Well

Well, hullo there. It's me again and this is my third fic. Hmm, okee dokee, please inform me if something doesn't make sense, I have the memory of a fruit fly (I highly doubt that that is an actual saying, but as a fruit fly lives for a day, and my memory sucks...). Yeah, and I do believe that I forgot to put in a disclaimer last time, but no one complained, thanks, I was very worried. Yeah, so, nothing is mine, it is all JKR's. Oh, and please don't ask about the mythological names (actually today I chose a Shakespearean name), I just wanted something interesting, and I had to steal it 'cause I'm not creative in the slightest.

I'm terribly sorry that this took forever and a day, but I actually had most of it written since the beginning of December, but I've suffered from writers block and bad self-confidence, and I actually wrote the ending four different times. Sorry, well, without further ado...

The Outsider: Chapter Three

"Hey there Lily!"

Lily looked down to see James Potter standing below her and almost fell off her broom.

James laughed. "I should have known. Little Miss Perfect practising for her own one woman quidditch team. Too good for us Gryffindors, eh Evans? If you didn't happen to be you, I might ask you to try out this year, but we want to beat the other team, not each other."

Lily frowned and landed perfectly beside him as he continued. "Still, I am pretty desperate. What do ya say?"

"Oh, I'd l-uhh-ve to, dahling James, but do to the unfortunate fact that you're the captain, I'm afraid I can't."

"Ooh, is little lady Lily scared to finally be beaten at something? I thought you had more guts than that, but as you're a girl--"

"Fine then, I will. I'm glad to see that you are willing to put your position as the *star* captain in jeopardy. I will see you next Wednesday."

Hmm, very interesting, James said to himself amusedly, she already knew the day of the tryouts and I didn't even have to tell her. Maybe we'll have a chance at the quidditch cup this year.

As Lily stormed off, she forgot about her planned visit to Hagrid. She climbed up to Gryffindor tower, hoping to sit down with a good book in the common room.

But her plans were not to happen. As soon as the Fat Lady's portrait swung open, she was met by a whimpering Peter.

"L-l-lily", he stammered, "can we start the tutoring now?"

"Fine", she sighed, "let's sit down and start."

They settled down, but as Lily opened Peter's Charms textbook, Sirius Black bounced into the room, nearly stepping on Lily's big toe. As she scowled, he said, "Hey there hot stuff, and you too, Wormtail old boy. Betcha each two galleons that Snape will have fuchsia hair at breakfast tomorrow." He laughed evilly, then bounded away to harass another group of innocent workers.

***

It was a good thing that they had not bet him, because Severus Snape, a greasy fifth year, did have fuchsia hair the next morning. And, as always, he was livid. Snape stamped up to the Gryffindor table and started yelling at the usual suspects, though feebly in comparison to Sirius' booming laugh, James' charming chuckle (quite a few of the young women turned to look at him adoringly), and Remus' snickering. Peter just looked down at his twitching hands, annoyed that he'd not been included in this prank.

***

Classes that week remained uneventful, if you don't count Lily demonstrating her perfect acroama (singing) charm in front of the entire class and Severus' now matching fuchsia face whenever he passed a group of students. Anyways, Lily, so proud with her success in her favourite class, began to be a tad careless in her giddiness. Several younger students were known to have arrived late for class, singing such muggle favorites as "Dancing Queen", "Respect", and "Build me up Buttercup".

The quidditch tryouts approached, and Lily was beginning to become regretful of her promise to James. But not being one to give up, when she arrived at the quidditch pitch Wednesday evening, she had the aura (A/N always wanted to use that word) of someone who was very self-confident.

She had had several internal debates throughout the past week on what position to play, and although she knew that James was also one, she decided to become a Chaser.

When James looked with despair at the quidditch hopefuls, he began to regret his thoughts that Gryffindor would finally win the cup once again. There is some promise in that Lysander Quayle, but I don't know if he can work with Padfoot as a beater. James sighed. His worst fears had been confirmed. Lily Evans was one of the few good enough for the team. As if I don't see her enough in class.

Lily felt the wind rush through her hair and almost forgot that half of the Gryffindors were watching her. Suddenly aware of a certain quidditch captain below her, Lily suddenly braked and gracefully floated to the ground. She sighed. Why am I doing this? I should have just ignored him. Damnit! Climbing off her broom, she walked over to where James was standing.

"Alright James, I really don't know why I'm telling you this, but, I don't know what I'm doing here. Okay, okay, I don't have the guts to try out. I really don't want to be here, and I know you don't want me on the team. So bye."

"Wait Lily."

"What?"

"Well, damnit, you probably realize that it is very difficult for me to say this, but I honestly think that you should stay and try out. You know that I would never complement you on your flying unless I really meant it, and well, you have got to be one of the best flyers here right now."

"Okay, right. you have got to be kidding."

"Honestly Lily, you have no self confidence. YOU'RE THE BEST DAMN FLYER HERE! Get it, got it, good. Now, please act your age and just believe me."

Lily laughed, and then stifled her giggles. "Well, that it kinda funny, coming from you. Fine, but if I'm so good can't I just go now, please?"

"Fine, but I'll see you at practice on Saturday." James resisted the urge to groan.

"Right, okay, see you then. Bye!" Lily gave a little wave.

James slowly turned around and walked back to where a couple of second years trying to escape from a particularly violent bludger. He ignored their cries of thanks as he grabbed it with one hand and effortlessly threw it back into the crate with the other quidditch balls.

As fat raindrops started to drop from the sky, James called for everyone to go back inside. He dragged his feet up to the Common Room and collapsed in a lonely armchair away from the fire where Sirius was filling in Peter and Remus on the events of the tryout.

*****

That's the end for now, and I honestly promise that I will try to get the next installment out as soon as possible. I'm gonna try and make it longer too. Thanks for reading, and do you see that little box right under this paragraph? Yes? Good. Please review. I hope you know how, but, if you don't, you can email me at smiles_n_chuckles99@yahoo.com for instructions. Please also email me if you have any wonderful ideas, or of course you can just write them in with your review. I'll love you forever!