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"Wait... so you're telling me that I should win over Lily Evans and rid her of her murderous feelings for me, replacing them with an everlasting, burning love instead, by holding a bloody door for her?" James asked incredulously. "Mate, I don't think that's gonna work in this situation."

Sirius and James lay sprawled across a giant four-poster in the Room of Requirement, pondering how in Merlin's pants James was going to impress Lily. Though this opportunity was exactly what James had always wanted, he could not ignore the sinking feeling that had been engulfing his insides...

"Yes, er... well, you're gonna have to do a bit more than that... carry her books, walk her to class, heck, butter her bloody toast if you have to," Sirius asserted, trying to mask his apprehension.

It was true that James had fallen for just about about the only girl that didn't swoon at the sight of him... but what of it? James had tried everything to win over the ever-resilient Lily Evan, and this was their seventh and last year at Hogwarts. Sirius knew that James would be truly hurt if Lily hadn't even given him a fair chance by the end of the year- not after having tried so hard for her. He had yelled his proclamations of love for her across the Great Hall in front of everyone, chased after her every second of his spare time, comforted her when she was in distress...

He was no longer the irresponsible, wily prankster that Lily remembered him as- he had matured. Sure, the Marauders pranked someone every other day... but James always thought everything out beforehand, considering the consequences. He truly did not want to be seen as a spiteful, boneheaded hooligan in the eyes Lily Evans, and Sirius knew that James had finally been given his chance. This Hogsmeade trip would practically mean life or death for James, and Sirius took it upon himself to get James ready.

Merlin, he better be ready to kiss my ass if this goes successfully, he thought.

"James, just trust me- you're going about this the wrong way," Sirius sighed," Lily's not the type of girl who enjoys your flirting or humor. She'll open up to you if you treated her politely, rather than mocking her or whatever."

James knew he was right, yet he still felt an urge to defend himself. "Hey! I don't mock her... she just hates me..."

"You've bloody dated and dumped every girl at this school," Sirius replied, smirking.

"Right..."

"Okay then."

"Not like you're any better."

"Never said I was."

"... I'm doomed, huh?"

"Not yet, Prongsie, not yet."

James took a deep breath and started towards Lily, who was just leaving the Great Library to head towards the library to study. He had decided to listen to Sirius (for better or for worse...) and be nothing but a gentleman to Lily (however he would manage that). Still, the tight knot that had formed in his stomach certainly wasn't going to be helping him anytime soon...

James's mind was inundated with thoughts of everything that could go wrong, how he could blow his chance...

Quickly collecting himself, he slid into the seat in front of Lily, feigning calm. "Hey, Lils. Going to the library?"

She nodded, eyeing him warily as if she could sense something was up, before picking up her book bag.

"No! Er, let me!" James piped up a bit too enthusiastically, quickly reaching for her bag.

"Potter-what? I'm, completely capable of carrying my own things, thank you!" she stated, obviously startled by his readiness to go out of his way to help her.

"But I insist," James said, trying to maintain his composure. Please, please, PLEASE just let me hold the bloody bag...

"Er, all right..." Lily mumbled, still eyeing James cautiously.

He beamed at her, slinging the bag over his shoulder, and said," Now that's the spirit, Lils."

She snorted. "This better not be about yesterday. You're not getting more than thirty minutes out of me, Potter."

James flashed her another grin," Course not. Wouldn't dream of it." Oh Merlin, she was always a step ahead of him...

Lily must have sensed James's disappointment because she smirked, but something in her eyes had softened as she watched this desperate boy trying to please her...

Finally at the library, James dropped the bag on a table and flexed his arms.

"Bloody hell, woman, what's in here? A Horntail?" James cried, seating himself on the table.

"They're called books, Potter. Ever heard of them?" Lily snapped right back, but she was grinning.

Wow, Sirius really knows his stuff, James thought, impressed.

He stared as Lily sat down and pulled her potions book out. Her long red hair flowed seamlessly down her back, and her gorgeous green eyes seemed to be scanning through the textbook for something, alive and alert. She sat in a poised manner, her back arched and her slender arms resting on the table. Her blouse clung to her perfect figure, making out every single curve.

James Potter couldn't help but admire Lily. She was perfect in every way, no doubt about that, and could easily have anyone- any guy- she wanted at the snap of her fingers. But no. She would not succumb to such a desire, but rather focus on work that that actually mattered to her. He thought about his own measly life and wondered what would become of it. Sure, he was Head Boy and Quidditch Captain... but in the long run, that did not matter. You probably wouldn't defeat one of the greatest dark lords of all time with a detention slip...

James continued gazing at Lily in admiration until her eyes met his own.

"Er, Potter?"

"Yes?" he replied, snapping back into reality.

"Um... you've been staring at me for the past two minutes..."

"Two-what? Oh, er... well, yes..." he sputtered.

Lily dropped her gaze, a light blush dancing across her cheeks.

Seeing that he wasn't the only one in an awkward predicament, James gained some confidence and announced," But to be honest... those were the best two minutes of my day." Grinning, he slid off the table and nodded to her in farewell.

With a new-found swagger, he paused at the doorway without looking back and he called out," Five days, Evans. Five days until our date."

Even as he sauntered out of the room, he could just picture Lily turning a bright shade of red (not much unlike her hair) and practically feel her gaping at him in shock.

And Merlin, did it feel good.