Summary: James Potter returns to Hogwarts School, this time as a teacher, and meets Lily Evans, brilliant and full of life. He falls for her and romance, comedy, and drama follow.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, anything from the brilliant mind of JK Rowling, and whatever else that isn't mine.

Chapter 9

James opened the door enough to allow her entry, looking at Remus in confusion.

How was he supposed to act?

"I'd like to speak with you about tonight."

"Er…" James had been caught too much off guard to directly deny her this. "I'd rather not. I'm sort of tired and…"

James did not want to talk about it, simply put.

"That's fine, it probably won't take long."

Remus looked upon all this with an amused smile. Lily had given little indication that she was aware of his presence, save for muttering a "hello, Mr. Lupin" as she walked into the room, just before turning to face James, who blinked and tried to focus.

"Professor Potter–"

He smiled weakly at her forceful introduction.

"-unless I'm very much mistaken in my estimation of you, you are not any of the following: a, a pervert, b, one to take advantage, c, a paedophile who has arrived at Hogwarts to seduce a few young girls," she continued.

"Er. Right," he said, unable to think of much else to say.

"It follows that your intentions in laying a hand on me would not be harmful, exploitive, or malicious."

"Yes, okay," he agreed, not any better off in finding the right words.

"So, you've left me to choose among the following conclusions: a, I remind you of an ex-girlfriend, b, you got caught up in some sort of moment, or c, you genuinely have some sort of feelings for me."

James suppressed a chuckle. She was like a miniature lawyer.

"Well?" she pressed, looking at him intently.

How was one to respond? James glanced over at Remus for help, but the man simply sat there, reading the Daily Prophet.

"I er… I guess it would have to be 'c'," James said slowly.

Lily stood for a few seconds in silence, as though she had been prepared an argument, but nothing further.

"Oh," she said finally, "Well, okay." In comparison to her introduction, the conclusion was rather lame.

Then suddenly she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his stomach, squeezing him into a hug. He could of sworn he heard Remus chuckle.

After a few moments, Lily stepped back and looked at James, who smiled back at her rather goofily. He saw her glance over at the bottle of firewhiskey sitting on his desk.

Laughing, she said, "Well, I hope you and your friend have a lovely evening. I sincerely hope you remember this in the morning."

With that, she walked past him and headed for the door.

His hand reached out and caught her stomach as she walked by.

"You aren't leaving," he said, drawing her to him and breathing very loudly and deeply, inhaling the scent of her hair.

Remus laughed at his friend's slightly drunken mood.

"I'm afraid I must. I'll see you soon though." She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Then, looking at Remus she said, "Do make sure he gets to bed at a reasonable hour?"

He smiled at her and nodded.

Lily walked through the castle in a bit of a daze. Granted, Professor Potter had not said much, and granted he had been a bit tipsy, but everything was quite nice anyway.

She walked into her dorm room and shook Loren awake.

"Ergh, what?" Loren grunted.

"I talked to him."

"Who…?"

"Professor Potter," Lily whispered.

Loren shot up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. "I'm listening…"

"Wait… do you suppose I should tell Gretty?"

Lily had been avoiding this issue. Gretty was one of her very best friends, but she didn't imagine that she would approve of a student seriously liking a professor. Considering one attractive was one thing, but even considering doing something about that was completely different.

But she should be told.

Loren had made the decision for her and had gone to wake her up. Gretty, tired, confused, sat down on Loren's bed with the other two.

Loren and Gretty listened to Lily's whispered account of the night, Gretty with tired eyes that would widen spontaneously and then droop shut for a few seconds, and Loren giggling and gasping at appropriate times.

"How long has this been going on?" Gretty asked finally.

"Not long, really. I've sort of liked him I guess. I never really thought much of it. Loren and I had a discussion or two about what I should do but…"

"But you'd never come to me?"

"I would have. I never really came to Loren. She sort of picked up on it and told me how I was feeling, before I could figure it out myself."

Gretty nodded. "Erm, I suppose I can see that. I'm not sure I really approve of this, though."

Lily smiled. "Yes, well, I'm not sure I really approve myself."

James knocked on the door of Dumbledore's study.

"Come in, James," came the voice from inside.

"Hello, Professor," James began, slowly.

"Please, Albus," Dumbledore corrected.

"Albus, I, erm, I had a question," James began nervously, as thoughts of losing his job entered his head.

"Alright," Dumbledore said, smiling.

"Okay, well, recall you asked me to come to you before I left the castle for a date."

"Mhmm." He leaned forward . Something about his voice made him seem dangerously alert.

"Well, I would like to erm, leave the castle… for a date."

"I see. May I ask whom with?"

What should he say? Dumbledore was acting rather strangely. It was probably best to go with the truth.

"Erm. Lily Evans…," James mumbled.

"I'm sorry, James, I couldn't hear you."

James cleared his throat.

"Lily Evans."

"I see."

"Yes." James stared at his feet. He felt like a little boy in the headmasters office of his primary school.

"Do you think I should say yes?" Dumbledore asked.

James looked up suddenly.

"Well, I'd like for you to say yes," he said slowly.

"This is a little bit difficult James, because were you anyone else, I'd question placing a student in such intimate care."

Were he anyone else? What did that mean? It sounded sort of good, he supposed.

"Does she like you, James?"

"I believe she does, Sir."

"Well, the girl has had a rather hard time of it. Her mother had a miscarriage recently. Poor girl didn't take it well."

"I see, Sir," James looked at his feet again. He hadn't known. It made him think that there was rather a lot that he didn't know about her.

Dumbledore breathed in deeply.

"Promise me, promise me, you'll take care of her," the elder demanded, with startling intensity in his voice.

James looked directly into his eyes, and with an intensity that matched the headmaster's:

"I promise."

Dumbledore smiled warmly.

"Good, would you like some tea, James?"

Oh my goodness I'm sort that it took so long to get that out. I've wanted to update so badly but I've been so busy. > I suppose it's rather short, but it's moving the story along quite a bit. I hope you enjoy the update. Let me know. Thank you so much for your reviews, they really keep me going.

Renee