She woke up the next morning and admired her new hair. They had cut it a bit shorter and curled it. they painted her nails a pink that complemented her hair and skin. She dressed in her robes and uniform, and just as she was leaving another girl came in. "Morning," she said, studying the girl's odd clothing. walking down into the common room she saw Lily already there. "I didn't think anyone got up as early as i did," Lily said surprised. she smiled at the redheaded girl and sat down next to her. they chatted for a while until the rest of the girls came down. everyone went down to breakfast, excited about their first day with Hermione. Lily sat down with her friends and Hermione sat on her other side.

She picked up the pumpkin juice jug and slid her goblet forward. she was pouring the orange colored liquid, trying not to spill it because it was heavy, when she felt hands on her sides and her arms gave out. She spilled most of the jug down the front of her robes. setting the now light jug down on the table, she turned around and saw Sirius standing there, smiling at her present condition. While she was turned in her seat glaring at him, Lily had realized what was going on and had gotten out of her seat. "You prat!" Lily almost screamed. she silenced the raging girl with a hand on her shoulder, "Its OK Lily." she got up and walked out of the Great Hall, people sniggering behind her hand at her. Standing behind the doors she slid the robe from her shoulders and used drying and cleaning spells on it.

Having lost her appetite she walked to her first class, Transfiguration. As she walked she thought about how Lily still didn't like James. Harry had once told her that the two had started dating somewhere in the middle of their seventh year. She sat at a desk in the front of the room, hoping it wasn't someone else's. Prof. McGonagall came into the room from a door behind her desk and noticed Hermione sitting there. she smiled at the older woman and pulled out the textbook she had been given, but after reading the first page it became apparent that she already knew everything that they could teach her in this chapter. She watched the other students grudgingly trickling into the room. Lily sat a few rows behind her.

All McGonagall gave them was a paper to be due at the end of class, in 40 min. she raised her hand five minutes later and McGonagall came to her side. "Are you having trouble with anything, Miss Granger?" "No," she replied, "I'm done." She handed the stunned Prof. her paper and reached for her bag, out of it she took a piece of parchment and a quill stuck in a jar of ink. she carefully turned her head and observed her new friend. Lily was chewing on the feathered end of her quill, lost in thought. Sitting beside her at the double desk was James. The redhead was as far away as she could be, glancing every so often at James to make sure he was keeping his distance.

The bell rang and Hermione got up, having packed her books long ago. She caught up with Lily and walked beside her. "Hello Hermione." "Yea, hi." She looked at the taller girl's face, she looked stressed. "Lily, what's wrong?" "Oh, she replied," You know James of course,... Well I kind of- Before she could finish, the subject of her thoughts rounded the corner and spotted them. Lily saw that he had seen them and sprinted ahead. confused about her friends behavior, she waited for the four friends to catch up to her and pulled James aside. "During class did you do anything to lily?" "No," he said getting a sour look on his face, "I left her alone." he sighed and looked over her shoulder to where Peter was impersonating the potion's teacher, getting a laugh out of the other two.

"You like her don't you?" she said after a moment. "Yea, He said still not looking at her, "Yea i do" She walked with them to their next class, Herbology. She found that in this class she sat next to Remus. Right before class began she leaned over to him and whispered, "Could you ask James if He'll switch places with you. He looked her up and down and frowned, "You know he likes Lily right?" Feigning Surprise she said, "Oh thats who he likes, it's OK though, i never liked him!" He looked unconvinced but got up and crouched at James side. he came over and sat in the newly empty seat. "What did you want Hermione?" she smiled at him, "I wanted to talk to you about Lily." He looked happy to be talking about his favorite subject. "Why do you think she doesn't like me," he asked. She brought her hand up from under the desk and twirled a lock of her shorter curly hair. "Maybe it's because of the way you act," she suggested just as the teacher walked into the room, carrying a potted plant that almost looked blue to her. They had to stop their conversation, or risk detention. The Prof. turned around and she whisper behind her hand to the boy next to her, "Meet me in the common room at midnight." He nodded and started on replanting the blue plant set in front of him.

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Sitting in front of the fire that night 11:30, she curled up in the chair and waited for her friend. James came ten minutes later and sat down next to her on a couch. "I think she doesn't like how little you think of her feelings... or at least thats the way she sees it. If you were to be kinder and not play any more pranks, you might have a chance." he gaped at her jaw almost hitting the floor, "No way, i love pranks!" She sighed and pulled her knees to her chest, resting her head on her knees. He calmed down, saw her 'I'm depressed pose' and pulled her into a hug. She started to cry quietly, tears soaking the front of his shirt. she now knew that somewhere deep down there was a sweet, caring person in him. Lily just needed the chance to realize that.

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Over the next week James really tried to be kinder to Lily and her friends. Whenever he tried to do anything she didn't approve of, he got a death glare from Hermione, this stopped him in his tracks most of the time. The odd time he got away with something, she refused to help him with his homework until he apologized to whomever he was mean or unthoughtful toward.

One day while they were all siting at the lunch table, he poured Lily's juice for her. she turned in her seat, red hair swishing behind her almost hitting her friend Emily in the face, and stared at him. "What has gotten into you James! Suddenly your nice to me, who are you and what have you done with James Potter? why have you been so nice to me?" he looked bewildered and asked a question back, "What are you talking about I am James, who else would i be? "Never mind, thats not the point, why are you being so nice?!"

"I've told you already, I like you Lily, why don't you believe me?" he shouted frustrated. they both stood up , nose-to-nose, glaring at each other. Then suddenly Lily found herself being kissed, for a moment she stood there stunned, then she seemingly came to her senses and broke their contact. She slapped him hard across the mouth and stormed out of the Hall, hair flying.

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She caught up with her in the hallway and let her calm down before she tried to talk to her. "I...I-" Lily started, but broke down in tears. Hermione hugged her stroking her hair. "What's wrong she asked when she finally pulled away and wiped her eyes."..." she stared over Hermione's shoulder and her eyes went wide, by the time she had turned around, Lily was gone. James came up next to her, a concerned look on his face. "Did she say anything?" "She broke down in tears and then ran," she replied. They both watched the corner which she has disappeared behind and finally they walked up to Gryffindor Tower.

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A/N

Sorry it's so short, but i have to sleep, more later.