Disclaimer: Albeit, quite sad, but we own nothing. Nada. Nil. Zip. Rien [French]. Non niente [Italian]. Mei-yo [Chinese]. Niets [Dutch]. Ok… we don't know anymore languages, so we'll be moving on now. =]

Summary: When they first met, it was a coup de foudre for him, but for her... more like hate at first sight.

A/N: Those of you who reviewed: WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those of you who didn't: REVIEW! =] Oh yeah, terribly sorry for not saying this before, but coup de foudre means "love at first sight" in French… Lenee is ABSOLUTELY smitten with "the beautiful language." Don't kill me Lenee! xP

~JinG


~ ¤ Blissful Ignorance ¤ ~

Chapter 2: Collision Course

*   ~   *   ~   *

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

—Alfred Lord Tennyson

*   ~   *   ~   *

"Are you quite alright?" Melanie's concerned voice pushed Lily out of her thoughts. The cool fall air, lingering with the scent of jasmine, was intoxicating enough that it was impossible not to reminisce about the past. "You're awfully quiet."

"Am I?" Lily said inattentively, her hand fingering a silver bracelet on her wrist. She hadn't wanted to think of it—the incident—at all and indeed, she had tried to ignore reality. But it's just the thought of her parents that brought up a sharp pain in her heart. When she had left Hogwarts abruptly during the middle of 6th year, it had rumored among the student body that their prefect was not coming back, but when she returned two weeks later, all were puzzled when Lily had acted as though nothing of importance had happened. Still, she found herself chatting pointlessly and laughing too brightly and staring into nothingness once in a while. The silver locket bracelet was all she had in memory of… them. It was the one thing next to Petunia that didn't perish along with her parents…

"Indeed you are," Melanie's voice once again penetrated her thoughts.

Sorry, Melanie. You wouldn't understand what it would be like, to loose both of your parents just because you're a witch. Lily sighed, "Apologies, Melly. I was just… thinking…"

Melanie didn't ask what; it was often best to leave one alone and let them think.

The balcony on which the two were standing on overlooked the path to the grand garden of the McKinnon's mansion, it's sides bordered with purple, white, lavender, and azure asters; goldenrods; white and purple gentians; and sawtooth sunflowers. The path was beplastered with red orange leaves from full moon maples, and small, bright orange leaves from amur maples. Lily closed her eyes momentarily to enjoy the evening breeze.

"I miss them very much sometimes," Lily murmured through closed eyes.

"I'm sure you do, sweet," Melanie said, leaning on the balustrade next to Lily. As Lily opened her eyes, Melanie was astonished at the intensity of her younger friend's eyes. "At least you still have Petunia."

Lily laughed softly. "Ah, Petty. She wouldn't have anything to do with me even if the cost was her life."

Melanie didn't reply, but seated herself on a chair on the other side of the balcony. The girls stayed in companionable silence for a while. They soon heard footsteps approaching, and Lily, craning her neck to see who it was, found that it was Marlene.

"Hey," Marlene greeted. "Why the uncouth quietness?"

"Mmm," Melanie answered, clearly thinking as well.

"Thought so," Marlene seated herself comfortably on the ground.

Lily turned from the banister with a sigh and plopped herself on the ground also. After a good, scrutinizing look, Marlene startled Lily by mouthing Lily's exact thoughts.

"It's not much sense blaming yourself for… your parents, Lily. You couldn't have done anything to change past events, so stop burdening yourself with guilt. It wouldn't do much good, unless you want to become seriously depressed. If that's the case, I can tell you straight out, it's not going to be much fun."

Lily smiled, despite herself, and paid Marlene a thankful glance, which was returned with a brief nod of the head.

"Well. It's half past one," Marlene checked her watch and made a face at the serious mood on the balcony. "Better go to sleep now, or we'll wake up all cranky tomorrow morning."

Melanie chuckled and agreed. All three girls retreated to their rooms and as soon as Lily's head hit the pillow, she fell sound asleep.

*   *   *

The girls woke up bright and early the next morning, although not all of them wanted to. ("Get away, it's too early to get up… it's the crack of dawn still…" Marlene mumbled and used her hand to swat around as Melanie gently shook her.) They lugged their already-packed trunks onto Mr. McKinnon's sleek and shiny Ministry car and when they arrived at King's Cross, they were more than a bit sleepy; they were dead tired, not to mention extremely cranky.

"Ugh… are we on the train yet?" Lily asked groggily as Mr. McKinnon tried to wake them.

The three somehow pushed their way to the barrier between platforms 9 and 10, though wishing they were still in bed every step of the way.

"You first," Melanie mumbled to Lily, eyelids drooping.

"Are you sure you won't fall asleep in t-the process?" Marlene joked, stifling a yawn.

Lily rolled her eyes as she left them to bicker. Focusing her eyes determinedly on the barrier, she pushed her trolley and ran through—and slammed into somebody.

"Ouch!" Lily cried as all her things scattered. "You really shouldn't be standing there…" she grumbled as she trailed off. "Oh. It's only you."

Indeed it was. James Potter, looking down at Lily as she bent down to retrieve her things.

"Hello to you too," he said as he bent down to pick his belongings off the ground as well.

"What were you thinking, standing right in front of the barrier?" Lily asked angrily. "You could've—"

She was interrupted as a figure tumbled out of the barrier and straight into James and her.

"Oomph!"

A second person slammed into them.

"Ouch!" Melanie and Marlene cried in unison.

Lily was first to detangle herself from the pile. "Potter, this is all your fault!"

"But—I didn't do anything!" James protested, removing himself from the pile as well.

"You shouldn't have been dumb enough to be standing there!"

"Well you should've watched where you were going!" There was a great crowd now, all watching the two of them argue.

"James, for goodness sakes, just apologize and we'll get going," Melanie interrupted, rubbing her head.

"Apologize?! Why should I apologize? I didn't do anything!"

"JUST APOLOGIZE SO WE CAN GET GOING!" Melanie yelled, extremely irate from lack of sleep.

James took a step back. It was one thing for Lily to yell her head off, but for Melanie to do so…

"Okay, okay… Sorry…" he muttered.

Melanie and Marlene both took hold of Lily's hands and dragged her off, who gave James one last glare for giving all three of them major headaches.

Sirius, Remus, and Peter pushed their way through the now dispersing crowd, as the show was now over.

"Gees Jamsie, what'd you do?" Sirius asked.

"I didn't do anything!" James hollered.

"Ok… now breathe…" Remus said cautiously.

James scowled, but nevertheless calmed down.

"What did you—I mean, what happened?" Peter asked, curiously.

"Nothing! I didn't do anything! Nothing at all, and she just comes in and…" he trailed off, muttering under his breath, though his friends did occasionally catch the words "stupid" and "barking mad".

*   *   *

Once they got on the train, Lily and James eventually settled down, much to the relief of their friends, though Lily moaned and groaned upon remembering that there was a prefects meeting she had to conduct, which meant she had to see James again. Melanie and Marlene were tempted to silence her as Lily ranted on and on after the meeting about how irresponsible James was. ("I had to practically conduct the whole meeting! There might as well not be a Head Boy this year with all the work he'll do! Besides, it just feeds his ego!")

The feast was, as usual, magnificent, and everyone was sleepy, content, and very full as they drowsily made their way up to their respective dorms.

*   ~   *   ~   *

A/N: HELLOoOoOo everyone! Haha… Thanks SO much for the reviews! (Those of you who did, that is...: narrows eyes suspiciously:.) You guys are da BEST!

Ok, we kinda got stuck at the last bit, so, er, if it sux… yeah. We didn't know how to end it so the end is sorta vague…

Oh well… anyhow, REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU MUST! PLZ?!

Lotsa luv,

JinG