Operation Baby Steps Phase 3: Earn Lily's respect.


"What's this? James Potter actually disciplining people?" she asked, astounded.

James Potter, Head Boy, prankster extraordinaire, just gave his two best friends detention for being out after hours.

He looked hurt. "There is a reason I was selected for Head Boy you know, Lily. I am actually capable of enforcing the rules."

She looked at him as if seeing him again for the first time in a new light. It almost looked as if she respected him. Almost.

"But your own best friends? Sirius and Peter? I thought you would've, I don't know, turned a blind eye or something."

He looked at her long and hard, with steel in his eyes. "That's all everybody expects from me isn't it? That I'll let people get away with things, that I'll abuse the power of this badge and turn a blind eye." He shook his head. "Dumbledore chose me for a reason. I am determined to prove to everybody that he was right in choosing me; I will make a good Head Boy. Everybody includes you, Lily."

He walked on ahead leaving a stunned Lily in his wake.

"James, wait." He paused, allowing Lily time to catch up. "I'm sorry for doubting you."

He shook his head. "You're not the only one, Lily. Besides, it's not like I gave everybody a real reason to believe that I would be capable of leading an entire school of people," he said bitterly.

"That's not true, you know. Yes, you pranked; and even though you don't take school seriously, you still get top grades. Plus the way you look after your friends when they're in trouble? You would die for them James. Everybody knows that. Heck, you made Quidditch Captain! You have to be more than a great player to land that position, James; and you know it. You're a better leader than you give yourself credit for. For what it's worth, I think you could do anything you wanted, if you put your mind to it. That includes being the best Head Boy Hogwarts has ever seen," she said passionately, determined to make James see what she could see.

He looked at her and smiled; a big genuine smile. Not a smirk, not a grin, a smile. And she smiled back.

"We're in this together then, aren't we Lils?" She smiled bigger.

"We're in this together."

"Promise?"

"Promise."


Operation Baby Steps Phase 3 complete.

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