Miss Effie's Incoherent Ramblings (aka Author's Notes)- Oh. My. Giddy. Aunt. You guys may not realize this, but I have had the worst bout of writer's block that I have ever had in my life. Then, we had two snow days and I started writing, and the words just flowed from my pen. It was so amazing. Actually, I already have most of the next chapter written as well. I. Love. Snow. Days. I am really, really sorry for not updating in so long, but believe me, it's bugged me just as much as you may have been bugged by it. Quick overview of the last chapter—Lily gives James detention for accusing Snape of being a Voldemort supporter in the Great Hall. Umm…yeah. Anyway, I'll let you read it. Real quick, though, keep your eyes out for a reference to one of my favorite musicals in this chapter. 10 points if you get it! (No cheating, Jerrygirl.)

Chapter Five

"No Firewhiskey?"

James continued the rest of his day hardly talking to anyone other than Remus, Sirius and Peter. In classes he didn't raise his hand and avoided making eye contact. Mostly, it seemed to be his goal not to talk, see, touch or stand within a twenty foot radius of Lily Evans.

"You're not going to be able to avoid her forever, James," Sirius said as they walked to the common room.

"I know," James replied.

"She yells at you constantly, why does this time matter so much?" James tried to explain, but he couldn't. It was just something about the way she said it, the look in her eyes. It was serious this time.

"You had better get working on your homework, you don't know how long Lily will keep you," said Lupin, sensibly.

"Come on, Moony, this man doesn't want to go bury his nose in books! All Prongs needs right now is some firewhis—" Sirius stopped abruptly as James walked up the boys' dormitory stairs and closed the door behind him. "Oh…he must be going to…get it…" said Sirius. Lupin just shook his head and immersed himself in a book that had been thrown on the table earlier that day. Sirius waited for ten minutes before saying, "No firewhiskey?"

"Not tonight," Lupin said. "Not tonight." James had indeed gone up to his dormitory to work on his homework. Anything to forget what Lily had said to him earlier that day and the upcoming detention. Sirius grumbled and walked off, in search of some Hufflepuff to kiss. Remus continued reading.

Lily, unlike James, was not doing her homework. She had meant to, but she hadn't planned on meeting Gwen in the library. Gwen wasn't alone; she was studying with a dark haired boy. Lily thought she recognized him from Ravenclaw. Lily tried to walk past without disturbing them, but Gwen spotted her.

"Lily! D'you want to study with us?" asked Gwen, indicating a chair next to her. The boy looked up at Lily too.

"Um, I don't have to, it's all right," said Lily. She didn't know if Gwen had asked to be polite, even though she really wanted Lily to bugger off, or if Gwen really wanted Lily to sit down.

"Its fine, we're almost finished and then we can go somewhere and talk." Well, Gwen sounded sincere enough. The boy smiled at Lily.

"Since Gwen isn't going to remember to introduce us, I'll go ahead. I'm Paul Cooper, Ravenclaw, seventh year. I hardly need to ask your name. You're Lily Evans, the only student to ever give the revered James Potter a detention." Lily groaned.

"You heard?"

"It's all over. In fact, I think his Gryffindor fan club is already planning a "We Still Love You, James!" party after his detention." Lily could tell he was joking, and she smiled. It was comforting to know that other people thought worshipping James Potter was ridiculous. Gwen looked up from her book.

"Oh, Lily, this is Paul C—" she began.

"—onners, Ravenclaw, seventh year. We already introduced ourselves."

"Oh," replied Gwen, blushing slightly.

"So, when did you two meet?" asked Lily.

"Just about fifteen minutes ago," said Paul.

"We all actually have Herbology together," said Gwen, shutting her book. Paul and Lily talked about the Herbology lesson that day while Gwen finished her homework.

"Come on, let's get out of here, " said Gwen, after she had put the library books she had been using away. They decided to sit out on a grassy knoll in front of the Great Lake. It was a little chilly, but they didn't mind. The three of them chatted for a long time before realizing it was getting dark out. Gwen looked at her watch.

"Umm…Lily?" Lily stopped in the middle of her story and looked at Gwen. "What time did you give James detention?"

"Eight o'clock, why?" Gwen grimaced. "Gwen..." said Lily, realization dawning on her, "tell me what time it is." She grabbed Gwen's wrist frantically and looked at her wristwatch. It was eight twenty. "Oh no…" said Lily. She got up quickly and began running towards the castle, yelling, "It was nice to meet you, Paul!" behind her shoulder. She ran as fast as she could towards the Gryffindor common room. She yelled the password at the Fat Lady ("My word! They get ruder every year!") and burst through the portrait hole. Glancing around, she spied James, who was staring at her, much like everyone else in the common room.

"Mr. Potter," she said, trying to regain her dignity. "Please come with me. You will be serving your detention in the library." James got up, still staring at her. They walked out of the common room.

"I'm sorry, Potter, that I was late," said Lily. "I lost track of time. I was talking to Paul Conners," James' eyebrows shot up, "and Gwen," she finished, pointedly.

"I see," said James.

"So, I'm sorry."

"Yes, I heard." Lily looked at him. She was waiting for him to offer his forgiveness. He caught on. "It's fine. Just means a shorter detention for me."

"That depends," replied Lily, noncommittally. They walked a bit farther in uncomfortable silence. Then, James cleared his throat. Several times. Lily, sensing this was important, turned to him, almost annoyed, for some reason.

"I'm sorry, Lily," he said.

"For what?"

"For…disappointing you."

"Oh," said Lily. This wasn't like James! What was he up to? She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not knocking any time off your detention." James suddenly looked tired.

"That's not what I wanted. I just want you to…forgive me." It was James' turn to wait for Lily's forgiveness. Lily wasn't sure she wanted to give it to him. Would this mean she could no longer hate him? Would this change something between them? She didn't know if she wanted to take a step in that direction. Then again, it was very diplomatic of him to apologize. Obviously it took him a lot of courage. He had come off his high horse to humbly ask forgiveness. But was this just some flippant action of his? Would he deny it later? Use it against her? Even after her long inner monologue she hadn't made a decision. James had been watching her the whole time. He obviously had noticed some conflict in her bright green eyes so he added, "Please, Lily," very softly. Well, that did it.

"Of course, J-Potter," she said, not sure she was ready to use his first name, even though he had used hers. James smiled and it spread through his whole face.

"And I'm sorry for annoying you for the past six years," he said, heartened by one victory. "Forgive me?"

"Not quite yet, Potter," said Lily, not ready to completely let go of the Potter she was familiar with. James looked slightly put out by that remark, but one success was enough to lift his spirits considerably. They walked down to the library, again in silence, but it was different this time. When they finally reached the library, Lily assigned him his tasks, and sat down at a table to do her homework where she could keep an eye on him. Madam Paroo scolded James once for whistling, but other than that he was on his best behavior. He did the tasks assigned to him efficiently and didn't bother Lily. She did catch him staring at her from between the books occasionally, but she didn't reprimand him, although, she couldn't control the blushes that crept up on her cheeks every time she met his eyes during the course of the evening.

Looking up, she saw Madam Paroo hovering over her. "Excuse me, Miss Evans, but I have already kept the library open past hours. Do you think you could end your detention now? He has nothing else to do." Lily glanced over at James, who was sitting in a chair, flipping through a book.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Madam Paroo. Of course. Thank you so much for allowing me to bring Potter here for his detention."

"Anytime, Miss Evans," said Madam Paroo, and she walked away.

"Potter, your detention is finished. You may go now," said Lily, closing the books she had been using.

"We are both going to the same place, Miss Lily; may I wait and walk you up to the Head rooms?" he asked.

"It is possible for us to go to the same place, Potter, without you walking me there. I would prefer it if you stayed on one side of the hall, and I will stay on the other." James frowned. He had been almost positive that by Lily forgiving him for the incident with Snape, they were friends. "Just because I forgave you for one wrong doing, Potter, doesn't mean anything is any different."

"Oh," replied James. "Right. So I can go back to annoying you?" Lily sighed.

"If you have to," she said.

"It's only fair," he replied. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Good night, James," she said, strolling out of the library. James stood in complete shock. She must not have noticed that she called him 'James.' He grinned. She may have said nothing had changed, but James knew that somehow it wasn't the same. It was the first step, however little it was. He bolted out of the library. He was going to make a quick stop at the Gryffindor boys' dorms.

A/N: And now I will thank my reviewers.

MaD-4-u: Hehe. Two chappies a day, eh? Mmm, the day that happens is the day that hell freezes over, just to be extremely cliché. But thanks anyway. Keep reading!

Allie: Yeah, it is an up and down relationship. Not too up and down, I hope. I was afraid that I was making it too extreme…I hope you don't think so.

verylonely: Thank you so, so much. Your reviews are greatly appreciated.

JerryGirl: I really cannot think of anything to say to you. Haha!

TheFlyingMoose: Mmm…snickers…

tennisaddict: Mmm, I dunno. Dan is all right, I suppose. - AND "OH SNAP" IS NOT YOUR SAYING, AND IT DID NOT COME FROM THE CHAPELLE SHOW! So…THERE! Thanks for your review. Sorry I didn't let you beta this one, but I figured I should give Allie a chance, since she was complaining about it last time.

The all Mighty and powerfulM: Ooo, my story was worth an "awesomeness"?! That is high, high praise. Thank you so much!

Aseretasylum: This is so wonderful, getting a review from you. I love your writing so much. I really, really appreciate it. I'll try to tap out a few more words for you, and a lot faster than last time. ::sheepish grin::

Scallywag: Ahh! A coronary? Umm…well…I'm not liable. ::quickly walks away::

Lyss: Finally, holy crap. I'm glad to see I'm at the top of your priority list. Hehe, just kidding. Thanks for reviewing.

Please, keep the reviews coming! Seeing as how I have most of the next chapter done (let's hope writer's block is gone!) I will update once I get…another ten reviews, since that's what I got last time. So if you want me to update, review! Please be kind, rewind! Err…review! (But also rewind).