James had his head in his hand. From the corner of his eyes, he risked a glanced at Evans. She was scribbling furiously on her parchment. As if her life depended on taking notes for Professor Flitwick's class. Scoffing, he looked down on his own parchment. The corner of his parchment was decorated with two alphabets – LJ. 'How pathetic,' he thought. Yet he couldn't stop himself from scribbling it again and again.

Sirius tapped James on his shoulder, making him turn towards him. "Mate what are you doing?" asked Sirius, waggling his brows.

"Nothing," replied James. His large hands covered the corner of his parchment. He knew his face was flushed.

Sirius craned his neck to look at James's parchment. "What's that?" he asked, squinting his eyes.

"Nothing!" exclaimed James, scrunching up his parchment and putting it in his bag.

Sirius frowned, going back to tipping his chair. James let out a sigh of relief. He reminded himself that he ought to be more careful. If someone else saw it, someone like Remus, it would have been horrible. He'll have to keep his feelings under wrap for now.

The class ended after what seemed like an eternity. Maybe it felt like an eternity because nothing other than one girl held James's interest. Because Professor Flitwick's class was one of the most interesting classes. Even when he gave lectures, they were always interactive. If James enjoyed a class other than Transfiguration, it had to be Charms. James respected Professor Flitwick too much to slack in his class. He was a wonderful teacher. Only a buffoon would think otherwise.

The boys were making their way out of the classroom. James had to get to Quidditch practice. His teammates must be waiting for him. He was looking forward to this throughout the whole day. Only Peter had a class left – Ancient Runes, but it wasn't until after lunch. So, Sirius and Remus were going to go to the Great Lake, while Peter was going to Library to complete his homework.

"Remus!" a voice called out, and James froze in his spot. No, he didn't want to witness Evans and Remus interacting.

"Here we go again," hissed Sirius, as the boys turned around.

Evans glided down the corridor with a small smile on her lips. Her fiery red hair bounced on her waist. While her gaze was fixed on Remus, James couldn't tear his eyes off her. His heart was already doing all sorts of funny things in his chest.

"Hi Lily," greeted Remus, taking a step towards Evans. His lips too curled up in a smile. James could feel his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. As if all his energy was sucked out of his body, he averted his gaze to the floor.

"Hi," breathed Evans. James couldn't help but looked at her from under his lashes. He had an urge to roll his eyes. Why did she look so happy talking to Remus?

"Hello Evans," greeted Sirius, with a smirk on his face.

Evans looked at him with her nose scrunched up in disgust. Rolling her eyes, she turned her attention to Remus. "I have a favour to ask," said Evans. Her brows furrowed.

"What is it?" asked Remus, his eyes never leaving Evans's face. James felt horrible already. The little green-eyed monster was poking James as it sat on his shoulder.

"Do you think you can cover my duty on this Saturday?" Evans looked at Remus with hopeful eyes. How could anyone say no to Evans? If she asked James to lie down in front of Hogwarts express whilst looking at him like that – he'd do it in a heartbeat.

"Not a problem," replied Remus with a shrug. "Is everything alright though?"

"Yes, Professor Slughorn is hosting a dinner," answered Evans in a matter-of-fact voice. Her smile had already turned into a grin when she mentioned the dinner.

As if that was an explanation enough, Remus nodded with a grin, and replied, "Gotcha!"

"Thank you so much!" exclaimed Evans, taking Remus's hand in her own, she gave it a light squeeze.

James was ready to pull out his hair already! He could feel tightness at the back of his throat. His lower lip was quivering, and he had to bite it down, until it turned pale. He watched Evans skip back to her friends. His eyes followed her hopelessly. Why did it feel like she had ripped his heart out and stomped on it?

"Why is she nice to you and not to us?" asked Sirius, rolling his eyes. But James couldn't care less.

"I'm her friend," replied Remus in a nonchalant voice.

"Since when?!" cried Sirius. James had heard enough already. He would burst into tears if he stood there any longer. His feet moved quicker than his brain. "James!"

"What happened to you?" asked Peter, as his friends caught up to him.

"Nothing," replied James. He shook his head, forcing on a smile. "I've Quidditch practice, I'm late, I'll see you later."

"Mate!" Sirius caught his hand, stopping James dead in his tracks.

James looked at the floor, trying to hide the tears forming at the corner of his eyes. "Later," he said, shaking his head as he tried to get out of Sirius's grasp.

"Oi, give us your bag. You don't have to run back and forth," said Sirius, taking off the bag from James's shoulder.

"Thanks," he mumbled, giving Sirius a tight-lipped smile. Shoving his hands in the pockets of his trouser, he dashed down the corridor.

James walked back to his room looking like a bloody mess. A busted lip and wounded knee were hardly something James would cry over. Maybe it was his broken heart that made him look worse. But everyone was looking at him like he was dying. His friends were no different.

"What happened to you?" exclaimed Peter, throwing himself off the bed. He walked over to James tentatively. As if to ask if he needed help, he extended his hand towards a limping James.

James shook his hand, limping over to his bed. "Quaffle," he breathed, sinking into his bed. On a second thought, maybe his pride was wounded too. He couldn't get it out of his head how he fell off his broom because his mind was miles away.

"It hit you?!" asked Sirius, rushing to James's side. He sat on the floor cross legged, helping James out of his shoes.

"Yeah," replied James with a shrug. He took off his fingerless gloves. Peter took them from his hand, placing them on James's nightstand.

"Now I've seen everything!" huffed Sirius, helping James take off his shin guards. His brows furrowed, as he studied James's wounded knee. The blood had already dried.

"Why didn't you go to Madam Pomfrey?" asked Peter, helping James take off his arm guards. He returned everything to their designated place.

James scoffed, shaking his head, as he mumbled, "It's a busted lip."

"And a bloody knee," added Sirius, pointing towards his knee.

"It's fine," James shrugged, scooting back until he was lying straight on his bed. It felt much better now that his knee was straight.

"You look beaten up," mumbled Peter, not taking his eyes off James as he struggled to pull his blanket from under himself.

James had no energy to go anywhere. He only wanted to sleep and forget this horrible day, "I'm tired."

"Do you want to rest?" asked Sirius, carefully helping James under his blanket.

"Place this under his knee," said Peter, taking a pillow from James's side and handing it to Sirius. Who did as he was told.

James groaned, as soon as Sirius moved his knee to place the pillow underneath. Sirius gave him an apologetic smile. "I'll sleep," said James, taking his glasses off.

"Before Lunch?" asked Sirius in a low voice.

He shut his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest, he spoke, "I'm not hungry."

"Your sheets –" started Peter. Everyone knew James hated dirty sheets. He never got into bed unless he had taken a bath and was clean. But right now, he couldn't care less.

"I'll clean it later," mumbled James.

Buried in sleep, it took sometime for James to realise what was going on. Someone was shaking him, perhaps trying to wake him up. It wasn't until he heard his name being called out, that James's eyes flung open.

"James!" the voice belonged to Remus, who was studying James's face with concern.

"What happened?" asked James, propping himself on his elbows.

"We're going to get dinner," stated Remus, straightening up as he handed James his glasses.

James wore his glasses, blinking a couple of times. Dinner? Wasn't it afternoon? He still felt tired, it couldn't be that he slept for that long. "Dinner?"

"You slept through the whole afternoon and evening," replied Remus, frowning. He waited for James to get out of bed.

"Oh," was all James said as he slid back under his blanket. "No, I'm not hungry," he lied.

Remus scoffed, rolling his eyes, "Your stomach was growling while you were asleep."

"Oh," James's face was flushed. Of course, his body had to betray him like that. How long had Remus been in the room anyway? And where were Sirius and Peter?

"Get up," ordered Remus, pulling James up. James groaned, trying to pull himself back down with all the strength he had. But Remus was stronger. He continued speaking, "We're talking after dinner."

That caught James's attention, he raised his brows, "About?"

"I need help," mumbled Remus, avoiding James's gaze as he helped him out of his bed.

"Is everything okay?" asked James. A feeling of dread washed over James. Remus had never asked for help before. Something must be terribly wrong for him to come up and ask for this directly.

Remus shook his head, passing James a fresh pair of clothes as he spoke, "More on that later. We're both hungry, we need food."

"But do I need to worry?" asked James, a crease forming between his eyes. He clutched onto his clothes. He didn't have a good feeling about this. His stomach was in knots. What if Remus was in trouble?

"No," assured Remus. James eyed him suspiciously, as if asking if he was telling the truth. When Remus smiled, James nodded.

"Where are Sirius and Peter?" he asked, placing his clothes on the bed near himself, as he took off his dirty jersey. It was covered in dirt. James scrunched his nose. He took a whiff of himself. Thankfully, he didn't smell bad.

"Already in the Great Hall," replied Remus, with his arms crossed in front of his chest, as he waited for James to change into his clothes.

"Okay," nodded James, pulling his hoodie over his head.

The boys padded down the staircase. James was feeling better the more he moved around. His leg had gotten stiff lying in the bed for so long. His stomach was making all sorts of noise. He needed food or else he was going to pass out.

"Does it not hurt?" asked Remus, pointing towards James's lip. He was still frowning. James knew he was worried, but there was nothing to be worried about.

"A little," replied James, honestly. But it would get better. He smiled, trying to bring some comfort to Remus.

"You should have gone to the infirmary."

"I was too tired."

Remus narrowed his eyes at James, scowling, he spoke, "You always tell me not to scrape my wounds and go to the infirmary."

"It's my first time, you can cut me some slack," chuckled James, shaking his head.

"It's very unlike you."

"You don't have to worry about me too much."

The boys made their way to the Great Hall. Anyone who looked at James, looked at him with worry. So, like always, James put on a smile and marched to his seat. A smile that stated that he was okay.

"You were able to drag him out of bed?" asked Sirius, letting out a sigh of relief.

"I told you I would," replied Remus, sitting down beside Sirius. "Besides we were hungry."

"Sit down," said Peter, patting the empty space beside himself. He smiled, waiting for James to join them.

James smiled in response, sitting down as carefully as he could, without causing himself pain. But that was impossible. He groaned, taking in a deep breath. He tried to take his mind off the pain.

"Are you okay?" asked Sirius, inching closer to James. His eyes scrutinized James helplessly.

"Yes," assured James, with a bright smile.

"Good."

"Sirius was worried about you," said Peter. He propped his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand. He looked over at Sirius.

James's mouth formed an O, as he watched Sirius avert his eyes, his cheeks flushed. An unexpected warmth surge through him. He couldn't believe how incredibly lucky he was. "You don't have to be," James choked out.

"Of course, I do!" cried Sirius, passing him his favourite mashed potatoes.

Once the dinner was over, James and his friends got up. Perhaps James had gotten up to fast. Almost forgetting that his knee wasn't in the best of shape, he felt a sharp pain, as his knee buckled.

He almost collided into the girl he had successfully avoided looking at for the whole dinner. His heart was in his mouth, and his face felt like it was on fire. But the girl looked at him like he was the sun of the hottest summer day. An inconvenience, something that bothered her. Something she would avoid for the rest of her life if she could. There was hatred and disgust in her eyes – like always.

"Watch where you're going," said Evans from between her teeth. But as soon as her eyes landed on James's busted lip, it looked like she regretted her words. Nonetheless, she hurried away with her friends.

"She never talks to Remus like that!" hissed Sirius. The irritation in his voice wasn't hidden.

"She hates us," mumbled James, the lump returned back at the back of his throat. He swallowed it, like he blinked away his tears.

Sirius scoffed, "Well, the feelings are mutual."

James wanted to say 'No, they're not.' But he couldn't. So, he decided to stay mum.

"Who wants to go for a walk?" asked Remus, changing the topic. He looked over at Peter first.

"I have to finish my Ancient runes' assignment," replied Peter, shaking his head. James noticed the way Peter was struggling with Ancient Runes. But he had to give Peter the credit for still trying to manage this well.

"I can come," said Sirius, with excitement. As if a realisation hit him, he looked at James, "Wait – when is Divination assignment due?"

"Tomorrow," replied James in a nonchalant voice. He still couldn't get the look Evans gave him out of his head.

"Tomorrow?!" cried Sirius, his eyes growing the size of a saucer. "Are you done?"

"Sirius, we got it a week ago," mumbled James, looking at Sirius in disbelief. He must be joking. He couldn't have slacked so much.

"It feels like we only got it yesterday," Sirius defended himself, trying to think of excuses, James believed.

"Why don't you both go finish your assignments?" advised Remus, looking at Sirius and Peter. Peter nodded at once.

Sirius on the other hand, frowned, stomping his foot like a child. "But I want to go for a walk too," he mumbled, pushing his lower lip out in a pout.

"We'll go out after you are done with your assignment," assured Remus.

That was enough to motivate him. His grin returned, "Alright!" he exclaimed. Gesturing for Peter to follow him, he said, "Let's go Peter."

Remus and James were making their way out of the Great Hall. Most students had already emptied it. It was weekend tomorrow. Students would stay up later than they would on a school day.

"Potter," Professor McGonagall stopped the boys on their way to the courtyard. Her piercing gaze was fixed on James, her thin lips pressed together.

"Professor McGonagall," greeted James, with a smile.

"I heard you were injured during the practice today, why didn't you go to the infirmary?" asked Professor McGonagall, looking at James from over her glasses. She looked at him that reminded James of the way his mother looked at him. When she tried to enforce rules on him.

"It's not that bad Professor," assured James, he hoped he would get out of the situation if he grinned. Like he did with his mother.

Of course, Professor McGonagall was stricter than his mother. "That's not for you to decide," she stated. Her eyes turned to Remus, who was standing right beside James, "Lupin, take your friend to the infirmary, will you?"

"Yes Professor," agreed Remus in an instant, with a firm nod.

She looked over at James once again. This time her voice was softer, and her thin lips curled in a small smile, "You better take care of yourself; this isn't okay. You're supposed to be a role model for your team mates."

James nodded, "Yes Professor."

After getting treated in the infirmary and get a light scolding from Madam Pomfrey, they went for their walk. Stars were scattered across the black sky. Moon illuminated soft light on the Great Lake. The water was still, someone could confuse the lake for a huge mirror. The two strolled on the banks of the lake, away from the crowd of students.

"What happened?" asked James, hoping Remus would tell him what was bothering him.

He had, however, not expected Remus to ask the question he did. "Is it Lily?"

How could Remus take her name so easily? Hearing it alone made James's heart skip a beat. "What?" asked James, trying to sound oblivious. He was thankful for the dark. Remus wouldn't be able to tell how flushed his face was.

"Do you like Lily?"

"No," he lied. But when Remus narrowed his eyes, and pressed his lips together, James knew there was no point. Remus knew the answer already. "Yes."

"Then the first boy must be Snivellus," concluded Remus, a small smirk forming on his lips.

Was he not angry at James? James gulped in and replied, "Obviously."

"And the second boy?" asked Remus. Must he ask it like that?

"I'm sorry," James couldn't stress on this enough. He didn't want to feel this way, but he did!

"For what?" asked Remus, cocking his head to the right. He blinked in confusion.

"You like her, don't you?"

Remus looked at James in disbelief. "I don't like her," he scoffed.

"You don't?"

"No."

Was it wrong that James felt relieved? "But –"

"She's a friend."

"But does she like you?" asked James. It could be a possibility too. A huge one at that. She always smiled at Remus.

"I doubt it," chuckled Remus, shaking his head. He looked at his feet as the boys continued walking farther away from the castle.

"Why?" asked James. There was no reason she couldn't like Remus. Remus looked up, raising his brows. His eyes screamed 'Are you seriously asking that?' James furrowed his brows, and spoke, "Don't give me the crap about the scars."

"It is an added bonus," replied Remus with a shrug.

"As if!" exclaimed James. How could Remus think that?! James was offended on his behalf. "You're good looking with or without the scars."

"I appreciate the compliment but I doubt she likes me or anyone for that matter," assured Remus with a grin.

"She surely likes Snivellus. Sirius says he is her type," mumbled James, pushing his lower lip out in a pout.

"Sirius says a lot of things," said Remus, rolling his eyes. "They've known each other from before Hogwarts. If she liked him, they'd be dating right now."

"Maybe neither of them made a move," said James, looking ahead at the mountains in the distance.

"No mate, and she isn't as blind as you think she is. She knows what Snivellus is up to. She makes excuses for him but she knows."

"Why bother making excuses?"

"Just like you make excuses for me."

James whipped his head in Remus's direction, clenching his teeth. "Don't compare yourself!" exclaimed James, huffing.

"I'm a monster," mumbled Remus.

It always made James angry when Remus called himself that. "Anything but!"

"He's been her friend for the longest time, she is loyal to a fault," said Remus, changing the topic.

The boys walked in silence for a while. James wondered if Remus was telling the truth about not liking Evans. "But be honest with me, do you like her?"

"No, I don't," assured Remus, shaking his head. "But I know you like her a lot."

James bit his lower lip, trying not to smile. His face was probably already a bright shade of red. "How did you get her to talk to you?"

"We patrol every night together, we ought to say something."

"Was she not sceptical of you? For being our friend."

"At first she was, the more she talked to me she realised I'm not like the three of you," jested Remus, with a grin.

"Hey!"

"So, is this the first time you've accepted you like her?"

James nodded fervently as he said, "Yes."

"Does it feel better now?"

"A lot." It felt like he could breathe easier. He had never been happier when proved wrong. He wasn't going to break his best friend's heart.

"Are you going to tell Sirius and Peter?"

James thought about if for a second. It would be hilarious when they found out. James nodded. "I can't wait to see their reaction."

"Let's go back then."

"Why are you back so early?" asked Peter, who seemed like he was almost done with his assignment.

"Because we were done walking," replied Remus, looking over at James, he beamed.

"I'm ready for detention tomorrow," cried Sirius, throwing his quill down.

"Quit being dramatic, and work," said James, picking up the quill, and handing it back to Sirius.

"I'll have to stay up all night," mumbled Sirius, taking the quill back. He looked at James, and narrowed his eyes. "Did you finally go to the infirmary?"

"Yes."

"Thank merlin," said Sirius under his breath. He sat on his desk, with his head in his hands. His eyes screaming for help. James had to stifle back a laugh.

"If you do it, we'll tell you a secret," said Remus, trying to encourage Sirius.

That caught his attention, along with Peter's attention. The boys looked at him like hyenas. "Tell me now," demanded Sirius.

Remus shook his head, and pointed towards Sirius's half-done assignment, "No, do it first."

"Tell me half of it now," huffed Sirius, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Glaring at Remus, he waited for Remus to speak.

Remus looked at James, with a grin. "Should I?" he asked for James's permission. James could feel his heart jump in his chest as he nodded.

"James has a crush on someone," said Remus in a low voice. But he had a face splitting smile.

"No!" "Who!?" screamed Peter and Sirius respectively.

James put his finger on his lips. "After you're done with your assignment," he managed to choke out. He could feel the tips of ears getting hotter. His head was swimming.

"Is she in our year?" "Since when?" "Why does he know before me?" Sirius's voice grew louder with every question. He looked at James with furrowed brows, and a look that said 'You betrayed me!'

"Finish your assignment," mumbled James, trying to hide his flushed face. He had to think about something other than Evans.

"On our walk then?" asked Sirius hopefully. James nodded in response.

Sirius flipped through the pages of his book, rolling back his sleeves as he began to write, "Alright."