Disclaimer: I own nothing. Obviously.

Chapter 3: Unexpected

"I'm telling you Lily, it is all a trick! One day, he is going to prove to be the same, arrogant, selfish toerag you know him to be!" Severus shouted at me as I entered the portrait hole, rolling my eyes.

For the past two months, we had fought over the same thing over and over again, and I for one, was looking forward to the day when the subject would be put to rest.

His position against James Potter was understandable. Severus' family never really got along with the Potters, why, I didn't know. This dislike seemed to follow through the generations, and Severus and James proved that they were no exception to this inherited trait. Severus didn't like me associating with James at all, constantly decrying James as a spoiled prat who was only infatuated with me because I was the first girl to ever refuse him.

Same old argument, over, and over, and over…

Truth was, Severus' argument didn't really seem to apply to James this year. He had risen to the task of being Head Boy beautifully, getting excellent marks in his classes, helping younger students when they struggled, and taking on extra patrols when the other prefects had problems with their schedules. His work with the Marauders also seemed to quiet down.

Impressed… Seems like a strange word to associate with Potter…

But I was impressed. James had matured into a decent person, a person I didn't entirely mind spending time with. Although he still got on my nerves whenever he played with that annoying snitch or ruffled his unruly hair, James and I had delved into a strange form of friendship. We weren't constantly spending time with each other, but our hours spent planning as Head Boy and Girl had thrown us into this new arena where we found each other's company enjoyable.

"Lily Evans has a sense of humor?" James said, sprawling out on the coach in front of the fire. I leaned my head back against his armrest from my seat on the floor, warming my toes on the hearth.

"Shocking, isn't it?" I said, smiling back at him. We had been discussing the day's lessons, and after making a rather snide quip about Professor Binns, James had proceeded to burst out laughing, shocked that I could speak ill of any teacher.

This is fun.

"You are constantly changing my perception of you, Miss Evans. I don't know if you are a perfect student who deserves to be placed on a pedestal, or an intelligent girl with a wicked streak." I laughed and elbowed his leg.

"Anyway, we need to get back on topic, Potter. The ball."
"Ah, the ball that will invariably affect every seventh year's future whether they like it or not. The ball with traditions that are so outdated, it's a wonder any of the elders haven't completely scrapped the customs and started fresh." He said, his eyes clouding with anger.

Well, now that his good mood is gone…

I knew what this ball meant for Potter, and unfortunately, it wasn't good. The ball, formally known as Elder's Crossing, was an annual tradition that started with the first generation of Hogwarts students. I myself knew the ball to be outdated and somewhat deranged, as it was created as a way to maintain blood purity amongst the wizarding families by forcing seventh year students to find a suitor by the end of the evening. And, if the students were unable to find someone, various charms and incantations would force them into a match that would benefit each family, whether the couple wanted it or not.

Must be scary, going into that room, knowing it would all change one way or another.

"Just one of the joys of being a pureblood." James said. I cocked my head and gazed back up at him. He was staring into the fire, and looked extremely tired, as if he could fall asleep for years.

"Do you have a problem with it? Being a pureblood?" James looked away from the fire and down at me, as if surprised I had asked. I knew entering into this conversation would be tricky, as he didn't know that I was a muggle born witch.

Pretend you are a half-blood. Keep up the façade.

"Lily, my family doesn't believe in blood purity."

"What? But, you come from one of the oldest, and most powerful families…"

"My family has branched off from one of the most powerful wizarding families. Just because we share the name doesn't mean we share the same beliefs. I for one think that magic chooses to go where it wants to, regardless of a person's status."

Really…

I was skeptical. Even Severus was shocked when I told him I was a muggle born. He had even asked who had given me my magic. It annoyed me, but I knew that was how he was raised, that he had grown up believing magic was inherited, not something that came out of nowhere. Did James Potter mean what he was saying, or was it just an ideology that he could live with so long as he was not confronted with it?

"That's part of the reason I don't want to be a part of this ball. It is a symbol of blood purity, and I don't want to be forced with some cow who believes she is entitled to everything because of who her family is." James said, running a hand through his raven hair yet again. I got up off the floor and sat next to him on the couch.

"James, why are you telling me all this?" I asked, curious.

"I'm worried, Lily. We all are. Sirius and Remus avoid the idea like a plague. And you don't have to worry about it because you are a half-blood, so the enchantments won't apply to you."

Thank God for that.

"I'm sorry, James."

"Me too. Listen, I'm sorry for telling you all about this, you don't need to worry about me. I'll take care of it." James said, standing up and stretching.

Curious.

James Potter was the thorn in my side since first year. The perpetual flirt, the prankster, and now—now he was another person who wore a façade at Hogwarts.

I watched him rise, saw how his long legs pushed him from the couch, how his uniform was pushed above his forearms, and how his glasses were slightly crooked across his hazel eyes. There was a slight frown still on his face, and his hand was dragging its way back through his hair.

"You are constantly changing my perception of you, Mr. Potter. I don't know whether you are a conniving prankster who deserves a lifetime in detention or a person who has far too much to worry about."

James smiled down at me, an emotion in his eyes I couldn't identify.

"You know, Lily, I think it may be a bit of each."

Author's Note: I am SO SORRY for the delay. But life is kicking my butt and taking names. And I apologize for this chapter being kind of short, but I don't see this story being exceptionally long anyway. I am going to try and finish it within the next week (but don't hold me to it), as I finally know EXACTLY what is going to happen. Plus, I have another idea for a story, so I want to get that started as soon as possible. I hope you enjoy, and advice/ reviews are always welcome. Thanksabunch.