Chapter Two

Bothering a Prefect

James Potter glanced out a window in the Gryffindor common room, watching as rain poured from the sky. Thunder rolled in the distance, causing the windows to rattle noisily. He sighed sadly; Quidditch practice had had to be ended early as a result of their keeper almost being struck by lightning.

And so, James was extremely bored at the moment. For once he had actually completed his homework without Remus nagging at him. Sirius was snoring loudly on the couch (with a few 5th year girls giggling at him), so there would be no plotting pranks tonight, and Remus was trying to explain their last transfiguration class to Peter (it wasn't working).

Lily, James though suddenly. Maybe, just maybe, he could strike up a conversation with her without getting cursed, hexed, jinxed, or yelled at. He might even be able to skip another lecture on his immaturity. James glanced quickly around the common room, but there was no familiar flash of red.

Then James remembered something Dumbledore had mentioned at the Start of Year Feast: Due to students sneaking around the corridors at night, Mr. Filch had requested that one prefect from every house patrol the corridors. Tonight was Lily's turn to patrol.

Stretching his limbs and yawning widely, James quickly stood up. Without even realizing it was past curfew to be in the halls, James strode out of the common room (earning a,"Where do you think you are going, young man?" from the Fat Lady), walked briskly down the corridor, and took a right.

Lily's fiery red hair shone beautifully in the moonlight as James immediately spotted her at the end of the corridor. Her back was to him and she was slowly walking the other way. James grinned softly, shivers running up and down his spine. Oh, why couldn't she just like him back? Then everything would be perfect.

James ran silently down the corridor until he was directly behind Lily. She was softly humming a tune that James did not recognize. James' hazel eyes glittered happily as he reached both hands out and placed them over Lily's eyes.

"What the-" Lily cried out, her hands flying upwards and catching James' wrists. James grinned even wider and laughed silently.

"Guess who?" he whispered right next to her ear. Lily whirled around, causing James to loose his grip. Lily advanced on him, emerald green eyes shining.

"Potter! I should have known you would be the only student out after curfew!" Lily hissed back at him. " I should turn you in right now-"

"But you wont," James finished for her, his smile changing from cocky-school-boy to appreciative. Lily frowned, but James just barely noticed in the dim light the corners of her mouth move upward. Just a little, but it was still a smile.

Right at that very moment, there was a noise at the other end of the corridor. James and Lily both jerked their heads towards the noise and Lily almost gasped out loud at the sight of Filch and Mrs. Norris. James quickly clasped a hand over Lily's mouth and yanked her into the nearest door. They both tumbled over a jumble of cleaning supplies, though James was lucky to shut the door after them.

James felt his cheeks go from pale, to pink, to a bright, flaming red in mere seconds. He was lying right on top of Lily Evans, the girl he had loved since he first saw her. Both of his arms were around her waist and, to make things even worse, Lily was gazing up at him, her face a red to rival his own.

The footsteps of Filch slowly died out and James dared move. He rolled off of Lily and ran a hand through his messy, jet-black hair. He glanced slowly at Lily, who was still blushing furiously.

James leapt to his feet and held out a hand for Lily. She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his and let her help him up. James quickly opened the door and they both peeked out.

"It's midnight, let's go back to the common room," James suggested. Lily nodded and they made their way down the corridor. It was only when James went to look out a window did he realize he was still holding Lily's hand.

"Sorry," James mumbled, dropping her hand as though it was made of fire. Why, of all the times in the world, was he acting so...stupid now? He had been waiting to get close to Lily for almost six years and now he was acting nervous and shy!

They had made it to the Fat Lady's portrait. She was snoozing, her snores penetrating the silence. James coughed loudly. The Fat Lady jerked awake with a sudden movement.

"Ahem, Password?" she asked, giving them a look that could have been that of a favorite aunt.

"Pumpkin Juice," Lily said. She stepped forward, ready to enter the common room and get some shut eye. The Fat Lady frowned.

"My dear Miss Weasley, don't you remember the password?"

A/n: Hey, um, not much to say here.Since I didn't do a disclosure in the beginning, I don't own anything. Please review and I will try to update as soon as possible. Thanks to all that reviewed my first chapter!