They walked down the hallway and James would wait as Lily poked her head into classrooms. James had tried to start conversations, but Lily wouldn't respond. She was still angry at him. They were nearing the end of their round. Nothing had happened. No one had even been out which only proved Lily's point more and gave James mixed feelings. He was happy not to be attacked and have Lily safe, but he also wanted her to realize that she wasn't as safe as she thought. He only wanted to keep her safe, but she was so adamant about everything.

As they were nearing the tower Lily finally spoke. "See James, I'm fine. No one was out here," She looked pointedly at him anger behind her eyes.

James sighed and stopped walking. Lily, seeing that he had stopped, stopped as well and leaned against the wall.

"Just because no one was out here tonight doesn't mean that no one ever will be," James said. "You should know this, not so long ago weren't we saving you from Avery if I remember correctly." Lily's eyes flashed and she stood up straighter.

"I could've handled myself Potter," She said anger flashing in her eyes. James cringed at the sound of his surname.

"Yeah," James said taking a step towards her, "And how was being strangled and beaten working out for you. I'm sure it was all part of the amazing Evans's master plan." They stood close now, both angry. James stared down at Lily, staring straight into her glare.

"I…I…I" Lily struggled to find words.

"Yeah?" James asked egging her on.

"That was different," Lily spat.

"Oh yes I'm sure. Avery would've beaten you and might've killed you. Regulus is completely different, he just used dark magic on one of your friends. One who didn't provoke him. I can see how that is totally different," James said sarcastically.

"It is. The only reason Avery got a hold of me was because he surprised me," Lily said backing down a little.

"Well, Evans sorry to break it to you, but you're pretty easy to surprise," James said glaring down at her.

"No I'm not!" Lily shouted. "And I don't need your protection. I can handle myself thanks." She turned and started to walk away.

"Oh you can, can you?" James asked. Lily stopped, turned and saw James's hard expression. "Can you handle yourself against Voldemort? How about the death eaters?" Lily stared at him, he waited for an answer. She gave a small shake of her head. "Didn't think so," He said walking over to her. "So why do you think you can handle Avery and the Slytherins. All they are, are younger versions of their precious pureblood death eater parents. They know the same dark magic and they will hurt you." James finished and looked down at Lily.

All the fight had left her at the mention on Voldemort. Just this morning she had read in The Daily Prophet that he had blown up a muggle village killing 132 muggles. She felt nauseous just thinking about it. James's noticed how she had gotten a far off look and drew her into a hug.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear. "Let's talk about something else, yeah?"

Lily nodded and felt James give a chuckle. Feeling James's chest rise and fall with his laugh made Lily smile.

"Let's talk about earlier," James ventured nervously. He felt Lily stiffen in his arms and he tightened them. She knew what he was talking about, but she didn't quite know what it meant. She knew James had a lot of pretty girls that liked him.

Lily drew back and started back down the hallway, James followed. "What do you mean?" Lily asked.

"Lily, we kissed," James said stopping her right outside the portrait. Lily looked up into his eyes and she felt her face heating up.

"I know," Lily said in a small voice.

"What does it mean?" James asked.

"I…"

"Oh, hey James," a happy voice said from beside them. Lily looked over and saw Eve standing there. Eve had gorgeous blonde hair that hung down to her waist. It was wavy and she always had it styled to look perfect. She was pretty and most guys went after her. She was known sleep with any guy she went out with and most guys dated her just to sleep with her, but she never seemed to care.

"Hey Eve," James replied his hand going straight to hid hair with a weird smile his face. Lily had never seen him smile like that. She cursed herself inwardly. Of course James would like her, I mean look at her, Lily thought. James and Eve kept talking and Lily kept getting madder and madder. How could she have been so stupid. That kiss had meant nothing. She had just been there and she had always told James no. He could now say that he had finally gotten Lily to like him. He had won this stupid little game.

Lily finally came out of her thoughts when Eve said goodbye and walked on. James looked relaxed and happy.

"You want to know what the kiss meant?" Lily asked only barely controlling her anger.

James looked at her surprised, not noticing her anger he said automatically, "Yes."

"It meant nothing," Lily said before turning around and heading into the tower.

James stood there his mind racing. Nothing? He asked himself. He felt his heart ripping apart. He didn't know what he did wrong. Everything had been going good. Yeah they had fought, but it wasn't that bad. James turned and punched the wall. He felt his hand throbbing and clenched his teeth. He walked through the portal. Ignoring all the hello's pointed towards him, he made his way straight up to the dorm.

"Hey," Sirius called from his bed. "How'd it go? Where's Lily?'

"Everything went fine," James said icily.

"If everything went fine, then why are you so pissed?" Peter asked sitting up to look at James.

James just shrugged before lying down in his bed and drawing the curtains closed. Peter and Sirius just looked at each other. Sirius stared at James's bed concerned, but unable to get up and talk to him he could only settle for wondering.

Over in Lily's room she had walked in the dorm and there were Alice, Marlene and Mary all sitting on Alice's bad talking. When Lily walked in Marlene and Mary stopped talking and looked pointedly at Lily. Alice looked worried as Lily walked towards the bathroom. As soon as she shut the door she turned on the shower and got in. The hot water felt good on her skin as she sobbed hugging herself. Everything had been fake. He didn't care about her, not like the way she wanted. That's when she realized she really did like Potter. She felt her heart beat painfully.

Too soon she had to get out, the water was becoming colder. She walked back into the dorm room and again Marlene and Mary stopped talking not even bothering to look at Lily. Lily got dressed and laid down on her bed.

Marlene and Mary got up and walked towards the door. They stopped when they saw Alice hadn't followed them.

"Come on Alice," Mary said, "let's go talk in the common room."

"Why not here?" Alice asked already knowing the answer.

"It's more private," Marlene said staring hard at Alice.

"What is your problem?" Lily yelled. Causing everyone in the room to jump. Mary glared at Lily.

"We don't have one," Marlene replied icily.

"Oh really?" Lily asked laughing humorlessly.

"Yeah," Mary said looking a little uncomfortable.

"Whatever," Lily said before rolling over and closing her curtains.

Lily fell asleep that night tossing and turning. Nightmares chased her through long corridors and dark woods. Lily woke up screaming after watching Voldemort murdering muggles and children. She spent the rest of the night shivering and staring at the ceiling.