Fragments Of Unconnected Conversations

A collection of Lily's and James' One-shots by MorningDawn and shyangell

Summary: Lily. The Marauders. Two separate worlds. Read trough the conversations and a bunch of funny situations as James and Lily come closer and closer.

Pairing: James/Lily

DISCLAIMER: All the fictional characters appearing in this fanfiction story are not mine, they're J.; and they are being used with the only purpose of personal entertaiment.

Dumbledore's Office

Lily stood in the middle of Dumbledore's office, fidgeting with her school robes. McGonagall called the Heads to Dumbledore's office by six o'clock. They were supposed to be discussing some issue she really couldn't for the live of her remember. It passed ten minutes from the appointed time and neither Dumbledore nor Potter where there yet. She had been waiting for already 15 minutes!

She was absurdly nervous about the whole situation right now. But the fact was that she didn't like the idea of being called to the Headmaster's office, even if it was only for a Heads meeting. She couldn't avoid subconsciously relating being there with being in deep, deep trouble; or detention, or both.

To try and unwind she started strolling around the room, walking in slow lazy circles… mostly watching with interest the weird objects and silvery gadgets decorating almost every surface of the room. She cooed to the impressive red-gold bird for a while too, a phoenix she guessed, perched close to the windows; which in turn contemplated her with interest. After a while she started trying to recognize the Headmasters in the portraits on the walls; trying to remember if and why their names were familiar… mostly from History of Magic. Some even greeted her kindly.

The third time she walked around the room, she took notice of a portrait to the left of Dumbledore's desk. He sounded vaguely familiar. It picked her attention because despite the fact that it was obviously a magic portrait, its occupant stood very still. And the man wasn't asleep. He stood hieratic and immobile, the Slytherin coloured robes. The face sounded familiar, the thin classic features did ring a bell.

Then she remembered that conversation with James… Black! That's the one he resembled. They did really look alike. She noticed the look on his face, so very alike Black used to have around her, before they decided to bury the hatchet: that smirk of self-confidence, born of a deep seated knowledge of their superior standing toward you… 1867… She continued with the silent analysis of the subject, intent on the unmoving picture.

She was so immersed in her thoughts and silent contemplation that she didn't hear someone else enter the room. James Potter sneaked on her, doing his best not to get her out of her trance. She looked so adorably beautiful when she concentrated on something. Never a furrowed brow had been so breathtaking before…

- Good afternoon Lily. - he whispered softly, close to her. She turned around quickly, surprised to hear his voice, for she hadn't heard him coming. She was even more surprised to see him standing right beside her.

- Oh! It's you. – she said trying to sound unperturbed.

- Yeah…

- I didn't hear you coming. - said the red-headed girl.

- No, no… I mean, it's my fault… I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you. - he said with an earnest smile.

- No problem. - with that the room felt into silence again. He shifted his weight from one leg to the other, his hands deep in his pockets. He was trying the imperative need of uneasiness to run his hands through his hair for he knew she hated it. She suddenly seemed very interested by her feet. He tried to start a conversation, to end the awkward silence between them:

- So… what where you where so immersed looking at?

Lily didn't have time to formulate any kind of answer. Someone else did it for her. A voice from behind startled them both; for apparently their awkward greetings had been attentively followed.

- It is rather who was she looking at. – the object of Lily's curiosity only moments before, Phineas Black, seemed to have come out of his absent state and was looking at them with a slightly impatient stance: - You should show a little more respect, young man. Specially to your elders… - he did look slightly annoyed.

- I'm really sorry Headmaster Black - said James trying to be as polite as possible. The painting had a grouchy temperament… and well, better not to poke into the eye of the proverbial sleeping dragon. - I should have seen it was you who Lily was looking at.

Headmaster Black looked content with the apology and dropped the issue.

- So, has my grand-grand-grandson finally gotten himself killed or just suddenly died and nobody told me? It has been a long time since I last saw him.

Lily did not understand, and she didn't like not understanding. On the other hand, James seemed to comprehend perfectly.

- No, Sirius is perfectly okay. But he's been given an ultimatum by Professor McGonagall. You could say he's on probation. He can't afford committing any mistake that will bring him up hear for what he has left of the year. That's the only reason why you haven't seen him.

Phineas did something that could be called a twitch of a smile.

- Always said he had it in him to behave. Seems to take pleasure out of breaking havoc, though… Well, I shall miss his visits, I am already missing them. - James smiled.

- He'll be really glad to know someone is amused by it. - Had the portrait just suggested that the boys' pranks where amusing?

- Give him my regards Mr Potter.

- I will sir, as soon as I see him.

- Good young Potter. - and with that the portrait went back to his usual activities, just enjoying the silence and staring into space.

- What was that? - asked Lily, her voice hushed and being nothing more than a whisper, trying not to get the late Headmaster's attention. James smiled broadly to her.

- I wasn't lying when I told you that I think he finds us slightly amusing. Aparentl we are good at relieving boredom. - she rolled her eyes.

- I never doubted that, having anything to do with our Black, that was just to expect. - said Lily smiling back at him. He looked at his feet and laughed. She laughed along.

Neither of them knew exactly why they where laughing, and smiling like idiots, for the line wasn't even funny, nor was intended to be.

But she had noticed she tended to laugh whenever James was around and she didn't even know why. She mentally shook her head; she was becoming one of his groupies, giggling at the mere sight of him. It was a terrifying thought.

She looked at him and their eyes meet. She shuddered. She definitely was starting to enjoy his company. He smiled. And just like that; giggling, smiling and stealing not so shy glances, was how Professor Dumbledore found them about five minutes later.

Form the experience of old age he was forced to smile indulgently; those two, where just made for each other.