Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

To love, or not to love

2. James´ despair

"Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see-" (A/N: the start of the song Bohemian Rhapsody by the band Queen. It was the nr. 1 at the UK hit list for 15 weeks in 1975, where this story takes place. (nobody can blame me for not doing my research ))

"Oh, shut up Padfoot!" James snarled.

"Why?" Sirius asked innocently. "The muggles love this song. Its totally popular at the moment!".

James scowled at the friend. "You are just doing it to be annoying, and since when have you had any knowledge to muggle-related stuff? I remembering you last week asked Remus of what a TV was" he said sarcastic.

Sirius grinned "for one thing, yes, I know you hate it. Thought of that's why I'm singing? And I have accidentally got to know that Gina Fairslaide happens to love this song. And admit it Prongs, Gina is H-O-T hot!"

James shoke his head. "When do you learn, that it takes more, than knowing some girls favourite song, to get her to like you?"

Sirius glanced at him, and raised an eyebrow. "And of cause you know aaaall about getting girls you love to like you, Mr. I-have-been-crazy-for-a-girl-in-four-years-and-she-hates-me. By the way, I do know that it takes more than a song. I'll naturally send her a dazzling smile, and a naughty glance, and she'll be mine " he said (With a very self-satisfied look).

James looked at his friend with an I-give-up mine.

Sirius just was like that. And you had to admit that it worked! Half of all the girls at the school was secretly in love with the handsome boy with the shiny dark hair (the other half was, of cause, in love with James), that fell over his eyes in a nonchalant way, that James´ own messy hair could never get.

"I was wondering, why in the hell you so irritable Prongs?"

James blushed, kicking annoyed at his suitcase, that laid under his bed.

"It's the whole Lily-thing. She has been furious at me, ever since that episode with Snivellius (A/N: a nickname the marauders gave Snape)" the name was almost spitted out "He always has to ruin everything! Why cant he just mind his own business, and do something else than annoying me? He could for example try to wash his hair. That should keep him busy for a couple of years."

Sirius nodded sympathetically . "I see, so that's what bothering you. But cheer up pal. Soon it'll be Christmas! And a very good occasion to play some serious pranks. We don't wants people to thik that the Marauders has lost their grip!"

James gave a pale smile. He didn't really feel like coming up with pranks (means that he was really depressed!).

Sirius could see that his friend was sad

"we could for example force Snivellius to eat something grose? Or hang his underpants up in the Great Hall. No, wait. That last one wasn't a good idea. Snapes´ pants haven't probably been washed for decades! It would be mean to expose the other students to the danger. A lot would might get some nasty diseases from the smell alone…"

James gave a weak smile. He couldn't even have fun slandering Snotface anymore…

Sirius shrugged his shoulders, heading for the door, just as Remus opened it, and came inside the dorm.

"I've tried Rem! Just cant get him in better mood. Your turn!"

And then Sirius went out of the door. It would be really annoying, if all this depression should infect him too! (Hogwarts would at least be doomed, if he, Sirius Black wasn't there to make some fun, and charm some girls)

Remus sat down next to James "Listen mate, you shouldn't let yourself get beaten by this. Instead of sitting here, feeling sorry for yourself, you should do something to show Lily, that you really likes her. And I AINT talking about asking her out, every time you sees her! Actually I think that it just annoys her. No Prongs… the time is up for a little inventiveness."

James didn't answer.

"Well, you figure that out yourself then. But I tell you, you don't win her over by sitting in here sulking all day. Try to do some constructive instead. There's only two months to Valentines Day. The perfect day to shove her your love."

James still didn't say a word.

Remus realised that there was no more for him to do, and left the room.

"Valentines Day! What a waste of time!" James snorted. Hadn't he shoved his love to Lily in four years now? So why should one single day could make any difference?

"Lily? Are you listening at all?"

"who?" Lily Evans asked confused.

"I asked you, if you was paying attention. What you ,obvious, didn't." Lily's best friend, Barbara Powers said. Barbara was a slim girl, with long black hair, and dark blue eyes.

Lily blushed "Sorry Barb! I was just thinking at that idiot James Potter!"

The two friends sat at the school library, trying to find some books about Hippogriffs, to the next days Magical Creatures lesson.

Barbara rolled her eyes "You always thinks at that guy Lill. If I didn't knew better, I would think that you are in love with him!"

Lily stared angry at the friend. "What are you talking about? As if I could ever fall for that stupid moron!"

"yeah, I know it… You hate him and is disgusted by him. Doesn't that sound familiar? Oh yes. You did mention it a couple of times… or three… every minute… the past four years."

"Oh, just shut up" Lily said, hitting Barbara friendly at the arm.

"well, I guess that you have to tell me what bother you so much about him this time, and get it out of the system. Before I get you out of the window" Barbara grinned

Lily stuck out her tongue in a childish way.

"well, he just gets more and more irritating! Its almost unbearable. EACH time he sees me, he asks me out. I mean, In the start I thought it was kind of sweet, but now its so annoying! And on the top of all that, he's the most cocky and arrogant Ass in the whole school!"

Barbara sighed deeply "no news there for me. But I don't get you Lill. Half of all the girls at this school would be ecstatic to be adored by James Potter himself. There's no reason not to give him a chance. Go out with him just one time, and if he's still an asshole, then dump him."

Lily looked incredulous at her friend. "You cant possible be serious about that Barb? Go out with Potter! Are you out of your mind? If I had to be with that fool for a hole date, I most likely would jump out from the Astronomy Tower!"

Barbara hold her hands up in front of her face, as if she wanted to protect herself against Lily's words.

"Your choice. It was just a suggestion"

Lily absent took a Marsbar (Lily's favourite candy. Her mother frequent send them to her via owl post) out from her pocket. She unpacked it, and took a very little bite. There was nothing as concentrated sugar, when you needed to relax.

"Sorry for being so bad-tempered Barb. But Potter just makes me so angry!" she said, taking another bite.

Barbara licked his lips, and looked envious at the candy bar.

"Why do you eat so slowly? If it had been me, I would have taken it in two bites!"

Lily grinned, and took an extra little bite "yeah, that's why I never share with you Barb. You don't understand the right way to enjoy sugar" she said with a wide smile.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Both girls jumped in their chairs in chock, when a raging Madam Pinch raced at them.

"Chocolate in the library!" she cried, full of indignant.

"OUT! GET OUT RIGHT NOW!"

The girls got up immediately, took their books, and run out as fast as they could.

They first stopped, when they had turned as much corners, that they were in a safe distance from the library.

Lily looked at her friend, and started to giggle. Barbara started to, and soon a roar of laugher filled the corridor.

"That woman is just way too concerned about her job!" Barbara said laughing, while she wiped a tear away from the corner of her eye.

Phew… Chapter number two is done! It took really long time to translate it, and I really think I made an effort to it.

Well, the story is standing a little bit still, but that will soon change!

I'm halfway dine with chapter three (it's in Danish, so it will take a while to write it finish, and then translate it……)

Ann