Hey you guys!

sorry I couldnt update yesterday, I wasnt at the library. But today I am. So here ya go! :D

and I also realized when I updated I made a little boo boo as far as the writing goes. If you notice what it is, dont complain, I know its there

Also Thanks to my first reviewer! thank you so much 3

OKK LETS GOO!

Disclaimer: I dont (unfortunatley) own Harry Potter

The unexpected display of affection

James and Lily walked along the snowy pathway to Hogsmede, only talking to discuss about prefect patrol schedules. Not that James minded anyway. Just being with her was a blessing enough. He couldn't wait to see the look on his friends' faces as he strolled into the Three Broomsticks with the lovely Lily Evans. Sirius would probably roar with happiness, seeing his best friend and brother get the girl of his dreams to go out with him even though he had to lie to do it. Remus would smile that wise smile of his, and Peter would babble incoherently about how happy he was.

Lily, on the otherhand, was dumbfounded on how she had gotten herself into this. How did she believe his rubbish about Remus? It was the Potter charm. Wether she disliked him or not, it always had the better of her. It was the charm that let him skip some Head duties to take care of Remus and his "furry little problem" as James had put it. It was the charm that let him copy her homework when he was finished with taking care of Remus or behind on his work. The charm that had finally convinced her to go to Hogsmede with him. Lily wondered what her friends Alice and Molly would say. Of course they would say things like 'It's about time' and 'I knew you fancied him'. Lily rolled her eyes at the thought. 'No, I'll have a miserable time.' She thought to herself. There was no way she would let James have the last laugh.

Quietly, she followed James down the path towards Hosmede and the Three Broomsticks, where James said his friends would be waiting. She followed willingly, thinking of the things she would discuss with Remus. When they approached Hogsmede, she ignored the whispers and knowing smiles she received. She wasn't with James because she finally gave in, she was with him because she was going to see Remus, for Merlin's sake. James greeted them all, winking at a few, a self-satisfied grin in his face. Lily shook her head. Why did she even agree to this? She had a right mind to turn around and forget everything she said to James, but she didn't. He was James Potter. If she left now, he wouldn't give up until she had agreed to go to Hogsmede again. The insufferable git. But then again, there may not be a next time. There may not be another time where Lily Evans had agreed to go to Hogsmede with James Potter.

Lily shrugged and walked behind James into the Three Broomsticks. He walked towards the back and stopped in front of one of the booths. "Hello Remus, Black, Pettigrew." Lily greeted, smiling at Remus. He stared dumbfounded at her, as did the others. What was she doing here? They drifted their gazes to James, who just grinned at them all. Lily sat next to Remus, instantly beginning a discussion on Transfiguration while James slid in casually next to Sirius.

"What the hell did you hex her with Prongs?" Sirius whispered. James put his hand under his chin and glanced at Lily. "Nothing Padfoot, nothing but my charm, wit, and Moony." Sirius looked at him, clearly confused. "I had to tell her that Moony missed her to get her to come. And offer to help with Charms, and give her the shower first every day." Sirius chuckled quietly. "Only you Prongs." "For Evans, I'll do anything." He whispered. "Your obsessed." Sirius teased. "No, just extremley infatuated." He sighed happily, watching her chat animatedly with Remus.

One of the younger waitresses came by to get their orders and flirted openly with James, making Lily roll her eyes. It was often that this happened, Remus had told her. "Git." She whispered to herself. Hadn't he practically gotten on his knees to beg her to be here in the first place? Why was he flirting with a girl that wasn't really that attractive anyway?

Remus saw the look of disgust on Lily's face and frowned. It didn't matter that she didn't fancy James, she was still annoyed. "Oy! Prongs!" James turned away from the waitress and turned his attention to Remus. "What?" He sighed, clearly unhappy. Remus quickly slid his eyes between Lily and James. James saw the look on her face. A look of disgust and anger. No it wasn't anger...it was jealousy. Lily Evans, jealous that he was flirting with the waitress. A self satisfied smile played on his lips. He turned to her. "What's the matter Evans? Jealous." Lily glared at him. "James you prat you wish I was jealous. I was just curious to know why you we're flirting with a girl that ugly. Normally the girls are more attractive." He chuckled. "Ah yes but none of them compare to you love."

That was it. Lily stood up and walked out. James and the other Marauders followed suit, placing money on the table without even receiving the order. "Oh come on Evans don't leave yet. You still have more to discuss with Moony." Lily sighed. Damn that James. Damn him and his ability to hit the soft spot she had for her friends. She hung back a bit. "I stil don't know why you agreed Lily." Remus smiled. "I don't either Remus, but I've been thinking: James only kept asking because I was the only girl who ever refused him. Now that I haven't, he won't ever bother me again." She grinned. Remus, however, shook his head.

"Not so Lily. I know James better than you do, and now that you've finally said yes, he won't stop. He'll stop flirting with girls, he'll be jealous even when you talk to guys from our house, and he'll continue to chase after you. Face it Lils, you've only made it worse." Lily sighed. "Remus, your right. What have I gotten myself into?" "Well, you've made James happy, that's for sure." They were so wrapped up in their conversation that they didn't notice the other Maurauders had stopped, their wands out. Lily looked around them to see who it was. Lily cringed. It was Snape, with Mulciber and Avery. She hadn't talked to Severus since what happned in fifth year. James and Sirius put themselves in front of her for protection, but she pushed her way in between them and stared at him, her eyes wide. "Sev?" "Lily, I wanted to tell you I was sorry, that I didn't mean what I said fifth year." "You already have. And I told you I'll never forgive you for what you did." She said calmly. She wouldn't back down, not for a second. "But I swear I didn't mean to." Lily looked at him, his eyes portrayed that he was truly sorry. She was about to open her mouth when Snape's eyes wavered to James. "Your hanging out with Potter?" He exclaimed scathingly. He looked like he just ate a bug by the look on his face. Lily darkened. "Yes I am." "But why? We hate him." "No Sev, you hate him. Unlike you, I've learned to forgive and forget. And also unlike you I actually have friends that won't go to Voldemort's side when they graduate Hogwarts." His face shadowed, and he glared at her. "At least my friends are pureblood, not Mudbloods like you." Lily froze, and crumpled into the snow next to James, sobbing. It had happened again. He, Severus Snape, her childhood best friend, had called her a you-know-what. Again. She looked up at James, who was seething with anger. All mischievous spark left his eyes, burning with fire and hatrid. The only time she had seen him like this was when he called her a Mudblood in fifth year.

She didn't like it one bit.

It scared her to see James this way. "Take it back. Say your sorry." He growled. No one talked to Lily Evans this way. Snape scoffed. "I don't have to listen to you Potter." James took out his wand and pointed it into Snape's throat. "Listen! I don't know what your problem is, Snivellus, but Lily Evans is smart, kind, and beautiful, and just because she abandoned you, does NOT give you a reason to call her that!" He shouted. Snape gave a look to his friends. "Even if I DID say sorry, she wouldn't forgive me. She never has!" With that, the three Slytherins advanced at her, their wands out. At that moment, James, Sirius, and Remus all shouted "Stupefy!" Knocking them all back. Lily just stared into the snow, tears falling down her face. Even when she heard the retreating steps of Snape and the others, she still remained. It wasn't till she felt two strong arms pulling her did she finally get up. James wrapped her in a tight hug, still fuming. "You ok Lily?" He whispered. She pressed her nose into his shoulder, nodding. There it was again. He had called her Lily. That was twice in the same day. Still hugging her close, he walked her back to Hogwarts, the Maurauders behind them, wondering why James hadn't gone ballistic at the thought of holding Lily Evans.

Lily paced the heads common room. She hadn't seen James since he insisted on walking her up to the seventh floor then leaving. Since then Lily checked everywhere she could think of. The library, the Gryffindor common room, and even managed to sneak around the Slytherin dungeons, to see if he decided to hex unsuspecting Slytherin. But no, he wasn't even there. Lily resorted to pacing and checking the door every so often. She stared out the window blankly. It wasn't until she heard a sharp tap on her window did she snap out. A paper bird was resting on the sill, to Lily' surprise. She stood up and opened the window to let it in. She grabbed and opened it.

Lily,

Meet me by the quidditch pitch after dinner. We need to talk about today. Bring yourself only, I'll be alone as well.

The letter wasn't signed, and Lily gulped. It was Snape who sent the note. Lily knew it. She contemplated on whether or not to go. He probably wanted to apologize. Lily didn't know who to turn to, since her friends were still at Hogsmede and James wasn't here to pull her into his arms and whisper that everything was ok. "Why am I thinking about that prat anyway?" Lily said herself. "Because you care about him because he protected you." A voice said from behind her. She turned to see Remus standing in the hallway. "Remus! Thank goodness your here. There's no one else I could turn to! I got this note, and...I think its from Snape." Remus took the note and read it. If he knew anything, he didn't say it, just hugged Lily. "What are you going to do?" Lily sniffed. "I'm not sure. If I go down there, he could hurt my feelings. If I don't, he could hex me and I could hurt myself." Remus looked at her thoughtfully. "I think that you should go and see what he has to say. Maybe he will want to apologize sincerely. What do Molly and Alice have to say?" Lily shrugged. "I don't know. They won't be coming back until after dinner." Remus smiled. "Well, you won't know until you go." Lily smiled. "Thanks Remus, it means a lot." He smiled again. "Your welcome. Want to eat dinner with me and the others?" Lily hesitated, but nodded. The two started walking out before Lily stopped. "Remus?" He turned around. "Yeah?" "You haven't seen James have you?" Remus's expression turned slightly sad as he shook his head. "He's not by the willow, which is where I'd thought he'd be." "And I checked everywhere else." Lily sighed. "Alright, let's go." The two left the common room, lightly discussing James's whereabouts.

After dinner, Lily put on her cloak, sweater, and scarf and left to the quidditch pitch. Crunching through the snow, she saw the pitch empty. Figuring he hadn't gotten there yet, she sat on one of the benches. What would they say to each other? How would the conversation go? She sat for a few minutes before checking her muggle watch. Where was he? He was closer than she was to the pitch, so he shouldve been here already. It wasn't until this point that she noticed a figure hovering down toward her on a broom. A figure she least expected to see. "J-James?" James jumped off his broom and strode to her, running his hand through his hair. "Yes Evans, I sent you the bird. I wanted to meet you here because flying clears my mind." "But...I thought it was...you normally don't call me...have you been here since you left the common room?" She looked at him, concern edging her emerald eyes. James nodded, slightly shivering. Lily huffed. "Merlin James!" She took off her cloak and wrapped it around James's shoulders.

James, despite being cold and depressed, grinned. "So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" "Well, first, are you ok?" Lily looked at James and slowly nodded. "A bit shaken up I think. I thought we finally had reached a point of agreement." James stood for a moment, unblinking. "I'm sorry Evans." He said, barely audible. "For what James?" Lily said softly, surprising even herself.

"For ruining your friendship with Snivellus. I was jealous that you were friends with him, a Slytherin, and you hated me. I bulliied him to get friends in his own house, instead of following you around like a lost puppy. Well he did, and look where you are now?" Lily thought. He was right. But then again, she too, was finding her own fault. "No James, its my fault. When were children, he said it didn't matter what I was. I was special, just like he was. When I got sorted into Gryffindor I too, convinced him to find friends in Slytherin. I couldn't stand to see him so depressed when he wasn't with me. So I helped him out. I helped him find those...idiots! I helped him become influenced by dark magic by telling him to find people he had things in common with! If anyone should be sorry, its me!"

Lily was shouting by now, and crying all over again. And again, she felt James's arms wrap around her tightly, like soft, warm sheets during winter. "Its alright Evans, I'm here." Right now, James didn't care that he was embracing Lily Evans without her protesting, all that mattered was that she was safe, and that he made Severus Snape wish he'd never been alive. "Come on James, let's find you something to eat. By the way, how did you know it was me down here? I mean I know my hair is noticable, but there are other students with red hair." James shrugged. "Just lucky I guess." He slung one arm over Lily's shoulder and, with the other hand ran his thumb over a yellow piece of parchment. The map had never failed him.

That night, James lay awake in his bed, not being able to sleep. He had been waiting for the noises to start. When they at last did, he got up and tiptoed into the room next to him. Lily Evans looked beautiful even when sleeping. The only thing that tore his heart to pieces was the muttering. Lily thrashed in her sleep, cold sweat pouring down her forhead while muttering things like "Snape" "Mudblood" and "won't ever forgive". James could tell she'd been dreaming about what happened earlier that day. He picked her up in his arms and, as he had done since they first shared the head dorm, and he first discovered the nightmares, James Potter rocked Lily Evans until the mumbling had quieted at last and she was sleeping peacefully once more.

So there ya go! What did ya think hmm? Did you like James's part in this chapter? Don't you just love how he wants to protect Lily from Snape? *sighs* Here's a preview from the next chapter!

So," he started, watching some of the prefects hanging garland. "A dear little birdie, or should I said a Molly, told me your birthday was over Christmas break. She even said that you would be able to get your apperating license and do magic outside of school." Lily nodded, reminding herself to kill Molly later. "That's right." "Hmm...interesting." James said. "What's interesting?" "Nothing nothing." "James Potter you better tell me." "Blimey Evans, alright. I was saying its interesting that I'm older than you." "Whatever." Lily rolled her eyes, smiling. James had been hoping for that reaction. He didn't want her knowing that he had already started formulating a plan. A plan to give her a full wizarding birthday a beautiful girl such as Lily deserved. He already knew what to get her as a present. Sure he had to skip his lunch break to get it, but Lily was worth being hungry.

Bet your waiting for more huh? Well I'm not done so you'll have to wait haha. R&R please!

3Sam