A/N: Ahh. Harry Potter. How I love thee. This is actually a part of a super long fic I've been working on for a while now but isn't finished yet. Just thought I'd post this as a one shot. Constructive criticism appreciated! :)
"You know Remus," said Lily, helping him with the potions essay Slughorn had set them, "I really don't get why you hang out with gits like Potter and Black. They're so immature. I mean, did you see that bruise on Potter's face? And I could've sworn Black was limping. It's so obvious that they were in a fight just before potions class. Honestly, why do you even put up with them?"
Remus sighed. Every so often Lily would suddenly break into a speech about how he, Remus, should be practical enough to stay away from idiots like Potter and Black, and every time Remus would shake his head and tell her that she would never understand.
"They're really loyal friends and actually very nice once you get to know them."
"Right," said Lily, rolling her eyes, "Nice."
She didn't question the loyal part.
"You know," said Remus," You should really give James a chance. He's really crazy about you."
"We've had this conversation a million times. You know how I feel about him. And what's with those stupid nicknames you guys keep calling each other nowadays. It's worse than labelling yourselves the Marauders."
Remus grinned, "They're just things James and Sirius decided to come up with. Something about brotherhood I think they said."
"Sounds like them. The names seem so baseless though. What was yours? Loony or something if I'm not wrong."
"Moony," he said, looking down at his potions essay.
"Weird," said Lily, "They really are crazy. I can never, for the life of me, figure out how two dunderheads like that can beat me and you in every single class."
"James and Sirius just act stupid. They don't need to study to score. That's just how their brains are programmed."
"Imagine their brains actually being used for the good of the world, instead of coming up with charms to turn everything Slughorn touched into slugs."
"Aww c'mon Lily, you gotta admit that was pretty darn hilarious."
In spite of herself, Lily found herself grinning, "Yeah you're right. Slughorn's face was priceless. I think that was the first time I've seen everyone laugh like that in ages."
"It's the war. Everyone is in such low spirits because of it and I guess James and Sirius decided that they would be the ones to cheer everyone up through their silly antics."
Lily never thought of it that way and it suddenly struck her that James Potter wasn't really the arrogant asshole she made him out to be, not anymore at least. With this new piece of information unfortunately clogging her mind, she said goodnight to Remus and went to bed. She didn't fall asleep until way later.