Okay, you guys have waited a long time for this (some more patiently than others!). Sorry that it took so long; this story is giving me more trouble than I thought it would! Many thanks to all my reviewers.
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
Previously…
"Can I tell you a secret?"
Lily could feel his warm breath on her face. He was too close, far too close, but the thought did not register. Instead, she also drew herself closer, and breathed,
"What?"
There was silence for a moment, but it felt like an age. Lily saw his gaze drift down to her perfectly shaped lips, and for one long, shocking moment, she thought he was going to kiss her.
~*~
Chapter 4"I don't hate you either."
Lily let out a surprised giggle, before snapping back to her senses. She drew her head back sharply and gasped,
"I want to go home."
"What's wrong? Did I say something to upset you?" James asked, concerned.
"Please just take me home."
James took one look at her eyes, and seeing their glazed expression, decided not to argue.
As they walked back to Hogwarts, there was an awkward silence, but only James seemed to notice it. Lily walked on in her own world, and seemed to ignore the growing tension in the air. James was confused…as far as he knew he had not said anything to upset Lily, yet she seemed distant with him.
James gave the password to the Fat Lady, and as soon as the portrait had swung open, Lily rushed through the nearly empty common room, and up the spiral staircase to the girls' dormitories without a word of parting. James just stood in the midst of the squashy armchairs and pouffes, completely bemused. He had no idea what was going on inside that head of Lily's. As far as he was concerned, that night was the first time that they had spent more than ten minutes together without it ending in an argument. It was more than that; it was the first time that James had felt such an attraction to anyone, let alone such a connection. He climbed up the stairs to his dormitory still lost in thought.
Meanwhile Lily had gone up to her dormitory, hoping to change into her comfy pyjamas and go to sleep as quickly as possible. Isabel however, had another plan, and one that Lily was not going to like.
"Stop right there. There's no way I'm letting you go straight to bed looking like that. Usually when you see James you look like you're about explode or something. What's wrong with you? You look like a zombie!" Isabel said, bluntly. "I want details, and plenty of them."
"Isabel, I'm really tired, please just let me go to bed. I've got enough on my mind without having to deal with you harassing me."
For once Isabel heeded Lily's requests, but she was still burning with curiosity.
*
The next morning Lily woke up with an overwhelming feeling of dread hanging over her like a dark, thunderous cloud, although she wasn't quite sure why. She sat up with realisation, as she remembered that it was her turn to tutor James. With a load groan she climbed out of bed, thanking her lucky stars that she had all day before she had to face him. After a quick bath, Lily ran down to the Great Hall for breakfast, grateful that it was a Saturday.
Upon walking in, she found hundreds of banners and flags, each emblazoned with various slogans and motifs, indicating that the day of the eagerly awaited Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin had arrived.
An hour later, the Quidditch match had come to an exhilarating climax, with James barely catching the Snitch, and Gryffindor winning by just twenty points. Lily was pleased for Gryffindor, but her mind was occupied with other things, namely, James.
She couldn't understand what had prompted this complete change of personality. In all the years she had known him, James had been playful, a prankster, teasing to the point of cruelty. Yet last night, she had seen a different side of him. At least she hoped it was a different side of him. Of course, there was always the possibility that it was all one big act that James had put on to try and get her to go out with him. She wouldn't be surprised. James had constantly asked Lily out since fourth year, and she had constantly refused. She didn't feel too bad about it; after all, he couldn't like her all that much if he carried on playing pranks on her and annoying her in general. She figured that this new "nice" James was just another one of his tactics, another way to get her to go out with him.
A loud shout from a Slytherin walking back to the castle pulled her out of her momentary reverie, but Lily silently chided herself for being so sceptical. She reminded herself that everyone deserved a second chance, and that it was possible for people to change—stranger things had happened.
As she walked back to the common room, she resolved to talk to James, apologise for the way she had behaved the previous night and arrange a tuition time for later on that day. After all, if "nice" James decided to stay, there was no reason why they couldn't be friends. Maybe even more than friends—there was no denying that James was sort of cute. Lily pulled a face and immediately felt disgusted with herself for that sinful thought.
She gave the password to the Fat Lady and climbed through the portrait hole to find the Gryffindor victory party in full swing. She scanned the room, searching for James, and caught sight of him by the fire—flirting with about six simpering, giggling girls.
"Nice" James obviously didn't want to stick around, she thought bitterly to herself.
~*~
Argh! I know this chapter sucks, but I'm working without my muse, people. He left the country. I promise the next chapter will be better. Review please, if only to tell me how much it sucks.