A.N- Can't believe I'm up to chapter 8 already. I have another few chapters planned so please keep reading. I like reviews coz they help improve my writing. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my BFF Maggie. She inspired me to write this fanfic and she also gave me an idea for later on. You rock Maggs.

Disclaimer- If I was J.K. Rowling, I would be living in a beach house in Hawaii with my top of the line laptop.

Chapter Eight

Back To School.

After the wedding Lily and I took a private portkey back to London and we stayed at my house alone. my mum said that she wanted to spend some time away from me. That's pretty much how our relationship works. She would be fine one minute, then she'd be cursing my existence the next.

The Hogwarts express was teeming with kids and Lily and I thought it would be easier to get on quickly. We had both changed that summer. Lily was snarkier at James and Sirius and I'd become a bit more open. That and my skin had gotten darker.

We found a compartment in the middle of the train and Mary and Marlene came in later. There was a great amount of squealing and many hugs but we soon were chatting away about our summers. I let Lily tell the story and when we got to the wedding, Lily went ahead and screwed me over.

"Remus asked her to dance. And she said yes, you should have seen her face! She was blushing so red she put my hair to shame!"

I hit laughed and rolled my eyes. "Shut up Lils."

"What? It's true. And the whole time we were there, Remus was staring at her. He really likes her. I reckon that you two will be together by the end of seventh year."

"Enough about me. I want to hear about Mary's summer. What's going on with you and Peter?" I asked. Mary grinned and she said that they went on a few dates, but they were now together. We all squealed and demanded details.

"What can I say?" she asked, shrugging. "We were young and in love…but nothing happened." She had said it all so dramatically and then sounded so disappointed that we all cracked up. I got up, excusing myself to the bathroom. I stopped when I heard voices.

"-then she just ran off!"

"What are you going to do?" I heard James ask. This was the third time I'd eavesdropped on them, it was staring to become a habit.

I heard a sigh. "I don't know. I can't exactly tell her that im in love with her can I?" Sirius asked sarcastically. I gasped loudly and the conversation inside stopped.

Shit.

I continued walking down the carriage when the door opened and I ducked inside the bathroom. Sirius was in love with someone?

Oh.

My.

God.

I rushed back to my compartment and shut the door behind me. The girls looked up and started at my expression. "You guys are never going to believe what I just heard." I gushed. I told them what I had heard and they all smiled.

"This is going to an interesting year." Marlene said with a mischievous grin. We all laughed. Lily shifted in her seat and then leant forward.

"I have something that I want to tell you guys, but you have to promise not to flip out." She said quickly. I looked at Mary and then nodded.

"I…I've secretly been dating Benjy Fenwick since last year." My jaw dropped. Marlene started firing questions and from what I got out of it, Benjy had asked Lily out during the second last week of school and she had said yes. They had been writing to each other all summer and she had kept it a secret because she didn't want James getting all angry about it.

I bit my lip. "I need some air. Would you excuse me for a minute?" I asked and without waiting for a reply I got up. I opened the door and sprinted down into the boys' compartment. I closed the door and looked around at each one of them

"We have a problem." I said, sitting down next to Sirius. They all raised their eyebrows. "You have to promise that you will not tell a soul that I told you this. Lily would kill me."

"We promise. What's going on?" Remus asked. I avoided his gaze.

"Lily has secretly been dating Benjy Fenwick since last year." I said it quickly. I wanted it to be quick and painless, like ripping off a bandage.

"What?" four voices yelled. I covered my ears and winced. They all looked apologetic.

"I guess we do have a problem." Sirius chuckled.

"Can I ask why you're telling us this valuable piece of information?" James asked. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Because I want what you want James. You want Lily to be happy with you. I think that if she gives you a chance, you'll do that. Not only that, but you'll take care of her." I smiled sadly. "She needs that."

James' face was stunned. "Oh, well…thanks." I shrugged.

"I'll help you get your girl James, but it's you that has to do the work. Just don't interfere with Benjy."

"Why?" Sirius moaned. I glared.

"It'll tell Lily that you've matured." I slid the door open and left them to their thoughts, no doubt coming up with a plan on how to get Lily to go out with James.

"Sophia?" I stopped and turned around with raised eyebrows.

"Can I talk to you?" Remus asked timidly. Just from his face and his tone I knew what this was about. I took a deep breath.

"No."

With that I turned around and walked into my compartment. I sat down quietly and drifted.

I couldn't face Remus after the wedding. I hated that he had seen me acting like a beast. What I hated most, was that I had strong feelings for him. I couldn't help how I felt but it killed me.

I wanted to be with him more than anything else in the world, but I also wanted to protect him from myself.

Why did love have to be so complicated?