Disclaimer: All mentioned characters are property of J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 7. The good fight

It's not because James finally understood what was going on in Lily's mind that he approved of her logic. He knew though, that Lily had a strong sense of pride, selflessness, and unfortunately, stubbornness, and that changing her mind would not, by any means, be easy. It's for this sole reason, that he waited until transfiguration class two days later to approach her again. He knew he would only get one shot of getting his point across, and he wanted to make sure that the words came out right. Or in any case, as right as possible.

As he walked into class that afternoon, he made a beeline straight for the pretty redhead sitting quietly by the window of the front row. He grabbed a chair next to her, swinging it right next to her, so that when he sat, his knees lightly pushed against her legs. He pushed his body as far forward as possible, closing unnecessary space between them, therefore fully capturing her attention and making sure the whole class wouldn't overhear their conversation. Of course he knew his friends, especially Sirius, would find a way to listen in, but he didn't care, he just needed her to understand.

Before he could say a word though, Lily turned her face towards the window, saying in a near whisper. "Please, James. I don't want to talk about th... "

But before she could finish, he cut her off. "Lily, just listen. I just have something I need to say."

And when she didn't respond, he continued. "Please just - look at me Lils?" It was a nickname that he had started using as they became close friends. He was the only one to ever call her that, and although she never would have admitted it, especially back then, it always sent a jolt down her spine. He hadn't called her that in days. Not since she had started pushing him away. And it was that, probably more than anything else, except maybe the slight pleading in his voice, that broke her resolve and made her turn towards him. Even if she kept her eyes firmly rooted to the desk, this small gesture was what gave James strength to grab her right hand in his own. When, to his utmost surprise, she didn't pull away, he grabbed her second hand before continuing.

"I just wanted to say." His voice caught before he could continue. "I get it. I get why you're scared. And I get that you're trying to protect me."

At those words, Lily's eye shot up to meet his. "Remus told you?" She scowled.

"He didn't say a word. Well. Not really. I saw the paper you were reading. It... kind of clicked after that. He just... didn't deny it."

"Tosser..." She breathed and he laughed.

Her eyes fell back to her desk as he continued. "Anyways. I just. I get it. And, if things were reversed... Merlin knows I'd probably be doing the same thing." A small humourless laughter escaped his lips at that. "Except. Knowing you. There's no way you would let me pull that crap."

"It's not crap." Her voice came out soft, broken to his ears, and he could actually feel pain radiating of her as if it were his own.

"Maybe..."

And as he started responding, professor McGonagall's voice rose above his own. "Mr. Potter. If you could please regain your seat, class is starting." And when he just ignored her completely as he continued speaking, she repeated moving toward them "Mr. Potter!"

But having gotten close enough, she was rooted to the spot as she heard the rest of what James was saying. "But you know Lily. If you do this, if you just walk away from this. From us. Then you're just giving them exactly what they want." And, taking a brief pause as he went to stand, he added. "You're letting them win."

Then he rose fully, not looking back at her nor paying attention to the professor who had stood dumbstruck by his words, and made his way to his desk at the back of the room.

Lily could not bring herself to concentrate during class. James' words kept repeating in her mind 'you're giving them exactly what they want.' - 'You're letting them win.' She couldn't stop thinking about it. And even when her friends tried getting her attention, she was simply too caught up in her own mind to notice. Even McGonagall noticed the total lack of attention of her usually most attentive student, but she couldn't bring herself to reprimand the girl.

As the bell indicating the end of class rang, Lily tried catching James' eye. She was somewhat surprised when he simply gathered his books and left class, without a simple glance in her direction. Peter followed closely behind, hugging his books tightly to his chest, while Remus sent her a soft encouraging smile before following his friends. Finally, she noticed Sirius hanging behind, slowly gathering his belongings. That was odd, because Sirius was usually the first out at the sound of the bell. But as she went to pass by him and leave, the reason behind his lack of speed suddenly became clear.

"Oy, Evans!"

She paused. "Listen Sirius, I don't want to hear it ok? I've already got James upset with me, and I just... please don't."

"I won't. I actually wanted to thank you."

"Thank me?" She asked bewildered.

"Well yeah. I mean... James is my best friend. Like a brother really. And yeah, he wants to be with you, and yeah, this is killing him. But I mean, in the end, you're trying to protect him you know? I get that. I respect that. And, well... thanks for looking out for him.

"Yeah well..."

"We all know he doesn't see all that clearly when it comes to you. So just. Thanks."

Picking up his things and smiling at her, adding a small wink for good measure, he made his way to the door. Pausing briefly before crossing the threshold, he turned back to her, eyes more sincere than she'd ever seen them and added. "But you know Lily-Bean. As much as I hate admitting it when Prongs is right about something." He said with a small laugh. "In this case. The man's got a point... Just so you know."

And with that, he was gone, leaving her as puzzled as ever.