NOTE: The end is near. Only around 5 more chapters I think.

Chapter 20: A Final Show

"I was going to say, 'I told you so' but I'll spare you."

"Alright, Hermione, I know we should have listened to you but we didn't."

Hermione just smirked back at Ron and shrugged. While she was quietly reading Lily's diary, her two stubborn best friends were struggling with their school work and revising for the upcoming exams. Ron glared at her before answering, "You know you could always help us instead of doing some 'light' reading."

"You are supposed to be reviewing concepts not how to do practical spells. I couldn't really help you."

Before Ron could reply, Harry spoke up, "Hey we have a late comer."

The trio looked up to the window where a snowy white owl was perched impatiently. Ron stood up and opened the window. Hedwig quickly landed hard on Harry's lap where he dropped a battered looking Sunday Prophet.

"How come Hedwig delivered you a Sunday Prophet in the afternoon?" Ron asked.

"I just asked her to fish it out of Madame Rosmerta's recycled papers. I don't fancy paying for a subscription when I only need today's issue." Harry quickly scanned through the articles until he found what he was looking for.

"Here it is," he cried out.

The three of them read the article intently.

"So Dumbledore provided guards to some places without ministry knowledge?" Hermione said after finishing the article.

"Yeah, he was trying to get the ministry to let some member of the Order in specific wizarding places including the ministry itself," Harry replied.

"Exactly, he did it without letting anyone know that they were the members of the order," Harry explained.

"He did a good job. The article just mentioned 'great improvement in security due to Dumbledore's quick actions'," Ron paused. "The ministry must be having a field day. Wait a minute, how'd you know this Harry?"

Harry looked back blankly at his two friends' inquiring faces.

"Remus kind of slipped the information last time I talked to him during the Christmas holidays."

"How come dad never tells me these things when I'm already of aged!" Ron said indignantly.

Hermione shook her head and stood up.

"Well, that reveals the mystery of the missing headmaster. So, if you don't mind, I will retire to bed." Without further ado, Hermione left. That left Ron shaking his head and Harry looking baffled.

"There were times when Hermione would say more about important matters like these," Harry shook his head and continued reading the newspaper. "That includes firing back an argument to you."

Ron's ears turned bright red. "Let's just say she found more interesting topics."

Harry gave him a curious look before returning to his own work.

Meanwhile, a certain bushy haired 6th year was lying on her bed with a book opened on her lap.

May 4

Dear Diary,

Today is the big day of the Transfiguration project. We showed our projects today in which we worked blood and sweat with. All I can say that James and my presentation went fantastic. Also, I couldn't have done it better without James. He did a lot more than we planned to present which earned us 3 most wonderful things: complements and a bloody brilliant Transfiguration grade (I got an O! YES!), a hearty laugh from our teacher and audience…and perhaps the most important thing (according to Sam), a closer friendship with James Potter and my sincere gratitude. Also, I did something that I would not have done just a few months ago. I even shocked myself. If somebody told me something like that would happen, I would have told them to jump into the lake and lay themselves in front of the giant squid on a silver platter.

This is what happened:

It started with a foul looking Professor McGonagall who never failed to frighten one during crucial parts of your studies.

I was practically dying. My hands were like dipped in freezing water. I could barely feel my own brain functioning. I'm not very bad at speaking in front of large crowds, what I was worried about was passing Transfiguration. I loathe doing presentations for the subject. I guess Transfiguraphobia or something. I need at least an E for me to pass it and continue with my chosen career after Hogwarts. I never failed in the subject before except in presentations. I once almost failed the finals during 3rd year when we had to present in front of all the 3rd years in Hogwarts. It was a good thing Professor McGonagall was appreciative. She said I did well but need to improve in my talking and stop being tense. I couldn't help it. I glide through charms but I have to grind through Transfiguration.

"You know what Lily, just relax. We can do this. It's nothing." Easy for James to say, he basically flies through the subject. HE MANAGED TO BE AN ANIMAGI IN 5TH YEAR FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!

When I just grunted back and continued pulling at the feather of my quill (which I always do when I'm in enormous stress; I spend half my savings on new quills each year).

James rolled his eyes at me and laughed. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT WHEN I'M ABOUT TO GO THROUGH ONE OF THE MOST EXCRUCIATING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE THAT I WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO BE TERMINATED HE JUST LAUGHED AND ROLLED HIS EYES!

"Merlin's beard, Lily. How can you possibly fail? I'm here remember." He has the nerve to smile and wink at me. But…it may be true. I've never been paired with James Potter during transfiguration projects. Maybe I wouldn't fail…if he doesn't suddenly decided it would be a much more fun show to let poor Lily Evans be humiliated in front of the whole class (including some of the other staff in Hogwarts whom, thank you Professor, McGonagall personally invited as judges excluding her).

At any rate, while I sat there trying to fight the urge to throw up, James just kept on saying comforting words and trying to make me laugh. He almost succeeded a few times. It was very nice of him, really. (I would make sure no one I know or close to me will ever get possession of this diary and prevent them from reading that!) It's great that he got over the tragedy really already though. Ask anyone, it's good to see the old James to be back (with more major maturity adjustments; Products of recent hurtful disasters for sure).

But as the presentations start, I became a bit less panicky. The first few ones were good, but not too good. Sirius kept on arguing with James which of their presentations would be better.

Peter made a great fool of himself trying to transfigure some small animals. I didn't really understand anything as barely halfway through the spells he and his partner was doing, there was huge explosion causing even the Professors to fall in a heap. A couple of students had to send Peter's partner to the hospital wing. Everything was a mess! I had a hard time trying to keep a straight face since it was the most amusing thing I've seen all day. It was mainly because after the accident Peter started thinking he was the wife of that crazy wizard dancing with the trolls in one of Hogwarts' tapestries. Sirius and James didn't improve it by 'accidentally' let him drink a potion that made him even more hyperactive. According to Sirius, he thought it was an antidote. He should thank the stars the Potions Master was not there. Unfortunately, Professor Flitwick stopped the fun by putting him back and everything else in their regular stat.

Remus' project was amazing. I could have sworn McGonagall almost fell under the spell of his partner when Remus managed to transform him into a very handsome, charismatic middle-aged man. It was disgusting how many of the girls in class actually swooned as he winked at them. Did I mention that it was hilarious as well? Fortunately for Remus, McGonagall was a good sport, or else he could have failed the subject. It's not very nice for one to flirt with your teacher and convince her in front of a whole crowd.

Sirius was far the best…before ours. Wilma and he actually brought with them a guest. They were doing a project about Metamorphmagi (sp?). Sirius said the young girl was his cousin or something. I've never seen a Metamorphmagus before. She was amazing. She could actually change into many different faces and looks. She even turned herself to look like Wilma. I think her name was Tonks. Sirius also made some witty yet very lucid explanations.

"We could beat that," James kept on whispering to me. He especially became more confident when Tonks nearly knocked over the cauldron in which Wilma concocted a potion to change your appearance without being a Metamorphmagus. She was forced to sit next to us after that (by Sirius much to her and Wilma's indignation since it was "being rude to someone who actually cut her time to help Sirius in something as important as that").

Finally, it was our turn. I nearly passed out halfway through the front where we were supposed to present. I could feel every penetrating gaze of dozens of eyes on me. My heart was like a million pounding drums. Strangely enough, this only happens in Transfiguration.

James didn't seem at all bothered. He started the whole thing with simple, funny explanations (with occasional catcalls and cheers from the Marauders that came with free death glares from McGonagall). Then we came to the practical presentations. I explained the first few steps to being an animagus. The most humiliating part was when I lost track of what to say and paused for about…forever! Well, actually only a few seconds. Thanks to James sudden reaction and witty comments, everyone forgot my temporary mental block and the presentation went on. We actually made Professor McGonagall laugh when we asked her to transform into a cat in slow steps. I think it was an interesting as well as an amusing presentation. James knew everything…as in EVERYTHING about the topic! Our months' preparation pays off I hope. Later I explained other ways to be transformed into specific animals temporarily.

Everything ended well to my great relief and joy. I didn't know how James managed not to turn into a stag in front of the whole audience. I know he wanted too, but the consequences that would follow if he did prevent him from doing so (and forced him to suck in his arrogant, proud self).

But that wasn't the best part. Just as everyone was filling out of the classroom, Professor McGonagall called us. I thought we were going to get in trouble with our presentation for some unknown reason. I actually felt my blood pressure shot up.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, I would just like to say a few words to you, too," she started. Her tone was unfathomable to my frustration.

Then she smiled. My, did that smile made my day. "Firstly, I would like to congratulate you both for that brilliant presentation. You, Ms. Evans, actually made it without a trip to the hospital wing (I flushed at that one; How nice of the Professor to mention what happened last time). That actually earned you the first half of the requirements for Outstanding in NEWT Transfiguration. I might say that the second half has been cultivating very well too." YES! I DID IT! I'll GET AN "O" in TRANFIGURATION! Well, thanks to James mostly since he helped me a lot on this project. I never knew I'd say that. (How many times have I written that sentence?)

Then her grin widened into a more a playful one. It's bloody appalling if you're not used to it.

"Also, Ms. Evans I would like to compliment on your second improvement." I didn't expect those next few words to come out of Professor McGonagall's' lips. "You actually worked cooperatively with Mr. Potter without the usual amount of hostility these last few months. From what I hear, you are in first name terms." I blushed redder than a tomato when she said that. I swear I could feel James satisfied smile.

How could she know all these! I've never heard her say stuff like that to students!

After we left, I kind of feel awkward with James. My friends didn't help me as well. It was because when James flashed me a smile, I blushed really badly in front Sam and Wilma. I didn't know why. It was probably because of what Professor McGonagall. So what if I'm closer to James Potter now? Is it that bad? Maybe not, I thought, I'd prove to everyone (including myself) that Lily Evans who loathed him with all her soul could be good friends with James Potter.

WHAT HAVE I DONE? I shouldn't have made that promis, right? What if James is really arrogant and stupid and...I don't know!

I hope not or he will suffer something he would never ever suffer again. Why am I acting like this, you ask? Because this is what happened, in the common room, after Transfiguration…

"Hey, Lily. You did great today," James said.

"It's amazing. I never thought I'd get an "O" for Transfiguration. It's a dream come true."

He laughed at me. After an uncomfortable pause… as in really uncomfortable, especially for James. He started squirming and clearing his throat. I mentioned before that I loved to make him comfortable. But this time, I didn't do anything…maybe. Until I found out later that I somehow did.

"Well, Lily er, I just, well, erm, you know…er…just ask you." It went something like that I guess.

"Just get it over with, Potter."

"There's a Hogsmede weekend next Saturday. And I was thinking, as a celebration for the great success of our project, and as friends (he emphasized that really hard), maybe I can treat you in the Three Broomsticks, and, well. It includes going around, erm, the village, with me. Maybe I can even take you inside the Shrieking Shack."

Despite all his explanation, it adds up to one thing: he is asking me out on a date.

I just froze there like a statue. I mean, I just realized something. James Potter had lessened and (these last few months) completely stopped pestering me to go out with him. But now, he is actually struggling to ask me to Hogsmede!

Without thinking, I said, "Alright, but no funny business." I couldn't believe it myself.

But James was ecstatic. He would have easily passed off as a recent drinker of that potion Sirius and he fed Peter in transfiguration this afternoon.

"Really? You're agreeing?"

"Do you want me to change my mind, James Potter?"

"NO! I mean, no, I would love you to come." A pause. "So, Entrance Hall, Saturday. It's a, er, friendly date?"

I know even he knew that was lame.

But that was what was bothering me. Before, he used to take every minute of the day to ask me out, but now he is actually going "friendly date" which was a really thick statement.

So, that was how I ended up going to Hogsmede with James. I should have learned to keep my mouth shut and not tell Sam. Because now she wouldn't stop pestering me about it, telling me that I must have changed my opinion about him and maybe started liking him more than a friend. HA! As if!

But I can sense something bad around me. Now, while I'm sitting here in the common room, trying to pretend to be oblivious to them, Sam, Wilma and those Marauders are huddled in a corner. I'm getting really suspicious. I didn't pay attention to them because I know it will make things worse. I'll just have to see what they were planning.

Anyways, I had to take that girl Tonks to Hogsmede train station today, since I'm Head Girl plus the 5th year prefects were preparing for their OWLs, and she doesn't seem so bad. She said she wanted to be an auror when she grows up but she also knew that due to her lack of grace and immense ineptness, she wouldn't stand a chance. I told her not to give up.

That's all for now because I couldn't take all the secrecy around me anymore. I'm going to confront them no matter what I said before.

Lily

P.S. I didn't find out since they wouldn't tell me the truth. I know they're lying because they wouldn't be discussing about History of Magic at this time. Who would! (I'm currently on my bed in the dorm).

NOTE: Another long post. But I hope its length will make up to my long term absence. It pretty sucks at the end. What do you think? Please Review!