"Dear Lily,

I cannot explain how sorry I am for calling you what I did yesterday.

I also know that my embarrassment is no excuse and hope that you can forgive me. I have no doubt that like Sirius and James, you hate me

but begging your pardon, the feeling isn't mutual.

Severus Snape"

Lily didn't know what to say. Before Hagrid could ask her about the note, she had folded it and tucked it into her robes and as she gazed to the table at the front of the hall, Dumbledore gave her a knowing glance.

"Hagrid, I'll catch up with you later, ok?" Lily said, her attention elsewhere, her eyes now resting upon the Slytherin table, where a particular person's seat was empty.

"All righ' but don' forget, Transfiguration in an hour" responded Hagrid, as Lily stood up and moved for the doorway, James's eyes following her all the way.

James Potter sat confused in his chair at the Gryffindor table. He couldn't understand why Lily had besmirched him, but he didn't like it. Although he didn't like to admit it, he believed it could have something to do with that Snape. He knew he shouldn't persecute him but James just hated him so much, with his greasy, black hair and his nose always in a book, and now, Lily, unlike all the other girls who swooned and sighed as James and Sirius walked by, had scorned him like never before, and it just wouldn't do.

"Whats on your mind, Prongs?" questioned Sirius, His dark hair falling in his eyes, almost as if he had stepped out of an advertisment, the kind that show the perfect teenage boy, his smile dazzling.

"I was just thinking how i'm going to make Lily mine even if it kills me" replied James, running his fingers through his hair to get the desired "messy" effect, which seemed to work as several girls passed out on the table. His looks, like Sirius, got him attention most girls would dream of, but there was one girl he wanted, he just had to figure out how to get her.

Tucked away in the library, with the hope that no-one would find him, Severus had his head in a book, "Most Potente Potions", which was never an unusual sight, but Severus, quite unusual for him had the book upside down, therefore sparking the impression he may not be reading after all. He wondered if Lily had received his note, what she had thought, did she hate him even more? She was probably laughing it up with Potter and Black now. The thought made him shudder, he couldn't deal with anymore teasing and taunts, especially from her. He acted like he didn't care but deep down, he wanted to be James or Sirius so much, popular, naturally gifted at Quidditch, and the type who never cracked open a book yet could get good O.W.Ls despite this. On top of hating Potter, he hated himself and this thought was enough to lead Severus to despair like he had never felt.

Lily ran down the steps from the common room towards the painting of the Fat Lady and was blocked by none other than James Potter.

"Look, Evans, I just wanted to apologise for anything I've done that has put us on bad terms..."

"We were never on good terms, now please move 'cause if you don't mind, I've got something to do."Lily snapped.

"Just hear me out. Look, I know I sometimes come across as a big-headed pratt but the truth is, I'm just trying to appear confident. I know I may live to regret saying this but I really like you and was wondering if you would like to come to Hogsmede with me?"asked James, almost pleadingly.

"I would but you know, I have to wash my house-elf's hair!"Lily remained unfazed by James's little speech.

"Ok, but don't say I was cocky or presuming when I asked you, Evans. I was polite, honest and I apologised but nothing is good enough for you" James blurted.

"I'm not the one you need to apologise to, Potter" Lily fumed," Did you ever stop to think how Severus might feel when you tease him, when you throw things at him. You were horrible yesterday and you know it. Wether you like him or not, he doesn't deserve that!"

"So its all about him, is it?Lily fancies old greasy hair there"James said cooly. Lily's eyes blazed with fury.

"Even if I did, its got nothing to do with you, Potter, and don't believe I could ever fall for you for one second!Now get out of my way"

James stepped aside and as Lily left through the portrait he murmured,

"We'll see, Evans, We'll see."