Fifth year Lily Evans sat alone in the Gryffindor common room, working on her transfiguration homework. She sighed heavily. Charms was the subject that just came to her naturally. Transfiguration was just Vile. Lily chucked the book across the room in a small fit of frustration.
"Hey!" James Potter called indignantly, walking into the common room, "What's the big idea? Trying to murder me with a…" he stopped to grab the book, reading the title, "Transfiguration book?"
Lily gave him a look and snatched her book from him.
"Oh bugger off," she laughed. He sat down, bored.
"Look, if you're really having trouble, I could help you… Transfiguration is sort of my subject." He yawned, propping his feet up on the table.
"Could you? I mean, are you serious? Well, of course you're not Sirius, but you'll help me?"
"I said it didn't I?" he smiled.
"You also said that I had to run between platforms eight and nine to get on to the train that first year…"
James grinned. "What can I say… you were gullible."
"Well, you were just evil!" she giggled. "I can't believe someone could be so mean!"
"Well, I can't believe you actually believed me! So, what do you say, need some help?"
"Alright," she warned, "But I'm a hopeless case…"
"Nah, not hopeless, a bit dense maybe, but not hopeless… You just need the right teacher, that's all. Now, start by clearing your mind of everything. Close your eyes and count to ten slowly… good. Now, try it again." He handed her her wand and motioned to the chair she was attempting to turn into a turkey.
With a deep breath she waved her wand, hoping… praying…
"Damn!" she swore, chucking the book across the room again. James was quick to duck as it whizzed over his head.
James shook with silent laughter. Red-heads… "You probably didn't clear your mind… or you weren't concentrating properly."
"And another thing, Lily dear, you can't just get mad and chunk things when something doesn't go your way…"
"And why not?" Lily asked indignantly. "And did you just call me dear?"
"Uh, let's just forget I said that, shall we?" He glanced out the window at the frozen lake for a moment, and then returned his gaze to Lily, "Do you want to go ice skating or something… I mean, it beats staying in the common room studying your winter vacation away…"
"I'll go get my skates!" she smiled, hurrying up to her dormitory. She returned later carrying a pair of pink ice skates.
"Nice skates…" he raised an eyebrow, holding an old pair of his own.
She grinned.
"Race ya to the lake!" she called over her shoulder, running out of the common room.
"HEY! You got a head start! No fair!" he whined, chasing her out of the room and laughing.
