Chapter 2

James made his way down to the dungeons for the after lunch Potions lesson. He was rather early but figured he could gather his thoughts before Professor Slughorn or any other students arrived. Professor Slughorn usually showed up right before the bell rang. And, James checked his watch, he had about fifteen minutes until that happened. To his dismay, however, the door was wide open, with Slughorn tinkering around inside. James was just about to walk somewhere else when Slughorn looked up and noticed him standing there.

"Hello there m'boy! Come in, come in! I'm just getting together some ingredients for our Potions lesson today," said the portly professor.

James reluctantly entered the classroom and sat at his normal table, which he shared with Sirius. He took out Advanced Potion-Making and stared out the window, hoping he could still get some thinking done.

But Slughorn wasn't one to keep quiet.

"So Mr. Potter, what brings you to my class so early? You look slightly troubled, if you don't mind my saying so." Slughorn put down the pewter, size two cauldron he had been examining.

James was startled as Slughorn's voice jolted him out of his thoughts. He was also surprised Slughorn was even trying to speak to him about personal matters. While James had had Slughorn as a teacher for almost six years, the two rarely spoke outside of class and only about Potions.

"Er, yeah, I am a little troubled sir." James, while Slughorn wasn't his choice confidante, felt like speaking to an outsider about his situation would be more helpful than trying to talk to his friends. "It's about Lily. You know, Lily Evans."

Slughorn smiled gently. "Ah, yes! One of my favorite-"

He stopped as Severus Snape barged into the room.

"Hello Severus!" Slughorn greeted.

"Hi Professor. I just wanted to ask you a quick question about the homework before class began." As he set his bag on his chair to rummage through it for his work, he noticed James sitting across the room.

James smirked. "Why hello there Snivellus."

Snape sneered. "Does the great James Potter need help? And to think some people believe you to be intelligent."

"Now, now boys… Let's be civilized," chuckled Slughorn. "I know the rift between Slytherin and Gryffindor is strong but remember- you're still both Hogwarts students and that's what matters!"

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Within the next few minutes, the rest of the class would come streaming in.

"If only it was that simple!" Snape exclaimed, trying to appear pleasant in front of Professor Slughorn.

"Even if we weren't in separate Houses, I'd still hate this slimy git," James said, without thinking.

"James Potter, what a nasty thing to say! My, well, I'd say ten points from Gryffindor!" Slughorn said.

Sirius and Remus walked in. "Aw, what did our boy do this time?" Sirius joked, sitting at the table with his best friend. Remus sat at the table next to them. His table mate was typically Frank Longbottom. Alice McKinney and Lily sat behind them.

James planned on ignoring Sirius, but after a minute, felt stupid for not answering his longtime friend.

"Snivellus, naturally," supplied James, grinning in spite of himself.

However, the smile quickly disappeared when Lily walked in with Alice. The bell rang as they sat at their table. James wanted nothing more than to turn around and look at her. It took all of his willpower not to.

"Good afternoon everyone! We've got a lot to do today and not enough time! So, to begin- who can tell me about Golpalott's Third Law?" asked Slughorn.

Snape's and Lily's hands shot in the air to answer.

"So, Prongs, what is happening with Lily? We saw her lead you out of the Hall," whispered Sirius, as Lily, Snape and Slughorn discussed Golpalott's Third Law while the other six students took-or pretend to take-notes.

"She thanked me for the gift I sent her," muttered James. "But, naturally, I blew it. Thus, no longer speaking. The only silver lining is that she still hates Snivellus."

"-next lesson we'll work on creating an antidote to a certain poison. On the board-" Slughorn tapped the board with his wand and lines of writing appeared. "-on the board, I've written a simplified version of Golpalott's Third Law. I know the book's definition is rather complicated, so if you would copy my version to further assist your comprehension…"

Sirius glanced at his parchment, wrote 'Golpalott's Third Law' in large, loopy letters, then turned back to James, who also wasn't copying the notes.

"I didn't know you got her a gift. What was it?"

"Pretty toned down for me, it was. I got her this book about magical creatures-unicorns and dragons and such."

"Huh. Fair enough…that was it then?"

"Well, I wrote a note too. Just wishing her a good holiday, that I found this book and thought she ought to have it."

Sirius stared at James. "Y'know, I reckon if you hadn't blown your chances with her years ago, she would've been yours."

James groaned. "Thanks Padfoot."

The bell rang and they hurriedly gathered their things. Remus quickly joined them.

"Nice going with Lily again James, really nice," said Remus sarcastically.

"She told you, I gather?" James sighed.

Remus just nodded, then waved goodbye to return to Gryffindor Tower to grab his forgotten Transfiguration homework.

"Not like Moony to forget," noticed James as they made their way to Professor McGonagall's classroom.

"Well, tomorrow is the full moon," said Sirius as they entered the room.

Peter was already in his usual seat. He wasn't in N.E.W.T. Potions, but he had managed to scrape an 'Exceeds Expectations' on his O.W.L. for Transfiguration to reach N.E.W.T. level.

Sirius took a seat next to Peter. "You and Moony can discuss the situation."

James nodded. He was grateful Remus was friends with Lily. It was strange they became friends, given who Remus hung around with, but the two model students bonded over a love of reading and their prefect duties.

Remus took his seat by James as McGonagall began the lesson. James knew they wouldn't be able to talk out loud while McGonagall lectured. Remus ended up passing James a note.

The note was rather short: She's sick of you Prongs and your arrogance. Just leave her be for a bit.

James angrily crumpled it up and didn't speak for the remainder of the class.