(Not my best work on the cuteness scale. Sorry guys! Just trying it out. :) )

Her heartache to be with him. Even though he said they should lie low for a while because of the great darkness which was growing stronger. After Jill Waters was attacked over the break. No one wanted to be the centre attention anymore. Flaunting her and his love everywhere wouldn't be wise.

Lily strolled into the printing room one day. She was greeted by the turning of gears and commotion coming from the abstract machine. Normally, only Newspapers had access to magical twiddledee's like this but seniors had access to the only one that Hogwarts owned.

She expected to find it empty. Yet, the back of his eye catching, black hair was sticking up like it always did. His muscles in his back tensing as he rifled for papers through the many drawers which lined the walls. There was also a fifth year in the corner of the room, seemingly finishing up.

James must've heard the door open because as she moved to wait in line, unsure if she should start up a conversation or not he turned around and his eyes landed on her.

"Oh hey, Lily." He nodded his head casually. Her heart pulled so hard. They'd barely talked the past few weeks.

"Hey." Lily responded. Coming across a lot more confident than she felt in that moment.

"You copying the notes for transfiguration?" He asked.

"Yeah, I left mine at my place over the holidays. Again." Lily laughed. She was surprised by how genuine she sounded; how happy.

James let a small chuckle escape him. "Classic Lily." He agreed. He had no idea how crazy his crooked glasses were driving her.

"Yeah, well." Lily agreed. James continued to rifle through papers to find the right ones. There was a pause in the conversation.

"Aha." James exclaimed, finally clasping his hands onto the desired parchment. "Do you want me to just copy one for you as well?" He asked.

"Yes, that would be great." She let out. James laughed once again. That laugh. It warmed her to the bones she created that sound.

"Minnie's really laying it on thick lately isn't she?" James began.

"Tell me about it."

" What are you doing for your final assessment?"

"Well..." They got lost in the art of conversation. She was shocked how easily they're conversation came. It easily slipped from their assessment into something deeper. Yet they both ignored the issue that was ringing in their minds still.

Lily was pretty sure the copier ran out of parchment around 20 minutes before James finally exclaimed the issue.

She held herself back from flirting no matter how much she wanted to. But she found there was a constant train of people coming into the room. Not allowing a moment alone with James. They couldn't risk meeting after night fall. Believe It or not, some students were already on the dark side. There was so many things to be careful of these days.

"It'll be interesting to see who keeps in contact with who when we get out of this place." James queried. They were leaned up against the cabinets now. Lily wasn't sure how long they'd been talking. Her friends were probably wondering where the merlin she was.

The colours of sunset washed over the room, delicately falling through the windows. Lighting both of their faces with colours of marron and mauve.

"I'd like to think a lot of us will keep in contact." She spoke softly. James nudged her.

"Yeah you're right, no way would I let you get rid of me that quickly." When James's arm fell down again she swore she felt in linger on her skin for her hand for a second.

A soft silence bathed over them. Lily couldn't help feel a sorrow seep through her veins.

She was so close to the guy she liked- no loved. Yet she couldn't do anything but talk. Even in this situation which could truly be something beautiful. With the rich colours and the soft silence.

Then there was the fear if one of them did make a move once again, what about the darker things that were stirring in the south of the wizarding community? The whispers of the treacherous name?

She tried to stop them from coming. But she couldn't help at least one tear escape from her gazed eyes. James glanced over to Lily and a sorrow that ran deep washed over his veins. His normal jolly façade replaced with concern when he saw her crying.

"Lily." He whispered softly. "You're thinking about him aren't you?"

She nodded silently. Her little issues of yesterday seemed so pathetic now. Yet her heartbeat couldn't help itself as he linked his rough hands with hers. A piece of her seemed to click again

"We'll make It through Lil. I promise. We'll live full lives. We'll each have a family of our own. I'll make sure you get to see me with tons of wrinkles." James whispered, laughing lightly. Lily leaned her head into his warm chest and let half a sob and half a laugh.

"It's going to be okay in the end. I promise."

He cupped her chin with his hands and they're lips connected in a soft kiss which held all the words neither of them could manage to say.

(update! sorry this took so long but tbh I this has been sitting in my drafts for a week cause I couldn't be bothered to write authors note/effort. I know I know this story is on the depressing side. I wanted to try out a new style. Legit though cringing so hard at how bad some of my earlier stories are and soon I'm going to start using actual proper writing techniques cause last year me seemed unable to do that. so hurray.

COMMENT WHAT YOU THINK LOVELIES AND SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED. ☺️❤️ )