Chapter 9- Day off

"I don't know what it is about you lately, James, but you re so cute," Lily said, walking towards Harry. Harry's jaw dropped.

"Uh, what are doing here? Don't you have another class?" Harry asked quickly, backing away.

"Flying class finished and I said I was feeling ill."

"But you are not in the hospital wing."

"Neither are you and you told the professor the same thing. I was thinking we could take the day off." Harry's eye's widened. " I know. I know. Little me talking a day off sounds crazy. Well I think 12 O's on my O.W.L.S. let's me take a little vacation."

She pushed Harry into one of the Gryffindor common room armchairs. Harry got out of it immediately.

"What's wrong, James? I thought you liked me."

Harry couldn't mess this up. He needed Lily to fall for James but Harry didn't want his Mum hitting on him either.

"I do!" Harry said quickly.

"What has gotten into you? You are just so different. So....appealing." Lily reached for him and Harry dodged.

"Uh, yeah I guess...." was all Harry could say.

"Ok. So what do you want to do first?" she said seductively.

"Um,....you like.....Exploding Snap?"

"The card game?"

"Sure! Um, I'm not very good. I'll, uh, let you win." Harry said, grateful that Exploding Snap was invented before his parent's time.

"Oh, how nice of you," Lily said sarcastically.

"Sure. Anytime." Harry spoke without thinking. He started for the stairs to the dorm but didn't know if James owned a game of Exploding Snap let alone where he kept it. He turned back to Lily. "Um, could we play your game?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Yes..."

After three games of Exploding Snap and one of wizard's chess, Harry had found out alot about his mother. He couldn't have wished for a better time with her, once the sexual tension died down that is. Harry was also finding out alot about his father, through Lily. Most of it seemed pretty mean, and Harry wondered how the two ever had gotten together in the end. Maybe it was this day. Maybe it was Harry that she started to like, thinking it's James, and that was the only reason his parents had been together. He put the thought out of his mind faster than it had appeared. Harry looked over at Lily. She seemed to be getting restless.

"Do you want to take a walk down to the lake?" she inquired.

"Yeah. Ok." They left the common room and headed outside. On their way out, Harry saw the Flying professor. What was worse, the Flying professor saw him.

"Mr. Potter," she said walking up to him.

"Yes?" said Harry. The professor paused and smiled before saying,

"Good to see you are feeling better."

"Thank you professor."

"You're welcome. Have a good rest of the afternoon," she replied, winking and walking off.

"You get away with everything!" Lily said rolling her eyes. Harry just shrugged. She reached down and grabbed Harry's hand. He gulped.

"So what do you plan on doing when you are out of school?" Harry tried to make conversation.

"I'm not sure. I would like to pursue a career, but if I marry and have kids fist then I'll do that. Either way I'm happy." Harry smiled knowing what the future held for his Mum. "I can't believe I'm telling you all of this," Lily blushed. Then Harry frowned, knowing what the future held in store for him.

"What's wrong?" Lily asked, seeing Harry frowning.

"Oh nothing." It wasn't true. Harry wanted to be close to his Mum but not that close. He missed his friends and wondered if Ron and Hermione had started snogging while he was away. Though he didn't want to see it, he wanted to hear about it. It would figure that would happen while he was gone. He missed Neville's clumsy antics and loud snores. Harry missed Luna's dreamy-like eyes staring off into space and her vacant expressions. He missed Fred and George's pranks that would trick even Peeves right out of his ghostly little pants. Harry smiled weakly to fake his true feelings.

"By the way," Lily said changing the subject, "the boys think it's a good idea to have another sale run tonight."

"The boys?" Harry questioned.

"Sirius, Remus, and Peter?" she started. "Honestly, James, I'm starting to wonder...."

"Oh right."

"But we can't hide in the bathroom anymore. Peter was found there the other day doing something, so Filch is keeping an extra close eye on it."

"So where are we meeting then?"

"You usually come up with that James."

"Oh right." Harry saved. "I'll think about it. Maybe Sirius has an idea."

"Should we go find out?" Lily asked.

"Yeah I guess so."

"I think he'd be in the Great Hall about this time. You know how he likes to be there right as the food is brought out."

"Right," said Harry, as Lily started to walk away towards the castle. "Lily?"

"Yes?" She stopped and turned. Harry came over and gave his Mum a big hug, despite the Hufflepuff girls' glares, and said,

"Thanks for the day off."

AN: I just wanted to thank everyone again for all the the reviews and critques I have recieved. I never expected this much response to anything I have written, but (of course) I like it. It's great! I hope none of you are bored with this story yet, and I hope you keep reading; it's starting to come to a close.