The next morning, James and Sirius went to Diagon Alley. They stopped in Zonko's first, and stocked up on all the necessities. They had found everything they needed plus a few new items with definite potential.
"You know Prongs, these Changing-Message Badges sound like a perfect welcome back surprise for our mates the Slytherin prefects," Sirius said with a smile.
"Your right--oh my God! Hide me! There she is," James said as he spotted Lily further down the street with her parents. He abruptly attempted to shove Sirius in front of him, but Sirius planted his feet like a donkey.
"You ass!" James yelped as Lily turned their way.
"Hey Lily," James said timidly, after Sirius gave him a violent shove in her direction.
She just rolled her eyes and walked away. As she walked away, he heard her mother say to her, "Why did you ignore him, honey? He seems like a nice boy. Handsome too."
At this, Lily interjected, "Mom, you're supposed to be on my side. Isn't it enough that all of my friends tell me like every day that we would make a cute couple, or that he is perfect, or bla bla bla," She was becoming very flustered, and James could see that her face was bright red.
As he watched her disappear from his line of sight, she turned around and looked right at him. She blushed vividly again, and whipped her head back around.
"There's mixed signals for you, mate," Sirius said almost too cheerfully after watching the exchange. James just glared at him and led the way to the Apothecary where they endured the stench just long enough to get the necessary ingredients. They finished the rest of their errands, and only saw Lily one more time, at which point James yanked Sirius into the closest shop.
The shop was very strangely decorated, and completely deserted except for them and a creepy looking witch at a small table.
"Psychic reading, dearie? I can see love in your aura from here. Embarrassment too. Need some help with a pretty girl?"
"Erm, no thanks," said James as he tried to edge out of the shop. Hope of escape was quashed when he saw Lily stop to talk to a friend right in front of the shop he was currently in.
"Come on, Prongs, don't be a wimp," said Sirius very unhelpfully.
"Fine," James sighed, and sat down at the table. The lady began looking at his palm and glancing at a crystal ball at the same time.
"Hmm... love troubles. I am sensing the need for a change. You like a lady. Her name is?"
"Lily"
"Ahh, and have you ever told her of your feelings?"
At this, Sirius interjected with, "Many times. On a daily basis in sixth year. He went for persistence that year. Fifth year was mostly about public statements. Standing on tables, amplifying his voice, et ceter--oof!" James elbowed him hard in the stomach to make him shut up.
"So, it seems that your change should be in the way that you pursue your lady. I suggest being subtle. Make her see that you want to get to know her as a person, and not just a girl." James stared in awe at the witch. It actually sounded like reasonable advice.
"Thank you," he said, and paid her two Sickles. He didn't pay attention while Sirius was sitting at the table, talking to the witch. He stood in a daze, thinking of ways to show Lily his love subtly. He was still puzzling over this when Sirius dragged him back to the sunny street. He was very excited.
"She said that love for me was as impending as those storm clouds, and that we should go home before the torrential downpour starts."
They Flooed back to James's house and just missed getting soaked. They spent the evening packing their trunks and talking about Lily Evans. Well, James was talking about her. Sirius was telling him to shut up very colorfully. When they were done packing, they went to bed. Their conversation before falling asleep was centered around their pranking goals for the year, and therefore much more lighthearted than the previous night's topics. They fell asleep with smiles on their faces, thinking about the witch's advice and its potential for their love lives.