It's not mine; J.K. Rowling is a genius.

Chapter 3: In Which Lily Starts her Morning

Or

In Which Lily Discovers Aphrodisiac Soap

Lily woke up with a start. It was late, she could tell from the light seeping through her bed hangings. She closed her eyes and burrowed deeper under her covers. It was a Saturday, so she didn't have to get up. "Mmm..." her sheets smelled really good. Whatever soap the house elves were using must have been stolen right out of James' shower; it smelled just like him. She wondered how they managed to get such an exact reproduction. She should find out. The shirt that she'd kind of stolen from him was beginning to lose its smell and it wasn't half as nice to sleep in if it didn't smell like him. Besides, James was bound to notice if his shirts kept disappearing, like they had been for the past 2 years. But they smelled so darn good, and she really couldn't help herself. Sleeping was just so much easier with a comforting smell enveloping you. Speaking, or thinking really, of clothes what in the world was she wearing, it felt like her robe? Lily pried open her eyes and looked down, it was her robe. Why in the world was she wearing her robe? Last night came flooding back to her in a stunning torrent of information. She couldn't help grinning. James was so wonderful; he actually thought she was worth risking his life over. She couldn't agree of course, but he was just so perfect. Wait! How had she gotten back to her dorm last night? All she remembered was being barely awake in James' arms. Oh shit...this was James' bed! Ok, no hyperventilating. Although, it did smell pretty damn good. Alright, so she was in James' bed, no big deal. It's not like he was in here with her. James was far too much of a gentleman to do that. Deep breaths, bad idea now she was really taking in the smell. James didn't sleep naked, did he? Oh gods, ok think good thoughts. She was calm. Now all she had to do was open the hangings. Ok, on the count of 3, 1...2...

"Tell me where she is Sirius. I know you marauders did something to her!" Ally's voice boomed through the room.

"Now why would we do something like that?" Sirius asked his voice belying every word he said.

"Stop blocking the doorway Sirius; don't make me hex you. Lily's my best friend and I'm going to find her with or without your help."

There was a scuffling sound and then Sirius said, "Look, nothing out of the ordinary, RIGHT James?"

"Whaa?"

"Oh look, I accidentally woke you up. So James dear, Ally here is looking for Lilykins. Have you seen her?"

"Isn't she, OW... what was that...ohhhh right...ummm...no, haven't seen her."

"God you guys are such horrible liars. Just out of curiosity, James, why in the world are you sleeping in Sirius' bed?"

"No reason, no reason at all."

"Yeah right."

"Hey don't open that...heh heh... you know what go right ahead." Sirius' voice came from right at the edge of the bed.

"Boys, you all talk so tough until a girl pulls out her wand and it turns out to be bigger than yours."

"Ouch Sirius, you got told."

Great, Lily thought, it didn't take a genius to guess Ally was about to pull back the hangings and find Lily sitting on James' bed grinning like an idiot. Oh well, she thought, throwing herself back on the bed and pulling the covers over her face. Let her do it. She heard the hangings being yanked back and just as she prepared for the covers to be pulled off her, WHACK! Something rather hard hit her. "Ow, hey, stop that. I'm up!" She cried sitting up.

Ally literally jumped 2 feet in the air like she had seen someone come back from the dead. In the process of jumping, she let the broom that she'd whacked Lily with drop. "Shit Lils, you nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought you were Peter or something." Ally let out a very theatrical sigh. "But what in the world are you doing in Potter's bed?"

"I feel asleep?" Lily tried. It kind of sounded plausible.

"In Potter's bed?"

Lily looked past Ally at James who looked adorable in his boxers. He winked at her and said to Ally, "Oh no, Ally, she fell asleep in my arms after a romantic talk by the lake and of course being the gentleman that I am, I hadn't the heart to wake her so I gave up my bed for her to sleep in."

"You are so full of shit Potter. Come on Lily, I'll get you back to the right bed."

"But James said he'd make me breakfast."

"That's right I did. How do you like omelets?"

"Sound great," Lily said returning his smile.

"Alright, get dressed and then I'll meet you in the common room."

"Ok," Lily said, hopped off the bed, smiled at the dumbstruck Ally, shook hands with a gleeful Sirius, and bounded out of the room. Once in her own dorm she collapsed on her bed. Maybe she could steal James' sheets. That would be really nice.

Ally came in right as Lily was putting up her hair, "So are you and James a couple now?"

"Yeah I guess so, it doesn't really matter though, does it?"

"Leave it down," Ally said gesturing at Lily's hair.

"It's a mess."

"Yeah, but James loves it when you wear it down. I mean consider the facts. He's only stolen, what, 253 hair ties from you in the past 7 years trying to convince you to not to put your hair up."

"258," Lily corrected grinning. She let her hair fall down her back. "I'm bringing a hair tie with me just in case though." She and Ally both laughed a little.

Lily had started toward the doorway when Ally said, "Are you really wearing that?"

Lily looked down at her baggy t-shirt and jeans, "Yeah, why is something wrong with it."

"Well I'm not trying to say I don't like your style Lily, but don't you want to dress up a little. You know, let James know he's special?"

"He knows. Besides I don't really own anything dressy."

"Ahh...but I do. And I will even let you borrow some things in order to impress the man of your dreams."

"How do you know he's the man of my dreams?"

Ally shot her a glance from where she was bent over her trunk, "Well the fact you sleep in a shirt you stole from him is always a good indication."

Lily blushed she hadn't even realized Ally knew about that. As she watched Ally dig through her trunk Lily was filled with an uncontrollable urge to apologize. She wasn't sure what for, maybe everything. For some reason Lily wasn't afraid anymore. Life didn't seem so hopeless. "I'm sorry I've been so awful lately."

Ally straightened up and said, "It doesn't matter Lily. That's what best friends are for, to stick with you through the tough times and of course to go searching for you if you're kidnapped by the biggest asses at Hogwarts."

"I really did fall asleep in his arms." Lily said looking at anything, but Ally.

"I've actually figured that out by now. I'm just glad you've found someone to trust. Here you go try these on," Ally said throwing some clothes at her. Lily sighed and shifted uncomfortably looking at Ally. "I'm turning around and closing my eyes."

Lily pulled her shirt over her head. After having lived for so long in a dormitory she should have been used to changing in front her best friend, but that had changed this summer. Not that it would bother her; it just might bother Ally. After putting on the clothes Lily felt extremely self-conscious. They hugged her body and showed off curves she preferred to keep hidden.

"Ok, you can turn around now." Lily said, tugging the skirt a little.

"Damn, James isn't going to be able to sleep tonight," Ally said examining her handy work, "Tell him to write me a thank you note."

Lily looked in the mirror taking in the knee length jean skirt and lacy black tank top. Why did Ally even buy these clothes? Probably so she could force Lily to wear them.

"Stop gawking and go already," Ally said, "And when you get back you can give me all the juicy details about your 'date'."

"It's not a..." Lily stopped at Ally's look. Ok, so maybe it was a bit of a date. Sticking her tongue out at Ally, she walked out the door. It hit her then that she was now putting two people that she cared very deeply about in danger. And Ally didn't even know about it. Lily had realized something though. She couldn't make the choice for her friend. Ally had to choose for herself if she wanted to remain friends with Lily or get the hell away from her. Life was really so much simpler if you realized that. Starting down the stairs Lily fidgeted some more with her outfit. She hated wearing tight clothes. If you got right down to it the whole reason she was alive today was that she'd been wearing tight clothes. How sick is that? If she'd been dressed as she usually did, she would be dead; she would be spared all the pain of living. She also wouldn't have James. One smile from him made the whole damn thing worth it. Smiling at the thought of James in his boxers, Lily jumped the last 3 steps into the common room. She loved doing that, it was the closest she ever came to flying (she was abysmal with a broom stick).

Remus glanced up at her from his chair by the fire, "How'd you sleep last night?"

"Wonderfully," she said her grin growing even wider.

"James didn't. Sirius stole all of the covers. Poor James was shivering when I got up."
Lily put on a seductive pouting look, "He could have climbed in with me." The look on Remus' face was priceless! "Geez Remus, I'm just kidding. Besides I trust James not to pull any tricks like that, now Sirius on the other hand..."

Remus laughed with her then said, "You look nice today, any special occasion?"

"Ally told me I wasn't allowed to go to breakfast with James without decent clothes on."

Remus shot a look at her clothes, "What did you have on before that was so indecent?"

"A baggy shirt and jeans."

"Ohh... Ally certainly wouldn't approve of that. Well, I must say she did a smashing job, as you look lovely. James isn't going to be able to take his eyes off you."

Lily actually blushed. She knew she didn't look all that great, she'd lost far too much weight this summer, but it was nice to know her friends still thought she was pretty.

"You're right Remus, I'm already enchanted. I don't know how I'm going to make you an omelet if I can't bring myself to look away from your beauty."

Lily spun around to see James staring at her grinning in approval. "Ally said you should write her a thank you note since she picked out the outfit."

"How does she feel about roses?" He said, putting his hands on her waist and pulling her into his arms.

"She'd probably like chocolate better."

"What about you?"

"I like roses."

"I like lilies," he said kissing her cheek.

She blushed, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. Last night she hadn't been in the best state to appreciate it. I mean, she'd been so worked up she hadn't even notice how good he smelled. Darn, she wanted to bury her nose in his shirt so badly. Instead she rounded up the last of her fleeing will power and pulled back a little, "Let's go."

James offered her his arm and led her like a lady out of the portrait hole and down to the kitchen.

"So how do you expect to convince the house elves to let you cook your own omelet?"

"I've got a few connections; I am a marauder after all." He tickled the pear and handed her into the kitchens like he was helping her descend from a carriage.

As soon as she entered Lily was met by Mardi, a house elf she knew from when she used to eat in the kitchens. "Mistress Lily, it's been so long. Look at you. Who's been feeding you? To thin, to thin," she clucked as she pinched a little at Lily's side, "Don't you worry about a thing, Mardi will fix you some food in no time."

"Oh Mardi, stop fussing, I'm fine," Lily said with a smile.

"She's right Mardi, no need to worry yourself. I'll fatten her up for you." James said from behind her. He imitated Mardi and pinched her side a little, then he let his hand settle there pulling her to his side.

"Master James! Oh, you and Mistress Lily here together. How exciting!"

"Well, Lily heard about my famous omelets and wanted to try one."

"Of course, of course, this way," Mardi said bowing them toward the back of the kitchen, "You make the omelets; Mardi will see to everything else."

"Thanks, Mardi."

"So that's how you do it," Lily said leaning on the counter while watching James gather the ingredients, "You let them cook nearly everything so they're happy and you just do the omelets."

"I'll have you know that even the omelets thing took some convincing. What finally brought them around was that my omelets are even better than their omelets. You just can't compete with that." He shrugged lightly and turned his attention to his work.

The kitchen smelled fantastic, not as good as James, but she was starving. Feeling useless she tried to help the house elves set up a little table for her and James, but they kept shooing her away.

"Done," James said and set a mouth-watering omelet on the table. Pulling out her chair for her, James got her settled before heading to his spot. He grinned, "Dig in."

She did. She ate so much. She was finally hungry, after so many months without an appetite, she was ravenous. She didn't even feel embarrassed when James laughed at her for getting thirds or made jokes with Mardi about his success at 'fattening her up.' When she finally finished she and James tried to help clean-up, but they were shoved out by the house elves.

Back in the hall, James wrapped an arm around her waist, "So you're going to eat while I'm gone, right?"

"If I'm hungry," Lily replied.

"Stop being so evasive," James said pressing her to the wall as if physically keeping her from avoiding him would affect her ignoring his words as well. "You need to eat Lily. You're so light; I'm worried about you."

"James, I just ate a whole buffet!"

"You need to start eating normally. You aren't fat, you know. You don't think you're fat, do you?"

"No, I don't James. It's just that I'm usually not hungry."

"Look Lils," he said touching the side of her face with his warm hand, "I just want you to be healthy."

"Ok, ok, I'll eat while you're gone."

"Promise?"

"Yes," she whispered looking up at him, his face only inches from hers.

"Can I kiss you?"

"I don't know, can you?" Lily whispered playfully.

He rolled his eyes, "May I?"

"Yes," she breathed as his lips came down to meet hers. Lily was drowning in him and it was so much sweeter than the water that had tempted her just yesterday. She melted into him.

"Well, well, well," a voice said breaking through the bliss that had settled over her.

James pulled away from her looking slightly dazed with a huge smile on his face.

"If it isn't the head boy and girl making out in the hall."

James turned, "You got a problem with that Snivellus?"

"Going to hex me in front of your girl Potter?"

Lily tried to bring her mind under control. This could turn into a dangerous situation. "No, he's not," Lily said firmly laying a hand on James' arm. She could feel his muscles tense under his skin, "We were just leaving."

She started pulling James down the hall with her, and then Severus sneered, "Letting a mudblood push you around, Potter? That's low even for you."

James broke free of Lily's grip and shoved Severus against the wall, placing his wand against his throat, "Apologize for that Snivellus!"

"James, I don't want his apologies unless he means them."

"You expect me to let him call you t...th...that?!?!" James practically cried, his voice choking with anger.

"James, he's not worth your time." Lily pleaded at him with her eyes. It was a game. James didn't understand that this whole dirty thing was just a stupid game. But you had to play this game because if you lost it, you lost your life. James looked at her piercingly before letting Severus fall to the floor.

"Don't let me hear you talking like that again," James snarled and, keeping his wand out, took Lily's hand and pulled her down the hall. Once in the Great Hall he turned to her, "Why did you make me stop? He insulted you! I should have hexed him into oblivion!"

Lily looked him in the eye; she needed him to understand this, "James, I've always believed in being kind to others. I've not made it a secret that I don't like the way that you treat Severus. I know that you can't understand this, but I...well let's just say I had the opportunity to learn that a little kindness in the present, a little mercy, can help you when you need it most." Lily thought back to this summer; how broken she'd been, how close to death. Then a noble man had given her a chance to live. In life, the man who'd saved her was scum, but in that moment Severus Snape had given her everything and he'd done it to repay her for the years of unwelcomed kindness she'd given him.

James nodded, "I'm not going to pretend to understand, but for you I can learn to overlook a few things, even Snivellus."

Lily giggled, "I would love to know who came up with that name."

"I'd put my money on Sirius. That's just the sort of thing he'd do in his spare time."

She sighed, "James, I've got to go work on my Transfiguration essay."

"But it's not due until the end of break!"

"I know, but I hate having to worry about it. Besides, Transfiguration is my worst subject."

"And my best. Want some help?"

"No, you should go have fun with your friends."

"Alright, but I will see you at dinner."

"What about lunch?"

"I believe we just had breakfast for lunch."

"Really, what time is it?"

"About 1:00 I'd say."

"Wow, we really slept late."

"Yeah."

Lily shared a smile with James and then instinctively pecked him on the lips, "Ok, I'll see you at dinner. Oh, and thanks for the omelet; it was amazing."

As she turned to go James grabbed her arm and pulled her into his arms. "Is that all I get for a good-bye kiss?" He said, pouting.

"Yes, it is," Lily said, "Unless you can convince me otherwise." Oh gods, where had that come from? She was flirting, FLIRTING with James Potter. Where had she even learned how to flirt? Shit. Ally was probably playing taped lessons on flirting while Lily slept. That would so be something Ally would do. Still it, probably wasn't a bad thing, she couldn't miss James' smile of delight at her challenge.

"Please," he whispered.

"Nope."

"Pretty please?"

"Not working," she said trying to keep her mind from spinning as he inched closer to her.

He kissed her cheek, then her forehead, "Pretty please with a lily on top?"

All Lily could do was nod. He was so darn gorgeous when he begged. Not to mention his smell was definitely floating over which was enough to make her lightheaded at the best of moments. He bent his head and kissed her. She didn't even care that they were in the middle of the Great Hall. She was such a goner. Lily pulled back and whispered, "I'll see you at dinner." Then, she pulled out of his arms and darted up the stairs, afraid that if she stopped she would end up back in his arms. She decided to bypass the library. What she needed was a good dose of sensible girl talk from Ally. Maybe she could convince her that stealing James' soap was not the answer to her problems.

Thank you to my (counted them myself) 3 reviewers. I think you guys are really awesome and now that there are 3 of you I'll feel more obligated than ever to post new stuff. Yay for you!

Daystar – this counts for a minimum of 20 niffer happy minutes cause this is seriously a long chapter

Oh and hey maybe I'll just throw in my other reviewer's names; I mean there are just soo many of them...

Luciblue – everyone says I make James look like a sap, but I think he's sweet too

Hpfreak – thanks for reviewing, you rock!