(A/N: Hope you enjoy this next bit. Thanks for all the great things you're saying about my story—but remember, if there's something you don't like—let me know. I'm not just in this for the compliments. Um, somebody asked why they left the ball--well, they had just gotten in a fight and James didn't want Malfoy and his stupid Slythering buddies to come after Lilly again, so they went up to the common room!!
& Last But Not Least...
Pia--Go ahead! Use whatever you like; just remember to give me 50 of the royalties when you become a famous writer using my stuff. Haha, just kidding.)
Lilly dropped down into the passage. Within a few seconds, James had dropped down beside her. He pulled out his wand and muttered, "Lumos", which lit up the tip of his wand. He grinned at her—a silly grin that made her laugh.
"What?" He grinned again, making Lilly laugh harder. Lilly just shook her head, smiling. She pointed to the piece of parchment in his hands.
"What is that?" She whispered.
"The Marauder's Map," James said proudly, "A Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs product. We made it during our 5th year when we'd found all the secret passages in Hogwarts. It shows a full map of Hogwarts, and then it shows where everyone is. Like—look, Sirius and Jessie are in your room—erm—making out." James blushed to the roots of his hair, then tapped the parchment with his wand and muttered hoarsly, "Mischief managed." Lilly started giggling; everytime she looked at James' red face and grinning smile, she'd laugh even harder.
"What?" He asked playfully, dropping the lit wand onto the dirt floor of the passage. "Are you—making fun—of me?" He grabbed her and started tickling her sides, making her squeal.
"James! James—Stop!—That—tickles!!" Tears poured down her cheeks because she was laughing so hard. She dropped to her knees and rolled onto her back, pushing at James and trying to get him to stop.
"I'll stop on one condition--" He said, laughing so hard he could hardly get it out.
"James—Okay! Okay!!" She squealed, then breathed heavily after he let go. "Merlin James!" She gasped for breath, still laying on the floor with James on top of her. He leaned over her and planted a kiss on her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. They sat there, kissing for awhile before they heard a noise above them. James leapt off her, pulled her up and muttered a spell to make his wand go out. He pulled Lilly off into the shadows and put a finger to his lips. They waited for what seemed like an hour before they stopped hearing noises from up above them. James grabbed Lilly's hand and they ran farther down the passage, stopping only when the light from the witch's hump could no longer be seen.
James slid the panel over the passageway over and hoisted himself up into the Honeydukes basement.
"Coast's clear." He whispered down to Lilly. She pulled herself through the hole in the floor and sat by James. After James placed the panel back over the opening, he took Lilly's hand and they went out onto the streets of Hogsmeade.
"It's so strange—"Lilly said as they walked down the main street with their arms wrapped tightly around each other, "—I've never been here when there aren't any students. It's much quieter—more peaceful, you know?" James nodded as they turned down a half street and continued walking.
"When I was little my parents used to bring me here. My uncle owned a Quidditch shop on the main road—where Zonko's is now—and we'd stay here for hours. There weren't any students—no noise—no trouble. It was great." He said quietly. They walked down the street in silence. Soon they'd walked past the gates to the village, up into the mountains, and into their cave. James sat on the floor and let Lilly sit between his legs, leaning back on him. They sat and talked for hours. They soon lost track of time and both fell asleep.
James woke up and shook his head. He didn't recognize his surroundings. Where was he? Why couldn't he breathe? He looked down and realized Lilly was still laying on his chest with her arms wrapped tightly around him. She was shivering. James put an arm around her shoulders and rubbed them. He happened to glance down at his watch and saw that it was five in the morning. He shook Lilly.
"Lilly—wake up. We're going to be in so much trouble if we don't get back to Hogwarts in the next half hour!" Lilly jumped up and caught his hand. They ran down through the village, into Honeydukes, down the passageway, and towards the other end. James snatched up the invisibility cloak that he had left at the bottom of the passage along with the Marauder's Map and glanced at it.
"C'mon." He grabbed Lilly's hand and soon they found themselves outside of the witch statue. They hurried down the halls, thankfully avoiding people, and stumbled into the common room, where they found Remus, Beth, Sirius, and Jessie waiting for them, asleep.