Chapter Six

Contemplation

"I heard that Cynthia was just playing with James to make Amos jealous," Gen told Lily, as the two sat by the fire in the Gryffindor common room doing absolutely nothing at all.

It was Friday night and the common room was quite empty. Andie had gone to Hogosmeade with Sirius and was probably having the time of her life. Lily and Gen had decided to stay back. Lily remembered the last time she had remained had Hogwarts. Surprisingly, she smiled. She had never thought she would smile at that horribly embarrassing incident ever. Yet, she just had. Truly strange.

Lily checked her watch. Ten minutes to eight. Soon, she'd have to patrol the halls with James. James….

She felt weird about him. One moment he was completely against her and the next moment, he was siding with her. Lily didn't know what to expect, but she knew she had to talk with him. Thank him.

She cringed almost involuntarily; that would be no easy task.

Suddenly, Amelia Moon came barging in through the portrait hole, her expression glum.

"How did you get in here?" inquired Gen, slightly stunned, for Amelia was a Ravenclaw.

"I'm a Ravenclaw," Amelia answered coolly. She sank into a plum-coloured armchair, sighing heavily.

"Why-what-why are you-?" Lily managed, finally, when none of them spoke. Amelia glanced meaningfully at Gen.

"Oh fine, oh fine," Gen grumbled and wandered off in search of Remus.

"The potion didn't work-he hates me even more! It's horrible." Amelia finally burst out.

"Oh," was all Lily could say.

"You don't understand-" Amelia cried defensively, looking especially fierce in her Viking boots and black-rimmed eyes.

"Well, I can't help you if you don't tell me who it is-"

Amelia threw a Lily smouldering glare. "Normally, Lily, I would, but this is unbearably, beyond belief embarrassing."

Lily sighed. "You're being quite difficult, Amelia."

"I know-"

An awkward silence ensued between them.

"I don't think he likes me because I'm so strange, you know…" Amelia suddenly ventured, her voice, hesitant. It was the first time she sounded so unconfident of herself.

Lily did not dare ask who it was, but her curiosity grew only more. "Well…if you could-"

"NO, Lily! Bloody hell!" Amelia nearly shouted, rising from the chair. "Sorry, you're a good friend-you really are. To put up with me in this state and all." She then added, hurriedly before dashing out the portrait hole.

Lily glanced at her watch. "Oh no!" she gasped. She was very late for patrol duty. She quickly grabbed her wand and scurried after Amelia.

She arrived at the Library, the staring point, panting and puffing. To her surprise James was leaning lazily against the door, his arm crossed.

In her hurry, Lily tumbled over her untied laces. She stumbled forward into James. His sweater was warm and slightly scratchy, Lily observed as she quickly pulled away.

"Oh…I'm sorry," she said, a shade of crimson. She stooped down to tie her laces.

"Double-knot them," James advised, his eyes twinkling.

"Okay," Lily mumbled; her heart heaved an internal sigh.

Her brains screamed for help. Her hands and feet didn't know what direction to take. Her face focused on the floor. Finally, her mouth spoke.

"Um…so you're here…."

How brilliant, Lily, well done! Lily thought inwardly.

James nodded. "McGonagall said I should pitch in more."

"Oh, I see,"

So, it isn't because you're finally becoming a decent human being.

"So, what do I do?" James asked Lily, casually.

How very kind of you! Noticing your shiny Head Boy badge at last, are you?

"Just patrol the halls. Tell students to go back to their common rooms…" Lily's voice faltered. Why did she feel so self-conscious around him? Her hands were all clammy.

James grinned wickedly, his hazel eyes gleaming. "So, I get to tell off the itty-bitty first-years?"

"No," Lily said sternly, "you should be kind to them, James. Remember when you were a first-year?"

James's expression dimmed. "Aww…Evans…you take the word 'fun' and use it with words like safety and responsibility until fun isn't 'fun' anymore."

Lily felt stung. Okay, maybe she wasn't a wild, party animal and cared out safety and duty. That didn't make her bad person!

They began walking down the corridor. Lily still felt a bit cold toward James, so she walked ahead, telling passing students to go back to their common rooms.

James…did absolutely nothing at all! He watched her lazily, claiming he was examining the theory behind patrolling. Lily just wanted the session to end. It was much too awkward.

Then they came across a couple, snogging in the corner, behind a statue.

"Okay," Lily, began dryly. "Break it up, please."

The couple paid her no attention. James laughed, watching Lily amusedly.

"Shut up!" she cried, "and who it kill you to help me?"

"Yes, but I bet I can stop them," he declared, stepping forward.

"Okay, stop!" James shouted the tangled two.

The boy, a sandy haired sixth year, eyed James with contempt. "Why, Potter, I thought you were one of us. Not with her-"

"Collins, just take your girlfriend and leave," James said irritably.

The boy's eyes flickered over to Lily. "She's lured you to the good side, eh? I bet you'll take her to the Astronomy Tower, tonight and no one would stop you- Don't be a hypocrite, Potter!"

"Collins!" James practically hissed, grabbing the boy's collar. The girl with him, simpered, her eyes wide.

"Don't you dare say a word about Lily! 50 points off!"

"Let go of me!" Collins gasped.

Lily reached out for James's arm. "James," she said gently.

"10 points off for cheek," she said coldly to the boy named Collins. "And leave!" Lily ordered him and his girlfriend. They scuttled down the hall.

James was still frowning.

"Don't mind him, Lily, he's a-"

"It's okay, I understand." Lily interrupted. "I know what you do in your free time, James," Lily paused heavily, before she continued. " I'm frankly amazed you're still Head Boy."

"Hey!" James protested at first. Then he shot her a small smile. "Frankly. So am I."

A hush fell between them. However, Lily noticed in slight surprise, not a tense type of hush.

"Thank you." Lily suddenly said. It was now time to make amends.

"For what?" James inquired blankly.

They were standing awfully close. She could feel his warm breath on her skin. She shook her head distractedly and took a step back.

"For today. For backing me up about Diggory…." Lily spoke tentatively.

James shrugged, but Lily noticed, he was looking at the ground.

"No problem-" He tried to sound nonchalant, but failing quite miserably.

"And also about Snape, the other day-"

James simply nodded, gazing at her openly. "Don't you get sick of it? The prejudice?"

Lily sighed, pondering upon his question. "I'm muggle born. I'm used it by now,"

Another frown appeared on James's forehead.

"It's not right. You're just as smart or good as any pureblood."

Lily couldn't help smiling. "Is that a compliment, Potter?" she teased, her green eyes dancing.

"Maybe…" said James, twirling his wand absent-mindedly

Lily smiled, a warm feeling entering her heart. She wished she could lock it in.

"So, does this mean, we're friends?" she forged ahead into unspoken area.

"Weren't we always?" he teased, pocketing the wand.

Lily pretended to consider it. "Hmmm…well there was that incident where you stole my clothes and left me n-… by the lake-" Lily avoided thinking about the fact that she had been naked.

They both laughed, James a little uncertain.

"Hey, I'm sorry…! I was a jerk, back then."

"James, it was a week ago," Lily cried, her hands on her hips.

You're coming to the Quidditch match, aren't you?" James suddenly enquired, pocketing his wand.

Lily nodded, a grinning tugging at the corners of her mouth. She couldn't believe things were going so well between them. "Andie is on it, so, of course!" she responded, not wanting James to misunderstand.

James pouted. "Well, so is yours truly!"

"Of course…I'll be there," Lily promised.