Chapter 29

He couldn't seem to understand it. The entire week after, Lily and James went about their business as if the fight had never happened. Lily went about her usual study habits and James focused on the Quidditch match, which seemed to be rapidly approaching. Neither of them acted as if they had snapped at one another, ignored each other for a day, and then spent that very same night curled up in bed together. And for some reason, it was eating apart at Sirius to understand why. "You do realize you are blatantly staring at them, don't you?" Remus chuckled as he followed Sirius' gaze to the two friends who were discussing their Divination notes from the morning. "It's like nothing bloody happened." He snapped as he snatched a dinner roll off the tray before him, causing Peter to jump slightly. "That's a good thing though. Isn't it?" Peter whispered to Remus who shrugged and watched his friend rip off a piece of his roll viciously with his teeth. "Sirius. Your inner hound is showing again."

A scowl appeared over his face as he chewed on the chunk of roll and rested his chin in his hands. "Although I have to say, it has changed a bit with James spending less time with Deirdre." Moony chuckled, glancing over Sirius' shoulder to see the Ravenclaw glaring across the room at James and Lily so close together. "Brilliant to watch how much she despises Lily though." Sirius laughed as he quickly glanced over his shoulder to see her stand in frustration and storm out of the Great Hall. James noticed the blur of blue storm off, but didn't really care. He had told her that they had been spending far too much time together and that he really needed to focus on the other important things in his life. Of course he would never let slip that one of those things was his time with Lily, it seemed to him that Deirdre storming off tonight after seeing them together, proved she figured that one out for herself.

That night he found her lying in his bed proved something to him. She was his Lily. A completely new version of the girl he had pined over for so many years. There was no anger towards him unless he gave her reason for there to be. It wasn't like in the past, where Snape would fill her mind with lies and build up her hate. But instead, she trusted him, and confided in him, because he was her friend. He didn't even have to make the promise to Mark Evans, because he knew that no matter what it took, he would take care of her.

"Lily, your nose." Celia's voice cut through the conversation and she quickly knew what Celia was referring to as a drop of blood dripped onto her hand. Nose Bleed. She constantly got them and as always, began to stand up to head for the bathroom to sit and wait for the blood to stop. She had tried to go to Madame Pomfrey before, but she just smiled and handed Lily a tissue saying 'It's best to just let them run their course'. "Use this." A handkerchief appeared in her face and she glanced down to see a worry faced James meeting her gaze. "I'm alright. I'll just fix it up in the loo. Plus I'd hate to ruin it with blood stains." Before James could object, Lily was out of the Great Hall and drifting down the corridor to the restroom. The mirrors in the back were always the better option when it came to waiting out a nosebleed; It kept most girls who hated blood from getting sick seeing her.

As she settled into the counter space with her wad of toilet paper on her nose, she heard the creak of the door sound and giggles follow. "You're so lucky to have a boyfriend like that! All mine ever wants to do is shag." The clear voice of Emmeline Vance sounded. "You can hardly call Sirius a boyfriend. Especially since nothing has happened with you since summer." Deirdre's voice drifted into the room as the door creaked again. "Well not all of us can have James Potter who tolerates you and your nonsense." A giggle sounded through the group and Lily rolled her eyes at the pathetic insult.

"Besides, by the way Evans is noticing him, I wont give it long before he wins her over and leaves you." Pandora Drinkwater, a seventh year Hufflepuff added. Lily sat in complete silence now. Did people really think he would leave Deirdre for her? Why did she say yes to Barty for tomorrow? Sure there were feelings for him, but nothing like she felt around James. "I highly doubt James would keep sneaking me into his room at night if he was going to leave me for Evans."

Sneaking her in at night? Lily was in his room a few times and spent many late nights in the common room, and not once had she caught even a glimpse of Deirdre. She wouldn't be surprised if she hadn't even seen the Fat Lady, let alone James' room. "That's where you sneak off to at night. I always wondered where you were staying." She couldn't see them, but apparently Deirdre had others with her.

"Whatever you say Sinclair, but I would watch out for Lily. He's been pining for her for far too long." A few moments passed before the door screeched again, leaving Lily to listen to see who was left. "That slut of a ginger thinks just because she likes James now, that she can do what she wants." She snapped out of nowhere and causing Lily to jump slightly. "Well you were thinking of leaving James. Why would it bother you?" Melanie, Deirdre's' right hand's voice chimed in. This easily peaked Lily's interest. She didn't even want t be with him and here was Lily, trying to ignore her feelings for the boy because she thought he was happy. "And step out of the way so that tramp can get her happy ending? Not happening." The maniacal giggle that erupted from the two girls sent rage through Lily. How could she just toy with him like that? James cared about her! Enough that he took her back even after telling his closest friends that he would never put himself through that again. "I always thought you were in Lestrange's room at night. " Melanie sounded almost surprised as she said it, which brought worry to Lily. "That's because I always am. I'm not going to spread that about though. James barely trusts me as it is and I'd rather not face the fury of Bella Black."

A squeak sounded from Lily in astonishment before she could think to stop herself. "What was that?" Deirdre snapped as the click of her heels began to move. "Probably just Myrtle. Stupid thing has nothing better to do with herself than snoop." The clicking stopped as Lily let out a quiet breath. "Probably right." Things grew silent for a moment before the scuff of their shoes began to move away until the screech of the door sounded again. Not only did she want to leave him, but she had been spending all of her nights with a Slytherin who was practically engaged to one of the most terrifying girls in Hogwarts.

The bleeding had stopped minutes before, but she couldn't push herself to move. She knew she should tell him. But would he even believe her? After the fight they had just had, would he accuse her of lying?

"How often does she have these things?" James sat anxiously, glancing back at the door and then down at his food. "They become a thing when it gets cold and dry. We've learned to ignore it now." Mary brushed it off as she reached for a biscuit over Remus. A small smirk being shared between the two of them as her hand grazed his, unnoticed as usual by the others. "Sirius, you have any big plans for tomorrow?" Peter questioned as he watched his friend make faces with a girl down the table. "Going with a friend." He smiled, not breaking eye contact with Hestia as she crossed hers at him.
"Where is she?" James voice broke through as a group of girls who had left after her, returned to their seats, except for one who made her way to Sirius. "Hullo Sirius." Emmeline Vance spoke out causing him to jump. "What can I help you with Vance?" His body had grown stiff as his eyes darted for his food. "I hadn't heard anything from you about tomorrow. Do you plan on going?" There was a hint of edge in her voice that Sirius easily picked up on. The amused smirk pulling at his lips. "Oh I will be going. I never miss a trip." His eyes gleamed up at her, James could read the glimmer of hope in her eyes. No one could miss the constant rumor of Emmeline secretly dating Sirius. "Any special date to accompany you?" Suggestion dripping from every word she spoke.

"I've asked my dear Sirius to accompany me. Isn't that right, Love?" The table froze and turned their gaze to the figure beside Vance. "But of course you did my dear Hestia." James couldn't help but notice the smiles that were brighter than ever being shared between the two. Vance however, was far from amused. "I'm sorry. Who are you?" She snapped glaring down at her. "Where are my manners? Hestia Jones. Sirius' date to Hogsmead." She had extended her hand to Emmeline who only looked down at it with disgust before she turned her gaze to find that Sirius smiled stupidly at Hestia. The way she only dreamed he would look at her. Without a word, she turned away and stormed off out of the Great Hall., whispers following behind her from the tables she passed on her way out.

"That was beautifully done my dear!" Sirius' voice broke the silence of the group. "Well I am learning from the best." She laughed as she gave an exaggerated bow. "I mean not all of it is a lie. Just a tad more exaggerated." Hestia gave a small nod with her smile that she had been unable to hide from her lips. "So Jones is the friend your taking tomorrow then?" Hestia glanced up to find the group looking over her, including the glare of Dorcas. For the third time, she found this burst of empowerment and saw the group before her as a challenge. "Yes. I am going with Sirius tomorrow. We're educating him on how to actually find a girl and not just shag every single one he sees." The sneer she gave Sirius brought a laugh from the group as a pout grew on his face. "On that note. Nice to see you all." She nodded pleasantly at the table and then turned to Sirius. "And I shall meet you in the Common Room in the morning, Dirty Trollop." She gave him a quick wink before slipping off to her end of the table. "That's a good one! Why have I never called you that?" Marlene laughed bringing a scowl from Sirius her way.

X

She didn't return to the Great Hall. She couldn't face him. The amount of knowledge she had about his relationship, but was unsure of if he would believe her. So rather than returning for questioning, she went to her room and looked over her wardrobe. She did have a date in the morning. She may not have wanted it like Barty did, but she had said yes. The girls returned soon after, laughing, up a storm. All except for Marlene, who was easy to make out yelling with Sirius at the bottom of the staircase. "You missed an excellent end to the evening." Mary giggled as she fell back on her bed. "Oh I don't think I did." Was all she could think.

There she was in her room. Had she not gone to the loo at all? He folded up the map and threw it back in his drawer. She had a date in the morning and technically he did as well, even if Deirdre would ignore him the majority of the time. He'd be alone and stuck wandering through town, avoiding her at every turn. It was going to be a bloody brilliant Hogsmead trip, James scoffed to himself as he pulled his pillow up to let out a muffled shout of anger.

X

The grounds were bright for a fall evening, the colors of the forest seeming partially friendly for once. The crowds of students, out of their normal school robes were a breath of fresh air to Lily. She had felt nauseous from the moment she had awoken and the bright color gave her some warmth, compared to the dark dreary colors of the black robes and stonewalls. She wasn't sure if it was sheer nervousness or the possibility of being ill. Sleep barely came to her the night before. Too many thoughts were flowing through her mind. Deirdre was cheating on James and the only reason she was staying with him, was so that Lily couldn't have him. She wasn't sure how she would tell him, let alone if she would. James did care for Deirdre, that was certain, but how does one bring up a painful thing like that to their friend?

She rested on the stonewall of the stairwell in one of her nicer jumpers. Lily didn't want this. She knew she didn't. But with the way Sinclair had what Lily wanted, there wasn't going to be a chance any time soon for her to have such an option. Couples began to pass by her making their way to the carriages below, arms linked together or hands intertwined. There was a strong part of her secretly hoping that Barty would stand her up and she could just hide up in her room for the day and edit her potions essay.

"What are you waiting for, Lily?" His voice cut through her thoughts and her head snapped up to take in the last person she ever wanted to see. "Leave me alone, Severus." A pleased smirk pulled at his lips. "Not in a good mood about your date with Crouch?" He had always known how to read her mood. That had been a rather large benefit of their friendship in the past. He had always known when she truly needed someone to talk to. "Snape!" Lily and Severus quickly glanced back to the main doors to find Barty, and to Lily's surprise, he was in muggle street clothes. "What are you doing? I thought I told you to back off!" He snapped as he drew closer to the two of them. "I need to speak to her. You don't own her you know!" The anger was clear to read from Barty's face as he towered over Severus and glared. "She's not something you can own you swine! She's her own person Now bugger off!"

And just like that, it was gone. The churning in her stomach sinking away. She wasn't a prize to him or just another girl to him. Here was a Pure Blood, high ranked Family and everything and he wanted to protect her. He saw her as Lily and not a Muggleborn. "You alright Lily?" He pushed past Snape, resting his hand on her cheek and staring into her eyes. "Never been better." The smile on his face grew as a scoff erupted behind him, obviously Severus fuming with frustration as he stormed away. Lily quickly found a smile sliding across her mouth as her hand moved up to his. "Sorry I took so long. Had to return an owl to my father about family business during break. Hope I didn't worry you."

His fingers wrapping with hers as he lowered them from her face. "Not at all. Just enjoying the fresh air." His hand seemed all right around hers. It felt slightly awkward with the petite size of her hand, but warm and comforting all the same. "Shall we then?" His other hand gestured to the crowds walking to the carriages. "We shall." Barty's grip tightened around her hand and with a slight tug, began to lead her down the stairwell.

"What about Madame Pudifoots?" Barty questioned as Lily turned down the idea of the Three Broomsticks as they passed the line out the door. "Even I wouldn't want to go through the torture of that place!" She laughed as they approached the pink bubble decorated door. "Thank Merlin! I don't think I would have lasted." He chuckled, sliding his hand out of Lily's and sliding his arm around her shoulders. "So then where would you like to go Miss Evans? All that's left is the Boars Head." Was he hungry or something? He had suggested every place in the village for them to go to eat. She had just come from breakfast and had no desire to eat more.

"Do we have to eat? I thought maybe we could just walk? Possibly converse somewhere that we'll be able to hear one another?" There was a feeling of tenseness in his arm as they continued down the path. "I guess we could do that." He had changed slightly as people were more out of sight when they continued down the path. "How's Simon?" Lily questioned to break the silence, only to see a strange look from Barty out of the corner of his eye. "He's fine. Still obnoxious as ever." His tone was almost angry. "Are you alright?" She finally snapped as they were almost at the Shrieking Shack and he had returned to his stubborn silence. "Something has been following us since we reached the path to the woods."

She hadn't even noticed the sound of footsteps behind them until he had mentioned it but now she could hear it loud and clear. "What do you think it is?" Lily asked, not really concerned about needing protection if someone were to try something. "Probably some stubborn reporter. Dad always lets slip when I have dates. This wouldn't be the first time. "He chuckled all smug to himself. Lily couldn't help but roll her yes. It was most likely another couple going to brave out the Shack together and here he was thinking the Wizarding Public actually wondered what was going on in the mysterious dating life of Barty Crouch Junior.

As they reached the opening of the path that exposed the shack, Barty pulled her to the side as he slid his wand out and turned to face their follower. Lily couldn't help but let out a sharp laugh. "That is one of the most determined reporters I have ever seen, Barty!" She could hear him let out a frustrated snort as she stepped toward their stalker. "I mean going through all that trouble to disguise yourself as a woodland creature!" She mocked as she gestured to the tall hooved creature behind her. She glanced back at it smiling as Barty crossed his arms and turned away from her, clearly angered. "You're beautiful though, aren't you." Lily smiled as the large stag before her stood his ground.

"Lily get away from that thing! It's dangerous!" As Barty spoke, the stag crossed around her and stood between the two of them, glaring at him a moment before turning to face Lily. It nudged her shoulder, causing her to let out a giggle. "Hello there." She smiled as she slowly reached up her hand, running her finger tips along the fur of it's shoulder. "Lily can we just return to the village? That thing makes me extremely uncomfortable!" Barty's voice broke her focus on the Stag's eyes. They seemed so familiar to her and so warm. She could stay lost in them for hours. "I suppose so." She sighed as she pulled back her hand and stepped back. Barty seemed pleased as Lily stepped away, but it vanished as the Stag stepped toward Lily, filling the space she had just created. "Barty he likes me." She couldn't help but smile more. The deer was following her and let her pet it.

"There has to be something wrong with it, Lily. Let's go." He grumbled as he stepped around the animal and grabbed her hand. The sudden movement caused the animal to stomp it's hooves aggressively and glare at him. "See?" He tugged Lily behind him, placing himself between her and the stag. "Shoo!" He yelled causing the animal to jump back. "Don't scare him!" She sighed, dropping Barty's hand and crossing to the animal, which met her halfway. "Can we please just go and leave it? I'm getting hungry." Lily couldn't help but pick up on the whine in his voice. "We'll meet again someday." She whispered to the stag as her hand gingerly ran along its fur.

She slowly turned away from him and back to Crouch. "I'm sure the Three Broomsticks has calmed down by now. Let's go." Barty reached out to her as she walked forward, but Lily passed his hand and skipped along down the path, leaving Barty to trail behind, grumbling to himself.