"Hi."
James Potter looked up from the homework he had been doing, his posture altering significantly as he recognised his visitor. "Hey."
"Can I sit?"
"Sure," he nodded, pulling the books and parchment he had scattered across his common room desk toward him as Lily took a seat in the opposite chair. Carefully she placed the biscuit tin onto the wooden surface, one hand resting on its lid.
"Thanks for doing this James," she began, her eyes on the tin. "I know you probably think I'm pathetic, but..." she trailed off, not quite knowing what she was trying to say.
"A little."
His tone was serious but when she glanced up there was a playful glint in his eye.
"So, what's in the tin?" he added, leaning one elbow on the desk and resting his chin against his palm.
"My insurance policy," she replied, pushing it toward him and finally removing her hand.
He stared at the tin for a moment before looking back up at her. "I thought you told Sirius he wouldn't get the money until after?"
"Well," she said honestly, crossing her legs under the table. "I trust you."
He raised an eyebrow.
"More than Sirius," she added with a smirk.
"Of course."
"And I know the Quidditch season is starting soon so I figured you'd probably want it sooner than later."
He raised another eyebrow at her.
"Dorcas told me."
"Ah."
They both glanced at the tin once more and he finally reached out for it, picking it up while his other hand fished for his bag under the table and he stored it away before folding his arms on the desk.
"You're not going to count it?"
"You trust me – I trust you."
She nodded her understanding and they fell silent for a moment. With Sirius it had been easy; he had all the ideas, and she was willing to let him take the lead if need be, she felt she knew what to expect from him. But James was different. They had been friends when they were younger but so much time had passed since then; she didn't know who he was anymore. Especially after finding out he didn't fancy her anymore; she felt as though she didn't know what to expect from this guy at all.
"We need to practice," she said decisively, taking some sort of command. "I'd like it to look good."
"Okay," he said casually.
She was surprised he hadn't taken offence at the suggestion that he – James Potter, coolest guy in school – should need practice when it came to kissing. But it was much easier than having to argue her case, or worse, repeat that crude speech that Sirius had given her.
"When?" he added.
"Oh." She hadn't really thought that far ahead. "Well, whenever we can fit it in I suppose. We have rounds every evening and you have Quidditch practice Tuesday, Thursday and Friday-"
"Saturday," he corrected her.
"Saturday," she nodded. "And we have to have time for study too. So that leaves..."
"Wednesday."
"Tomorrow," she realised out loud. Wow. She hadn't expected this to happen quite so fast. Panic threatened to take over her but James appeared as calm as ever.
