T"Lily. Lily, can you hear me?" James whispered in Lily's ear, slightly nudging her.
"Wha? James?" Lily gasped, sitting up in a quick motion, like someone had shocked her arm.
"Are you ok?" James raised his eyebrow.
"Yeah…" Lily lied, running her hand over her forehead to remove any evidence.
"You don't look so good."
"I'm fine. Just… bad dream." Lily closed her eyes tight, and then opened them to look around the compartment to notice everyone still sound asleep.
"Wanna talk about it?"
"No, that's ok. Thanks for waking me up though," Lily smiled at James. "How far away are we?" Lily looked out the widow.
"We're pretty close. Another twenty minutes I would guess."
Lily nodded her head and looked out the window. She repositioned herself on the seat so she could lean her head against the window and focused on the trees passing by. James ran his fingers through his hair, slightly confused and slouched in his seat, closing his eyes again. Like James had said, twenty minutes had passed when they reached the train station. Everyone was woken up and picked up their luggage, heading off the train. After passing through the brick wall, it wasn't hard at all to find Lily's parents. They were the all too excited looking couple staring at the wall for the past fifteen minutes. Lily reached her mother and was immediately pulled into a hug while her dad patted her shoulder.
"Mom, dad, this is Sirius and James. You already know Jo and Adrian." Lily introduced them.
"It's very nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Evans." James smiled and shook their hands.
"Please, call me Mary. And this is my husband, Shawn." Lily's mother blushed at how formal James was.
"Nice to meet you," Sirius grinned and shook Lily's parents hands too.
The rest of the night went by fairly smooth. Once they reached the house, Lily dragged her stuff to her room, followed by Jo and Adrian who would be sharing her room. Lily's father showed James and Sirius the way to the guest bedroom. After dropping their stuff off, everyone hung out in the living room. Lily's house wasn't huge, but it easily fit everyone in the house comfortably. It was getting late and everyone was still gathered in the living room chatting when Petunia came home. She glanced in their direction for a brief second before rolling her eyes and heading to her room, slamming the door to further show her distaste in the company. Lily apologized to her friends but none had even noticed how rude Petunia had been. Though they had slept on the train, they were all tired and went to bed a little after midnight.
The week was half over, and the group hadn't done much. Most the time they hung around down by the lake, swimming and just relaxing. Remus had finally gotten there and Petunia was even more upset that another 'freak' was in her home. Sirius and Jo had gotten closer over the few days that had gone by, flirting to the point where James, Remus, Lily, and Adrian would roll their eyes and leave them alone.
Sirius and Jo weren't the only ones getting closer. James and Lily had been nearly inseparable. Remus and Adrian would laugh together about their friends ditching them, comfortable being alone knowing that they only liked each other as friends. Jo and Sirius had gone into town and Lily wanted to go down to the lake. Remus and Adrian didn't feel like going down there, but James went with Lily.
"Ugh… I can't believe it's already Wednesday. The days are passing so quickly." Lily complained, sitting on the ground near the lake.
"I know. But when breaks over we only have a couple of weeks left and we're done with school." James looked out at the lake and sat next to Lily.
"Where have the years gone?" Lily looked down at the grass and sighed.
"They flew by," James nodded in agreement, leaning back a little with the support of his arms.
"Who would have thought that all this has happened?"
"What do you mean?" James asked curiously.
"Like… me and you," Lily used all her will power not to blush as she looked up into James' eyes. "And of course, you being a Head Prefect." Lily added in a teasing tone, relieved that it helped her to not blush.
"I know what you mean," James laughed and shook his head. "You still got that necklace?" James noticed Lily twisting something in her hands.
"Of course," Lily couldn't help but blush this time.
James smiled and laid back in the grass, his hands placed behind his head. Lily looked at him for a brief second and then tilted her head up to look at the passing clouds, which were getting darker due to the sun going down. James closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Things really have changed." James whispered.
Lily looked at him, taking in his peaceful face. How she wanted to be lying on his chest or playing with his hair in this moment. But she had just been cheated on. Should she be feeling these feelings for someone else already? This wasn't just anyone though, he was someone she cared about, someone she loved and still possibly could. Lily shook away these thoughts; he probably didn't still care for her like she did for him. Lily took a deep breath, mimicking James and slowly let it go. He opened his eyes to look at her and they both laughed.
"I guess we should probably head back, my mom probably has dinner waiting for us." Lily sighed, reluctantly getting up.
"Mm…. ok, I'm hungry." James sprung up to his feet and Lily laughed.
"When aren't you?" She teased.
James playfully messed up Lily's hair. She dropped her jaw, trying not to laugh and went to play hit him. James dodged her hand as she came at him. Laughing, he wrapped his arms around her, restraining her arms and began to walk. Lily tried to struggle free but there was no point. He was obviously stronger than she was, and part of her subconscious was going crazy from his touch. When they reached the house, James didn't let his grip go until they entered the living room. James dropped his grip before Lily's parents or Jo and Adrian saw, but not quickly enough for Sirius to miss.
"What have you two been up to?" Sirius winked.
"Shut up," Lily and James said at the same time.
Sirius chuckled but didn't say anything else. Remus shook his head, pretending not to notice while Jo and Adrian sat confused as to why Sirius was being told to shut up.
"Lily, you got another letter," Lily's mother came through the doorway holding the letter addressed to her in Adam's handwriting.
"Thanks mom," Lily smiled and took the letter, but rolled her eyes when her mom turned her back. Lily hadn't informed her parents about her last ex-boyfriend that had cheated on her.
"What's it say?" Sirius' eyes bulged with curiosity.
"Let's see…" Lily opened the letter and smoothed it out. After taking a moment to read it to herself, she growled.
"What?" Jo asked, moving closer to Lily.
"What's he saying now?" Adrian also moved closer to Lily.
"What an idiot," James mumbled, reading the letter as Lily held it slightly to her side for him to read.
"Ok, you two want to let the rest of us in on what he said?" Remus finally broke the silence of curiosity.
"Dear Lily…" Lily cleared her throat as she began to read the letter, "'I know what happened Sunday looked bad, but it's not what you think. Please, respond to my letters so I can explain. If you don't respond by Friday, I'll be coming to visit you, just in case you're not getting my letters. Talk to you soon. I love you! Adam.' I swear if he comes here…" Lily broke off into thought of what she would do to him if he did come.
The room broke off into quiet mumblings of 'what an idiot' and 'he better not come here' while Lily sat down and closed her eyes, rubbing her hands on her temples.
"Why can't he just grasp that I'm done with him?" Lily sighed.
"Hmm…" James pondered, his eyes suddenly widening. "I have an idea." James grinned and looked at Sirius and Remus who seemed to understand his plan. Sirius nodded in agreement while Remus tried not to grin.
"What's your idea?" Adrian narrowed her eyes at James.
"Lily, can I have a piece of parchment, quill, and ink? An envelope may be helpful too." James grinned.
"Yeah, over there," Lily pointed to the desk in the corner of the room, "but what are you planning?"
Without answering, James went over to the desk, finding what he needed, followed by Sirius. They sat over the parchment for a few minutes as everyone else in the room stared at them in confusion, except Remus. Finally they came back to the group and held up the parchment with fresh ink written on it.
"What?" Lily was trying to understand. Looking at who the letter was addressed to, she finally understood. "Oh!"
"What's it say?" Adrian repositioned herself onto the floor, sitting up straight.
Sirius held out his hand for the note and began reading, "Dear Adam…" Sirius winked at Lily and she rolled her eyes, trying not to laugh. "'Thanks for the entertainment you've given us with the letters you have sent Lily. Unfortunately, she doesn't care what you have to say, and would prefer if you didn't come to visit. That would only make things worse for you, seeing as we would have to hex you for intruding on our great break. Don't worry, Lily's in good hands, we're taking good care of her. Have a good rest of break! James and Sirius.' So what do you think?"
Everyone began laughing, even Remus.
"Think he'll get the point?" Sirius asked.
"I hope so." Lily smiled.
"If not, we can take care of him." James stretched his arms while Lily tried not to laugh.
"So can we send this?" Sirius was eager to get the letter out.
"Owl is through the kitchen." Lily directed Sirius.
Sirius made his way immediately to the kitchen to send the letter. While everyone watched him attach the note to the owl Lily looked at James and mouthed 'Thanks'. He grinned and nodded back. As soon as Sirius returned to the living room, Lily's mother walked through the doorway again to announce that dinner was ready. After dinner, the group lounged around near the fireplace. It was getting late when there was a tap on the door. Everyone looked at Lily as she shrugged her shoulders. Lily's mother answered the door and everyone paused to hear who it was.
"Lily, someone's here to see you." Lily's mother called.
"Coming," Lily scrunched her eyebrows together trying to figure out who may be here to see her so late when she realized who it may be. "Come with me?" Lily looked pleadingly at James.
James nodded and got up to follow Lily to the door. As she rounded the corner Lily caught her breath taking in the figure at the door while James immediately stiffened, clenching his fists.
"Oh, hi Sev. What are you doing here?" Lily smiled, her eyes not hiding her confusion.
"Yes, what are you doing here?" James mumbled under his breath, glaring at Snape.
"I… I just wanted to see how you were, Lily." Snape smiled at Lily, ignoring James' glare.
"I'm fine. Isn't it a little late though? I mean, that can't be the only reason you stopped by, is it?" Lily raised her eyebrow.
"Well I uh… just wanted to see you. So are Adrian and Jo here?" Snape tried to look around the door but James stepped in front of him.
"Yes," Lily turned her confusion to James' intense face.
"Anyone else?" Snape asked.
"No," James responded curtly.
"I see. Well I guess I'll see you… around Lily." Snape grinned at James the same time as he took Lily's hand and kissed it.
Lily's cheeks turned bright red at the same time as James took in a deep breath of air and clenched his fists. Snape grinned as he quickly left before James could catch him.
"James?" Lily finally snapped out of her confusion, looking at James' red face and the veins sticking out of his hands from clenching his fists.
"Ye… yeah. I'm fine," James took another deep breath and released his fists.
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean?
"You know exactly what I mean." Lily tightened her eyes as she looked at James. "You told Sev that no one else was here. Why did you lie?"
"I don't know. It's none of his business who's here and who isn't though." James blinked twice, hoping Lily would buy that.
"Well… fine." Lily sighed, knowing she wouldn't get whatever James was hiding out of him.
James closely followed Lily as they walked back into the living room. Everyone was quiet, eyes studying the expressions on Lily and James' face. Lily went back to her original seat, while James sat across the room from her so she couldn't question him anymore.
"Who was it?" Jo was nearly jumping out of her seat from anticipation.
"Severus," Lily responded, looking at James then turning her attention to Jo.
"What did he want?" Adrian scrunched her eyebrows.
"To see how I was."
"That's all? And this late?" Jo raised an eyebrow.
"Well he wanted to know who all was here," Lily added, looking at James again, who was making an effort not to look at Lily.
"Why?" Jo and Adrian asked, while Sirius and Remus shot their attention to James.
Lily noticed the exchange of looks between Sirius, Remus, and James and knew immediately something was going on.
"No idea," Lily finally responded.
Jo and Adrian went into gossiping about the many reasons behind why Snape had stopped by, one being he heard about the breakup and wanted to know if Adam was there. Lily pretended to be listening while she kept an eye on James, who was quietly talking quickly about something she assumed had been about Snape's visit. Time passed quickly again, Jo falling asleep on the couch as the group remained in the living room. As Lily and Adrian agreed they should go to bed, Sirius jumped off his seat and scooped Jo up in his arms, carrying her off to the girls' room without waking her. Adrian followed while Lily stayed behind. Lily looked at James while Remus stood up.
"Well uh… I'm gonna get to bed too. Good night." Remus left the room as soon as he could, not wanting to be in the middle of Lily and James.
"Yeah, I think I'm gonna get some sleep too." James scratched his head as he noticed Lily cross her arms.
"James, what's going on?" Lily sounded confused and stressed.
"It's nothing you need to worry yourself about, Lily." James softened his voice as he heard the concern in her voice.
"Why didn't you tell Severus that Remus and Sirius are here?"
"It was none of his business?"
"James, what's going on?"
"It's nothing Lily."
"Nothing? Then what were you, Remus, and Sirius talking about when you were whispering in the corner?"
"Lily…"
"You know, I could inform Jo and Adrian that you know something. I'm sure Jo could get it out of Sirius." Lily tightened her arms and glared at James.
"Ok, ok, Lily, listen to me." James walked towards Lily placing his hands on her shoulders. Immediately she loosened her arms and James unfolded her arms the rest of the way. "I'm not sure, but Sirius, Remus, and I believe something big may be happening this weekend."
"What's happening?" Lily's eyes widened.
"Well we overheard…"
"Lily? You coming to bed?" Adrian walked back into the living room, and stopped when she saw how close Lily and James were. "Sorry, I'm just going to…" Adrian quickly turned to walk back to the bedroom.
"Don't worry; I'm coming to bed right now." Lily quickly said, looking at James. "Tell me tomorrow?" She whispered.
"Ok," James said after debating for a moment.
"Good night." Lily said.
"Good night." James responded, giving Lily a quick hug before they headed to their bedrooms.
Thanks for reading this far! I only have one more chapter that was already written before I can use any input you all have. Though the story is close to the end, I would love to read what you guys would like to see happen, so let me know what you think! =]