A/N- This is important! Mia's last name is changed from de Silva to MCKINNON! I don't know how to go back and edit- but when I do, I'll be sure to fix it! Thanks for understanding… Like always replies and a longer note at the end! – TajM

Dedicated to the usual (yes my fellow Marauders that's you not the veggie sandwich if you were wondering).

Of Quiditch and Coincidences

Lily woke up very early the next morning, almost 5, and sat there wondering for a minute where she was and why the heck she was there. She also jumped back when she saw James Potter dozing quietly and lightly on the chair across from her in his wrinkled robes.

Then flashbacks from yesterday came back to her as she sighed, sat up, folded the quilt that was around her, and out of habit straightened up her clothes. She shivered one last time as she walked towards James' chair and kneeled beside him.

"James?" she whispered. He didn't respond, "Oh James?" she laughed as he winced as he dropped his hand, which he had been leaning his head on, but didn't wake up. Lily smiled to herself- he looked cute with his hair messier then usual- "James! Wake up!" James suddenly shot up, and rubbed his eyes- noticing his glasses were still on them- and straightened those up as well.

"Lily?" he asked questionably, slightly dazed.

"Shhh, James, it's almost 5 in the morning, you better go upstairs- you have a Quiditch game today!"

"Huh? Lils, are you okay?"

"Yes James, never better- now shoo, upstairs!" she whispered.

"Yah okay, are you fine, really?"

"Yes James dear, now go, or else Gryffindor will turn into a mob with pitch forks if you're not prepared!" she laughed at how he still worried- she didn't know why.

"Lily- I'm not talking about the game now! Tell me- are you going to be all right?"

"YES! Don't worry James, I'm a big girl, I'll be fine! Now I wish I could say the same about the Hufflepuffs poor souls."

James sighed and walked upstairs to catch another hour or so of sleep before the game, but he doubted he'd be able t accomplish it if all his thoughts would always go back to Lily.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

"And welcome to another year of Hogwarts' Quiditch!" The Gryffindor sixth year announcer called. "And from this side we have what is more widely known as a team of trained monkeys… sorry professor I mean trained chimpanzees… it was a joke! The Hufflepuffs!"

The names of their players where drown out by booing and cheering from different sides of the stands- and this was only against Hufflepuff, Lily thought, just wait until the Slytherin match… but at the thought of Slytherins she shivered, and she wasn't cold even in the cool October weather…

"…and their captain Kirk! And now on the other side of the Quiditch pitch we have what is more widely know as the bloody best team Hogwarts' has ever seen! Sorry just stating a fact Professor McGonagall- yes see you know it's true too! I can see you cheering! Sorry just giving my fellow pupils a bit of commentary! And now the best team that Hogwarts has and most likely ever see unless their captain has a kid with- sorry professor he threatened me to say that!

Lily blushed furiously from the stands the commentator mentioned that bit- and there always was that bit, or something similar- since at least 5th year, but usually it just made her get angry or annoyed

"… Black, McKinnon, Lennox, Johnston, and their captain Potter!

"And now the balls are released and- they're off!"

Lily never really cared much for Quiditch- I mean of course she went to al the games and stuff involving wearing red and gold (Mia would kill her otherwise), but she never saw what all the fuss was about- but she strangely found herself quite interested in this match. She told herself it was because of all the excitement in the air because they were really good this year, and Hufflepuff really bad and it would be another chance to… oh it was no use faking it, she realized as she watched James effortlessly maneuver around the field for the first time really appreciating the sport just a bit more. She used to think Quiditch really didn't do anything but stir up emotions and trouble in the hallways- but now that she really watched everything, she really found it interesting… yah that's it, interesting, especially the captain.

James Potter… why was the sound of that names- the same name that sent the shivers of dislike down her back- the same name that sent a sense of calm? That was beyond weird. Less then five months ago he was charming her books to fly around her, and wouldn't stop until she listened to him, and now…. And now he spent the whole night practically 'guarding' her. Not that she needed it with her wand back, not that there was really too much of a possibility they could come inside the common room, and he really should have woken her up again… but still, through it all, it was an odd sense of calm.

Was it that he was more mature or that she felt more accepting- or that they where forced to work together. Speaking of working together- that Halloween entertainment would definitely be something else. But, she was once again trying to avoid the subject- she was quite good at that.

She was sitting by herself, Mia was playing and Frank was with Alice (he wanted her to sit with them- but she refused) and had no idea where Byrne could be (not that she really cared), so she brought a book to read but found herself watching a certain chaser more then the pages or any other player including Mia.
"And the score is with Gryffindor leading with 60 nothing!"

Oh that's good, Lily thought absentmindedly, very good… Maybe dating James Potter wouldn't be so bad, you know, it might just be a little fun even. He was definitely easy to talk to, fun to be around, funny and nice to her… but so many things inside her screamed 'Don't be stupid - THIS IS JAMES- SELF ABSORBED TOE RAG- POTTER we're talking about here!', 'but the other side said 'oh, but he's been trying so hard.'

"And that was an amazing save by keeper McKinnon- oh close! Yah- takes something better then that to get pass her amazing skill, and good looks… Gryffindor lead with 120 to 10!"

But he was nice to her- and probably tried his best not to argue with her that was hard since she was a 'spunky' ever-zealous quick-tempered red- head… He hadn't jinxed anyone (except for last night- and he only beat her to it), was respectful and was more or less (she hated to be shallow but it was true) the best looking guy Lily could ever hope to have like her. He was so, well, so cute with his messy hair he tried so hard not to run his hands through, with his lopsided grin that was always there for her…

So the conclusion was she had a crush on him, nothing more then a silly crush, she would repeat to herself sternly until she believed it and it became second nature. She was positive it was nothing more for him either, or at least she was positive two years ago.

What was going on? She was spending the whole beautiful day, ignoring the Quiditch match, getting no other work done then day dreaming about Potter, she made herself sick. In the warm early afternoon sun (what was it, like 12?) she shook herself one last time and repeated the fact that it was really nothing, and she was not in denial, not one bit.

"And Gryffindor wins as seeker Lennox gets the snitch- for a win of 280 to 40! Amazing! And the game only lasted half an hour! GRYFFINDOR CLOSER TO THAT CUP!"

Lily didn't just find herself jumping up and down with the rest of the Gryffindors in the stand, but also found herself running toward the Quiditch pitch where a huge crowd was gathering around the players.

"Lily!" James shouted towards her.

"James!" she laughed as she ran toward him, and he grabbed her and began to spin her around.

She hugged him and squealed, "Good job! Now where's Mia"

"He kept a hold of her hand as he led her to an area near the locker.

"Oi Padfoot! Where's McKinnon?"

Sirius, who was in the middle of muttering something to himself about spiking the punch, turned around and yelled "PARTY!"

"What sort of answer is that Black?" Lily called after him as he began making his way toward the castle, only to hastily turn back in a bit of a jog. Lily and James strained their necks to see why, a large company of Sirius crazed girls waiting anxiously for the return of their own personal god was why.

"See ya later mate!" He called running past the two of them.

"That's Sirius for you," James replied as Lily began to laugh again. "Can I escort you back to the castle milady?"

"Well, sure why not--- good sir…."

"But we will be taking the James Potter way of course."

"Course."

"They walked out laughing the Quiditch stadium and James led her near the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

"And I can rest assure that James Potter has managed to go in there a few times?"

"Me? Why that would be against the rules! I would never-," James started.

"-Never break a rule. Got it o course."

"Exactly." James silently laughed to himself how Lily would react if she knew that not only has he been in the forest that he did so in an illegal aminigus for as well…

"That's good. Now Potter about way of yours to get back to the castle, how is it any better?"

James flinched as she used that names, even though he knew she said it for a different reason- he got so used to the way his name rolled off so well of her tongue like she was so used to it and that she… "It is very much better!"

"How?"

"It's longer," he answered in that smug two-year-old voice.

"What type of short cut is longer James?"

"The type that was never meant to be a short cut- the type that is longer on purpose, the type that two people can stroll on aimlessly, together."

"You do like to milk a situation for all it's worth, don't you?" she laughed

"Maybe."

And half just to amuse him, and half because she honestly wanted to, she moved closer to him and grabbed his hand.

"Now, if we wander around aimlessly, how are you going to make it to your party?"

"Oh, but that will most likely last until well into the night, until Minnie comes on to tell us to shut up- and taking in to account Sirius excitement and preparation, I say we have until at least two."

"James it's one thirty."

"A.M. So unless you want to go…"

"I couldn't care less." God, she just said that said that she enjoyed his company… what was she doing.

"Good."

This was getting to personal, she had to change the subject to something more neutral. "What do you think of the Halloween ideas?"

"Different,"

"Jaaammmess!" she whined.

"Lily," he said turning to face her, "you are more or less the best head-girl this school has ever seen, so what's the big deal?"

"What? I never said there was one!"

"You didn't have to."

"No, I'm not worried about that, honestly!"

"Promise? Not to over stress or anything?"

"I would not- fine yes."

"Thanks Lily Flower, now talking about promises, I think there was one more you made me."

"Which one was that? Oh- Jaaammmess," She said making to let his hand go.

"I'm joking love," he replied gripping her hand tighter. "Friends are… nice…"

They spent the next- stretched out- half an hour walking together, it may have even appeared romantic occasion from a window, and it was as close to one as either of them ever had before.

Sure James had plenty of "girl friends" and Lily some "boyfriends" or dates at least (the ones who where able to get past the fact that she was Potter territory that is), but this was different. Even though most of the conversation went as the following:

"And did the lucky socks really help James?"

"Like always.'

"Superstitious much?"

"Ah, Lily flower, we're not superstitious in the wizarding world, we're observant to as what works."

"Whatever you say James, whatever you say."

"Right, whatever I say…. Hey! That's not nice love!"

And of course, many bursts of laughter, leaving both feeling more comfortable then they where before. Because even though both would never admit it, the whole situation was a bit awkward.

They both made their way past The Fat Lady, and to what looked like a promising party, already well started. Sirius made his way over to them and pantomimed looking at his watch.

"By my calculations, we only have about twelve hours… Oh and by the way Lily love, I wouldn't drink the punch if I were you… I mean if I were me, then it would be okay but, wait I am me! That makes me feel so much better!"

"Bye James," Lily called spotting Mia, as James was dragged away by Sirius, winked and waved bye.

"Oh Lils," Mia called in a teasing sing-song voice when lily approached her, "Why ever did it take you so long to come here?"

"Oh shut it Mia! Oh and brilliant job during the game by the way, so I'm guessing it's just the two of us?"

"Don't sound so sad!" Mia laughed handing her a plate of fresh-from-the-kitchen pastries.

James' calculations where wrong though, the party only lasted until about 9, it seemed to their relief. One by one they all seemed to have smuggled themselves away from having to clean up. Lily worked into her head girl roles and ordered third years to clean up plastic cups, and second years plates, and so on, so by 10 the room looked unnaturally clean (considering there was a well raving party a while back). It was short in Lily's opinion most likely the lack of enthusiasm- since they weren't too excited about their win; it was against Hufflepuff after all.

It was about eleven as Lily made her way to the dormitory ready for bed, early for a Saturday, thinking she could catch up on some potion's studying. She knew it was to easy, being the fact she forgot her book back at the stadium. She made a split second decision- she needed that book, too much could easily be lost, especially all those extra notes she took. She knew better then to wait until morning, which happened once back in their first year- she never saw any of her herbology things again (though she thought James could be behind it)- thank goodness that subject was easy for her- but potions was another deal.

If anyone asked- she'd fake some "head work " or something. She grabbed a jacket and put on some shoes, hurrying to avoid Mia's questions before she came out of the bathroom.

The hallways where dark and empty- like usual, they didn't have patrols that night, even if they did, Lily somehow doubted any Slytherins would be there anyways. Stepping outside she shivered- it was quite cold, she made the walk to the stadium in fifteen minutes, and quickly found her books near the locker room- luckily she wouldn't have to search the stands. Walking out she heard something that made her head spin towards the direction of the forest. With a silver flash, she saw something that made her heart stumble a few beats or fall or something such as that, her jaw drop, and feel as if all emotion had left her, and all she could do was mutter, "Oh James don't do this to me."

OOoOoOoOoOoOo

Mae-Gene- Awe, thanks! You see people that's why I adore her reviews… anyways background on Frank and Alice, sure… I'll get that in there some where. Thanks for saying that they haven't confessed or anything- that helps so much! YAY! Please keep reading!

Steelo- THANK YOU A TON FOR YOUR REVIEW! Please, oh please keep reading!

Life is Crazy- I adore Yellowcard too! Next chapter maybe I'll get to use another one of their songs… THANKS for the review!

SpyGirl4747- Phenomenal? I love that word! I'll be saying it all the time now, (groaning from my friends…) Anyways thanks for the review! Slytherins only get worse…

Twerksie Gogara Relffin- Thanks for taking time to read my story; I really appreciate it- and the suggestions- I took to heart! THANKS!

The General- Oh gosh, the general, what can I say to the general? I don know! Hmmm… HELP ME! Lol… don't worry I'm good for about the next 2 chapters, but how long could that last?

A/N- OMG! Is that a cliffy? How was the chapter? OH PLEASE TELL ME IN A REVIEW, I LOVE REVIEWS… well anyways, I lied, Halloween is next chapter- and "Christmas" is coming soon! Really how was it? I'll hopefully update by Friday (for someone's birthday! Can you guess who Allie? You? Yah right….) PLEASE REVIEW this weirdo chapter…. You guys rock my sox…. Also this was meant to have a bit more subtle emotions- from Lily's perspective, James' are a whole lot stronger, does that make sense? Oh well….

Like Always,

TajM