Chapter 4
Lily walked down the halls of the Daily Prophet building. Lily's photos were hung along the walls, and it made her proud. She had become an accomplished photographer, and was now starting to get recognition. She loved taking pictures, she loved the way the camera could capture moments. She had been with the Daily Prophet now for three years, and she loved her job. Even though she knew they printed more fiction than fact, she loved the people she worked with and all she had to do was take lovely photos.
"Lily can I see you for a minute?"
Lily whirled around, surprised by the deep voice, "y-yeah."
Lily walked nervously into her boss's office. Mark went and sat on the edge of his desk, Lily stood by the door in case she needed a quick escape. He smiled at her which caused her stomach to fill up with butterflies, "What did you need?"
"Nothing really, I was just wondering…if…maybe you'd like to gooutwithme?"
The last four words were so fast she didn't catch it, " I'm sorry?"
He smiled and took a breath, " I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go out with me this Saturday?"
After Lily got over the shock she couldn't help but smile and say, "Yes."
They talked over the details, and when the plans had been made Lily left his office with a little bit of a strut.
James had half the day off today, he was home now reviewing the file they had given him early this morning. It seemed as though not a day went by without some kind of attack, or threat, this case though was more serious. The number of Death Eaters were growing, and it was up to his group to keep that number small or non-existent. James shut the file and with his wand placed it between the floorboards. He went to the kitchen to get him something to eat when he heard a POP!
"Prongs?" Sirius's voice rang through the house.
" In here!"
"What's up?" Sirius approached the kitchen and took a seat at the table.
"Nothing, you?"
"Uh, well, yes actually."
James turned a questioning look on his face, waiting for an explanation.
Sirius flashed his brilliant smile, " I have a date tonight, that I actually care a lot about."
James snorted, " Good one."
Sirius waded up a piece of scrap parchment that was on the table and chucked it at James's head, " I'll have you know, that it's more than just physical. That's the least I can say for you and Kristy. " Sirius had made it clear to James before exactly what he thought of Kristy. Sirius swore up and down that all she wanted from James was his money and that what James wanted was obvious to any male who looked at her.
James grabbed the scrap piece of parchment that had landed on the counter and chucked it back at Sirius's head, "So what's this girls name?"
"Natalie." That name sounded strangely familiar to James.
"Ah, and does Natalie know of your history?" James was referring to 2 years ago when Sirius was twenty and he had a reputation of love 'em and leave 'em.
" No she doesn't." Sirius said matter-of-factly.
James laughed, at which Sirius responded with, " and she won't!"
James held his hands up and shrugged, implying that he wasn't going to say anything.
"So," James started, "when is this date?"
"Six."
James looked at the clock, " Don't you think you'd better get going?"
Sirius looked at the clock, jumped up, said good-bye to James and apperated away.
Lily came home and threw all her things on the sofa before going to the kitchen.
She was making her self a bowl of cereal when Natalie apperated in her living room.
"Lils?"
"In here!"
"Oh, there you are, " Natalie came into the kitchen unraveling her scarf and setting it on the chair, " so…? What happened?"
Lily got the milk out of the fridge, " Well, he called me in there and I was nervous 'cause I thought I was in trouble, right?" Natalie nodded as she sat on the chair listing intently, " and when I got in there he asked me out."
A smile busted on Natalie's face, " What did you say?!"
Lily put the milk back into the fridge and carried her bowl over to the table, " Yes."
Natalie was so happy for Lily. Maybe she's finally getting over James. She thought, and hoped. Lily was a nice, and unbearably sweet woman who was taken advantage of so many times. " So when are you going?"
"Saturday." Lily said in between bites.
"That's great lils, I'm really happy for you," Natalie got up from the chair, "Speaking of dates I have one as well." Natalie's smile got, if possible, bigger.
Lily put her spoon down, " With who?"
Natalie suddenly got a guilty look on her face, "No one, it doesn't matter." Natalie started to put on her scarf and coat.
Lily got up from her chair, " Natalie, who are you going out with?"
Natalie headed for the door, " No one."
Lily cut her off, " Natalie."
Natalie sighed and gave up, "Sirius."
Lily was surprised by how much that had actually hurt, " Oh, why didn't you just say so?" I mean he's only James's best friend.
"Because," Natalie looked down and started to fidget with her scarf, " I thought it would remind you of James and I didn't want to do that."
" Natalie, I don't care. You're going out with Sirius not James." Lily explained, " It really doesn't matter. I swear."
Natalie smiled, but it was a small one, " I'm sorry but I got to go or I'll be late, but I'll come back when its over."
Lily faked a laugh, " ok, go have fun." She encouraged her best friend.
Natalie smiled once again before apperating, leaving Lily confused and slightly hurt.
Natalie. Natalie. Where did he know that name? James put the file back down, it was pointless to try and do work. Natalie. It was starting to bug him. He was almost certain Lily had mentioned it in one of her letters- Lily. Natalie! Of course! It was Lily's best friend in school, but there was no way Sirius was with her tonight. There were thousands of Natalies around. James got off the couch and stretched when he heard a knocking at the door. He knew instantly who it was, she was the only one who ever knocked before coming in. Kristy was standing with a movie in one hand and microwave popcorn bag in the other.
Lily was bored out of her mind. She sat and read a book, but became restless. She tried playing cards but that didn't work out either. She finally decided on watching tv, but nothing good was on. In an act of desperation she grabbed a piece of parchment, a quill, and some ink and began a letter to James. She told him everything, from her excitement of a book coming out, to her worries of Natalie and Sirius and yes, she even wrote about her and Mark. She couldn't help it, but he was, after all, her best friend. She thought he deserved to know. When Lily finished the letter she sealed it up and sent Abby. Soon after Abby left Lily fell asleep on the couch, and dreamed of her date on Saturday.