Hey! It's been like a million years since I've posted anything here, and this story is actually almost done, but this is the first time I've been on my home comp to get the doc up in like a year! So, here we are, and this is the second chapter of this story. Forgive me, I'll get righ on typing up the next chapters for your reading pleasure.

Thanks for sticking with it, guys. You're the best.


"Lillian!"

Lily Potter winced when her husband's voice shouted her name. He was drunk, she could hear it. She moved into the door of the kitchen where he was slamming cabinet doors as he searched for something.

"What are you looking for, Jamie?"

He turned, and a bright smile lit his face. "Hey, there's the little mum! I wondered where you'd gone off to. Come 'ere, dove, give Daddy a kiss."

"You're drunk." She accused quietly.

"Hell yes I am! The gang in Hogsmeade was buying to celebrate the baby. How's my boy doing today, anyway?"

"We're both fine."

"Yeah? That's wonderful. You should be so proud of me, Lily-love. I didn't so much as hug a girl tonight."

"Really now."

"Yep. I had plenty of opportunity, but I told them all no. My sexy wife was waiting at home for me. And lemme tell you, there were some disappointed ladies. But I came home early because I only wanted you." He said, lurching over to where she stood to hug her. "My beautiful Lily. God, I love you. C'mon, let's go to bed."

She carefully extricated herself from his hold as his hands began to wander. "Why don't you go up, turn down the bed and all that and I'll… um, I'll grab you a scotch, and be up in just a minute."

"That sounds great. Hurry, okay?"

"I will." He stumbled away and she let out a sigh of relief. If Jamie was drunk enough to stumble, then he would likely be asleep by the time she got upstairs. She took her time making a pot of tea, because she heard him run into the bed, the thump of his body landing across it, and the comforting sound of his snores drifting down the stairs.

When her tea was ready, she returned to the bedroom and shook her head. He'd managed to remove his clothes and shoes before sprawling across the coverlet in nothing but his skin. It was sad, how such a fault ridden man could look so perfectly angelic in repose.

She walked over to her desk instead of crawling into bed with him. Lily very rarely slept when Jamie was home, because she spent far too much time fending off his amorous advances. Settling in, she opened the door with a whispered word and pulled out the diary. It had been her closest confidant for nearly two months, and she was half in love with the bodiless Tom Riddle. He listened and talked to her in a way that Jamie never had. It was getting to the point where she would rather just talk to Tom. Dipping the eagle feather quill she favored into purple ink, she began to write.

'Good evening, Tom.'

'Happy Valentine's day, Lily.' The ink bled purple to red in his familiar script.

'Is it really that time of year already?' She replied, startled.

'As of an hour or so ago, I believe. Do you have plans with your husband? It's a very special holiday. Perhaps he'll take you out to dinner.'

'Does he ever?'

'Ha-ha, no, I suppose he doesn't, at that. I'll be your Valentine, then.'

She smiled fondly as she wrote back. He really was a sweet boy. 'And I'll be yours, Tom. Only I haven't a present for you.'

'That's fine. I have one for you. I'm going to show you what my world was like.'

'Oh? How will you do that?'

The pages of the book blew furiously until they came to the pages dated February 24th. As light shone from the book, two gleaming words appeared.

'Like this.' And the world succumbed to darkness.

"Lily? Lily, are you all right?"

She opened her eyes with a sigh as a voice she didn't know called her name with some urgency. A handsome boy was leaning over her, obviously concerned.

"Wh-where am I?" She stammered.

"Hogwarts. A very long time before you came here. Welcome to the past, Lillian."

"Tom?" She whispered. He smiled, and she couldn't help but smile back. He looked like every bit the sweetheart she'd thought he might.

"Happy Valentine's day, Lily. My gift to you is a respite from your boorish husband." He leaned to where she lay and kissed her gently. She drew back with a gasp, hand to her lips.

"No, no, no. You are way too young for me, and we shouldn't be kissing." She scolded.

"Too old for me?" He helped her up and led her to a full length mirror. She recognized the place as one of the dorms. The Slytherin dorms, if she was correct. She'd never ventured into that dark place, but the decadent décor and the subtle placements of serpents, green and silver within it were quite a clue. She gasped when she looked at the mirror, because she was staring into her own 17-year-old face. Tom was grinning anew. "You look quite young enough to me."

"How did you…? Tom, how is this possible?"

"Magic, sweet Lillian, how else?" he replied. "And as to what we should and shouldn't be doing, you're not married right now. Not taken in anyway."

"But I am married, Tom, no matter what I may look like now, no matter where I am. I've told you that I'm faithful to my husband."

"As you wish, my valentine." His smile was patient, and she was grateful for it. "Come with me. Let me show you around."

"I'm sure it's no different than when I'll go here later."

"I wouldn't know. I'll be long gone from here by the time you arrive. So let me show you anyway."

"If it'll make you happy."

"It will. And I'm sure you'll have enjoyed yourself too by the day's end."

"I can't be gone a whole day!" She protested.

"Nor will you be. It will only seem you were dozing off for a moment. And should that beast you're tied to touch your sleeping form, you'll be returned instantly. The enchantment on my journal is ancient and powerful. The magic… Oh, Lily, I can't even begin to explain. But as you are, only I'll be aware of your presence, but should I touch you, we'll both become unseen."

"Well, well, Señor Smarty-robes. You've thought of everything, haven't you?" His smile dimmed at her words, and she frowned as his face grew serious. He caught her hands as his gaze pulled hers.

"When you have plans such as mine you must plan ahead." He murmured, stroking a piece of her red hair away from her face.

"What are you planning?"

"Why, I'm going to make you love me. But that's talk for later. Come, walk with me." He moved away, and she trailed behind him out of the dormitory and soon out of the Slytherin living quarters all together. As they walked, his words about his intentions towards her refused to leave her head. I'm going to make you love me, not we're going to fall in love. A more obvious decision to have her firmly under his thumb. But why?

She didn't realize she was frowning darkly until a finger swiped down the bridge of her nose, followed by the gentle pressure of his lips on hers. She jerked back to find he was smiling again.

"Tom, I'm not kissing you!" She said.

"Who ever said you were, my darling Lillian? In fact, I was kissing you. I simply couldn't bear that ferocious frown one moment longer. What else could I do? It seemed the quickest way to stop you from permanently marring your beautiful face with frown lines." He said innocently, his smile wicked. She felt butterflies start in her belly. This handsome boy was much too charming for his own good.

"I'm married, and you know that."

"You're unhappy in your marriage, so I don't care. I'm sorry, but your husband is a cruel tyrannical chameleon who brings you to tears more often than not and puts on the mask of the perfect husband for any one else that looks. You really ought to leave him."

"For who? You? Tom, you have no body, I'm too old for you, and I'm pregnant with Jamie's baby. What would I do if I left him?"

"Make a life for yourself! Do you honestly think you're happier with him than you would be without him?"

"I don't know! You don't know him, Tom, so don't judge my marriage!"

"Please, Lily, I don't want to fight with you. Come, have lunch with me. Pay no mind to what's in the future from now, because anything that happens here is of no consequence. As you pointed out, I have no body, and you're not actually here, are you? So no matter what we do, there can be no repercussions."

"I guess that's true." She replied grudgingly. His smile reappeared.

"It is utterly true. Come."

She went with him, and throughout the day, she got to see more than she'd expected. Teachers who weren't yet of age spoke to Tom in passing. The spot where the Whomping Willow would someday stand was bare and sunny. Areas that would someday be off limits were full of students.

The sun was setting, and they lay side by side on a blanket before a fire in one of the empty dungeon rooms. A picnic basket lay to one side, and a half empty bottle of wine. He went up on his elbow beside her.

"Have you enjoyed your gift, my valentine?" He asked. She grinned.

"I did. It was so exciting. Thank you, Tom."

"No, thank you. And because I'm so polite, and it's a holiday, I'll even thank you properly." He leaned down, and she turned her head.

"Tom."

"I ask so little. One kiss, given willingly. Is it so much? Am I so unworthy?" he pleaded.

"No. It's just…"

"Please, Lily."

When he turned her face back to his, she didn't resist. He smiled, and she closed her eyes as he lowered his lips towards hers. She could feel him, less than a hair's breadth away when Jamie's hands slid across her shoulders. Her eyes jerked open to see Tom's face fading. Surprise hit her when she saw the unmasked fury on his handsome visage. She blinked slowly, sleepily, and was once more in her bedroom with her husband standing behind her.

"Goddamn it, Jamie!" She snapped, jerking away from him. She'd finally worked up the courage to kiss Tom, and he'd ruined it! He was grinning.

"You fell asleep in your chair. And I'm awake now, so come to bed with me. You promised, Lily."

"I promised no such thing. Besides, you already fell asleep, and I'm not in the mood anymore."

"Baby." His voice was condescending, and that irritated her farther. "Has there ever been a day when I couldn't make you hot for me?" He was chuckling as he lowered his mouth to her neck.

"Yes. Today. Now let go of me, James."

"Come on, dove, give over." He continued to kiss and cuddle her, despite her protests, until she began to shout when he tried to tug off her robe.

"I said no, Jamie!"

He stopped for a moment, looking wounded. "You don't have to shout… Sirius is downstairs, he came while you were dosing. He's probably asleep by now. You'll wake him. Just come back to bed."

"I don't care of Sirius is here! Get your hands off me, James Potter, or there will be hell to pay!"

"Lily—"

A knock sounded at their bedroom door. "Jamie? Lily? Is everything okay in there? I thought I heard yelling."

"Sirius, please come and get Jamie. I don't' want him in my bed tonight." She called. Sirius entered with obvious hesitation when Jamie started to whine.

"Lily, there's no need to put me out. I'll leave you alone."

"Good night, Jamie." She finally escaped his grasp, picked up the diary and moved towards the bed with it in hand. Jamie glared.

"You know, Lily, it's starting to feel like you love that stupid book more than you love me."

"Go with the feeling. Sirius, please feel free to use the spare bedroom. James is drunk and will be perfectly fine on the couch."

"All right, then. Come along, old boy. I'll get you settled." Sirius pulled his friend with the ease of experience, and ambled out. "Good night, Mrs. Potter." He added mockingly.

"Good night to you too, single Mr. Black."

"Touché." He replied as he closed the door. When she was alone, Lily opened the diary to find that Tom had written something.

'I hate your bloody husband. He ruins everything.'

She sat back at her desk to write back to him. 'I'm sorry, Tom.'

'Never mind, Lily. Please, sleep well.' The words faded quickly and she sighed before doodling a small heart.

'Good night, Tom. Please don't be angry.' Closing the book, she went to her bed. As she curled up under the heavy winter comforter, she sighed, contented with its warmth. Lily dozed, thinking back on a day that hadn't really happened with a boy who didn't have a body.

Lily stirred from a deep sleep when a hand slid across her belly and a male body moved close against her back.

"Ah, Evans, you warmed this big old bed up quiet nicely, even alone."

"Sirius!" She tried to jerk away, but he stilled her easily. "What the hell are you up to?"

"Nothing. I was lonely and Jamie's sleeping, so I thought I'd share with you."

"You are not sleeping in my bed, Sirius Black. Get out."

"Why not? It's not as if we've never shared a bed before."

"I wasn't married to your best friend back then."

"But you were dating him. And if I remember correctly, it rather switched him on to watch us together."

"We were just kids back then. Sirius, let me go."

"It was only a couple years ago, actually, and you know very well that you enjoyed it."

"I'm not going to cheat on my husband! Why does everyone think I should?" She replied, exasperated.

"He cheats on you, so why not?" She stared at him in shocked silence, and he sighed. "You and I both know he hasn't been faithful to you since the day you were married. Why the hell should you be the only one to remain faithful? There's no logic in it. He's had more women than you could imagine, Lily. I asked him about it, after you told me that you were pregnant. It suits you, by the way. You're absolutely glowing."

"Sirius!"

"Fine, fine, just letting you know… Jamie might love you in his own little way, Lily, because you made him responsible for once in his life. But he's not right for you."

"Just because he won't honor his wedding vows doesn't mean I won't honor mine. I won't have the entire Order labeling me a whore."

"Do you think I'd take off afterwards and tell everyone about it? Why do you have so much bloody faith in him? He's never done a thing in his life to deserve a woman like you."

"I don't know why anymore, to be honest."

"Don't you get tired of knowing you're in bed, alone with your happy conscious and sad heart while he's out with his women?"

"Sirius, just drop it."

"He told me about a girl he had once, a visitor in Hogsmeade, who had your build and the same name. He got a kick out of taking her to bed, said it was like seducing you, only easier—"

"Stop it!"

"Six times in one night—"

"Stop!"

"Every bloody way you've ever imagined!"

"Shut up, Sirius!" She slapped at him and he subdued her easily as she began to sob.

"Why do you do it, why do you let him hurt you?" He demanded.

"I love him! I love him, Sirius, and I have for a long time. I've never gotten over him, no matter how hard I try! Do you think I don't want to leave him? But now it's too late, because I can't take care of this baby alone!"

"You think I'd let you? Do you think Remus, or Dumbledore, or even that little shit Peter, for that matter, would let you? That baby already has more family than he'll ever know what to do with. You wouldn't have to do a damned thing alone."

She hadn't considered it, hadn't wanted to really think about it. And now her head hurt. She was much too tired to deal with Sirius and his options. "I want to go to bed, Sirius. Will you please just go away?"

"No. You'll just lay here and cry alone if I go. But I'll lay here quietly if you'll let me hold you."

"Fine. You get to explain to James in the morning why you're here."

"Gladly."

"Good night." He pressed a gentle kiss to her throat and she sighed again as he moved closer, cuddling her.

"Good night, Evans." As she drifted into a slightly more troubled sleep, She could have sworn she heard him whisper, "You know, I'd love you if you'd let me…"


Hope you enjoyed. The only way I'll know if people are still interested in this is if you read and review. :P And I won't post more chapters if nobody is interested, so you know what to do. ^_^

Jazzy loves you!