Chapter Two: James' Mistake

Half and hour later Lily was seating at the long table on the Gryffindor common room, trying to concentrate on her Transfiguration book without succeeding. All she could think about was what just had happened on the school grounds.

She then realized she was all by herself. That was odd; most of the students were still on class, but fifth and seventh year students were already done with their tests. Surely not everybody was in the library.

Of course, she thought, they must still be by the lake congratulating Potter. He was just horrible. Why was everybody so drawn to him? On second thought, it would be better if she didn't answer that question.

She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear when the portrait opened to let somebody in. She only realized there was someone standing next to her when that person talked.

"Is this seat taken?"

Lily didn't have to look up to guess who that voice belonged to.

"Potter, I have a lot of work to do, and I certainly don't have time for you right now."

Lily kept her eyes stubbornly fixed in her book, while James stood there for a couple of seconds, apparently deciding if he should leave. But right when Lily thought he would go away, he pulled the chair next to her and sat down on it.

"I'm not looking for a fight, okay? I just want to say thanks."

The warmth of his voice took Lily by surprise and she couldn't stop her eyes from looking up. She looked at the lanky, messy haired guy sitting next to her for a couple of seconds. Lily was sure she would find a trace of mockery in his eyes, but instead she found… was that sincerity?

The wound on his face was still bleeding slightly. He should go to the Infirmary. She should say something. No! She told herself furiously. I won't.

She lowered her gaze feeling awkward, and realized she couldn't remember which book she had been reading a couple of minutes ago.

"No need for that," she said without looking at him. "Snape shouldn't have attacked you from behind."

"It was very nice of you to stop him from hexing me," he said slowly.

"I would have done it for anybody, Potter. It's no big deal" Why wouldn't he just leave? "Besides, you did get hurt."

"Oh! It's nothing," he muttered.

There was a tense silence and Lily had to order herself not to look at him.

"Lily," he finally said at the same time his hand moved slowly over the table and stopped slightly on top of hers. He was barely touching her, but she could feel a wave of heat move from her hand all the way to her cheeks. She could not believe she was blushing just because James Potter touched her hand. Get a grip Lily!

Lily? She just realized it was the first time he had ever called her by her first name. She looked into his eyes as if trying to read his mind. What was that spell? Legimens? Legilimens? Oh! How much she wanted to know what Potter was thinking.

"Yes?" she said, unable to move her hand or look away.

"Thanks," he said again with a smile.

"You said that before."

"But I want you to know I really mean it." At that moment his hand closed tightly around hers. He started to move his head closer. She held her breath; it was very difficult to think straight. She was just sitting there staring at him, lost in the most beautiful pair of hazel eyes she had ever seen.

He only managed to touch her lips with his, because even before Lily herself realized what she was doing, she stood up and started gathering her books.

"You know what Potter? I don't even know why intervened. You deserved what Snape tried to do to you. You are selfish and arrogant, and you clearly don't care about other people's feelings."

"But Lily…" he muttered looking confused.

"Stay away from me!" She snapped at him and stormed up the stairs that leaded to her dormitory.