AN: Hello, fanfiction and Harry Potter fans. I do not own Harry Potter, but feel free to enjoy this or hate it. If you enjoy it please leave a lovely comment, if you hate it, then leave some constructive criticism, thanks!

Can You Take the Jump?

Chapter 29

"I must say, Miss Evans, your Glacius charm during your duel with your sister was incredibly effective and powerful. How did you know to use such a spell at that moment?"

Sirius looked down only to see Hermione's eyes glazed over, not listening at all. He gently squeezed her shoulder.

"Oh, sorry. Were you saying something?"

Clearly miffed that he was being ignored by a teenager, the Ministry official scoffed. He excused himself by commenting on a tray of champagne going by.

"You okay? You've been dazed since the opening dance." Sirius suddenly got a very angry look on his face, "Malfoy did something didn't he?"

"No!" Hermione pulled him back before he could march off and look for Lucius. "I'm just…not a big fan of crowds…and attention."

Visibly relaxed, Sirius grabbed her shoulder and pulled her in, shielding her from everyone else with his broad body. He kissed the top of her head and escorted her to a far corner where they were much more isolated from everyone else. He sat her down on a ledge and brushed a stray hair away from her face.

"You should have told me that you were uncomfortable. I would have whisked you away a lot earlier."

"Do you have a lot of experience whisking away damsels in distress?" Hermione gave him a weak chuckle.

"If by damsel you mean little Reg when he was too anxious to interact with the adults during the annual Black family Luncheon, yes." Sirius drawled. "Also, you're no damsel."

"No? What am I, then?"

"Pale." His brows furrowed with concern. "Stay here, I'll get you a glass of water."

Before she could protest, Sirius was out of his seat and searching for a serving elf that carried the tray with a pitcher of water and glasses.

"Be careful. There are those in attendance tonight that are here to watch you, on his orders." Lucius's final words at the end of their dance echoed around Hermione's brain.

People were dressed in gowns and dress robes chatting or dancing, the sound of people enjoying themselves rang off the walls of the Great Hall. No one made Hermione's mental alarm bells go off until the crowd shifted to reveal a face in the distance. Those were the eyes that had been watching her, she knew it.

He raised a champagne flute as a greeting then pushed through the crowd coming toward her.

"Ditched, I see."

Hermione pushed down the disgust in her body.

"Dolohov, I didn't expect you to see you here. Seeing as this is an event filled with so many muggleborns."

"I never turn down an event with an open bar." He explained unbuttoning his jacket as he sat next to her. "Besides, I had to come to see this for myself." He made a general gesture towards her. She could feel his eyes raking over her body. "I like what I see. If the Dark Lord does decide to take you in, I think I'll have a bit of fun."

She'd always known Antonin Dolohov was vile, but this took it to a new level. She suppressed yet another shudder. "I've heard that rumor too, that your so-called Lord was looking for some diversity in his ranks. Have you purebloods failed to…perform?"

"Watch your tongue, filth."

"So should you, troglodyte. I'm not the same little girl that you used to go up against with all your friends. Haven't you heard? I'm the champion."

Antonin smirked at her arrogance. He looked across the crowd and raised his glass once more to greet someone in the crowd. Hermione's eyes followed his gaze to Rookwood, Rosier, Snyde, Selwyn, and Macnair standing discretely in the crowd, all their eyes on them. They hadn't been there before, she was sure of it. Dumbledore would have never invited this many Death Eaters either, even if they were technically still suspected Death Eaters. They must've been Disillusioned, sneaking into the party only to reveal themselves when Antonin raised his glass.

"Don't worry, little mudblood. Nothing will happen tonight." He whispered. "This is just a gesture from our Lord. He wishes an audience at one point."

"Evans," James Potter, walked up to her with Lopez in tow. "Is he bothering you?"

Sofia, dressed in a gorgeous red gown unlinked her arms from James and rushed over to Hermione, pushing Antonin away in the process. "Oh my gosh! You look amazing!" she gushed, and for once Hermione was immensely glad for her tactless intrusion.

"This dress! The makeup! Your hot bod!" Sofia flittered. "It's tragic that the Hogwarts uniform does absolutely nothing for anyone's figure."

Hermione's eyes flickered back to where she saw the other Death Eaters, but they'd disappeared back into the shadows once more. The uncomfortable feeling of someone watching her had also disappeared, but she couldn't be sure.

"Oh sorry," Sofia finally turned to Antonin. "I didn't see you there. James, who's this?"

Hermione raised her brow at the phenomenal job Sofia was doing at making Dolohov as inconsequential as possible, and as a high-standing pureblood in Wizarding England, it was a downright laugh to see him being treated that way.

"It's doesn't matter Sof. He was just leaving, weren't you, Antonin?" James gave a fake smile.

Dolohov glanced at the three eyes waiting expectantly at him, "Of course, I just came by to congratulate the newest Champion. I'll be on my way now."

"Oh, James, will you excuse Hermione and me to the Ladies' room?" Sofia suddenly cozied up to Hermione. "Come with me to powder our noses, Hermione?"

Hermione raised her brow at Lopez's obvious efforts to get her alone, "Sure, Lopez."

"Tell Sirius that I'll be right back, alright?" Hermione requested James as she walked off with his voluptuous girlfriend.

Once they were out of his sight, she stopped the girl, "What do you want Lopez?"

"Is it true that you're the one who convinced James to date other people?"

Hermione's unpleasant run-in with Dolohov apparently had to be extended with an unpleasant powder room break with Sofia Lopez.

"If you can convince James to give up on your sister, you can convince him to keep dating me. You owe me one. I just helped you out with that creepy man."

Sofia Lopez was a pretty girl. She was short but had large brown eyes and beautiful rich brown skin. Her curls, unlike how Hermione's curls used to be, formed gorgeous bouncy ringlets and her curvy figure was impressive for a girl who was only 15. Unlike her normally bright clear eyes, those brown irises looked too wide, too crazed, like someone who drank one too many espresso shots.

Hermione contemplated telling her a roundabout lie. Sofia was a nice person, she was friendly, extroverted, and popular. Though she was concerningly obsessed with James, she genuinely cared about others.

However, Hermione didn't travel to the past to support the union between James Potter and Sofia Lopez. "I'm not going to stop James and Lily if they decide they want to date. Of course, I'll push them to be respectful by first breaking up with their respective significant other, but as long as they're making the decision to date because they believe it will make them happy, I won't disapprove."

"What about my happiness?" Her bubbly attitude burst. The smile she always wore trembled as pearl-sized tears dripped down from her eyes.

"Lopez-"

"He's mine."

"If you need a third person to convince him to stay with you, he's already gone." She told her. "You've ditched your friends in your own House, spent enormous efforts to be with him, but he still wants someone else. Do you think he's still worth it? Lopez. Sofia, he's not."

"Don't act as you understand!" She cried. "I love him! I can't lose him. I won't lose him!"

She stormed off, leaving Hermione speechless. The entire conversion gave her a whiplash sense of déjà vu to the dramatic conversation she once had with Lavender Brown, back when she and Ron used to date. Back then, she used to think Lavender was the bad guy, that she was the one who was crazy, but now Hermione felt something akin to pity for people like Lavender Brown and Sofia Lopez. They were kids who were old enough to know what love was supposed to be, but too young to realize if what they had was real or not. They thought it was real. They thought it was true love, but were being forced to watch it slip through their fingers.

She walked back to the Great Hall on her own and saw Sofia clinging to James even tighter, and James wearing an uncomfortable expression on his face.

"Hey," Sirius saw her first, pulling her to his side and giving her that glass of water he'd promised. He looked relieved that she was there, saving him from Sofia Lopez's obsessive presence.

She glared as Hermione approached them, turning her nose away from her.

"Hello, students, staff, and guests. I ask you to go to find your seats because a lovely dinner will be served shortly." Dumbledore clinked his glass and announced.

Sofia was practically preening James, coddling him and suffocating him.

"Sof, I—"

"I bet she coddles you in bed too, doesn't she Potter?" Mulciber sneered, watching the couple from his seat at the top 6 dualists' table.

It was that moment when James saw Lily. She was clearly within hearing distance as a slight rosy tinge appeared on the tops of her cheeks, peaking through the glamour charm.

"Merlin Sofia! Would you just leave it!" James snapped, letting Mulciber's words get to him.

The look of hurt splashed across Sofia's face and her lower lip trembled. "I'm sorry." She stood from her seat and ran out the door, leaving everyone bewildered.

"James," Lily admonished. "What was that? What happened?"

An angry blush covered James's face.

"Your sister happened." He spat. He turned to Hermione with fury and embarrassment in his eyes, reminding Hermione so much of Harry that it scared her. "She was fine until she went to the loo with you. What did you tell her? What gives you the right to dictate my dating life, huh Evans? Who the fuck do you think you are?"

"James!" Lily tried to calm her friend down.

"Prongs," Sirius warned.

"What?" James demanded. "You walk around acting so high and mighty, giving out advice as if you're some sage old witch when in reality you're probably the most fucked up person I know!"

"James! Enough." Sirius put a firm hand on his friend's chest.

Hermione could hear camera shutters and lights popping as the Daily Prophet reporter enthusiastically recorded the argument.

"Potter, you need to calm down. There are eyes and ears—"

"Fuck them!" James shouted. If there had been people that weren't paying attention before, they were definitely paying attention now.

"JAMES!" Sirius shoved him back into his seat. He shook his head disappointedly at his best friend before placing his jacket over Hermione's shoulder. "Come on. Let's get some air."

Sirius huffed and puffed until they arrived in the courtyard. "That bastard. How could he accuse you of meddling?" A layer of fresh snow covered the landscape in a picturesque way. Sirius plopped down on one of the stone benches, not minding the pile of snow he was sitting on.

Hermione watched as he grumbled angrily, huffing and puffing about this and that.

"How do you know I didn't say something to intervene with Potter's relationship?"

Sirius shrugged, "I just do."

"Just like that?" Hermione asked with disbelief. "Just like that, you believe me?"

"Yup."

She laughed. "What if I did meddle with his relationship?"

"Then I'm sure there was a good reason for it."

"Why?" She asked him. "Why trust me like that?"

His big warm hands reached for hers and pulled her into his lap, he tucked his jackets more closely around her and pushed her stray hair behind her ear like she'd done earlier that night.

"I think you know why."

He was so open and so honest that she didn't know how to respond. She could feel him leaning in, but one hand stopped him, though she didn't push him away.

"You shouldn't let emotions blind your judgment like that, Sirius." She warned him while the common sense in her mind still had some capacity to think.

"Call it intuition then." Sirius smiled. "I'm pretty good at telling who's a good person, and you, Hermione Evans are one of the best I've ever seen. If you did meddle with my prat of a best friend's relationship, then I'm sure it's because you truly believe that Lopez is no good for him, and with good reason."

His words of pure trust and acceptance without the incessant question 'Why?' filled her with unadulterated joy. There were people in this life that loved her, she knew, but with every single one of them, she felt the need to explain, to make them understand, to give them a reason so that they could be comfortable with her, but Sirius told her she didn't need to. He claimed that he didn't need to know everything, that he trusted her, even though she'd done nothing to deserve it.

The hand that stopped him from leaning in, pulled him close. She kissed him.

He initially froze, but soon reacted with the same level of enthusiasm. His right hand snaked around her back touching her bare skin, while his left climbed its way up her thigh. His new tuxedo jacket fell on the snowy floor, but neither of them cared.

Hermione raked her fingers through his hair, lightly scratching his scalp, and he let out a guttural groan. She was surrounded by Sirius, his body, his scent, his warmth, and his unswaying acceptance. It made her mind zone in on this moment alone, erasing everything else. Her hallucination of Harry Potter that always lingered around the edge of her consciousness disappeared, her chaotic thoughts settled. Her guilt, grief, anger, and exhaustion that had become a parasitic constant in her life suddenly vanished.

She didn't know how to explain it when they previously kissed, but now she finally understood. Kissing him was like taking Dreamless Sleep Potion when she was awake. It was impossible for her to not get addicted.

A fire that she hadn't felt in years ignited in her lower belly, unconsciously making her rock her hips against the fabric of their clothes. She suddenly wished their clothes weren't so damn soft, desiring the kind of sensation rough polyester or denim could provide.

Sirius groaned, his hands gripped her hips, pulling her down as he grinded into her to increase the pressure of their friction.

Endorphins and oxytocin exploded in Hermione's brain. Pleasure was such a rare emotion in Hermione's brain that experiencing it to this level brought a high that was literally mind-blowing.

Their quiet courtyard was suddenly interrupted when the sound of the old oak doors creaked open. The sound of reality creeping into her mind caused the synapses in her mind to start firing again.

She gasped and jumped off his lap.

Sirius, who'd heard the noise as well, looked over their shoulder, only to not see or hear anyone. After a moment of silence, the two turned to each other, panting, with bruised lips.

"Woah." Sirius panted, trying to catch his breath. His pupils were blown wide. Lust, desire, and tension radiated between them.

Hermione stood a foot away from him, her hands covering her lips. She acted without thinking.

Isn't that the best part? She thought to herself. Something dawned on Hermione at that moment. She was happy.

Just the two of them, outside in the bitter cold. The casual way in which Sirius touched her, the way her face was smiling as he spoke. He was the epitome of life and joy and she needed that. Needed him. She could trust him. And more importantly, he trusted her.

She liked Sirius Black.

As if they had a gravitational pull toward each other, their lips came together once more. Unlike their previous kiss, this one was languid, hot, and undeniably sexy. When they finally separated for air, he bit and sucked on her earlobe.

"If we keep doing this, I might take you here, in the snow, out in the open. We need to stop, Hermione."

She was hearing his words but couldn't make sense of it. Why would they stop something that felt so good? Something that felt so right? Her hands trailed down his chest, her fingers running over his hardened nipples.

"Hermione." He groaned, "You sexy little fox." He lifted her off the floor and pushed her back into the frozen stone wall behind them.

She laughed at the irony of his nickname for her. Her dress hiked up her legs as she wrapped them around his waist and kissed him from a new angle.

Slowly, thanks to Sirius's effort, the kissing stopped until the two were only noses apart. He gave her Eskimo kisses that made her heart flutter.

"You deserve better than a stone wall for your first time." He explained, softly kissing her on the forehead.

His comment made her smile. The whole school had heard her rumors about her promiscuity, yet here he was, stating without a doubt she was a virgin.

"Be mine." He set her down back to the snowy floor, his stormy grey eyes boring into her. "Be mine, because I've already been yours for a long time."

…

Lucius couldn't tell what exactly was going on from this Honored Guests table, but judging at how the Daily Prophet reporter was salivating at the scene, it was enough to make headline news for anyone creative enough.

He watched Sirius Black wrap the Mudblood in his jacket and lead her out of the Great Hall. Despite the reports from inside sources claiming the duo were just friends and came to the ball as dates for convenience, it was clear from the way they were walking and interacting, they were much more.

There was a twinge of discomfort in his chest as he saw her lean against him as they walked out.

Mudblood slut.

"Feisty, isn't she Lucius?" Dolohov clearly enjoyed the show. "Our Lord's newest recruit."

"She is not a recruit."

"Yet."

"You should be disapproving of this, Antonin," Lucius muttered under his breath. "She is a mudblood."

"Relax Lucy, I'm not going to be respecting her as my equal. She's still a mudblood, for Merlin's sake. What I am respecting is my Lord's wishes and her sexy little body." Dolohov let out a dreamy sigh. "You know, my father used to say mudbloods were only good for one thing. Maybe I finally get to see what all the fuss is about. I bet that pus—"

"Control yourself, Dolohov. We are in the presence of children."

"Oh please," Dolohov scoffed. "Don't you remember being their age? It was only a few years ago for you. They're all fucking like rabbits." Antonin leaned in closer and it took every ounce of Lucius's strength to not pull out his wand and hex him. "I've heard the rumors about you and the mudblood."

"And I'm sure you're aware of their lies."

"Of course. Why would you have her when you have Narcissa Black? Your fiancée," Antonin raised a glass towards the Head students and Prefects table where Narcissa sat with the other students, "is quite the beauty, but not all of us were blessed with beautiful women. I'm marrying some ugly broad from Sweden who goes to Beauxbatons. She graduates in a year or so. I'm told she has quite the blood lineage. But the photographs I received were a rude awakening to my unpleasant future. Ever since then, I've opened my eyes to the appeals of muggle fashion."

Antonin continued to ramble on about something called 'jeans' and how tight they were, muggle skirts and how short they were.** Lucius droned his voice out, staring out to the entrance of the Great Hall where he'd last seen Hermione Evans leave. That's when he caught the Daily Prophet reporter trying to leave as inconspicuously as possible. Lucius didn't need two guesses to guess where he was going.

"Excuse me, Antonin." Lucius stood from his seat and walked out of the Great Hall.

He disillusioned himself and followed the reporter. He turned the corner to find the reporter gone. Lucius walked around in search of the damn rodent when his eyes caught a glimpse of a figure sitting in the empty courtyard through the window.

Upon closer inspection, Lucius quickly realized that it's wasn't one figure, but two, so closely and intimately embraced together that it appeared as one.

Her hands were in his hair, clutching him for dear life, her legs straddled against his hips. Even from this distance, he could tell that this was no innocent kiss, but a full-blown snog that could lead to something much more, very fast.

He felt anger, betrayal, and hurt course through his body at the sight.

Mine!

He stormed towards the doors that led to the courtyard when he saw the Daily Prophet reporter taking pictures of the indecent teenagers with the door cracked open.

Options raced through Lucius's mind. He contemplated letting the reporter just write the article about the loose morals of the mudblood, but Antonin's greasy smile slide into Lucius's mind. Men like Antonin Dolohov did not need more ammunition.

Lucius grabbed the back of the reporter's collar and yanked him back, fast and hard, causing the little man to choke and the doors to slam closed.

"Who are you!" the reporter pulled out his wand and waved it wildly around. Lucius, momentarily forgetting he was disillusioned, reversed the spell.

"Gah!" The reporter jumped back with even more shock than he had when he couldn't see him. "M-M-Mr. Malfoy! I mean, Governor Malfoy! W-what can I d-do for you?"

"You can start by erasing the pictures you just took of the witch outside."

"I-I can't do that. I'm a freelancer, I'll get way more money with these pictures. Can't you imagine? 'Hogwarts; School for Sex Addicts.'"

"There are many respectable and distinguished graduates of Hogwarts you would infuriate with that kind of article and current students from good families that still attend the school! Erase the photos."

"I would make it sound like it started now. This entire Yule Ball to celebrate a sex-crazed mudblood girl? It's absurd!"

Lucius paused at his choice of words.

"Do you not know who she is?" He asked, then scoffed at the reporter's silence. "She will be the poster child for our cause. The symbol that even a Mudblood would choose our superiority over the naïve and ridiculous muggle-loving idiots. Do you understand, Mister…?"

"Crabbe, Boris Crabbe, sir."

"A Crabbe?" Lucius was internally surprised at the unexpected family connection. "A distant cousin I assume?"

"My father was the Head family's 3rd cousin, 4th removed."

Lucius suppressed his sneer.

"Well, Mr. Crabbe. You are of good blood and breeding, so I'm sure you are a reasonable man. As I've said, our Lord has great uses for that child. We cannot go around ruining her reputation before his plans even begin. I will buy your photographs and your silence, name your price."

…

Lily stood next to Amos as he spoke amicably with an older ministry official by the name of Siegfried Blane. He'd been networking all night to the point where Lily hadn't had a single dance since the opening dance. She glanced at the dance floor with longing and boredom, while stealing a glance at James and Sofia who were still sitting at their table. James hadn't been in a good mood since Hermione and Sirius walked out. Although Lily didn't entirely know what the entire argument was about, she knew Hermione must have given him advice. From her personal experience, she knew Hermione's advice was not always the things that you wanted to hear, which might have caused James to lash out.

Where was Hermione? Why hadn't she returned? It wasn't like her to still be so upset.

"Lily was a finalist, weren't you, Flower?" Amos asked, pulling her back to the boring conversation.

"Huh? Oh, yes, I was."

"Yes, I heard you dueled with your sister. Quite ferociously, too. Do I detect some sibling rivalry?" The ministry official finally turned his attention to Lily for the first time since Amos cornered him to talk. "Or did you lose on purpose?"

"No, it was a fair win. My sister fully deserved the honor of being called the Champion." Lily answered honestly.

"You are as humble as you are beautiful." Blane complimented.

Lily blushed, "Thank you, sir."

"Mr. Diggory, if it's not too much to ask, may I have a dance with your lovely date?"

"If Lily doesn't protest, I don't mind at all."

The older gentleman asked for her hand and then guided her out to the dance floor.

"I noticed you were staring out to the dance floor quite longingly." He chuckled. "Your boyfriend is quite the proactive type, isn't he? Networking at this girlfriend's Yule ball."

"He just wants to secure an internship. He hasn't gotten any letters back from anywhere he applied." Lily explained. "I can't judge him for wanting his future to be secure."

"Understanding, humble, and intelligent." He commented. "I have to admit, you Miss Evans, are far more outstanding than Slughorn claims."

"Professor Slughorn?"

"Yes, he was quite insistent that come tonight to meet one of his dear students. He claimed that he had a brilliant student who would do wonders as an intern in my department, the Committee of Experimental Charms."

Lily couldn't hide her gasp.

"I also spoke with Professor Flitwick who couldn't stop raving about you, my dear." Mr. Blane chuckled at her agape jaw. "As much fun as I am having, reminding myself of my personal Hogwarts days, I am here for you; to recruit you for my summer internship program. So? Do you accept?"

"I…I-I never applied."

"I think tonight was more than enough as a resume. Plus, I got to hear the live version of your recommendation letters."

"You're serious." Lily blinked. Elation spread throughout Lily's body as she started nodding vigorously. "Yes! Oh my gosh, Mr. Blane. I would be honored! Whe—" She stopped when she remembered Amos trying to network with him. "What about my boyfriend?"

Blane gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Unfortunately, your boyfriend isn't what my department is looking for. As the title of our department, we look for candidates who are more curious, experimental, and creative with their magic. Mr. Diggory has a great number of qualifications and strengths; however, he is not a fit for us."

Lily's excited face turned to one of hesitation.

"Will this change your answer?"

"Can I take some time to think about it?"

Mr. Blane piqued his brow, and Lily instantaneously felt bad. "Miss Evans, your boyfriend wouldn't have gotten accepted regardless of your talent." He explained, but the guilt in her eyes made him relent. "I need a concrete answer by the new year."

"Of course, Mr. Blane. Thank you so much for understanding."

The older gentleman guided her out of the dance and back into her boyfriend's side before nodding goodbye.

"So? What did he say?" Amos looked at her expectantly with glittering eyes.

…

James sat in the common room nursing his cheek where Sofia had slapped him after he told her they were over. She'd cried. A lot. Then the tears turned to begging and uncomfortable touching and kissing to the point where James had to physically restrict her to get her off.

"Bloody hell."

He rubbed his hands over his eyes, exhausted, even though he retired from the evening early. Everyone was still enjoying the party in the Great Hall while he was sitting alone in the Gryffindor common room, replaying the horrible events of the evening.

"You idiot." He muttered to himself when he thought back to his outburst to Hermione Evans. It was uncalled for, he was already stressed with the idea of having to break up with his girlfriend, but Sofia's attitude changed so dramatically after going to the loo with Evans that he had made an unfair assumption and accusation.

"Why are you an idiot?"

James jumped in his seat. He whipped his head around to see Lily standing at the entrance of their common room.

"Lily?" He placed a hand over his racing heart. "Merlin's balls. You scared me."

She gave him a weak smile, and he was instantly alert. When she came closer, he could clearly see her red-rimmed eyes and the tear tracks running down her face.

"Lily, what's wrong?"

His kind eyes and his soft voice made her lower lip tremble and tears blur his eyes once more. Although she'd been upset with his actions towards her sister, at that moment she needed James's comfort. Without the need for further words, he stood from his seat and hugged her. She melted into his embrace and started sobbing.

Lily could feel James kissing the top of her head and muttering sweet words into her ears as she as her tears overwhelmed her. He was so warm and dependable, saying all the right things unlike her boyfriend, who'd accused her of stealing from him.

After a while, Lily calmed down and explained everything. James frowned and clenched his fist at various points, but he remained silent, allowing Lily to finish her story.

"Lils, you need to take this job."

"But what about—"

"Amos Diggory," James clenched his jaw but took a deep breath to calm himself. "Is Head Boy with decent marks. He has recommendation letters from other professors and such. He will get a job somewhere else, but not this one. This one is yours. You deserve this. That ministry guy is right, you're the best person for this internship. Seniority doesn't mean shit. You work so hard and you are phenomenal in Charms. No one in this school earned this as much as you."

She looked at him with watery eyes. Merlin, she was beautiful.

"You really think so?"

James's heart quickened. With her heels on, she wasn't much shorter than him. Lily could feel the beat of his heart, through his chest, but she was sure he could feel hers as well.

"I know so."

She saw his eyes flicker to her lips and her breathing quickened.

"Sofia?" She whispered.

He shook his head. "Broke up. Diggory?"

The silence was enough. The two stepped back and sat on the ends of the sofa.

"Why'd you and Sofia break up?" Lily asked.

James stared at her, looking contemplative. Lily blushed at his intense stare, turning her gaze away from him to stare at the fire that James must've started when he arrived in the common room.

"She's not you."

…

**A person's clothes or lack of is NOT consent.**