A Cup Affair

Chapter Sixteen

Hello everyone! This is the last chapter of our story! Next Sunday I'll be posting the epilogue.

Thank you so much for those who read it - from the start, or new readers. Many, many thanks to everyone who took up some time from their lives to leave me nice words about this story.

There are some extras that I'll try to translate too, and post at random. In the meantime, I invite you to read some of my other works too.

Have a good Sunday and thank you for reading A Cup Affair!

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Lily didn't know exactly what, but something was strange. Starting by the fact that she was, well, confused, and she wasn't usually confused when she woke up.

The confusion diminished and she pinpointed what was strange: she felt rested. Had she slept too much and missed her alarm?

Lily sighed.

Only when she sighed she noticed one more thing: she was not alone. The discovery came to her with the reply to her sigh – an arm holding her tightened its grip around her waist, as if to stop her from getting up.

Not that getting up had even crossed her mind. Although they apparently were on a couch (really, a couch?), she was very comfortable. So Lily simply turned to face her companion and didn't hold back a grin with the sight of crooked glasses.

Everything was clear in her mind. She had found the killer. James was innocent. They had talked, then they were interrupted by Rita Skeeter. They got back at the hotel, where they spent a good portion of the night discussing strategies for the press conference that had yet to be scheduled, but doubtless would happen.

The conversation started to divert from the initial focus, moving to more personal things, to memories, routines, experiences, some kisses...

And apparently to sleep.

"You know, I didn't expect it from you."

Lily grimaced when she heard Marlene's teasing tone. She looked to her friend and asked for silence, indicating the sleeping James at her side.

"It's time to get up anyway," the brunet replied. "But I really didn't expect it from you, Evans. From Sirius, perhaps. But not from you. On the communal couch?!"

Lily grabbed a pillow and threw it on her friend, who laughed as she easily ducked. The movement, however, was enough to make James rise. He blinked a few times, a deep frown on his forehead, until he recognized Lily and grinned widely, pulling her closer.

"'od mornin'," James grumbled, hiding his face on Lily's neck. She grinned back.

"Hey."

"Sleep alright?" He asked, landing a succession of feather-light kisses on Lily's neck and shoulder.

"Oh, Merlin, this is way too sweet," Marlene said, pretending to be disgusted. Lily knew it was simply for the pleasure of teasing, because Marlene liked a good cuddling in the morning as much as the next person.

"You can always leave," James teased her back.

"You're in a communal area, darling," Marlene quipped.

"Huh. Fancy that. Guess I'll take this to my bedroom then."

Marlene and James laughed as Lily rolled her eyes and grumbled something, but a grin etched her face.

"We'd better get up. Moody'll be here pretty soon."

Lily had to get rid of James's embrace. He was smirking the whole time, releasing his grip then strengthening it again. It was, honestly, silly, and childish, and yet she was having fun.