James noticed a mayhem in the Great Hall during Lunch. He didn't understand what was going on, as he settled in the bench. Turning to his friends, he asked, "What's going on?" A grin forming on his face.

"Peter charmed the utensils," said Remus, pointing towards the dancing utensils. The first and second-year students were struggling to grab their spoons and fork.

Peter looked satisfied, as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. His wand hidden under his hand. He had a smug smile playing on his lips.

James inched closer to Peter. "Could you charm one fork to stab Snivellus?" he asked, raising his brows.

"Yes, why don't you scoop his eye out with the spoon Prongs?" Sirius questioned back, rolling his eyes.

James ignored Sirius, as he asked Peter, "Just the first and second-year students?"

Peter nodded fervently, the grin on his face grew bigger by the second.

"Brilliant!" exclaimed James, serving himself mashed potatoes. He looked around to check what else was served for Lunch.

Sirius looked over James's shoulder, his eyes fixed on the Slytherin table. The smirk on his face told a story of its own. "I have something that might cheer you up," he whispered.

Digging his hand into the pocket of his robe, he pulled something out. Extending his hand towards James, he opened his palm.

Scrunching up his nose, James narrowed his eyes. "Why do you have Flabberworms in your pocket?!" cried James, his brows lowered.

Sirius shoved the flabberworm back in his pocket. Wiping his hand off with the hem of his robe. "How about we let one or two slip in Snivellus's shirt during Divination?" asked Sirius, with a shrug.

James gave a crooked smile, cocking his head. He asked, "How about all of them?"

Sirius snorted, shaking his head. "We'll start off easy."

"Potter," a voice startled James. He saw it in his friends' faces, the look of stunned surprise.

James looked over his shoulder, and his heart leaped out of his chest. Evans was talking to him? "Hello Evans," he said, blinking. He rumpled his hair, and a grin spread on his face.

He noticed the way she fidgeted with her fingers, and the way her friends remained by her side. James cocked his head, waiting for her to continue. "I want to say that I'm sorry what I said about the thing that happened with Severus."

From the corner of his eyes, James saw Sirius's slacked jaw turn into a grin. "Not a problem," said James, shaking his head. It felt like ages ago. And Evans didn't know what had happened. Her loyalty was one of her best traits. That and her ability to see good in others, even someone as bad as Snivellus. He didn't blame her.

"And your leg?"

"All good."

"Alright," whispered Evans, rushing off with her friends. James stared off at where she had disappeared, with the biggest grin on his face. He almost forgot about the prank they were planning on Snivellus minutes ago.

Professor Fernsby's class was interesting. When he taught something new! He had a habit of focusing on revising. A way to make sure students don't forget what they learnt after one year.

James placed his chin on his palm, his elbow resting on the table. At least it was more interesting than Professor Binns's class.

"Today we'll be diving deeper into Palmistry," said Professor Fernsby, as he padded across the classroom. "But before that, let's revise what we know about it so far."

James looked at Sirius from the corner of his eye. He whispered from between his teeth, "We're in fifth year, one would assume we ought to learn more than this!"

Sirius gave a small nod, pursing his lips. "Maybe if one us could say the other has to die this crap would stop."

"Say that I'll die in – four years," mumbled James, blocking out what Professor Fernsby was going on and on about. "Hopefully we'll be free then."

"At 21?" snorted Sirius, looking at James now. His eyes flickered towards Evans, as he whispered, "Or what if I say you will marry Evans?"

'Marry Evans?' thought James, his brain stuttered for a moment. The possibility of it send waves of excitement across James's body. He hid his red ears with his hands. "What if I drown you in tea leaves?"

Sirius dropped his head on the table with a thud. The tea cups sitting on the table clattered. He whispered, "There are so many interesting things in Divination but we're stuck looking at hands!"

"What body part would you rather look at?" asked James, a smirk forming on his lips. He bit his lower lip, as Professor Fernsby stepped closer to their table.

"Do you really want to know Prongs?" asked Sirius, turning his face towards James. His head still rested on the table.

James gave a sharp shook, as he whispered, "Something tells me I shouldn't." Knowing Sirius, it would not be something innocent.

"It starts with a –" started Sirius anyway.

"Mister Black and Mister Potter," said Professor Fernsby, fixing his eyes on the boys. He stopped in front of their table; his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Yes Professor?" asked Sirius, peeling himself off the table. He didn't conceal the boredom on his face.

"Would you like to share what you're talking about with everyone?"

"Once I read his palm properly I would," replied Sirius, pointing towards James.

A few students in the class let out a chuckle. James too stifled back a laugh, especially when Sirius gave Professor Fernsby a cheeky grin.

Professor Fernsby shook his head, turning away from the duo. "Pair up then," instructed Professor Fernsby. He pointed his wand back and forth between students sitting together.

There was loud buzzing in the classroom, but James heard Evans's voice loud and clear. Her fingertips gazed across Snivellus's palm, as she said, "Sorry Severus, you're stuck with me."

James wanted to stab his wand in his eyes. His eyes narrowed to slits, as Snivellus's ear turned pink. "Let me shove the Flabberworms somewhere other than his shirt!"

"Calm down," said Sirius, patting James's clenched fists resting on the table.

Professor Fernsby turned his attention back to James and Sirius. Craning his neck, he set his sight on the boys, asking, "What are you two lads doing?"

James let out a loud sigh. Placing his hand in front of Sirius, palm up. "Here," he said, pulling Sirius's hand close to himself.

"You have a short life line," said Sirius, pointing towards James's palm.

James scrutinized Sirius's palm. His head cocking to one side, he focused on Sirius's life line too. "You do too!" exclaimed James, his mouth agape.

"Do I?" asked Sirius, a frown settling on his lips.

"Look!" pointed James towards Sirius's life line.

The boys pulled their hands back. Fixing their eyes on their own palms. James pursed his lips, his brows furrowed. "Mine's shorter than yours," he mumbled.

"Maybe we'll die at 60," said Sirius with a shrug.

James nodded fervently in agreement, "That seems short."

Sirius looked around the classroom. "No one is looking," whispered Sirius, pulling out Flabberworms from the pocket of his robe. He placed some on the desk.

James inched away from the desk, his nose crinkled. He felt a swirl of nausea settling in his stomach, watching Sirius handle them without a problem in the world. "How can you keep them in your pocket?"

"Ready?" asked Sirius, pulling out his wand.

James too pulled out his wand. They pointed the tip of their wands towards the Flabberworms. The worms hovered in the air behind Snivellus's head, before making their way inside his shirt, making him jump.

"What happened?" asked Evans, cocking her head to one side.

Snivellus shook his head, as he said, "Nothing." He gestured her to continue reading his palm.

Once Evans was engaged in the book lying in front of her, Snivellus's free hand made its way to his back. He scratched his back, arching it.

James almost gagged thinking what he must have done to the Flabberworms.

"Forgot to take a bath again Snivellus?" asked Sirius, inching closer to Evans and Snivellus's desk.

"Shut your mouth," muttered Snivellus, his mean eyes glaring at Sirius.

Sirius scoffed, sinking back in his chair. Tipping his chair back, he waited for someone to noticed the Flabberworms making its way up Snivellus's collar.

"What is that?!" a student bellowed, making Sirius snort.

"Flabberworms!" someone had pointed out before the class erupted into screeches.

Evans too jumped out of her seat, away from Snivellus. She had knocked over the tea cups sitting on their desk, as well as her books.

Snivellus was clawing at his back, turning his head in every direction to get a look of his back.

Professor Fernsby called for the class's attention. "Silence!" He walked over to Snivellus, avoiding his flailing arms. "Mister Snape," said Professor Fernsby, inching away from Snivellus. "Let me help you."

Once Professor Fernsby had managed to help Snivellus, his face was flushed with anger. "I must impress on every one of you the seriousness of the situation," said Professor Fernsby in a stern voice. His grey brows furrowed, and lips set in a straight line. "Bullying of any sort isn't tolerated."

"Like he doesn't do it," whispered Sirius, jerking his head in Snivellus's direction.

"I will let this slip, only this once," Professor Fernsby continued, his piercing gaze scanning the class. "If I catch anyone…"

James had already stopped listening, rolling his eyes. He flipped through the pages of his Divination book. His chin resting on his hand.

"It was you!" hissed Snivellus, looking over his shoulder.

Though Evans was hearing the conversation, she did not intervene. Keeping his eyes fixed on Professor Fernsby, she let out a sigh.

"Have you lost your mind?" asked James, his head snapping up. He gritted his teeth, as he continued. "Where would we get Flabberworms from in the middle of the class?"

"Mark my words Potter –" said Snivellus, turning around, " – next time it won't just be –"

"One of your nasty spells?" scoffed James, raising his brows. He locked eyes with Snivellus. "Which you used to take my leg off?"

"You've no idea what's coming for you Snivellus," warned Sirius from between his teeth. "Watch your back."

Snivellus looked away first, though he was trembling. The muscles in his jaw bunched.

"We'll be working on dream interpretation for the next week," Professor Fernsby was now talking about next week's class. "Now, those who cannot remember your dreams, I suggest you maintain a dream diary."

"Merlin's beard!" complained Sirius, springing out of his seat like the rest of the students. "When will we get to the good part?"

Professor Fernsby's voice was almost inaudible with the buzzing class. "That's all for today, class dismissed."

James too collected his books, ignoring his stomach tightening. His hands balled in fists, he spoke through his teeth, "Dream interpretation?" Pulling the strap of his bag over his shoulder, he marched out of the classroom. "What's that supposed to tell us anyway?"

"We'll just cook up random dreams," said Sirius, shrugging. "Let's go find Remus and Peter."

By the time the boys reached the common room, James had calmed down. The casual bounce in his step had returned. He was grinning, and rumpling up his hair as usual.

James and Sirius plopped down beside Remus on the couch. Remus was talking to Frank Longbottom. "Hello mate," Sirius greeted Frank with a grin. The boys fell into an easy conversation.

"Where's Wormtail?" asked James, dropping his bag near his feet.

"Professor Kettleburn caught Wormtail talking about his prank this afternoon," started Remus, shaking his head. "He's serving detentions."

James grinned from ear to ear, "What's he doing?" he asked. Stretching out his legs, he wondered if Peter was going to cry after his detention.

"For one, finding the 26 spoons that ran away," chuckled Remus, as if remembering something hilarious. "And then writing lines."

James tried to imagine Peter running after spoons, it made him snort. "Poor Wormtail," said James, raising his brows.

"How did your prank go?" asked Remus in a low voice.

"It was so satisfactory," replied James, letting out a sigh of relief. "But I'm not done with Snivellus yet."

"When are you?" scoffed Remus, raising his brows.

James stood slumped against the wall opposite the classroom door. The Ancient Runes class had ended a few minutes ago. The students were swamping out with their friends.

James grinned, straightening up. Evans walked out of the classroom alone. "Alright Evans?" he couldn't help but let it slip. He rumpled his hair, without dropping the grin.

Evans looked at him from the corner of her eyes, but she moved ahead without a word.

"She ignored you – as always," noted Sirius, pointing towards Evans.

James shook his head. "I left her speechless – as always," he said, a crooked smile playing on his lips.

Sirius let out a loud sigh, averting his wide eyes to the ground. He shook his head. "There's Wormtail," he said, once he looked up again.

Peter jogged up to them, grinning, "Where you waiting for Evans?"

"Yes," said James, as he draped his arm around Peter's shoulder. "But we were also waiting for you."

"I already told you, Bertram isn't even looking in my direction," assured Peter, grinning. "You don't have to worry."

"Cut him some slack," said Sirius, rolling his eyes. "You're a perfect excuse for him to sit outside Evans's class like a fool."

Peter scoffed, shaking his head, "He's been doing it for weeks now."

"I've a surprise planned for her," beamed James, looking back and forth between his friends. "I've worked on it for a long time."

Peter's mouth formed an O shape. "Her birthday was last week."

James held out his index finger, shaking it, "For Valentine's day."

"Valentine's day?" snickered Sirius, crinkling his nose. "Don't you have something better to do?"

"Like what?" asked James, rolling his eyes.

"Prepare for the full moon that is on the next day?" Sirius questioned back, raising his brows.

James gave a small shrug, as he said, "We're prepared."

"Please say that you aren't going to embarrass her in front of the whole school again," mumbled Peter, a frown settling on his lips.

"No."

Valentine's day rolled up at last. James was pacing around his room, waiting for Peter and Sirius. They had left half an hour ago to take a bath. He needed to get to the Great Hall.

The door of their dormitory opened, and the boys walked in. Sirius tossed another red rose in the pile of red roses on his desk.

"Another one?" asked James, grinning.

Sirius was trying to comb his wet hair with his fingers. "Wormtail's got one too," replied Sirius, pointing his finger towards Peter.

Peter clenched onto the red rose and chocolate box in his hand. He had a shy smile, and a hint of pink on his cheeks.

James skipped across the room, his grin growing. "Who gave it to you?" he asked.

"Emilia Jones," squeaked Peter, biting back his smile. She was a beautiful fifth year Hufflepuff. James had no idea she fancied Peter!

"It's maddening out there," remarked Sirius, shaking his head.

The door opened once again, and Remus made his way inside without a sound. He too had a rose and a large chocolate in his hand. He placed it on his bed in a nonchalant manner.

"Moony!" gasped James, his eyes widening. His jaw hit the floor, looking at the way Remus was behaving.

"What?" asked Remus, collecting his books, and shoving them in his bag.

James recomposed his face. "Is that a rose?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Sirius's head whipped in Remus's direction. He too had his jaw hanging open.

Remus pinched the bridge of his nose as he replied, "Yes."

"And?" asked Sirius, raising his brows. He padded across the room to Remus's desk.

Remus shrugged, hanging the strap of his bag across his shoulder. "And nothing."

"Who gave it to you?" asked James, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Eve Ross."

"Jane's best friend?!" yelped Sirius, looking back and forth between Remus and James.

James shifted from one foot to another. It wasn't that big of a deal. Jane and he ended on good terms.

Remus gave a firm nod. "Can we go have breakfast now?"

Sirius was right, it was maddening. Everyone was giving each other roses and gifts. The corridors were crowded. People were snogging each other in every corner.

James himself received more than a dozen roses. "Happy Valentine's Day!" everyone who gave him a rose wished him. The chocolates he passed on to Peter and Remus. They both loved chocolates.

He couldn't care less about what was going on. His eyes kept scanning the Great Hall for Evans. He ran his hand over his robe. He could feel the rose resting in the inside pocket of it.

Sirius filled his plate with everything in his sight as he mumbled, "I told you it's maddening."

Remus paused filling his plate, as he looked at James. "What are you smiling about?" asked Remus, raising one of his brows.

"My surprise for Evans."

"Look at the roses in his hand and he is still thinking about Evans," scoffed Sirius, shaking his head.

"What is the surprise anyway?" asked Peter, looking over at James.

"You'll find out."

After 15 more minutes, Evans and her friends arrived in the Great Hall. She had a handful of roses in her hand. James felt a pang of jealousy, but shook the thought away. His surprise was far superior than a simple rose. He had nothing to worry about.

He had thought of every possible reaction but this! Evans didn't spare a glance in his direction. So, at first, he thought his surprise never reached her. He broke out a cold sweat. He almost sprang out of his seat to find his owl.

But then, her friends glared at James, before rushing after Evans.

"Why are they looking at you like that?" whispered Peter, jerking his head in Evans's friends' direction.

"I don't know," mumbled James, cocking his head to one side.

Remus let out a loud sigh, placing his fork down. "Tell us what did you do?"

James tore his eyes away from Evans as he replied, "I sent her a box of chocolates, and a letter."

"What was in the letter?" asked Sirius, his face turning pale.

"A spell."

"What kind of spell?" asked Remus, his eyes widening. He looked at Evans, as if looking for some malfunctioning that might have caused changes in her or her appearance.

"When she'd opened it, fireworks would spell out 'Happy Valentine's Day'," mumbled James, his fingers picking at the toast resting on his plate.

Peter's brows furrowed, as he nibbled on his toast. "That's not too bad."

"I reckon her bed caught fire," mumbled Sirius, raising his brows. There was a smirk forming on his lips.

James eyes grew the size of a saucer. "Is that possible?" he yelped, looking at Remus.

Remus on the other hand, was occupied by his breakfast now.

James waited for Evans to finish her breakfast. He couldn't eat himself. There was an uneasy feeling swirling in his stomach. He didn't dare look at her directly. He could help replace everything his spell burnt. He would ask how could he pay back. 'You had to get one thing right!' he scolded himself.

When Evans decided to leave the Great Hall, James was on his feet at once.

"Evans," he called out, sprinting after her. "Hey Evans!"

Evans stopped dead in her tracks. Turning around, she spat out, "What Potter?"

"Is your bed alright?" mumbled James. His lips had turned upside down in a small frown.

"What?" asked Evans, cocking her head to one side.

He mentally slapped himself. "Did you get my – my –" stuttered James, looking at her from under his lashes.

"Your chocolates and letter?" asked Evans, resting her hands on her hips. She let out an exasperated sigh, "Yes."

"And?" asked James, his eyes glistening with hope. If she hadn't hexed him yet, maybe it wasn't that bad. It was progress for sure.

"Thanks," started Evans, her face remained stoic.

James beamed, pulling out the rose from the inner pocket of his robe. Before he could offer it to her, however, she ripped his heart out.

Eyeing the rose, Evans completed, "For not embarrassing me in front of the whole school."

James lowered his hand, the smile disappearing from his face. He could hear some students around them gasping, but his eyes remained fixed on Evans. His eyes then drifted towards the roses in her hand. She didn't seem to mind them! He wondered if she was holding the one Snivellus gave her.

"I'm not going out with you Potter."

"Why?!"

"Because I don't want to!"

James scoffed, rolling his eyes, "You give Snivellus a chance even though he is pathetic."

"He doesn't bully people."

"Are you blind?" asked James, his face crinkled. She didn't actually believe that? James's hands were shaking with rage, eyes locked with Evans.

"What's your problem Potter?" asked Evans, cocking her head. "Why don't you go and ask someone else out?" she pointed towards the students who were looking at them.

The students scattered away like ants being trampled on. But James couldn't care less.

His brows furrowed; James pushed out his lower lip in a pout. "Why won't you give me a chance?" James beamed, "I might surprise you."

"I already told you," hissed Evans, glaring at James. "Are you deaf?" she turned on her heels, marching away.

James returned to his friends, keeping his eyes on the floor. His vision was already blinded by his tears. He sat on the bench with a thump, biting his quivering lower lip. Evans must think he has no feelings at all, to reject him like that.

"What happened?" asked Peter, looking up from the plate in front of him.

James gritted his teeth, clenching onto the rose in his hand. He began picking on its petals mercilessly. He could feel a dull ache behind his temple, a lump forming at the back of his throat.

"Hey, hey, hey!" yelped Sirius, snatching the flower from James. "What did the flower do?"

James blinked away the tears, his chin resting on his hand. "This is a stupid day anyway."

James fixed the buttons on his shirt, rumpling his hair. He picked out the leaves stuck there. It was time for them to hide. He had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, he had to get back to the castle.

"Wasn't that amazing?" asked Sirius, as he appeared from behind the trees, fixing his trousers.

"It really was," agreed Peter, grinning from ear to ear.

The boys had managed to leave the Shrieking Shack at last. Roaming around the school ground with Remus was unbelievable. With them in their animagi form, Remus as a werewolf was tame. He didn't even scratch himself, he seemed to enjoy it!

"You're not as bad as you think you are," said James, patting Remus on the back.

Remus had settled down where he was supposed to meet Madam Pomfrey. He was tired but not hurt. That was a huge achievement.

Sirius crouched down in front of Remus. "Say it Moony," he said, beaming. "Say it."

"It was brilliant!" beamed Remus, his eyes glistening with a glassy layer of tears.

"We must leave now," announced James, picking up the invisibility cloak. He hung it over himself, opening it for his friends.

Sirius waved at Remus, as he said, "See you in a few hours."

"Alright," nodded Remus, slumping against the tree he was sitting against.

The boys reached their room without any problem. The map and the invisibility cloak made them invincible. With the whole school asleep, it was even easier.

"I can't wait until the next full moon!" exclaimed Sirius, plopping down on his bed. He stretched his limbs, letting out a groan.

James snickered, shaking his head, "I reckon Moony would not agree with you."

"He just doesn't see it the way we do," said Sirius, shrugging, as he laid down.

James folded the invisibility cloak, keeping it on the foot of his bed. "Maybe because he doesn't have a choice when it comes to turning like we do." He pulled out the map from the back pocket of his trouser.

"But isn't this brilliant?" asked Sirius, rolling around on his bed. "We can leave that small shack."

James nodded fervently, "It's wicked."

James locked his eyes on the map. He let out a sigh of relief when he found Evans in her dormitory. It seemed, like the rest of the people in the castle, she too was asleep. The uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach subdued. The whole time James was out of the castle, he couldn't help but think what must be going on with Evans. Snivellus liked to stalk her at night, and tonight she was alone.

"Tell me you're not doing what I think you're doing," cried Sirius, narrowing his eyes. He plopped himself up on his elbows.

"What?" asked James, putting the map away.

"The apex of our magical achievements," began Sirius, pointing towards the map. "and you use it to stalk Lily Evans."

James scoffed, looking at the map from the corner of his eyes, "I am not stalking her."

"He's stalking her stalker," giggled Peter, as he settled down on his bed.

"I'm keeping an eye on her," mumbled James, his eyes gliding over Evans resting in her room. "Especially when she was alone tonight."