Part Four

"What the hell are you going to do, Remus Lupin?!" James said.

"Well… you're not ACTUALLY going to save her life. We're just going to make her THINK she's in danger. Peter here, is going to kidnap her in the dead of night-"

"LEAVE ME OUT OF THIS LUPIN!" Peter said, jumping him and rolling down the hill on top of him, punching him.

"HEY! OWW! LEAVE ME ALONE! PETER, GET OFF OF ME!" Remus screamed.

"WILL YOU TWO STOP IT WITH THE MALFOY/SNAPE IMPRESSIONS!" Sirius and James yelled at them at the same time.

They stop fighting immediately and stood up.

"Now THAT'S better." James said. "Anyway, REMUS, NO."

"Why NOT?!" Remus whined. "It MIGHT just get you that date."

"Do I look like I care?" James said in a monotone.

"No." Remus said, and then paused. "But that's not the point. If Lily's in ANY kind of trouble, I know you, old buddy old pal. You'll go running in with no plan getting us shot at with all kinds of hexes coming from evil wizards and get Peter here turned into a toad again."

Peter cringed, and closed his eyes. "I thought we agreed we wouldn't talk about that EVER again."

"Sorry." Remus said.

"Look… just pretend like you don't know anything about this, and we'll come in and tell you when Lily's in trouble."

James shrugged and walked toward the Quidditch field. He and Sirius had to practice. The Quidditch match against Slytherin was coming up that weekend and if they won, they might just have a chance at the Quidditch Cup.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Hey, Lily. Narcissa." James said, walking into the Great Hall. The ceiling above was growing darker and the stars were just becoming visible. It was Saturday, so a lot of the students were in the Hall playing wizard chess and talking.

Narcissa looked up from her book and smiled. "Hello James."

Lily nodded to acknowledge his presence.

"Lily… I was wondering… do you have a date to the winter dance?" James asked. "And PLEASE don't turn Peter into a toad this time. I really want to go with you."

Lily gave him a look, closed her book with a slam and grabbed her bag, walking back toward the Gryffindor common room without another word.

"What the heck is the MATTER with her!?" James said, exhasperated and sat down next to Narcissa. "I really like her, but she keeps blowing me off!"

Narcissa shook her head, slowly. "James… she likes you a LOT, but she doesn't think you really do. She thinks you're just asking her on a dare from Sirius and Remus or something. You're the most popular boy in school."

"So? She's really pretty, and… sweet, and smart, and nice…" James trailed off.

"Don't get all soft and sappy on me, James Potter."

"Sorry." He said. "But what can I do? She doesn't believe me that I really like her."

Narcissa shrugged. "Well, I've got to go. I told Professor McGonnagall I'd get this essay to her by this afternoon."

"YOU, turning an essay in late?" James said. "WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?!"