James made a split second decision.
It wasn't really even a decision. He just…did it. Not even thinking, he just ran to the Gryffindor common room.
*****
Lily really didn't want to leave her room, but once she had on her muggle Hello Kitty pajama bottoms a purple tank top, she felt like sitting out in the common room, by the fire.
*****
James ran as quickly as he could, hoping she was in the common room and not in her dormitory, as he couldn't go into the girl's dormitory.
He ran faster than he'd ever flown on a broom, and that is definitely saying something.
*****
She sat there, staring into the fire. Sometimes she wished she could be a flame. So powerful, yet so beautiful and simple. It could help you or hurt you, both feared and loved by all.
Fire didn't have any what if's. except maybe, what if someone throws a bucket of water on me.
*****
James was out of breath when he reached the Gryffindor common room. He stood there for a moment, huffing and puffing. Then he straightened up, tried (unsuccessfully) to flatten his hair, and walked through the portrait hole to see Lily Evans sitting on a couch, staring into the fire.
*****
"Lily," he said.
"Huh?" she asked, startled. "Oh, um, hello James," she said, blushing and looking down.
"There was something I didn't get to say to you tonight," he said. "Or rather, to ask you."
"Yes?"
"Lily Evans," he said with a large bow, holding his hand out to her. "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"
She looked lost. "James, I…"
"Please?" he asked, his eyes begging her.
"Of course," she said, taking his hand.
And there they danced.
It was probably the longest dance in the history of Hogwarts, though if you asked wither of them they would tell you it was much too short.
As they danced they stared into each other's eyes. Neither smiled, and neither spoke, but neither attempted to break eye contact or move away.
They went well together. Never once did she stumble, and he didn't step on her foot. They were meant to be together.
At one point, students began to trickle in, and had they been paying attention, Lily and James would have realized that ball was over. But they were busy. Dancing.
Eventually, a small voice in both their heads told them the common room was, once again, empty. Lily smiled, and he smiled back at her.
Slowly, at the same time, they leaned forward. It seemed ages before their lips met.
When they pulled apart, Lily was looking quite smug, and James was grinning like an idiot.
"Wow," he said.
"I know," she agreed, nodding, as she sat down on the couch, pulling him down next to her.
"We should-" he began, but she cut him off.
"No, stay here," she told him. "I'm using you as a pillow."
And before she knew it, she was asleep.
And in the years to come, Lily would swear that was the best night's sleep she ever got.
*****
Wow, I was originally writing that as a one-shot where Lily and Remus went to a dance and James got mad, but as I was writing it, I really wanted to know what happened!
Please review! My summer is boring, and reviews make my day!