A/N: So, I got a whopping two reviews on my last chapter, and I was ecstatic! So shout out to Sapphire-Rosethorne and xXinLovewiththeSupernaturalXx, my first two reviewers. Definite boost in my self-esteem, haha. Anyways, this chapter's a bit short but I'll try to update soon to make up for it. Thanks guys! :)

BTW, my only disclaimers for the rest of the story are here and in the first chapter.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own anything you recognize. Now, READ! :)

Lily's Point of View:

I arched an eyebrow of my own, accepting the challenge. Anything Potter could do, I could do ten times better.

"What kind of bet?" I questioned suspiciously. Noticing the smirk on his face widen, I felt a bit of my nerve melt away.

"A bet about love. One that is set to see who can make someone fall in love with him or her faster."

My heart dropped a few inches, and I took a visible gulp. Screw the look of triumph on his face. This would be hard. James Potter was someone girls fell head over heels for in seconds. All it took was a charming smile and wink, and they were on their knees in front of him. Literally. I know I seemed confident about him not finding someone for the real him, but that was before a bet was involved.

Then, as if he sensed my abrupt disheartenment, he added a shiny beacon of light to this would-be pit of darkness.

"To make it even," he smirked pointedly at me, "I have to make you fall in love with me. And vice versa."

Ha! Like I, Lily I-Hate-Potter Evans would ever fall in love with the man himself!

"Deal. But what does the winner get?"

He contemplated this for a moment, his hazel eyes thoughtfully roaming my face. Merlin. He was an obnoxious arsehole, but he was a right looker. I looked down at my lap self-consciously.

"The winner gets the loser as his or her personal servant for a month."

Merlin, I was loving this. I could already see Potter doing my laundry for an entire month. Then I realized that would require him touching my underwear. I shuddered, and decided his chores would be done elsewhere, far, far away from my undergarments.

"Works for me. What about rules?" He gaped at me as if he had never heard the word 'rules', so I continued, "Well, one rule for me is no touching. No PDA, kissing, hugging, none of that. Alright?"

Potter frowned but agreed. Then, remembering Potter's history with me, I made the executive decision to verbalize one of my concerns, embarrassing as it was.

"Also, Potter…well…what if, erm, one of us…not me, obviously…happens to actually fall in love? Won't it be, well, cruel if this is all just a bet?"

At this, his eyebrows shot up, dangerously near disappearing underneath his messy mop of hair.

"What are you implying, Evans?"

I gulped. Again. Damn him for making me nervous!

"Just…for both of us, actually. Won't this bet mess with our minds? And…our hearts? Isn't it a bit heartless of both of us to carry through with this?"

I silently cursed him for making me uneasy about the bet, watching as he breathed in through his nose, thoughtful again.

"I guess that's just a risk we're going to have to take. Why, afraid you'll fall in love with me, Evans?"

He waggled his eyebrows at me, his trademark smirk appearing once again on his face. This time, I mirrored the smirk. Potter was not about to get to me.

"Not at all, Potter. I'm just afraid for you." I replied, speaking in a sickly sweet voice.

His glorious eyes flashed with exhilaration, and I was sure mine did the same. Who knew fighting with Potter could be so energizing? I leapt out of my seat, my book tumbling to the floor, my new energy taking over. He took a step forward, until we were mere inches apart. I held his challenging stare, offering a challenge of my own. Only in the back of my mind was I thinking about how tall he had become, how I'd never been this close to him. I could practically feel the heat emanating off of him, and I was almost mildly attracted to him. Almost. But he was still Potter and I was still Evans. The game was on.