The month of November was dreary and uneventful. The only notable happening was Gryffindors first quidditch match of the season.

Over the weeks following the dance Lily had seen James in a new light as someone she actually respected. She was able to talk to him as a friend and surprisingly he gave pretty good advice.

Every once in a while, however, Lily felt like when she saw James she felt a jolt in her stomach and when they casually touched she occasionally felt her hairs stand on end. It was easy to brush these off as a flu bug going around and a winter chill, at least thats what Lily convinced herself of.

James, on the other hand was delighted at how Lily was opening up to him. Everything he learned about her made him more attracted to her. He could barely control himself when she looked him straight in the eye or casually brushed her shoulder against his.

The night before the match, which was to be held on November 27th, Lily and James sat by the fire in their common room talking.

So what do you reckon your chances of winning are? asked Lily

Well win. No question. He said loudly.

Okay, Potter, Lily emphasized her use of his last name. Clearly she thought he was being big-headed, but what does James think? James laughed self consciously, angry with himself that he had spoken without thinking.

I suppose well have to see, but I think our team is quite good this year, although Hufflepuff does have that new seeker, so you never know.

Thats better. What makes our team better this year than it has been?

Well, The beaters, a couple of fourth years, are just fantastic, really smart and can think under pressure. Then you know the keeper, Longbottom, has got great reflexes and hes real experienced. Our seeker is Kira StClaire, you know that tiny sixth year, she is really fast and feisty. And then I guess the other chasers and I communicate pretty well and have some good plays weve been working on.

James was surprised Lily hadnt tuned him out, she usually hated Quidditch talk even when she initiated it. Lily was surprised that James hadnt bragged about his skills and instead talked up the rest of the team.

Sounds like weve got a phenomenal group of people for Gryffindor, I dont see how we can lose. Said Lily with a smile.

Whos cocky now? asked James with a smirk.

Lily gasped in mock anger and threw a pillow at him.

What exactly are you insinuating, that Im being arrogant? You couldnt be saying that. She retorted as he returned the gesture smacking her lightly with another pillow.

All Im saying is that it takes one to know one. James was now grinning from ear to ear as their spat was turning into a full blown pillow fight.

Oh , you are gonna pay for that! yelled Lily as she lunged at him.

He dodged her; and his protection, in the form of a throw pillow, flew out of his hand. They landed next to each other on the ground. Lily drew her hand back ready to hit a defenseless James and was about to when she locked her eyes with his.

He was staring at her and there was an intensity in his eyes that scared Lily slightly yet she couldnt look away. The pillow dropped from her hand as her face moved a fraction of an inch closer to his.

They were so close, James could feel her breath against his neck, he wanted so much to close the gap between them but he couldnt bring himself to move.

They stayed staring at each other for what felt like an eternity; then, just as James regained the ability to move Lily blinked, shaking her head and the moment was lost.

She jerked herself up from the ground awkwardly and glanced at her watch.

Oh my 11:30 already, you better get to bed. Youll need rest if you expect to win tomorrow. James got up from the ground, slowly, feeling disappointed and confused.

Uh yeah I guess I should. Got to be up early tomorrow so Ill need some sleep, so I better just go up to bed, it is late after all, I mean late to be staying up the night before a match. James could kick himself for sounding like such a bumbling fool but he couldnt stop talking.

Before further embarrassment he turned on his heel and walked purposefully towards his room.

Lily plopped down on the couch. What was that? she thought to herself. More and more lately shed been having what she could only classify as normal relations with James only to have them become unbearably awkward the next moment. It was driving her absolutely crazy.

She could not for the life of her understand why this was happening. Sure James Potter had matured this year and even become one of her friends, not to mention that he was devastatingly good looking, but she would not allow herself to have feelings for him.

After all he seemed to have outgrown his obsession with her; he hadnt asked her out, not counting the ball, which he stated would have been as nothing more than friends, since the beginning of the year. Clearly, in Lilys mind, these feelings just had to be something else, but what?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

That night Lily fell asleep easily but awoke in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, which was odd considering it was freezing in her room. She sat up, feeling a bit woozy and put a hand to her throbbing head.

She lay back down and tried to simply fall back to sleep but it was no use. She tossed and turned trying to find a comfortable position or at least one that would allow her to get some rest.

After the longest hour of her life in which she had no success in getting any sleep she threw off her covers, grabbed a book and painfully walked down to the common room. Maybe a change of scenery is what I need she thought as she willed her aching muscles to get her to the couch.

With her headache and fatigue reading was difficult and she wasnt retaining anything but she could feel her eyelids dropping and hoped this meant sleep was on the way.

xxxxxxxxx

James always woke up early on match days. It was a combination of excitement and nerves that led him to this habit. No matter how many matches he played he never lost the feeling of anticipation at competing and the fear of injury and humiliation.

He showered, got dressed and with a nervous feeling in his stomach went down the stairs intending to get an early breakfast. When he reached the common room however his stomach flip-flopped for a whole different reason.

On the couch he saw Lily curled up asleep a pained look on her face and a book on the floor next to her. At the sound of his footsteps Lily awake and sat up quickly clutching her head.

James? she said her voice groggy. Before she could continue He spoke,

Lily whats wrong? You look, well you dont look your best.

I dont feel my best

Lets see then, James said as her approached her. He pushed a few stray strands of hair off her forehead and began to lower his face to hers.

What are you doing? she asked snapping out of her pain for a moment as James got closer.

Relax, Im just trying to see if you have a fever. With that, he lowered his lips to her forehead and rested them there lightly. After a second he pulled back, Lily, youre burning up.

But I cant be sick, I want to go to your match today and I have so much work to do, Ill be fine in a bit. Said Lily starting to stand up but immediately feeling lightheaded resting her hand on James shoulder to steady herself.

Whoa there, Im sorry, darling, but you are most definitely sick, you need to go up to your room and get some rest. Ill bring you some toast from breakfast okay?

Im not hungry.

I dont care Im bringing you toast and lots of water.

But what about the match? whined Lily I was looking forward to it so much.

There will be other matches, right now you need to get better. Ill give you the play by play later.

You promise? Lily asked pouting,

Promise. He replied Now we are getting you up to bed.

James started to walk Lily towards her room without much luck. She was too tired and unstable on her feet so he scooped her up easily and carried her up the stairs. After placing her on the bed he tucked her in and closed the blinds so that it was dark enough for her to sleep.

When James returned from breakfast twenty minutes later he found Lily fast asleep. He placed the toast on her bedside table and left to get ready for the match.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

On the way to the pitch for warm-ups James walked by the great hall and saw his friends eating breakfast along with Emily and Addison.

He went in to say a quick hello but upon getting to the table was bombarded by the girls.

Oh James thank goodness youre here, Have you seen Lily? asked Addison frantically.

Where is she Potter and why didnt she meet us for breakfast like she said she would? interjected Emily.

Girls, you can relax, Lily is just a bit under the weather, she has a little fever is all.

Poor Lily, and she was so excited for the match. Lets go see her now Ems. Said Addison and Emily nodded. The girls started to get up when they were stopped by James.

Shes asleep. He said, I dont think she got much rest last night.

Well I guess we will go after the match then. Said Emily I suppose we will just head to the pitch now to get good seats, want us to save you some boys? she asked looking at the three other boys with her bright blue eyes.

Yes please, love. Said Sirius.

Alright then, and Sirius, she said looking straight into his eyes, he was grinning back at her, Dont call me love. She turned flipping her hair over her shoulder with Addison close behind.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The match passed quickly for James not only because his mind was on other things but because it was actually a short game. James scored twice and his teammates each scored once before the Gryffindor Seeker caught the snitch.

James was quite excited and ordinarily wouldnt have wanted to be anywhere but at the celebratory party in the common room; however as he received numerous compliments at this party, none of them sunk in.

After attending the celebration for what he felt was his obligatory amount of time, he quietly left the common room and hurried towards the heads dorm.

It wasnt as if he thought anything would have happened to Lily since he was gone, he just wanted to check on her and hoped she was feeling better.

James looked in on Lily and saw she was still asleep. Instead of disturbing her, James decided to clean up from his match and then check on her again. After showering and changing into regular weekend clothes James checked in on Lily again.

She was stirring slightly from her sleep so James entered the room and sat lightly on the edge of her bed.

Lily was facing away from where he sat but she knew he was there.

Feeling any better? he asked quietly.

A bit, I suppose. She answered, her voice raspy from her sleep. She felt James hand resting lightly on her back and she sighed. Will you rub me? she asked, reminiscing about what her mother used to do when she was sick as a girl.

Wh-what? asked James back, not quite believing what Lily was asking him to do. Now it was Lilys turn to feel unsure,

Will you rub my back? she asked again It would make me feel better.

Now more sure of himself, instead of replying, James began to move his hand up and down Lilys back. He felt her muscles relax and he relaxed as well. He had not even realized the tension he was holding in his body, but he understood it, after all, it was not everyday that he got to touch Lily like this.

After a while James heard Lilys breathing slow and felt her muscles relax into sleep. He, however, continued to rub her back, hoping he could somehow help her to a speedy recovery.

James finally left her bedside, but he spent the rest of the day doing quiet activities within the heads dormitory and checking on Lily every so often. She slept most of the day but a couple of times he caught her awake trying to do some reading or worksheets. Even in illness, he noticed, she took her responsibilities seriously.

When it came time for him to go to bed, James decided to sleep in the chair in Lilys room. He knew it was silly and that nothing would happen to her in the night, after all, it was only a little fever, but he just wanted to watch over her.

The chair was surprisingly comfortable and James easily fell into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning Lily awoke feeling considerably better. She guessed her fever had broken in the night and that she had merely been stricken with a twenty-four hour bug.

She was still a bit tired and thought she would rest for a while in bed but first she decided to wash her face and brush her teeth as she felt a little gross from being sick.

While she was washing up James awoke, at first he couldnt recall where he was but looking around at the soothing colors and photos on the wall he remembered. Glancing at the bed he saw it was empty and for a moment panicked, however he then heard the water running followed by footsteps in the hallway.

Not knowing what he would say when asked about his little sleepover, James quickly decided to feign sleep to avoid the inevitable conversation with Lily. He needed time to plan an explanation.

Lily felt refreshed but still fatigued as she made he way back to bed. Finally, glancing around the room she spotted James in the chair and gasped quietly.

She knew why he was here and she was touched, he had taken care of her so well and she wasnt even that ill.

She knew when he woke up it would be awkward so she took this time to truly appreciate what he had done for her.

Lily was a strong believer that even in sleep you could understand the things that happened around you. With this in mind she bent her head close to James ear and whispered simply,

Thank you. She then moved her lips to his cheek and kissed him there, lingering perhaps for a second longer than was necessary.

As she got back into bed and closed her eyes she didnt notice the small smile that now graced James handsome face.