Final Year, Final Chance

Lily Evans frowned as she looked at her parchment. This potions essay was going to be the death of her. She usually found potions easy, but there were more pressing matters on her mind.

The fire was the only source of light in the Gryffindor common room. Her bright green eyes stung with fatigue as her vision faltered slightly. She looked over at the chairs facing the fireplace. While Remus Lupin was reading a book, Sirius Black was playing wizards' chess with James Potter for an hour and a half, and they were making thundering noises. Their energetic shadows danced on the walls. Lily watched them, then realising what she was doing, she shook her head and looked back at her parchment

This is the last straw, Lily thought to herself. If they don't shut up I am going to go insane!

Over by the fireplace, Sirius yelled with laughter. His pawn had just destroyed James' remaining bishop in spectacular fashion.

"HA! Eat that Prongs!" He barked with laughter. "Did you see that, Moony?"

"I'm overcome with awe at your skill, Padfoot," Remus said sarcastically, not looking up from his book.

"You'll never win now, James!" cried Peter, who was sitting on the floor finishing his Charms essay.

"As if, Wormtail," James responded lazily. "Sirius has practically set his King up for instant dismissal. You're dead, Padfoot."

"If you win, I will hex you."

"I'd like to see you try, you prat"

"If you two don't shut up I will take points away!" yelled Lily from the table. "I'm trying to do homework, as are other people in this room. And they don't need morons like you making so much bloody noise!"

James' stomach did a back flip. He loved it when Lily yelled at him - any attention was good attention in his opinion. He noticed Sirius was looking at him; an amused grin had spread across his face. James flushed pink, but refused to let Sirius believe that Lily would stem his sarcasm.

"Sorry your highness," he said loudly, standing up to perform a low, regal bow. "We had no idea that the Queen was in Hogwarts. I would have instructed the house elves to have prepared a wonderful banquet in your honour."

Lily suppressed a grin. Refusing to back down she stood up to face him.

"I'm serious, Potter," she said. "You're both being absolute idiots. Just do that somewhere else. Go to your dormitory or something - do us all a favour."

"Come on, Evans, lighten up!" Sirius called. "Exams are months away, just take a break."

"Go up to your dormitory, that's the perfect break for me - away from you."

"Ooh those are hard words," James grinned. "Surely you don't mean that. Perhaps we could discuss this on the next Hogsmeade trip, if you'll agree to go out with me."

"I'd rather rot, to be honest."

"You know, it's amazing. A personality like yours and you still can't get any dates."

"And what's even more amazing is personality like yours and you can."

"Touché, Evans!"

"Shut up Black!" Lily hissed.

"Ooh the queen has spoken," Sirius leered.

Lily pulled her wand out, aiming it at Sirius. "Mind your own ruddy business, or you'll be sorry!"

"Sirius, leave it," James warned.

Sirius stood up, offering his chest to Lily. "What are you going to do, Evans? Hex me? Isn't that against the head girl's precious rules?"

"Sirius shut up!"

Lily rounded on James. "You stay out of it, Potter!"

"What?!"

"I don't want you defending me against your arrogant, idiotic friend!" she cried. "You're both as bad as each other!" And with that, Lily collected her belongings, stood up and rushed out of the common room, leaving her peacock quill behind.

Sirius picked it up and offered it to James. He smiled. "She left a little keepsake for you, Prongs."

James shook his head wearily. "You can't keep your mouth shut can you?"

"You're just as bad," Sirius joked.

"You are unbelievable, Sirius," James whispered, angrily. He snatched Lily's quill from Sirius and ran after her.

"What on earth was that about, Sirius?" Remus asked warily.

Sirius turned to his friend, smiling. "I am a genius."

"You do realise that she may never speak to James again?"

"He's running after her, she'll see how kind he is. I'm just following the plan."

The portrait violently swung open. Odette suddenly skidded to a halt in front of the boys. "That was brilliant, Sirius!"

Sirius blushed. "Uh... really?"

"Yep! Lily's walked off in a huff and James has run after her! You're a legend!" She quickly hugged Sirius and left.

As Odette left for the girls' dormitory, Sirius grinned at Remus. Remus scowled back.

* * * * *

James ran towards Lily's room.

"Evans! Hey, Evans! LILY!"

"WHAT?!" Lily spun around.

"I just...you left your quill behind."

James handed the beautiful peacock feathered quill to Lily, which she gratefully took.

"Thanks." She turned and walked away.

"Evans, wait-"

Lily cut him off. "Potter, I am in no mood to talk to anyone, least of all you."

"I just want to explain," he said exasperatedly.

Lily stopped. "I don't want to hear it."

"You know what?!" James snapped. "I have been racking my brains trying to work you out! I'm sick of it! Maybe everyone's right! Maybe you're just to smart for your own good!"

Lily was shocked. She turned to face him. "I beg your pardon? If people think I'm smart, it's because I will never ever associate in any way with you!"

"Well too bloody bad!" James took a step towards her. "I'm head boy, you're head girl...whether we like it or not, we're stuck together. And believe me; I'm starting to have second thoughts about you!"

"Good! I was hoping you would catch on!" Lily also advanced towards James. "It only took you seven years! People are right about you, you maybe quick with retorts, but you're as slow as a flobberworm!"

James took another step. "At least I'm not-"

"Go on! Say it!" Lily followed suit. "You're only making me loathe you more than I already do!"

"Well do you know what? I loathe you!"

"Well, I loathed you first!"

They were almost touching noses. Suddenly without even thinking about the repercussions of his actions, James grabbed the back of Lily's head and kissed her, just as she'd opened her mouth to protest.

Lily was oblivious to what she should be thinking, she was overcome with a feeling she had never felt before. She placed her hand on James' chest and returned the kiss.

For a good two minutes they stood there, kissing. Until suddenly, Lily came to her senses. She was kissing James Potter back! And she was enjoying it!

James pulled back, looked down and smiled at Lily. He had finally kissed the girl of his dreams. A real, perfect kiss. He couldn't wait to formally ask her out and be the talk of the school. He waited for her to smile back.

Instead, Lily pushed James with such force; he stumbled backwards and almost fell over.

"What on earth was that?" Lily shrieked.

James was a little taken aback. He knew this wasn't the reaction he had hoped for. "I don't know. I -"

"What in the world compelled you to do that, Potter?!"

"Lily I-" James stuttered.

"Don't! Don't even say it! How dare you take advantage of me like that! I cannot believe that you would ever do that! I didn't think that you would possibly even-"

"Now wait a second!" James cried, riled up again. "You didn't exactly pull back! You were enjoying it! Admit it!"

"That's not the point!"

"If I'm not mistaken, I had to break it! But I'm telling you-"

Lily whipped her wand out so quickly, James had no time to react. She was aiming at his face. James suddenly felt paralysed.

"I'm telling you right now, James Potter. If you tell anyone about what just happened. I will hex you until the nargles come home. Got it?"

James nodded.

Lily snatched her quill, turned on her heel and stalked to her room, without a backward glance.

James was rooted to the spot. It was the worst possible scenario for the perfect kiss. He would take the night's events to the grave.