Chapter 2

Disclaimer: See Ch.1

"Great!" James thought, but out loud he said, "Sorry."

He received a look of disdain from a pair of steel gray eyes and she replied, "I cannot expect anything less from a Gryffindor, Potter."

"And I wouldn't expect a Slytherin to know the meaning of the word 'sorry', Malfoy! I am not in the mood for a quarrel, so please get out of my way," he said, his temper getting even hotter.

Pallas gave a sarcastic laugh and tucked a stray blonde hair back into her bun. "Ah, so Mr. Potter is mad! And yet he composes his manners before a lady. How typically Gryffindor. Tell me, Potter, how is your father, The-Man-Who-Killed-He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Still basking in the glory of his youth?"

"That is really something, Malfoy. You think I don't know. How sweet," James said, knowing he was about to gain the upper hand in their argument that had lasted for the past five years.

For the first time in her life, Pallas Malfoy looked vulnerable as she nervously asked, "And what information do you think you have?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just something that would ruin the spotless image of Pallas Malfoy of the great House of Malfoy," James said.

He watched as she turned pale and was surprised when she grabbed the front of his robes and demanded, "What do you know?"

"Take your pick. That your grandfather was a Death Eater; that your father was a Death Eater; that he paid the Ministry huge sums of money to clear his name; that if he makes one wrong move he will go to Azkaban for life; that nearly everyone in your mum's family is locked up there already. The list goes on and on," James answered.

She pushed herself away from him and then she did something he never would have imagined her doing in a thousand years. She began to cry. Through her sobs, she said, "You don't know! You don't know what its like!"

James stood there in shock as he watched her run down the hall into another carriage. He wasn't sure if it was shock in what he had just witnessed, or if it was shock in that he actually felt sorry for her.


Later that night, James sat in his favorite chair beside the fireplace in the common room. Most people had already gone to bed, including the other sixth year guys. They had made up before they got off the train. He was deep in his thoughts when he was awakened from his reverie when the Fat Lady swung open and his sister entered holding Charlie Wood's hand.

"Lily!" he shouted, his face turning red with sudden anger.

She instantly let go of Charlie's hand, who looked like a cornered deer. She said, "James, it's not what you think!"

"What I think is that you were out of the dormitory late at night with this…this…," James said, trying to think of what Charlie really was.

"Really nice guy who just happens to be Head Boy, who just happens to have the same patrolling times as I do, and who just happens to be my boyfriend!" Lily roared, her temper just as great as her twin's.

Charlie grinned at her and asked, "So you will be my girlfriend?"

Her temper abated for the moment, she gave him a tender smile and said, "Of course I will."

During their tender moment, James stood there, fuming in silent horror. His chin nearly hit the floor when Lily kissed Charlie on the cheek before he slipped up the stairs to his dormitory. When he managed to find his tongue, all he could say was, "Lily!?"

She sighed and put her arm around him and said, "James, you are the best brother a girl could ask for. But, it is time for you and Dad to realize that I am not a little girl anymore. I can take care of myself. Charlie is really special to me, and I hope that you won't ruin it for us."

"Lily, just promise me you will be careful. I guess Charlie's all right, but you're my sister. I'm going to be hard on anyone that goes after you," he replied, pulling her into a hug.

"I know that, just like I will be on any girl that you decide to give the time of day. And there are many that would like you to, you know. Don't be afraid to live a little, James," she said.

"Aw, go to bed! I have had enough of all this love mess today."

Thanks for the reviews!Jules