In the Days of Lily Evans and James Potter

Disclaimer: Victory is mine, Harry Potter is not.

A/N: The end of the story is Chapter 15. After that, I'm starting the story It's a Rough Game, Quidditch and then Harry Potter and Responsibility. Enjoy these last two chapters.

The mystery of the owl will be solved in Chapter 15.

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER IS RATED T-16+.

Chapter 14

James held his breath, focusing on the lesson for once. His wand was supposed to be made for Transfiguration, but he seemed to have troubles with Vanishing.

"Evanesco! Damn it." The apple on the desk lost its peel, but was otherwise fully intact.

"Language, Potter," Lily muttered, just as focused. "Evanesco!" Her apple disappeared, making James curse again. She could outdo him; he needed to step up his game.

"Sorry, Evans," he replied, trying again. The peel returned. He cursed once more.

"Will you shut up if I help you?"

"Greatly."

"You're moving your wand wrong. Quick, downward movement."

"Okay." He tried the motion, and his fruit disappeared. "Thanks."

"Welcome," she replied, copying a few notes from the board. James knew he would need them later, so he copied them as well, rather miserably. He needed to pass his exams. With no parents to bail him out, and with graduation within his grasp, he needed the grades.

"Class dismissed." McGonagall startled James, making him jump and lose his papers. Lily and his friends laughed at him, helping him pick things up. "Mr. Potter, please keep on your toes. Now, rest up for the game." She was out.

"Smooth, Mr. Quidditch," Lily said. "Let's hope that doesn't happen tomorrow. Slytherin would love it if you fell off your broom."

"Lily wouldn't be too upset either," Sirius commented. Remus and Peter roared with laughter.

"It might be an improvement," Lily teased, tapping his glasses. "Merlin knows how much a face plant could do." The others moved ahead, but James caught Lily by the waist and held her back.

"Save it for the broom closet, you two!" Sirius called, walking backwards with Remus and Peter.

"How does he know?" Lily asked. James smiled, thinking of the map.

"As far as we know, he doesn't."

"Sure. You and your guy friends talk about 'scoring' all the time," she told him, using air quotes.

"That's Quidditch, deary," he replied, taking her bag off her shoulder. They were finally out of the classroom.

"Give me my bag," Lily said. James slung it over his shoulder with his bag.

"I need the workout."

"You need rest. Give me my bag. I need it."

"McGonagall's was the last class of the day, Lils."

"Don't call me Lils."

"Let me carry your bag."

"No."

"Then let me call you Lils."

"No!" She was laughing now, failing to grab the bag. He was too quick for her. He loved to tease her.

"Are we joining our dear friends in the Great Hall, or would you prefer our usual private dining?" She had given up on her bag, and was now walking very close to James.

"You're a celebrity tonight. We have to eat with our friends." She locked fingers with his free hand, almost leaning into him.

"Celebrity?" James raised his eyebrows at her. "Could you imagine being a celebrity in Hogwarts? Everyone staring at you, asking for autographs..." Lily smiled at him.

"Mr. Potter, tell us, who does your hair?" she mocked. James loved it when she messed with it, and she knew.

"Oh, please," he said, steering her into the Hall. Remus, Sirius, Peter, Frank, and Alice were all waiting for them.

"How did you guys know we were coming?" Lily asked. Alice and Frank shrugged, and James's friends looked at each other. James smiled. They really did use that.

"Sirius knew." Frank was puzzled, and Lily whispered in James's ear, "Is Sirius a psychic? You're friends must really be more than they seem."

"Nah," he whispered back. "He just knows his best mate." Pulling his head up, he said, "Remus, pass the corn."

"This could be your last meal, by the way you reacted in Transfiguration," Peter joked. James laughed with the others, but inside he was screaming. He was nervous. The beaters were twice his size, and they could hit a two inch bullseye. Not only that, but his broom had acted up in the last practice. Suddenly, the food didn't look so good. James dropped his fork on his plate.

"James, are you okay?" Lily asked. She had taken coversation as an opportunity to steal her bag back, and she was now looking up with her green eyes, reading his thoughts.

"Fine," he lied. "I just...saw a fly...in the pudding." James put on a brave face, picking up his fork and forcing the food, not caring what it was, on his plate into his mouth. James noticed the Marauders had stopped their comments.

"You never know what can get into the food when Sirius is at the table," Alice said, lightening the mood. James laughed half-heartedly, trying to make himself believable.

"Oh, damn!" Lily said suddenly. "I forgot my text book in Retop's!" Everyone stared at her. Lily had rarely sworn.

"I'll get it," James offered, wanting to escape.

"I'll come with you," Lily said. "I'm finished anyway. We'll see you at the game." She nodded to her friends, as did James, and they left the Great Hall.

"She might still be there," James told Lily, but she grabbed his arm and steered him toward Head Tower.

"The book is right here," she said, tapping her bag.

"But..."

"You were going to pass out if we stayed in there much longer."

"Lily, I can--"

"James Potter, listen to me." She had raised her voice now, but she was not shouting. "You are going to win that game tomorrow, and you are going to be happy. Okay?"

"Yes, ma'am," he muttered.

"Good," she said. "Now, James, get to bed."

"Lily..."

"Whaaaaaaa?"

"Do you want to sleep with me tonight?"
"JAMES!!" He pressed a finger to his lips, hoping they weren't going to cause another scene. "You haven't even won yet."

"Not like that!" James whispered loudly. "I just meant, share my bed. It'll calm my nerves a lot."

"James..." she said sternly.

"Lily, if you don't want to--"

"If it will make Gryffindor win," she sighed. "I will."

"Gryffindor wins, 500 to 30!" the announcer screamed. The team flew down to Professor Dumbledore, accepting the trophy. James held it high, kissing it. Lily screamed and jumped up and down with Alice. They had won.

That night, James brushed his teeth and washed himself clean. It was normal routine, until he walked into his room and found Lily already in his bed.

"Lils?" he asked, sitting on the bed beside her.

"I told you, yesterday, you hadn't won yet."

"What's gotten into you?" he asked.

"Victory."

A/N: That last scene wasn't going to happen, but my cousin suggested it and it fit in. The next chapter is the last. :( its sad but my next two stories are going to be good so stay tuned!!