A/N: Any title ideas would be greatly appreciated ~ mine is awful!

Cleaning The Changing Rooms

I sighed and handed my wand over. McGonagall marched out of the room, her nose held high in the air and slammed the door shut behind her.

I wrinkled my nose as the full force of the smell hit me now she had shut off the only source of clean air.

The quidditch changing rooms were a mess. Mud was spattered across all the surfaces, grass strewn across the floor. The sopping uniforms had been left in a pile in the corner, the scarlet robes vivid against the dull grey walls. I took a quick peek into the girls changing area; it was relatively clean, the only mess the mud that had been brought through on the girl's shoes, and I decided to start in here.

I filled up the bucket McGonagall had left me with freezing cold water from the outside tap, soaking myself in the process when the old rusting tap decided to splurge its water out sideways, as if in protest at being used after so long. Adding cleaner I dragged it back into the changing room and kneeling down began scrubbing the floor.

It was repetitive, boring work, and my mind was left free to wonder back to the events of my awful day.

It had actually started out pretty well. The sun had been shining, there were croissants at breakfast and my hair was listening to me for once. It was in transfiguration that things began to go a bit topsy-turvy.

*This Morning*

I slid into my usual seat near the front of the class and began pulling my books out of my bag. I had already scratched the date onto the top of my parchment when I realised that Mary McDonald, a fellow Gryffindor and my partner for this class, was missing.

I swung around, trying to figure out where she was; I knew she had been at breakfast this morning. My eyes narrowed as they passed over the marauders at the back of the room who were sniggering loudly and trying so hard not to laugh that I knew something was wrong.

I huffed, and turned back to the front, glaring at the empty chair beside me, annoyed that Mary had abandoned me.

'Miss Evans.' McGonagall ordered as she strode to the front of the class, 'kindly find yourself a partner.' The Slytherins began sniggering at how much of a loner I was, and with a burning red face I scooped up my books and turned to find an empty chair.

My stomach dropped as I noticed James sprawled back in his chair smirking at me knowingly as I was forced by an irritated glare from McGonagall to sit down next to him.

'Hey, Lily.' Sirius sang, leaning forward to grin at me around James.

'Yeah, hey Lils' Mary laughed, she in turn leaning around Sirius.

'You-!' I started to ask Mary how she could betray me like this, but I was swiftly cut off.

'Miss Evans. I must insist that you hold your tongue.' McGonagall barked from the front of the class. I snapped my mouth shut and edged my chair down the desk until I was wedged in against the corner and as far away from Potter as physical possible. He, however, did not seem to take this as an insult, but more as an invitation to shuffle down after me.

'What are you doing?' I hissed, as soon as McGonagall turned towards the board. James looked at me with large innocent eyes. I glared right back and leaned further away so that my legs were under the desk but my torso was hovering somewhere in the aisle between our table and the Ravenclaws next to us. 'Stop following me!' I demanded a little louder than I had anticipated as James looked ready to shadow me across the desk.

'Miss Evans!' McGonagall snapped down her chalk and turned furiously to face me. 'This is most uncommon. Please refrain from talking, or I will be forced into punishment.

'Sorry Professor.' I mumbled, my cheeks burning so hot I was sure James must have been able to feel the heat radiating off them. She turned back to the board and I had to bite down on my tongue to keep myself from lashing out at James when I heard him sniggering. Instead I aimed a low blow elbow shot which caught him nicely just below the ribs. He yelped in surprise rather than pain, but I took it as a success.

McGonagall however, did not seem to find this amusing in the slightest.

'I don't not know what's going on back there, Miss Evans and Mister Potter, but rest assured, it will not be tolerated in my class, and even less from students in my own house. 10 points each from Gryffindor.' James seemed to take this in his stride, but my jaw dropped. 20 points! 'Is there something you would like to add, Miss Evans?' McGonagall stared me down until I felt as though I had melted into a puddle in my chair.

'No Professor.'

'Good. Now if I could kindly carry on with my lesson.' And with a very annoyed swish, she turned back to the board.

I didn't risk taking a peek at James. No doubt he was laughing at my misfortune and I knew I wouldn't be able to stop a hostile reaction to him.

When McGonagall finally set the pair work, I turned toward him, ready to snap back an insult to whatever comment he was going to come out with, but no such action was required; James just began the work. No funny jokes, no chuckling away at my embarrassment, he just started scratching away with his quill.

And when I got stuck he helped. Like, really helped. It took him 2 minutes to explain a concept I had been struggling with for 2 weeks!

'You're a really good teacher.' I told him.

'Thanks Lily.' He said sounding surprised at the praise, and reached up to ruffle his hair awkwardly.

'You're welcome' I answered automatically.

We lapsed into an awkward silence. At least it felt awkward to me; James didn't seem to notice it at all, just carried on practising his wand-work.

By the end of the lesson I was amazed to find I had actually understood what McGonagall had been teaching us, and laughed at loud at the concept of not having to stay up late tonight reading over all my notes in some vain hope of understanding what the hell I had been taught in transfiguration. Perhaps I should ask for James's help more often.

We all had Defence Against The Dark Arts next, and James, Sirius, Remus, Mary and I all trundled off together. The Professor this year was a little slow. Not in the mind, but physically, slow. I took him minutes to write instructions on the board, and really, I don't know how he has survived this long being a Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor if he has a reaction time to contest with that of a quaffle.

I slid into my seat next to Sirius and waited for Professor Snale to turn around. I had my quill poised over my parchment, my ink pot sitting right next to it, ready to start taking notes. The thing with Snale was that although he moved slowly, he talked fast. And I don't just mean quickly, I mean he doesn't take breaths between sentences, and he strings his words together with no gaps so you have to listen really hard to work out where one word ended and the next began. It's so bad that all the Gryffindors have grouped together to take notes; one of us takes the first sentence, the next one the second and so on, and we decode and write these down. At the end of the lesson, we pool our notes together, and with help from the textbook normally manage work out what we were meant to have learnt that lesson. Some days were worse than others. Today was one of those days.

I had been given the 3rd sentence today, and things were going, well not great, but acceptably normal .Until Snale paused. Every student stopped scribbling and looked up at him. Snale never paused. That was just the rule of thumb in his class.

'Miss McDonald. Would you agree with this?' Everyone turned to stare at Mary. Her face went bright red and she managed to splutter out a quick 'yes?' that made it sound more like a question than an answer. Everyone twizzled back to the front, confusion plastered on their faces. Never before had Professor Snale asked a question in class.

'Very good. And you, Miss Evans. Why do you think this is an effective way of protecting you during battle?' My mouth dropped open and I scanned my notes in desperation. I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

'Umm.' I swallowed and tried to think if something intelligent to say, but my mind had wiped itself clean of everything I had ever learnt; it was struggling just trying to form comprehensible sentences. 'Because it works?' I squeaked.

Snales face drew together in a look of thunder. 'Is that supposed to be funny?' He demanded, for once talking at a normal pace.

'I-I-I' My mouth had dried up and speech was impossible.

'I will not tolerate cheek in class. You may get away with that with other Professors in this school, but special allowances will not be made for Prefects inside my classroom. 20 points from Gryffindor.' I sat stunned. I had no idea what had just happened. I looked at Sirius, but he looked just as confused as I felt.

Giving up on asking questions, Snale shot straight back into dictating to the class and the stunned silence continued.

I was overjoyed when the bell rang and I could finally flee the room and my overwhelming embarrassment. James and Sirius burst out laughing as soon as they were through the door, both gripping their stomachs and bent in two.

'I've never seen you look so confused before in my life!' James wheezed. 'It must have been the first time I've ever known you not to give the correct answer in class.'

'Priceless' was all Sirius had to say on it. Remus gave me an apologetic glance and shrugged as if to say 'what you gonna do?'

My mood had been popped like a balloon and all I wanted to do now was eat. Apparently I wasn't even going to be allowed that, for as soon as I entered the Great Hall I saw McGonagall and Snale talking in the corner and I had a feeling I knew exactly what about.

I dumped myself onto the bench and began grabbing and swallowing any food within my reach before McGonagall came to find me, which I knew she would. I was halfway through taking a bite of a sausage when I felt a sharp tap on my shoulder. I quickly swallowed my food and turned to look up at the stony faced Professor.

'Miss Evans, if you wouldn't mind, I would like to have word.'

'Yes Professor.' I mumbled lamely, following her out into the Entrance Hall.

'I have just finished a most interesting conversation with Professor Snale.' She explained in a clipped tone. 'And he told me you gave him cheek in his lesson today?' She phrased it like a question, but her tone indicated she wished for no explanation. 'First you chatter in my class and then talk back to a Professor? This is most unlike you Miss Evans, and it is only your perfect record of behaviour that has kept you from a harsher punishment than the removal of points. As it is, one more slip up today, and I will have no option but to give you a fitting punishment.' Glaring at me, she turned on her heel and marched back into the Great Hall.

I stood still for a moment, too stunned to move. I had never been very good with getting told off. Even now, at 17 years old I had to fight back the tears that were threatening to spill over. I was angry at myself for being so upset about one small talking to, and I felt completely drained when the bell rang and I remembered I still had double potions to go before I could hide away under my duvet.

I sent up a small prayer of gratitude to Merlin that Slughorn was my last teacher for the day knowing in his eyes I could do no wrong.

James sprawled himself arrogantly in his chair beside me, but I bit my lip from passing any kind of remark and merely yanked my textbook out from where he was resting his head upon it. His head thumped onto the table and he shot straight up, yelping and rubbing his temple.

'Miss Evans!' A high pitched and extremely feminine voice barked. I shut my eyes and let out a deep breath, hoping that I had imagined that all too familiar voice. Turning slowly I saw Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway, her arms folded in front on her chest and her thin lips turned down in a scowl. Luck was just not on my side today. 'I don't know what had gotten into you today, but attacks on fellow students are not acceptable at Hogwarts.

'I didn't attack him, he was lying on-' I began indignantly, but McGonagall cut me off.

'I suppose it is this kind of attitude that lost you 20 house points in Defence Against The Dark Arts earlier, Miss Evans? I warned you merely 10 minute ago that anymore misbehaviour today would result in a fitting punishment. You have detention. Meet me in my office at seven o'clock sharp. Do not be late.' She snapped. 'And wear something old.' She added as an afterthought.

McGonagall's tone warmed instantly when Slughorn emerged from his office, crumbs scattered down the front of his robes. 'Professor Slughorn, you don't mind if I borrow Mister Potter for a few moments, do you?'

'Not at all' Slughorn boomed, shaking out his robes. James pulled himself up, and shooting me an apologetic glance which I returned with a hardened glare, sauntered out of the room.

'Dear me, Lily. Are you feeling okay? You look a little flushed.' Slughorn enquired. I heard Sirius snicker behind me.

'I'm fine Professor.' He didn't look convinced but let the matter drop.

I had already begun chopping up the ingredients for our antidote when James slid back into his seat. 'Sorry about that, Lily.' James apologised straight away and he seemed so sincere that for a moment I actually believed him.

Snapping back to my senses just in time I sniffed and pushed a dish of fluxweed toward him. 'Shred that.' James sighed and did as he was told.

I sighed and dropped the brush into the bucket of water. One down, two to go.

I heaved the bucket from the girls changing room and emptied the filthy water outside. Refilling it I dragged it back in and decided to just get the boys changing area done and out of the way. I knew it was going to smell, but leaving it to last would just make me work slower on the main room as a means of procrastination.

I had not been wrong; the room reeked and there was mud splattered across every surface, clumps of the stuff hanging hardened from the ceiling. I wished I had my wand, but this was supposed to be a punishment and even though I believed it was extenuating circumstances that had landed me here, a wand would have made the task much too simple for a seventh year.

Pulling my sweater up to cover my nose I climbed up onto one of the benches and begun scrubbing the ceiling. The water slopped from the sponge and down the front of my clothes, but I was too determined to complete this job as quickly as possible and get to bed to bother to find a better way to clean the ceiling.

So caught up was I in my job that I was oblivious to the noises of someone entering the changing rooms from outside. And they too seemed oblivious to me, much too preoccupied in getting into the relative warmth of the changing rooms and climbing out of their wet gear.

Slap! The noise made me jump and I spun around to see who was there.

'Hey!' I yelled, more in surprise than anger, 'what are you – oh.' James was standing in the middle of the room, his clothes in a wet pile at his feet. I flushed bright red and jumped back around to face the wall.

'Lily!' James yelped, grabbing his towel and wrapping it around his bottom half. 'What are you doing here?' he squeaked.

'Detention.' I took a quick peek over my shoulder and turned an even deeper shade of crimson when James caught me looking. Thankfully he restrained himself from commenting on this.

'Oh yeah. I am sorry about that, Lily.' I waved off his apology, too embarrassed by this whole situation to feel any other emotion, including anger.

'What are you doing down here anyway, McGonagall told me there were no quidditch practises tonight.' Even to my own ears I sounded accusing, but James was either oblivious to this, or had become so used to me accusing him that he replied as though I had made no more than a polite enquiry.

'Oh, it wasn't a scheduled practise. I just came down to have a fly.' I, not being exactly a fan of heights, could not understand why flying in the rain would sound alluring to anyone, but to each their own. 'So what exactly is your detention? James asked as he pulled on his trousers.

'Oh, I have to clean the changing room.' I sighed.

'It's been a pretty crappy day for you too, huh?'

'Yup.' I said to the wall.

'You can turn around now, Lily.' James chuckled. When I did he had his head stuck in his sweater and where his hands were above his head a thin sliver his stomach was visible between his belt and the bottom of his t-shirt. I quickly averted my gaze when James finally got his head through the hole, but from his pleased smile I guess he knew what I had been looking at.

'So how far have you got?' He asked. I looked back at him, bemused.

'What?'

'With the cleaning, how far have you got?'

'I've done the girl's area. But I've still gotta do in here, and the communal area.' I grumbled.

'So you could really do with a hand?' He raised his eyebrows at me.

I narrowed my eyes. 'What do you want?' I asked.

'Forgiveness.' I knew there would be a catch.

'For what?'

'For getting you stuck here in the first place.' He said simply, leaning casually against the wall.

I looked at him for a while, but saw no reason why I shouldn't accept his offer; I mean, the guy had a wand.

'Okay.'

'Okay…' James laughed.

'Okay, I forgive you.' I jumped down from my bench.

'Much better', James chuckled. He dug his wand out of back pocket and with a quick wave the entire place was spotless.

My shoulders sagged with relief. 'Thank you, James.' James froze and gave me a peculiar look.

'Any time.'

'Does that mean 'any time you're in detention I'm more than happy to come bust you out'?' I joked.

'No, that means any time you need me, I'll be here.' Now it was my turn to freeze.

'James…' I trailed off, my words catching in my throat. There must have been something in the way I said his name because he shrugged himself off the wall and strode toward me.

'Yeah?' He murmured, stooping down so that he was looking me in the eye.

'Just that, I know you have Sirius and Remus and Peter… But, you know, if you ever need anyone, I'll be here for you too.' I rushed the words out, letting them spill over my tongue before pride could make me stop.

James's eyes widened in surprise, and I felt my heartbeat stutter when the corner of his mouth flicked up into an arrogant smirk.

He was so close I could smell the scent rolling of his skin, and his breath tickling my chin. His damp hair had fallen forward into his hazel eyes, and his skin was splotchy from wind burn.

No longer able to control myself I took a deep breath and launched myself at him. Throwing my arms around his neck I kissed him full on the mouth. James stumbled backward, his arms encircling my waist as we slammed back into the wall.

James, who had appeared unable to move at first, caught on quickly and his hot mouth pressed backs hard against mine.

I was a complete novice in this area and I was only too happy to let James take control of the kiss, his lips slowing down from the frenzied attack they had been at the start, to a gentler, more sensitive manoeuvre.

When we finally detached our mouths I took a huge gasp of breath, my chest rising and falling rapidly and my heart smashing against my ribcage.

'And to think all I asked for was forgiveness.' James teased, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear before trailing his fingertips lightly along my jaw.

I gave him a slight elbow in the gut and leaned up to continue where we had left off, but James leaned away from me. Confused, I followed him, but once again he moved his head away.

'James?' I asked perplexed by how he was acting. He wanted this, didn't he? He was still gripping me tightly in his arms, but he was refusing to kiss me.

'Lily, will you go to Hogsmeade with me on Saturday?' He asked, eyes wide and full of hope.

I froze, and looked up at him. 'James, I don't know if that's a good idea…' My thoughts went straight to how Severus would react.

'What do you mean?' James asked, his eyes brimming with hurt.

'I just don't know if I'm ready for that kind of statement.' I explained, willing him to understand. I pushed myself in closer to him, and his grip around me tightened in response.

'What do you mean, 'that kind of statement'?' He demanded. 'You can't just kiss me like that and then tell me it meant nothing to you.' His eyes were burning with fury and rejection but when I tried to take a step back from him his arms refused to relinquish their hold on me.

'I'm not saying it doesn't mean anything to me; it, you, mean a lot to me. I just don't know if we should make what we're doing common knowledge.' James seemed to soften at the mention of 'we'.

'Why not, Lily? We've nothing to be ashamed of. Why can't I tell everyone that you're my girlfriend?' James had a way of making everything sound so reasonable.

'It's not just us I'm thinking about.' I knew as soon as the words left my lips that they were the wrong thing to say.

James's whole stance became stiff and formal. 'It's him, isn't it?' He asked, letting go of me and stepping away like I had dragonpox. He gave a self-depreciating chuckle. 'I'll always be competing with him, won't I?' Shaking his head he picked up his bag and stormed from the changing room, slamming the door behind him.

I let out a huge breath I hadn't realised I had been holding and slumped to the floor.

This really has been a bad day.

A/N: This had begun as a one-shot, but the plot seemed to stretch and refigure itself on the paper and it has advanced into a two-shot, or possibly multi-chapter fic depending how James and Lily react in the next chapter.

Let me know what you think,

Anna-Cate xxx