A/N: Hello again...I just feel like updating, and I've been writing like mad lately! This is the one you've all been wating for: the longest part so far! Woo-hoo! Please review, as always.
Part Five: The Ironic Thoughts of Lily Evans
James arrived at the portrait guarding Gryffindor house at the stroke of nine o'clock that night, carrying quite a few thick books on potions in his arms. He had told a distraught Lily she could go, and he would check the books out. He was about to wake up the Fat Lady when someone shouted at him from the staircase behind him. "Merlin, Prongs! Where've you been? We were supposed to play chess after dinner."
"Library," James stated simply to Sirius.
"Oh, right. You and Evans, doing your potions assignment together. Well, no matter. We can play now."
"Sorry Padfoot. I promised her I'd help her look through these books. We're meeting in the common room right now. You can come if you want," James added out of politeness, although the thought of Sirius tagging along bothered him a bit.
"No, no. I wouldn't want to intrude on your—ah—work," Sirius waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm just trying to pass Potions—"
"Yeah, and Grindelwald just tried to take over half the world."
"You were paying attention in History of Magic yesterday?"
"Yeah.By 1941, Lord Grindelwald had taken over the greater part of Europe. The Muggles called him Hitler."
"Wow. That's something." James noticed the Fat Lady had awoken, and—with a "Later, Padfoot"—recited the password and climbed through the portrait hole. Lily was already sitting at a rather large table, waiting for him.
"Thanks again for doing this," Lily said as James set the pile of books onto the table.
"No problem," James lied. He had basically moved heaven and earth to get the new librarian, Madam Pince, to let him take so many books from the Restricted Section.
Neither knew what else to say, so they began poring over the various volumes.
After a period of time, Lily looked up from 20,000 Potions You Never Thought Existed to see James hard at work. He scribbled something onto a piece of parchment every few minutes. Lily took a moment to admire his deep concentration. Perhaps there's hope for him after all, a little voice inside her head mused.
No, she replied. Once a git, always a git.
That's not entirely true. Mother always said Father used to be such an idiot, but look how he turned out!
No, Lily thought again, more firmly.
I guess we'll just have to see. After that, the voice remained silent, and Lily turned back to her book.
"All right," said James. It was midnight, and they were the only ones left in the common room. "I made a list of possibilities." He handed it over to her. Lily gaped at him.
"Thanks, Potter," she finally said in a businesslike manner.
His head suddenly snapped up. He gave her a lopsided grin, "Not a problem."
"So…" James said, after a minute of silence. "Where's your list, Evans?"
Lily blushed. "Erm…" In truth, she hadn't found a potion she'd even consider brewing for the assignment. "I…I don't have one."
"You don't?"
"No…"
"Losing your touch, Evans?"
"No! I mean, I just…" she trailed off.
"Great. Now you're not working your half."
"Me?"
"Yes, you! Who else could I be talking to? The common room's bloody empty!"
Lily took in a deep breath and exhale. This sure as hell wasn't solving anything. "Potter, let's just…bury the hatchet, okay?" What are you saying, Lily? she asked herself. I'm negotiating, she answered. We can't always be angry at each other, no matter how much he gets on my nerves.
James abated. "Okay," he said. "Sounds good."
"Right, then," Lily nodded, trying to clear her head.
She turned to James's list. Hmmm…Veritaserum…no, too complicated. Polyjuice Potion? No, too many hard-to-find ingredients…Aha! The Blood-Replenishing Potion…it's a definite possibility!
"These are all excellent suggestions," she said, amazed.
"Really?" James looked rather pleased with himself and surprised at the same time.
"Yes. I think the best one by far is the Blood-Replenishing potion. What are your thoughts?"
"Whatever you want is fine," he replied with sincerity.
Lily glanced at the common room's grandfather clock. Yikes! "Well, I suppose we'll have to sleep on it. It's getting late." She started gathering the books.
"No, don't worry about it, I'll get them. You look exhausted, Evans," he moved to takes the books from her.
She held them back. "Oh, I'm just—" Lily unsuccessfully tried to stifle a huge yawn, "…I guess I really am tired." She set the books down. "Thanks again, Potter."
"You're welcome."
Lily quietly crept up the girls' staircase and entered her dormitory. She collapsed on her bed, pondering everything that had just happened.
He's definitely being more considerate now. But why the change of heart?
Hmmm…because he likes you. The little voice had returned, much to Lily's dismay.
Well, I knew Potter liked me. If he's asked me out this many times…
The question is, Lily, do you like him?
Like him! How could I possibly like James Potter? Oh, that's rich. Lily shook herself slightly. No. I do not, have not, and will not my entire life.
A/N: Heehee...oh, the irony.