Disclaimer: For those of you who are dense and haven't figured it out yet,
I do not own any of the characters (except Mary) or anything you might
recognize from the original Harry Potter books. Okay here's the deal, I'm
not going to post the seventh chapter until I get ten more reviews than I
already have. Right now the number is at 23. No reviews, no seventh
chapter! Bwah ha ha ha ha! I feel like no one reads this story. Am I right?
Chapter 6
Ron was staring at the ceiling. Anything was more interesting than the History of Magic lesson. How many times did they have to go over goblin rebellions? Ron thought it funny that the only difference between History of Magic in the future and History of Magic in the past was that never once had Lord Voldemort's name been mentioned. Not many people knew him yet and he wasn't very powerful for another year or two. Even Professor Binns was dead and still teaching at the time Harry's parents were in school.
Hermione nudged him in the ribs. She gave him a stern look and turned back to her notes. "What?" Ron hissed. "It's not like our grades count. We're in the past, 'member?"
"No, we're still being graded and this is the same thing we would be learning if we were in out time." Hermione snapped quietly. Ron brought his chair back down on all four legs and glared at her. "Fine!" he whispered. He shuffled some blank parchment, dipped his quill in the ink, and pretended to take notes, ultimately falling asleep.
Harry rolled his eyes at Ron and Hermione. James was sitting next to Harry and Sirius, drawing LE really big on the top, left-hand corner of his parchment. There were snitches and such all over, but none so big as LE. James sighed and rested his chin on his hand. The redhead was sitting right in front of him, twirling strands of her hair. James let his arm dangle over the side of the desk and his fingertips lightly touched the end of Lily's hair.
It's so soft, James thought. He really wanted to run his fingers through it but Lily would notice. It probably smelled good too. James knew it was a really corny thought but he really wanted to smell it. He sighed again and scribbled a few noted on his page, then embellished Lily's initials.
James stared at the back of her head so intently that he didn't even notice that class had been dismissed.
"James?" Sirius whispered firmly. James didn't even blink. Sirius sighed and rolled his eyes. "James!" he said loudly and whacked James on the back of his head.
"Ow! What'd ya want?" James yelled, rubbing where Sirius smacked him.
"Class is over, dork. Quit daydreaming and let's get to lunch."
Lily, Remus, Ron, and Hermione had already headed for lunch so Harry, James and Sirius hung back a little. Harry was beginning to press Hermione on Remus while Harry showed James how to attract Lily.
"You have to be gentlemanly, you know, open doors for her, be nice to the little first years. show her you do have compassion." Harry couldn't believe he was giving his father advice about women. He didn't know anything about them! James had a sort of bemused look on his face.
"Compassion, huh?. How do I do that? C'mon Harry. You gotta show me 'cause I'm lost. Everything I know and do best doesn't work on Lily."
Harry sighed. "Okay, show me what you do and I'll tell you where you go wrong."
James thought a moment. A group of fourth year girls were walking by, eyeing James. "You really wanna see what I do?" James asked. Harry nodded.
"Hello ladies." James grinned and the girls giggled madly. James picked one out of the rest and looked at her lips. "Strawberry lip gloss.? Can I taste it?"
The girl's eyes popped wide open and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. James pulled the girl close to him and kissed her back. He licked his lips and nodded. Letting go, he winked at her and her friends. "Talk to ya later, babe."
The girls giggled some more and the Strawberry lip-gloss girl blushed furiously. Harry shook his head and pulled James behind him into the Great Hall.
"Do you really want to know where you went wrong?" Harry asked.
"I thought it went quite well." James said defensively. "I even guessed the flavor right!" James looked shocked that Harry could find something wrong with his approach. Sirius chuckled.
"Mind if I steal that line from you, Prongs? It worked like a charm. my charm."
"Yeah, sure, whatever. So, Harry, what'd I do wrong?"
"Watch and learn."
Harry approached the Gryffindor table. "Afternoon Hermione, Mary." he paused and smiled. "Lily."
Everyone murmured greetings. Lily blushed slightly and smiled back. "Hello Harry." When everyone looked away and to their meals, James nudged Harry in the ribs. "How'd you do that? You didn't even say anything!?!" James hissed in Harry's ear. Harry just smiled at him.
Down a few places Harry could hear Hermione talking to Remus.
". that is soooo interesting. Tell me, what do you think of werewolves?" Remus looked momentarily horrified at Hermione's comment. "I find them absolutely fascinating. I really wish I could meet one. They seem so. so. ruggedly handsome, I think." Hermione's hand was resting on Remus's arm, her fingers lightly moving back and forth.
Remus's eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face. Mary and Sirius were deep in conversation and Ron was busy staring at Lily. Lily wasn't saying anything but instead was picking at her food. Harry elbowed James and nodded towards Lily.
"What did you think of Professor Binns lecture today, Lily?" Harry asked politely. Lily jumped slightly as she was addressed and smiled.
"Well. he is kind of. um - "
"Boring?" Harry supplied. Lily smiled and wrinkled her nose.
"Yeah. we need some fresh meat in the history department. So Harry, where are you from?" Lily lightly rested her chin on her hand and leaned forward to hear better. James's jaw dropped to the table. Harry didn't know what to do. How was he suppose to tell her he was from the future? He wouldn't, that's for sure.
"I'm um, from. Scotland." Harry invented. Lily raised an eyebrow.
"You don't sound Scottish."
"I lived in Britain most of my life. My mum insisted that we move to Schotland for a few years and now we're back."
"Oh." Lily sighed. "You look so much like James but you act nothing alike. Sometimes I wonder if you two are brothers or something and at other times, I think James is way to cocky and rude to be of any relation to you."
"Hello!?! I can hear you!" James looked so confused. "Gosh, all this insulting is like a huge turn on. I could just kiss you - " Harry clamped a hand over James's mouth.
Lily gave James a weird look and reached for Remus's arm.
"Let's go, class starts soon." Remus jumped up and accompanied her out of the hall. Hermione moved down to Harry and James.
"So how am I doing?" she said as if it were no big deal.
"Wonderful! They did leave together but we can work on that. It's going so great I could just kiss you!"
Hermione's smile flickered for just a moment and she glanced at Harry. "Um, that won't be necessary. How's it going with Lily?"
James sighed. "She talked to Harry. she didn't even acknowledge my presence. But she wasn't talking to Remus, which I consider a step forward!"
Hermione smiled at his sudden enthusiasm. "We'd better go or we'll be late to class. Wouldn't want to make McGonagall angry."
On the way to class, Mary and Sirius stepped into a secluded hallway for a moment ("Just a quickie, I promise!" Sirius had muttered to James.) Hermione was talking to James about compassion and Lily, and Ron was staring down the hall.
"Are you all right?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Ron drooled dreamily. Harry waved a hand in front of Ron's face. "Earth calling Ron."
"Man," Ron sighed. "Your mom is so hot."
Harry jumped back and looked at Ron. He had a big goofy grin on his face and his eyes sort of glossed over. "Um, thanks? I think."
Ron still stared dreamily around the halls. Harry whacked him hard on the shoulder. "That's my mum you're talking about! I'm trying to get my parents together and now I have to worry about you going after my mum too? You're suppose to be helping me!"
"Sorry, mate, but your mom has got it goin' on."
"Ug! That's just gross!"
"I know, it sucks with Lily bein' your mum. then you can't look at her. It would just be wrong."
"It would be wrong for my best mate to be checkin' out my mum too."
"Yeah, it would.."
Harry rolled his eyes and sat down in his seat.
"Mr. Potter would you please stop drooling all over the desk, clean it up, and pay attention?" Professor McGonagall interrupted. Harry looked around at her before he realized she was talking to James.
James sat up and tried to pretend he hadn't been thinking or drooling about Lily. He ran his fingers through his hair nervously and wiped at his desk. Harry noticed Lily was watching James as he was messing with his hair. She glanced at Harry and when she saw him looking too, she blushed.
*****
Lily was sitting in the library, curled up on the floor in a corner with a huge stack of books next to her. She tried to read but her thoughts kept wandering to Harry. She sighed and leaned her head back against the wall. He was so cute, exactly like James, but Harry was nice, respectful, and very polite.
Lily shook her head to clear her thoughts. But you like Remus remember? She kept thinking to herself.
"Miss Lily Evans." a voice drawled. In a moment, two figures appeared. One was a greasy haired, hook-nosed dweeb and the other, a Slytherin with more money and power in his family than he knew what to do with.
"May I help you boys?" Lily asked quietly, afraid to sound as though she were challenging them. Severus Snape, she was not afraid of, but Lucius Malfoy frightened her. He always got what he wanted, usually by force.
"What is a pretty thing like you doing all curled up all by yourself in a cozy corner? You should have thought to invite me. I would gladly keep you company." Lucius reached toward her and stroked her hair. Lily pulled her head back just out of his reach, but there was nowhere to go after. She was cornered.
Snape kept glancing around. Obviously Malfoy's lookout, Lily thought.
Lucius leered when he saw the desperation in her eyes. He lightly touched her cheek. His fingers slowly strayed from her cheek, down her neck to her shoulder. "You'll warm up to me, I know it." He whispered in her ear. Lily's breath caught in her throat and she became dizzy at Lucius's proximity. Instinctively, she brought her hardcover book up in front of her face but Lucius pulled it down.
Lucius started to lean in, to close the already small gap between them. At that moment Lily had a sudden panic attack. Her fear of what he would do to her should she resist him was overwhelming. Her body trembled and her eyes filled with tears. She could feel the warmth of Lucius's lips so close to hers.
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands seized the hair on the back of Lucius's blonde head and thrust him backwards. James had his wand pointed right between Lucius's eyes. Just beyond him, Snape was backed up against a bookshelf, Harry covering him with his wand.
"You stay away from Lily or I can promise you'll be in a world of hurt. If I ever see you anywhere near her again, I swear I will curse you into oblivion." James's eyes were narrowed and he could barely contain his rage.
"You and Snivellus get out of my sight or I'll withdraw my generous action of being so merciful. I said go!"
Lucius stood and smoothed his robes. He sneered down his unnaturally long and straight nose.
"It doesn't matter how many times you interfere, Potter. In the end I shall have her and you shall be dead."
"I am warning you, Lucius. I'm not in the mood for petty duels. If you choose to stand around any longer there will be a full blown wizards duel right here. If there is, you'd better hope to high heaven that you're better at dueling than you are at quidditch."
Lucius let out a low growl and swept away, Snape tailing him closely. In an instant, James was at Lily's side, and Harry, a second later. The tears were flowing now and Lily had her face buried in her hands.
"Lily, are you all right? Please, Lily, talk to me."
James gently brushed her hair away from her face and put a comforting arm around her shoulders but she shrugged it off.
"No, James. Don't touch me," she sobbed into her hands. James looked, confused, up at Harry who looked just as confused back. Deciding he'd better not push it, James backed away a bit and waited.
"Why can't they leave me alone?" Lily whispered.
"Because you're too beautiful. No man in his right mind could resist your beauty."
Harry knew at once that James had said the wrong thing. Lily looked at him quickly, anger burning in her expression.
"Is that all I am!?! Just a pretty face? If that's the case then the only reason you want me is because I'm beautiful. Don't you ever think about who I am? What about my personality? You don't know anything about me, James Potter. You look at me and you see a good time. You don't really see me, Lily Evans, the girl with a mind and personality as complex as anyone else! If this is what it will always be like to be beautiful then I wish I would have been born a hideous mess of a human being!"
Lily stood so abruptly that James fell over. "I'm sorry, Harry. Thank you." And with that, Lily ran, sobbing, from the library.
James groaned and started banging his head on the wall. Harry sat down on the floor next to him and waited for him to speak.
"Harry, I can't win." James ceased his head banging and stared at the top shelf of the bookcase five feet in front of him.
"She doesn't understand. I love everything about her, not just her looks. That's just a plus. When I say she's beautiful I don't mean just on the outside. Lily is a beautiful person. She's nice to everyone - except for me 'cause she hates me - but I can accept that. I even love the way she hates me. How rare, not to mention bazaar, is that? There's not one tiny thing about her that I don't love.
"When I look at Lily I do see a good time. But not in the way she thinks I see it. I see a good time because she makes me want to be a better person. I can't help it Harry, I love her. Sure I make out with almost every other girl fourth year and up, but I have to admit that every time I do, I wish it were Lily that wanted to spend her time with me. Nothing in the entire world, not even the most powerful magic, could keep me from loving her."
James now stared at his feet. Harry wanted to smack him upside the head. "You idiot! Why didn't you tell Lily exactly what you told me!?!"
James looked horrified. "I can't do that! She'd never believe me and she'd probably laugh at me. Besides, she's with Remus.
"That's why we have Hermione! She'll take care of Remus. I promise. Lily will be free in no time."
"I hope you're right. C'mon. Let's go back to the tower." James sulked out of the library and Harry followed.
Upon entering the common room, James and Harry heard Lily's light sobbing. She was sitting near the fireplace with her face buried in Hermione's shoulder. Hermione was rubbing her back and smoothing her hair, trying to calm Lily's fear. Mary and Sirius were nowhere in sight.
James started to walk towards her but Hermione shook her head and mouthed the words, "Not now."
James stopped and nodded his head. He quietly turned and went up the staircase to his dorm. Harry did not follow. Hermione gave Harry a sad look and continued to speak soothing words to Lily. Harry sighed and exited the common room.
*A/N: I'm sorry this was so long winded. I've had this chapter written for a while but with finals and all, I didn't have time to type it up and post it. Please review! Remember I need ten more reviews before I post my next chapter!
*Cowgirl Up*
Chapter 6
Ron was staring at the ceiling. Anything was more interesting than the History of Magic lesson. How many times did they have to go over goblin rebellions? Ron thought it funny that the only difference between History of Magic in the future and History of Magic in the past was that never once had Lord Voldemort's name been mentioned. Not many people knew him yet and he wasn't very powerful for another year or two. Even Professor Binns was dead and still teaching at the time Harry's parents were in school.
Hermione nudged him in the ribs. She gave him a stern look and turned back to her notes. "What?" Ron hissed. "It's not like our grades count. We're in the past, 'member?"
"No, we're still being graded and this is the same thing we would be learning if we were in out time." Hermione snapped quietly. Ron brought his chair back down on all four legs and glared at her. "Fine!" he whispered. He shuffled some blank parchment, dipped his quill in the ink, and pretended to take notes, ultimately falling asleep.
Harry rolled his eyes at Ron and Hermione. James was sitting next to Harry and Sirius, drawing LE really big on the top, left-hand corner of his parchment. There were snitches and such all over, but none so big as LE. James sighed and rested his chin on his hand. The redhead was sitting right in front of him, twirling strands of her hair. James let his arm dangle over the side of the desk and his fingertips lightly touched the end of Lily's hair.
It's so soft, James thought. He really wanted to run his fingers through it but Lily would notice. It probably smelled good too. James knew it was a really corny thought but he really wanted to smell it. He sighed again and scribbled a few noted on his page, then embellished Lily's initials.
James stared at the back of her head so intently that he didn't even notice that class had been dismissed.
"James?" Sirius whispered firmly. James didn't even blink. Sirius sighed and rolled his eyes. "James!" he said loudly and whacked James on the back of his head.
"Ow! What'd ya want?" James yelled, rubbing where Sirius smacked him.
"Class is over, dork. Quit daydreaming and let's get to lunch."
Lily, Remus, Ron, and Hermione had already headed for lunch so Harry, James and Sirius hung back a little. Harry was beginning to press Hermione on Remus while Harry showed James how to attract Lily.
"You have to be gentlemanly, you know, open doors for her, be nice to the little first years. show her you do have compassion." Harry couldn't believe he was giving his father advice about women. He didn't know anything about them! James had a sort of bemused look on his face.
"Compassion, huh?. How do I do that? C'mon Harry. You gotta show me 'cause I'm lost. Everything I know and do best doesn't work on Lily."
Harry sighed. "Okay, show me what you do and I'll tell you where you go wrong."
James thought a moment. A group of fourth year girls were walking by, eyeing James. "You really wanna see what I do?" James asked. Harry nodded.
"Hello ladies." James grinned and the girls giggled madly. James picked one out of the rest and looked at her lips. "Strawberry lip gloss.? Can I taste it?"
The girl's eyes popped wide open and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. James pulled the girl close to him and kissed her back. He licked his lips and nodded. Letting go, he winked at her and her friends. "Talk to ya later, babe."
The girls giggled some more and the Strawberry lip-gloss girl blushed furiously. Harry shook his head and pulled James behind him into the Great Hall.
"Do you really want to know where you went wrong?" Harry asked.
"I thought it went quite well." James said defensively. "I even guessed the flavor right!" James looked shocked that Harry could find something wrong with his approach. Sirius chuckled.
"Mind if I steal that line from you, Prongs? It worked like a charm. my charm."
"Yeah, sure, whatever. So, Harry, what'd I do wrong?"
"Watch and learn."
Harry approached the Gryffindor table. "Afternoon Hermione, Mary." he paused and smiled. "Lily."
Everyone murmured greetings. Lily blushed slightly and smiled back. "Hello Harry." When everyone looked away and to their meals, James nudged Harry in the ribs. "How'd you do that? You didn't even say anything!?!" James hissed in Harry's ear. Harry just smiled at him.
Down a few places Harry could hear Hermione talking to Remus.
". that is soooo interesting. Tell me, what do you think of werewolves?" Remus looked momentarily horrified at Hermione's comment. "I find them absolutely fascinating. I really wish I could meet one. They seem so. so. ruggedly handsome, I think." Hermione's hand was resting on Remus's arm, her fingers lightly moving back and forth.
Remus's eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face. Mary and Sirius were deep in conversation and Ron was busy staring at Lily. Lily wasn't saying anything but instead was picking at her food. Harry elbowed James and nodded towards Lily.
"What did you think of Professor Binns lecture today, Lily?" Harry asked politely. Lily jumped slightly as she was addressed and smiled.
"Well. he is kind of. um - "
"Boring?" Harry supplied. Lily smiled and wrinkled her nose.
"Yeah. we need some fresh meat in the history department. So Harry, where are you from?" Lily lightly rested her chin on her hand and leaned forward to hear better. James's jaw dropped to the table. Harry didn't know what to do. How was he suppose to tell her he was from the future? He wouldn't, that's for sure.
"I'm um, from. Scotland." Harry invented. Lily raised an eyebrow.
"You don't sound Scottish."
"I lived in Britain most of my life. My mum insisted that we move to Schotland for a few years and now we're back."
"Oh." Lily sighed. "You look so much like James but you act nothing alike. Sometimes I wonder if you two are brothers or something and at other times, I think James is way to cocky and rude to be of any relation to you."
"Hello!?! I can hear you!" James looked so confused. "Gosh, all this insulting is like a huge turn on. I could just kiss you - " Harry clamped a hand over James's mouth.
Lily gave James a weird look and reached for Remus's arm.
"Let's go, class starts soon." Remus jumped up and accompanied her out of the hall. Hermione moved down to Harry and James.
"So how am I doing?" she said as if it were no big deal.
"Wonderful! They did leave together but we can work on that. It's going so great I could just kiss you!"
Hermione's smile flickered for just a moment and she glanced at Harry. "Um, that won't be necessary. How's it going with Lily?"
James sighed. "She talked to Harry. she didn't even acknowledge my presence. But she wasn't talking to Remus, which I consider a step forward!"
Hermione smiled at his sudden enthusiasm. "We'd better go or we'll be late to class. Wouldn't want to make McGonagall angry."
On the way to class, Mary and Sirius stepped into a secluded hallway for a moment ("Just a quickie, I promise!" Sirius had muttered to James.) Hermione was talking to James about compassion and Lily, and Ron was staring down the hall.
"Are you all right?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Ron drooled dreamily. Harry waved a hand in front of Ron's face. "Earth calling Ron."
"Man," Ron sighed. "Your mom is so hot."
Harry jumped back and looked at Ron. He had a big goofy grin on his face and his eyes sort of glossed over. "Um, thanks? I think."
Ron still stared dreamily around the halls. Harry whacked him hard on the shoulder. "That's my mum you're talking about! I'm trying to get my parents together and now I have to worry about you going after my mum too? You're suppose to be helping me!"
"Sorry, mate, but your mom has got it goin' on."
"Ug! That's just gross!"
"I know, it sucks with Lily bein' your mum. then you can't look at her. It would just be wrong."
"It would be wrong for my best mate to be checkin' out my mum too."
"Yeah, it would.."
Harry rolled his eyes and sat down in his seat.
"Mr. Potter would you please stop drooling all over the desk, clean it up, and pay attention?" Professor McGonagall interrupted. Harry looked around at her before he realized she was talking to James.
James sat up and tried to pretend he hadn't been thinking or drooling about Lily. He ran his fingers through his hair nervously and wiped at his desk. Harry noticed Lily was watching James as he was messing with his hair. She glanced at Harry and when she saw him looking too, she blushed.
*****
Lily was sitting in the library, curled up on the floor in a corner with a huge stack of books next to her. She tried to read but her thoughts kept wandering to Harry. She sighed and leaned her head back against the wall. He was so cute, exactly like James, but Harry was nice, respectful, and very polite.
Lily shook her head to clear her thoughts. But you like Remus remember? She kept thinking to herself.
"Miss Lily Evans." a voice drawled. In a moment, two figures appeared. One was a greasy haired, hook-nosed dweeb and the other, a Slytherin with more money and power in his family than he knew what to do with.
"May I help you boys?" Lily asked quietly, afraid to sound as though she were challenging them. Severus Snape, she was not afraid of, but Lucius Malfoy frightened her. He always got what he wanted, usually by force.
"What is a pretty thing like you doing all curled up all by yourself in a cozy corner? You should have thought to invite me. I would gladly keep you company." Lucius reached toward her and stroked her hair. Lily pulled her head back just out of his reach, but there was nowhere to go after. She was cornered.
Snape kept glancing around. Obviously Malfoy's lookout, Lily thought.
Lucius leered when he saw the desperation in her eyes. He lightly touched her cheek. His fingers slowly strayed from her cheek, down her neck to her shoulder. "You'll warm up to me, I know it." He whispered in her ear. Lily's breath caught in her throat and she became dizzy at Lucius's proximity. Instinctively, she brought her hardcover book up in front of her face but Lucius pulled it down.
Lucius started to lean in, to close the already small gap between them. At that moment Lily had a sudden panic attack. Her fear of what he would do to her should she resist him was overwhelming. Her body trembled and her eyes filled with tears. She could feel the warmth of Lucius's lips so close to hers.
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands seized the hair on the back of Lucius's blonde head and thrust him backwards. James had his wand pointed right between Lucius's eyes. Just beyond him, Snape was backed up against a bookshelf, Harry covering him with his wand.
"You stay away from Lily or I can promise you'll be in a world of hurt. If I ever see you anywhere near her again, I swear I will curse you into oblivion." James's eyes were narrowed and he could barely contain his rage.
"You and Snivellus get out of my sight or I'll withdraw my generous action of being so merciful. I said go!"
Lucius stood and smoothed his robes. He sneered down his unnaturally long and straight nose.
"It doesn't matter how many times you interfere, Potter. In the end I shall have her and you shall be dead."
"I am warning you, Lucius. I'm not in the mood for petty duels. If you choose to stand around any longer there will be a full blown wizards duel right here. If there is, you'd better hope to high heaven that you're better at dueling than you are at quidditch."
Lucius let out a low growl and swept away, Snape tailing him closely. In an instant, James was at Lily's side, and Harry, a second later. The tears were flowing now and Lily had her face buried in her hands.
"Lily, are you all right? Please, Lily, talk to me."
James gently brushed her hair away from her face and put a comforting arm around her shoulders but she shrugged it off.
"No, James. Don't touch me," she sobbed into her hands. James looked, confused, up at Harry who looked just as confused back. Deciding he'd better not push it, James backed away a bit and waited.
"Why can't they leave me alone?" Lily whispered.
"Because you're too beautiful. No man in his right mind could resist your beauty."
Harry knew at once that James had said the wrong thing. Lily looked at him quickly, anger burning in her expression.
"Is that all I am!?! Just a pretty face? If that's the case then the only reason you want me is because I'm beautiful. Don't you ever think about who I am? What about my personality? You don't know anything about me, James Potter. You look at me and you see a good time. You don't really see me, Lily Evans, the girl with a mind and personality as complex as anyone else! If this is what it will always be like to be beautiful then I wish I would have been born a hideous mess of a human being!"
Lily stood so abruptly that James fell over. "I'm sorry, Harry. Thank you." And with that, Lily ran, sobbing, from the library.
James groaned and started banging his head on the wall. Harry sat down on the floor next to him and waited for him to speak.
"Harry, I can't win." James ceased his head banging and stared at the top shelf of the bookcase five feet in front of him.
"She doesn't understand. I love everything about her, not just her looks. That's just a plus. When I say she's beautiful I don't mean just on the outside. Lily is a beautiful person. She's nice to everyone - except for me 'cause she hates me - but I can accept that. I even love the way she hates me. How rare, not to mention bazaar, is that? There's not one tiny thing about her that I don't love.
"When I look at Lily I do see a good time. But not in the way she thinks I see it. I see a good time because she makes me want to be a better person. I can't help it Harry, I love her. Sure I make out with almost every other girl fourth year and up, but I have to admit that every time I do, I wish it were Lily that wanted to spend her time with me. Nothing in the entire world, not even the most powerful magic, could keep me from loving her."
James now stared at his feet. Harry wanted to smack him upside the head. "You idiot! Why didn't you tell Lily exactly what you told me!?!"
James looked horrified. "I can't do that! She'd never believe me and she'd probably laugh at me. Besides, she's with Remus.
"That's why we have Hermione! She'll take care of Remus. I promise. Lily will be free in no time."
"I hope you're right. C'mon. Let's go back to the tower." James sulked out of the library and Harry followed.
Upon entering the common room, James and Harry heard Lily's light sobbing. She was sitting near the fireplace with her face buried in Hermione's shoulder. Hermione was rubbing her back and smoothing her hair, trying to calm Lily's fear. Mary and Sirius were nowhere in sight.
James started to walk towards her but Hermione shook her head and mouthed the words, "Not now."
James stopped and nodded his head. He quietly turned and went up the staircase to his dorm. Harry did not follow. Hermione gave Harry a sad look and continued to speak soothing words to Lily. Harry sighed and exited the common room.
*A/N: I'm sorry this was so long winded. I've had this chapter written for a while but with finals and all, I didn't have time to type it up and post it. Please review! Remember I need ten more reviews before I post my next chapter!
*Cowgirl Up*