AN: Hullo my lovely readers. Here's the next chapter, sorry it took so long, I was having a little trouble writing Lily. My lovely AyaMellarkPotter helped me out by writing Lily for a little bit which gave me the inspiration to continue. This chapter is dedicated to her. Also… longest chapter right here =)

Chapter 4

He emerges from his stunned stupor and, leaving his books spread across the library table, heads after her. He doesn't see her in that first glance down the passageway and cursing, has to go back for the Map. It takes a bit of digging to find the tattered piece of parchment and he idly reckons he should tidy out his bag. The thought passes as quickly as it had come as his fingers close around the object of his search.

James tugs the tattered piece of parchment out of his bag, whispering the password and watches as the ink spreads like water across it. He doesn't see Lily's dot in the first pass over it and scans it more closely. James finally spots her; she appeared to be huddled in a broom cupboard? Why, in the name of Merlin would she be there? He shrugs it off, mutters the closing phrase, tapping the Map, making sure it went blank.

Much like Lily had before him, James gathers his things, tossing them carelessly into his bag, wincing when an ink pot shatters. Cursing he Vanishes the mess, continuing his task but this time takes more care. Task completed, he heads out of the Library to find his girl.

He wanders the corridor, apparently aimlessly but ends up at the broom closet where Lily was. He went to tap on the door but stops when he hears her crying. James jiggled the door knob gently and, finding it locked, pulls out his wand, murmuring "Alohomora". The lock clicks open and he quickly slips inside.

Lily Evans, who until moments ago had been crying undisturbed and cursing herself for ten kinds of fool in the same broom closet, looks up, face blotchy and startled as he slips inside.

"J-James?" she stutters, not wanting to believe that the one person she desperately wanted, and at the same time didn't want, to see disturbs her solitude.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" she asks, trying to dry her tears and appear indifferent at the same time.

"I… I… that is…" he appears to have temporarily lost the power of speech and swallows… hard. "I wanted to see how you were and… and…" His next words are mumbled.

Lily stares at him, her face tear stained, eyes red. She knows she looks a fright but… "What was that James?" She catches his eye and blushes.

"I… Ireallylikedthatkiss" It pours of his mouth in a rush.

Lily blinks. Had he really just said what she thought he'd said? "What?" is her ever so intelligent reply.

James decides to refrain from repeating himself and steps into her sanctuary, the door thudding shut behind him. It enfolds them in darkness, comforting and at the same time electrically charged. She can feel his chest brushing hers every time he breathes out he is standing that close to her. She jumps when his hand cups her cheek.

James is trembling, nervous and excited. He reaches out to cup Lily's cheek in the dimness of the cupboard and feels her start. His voice is warm when he reassures her that it's alright, it's just him.

"Lily… I'm going to kiss you now" he states suddenly, not hesitating. He can hear her sharp intake of breath but she doesn't move away from him when he leans towards her, or tells him to stop. He covers her lips with his and they are just as sweet, just as soft and warm as they were earlier.

Lily gasps when he kisses her but makes no move to push him away, instead her arms twine around his neck, pulling him closer. His lips… Merlin… how had she survived so long without the feel of his lips against hers?

James presses eagerly against her, and taking the gasp as the invitation it possibly was, sweeps his tongue past her parted lips, tentatively, slowly, oh so slowly twining it around hers.

Lily's heart skips a beat, she swears it does, at that tentative touch of his tongue on hers. She responds enthusiastically, not hesitating. She has no idea how long the kiss lasts… she swears it could have been hours, days… she doesn't know… she only knows…

"HA! There you… WHAT THE BLOODY HELL?"

And of course, Black had to go and ruin it.

AN: A shout out to Jupiter13-EpicReader who has reviewed quite a few things of mine. Hope you enjoyed this one Jupiter!