Our Seventh Year

They made their way down to the great hall without incident. A few people stared, shocked at what they were seeing.

The great hall was pretty empty, it being Saturday, many people were still not up yet, and they would come down later for a mid afternoon meal. Plus, it made it less awkward since not many people were there to stare at them.

Lily saw her friends, and they looked at her shocked, one because she was not eating with them, but most importantly, she was with James. She decided she would just explain it at a later time, waving to them, before taking her seat next to James.

She reached for a sandwich and some pumpkin juice, before sliding her hand back under the table to grab James’ once again.

James saw the looks, but just smiled at everyone, no one was going to get him down today.

“Your friends looks curious,” James said with a snort, grabbing her hand once again, before taking a bit of his sandwich.

“I will be drilled to the third degree later,” Lily said casually before beginning her lunch.

James just shook his head, he knew it was different, but people were acting like they were seeing the strangest thing in the world.

“Do you have practice today?” She asked him taking a sip of her pumpkin juice as she looked at him over the rim of her cup.

“Unfortunately,” James said with a sigh, squeezing her hand. “It starts at three though, and I am free after six,” he said. He had given himself a half hour to shower and change once he was done.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Severus was eating alone, and he happened to look up and see two new people in the hall towards the end of the Gryffindor house table. He watched them from the corner of his eye, but did not have to worry about them seeing him, since he was behind.
He saw Potters’ happy smirk as he looked at Lily, who smiled right back. He needed to talk to her, to tell her he did not mean what he had said, that Potter was not right for her. The problem was, he would never be able to get her alone, let alone to for her to listen, so he would have to make her.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So what would you like to do today?” Lily asked James finishing off her sandwich, then her drink.

“What ever you would like,” James said, he had finished his food a while before Lily, he had always been a fast eater.

Lily had already thought about somewhere to go. He was always out there, but never saw it the way she did.

“Well you showed my a beautiful place to go,” Lily said squeezing his hand, “so it’s my turn to show you.”

He smiled at her rising from his seat, then offering her his hand to help her up, “show away.”

James noticed that her skirt had ridden up a bit after sitting, revealing more of her legs, but he did not point that out, instead he quickly looked her up an down. Once she turned around to face him fully, he put an arm around her waist gently and followed her lead out of the great hall.

“I am going to show you a different view of the Quidditch pitch,” Lily said lightly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Severus watched James look over Lily’s body, and he caught himself doing the same. Jealousy flared up in him like a flame, and he quickly shoved his plate away from him before rising out of his seat. He would be able to follow them easier without being noticed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

James’ mind went into the gutter for a second, but he knew it was nothing scandalous, at least not now.

It was serene outside, and many people were taking advantage of these, though most were down by the lake, very few thought about going to the Quidditch stands. Lily chose the furthest one from the castle, it had the best view over the woods, and of the castle.

Once they had climbed to the top, James took a seat next to her, his arm never leaving her waist. “It isn’t often I am IN the stands,” he said looking around at the view.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Severus followed behind them at a good distance, knowing exactly where they were going. He had seen Lily walk this path many times with a book in hand, or on her runs, though she never went during a game.

He saw Potter’s hand dangerously low on her back, and his blood boiled a bit. Worst of all Lily was letting him do it.

“Yesterday she hated him, now they are inseparable,” he said to himself. He stood by the castle, eying which stand they went up, and a few minutes later, slipped in behind them. He had become very good about sneaking around, and knew he would not be caught.

He paused in the stairwell behind some beams, making himself comfortable and just watched silently.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I know,” Lily replied leaning her head on his shoulder slowly and cautiously. She was very nervous, but happy at the same time.

“You’ve been on the Quidditch team since your third year,” she said. Lily knew that James would be surprised that she managed to know that. There were many things she knew about him, and it came to her last night. She figured her brain had stored all the little tidbits of information about him because she subconsciously liked him all along.

As a matter of fact, James was surprised, “how do you remember that?”: He asked her, slightly curious. He had always assumed that she did not pay attention to his existence at all.

“I remember a lot of things,” Lily said, moving her head to smile up at him. “Such as you are afraid of House elves, and you hate hog dogs.”

Lily realized what she had just blurted out a little too late, “sorry if that creeped you out,” she added on the end. “I don’t stalk you I promise. I am just observant, and I hear people talk.” The ever threatening blush burst though on her cheeks, and she began to trace shapes on his hand as she tried to regain her composure.

James gave a small smirk as he saw her cheeks flush. He watched her fingers trace shapes on his hand lightly, and he squeezed her slightly.

“I think you have liked me all along,” he stated matter-of-factly before pulling back a little to look down at her face. “Admit it,” he teased, wrinkling his nose at her.

Lily stopped moving her fingers abruptly, and slowly, her eyes met his gaze.

“I-I think I have,” she said quietly, her stomach knotting. Her face was hot, and the light breeze blowing felt good on her face.

James’ smirk fell from his face for a moment, as he looked at her. “Really?” He asked after a few seconds his mouth going dry.

“Really,” Lily said honestly, her smile back on her face. “It just took me six years to figure it out.”

James cleared his throat to get his voice back, and gave her a small, genuine smile. He had no idea what to say, so instead of ruining the moment, he leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her lips

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Severus’ felt his heart drop at the last couple of words. So she liked him. Once they kissed he could not stand there anymore. He was not an emotional man, but he could feel tears stinging his eyes. Just as quietly as he had come, Severus slipped out of the stands, and headed back to the Slytherin common room.

Once he was away from the scene, his grief had turned to anger. He needed to speak to her, to tell her how he felt. Then he needed to deal with Potter. It was his fault their friendship had ended.