Please note that in the wizarding world, there are fewer people. So when you have a best friend, they are your best friend, and it would be a huge thing if something happened and you suddenly quit being friends. Wizards are closer because they all have a common similarity.

Chapter 7

I race up the stairs back to the common room. Paintings asked me where I was going so fast at this late at night. I ignored them. I didn't want to go back to the common room, but if I returned to my sanctuary I would risk running into James again. My mind stumbled over the words in my head. Should I call him James? Or should I call him Potter?

My cheeks were flushed, from running, yes. But mostly from embarassment. I was supposed to be cool and collected, not desperate and impulsive. Merlin, why did it have to be James Potter I ran into, why not Christian or Vivian? I knew I wouldn't kiss either of them! I would never be able to face Potter again.

My anger and grief from Snape's sting was fading under the pressure of humiliation and shame. I was ashamed of my self, I was so weak that one mean word and I was flinging myself into the arms of the enemy. Tomorrow, I would no longer be the strong, independent Lily Evans. I would be just another one of the weak girls who fawned over the leading Marauders. The blood pumped even faster to my face. Ah, irrationality! Thou art a heartless bitch.

I approached the Common room cautiously, hoping that everyone had already trailed off to bed after dinner. Of course I knew this was extraordinarily unlikely. Tears began leaking down my cheeks again because of Snape, Potter, my rotten judgement.

If there's a prize for rotten judgement,

I guess I've already won it.

No man is worth this agravation

It's ancient history, been there done that!

I laugh bitterly to myself at the irony of the song. Oh how well it fits the current situation. Except she was talking about falling in love, I wasn't. Was I? A few of the portraits walked along with me back to the Gryffindor Tower listening to me sing, cheering when I finally swallowed my tears and stopped.

I stopped singing when I reached to portait of the Fat Lady. Steeling myself, I wiped away any stray tears and pushed all my emotions off my face, replacing them with a look of contentment and closure.

"Courage." I said monotonously to the Fat Lady. I made a mental not to complain to Dumbledore about the simplicity of our password and its lack of protection. The Fat Lady looked at me with confusion.

"What's got your wand in a knot?" She asked kindly. I nearly lost my resolve. I added to my content mein to sound like I care to the minimum.

"I don't want to talk about it." I told her, wishing she would just let me through already.

"Well, I warn you there is a lot of noise inside. I think something happened. With the number of people in there, you may be pressed for questions." I smiled at the portrait, thankful for her warning. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that I was the reason so many people were still active in the Common Room.

"You'd better get inside. Don't want to be caught out after cerfew, which I daresay is very close." I heard footsteps approaching from the stairs I had just ascended and took her advice. The portrait hole swung open and I stepping inside.

The noise I had scarcely heard from out side was much louder now that I was in the room. As I stepped in the entire room turned to look at me. There was a moment of complete silence before the noise redouble, louder than before. I felt claustrophobic with all the people rushing at me.

"Lily, where were you?" I heard the voices from every angle. I had hands on my shoulder and was smothered in hugs. Endearing voices, and sad eyes. I knew why they were there.

"Are you okay, Lily?"

"I'm so sorry."

"I'm here for you Lily."

"He's awful. Do you want me to kick his ass?"

"C'mon. Let's get you some peace and quiet." This voise was warm and familiar. It stuck out from the crowd and I curled into it. I grabbed the hand of the person who said that and followed them. He paused along the way once to whisper to someone. "I got her. Come with me." I don't know who he was talking to. I couldn't see through the people.

I felt myself being pulled up a set of stairs by the hand gripping mine. Another hand had placed itself comfortingly on the small of my back. Tears streaked down my face again in the face of this kindness. The hands were different but the same. One was clearly masculine and strong and the other small and feminine, but they both touched me the same. With a feeling of comfort, and sympathy, and love being conveyed. I pushed thoughts of James out of my head. I could only deal with so much, so my best bet was to take it one step at a time, I decided, my logic returning to me.

We stopped, and I nearly ran into the body in front of me. It turned around. Christian. I should have known. I'm sure in my right mind that I would have, but I was too out of it to think. Only he would be so sensitive to known exactly what I needed at a time like this.

He cringed when he saw my face and it's despair. I'm sure he and everyone else in the Common Room was thinking, "Wow, she's getting worked up over nothing. It's not like someone died."

Christian stepped up to me, and swung me into his strong arms, bridal-style. The hand on my back slipped off, patting my head comfortingly before it was gone completely.

"Merlin, she is light as a feather. She should eat more!" said Christian. A door clicked when he finished this statement, and he took a few more steps. Christian laid me lightly down on the bed, pull the comforters over my trembling body. I saw faces swarming in front of me. Christian's, Vivian's, Tay's, all filled with concern before I fell deeply into an exhausted sleep.

I woke bright sunlight streaming in through the windows. I sat up rubbing my eyes. Quickly, I became aware that I wasn't in my room. I remembered the night before and groaned from embarassment.

I had walked back into the Common Room, been bombarded, then dragged upstairs crying. I had some serious damage control to do. Grabbing a blanket from Christian's nightstand, I wrapped it around myself while I wondered where my robes had gone. I was somewhat scantily clad underneath.

Usually under my robes, I wore jeans and a tee shirt, but yesterday I had lent two of my shirts out and my jeans were both in the laundry, so I was forced to wear my summer night sleeping clothes. A pair of way-to-short shorts and a form-fitting tank top. Making sure that the blanket was securely wrapped around me, I quietly creaked open the door to the Fifth Year's dormitory and descended the stairs.

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, no one is around. They must all be down at breakfast. A hand grabs my shoulder and I jump about a foot in the air. I whip around ready to strike if necessary.

Standing behind me, is James Potter. I freeze like a deer in the headlights. I hadn't had any time to think about the kiss. I can tell that he doesn't know what to do. Blood rushed to my cheeks faster than you can say 'James Potter' and I look down humiliated. Oh, Merlin; Oh, Merlin; oh, Merlin.

"Ummm." I start in smartly. He shifts feet and takes a step towards me while I resist the urge to take one back.

"I-" says James, but I cut him off. I decide to avoid it, I can always reconfront it later if it is really problematic.

"Look, I'm really sorry. It was a mistake, I was upset and emotional and I wasn't thinking straight. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and became my victim. I'm sorry." I told him, watching his face carefully.

"So. You go around throwing yourself at people often?" He asked me, smirking. He was such an ASS! My best friend just dumped me and I was emotionally unstable and he was teasing me!

I swallowed my anger and replied, "Why don't we just go back to before the kiss and pretend it didn't even happen. And no mentioning it to anyone." I pleaded with him. I was pleading with James Potter! Merlin, this day is going to the dogs. This was just something that I was going to have to swallow my pride for and ask. I'd never felt more humiliated and I felt my heart going a hundred miles an hour form embarassment. I rethought everyword I said.

"My lips are sealed." said Potter carelessly, miming zipping his lips and throwing away a key. Was he flirting with me? I pushed that away. I felt my heart inflate, I didn't have to worry about public opinions. Yay.

I turned to walk up the door to the Girls' half of the tower but Potter's foot was on top of the blanket. The blanket was yanked back, and unsuspecting me let it. Oh, crap! I ran forward to grab the blanket and retain what little modesty I had left. I felt his eyes wander up and down my physique as I lunged for the blanket. I didn't look up at his smirking and sarcastic face as I ran for the stairs. He did that on purpose, I realized angrily. I stifled it with thoughts of his promise of discrepancy.

Why did all the embarassing things in my life have to happen in front of Potter of all people.

Scrambling up the stairs, I stopped for a moment and looked back at Potter, who was watching me leave.

"Thank you, Potter." I said kindly, trying to convey my enormous thanks with my eyes. I whipped around and scrambled up the stairs to the safety of my room leaving Potter amused and arrogant, and slightly disappointed that I hadn't flung myself at him again.

Once I reach my room, I fished out my now clean jeans and a long sleeve top. I found my robes had been neatly folded and laid on my bed. I dressed in my robes and started down the stairs.

I peeked around the corner of the staircase. I would be oh so happy to live the rest of my life without ever having another awkward confrontation like with Potter. There was no one in the Common Room and I quickly passed through it and out the portrait hole.

I walked into the Great Hall like it was any other morning. I saw Vivian and Taisie sitting with Aaron and made my way over, maneuvering around tables and feet. I noted that Potter and his friends are all at the table, near my friends but they seemed to be taking no notice of each other. I don't think Potter mentioned you-know-what to anyone.

I sat down customarily on the side farthest from Potter and I would have sworn I saw his eyes twitch up and follow me as I took a seat.

"Hey Lily." Aaron said awkwardly. I groaned mentally, I'm sure Vivan has told him about my emotional break-down last night. Vivian and Tay look up.

Vivian across the table felt no need to voice her greetings but showed all of her sympathy through her expression of pity. I didn't like pity, I was fine people didn't need to worry.

"Hey! Lily, are you okay?" asked Tay quietly. "You want to tell us what happened?" I shook my head at her as I piled toast and bacon onto my plate.

"I'll tell you later." I told her, pleading with my eyes for her not to press it. She seemed to get my message and dropped it though I knew it would not be the end of the matter. I knew she was wondering why I was so upset; I had mentioned to them before my worry about Snape and our previous friendship. They were both shocked by my antics last night, they knew I would be upset but I don't think they predicted how much I did. But I doubt they predicted that in emotional turmoil, I would kiss James Potter either. Hopefully they would just contribute all of my tears to Snape and not suspect that something else had happened that they missed. Partially, I was in tears over what happened with Potter, much to my dismay. But I didn't take it for granted how well that turned out. There could have been very severe repercussions.

As I slathered butter onto my piece of toast, Black slid down the table to sit next to Vivian. Taisie glares at him. We had some very complex emotions running rampant among us third year girls. Vivian was in fact very good friends with Black. They had known each other a few years before Hogwarts and were fast friends. Taisie hated Black. Partially, out of loyalty to me and partially, because she feels the same way about Black for similar reasons as I feel (usually) for Potter. I have indifference towards Black, I've never discussed anything with the boy long enough to decided if I had positive or negative feeling for him. I usually dealt with Potter when I had a problem.

"How are you ladies?" asked Black smoothly. Viv smiled while Tay decided it was in her best interest to stay out of the conversation, contenting herself with looking glum until he leaves.

"Tired of studying!" Vivian exclaimed. I rolled my eyes at her. She would be thankful she studied later.

"Studying? For what?" Black asked, feigning confusion.

Vivian decided to play along, "Why for the exams, Silly... You know, the ones today!" She said stressing her point.

"Oh, right." said Black as if he'd known all along. "I don't need to study. I'm just that smart!" However rude it may have been, Vivian and Taisie scoffed. Taisie because she didn't believe it, Vivian because she was joking. It was funny how the exact same scoff and set such different tones.

Black seemed not to have noticed. At that moment, a tall girl with long curly brown hair walked by. I recognized her, she was a fifth year Ravenclaw. Black wolf-whisted at her.

"You know where to find me." said Black seductively, winking at the girl. I began to wonder if he could say anything without some underlying implications or seduction. The girl turned to back so I didn't get to see how she responded, but directly in my line of vision was, however, Vivian. Her eyes flickered with distaste as she watched Black hit on the fifth year. Having known her for nearly four years, I read her like a book. Under the disgust was strong jealousy. Vivian had a crush on Black, I wondered how long this had been going on and decided to recall it later, when I needed a subject change for why I was upset.

As the fifth year left the Great Hall, Black turned back around.

"Hey, did any of you happen to see James yesterday, sometime after the..." He trailed off but we all knew what he was refering to. My heart started pounding, Potter had told. Why would he do that? We were doomed.

Vivian looked up from incinerating her scone with her brain and raised an eyebrow. "No, why?" She asked curiously. The Marauders were tight, one asking where the other was was suspicious, unless of course you knew where they were and weren't telling how or why.

"A few minutes after carrot-top here," said Black gesturing at me. I refrained from glaring at him with the annoying use of an insulting nickname. "walked back in we finally found him. He just slowly walked into the Common Room. Eyes wide, the man looked like ... ah... I don't really knoww what he looked like. He was just... James. Wouldn't answer any of our questions as to why. Evan, you sure you didn't see anything? He must have been a staircase behind you."

I kept the blood from rushing to my cheeks and resisted the urge to run out of the Great Hall like a madwoman, any dignity flushed down the drain. "Nope. Can't say I was really paying attention though." I said knowing I had stuck just the right cords and they wouldn't want to pressure the sensitive subject right now. Well, Black wouldn't.

"Well, we'll find out eventually. Maybe yesterday was just an off day for everyone." He said glancing conspiciously at me. I shoveled the rest of the food in my mouth desperate to leave the awkward table.

"Well, I have some major studying to make up. Yesterday certainly put a kink in my plan. I'm off." Tay heard the underlying message. 'Don't bother me about yesterday, I will be busy.' She nodded faintly. I left the Great Hall, glancing at Potter along the way before proceeding to the Gryffindor Tower to retrieve my books.

With a sigh of relief, I closed my Transfiguration text book, and neatly replaced my notes. Outside the sky was dark and stormy, it was nearly five o'clock and my stomach had been growling since mid-day when I decided to bypass lunch so I could finish my studying. I wished there was somewhere in this school where you could get a snack in between meals, unfortunately no such luck.

I eased my textbook and notes back into my shoulder bag and stood up. Intending to return to the Common room and read a book I headed in the direction of the Gryffingor Tower. I'm in sight of the Great Hall when a dreadful voice call out from behind me.

Why can't someone just approach me from the front for once why does everything have to sneak up on me. Would it really be the end of the world?

"Lily?" Snape asked tenderly. I felt my insides sear with rage. How dare he! I spun on my heel to glare at him with utmost hatred. He's dressed in his standard black work robes with an apologetic look on his face.

"What?" I nearly shouted, throwing my arms up. He cringed at my agressive greeting. "Come to apologize? Well, I don't accept!" I tried to stare him down but he wouldn't meet my gaze. Coward.

"I'm sorry, Lily. It was an accident. I didn't mean it! Please forgive me." He sounded sincere.

"Why is it an accident? You call everyone of my parentage, a Mudblood." He flinched at the use of the word. "Why not call me what you think, what you know I am?" I asked him. I knew he didn't have an answer.

He looked at his shoes. I shake my head, though I'm glad that no one is here to ridicule his cowardliness.

"Wasn't it you who always told me, that the fact that my parents were muggles wasn't important? What happened to that, huh? You have nothing to say for yourself. No defense for your actions?" I asked him. He tracks me down, infuriates me, and doesn't even defend himself.

"Go run along to your Death Eater friends, Snape." I sneer. I hate sneering, it's such a condescending gesture, but I was too angry to stand by my morals and standards.

"Lily, I'm so sorry. I just- I mean I'm- I didn't - I don't-" He stumbled over his words for a moment or two before I took pity on him.

"Are you still intending on becoming one of these so called 'Death Eaters'" I asked him sadly.

His gaze which had wandered up at my kind tone, immediately shot back to his feet. He skidded the shoes over the rough ground.

"Well, yeah. I do plan on..." said Snape trailing off. I knew what he meant. Shaking my head of the thought, I looked at him sadly until he wonders why I have stopped talking and glanced up.

"Why can't you just get over them? Why are you so hung up on who I hang out with?" said Snape in a spasm of defense.

"They're the reason you use the word 'Mudblood.' They play cruel jokes on people-" I'm cut off.

"So does 'Quidditch hero James Potter!'" He retorted. A blood vessel nearly burst in my eye.

"AND AS YOU CAN SEE I CAN'T MUCH STAND HIM EITHER! WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JAMES POTTER!" I shouted hoping my tone didn't give away what happened.

Snape knew me too well. He narrowed his eyes. "What happened!" He demanded to know.

"None of your buisness, what goes on in my life. You lost that right the moment that word passed your lips." I told him, angry now also that despite our obvious terminating friendship he still felt he had the right to inquire about my personal life.

"Bloody hell!" shouted Snape somewhat randomly. Bloody hell it right. Excuse my profanity.

"I don't care what you think anymore! You can go run off with your Death Eaters, I don't give a damn." I cried hopelessly. His face returned to its original pleading look. The look which I carefully ignored.

"I never meant to call you Mudblood, it just —" I cut him off furiously. I didn't want his apologizees, I was done. With no emotion in my voice I delivered my final blow.

"Slipped out? It's too late! I've made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you! You and your precious little Death Eater friends ... You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine." And with that I ended our friendship officially, I knew he knew there was no repairing it and I could see the anguish in his eyes. I was very good at reading people, but I would not renew our friendship. I didn't even experience the slightest impulse to, like I had when he had first said it. I was no longer friends with Severus Snape. That would please many of the Gryffindors. I turned and strode away.

"Lily!" Snape called after me sounding heartbroken but I kept walking. I was done with Severus Snape.

I've decided that walking in the halls is now classifyed on my list of activites as 'Dangerous.' Within the past two days, I had one ran into arch nemesis, two kissed arch nemesis, three ran into ex best friends and made things official. I shall never set foot in another hall way again.

With Snape behind me and dealt with, I hurry back to the Gryffindor Tower. If I tell Vivian and Taisie, and get it over with before exams I will be a happy camper. I don't want any of this to shape my life. I've already got it planned out.

I walked over the treshold of the Gryffindor Tower to see a much calmer gathering than the night before. Aaron and a second year were playing wizards chess in the corner by the stairs and Remus was sitting in one of the comfortable chairs by the fire. A few other randoms were scattered about looking at text books or speaking with friends. Potter and Black were pouring over large pieces of paper on a table, speaking quietly. That didn't look good.

I walk over casually, to see what they are doing. I highly suspect that they weren't Charms notes. When I'm a few feet from them, I see a wand swish rapidly and then disappear. The parchment now probably held study notes or Quidditch sketches. I sigh, the key is to sneak up on them, catch them in the act. I know they sat in the corner ot prevent that and to gain some privacy. There was no evidence therefore nothing I could do.

Letting out a breath I turned instead towards the Girls' Dormitory. I waited for a large group of sixth years' to descend the stairs before ducking up the stairwell.

When I reached the third years' dorm, I walked cautiously inside, prepared to be bombarded with questions. But curiously enough the only person in there was Nikki, sitting on the edge of her bed, a sheet of mid-length burnette hair blocking her pretty face.

"Oh, hey." I said surprised. Nikki didn't really spend any of her spare time in the dorm. I rarely ever saw her and the only times I did was because I was a awake and she was asleep or if she was here with Samantha. Those two were pretty close friends, attatched at the hip.

"Hullo, Lily." She said glumly. I'd never seen Nikki glum in the time that I had known her. She was always perky Nikki, upbeat Nikki, never glum.

"Is something wrong?" I ask her tentatively. I didn't like getting in fights, but if there was every anything to do to prevent or end one I'd be there in a heartbeat. Fights with Potter excluded of course.

"It's nothing, I'm fine." She said brushing it off. I knew sometimes these things need time, but I also knew that sometimes the people involved just need to talk and rationalize. In this case I think Nikki just needed to talk, but it may take some light pushing for her to disclose information.

"I don't think so. You're usually so cheery, what's wrong?" I asked again, subtly forceful.

"I said it's nothing!" She said angerly. I nodded softly, before grabbing a book off of my night table and starting towards the door.

I knew she was going to call me back because she had snapped at me. Some people don't deal with guilt very well. She was feeling that I had done nothing to her. I technically had invaded her privacy slightly. But she needed to rant and I was offering.

"Lily, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out at you. I'm just having a rough day, well week." explained Nikki. I walked back to her side.

Patting her shoulder I said softly, "What happened?" You just have to be gentle with these things.

"Samantha and I are fighting." said Nikki. I nodded sympathetically. Fights with best friends are always the worst, I should have assumed. I had gotten in fights with Taisie a lot.

"You want to tell me what about?" I asked her cautiously. She seemed to contemplate it for several moments before responding.

"Nah, you will think it's rubbish." she stated. Well that peaked my curiousity. I continued rubbing soft circles on her back and give her an understanding look.

"I'm sure I won't." I told her confidently.

"Well, we're kind of fighting over a guy." She whispered her face turning red. I brushed her hair back in a motherly way.

"Why would I think this is dumb?" I asked confused.

She mumbled something inaudibly.

"Sorry I didn't catch that." I said gently.

"It's James Potter." She said in a sudden flow of words. I stiffen but continue to stroke her hair automatically. My mind flashed instantly to the kiss. It wasn't jealousy, but awkwardness. The kind one would have if you were secretly dating a guy that your best friend confessed to crushing on. I didn't say anything for a minute. She looked up at me. Her eyes were wide, innocent but distressed.

"I don't think that's rubbish. I may not like him, but I can see the appeal to some." I agree.

"Really?" I nod. "The thing is that I think I like him. And I want to ask him out. Power to the women, right?" She laughed and I did too. She was teasing me about my independence as a woman. Being independent of men is a belief of mine that Potter doesn't much care for.

"Emmeline Pankhurst, as I live and breathe." I told her holding my right hand up.

"This is kind of embarassing, seeing as he's a man whore. Don't get me wrong, I think he's going to say no unless I offer to sleep with him but I just want to put my cards on the table, you know?" She smiles. I do know, I just haven't found the right guy yet. "And Samantha likes him too. And when I told her that I planned to ask him out, she said some pretty cruel things. I just don't feel great." She groaned and fell over sideways, so she was laying on the bed.

"It's going to be okay. Maybe just let her ask him out and see where it goes. If he doesn't like her he'll say no, or if he does maybe you should just let the chips fall where they may. If he says no to her, then you could rush to comfort her. I bet that when she feels recovered, she may have some animosity towards him, but won't mind if you ask him out." I advised her.

"You think?" She asked me. I see the movie scene in my head. The daughter looks to the mother, 'You think?' and the mother smiles, 'Honey, I know.' I don't say that though. I don't want to be patronizing.

"Yes." I said slowly. "Fix yourself up and lets go to dinner. It should have started by now." She brushed her hair out of her eyes and stood. I had to look up at her. She towered over me at least three fourths a foot taller than me. Why was everyone taller than me?

I turned towards the door but a pair of arms catch me before I can slip away.

"Thank you, Lily. You really are as kind as everyone says." I hesitantly twist in her arms and hug her back. Do people really say that? I'll bet Potter doesn't.

I released her and she brushes out her robes before heading down to dinner.

I saw Samantha sitting in her usual spot next to Vivian's usual spot when we walked in. The Great Hall was in the midst of dinner when the most people where here. Usually towards the beginning and end, there are fewer. People are arriving late or leaving early to study or sleep.

"Should I still sit there?" Nikki asked me. I guess I'm now the advise column. I don't mind though, peaceful solutions are my favorite.

Nikki sits down and I sit in Taisie's usual spot to be next to her. As a non-observant girl, Samantha doesn't notice my new place.

"Nikki!" sneered Samantha. Nikki frowned sadly but moved on to her meal.

Vivian slid into the seat on the other side of the table with an impatient glance at me. "Where have you been?" She hissed.

"I was in the library most of the day. And then came back to the Gryffindor Tower to talk to you finally, but you weren't there so I came down to dinner with Nikki." I explained leaving out the part about Nikki's problem or my fight with Snape. I added Snape's argument to the list of things I needed to catch my best friends up on.

Vivian rolled her eyes. "An hour ago we went to the library to find you so we could all go to dinner together, but you weren't there. And then on our way down I got sidetracked and Taisie went to check the Tower. I assumed she'd found you and was at dinner so I came here, clearly she's not. We haven't seen you all day! Have you really been studying?" I vaguely wondered if she had listened to me at all when I explained where I was.

"I'll tell you later, before we go to bed I promise." I gave her a meaningful look. She was getting irritated at my persistent unintentional evasiveness. I would have to apologize for that again later.

"Here she is now." I pointed out upon seeing Taisie stride quickly through the doors of the Great Hall. Her newly cropped short black hair was swishing around her shoulders, and her skin seemed even paler in the lighting.

When she got to our table I said, "Vi already got on me. I'm going to tell you later, really."

"I don't mind, you need time. I get it." Taisie said generously. This is why we are such good friends. Tay and I are very similar people, we are not impatient at all, which is a huge factor in our relationships with everyone. Vivian is one of the least patient people I know, she must be screaming inside at her lack of valid information on yesterday's events.

"Thank you, but I'm going to. I've coped with everything, I'm not trying to avoid you!" I promised. I would tell them now but I didn't want everyone at the Gryffindor table to know what happened and my reaction.

"Shh. Lily, calm down. Eat, we will get to it eventually." Tay compromised sending a look at Vivian. We discussed other things, lighter topics while we ate. I spent a good fifteen minutes lecturing them on the importance of good meals and sleep before exams and that studying was relevant! A point that Sirius Black, slid down the table to dispute. Potter kept his distance, unusually. We weren't really sure where we stood with each other after our conversation and kiss. Tay and Vi both noticed but I hoped they attributed it to Potter's involvement in the ending of my friendship with Snape.

We finished our meal quickly and as soon as Black returned to the Marauders, headed up to the dormitory. Before leaving I sent a sympathetic look at Nikki. That was going to be an awkward end-of-meal, maybe they would work it out. I doubted that it would be worked out tonight. Since Nikki and Samantha weren't going to doddle at the table exchanging pleasantries, we had little time to recount the events.

We raced up the main stairs to the Gryffindor Tower, not speaking until we arrived.

"Spill!" Vivian demanded. We were all sitting on my bed in the Third Years' dormitory. I glanced at each of them before jumping into the story.

I told them everything from walking down to the trees to right before talking with Nikki. It was her problem, not mine to publicize. I did leave out the part about talking with Potter and kissing Potter. Kissing Potter. Kissing James. I didn't know what to call him now. If things go back to normal, which I hope they do, I will be able to stick to Potter. I'm not even going to consider the other option. It is not an option.

When I finished recounting my story, I gushed my emotions. How I felt about everything. They paid rapt attention and asked all the right questions.

"Where do you think you stand with Potter now?" Tay asked. I shrugged.

"I don't know. I hope everything goes back to normal. I wish he hadn't been there when Snape said that. I felt so weak, and that is exactly what Potter likes to prove. He thinks a woman needs a man to stand up for her. But I don't!" I said. Vivian patted my back.

"I know, Sweetie." She comforted. "I'm sure it will. Just give it time. It's only been one day. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow morning, he will come up with another, even more romantic way to asking you out." She waggled her eyebrows. Viv thinks I should just date him, so what if he has a big head.

"I don't know. He really outdid himself last time. Standing up at breakfast and serenading her. And then rose petals fell all around you and you had rose petals turning into a walkway for the rest of the day." She said. I could recall other times when he had been even more romantic, but let her have her way. What they didn't know was that Potter had planned it with his best friends knowing that it would only humiliate me and that while most other girls who were hoodwinked by his asking me out, I knew he wasn't asking for a date, he was asking for kissing after the date.

"Oh, yah and then I recall you shouting at him for a flat hour." She said eyeing me accusingly.

"He won't give up and he knows I hate him. He's looking for rejection. Plus he was an awful singer." I added. I felt bad, though it was only indirectly relation to the converstion. Potter talk kept reminding me of the fact that Nikki had a huge crush on Potter and I felt like I was betraying her by his unceasing advances.

"So you must tear the guy's self esteem down even more?" Vivian asked, gaping at me. She was making me sound like the bad guy.

I was spared a response by Samantha bursting through the door in a huff. She quickly got dressed in her nightclothes and with a flick of her wand turned all the lights out. We were already dressed for bed.

"Well, goodnight." I whispered to them as they each slid off my bed walking lightly to their own beds. I laid under the covers considering everything for an hour before reminding myself that if I didn't go to sleep that moment I would ruin my exam plan.

I awoke briefly a short while later to the door opening and Nikki slipping into her own bed.

I did not dream of exams that night. I dreamt of James Potter.

Thank you, readers. I hope you like it. Any ideas for pranks again or non stereotypical occurances. What do you think? Review Review Review Please!

-Scarlet4562