks like all your dreams are about to come true."