A/N: Hi everyone. I am back. Is it going too fast? The updates, i mean.

Acquaintances

Over the next few days, James came to know more about Hermione Granger. She was intelligent, friendly, funny and helpful.

"You do know that people are worried about your mental health, don't you?" Sirius asked James as they were waiting for Remus in the Great Hall for dinner.

James raised an eyebrow as a question.

"All the girls have been asking me about you. As in what's wrong with you. Why haven't you proposed Lily as yet or are you already dating her in secret?"

James sighed. What the hell the problem is with girls! You date someone – that's a problem. You don't date someone – even that's a problem.

Sirius continued when James didn't reply. "As far as I have heard even Lily seems a bit worried." He leaned closer to James, "What changed by the way? Why sudden loss of interest in her? After bloody three years."

"Well," James started, thinking of a way to explain, "I had an enriching experience this summer which changed me."

Sirius and Peter leaned in to listen.

"A new girl came to my neighbourhood," James continued, "She is daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin. Believe it or not, but she stalked me throughout the summer. Always flirting with me, always asking me out, always batting her eyelashes at me. I enjoyed the attention first … but it became irritating later on.

"It was then I realised that how annoying it must be for Evans. I, kind of, analysed my feelings towards her. I realised that though I was attracted to her first, it turned to an ego problem for me later. That I was rejected. It might have turned into a very good relationship had she accepted, but at that time, I realised I was over her. So …"

Someone patted James on the back. James turned around to find that the someone was Remus. "Good … for you as well as Evans," he said. "How about apologising?"

James sighed. "I have been trying … to think of what to say … didn't come up with anything useful."

"Let it be spontaneous," Peter piped in.

James stared at him. It wasn't usual that Peter said something intelligent. Peter blushed, finding three pairs of eyes on himself.

"That was a brilliant idea," James said, jumping off the seat. "I will be back in a minute." He walked to the Lily, who was chatting with her friends.

James cleared his throat. The moment, Lily turned around to face the intruder, she rolled her eyes. So, he is back to the usual. And here I was wondering about his mental health.

She got the shock of her life when she heard James.

"Hello Evans," James said, "Er --- I … you know … wanted to er--- apologise for … you know ummm well … stalking you these past year. Yes."

Lily and her friends were staring at him like a goldfish. Lily blinked.

"I have been a prat all these years," James continued, more confident now, "asking you out every moment I saw you. It was a crush which turned into an obsession with your every rejection. I am sorry for making your life hell. I am really sorry."

Lily continued staring at him. When James didn't receive any reply from Lily, he grew nervous. Looking up at her, he found her staring at him with … was it disbelief?

James realised it wouldn't be easy for Lily to believe him so easily. "Well … I just wanted to tell you. Hope you will forgive me one day." With that he turned and marched back to his seat.

"Doesn't look like it went well," Sirius noted seeing the gloomy expression on James' face.

"Could've been worse," James murmured.

"Give her time," Remus said, "She will come around."

'I hope so,' James thought before piling food in his plate.

Lily was having a trouble sleeping tonight. In fact, to be honest, she hadn't been able to sleep properly since the first day.

Ever since third year, when boys and girls start noticing each other in more than friendlier terms, James had bothered her. It has been such a routine part of her life that lately she used to look forward to new ways in which he will propose her.

It didn't feel bad either to have the most famous guy after Sirius Black asking you out every other hour. Her day wouldn't be complete without his proposals.

Strangely, she had spent the entire summer thinking about him. As far as she knew, James had not dated any girl since he had started asking her out. It had to mean something.

Over the years he had changed. Where he used to spend his time playing pranks on everyone, gloating about his Quidditch skills and showing off his intelligence, he had become slightly mature now. He still played pranks … nothing changed there. But he wasn't a show-off anymore now.

In fact, after being a Head Boy, Lily had been able to know more about him. He was quite fair in his dealings, helpful and sensitive. Loyal and gentleman, he always had been.

Though Lily won't admit it to anyone else, she had been thinking of agreeing to James' proposals one of these days.

But, today's apology had left her completely flabbergasted. Did that mean that he no longer had any feelings for her? Or he was just apologising for his past deeds?

Lily groaned as she turned in her bed. James had been a cause for her sleepless nights many a times before but not like this. It was as if she wanted him now when he was going away from him.

'Oh Merlin! Why things have to be so complicated?'

"Excuse me?" Hermione asked the Slytherin in front of her.

He turned around to face her, sneering at her.

She smiled. "I was wondering if you could help me with Potions."

Severus was stunned. Of all the things, he wasn't expecting this from the Gryffindor.

Hermione continued. "I have seen you work in the class. No doubt you are the best. So, I thought of asking you for help."

Severus looked at her suspiciously. Never ever had he been praised by anyone except Lily. Not even by Slughorn, who knew he was the best but always praised Lily and the other stupid Ravenclaw. The biased git!

"Why do you want my help?" Severus asked her coldly. "You can ask the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor toppers for help."

"Evans is a Head Girl and very busy," Hermione answered simply, "So, didn't ask her. The Ravenclaw … I doubt she is that intelligent. She just follows the instructions. Slughorn praises her only because her father is in Ministry."

"Why shall I help you?" Severus sneered at the cheerful girl. "You are a Gryffindor."

Hermione shrugged. Apparently she missed the point completely. "Err … what does that mean?"

Severus' lips curled into a smile … not a pleasant one. "You are that new transfer student, aren't you?" When Hermione nodded, he continued, "Such ignorance is expected from you. Still, why shall I help you?"

"I am not good at Potions," Hermione answered simply. "My grades suffer because of that. So I need help and who better than the very best"

Severus smiled at the girl's naivety and honesty. A true smile. Howsoever, partial and prejudiced Severus was, he respected intelligence and hard work. The girl was intelligent as he had noticed in other classes. She worked hard in Potions, though it didn't produce the desired result. Not that you could blame her. Slughorn wasn't a very bright teacher.

"Alright. I will help you. Everyday at five in the library."

He turned around and left even before Hermione had the chance to thank him. Hermione smiled happily and turned to her common room, unaware of two pair of eyes watching her.

"Tell me this was a nightmare," James pleaded to Remus. "Tell me I didn't see Snivellus smiling."

Remus snickered at his friend's antics. "It was all true, James. I am shocked though; Snape had never agreed to tutor anyone before. I must say, James, your girl is magical."

James frowned at Remus. "She isn't my girl, Moony. And yeah, she is magical; she is a witch."

"Yeah, yeah," Remus said airily, "Whatever you say, James."

A/N: So, how was the chapter? Read and Review.