Summary: Lily Evans has always detested the very sight of James Potter & up until fifth year James thought he felt the same way. But circumstances arise that begin to make James look twice at his so-called enemy … & now he can't seem to get her out of his mind …
Forewords: Hey everyone. I'm not sure how many of you who read this story are actually members of my yahoo group, but if you aren't, then you won't know the main reason for me not being able to update for so long. About two weeks ago … or a bit more now, a virus infected my computer and shut my whole computer down. I was unable to access anything on my computer, let along work on my chapter, and I almost lost everything I had, including this chapter and every other future chapter I've planned on posting on ff.net. Fortunately, a couple of days ago, my computer was restored and I was able to recover everything!! Yay!! Well, anyway, that's my excuse, and I'm real sorry that you have had to wait for so long. You won't have to wait that long again.
IMPORTANT!
Recently, I've been re-reading everyone's suggestions on the situation with Arabella Figg, and that she is in JK Rowling's reality, a squib. Well here's my solution. Arabella Figg (Bella) in my story can just be the niece of Arabella the squib. So the background for that could just be that Bella's mother named her daughter after her sister because of the whole squib thing. Is that satisfactory enough, so I can rule out that non-ootp compliant fact? I know it has been a constant problem for people reading and reviewing.
Anyway, I also have to apologise for not thanking the people who reviewed chapter nine. I was planning on doing it, but then I became extremely busy. So I'll just briefly thank those who reviewed:
MPPSexySiriusJames, Katina Wellson, kiwi, PhOeNiXReBiRtH, Grated Cheese, Panda10s, Jade_Moon, SoulAvenger, KristiexxNguyen, khel-shaye, chicKaboom, Mercds, On-A-Rainy-Day, LisBleu, Jedusor, BlueEyedWildmage, magee, Hufflepuff1324, carmenel, moony391, Liz, Drops-Of-Winter, Whystical, Melissa, M, addicted-to-fiction, PristineAnd as usual, thanks to the other following reviewers from the last chapter:
Melissa: Thank you for reviewing, and I'm glad you liked the chapter. Don't worry, I won't be making Lily's feelings change quickly. Instead you're probably going to want to strangle me, because it will take a long while … more than any other Lily/James fic on here, I think … oops, lol.
Ruth3: Thanks for reviewing again!
On-A-Rainy-Day: Nah that's alright. I've read that little bit so many times I know how tedious it can get. Anyway, thanks for another review!!
MPPSexySiriusJamesRemus: Thanks!!
Panda10s: Great, thanks for that. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Pristine: Lol, thanks. Your making me blush. I'm sorry for the long wait in-between chapters … hope your still around to read this one. Anyway, yeah I agree with you. It may seem a bit unbelievable that Lily's been so dense, but it has happened to me in the past as well … lol. Oh and the bit with Arabella talking about the relationships was intentionally made to be ironic, lol. Like she said, spending so much time with Remus, made some of his knowledge rub off on her.
HPDisorder: Thank you!! I'm sorry about such a long wait though.
Alenchic: Thank you!!
Hannah: Oooh, thank you. You may need to deflate my head after reading your review. Lol, seriously though, I am flattered that you think that (though I think there are better writers than me). I hope you keep on reading, and yay for being an Aussie!! He he.
PhOeNiXReBiRtH: Thanks for reviewing, and I'm sorry for making you wait so long!!
Whystical: That's ok, I know it wasn't my best chapter. I didn't really like using the whole incident but like you said it is necessary for future parts in my fic. Anyway, thanks for reviewing, and like I said on my club, I'll try and read and review ur fic soon.
Hannah: Thank you!
Misguyded1: Yeah, I think I got a bit carried out in the beginning. Having them fight so much … but from now on, I'm going to focus more on getting them together, rather than keeping them apart, lol. Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you keep on reading and reviewing!
Spunkygal14: Thank you!!
Firehottie: Thanks, sorry for not updating for so long though.
Super Hero Meg: Thanks for your great review!! I'm glad you think my fic follows JK Rowling … I have had problems with Remus being a prefect instead of James … and the whole Arabella Figg, squib thing. But after reading your review, I figure I'll just make it that this Bella is the Squib's niece, and that Bella's mum named her after her sister or something. What do you think?
Drops-of-Winter: lol … what an entertaining review. Anyway, thanks for reviewing again.
Ayse: Oooh, thank you!! I loved your review!! What are you trying to do to me though?? I reckon my head's that swollen it's gonna need to be deflated soon … like James. Lol, well anyway thanks for reviewing, and I'm really sorry for making you wait so long. I hope you keep on reading and reviewing, so you can tell me what you think!! In answer to your question, since I started this fic before ootp was released, I just made Bella Figg up as being a student with Lily, because I hate using so many original character names. So that when ootp did come out, it kind of screwed up that whole thing, but it's too late to change her name, because I've pretty much established her whole character now.
OrlandoBloomfan: Thank you, I'm glad you thought it remained true. And from now on, I'll probably be keeping my chapters around this length, so I hope you like it!!
Moony391: lol … maybe, but it might take a while (not the slapping part). Thanks for reviewing!!
Kathryn: Thanks for reviewing again!! I'm glad you liked it!
Marauder by Moonlight: Thanks for reviewing again!! And I can't say I blame you for skipping out on most parts that were re-written from the book. The only reason I did so, is because it is necessary for future chapters … laying a foundation like someone's review said. Anyway, thanks again, I'm trying to keep as real to the book as I can, with some exceptions of course.
Lacey: That's alright. I'm glad you reviewed. I hope you keep on reading.
Abrian: Lol, sorry for making you wait so long.
WinterWonderland02: Sorry bout that. Here's the next chapter (finally)
BBL-G: Thanks for reviewing. I'm pretty relieved that you and other people reviewing don't hate my original characters … including Bella. And don't worry Lily will lighten up … in a while.
LimeJuiceTub: Thank you for reviewing. I'm glad you think I have a good storyline going on, and that I'm not rambling on about nothing all the time … sometimes I doubt myself, lol.
HarryPotterCrazy: Thank you. Ever since reading Ootp, I've tried to keep it as real to the book as possible without changing my original plot!! So I'm glad you like it!!
Some12: That's alright. Thanks for reviewing now, and sorry for the long wait.
OutOfMyMind: lol, yeah I feel the same way about long chapters … but it's harder when I'm the one writing them, he he. Anyway thanks for reviewing.
Becky: Sorry for making you wait so long. I've had good reasons though, as I've explained in my author's notes. Once again, I'm really sorry, and it won't ever be that long in-between updates.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
~A fresh start~
Perhaps it had been the enormous overload on her brain due to too much studying … or the whole Potter-having-feelings being bludgeoned into her, but that night after a late night cramming session, Lily found herself having the strangest dream. She was in the Great Hall for a transfiguration exam, but nobody else except her was present. Whilst sitting down at the only desk there, she was told by the table that she was to start her exam – and then a billowing cloud of smoke popped in front of her, and out came Potter … in a suit of armour? With a rubber sword flopping in one hand and a quill in the other, James politely asked her if she would transfigure his quill into a horse, so that he could ride off with her into the sunset. She told him that he was nuts and went on to transfigure her rabbit into a hat – then James started shouting at her telling her she had failed the exam and in horror she began to fall off her seat …
… and then suddenly she woke up, on the ground and tangled up in her bed-sheets and curtains, which had somehow been ripped off of their hangings.
With a sigh, Lily rested her head back onto the ground, and pulled out her arms from the mess to tiredly rub at her eyes. She couldn't quite recall the dream she had just had to make her fall out of bed with that force, but for some strange reason she couldn't recall … she had an odd feeling it had to do with Potter … especially when a flash of Potter holding a floppy sword came into her mind.
Not bothering to move yet, Lily shook her head, wryly. Why must Potter invade every part of her life? She couldn't even have a dream without his face barging into her peace and quiet. Although it wasn't entirely an unpleasant face, she had to admit reluctantly, the personality behind that face or the attitude in particular was what made him comparable to a … she couldn't even think of something that was adequate to describe him. He was truly unique that way … truly irritably unique.
"That's a handy way of vanishing into thin air," Bella suddenly commented, who was watching on in amusement from her position in bed. It was rather an amusing moment to see Lily wrapped up like a cocoon in her bed hangings and sheets. "Think I'd pass if I tried that on my iguana today?"
That spurred Lily into action. Within seconds, Potter was forgotten and there was a flurry of bed sheets thrown into air, as Lily managed to simultaneously disentangle herself and stand up at the same time.
"Oh my gosh," she said hurriedly, searching for her school robes. She eventually found them underneath her blanket, which had been thrown up onto her bedside table. "I can't believe I almost forgot about the exam … what time is it?"
"Relax, sleeping beauty." This time it was Sionell who spoke up. She, too, was still lying in her bed, but watching Lily as she began to get dressed. "For the –" she sleepily turned to Bella with a yawn.
"Sixth," Bella supplied promptly, giving a yawn of her own.
"For the sixth time this week," Sionell repeated, nodding her thanks to Bella. "It isn't even time for breakfast, let alone getting out of bed to do an exam."
"Sun's not even up." Bella added, mumbling through her pillow as she rolled onto her stomach. Lily looked over to the window, and realised with embarrassment that they were right; the sun was far from rising.
"Yeah," said Sionell, propping herself up on her elbows. "So how about you tell us exactly why you decided that the floor was more comfortable then your bed, before letting us go back to our peaceful sleep?"
"What?" Then Lily shook her head vaguely. "Ah – no, I don't actually remember it all … just little bits … I think it had to do with exams … but then Potter's face does pop up though … wielding a quill or sword … something. Nothing of real importance anyway," she added quickly.
Bella chortled loudly, and lifted her head to look back at Lily. She shook her head. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," she said, and Lily watched her fall back onto her pillow and close her eyes.
Sionell did the same with a sleepy "Wake me up when the sun comes up."
Lily rolled her eyes good-naturedly, and turned to her transfiguration books for some more studying. Already Bella's light snores filled the room as she turned the first page of her transfiguration textbook.
Nothing else was said or thought about Lily's mysterious dream. Instead, she spent the next few hours pouring over her books, only stopping to have a quick breakfast, before she headed off for hers, and the rest of fifth year's exam.
By the time her Transfiguration exam was due to start, she had forgotten the dream had ever occurred.
~*~
"D'you reckon it mattered that I left the iguana's eyes visible?" Bella asked Lily, as they walked alongside each other, exiting the Great Hall
Lily stifled a chuckle. "It does, when you somehow managed to magnify them to twice the size they were meant to be," she replied, smiling slightly. "Too bad you couldn't perfect the Swelling charm in our previous exam."
Arabella scowled at that. "I envy Sionell,"
Lily gave her a questioning look.
"Why?"
"Her last name starts with a P, so she didn't have to do any of the practical exams at the same time as you," explained Bella, throwing a dirty look over her shoulder to where Sionell was probably still waiting to do her exam. "How am I supposed to keep any of my mistakes secret from Miss I-can-vanish-all-my-Iguana?"
This time Lily laughed out-loud and linked arms with Bella. "Tell you what," she said lightly. "It was nothing compared to what Louise did in Divination the other day … imagine telling the examiner that he was going to become pregnant in a weeks time with triplets …"
~*~
For the Marauders', the Transfiguration exam also passed without any catastrophe's, excluding poor Peter who also ended up vanishing half his foot. Luckily though, he had been able to hide it until he had met up with the other Marauders.
So a few hours after the exam, when Peter's foot had reappeared, the four Marauders snuck off through the hump-backed, one-eyed witch to Hogsmeade to buy some reinforcements for the end-of-exam party that would be staged later in the common room.
"Y'know," Sirius started conversationally, as they began climbing up the steps. "I can't believe we've only got two more years before we leave Hogwarts … I'm gonna miss it."
James nodded his agreement, understanding that apart from his visits to James' home in Godric's Hollow, Sirius only thought of Hogwarts as his real home.
"I'm gonna miss using all these secret passageways to go everywhere …" James said softly.
"… terrorising Filch and Mrs Norris …"
"Romping around the grounds on every full moon …"
"Not to forget pranking the Slytherins'," Peter added.
"You'd think that we'd be leaving tomorrow," Remus commented, shaking his head. "by the sounds of your complaining. Next I'll have to bring out the tissues."
"Nah," James argued. "Its just from now on, there's going to be more than just worrying about who to hex or prank or who the most popular people are."
And since yesterday afternoon, he'd been thinking about it a lot. Evans was right about things. He did consider himself to be above everyone else sometimes … he'd always had reason for it too … Quidditch seeker … captain … prefect … a Marauder … and according to some girls, a 'chick-magnet' too …
Now that he thought about it all though, he realised that there was more to living than that, and when he would graduate, he knew he would rather have a solid and stable life, than one that depended on his popularity or how he treated people. He didn't want to lord his success over anybody like Voldemort was doing all over the wizarding world at the moment.
What he wanted didn't even have anything to do with how he was acting. What he wanted was to become an auror like his father. He was getting absolutely nowhere by having such a big head like he did now. It wasn't worth anything anyway … Evans cared little for all those insignificant things … like his popularity or talent on the Quidditch pitch … and look how successful she was.
"This doesn't have anything to do with what Evans said to you," Sirius asked, grinning suddenly. "Does it?"
Lucky, James thought, that they're in the darkness, as he flushed a crimson red. "No," he said a loud. "There's also the fact that I – I know my parents are going to want me to study more to become an auror like my father is … they want me to grow up … and stop getting so many detentions." He added ruefully.
Sirius snorted. "Fat chance you got of that happening." He said, "You almost equal me in that respect."
"I know," James sighed.
"This has got something to do with Lily though," Remus asked, "doesn't it?"
James was silent for a few moments, and then exhaled heavily. "Yeah," he admitted. "What she said to me yesterday …"
"Is that why you shoved the snitch in your sock drawer yesterday?" guessed Peter.
"Hmmm." James' voice was noncommittal as he continued to climb up the winding staircase.
"Seeing as you've bollocks'd it all up now by revealing to Evans that you fancy her," said Sirius. "You might as well at least talk to her again … who knows, maybe if you remove the whole Snivellus bit, she might say 'yes' this time."
James grumbled, "Yeah right."
"You've got nothing to lose now," Remus added wryly. "So you might as well just swallow your pride and approach her. She's not gonna bite."
"That's what you think," James mumbled softly, but nonetheless began to think about it. In the end, he decided to talk to her that night during the party.
At least with a few butterbeers in her, she wouldn't be able to pack a punch like she usually could, he thought ruefully.
~*~
After later meeting up with Sionell, who had managed to go through the exam without any major catastrophe's like Bella, the three girls joined the rest of their house for the end-of-exams celebration in their common room.
In a scene reminiscent to the Quidditch Cup win little less than a month ago, which Lily had only spent a couple of hours at, it took only moments before the Gryffindor common room was packed to the limit with Honeydukes lollies, Zonko's pranks and gaudy decorations thrown around the room. This time, though, Lily relaxed enough to enjoy it. Having the exams over was a huge weight lifted over her shoulders, so for once she could just act like any normal person - muggle or magical – and party the night away.
Smiling at that thought, Lily grabbed herself and Bella and Sionell a few bottles of butterbeer before joining them in their special seat by the fireplace.
After accepting her butterbeer, Sionell waved her arm over in the Marauder's direction, who were trying - with their wands - to direct their fireworks through an acrobatic course. They were, of course, failing miserably, and at that moment the girls looked over, somebody's cloak was thrown over to Sirius to extinguish the fire that had started on his pants.
"Think we can drag them over for a dance?" asked Sionell, casually watching as her boyfriend was then doused by a shot of water coming out of Remus's wand.
"Well they do seem to be on fire tonight …" Lily commented with a straight face, though a smile was threatening to tug at her lips. Bella and Sionell stopped to look at Lily, and then the three burst out laughing simultaneously.
Bella was the first to call out to the boys, "Get your butts over here, and dance with your girlfriends!"
To Lily's surprise, all four abandoned their firework Olympics to join the girls. Though slightly awkward for Lily and James for a while, soon the two groups began to relax around each other and for a few hours, they shared jokes, lollies and in Lily's two friends case … kisses with their boyfriends. Lily even managed to strike up a conversation with Potter about the Transfiguration, which in itself was quite a remarkable feat, seeing as it didn't end in a major argument.
With all the romantic sloppiness going on around Lily though, it wasn't long before Remus unsurprisingly asked Bella for a dance, and Sirius with Sionell, so Lily was left alone with Potter and Pettigrew.
Pettigrew looked around nervously, and then hesitantly asked, "Do you – uh want to dance … Lily?"
Feeling slightly daring and ignoring Potter's dirty look, Lily graciously accepted, and soon they were 'bopping to the beat' as Bella always liked to call it. Lily found that Peter wasn't too bad a dancer, and she found herself lost in the magical music that was sweeping across the room.
After a while, the first slow song of the night popped up, and Lily found herself facing a pink Pettigrew.
"No offence – Lily, but I really don't like slow songs." Peter said quickly.
"Don't worry, Peter," she assured him over the noise. "I don't much like slow songs either."
Then laughing, she began to push a relieved Peter back to their couch where Potter was still sitting, but talking with a couple of sixth years. She didn't notice that when they waded through the dancers that Potter had stopped talking to look at her.
When they reached their seat, Lily turned to look at her two friends, who were dancing closely with their boyfriends. She smiled wistfully, off in her own daydream when an unfamiliar voice shocked her out of it.
"Ev- Lily … willyoudancewithme?"
Lily spun around, and almost gaped in shock.
James stood behind her, holding out a hand and looking remarkably mature for someone whose hair had caught fire only hours before. Lily only briefly noticed that though, because she realised he sounded so unfamiliar because he called her by her first name. He'd hardly ever done that before … she gulped nervously.
"Will you dance with me … just once?" he repeated again, now looking a bit unsure.
Stealing a look towards her friends quickly, Lily caught Bella's eyes, and saw the brief nod that she gave her.
"Um … sure," replied Lily, taking James's accepted hand with her own shaky one. Potter looked surprised, but didn't say anything as they found a spot amongst the other dancers.
James gently placed his hand on Lily's waist, the other still in Lily's hand, and together they began to dance slowly, Lily's eyes roaming around anywhere but directly at James, who was looking down at her.
"So …" James cleared his throat, and Lily looked up, her eyes catching James' own sparkling hazel ones. "This – uh remind you of another time?" His eyes took on a more mischievous look at that.
"Ah, yes the Ball." Lily nodded quickly, then smiled as she pretended to look around. "Though I don't see any pumpkin juice handy."
James threw his head up at that and laughed. "Don't forget those dastardly high heels that you wore on the night." At Lily's confused look he added painfully. "You might not remember them, but my foot sure does."
This time, Lily overcame her shyness and laughed as well, but stopped when James cleared his throat reluctantly.
"I – I want you to know … that I me-meant what I – what I said back at the - lake." James broke off uncomfortably to lift his hand from Lily's waist and rake his hand through his hair. "Just – I didn't mean for it to … come out in that – way."
"Which way?" Lily demanded, her anger getting the better of her timidness again. "The way how you tried to blackmail me into going out with you."
"I didn't mean to blackmail you … it just came out."
"Yeah, when you were bullying Se-Snape," she retorted. "Just like the time you asked me to the Ball, and when you said you wanted to get to know me better … everything happens after you've pranked Snape or talked about him … are you sure you aren't just jealous of Snape?"
James exploded. "It's just I don't want you with him, when there – there's obviously someone better for you."
Lily's voice was soft. "And that someone is you?"
"Ye- No … I don't know … but don't you want to give us a chance?"
"No offence, Potter," said Lily, slowly. "but I've spent five long years loathing even the very sight of you. I - might have put a few things that happened between us in the past behind me … but I'm not ready to start whatever – it is that you want. I doubt we'd be able to keep up a friend status … and I don't think I'm ready for anything more anyway."
"Is it because of what you said by the lake?" he asked.
"What?"
"All that stuff you said you hated about me … if I change, will you go out with me?"
"You can't just change like a snap of your fingers," Lily replied wearily. "You have to want to mean it … and not just do it to impress someone." She sighed. "I can see it in you that you could be really great – if you just stop being so arrogant and egotistical all the time."
The song came to a finish, most couples breaking off to go and sit in their respective seats, but James didn't let Lily go. Both hands went to rest on her waist, as they continued to stand there. Lily could see out of the corner of her eye that both Sionell and Bella had stopped dancing with their significant other and were now looking over at her and Potter.
"Well I will," James said stubbornly. "Change, that is. You'll see, Lily Evans. I will win you over."
His last words carried over the common room and Lily flushed as everyone else's heads turned in their direction. As the next song began, she abruptly pulled away from James' grip and took a step back.
"I uh - have to go," she mumbled, looking down at the ground before retreating back to her dorm.
~*~
It was a week after the Gryffindor party and darkness had fallen over Hogwarts; the only people visible outside were two lone students, who were lying alongside one another in the middle of the Quidditch Pitch. A couple of broomsticks lay unmoving a few yards next to them.
Sionell rolled onto her side to face Sirius. "I let you win, you know," she said finally.
Sirius turned his head, a smug grin directed straight at her. "Sure you did," he said lightly, then shifted his gaze to the sky in mock admiration, "All three times … must have been hard, working to lose against me."
"I'm not a Keeper," Sionell insisted stubbornly, pelting Sirius with one of her Quidditch armguards. She had now moved to a sitting position and was crossing her arms imperiously. "and you're really not meant to direct a Quaffle at me with those Beater bats, y'know."
Not bothering to answer, Sirius instead skilfully threw the armguards over to his broomstick, and proceeded to pull Sionell closer, until she was resting directly atop him. Before she had time to squeal her disapproval, he silenced her with a long, lingering kiss, before pulling back and grinning again, albeit rather goofily and crookedly this time.
"That make up for it?" asked Sirius, wagging his eyebrows.
Sionell impetuously leaned forward for another kiss, before shifting beside Sirius. "For now," she smiled, looking back up at the sky, where all the stars were out for show.
"You're such a dog sometimes." She then went on to joke as she saw Sirius's star directly above her.
Sirius's head shot up in shock. "What?"
"I could have sworn you smiled like dogs do … you know with their tongue kinda hanging out," Sionell laughed, trying to demonstrate, but then she gave up and pointed to the sky. "Not to mention your named after the dog star."
"Uh – yeah," Sirius laughed too and relaxed back into the ground. "Pretty ironic."
Sionell continued on. "You know what else is pretty ironic … Potter falling for the one girl who is immune to his charms."
"Well," said Sirius, carefully. "Now that this whole James lusting after Evans' thing is out in the open, what do you reckon she thinks about it?"
"Hmm," considered Sionell. "Now that you mention it … I think Lily's trying to shove it as far as she can into the backburner … Since the party, she's been avoiding Potter as much as humanly possible."
"A nice way of saying she hates him?"
"Not exactly," Sionell conceded thoughtfully. "She's just not used to the knowledge of a guy so obviously after her … she's pretty shy if you know what I mean … you should have seen her after he kissed her that time … "
"Then James is going to have a job on his hands, isn't he?"
"Oh yeah."
"He's not going to give up though, you know." Sirius added.
"I know … and don't worry, I'm not gonna stop him …" she smiled, and Sirius took a-hold of her hand. "It could be good for her."
A comfortable silence fell for a few moments as Sirius continued to hold Sionell's hand. Finally, when it became too dark to see each other's face anymore, they came to a mutual decision and stood up, Sirius holding Sionell's broom as well as his own.
It was only when they began moving off to the castle that Sionell softly bumped Sirius's shoulder and said, "I want a rematch later."
"Your on."
~*~
"You know I almost forgot to tell you … I gave Lily some advice about Potter." Bella commented, walking hand-in-hand with Remus through one of the empty corridors of Hogwarts.
"Really?" Remus looked amused. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Why isn't James dead yet?"
Bella hit him with her other arm. "Very funny," she drawled sarcastically, then sighed. "But no, it wasn't a method for killing Potter – I've got quite a lot of them actually … what I told her was not to discard Potter's feelings for her … not until she actually found out what he was like."
"Wow," exclaimed Remus, smiling slightly. "That's rather mature of you!"
"I know," Bella moaned theatrically. "You've been a bad influence on me … where's that pissed off girl gone to? I haven't hexed anyone in months!"
"Apart from those Ravenclaws'?" Remus queried mischievously.
Bella gasped. "You knew?"
Remus nodded and Bella let out a short laugh. "Ok … apart from them … but still …"
"Well," Remus breathed softly, their noses touching slightly as he looked directly at Bella. He smiled. "I happen to like both 'you's', so you can revert back to either whenever you like."
"Oh, how can I possibly be pissed-off when you are around." She cooed, then looked disgusted at herself. "You're making me into such a sap!" she complained, shaking her head but nonetheless leaning forward for a kiss.
Remus blushed slightly as they pulled back from one another, minutes later. Bella smiled and squeezed his hand as they resumed their walking.
"Think they've got a chance?" Remus asked unexpectedly as they passed the prefects bathroom.
Bella snorted, immediately catching on as she too saw the entrance to the prefect's bathroom. "Those two who are almost as stubborn as each other?" she asked. "I'd say hell would freeze over before Potter becomes Lily's ideal match …" She stopped to think for a moment. "But there is a possibility – I guess … if Lily doesn't hex his body into the next century, that is…"
~*~
In no time at all, their last month of fifth year at Hogwarts came to an end, and they were carted away on the Hogwarts Express to Platform Nine and Three Quarters, for another summer.
That trip, the Marauders and the three girls shared a compartment together; Sionell and Bella joining the boys in conversation and Lily sitting back and watching the scenery fly by in silence. As usual, she was apprehensive about returning to her family, more-so this time though, because of the whole letter incident with Petunia. She hoped Petunia would be more understanding now that she was working on her own future with some new boyfriend called Vernon. She sighed, then began to pull out a book to read for the rest of the trip.
When the Hogwarts Express finally reached Kings Cross Station, Lily was quickly lost amidst the throng of people rushing to get off the train. Just before she went to get off the train, she found Sionell and Bella and made her goodbyes, since she'd be meeting her parents outside the platform.
After a particularly tearful group hug, Lily climbed down from the train and onto the platform. As she did, she caught sight of Potter's head just a few feet in front of her. As if in slow motion and Potter could feel her gaze, his head turned around and his eyes sought out Lily.
They stared at each other for a few moments; Lily's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and James' merely thoughtful. When a smile started to creep up on James' face, Lily abruptly tore her eyes away with a small noise of frustration, her face slightly flushed, then purposely began to pull her trunk across the station and over to the place where she'd be meeting her parents.
At least she wouldn't have to put up with his annoying presence at home, she thought, pasting a smile on her face as she walked through the barrier.
~*~
A/N: And that ends the chapter. Nothing of real importance was in this chapter, but next one, I'm starting Lily and James' holidays. I thought I would also warn that from now on, this story is going to take on a slightly darker tone, including that of the rise of Voldemort, and issues of discrimination and prejudices.
Anyway, please review to tell me what you think … oh and I was also wondering when everybody thinks Sirius ran away from home. He said he was sixteen when he ran away, but that can either mean he ran away in-between fifth & sixth year, or in-between sixth and seventh year? What do you all think? I'm slightly leaning towards fifth and sixth, because of future chapters, but I want to follow JK Rowling as much as possible.