Chapter 11:
"Sirius Orion Black is about to die!" Cindy Allen hissed.
Lily tried to grab her arm as she snapped the password at the fat lady's portrait and marched into Gryffindor tower. Lily hurriedly followed her best friend inside. Cindy scanned the common room for Sirius, but he was nowhere to be found. She turned and marched up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.
Lily sighed. "I hope you have a good explanation, Sirius Black." she muttered to herself as she ran after Cindy.
Cindy banged on the door to James's room. "If Sirius Black is in there I demand to speak to him immediately!"
The door flew open to reveal Sirius. Behind him, James, Remus, and Peter were all seated. James on his bed and Remus and Peter both sitting on the floor.
"Cindy, I was just about to come find you. I was- Cindy what's wrong? Why are you crying?" concern flooded the seventeen-year-old's eyes.
Cindy stared at Sirius, as she felt tears streaming down her cheeks. "How could you?" she asked in a whisper. She turned and ran down the stairs again, almost knocking Lily over in her rush.
Sirius looked heartbroken, but Lily needed and explanation.
"What did I do this time?" he asked her.
Lily sighed, then handed Sirius the article she had gotten from the third years. She watched as he silently read the article. "Oh man!" he moaned. He ran over to his bag and began rummaging through it.
Lily entered the room and walked over to James's bed. The other three marauders had been politely pretending to be interested in their schoolbooks and ignoring the current conversation, knowing Sirius would fill them in once Lily left.
"Mind if I sit down?" she asked James. He shrugged. He didn't even look at her, just shrugged. Lily was confused as she sat down but soon Sirius found what he was looking for and claimed her attention again.
"Aw! Man! It's gone." he exclaimed, "I must've dropped it."
"What is it, Padfoot?" James asked suddenly alert.
"The picture I took, my proof for Cindy. I must've dropped it and Rita Skeeter published an article about Cindy using it. Now Cindy must think I did this to humiliate her.""Wait," Lily said, "So, you didn't give it to Rita Skeeter?"Sirius shook his head.
"Of course, he didn't!" James exclaimed. "He would never betray Cindy like that."
Lily was shocked at James's tone.
"James, is everything all right?" she asked hesitantly.
James ignored Lily. Sirius looked at her.
"Will you please explain to Cindy the truth? She might listen to you. You're her best friend." he begged.
Lily nodded, "Of course." she heard James snort in reply to her answer. She glanced at him but he was focused on his book. She turned to the other three. "Can you please give us a few minutes?"
The others quickly obliged and soon Lily and James were left alone.
James, what's wrong?" Lily asked pleadingly.
James sighed. He hated the power behind her beautiful eyes.
"Okay, I'll be straight with you, Lily. I saw you and Eadric outside. I saw you kiss him. How could you do that to Cindy?" He was out of breath when he finished.
Lily gave James a sad smile. And in that instant she knew she loved him. "I think you need to hear the whole story," Lily said quietly.
Cindy sat down on her bed. Sure, she had planned on yelling at Sirius. Making him explain himself. But when she had looked into his eyes she couldn't. She couldn't stand knowing what he had done to her, after everything she had been through. How could he?
"… And that's what happened." Lily finished. She waited.
James hadn't said a word throughout her entire story. Did he believe her? Would he still be mad?
"Wow." he murmured.
"Are you still mad at me?" she asked.
James smiled, "No, in fact, I think you're even more amazing than I thought before."
Lily smiled and blushed. Then she leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to James's lips.
For James the kiss ended all too fast.
"So," Lily said when she had pulled away.
"So?" James asked, smiling.
"So, what are we going to do to help Sirius and Cindy?" Lily clarified.
James sighed and laid back on his bed. "I don't know."
Lily smiled. "Wait, I think I have a plan."
"Well then, let's hear it."