disclaimer: anything herein you recognize belongs to J.K Rowling, I'm simply borrowing for my own amusement (and hopefully yours as well).

Chapter 17

Phase 3: Jealousy Personified

On the evening of Slughorn's party, Lily met James at the portrait hole in the Gryffindor common room. He had changed out of school robes into a pair of olive green dress robes for the occasion, and, Lily also noted, that his hair was looking far more windswept then when she had seen him last. As if he'd gone out flying. In a tornado.

"Looks like your hair took as long as mine to get ready," she remarked coming up behind James. He turned at the sound of her voice, and Lily fought hard to keep a straight face at his slack jawed expression.

"Wow." James finally managed after several moments silence, "That's...you...you're very dressed up," he said, his voice, to her continued amusement, ticking up higher at the end.

Lily preened under his gaze.

"I reckoned why not go all out?"

"Yeah.." said James slowly, "Good thinking…"

It might've been her good thinking but it was James's idea, so she couldn't take all the credit.

He had been the one to say have fun with it, after all.

At first, Lily hadn't given any merit to that suggestion (she had been distracted by his other offensive remarks at the time) but then, when she'd overheard a girl fretting with her mates over what to wear to Slughorn's party, and as it occurred to Lily that she had nothing in her trunk but school robes and a few articles of Muggle clothing for the weekend, the idea had popped quite suddenly into her head hand-in-hand with James's words.

It had taken some wheedling before her mother had finally agreed to sneak the dress out of Petunia's wardrobe and owl it over. When it'd arrived Lily had been pleased to find it just as ghastly as she'd remembered; A frilly, flowey thing in the utmost unflattering shade of palest melon.

To top of the look, Lily had arranged her hair into a horrendously fluffy updo that had taken the better part of an hour to coif.

Of course, James probably hadn't meant for her to have fun at his expense - but he deserved it. How many times in the past seven years had he embarrassed her with a stupid (sometimes even cruel) prank? This was tame comparatively. This was just a little fun.

"Shall we be off then?" Lily prompted James, who was eyeing her still. He snapped back to attention with a startle.

"Right. Yes. Off we go." James said, gesturing for Lily to climb first through the portrait hole. She did not miss the surreptitious look he had cast around the common room, seeming to notice the attention they were receiving for the first time, before hastily following her.

The party was being held in Slughorn's office, which Lily had never visited before. She'd assumed though, as Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House, it would be located somewhere in the dungeons. She was surprised therefore when James lead a turn onto the sixth floor corridor. Indeed she may have questioned him, if the distant sound of music not reached her ears. The music grew louder in volume the further they advanced down the corridor, until they reached the door it was emanating from.

Lily had overheard tellings of Slughorn's parties in years past, from other students who'd attended them. She'd always chalked them up as the exaggerated tales of the starry-eyed, meant to evoke jealousy in those listening. She could see now though, first hand, it may not have all been exaggeration.

It was as if they had entered into a snow globe. White silk hangings draped across the ceiling and walls, enormous chandeliers dripping crystals like icicles hung low, and enchanted snow fluttered down, dusting the floor, heads and shoulders of guests alike; And there were a fair number. Fellow students, Hogwarts Professors, and strange witches and wizards mingled, chatting and drinking and eating.

At the center of the room stood a great round table, also draped in white satin, laden down with food that had been arranged around an enormous ice carving. In a far corner the source of the music was revealed, a full piece orchestra of instruments levitated in the air, playing themselves.

"Let's get some food, shall we?" suggested James, catching sight of the table.

As Lily and James helped themselves from the many assortment of dishes available, a voice boomed suddenly, "Mr. Potter!" and Professor Slughorn appeared at James's side. He was decked out in a set of ochre colored velvet dress robes and matching hat. And was already quite ruddy faced.

"Professor," James greeted back warmly.

"Splendid to see you!" Slughorn cried jovially. "Oh ho," he chortled suddenly, catching sight of the plate in James's hand, "And I see you've found the roasted figs!" He looked fondly at James.

"Truth be told, sir, " said James, "they're why I'm here. I'm not really one for parties that involve Professors after school hours, but I do look forward to these figs..."

Slughorn gave a shout of laughter and clapped James on the back.

"I'll leave you to it then! Enjoy, m'boy, enjoy!" Smiling, Slughorn made to leave, but then paused, as if stopped by a sudden thought. "Tell me," he said to James, with unconvincing offhandedness , "Am I too much in hoping that our friend Sirius Black will also be joining the festivities?"

"I'm afraid," said James, "he's not the festive type, sir." He delivered the words jestfully enough, but there was an undercurrent of firm finality in his voice.

Slughorn's face fell.

"I see…Well, that is disappointing. I had so hoped..." He trailed off sadly. "I'm sure you did your best though, at convincing him otherwise ..." he added, peering up at James questionably.

Lily felt a flash of indignation. Not just that Slughorn was attempting to guilt James and make him question whether he had in fact done his best, while making it apparent that he, Slughorn himself, did not think it so - but that Slughorn was under the impression that it was in the first place.

"What a brilliant ice carving, Professor," Lily interjected, loudly.

Slughorn looked over at her in surprise, blinked, and then beamed.

"Yes! I noticed you were admiring it," he said warmly, though Lily was quite certain he hadn't even realized she'd been standing there. "An exact replica of this very castle. Down to the last detail. Took three days to complete! Magnificent, isn't it?" He was as proud as if he himself were responsible for its creation. "Well, I must be moving along. The host's job is never done."

As Slughorn moved away towards a group of unfamiliar wizards, booming greetings, he bumped into a floating tray carrying flutes of champagne, but as the tray stumbled sideways, Lily realized it wasn't floating at all. The tray was being balanced on the head of a small creature. One with large pointed ears, tennis ball sized round eyes, and a spindly body covered (for you could not call it dressed) in, what Lily was quite certain, was a Hogwarts bed sheet fashioned like a Roman toga.

"It's not polite to stare."

Lily jumped and batted James away from her ear.

"Haven't you ever seen a House-elf?" he asked with interest.

"No. I mean," she amended, "not in person. In books, yes. But they're not nearly - the drawings weren't very realistic." That was putting it nicely. Bias had evidently played a large part in the depictions of House-elves. Odd looking as they were perhaps, the exaggerated features bordering on grotesque and overall squalor were none to be found.

Sensing her attention, or perhaps as James had pointed out, her blatant stare, the little House-elf that had been knocked off balance by Slughorn made a beeline for them.

"Drink, miss?"

It had a high, squeaky voice that lent to neither gender, but was considerably polite all the same.

"No, thank you," Lily declined kindly at the same time James said, "Cheers!" and took two flutes of champagne, pushing one into Lily's hand.

The House-elf bowed deeply, precariously holding up its tray with two skinny arms, then moved along, pausing as people took drinks or exchanged their empty ones for a new, without so much as an acknowledgment of the creature below.

Lily wanted to believe this was simply because they had yet to realize the tray wasn't being levitated. She knew though that most, if not all, did.

Lily took a few moody gulps of champagne.

"Steady on, Evans," James advised. "Remember, we're here for a reason."

"Thank you for reminding me, I'd almost forgotten," she retorted sarcastically. "Anyhow, this was your idea," she added tipping her glass at James. "And not a bad one," she acknowledged taking another sip.

"Carry on like that,"said James, "and you will forget."

"Speaking of forgetting, don't you have something you should be doing instead of lecturing me?" Lily asked cutting her eyes at him pointedly.

"I wasn't lecturing, I was teasing. But you're right."

James lifted his glass and drained the contents in one go.

"Remember, we're here for a reason," Lily trilled drily.

Shooting her a grin, James placed his now empty flute down and straightened his robes, turning serious.

"Well," He said, running a hand through his hair, "Looks like we're all out of refreshments. I'll fetch us a refill. Back soon." And with a parting wink, he disappeared into the crowd of partygoers.

Lily glanced at her watch, taking note of the time.

Per James's plan, she allowed twenty minutes to pass before abandoning her spot by the table and going in search of him.

Winding her way around the room, Lily finally located her "missing" date conversing closely with an attractive girl.

"There you are," said Lily, interrupting whatever it was James had been in the middle of saying. "I thought you were fetching us some more champagne," she frowned at him.

"So I was. Sorry, got sidetracked," James apologized, not sounding very sorry at all and further proved by the sly smile he had shot the girl on the word 'sidetracked', which made her blush.

"I can see that," Lily said drily. "Hello," she added to the girl. Who's full attention turned to Lily for the first time. As she stared, wordlessly, apparently stunned into silence by Lily's attire, Lily saw, with satisfaction, James shift uncomfortably beside her.

"Pippa, this is Lily, my date for the evening," he introduced, quickly filling in the awkward silence. "Lily, Pippa - the cause for my delay. Don't hold it against her though, the fault is entirely my own. I could never resist a pretty redhead." He gave Pippa another roguish smile that made her flush and Lily fight an eye roll.

"Nice to meet you," Lily said politely to Pippa. "If you'll excuse me though, I'm rather thirsty, so I'm just going dash off and fetch myself that drink I was promised."

"Wait," said James before Lily could do so, "I'll come with you." He bid a disappointed looking Pippa good bye and joined Lily.

She waited until they were out of earshot to speak.

"I got sidetracked. Don't hold it against her, I could never resist a pretty redhead." Lily mocked in a low, overly exaggerated, suggestive tone, and gave him a silly, fluttering eyelid smile. Then dropped the act abruptly. "This is going to be a very long night if I have to stand idly by while you spout off tosh like that all evening," she informed him mildly.

James looked amused.

"They say imitation is sincerest form the flattery, but I'm not so sure when one's imitation is quite that awful."

"Trust me, from where I was standing, it wasn't far off the mark," Lily quipped.

It was indeed turning out to be a long night. Whatever suaveness James had displayed earlier, he had thrown out the window. As they made their way around the room, and James chatted up other girls, it was with the utmost cheese and cliche.

Lily wasn't sure if it was in an effort of amuse her, annoy her, or challenge her, but it was doing the job of all three. She had to admit though, for a while, she did find it oddly fascinating to observe him in action. Even if that action was undoubtedly no where near his usual standard. It didn't seem to matter to them at all. They would giggle and laugh, and smile back at him thoroughly charmed, and be left behind a completely smitten goner in the end.

"Is there no girl in this bloody castle, beside me, immune to you?" Lily had mused exasperatedly at one point during the evening. To which James had replied, after a moment of thought, "McGonagall isn't too keen."

Professor McGonagall wasn't technically a girl, but a middle aged woman, and Lily wasn't sure that counted. As the night wore on though, she decided that technicalities didn't matter so much, and took some solace in it.

Lily's interest in James's theatrics waned sometime around nine thirty, along the same time the pinch in her toes from her dress shoes progressed to a thumping pain. The impatient, ill-tempered demeanor she had been portraying was further from an act now.

It was a bit above schedule, but Lily was desperate to get off her feet, so she gave James, who was otherwise engrossed in conversation with a pair of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw girls, the signal (a nudge with her foot to his own, admittedly a bit harder than necessary) and silently departed from his side.

Finding a pair of empty chairs at a table occupied by an unfamiliar group of people, Lily sunk into one and propped her feet up on the other with relief. Masking her delight, she put on her very best sullen and miserable face, folded her arms dejectedly and slumped down to complete the effect.

Sooner than she would've liked, Lily caught sight of James. This meant she would have to get up again soon. But also, that this night was, at last, coming to an end and she would be able retire to her warm, cozy bed. After flinging these accursed torture devises masquerading as footwear from the window in her dormitory. That thought plucked her up.

James had in tow a raven haired girl, who he lead to a table not too far away from where Lily sat. (That was good. Not too far for her to hobble.) The girl was dressed in a pair of pale peach robes, that must have been custom made because Lily had never before seen robes with a such a low neckline. Lily shook her head at James with wry amusement, though he of course didn't see it. He wasn't supposed to be paying attention to Lily anyways, but she rather thought he had found a way to ensure it.

After several minutes spent glaring daggers at the couple, it was (finally) time to bring the night to a close; Lily (gingerly) rose from her chairs and marched (with as much gusto as she could bear) over to them.

"Well," she announced, "I reckon I'm just gonna call it a night now."

"What?" James asked absently, not sparing her a glance. She wasn't entirely sure it was an act.

"As much fun as you've been having chatting up girls all night," Lily informed him frostily, "I'm rather bored with it. So, I'll just be on my way and leave you to it. Goodnight."

With that, she turned on her heel and started for the exit.

"Wait, hold on - Lily!"

She didn't.

"Lily." James repeated, behind her now. "What-"

Lily came to abrupt pause, whirling around, and James narrowly avoided walking into her.

"I don't know why you bothered inviting me along if you were just going to ignore me the whole night," she snapped. "You should've just come alone."

"Hold on," said James, "I haven't been ignoring you-"

Lily tittered.

"I haven't!" He insisted with defensive bewilderment. "You're the one who disappeared on me. One minute you were standing next to me, the next you were gone."

"I'm surprised you noticed," she snarked.

"Of course I -"

"Didn't come looking for me though, did you?"

"I reckoned you'd just gone to get a drink or food or something," James said. "I reckoned you were coming back," he added, almost accusatory.

"It didn't appear that I would be needed anytime soon," she replied crisply. "And apparently I wasn't, seeing as you didn't bother searching for me after I failed to return."

"I admit," James granted, "I may have lost track of time-"

"I expect that was after catching sight of Matilda Statton in those transfixing robes of hers," said Lily tartly.

"I'll have you know," James informed her, putting on airs, "I was admiring her necklace."

"She's not wearing one!"

"Alright, look," said James quickly, switching gears, "Why don't we just start over? I promise, you'll have my undivided attention for the rest of the night. I won't even look at anyone else's necklaces," he added cheekily.

"How generous of you," Lily snapped.

"Come now, don't be stroppy," tsked James. "It's not in the Christmas spirit."

"You reckon it wise," she asked, raising an eyebrow, "to make jokes right now?"

"No, I suppose not," conceded James. "No more jokes for the rest of the night!" He declared jokingly. "Now, will you please stay?" he asked softly, smiling down at her crookedly.

"I'm not in the mood for a party anymore. " Lily folded her arms stubbornly.

James stared at her for a moment, then:

"Fine."

"What're you doing?" Lily demanded as he brushed past her.

"Leaving." He called back simply. "Isn't that what we were doing?"

"I was leaving," she said starting after him, "Not we."

"We came together," said James, "so we'll leave together."

"Well I don't want be together," said Lily. And this time it was she who nearly collided with him when he turned on her suddenly.

"Really? What in the name of Merlin are we rowing about then?" He demanded with exasperation.

"If you don't know then I'm not going to tell you," replied Lily, turning her nose up at him.

He gave her a flat look.

"Very mature."

"Oh, go back to your jewelry appraisal," she snapped.

"Fine!" James exclaimed with a sudden loss of patience. "I will!"

"Great!"

Lily didn't have to fight her way to the door. The onlookers she and James had attracted made a path for her.

xxx

"Everything alright?" Matilda Statton asked when James retook his seat, although he and Lily had been within her eyesight and earshot.

He answered anyway.

"Afraid not."

"Yes, well, she was very jealous wasn't she." Matilda picked an invisible thread off her dress robes.

"Jealous?" echoed James, as though unfamiliar with the word. "She's not jealous. She's temperamental."

Matilda snorted.

"Don't be stupid. She fancies you."

"She has a funny way of showing it," said James wryly.

"Why else would she be so upset?" Matilda posed.

"I told you, she's-"

"I see you're just as clueless as the rest of your lot," Matilda interrupted with a roll of her eyes.

"You're not gonna have a go at me too now, are you?" asked James.

"Just heed my words and that won't be necessary," smiled Matilda, then she stated, plainly and simply: "Lily Evans fancies you."

Not at all. But, that was the point.

"You really reckon?" James asked, after taking a few moments to pretend to really mull it over.

"It's obvious," Matilda said. "Now how she could be so daft as to allow herself to do that, is another matter. And what in the name of Merlin and Morgana was she wearing?"

That, was a very good question.

xxx

The following morning, much like the previous evening, had Lily meeting James at the Gryffindor common room portrait hole. This time however, he was blocking it.

"Get out of the way." Lily glared.

James stared back her defiantly.

"No."

"I'm not in the bloody mood for this, James," she warned.

"I'm not moving," he said, "until you explain to me what last night was about."

"It was about you being a ruddy git," she snapped. "Now move."

"Matilda said-" James began and Lily snorted a derisive laugh,

"Were you actually listening to her prattle as you goggled at her necklace?"

"that you were jealous-"

"Jealous!"

"And I reckon she's right," he finished with resolute conviction.

"Well, you're both idiots then," she informed him tartly. "I am not jealous of that tw-"

"Maybe not of her, per se," interrupted James, "But that I was speaking to other girls in general."

"I am not jealous." Lily repeated firmly. "I'm angry that you asked me along to a party without any interest, given your behavior, in actually spending it with me. It was rude and inconsiderate. Like," she said pointedly, narrowing her eyes, "blocking the exit. People have to get to breakfast!"

She gestured wildly around the room, but none of the thirty or so Gryffindors in attendance appeared to be in any hurry to leave the scene playing out before them.

"So, then," said James, ignoring her little outburst, "You wouldn't mind if I sat with someone else at breakfast?"

"I would prefer it," Lily bit back.

"Alright," James said, instantly relaxing. "As long as we've got that cleared up." And he ducked into the portrait hole and left.

The common was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

"Well!" Lily demanded, rounding on her fellow housemates and glowering, "What are you waiting for? Get a move on!"

There was a flurry of activity as everyone hastily made for the exit.

By the time Lily made it down to the Great Hall and sat down to breakfast, she seemed to have the attention of nearly every person at the Gryffindor table. Evidently those who'd been witness to her and James's little production had made quick word of spreading the gossip.

Mindful of this, Lily kept up appearances, spooning roasted potatoes onto her plate with a clatter, and wielding the butter knife as she spread a healthy layer of strawberry jam onto her toast. Viciously stabbing a sausage, Lily proceeded to eat whilst tossing moody looks down the table, to where James and ginger haired girl talked animatedly.

xxx

"You are a green eyed monster." James informed Lily, sidling up to where she waiting for him outside the Gryffindor common room. It was after dinner now and time for the start of their nightly patrol.

"You're an electrically shocked haired prat. With knobbly knees," she returned.

"How do you know what my knees look like?" James asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I've seen you swimming in the Great Lake."

Lily pushed off from the stone wall she'd been leaning against and lead their way down the corridor.

"Watching me were you?" James smirked.

"I was hoping to see the Giant Squid drown you," she sniffed.

"Sure you were."

"It would've served you right. Students aren't supposed to swim in the lake."

"I don't reckon that rule applies on days when you can fry an egg with sun alone," James said unconcerned. "So," He steered the conversation back on topic, "It's all over the school - the row at Slughorn's party last night and our confrontation this morning, and it's official: You fancy me."

"I can barely contain myself," Lily deadpanned. "Or didn't you hear? Apparently while in the midst of my jealous fit last night, I went off my head and attempted to beat Matilda Statton over the head with a roasted pheasant in an unprovoked attack."

James's laugh echoed off the stone walls of the corridor.

"Now that would have been entertaining."

"As if it would've been unprovoked," Lily quipped.

"Well, everything seems to be going well so far," noted James, "I caught sight of Davies earlier." A devilish grin twisted his mouth at the memory, "He was looking none too pleased, and I like to believe we have something to do with it."

"Me too."

James glanced sideways at Lily.

"Ever going to share what that's about?"

She did not respond.

"Keeping mum, eh?" He said wryly.

"That is the word." She agreed.

Before James could further press on the subject Lily went on, "You know, I reckon an apology is in order," she said thoughtfully.

"I reckon Matilda would appreciate it."

"Ha ha ha. I meant from you to me," said Lily.

"Why's that?" James asked.

"You doubted me."

He considered that.

"I wouldn't say doubt. Worried was more like."

"You reckoned I wouldn't be able to pull it off. And I have," said Lily with self-satisfaction.

"Don't go celebrating early," said James. "We've got a long way to go still."

xxx

Over the next couple of days Lily continued to play the part of a woman scorned. Which was to say she went around looking bad tempered and studiously ignoring James, whenever she wasn't glowering at him. Except for that incident in Charms. James had grown bored midway through and decided to liven things up by spontaneously picking a fight with Lily.

"You completely overreacted-"

"Overreacted!"

"What else would you call having a go at a girl with a cooked bird?"

"I just reached for the first thing in arms length! She's lucky it wasn't the roasted pig."

"Miss Evans, Mr. Potter - please. This not the time or place for a shouting match."

On Wednesday afternoon, three days after Slughorn's party, it was time for the last phase in James's plan.

Phase 4: Conclusion (Or as Lily called it: The Final Nail In The Coffin)

The Great Hall was packed with students and staff for lunch, always the most boisterous meal of the day. Lily sat in between a third year and a fifth year Gryffindor, a half eaten bowl of soup in front of her and an increasingly dark look on her face. Her eyes were trained on James, and the arm he had slung around a girl who was quite clearly thrilled by this. James's arm had become a revolving door of sorts over the past seventy two hours; there seemed to be a new girl there every time Lily blinked. And how he had made sure she had noticed. Strutting around, smirking, purposely bumping into her - goading her.

Up ahead at the table, Lily watched as James laughed at something Sirius said, then whispered something in the girls ear and kissed her on the cheek.

Lily stood abruptly.

It seemed the whole Gryffindor table had been waiting with baited breath for this, heads turned, eager looks were exchanged, people shushed one another. The battle they'd seen brewing was about to explode, and they knew it. As Lily stalked up the aisle toward James, quiet seemed to fall.

James was watching her approach, a triumphant look on his face.

"I know what you're doing and it won't work so you might as well give it up." She said in front of him now.

James blinked up at Lily innocently.

"I don't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about," he said pleasantly. "But," he went on, before Lily had to chance to decry that, "If i did, seeing as you've gone out of your way to come over and here and inform me of that, I rather reckon it is."

"No! It is not!" Her exclamation rang loudly. Tellingly.

James smiled smugly.

"Just admit it," he said coaxingly, "You fancy me."

"I do not!"

"Your actions speak otherwise," he intoned tauntingly.

"How about if I murdered you?" demanded Lily with narrowed eyes. "Would that action clear things up for you?"

"Ah," said James, "so that's how you want to play it, is it? The ol' 'if I can't have you, no one else can'. But you can, Lily, if only you say the word..."

"Sod off," she spat and turned her back on him, heading back, toward the doors.

James followed behind her.

"C'mon, this is just silly."

"I couldn't agree more."

"There's no need to shy away from your feelings."

"I am not shying away-!"

"You're right. Running away is more like it. And I never took you for a coward."

Lily came to a dead halt.

"I'm not a coward."

"You're doing a good impression of one then."

She whorled around to face him.

"I'm doing an impression of someone who is fed up with you and your silly games!" She glared.

"I wouldn't have to resort to silly games if you were just honest," said James. "With me and yourself."

"I am being honest!"

"Coward."

She gave an affronted start.

"Stop that."

"Stop acting like one," he returned.

"Stop acting like an arse!" she countered with a snap.

"Will do. As soon as you stop -"

"Don't say it-" she warned.

"being a coward," he finished.

They stared at each other. Lily, at boiling point, James, calm in the face of the storm.

"You are the most impossible, infuriating -" she burst out.

"Infatuating?" He interjected.

"- hard-headed," she emphasized pointedly, "person I've ever met!"

"Ditto."

"Why in the name of Merlin would I fancy you!?" she demanded.

James placed his hands in his pockets, and cocked his head at her.

"Are you really asking me? Or are you asking yourself?" He said.

"Why?!" she repeated in a shrieky voice that heavily hinted at the latter.

"Well," said James, "Aside from everything you listed before, I am incredibly good looking, if I do say so myself. Which makes up for at least half of it."

He smiled at her.

Lily shook her head with slow horror.

"Why? Why? Why why why?" She cried, and slapped her hands over her face. "Why me?" she moaned, her shoulders slumped with defeat.

After a few moments, she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Well, it's no declaration of love," said James, "but I suppose it'll have do for now. Until you can pluck up the bravery, that is."

It was here that Lily should have shouted, "Fine! I fancy you! There! Are you satisfied now? I fancy you! I fancy you!"

And James would have replied with something cheeky like, "Yes. But, there's no need to shout about it. I'm right here."

And Lily would have aimed a punch at him, only to have her hand caught and clutched tenderly instead, and Lily's anger would fade, her face would be awash with all the feelings she'd been denying herself as they rushed forth and James would say smiling, "Walk you to Transfiguration now?" and Lily would reply, in a much calmer tone than she'd exercised before, "Alright."

And they would walk out of the, now completely silent, Great Hall, hand in hand.

Close curtain.

And while that all very well and good, Lily saw the opportunity to go in a bit of a different route. A rogue route.

So she shouted, "Fine! I fancy you! There! Are you satisfied now? I fancy you! I fancy you!" And then, before James could respond, in three quick steps, Lily threw her arms around his neck, lifted herself up on the balls of her feet, and planted her mouth onto his.

After a good, long moment, she broke the kiss.

James stared at her; he had gone stiff with shock. His expression though was oddly dazed, dumbstruck. She rather thought she would have to whip out her wand and revive him.

"That ... was not part of the plan," he finally managed to choke out slowly.

"No." She smiled mischievously back at him, "That was payback."

James blinked at her.

Lily took his hand.

"C'mon," she said, "I'll walk you to Transfiguration now."

"Alright." said James.

And they walked out of the, now completely silent, Great Hall, hand in hand.

Close curtain.

Hello 2017! I can't believe it's been 10+ years now. And I only have 17 chapters! That's, quick frankly, pathetic. Good news? I think I've finally figured out where I want to go with this story. Bad new? Now I have to figure out how to do it. And that takes me a while. To say the least.

As always, but never could be said enough, thank you for every read, favorite, follow and review! You guys are the best for sticking with me. I hope you like this new chapter and that it was worth the wait. I'm actually pretty excited about this one, I think it may be my favorite.

- GoddessoftheMaan