~*~ Operation Persecute Paige ~*~

~Don't do this to me

~Pack your bags

~Just go away

~Can't stand you anymore

~Something changed me

~Now I can see

~See what you're really like

~Don't make it harder

~Than it already is

~Just pack your bags

~Pack your bags and go

There were three Gryffindor first year boys - Rhys Jandiscus, Grey Parkson and Geoff Sanford. I didn't know them particularly well, but I was acquainted with them. We knew each other's names, said hello to one another, but weren't exactly friend material. We were slowly getting there, though - we just had to get to know each other better. Unlike Hilary, who was sick of her brother and his friends, we found the second year guys much more entertaining. Bella especially. But it was Bella who pointed out that we might as well get to know our own year, considering that James, Sirius and crew wouldn't be around in our seventh year.

Rhys was a dreamy, softly spoken boy with caramel hair that curled into a small lock at the front that hung in his face. His eyes were the same colour, and had the same dreamy look as the rest of his face. Though, a little like Juliet, he wasn't what he seemed. I had seen him mucking around with Grey and Geoff, and I knew he could be just as rowdy.

Grey Parkson I probably knew the best out of the three. He was the leader of the gang, so he was the one who we usually spoke to. He and I were at the top of most of our classes, and were often paired together. Grey was a goody-two-shoes - a vigilant student and teachers pet when Professors were involved, but a lazy and troublesome eleven year old boy when they weren't. James didn't like him, but I personally thought he was a pretty fun guy to be around. James had muttered something about good girls always being attracted to bad boys, but I ignored him. It wasn't like he was an angel or anything.

Geoff was a short and surly guy, and he had a permanent scowl on his face. Grey usually got him to do all the dirty work for him so he didn't blemish his perfect record with the teachers by getting caught, and Geoff was either loyal enough or dumb enough to go along with it.

Hilary liked Rhys, but Bella refused to look at anyone but Sirius. I personally thought she was asking for a heart break, since I couldn't see him staying interested with a younger girl for long. Myself? Well, I admit I did have the tiniest little attraction to Grey. Half of him annoyed me like hell, but the other half I couldn't help liking. A lot like Sirius, when I thought about it, except I didn't like Sirius in quite the same way.

It was Monday afternoon, and I had just gotten out of potions, which was my least favourite subject. I was in a darker mood than usual, and scouring the school for Grey wasn't enlightening it any further.

Why was I looking for Grey? Because he had Paige's potion book. Yes, the same one Juliet had showed us the day before. And why did he have it? Because he had stolen it from Juliet on her way back to her dorm. For amusement. Because that was the kind of guy Grey was.

I was looking for him in all of the empty classrooms, because I knew his favourite afternoon pastime was setting up all sorts of traps and tricks for the following day's classes. On my way to Transfiguration, I made a detour towards the Great Hall, because I heard some yelling. Yelling equaled trouble, and Grey was drawn to trouble like a moth to the light.

And, sure enough, Grey was stirring up trouble. It appeared that he was making some suggestive remarks towards some girls, and they didn't appear to be liking it. Sighing, I walked up and grabbed his ear. He spun around.

'Hey, ouch,' he moaned as I dragged him away.

'Ignore him. He just has nothing better to do,' I assured the group of Hufflepuff bimbos that included Jessica Mornington.

'Ouch, Carrot - let go already!'

'It's Lily,' I said, releasing his ear. 'Where's Juliet's book?'

'Who's Juliet?' he asked, scowling and rubbing his ear.

'You know, the girl you stole a book off yesterday? I want it back.'

'Why?'

'Because it's not Juliet's, it's a girl in her dorm's, and she took it with out asking, so she needs to put it back.'

'Ooooh! She stole it,' he tutted, waggling his finger. 'Why'd she take it?'

'Because. Why should I tell you?'

'Because I have the book,' he said, lips forming a smirk.

'We took it because someone has put a spell on James, and that book tells us how to break it. Now tell me where it is!'

'Why should I? I don't like James,' he said calmly. 'Good for you! It's not your book!' I said, exasperated. 'If you're not going to give it to me, I'll go into your dorm, and get Rhys to give it to me.'

'Oh no, Carrot. I can give it to you. Is here good? I mean, you don't want to go into the dorm - Rhys is up there, and he sucks in bed.'

I stared at him.

'Keep it in your pants, Grey. And I'm going to ask you one more time: Where is the book?'

He sighed and folded his arms.

'Geez, Lily. You're no fun. I'll drop it off later; I'm not going back to the Common Room now.'

'You better,' I warned, backing away.

'Pinky promise,' he said in a girly voice, rolling his eyes and waving his pinky around. 'Don't fret, Carrot. You'll strain a brain cell. Chill.'

And with that, Grey thrust his hands in his pockets and walked off, whistling as he went.

* * *

'Lily, chill. James won't give. You're saving him from Paige, remember?' Hilary said casually.

'Yeah. All you have to do is go up to him and kiss him. What's so hard about that?' Bella added.

'Come to think of it, probably the 'and kiss him' part,' I shot back.

It was time to put the plan into action. We walked casually down the stairs. James was sitting in a chair reading a book. He appeared to be alone. According to Juliet, Paige was making her way to the Common Room. I took a deep breath.

'Go for it,' Bella whispered, giving me the thumbs up. I nodded and walked over to James, not believing I was about to do this.

'Hi James,' I said, sitting down in his lap. He laughed and put the book down, looping his arms around my stomach.

'Hey. You haven't seen Sirius anywhere, have you?'

'Nope,' I replied, twisting around to face him. 'Why?'

'Oh, I just haven't seen him for awhile,' he shrugged, bouncing his knees up and down. Just when I was about to open my mouth to say something, I got my cue. I heard a loud sneeze from behind the couch Hilary and Bella were behind. I took a sneak peek towards the door and, sure enough, Paige was coming in. She hadn't yet seen James and I though. I turned around and looked at him.

'What I am about to do is completely as a friend, nothing more, and entirely for your own good,' I told him, looking into his eyes. He gave a puzzled look but before he had the time to follow it up with a question, I leaned down and kissed him. Hard. He seemed pretty shocked, so he didn't respond. I ignored the giggles I knew were Bella's that were coming from the other side of the room, and focused on my full-frontal snogging session with James. I stared into his eyes, and realised that, like the book had suggested, they had been very dull lately.

After the initial wide-eyed shock, the dullness began to fade and confusion settled in. His eyes were back to normal, so I supposed the spell had been broken. I drew back slightly.

'Lily, what the hell is going on?' he breathed.

'I'm saving your ass. I'll explain later. Just... just play along.'

'Why?' he hissed, resisting. I frowned at him.

'Just because, OK? I'll explain later.'

His brow still slightly creased, he allowed me to lean back in again.

'James Potter!'

Finally. How long did it take for someone to notice that their boyfriend was pashing another girl right in front of them? Honestly. I drew back slowly. James and I both looked to Paige, who was standing in front of our sofa with one hand on her hip.

'Yeah?' he asked dazedly.

'What, exactly, do you think you are doing?' she demanded, her brown eyes blazing. I smirked at her, which only infuriated her more. James still had no idea what was going on.

'Er... kissing Lily?'

Paige looked extremely put-out. I could tell the wheels were turning. She had to have realised the spell had worn off.

'Why?'

'Because we're madly in love with each other,' I said sarcastically. 'Gods, Paige. You're really desperate, aren't you? Using a spell to make James go back out with you? I honestly don't know how you do it. How can it be satisfying when you know he's only liking you because of a spell?'

'A spell?' James asked. 'So I'm not going insane.' He rubbed his crinkled brow, frowning.

'Yeah, a spell,' I said, looking from James back to Paige. Several people were staring at us.

'Didn't you think people would notice? He hated you! Why would he go out with you again? Do you know how suspicious everyone has been?'

Then, she laughed. Laughed.

'So you caught me out, Evans. I'm really scared. Shaking. Big deal, OK? To you too, James. One day you're going to realise you made a mistake. Both of you. Run off together for all I care. But you'll just be making life difficult for both of you. I was saving your ass, James. My dad still thinks we're going out, and when he finds out you ditched me, look out.' With that, she flicked her hair coolly over her shoulder and stormed off upstairs.

'And Evans? Watch yourself. You've got enough problems with Malfoy. You don't need me as your enemy.'

I stared after her.

'She had me under a potion?' James asked. I nodded, still staring after Paige.

'She knew,' I said softly. 'How did she know?'

'I don't know,' James said.

Bella and Hilary walked over, shaking their heads in disgust.

'I don't believe her,' Bella laughed bitterly.

'Neither,' James added. 'Thanks... I guess.' He gave me a sidelong glance. I blushed.

'Sorry about that. It was the only way to break the spell, and I was outvoted.'

'Unanimous,' Hilary agreed, leaning over the back of the chair.

'Not my decision,' I added. James feigned outrage.

'And why wouldn't you want to kiss me?'

'Because you smell,' Sirius said, flopping down in the chair next to James's. 'Hey! Why does Lily get to sit on your lap? I want to!' he whined.

'Sirius, go practise your gay rituals on Remus,' James said dryly. 'I'm still getting accustomed to the fact that I have been in love with Paige Appleton. An enchanted one, anyway.'

'Oh, woken up, have we?' Sirius commented airily. 'Over all the lovey-dovey stuff?'

'Yup. I'm cured.'

'So our girls are quite the cleveries, now. I like that in a girl,' he said, winking at Bella. She poked her tongue out at him.

'Up-bup-bup. Move,' I said, shooing Bella away so I could get off James.

'Aww, Lily come back!' James whined in a baby voice. I laughed.

'You owe me big time. All of you.'

'Why?' Sirius asked.

'Well, you, because I cured your best friend. James because I cured him, and those three because I had to kiss James! Gods, you owe me your lives!' I said. 'I mean, imagine it. Having to kiss James Potter!'

'Gross,' Sirius agreed.

'Definitely,' Hilary added.

'Revolting,' Bella piped up.

'I can't be that bad,' James laughed, jabbing me in the stomach. I jumped away.

'Hey!'

James narrowed his eyes and got out of his chair to chase me. I squealed and ran away. He weaved in and out of the chairs and tables after me for a few minutes before I collapsed on a rug, exhausted. James laid down next to me. He narrowed his eyes, smirked, and jabbed me in the ribs again.

'Got ya,' he teased. I poked my tongue out at him and rolled over, putting my back to him.

'Rude!' he exclaimed. I stayed like that for a minute, listening as I heard him move around. Before I knew it, he had his hand at his sides and was tickling me.

'Ahhh! James! Ooh! Ooh! Oh, stop! Stop, please! Ooh! Aahh! James that tickles!' I breathed, laughing.

'Who's a great kisser?' he asked.

'I - don't knoooooooooooooow! James, stop! Oh! Oh! James!'

'Who's a great kisser?' he asked again.

'You are! You are!'

'Thank you.' he said, and his fingers lay motionless on my waist.

'Get off!'

'Nope, not yet,' he said, shaking his head.

'Why?' I gasped, breathless.

He grabbed my wrists and pulled me upright. He brought his face close to mine, until I thought he was going to kiss me, but he stopped, an inch away.

'Because I said so,' he whispered, his breath tickling my face. I narrowed my eyes. My lips curling into a smirk, my hands shot to James's stomach. Pay back.

'My, how the tables have turned.'

'Hey! OK, OK! I take it back! Ooh! Ooooooooooooooooh! Lily! Stop! I'm sorry! OK! I'm a terrible, terrible kisser! Please! Aaaaaaaah!'

'Oh, I'm not stopping now. This is too good an opportunity to pass up.'

'Lily! You're the smartest person I know! Oh, oh! And the prettiest...'

'Keep going,' I smirked.

'And I am nowhere as good a kisser as you! You have really pretty eyes! Ohhhh! And a great smile, and I promise I'll never call you a cat again!'

My hands slowed, and came to a stop.

'Learnt your lesson?' I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

'Yes, yes!'

'Who's the boss?'

'Lily! Lily is!'

'Good.'

I made to stand up, but before I could, someone grabbed my leg and tripped me flat on my face.

'Oooh, you're asking for it now Mr Potter.'

'Bring it on, Miss Evans,' James retorted, face flushed and his breathing irregular. I was still slightly out of breath, but I was better off than him.

I stood up and sat myself on James's stomach, one leg either side.

'Oof,' he said, not moving.

'I'll give you oof,' I said.

'Lily, tickle his neck. He hates it,' Hilary called from across the room.

'Your neck, huh?' I asked evilly.

'No, please. Not the neck, not the neck! Aah! Ah, ah, ah oooooh! Lily, nooooo!'

While my hands were busy at his neck, he somehow managed to get his own up to my sides.

'Aaaaaaaaaaah!' I giggled. 'James! Oh James, god! Stop!'

'Not - until - you - do,' he panted.

'Fine,' I breathed, and held my palms up in surrender. James stopped and we just stayed there, eyeing each other, chests rising and falling rapidly from lack of oxygen.

'Get her while she's winded!' Sirius hollered encouragingly, but I think James was all tickled out.

'Need... strength...' he laughed, pushing me gently off his stomach. I toppled off, too tired to get up. We lay in a heap on the floor.

'Oof,' I said.

'I'll give you oof,' he teased, raising himself up on an elbow.

'Nope, I'm the tickle queen. No one may give me oof unless I allow it,' I said, wiping my forehead.

'Oh, hail Lily, Queen of Tickles, huh?'

'That's it,' I agreed, picking myself up, with much effort.

'Help me up, Queen Lily,' James said, offering me an arm. I grabbed it and pulled slightly, then let it go without even trying to help him.

'Nope. You're too heavy.'

'I'm sure,' he said, scrambling to his feet.

'Guys, I'm pooped. I'm going up to bed, OK?'

'Whatever,' Hilary laughed. 'James, you mustn't tire Lily out. It's not good for her.'

'Yeah, JP,' echoed Bella.

'JP?' Hilary asked, laughing.

'Oh, she's a creative one, our Belle is,' Sirius joked. Bella pretended to pout.

'Very sexy,' I said in a deep voice. Everyone laughed.

'Nightie night, Lil,' Bella said.

'Yup. Night.'

'Goodnight, Miss Evans. Don't let the bed bugs bite,' James warned.

'I won't,' I assured him, poking my tongue out.

Friends. You gotta love 'em.

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

OMG I so rule! Two chapters in............um, six days! Oh yeah, I rule! Lolz. Ignore me, hey. Well, review k? I gave ya the kiss anyway since I love yous so much, even though it wasn't a proper kiss, but it was still a kiss! I never said what kind of kiss! Lol.

Cyas for now

Next chapter.... another encounter with Malfoy and..... the last chapter for first year!!!

Byes!

SezZie xoxoxoxo