okay, everyone I know I said that this one would be the sequel to Night (32) but I seriously didn't want to write it, like I went creativity dry for a week (or it felt like a week) and those of you who've read since the beginning know…I'm pretty consistent with updates and such. So I hope you don't mind that I'm not going to continue night, but if you wanted to know what happened I could probably put together a summary and give that to you if you leave me a review or PM.

Props of course go to All American Rejects listened to this song on repeat for the 1/2 hour it took to think of and write this one...not really an LEJP song but it worked :D


Theme 53: Keeping A Secret

Rating: T


Dirty Little Secret

Lily strode confidently down the long row of benches to where one James Potter was hunched over his latest transfiguration essay was due in twenty-four minutes. He was alone, having come early to breakfast to finish said paper and concentrate without distracting friends. Luckily, Lily was there to fill in.

She threw a leg over his bench and straddled it facing him. He glanced up for a moment, toast held in his teeth, as one hand kept his book open on his lap and one held his quill. She smiled at him before he gave a quick jerk of the head in recognition and bent his head back to work.

She tilted her head, watching as his body went ridged and his head snapped up, toast and all, to gawk at her. Her muffled name resonated through the crispy, buttered bread and she smiled even wider.

" Potter," she started formally, smiling even wider if it was possible. His glasses had slipped down his nose but he hardly noticed by the way she was now leaning forward, " Can you keep a secret?" she whispered looking deeply into his eyes. This close, he didn't need his glasses to see her perfectly green irises in the utmost detail.

His head made a jerky nodding motion and she leaned even closer. His eyes closed of their own accord. Her hair brushed his cheek and his lips fell slack around his toast.

" I. Want. You." She whispered crisply into his ear before running a her fingertips lightly up the back of his neck and peering into his wide eyes once more. Before he could scramble in what to say she'd swooped in again and taken a bite of his toast.

By the time James realized he hadn't been kissed at all, she was already slipping out the heavy oak doors of the great hall. James was left to try and remember what transfiguration even was

--

By noon James was awake, and he was processing what Lily had really meant. The way she said it left no doubt in James' mind that he was the reason she bit her lip when her eyes went unfocused. Deciding on an appropriate plan of retaliation James couldn't help preening just a bit; straightening his robes and tie, running his hand through his already untidy hair. He was ready.

Giving his friends a head start to Potions, James hung back in the common room until he caught sight of his lovely Lily dashing down the girls' stairs. She was making sure she had all her books in her bag as she pushed her way out of the portrait hole. James tailed her immediately, following a few silent steps behind.

Taking a last deep breath he sauntered up to her grabbing her arm and spinning them both into the nearest alcove. Lily gasped, her eyes wide and searching his for his identity and explanation. Before she had a chance to compose herself, he pressed her to the wall his hands on either side of her shoulders.

He stared down at her. " Can you keep a secret, Evans?" he hissed and stared directly into her eyes unblinking as she gave another gasp like noise of acceptance.

" I. Want. You. More." He enunciated every syllable; she was to understand his seriousness. She meant business if she was going to try and screw with his emotions. Her eyes only got bigger, and a small sound caught in her throat, signaling his exit. Turning away in a billow of black and scarlet robes he hurried down the hall and into the nearest passageway.

His heart was Hammering through his body as he collapsed against the wall. That was more terrifying than battling a werewolf and more exhilarating than whipping in and out of plays on the Quidditch pitch. He swallowed roughly, and blinked to clear his head. Now to just get through Potions totally ignoring the one thing he wouldn't be able to stop thinking of.

--

James was puzzled, Lily seemed to be unaffected by the entire 'wanting you more' ordeal. She'd certainly composed herself rather quickly as minutes later, she'd appeared in Potions looking calm and mostly just ready for class.

Right, he was soaring through the skies, doing drills with vigor to work off his frustration. No one had booked the Pitch and his only company were a couple of Ravenclaw chasers were working on passes a fair distance away from him.

He swirled into another dive and threaded his path in and around the goal hoops. Feeling weightless for only a moment, his mind was blank. Then, the wind howled in his ears as he plunged to earth, his head filled with Lily's wide green eyes.

Pulling out of the fall he landed gently on the turf and slid off of his broom. That was enough for the day; he had to be getting back. Slinging his Clean-sweep over his shoulder, he trudged into the Gryffindor change rooms. Banging the door open he shuffled inside blinking in the darkness that came from the indoors, after being in the brilliance of the sunlight.

After opening his locker and stripping off his extra practice robes a new and voice punctured the air.

" So, if I keep your secret and you keep my secret, can we be the secret?" Lily appeared, leaning on the last locker in his row, looking at him curiously.

" Yes," his answer was automatic, " Sorry, maybe," he corrected immediately but knowing the damage was done he just turned back to stowing his gloves and hanging his robes.

She slid down the lockers of his team mates before stopping right beside his. Reaching out and touching his elbow gently, she cocked her head. " A Dirty. Little. Secret?" she smiled as he peered at her through his glasses. She was kidding around, but he could see the question still lingering in her gaze.

" If that can be arranged, I'm afraid the 'us' being the two of us is rather large, considering out pasts," he smiled wryly, trying to keep the undercurrent of his thoughts off of if she could smell him, or if he looked as sweaty as he felt.

" Mm well if you won't tell…" she slid a bit closer, and James concluded his personal aromas and appearance didn't matter then she was looking at him like that. Her fingers curled into the front his slightly damp gold shirt and she pulled him closer. His arm reached out to rest on the locker behind her for balance, effectively trapping her between his locker door and arm.

She smiled as he grinned leaning in, inhaling her Lily fresh scent. He captured her mouth in a first gentle but searingly important kiss.

" Who has to know?" he whispered smugly against her lips before pressing in again.