A/n: So, this next chapter explains where James went and how he got into the big mess in the first place. Some angst towards the end when Lily finally realizes how much she hurt the boy.

Disclaimer: Only the idea for the story is mine. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling

James trudged sulkily down the staircase with his hands in the pockets of his slacks and his tie hanging loosely around his neck. Once he reached the Entrance Hall, he walked over and shoved the double doors open, stepping outside. He shivered as a breeze of cold air brushed past him. He continued to walk across the grounds towards the lake, ignoring the fact that his body was shaking from the cool temperature and silently cursing himself for not grabbing his cloak on the way out. James sat by the lake for what seemed like an eternity, staring out at the lake and watching the water hit the smooth surface to cause ripples. He was more than drenched from head to toe before he moved from his still position. James got up and started for Hogwarts Castle but stopped in his tracks as he heard shuffling from where he was just sitting. Slowly turning around to see what the cause of the noise was, James was surprised to see a raven-haired girl staring back at him. She had the palest of skin, and her eyes were of a cold, amber color. He did not recognize her, and was positive that he had not seen her around the school ever before. "Hello…" he greeted cautiously. "What are you doing out here in the cold?"

The girl stared at him, almost as though surprised that he had not fled at the sight of her. "I could ask you the same thing," she finally responded, a smirk playing on the corner of her mouth. "Why is the cunning, loyal, and handsome James Potter sitting all by his lonesome self outside on a night like this? Should you not be inside the castle where you are safely protected from… dangers?"

James was taken aback by her response. How did she know who he was when he was positive he had never seen her before? "I-I'm sorry, but how do you know my name? And who are you? Why are you not inside? You'll get sick standing out here in this rain."

Once again, a smirk appeared on the girl's face as she took several quick steps toward the sixth-year boy. "It shouldn't be me you're worried about, James Potter. You should be more worried for yourself…" She placed a cold hand on his shoulder and felt the boy tense at her touch.

"Who are you?"

"Your worst nightmare."

Lily sat, dumbfounded, and she tried to process the words that just came out of Remus' mouth. 'James Potter… loves me?' No. It couldn't be true. Potter hated her. And she hated him. There was no way he could love her. No way… 'But then, why was he so upset when I said those things?' Lily thought back to the past two years, realizing that Remus was right. James had not done anything to anyone – besides Severus – ever since she told him to grow up. 'Oh my god. What have I done?' she thought as she buried her face in her hands. She hoped with every fiber of her being that James Potter would enter the Common Room, but the portrait hole did not open. Not then, and not when she awoke the next morning in the same chair she was sitting in the previous night.

She stood from the chair and ran up the stairs to the boys' dormitory. "Sirius! Remus! Open up!" Lily yelled as she pounded on the door. A half-asleep Remus opened the door, still in his pajama bottoms. "Did he come back last night?" she asked hopefully. Remus shook his head and Lily looked passed him inside the room where Sirius Black sat by the window, still dressed in the school robes he was in last night. Lily broke down at the sight. "What have I done, Remus? I'm an awful person!" she cried. Remus bent down and put a comforting arm on her shoulder.

"We'll find him, Lily."

A/n: Reviews would be greatly appreciated =)