Dance.

When James Potter arrived home from the Ministry of Magic, it was with slight amazement that he watched his new wife saunter past him in the tiniest black dress he had ever seen and in heels that could be used as a murder weapon.

"Lily? What are you doing?"

She turned and regarded him coolly.

"I'm going out."

"Do you really think that's a good idea, love?" James shrugged out of his heavy robe and eyed her cautiously.

"It's Alice's birthday and the girls are going dancing. I'm not going to be the one to miss it."

"Yes, but Lily I don't think-"

"No. I'm going."

James raised an eyebrow and watched as she sniffled and reached for a tissue to blow her stuffy nose. She grabbed her bag and swayed slightly so James lunged forward to catch her before she fell onto the coffee table. She looked at him sheepishly.

"Clumsy me?"

"No, Lily, you're-"

"Don't say it!" She begged him, as he righted her and sat her on the sofa. He sighed and rolled his eyes in a gesture he was very familiar with having been on the receiving end more than a few times.

"Lily you are sick." He talked over her outraged squeak. "There is nothing to be ashamed about in getting a cold but I don't think going out tonight is the best idea. Alice will understand." He said soothingly as she relaxed in his arms on the sofa.

"Just so you know; I'm not sick." James rolled his eyes again and she continued. "I'm not! I don't get sick. I'm just tired." She yawned and caught his pointed look. "Okay, okay I'm exhausted and I have this headache and I do feel a bit queasy and my throat hurts and I've got a blocked nose but really, I'm fine."

James laughed and tapped her on the nose.

"You, Lily Potter, are too damn stubborn for your own good."

"Eh, but you love me for it, right?" Lily fluttered her eyelashes at him and then groaned as this did nothing to help her headache. James stroked her hair gently and felt her shiver ever so slightly.

"Why don't you go and get in your pyjamas? Not that I'm complaining about the current outfit choice." James said with a smirk as he took in her long, exposed legs and managed a sneaky glance down the front of her dress. It was her turn to roll her eyes and he grinned at her. "Go on; I'll make some hot chocolate for you."

He untangled his limbs from hers and ambled into the kitchen where he made hot chocolate the muggle way because Lily always said she liked the taste better and she normally gave him a kiss for making the effort. Leaving the milk in the saucepan to heat up, James poked his head into the living room intending to usher his wife up the stairs considering he hadn't heard her move. However, she was sat happily in her pyjama bottoms, her dress and shoes discarded under the coffee table, as she buttoned up her pyjama top. It was his favourite pair; the blue silky ones with ducks all over them. He smiled and ducked back into the kitchen only to return several minutes later with a freshly made hot chocolate. She accepted it from him with something resembling a smile.

"Thanks, James." She sighed quietly but he managed to pick up on it and resumed stroking her hair.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing." She looked at him with those amazingly green eyes that still took his breath away and he knew she wanted to say more. He stayed silent as she tried to figure out the right wording in her mind. "It's just...with the war and everything, there aren't many chances to just be our age and have fun, you know?" He did. "I just feel that tonight might have been one of my last chances to let loose and just dance." She shrugged with a wistful sigh and leant further into the warmth of the space between his shoulder and neck. She was startled when he suddenly jumped up from the sofa and marched towards the television.

"James?"

He fiddled about with the record player atop the TV and before she could ask him what was going on, the soothing melody of 'The Way You Look Tonight' was floating through the living room. She managed to crack a smile and she put her hot chocolate on the table in front of her when he offered her his hand. She accepted it gratefully and he pulled her against his chest as his arms settled gently on her waist. Her arms wound around his neck and she smiled up at him.

"You are so cheesy."

"Eh, but you love me for it, right?" He asked with a lovesick grin.

The record played on and they revolved slowly on the spot, James' fingers rubbing the silky material of Lily's pyjamas on her back and Lily realised, as she felt her heart swell, that she'd rather be there than anywhere else and that, just maybe, having a cold wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.