Step 2- Ask When She's Ready to Answer

Dedicated to the awesome Marauders (you know who you are!)

A/N- So was it a cliffy? I wanted to keep you guys hanging for a while so you'd be "tempted" to review- but thought it would be unfair since I never said anything in the author's note- so happy Monday! After today I'll do my best to review about twice a week… yes that seems pretty doable- I'll eventually come up with a routine and can't wait until the next chapter- oh yah, it's gonna be good (for me at least!) Replies at the end like always, and also please review- that's why I updated so fast even though I wanted to leave some readers hanging- I just couldn't not update- you guys are honestly awesome! –TajM (please keep reading even if you don't like this chapter- some won't I'm positive- review and tell me please!) Also my chapter separators weren't showing up so I took an idea from Kelso- the OoOoO represents separations…

"Prongs? Class was dismissed 10 minutes ago." Remus pulled up a chair next to where James was sitting.

"Oh- what- yah, I know…" James stuttered still in shock (who would blame him?) "But still…"

"Library," Remus continued.

"What?"

"Moony, I know you're a book worm and all- but I highly doubt now would be a good time to badger him about a potions essay- we haven't even had potions yet!" Sirius muttered.

"Oh- just follow me, the library can help us with a lot more."

"You got 20 minutes 'til lunch mate."

-15 minutes of intensive groaning later-

"Found it!"

"You're common sense?

"Shut up, what Moony?"

Remus cleared his throat authoritatively-

" Patronus is an intensely personal charm, differing the physical appearances depending on the emotional experiences of the witch or wizard who conquered it. It may also may have direct connections to their past or future (that is why in some African, Chinese and Latin areas they are called the "seer protector charm) on many levels that even the caster may nit be aware of."

James automatically sat up from the chair he had been slumping down in and straightened his glasses.

"What does that mean?"

"I really don't know mate…"

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

James couldn't sleep at night and continuously listed the possibilities.

She liked stags.

She liked his stag.

She had met a stag.

–

He dared not to think of option four; it would cause him to hope to much- option

Four was that it might have meant a little bit more.

And with that pleasant thought (if you'd call it pleasant- anything that causes anxiety or insurance of any sort is not exactly pleasant in my opinion…) he drifted off to sleep…

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

James made his way to the great hall for dinner he spotted Lily and sat next to her for the minute before moving on to his fellow marauders, "Oh Lilly Flower- don't forget, tonight's the first night of patrolling! "

"Yes Potter- I got it," Lily answered crossly- obviously annoyed and started to turn away.

"Sorry, just checking Lily," he looked slightly hurt

Lily sighed- it would be much more easier to hate him if he wasn't so, so, sweet…

Wait- what was she saying- it was probably just her conscience making her feel bad for him… Right, right, that was it… Keep telling your self that Lily- whatever keeps you sane…

"Nothing to apologize about, its kinda- nice no matter how annoying it may be having someone watching out for, even though I really don't need it."

She really couldn't believe the words coming out of her own mouth, but when James gave her one of those charming heart breaker smiles, no matter how hard Lily trued she just couldn't help but smile back before turning away.

OOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Ready to go Lily Flower?" James called to across the Gryffindor common room, from where he waited by the portrait of the fat lady.

"Ready," Lily called opening the way.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go yell at some 'wittle firsties for wondering around a whole 2 minutes past their curfew…"

"Must have lost their way, honestly poor soles…"

"Lily Evans having mercy for some trouble makers! I never, you must be speaking from personal experience. Anyways what are we suppose to be doing?"

"Um, let's see- what did McGonagall's letter say… Oh yes, patrol the general areas from 7:45 to 9:30. Watch for first year's who should be in their common room by 7:30, okay sounds like we're pretty much here to do their dirty work. Yell at students for being out late or breaking a rule, pretty simple…"

"You're taking this lightly…"

"Well, yah- kinda a simple task to take me away from good studying time." Lily frowned.

"Evans, you should try my method!"

"And exactly what would that be, goof off and take a test the next day?"

"Exactly."

"Huh?"

"I relax Lily- take time to smell the roses, or lilies should I say? Anyways, I find everyone gets much better grades that way- effortlessly."

"It may work for you Potter, but the rest of us like to get our grades the old fashioned way- studying…"

"Well Ms. Head-girl I may recall that someone happens to have an ittsy bitsy higher transfiguration grade then you on an average bases." James teased.

"Potter- do we have to argue all the time?" Lily sighed, "We where getting along for a while back there, but it doesn't seem possible. I don't like you and you know that truly, and well, I don't know why they thought it would be possible for the both of us to work together at all… it's the stuff of legends."

"Yah- we made yelling a official school sport- good ole' hormonal teen past time."

"I really try to avoid you Potter- because you annoy me, and no I am not arguing I'm just saying how I feel calmly without getting fired up!"

"Lily do we have to do this now?"

"Yes Potter I think we do."

"Then I think I should let you know I wasn't yelling or even arguing back there Evans, I was teasing you- something along more friendlier lines! And pranks- the type I play on Snivellus are specials for enemies, the type I play on you are for me to let you know I acknowledge your existence as important to me- deadly important! "

"We're arguing now…."

"No we're not!"

"Fine, I was wrong!"

"Thank you for acknowledging that!"

"Uh-huh not problem- any time Potter- any time!"

A sixth year Hufflepuff couple who where- ummmm- communicating through other means then words- came out of their nook.

"All right," the girl shrieked, "okay you found us- just stop yelling!"

The two Hufflepuffs looked at each other with whispering like, "…and there're suppose to be the heads?"

Lily and James quickly caught one another's eyes for a moment- with a slightly amused expression.

"Detention."

"Both of you."

"Don't let us find you out here again- or we'll speak to your house's head about this!"

"And 5 points off each from Hufflepuff."

As the two walked away muttering to themselves, James smiled quietly-

"Well Lily Flower I guess we make a pretty good team-"

"When we're not arguing that is."

"We'll have to work on that… are you still serious about what you said the first day?"

"Oh- what it was kinda improp- but I guess so yah. Oh- this is awkward… I would have thought that you'd be a little more easy on them- seeing as you're usually running around here with some girl as well."

"Never (okay that's a lie- not lately!)- and they should no better, that spot is horrible, the chances of some one finding them is 67!"

"And you know some where better?"

"Oh yes love many- maybe I should show you?" James smirked.

"Umm- no, I don't think so- but nice try all the same!" she smiled.

"Shall we continue our search and seizure of the grounds?" James inquired remembering Remus's words There really isn't no way to be sure- except to be friends like I've been telling you to do for years and then just ask her when the time is right. That closely tied into step two of Sirius's plan- don't make the first move, let her like you, so when you ask seriously for a date she'll take you SIRIUSLY! Really but how much could he trust someone who kept his name as an on running joke…

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

"It's kind of scary, Frank." Mia whispered as Lily and James left the common room for their evening patrols almost three weeks later.

"I know what you mean."

"They're friends…"

"And just friends…" Sirius added joining the conversation.

"They have a kinda witty friendship- one no one else understands really…"

"You want wit de Silva- I'm your guy."

Mia ignored Sirius. "No it's weird after six years of continuous arguing…

"God de Silva- join the club… we literally have t-shirts made." Sirius said as a girl walked by with a button reading It aint gonna last, can't make up six years in six days… and lit up I'll be here when you need me James! every couple of seconds." Okay so their buttons really- but you get the general gist!"

"How many did you make you idiot!"

"Don't worry de Silva- that's just a proto type- the real ones won't be arriving for a while…"

"You're a horrible friend really," Mia grumbled as Sirius started laughing again.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

"So I'm not evil am I Lily?"

"Huh? What I guess not completely Potter."

"When will you call me by my first name Lils?"

"Never… not now at least."

"Okay I have to ask you a quick question just say yes or no,"

"We planned the Hogmeade trip right- for when?"

"How am I suppose to say yes or no to that?" Lily questioned.

"Fine anyways for mid-October some time… and I want to ask you something…"

"NO! I won't go out with you."

"I didn't even ask yet!"

"You where going to…"

"Can you please hear me out?"'

Lily nodded her head.

'Thanks, okay you know my parents are aurors right? Well anyways, my mother had some-business- and I basically didn't see her all summer and she feels horrible about that, thought I told her not to worry- but I might not see my mum and dad during Christmas either so she wanted to come one of the Hogesmeade days…"

"Where do I come in Potter?"'

"Well, doesn't every mom want to see her son's amazing girl friend?"

"Sure… so where is she?"

"Oh come on Lily, you know I don't have one! I haven't flirted with a single girl- other then you- since the middle of sixth year-"

Lily had a fake coughing fit.

"Well at least all of this year definitely because I would never want to give any wrong message to you Lily Flower."

"Potter, cut some of the cheesiness- you could get any girl- other than Mia or me- in a very short amount of time."

"Not the type you'd want to take home to show your dear mother!"

"So I am?"

"Lily your perfect- in other words definitely the type- one- my mom would love, but umm… you know you don't like me very much or give me the time of day unless you have to- but could you fake it? You know act otherwise- come up with a bit of a back-story and sell it? It would mean the world to me? It'd be HUGE favor…"

"I don't owe you any favors Potter."

" I know- but I'd owe you- anything really anything Lily!"

It was clear James really did care for his mother in a really weird twisted way, and he was a friend in a way, so Lily found her self shrugging and smiling slightly and saying, "Well if we keep it a secret and well… You really owe me big Potter!"

It was kind of hard to believe that big headed, jerk, conceited, big man on campus, Potter found so much happiness in her simple answer- form her no less- but it was so obvious that he really did, and Lily wasn't sure if it was the broad grin or the he had just began spinning her around.

Awesome Reviewers deserve awesome replies….

Spygirl4747- I know I love that stag idea too! Just wait and keep reading- it gets better!

Cyclobaby- I know! Oh I'm so glad you find my story special enough to be on your favorites list- I'm truly touched…

Mae-Gene- Yah- I kinda changed the updating rules- but it will still be faster than about 80 of other authors! Try one last time to figure out Dumbledore's words- it's kinda stupid- I know! I love him calling her Lily Flower too! Let's see why it was a stag very soon…

Rimmal- Merci Rimmal- and umm.. if I want her to be de Silva- by gosh she'll stay de Siva! LOL!

Life is crazy- Ain't that the truth! Thanks! Please keep reading!

DolphinGirl- Thanks for the review so much! I find humor key too- and promise there will be lots more!

The Generals- I love you guys - you know that right? This story is dedicated to you! Why do you need me to respond here when I can tell you whatever you want the next day? LOL! Good spot to tell everyone to read two awesome stories written by these two… on my favorite's list (both are named general – it should be there somewhere if you have time!) Please keep reading this guys (Allie we need to talk detail about some scenes… lol)

A/N- Wow- that's weird and kinda random isn't it? Sorry but I like it this way honestly! I know you probably might not so tell me in a review… I know but in the long run it'll add up! So right now they're kinda friends- kinda not sorta etc. The stag thing will come in later and for now James is listening to Sirius (scary I know…) I have a good idea about where I'm going- so even if you hated the chapter (or liked it if I'm lucky) please keep reading- I promise (or hope deeply) that it WILL get better and now we're finally getting somewhere! YAY- please review guys! I adore you all for that!

Like always,

TajM