AN: I am so so sorry. A lot of stuff happened, and I was kept busy, and the DSL just conked out on me...
This chapter's not really Lily/James-centric, but it does have lots of sweetness. Enjoy! :)
"Lily, please try to forgive James," Remus was saying as he attempted to placate her a day later.
Lily turned away. "How can I be expected to? I supported him. I did his homework for him. And what do I get? I'm embarrassed in front of the entire school!"
"You can't help it; you just attract embarrassment," Sirius teased.
"Black." Nicole, who was with them in the Gryffindor common room, gave Sirius a stern look and then turned back to Lily. "Lily, do you honestly think James would do something like that? He doesn't seem like that kind of person. Besides, of all people, why on earth would he insult you?"
"I wouldn't put it past those sneaky Slytherins if they hexed his broom to do...that," Remus theorized. "I mean, Prongs did leave his broom in the shed..."
"You did say so yourself," Sirius agreed. "Nothing beats the Slytherins when it comes to dirty tricks. Come on, Lils. Prongs has fouled up a lot when it comes to you—I'll admit that—but this one is not his fault."
"He hasn't even taken off those antlers you gave him. He's willing to be just as humiliated as you were," Remus added.
Lily grinned at the image of James walking around with the antlers sticking out of his head. "Fine. You win. I'll go find him."
"That's a boy!" Sirius cheered.
"Black, I'm not a boy."
"Oh. Oops."
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Lily found James up in the Astronomy Tower. With his forlorn face and antlers, he looked kind of cute—like a fawn. A reprimanded fawn.
"Potter?" she ventured softly.
He looked up, suddenly more frightened.
"I'm not here to curse you—just to apologize. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. That thing was the work of the Slytherins. I realized that it just wasn't like you to be so mean. Well, now it isn't."
James smiled tentatively. "Really? Then—apology accepted."
Lily smiled too, as she Vanished his antlers.
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Sirius and Nicole were walking along the corridor. After the talk with Lily, he had offered to walk the lovely Ravenclaw to wherever she wished to go. She had cheerfully agreed to it, and as of now, they were just strolling around aimlessly, discussing anything and everything under the sun. Currently, they were debating which was cuter: a bunny rabbit or a kitten. It was weird and nonsensical and childish, yes, but oddly enjoyable. Sirius had come to find that Miss Greenleaf was not just an intellectual and a pretty face—she was nutty and funny and adorable, in her own special way. He laughed as she let out a meow to support her side.
"Alright; stop that," he gasped.
She stopped as she looked out the window. "You want to go outside and look at the plants?" she suggested.
Sirius was surprised. "Look at the plants?"
Nicole nodded vigorously. "Yes. I don't know about you, but I've always found plants very fascinating."
"Your favorite subject is Herbology?"
"Obviously."
"OK. Let's go meet your little green friends, Miss Greenleaf."
"Thank you, Mr. Black."
When they got outside, Nicole instantly targeted a flower.
"They're so beautiful, aren't they?" she mused, her fingertips almost reverently tracing the petals. Her eyes sparkled as she beheld the perfect prettiness of the plant.
Sirius was amazed as he watched her. He had never encountered anyone with such a deep and abiding love for nature. He himself had never given much thought to plants—to him they were just...plants. But Nicole had a relationship with them that no one could fully understand. Through her, he was reminded that plants too were living things.
"I definitely know what to get you for Christmas," he commented as he sat down on the grass beside her. "A nice, big garden. Full of exotic plants."
Nicole poked him in the ribs, laughing. "Right. If you can get me that, you might as well get me a bookstore too."
"You might be surprised," he shot back. "I do have the Galleons..."
She punched his arm. "Nut. Save those Galleons. You still have the future to worry about."
Sirius was even more impressed. A woman of good morals. Incredible.
Sirius's interest in this Ravenclaw was completely piqued now. It'd be interesting to see what else she was made of.
AN: All honor and blessing and power belongs to the Lord Almighty! :)
Anyway, if you guys found this chappie way sappy, it's because I saw someone I really liked and rarely see...hence the sugariness... :D
And of course to my reviewers:
CrazyGirl47- Wow, thanks for reviewing! I'm honored.
Dans-girl-4ever- Thanks! :) And heehee, poor James...
James'Gurl215- Thanks! And no problem. And hey, no one is stupid on this earth...God didn't make man that way. :) Yup, it was the Slytherins...though I wouldn't want anyone to roast in hell.
Crimson Girl- Thanks for reviewing! :)
Annmarie Aspasia- Well, they're evil... :)
Dairymilkjunkie- Thank you! I'm really glad you think so. And yes, what James did is the sweetest thing. If a guy did that for me, I'd faint straightaway. :)
turquoiseBliss- Thank you! :)
shortie522- Thanks! And yes, the Slytherins ought to be horsewhipped, but can't do that... :)
Dk Lili- Thanks! And don't worry, eventually things will work out. :)
CherryChick914- Well, things turned out okay... :) Thanks! :)
VictoriaM2006- Well, they have to get together or we wouldn't have Harry... :) Yeah, she's very forgiving, but I guess that's what we all have to be...
FoolishlyBraveDarkStar- You won't have to feel so bad... :)
Brilliant-author16- Well, for the angry stuff, you'll have to wait for the next chapter. :) And thanks for doing what you did for Almost Over You—I appreciate it tons! And I'm really happy that you thought that story was great. :)
Hogwarts-fanatic91- Oh, I read something that said James was not Seeker, but Chaser...but hey, I could be wrong. Thanks! :)
Alcapacien- Fear not, Jamesie will get his reward soon. :) And I'm glad you thought that Quidditch scene was good. :)
SnoopyViz- Yeah, it was supposed to compliment Lily. :)
Invisible2u- Thanks! And I will try to get some fluff worked in soon... :)
Californian-chick- Yup, they're mean, evil, cruel...but that's them. :)