Disclaimer: Obviously, I do not own Harry Potter or any of the places or characters created by JkRowling

Note: Pleaaaaaseee Revieewww. It makes me so happy when people review, even if its suggesting ideas or anything.
And, do you guys think the previous summary was better or this one?

AND, just for clarification, it was stated in the last chapter that James never really did show Lynne 'his' spot. It was actually Peters. And he never slept with her, as if that wasn't clear enough. James is too good for that.

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James was undoubtedly surprised and disappointed when Lily practically reverted to her previous self. He remembered all too clearly the way Lily was before this year. Now that he had gotten a taste of a friendship between himself and Lily, he wasn't sure he could give that up.

Except now, it wasn't like back then. He looked over at Lily, sitting between her best friends. Then, she had at least yelled at him, hexed him, cursed him, or something. Presently, she just seemed emotionless and remote. She wouldn't talk to him anymore, she wouldn't smile at him anymore; it was as if he were nonexistent.

It killed him to know it was because he had let her down again. It's not like he wanted to; in fact, it was the last thing he wanted to do.

Remus had understood James' pain. He had given James a sympathetic look that day at the hospital that told James Remus understood. It made him feel just a little better. Just a little.

"And that will be all for today," Professor McGonagall finished just as the bell rang. "Read chapter 7 for next class."

The class immediately dispersed and the students filed out of the classroom. Lily stood and closed her ink container, packed her quills and stuffed them all into her bag. She prided herself that she didn't once look at James throughout this class. It hurt to see him.

"Ready to go?" asked a deep voice from beside the three girls. Lily looked up to see Sirius.

"Yeah," replied Beth cheerfully, grasping her books under one arm. Lily smiled briefly when Sirius took the books from Beth and held her hand with his free one. Together they walked off to their next class.

Jodie sighed beside her. "And then there were two."

Lily merely nodded and linked arms with Jodie, climbing the few steps to the door.

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"It was weird."

"Sorry, what was?" asked Lily.

"Last night, Sirius, Peter, James and Remus were all missing. I think the school's got another big prank coming," replied Frank.

Lily absorbed this information slowly. So, allof them were missing?

She didn't have much time to analyze this though, as the squeaky voice of Professor Silmer disturbed her thoughts. The teacher was once again reminding Lynne and her two friends to stop talking and start planting.

"All of them gone you say?" she inquired as she measured the height of her and Frank's plant. It was brown in colour, and looked more like a tree trunk than a flower. The Caliscous it was called.

Frank didn't get a chance to answer.

"Longbottom? Please switch places with Lynne here please. Maybe then she and her friends will get some work done," demanded the professor.

Immediately Lily sent Frank a pleading look. She could not be paired with her. Frank just shrugged helplessly, with sympathetic eyes.

"Can I switch with her?" Lily suddenly blurted. She could feel the professors eyes boring holes into her back, contemplating.

With some reluctance mixed with confusion, Professor Silmer conceded. "Very well."

Lily sighed with relief and hurried to her new partners.

"What's you name again?" one of the two Barbie dolls asked snobbishly.

"Lily."

"Ah, infamous Evans – the one James liked. Thank god he got over that," said the other. Lily inwardly flinched but refused to give the two satisfaction.

Seeing that their words made no dent, they announced, "Alright carry on then." Lily paid no notice to them. She didn't care if they expected her to do all the work – it would probably be less trouble without them bothering her anyways.

Yet, bother her they did.

"I don't even know why Lynne is going out with him."

"What do you mean, it's James Potter. You'd be a fool to not go out with him."

Lily knew that too well.

"Well he's hot and all, but –"

"Not to mention, quidditch captain and popular?"

"Fine, but she told me the other day that he hasn't even gone all the way with her. Is something wrong with him?"

"Oh my god. If you tell me he's gay I'm going to kill myself."

Lily almost laughed at the absurdity of that assumption. James was definitely not like that.

"James Potter? I don't think so. Are you sure they haven't done it?"

"Apparently."

"Wow, do you think I have a chance then?"

"No, if anything it'd be me first." This girl was obviously the dominant of the two. "Anyways, I sort of feel sorry for him. Don't you?"

"Why?"

"Hasn't she told you? She's seeing Craig too."

"Craig Ernan? He's totally hot."

"Lynne's got both."

"I wish I were her," said one of the two girls in a dreamy voice, "but what if James finds out."

"He won't," said the other, "I wish I were her too."

Lily bit her tongue. She didn't mean to eavesdrop but she did. So Lynne was cheating on James? How could she? Lily almost laughed at herself, because James is the most popular boy. Then, Lily wondered if James knew about this.

Should she tell him, now that they apparently weren't talking anymore? She decided she had to; it was the right thing to do. For a moment, she even felt happy that Lynne was cheating on James – it meant a chance for her, but guiltiness quickly overcame her.

Lynne was cheating on James. How could she do that to such a sweet boy? But then again, she had rejected him for years on end, what right did she have to say anything?

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It was dinner before Lily had worked up the guts to tell James. She had discussed this new information with Beth, Jodie and Alice, and they had all agreed that this should be done alone. It would make James feel better without having the news delivered to him in front of his friends.

The plan was that Alice would get Peter away, while Sirius was obviously left to Beth. Remus was still in the hospital wing so he wasn't a problem. Jodie would make sure nobody would walk in on them. It was an infallible plan, except for one tiny consideration.

"What?" shouted James. He had been genuinely shocked when Lily had pulled him into a classroom and talked to him, but none more so then when she had declared Lynne was cheating on him.

"It's true," she said determinedly. He could see that twinkle in her eye when she had an idea in her mind that she had to get out.

"No," he said simply. Nobody would cheat on James Potter.

"Please James," pleaded Lily with a soft voice, "I'm not lying."

James softened his glare. "I'm not saying you are Lils," he noticed her flinch, "but maybe you heard wrong?"

"I did not hear wrong."

"Lynne wouldn't cheat on me."

"You believe her over me," Lily declared accusingly.

It wasn't that James didn't believe Lily. It wasn't even that James believed Lynne. It was his pride. His damn pride. Nobody would cheat on James Potter. That was what he believed.

"It's not that Lily!" But his defenses were futile. Lily was already on a roll.

"James Potter, you'll regret this. I'm telling you now because I care about you. I don't want you to get hurt," she raged.

"I won't get hurt!"

"Fine. But when you do, don't expect sympathy from me. I swear Potter, I can't believe you." She laughed almost hysterically. "I can't believe me actually. I should have known better. And I'm a fool," she poked her finger into his chest, stepping forward she spoke each syllable, "for ever having liked you."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out the room. Not a single tear leaked from her eyes until she was safely in bed and she prided herself for that. For all she cared, James Potter could be dead. Hell would freeze over before she ever cared for him again – look where it got her. At least, that was what she was going to try to pretend.

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"Can you guys believe it?" asked James with a laugh. "Lynne cheating on me!"

The rest of the Marauders weren't laughing though – not even smiling.

Remus pushed himself up into a sitting position on the hospital bed. "What I can't believe is that you didn't believe Lily. Before, you would have trusted her word above anything else. She was right, you have changed."

"And I, personally, believe she would cheat on you." Sirius looked at James with penetrating gray eyes, "I dated her before and well…infidelity was both our demises I can say that easily."

"But guys, Lynne?"

"I'm saying it could be a possibility, that's all. You could have at least told Lily you would think about it."

"I can't believe this," declared James throwing his hands up into the air.

"Whatever man, this is your problem. You asked for our ideas," said Peter bluntly. Then the conversation easily turned to another boyish topic, all hostility gone.

"You're time is up boys," said the nurse as she walked into the curtained area. "Off to bed with you all."

"Alright, see you tomorrow Remus. Hopefully you'll be back in class soon. My hands are tired from taking our own notes," whined Sirius as he left. "We neeeeed you Moooonnnnnyyy!" he cried dramatically before making his stage exit. Peter followed rolling his eyes and James was about to before Remus called his name.

"Yeah what's wrong Moony?" he asked.

"Lily really likes you I think," Remus said, "and you're really hurting her."

"Lily would never like me," said James shortly. He refused to let that thought enter his mind and give him hope, only for it to be dashed brutally once again. "Besides, you and her seem to be getting it on," he said quietly.

But Remus heard. "Me and Lily?" he laughed bitterly, remembering his confession to her. "I don't think so chum. I think she only has eyes for one boy, our very own Prongs."

James scoffed and turned to leave. "Well goodnight Moony, we really do miss you. Aside from notes and all you know."

"I know," Remus smiled. "Good night."

Just as James was about to disappear from view, Remus added, "just think about it James. Anything is possible."

And that was when he realized the exact words that were spoken to him earlier that day. Words that he had absently ignored.

"I'm a fool for ever having liked you."

No Lily, he was the fool. Three times and you're out James, he told himself. This was definitely at least his fourth. She had been giving him a chance, and he blew it.

How long had he waited for one chance from her? And now he had messed it all up. Maybe it was time to end things with Lynne?

God, this hurt his head.