Give and Take

Chapter 3
James and Peter sat in the Gryffindor common room, an intense game of Wizards Chess keeping them deep in concentration. Sirius and Remus were out wandering about the castle. The Easter holidays had recently passed and students were just beginning to prepare for the end of year exams. The Marauders were still hanging on to their obligation-free nights and enjoyed putting off their studying.

“Your move, ma Pet Peter said.

James went. He sighed and leaned back in the oversized chair. He was through with this game. It bored him to play Peter, the boy always won. James stood and made his way over to the great oak table in the middle of the room.

“Oy!” Peter cried.

James waved his hand at his friend, easily dismissing him. He stalked towards the table, looking for a certain red-head. She had her nose in a book. A few books, actually. He smiled when he saw her hair pulled delicately up into a ponytail, revealing her supple neck line. She worked diligently, writing and rewriting her notes. He couldn’t help but come up behind her and wrap his arms around her small frame. James pressed his lips to the side of her neck, inhaling her scent as he kissed.

“James…” Lily said, shrugging him off of her. “I’m really busy at the moment. Do you think this could wait?”

“Fine…” he sighed, stomping away with a frown. She had been like this since the incident. There was always an excuse; she wasn’t feeling well, she had homework, she had her monthly. “Always a bloody excuse,” he said quietly, furious. Bottom line… she didn’t want him anymore. He headed towards his dormitory, angry at the world. Up the stairs and through the door, he fell onto his bed.

Lily turned around and watched James retreat upstairs. She had heard him. It’s not always a bloody excuse. The Head Girl’s face fell a bit as she thought about what he said. She did come up with excuses. But it wasn’t that she didn’t want it… Oh she wanted it alright. James just wasn’t all that she wanted.

Lily tried to avoid Sirius when at all possible. But keeping this secret from her friends and the other boys was difficult. She had to act as if nothing happened. James and Sirius went back to normal, laughing and interacting as best friends should. Lily loved James, and love making love to James. But when she looked at Sirius she still saw that raw hunger between them. They need to be together. She felt guilty thinking of Sirius when she was with James.

It wasn’t fair to James.

"Your really a terrible girlfriend," said a husky voice behind her. Lily turned and face Sirius.

"What would you know, Black?" she said harshly. It was all part of their facade. Act the same, annoy each other, no one will notice the way he undresses you with his eyes. This was how their relationship was now, heated with anger. Angry because they couldn't be together.

"Ouch, Lily, that hurts," he mocked. The he quickly scanned the room, taking note of who was watching them. He leaned in, serious now.

"Go to you boyfriend, Lily. Make love to him. Satisfy his every need," he whispered into her ear, sending shivers up the back of her neck. That damned lust, she thought. This was their game. He would seek her out, give her instruction. Just last week, Sirius told to study in the library early Saturday morning, alone. She obeyed of course and Sirius had come to her that morning, taking everything from her against the towering bookshelf.

"I'll be watching," he breathed. Her eyes went wide with embarrassment. Never had he asked her to do something so humiliating, so provocative. Lily was no exhibitionist. She knew that no matter how much she despised this idea, that she would follow his orders. It's the hold, the power, he had over her. She turned around but Sirius had left. To where, she had no idea.

Lily stood up from the table, glancing around the common room to see if anyone was paying her any attention, and made her way up the stairs to the boys’ seventh year dormitory.

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James stared at the ceiling, thinking about Lily. The past four months had been trying on the couple. Although they continued to be intimate, their level of passion had dropped drastically. She didn’t seem to crave it anymore. It was more like clockwork…

He heard the door open and looked to see who it was.

“What is it now, Lily?” he asked, seeing his girlfriend at the door.

James was lying on his back, his hands brought up behind his head, casually resting. He didn’t even get up when he spoke to her. Miffed, she continued into the room anyway, searching to find Sirius lurking somewhere in the shadows. She walked over to the foot of the bed; He still hadn’t moved.

“I’ve been thinking…” she began, “about us.”

“And…” he replied, his eyes not leaving hers, but making no move towards her.

“Some one told me... that if you love someone,” she said, slowly unbuttoning her skirt, “you fight for them.” James didn’t notice. “And that you don’t give up on each other.” She slid the zipper down, the skirt falling to the floor with a swoosh. His face registered shock but then he smiled, his grin crooked. There she stood before him in white knickers and a plain white shirt, as gorgeous as the first day he saw her.

Lily climbed up onto the bed. She seductively crawled towards his face, her eyes never leaving his. He watched her wantonly and finally sat up on his elbows. She made her way, inching along his tense body, her eyes shifting to gaze at his lips. Now he was smirking. Straddling his chest, Lily brought her mouth up to his. He could feel the warmth of her breath on his face.

Her right brow cocked up high, “Wanna fight?” she grinned wickedly.

To be continued…