James had not seen the spell coming at all. Slowly running after Lily, he hadn't noticed the resolute Snape slither sneakily from the shadows and cast a spell as his back was turned. What a coward. James thought bitterly as he silently struggled against the magical bonds that Snape had placed on him. Only a puny and insignificant wizard cast a spell on an opponent when the latter was unaware. How weak.

James stood, bound to the rafters, looking down at the passing Gryffindors as they made their way towards dinner. Frozen in time, he could neither blink nor feel the pains of hunger and thirst. He could, however, feel boredom. It was a horrible sensation, feeling bored and not being able to do a thing about it. The only thing that he had to entertain himself was the few centimeters of space in his head. And so, he thought of the countless quidditch maneuvers and plays that he had performed in the past few years. He analyzed each player's moves and plays repeatedly until he began to notice patterns in the different styles of the Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. The dominant Slytherin chaser always threw the ball to the third chaser after a bluff throw to the second. The Ravenclaw seeker always checked the goalposts first when looking for the snitch. The Hufflepuff beaters always went for the tallest chaser first with the bludger. And the more that James thought about it, the more he was able to detect flaws and patterns within his own game plans.

After about a half hour of hanging like that, James heard and out of sight door shut and then the tapping of footsteps as someone ran in his direction. He doubted that whoever it was would notice him. It would probably be about a week or so before they all started to look for him in earnest. Disappearances happened often at Hogwarts, but the student or teacher always turned up eventually.

James was right; the person who was coming towards him at a run did indeed not notice him. But he definitely noticed her. It was Lily Evans. The most beautiful girl in the world.

She ran, hands over her heart, red hair streaming like a plume of dragon's fire behind her. Tiny tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as James silently screamed to her for help. But it was the tears in her eyes that broke his heart. James wondered why she was crying and what could have possibly hurt her so badly that she was now running to take refuge in the common room.

James felt his fierce Gryffindor pride take hold of him. He was angered and longed to fight whatever evil had his love crying out in such pain. He wanted to duel the dung-head who had made her cry. He wanted to take her into his arms and make her feel better. He wished that he could kiss her-just once-and take all her pain away.

James had never felt so focused and wistful in his whole life. He gazed at her receding form and watched her as she climbed through the portrait hole. Being alone in silence had taught him of the power of concentration.

Maybe, if I concentrate hard enough…James envisioned himself doing wandless magic and breaking the bonds that held him to the rafters. He did not care about injury or falling. All wounds could be healed as far as he was concerned.

Focus….Focus… James willed the ropes to break, the spells to release him and allow him to plummet to the shining floor.

But nothing happened-not even a single spark flew from the wand that now rested in his pocket.

Yeah...short chapter :) hope you don't mind! Well, James is pretty mushy and in love with Lily... Please review! What do YOU think will happen! I really want some oppinions on this so if u have a sec-leave a word. :P thanx! Enjoy ;D