Lily scrambled to collect her things off of the floor in the hall. People seemed to be gawking at her, and she already knew why. James, used to this sort of attention, looked indifferent. He tried reassuring her, but she wanted none of it. Thankfully, Potions had been the last class of the day and the weekend was finally here. James wanted to spend more time with Lily now that he had broken a new barrier with her, but he knew her pretty well after all these years at Hogwarts. The second they walked into the common room, he knew she would go right up to her room. If he didn't have Quidditch practice he would have pressed the matter further.

They stopped at the portrait of the Fat Lady, and Lily hastily annunciated the password. As the portrait swung open, James took the opportunity to rest his hand on her back.

"I thought I told you not to try anything, Potter." Lily's face went red; she practically seethed with anger.

"Sorry Lily, I couldn't help myself," he started to laugh as she turned quickly on her heel and headed up the stairs to the girls dormitory.

When she reached her room she screamed out loud. "Who does he think he is? He thinks he can just do whatever he wants, does he?" Lily vented aloud. After ten minutes she calmed down a bit and lay down on her bed, with her face buried in the pillows.

His words kept haunting her. "I want to know if you like me...Well it takes two to kiss Lily; I don't think you're being honest with me...I want you, and you obviously want me. Why won't you go out with me then?" The words struck at her once incredibly strong defenses, and they were impossible to get out of her head. She spent the whole night replaying their conversation in her mind over and over and reliving what he made her feel. Today he awoke all of her senses. She was still in shock that James had actually done what he did. He had never actually had the nerve to kiss her before, and she didn't like how easily he could affect her that way.

Lily woke up that night from a wonderful dream. Well it was wonderful while she was sleeping anyway. She dreamt that she and James were married, in love and happy. It was everything she could have asked for out of life. They were surrounded with the truest friends, but the biggest joy of all was the son that James had given her.

Now awake, Lily cackled at the thought of James Potter married or them every sharing a child. She wanted to throw up. How could she have such a dream about James? It more than disturbed her presently.

Lily pulled herself out of bed slowly remembering a trip to Hogsmeade was scheduled for today. She had a hard time making herself go knowing James would be there. She just wanted this whole James business to disappear. So much had changed from yesterday: her reputation, her desires, and what she thought she wanted. The only things that hadn't changed were her stubbornness and pride. Despite her inner turmoil, she was determined to keep him out of her mind and heart.

"Lily?" She heard her best friend call out to her from her bed. Angela Kwon was beautiful with long silky flowing black hair that made any girl at Hogwarts jealous. Aside from that, she was the star Quidditch player for Gryffindor that year. They made an unlikely pair, and together they turned heads.

"Yeah, Angie?"

"Bloody hell! What are you doing up so early?" Angela said rubbing her eyes. Lily wanted to laugh at the indignation radiating from her.

"What?" Emma mumbled, half asleep. Emma was a sweet girl, and the third roommate. Unlike most of the girls at Hogwarts, she chose a rat as her pet. This did not bode well with Angela, but it didn't bother Lily in the slightest.

"Nothing, Emma," Lily laughed, "just go back to sleep." Emma didn't hesitate to follow that advice, at least until her alarm went off a few minutes later. She threw the alarm clock across the room and it shattered into a million pieces, then she plopped back against the bed, snoring some seconds later.

"Typical," Angela chided.

"I'm going down to breakfast; I'll see you guys later." Lily started walking towards the door.

"No!" Angela yelled, "I'm coming, too. I don't want to miss anything today." Angela was completely scandalized by what she had heard about James and Lily the day before. "Tell me everything before we go, don't skip the juicy parts."

Lily filled her in on all the details. There were no secrets between them; Lily told her everything. Angela began brainstorming ways to save Lily from the clutches of James Potter, "…and I'll follow you to the Library, too!"

"Oh, shut up," Lily said playfully throwing a pillow at her.

"I'm trying to sleep here!" Emma grumbled.

"Oh, shut up," Angela said rolling her eyes, "Come on Lils, let's make like a hippie and blow this joint." She headed for the door, and Lily followed her lead. They headed down the corridor to breakfast and entered the great hall. Lily scanned the long Gryffindor table for James or any sign of the Marauders. Wherever you found one of them, you were bound to find more. She caught sight of Lupin, and there was no one else with him. She thought that peculiar, but filled with relief she let it go.

"Hey, Lupin!" Lily chirped. Lupin was probably the only Maurader she could stand. He was nice and clever, much like herself.

"Good morning, ladies," Lupin smiled and nodded slightly. She and Angela took seats next to him. It was not unusual for them to sit with Lupin on occasion, since Angela was highly attracted to him. He struggled to hold a laugh back. Fortunately, Lily did not seem to notice. He knew James was on his way down for breakfast, and that he would be beyond exuberant to see her sitting with him. Just as Lupin's thought had completed, James and Sirius strutted into the great hall followed by Peter.

"Oh god," Lily rolled her eyes.

"Hate him that much, do you?" Lupin asked curiously. He and the rest of the Marauders all knew how in love James was with Lily; and they were well aware of what had transpired the day before.

"Yes, and don't think any differently... I guess he told you."

"Well yes, but I bet your friends know as well."

"Well that you would be right about, Lupin. Don't worry I'm not mad or anything. I could care less, since it didn't mean anything. I just don't want the whole school to know about it."

"Morning sunshine!" Sirius said plopping down next to Lily and putting his arm around her, "Why you look like your positively glowing! What have you been up to?" He had a bemused look about him.

"Sirius! Leave her alone!" James said struggling to pull him off of her.

"Fine, fine," Sirius got up and sat next to Angela, letting James sit next to Lily. Lily scooted away from him, but he moved closer to her each time she did so. He smelled that intoxicating flowery scent coming off of her hair like he did every time he was near her; and it nearly drove him crazy. He leaned in so that his mouth was close to her ear. Lily felt her insides melt again like the day before, and the blush started to surface when he blew slightly.

"Mmmmm..." Lily slapped her hands over mouth; her eyes were wide with shock from her reaction to him. She tried to stand up but James stopped her by pulling her back down swiftly. Angela as well as all of the Marauders were starring at them.

"Interesting," said Sirius dryly.

"Very," said Angela cocking an eyebrow, "I do believe they have the hots for each other."

"That's ridiculous!" Lily shouted.

"Didn't sound ridiculous a few seconds ago," said James.

"Leave me alone James, you know exactly what I think of you!"

"Yes, leave her alone!" came a commanding voice that made everyone turn around and stare, "You waste your time with her James. Why don't you come with me instead?" It was a girl Lily recognized only as Sarah, and from her robes she appeared to be a Hufflepuff. She had long blonde hair and cold blue eyes pointed straight at Lily. Lily burned with anger at the insult. She grew self conscious of her red hair and freckles in Sarah's presence. She was accompanied by what appeared to be less beautiful clone versions of her, all with vehement gazes pointed right at Lily.

"I don't know how many ways I have to say it, but I'm not interested okay," he barely looked at her, deciding the bacon on his plate was more interesting.

"Whatever James, I never thought your standards would sink THIS low." She looked disgustedly at Lily.

"Come on Sarah, let's get out of here," one of the clones said just in time and they returned back to the Hufflepuff table.

"Feisty one, she is!" exclaimed Sirius.

"Got that right," said James. Lily looked harshly at him.

"Oh is she now?"

"Why do you care?" said James looking intently at her. For a moment she was flabbergasted.

"I don't care! But your little fan club is starting to piss me off."

"I'm sorry, Lilly, really I am."

This caught Lily by surprise, "Uh…it's ok, I guess it's not your fault." She cursed herself for being so easy. Potter certainly had a few tricks up his sleeve.

"Lily, will you come with me to Hogsmeade?" Something in his voice inferred that he meant the trip as a date, and no one at the table missed the meaning.

"No. That's where I draw the line."

"Well can I walk next to you?"

"I can't keep you from walking where you want. Whatever, I need to go get ready for the trip," Lily stood up to leave and James followed confidently. She ignored him mostly, except to turn back and glare at him every now and then.

"Man, he's got it bad," Peter, said once they were out of hearing range.

"I agree," Angela chimed in.

"You know, I think we should combine forces and get your friend to admit that she likes my friend," Sirius said, "so we can have a normal breakfast around here." Angela thought for a moment, reflecting back on what she had just witnessed between Lily and James.

"You know, I'm starting to think that's not a half bad idea."