But he'll try again
Remus filled me in on the "gory" details. I had just about given up on him at that time. I still hoped that he'd come around and in the end he did. It was her.
It took James several weeks to apologise. "Hey Evans, I'm sorry about what happened back then," he told her taking a seat next to her in potions, "I didn't mean for it to get so out of hand and I…"
"Save it," she told him, "It's fine. Besides I'm not the one you should be apologising to."
"Oh right," he laughed nervously.
That lunch break he approached the Slytherin table with reluctance. "Sniv…I mean Snape," he said standing behind Severus, who didn't move a muscle.
"What do you want?" asked Severus in a dangerously low voice reaching for his wand.
"I-I want," stuttered James, "To apologise!"
Severus was taken aback by the sudden exclamation. "Well, you don't have to yell it Potter!" yelled Lucius Malfoy, who was seated next to Severus.
Severus was absolutely silent. "I-I'm sorry," said James pushing past his own stubborn pride.
Severus never said anything back. He may have forgiven James for that one incident, but he would never forgive him for what was to come.