A/N I just published another story! It's really different from this one, please check it out!

Adell moved through the currently frazzled students like a salmon jumping upstream. James had a strange look on his face as he gleefully awaited her downfall. Adell had to move in a weird twisting motion, as not to bump in to anyone. Call it Slytherin instinct, but she did not want a face-to-face confrontation with a pissed off seventh year amidst the NEWT examinations. But what she failed to see, was the angry bear laying in wait, for his tasty snack. Of course it wasn't a bear so much as a scheming stag with a taste for vendetta, but whatever.

When James came into view from around the corner, he seemed oddly at ease. He was leaning backwards just a bit with his hands in his pockets, and a stride like a predator after a meal. The nonchalant look on his face was positively terrifying. Adell stopped and was immediately on-guard. She felt her eyes widen in fear, as she fought to keep her face straight. A few adolescents with a natural scent for danger turned and watched the scene play out. No one noticed Severus Snape lurking at the scurf of the crowd.

Adell clutched her notebook like a shield against her chest, preparing for the worst. James came forward and acted like he just noticed Adell. A small smile began playing at the corners of his lips. He stopped four feet in front of her, and was pleased to see that her cowering position only added to her height problem. She had to look up to see his face. Her face had the typical deer in the headlights look, caught in danger's path, too surprised or too stupid to bolt. She could only wait for the impact. He gave her a sickly sweet smile before talking.

"Well, well Adell. What a pleasant surprise to see you here." Adell tried her hardest to find the blazing fire that had been coursing threw her veins only a few days ago. It was typically absent, and she was forced to work with fake bravery.

"I'm sorry that I can't return the feelings Potter." She barely mumbled her response and shifted her arms uncomfortably. By now people were standing around to watch.

"It's the end of year exams, Sanctamonia. Shouldn't you be studying? Or have you decided to just give up the hope of ever passing. You obviously already have in Transfiguration." His face started to turn into a happy snarl. Adell chewed on the inside of her lip, but had no response. James continued.

"It must have been such a relief to McGonagoll to get to stop trying to actually get something through that thick skull of yours. Maybe the other teachers are getting jealous?"

"Watch whose head your calling thick, I'm surprised that your mobile with that thing on your shoulders." she was still almost silent, but she was very slowly straightening out of her cowering stance. James was annoyed, but he just laughed it off.

"Look out! Kittens got claws! Careful there sweetheart, you might hurt yourself." Adell was purely terrified.

"Bite me, Potter."she said under her breath. James flashed his teeth.

"That an invitation?" She shrunk back from him a bit, but she straightened out immediately.

"The only thing i'd invite you to do, Potter. Would be to introduce yourself with the Lake. Now excuse me." she pushed past him quickly and sprinted away. James was stunned, but he remained cool. Marching threw the crowd, it parted like the red sea. Phase 2 complete.

Severus Snape was in a state of perpetual shock. The kid had guts to stand up to James for the second time this year. He was just shocked potter let her get away. He had been subjected to the Marauder's sharp tongue before, but he had at least had more dignity than her. He guessed that was why she was so hard to control; she was both submissive and dominant at the same time. But judging by James's uncaring look, there was more in store for Adell Santamonia. A lot more. But how much trouble could three boys cause in seven days anyway?

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Adell lay in her bed with her arms folded under her head and a silly grin on her face. All in all, it had been a pretty good day. She felt like a changed person... and she had survived the wrath of James Potter! Maybe not in the most dignified manner, but it was something. She felt like she could run a marathon, or fly in the world cup, swim the ocean, duel an army! Nothing could stop Adell Sanctamonia now! Nothing at all.

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James made his way to the Gryffindor fifth year boys dorm in a confusing state between annoyance and satisfaction. He wasn't exactly sure who had had the upper hand on the augment or who won. That question used to be so easy for him. He would win. And if he didn't, he removed all evidence that he tried. Easy as pie. But now things were complicated. Everything was getting more complicated as the year wore on. And it was all Adell Sanctamonia's fault. James wasn't going to give up until he put that dog down. Once she was gone, everything would be normal again.

He took the steps two at a time and approached their door. He rapped it with his knuckles, three slow knocks, two fast knocks, and another four slow knocks with third being particularly hard; the Marauder knock. It had saved their necks more times than he cared to mention. If they were doing something against school rules (they usually were) they could hide before the person requesting entry could see. But if a Marauder did the knock, they could leave it out. Sirius opened the door for him wearing a wolfish smile, and James strutted into the room. They all looked at him apprehensively. Sirius was the first to say something.

"So Mate, er, how'd it go?" James frowned.

"I'm actually sure. She seemed pretty scared, but I don't know. We've got our work cut out for us." He said finally, flopping down onto his bed.

"Well I got a shot at her tomorrow. Let's see how I do." said Sirius. James kept starring at he ceiling before speaking.

"Life is confusing." He mumbled. To their surprise Remus sighed.

"Know what you mean. Pastie?" the all looked at Moony with strange but happy looks. It was the first time since the "indecent" that he had been friendly. James nodded and Lupin threw him a Pumpkin Pastie that James ripped the wrapper off of with his teeth. Life might be confusing, but you could forget that with your friends. The boys stayed up late at night telling each other jokes and eating candy. Life was good.

A/N: thanks to:

KenziCullen (again)

and Naflower05 (again)

I LOVE YOU ALL! (and that's not creepy at all...)