A/N: I think i never said this before - this is not mine, except for the plot and any unknown characters. And of course, thanks to all my readers and reviewers. Any kind of criticism is always welcome and so are suggestions.

Forgive & Forget

Lily was fidgeting with her skirt. In the six years of her life at Hogwarts, Sameera had never seen her like this.

"Are you okay?" she asked with concern.

Lily looked up at her friend. "No … I'm not."

"What's wrong?" Sameera asked, sitting beside Lily.

"How do you talk civilly to someone you had cursed for the last six years?" Lily asked, once again fidgeting with her skirt.

It didn't take Sameera any time to guess it was Potter she was talking about.

"Why do you want to talk to Potter?" Sameera asked confused.

"I think I should accept his apology," Lily mumbled.

"Lily," Sameera called with apprehension. Lily kept looking at her skirt. "Lily, look at me."

With great effort, Lily looked up.

"You are infatuated with Potter?" She asked sternly.

Lily blushed and ducked her head.

Sameera groaned. "Since when?"

"I've liked him for quite some time now," Lily said in a small voice. "But I realised it only few days back."

"When he apologised," Sameera added, "to be precise. Right?"

Lily nodded.

"You are headed to a heartache, my dear," Sameera announced, "He told you he's over you that day."

"He didn't say that," Lily protested.

"He meant that."

Lily sighed. "What should I do?"

"I really don't know, Lily," Sameera said. "I told you once to accept his proposal if you like him even a bit. But you refused. I don't know what to do now. I'm pretty sure he is over you now."

Lily decided to ignore the last line. "I'll meet you in Great Hall." She left the dormitory without waiting for a reply.

Sameera sighed. She didn't have the heart to tell Lily that James had taken fancy to the transfer student.

Lily froze the moment she entered the common room. There was the source of her insomnia, lounging on the couch and reading a book. Must be Quidditch through ages. He hardly reads anything else.

He looks good when he has that expression of concentration on his face. Makes him look mature and handsome. Handsome? Get a grip, Lily.

Lily focussed her attention back to the boy. Now was the best time to go and talk to him. Straightening herself, she walked confidently to James.

James felt rather than saw someone behind him. Lily.

"Good morning, Evans," James said, smiling. He wasn't sure what to expect. She didn't look angry, at least.

"Good morning," Lily replied, taking a seat opposite James. She sat there silent, again fidgeting with her skirt.

James gave her one full minute before deciding to break the silence. "Are you okay, Evans?"

"Er," Lily looked up, "I am. I – I was just thinking that … you know – Iacceptyourapology."

"Didn't get your last point," James said confused. It was rare Lily was anxious like this.

"I accept your apology," Lily said, looking down.

To her surprise, James laughed, causing Lily to look up. I have always loved that laugh.

"I am sorry, Evans," James said, controlling his laughter. "I wasn't laughing at you." Had he noticed Lily's eyes, he would have realised there was no need for sorry. "It's just that you came here all nervous and anxious, I was expecting some very bad news."

Lily gave him a small smile. "Well … I was er—hoping that now maybe, you know, if you don't mind, I mean you don't have to agree--"

"Out with it, Evans," James ordered.

"May we be friends?" Lily asked shyly, extending her hand.

James gaped at her. "Evans – I … are you sure?"

"It's Lily for friends, James," Lily said, feeling more confident.

"Friends then," James said, grinning, and shook Lily's hand. "Thanks, Lily."

"Not a problem," Lily said, getting up.

James stared after the girl he had just befriended as she moved out of portrait. He smiled to himself. Who would believe he had a normal talk with Lily Evans!

"Are you sure, mate, you weren't dreaming?" Sirius asked James for fifteenth time during that day.

"Yes, Padfoot," James replied, already tired of the question.

"And you sure she wasn't under any influence?" This was a new question.

"Influence?" Remus asked, raising his eyebrow.

"You know like alcohol, Imperio," Sirius started counting, "Or some other dark art."

This had James worried. What if she really was?

"You are out of your mind, Padfoot," Remus answered. "She seemed perfectly normal to me throughout the day. Why would any one want her to befriend James?"

Now that Sirius thought about it, his own thoughts seemed ridiculous to him. Of course, only James had any gains in this and that too till last year.

James relaxed with Remus' reasoning and glared at Sirius who gave all of them a sheepish smile.

"Snape," they heard someone call. All three of them turned to the source. Hermione.

"Why is she calling--" Sirius started to ask but a nudge by Remus shut him up effectively.

Hermione was running towards the Slytherins with whom they just had their Charms class. They were now going for Transfiguration whereas Gryffindors had Potions.

Snape, hearing his name, stopped and turned around. Few Slytherins gave him curious looks but most of them wore dirty looks. Remus noticed Snape's pose – defiant, yet alert. Remus expected him to be alert among Gryffindors, but even with his housemates? Not that they were looking friendly. Remus felt a pang in his heart. As far as he knew, Lily was the only friend he had and somehow they had snatched even her from him.

Hermione reached Snape, panting. They had a small talk, which wasn't possible to hear from such a distance unless you had a very good hearing. The reason James and Sirius were currently looking expectantly at him.

"Nothing," Remus said, "She is just requesting him to postpone the tuition from five to six."

"Snape needs tuition?" Sirius asked incredulously. "For what?"

James slapped his friend. "No, Padfoot. Hermione needs tuition in Potions."

"What?" Sirius asked. "But h-he is a slimy git."

Remus crossed his arms on his chest. "Is that enough a reason? 'Cos as far as I know, he is a Potions genius as well."

Sirius glared at his friend. But James cut him off even before he could utter a word. "But why she postponed the class? Do you think it has something to do with that note?"

Remus recalled the morning incident. During breakfast, James was staring discreetly at Hermione while other three were sniggering at him. The moment Hermione finished her meal, a first year handed her a note.

She was happily discussing something with what's-her-name, but her smile faltered the moment she read the note. Her whole face took on a very depressing look for a second before she plastered a smile on her face. Only Remus and James had noticed this.

"Might be," Remus nodded.

Sirius, feeling out of the loop, started bugging Remus for information. James tuned them out. His mind couldn't get that gloomy face out of his mind. She looked so vulnerable and tired for that moment. For all the week that James had been observing her, she always looked calm and cheerful. This sad part of hers was totally new for him. What could be the reason behind it?

Sirius' words echoed through his mind. Mysterious girl … She sure was and damn him if he couldn't solve it.

A/N: I didnt want to post too long chapter. Next update would be sooner than expected. Maybe not, but still sooner. Review please.

Ciao.