So me and some friends got a college grant last week. (Its like a scholarship kinda, the school gives you money to, well, pretty much live on)

So one of my friends takes his check and goes to Best Buy and buys a 40 inch flatscreen Plasma HD TV and posts it up in his dorm.

Fucking genius!

"Huh?" Lily said with a lost expression on her face as she looked at James broom.

"We're short a Chaser so can you fly up and take notes, I'll tell you what to do." James continued while handing her his clipboard as well.

"This may be a bad time but I haven't flown on a broomstick since our first year."

James seemed surprised but being Quidditch Captain, he must not have heard this often. Nevertheless, he placed the broom horizontally and leveled it to his waist. As he released it, the broom hovered in midair, still in place. He swung one leg over it, straddling the broom and for a moment Lily thought he was about to take off into the air, leaving her alone because of her incompetence as the Head Girl yet couldn't even fly. He then looked up and made eye contact with the Head Girl.

"Fly with me." James breathed softly.

"Uh- maybe it's best if I grade them from the ground." She said in almost a question.

"Hop on."

"It doesn't look very safe, Potter. What if I-"

"You won't fall, trust me." He confided.

"But-"

"I'll do all of your homework for the rest of year if I let you fall." He offered.

Lily considered his offer for a second. With her academic mentality getting the better of her as she approached the levitating piece of wood precariously.

"Safer if you sit in front."

Taking his years of Quidditch experience into consideration, Lily pulled a leg over the top of the broom and sat down as she scooted backwards closer to James. Her back was pressed into James chest, their hips almost grinding together. His chest pushed into the small of her back and she could have almost felt his heart pulsating. The soft grass blades beneath them were tickled by the gently breeze as one of James arm came around Lily with a notepad.

"Cross out the names when I tell you to." James whispered hoarsely, his lips right at Lily's ears. His warm breath on her skin created chills that ran down her neck. Feeling as if she was petrified into pure stone, she managed to take the items. Still clutching the notepad to her chest with one hand and the other holding the broom, she braced herself for the rush of speed. Surely James was a fast flyer?

James wrapped his arms around Lily and grasped the handle, his arms encircling the redhead. Feeling significantly safer, she turned to James only find his face inches from hers.

The tips of their noses almost touching as Lily gave James a small smile. James returned it sincerely and Lily found herself staring into his eyes once more. The color of his hazel orbs consisted of a shade of green so light that it could have been transparent. She could almost see her own set of eyes reflected in them. It was then that she finally realized how dangerously close they were. She could smell his scent. A clean, fresh, very outdoor fragrance washed over her.

They were close, too close. She could kiss him. He could kiss her.

Lily's eyes lazily fluttered, nearing the border of being shut. Her body moved by its own accord. She felt her head tilt to the right as she leant in. She couldn't stop. She knew it was wrong but at the moment the rewards far outweighed the consequences. The moment was perfect, timing was unflawed, and the sequences of actions were seemingly choreographed. On top of it all, she didn't give a damn as she licked her lips in anticipation. Throwing all the common sense she held in her mind recklessly out the window, she decided to close in still as her lips drifted precariously close to his. Their noses touched and Lily knew it was inevitable. Lily's heart was pulsing and beating itself into overdrive. She was almost past the point of no return. Her skin seemed to be burning as her temperature skyrocketed. Forgetting their troublesome past in a fleeting instant she inched even closer in her moment of temptation. She assumed James would be closing in as well to seal it. One little kiss. One kiss can't hurt…

"Ready?"

"Ready." She robotically.

His single word broke her out of her fixed trance while her eyes flew open as she felt him shift his weight around for balance as he took off speeding into the air.

Lily should have been frightened to be so high but her mind still wandered on what just happened moments ago.

Why hadn't James kissed her? Yeah, he's changed but surely this must have been one of those wild fantasies of his that he would occasionally flaunt at Lily. His favorite past time, Quidditch and flying in the broom along with the girl he has been chasing for years together. Wouldn't that be perfect for him? The only thing he loved that wasn't there was probably food.

Lily couldn't get James face out of her mind. His smile, the way his eyes would crinkle slightly when he flashed that attractive smile instead of his usual cocky, arrogant one. The way his eyes shone tenderly with care. The smell he was giving off. The way the wind crashed into his hair.

Why hadn't he kissed her? Maybe she was not obvious enough? The butterflies that emerged inside her from expecting a kiss was punctured and deflated like a balloon. Did he not know how bad she wanted it during that moment? Hell, she still kind of wanted it. Or perhaps- He did not want to kiss her! She fidgeted slightly in worry and horror. Maybe he was disgusted at the very sight of her. Or even worse- Was he laughing at her in his mind behind her? Or maybe he has a girlfriend already? Was he taken now?

It was driving her insane.

Lily spent the next couple of minutes mentally beating herself up. How could she let her hormones get the best of her? How could she be so foolish, to forsake everything for a moment's bliss?

"Harris. He doesn't even know what to do with the bat." James said behind her.

"Wha-?" Lily fumbled.

"Take out Harris, he's hitting the Quaffles with the Beater's bat."

"Yeah. Of course. Sure." Lily said as she erased someone else's name, still lost in her thoughts before realizing what she had done and replacing it.

After more debating with herself and hearing James orders, Lily attempted to leave it behind her. James didn't seem to really care, yet seem to even notice that the girl he nagged for years for a date almost willingly kissed him.

"Good shot, Jonathan! But you're scoring on your own side!"

Final Heaven

"Evans. Take Elena off."

"What's her last name?" Lily asked, peering down at the sheet as she was unable to find an 'Elena.'

"Umm-" James stalled as he put his chin down on Lily's shoulders to look at the list.

He placed his index finger on a name, "There. Richardson."

"I think that's it, we're done. Let's get back to the ground."

As they flew gently back to the comforts and safety of solid ground, Lily's brain continued to work itself onto the brink of insanity. He landed in the center of the field and hopped off as he began gathering the different items and placing them back into the box. James clicked some latches and locked the equipment in place before lifting the heavy load onto his shoulders and turning to Lily.

"Thanks for the help, Evans." James said before simply turning his back on her and walking away.

"LILY!" A recognizable female voice shouted into the open grounds.

Lily did not turn around to greet it, still too focused on the sight of James back as it began fading farther away down the horizon.

"Lily! HEY! LILY EVANS!?"

"Hogwarts to Lily Evans. Helloooo?" A masculine voice said playfully.

The sandy hair Remus Lupin stood at Lily's side while Kim shook her shoulders.

"What are we supposed to be looking at here, Li- Oh?" Kim began but stopped when she noticed James robes swaying behind him.

"James is one sexy beast." Remus commented suddenly.

"I'd hit that." Kim added.

"Huh-? What's going on? Lily spluttered.

"Since when have you tolerated Potter?" Kim asked.

"Forget that, since when have you started liking James?" Remus interrogated.

Lily faced Remus with a blank face, hoping to avoid turning this conversation to where it was possibly leading to, "What are you talking about, Remus?"

"You know exactly what I've been talking about." Remus flashed a taunting know-it-all smile, provoking Lily more. Kim opened her mouth to add on but was cut off.

"Well, you of all people should know of all the times I rejected him. Like that time in the Common Room, or that time by the lake. You of all people should know that I hate him. This is James Potter we're talking about. The most arrogant, selfish, bullying loser to ever walk through the halls of Hog-"

"That's a lot to say about someone that you 'hate with a passion.'" Remus said.

"Why did you share a broom with James 'Arrogant' Potter just a few minutes ago then?"

Lily was stricken.

"You two were-"

"-Watching everything from the stands." Remus pointed to the row of seats where the professors and the Headmaster sat during the games.

"Let's go to dinner Remus, I'm starving."

The werewolf raised a finger and opened his mouth to object but his stomach growled audibly.

"Same?" He chuckled, "Who's turn is it this-OOMPH!"

With athletic agility, Kim pounced onto his back with her legs wrapped around him and her hands around his neck.

"Giddy-yap."

"Again?"

"Move it horsey."

"Fine, I see how it is. You so owe me for this though."

Final Heaven

"What did the potato ever do to you, Evans?" Sirius asked as he sat down after piling a couple of plates full of food around him as if he was at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Lily stopped her subconscious yet vicious stabbing of the food on her plate. Everything was shredded and torn with holes that were no doubt caused by being pierced with a sharp metal fork. She dropped her fork onto her plate and rested both elbows on the table as she supported her chin in her palms. Deep in thought, she completely ignored Sirius.

"You look burned out. That time of the month again?" Sirius teased with a mouthful of food.

Lily glared at him and reached down for her fork and raised it to his face. About to threaten him but she felt someone's hand rest on her shoulder.

"She's been helping me all day, mate." James voice echoed from behind her as he sat down next to Lily.

His hair was slightly damp but was matted down dry. He gave off a fresh scent of soap and shampoo. He only wore a casual, blank white t-shirt with his uniform pants amidst a hall full of robe wearing wizards and witches. If Lily hadn't guessed he took a quick shower before coming down for dinner, she would have suspected he just hung outside in heavy rain.

"Alright. Here you go, Captain." Sirius offered one of his plates loaded with food accompanied with a salute. She noticed his plate had nothing but meat, no vegetables or dessert, just all meat. She had always guessed he would be a carnivorous male but didn't know to what extent.

"Thanks, Pads." James said, "My favorite items as usual. By the way, Evans. I forgot the notebook."

"Oh yeah, you left so quickly so I left it in the common room."

"I'll get it later, thanks."

Lily was planning on leaving but stayed around for the company and to listen in on James and Sirius conversation which mostly revolved around Quidditch plays, what girls Sirius had his eyes on and the food. James only nodded in agreement and laughed every now and then at his jokes. He was done with his food within a few minutes.

The redhead took a moment to look around the Great Hall, most students had already left and those remaining only sat around to chat over some drinks. James was the only one still eating.

"That was great," James sighed, "I haven't had much to eat lately. Hey little man, can you pass me the chicken?" James indicated to a small first year Gryffindor next to him who passed a plate full of roasted chicken to James with nervous, shaky hands.

"Thanks, Kevin." James said as the first year got up with his friends and left, no doubt shocked to find out the Head Boy and House Captain knew him personally by name and was going to tell his friends about it.

"I thought you were full." Lily questioned, partially disgusted but smiling at his cravings all the same as James placed the entire tray in front of him and prepared to devour it all. She glad he was eating once again. Since they got off the train and until this morning, James had not even showed up to the Great Hall for any meal. Now, he was munching and forcing anything edible down his mouth that was within arms reach of him.

"When is he ever? Then again, when are we ever?" Sirius spoke for James as the Quidditch Captain chuckled.

"This looks great, I haven't had this in a very long- what in Merlin's-HEY!"

All the food from every plate vanished, the plates returned to being spotless clean. The house elves must have cleaned up.

Sirius roared with laughter, "Oh man, that's the first time in our seven years here that we couldn't finish the food before they cleaned up."

James lips formed a pout and his face contoured into mock sadness.

"I'm still hungry though."

Sirius barked a chuckled, "I'm going to sleep. Go to the kitchens if you are so desperate."

"Sleep? Its not even 7 yet."

"Yeah but I'm so fucking sore right now. That 3rd year missed the bludger completely and hit me in the back."

"How is that even possible?" Lily joined in on the conversation.

"When he missed, he let the bat slip out of his hand…"

"Ouch," James laughed. "But if someone can hurt you that bad then they must be pretty good, I should draft him into the team."

Sirius scoffed and flashed a quick leaving wave before disappearing past the large doors. With Black's departure, Lily was left with James in an uncomfortable silence. Her mind was telling her to say something. To spark a conversation somehow, someway…

"Patrolling tonight?"

'Shit!'

Lily could have almost slapped herself. The best starting line she could think of was based on their duties and academics…

"Yup." James said as he pushed the plates away from him and folded his arms onto the table. His messy hair head fell into his makeshift pillow as he shut his eyes.

'It was a long day for him…'

"Want to go somewhere?" Lily took a swing at a conversation once more. But mentally slapped herself once more.

"Hmm-?" James hummed from his arms.

"We could go do something."

This made James turn his head around in his arms to look at her from below.

"Lily Evans suggesting we go 'do something.' That's odd. Okay, what do you want to do?"

Lily racked her brain for some sort of inspiration.

"We could go to the kitchens."

James gave a quick chuckling laugh. "Do you even know where the kitchens at?"

"I- by some portrait with a pear or something." She guessed from a memory of overhearing the Headmaster speak about.

James eyed her suspiciously.

"Fine, I don't know! But I'm bored all right?"

"Let's go." James stood up quickly.

"You know where it is?"

"I know everything about this castle and its grounds." James bragged.

"No you don't."

They both exited the hall and began walking down the corridors.

"I could probably map this entire school." James said with a mischievous, knowing smile.

"You always were an arrogant, cocky, bullying toe-rag." Lily joked in half seriousness. She instantly regretted saying that. But to her relief, he laughed merrily.

"Ah, the memories."

After a short trip and a few right turns down the school later, they must have reached their destination as James came to a complete halt. Lily looked around their surroundings but there was nothing to show it was a kitchen, it was just the same old Hogwarts corridor. They had gone down the corridor to the right of the main staircase in the Entrance Hall. The pair were probably directly beneath the Great Hall now.

"Potter, there's nothing here. What are we-"

James had his back turned to her, his attention focused on the portrait painting hung up on the wall.

"Here's your pear, work your magic, Evans."

Lily stepped up to the challenge. Hoping she did not look stupid, she began touching everything on the large portrait of a bowl of fruits. She even took out her wand and began poking it which earned a laugh from James as he observed everything from behind her. With all her ideas used up, she folded her arms around her chest and gave the innocent painting a deathly glare.

"Look. You have to…"

James came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her, one arm holding her waist while the other pulled her hand up to the pear. He guided her soft hands to it and brushed over the top of it slowly. His lips whispered instructions directly into her ear just like during the team tryouts hours before.

"Stroke it gently. It's more of a tickling motion."

The pear giggled audibly and Lily let out a gasp and glanced to her sides to make sure no one was around. When she turned back to see the pear, it had shape-shifted into a door handle. Before she could even enter the information into her mind, James was already guiding her hand slowly to it as she turned it open. The portrait swung open, leaving a gap so large than even the gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, could have fit through without any problems.

The kitchen was a very high ceiling room with stone walls. Heaps of brass pots and pans were placed inside. An enormous brick fireplace at one end of the room while four gigantic tables that must be used to represent the four different Houses were positioned just like the one upstairs in the Great Hall.

The couple still stood in the middle of the hallway where anyone walking by could see them. Both their arms were still outstretched even after turning the brass door handle but Lily felt as if her feet were stuck in place. His comfortable arms still held hers up.

"Welcome, Mr. Potter." A small house elf squeaked as it came running to them.

"Hey Pinky. Could we get some chocolate chip cookies and some milk?" James released Lily slowly as he walked forward past her but she couldn't ignore the empty feeling of disappointment that struck her.

She folded her arms and walked towards one of the large house tables and sat down to contemplate things over.

'What is wrong with me today? First I to kiss now I-'

"Want some?" James' soothing voice freed her from her thoughts. He stood behind her with a plate of cookies and two glasses of milk.

The smell of chocolate and freshly baked cookie dough lingered in the air. Without saying a word she simply took a cup with a smile as he sat down to give her company.

"I haven't sat down with milk and cookies since I was 10." Lily reported, somewhat proud for not saying anything stupid again.

"Really? You surprise me everyday," James teased, "I always knew you were a Hufflepuff softie."

Lily pushed him gently in the shoulders and scooted farther down the bench away from the Head Boy but knowing all too well that he would come right back, "What do you mean?"

He peered around at the other tables, "This is the Hufflepuff table. Why couldn't you be a Gryffindor and sit at our table?"

"I didn't know. I just picked one. Why are there tables here anyway?"

"Its how the elves get the food upstairs to the Great Hall. Look- They just place it here and it'll get transported above by house elf magic or something."

Impressed with his knowledge of the school, she asked a question that she already felt she knew the answer to, "You must come here often then? Sneaking around and nicking food all the time?"

"You know it."

"So what are you going to do when you get out of here? You can't go sneaking around Hogwarts forever you know."

"I thought of being an Auror-" He admitted nervously, running his hands through his hair.

Lily's eyes widened in surprise, "Really? I always thought you would either go on to be a slacking bum or a Quidditch player."

"Glad to know you always thought so highly of me."

The couple spent hours chatting and enjoying each other's company like lovers should. Both enjoying how well they got along but scared at the same time as well. Unsure of what they were. Not friends, not even acquaintances and definitely not lovers.

"Look at the time, we better get going. We should be patrolling now."

"Sure." Lily hopped up excitedly, knowing their conversation would continue for at least a few more hours.

"Going to be a long night, better take these along." James joked as he pulled out his wand and performed a spell that caused the cookies to stack up on one another to form a tower as it hovered and followed him around as he picked up his milk.

The miniature-sized elves bid them goodnight as they walked into the dark abyss of the hallways. Few minutes into their first round of patrols and they were beginning to drift into another lonely silence as Lily suppressed a yawn without any success.

"Tired?"

"I'll live."

"Go to bed. I'll finish up here."

"I can't do that. And besides, this is our first-"

"Don't worry about it. I got it taken care of. I'll be done in a few hours."

"Are you su-"

"Just go." James urged.

His face was serious. Lily had never known James Potter like this before.

'He has change.'

His unselfish act caused her to melt inside. Grinning from ear to ear, she surprised them both by lunging towards him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He gave a slight groan of surprise as Lily pulled him into a quick squeeze.

"Since when have you been such a gentleman?"

"Forever."

She smiled and wished him goodnight before turning around and walking away but he called her back to him.

"We should do this more often."

Lily stood there contemplating it for a moment just to tease him before answering.

"We'll see."

He turned around and continued walking as ate the cookies that followed him as he strolled down the deserted corridors but not before she saw the smile plastered on his face.

'Perhaps he's not as bad as he used to be…'

As for me?

I've been living off just Ramen noodles and water like every other broke Uni student.

I went to a buffet with some buddies to get ourselves some real food. Cant wait till Thanksgiving.

I guess the quickest way to a man's heart really is through his stomach.