Always and Forever

chapter 6

Lily's pov-
I felt his strong arms wrap around me and I nuzzled my face into his shoulder as he carried me up the spiral stairs to my room. I didn't open my eyes as he took my shoes off. I didn't open my eyes as he laid me down, gently tucking me under the covers. I didn't open my eyes until he turned to leave and then I let my eyelids flicker as I searched in my body for a voice that seemed to have disappeared.

"Stay with me James" I whispered, not sure if he heard it or not. He must not have because he continued to walk out of the room. I sat up slowly, my whole body rocking back and forth. I had cried until there was nothing left whilst James held me earlier, so I wasn't surprised when no tears came. I closed my eyes briefly, willing my mind not to return to the broom closet. I heard the door creak open and then shut. I couldn't move, my eyelids were glued shut.

"Hey Lils, it's only me. Don't panic. Hey" I felt a weight on the edge of my bed as I peered through my eyelashes to see James sitting there with a pillow and a blanket on the floor next to the bed. I didn't even know I was crying until he leant over and gently caressed my cheek, wiping away my tears.

"Y-You came back" I stuttered and he leaned in closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling my body to his. I felt my body loosen as he held me tenderly.

"I only left so I could change and bring in some stuff," he explained. I felt my cheeks burn at the thought of how one person could provide so much comfort for another. And how that person for me was James Potter. He laid me back down gently and slid down on to the floor. I watched him, dazed as he set up his pillow and blanket and laid down softly.

"What are you doing?" I looked down at him. The boy who had harassed me for years. The boy who hadn't gone two days without asking me out. And yet, when I asked him to stay with me, he turned into a gentleman and laid down on the floor.

He sighed heavily, "Lily, you've been through a lot in a short time. I'm not going to push you" I smiled at his words, feeling secure instantly.

"James, don't be so silly. Come here," I rolled over and patted the empty space next to me. He climbed into my bed, but stayed at least a foot away from me. Who was this respectable boy and what has he done with the arrogant toe-rag I had always known?

"You wanna talk about it?"

"I should, right?" I responded.

"Probably, but that's doesn't mean you have to" I shifted my body to face him, automatically getting closer to him. He was being so understanding and it made me want him more. No, I didn't want him. He was James god damn Potter for Merlins sake. But he was changing. Even I had to admit that over the past few months, he had deflated his head slightly.

I needed to talk. To let it all out. I needed the support and James was there to provide it. That didn't mean I liked him though, right? I inched closer to him and he reached out for my hand. I squeezed his gently, this seemed to give him the confidence to ask a single question.

"Did he...did...did he touch you?" He asked, his voice was hoarse and his eyes were vivid with concern.

"His hands were everywhere," I began slowly, "One of them resting on my breast, another on my underwear" I squeaked and I felt James' body harden beside me. He opened his mouth but I carried on, "He didn't touch me, but I think he would've if you hadn't come. He caught me off guard and pulled me into the cupboard. He used the cruciatus curse on me. Twice." James' hand gripped mine, firmly but not roughly, I felt reassured so I carried on. "He kissed me, and...oh James. It was awful!" I'm freely crying at this point and practically sat on James as his arms engulf me in a tight embrace. His smell eases the tension in my shoulders and his firm grip steadies me. "Then he used some sort of other spell on me, I don't know, i've never heard it or heard of it before. Then you came in, just as I blacked out and that's the last thing I remember". I finished my story and cried into James for a few moments, before I contained myself. I looked up at him, his glasses were misty and his face was coated in tears.

Say something I willed him silently

"Oh Lily," he nuzzled his face into my shoulder and I hooked my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, my legs were straddling him, but it wasn't awkward. We held each other for some time, occasionally whispering condolences. After what felt like forever, I pulled back and detached myself from him carefully. I laid back against the pillows and he propped himself up on his elbow to look at
me.

"I'm sorry Lily, i'm so so sorry" i looked at him, confused. Why was he apologising? This wasn't his fault. "If i'd have come with you or seen your wand soon enough to give you it, we could've hexed him into oblivion" he paused shaking his head gently, as if reprimanding himself.

"James stop. It's no ones fault except his. He chose to do that. His actions, his fault" I wrapped my arms around James' neck and he placed one hand on my hip. I flinched and he quickly pulled away. I unhooked one of my arms from his neck and caught his hand as he removed it from my hip. I guided it gently back down and he looped it around my torso. I snuggled into his chest and listened to his heart beat rhythmically. It was soothing to hear as it slowed down and he drifted into a sleep coma. I breathed out heavily, but allowed sleep to overtake my limbs. I was safe.