Oh gosh! It's tomorrow! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am! I couldn't sleep LAST night and it isn't even until tomorrow! Yeah. I'm excited! Anyways, I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

I sat by the edge of the lake, my shoes and socks sitting beside me as I dipped my feet into its cool depths. It was a warm September afternoon. My bag sat untouched behind me, my plans for starting my Charms essay out the door as I enjoyed the warm breeze.

I lifted my face to the sky, my eyes closed, with a slight smile on my lips, as the sun warmed my face.

It still amazed me at how the first few weeks of school passed so quickly. Next week, it would be October and it start to get cold outside, so I was enjoying the warmth while I could.

I felt my hair brush against my arm as a breeze picked up again and my smile grew wider and more content.

"Now isn't this a sight?"

My head snapped up, my eyes flying open as I saw James Potter watching me, an odd smile on his face. His untidy black hair ruffled in the breeze.

"What do you want?" I demanded as I pulled my feet out of the water. I pulled my socks and shoes back on, grabbing my bag before I stood up. I shook my hair out of my face and crossed my arms across my chest.

"Nothing," Potter said with a smirk. "But I got to say, Lily Evans, you looked beautiful."

I blushed.

"Leave me alone, Potter," I said as I brushed past him.

He caught my arm and spun me around. I let out a cry of shock and was about to demand he let me go when he said, "McGonagall's looking for you."

"Oh really?" I asked skeptically.

He nodded.

Potter let me go and rocked back on his heels.

"She wants to see us both," he said.

"Fine," I huffed.

I turned on my heel and walked quickly across the grass to the doors.

"Come on, Evans," Potter called after me. "Wait up!"

I didn't slow down as I walked up the marble staircase, Potter at my heels.

"Why do you hate me so much, Evans?" he demanded as we rounded a corner and walked down the corridor.

"Who said I hated you?" I asked airily.

There was a silence, but I ignored the urge to look back.

"Evans, you have hated me since the third year. Maybe even before then!" Potter exclaimed.

"So?" I asked as we headed down another corridor.

"I haven't done anything to you," Potter said. "I even defended you when Snivellus called you a…a…."

He faltered as I abruptly stopped and turned to face him slowly, a glare on my face.

"You may never have done anything to me," I said in a hard voice. "But that doesn't mean you haven't done anything to anyone else."

"Are you talking about Snivellus?" Potter demanded hotly. "He called you a…a you-know-what! It wasn't right!"

"That doesn't matter," I snapped. "You have made life hell for so many other people, Potter. You don't care about anyone but yourself. You are the most arrogant, conceited, self-absorbed person that I know! And that's saying a lot because, before I met you, I thought there was someone else who held the title of being the most self-absorbed person. You make me sick!"

With that, I turned on my heel and stomped to McGonagall's office while Potter trailed along quietly behind me.

I composed myself before I knocked on McGonagall's door, Potter staying a safe distance behind me.

"Enter," McGonagall said.

Opening the door, I saw Dumbledore standing on McGonagall's right and he smiled as we walked in.

"Ah! James! Lily!" he cried happily, smiling brightly, his blue eyes twinkling. He caught the tension between us and said, "Perhaps something is amiss?"

McGonagall eyed us before saying, "No. that's normal."

I heard Potter cough behind me and I knew he was covering up a laugh. I even had to fight the smile as I looked at Dumbledore.

"Please, sit," McGonagall said as she shuffled parchment before her. Then she looked up at Dumbledore sand said, "Would you like to explain?"

He nodded and said, "As I am sure you both know, Lord Voldemort is growing ever stronger."

I flinched at the sound of You-Know-Who's name and cast a sidelong glance at Potter, who, to my surprise, was giving Dumbledore his full, undivided attention.

"He's moving to try and recruit new members," Dumbledore said. "And many of htem, he wants to be school children. I would like to try and protect the students, but I can only do so much. You two are surrounded by them at all times. Perhaps you can listen to what others are saying. Try and glean some information from them. Miss Evans?" he asked gently and I looked at him. "Perhaps if you could watch your friend, Severus, I would be much obliged."

I felt myself stiffen, my jaw set, as I looked at Dumbledore.

Beside me, Potter cleared his throat.

"Ah, Professor?" he said and Dumbledore looked over at Potter while I glared at the wall.

Idiotic boy wants to call me a Mudblood and think he can get away with it? If he wants to join the Death Eaters, fine. I won't stop him. It's what he's wanted to do for years now.

"Yes, Mr. Potter?"

"It's just…Lily doesn't talk to him anymore," Potter said cautiously. "They had a row a couple of years back and…they haven't talked since."

"Ah," Dumbledore said, looking from me to Potter and back again. "And what was this row about?"

McGonagall cleared her throat before Potter could answer and Dumbledore shook his head minutely, as if reminding himself why we were called here.

"Right, well, your duty as Head Boy and Girl is to watch other students," Dumbledore said. "Watch and listen to see if any of your fellow students are planning on joining the Death Eaters. I would hate for Voldemort to gain more followers. That just isn't what we need."

Potter and I nodded and we were dismissed.

As we walked back to the Common Room, I turned to Potter and said, "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked.

"For…not telling what happened between Snape and me," I said. "And…I'm sorry for yelling at you. It was uncalled for."

Potter stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Then he smirked.

"No, you were right," he said.

I gaped.

"I'm sorry, could you say that one more time?" I asked him, smiling.

"You were right," he said with a grin. "You really were. I am arrogant and conceited. I'm sorry for it. And I'm sorry for making your life hell these past few years. I'll stop asking you out now."

I let out a relieved breath.

"Thank you," I said right before he said, "If you go to the first Hogsmeade trip with me."

I shot him a disgusted look before storming back to the Common Room, Potter chuckling happily behind me.

Arrogant pig, I thought darkly as I slammed my bag onto a table in the far corner of the room, trying to stay as far as I could from Potter.

"Hey Lily," Alice said as she dropped down in the seat across from me. She saw my murderous expression and said, "What did Potter do now?"

I looked darkly over at Potter, who was guffawing with his mates, and said, "He's just so….Ugh!"

Alice chuckled. "I know, Lils. But the boy can't help it."

"Sure he can," I said as I pulled out my Charms essay. "He can try and not be so annoying."

"The boy can't help that he's head over heels in love with you," Alice said.

I froze.

"What?" I gasped.

"C'mon! Don't tell me you haven't noticed!" Alice cried, laughing at my expression.

"He's…what?"

"Lily, that boy has been in love with you since fifth year," Alice said, still laughing. "I would say fourth, but I think that that was merely a crush. No, he fell in love with you fifth year."

"You're mad," I said, still in disbelief. "Potter is not in love with me."

"Trust me," Alice said dryly. "He is. I've seen the way he watches you. He's in love."

Alice got up at that moment, leaving me alone with what she had just told me.

There was no way. James Potter? In love with me?

Alice was barking.

I hope you liked it! Reviews make me happy!

-TheTragedyIs13-