Fear of Flying

"Oh, no, that's okay," Lily said, holding her hands out in front of her, as if protecting herself from the broom.

"Oh come on, Lily. Play Quidditch with us. It's just a Quaffle, can't do nothing bad," Sirius taunted her, trying to hand her the broom.

Lily shook her head. "It's not the Quaffle I'm afraid of, Sirius."

"What, is it the bludgers?" Lily shook her head. "Not the bludgers then? What could you be scared of?" Sirius grinned widely at her, his teeth flashing. "No, it can't be. The Great Lily Evans is scared of flying?"

Lily flushed. "Shut up."

"Oi!" Sirius called, craning his head to look at the sky, motioning for the boys to land. "James, come over here and find out what your girlfriend is afraid of!"

Lily slugged Sirius square in the chest. "Do you feel the need to humiliate everyone that comes along your way?"

Sirius winked at her when James dismounted inches away from them. "What's going on, Padfoot?"

"Guess what Lily's afraid of!"

Remus and Peter quickly joined them, touching the ground at ease. "I don't know," James admitted, "what is she afraid of? Besides getting lower than an 'excellent' on a paper."

"Flying." Sirius smirked.

"Flying?" James echoed.

"Yup," Sirius replied, nodding.

"No way! I am so taking you flying." James smiled at her and grabbed her hand, dragging her over to where he left his broom.

"No, no, no, NO!" Lily protested, shouting at him and trying to free herself from James' grasp. "Please, James. No!"

"Aw, come on, Lily. You can hold onto me," James offered, looking positive.

"No, James. I just...can't," Lily said sternly, finally freeing her arm.

"Just do it, Lily!" Sirius called. "It's just flying. It's not that scary."

"Shut up Sirius!" James called back, and then turned back to Lily. "Please?" Lily was starting to lose her composure.

"I can't, James." Lily's eyes were wide and her hands were trembling a bit. Heights had always scared her for some reason, but combined with sitting on a broom, going pretty fast? It was just unimaginable.

"Will you do it for me?" James did his best impression of a hopeful puppy, his lips trembling and his eyes big and hopeful. Lily knew it was just a face, but she gave in anyway.

Lily bit her lip, and nodded. "Fine," she whispered, her voice trembling.

James hugged her, laying his head on hers. "Are you really that scared? We don't have to do this if you really truly don't think you can...."

Lily shook her head and pulled away. "No, that's okay, James. Let's get this over with."

James swung a leg over on his broom and patted the stick behind him. "Get on and wrap your arms around my waist."

Lily swung her leg over as well, being cautious so her skirt wouldn't go up higher than it should. She tentatively wrapped her arms around James' waist and rested her head on his back, holding him tightly.

Cheers and catcalls could be heard from the rest of the gang. "Go James!" Sirius called, whistling. James rolled his eyes and muttered to Lily, "He's just jealous because he can't get a girl to do this."

Lily laughed and squeezed harder as James started to go higher in the air. She had her eyes tightly shut, but peeked every so often. When she saw how high up they were, she screamed.

"Thanks, Lily! Try screaming in my ear again, I think it may improve my hearing!" James shouted.

"Sorry," she mumbled into his shoulder.

"Sorry, what was that? I can't seem to hear you! Maybe you should try shouting in my ear again!"

Lily fought back the temptation to smack him, deciding that she would totally hit him once they landed.

"How about I do a fancy trick?" he asked, his voice not as loud this time. "Maybe something like doing an upside down flip that involves you flying off, on purpose of course, and then me swooping down to catch you."

"I'm sorry James, I think I misunderstood. I could have sworn you just suggested that I fall off your broom," Lily declared, rolling her eyes.

"But I'd catch you!"

"I'm sure," Lily said with a grim smile. "Okay, James, this has been fun and all, but do you think we can get back down to Earth, because I'm starting to feel sort of...sick."

James' eyes widened. "Oh, hell no. You are not going to throw up all over me."

"I might," she admitted, "if you don't get me off this blasted stick."

James nodded. "Down we go."

And down they went. James gently touched ground and Lily stumbled off, looking slightly pale. Sirius, Remus and Peter joined them laughing.

"Are you alright, Lily?" Remus asked, noticing the lack of color in her face. "Maybe you should go to the hospital wing."

Lily shook her head and held up her hand, and keeled over, resting a hand on her knees. She stayed like that for a moment or two and then started laughing. The boys gave each other 'the look'. The look basically consists of raised eyebrows and twitching lips, obviously trying to hold back smiles.

"I cannot believe -" she started to say, but then doubled over in laughter again.

"Lily," James said tentatively, "are you okay?"

She held up her hand, her other one still resting on her knee. "Just give me a minute," she gasped.

James shrugged and looked Sirius. "Damnit, Sirius, if she throws up..."

"Relax, James, I'm fine," Lily said, still breathing fast from the flight. "I'm just a little...woozy, I guess." She looked at their faces of confusion and started laughing all over again.

Remus stepped towards her and hesitantly laid a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure we don't need to take you to the Hospital Wing?"

"You guys, relax, I'm fine!" Lily assured them once she caught her breath. "I'm just...alive. I did it, James! I flew on a broom! And I made it back to the ground safely!"

"That's great, Lily." James shrugged at Remus, who shrugged back. "Um, Lily, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just...I can't believe it! James, I flew on a broom! I was up in the air and then whoosh and then...wow." Lily seemed to have regained control of her mind and managed to stand up straight without any support. "Well boys," she said, "I'm going to go now. The girls and I are giving each other makeovers in the Prefect bathroom."

James nodded. "I'll see you later." He kissed her on the cheek, smiling when she smiled.

"See you all later." Lily walked away, and then turned around, a stern look on her face.

"Oh, and boys?"

"Yes?" They chorused with innocent smiles.

"No spying on us this time."