Picking up my novel of the week, I sneaked out the doorway before my room mates woke up. I let out a sigh or relief when the door clicked shut and there were no rustling noises from the other side.

Alice hadn't let me drop the subject for days. She'd bring it up at any chance she could find.

"This assignment for Binns is going to be impossible." Frank groaned, letting his forehead drop to the desk.

"Speaking of Binns," Alice said, very casually, but then whirled on me, her face full of suspicion. "Where were you yesterday?"

I'd acted innocent, even though my blush probably was a dead give away, and simply agreed with Frank's sentiments. She was still trying to discover what I had done yesterday as much as I was trying to evade her. Her questions had gotten the attention of my other room mates, Marlene and Alyssa, and they had started questioning it as well.

A small smile slipped over my mouth as I skipped down the steps. I hadn't bothered to change out of my pajamas, since it was Saturday. It was already nine, but people were sleeping in late this morning. I'd already done my fair share of sleeping in, so I wasn't surprised when I'd woken up early this morning.

Walking through the empty hallways brought my thoughts back around to the other day.

James had led me through the hallways that were eerily empty. It was strange to think that there were classes going on behind the doors that we were passing. We'd actually almost been caught by Filch, but James had slipped his hand into mine, making me jump. He pulled us into a tiny alcove that I would not have been able to see otherwise, and we waited for the crotchety old man to pass by. James had waggled his eyebrows at me when we were squeezing out of the alcove, and I was glad Filch had passed by long ago, because my laugh had barked out loud.

The deserted halls were definitely not as exhilarating as that day. The morning light gave them a very innocent, still look. My feet were starting to feel numb, and I cursed that I hadn't thought to put on my slippers before leaving.

I peaked around the corner, knowing I was almost there, and dashed around, really hoping not to run into anybody. I'd run into Professor Dumbledore one time, and that hadn't been bad or anything, but it was a very strange encounter. He'd offered me a lemon drop, and said that the day still had excitement that was yet to come. Then he'd giggled to himself, and kept on his way.

Finally after rounding another corner I was there. I reached my hand out to grip a brick that was protruding ever so slightly from the wall, and pulled myself up. It really was a perfect set up. The bricks that stuck out were at perfect intervals just enough to climb up the wall. I'd begun to think it was done on purpose. This must have been someone else's spot before it was mine.

Tossing my book over the edge, I pulled myself up, letting out a heavy breath.

It really was the most perfect little spot. It was high over the hallway, so no one could see up here from the ground. A circular window fit into it, showing the Forbidden Forest, which was filled with fog this morning. I'd discovered it in my second year, and it had become my favorite place ever since.

I opened my book, and kicked back, finally able to relax. I hadn't gotten to read all week, and quickly got engrossed in the novel. My mother always teased me for how involved I got in my books. She said that I always looked dazed after I was done reading, like I had just come back from an alternate universe.

She must have been right in some way, because I did not notice the sun creeping higher in the sky. I did not notice someone turn the corner of the hallway. And I definitely did not notice someone climbing up the wall.

Not until their hand clamped down on my leg that is.

My book flew up in the air as a scream ripped from my throat. The hand disappeared over the edge, with a yelp. Then a thud. Then a groan.

I'd brought my knees up and shrunk against the window, my eyes wide. I broke from my position, and looked warily over the edge. Sprawled on the ground below, the boy ran a hand through his hair as he sat up, his eyes tightening as he winced in pain.

"James!" I gasped. He looked up at me, his hand going to rub his neck tenderly. He had survived quite the fall.

"Hullo." He mumbled.

I scrambled over the edge, almost losing my footing a time or two on my way down. "Are you okay?" I asked, running my eyes over his body. Nothing looked broken, but he was most definitely bruised.

"I'm fine Lily." He said, staring at me strangely.

"No you're not. That is a long drop. You might not feel it now, but there could be internal bleeding. Your spine might be damaged. How did you land? Did you pull a muscle? Are you-" I was silenced by his finger, which very gently pressed against my lips.

"I'm fine," he repeated. I nodded slightly, and felt glad in a way when his finger slid away from my lips. It had made me freeze up. He struggled as he tried to get up, hissing through his teeth as he clutched the wall for support. I clambered up in order to let his arm slip around my shoulders to help him. He said something under his breath that sounded an awful lot like "I knew she was dangerous." I decided to ignore that comment, though it didn't stop the warming of my cheeks.

We leaned against the wall when he finally stood up straight. He was looking at me strangely again. "What?" I asked, ducking my head low.

"What were you doing up there?" I looked up, staring at the wall across the hall. His arm was heavy over my shoulders.

Shrugging, I just answered "Reading."

"Why up there?" Why the twenty questions? I wondered, but answered him still.

"It's the only place to get some peace and quiet. Some people have been asking nonstop questions about where I was the other day." I emphasized that last part, sending him a knowing glance. He only smirked.

"Why were you going up there?" I decided to add to the list of questions he was creating. He shrugged.

"I didn't feel like just lying in bed." My cheeks warmed up even further thinking of the other morning, when he had just wanted to lie in bed.

We stayed silent for a little while after that, when I remembered something. "Crap. I left my book up there." I sighed, letting my gaze lead up to the ledge above us. James' gaze followed mine.

His smirk reappeared with full blast. "We'll just have to go get then." He whispered.

"You're injured!" I tried to object, but he pulled us both around, him having the advantage with his arm around me.

He blew off my outburst though. "Together." He stated, grabbing a brick. I just stared at him. The boy was out of his mind. But he made no move to back down. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed a brick as well.

It was definitely more difficult to climb up with someone attached to you, but against all odds, we made it. He was still smiling like an idiot when we settled on the ledge, leaning against the window. I had a right mind to believe that he wasn't in that much pain anymore, but my arm would not move to push his off my shoulders.

I grabbed my book, and tucked it under my arm. "Ready?" I sat forward.

James cocked his head to one side. "We just got up here."

"I didn't know you'd been planning on staying up here."

He just narrowed those hazel eyes at me, silently issuing a challenge, and he leaned back even more against the round wall of the cove.

"You said you wanted to read, and we both came here to stay up here didn't we?" He whispered, his eyes never moving from mine.

You're giving in again. My mind reminded me as I leaned back with him, but I ignored it, letting his arm pull me even closer. I don't think I was supposed to notice that. I also knew that I wasn't supposed to be comfortable with James' arm around me. But when he sighed next to me, letting his eyes fall closed, I let my book fall open again, and my eyes wandered down the lines of words just like before.

Somehow, I didn't mind sharing my favorite place with him.