Defying All Odds

Chapter 2: Strange Obsessions

DISCLAIMER: We do not own J.K. Rowling's work.

A/N 1: Hi everyone! Sorry this chapter took so long… we haven't gotten together that much… Thanks so much to Divine Sanity, our first – and only (how pitiful is that?!) reviewer! This chapter is dedicated to you! Thank you! Jessie

A/N 2: Hey! Ok…yeah we haven't updated in like…a year or so…so here's chapter number 2…yes and thank you so much Divine Sanity…I'm glad you like our story…and yes, Remus and Sirius are indeed very dreamy : ) Thanks again! Sally

James lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling in his room. It was the middle of July, and he was utterly bored. Fortunately, Remus and Sirius were coming over the next day (Peter had attracted a strange case of hives from a spell gone wrong, and had told James regretfully he couldn't come over.). Although he was bored, he was presently occupied by a troubling dilemma.

Yesterday, he had just been sitting around, when suddenly, for apparently no reason, Evans had popped into his head. Even more disturbing was the fact that he hadn't felt disgusted, or even appalled that she had entered his thoughts. In fact, the more he dwelled on her delicate features, stunning eyes, and beautiful hair, the more he began to think that she was actually decent-looking…. No, no, no! James thought. I'm doing it again! He got up and started banging his head on the wall, trying to get the thought of Lily's – Evans, he corrected himself – eyes out of his head.

Slightly dizzy and disoriented now, James flopped back on his bed, disgusted with himself. What am I going to do?! James sighed in frustration. He would just have to get this strange new obsession under control before Remus and Sirius arrived the next day. Yes, that's what he'd do. Meanwhile, he was going to have to put some ice on his throbbing head; he could already feel a bump forming….

James waited impatiently, sitting in a comfortable armchair, awaiting the arrival of his friends. Suddenly, the fireplace became alive with swirling green smoke and fire, and Sirius and Remus fell out of the fireplace, coughing.

"Padfoot! Moony!" James exclaimed. The two just stared at him with funny expressions on their faces.

"What?" James asked curiously.

"What's that red thing on your head?" Sirius asked.

"Huh? What are you talking about! I don't have a –," James started. But then, realization hit him and he raced toward a mirror. Sure enough, in the middle of his forehead, a big red lump was forming, a result of yesterday's incident. He sank into a chair, disgruntled at the deforming bump marring his forehead.

"What happened?" asked Remus, a grin quirking the corners of his mouth.

"Yesterday I was just thinking of Lily –," James suddenly stopped, realizing his slip-up.

"Ah, so you've been having some thoughts on our resident Prefect. Do tell," Sirius said, grinning at James' scarlet face.

"No, it's not like that –," James feebly protested. Then, as Remus gave him the famous lifted eyebrow, he relented, "Alright, so she's kind of been on my mind maybe a little… well, more like all the time…" The other two Marauders slapped high-fives at their success.

"So how are you winning her over, mate?" asked Sirius eagerly, scooting his chair closer to James'. Remus leaned in as well.

"That's the point! I don't know!" James threw his hands in the air in despair.

"Well, maybe you should start by getting on her good side. I happen to know it's her birthday tomorrow. Why don't you send her a gift?" Remus suggested.

"Well, odds are ten to one, she'll throw it away without looking at the gift, once she knows who sent it to her," responded James dully.

"Well, why don't you put the card inside the package?" said Sirius.

"Wow Padfoot! That was actually an intelligent suggestion!" James said, putting on an amazed face. Sirius looked proud, but then started thinking about the comment harder.

"Was that an insult?" he asked in confusion.

James and Remus sighed in unison. "Never mind, Padfoot," they replied.

Lily woke up with the sun shining through the lacey, pink curtains of her room. She sighed in contentment and basked in the warmth awhile, until she remembered that she turned sixteen. She jumped out of bed, got dressed, and headed downstairs.

In the kitchen, her parents greeted her with smiles and wishes for a happy birthday. She sat down at the oak table, eating her way through a steaming stack of pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, her favorite breakfast. Then, she opened the presents in the living room from her parents and relatives. Later in the afternoon, Lily went back up to her room, to open the presents that her friends from Hogwarts had sent her. Strangely, there were three, instead of the usual two.

She smiled as she opened a package containing an outfit, from Ashley. She received a gorgeous jewelry box from Krystal, with a glass heart fit into mahogany on the top. Then, she turned to the third gift.

Frowning slightly, she noticed that there was no card on the outside. She opened the flashing paper and gasped when the tissue fell open. There was a delicate necklace with a blown-glass pendant in the form of a translucent lily. Looking more closely, she noticed that her name was spelled out in fancy, gold lettering, with a diamond chip dotting the i.

As she was cleaning up the wrapping paper, a card fell out. Her lovely features scrunched up as she realized the beautiful gift was from Potter, of all people. If only it had been someone else – anyone else! – except that pathetic excuse for a human.

She was now stuck in a terrible predicament: she was required by the laws of etiquette to write back a thank-you note, but all she wanted to do was to yell at Potter. So, she decided to do both….

James looked up from his desk as an owl tapped on the windowpane. His friends had left yesterday, and he was bored already, so he was glad for the distraction. He opened the parchment and looked at the signature at the bottom – it was from Lily. James grinned. As he scanned the letter, however, his face fell again and again. This is what the letter said:

'Potter –

If the gift were from any other person, this would be a thank-you letter. As it is you, however, I am inclined to tell you that if not for the rules of etiquette, you would not be receiving this letter, or be reading something else entirely (this is enclosed, in case you were curious). Although the gift is lovely, I am currently feeling in debt to you – something that is definitely not pleasant in the least. So, Potter, writing this letter civilly is your repayment. Now, kindly leave me alone.

Never Yours,

Lily Evans.'

James winced at the harsh tone of the letter. He glanced at the "enclosement", wondering if he could take it. Deciding to take a chance, he opened up the letter. However, he cast a Silencing Charm on his room, just to be safe. It was a good thing he did.

Lily had sent a Howler that had her screaming at him, with various phrases like "you're nothing more than a bullying, good-for-nothing, pathetic excuse for a human!" and "just thinking about you makes me sick, Potter!" scattered throughout.

When the Howler had disintegrated, James sat, stunned. Then, he cracked a mischievous grin and began writing Lily a reply.

Lily turned, as a tapping on the window got her attention. Taking the letter from the owl, she opened it curiously. It said:

'Dearest Lily –

I received that lovely thank-you note. I was so touched that you remembered to send me one. Also, I happened to notice something you said in the 'enclosement'. Something along the lines of 'just thinking of you' (I can't seem to remember the rest of it. Well, I'm sure it was not important.). I'm so glad you think of me too.

Always Yours,

James Potter.'

Lily went to scream in her pillow from frustration. Then, she wrote a reply back to Potter.

A/N 1: Hey guys! We would really appreciate any reviews that come this way! Constructive criticism only, please! Also, if you like this, please read my stories on my account tenniStar514. Thank you! Jessie

A/N 2: 2nd chapter done! Yay! Anyway, review if you like it, review if you don't like it, or just review just because…no wait, actually, don't review if you don't like it. Oh, and my account is: Sallymander. Ciao! Sally