Quidditch practise was finally over. James dismounted his broomstick and wiped his t-shirt over his face.

"Come on, Potter!" His team encouraged.

"I won't be long, I fancy a walk." James waved and continued out of the Quidditch stadium.

He separated from his team, and strode towards the Forbidden Forest. He inhaled the fresh air and collapsed onto the soft grass.

James noticed a cloud looking similar to Lily's face moving swiftly across the dark sky. Was Lily really worth it? Maybe Sirius was right…he should just move on…

Unexpectedly, the hairs on the back of James's neck pricked, as he heard a piercing scream nearby.

James jumped to his feet and looked around hastily. He darted his eyes towards the forest, where he saw the outline of a figure crouching defencelessly.

James scurried towards them, with his wand outstretched. He stood in front of the figure and peered around.

A hot knife pierced his skin, knocking him to the floor. James yelped and clasped his face.

James couldn't make out what the creature was, but figured that it wasn't pleasant. He dived in front of the figure to stop it striking again.

Once again James was slashed across the face, spurting blood in several directions.

The figure screamed and continued to sob, crouching against the tree in a nervous state.

"Hold-on." James breathed and guarded the figure. A red flash appeared at the end of his wand, and hit the monster squarely.

The monster was no longer visible. James's hit had obviously knocked it out, preventing anymore damage.

James smirked feeling rather pleased with himself. He touched the wound on his face, and let out a short yelp.

He turned to the figure, that was now slouching on the floor, and bent down next to them.

"Are you alri-Lily?" James jumped to his feet. "You!"

Lily's eyes were swollen and red, and she appeared incredibly weak.

"Are you alright?" James grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the face directly. Lily continued to weep and tried to hide her face in her hands.

"Come here…" He leant towards her, and cuddled her gently. She rested her head on his shoulder resignedly, and continued to cry.

James stroked her face tenderly.

"Don't worry. It's alright now." James reassured her.

"No, its not!" Lily unexpectedly climbed to her feet, and glared at James. "Why are you helping me? Why didn't you just leave me?"

"Well, I'm not just going to ignore someone in danger, am I?" James replied, anger boiling up inside of him.

Lily gazed at James silently for a moment.

"Unless of course you don't want my help?" James sneered.

Lily looked defencelessly at James.

"Maybe you shouldn't have bothered! You don't any other time!"

"Lily, what on earth are you on about?"

"You attack students within the school just because you can! And you don't stand up for anyone, including me when Sirius was being a total jerk! So why bother now?" Lily screamed infuriated, tears flooding down her face.

"Well what was the point in standing up for you? You hate me!"

"I DON'T HATE YOU!"

"THEN WHY DO YOU ACT LIKE YOU DO?"

"Because…because I thought I could change you…"

"What are you on about?" James sighed impatiently.

"I like you James…I really like you…" Lily sobbed. "But there are things about you that I hate! And I thought that if I acted like I disliked you, then you might be more determined to win me back!"

"Of course I want you-"

"And if you love me like you claim to…then you'd listen to what I say and drop the egotistical act."

James froze. She liked him all along…just wanted him to change.

"And then you'd be perfect…" Lily added timidly.

"So you wanted to change me?" James frowned for a moment. "You know what, Sirius was right! You're really not worth it! If you like me, like you say you do, then I shouldn't have to change!"

"WELL I THOUGHT IF YOU LOVED ME, THEN YOU'D DO ANYTHING FOR ME!"

"BUT YOUR MAKING ME CHANGE MY PERSONALITY! SORRY, BUT JAMES IS NOT FOR CHANGING!"

James began walking away furiously. He then swivelled round to face Lily impatiently. "GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON WHY I SHOULD!"

"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" Lily screamed louder than anything James had said. Her voice echoed over the grounds.

"What?" James breathed.

"Because…because I love you!"