Seventh Year: The Defining Moment

8

James Discovers That He Just Can't Win

Lily Evans sat up on her bed. She had been lying down with the hangings closed, thinking about what had happened at Hogsmeade. She was upset, yet she wasn't crying. This was a different kind upset. A worried upset. She laid back down remembering what had happened.

*Flashback*

Lily and James stepped into the Three Broomsticks. The warmth inside was welcome after the chilly walk from the castle. A few people waved to them and a couple even said things like, "James, what did ya do to get Lily to go out with you?" and "Lily, what'd ya do? Lose a bet?"

Lily grinned and shot back, "No, Harrison lost the bet, I was just an innocent bystander." James laughed as he and Lily sat down at a table in the corner of the pub. He went up to the counter and came back with two Butterbeers.

"So where do ya want to go after this?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Lily replied.

"How about-,"

"Not Zonko's," Lily cut James off.

"I wasn't going to say Zonko's," he said sincerely. "I was going to say Honeydukes." "

Oh," Lily said, slightly embarrassed. "Honeydukes is fine..." They drank their Butterbeer in silence for a while until Lily asked, "How's Remus doing? There's a full moon tomorrow."

"He's okay. A little pale, but okay," James replied.

"You guys planning anything?"

"Not really, although I think Sirius is up to something."

"Oh. Figures." They passed a few more moments in silence, then upon finishing their drinks, they got up and left for Honeydukes.

In Honeydukes, they made their way through the candy. "Want anything Lily?" James asked.

"Ummm..." Lily started to answer, but before she said anything, James had already bought her a box of chocolate frogs, which were her favorite. After Honeydukes, they decided to walk for a while. As they walked, conversation started to flow smoothly between them. James was even getting Lily to laugh at his jokes.

"Lily," James said, starting to get serious. "I know you don't like it when I pick on Snape and other people." Lily nodded her head in agreement. Knowing that she was listening, James continued, "So I'm going to try to stop, ok?"

Lily smiled at him and replied, "I don't really mind it with Snape so much because half the time he's the one who starts it. The other half, however, you're the one who starts it and that is what gets on my nerves."

"That and the showing off and pranks?" James said weakly. Lily shook her head.

"The showing off, yes, because frankly, I don't care if you can catch a snitch after a near vertical dive. The pranks though, I don't have a problem with. Quite the contrary, I think the majority of your pranks are funny, although I normally pretend that I couldn't care less."

It was all James could do to stop himself from shouting, "HA!!! I knew it!" But of course James knew saying that would probably bring him back to square one, with Lily thinking he was an arrogant jerk.

"Anyway," Lily continued. "You promise to try to tone down the picking on people and showing off?"

"I promise," James said, absolutely serious. Lily smiled, satisfied. At that moment, Sirius emerged from a nearby alley and pulled James to the side. "Um, one moment Lily," James called over his shoulder as Sirius pulled him into the alley.

*End of Flashback*

Lily didn't know what happened after that. After five minutes or so, James came back, fuming mad at Sirius. James wouldn't say why he was so angry though. After a while, James sank back into his usual self, and they finished their date. Lily closed her eyes, and after a moment or two, fell asleep.

.:*:.

Meanwhile, James had been thinking about the date too. He was still mad at Sirius as he remembered what had happened.

*Flashback*

"What is it?" James asked after Sirius had pulled him into the alley.

"Shh! Do you know what I'm going to do tomorrow night?" Sirius whispered excitedly.

"What?" James whispered back.

"Well," Sirius muttered as he looked around to see if anyone was looking. "You know how Snivellus has been sticking that hooked nose of his in places it doesn't belong? Trying to find out where Moony goes each month? Well why don't we just 'show' him?" At this Sirius smirked mischievously.

James stared open mouthed at his friend. "Snape could get killed!" James said angrily.

"So," Sirius sulked. "He'd deserve it."

James glared at Sirius as he half shouted, "I'll take no part in it!" Sirius just stared at James, stunned. "I just got Lily to start liking me," James continued. "And I'm NOT going to throw all that away!"

"You liking Lily has never interfered with you pranking Snape before!" Sirius argued.

"I just promised her I would try to lay off!" James yelled.

"Who says she has to know!" Sirius countered. "Honestly Sirius!" James replied heatedly. "I wouldn't do it even if there was no Lily!"

Sirius rolled his eyes and shot back saying, "Heaven forbid." James was so mad now he was shaking.

"As I said before," James whispered dangerously. "Snape could be killed." With that, James turned on his heal and marched off.

"James wait!" Sirius called after him.

James just ignored him and said to Lily, "Come on."

*End of Flashback*

"James?" a voice asked from outside the hangings around James' bed. The voice, which belonged to Remus, continued, "What's up with you and Sirius?" James didn't answer. Instead, he closed his eyes and went to sleep, his last thought being, 'Dang, I get Lily, but lose Sirius. I just can't win...'