James Potter was sitting in the Gryffindor common room, staring intently at the fire. He was playing one of his mind games with himself once again. Why wasn't Evans budging? Everyone told him he was fantastic and that she would come round eventually and date him, but he was growing impatient and they only had one more year of Hogwarts to go. James sighed as he watched the fire dance, Lily could hate him as much as she said, could she? Sure he could be a show off, but clearly it was all for her. Well, maybe for himself too, that was probably one of the reasons why he was a chaser, cause they scored the most, though toward the end of the game the seeker was all that mattered. James ruffled his hair a little, he always liked the right-off-the-broom look, it worked with him and his glasses, no matter what anyone said, namely a certain redhead. Now it had just become a nervous habit around people, it was like an addiction, he couldn't stop putting his hand through his hair. James looked at about the common room wondering who was around.

There were a few third year girls, a couple of fourth years sprawled about a couch and two fifth year girls were chatting wildly, occasionally throwing him glances. James just wasn't feeling like he could wink at them, but he forced a small smile in their direction, they giggled a bit and blushed. Sure James had the art down to perfection, but today just didn't seem like it was a day for winking and smiling at girls who probably just wanted to snog him in a closet and maybe date him for a little to say they dated him, maybe some actually liked him and he dated them, but his heart would only rest for one girl; Lily Evans. James stood up and straightened his glasses and went up to the boys dorm. He looked in his trunk for two items, the marauders map and his invisibility cloak. He found them quite easily and put them on his bed. He would sneak out later, he decided, but for now he just needed to rest. James stripped down to just his boxers, his school robes were sprawled about on the floor, he had never really cared for much tidiness, as long as he didn't look completely messy he was fine. James put the cloak and map under his bed and took his glasses off and set them down on his bedside table.

James slept for awhile, he dreamed about various things, quidditch starting up again and flying and winning the house cup and quidditch cup. He then awoke randomly as his stomach growled, he had sort of forgotten about dinner and that was most unlike him. James put on a pair of pajama pants and decided he didn't need a shirt, anyway he could use a little fresh air. He smiled as he put his glasses on somewhat lopsidedly. He then looked around the room and heard the quiet snores of his classmates. James took the invisibility cloak and map as he stepped on the non creaking floor boards, he knew his escape plan well. He put the cloak on as he descended down the stairs to the common room and opened the portrait, the fat lady looked utterly bewildered and angry for being woken up at this hour. James just smiled and made his way down the stairs, making sure not to be caught in any trip steps, that wouldn't have been good, though no one would patrol at this hour, right? So he proceeded down the steps and eventually came to the portrait of a fruit bowl, he tickled the right place and a knob appeared. Before opening the door he took out his wand and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He then saw the map come to life, most people were still asleep, but there were a few here and there that were wandering about, Slughorn was rummaging about in his room, probably think about the next hogsmeade trip so he could get some rum and the like. James smiled and climbed into the hole and took of the cloak and said, "Mischief managed." A house elf came up to him and asked him what he wanted. "Hello Pinkie, umm may I have some tea and a cupcake, vanilla with chocolate icing, and some toast please? Thank you." He said as the house elf wobbled off. James sat down at a table and stared at the door, desperately wondering who would come in next, he could feel someone nearby, he just knew it.

notes: hope this is good enough
muse: it's okay, not great as you can see
words: seven eight four
music: ceiling fan
tag: lily evans <3

James felt his invisibility cloak which he was sitting on, the map was underneath it. The invisibility cloak was smooth and ever though it looked worn, as though it could be teared in an instant, he knew better. This cloak was one of the reasons behind his success at Hogwarts, along with Sirius'. No one knew about it besides the Marauders and he wasn't planning on telling any of the teachers as the marauders would be ruined then and his cloak might never see him again. The cloak was everything and it was a little disappointing that all of the boys had to crouch down to fit underneath it, but it was worth it. He had a couple things that were helping his success, besides his obvious good looks and charm. He had the marauders map, his smarts, and his gang. They were a tight group of boys, even if Peter seemed to be a bit out of it, with his smarts and appearance. James was tall, but he was sure to get taller, with his father and mothers height. He put a hand through his hair, not even aware that he was doing so, he was actually wondering how feeling a simple object could arouse such thoughts.

James' hand left the cloak, but then punched down at it, there was a crinkle of paper and he smiled, he had everything... except a shirt. There really was no need for a shirt as no one besides the house elves were in the kitchens and with everything being warm coming out of the kitchens the kitchens were naturally warm, probably the warmest place in Hogwarts that he had been. Well, broom closets maybe topped the place, but he was trying to keep it PG 13 in his mind. James smiled at his own mental joke and adjusted how he sat in his chair. He watched the house elf, Pinkie, make his food, she seemed a bit tired, but all the house elves were awake for some reason, then it hit him; it was because he was here. They were probably all asleep before 'Master James' had come in, the poor things were awake and it was his fault. James had always had a soft spot for the house elves, probably because they made him food about four times a day, yes he came to the kitchens frequently and he sometimes visited some Hufflepuff ladies on the way, but of COURSE he didn't know where the common room was, if you asked him he'd say he didn't know and James isn't known for lying. Okay, so he did know where all the common rooms were, big deal! It wasn't as if he wanted to strut into the Slytherin common room and start up a conversation with Snivellus, who would want to do that? No one, exactly and James was pretty sure he was someone.

"Master James, your food sir." James smiled warmly at the house elf as she set his tea down, along with toast and a cupcake. "You know what Pinkie? I think that we've come far enough where you can call me James, just plain old James. Think you can handle that?" James gave her a lopsided grin and she bowed and said something that sounded like it had a 'Master James' in it. James grinned and sipped the tea and almost spit it out. He wasn't bloody thinking right, the tea was hot, he should have known that. He gulped it down and then nibbled on his butter white toast as he watched his favorite redhead step into the kitchens, she didn't seem to notice him, but he most certainly noticed her. How could one not? With her bounce in every step and her beautiful features. James shut his mouth which he just realized was open. He forced some bread into it and then wished he was wearing a shirt. Sure he was tan and definitely muscular, he had a six pack after all, but the young Miss Evans always made him self conscious for some reason, though he never acted like it. James gave her his signature grin reserved just for her. He then sipped some tea and answered her question. "I was hungry and couldn't sleep very well. Now what would a prefect being doing out of bed, I am astounded by your behavior Evans. Ten points from Gryffindor." He mocked. Lily's beautiful emerald orbs matched his hazel, they always loved their staring contests.

notes: not the best for our dearest lily ><
muse: good
words: seven four six
music: football game
tag: lily evans

Lily told him that she couldn't sleep. Well that was interesting though he could have easily guessed it himself, it wasn't like she had a marauders map that she could go and find James out of bed. James knew something else was bothering her, probably the reason that she hadn't fallen asleep because if he was caught out of bed by her on a normal night there might have been some yelling or a punishment or him asking her out. Tonight it seemed different, he wasn't really in the mood for rejection and she didn't really seem to want to put up a good battle. That was always something to be concerned about. What was wrong with her, perhaps she had a fight with one of her friends? James had seen it happen once before and they quickly made up so that seemed to be fine so by now Lily would've been happily laughing with them, the whole thing forgotten. Perhaps her father or mother was unwell? That would make anyone sad. James sighed as he thought about his parents, they were old and fragile now and he was pretty sure his father was growing weaker nowadays with the war and everything.

"Why couldn't you sleep?" She didn't have to answer the question, he doubted she would, but it was always good to ask. James studied her, she looked a bit messy as she had probably been fidgeting around in bed, attempting to sleep. Her emerald orbs still glossy and lovely looking, they were probably his favorite thing about her appearance. He enjoyed them most when she was laughing and was happy, but he was content with mad at him, at least she looked at him. Much better treatment than Snivellus got, but he didn't deserve to even be noticed by her. How could he have said such a thing? It disgusted him. At least James was kind to her or at least tried to be, it wasn't his fault that she thought he was an arrogant prat, everyone else thought that he was quite nice, well everyone except for Snivellus. James laughed as she said that he couldn't take points off from Gryffindor. "Well, you are right in many respects because a) I don't have any authority to take points off and I don't believe prefects do either and b) it would be painful doing so, but if I had to I would. Then I'd pulverize then or just make them waste my time for detentions and I will give them reasons why Gryffindors are the best until they try to hex me, so then I have a reason to take a nice hack at them." James smiled, he couldn't wait to see the look on Lily's face when after he just said that he would like to beat up a Gryffindor.

James watched as a house elf delivered Lily her food. She took a sip of it and stated that it was very good, making the house elf happy. Well, she sure had mastered the art of making a house elf not bang themselves against the stove, something James always tried to do. James looked at Lily as he realized he had been looking at the tea in his hand, he watched her blush and then he noticed for about the third time that he didn't have a shirt on. He took the cup up to his lips and drank, smiling into it. Of course she had rolled her eyes as well, but it still counted that she had blushed at his "rock hard" abs as Sirius liked to make fun of him. Hey, it paid off to be strong, the ladies liked it and quidditch liked it as well. He watched as Lily stole then second to last piece of bread. She seemed to challenge him to get it, he grinned; he had always enjoyed challenges. He licked his lips and as she took a bite, he stole the bread from her though she still got her taste. He then devoured it and gave her his last one. Raising an eyebrow, asking her if she wanted it. "Hm, well I believe it was scheduled in November, unless they changed it. For some reason they liked quidditch to be in the cold weather, but as long as I get to play. Yep, this year I'm captain and will lead out team to victory!" James said triumphantly. "You know what? Being captain and all I get to use the prefects bathroom, I'll have fun seeing you in there love." James gave her his famous, just for Lily Evans, cocky grin. He then sipped some of his tea and picked up his cupcake. Two things in this room looked so good.

notes: gah, sorry it took so long, school sucked me in
muse: okay
words: 791
music: man on the moon - kid cudi
tag: lily evans

James stared down at his plate, it was a nice china plate and he wondered why the house elves even bothered, he would be fine with a plastic one, just as long as he could eat off it. He was thinking about the goddess-like girl sitting before him and her troubles. He had always thought that she only had study troubles and well the slytherins teasing her, but there seemed to be a reason as to why she was still awake. He tensed, thinking she would snap at him for asking, though she had to know it was coming. After all how could he not be worried about the love of his love? James listened as Lily told him about her parents not writing back and the letters. It seemed a bit odd and she was muggle born, no he wouldn't think that way because people would've found out by now that the Evans' were dead, it wasn't a possibility. If they were James wouldn't be able to meet his future mother in law and father in law. That brought a slight frown to his face. They definitely would've told Lily about a vacation. "I'm sure the post just got mixed up or something or maybe they went away and forgot to send the letter... my parents do it all the time, but I'm suspecting they're a bit older that yours, but I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." James said sincerely, how desperately he had wanted to say Lily at the end of that.

James smiled as Lily laughed at what he said. The laugh was so musical that his heart swelled with joy, she always knew how to make him feel better, even if she had no idea she was doing it. Tonight was a bit different, she was laughing at things he said and not the laugh that was followed by a speech about him getting detention for hurting a bloody slytherin. Lily did do a little prefecty speech and James applauded her. He better have known that prefects could give out detentions because he had been getting them for years, though Remus seemed to give a blind eye to the mischief that he and Sirius seemed to cause. Lily Evans however did not, when around trouble making he thought of her as a little McGonagall, searching the room with hawk eyes, though she was by far prettier than Minerva was ever. "Believe me I know about detentions all too well." James said smiling as he sipped his tea. He then choked on it as she said his name. Had he just imagined it? Or was the Potter Charm finally working? "You think you've caught me Evans, but what if I put a memory charm on the person so no one would know. Or just threaten them or I could say they started it which technically they would've so beat that Evans... Actually I don't want you to," James was trying to figure out how to ask if she had called him James. That had to be a first. "Perchance did you just call me James?" He said hopefully, though he was expecting her to deny it.

James felt the nice taste of bread in his mouth as he claimed what was once his. Lily instantly protested, but he had already finished by the time she had started. "You can't live without your food either so huh. I bet you've never seen Sirius without food for a day..." James laughed at the memory. Sirius had been sick at the Potters house and hadn't been able to eat another otherwise he would throw up. Of course that didn't stop him, but his stomach would instantly refuse. When he had gotten better he had devoured James' mothers whole meal and he stomach had still growled afterward. The Black family were certainly fond of food. James felt like saying "Well cocky is my middle name," but then decided against it. "As if you could kill me Evans. I mean look at this face!" James modeled his face. "And these rock hard abs. I mean COME ON! Even you couldn't do it Lily." Woops, he had used her first name. Hopefully it would go by unnoticed, but he doubted it. Lily threw a piece of toast at him, which hit him square in the nose. James laughed and quickly ate up the toast before staring back down at his cupcake. He took off the wrapper and put the bottom of the cupcake on the top where the frosting was... he had learned this from his cousin Lauren. James was about to eat it was Lily commented on the butter on his nose. He somehow managed to get his tongue all the way up there and licked the butter off. He mumbled something about it being tasty before saying, "More like you missed my mouth Evans." James licked his lips and smiled mischievously with a brow arched. He then took down the whole cupcake in one bite... delicious. Now only one thing that looked good.

notes: sorry you had to wait so long =(
muse: okay
words: 843
music: ...
tag: lilykins