James avoided Lily and Kelly and pretty much everyone else as best he could. It didn't take long for word to get out that both James Potter and Kelly Mitchell were free and single again. James had already been asked out by two seventh years, three sixth years and even a very brave fourth year. But not by the one he wanted.

Lily was happy again. And so was Freddie obviously. James spent most of his free time in the library, studying for the NEWTS (Nastily Exhasuting Wizard Tests) that were coming up at the end of the year.

"So this is where you've been hiding." James looked up from his books to find his three best friends sitting at his table.

"Oh, hey guys."

Sirius looked down at James' book. "Not even Christmas yet, and already you're studying for your NEWTS?"

"That is very wrong!" agreed Remus.

"This must mean you're bored," joined in Peter. "Bored, tired.or just hiding."

"Shove off, I'm not hiding from anything. It's never too early to be prepared."

Sirius put a hand on James' shoulder. "You never told us why you broke up with Kelly."

James looked surprised. Kelly had gone around telling everyone that she had broken up with him. He let her and went along with it; it was the least he could do. It wasn't as if he really cared about his reputation or anything like Kelly did. Sirius laughed. "Yeah, we know."

"Why would Kelly dump you?" asked Remus. "She'd been wanting you for years before you wanted her."

"But you don't want her anymore, obviously," noted Peter. "Wanna tell us why not?"

"Well, why should I?" James asked getting angry. He shook Sirius off.

Sirius smiled wryly. "Um, because, she was lovely?! She was beautiful and sexy and."

"So? She wasn't kind or generous. She was only going out with me because I'm James Potter. Anyway, she's not that beautiful. Not compared to.other people in this school." Sirius and James looked at each other, and Peter felt James' forehead. "Well, he doesn't feel hot. But there's definitely something wrong with him," Peter commented.

"Look, just leave me alone, ok?" James left his books on the table and walked out the library.

Sirius, Remus and Peter all looked at each other. Peter held his hands up. "I'm not going after him. He might kill me!"

Sirius sighed. "I'll go. Wimps," he muttered, and ran after James.



"James, wait!" Sirius called after him. James didn't stop. Sirius caught up with him and breathed in heavily, catching his breath. "You.had.better.tell me.what's.going."

"On?" James finished for him. "Nothing's going on, ok? I'm perfectly...fine." James walked out into the grounds and looked up at the clear blue sky. He breathed out deeply.

Sirius stared at his best friend. "Ohhh." he said.

James raised an eyebrow at him. "Ohhh. what?" He carried on walking.

"You're in love."

James didn't say anything. Couldn't be bothered.

"Didn't actually believe Remus when he told me what he thought. Our Jamesy boy? In love? No. Too many girls could be hanging off your arm for you to be in love. But I see it now."

James sighed and stopped pretending. "Is it that obvious?"

Sirius nodded. "I'm an expert on these things."

James laughed. Sirius went through girls quicker than anyone he knew. He was still with Clara, as far as James knew, but that could be changing any day.

"So, who is it?" asked Sirius as they walked around the lake.

James hesitated before saying, "Lily."

"Ah yes. Head girl and head boy. Hey, that would be perfect!"

"I know. But she's with Freddie. She loves Freddie."

"I bet she would love you more!"

"Thanks Padfoot but you're not exactly helping."

Sirius looked at the ground. "Hmmm." He looked like he was thinking hard. "You love her, right?"

"Yeah."

"And you'd do anything for her, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"And she's happy with Freddie, right?"

James stopped walking. He knew what Sirius meant. He had to let go. "You're right," James said quietly, although Sirius hadn't said anything. "She's happy. I suppose that's all that matters."

Sirius put his arm around James comfortingly.