"You-Evans-what-it-huh?" Said a completely astonished Sirius, still staring with his mouth agape at James.

"I dunno what happened either, Padfoot. She sort of just-ran at me, and, er…hugged me. You were there. You saw her do it!"

They were sitting in Gryffindor common room, in the midst of a huge celebration. Someone (most likely Kevin Jordan) had brought butterbeer and snacks from Hogsmeade. There were wizard crackers everywhere, and people sporting large Gryffindor capes.

"Did you…er…plant some love potion in her pumpkin juice or something, Prongs? Because this-this-this is just…not normal!" Sirius was now glaring at James suspiciously.

"I KNOW THAT!" shouted James (or at least, he thought he was shouting it. He was still stunned from earlier, after the game). "I dunno what is happening with her…but I am definitely enjoying it," he grinned.

"Eh, I bet you are, Prongsy boy. I'll bet you in a few weeks you and Lily will be snogging the living daylights out of each other," Sirius smiled at James mischievously

"Don't take it that fast," warned Lupin. "Otherwise we'll be back to step one, getting her to tolerate you."

"Very funny," said James. "How are things with you and Ella? You've talked to her now, right?"

"Yeah. Things are going along pretty well," Lupin blushed.

"What he's not telling you, Prongs, is that they are becoming quite the snoggers," laughed Sirius. "You can't go through one secret passageway without seeing those two making out."

…

"Lily? Are you okay? Lily?"

"What do you want, Emma?" Lily was crying on her bed, frustrated with herself. What the hell did I just do? She asked herself. Why did I hug POTTER! I HATE HIM!

"I just wanted to see if you are okay."

"I'm FINE, okay? So just leave me ALONE!"

"Lily. No one blames you for what you did after the match today. We all understand. Even Potter. Just so you know, he's not cracking jokes about it, like you would expect him to. He's keeping it to himself. He's not even smirking. He's just sitting downstairs, completely stunned." Emma laughed.

"I'll b-bet everyone knows! I'll bet POTTER is LAUGHING about it!"

"Lily! You've got him all wrong! He practically killed Sirius when he made a joke about it. He understands. He's not going to mock you!"

"I'm n-n-ever coming out of th-this dormitory AGAIN!" sobbed Lily.

"Listen. I understand you've got a lot of conflicting emotions, and so does Potter. He'll understand! He'll wait for you!"

"I DON'T WANT HIM TO WAIT FOR ME! I DON'T LIKE HIM, OK! I HATE HIM! I HATE POTTER! Since you love him so much, you tell him that for me, ok?" Lily threw a pillow at Emma, signaling it was time for her to leave.

"I'm not going to tell him that Lily. But I'll go, and leave you alone."

"Potter?" Emma jumped onto the couch next to Sirius, Remus, and James.

"Yeah? How is Lily? I hope she's feeling alright. I mean, I feel horrible that she is so embarrassed and confused."

"She's…ok, I suppose. Just leave her alone for a while, alright? And stick to those rules. Don't torment Snape, and don't ask her out."

James sighed. It sounded like they were going to go back to step one, after all. He had loved it when Lily had hugged him earlier that day. It was perfect. She smelled like lilacs and roses, and she put just the right amount of pressure on him when she hugged him.

"She is definitely starting to like you, though, James. I mean, she hugged you today! And just yesterday she would have called you a filthy toe rag! She is finally starting to realize that she has feelings for you, however, she doesn't want to admit that. Lily's stubborn that way," Emma explained.

"Yeah. I suppose now the waiting begins?" James asked.

Emma nodded. "Now the waiting begins."