James, Remus and Peter walked down to the Great Hall. The corridors were near enough empty. It was still very early. As the three of them entered they saw the large, cloudy skied room only had two other occupants. They looked up to the staff table to see Dumbledore and McGonagall conversed in deep conversation. Dumbledore's eyes drifted upon the three of them whilst mumbling something to McGonagall. She too stared. Peter awkwardly sat down, Remus gave a small smile.

"Oh great, I was hoping to avoid McGonagall. She'll be giving me endless punishments for the rest of the term," James muttered savagely. Remus started to chuckle as McGonagall came rushing towards him, leaving Dumbledore sipping pumpkin juice in her wake.

"Mr Potter. I have given the situation great consideration. I believe you should be punished for your actions-

"Fantastic-

"with detentions, every Friday for the rest of the term," McGonagall carried on, ignoring his little interruption. James nodded.

"I accept full responsibility Professor. I would be honoured to spend my evenings with you," James said politely. Remus chocked on the toast he had started to eat, coughing straight away as McGonagall stared at him, slightly irritated.

"As much as I'd love to spend my Friday evenings with you, Potter, I'm afraid it would be more of a punishment for me, to endure. Quite frankly, I have other things to be doing. You will have detentions with Filch-

"NO!" James shouted. "Err, I mean…that's great. Filch is great," he added. Remus was laughing so much he had to walk out of the great hall. Peter was examining his marmalade, completely in his own world.

"Indeed. Where is Mr Black? One would think-

McGonagall stopped speaking abruptly as the sound of Remus' howling laughter echoed from the entrance hall. James stared at Professor McGonagall. The two of them were frozen until Remus' laughing died out. He walked into the Great Hall, still composing himself slightly. It was as he sat down did he notice all eyes upon him.

"As I was saying, has one of Mr Blacks pranks gone badly wrong putting him in the hospital wing? It is most strange seeing the three of you without him?" McGonagall asked curiously.

"Actually Professor, he is in the hospital wing. Broken rib," James muttered, not telling her exactly how he had gotten the broken rib. McGonagall's eyes widened.

"He's already in the hospital wing? Merlin's beard. Always getting into trouble, the lot of you. I don't know what you boys get up to, nor do I want to know. Care to hand him his timetable, Lupin, whenever you see him next," McGonagall said before returning to the staff table.

"That was…interesting," Peter finally chirped up as he ate his toast. James simply stared at his empty plate, frozen in deep thought.

"Filch. Also known as the man who gives the most boring of detentions? I'd rather spend my Friday nights with moaning myrtle," James said savagely. Remus was still chuckling lightly.

"Good job I walked out of the hall. I was laughing so hard out there," Remus said shaking his head. James raised a brow.

"You don't say! I think the whole bloody school would have heard you. Thanks for making the situation ten times more awkward," James said, finally helping himself to some bacon and eggs.

People were starting to file into the great hall now. James craned his neck rather obviously as Lily, Hayley, Iona and Evanna walked into the great hall, positioning themselves a little down the table, though not completely out of hearing range.

"-you did nothing wrong, nobody needs to know," Hayley was saying reassuringly to Lily. James was curious now. He couldn't help but notice how tired Lily looked, as though she had gotten no sleep at all. She still looked beautiful, as per usual. Her thick auburn hair fell gently over her shoulders. Her bright green eyes were visible even from the other end of the table. He watched as she shuck her head frantically.

"I just feel so bad about it. I couldn't help myself," Lily was saying nervously, messing with the food Evanna had piled onto her plate.

"Look, Lils, nobody saw, nobody needs to know. Just forget about it," Iona added. Lily merely nodded before quickly adjusting her gaze to where James was sat. James did not bother to look away as Lily always frantically did. There had been many occasions, especially during their fifth year where he had done his daily (minutely) check-ups on Lily, only to find her looking away from him blushing. Their eyes were connected for only a second before Lily averted her gaze, returning to her breakfast.

He liked the way she buttered her toast. The way she always spoke so freely to everyone. Lily, she spoke to the majority of the year, even some of the Slytherin's. Everyone but him. There was a large panging in his chest as two seventh year Ravenclaw's joined the group of girls, one sitting beside Lily and gazing at her with interest. He saw the Ravenclaw's eyes dart lower over her chest and in that moment he felt the need to rip his head off. Heck, Nick needed a friend, James thought, thinking of the Gryffindor ghost. James could not deny, he had looked in that err, area on countless occasions. He never did it so obviously though. He continued to watch as Lily talked so openly. She was laughing about something he couldn't catch. Just as he was about to blast the boys into oblivion the many owls swooped into the great hall, carrying issues of the Daily Prophet and dropping off letters and the odd package here and there.

It was as Remus unrolled his copy of the Daily Prophet did his eyes widen in horror. He tuck a quick gulp of pumpkin juice, however it left his mouth almost the second they had met. He spat pumpkin juice all over James' robes and face.

"What the hell Remus?" James shouted standing up, drenched. The people nearest them were laughing.

"Looking a little wet, Potter," the Ravenclaw nearest Lily shouted smugly, gaining a few chuckles here and there. James watched as Lily laughed hysterically. He bit back a retort however as Remus kicked him from under the table, causing him to sit back down.

"You might want to read this James," Remus said, sliding the Daily Prophet towards him, ignoring the scathing looks he was receiving. James took the paper grudgingly.

'POTTER BLOWS UP HOGWARTS EXPRESS!'

"Oh no Oh no Oh no! It's Rita Skeeter!" James said. The Slytherin's were pointing and laughing at him over at the Slytherin table. Many people around the hall were muttering excitedly. The word "Potter" seemed audible in every conversation. James swore loudly.

"Mind your language!" Professor McGonagall said sternly as she walked past him. James read it, his face a mixture of shock and horror. He gave the odd gasp here and there.

"Here, let me see. It can't be that bad," Peter said.

"Not…not that bad? I'm dead! I am a dead man walking! I should have seen this coming…I never realised how big a thing it was-

"You only destroyed probably the oldest and most historical train on the ruddy planet!" Remus said simply.

"I didn't do it on purpose!" James retorted.

"I never said you did! Now calm down, everyone is watching," Remus replied calmly.

1st September, also known as the dreaded first day of school, was extra eventful yesterday reports Daily Prophet journalist Rita Skeeter. James Potter, son of soon-to-be hopeful Minister for Magic Andrew Potter, reportedly blew up the Hogwarts Express yesterday after a heated row with Lucius Malfoy, leaving him seriously injured.

"He was a complete and utter lunatic. I asked him if I could move past him, politely, and he being the snob he is blasted me unconscious!" Speaks Lucius Malfoy, who is still recovering in the hospital wing at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and-

"Hey hold up! Malfoy wasn't in the hospital wing this morning was he?" Peter piped up confused.

"Wait, you've got a point!" James said looking towards the Slytherin table. There sat Lucius Malfoy, waving at him with the biggest smirk.

"Malfoy's there-

"Of course he's there James! Think about it! Malfoy lied about the whole story. He was never, and I quote 'seriously injured'. It's all a loud of codswallop," Remus said. "James please control yourself," he added as James gripped his wand, his face burning red with fury.

Andrew Potter's chances for Minister for Magic may have been destroyed yesterday. I dare say so may the father-son relationship. Further news on the story continued on pages 4, 5 and 8.

"My dad, he's worked so hard for that post. I've ruined everything!" James said shaking his head.

"You don't know that. This is Rita Skeeter! She feeds people ugly lies. People won't buy it," Remus said.

"Yeah and everyone believes her! And moreover, it's the truth! I did blow up the Hogwarts Express!" James shouted. He turned around sharply however as a hand grabbed him by the collar and yanked him up.

"You need to get out of here," his sister Ella said firmly, pushing him away.

"Why?" James said shaking her off. It was when she shoved a red envelope into his hand did he realise exactly what it was.

"Holy-

"JAMES POTTER!" The envelope rang throughout the great hall. All heads turned towards him. He and his sister shared an uncertain look. "I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU! YOU ARE PRONE TO MAKE A MESS OF THINGS! THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS IS OLDER THAN YOU AND I PUT TOGETHER. YOUR FATHER IS NOW DEALING WITH AN ENQUIRY AT THE MINISTRY. PLEASE, CONTROL YOURSELF," the howler roared. It was his mother's voice that rang angrily throughout the great hall. James had only ever once heard her this angry when he had first confessed that he was an animagus.

His mother's voice was still ringing in his ears. The hall was completely silent, even the teachers were staring in bemusement. The envelope burst into flames and simmered to the floor. He stared at his sister for a long moment.

"Geez everyone get back to eating," Ella said angrily sitting down at the Gryffindor bench. Surprisingly, this worked. It may have been because Ella was known to have a temper and she looked absolutely furious.

"That was awful!" James said sitting down once more, Ella beside him.

"I hate to break it to you but I agree with mum on this one. You have to start acting more mature. Stop losing control all the time," Ella was saying. Her friend, Amy, joined them at the table.

"And what is with the dulcet tones," Amy smirked grabbing a piece of toast.

"It isn't funny," James replied. Remus looked wide-eyed at him.

"James Potter doesn't find something quite hilarious funny? Are you sure you haven't suffered a mild concussion? Where is James Potter? Is part of your soul lingering on with Sirius in the hospital-

"Shut it Moony! I just feel…I don't…I'm going for a walk. I'll see you at the greenhouses soon," James said standing up, leaving the staring eyes behind him.

He walked through the main doors and almost instantly the cold September air hit him. His hair blew in all directions as he marched on through the courtyard and out into the school grounds. He let out a sigh of relief when he realised there was no one around. It was unusually strange for him to be alone, without Sirius or Remus or Peter beside him. He felt almost lost. It was when he saw a familiar redhead down by the black lake did he smirk excitedly.

"Don't blow this Potter," James whispered to himself before taking a deep breath and striding over to the sitting figure, hands deep in his pockets. It was when he got over to her did he realise he had no clue what to say. She looked up at him, her eyebrows creased. For a moment he just stared at her, his cheeks turning crimson.

"Lovely morning," James blurted out. Damn James Potter, he thought. It's bloody freezing, windy and cloudy. When had he ever been nervous to talk to Evans?

"Go away, Potter. However lovely the freezing wind is, you happen to be blocking it," Lily replied, annoyance visible in her voice.

"So, what are you doing out here, all alone on a cold Monday morning," James asked, sitting down not quite beside her but not too far away either.

"If I tell you will you leave me alone?" Lily asked. James couldn't help but chuckle slightly.

"What are you laughing at, Potter?"

"You really hate me don't you," James said shaking his head. Silence followed his words.

"Hate…hate is a very strong word," Lily replied, her bright green eyes looking down as her cheeks flushed with colour, unnoticeable to James' eyes.

"A-ha! Admit it Evans, you feel something for me. You know, the next Hogsmeade trip is in October, we could always go to Madam Puddifoot's for a drink and a smooch. If you can wait that long," James winked cheekily. Lily however looked fuming.

"You just can't leave it can you, Potter. Here's me actually trying to have a slightly normal conversation with you and you go and ruin it with one of your arrogant, obnoxious comments! You are just as up yourself as I always thought you were!" Lily retorted, pushing herself up from the ground and storming away.

"Hey, wait, Lily!" James called after her, running to keep up with her surprisingly long strides. "I'm not arrogant! You don't even know me! Just, why can't you give me a chance-?

"I'm done with chances, Potter. Now leave me alone before I hex you into oblivion," Lily snapped. James decided to leave it there. He watched as she hurried into the castle.

"Maybe I am arrogant," James sighed, before walking slowly to the greenhouses.

He found Remus and Peter already waiting for him. Peter was still munching his toast whilst Remus was shuffling around with several timetables.

"Here, take this," Remus said to James, handing him his own timetable. "Lovely day we have."

"Okay, so Herbology, care of magical creatures, double potions…merlin's beard how on earth will we survive," James uttered observing his new timetable in disgust.

"Whilst you are out feeding flobberworms, I will be inside continuing Arithmancy," Remus said smugly, gazing at the grey clouds above.

"Well at least I'll be with my good friend Hagrid, you traitor," James replied. It was then when Lily arrived still looking slightly aggravated.

"Lily! James, hold this please I need a word," Remus said fighting through the masses of Hufflepuff's and Gryffindor's to get to Lily.

"Remus…wait, can you er…can you tell Evans I'm sorry, please?" James said pleadingly. Remus whipped around.

"And what have you done?" He asked concerned.

"Pissed her off," James said simply. However, before Remus could reply the students filed into the greenhouse. It seemed Lily distanced herself from him more than usual today. James watched as Remus hurried over to her. They both were smiling and talking.

"How is it she likes everyone on the bloody planet apart from me?" James muttered to himself, feeling a heap of jealousy. He watched as Lily's laughing face suddenly fell straight. She looked over at him for a fraction of a second and turned back to Remus, her face turning bright red with what must have been fury. Remus opened his mouth but then shut it. He nodded slowly before hurrying back towards him.

"I don't know what you did but she is pretty pissed off," Remus said grabbing a stool and sitting next to James and Peter.

"So, how'd it go," James said.

"Well-

"Settle down! Settle down, please. Welcome back to NEWT year. I am so happy to see so many of you in my class, once more," Professor Sprout announced, causing Remus to stop mid-sentence.

"She said that it was very immature for you to tell me to tell her that you're sorry," Remus said quietly as Professor Sprout continued to address the class.

"What? But I would tell her I'm sorry if she would let me even talk to her! I want you to tell her that I would say sorry directly if she would actually allow me to…and she's just as bad for telling you to tell me that she thinks I'm immature! So is she-

"Mr Potter! Will you please be quiet and resume your conversation at break time. Now, you will each collect your own invisible worm from inside of the soil. One barrel per group. Stick to your instructions! Though they sound harmless, their bite can be deadly…gloves please!" Professor Sprout ordered walking over to some fellow Gryffindor's.

"As I was saying, she's just as immature! Now, please tell her that-

"I'm not going back over there to beg for your forgiveness!" Remus said pulling some gloves on and plunging his hand into their barrel of soil.

"Come on Moony, just this one time…for me please," James smiled, fluttering his eye lashes.

"Fine!" Remus said, though he was in fact chuckling as he turned away. About a minute later he returned still chuckling.

"You two are actually quite similar, the way you argue," Remus laughed.

"What'd she say?" James asked urgently swiping soil off of his robe and onto the floor.

"She said that you are even more immature for calling her immature, and that she doesn't want to speak to you," Remus concluded. "You both bicker worse than my grandma," he added shaking his head.

"I can't believe her. She is destined to hate me. She never gives me a chance," James said staring as the soil parted by itself. "There's a worm there, Wormtail. Ha! Get it? Worm…Wormtail," James chuckled.

"Ha-de-ha-ha, very funny," Peter replied grabbing the worm and tossing it aside.

"James, I think she is giving you…chances. I just think you need to really think before you speak. From what I heard…and don't get me wrong I'm still on your side…I just think you acted a little arrogantly-

"I am not arrogant!" James retorted, causing a few heads to turn their way.

"Yes, you can be sometimes! Just stop pushing your luck and talk casually to her. Be yourself. Stop trying to be something you're not!" Remus said matter of factly.

As Herbology subsided, Care of Magical Creatures was next. Remus departed for the school whilst James and Peter walked down through the chilly air to Hagrid's hut.

"James! Peter! Is good to see ya!" Hagrid smiled patting the two of them on the back, Peter falling to his knees.

"Sorry bout tha" Hagrid said lifting him back up.

James looked around in sight of her; however she was nowhere to be seen. Was he really arrogant? James was thinking back to their conversation earlier that morning…

'You just can't leave it can you Potter!'

'I just think you acted a little arrogantly.'

'Go away Potter.'

'Stop trying to be something you're-

"Prongs? Hellooooo! You there, mate?" Peter was saying tapping his shoulder. James came back to present day.

"Yeah, I'm fine…actually, Wormtail. I want you to answer me honestly. Do you think I'm arrogant?"

When it took Peter a while to reply, James turned his attention back to Hagrid miserably. It was then he noticed Lily had appeared out of nowhere. It was then he realised he was actually arrogant.

. . . .

"PRONGS!" Sirius bellowed running into the great hall. "I'VE MISSED YOU!" Many people were laughing as Sirius hugged James tightly around the chest from behind.

"Oh, so you've forgiven me now?" James smiled eating some onion soup. Sirius growled.

"No…I have bloody well not forgiven you, you stupid lunatic!" Sirius snorted sliding across the table and sitting across from him quite smoothly.

"Hey, Hayley! I've been in the hospital wing this morning," Sirius said proudly as Hayley, Iona and Evanna sat down a little way down the table.

"Do you want a gold sticker?" Hayley replied, Iona and Evanna giggling.

"You can stick a gold sticker on me any day," Sirius replied hotly. Hayley raised a brow and turned away shaking her head.

"Miss much?" Sirius said turning back to the marauders.

"The incident yesterday was featured in the Daily Prophet, I got a howler and I pissed Evans off," James replied.

"So, an eventful morning all in all," Sirius said.

"I dug up an invisible worm too, and fed some flobberworms. Great start of term," Peter said.

"I'd say Sirius breaking his rib was the most eventful thing personally," James laughed. The three of them talked as Remus pulled out a large Arithmancy book. Their eyes widened.

"You're over working yourself Remus. How many subjects did you take, again?" Sirius asked.

"All but Care of Magical Creatures. And I'm fine, I can manage it," Remus said turning a page of his book, a ham sandwich balanced in his other hand.

"Can we go outside please?" Sirius said looking down the table.

"Oh, so is Hayley outside then?" James asked with a cheeky grin.

"None of your business," Sirius said looking down sheepishly.

"You're in love my friend!" James cheered causing a few heads to turn their way.

"Ssssh you idiot!" Sirius whispered, forcing a smile at the people who were looking.

"It's nice to see you have a crush on someone and you're not just kissing girls because you're bored. See that girl (James pointed to a Ravenclaw girl sat at the opposite table), you have a date with her next week," James winked. Sirius' face dropped.

"What? I would never date…her," Sirius shivered. The girl was average. Not ugly like he was implying.

"You snog too many people. If you want to settle down-

"Says the person who snogs different girls daily," Sirius muttered resulting in James kicking him from under the table.

"I'd take James' word for it," Peter said. Sirius picked up his goblet of pumpkin juice and threw it on Peter. He was drenched, and so was Remus. The hall erupted into laughter.

"I don't need your advice!" Sirius declared.

"My book! The pages! They're drenched!" Remus cried standing up, examining his soggy book.

"Look at your clothes," James laughed casually. Sirius picked up a treacle tart and shoved it against James' face. This grabbed the attention of the staff table. James rose with food splattered across his face, leaking onto his robes.

"LOOK AT YOUR FACE!" Sirius barked. James shared a look with Peter and Sirius sprinted out of the great hall without a backwards glance. The two of them picked up a few apple pies and ran out of the hall after him. Remus grabbed his drenched book and casually reframed from running. It was as soon as he had exited the hall did he jump into a fast run.

"YOU BASTARD!" James shouted after him. He and Peter had finally cornered him around a tree near the lake. Peter threw his apple pie at him but it merely caught the bottom of his right leg.

"Don't!" Sirius smiled backing away, hands raised in defence.

"Please do," Remus said from behind them, panting for breath. They had not noticed the group of girls down by the lake, which included Lily and Hayley, watching intently.

"Moony! How could you! You're a prefect! You must do your duty to this school!" Sirius said backing away slowly.

"You wet my book." Remus said, face straight.

"Ooooh you crossed the line, Padfoot. No book deserves to be wetted," James winked.

"Wetted? I think you need to read a book or two yourself," Sirius replied. James ran up to him and rugby tackled him to the ground. Pie and treacle tart covered the two of them. Giggles were coming from the group of girls opposite. Peter watched smiling; however Remus sat below the willow tree, rolling his eyes as he attempted to dry his book in the sunlight. It was then when Lily and Evanna walked over. The two boys stopped when they heard Lily's gentle voice.

"Would you like me to dry that for you, Remus?" Lily asked bending down to his level and grabbing the book, Evanna stood at his other side.

"Would you mind?" Remus smiled. She pulled out her wand as James and Sirius stood up, both looking like giant pies. James ruffled his hair subconsciously.

"I don't suppose you know a spell to get rid of the food, Evans?" Sirius asked walking forward.

"I do," Lily replied simply, handing Remus his book.

"Care to help us then?" Sirius asked after a slight pause.

"No. I will not help you. If you were that desperate you would jump in the lake and do it that way," Lily said. Remus looked up at her.

"You shouldn't have said that. You should NOT have said that!" Remus said.

SPLASH!

They turned around to see James and Sirius in the freezing cold lake, waist high. Evanna was laughing. Sirius winked at her.

"How's this Evans?" James shouted. Lily simply eyed him, her fury resuming as he spoke. She turned away, Evanna following closely behind.

The two of them crawled out of the water.

"You shouldn't have done that," Remus said watching the wet figures lollop on the ground.

"I think I'll walk like this to class," James said. Sirius nodded.

"Suit yourself," Remus smiled.

Soon enough double potions came around. James and Sirius walked in dripping with water. Professor Slughorn glanced at the two of them, shaking his head.

"James, please go to the broom cupboard for a mop," Professor Slughorn ordered. When James returned, he and Sirius began to mop the water up that dripped off of their bodies.

"Sir, can't we use magic?" Sirius said, tired of his 'hard' work.

"That will do," Professor Slughorn replied. Remus looked at them smugly as they both sat down.

"Who's that?" Sirius said a little too loudly. Slughorn looked, but then resumed talking, as did the class listening.

"That's a Slytherin, I'm guessing-

"Well yes seen as we're in a Gryffindor Slytherin potions class," Sirius said sarcastically. There was a blonde haired boy at Hayley's side, though she did not look entirely pleased to be sat there.

"We'll see to him later," James smirked.

"There you go again," Remus sighed, causing James to go quiet. The blonde boy grinned at Sirius before lighting his cauldron.

"I hate Slytherin's!" Sirius said. They went for their cauldrons and started to make (attempt to make) the Draught of living death. James watched as Lily and Snape talked and laughed at the front of the classroom.

"I didn't think they were friends? What with what happened last term?" James said recalling the event where Snape had called her a mudblood.

"They're on friendly terms again. Not the same as they were, obviously, but she's giving him another chance. I knew she would," Remus sighed. "I hate to admit it but he really isn't any good for her," he added.

"He isn't. Stupid git. As if she's given him another chance after what happened. What is wrong with her? Do you think she's under the imperius curse?" James said, suddenly anxious and worried.

"Of course she isn't Prongs, don't be an idiot," Remus said shaking his head and stirring his potion.

"She should be helping me!" James said.

"I can help if you like! What are friends for?" Sirius chanted.

"No thank you Padfoot. I'd quite like my cauldron after this lesson," James smirked.

"Stir it James…no the other way," Remus was saying.

"I'm useless. I don't know why I'm continuing NEWT level potions. I'm surely going to fail," James said, sniffing his potion in disgust.

"Why are you taking potions if you hate it so much?" Remus asked.

"It's all about Evans isn't it? I don't know why you don't give her a rest. She's obviously not interested," Sirius said. "I'm sorry but that was the best way I could word it," Sirius added after receiving an annoyed look off James.

"Actually that wasn't the reason. And thanks for that," James said disgruntled. "My dad wanted me to take it. Thinks it's useful for the future," James said. Remus raised a brow.

"But, if it's not what you want-

"Just, leave it, Remus," James said. After a disastrous two hours of potion making James was relieved when the bell rang, finishing that day of lessons. Quite frankly he was tired of watching Snivellus making his Lily laugh. Sirius, Remus and Peter quickly hurried out of the classroom.

"You coming, Prongs?" Sirius asked as James hung back.

"I forgot my book. I'll catch you in a minute," James said. In actual fact, he wanted to apologise to Lily. She was in deep conversation with Snape and Slughorn. However, he was extra slow at retrieving his things. When Lily and Snape walked by he called her.

"Evans, can I have a quick word, please," James asked, pulling his bag over his shoulder and stepping towards her.

"I don't want to speak to you, Potter," Lily said before stepping out of the door, Snape at her heels looking rather smug.

"Evans, it'll take a minute, I promise-

"What part of 'I don't want to speak to you' do you not get? What makes you different from anybody else?" Snape said coldly, stepping up to him a little.

"Truthfully? Nothing makes me different. I just owe someone an apology-

"You owe hundreds of apologies Potter. Who do you think you are? Wondering the school like you're God's gift! She doesn't want to speak to-

"It's alright, Severus, I'll catch up with you later," Lily interrupted him. Both Snape's and James' eyes widened.

"You don't want to do this, Lily-

"I can think for myself, alright," Lily said harshly. Snape looked at James with so much anger and fury, James was actually ready for him to lash out. However, he turned on his heel moodily and strode away, not before eyeing him curiously before rounding the corner.

"What is it, Potter?" Lily said, hands on her hips.

"I wanted to apologise," James said.

"Well…go on then. I haven't got all day," Lily said, her foot tapping against the stone floor.

"I'm…I'm-er, I'm sorry that I'm a jerk. I'm sorry that I'm an arrogant idiot. I'm sorry for all the times I've upset you or hurt you and I'm sorry for what happened earlier," James said. The two of them stared at one another, Lily shocked to say the least. His spine started to tingle and he wondered if hers did the same. Should he speak? What happened now? That wasn't so bad, James thought.

"That was…that was good of you for saying that. I…I accept your apology. I want to apologise for being moody," Lily said taking her hands off of her hips and folding them across her chest.

"You have no reason to apologise! At all! You had every right to be annoyed at me," James replied.

"I never thought I'd ever hear James Potter apologise," Lily said, a smile etching against the corners of her lips.

"I don't have a heart of stone, you know," James said raising a brow.

"What Malfoy said yesterday, it was bang out of order! He's just a foul git, you know. Doesn't know what he's talking about. I hope he didn't offend you," James said looking at her from the corner of his eye. Lily looked down.

"You shouldn't judge people so quickly," Lily said.

"Like he judged you," James added. It was then when Lily seemed to snap out of a trance. She suddenly looked around and realised she was alone, having a normal conversation with the person she hated, James Potter.

"The…the answers the same as always, Potter. This is when you ask me if I want to go out with you. The answers still the same Potter. No," Lily rushed walking down the corridor. James stood slightly taken aback before hurrying after her.

"Wait! I was just getting to know you! Talking to you! Please, I wasn't going to say anything! I mean that! I mean that…Lily," James said. She stopped walking abruptly.

"Lily," she said, her back facing him. If he could have seen her face, it would have shown shock and surprise.

"That is your name," James said. Not moving to face her.

"You've…you've never once called me that before…ever," Lily said, now turning to face him.

"I'm…I'm sorry. It's kind of rude to refer to you with your last name, right?" James replied, looking at his feet for the first time, embarrassment growing inside of him.

"You…you go around every girl in the school," Lily said.

"And none of them are you!" James replied, a hint of sadness and longing in his voice.

"You act like you're so cool!" she said, walking down the corridor quickly.

"Then I'll act uncool!" James replied.

"You rush into things."

"I'll wait forever," James said. The two of them came to a halt once more. Lily a little ahead of James. She let out a sigh and slowly turned to face him. Her book clutched tightly across her chest.

"I appreciate your apology, but I'm not quite ready for this…Jame- Potter," Lily said. "I'll…I'll see you around," Lily concluded before hurrying away. James stood there, choosing not to go after her.

"See you around," James said, feeling only slightly happy about what had just happened.