Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter books or movies. That's all J.K Rowling's and Warner Brothers'

Once in a While

Chapter Eleven – Taking your time

James stood at the great door of the library, staring at the ornate carvings on the dark wood. Flowers and birds were entwined round each other, twisting and turning back and forth, delving deeper and deeper into the wood…

"James?"

James almost jumped a foot as the soft voice sounded behind him. He turned and saw Lily standing behind him, her arms crossed around a folder clutched to her chest. She smiled, almost shyly, and moved to stand next to him. James watched her head tip gently to one side as she also examined the door, her scarlet ponytail sliding across one shoulder.

"I've never looked at these before."

"Me neither," James watched her and couldn't help smiling, "It's quite something, right?"

Lily laughed and pushed the wood, causing the door to swing open with a groan. The two made their way across the space, Madame Pince watching them from behind her desk, stamping a book with unnecessary force for a helpless third year. James walked a step or two behind his companion, his eyes occasionally shifting downward, but flying back up whenever she glanced suspiciously over her shoulder.

"Here. This'll do." And she placed the folder down on a deserted table by the window. Sunlight streamed through the pane, lighting both their faces and making dapples on the worn wood. James placed himself opposite Lily and watched her take a piece of parchment out of the file.

"Okay…" she scanned it briefly, her stunning eyes flitting back and forth, "I have some things we need to organise… I thought we should get a professional photographer for the graduation ceremony and maybe the ball, but I wasn't sure about pricing."

James coughed and held up a separate piece of parchment, which he'd just taken from his bag. He had spent the previous night talking to the other three about the graduation, and had made his own list. He had even got up early this morning and owled a few people, and had received his replies just after lunch. He was determined to impress Lily, and so had thrown himself into this particular project head on. And when James put his mind on something, he usually got it.

Lily stared at the sheet, "What's that?"

"It's a list," He pushed it across the table towards her, "of prices, for a photographer."

Lils eyes widened as she scanned the paper, and when she looked up her lips were curving upwards in a smile, "How did you know we'd need a photographer?"

James shrugged, allowing himself to flash his familiar grin, "Great minds think alike I guess."

Lily smiled back and looked back down at the sheet, "Do you think we could get a discount if we hired him for both events?"

"Her. It's a she. And maybe, I'll ask if you like."

"That'd be great." She looked up at him and properly smiled then, "You know what James? You seem…" She broke off and shook her head, still smiling.

That smile tempted another from James, he couldn't help it, "I seem so what?"

"I don't know… different," she caught his eye again and laughed, "Good different, I mean!"

James laughed as well and turned back to the work, trying to suppress a blush creeping into his skin, not unlike the one she was currently wearing.

The next few hours shot past in a whirl of traded ideas and suggestions, quite a few of which were shot down very early on. James' idea of a kissing booth at the end of year ball for example, was immediately refused by Lily, and earned him a paper ball aimed at his head. The smiles and laughs exchanged increased as the light dimmed and before James knew it, Lily was standing up to leave.

"So I guess that's everything! We got a lot done!" There was a note of surprise in her tone, like she had been expecting something to have stopped them before they actually sorted anything.

"Yeah, we did okay!" Smiled James, gathering up the remaining pieces of parchment and then smiling up at her. She smiled back and then raised her hand slightly in an awkward gesture, "Thanks James. I had a nice time tonight."

"Me too." And he watched her walk off, a small smile playing on his lips. That had gone a lot better than he had expected…

James entered the dormitory at around seven, grinning stupidly as he took in the scene. Sirius was searching for something and had taken everything out of his trunk. All his clothes and possessions were strewn over James' bed. Remus was sitting on the floor, leaning against his bedpost and reading a book bound in blue leather while Peter chewed slowly on some sort of sweet. The door closed behind James with a clunk, and all three of the heads snapped up. Sirius' familiar perfect grin soon grew, and he yelled across at James.

"So? How'd it go?"

"It. was. amazing." James threw himself down on Sirius' bed, seeing as his was already taken. "She was really impressed with the stuff I did last night. Course, she didn't say so, but I could tell. And then when we left she told me she'd had a really nice time! A nice time!" And he was grinning even more now, beaming through the happy fog that seemed to be clouding his brain.

"And then? Did you ask her out?" Sirius was eager for more information.

"No…" James' face suddenly registered complete panic as he sat bolt upright, "Should I have?"

"Yes!" shouted Sirius, and in complete unison, Remus yelled, "No!"

All heads turned to stare at the werewolf, who flushed pink and cleared his throat, "Prongs. Leave it a while longer."

"What?" Sirius laughed loudly, "Moony! Have you finally lost it? She said she had a good time – he's in!"

There was another laugh, and this time James joined in – giddy with his achievement.

"Come on then gentlemen," grinned Sirius, "To the kitchens! And lets grab some butterbeer on the way back – we can toast Prongs' success!"

Peter and Sirius both bounced out of the room, laughing about something Padfoot muttered, and James stood to follow. He had just reached the door, however, when Moony grabbed his elbow.

"Prongs! You're not going to ask her out again, are you?"

"Are you insane Moony? Course I am!"

"She'll say no."

"What?" James turned properly and stared at his dark-eyed friend. Moony still had a fresh scar running across the bridge of his nose, pink from the recent transformation.

"She'll say no. She doesn't know you well enough yet – she'll worry about you, you know, turning back to the old James."

"But I won't!"

"How does she know though? Seriously though, take your time with this."

James stared at him for a second, and the lowered his gaze, shaking his head and smiling slightly. Then he looked up again. "Fine! Alright! I won't ask her!" He narrowed his eyes, examining his best friend, "God Moony. How do you know so much?"

"I pay attention," grinned Remus, earning himself a light punch on the shoulder in reply.

Just then Sirius' head poked round the door, "You guys coming or not? Wormtail's already fallen through the portrait hole!"

James laughed and followed Padfoot out of the room, Remus on his heels.

A/N: I got an awesome response for the last chapter – thanks so much to everyone! I just hope I remembered to reply to everyone! Please review this chapter - I really like it, and I hope you lot do as well, even if it's a bit shorter than usual...