Buckle up, ladies and gents, because we're fast forwarding a bit. Now, we're sixteen, and it's just after our O.W.L. exams.

I'm sure many of you already know the story I am about to tell. We'd argued before, yes, but this argument was something else. This was the peak of our five-year rivalry. The climax. Every single stupid, petty fight we'd have had was leading up to this, the battle of all batfles. This was… well, in simple terms, it was really, really bad.

I won't bother telling you the entire sob story, because it wouldn't probably take an extremely long time, so I will just tell you the aftermath. For context: we were in the common room, and what seemed like the entirety of the Gryffindor House was watching us intently (nosey kids).

"I was protecting you, Evans, that was all it was!"
"You'd hexed Snape before I even got there! You were doing it out of pure malice and you know it! Potter, you are the single most disgusting-"

"Disgusting? Disgusting? Do you know what's disgusting, Evans? The fact that he called you that- that awful word - and you just took it! You just stood there! Don't you have any pride in who you are? Why didn't you defend yourself!"

"I have plenty of pride in who I am, Potter, and what he said to me doesn't involve you at all! That's the problem with you - you're always weaseling your way into my life, and getting yourself involved in my personal business, and I'm bloody sick of it!"

It was at this point that I think the Gryffindors watching us began making bets on the outcome of this particular fight. I don't blame them; I would have, too.

"Have you ever considered, Evans," James started, fuming, "that maybe I do all this because I care about you and want you to be safe?"

I laughed like a maniac at this. "You treat me like I'm a child. I can be safe on my own, Potter. And if you really cared about me, which you clearly don't, you wouldn't go out of your way to ruin my friendships!"

"I care plenty about you, Evans, that's what I'm trying to say! That's why I keep-"

"Asking me out? Yeah right, Potter! We both know you just do that to annoy me. You don't actually care, you just think it's funny! You think everything's funny! Can you even be serious for a single second, or are you so rich and privileged that you don't even have the capability of doing that? What a luxurious life you must live!"

His face twisted at this, and suddenly he looked very, very angry. Angrier than I've ever seen him.

Deep down, I knew I was in the wrong. I knew that what I'd said was uncalled for. But I was too furious with him to care.

"My family's wealth is of no concern to you," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "They worked hard for their money-"

"Right, as if it hasn't just been passed down for generations. I bet none of you have had to work for anything in your entire lives."

James took a step forward as though he was going to advance on me, and I was vaguely aware, at this point, of our friends - Remus, Sirius, Emma, and Marlene - almost having to step between us, as it seemed the fight was very close to getting physical.

"Don't you dare try to hit me, James Potter, or I will go straight to McGonagall and get you expelled. I'm a prefect."

James stared at me for a moment, face still contorted with pure anger. He was breathing very heavily. Finally, he spoke again, and I was shocked at how soft his voice was. "I know, Evans," he said. "I know you're a prefect, because you've reminded us all so many times. You can never shut up about how goddamn perfect you are, can you? You walk around this school with your silly goody-two-shoes persona, like this prim little square. I mean, don't you ever lighten up? Or do you run crying to McGonagall for every tiny problem? Haven't you ever once had the desire to laugh or be happy? What is wrong with you? What is your problem?"

This time, it was me that was struck by the words - because, deep down, I knew he was right. About all of it. I was stuck up, and I knew it, and he knew it. Did everyone know it? Was I just Hogwarts Resident Stuck Up Brat?

I don't know what compelled me to say the next words that came out of my mouth. Maybe I said them because I couldn't think of any more arguments. Maybe I said them because I could feel the hot tears filling up in my eyes, and I wanted to end the conversation as soon as possible so I wouldn't have to cry in front of the entire Gryffindor House. Maybe I was just exhausted from the events of the day. But I said them.

"I hate you."

I didn't look at his reaction. I didn't even give him time to respond. Instead, I turned on my heel and made my way directly up the stairs to the girls dormitory, where I promptly slammed the door on James and our very annoying audience. Moments later, I heard another door slam, which I can only assume was James at the boys dormitory door.

My friends have told me, since then, that it was the single most dramatic scene they've ever witnessed in their entire lives. I'm glad James and I make such good entertainment.

Apparently, no one could see any way for our friendship to be mended. To everyone else, it seemed we would never talk, or even look at each other, again.

How very wrong everybody was.

author note:

in case anyone was wondering, their argument is referring to the scene from "snapes worst memory" in the order of the phoenix. but i don't think it takes a genius to figure that out.

-me