With less than two weeks left for the OWLs, there was frantic studying going on among the fifth years.

Remus was observing the common room one day after finishing revising History of Magic. Lily was bent low over her Transfiguration book; it was the only subject she was weak at. Marlene and Alice were quizzing each other. Mary was frantically muttering incantations, pointing her wand at a pen.

James and Sirius were playing Wizards' Chess, and Peter was watching the game intently. Remus was at a loss trying to make them understand the seriousness of their OWLs.

Once or twice every day, Peter would whine, "Guys, we should do some studying now." And James and Sirius would look at him as if no decent person on the planet could ever dream of studying. Then Peter would give up.

Remus reckoned James and Sirius would fly through the exams safely. He wasn't so sure about Peter.

Then, one day, a notice was put up on the notice board.

"CAREERS ADVICE

All fifth years are required to attend a short meeting with their Head of House on 20th May to discuss their future careers. Times of individual appointments are listed below."

"I want to be an Auror," said James.

"You'll make a wonderful one," said Peter, at once.

"What d'you want to be, Padfoot?"

"Nothing with magic in it." Sirius grinned. He was currently going through an obsession over Muggle motorbikes. He had postered every inch of wall in their dorm with boring and unmoving pictures of motorbikes, greatly annoying his friends.

"I want to be a Healer," said Peter eagerly.

"Um...no offense, Wormtail, but—" began James.

"You need top grade in Potions for that," finished Sirius.

Peter's face fell. "Not for me then, I guess."

--------------------

Lily came back from patrolling late one night, and flung herself down on an armchair to look through the Career brochures. She didn't see the other occupant of the room.

"Fancy seeing you here," said James.

"Potter! What are you doing here?"

"Same as you. Reading."

"You—reading!"

"Why, can't I?"

"All right, you can. Now shut up and let me study."

There was a silence for some time.

"What're you reading?" suddenly asked Lily, suspiciously, catching a glimpse of the cover.

"Advanced Charms," read out James.

"What for? We have got our OWLs in ten days!"

"I desired to read it," said James defensively.

"Ok..."

They lapsed back into silence again. James looked up and saw that Lily looked not only tired, but also rather miserable. He hesitated. Lily would most likely yell at him. But she looked so downcast that he could help it.

"Anything bothering you, Evans?"

Lily looked up. "What? Of course not," she said shortly.

Snubbed, James fell silent again.

"Potter?" said Lily tentatively. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, sure."

"You remember the fight you had with Black few months ago?"

"Clearly," said James, wondering where this was heading.

"What was it about?"

James messed his hair nervously. "Can't tell you that, Evans, sorry."

"Ok, but how did you two make up?"

"He apologized. And I felt terrible about hurting him. We made up—that's all."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. Why do you ask this, Evans? Usually you can't yell enough at the two of us."

"I was just wondering, because y'know, you two are such good friends..." said Lily awkwardly. "Severus and I—we were like you when we were younger, but now...it seems like he's avoiding me. We've hardly talked this year."

Lily did not know why she told this to James, but James had been quite nice in the last few days...or maybe she just needed someone to talk to.

With a shock, James realized that he did not feel happy or triumphant that Lily was drifting apart from Snape, because she was clearly very unhappy about it.

"Well, it was bound to happen in the end," he said.

"What?"

"You and Snape. You were bound to fall apart."

"Why?" cried Lily indignantly.

James stared at her. "Well, let's see...you're a Gryffindor and he's a Slytherin—"

"That doesn't—" began Lily.

James held up a hand to silence her. "He's an aspiring Death Eater and you're a Muggleborn who fights for first years...he is a slimy git and you're the most beautiful person in the school...That enough for you?"

Lily rested her cheek on her arm and looked at James pensively, choosing to ignore the last comment.

"Well...that doesn't make it easier to accept that I am losing my best friend."

'There was a silence.

"What're you doing?" asked James cheerfully, going over to her and looking at the papers on her desk.

"Just wondering what career I could take."

James picked up the topmost sheet.

"You can't be a Welcome Witch at St. Mungos!" he cried, looking horrified.

"Why not?" demanded Lily.

"Firstly, I wouldn't allow you to do something that idiotic and welcome barmy wizards who have turned their ears into saucers. And secondly, you see me everyday, and you haven't yet managed to greet me civilly once and you certainly won't be able to greet barmy wizards who have turned their ears into saucers."

For the first time since her last encounter with Severus, Lily found herself laughing. She realized regretfully that she not only liked this new Potter, but was also enjoying his company more than she did Severus'. James, for his part, felt extremely glad to have made her laugh.

"I know what you should be," said James.

"What?"

"You should be an Auror."

"What—a Dark Wizard catcher?"

"Yeah, that's the thing."

"Why do you think so?"

"Remember how you fought two 6th years to save a first year? Why did you do it?" asked James.

"Why...they were hurting an innocent child!"

"You got detention for it, but do you wish you hadn't done it?"

"No—of course not!"

"There you are—you fight for what you believe in, and don't care whether you get affected or not. That's what Aurors do."

Lily gaped at James. "I never thought of it that way."

"Well, you have now. Unless you'd like to be a maniac on a motorbike and wreck havoc in Muggle villages."

"That's not a career!"

"Sirius thinks it is." James grinned.

Lily smiled back. "Thanks, Potter."

"Oh, it's all right," said James with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Good night, Evans."

"Good night."