"I don't understand, why doesn't she like me? Am I not pretty enough?", James was having another rant about Lily Evans not giving him any attention. "Definitely not that.", Peter responded sitting down on the bed next to him letting himself fall back. "I did everything I could. I bought her flowers, I wrote her love letters, I tried being friends with her friends. I am nice to everyone in front of her, even to Snivellus.", he rubbed his face moving his glasses up to his curly hair. "Maybe that's not the way to approach it. You know what girls really love?", Sirius asked rhetorically, but James answered anyway. "Shoes?" "No- Well that too, but she is not gonna like you because you got her shoes. Besides you don't even know her shoe sizes." "I wouldn't be surprised.", Remus smirked putting his bag down, "Since when are you are an expert for girl Sirius? Last time I checked-" "Hush, you just don't want me to share my awesome tips. Think about it Prongs. You have been at her service since the first day you met. No matter when or if Lily wanted to, if she came to you she knew you would take her no matter how long it took, so she takes her precious time to think about it. You need to show her that you won't be an option forever." Everyone just stared silently at Sirius. James was skeptical, Peter thought how it was a brilliant idea, while Remus was trying to find a situation that made Sirius think this was some big mastermind plan.
"You should tell her you are dating someone, indirectly of course." "Peter, how do you tell someone you never talk to something like that indirectly?", Remus questioned. "You can apologize to her and say that you won't be bothering her anymore since you are seeing someone so she doesn't have to worry about you anymore.", Sirius continued talking about his plan immediately looking at Remus for some kind of approval. "Just pretend I'm not here, I won't say a word anymore. I don't want to know anything to do with this plan." "You can't say you are dating a gryffindor girl, she knows everyone and she would quickly find out no one is seeing you.", Peter put his hand on James' shoulder. "With that logic he would need to be seen with a slytherin girl.", Sirius took his notebook out. "This calls for a list.", he pointed at the pen on the desk which was then thrown to him by Peter. "Oh for Merlin's sake, you are not doing this.", Remus called out. "I thought-" "You thought wrong Padfoot, I am not letting you ruin this for him. James,", Remus turned to the boy sitting on his bed, "If you cannot wait, let her go. Don't make her think that you have been obsessed over her for years and now it all stopped because of some non important girl. Please Prongs, just use your brain for once." "Alright, alright, don't worry Moony. I can make a decision without Padfoot." "Good. I have to go to the Great Hall since I am meeting with the poor girl that you wanted to make a fool of. Don't do anything stupid." And in no time Remus was gone.
"You are really giving up on the plan?" "No way. I am not ready to say goodbye to Lily and I am ready to try everything it takes." The three boys laughed for a bit and got started on the list of names that James could use in case Lily asks him who he is seeing. A few hours later James, Peter and Sirius made their way to the Great Hall to find Remus and tell him about the amazing plan they had, even tho he heard most of it already. "I just hope Lily won't be too sad to hear that I am dating someone." "You are dating someone?", they heard Lily's voice in the hall just a few feet away from them. She was walking back to the common room with Remus, who now looked furious. Lily on the other hand didn't look too bothered. "Let's leave them alone, shall we?", Sirius took Peter's arm and waved Remus to follow them. Not wanting to make a scene Remus did as he was told, rolling his eyes at the stupid idea.
A few moments later James and Lily were alone in the hall, Lily being confused about what exactly was going on. "I was going to let you know that I won't be bothering you anymore. I am dating someone so you won't have to worry about me anymore." 'Good job', James thought to himself. Just as Sirius said. "Well, I am glad to know you found someone.", Lily answered after a short pause, "May I know who it is or is it a secret?" "You can know just don't tell anyone else because we don't want to make a big deal out of it." She nodded. James' mouth opened bu no sound came out. It was all happening too fast. What was the girl's name again? Lolly Hopper? Hannah Rocks? If he said the wrong or non existing name everything was going to fail. So he just said the first slytherin student that came to mind.
"Regulus Black." Lily wanted to respond something but, like someone was purposely messing with him with some dark magic, a person appeared around the corner. "What about me?"