A/N: I don't own the rights to any of these characters, settings or anything to do with Wizarding World. This is a work of fiction based on
the universe created by J.K Rowling.

CHAPTER FIVE – JAMES
February 1977

The fire flickered a soft light across her face. James noticed the way her nose crinkled as she laughed. Lily fell back against the armchair and smiled at James. They stared at each other for a moment before Lily hesitantly reached out and ruffled James' hair; he chuckled, becoming too aware of the way her hand had fallen now resting on the base of his neck. Lily drew in her breath but remained still as James lent his head towards hers and kissed her. Her lips were soft, softer than James had imagined them to be. He pulled back and searched her eyes for a response before Lily lent back towards him, kissing him harder. Lily tangled her hand in James' hair and gripped the front of his sweater. James, feeling like he was in a dream, reached up and let her hair down before gently leading her to the floor. James knelt before Lily for a moment before peeling off his sweater and gently leaning down over Lily and kissing her again…

"Prongs!"

James snapped out of his daydream as Sirius nudged him. They were sprawled on the Common Room couch and armchairs with Remus and Peter. James looked up from the fireplace to find all three of them looking at him; Sirius was smirking. James chuckled and ruffled his hair.

"No need to shout Padfoot…" He said and sat up straighter on the couch, "What's wrong?"

"We were just saying we've finished the final part of the map," Sirius said and pulled out a piece of parchment, "Rem added in the final part of Western grounds you and I found last Friday."

"Fantastic!" James cried and grabbed the parchment, "It's a real thing of beauty!"

"Glad to see we have your attention now." Remus said, "What's on your mind James?"

"Wishing it was Christmas again?" Sirius teased.

"Thinking about a certain redhead perhaps?" Peter added and the three of them laughed.

James ignored them and investigated the map taking in all the details, it was finally done. Years of exploring Hogwarts and mapping the details and it was finally finished.

"Have all the passwords been added?" James asked.

"Right down to the one-eyed witch." Remus said.

"I think the speech bubbles are an exceptionally nice touch." Sirius remarked.

"They work well, I tested them earlier today." Peter said.

"This is great, lads. This may be the greatest thing we've ever done." James said and beamed at the others.

"Yes, but is it the greatest thing you've ever done?" Sirius asked, smirking at James.

James rolled his eyes, "For the last time Padfoot, nothing else happened."

"But you wanted more to happen didn't you Prongs?" Peter asked.

"Of course he did, he's been daydreaming about it ever since." Remus laughed.

"I'm right here!" James interjected and closed the parchment.

"Have you asked her out for Valentine's Day?" Remus asked, "And don't even try and say you don't want to."

"Not yet." James responded and got to his feet.

"Prongs, mate, Valentine's Day is tomorrow…" Sirius prompted and Peter raised his eyebrows. "So you might want to get on to that."

"Yeah, yeah." James replied and scanned the Common Room, ruffling his hair nervously.

"She's not here." Peter said and James frowned, "She went to the library with Marlene and Alice hours ago."

"How do you know that?" Sirius asked and Remus eyed Peter curiously.

"Uh, I overheard Alice telling Frank at lunch that they had planned to study this afternoon." Peter responded.

Sirius gestured towards the portrait door, "Well go get her Prongs!"

James rolled his eyes and sauntered towards the portrait hole catching Remus' encouraging smile before exiting the Common Room. James strolled along the corridor, his stomach doing flips. James had been worried he'd done something wrong at Christmas; he and Lily spent that night kissing and talking before falling asleep amongst the cushions she had conjured for them by the fireplace. But James awoke the next day alone and later found out Lily had left to join Marlene and her family for the remainder of the Christmas break. Looking back on things James wondered if he should have written to Lily because when she returned they never spoke about Christmas night.

James climbed the staircase that led to the library when he heard a scuffle ahead. Frowning, James hurried along and found his fellow sixth year chum, Hufflepuff student Edgar Bones, cornered by two Slytherin thugs; Thorfinn Rowle and Antonin Dolohov. James narrowed his eyes and drew his wand.

"Locomotor Mortis!" James cried, pointing his wand at Rowle who immediately fell to the ground his legs locked together. Dolohov whirled around but before he could raise his wand James cried out again, "Furnunculus!"

Dolohov dropped his wand and clutched his face as the boils erupted all over his body. James kept his wand pointed at him. Dolohov scrambled for his wand, wincing as he moved, and bewitched Rowle to hover along behind him. Edgar stepped forward and smiled at James.

"Thanks James, I couldn't get those guys to leave me alone." Edgar muttered.

"What did they want?" James asked and stowed his wand away.

"What do they ever want? To make me feel small." Edgar shuffled on the spot avoiding James' eyes.

"You're not small Edgar, they are. Don't you ever let them make you believe otherwise okay?" James said, anger burning in his chest.

Edgar smiled at James, "Thank you… I better get going, dinner will be starting soon. Thanks again."

"Don't mention it." James responded and Edgar hurried off towards the staircase.

"That was very kind of you." A soft voice came from behind James.

James turned around to find Lily standing at the entry to the library, a stack of books in her arms. She smiled at James and walked towards him. James looked around for Marlene and Alice but there was no sign of them.

"Were you expecting someone else?" Lily asked and looked over her shoulder.

"No, no. I just, I assumed you would be with the girls." James said and chuckled nervously.

"I was, they left a little while ago. They'd had enough studying for one day." Lily said and shifted the books in her arms.

"Here, let me take some of those." James said and moved towards her. Their hands brushed as James took some of the books and Lily quickly averted her eyes.

"Thank you." She said and they headed towards the staircase, "So what brings you to the library?"

"I was looking for you actually." James responded and tried to steady his breath.

"And what can I do for you?" Lily asked and bumped against James playfully.

"Be my date for Valentine's Day?" James blurted out and immediately wanted the words back. Lily stopped walking and turned to James, "I mean, if you don't have any plans we could, I don't know, eat together or take a walk around the grounds?"

"James…" Lily's voice trailed off and James felt his stomach drop.

"You've already got plans?" James asked, disheartened.

Lily looked at the ground for a moment and then back to James, "I should have talked to you before now about Christmas… I need you to know that I don't regret what happened between us."

"I feel like a but is coming…"

"But I don't think it should happen again. You and I are finally getting to know one another and I really do enjoy your company now. I think that's where we should start off. As friends."

James nodded and stared at the ground, every daydream he had had of Lily since Christmas crashing down around him. Lily reached out to him and nudged his shoulder. James looked up at Lily and smiled.

"You're right." James said, "Let's be friends."

James escorted Lily down to The Great Hall, Lily was talking most of the way down telling James about her ideas for the Charms essay. She was incredibly bright, James thought to himself, and extremely driven. Lily was telling James about the latest dinner of the Slug Club and James chuckled at the thought of Lily in a fancy dinner setting with their Potions Professor.

"There are students there too James." Lily said and shook her head.

"Yeah, some Slytherin's too I hear?" James countered and frowned, "Just be careful there Evans."

"I will." Lily replied and they approached the Gryffindor table, "Thanks for helping me carry my books."

"Anytime." James replied and placed the books he was carrying on the table next to Lily, "Have a good dinner, I'll catch up with you later."

"Bye James." Lily replied and sat down in front of Alice.

James wandered up the table noticing Remus and Sirius who were watching James approach. James caught Sirius' eye as he sat down, willing him not to ask about Lily when the Prewett twins and Dorcas sat down with them and Fabian nudged James.

"What's happening there between you and Lily?" Fabian asked and Gideon shot James a wink.

"What? Oh, nothing. Evans and I have just reached a place of friendship, that's all." James responded and began piling the stew into his bowl. He looked up at Remus who smiled at him sadly.

"Oh come on, you expect me to believe you two are just friends?" Dorcas said and stuffed a dinner roll in his mouth.

"I sure do." James replied and tucked into his stew.

James had just swallowed his mouthful of stew when he saw Peter and Marlene enter the Great Hall, holding hands. James dropped his spoon and the other boys peered over to see what James was looking at. Peter walked Marlene to Lily and Alice and stood there for a moment laughing with the girls. Marlene leaned in and kissed Peter before sitting down. Peter smiled to himself and walked along the table and sat down on the other side of James. Peter helped himself to some stew before he realised James, and the others, were staring at him.

"Well, well, well. Seems we've got ourselves a Romeo!" James said and Peter blushed.

"When did that happen?" Remus asked and Sirius chuckled.

"We've been spending some time together." Peter responded slurping on his stew.

"Since when?" James pressed, forgetting his own stew.

"A few weeks before Christmas." Peter replied and avoided James' eye.

"Well you've kept that quiet." James muttered.

"I just wanted something that was mine for a while, enjoy it to ourselves before we shared it with others." Peter said, slightly dejected.

"I can understand that." Sirius said and James shot him a glance.

"Well, good on you Peter. Marlene's a top girl." Fabian said.

Gideon nodded, "She's great, always has me laughing at Quidditch practice."

"When you should be focusing on the plays!" Dorcas reprimanded and the three of them began squabbling about Quidditch.

"I think it's great Peter," Remus said softly, "Don't you think James?"

James was staring at his stew; his face was growing hot. He felt someone kick him under the table and looked up to meet Sirius' concerned eyes.

"What? Oh, yeah Peter it's great. You and Marlene. It's great." James said and forced a smile.

Peter smiled and continued eating his stew. James ate a few more spoonfuls before excusing himself. James hurried up the stairs and back to the Common Room, there was a group of students laughing by the fireplace when he walked in. Cursing under his breath, James dashed up the stairs and barrelled into the dormitory. He couldn't understand why he was reacting this way. Peter deserved to be happy did he not? He was James' friend, James should be supportive but something was churning away in his stomach. He flopped down onto his bed, groaned into his pillow and heard the door close and someone walk across the room. James rolled over to see Sirius approach him and sit down at the end of his bed.

"Alright there Prongs?"

"I am happy for him. I really am."

"I know you are."

"I just… I just had this bizarre feeling and I had to get out of there."

"I believe that feeling is known as jealousy Prongs."

"I am not jealous of Peter."

"Maybe not Peter… Maybe you're jealous of how easy it was for him and Marlene?"

James frowned and began picking at his blanket. He didn't even know that Peter cared for Marlene like that, he'd never said anything. But then, maybe James had never given him the chance? He was always plotting for some way to get Lily, or a prank or an adventure for them all. James thought back to the times he had been trying to impress Lily, especially the times when Remus and Sirius weren't around. Peter had always been off to the side sitting with Marlene. Why had James never asked him about her?

"God I'm a shit friend." James moaned and Sirius chuckled.

"No you're not, none of us knew about Marlene…"

"I never even gave him a chance to tell me."

"Why do I get the feeling this is not why your knickers are in a knot?"

James sighed and sat up, "Lily just wants to be friends so it looks like absolutely nothing has changed there."

"I disagree."

"How? She turned me down. How is that any different?"

"You're friends now and you certainly weren't that before."

"I guess."

Sirius kicked James and raised his eyebrows at him, "Let her keep getting to know you, who knows where it will end up?"

James smiled and shrugged, "Who knows."

"A positive attitude might help Prongs."

"God, you get a boyfriend and suddenly you're all positivity and good vibes."

Sirius kicked James again and shook his head, "I'm just saying, don't give up. Not just yet."

"Yes sir."

They laughed and Sirius climbed off James' bed, he wandered over to his own bed and opened his trunk. James watched him pull out some parchment and his Charms textbook and smiled. Sirius really was his brother and James couldn't wish for a better one than him.

"Padfoot." James said and Sirius looked up at him.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"Anytime Prongs." Sirius winked at James, "I've got to finish this essay before Tuesday and lord knows Remus won't let me do any homework tomorrow night."

"Romantic Valentine's plans then?"

"Oh you know… Probably best to avoid the dormitory until the scarf is off the door handle."

James laughed and Sirius headed out the door and back down to the Common Room. James stared at the closed door for a while after Sirius left and found himself smiling. Sirius was right, things were different now, maybe all James had to do was keep letting Lily get to know him. Still feeling annoyed by the whole thing James changed for bed, extinguished the lamps in the dormitory and climbed into bed. James drifted off to sleep thinking of Lily, a smile across his face.

James spent the next day dodging the cupids and a group of third year girls who seemed to have taken quite a liking to him. By the time his final class, Transfiguration, finished he was well and truly at his limit.

"Oh Prongs my boy, who knew you were such a ladies man?" Sirius teased as they walked back to their dormitory.

"Shut up." James snapped.

"What did that one girl say? You fly like an Angel?" Remus said and Peter and Sirius laughed.

James groaned and Sirius nudged him, "Soaring so high he's my kind of guy!"

"Argh, enough!" James said and pushed past a group of second years and into the Common Room.

"Settle down, lover boy." Peter teased.

Sirius slung his arm over James' shoulders, "Come on, let's dump our bags and go get something to eat."

"Actually, I've got to dash down to the kitchen and get some food. Marlene and I are having a picnic on the grounds." Peter said and shuffled his feet nervously.

"Right, the big Valentine's date!" James said and turned to Peter, "Did you need a hand setting up? Need to go over that warming charm again?"

"Thanks but I got it, I'm just going to get changed and organised. She's meeting me in the Entrance Hall in an hour." Peter replied, "So I better get to it."

"Yeah I actually have some food stashed upstairs so Sirius if you could hang down here with James for a bit?" Remus said and winked, "Come upstairs in say, fifteen minutes?"

"Looks like I'm in for a treat." Sirius smirked and watched Remus and Peter disappear up the stairs.

James dropped down into an armchair, "Looks like I won't be going to the dormitory any time soon."

"Is that okay?" Sirius asked and sat down opposite James, "Because I can talk to him and we can do something else?"

"Don't be stupid Padfoot, he's got some nice things planned for you." James responded.

Sirius raised his eyebrows, "You know what he's got planned?"

"I'm not saying a word." James laughed.

"Well what are you going to do?"

"Dodge the third year girls some more."

Sirius laughed, "Maybe you should get your dinner from the kitchens too, avoid the Great Hall."

"I was thinking of going to the library, get ahead on some homework."

"Sounds romantic Prongs."

"You know it. Me and the books, it's a hot date!"

The two of them laughed together when Peter appeared at the bottom of the stairs clutching a bag and a pile of blankets.

"Looking sharp Wormy." James said and Sirius wolf whistled.

"Knock it off lads." Peter responded, walking towards the portrait hole. "Remus is ready for you Sirius. Have a good night!"

Peter disappeared through the portrait hole and Sirius got to his feet.

"Don't study too hard Prongs, save the nerding out for Rem."

"I wouldn't dream of out nerding Moony." James laughed, "Have a good night Padfoot. You two deserve it."

Sirius smiled and dashed up the stairs and out of sight. James remained in the armchair for a moment before leaving the Common Room. He pulled the map out and was sure to keep an eye out for the third year girls and any cupids in between him and the library. He had to hide behind a statue here and there but eventually he found his way to a quiet corner in the library and pulled out his Transfiguration textbook.

An hour or so passed and James had moved on to his Potions homework when he heard someone approach his table. James looked up to find Lily standing there beaming at him. James shifted his parchment and books out the way and gestured for Lily to join him.

"How cool are we, homework on Valentine's Day?" Lily mused and opened her Charms textbook.

"Well if you recall I did offer you an alternative." James said and Lily's face dropped, "That was a joke Evans."

"Are you sure?" Lily asked, frowning.

James put his quill down and smiled at Lily, "Yes. I'm glad we're friends, really."

"Me too." She replied and closed her Charms book, "Sounds like Marlene and Peter have a nice evening planned though?"

"He's taking her for a picnic, I helped him master a warming spell today. It's not exactly the best weather for a picnic so at least they won't be freezing out there."

"That was sweet of you."

James shrugged and closed his Potions book, "I just wanted them to have a nice night."

"And Remus and Sirius? Remus has been running around all weekend planning things."

"Between you and me, I think I'll be avoiding the dormitory for most of the night!"

Lily laughed and stretched back in her chair to let her hair down. James watched it tumble down before Lily tucked it behind her ears.

"Sounds scandalous! But I'm glad they're so happy."

"Me too."

"How is it, living with Sirius?"

Lily rested her head on her hand and James lent back in his chair, "It took some adjusting but it's working out well. I mean he moved in a little over a month before we came back to school so there's still time for me to regret it!"

"He's lucky to have you."

"I'm lucky to have him."

"The four of you, you've always been so close. It's remarkable really, you're a band of brothers not friends."

"Yeah. Yeah we are… I'm an only child so I guess I was spoiled a lot growing up and don't get me wrong I loved it. I just didn't realise how lonely I was until I met those three."

Lily smiled at James, "Well growing up with siblings can be challenging too. My sister, Petunia, used to be my best friend. We did everything together growing up. But that changed when I found out I'm a witch…"

"Why? Is she jealous?" James asked.

"More like she doesn't approve. Petunia is destined to be the perfect housewife. You know, run of the mill, ordinary, perfect, boring. Having a witch for a sister doesn't fit with that image."

James grabbed Lily's hand and gave it a squeeze, "Hey, there's nothing wrong with who you are. You know that right?"

"I know. I just miss my sister."

"Well, she's an idiot to push someone like you away."

"Thank you."

Lily smiled and pulled her hand away from James who shuffled in his seat awkwardly. Lily stared at a nearby bookcase and James found himself watching her. She was frowning slightly but her eyes were still bright, James had to fight the urge to move around the table and take her into his arms again. She turned back to James and he quickly dropped his eyes back down to his homework.

"I think it was really kind what you did for Edgar yesterday." Lily said and James looked back up, "I've seen you do that sort of thing a lot. Defend people against Slytherin bullies."

"I don't like their tactics." James responded.

"You used to hex unsuspecting people too you know…"

"The keyword there is used to. I was young and arrogant. The Slytherin's are cruel and know exactly what they're doing. And what they're doing isn't right."

Silence hung in the air between them and Lily reached out for James.

"Hey, I know you're not like them. I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry." She whispered.

"It's okay, I know I used to do some questionable things. I was cruel to a lot of people, especially Snivelus. Sorry, Snape." James responded and linked his fingers through hers.

"Well he and I aren't friends anymore anyway… Like you, I don't agree with certain tactics."

"Look at us agreeing on things." James said and Lily laughed.

"We've come so far." She chuckled.

Madam Pince suddenly appeared and Lily quickly pulled her hand back.

"The library is not for socialising!" Madam Pince scolded, "Please pack up your things and take your conversation elsewhere!"

She stood there, arms resting on her hips watching them hurriedly pack up their things and escorted them out the library. Lily was in a fit of giggles, James enjoyed the sound.

"I've never been kicked out of the library before…" She giggled.

"There's a first time for everything!" James said.

Lily linked her arm through his, "Let's walk around for a bit. Tell me about your parents."

James and Lily walked around the castle for a few hours. James told her all about Fleamont and Euphemia Potter and his privileged upbringing, for the first time he wasn't gloating about his life he could tell it as it is. James couldn't stop talking to Lily, they talked about their family, their friends, their dreams, their fears. All of it. The war equally occupied a lot of their thoughts. Lily was frightened to death of her family being hurt or killed, they were Muggles and all she wanted was to keep them safe. James was worried about what will happen when he joins the Order, he knows he will be putting his life at risk but he can't sit back and let other people fight the battle for him.

It was late by the time they walked back around to the Gryffindor Common Room. James walked Lily to the base of the stairs to the girl's dormitories.

"Well I hope the scarf is off the door for you now." Lily said.

James laughed, "Surely they'd be done by now, what time is it anyway?"

"It's a little after midnight." Lily said checking her watch, "It's amazing how you seem to know your way around the castle at night. How do you know how to avoid Filch?"

"You can't expect me to give away all my secrets in one night…" James teased.

Lily yawned and smiled at James, "Thank you for tonight, I had a good time."

"Me too. Maybe next time we can behave and not get kicked out of the library!"

"I don't know, I enjoyed walking around with you instead. And you even sprung us some food from the kitchens."

"Well someone had to feed you!"

Lily laughed and yawned again, "I have to get to bed."

"Me too." James replied.

Lily stepped closer to James and hugged him. James closed his eyes and hugged Lily in return. Lily stepped back, smiled at James and began climbing the stairs.

"Goodnight James."

"Goodnight Evans."

James watched her disappear out of sight and lent against the wall for a moment and smiled to himself. He got his Valentine's date after all.