Catherine nuzzled James's neck, pulling him close, and sucking the skin – hard enough to cause a little love bite to bloom. She tipped her head up, and looked into his eyes, but instead of being locked on her; they were staring far into the distance. She followed his gaze and her eyes finally landed on Lily Evans who was talking to Amos Diggory. Suddenly Lily looked over to James and waved. She could feel his muscles tense and a huge smile split his face. He was obviously enamoured.
"Jaaaames? Hello?" Her eyes were flashing dangerously, for no one ever rejected Catherine.
"Yes? Sorry sweets, I phased out there for a sec." He blinked then looked at her.
"No you didn't! You were staring at her." She was practically growling.
"What? No I wasn't!" James was bumbling, and his excuse was obvious.
"No one ever rejects me – Catherine Beamson. Ever! Especially not for Lily Evans!" She was almost screaming, her voice reaching an ear splitting crescendo by the last syllable and everyone quietened to watch to scandal unfolding. He was still feeling a little dazed when suddenly out of nowhere a hand collided with his cheek. It made a sharp, tart sound, like a gunshot and he could feel a bruise blooming. Later students swore that they saw James's head spin all the way around, he was hit so hard. Even the band stopped playing – and all to hear was the last few dud notes from a piano. The girl turned on her heel and stalked off. All eyes turned towards Lily who paled and walked briskly out of the hall.
I did not deserve that James sank into a chair on the sidelines, his head in his hands, but eyes still focused on little until her last lock of hair had whipped around the corner. The band had started up again and he watched the couples, some of whom were still eying him nervously. However, the mood returned to normal. He watched Amos Diggory slow dancing with a pretty brunette, and Remus swaying with Sasha. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Bad luck, mate." Sirius had half a smile. He plonked down onto the chair.
"It went awfully. Now Lily'll think even worse of me. Like I'm some sort of creep trying to- " He searched for a reason "to undress her mentally or something!" He sounded indignant. Sirius's eyes twinkled.
"That's what you were tying to do, remember?"
"That isn't the bloody point Padfoot." James turned his back away and once again watched Amos Diggory. His hands were wandering even more lecherously, feeling the girl's hips and bum, even pinching her gently. He whispered something into her ear and she giggled. He grabbed her hand and led her outside, winking to some passing boys as he went.
"Amos's is getting some. He is definitely getting some." Whispered Sirius, grinning like a maniac.
Lily, feeling slightly less abashed, and having splashed some water over her flaming cheeks, made her back to stake her claim to Amos. That silly brunette slut has had enough of my guy. She skipped down the stairs lightly passing a few couples who were completely intertwined. She made a face. It's so tacky, making everyone watch you. Just near the entrance to the hall she could see the brunette tangled in a close embrace, locking tongues with an unseen boy. Ahah! So Amos has got rid of you! She grinned a little. As she passed by the girl finally withdrew, panting a little.
Lily's eyes widened in shock, for there looking thoroughly pleased with himself, was Amos. His usually kissable lips were swollen and his perfect hair tousled. He caught sight of Lily.
"This – this doesn't seem good, but I can assure you she forced herself onto me!" He tried to grin. Lily's heart lifted momentarily, wanting, needing to believe him. It plummeted like a rock when she remembered.
"That's the same bloody line you used on me before Amos! She forced herself?! Well I won't trouble her anymore. She doesn't need to fucking force! She can have you, Amos! She can have you!" Tears sprang into her eyes, stinging them, and welling up.
"Lily darling – "
"Don't 'Lily darling me, Amos Diggory! We are over! Forever!" She spat the last words, feeling like she had been punched in the stomach. Barley seeing where she was going she head towards the stairs. The she turned back.
Her hand moved so fast, the boy had no time to react. It collided with his cheek with a resounding slap. "You deserved it more than James deserved his." She once again turned up the stairs, this time letting the tears fall.
James had been watching in open mouthed shock.
"I'm going to kill Amos." He growled.
"Wooah Prongs, easy there. I think Lily might have already." Sirius was shocked, but barley managed to hide his amusement. "Hah! He collapsed! She hits hard, that girl…" Sirius trailed off, in a fond reminisce of better times when Lily had slapped him so hard, his cheek bone had fractured. Now she just kneed him in the -
"Male reproductive organs." James finished, knowing exactly which memory Sirius was thinking about.
"That was fucking scary mate, how did you know that?" Sirius's eyes were scared, almost.
"You were whispering it under your breath."
"Oohh…yeah, obviously." Sirius did one of his less smooth cover ups.
"What did you think I had done? Read your mind?" James looked confused now.
But before Sirius could answer James had risen.
"I'm going to find her." And before Sirius could answer, he had gone.
James assumed that Lily hadn't headed to the common rooms so headed first to the girls' toilets on the first floor. Not finding here there he checked all the other toilets and the library, even the astronomy tower. Finally he remembered the Marauders Map in his pocket and whipped it out. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." The vows were spoken and the map sparked to life. There she was, in the most obvious place. She was in the common room. With this piece of information, he tucked away the map and headed to the Gryffindor tower.
Gently pushing open the portrait and scrambling through the hole, James was met with the sight of Lily, sitting on the sofa, facing the fire. Her eyes were glassy and she stared straight ahead.
"Lils?" He almost whispered the word. She didn't answer, so he sat down beside her and looked at her, with such concern and love. He saw her hand, her creamy skin, barely laced with blue veins, oval nails. He slipped his bigger, rougher, hand into hers and they sat, listening to the strains of music that had travelled magically up from the ballroom. Lily's eyes suddenly welled over once more, smearing her mascara and making her buckle over.
"It wasn't fair. I trusted him James." Her voice was cracked.
"I know, Lil, I know. He didn't treat you well. Not how you deserved." He tried to stay even. Inside a monster was roaring, wanting to go rip the boy limb from limb.
"Why are you being so bloody nice, James?" She finally turned to look at him.
"What do you mean? Do you want me to leave?" His eyes were pained, his voice taken aback.
"No, it's just – just I've been such a bitch. This year you've been bloody…perfect and I've just – just taken you for granted. And it isn't fair." She looked at him, wanting for him to understand.
"You haven't been a bitch. A lot has happened this year. I just wanted to show you what – what the real James is like." He tightened his grasp on her hand, but she remained silent, thinking. Finally the silence was broken.
"You know – I think you broke his cheekbone." James smiled a bit, unsure at how Lily would take the comment. She cracked a grin too, and James let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. Lily felt the same. The ball of anxiety in her stomach, the one that had been twisting and tightening all year, a constant reminder of what she wished to forget, it eased a little at his touch.
"You think? Hopefully it won't happen to you, eh? Though Catherine gave you quite a good one." She ran her fingers along his bruised face, and his skin tingled deliciously. The music became imperceptibly louder, and suddenly James rose, pulling Lily up with him. He bowed deeply.
"May I have this dance?" He looked up from his low pose. She curtseyed.
"You may."
Lily grabbed James's hand, and placed her other hand on his shoulder. He grasped her hand tightly and placed his other on her hip. They spun slowly, moving to and fro, as though one body; perfectly synchronised. Lily pulled closer, and moved her hands so they were tightly locked around his shoulders. She could feel his hands around her waist and they swayed gently. They were silhouetted against the fire, which was dying slowly, its embers glowing and lighting up their faces. James pulled tighter, and Lily's breath caught in her throat as his body pressed against hers. She could feel every muscle beneath his suit and shivered in delight. Despite her running eye makeup, making black rivers pool across her face, she smiled, her eyes focused on the floor, the walls, anywhere but James. Finally she looked up, her green eyes glittering and his brown ones welcoming, finally they locked, green and brown, girl and boy, James and Lily.
She moved her head closer, brushing her nose lightly against his, and shutting her eyes. Now it was instinct. He copied her, closing his eyes and moving towards her. Their noses brushed gently then their lips. Lily felt as though her mouth would explode with pleasure, because, as though one, they opened their lips little wider allowing their tongues to explore their mouths. James ran his hands over her hips, her spine feeling her delicate curves. She was playing with his hair, making it yet more messy. Suddenly a clock chimed loudly, making Lily start and look at the timepiece.
"Shit! It's eleven already! We have to go dance!" she yelped, and slipped her shoes back on, and was halfway out the door before James realised what was going on.
Oh my God, I just kissed James. I just kissed James Potter! Oh my God, he was a good kisser! And his hair was so soft… oh my GOD! The dream, it happened…I predicated I would kiss James Potter! At this Lily stopped jogging and her mouth fell over.
"What is it?" James sounded full of concern but brisk Christ - she's regretting it. Oh fucking Christ…Do I kiss that badly?
"I… I predicted that I was going to kiss you…In a dream."
"Obviously it was on your mind." James winked
"No it wasn't… it's just…never mind." Lily seemed distracted. She shook her head lightly and grabbed James's hand to pull him along the corridor to the great hall for the final dance.
Everyone had cleared off the dance floor, making way for their Head Students. As the pair made their way onto the centre, all the students clapped and catcalled, making Lily flush, but James winked cockily, though Lily could feel his hand shaking in hers.
"May I have this dance?" He bowed low. She curtseyed
"You may."
After the dance floor had been cleared of students, many of whom thanked James and Lily personally for the night, they were left alone with the Professors who had come to supervise cleaning up. It was a long task. McGonagall was in charge of transfiguring the floor back to wood, and the tables back to the house ones. Flitwick was in change of lighting, and James and Lily did litter duty, with help from the house-elves. Finally, almost an hour from the start, the hall was back to normal. After saying goodnight to their teachers they made their way slowly upstairs, not talking much.
Finally they clambered through the portrait hole to a round of applause, but many people headed to bed soon after. After some strict demands, the pair finally sank into a sofa.
"Well done." Lily spoke first, her voice quiet.
"You too, Lily, you too." James squeezed her hand. She felt a wave of tiredness wash over her, and settled deeper into the cushions of the couch, leaning against James's shoulder. They boy cleared his throat, and yawning stretched his hands up, settling one around Lily's shoulders. She leant into him, breathing quietly, and they both felt their emotions smoothed and comforted. Lily's eyes were closing shut and then opening with a start. Instead of heading back up to bed, though, the girl leant up and whispered into James's ear. "Thank you." With that said she made herself comfortable on his shoulder and drifted into a dreamless sleep.
A/N: Some fluff there, don't worry it'll get more beefy soon. Please review! XD xox