Time has gone back to playing jokes on me.

Remember a couple days ago, before my first patrol with James? Remember that? Well, time was moving pretty darn slow then, but that is nothing compared to how slow it's moving now.

I swear the clock has said 9:10 for at least ten minutes… really.

I gave up on my transfiguration essay ages ago.

And as much as the Ministry break in is bothering me, I can't stop think about whatever it is James wouldn't tell me, meaning my thoughts are rather limited because I don't know what it is.

Its still 9:10. Darn time.

"Lily, stop watching the clock," says Andra, rolling her eyes at me.

Oh come on. It's not my fault she isn't nosy. She's just an abnormal freak and expects me to be, too.

WELL I'M GOING TO BE NOSY AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO STOP ME!

Sending Andra a strange sort of grimace/glare and letting out a rather weird noise, I fling my transfiguration book onto the floor, pull open the door, and sprint down to the common room.

Where is James! I guess it's only 9:13, but gawd I wish he was early. I guess he isn't suffering from lack of knowledge, so maybe it's understandable that he's not early.

I guess.

All right, I have to calm down. I can't act to eager, or he'll be suspicious and want to tell me less. I have to slowly extract the information out of him… yeah.

Wow. I've just realized that I've been having this entire inner debate (complete with hand motions) in front of the entire common room… I'm sitting down now.

Flinging myself at an empty chair, I cross my arms and try to be calm. It's not like this is that big of a deal; it's just a stupid secret. It's not even a secret; really, it's just something James hasn't gotten around to telling me yet.

I NEED TO KNOW!

I'm so immature. I hate myself. I wish I was all "it's none of my business" like Andra. Andra can control herself. Heck, a five year-old could control themselves in this situation, I just stink.

9:18.

The common room is slowly emptying. Maybe their afraid of the insane hand-motioning Head Girl (aka me).

Now I'm alone. That all happened really fast--- okay it's kind of scary being down here alone, especially after the whole Ministry thing. I mean, they wouldn't come to Hogwarts (would they?), but still, I don't like being alone.

9:21.

I think I'm going to go wait with Andra until 9:30… I'm anxious to go back into that closet thing of hers, it's pretty darn cool.

Getting up from my chair, I've just entered the stairs when I hear some voices. Maybe it's James?

"--- you don't have to tell anyone, James." I think that was Sirius.

"Yeah, but I feel kind of obligated, you know? It might really be useful?" says James, sounding serious.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to eavesdrop. I mean, I'd find out anyway, right? Positioning myself in the shadows so they can't see me, I listen.

Sirius sighs. "I guess. I probably don't feel the same obligation, considering I'm not Head Boy" ---he sniggers--- "you know."

"Yeah," says James heavily. "I just--- I don't know, it seems like the right thing to do, but--- we worked so hard on it, and I'd feel bad letting you guys down."

"'S alright," says Sirius, somewhat reluctantly. "I mean, if it could end up saving someone, it'd be worth it, wouldn't it?"

"I guess."

Wow. I have no idea what they're talking about. Maybe I'm not listening hard enough.

"Well," says James, "I think I'll just keep it a secret unless something happens that would cause us to need it. I mean, if they don't come here, then what's the point?"

"That sounds good to me," says Sirius, sounding a bit relieved.

… I'm obviously still not listening hard enough… what are they talking about?

James gives a small laugh. "You should have seen Lily when I wasn't telling her about the map--- the look on her face was priceless."

What!

"I'll bet!" chuckles Sirius. "Eliza says she's pretty nosy; she was surprised it took her so long to find out about--- you know--- me and Eliza."

WHAT! I am not nosy! Okay, ignoring the fact that I'm spying on someone's private conversation, when have I ever showed signs of nosiness! Never, that's when! Eliza APPALLS me.

"Oh yeah," says James, "how're things with you and Eliza?"

Yes! Yes, new topic, I like that. No more "let's-talk-about-how-nosy-Lily-is-behind-her-back" conversations… that's a plus.

"Uhm, I don't know," says Sirius uncomfortably. "Things're going smoothly, I guess… how about you and Lily?"

"Never better," says James.

Well, how could they be any worse, considering today's the first day we've gone out? Gosh. Maybe he's including the past few years in that statement… yep, things sure are a lot better now then they were then.

"Speaking of Lily, it's 9:35, and she's still not down for patrols yet."

Damn.

"I would have though she'd be dying to find out about the map."

No I wouldn't! I mean--- I'm not!

I turn and walk casually down the stairs.

"Sorry I'm late," I say. "I--- er--- got really into my Transfiguration essay." I doubt they bought that. Me, into transfiguration? Naw. Charms, maybe, but darn Flitwick didn't give us any homework… look at me, complaining over lack of homework… this is sad.

James smiles. "All right." Standing up, he takes my hand (coincidentally, my stomach seems to fill with butterflies just then, too! Weird.), says goodbye to Sirius, and leads me out the portrait whole.

"So," I say (cleverly, I might add, keeping the conversation off the thing that he thought I would be conversing about… yeah), "where do you think we should patrol tonight?"

"I was thinking about swinging down by the dungeons," he says seriously. "We haven't made it down there in our patrols yet, have we?"

"Well… no," I say. We really haven't gone anywhere though. Besides the kitchens and that one secret passageway room… hah, aren't we fantastic examples as Head Boy and Girl?

On our way to the dungeons, we see several teachers walking quickly about, obviously patrolling themselves. Dumbledore wasn't lying--- they really are taking a step up on the security around here. Which is nice, because now I can feel more safe… not that I was ever nervous or anything, because that's not something that… I would… be.

I've never really liked the dungeons. Their really creepy, and dark, and… creepy. I mean, sure, potions are in the dungeons and I'm pretty good at that, and the fact that I have Professor Slughorn wrapped around my finger doesn't hurt, either, but their creepy! I'm creeped out! For no reason! I feel pitiful…

Wait! What was that! There was a whooshing noise over there… ah!

"James?" I ask in a rather nervous voice. (I think this situation is fully deserving of my nervousness, by the way!)

James tightens his grip on my hands, and looks all around. Turning to me, he says quietly, "Listen, Lily, I don't know what's happening over here… but I just want you to know, I'd never let anyone hurt you."

We're kind of backed up against the wall, not the place I want to be if there's some invisible whooshing noise around, but he's staring at me with those stupid hazel eyes again.

"I know that, James," I whisper.

James slides his arms around my waist, and leans in slowly.

And when I'm standing here, kissing James, I really do believe that nothing could possibly hurt me when I'm with him.

A/N: Okay, I have a question for you guys… how long do you want this story to go? I'm not exactly sure how I'd end it, but I've got a new story idea in the works and I'd like to finish this one before I start it. So let me know how long you want this to last, I'm not good at ending things, and I'm pretty sure if I didn't have anyone's opinion that I'd continue writing until there were about 3 thousand chapters, but I need input, so REVIEW!