Taming the True Fire (HP)

"Do I still have a tail?" – James whispered as he and Catherine lay side by side in his bed in the boys' dormitory that evening.

"For the fifth time, no!" – the girl replied, her eyes closed and her tone exasperated.

"You didn't even check!" – the young wizard protested, frustration creeping into his voice.

"I don't have to." – she muttered, finally opening her eyes in the dark and shifting uncomfortably– "It seems like the more we try, the worse we feel afterward. I just don't get why it's not working. There must be something missing—some instruction the bloody book didn't include."

"You don't say!" – James scoffed sarcastically – "I feel so awful, I'm actually considering going to McGonagall, confessing the whole thing, and begging for her help."

"If you do that, detention for the rest of your school life would be a mercy." – Catherine sighed – "I know it's frustrating, but we have to keep trying—even during the summer. If one of us manages to pull it off, they can help the rest."

"I never thought I'd be hoping for a rainy summer." – the boy chuckled – "It's weird to think we've got less than a week left. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled we won the Quidditch Cup and we're about to take the House Cup too, but… I'm going to miss everyone during the holidays. Are you sure you can't come visit?"

"I don't think my parents would allow it." – the young witch said, imagining her mother's face if she even asked – "I'll write you every week, though."

"You'd better." – James nodded, his tone suddenly serious – "I'll be worried sick if I don't hear from you—especially with all the... incidents involving Muggles and Muggle-borns."

"Don't fret too much." – Catherine said softly, guilt twisting in her chest. She knew he thought she might be in danger because of Voldemort's rise and his followers' actions – "I don't think my family would be of any interest to Death Eaters." 

"One never knows." – her classmate insisted – "It terrifies me to think that any one of our Muggle-born classmates could be next... especially… never mind."

"Especially Lily." – the girl finished for him, her voice gentle – "You can tell her you're worried about her, you know?"

James was silent for a moment, then sighed. "What's the point? If I told her I was worried, she'd just call me something colourful and tell me it's none of my business."

"Are you giving up on her?" – Catherine asked, her voice teasing as she hid a smirk in the darkness.

"Of course not! – the boy huffed indignantly – "But it does get a bit discouraging sometimes."

"You know, James, at first, I thought you were only interested in Lily because she didn't give you the positive attention everyone else did. Like you were just chasing the thrill of conquering the unconquerable." – the young witch said, ignoring her friend's annoyed grunt – "But as time passed, I noticed you genuinely care about her. And I honestly think you two could work as a couple."

"Really, Flame?" – James asked, his surprise evident. It was the first time anyone had taken his feelings for Lily seriously.

"Yes." – the witch chuckled softly – "But you need to work on how you express your feelings. You come off as way too intense, and some of the things you do definitely don't work in your favour. For example, do you think Lily would've reacted well if she saw you hexing Snape the way I did a few weeks ago?"

"What does Snivellus have to do with anything?" – the boy groaned, his irritation bubbling to the surface.

"He's an important part of her life, whether you like it or not." – Catherine pointed out – "And, let's be honest, she finds that kind of behaviour revolting."

"So what you're saying is, I should hex him where she can't see me?" – James concluded, his tone deadpan.

Catherine barely managed to stifle a laugh, though her lips twitched in amusement. "I suppose that's… one way to look at it." - she said with a grin - "But my honest advice? Act more mature around Lily. Be the person you are with us—kind, funny, and loyal—but tone down the bragging. We know you mean it as a joke, but it doesn't always come across that way to others. Make her feel safe around you. With everything happening in the Wizarding world, that's what she needs most right now, no matter how brave she is."

James went quiet for a moment, and when he finally spoke, his voice was uncharacteristically serious. "Thanks, Flame. I'll try to do what you're saying, though... it won't be easy to keep such tight control over myself."

"It's never easy." – the girl said softly, thinking of her own struggles with emotions and restraint.

"Flame…" – James whispered after a pause, his tone suddenly gentle – "Do you feel unsafe?"

The question caught the girl off guard. "I suppose we all do." - she replied cautiously, uncertain where the conversation was heading.

"Yeah, but you must feel especially worried, being a prime target for... well, everything that's happening." – James pressed, his voice intense – "I just want you to know that you don't have to be afraid. We'll all protect you, no matter what. I'd rather die than let you get hurt." 

The young witch felt tears prickling her eyes at the weight of his words, but she forced a chuckle to lighten the mood. "You don't need to go that far, though." - she said, masking her gratitude - "Let's just do our best to stand up to what's coming and have each other's backs."

"Would you two shut up already?!" – Sirius snapped from across the room – "Some of us are trying to sleep!"

"Sorry, Padfoot!" – James called back, his cheeky grin audible in his voice – "Didn't realise your ears were so delicate. Want me to conjure some earplugs? Or maybe Flame can come tuck you in—ouch!"

Catherine's pillow collided with his head before he could finish, and the room erupted in laughter. Within seconds, a flurry of pillows filled the air as the teenagers let go of their worries for a fleeting moment, drowning the weight of the world in a rare burst of innocent fun.