'Sometimes, despite all the warnings, you have to seize the moment. Or whatever else you can grab.' James' voice sang into my ear.

He was close, too close, and I was mad. Or at least I thought I was, until he leaned away and I saw what he'd sidled up to get.

It was a book. A leather book, probably a diary. One that looked suspiciously like -

'Hey! Give that back to me!' I yelled, ignoring Madam Pince's look of loathing she sent my way. Nevertheless, I turned my shrieks into whispers. 'I swear to Merlin, James, if you don't give that back to me I'll-'

He laughed at my attempts to grab it, and he held it out of my reach a moment longer, before voice turned mocking in reply. 'You'll...?'

'I'll- I'll- I'll blackmail you. I swear I will.' My face was contorted into the angriest glare it could muster.

'With what?' James was trying so hard to laugh right now, but his quiet voice matched mine.

'What do you mean, with what? Isn't blackmail alone bad enough?' I had nothing, and he knew it, but I was angry. My brain can't make sense always, okay?

He was almost doubled over now, wheezing and coughing at my futile attempts to argue with him. I snatched my diary out of his hands, ignoring the spluttering sounds of his amusement at my feet.

'This is private, James. As in, I'm the only one who gets to read it. Or touch it. Or even look at it. Understand?'

He nodded, but he was still laughing. Madam Pince was getting angstier by the second. She looked as if she was going to march over here any second to stop James' idiotic laughing. Time to leave. I started packing my back, getting ready to abandon the imbecile who was still on the floor.

'You're a pig.' I muttered. 'A good-for-nothing, arrogant pig.'

James was still trying to stop his giggles, but his eyes were bright with suppressed laughter behind his glasses.

'Ahh, Lily,' He said, condescension ripe in his tone. 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.'

He started to stand up, finally in control of his hysterics. I narrowed my eyes, grabbed my bag, and sent a big pile of books tumbling onto his head, before almost sprinting to the door to avoid the wrath of Pince.

'Sticks and stones it is then!' I called cheerfully over my shoulder.

I think I heard him swear. The thought made me smile.

A/N: I know, I know, it's been ages. Please use words (as in the review button just down there!) to hurt me, and not send lots of rocks at my head. There's only so much a girl can take!

Oh and shout out to Souhait, who reviewed three times - short but sweet :)