Hey! Here's the next chapter of Trapped in Your Arms. I wrote it over my skiing holidays, when I was sitting in my room after long days of sport :) It is OFFICIALLY my longest chapter yet! Over 3,000 words, and I am incredibly proud of it. So, enjoy, and please review, it makes my day!

XxMissJacobsxX

P.S. Vicki, I'M sorry I didn't run this by you first, but I know you're on vacation and probably need a break ;)

Disclaimer: Nein, ich bin nicht die JK Rowling (No, I am not JK Rowling)


2:26 AM

Lily sat in her dormitory, reviewing her Potions essay on the truth serum for the fourth time this evening. An assortment of old library books, big, small, thick and thin, were scattered around her on the ebony desk. The various quills and bottles of ink also present on its surface gave it an inadequate appearance. The untidiness was ruining her concentration, and conceivably, ruining her spell-checking and correcting skills. Once she finished re-reading the essay, she thought, making a quick mental note, she would make sure to tidy the room. And after that, maybe she could re-read her essay again, and perhaps after that, tidy her wardrobe, which had been looking jumbled this past week. If anything, she would do whatever she could to keep busy. It was when she was occupied that her mind concentrated on the task, and rarely mingled on the matters at hand. She hated silence above anything. The absence of sound was horrible, and even the faint noise of a quill scratching on parchment was good enough to distract her from her own thoughts.

A faint knock sounded on the dormitory door. It was almost inaudible- but still there. Lily paused scratching out a word with her quill and kept still. She didn't want anyone to think she was here. A few motionless seconds passed, slowly. As if the passer-by had been convinced, she heard retreating footsteps. Good. Lily went back to correcting her essay. It was probably just a student from the Marauders' victory party downstairs, stumbling drunk, trying to find their own dormitory.

She grumbled a little too loudly, tapping her quill on the desk. These parties could get the Gryffindor house into a lot of trouble with McGonagall-

"I knew it!" A voice cried triumphantly from outside the door, "Open up, Evans! I heard that quill!"

Lily realized who it was. She sat still, her arms resting on the desk, and her eyes gently closed. She would keep pretending to not be here, if that was what would keep him away. Because she was not in the mood to make friendly bouts of conversation with Potter. She had had enough of him, and his selfishness.

"I heard you," Potter said from the other side of the door, "I know you're in there!"

Lily forced her lips into a straight line, trying to keep calm and quiet while Potter knocked harshly on the wooden door. She heard as Potter sighed in exasperation. Maybe he'd just figure, after a few attempts at talking to no one, that her grumbling was just a figment of his imagination.

But he still didn't give up.

"Dammit, Evans!" Potter yelled, banging harder on the door. The door itself was shaking uncontrollably, and without notice, one of the bolts from the hinges broke off, flying off to the right, under Heathers' bed.

"I need to talk to you! Stop being so fucking stubborn!"

Lily couldn't help but be annoyed. She quickly muttered "reparo" under her breath, fixing the door in a soft click. So Potter was going to be arrogant, selfish, completely ruin her day, flirt with her ex-best friend, and insult her? And now, on top of all of that, he had the nerve of coming to her dormitory and almost breaking the door in attempt to enter?

"Potter!" She barked, her hands balling up in fists, "Stop damaging my door, you idiot!"

The banging on her door stopped slowly.

"Lily," James breathed quietly from the other side of the door, "I need to talk to you"

"I don't feel like talking," Lily said, her tone showing no emotion. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of hurting her feelings when ignoring her at the party. She wouldn't, either, give him the satisfaction of knowing the shiver that run down her spine when he had used her first name for the first time since Third Year.

A long, awkward silence followed. Lily heard Potter shift his weight from side to side, heard him nervously ruffle his hair and adjust his glasses.

"Okay," the intake of Potters' breath was loud, "Lily."

Just like before, another strange, mystifying shiver ran down her back. Her name, coming from him, was certainly something. It sounded different, in a way that Lily couldn't describe quite exactly.

"You and I know you're not exactly the easiest person to talk to." James continued, "Lily, please make this a little easier for me."

Lily stood still, and trailed the contour of the wooden door slowly with her fingertips. She had never really seen this side of James Potter. She had personally witnessed his hatred, his selfishness, his hurtful comments and his ability to boast about those precious Quidditch skills. She had been present when his temper, his jealousy, and his bitterness had taken control of him. She had observed him picking on other students, showing off his grades, flirting with half the girls at this school in an instant, and dumping his short-term girlfriends just as quick.

The soft, gentle voice Potter was using was new. He may have seduced girls before, but this wasn't the same. He spoke as if he were a small boy who was ashamed, trying to make things right. But James Potter? This was barely believable. If it weren't for the effect his using her name had on her, Lily would already be laughing at him.

"Well," Potter said slowly, and Lily heard him resting his back against the door and sliding down into a crossed-legged position, "then you'll have to just listen."

"There's nothing I can really do to make you go away?"

"Don't think so," he said.

Lily sighed, sitting against the door as well.

"Go on," she said, giving in.

She closed her eyes. She'd get through this. She waited for him to begin whatever it was. A short pause followed as Potter struggled for words.

"I'm… sorry."

Lily was a little shocked, but kept quiet, for she knew not exactly how to respond to such a bold statement. Sensing her loss for words, he continued.

"I realized once you left the party how badly I'd been acting. And- I talked to the guys. We all want you to come downstairs again. We could still make the party for both of us. Would you like that?" He paused, "Look, I know you're mad but I really-"

Lily was curt in her reply. There was no way she'd return to the godforsaken place.

"No, thank you."

"Why not? Is it because of me?"

"I mean, if you suddenly disappeared from your party and then came back with me and declared it our party, I think your girlfriend may mind a bit"

He grumbled.

"Anne's not my girlfriend."

"Oh, of course, Potter," Lily used a mock-sarcastic voice, "How could I have made such a terrible mistake? I meant your little whore-friend."

"Lily, it's not like that-"

"Yes, it is. She just wants to sleep with you."

"But just now-"

"She wants to have sex with all you Potters!"

"But-"

Could he just not see it? The girl was horrible. She was the worst. And he thought they could all be friends at the same time? No chance. He did not want to hear all she had to say. That arrogant, selfish, show-off…

And yet another part of her wondered why he was still here. Why, if his intentions of coming were to tell her to come downstairs, and seeing she would not follow him, had he not scarpered? Perhaps he'd stay until she followed him downstairs. Lily would give him a hundred more reasons for herself to stay up here.

Making her mind up, she stood up and unlocked the door of the dormitory. Potter was caught by surprise, for he had been leaning against the door. He fell down and swore, scrambling to his feet. Once he turned to face her (while ruffling his hair in the process), Lily spoke.

"She used to be my best friend, Potter. I know what all her intentions with you are."

He smirked to himself. What was wrong with the bastard? Then, unexpectedly, he grabbed her wrists in with his own hands. Lily was caught by surprise and let out a faint, "Oh". It felt good, in a strange way, having him so near. But, she scolded herself, look who this is, silly girl! At that, she aimed a kick at his shin. The impact was hard. She heard him groan and curse loudly, but still did not let go of her.

"Let."

She aimed another kick at his shin, just a little harder.

"Me."

She kicked again.

"Go!"

Lily decided to try a different resort to get him off. She struggled with her own wrists to throw the hands off. But his grip was as hard as steel. His mouth broke out into a weak smile.

"Amazed by my strength yet?"

Lily rolled her eyes. She would kick him until he let her go, she decided firmly.

"Lily Evans!" he said half-shouted, at once annoyed.

Another strange, pleasurable shiver ran down her spine as he used her name. She wouldn't have any of this; she wouldn't give in to James Potter's charm so easily. Not caring what she hit, she kicked forwards and hit his calf.

"Just listen to me for a second, and please stop with the pointless kicking."

Lily halted her brusque movements momentarily.

"Me and Anne had a fight. I called her a whore. She won't want me anymore, so you have no excuse. Now will you come downstairs to our party?"

But Lily couldn't think straight, because Potter was even more nerve-rackingly close than before. He was close enough for her to smell the soap from his last shave, the mixed scent of deodorant and sweat from practice, and see the faint creases underneath his eyes from staying up too late at night.

Strangely, Lily wasn't repulsed at the sight. The boy, who had once, a few hours ago, been her enemy, was now… she didn't quite know how to put it. Her friend? Her ally? Her…? No, don't even think that she thought firmly.

He was leaning closer to her. Tilting his head to the right, he brought his hand to her shoulder, causing yet another wave of shivers to run through her. Lily's usually strong will could not fight the handsome boy staring back at her through liquid-chocolate brown eyes. She leaned in a little further, her eyes closing involuntarily. It was a different side of her that had emerged. They inched closer…

"Lily," Potter muttered, his warm breath tingling on her lips, "we need to get downstairs."

She felt the absence of his lips on hers almost intoxicating at that moment. There was nothing she wanted more, oddly enough. A frantic little voice in the side of her head was firing off disconcerting thoughts; I wanted to kiss James Potter, it said, I almost kissed James Potter!

But James Potter let go of her at once, like if she were something to horrid to hold. He walked to the door in a few strides, hand immediately at his hair. Lily stayed a few seconds where she was. That almost-kiss had been one of the most sexually charged moments she had had with a boy, and she was still tingling from head to toe, even though nothing had happened. Had he meant to kiss her? But why had he let go of her so quickly? Maybe because he'd remembered how much they hated each other? Because she had had bad breath?

Lily quickly masked her flustered face, taking over the control of her body that had been lost a few moments ago. She was suddenly curious, and blurted the question out, trying to hide the awkward silence that had followed the almost-kiss.

"Can I ask you something, out of curiosity? How did you get up here? I thought that there were spells against males entering the females' sleeping areas."

Potter laughed, breaking the tension a little.

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I don't need books to learn, Evans"

"Okay," she agreed awkwardly, "Let's go."

"One more thing, to satisfy my curiosity" Potter said from the doorway, facing her once more, "What are we, now?"

Lily frowned. That was the very same question she had been thinking of. She gave him the answer that she would have wanted to hear.

"We're currently negotiating a short truce, aren't we?"


3:02 AM

The party was still going, despite the lateness of the hour. About half of the students were gone, but many were still drinking the last of the beer and whisky. A few were dancing, but mostly the drunk students were sitting around the couches, talking and some even sleeping. Sirius and Peters' dates were gone, and Remus, having seen James arrive, let Heather go back to Lily, and walked over to him.

Once Lily was gone from his side, James felt a short sigh of relief pass through him. The scene in her dormitory was not something he was proud of. He remembered wanting Lily right there, the sudden, agonizing urge to be close to this girl he had often been wounded by, this girl he had hated. Anne's words about his reputation had been right, he did only look for the physical aspects in a relationship. However, being Lily, he wanted to do things right. As if he really cared for her pureness. It was strange, he thought, what girls could do to a guy.

Now she was gone, and he found it easier to think. He grabbed a Butterbeer from the table on his left, drinking a huge gulp in one go.

"Hey Padfoot!" James said, clapping his best friend on the shoulder. He had to try and act normal, as if nothing major had happened, because Lily and Heather were talking in whispers nearby.

Sirius grinned widely at his best friend. He made his way to a couch nearby, and lay on it. He turned to face James again, his hair tousled.

"Some performance out in the corridor with Anne tonight, mate."

James remembered the embarrassment and the cheers of his name. He half grumbled, half grinned back.

"That was certainly something that will have the whole school talking," Peter said with a cup of fire whisky in his hand.

"I didn't get to see," Lupin protested, "I wish I'd been there."

Sirius laughed extremely loudly, "It was hilarious," he commented, apparently drunk, "But I'm still quite blank on why James would turn down hottest girl numero uno."

"What did you call her?" James asked, smirking.

"Hottie number one- numero uno…"

"I think he's had a lot to drink tonight," Remus commented, "After his date left him…"

"That was because she wasn't very good, if you know what I mean," Sirius said, his words slurry.

James was a little bemused by his best friends' state.

"He didn't?" James asked, letting out another laugh.

"He did," Peter replied.

"Where-" James started to ask.

"The empty transfiguration classroom," Peter said, and James whistled while Remus laughed, "They were gone for about twenty minutes."

"Damn, that was quick, Padfoot!" James said.

"He told us all before he started drinking the firewhisky," Remus said, "And where were you during that time, Prongs?"

"Well," James admitted, ruffling his jet-black hair, "Me and Anne fought about Lily. So I went up to Lily's dormitory."

A round of awed gasps followed. James glanced around to see if Lily had heard, but she was nowhere to be seen. Thank Merlin for that!

"Well? Did you two fight again?" Remus asked, leaning closer with interest clearly visible on his face.

"You are such a gossip girl, Moony," Sirius called from the couch he was lying on.

"Shut up!"

"You shut-" Sirius began, but was snoozing a few seconds later. Remus laughed, and threw a pillow at him. James didn't want to have to retell the story again tomorrow. Sirius received the blow, and opened his eyes the tiniest amount.

"Listening," he mumbled.

"We made a truce," he said, purposely ignoring the almost-kiss, "to be civil to each other in public from now on, until the YGW tournament ends. I also told her we all wanted her to come back down to the party, so if she says thank you, play along."

Remus nodded, "Do you even think you guys can keep up with this… erm- truce?"

James shrugged casually, "We'll see."

"Wow, no kinky, erotic action happened in her room? Goodnight now," Sirius mumbled, closing his eyes again. He was fast asleep, his face gaining a rarely peaceful look.

Remus chuckled to himself, "I think I like him better when he's asleep. Much less annoying."

"I guess," James grinned at his friend, "What now?"

Peter yawned, "I'm heading upstairs. 'Night"

"Goodnight."

Peter headed for the stairs and left James and Remus alone, hovering near a very fast asleep Sirius.

"I have something to show you, Prongs," he said, taking out a small black box from his pocket. The box was old and dusty, with gold lace everywhere.

"Think she'll like it? I bought it from the antique store in Diagon Alley. Spent all my savings,"

Whoa. Remus was proposing to Heather? That was a little early, wasn't it?

"Moony, seriously? Marriage?"

"We've been together for almost four years now, and I think it's appropriate. I love her."

"But think about it, mate," James said quietly, as to not wake up Sirius, "your whole life will be ruined."

Remus winced at the last two words. James continued;

"No more pickups or Saturday night hookers, no flirting with other girls! Just commitment!"

Who would want to tie themselves down so early in life?

Remus smiled wearily at his friend, "I knew you and Sirius would think of it that way. But I really do love her, and I can see myself still with her in thirty or forty year's time."

"Moony, you're such a softy."

Remus sighed, grabbing a drink off the table. He looked at James pitifully and took a swig of the cup he was now holding.

"Trust me, sooner or later you will understand what I'm talking about. It may not happen in the way you expected it, but it will."


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