Chapter Seven: Getting Closer

Lily sighed and leaned against James. They were sitting together in the Heads Common Room watching the fire. James had his arm wrapped around her shoulder and held her close to him.

"I'm sorry, James." Lily murmured.

"What for?" James asked, genuinely confused.

"I don't know. I guess for breaking down in front of you, I shouldn't have done that." Lily looked up at him biting her lip. James watched her, mesmerized by this action, wanting to taste her again after so long.

"Don't feel sorry for that. Lucius is a pig and I'm just glad you got away when you did." James squeezed her tight against him in a hug.

Lily smiled and pressed her head against his chest. "You're comfortable, you know that?"

"Why thank you, Miss Evans." James chuckled, rubbing her back. "You're not so bad yourself."

Lily giggled and nuzzled his neck. They sat there comfortably for quite some time while Lily thought to herself. What was she doing? She really shouldn't be flinging herself at James directly after the incident with Lucius. He probably didn't even want her after how horribly she had treated him. Lily sighed and pressed closer to him. She didn't want to leave his comforting arms.

James rested his chin on her head. "What's wrong, Lily?"

"Oh, nothing…" Lily extricated herself from his arms and sat on the other end of the couch, tracing patterns in the cushions with her fingers. "I've just been so unfair to you, James. I don't deserve your friendship."

James got up and moved to kneel in front of her. "You're right, Lily. I don't want your friendship." James smiled when he heard her gasp. "I want so much more." James picked up her hand and kissed it gently, looking into her green eyes. "Lily Evans, will you go out with me?"

Lily blinked. What? "What? James? Are you serious? I've been so awful to you!"

James just continued smiling and sat down next to her before pulling her into his lap. "I don't care. I just want to be with you Lily. I always have."

Lily grinned and cuddled up to him. "You haven't always known me, James."

"I wish I had." James whispered sincerely.

Lily smiled up at him. "Yes, James. I'll go out with you. But only if you promise me one thing."

"Anything for you, my dear." James grinned.

"Don't be so serious." Lily smiled and pressed her lips against his.

James groaned inwardly. It felt so good to have Lily next to him again. It almost made him forgive Sirius for wiping his memory. Of course, that would have to be dealt with later. But for now he just wanted to enjoy his time with Lily.

"I'm proud of you, Padfoot." Remus looked over at his friend. They were sitting in the deserted common room doing homework late at night. Well, Remus was doing homework; Sirius was reading a magazine about Quidditch.

"For what, Moony?"

"For taking James' beating like a man." Remus grinned. James hadn't really beaten up Sirius. But there had definitely been some punches thrown.

"You know James could never best me in a real fight. I let him win." Sirius winked conspiratorially at Remus.

"Sure, you did."

"Are you trying to imply something, Remus?" Sirius growled playfully.

"Never!" Remus set his homework down, watching his friend.

"I think you are!" Sirius smirked and tackled Remus to the ground. The two friends rolled across the floor wrestling with each other. Finally Sirius won the day and had Remus pinned to the ground underneath him. "Surrender and I might let you go easily."

"I could not dishonor myself so. You will just have to murder me." Remus mock cringed away from the killing blow.

"Aw, I could never murder something so cute." The words seemed to slip out of Sirius' mouth before he knew what he was saying.

Remus' mouth opened and closed a few times feeling slightly uncomfortable underneath the boy. But then again, Remus thought, it wasn't so bad. Remus looked up at Sirius through his eyelashes, trying to get some reading from his friend.

Sirius didn't know what was happening any more than Remus did, but the next thing he knew his best friend was looking at him with inviting eyes and then their lips met. After the initial shock Remus opened his mouth up to his friend's probing tongue. Sirius delved deep into Remus' mouth, awash in new sensations. He liked girls, to be sure, but Remus was so different.

The two boys quite effectively made out with their hands flying everywhere on each other's body, exploring the familiar features in a whole new light. Sirius unexpectedly pulled away from Remus, rolling off of his best friend and laying down next to him. Sirius turned his head to look at his friend. Remus was giving him a hurt kind of look. His lips were swollen and so inviting. Sirius had to shake his head to clear the thoughts.

"I like girls, you know."

"So do I." Remus grinned.

"Then what's this about?"

"I have no idea."

"I'm okay with it, if you are."

"Perfectly fine."

"Excellent." Sirius crawled back on top of Remus, immediately claiming his friend's lips with his own.

James yawned and slid onto the bench at the Gryffindor table next to his friends. He immediately began filling his plate for breakfast, but his mind wasn't really in the task at hand.

"Late night, Prongs?" Sirius teased.

"Yeah." James grinned at Sirius and Remus. The two were looking extra chipper today. "Lily and I are going out."

"That's great." Sirius clapped James on the back. Remus frowned. "What, Moony? What is it now?"

"I'm really happy for you, James. But you know we have to restore her memory." Remus started slowly.

"What?" James and Sirius both yelled. The two boys looked at each other horror struck and then at Remus.

"What are you talking about?" Sirius grit out. "We have to do no such thing."

Remus sighed. "Sirius, think about it. James knows now what has happened. I'm sure that once he's gotten over the fact that Lily likes him again he'll realize that maybe she should come to like him again on her own terms, not ours."

James blinked at Remus and then groaned. "Geezus, Moony, couldn't you have told me that in like two days? I just got her back and now you want me to lose her again?"

"I don't want you to lose her, James." Remus shook his head. "After all, maybe she'll realize how great you've treated her since the beginning of the school year and forgive you for the whole Sasha ordeal."

"Good thinking, Moony! She might do that." James had a grin plastered on his face again.

"Yeah, when hell freezes over." Sirius mumbled. However, he refrained from voicing his concerns when he received a sharp look from Remus. "Speaking of the little she-witch, where has our dear Sasha been?"

"She transferred." Alice responded to the question. She had just sat down near the Marauders and had overheard. "Something about feeling really sorry about what happened to Lily. A lot of bullshit if you ask me."

"What happened to me?" Lily came up to the table, yawning sleepily. She looked at Alice expectantly as she sat down on James lap.

"Nothing, dear." James grinned happily, he had forced Sirius to make room for her next to him but he liked this situation better. He nuzzled his head against her neck, trying to make her forget the question with a few well placed kisses.

Lily giggled and tried to push him away. "Stop it, James. You're distracting me." She turned back to Alice, who was looking decidedly uncomfortable. "What happened to me?" She repeated as she slid of James' lap and onto the bench beside him, grabbing some food.

"Oh nothing, Lily." Alice looked around frantically for something to help her out and her eyes landed on the Slytherin table. "I just heard Lucius boasting about something this morning."

Lily's gaze darkened as she stiffened noticeably. "What did he say?"

"I don't know, Lily. I wasn't close enough to overhear. I just thought he might have been talking about you. He seemed rather upset." Alice tried to cover up, but she appeared to just be making the situation worse.

"Don't worry about, Lils. I'm here to protect you know." James leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek.

Lily smiled at him and patted his knee. "I know, James. I just don't like it when people talk about me." She sighed and picked up her fork, beginning to eat.

"Too right." Sirius chimed in. "I, however, love it when people talk about me. I think a change of subject is in order."

Remus just rolled his eyes. "Why, oh why, did you curse me with such friends?"

"Oh give over, Remus. You know you wouldn't have it any other way." Sirius winked at him before digging into his plate, as well.

Remus had the good grace to blush and look down. Lily and Alice shared a grin with each other.

Lily sat next to James during Transfiguration that day. She was trying her hardest to concentrate on the lesson. They were supposed to be transfiguring mice into teacups. However, she couldn't exactly focus when James was trying to play footsy with her beneath the table.

"James." She hissed, looking up at him as she unsuccessfully tried to transfigure the mouse for the second time. "You know I need to concentrate, I can't do this as well as you!"

James just grinned and slid his hand down her leg. "I can't help it, Lils. You just look so ravishing today."

Lily blushed and tried to slap his hand away. "James Potter, if you don't stop it right now I will just have to go and sit next to Sirius!" She tried to threaten him with a straight face, but it wasn't working to well. James was looking at her with puppy dog eyes. "You're impossible. How about if you let me concentrate now I'll make it up to you later, okay?" Lily pleaded with him.

James' expression brightened up considerably. "You have a deal, Evans. Now, let me help you with this." James grinned and began to correct her wand movements, seeing as how he had successfully managed to transfigure the mouse at the beginning of class.

Lily yawned and looked down at her homework. She and James were sitting at a table in their common room trying to complete their homework. However, all Lily could think about was her promise. How was she going to make it up to James? A very bad idea sprung into her head and she quickly blushed trying to suppress her thoughts. They were dating though, it wasn't so absurd of an idea, was it?

You've only been dating a day.

So?

He'll think you're promiscuous.

He knows better!

I don't agree, something isn't right.

Why am I talking to you?

"James Potter, will you have sex with me?" Lily hurried out before her resolve weakened.

James glanced up, his eyes as wide as they would go. Immediately he began choking as he realized he wasn't breathing. Lily immediately rushed to his side to help him out. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you. Forget I said anything." Lily blushed deeply and stood there lamely as he recovered his breath.

"No, no, I'm fine. But… Lily?" James was overcome with memories of that night at the end of their sixth year. "Are you sure?"

Lily blushed profusely all over again. "It was just an idea. Never mind me, let's go back to our homework." Lily tried to walk away but James caught her hand and pulled her into his lap.

"Lils, you can't just proposition a guy like that and walk away!" James grinned devilishly at her before claiming her mouth in his.

Lily smiled against his mouth. "I take that as a yes, then."

"You better believe it." James swept her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom.

Lily smiled as she looked around the room. It was much like hers, only more masculine. In the middle of the room there was a huge bed, which James gently laid her on. Lily grinned and patted the area of the bed next to her. She did not know why she was being so forward, but she felt the need to be close to James.

James quickly obliged her and softly started kissing her again. His hands trailed down her arms from her shoulders. He lightly ran them across her stomach and up to massage breasts. He pulled away the kiss and looked at her meaningfully. When she nodded he smiled and kissed along her jaw, his hands running back down to the hem of her shirt before he pulled it up over her head.

James began kissing down her neck and across her collarbone. He loved the feel of her skin. It was so silky and beautiful. He smiled as he felt her hands tug at the hem of his shirt and let her pull it over his head. She tentatively let her hands roam over his well defined stomach muscles.

Lily loved the look of James. He was so handsome and had the most gorgeous abs ever. It must be the Quidditch. She hesitantly moved over him so she could kiss his chest. She felt nervous and didn't know if she was doing this right. But she felt reassured when James moaned as her mouth closed over his nipple. She blushed a little bit as she felt his body move against hers. She could tell he was aroused. She moved up his body and kissed his lips. She let her tongue explore his mouth, as his hands roamed down her backside, a soft moan emitting from her mouth.

James rolled them over so he was on top of Lily. "We don't have to go any farther, Lils." James tried to reassure her as he kissed across her chest. He was fiddling with her bra clasp and didn't know if he should continue.

"No, James. I want to." Lily ground her hips up against his, causing him to moan deeply. "And I know you want to too."

"I always have, Lils." James smiled and kissed her lips as he undid her bra. His hands moved down to touch her soft flesh as hers moved to unbuckle his belt and slide his pants off. "I always will."

Lily smiled up at him. She felt safe in his arms. He would never hurt her.

A/N: I'm a bad person. XD I mean, honestly... I know that when my male friends are having a friendly bout of wrestling they just like to make out afterwards... Er... I mean, hehe. X.x; I didn't get many reviews from the last chapter, I'm perfectly okay with that, I'm not a review whore. I just didn't know what to do, one person said "No" and another said "Yes" To SiriusRemus.. so... I compromised. They are... but they aren't. You'll see. Hopefully.. I really haven't thought that far ahead. Oh, and sorry for the uber long foreplay and absolutely no action.. Ha. Well, I try not to make it one of those fics... but sometimes it just happens. You know when you read author's notes and people say "The characters just took me there" or some such, I always thought, bah, that's silly, you control the characters! But, really, I've learned that they do have minds of their own.. .naughty, naughty minds! O.o;;

I really appreciate the reviews, thank you so much to those of you who do review! I'm sorry for any mistakes I make, this isn't beta read \ Let me know what you think!