AN: I know this took a long time; I lost my sketchbook for a little while and couldn't type it up. Any guesses as to what it's based on yet?

October 8, 1976

"Hi." James Potter walked into Lily's favorite homework corner in the library.

"Hey Potter. Remus just left for the common room." Lily's eyes never left her essay.

"Actually Lily, I was looking for you." The use of her first name made her look up.

"Lily. I've really tried not to but I don't think I can help it. I just wanted to say … I really and truly like you." Lily's hand jerked and she abruptly knocked over her stack of books. James knelt down to pick them up, all the while talking. "Look, I know I haven't been fair to you and I know I don't leave you alone, but in all honesty, you were friends with Snape, and you can't pretend he's some kind of – oh, forget it. Lily, do you think there is any part of you that would maybe sort of want to go out with me?"

Lily looked down and ran her fingers through her hair to cover her ears that were slowly turning red. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the pain she was about to inflict on him. Perhaps he didn't deserve this rejection, but at the time she really thought he did.

"I don't know what part of you thought I'd say yes but you certainly shouldn't have listened to it. You've tried not to like me? Do you think I want to be associated with someone who thinks I'm so far below them? And look at the way you treat people! I may not be friends with Snape anymore but I can still see everything you do to him. And I know he's never done anything to you. And Amos Diggory? I can't understand why you and your little gang shun him like that.

You destroyed Marlene's happiness too. Because you think you're so great as to control all your friends relationships. Marlene was in Remus's neighborhood this summer, but did you bother to tell him that? No! Because you and your big head think you know better about your friends relationships than you do. I honestly don't see why you'd ever think I'd go out with you; I've already told you I don't like big-headed arseholes, and that still stands!

Lily couldn't sleep. As she tossed and turned she could see the sun beginning to rise beyond the lake. As the mist lifted the lake seemed to sparkle like it was alive. Lily rose and dressed silently so as not to wake her roommates and snuck out for a walk around the lake before breakfast.

As lily walked away from the castle she saw another figure approaching her in the mistily light. Whether teacher or student, Lily had little desire for human contact, and abruptly turned and hurried around the lake in the other direction. She heard the person behind her start to run, thought "oh, crap," and gave into the fact that she would have to face them.

James Potter caught up to her, breathless. Lily let out a sigh. He was the last person she wanted to see. After a few seconds with his hands on his knees to catch his breath he shoved a letter into Lily's hand, muttered, "just read it," and rushed off.

Figuring that there would be no one out of doors for another hour or two, LIly sat down next to the lake to read the letter.

Lily––

First off, there are no declarations of love or crazy propositions in this letter. I merely wished to explain myself. Yesterday when you rejected me you accused me of two things. Firstly, I treat Amos Diggory badly. You said yesterday that we shun him even though he tries to be friends with us. I don't think you'd remember, but this wasn't always true. You probably don't know what Sirius's relationship with his parents is like, so I'll tell you, but if you tell anyone I'll never forgive you.

It is common knowledge that Sirius's family is indeed the notorious pure-blood supremacist Black family. You also might remember that when he was sorted into Gryffindor his mother threw a fit. He tried to hide them, but howlers came every day for the first month of school. We (Remus, Peter, and I) tried to make him feel at home, and show him that we were his new family. Amos Diggory felt differently. For at least our first four years he made it clear he feels Sirius should be in Slytherin with the rest of his family. Last year, when Sirius developed quite the following amongst the girls here, Diggory tried to cash in on that, but we felt we could not trust him. Also, Sirius has finally severed all ties with his family and he lives with me now. Please don't tell anyone.

The second thing you accused me of yesterday was destroying Marlene's happiness. Firstly, I think that's a bit harsh; both she and Remus would move on eventually if they had to. I don't deny separating them, but I believe I did it for Remus's own good. Remus has many secrets that I cannot share with you, but I can tell you they affect his life profoundly in every way. He was apprehensive about entering into a relationship with Marlene, as he felt he would ruin her life with his. At first I was glad to see him so happy, but I too grew cautious. I did not believe Marlene's feelings were as deep or as involved as Remus's, and so I encouraged him to break it off. He was ready to share his deepest secrets with her, and I did not think she was worth it. From what you said yesterday, I think I may have been wrong. I'm not going to deny that I kept them apart this summer, but I will tell you why. Remus was not yet over her. I didn't think he could see her without falling for her again, and I did not want that at any cost.

I know I should have said all of this yesterday, but I couldn't think straight. I didn't know what to and what not to tell you. If you don't believe anything in this letter, ask Sirius. I really am telling the truth, and all I have to add is that I wish you all the best.

Yours,
James

AN: Please review! I promise I'll update as fast as I can. And whoever guesses what I've based this on gets a prize! (Which may or may not be limited to bragging rights)

~K