Disclaimer: Still not mine. Meh.

Author's Note: Hey, so I finally got this written and typed up! Of course, it's only half of the first part, but I figure I might as well post it. Can't hurt, right? lol

For those who don't already know, this is the first chapter of a five-or-so-chapter fic that I though of while listening to "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley (great song!). The middle part is posted, too. That was the chapter I posted first, as it is the cornerstone of the fic. So it's not really linear right now, with only chapters one and (I think) four up. But, um, just enjoy it, and.....I don't know, have fun trying to figure out the plot. Some of you may have guessed it already, and it might be a bit more obvious after this part.

Anyway, I don't really have any more of this written, and most isn't even planned. I'm sort of waiting for it to come to me. I've got a bunch to do this week, but after that it won't be as crazy, I don't think. So yeah.

The Only Secret
Part I

James Apparated into the kitchen of the small flat he shared with his girlfriend, excited about his plans for the evening. Instead of finding Lily busy cooking dinner, however, her didn't see her in the kitchen at all. Then he heard angry voices in the foyer, so he hurried to investigate.

Lily was standing in the hall, her red hair falling in her face and her cheeks flushed, arguing with none other than Severus Snape. As James walked up he heard Lily exclaim, "It doesn't matter! You—"

At that moment, Snape noticed James. His expression turned from pleading to hateful, and his face paled. "Potter," he said acidly, "what are you doing here?"

"I live here," James replied coldly.

Snape's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed even more. "I see," he spat.

James put his arm around Lily's waist. Not even bothering to be quiet, he asked her, "What is he doing here?"

Lily crosses her arms, looking angry and a bit hurt. James vowed to make that bloody git pay for whatever he had said—or done—to hurt her. "He was just leaving," answered Lily. The finality in her voice was painfully obvious.

"Fine. Goodbye, Lily," said Snape, not even bothering to address James. He pulled his cloak tight about him, spun on the spot, and vanished.

Lily eased out of James's grip and closed the front door, her face inscrutable. She hugged her arms around herself and stared off into the distance, her emerald eyes slightly unfocused. James was worried about her, and angrier than ever at Snape. "Lily," he began, "what did he say?" She didn't answer. "If that prick did something—" James felt his temper rise and tried to damp it. More softly he said, "Lily, that's the third time this month he's showed up to bother you; at work was bad enough, but your house? If it was up to me, his arse would be in fifty pieces right now, but it's not. Up 'til now I've left this your business. But if it happens again, I'm going to have to do something." He put his hand on her shoulder. She was looking at him now, her expression worn and troubled.

"I'm sorry, James," Lily said quietly, covering James's hand with her own. After a few seconds she turned away again. "I'm tired…I'm going to bed. See you in the morning." She walked away from him, disappearing into their bedroom.

James let her go without arguing. He put his hand in his pocket and fingered the small box that was there, quelling his impatience and anxiety. Tomorrow would be the day, after she had calmed down. He told himself that this wouldn't make a difference…and if it did, he just might kill Severus Snape.

A/N: I like it, I guess. R&R? ConCrit?

(On a completely unrelated, but very important note, I love Reece! LOL I feel like I have to tell someone about it....)