Chapter 2- It Takes One to Know One

Tuesday October 14th, 1976—Common Room, 8:43pm

So, yeah, it's been a while, but not much has been happening. Nothing notable, at least. Classes are still boring, the Marauders are still annoying the hell out of the Slytherins, and the leaves have just begun to turn a crisp, vivid orange.

I haven't exactly gotten much farther with Lily. I've been putting it off and putting it off because she's seemed extremely… depressed lately. The nice side of me tells me that she doesn't need anymore shit; the sincere side tells me not to do anything to her simply because she doesn't need it. At least not right now.

The only thing that I have kept up is my annoying Lily. This is next to impossible for me to stop, simply because it is my way of things. It's who I am—aggravating. The seats in Arithmancy that we were assigned to our first day are our assigned seats for the rest of the year, so it's pretty easy to annoy Lily. And it brings me enjoyment.

Of course, I'll only do little things to annoy Lily. I tap my quill incessantly, and my favorite is to jab her arm when she's taking notes so she draws a line straight down them.

However, Lily is not a thick girl. She does her share of annoying the hell out of me as well. She pretends to stretch and hits me in the head with her elbow, saying, "If only your head wasn't so big…" Ha, ha. She'll also knock over the ink for her quill all over my notes. That one really gets me, since that means I have to borrow notes from one of my many admirers to replenish my own notes. It's not that I mind re-doing my notes, it's just that it's bothersome to speak to one of my admirers because she'll try to be all over me. I'm just not into being a…what do muggles call it… a man whore.

Despite the iciness with Evans and me, she and Sirius seem to be getting along simply lovely. They've become friends, and I've even heard Sirius talk about being more than friends.

Anyway, there is a Halloween Ball in two weeks and Sirius has just informed me today that he has asked Evans, and she has delightfully agreed.

I've had a date for months, but I don't like to brag. Okay, maybe I do, just a little. But who would blame me? I am the best-looking boy in Hogwarts! Ask anybody! They'll tell you no different!

At any rate, that's all the news I have for now. I suppose I should start on the three essays I've been putting off. They're all due tomorrow. But, that's just me. James Potter—procrastinator. And I'm damn proud of it too!

Wednesday October 15, 1976—Dormitory 10:57 pm

There is a Quidditch game this weekend that I will be playing in as Chaser. It's Gryffindor against Ravenclaw and I have absolutely no doubt that we will be kicking their asses in this game.

The team this year is absolutely brilliant. Sirius is Beater and he has quite a bit of talent. The rest of the team is more than a bit skilled and we all seem to work well together, which is what really counts.

There was a practice today, and I've only just gotten back from it. Smith kept us long today to make sure we got every little kink out before the first game so that we'd play perfect. The first game is what really counts. You either make it or break it with the first game and we most definitely want to make it a great Quidditch season.

So, I suppose, what does a few hours overtime really count? Practice makes perfect and I'm not complaining. Even though my legs are sorer than they've ever been from gripping my broom as hard as I did. And I'm drenched from head to toe from the rain, and my arms are throbbing.

But, I don't mean to complain. I'm perfectly fine with practice running late.

Yeah, I don't buy my lies either.

If there's one thing no one knows about me, is that I'm a damn good liar, and you can't lie to me. It takes one to know one and I am definitely good at spotting liars in an instant.

Anyway, I'm done with my ranting for now and I suppose I'll take a long hot shower before heading off to bed. Goodbye for now.

Sunday October 19, 1976—Common Room, 8:57pm

I've made it a weekly ritual to drag my ass out of bed early every Sunday morning and go down to the kitchens with my "Quidditch Weekly" magazine and have a nice cup of fresh coffee. It not only wakes me up, but it some how gives a nice closure to my weekend and it's exactly what I need, especially after the great weekend I've had.

Gryffindor, of course, won the Quidditch game yesterday and so, as usual, the Gryffindors threw a congratulatory party. There was music, alcohol, and some strip poker. Unfortunately, the object of my, er, desire did not feel it necessary to attend this extravagant event. For all I know Lily Evans spent the entire day up in the girls' dormitory, her mind locked away in a novel. Let's just say, this is very Lily.

Anyway, the party was a huge hit and fairly successful. However, Sirius lost at strip poker and we all had to endure him without his boxers on… I love Sirius, but not like that. I'm scarred for life.

However, Remus seemed to be chatting it up quite nicely with that friend of Lily's… I forget her name. They seemed to be having a fairly nice time, and if I'm not mistaken, he kissed her hand goodnight at the end of the party.

Sirius, of course, made his rounds to all the gorgeous girls at this social gathering. He invited a few from Ravenclaw and was seen snogging these girls, plus many Gryffindors at the party. Oh, Sirius. Will you ever learn?

I had a fairly decent time at the celebration as well. I won two games of strip poker and this won me twenty galleons. I did have a drink or two, but don't worry, I didn't drink and fly, and I have no intention to in the future. I didn't even get drunk. I just drink because it's nice and it was the only thing we had to drink there, surprisingly enough.

So, this morning, I wake up, pull a sweater over my head and some sweatpants on, and walk down to the kitchens with my magazine.

There, in the kitchens, book in hand, sipping coffee, I find none other than the lovely Miss Lily Evans.

I knew this was too good to be true.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here," I said, making her jump and spill her coffee. She attempted to clean it up, but I pushed her hand away. "Allow me. After all, it was me that caused you to spill in the first place."

After I magically cleaned up the mess and got Lily another coffee, I allowed myself to sip my own coffee and relax for the first time in a long while.

"I see you didn't come to our party last night. It's a pity. You would have had a great time."

"How do you know? You don't know me at all. Why would you care if I had a good time or not? If it wasn't for you and Sirius being friends and Arithmancy class, we wouldn't even have ever spoken. We don't even like each other."

I was taken aback at her answer. She had a sharp tone and her jaw was clenched in what I figured was anger.

"Besides, I had other plans," she said in a gentler tone.

I didn't want to ruin the moment or her mood by saying anything, so I plunged into my magazine as Lily dived back into her book. A little later, Lily left, and I swear I heard her whisper a "goodbye" as the door closed behind her.

Friday October 31, 1976—Dormitory, 4:37 pm

In a few hours, the ball will begin. My date is a rather dull one to speak to, but she has incredible legs and a killer smile, so it's all good. I don't mean to sound shallow, because I don't think I am. It's just that, as a pureblood, it is my obligation to always prove my worthiness and being seen with an extremely attractive girl just happens to help my appearance. And, yeah, it doesn't hurt my reputation at all either.

All this week, I have had a lacking in where my friendship with Sirius used to be. He has spent the entire week with Lily and I had no one to conspire with. It's all very confusing. I don't understand why Sirius is trying to start something with Lily, because we have our bet going and he knows I'm trying to bed her. Maybe he just wants to make it harder and prove that I can't bed any girl I want. Maybe he just really wants those 50 Galleons. Or maybe, dare I write it, he really does have a thing for Lily Evans.

Saturday November 1st, 1976—Common Room, 1:43 am

So, I just got a chance to myself to sit down and note about my evening.

The ball wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. I'll tell you one thing, it was a big hit with the younger years, that's for sure.

Lily was wearing beautiful emerald robes that matched her eyes and for some reason, made me swoon at the sight of her. Her hair was up in a messy bun and her make-up was, as always, heavy and black.

Remus took one of Evans's friends to the ball, but I forget her name. She's quite a little beauty, that one is, but I have my heart set on Lily. At least, I have my money set on Lily. That's what I mean.

I took one of Lily's friends, Lexi. She's one with a stunning appearance, and wore deep purple robes that very much appealed to her dark skin.

Peter took some third year girl from Ravenclaw and they seemed to have a half decent time.

Sirius and I both waited in the common room for our dates and when Lily came down, my breath stopped in my throat. She was absolutely stunning and I couldn't keep my eyes off of her the entire time.

Sirius kissed Lily's hand and I found myself growing jealous of their closeness. My date came down, and I went through the whole routine. I told her she looked amazing, I kissed her cheek, and locked my arm with hers as we walked down to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was dressed up with orange and black streamers and pumpkins were floating in mid-air. The ceiling was dark and starry, and there was no moon.

As I watched Lily throughout the evening, she was dancing dangerously close to Sirius and I found myself wanting to rip all of Sirius's hair out—or at least my own. Lily kept playing with him like this was all a sick twisted game of some sort. I wouldn't be surprised if it was, actually.

Evans kept kissing Sirius's cheek and the place right next to his lips, but for some reason, unbeknownst to me, she never kissed his lips.

When Lexi and I got back from the ball, I saw Lily and Sirius in the common room, at the stairs to the girl's dormitory, talking. Then they kissed, and it wasn't a kiss like you kissed your grandmother. Anyone who kissed their grandmother like Lily and Sirius kissed has some serious incest problems.

Yeah, I was jealous, but only because I'm trying to win Lily over and Sirius is getting all tangled up in this messy web of lust and galleons.

I kissed Lexi on the cheek for a goodbye and I kissed her hand for a goodnight. She's nice enough, but maybe too nice for me. I don't want to get involved with her—we're not compatible.

Anyway, there was a little after the ball party in the common room and I was hanging out there for a while before going to the prefect bathroom for a nice long bath. The party still hasn't died down all the way, but most of the people are gone and it's safe to write without having the paranoia of some drunken person reading over my shoulder. No, that wouldn't go over too well at all.

So, I suppose that's it for the night. Nothing else has happened and I feel I've explained everything with the best of my ability. Goodnight, then.

November 2nd, 1976—Common Room, 2:46 am

Last night, I was disturbed by dreams of Lily and Sirius getting married and having children that looked just like me, only they had green, slimy bodies. I woke up in a cold sweat for some reason. I picked up my glasses on the side table next to me and glanced at the clock. It was 2:57. You can imagine how happy I was then. So, I got out of bed, shook Sirius to wake him up, but he didn't move. He was… what do muggles say… sleeping like a rock. I never really understood that phrase. Rocks don't sleep—they're not alive. Unless you turn someone into a rock. That might be a fun one to pull on Snape. Note to self: tell marauders about turning Snape into a rock.

Anyway, I tried everything. I kicked him, I punched him (he punched me back, in his sleep!), I pulled the covers off of him, I pulled his hair, nothing worked. So, I sat down on a chair next to Sirius's bed and sighed.

"What the bloody hell?" Sirius said, sitting upright in his bed. "I had the strangest dream! I was in this fight with a bloody muggle gang member and I couldn't find my wand! He kicked me and punched me—although I punched that one back. Then it began to get cold and it started snowing. Then he began to play dirty and pulled my hair. Then I heard a stir in the dormitory and I woke up."

Yeah it was a stir, I remember thinking as I sat there, breathless from trying to wake Sirius. He wants to sleep his life away, that one does, and refuses to ever get up.

"Well…" I smiled. "Come down to the common room with me. No one will be there. I need to talk to you about something that's been weighing on my mind."

We walked down to the common room, me in front of Sirius. I sat down on a couch, and Sirius paralleled me, on the couch opposite of mine.

"Before you start… I have to tell you something," Sirius proclaimed. Thinking it was something about bedding a girl, or pulling "the best prank ever" of that week, I nodded and leaned back, resting my head on the back of the couch.

"I finally got balls enough to ask Lily out," he said, smiling. My eyes widened and I sat up straight. "Hogsmeade, next weekend. I'm super-psyched. Sorry, just wanted to add my little bit. So what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Exactly that," I responded. "Ev-Lily." It was hard to say her name after calling her Evans for so long. However, her name is very lovely and, though it doesn't look like it, her name suits her. She smells good, she's beautiful, she's dainty, and she's delicate. "What the hell are you trying to pull?"

"What do you mean?" Padfoot asked, questioning look on his face.

"You know exactly what I mean." I looked around to make sure the deserted common room was still abandoned. Then I whispered, "The bet."

"I had forgotten all about that," Sirius said innocently. I sneered.

"Of course you did. And I forgot how to turn into a--"

I stopped mid-sentence.

"Did you hear that creak?" Sirius asked. I nodded.

"Anyway, there's no point in arguing about this. Even though the other person is a lying sack of--"

"Yeah and you're a no-good, womanizing--"

"Hey, now. Take a look in the mirror, buddy," I said and we exploded in a fit of laughter. It had all been a joke—the name calling thing. I'm still not sure if Sirius forgot about the bet or not.

"Anyway," Sirius starts. "I wanted to talk to you about Lily."

"What about her?" I ask, startled at the conversation turning it's back on me.

"Well, I know you have a crush on her, and I like her too, and I don't want this to ruin anything between us."

"I told you it was fine. I'm OK with it all, In fact, I'm happy for you," I responding, feeling as if I faked my smile, for some odd reason.

"Are you sure?" Sirius asked, an earnest look upon his face.

"Yes. Positive. It is only a crush, after all. It's not like I fancy her. You do, don't you?"

There was a long silence. Sirius stared into the hot coals of the fire that used to be, as if he were zoning out. I didn't know what to say. I wanted to fill the awkward silence, but I had no idea how to.

"Do you fancy her, Padfoot?" I asked again, hoping for an answer this time. Even a nod or something would have eased my anxiety that I somehow had over this entire conversation.

"Well, I mean… Yeah, I really do."

"Then you should go for it. I'm happy for you." Insert another fake smile here. What's with all this fakeness? I'm not usually like this around friends. Maybe it was just a mood swing thing, or something.

Sirius smiled back at me and it almost made me feel guilty for having told him white lies like, 'I'm happy for you,' and 'go for it.' I felt in the wrong for lying, but lying is my specialty. It's what I'm good at. And it damn well takes one to know one. This is the motto I live by.

We performed our secret handshake to the couches and the no longer glowing coals, and then I headed upstairs.

"Alright, I'm going back to bed," I called over my shoulder.

"OK. I can't sleep. I'll see you later."

I made it sound like I went up the stairs, when in actuality, I stayed on them, waiting to see who made that creak earlier. I had some strange ironic feeling that it was Evans. Blame it on my big head, if you will, but I couldn't leave until I found out who it was.

I heard Evans's light voice and Sirius talking back to her. I watched them snuggle on the couch, his arm around her shoulders.

I grew angry for some odd reason. I was angry because Sirius was ruining the bet. There was NO way I was going to lose. Bets are my calling. There isn't anything I won't do if you dare me.

I went up the rest of the stairs fuming, and I called my broom to me through the open window near my bed. I grabbed a box hidden under my bed. It's a magical box only I can open with my wand. I strapped it on the back of my broom and I silently—well, as silent as riding a broom can be—flew out the window.

I rode a long time, thinking about what had happened since I returned to school this year. So many things had changed. Even I had changed and I'm the kind of person who hates change.

I found so many changes in myself already. I found that my posse following me around grew annoying and embarrassing. I found myself not swooning for girls that were easy to bed or the most popular witch in school. I guess a lot has altered for me over the summer and I feel that these alterations are for the best. Turning fifteen has improved me and taken me away from my immature boy stage. Well maybe only a little, but that's okay, right? Every one needs fun and I'm just the person to give it to them. Who else would liven up Snape by changing his black hair and clothes into something more fun, attracting, and colorful?

Anyway, thoughts such as these whizzed back and forth through my head like a ping pong game. Then Lily's smiling face came into my mind. I lurched forward at the sight of it and almost fell off of my broom.

Doing a few twirls in the air, by the moon to calm myself down, I flew a little farther and decided that I was in desperate need of what was in my special box. I landed my broom on the roof and set it down in a way so that it would not fall off.

Unstraping the box from my broom, I opened it, whispering the "magic words." I took something out of the box and then I opened what I had taken out.

I sat there, enjoying my special stash, watching the moon go down and the sky turn brilliant colors as the sun came up. I had forgotten that it was so early. But it was technically Sunday, so I was alright.

Fingering the bottom of my broom, I stared off into space, not thinking about anything at all. It was the most amazing feeling I'd ever experienced in my life. Even better that sex was a clear mind!

All of the sudden I was torn out of my trance by a voice behind me. I didn't jump, but I was startled and I turned. I could not believe who it was, standing before me in a black lacey night gown.

"You going to finish that all yourself or can you spare just a teensy bit for someone like me, who obviously needs it?"

Author's Note- Who is it?! Review and let me know who you think it is! Sorry... this is so late. I had it ready, but I kept thinking I already posted it for some reason... anyway, here it is, as promised, this week at the latest. I'm working on the nextchapter of MD, but I don't think that that will be up next week. If not, definately the week after. I'm working hard on it! Then there will be a couple of weeks where I'm not writing FOF, TTT, or MD because I have other stories I'm working on that are not posted.

Anyway, that's the end of my rambling. How did you like it? Who do you think this mystery person (hopefully a girl in the lacey nightgown!) is? Let me know and please let me know in a review. Much appreciated. Thanks to those who reviewed and I send love to the readers of my crappy writing!

xDreamerx