Walking to Transfiguration that morning, Lilly Evans was, for once, in what one would call a fairly good mood. The weather outside was beautiful, the sun leaving shimmers on the fresh dew and reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors. Heather was walking by her side, and although Lilly hadn't spoken to Anne since the night she had found her so-called best friend in James' room, Lilly felt at peace with the world. Well, mostly at peace with Potter. This truce of theirs had definitely lifted a heavy weight off her shoulders, and she felt light and free. Although she would never admit it, she hated the fights and the anger – it was tiring and she had had enough of it. She was sure that her friends had gone through their fair share of angst having to listen to all the fighting too.

"What are we going to do about Anne?" Heather asked Lilly, breaking her friends' train of thought, "She's been a horrible friend, but I feel bad for her. She was horribly embarrassed after the party-"

Lilly knew Anne had been the talk of the school after being rejected and publicly humiliated by a certain Maurauder two nights ago. She saw it as the perfect payback, and she suppressed a discrete smile as Heather talked of her friends' misfortunes. But it was true; the poor girl was being gossiped about wickedly. And it wasn't as if Lilly had a right to be upset with her. Anne hadn't technically done anything wrong. If anything, Lilly had overreacted at seeing her in James' room.

Anne had always been a flirt, and Lilly had always been uncomfortable with this. It wasn't that she liked the boys that Anne pursued, but Lilly didn't like the way in which she always got all the attention of a room so flawlessly. Growing up, Lilly would be talking to a boy she fancied, having a good time, and Anne would walk in- and Lilly no longer had a shot. Anne loved Lilly and didn't take the attention away purposefully; it was just in her nature. At times Lilly wished she were outgoing and carefree like her friend, but she couldn't seem to work on these attributes when competing with Anne.

Anne had the right to date whoever she wanted; it wasn't her fault she was attracted to James Potter. After all, Lilly understood the charm the boy had on most girls. Ever since their almost-kiss, she'd found herself lusting after him during the potions lessons they shared. She was ashamed to admit that she now belonged to the group of girls who longed to run their hands through his tousled hair, to stare into his deep brown eyes and watch that perfect smile of his.

Lilly had told Heather of this, confused with her own sudden change of heart for the boy. Heather had chuckled at her best friend, throwing her an all-knowing look. So when James and Sirius passed by them in the corridor that morning on the way to Transfiguration, Heather deliberately stopped to talk to Sirius, leaving Lilly and James standing next to each other, not knowing much what to say.

"What class do you have next, Evans?" James asked nonchalantly, resting his arm against a stone pillar nearby.

"Transfiguration," Lilly answered politely, not knowing much else to add.

James ran his hand through his messy, jet-black hair and laughed lightly at her awkwardness. Didn't he know the effect of such a casual move on her? How can you even be thinking about him that way?! Lilly scolded herself. She couldn't help it.

"Why so polite?" he asked in a posh tone, "Is Miss Lilly Evans scared to be in a truce with me?"

He got the expected reaction from the fiery redhead as she folded her arms and retorted quickly, "Potter, you will find that is not the case. I'm merely finding it hard to adjust from previously wanting to tear your eyes out, to this new situation."

"Ah, I see," James stepped towards Lilly, his eyes amused and alight in reaction to her short temper, "and what, may I ask, is this new situation?"

Lilly felt that once again, James Potter, much like last night, was too close. His breath tickled her lips and taunted her, springing her imagination to life. She could, if she wanted, lean in and kiss him right here, right now. But then again, it was Potter. So perhaps not. Although her body was telling her otherwise...

"Our truce," she said, her voice almost shaking. It was hard to concentrate with him so near. Her mind was fluttering. Why did Potter have to be so distracting? So infuriating? Didn't he see that this wasn't what she wanted? She couldn't be attracted to such an obtuse, ill-mannered, spoilt boy!

She turned her head to see what was happening around her. Sirius and Heather, she saw, were still talking about whatever they had to discuss further up among the hall. Students milled about, heading to class. She had no chance to escape.

Lilly felt James reach for her hand and hold it in his. Confused at his action, she turned to look at him again, their faces tantalizingly close, with a quizzical look on her face. She didn't pull away, however. His skin was rough, most likely from all the Quidditch injuries, but strong. With his other hand, James traced patterns on her arm, sending shivers up Lilly's spine. Not thinking, she squeezed his hand, immediately realizing her involuntary action and pulling it away, flustered. She blushed, very, very, angry with Potter yet again.

Sirius laughed in the background, and waved goodbye to Heather. James smirked at Lilly, looking her in the eyes.

"We find out about the second task tomorrow. Think you're ready to spend some more time with me?" he taunted, leaning close to her and lowering his voice. "I think you most certainly are, Miss Evans," he whispered.

Lilly stepped back and glared at Potter. "Ecstatic," she said in mock sarcasm, now extremely annoyed.

"Meet me tonight at eight at the astrology tower" Potter winked and left an irate Lilly on her way to Transfiguration.


"That's all he said?" Heather asked for what seemed like the fourth time, "Where did that even come from? The nerve of him! Ordering you around like he owns the school!"

Lilly sat with her friend on her four-poster bed, brushing her hair. She felt frustrated, aggravated, excited, and confused. The astrology tower was the most famous make out spot at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Lilly was sure that Potter expected to get some action from her. It wasn't as if they would be studying up there. She wasn't strictly opposed to the idea of getting with Potter- but Lilly never did things like this. Not only, but she did not like being told what to do. At all. And if Potter wanted something from her, he was going to have to work much harder than that.

"I hate the way Potter thinks he can just get any girl," Lilly spat bitterly, "I mean- its not fair."

Heather grabbed one of Lilly's muggle magazines, using it to prop her feet up so she could give herself a pedicure. "I know what you mean," she added, "its not that he's bad looking but," she grabbed the box of nail varnishes, "he needs to deflate his head a little".

Lilly nodded, glad that Heather shared her opinion. They both agreed that Lilly should not turn up to Potters strange invitation. But it was still tempting… Lilly pushed the thought far from her head. She wasn't going to give in to him like every single other girl in this school. She was above that.

The door to the dormitory creaked open, both Lilly and Heather looking up to see who it was. Anne stood by the door, her hair up in a messy bun, a few books and quills in her hands. Even ruffled and messy, she looked good. She had an uncomfortable look upon her face, and she approached her two friends shyly.

"I'm really sorry," she admitted carefully, looking from Heather to Lilly, hoping their expressions would give away some clues as to how they felt. "I know I screwed up by choosing Potter over you Lilly, I don't know why I did it, but I miss you guys so much-" Anne bit her lip, and she looked genuinely sad, "I guess I'm just hoping Ill be given a second chance?" She looked inquisitively from one girl to the other.

Lilly glanced at Heather and then back at Anne. She wanted to forgive her friend, she had missed her, but she didn't want to look so weak.

"Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top," Anne pleaded, "Pleaseeee. I started working on my transfiguration homework last night and I was so lost, and it reminded me of how you guys always help me with it and I miss you!"

"Anne, you betrayed both of us and I don't think a simple apology fixes things," Heather said in a flat voice, "We have other problems to deal with!"

"What problems?" Anne asked, "Fill me in!"

Lilly thought twice about filling her friend in, but gave in and told Anne about how James had almost kissed her, how he and her had made a truce, and how now he expected her to go to the astrology tower and get it on or something. Anne grimaced through the retelling of the night of the party (apologizing again, for her behavior) and her eyes lit up when Lilly mentioned the astrology tower.

"So, not that you've earned my trust again or anything, or that I've forgiven you, but as you can see I have bigger things to deal with than your apologies," Lilly concluded.

"I think I have an idea for your problem, Lilly." Anne smiled deviously, biting her nail and looking at her friend.

Heather spoke up for the first time since Lilly had recounted the past events to her friend.

"No, we don't want your plans," Heather said starkly.

"Trust me on this one," Anne smiled, "James won't know what hit him."

Lilly liked the sound of that.

And Anne did have a very colorful creativity.


An hour or so later, Heather and Anne stepped back to observe their creation: Lilly, previously dressed in her Hogwarts uniform, looked stunning in a tightly fitted plum dress and a pair of Anne's black heels. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and her lips were a luxurious red.

"You look so hot!" Anne gushed, clapping her hands excitedly. Heather nodded in agreement.

Lilly smiled at her two friends. She was glad they were reunited again. "Thank you," she mumbled. She felt a little uncomfortable in such a tight dress, but, if this was the way to get her payback at Potter, she was up for it a hundred percent.

"Now go!" Anne smacked Lilly's bum, "Make us proud!"

Lilly laughed. Heather joined in, gleefully.

"You better tell us all about it when you're back! All the details!"

Nodding, Lilly gave one last smile to her two friends and made her way for the Astrology Tower.