Remus and Sirius made their way back up to the castle for dinner in the Great Hall. It took them only a moment to find James, who was in the middle of a sea of giggling girls, all hoping he would ask them to Hogsmeade. James just nodded and grinned at them, before hastily running away to Remus and Sirius.

"Bloody hell!" James said. "What is it with these girls, today?" James seemed to be in a better mood than earlier.

"I dunno…maybe they all belong to the Potter fan club and wanted your autograph," said a voice from behind them. Severus Snape.

"Shove off, Snivellus," growled Sirius. "Get you're greasy face out of our way."

"My, my, my. Is this subject a little tender with poor ickle Potter? Your filthy little mudblood has rejected you again? You poor thing," sneered Snape.

"Watch it, Snape. That's my friend you're talking about. And I am a prefect, which means I can take away points and hand out detentions," warned Lupin.

"Oh no! A DETENTION! I'm scared now!" sniggered Snape. "For your information, I have been through far worse than a detention."

"Yeah, we know. We remember when Narcissa wouldn't go out with you – the five million times you asked her!" said James, causing Sirius, Peter, and Remus to laugh. By now, a huge crowd had formed around the marauders and Snape.

"Looks like we're in the same boat, eh, Potter? Except, of course, Narcissa is far better than Evans…a filthy little mudblood, who is the favorite of all the teachers. 'OH NO! I GOT AN A-! WHATEVER WILL I DO?'" mocked Snape in a high, girly voice. "Yes, that's what she is. A stupid mudblood who you will never have a chance with."

"NEVER CALL LILY EVANS A MUDBLOOD!" Roared James. He pointed his wand straight at Snape, ready to hex him.

"POTTER! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" An arm was holding a strong grip on his wrist, pushing it down. James turned around. It was Lily.

"I TOLD YOU JUST LAST WEEK TO STOP TORTURING SEVERUS! DID YOU LISTEN? OF COURSE NOT! DAMN IT POTTER! IF YOU WANT TO GO OUT WITH ME, RESPECT MY OPINIONS AND LISTEN TO ME!" And with that, Lily stormed away.

"Oh, dear. It seems like the rift between you two just got larger," sneered Snape as he walked away.

James sat down at the Gryffindor table alongside Sirius, Peter, and Remus.

"Well, I guess Lily's not going to give me a chance after all," he said grimly.

"Aw. Don't worry, mate! She will! Emma and I are working on a plan to help get you two together!" comforted Sirius.

"Thanks, Padfoot. But I think I need to do this on my own," frowned James. "However, I could use those 'statistics,' as Emma called them. Where is she, anyway?"

"Where's who?" asked Emma as she plopped down on the table next to Sirius. She was out of breath and looked quite flushed. "I've got your 'statistics,' Potter. It's not too promising."

James quickly read the piece of parchment the quick-quotes quill had written.

"She thinks I am CONCEITED?"

"Well, Potter. It is a bit true," murmured Emma.

"I suppose I'll just have to change, eh?" James asked himself.

They all ate in silence, Peter, Emma, Sirius, and Remus all staring at James apologetically. The group of giggling girls was still surrounding them, however, they were becoming more and more impatient.

"Or just be yourself, for the first time ever," whispered Remus. They all stared at him.

"Instead of pretending to be overly confident, just be the James we know you are; the fun, carefree, charming one. Then maybe Lily will appreciate you."

"Yeah, I suppose so. But maybe I should give her some time before I talk to her again."

The marauders made their way up to Gryffindor Tower, all silently staring at James, wondering what he was thinking.

"Piggleschnitz," said Remus absentmindedly to the Fat Lady.

Sirius, Peter, and Remus sat down on their favorite chairs near the fire. James, however, made his way up to the sixth year boy's dormitory.

James was thinking about what he should get Lily for Christmas. I need to get her the perfect thing, to show her that I really do care about her, he thought. Something…romantic, but friendly and kind at the same time.

He concentrated and brainstormed for hours. At last, he knew the perfect thing to give her. He shut off the light on his nightstand, and went to sleep, dreaming about Lily the entire time.