Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, not me.

Chapter 5

            That night, Harry sat alone in front of the common room fire, wondering if Dumbledore had found the door yet, and missing Ron and Hermione terribly. He sighed and decided to get a start on his homework, thinking that if he ever got back to his own time, at least he had some sort of advanced study. He thought about what his friends would say if he told them he studied in advance. Ron would probably think he was going mad and Hermione would probably tell Ron to do the same. He felt another pang of loneliness as he unscrewed his ink bottle and dipped in his quill.

            "What are you doing here all alone?" said a voice near his ear.

            Harry jumped in surprise and spilled the contents of his ink bottle all over his parchment. He hastily picked up his wand and waved it. The ink disappeared, leaving his parchment clean.

            "Sorry about that."

            Harry felt as though the wind were knocked out of him. Lily was standing right beside him, an apologetic look on her face.

            "Can I sit here?" she asked, indicating the empty chair beside Harry.

            Not knowing what else to say, Harry nodded.

            "Thanks." Lily said, sitting down and putting her homework on the table as well.

            Harry felt extremely uncomfortable. Why was his mother choosing to sit with him instead with her friends? He looked around and saw Eleanor reading a book by the window and Lisa flirting with Sirius near the stairs. He shifted in his seat. His mother was acting extremely friendly to him. Too friendly. He thought about what Sirius had said earlier that day, about Lily liking him. No! Harry thought. That is just so wrong! But as Lily had no idea that Harry was her future son, it was certainly possible.

            "Harry? What's wrong?" Lily asked, looking up from her textbook.

            "Nothing." Harry lied.

            "It was really impressive, what you did at Defense Against the Dark Arts this morning." Lily said conversationally. "But what I really like about you is that you're so modest. You didn't brag at all, unlike some people." She finished darkly.

            Harry had a shrewd suspicion that she was talking about James.

            At that moment, James entered the common room. He spotted Lily and Harry and made a beeline for their table.

            "Evans," he said, completely ignoring Harry, "It's Hogsmeade weekend two weeks from now. Want to go with me?"

            "No." she said curtly.

            "Come on, Evans. Just one date." James wheedled.

            "I'd rather date a troll than you." She said, not looking at him.

            "I smell better than a troll." James said. Lily looked as though she was about to smile for a moment, but it disappeared just as quickly.

            "Go away, James. I'm trying to do my homework." Lily told him.

            "You don't tell Granger to go away." James said.

            "Well I enjoy Harry's company better than yours."

            "What does he have that I don't?" James asked glancing at Harry for a moment, who tried to look like he wasn't listening to the conversation.

            "Unpretentiousness." Lily answered shortly.

            James didn't answer but he didn't go away either. He just stared off into space and started humming.

            Lily stood up, clearly annoyed. "I'm going to bed." She said. She gathered up her things than went up the stairs to the girls' dormitories.

            James remained seated. "Well, I don't have to ask her anymore, Granger. It's obvious she likes you." He sounded slightly defeated.

            "I think she likes you more than she lets on." Harry said, in an attempt to cheer his dad up. "You just have to be less arrogant."

            "Who says I'm arrogant?!" James said indignantly.

            "Lily." Harry answered.

            "Fine, so what do I have to do?" James asked.

            Harry couldn't help but grin a bit. He was the one who was supposed to be asking questions about girls from his dad. Instead it was his dad asking him for advice. It was like everything was getting turned upside down.

            "Well… here's what I'm thinking." Harry started.

A/N: Thanks for all your great reviews! I really appreciate your comments. To Jaydn Potter, I'm sorry I have to disappoint you, but it's the basis of my plot. Don't worry though, Harry isn't stupid enough to pursue a relationship with his own mum.