Lily stayed outside until a faint line of lighter blue appeared over the mountains. She hadn't slept, and had absolutely no idea what time it was. She was not planning on doing any lessons later in the day.

Standing up, she made her way down the winding wooden steps and out of the doors, onto a plane stretch of badly-lit grass. It took her about twenty minutes to walk from the stadium to the front doors. Being half asleep, she didn't realise they'd be locked, so she flicked her wand and a tattered school broom appeared by her side.

She really hated flying. She wasn't that bad at actually flying, it was just the fear she had of heights. Knowing she was any higher than five foot, and had a chance of falling to her death, made her whole body freeze over, so obviously playing Quidditch wasn't something she did regularly.

Shaking her head, Lily put one leg over the wooden broom and visualised her bedroom balcony. The broom vibrated beneath her and the fact she was shaking didn't help. She really did not want to do this.

She had to.

Stupidly, she closed her eyes and hoped for the best. Kicking off, she veered the broom towards the lake with as much force as she could muster. The broom turned about 45 degrees, which irritated her.

It took longer than it would have if she'd of climbed for her to reach the balcony. Shaking, she hopped over the barrier and flicked her wand, not even paying attention as the broom materialised into thin air.

"Stupid. Flaming. Broomsticks!" She muttered, opening the door and collapsing onto her bed. She didn't even bother to take off her uniform before pure exhaustion overwhelmed her and she fell into a deep sleep.

James awoke the next morning feeling groggy and unsettled. He forced himself out of bed, wondering where the subject of his dreams was. He showered quickly and pulled on his robes, before peeping into Lily's room.

She was laying on top of her covers, fully dressed – shoes and all – fast asleep. A frown was traced across her perfect features. He sighed, walked over to her and took off her black pumps. He placed them by the side of her bed and took off her cardigan. He then tucked her under the covers and kissed the top of her head, before retreating out of her door.

"Where's Lily flower?" Asked Sirius mockingly, as James sat beside him, staring blankly at the butter dish.

"In bed."

"Bloody hell, worn her out did you?" He winked, and then laughed at his own dirty minded joke.

"No."

"Well- James? James what's wrong?" Sirius stared at his best friend. The fact he wasn't eating concerned him more than anything else.

"Morning!" said Aura brightly, sitting down opposite James and gesturing to Nia to do the same.

"Where's Lily?" Nia pondered, asking James more than anybody else.

"We're just about to find out..." muttered Sirius.

"Huh?"

"I told her. I took her flying." James said in a monotone, still staring at the butter dish.

"Told her what?"

"How I...feel about her." He looked up, meeting Remus' eyes; he gave an understanding nod as Sirius let out a low whistle.

"How?" Peter squeaked.

"I...I said thank you, you've made my week. She asked how scaring her made my week – she was joking. I said no, she made my week because the two things I love most were together..."

Aura and Nia stared at him. Sirius embraced him in a brotherly hug. Peter squeaked. Remus however, stood up and muttered something in Aura's ear, before glancing at James and walking out of the Hall.

James didn't seem to notice. "Then I kept on saying shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. She got kind of irritated and asked what I'd said because she thought she'd heard it wrong. I made some excuse and left. She just stood there and watched me and there was something in her expression..."

"That you'd never seen before." Aura finished.

"Yeah." Aura and Nia looked at one another before nodding and doing something James didn't understand. They smiled.

"James, please believe us when we tell you this." Nia started.

"Yeah, we're her best friends. Believe us." Aura was now grinning from ear to ear and they said as one –

"She likes you."

James' head flew up from the butter dish, and faced them, as something that looked like hope flickered in his eyes.

Sirius on the other hand, who had just brought a drink to his lips, spluttered. Large yellow drops of apple juice sprayed across the table like cats eyes in the dark.

"If you're joking, that's harsh." James muttered, randomly selecting a piece of toast and buttering it.

"Of course not you idiot. Peter pass me the bacon?"

Peter passed her the plate with a love-struck expression on his face as Sirius rolled his eyes. Nia remained oblivious to this as her and Aura glanced ecstatically at each other.

"Do you think...I might have a chance with her?" James raised his eyebrows as the girls burst into laughter.

"Do you know you're all we've heard her talk about for the past two years?" Hiccupped Aura.

"Actually no I didn't." James smiled slightly "I need to see her."

"I think Remus has gone to talk to her. She listens to him you know." Nia said, sipping her juice.

"Fair enough...I should get to Potions."

Nia and Aura smiled encouragingly as he stood up and walked out of the room.

For some reason, although he'd messed up and done everything he'd told himself not to do, he felt happy.

Lily looked up and smiled slightly as Remus Lupin sat beside her. "Morning."

"Morning Lil. I need to talk to you." He scratched his head nervously. It had to be done, he'd told himself that years ago. Now it was time to say what he'd been planning for over three years.

"If it's about school I was out late...I'm knackered."

"No it's not. But do you remember last night? I'm guessing you didn't tuck yourself in." He gestured towards the covers and she went through various emotions. Confusion...Acceptance...More confusion, and then finally realisation.

"Oh...you want to talk about that?" She looked down at her red fingernails. Her hair was shimmering slightly in the morning sun that was burning through the glass window.

"Lily he loves you! I'm not the most emotional of people, but I can't fail to notice that. He's one of my best friends. I know you like him, but please, please don't break his heart."

"I-"

"You do."

"I know." She was bright red and staring at the sheets.

"Good. You've finally accepted it. Now, please, go to sleep." He smiled, and then stood up. Walking over to her side he hugged her and kissed the top of her head in a brotherly way.

"Thanks Remus."

"It's ok."

He stood up and walked over to the door. As he walked out he felt a sense of soft satisfaction. He'd done, with some effect, what he'd wanted to do for years. He'd finally convinced Lily Evans that she liked James Potter.

Of course he knew it was more than some crush; but it was at least a step.