Disclaimer: Okay, if I owned Harry Potter, I would be hard at work, writing Deathly Hallows… maybe. Actually, it comes out in about a month, so I might have been done already. Right, then: Either way, I would not be here… typing on my computer… that I don't even own, technically… happy? I don't own ANYTHING!!! Great. Now you've made me feel bad about myself. I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY!!!!!!!! (See why Lily is such an expert ranter?)

A/N: Here it is… Chapter three! Thanks again to Quirinius-Romulus, and also to a new reviewer, Natasharice. While, once again, I only received two reviews, they were both quite nice, and I am grateful. Please review- I really enjoy reading reviews, a lot!! Just knowing that anyone actually cares enough to review is great. Anyways- I like this chapter… my only concern is that it is very James/Lily. This bugs me, and will probably bug you, because I have gotten a lot of response for the Remus/Lily aspect of the story. DON'T WORRY!!! While this particular chapter is James/Lily, and it might seem as though that is the direction in which the story is going, it's really not. I'm actually leaning more towards Lily/Remus- it's more fun to write, because it's been done a lot less than James/Lily. The events that take place in Chapter Three are necessary- they add to the plot, and the story needs them. That's just how it is… but these same events will NOT result in James/Lily action, at least not yet!! I love my Lily/Remus fans- and I don't want to lose you, so hold on… don't give up on me!!!

BEST FRIEND'S GIRL

Chapter Three: Lily can rant, but James can ramble…

I hate you, Lily thought angrily, You slimy, foul, stupid thing, I hate you! Why won't you just disappear…

Lily stared determinedly at the snail on her desk, concentrating firmly on the silent vanishing spell that she was so desperately trying to perform.

Lily would have easily been the smartest 6th year at Hogwarts, but Transfiguration was her downfall. Professor McGonagall's NEWT class was wickedly hard, and Lily detested Transfiguration. She had never been good at it, and it was a miracle that she had even managed to qualify for the class. She still hadn't been happy with her score- all those nights of hard, heavy studying, and only an 'Exceeds Expectations'? Every other score had been an Outstanding.

She wouldn't have bothered with Transfiguration- actually, she would have been thrilled to give it up- but it was necessary if she wanted to go on to Healer training. Lily groaned, desperately trying to vanish the stupid snail. After a few more pathetic failed attempts, Lily decided that, unfortunately, she needed help.

From who, though? There were only twenty 6th year students taking Transfiguration- 4 Gryffindors, 10 Ravenclaws, and 5 Slytherins.

Lily immediately ruled out the Slytherins. All of them were prejudiced and would never consider breathing the same air as a 'filthy, unworthy mud blood' such as herself. The Ravenclaws were resentful of 'that genius Gryffindor girl', Lily Evans, who seemed to 'know everything'. That left the three other Gryffindors- Marlene, Remus, and… him. Lily considered each one carefully.

First choice, of course, was Marlene. At first, she seemed absolutely perfect. She was, after all, brilliant at Transfiguration, and she was one of Lily's best friends. But then, Lily stumbled across a repressed memory- Marlene had tried to tutor her once, in forth year. As a result, both girls had ended up with a black eye and refused to talk to each other for three weeks. No, Lily decided, Marlene would not be the best choice.

There was Remus; she reminded herself, smiling dreamily and probably making an absolute fool of herself. But wait- that would mean having to let him know that she was a useless git, and that simply wouldn't do.

After thinking desperately and even considering approaching the Slytherins, Lily finally reached a terrible realization. The only one who could possibly help was the one person who Lily would rather die than ask.

---

Lily approached him in the dining hall, where he was sitting with the other Marauders. Remus caught her eye immediately, of course, and she almost thought-hoped- imagined? That maybe he was looking at her too. She shook her head quickly, as if trying to clear it out by force. Taking a deep breath, she looked at the back of Potter's head determinedly. Good god, he really needed a haircut. Finally, with all the bravery and force she could muster, she tapped him on the shoulder. Apparently she was able to muster quite a lot of force, because her so-called tap sent Potter's upper half flying towards the dinner table.

"Urm, Potter?" She asked tentatively, a bit taken aback by the dive he had taken towards his Shepard's pie.

James turned around, his bright hazel eyes wide under his glasses. After he gaped at Lily for a moment, he cleared his throat and managed a confident sounding, "All right, Evans?"

"Could," she hesitated for a moment. Maybe she could back out? Maybe- maybe Transfiguration wasn't so bad after all? The grade, she reminded herself firmly, remember the grade… "Could I have a word outside?"

James nodded, and stood up, glaring at Sirius and Peter to stop their wolf whistling. Ironically, Remus was the only one who hadn't joined them. He was sitting in silence already, staring at his hands intently. He wouldn't have minded looking at anything, as long as it wasn't James or Lily.

The pair left the hall in silence, walked out the door wordlessly, and without a sound made their way across the grounds. Once they had reached the edge of the lake, James spoke.

"Look, Lily- I mean, uh, sorry- Evans. Before you start screaming at me- which I know you want to do and I also know that I deserve- I just want you to know that I am really, truly, sincerely sorry for that stunt I pulled in the Great Hall yesterday. I really am. But- now, I need you to stay calm- I honestly did not mean to embarrass you. Really, it's true. And now, I know, you'll want to say 'Well, than, Potter, why would you do it then?' and, I'm sorry, but my only answer is that you make me absolutely crazy, Lily-sorry-Evans. I mean, I've liked you for ages now, and do you care? No, of course you don't, 'cause you're you- you're Lily Evans, beautiful, brilliant prefect- way to good for the likes of me. But you can't blame a guy for trying, can you? Well, I guess you can- it's your call, of course, but I wish you wouldn't. See, at one point, I just got carried away. I was so crazy about you- I would have done anything, just to have you." James laughed, "And now I s'pose you'll say, 'James Potter, you are NOT in love with me'. And, you know what, you could be right. The truth is, you are definitely the most beautiful girl that I have ever met. Not just physically, I mean in every way, you are beautiful. You're smart, and funny, and God, Evans, you're so nice all the time- you are, without a doubt, an incredible person. And since you're also pretty modest, you'll probably want to say, 'I'm not incredible'. But you are, Lily- God, sorry. I messed up again. Evans, you are incredible, and amazing, and lovely, and- and perfect, all right? In my eyes, you are perfect. Don't even try to change my mind, because you couldn't. So there it is. That's how I feel about you. But, Evans, you'll notice that the world 'love' was absent from that little confession, because, you know, maybe you're right. Maybe I don't even know what love is. Personally, I've always thought that I was in love with you, but maybe I was wrong. Because, you were right about something else, too. I don't even know you anymore. I wish I did- I've TRIED to- but I don't. So don't worry, Li- Evans, I've got it. You don't even like me, so I'm going to give up. I won't continue to humiliate you, I swear. So now, finally, I suspect you'll want to open your yelling fit with, 'James, you are an idiotic, rambling git..' and I want you to say it, I really do. So go ahead."

Lily stared at him, and blinked. Her mind was reeling. She had known that James liked her, of course, but she had no idea that he cared so much. She was speechless. Several times, she opened her mouth to say something, but it had to be a full minute before any sound came out. Slowly, she whispered, "Potter, you are an idiotic… rambling… git, and all I wanted was to ask you to tutor me in Transfiguration."

"Wha-wha- what?" James asked weakly, his jaw dropping.

"Look- I'm- I'm bad at it, okay? I managed to get an E on my OWL, but I was studying for hours every night, honestly. I- I need help. Your help."

"And you couldn't have said anything during that whole speech?" James cried, "Bloody hell, Evans!"

"I'm sorry." Lily looked down at her feet. "Maybe… Maybe I just wanted to hear you out. Please don't be mad."

James looked down at her, her lovely face etched with guilt. Mad. Of course he wasn't mad. How could he possibly stay mad at such a beautiful creature?

"Transfiguration, huh?" he asked, cracking a smile. Lily nodded.

"I'm a bit hopeless." She said sadly, biting her lower lip.

"And you want my help?" He laughed again. "Wow, Evans… I have fantasized about being your knight in shining armor, but I always pictured me saving you from dragons, and dark wizards… not snails that need to be vanished."

"So…" Lily asked hopefully, "You'll do it?"

James wondered why she had ever doubted tat he would do it. Hadn't she heard him, only moments before, telling her how she meant more to him than anyone else? Didn't she comprehend the effect she had on him? Didn't she know that he would do anything for her? Apparently not…

"Well… I guess. A good knight never abandons a damsel in distress." He grinned down at her.

"Thanks," she laughed.

"No problem, Li- Evans." He said, turning to leave, "I've got to go, though, Important Marauder Business to attend to."

"Thank you so much," She called after him, "Oh-hey- Potter!"

"Yes, m'lady?" he joked, turning around so that he was facing her and walking backwards.

"Call me Lily?" she requested, "Please?"

James raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Okay… Lily."

With that, he ran back to the castle, happier than he had been in a very, very long time.

---

When James got back to the common room, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were waiting for him, all with questions burning in their minds. They were only more confused when he walked in, humming some Muggle show tune and sporting a dazed look on his face.

"Did she kiss you?" Peter asked excitedly. Remus and Sirius snorted in doubt, though Remus was far less skeptical than he appeared. Luckily, James shook his head.

"Did she hit you?" Sirius asked, grimacing as he named the more likely possibility.

"No," James grinned, "She wants me to tutor her in transfiguration!"

Remus, Sirius, and Peter were all stunned into silence. Shockingly, Remus was first to break it.

"So does this mean you don't need me to- you know, spy for you?" he asked hopefully.

"No!" James said impatiently, "Of course I still need you. I doubt Lily completely trusts me- I doubt she will for a long time. I mean, this'll make your job a bit easier, since I'll actually be talking to her, but I definitely still need you."

Remus winced. He had really hoped that he was off the hook, which was why the actual announcement that Lily had asked James to tutor her in Transfiguration hadn't really hit him until now. She had, though. Why? Why hadn't she asked one of her friends? Two of them were in the class! Why hadn't she asked me That was the thought that kept running through Remus's head. That day that he had been dreading- the day when Lily fell for James- had it finally arrived?