Two chapters just for you! I wrote them at the same time, so I figured I'd post them together. Any reviews, for either chapter or for both, would be much appreciated! Let me know if my level of writing is disintegrating terribly in any way, it has a tendency to do that the more I write. Especially with stories such as this, where I am so desperate to get to the good bits!

James' POV

I am not an idiot, contrary to popular belief. Perhaps I don't devote enough time to school, but I can, however, notice when something is going on between my two best friends. Or ex-best friend, in the case of Sirius. I know he likes her, the traitor. But I'm pretty sure she doesn't like him. But there's something she's not telling me, and, well, being me, I just have to find out.

It nearly killed me last night, when I told Lily I was moving on. She actually seemed a bit taken aback. I don't know what I was expecting. Probably a deep sigh of relief, or a victory dance perhaps. I'm pretty sure she believed me, I tried to be sincere. I thought I blew it after I kissed her. What guy who is trying to convince a girl they aren't totally obsessed with them would then kiss them? I thought she was smart. Well, she is. But I know for a fact she's had about two boyfriends in her entire life. Hardly experienced in the art of relationships. It was rather amusing to see how shocked she was this morning when I walked in with Kathleen Davis. She seemed almost…jealous. Hmm, shouldn't get my hopes up, but it's worth a try...

"Smirnov!"

"What do you want, Potter?"

"You, as a matter of fact."

"Sorry, I'm not into fuck buddies. Now get out, I'm trying to work here, it is the library, you know."

James grinned and sat down opposite the Russian.

"My, don't you look stunning today."

Anna glanced up at him for the first time.

"I look the same as usual, Potter. What do you want?"

"What makes you think I want something?"

"Because you wouldn't be talking to me if you didn't. Now, out with it."

James decided it would be best to be honest. Or, at least partially.

"Well, it's about…Lily and Sirius, you see."

At this, Anna frowned slightly. She wasn't sure what he was getting at, but she'd noticed the two had been acting strangely lately, and she certainly wanted to know why.

"You know what's going on?"

James shook his head.

"No, that's what I was going to ask you about. They don't…they're not…"

"No."

"Oh. Okay."

Anna returned to her homework, as if she was done conversing with him. James sighed, making to leave.

"There is something going on, though," Anna mused thoughtfully.

James eagerly sat down again.

"They had an argument, I'm sure you know that. They seem to have made up now, though," she continued, glancing up at none other than Lily and Sirius as they entered the library.

"What is Sirius doing in the library?" James looked gobsmacked.

"Probably needs to finish the same Potions essay I'm trying to do right now," Anna replied. "And trying is the key word there. Because you are certainly not helping me."

"Sorry, I know. But…do you think that maybe if we do a bit of…digging, then maybe we could find out what's going on?"

Anna sighed.

"They've been best friends for ages. I doubt they'd let anyone know if anything was up."

James glared at her.

"But…I'll see what I can do. Happy?"

He nodded, breaking into a genuine smile.

"You still like her, don't you."

"No."

"Right. That's why you're so desperate to find out. And why you pulled that ridiculous stunt this morning at breakfast…"

James opened his mouth to retort, but Anna cut him off.

"You know what? It was stupid, but I think it might just be working. Now, I'm serious Potter, I have less than an hour to finish this, leave me alone."

When Anna Smirnov told you to leave her alone, you bloody well did, and James wasn't about to push his luck. Shooting a quick glance over at Lily and Sirius, who were bending intently over a textbook, he exited the library.

What had Anna meant? That Lily had been jealous? But she'd told him that she didn't like him…

Half an hour later…

Anna sat at the same desk she'd been occupying for the past hour or so, scrunched up parchment and used quills scattered around her.

"Oh this is ridiculous," she muttered to herself.

"Need some help?"

She looked up into the kind eyes of Remus Lupin. She immediately felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she remembered how blunt she had been with him the night before. He'd been so nice to her, she couldn't believe she'd told him to leave her alone.

"Hey, Remus," she whispered. "Thanks for the offer, but I'm nearly done."

And she'd done it again. Turned down his offer of help. Why did she always do that? And this time, she could really use it.

He shrugged but didn't leave, just took a seat opposite her and began reading his Charms textbook. Five minutes, he told himself.

He didn't even have to wait that long. After another thirty seconds, Anna finally gave in.

"Okay, maybe I do need some help. I just really don't get this at all."

"Sorry Anna, I'm kinda busy at the moment, if you hadn't noticed."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, I was joking, I'll help you out, no worries."

"Thanks." She sighed with relief. There was only ten minutes left to finish before Potions.

Ten minutes later…

"Thanks so much for helping me, and your quill is great! Mine writes so slowly!"

Remus smiled.

"Anytime."

"Knowing my organizational abilities, there will probably be plenty more times!" Anna laughed. "But maybe I can pay you back somehow."

"ComewithmetoHogsmeadethisweekend," Remus blurted out.

It took a while before Anna registered what he said.

"With my hair like this? I've just gotten used to people staring at me at Hogwarts, it's going to be awful there."

"I'll buy you a wig."

"And a neverending supply of Butterbeer?"

"Maybe enough to last a week?"

Anna grinned.

"That'll do."

Lily entered the Heads' Common Room looking flustered. Not noticing James by the fire, she made her way up the stairs to her room.

"Where were you?" James called after her.

Oh. No. I missed the heads' meeting with McGonagall!

"I…forgot. Sorry! It wasn't too important was it?"

"Well she decided to take off fifty points from Gryffindor for your unreliable attendance…"

Lily backtracked down the stairs, glaring at James.

"What was it about?"

"They've cancelled the trip to Hogsmeade this weekend. We're supposed to come up with an alternative form of entertainment for everyone."

"Why?"

"Apparently there was an outbreak of the flu, and they don't want us all getting sick."

Lily nodded.

"Right."

"Did you want to brainstorm now?"

"Umm, no, I'm actually quite tired, I think I'll go to bed. Tomorrow, maybe?"

"Lily…it's seven o'clock…"

She glared at him.

"Some of us need our sleep you know."

"I'd have to agree there. I have been a victim of your anger when you haven't received your beauty rest. Which I, unlike you, do not need."

"Are you implying that I'm ugly, James Potter?"

He grinned.

"No, simply that I am unbelievably attractive."

He's got that right, she thought, trying not to look over his muscular body, dressed in casual jeans and a t-shirt.

"Oh dream on, James. You need your beauty sleep more than I do." She climbed the stairs a second time, reaching her room.

"Admit it, Lily, you think I'm attractive," James yelled up the stairs.

Yes, yes I do.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I will never be admitting anything of the sort," she yelled back as she entered her room. Turning around to close the door, she noticed James standing right behind her.

"How did you get up here so fast."

"Oooh, I don't know...magic?"

Lily rolled her eyes.

"Do you mind? This is my room, and I need to get changed."

"Sure you don't want me to stay?" Lily felt the all too familiar tingles down her spine as he whispered in her ear.

"James, please just go," she said, pushing him out the door. "You can't just make out with some slut one minute and then start flirting with me, stop acting like a prat."

And she slammed the door in his face.

"Touché," he called back.

Oh, she is so jealous.