Chapter 5- Into the Night

Lily and James, along with the other founders, followed Rowena to a quiet, secluded spot in the middle of a group of trees. There, it was not so hot, and a large, flat rock was available for them to sit on.

James was just wondering how he had never noticed it before and planning to have a look at it once they got home, when Salazar began to speak.

"I have nothing against you young ones." he threw a look at the couple already seated on the rock. "But precautions must be taken. Know this, and do not forget it. If you in any way try to harm me, my friends, our school, or anything else that you should not, I will be there to do something about it. However, always do the right thing, and you will have my friendship for as long as you stay." he fixed a sharp gaze on each of their faces in turn. James gulped and Lily looked down at her feet; Salazar had an intimidating gaze.

Godric almost laughed at the two teens. He knew his friend quite well, and understood how he might appear very strict right then. In truth, he was more strict than most, but not always. He and Godric had had a lot of fun together, when they were younger. Not that they didn't now...it was just that now they were expected to behave like adults.

"Young friends, we have some things to ask you. We'd be very grateful if you'd answer as best you can. It's a great privilege to be able to know such things about our school before they have happened." he said, his golden hair looking ruffled as he took a seat. He didn't seem to find any of this weird or unnerving.

Rowena was curious to know everything. "What is the school like?"

Lily was a little shy, and she didn't really know what to say. So James replied. "Well, in general it's a good school. The classes are alright, at least I learn something, but I don't much enjoy the homework...I'm in the Gryffindor House, so is Lily..." he trailed off, seeing Godric beam. "Oh, and the Sorting Hat works quite well, though I didn't exactly understand all that it said to me...Most people only have friends within their own Houses. There is, er, rivalry between some of the Houses. I don't know if you've already decided, but there are seven years, and five boys and five girls per House per year. It's a pretty good arrangement, and the school is the best one around."

He was babbling, though the four founders seemed happy with all of this nevertheless. James had decided that he wouldn't mention how much he hated Slytherins...not now.

James continued, tapping onto his favorite subject, "And each House has a quidditch team. Gryffindor has won the quidditch cup for six years in a row now, along with the House cup."

It was apparent that they had already planned the cups and quidditch teams; their expressions were knowing.

The two seventh years were intensely questioned until the sun was low in the west sky. It was then that Rowena noticed the time and informed the others.

"Well we can't possibly leave them here alone, it wouldn't be right..." Helga said.

"We'll be okay. Really, we will. We've, er, been here a couple nights already." Lily said hurriedly.

Rowena was skeptical. "Are you sure?"

Godric rubbed his chin. "They look capable enough to me. And I do have some business to attend to at home.." he smiled at Lily and James. "We'll be back first thing in the morning, and we'll see what happens from there." he waved, and was gone with a 'pop'. Rowena smiled warmly before disappearing as well. Salazar gave them another suspicious glance before disappearing with no goodbye. Helga stayed behind, looking around her uneasily.

"Well, you two be careful. The forest can be a dangerous place." she patted Lily and the back, waved, smiled, and disappeared, all seemingly in the same moment.

James and Lily turned towards one another and he grinned waywardly. She watched him intensely, until she realized that it was making both of them uncomfortable, and seated herself on the rock once more.

James stared after her, the sunset making her red hair look even more fiery. He knew, at that moment, that he wouldn't ever feel the same about her again. There was no possible way that he could ever hate her. How had he before?

He sat down as well, carefully scooting as close to her as he could. She looked up at him then with amusement.

"I guess we should stay here tonight, or the founders won't find us." He announced before she could say anything.

"Yeah, I guess so." Her eyes followed the sun as it lowered, casting shadows and a painting of colors across the world.

"James," Lily's voice rang out softly. "I'm worried."

"About what? There's nothing to be worried about, now that the founders are going to help us." He replied from beside her. Their eyes met for a moment, but she turned away again, unable to hold his gaze.

"I know…it's just…I'm anxious to get back, so that I'll know everything will turn out alright. And then theirs Salazar…he doesn't seem to like us much."

"Well, now we know where the Slytherins got it from." James added sarcastically. He noticed Lily rolling her eyes, and so kept on. "Don't worry about him either. Godric won't let anything bad happen to us… I think he rather likes us."

She smiled up at him in response. "Me too. But what if Salazar finds out I'm muggleborn?"

"Even if he does, he isn't going to try and harm you; really, I don't think he's that bad of a guy. He's just sort of uptight…" James shrugged. The sun was almost completely set by then; only a thin rim of light was apparent on the horizon. If anyone had walked up just then, they would have seen but the silhouettes of two unknown shapes, seated on a flat stone.

"Though I can't help but worry…" Lily sighed in submit; she had always been one to worry over everything.

"I think I know of a way to help cast away those worries. I mean, you did ask me to do it again sometime, and all day I've been wanting to…" James said, and looking up at him, there was the faint shape of a grin upon his face.

She smiled, putting her arms around his neck. "And what's that?"

In answer, he leaned down and gently placed his lips on hers. They melted into one another, fit together. When they broke apart, they couldn't see each other's expressions through the darkness, but they could sense one another, and that was enough. But suddenly, Lily stirred at his side.

"What's wrong?" James quickly inquired, looking around them and starting to rise.

"Nothing, really. I just thought of something." She said, pulling him back to her. There was another pause. "James, you know that when we left we weren't rather fond of each other…"

He smiled into the night. "I'm aware. But now we are…"

"Exactly. But our friends don't know that. Can you imagine what their reactions are going to be when we get back?"

He laughed. "This should be good. Would you mind if I pulled you into the Great Hall or common room and we kissed, just to see what everyone would say? I bet Sirius'll fall out of his chair."

"Nope, not at all," she smiled. "Just so long as you promise you four will never prank me again…"

He threw his hands up in defense. "Now I never said I'd agree to that!"

She shrugged at his side. "Well it was worth a try."

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A/N: I hope that wasn't *too* boring. I was having a bit of trouble writing this, but I wanted to post it before too long anyway. And thanks to my reviewers!

~Emily~

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