DISCLAIMED.

A/N: Sorry, my avid readers coughnonecough, for abandoming my stories for the last month or so. I've been rehersing for a play that went well, thank you for wondering, Also, I've been doing my homework, or I must have, because I have As in all of my classes and I am a B- average student. anywho. . . read on; my favourite story. . .

Chapter 4: Surrealism.

"So, basically, the house is just too large to walk around everywhere," James continued to tell Lily about the house and everything that went on inside it whilst sitting at the counter after eating several sandwiches and other food the house elves seemed to have prepared before they arrived with some house elf clairvoyance. "Especially when you need to get somewhere fast. So, every room has a fireplace with a floo connection," Having seen her look of confusion, he elaborated "Just throw some of the green powder in and say the room you want; You'll get there." Slowly all the house elves had cleared the room, and the last, a round one, appeared between them.

"Mr. James?" he squeaked when James paused for breath.

"Yes?" he asked, looking down upon the thing with mingled confusion and kindness.

"The foods is prepared for tomorrow's Evening. The decorations will be up by tomorrow's noon." he said and then shuffled away.

"So, anyway- Oh! The clothes. I know Mum always wanted a daughter so when you came here first thing she did was buy you-"

"James?" He looked over his shoulder as if she was addressing someone else. She was being nice it occurred to him. This was a very serious situation; she called him James, and she was listening intently to everything he said. "She must not hate me so much", he thought.

"Why are your house elves decorating?" not what he expected but, still a good question.

"Oh, tomorrow my father is hosting the summer Gala to benefit the School. Not that it needs much benefitting."

"Gala?" lily asked, worried.

"Well, yes," he said, and then realized why she was worried looking, "you're invited! You have a dress, but you don't even have to come down if you want."

She looked at him squarely for a long minute. "Thank you for the food James, and thank you for letting me stay here, but I think I'll be able to find a place to stay- I'm sure-"

"Lil- Evans," he caught himself, she may say his name but if she caught him saying hers, she might never even look at him again. "I don't think you understand." she glared at him, for a moment and then gave up, she didn't have the energy for this. "You see, my parents, they-" he gave her an apologetic look in advance "sort of adopted you."

"Not really," she pointed out "only sort-of."

"Well, in three to four days, they'll be your legal guardians." he said, he could only look at his feet, he expected her to explode, but instead there came a little voice that sounded far away.

"That can't be possible, can it? It takes months for paperwork like that to go through." she said.

"Not if your dad is the minister of magic." he countered proudly, but then sighed, that wasn't the right thing to say right now, and he knew it.

"This all seems so surreal." Lily said, He could hear her choking up, "Just a week ago they- they sent me a letter. They were- there. They-" She started to become a bit pink in the face. "And- and now-" she gestured wildly, and then stopped abruptly.

"It'll be okay." James said, and this seemed to do the trick. She took a deep breath and wiped away some tears.

"This just isn't real." she said quietly, holding her hand over her lips as if holding off sobs. "James! My life just unraveled at the seams! They were- what am I going to do!"

"Lily," he patted her on the shoulder awkwardly. "Everything will be fine."

"Do you really think so?" she asked solemnly.

He nodded, "I promise."

She smiled one of those sad smiles that you can't hold back, and hugged him. He had hardly enough sense to hug her back, but even that little warm embrace made her feel so very much better. "Thank you, James." she said when she let go. They stood there quietly for a minute and the silence crept into lily's head and thoughts began re-circulating, horrible thoughts, and she felt her face grow hot and tears blur her eyes again. It felt so good to hug someone, she wanted to hug him again, but she held it off, she wiped her eyes and looked at him. He looked sorry. Genuinely sorry.

"I'm sorry for being a horrible witch to you James." she croaked.

He nodded "I'm sorry for being a big headed Prat, and a toe rag, and an 'evil stupid, bullying git with an Ego the size of the giant squid and no feelings-'"

"I get it." she interrupted him, before he could name off everything she had ever called him, "I'm sorry. And you are a good friend. I mean, taking me in an everything, none of the girls at school would do that, they're not that kind."

"You think I'm kind?" he asked, amazed.

"Well, you've adopted me!" she said incredulously. "When even my sister wouldn't; you did. It's all so, unreal. Are you sure this isn't some crazy dream?"

"I'm sure." he said, but she shrugged it away, "would you like me to pinch you?"

She laughed. Laughed. Who laughs after their parents die? She felt instantly horrid.

He watched her face fall. "I'm sorry." She turned pink again and tears began making their way down her face. She held herself tight, as if she would fall apart at the seams too. The only thing he could think to do was to try and keep her together too.

He hugged her lightly. She just stood there, limp and weak-feeling. It was silent for a long time. She needed a hug. That's all she needed; someone to hug. Someone to remind her that this was the world, and it was real. Someone to say everything would be okay, to let her cry, and not stare at her while she wallowed in her own misery. It was nice. He was nice. He liked her. Her mind wandered for a moment on James. He was nice to her. He liked her, he had to. She looked up at him. There was emotion on his face, he was sorry, but not sad, he seemed to smile down at her, because she was smiling, which made her smile more. Maybe, thoughts poked around in her mind, I should kiss him? She looked at his lips unconsciously, worried. He seemed to know what she was thinking, and he let her go. No.

"You should get some rest. If you're coming to the Gala, you know." Lily was looking embarrassed, just from thinking those irrational thoughts. She backed up a step towards the door and was just nodding at whatever James said. "Goodnight." he said finally, and patted her shoulder as he passed by her to the door. He walked slowly to his room and fell down on his bed, pathetically.

"That was terrible," he said to himself. "That hug was practically taking advantage of her. She's going to hate me again." He covered his face with his pillow, and tried to suffocate himself, then gave up.

Comments are appreciated more than you know.