I woke up to a blurry haze of people standing over me.

“She just passed out; she’s fine,” a voiced hissed from across the room. I sat up to see Marie closing the door on a bunch of curious Third Year’s faces.

The people around me ended up being Sirius, Remus, and Madam Pomfrey.

“Hey,” I said groggily. “What…what happened?”

“Well, you’re apparently deathly afraid of flying,” Madam Pomfrey said, bustling across the room and obviously satisfied that I was awake. “You passed out.”

“Did I hit the ground?” I asked, checking for bruises.

“No, James caught you,” Remus said, nodding to James, who was sitting in the corner, staring away from my curious gaze.

“Here, dear, drink this.” Madam Pomfrey instructed, handing her a glass. “It’s Pepper Up Potion… I know it’s for colds but it should sort out your nausea and disoriented feelings quickly. If you’re feeling well you can return to your classes tomorrow but I insist that you stay in here over night so I can watch over you.”

I nodded my head and sipped the fiery potion.

Marie, Sirius, and Remus left the room in a muffled but obvious conversation to leave James and I alone.

He approached my side and sat down.

“You missed all of your classes today, so I brought you the work. I know you don’t like to be behind.”

“I was out for a whole day?” I gasped.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Madam Pomfrey says that normally happens when someone is not only anxious but troubled.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Well thanks… well… how’re you?”

“A little tired. These seats aren’t comfortable.”

“What? You… you slept here?”

“Yeah, if you want to call it sleeping.”

“For how long?”

“The night… and I checked on you during classes.”

“Why?”

“I was… I was afraid that if I didn’t talk to you and explain some things, you’d hate me.”

“James, I’d never hate you.”

“Then why don’t you like me?”

Our faces were inches apart.

“I never said that I didn’t like you, either.” I replied softly.

He leaned in, but just before he could kiss me Madam Pomfrey bustled into the room. “All right, I let you stay for one night, but it really is time for you to be leaving. Miss Evans needs her time to rest.”

James looked at me longingly and left the room.