Disclaimer: It's called "fan-fiction" for a reason. I rest my case.

Chapter Nine

Lily was, in fact, sitting in the library, aimlessly turning pages of the most recent edition of 'Witch Weekly.' There was small twinge of disappointment that James had forgotten about her and their study meeting. But that was easily overcome by anger! How he ever put social events and sporting events before his studies, she would never understand why.

Suddenly, the library doors burst open. Sweat glistening on his forehead and still wearing his quidditch uniform, James was breathing heavily in the doorway.

Lily looked up in surprise. Hmmm, she thought. He blew off the victory party to come see me... Lily shook herself from her thoughts and gave a forced smile.

"Nice of you to show, Potter." She said, looking at the clock then turning back to her magazine. "Better late than never."

"Lily, I am so sorry." He said solemnly, walking slowly towards her. "I forgot that today was one of our study days, with the game and all, but I remembered when I couldn't find you anywhere. I'm so sorry I'm late."

Lily looked up at him and suddenly she couldn't be mad at him. His excuse was acceptable, even though she knew that he would be late anyway, and he had apologized. Not to mention he looked so damn good in his quidditch uniform...

Stop it, Lily! she told herself.

"Can we still do the study time?" he asked solemnly.

She sighed. "Sure. Come sit down, Potter." She said, pulling out the chair beside her and putting the magazine aside.

"Thanks, Lily. You're the best." he said. Then, as he took his seat beside her, he kissed her on top of the head. Lily cursed her pulse for increasing in speed as she said,

"Yeah, I know. Now let's get busy."

---

After only a week of these study sessions, things were beginning to click in James mind He was starting to understand it. Potions! He was looking at the things Lily was pointing out in the book and telling him about. Then, as he was looking over her shoulder, he turned and looked at her. She was so smart, more so then he anyways. Smart, witty and beautiful. He was looking at Lily, taking in her presence. Once a girl admired from afar, now a woman, he admired openly. She had grown and matured in grace and beauty, and he adores her beyond all reason. Checking to make sure that she was caught up in teaching him, he leaned closer, closed his eyes and relished their closeness.

Lily carried a scent about her that drove James wild. It sent his pulse to the moon and his mind would spin. That was the reason he always called her 'Lily flower.' Not only her delicate beauty, but also the scent of her was more endearing as any flower. He took an unnoticeable intake of breath from her hair and let his emotions settle. The magic... the power this girl had over him was incredible. Her eyes were such a deep green it was so easy to get lost in them, her skin such a creamy porcelain color it made him ponder on its smoothness, her beautiful berry-colored lips... it drove him to his knees. Lily Evans made him proud of his self-control, because he often felt a physical resistance to take her in his arms and satisfy his curiosities of her kiss...

Of its own accord, James' hand started twisting a strand of her thick red hair around his finger, and he nearly fell out of his chair when she whirled around.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"Nothing - listening to you." He said innocently dropping her hair. She raised one eyebrow at him.

"Seriously. Tell me more about this Polyjuice Potion. It will turn you into anything?"

"The drinker of the Polyjuice Potion," she said skeptically, "can temporarily transform himself into the physical form of another."

"So. If I drank that stuff, I could turn into Nancy and then interrogate you to find out how you really feel about me?" he said as she started packing up her books.

Lily smirked. "Well, yes, you could, but you'd be wasting your time. I'll tell you openly how I feel about you." He stood, grinning arrogantly.

"Yeah, whatever. You know you want to go out with me." James said, leaning in, inches away from her face.

"Pfff." She said, backing away from him, for such close proximity with James Potter was indeed unnerving. "Maybe in another dimension." Then she brushed past him with a smile.

"Hmmm, you're making this very difficult, Lily. I don't know much about traveling through dimensions, but if I can find a place where I can have the attentions of Lily Evans, my life will be complete."

Lily fought the blush that rose to her cheeks and tried to stifle a laugh. "Oh, quit sucking up, Potter." She said. Then before she knew what had happened, he had gathered her in his arms and pulled her close. Her heart was beating madly in her chest and she tried to pull away, but when she looked up to his caring smile and warm eyes, she didn't want to pull away anymore.

James was looking down at her with a smile, his heart was racing, and his admiration for Lily was written openly on his face. He watched as the fear on her face suddenly softened, and he grew hopeful.

"How about," he said quietly, "you take two of these, sleep on it, and call me in the morning." Then he leaned in to kiss her.

"Ugh! Potter!" Lily said, peeling away from him at lightning speed. "I would never accept a kiss from you, let alone two!" Then she turned to leave, but paused and smiled. "Besides, you're not my doctor."

"Oh, come on. It's not like I have cooties or something!" he called after her.

"Good night, Potter!" she said with a laugh in her voice as she headed towards the library door.

"Sweet dreams, Lily flower." He said before she left the room. James just gathered his books and laughed at himself. He felt kinda foolish, but maybe he was a fool...

---

Oh, his nerve! Lily thought as she changed out of her robes. Lily was trying to be mad at James for attempting to kiss her, but all she could so was smile. Why would he do that? Well, besides the fact that he openly adored her. But he knew she hated him! Well... he might've moved up a tad on the 'enemy' list, but he was nowhere near the 'kissing' list.

Still, she just couldn't forget the way her heart had leapt when he had pulled her to him, the way she enjoyed being in his arms, the way he had looked so deeply into her eyes...

Lily shook her head as she curled up into bed. Forget it, Lily, she told herself. She sighed and closed her eyes. With a smile on her face that she just couldn't erase, Lily went to sleep happy.

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A/N: -posting another chapter quickly-