Author's Note: a quick one-shot with Lily and James :)

Disclaimer: the Harry Potter universe belongs to J.K Rowling

Cover Art: belongs to me :)

Turning Tables

Maybe he had just grown up. Maybe his friends had finally knocked some sense into him. But he seemed ... different this year. More focused and less arrogant. Maybe the war had suddenly sunk in. Maybe his parents had started cracking down on him at home. Or maybe, he had always been like this – and she had just never noticed.

It didn't help that her friends were always saying that she should stop being so harsh and get to know him. That she should pull her head out of the sand and realize that he wasn't as terrible as she had made him out to be.

He'd always been able to talk confidently to a group, right? And he'd always been comfortable being a leader that people followed, right? She had known that for a while. But had he always been able to get her to listen to what he was saying without her blowing up at him? Had he always brushed off little comments that were geared towards him – without boasting or or shooting a spell at someone?

Not since the middle of last year – had she been civil towards him. And it looked as though his new found maturity had continued through the summer. And if it kept up, she may even find herself giving in and getting to know him. She may even find herself liking what she learns. That may lead her to say 'yes' if he asks her out again.

But surely that wouldn't happen, right? After two years of him asking, she wouldn't just suddenly agree to go out with him. That would be a foolish thing to do. She would not say 'yes' to him ...

0o0o0o0o0

The meeting had ended between the Head Boy and Girl and the Prefects. Everyone else had made their way out to find their friends, and just Lily and James were left to tidy up.

James moved the furniture back to it's rightful place. And Lily started at the parchment she was suppose to be collecting.

James waved his hand in front of her face, "still with us?"

Lily jumped, "huh?" she frowned, "oh right. Yeah. Sorry," and began cleaning up the paper.

"Long meeting, huh," James said, "Moony said it would probably be long. Seeing as it's the beginning of the year and everything needs to be re-told. Remind me again why I didn't resign?" he chucked.

Lily smiled weakly.

James frowned slightly, "everything alright? You barely said anything for the entire meeting."

"Uhh ... yeah. Everything's fine," she said, refusing to look at him.

He looked unconvinced, but didn't push it, "okay. I guess I'll see you later then?" He moved towards the door when she didn't answer him.

"Wait!" she said suddenly, stepping towards him.

He paused and looked at her expectantly. She stared at him until he seemed to get uncomfortable and turned to leave again.

"Will you go the first Hogsmede trip with me?" she asked very quickly.

James slowly turned to face her.

"I know it hasn't been set yet, but I figure, you're probably going anyway, I'm probably going anway ..." her nervous rambling trailed off awkwardly.

"Are you serious?" he asked quietly.

Lily nodded.

"Really?" he said in disbelief, "I mean – yeah. Sure. I'd love to go," his face broke into a grin, "trust me, you won't regret it."

0o0o0o0o0

Well ... at least she didn't say 'yes' to him ...