Chapter 15:

The news that Lily Evans and James Potter were dating had circulated the school, and for those who hadn't seen it yet, they waited patiently for their proof.

By the time Lily and James walked into the Great Hall, most of the school was already sitting down eating, including some of the professors.

Once more having to ignore the whispers, the two walked quickly down to where Remus and Alice were. Right before he sat down, James looked up and the professors and caught Professor McGonagall's eye. She smiled and nodded her head. James smiled back.

"Well Professor McGonagall approves," he said sitting down.

"Of course she does," Alice told him, "along with us, she and many others were probably waiting for this to finally happen."

"Shh okay. Anyway, where is everyone else?" Lily asked, since she knew it was because of her it had taken so long for her and James to be together.

"Um upstairs still. They were taking so long that Alice and I decided to come down without them," Remus responded.

"So Captain, you finally managed to win her over?" a voice said from behind them.

Turning, James found Christine Webb, the Gryffindor seeker, standing behind him smiling.

"Yeah I did."

Christine turned to Lily, "It wasn't enough that the whole school knew he liked you and had heard pretty much all of your fights, you should have heard him and Sirius in the change rooms and during practice. I swear it was like every sing-"

James stood quickly, covering Christine's mouth with his hand, interrupting what she was saying.

"Uh yeah just ignore her," James told Lily, who was now looking at him, her eyes wide trying to raise an eyebrow at him.

Behind James' hand, Lily could still hear Christine mumbling.

It was at that moment that James yelped pulling his hand away from Christine and wiping it against his pants.

"Seriously did you have to lick me?" he asked her.

While Lily and Remus laughed, Christine said, "Well I was telling you I was going to do that or bite you, but you weren't listening to me."

"Shut up Christine," James said as he tried glaring at her but couldn't help but laugh.

Christine laughed too.

"See you later captain, I have to go answer all my friends questions now. Probably all about you two," she said nodding her head in the direction of all her friends who were staring at them, before turning on her heels and walking away with a small wave."

"So what kind of stuff did you and Sirius talk about?" Lily asked James as soon as he sat down.

"Um, well..."

Both Lily and Remus looked at him, waiting for and answer. Remus however was trying not to laugh. His lips were tight together but the corners were lifting slightly. He knew there was no way James was getting out of this one.

"Yes?" Lily encouraged as she waited for his answer.

"So um. Well... Oh hi guys!" he said as the others all approached them.

"Hi! I'm starving!" Marlene exclaimed as she sat down, immediately piling food onto a plate.

"Where were you guys?" James asked as Sirius and Peter also joined them. As he turned his attention towards them he tried to avoid Lily's eye, he however saw her rolling her eyes.

Oh god I'm going to cop it later, he thought to himself.

~~~/~~~

The classes throughout the day passed by quickly. Charms, Ancient Runes, DADA.

The last class of the day was Transfiguration. After every class that James and Lily had together, Lily swore that the Professors were all smiling at them, happy that the two were together.

Lily, however, assumed that it was just because now they were together there would be no more screaming fights between the two or no more hexes that they would have to deal with.

It was Professor McGonagall who surprised both James and Lily the most.

Class had just finished and everyone was packing up to leave.

"Mister Potter, Miss Evans a word please," Professor McGonagall called as some of the students began walking out the door.

"Meet us in the Gryffindor common room," James told Sirius, who responded by nodding before walking out with the others.

Together the two walked up to Professor McGonagall's desk where she was sitting, head down, reading from a piece of parchment. Although they had stopped in front of her desk, she still hadn't looked up at them.

"So how are the Head duties going?" she asked them, finally looking up at them.

"Umm, good thank you," James said uncertainly.

"We have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore after dinner and so far we've kept the same duties since the start of the year. We'll change it around at the next meeting which will be soon. We've been waiting to meet with Professor Dumbledore. Plus no issues have been brought to us, yet," Lily continued.

"Sounds as if the two of you are working extremely well together," Professor McGonagall said with a knowing smile.

"Yeah we do," James said grinning as Lily bumped into his side.

"Well I'm glad you two finally found your way to each other," she said smiling at the two, "with perfect timing as well."

"Professor?" James asked, wondering what McGonagall meant.

"Let's just say a few teachers had a small wager going..." she trailed off.

"Oh no! Not you too!" Lily exclaimed as her face went bright red.

James, who was laughing, asked, "So I'm guessing you won?"

In response, he received a smile before the two were told that their friends would be waiting for them.

~~~/~~~

"So it turns out you guys aren't the only ones who had a bet on how long it would take for us to get together," James told their friends as he and Lily made it to the Gryffindor common room dafter their talk with Professor McGonagall.

"Huh, what do you mean? And what did McGonagall want?" Remus asked.

"Well, first she asked how things were going as head boy and girl. Then she commented on us bring together saying that it was perfect timing. Seems as if a bunch of teachers had a bet going as well," Lily replied.

"Oh yeah? And who won?" Marlene asked.

"McGonagall," James grinned, as the others all burst out laughing.

~~~/~~~

Up until dinner, the group had sat in front of the fire with their books in front of them. Joined by Mary and Frank, they completed whatever work they had to get done and study they had to, while at the same time enjoying being all together.

After they ate the group separated. While most of them went back to the Gryffindor tower, Lily and James had their meeting with Dumbledore.

"Caramel Toffee," James said to the statue leading to Dumbledore's office.

Together, they walked up the spiral staircase, which lead to the office door. Before holding his hand up to the door, James went to knock. However, before he even managed to start knocking on the door, from the inside both James and Lily heard, "Come in."

Smiling at one another they opened the door and walked inside.

"Hello Professor," Lily said to Dumbledore politely.

"Welcome both of you. Please take a seat," he replied as he held out his arm, indicating the two seats in front of his desk.

"How is it Professor, that you always know someone is at that door before they knock? James asked as he pulled out a seat for Lily and took his own.

"That is my secret, Mister Potter," Dumbledore said to him, the usual sparkle in his clear blue eyes present.

"Aww come on sir!" James complained.

Shaking his head exasperated, Dumbledore smiled at James, "You'll learn one day. But until then, I will always know when you have gotten up to some mischief and have been sent here."

Lily watched on the exchange in amusement. She figured that over the many years, James must have ended up in Professor Dumbledore's office many a times for all of his pranks on people. She could positively say that some of those pranks would have been played on her and Severus.

While James was thinking of a response to Dumbledore, Dumbledore decided to get the meeting started.

"So, what do we need to approach tonight in this meeting?" he pondered, "How have your meetings with the prefects been going?"

"Okay, we've had the reports from them come in. Nothing too bad has happened so far. Does help that the usual pranksters have cut back this year," Lily responded to the Professor, while looking across at James as she finished talking with the corners of her lips curling up.

"Hey!" James exclaimed as Dumbledore chuckled.

"Yes well. I must admit it is nice not having to send letters home to your parents James."

"I think they appreciate it too."

"I'm sure they would. And how are the prefects going. The patrols? Have you got them organised? Have you any ideas?"

"Prefects and the meetings have been good so far. We have a few ideas but nothing set yet. Patrols haven't changed since the beginning of the year. We were thinking of redoing them soon, but not sure. Have you any suggestions?" James asked.''

"The timing may remain the same for the time being, and I have seen the way you have organised the patrols and I agree, It is your choice whether you change it or not. The only thing I wish to suggest is maybe adding some house unity. To try and encourage it."

"We'll see what we can do sir," Lily told him

"I know you will. Now that will be all, I believe."

"Yes sir, Thank you, " both James and Lily said before standing up and leaving the office.

~~~/~~~

Unfortunately, straight after their meeting with Professor Dumbledore they had to take over for the late patrol before curfew.

They found Alice ad Remus easily, walking down one of the 6th floor hallways.

Saying both a hello and goodbye, James and Lily watched their friends walk away, heading towards the staircase for the seventh floor.

As they walked around, Lily was tired. There was little conversation and fortunately for Lily, there was no trouble.

When the hour was up, they walked back to their common room.

"So I was thinking," Lily began. She had remained standing while James had gone and sat on the couch.

"Yeah?"

"You never actually answered me this morning."

Shit. She remembered, James thought to herself.

"What are you talking about?" He asked aloud, trying to make it sound like he was confused.

"Oh I think you know. Talk at your Quidditch practices."

"Oh that."

"Yes that. Well?"

"Well what?"

"Are you going to tell me?"

"Nope."

"Okay," Lily said simply.

"Wait okay? That's all you have to say?"

"Yeah. I know you aren't going to tell me."

"Umm… Yeah… Trust me you don't want to know. Come sit down," he told her.

"No thanks, I'm really tired so I'm going to bed," she said, walking past him without stopping.

"What, no kiss? Or even a hug?" James joked.

"I don't think you deserve one," she said.

Walking across to her door before going into her room she turned around to find James watching her. She winked at him and gave him a smile.

James knew that she wasn't mad at him or anything but that smile was clear. She would get him back somehow.

~~~/~~~

Waking up early, Lily remembered she hadn't yet written to her parents since returning to see how her father was going.

Grabbing some spare parchment from her pile of books, she began writing her letter.

Mum and Dad,

How are you both? I already miss you so much.

Dad, how are you feeling? Have you heard anything new? Please remember to keep me updated!

Petunia with her wedding plans, how are they going?

I have some news. I now have a boyfriend. James Potter. You remember him right? The one you probably heard the worst about every year. Well it turns out he isn't that bad. Yes Mum I know you had one of your "feelings" when I was writing to him while I was yes you were right. I can even see that smug look from here!

I love you both lots,
Lily

Satisfied with what she wrote, Lily put some warmer clothes and slipped her shoes on.

The hallways were quiet as no one was up yet. Pulling her jacket closet, Lily made her way up the stairs to the owlery. When due walked in she noticed that she wasn't the only one there.

In the corner, feeding a few of the owls was Perrie Lynch.

"Hi Perrie," Lily said, letting the other girl know she was there.

Jumping, Perrie spun quickly at the sound of Lily's voice.

"Who the hell! Lilt don't scare my like that!" she exclaimed when she saw who it was.

Laughing at her friend's reaction, Lily said, "Sorry! I thought it would be better that way instead of coming close!"

"well yeah but still! I didn't expect anyone to be here this early."

"true. Neither did I. So how have you been?" Lily asked.

Since Lily visited her parents she hadn't really spoken to Perrie. Just the small conversations in class here and there.

"Pretty good actually. N.E.W.T's are killing me though."

"Yeah same here. I'm a bit behind after last week."

"Lily Evans behind in classes? Would have never thought that possible," Perrie joked.

"Ha ha. Well honestly I wouldn't have thought it either."

"So how is you father?" Perrie asked seriously.

When Lily returned, in one of their conversations Lily explained how she had gone home because of her dad.

"Last I heard doing okay. This letter here," she said holding up the parchment, "is another check in with them to see how everything is going."

"Ah okay. And James? Do they know yet?"

"Nope," Lily grinned, "also in this letter. The reply will be... Interesting."

"Of course it would be. Your dad will become very protective. You do realise that?"

Perrie had met Lily's parents before as she had gone to Lily's house a few times in the past summers.

"Yup. That is exactly why I told them in the letter. So I wouldn't have to see their reactions."

Perrie simply laughed.

"Also I think my mum already knows kind of," Lily continued.

"How so?" Perrie asked curious.

"Well the entire time I was at home, every day James and I wrote to one another."

"Aw you two are adorable! I always knew there was something there. Too much sexual tension," Perrie said, winking at Lily.

"Yes, well that's what everyone seems to be telling me."

"Seriously Lily. It's so true. Though I'm glad you finally came around."

"Trust me. So am I. My parents always told me I was a stubborn child."

Perrie laughed at Lily, "Yes, well we all already knew that one Lily. Well at least James is so persistent."

"True."

By this time, Lily had walked further into the owlery and called Peggie over to her. As they had spoken, Lily had attached her letter to her owl's foot and sent her on her way.

Perrie, also seemingly done in the owlery walked back to the castle along side Lily.

They spoke the entire time, laughing at catching up probably and discussing their ideas for the future and what they wanted to do after their N.E.W.T's.

Both were looking at Ministry work, but Lily told Perrie about her interest in healing and perhaps working at St. Mungo's.

When they had to go their separate ways, Perrie back to the Ravenclaw tower and Lily to her common room, the girls gave one another a hug, both deciding that they would do a weekly study session together, since they did nearly every subject together.

~~~/~~~

Entering back into her common room, Lily found James sitting on the couch reading some book.

"Hey you," he said without looking up from his book.

"Good morning to you too," she said moving closer and sitting down next to him.

"So where were you?" he asked as he put his book down.

"I was sending a letter to my parents then I ran into Perrie so we spoke for a bit."

"Ah okay."

"Yeah. So reading anything interesting?" she asked indicating the book he had just placed on the table.

"Just a transfiguration book. Definitely not as interesting as you," he told her wrapping his arms around her pulling her close to him, so that she was partially sitting on him.

"So am I forgiven now?" James asked her.

"You may be. I haven't completely decided yet."

The angle she was sitting in, was extremely uncomfortable as James has pulled her into him at an odd angle. She hadn't objected to being closer, but she wanted to be more comfortable. Wriggling herself away from James' arms, she spun her self around so that she was straddling him.

"This is better," she told him, placing her hands on his chest.

"Oh is it now?" James smirked, putting his hand on her waist.

"Yup," she told him before leaning forward putting her lips onto his.

Their lips melded together perfectly. Lily gripped his shirt, trying to pull herself closer. James responding to Lily snaked his arms around her back, pulling her as close to him as he possibly could.

Lily was enjoying it, loved the feeling on his lips on hers. All she wanted to do was move as close as she could to him. But there was a time little nagging voice in the back of her head.

She pulled back, and the two locked eyes.

"Are you...?" James was cut off. He was going to ask if she was okay, but her lips touched to his and he was silent immediately.

"I'm more than okay," she whispered as their lips still touched one another.

Her voice, right near him, sent shivers down his back and he smiled.

Kissing him again she said, "You know we should probably go."

It was now James' turn to kiss her, "We have time," he responded.

"Breakfast."

"Time."

Between what they were saying, they continued to kiss one another. That was until Lily's stomach began to rumble. Pulling back, James laughed, while Lily looked down at herself.

"Bad timing," she grumbled to herself.

"Weren't you the one who just said we should go?"

"Yes. But that's not the point!"

"Come on. Up you get," James said, encouraging her to stand.

When they stood, they didn't move far from the couch. James grabbed Lily around her waist, and started kissing her again.

He pulled back, their foreheads leaning against each other.

"You do realise, we aren't getting anywhere right now?" Lily said softly.

"Yeah, but so much better this way."

It was at that moment, Lily's stomach rumbled again.

"Okay, okay, let's go get you food."

Letting Lily go get into her uniform instead of the casual clothes she had thrown on earlier.

"Alright let's go," James said as Lily walked out of her room.

Hello again my lovelies.

I apologise, for taking (once more) longer than usual to update. I had a complete mind blank for the chapter. Got halfway through, got stuck, wrote the end, then had to come back. Probably not the best plan, but hey, it works.

I would just like to give you all a heads up. The story has a long way to go, and I have got up to chapter 19 planned out. Once I publish chapter 19, I will be going on a Haitus. PLEASE DON'T HATE ME! I will have absolutely no time to write due to studies and exams. But after November is over. I WILL be continuing. But there is still plenty of time until then. So please don't fret.

Also, thank you to everyone who has reviewed! I love you all so much!

Enjoy this chapter, and let me know what you think :)

-Black lightning runes xx