Disclaimer: See chapter 5. You know the drill.

"So, how was 'studying'? Gen asked as soon as Lily sat down.

"Ugh. Did you were that?" Miranda asked in disgust. She was referring to Lily's oversized sweater that contrasted greatly with such nice jeans.

"Studying was good. I think he'll even get an 'E'. And, yes, Miranda, I did wear this. He drank it up. It's the perfect snuggly outfit, don't you think?" Lily answered in a hushed voice, so no one would hear. Miranda nodded grudgingly that Lily was right and she was wrong.

"Yeah, yeah, you win. Did you fix things?"

"I think I started. Things got really awkward when we got to Love Potions." Lily admitted. She told them the story about Amortentia. "I thought about what I smelled and got bloody flustered! I blushed!"

Miranda smiled playfully. Lily was in love with James, James was in love with Lily. James thought Lily hated him, Lily thought James hated him. It was quite funny, really, that the two were completely in love with each other, but didn't realize that feelings were returned. It was in Miranda's sick world of amusement, anyhow.

"Some one managed to make Lily Evans flustered? I never thought I'd see the day! I have got to meet this guy!" Gen popped back into the conversation after flirting with Sirius. When a girl talked to that guy, they got completely sucked away from normal life. He was just so perfect.

"Erm, Gen? It's James. You know, Potter?"

"Oh, right."

"Yeah."

"So, does little Lily Evans smell Seeker rubber and black hair and - I don't know - maybe a bit of James Potter in her Amortentia?" Miranda mocked teasingly. Lily grinned, not even trying to cover the truth. Sirius noticed this and looked shocked.

"Oh my God! Sirius Black, you will not say a thing! I will hex you so badly that you will never be able to have children let alone try making them!" Lily screeched. Sirius looked frightened that a girl could actually speak to him without blushing or stuttering incoherently. What is wrong with her, he thought.

"I won't, I promise! Oh, here he is now! I gotta go!" Sirius sped off in the direction of 'James', but there wasn't a soul in sight with glasses, black hair and a goofy, love-struck smile. No, Sirius made up the fact that James was there to get away from Lily.

Lily sat back down and was silent for the remainder of dinner. She was thinking about … 3 guesses! … POTTER! You got it! She thought about that constant smell of Amortentia in the library; about how gorgeous he looked while concentrating; how her stomach flipped whenever he yelled 'You're the best, Lily!' at the top of his voice every time he got a question right; even the cuteness of him sleeping. Okay, that last one was a bit stalker-ish.

She looked up to see the post coming for the evening. It came during dinner on Halloween because parents wanted to send the sweets to their kids at 'trick-or-treat time'. Tears came to her eyes as she remembered all the love letters she had received from James over the years. She hadn't gotten one in nearly 3 weeks. Imagine her surprise when a letter plopped down in front of her one her dinner. She opened the seal to see the familiar, masculine scrawl.

Dear Lily,

As you might guess, this letter is a bit awkward for me to write. It reminds me of all the arrogant, seemingly careless letters I have sent to you in the past. It may have seemed careless of me to say things like that, but I meant them all. I really do love you, Lily, and I really hope you read this letter.

I am very appreciative of your help with my Potions. You truly are the brightest witch of your age. If it weren't for you and Remus always taking pity on Sirius and I when we didn't do our homework or Merlin knows what else, I'd have failed out by the second week of school. First year. If any of your smarts rubbed off on me from you studying with me, I'll ace my exam!

In first year, when I first laid eyes on you, I promised myself that I would get the honour of your love. I vowed that if all else failed, I would at least be your friend. If I was your friend, I could be important in your life. Since all else has, incidentally, failed, I want to ask you one more thing: will you do me the honour of being my friend? I hope you can forgive me for all the awful things I have done to you and to get you. You have no idea how much I want this.

I love you now and always, James Potter

Lily's eyes filled with tears as she read his sign-off. He always had loved her. She knew that she had returned those feelings for a long time now. She just couldn't admit it to his face. What if when she told him, he turned away and said he was over her? How humiliating would that be? But when she read this letter, she knew he was forever. Suddenly, she knew what she had to do. She ran to the Gryffindor common room.

James Potter saw her running away and felt guilty about sending her that letter. Was it just a little too much a little too soon? Little did he know, Lily was sending a letter or two of her own.

OoOoO

Lily grabbed a box from beneath her bed. It was made of solid maple and was very carefully polished. She kept it and it's contents in perfect condition to help her soul stay in tact. It was her lifeline, this box was. She held it to her chest tightly, wanting nothing more than to keep it forever. Then she remembered something inside that she wanted no one to see. Especially Potter. She snatched out two items and stuffed them under her pillow. She ran her hand over the box, hoping against hope that this plan wouldn't backfire.

She wrapped it carefully in brow parcel paper and swallowed the lump in her throat. Don't give them away, her brain screamed at her, but her heart was whispering, it's for the best. Anything for James, anything for James, anything for James. She would die for him. Yes, she would. But don't tell. It would ruin her reputation.

She walked up to the Owlry without noticing Peeves throwing quills at her; without seeing anyone walk past her; without feeling the cool air of an evening in May even though she was only wearing a short sleeved blouse and her kilt without a cloak. Her mind was on a certain kiss with a certain James Potter on a certain rooftop paradise. She wanted a second chance so badly it hurt. She could feel the acrobats in her stomach as she tied the package to a school owl.

Without warning, a picture of James perfect, swoon-worthy half smile popped into her mind and refused to leave. Ever since he had perfected that 'come-and-love-me-cause-you-know-you-want-to' smile, Lily had been completely in love with it. That had been in fourth year.

"Evans." A gorgeous voice acknowledged her. She tried to come out of her daydream, but Potter's face was still there. Go away so I don't look like and idiot, she thought anxiously. Oh, wait. He was standing in front of her! She positively grinned. I must look like a total idiot, Lily thought to herself.

"Potter! What are you doing here?" She asked in a dreamy voice rather stupidly. Duh. What do people usually do in Owlries?

"Er, sending an owl to my mum." He said looking uncomfortable. What pretty eyes, he thought as he stood in a trance. What the heck was she grinning for? Was she happy to see him? That thought made his knees buckle, so he stopped thinking it. He reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face, but she saw him and he redirected his hand to mess up his own hair. "Yeah, I'm sending an owl to mum. It's her birthday on Sunday."

"Hmm. That's nice of you. I was doing the same. Not to your mother, though." She babbled feeling like an idiot. James nodded and looked suddenly apprehensive.

"I'm sorry about that letter." He said in a rush. They both coloured a deep red at this.

"No need to apologize. It was sweet." She told him and watched him beam at her excitedly. "As for being friends, I'm not sure that will work."

His smile was gone immediately.

"What Why? I thought we got along fine when you helped me study!" He spluttered. She liked messing with him; it was amusing. He had dropped his letter in surprise.

"I just don't think of you that way." She replied simply.

"Lily, you don't think of me in any way, do you." He stated. It wasn't a question. He thought he knew the answer, but he was dead wrong. I'd like to snog you right now, Lily thought passively. Slowly and painfully, he pushed a smile across his face. He would accept this, for Lily. "Alright, Lily. I get it. I think I always did. You don't like me and you never will. I guess one last try didn't hurt, did it? See you around."

"Right." Lily smiled coyly as she bent down to retrieve his dropped letter, giving him a brilliant view of down her shirt as she did so. He nearly choked with euphoria. Good, it was perfect.

She turned and walked out of the Owlry, leaving a dazed and turned on James to stare after her, watching her hips sway under her kilt. He had never been jealous of clothes before, but that kilt was in such a nice spot. He really wished he was her kilt.

"Wait 'til Sunday at breakfast, Jamsie." She whispered to herself.

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A/N: You like? Yes? No? Maybe?

bazzonita: I fixed last chapter for you. I hope it's better. Oh, and read my comment to you on the bottom. It'll help.

CaramelBoost: Thanks for the review! If you kow how to make it better, just drop me a line!

ReadingRobyn: Enough guy's mind messing? It's mostly at the end, though. I think there's about 5 more chapters, but no fear! The sequel will be way longer! Should be started by the end of summer vacation.

Special thanks to: firelily28, bozzonita, PookyPeanut13, sweetdemon32, and LJ4everMaraudersroc for their Favourite Story or Author Alert on this fic! It's really nice of you!

I'm leaving for a trip in one week, but I'll try to get at least one more chapter up before then. I'll be gone for 10 days. Sorry!

KEEP REVIEWING!!!