This chapter is kind of short but I promised I would add some James/Lily!!!

Chapter 7: Patronus

"I still can't believe you're Head Boy," said Lily as she and James walked back from the prefect carriage where they had given the new prefects instructions.

"Yeah, and I can believe you're Head Girl," said James, grinning.

Lily couldn't help but return the smile. She turned to the compartment where her friends were buzzing with excited chatter.

"Um…see you around then," she said.

"Yeah," said James, a little gawkily, but she didn't seem to notice (or at least was tactful enough to pretend not to) as she joined her friends.

"How'd it go, mate?" said Sirius, who had appeared right next to James.

"Alright," said James, following him to a compartment where Sirius, Remus, and Peter had been devouring Pumpkin Pasties.

"So this is our last year, huh?" said Remus, determinedly keeping the subject off Lily – for now.

"Yeah," said James, stuffing his mouth with a Pumpkin Pasty.

He took out a Snitch from his pocket and distractedly began to play with it; he seemed to be thinking hard. Peter opened his mouth to say something, but, catching the sharp look from Remus, he reluctantly fell silent.

"So what happened, mate?" Sirius asked enthusiastically.

Remus let out a tiny groan – he had hoped they would stay off that subject until James started it.

"Well," said James simply, "it could've been worse."

"Did you make a fool out of yourself?" Remus said briskly.

"No – well I hope not." Then he added, "This is so much harder than it seems."

Sirius shrugged.

"That's life, Prongs. But I'm really starting to think Evans likes you. She just –doesn't –realize it yet."

"I don't get it," said James, "I mean, I've liked her for ages. Why doesn't she see-"

"That's the thing, mate," said Sirius, bringing his fist to his lap, "girls are SO confused!"

He went into a long rant about girls, and all James had to do was nod in agreement.

His mind wandered to Lily – was Padfoot right – did she like him more, now? Did she feel the same way he did right now, sitting in the compartment full of other Gryffindor girls?

XXXXX

The Gryffindors were queued outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, waiting for the other students and their new teacher. Lily was standing inches from James. He seized this opportunity to talk to her.

"So- er- how was your summer?" he asked.

"Oh- it was okay, you know…quite boring, actually. How about you?"

"It was fine. Padfoot came to stay with us this summer, actually."

"That's great!" she said. "Are you excited about our last year?"

"Not really," James admitted, looking around at all the surrounding students. "I'm always going to miss this place."

She smiled in an understanding way.

"I know what you mean. I feel the same way," said Lily.

They stopped talking as the door opened, and all the students went inside the classroom.

A short teacher who looked slightly like a walrus was standing in the front of the room.

"Hello, class," he said dully as the class settled in. "My name is Professor Falx. As you know, I am your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

The teacher went on, giving his introduction about the subject. James was only half-listening. He looked at Lily, who was taking notes on a spare piece of parchment, listening attentively. His stomach felt slightly queasy. They had just had a perfectly casual conversation, and her attitude had been slightly different towards him in the past few days.

"Now, can someone demonstrate a Patronus for me, please?"

James' hand shot up in the air, along with Remus, Lily, and many others. Professor Falx pointed at James.

"And your name is Mr.…"

"Potter, sir," said James.

He confidently walked to the front of the class, determinedly trying not to look at Lily.

Then, gathering up the happiest feeling he had in seven years, he said "Expecto Patronum!"

XXXXX

As they left from Defense Against the Dark Arts to go to break, Snape was throwing James a look of deep loathing, the dislike etched in his sallow face deeper than usual.

"Hey Snivelly, what pants are you wearing today?" Sirius asked in a tone of mock curiosity as several surrounding students snickered. "We'll find out soon, won't we?"

"Not now, Padfoot," James muttered. "I just had a good, casual conversation with Lily. I don't want to ruin her new impression of me-"

"Hey, nice job, mate!" said Remus, "Did you notice how she couldn't keep her eyes off you when you were demonstrating your Patronus?"

The sun seemed to be shining brighter than usual that morning, and James had never before appreciated how beautiful Hogwarts was.

Okay, so this is my first time showing James' thoughts. I liked the Professor's name- it took me like 5 minutes to come up with it. I named him Professor Falx, because in Latin it means weapon, and I thought that was a good name for a random Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. This is probably the happiest chapter there will be, when I finished writing it, I felt really happy for some reason. Please REVIEW!!!