XV. Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting

"Get about as oiled as a diesel train
Gonna set this dance alight"

– Elton John

"Prongs!" Peter yelled. "Over here, there's a good lad."

"It's bloody packed," James replied, looking around the crowd in the Three Broomsticks.

"Always is weekend of Halloween," Peter said, squeezing through a cluster of fourth year students. "Here, this way. We've got a table."

"Here 'e is!" Sirius said as he spotted James, standing up from his seat in a booth at the back of the pub. "Head Boy, make way, make way!"

James took a seat and took the Butterbeer Sirius shoved towards him. Aside from the Marauders, the table was a mix of sixth and seventh years – with several familiar faces from the Quidditch Pitch.

"Prongs, have you met Jones?" Sirius asked, gesturing without a hint of subtlety towards a blonde girl sitting next to Remus.

"Jones is my father, Black," she said to Sirius, then turned her attention to James. "Call me Emmy."

James made eye contact with her. She was undeniably pretty, with striking blue eyes that held more than a hint of steel.

He pushed thoughts of Lily from his mind. If Sirius wanted him to play, he could play.

"We've met," he answered, taking a swig of his drink.

"I last saw James in the Hospital Wing after he'd thoroughly embarrassed me on the Quidditch Pitch," Emmy explained to the group.

"Hardly," James demurred. "You were outstanding on the pitch that day."

"Can't say the same for my Keeper," she replied.

He grinned. "I hate to say it, but he was a bit useless."

They talked Quidditch for a bit longer, then Emmy stood as the empty pitchers of Butterbeer began to pile up.

"Who wants another?" the Ravenclaw girl asked.

Several hands went up and she counted.

"Here, I'll join you," James said.

The two Quidditch players squeezed through the crowd and lined up at the bar.

"How's your hunt for a new Seeker going?" Emmy asked.

"Poorly," James grunted in reply. "Any chance you'd like to defect to Gryffindor?"

"Maybe if you ask nicely."

"I can do more than ask nicely," he replied with a smirk. "Don't get me wrong, McKinnon is a great player but she's not a natural Seeker."

"So that's the plan?" she asked. "Play McKinnon as Seeker with Doherty and Knight as your second and third Chasers?"

"Can't be giving away trade secrets," James replied.

"I wouldn't sell you out to Slytherin," she replied. "Worthington's a right prick. Hufflepuff, on the other hand…"

"I always knew you couldn't trust a Hufflepuff," James said, with another grin.

She looked at him again, with a scrutinising expression on her features.

"Are you seeing anyone?" she asked suddenly.

"Me?" he replied. "No."

"There's something I'm curious about, Potter."

"Go on."

She leaned forward and whispered into his ear.

"Ever fucked someone in the Quidditch changing rooms?"

James watched as Emmy pulled her jeans up. He fished his crumpled shirt from the corner of the room and pulled it back over his head.

"Cigarette?" he asked, fishing a box from the pocket of his jacket.

"Thanks," Emmy replied. "But I'm trying to quit."

"You're probably right," he conceded, putting the box away. "'sides, wouldn't want Hawthorne to find it."

"Or us," she replied.

James smirked. "Surely we're not the first to shag in the changing sheds."

"Sure we won't be the last, either," Emmy replied, twisting a strand of her hair around her finger.

He nodded. A brooding shadow settled over his features, and it didn't go unnoticed by Emmy.

"It's Evans, right?"

He sighed.

"Yeah. Always is," he replied, putting a hand through his hair. "Sorry."

She shrugged.

"I wanted to shag, James. I'm not one of the girls who gets her heart broken just by watching the way you look at her."

"Is it really that bad?" James asked.

"Oh, worse," Emmy replied, teasing. "Your reputation's in tatters."

"Alright, Jones."

They left the Quidditch Pitch and began walking up to the castle.

"You know," Emmy said, "rumour has it that Benjy Fenwick was quite upset with her after their date last night."

"Oh?" James asked.

"Yeah," Emmy replied. "Benjy was complaining to his mates. Apparently she spent half their last date talking about you."

Something leapt in James' chest.

"You're kidding," he said.

Emmy shook her head.

"Course I wasn't there," she replied. "But that's what I hear."

James nodded, trying not to look too excited at this piece of news.

"And then," Emmy added, "he wanted to go to Slughorn's thing with her tonight – but she told him she couldn't go with him."

"I could kiss you," James said, a grin plastered across his features.

"Save it for Evans," Emmy replied, and then she smirked at him. "Probably unhelpful if I tell her you're a good shag, right?"

Her dress, a glossy black satin, clung to her, and her hair was done in an intricate knot. Several loose strands framed her face and she wore a striking red lipstick. A small smile graced her expression as she made her way down the stairs from her dormitory.

James couldn't tear his eyes away. Next to him, Sirius let out a low whistle.

"Reckon you're done for, mate," he muttered quietly.

James let out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding in.

"You clean up nicely, Evans," he said, stepping forward and greeting her.

She gave him a self-conscious smile.

"You would too if you could tie a bowtie properly," Lily replied, eyeing him. She reached up and adjusted his bowtie, her fingers twisting the fabric into shape.

Her closeness, her presence was intoxicating. The small frown as she concentrated. The perfume she was wearing. James's heart hammered inside his chest.

"There," she said, finishing with his bowtie. "Better"

Their eyes met. She looked up and met his gaze.

An inscrutable look played in her eyes. It was impossible for him to know what she was thinking.

"Thanks," he said softly.

"Don't mention it," she said. "Ready?"

"Yeah," he replied. "After you."

Sirius lingered as James and Lily made their way to the portrait hole.

"Has he got this?" Remus asked, watching the scene from one of the couches by the fireplace.

"No," Peter replied. "Not a chance."

"I think you meant to say, Moony, how long before he fucks this up?" Sirius replied.

"I give it an hour," Peter replied.

"I'll take that bet, Wormy," Sirius said.

"The Head Girl!" Professor Slughorn exclaimed at seeing Lily enter the party. He took her hand and guided her towards a server holding a tray of drinks. "Miss Evans, you grace us with your presence, as always."

"What am I?" James muttered, so only she could hear. "Eye candy?"

Lily tried to hide her giggle as Slughorn continued.

"…there's someone from the Minister's Office you simply must meet."

"And Mr Potter, too," Slughorn said, noticing James. "My dear boy, I hope your father is keeping out of trouble."

"I make no promises for him, Professor," James replied.

"But of course, a man in his line of work," Slughorn replied with a knowing wink. Then the Potions Master eyed the nearby tray of drinks.

"Now that you're in Seventh Year, I think something with a little kick would't hurt," he said, handing each of them a crystal flute.

"Just between us, eh?" Slughorn added with a wink. "Do enjoy the party, Miss Evans, Mr Potter. Duty calls!"

And with that he bustled back to the entrance.

"He is fond of you," James replied.

"He just doesn't know you're one of Teen Witch's most eligible bachelors," Lily said, an impish grin playing at her lips.

James shot her a look.

"How long are you going to hold onto that?"

"Oh, until you're on your deathbed."

"You'll be there?" James replied. "I'm touched."

"Don't be," she replied. "I just want to relish in my final victory over you."

"You won a long time ago, Lily Evans," James replied. He was suddenly conscious of their closeness as they stood together.

She looked up and met his gaze. That same inscrutable look. He couldn't decipher her.

To him, it looked as if she was about to say something in reply, but then she took a drink from her glass.

"Hmm," she said. "That's not half bad."

"Slughorn's champagne? It's alright," James replied.

"I suppose it's nothing on the fancy drinks that get served at Potter Manor," she said, sticking her nose in the air.

"No," he replied with mock dismissiveness. "We wouldn't feed this swill to the horses."

Lily cracked a smile and eyed his dress robes.

"How many hip flasks are you hiding under there?"

"Three, but let me tell you the last one is in a really uncomfortable–"

"Enough," Lily said, giggling. "I really don't need to know."

They made their way further into the party. Another server presented them with a tray laden with canapés and they both took something.

"I'm actually starving," Lily admitted, then looked at the morsel she'd selected. "Christ, how do you eat this with one hand?"

"Here," James said, taking her champagne flute. "Easier?"

"Much," she said, using her now-free hand and taking another bite. "How do people do this professionally?"

"Most of us have been practising since we were six," James quipped.

"Prat," she said, taking her glass back. "Let me show you how we do things in the working classes."

And with that, she knocked back the rest of her champagne.

"Catch up, Potter," she said, eyeing his own flute – still a third full.

"Catch up?" James replied. "I haven't been sober since Wednesday."

"What's special about Wednesday?"

"It's good to pace myself while I still have a functioning liver," James replied.

"Moderation is good for you," she said, grinning.

They watched as from across the room, Sirius picked up a drink from a serving platter, paused with a moment of indecision, and then picked up a second drink.

"I'm sure Black will get the message at some point," Lily added.

"You know, Sirius bought a motorcycle," James said.

"That's a terrifying thought," Lily replied.

"Why's that?" he asked.

"He'll probably try to make it fly or some–"

"Why Evans, how'd you know?" James replied.

"–and you're probably going to help him do it," she said, accusingly.

"I wouldn't dream of it," James said.

"It'd be rashly irresponsible," she added.

"Hardly the sort of behaviour I'm known for."

"Unbefitting of a Hogwarts Head Boy," Lily said.

"I always knew I wasn't cut out for the badge," James replied.

"Not to mention incredibly dangerous."

"Sirius and I have an excellent safety record."

"And it's probably illegal," Lily added.

"Oh, it's definitely illegal."

"I mean, what's the appeal?" she asked.

"A motorbike that flies," James said. "Can't imagine how that would be any fun whatsoever."

"Strikes me as being dreadfully dull."

"Sounds to me like you'd like your own helmet."

"Sounds to me like you have a death-wish," she said darkly.

"I'm going to get you on that motorbike, Lily Evans," James replied.

She looked at him, then, with that same inscrutable gaze in her brilliant emerald eyes.

"Say that again," she said.

"Say what?"

"My name," she said softly.

"Lily Evans," said James.

"Just Lily," she said.

"Lily," James replied. It felt easy. It felt right.

"Better," she replied. "James."

"Lily," he repeated.

"James," she replied.

"Lily."

"James."

"Lily," James replied, a wide grin crossing his features. "Lily, Lily, Lily."

"Enough," she said, and jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.

"Ouch."

"Harden up," she replied. "Big tough Quidditch player."

James ignored the jibe. "Here's trouble," he said, as Slughorn approached them again.

"Miss Evans, Mr Potter," he greeted them with a twinkle in his eye. "Might the Head Girl and Head Boy grace us with a dance?"

Lily froze. What was Slughorn playing at?

"Here? Now?" she asked.

"Where else, Miss Evans?" Slughorn said, chuckling.

Lily hesitated. "I'm not exactly used to dancing with an audience, Professor–"

"Relax, Evans, it's just a dance," James interrupted. "I'll even let you lead."

"You're the pureblood waltzing wonder," Lily pointed out. "You lead."

James shrugged and took her hand. Appearing a lot more confident than he felt, James led her onto the floor to a round of polite applause from Slughorn's guests. Lily felt his hand on her waist and his fingers intertwine with hers. She put her other hand on his shoulder as the band struck up a tune.

Her emerald ones locked onto his hazel ones as he began to lead her across the floor. There was a closeness between them, something that just felt comfortable. It felt as easy as their conversation. It felt right.

"Do you trust me?" he asked, his voice brushing her ear.

"Not a chance."

"'atta girl," he replied. He twirled her and then launched into a series of complex steps.

"Don't panic," he said, his voice once again in her ear. "Just hold on."

"What?" she said, "James, I swear–"

And then he twirled her across the floor once again, before placing his hand in the small of her back and leading her into a dip. His eyes never left hers.

And then it was just her, just him, in a perfect moment where nothing and no one else mattered.

And then song finished, to another round of polite applause. James took a step back and raised her hand, brushing his lips against it.

Lily studied him for a moment. "Your Mother did alright raising you, James Potter."

James grinned, then reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Across the room, Sirius looked at the two of them with a smirk on his features, and then checked his wristwatch. Peter owed him ten galleons.

"Ready?" James asked.

"Sure," Lily replied. It was much later, and Slughorn's party was slowly dying down.

"Hungry?" James asked. "Wanna hit the Kitchens?"

"Please," Lily replied. "I'm starving."

James led the way out, thanking Slughorn as they left. The walk down to the Hogwarts Kitchens passed amicably as they chatted about the party. The House Elves were only too happy to present them with plates laden with food when they arrived in the Kitchens.

"Oh god," Lily said between mouthfuls. "This is much better than Slughorn's bloody canapés."

James wiped his plate with a piece of bread and made a contented noise.

"Reckon they've got some treacle tart?" he asked, and no sooner had the words left his mouth when the dessert appeared on the table.

"Amazing," he said, digging into the tart happily. "I love the Kitchens."

"I was here with Benjy the other day," Lily said offhandedly.

"Oh," James replied. "Right." He didn't know where she was going with this conversation, but a voice in the back of his mind was warning him it was dangerous territory.

"He asked me how my NEWTs were going," Lily added, taking a piece of the treacle tart with her fork.

"Oh yeah?" James asked, wishing he knew how to respond with something more witty than what he'd just said. The voice in the back of his mind was coming up with nothing.

"It was about as exciting as the conversation got," Lily said airily, then she bit into the tart. "Oh, that is so good."

James was still trying to process Lily's words.

"So you and Fenwick…?" he left the question linger.

"Benjy's a great guy," she said simply.

"Um, sure," James replied, not meeting her eyes.

"But I don't know if we'll keep dating," she added.

This got his attention, but he resisted the urge to reply with a smart-arse remark – for only the second or third time in his life.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked quietly, disconcerted that he hadn't said anything.

You, he thought, but he didn't say it.

"Look at me, James," Lily said, with a hint of exasperation. She stood and gestured at her dress. "I wanted you to notice me."

"Trust me, I noticed the dress," said James, speaking now, and drinking in the sight of her. "I definitely noticed the dress."

He stood too, and there was a closeness between them, the same comfortable closeness he'd felt earlier in the night when they'd danced at Slughorn's party, the closeness he'd dreamed about but never thought would become a reality.

"James, I…" Lily said, her voice trailing off. There was very little space between them now, and something shone in her brilliant green eyes, something he'd…

And then something made him stop. Some hidden fear, some doubt that he was about to fall into the same trap he'd fallen into so many times before.

"Um, we should probably head back," he said lamely, taking a half-step back.

"Oh," Lily said, feeling a pit of sudden disappointment in her stomach. "Okay."

The group of five Slytherin boys stalked along the corridor, casting furtive glances about.

"When someone comes out of the Kitchens, we hit them," said Nott.

"They said it had to be a Mudblood!" said Avery.

"Quiet!" Nott hissed. "Do you want the whole castle to hear you? I already explained the plan. If we don't find a Mudblood tonight, we'll come back tomorrow."

From the cover of an alcove in the wall, they watched the entrance to the Kitchens for about fifteen minutes. Then it opened and Lily and James emerged.

"Perfect," Nott murmured. "A Mudblood and a blood traitor."

"Potter? Evans?" whispered another one of the Slytherin boys, hesitating. "Are you sure? Severus said–"

"Snape's not here, is he?" Nott said.

"Evans is Head Girl," Avery said, crouching behind the wall. "Dumbledore will be livid."

"I'll just tell them you're not serious, then," said Nott. "That you're too much of a wuss."

"Fuck you, Nott," Avery said. 'I'll get her."

He stood and closed in behind James and Lily, his wand clenched in his fist. He raised it, but just as the Stunning Spell left his wand, James threw himself to the floor, crash-tackling Lily in the process.

Avery watched as his Stunner ricocheted harmlessly off the wall of the corridor. And then James was back on his feet with his wand drawn.

"What the fuck are you playing at, Avery?" James said with a livid expression on his features. Then he gestured towards the gleaming suit of armour standing in the corridor.

"What?" the Slytherin boy replied.

"I saw you in the reflection, you idiot," he said derisively. Next to him, Lily stood and opened her clutch, drawing her wand.

Avery scowled, as the rest of the Slytherin boys joined him, their wands drawn and pointed at the two Gryffindors.

"Travers, Jugson, Selwyn. And Nott. Looks like it's a party," James said.

"Let's get on with it, then," grinned Nott viciously. He unleashed a curse with a yell, and James quickly responded with a shield charm. The jet of light blasted off the blue shield, pushing James back. Lily cast a shield of her own as James returned fire, streaming a couple of Stunners down the corridor. One of the Stunners hit Selwyn and he collapsed.

"Guess we're doing this," James said, dropping into a duelling stance.

'You're outnumbered, Potter," Nott spat.

"And you're outclassed," James replied. He launched another stream of Stunners, forcing the Slytherin boys into cover. Avery responded with a blasting curse that gouged a chunk out of the wall above Lily's head.

"Fuck!" she swore.

"Now the Mudblood!" shouted Travers. He fired a series of hexes in Lily's direction, but she parried the first two, and dispelled the rest with another shield.

"Nice, Lily!" James complimented her. She gave another flick of her wand and blocked a Stunner headed for James.

"Don't look at me, look at them!" she scowled. James shrugged, and fired off another curse. He took a step forward, and brought his wand down in a slashing motion. Seconds later, Jugson flew through the air and hit the wall with a sickening crunch. He slid to the floor with blood streaming from his nose.

Now it was three on two. Nott gave another yell, and pushed James back with a series of sharp hexes. The Gryffindor boy stumbled as one hit his shoulder, and another hit his knee. He stumbled as Lily pressed the attack against Avery. With a flick of her wand, she Disarmed the Slytherin boy and then floored him with a Stunner.

"Now it's two on two," James said. "Still time to give up, Nott. I'll chalk it up to you being a twat and we'll leave it at that."

"No chance," Nott said, replying with a burst of hexes that had the two Gryffindors seeking cover.

Lily sidestepped one of his curses and fired one of her own back at Nott. It hit him in the side and he looked at her with livid eyes.

"You fucking dare!"

He cast a jet of inky black light at her. The curse exploded against her shield, and the impact sent her sprawling. Travers drew his wand in an arc, and a purple scythe of light hit James squarely in the chest. He clutched at his chest in pain and stumbled back, joining Lily on the floor as blood blossomed through his dress robes.

"James!" Lily cried, struggling to her feet.

"Sorry about your boyfriend, Evans," Travers taunted.

Ignoring the blood weeping from a cut on her brow, Lily launched into another attack. Travers was quick, but his arrogance would be the better of him. Lily saw an opening and took it, Disarming him as she had Avery, and then flooring him with a Stunner.

Nott swore and unleashed a blasting curse at her. Lily's hasty shield caught the bulk of the impact, but she fell to the floor again, her head ringing. Nott launched a swift kick at her prone form and she screamed in pain as his boot connected with her stomach.

"Now you're gonna get it, Mudblood," Nott threatened. He raised his wand and Lily – still gasping for air from his vicious kick – steeled herself.

"Don't ever fucking call her that," James said grimly. From the floor, James jabbed his wand and there was a sharp crack as he shattered Nott's ankle, and a second crack as he took out Nott's kneecap. The Slytherin boy fell to the ground in agony as James clambered to his knees, breathing heavily. Blood was still seeping through his robes.

James tapped his wand to the knuckles of his left hand, and made a fist.

"Knuckleduster Charm, Nott," he said, spitting blood. "Simple, but effective."

He slammed his fist into Nott's face, crushing his nose. Another punch broke the Slytherin boy's jaw. A third rendered him unconscious. The fourth punch, James thought, well that was just for fun.

Then Lily's hand was on his arm.

"James," she said, and it was enough. He nodded and lowered his hand. It was over.

"Are you okay?" he asked, sitting with his back against the wall of the corridor with a wince of pain. "Your head!"

"It's fine," Lily replied. "It's just a cut. But you, your chest!"

She looked at him in alarm.

"Just a cut," he replied with a half-smile.

"Bollocks, James, your shirt is soaked through," Lily replied. With a flick of her wand she popped open the buttons of his shirt to reveal a deep jagged cut running diagonally across his torso.

"That's a fun spell," James quipped.

"Now is not the time," she replied, then muttered an incantation under her breath. James gave a sharp wince.

"That'll stop the bleeding, at least," she said. "But you need to see Pomfrey."

James shook his head again.

"Dormitory," he replied. "I've got some stuff there, remember."

"I think this is gonna need more than your old Auror kit," Lily replied.

"I meant Firewhiskey," James said and she scowled at him.

"Be serious," she scolded him, and leaned forward to adjust his glasses, which had been knocked askew.

"I'm James, not Sirius," James replied with a weak laugh.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Oh, for–"

But she never finished, as James leant forward and pressed his lips to hers. She gasped in surprise, and then kissed him back, her hands clutching at his robes and his hair. His hand caressed her face, and his thumb traced along her jawline as he deepened the kiss. Her lips parted and their tongues met. Lily's heart hammered in her chest as her fingers tangled into his unruly jet black hair.

The kiss ended and Lily drew her head back for a moment, as she looked into his eyes. His lips parted and he began to speak.

"Lil–"

And then her lips fell on his, and they were kissing again, but somehow there was more intensity, more passion. She pressed herself against James, and his arm wrapped around her waist, eagerly pulling her in. She could feel his heart racing as her tongue explored his mouth, and then he reciprocated, his own tongue brushing against hers and sending sparks through her. This was nothing like her chaste kiss in Greenhouse Two at fifteen. It was like nothing she'd experienced before. She wanted him, wanted more.

This was electric. This was intoxicating. She was Lily. And this was James.

A/N: And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...before I finally got around to finishing Chapter 15. Hope this was a nice surprise.