Sirius's Top Ten

Once more, it all belongs to J.K. Rowling, with the exception of Cassidy and Oliver.

Quick thanks to TeenTypist, who's being ever so supportive -

Chapter 3: Potions Partners

"Lily! Long time no chat!" James said with a grin as she entered the Dungeons where her Potions classes were held. He was seated at her bench, and was already chopping ingredients for a Polyjuice Potion, which they would be testing next week.

"Err... Remus is my partner." Lily said, quite amazed and shocked by the angry glares she was receiving from the rest of the girls in the room, including the Slytherins.

"Yes, well you see, Remus," James explained with a wink in his friend's direction, "is having a few problems with Potions, and my partner, Sirius, is somewhat knowledgeable in the field."

"So we're swapping then? Partners?"

"Yup. Don't take it personally Lils. I'm sure you're great at Potions, but Remus just needs - "

"Lils?" Lily said with a slight frown, having joined James at their desk. She was now measuring out ingredients for him to chop.

"What? Don't like it?" James asked, looking up from his chopping to catch her eye.

"No, just no one calls me that." she explained, not daring to pull her eyes away from his. She had her fair share of nicknames, a lot of them were weird and didn't make much sense. Cass called her 'Tig', as in 'Tiger Lily', and she wasn't sure how that fit.

"Well, I'm going to. If you have no objections." James said softly, before being hit in the head with a crumpled ball of parchment. He turned to see Sirius waving happily.

"That is disgusting." Sirius muttered to Remus through clenched teeth as he waved joyvially to James.

Remus nodded absent-mindedly, reading through his textbook.

James gave a nod of acknowledgement, before he turned back to Lily, who had begun measuring again, keeping her eyes to the table, probably on purpose.

James suprised himself when he felt a tinge of remorse by this, and longing to look into her emerald eyes again. They captivated him.

Working together in Potions seemed to help the two grow closer, and near the end of fall term, both Lily and James considered each other good friends. They spent time together outside of class too, and the friends of the pair noticed a change in the behaviour of both of them.

James actually did his homework more frequently, and was more considerate and friendly to other members of his house. Lily had 'let her hair down' a bit - she was more adventurous, and fun-loving, speaking her mind more often.

"I still can't believe you're 'just friends' with James Potter!" Cassidy gushed one morning as the girls headed down for breakfast. It was very uncharacteristic of Cassidy Flemmings to speak in such a way, but Lily kept her thoughts to herself.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lily challenged, daring her friend to even bring up the concept with an icy glare.

"Nothing!" Cassidy assured her friend with an innocent smile. "But a lot of girls are jealous of you. I mean, James is the seeker for Gryffindor, a prankster, dashingly handsome..."

"Oh shut up Cass, we're just friends." Lily said desperately as they entered the Great Hall and took their seats.

Oliver joined them shortly after, pleased to see that for once, James Potter was at the opposite end of the table from Lily. Since Lily and James had become 'friends', he and Lily had grown apart, and Oliver didn't like it at all.

"Mornin' Cassidy, Lily." Oliver said as he sat across from the pair, and offering Lily a smile, which she missed as she mouthed something down the table to James, who laughed.

"Morning Oliver." Cassidy said boredly, nudging Lily in the side to avoid direct conversation with Oliver.

"Oh! Oliver!" Lily said brightly as she turned to face him. "How are you? We haven't spoken in a - "

"Ahem. If I could have your attention, please."

A loud voice boomed out over the hall, which immediately fell silent. Headmaster Dippet was standing at the head of the teacher's table, looking as old as ever, but despite his age, he still demanded the attention of a room.

This will be interesting. James thought to himself as he, Sirius, Remus, and Peter waited for Dippet to continue. He hardly ever made announcements at breakfast. It was probably something very important, or he would have waited till dinner.

Dippet paused. "Before we eat, I would like to inform you..."