Chapter 13

The day before the Christmas was one of the worst for the Seventh Years, and along with it came downpours of homework and assignments. James and Sirius had originally had a bet as to how stressed the teachers would be. James bet that McGonagall would stress how important their NEWT's were at least 500 times, but he was proven wrong by Sirius as McGonagall had at least said 1000 times how important it was that they study and lay out their future.

Their first lesson had been double Transfiguration and it had taken James' full energy to actually stay awake through McGonagall's lecture after lecture. Mostly, during the lesson, he was eyeing Lily's flaming red hair and trying to work out how many shades of red were actually.

He smiled just thinking about her. Lily's harshness with him seemed to have waned bit by bit, and although they still weren't technically friends, they hadn't fought at all! However, she had hardly said anything to him at all after the 'Amos Diggory' incident. Even though she made no comments or indications, James knew she was blaming him. And he knew she had all the right to.

He supposed he couldn't blame Amos Diggory for hating him. Amos constantly competed with him with the smallest things, and he always seemed to lose. Maybe he'd only been using Lily to get to him. Whatever, James thought; Amos Diggory wasn't worth his brain power.

James yawned. He was currently in Potions, sitting surrounded by many gushing girls as none of the Marauders took the class. He unconsciously ruffled his hair again, and was disgusted when a girl to his left swooned.

"So class, remember…Potions NEWT level is to be taken seriously. I don't want anybody to mess up in my class. If you need any inspiration, please use Ms. Evans as a role model. I'm sure she won't mind." Slughorn grinned sickeningly at Lily.

"I must inform you that the precise art of Potion-making is far more difficult that any of you would have imagined. Potions isn't just memorizing some ingredients and stirring them in a cauldron. It is a feeling…a passion!" the Professor seemed to be lost in his own little world and droned on for about 10 more minutes about his sad life teaching Potions.

Potions was the last lesson before the Christmas holidays. Originally, he had been planning to go back home and spend Christmas with his parents, but they'd written and said that the Ministry of Magic had tasked them urgently to Saudi Arabia, and so he decided to spend it with Sirius and Remus at school. Peter and his family were going up north to do some skiing, and he wouldn't give any more details.

James struggled to keep his eyes open. Finally, at long last, the lesson ended!

"Oh, one more thing class, just as a reminder, your Love Potion will be due first lesson back. I expect to see some outstanding efforts put in. Remember, it will count for a lot towards your NEWT's."

James had already got out of his seat, when a wave of icy cold realization dawned on him as he registered Horace Slughorn's words. He had forgotten all about the Potion Assignment! Memories of him and Lily working together on it flashed in his mind, and that seemed so long ago!

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At her Professor's words, Lily's smile disappeared from her face, and her heart sank. She didn't know how to meet James Potter these days. It was so much easier when they just hated each other and had a go constantly at each other's throats. Now, with Voldemort's wrath spreading, and the events that had happened in the year, Lily wasn't sure where she and James stood.

She supposed she didn't hate James Potter…in actual fact, she never did. Lily just disliked his self assured attitude, and the fact that they were from opposite worlds. Lily had always been 'the outcast' and disliked by many, even when she topped all her classes. James had always been loved, adored and desired by all. He was pureblood, and came from a long line of respectable Aurors. Not only was he stunningly handsome, he brilliant at his studies and never even seemed to study at all!

Lily had thought it was unfair…and it annoyed her to no end how he thought he could have anything he wanted. Then, he seemed to develop an infatuation for her, and she silently vowed that she would give him a taste of his own medicine. Yet, mysteriously, the passionate hate Lily thought she had for James was never really there.

Sure, they had their infamous rows and arguments, but it was nothing serious…and Lily knew that James was loyal and brave. Now, especially since he'd saved her life, Lily found that she could no longer hate him so. So she'd taken the easier way out. She had been avoiding him ever since she'd completely broken down in front of him.

Now…Slughorn just had to remind them about the Potion Assignment which she had fortunately forgotten about. Maybe it was fate that they had been paired up…or maybe it was another evil scheme of the cunning Albus Dumbledore. Whatever it was, Lily hated the Assignment…especially since it was going to make her look like a complete fool in front of the whole class!

She was going to act like a lovesick teenager with James Potter…the guy she vowed to stand up to for six years! She was embarrassed just thinking about it…she didn't know how she was going to pull it off. It was probably going to take a miracle. She knew many girls would die at an opportunity like this, and she sometimes questioned herself where she found the bravery to stand up to James.

During her childhood, she'd always been plain and uninteresting. She'd blended perfectly in the background. Sure, her flaming red hair was one of her more unique points, but it had never been much noticed. Yet, when she came to Hogwarts, for some unknown reason, she found her hidden short temper. It seemed to only come into effect when she was met with James Potter.

After being dismissed from Potions, Lily realised that the Christmas holidays had arrived…and she was stuck at Hogwarts to spend it. Her parents had wanted her to come back for the holidays, but had told her by mail that Petunia's fiancé, Vernon Dursley was spending the whole time there. Lily had been disturbed by many particularly nasty nightmares, and decided it was best to stay where she was.

Brittany was also staying for the holidays, but Eva was spending the holidays somewhere in the Middle East. Brittany had been particularly moody these days, and refused to confide her friends in anything, but Lily knew secretly it had to do with Sirius Black.

She'd broken up with Neil McPherson after a particularly horrible incident when she'd caught him with a Slytherin 3rd year in the broom closet. Lily knew Brittany hadn't felt for Neil at all, so there was no big surprise when she didn't even shed a tear. Brittany was very much in love with Sirius…she'd even admitted! What Lily didn't understand was why she wouldn't accept him.

She made her way to the Heads Room, on the lookout for James in order to avoid him. She still didn't know how to approach him, or what to say if she ever saw him. Since their meeting with the Headmaster and she realized Voldemort was actually after him, Lily felt strange urges to fight alongside the person who angered her most. And these new feelings confused her.

She'd thought a lot about it, and wasn't sure what Dumbledore had in mind. Dumbledore could've just revealed the information to James, but she'd been there too. It had nothing to do with her…did it? Dumbledore seemed to be delivering some hidden message…and Lily wasn't sure she knew what he wanted.

He'd said that the ones closest to them would need to be treasured. But Lily didn't see how that applied to her and James, for she was certain that 'close' wasn't the word to term their relationship. She'd been annoyed to no end by his mere presence…and he always had to have the last say in any argument. But all the same, knowing he was now in danger gave Lily a prickly sensation, and a burning energy she never knew she had.

She stealthily crept into the room, feeling like a burglar. Unfortunately, it seemed that luck was against her. James Potter was lying on the couch, his head absorbed amongst many textbooks. He occasionally checked a few facts and figures before scribbling madly with his quill on his piece of parchment.

"P-Potter" she jumped back in surprise, not expecting to see him this early in the room. "What are you doing here?"

James looked up and raised an eyebrow, before snaking his hand between his hair again. "Well…it's my room too." He said, tilting his head to an angle and grinning.

Lily rolled her eyes and continued to trudge her way upstairs. Her heart was pounding alarmingly at her ribcage, and she could feel his eyes burn into her as she walked quickly up the stairs. After shutting the door firmly behind her, Lily let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.

"Argh! He's so annoying…but I don't know why I'm feeling like this…" she mumbled under her breath.

"You know…talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity…" James Potter came strolling into her room and promptly propped himself on her bed, grinning from ear to ear like an idiot.

Lily's jaw dropped at the uninvited intruder. She flung her bag over her shoulder and crossed her arms. She frowned at James, who was now bouncing around and flapping his arms wildly.

Lily found she couldn't be angry with him anymore! Such an act was so childish and immature, yet it was innocent and humorous to watch. She smiled against her will, and he grinned back at her. After a while, they were both laughing their hearts out, and Lily felt herself let go of everything that was bothering her. And it felt good.

Their laughter rang around the room, and Lily suddenly realised how stupid this was! They were cracking up at absolutely nothing…and neither was giving indication of stopping soon. All the tension had evaporated, and all that was left was a light atmosphere. Finally, they both settled down, James making himself comfortable on the floor, while Lily was looking down at him from her bed.

"So…what did you want?" Lily calmed down slightly, and the fact dawned on her that she was feeling little resent and dislike for the man in front of her. All the things he'd done to her in the past years, the fact that his head was inflated and how everybody worshipped seemed to have slipped her mind.

Abruptly, these thoughts came rushing into her mind. He only wanted her because it was something he couldn't have. He led a perfect life...and she was just something extra that he liked to play around with.

"Just came in to remind you we have Patrolling this evening."

"Oh" was all she could muster up.

"Look, Lily…I know there've been some things that have led you into doubt…" James looked up to meet her eyes, and after a second of eye contact, Lily broke it and stared at the bed sheets. His hazel eyes were serious and not an ounce of mocking was in them.

Lily found no response, and she believed that if she opened her mouth to speak, she wouldn't be able to. Tears were once again threatening to spill from her eyes as she was reminded about Voldemort…and his threat on all of them.

"I want us to work together…everyone. I've been thinking about this a lot. Before, I thought it would be best to divert myself from everybody so Voldemort won't take any of you…but now I know I'm wrong. It will be more effective if we're all thread up with one heart…" James spoke unsurely, not sure if she would accept his explanation. He could feel her pain and worry. Everybody was feeling the same thing, so they needed to use each other's strength to continue standing.

"I-I'm scared. And even though I know you're right…I need time to think. This is an important decision to make, especially when we're dealing with one of the darkest wizards of all time. I'm sorry." With that, Lily scrambled out of her room in a hurry, confusing emotions blazing in her mind. She didn't know what to think nor what to do…or how she was possibly going to face James Potter.

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"Ah Moony…it's so boring, I wish we could get up to the old Marauder times" Sirius traced circles on the carpet, and gave a huge yawn.

Remus was busying combing his hair and fixing up his shirt collar. What he was upto Sirius had not the faintest idea.

"Yeah, you're right…even though I'm more sensible than the rest of you" Remus looked pointedly at Sirius, who snorted "I do miss the fun we used to have" Remus grinned at his friend.

"I know! But it's really Prongs. I think the whole Voldemort thing is getting to him really bad."

"Well, it's no wonder. It's him that Voldemort's after…and with him worrying for Lily and everything, it's no wonder he's stressed. The boy's really grown up for his own good this year." Remus gasped as he glanced at the time.

"What exactly is with you these days? You seem very…" Sirius now sat upright and struggled to find a suitable word.

Remus blushed sheepishly. "Well…you know how it is. Me and Eva are together and everything---"

Remus knew immediately that it was the wrong thing to say when he glanced at Sirius' disappointed expression.

"W-well, it's her last day here and everything. You know how she's leaving for the Middle East…" Remus said uncomfortably, his face now positively flushing.

"Go on Rem…appreciate her though, you'll never know when you might lose something that is dear to you."

"So, how are you and Brittany?" Remus plopped himself beside his friend.

Sirius scowled darkly and twitched his nose.

"Oh, just brilliant. She turns back down the corridor every time I walk down. I don't know what's wrong with the girl…I honestly don't. One minute we were squabbling delightfully, and the next, she was all cold and distant. Even Quidditch practices are a menace. She only passes to the other Chaser!"

"Oh don't worry Padfoot…I'm sure she'll see the light soon" Remus said uncertainly. "Well, I better get scurrying. We're meeting by the lake tonight"

"Have fun" Sirius yelled to Remus' retreating figure. If only he had his friends' luck. James was now very close to capturing Lily's heart. Remus wad already dating Eva…and he was a million years from actually dating the girl of his dreams.

And now with Voldemort's wrath, and all the stress teachers were placing on the Seventh Years, Sirius reckoned life was just at its top.

Proceeding to bed very early, Sirius mood matched the night sky outside. Things were just getting worse and worse for him.

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A/N: Sighhh..yet another uneventful chapter…don't kill me! Just wanted to clear one thing up: Lily is unsure whether or not to work with James because she's both scared about Voldemort, and unsure whether James' proposal is sincere.

More will be revealed later (cackles)

Alrightio…thank you to allll my dear reviewers for their comments and suggestions. I love you all!

Thx with a hug to: youkaigirl64, Lizzi, Elizabeth, WhiteCamellia, jumpernumbernine, Chaosblazen, JeminaDOTM5 (thanks for telling me about why James was actually a Chaser!), chikichiki (cute name), Lara Potter.

Love to all my readers. Everyone reviewww! (threatens you all with the bread stick I'm currently chewing on)

Purebliss90