Chapter 8

*Ok so its been a long time since I have even looked at this story, life just got hard and because of the pandemic I was working more and work was a lot more stressful than usual. Please bare with me while I get back into the swing of things. Any mistakes please let me know *

Mia's head was filled with so many thoughts after she told the truth to Lily and James, whenever she saw the two interact it surprised her that they ended up together in her future. There was a friendship now but they barely paid any attention to the other unless she or Remus was in the middle.

She had told James she didn't want to jump straight into 'boyfriend/girlfriend' status, she wanted to spend time with him to see how it goes though deep down she knew she'd be jealous if he paid another girl any attention and she wanted to keep him all for herself.

At first she wouldn't allow any cuddles or kisses in front of other people but as the days went by she couldn't help that her body felt so drawn to him as though they were magnets pulling together all the time.

She also wanted some freedom… Obviously, she wasn't interested in any other guy but the night with Lily by the lake still made her tingle between her legs, though the image in her head changed to James kissing her and touching her as Lily had done.

"Earth to Mia" she heard close by and shook her head "Sorry I was in my own little world" she told James as he sat down next to her on the couch in the Gryffindor common room, she shifted slightly as she felt herself a little wet just from her thoughts.

James grinned "Is that blush for me" he slowly rubbed his thumb over her cheek "I like it when you blush" he told her as she bit her lower lip "And I really like it when you bite your lip but its more fun when I do it" he leaned closer to her capturing her lips kissing her before lightly biting her lower lip, he was planning on pulling back after but as the, almost silent, moan that she released he felt himself pulling her closer and somehow with her straddled on his lap – Was that her or him.

Mia was completely lost in James and in the moment they were sharing, that was until she heard Lily's voice singing 'Mia & James sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G' Mia pulled back so quickly her face fully flushed before looking at James happy face and noticing the position they were in.

She glanced around the common room and thankfully it was only Lily and Remus there. She turned her attention back to James and playfully poked him in the chest "This is your fault" she couldn't be mad at him considering the smile on his face. She went to move off him but his hand on her hips kept her in place.

James continued to grin "I happen to like you sat exactly where you are" he said and let out a laugh as she rolled her eyes but was still smiling. Turning his head to face Lily and Remus "What are you guys up to?"

Lily who was also smiling at the sight of her newest best friend "Well I was thinking that because you and Remus both missed out with mine and Mia's swim in the lake we could all go swimming together"

James lifted Mia off his knee and jumped up "Skinny dipping, right?!" he grinning looking at Mia excitedly "And its even warmer now than it was when you guys went" he added hoping she wouldn't add that its too cold to be naked.

If Mia's face wasn't red before it was now "Oh" she started, she didn't even know what to say, she was the one who loudly said that she and Lily were going skinny dipping but that was just the two of them.

After a pause she placed her hand on James' chest "I think swimwear is a better idea, anyone could see us with it being so light out now and I'm not quite ready to see Remus naked… No offense Remus" she said turning to look at him with a smile.

Remus held up his hands "Hey I'm not offended, I happy with swimwear" he replied, in truth, he wasn't quite sure how he would handle a naked Lily.

James shrugged "That's fair enough," he told before adding "But does that mean you're ready to see me naked?" he asked and let out a laugh when her expression changed "Don't worry Mia, I'm just teasing" he said, though in truth it did make him a little excited that she didn't say she wasn't ready to see him naked.

Mia went up on her tiptoes and kissed James lightly on the lips "You're lucky I like you" she said as she pulled back and had an amused smirk on her lips "We'll go get ready and meet you guys back here in 5… 10 minutes" she walked over to Lily grabbing her friends hand and lead her up to their common room.

Lily let out a laugh as they reached their empty dormitory "Sorry for springing it you but I really want to get Remus to relax a little and I want to see a little more of him"

Mia rolled her eyes though she wasn't annoyed "I don't mind, though I will need to transfigure something into a swimming costume" she told her friend.

Lily waved her hand and walked towards her trunk "No you don't you can wear this" she pulled up a deep burgundy bikini "I am wearing a black bikini and you will amazing in this" she threw the two-piece over.

Mia caught the bikini and looked at the two-piece, she'd never worn a bikini before, her parents had always bought swimming costumes but she was kind of excited for James to see her in the two-piece. She paused for a moment thinking back to a few months ago, her life was so different. Voldemort was around in this time obviously but Dumbledore was moving forward on that front with all the information she had given him regarding the Horcruxes, was she selfish for loving her life how it was at the moment.

Lily seemed to sense her friend was having a conflict with herself. Walking over she stood behind Mia and wrapped her arms around her "You're not betraying them by enjoying your life Mia, from what you have told us both Harry and Ron would want you to be happy and you are… And you're safe, really safe for the first time in a long time"

Mia smiled and relaxed in her friend's embrace before lifting her head to the side to look at her "Thanks Lily, I know you're right, the guilt is still there but I know the life I had is gone forever and it was a hard life that no one should have to go through"

Hearing Mia, Lily grinned "Exactly, now get ready, I want to see a semi-naked Remus" she said before letting go of her friend and walking back over to her trunk pulling out a black bikini. She wasted no time in stripping off her clothes.

Mia couldn't help but let her eyes wander over the redhead, she was gorgeous after all and though there was some temptation to go over and feel Lily's breasts and be close to the girl once more, she was far too excited to see James again. Turning her gaze from her friend's naked body she did the same and stripped off changing into the bikini.

Mia couldn't help but look into the mirror to make sure she looked ok, sure she wasn't as beautiful as Lily but she looked alright. Her eyes saw the 'mudblood' scar on her forearm, she wished there was a magical way to make it disappear or at least hide it but she had tried everything she could back when it happened and when she got here.

She hadn't shown the others and Lily hadn't noticed when they were at the lake but it was darker then and they were a little distracted at the time, forcing herself out of her own head she grabbed a dress she pulled it over her head not wanting to walk through the school and to the lake in just a bikini though.

Lily was standing by the door wearing a skirt and cute top over her bikini with a pair of flats on her feet and had held a towel "Come on" she told her friend and walked down the steps once Mia had put on her own shoes and grabbed a towel.

The boys stood by the couch, Remus looking a little nervous and James couldn't hide the excitement on his face.

Mia paused when she reached them "There is something I need to show you guys because… Well you'd see it anyway," she said and slowly put her bare arm out in front of them giving them a moment to take it in "It doesn't hurt but it's cursed so it'll always be there," she told them with a shrug but before she could say anything further Remus jumped pulling her into a hug "We all have scars, Mia, it doesn't define you"

Mia hugged Remus back tightly, she should have known he wouldn't of blinked about it with having his own scars from the past "Thank you Remus"

Lily placed a soft hand on her friends shoulder "I'm sorry that happened to you Mia, you don't need to hide anything from us"

When Remus had released her James stepped forward pulling her close against him but lifting her chin slightly "They are right, that scar doesn't change how any of us feel about you, you are a strong, amazing, and bloody gorgeous woman who I am lucky gives me attention"

Mia smiled up at James, his face was serious but still kind "Thank you" She whispered to him before once again going on her tiptoes pressing her lips against his. She had to admit, she really liked kissing him.

Lily made a small cough noise "I'm not sure about you guys but I'm excited to get to the lake" she said causing the other three to laugh and nod in agreement.

The lake was so peaceful which was surprising considering it was such a lovely day though most of the other students were either playing quidditch or gone to Hogsmeade.

Lily was the first to strip off and walk slowly towards the water before turning to Remus "What you for?" as his face was frozen staring at her.

Remus merely nodded unable to say anything but quickly took off his clothes dropping them with Lilys before running towards her grinning as she laughed and jumped into the water with Remus close behind her.

Mia watched them for a moment before turning to James, she had expected him to be watching Lily but his eyes were focused on her "What?" she said asked lifting her eyebrow.

He moved close and rubbed his thumb softly across her jaw before cupping her face in his hands "I just want to make sure you know your beautiful" he told her before kissing her lips softly before pulling away and pulling off his top with a grin.

The moment made Mia freeze, he really did only see her, and being with him felt so right. Shaking her head she watched him strip off the clothes covering his swimming shorts and his body… Wow. It took a moment but followed suit taking hers off before stepping back towards him, she wanted to be able to feel his skin. "You know what I said about taking it slow and just getting to know each other before you know… Being in an actual relationship? I've changed my mind, I don't want to share you with anyone else" she told him looking up at him.

A grin broke out on his face, as if this day could get any better, not only was he seeing her amazing body but now this "So does that mean you officially want to be my girlfriend?" he asked looking down at her trying to contain his relief and excitement.

Smiling Mia nodded "Yes James, I officially want to be your girlfriend. No breaking my heart though" she added jokingly.

"Oh Mia, I'll never break your heart, I think I was ready to give you my heart the moment I saw you" he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, she instantly wrapped her legs around his waist and her face was in line with his he kissed her for a short moment before pulling away slightly "Let's go get wet" he said with a mischievous grin and ran towards the water still holding her.

"James!" he heard her call but it didn't stop or slow him down until he had jumped into the water with her, bringing both their head above the water he laughed "Moony! Mia is officially my girlfriend" he told his friend proudly.

Remus grinned in return "Good, you two are perfect together" he told James honestly before turning to face Lily "Well today is turning into a really good day" he smiled at her.

Lily swam closer to him "We can make it even better" She returned his smile before moving her arms around his neck and kissing him quickly before he could move away, it took a moment but he then kissed her back pulling her slightly closer he moved his lips away from hers "Lily are you sure this is what you want, I'm not rich and I have a lot of baggage" he had tried discouraging her so much since James had spoken with him.

Lily lightly stroked his face "I don't have a single doubt Remus, you are the man I want, let's just explore this together and if you decide its not for you then fair enough but I think we owe it to ourselves to try"

Remus felt himself nodding, she was right, he kept thinking of all the reasons it couldn't work but if they didn't try he knew he would regret it.

The friends stayed in the lake for over an hour before returning back to their common room, Peter and Sirius were sat on the couch chatting.

Sirius got up and walked over to Mia "I'm sorry for being an arse" he said passing her a bundle of sugar quills.

Mia took them and threw her arms around him in a hug "Don't worry about it Sirius"