A/N: It took me forever to finish this chapter… I don't know why but every time I sat in front of the computer I could only write one paragraph and then my inspiration just evaporated… But it's here now, so read and tell me what you think!

This chapter is a bit different from the previous one, but next one will be more like the first one, I just need to show some things, you'll see…

Oh, and I did my best to correct grammar/spelling mistakes, but if someone would like to be my beta I would be eternally grateful! So e-mail me if you are interested! ;o)

Disclaimer: If I were the owner of Harry Potter and Co. I wouldn't be writing this fic. but the 7th book, so… is it necessary to say it?

No Strings Attached.

Chapter II: What is wrong with me?

That night Lily was still in the Common Room studying, even though it was nearly midnight. She was usually one of the last students to go to bed, and today was not an exception. All her friends had gone to sleep an hour ago, but she refused to leave until all her assignments for that week were completed. She had promised to herself that she wouldn't forget to do a piece of homework ever again.

The girl was checking for the fifth time her Arithmancy paper when the portrait hole opened.

"That's odd! I thought everyone was already sleeping." Thought Lily looking up from the bit of parchment she was reading.

A jet black mass of untidy hair appeared, followed by the body of none other than James Potter. He looked exhausted, as if he had run a hundred miles. He hadn't looked like that during dinner, not that she had paid any attention to the state of that arrogant jerk.

She must have stared at him for too long, because when he caught sight of her, he grinned and walked towards her.

"Waiting for me to give me a massage? That's very sweet of you 'cause I'm exhausted" He said with a mischievous look on his eyes.

"As if… I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot broom." The redhead replied indignantly. "Besides it's your fault if you are tired . You were the one wandering around out of bounds, Merlin knows doing what." She finished pointedly

"For your information, my dearest, I was not wandering around. I was in detention with McGonagall. She made me clean the glasses in greenhouses one to three." Lily said nothing, but her stomach clenched horribly. It was her fault, well at least partially her fault that Ja—Potter had been given a detention and now she felt guilty about it.

James yawned widely and said "I can't believe I still have to finish the Care of Magical Creatures drawing. I wouldbe only too happyto go to bed right now" He said looking longingly towards the stairs that led to the boys' room. Yet he opened his bag and started to take out his books. Lily looked at him incredulously: since when Potter chose homework before anything else?

Suddenly she remembered that she was still awake because she was supposed to be correcting her own essay. But for some reason she found it difficult to concentrate on the figures on the paper. Her eyes kept going back to where the boy was sitting, attempting to draw a Diricawl.

"What is wrong with me?" Lily thought angrily.

"Lils, do you know how muggles used to call Dricalws? I can't find it and it was one of the questions we had to answer." Asked James, looking up from 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'

"Dodos." Answered Lily, caught off guard as she had been lost in her own thoughts. James stared at her openmouthed. "What?" She asked, rather aggressively.

"I've just called you Lils and you didn't scream your head off or threw anything at me."

"Yeah well, don't get used to it. I'm tired and I don't feel like shouting… even to a useless prat like you." She said nervously, not looking at him. This made James smile.

"I think you are falling for my natural charms."

"Potter, we had actually managed to be in the same room for fifteen minutes without me having an uncontrollable desire to drawn you in the lake. Why is it that you always have to say the wrong thing?"

"Ok, ok. I take that back… Though I still think it's true"

"Potter" Lily started, her eyes shinning dangerously.

"Just kidding gorgeous." He answered smiling, wowing his head he returned to his work. "Well, I'm done here." He announced five minutes later. "Can I help you with anything?"

"No thank you, I'm fine." Answered the girl coldly.

"Ok then." James put his things away and sat back next to Lily.

"Why are you still here? I thought you said you were exhausted."

"I am, but I'll keep you company until you finish." Said James kindly, making her feel even guiltier about the coldness of her tone.

"But I still have to read the chapter on vampires for Defense Against the Dark Arts." She explained, forcing her voice to sound as neutral as possible.

"Isn't that for Friday after next?" Asked James confused.

"So?"

"Lils, you need to take a break… you work too hard."

"No I don't!" She protested, but half her response was lost in a yawn.

"Yeah right, you don't." James rolled his eyes and stood up. "Come on lady, you are going to bed right now." Lily started to complain but James cut her. "No, you need to rest." He said forcing her off the sofa.

"And why do you care?"

"Don't ask things to which you don't want to know the answer." He replied simply.

For the first time in her life Lily looked into James' eyes, as they were standing in front of each other, pretty close. She would have never guessed that his eyes could be so deep and show that amount of emotion. In fact she had never thought of James as a being with feelings.

By now the feel of guilt on her stomach was almost painful. "Are you coming then?" She was so disorientated by what was happening that she could only nod. "Are you all right?" He asked clearly worried at her lack of reaction, specially a violent reaction.

"Yes, I'm fine." She answered weakly.

Neither of them moved. Lily, because her legs wouldn't respond and James because, for him, that was paradise. Suddenly a noise outside brought them back to reality. Lily, fully aware that she was inches from her most detested classmate, turned and walk directly towards the stairs that lead to the girls' rooms, leaving behind all her stuff.

James remained transfixed, and only when the door shut with a slam did he move. He put away Lily's things neatly and then slowly, dragging his feet as if he were floating, went to his own room.

As in a dream he changed into his pajamas and got into bed. Life was absolutely wonderful tonight. He had just spent time alone with the girl he loved and she had not shouted at him once. Moreover, they had stood inches from each other, looking into the others eyes. Those amazingly deep, bright, green eyes… James thought that if he should die that night, his life would not had been in vain. And with that last comforting thought he fall asleep, dreaming about certain red-haired lady.


On the girls' room, something quite different was happening. Lily was having troubles to doze off. She couldn't stop thinking about James Potter. What had just occurred had been as strange as unexpected. She turned over for the fiftieth time and punched the pillow angrily.

"What is wrong with me? Why can't I get him out of my head?"

It was true that Potter had just acted as a normal human being, but that was no reason to lose one's ability to sleep. However, on the other hand, she had never, since first year, thought of the Gryffindor's seeker as a normal person. She had always been more than keen to assume that he was only a conceited jerk and that his actions were only motivated by his and his friends' stupidity. But tonight she had seen something quite different. His eyes had showed her kindness and thoughtfulness... And he had really nice eyes.

"Ok, this is going too far! I'm tired and can't think straight… Tomorrow things will be back to how they normally are." But just in case they didn't, Lily made a metal note to avoid Potter until her reason caught up with her senses.

A/N: How was it? Thank you to my wonderful wonderful reviewers… specially to those who continue have read my other stories! I love you guys! You don't know what you mean to me!