The last thing that Lily expected to see when she wandered down to the kitchens was a tornado. But as she stood in he entranceway with her mouth agape, that was the only thought that came to her mind as she tried to make sense of the scene in front of her. Pots and pans flew everywhere, making house elves scuttle around as they tried to avoid the air-born silverware. As Lily watched, one poor elf gave an indignant squeak and jump back as a wooden chopping board came flying in its direction.

So engrossed and confused at what was going on, Lily did not notice the small elf at her feet until she felt a soft tug on her pyjama bottoms. Looking down, she saw one of her favourite elves, Tizzy, looking up at her in alarm.

'Oh, Miss Lily, Tizzy is so happy you are here! We need your help Miss Lily. Please help us!' Tizzy looked up at Lily imploringly, her large brown eyes reminding her of burnt coffee.

'What is going on Tizzy?' asked Lily, gesturing to the mess around them. 'Did someone hex the kitchen? Is it another cursed teapot?'

'Oh no Miss Lily, it is Mister James! He is making the mess and Tizzy hopes that you will be able to calm him down Miss Lily. Please Miss Lily, he is making such a mess!' Tizzy pulled on the corner of her pillowcase dress, clearly agitated.

'Wait, Mister James? As in James Potter? He is making this mess?' There was a shriek from the far side of the room followed by a loud crash, making them both flinch slightly.

'Yes Miss Lily, he is over by the oven, making a cake. He is most upset and it is distressing Tizzy and her friends.' Tizzy had started pulling on her ears so hard that Lily was sure the small creature was hurting herself.

'It's okay Tizzy, you go calm the other elves down, and I'll deal with Mister James for you.' Lily straightened up as the little house elf tottered over to her companions who were cowering from flying cutlery in the corner. Lily sighed and made her way past the kitchen bench, which was piled so high that the dirty dishes towered over her precariously. As she peered around the counter top, Lily was greeted with the sight of James' bottom sticking up in the air as he bent over the oven. Not the sight she expected, but not necessarily a bad sight. Although she was suddenly reminded of Mrs Potter, who she had seen in the exact same position just a few weeks before.

Feeling mischievous, Lily pulled out her wand and sent a quick stinging jinx at the boy's posterior. James jumped, violently banging his head on the oven and cursing loudly. Before Lily had a chance to do more than laugh at him, James was directly in front of her attempting to look as dignified and angry as possible whilst his rubbed his arse.

'What do you want Evans?' he forced out through his gritted teeth.

Lily tried not to recoil under his glare, surprised that he was so angry at her joke. 'I just want to know why you are terrorising the house elves.'

'What?' James asked, momentarily forgetting about the stinging jinx. He took a step back from Lily to see the elves still huddling in the corner. 'I wasn't… I mean I didn't mean too… my stirring spell went wrong okay? I lost focus and it started stirring everything up. But as you can see,' he spread his arms out to the side, motioning to the mess around him. 'I fixed it.'

'Clearly,' drawled Lily as she watched a blob of brown batter on the shelf behind James drop onto the floor. 'What are you doing down here anyway? Trying to cook?'

'Hey,' said James indignantly, as he flicked his wand to restore some order. Lily ducked as a pot flew past her head and back onto the shelf. 'I'm not trying, I can cook, thank you very much. And if you must know, I come down here when I want to be by myself.' James looked at her pointedly before he turned away from her, his shoulders slumped as he methodically started wiping goo off the bench.

'Hey,' said Lily gently, walking towards his side hesitantly. 'Is everything alright?' she asked, placing a hand tentatively on his shoulder, making him freeze slightly before returning to his wiping.

'It's just been a hard day,' he sighed, not meeting her eye. 'Can you just leave it?'

'A hard day? What happened today- wait. Is this about what I think it's about? Are you down here moping because you lost a quidditch match?' Lily failed at keeping the disbelief out of her voice, retracting her hand from his shoulder. 'Seriously James? With everything that's going on at the moment, all the horrible news, and you had a bad day because you lost a bloody game? That's ridiculous.'

James' head snapped up as he glared at her, angered by Lily's words. 'I wanted to be alone, Evans, for this exact reason,' he spat. 'I know that there are worse things in the world at the moment, I read the Daily Prophet, I know what's going on out there. And I feel like the biggest arse ever for moaning about quidditch while there's a war going on, but here we are.'

'Then why are you moaning about losing a quidditch match, if you know how insignificant it is in the grand scheme of things? People are dying for merlin's sake James! There are bigger things to be upset about than a meaningless game!' Lily's found herself getting worked up at just how utterly ridiculous he was being, her voice rising to match his.

'Because,' he said, fully facing her now, 'It's not just a meaningless game to me; quidditch is what I'm good at, it's the one thing I can do. I feel so useless in this castle, learning how to transfigure teacups whilst people are out there fighting this war. I should be out there fighting, but I can't do anything, not yet. But I can damn well win a game of quidditch. I mean it's my first year being captain for fuck sake, something I've been dreaming about my entire life, and my first game I go and fuck it up!'

His face was flushed with exertion and Lily could feel his hot breath on her face as he stood a few inches from her, panting from his outburst. Lily found herself searching his face whilst he starred down at her, his hazel eyes trained on her own green ones. She suddenly felt rather small, wishing she could take back what she said. She knew that James was frustrated by the war; she'd heard him talk about how he wanted to fight, to contribute to the light. It wasn't fair of her to pretend that he didn't care and it wasn't fair to belittle the one thing that James seemed to truly love during these dark times. Lily suddenly found herself unable to meet his eye, scuffing her shoe on the floor as James took a deep breath and turned away from her abruptly, picking the cloth up again to wipe the filthy bench. 'Sorry,' he said, his voice defeated again. 'I just get so frustrated with all the shit that goes on and I think quidditch was just the last straw for me today.'

'Look Potter, I'm sorry,' said Lily softly, turning to the bench as well and flicking her wand nonchalantly to wipe up some of the mess, ignoring how James stopped to stare at her. 'I might not understand Quidditch, but I do know it's important to you. And… I can understand how you feel about the other stuff,'

There was a low scoff beside her. 'Sure you can,' James muttered under his breath before resuming his wipe down of the bench.

Lily's head whipped up. 'And what's that supposed to mean?' she demanded.

'Oh nothing,' said James, his tone thick with sarcasm as he dropped the cloth and faced her. 'It just surprises me that precious little Lily could understand something so faraway from her perfect grades and perfect little life. Sometimes I wonder whether you even realise what's going on out there, you're too focused on being top of the class to see what's going on in the real world!'

'How dare you,' said Lily quietly, her voice shaking with anger. 'How dare you suggest that I don't know what its like out there, what it's like in here?' Her throat tightened as the anger clawed its way out of her. 'You think I don't hear what they say about me? That I don't notice the words they mutter under their breath when I walk passed? My own best friend called me a 'filthy little mudblood.'' James flinched as she spat the word, his eyes lowering in shame as he recalled the part he played in that incident. 'And you have the gall to say that I'm oblivious to the war? Every bloody day is a war for me, Potter. Every day I have to tell myself that I can't just turn around and curse them all to hell, even though I'm bloody positive I could beat them all in a duel with my hands tied behind my back! That's why I study hard Potter, so that I can earn my place in this world, and when the time comes, I'll be ready to fight for it. So, don't tell me I don't understand.'

Although she wasn't shouting, Lily's voice had gotten louder and louder as it shook with barely contained anger. She wasn't sure that she'd ever been angrier, her face was hot, and her hands were balled at her sides. She was subconsciously aware of the house elves twittering about in the corner of the room, however she was barely even conscious of the boy she'd been speaking too as she stewed in the silence that followed her outburst, blinking back angry tears.

'I'm sorry,' said James quietly.

'What?' said Lily incredulously, the shock of hearing such a word out of James Potter's mouth making her temporarily forget her anger.

'I'm sorry. You're right, I had no right to say that' I've no idea what its like to be in your shoes, to be a muggle-born. I was wrong to think that you don't care,' he pushed his hand through his hair nervously. 'Sometimes I forget that I'm not the only one that's trying to make a difference.'

'That's because you're a self-centred arse,' muttered Lily, though she had calmed down a bit after his apology and slumped against the kitchen bench next to her.

'Yes, I am,' he admitted. 'I sometimes get a bit… well I just say things that I don't really mean. I was angry and frustrated, I'm sorry.' He lent against the bench next to her, his shoulder lightly brushing her own as she continued to take deep breaths to steady herself and clear her head. Although she and James often argued, it had never been with anger before, frustration and annoyance yes, but never full-blown anger.

Lily sighed. 'I accept your apology… I probably over-reacted a smidge as well. It's just that… my friends don't understand why I don't just turn around and hex them all to hell. It's hard enough restraining myself, let alone when all my friends are encouraging me to do something stupid. They don't understand that its not about winning the battle, it's about winning the war. Sometimes going in guns blazing isn't the best strategy. And by getting angry and reacting, I'm letting them know they get to me.' She shrugged. 'Plus, McGonagall would be furious if I did.'

'Oh merlin,' said James laughing suddenly. 'I wish you would do it just once, if only to see the look of Minnie's face when she realises her star Prefect has just decimated a group of Slytherins!'

Lily let out a huff of amusement as the messy-haired boy chuckled along beside her. They faded into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts for a moment. 'James?' said Lily softly, 'I'm sorry you lost your first quidditch game as captain.'

'Thank you,' he replied quietly. 'And for the record Evans, you're one of the most brilliant witches I know. You've already more than earned your place in this world; not that you really had to in the first place.'

'Thank you,' Lily felt her cheeks warm at the compliment that the boy beside her offered, still looking resolutely at the batter-covered cabinet in front of her. She could feel where his arm pressed against hers as they stood side by side against the counter.

After a short pause, James chuckled again and shook his head before saying, 'we make quiet the pair, don't we Evans?' Lily looked over at him to find him already staring at her, bringing their faces impossibly close together. She could see the mirth twinkling in his eyes as she gave him a small smile, a faint echo of his own wide grin. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating off him, so close she could smell the faint chocolate scent coming off his baker's skin as he moved almost indiscernibly closer, so close she could-

'BEEEEEP!'

James jerked back abruptly at the oven timer, and just like that, the spell was broken. Lily blinked and shook her head slowly, coming out of whatever trance she had been enchanted by. She wasn't quite sure what had just happened. She had never been so close to James before; they fought all the time, sure, but it usually ended in one of them storming off, not the opposite. This new turn of events was… interesting to say the least. And she wasn't entirely sure what to do with it. Maybe she was just thrown off by the rollercoaster of emotions she had just experienced, or the fact that James had just paid her a sincere compliment, which stood in stark contrast to the usually shouted 'oi Evans, looking fit today,' that he shouted at her across the breakfast table. Still Lily wondered what might have happened if the timer hadn't have gone off; she almost thought that he was going too… move closer at the very least?

Something within Lily warmed at the idea of being close to James, and she realised that some part of her wanted to be close to him, to chase that warmth. No, thought Lily as her eyes widen with surprise at this revelation. No, there is no way that I am attracted to James Potter she said to herself firmly as she tried to squash down any more traitorous thoughts. I mean he is fit though, she felt herself flush as her eyes wandered to his bum, which was currently stuck into the air as he removed his cooking from the oven.

'Ah, there we go!' announced James, breaking Lily's quickly deteriorating train of thought as he levitated in front of him what looked like the worlds largest cake tray.

'What on earth is that?' asked Lily as he placed the ginormous rectangular tray on the bench which a flourish. It was so large is nearly took up the whole counter top.

James frowned at her question, poking the top of the cake gently and watching it spring back perfectly. He tisked at her, 'it's a chess board Evans, obviously.'

'Clearly,' she said, unimpressed.

'It will be, after I'm done with it anyway. It's for Pete's birthday. He's bloody good at chess and I thought he might like it.' James picked up his wand and performed a cooling charm on the enormous cake.

'Wait,' breathed Lily, her mind whirling whilst she watched James expertly slice through the cake. 'You're making a ridiculously extravagant cake for Peter's birthday. Just like the motorbike cake that appeared on the Gryffindor table for Sirius' birthday. Or the whomping willow cake that Remus had. Merlin,' she watched the small grin on James' face grow, 'you're the mystery cake maker, the one everyone's been trying to figure out, it you, isn't it?'

Lily didn't think she would ever see it, but James looked almost bashful, shrugging lightly, his hands busy with cutting the cake into a square. 'I mean,' he said, making another cut through the spongy cake, 'yeah I made those cakes. I, uh, like to bake. Not much. Just sometimes. And the lads always appreciate a cake, so why not?' he glanced at her, lifting his chin up defensively. 'Go ahead, laugh all you want at the sixteen-year-old boy who likes to bake.'

Lily could tell that he thought she was going to mock him; however she was too amazed by the revelation to even think about that. James had made all those beautiful cakes; the lion that roared so loud it made her jump; the magnificent hippogriff that had flown around the room before landing proudly in front of Hagrid; the snow globe that had been filled with beautiful Christmas lights and softly falling snow. James had created them all. And perhaps the most precious one; the gentle doe that had trotted down the Gryffindor table to her, before folding itself in front of her, head on the table, eyes closed and ears flickering. She hadn't wanted to eat it, it was so lifelike. Until Marlene had unceremoniously snapped of its tail and it had frozen at her touch, never to move again.

'James,' she said, so lost for words that she didn't even register the use of his first name. 'I could never laugh at that. Your cakes are incredible.'

James hands stilled, and he looked up at her, shocked. 'Really? he asked. 'You think so?'

'Of course, I do!' she said, moving closer to him. 'James that motorbike drove up and down the table. It had exhaust fumes for Merlin's sake! I can't even begin to fathom how you could do that without it falling apart. And that snow globe? That was the most beautiful edible thing I've ever seen.' Lily moved closer to him now, placing her hand on his arm as she looked up at him earnestly. She could see the happiness in his eyes as she spoke, making him beam at her.

'Wait until you see this one,' he said excitedly. 'Pete is going to be able to play real chess on it. I think I've figured out the spell to get the pieces to move on their own. And I'm going to make every square a different flavour. It'll be brilliant.' He bounced in front of her, clearly eager about sharing his ideas with her.

'I'm sure Peter will be right chuffed with it, although I don't know that anything can beat that snow globe.'

'Not even… say, a dear?' he asked softly, his bouncing halting as his eyes searched hers.

'Oh,' said Lily softly. 'Well um, the snow globe had little Christmas lights on in the village and s-snow and uh snow…' her words faltered at James' searching gaze, his face open and curious, with only a hint of the mischief that never seemed to completely leave.

'Snow huh? Snow is more impressive than a real as life doe?' he asked, a small smirk crossing his face.

'Um,' said Lily stupidly. She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly feeling dry at his proximity, she watched as James' eyes flicked down to her mouth almost inscrutably quick. She felt that warmth from earlier spread throughout her body. 'No, the doe was amazing. It looked so real I didn't want to eat it.'

'Until Marlene did,' chuckled James, his warm breath once again fanning Lily's face.

'Yes,' breathed Lily. 'But,' she said conscious of her hand still on his bicep and his warm hand which had somehow wrapped around her own elbow without her noticing. 'How did you know? How did you know it was a doe?'

'I remembered,' he shrugged lightly, the small smile on his face so sincere that Lily felt her heart thump hard in her chest.

'Oh,' she murmured, thinking of the silver doe that had shot out of her wand, a literal reflection of her soul and happiness. She was touched and surprised that he'd thought that that moment was worth remembering. James was so close to her now that she didn't need to speak any louder, despite the noise her heart was making. She could see a light splattering of freckles that she had never noticed before, dusting his cheekbones, hidden under his brown skin.

'You know,' said James, his voice low, 'now that you know it's me, you should probably thank me.'

'And how should I do that?' Lily asked softly, knowing full well that she was waltzing into his easily sprung trap.

'I can think of a few ways,' murmured James.

And then finally, finally, just when Lily thought she might actually go mad at the proximity, he kissed her.

Lily had been kissed before. She'd had gross, sloppy kisses (a certain muffin making boy comes to mind), she'd had awkward, rigid kisses (it really did feel like she was kissing her brother) and she'd had random, accidental kisses (teasing Sirius about it would forever entertain her). Hell, she'd even kissed boys who definitely knew what they were doing, leaving her a shivering mess. The point being that Lily had been kissed numerous times, but she had never been kissed quite like this before.

James' lips were soft on hers as they moved together, tasting like the vanilla cake batter he had evidently eaten. His hand gripped her elbow firmly, whilst his other hand crept up to cradle her face softly. Her hands slid around his waist to grip onto the back of his shirt as he kissed her gently, like she would break apart in his hands if he wasn't careful. Later, when she was lying in bed thinking, Lily would be surprised at the way he kissed her, carefully and reverently, never taking any more than she gave, simply seeming content with her in his arms. She had always supposed that he would kiss (because yes, she had thought about it alright?) the same way he did everything; with enthusiasm and heat, like an uncontrollable fire. But as his lips caressed hers, slowly, languidly, she wasn't consumed by a roaring flame. Rather she felt a deep smouldering, burning into her skin as his thumb brushed her cheek.

Lily's head was spinning by the time he pulled away. Unwilling to let the moment end, she kept her eyes closed, leaning into his hands when she felt him place them both on her cheeks, cradling her face. Eyes closed, arms still wrapped around his waist, she panted lightly, her breath mingling with his. She would have been content to stay in this moment forever, forget the reality of what had just happened, the consequences that would surely follow. In this moment, nothing mattered but James holding her like she was entirely breakable and precious. Nothing mattered beyond his lips and his hands and his hair tickling her forehead.

She opened her eyes when she felt a warm pressure on her brow as James pressed a kiss to it. He pulled back and smiled gently, his expression filled with some unknown emotion that Lily wasn't sure she was ready to name.

Two words flickered around her own head, words barely there, impossible to fully grasp in that moment, even if she had wanted too. Many weeks, months, years later Lily would realise what they were; those fuzzy, out of reach words. Home. Safe. They would fill her mind every time she looked at her boyfriend, her fiancé, her husband. But for now, those words happily eluded her as soft hazel eyes met green ones and the taste of vanilla cake batter lingered on her lips, any memory of argument lost in that moment.

The next morning the Gryffindor table is buzzing with excitement at the enormous chessboard that appears in front of Peter. Everyone cheers loudly when Peter unceremoniously ruins Sirius in game and they finally get to eat the delicious creation, all the while speculating about who the mysterious cake maker is. (The current rumour is that Dumbledore himself had been seen visiting the kitchen and whipping up edible masterpieces.) And whilst the students are busy fighting over which chess piece they get to eat, the small stag curled up in front of Lily goes unnoticed by everyone but her and a certain messy-haired boy. Lily reaches out a finger to stroke its antlers lightly, watching as it freezes into dessert, idly thinking about how well it matches her doe.