Disclaimer: All the characters that you recognize belong to J. K. Rowling.
Author's Note: Thanks to (Erin)J.E.A.R.K.Potter, blackxrose, and Heather for reviewing. It really means a lot to me!
Lily still felt awful about what happened in Potions class, but decided that she had better cheer up. After all, if she didn't raise her hand in classes all the time and answer questions correctly, then she wouldn't be able to gain all those points back.
One day in particular, about three weeks into the term, Lily was in her Care Of Magical Creatures class. She tried hard to concentrate on what Professor Askew was saying, but it was hard to focus. It was such a beautiful day outside, and she was stuck learning. She wanted nothing more than to sit on a bench on the pathway and relax.
"Now class, we are going to be looking at Qudel. Now you may be wondering what a Qudel is. Well, you are going to have to find that out. I would like you and a partner to research a Qudel and collaborate on a three and half feet essay."
Lily immediately looked at Gracie, who in turn looked over at her. Their little group always had a pattern of who was partnered with whom, at least when they shared classes with the Ravenclaws. Lily and Gracie were always together, Marissa and Zoë were partners, and Scarlett and her boyfriend Travis were together.
"Now class, I've been teaching here since before you were born. I know who is paired with whom. And I don't want it that way any more. So, I will be choosing your partners for this assignment," the professor began. The whole class let out a noise of disappointment.
"Now, I want Scarlett Dalton and Keaton Blaire. Paul Sheldon and Peter Pettigrew. Marissa Sutton and Careen Randal. Lily Evans and…"
'Not Potter, not Potter, not Potter'
"James Potter." The professor read the rest of the names. Lily wasn't paying much attention though. She was dreading having to work with Potter. Wasn't it bad enough that he was Head Boy?
James on the other hand, was looking forward to this. In fact, he had never been so excited for an assignment in his life, and that includes when teachers had told him to "practice" and he "practiced" hexes on Snape.
"Now class, I want this assignment done by the beginning of class on Friday. Because you only have two days to complete this, I will give you class off today to work on the paper."
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Lily and James quickly made their way over to the library. Lily was hoping this wouldn't take very long, the last thing she wanted was to be with Potter.
Once in the library, they placed their belongings on an empty table and went in search for books. Their research actually went quite well. They learned that the Qudel was a bird that lives primarily in Africa and other warm climates. Its bright colors attract many predators. However, it is able to protect itself because it releases a poisonous gas that can lead to severe brain damage. The only way to protect against it is to have a repellant potion. The repellant can only be found in feathers of the Qudel. Ironically, they make terrific pets though. You can get the gas chambers removed, making them harmless.
After being in the library for over an hour, James began to get impatient. Lily kept on glancing at the clock; he could tell she wanted the assignment to be over. The two had also barely talked at all. They were each taking separate notes from separate books.
"Okay, come on Lily," James commanded as he gathered up all of their stuff and grabbed her wrist.
"Where are we going Potter?" Lily questioned, her voice somewhat demanding.
"I've been in that library for far too long. And you looking at the clock wasn't helping so, we are going outside to finish."
He dragged her over to a spot underneath a tree and transfigured a rock into a blanket, so that they wouldn't get dirty sitting on the ground.
"Potter, I don't think that we will be able to work very well out here. There are so many distractions and I just want to get this over with," Lily complained.
"Distractions? You want to talk about distractions. How about Madam Lamport coming by every ten minutes to see what you're up to, or you looking up at the clock every so often. Now those are distractions," James informed her.
Lily let out a small laugh, "Yes, Madam Lamport looking down your neck can be very distracting."
There was a little awkward silence, but Lily broke it and said, "Once, during fourth year, she was standing behind me for nearly fifteen minutes. It was distracting me from my book so much that I turned around, and was planning on telling her to please go away. But, instead I accidentally hit her with the book."
James laughed, "Are you serious?"
"Yup. Let's just say that she doesn't stand very close to me anymore."
"I can just picture that happening."
"Yes, it was pretty funny. I felt really bad afterward though."
For the next hour Lily and James had not worked on the paper at all. Instead they had a conversation full of smiles and laughs. The conversation went from unfortunate mishaps with teachers, to times in detention, to experiments gone wrong, back to detention stories, and finally ending with how Professor Rander would look hilarious with pink hair. Needless to say, they both had lots of fun.
"Oh my God, it's almost dinner time," Lily told James.
"Yeah, and we didn't get very much done."
"Well ,there's nothing we can do about it now. I guess we'll have to finish it some other time," Lily said.
"Guess so, well speaking of dinner, do you want to head back up to the Castle and get something to eat?" James asked.
"Sure, I'm starving," Lily replied.
With that said, the two made their way back up to the castle. It wasn't until then that Lily saw how truly amazing James was. He was nice, intelligent, and could make her laugh. He really had changed a lot from the previous year. Not once did her ask her out, talk about himself in a gloating way, or run his hands through his very messy hair. She had even started to call him James instead of Potter.
As they walked into the Great Hall, Scarlett spotted the pair. She couldn't believe her eyes. Lily Evans and James Potter were actually talking with each other. And Lily had just laughed at a comment that he had made. This was amazing.
Lily saw Scarlett looking in her direction and gave her a smile and wave. Lily wasn't going over to her friend though, for Scarlett was at the Ravenclaw table with Travis. Instead, Lily scanned the Gryffindor table, none of her good friends were around. She would have to settle for sitting with some sixth years down at the other end of the table.
However, James had other plans. He sat down in a spot all by himself. He looked up at her as if asking if she was going to sit anytime soon. She didn't want to abandon him, so she sat down across from him.
"Trying to ditch me were you?" James asked, his hazel eyes staring at her. She couldn't help but notice a slight twinkle in his eyes.
"Of course not," she replied.
"So, how has your summer been?" he asked.
"Not too bad. I wish I could have been with my friends more often though. I mean, I love my family. It's just that I didn't get out too much," she said.
James could tell that Lily wasn't very keen on the topic of summer, so he changed it over to talk about how classes had been that week. Much to Lily's surprise, she found herself enjoying his company. Imagine that, if only James had been like this last year, they could have been friends sooner.
During their dinner, more of Lily's friends had come down. They were surprised to see Lily sitting with James, but didn't question her in front of him, they would wait until later.
Once Lily was finished eating, she said good-bye to James and left the Great Hall. James went over to sit with his fellow friends, which had come down to eat only ten minutes before Lily left.
Lily made her way to Gryffindor common room, but was yanked into the girls' bathroom before she even reached the stairs.
"Let go of me," Lily screamed. Then realizing that it was only Zoë, she shut her mouth, wondering why they had pulled her into the bathroom.
"What were you doing with Potter?" Marissa questioned.
"Yeah Lils, you hate him," piped in Gracie.
"Well, you know that paper about the Qudel, well, he's my partner. I got to know him a lot better," Lily explained.
"Oh my God, you and Potter were snogging!" Marissa shouted.
"No we weren't!" Lily shouted back. "Just because I talk to him doesn't mean that we snogged."
"Then how do you know him a lot better?" Marissa asked.
"Bloody hell Marissa, is that all that on your mind? Snogging?" Gracie asked.
"You guys, I did not snog him. We were just talking and became friends. Just friends. Nothing more, nothing less," Lily explained. "Besides I really like Shaun Dunstan"
Author's Note 2: There's chapter five! Don't be too mad at me for making Lily like someone other than James, but she just started being friends with him. She needs to spend more time with him before they can get together. Anyways, please review and tell me what you think!