Again, I don't own HP. J.K. Rowling rules all.

Ch. 9 Dittany and an IOU

"Lily." James said, huskily, as he fell down on the bed next to her. She sat up and turned the light on so she could see him. James' head was buried in a pillow, but he could hdear her gasp.

"James! What happened?" She cried, but he could only groan. He felt her leave the bed and run to her own room for a few moments. When she came back, he was starting to pass out from the pain.

Suddenly, he felt a cold pass through him and then relief came. He turned his head to the side and saw Lily had her wand out and had a small bottle of something in her other hand. After the pain had subsided, she removed his shirt and trousers. He was so grateful that she wasn't scolding him or prodding him about how this happened. She cleaned his wounds first, then put a few drops of whatever was in the small bottle on each cut.

"James, I need you to flip over so I can see your front." She helped him turn onto his back. It wasn't painful, but he felt stiffness where she had put the potion and it was quite uncomfortable. He only had a small cut on the front of his thigh, so she cleaned it and left it alone.

"Thank you Lils."

"Of course. I'm just glad you're okay. Now you just need some rest. Are the others okay?"

"They're fine. Sirius is a little beat up but he'll live. He's actually pretty good at healing spells."

"Alright. I'll let you sleep then." She got up to leave.

"Stay." James said as he beckoned for her to come back. Lily obliged and within minutes, they were both fast asleep.

Lily woke up at 6:30 am and slowly lifted the covers to check James' back. He was lying on his side, so she did not have to move him. She decided he wouldn't need more dittany for another few hours, she repeated the pain-relieving spell and got up.

After showering and getting dressed for the day, she made her way down to the hospital wing. Lily knew that he would be there. There was no way Dumbledore didn't know about his condition.

When she arrived, she saw Madam Pomfrey blotting Remus' forehead with a washcloth as he slept. That's unusual for a healer, Lily thought; there were probably spells or charms that would be more effective. As she arrived at the bedside, Madam Pomfrey looked at her in surprise, but then relaxed.

"It's about time you found out, Miss Evans. You are the brightest witch in the school and it's taken you seven years." Lily laughed. She wasn't sure what to say.

"Why does he need that?"

"His temperature always seems to rocket after the full moon. I've tried every spell in the book, but this seems to soothe him the most. Sometimes it's simply the human touch." Madam Pomfrey squeezed the washcloth in a bowl and replenished it with cool water. Lily looked down at Remus. He looked so innocent, so tired. She wanted to hug him.

"Would you mind? I've been up for hours and seeing as tomorrow is only the second day, I'm going to need some sleep. Kids are always so eager to try out the nastiest jinxes on each other when they haven't been able to use magic all summer." Without hearing Lily's answer, she handed her the cloth and walked away. Lily sat down in the bed and patted his forehead.

She saw that next to the bowl of water there were several bottles on the nightstand: sleeping draft, dittany, and an unlabeled container of cream. Lily sighed.

"Remus." She said, even though she knew he couldn't hear him. "I'm sorry I didn't figure it out earlier. I feel like I could have helped." She bit her lip and looked around, then pulled the covers back. As she suspected, he had several deep wounds that were in the process of healing. She was, however, surprised at the amount of old scars he had. She felt a lump in her throat, and put the covers back, squeezing the washcloth again. "I don't know what happened, and I don't know if I want to know. It was just so scary seeing James come back like that. And I'm sure that's not what occurs every time, because you guys aren't idiots. Well you're idiots, but you're not that stupid." She realized she was rambling on now, and stopped for a while, thinking.

"I still can't believe he's a damn stag." She said, after a bit. "I mean, I have to tell him now, right?" It felt good to say her thoughts out loud. She put her hand Remus' forehead and felt that it had finally cooled down so she sat back in her chair. "I don't know if I believe in fate, but this has to be some sort of sign. I'm a doe. He's a stag. That can't be a coincidence. And…"

"No, it can't be a coincidence." Remus had turned his head while she was blabbering on and Lily hadn't noticed. She looked at him and her stomach dropped. He smiled, his eyes still closed. "You have to tell James."

"I suppose you're right."

"Now bugger off so I can sleep." Lily laughed. She knew he was a little delirious, but she was glad he wasn't angry that she knew he was a werewolf.

James slowly sank in to the hot bath and sighed. He thanked merlin that it was a Saturday; he would not have been able to miss the second day of classes now that he was head boy.

He hissed at the scalding water against his back, but after a few minutes the stinging went away and he relaxed. The giant bathtub was filled with bubbles and the air smelled of pine and some other herb that soothed his senses. Just as he shut his eyes he heard his bedroom door open.

"James?"

"I'm in here, Lily," He called from the tub.

"Oh. Good. I mean- I'm glad you're up. How are you feeling? I was going to put some more dittany on your back, but take your time."

"I'm alright. Listen Lils- I just…" He couldn't bring himself to have a real conversation with her through a door. Thankfully, Lily seemed to have the same idea. She slowly opened the door and walked in, sitting down on the edge of the tub. The bubbles hid everything, but he still couldn't help but blush at the fact that he was naked.

"James- it doesn't matter what happened last night. I mean, it does, but I don't think I want to know how it happened, if that's all right with you."

"Okay." James answered, shifting uncomfortably. The pain was returning.

When he looked up, Lily was unbuttoning her shirt. He didn't know what to say. He simply watched as she stripped naked, took her wand out of her pocket, and stepped in to the tub.

They simply stared at each other for a few seconds until she leaned in and whispered, "Turn around."

James felt the pain relief immediately. It was delightful. Once she was done, she dropped her wand on the ground next to the bath and began massaging his shoulders and back. Slowly, her hands meandered their way over his shoulders to his chest. She opened her legs and pulled him in so his back was against her chest.

He could feel her breasts on his back and he wanted to turn around and ravish her. He small hand, however, moved lower and lower, finding his aching erection. He had been hard since she had stripped naked and joined him in the tub, but was not expecting her to help him with his release. He jerked as she started stroking him, painfully slow and then a little faster. As she did this, she kissed his shoulder, nibbled his ear, and sucked on his neck. It was heaven.

"It's okay. Let go, baby," She whispered in his ear. She must have felt him tense up, trying to last longer than the thirteen-year old James would have. So when she said this, it was with such tenderness that he did relax. Within seconds he ended up thrusting into her hand, grunting, and exploding his seed into the hot water.

James was out of breath. He collapsed onto her shoulder and she kissed his forehead and cheek. After catching his breath, he sat up and kissed her on the lips. "Lily, you are going to kill me some day." She laughed and stood up. She bent over the tub to get her wand and summoned two very fluffy towels.

"What about you?"

"It's time to put more dittany on those cuts."

"But…" He didn't want her to be left unsatisfied. She rolled her eyes, wrapping the towel around herself.

"James, I'll live. It doesn't always have to be equal you know. I wanted to make you feel better." He figured she was right. He wrapped the towel around his waist and followed her out when he had an idea. He found his wand and conjured a piece of parchment. He quickly scribbled a few words then handed it to Lily.

She looked at him quizzically. She put down the dittany to read it.

I, James Anthony Potter, owe Lily (middle name?) Evans one orgasm at the time and place of her choice.

Signed,

James Anthony Potter

Lily burst out laughing but still placed the parchment in her pocket. "I will definitely be using this." She leaned up and kissed him quickly, then grabbed the dittany again.

After re-applying the dittany, James went back to sleep for a few hours while Lily lay in bed next to him, reading Advanced Transfiguration Volume XI: Animal Transformations. It was one of the books that came with her room.

She was looking for something about animagus mates but had not been able to find a single word. She turned the page eagerly when she heard James stir and shut the book quickly. He woke up and smiled at her. He looked so goofy sometimes. His smile was crooked and his hair was completely out of control.

"Hello, lovely." He sat up a kissed her neck.

"Hi." She giggled. "Sleep well?"

"Like a baby." He stood up stretching. She couldn't help but admire how toned he was. In his tight black briefs, she could see the outline of his, as Mary had said "well endowed" package. He looks like an underwear model. He put on his glasses and started to get dressed. "I'm starved. Let's take a trip to the kitchen." He said, pulling on a pair of jeans.

"Sounds good to me."

"Maybe we could go for a fly later?"

"You might want to look out the window first." Lily smiled, following him down the stairs. When they reached the common room, James' face fell. There was a thunderstorm going on outside that showed no signs of stopping.

"Damn."

"You should probably take it easy today anyway." James rolled his eyes at this but took her hand and led her down the corridor toward the kitchen.

After tickling the pear and entering, they were surprised to find Peter and Sirius already feasting and chatting merrily with the house elves.

"Prongs! Mate, we were just talking about you." Sirius said as he shoved a ginger newt into his mouth.

"Master James! Master James!" A house elf ran up to him. "Fipsey was so delighted to hear from Master Sirius that Miss Lily was loving Master James in return." Lily giggled at the squeaky voiced elf. James blushed but gave her a crooked smile.

"Flipsey, this is Lily Evans."

"Such a delight to finally meet you Miss Lily." The elf curtsied and Lily bit her lip, not really sure what to do. "Flipsey has followed Miss Lily around many times and heard so much about her. Flipsey is so happy that Master James will no longer be crying over Miss Lily." The elf had tears in her eyes.

"Followed around? Cried?" Lily looked at James in shock, then at his friends.

"Hey don't look at us, we are just as shocked as you." Peter said. They were both holding in laughter. James had his face in his hands.

"Flipsey, would you mind getting us some sandwiches and pumpkin juice?" James shooed the house elf away then said, "Okay, the following around was in the beginning of fifth year when I was a little barmy. If she did more than that, I was unaware. And the crying happened once. I was pissed drunk."

"Wow." Lily said, smiling. Peter and Sirius were roaring with laughter. "I- er…" She didn't quite know how to respond to that information.

"So how are you feeling Padfoot?" James interrupted her, changing the subject.

"Well, Wormtail fucked up the healing spell so this damn wound keeps opening up. Other than that, just sore and tired. The usual." Sirius said. Padfoot and wormtail, what animals could they be?

"Sorry, mate." Peter said looking at his hands. He appeared to be completely unharmed.

"Sirius, I have some dittany back in the heads' dorm. That should do the trick."

"This stuff really works. We've got ourselves a private healer. I feel amazing." James stretched as Flipsey came back with a giant platter of mini sandwiches, a pitcher of pumpkin juice, and a tray of sweets.

"Cool, thanks Red." She nodded and bit into a sandwich.

"So…Wormtail? You a rat or something?" Lily smirked.

"I know; I know have a laugh." Peter looked ashamed.

"Aww I'm not laughing Peter. I'm very impressed." Lily said, feeling sorry for him.

"Thanks, Lily." He smiled, blushing.

"And Padfoot must have to do with paws. But you could be a dog, or a…"

"You got it."

"You're a dog?"

"Big black one."

"Aww cute. I've always loved dogs." Lily said and James laughed.

"Excuse me, I am not cute. I am a very manly, large scary dog."

"Okay, Sirius."

They ate their sandwiches and talked for another half hour before getting up to leave the kitchen and saying goodbye to Flipsey. Peter went back to the Gryffindor common room, mumbling something about 'extra work,' and the other three made their way to the heads' dorm.

When they got back and entered through the lion portrait, Lily ran upstairs to get her bottle of dittany and Sirius and James sat down on the couch. They stared into the fire.

"We should bring Remus some chocolates." James said, leaning back.

"Yeah. I'll do it after this. I can't believe she knows, Prongs."

"I can't believe it took me so long to find out. Come on then, shirt off." Lily said as she walked in.

"Right in front of your boyfriend?" Sirius smirked, doing as he was told. "I mean, if that's you're thing."

"Shove it, Padfoot." James said. He couldn't help but be a little sensitive around his shirtless best friend being touched by his new girlfriend. He knew he was attractive, and quidditch had helped him gain muscle tone. But he was still lanky and definitely not as broad-shouldered or toned as Sirius. Sirius rolled his eyes and turned around to reveal one big scratch down the center of his back.

"Not too bad. I think you'll only need a few drops." She squeezed a few drops onto the cut and it began to visibly heal. Then she conjured a smaller bottle and put a few more drops in. "Have Peter put a few more drops on tonight before you go to sleep. It should be healed by morning."

"Fat chance. He's not coming near my back again."

"Fine. Have someone else do it. But if you don't, it'll become a permanent scar." Lily gave him a warning look.

"Okay, okay." Sirius said, putting his shirt back on. "Well, I'm off. I'm going to bring Moony some chocolate frogs."

As soon as the door was closed, James looked at Lily and saw that she had a devious look in her eye. She stood up, walked over to his place on the couch and sat on his lap, straddling his legs. She put her arms around his neck and sat up straighter so his eyes were level with her perky breasts, but he kept eye contact.

He thought she was going to kiss him but instead she spoke. "It's adorable that you would be jealous of Sirius. And incredibly thick."

"Who said I was jealous?" James tried to deny it, but he felt his cheeks getting warm.

"You did. With the face you were making when I was rubbing his back."

"Fine. Maybe I'm a little jealous, but come on. He doesn't get all those girls to shag him for being a nice guy. I just…I don't know." He was so embarrassed. James Potter, showing that he was self-conscious was not something he was used to.

"You're an idiot. Maybe those girls want that, but I want you. I think you are so much sexier than him. Sirius is not my type at all. And if you don't believe me, then I can think of other ways to make you remember that I'm all yours." She lifted her jumper over her head and started rolling her hips into his center. His pants immediately grew tight against his growing bulge.

James grabbed her hips and pulled off her undershirt. She started kissing his neck as get squeezed her arse with one hand and groped for her bra clasp with the other. Lily's hands moved down to grab his t-shirt a lift it over his head. Finally he also succeeded in removing her bra and she let it fall to the side. He buried his face between her breasts and Lily giggled.

Their lips met in a slow, passionate kiss. It was fire and James wanted to stop time and live in this moment forever. Her lips tasted like cherry and chocolate and when her hands moved through his messy hair, his tongue entered her mouth. James' hands were everywhere. They were squeezing her arse to make her closer to him; they were playing with her nipples; and then they were running through her hair and up and down her naked back.

Soon enough, his pants became very uncomfortable and he started to remove her sweats as a hint. She was aware, and removed his belt and jeans without much difficulty. When it was just her thin piece of lace and his briefs between them, the thrusting became even more intense.

Lily pulled away from the kiss and sighed. "God James- oh, oh fuck, yes." He loved when she cursed. He bent down and took one of her nipples in his mouth, holding her hips in place so he could increase his thrusting. James could feel her wetness and wanted so badly to remove these final pieces of clothing and bury himself inside of her.

They kept going for what felt like ages, and James could see that Lily was also on the verge. He reached between them rubbed her clit through her soaked panties with two of his fingers. She squealed and bit his shoulder.

"Come for me Lily." James said, thrusting faster and harder. They might as well have been having sex with the way she was making him feel. "I want to hear you come, baby." He kept rubbing the bundle of nerves.

Lily closed her eyes and did just that. "James James James!" She kept screaming as she rolled her hips again and again, convulsing and holding on to him for support.

Seconds later, he exploded in to his own briefs, yelling, "Fuck Lily!" He was breathing so hard he barely noticed that she had climbed off of him and pulled on her pants and shirt again, sitting next to him on the couch.

He opened his eyes and found his wand to clean himself up, then looked at her. She had sex hair and was glowing with sweat. "That was fucking incredible James." He laughed at this, grabbed her feet so they were resting in his lap.

The rest of the day was spent talking about nothing for hours, playing a game of chess, and catching up on reading. Lily told James that one of her favorite books when she was younger was The Chronicles of Narnia. Of course, James had never heard of it, so Lily found it in her room and began reading it aloud to him. He was entranced, and insisted that on making her read for over two hours.