Chapter 3

"Bex!! Hey Bex!! Wait!" James yelled as he ran after her in the hallway, trying to catch up after Charms class.

"Yes…" Bex said was a sly smirk that made James think that she already knew why he was there.

"Did Lily say anything to you about last night? Not that anything happened! Because nothing did." James said trying not to look too excited or curious. "I was umm…just wondering." He finished weakly. Yet, he couldn't stop thinking about Lily all throughout classes that day.

"Hmm…Lily last night…Oh yeah I think she did," teasing him with her words.

"Well what do I do? I don't want to mess things up, because we just became friends, and if I mess that up then I'm doomed for life. But if I don't make a move she might think I don't like her anymore, which I do, very much." He said dreadfully fast, and almost in one breath.

"Just relax James. Maybe just touching or holding her hand a little, a small hug, or maybe call her Lil or Lils." Bex said walking off, enabling him to reply, with the same smirk on her face.

---

Lily and James met again on Saturday night the following week. It was very late, and they had been working ever since dinner. Lily yawned; she started to continue working, but was interrupted by another yawn.

"You know, I think that's enough for one night," James finally said.

"No, James, I told you I'm fine," Lily protested.

"No, it's late, Lils, and you're too tired," he quickly decided, to try out the nickname. She glanced at him with a puzzled expression on her exhausted face, but James packed up their books as though nothing had happened. Lily and James were the last ones in the Great Hall and the fire was burning low.

"Are you okay to get to the common room?" James asked as she swayed a little.

Lily nodded. "I'll be fine." She staggered more, nearly falling into the wall. James put his arm around her shoulder, and caught her.

"No, you won't." James shook his head, "let me help you." He kept his arm around her shoulder to prevent her from stumbling into anything else. Rather than fight it, Lily just leaned against him. She felt so comfortable resting against him while he held her. It felt like it was meant to be. If she had the energy, she'd put her arm around his waist too. She thought to herself, Oh God, it's true; I like him as more than a friend. Damn it, Bex and Dawn are going to be impossible when I tell them.

James didn't realize the effect of Lily resting her head on his shoulder would have. Because she let him hold her, he felt a little bubble of happiness in his chest. There was a creeping feeling in the pit of his stomach, though, that she would never really love or even like him, not in the way he loved her at least. He had a suspicion that the most he would ever get from her was her friendship.

When they reached Gryffindor Tower, the common room was empty; the fire was down to glowing embers casting deep shadows about, so James walked her to the foot of the girl's dormitory stairs.

"I'd walk you to your door," James said, his hand holding her arm, "but the staircase would turn into a slide, and make a load of noise, and everything."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want to wake anybody up," Lily replied.

They stood staring at each other for a few moments, the foot of space between them heavy with emotions, until...

"Well," James began, "goodnight." He stepped forward, and circled his arms around her shoulders for a hug. Lily returned the hug by moving her arms around his waist. She fit so perfectly next to him. James was finally holding Lily after wanting to for so long it was the most stimulating sensation he'd felt in years.

Lily rest her head on his chest, never imagining it would feel so powerful to just be held by James. His strong arms wrapped around her made her feel so protected, and safe. She could hear his heart pounding, and could feel hers doing the same. He smelt so good; there was no defining his scent.

They stood together in an embrace for awhile before James let her go, saying, "You'd better get to bed."

She looked up at him, wondering what to do as she slowly dropped her arms. She'd never been in this situation before. Just kiss him; you know you want to, a voice told her, a voice that often spoke like Bex. But, she continued to gaze into his brown eyes behind his glasses. He does have really pretty eyes, she thought, I could stare into them all day.

"Goodnight," she said turning to go to her dorm room. Not even on the cheek? Come on, you still have a chance. She slowly ascended the stairs, feeling James watch her every step.

When Lily walked into her dorm room she could hardly wait until the next morning. She opened her trunk, and changed into her nightgown. Lily then, laid down in her bed, and stared into the darkness. Excited to tell Dawn, Bex, and Willow about how she had almost kissed James, about how she felt in his arms, and about how she wished she could be with him every moment she could. With those new, and wonderful thoughts, Lily feel asleep.

---

It had been two days later when Lily and James decided to meet again for their project. It was late Sunday night when they finally stepped into the library, but they didn't get much work done. Lily and James were talking about everything that had been going on in their lives. From school, to Quidditch, and their friend's relationships, which was their main topic.

"I'm so tired," James yawned as they trudged back to Gryffindor Tower.

"Well, it was your idea to have a meeting tonight," Lily pointed out, "and, you knew you had a Quidditch game."

"Mmhmm." His eyes were barely opened, and he staggered into the stone statue of Alberta Toothill, the famous duelist.

"And, now I get to repay you."

"What?" James asked stupidly, in his sub-conscious state.

His answer was just Lily wrapping her arm around his waist, and pulling his around her shoulders by his hand. James felt his heartbeat quicken.

"Just let me help you." she whispered, her face warm.

"Okay." he responded breathlessly. Lily Evans is touching me voluntarily. Don't blow it.

Oh my God, I can't believe I did this. What the hell am I thinking? "You played well today," Lily said.

"Thanks, I was kind of hoping Luke would have played better, but he did alright. Bex made up for it." He ended.

"And you. I meant you personally, anyway."

"Oh, uh, thanks." He felt his cheeks get warm, and red.

Lily glanced up, and saw him blushing. "What's this?" she questioned in mock astonishment. "James Potter embarrassed by a compliment."

"Only when it's from you." James glanced the other way.

"Oh, stop," she said playfully. No, don't stop just keep flirting. It's easier for me.

Yeah James, just friends remember. But James didn't listen to himself. "You know, you're pretty strong," he said when they entered the empty common room. "Not many girls could have supported as much of my weight as you have."

"Thanks, I guess."

"It's a good thing, trust me. And, now I'm going to be a gentleman, and walk you to your staircase."

"Are you going to be able make it up to your own room afterwards?" Lily asked smiling.

"I don't know, you could always come down in half an hour, and check," he teased, a smile playing on his lips as they stopped at the girls' stairway.

"You never know, I just might." Lily said never missing a beat.

"Okay," James smiled.

They gazed deep into each other's eyes, neither really seeing how the other felt, yet both desperately searching for a hint.

"Goodnight," Lily finally said hugging James, and then surprised even herself by standing on her toes. She leaned against him for balance, her hand resting on his chest, as she moved her face closer to his.

Then suddenly, there was a crash, swearing, and a body tumbled down the stairs, and fell into them, knocking them all to the ground.

"I'm sorry guys," they heard Bex say in the dark. "I was trying to pull on my robe while coming down the stairs, and I tripped, sorry." She mumbled, and they heard her get up and leave.

In the event of Bex's midnight tumble Lily was pushed into James, and landed on top of him.

"Oh, are you alright," she asked laying on him.

"I think so," he answered. "Just hit my head, but I'll live." James didn't even notice the pain. Holy crap, Lily Evans is on top of me, she is lying on top of me.

"Okay," she breathed. Their faces were very close to each. Lily could hear his heavy breathing, and feel his chest lifting her. He smelt so good, her pulse raced as she leaned forward once again.

"OW!" yelled three voices.

"What the hell are you still doing on the floor?" cried Bex, having just tripped over them.

"I think you just bruised my ribs," groaned James.

"And mine," whimper Lily.

"Yeah, well, sorry, but because of you two lollygagging on the floor that's the second time I've fallen tonight. Come on, I can hurt myself without everybody else helping me. Are you coming up to bed now, Lil?"

"Uh, yeah," Lily said with a hint of disappointment barely detectable, "I guess I am." Damn you, B, I was actually going to make a move. She stood up, and helped James to his feet. "Goodnight then."

"Yeah," he said, "goodnight." He turned, and staggered off to his room. Lily watched until he disappeared around the bend of the staircase.