Eight months later...
"Sod off, Potter!"
"You first, Evans!"
"I was here before you."
"It's not your tower."
"It is when I'm studying Astronomy."
"You said that last year. You forgot your telescope again."
"I'm working on an essay. I have N.E.W.T.s in eight months."
"I came up here to think. That's just as important."
"I hardly think contemplating the size of Carin O'Connell's breasts qualifies as important."
"I think about other things besides girls' tits, you know."
"I doubt it."
"I told you last year I'm not a shallow idiot. Didn't I convince you?"
"Last year, maybe. This year, no."
"Well, that's what I need to think about."
"How you’re a shallow idiot?"
"No, how this year is different."
"Well, I need to study."
"And I need fresh air."
"Why?"
"It's none of your business. Look, I'll take this side of the tower, you take that one. We won't even have to see each other."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"James?"
"What is it, Evans?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"Whether or not I should jump."
"James! You're not!"
"It'd be a right bit quieter, wouldn't it?"
"I'm sorry."
"Keep writing, Evans. The heavens wait for no one."
"James?"
"Why do you keep calling me that?"
"Because it's your name?"
"Just call me Potter. It's a bit scary when you use my first name."
"Fine. Is everything all right, Potter?"
"Yes."
"Then what do you need to think about since you're not thinking about…well, you know?"
"Tits? Actually, if you must know, I'm trying to work up my wand to talk to Dumbledore."
"Why? Did something happen?"
"Not yet. I'm quitting as Head Boy tomorrow, though."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I'm rubbish at it, that's why."
"You are not."
"I've had three detentions, failed two exams, and we lost the first Quidditch match. I slept through the last prefects' meeting. I can't do it all."
"I think you're brilliant, if that helps."
"It doesn't. You just don't want to work with Robertson since he's my best replacement."
"You're right, I don't. He's a git and I'd rather work with you."
"Bollocks. You'll be glad to be rid of me."
"I will not."
"You're lying."
"I am not. Don't quit, James. You can figure out all that other stuff."
"Not all of it."
"What else is there?"
"Nothing."
"What about me then?"
"What about you? You'll finally be rid of me."
"You're not quitting because of me, are you?"
"No, I'm turning in my badge because I'm not supposed to be Head Boy."
"Dumbledore wouldn't have chosen you if he didn't believe in you."
"Dumbledore makes mistakes. It turns out I'm one of them."
"What's with the sudden pity party, Potter? It's not like you at all."
"Back off, Evans. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Too bad. You got me to spill once. Tell me why you're really quitting, and I'll tell you if you can."
"If I can quit? I don't need your permission."
"You do when you're acting like a shallow idiot. Go on. Tell me why."
"I already told you—it's too much."
"I've seen you handle much more and much worse, James."
"It doesn't get much worse than this, Evans. I'm drowning."
"Then learn how to swim."
"Brilliant solution, Evans. I hope I'm never lost at sea with you."
"Are you sick of me, is that the rest of it?"
"Of course not!"
"Why quit, then?"
"Merlin's pants--this is why! I can't work with you, Evans. Not anymore."
"I don't understand. What's suddenly different?"
"I'm tired of it, Lily. I'm tired of bickering every day, of fighting after every meeting. I really hoped we'd get along this year, especially after that trip to Hogsmeade, but I was wrong. I give up--on you, on me, on us."
"Oh."
"Real articulate, Evans."
"Don't give up, James."
"Why the hell not? Aren't you sick of me? You certainly act like it."
"Sometimes. But I still don't want you to stop trying."
"You have a funny way of showing it."
"So do you."
"I don't know how else to show you. You're…intense."
"Neither do I. You're always joking around."
"Not this year, Evans. I've worked my arse off this year, but it's hasn't made a difference. It's just not working."
"What's not working?"
"Everything! Classes, Quidditch, all these damn duties. I'm tired of it."
"You mean you're tired of me."
"Godric’s Galleons, Evans! Why do you keep twisting it to be about you?"
"Because I know you. You can handle those things."
"You don't know me, Lily. You never bothered to try."
"I know quite a bit more about you now, after working with you for two months."
"Er, can you back off?"
"Why? Am I too close?"
"Stop playing games with me."
"I'm not playing games anymore, Potter. I know you."
"You don't."
"You're stubborn, that's for sure. You're loyal. You're a wicked flyer and brilliant in class."
"Not Herbology."
"Plants are boring. You have a good sense of humour and a strong sense of responsibility. You hold your liquor well."
"What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
"You can even dance, a bit. You have a sense of right and wrong. You stand up for what you believe in. You can listen--you proved that last year."
"Stop it. Just stop it. You're making me seem like something I'm not."
"You're not a quitter."
"Then don't think of it as quitting. I'm just being responsible and turning the position over to someone better than I am for the job."
"You're perfect the way you are, James."
"I'm failing."
"Not at everything."
"Evans, what are you doing?"
"Something I should have done last time we were up here."
"Have you been hit by some sort of funny spell?"
"I don't think so."
"Then stop taking the piss and back off. I was being serious."
"So am I."
"No, you're not. You can't stand me."
"Sometimes. And sometimes you can't stand me, right?"
"Right now, yes. I don't like being played."
"I'm not playing you. I want you to stay on."
"Tell me why. Why now, after all this time."
"Because I'd miss you."
"Why?"
"I like working with you. I like you. There I said it. Now stop being so stubborn about it."
"You're a real mystery, Evans. I didn't come up here expecting that, you know."
"Neither did I. I came up to study."
"And I came up to think about my badge. Only now you've given me more to think about."
"Wouldn't you rather do something else besides study and think?"
"Such as?"
"Hogsmeade, perhaps. Like last year."
"Right now?"
"Maybe. We can celebrate."
"What are we celebrating exactly?"
"You're staying."
"Because you like me."
"I do, yes. You're surprised."
"I'm gobsmacked. But it's a date this time."
"Of course it is."
"One more thing before we go."
"What's that?"
"Stop talking and finish what you started."
"What I started…oh, that."
"Exactly."
* * *
Not A Date by Gmariam
Chapter Endnotes: This part was also inspired by a drabble I wrote for the Lily/James ficfest on LJ. The first part was originally set on the lawn down by the lake but I adapted it for James's birthday. Which I'm glad I did, because this one was originally on the Tower and went perfectly with the first after a few tweaks. I do hope you enjoyed it. Strangely enough, while this is my third dialogue-only fic on the archives, it is my first one featuring James and Lily. My forever OTP. Thank you for reading and reviewing!