Disclaimer:

I OWN NOTHING.

AN: let me just say sorry, and thank you for waiting.

Reviewers, how I love thee:

Princess Persephone:

Oh! Peter Pan! yaY thank you

RandomfrizzHead;

You probably thought I forgot about this story again! Smacks head. May never forgets. Okay, sometimes. But never a whole story. Lol. Thanks.

MissBlueAngel:

YaY! Everyone liked the hat thing. Sorry! I'm so sorry I take so long to update this one. Oh, and Lily didn't get drunk on purpose. The punch was spiked.

Philonysh:

Thanks!

KLLRS:

Ah! Please don't take my story off your favorites! I'm sorry you didn't like the last chapter. This ones a little boring too. Forgive me. Hm Maple Fudge? I would like some. Never had any. I feel sad now. Lol

IcyFire 4

James will realize it's lily like now, but not from that. You'll see. : )

Cilverblood:

Fat free cookie? Man, sometimes, you have to let go. Hehe. I love cookies.

Liverscove:

Ah! I'm sorry about those hurricanes. By now it's probably like really old news, ain't it? Sorry. Thanks though. : )

Stephme;

Thanks!

SlipperzRFuzzy:

Life is funny like that. Thanks.

All right, guys, don't tell but may will send you those hats with feathers anyway. SH!

Chapter 8

James had always been a very competitive person, ever since he could remember. His older sister, Shelly, had been very good at absolutely everything, so whenever James' did anything, he could feel the whispers of comparison behind him. Everyone at Hogwarts had known her, Shelly Potter, great Quidditch captain, top of class, head of class, started Hogwarts choir, even the way she died made people proud of her, dying to save her auror partner. James did miss her, very much, although she was ten years his senior, and he never had felt he knew her, who she really was, that well. He felt he only knew, too well, the shadow of her legend, that always seem to be cast across him.

When he had first started Hogwarts, he had wanted to prove himself to be just as good, just, and brave as Shelly. But somehow, other things had gotten in the way. Popularity, fun, pranks…he couldn't reject losing himself in being completely different than Shelly. But sometimes, he still felt the chill of her shadow on his back, and he knew, he had let her down, had let everyone down, with what he had done, who he was.

Maybe that's why he was so determined to win Head of Class. His sister had done it, and his parents were proud to just hear about him running. It was something he could do to prove himself, to show he was just as good as Shelly.

Shelly had made him good at sports, good in school, good at mostly everything…because he had always wanted to be the best, like she had been.

And even though he felt guilt seeping through his veins due to Lily Evans situation, even though he knew that he had caused the girl he was completely in love with pain, he couldn't help but still want to win as much as he had before, he couldn't help but still want to beat Lily Evans.

"You promised, Amos!" She whined, touching his arm, and he sighed,

"I don't know, Lily, if I go taking your side, it could really ruin my reputation."

I'll ruin more than your reputation soon, buddy…she thought bitterly, but stuck out her bottom lip affectionately, and Amos smiled.

"Ah, well, I guess I can't resist that face, can I, baby?" He leaned down, pecking her cheek, and nodded, "I suppose I could write it."

"Did you read it?"

"Do you think it's true?"

"It doesn't matter, Evans is the one who ratted us out!"

Everyone was talking about the article Amos Diggory had published in the paper that morning, about James Potter being a big headed loser who only cared about partying, and who was truly responsible for the "rave" and not Lily Evans.

Lily was very angry. James Potter still sauntered the halls, despite the article. Sure, she had heard from her comforting friends that he had gotten two months detention, but did that matter to him? James Potter? Of course not! It seemed to be making him more popular!

Why did things like this always have to happen to her?

Why didn't things just go as she planned?

She sat in her dormitory, alone to escape the big stink that was NOT being made.

They get her drunk and it's HER fault they get caught. James Potter starts the whole fucking party and what does he get? Pats on the back, Rounds of applause.

She took out her quill.

Dear Boy,

Oh, gosh, I don't think things have ever been as bad for me ever as they are now.

Listen, I tried your advice. And you would think it would work, wouldn't you? No, my sister gets praised by everyone around her. I don't get it! It seems like no matter how hard I try, everyone is always taking her side, always admiring her, you know.

I just feel so alone.

-Girl

He couldn't help but try to imagine what she looked like. He imagined she'd be rather cute. Most of what she wrote was pretty adorable.

He shook his head. Yeah, it even sounded strange in there.

He…really wanted to help her. He wanted to meet her, and not for the sake of a good snog. He actually was sort of attracted to a girls personality.

This one night… They had spent two hours sending letters back in forth, when neither could sleep before a big test McGonagall was giving all the sixth years. They talked about everything… they had so much in common. She was sort of amazing.

If she was one fifth as attractive as Lily, he'd marry her.

Perhaps he was exaggerating. But he had sort of embraced the fact that he had no chance with Lily Evans a while ago. She didn't matter right now.

Here was a girl, a girl his age who liked the same stupid things he did, who was sweet to him, who was smart. And she wouldn't hate him. He hadn't already screwed it up with her.

Dear Girl-

Listen, do you want to meet? At Hogsmeade this weekend?

-Boy

Lily stared down at the letter.

She sort of liked the idea of this guy. He had talked to her about the things she loved that everyone else thought was stupid. He was smart! He was a guy, and he was smart. Being used to Amos, she found him amazing.

At the moment, "Boy" couldn't have said anything better.

She sighed. Of course, this could have a very bad outcome. For example, he could be like Amos. Or worse, he could be like Potter.

She cringed, but decided she knew him well enough that he couldn't be either.

Boy-

Thanks, I could use a friend now.

-Girl

"James, I must say I applaud you on your… I don't know. Agreeing to meet a girl who might not be up to your usual obnoxious asethic standards." Remus laughed, and James nodded, rubbing his hands together, "And I've never seen you so nervous."

"This girl, Remus…She's an angel." He replied. "If she looks like McGonagall I won't care…well not too much."

They stood outside Hog's Head for a second.

"Well?" Remus said, and James sighed.

"Just…go check for me, will you? She's got a book and there's a rose in the book."

"How romantic." He chuckled, but went and peered inside the window. He spotted her and his eyebrows stuck right up.

"Oh no. She's hideous, isn't she?"

"No, she's…definitely pretty."

"Than what is it?"

"Well, she just…she has features kind of like…Evans." He said.

"Oh, Remus, what does Lily have to do with this?"

"Well, if you don't like Lily anymore, you're not going to like this girl."

"Why not?"

"Because, James…it's Lily."

AN: dialogue above is very similair to that of this scene in "You've Got Mail" You know, the part where he goes to meet her at the restaurant.

Review, my darlings!