Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned below other than Melissa, Jamie, Cheryl and Paul Waters. So please don't sue me!!!

*Not So Clueless Anymore*

The next day, James walked to classes alone. No matter how Sirius and the rest tried to cheer him up, James's face remained expressionless. He couldn't concentrate on any of his classes either, not even in his favorite class, Flying class. The teacher had to call out his name (mind you, his full name) at least three times before he muttered a 'yes'.

All he could think ever since he saw Lily in that frail condition was "Who the hell did this to her?" Sure, he wanted Lily to face up to her true self, but he definitely would not have minded if Lily decided to take her own time to slowly break it to other people. Now that the truth was out, James could not help but feel relief… but the other emotion he was feeling was much too strong and it overpowered every emotion ever found; he felt anger. PURE anger.

How can anyone do something like this to Lily?

I sure don't know, a little voice in the back of his head answered.

Could it be any of her close friends?

You mean, Melissa, Cheryl or Jamie?

Yeah…

Nope. Don't think so. I mean, why would they wait until now to expose the truth? They could have done it sooner.

That's true… then who else could it be? Lily doesn't seem to be that kind of person who would bear grudges and have enemies lurking around all corners…

Hmmm… don't ask me.

And that was that. James still had no clue about who did it, no matter how much talking he had done with that little voice.

Finally, it was the end of what seemed like a very long day. There seemed to be 48 hours a day when Lily wasn't around him, he thought in despair. He turned around as he felt someone pat him on his shoulder. It was Sirius.

"Hey, I'm going to meet Marion in the Quidditch Pitch. Wanna come along?" James shook his head.

"I'm going to meet Jamie in the library; she needs some help in Muggle Studies," Remus offered. The only reply was another shake of the head.

Before Peter could make any offer at all, James suddenly spoke up. "You guys go ahead; I suddenly remembered something I have to do urgently!" and with that, he sprang into action as he ran off.

Remus scratched his sandy hair. "Never seen him move so fast since Lily's incident."

Sirius snorted and shook his head. "Tell me about it. He's been such a ditz since then. He didn't even flinch when I told him I was meeting Marion."

"Marion…?" Remus's eyes widened. "You don't say, Marion Robinson of Hufflepuff?"

"Exactly, how could I date someone like her?" Sirius rolled his eyes.

Even Peter couldn't control his laughter. "She's like, the biggest nerd in school!" All three of them hooted in laughter.

Meanwhile, James was searching the whole school, climbing up and down steps. He needed to find someone. And fast.

Finally, he saw the person he wanted to find.

"Paul! Wait up!"

Paul Waters stopped in his tracks. He heard someone call out his name, but when he turned around and saw only James Potter behind, he knew that it was time again for his ear check-up.

So he continued walking… until James ran and stopped in front of him, panting.

"Didn't you hear me call you?"

"Me? You were calling me?"

"Why are you so surprised?" James raised his eyebrow.

Paul almost rolled his eyes. Surprised? Hell, yeah he was surprised. It wasn't everyday that the school's most popular boy talked to the school nerd.

"Never mind. Is there something you want?" Paul predicted that there was surely something James Potter wanted, or else James wouldn't even think of conversing with him.

"Yes-" at least James was still predictable, Paul thought. "- I need you to…"

Paul's eyes widened with interest. "All right, I'll do it."

James smiled his first smile ever since he found out that Lily had been admitted into the hospital. "Is there anything you want in return?"

Paul actually looked confused. "Huh? No… is there something you want me to want?"

James smiled his second smile, then his third when he found out that he was making some progress in the facial expressions department of his. He also made a mental note to himself to talk to normal people more often, even though they're not as popular as himself. But first of all… he needed to settle the things he had in mind…

A/N: So… what do you think James asked Mr. Nice-but-still-a-nerd guy? Guess all you want! The answer will be revealed in the next chapter!!!