For the Love of Lily

Chapter 2

James Potter stood there watching as Severus twirled Lily around in his arms and then kissed her. He couldn't see what Lily saw in that guy. He was a Slytherin, and everyone at Hogwarts knew that Slytherins were no good. When Lily's father had invited them to their house for Lily's surprise party, James had hoped to get Lily alone so he could talk to her about Severus, but Lily showed no signs of leaving Severus's side. Our talk will just have to wait until we get to Hogwarts he thought.

Eventually, the party ended, and they were allowed to leave. They were all going to go to Diagon Alley to get their books for the next school year. In the cab, James found himself staring out the window mindlessly.

"What's wrong, Potter?" Sirius inquired. His eyes intently scanning his best friends face.

"Those two over there," James replied shaking his head in Lily and Severus's direction.

"Don't let them get you down, buddy," Sirius said rubbing his hand over James's black hair. " I know you're never gonna get over Lily, but it might help cheer you up if you think about another girl."

"Like who?"

"Arabella Figg, perhaps."

James couldn't help but smile. Arabella was a tall slender Ravenclaw fifth year. Her long brown hair and sparkling blue-green eyes had made her the apple of every guy's eye.

When he came out of his daydream, he noticed the Leaky Cauldron sign up ahead. Remus told the cab driver to let them off at the next intersection. The cab driver turned around with a look on his face as if saying " Why do you want to be let out in the middle of nowhere?" Since the cab driver was a Muggle, he couldn't see the Leaky Cauldron sign.

The five friends climbed out of the cab, and grabbed their trunks out of the trunk. They paided the driver, and walked into the busy pub and inn. Tom, the innkeeper, already had five rooms ready for them. After they put their stuff in their rooms, they walked into the alley behind the Leaky Cauldron and tapped the brick two to the right and three down from the middle and, before them, Diagon Alley appeared.

"We should go to Flourish and Blots last, so that our books aren't weighing us down," Remus pointed out.

James noticed that Lily and Severus had finally let go of each other. Lily was now talking to Remus about who she thought the new charms teacher was going to be. Charms is her favorite and best subject James remembered. Severus was walking ahead of the group not talking to anybody.

" I need to go to the apothecary to replenish my potions ingredients," Severus said.

"Ok. How about we meet in front of Flourish and Blots in half in hour?" Lily suggested.

Everybody nodded in agreement and went his own way. James walked across the street into Quality Quidditch Supplies. In the window was the newest broom from the Nimbus Company, the Nimbus 1000. He entered the store and was greeted by Amos Diggory, the Hufflepuff Seeker and Captain.

" Hi, James! How has your holiday been?" Amos asked

" Hi, Amos! My holiday's been good. Yours?"

" Good, too. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school. Take care."

"Yeah, you, too," James called to Amos's retreating back.

James took a look around the crowded shop. Any normal day, he could spend hours in this store, but today his mind was on Lily and nothing else. He glanced at his watch and realized that he had exactly two minutes before he had to meet the others at Flourish and Blots. He took one last glance around the store before heading out.

For the Love of Lily