A/N:

Hi

I have nothing to say for myself, I'm sorry. Here's the next chapter. It's not my beeeest…. But I'm fairly happy with it.

Disclaimer: lol nope.

As always, Happy reading!

James didn't expect her to come. He really didn't. She definitely didn't owe him anything.

Merlin, I'm stupid, He thought bitterly.

It was probably a bad idea to come talk to her during the ball, but she looked amazing in that green dress, and he had been feeling horrible ever since their fight a few weeks back. Thankfully, Kingsley had let him dance with Lily, and awkward as it was, he felt he had gotten his point across. They were finally getting somewhere.

Then Annie came and literally dragged him away, much to his chagrin.

After he and Lily had fought, James began to see more of Annie's cruel side. Without Lily around anymore, she had certainly become more outspoken about her dislike for basically everyone.

He still hadn't heard her say 'mudblood' or anything, but it was becoming clearer to see the kind of person she really was. It was stretching to the breaking point, and it came to a head that night when Annie had said he was "too good for that pathetic muggleborn anyway."

He had refused to speak to her for the rest of the night, and immediately after the ball, broke up with her. It was pretty messy, and she screamed at him for a good few minutes in an empty classroom, and when she said she could either choose her or Lily, he walked away in a heartbeat.

He had gone back to his dormitory, changed into something more comfortable, and snuck up to the astronomy tower, where he was currently waiting. It had been about 30 minutes, and James was about ready to leave when he heard a voice behind him.

"Hey." Lily stood in the doorway, wearing pajamas and a slight frown.

"You came," James breathed. "I wasn't sure if—"

"I almost didn't," She replied. "But I had a conversation with Sirius, and he enlightened me."

James grimaced. "Kindly, I hope," he said. "I know he can be a bit… well, you know how it is."

Lily shrugged. "He was fine. A bit annoyed that I was so indecisive, but it doesn't matter." She slung off her bag and sat on the ground. "Sorry I'm a bit later than I wanted to be. I went to the kitchens." She opened the bag and pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey, two glasses, and pumpkin pasties. "You first," she said as she took a bite of a pasty. "Go."

James was a little surprised at her forwardness, but nevertheless, he sat down beside her.

"It's a complicated story," he said warningly.

Lily shrugged.

"I've got time," she said.

James looked at her, and he opened his mouth.

"I'm sorry," he said. "So, so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking when I said that. It couldn't have been further from the truth." He took a deep breath and continued as Lily watched him curiously. "And I understand if you don't want to talk to me, because goodness knows I don't deserve it, but…"

"James, I know you're sorry. And… thank you for apologizing. It means a lot to me. I just want to know…" she closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. "I want to know why you said it."

Silence stretched between them, and James's heart pounded as he looked at her.

The fact of the matter was, that James had no real excuse. None at all. He knew he had his reasons. He knew why, but it didn't really matter, because he was so, so wrong.

"I don't know why Lily," he said in a careful tone. "I guess I… I liked her. I wanted to keep her as my girlfriend. And she kept saying- I said it to impress her, okay? And that doesn't make it right, but…" he let out a sigh. "But that's it. That's why. If I could go back in time, then I'd probably slap myself a couple of times. Because… because you didn't deserve that."

Lily examined him, raising her eyebrows and setting her drink on the ground.

"That's kind of a lame excuse," she said, although her eyes had softened considerably.

James laughed. "I forgot how stubborn you are. I don't know what you expected. You've been telling me for years that I'm lame."

The corner of Lily's mouth quirked up in amusement. "True," she said. "And for that same amount of time, you've been calling me stubborn, so I'd say we're even."

"Yeah," James said smiling. They sat quietly for a moment until James broke the silence. "Do you forgive me though?" Lily hummed thoughtfully, and James anxiously awaited her reply, looking at her.

"Yes," Lily said. "I do."

James leaned away from the wall to look at her. "You do?" There was no hiding the shock in his voice, and Lily rolled her eyes.

"Yes. I forgive you." She took a sip of her drink without looking at him.

"Why?" James asked incredulously.

"Because my life is exceptionally boring without you," Lily said drily. James swallowed hard and looked into her emerald green eyes.

"Ah, I see it. You like the entertainment value," he said smiling slightly as he leaned back against the wall. "I guess that makes sense."

"Partly," Lily said, shrugging. "But in all Honesty James… You're one of my best friends. And I've missed you."

"You have?" James asked.

"Of course I have!" Lily exclaimed. "I've missed your stupid jokes; I've missed talking to you. I've missed going on rounds and laughing. I miss being able to talk about anything and everything. I just…" She broke off and stared at her hands. "I want us to be friends again."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

James smiled. "Well then, let's do it. Let's be friends."

Lily smiled back at him in relief. "Good. And I promise I won't get in the way of you and your relationships anymore. I still stick to my belief that Annie is the worst, but you do—"

"I broke up with Annie."

"What?"

"Yeah, about an hour ago, I suppose. You were right," he said sighing, "I'd gotten to the end of my rope to be honest. After she pulled me away from you at the dance, she said I could do better or something. I don't know, I was seeing red. Anyway I broke it off."

Lily was staring at him so gratefully that it made James wish that he had broken up with Annie weeks ago.

"That… is the best news I've heard all day," Lily said smiling. She patted him on the arm. "I'm proud of you."

"That's remarkably miserable, all things considered," James said dryly. Lily nudged him with her soldier and laughed lightly.

"Well, she's been the bane of my existence for a while," she said, "so the fact that she isn't going to be around anymore certainly makes me happier."

James sighed and buried his face in his hands.

"I don't know what was wrong with me Lil," he said. "She's the worst!"

"I've been trying to tell you that for weeks James," Lily said, laughing.

"Merlin, I was stupid, wasn't I? How did I not notice?"

"Maybe she obliviated you every few minutes," Lily suggested playfully.

"I think I'd have a couple of gaps in my memory if that were true Evans," James said, rolling his eyes in mock annoyance.

And the two stayed there, laughing and joking with each other into the early hours of the morning.

And for the first time in weeks, James Potter felt whole.

A/N:

That's all for now! I hope you enjoyed it.

But here's a little question for you.

After this chapter, I have two directions this story can go in. They are this: More drama or less drama. I have both ways mapped out, but I just wanted your input. You can leave a review telling me what you all want, or you don't have to at all. It's your choice!

Thanks for reading!