Lily was walking back and forth in her dorm, at Head's. It was the same night, as she had complained - like some little kid, she feared - to James, that she couldn't go home, and that he had announced that he would be staying at Hogwarts as well.

Lily was confused, to say in the least. Confused, but happy.

She was happy because - well, James was staying for Christmas!

James Potter was staying for Christmas.

With her.

Well, there would probably be other people, sure, but not many. And only they shared this common room.

Oh, but nothing could ruin her mood now, she assured herself, as she finally gave up on the walking, to throw herself on her bed instead, staring up at the ceiling.

Well... Except for, maybe, that she would now go around and wonder just why he was staying.

God, this bloody boy - he confused her like no one else. He could make her the happiest person in all of Hogwarts, or the angriest, the most furious, in one sentence.

Because, Merlin's beard, he was still one bloody annoying bloke, when he wasn't busy being all attractive and sweet.

Now, the big question was, had he already planned on staying at Hogwarts, before she mentioned, that she was?

Or - and this was what Lily hoped for - did he change his plans, to stay with her?

Oh, but what if he liked her?

As in, liked her. Like in that way. Like-

Yes, thank you, point made, Lily Evans, she interrupted herself.

Oh, bloody hell, now she was going bonkers as well, what with talking to herself.

Honestly, though, why was he staying?

Maybe she was just over thinking this. Yeah, she was definitely over thinking this.

Lily sat up, as a sudden thought occurred to her. She had to talk to Marlene. She would know what to say. That, however, would also mean that Lily had to tell her, what her little secret was - and she wasn't sure how Marlene would react - or she was ready herself.

Lily chewed down on her lower lip, considering this. No, but she would absolutely tear herself in pieces, if she didn't get to talk to someone about this, someone who knew a bit more about dating, than she did, and someone whom she trusted.

Basically, Marlene McKinnon.

Nodding to herself, she decided that this was the right thing to do, and stood back up on the floor, ready to go seek for her friend.

However, a quick glance in the mirror prevented her from going immediately, as her hair looked like a mess.

It stood in all possible directions. Quickly, Lily flattened it as well as she could, before running a brush through it, and after a bit judging that she looked more or less acceptable.

Then, she rushed out of the door, and down the many corridors and hallways of Hogwarts, thinking that she was almost as quick, as on the 1st of September this year, when she had found, that she was late for the train.

Thinking back to that, maybe it would've been better if she hadn't made it in time at all, if she had just stayed home this year. Because then she would've never fallen for James Potter. Then she could've had a nice, normal school year, focus on her N.E.W.T.s, and not having to rush to Gryffindor Tower to find Marlene, only to ask her whether or not, James Potter, staying at Hogwarts for Christmas meant something.

Speaking of which...

"Marlene?" Lily asked and stopped up, as she spotted her light-haired friend out of the corner of her eye.

"Lily?" Marlene said, looking up at her in surprise, and Lily could see that the smile she sent her was stressed and a bit forced.

"What are you doing here? What have you been doing?" Lily asked.

And she thought that this was a fair question, because if she had looked messy before she had gone from her dorm, it was nothing compared to Marlene.

Her hair, which had undoubtedly been in nice, light, curls before, as it usually was, were now tangled, and rather... well, not curly anymore, and Lily wondered what could've caused that.

Her clothes were wrinkled, one sleeve half up her arm, while the other was so long down, that it hid her hand behind the white fabric, and frankly, Lily thought, that she looked like someone who had been running a marathon, during a hurricane.

Marlene's cheeks were bright red, which Lily assumed would be from embarrassment, over- well, uh, Lily spotting her? She didn't really know, but why else would they be red?

"Er, doing? I've been doing nothing, just, uh... Actually, I was just on my way to, uh..."

Lily frowned at her stuttering, as that was highly unlikely for Marlene, and noted, that she looked rather flustered. "Well... Alright. Anyway, I really need to talk to you."

Marlene looked over her shoulder briefly, biting her lip. "Er- now's not the greatest time, Lil."

Lily stared at her, before stepping closer to her, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "Have you been snogging someone?"

"What? No!" she exclaimed, shaking her head quickly, before giving a laugh. "That's absurd."

"Oh, you've most definitely been snogging someone!" Lily decided and laughed. "Did I interrupt? I'm sorry, but I really need to talk to you, about something."

"Lily, can't it wait?" Marlene asked, trying to use her hand as a comb through her hair, although not with much success.

"This is urgent, Marls, please," Lily begged, biting her lip.

Merlin's beard, she didn't know if she would have the courage to tell her later! Right, okay, so maybe it was a bit rude of her, to interrupt a - Lily was sure - nice little make-out session, but she really needed Marlene's advice right now. And besides, they could always snog, Marlene and her friend, yeah? But chances were, that if Lily waited much longer to tell, she would chicken out, and tell her some lame lie, about having lost her homework instead.

Marlene sighed, as she gave up on her hair, - and trying to protest with her- letting her hand fall down. She slid down the wall, and patted the spot on the floor next to her. "Spill, then, m'dear."

Lily hesitated, before getting down beside her. She stretched her legs out in front of her, and took a deep breath. "It's about James."

A/N Alright, school has started -ugh- and that means I won't be updating as frequently as I might have, as I'll be rather busy with, well, school. I will make sure to write, though, and the longest there'll be between updates, is -hopefully- a week!
So, yeah, more chapters soon, and thanks for reading!