Author's Note: Ummm…I think I mentioned this in last chapter's author's note that I thought James played Seeker. You know in the first movie? Hermione says that James played Seeker, and Harry wouldn't make a fool of himself! Even if that's wrong, I think I'll stick with James as Seeker for this story. Sorry guys if it's a little weird.

Hope people like this chappie

Chapter 7

"Hey Lily" James relied, now quite self conscious. He was pretty shocked to hear her address him by his first name. Personally, he thought it was quite miraculous as all the conversations he'd had with her were "Potter this" or "Potter that". She'd never been actually polite with him either.

"I'd just like to say you played well today." This was turning into quite an awkward conversation as neither knew how to address the other. They had so many things that they needed to work out, and they weren't quite sure where to start.

Slowly, the tension and discomfort slowly vanished as Lily gave James a rare, shy smile. They slowly walked back to the Heads Common Room and prepare themselves for what was going to be a long and exciting night in the Gryffindor Common Room at the party.

"I'm sorry for behaving that way. I was just so angry about what happened in the last couple of weeks. First it was you and Missy, and after I thought that was over, there was the um…incident" Lily felt she couldn't go on as a wash of red covered her cheeks.

"Then there was Slughorn's assignment?" James finished for her. He was trying hard not to grin too hard. He could actually feel Lily's discomfort. "It's okay Lils, I didn't really know how to react to those circumstances either."

"Our duties start next week, and I would really like to start a new year on better terms…especially since were clearly going to be in each others company a lot."

"I know…and we should start working on the assignment. I know you don't like it at all, but let's just tackle it as classmates? Just forget everything…it won't be too bad working with me Lils…I promise."

They had reached the living room of the Common room, and both of them were feeling much better at knowing that they would actually try and co-operate for the year.

"I'll see you at the party tonight" Lily said, as she retreated back into her room.

James also hit the showers and relaxed at knowing that his life was currently the best it could be!

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The Gryffindor Common Room was in an uproar by the time James entered with Lily. They had met each other coincidentally and decided to walk in together. Glasses of Butterbeer were splayed across the desks, and any type of food you could name, Sirius had gotten from the Kitchens.

"Hey! Look everyone, it's the star of the Team" A random 5th year yelled.

The Marauders came up to greet him, along with many others. After much engulfing and congratulations, the party mood resumed. Foul words of Slytherin were spoken, games of Exploding Snap and Wizard Chess were taking place, and many people were already drunk. This was going to be a long night.

The Marauders, along with Eva, Brittany and Lily were seated in a corner of the Common Room. Only Remus and Eva were attempting conversation. Sirius and Brittany's feud had somewhat died down, but their voices still lacked any hint of friendship. They had both gone back to their joking moods, and everyone found that they liked this better. Sirius was gulping glass after glass of Butterbeer. Lily and James' condition was still pretty awkward, as each were thinking how they were going to tackle the assignment and the bumps that were surely going to come in the way.

"Great play Capt'n, we're proud of ya" Sirius slurred as he offered James a drink, to which he refused. He started doing some kind of jig and singing very off tune…but nobody really minded. It was a great night in the Gryffindor Common, and even McGonagall didn't have the heart to break up the party.

It was 4 a.m. in the morning when people were finally returning to their dormitories. James, and Lily, both exhausted and yawning their heads off, exchanged meek farewells and each proceeded to their room.

"One more thing, I'd like to start that assignment soon…how about tomorrow night just before our duty?" Lily had asked, her eyes drooping.

"Sure, no problem…I'll see you there" James' heart had swelled, and most of his exhaustion had vanished. He lay awake for the remaining of the morning, pondering over the reason to Lily's sudden kindness. Maybe they had really grown up. He might even have a good opportunity at catching heart. After all, never say never.

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The next morning, the Gryffindors suffered torments in Transfiguration with the Slytherins who all in a very sour mood. McGonagall also seemed to be fed up with their immature behaviour, and was a few time in the lesson, about to blow. However, being Minerva McGonagall, she kept her cool as always.

Throughout the whole lesson, there was pretty much icy silence, and only the crows which had been transfigured from bees were cawing endlessly. The tension was so thick in the room, it could be cut with a knife…and the Gryffindors were glad to get out of the room.

It was a relief to step into the Charms classroom, which most people enjoyed. Professor Flitwick was not only amusing, he was a wise teacher. They practiced a particularly difficult charm to which many people ended up in the Hospital Wing. This was also because most of the Gryffindors had a sleepless night and weren't really concentrating on what they were doing.

After a long and grueling day, Lily trudged up to the Heads Common Room to find some needed time to rest. Even she'd had trouble concentrating on the work they were given today. Transfiguration had been particularly difficult as it wasn't a subject she was excelled in the first place. She remembered scowling when she had spent the whole lesson struggling to transfigure the bee into a crow, where James had spent a few seconds, and the bee miraculously turned into a perfect crow.

In the end, only her and James had perfected the task, and were awarded 10 points each by Professor McGonagall. Lily was practically about to collapse from fatigue. With finding a bed and sleeping the only thing set in her mind, she wasn't aware until she crashed into a lean body in front of The Distressed Damsel's portrait.

James Potter looked down at expectantly. She found herself very irritated…she wasn't in the best of moods, especially after taking pages and pages of notes in Arithmacy, which she had come back from.

"What do you want Potter? I know I said I would try and co-operate with you, but I really can't take any of your 'energy' now. I'm tired beyond belief." Lily on the verge of collapsing to her knees as they were so weak.

James felt pretty taken aback from this. He had also been tired, but he had kept Lily's suggestion that they start on the assignment tonight in his mind all day. All he wanted to do was curl up in bed and have sweet dreams…but he couldn't let Lily do all the work. He needed to prove himself.

"Lily! Remember you said, about---" Lily cut him off in a rude manner.

"Leave your jokes for next time. God, I just want to collapse on my bed and never wake up again." Lily was still muttering to herself after the Damsel let her in the room.

James stood paralyzed with confusion and a touch of anger. He should have told her about their agreement on the meeting! Lily should be feeling guilty! James was very angry with himself as well as Lily as he trudged into his room. Not only did he have to take the blame for something not his fault, but he also had to knock on her door later and remind her that they had after curfew patrols.

As he slipped beneath the bed covers, he decided he would worry about the confrontation later as he dozed off into a dreamless sleep.

When 10 o'clock arrived, James reluctantly forced himself out of the warm covers and he was hit by the cold air in his room. He creeped to Lily's room and found it to be locked, once again. He peered in through the keyhole and found her petite form rising and falling underneath the bed sheets. She seemed so content in her sleep that James really didn't have the heart to wake her.

He decided to do the patrolling by himself and cover both their duties. However, it wasn't as easy as he thought and his mood was growing darker and darker as each minute ticked by.

After telling off 2 couples which he found in broom closets for being up after curfew, a third year creeping around the trophy room doing God-knows-what and a giggling bunch of Ravenclaw fourth year girls following him, James decided to call it a day.

All the kids had scurried off as soon as James gave them 'the glare'. They didn't and really couldn't afford to be on the bad side of the Marauders' ring leader. Desperately wanting to climb back in bed, James was pretty much half dead by the time he made it back to his room. His last thought was that Lily had owed him big-time for this one, before he entered dream land.

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"Ms. Evans, Mr. Potter…my office if you please" Professor McGonagall beckoned to them after eating breakfast.

James' hair had been sticking out in the most ridiculous directions and there were heavy bags under his eyes. His hair was messier than usual, which was saying something, and his robes weren't even done up properly. Lily however, had seemed to be very well rested and even greeted him cheerfully that morning.

Unfortunately for him, she had seemed to forgotten about their library session and the fact they had patrolling duties. She didn't seem to notice that there was something difference to James and he was definitely not his usual self. The Marauders had noticed, and Lupin had seemed pretty worried, but James dismissed them and said he'd just had a late night…which he had.

He grimaced as his back was still aching from last night as he begrudgingly followed McGonagall. He squeaked the door closed and sighed satisfactorily as he sank down into a pink and blue beanbag on the floor of her office. Lily had also sat tenderly on a wooden bench in front of McGonagall's desk.

"I'm sure you performed your first set of duties well last night?" McGongall's gaze lingered on James, while James was smirking at seeing Lily's usual piercing green eyes widen twice their size and her hand went up to clutch her wide open mouth. James concluded she looked really cute like that, but she was more beautiful when she was angry.

"Oh yes, Professor. After Ms. Evans and I departed from the library working on our Potions assignment, we immediately proceeded to our duties." With this, James glared at Lily, not blaming her, but making her realize that she had wrongly accused him of 'being upto something'.

"I actually can't believe the nerve of some people! Some of their activities were absolutely horrendous, even by Marauders' standards. We, as Head Boy and Girl fixed them up!" James faked a gleeful expression, and mustered up his most charming smile, and McGonagall seemed satisfied by his response.

McGonagall's eyes lingered on him for a few moments earlier, and Lily looked as if she was going to burst in to tears any moment soon. Her eyes held guilt, apologies and regret. All James could see was her, his heart ached with hers, he was burning in a fiery blaze.

"Why have you, Mr. Potter, signed both you and Ms. Evans off? Where was Ms. Evans?" McGonagall's eyes moved from Lily, who was still trying to maintain a normal expression, back to James.

James' heart leapt as he remembered signing both their names off. He hadn't thought about this at all! Although nervous, his mind came up with an excuse and he replied in a calm and collected voice, giving nothing away.

"Oh, Ms. Evans was busy with a group of first year boys who were chasing after her and telling her how beautiful she was" James said, amusement coming into his eyes as he realised what he said.

"Very well…I just wanted to inform you that you will be deciding on a date for the next Hogsmeade trip. I would also like to congratulate you both on a job well done so far" James beamed, while Lily, unable to find her voice, nodded meekly. Her eyes still threatened to spill tears.

As they proceeded to leave, McGonagall flashed one of her rare, rewarding smiles.

"I'd like to say you delivered an extraordinary performance the day before yesterday on the Quidditch field. Well done Mr. Potter…well done. I presume we'll grasp the Quidditch Cup again this year?" After nodding enthusiastically, they both left her office, Lily feeling very much guilty, while James was recovering from his tiredness by seeing Lily's cute expressions.

They walked soundlessly, side by side for a few minutes, neither knowing how to begin a conversation.

"Thank you" Lily whispered softly, as they both stopped abruptly in the middle of the hallway.

"Oh don't worry about it Tiger, I know how tired you were yesterday. Looking very refreshed today, I must say" James laughed, trying to lighten her mood. He wanted her to see that these little things he did for her didn't mean much. He would even risk his life for her!

"No, James…I truly am sorry. I shouldn't have been so ignorant and not listen to what you had to say. Look at yourself. You must be so tired…" Lily stared up at him, worry and care in her eyes.

"I know there's a way you can make it up to me---"

"No, I will not go out with you. Even though I know I owe you this time, my decision still remains." Lily said firmly.

James cast a disappointed expression her way, and he looked sincerely hurt.

"I've matured Lily…if you haven't realised, the only time I've asked you out this year was at King's Cross Station!" Lily thought about this, and realised with a shock that he was right. Maybe he had matured…a little.

"Alright, so what is this favour?" Lily said, still dreading what James was about to suggest.

"We should start on our assignment. Shall I accompany you to the library now so we can start our research?" James said in mock sincerity; he even stuck out his arm like a real gentleman.

Lily was befuddled for a few moments, before she let out a chuckle at James' little joke. He was suggesting starting work? She never thought it was possible for James Potter to start work. Her heart was always frozen towards him, maybe it was starting to slightly melt.

They laughed all the way to the library, and Lily realised she could get used to his company. He could make her laugh, make her cry, make her angry, and make her lose control. She still hadn't come across anyone who could make her do that.

Their laughter died down after receiving a glare from the librarian. They made their way to the Potions section, and searched for a book on Love Potions. They both knew it was complicated to make…but when they found the list of ingredients, Lily lost all hope…it would be impossible!

However, James' expression lit up into a mischievous grin and he gave Lily a wink when her expression was glum as she saw the ingredients.

"Don't worry Flower…I'll get my hands on all the ingredients, just for you" Lily smiled at the corny comment. If this had occurred a few years back, Lily would have probably lost her nerve and started hexing him…but now, for some reason, she felt different.

Snapping the book shut, they prepared to leave the library, when a voice sneered at them from in front.

"Well, if it isn't the Mudblood and her boyfriend." James good mood had mostly evaporated as Severus Snape's revolting self showed up in front of them. His expression was of absolute loathing, and his eyes dared James to challenge him.

"Dissapointing Potter, I thought you could do better…a Mudblood, what're you thinking?" Missy Redding also stepped out, and her expression was of utter fury towards James.

James plunged his arm into his robes preparing to fish out his wand and finish off Snape and Redding right there. Lily touched him on the crook of his elbow, and shook her head, though her expression was one of dislike as well.

"Redding, I'm disappointed in you too…Snivellus? He'll leave grease marks all over you!" James shook his head with fake disappointment, but his eyes still held intensity as he continued to gaze at them.

"Y-you…Potter, I'll have you! I'll have you!" Snape's lip was trembling, and instead of turning red from anger, his face was ghostly white.

"I'll be waiting for you, Snivelly" James scoffed as he pushed past them, dragging Lily along behind.

"James, you're making a mistake. I'll make you pay…I'll make the Mudblood pay. I'LL MAKE YOU ALL PAY!" Missy bellowed from behind.

James felt Lily shiver, and he had also felt the temperature in the room drop as he heard Missy's words. James truly had no idea what the girl was capable of, and he didn't want to know. As he turned around to face Lily's worried expression, he didn't know whether he'd be able to protect her from harm.

The last thing he wanted to see was her getting hurt.

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Brief A/N: Hope you all liked the chapter! Everybody think: What's Missy going to do to James and Lily?

Heheheheeeeee…Oh, also, in response to Lizz, Elizabeth: Indeed, I used Rowling's techniques in Quidditch…I really like her style of writing, I find it interesting I had to even re-read some of the Quidditch matches! Lol! Glad you liked it anyway.

In response to JeminaDOTM5 and Lizzi, Elizabeth (again): I told all of you last chapter and this chapter that I thought James was a Seeker because Hermione says so in the first movie…does anyone remember? Thanx for pointing it out though, and could you tell me where Rowling says that, because I kinda can't remember. Well, I think I'll stick with James as Seeker in the story anyhoo…sorry if you don't like it.

Alright, plz review everyone ! And thanx to all the support my reviewers have given me

Forever,

Purebliss90