Rana laughed as James dragged her along. "James? James? Where are we going?"

"You'll see, Rani," he smiled, sighing at the way her eyes sparkled in laughter. He squeezed her hand and pulled her along. They stepped out onto the grounds, past Hagrid's hut, past the greenhouses, and towards the Quidditch Pitch.

Rana smiled. "Quidditch!"

James laughed. "Not this time, you lovely Quidditch nut!"

"Oh, said Rana, placing a fake pout on her face.

James placed a hand on her cheek, sighing. That pout made him want to kiss her lips. "Hey, now! Why are you pouting? I have something else planned first." He smiled.

Rana quirked an eyebrow. "What do you have planned, James?" She laughed.

"It's a surprise!" James said, winking. "Wait here." He ran off towards the broom shed.

Rana raised an eyebrow when he ran off to the shed, but smiled. The September wind was blowing her hair gently as rays of sunshine peeked from beneath the few clouds. She always liked times spent with James. Sure, she loved the time with her Ravenclaw friends they could be rather goofy too. However, the time she spent with James was different. Maybe it was the fact she'd been friends with him before Hogwarts, or the fact he understood her like no other, but she enjoyed the time with him.

She smiled, laughing, when James came back with his broom. Both she and James had Comet 360s. James's name was scrawled messily at the end of his broom. He mounted. "Alright, hop on."

"Where are we going?" Rana asked as she climbed behind him.

James sighed. "You'll see when we get there." He turned around, lifted Rana easily up, and placed her in front of him.

"James," she laughed.

James smirked. "I want you in front this time."

Rana rolled her eyes, laughing. "Ooookay…" She looked at him oddly. James moved his hands so they were at the edge of the broom, his arms wrapped around her waist. Slowly, he pushed his broom into the air.

James smiled down at Rana. He knew how much she adored flying on a broom. He gently pulled her back against him. Rana squealed in delight as James made circles in the air.

James laughed at Rana's joyful laughter. He loved the sound of her laugh. He moved her hands to the front of the broom and held her close. Rana smiled and flew in figure eights for a few minutes. James kissed the top of her head, enjoying the broom ride. They often flew together, both having a love for the feeling of flying through the air.

"Okay, Rani. I want to take you someplace before it's too late."

Rana blushed, forgetting about the time. "Okay."

James smiled and placed his hand on hers, flying towards the owlery.

Rana looked at him oddly. "The owlery, James?" She laughed. "You wanted to take me to the owlery?" Of course with James, nothing was normal. He was full of surprises.

James laughed. "Just wait till we get there, cutie." He kissed her cheek before flying through the window of the owlery. Shashi hooted as they flew past.

Rana laughed, allowing Shashi to nip her affectionately, looking at James oddly when he stopped in front of a wall at the other end of the owlery. "James?"

"Shhh." James put a finger to his lips before pulling out his wand and tapping it three times. Rana's eyes widened in surprise as the wall made a rumbling sound and moved to the side, revealing a passageway. James smiled at her look of wonder. "Come on," he smiled, turning the broom a bit.

Rana giggled as James shot forward through the passageway and gasped as it closed behind them. "James? How will we get out again?"

James laughed. "Same way we got in, of course." He smiled and steered the broom as they flew up a narrow ramp and soon were near a set of stairs. He landed and helped Rana off the broom and took her hand. "Come, Rani." He led her up the secret staircase and pushed open a door. Rana gasped as they exited the staircase. They were on the roof of the West Tower. It was a very tall tower, overlooking the lake. Rana felt as if they were up above the clouds. She stared down. The lake was shimmering brightly and the greenery was mesmerizing. She could make out tiny spots, moving about, likely other Hogwarts students. It was amazing how high up they were.

She looked around in amazement. James extended the ledge a bit with his wand so that they could sit comfortably. Hethen helped her sit before taking a seat next to her. They sat at the very edge of the ledge with their feet hanging off. Rana slowly swung her feet back and forth, just taking in the scenery. It really was lovely as the sun glimmered into the lake, forming various bright colors flowing in every direction.

"James, this is amazing." Rana smiled.

James grinned, happy that he could make Rana smile. "I'm glad you think so. No one knows how to get here. I thought we could talk…without having to deal with Sirius."

Rana smiled at her best friend. "The view is wonderful. It must be lovely at night and I love talking with you."

James smiled warmly. "I can bring you here some night…if you wish," he whispered.

Rana beamed. "I'd like that." She lay her head on his shoulder, comfortably as they looked out over the lake. James sighed, wrapping an arm around her, just happy to be so close to her.

"James?" Rana asked quietly.

"Yes, Rana?" James asked softly.

"We'll always be friends, no matter what, right?"

"No matter what," he smiled.

"James?" Rana asked again in a soft voice.

"Hmmm?"

"What's your biggest fear?"

James looked at her in curiosity. "My biggest what?" he asked, wanting to make sure he had heard her correctly. James had no idea where that question had come from.

"Your biggest fear. What are you the most scared of in the world?"

James thought for a moment. He feared losing Rana. He feared telling her how he felt. Still, he couldn't tell her that and was that really his biggest fear? In a way, it was, but not quite.

He looked at Rana. "Being alone," he said quietly. "Being all alone…no friends, no family, no one to spend time with…being completely alone."

Rana looked at him, eyes shining. "You'll never be alone. James…because I'm always going to be your best friend, no matter what…" she whispered.

"Good! Then I have nothing to worry about." He grinned boyishly at her before scratching his chin in curiosity. "Now I've told you one thing no one, not even Sirius, knows about. What are you scared of, my little Rani?"

Rana thought for a bit. She was scared of a lot of things. Rana was far from brave, but what did she fear the most? "I'm…scared of losing everyone I love and care for…no one being around to love me or protect me..." She bit her lip and continued. "I'm scared of failure and I'm scared of not being able to play Quidditch. Besides you and my other friends and family, Quidditch is my life…"

James took Rana in his arms, looking down into her doe-like eyes. "I'll always be here to protect you and love you," he whispered. And one day more than a friend, he thought. "You'll never be alone-- I promise you that. And failure? Rana, you are intelligent. You won't fail, and I can't imagine you not playing Quidditch." He smiled at her, stroking her raven-colored hair.

"I'm going to hold you to that promise, James Potter. You will always be here with me. Twenty years from now, you'll still be here," Rana said, smiling as he stroked her hair. It reminded her of her father. He liked her hair also. She thought about his words. Could she make it in the world without quidditch? It was a safe area for her- a place where she was completely in charge.

Rana looked out over the grounds as the wind whispered through her hair almost as if calling her to play. "Want to fly?" she asked James, her eyes glinting.

James laughed. "Again?"

Rana chortled. "Yes, again."

James smiled at her. His heart stopped as he looked at the expression on her face. It brought out the dimples on her cheeks. "Sure, I'm up for it," he replied, knowing he couldn't say no to her.

Rana broke into a huge smile. "Yaaay!" She giggled and kissed him on the cheek, jumping up. Rana almost fell off the ledge in her excitement, but James easily caught her.

His breath caught in his throat as he held her close to his chest, his rapidly beating heart slowly steadying. He couldn't bear for something to happen to her. He looked down at her. She just fit so perfectly in his arms. He kissed her head. "Rani! Be careful. I couldn't bear if something happened to you."

Rana grinned goofily, but then looked at him. She nodded. "Sorry, James. I'll be more careful."

"Good," he laughed before he unwillingly broke the hug. He took her small hand and picked up his broom. "Come on. We have to get out of here first." Once his broom was hovering, he lifted her up and placed her on the broom before climbing behind her.

He wrapped his arms around her, placing his hands at the edge of the broom. "Ready?" he whispered. At Rana's nod, he took off.

Rana squealed in laughter and he flew downwards and through the narrow passageway. James came to a sudden halt and drew his wand. He silently tapped the stone bricks, muttering an incantation. The wall swung aside and James flew through the opening, the wall closing behind them.

He turned around to smile at Rana. She adored flying. It was one of her favorite things to do. James turned his broom and they flew up over the tower. He slowly flew over the grounds, just enjoying Rana's small hands around him and hearing her laugher.

"James?" Rana asked, noticing a figure on the ground.

"What is it, Rani?"

"Isn't that Remus? With Professor Dumbledore.?" She asked confused. "Why are they going to the Whomping Willow?"

James looked down, surprised himself. "You're right, Rana." He furrowed his eyebrows. "And I'm not sure…" He flew down and slowly landed. He watched amazed as Professor Dumbledore pointed the wand at the tree and it stopped flailing around. He was even more surprised when Dumbledore revealed some sort of passageway and led Remus inside.

"How'd he…" Rana trailed off.

"I'm not sure. I didn't catch it. Come on." He took Rana's hand and hurried to pull her inside, but the door closed in front of them. He frowned. "Now how did he…"

Rana bit her lip. "James, maybe we shouldn't follow Professor Dumbledore. I'm sure he has his reasons…"

James, like Rana, had a curiosity that often got him into trouble. However, for once, Rana was not letting curiosity get the better of her. James was aching to find out where Professor Dumbledore was taking Remus. He struggled to figure out how to open the door when Rana screamed.

James turned around quickly, ducking a branch. He paled, seeing a branch had grabbed Rana and was swinging her around.

"Rana!" he yelled, ducking and jumping branches.

"James!" Rana screamed.

"Uh... I'll get you down…"

James paced, thinking for a moment. He turned towards the branches, ducking before jumping on his broom, drawing his wand, and skirting past the branches. "Avifors!" he yelled, pointing his wand at loose branches. Thousands of birds came soaring at the tree. The branches of the Whomping Willow started to attack the birds, which gave James just enough time to fly at Rana. He hovered just out of reach of the branches.

"I got you Rana," he yelled when she screamed again. In one quick motion, and using all his strength, he grabbed Rana around the waist and pulled her out of the branches' strong grip. He placed her in front of him, holding her close, as he zoomed quickly away before the branches could attack since the Avifors spell had now worn off.

James slowly landed when they were well away from that monstrous tree. Rana had tears rolling down her face, He held her closely, gently rubbing her back. "Shhh, Rani. It's okay. You're okay now, you're okay…"

Rana just continued to cry. He slowly lifted her up and Rana let out a cry of pain. He grew worried. "Rani, my sweet Rani, what's wrong? Where do you hurt?" Rana just shook her head, not responding.

James sighed, studying her. He lifted up her face, tracing over a cut on her right cheek and near her left eye. He frowned as he moved his hand to her head. Rana let out a cry. Her arm looked broken as well. "Oh, Rani… I'm sorry." He kissed her cheek. "We need to get you to the hospital wing."

Rana shook her head.

James sighed. "No arguing. You need medical attention." He ever so carefully lifted her in his arms, a tear rolling down his cheek at Rana's cry of pain, and carefully made his way to the hospital wing. His revenge on certain Slytherins would have to wait. Rana was what was important.

James pushed open the doors to the hospital wing. "Madame Pomfrey!" he cried out, desperately.

Madame Pomfrey hurried out of her office. "Mister Potter! What…" Her voice trailed off. "Quickly, put her on the bed. What happened?"

"The tree…it attacked her!" James replied, breathing heavily from the run up the stairs.

Madame Pomfrey narrowed her eyes. "What tree, Mister Potter?" she asked suspiciously as she began to examine Rana.

"The um... Whomping Willow?"

"What in Merlin's name were you doing there? You could have been killed!"

James had the decency to look guilty. "Well, we were just flying and saw Professor Dumbledore and Remus there. The tree wasn't moving and I was curious. I didn't think…" He bit his lip. "Please help her," he begged.

Madame Pomfrey sighed. "One day your curiosity is going to get the both of you in serious trouble!" She rubbed her head. "She'll be fine, Mister Potter. She's got a mild concussion, broken bone, and is in shock. Nothing that can't be healed here…"

James nodded and sunk down in the seat next to Rana, letting out a sigh of relief. He took her hand. "You'll be okay," he whispered when Rana let out a cry of pain.

Madame Pomfrey came around to examine her. She placed a tube of healing salve and a blue potion on the table next to her. James furrowed his eyebrows as Madame Pomfrey put some salve on Rana's cuts.

"What does that do?" James asked, biting his lip.

Madame Pomfrey gave a small smile as she worked. "It will help seal the cuts and keep infection out, and, if she is lucky, prevent scarring."

James mutely nodded, watching Madame Pomfrey. "I'm so sorry, Rani. Forgive me. If anything happens to you…"

"James?" Rana said weakly before blacking out.

"Rana!" James yelled.

"Shh. Calm down, Mister Potter. It is better this way. I can better help her and she'll be in less pain. It is a normal reaction. Her concussion is minor."

Tears built in James's eyes, and he held onto Rana's hand tightly. Madame Pomfrey slowly opened the bottle and opened Rana's mouth before administering the potion.

James bit his lip." What's that for?"

Madame Pomfrey let out a gentle smile. "That, Mister Potter, is a very strong strength replenishing potion mixed with a blood replenishing potion. She'll be out for the rest of the day, but should be fine by morning. You can go. She's fine now."

James rapidly shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here," he said stubbornly, refusing to release Rana's hand.

Madame Pomfrey sighed. She knew when James made his mind up about something, especially when it came to Rana, there was no swaying him. "Fine, Mister Potter, but at least eat something. It's dinnertime."

"I won't leave for a moment!"

Madame Pomfrey sighed once again, giving up. "I'll bring you something." She quickly left the room.

James watched as Madame Pomfrey left the room before turning back to Rana. He slid the covers up to her chin and kissed her lips gently. He sighed. "If only I could kiss you when you were awake…" he whispered. He brushed some hair from her eyes. "I'm sorry this happened to you. Forgive me…"

James quickly, yet hesitantly, pulled away, hearing footsteps. "James, mate!" Sirius yelled jovially as he ran into the hospital wing. "I have been looking all over for you!"

James glared. "Will you keep it down? Rani is sleeping!"

"She's always sleeping," Sirius complained. "It seems to be all she does!"

"She does not! And it's not her fault she's under a sleeping potion right now! Even if she wasn't, there's nothing wrong with that! She deserves her rest!" James glowered.

"Calm down, James! I just came to see you. She's sleeping anyway." He sighed, slightly irritated. Come on back to the dorm."

"Well, you're being too noisy and no, I'm staying right here. It's my fault she's here and I won't leave her side!" he said adamantly.

"Awww, come on James. She's fine here. We can play a game of Wizard's Chess." Sirius smirked. He knew James loved that game.

James crossed his arms. As much as he loved Wizard's Chess, he cared about Rana more. "I said I refuse to leave her side! What if she wakes up scared? Or what if Slytherins show up? Go ask Peter to play with you. I'm not leaving her side, and that's final!" He glared at Sirius, signifying that this conversation was closed.

Sirius shot James a look of hurt. Without a word, he quickly left the hospital wing. Rana and James weren't even dating, yet it seemed Rana was more important. She was sleeping. He didn't understand why he and James couldn't spend that time together. With a heavy heart, he muttered the password and stepped into the Common Room before storming up to the dorms.

James watched him go, not even noticing the hurt expression on Sirius's face. He touched Rana's cheek and yawned. It had been a very tiring day. He looked up when Madame Pomfrey returned with a plate of food. He sighed. "I'm not hungry."

Madame Pomfrey stared at him. "You need to eat, Mr. Potter. You need your strength. I will not have another student fall ill."

"But-," James argued.

"No ifs, ands, or buts, Mister Potter! You will eat or you will leave my hospital wing!" Madame Pomfrey ordered.

James scowled, but he would do anything for Rana. "Fine!" He took the plate and started to eat. Little did he know, Madame Pomfrey had slipped a few drops of sleeping potion into the food. Within a few minutes, James started to nod off. Madame Pomfrey smiled to herself. Sleep. That was what both he and Rana needed. She took the plate and put it on a table before levitating James onto a nearby bed. She then took the plate and walked away, both James and Rana sleeping soundly. They would both sleep till morning.