Chapter 19: Fondue With A Kiss

Yay!! My quickest update ever!! Hope this all made your Thanksgiving Day!! Again, I never planned to have this chapter, but it was very fun to write and is one of my favorites so far. Enjoy!!

As soon as McGonagall dismissed the class, James leapt out of his seat and dashed out the door towards the Hospital Wing to see Lily before potions started. He only had five minutes, but it was better than nothing. Students jumped out of his way and glared at him as he sped through the halls, zooming around corners until he finally reached the Hospital Wing. Slowing down, James opened the door none too quietly, and walked into the room, breathing hard.

"Mr. Potter!" Madam Pomfrey yelled, standing up from beside a bed occupied by a tired looking red head. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I came to see Lily," James said, dropping his book bag by the door. He could have sworn a small smile tugged at Madam Pomfrey's lips, but it was quickly replaced by a frown.

"You have three minutes," she said, glaring at him before walking out of the room. James quickly strode to Lily's bedside, knelt down beside it, and took her hand in his.

"How're you feeling?" he asked.

"Fine," Lily replied. "I'll be out of here around dinner time."

"You're becoming quite a regular in here." Lily laughed.

"Sort of like you with detention… Madam Pomfrey always keeps a spot prepared for me. Have I missed much?" James grinned.

"I knew you'd ask that. I considered on my way here what to tell you. Whether to tell you the teachers all had a freak change of mind and our NEWTs are coming up five months early, or whether to tell you that we don't have much… you'll be able to make it up." Lily breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good," she said. "I can't stand being in here doing nothing knowing I could be out there learning and studying."

"Most people can't, Lily. Don't worry, you're not alone." Lily stuck her tongue out at him.

"Why'd you come anyways?" she asked.

"To see you," James replied.

"No, to the lake. Last night. Why'd you come?"

"What're you talking about?" James asked. "I went to bed at 10:00 last night and didn't get out of bed until 6… I didn't go to any lake."

"James…"

"No really, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"James Potter, you-"

"Fifteen seconds!" Madam Pomfrey cried from her office.

"I'd better go," James said, standing up, his knees cracking. Lily reached for his hand.

"James, just please tell me why you came." James leaned down and kissed her gently.

"Because I love you Lily Evans." He turned around then, picked up his bag by the door, and strode out of the Hospital Wing, leaving a very confused, but nonetheless happy, girl in his wake.

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"LILY!!!!" Laughing, Lily welcomed Olivia as she flung herself into her arms, screeching her name. "You're back! You're finally back!"

"Yes, Olivia I'm back… after only a day." Olivia smiled.

"Doesn't matter! You're back!" She grabbed her arm and led her over to the Gryffindor table. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Lily replied, swinging her legs over the bench and taking a seat across from her friend. She took a scone from a platter and buttered it, biting off part of the delicious sensation and letting it slide down her throat.

"So… what's up with you and James?" Olivia asked eagerly, never failing to jump right to the point.

"I'm not entirely sure. He's the one who rescued me from the lake last night."

"Figures," Olivia said, taking a bite of her apple.

"And he came to visit me today in the Hospital Wing and he kissed me when he left."

"Cuuuuteee," Olivia crooned, grinning. "So, you two back together?"

"I guess…" Lily replied, glancing down the table where he sat with his fellow Marauders, their heads bent low over a piece of parchment. "I'm not sure.
"Well, figure it out," Olivia said. "Because the whole school's confused as to what your status is." Lily grinned.

"Hopefully they won't have to be confused for long. I'm gonna ask him about it tonight."

"I'll try and clear out the common room for you, in case things get a little… heated." Olivia raised her eyebrows suggestively. Lily sighed.

"Did you pick up all my homework?"

"Of course I did," Olivia said. She reached under the table and pulled out Lily's book bag. "It's all right here."

"James said we didn't have much…" Lily said, taking it and going through the many papers.

"Half of it's mine," Olivia replied, "I didn't want to go around carrying two bags and looking like a dork." Lily breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank God."

"You don't really miss much in a day," Olivia said. "But just think what you'd have missed if James hadn't saved you." Lily glanced yet again down the table at the Marauders who were still bent over the piece of parchment, silly grins on their faces.

"Yes," Lily agreed. "Just think what would've happened." Lily shuddered as memories of the cold water tugging at her came rushing back. Standing up, she grabbed her book bag and turned to head out of the Great Hall.

"Where're you going?" Olivia asked, startled.

"Olivia, I just missed a day of school. Where do you think I'm going?" Lily asked.

"Library?" Lily nodded. "Then give me my papers… or would you like to my homework for me?"

"No thanks," Lily replied, reaching into her bag. They divvied up their school work and Lily headed out of the Great Hall towards the library for some peace and quiet.

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Head bent over her History of Magic book and her hand moving furiously across the parchment, Lily never noticed James when he sat down across from her a few hours later. She continued to study away, oblivious to the person scrutinizing her closely and smiling all the while. Finally, after completing her painstakingly boring assignment, Lily leaned back in her chair and looked up.

"James!" she said, surprised. "How long have you been here?"

"Not long. Around 15 minutes or so," James replied.

"Really?" Lily asked, astounded. "Wow." She laughed nervously. "Guess I was pretty into it."

"Yes you were," James agreed. "It was fun watching you." Lily blushed slightly.

"What do you want?"

"I wanted to see you… and to take you somewhere exciting."

"I've had enough adventures with you James Potter… I'd rather stay in the castle."

"It's in the castle. Don't worry, nothing will happen to you." Lily was doubtful.

"I really don't want to go to the Hospital Wing, James…"

"Lily, don't worry. Just come with me. And besides, Madam Pomfrey has a spot all ready for you. You said so yourself." James raised his eyebrows while Lily narrowed hers.

"Fine. But it's your fault if I get hurt in any way, shape, or form."

"Of course," James agreed. Still a bit wary, but curious nonetheless, Lily gathered up her school books and followed James out of the library. They climbed up three flights of stairs to the 7th floor of the castle. Lily tried to think what exciting things were on the 7th floor.

"Are we going to the common room?" Lily asked.

"Nope," James said, stopping outside a painting of Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach trolls to dance. "Just wait a sec." He paced back in forth in front of the paint for about 30 seconds when suddenly a door appeared in the blank expanse of wall.

"Exciting, isn't it?" James asked. "After you, milady." Amazed, Lily opened the door and walked into a room she'd never seen before. It was dimly light with candles with a fire roaring in a stone grate. There was a table set for two with a bowl of steaming chocolate surrounded by arrays of fruit: pineapples, apples, strawberries, and bananas in the middle.

"Fondue!" Lily breathed excitedly. "My favorite!"

"I know," James said, pulling out a chair and gesturing for her to sit. Lily did so and eagerly pulled herself up to the table. She splayed her napkin on her lap and inhaled the sweet aroma of the food.

"What is this place?" Lily asked, looking around the room, taking it in for future reference.

"It's called the Room of Requirement," James replied, sitting down as well. "The House Elves call it the Come and Go Room. Either way, it's a room that will give you exactly what you need whenever you need it. All you have to do is think about what you want and pace outside the portrait. Then, voila! You get what you asked for."

"And what did you ask for?" Lily asked, watching as James stirred the chocolate.

"A romantic place to eat Lily's favorite food," he replied, grinning.

"So simple, yet so elegant," Lily said, spearing a banana on the end of her fork.

"I've never had fondue before," James admitted. "But I knew you liked it so I figured I would too."

"You will," Lily assured, dipping the banana in the chocolate and swirling it around. She lifted it out of the bowl, twirled the fork around so the chocolate dripped off, and held it out to James. He leaned forward and ate the offered food. Lily watched his eyes widen as he chewed and finally swallowed.

"It's very good… the chocolate tastes different." Lily nodded, spearing a strawberry.

"There's a little bit of liquor mixed in as well," she said, dipping the strawberry in the strong concoction. "It's sort of an acquired taste… you get used to it."

"So you can get drunk eating this stuff?" James asked, dipping a pineapple into it. Lily smiled.

"No, although there's only so much you can eat before you feel sick." She popped the strawberry into her mouth and smiled as it melted slowly down her throat. They ate in silence for awhile, each enjoying the other's company. Soft music began to play… a slow sensual jazz tune. The fire threw shadows across the room, and they slowly danced to the beat of the music, albeit a bit quicker. Lily stared across the table at James, admiring the sharpness of his features, the broadness of his shoulders and toned upper body, the gentle slope of his back, and his dark hazel eyes behind his glasses, which reflected the fondue bowl in front of him. He leaned back and sighed contentedly.

"I'm done… I can't eat anymore. It was good though… very good." Lily smiled.

"I'm done too," she said. "My stomach can't expand anymore."

"Care to dance then?" James asked, standing up and offering his hand. Lily accepted it and stood up as well. James drew her away from the table towards the fireplace; Lily could feel the heat against her legs.

"Too hot?" he asked, sliding his arm around her waist.

"It's fine," Lily said, placing her hand on his shoulder. He embraced her other one with his as they began to dance. The slow tune changed to a faster one, and their feet began to pad quickly across the floor. He's pretty good… Lily thought as James lead the dance and kept to the beat. He spun her around and as she came back into his arms, Lily couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" James asked.

"Nothing really," Lily said, smiling, "you're just a very good dancer… where'd you learn?" James grinned.

"Sirius and I taught ourselves during the summer before 4th year. I found tapes in my living room on how to dance, and so we thought we'd give it a shot."

"Really now?" Lily asked. "Why'd you want to learn?"

"To impress the ladies of course," James replied, spinning her around again. Lily laughed and shook her head.

"You, James Potter, have got to be one of the most vain people I've ever met."

"But that's what makes me so irresistible, right?" He smiled his roguish smile. You're quite right… Lily thought, not really wanting to answer his question.

"So, have you finished all your homework?" he asked.

"Most of it," Lily replied. "I still have to finish my Transfiguration essay, but that's it."

"I could help you… if you needed it," he said, adding the last part hastily. Lily smiled.

"I think I'll be okay on this one… but I might have to take you up on that offer some other time."

"Wow. Lily Evans getting help with her homework. What an oxymoron."

"James…"

"I'm just kidding, darling," James responded, spinning her around again. She admired his cheekiness, but didn't say anything as his arm wrapped around her again.

"Whoa. You're not mad at me!" Lily smiled.

"No, darling, I'm not." The music ended and a slower piece began to play. James drew Lily closer and wrapped both of his arms around her, allowing her to place both her hands on his shoulders. This put their faces so close together that Lily could see herself reflected in James' black rimmed glasses. Her heart beating madly, Lily turned her head to the side to look over his shoulder. Their cheeks brushed and Lily could feel the hairs on his smooth skin rub against hers, making them stand on end. The shuffled across the floor, both concentrating on the feeling of the other's body pressed against their own.

"Lily?" James asked, his breath tickling her neck.

"Mmm?"

"May I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Do you love me?" Lily wasn't expecting that. Frowning, she thought that James sounded like just another teenager with low self esteem. But then she thought about all that she'd been through… all that they'd been through in the past few weeks, and it made total sense to her. Why would he waste his time with a girl who didn't love him back? He loved her, she knew that. He'd gone to his limits to earn her respect and trust. And now all he needed was her love.

Turning her head so that she faced him again, Lily raised her hand and rested it on his cheek. Slowly, she moved it around his face, tracing the bridge and slope of his nose, the rise of his cheekbones, the shape of his lips. Peering intently into his eyes, Lily saw the brutal rawness that lay inside his soul. He was waiting for an answer. An answer that would heal or destroy. Whichever she chose. Dumbledore's words echoed in her ears: "It is my duty to protect you from getting hurt, Miss Evans. Inside and out. This is the best I can do." And this was the best she could do.

Her hand resting once again on his cheek, Lily leaned forward and caressed his lips gently with hers… the music slowed to a stop.

"I do love you, James," she whispered, her lips brushing against his as she spoke. The silence echoed her words. The fire snapped.

And everything was perfect.