"Stags are much better looking than dogs!" shouted James Potter in his Head Boy tower room.
"No, dogs are! That's why they're pets! People love them! I've never seen a pet stag!" argued Sirius Black.
"That would be because they usually don't fit in houses," pointed out Remus Lupin.
"What about rats? There are pet rats," said Peter Pettigrew.
"Er...yes, but I haven't met anyone who actually like them..." said Sirius.
"I agree. And stags are stronger!" said James.
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"What are you guys arguing about? I'm trying to concentrate on my homework."
Lily Evans was standing in the doorway.
"Lily! Thank God! Tell that dolt that dogs are better than stags!"
"They are not!"
Lily smirked. This was going to be fun. They didn't know she knew they were Animagi.
"We-ell, stags are beautiful," she began. James grinned.
"But dogs are rather adorable..." James lost his smile, and Sirius shot him a triumphant look.
"...they are loyal, and to the exception of few, they are very intelligent..." Lily almost laughed out loud at James black look.
"But..." He looked hopeful.
"...stags are much faster and agile. And they are stronger. Altogether, much more interesting. I like the stag."
She looked at James from the corner of her eye. He looked positively gleeful. And Sirius...well, he looked like a dog cheated out of his treat.
"Ha! I told you!" James yelled.
Lily grinned. Time to drop the bomb.
"It's unfair to ask me, though. I'm much too influenced by your personalities to decide which of your Animagi forms are better! Now, I'm reading a bit before going to bed. Goodnight!"
She left the four shocked boys. Their jaws had literally dropped. It was Remus who snapped out of it first.
"Hang on a minute! 'Influenced by your personalities'! That means she was saying what she thought about you!"
James grinned.
"She said I was beautiful!"
"She called me rather adorable?! I am that and more!" complained Sirius.
"She also implied you were stupid," said Remus.
"What?...Hey!"
"Guess she was right..."
Peter realised something.
"Doesn't that mean she said she likes you, James?"
There was another shocked silence. This time it was James who broke it.
"Woo hoo! She likes me, she likes me, she likes me..."
He continued this mantra for a couple minutes.
"Shut up!" said Sirius," and Peter! For once in your life, you have brought enlightment to the world!"
"Wow, that was a long sentence, Sirius," said Remus.
"Yes, I know, I'm quite proud...hey!"
James had completely ignored them all.
"I've got to go see her!"
He ran out of the room.
"And he said he was over her..."
Lily had heard James yelling from her room. She sighed in relief. She had been scared that he didn't like her anymore. Even now, she still had a nagging doubt...
Her door flew open. She got up quickly. She just had time to register a familiar face as it came towards her.
"Jam-mphm."
He had kissed her. Lily, surprised, stood still for a moment, but soon had her arms around his neck. He brought her closer with and arm around her waist. Then he broke off, grinning. Lily felt slightly light-headed.
"Wow, that was..."
"Amazing? I know, because, as you pointed out, I'm quite agile..."
She hit his arm lightly.
"Will I be quoted all the time now?"
"Well, that depends if you plan on hanging around with me much..."
Lily pretended to think for a moment.
"Hmm... I guess I could put up with it. But only for another kiss."
"My pleasure."
All of Lily's doubts evaporated.