A/N: Written for the Ultimate Battle Competition. Prompt: (situation) a test.

"You may begin," squeaked Professor Flitwick as he flipped the hourglass, and the room immediately filled with the sounds of paper being turned over and scratching quills.

James flipped his paper over nervously, glancing around at his classmates, and then lowered his eyes to the test. Question 1: What is the incantation for the Summoning Charm?

He deeply wished he had studied last night, but it had been a full moon and...well, running around with a werewolf was far more interesting than Charms.

Unfortunately, he had now landed himself in a dilemma. He already had a Dreadful mark in Charms, and failing this test would drop that mark to Troll. Biting his lip, James scratched out, The incantation for summoning is -

He glanced around furtively once more and then leaned forward and tapped the redheaded girl in front of him on the shoulder. "Psst!" he hissed. "Lily!"

She swatted his hand away and bent her head back over her paper, her long red hair swinging in front of her like a curtain.

"Lily!" James tried again.

"Shut up, James!" Lily whispered back furiously. "You'll get us both in trouble!"

"But I don't know the answers," James whispered urgently. "You have to help me - please!"

"Maybe you should have studied last night instead of - "

"Potter! Evans!"

They both jumped as Flitwick approached their desks. "What are you doing, Potter?" he squeaked, staring at James beadily.

James gulped. "I - er - "

"Might I remind you that you are already failing this class," said Flitwick, his eyes narrowing. "I'm afraid I'll have to give you a zero on this test for cheating, and then we'll need to talk to your Head of House to decide what to - "

"Professor?" Lily interrupted. "It was me. I asked James for help on the test."

Flitwick, James, and the entire class gaped at Lily, but she stared steadily back at Flitwick.

"Well," said Flitwick, sounding flustered, "I never expected this of you, Miss Evans. I am very disappointed."

"I'm really sorry, Professor," said Lily. Flitwick shook his head and collected her test, muttering sadly to himself.

"Thank you so much, Lily," said James gratefully, sagging slightly in his seat.

"I may have gotten you out of trouble this time," said Lily, glaring at him, "but next time you won't be so lucky."

"Sorry," he said meekly, and she turned around and put her head down on her desk.

James grinned to himself - she had taken the blame for him! That proved something, didn't it? Maybe she liked him after all...

He glanced down at his test and then remembered a small problem.

He still didn't know any of the answers.

And for years afterwards (after James managed to pass Charms), Hogwarts would talk about the time Lily Evans cheated on a test. And all for James Potter.