James flopped onto his bed to grumble about what his friends said downstairs.

It's totally possible for a person to see all of another person's good qualities and still not fancy them. James thought to himself. Sure, Evans is smart and funny and beautiful and kind and caring and adventurous but that doesn't mean that I like her. The girl is so blasted conceited and pretentious. She thinks everyone loves her, that everyone should want to be her friend. Well, I don't. and she says I'm prideful, ha! She is such a know it all. Always rasiing her hand in class and… stuff.

James sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes. How could his best friends think that he, James Potter had a crush on Lily Evans. They were supposed to know him! Some best friends they were.

The door to the room opened and Peter walked in.

"Hey mate" James said as Peter walked over to his desk and sat down to work on some assignment he had due later the next day.

"Hey Prongs, what's up?"

"Nothing. Sirius and Remus have gotten it into their thick sculls that I fancy Lily Evans though" James scoffed. He knew Peter would get a good laugh out of this. All of his friends couldn't be bonkers.

Peter sighed, "James, the whole school knows that you fancy Lily Evans… everyone except Evans that is. The two of you are the only ones who can't see it."

James blinked in surprise.

"What is wrong with you people! I don't like Evans, I can't stand her for merlin's sake!"

"Denial is the first step to recovery" Peter muttered as he looked over his half finished essay

"And what if there isn't anything to deny!" James asked irritably. This was just getting old and annoying.

"Then I guess you're screwed because everyone thinks you're totally head over heels for the girl" Peter explained giving James a look of sympathy. James sighed in frustration and left.

It had been a few days since Lily and Charlie had broken up but she hadn't really been able to deal with it. She had tons of work to do and right then the other girls in the room were driving Lily nuts. They were laughing and talking loudly about stupid things that Lily really had no interest in. She just wanted to lay in bed and wallow in her own misery but it seemed that that was another thing fate was going to deny her. She swung her legs over the side of her bed and grabbed her cloak before stomping down the stairs and out of the common room.

There's no where to be alone in this stupid castle. No privacy! She thought to herself as she made a bee line for the front doors in hopes to escape the presence of others. The castle had never seemed so small to Lily than it did right then. She just wanted to get away from everyone and even in the enormous castle, there was nowhere she could go and be certain that no one would stumble upon her.

Lily figured her best bet would be to go outside. It was getting warmer as their sixth year was coming to a close but it was still chilly enough that not too many people would be outside, preferring the warm common rooms to the bitter breeze. But a bitter breeze was just what Lily needed to match her bitter mood.

Lily couldn't see anyone on the green that sloped down to the lake in front of the castle doors. She could hear people down at the Quidditch pitch but she didn't plan on going over there so she wasn't too worried about them. Instead she walked over to a large oak tree near the lake that kids liked to congregate around when the weather was warmer, today though, Lily had it all to herself.

She sat down with her back to the tree, her legs straight out in front of her in the green grass and rested her head against the rough bark as she looked up into the branches. It was too early still for leaves but she could see a few buds that would soon open up into delicate green leaves. Spring was her favorite season and if she were not so upset she would have enjoyed the pretty scene around her.

Its not even that I am sad that he's gone, I'm sad the relationship is gone Lily mused to herself as she watched the smooth surface of the lake. It was comfortable and I was used to having him around and I did care about him. I do care about him, aside from the cheating, he is a good guy, just not a god boyfriend I suppose. She sighed again. As much as she tried to reason it away, it still hurt. It didn't matter how she looked at it, she had been cast aside for someone else and that hurt no matter what the circumstances.

What did I do wrong? I'm pretty… not gorgeous or anything but I'm certainly not ugly. I'm smart and I can be funny. What is it about me that make it okay for him to do that to me? She asked herself as she started to cry again.

Lily took a deep breath to calm herself down after she had cried herself out. Feeling a little bit better she relaxed against the tree and looked out at the grounds surrounding her. The cold breeze helped her clear her head and she resigned herself to getting over Charlie.

She sat there for a while, only making the decision to go inside when she could no longer feel her toes. She went straight up to the tower to gather her books and then went down to the common room. A few hours later Lily looked up from her transfiguration book and rubbed her eyes. Growling in frustration she grabbed the book and chucked it as far as she could. Considering she was sitting on the floor the book didn't go very far. Lily let out a frustrated shriek and flopped her head down on the table.

"Did the big mean book give little Evans a paper cut?" a voice sounded from above her.

Lily looked up and gave James a look, "what do you want now Potter?"

James sighed; he didn't like this Lily. He liked the sharp witted, sassy girl who knew how to put him in his place. He liked their banter and he liked how she challenged him. While he wouldn't admit it to anyone else, or even to himself, he liked their banter because it made it feel like they were friends in a way. He could still talk to her, even if the things he said weren't nice… he teased her, friends tease one another too. He liked talking to her and spending time with her and since they weren't exactly chummy, their arguments were how he god his fix so to speak.

"Come on Evans, why are you being like this? You're being even less fun then you normally are" James said, sitting down on the coach across from her. He wanted his sparing partner back. It had only been a few days but James had noticed that she wasn't acting like she normally did.

"Give me a day or two Potter, I'm tired. I promise I will ream you end from end in a few days, I'm just tired" Lily told him. She looked up at him and he felt that pang in his chest when he saw the defeat in her eyes.

James looked at Lily and wondered what she was thinking about. Her eyes were sad and she did look tired. James sighed in a combination of resignation and frustration.

"What are you having trouble with?" he asked her as he moved from his seat to sit on the floor so he was at her level. He picked her book up and set it on the small coffee table and looked at her.

"What?" she asked dumbly.

"You may be annoying Evans but I know you aren't daft. I asked what you are having trouble with." He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to argue. "I know you're having trouble because you just chucked your text book at a couch. People who understand what they are doing don't do that. I'm good at transfiguration, what are you having trouble with?" he asked her.

She regarded him with eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why are you helping me?" she asked skeptically.

"Can't a bloke just help a girl out?" James asked with a smile. He sighed at her look.

"Okay, you're right, I'm sick of you moping around and so this is me trying to make you less pathetic"

"Oh how sweet of you" Lily muttered sarcastically with a roll of her eyes.

"I'm being nice, but I can tell when I'm not wanted. I'll see you around Evans" James said as he moved to get up.

"Wait, you're right. I just-"

"What was that? Did I just hear what I think I heard?" James asked with a huge grin on his face. "Did Lily Evans just say that I, James Potter, am right?" He held a hand to his ear to emphasize his point.

"Yes, now don't make me take it back" Lily said irritated. James chuckled and settled back into his spot.

"There's my Evans," he said

"I'm not your anything mister" Lily said with pursed lips and crossed arms. He chucked again and shook his head.

"Of course not, now what do you need help with?" He looked at all the papers around her and couldn't figure out what she was working on.

"This stupid spell to change a small thing into a big thing. I can't seem to make it work" Lily explained with furrowed brows.

He smiled at the look of confusion on her face; she looks pretty cute like that he mused to himself as he thought of kissing her confusion away. Suddenly his head snapped up and his heart started beating fast. I was not just thinking of kissing her! Bullocks, it's those prats, my mates… they've gone and given me ideas and now my thoughts are running away with it. Well, I've always known she was pretty, that doesn't mean I like her or anything. He reasoned away his little day dream and focused on watching Lily as she tried to perform the spell. After about 45 minutes of James correcting her movements and pronunciation Lily finally had the spell down and was able to do it repeatedly without his help.

She had a huge grin on her face and her eyes shown as she turned and gave him a huge hug in her excitement. "I've been working on that for ages and I just couldn't get it! Thank you so much!" Lily gushed, as she let go of him and surveyed her work. She was very proud of herself.

"It's no problem, it's a tough spell. Something to do with making matter out of nothing… it's hard to do" James said trying to ignore the fluttering in his stomach from her hug.

"Oh, thank you so much, I was about to give up all together. Thank you!" she said again, still smiling brightly.

He hadn't had that effect on her in years and he liked it. He liked making her smile. She looked so happy and it had been so long since she had been happy because of something he had done.

"Wow, Potter, really, thanks" she said, turning to him and giving him a shy smile. "And I will stop moping and start making fun of you again, I know that's why you did this."

James gave her a forced smile. It was why he helped her, but now he was thinking he kind of liked this whole chummy thing they had going on.

"Yeah, you know me, I love being made fun of" he said dryly.

She smiled awkwardly at him and then began to gather her things together. They were the last two in the common room; it was pretty late.

"I'm gonna get to bed, I'll see you around Potter, and thanks again" Lily said as she moved towards the stair case.

"Yeah, see ya" James muttered distractedly. He was still thinking about their relationship. He was trying to figure out what exactly they had. They teased one another, and played jokes on one another and were mean to each other but they could be nice too, as was just shown during this last encounter.

James shook his head and sighed. It was late, he was tired and he wasn't sure where his thoughts were going. He lifted himself to his feet and went to the boys' staircases, thoughts of Lily still knocking around in his head.

It had been a week since James had helped Lily with that spell but they had yet to have any rows. It was oddly quiet in the common room and people had started to notice that the two weren't arguing as much as they had been. In fact, they were almost civil. Lily and James didn't hang out with one another but they managed to pass each other in the halls with just a simple nod or a polite "hey" even.

All of the sixth years were studying for finals and trying to get the last few assignments in before the term ended and they all went home for the summer.

Lily was working late one evening in the common room, staying long after everyone else had retired to their rooms. She was just about finished with her essay and decided to leave proof reading it until the morning when she was better rested when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. She looked up to see none other then Sirius Black.

They regarded one another warily before Sirius ventured with a skeptical "Evans" as a way of greeting.

"Black" she said coolly. "What are you doing up this late?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I'm working, hence the books and parchment. You however bear no such objects and it is far too late for you to be running off to meet someone"

Sirius looked at her for a moment before he walked over to where she was sitting and sat down across from her.

"I couldn't sleep, that's all" he told her while glancing at the papers surrounding her.

Lily nodded and continued gathering her things. "Well, I will leave you to whatever it is you do when you can't sleep as I'm going to try and grab a few hours myself." She had just stood up from the table when Sirius took a deep breath.

"Evans, wait" he said, an almost pained look on his face. She turned, curious as to what he had to say to her. They had never spoken before really and she didn't know what had possessed him to start now.

"I know you don't like me much, and I'm not terribly fond of you either but James really does like you." Sirius held up a hand to silence her when she opened her mouth to protest. "I know you don't like him and I'm not asking you to but I've noticed that you two have been get along pretty civilly for the past few days and I just want you to know that if anything does develop –"

He was cut of by a scoff from Lily, which he acknowledged only by giving her a pointed look of annoyance. "That" he continued, "I will be watching you. I won't let you hurt him, he's fancied you for ages and he's really happy that you are starting to tolerate him and he thinks that he is finally going to be able to be friends with you, he hopes more then friends."

Lily looked at him, slightly taken aback not only by what he said but also by the look on his face. He wasn't joking in any way; he was completely serious which was unusual.

"He really isn't a bad guy Evans, you might want to give him a shot, you'd be lucky to have him" Sirius said before he turned and went back to his room. Lily watched him go, not saying anything before she blinked a few times and turned to go back to her own room, thoughts of James and the things Sirius had said rattling around in her head.

Lily didn't see much of James or anyone for that matter for the next week and a half as exams started and then suddenly the farewell feast was upon her. Gryffindor won both the house and Quidditch cup, which meant there would be a huge party in the common room that night.

Sure enough, the party was in full swing when she arrived. For once Lily decided to join in the fun, accepting a butterbeer that was passed to her she made her way through to crowd and happened upon Remus.

"Lily!" he shouted as he pulled her into a one armed hug, the other arm busy holding a fire whisky. His cheeks were rosy and his eyes glassy from the slight buzz he had going and Lily couldn't help but smile at him as she started to talk to her about one of their exams. She was laughing at a joke he made when Sirius and James walked over.

Sirius looked at her and gave her a nod to which she smiled before her eyes flashed over to James. Her eyes narrowed a little as she regarded him before she took a deep breath, grabbed the glass of fire whisky from Remus' hand, took a hearty gulp, coughed from the burning sensation and walked up to James, her eyes still watering a little.

"Dance with me?" she asked as she looked into his wide eyes, noticing that Remus has a similar look on his face while Sirius looked on with an air of mild approval.

James grinned and nodded, taking her hand a leading her out to the middle of the room where students had gathered to dance to the music that was playing from some unknown source.

They didn't talk much as they danced and it was a few songs until the music slowed to a calmer tone that allowed them to move closer to one another. He tentatively placed one hand on her hip, the other taking one of hers as her other had rested on his shoulder.

They didn't say anything to one another for a little bit, catching their breath before James finally broke the silence.

"Why did you ask me to dance?" he asked her, holding his breath for the answer.

"Why not?" she asked with a slight smile. He gave her a look that clearly said that that wasn't a sufficient answer to which she gave a little chuckle before looking at him again. "I guess I decided that you aren't so bad after all. Someone told me I should give you a chance and I guess I decided to listen?" she said tentatively.

James smiled at her, nodding his head as he thought about what she had just said.

"Who talked to you?" he asked after a moment.

"Oh, just some kid I ran into" she said airily. "So, what do you think? Shall we have a truce and try to get along?"

James grinned again and nodded, "yeah, I think that would be nice."

Lily smiled back at him before she put her head on his shoulder and they finished the dance in silence. Remus cut in when the next song started and he and Lily danced together for a while. Peter danced with her too and even Sirius gave her a little twirl at one point.

Before they knew it they were dragging their feet up the stairs to their rooms and falling asleep before their heads even hit the pillows.

The train ride was uneventful and James didn't see Lily until they arrived at the station.

Lily gave Remus a big hug and made him promise to write, Peter she gave a little hug and wished him a happy vacation. Sirius shook her hand with a roguish smile and gave her a nod.

Lily turned to James with a sigh.

"Have a good summer Lily," he said with a smile.

"You too James" she smiled back and gave him a wave as she walked over to the wall separating the station from the muggle world. James watched her as she disappeared through it, thoughts of the summer to come and some more than friendly thoughts of Lily jumping across his mind.

"Told you ya' fancied her" Remus said with a laugh, clapping a hand on James' back. James laughed with the other boys as he put Remus in a headlock, giving him a noogie.

"Yeah, something like that" he muttered as the four walked through the wall back into the muggle world to start what they hoped would be an exciting but relaxing summer.