A/N: THIS STORY HAS CAUGHT UP IN REVIEWS WITH "Something Like Deception" AND THAT ONE HAS MORE CHAPTERS! I don't know whether to be happy about this, or not. So many things to say, so little time but YOU ALL have taken the time to review so I'm going to take the time and reply to EVERYONE this time! IF I LEFT YOU OUT, THEN TELL ME!!! (I'm going in order.)
Nikki: I UPDATED! I UPDATED!
Rena the Great: You WOULD? That's so sweet! And no, it hasn't changed to my knowledge. Still only one review per chapter.
bubblesara: Hey that's cute! It rhymes!
Amorette: Here's more! Soon enough for you?
anniePADFOOT: SoulAvenger. My old name was SoulAvenger. I'm glad you found me again!
megan: heehee, glad you thought it was so funny!
Tim Knispel: But were you itching to know what happens next? If you were, that makes it a cliffhanger anyway! Heehee, I win! Yeah, I completely forgot about the whole Cinderella thing! It WAS in there, wasn't it? The fairy godmother sang it, right? Glad you noticed the punctuation and spelling! Thanks! (Is Knispel your real last name? That's cool!)
mione-xavier: Happy to know that you think it's sweet! And you're absolutely right about his eyes. They ARE hazel! And I knew that – how did I screw that up? (wonders off muttering )
sarah warder: I'm happy that I make you happy!
Revi: I know! I love when James is jealous, too! And I also think James WOULD be a beautiful stag, don't you? I haven't read a story that mentioned how he looked as a stag before, so I decided to put in my own opinion for Lily's.
oye!: Yes it is new, isn't it? (laughter, laughter) Hey, is that your real penname? It's cute.
crazy4padfoot: I UPDATED! WOO HOO! I'm glad you liked the dark forest part! And I'm sorry about the lack of Sirius action. It IS a Lily/James story, though, but I'll still try to add little tidbits of Siriusness in there. Heehee.
Animalluvr75: Thanks! Will do!
Jinger: Yep, a "really pretty person"! You're the third person that's said that! I guess people really liked that part, huh? And I'll try to update more often, but I only have about an hour on the computer everyday, and I like longer chapters opposed to shorter ones. Glad you like it, though.
DreamWarrior: Oooh! I love your penname! Don't worry, no one will die! Yeah, the 5th book really shook me up. I get into reading and writing so much that it feels like I am really experiencing the characters feelings and everything, so when that incident occurred, I was actually depressed for awhile. People were telling me, "It's just a story! It's not real!" But it was real to me. THANKS FOR ADDING ME TO YOUR FAVORITES LISTS! That makes me so happy! And no, you'll be glad to know that I won't quit half way! Glad to know that you liked certain elements like the first chapter, too. I was worried it might upset some people, but so far, only one person has really complained. I'm definitely more of a Remus fan, too. He's my absolute favorite! If you haven't already, then read "Dancing with a Werewolf." That story is all about Remus.
Disclaimer: (whew) not mine.
Chapter Eight – Da Ba Dee
Lily gazed thoughtfully down Gryffindor table in the Marauders' direction. "You know, I've never ridden a horse . . ." she said, dreamily.
Kat and Pat exchanged looks, and then looked back at Lily. "I have," Kat announced. "It's not all it's cracked up to be."
"Nuts crack, don't they?" Lily said in that same dreamy voice, still staring down the table.
"Uh, yes," Pat replied, raising her eyebrows. "Yes they do."
"Do you think riding a deer would be any different?" Lily asked, vaguely.
"A DEER? You're joking, right?" Pat said. Again, she caught Kat's eye and this time they both followed Lily's line of vision down the table.
Kat gasped. "Oh, I get it!"
"What are you talking about?" Lily asked, snapping out of the dreamy voice and refocusing her attention on her two best friends. There was something about their voices and those sneaky smiles that made her want to put her guard up.
"That's what I'd like to know," Kat said, grinning.
Pat raised her eyebrows even higher. "Oh, we're just admiring your gawking skills."
"Gawking skills?" Kat asked, turning toward Pat, a confused expression on her face. "Don't you mean observation skills?"
"Nope, she was definitely gawking," Pat answered.
"WHAT are you talking about?" Lily repeated, feeling her face get hot. She had a pretty good idea . . .
"Hon, it's not that hard to see that you're obviously infatuated with a certain Marauder by the name of James Potter," Pat said.
Lily turned purple. "Why – th-that's preposterous!" she exclaimed, standing up. "I am not INFATUATED with anyone!" she hissed.
Heads turned to stare at them and Lily blushed furiously. "Obsessed, then?" Kat suggested.
"Good word," Pat nodded.
"I don't know what this is about," Lily retorted in a dangerously low voice. "But it's silly. I am NOT 'into' Potter. I was just . . . talking about horses. I like horses. Horses are nice."
"Okay, sure," Pat said, clearly unconvinced.
"Honestly," Lily said, frustrated. "Can't I say something without it having a hidden meaning behind it?"
"I'm sure you can," Kat said. "But you rarely do."
Lily threw her hands up in the air. "I've had enough of you two! I'm going outside!" She stormed away angrily.
Kat and Pat sighed in unison, then they both burst out laughing. Teasing Lily was so much fun. Together, they stood and went to join the Marauders sitting farther down the table.
---
James had left the table as soon as Evans' friends arrived. He liked them and everything, but he hated feeling like a seventh wheel. Sirius was so obviously into Pat, although he tried to deny it, Remus was head over heels for Kat, and all through breakfast Peter had been talking with a sixth year brunette. Sighing at his own unfortunate love life, James decided to take a walk. He was heading towards the front doors of the school when he spotted Evans disappearing through them herself.
He hesitated. Now, what if he went and she thought he was following her? He didn't want her to think he was a stalker or anything. He shook his head. 'Wait. Why should I care what Evans thinks?'
Making up his mind, he followed her out the door, but to his disappointment, when he got out there, she was nowhere in sight. He sighed. "Figures," he said aloud.
"Talking to yourself is a bad habit," a silky voice replied from behind him.
James jumped, then spun around glaring. "Snivellus," he said, narrowing his eyes. "What brings you out here?"
Snape shrugged, then he smiled. James stared at him. Since, when did Snivellus SMILE? It was unnerving. "I bet I know what you're doing out here, though," he said evilly. "Stalking Evans?"
James turned bright red. "I am not! I don't STALK anyone!" he said, angrily. "And it's none of your business, anyhow!"
Snape shrugged again. "Perhaps it isn't," he replied, smoothly. James blinked at him. Since when did Snivellus AGREE with him?
"Excuse me?" James said. He was pretty much confused by the whole idea of even having a conversation with this guy in the first place. Usually they just hexed each other, with James usually coming out on top, and then they went about their way.
"Are you a complete dunderhead, Potter?" Snape replied, smirking. "Are you really that thick?"
"What?" James said, clenching his fists, "are you TALKING about?"
"Do I honestly have to clarify it for you?" Snape said, smirking at him. "Merlin, Potter . . ."
"Listen, you! You better start talking right now, or else - !"
"Tsk tsk, Potter. Patience is a virtue," Snape said. He was obviously enjoying watching James squirm.
James shook his head. "Why am I even talking to you? You're wasting my – "
"It's about Evans," Snape interrupted.
James stopped and turned back around. "What about her?" he growled.
"So you do fancy her, then," Snape said, thoughtfully. "Interesting, seeing as how she feels about you."
James glowered at him, while inwardly trying to stop himself from clobbering the git. "How would you know how she feels?" he growled. "You don't know anything about her! And I don't fancy Evans! I don't even LIKE her!"
"You don't?" a soft voice asked from behind both of them.
James felt an ice block sink into the pit of his stomach. "L-Lily – " he stammered.
The look on her face was torn between hurt and confusion. James felt awful. And meanwhile, stupid Snivellus was standing there looking happier than he had looked in days.
"You don't like me?" Lily repeated, with that same pained expression on her face. James thought he saw tears well up in her eyes. He stared at her, wishing he could take it back in a way she'd understand.
"Well? Answer her, Potter," Snape said, smiling again. "Tell her how you feel about her. Tell her what you told me. How you don't like her, how everything you've got going with her right now is just a joke between you and your stupid friends – "
Lily looked as if she'd been slapped in the face. "Is that true?" she whispered.
James shook his head, desperately. "No! I was just saying that I – that I . . . Lily, you don't understand – "
"I understand," Lily said, quietly. "I understand just fine." She turned around and walked away, tears sliding silently down her face. James watched her go, helpless to do anything.
By the time he turned back around, ready to murder Snape, he had already gone.
---
"I don't understand it," Kathryn said later in the Gryffindor common room. She shook her head. "She was perfectly happy this morning. She was going on about horses and deer and she was fine."
"What?" James said. "Horses . . . and deer?"
Kathryn nodded. "Mmhmm." She smiled. "She was wondering if riding a deer would be any different than riding a horse."
James swallowed. "Oh," was all he could think of to say.
"I don't think it would be any different, really. I mean, as long as the deer was strong enough to hold her up," Kathryn said, thoughtfully.
"Right," James said, taking a deep breath. "Well, um, could you ask her if she'd come down? I really need to talk to her."
Kathryn shook her head again. "I'd ask her, but I know she's going to say no, so it's pointless. Hey, you don't think she'd need a saddle to ride a deer, do you?"
"What?" James said again, running his hand through his hair. He was thoroughly exasperated by this time.
"I don't think she'd need one. She could hold on to its antlers, right?" Kathryn asked.
This conversation was really starting to make him uncomfortable.
"Right," he agreed, backing away toward the male dormitories. Kathryn didn't seem to notice. She just reburied her nose in the book she'd been reading earlier: A YOUNG WIZARD/WITCHES GUIDE TO A FUTURE TEACHING CAREER by: Electica Morvoul.
---
"So then she said she's never ridden a horse," James said later to Sirius, Remus, and Peter.
"What's that got to do with anything? A lot of people have never ridden horses," Remus said, shrugging. "It's not a big deal."
"It is if you're thinking of substituting . . . oh, say, a STAG instead," James finished.
"What?" Remus said, raising his eyebrows.
"What?" Peter repeated, puzzled.
Realization dawned in Sirius' eyes. "What? She wants to RIDE you?" Sirius asked, smirking. Everyone was silent for a moment.
Remus finally sighed. "Honestly, Padfoot, must you interpret everything as having some kind of sexual meaning?"
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be me," Sirius replied, grinning. Remus rolled his eyes.
"It is kind of strange, though, isn't it?" James asked, anxiously. "Well?" he demanded when no one said anything. Peter shrugged.
"Sure . . . it's strange," Remus said. "But it does have its possibilities."
James shot him a disgusted look. "But it's WEIRD."
"Yeah, it's weird. But that doesn't deny the fact that you DO want to do it," Sirius said, knowingly.
James blushed slightly. "Okay, say, um, HYPOTHETICALLY, I DID want to do it . . . don't you think it's a weird question to ask her? And what makes you think she'll say yes? HYPOTHETICALLY speaking, of course."
Sirius started smirking again, and Remus just looked uncomfortable. "Well . . . not really. I mean, she's the one who brought it up," he said, logically.
"Just not in front of you," Peter pointed out, causing Sirius to glare at him and mouth, "Shut it."
"So, what would I say? HYPOTHETICALLY, if I were going to ask her?" James asked, ignoring them both. "Should I just walk up to her and say, 'Oh, sorry, Evans. Turns out I do like you after all, and to make it up to you, how about I let you ride me?'"
Sirius could barely contain his laughter. "Sounds a tad arrogant to me," he said, trying to keep a straight face.
Remus nodded. "Maybe if you changed the wording?" he said, smiling.
James shook his head. "It's not going to work, anyways," he muttered.
---
"Hey, Lily?" she heard HIM say hesitantly from behind her. He had been trying to catch her eye all during History of Magic, and she had been skillfully avoiding him.
She walked faster down the corridor. "Lily!" he called. "Lily, come back and talk to me, will you?"
She spun around and faced him. "What?" she snapped. "What do you want?" 'And why are you still calling me Lily?' she thought.
"I-I want to apologize," he said, swallowing. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that – what I said before. I do like you. I was just mad at Snivellus - er - Snape, and um, I messed up."
"Yes, you did," she said, softening a bit. He was staring at her. She sighed. "Is that all, Potter?"
Something flashed in his eyes when she said this. "I thought we were on a first name basis?" he asked, looking slightly hurt.
Something like a smile flittered across her face. "James," she corrected softly.
He grinned. "Do you forgive me then?"
Her smile disappeared. "No," she said shortly. Then, she spun around and started walking again.
"Wait, Lily . . ." He touched her arm.
She turned around with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?"
He took a deep breath. "I, urm, I heard you like horses."
She nodded. "Yes, I do."
"I heard you've never ridden a horse," he continued, hesitantly.
"Where is this going?" she asked.
"You know, stags are a lot like horses," he said, swallowing.
---
There was a long silence in which she just stared at him and tried to find her voice. 'Is he suggesting what I think he's suggesting . . .?' she thought.
"What are you trying to say?" she finally asked. Her voice came out as a dry whisper.
"You could ride . . . um, Prongs," James said. He was staring at the floor, blushing, and clearly waiting for her to say something. The problem was Lily wasn't sure what to say.
"I'm, uh, I'm afraid of heights," she managed.
"He wouldn't let you fall," James said quickly. He corrected himself. "I'D never let you fall."
A small smile graced her features once again. Should she say yes? Sure, he wasn't a horse, but, well . . . she could always hang on to his antlers or something. And he said he wouldn't let her fall . . .
She took a deep breath. Again Lily began to question her sanity as she said, "Okay."
---
A/N: Everyone who wants to ride James, raise you hand! (blushes) Only me? What's WITH you people! Haha, just kidding!
Review Please!
Ariana S.
Nikki: I UPDATED! I UPDATED!
Rena the Great: You WOULD? That's so sweet! And no, it hasn't changed to my knowledge. Still only one review per chapter.
bubblesara: Hey that's cute! It rhymes!
Amorette: Here's more! Soon enough for you?
anniePADFOOT: SoulAvenger. My old name was SoulAvenger. I'm glad you found me again!
megan: heehee, glad you thought it was so funny!
Tim Knispel: But were you itching to know what happens next? If you were, that makes it a cliffhanger anyway! Heehee, I win! Yeah, I completely forgot about the whole Cinderella thing! It WAS in there, wasn't it? The fairy godmother sang it, right? Glad you noticed the punctuation and spelling! Thanks! (Is Knispel your real last name? That's cool!)
mione-xavier: Happy to know that you think it's sweet! And you're absolutely right about his eyes. They ARE hazel! And I knew that – how did I screw that up? (wonders off muttering )
sarah warder: I'm happy that I make you happy!
Revi: I know! I love when James is jealous, too! And I also think James WOULD be a beautiful stag, don't you? I haven't read a story that mentioned how he looked as a stag before, so I decided to put in my own opinion for Lily's.
oye!: Yes it is new, isn't it? (laughter, laughter) Hey, is that your real penname? It's cute.
crazy4padfoot: I UPDATED! WOO HOO! I'm glad you liked the dark forest part! And I'm sorry about the lack of Sirius action. It IS a Lily/James story, though, but I'll still try to add little tidbits of Siriusness in there. Heehee.
Animalluvr75: Thanks! Will do!
Jinger: Yep, a "really pretty person"! You're the third person that's said that! I guess people really liked that part, huh? And I'll try to update more often, but I only have about an hour on the computer everyday, and I like longer chapters opposed to shorter ones. Glad you like it, though.
DreamWarrior: Oooh! I love your penname! Don't worry, no one will die! Yeah, the 5th book really shook me up. I get into reading and writing so much that it feels like I am really experiencing the characters feelings and everything, so when that incident occurred, I was actually depressed for awhile. People were telling me, "It's just a story! It's not real!" But it was real to me. THANKS FOR ADDING ME TO YOUR FAVORITES LISTS! That makes me so happy! And no, you'll be glad to know that I won't quit half way! Glad to know that you liked certain elements like the first chapter, too. I was worried it might upset some people, but so far, only one person has really complained. I'm definitely more of a Remus fan, too. He's my absolute favorite! If you haven't already, then read "Dancing with a Werewolf." That story is all about Remus.
Disclaimer: (whew) not mine.
Chapter Eight – Da Ba Dee
Lily gazed thoughtfully down Gryffindor table in the Marauders' direction. "You know, I've never ridden a horse . . ." she said, dreamily.
Kat and Pat exchanged looks, and then looked back at Lily. "I have," Kat announced. "It's not all it's cracked up to be."
"Nuts crack, don't they?" Lily said in that same dreamy voice, still staring down the table.
"Uh, yes," Pat replied, raising her eyebrows. "Yes they do."
"Do you think riding a deer would be any different?" Lily asked, vaguely.
"A DEER? You're joking, right?" Pat said. Again, she caught Kat's eye and this time they both followed Lily's line of vision down the table.
Kat gasped. "Oh, I get it!"
"What are you talking about?" Lily asked, snapping out of the dreamy voice and refocusing her attention on her two best friends. There was something about their voices and those sneaky smiles that made her want to put her guard up.
"That's what I'd like to know," Kat said, grinning.
Pat raised her eyebrows even higher. "Oh, we're just admiring your gawking skills."
"Gawking skills?" Kat asked, turning toward Pat, a confused expression on her face. "Don't you mean observation skills?"
"Nope, she was definitely gawking," Pat answered.
"WHAT are you talking about?" Lily repeated, feeling her face get hot. She had a pretty good idea . . .
"Hon, it's not that hard to see that you're obviously infatuated with a certain Marauder by the name of James Potter," Pat said.
Lily turned purple. "Why – th-that's preposterous!" she exclaimed, standing up. "I am not INFATUATED with anyone!" she hissed.
Heads turned to stare at them and Lily blushed furiously. "Obsessed, then?" Kat suggested.
"Good word," Pat nodded.
"I don't know what this is about," Lily retorted in a dangerously low voice. "But it's silly. I am NOT 'into' Potter. I was just . . . talking about horses. I like horses. Horses are nice."
"Okay, sure," Pat said, clearly unconvinced.
"Honestly," Lily said, frustrated. "Can't I say something without it having a hidden meaning behind it?"
"I'm sure you can," Kat said. "But you rarely do."
Lily threw her hands up in the air. "I've had enough of you two! I'm going outside!" She stormed away angrily.
Kat and Pat sighed in unison, then they both burst out laughing. Teasing Lily was so much fun. Together, they stood and went to join the Marauders sitting farther down the table.
---
James had left the table as soon as Evans' friends arrived. He liked them and everything, but he hated feeling like a seventh wheel. Sirius was so obviously into Pat, although he tried to deny it, Remus was head over heels for Kat, and all through breakfast Peter had been talking with a sixth year brunette. Sighing at his own unfortunate love life, James decided to take a walk. He was heading towards the front doors of the school when he spotted Evans disappearing through them herself.
He hesitated. Now, what if he went and she thought he was following her? He didn't want her to think he was a stalker or anything. He shook his head. 'Wait. Why should I care what Evans thinks?'
Making up his mind, he followed her out the door, but to his disappointment, when he got out there, she was nowhere in sight. He sighed. "Figures," he said aloud.
"Talking to yourself is a bad habit," a silky voice replied from behind him.
James jumped, then spun around glaring. "Snivellus," he said, narrowing his eyes. "What brings you out here?"
Snape shrugged, then he smiled. James stared at him. Since, when did Snivellus SMILE? It was unnerving. "I bet I know what you're doing out here, though," he said evilly. "Stalking Evans?"
James turned bright red. "I am not! I don't STALK anyone!" he said, angrily. "And it's none of your business, anyhow!"
Snape shrugged again. "Perhaps it isn't," he replied, smoothly. James blinked at him. Since when did Snivellus AGREE with him?
"Excuse me?" James said. He was pretty much confused by the whole idea of even having a conversation with this guy in the first place. Usually they just hexed each other, with James usually coming out on top, and then they went about their way.
"Are you a complete dunderhead, Potter?" Snape replied, smirking. "Are you really that thick?"
"What?" James said, clenching his fists, "are you TALKING about?"
"Do I honestly have to clarify it for you?" Snape said, smirking at him. "Merlin, Potter . . ."
"Listen, you! You better start talking right now, or else - !"
"Tsk tsk, Potter. Patience is a virtue," Snape said. He was obviously enjoying watching James squirm.
James shook his head. "Why am I even talking to you? You're wasting my – "
"It's about Evans," Snape interrupted.
James stopped and turned back around. "What about her?" he growled.
"So you do fancy her, then," Snape said, thoughtfully. "Interesting, seeing as how she feels about you."
James glowered at him, while inwardly trying to stop himself from clobbering the git. "How would you know how she feels?" he growled. "You don't know anything about her! And I don't fancy Evans! I don't even LIKE her!"
"You don't?" a soft voice asked from behind both of them.
James felt an ice block sink into the pit of his stomach. "L-Lily – " he stammered.
The look on her face was torn between hurt and confusion. James felt awful. And meanwhile, stupid Snivellus was standing there looking happier than he had looked in days.
"You don't like me?" Lily repeated, with that same pained expression on her face. James thought he saw tears well up in her eyes. He stared at her, wishing he could take it back in a way she'd understand.
"Well? Answer her, Potter," Snape said, smiling again. "Tell her how you feel about her. Tell her what you told me. How you don't like her, how everything you've got going with her right now is just a joke between you and your stupid friends – "
Lily looked as if she'd been slapped in the face. "Is that true?" she whispered.
James shook his head, desperately. "No! I was just saying that I – that I . . . Lily, you don't understand – "
"I understand," Lily said, quietly. "I understand just fine." She turned around and walked away, tears sliding silently down her face. James watched her go, helpless to do anything.
By the time he turned back around, ready to murder Snape, he had already gone.
---
"I don't understand it," Kathryn said later in the Gryffindor common room. She shook her head. "She was perfectly happy this morning. She was going on about horses and deer and she was fine."
"What?" James said. "Horses . . . and deer?"
Kathryn nodded. "Mmhmm." She smiled. "She was wondering if riding a deer would be any different than riding a horse."
James swallowed. "Oh," was all he could think of to say.
"I don't think it would be any different, really. I mean, as long as the deer was strong enough to hold her up," Kathryn said, thoughtfully.
"Right," James said, taking a deep breath. "Well, um, could you ask her if she'd come down? I really need to talk to her."
Kathryn shook her head again. "I'd ask her, but I know she's going to say no, so it's pointless. Hey, you don't think she'd need a saddle to ride a deer, do you?"
"What?" James said again, running his hand through his hair. He was thoroughly exasperated by this time.
"I don't think she'd need one. She could hold on to its antlers, right?" Kathryn asked.
This conversation was really starting to make him uncomfortable.
"Right," he agreed, backing away toward the male dormitories. Kathryn didn't seem to notice. She just reburied her nose in the book she'd been reading earlier: A YOUNG WIZARD/WITCHES GUIDE TO A FUTURE TEACHING CAREER by: Electica Morvoul.
---
"So then she said she's never ridden a horse," James said later to Sirius, Remus, and Peter.
"What's that got to do with anything? A lot of people have never ridden horses," Remus said, shrugging. "It's not a big deal."
"It is if you're thinking of substituting . . . oh, say, a STAG instead," James finished.
"What?" Remus said, raising his eyebrows.
"What?" Peter repeated, puzzled.
Realization dawned in Sirius' eyes. "What? She wants to RIDE you?" Sirius asked, smirking. Everyone was silent for a moment.
Remus finally sighed. "Honestly, Padfoot, must you interpret everything as having some kind of sexual meaning?"
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be me," Sirius replied, grinning. Remus rolled his eyes.
"It is kind of strange, though, isn't it?" James asked, anxiously. "Well?" he demanded when no one said anything. Peter shrugged.
"Sure . . . it's strange," Remus said. "But it does have its possibilities."
James shot him a disgusted look. "But it's WEIRD."
"Yeah, it's weird. But that doesn't deny the fact that you DO want to do it," Sirius said, knowingly.
James blushed slightly. "Okay, say, um, HYPOTHETICALLY, I DID want to do it . . . don't you think it's a weird question to ask her? And what makes you think she'll say yes? HYPOTHETICALLY speaking, of course."
Sirius started smirking again, and Remus just looked uncomfortable. "Well . . . not really. I mean, she's the one who brought it up," he said, logically.
"Just not in front of you," Peter pointed out, causing Sirius to glare at him and mouth, "Shut it."
"So, what would I say? HYPOTHETICALLY, if I were going to ask her?" James asked, ignoring them both. "Should I just walk up to her and say, 'Oh, sorry, Evans. Turns out I do like you after all, and to make it up to you, how about I let you ride me?'"
Sirius could barely contain his laughter. "Sounds a tad arrogant to me," he said, trying to keep a straight face.
Remus nodded. "Maybe if you changed the wording?" he said, smiling.
James shook his head. "It's not going to work, anyways," he muttered.
---
"Hey, Lily?" she heard HIM say hesitantly from behind her. He had been trying to catch her eye all during History of Magic, and she had been skillfully avoiding him.
She walked faster down the corridor. "Lily!" he called. "Lily, come back and talk to me, will you?"
She spun around and faced him. "What?" she snapped. "What do you want?" 'And why are you still calling me Lily?' she thought.
"I-I want to apologize," he said, swallowing. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that – what I said before. I do like you. I was just mad at Snivellus - er - Snape, and um, I messed up."
"Yes, you did," she said, softening a bit. He was staring at her. She sighed. "Is that all, Potter?"
Something flashed in his eyes when she said this. "I thought we were on a first name basis?" he asked, looking slightly hurt.
Something like a smile flittered across her face. "James," she corrected softly.
He grinned. "Do you forgive me then?"
Her smile disappeared. "No," she said shortly. Then, she spun around and started walking again.
"Wait, Lily . . ." He touched her arm.
She turned around with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?"
He took a deep breath. "I, urm, I heard you like horses."
She nodded. "Yes, I do."
"I heard you've never ridden a horse," he continued, hesitantly.
"Where is this going?" she asked.
"You know, stags are a lot like horses," he said, swallowing.
---
There was a long silence in which she just stared at him and tried to find her voice. 'Is he suggesting what I think he's suggesting . . .?' she thought.
"What are you trying to say?" she finally asked. Her voice came out as a dry whisper.
"You could ride . . . um, Prongs," James said. He was staring at the floor, blushing, and clearly waiting for her to say something. The problem was Lily wasn't sure what to say.
"I'm, uh, I'm afraid of heights," she managed.
"He wouldn't let you fall," James said quickly. He corrected himself. "I'D never let you fall."
A small smile graced her features once again. Should she say yes? Sure, he wasn't a horse, but, well . . . she could always hang on to his antlers or something. And he said he wouldn't let her fall . . .
She took a deep breath. Again Lily began to question her sanity as she said, "Okay."
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A/N: Everyone who wants to ride James, raise you hand! (blushes) Only me? What's WITH you people! Haha, just kidding!
Review Please!
Ariana S.