A/n: sorry guys about the late update! I had about half of this written out and then couldn't really decide how to continue. I think I'm back on track again so hopefully the next chapter will be out quicker this time. Thank you again for reading!

It had been two and a half weeks since Diana had her 'epiphany' and began avoiding James. Diana could tell that the boy was frustrated with the her, but anytime he tried to bring up her disappearing acts, the blonde girl would quickly change the subject and the boy would soon forget about the topic. While this method was hanging on by a thread now, Diana knew it wouldn't last. Amy had already pulled her aside and chewed her out for her behavior.

'It's not fair for you to be treating him that way! Despite any other feelings, he is still your friend,' Amy had ground out angrily.

Nico had seen the girls and was the only reason Amy had left for dinner that night. It left Diana alone, drowning in her thoughts.

The feelings of guilt were starting to catch up to the blonde. But what else was she to do? The distance was just as bad as being near him, and Diana wasn't sure how much more her heart could handle. Why oh why did she have to start liking the boy? There were many who still tried to gain the boys attention, but everyone knew there was no competing with Lily Evans. There was no easy solution and it made the blonde girl want to bang her head against the wall.

It was Thursday when Diana really felt that this year was truly doomed for her. She had been minding her business in the library, attempting to do one of her transfiguration essays when she heard someone walk up to her table. Fearing it was James, Diana jumped, prepared to collect her stuff and run. Looking though, the blonde girl realized it wasn't James, but Lily Evans. Feeling herself tense up again, Diana tilted her head in question.

"Sorry, is it okay if I sit here? There aren't many other open spots and I recognized you, so," the red head trailed off unsurely.

"Oh. Uh, sure. You can sit here," Diana cringed at her stuttering. What are the chances? But the girl was so nice and polite about it, Diana didn't have the heart to turn her away.

"Thank you! I promise I work pretty silently!" Lily grinned and sat across from Diana.

"No problem, I'm used to noisy desk mates," Diana tried to joke but it came out lame.

"Oh! Right, you and James are partners for Potions. I hope that he's not making you do all the work." Lily's tone was pitying. It irked Diana.

"Actually, he's a great partner. He helps with all the work and even catches things that I miss. He's really smart, he just has to take breaks because he's got too much energy. And he brings snacks," Diana had to force her mouth to shut.

"Oh really?" Lily said hesitantly. "I'm glad then. He has always struggled with finding compatible partners."

"Trust me, he's the best one I've had."

"That's good." Diana couldn't tell if the look on Lily's face was put off by just by what she had said or if there was more to it. They lapsed into silence after that.

"I'm sorry, I just have heard a lot of rude things about his intelligence from others and it's irritating because it's not true. He just works differently," Diana started to feel guilty.

"No, it's fine. I'm glad that you and him are able to work together so well. I just guess it has taken me a lot longer to realize that he's not exactly how I thought he was when I first met him," Lily looked up from whatever she had been writing.

"And how do you see him now?" Diana was playing a dangerous game. Why did she get herself into this mess?

"That's hard to say. I'm still getting to know the real him, and I guess I haven't been able to adjust to how the real James is. But I guess I don't want to lose the chance to understand fully yet," Lily said carefully. She looked back to her work and began writing again.

The answer was not straight forward but Diana could put together the missing pieces. That made her heart hurt. The blonde girl really didn't stand a chance now.

After that, the girls would occasionally start up random conversations. Diana found that she really couldn't find a reason to hate Lily, and that made it even worse. She found that she even enjoyed the girls company.

"I'm going to head back now. I'll see you later?" Diana said packing her things together.

"Yes! It was nice getting to know you today," Lily said smiling.

Diana headed back towards the Hufflepuff common room, pausing to stop at the kitchens for a quick snack. Dinner had ended already and the girl was just looking for a quick bite to eat. After leaving the kitchens, the blonde girl continued her trek back. Suddenly she was pulled into an empty classroom. Completely expecting it to be Amy or even James, Diana didn't freak out right away. It, however, was not either.

"Finally. You are very hard to get a hold of alone, Diana." It was the Jasper guy. While he was your typical cute guy, Diana was wary of him due to James' reaction to the boy.

"You sound like a creep right now," Diana scrunched her face and backed away. The boy flushed, making the girl relax some.

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't find any other way to talk to you. If your not with your friends, your usually running off somewhere else. I just, really think your pretty and funny-"

"Hang on. We've only talked once, I don't know you," Diana crossed her arms. What is up with this guy?

"I was partners with you for transfiguration in second year. We didn't speak much back then and I was much more shy but I wanted to get to know you more." Jasper was still blushing and was stuttering a bit, so he seemed somewhat genuine.

"Sorry, this is just really out of nowhere. I don't even know how to reply." Diana tried to be honest and not hurt the boys feelings outright. It was to much for her brain all at once.

"I know and I'm sorry. I just was hoping you would give me the chance of being friends with you first," the blonde boy held out his hand earnestly.

"Uh. Sure. That's fine."

"Thank you!" The smile on the boys face was way to happy.

"Well, I'm going to bed now. I'll see you later, I guess." Diana left the classroom without hearing the boys full reply. Guys are weird.

After making it back to her dorm room, Diana did her nightly routine quickly and went to bed almost instantly. Hopefully tomorrow would bring the girl more clarity, because everything was like an overload for her brain, one right after the other.