Chapter 12:

Is the end of all the endings?
My broken bones are mending
With all these nights we're spending
Up on the roof with a school girl crush
Drinking beer out of plastic cups
Say you fancy me, not fancy stuff
Baby, all at once, this is enough

The full moon was strenuous, always pushing the boys to their magical ability. James had a quick turnaround for the quidditch game but he refused to sleep out on a full moon, seeing as he'd never leave Sirius and Peter alone with the young werewolf unless it was life and death. The night went by smoothly, with Moony taking up residence in a snowbank most of the night, playing with Padfoot. When the boys stumbled back into their dorm as the run rose over the horizon, James tasked Sirius with keeping an ear out for rumors about Lily, just in case she did end up speaking to Snape.

He knew she hadn't gotten to Snape, not since Mulciber ruined her plans, still he wasn't sure when she would finally tell her best mate. As far as James could tell, she'd been drifting from him for a while and Snape was trying even harder to keep her at his side. Snape however, underestimated Lily's independent streak. James knew Lily was going to take back her life and become the strong woman he'd known she was.

Meanwhile, James spent the last day before the actual game, drilling his plays into his chasers' heads. The sun was setting beyond the mountains when James finally called practice. Slytherin were showing up for a late practice, something Lily had mentioned previously to James. Her players appeared one-bye-one on the edge of the field when James' players were finishing cleaning up.

Lily found him, wrapping his knee to help aid the pain shooting up his thigh from a nasty fall during practice. The Gryffindor team looked up in surprise, her arrival nothing short of conspicuous to them. Next to James on the bench, Marlene McKinnon spoke up first.

"Fancy seeing you here."

Lily turned her green eyes to Marlene, the kindness in them genuine. Lily pulled her hands out from behind her back and showed Marlene a fresh set of clean clothes. Marlene looked at the clothes then took a look at Lily's sincere face.

"Thank you for letting me borrow them." Lily said to Marlene.

Marlene's mouth remained in a thin line, but she took the clothes from Lily, "No problem." Marlene shot James a look as she walked away, "it's not like I had a choice."

James watched Marlene go whisper to Anna Faith a few feet away before he turned back to find Lily had taken a few more steps closer to him. She was right there, close enough for him to reach out and tuck her red hair behind her ear. Instead, he kept his fingers firmly attached to the towel he was holding and stared adoringly into her green eyes. It really was no fair that he wasn't allowed to kiss her, especially when she was looking so lovely.

"Hi." She offered melodiously, looking up at him through her lashes, "how was Remus last night?"

"He's resting." James replied indifferently, tossing the towel on the bench and then cocking his head at her, "this is awfully bold of you."

Lily watched James motion between them, and the ends of her mouth pulled into a coy smile. Her fingers reached forward, brushing his hand before dropping her hand back to her side. There was humor written in her smile, promising him a clever retort.

"I wanted to tell you that, while I appreciate you having Sirius spy on me," there was sparkle in her clear eyes, "I haven't told Sev yet so you don't need to worry about me."

"You haven't told him yet?" James confirmed, leaned onto his good knee.

"No, I went and visited Juniper."

"When do I get to visit Juniper?" James asked at her.

"Soon." She promised with a slight laugh, "I can't keep talking to you behind her back."

"Outrageous." James agreed, "And Snape?"

She said, "I'm supposed to talk with him after the quidditch game tomorrow."

"Are you going to tell him everything?" James probed suspiciously.

Lily took a deep breath but nodded steadfastly, "Yes."

James reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. Lily tucked her cheek closer to his hand for a moment before he pulled his hand away. This is what they were now, young and reckless. They were quick stolen looks, and moments of public affection that flickered out faster than a candle in a windstorm. Soon though, they could be everything for each other in front of everyone. There would be no need to hide and no need to pretend they were anything other than completely infatuated with each other.

"The rest of my team will be here soon." Lily took two steps back, away from him, "I'd leave before Rosier and Crabbe get here and try to kill you before the game even happens."

James jeered, "As if you'd let them try."

Lily glanced behind James' shoulder, clearly noting his teammates were watching closely, "I'd let them have a go."

"Would you?"

"Only so I could watch you kick their arse." Lily agreed self-assuredly as she turned back towards the Slytherin side of the stands, "Bye, Gryffindor."

"Later, Slytherin."

James winked when she shot a warning glare over her shoulder at him. She didn't mean it, there was a smile playing on her lips. When James turned back to his team, he wasn't stunned to find them all staring with their mouths gaping open.

Marlene, who'd always been the most outspoken, said audaciously, "what the Hell was that?"

James bent down to get his broomstick as he said, "She's had a bad few days."

"Good." Marlene cracked her knuckles, "We've got this game in the bad."

James ignored Marlene and instead called out, "Let's go, Slytherin needs the pitch."

When James made it back to the dorm room, he found Sirius lounging on the bed next to Remus, who looked sallow but better than he had that morning. Remus looked up from his book when James entered and offered a smile when he saw James was covered in grass stains.

"Fall off your broom again?" Remus' voice was always harshest after a full moon and the sound cut through James.

"Have you been drinking water?" James ignored Remus' jest, narrowing his eyes at his friend, "You sound awful."

Remus rolled his eyes but, under James' glare, reached to his bedside and took a gulp of the glass of water. James smirked triumphantly as he tossed his broomstick on his bed and knelt under the bed to grab his broomstick polish. Sirius yawned as he sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Peter's not back from gobblestones yet?" Sirius noted when he looked around the room.

"Why is Peter at gobblestones?" James asked as he began polishing the oak handle of his broomstick.

Sirius' voice held the impression of annoyance, "I was tasked to watch your girlfriend all day, remember?"

"I asked you to make sure nothing was happening with Snape," James chuckled, "Not stalk her."

Sirius seemed ruffled, "Same thing wasn't it? He was with her all day until quidditch practice and then I left to go get Remus."

"Did I miss something while I was out?" Remus asked, "why did you have Sirius trailing Lily like a guard dog?"

"Lily's a muggleborn." Sirius said indolently, braiding his hair back.

James shot his head up in time to see the book fall from Remus' hands and Remus' mouth slacken. Remus looked between Sirius' cool face to James' aggravated scowl.

"I'm sorry," Remus said, seemingly bewildered, "Lily's a what, now?"

"A muggleborn." Sirius said, speaking as if he was saying the sky were blue, "She's been lying to everyone for years."

Remus looked at James who shrugged his own agreement before offering Sirius a critical look, "Snape's been lying to everyone for years," James corrected, "But that's all about to change."

"Why?" Remus asked, curling his long arms around his legs "Isn't it safer for her to stay hidden?"

"She hates it." James said, "She wants to be herself."

Remus seemed awkward and James figured he knew why. Remus kept his furry little problem hidden from everyone except James, Sirius and Peter. Remus was probably thinking of all the outcomes that would happen if he started telling the truth. Some of which, would be much worse than when Lily finally came clean about her family.

"It's not the same and you know it," James warned Remus from thinking too dark, "none of us think you're a coward for hiding who you are."

"Yeah," Sirius placed a hand on Remus' hand, "We all know it's the others who are cowards for not seeing you for the endearing little wolf you are."

"Little." Remus said in contemptuous tone, "I'm bigger than you."

"Now let's not bring size into it." Sirius waggled his eyebrows at Remus and James snorted, rolling his eyes.

Remus punched Sirius lightly before considering James again, "when is she going to tell people?"

Sirius cut through the silence with his biting tone, "well she hasn't said anything to Snape yet because he looked as miserable as normal today."

"She said she'd tell him after quidditch." James told Sirius, "She stopped me on the field just now."

Remus pulled his book back up, "and why did she tell you first?"

Sirius said, giving Remus a look, "James stayed with her all night, the other night when you were in the Hospital."

Remus sent James a toothy grin, "have a good night then, Prongs?"

"He came back the next morning bright and early to take a long ass shower." Sirius said.

James flushed red and started working on his broomstick again. Sirius and Remus snickered but they couldn't tease James because two seconds later Peter stumbled into the bedroom complaining deafeningly for Sirius.

"Sirius, I'm never going to gobblestones for you again you bloody shitehead. That was so boring!"

"Did you get my money?"

"No, you were wrong! Sarah didn't win!"

James was relieved when Sirius' attention as turned onto Peter. James blatantly ignored Remus who was staring down at James perceptively. Remus' sandy blond hair fell into his eyes as he took another sip of water, seeming smug.

"Why are you looking at me like that Moony?" James grumbled, "Clearly you want to say something."

Remus' grin stretched even father across his face, "I knew it, I knew you fancied her."

Sirius turned away from head locking Peter, sending Remus a glare, "How?"

"All those years of calling each other out?" Remus said, "She'd walk into a room and James' head would start turning, looking for ways to show off in front of her."

James' ears shone bright red, "I did not."

"Merlin, Moony's right." Peter said from Sirius' arms, "All those years you were flirting with her! Not fighting with her!"

Remus saw James' face and chuckled, "we're happy if you're happy, mate." He said, "I just can't believe it took you this long to snog her."

"More than snog her." Sirius derided, waggling his eyebrows again.

"Conversation change!" Peter hollered, covering his ears, "I don't want to hear about it."

James threw a dirty sock at Peter, "I've had to hear every grimy detail about you and Suzie for the last years and a half."

Sirius let out laughter as he unhooked his arms from around Peter, "it's payback, Peter."

The boys settled into Remus' bed, laughing and bickering as was usual. Even though James was happy he was with his mates, his mind couldn't help but wander to the red-haired girl who'd stolen his heart. He hoped she was okay and that she wasn't having too much trouble with her Slytherin teammates.

Match day came, both teams ready, or not. James was jumping at the bit to get his team flying on the pitch. Not to mention, it was the first game of the season, so everyone was jazzed to see who'd win. Slytherin and Gryffindor were evenly matched, even James could admit it, but he hoped he'd be able to score more goals with faster chasers. He needed the edge because with Lily as keeper, instead of seeker, the game could go in any direction.

That morning, he caught her eye in the Great Hall at breakfast. She sent him a quick smile before she resumed speaking with Regulus Black, who looked a little sick to his stomach. Snape caught James staring at Lily and James dropped his gaze quickly. He had to keep his head in the game, not on the girl laughing two tables away.

Nothing could stop James from staring at her when game-time came. He watched her from across the field as she taped up her broomstick. All the yelling in the stands faded to nothing when she looked at him. She smiled warmly at him before her attention was diverted by Regulus Black who was clearly panicking and seeking solace in Lily, the nicest person the on the team. Lily appeared to be soothing Black and James smiled, shaking his head. Even when she felt like shit, she put other feelings above her own.

She was absolutely infuriating in that way.

James worked on his own broomstick, goggles digging into his forehead as his teammates chatted around him. It was Marlene who sidled up next to her Captain, a impressive smile in place of her normally stern character.

"So, when ere you and Evans planning on shagging?" James froze when he heard the devilish tone to Marlene's voice, "or did you already and that's why you needed clothes?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." James said, slinging his broom over his shoulder.

Marlene whistled, "Sure you don't."

Marlene's derisive laugh followed James all the way to the middle of the field where Madame Hooch was standing with the quaffle. As captain, he stood in front of his team of scarlet and gold. Lily stood across from him in her silver and green quidditch robes. The green brought out the cunning glint in her eyes as she looked him up and down favorably from her broomstick.

"Alright Evans?" he couldn't resist winking her way as he straddled his broom.

She looked more like herself, more than she had in days, when she threw her head back and laughed, "Never better, Potter."

The game started in a blink of an eye. James got hold of the quaffle first but one of the chasers from Slytherin knocked it from his hands to pass it on down towards the Gryffindor goal posts. James spent most of his time barking orders to his teammates as the quaffle shuffled back and forth between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Slytherin scored the first goal and James couldn't resist sneaking a glance at Lily, cheering from her goal posts as her team did a victory lap.

"Aim for Rosier's head." James barked at Marlene who nodded and twirled her bat menacingly.

When James passed by Lily's goal post she gave him a smug grin that he would've loved to wipe off her face, but he could do that later, when they were playing against each other. So instead he shot her the bird and looped back around to steal the quaffle from a Slytherin chaser.

Thirty minutes into the game, Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied twenty for twenty. Up at her goal posts, Lily's hair had fallen from its bun as she snapped at her teammates to get the quaffle from James or die trying. It wasn't that simple. James had his beaters on double time so as he raced down, right to Lily, no one could stop him. He grinned as he started getting closer to Lily. She had her jaw set and her goggles were pushed up on her forehead, making her fringe fly everywhere as she tried to debate which direction James would fly.

James twisted at the last second, trying to throw the quaffle under her legs, but Lily rotated so she was hanging upside down and shot the quaffle down. James' chaser caught it and threw it back to James to go for another toss. James aimed for the far-left hoop and then faked right. Lily wasn't fast enough, and Gryffindor scored another goal. The stands roared as Lily tossed James the look of death.

"I'll get you back for that." She shouted after him.

James winked, "How about tonight?"

Her placated smirk promised him something tonight if they found each other alone in a secluded corner. James was about to turn his broom around when he heard a deafening cheer. Lily perked up and looked around before complaining. James caught what she had, Gryffindor's seeker Anna Faith had spotted the snitch and was racing Regulus Black for it. James cheered for Faith, shouting at her not to make a fool of Gryffindor. Behind him, Lily was swearing Black's name, egging him on.

It was too late for Black, Faith had a head start and caught the snitch twelve seconds later, holding the gold ball in the air for everyone to see. The noise was deafening as James and his teammates flew over to Anna, dogpiling into her in the air. The rest of the Gryffindors flooded onto the field. James wasn't aware of anything to do with Slytherin, all he could see was a bunch of red and gold that chanted 'Gryffindor' over and over again.

The celebration in the common room started out with James' team-mates singing his praises but soon, it turned into an all-out party. Someone had the wireless turned all the way up and kids were dancing on top of tables and chairs, drinking smuggled-in butterbeer, and someone had started trading cigs near the bookshelves. As Head Boy, James ought to try and calm the party down but Sirius had brought down the firewhiskey from the dorm and now James was trading shots around the table near the fireplace with other seventh years. He turned a blind eye when Marlene passed a shot to young Anna Faith, instead throwing back his fifth shot and laughing as the liquid burned his throat.

Suddenly, a hand was on his shoulder and James looked up to find Mary MacDonald smiling at him.

"Hullo Captain," she grinned, "Enjoying the celebration?"

"Want a shot?" James asked, motioning for Sirius to pour another.

Mary grinned, "No, I need you to come with me."

Everyone around them whistled and catcalled as Mary held out her hand to James. James waved his hands at the on-lookers.

"We're just friends!" he swore as Mary pulled him up off the floor.

"Yeah," Sirius brayed, "James could never land a girl like Mary."

Mary rolled her eyes as she dragged James to the portrait hole, "Stuff it, the lot of you, it's Head boy stuff."

The laughter and talking grew louder as Mary continued tugging James to the portrait hole. James hoped Mary was lying and that it wasn't Head boy stuff because he was intoxicated and not in any place to remotely yell at kids.

"Mary," James complained, "can this wait?"

Mary looked back at James as she pushed the portrait hole open, "No."

And that's when James saw her. Lily was leaning up against the staircase across from the portrait hole. Her smile was wide, red hair tossed over one shoulder. James looked at Mary in question.

"She's been standing out there waiting for someone to get you."

"We have rounds tonight," Lily spoke as James stepped down from the portrait hole, "Remember?"

James was almost positive they didn't have Head rounds, but he didn't mind Lily's random appearance. She was wearing her school skirt and bright green button down, the color bringing out the green in her eyes. James tore his gaze from Lily to look back at Mary, who stood in the doorway with her hand on the portrait to swing it closed.

"Thanks Mary," he said, "Tell Sirius, I forgot I have rounds?"

"Will do." Mary smiled before closing the portrait hole and leaving James and Lily standing in the dark corridor alone.

Lily pushed herself up and off the bannister, "Nice playing, Potter."

"Did you come to kill me on your house's behalf?"

He wasn't drunk but he was close enough, so when she came to stand by him, and he caught the smell of her perfume he didn't stop his hand from brushing against her cheek. She didn't lean away; her hands rested on his hips and kept her chin held high. Anyone could've walked out on them, seen them, but James didn't care.

Her eyes were impressive as her fingers curled into the waistband of his trousers, "fancy a walk?"

And just like when she'd been so confident in the Head office, James was suddenly lost for words. James nodded slowly and she started talking backwards, bringing him with her. Her back hit the staircase bannister and she laughed as James' hands wrapped up into her hair and pulled her forward for a searing kiss. The kick of the firewhiskey was still on his mouth and in his veins as she pulled back and twisted out of his hold.

James glared at Lily as she flashed a sultry grin and started down the staircase.

"Oi!" James called after her, "get back over here."

She laughed mischievously and James started down the staircase after her. He caught her on the next landing, grabbing her wrist before she could run down the dark corridor. James pulled her back into his side and caught her mouth for another kiss. The burning in his stomach was familiar as Lily's fingers tangled up into his curls. They tumbled into the closest wall, James not even bothering to check and make sure the coast was clear.

"You were great today." he said against her hot mouth, "sorry you lost."

"Sorry you won."

Lily didn't seem to mind, as her mouth was grabbing at him, keeping him engrossed on their task at hand. She kissed him like she could taste the firewhiskey on his tongue, barely pausing to breathe as they readjusted their heads. She wasn't playing nice, her hands leaving his hair to travel down his back and onto his chest, fisting the fabric there.

It was maddening, how much he wanted her. He partially blamed the alcohol and partially blamed the way she was overpowering him with her kiss. His hips pushed compulsorily forward, pressing her farther against the wall. She didn't seem to mind one bit and even stood higher on her tiptoes, trying to even the playing field. James' hands trailed from her shoulders, down her back, to her waist. He helped lift her more, using the wall as an anchor. It was better and he ripped his lips from her grasp so he could nip, lick and kiss his way across her curved jaw.

"Fuck." He heard her say and he laughed as he nipped her skin again.

"Ready for payback?" he asked against her skin, more than ready for her.

"No, James, look!"

Suddenly, her hands flattened against his chest and she pushed him off. James half expected someone to be standing in the hallway staring at them, mouth agape. Instead, when he turned his vision, he saw what had made Lily's conduct change so quickly. They hadn't noticed them before, they'd been too caught up on kissing. Next to James, Lily's hands went to her hair and he could feel her apprehension mounting.

Lining the hallway, black and red, were flyers and they were all glowing in the dark. James unwound his hands from Lily and walked over to where the flyers began. The hallway, starting at the first classroom, was wall-to-wall paper. James didn't know how they could've missed it. Lily's fingers wrapped around his arm as she came to stand beside them, her green eyes tracing the writing.

JOIN THE REVOLUTION: BURN THE WANDS.

Rally for Wizardkind! Justice for Purebloods!

"Burn the wands." Lily comprehension was laced with repulsion, "James, they want to make it so that muggleborns can't have wands."

James glanced down at Lily and placed a quick kiss on her forehead to calm her before pulling back and saying, "We need to go find a teacher, right now."

Lily ripped her eyes from the flyers, lethargic, "Right," she shook herself, "Uhm, I think Professor McGonagall is on duty tonight."

James led the way to the staircase that would take them to the first floor. Lily kept ahold of James' hand and he didn't suggest she let go, even as they made it to the first floor where McGonagall's office was. Lily clearly wanted to hold onto his hand, and he'd let her hold onto it for forever, if that's what she needed to get through the awful things going through her mind.

Secretly, James prayed this sighting wouldn't discourage her from telling Snape she was going to tell everyone else her heritage.

Professor McGonagall was the Professor on duty. Her office door was open, and she looked up in surprise when she heard Lily and James arrive. McGonagall placed down her book and waved her hand so that more candles in her office lit as James and Lily entered her office.

"James," McGonagall looked over to Lily, who was white as a ghost, "You two aren't slated for rounds tonight, why are you out of bed?"

"We found more posters." Lily said, "They're lining the far wall of the sixth floor."

Minerva's lips tightened, "Did you see someone down there?"

"No," James said, "We were a bit preoccupied."

That's when McGonagall's eyes dropped to Lily and James' intertwined hands. Her eyebrows flew up to her hairline as Lily suddenly realized and tore her fingers from James' with a massive blush that brought color back to her face.

"We were talking about the game." Lily lied quickly, "and I asked James to walk me back to Slytherin's common room when we found the, erm, flyers."
James shot Lily a look, as if to say, 'nice save'and Lily ducked her chin, making her hair form a curtain around her face. McGonagall sighed as she stood up, placing her witches' hat back on her greying hair as she came around her desk.

"Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "Please take me to these posters."

"Sure." James said, ruffling his hair.

"Miss Evans?" McGonagall's eyes flashed to edgy Lily.

Lily's head shot up, showing off her red cheeks, "Professor?"

"Please return to your common room," McGonagall said, "You can argue about the results of quidditch with my Captain tomorrow, when it's no longer past curfew."

"Yes Professor." Lily said meekly, shooting James a soory glance before racing out of the door.

James wished they'd had more time together but there were more pressing matters at hand than their relationship. James understood when it was time to play and when it was time to work. He had to help Professor McGonagall but he wished he could've asked Lily to stay so she wouldn't have to go back to the Slytherin common room.

"Let me grab my wand, Mr. Potter." McGonagall said, "And then you can take me to the sixth floor—"

Lily voice, echoing guardedly from down the hall, called for Professor McGonagall. James and McGonagall shared a look before James turned on his heel and raced into the corridor. Lily was several doors down, near the entrance to the dungeons. She was staring down the staircase, seemingly immobile. James jogged down to Lily and came to halt beside her, staring down into the gloomy staircase.

The glowing flyers were there too.

James didn't know what to say as Professor McGonagall joined them, so he only pointed down the corridor. Before any of them were able to say anything, Argus Filch came stalking down the corridor from the main staircase. His cat, Miss Norris, was prancing at his side.

"Minerva!" he cracked in his raspy voice, "you'll want to come to the second floor and see this—"

When he pulled himself to a stop with the group already in the hallway his beady eyes caught the glowing flyers. Beside James, Lily pushed her fingers into her hair and looked close to crying again. James wrapped an arm around her shoulders, reminding her that everything was going to be okay. She leaned into his touch as Filch snarled angrily.

"They've covered the dungeons too?"

"And the sixth floor." James stated, realizing that if they'd stopped on each floor corridor, they'd probably find similar flyers.

"Agrippa help us." McGonagall murmured, "they've covered the school."

"I'll get Dumbledore." Filch said gruffly, "He'll be wantin' to see this."

"Please do," McGonagall said to Filch before turning to the Head boy and girl respectively, "I'm sorry, but I need you two up. Go find the other prefects. I want every corridor patrolled for these flyers."

James glanced down at Lily before he looked at Professor McGonagall, "Kip Gansley and Annabeth Clark should be on rounds tonight. We'll go find them and split up."

McGonagall turned to the flyers, "I'll try to start tearing these down."

James led Lily away from the adults, "Do you have any idea how Gansley patrols?"

Lily nodded and glanced at the wrist watch she wore, "it's almost half past, so he's probably made it to the seventh floor."

"We were just there." James said, "Let's see if we can grab him and Annabeth before they move on."

Lily nodded in agreement and James led the way. They jogged partway, James taking them through shortcuts. Lily admired how well he knew the castle as he showed her a passage that led from third floor to the seventh-floor bathrooms.

"How did you know this was here?" she marveled quietly as they felt their way up the pitch-black staircase.

"Remind me one day, to tell you about the map."

"You have a map?"

"Yes." He said, taking her hand and hurrying her along, "well, I did."

The passageway opened up and James pushed through the tapestry covering the entrance into the girls' loo. They raced past the sinks, their reflections looking flushed as they passed the mirrors.

"We're on the opposite end of the corridor," Lily said hurriedly, "So hopefully they'll be really close."

"Gansley won't give us problems do you think?" James asked as they exited the loo and turned to make their way down the hallway.

What they saw, made Lily falter in her tracks and James ran right into her. James looked up and his jaw dropped.

"I think he's going to give us a lot of trouble." Lily murmured to James.

Kip Gansley turned on his heel, dropping the flyers in his arms. James cursed, whipping out his wand at the same time at Gansley pulled out his own wand. Beside Gansley, Annabeth Clark stood with her wand already out, permanently sticking multiple flyers to the wall at a time. Lily was shell-shocked, her expression a mixture of fury and disbelief.

"What are you two doing out of bed?" Gansley shouted.

"What are you doing?" Lily screeched, pulling out her wand to even the field when Annabeth turned her cold blue eyes on Lily and James, "Gansley this is against the rules!"

"Oh it's Evans." Annabeth Clark, a quiet Ravenclaw girl that James had never really spoken too, rolled her eyes, "Rosier told Mulciber you'd gone soft."

"What the Hell are you doing, Clark?" Lily asked.

Clark simpered, "and here I thought you were clever."

Lily exclaimed, "Clark, this will get the both of you expelled!"

"So?" Clark seemed unfazed but James noticed Gansley looked a bit uncomfortable, "we've got better things waiting for us outside these halls, don't we, Kippy?"

"Kippy?" James exhaled, rolling his eyes.

Gansley glanced down at his companion and then back to James, "just let us go and—"

"Let you go?!" Lily cried, "Gansley, you covered the entire school! On prefect rounds!"

"Let us go," Annabeth threatened, "Or we'll tell everyone your secret."

"Secret?"

James saw the color leave Lily's cheeks promptly and James felt his heart race. Lily hadn't told anyone yet, so how did Clark have any idea? Clark seemed to realize she had found a weakness so she waved her wand at Lily a bit more aggressively.

"That's right Evans, we saw you."

"Saw me?" Lily blinked rapidly.

Gansley got a little pluckier, "we were at the other end of the hall," his eyes flickered to James, "you two were so caught up sucking each other's faces off, you didn't see us slip up the other staircase."

Lily shot James a quick glance and James shook his head lightly at her. He could see the panic forming in her head, clear as day.

"Imagine what your mate Snape would say if he heard," Clark threatened Lily, "his best friend, fucking around with his least favorite person in the school."

"Gryffindor's captain," Gansley said, following Clarks threats, "I 'spect both your teams don't know. What will they do when they find out their captains are busy snogging in corridors after curfew?"

"Shut up," Lily cracked, sparks flying from her wand, "I don't care if everyone knows about James and I."

James, heart soaring from Lily's proclamation, twirled his wand skillfully as he said, "There you have it, Evans wants everyone to know we snog." James winked at Gansley, "bad luck, Kippy."

"Not now, James." Lily snarled at him, not letting her eyes leave Clark.

Clark scoffed, "Kip and I could take you both in a duel with one eye closed."

"You sure about that?" James asked intimidatingly, standing up taller, towering over Clark.

Clark seemed to hear the threat in James' tone, James hoped his reputation as a dueler preceded him. Not to mention, Lily had improved drastically with Rogers as a teacher. Clark seemed to realize she's spoke out of turn, so did Gansley.

Gansley took a step forward, "Take me," he offered, "let Annabeth go."

"I'm not letting either of you go." Lily said crossly, "Do you have any idea what those flyers have done to the muggleborns in the castle?"

"Chased one of them out," Clark said, "Good riddance."

James' brow furrowed, "You two are Ravenclaws."

"And?" Clark asked snottily.

James motioned around at all the flyers, "How did the flyers get into Slytherin house first?"

"We didn't."
"Someone had too." James said, "Those don't just appear overnight."

Lily gasped beside James, "Oh my god, Clark you mentioned Rosier…Rosierhas been putting the flyers up!"

Annabeth's cheeks flamed, "You can't prove that."

"No," Lily said, "But at least I know who to watch closely once you're gone."

"Lily," Kip put one hand out, trying to ease the conversation, "they're just flyers."

"I don't want to hear a word from you!" Lily snarled, turning her fiery gaze on Gansley, "you had the nerve to call me a pureblood snogger, and turns out you like to kiss their arses!"

Clark snorted, "Gansley's smarter than you, Evans. He knows being a halfblood won't save him."

"And you can?" Lily asked Clark musically, "with what? A stupid flyer?"

Clark bristled at Lily's tone, "I'm a pureblood."

"So am I," James snarled, stepping in front of Lily so he could aim his wand at Clark, "and can I just say, you're one of the shitty ones Clark."

Clark tried to fire a spell, but James was ready, and he blocked her before aiming a stunner at Clark's feet. The spell hit its mark and Clark fell forward, her face crashing against the stone floor. Lily and James both pointed their wands at Gansley. Gansley's eyes swept back and forth between them, his face bright red.

"Don't be an idiot Gansley." Lily said, "you can't take both of us."

Gansley glowered at Lily, "You're only confident because he's around."

"You know I am an expert dueler," James said offhandedly, "but I won't take all the glory."

Gansley spat at James, "You're a conceited git, Potter."

Lily snapped, "And you're a pathetic conformist, Gansley."

Gansley swung his gaze back to Lily, "I just took a leaf out of your book, Evans."

"My book?"

He said smoothly, "I started shagging the purebloods in my house who could protect me."

"I didn't shag any purebloods in my house." Lily hissed through her teeth, "I can protect myself."

"That's not how Mulciber tells it."

James didn't even bother holding Lily back as she stepped forward. Instead, he watched as she flipped her wand up and shot several spells at once. The first missed its mark, but the second and third hit Gansley square in the chest. Gansley dropped his wand as red bumps started riding on his skin. Clearly, she'd gotten him with an itching boil combination as he fell to the floor, writhing as he tried to scratch every inch of his body at once. Lily smirked favorably as she lowered her wand and looked down at Gansley wriggling on the floor.

"I didn't shag Mulciber," Lily stated firmly, "and I would very much like to be excluded from his twisted narrative, one I have never asked to be a part of."

Gansley, unable to talk from the sensation all over his body, spat Lily. James raised is wand but suddenly there were footsteps coming up the hall from the staircases, voices echoing through the corridor.

"I sent them after the prefects, but they didn't come back and—there they are!"

McGonagall had rounded the corner, Professor Dumbledore on her heels. They both took in the scene with wary eyes. Dumbledore examined everything from the flyers scattering the ground to Lily standing over Gansley's squirming body and James' wand arm raised. McGonagall straightened her hat, seemingly positively disconcerted.

"What's happened?" she commanded quickly.

Lily stood up straight and took the itching spell off Gansley with a wave of her wand. Gansley whimpered and grew still under Lily, worn out from all his itching. Lily gestured to the flyers, mumbling something about being out of line. James rolled his eyes, knowing she wasn't out of line at all.

"We caught them putting up the posters." James said as Dumbledore swept forward, "They attacked us."

Dumbledore's beard was tucked into his dressing robe and he smoothed it down as he bent down to pick up one of the flyers. James and Lily stood, stationary, waiting for one of their Professors to speak. Dumbledore looked up from the flyer and then sighed deeply as he saw at least fifty more stuck on the corridor walls.

"Minerva," Dumbledore's voice was calm, "please assist Miss Clark and Mr. Gansley to my office for questioning and then please send an owl to both their parents. I want them sent home."

"Albus," McGonagall seemed hesitant, "They're both first time offenders, you don't honestly think they planned this."

"No," Dumbledore dropped the flyer in his hands to the floor before moving to stand beside Lily and staring down at Gansley who was holding himself up by his hands, trying to breathe normally, "I don't believe they acted alone but at this time, they were caught unaided and the school board wants to see some sort of response from me. Let this be it."

"They're only kids, Albus." McGonagall muttered irately, "it's wrong to wrap them up into politics."

Dumbledore turned and scowled at McGonagall, "I will not continue to allow the school board to try and overturn me, perhaps sending these two home, will remind them I'm not afraid of fighting back."

McGonagall looked uncertain but she nodded her head before waving her wand at Gansley. Magically, Gansley was forced to stand up, he looked a bit green, like he might be sick as McGonagall stared him down.

"Er," Lily spoke up softly as Gansley complained, "I might've jinxed him, so he'll be a bit...off"

"Very well," McGonagall said curtly, "please walk quietly, Mr. Gansley and by Merlins sake, if you need to be sick please aim away from the middle of the corridor."

James snickered and McGonagall sent James a warning look, "Manners, Potter."

Dumbledore was leaning over Clark, "Who stunned Miss Clark?"

James raised his hand slowly, "Er, I did?" he tried to reason, "But she attacked first!"

Dumbledore looked up from his examination, "well done."

James shared a stunned look with Lily. In all his days, James never imagined Albus Dumbledore would ever complement him for stunning another student. James then watched as McGonagall set Gansley on his feet and them she waved her wand at Clark. Clark floated into the air, still stunned. McGonagall walked back down the hall, Gansley wobbling after her and Clark's hair brushing the floor as she floated across the air magically.

"Well then," Dumbledore drew James' attention in, "I know the both of you were probably planning on getting some rest, but I'd like to ask you what happened?"

James opened his mouth to explain but Lily beat him too it. Her face was flushed, but she appeared composed as she told Dumbledore exactly what happened, leaving out a few finer details, like snogging on the sixth floor. James added his two sickles when necessary, but Lily seemed confident enough to talk.

When Lily was finished her story, Dumbledore's face had fallen greatly, "And you're sure Miss Clark mentioned Mr. Rosier?"

"Yeah," James said, "I heard her too."

Dumbledore played with his beard before he said, "Well, Rosier's father is on the school board."

"Sir?" Lily furrowed her brow, "Why are you so worried about the school board? Aren't you Headmaster?"

Dumbledore chuckled as he nodded, "Yes, Lily, but the school board has been against my policies the last few years."

"What policies?"

Dumbledore just stared at Lily meaningfully. James thought about all the posters and the push to get muggleborns out of Hogwarts. The light bulb went off in James' head almost immediately.

"Professor," James spoke, "Do you think Rosier's father is instigating all of the flyers?"

Dumbledore crossed his arms, "That's one of my theories, yes."

"But why?" Lily questioned.

James looked at Lily, "Don't you see?" she shook her head and James explained, "the board is trying to get Professor Dumbledore fired so they can replace him with someone else!"

"But why would they do that?" Lily wrinkled her nose cutely, "what do the muggleborns have to do with this?"

"Because Dumbledore protectsmuggleborns," James explained, "Hogwarts has always been a safe place for everyone."

"What Mr. Potter means," Dumbledore said, staring at James with appreciation, "is that there are members of the board who wish to make me look bad, so that my removal will prompt a vote for a new Headmaster."

"The posters are to make you look bad?" Lily blinked rapidly, "not to scare the muggleborns away?"

"Oh," Dumbledore hummed, "I am sure the posts are doing both."

"It won't matter anyways," James said, "As soon as Dumbledore leaves, Rosier Sr. will replace him with someone much worse."

Lily was pulling on her hair fretfully, "But that won't happen right?" her green eyes turned to Professor Dumbledore apprehensively, "we can take the posters down and we can expel Rosier and everything will be fine!"

Dumbledore didn't say anything, he had his back to Lily and James, examining one of the posters. Lily pouted when Dumbledore didn't praise her idea to expel Rosier and end the flyers for good.

"He won't expel Rosier," James grasped, "He can't."

"But Annabeth said Rosier's name," Lily said animatedly, "We both heard her."

Dumbledore turned away from the poster, his eyes falling on Lily, who looked ready to start her own war, "I'm afraid Mr. Rosier is protected from expulsion without solid proof, his father would be able to convince the board of governors to call me a liar and—once again—call for my removal."

Lily shook her head, "Surly if we get Clark to admit it, then they can't fight it!"

"Clark wouldn't do that," James said to Lily, "you heard her."

Lily stomped her foot, "This is so unfair!" she threw her hands up in the air, "either way, we lose!"

"Miss Evans while I appreciate your enthusiasm for saving my position," Dumbledore said with a small smile, "we haven't lost yet."

"But what else can we do?" Lily kicked at the flyers under her feet, "I've been trying to get Slytherin to stop with this anti-muggleborn nonsense since before I can remember! These stupid flyers and posters are only getting worse!"

James adjusted his glasses and glanced down at the floor. He had to agree with Lily's frustration, after all, tonight every floor was covered in flyers promoting muggleborn expulsion. There was no telling how the school board would turn that shit into their favor. Rosier's family must've been planning the flyers since last year and were determined to have Dumbledore removed from office.

James' right hand lifted to his hair and he ruffled his agitatedly as he looked around at the flyers lining the walls. It would take them all night, and probably the next day to remove them.

"What do we do about the flyers?" James asked Dumbledore, "They're stuck on with a permanent sticking charm."

"Viscosuma." Dumbledore said.

"Gesundheit."

Dumbledore laughed at Lily, who had her arms crossed and was glaring daggers at the flyers, "No, Miss Evans. It's a spell. When preformed correctly it can undo a permanent sticking charm. The only downside is that we'll have to do one at a time."

Lily moved to start but Dumbledore placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head lightly, "we can start in a few hours. You two go get some sleep and meet Professor McGonagall in the Great Hall at three." Dumbledore glanced at his watch, "That gives the both of you a few hours of sleep."

"Are you sure?" Lily asked, "It's going to take a long time and people will see—"

"Miss Evans," Dumbledore's mustache wiggled when he spoke, "I want students to see these posters, so when I speak to them at breakfast, there won't be any confusion."

"But the board—"

"Can't vote me out quite yet." Dumbledore assured her, "Now, back to your common rooms."

James took Lily's hand, tugging her slightly. Lily turned her face to his and James saw a fire in her eyes he'd grown to love. She was so ready to fight, so ready to stand up for what she believed in. James knew he'd follow her to the war lines if he had too.

"Thank you, Professor." James said to Dumbledore, "We'll see you in a few hours."

Dumbledore nodded warmly at James before he turned back to the flyers and started picking up the ones on the ground with a wave of his long wand. James kept his hands tight in Lily's as they left Dumbledore alone amongst all the flyers. When James glanced over at her once they'd started down the hall to Gryffindor tower, he noted she looked worried.

"You okay?" he asked, squeezing her hand.

Lily shook her head, "I don't want Dumbledore to have to leave."

"I don't either," James said, "But Rosier's father isn't the only one on the board, I'm sure some of them still want Dumbledore in control."

"If Rosier Sr. is anything like his son," Lily muttered darkly, "he's not above manipulating people to get what he wants."

James thought of Rosier, who'd once convinced one of his younger teammates to spy on Gryffindor's quidditch team and somehow convinced two Ravenclaw Prefects to work for him. Anger flared in James' chest as he realized he wouldn't be able to face Rosier at all without wanting to punch the idiot in his stupid face. Rosier, Crabbe, Mulciber…all of them were pricks. All the posters, all Lily's anxiety, was stemming from the blokes like them in Slytherin.

And that's when James realized she'd have to go back to them tonight.

James pulled them to a sudden stop, feet away from the Gryffindor portrait hole. Lily looked up at him, perplexed, clearly wondering why they'd stopped away from the portrait hole. The torches on the wall made orange light flicker across her face, painting her golden.

"Stay with me?" he asked, "don't go back there."

Lily's face broke, "James," she understood, "I can't go in there."

"Sure, you can," James urged her, taking both her hands in his and walking backwards so that he was pulling her along to the Gryffindor common room, "no one will be awake, not now. We can sneak up and out before anyone's wiser."

Lily debated him, "Your roommates?"

James scoffed, "They can sleep through anything, trust me."

Lily glanced back over her shoulder and then turned her eyes back to them, "I don't want to go back to Slytherin."

"Perfect," James smiled, "then it's settled."

James turned and tucked Lily behind him, hiding her a bit. James looked at the portrait of the fat lady, who was snoring in her frame. All he had to do was get Lily past the portrait, an easy feat if the fat lady was half asleep.

"Jinkens Jason!" James shouted and the fat lady awake suddenly, peering at James suspiciously.

"It's past curfew." The fat lady glanced behind James, blinking sleepily.

"Head business," James lied, "Can we go to bed now?"

"Fine."

James held back a grin as the portrait popped open. He climbed through the hole and guided Lily behind him with one hand. The portrait closed behind Lily and she jumped a bit. The common room was still brightly lit, and James spotted Marlene McKinnon, passed out with Anna Faith on the sofa. There were plastic cups littering the floor and one of James' chasers was passed out by the window, holding a pillow from the sofas. Lily looked around at all the plump sofas and tapestry's in wonder.

"Welcome to Gryffindor common room." He whispered into her ear as he led her through the main common area, "ignore the mess, we were throwing a party."

"Got any of that firewhiskey left?" Lily whispered back as she nodded to the empty bottle on the table they passed, "I could use a decent shot. Or ten."

James chortled, "I'll remember that for later."

He led her up the boy's staircase, loving watching her take everything in with wide eyes. In her green shirt, she looked out of place, but James couldn't help but feel like she was finally where she belonged. Her fingers touched the tapestries they passed on the staircase and she marveled at the warm glow of the torches.

"Here," James motioned to a door labeled for the seventh-year boys.

They entered the dorm and found all the four posters filled except for James' over by the window. Using the moonlight, James guided Lily to the bed, motioning her to get in first. Lily bit her lip and glanced down at her clothes before she kicked off her shoes and climbed under the covers of his bed. James pulled his shirt off and then climbed under the covers with her. He was originally planning on keeping his hands to his sides, but Lily wasted no time, snuggling into his side and tucking her face into the crook of his neck.

"They'll sleep through anything?" she asked James as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

James nodded, his chin colliding with her hair, "just about."

"Good." She pulled her hand between them and James bristled, wondering what on earth she was up too until he saw her fiddling with the watch on her hand. Little beeps filled his ears as she played with the watch.

"What are you doing?" he inquired with amusement.

"Setting an alarm so we make it to the Great Hall in time." She said before dropping her hand to his side and snuggling back into him, "hopefully it doesn't wake your mates up."

"They won't."

He'd never tried to sleep with anyone in his bed, at least not on purpose. He hadn't slept much when he'd stayed with her in the Head office, mostly because there hadn't been room for him to sleep well. Now though, his feet were stretched out and his head was supported by his pillow. James played with the hair curling on Lily's shoulders and listened to her breathing grow soft, loving the feel of her hot breath against his neck. James much preferred sleeping beside her when they were in an actual bed.

James reached up and pulled his glasses off, setting them on his bedside table before reaching up and pushing the curtains to his fourposter curtains closed. When he settled back down Lily tossed one arm over his chest and her fingers tickled him lightheartedly.

"I have to talk to Sev tomorrow and tell him everything." She said, "I can't put it off anymore."

"Do you want me to be there?" James kept his voice low, "I can be."

Lily shook her head, her nose sliding back and forth across his neck, "that would only make him less open to listening." She giggled, "He really can't stand you."

"He's not going to be happy when he hears about us." James couldn't resist feeling a bit smug, even when Lily pinched him.

"He'll have to get over it." She kissed his shoulder, eliciting goosebumps on his skin, "I don't expect the two of you to ever be friends, but I do expect you to tolerate each other."

James rolled onto his side, so he was facing her, he squinted at her through the darkness, "I won't ever be able to tolerate him, Lily."

She pouted her lower lip, "not even for me?"

James leaned in and caught her lower lip with his mouth and tugged lightly before letting go and whispering back, "not even for you, babe."

Lily scoffed as he fell back into his pillows, "You're so lucky I fancy the hell out of you."

"I fancy you too," he mused, "now let's sleep."

"Hey, James?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you, for letting me stay with you."

James reached up his hand, cupping her cheek, "anytime, baby, whatever you need."

Lily leaned her face into his touch lovingly, "you keep calling me, baby."

"Is that okay?" he asked uncertainly, now wondering if he'd overstepped.

She scooted closer, laying her head on his chest, her hair fanning out as she curved her arm around him, "more than okay." she murmured, "you're everything I've ever wanted, I'm sorry being with me has been filled with so much drama."

"This is enough." he promised her, "And I'd wait for you, no matter how long you wanted me to wait."

"I don't want to wait anymore."

She kissed him in the darkness before settling back into him and all at once, it was enough. He loved her for her mind, body and soul. James used one of his hands to drag his fingers through her hair, lulling her to sleep with his ministrations. When he was certain that she'd fallen asleep, he closed his eyes and let himself drift off to her quiet breathing.


Next time:

"You don't sound too upset."

"I'm actually really proud." James replied, "I have half a mind of snogging you against that door."

"Not yet."

"But there's a chance?"


I hope you enjoyed a surprise middle of the week chapter!

xxx

Petals