A/N: I own nothing. If I did, we'd have an angsty Marauders series on Netflix. I'm really sorry II haven't updated in forever. There are millions of excuses, but the simple one is that shit hit the fan with my life and I've just not been in a great place.

James' pillow began to vibrate with his alarm charm and he cursed it as he sat up. He'd been in the middle of a particularly delectable dream about a certain roommate, inspired by last night's antics. He felt equal parts uneasy and excited as he thought back to their night. It was as if several aspects of himself were at war with each other. There was Lily's friend, who didn't want to introduce any more drama into her clearly overwhelming life. There was the randy Maraunder, curious to see how far things could go with Lily, and how catastrophic this could become. And there was the aspect he denied even existed. The fourteen year old boy enamored by her bright red hair and piercing green eyes. He'd gotten himself into quite the predicament, and he wasn't sure how to get out. Godric, he wasn't even sure what he wanted. He sat up from his bed, eyeing the clock. It was half past five, and he knew she'd be asleep for another hour or so.

James sat up, stretching lightly as he stood, and he took as light of steps as possible as he walked to their shared bathroom. He wasn't sure if he wanted to interact with her just yet, and he knew that waking her from her slumber was definitely not the best way to start what was bound to be an interesting encounter. With that in mind, he cast a quick charm on the bathroom before turning the shower on, hoping to muffle the water sounds. It didn't make much sense for him to shower before Quidditch practice, but there was still dirt under his fingernails from the tunnel, and the cold water did help him feel more alert, which he definitely needed. The first match of the season against Slytherin was a mere week and a half away and while the team had made enormous strides, he was still unsure of how they'd perform in a real match, especially one against their rivals. And Slytherin had a reputation for not playing fair, which would not help matters. He turned the water off, and lightly tread back to his room, dressing quickly in his Quidditch gear.

On his way down to the pitch, he stopped in the kitchens where a house elf named Jingles provided him with a large jug of coffee. His predecessor, Annamarie, had taught him that early morning practices run much better when the captain provides the team with coffee. James frowned has he exited the castle; the grounds were covered with a thick and low hanging fog that would dramatically reduce visibility. While the team needed to be prepared to win in any weather, he did hope it would burn off before they got in the air. James checked his watch as he settled into the locker room; it was nearly six, and the rest of the team would be arriving soon. He poured himself a cup of coffee and relished the warmth it imparted as he began preparing the chalk board with strategy for the coming match.

"I bloody hate you, Potter." James turned to see a scowling Marlene entering the locker room, followed by Damacus and Theodore. "It's too fucking early for this and the fog is so thick my robes are wet just from walking across the grounds." Damacus nodded in agreement while Theodore looked stiff – first year players were often afraid to speak out.

James gestured towards the jug and conjured mugs, "I brought coffee, so quit your whining. You know it'll all be worth it if we win the cup. And the match with Slytherin is less than two weeks away. We need to be training harder and better than they are."

No one responded, as they were all busying themselves with the coffees. James checked his watch again, hoping everyone would arrive on time, before returning to the board. Individual skill would only take them so far, and he needed to make sure the team played as one. Sirius and Rosaline walked in, the former laughing loudly at something Sirius had said. While it was important for the reserves to be up to speed on strategy, he'd decided that this practice would be exclusively for the core team. More people just lead to more chatting, more questions, and less productive time. While he'd learned the importance of a deep bench last year when they had been crushed in the finals due to some unfortunate injuries, he hated running practices with the extra people.

"Alright, let's get started. Some of this strategy is general and for the entire team. Some is position specific. If I'm discussing a position that is not your own, you're still expected to pay attention. You need to know what your teammates are doing. However, you're welcome to stretch silently and in a non-distracting manner. Got it?" He watched them nod, gripping their coffees. "Good. So first thing, we all know Slytherin are a bunch of slimy gits who will try to get away with as much cheating as possible. Do not sink to their level. We're better than that. Play strong and play fair. No throwing elbows, no grabbing brooms, no illegal Bludger shots. Keep your contact clean. Hooch is refereeing the coming match, and she's strict, but fair. She'll call whatever bullshit she sees, so don't let them drag us down. We want to keep moving. Stationary players are easy targets for Bludgers and having to get moving from a complete stop always causes a lag. Beaters should be circulating the pitch, alternating between playing offensively and defensively. Chasers, follow the Quaffle. Keeper, move between the goal posts, and make sure you're moving strategically rather than just circling the hoops without taking

Quaffle position into consideration. Seeker, you should never stop moving. Covering a larger area increases the likelihood that you'll find the Snitch. Now this next part is for the chasers, but I want the keeper to pay close attention incase Slytherin implements similar strategy." Most of the players remained seated on the wooden bench, but Marlene did sink to the floor, spreading her legs and leaning forward to stretch.

James tapped the board, and his diagrams began to move, illustrating passing patterns and defensive positions. He then moved onto the keeper strategies, and then the beater strategies. He finally looked to Marlene. "Alright Marly, onto you. We know from last season that Regulus likes to follow close to try to prevent the other team's seeker from catching the Snitch." James glanced quickly at Sirius, as he knew his brother was a sensitive subject, but Sirius seemed to not be paying attention to him at all. Admittedly, this irked him slightly as he'd requested that the entire team listen to all of the strategies, but it was better than him getting agitated over mention of his younger brother. "This can work to our advantage if you play it right. Fake him out. Race across the pitch with intention when he's following too closely. Take him on a wild thestral chase. Dive quickly, pull out at the last minute. I'm still waiting to see a Wronskei Feint in a match from you." He made a few more general statements to the team before ushering them to the pitch. The fog hadn't cleared in the slightest.

Lily's eyes flitted nervously around the Great Hall as she attempted to eat some toast. She knew James was at practice – she'd listened to Marlene complain that "Potter was a sadistic bastard who liked their pain" in response to him scheduling practices at six in the morning – but training should be over by now, and he was due in the Great Hall any minute. It was nearly 8:30 and breakfast ended at nine. She'd been relieved that he'd already left the norm when she awoke this morning; after their tunnel activities, she was not prepared for any post-shower interactions, but as more time passed her relief turned to anxiety. Not because she liked Potter, she assured herself, but because they still needed to work together. If things suddenly turned sour over a snog, she was in for an even rougher semester than she'd already been having. She looked to the entryway once more, and her stomach plummeted as she saw him walking towards the Gryffindor table with the rest of the team. She averted her eyes quickly, not wanting him to realize she'd been waiting for him, but frowned at her toast, having noticed a large bruise forming around a magically healed gash across his cheekbone. She willed herself to continue staring at her toast instead of looking to see where he was sitting, and took a large gulp of her coffee, which had grown lukewarm. Her anxieties were misplaced, she realized, as James slide down in the seat next to her, Marlene and Sirius joining them across the table. "Good morning," she said a little breathlessly, and she scolded herself for sounding so affected.

James didn't seem to notice, as he immediately began piling eggs and sausage onto his plate. "Mornin', Evans." Lily looked across the table and smiled at Marlene while simultaneously trying to read Sirius' expression. She wondered if James had told him what had happened, and silently prayed that he hadn't; while Sirius would rather die than betray James' trust, she was certainly not prepared for the comments he would make in private. But Sirius was characteristically impossible to read. Taking another bite of her toast, she asked the group, "So how was training?"

Marlene shrugged, "Too bloody early and the weather is shit, but other than that it went pretty well. The new players are fitting in well." James and Sirius both had mouths full of food and thankfully refrained from commenting for a few moments.

"It's not a bad team," James allowed, "I'm still worried about the match, though. I wish the first match wasn't always against Slytherin."

"Slytherin are a bunch of lazy cowards," Sirius chuckled. "I would know, I'm related to half of them."

"They're training nearly as much as we are," James argued. Lily glanced off into the distance, allowing her eyes to glaze over as Sirius, James, and Marlene argued about Quidditch. While she loved Quidditch, this was a conversation from which she would not be missed, and she embraced the reprieve. She really just wanted to talk to James but could not do so in the Great Hall surrounded by their friends. Sirius stood, and Lily rejoined the conversation.

"I need to get to divinations, it started five minutes ago. Your practices are making me late for class, Prongsie."

"You're late to class no matter what," James scoffed.

"True, but I'm definitely going to blame this on you. And I'll have to bring my broom with me," he frowned.

"I can take your Quidditch stuff back to Gryffindor Tower," Marlene offered. "I have a free period and was going to head back there. You want to come, Lily? You still have a bit before arithmancy, right?"

"James and I have to finish our arithmancy assignment," she glanced at him and hoped her look conveyed that she wanted him to shut up. The last thing she wanted was for him to reveal that she'd completed the assignment last night. He'd begun to open his mouth, but apparently she was successful, because he shut it again.

Marlene frowned, "That's what you get for taking so many NEWTs, Lils. But you can still help carry Sirius' Quidditch things, since we're all heading in the same direction." Lily nodded, and shouldered Sirius' broom. She reached for his bag, but James had already grabbed it. They exited the Great Hall, James and Marlene continuing to discuss strategy until they reached the Fat Lady. With a wave to Marlene, James and Lily continued down the corridor to their dormitory.

James waited until they were safely inside the dormitory before speaking, "You finished the assignment last night."

"I know."

"So, why'd you say that you didn't?" He collapsed on the couch, rubbing his neck gingerly.

"What happened to you?" She gestured at his face.

"Bludger. Really a great shot from Richard, to be honest. I wasn't paying enough attention, trying to coach and play can be a little distracting. And you didn't answer my question."

"I know that, but I wanted to make sure you were alright." She settled into the armchair, across the coffee table from him.

"I've had worse," he shrugged. "Now stop deflecting."

"Well, I figured we should probably talk about last night." She avoided his eyes by rummaging through her bag, pulling her cigarettes from her bag. This conversation warranted a smoke. She lit it with her wand and took a deep drag before looking up at him, offering him the pack.

James knew this was coming, but it still filled him with a sense of dread deep in his stomach. "You want to talk about last night? I didn't expect you to be such a girl about this," he teased as he nodded about the cigarettes. He was hoping to keep this as light as possible.

Lily tossed him the pack. "I'm not being a girl," she said defensively. "I don't even know what that's supposed to mean, but I'm not sitting here trying to talk about our wedding colors or what we'll name our firstborn child if that's what you're insinuating."

"Well obviously it'll be Harry," James chuckled as he lit his cigarette.

"I just figured we should get on the same page to avoid any awkwardness. We live together and have to continue doing so, so I'd like to avoid any unnecessary drama."

"Do you feel awkward, Lily? We snogged, rather spectacularly if I do say so myself, and there was some talk of other things, but it was really just a kiss. It might happen again, it might not, and I don't think it's going to be a problem either way," James lied. It was definitely going to happen again.

Lily took a deep breath and nodded. She'd been so worried about this. Worried that she was going to hurt him. But this wasn't fifth year, and he wasn't in love with her. "Good. Then we're on the same page. That's all I wanted to check." She frowned as he continued to rub his neck, "And what's wrong with your neck?"

"Same thing that's wrong with my face. Sirius is pretty good at patching up cuts and small broken bones, but I tweaked it when the Bludger hit me, and muscles are far too sensitive for his healing skills."

Lily moved from the armchair onto the couch next to James. "Turn and look towards the windows," she instructed as she pointed her wand towards his neck and muttered a quick charm.

James felt heat spread through his neck, and the tension released. He tentatively moved his head from side to side, checking her handiwork, but felt no pain. "Brilliant," he grinned. "Where'd you learn that?"

Lily shrugged, "You know I've considered being a Healer. Picked it up in a textbook."

"Thanks, Lils." He smiled and leaned forward, catching her lips with his. It was inevitable, really. Once he'd had a taste of her, he wasn't likely to stop anytime soon. She kissed with the intensity that her eyes had lost. Kissed with the fervor that she used to innately possess. Lily leaned into the kiss, lips parting so she could deepen it, her tongue dancing with his. She brought a hand to his head, fingers intertwined with his hair as his arms slid around her waist. He gripped her tightly and it sent a shiver down her spine. Kissing James pushed every thought from her mind. She couldn't overthink, she couldn't worry, she couldn't grieve. All she could do was respond to his body. She tugged lightly at his hair and he gasped. Not to be outdone, James moved his mouth to her jaw, then below her ear, kissing down to the top of her buttoned oxford. His hands moved from her waist, and she missed his touch, until she realized he was unbuttoning her blouse. He nipped lightly at the tops of her breasts, and Lily let out a soft moan. She shifted on the couch so that she was straddling his lap and caught his lips once more. Determined to taste the chest that had been teasing her for a month, she hastily unbuttoned his shirt, rocking against him as he gripped her hair. She pulled away from him, and his hands gripped her thighs as she kissed down his neck to his chest. "I've thought about doing that since the first day you came out of the shower," she admitted, her voice slightly breathless.

"What else have you thought about doing?"

Lily kissed him again, scratching lightly against his chest as she ground into him. The friction was divine, and she moaned softly into his mouth. James' hands slid under her skirt, gripping her ass and rocking her back and forth against him. He was getting harder by the second, painfully aware of how many layers of fabric were between them. James attempted to unhook her bra, and frowned as Lily gasped at him to stop. "Not that I don't want to," she assured him, cheeks flushed and chest heaving. "But we have to get to class."

They were fifteen minutes late to arithmancy.

She'd been avoiding working with Slughorn because it entailed spending time in the dungeons with Severus, whom she'd been avoiding since she returned to Hogwarts. But Slughorn was beginning to act offended, and since she had no family connections within the Wizarding world, she needed to stay in his good graces. Muggleborns were not the most hirable given the current political climate, and a recommendation from Slughorn would greatly improve her odds, no matter what field she eventually decided to pursue. So instead of packing up her things and escaping the potions classroom as she so desperately wanted to after she completed her antidote for an unknown poison, she plastered a fake smile on her face and walked up to Slughorn's desk. She was relieved to see Severus following Rookwood from the classroom. "Hello, professor."

"Lily, my dear!" The large grin that spread across his face only greatened his likeness to a toad. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me."

"Of course not, sir. I've just been so busy with all my NEWT classes and Head Girl duties. I barely have enough time to sleep."

"I've always said you work too hard. Six NEWTs is particularly ambitious."

"Well thankfully potions and charms are fairly easy for me." Her face was beginning to ache from the fake smile, but she endured. "I'm still considering healing school after graduation, and I was hoping you could give me a trickier potion to work on?"

"I was afraid you'd lost interest in potions, it's been so long since you've asked me for a challenge! Your antidote work has been stupendous thus far. Why don't we try Greenwood's Revival Potion? It's devilishly tricky, but reverses most magically induced comas. The only thing it cannot overcome is the Draught of the Living Dead. You won't find it in your textbook, as it's beyond NEWT level, but I'm sure you're up for the challenge!"

"I'd love to give it a try," and for the first time in this entire conversation, Lily's smile was genuine. She did love potions and the potion sounded incredibly useful if she could figure out how to brew it correctly.

"Why don't we head to my office, and I can find my copy of Advanced Medicinal Potions. I'll let you take the book, I'm sure you'll find it interesting!"

Lily nodded and followed Slughorn as he waddled from the classroom and down the corridor to his office. She fidgeted impatiently as he rummaged through his bookshelf, sighing with relief when he finally found it. "Now where is it," Slughorn muttered as he flipped through the pages. "Aha! Here we are." He handed the open book to her.

Lily briefly skimmed through the ingredients and instructions, eyes growing wide; it was far more complicated than anything she'd ever attempted before. "This looks… difficult," she admitted.

"A well-suited challenge! As you know, you're welcome to anything in the general stockroom, you have a key for it, and I will retrieve any of the more specialized ingredients for you when you are ready for them. Store your potion in the back of the stockroom between sessions, and you can use any empty potions classroom to brew in."

"Actually, professor," she beamed at him. "I was hoping I could take the ingredients and brew this in my dormitory. As Head Girl, I have a private room and with my busy schedule, I'm sure I would make much better progress if the potion was more accessible to me." It was an incredibly large request, so Lily batted her eyelashes for good measure.

Slughorn paused for a few moments before mirroring her grin, "I suppose that's acceptable. But keep this hush, hush. Can't have all your classmates trying to brew potions under their beds! That could be disastrous."

"Of course, professor."

"I'll gather the specialty ingredients for you, and I'll have them ready at next class. And I missed you at the last Slug Club supper! You'll have to attend the next."

"Of course, professor. I had rounds last time," she lied. In reality she'd skived off to play Gobstones with Marly and Mary, but Slughorn didn't need to know that.

"Well expect my owl."

"Of course, professor." And with that Lily left his office, her face returning to its natural state. Her cheeks ached from the effort, but at least she was back in Slughorn's good graces and wouldn't have to risk crossing paths with Severus. She began the climb up to her dormitory, once again cursing the lack of elevators at Hogwarts. At least it was Friday afternoon.

She peeled off her robe and removed her tie as soon as she walked through the door. She was ready to collapse onto the couch before she realized all four Marauders were seated around the coffee table, which was covered in a pile of assorted items – knuts, sickles, Chocolate Frog cards, various Zonko's products, and what looked to be a small bag of marijuana. "What're you boys up to?"

"Poker," Peter grinned. "Remus and I taught James and Sirius how to play first year. It was a lot more fun back then, I had a much better chance of winning when they barely understood the rules." Peter drew another card and frowned. "I'm out."

"It's not my fault you have a tell," Sirius smirked as he drew another card. He pondered it for a moment before throwing a few sickles and a toy wand into the pile. "And no, I won't tell you what it is." Remus pulled a card and rummaged through his bag to find something else to throw into the pile. He threw a bar of Honeyduke's Finest down and looked expectantly to James.

"I never learned to play poker," she admitted. "But if we're talking Muggle card games, I'm brilliant at Gin Rummy."

"A grandmother's game," Remus teased.

"To be fair, my nan did teach me how to play." Lily did not wait to see what James' next move was as she walked back to her bedroom. She wondered if he had told any of his mates about their encounter, realizing that she'd forgotten to ask him not to when they had their talk a few days ago. It had been on the tip of her tongue, but then her tongue was distracted by other activities. She tried not to dwell on it too much as she shut her bedroom door. If he had, Sirius would be insufferable, but she knew they would keep the secret. If he hadn't, she could ask him to continue his silence. She changed out of her school clothes, slipping into a ratty pair of sweatpants and her favorite Fleetwood Mac shirt, before sitting at the foot of her bed. She tried halfheartedly to read about the revival potion, but her concentration was broken by a chorus of groans and one enthusiastic cheer. Apparently, someone had won. Despite the fact that it was barely 6:45, Lily crawled into bed. She felt as if she'd been awake for days. And her dad had played poker. He had a monthly game with some of his coworkers. He'd always promised he'd teach her to play some day, once she was old enough to gamble, and now he'd never have the chance to make good on that promise. Watching the boys play had sent a dagger through her heart, and a tear slid down her face as she cast a silencing charm around her room and bundled herself in her blankets.

She awoke to a rapping on her door. Her dorm room was now dark and she was unsure of how long she'd slept for. A glance at her clock told her it was half past midnight. She scowled as she crawled out of bed, wondering what on earth James Potter could want. She swung the door open and had barely opened her mouth to ask him what could be important enough to wake her up for when he said, "We've got to get to the fourth floor. There's been an incident."

A/N: I don't actually know how to play poker. Also yeah, bit of a cliffy, hopefully I'll be inspired to resolve it. Stayed up all night writing this chapter when I should be studying for finals. Oh well.