In the Days of Lily Evans and James Potter

Disclaimer: When will the torturous questioning end? I do not own this.

A/N: Okay, so I've lost a lot of hits since i basically dropped of the radar, but I'm going to try to get this story back up and moving. Guys, if you like the story, please pass it on others. I love having my work be reviewed, even if you don't like it. Special thanks to Blue-Eyed Chicka, your words are kind and I loved your reaction. Okay, here it goes:

Chapter 10

James found Lily sitting alone in the library. Halloween was only a few days away, and he had barely seen her since she had borrowed his cloak. He needed to see her right now. If what his neighbors said was true...

"Lily," he whispered, standing over her. She was curled up in a chair reading A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, for the purpose of finishing Professor Slughorn's latest essay.

"James? Where have you been? You're rarely at meals anymore, the only times I see you is during class, what's up with that?" She hadn't meant to sound attacking, he knew, but she had appeared to be rather accusatory.

"I-- things have been... harsh," he replied quietly. "Can we go for a ride?" He wanted to clear his head before they talked.

"On your broom?" Lily studied his face, trying to find out what was behind his masked nothingness. "Um, I guess." He grabbed her by the hand and she left the book on the chair.

After a few rounds above the Forbidden Forest, James landed the broom neatly and allowed Lily to climb off. He came to sit beside her by the lake, the broom now forgotten.

"You took me out here for more than just a broom ride, Mr. Potter." It was a flat statement. James stalled, watching the giant squid in the lake bob just under the surface of the middle.

"My neighbor owled me last week," he told her. "Said my parents hadnt been out of the house since September. He's afraid to go inside, in case the house has been cursed. Said the Ministry's got a few blokes coming to investigate. He thinks they're..." Lily forced him to look at her, something she had mastered.

"James," she whispered, grabbing his hand and squeezing it.

"They hated him very much, everyone knew it," he said, breaking her gaze. Lily was looking down at her shoes. She breathed his name again, contorting his thoughts from worry and pain to almost a wanting sensation.

"I--"

"No, it'll be fine," he muttered. He could tell she was watching him, and out of nowhere, she kissed his cheek. It was her first move since their closet adventure.

"No, it's not fine yet." She turned his head and kissed him again. He needed her right now. He needed to know she was there. With everything falling apart in the recent days, he needed something real that felt like a dream.

"Lily," he groaned as she deepened their kisses. She refused to let him go. He didn't want her to let go. They had to stop eventually.

"Better?" she asked him. James nodded, remembering reality.

"Let's go put this away," he said, grabbing his broom. "By the way, Halloween is in two days." She laughed. He wasn't sure why.

"I know." She winked, letting him help her up. "Can't wait."

Later, James made an appearance at dinner, sitting with his friends nonchalantly. Sirius had recently wreaked havoc on a classroom, and he was moaning loudly about his detention. Remus shook his head, paying more attention to his moon chart. As for Peter, he was riffling thorugh his Charms textbook.

"Why aren't you sitting with your girlfriend, mate?" Sirius asked throughout conversation. James looked up from his food.

"What girlfriend?" he questioned back. Remus and Peter were both quiet.

"I saw you with Evans," Sirius commented. "You finally snagged her, eh?" James looked at him.

"I'm not dating Lily," he admitted.

"Oh, sorry," Sirius replied. "Have you heard from--?"

"No." The Head Boy stood. "I'm a bit tired. I'm going to bed." The Mauraders looked at each other.

"What did I say?" he heard Sirius mutter.

A/N: There, a little fuzziness, a little sadness, etc. etc. I hope you like it I'm planning on updating soon. RnR, Concrit welcome, Pass the Word On. (And if you spot mistakes, let me know.)