FINISHED CHAPTER THREE!!

Alright, first things first. Thank you for all your reviews. They are very much appreciated. I love you guys… *sniffs*

Anyway, there were three points in your reviews that I think it's time for me to respond to.

One: about what Lily said to James about '…pray that you'll wake up tomorrow' in the first chapter. It wasn't exactly a threat… just an involuntary too-irritated-and-tired-to-think remark just to shut him up. I mean, cause personally, I say that a lot to people who irritate the hell out of me;

Second: about James, Sirius, and Peter being Animagi in their fifth years and not in their first years… now that's a fan! Anyway, yeah, I didn't realize that. I'd probably put the reason of their 'disappearances' every full moon during their first year maybe in the following chapters (I hope I made sense there); and

Third: when will James realize that he actually likes Lily? Oh my, that'll be after Lily falls for a guy not James (hint: see my notes in the first chapter). Oblivious James needs a good load of events for him to realize that. First, he has to get over being a player. Hmmm…

VERY IMPORTANT: about the part where people are staring at other people's backs… I need you to really imagine their sitting positions because that's very important. It might not make sense now but it will in the near future chapters. Or if you're really in touch with your psychic senses… you'd already know what I mean.

Okay, now, read and review.

Review.

Review.

:)

let me tell you that, this time... i'm gonna make you mine... -- savage garden, "universe"

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CHAPTER THREE: Making Moves

The Transfiguration classroom suddenly grew quiet as Professor McGonagall paced toward the students. She was nowhere halfway in her introduction about Animagi when she unexpectedly stopped in mid sentence. She looked around the room and her eyes rested on Sirius Black, whose head was bowed down to his chest, apparently asleep.

She walked toward him with inquisitive eyes, tapping her wand on her palm. Then, she stopped beside him, hoping he would feel her eyes boring impatiently on him. The students watched as she stood beside him, trying to remain as collected as possible. Then, without a warning, she raised her wand and knocked it commandingly on the table.

The sound of her wand tapping on the hard wood resonated in the room loudly. And finally, she caught his attention.

Sirius suddenly woke up from his sleep as he heard McGonagall tapping angrily on his table. Startled by the abrupt sound, he sat up straight and leaned back on his chair to appear like he was listening. Unfortunately, he leaned too hard that it fell backwards with him.

The class roared with laughter as he fell to the floor. At the second that he tumbled, he looked up and met Toni's eyes twinkling with laughter.

"Mr. Black," McGonagall began, looking disappointedly down at him. "If you're not going to pay any attention in my class, I suggest you drop out of Transfiguration and repeat another year." She was standing beside his head, as he looked, still drowsy, at her.

Finally awake for embarrassment to kick in, he hurriedly stood up and put his chair upright. "I'm sorry, Professor," he said, as he sat back on his chair, trying to look as attentive as possible. "I promise to stay awake from now on."

McGonagall shot him a final warning look and returned to the front. She was about to continue with the lesson when her eyes strayed to the left side of the room. She looked at Vince who was sitting at the back, staring absent-mindedly toward the direction of the backside of Lily, who was sitting in the second row, at the right side of the room.

McGonagall sighed audibly. "Mr. Stradler," she called his attention.

Vince shook his head at the mention of his name. He realized, then, that the whole class was now looking at him.

"What," McGonagall began again, "may I ask, is so interesting about Ms. Evans' back?"

Lily turned around and looked at Vince, who by that time was already red with humiliation. He bowed his head down as he replied, "I-m – I'm sorry. It's – it's nothing, Professor."

Kiara, who was sitting one row ahead, by at the right side of Lily, turned around and looked at her. "There he goes again," she said in a singsong voice.

"I know it's Monday morning," McGonagall started, as she walked back to the front of the room, finally understanding her students' sentiments. "And I'm sorry that you miss the weekends but you should at least pretend to listen to the lesson." Just then, she picked up a pile of parchment that was sitting on her desk. "Alright," she said, turning back to her class. "I'll be giving you each a piece of parchment." She started distributing the parchment among the first row students who passed them to the back. "It'll be your assignment for the next month."

"Next month?" James' voice suddenly interrupted.

"Yes, Mr. Potter. Next month," McGonagall replied. "It's a research paper on the voluntary Transfiguration of humans into animal forms." She paused and looked at the class, giving them time to absorb whatever she had just said. When nobody raised a hand to ask a question, she continued. "I'll be posting a list of available books from the library later and you can refer to them for your research papers." She paused again, waiting for some retaliation, then resumed. "Everything you need to know about the mechanics of the paper is written in the parchment. You will be passing your assignments approximately a week before you take your Christmas break. Anyway, it's in your parchment." At the said of that, the whole class groaned – a reaction that she had been pausing and waiting for.

She waited for the students to pacify before she began again. "I understand it's a lot of work. But realize that you're not in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to get it easy," she reasoned, in a tone, trying to make the students proud of belonging in their school. "Oh, and I'm going to need a volunteer for someone to do an oral report and discuss the history of Animagi," she added, looking at her students, this time not expecting complaints, but a brave—no, a diligent soul to accept the responsibility.

At last, the class fell silent. "It's only an overview. Nothing complicated," she insisted, her voice rather cheery. She looked at the students one by one trying to find some hope in those faces. But they all looked down to the floor or to the wall whenever their eyes met hers. Then, her eyes rested on Lucius. "Mr. Malfoy?" she asked him, more of a command than a request.

Lucius nodded in approval, a reaction which made McGonagall return to her normal pace of breathing.

"Good. That's settled," she concluded and turned back to her students. "Alright, class dismissed," she said the most awaited words, as she paced back to behind her desk and sat.

The whole class stood up in unison and exited the classroom. "Mr. Potter," McGonagall called on James, holding pieces of parchment in her hand. James turned around and walked to her. "I'd like you to give this to Mr. Lupin," she said as she handed the parchment to him. They were the homework that Remus would be missing for the next couple of days, as he was still 'sick.' "He may hand them in once he recovers."

"Alright," he said as he received the parchment. Then he turned to leave the room.

Then, he saw Snape standing by the door, apparently listening to their conversation. James narrowed his eyes on him as he walked toward the door.

Snape would have loved to stay a bit longer for an eye-to-eye war but he chose to leave, instead, and elude any argument that might start between them – especially when McGonagall, the head of the Gryffindor house, was very nearby and could get both of them suspended at any moment of trouble.

* * * * *

Three days later, the Gryffindor Quidditch team were out in the field practicing for a game that coming Saturday.

James played in the house team. As he was really fast and agile in flying, he was placed as a seeker. And if that was not enough, he worked his way up to being the team captain in his fifth year.

Being the Quidditch team captain was probably the sole thing that James was exceptionally good at. His incredible amount of persistence and perseverance were such qualities that he possessed other people might not. Ah, that was probably why he was put in the Head Boy position in the first place.

Lily was always the person everyone knew would get the Head Girl position. Nobody was surprised when Dumbledore announced her name for the position during the Dinner on the first night the students were back from vacation. But when Dumbledore announced who the Head Boy was, one could just imagine the students' numerous reactions. They varied from Lily's shocked expression to the other students' are-you-kidding looks… to James and his friends' wide-smile faces. Not that he was so irresponsible that he did not even deserve to be a Prefect in the first place; but James Potter in the Head Boy position was like inviting the presence of a terrible storm amidst the tranquil walls of Hogwarts. However, Dumbledore realized that working with Lily Evans would mean lots of perseverance since she could be strict with the rules and regulations sometimes and needed someone to invite her to relax once in a while but still be responsible enough to know his duties.

After a few hours of practice, James allowed the players to go. He gathered his team around and gave his final pep talk. "Alright," he began. "Everyone, very good practice today. I hope we all retain that amount of stamina for Saturday's game." He bobbed his head to finally dismiss them. "See you again here tomorrow at four." Then, the players, all tired, started their way to the castle.

He, then, turned to Sirius who, out of nowhere, arrived a few minutes before the practice ended. "Hey, what brings you here?" he asked. "You suddenly gained the interest to watch me practice?" his voice turning into that teasing tone. "That's so sweet…" he joked, batting his eyes.

Sirius only smirked. Looking past James, he saw Toni passing by looking really tired in her Quidditch robes, her hair tied up in a now messy bun. "Hey, Toni."

Toni was a Chaser in the team. She had always been athletic since she was a kid. This was probably the reason why guys were, more often than not, sort of anxious around her. It was not like she was not pretty. Actually she was very pretty that adding the confident attitude that playing for the team gave her was slightly intimidating. She did not mind anyway. For her, if a guy did not have the courage to even come over and talk to her – he was not a guy worth it after all.

Toni turned to the two of them and stopped beside James, across Sirius. She leaned lightly on her broom, channeling some of the effort she had to exert in standing up. "Hey," she greeted back.

"So…" Sirius began, suddenly unable to stop stuttering. "that was – that was… ahem… that was a great practice there," he finally let the words out.

Sirius realized that that was the first time he initiated a real conversation with her – aside from a few questions and answers here and there during the last six years that they were attending Hogwarts. It was Toni that was always talking when they were supposed to be having a discussion. He seemed to sound rather scared when he talked to her.

"Yeah," she replied. "Thanks," she added with a smile.

"No, I mean – I mean… you were really great," Sirius insisted as if he was trying to emphasize something that he did not know how to say. Even James started to look at him funny.

Toni raised her eyebrows saying 'okay, yeah right… now moving on…' "I dunno if you've noticed," she began. "But Kiara's not here. There's no use sucking up," she said, her tone matter-of-factly than sarcastic.

"What? I'm not – I'm not… I'm not sucking up," Sirius said defensively. Now, James was starting to hold back a laugh.

"Whatever you say," Toni replied, in a singsong voice.

"So, are you… are you and your, uh, friends, uh, going to the Yule Ball?" Sirius asked, hoping to drop the subject.

Unfortunately, the subject that he raised was out of nowhere and out of season. Toni raised an eyebrow as if he had just said something so utterly confusing. "That's like a month from now, Sirius," she said with a slight chuckle. "Dumbledore hasn't even announced it over dinner yet."

Sirius flashed a look of realization to save himself from whatever he entered into. "A month? Yeah, yeah…" he said. Then he forced out a laugh – a nervous laugh – like she was going to eat him right there and then. Not able to think of anything clever to say, he turned to James. "Oh, see, that's why I'm here!" he announced. "Lily wants to see you about meeting with Dumbledore about the Yule Ball."

James looked at Sirius, fascinated by his best friend's assorted reactions of apprehensiveness. "I didn't realize you still know I'm standing here," he said, a smile playing around his lips.

"Well, I'm outta here," Toni interrupted. "I wanna take a long bath."

"Alright," James replied with a wave.

"Bye," Sirius said, trying to control himself not to say something more and finally make a complete fool out of himself.

"Okay, Sirius, I'll tell Kiara you said hi," Toni said in a rather teasing tone, as she walked back to the castle.

When she was finally out of earshot, James turned to Sirius and asked, "What was that? Sirius Black stuttering around a woman?"

"Oh, yeah, laugh," Sirius replied, with a smirk on his face. "I was just making conversation, you know."

"It happens every single time you 'make conversation' with her!" James howled with laughter. It was a while before he calmed down and realized his friend was still standing there. "She doesn't bite, you know. You don't need to be so afraid around her like she's gonna eat you."

"I'm not scared, alright," Sirius defended himself, failingly trying to sound firm and believable. "She's just… a little nerve-wracking."

"She's pretty nice once you get to know her," James said as a matter of fact.

Sirius snorted. "Why?" he said, casually. "Do you like her?"

"Uh…" James put a hand on Sirius' shoulder, looked at him in the eyes, and scrunched up his nose. "She doesn't bite but I'm pretty sure she'd beat me up if I get too near her."

* * * * *

Meanwhile, in the library, an industrious Lily had decided to start early on McGonagall's assignment. She was searching through the shelves of the library, while holding the piece of parchment where she wrote her list of the books that the professor had posted.

Very much occupied looking through the stack of books; she did not even notice Remus peering through to see her from the other side of the shelves. Then, he casually walked to the aisle where she was and pretended to be finding a book himself.

"Hey," he said, acting as if he had just noticed her.

Lily recognized his voice and looked up at him. "Oh, hi, Remus," she greeted him. Her tone was apparently curious. She tried to hesitate asking questions. However, even after thinking twice, she went on anyway. "Are you feeling alright? I mean… y-y-you got sick…"

Remus flashed her a smile of assurance. "Yeah," he nodded. "I'm feeling great now."

For a moment, there was an awkward silence. Remus always felt comfortable talking with Lily. That was until he confessed to his friends that he fancied her. He felt as if right at that moment she could read his mind and that she already knew about it. Anyway, if ever she did, he knew whom to blame. Yes… that Potter guy; since he was the one who spent the most time with Lily as part of Head Boy duty. But as long as his friends could keep their mouths shut, he'd be fine.

He glanced at Lily who went back to searching for books listed on her parchment. And because he towered her, just like James and Sirius did almost everyone else in school, he easily looked over the parchment she was holding and quickly spotted the title of the book that did not have a check mark beside it. He swiftly tried to find it amongst volumes stacked side by side in front of them. Seeing it, he involuntarily grabbed the book from the top shelf and handed it to her.

"Here."

"Oh, uh…" Lily muttered, taking the book from him.

"I, uh, saw your parchment," Remus explained, pointing to the paper in Lily's hand.

Lily smiled shyly. "Thanks."

"So… Lily?" Remus began, sounding as if he had something important to say.

Lily looked at him curiously. "Yeah?"

"I was wondering…" Remus started again, running his hand nervously through his hair. "Do you… uh…"

"Remus, what is it?"

"Do you like to—"

"Lily!" A cheerful voice interrupted them suddenly. Lily's back was to the owner of that voice but she knew very well to whom it belonged. She turned around and saw his all-smiles face coming up to her. Yup. It was James. No other one had that exceptional ability to disrupt a conversation in the most wrong timing. Lily stood still on where she was and let him come to her.

James had apparently just taken a shower, as his hair was still damp. It was probably the most uncluttered look that his hair could ever get – brushed back behind his head because the water was still holding it. It was only when he was already standing before her that he finally noticed Remus standing there. For once, he got a clue. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you're with Remus." Nothing too sincere with his voice, only that tone which often foreshadowed a mischievous deed. He turned to Remus, giving him an intrigued look. "Is this a bad time?"

"Uh, no, that's okay," Lily replied instead. "We were just talking."

However, Remus shot his friend a look with wide eyes saying 'Yeah! What do you think?' But instead, he said, "Yeah, that's alright. I'm going to have to catch up on McGonagall's assignments anyway."

But before he turned to leave, Lily stopped him. "No, wait," she called. "What was it you were trying to tell me?" The tone of her voice was nowhere being too interested, just curious.

He smiled kindly at her. "Nothing important," he shrugged. "See you around," he said as he waved goodbye.

"Alright. Bye." Lily waved back.

Remus then left. That was after he gave James a firm hard pat on the shoulder – a meaningful firm hard pat.

"So, what are you doing here?" Lily asked James after Remus finally left.

"Alright, that's not fair," James said as soon as Lily made that remark. "Why do you always have to get so cranky whenever you see me?"

Lily sighed and rolled her eyes. "It's not that," she began. "It's just James Potter in the library is like a vampire hugging a crucifix."

James crossed his arms. Apparently, Lily Evans was inherently annoyed with him no matter what he did. "Please correct me if I'm wrong, but you did forgive me back there in Hogsmeade, right?"

Lily nodded in agreement. "Yeah," she said. She placed the book that she was holding by the shelf beside her and stepped closer to him; then playfully pinched both his cheeks. "But that doesn't mean I'm suddenly fond of you."

James pulled away from her, his cheeks now rosy. "Fine…" he mocked a sigh of frustration. "So, Sirius told me that Dumbledore wants to see us?"

Lily's face lit up, remembering their meeting with Dumbledore. Finally, an actual reason why James was looking for her. "Yeah," she said. She picked up her book from the shelf and dragged James out of the library.

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you try to tell me that i'm clever... but that won't take me anyhow... or anywhere... with you... -- lisa loeb and nine stories, "stay"

So, how was it? Oh… I hope you liked it.

Tell me what you think. Review! :)