CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I lie down on the quidditch pitch and watch the clouds. A particular sonnet repeats itself in my head. I'm completely lost in random thoughts when something red catches my eye. It's a girl with red hair. Yep, it's Lily. I sit up and look in her direction. She is alone and, like me, seems to be lost in her own world. She hasn't noticed me yet, so I stand up and head in her direction. Lily sees me and waits uncertainly on the spot, muttering to herself.

"Hi Lily," I greet her.

"Oh, um, hi," she avoids my eyes.

"So…" I cast around for a topic of conversation, "You're better now?"

"Yeah, loads," Lily replies.

"Ok…"

"Yeah…"

"You missed quite a few quidditch games," I say.

"Oh, ok, how're we going?" Lily makes her way over to the seats. I sit down next to her.

"Oh, actually, we're coming second last," I say sadly.

"Oh…" Lily stares out at the quidditch goals, "I really missed quidditch."

"Yeah, I understand. We've really missed you. The team needs you here," I say as she looks at her feet.

"Sorry," Lily mumbles.

"It's not your fault," I look Lily in the eye.

"But I feel like it is," Lily smiles hesitantly.

"Don't worry," I slowly inch closer to her.

"I try not to," Lily sighs as she sweeps her glowing hair from her face.

"It's all going to be ok now," I assure her as I hesitate to put my arm around her. I think better of it, and draw back my arm. We sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching the clouds. It's weird. This is the first time we have sat so close without fighting.

"Why are you suddenly being so nice?" Lily asks, breaking the silence. I look down at her green eyes and feel my insides melting.

"Because… because…" I can barely stop myself from leaning closer to her, "Because I… you…" god I must sound like such a retard. "Don't you like me being nice?" I eventually respond.

"Well, yeah, but you're usually just so…"

"Annoying?" I finish for her.

"Yeah," Lily grins.

"Oh, well, I try to be nice," I say lamely.

"Right, well, I better go now," Lily stands up.

"Ok, sure, see you around," I smile as she waves bye.

Once she's a few metres away, I jump up and punch the air in a victory dance. Yes!!! I had a normal conversation with Lily. She doesn't think I'm crazy. Lily turns around and stares strangely at me. I think I spoke to soon.

"Bye," she laughs and walks away.

"Yeah," I murmur before collapsing with happiness on the pitch. She doesn't hate me! I, James Potter, am officially a legend.

~*~*~*~*~*

I'm in front of the fire in the common room leaning on Martin. We're toasting marshmallows in the fire and talking about our life before Hogwarts.

"Where were you born?" Martin asks.

"In London. You?"

Martin smiles in the firelight, "Russia."

"Russia!" I'm surprised.

"Didn't Bertha tell you?"

"Nup."

"Actually, I'm returning there at the end of the year," Martin adds.

I drop my marshmallow and turn around. "What? For how long?"

"I don't know, we're moving," Martin replies.

"But I'll see you again, right?" I frown.

"Hopefully," Martin's voice is cracked with sorrow, "I miss home…"

"Home… yeah…" I study Martin's face. It's pretty easy to read his thoughts once you know him, especially his eyes. They tell everything. Martin's eyes shine with tears as he recalls memories. And then it becomes so obvious.

"You miss someone, a friend you haven't seen for ages. You're worried that they may have changed, or forgotten you," I murmur.

"How did you know?" Martin brushed tears from his face.

"I can just tell. Tell me about it," I pull Martin closer as though he is a small child.

"My closest friend was Siryca. We knew each other since birth. Then we moved to London and I never saw her again. Our parents didn't get along, and we were forbidden to write to each other. Before I left, we promised that on that day eight years later, we would meet where we parted. I hope she hasn't forgotten me and her promise…" Martin trails off.

"She won't," I assure Martin and squeeze him.

"When I came to Hogwarts, you reminded me so much of her," Martin murmurs.

"Does Bertha know about Siryca?"

"Yes, but never talk of her. It hurt too much. But now I can talk to you the way I used to talk to Siryca," Martin plays with my hair.

"Did you love her?" I turn and look into deep blue eyes.

"Yes, as a friend. I was too young to know other love. The reason I first noticed you was because you have the same fiery hair as Siryca. And when I got to know you through my sister, I realized how much you were like her as a person."

Martin keeps talking. Eventually I fall asleep listening to his voice.

~*~*~*~*~*

I'm in history of Magic, possibly the most boring subject ever. Everyone in the class is either catching up on sleep or passing notes. A note is passed to me, and assuming it's for someone else, I pass it on to the person on my left. A few seconds later, the note comes back to me. I read the outside and realize it has my name on it. I open the note and read.

Lily,

How boring is this? Anyways, I was just, well, bored, so I thought I'd write to you. Reasons why I should be nice to you:

1. Because I'm just a very nice person.

2. Sirius told me to be nice.

3. Being annoying takes too much effort I have decided.

4. Perhaps if I'm nice you may stop hating me.

5. When I was annoying you tended to hit me a lot, so I figure that by being nice I will avoid further bruising.

6. A fairy came to me last night and told me if I was a good boy that she'd give me chocolate and good grades.

7. Good grades, who doesn't want those? -Especially if someone's just going to give them to you.

8. I figured karma would get me back eventually, and that is not a happy thought. I think I'd better clear my record before it comes to get me.

9. I'm cold, and being nice is supposed to give you that warm fuzzy feeling.

10. I can't think of a reason number ten, but I will.

So, let's pick up that quill and start replying.

-James-

PS. 10. Being nice + other people = friends

PPS. When are you starting quidditch again? Your replacement player really sucks.

Ok… well, we still have fifteen minutes to go, so I suppose I have time to write back. It's not like I have anything else to do.

James, just 'cause you are bored doesn't mean I am and that I'm not trying to learn. But, luckily for you, I am also bored and do not intend to pay much attention. As for the reasons why you should be nice to me.

1. You are not a very nice person.  

2. Do you always do what Sirius tells you to do? That may in most cases be quite dangerous.

3. You were born annoying, how can it be too much effort?

4. I never said I hated you. Oh, wait, yes I did…

5. Being nice does not necessarily mean I won't still hit you. If anything, I shall hit even harder.

6. I do not believe in fairies.  

7. I get good grades and I don't have a fairy.  

8. Karma. I love that idea.  

9. Being nice does not give you a warm fuzzy feeling. I am nice to people but I feel cold too.

10. You are very bad at saying things. It is not hard to say 'let's be friends'.

I will start quidditch training straight away. Who is my replacement player? She/he really sucks? Well, you're nice, aren't you? I will not attempt to force you to pick up your quill.

-Lily-

I fold the parchment am about to pass it back.

"Evans!"

I look up. Professor Yrotsih is leaning over my desk.  

"Yes professor?" I try to look up innocently.

"Passing notes?"

"Sorry professor." Gah, his breath stinks! (AN: 'gah' dedicated to Lanette)

"Detention!"

WHAT?!

"Professor, it was my fault," suddenly James stands up and the whole class turns to him.

"Potter?"

"It was my fault, put me in detention," James looks so… brave? No, he's just stupid. I motion for him to sit down from behind Professor Yrotsih's back.

"Fine. Evans, Potter, both of you detention tonight for not paying attention in class!" Professor Yrotsih storms back to his desk just as the bell rings. I take a breath of clean air. Great, detention. I have never gotten a detention before.

~*~*~*~*~*

AN: a little more interesting chapter? Yes? No? I haven't been updating much because I've been so tired. I went to bed at 8:30pm three nights in a row. And woke up at 7:30am each morning. Anyway, replies…

Ali – I happen to like my ego.

Tori – incase you didn't notice, I was dead tired from camp and could barely type.

Megan – officially awesome? I like it!

Angelbud2233 – Why are you so glad? Nothing's happening with the two of them, yet…

Stephhh * ;) – I will get them together… eventually.

LJstagflower4e – I'm going, I'm going…

Marauder Marion – I did READ some of your stories. Kinda…

Violetangel89 – I am not issuing threats, just… yeah, I am issuing threats, ok?

Angelic-Winkles – keep looking!

Cyd – this is the first time you've reviewed… I think… or maybe I have a bad memory. Or maybe you change names. Whatever.

Now, what did I say about reading fiction press? Yes, that's right, YOU SHOULD READ IT! This is not a threat, this is a strong suggestion. Did I mention thanks to all my reviewers? Yes, thanks! See that button that says 'go'? Yes, push it and type!

-Electra*27-