Hate Is A Strong Word (A Jily Fanfic)//FINISHED!

The Feast

Hey guys! Here is our next look at Jily. I think you'll notice a little change in their relationship this chapter!

James
James just couldn't understand Lily Evans. It was about impossible. Were all girls that hard to understand, or did he just happen to pick the most difficult girl that there was?

One day, Lily looked at James as if they actually had a chance at friendship, and then she walked out on him the next time. Lily had avoided James' eyes as she had patrolled the train. When it had been time to go up to the castle, she had immediately left without a glance at him to go find Mary, Marlene, and Alice.

James had found the rest of the Marauders, explained the reason for his glare, and joined them for the carriage ride up to the castle. The air had been warm and the castle had looked oh so familiar, but his usual excitement was drowned out by everything he was feeling towards Lily.

James had found a seat in the Great Hall at the Gryffindor table. That's where he sat, his friends next to him. Lily was down the table diagonal to him. She was smiling at something Alice had said from across the table. James had remembered the time the sorting hat had chosen her for Gryffindor. She had been shocked and a little sad because her best friend had been chosen for a different house. Now, she looked as proud as a Gryffindor could be.

The sorting this year took what seemed like forever. James played with his hair and muttered jokes to Sirius under his breath until the sorting finally finished.

At the end of the hall, the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, had called everyone to order from his seat at the center of the teachers' table. He began to make the announcements for the year about the forbidden forest and the usual stuff. James barely payed attention until he heard Lily's name announced.

"Miss Lily Evans of Gryffindor house will be the Head Girl of Hogwarts this year."

Lily's face turned bright and she put her head down. James always thought Lily looked cute when she got embarrassed. The great hall applauded politely for her. No one was really shocked at the outcome for Head Girl.

"And the Head Boy this year," Dumbledore continued, "is James Potter of Gryffindor house."

The hall was split between two reactions, disbelief and pure excitement. The Slytherins all scowled as the Gryffindor table erupted into shouts and cheers. James barely noticed this, though, because Lily was now looking at him. When there eyes met, she looked as if she was deciding upon something, but then dropped her eyes to her empty plate.

Dumbledore finished his speech, lifted his hands, and announced the start of dinner.

Their plates filled with delicious food and their goblets filled to the brim with different drinks. James tried to block out his pain by talking to the rest of the Marauders about their start of year prank. Although Moony usually didn't approve of their trouble, he always seemed to be the brains behind their pranks.

"I mean, we would have to do something elaborate," Remus said. "Not that I, as a prefect, encourage this of course."

"Got any bright ideas this year, boys?" Sirius asked. "We need something big so I can impress Ma..."

He stopped mid sentence as all of the other Marauders gasped.

"Oi Padfoot," James grinned devilishly. "Why didn't you tell us? Who's the lucky lady?"