Lily woke up that evening around 6, still in her deer form and still in Mercury's pen. Thinking she had better change back and get to the castle before Hagrid came to pick her up, she told Mercury she would be back in a bit, rose to her four feet, and bounded gracefully over the fence of the pen and darted off into the woods. Making sure she was out of sight from Hagrid's hut, she changed back into Lily Evans somewhere near the lake and began walking back to the castle when an idea struck her, and she headed back to Hagrid's.

She knocked on the door. "Hagrid? It's Lily."

She heard shuffling within. "Hold on a mo'," came Hagrid's reply, sounding very preoccupied.

"Is this a bad time? I could..." But she didn't finish her sentence, because Hagrid opened the door and beamed down at her.

"Evenin Lily!"

"Good evening Hagrid!"

"Come in come in," he said holding the door open with one hand and waving her in with the other.

"Up to any trouble this evening, Hagrid?"

"Course not, just making some of my famous blueberry and fang-mint muffins. I was just taking them out of the oven when you knocked. Want one?"

"Fang-mint?..." she asked uncertainly.

"That's right."

"No offence Hagrid, but I think I'll pass. I like my food to be good for, rather than a risk to, my health. How's Mercury?"

"Bloomin! He's made a new friend. I wish you could've seen her, Lily. A beautiful deer. They spent all afternoon together."

"Aww... how lovely."

"Maybe she will come around again sometime when you are here. You'd like her."

"Perhaps I will just wait here until dusk and see if she comes. It's only an hour or so anyway..."

"Oh that's right, I forgot to tell yeh, Professor Potter can't come, so I'll be with you two tonight."

"What about midnight?"

"Oh.. erm... not sure if he'll be done by then either... he said he'd let me know though."

"Done with what?"

"Erm... nothin."

"Hagrid, I get the distinct impression that you are prevaricating."

"Eh?"

"You are deliberately dodging the question, but that's alright. It's none of my business anyway. It's just as well. I'm not too anxious to see Professor Potter."

"Oh?"

"We were practicing in class today, and I hit him with a stupid curse. I shouldn't have, and he was justly angry with me. I should have known better. I wanted to apologise but he stormed off before I got the chance, then I lost my nerve and left. He's been so kind and helpful to me lately. First with Mercury, and then with my extra lessons, and I had to go and ruin it all by getting overly competitive. I just wish we could both forget the entire thing ever happened."

"That's exactly what he said this afternoon."

"So you've talked to him too. What do you think I should do?"

"'Pologise..."

"Well, obviously, but apart from that."

"Just apologise and see what 'appens from there."

"I suppose I will. It's the only thing I can do it seems." Lily sighed.

"Cheer up Lily. He's a good person. Not like Potter to hold a grudge on anyone that weren't a Slytherin..." Hagrid said comfortingly. Lily laughed hollowly. Was Professor Potter that proud a Gryffindor? Or did he hold that strong a grudge against Slytherins...

Hagrid made some tea to go with his blueberry and fang-mint muffins, and they conversed until it was sundown. They moved outside so Lily could feed Mercury and she glanced up at the stars again... there would be trials ahead, they said.
She didn't need the stars to tell her that. The dark lord was growing more and more powerful each day and the list of victims was growing longer and longer. The dark mark was just as common a sight in the night sky as any of the other familair constellations.

A tear ran down her cheek as she thought of two particular people whose name's were on that unhappy list... Rose and William Evans. Lily was now the only Evans left seeing as Petunia no longer bore the name. She had replaced it with Dursley last winter, but Lily hadn't been invited to the wedding. Petunia had completely cut her off.
She hated when she started thinking about her family, or lack there of. It always made her leak like this. She wiped away the tears so Hagrid wouldn't see, but she couldn't wipe away the weight on her heart. How could a heart so empty feel so heavy? She felt like she had no one. After her parents death she realised how empty her friendships were saving perhaps Rupert. Sure they were nice to have around for classes and meal times, but how many of them could she actually open up to? None, save Hagrid. Hagrid had lost his parents too, and knew what she was going through, plus he bore the additional burden of being a half giant in a world that was so prejudice about blood types. Lily understood that as well, being muggle born. She and Rupert had been quite close, but ever since he started dating someone in the beginning of 6th year they hadn't seen as much of each other, and now Lily lived in the Head dorm, she only ever saw him in classes.
What she wouldn't give to have Petunia with her now... she still dearly loved her sister, and didn't blame her for shoving her away. It was Lily's fault her parents were murdered.

x

James paced back and forth in his office. He knew he was giving the matter far more thought than it deserved. If it had been any other spell... anything else at all... hell, had it been an unforgivable curse it would have been better. Well, perhaps not, but a hell of a lot less humiliating. He considered himself lucky that the whole class hadn't seen it or knew about it. It really wasn't as bad as he thought it was. Sirius was right. It wouldn't be a big deal had it not been for the thoughts that kept running through his mind. A student is a student is a student. No exceptions.
He decided to go visit Hagrid, telling him he was free to take Lily tonight and that they could return to their usual schedule. The sun had set ages ago, Lily should be back in the castle by now; not that he was still trying to avoid her or anything...
Putting his glasses back on and grabbing his cloak, he left his office. The night air was chillier. It seemed that winter was finally setting in. There was a light burning in Hagrid's hut, and he was about to knock on the front door when he heard voices. He moved around to the side of the house, tiptoeing through the pumpkin patch to hear better.

"Hagrid? Do you think that our parents can still see us? I mean that maybe they are in the stars somewhere, watching over us? Or do you think that once you die you are completely gone from this world?" James recognized the voice as Lily's.

"Don't know about stars, but as long as you love them..."

"Don't say that they will live on in my heart..."

"Oh, erm... why?"

"Because if that's the only way then I'd rather just forget about them... What's the point in loving people who can't love you back?"

"Lily!"

"What? Maybe you are passed it Hagrid, but for me the only thing I get from keeping them in my heart is pain."

"What about all those happy memories?"

"Happy at the time, but thinking of them only reminds me that I will never know that happiness again. I wish someone would just obliviate me. Forget my parents, forget Petunia, forget that I am alone in the world, forget pissing off my favourite teacher, forget that there is anything in life but what I have right now at this moment... Oh Hagrid stop crying..."

"I just can't stand seeing you so sad..." Hagrid sputtered between sobs.

James was feeling increasingly uncomfortable eavesdropping on this conversation. He wanted to make his presence known, but he didn't want to make things awkward for interrupting, nor did he want them to know he had overheard. But he was her favourite teacher? A small feeling of satisfaction settled in somewhere amongst all the awkwardness.

"I'm sorry Hagrid. I shouldn't unload on you like this."

"No it's alright. Everyone needs to get things off their chest every once in a while. You haven't said anything about your parents since last Christmas."

"They've been gone for 2 years, Hagrid, why can't I seem to get over it? That wasn't an actual question Hagrid, you don't have to answer," she said, but he did anyway.

"It's because you haven't filled the emptiness in your heart."

"Nothing can replace my parents."

"I didn't mean that, but you can fill it with love."

"Hagrid, you are starting to sound a bit cheesy."

"He's right though," James said, walking around the hut towards them. Well, so much for not interrupting or letting them know I heard, James thought.

"James!" Hagrid said looking at him in surprise. Lily wasn't looking at him at all. She had sat up suddenly when he had spoke, and now she was hugging her knees to her chest, staring at her shoes.
Taking a bit of a bold risk he sat down next to her. "Nothing can replace your parents, but having something or someone you love gives you something to live for, your raison d'être."

She remained silent, so he continued. "But what will really help fill that void is being loved too... knowing that people care for you."

She kept her head down, but he heard her sniffle and saw her wiping her eyes.

"I know..." she whispered hoarsely. "Is that selfish? To want to be cared for?"

"Selfish? It just means you have a soul, that's all. Did you begrudge Mercury for bonding with you? He needed someone to care for him and he just chose you. Was that wrong of him?"

"Mercury is a baby, and I am not."

"Was it selfish?"

"Well... I guess it was more self preservation. He would die without care and protection, I won't."

"But you won't live either..."

"How can you say that so easily? I can't just walk up to someone demand that they love me, you know it doesn't work like that! If it did, I wouldn't be in this pitiful state right now."

The girl had an unassailable point. Her problem could just disappear if she did the right thing, said the right thing, or cast the right spell...

"You are right, you just have to open your heart and wait."

"He sounds just as cheesy as you, Hagrid¡," she said dryly.

There came no response. She looked up and realised Hagrid was gone. "Hagrid?"

"The truth can be just as cheesy as it can be painful, hilarious, profound, or wonderful, but the truth is the truth," James continued.

"And how is it that you know what's true?" she asked with unmasked scepticism.

"It comes from being older and wiser of course!" he said cheerfully, patting her on her head.

There was a moment of silence before Lily said, "Merlin I'm hungry. I'm actually tempted to try one of Hagrid's freshly baked blueberry fang-mint muffins."

"Don't," Potter said seriously. "I made that very same mistake my seventh year, my gums were bleeding for 2 days afterward... I terrified some first years, convincing them that I was a vampire." He checked his watch. "If you can wait another hour we will ask the house elves to indulge us. They are always thrilled to."

"I'm going to start drooling if I start thinking about their cooking. The only thing I've had to eat all day is that apple you gave me this morning."

"Didn't you go to lunch or dinner?"

"No. I... didn't feel like going into the great hall today."

"Ah," James said understanding. "Neither did I to be honest."

They didn't continue the subject out of some sort of silent agreement. Instead, Lily lay back down to continue her stargazing.

"Almost a full moon..." she said.

"Almost..." he said lying down on his back as well, putting his hands behind his head. James didn't need to be reminded about the full moon. After being with Remus for almost the last 100 full moons, he always knew exactly when they would be. They stayed like that for a long time, mostly in comfortable silence but with occasional random comments.

"You know, when I was a kid I used to try to make constellations of my own," she stated.

"I used to try to owl the man on the moon... I think I confused and exhausted poor Dragon."

"You named your owl Dragon?"

"I wanted a dragon for my 5th birthday, but my parents got me an owl instead... So I settled for just naming him Dragon."
Lily chuckled. "What was the best birthday present you ever received?"

"A broom."

"At what age?"

It was James's turn to chuckle. "Every year from the age of 7 to 17. The one thing with which my parents always indulged me. Quidditch." Actually that wasn't true, his parents had pretty much indulged him in anything he wanted. It just so happened that that primarily consisted of Quidditch.

"You were Quidditch Captain, weren't you?"

"That's right..."

"Do you miss it?"

"Being captain?"

"Playing Quidditch."

"Absolutely. Even now I am assistant coach for the Gryffindor team, and I still sometimes go out to the Quidditch pitch at night and fly around a bit. I used to do that when I was in school too... it's nice having the entire pitch to yourself, just flying around in the peace and quiet of the night... but I still miss the stress and intensity of a match. And of course I miss winning."

To Lily, it sounded absolutely perfect. To just rise above the world and whoosh around as quickly or as slowly as she pleased, at night, where no one could see her. She couldn't think of anything so invigorating and soothing at the same time.

"That sounds like exactly what I need right now... pity I haven't been on a broom since 3rd year, I wonder even if I still can."

"Where do you think the expression 'like riding a broomstick' came from?"

"Muggles say, 'like riding a bicycle."

"A bicycle?"

"I'm sure you've seen them. They are little contraptions with two wheels, handles, and you peddle... muggles use them for transportation."

"Oh, yeah, I know what you are talking about. I have seen them before. So riding a broom is like riding an icicle. Once you've learned how you never really forget. Come on," he said getting up.

"Huh?"

"We are going to the Quidditch pitch for..." He looked at his watch, "half an hour. After all that talk about flying I'm just itching to get on a broom."

"Huh?" she said again, looking confusedly at his proffered hand to help her up.

"Time is ticking Evans, I want to get to the pitch."

"Oh," she said, taking his hand and allowing herself to be pulled to her feet. "We'll be back soon, Mercury."

They walked at a brisk pace to the pitch, James because he was anxious to fly, and Lily for the sake of keeping up with her Professor. When they finally reached the pitch, James hissed "Damnation" under his breath.

"What is it?" Lily whispered uncertainly.

"It appears the pitch is already occupied. I'm not sure, but I think you would give them a 5 for creativity and a 9 for the 'amusement factor'." A soft moan carried through the darkness. "Make that a 10... for him anyway... God I hate doing this. You stay behind here, don't go anywhere," he ordered.

"Hate what?" she could help but ask, but he didn't answer, he was already walking towards the centre of the pitch. He let off a loud CRACK with his wand, and then lit it, presumably to better see his path, or perhaps to let the couple know where he was, now that he had made them aware of his presence. He would want to give them some time to make themselves decent. She couldn't make out any words, but she could distinguish different voices. Potter's deep voice and that of another male, higher in pitch, and that of a girl's, much higher in pitch. The conversation stopped and there was silence. She didn't hear the footsteps coming towards her until they were only a few feet away.

"I hate having to be a teacher all the time," he answered her question, as if no time had passed at all. "I probably just ruined a very romantic evening for those two, they had a basket, candles and everything, probably a picnic dinner under the stars..."

"Aww..."

"Exactly, and I'm the anal Professor who spoiled everything," he ranted, walking off towards the pitch again. Lily felt she had no choice but to follow him.

"Who was it?" she asked curiously.

"Mathews and Burrows."

"I didn't even know they were together... What did you say?"

"Took 20 points from Gryffindor and told them that if they were ever caught out after curfew again it would be 200 and detention every Saturday for the rest of the term."

"That's sounds harsh, but in reality, they got away with only 10 points each. Considering the transgression that's a very light punishment."

"That is definitely the worst part of being a teacher; having to reprimand and punish. It puts me in a bad mood. But oh well, I think I'll take Ophelia, you can have Viola."

"What?"

"Brooms, Evans. Brooms. Viola is actually a newer model than Ophelia."

"You have them here?"

"10, actually. Juliet, Cordelia, Ophelia, Viola, Beatrice, Portia, Helen, Cleopatra, Desdamona, and Hero. You get Viola," he said handing her a broom.

"Thanks, Shakespeare," she said taking the heroin of Twefth Night.

"It's my only muggle fetish I swear."

"You don't have to defend yourself for liking Shakespeare, or anything else that's muggle related."

"Just don't tell anyone." He laughed, but Lily wasn't amused.

"Why are you ashamed of it?"

"Because it's just not cool."

"Ok, because I like muggle music and wear muggle clothes and like muggle authors; does that make me less cool?"

"No, you're different, you are muggle born, brought up with muggles. For a pure blood to seek out muggle things is an embarrassment."

"Why? Because you are lowering yourself by liking muggle things?"

"No, that's not what I meant."

"You meant the liking muggle things is embarrassing."

"Exactly, but only among people without muggle parentage."

"You know something Professor Potter, you sound just like a Slytherin," she spat as she flew away, leaving James staring after her in shock.

Lily found that flying really was like riding a bike. She was a little shaky on the take off, but that might have been because of the force she had used in her temper. She had compared him to a Slytherin, but in fairness, not all Slytherins were pure blood supremacists, and she knew several racist people from all the houses. She had just compared him to a Slytherin because she knew that would get to him.
The cold night air cooled temper as it bit at her cheeks and nose and ran up her arms and down her spine. The farther up she climbed, the farther the temperature seemed to drop, and the clearer she seemed to be able to see. She would have to apologize this time.

James snapped out of his trance a few moments later and darted off after her. She saw him approach and slowed down so he could catch up. He opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off.

"I'm sorry Professor, I lost my temper. It's not your fault that muggle things are unpopular, that's just how magical society is, I know that. And I shouldn't have called you a Slytherin; it was unfair to both you and Slytherins..."

"I'm sorry too. It was a thoughtless thing to say, I don't know why I did..."

"Because it's true. Believe me, Professor, I don't blame you for anything, I wasn't angry with you... just... with things in general."

"That muggle things are embarrassing?"

"Can I ask you a question, Professor?" she asked, not bothering to answer his.

"Of course."

"Would liking a muggle born be just as embarrassing? I want to know the truth. You are a pure blood, and I'm sure none of my friends would tell me the truth if they thought it would hurt my feelings."
James tried to think of an appropriate answer. He knew several guys who used say that when the lights are out, you can't tell the difference between a pureblood and a muggle born, but still wouldn't exactly want to bring a muggleborn home to their parents. On the other hand, James knew just as many guys who wouldn't care at all either way. A witch was a witch.

"Some people would and others wouldn't."

"May I ask you another question?"

"Of course."

"Do you think that even those who wouldn't normally care might be tempted during these times with the rise of the dark lord, to put distance between themselves and their muggle born friends, for safety's sake?"

"Do you feel people have been doing that to you?" James asked, genuinely surprised. He hadn't even considered that before, that Voldermort's ascent to power might break up looser friendships.

"Since my parents' deaths, no one has invited me over to stay over the summer, thinking I'm a death eater magnet, having already attracted them twice. And I talked to Jimmy Davis; he says his friends' parents won't have him over anymore either."

"That's terrible."

"I don't blame them. It doesn't mean they hate muggleborns, they are only trying to protect their family." She suddenly started to chuckle sadly. "Looks like I will have to wait for a long time to fill that void."

"Not everyone is that cowardly, Evans. Some people will care for their muggle born friends despite the dark lord. As Dumbledore would say, love is a more powerful motivator than fear."

"Great man, Dumbledore..."

"You sound like Hagrid," James said, smiling for the first time since the conversation in the sky had begun.

"I meant to. You know, if you hadn't said 'as Dumbledore would say' that statement would have sounded incredibly cheesy. But somehow he can't be cheesy. Anything he says just sounds profound," she said, grinning back.

"Too bad for him to be taken seriously all the time. I enjoy a good bit of cheese in my life." James did a loop around her then spiralled down nearly to the ground before pulling up again and returning to her side.

"Pretty fancy flying there, Professor Potter," she said, beaming.

James flinched. The emotions brought about by her smile and her calling him 'Professor' seemed to conflict with one another. In this scenario, flying on brooms at a quarter to midnight, talking about love, hate, and the dark lord... stirred so many deep things in him... Any yet when he heard her call him Professor, it was as if he had flown into a brick wall, a brick wall that she had put between them.

He was reminded of the play within the play in A Midsummer Night's Dream, where the lovers could only whisper through a chink in the wall. He shook himself mentally, wondering why that scene had come to mind, it didn't relate to this situation at all.

They flew a few more laps before they had to descend and return to Hagrid's to feed Mercury.

"Thanks for the ride..." Lily said in low silky voice.

"What?" James asked, confused and interested at the same time.

"I was talking to Viola." She answered, trying not to laugh. "You should try thanking your broomstick every once in a while...It's only polite."

"Thanks for the ride, Ophelia," he said to his broom.

"Now it just sounds wrong when you say it," she joked.

"First you get onto me for not thanking her, and then you get onto me when I do. I just can't win, can I?"

"Apparently not. But you have to admit, it was funny."

"It was hilarious; I'm just not used to being the object of ridicule."

"No, I bet you were the one making the jokes..."

"That was me."

"Even at other people's expense..."

"Kids can be cruel. Luckily we grow up."

"Indeed... Hi Mercury! Are you hungry? I bet you are, come here boy... yes... good boy!" she said falling to her knees and putting her arms around Mercury, hugging and petting him.

It was difficult to watch Lily and Mercury and not smile, James thought. Both just looked so happy to be with each other.

"Could you hand me the bottle?" she asked him, interrupting his thoughts.

"Try summoning it without your wand," he said.

"What?"

"There's no reason why you shouldn't practice even whenever you can, even if we aren't technically in a lesson. Just do your best, see if you can do it."

"Alright." She closed her eyes in concentration for several moments, brow furrowed. She let out a sigh of frustration. "I can't."

"Try saying it aloud, it might help you concentrate," he suggested.

"Accio bottle!" she whispered, eyes still shut tight. The bottle still didn't come. She opened her eyes and glared at it. "ACCIO BOTTLE!" she commanded, very nearly shouting. The bottle zoomed toward her and she caught it with pride.

"Well done!" James said.

"I was afraid for a minute that it wasn't going to listen to me... but I got its attention in the end, just needed to intimidate it a bit." She laughed as she began feeding Mercury. "Not so fast, baby. Easy... take your time; you don't want to choke... That's it, good boy..." she cooed.

"He already seems so much stronger than he was yesterday..."

"Well, in fairness, he was badly injured when we found him, he has probably just recovered."

"Good thing too. He looks as if he only needs another month or so until he's weaned onto adult food and his coat turns fully silver... Unicorns grow quickly."

"Out of necessity I imagine."

"Probably," James said. He wondered if Lily had grown up more quickly than her peers, out of necessity. Had having lost her family force her mature faster? "Is he finished?"

"Seems like it. Yes, the bottle's empty."

"Shall we return to the castle?"

"Yes, my stomach is about to mutiny."

"To the kitchens then. I'll see you tomorrow Mercury."

"Bye boy, I'll see you soon."

This time it was James trying to keep up with Lily's pace. Her stomach was growling so loudly James swore it couldn't have been a Welsh Green about to attack. When the Hogwarts house elves asked what they wanted James asked for "an assortment of cheese for starters, and after that, roast turkey in cream sauce with a side of mash potatoes. A nice red wine for me and pumpkin juice for the lady."

The plate of cheese came first and they both took a piece.

"How is it?" she asked.

"Mmmm... tastes like truth."

"I was wondering if you meant that to be symbolic."

"What can I say, I'm deep."

"Yes, they often say that cheesy waters run deep."

When the main course was brought out, Lily ate it with delight.

"So rumour has it that I'm your favourite teacher..." James said shamelessly.

"Where did you hear that?"

"I heard it through the grapevine..."

"Heard it through the pumpkin patch, more like."

"Are you accusing me of eavesdropping?" he asked, in mock offence.

"Are you denying it?"

"Only if you are accusing me."

"Then I won't accuse you. I'd hate to turn my favourite teacher into a liar..."

"Ah ha! So I did hear you correctly."

"Ah ha! So you were eavesdropping."

"I never denied it..."

"A technicality."

"But it's true all the same."

"And we both know how good you are with the truth... being older and wiser..."

"Exactly. I'm glad you've learned something today, Evans."

"Yes, I've learned that my Professor is arrogant know it all. Or at least he thinks he knows it all..."

"If I'm such an arrogant know it all then why am I your favourite?" he countered.

She stopped for a moment, trying to think of a reply. She decided that instead of a witty retort that would continue the playful banter, she would tell the truth.

"It's because you don't care about being a teacher, you just care about teaching. Out of the classroom as well as in it. You can tell by the way you structure your class, it's completely different from the other teachers. You aren't concerned about turning in, grading, and handing back papers, but you design your class so that the emphasis is actually making sure the students really learn... and I truly admire that."

"I'm touched, Evans."

"And it's not only that, you were kind to take time out to help me with Mercury, and extra wandless magic lessons, not to mention you showed me where the kitchens are..."

"Yes yes that's enough. You'll have me blushing in a moment."

"Just as well I stop. I'm finished now. I should probably go."

"But the night is still young!"

"Easier for you, you don't have to get up at the break of dawn... before the break of dawn, actually."

"True. Yes yes, it's past your bedtime. Off to bed with you Evans."

She shook her head in silent laughter at her fickle professor as they left the kitchens.

They parted ways at her portrait hole, and James went back to his office, pulled out the mirror and called for his best friend.

"Sirius." No response. "Sirius!"

His friend's face appeared in the mirror. "This had better be important... you do know what time it is?"

James glanced at his watch. "Nearly two. Were you sleeping?"

"No." He said crossly.

"Oh... erm... am I... interrupting?" he asked cautiously. Sirius sighed.

"No, not really. We were done anyway." He turned his face around as he spoke to someone else in the room. "You can go home now, hon. I'll owl you sometime."

"But Siri... it's 2 in the morning..." James heard her say.

"Well you know how to apparate, don't you?" James waited for another minute, during which time he imagined the girl was putting on her clothes and gathering her things. Then he turned back to face the mirror and said. "What's up, mate?"

"Aren't sorry to let this one go either?"

"No, I was trying to think of a way to get her out when I heard the mirror. Good timing mate, excellent excuse to tell her to bugger off."

"Speaking of dysfunctional relationships with women I sorted things with Evans."

"Did you now?" Sirius said with a knowing smirk on his face.

"Yes, well, we didn't talk about this afternoon, but definitely smoothed things over, but not before I made another mess..."

"What did you do..." He said, leaving off the understood 'this time'.

"I said liking muggle things was un cool..."

"And..."

"And she's a muggle born."

"I see... so our little Lily flower didn't like that, did she?"

"Not really no, in fact she called me a Slytherin and flew away."

"Ouch."

"Yeah."

"You said she flew?"

"We were on the pitch, she was on Viola."

"I remember Viola, good times... she was the one you got in fourth year, right?"

"That's the one."

"Good year."

"True."

"So what were you doing flying together?"

"Well, we still had half an hour before feeding, and we were talking about Quidditch, and I just had to get on a broom. Couldn't leave her alone so had to take her with me. There was a couple shagging on the pitch before we got there, damned awkward business, that..."

Sirius let out another bark of laughter. "So you shagged Evans then?"

"No!" James shouted.

"Give it time mate..."

"Stop Sirius, she's a student."

"A student you called me at 2 am to talk about..."

"Yes, but..."

"Naw, I'm just teasing. So how did you smooth things over?"

"Well we had a great talk about her parents' death and her being lonely and being treated coldly for being a muggle born in these dark, blood-conscious times."

"So you talked about her feelings?" Sirius asked, voice dripping with mockery.

"Look, I didn't mirror you so you could bust my balls."

"Sorry mate, continue."

"Anyway, at dinner in the kitchens she said that I was her favourite teacher."

"You'd be my favourite too, mate. Save dear Minnie, of course."

"Of course." James nodded.

"Give Minerva my kindest regards, would you?"

"I will."

"So... what are you planning on doing next?"

"Next?"

"With Evans?"

"I'm not planning on doing anything with Evans except to continue to help her and try not to piss her off anymore."

"Sounds like an excellent plan."

"I thought so. And another thing."

"Yes?"

"Tomorrow, let's stay in Hogsmeade for the first half of the night. No going into Hogwarts until after 1, and I have to clear off a bit before dawn."

"Alright. Any particular reason?"

"Lily and Hagrid will be out at midnight with the unicorn, and I have to pick her up for the dawn feeding."

"Ah. Of course the reason has to do with Evans."

"What do you mean, of course?"

"I mean that she is all you ever talk about lately."

"That's not true."

"Ok, it's not entirely true... but it almost is. Don't deny it. Night Prongs." His friend said, ending the conversation before James could even try to deny it, which, he was sure, had been Sirius's intent.

"Night Padfoot..." He murmured instead after his friend's face had already vanished from the mirror.