He just might blow it

Then the incident happened.

I was approaching the tree that we always met at, when I heard a familiar voice say in the most malicious tone, "Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's pants?"

No wonder no one was there yet. There was a circular throng of students nearby and it was coming from the centre. I dived through. "Chaleur baton!" I yelled aiming my wand at James, who was currently dangling Severus in the air by his feet.

I could actually see his wand becoming red hot. He instantly dropped it. Almost simultaneously, Severus dropped to the ground too.With what dignity he had left, he quickly regained an unsteady form of composure. "Why doesn't he just wear shorts?"

"I didn't ask for your help!" he spat.

"Isn't that what "friends" are for," I bit back through clenched teeth, "Now get outta here unless you want another piece of the action!"

Lily and I had won the duelling competition that year rather than the ice queens who'd transferred from Beauxbatons the previous year, much to Sirius and James' disappointment. They had gone for it too. Severus gave James and the Marauders the most deathly glare, picked up his scattered belongings and left without another word. Most of the crowd dispersed and James scowled at me. "Wha-what?"

He looked to the side with an angry grimace. I could tell that he was angry at himself too. "J-James…"

"And she ruins our fun again!" announced Sirius.

"Shut up!" James and I yelled at him simultaneously.

I looked over at James and paused. "Is there something - ?"

Ignoring me he turned to leave. "James! I know that you're jealous!"

He turned around with a smug expression, but I could see the anger in his eyes. "Jealous of him?"

"James stop this! It isn't like you!"

"She'd rather hang out with him than with you! That's why you pick on him all the time! Oh sure he's a Slytherin, but do you even pay attention to any of them half as much as him?"

I could almost see his blood seething beneath his skin. I wondered if this had had anything to do with Lily. I looked at him pleadingly. "Please listen to me James!"

"What are you on ab - ?"

"You were a nice guy, James, but since this thing with Lily you've changed."

I turned to go. I wasn't about to allow him to see my tears. "What do you know?" he yelled to my back.

"Enough," I answered simply, "Good-bye James."