The Friday afternoon after the Giant Walking Stick incident in Transfiguration, Alice, Frank and I were walking outside. We were all done with classes for the day, and it felt great to just walk on the grounds by the Black Lake.

It had been a rough week for me. After everyone had left the classroom, McGonagall had woken up in a sort of confused trance. She looked at me, then around her, then back at me with a questioning gaze in her eyes. I held out my hand to help her up. She took it and I hoisted her back to her feet where she proceeded to dust herself off, remove her glasses and clean them, put them back on, and find her hat.

"Ms. Evans… whatever happened in here?"

"You… you don't remember, Professor?"

I then told her everything that had happened, and she started to remember. I offered to take her to Madam Pomfrey.

"Oh… no, Ms. Evans. I'm quite alright… are you alright? By the sounds of it, it was lucky Mr. Potter is so good at Transfiguration…"

"Yes, Professor." I mumbled. I didn't want to think about Perfect Potter.

"Well then. I'll just clean this up." With a swish of her wand (after spending five minutes looking for it under the rubble), the classroom put itself back together. Desks mended themselves and stood up, the chalkboard righted itself, creatures were put back into their now-fixed cages and aquariums, and the dust disappeared. She even got rid of the Giant-Spoon-That-Used-To-Be-A-Demonic-Log-Of-Pain-And-Destruction.

"Ms. Evans. Is it just me, or are you also aware of a giant bowl of oatmeal in here?" She glanced at the bowl and back to me warily as if she thought she was nuts. "Maybe I should let Poppy check on me…"

"Oh no, Professor! That was Sirius…"

"SIRIUS IS A GIANT BOWL OF OATMEAL?! WHAT ELSE HAPPENED?" she screeched.

"No… Professor… Sirius conjured the bowl of oatmeal… something about there being a giant spoon and all…"

"Oh. Well, I'm surprised he didn't conjure up giant toast to go with it. Well done, Mr. Black. Well done." McGonagall rolled her eyes and made the oatmeal disappear as well. With that, everything looked as it did when I walked in this morning.

"Professor… I am so sorry about…"

"Don't even mention it, Ms. Evans. Mistakes happen. You're lucky, though." She gave me a small smile. "Have a good day, now, Ms. Evans… and practice."

With that, I left the room in a hurry after grabbing my bag.

The rest of the week was fine, school-wise, but news of my little mishap had reached the ears of other students, and they would snigger and point at me while I walked down the hall, or if I was eating. Alice and Frank were my only source of comfort.

"Lily, it will pass just like everything else," Alice said, trying to be reassuring.

"Mmmf." I mmmfed.

"It might go down as one of the most amazing disasters at Hogwarts, though." This was Frank trying to be reassuring. I glared at him. Alice smacked his arm.

"OW! Alice…"

"Don't say things like that, Frank. Lily, don't pay attention to him. I only keep him around 'cause he's gorgeous anyway." She winked at Frank.

I dropped my head into my arms.

And now, finally, it was Friday. This week was over and I could relax. After dropping our bags off in our rooms, and changed because it was bloody boiling outside, (I mean, it was September in Scotland, for Merlin's sake. It wasn't supposed to be 97 degrees out. The weather just decided to bloody screw around with us.) The temperature had been increasing all week long. It wasn't common for students to show up to class without robes, and with their sleeves pushed up and top buttons completely undone. It was that hot. And usually, since it wasn't this hot, Hogwarts had no cooling mechanisms whatsoever. So students retreated outdoors. This is where Alice, Frank and I retreated as well.

There were students sitting and relaxing in the shade, doing homework, reading, sunbathing and whatnot. Hundreds of students were in the Black Lake, floating, swimming and splashing around. We decided to dip our feet in. Alice and I sat down right away, Frank had to roll his pants up a bit. It felt heavenly and instantly cooled us off. I looked over towards the castle. I could see figures flying around on broomsticks on the Quidditch pitch.

"Wow. It's bloody 100 degrees out, and they are still practicing. That must be absolute torture." I made a mental note to yell at Captain Bloody James for his risky practice, putting students in danger of heat stroke and dehydration.

"It can't be too bad for them, Lils. They're flying around in the air at 75 kilometers an hour. If anything, it must be refreshing." Frank mentioned.

"I beg to differ, honey. This is really warm and humid air. I bet they feel the same way we do just sitting here. Imagine a blow-dryer blowing on your face while sitting in an oven. Would it do you much good?" Alice prompted.

"I suppose not."

"That's it. I'm not going to let this go on any longer. It's not right for James to exert his team in this heat. It's not safe." I got up form where I was sitting, grabbed my flip-flops and began marching towards the Quidditch pitch.

"This can't end well…" I heard Frank tell Alice.

"I know… let's watch." Good old Alice.

They eventually caught up to me, as I was so set on ending this injustice. We reached the Quidditch pitch and went to sit in the stands so we were closer to the height the players were at. I could see James flying around shouting out plays and orders. They darted about tossing the quaffle back and forth at blinding speeds. We are getting really good. I thought to myself. I was a Quidditch fanatic. Absolutely adored watching it.

"ALRIGHT! MANDATORY WATER BREAK, GRYFFINDORS!" I heard James shout. Good. I suppose I don't have to yell at him after all. He's taking care of them.

"You see, Lily? I told you it wouldn't be that bad." Frank nudged me and grinned.

"I suppose so, Frank. Should we just stay and watch, then?"

"Fine by me. Too hot to move." Alice groaned.

The players sank to the ground and went near the team benches to get their water. I watched as James took a giant swig from his water bottle, swish it around in his mouth then spit it out. He then actually took several gulps from it and poured some on his head. He shook his head, water spraying everywhere. Marlene McKinnon smacked him playfully, assuming she was in the line of fire of the water. James just grinned and pushed her back. I knot formed in my stomach.

Some of the team members decided to take their shirts off. Girls and boys alike stripped themselves completely. Albeit, the girls had on sports bras… but it amazed me how comfortable they were around each other. I mean, I don't think…I… would be… able to… PHWOAR.

Like his teammates, James had decided to take his shirt off as well. It's like time decided to go slow motion for me as I watched him lift his shirt off. His tanned, muscular torso practically slapped me in the face. I felt my mouth open. He shook his head again, tossed his shirt over his shoulder and mounted his broomstick again. He pushed off into the air.

"Lily. Lily. LILY!" I was acutely aware that my name was being called… but I couldn't draw my eyes away from Potter. Quidditch is the world's favorite sport. Glamorous. Absolutely glamorous.

Suddenly, Alice shook my shoulders and I reluctantly dragged my eyes away from James Hotter… I mean Potter.

"Lily. Look at me. What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing." My voice was gravelly, so I cleared my throat. "Nothing." Much better.

"Do you need some water, Lily? Your voice sounds dry." Frank offered me his water bottle.

"No… thanks Frank." I returned my gaze to the Quidditch god I had discovered oh-so-recently. James darted about, the wind blowing his messy, raven hair back. I sighed. Loudly.

"Lily…?" Frank scooted away from me.

"What?" I looked at both Frank, who was a few feet away now, and at Alice who had a tiny smirk on her face and this sparkling in her eyes.

"What?" I repeated.

"Franky, I think Lily is just a bit distracted."

I smacked Alice's arm. She just laughed and rubbed her arm.

"I am not. It's just… James is being careless about his team. That water break wasn't nearly as long as it should've been. It takes twenty minutes, twenty minutes for water to have its effects on the body. He…"

Alice just laughed at me. "Sure, Lily. I could see that 'hideous glare' you were aiming James' way. If looks could kill, Lily, James would still be very much alive."

I turned my face away from her laughing self. Whatever. She didn't know anything. It wasn't like I was ogling… oh my God. I was ogling James Potter. I mentally slapped myself. It didn't do anything, so I actually slapped myself.

"Ouch."

Alice and Frank looked at each other, exchanging glances that said "What the hell." Then they both looked at me.

"Lils…" Frank said, reaching for my forehead. "OH MY GOD ALICE, SHE'S BURNING UP."

"Frank, don't be an idiot. Of course she is. In case you haven't noticed, it's a furnace out here."

"But… she's turning red, too…"

"That's because she's in love."

"Oh."

Wait. WHAT?

"Alice. What did you just say?"

"Oh, you heard me, Lily." She replied nonchalantly. "You know it's true."

"Alice. Just because I enjoy looking at shirtless boys does not mean I am in love with them. I'm a girl. It's only natural. I can admire from afar."

"Oh contrare, my innocent, naïve Lily. You were looking at a particular shirtless boy. By name of James Potter, to be exact."

Alice could be so evil sometimes.

"So? In case you haven't noticed… Potter's body has filled out. I mean… he used to be this scrawny, translucent shrimp, but now…" I couldn't finish that thought. I didn't trust myself to.

"Yeah? And now?"

"Shut up." Alice just smiled and kissed Frank's cheek. Frank's gaze went a bit crooked. Love-struck bloke. It was so funny seeing them together at times. They were perfect for each other. I envied their relationship. Frank had had a crush on Alice since first year, but hadn't gathered the courage to ask her out until the end of third year. Alice had secretly been crushing on Frank as well. I knew. She told me, all the time. She was absolutely thrilled when Frank had asked her that she actually jumped at him and kissed him right then and there. Needless to say, Frank was extremely confident she'd say yes, and completely fazed at the same time. Not long after they kissed, Frank fainted. Poor bugger. It was hilarious all the same.

I watched them for awhile, admiring their togetherness. I hoped I'd be able to find someone like that for me someday. I once again looked toward the practicing Quidditch team. They were all flying towards the ground. Practice must be over. I got up, stretching. Alice and Frank noticed, and got up as well, hand-in-hand. We made our way out of the stands and walked away from the Quidditch pitch. Not long after we did, I heard someone running behind us.

"LILY!" Bugger. Bloody buggering sodding hell. I kept walking.

"LILS!" This time I turned around, annoyed, about to say something back when my words fell out of my mouth and died right there. Poor words. Didn't even stand a chance of being said. I had murdered them. They hadn't died in vain though, because a very sweaty, very shirtless James was running at me. His white, knee length basketball shorts had slipped down a bit, revealing the lip of his dark blue boxers underneath them. He stopped right in front of me, heaving breaths. He bent over, trying to catch his breath. This gave me a spectacular view of his back. His shoulder blades stuck out a bit, leading to a very muscular and tan back with beads of sweat dripping in every which way. I think I drooled a bit. I checked my mouth to wipe away any stray spit. Damn. I had drooled.

James bent back up, and I quickly wiped my hand on my shorts. He put his arms up, setting his hands on his head, still panting. His rippling pecs stared at me… his abs tightening and loosening as he breathed in and out. I watched a droplet of sweat run down his rock hard stomach and shimmy past the dark trail of hair leading to… LILY! DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW! OR EVER! The sweat droplet meshed into his shorts. I slapped myself again.

"Ouch."

"Lily?" James questioned, his left eyebrow shooting into his hairline.

"Er… yeah. Right. Did you need something James?" I asked, rubbing my cheek.

"I just needed to tell you that I won't be able to make rounds tonight. I've already asked O'Neal to go in my place. He'll meet you outside the Head's dorms at 9 o'clock."

"…" My eyes were scanning his body again. I licked my lips unconsciously.

"Lily. Did you hear me?" James waved his hand in front of my face.

"9 o'clock. O'Neal. Got it. Thanks James." I quickly turned around and left. I couldn't risk completely embarrassing myself… or jumping his bones. No, No, NO! Stop thinking those thoughts Lily! It's Potter. JAMES SODDING POTTER we're talking about here. You know, that arrogant toe rag you can't stand to even look at without inwardly puking? Yeah. Him.

Frank and Alice, unbeknownst to me, had kept walking during my conversation with James. I jogged to catch up with them.

"So… what did he want?" Alice gave me this suggestive look.

"Oh, nothing like that, Alice! He was just telling me that he couldn't make rounds tonight. That's all."

"And does that...upset you?"

"Well, yeah it… ALICE! DON'T DO THAT. I WAS CONFUSED." Alice and Frank roared in laughter. I felt my face burn. I was not in love with James Potter. I repeat not sodding in love with bloody James Potter.

Yeah, but admit it, a rogue voice in my head said to me, he is bloody sexy, though.

Yeah. I turned around again, seeing the figure of James in the distance retreating back to walk with his teammates. I had to admit it. James sodding Potter was bloody sexy.