Chapter 11: Let's Make a Deal

AN: Thank you, reviewers!

OPOV

The next day, I woke up, expecting to clear things up with Lily. I don't care what Williamson said, I was going to fix things with my best friend. After all, if I didn't have her, who could I talk to? I climbed out of my bed at Potter Mansion and pulled on my pink robe over my silk nightgown. I slipped on a pair of slippers and walked down the stairs, expecting to see Lily sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast.

Instead, Williamson was sitting there drinking a cup of coffee while Minnie the house elf served him an omelet with bacon and toast. Mr. Potter was on his left reading The Daily Prophet while James and Sirius were chowing down on their plates of pancakes. The only person who was missing was Lily.

"Has anyone seen Lily?" I asked, finally making my presence known. Everyone looked up at me. It was then I realized they were all dressed, and I was the only person still in my pajamas.

"Uh, she went home last night," James said. "She seemed really upset, but she wouldn't tell me what was wrong. All she said was she didn't know who her real friends were anymore."

Shoot. I really screwed things up with Lily. I had to talk to her to make her understand, even if it meant breaking Williamson's rules.

"Olivia," James continued. "Did something happen last night? I saw Lily go over to you, and the next time I saw her, she was crying and saying how she wanted to go back to her house. I saw her shouting at you before that, and I want to know if you said something to upset my girlfriend."

"Lily found out I lied to her, and now she thinks I don't trust her with anything."

"What did you lie to her about?" James asked. I looked over at Williamson and saw him give me a warning look. Right, don't spill the beans on the whole Dark-Lord-wants-you-for-his-mate secret. Gotcha.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it, James."

"Nothing?" Sirius asked, looking at me for the first time since I had come down the stairs. "Would 'nothing' have to do with you and your mysterious friend over here having a heated conversation in the kitchen a few days before the party?"

"I—I don't know what—what you're talking about," I stuttered, avoiding his harsh gaze.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, Olivia," he snarled, glaring at me. "You know, things involving unnecessary risks, rewards for your capture, Bellatrix Lestrange, secrets…any of this ringing a bell?"

Crap. Crap, crap, crap. Did he know what I was hiding, or was he still trying to figure it out?

"I don't know what's going on with you," he continued, "But I will find out. You may not want to tell me, but you can't keep something this big from me."

I glanced over at Williamson, who shook his head quickly.

"And another thing," Sirius added. "I haven't seen your mysterious friend over here at school once, but he seems to know everything that's going on there."

"Olivia, what the hell is going on with you?" James asked. "Sirius shows up with you in his arms unconscious. He says he found you being tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange after she killed your parents. You're secretive and you refuse to tell anyone about your time at Beauxbatons."

"James, I can't talk about this now!" I said quickly before turning around and heading back upstairs. Shit, they were on to me. They had to know I was lying. When they found out (and I knew they would soon,) what would they do? Would they refuse to ever speak to me again for lying to them about something this big, or would they help keep me safe? That was the million-Galleon question.

I quickly slipped off my nightgown and pulled out a pair of black jeans, a white tank top, and a striped sweater. Once I was changed, I pulled on my beat up sneakers, threw everything back into my trunk, and rejoined everyone downstairs.

James and Sirius looked like they wanted to grill me some more about my whereabouts last year and the events last night, but a stern look from Mrs. Potter stopped them.

"You two better behave this term," Mrs. Potter warned them as we all walked towards the door. "If I get any more owls about you getting detention, I will send a Howler during breakfast that will make your faces turn redder than Gryffindor!"

"Yes, Mum," James said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before apparating to King's Cross station with his luggage. Sirius followed him. Williamson nodded once before disappearing just like the boys.

I was about to follow them when Mrs. Potter grabbed my arm.

"Olivia, may I talk to you for a moment?"

"Uh, sure," I said a little unsurely.

"I know you're in a very difficult situation right now, and I know you feel like you can't trust anyone with this secret, whether it is for your safety or their own. I know this isn't any of my business, and that I'm not your mother, but I think you should consider letting your friends in on the secret. I know the Minister said not to, but Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter are all wonderful people who would do anything to protect you."

"I know they would," I whispered, "But I can't put them in danger like that. When Sirius learns the truth, he'll either hate me forever or want to get back together. If we're together, You-Know-Who could use him to get me to give myself up, or he would kill Sirius. I would rather him be with someone else than have him get hurt because of me."

"Honey, you should give Sirius the chance to make that choice. You shouldn't keep him in the dark like this. I think he would be more hurt if he finds this out from someone else instead of you telling it to him yourself. Then again, what do I know? I'm just an old mom." She gave me a smile.

"Mrs. Potter, you're not old. And thank you for the advice. I have to think about it. And I need to talk to Lily."

She nodded once. "I know you'll figure everything out, Olivia. You're a smart girl. Have a good term." She kissed me on the top of the head before turning around and walking back into the house. I grabbed my trunk and concentrated on King's Cross Station. I felt the familiar squeezing sensation and I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I was standing next to James next to King's Cross Station.

We followed Williamson to the barrier and went through it one by one. When we boarded the train, I followed James and Sirius to their compartment, hoping to see Lily. She was sitting with Remus and Peter, but when she saw me, she turned to the window to avoid any possible eye contact with me.

I walked in, put my luggage above the seats, then took a seat next to Remus and across from Lily. I tried talking to her, but she just ignored. It looked like I had really screwed things up with her, but I didn't know how to fix it.

"Lily, please talk to me," I begged."I'm really sorry about what happened, but if you'd just give me a chance to explain myself, I could make everything right again!"

"Olivia, I'm supposed to be your best friend, and you've been lying to me ever since you came back to Hogwarts," she spat. "How do I know you haven't been lying to me about other things? How can I ever trust you again?"

"That's it!" I shouted, standing up. I grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the compartment and into the hall, searching for an empty compartment. Lily and I were going to talk this out, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

***

SPOV

"That's it!" Olivia shouted, jumping out of her seat. She grabbed Lily's hand and pulled her to her feet. The two of them left the compartment and walked down the hall of the Hogwarts Express. Peter, Remus, James, and I all looked at each other, unsure about what was going on.

"What was that all about?" Peter asked, looking at the door the two girls had just disappeared out of.

"No idea, mate," James said. "Olivia's been acting really weird since she and Lily got into a fight at the New Year's party."

"Olivia and Lily got into a fight?" Remus asked. Like usual, the werewolf was out of the loop. No surprises there.

"Yeah. Apparently, Olivia lied to Lily about something and she found out at the party. She was really upset and went home that night instead of staying at my house. I tried comforting her, but she wouldn't listen to me."

"Did she say what Livy lied about?" he asked, using that stupid nickname he had for Olivia. I tried to keep my fists in my lap and away from his face.

"No," James said, shaking his head. "It must have been really bad, though, because Lily kept talking about how Olivia was supposed to be her best friend and how she didn't know if she could ever trust her again."

"Shit," Remus muttered.

"What?" Peter asked.

"I'll be right back," Remus said, standing up and walking towards the door. He wasn't leaving without giving me some answers. I grabbed his arm and yanked him back. Remus may have been taller than me, but I was stronger than him. "Sirius, let go!"

"No," I snarled. "You know something that's going on with her, and I'm not letting you leave the compartment until you tell me what it is. I'm sick of her claiming to love me, then not telling me a damn thing. What is going on, Remus?"

"Sirius, it's not my place—"

"The hell it is!" I shouted. "What happened to her? Where was she really last year because she sure as hell wasn't at Beauxbatons Academy?"

"She was hiding!" Remus said loudly. "She was on the run all last year."

"From what?" I asked.

"Padfoot, use that tiny brain of yours. What do you think she was hiding from? What is everyone hiding from?"

"But…why? Olivia and her family have never been outspoken against You-Know-Who. They've never been supporters either."

"That you need to hear from Olivia personally. You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Now, if you'll excuse me!" Remus left the compartment and headed after Lily and Olivia.

Wow. I sure as hell didn't see that one coming.

"Whoa," James said, staring straight ahead. "I never would have guessed that. I mean, Olivia is the last person I would think would need to hide from You-Know-Who."

"I know," I said. "Something just doesn't make sense. Why would You-Know-Who target her family? There's nothing he could gain from them. I just don't understand it."

"Mate, you have to talk to her. Ask her about it. Moony said they were hiding for a reason—the only way you're going to find that out is to ask her directly."

"But what if she won't tell me? Or what if she won't be alone with me?" I asked.

"Leave that to me, mate. Just meet me in the common room tonight, and I'll make sure I find somewhere for you and Olivia to talk. I'll get Lily to get Olivia to come, and you can finally get the answers you need."

"Are you sure you can manage that?" I asked skeptically.

"Mate, look who you're talking to," James said, arching his eyebrows. I laughed and leaned back in my seat. He was right. If anyone could pull this off, it was James Anthony Potter.

***

OPOV

With a tight grip on Lily's wrist, I pulled her through the halls of the Hogwarts Express, searching for an empty compartment for us to talk in. After walking what felt like the entire length of the train, I found one on the left. I slid the door open, pulled Lily in behind me, and shut the door.

I turned around to face Lily, who was sitting on the bench, not meeting my eyes.

"Lily, you need to hear my side of the story. All you heard was what Williamson foolishly said out loud. You made assumptions, and you didn't let me explain myself. I want you to trust me and believe me, and if that means telling you ever single little thing that happened last year, I will."

She looked up at me, her eyes shocked after absorbing what I had just said.

"Are you serious? You'll tell me everything?"

I nodded.

Her eyes narrowed. "How do I know you're not going to lie to me?"

"Lily, you know me. You know I can't lie for shit. I promise to be completely honest and answer any questions you might have."

"Okay," she said finally. "Where were you really last year?"

"All over the place. My parents and I were on the run, so we constantly had to move around. For the most part, I was living in a cave in the country with all sorts of magical protections around it to keep us hidden."

"But why were you running?" she pressed.

"We had to. You-Know-Who gave an order to his Death Eaters to capture me and bring me back to him—alive. They were also told to kill anyone who got in their way, including my parents."

"Why didn't you tell any of us you were leaving?"

"For two reasons. One, I wasn't allowed to by order of the Minister of Magic. I was prohibited from telling anyone what had happened or where I was going for safety reasons. The other reason was I didn't want you all worrying. If I had told you, you would have tried to stop me from leaving, or you would have spent all year freaking out about me, wondering if I was alive or dead. I couldn't put you through that."

"Why didn't you write?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

"I couldn't! I couldn't contact anyone, especially my friends. The Aurors knew You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters would be intercepting owls, trying to locate my whereabouts. It was a safety measure."

"But why was he after you in the first place?" she asked. This was the question I was dreading.

I took a deep breath. "You-Know-Who…desires me," I said quietly.

"Desires you? What the hell does that mean?"

"He wants me. Sexually."

"Eww!" she shrieked. "You can't be serious!"

"I am," I said sadly. "The Ministry doesn't know why, but he wants me, and he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."

"So you've been hiding? Why did they allow you to come back this year?"

"I don't exactly know, but he hasn't been searching as vigorously for me since the Aurors killed some of his Death Eaters. Plus, I have a bodyguard at Hogwarts to make sure I'm safe."

"Who?" she asked.

"Rebecca. It's actually an Auror named Richard Williamson who's taking Polyjuice potion to look like a girl."

"Wow. That is really weird."

"But do you believe me?" I asked, looking at her. She had to believe me. She just had to!

The compartment door opened. "Olivia, is everything okay?" Remus asked, looking from Lily to me.

"I believe you, Olivia," Lily said. "I can tell you're telling the truth. And I want to trust you again, but I want you to make me a promise."

"Anything," I said, happy my best friend was speaking to me again.

"I want you to promise me that if I ask you for a favor, you will do it, no questions asked."

"A favor?" I asked skeptically.

"Yes, a favor. If you promise me that, all will be forgiven."

"Okay, I promise," I said. Besides, what's the worst Lily could ask me to do?

***

Later that night, I was sitting in the common room by myself, looking over my essay for Professor McGonagall. We were supposed to write about Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration, but I still missing one of the five exceptions. I was trying to remember all the exceptions when Lily walked up to me.

"Hey, best friend," she said cheerfully.

"Uh, hi?" I said, slightly confused. "What are you so happy about?"

"So, remember earlier when I made you promise me a favor?"

"Yes," I said, getting a sinking feeling in my stomach.

"Well, I'm collecting on it. Follow me."

"But, I have to finish my essay." I waved the piece of parchment at her.

"You promised me Olivia," she pleaded. "You have to come!"

"Ugh, fine," I grumbled, putting the essay back in my bag. I got up from the chair and followed Lily out of the portrait hole. "Uh, Lily?"

"Yeah?" she asked, bouncing down the corridor.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see!" she sang. Her optimism was starting to freak me out, and I was getting worried about the favor she wanted me to do for her. Eventually, we came to a stop outside of a door. James was standing there, smiling.

"Hey, Olivia," he greeted me as Lily flitted to his side. "I thought you weren't coming."

"No, I got her. Besides, she owes me a favor."

I stood there, looking stupidly from Lily to James, unsure what we were doing.

"Well, go on in," Lily said, opening the door we were standing next to.

"Why am I going in there?" I asked hesitantly.

"Would you just get your ass in there?" Lily said, grabbing my arm and pulling me inside the room. The door slammed behind me, and I was plunged into darkness. I looked around, but I couldn't see anything.

"Lumos" a voice muttered. A small light appeared, and I was finally able to see where I was. It looked like a closet, and standing in front of me, holding a lit wand, was Sirius Black.

"Hey," he said, smiling at me.

"Hi," I said, backing into a wall. "What's going on?"

"I asked James and Lily to bring you here."

"Why?"

"Because we need to talk."

"We do?" I said stunned. The last time Sirius and I had interacted, he called me a whore. As far as I could tell, we were done with talking.

"Yes. I was talking to Remus today on the train, and he told us where you were last year."

"He did?" I gasped. "I'll kill that wolf when I get my hands on him," I growled under my breath.

"It's not his fault," Sirius said, defending Remus. "We kind of forced him to tell us. But he didn't tell us everything, and that's why I need to talk to you."

"Okay…"

"So tell me, why is You-Know-Who searching for you?"

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