A/N- This is only my second story, and I'm mainly just doing it to figure out the works. Anyways, enjoy!

Disclaimer- I have never, currently do not, and unfortunately never will, own Harry Potter.

Lily's POV

There are a million and one places I'd rather be. And stuck over Christmas break with the Marauders isn't one of them.

Kill me now.

Yes, Remus is my friend.

Yes, Peter is really very harmless.

Yes, Sirius isn't all bad.

They're not the problem.

Potter is.

James Potter is the world's most arrogant, annoying, conceited person ever. He asks me out every day, and he claims that he's in love with me. Please. Both he, and I know that's it's all about the chase. That's it. I have to admit, I would be rather impressed if he really did fancy me. I mean, it's got to be hard to be constantly rejected for 4 years, and then have the strength to keep pursuing that person! But, I mean, it's all about the chase. So I am not impressed whatsoever.

Currently, the Marauders are being decent, and leaving me alone. Ah, bliss. I really do need to finish Slughorn's essay, anyway. No doubt none of them have even started it yet. Except for Remus. He might have.

Possibly.

Doubtfully.

OK, so he probably hasn't, but, whatever.

The point is, is that I, Lily Evans, am stuck with the Marauders for an extended period of time, alone. No Alice. No Dorcas. No Marlene. No Mary. Even Hestia isn't here.

I am alone.

Why-

"Lily-pad!"

There goes peace and quiet.

"Black."

Black runs into the room, and flops down on an armchair.

"Sorry about them, Lily."

"It's OK Remus. There's only so much that can be done to control them." I say, wrinkling my nose in disgust as Potter sits down next to me. It's so weird; whenever Potter is around, my stomach starts doing these funny little flips. It's probably just a coincidence.

"Hello, Evans."

"Potter."

Wait for it. He's going to ask me out. He always does.

"Have you started Slughorn's essay yet, Lily?" Remus asks.

"Yes, I'm almost finished. As you can see, that was what I was working on before you lot came in here, and if you don't mind I'd like to finish it up."

"But we do mind Lily-pad."

Black may not be all bad, but he certainly is annoying at times.

"Have you started it yet, Remus?"

"Er..."

"Too busy having snowball fights to spare a minute for your studies?"

"Well, we weren't exactly having a snowball fight…"

"I don't want to know, do I?"

"Probably not."

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to finish this up." I say, turning back to my essay.

"No Lily-pad!" Black yells, and tackles me.

"Get off me!"

"You'll ruin your mind! I won't let you!"

"Sirius, get off her." A new voice interjects. Then I realize two things: I'm lying across Potter's lap, and it was Potter who told Sirius to get off. Immediately, I sit up, blushing.

Wait, why am I blushing?

We all sit in an uncomfortable silence. I'm still recovering from Black tackling me, Remus looks dreadfully embarrassed, Sirius is sitting there, looking from Potter to me, and Potter is looking at me intensely.

Ever since the beginning of 7th year, Potter has seemed…..different.

He doesn't act nearly as childish as he used to, and he seems a little less conceited. Maybe he just matured over the summer. It's probably just an act, though. He'll seem kind and caring, and then he thinks I'll finally fall for him. I'm not stupid, though. I can see right through his act. Although, I have been rather uncivil to him….maybe I should start being a little friendlier. To set an example for the students, I mean. We can't have the Head Boy and Girl at each other's throats constantly. That simply won't do. I think we should start by calling each other by our first names.

I just want to set an example. I wouldn't want to be friendly with Potter, just to be friendly with him. No, of course I wouldn't. I will just be civil to him, rather like the main character in one of my favorite books, Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennet hates Mr. Darcy, but because she is a lady, she is civil to him.

Sorry, Muggle book.

"So where's Peter?" I ask, trying to start conversation.

"Detention." Potter answers me.

"Oh." Well, that probably wasn't the best conversation starter ever.

"Remind me, who are we playing in Quidditch this weekend?" There. Black and Potter ought to start after that topic.

"Ravenclaw." Potter answers again.

"Oh."

"How are the new players shaping up?"

"Fine."

"I didn't know you were interested in Quidditch, Evans." Black cuts in, smirking.

"I'm not."

"Certainly seemed like it, from the way you were bombarding Prongs here, with questions."

"They weren't explicitly addressed to him, he just happened to answer."

"But are you interested in Quidditch?"

"Not particularly."

"Ah, so just the Quidditch players then."

"No."

"I'm sorry; I should have said a certain Quidditch player."

"What do you mean?"

"Er…I just realized I left my Charms essay in the library. Coming Prongs?"

"Yeah."

Great. I'm alone with Black.

"Well, what do you mean?"

"Only that you've seemed rather….jumpy around a certain someone lately, Evans."

"I have not." He means Potter. He thinks I fancy him. I have not been jumpy around Potter.

"Come on Evans. It's obvious that you fancy James." He says, leaning forward.

"I assure you, Black; I do not feel anything more for James than friendship."

"I won't tell him."

"You and I both know that's not true, Black. You might not directly tell him, but you would tell the whole school, and of course, he eventually would find out."

"So you do fancy Prongs then. I knew it!"

"I do not." I say, blush rising to my cheeks.

Wait, what?

"See, you're blushing! Lily-pad fancies Prongs! Lily fancies James!" Black yells gleefully, dancing around the room.

"Black, wait, no! I don't!" It's too late. He went up to his dorm.

Great. Now the whole school is going to think that I fancy James. Perfect.

The worst part is that I don't even like him like that.

Right?