DISCLAIMER: I'm not going to say anything cute. HP isn't mine.

Previously:

"You will need an escort. You can't handle Kings Cross let along the city of London by yourself."

James walked in.

Poppy, I would be delighted to Escort Miss Evans to London tomorrow," James said, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "The train leaves at 11:00 at Hogsmede Station. I'll meet you in the entrance hall at 10:30 so I can escort you out of the castle."

AVAVAV

"If I can be of any help whatsoever, owl me, or apperate to my house. Really, I mean it. Even if you want to talk, or anything" James said to Lily firmly, looking her straight in the eye. He grabbed her shoulder before turning to leave; ignoring the sensation running up his arm.

Chapter Eight of Hidden

Later that night, Lily was sitting by her mother's bed, telling her about her semester. The medicine had worn off, but Lily decided to wait After Lily had finished telling her about Peeves, Veronica spoke.

"Lily, that was the boy that rescued you from him, right?"

"Yes mum"

There was silence.

"He was very cute. Nice eyes. And body--"

"Mum!"

"Just saying. And the way he looked at you, he really seemed… genuine, and concerned."

Lily turned towards the window and sighed.

"Well dear, it would be nice to know that you had someone in this world after I'm gone."

"Mum, don't say that. And besides, I have plenty of friends- Renee and the girls. Once they graduate from Beauxbattons and I from Hogwarts we are going to all live in London. Paris is too filled with Death Eaters."

"I don't want you to end up lonely." Veronica said, laying back on her pillow. Her daughter had always been very independent, but now she wasn't sure that was such a good thing.

James couldn't sleep. He still had this enormous feeling of guilt, which was now accompanied by a draw to Lily. She was different from girls he had dated in the past. She had the weight of the world on her shoulders, and she didn't complain. She didn't care what other people thought, and didn't mind being on her own.

Lily was sitting by the fire in her living room, thinking. She was slightly embarrassed and horrified at the fact that she couldn't remember what she said or did today. James was more mature than she gave him credit for, and like her mother said… he seemed genuinely concerned. This was such a switch from the one-month-ago James Potter, who pranked her every chance he got. She missed the old Potter, because she had no idea what to do or make of the new James. Below her layers of bravery and secrecy, she felt something for him. She pushed her feelings aside and got to her feet to climb the stairs and go to bed. As she walked, she felt the nauseating pain in her legs. Painkillers before bed, she thought.

The Evans' house was small- with only two bedrooms. Her mother's bedroom was on the bottom floor, while hers was on the second floor, at the end of a dark, wooden hallway. No one besides her seldom went up there, especially in her mother's sickness. Lily's pale feet collected dust as she walked.

Her long fingures pulled open the door, and Lily let out a small gasp. In the small, dark room, there was a figure infront of the window, sitting on the floor. She reached for her wand, when a voice came from the corner.

"Lily it's me"

"…. James? Why are you here?"

Lily backed to sit on the floor infront of him. Was something wrong?

"Is it okay that I'm here?"

"It's a little unexpected, I must say, but it's alright."

"All of those times we pranked you and teased you.. we had no idea. We were insecure and stupid and bored. I would never want to hurt you, we just thought you thought you were better, and you were beating me in all of our classes. But I see that I'm wrong now, and, well, I'm sorry."

Lily was silent, but ran a hand through her red hair.

"And you don't have to forgive me, I mean, I wouldn't forgive me, but I really wish you would try-"

"You made my life hell at Hogwarts. All of those cuts and bruises from the summer, they would reopen and sting, or bleed. And I didn't get why you did it, I mean, what had I done to you? I hadn't said a word," Lily said, looking down at her hands.

"I couldn't understand you- I mean, you were gorgeous and bloody brilliant and it just seemed like you were apart of another world…"

Belittled by his last comment, she looked up. Their eyes locked, and Lily knew she would forgive him. Yes, she knew she would. The feelings that she had suppressed earlier were spiking. He reached out and stroked her arms, trying to comfort her. Lily had never felt anything like this. It wasn't that it was the happiest moment of her life, just the most powerful. It was as though a cosmic force centered in their eyes was pulling them closer and closer. She knew it wasn't just her, James was falling in towards her, his hands around her arms, sliding lower towards her waist, resting softly on her hips.

Her breathing hitched, as did James'. She could feel her face heating up, and tried to shy away, but she couldn't. That strange feeling was bottling up inside her stomach, keeping her fully attached to James. Lily slid her hands up his back and rested them on his neck. She didn't want to, but her mind was making her look into his eyes.

They both knew what was coming. Neither one knew why or how, but it was obvious that they were going to kiss. James' eyes were reassuring. He bent his head down closer to her and she closed her eyes once he was only centimeters away from her.

Finally. Their lips met. Lily's breathing calmed and she felt herself lean into James. Nothing, not even air, could fit between them. There was more heat in the kiss then Lily could have ever imagined. She was relieved- it seemed that her feelings were mutual. As she tried to move closer to James, she felt his tongue slide over lips, trying desperately to feel her own. She opened her mouth and let the kiss deepen. They were both totally consumed with one another.

Soon enough, Lily and James were moving as one, lips locking to each other, hands grabbing desperately at whatever they could reach. Lily felt like her mind had exploded into pure bliss, and just as she was beginning to feel the entire rhythm of it, James pulled away.

Lily looked ashamed. She had put herself completely out there and had been kissing James. Kissing James. "Remember what happened the last time you loved someone?" her conscience said, nagging. She couldn't let him get close. And he had pulled away…

"Go. Please."

"But, Lily, I-" James had broken off the kiss because he wanted to talk, not because he didn't want to continue… He definitely wanted to continue.

"No. Go."

Lily looked down, careful to avoid his eyes.

Soorrry I haven't updated in forever. I was out of town, and kind of at a crossroads with the plot. Thank you to all of my wonderful reviewers from last chapter! Do it again and I might update soon! Chapter 9 is almost ready…