Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Lily or the Marauders. I do own Andrew,
Aurora and Faith though.
A/N: Ok, so I normally write George/Alicia stories but I've always liked Lily/James so I figured I might as well try my hand at an L/J romance. Tell me if it's no good though and I'll stop with it.
I hope you enjoy it!
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Chapter 1
Lily Evans was walking hand-in-hand with her Hufflepuff boyfriend Andrew Thomas. The crowd parted around them as they wandered the corridors of Hogwarts. Highly regarded as the best couple in the school they were never seen without each other.
The couple were laughing and enjoying each other's company when a messy haired figure came running out of the nearby Charms classroom and collided with them.
Lily was shoved into the wall and Andrew slammed into her. She fell to the ground, winded and bruised. The culprit fell on top of her causing Lily to squeal.
"Get off me!"
"Evans?"
"Potter?"
"The one and only."
James Potter, renowned prankster and Quidditch hero, hoisted himself off his fellow Gryffindor sixth year. He brushed non-existent dust from his robes and offered his hand down to Lily.
"Get away from me, Potter," she ignored his hand and got to her feet by herself.
The crowd that had formed was watching the scene in silence. The animosity between Lily and James was well known to everyone at Hogwarts. The confrontation was bound to attract attention.
"Are you all right, Lily?" Andrew asked as he smoothed his hair back down.
"I'm fine, no thanks to him," Lily brushed her fiery red hair from her face.
"My apologies, Princess Lily," James bowed mockingly.
"Don't call me that," she huffed. Her piercing green eyes were fixed on the tall, black haired youth. Even the ever-confident James Potter faltered under her glare.
"Let's go, Lily," Andrew seized her hand and dragged her away from the scene.
"Prongs, buddy, what happened?" Sirius Black emerged from the Charms classroom. A large cloud of blue smoke followed him.
"I ran into Lily Evans. Literally."
"Little-miss-perfect Evans?"
"Yeah. Her and that idiotic boyfriend of hers. They walk around like they own the school," James said bitterly.
"I believe there are more pressing matters at hand," a voice emerged from the smoke filled room.
"Yes, Moony, I'm going to get the instructions now," James waved away some of the smoke.
"Hurry up! The smoke is filling the room!" Peter Pettigrew squeaked urgently.
"Calm down, Wormtail," James sighed and ran up to Gryffindor Tower.
When he reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Lily and Andrew were snogging beside the entrance. They remained oblivious to James till he spoke.
"Get a room, will you? I would prefer it if my lunch stayed in my stomach."
The pair separated abruptly and Lily turned furiously on James. Her delicate features were flushed red in anger. James, knowing he'd pushed her far enough, muttered the password and dove through the portrait hole.
He bounded up the stairs two at a time and burst into the sixth year boys' dorm. James scrambled under his bed in search of the potion recipe. Tucking it into his pocket, he hurried back downstairs but found his way blocked by Lily.
"Look here, Potter," she jabbed her finger into his chest, "I don't know what your problem is but I want you to stop pestering me."
"My problem is that you're a spoilt brat. Now get out of my way."
"A spoilt brat? You're a cocky, immature prat!"
"Snob!"
"Egomaniac!"
"Well, Princess Lily, I'd love to stay here and trade insults but I have to go sort out a wayward potion," James attempted to leave but she stepped into his path.
"You're not going anywhere till you've apologised to me!"
"I have nothing to apologise about. Now if you don't get out of the way I'll move you myself."
"You wouldn't dare," she said through gritted teeth.
"Wouldn't I?" James grabbed her around the waist, lifted her up and spun around.
"POTTER! Get your filthy hands off me!"
"With pleasure," James said as he left the Gryffindor common room.
Lily stomped her foot and scared a first year who had been cowering in her seat when the argument began. James Potter was just so…infuriating. Him and his prankster friends had been the bane of Lily's life since first year.
She had a quick redheaded temper and because of it she found herself the victim of Marauders pranks more often then not. The way she reacted only added to the joke for them.
The portrait opened and Lily clenched her fists in preparation. But it wasn't James this time. Her two best friends Aurora and Faith entered looking very concerned.
"Lil! We heard that you had a run in with James Potter," Faith said.
Faith was a caring type who always saw the best in people. She was short, had blonde hair and deep brown eyes. Faith had been dating Remus Lupin for six months, much to Lily's dismay.
"News travels fast in this place," Lily said simply.
"Well, I hope you hit him," Aurora replied.
Aurora was less of a sensitive girl. Tall, with long black hair and blue eyes, she was one of the most desirable girls in the school. Not many guys were brave enough to approach her though, on a good day she'd been known to break the nose of a boy who was too forward. Like Lily, she shared a hatred of the Marauders. This was largely thanks to a prank they played on her in first year.
"I didn't actually hit him but I was very tempted," Lily folded her arms across her chest.
"Lucky you didn't, you don't want to ruin your chances of becoming the next Head Girl. Hitting boys won't look good for you," Faith said.
"You're right, Faith, I can't go losing my temper anymore. If I want to be Head Girl I have to learn to be more diplomatic."
"No offence, Lils, but diplomacy isn't your strong point."
"As long as I don't run into Potter again I think I'll be all right," Lily nodded.
***************
Back in the Charms classroom James and Sirius were urgently trying to discover why their potion was emitting smoke. But they couldn't find what they'd done wrong.
"We've got all the right ingredients. I don't understand what happened."
"Some one is going to notice the smoke soon," Peter worried.
"You really do worry to much. Give the parchment to me," Remus said.
James waved some of the smoke aside and vaguely made out the light brown haired boy. He handed the parchment to him. Remus had to hold it up to his face in order to read it.
"Did you add the leeches before the fluxweed, Wormtail?" Remus asked.
"Fluxweed?"
"You didn't add the fluxweed?" Sirius demanded.
"I forgot."
"I handed it to you though!"
"I just forgot to put it in," Peter blushed and pulled the fluxweed from his pocket.
Sirius snatched it from him and dropped the final ingredient into the cauldron. The blue smoke was instantly sucked back into the potion. The Marauders sighed in relief.
"Another crisis averted," Sirius wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand.
"Mr. Black?"
The Marauders turned to the door. A very stern looking Professor McGonagall was framed in the doorway. She had her arms folded and was tapping her foot impatiently. A bad sign for the boys.
"Good afternoon, Professor, we were just catching up on some of our Charms homework," James moved to block the cauldron.
"I was not born yesterday, Mr. Potter, step aside."
"Might I just say you're looking particularly ravishing today," James flashed his most innocent smile. He prided himself on his ability to sweet talk his way out of any situation. Well, almost any situation.
"Save your breath, Potter. Now, don't make me ask you again, step aside," she ordered, failing to succumb to his charm. She had to be one of the few females in Hogwarts who was able to do so.
James sighed and moved out of the way. The Professor peered into the cauldron to inspect the bubbling liquid.
"Charms homework you say? That looks like a potion to me. Would one of you care to explain why you are in here making mystery potions?"
James, Sirius and Remus remained silent. Peter shuffled his feet nervously. Sirius sent him a silent look. It clearly said, 'keep your mouth shut, or else.' Peter gulped but decided he'd rather face an angry McGonagall than an angry Sirius.
"Not going to talk then? Fine, detention for all of you tonight. Now, get back to Gryffindor Tower. I expect better behaviour from Prefects, Potter. You too, Lupin."
"Sorry," they both mumbled.
Totally dejected, the four boys trudged back to Gryffindor Tower. What had promised to be a brilliant prank would now eventuate to nothing.
"Why the sad faces?" the Fat Lady asked.
"We were making an itching potion to give to the Slytherins but Professor McGonagall caught us at it," Remus explained.
"Poor dears. Password, please."
"Turnip."
They entered the warm cozy common room. The Gryffindor students were enjoying their Saturday afternoon. There were several games of chess, Exploding Snap and Gobstones in progress.
"Talk about miss popularity," Sirius whispered.
James turned his attention to the back of the room where a group of 20 or so students were surrounding Lily. Her two close friends, Aurora and Faith, were with her as usual but the other students were just hangers on, eager to be seen in the company of Lily Evans.
"Gossiping about Andrew no doubt. Really, you think they'd find a better way to spend their afternoon," James shook his head as the boys sat on one of the large, comfy sofas.
"Jealous much, Prongsie?" Sirius teased.
"Jealous? Of Andrew Thomas? How dare you suggest such a thing, Padfoot. Jealous of a Hufflepuff? Certainly not. Jealous. Imagine that!"
"You're babbling," Remus pointed out.
"I am not. Your girl is coming over and if you don't want her to see you with a black eye I suggest you shut up."
"Good afternoon," Faith smiled.
"Hello, Ms. Stevens. Say, are there any positions left in Lovely Lily's fan club?"
"Must you be so nasty, James?" Faith asked as she settled herself in front of Remus.
"Must you always be the voice of reason?"
"Honestly, you and Lily are acting like such children," Faith rolled her eyes.
"I am not," James protested.
Lily's 'fan club' dispersed as she made her way over with Aurora and another sixth year girl, Lucy. Lily ignored James completely but greeted the other Marauders.
"You're looking particularly nice today, Rory," Sirius winked.
Aurora turned to him, "don't even bother, Black."
"I like girls who play hard to get," Sirius grinned. Easily the biggest flirt at Hogwarts, he had always been able to get any girl he wanted but Aurora Matheson was different. She was proving to be quite a challenge, luckily Sirius was always up for a challenge.
"You just don't give up do you?" Aurora narrowed her eyes.
"Not till I get what I want anyway."
"So, Evans, is there a joining fee for your fan club?" James smirked.
Blood began to rush to Lily's face. Expecting a vicious outburst, everyone fell silent. Even Aurora stopped telling Sirius to get lost. Faith gave Lily a significant look and she took a slow, deep breath.
"We have a Prefects meeting now," Lily said placidly.
James was a little shocked by her calmness. Lily, on the other hand, was very proud of herself, she gave James a small smile and walked away.
During the Prefects meeting James was watching Lily and Andrew. In fact, most of the Prefects were watching them. No one was paying much attention to the Head Boy and Girl, watching Lily and Andrew fight was much more interesting.
Apparently Andrew had said something negative about Lily's chances of becoming Head Girl. She had taken offence and had become rather worked up.
"I have a better chance than you!" she yelled. Since she couldn't lose her temper with James she had to vent her anger on someone else. Andrew just happened to be that poor someone.
"Come on, Lil, just look at my competition," Andrew gestured to the other five or so sixth year boys. "Who here has any chance of beating me?"
Lily surveyed the sixth year boys carefully; "Potter could beat you."
By now even the Head Boy and Girl were watching them argue. Everyone had gasped at Lily's suggestion. Potter beating Andrew?
"Well if that's what you think then maybe you should be his girlfriend!" Andrew stood up swiftly and stormed from the room.
The meeting continued without him. Lily had always been happy to offer her opinion but was subdued and sullen this time. James was watching her carefully. Full, pink lips pursed tightly, legs crossed firmly with her finger twirling a strand of her hair around. She was angry all right.
After the meeting ended, James and Remus were heading back to Gryffindor Tower.
"I really don't know why Lily puts up with that git," James announced, out of the blue.
"I assume you're referring to Andrew."
"Of course I'm referring to Andrew. I don't know what she sees in him. Lily deserves better."
"Now it all makes sense!" Remus stopped suddenly. "I don't know why I didn't see it earlier. It's so obvious!"
"What are you talking about, Moony?"
"You have a thing for Lily!"
"I most certainly do not have a 'thing' for Evans!" James insisted.
"James, my friend, you like Lily Evans!"
"All right. Keep your damn voice down. I've liked her for a while now but don't tell anyone, especially Padfoot."
"I won't breathe a word. Seriously though, I doubt you have a chance with her. Faith says it's their one year anniversary next week," Remus said.
"That's fine. I'm happy for this to stay unrequited," James lied.
***************
In order to avoid running into James, Lily was taking an alternate route back to Gryffindor. She was about half way there when two dark figures emerged from the shadows ahead of her.
"Good day, Lily."
"Oh, Severus, you startled me," Lily put her hand over her heart.
"How has your day been?"
"Fine, Lucius."
Lily was beginning to get a little uncomfortable. She'd never really had a problem with either of them but they were Slytherins after all. Now they were blocking her way.
"Fine? Lucius here tells me you had a fight with Andrew in the meeting."
"I did." Lily nodded. Lucius and his girlfriend Narcissa were the only Slytherin Prefects.
"If you ever need a shoulder to cry on. I'm here for you," Snape smiled. Actually it was more like a cross between a smirk and a sneer.
"Thanks for the offer but I'm fine. Really," Lily forced a smile.
"Glad to hear it. Look, Lily, rumour has it you're quite good at Astronomy."
"I guess so," she shrugged.
"Well, I'm failing horribly. I was hoping you'd help me out a bit. I'd really appreciate it," Snape gave another smirk/sneer.
"Uh, sure, I can help you," Lily said slowly.
"Splendid. How does eleven o'clock tonight sound?"
"Umm…"
"Great. I'll meet you in the Astronomy Tower at eleven sharp," Snape took her hand between his own. "I really do appreciate it."
Then as quickly as they had appeared, Snape and Malfoy dissolved back into the shadows. Lily, still a little dazed, shivered. She continued on, this time at a jog.
'Just incase,' she thought.
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A/N: So how did I go? I love feedback, Good and bad. Please don't flame though.
I'd like to assure everyone that I'm not giving up on Old Faces, New Tricks. I am merely writing another story in my spare time. It won't be that long though. Perhaps five chapters. We'll see how it goes anyway.
My first L/J story! Please review if you want me to continue.
A/N: Ok, so I normally write George/Alicia stories but I've always liked Lily/James so I figured I might as well try my hand at an L/J romance. Tell me if it's no good though and I'll stop with it.
I hope you enjoy it!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 1
Lily Evans was walking hand-in-hand with her Hufflepuff boyfriend Andrew Thomas. The crowd parted around them as they wandered the corridors of Hogwarts. Highly regarded as the best couple in the school they were never seen without each other.
The couple were laughing and enjoying each other's company when a messy haired figure came running out of the nearby Charms classroom and collided with them.
Lily was shoved into the wall and Andrew slammed into her. She fell to the ground, winded and bruised. The culprit fell on top of her causing Lily to squeal.
"Get off me!"
"Evans?"
"Potter?"
"The one and only."
James Potter, renowned prankster and Quidditch hero, hoisted himself off his fellow Gryffindor sixth year. He brushed non-existent dust from his robes and offered his hand down to Lily.
"Get away from me, Potter," she ignored his hand and got to her feet by herself.
The crowd that had formed was watching the scene in silence. The animosity between Lily and James was well known to everyone at Hogwarts. The confrontation was bound to attract attention.
"Are you all right, Lily?" Andrew asked as he smoothed his hair back down.
"I'm fine, no thanks to him," Lily brushed her fiery red hair from her face.
"My apologies, Princess Lily," James bowed mockingly.
"Don't call me that," she huffed. Her piercing green eyes were fixed on the tall, black haired youth. Even the ever-confident James Potter faltered under her glare.
"Let's go, Lily," Andrew seized her hand and dragged her away from the scene.
"Prongs, buddy, what happened?" Sirius Black emerged from the Charms classroom. A large cloud of blue smoke followed him.
"I ran into Lily Evans. Literally."
"Little-miss-perfect Evans?"
"Yeah. Her and that idiotic boyfriend of hers. They walk around like they own the school," James said bitterly.
"I believe there are more pressing matters at hand," a voice emerged from the smoke filled room.
"Yes, Moony, I'm going to get the instructions now," James waved away some of the smoke.
"Hurry up! The smoke is filling the room!" Peter Pettigrew squeaked urgently.
"Calm down, Wormtail," James sighed and ran up to Gryffindor Tower.
When he reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Lily and Andrew were snogging beside the entrance. They remained oblivious to James till he spoke.
"Get a room, will you? I would prefer it if my lunch stayed in my stomach."
The pair separated abruptly and Lily turned furiously on James. Her delicate features were flushed red in anger. James, knowing he'd pushed her far enough, muttered the password and dove through the portrait hole.
He bounded up the stairs two at a time and burst into the sixth year boys' dorm. James scrambled under his bed in search of the potion recipe. Tucking it into his pocket, he hurried back downstairs but found his way blocked by Lily.
"Look here, Potter," she jabbed her finger into his chest, "I don't know what your problem is but I want you to stop pestering me."
"My problem is that you're a spoilt brat. Now get out of my way."
"A spoilt brat? You're a cocky, immature prat!"
"Snob!"
"Egomaniac!"
"Well, Princess Lily, I'd love to stay here and trade insults but I have to go sort out a wayward potion," James attempted to leave but she stepped into his path.
"You're not going anywhere till you've apologised to me!"
"I have nothing to apologise about. Now if you don't get out of the way I'll move you myself."
"You wouldn't dare," she said through gritted teeth.
"Wouldn't I?" James grabbed her around the waist, lifted her up and spun around.
"POTTER! Get your filthy hands off me!"
"With pleasure," James said as he left the Gryffindor common room.
Lily stomped her foot and scared a first year who had been cowering in her seat when the argument began. James Potter was just so…infuriating. Him and his prankster friends had been the bane of Lily's life since first year.
She had a quick redheaded temper and because of it she found herself the victim of Marauders pranks more often then not. The way she reacted only added to the joke for them.
The portrait opened and Lily clenched her fists in preparation. But it wasn't James this time. Her two best friends Aurora and Faith entered looking very concerned.
"Lil! We heard that you had a run in with James Potter," Faith said.
Faith was a caring type who always saw the best in people. She was short, had blonde hair and deep brown eyes. Faith had been dating Remus Lupin for six months, much to Lily's dismay.
"News travels fast in this place," Lily said simply.
"Well, I hope you hit him," Aurora replied.
Aurora was less of a sensitive girl. Tall, with long black hair and blue eyes, she was one of the most desirable girls in the school. Not many guys were brave enough to approach her though, on a good day she'd been known to break the nose of a boy who was too forward. Like Lily, she shared a hatred of the Marauders. This was largely thanks to a prank they played on her in first year.
"I didn't actually hit him but I was very tempted," Lily folded her arms across her chest.
"Lucky you didn't, you don't want to ruin your chances of becoming the next Head Girl. Hitting boys won't look good for you," Faith said.
"You're right, Faith, I can't go losing my temper anymore. If I want to be Head Girl I have to learn to be more diplomatic."
"No offence, Lils, but diplomacy isn't your strong point."
"As long as I don't run into Potter again I think I'll be all right," Lily nodded.
***************
Back in the Charms classroom James and Sirius were urgently trying to discover why their potion was emitting smoke. But they couldn't find what they'd done wrong.
"We've got all the right ingredients. I don't understand what happened."
"Some one is going to notice the smoke soon," Peter worried.
"You really do worry to much. Give the parchment to me," Remus said.
James waved some of the smoke aside and vaguely made out the light brown haired boy. He handed the parchment to him. Remus had to hold it up to his face in order to read it.
"Did you add the leeches before the fluxweed, Wormtail?" Remus asked.
"Fluxweed?"
"You didn't add the fluxweed?" Sirius demanded.
"I forgot."
"I handed it to you though!"
"I just forgot to put it in," Peter blushed and pulled the fluxweed from his pocket.
Sirius snatched it from him and dropped the final ingredient into the cauldron. The blue smoke was instantly sucked back into the potion. The Marauders sighed in relief.
"Another crisis averted," Sirius wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand.
"Mr. Black?"
The Marauders turned to the door. A very stern looking Professor McGonagall was framed in the doorway. She had her arms folded and was tapping her foot impatiently. A bad sign for the boys.
"Good afternoon, Professor, we were just catching up on some of our Charms homework," James moved to block the cauldron.
"I was not born yesterday, Mr. Potter, step aside."
"Might I just say you're looking particularly ravishing today," James flashed his most innocent smile. He prided himself on his ability to sweet talk his way out of any situation. Well, almost any situation.
"Save your breath, Potter. Now, don't make me ask you again, step aside," she ordered, failing to succumb to his charm. She had to be one of the few females in Hogwarts who was able to do so.
James sighed and moved out of the way. The Professor peered into the cauldron to inspect the bubbling liquid.
"Charms homework you say? That looks like a potion to me. Would one of you care to explain why you are in here making mystery potions?"
James, Sirius and Remus remained silent. Peter shuffled his feet nervously. Sirius sent him a silent look. It clearly said, 'keep your mouth shut, or else.' Peter gulped but decided he'd rather face an angry McGonagall than an angry Sirius.
"Not going to talk then? Fine, detention for all of you tonight. Now, get back to Gryffindor Tower. I expect better behaviour from Prefects, Potter. You too, Lupin."
"Sorry," they both mumbled.
Totally dejected, the four boys trudged back to Gryffindor Tower. What had promised to be a brilliant prank would now eventuate to nothing.
"Why the sad faces?" the Fat Lady asked.
"We were making an itching potion to give to the Slytherins but Professor McGonagall caught us at it," Remus explained.
"Poor dears. Password, please."
"Turnip."
They entered the warm cozy common room. The Gryffindor students were enjoying their Saturday afternoon. There were several games of chess, Exploding Snap and Gobstones in progress.
"Talk about miss popularity," Sirius whispered.
James turned his attention to the back of the room where a group of 20 or so students were surrounding Lily. Her two close friends, Aurora and Faith, were with her as usual but the other students were just hangers on, eager to be seen in the company of Lily Evans.
"Gossiping about Andrew no doubt. Really, you think they'd find a better way to spend their afternoon," James shook his head as the boys sat on one of the large, comfy sofas.
"Jealous much, Prongsie?" Sirius teased.
"Jealous? Of Andrew Thomas? How dare you suggest such a thing, Padfoot. Jealous of a Hufflepuff? Certainly not. Jealous. Imagine that!"
"You're babbling," Remus pointed out.
"I am not. Your girl is coming over and if you don't want her to see you with a black eye I suggest you shut up."
"Good afternoon," Faith smiled.
"Hello, Ms. Stevens. Say, are there any positions left in Lovely Lily's fan club?"
"Must you be so nasty, James?" Faith asked as she settled herself in front of Remus.
"Must you always be the voice of reason?"
"Honestly, you and Lily are acting like such children," Faith rolled her eyes.
"I am not," James protested.
Lily's 'fan club' dispersed as she made her way over with Aurora and another sixth year girl, Lucy. Lily ignored James completely but greeted the other Marauders.
"You're looking particularly nice today, Rory," Sirius winked.
Aurora turned to him, "don't even bother, Black."
"I like girls who play hard to get," Sirius grinned. Easily the biggest flirt at Hogwarts, he had always been able to get any girl he wanted but Aurora Matheson was different. She was proving to be quite a challenge, luckily Sirius was always up for a challenge.
"You just don't give up do you?" Aurora narrowed her eyes.
"Not till I get what I want anyway."
"So, Evans, is there a joining fee for your fan club?" James smirked.
Blood began to rush to Lily's face. Expecting a vicious outburst, everyone fell silent. Even Aurora stopped telling Sirius to get lost. Faith gave Lily a significant look and she took a slow, deep breath.
"We have a Prefects meeting now," Lily said placidly.
James was a little shocked by her calmness. Lily, on the other hand, was very proud of herself, she gave James a small smile and walked away.
During the Prefects meeting James was watching Lily and Andrew. In fact, most of the Prefects were watching them. No one was paying much attention to the Head Boy and Girl, watching Lily and Andrew fight was much more interesting.
Apparently Andrew had said something negative about Lily's chances of becoming Head Girl. She had taken offence and had become rather worked up.
"I have a better chance than you!" she yelled. Since she couldn't lose her temper with James she had to vent her anger on someone else. Andrew just happened to be that poor someone.
"Come on, Lil, just look at my competition," Andrew gestured to the other five or so sixth year boys. "Who here has any chance of beating me?"
Lily surveyed the sixth year boys carefully; "Potter could beat you."
By now even the Head Boy and Girl were watching them argue. Everyone had gasped at Lily's suggestion. Potter beating Andrew?
"Well if that's what you think then maybe you should be his girlfriend!" Andrew stood up swiftly and stormed from the room.
The meeting continued without him. Lily had always been happy to offer her opinion but was subdued and sullen this time. James was watching her carefully. Full, pink lips pursed tightly, legs crossed firmly with her finger twirling a strand of her hair around. She was angry all right.
After the meeting ended, James and Remus were heading back to Gryffindor Tower.
"I really don't know why Lily puts up with that git," James announced, out of the blue.
"I assume you're referring to Andrew."
"Of course I'm referring to Andrew. I don't know what she sees in him. Lily deserves better."
"Now it all makes sense!" Remus stopped suddenly. "I don't know why I didn't see it earlier. It's so obvious!"
"What are you talking about, Moony?"
"You have a thing for Lily!"
"I most certainly do not have a 'thing' for Evans!" James insisted.
"James, my friend, you like Lily Evans!"
"All right. Keep your damn voice down. I've liked her for a while now but don't tell anyone, especially Padfoot."
"I won't breathe a word. Seriously though, I doubt you have a chance with her. Faith says it's their one year anniversary next week," Remus said.
"That's fine. I'm happy for this to stay unrequited," James lied.
***************
In order to avoid running into James, Lily was taking an alternate route back to Gryffindor. She was about half way there when two dark figures emerged from the shadows ahead of her.
"Good day, Lily."
"Oh, Severus, you startled me," Lily put her hand over her heart.
"How has your day been?"
"Fine, Lucius."
Lily was beginning to get a little uncomfortable. She'd never really had a problem with either of them but they were Slytherins after all. Now they were blocking her way.
"Fine? Lucius here tells me you had a fight with Andrew in the meeting."
"I did." Lily nodded. Lucius and his girlfriend Narcissa were the only Slytherin Prefects.
"If you ever need a shoulder to cry on. I'm here for you," Snape smiled. Actually it was more like a cross between a smirk and a sneer.
"Thanks for the offer but I'm fine. Really," Lily forced a smile.
"Glad to hear it. Look, Lily, rumour has it you're quite good at Astronomy."
"I guess so," she shrugged.
"Well, I'm failing horribly. I was hoping you'd help me out a bit. I'd really appreciate it," Snape gave another smirk/sneer.
"Uh, sure, I can help you," Lily said slowly.
"Splendid. How does eleven o'clock tonight sound?"
"Umm…"
"Great. I'll meet you in the Astronomy Tower at eleven sharp," Snape took her hand between his own. "I really do appreciate it."
Then as quickly as they had appeared, Snape and Malfoy dissolved back into the shadows. Lily, still a little dazed, shivered. She continued on, this time at a jog.
'Just incase,' she thought.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: So how did I go? I love feedback, Good and bad. Please don't flame though.
I'd like to assure everyone that I'm not giving up on Old Faces, New Tricks. I am merely writing another story in my spare time. It won't be that long though. Perhaps five chapters. We'll see how it goes anyway.
My first L/J story! Please review if you want me to continue.