She was pacing forwards and backwards. James watch her footsteps, he watched her pacing the Girl's dormitory. He closed his eyes and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. When he looked back at the map again, he saw that she was gone, walking through the Portrait Hole, and down the corridor. He read down the corridor, Lily was going to walk straight into Professor Muscogee. The defence against the dark arts was infamous for stopping roaming students, usually with two months of after school, and weekend detentions. He quickly got changed, grabbed his invisibility cloak and ran from the dormitory.

Lily wandered up and down the corridor, she needed to think, and was desperately confused. First Potter, but now Severus. She didn't understand, Severus had been her best friend since they were in their first year. And then he'd dropped that bomb shell on her. She paused and leaned against the wall. Holding her head in her hands, she paused and listened to the sounds of the sleeping school. It was all quiet. Well, it was supposed to be all quiet. Footsteps were coming up the hall. And long, struggled breaths. Professor Muscogee! A flawless record and a good reputation was going to be ruined in three seconds, there was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, it was over. Lily stood up straight against the wall, like a lamb going to slaughter. As she waited to receive her fate, she couldn't help blaming Potter and Severus...

James got to her just before the Professor did. He watched her realisation that she would get caught. He watched her sadness at realising that her record would no longer be flawless, and he watched her anger, though at what he didn't understand. And the Professor drew closer still James only took a few minutes to make his decision...

There was a waft of air. It reminded Lily of making her bed at home, putting the sheets on the bed. She remembered, when they were young, she and Petunia would play with around with the sheets. Lily would be a cat, and would chase Petunia around under the sheets. But that didn't happen anymore; Petunia hated Lily and everything she stood for. She didn't respect her, love her, or look up to her. She may have done at one point, but that was a long time ago.

Lily was pulled behind an invisible sheet, and a hand closed over her mouth. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. The hand spun her around, and she stared into the hazel eyes of James Potter. James looked back at Lily, there were tears streaming out of her eyes. She had been scared, petrified, and now James felt really awful. He put a finger to his lips and then removed his hand from Lily's mouth. She looked up at him with wide eyes. He took her hand and slowly led her past Professor Muscogee.

They walked, and didn't talk until they had reached the Owlery. It was quiet but warm. A beautiful summer's night. James took the cloak off and looked at Lily. She was looked confused and shell shocked. Like she had just been wandering through a battle field.

"You alright?" He asked. Lily sniffed and nodded rubbing away tears under her eyes.

"How did you... What were you...? What..." Lily froze and looked away.

"What were you doing out Lily?" James asked his level gaze seeing straight through Lily.

"I was so... scared. I didn't understand, I was confused. I couldn't. First you and then Snape..."

"Snape?" James asked astounded.

"Um..." Lily closed her eyes. "Yes, but it was nothing."

"Lily, I need to tell you something about Jacob." Lily looked up at him expectantly.

"Daisy, you know, Daisy Bennett. She told me, that she saw Jacob and Hannah Smith, and well..." He finished his sentence, and Lily took the message. She bit her lip and looked away. She guessed it was inevitable, and some how she was angry with herself for being stupid, for really believing that nothing happened.

"Sorry." James mumbled and looked at the floor embarrassedly.

"No, it's okay. I mean thanks, I'm glad you told me." Lily shivered although the air was warm. James looked sideways at her. He shuffled awkwardly towards her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm really sorry Lily, you deserve better than him." Lily nodded stiffly and turned her head.

"Thanks Potter." She put her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her waist almost automatically. They stood there for a moment until Lily tilted her head up and looked up at him.

"About earlier, what you asked, I think that it would be a good idea. I've got a feeling that I think it would be a good idea now." He smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her. It felt so perfect and right. The way they stood there together. When they finally moved apart Lily smiled. James felt like his heart was going to burst with pride. He had managed, finally Lily was his.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing." James said and then laughed at Lily's unbelieving expression.

"What?" She asked again. He looked down at her face, her curious eyes and slightly open mouth.

"Well, I just think it's kind of funny. That we're just stood here. It's funny it happened here." Lily nodded.

"Yeah, I see what you mean. What time is it?" James looked at his wrist.

"Half eleven." Lily giggled.

"That'll be why I'm so tired then."

"Oh, sorry, do you want to go back to the common room?" James asked.

"Um... In a minute." James kissed Lily gently and she put her arms around his neck. They stood there for a few more minutes until Lily finally pulled away.

"I think now would be a good time." James pulled the invisibility cloak over both of them and they walked back through the corridor holding hands.

Once inside the common room they walked towards the Girls Stairs.

"'Night." James said smiling at Lily.

"See you in the morning." Lily stood on tiptoes to kiss James on the cheek and then ran up the stairs. James stood there, feeling like this was some kind of cliché, but he didn't know where from. He walked up to the dormitory and fell into his bed in a happy state.