Emerald and Hazel

Chapter 20 - Changes

James' P.O.V

Last night went soooo well. Lily finally saw me as someone other than a childish seventeen year old who used to bully others and orchestrate silly pranks. I didn't even know she knew me that well. I wanted to get one or two things out of her but soon as she started she didn't stop! I can't wipe the smile of my face today and there's no point trying.

'What you smiling about Prongs?' Sirius' voice is the first thing I hear.

'Noth-- wait. How did you get in to my room again? We changed the password last night.' And by no surprise he's walking into the bathroom to do his hair.

'He followed you, well, we followed you again.' Remus' voice is the next to speak.

'Moony! I can't believe you'd this again!' I say and dramatically put a hand to my chest where my heart is located.

'Again, I was held against my will.' Remus said walking to me.

'Go away. I'm exposed.' I say shyly and Remus smirks.

'Come on, Prongs. Up and at em.' He says throwing me my robes.

Breakfast seems longer than usual. But it's OK because Lily is sitting directly opposite me and making it even more impossible to wipe the smile off my face, every time I crack a joke she giggles louder with each joke until she starts bursting out laughing. Padfoot is barking, no pun intended. And Moony is howling, again, no pun intended. And Peter just makes these little squeaky sounds, no, literally, no pun intended.

Lily's P.O.V

I want to ask him out to the Hogsmeade weekend sooo badly. Last night changed my perspective on James. Not really I'd always thought of him the way he is now, I just didn't realise it until I said the words out loud.

There's only two days until the next Hogsmeade trip. If I don't ask him out someone else will. I mean look at him. Who wouldn't grab the chance to go out with him? Me apparently, for six years. I know if I stay any longer I will end up doing it and after what happened to me last time when he broke my heart, like I said, I can't go there again.

So I leave after saying a short goodbye to everyone. I'm in a semi-good mood and what's the first thing I see? A group of Lisa and her friends trying to perform the patronus charm with no results. I smirk slightly. I'm supposed to give them detention for performing a charm such as that outside the classroom but I freeze when they start talking and hide behind the pillar.

'Oh don't give me that innocent, doe-eyed stare how do you do this damn charm?!' Lisa spits her voice dripping with acid and frustration.

Of course! Lily you are so stupid! A Doe! That's what your patronus was! And James' was a stag. Does and Stags are soul mates. Great another wrench thrown into my 'Don't ask James out plan'. Bloody brilliant. That's why the James and Sirius looked like I slapped them both when they saw my patronus.

How did he notice before me? Why is he so clever?! Never mind that, me knowing this is not good. But why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he taunt me with it?

Because he's not like that. It dawns on me slowly, he's not like that. He doesn't want to hurt me, or taunt me, or ask me out to embarrass me. He likes me. Like really likes me. But he hurt me. Why would he hurt me if he liked me? There has to be a reason.

'James!' I see him suddenly walking out of The Great Hall.

'Lily.' He says turning around.