Author's Note: I just want to say thank you, again, to everyone reading my story. Especially to the ones who are following it! I'm extremely grateful and apologize for the delays in my writing. I hope to produce a chapter every week to two weeks, and knowing you guys like my story, gives me even more passion to write. You are all amazing, and I hope you enjoy my story as much as I enjoy writing it! Have a Happy New Year!

Chapter 9: Jealousy

News that Lily Potter was going to the Christmas Ball with Louis Collins spread like Fiendfyre. In just two weeks, she and Louis had been dubbed the strange, new couple at school. It was maddening. Being the "Chosen One's" daughter made Lily used to being the topic of gossip around Hogwarts, but now, having students gossip over a lie was enough to make her lose it.

She slammed her books down next to Louis as she entered Defence Against the Dark Arts. "Did I mention how much I hate you?" Lily demanded of him. "Well, hello to you, too, darling," Louis said, charmingly. Lily glared at him. "Too much?" Louis innocently asked. "How can you be so okay with all this?" Lily asked, glancing at all the gossiping 7th year girls, who were making it a point to stare them both down.

"Believe me, Lily, I've had people stare at me for worse suspicions than us dating," Louis remarked. Lily rolled her eyes. "Don't you think it would be better to just be yourself, Lou?" Lily asked, "I mean, no one cares that you're ga—" Louis cut her off. "Quiet! I already told you Lily, I don't want people to know. Please, just do this for me," Louis begged.

"Fine, but you owe me. Your little stunt may have gotten the whole school talking, but it still hasn't gotten Peters off my back," Lily stated, annoyed. "Really? I thought he would've given up and found someone else by now," Louis remarked, surprised.

Lily shook her head. "If anything, he's even more persistent. I have a bad feeling about tonight." Lily couldn't shake the ominous, chilling sensation that went through her when she recalled Peters most recent note.

I'm done with the games, Potter. I will have my way with you. Or mark my words, you will be sorry. The Great Hall, 8 o'clock. Don't be late.

Lily felt a shiver go through her spine at the memory. She always knew Peters was a git, but now, she was starting to question if he had an even darker side than she thought. "Hey, Lil, are you okay?" Louis asked, concerned.

"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind," Lily shrugged it off. Louis stared at her with concern, but let it go. Over the past two weeks, Louis and Lily had become extremely close. Lily enjoyed having a mate that she wasn't hopelessly in love with. Not that being best mates with Teddy wasn't wonderful, but it sure had brought her horrible moments of heartache this year.

"Listen, Lil, you know you can always talk to me. I'm here for you," Louis assured her, placing his hand over hers. Lily smiled and squeezed his hand back. "Thanks, Louis, but I'm fine, really." All the girls began whispering at Lily and Louis' exchange.

"Ahem," Teddy cleared his throat. Lily snatched her hand from Louis' as fast as she could. "Mr. Collins, Miss Potter. If you two could cease the PDA, I'd like to begin my lesson, thanks," Teddy said, annoyed. Lily turned bright red, while the 7th year girls began to giggle.

"So-sorry, Professor," Lily stammered. Teddy gave her a hard look. "Remember that this is a classroom, not a snogging spot." Lily's jaw dropped. She hadn't been able to see Teddy much the past couple weeks because he had been helping Neville with the Christmas Ball, but for him to talk to her as if she was like all the other immature witches in her year, well, it hurt.

"Oh, next time, I'll remember to find a broom closet for my snog sessions, Professor," Lily spit out, red now from anger. She heard some of the students gasp. Lily had never smarted off to a professor before, especially not Professor Lupin.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for your behavior, Miss Potter. I suggest you be silent before you get another ten taken away from your house," Teddy warned, seeing Lily about to respond. Lily rolled her eyes and cursed Teddy under her breath. Some Gryffindors whispered for her to shut it while others began whispering on what made the professor and his star pupil so full of animosity.

No one noticed the dawning look on Louis' face as he glanced back and forth from Lily to Teddy, putting pieces together in his mind.

Lily stayed quiet the rest of class. When the lesson was over, she quickly put her books away, and began to make her way to Lupin's desk. Louis grabbed her hand to stop her. "Lily, I need to talk to you about something." Lily paused and turned around. "I'll only be a few minutes. I'm about to have a chat with Professor Lupin," Lily said, still annoyed.

"Yeah, but, it's important that we talk," Louis stated. Lily glanced around at the lingering 7th years. She smiled at Louis. "Wait for me by the staircase. I'll only be a minute," Lily said, sweetly. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and headed up to Ted's desk.

Louis took a deep breath and walked out of the room. After everyone exited the room, Lily turned on Teddy. "What the bloody Hell was that all about earlier?" Lily demanded. Teddy stared her down. "I won't stand for inappropriate behavior during my lesson," Teddy warned.

Lily couldn't believe her ears. "What in Merlin's name are you getting on about? He touched my hand!" Lily exclaimed. Teddy rolled his eyes. "That's enough, Lily. I won't apologize for making you aware of your actions." Lily turned red again. "Are you being serious right now, Ted? You're acting like a right git, you know that?"

Teddy's eyes stayed hard, but his hair turned red at the insult. "Oh, how am I being a git for trying to stop you from making a fool of yourself?" Teddy demanded, insulted. Lily stared at him, incredulously. "A fool of myself? He held my hand! He wasn't bloody snogging me!" Lily yelled.

Teddy turned red in the face. "If you want to act like all the other girls in your year, go ahead, but I held you at a higher standard than that," Teddy retorted. Lily was lost for words. Teddy never acted like this. Lily thought to herself. It was almost as if he was….

"Wait a minute," Lily began, "Ted, are you…jealous?" Teddy turned even redder. "N-no, I'm not. I just want you to be more mature. I've heard the rumors going around school about you and this Louis fellow," Teddy stammered out. Lily stared at him for a moment, and then burst out laughing.

"Oh, Merlin's beard, Ted! I can't believe you of all people bought into the daft gossip going around this place. You are so dense!" Lily couldn't stop laughing. "You're going to the Ball with Collins, aren't you?" Teddy asked. Lily looked up at him. "Well, yes, but it's not entirely what you think, Ted." Lily began to explain, but remembered her promise to Louis.

"What do you mean, Lily?" Teddy was confused. "I can't really tell you, Ted. You're just going to have to trust when I say it's not what you think," Lily said. "I don't understand, Lil, we tell each other everything. What's going on with you and this Collins guy that you don't want to talk to me about?" Teddy pushed.

Lily took a deep breath. "Look, Ted, all I'm saying is don't buy into the gossip around school. Mine and Louis' business is our own, okay?" She could tell Teddy wasn't happy about her last statement, but sighed resignedly. "Fine, Lily, do what you want. Just be careful, alright? I don't want to see you get hurt," Teddy said seriously.

Lily smiled at Teddy's concern for her. She could feel herself begin to hope for something more between them again. "Ted, I need to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me," Lily began. Teddy shifted, nervously. "Alright," Ted murmured.

"Were you really just looking out for me in class today or were you jealous?" Lily asked, nervously. Teddy didn't answer right away. They stood there, staring at each other, for what seemed like an eternity.

"Look, Lil, I'm sorry for how I acted in class today. I shouldn't have talked to you like that. I'll add the house points back that I took," Ted said, turning towards his office door. Lily was determined to get a real answer though.

Before he could reach for the handle, Lily spoke. "That's not what I asked, Ted." She saw him look up and take a deep breath. He turned to look at her, his hair now a passionate red. "Honestly, Lil, it made me jealous as Hell." With that, he turned the handle and walked into his office.

Lily's heart was hammering in her chest. She had a turned a bright, bright red, and was smiling like a kid in Diagon Alley for the first time. She hadn't let herself hope for much from Ted, but his last confession made her long for something more one day.

She was still smiling as she began walking back to Gryffindor Common Room, lost in thought. She didn't even notice when Louis stepped directly in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. "Oh, crap, I'm sorry, I forgot to meet you," Lily apologized. Louis just stared at her with knowing eyes. Lily shifted uncomfortably. "What did you want to talk to me about?" Lily asked.

"So, Lil," Louis stated matter-of-factly, "when were you planning on telling me that you're in love with Professor Lupin?"