Lily POV

I turned and walked to my door. He wasn't going to forgive me? Fine. Forget all the times he had embarrassed me in public. I hurt him one time and it's so much worse? I opened the door to my new dorm, ready to break down in tears, and stood frozen in amazement. It was like someone had entered my dreams and depicted my favorite room. The king size bed had a flowing white canopy hanging from the four posts. The comforter was a light yellow and all the throws were light yellow, burgundy and white. The windows on either side of the bed boasted views of the Black Lake and the Quidditch Pitch, but right now, they were covered by semi-transparent burgundy curtains. The hard wood floor had a burgundy and off white rug on it. There was another bookshelf in here, filled to the brim with all my favorites from every century except the current one; I assumed those were in the common room. I walked over to the closet expecting to see all my clothes crammed in, only to find it was a walk in closet; there was room to spare.

"Ahhh, now this is it." I felt ten times better as I sat down on the amazingly comfortable bed. I no longer wanted to cry. If Potter wasn't going to forgive me, then I wouldn't ask anymore. I wasn't about to make myself weak to James Potter, it was his move now. I got under the covers hoping to have some good dreams, anything to erase this embarrassing day. I knew before I reached dreamland though, that I would be dreaming of James Potter

James POV

"PADFOOT! WAKE YOUR SORRY ASS UP" I bellowed once I entered my old dormitory. The lump stayed fast asleep, as usual. Desperate times called for desperate measures though. I snuck right up to his side, got close to his ear, and whispered, "Paddy, hurry up, McGonagall and Dumbledore are snogging in the Great Hall!"

"WHAT? Let's go!"

He started running around the room trying to find pants and a shirt. Instead of actually picking up clothes, he just walked in a circle muttering to himself about 'knowing the truth all along'. If I weren't freaking out I probably would've found his behavior hilarious.

"Prongs, what did you say to Sirius?" Asked Remus as he came out of the bathroom.

"Just told him Minnie and Dumby were snogging in the Great Hall. The oaf actually believed me."

"Wait, Minnie isn't getting it on with Dumbledore right now?"

"Of course not you idiot! I needed to wake you up, and that seemed like the most efficient way."

"That was low Prongs, real low."

"That's besides the point. Lily cried last night!"

"I'm sorry, but how are those two points related?" Asked Sirius.

"Would you stop thinking about Minnie! I didn't accept Lily's apology last night, and she started tearing up as she walked back to her room. This is all your fault!"

"How is this my fault?"

"You told me not to forgive her!"

"Why would you listen to me? Ask anyone, I never know what I'm talking about."

"He makes a good point," said Peter, who had just woken up.

"Thanks for telling me this now Wormtail."

"Look, James, lets just go down to breakfast, everything seems better with a full stomach." Reasoned Sirius.

"Your life revolves around food, doesn't it?"

"You know me too well."

Lily POV

Everything seems so much better after a shower. I sat at my vanity, brushing out my hair, just thinking about last night. I was right, I did dream about James. He was rejecting my friendship, then he used levicorpus on me. Everyone laughed at me as they saw the granny panties my mum had bought me back in third year. It was horrible. I shook my head and wiped those thoughts out of my mind. As I put on some muggle clothes, I wondered what would happen between James and I. We had to patrol tonight, so I assumed if he wanted to talk to me, we would do it there. If not, well, I'm sure I could think of a more awkward way to spend three hours…

"What happened to you last night? You disappeared right after the feast and you seemed really upset." Asked Alice.

"Nothing really, just had a bad night."

"Lils. I know you. Don't lie to me" she pouted. I didn't want to say anything; I don't know how it happened, but I didn't hate Potter. There was no way Alice would ever let me live that down.

"I just said some things to Potter that were uncalled for and I wanted to try to apologize before patrol tonight. If I have to see him, I would rather it not be awkward for something I did."

"He has no right to be mad at you! After all the crap he's done for five years? Do you remember the time he charmed a sign to your chest that said 'Property of James Potter' and one on your bum that read ' Do Not Touch'? He's been a prick for years!"

"I thought you wanted James and I to date?" I smirked.

"I do. I just think that he has some nerve not forgiving you, if you're willing to forgive him."

"Well, I really haven't ever forgiven him, so I guess we're even."

"You two have the most repressed sexual tension I have ever seen"

"Alice!" I yelped, for some reason, the thought of James like that made blood pool in my cheeks.

"Just, do me a favor Lils. Try to hold off till Valentine's Day, I didn't get a good slot in the bet."

"WHAT BET?"

"Obviously Sirius, Remus, Peter, Marlene, Mary, and I have a vested interest in when you two get together, so we decided to put money on it."

"I… you… can't….what?" I spluttered. How could they think James and I would get together so soon? Let alone ever? "You do realize that's crazy? Potter and I will never get together, we would kill each other first."

"Hmmm… not the usual indignation…I think an Evans/Potter union is closer than you think."

"Oh shut up, just go send lover boy your letter, would you?"

"You know I'm right Lils!" She called as she headed in the direction of the Owlery. I shook my head at her antics, then continued on my way to the Great Hall for Brunch. Hopefully, I could have a few Potter free hours with Marlene and Mary before patrol tonight…

James POV

"James, what's the point of you being head boy if we don't use it to our advantage?"

"Oh I don't know, responsibility, honor, bettering the student body, granting justice, helping the young, the list goes on Padfoot" said Moony, jumping into the conversation.

"Yes, but none of that really matters! Think about it men! We could be out till midnight every night! We could prank the pants off the Slytherins and never get caught, the possibilities are endless!" I couldn't help but chortle to myself. To Sirius, if we weren't causing problems, something was wrong. With Lily as my fellow head, I didn't see us having plenty of time to execute these brilliant plans. I looked at my watch and realized I had ten minutes until patrol began. I stood up, ready to head back to my own common room and face the awkwardness that was the next three hours.

"Well mates, I must be off. Wish me luck!"

"Don't give in to the girl Prongs! She has too much power over you already!" said Padfoot.

"Don't be an idiot James! This will be an incredibly long year if you piss off Lily now!" came the chortle of Remus.

"Get in her knickers!" called Peter, always the comic relief.

I walked down the hallway to the heads dorm chuckling to myself. I hadn't seen Lily at all today, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I approached the portrait of Clarissa and Reggie, only to find the two preteens fighting.

"Reg, I don't see why you're complaining! You were out at the portrait of those water nymphs all day, why can't I leave the portrait too?"

"Um guys?" I said, just wanting to be let in to the dorm. No one was listening, it appeared.

"That damn wizard wants to kiss you that's why! I don't care about those water nymphs! I never said you couldn't leave, just why do you have to go there?"

"Guys?" I tried again.

"Where I go is none of your business, so if you'll excuse me, I'm going to visit some lads on the sixth floor" with that, Clarissa stalked out of the painting.

"That girl…" muttered Reginald. He shook his head and then finally seemed to notice me. "Oh, hello Head Boy. Password?"

"Ummm.." I scrambled for an answer, I wasn't aware Lily and I had selected a password already.

"Prick." Came a voice from behind me.

"Yes, that's it! You may enter." Said Reginald to Lily.

"Oh, I don't need to enter now Reggie, I was just looking for Potter" she said to him, "Are you ready to patrol?" she then turned, speaking to me.

"Sure."

We walked down the hallway again in silence. Awkwardness was beginning to taint the atmosphere when Lily decided to speak.

"Why don't we start with the Astronomy Tower, then head down floor by floor and end in the dungeons." It wasn't really a question, so I just grunted my consent. I checked my watch, it was 9:10. Only two hours and fifty minutes left to go.

I turned to the side, just to watch Lily. Never before had I been able to look at her this close. She was gorgeous; there was no denying that. But it was more than that; Lily was more than her looks. She always had a way of making me nervous, just by being near me. Sirius always laughed at me when I said it, but she had a way of making me want to do better, be better. Apparently, that made me whipped.

"Is there something on my face Potter?" She asked, breaking me from my reverie.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, you keep staring at me, which can only mean two things. One, you want me to hex you, or two; there's something on my face."

"Nothing. There's nothing on your face."

"What is it with you Potter? I thought you hated me…"

"Hated you? You do know who you're talking to right?"

"You didn't accept my apology, so I just assumed-"

"Well, I accept it now."

"Who says I'm still offering it?"

"Are you?" By that point, we had reached the Astronomy Tower. Lily walked over to the terrace and stared up at the stars. As she sat down, I walked up next to her and sat down, careful to keep my distance.

"Only if you apologize for the last six years."

"Six years? I'll apologize for the five, I did nothing last year."

"Consider that year emotional damage for the preceding five."

I had to chuckle, the girl had balls. Most girls fawned over the 'Great James Potter', but not Lily. She always tells it like it is, although for me, she seemed to be a bit more harsh.

"Fine. Lily whatever your middle name is Evans, do you forgive me for the last six years of bad behavior?"

"Anne."

"Anne?"

"It's Lily Anne Evans, try your apology again."

"Jeez, woman. Lily Anne Evans, do you forgive me for the last six years of bad behavior?"

"I suppose."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Aren't you going to apologize for the train incident?"

"I thought it was assumed. I accepted your apology."

"I don't think so, I want to hear it."

She huffed in indignation. I was pushing my luck with her, but I wanted to hear her say it again.

"James Edward Potter, do you forgive me?"

"Forgive you for what?" I asked, baiting her.

"Seriously Potter? Ugh, do you forgive me for what I said on the train?"

"I suppose." I said, repeating her words from earlier. She chuckled, so I decided to push my luck further.

"Friends?" I asked.

"Friends? Do you really think we could be friends?"

"I think if we set our minds to it, we could do anything."

"Oh Lord, you're cornier than a motivational speaker. If we're going to be friends, we'll need ground rules." She stood up, brushed off her knees and headed back to the seventh floor. I could tell she was thinking, so I stayed silent as we roamed the seventh floor and headed to the sixth.

Finally, as we took the staircase from the sixth floor to the fifth, she spoke.

"No asking me out."

"Deal."

"Alright, and no public declarations of love or other embarrassing demonstrations. None in private for that matter either."

"Agreed." I had to give her credit, the girl thought of everything.

"And I swear to Merlin, Potter, if you hex so much as a hair on an innocent person's head, I will make you wish you'd never been born."

"I'm starting to think being friends with you isn't worth it," I teased.

"You can't intentionally harm someone who wants to ask me out either."

"What if they're hurting you or you say no and they don't stop?"

"I guess that'll be okay. And no lying, I need to be able to trust you."

"Right" I gulped, that promise would be harder to keep. Then again, she never explicitly asked me about Remus, so I guess it's not lying if she doesn't even know about the 'furry little problem'.

She stuck out her hand having stated all her rules, "Friends?" She asked.

"Now wait just a minute, Ms. Evans. I have my own stipulations."

"And what could those be Mr. Potter?" She asked, using my formality.

"My Mum named me James, not Potter. That's what you'll call me. And I get to call you Lily."

She seemed to consider for a moment, then stuck out her hand again.

"Fine, is there anything else?"

"Nope, that's it," I said, shaking her hand, "We are now officially friends."

"Hmmm, friends with James Potter, I never thought I'd see the day" she mused as we made our way down to the fourth floor.

I smiled at her, unable to contain my happiness, "neither did I…"

Lily POV

Being friends with James Potter wasn't as bad as I'd thought. Then again, we'd only been friends for about two hours.

"First patrol wasn't so bad" I said as we made our way behind the tapestry and down the hall to our dorm.

"I think it went rather splendidly," he said.

"Splendidly?" I snorted, "What is this the seventeenth century?"

"Excuse me for liking to sound sophisticated Miss Country Bumpkin."

"Yes, because I'm sooooo country" I said, shoving him in the side. I would never admit it to him, but being friends with James was one of the easiest transitions in my life. He had no trouble making me laugh; we hadn't broached more serious topics, but the ones we did cover were fun. He had an opinion on almost everything, and I could tell he was smart. He never studied for class, but the more I spoke to him, the more obvious it became he cared about the things around him.

"Evening Head Boy and Girl," said Reggie as we reached the portrait.

"Good evening Reginald. You know you can call us Lily and James right?"

"Of course, of course. Password?" He asked a bit sourly. Someone hadn't had a good evening…

"Ahhh…prick." Said James, wincing a little. For the first time since I set the password, I felt a little bad. When I had selected it, I thought he deserved it, now, I just felt mean.

"Reginald, is there any way we could change the password? I set it in a fit of peak, I would rather like to change it."

"No can do Miss. Password can't be changed until the first of October, those are the rules."

"It's fine Lily," James said, "We can just change it next month. It's actually a little funny. Consider it our first inside joke."

"If you say so…." I murmured, entering our common room, sitting down on a couch.

"So who do you think we'll get paired with in classes this year?"

"Well last year it was the Slytherins, and the year before that and the year before that….I'm beginning to sense a pattern."

"Yes, but that was only Potions and Defense. What about the others?"

"I'm assuming Transfiguration and Charms will be with the Ravenclaws and Herbology will be with the Hufflepuffs."

"Oh, you've got to love those Hufflepuffs" snorted James.

"They seem to love you, isn't Miranda Blake president of the James Potter fan club?"

"Please don't remind me of that! Those bints are so annoying, don't they have a life?"

"Yes, his name is James Potter" I said, teasing him.

"Oh real funny Evans."

"I thought my name was Lily?"

"I'm only teasing you" he said.

"Well, anywho, I'm hoping to be with the Ravenclaws for Ancient Runes and Hufflepuffs for Muggle Studies."

"Why do you even take that class? Don't you know it all already?"

"No! I never learned half the things Muggles do, I was here instead. Besides, who else will correct the teacher when he mispronounces 'electricity'?"

"You have to admit, that is a hard word to say."

"Only a pureblood would say that" I yawned.

"You're tired. Let's go to bed, class starts tomorrow and it's already 12:15"

"Bored of me already?" I yawned again.

"No," he chuckled, " I just don't want to have to carry you to you're bed. I know I may appear to be overly attractive and strong, but that is sadly not the reality."

"You can say that again…"

"Hey!"

"Just kidding Potter."

"Oh, so you think I'm fit?"

"I am not going to answer that, no matter what I say I won't win. So instead I'm just going to say goodnight James."

"Goodnight Lily, sweet dreams." He said before he yawned and went up his stairs. As I headed up my own stairs and got ready for bed, one thing became increasingly clear: this was going to be an interesting year…