Trust?

Lily sighed contentedly and buried herself further into James's arms, feeling him tighten his grip on her in response.

They were sat, entwined together, on the edge of the lake; watching the dying rays of the sun dance across the surface of the water.

They had, had the perfect evening. James had surprised her by whisking her away for a romantic picnic and they had sat talking for hours, taking pleasure in the fact that they were alone together, which seemed to be a rather elusive thing for them to achieve.

Lily lifted her head off James's shoulders and smiled at her boyfriend before stealing a quick kiss. His eyes sparkled at her as they broke apart and she grinned almost shyly back at him.

Just then, she felt something vibrate between them. She raised her eyebrows at James, who frowned and cursed under his breath.

"It's my mirror," he muttered in explanation.

Ah. His mirror. The acclaimed magical mirror that allowed James and Sirius to communicate whenever they needed to. Lily rolled her eyes as she could hear Sirius's muffled voice calling from James's pocket.

"You'd better see what he wants," she said resignedly.

"Sorry, Lily," he said as he fumbled in his pocket to bring said mirror out into the open.

"What the bloody hell do you want, Padfoot?"

"Nice to see you too, mate," she heard Sirius drawl, "I was just wondering where you'd disappeared to – Wormtail's about to wet himself with worry."

James snorted at this and Lily snuck back under his arm so that she could look into the mirror.

"Lily!" Sirius exclaimed upon spotting her face appear next to James's, "Always a pleasure."

Lily laughed as he winked at her. "Hello, Sirius."

"Padfoot," said James, warningly.

"Alright, alright, I get the hint! Calm down, Prongs. I'll see you two love birds later!"

And with that promise, Sirius's face promptly disappeared from the mirror, leaving only James and Lily's reflections staring back at them.

"He's an arsehole sometimes," James stated apologetically, as he stored the mirror away and settled his arms comfortably around Lily again.

Lily didn't respond, but instead gazed at him thoughtfully for a moment.

"James …" she started unsurely, "are you ever going to tell me the story behind those nicknames?"

As soon as the words escaped her lips James tensed and appeared to have gained jaw lock. Lily appraised him with surprise. Her curious suspicions of some sort of prank they had played with had resulted in the nicknames, immediately left her mind.

The story behind it was much more serious.

It had to be, to explain James's reaction to her casual question.

Now, she was curious.

"I…" James started, before breaking off and scratching the back of his head idly. He cleared his throat and looked her straight in the eye. "Lily, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you."

"You can't tell me?" she frowned at him. "What can't you tell me? It's only some story behind those stupid nicknames!"

James shook his head. "It's a lot bigger than that."

Lily waited for him to elaborate and when he didn't she pulled out of his embrace in confusion.

"So, am I right in thinking that there's some big secret that you're keeping from me?"

James blanched. "Lily, please don't get mad. I – it's … complicated."

"Why is it complicated?" she asked, trying to remain calm.

"Because – because, it doesn't just involve me. Lily-"

"Merlin, James. This really is a big deal isn't it?" She stared at him, taking in his desperate expression, feeling unable to comprehend how and why he was keeping this from her.

James reached out to her but she moved away from him, watching his face fall.

"I don't understand," she whispered, "why can't you … don't you trust me?"

James's eyes widened as she slowly got to her feet and he scrambled up to face her.

"Of course I trust you," he emphasised.

Lily shook her head. "Evidently you don't, James."

"I do, Lily, please." He took a step closer to her. "You have to understand that I just … I can't tell you about it."

"I understand that you don't think you can tell me, I just don't understand why." She paused and took a deep breath. "I don't think I can be with someone who doesn't trust me," she whispered, turning her back on him and beginning to walk away.

"Lily –" She heard James breath behind her, but she carried on walking.

Tears were streaming down her face now, blurring her vision, but she refused to stop. Refused to turn around.

Because if she turned around. Looked at him. She was sure her heart would completely break in two.

A/N: one of three...