AN: Sorry for the late update! It's been a crazy week, what with projects and quizzes and the site having problems. I hope you like this one! :)

Chapter 11: Playing for Keeps

James swallowed hard as he followed Mr. Evans out back. After his less than graceful entrance, he had sheepishly offered to fix the hole in their roof, but the older man had told him to leave it be and "come outside for a while."

James was bracing himself for the inevitable attack with a baseball bat or something equally painful.

"Ah, here looks like a nice spot," Mr. Evans pulled up a couple of lawn chairs. "Have a seat, son."

James did nervously, realizing that this "nice spot" was way out of sight from the house. "Erm…Mr. Evans, my name is James Potter."

"I know."

"What? How?"

"Lily talks about you. The dauntless suitor." Mr. Evans chuckled. "She described you down to a tee. Though not in a nice way."

"Ouch." James then regretted his complete loss of courtesy. "Well, sir, the reason I came…the purpose for my visit was…erm…"

"Get a little bit of help? You could use it."

James turned red.

"So, what have you done for her so far?"

After some hesitation, James told his sordid tale.

Mr. Evans laughed until he cried.

"Well," he gasped in between fits, "I've heard a lot of funny love stories, but your story is definitely the most hilarious one yet."

James's face burned, but when he thought about it, it was kind of funny…

He burst out laughing too.

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Back at Hogwarts, Lily approached the Headmaster's office to ask Dumbledore for permission to go home for a few hours. She had received a letter from her mum telling her to do so, and Lily wondered—and worried—what was so important that her mother would pull her out of school.

Just as Lily reached the door, the Headmaster stepped out.

"Professor," Lily began hurriedly, "I have to go home for a while. My mum sent me a letter…"

"All right, Miss Evans; you may go," Dumbledore replied.

Lily narrowed her eyes. Hmmm…was it just her or was the Headmaster agreeing too easily?

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Lily Apparated to the door of her house. Taking out her key, she let herself in. Mrs. Evans was already waiting for her.

"Mum, what's the matter?" Lily then spotted the rubble in the living room. "And what on earth happened to the roof?"

Mrs. Evans simply smiled. "Lily dear, I thought you had to see this."

Lily cautiously crept outside and peeked. Her father was sitting in a corner of the yard…talking to James.

"Oh, Merlin."

"He's not so bad, Lily," Mrs. Evans commented when Lily stepped back inside the house, looking very dumbstruck. "Very polite, you know. Seems humble enough."

Normally, Lily would've retorted, "Yes, well, he's in front of my parents." But instead, she had no idea why, she found herself saying, "Yes, he's changed a lot."

Mrs. Evans headed to the kitchen. "Why don't you stay for lunch? Then you and James can go back to school together."

To Lily's shock, she found herself not railing against the idea.

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Lily peeked at her father and James again as she carried a bunch of flowers for the centerpiece to her mother. She found herself smiling gently at the pair as they laughed together.

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"Lily is a very complex person," Mr. Evans was explaining to James. "Figuring her out is not an easy task."

James nodded his agreement.

"But I know her. I'm raised her for seventeen years and I know her." Mr. Evans leaned back and crossed his arms. "Like any father, however, I don't normally share what I know to young men—I'm as likely to spear them as to speak to them—(at this James froze) but I like you, James. And I want to do what I can to help you."

James was stunned. Then his voice came back. "Thank you, sir! I promise you won't regret this!"

Mr. Evans smiled, one that was warm yet held a warning. "I hope I won't. Now let's start the lessons."

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AN: GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! :)

For those who're wondering where Petunia is, she was at school when all this was happening, so she and James won't meet in this fic.

To my reviewers:

Remembrall- Hey, nice to see you again! :) Thanks for coming straight to my fanfic, and I'm glad you weren't disappointed. :)

Alcapacien- Wow, you're good at guessing aren't you? :)

CherryChick914- Well, there'll be more on Sirius and his ladylove in the next next chapter…don't fret. :) And fear not, for once, something turns out right for Jamesie. :) Sadly, he won't meet Petunia.

turquoiseBliss- Thanks! :)

funky-disco-monkey- Thanks! :) And just watch and see… :)

Dans-girl-4ever- Wow, thanks for the compliments! :) I'm glad that chapter made you laugh! :)

Shortie522- Thanks! :)

Crimson Girl- Well…it really was the computer's fault. :) The chappie was ready for upload when the thing broke down, and I had a computer assignment saved in there that was due the next day…anyway, thanks! And I do want to make sure you guys are happy with what I put out. :)

DK Lili- Really? Whoa…

LCH8292- Your review for the last chapter is so like what I tell my best friend, who's also an author here, so it really made me laugh. And thanks so much! :)

Hogwarts-fanatic-91- Well, Remus did what he could… :)

Laughing Fountain- I guess I do like making ol' Padfoot suffer, don't I? Hehe. And I'm glad you like my take on Dumbledore. :)

James'Gurl215- Thanks! :)

Annmarie Aspasia- Well, they ended up liking him, so not bad…

Lyme-10- Things will work out for him. :)

Secludeddark- Thanks! :)

Invisible2u- Hey thanks! And sorry for making you wait so long… :)

Brilliant-author16- Hope you're happy with this one! :)