That night Lily made sure that all of the girls were fast asleep before tiptoeing out of the dormitory and down to the common room to meet James. She had no idea where he was going to take her but just the thought of being surprised was thrilling. She looked around the common room and frowned when she saw that James wasn't there yet. As she stood in silence, she felt something move behind her. She turned around, heart beating fast and gasped loudly when she felt something envelope around her.

"It's only me." James whispered in her ear.

Lily nodded silently and the two of them left the common room and James began to lead them down the left corridor on the seventh floor. She looked at him quizically when they came to a stop by the portrait of Barnabus the Barmy trying to teach trolls ballet. She waited for a few moments as James concentrated really hard and she stared in amazement when a door appeared in front of them.

The quietly entered the doorway and James threw the cloak off of them before shutting the door. Lily looked around in amazement at the room, she had never set foot in this room before. There was a huge black marble fireplace crackling and spreading the warmth throughout the room. In front of the fireplace was a red fluffy rug with gold squashy cushions. Behind the cushions was a basket full of treats that the two of them would share.

She sat down on the cushions and helped herself to a flask of pumpkin juice before smiling as she felt James gently massage her shoulders. She leant her head back into him as he wrapped his arms around her and closed her eyes. She hummed happily as she listened to the fire crackle and James's light breathing, only knowing that it was just the two of them. No gossipers, no friends to interrupt them; just the two of them alone.

"You want a chocolate cauldron?" James whispered.

Lily shivered as his voice sent a tingle down her spine as she turned her head to one side to face him. His hazel eyes lit up by the firelight as he met her gaze.

"Sure." she replied quietly.

James unfolded his arms from around her and rumaged through the basket to lift out a box of chocolate cauldrons. She helped herself to one and sat to face James, smiling to see that she wasn't the only one helping herself to the goodies that James had packed for the two of them.

"James, about earlier-

He held up his hand and blushed a little in embarrassment, making her grow slightly annoyed.

"I'm sorry Lily that I went too far. Can you forgive me?"

Lily rolled her eyes, causing James's face to fall.

"Can we talk about it?"

"Please it's embarrassing as it is-

"James." Lily said sternly.

He fell silent and she smiled warmly as she began to talk.

"You don't need to apologise, I'm glad that you think of me in that way."

"You are?"

She nodded, "In that moment, I wanted you just as much."

Jame's jaw dropped and Lily flushed scarlet as she shoved another chocolate cauldron into her mouth. She wished that having this conversation would be a lot easier but due to the nature of the topic, it was going to be awkward. She swallowed the chocolate cauldron and turned her attention back to her boyfriend.

"So, you wanted to?"

Lily nodded, "In the heat of the moment I wanted to lose myself completely." she replied.

"And now?"

Lily bit her lip, "I do want to make that step with you, but our relationship has just started. Can we just let nature take it's course?" she questioned nervously.

James cupped her face and stroked her cheeks tenderly with his thumbs, loving that they could have these types of conversations with the other now.

"You mean you don't want it to be planned?" asked James.

Lily shook her head, "If we plan it down to the last detail then I'll be a nervous wreck and it probably won't happen. I'd like it if we took it slowly and pushed boundaries and discovered what was too much for us. Don't get me wrong I want my first time to be special and I'll know when I'm ready to go all the way." she replied.

"I understand Lily and I'll happily explore this slowly with you."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, but a part of her was quite fearful. Not of actually giving herself to him fully, she knew that she had never felt this way before about anyone. What she was afraid of was that James would tire of waiting like Jeremy had, she was worried that James would decide she wasn't worth the wait.

It was as if James knew her inside her, for he moved her away from him and frowned. He studied her carefully and her expression changed to worry, she was worried that she had done something to make him annoyed.

"What's the matter?" he questioned.

Lily gulped, "I'm scared."

James took her hand reassuringly before giving her a little smile.

"It's perfectly natural to feel scared Lily."

"I'm not scared about the having sex part."

"Then what are you scared of?"

She didn't answer him straight away, her attention went to the crackling fire. She was afraid that if she voiced her fears that James would grow angry. It wasn't that she didn't trust James, if she were with another boy she would have the same fears. James cupped her face with both his hands and gently forced her gaze back to him.

"Talk to me." he urged her quietly.

She exhaled heavily, "I'm just scared that if we wait for too long that you'll decide I'm not worth the wait."

James frowned, "And because that's what Jeremy did, you think I'll grow too frustrated and stray?" he questioned.

Lily nodded, "It's not just you. If I were with anyone else then I'd feel the same." she whispered.

He nodded and lightly pressed his lips to hers, she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened. She was surprised that he hadn't gotten angry with her. As she fell back onto the cushions and James wrapped his arms around her waist, she came to the conclusion that although James was still who he was(he had just toned it down a notch), she liked what she was discovering about him. She liked the sensitive, loyal side to him that she had never realised that he had.

After several minutes of kissing, James pulled away from her. He looked down at her with warm eyes and a dazzling smile as he caressed her cheek. She ran her fingers through his hair as she returned his smile; feeling like she was being silly.

"Lily Marie Evans, I've waited for you for years and not given up on you. I always knew deep down that you would give me a chance one day and now that I have that chance, do you honestly think I would decide that you weren't worth the wait? Because you bloody well are and if I'm one thing, I'm patient. I can wait another ten years if you want me too and I will admit it would be hard because I want you in every possible way. You're the most amazing girl I've ever met and I'm in this as slow or as fast as you want to go."

"James Charlus Potter, I never knew what I had been missing until now."

"I know Jeremy hurt you Lily, he turned out to be everything you thought he never was. But now he's in the past and I hope I'm your future because I know that you're mine."

With a smile and a yawn, James lay down next to her on the cushions. Wrapping his arms protectively around her, Lily took off his glasses before turning in his arms to face the fire. It was late and the two of them too tired to make the journey back to the common room. Tonight had been rather lovely and Lily felt content with the knowledge that James wasn't going anywhere. Closing her eyes and loving the feeling of James sleeping next to her, she yawned heavily and fell asleep.