A/N: I don't own Harry Potter
This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Assignment # 8 Geology - Task #12:San Andreas Fault, California -
Prompt: Write an actor!AU. Alt: Write about the aftermath of earthquake.
Writing Club April
Disney Challenge:1. When Will My Life Begin - Write about waiting for something.
Bingo: [3.A - Trait: Hot-headed]
Sophie's Shelf: 11. Inferno Virus (Inferno) - Prompt: (scenario) Being submerged in water
Lyric Alley: 12 - Right now we're just looking for the exit
Muggle AU
Word Count: 1511
"Lily, are we going to make it?" James asked, looking around. Their class had been on a camping trip. Lily had volunteered to gather firewood. James had of course followed her. Somewhere along the almost peaceful walk, the earth had started shaking beneath them. Lily had never felt anything so powerful. The ground had split in front of them, creating a chasm. James had been the closest to the edge. Lily grabbed his hand in an attempt to save him. They had both plummeted down into the depths of the earth.
Thankfully there had been a series of caves running beneath them. The caves had been carved by an underground river centuries ago. The river had since run dry, leaving a few underground lakes. It was one of these lakes that James and Lily fell into.
Lily had managed to keep holding James' hand as they fell. They landed in the water with a loud 'splash'. Lily didn't let go of James. It didn't matter how annoying she found him at the moment, it didn't matter that she thought he was a little creepy, all that mattered was the fact that they needed to survive this.
James and Lily swam to the shore. Each coughing up lake water. Both exhausted and running on fear.
"We survived the fall at least," Lily tried to joke. She shivered. James looked at her and took off his soaked jacket.
"Here, um, it's at least more layers?" he said. Lily nodded, taking it and wrapping it around herself. She'd been wearing a t-shirt and jeans. The weather had been warm enough not to need a jacket. James had been wearing one because he thought it looked cool, and it had pockets.
"James, why is there a pack of cigarettes in the pocket?" Lily asked, pulling out the water logged package.
"Well, um, see..." James started to explain. Lily frowned at him.
"Okay, so they're mine!"
"They're ruined now at least. I hate the smell," Lily said.
"In that case, I will never smoke another one again," James vowed, crossing his heart. Lily shook her head at the overly dramatic gesture.
"So, I guess we should see there's a way out of here?" she asked, looking around. The only light in the cave was coming from above them.
"Do you have a torch?"
"It's in my bag, back at camp," Lily admitted. "You?"
"Um, there might be a lighter in the other pocket?"
"Nope, empty. Maybe it fell out when we hit the water. Do you think anyone is going to come looking for us?" she asked, still shivering. James frowned watching her.
"Here, come sit next to me, we can keep each other warm."
"This had better not be some lame attempt to ask me out."
"It's not. I promise! But if you get a chill, you might get sick and then I won't be able to see your beautiful face every day."
"Fine, I don't want to get sick," Lily agreed, scooting closer to James.
"Do you think they're looking for us yet?" James asked, looking up.
"Maybe. I'm sure they'll come looking. Your friends will at least."
"You're right. Padfoot and Moony will come looking for me!" James yelled excitedly. Lily nodded, shaking slightly. James stared at her.
"Still cold?"
"Freezing. I had a bit of a fever this morning. I thought, I mean, it's probably nothing..."
James wrapped his arms around Lily, pulling her closer. She curled against him.
"Okay, okay. Not panicking. Not panicking," James stated, looking around. He could see Lily's cheeks were flushed. She felt hot against him.
"Just hold on, Lily. Someone will find us. They'll be looking for us. Lily, don't close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Because, that's what happens in the movies! They close their eyes and die, and I don't want you to die."
"I'm not going to die, James. And I thought Sirius was over dramatic."
"Where do you think he got it from?" James asked, laughing. Lily gave him a weak smile.
"You're crazy."
"I know. Hey, I just thought of something."
"What?"
"In the movies, they take off their clothing if it gets wet. I think it has something to do with it won't getting warm?"
"You just want to see me naked."
"No! I want to keep you alive. Here, let me help you."
"I am not getting naked with you, James Potter!"
"Not fully! You can keep your knickers and bra on. I'll keep my pants on. Neither of us will be completely naked."
"Fine, but if you make one move!"
"I will be a perfect gentleman. I swear!" James said, helping Lily take off his jacket and her shirt. He paused a moment looking at the emerald bra she was wearing.
"There, you've seen it, now you take off your shirt."
James nodded, sliding his shirt over his head, revealing his semi-muscular chest. Lily stared at his chest for a moment. She's never thought she'd find chest hair appealing, but on James, it worked.
"Feeling any warmer?"
"No, but I'm not shivering as badly, so maybe that's a good sign?" she said. "My head is killing me though."
"Because you're sick. Here, do you need help with your jeans?"
"No," Lily snapped, smacking at the hand James had offered. "Turn around," she ordered. James nodded, turning his head. He could hear Lily struggle out of the wet blue denim trousers.
"You alright?"
"Fine," she answered. "Take yours off, you said you would."
"I did," James agreed, sliding his trousers off as well. Lily tried not to look at the slight bulge in his pants. Slowly, she curled back up against him. James could still feel the fever coming from her body, but it wasn't as bad. Lily laid her head against James' shoulder.
"I think it's getting darker in here," she commented.
"The sun must be setting. Maybe the earthquake did more damage than we realize? Maybe someone was hurt?"
"Maybe they don't know where to look? I wish we had a flair or something."
"If I hadn't lost the lighter..."
"It would have been waterlogged."
"Right. Hey, Lily, why do you hate me so much?" James asked.
"I don't hate you. You keep following me around! And asking me out, and not taking 'no' as an answer."
"I guess I can be a little persistent."
"A little?"
"Fine, a lot!"
"Glad you see it, now, how about we figure out a way of this bloody cave before we freeze to death?"
"You must be feeling better if you're fighting with me," James laughed. Lily raised her head and glared at him.
"I am, and don't say it's because of your naked idea!" she shouted.
"Who's naked?" a voice shouted from above them. Lily felt her face flush brightly.
"Padfoot!? Is that you?"
"Prongs! You're alright! Is Lily down there with you?"
"I'm down here," Lily yelled, her voice scratchy.
"Stay there. We'll figure out a way to get you out! And you might want to get dressed, unless you want Professor McGonagall to see you in all your glory," Sirius added. James laughed, while Lily glared at him.
Sirius returned a few moments later. Lily and James had gotten dressed in their wet clothing. Lily was shivering again.
"We found a long rope! I'm going to lower it down, wrap it around yourself, one a time and we'll pull you up. We have the whole Quidditch team to help pull. And please, don't be naked!"
"No promises!" James yelled up. Lily rolled her eyes. Soon the rope appeared and James tied it around Lily's waist.
"Alright, hold on," he stated, making sure she was secured before tugging on the rope. He watched Lily raise above his head.
"James?"
"Yes?" he asked, watching her.
"Thank you," she called down before disappearing back through the hole the pair had fallen through. About five minutes later the rope came back down. James tied himself tightly, tugged on the rope and felt himself being hoisted into the air. As he rose, he couldn't help but look down. Something on the cave floor caught his eye.
"That's where my lighter went!" he exclaimed. He was close enough to the hole, that he could hear Lily laughing. James felt a pair of arms pull him up. Soon he was standing back on the ground. Lily was sitting on a rock nearby, wrapped in a blanket.
"You alright, Lily?"
"Fine, still feverish, but fine. Oh, James come here a moment," she called. James walked over, figuring Lily would smack him for the whole naked thing. Instead, she stood up, the blanket falling from her shoulders. She threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately. The small crowd that had helped pull them from the cave hooted and clapped.
"Now, I think maybe we should go on a date after all?" she asked, giving him a smile.
"You must be delirious from the fever, Lily. I'll ask you out after you're not sick," he stated, putting an arm around her as they walked back to camp.