ALWAYS

Safe In Your Arms

"James, wake up". He could hear Lily's gentle voice, drifting into his ears.

"No, please" he pleaded, wanting to snuggle in even deeper into his bed, his girl in his arms.

"Well, if that's what you want. But you do have Quidditch against the Slytherins today." she reminded him.

"Oh yeah" he said, sitting up, adreniline rushing through his veins.

"Will you come?" he asked, knowing Lily never came to Quidditch matches.

"Um... yeah" she said, shrugging her shoulders, still unsure of why she had said yes.

"And wear my jersey?" he asked, nervously, knowing he was pushing his luck.

She looked into his hazel eyes, filled with nervousness.

"Um... i dont know jame-"

"Oh come on babe, pleaseee....... I really could use the luck plus every girlfriend wears her boyfriends Jersey" he pleaded.

"Oh fine. You are lucky I'm your girl James Potter" she grinned.

"I am" agreed James.
******
An hour later they were fully dressed.

Lily wore James's jersey, tied it at the corner, to make sure it doesn't look she was drowning in it.

James headed to the pitch along with Sirius and the rest of the team. She joined Alice and Marlene, who was also wearing Sirius's jersey.

"I swear, I meant to tell you. I was just too caught up." said Marlene, who was trying her best to convince her best friends about the new turn in her love life.

"Yeah, caught up" said Lily sarcastically.

"Snogging Black" added Alice.

Lily and Alice shared a mischievious glance as they took their seats.

"Oh come on guys, I said I am sorry." she said looking from Alice to Lily.

Both of them burst out laughing, and hugged their confused best friend. "We are happy for you Mar. Truly" assured Alice in between giggles.

"How is Black anyway?" asked Lily. She had missed her time with the girls, gossiping and talking about guys.

She was so busy juggling Head duties, studies and James that she barely spent any time with girls.

The girls too were busy with their own boyfriends- Marlene with Sirius and Alice with Frank.

"Oh, he is the perfect gentleman" said Marlene. "I'm sure he is" chuckled Alice, sarcastically.

"Hey"Marlene protested, but her protests were drowned by the crowd cheering for the Gryffindor team who had zoomed past the stands on their brooms, James, their captain, Lily's boyfriend leading them.
******
The game started with Madam Hooch blowing the whistle, and brooms kicking off the ground.

James circled the field, trying to catch a glimpse of the snitch, occasionally giving his team mates moral support and Instructions.

Wood, the Gryffindors chaser had scored three goals so far, and the Slytherins were struggling to score even one.

Sirius on the other hand, was an excellent beater and aimed the bludgers several times towards Malfoy and Lestrange, both of whom had actively participated in hurting his best friend and fellow Marauder by aiding Voldemort.

Remus, on the other hand, was commentating.

"Today seems to be Wood's day. Three goals within the hour. Slytherins need to score more points if they wish to win."

"Oh and look, Malfoy's got the quaffle from Wood, zooming past the rest of the players, he is nearing the Gryffindor keeper and ready to shoot."

"Oh and Gryffindor beater seems to have aimed a bludger straight at his head. Slytherins ought to have their players back if you ask me. " commented Lupin.

"NO SIDES LUPIN". The crowd laughed at McGonagall's intervention and turned their attention to the game.

Remus's voice filled the air again. "Looks like James Potter, Gryffindor Seeker has caught sight of the snitch. There he goes, descending down at great speed with Lestrange, the Slytherin seeker right behind him. Lestrange seems to have over took Potter, and.... OH NO! Looks like Potter performed the Wronskie Feint on Lestrange. Lestrange looks like he can't play the match now, he seems to have broken his arm. Ouch!"

"What's that? Is that Gryffindor seeker, Potter holding up the snitch? YES! Gryffindor has won!" hollered Remus, unable to contain his excitement.

The rest of the school rushed onto the pitch, lifting the Gryffindor players into the air, cheers filling the atmosphere.

Sirius and James managed to escape the crowd. "Hell of a game" said Sirius.

"Yeah, good aim at Malfoy" replied James, sounding proud of his victory and best friend.

"Mar" exclaimed Sirius, hugging his now girlfriend. James smiled at the couple as he walked over to his girlfriend who was still wearing his jersey.

He pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss.

"Oy! Get a room" commented Sirius, his arm encircled around Marlene.

"We won" said James, with a huge smile as he broke away from Lily.

"I know" she said, unable to control her laughter at the childlike expression of James.

"Well done" she said, admiration filling her eyes. The two couples made their way to the Gryffindor Common Room. They climbed through the entrance, a series of screams filling the air.

There were sweets, pizza, pies and butterbeer set on the table. Celebrations were in full swing. "Good game Prongs, Padfoot" said Remus as he gave his friends a hug.

Peter seemed to be nowhere in sight. "Good commentating" said Sirius as he grinned at Lupin.

"Thanks" replied Remus.

The rest of the night was a blur. The Gryffindors were busy enjoying their victory.
*******
Late at night, James and Lily went into their Dorm, James held Lily's hand as he let her lead him to her room.

She opened her door before turning around hiding her face in his chest,

"Ewwww".

James looked over her head, to find his best friend and his girl's best friend , on Lily's bed, clearly making out.

"Oy Padfoot. What the hell mate?" he hollered.

"If you don't mind, I would prefer to talk about this tomorrow" replied Sirius before slamming the door in their face with a swish of his wand. James chuckled and shook his head.

He looked down at Lily, still refusing to turn around, her head taking refuge in his chest.

"Lils it's fine, we'll go to my room" he said.

"Uh huh" she said sleepily. He looked down at her, amusement dancing in his eyes.

She struggled to stand straight, swaying from side to side, her eyes drooping, full of sleep. James let out a gentle laugh.

He bent down, swept her off her feet, literally and carried her down her staircase and up his staircase.

She was already fast asleep , her arms tightly wrapped around his neck, her eyes closed.

She truly was the prettiest girl he had ever seen and she was his.

All his.

He gently placed her on the bed and walked over to the other side and climbed in, pulling the blanket over Lily and himself.

Few minutes passed by, and James's eyes too started drooping sleepily. He was about to fall asleep, when he felt Lily nestle closer, her gentle arm snaking around his neck, her face resting on his chest.

He was half-asleep, yet pulled her closer, making Lily feel the safest she had ever felt.

He had always wanted this. Always.