Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Only the plot.

Beta by: ilovethedotgame

Chapter Ten: All Because of a Chocolate Frog

James Potter

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin

Peter Pettigrew

Sirius and I went to Diagon Alley today to buy our supplies for the upcoming term. I didn't see Lily there, but as I'm going to see her on the train and everyday for the rest of the school term, I suppose I'll live. Nevertheless, not seeing her was slightly disappointing.

I'm ready to go back to Hogwarts. I love my parents and all of the quidditch posters in my room, but there's no better place than with your friends.

The guys and I sat with the girls on the train ride to Hogwarts. I tried to keep a conversation going, but Lily didn't seem particularly interested. Pity.

I did get her attention when I asked her where she had thought of the name for her owl (Galadriel). She started to tell me it was the name of an elf in some book, but then stopped mid sentence with a highly suspicious look on her face and asked how I knew the name of her owl.

Oops. It's not as though how I found out is a big secret, but it just seems like I know random things about her. Well, I do, but that makes me sound like a stalker. And even if on some level, I was, or am, a stalker, I don't want Lily to think of me as one.

After this great internal debate that raged for thirty seconds ended, I told her the truth. It was in the letter she sent to my mother about what time my family should arrive at her house for dinner.

Lily then accused me of reading other people's mail and remained skeptical even when I told her that I had asked permission to read the letter. Being the idiot I am, I asked Sirius to back me up on this fact.

I've known Sirius for six years and I trusted him. That was smart. Well, Sirius can be trusted with some things, but asking him for help with Lily is definitely not one of them. He kindly informed her that I had begged on bended knee for fifteen minutes to read her letter.

Prat. I did not beg on bended knee! I didn't even beg. All I said was, "Mum, can I read the letter?" and she handed it over. Leave it to Sirius to make me seem even more desperate than I already am. This just adds to my stalker image.

Remus decided we needed a subject change and mentioned that I had been named quidditch captain this year. I swear he was testing me to see if I would boast about my newfound position.

Although I desperately wanted to jump onto the seat and shout it out for the whole train to hear, I kept my comments about being team captain to the fact that I'm happy about it. Okay, slight under exaggeration, but the last thing is I want is Lily thinking that I think I'm better than everyone else just because of my new position. Which, I don't.

It must also be noted that this time when the food trolley lady came by, I bought several chocolate frogs, but did attempt to buy anything for Lily. I merely offered her one of mine.

It's strange, but that seemed to make her very happy. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her smile to herself. Wonderful progress has been made today. And all because of a chocolate frog.

I just had a very odd conversation with Lily in the common room. Odd, but…good. And informative.

I was sitting in front of the fireplace messing with the golden snitch that I liberated from the quidditch store cupboard last year when she approached me. Now, I realize that it was wrong to steal it, but I was an idiot back then. I didn't know any better. Well, maybe I did, but I didn't care that I was an idiot. I didn't care about much of anything until Lily came along.

Anyway, Lily stood next to my chair for a moment, arms folded, a questioning look on her face. I was closing my fingers around the snitch after another successful catch when she asked me if I was a chaser.

Initially, I was slightly outraged. I know she doesn't like me a great deal, but she attends quidditch matches; she knows I'm a chaser.

I slowly admitted, that, yes, I was. She looked satisfied, which I found strange until she asked me if I was a chaser, why was I carrying around a snitch?

Everything made sense then. I responded that the seeker position wasn't open when tried out and that I am perfectly content being a chaser. And I am. Being a chaser is a lot of work, but it's very rewarding to score the points for your team and help ensure a Gryffindor victory. Or whichever team you may be on. But that's neither here nor there.

Then, Lily informed me that since I was a chaser I should be carrying a quaffle around instead of a snitch. While it would make more sense, since the snitch doesn't really concern me during the game, except for the fact that my seeker needs to catch it, carrying a quaffle around would look ridiculous. And I, James Potter, do not look ridiculous.

Some might question that statement. It is highly debatable. Your hair is always at funny angles and your glasses are nearly always crooked and slipping down your nose.

If you're done critiquing my appearance, I'd like to finish this entry.

Just kidding, mate. You don't have to be so snarky.

I'm allowed to be snarky when certain people keep summoning my notebook away from me.

Journal.

Notebook.

Journal.

Notebook, and anyway, Lily's comment made me think. Why do I carry that snitch around all the time?

Because it makes you look cool in front of all your adoring admirers.

No! Well…maybe it started out that way, but it's not because of that anymore. I don't know why I carry it…I'm a chaser, not a seeker… I'm putting the snitch in the box and stuffing the box under my bed.

Forever?

Forever.

It must be noted that I have not asked Lily out since last year. I hope she's noticed. I would hate to have worked this hard and not have her notice that I'm at least making an effort.

Since you're at quidditch practice right now, James, I'm taking this opportunity to write in your notebook.

She's noticed, Prongs. During Astronomy last night, I heard Lily tell Hestia that you hadn't asked her out all year.

Just when I think things are finally getting better between Lily and me, I have to go and muck it up. No, I didn't ask her out. I just made her angry.

Tonight I was bored, and since my Potions paper isn't due for a week, I had nothing to do. So, I pulled out my handy dandy map and located Lily. Being the good student that she is, she was in the library finishing her work early. I headed down to the library, taking a few books with me to make it look as though I was going to do homework.

Walking up to Lily's table, I asked her if I could sit down. Last year I would have sauntered up and sat down without so much as a hello, but I'm coming to realize that that just sitting down without asking is quite rude. Asking is defiantly worth it, because she said yes!

We worked in silence for a good amount of time. Well, she worked while I pretended to work, stealing glances at her every now and then. But then I got bored. Pretending to write a two-roll parchment essay on the properties of the forgetfulness potion can only be entertaining for a very minimal amount of time.

The quidditch player in me came out, and I asker her if she was planning on attending the Slytherin versus Gryffindor match that's coming up in a couple of weeks. I had expected her to instantly reply that she was coming, but what she had to say surprised me.

Lily will only be coming if she doesn't have too much work to do. The quidditch match of the season and she might have too much homework to come? That's just…I mean…she…it…quidditch.

She told me that her schoolwork came before watching my match. Don't get me wrong, I care about my grades, but quidditch is important to me, too. A match doesn't take that long, she'll still have time to do her homework. I don't understand it.

And because I don't understand her logic on this, I said things I shouldn't have. I tried to make her see things from my point of view. Needless to say, it didn't work. I ended up angering her and I was actually slightly rude to her.

I'm so depressed. I'm going to go fly around the pitch for a while.

What did you say?

Please say it wasn't anything too bad that you can't undo with an apology! Oh please, oh please.

Oh, fine, you nosy people. To continue with my story from yesterday, I casually asked if she was going to Hogsmeade this Saturday and –

You didn't!

No, I didn't ask her out! I just kind of…hinted at the fact that we might both be in Hogsmeade this weekend.

Real smart, Prongs.

That wasn't the reason she got mad at me!

Really?

Then why is she mad at you if you didn't ask her out?

I told you before; I insulted her! She responded that - oh I'm too lazy and depressed right now to write it all out in detail.

Lily: "Possibly."

Me: "Only if all your homework gets done I suppose."

Lily: "I don't need your attitude Potter."

Me: "I'd look at your own attitude a little more closely Evans before you talk about my attitude."

Lily: "Go away!"

I know you've been in a bad mood lately, Prongs, but I never thought you'd be mean to Lily.

I think you made a good point. I mean, she's been nothing but mean to you and then she's telling you off for one snarky comment. Seems a bit hypocritical to me.

Hmmm, I think you've got a fair point Peter.

Yes, yes, Lily has been slightly vicious towards James in the past, but let's not forget that he was always asking her out, pranking her and practically stalking her. I think that Lily was very gracious about the whole ordeal, all things considering.

Eh…hadn't thought of that.

Well we know that.

Can I finish?

Go ahead.

Thank you, Peter. At least somebody around here realizes that this is my notebook. To conclude she told me to go away and I did. End of depressing story.

It wasn't that bad.

Just apologize to her. Then take her in your arms and kiss her passionately!

Don't go giving him ideas like that! In case you haven't noticed we're trying to steer him clear of stupid ideas.

Oh, come off it. I was just joking.

Do you think Lily will forgive him?

I think so. I think he's genuinely sincere and she's a very forgiving person.

James is lucky in that respect. Think of if she wasn't of a forgiving person.

We'd probably be picking up what's left of him in the hospital wing right now.

Where's James?

Sitting next to you.

No, he's not. He left.

When?

I don't know! I only just noticed!

I'll go check the common room.

Prongs is out of the room and we're left with his journal…the possibilities are endless…

What are you going to do to James's notebook?

Nothing, I was just kidding. But in any case, it's a journal, Wormtail.

James is always saying it's an idea notebook.

Yeah, well, James is also slightly delusional.

James is in the common room.

What's he doing down there?

He's talking to Lily.

Has she slapped him yet?

Why would she slap him?

No, she has not slapped him. He's never usually stupid enough to deserve a slap. James is apologizing.

Oh. Is that it?

Well, at least we won't have to hear him mutter about her being mad at him now. It was getting rather old, I must say.

But it's important that he apologizes. He needs to be on Lily's good side.

That would be her right.

What?

It's my opinion that she looks the best from the right.

Better not let James see that.

You guys are still writing in my notebook? And what am I not supposed to see?

Nothing.

You need to learn to lie Wormtail.

You think that Lily's good looking!?

She's a pretty girl, Prongs. I'd have to be blind not to notice that. I don't have feelings for her though and even if I did, I would never act on them because she's yours all the way.

She's not his yet.

She forgave you, right?

Yes, thank Merlin. Let's go to the kitchen, I'm starved.

Supper was two hours ago. How can you possibly be hungry?

I just am.

Me too, I'll get the map.

I'm coming too!

I might as well….

The big match between Gryffindor and Slytherin is coming up soon so I've been scheduling extra practices. I haven't had much time to write in here lately or even to see Lily much. Oh Merlin, that sounded extremely stalkerish. But it's true. I've been really occupied lately and haven't seen much of anyone except my quidditch team.

Doesn't that sounds brilliant? My quidditch team. James Potter, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

I haven't written in here for exactly two days. And neither have my friends. Maybe I finally found a password that they can't figure out….

I've been extremely busy with quidditch practice this week and these last two days in general. I want to ensure a Gryffindor victory over the Slytherins. I flat out refuse to let them beat us.

Lily's friends and many of the Gryffindor girls in general have taken to wearing red and gold ribbons in their hair in support of our house. I'm sad to report that Lily is wearing no such ribbons. Could it be that she's doing to that to spite me? Or maybe she doesn't care enough to wear a ribbon; that could be it.

I realize that a bright red ribbon would clash horribly with her deep red hair, but all the same, I wish she'd ware one. Not only would she be supporting her house, but also indirectly she'd be supporting me. And I want her to support me. Obviously, her opinion means a lot me, and in this case especially, I'd like to have it. Not that I'm going to swear off quidditch if she doesn't like it, but I still want to know what she thinks of quidditch in general and of me as the Gryffindor captain.

Oh you wish we didn't know your password. (Sirius is a prat and needs to stop writing in my notebook) I just haven't written in your journal because there's nothing to write.

You haven't made a prat out of yourself lately; you're slacking off. Lily's having a bad influence on you.

Lily is not a bad influence! She's the best thing that's ever happened to me!

This is not a journal! It is a notebook!

I was kidding about the whole Lily's influence thing, mate. Who knew you'd freak out on me like that?

You sounded serious.

That's because I am.

No more of your "serious" "Sirius" puns. I've had enough.

Well, aren't we in a mood?

Sorry, got a letter from my mum.

Sorry, mate.

Yeah, me too.

I'm thinking about writing a speech.

To do what?

If it's a speech to Lily, forget it, because over my dead body are you making any speeches to her. Ever.

What about when I ask her to marry me?

WHAT??????

I think you just sent Moony into cardiac arrest there, Prongs.

Don't do it James, Lily will kill you!

Oh Merlin, I was joking. I don't think I need to be worrying about marriage at age sixteen. Besides, it's not legal until you're eighteen.

And you know this how…?

It's common knowledge.

Sure….

Hey, I'm going to charm the banners in the Great Hall, anyone want to come?

A prank! Sure!

Okay!

What are you going to do to the banners?

Still alive huh? Pity. Just kidding! I'm going to charm all the banners to be Gryffindor colors with the Gryffindor lion roaring on them. Show everyone just who's going to win this Saturday.

Sounds neat, let's go.

I'm trying to think of a speech to give to help raise our House spirit, but not having much luck. Where's Sirius? He'll help me think of something.

Am proud to report that the speech went over well and that House moral and spirit is getting higher. We, the quidditch team, need more though. Sure, we're the ones out there playing, but we need our House to back us up and cheer us on all the way.

Everyone, excluding the Slytherins (but who cares about them, anyway?) seemed to enjoy my Gryffindor banners. Lily seemed mildly impressed, a large feat. Must go, have quidditch practice in ten minutes.

I've decided that we should wear our quidditch robes around the school. What better way to promote the team? And although it sounds pratish (if that's even a word) I think that my quidditch robes make me look rather handsome. And I want Lily to think I'm handsome.

Stupid friends. They're up in the dorm concocting some potion that's going to kill us all. So, I'm down here in the common room writing in this notebook. I've never written in this anywhere but the dorm or my room at home. It feels weird. I keep glancing around, expecting someone to leap out of the shadows and yell "James Potter writes in a journal!"

And that would be completely wrong because this is not a journal. It's a notebook in which I write about my affections for Lily Evans.

Speaking of Lily, I haven't said much about her lately. Well, to be fair to myself, there hasn't been much to say. Life here at Hogwarts is pretty normal. I haven't made her angry in a while and we're on civil terms with one another. I think that "Project Fix My Personality" can be declared a success.

For the time being anyway. We'll see how things go.

This morning when I gave a speech to the Gryffindors, I noticed that Lily seemed to be paying attention to what I was saying. Maybe this quidditch fever is rubbing off on her. I hope so. I'd hate to fancy someone who didn't like quidditch.

I had an interesting conversation with Lily today when I was paired with her in Potions.

Well, what did she say?

I said that you weren't showing off at quidditch just to show off, that you were doing it get her attention.

I said what did she say. I don't care what you said.

Gee, thanks, Prongs. That made me feel really loved.

Get over it.

Somebody's in a bad mood.

I want to know what she said!

She said that she was sure that you had more good qualities than being good at quidditch. So I asked her what they were and she said that, and I quote: "He seems to be a good friend to you and Remus and Peter. He's loyal, chivalrous, he can give a good speech, he's daring, a little reckless perhaps, but he's brave…"

And?

She realized that she was complimenting you and stopped.

Figures.

Lily is wearing a red and gold ribbon in her hair! And she joined in the "Go Go Gryffindor" chant this morning. I'm too excited to write!

Gave another speech this morning on that rickety table. I swear, someone needs to fix that thing. It's going to break one of these days when someone sets their books down.

Once again, Lily joined in our rallying chant and marched down to the Great Hall with most of the House. I've seen a lot of neat things, but practically the entire House in two long columns, chanting "Go Go Gryffindor" is something I'll never forget.

Time to go get ready for the match! We're going to win! I can feel it!

He always thinks they're going to win.

That's because we usually do.

Yeah, but he says that even when they loose.

It's called psyching yourself up for the match, Moony. Get with it.

WE WON!!!! YES! Take that Slytherin! Oh, I feel so good! I could kiss Lily, but I won't, because she's likely to kill me if I try that.

Once, I quickly glanced towards Lily's seat in the stands and I saw her watching me and cheering. She came! I was so excited I did a loop-the-loop and scored.

After Frank caught the snitch, people swarmed down onto the pitch and some guys from Gryffindor picked me up and carried me on their shoulders. I admit I was enjoying the attention until I saw Lily. Then I realized that being carried on people's shoulders like a King or something could be seen in a negative way, so I quickly got down and went over to her.

She congratulated me on the victory and you will never guess what I said! I said that it was a team effort! That made her smile.

Must go, the guys and I are going to sneak in Hogsmeade to get food and drinks for the victory party.

Good news! At the victory party I asked to talk to Lily and she agreed!

I led her over an unoccupied corner of the common room where I hoped that no one would bother us. (Sirius)

I was kind of apprehensive about what I had to say. Seriously, what I had to say was slightly embarrassing. How many times does a bloke give a girl her shoe back? A shoe that he stole?

That's right. I stole her left shoe. Remember that? It was after a quidditch match. I magnified my voice so everyone in the stadium could hear me and asked her out. Lily didn't take kindly to that and threw her shoe at me. I caught it, put it my pocket and there it has stayed.

Until tonight that is. I decided to give it back to her.

At first, Lily didn't even recognize it. Then she asked where it had been, telling me that she'd had Remus search my trunk twice for it.

It was with much embarrassment that I admitted that her shoe had been in the pocket of my quidditch robes for a year. She didn't laugh, but she looked extremely amused and curious.

In all honesty, I thought Lily would laugh in my face. I'd kept her shoe in my pocket for a year as a good luck charm. It's so pathetic it's not even funny.

I tried to give it back to her, but she wouldn't take it. She said that if her shoe was really my good luck charm, she didn't want to take it away. That was nice of her, but then, she is a pretty nice person.

I gave her a kiss on the cheek and went to put her shoe back in my pocket. And she didn't object to the kiss! Not that she welcomes it, but I didn't get slapped! Things couldn't be better if I planned them myself.

I'm in heaven!

Lily has agreed to be my friend! My friend!

Today was a Hogsmeade visit, so I arranged for all of our friends to leave us alone for a bit. You know, just kind of wander off one by one or two by two.

Everything went as planned, and Lily I were left alone roaming the streets of Hogsmeade. I made sure we wandered towards the Three Broomsticks and the suggested that we go inside.

Lily came up to the bar to get the drinks with me and then, Madame Rosmerta, bless her heart, asked if I'd be paying for my girlfriend.

Last year, I know what my response would have been. I would have slung an arm casually around Lily's arms and said something cocky, which would have made Lily mad and I would have suddenly found myself all alone with two drinks.

But not this year! This year, I'm older and wiser and I told Madame Rosmerta that I would be paying for my friend.

Once we located a table, we sat down. Lily sipped her drink for a minute then set it down quickly. At first, I thought there was something wrong with it, but then she asked me why I had said what I had said up at the bar.

So I told her that while I wanted her to be my girlfriend, if I couldn't have that, then I wanted to be her friend if she'd let me.

And she let me. Lily Evans is my friend!

Project Fix My Personality was definitely a success!

Sorry for the wait! I'm hoping to get a lot written over Christmas Break, so I hope the next chapter will be here sooner than this one.

Also, I feel bad when I don't respond to every review, so I've decided to start doing that again.

And just in case anyone asks, in the part where Sirius says that Lily's best side is her right, he's not trying to hint that he likes her. He's just kidding and trying to ruffle James's feathers.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas!

Padfootsluvr: Thanks! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I hope to have the next one up sooner!

the-insufferable-know-it-all: I just love to write and thanks for the compliment, that really made me feel special, but I'm not one of the best writers on fan fiction. There are so many people who write better than I do. Thanks though!

JKRobsessed: I do the same thing when stories I like update. Thanks for reviewing! '

Queen Of Day Dreams: lol, I know what you mean. I don't even want to look under my bed. You knows what I'd find!

DOJ: I did mess that one part up! Oh, I feel so stupid, messing up my own characters lines. I paid extra close attention this time, so they should be right!

dragonzflame: It may take awhile, but I will always update. I love writing too much not to. Sorry your suggestion isn't in this chapter, but I promise it will be in the next one. I already have a place for it in the plot and everything!

J.E.A.R.K.Potter: Thanks for always reviewing!

Some12: My friends and I do that too! I like James's point of view too. Well, I would hope I did, since I'm writing a story from his perspective. But James's take on things is always so fun read.

Emps: Thanks! And no, you can't have Sirius! I need him! :-)

Laughing Dragoness: Thanks, I know what you mean about Lily falling in love with James even though he's the biggest idiot to walk the earth. That bothers me, so naturally, I decided to write it the way I see it. From what we learned in book five, James definitely would have had to change to have a chance with Lily.

Spikora: No, sorry. These secrets James talks about are all in his head. He has no secrets. :-)

tinkerbelldetention101: Thanks! Please keep reviewing!

LilliannaRose: Actually, James is only sixteen right now, but you're right, it did take him a while He's getting better all the time now.

lilyandjamesrox: Thanks! Please keep reading!

Lady Farevay: James? Innocent? I'm not sure those words belong in the same sentence! Hehe, well, to be fair, he's definitely improving and well on his way to winning Lily's heart, although that comes later. Was it you who asked about who was under the hood in "Midnight Jealousy"? I think you did. Anyway, it's not really anybody, just some random guy in James's imagination. Not very exciting, but that's all. Thanks! I think your review just made my day!

Eratosthenese: I know! Stupid me, messing up the fonts. Sorry about that mix up. I hope I didn't mess up this time.

notanauthor: Thanks for reading! I appreciate your review!

Eireness: I'm glad you thought it was funny!