"So why do you hate Snape so much?" Lily asked suddenly. James stiffened.

They were in Charms class, once again. While the two had maintained a civil conversation, they definitely had not had a heart to heart. No personal questions had been asked whatsoever. So while James was pleased Lily appeared to want to extend the depth of their friendship, he was just as surprised to see her initiating it, and with this topic in particular.

"Getting straight to the point, are we?" James joked. Lily shrugged.
"I'm just curious."
James looked at Lily. "You know why. I've told you many times."
"Right before asking me out, yeah, I remember," Lily muttered. "So that was the truth then? Because you think he's evil?"
"I don't think he's evil," James snorted. "I know he is."

Lily rolled her eyes.

"Can I ask a question in return then?" James wondered. Lily nodded after a moment.
"I suppose that's only fair."
James snickered. "Why do you hate Sirius so much?"
"I don't hate him," Lily said quickly. Too quickly, in fact, and she knew James noticed. She tried to cover it up. "I mean, I don't particularly like him, I'll admit."
"Yes, but why?" James urged. He would never admit it, but having the girl of his dreams hate on his best mate kind of hurt. Hurt a lot, actually.
Lily sighed. "He's just so strange, compared to…" James tensed himself for the criticism. If she dared compare him to the rest of his family… "Well, Remus, I suppose. Don't you think he's a bit theatrical?"

James couldn't help but chuckle. Of course Lily wouldn't be so cruel as to judge him based on family. Lily was lovely, and accepting, and beautiful, and kind, and… "James? You listening?"
He realised he'd been daydreaming of Lily, once again. He knew it was foolish, seeing as she was right beside him, but sometimes it was never enough.
"Yeah, I'm listening. Sirius' dramatic tendencies are one of his best qualities though!"
Lily shook her head. "I disagree."
"That's still not a good reason to hate him, though," James said, getting the conversation back on track.
"I never said I hated him, James."

His heart leapt every time he heard her say his name. He couldn't help it. Lily hadn't called him Potter all year… maybe once or twice…

"Challenge of the day," Lily said suddenly, with a grin on her face. "I challenge you to…"

James waited curiously. What would Lily have planned for him? Nothing dangerous, he was sure. Nothing cruel, either.

"You have to use Levicorpus on Professor Flitwick without him noticing it was you," Lily whispered through her giggles. "And if you end up in detention or lose house points you fail the challenge!"
"And if I succeed?" James demanded. Lily thought for a second.
"Well then I'll accept absolutely any challenge you ask me today. Deal?" Lily grinned mischievously. James quirked an eyebrow at her and grinned.
"Absolutely. This is child's play."

Lily pursed her lips but was still smiling. "Off you go, then."

James looked for the professor, who was too short to be seen through the students and their desks. Eventually, he came within sight at the front of the room, heading for his desk. James hid his wand under the desk.
"Levicorpus," he whispered.

Professor Flitwick, much to the class's surprise, was suddenly lifted into the air by his ankle. His head knocked into a stack of books on his desk. A loud cry of shock was heard.
"James Potter!" Lily shrieked suddenly. "For Merlin's sake! You are Head Boy!" Lily's sudden shrieking made James panic and he quickly whispered the counter curse. Flitwick fell to the floor with an oof! "I expected so much better from you than to play a petty prank on your Professor!" Lily was yelling.

With a smirk in James' direction, she hurried off to the front of the class with many other students to make sure Professor Flitwick was unhurt.

James was completely shocked. All that was running through his mind was Lily tricked me! She actually tricked me! Deep down, he was pleased to see Lily's rebellious side. On the surface, he couldn't believe Lily had played him like that.

Within minutes, Flitwick had restored order in the classroom and had the students in their seats. Lily was smug. "I knew you'd fail," she smirked.
"Haven't been given any punishment yet," James retorted. But Flitwick was headed this way, and James was sure he'd lose the challenge.
"Mister Potter," Flitwick began. "I certainly expected better of our Head Boy. You should be setting a better example of behaviour in our school. You know that it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt," Flitwick finished, rubbing the side of his head gently. "Surely you know how rough books can be on the skull!"

With that, Professor Flitwick turned away, and James was home free. Lily's jaw dropped. "No way," she whispered. "There is no way that actually happened."
James could have danced. "I won the challenge!" he exclaimed gleefully. "Up your butt, Evans!"
"How did you not get punished for that?" Lily was still in shock and was still speaking barely above a whisper. "I should have gotten you to do that to McGonagall. You would have gotten expelled."
James grinned. "Nah, points at best. She would have expelled Sirius, though."

This made Lily chuckle. "Well, a deal is a deal. What is my challenge?" Lily asked.
James smirked. "I challenge you…" He looked about the room for inspiration. He spotted Sirius in the corner. What would Sirius do? Some sexual fantasy, probably. "I challenge you to address me as 'Your Highness' without fail for the next two days. You have to end or begin every sentence with 'Your Highness'. You cannot laugh, or show any positive emotion when doing so. And if you forget," James paused here. "Well, let's just say it won't be pretty."

Lily was outraged. "That's degrading and awful and sick! There's no way I'm agreeing to that!"
"A deal's a deal, Evans. Take it or leave it." James was having far too much fun.
"Deals can be broken, Potter! I demand another challenge." Lily was flushing with anger.
"Fine. Do exactly that challenge, but to Sirius."
Lily moaned. "No way! Fine, I agree to the first challenge!"
"No takesies-backsies." James grinned at Lily, who looked like she was about to cry. "Oh, come on, Lily. It's not so bad. You two barely talk!"

This appeared to comfort Lily.