Chapter Three – Upsetting Surprises

James woke up the next morning feeling numb and empty, as if nothing was right in his world.

But of course, he reminded himself, nothing is right. You are embarrassed for once in your life and you can't even look at Evans now because of it.

James grumbled some sure fire ideas to pay Sirius back as he rolled out of bed and into the bathroom to get ready. James hissed many insults to a pretend Sirius as he showered and thought up devious spells to ruin his own esteem – even though it was already a week after the… incident.

As the morning went smoothly enough from waking up to getting ready, a smile erupted on James's face.

Maybe today it'll all be normal again, he thought as he dropped his comb on the counter, opening the bathroom door.

Nope, he grumbled, as he found himself tripping over a pair of Sirius's dirty trousers. Of course it won't get better.

Sirius, being the troublemaking Marauder he was, awoke earlier than his fellow roommates to make it down to breakfast early. He was determined to get James out of his pathetic depression. There was only so much of this Sirius could take.

A short girl with very pretty long blonde hair and perfect cookie-cutter walked into the Great Hall. Sirius caught her attention, waving her over.

"Hey Lynelle," Sirius greeted her, waving her into a seat.

"Hey Sirius," she replied smoothly, looking around.

Lynelle was a seventh year Gryffindor girl who had the heart of almost all boys in Hogwarts. Sirius knew from the friend of a friend of his snogging partner that Lynelle had a big crush on James and would do just about anything to touch him. He also knew that Lynelle hated Lily more than anything because James focused all of his attention, day and night, on Lily. And, due to her hate, Lily's eyes flashed with fury every time the girls passed in the common room of in the halls. Lynelle would be perfect for this.

"You sure he likes me, Sirius?" Lynelle asked, picking up waffle to eat.

"Of course he does," Sirius lied smoothly. "All you have to do is touch him once he starts to eat… and, well, he'll know you like him back."

"Really?" she asked, glancing around in search of James.

"Yep," Sirius continued to lie. "It'll drive his senses wild, and… well, something will happen, I guarantee you."

With much debating, James finally decided he'd step up to the plate and be his old self again. He would continue doing as he always did: asking Lily out, staring at her non-stop during the day and tracing her initials when he should be listening to the professors.

"Right mate," James told his reflection as he tightened his tie, "you can do this. Just Go. Act. Normal."

Gathering himself he walked out of the dormitory, determined to do his best to act normal.

Lily sat down at the Gryffindor table with Alice for breakfast, pretending as if nothing had happened last night. Well, truthfully nothing HAD happened, but her thoughts had kept her awake all night.

"How'd you sleep, Lily?" her friend Eliza asked as she reached for the margarine.

"Oh, fine thanks," Lily answered quickly, wondering if they could read her mind.

"Er… okay."

Sirius slipped the potion into the pumpkin juice sitting opposite him as he saw James approaching. Smirking at the idea, he quickly hid the remains and smiled innocently at his friend as he sat down.

"Hi, James," Lynelle said sweetly as he sat down next to her.

"Er… hi, Lynelle," James answered awkwardly. He quirked his brow at Sirius to ask what she was doing down on their end of the table. Sirius just sent a curious look back, clearly saying he had "no idea."

"Pumpkin juice?" Sirius asked after a minute, offering James the goblet of potion.

"Sure, thanks," James said, reaching for it. "I'll need it, I have something I need to take car of in a second."

Lynelle's eyes shone with happiness at these words.

James drowned the pumpkin juice in one gulp before standing up, much to Sirius's shock.

"Thanks mate," James said, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. "Be back in a minute."

"No! James, wait!" Sirius exclaimed, rising.

But it was too late; James had already set off purposely down the table, on his mini-mission.

Someone cleared their throat behind Lily. Not paying too much attention, Lily didn't turn around, until a familiar voice said, "Evans."

Lily turned.

"Yes, Potter?" she asked, forgetting her obsessing thoughts of him, and beginning to hate his arrogance once more.

James, who had been slightly nervous preparing to talk to Lily again, felt his spirits soar as she turned to look at him, annoyed she was.

He cleared his throat again and re-gained his airy confidence.

"So, Evans," he said, ruffling his untidy black hair with his right hand. "I was thinking… maybe you'd like to go with me on the Hogsmeade trip tomorrow."

"And why would I do that, Potter?" Lily asked icily, glaring at him.

"Because I'm Quidditch captain, exceedingly handsome, in love with you, and you know you want me," James said arrogantly.

"You know what, Potter?" Lily asked, fire dancing in her eyes as she stood up to be level with him. "I'm – just – about – sick – and – tired – of – you," she said shortly through gritted teeth.

James, not willing to show it of course, was deeply hurt. Those words stung more than Sirius's Stinging Hex he'd put on him last year.

"Evans," James continued smoothly, attempting to keep his cool, "you're just saying that. You know you want me – you just don't want to admit it."

"I hate you, Potter," Lily said savagely. "I wish you'd die, being the arrogant prat you are!"

"Now, Evans, you don't mean that," James said, his voice faltering a bit at her words.

"Oh really?" she asked, walking closer to him, making him smirk at their close proximity.

"Yeah," James said a bit more confidently.

"So if I like you, Potter, why the Merlin would I do this?" she asked softly.

"Do what?" James asked, unable to hide his grin.

"This," Lily mouthed.

With one quick movement, she raised her hand in the air and struck James across the face, his eyes widening in shock.

"I'm sick you, Potter," she hissed as she struck him again.

But, before she could hit him a third time she let out a yelp of pain, staring down at her hand frantically.

Electricity ran the length of Lily's arm, shocking her. But before she could concentrate on the pain, her hand snapped involuntarily down to James's. With a high-pitched scream, Lily attempted to yank her hand out of James's, who was looking puzzled but thoroughly pleased.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Lily shrieked, trying with all her might to pry her hand out of James's.

"N-n-nothing," James stammered, extremely confused.

Sirius, who had seen the entire fiasco, crept slowly past the two and down the hall, determined to not get blamed for this.

"LET GO OF ME!" Lily screamed, tugging her hand even harder.

"I can't!" James exclaimed, shaking his hand furiously to show her.

Lily let out an exasperated scream.

Now the entire Great Hall was watching, Dumbledore included.

Shaking in fury, Lily put her right foot up on the wall behind James. Pushing her foot on the wall and tugging her hand, her face was contorted in determination. With another scream, she put her left foot up on the wall too and began to pull even harder on her hand.

Seeing Lily's position, James quirked a brow at Remus who was standing a couple feet away.

"Aaaaaargh!" Lily screamed, placing her feet back on the ground, her face as red as her hair. "UNDO THE SPELL, POTTER!" she demanded loudly, stomping her foot and looking James directly in the eyes.

The rage that had been flaming in Lily's eyes from the first word James had spoken to her that morning had erupted into a forest fire. She was seething, biting her tongue, breathing deeply, very upset.

With one last aggravated sigh, she turned on her heel and marched out of the Great Hall, James being dragged along behind her.