Chapter 9

A New Assignment

It's been two weeks since James's disastrous apology. Although Lily had not talked about it, she was still very mad at James. Wait, come to think of it, she's always mad at James, so it isn't such a surprise, but whatever. She ignored James at every possible opportunity. Basically, she tried as hard as she could not to acknowledge the fact that James existed. Although James desperately and pathetically tried to get her attention, she just turned her back and pretended that he wasn't there.

..------..

It was Arthimancy and as usual, the then teacher Professor Allens, a.k.a the most evil teacher at school was torturing his class with a complex problem. James, who was sitting in the back with Sirius, wasn't listening because he was busy writing a love letter to Lily. When he was done, he passed it. But instead of passing it secretly or using some kind of spell, he threw it to the front where Lily was sitting, making everyone see. (Stupid, I know).

Professor Allens, being gifted with a sharp eye, saw the paper. Before the piece of paper could land neatly on Lily's desk, Professor Allens caught it.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? It looks like a love letter to Miss Evans from her beloved Mr. Potter" the professor said, smiling evilly.

"This cannot be good. Please don't read it out loud professor oh please, oh please, oh please….." Lily though to herself as she glanced at the back of the room and glared at James, who was leaning back in his seat, relaxing as though nothing was happening. James only grinned in response and blew a kiss at her. When she turned back to the front, she was horrified to see that Professor Allens was opening the slip of paper and preparing to read it out loud.

"My dearest, no words could ever describe how happy I am when I am near you…." He started, smirking in a sadistic manner. On and on he read the letter, Lily's' eyes widening with disbelief, shock, and indignation as every word was spoken. Finally he was finished, the class laughing hysterically. The professor then said, "How very toughing. But I must request the both of you to keep your romantic and private life away form my class. Ten points from Gryffindor. Mr. Potter, get your feet of the table, sit properly, and start paying attention or I will take another ten points from your house and give you a week's detention, SCRUBBING THE HOSPITAL WING'S FLOORS, NO MAGIC. Believe me, you do not want that to happen again".

James immediately sat down properly, knowing all too well how unpleasant scrubbing the hospital wings floor without magic could be, having experienced it before in a detention given by, coincidently, Professor Allens himself. He muttered to himself, "Sadistic psychopath"

Being gifted with a sharp hearing as well, Professor Allens said, "What was that Mr. Potter?"

"Nothing sir" James replied, feigning innocence. After the commotion did down, the professor resumed his lesson.

..------..

An hour later, the bell rang to signify the end of classed. A soft murmur of "Finally" rang throughout the classroom as Professor Allens told them to pack up and leave.

Lily, who was still embarrassed and angry about that whole letter thing, stuffed her book, parchment and quill into her bag and went out of the classroom as fast as she could. Seeing this, James, taking his bag along with him, strolled after her.

"Lily, wait up!" James called out as he tried to catch up to her.

When he was right in front of her, they stopped and Lily crossed her arms and said, "Since when are we on a first name basis? Oh, I forgot. We're not. Anyway, what do want? And make it quick,"

James threw her a cocky grin as he replied, "I just wanted to tell you that the letter I wrote you was sincere and well-written, okay? It was supposed to be secret, but then that evil teacher had to go and read it. So rude,"

Lily pretended to consider the matter, then her serious face turned into an angry one as she suddenly snapped, "Hmm…NO! Listen Potter, did you realize that the professor wouldn't have read the note out loud if you didn't send one on the first place?"

"Umm, no"

"Prat. Can't you understand that whatever you do, I'd never go out, or like you? Wait, I think that you don't understand, since I've made that clear for the past three years and still you haven't gotten the message. Now please, leave me alone before you find yourself dangling upside down with your head dropping into the floor". And without another word, Lily left.

..------..

"Why is it?" James told his friends during afternoon break. "Why is it that the only girl I want in the only girl who hates my guts?"

Sirius replied, "Well, et me count the reasons. You're arrogant, a bully, a jerk, she sees you as nothing more than dirt beneath her feet, she thinks that your more horrible than words could ever say------"

Still irked about what had happened last week, James interrupted, "Padfoot, do all of humanity a favor and SHUT UP. Really, what kind of a friend are you, anyway?"

Sirius was about to reply but was stopped when Peter said, "Hey, James, isn't that Lily whose walking words us?" pointing to the red head who was indeed heading their way.

"Blimey, it is! Wonder what she wants?" James replied. When Lily reached them, he said, "Hello Lily. Come to tell me that you've discovered that I'm the perfect person for you?"

Lily rolled her eyes and said, "Dream on. Listen, Professor Dumbledore wants to see us in his office. Now".

"Really?" James said, smirking. "Is that true? For all I know, it could be some cover-up because you want to get me alone so you can admit that your passionately in love with me?"

Lily looked at him in disgust before she said in a 'sweet' voice, smiling forcedly, "Really, James. For all you know, this could just some cover-up because I want to get you alone so that I can torture and kill you in private, which is looking very tempting right now, but unfortunately, I have to follow Dumbledore's orders, so let's go, now".

"Fine, fine. Bye guys. See you later" James said as he followed Lily back inside the castle.

..------..

"WHAT!" Lily shrieked in indignation. Most unladylike. "Professor Dumbledore, I am sorry, but I refuse to work with this…this…foul excuse of a human on such an important event!"

They were in Professor Dumbledore's office, being informed of a new task set for them. You see, in the next week, the Minister of Magic, the Headmaster of Durmstrang, and the Headmistress of Beauxbatons, were coming to hold the annual Magical Educator's Convention. This year, it would take place at Hogwarts, and Lily and James were asked to plan the ball that was to happen to honor the presence of the guests at the last day. It was mandatory that Lily and James be present, and this time, it wouldn't be a masquerade ball and dress robes had to be worn. Obviously, Lily and James were partners and had to open the ball. James had no problem with this; he had planned to show Lily what a good person he really was during that time. Lily, meanwhile, was NOT happy.

"Ms. Evans, please. I realize your resentful feeling towards Mr. Potter, but I would advise you to put them aside for the time being. This is one of the most important events that would take place here at our school and I intend to see that it will be a success. Do I make myself clear?" Dumbledore said.

"Yes, sir" Lily said with a sigh, looking resigned to her fate.

"Mr. Potter? Do you have any problem at all with this arrangement?"

"No sir, no problem at all" James replied.

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Well, then that's settled then! I will give you the rest of the details later this evening. You may go".

With a good-bye, the two teen-agers left, Lily looking vexed and James looking pleased at the turn of events.