Lily was sitting quietly finishing her Transfiguration essay in the library when James walked round the bookshelves and smiled warmly at her.
"What do you want James, I'm quite busy," she said not unkindly, but firmly.
The two had made a kind of unspoken agreement, that they would be civil to each other. James was hoping that this would encourage Lily to accept his advances and Lily didn't quite know why she was doing it. She had realised that he was not entirely awful and he had helped her a lot when she lost her grandmother, however, did she really think of him as a friend? She wasn't sure.
"I was just checking to see if you were going to Ole Sluggies party on Friday," James said his eyes alighting on the few straggly pieces of hair that fell from her messy bun.
"Oh, well yes, I think so," Lily replied hesitantly.
"Okay, see you there."
With that he left, a slight spring in his step.
He couldn't tear his eyes from her slight form. He was mesmerised. He watched as she moved among the partygoers, talking animatedly to Alice and Frank, her red hair swinging. She looked perfect in his eyes. Her green dress fell to her knees and he marvelled as the hem brushed the soft pale skin there. The top of the dress was tastefully cut; revealing just enough to set his heart racing, but not enough for him to feel the growl of jealousy he often felt when other boys gazed open mouthed at her brilliance. She had styled her hair into soft waves around her face making it seem as though warm flames licked her cheeks. Her green eyes sparkled as she smiled and chatted to fellow guests. He would give anything to be able to stare into those eyes…
"When you've finished ogling at the lovely Miss Evans, you might want to take a look at who Ole Sluggie has invited this time," Sirius whispered in his ear.
Sirius, Remus and Peter had all sneaked into the party through a tapestry the Marauders had found. Now the three of them were staring towards a shadowy corner where three boys stood talking quietly. Severus Snape stood whispering with two older students who James had had numerous run-ins with.
"Always knew there was something dodgy about that Snivellus, look who he is with!" James hissed at his friends.
Unfortunately, Lily spotted the three boys at the same time James did. She excused herself from conversation and began to walk towards them. As she drew near to them Severus looked up and quickly hushed the others before stepping toward Lily.
"You look nice, Lils," his words were quiet.
"Don't you try any of that with me Severus Snape! What are you doing with those two?" she gestured, unafraid, to the Slytherins skulking behind Severus.
"Talking, what did it look like, Lily?" his voice had taken on the patronising tone he used with almost everyone else.
"Don't you dare speak to me like that! All you ever do these days is talk about that lot an I am sick and fed up of it! Don't think you can treat me like you do everyone else Severus!"
He back-pedalled now, "No! I didn't mean it like that! I'm sorry Lils."
By now a circle had formed around them and people were staring. Most had marvelled for years at how these two had remained friends when they were quite evidently chalk and cheese. The cracks in their friendship had been showing for a few months now and it seemed the issues were starting to come to a head.
"Forget it Severus, be friends with whoever you like, I don't care," with a disgusted look at the two Slytherins she turned on her heel and left the party.
"Oi Evans!"
Lily was half way down the corridor when she heard his soft voice call to her.
"There really are nicer ways to address people you know James?"
"I don't know how you can talk after that little display," he laughed as he caught up to her.
"If you're going to be an arrogant idiot you can turn back right now!"
He held up his hands and said "Woah! Sorry Lily, I just thought you might want some company."
Her green eyes took him in for a moment before she resumed walking down the corridor, James falling into step beside her.
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