Chapter 7

James' POV

Lily avoided me for ages after our detention with McGonnagal. I don't understand her, it's like everything changed for one night, and then came crashing back to normal the next day. That night at the lake was magical, for want of a better word. I felt something – a spark – that I'd never felt before. I don't mean to be big headed, but I've had my share of interest from girls, and I've pretended to be interested back, but that's always been a bit of fun. There's no joking when it comes to my relationship with Lily. I thought I'd finally struck gold on that night, yet now she's ignoring me more than ever. At least when she used to despise me she found plenty of time to tell me what a useless, arrogant waste of space I was, now she doesn't even do that. I miss it.

It was the start of October, and Lily still hadn't spoken to me at all. We were leaving potions, and she was taking forever to pack her stuff away, so I pretended to be interested in something Slughorn was saying, and stayed around. When I finally shook him off, Lily was leaving the room. I ran to catch up with her.

"Alright Evans?"

"Mmm." She murmered faintly, pretending to look in her bag for something.

"Come on, Ev, you can't avoid me forever. What's up?"

"Nothing."

"You sure? There's absolutely nothing you want to talk about, because you know you can talk to me..."

"I just said there was nothing wrong, didn't I?" She snapped.

She was really pissing me off, but I had to stay calm,

"Yeah, but I know you're lying."

"Okay, you're right." She sighed, starting up the staircase out of the dungeon.

"There's something the matter?" I asked, hopefully.

"Yeah..."

Thank Merlin, she was opening up.

"Hit me with it."

"You."

"Right," I nodded, "wait- what?"

"You are the matter."

"Me?"

"Yes, Potter. You."

I know it was stupid, but I couldn't help being pleased, I was getting to her...did this mean she was fighting not to like me back?

"It's okay if you like me too, Ev."

"What?" She snapped, turning on her heel to look at me. She was two stairs infront of me, but I still towered over her. Her emerald eyes were sparkling, but more with fury than happiness.

"You honestly think that THAT is why I'm acting weird?"

I shrugged.

She laughed coldly, "You know, you're more arrogant than I thought. Of course, as soon as I have a problem with you it means I fancy you. Get real, Potter, I never have, and never WILL fancy you. You're the problem because I'm so bloody fed up of you, following me around like a little puppy. Just get lost and GROW UP!"

Ouch.

Lily's POV

I don't know what made me snap, but I did. I just couldn't take it any more, James looking lost every time I avoided him, his eyes wide like an adorable little puppy, wondering what he'd done. I didn't even know what was wrong with me, so how did he expect me to tell him? After my outburst, he didn't bother me anymore. At first I was glad, relieved that I didn't have to look at his sad little eyes as he wondered what was wrong with me. But after a week, I missed the way he cornered me in corridors, looking geniunely worried.

On the second week of October, I was sat in front of the fire in the common room, just staring into space, when somebody sat in the chair opposite. At first I thought it was James. When I looked up, I was disappointed.

"Alright Evans?" smirked Sirius Black.

I looked away, bored of him already.

"Not you aswell, bloody hell. Everybody's got their stroppy pants on."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"First Prongs goes into this weird silence and stops talking about you, stops talking altogether infact, and now you ignore me, too. Although saying that, when don't you?"

"What's wrong with Potter?"

"You tell me. He's acting all responsible. It's scary. You know, he's actually gone patrolling the corridors every night for a week?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Exactly what I thought! It's like he's trying to act all mature and live up to his role as Head Boy. Stupid bugger."

"There's nothing wrong with taking on a little responsibility once in a while, Black. But I wouldn't expect you of all people to know that."

"Whoa, that's a bit harsh."

"But its TRUE!" I snapped, getting out of my chair and heading for the staircase. I was about to go to the girls dormitory when I saw James coming down the stairs towards me. His hair was less messy than usual, and his tie was actually visible, instead of normally hanging so loosely that it was hidden by his jumper. His Head Boy badge was pinned onto his tie. He definately looked as though he was taking responsibility.

"Hi." I tried, smiling.

He looked down at his shoes.

"How are you?" I tried again.

He shifted from foot to foot.

"Look, James, I'm-"

"Excuse me, I've got something to do." He said softly, hurrying down the remaining stairs and past me.

Why was he being so icy with me? I know I snapped at him last week, but I thought once I made an effort to say sorry, he'd be fine with me. Something strange came over me, I was suddenly determined to get James Potter to talk to me again. It was going to happen, somehow. I turned on my heel and headed back to my chair in front of the fire. Sirius looked surprised that I was back.

"Sirius," I started, not looking forward to what I was about to do, "I need you to help me..."

Talk about role reversal, eh? What does Lily want Sirius' help for, I wonder. All will be revealed soon!

Thanks to all the reviews on the last chap, I was feeling especially kind and updated again. Twice in one day, get me! Please review and let me know what you think!!