A/N: the only characters I own are the ones that you don't realize. And I know the lyrics may not go well with each chapter, but they go with the whole Lily and James stuff.

Sorry this took long. I've been getting real tired often. But I managed to write another chapter. Enjoy.

I'm serious as a heart attack.

-Hellogoodbye Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn (Take It Back To Square One)

Chapter 4

The next day was the first day of their classes. Potions with Slytherin then Defense Against the Dark Arts with Ravenclaw with brakes in between. Lily had woken up early and went down to the Prefects bathroom to shower so she wouldn't wake her roommates. She went back to the room to drop her pajamas off and get her books and headed back downstairs. This time she went down, she saw someone sitting on the couch.

"What are you doing up so early, Potter?" Lily asked venomously.

"Am I not allowed to be up?" he shot back.

"Well I though you'd be with your cronies upstairs planning pranks or at least sleeping."

"I do tire of them, you know."

Lily stood there for a few seconds looking at him. He somehow didn't seem like himself. He would have been walking over to her with his head held high showing what a man he was, but this morning he sat there, not even looking at her like he used to.

"You okay?" she asked with hesitation.

"Of course," he assured her. "Why? Think there is something that matter with me?"

"Well, no. It's just that you don't seem like you."

"And what am I usually?"

"Nothing, you're like nothing. Nevermind. I – I – nothing. I'm going to go and walk." And she left through the portrait hole with one look back.

Why didn't he act like he usually does? Not that I care, but it's just weird. Lily started as she walked around the school. He must be sick. Do you really care, Lily? A voice in the back of her said. You're realizing that the attention James has given you for years is nice. Admit it. No, that's not true. James Potter is nothing but a prick, pig-headed jerk who doesn't deserve all he has. And why is that, love? He doesn't work! He sits there with his little gang and prank everything that moves. Mostly Snape, though. Poor guy. You pay too much attention to everything James does. Do you realize what this means? Lily had gotten so wrapped up in her own thoughts when she began to here students head down to breakfast at the Great Hall.

--

Once Lily had gotten to the Great Hall, it was filled. She spotted Jamie and Sam sitting over near the Marauders and headed toward them.

"Good morning, Princess," Sam said when she looked up and saw her. "And where were you?"

"Oh, no where. Just walking around."

Lily was sitting diagonally from James and couldn't help staring at him. Usually he would be looking at her like some lovesick puppy, but today, he was too concentrated on talking to Remus and Sirius.

"Ahem." Sirius broke away from the conversation with his friends and faced everyone else. "Everyone excited about having classes today? Double with Slytherin and Ravenclaw. How fun will this be?"

"Hey, at least we get a break," Remus shrugged.

"True," Sam agreed. "If this doesn't help with the NEWTS, may lord help us all."

"Lils, you alright?" Jamie asked worryingly as she turned to her while Sam and the Marauders talked about who-knows-what. "You're a little too quiet."

"I'm completely fine! Never been better."

"Mmmyeah see, that's a lie. I know you too well, dear. What's up?"

"It's just, when I went downstairs this morning, James was there and he didn't do what he usually does."

"You mean hit on you like he's going to die tomorrow?"

"Yes. But this morning, I dunno, he just sat there. He didn't come up to me. Just sat there."

"And this bothers you?" Jamie asked with an eyebrow raised.

"No! No, of course not. But, I just, it's different now. Not that I'd care, you know!"

"Right, right," Jamie sighed and let it go.

--

Potions class and never been easy for Lily. It was their first class and they were starting review potions from previous years. Even though she had done them before, she still had trouble. Usually James would head over and intrude and assume that she needed help, which she did. But this time, he was over with Sirius, Remus and Peter.

What the hell is wrong with him? Does he not see me over here? Obviously not, m'dear. The voice in the back of her head butted in. You know you want him to be over here and –

Her thoughts were cut off when a shadow appeared behind her. She turned around to see Serverus Snape. "Can I help you with something?" she eyed him dangerously.

"Yes." Snape replied back coldly. "Fix that bloody cauldron. You might gas us all out of here."

"What do you want, Snivellus?" James approached from behind Lily. "You better leave now. We don't want your grease here."

"Don't worry, Potter," he spat his name out like a bad piece of food. "I wasn't doing anything to your little muggle love, here." And he walked back to his table.

"You know I don't need your help. It's just Serverus." Lily turned to face James.

"Whatever." James replied coldly and headed back to his friends.

That wasn't the reaction I wanted. Lily thought to herself as the class began to end.

--

"So he did nothing?" Sam asked during their hour break. "Something must seriously be wrong with him."

"I don't think he cares anymore," Lily said with a hint of sadness.

"Does that bother you?" Jamie broke in.

Lily didn't really know. James asking her out had always tormented her and she thought it'd never stop. She had started getting used to it.

"I don't know. It's just a little strange now."

"Well, it's not like he hates you, right?" Sam put in.

"Well, when I talked to him this morning, he didn't seem like himself. He barely looked at me."

"And you want him looking at you?"

"No! It's just.. I dunno. He seems like he's over me. That's good. No more annoyance." Lily replied while heading upstairs.

"You think she really cares?" Jamie asked.

"I'd say yes, but she'd never admit that." Sam replied with a nod.