They entered the hallway. It was empty and silent, except for the noise of the swilling water. James led Lily out of the flood, which took a good few minutes. Lily, meanwhile, was interested in James' hand. She had barely taken a breath since… whatever had happened in the loo, and now, nerves on end, all she could think about was how comfortable his large hand was around hers. Stupid, stupid stupid, she thought to herself, although her heart wasn't at all in her self-chiding. His hand was snug and inviting, and his body heat seemed to both sear at her skin and warm her very bones. This is confusing, she thought vaguely, before James turned to look at the mess.

"We'd better clean it up?" he asked carefully, staring over the corridor and not at Lily. Lily nodded, and then realized with a smash of her stomach that it was a stupid thing to do, and then said,

"Yes."

James looked down at his wand hand, which was clasped in Lily's. Lily blushed.

"No, no, it's fine," he said gently, unlacing his fingers from hers and taking his wand from his robes. He waved the wand in the direction of the bathroom and the water ran off, as if in rewind. Lily was very quiet, not saying anything and gazing at her shoes. James cleaned up their robes and footwear as well, before transferring his wand to his left hand and taking Lily's once more.

She looked up at him quickly, her large eyes luminous and… almost scared. Or shocked. Or something else. James felt a winch around his chest at that look. It gave him a good feeling, that. He smiled easily and started off again, feeling like he was flying on his broomstick a bajillion meters in the air. They were hushed, until James said,

"You didn't know about Sirius and me?" Lily paused. He's trying not to be awkward, and you're still holding his hand. SAY SOMETHING!

"That you were gay rent-boys? No, I wasn't aware."

James stuck out his bottom lip petulantly and nudged her with his shoulder, while pretending to look hurt, effectively breaking the discomfort and turning it into something sweeter. She laughed and said,

"Truthfully, I didn't know he had lived with you at all. Are you related somehow? I know you're both purebloods."

"Well, I guess in some way by marriage, but really no. Sirius ran away from his home, you see, hated his folks, and stayed with us. Since he turned seventeen, we've been flat-hunting."

"That's real great of you. I guess you two are really close," said Lily, inwardly envious of such a friendship. James shrugged, uncomfortable with something that sounded remarkably like praise from Lily Evans.

"It's nothing really, not like we can't afford it and all… The hard part was when his mother came raging up our doorstep, now that was a nightmare…" Lily giggled and James continued, as they navigated floor after floor. Nothing so interesting as a flooded loo showed up again. They wandered in comfortable chatter, friendly and open, but still holding hands.

After what seemed like minutes, but must have really been an hour or more, Lily and James arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait. They were both laughing at Lily's story, one about her finding out she was a witch.

"—alligators all over the den, Mum nearly fainted, Petunia wouldn't talk to me for weeks…"

James laughed appreciatively and squeezed her hand as the Fat Lady gave him a beady look and a "harrumph!"

"Mr. Potter."

"Mrs. Lady," said James with a roguish wink. Lily got the idea that this was something that happened often. The Fat Lady tried to be stern.

"And where were you off to with Miss Lily so late in the evening?"

"Why, patrols madam, what else? Remembrall." The Fat Lady eyed them both and then chuckled, her face softening.

"Well, then dears, go on in. You be careful, Lily, he's a wily one."

"I know," said Lily, and she and the Fat Lady giggled as the portrait swung forward. Laughing, James and Lily entered the Gryffindor common room.

The fire was burning low, with glowing embers scattered liberally amongst the flames. A reddish glow filled the entire room, flickering in Lily's hair and giving it life. James walked her to the girls' staircase before he stopped. Lily turned to face him.

"Goodnight Lily," said James, piercing her with his intense gaze.

"Goodnight James," she answered, squirming under his inspection. Their hands unclasped but still Lily didn't move. James looked at her funnily now; she appeared to be having an inner debate. He had expected her to run up the stairs, up and away from him as usual Lily bit her lip and James suddenly felt a surge of longing shoot up through his body.

Suddenly, Lily bent forward and kissed him clumsily on the cheek. Her cool hair brushed his face before she reddened, turned, and fairly ran up the stairs, pausing only to close the door quietly so as not to wake anyone.

James stared up after her and his hand went to his cheek, where he could still feel her silky lips brush his skin. Then he ruffled his hair. Prongs, he said sternly to himself, you've got it bad. He sighed and went off to his own room, tripping twice and forgetting how to open the door.

…

Lily quickly stripped off her robes and threw on her pajama shorts and top, crawling between the sheets. What did you do, you idiot! her mind squeaked angrily, berating her miserable heart. I know, I know bad Lily, no biscuit, but I wanted to real badly… he was so cute, and so nice, and funny… She sighed and smiled to herself, really smiled for the first time, snuggling deeper under the comforter.

You'd better hope he doesn't expect this all the time! shouted her brain. Yes, I know… Lily still smiled as she drifted off to sleep

Reviews are always, constantly appreciated. Just saying.