Lily

" Well Longbottom any news for me?" muttered James as he sat in potions.

" Not a thing Potter."

James sat back angrilly. No one seemed to know who Lily's mystery partner was.

Sirius siddled over to him.

" Settle down then... I say settle down then class " said Slughorn as he looked across the room at his class.

" Well seventh years " he said in an awed voice that seemed to fill the classroom like an echo bouncing of walls. " Where to begin ... welcome back to Hogwarts. First I must take the time to thank those students who sent me little tokens of appreciation over the summer. I will not forget you my friends. Certainly not... if you ever needed a boost up the career ladder after Hogwarts just give me a buzz by letter. And how are you Miss Evans?" he said to Lily as she walked into the room.

" Fine Sir " said Lily blushing at being singled out. She took a desk nearest by the window beside Remus Lupin.

" Slughorn has taken quite the fancy to you Lily " said Lupin sweetly to her.

Lily laughed quietly and tapped him playfully on the arm.

" Actually I think it's because I'm not that bad at potions. He seems to gather students like cards dont you think? Take that Gwenog Jones. She's quite good at Quidditch dont you think. Already plays with the Holyhead Harpies at age seventeen. Funny how Slughorn likes her. Or look at that fellow Smith in Hufflepuff. His great Aunt is a distant desendant of Helga Hufflepuff. He's in the Slug club too."

Lupin chuckled. " Ah well... still it cant hurt to have a teacher on your side."

Lily grinned. " Easy for you to say... but something tells me... this guy benefits out of all of us eventually. He may even get tired of me."

" Really why. Did you not send him any token of appreciation over the summer?" teased Lupin gently.

" Very funny Remus. Actually its because if I'm seen in someones company soon... he may be a little turned of me. He doesnt like pranksters or messers."

" Who's company?"

Lily looked towards James but didn't say anything.

Lupin smirked. " But I thought..."

Lily cut him off. " I haven't said anything Remus. He still has a long way to go before I'll accept... but yes I do like him. I like him very much."