James's POV

From my desk I can see her writing furiously, paying rapt attention to whatever Professor Binns is saying. I honestly don't know how she can pay attention to his dull lessons. Just another reason why I love Lily Evans in addition to her hair, her temper, her bottle green eyes, her intelligence… everything about her really.

Merlin, why can't I just get over this bird? It would be so much easier than pining after her 24/7 and getting harshly rejected every time I speak to her. She really hates me. A bloke can only take so much till he succumbs to depression. I think that's what I'm in… I can't eat, sleep, and even Quidditch has lost its magic… ironic, right? I just don't know what to do anymore. Moony and Padfoot don't know what to do with me. I'm basically a mess…

*Psst*

A wad of parchment hit the back of James's head. Ow. James turned around to see a worried looking Remus and Sirius.

"Prongs, you're staring again…" Remus nodded towards Lily's table. James started to blush; embarrassed that he had been caught once again staring at Evans.

"Really Prongs, you've got to get over this bird. She's not healthy for you." Sirius reasoned with James. James stubborn face began to crumple as he considered forgetting about Lily.

Professor Binns ceased to speak and the rustle of everyone gathering their parchments and quills and stuffing them in their bags, signaling that the class had ended. Remus and Sirius walked on either side of James and walked out of class back to their dormitory.

"James," Remus began, "I think you should try to get over her. There is nothing you can do if a girl doesn't like you."

"But Moony, I can't! I think about her all the time, and it really doesn't help that she is in all my classes." James protested.

"Siriusly Prongs," Sirius paused for effect as the other boys just groaned, "Get over this bird so that we can continue playing Quidditch and sneaking out to Hogsmeade!" He punched the air, getting excited.

"Fine…fine. Just let me try one more time, asking her out. Just for old times sake. And if she rejects me… again, I'll know it's for real." James declared, with a new spark of determination in his eyes.

Remus and Sirius glanced at each other, at loss at what to say to persuade their friend not to go through another episode of rejection from Lily Evans. They turned to convince him not to, but James had already hurried off down the corridor, having seen the familiar red blaze of hair turn the hall. Oh boy…not again. And they ran after their lovesick friend.

Lilys POV

"Oi, Evans!" Potter yelled, as he ruffled his hair, in an attempt to calm his nerves. No no no… not again!

"What, Potter." Lily sneered, as she turned just in time to see his hand in his hair. Ugh, arrogant Potter and his stupid hair fussing. Can't he just realize that it's not attractive to have his hair 'windswept' like that. I can't STAND him.

James stopped abruptly at her tone, but blinked and continued. "So, Evans… Hogsmeade is this weekend…" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Fancy going with me, the greatest Quidditch player ever at Hogwarts?"

Lily's temper bubbled to surface, registering what he was saying. "NO POTTER. I will NOT go to Hogsmeade with you this weekend or ever for that matter! And if you ask me again, I will hex you so hard, your grandchildren will feel it!" Lily huffed, and sped toward her dorm, not far enough to block out Potter's last retort. "MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE YOUR GRANDCHILDREN, LILY!"

Insufferable Potter! Suggesting that I would even think of marrying that berk and have children with him! When will he ever leave me alone?! Lily walked in to her dorm she shared with Mary, Marlene and Alice, and slammed the door shut.

"Woah, Lily, what's your deal?" Marlene asked, as she was eating a chocolate bar from Honeydukes.

"My DEAL?! My deal is Potter and his intolerable habit of asking me out every 5 minutes!" Lily practically screamed in frustration and landed on her bed in despair. The other girls shared a knowing look, and turned their attention back at Lily, trying to console her anger.

James's POV

"You both were right. It's hopeless." James hoarsely told his best friends as lay on his bed in their dorm room. "I will never be with Lily. I have to get over her. Now."

"James, do you really want to do this? It's going to be really hard." Remus spoke quietly to James. James nodded. "You can't ask her out, flirt with her, or spend any time with her, you just have to stop."

"Okay" James was defeated, emotionally. He took off his shoes, closed his curtains and went to sleep, not caring that dinner was soon. A lone tear fell down his face. This is it. No more Lily.

The next day in Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall waited fore the usual before-class chatter to die down before beginning to speak.

"As you all may know, next year you will take your NEWTs exams. In preparation for that test, you will be assigned 5 spells that you will present to the class with your partner. The format may be a diagram, a skit, or if you have any other ideas please see me."

McGonagall picked up a parchment of names and began to call out partners.

"Prewett and Pettigrew… Black and McKinnon…"

Alice grudgingly walked over to the shy Peter, and Sirius winked at Marlene as she rolled her eyes at him.

McGonagall continued to call out more names, James looked at his desk, trying not to look at a she who must not be named… I don't think I can do this. It is a struggle just to not look at her! But I have to do it. I don't think my heart can even bear another rejection from her. What's worse is I don't think she believes I love her.

"Potter and Evans" McGonagall called. James widened his eyes at the ground, not believing his rotten luck. This cannot be happening, Lily and James both thought.

Lily walked over to James, "Potter, you better not ruin this project for me, I don't care how smart you think you are. Just don't stand in my way." She internally cringed as she anticipated his arrogant response about how they can snog in the library or something Potter-like.

James looked up at Lily, expressionless, nodded, collected his things and then left the room.

What just happened… did Potter just leave without asking me out or flirting or ruffling his stupid hair?! YESS! Lily grinned and happily walked out class feeling lighter than before.