Finally! Chapter 62. I'm actually scared to remember when the last time was, I updated this story, so... I leave it ^^ Hope you have fun with this chapter.


Reviews:

Powwo: Hey there =)

I know what you mean XD It was the same when I started to write mine, so no problem. I'm more happy for you, cause I remember how it was for me and everyone deserves to feel that good =) It's really a very great rush. I'm actually already happy to see you still read it even though I kind of update more than poorly.

Well, watch out for... not this chapter. Perhaps the next one. A little tip: Anna is still a main character in the sequel.

Laugh, yeah, you're not alone with this. I have problems to keep up myself even though I write this story. But if you like, you can ask me anything you don't understand or remember. Most of them I should be able to answer and remember, though. Uh =) I love to hear that.

Thanks for the kind review =) Best, me XD


hajra: Hey there =)

Thanks for your comment. I know what you mean. There is a series I quite started to like but was originally in French. There exists two seasons and there were only translated one. Never get to see the second one and it was even more painful, since the first season ended with a cliffhanger =/ But, back to your review.

I enjoyed your review and to know that there is still interest in my stories. Unfortunately, I can't make any promise, since translation needs really a lot of time and energy and I don't know how everything will pan out now. I just finished college and are about to apply for jobs. But, I'll promise I'll try to translate Chains of Xerchia, too. At least, perhaps, an abbreviated version with the most interesting and main on-goings.

The story was originally planned to have 48 Chapters, but I wrote a lot of thins I hadn't planned at the very beginning. Let's see how Black Heart will end and maybe I'll attach 48 or so Chapters of Chains of Xerchia to the story to add it up to 100 XD. I have it with numbers. Knowing that someone would like to read it, would be a reason for me to really do that. So, thanks for your kind words.

Best to you =)


Chapter 62 – Poisonheart III

Dumbledore had asked them not to tell anybody about what happened since everybody else were still believing in Anna being abducted by the Dark Lord. The last they all wanted was to stir things up even though the blood stained wand was proof enough. The only one, who was allowed to know the truth about her betrayal, was Sirius. Dumbledore approved this because he knew how close his relationship really was with his great-granddaughter. Well, it wasn't like James hadn't told Lilli how his best friend would cope with this suspicion of theirs, he just didn't expect it to be this worse. First, Sirius smirked bitterly and his expression could not have shown more disappointment. He neither gave those words the benefit of a doubt nor did he hesitate to slag her. Though, nobody was sure if this was not just out of frustration. Sirius always did things his way. He coped with loss differently, handled his friends as well his liaison other than a normal person and how he treated Anna was always a very Sirius-like-not-understandable-for-any-rational-human-being-kind of type.

"Padfoot, come on. We don't have any solid proof except that stupid wand," James tried to reassure his friend, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, staring angrily into space. "It's just a suspicion of Dumbledore. Maybe everything is completely different than we thought and they forced her to do that. Maybe she's under the Imperius curse."

"Yeah, maybe..." He mumbled not really interested in it at all. Instead, he got up and was about to leave their room as Lilli and James both jumped up as well to barred his way out.

"Sirius, please don't -"

"Thanks!" He cut them off. "Really! Thanks for telling me, but there's no point in talking any more, if that's your intention."

"No point in talking any more?" She said loudly. "Sirius! Anna is maybe in grave danger and Dumbledore won't do anything about it -"

"Same with us!" He continued before dodging them to the left to reach the exit.

"Sirius!"

"Leave it, Lil!"

"How -"

"It's Anna White, we're talking about. Let's be honest. She was always attached to the Dark Arts and to Voldemort. Her parents are Death Eaters."

"I don't believe – Do you really know what you've just said?"

"Sure I do."

It was this moment Lilli noticed something about her friend she hadn't spotted before or maybe it just surfaced. It was as if he didn't consider Anna as a friend and like he wasn't caring about her anymore at all. Like there wasn't any feeling left for his former girl-friend.

"Sirius," she said sympathetically. "You can't just walk out on her."

"Walk out on her?"

"Aren't you two suppose to be friends?"

He gave a weird noise, like a slight cough mixed with the glimpse of a smirk. But when their eyes met, she noticed it clearly, because much like James, Sirius could tell everything in his heart with his eyes. He hated and despised his ex-girlfriend for leaving and he wished her away.

"If you did what she had done, we would be done as well, Lilli."

"What? You can't be mad at her forever."

"She betrayed me! Okay?"

Without further explanation, he left, leaving his best friends on their own. Not understanding his words, she turned to James for help, but he only shook his head in frustration.

"What did he mean?"

"Padfoot is not the easiest one to get along with, Lils," he tried to explain. "And if he opens himself up for someone, its always different. Anna and he, they know each other – pretty good. I guess he took it very hard that she was willing to give up by leaving Hogwarts and with tonight, his worse nightmare got confirmed. That's a betrayal for him, so... I think, he's really done with her."

"Done?"

It was something she didn't want to hear or accept, cause she was not done with her friend.


'We're so alike, An. Why did you give up? We promised each other not to do that... I know I'm not easy, but neither are you! So, why do you do that? Why did you smash everything we have put so much effort into to build? Do you really think I'm not going to go against you, because it's you? You really think because of our past, I'll hesitate to raise my wand at you? Then, you're mistaken, Anna White. So, you're gone, too.

Remember that night in the astronomy tower? Our talk, just before you left for good? You said, we're everything for you. And I only have you guys, too. Now, you joined his side? Well, like you made this choice, I made mine a long time ago. Ever since you left, I already knew this would happened. The day you joined his side to stand against us, your so called friends. You want Prongs, don't you? You're going to help this moron to get my best friend, the one, who is more a brother to me than my actual one. The only reason you do that is because you don't want to fight anymore. How pathetic and weak. Well, you may come Try it, but I'll be there. I'll stand there, I'll stop you and if it has to be like that, so shall it. I will kill you. You let him win you over, you out of all, one of the few persons I would have done anything for. I wont give up another one, even if I have to die.'

Sirius had stopped in the middle of the staircase to look around the common room. It was almost empty after everyone else were already upstairs sleeping. He sank down. His shoulders suddenly felt heavy and he couldn't do anything but to bury his face behind his hands, swallowing hard.

'Why me? Out of all, why me? What did I do to you, God? I never asked you for something, did I? I went through everything without mourning. Damn it! I live on my own, now! I'm on your side! I'm a good one! So why are you doing that to me? You like seeing me suffer? Why did you have to take her away from me? Don't you always know everything?! You have every power in this stupid world! You should have known how much I needed her! Now what? Are you taking my best friend next? Throwing him to this dark arse as a present? What's the point of this shit? You want to see me hit rock bottom? Congratulations! You won! I am already there...'

He took down his hands and tried to regain his composure. After all, there was no use to sit there the whole night. He looked over into the fireplace and there it was, her unique, familiar face with those deep dark eyes, sitting on a couch and smiling at him.

'I can't... I can't kill you, Anna.'

Sirius... I need you...

'Anna?'

Please, help me... I can't do this without you...

'An? I'm here... You hear me?'

Sirius, please!

'Anna? I'm here... I'm right here!'

Please, help me...

'Where are you?'

Sirius?

'An, I'm here.'

Don't go, please!

'An?'

Sirius, please! Don't go! Don't go!

'Where are you? I can't see you. Everything is black.'

No, please. You promised. Sirius, please!

'Where are you? I hear you but I can't see you. Anna?'

Sirius, please! Sirius... No...

'Anna?'

…..

'Anna?'

…..

'ANNA?!'

….

He opened his eyes only to look at a blank ceiling in the common room. He must have fallen asleep somehow...

'Just a bad dream... a completely stupid bad dream... my mind is just messing with me...'


Monday morning just before a very important test in history of magic on the Quidditch field

The game against Rawenclaw wasn't one of the exciting ones, nor was it much important or even interesting. It was almost sure that Gryffindor would win the Quidditch Cup this year, since Slytherin was far behind them and there wasn't much of a chance for them to caught up but James insisted on a hard training anyway. Just in case. Who knew what might could have happened for whatever reason there might could be -

"Sirius, watch ou -"

BANG! BUFF! BONG!

"..."

James and his whole team were eyeing their Beater high up in the air, who actually just happened to crash right into on of the rings and was now hanging onto them like this was his new spot for taking a nap.

"Padfoot?" James called up, while his best friend didn't give any sign that he might wanted to come back down. Well, there was no way for him to do so, anyway, cause his broom was anywhere but close to its owner and to say the rings were very high above would still be an understatement.

"Everything is okay up here!" He called back down. "The rings are good! Slytherin haven't meddled with them... We can leave them like this.."

"..."


"I'm not quite sure, he's really done with her," Remus started as he walked down the corridor towards history of magic next to Lilli. "Even though I would have never guessed they could have become that close, but Padfoot would not act like he does if he's done with her."

"You mean, his suddenly dorky-like behaviour is not an act to get the girls to laugh and to adore him even more?"

"Padfoot and dorky? You mean, the guy who didn't even need to talk to impress a girl and a guy? The guy with an ego even higher as the height of a troll? The guy -"

"Yes," she said amusedly. "But seriously, I thought this is his newest move to get another brainless chick of this school. Who would've thought you have to be inventive to impress someone who thinks with her big butt -"

It took a while for her to realise that the marauder wasn't keeping up with her anymore, but had stopped right in the middle of the corridor. The reason became clear as she spotted the Rawenclaw student, standing alone and far away from her classmate outside on the floor. Diana Ayenterro pretended very hard to read a book and to ignore everything around her.

"Why don't you just go over and talk?" Lilli encouraged after a while of silence. Seeing both of them like this was the last she wanted to. Remus only shook his head and tried to fake a smile to cover up his insecurity.

"We don't have anything to talk, so... let's just go."


A little while later, Professor Binns handed out tests to his students. Lilli watched around to see what all of her friends were doing. Remus was going everything over in his mind he had learned for the test. Sirius pouted, trying to fix the quill between nose and mouth... Merlin knows why he did such a rubbish right before an important test. Peter scratched his head and... either he tried to remember what he had learned... or he was drooling. Whatever. Alice was still gossiping with her neighbour and surely not about the test and James – He was sitting completely normal and relaxed in his seat and looked back at her. Suddenly, she beamed at him, cause he was smiling at her as well and it could not have been more adorable to her. She couldn't help but be absolutely happy, knowing that he was in love with her as much as she was in love with him.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," she whispered back, feeling wonderful butterflies in her stomach.

"You got one hour for the test, people and you may start now."


"Your time is up! Hand over the tests everyone and then, you may leave the classroom."

Tricia was one of the first students to hand out her test and leave the room and it was just then Domi approached her.

"And?" she asked hopefully while walking to a spot away from the crowd. The friend only shook her head sadly.

"I'm so sorry, but... I couldn't find anything helpful. Everywhere I'd looked was the same comment. Who made a commitment to this vow once has to accomplish the promise or will die."

"Great, so no change whatsoever."

"I'm really sorry," Domi said again deeply sympathetic, but Tricia wasn't mad at her.

"I'm the one to blame and the one stupid enough to do this mistake. Seems like I don't deserve better."

"That's nonsense, Tricia, so stop that. You know this is not true."

"Do I?" she asked furiously, not because she was angry with her friend but rather with herself and everything that was going on. "My parents are mad at me and believe I'm in league with Lucius Malfoy, who my father passionately hates, cause his father did awful things to mine, which he also don't want to talk about... ever. And I can't tell him the truth, cause he would then know that I made an unbreakable vow with this moron, who didn't hesitate to take it for his own advantage. I hate him so much right now!"

She stopped in the middle of the empty corridor and leaned against the wall, feeling completely discouraged... filthy... just hopeless. Her father was always there for her... as much like her mother, her grandfather. They were always there on the spot if she needed something and they were always so brave, no matter how dangerous anything was. This time... she was on her own and she would have to betray her family...

"I'm really sorry, Tricia..." Domi repeated quietly.

"It's not your fault, Domi."

They exchanged a little smile before moving on to their common room. There was no point to search for something if it didn't even exist. It took a while for her to notice someone was not only following them but was rather almost going right behind them. She was about to throw a comment for sneaking behind as she noticed the person now going on level with them.

"Zissy..."

"Patricia."

It was Narzissa Black and Zissy was her nickname. She was Domi's little sister and was in the same class as Tricia was, except they were in different houses. Tricia was in Gryffindor and Zissy was in Slytherin. They weren't really friends, cause Narzissa was not a lot like her big sister. Andromeda was a very kind person and everyone liked her. She also never had a problem with being clumsy every now and then and managed to laugh if something awkward happened. Narzissa on the other hand was just cold and even insidious. There was never a time she showed even a little sympathy for anyone else. A lot like Malfoy and a lot like a Slytherin.

"I heard about your brother. I hope he's alright?"

The Gryffindor didn't answer, since it was obvious that this was not a casual question and her opponent definitely had upper motives.

"I'm not trying to fool you, Patricia," Narzissa laughed, but Tricia still didn't trust her. It was not because of the way the Slytherin girl was talking, since that was actually really nice, but rather due to the fact Narzissa Black was very fond of Lucius Malfoy even though she knew about all his doings, about how he liked to hurt other people, hurt her own family. And of course, because Narzissa still wanted him, even though, he was hitting on her, Tricia, right in front of the Slytherin.

"I just... I have a feeling that you might need help... consider... an unbreakable vow?"

It had hit her like a thunderstorm and she just froze, not only that Narzissa was addressing this matter but also the Slytherin knew about how much she needed a way to break it.

"How -"

"I know about it?" Narzissa completed for her. "Let's talk... in private. Shall we?"

Tricia exchanged looks with Domi but followed the classmate anyway. No matter how many times her father told her to be careful of those people or how many times her mother told her about the countless of setbacks, she had to suffer because of those people, the witch decided that it would not be too much to at least listen... Just listen.


A harsh knocking tore her out of her daydream and suddenly, Lilli was back on her table in the middle of the test.

"Test is over! Hand it to your front neighbour."

'Great, just what I needed. Sleeping on a test, that's the first D...' she thought upset. Another knocking on the door.

"Come in!" Binns said loud and clear.

While everyone was passing the test to the classmate in front of him, McGonagall was entering the room, another new student next to her.

"I apologize for the interruption, but I have a new student to introduce."

She shoved the girl to the front, so everyone got a good look at her.

"This is Kathryn Linley-Ford. A new student, joining the Gryffindor house. Mr. Potter, Miss Evans, since you two are Head boy and Head girl, I should be quite at ease to leave Miss Linley-Ford in the care of the both of you?"

"Sure," Lilli responded with a smile, while James just nodded. The reason why was sitting right next to him, claimed the position of his best friend and just happened to flirt excessively with the new classmate.

"And here comes the next rebound girl ...' James thought annoyed.


It was late evening and after Lilli and James (and unfortunately also Sirius, who imposed his company on them) had given Kathryn Linley Ford a tour through hogwarts, they finally ended up on the Quidditch stands. James was training with his team while both girls were sitting there and watching them.

"Sirius is really nice," Ford said very enthusiastically after Sirius flew a very complicated manoeuvre to impress her.

"Yeah, he really is..." Lilli said embarrassed.

"He and James are best friend, aren't they? That's so obvious."

"Yeah, that's true... They are really close. No way to get between them though."

"James is really cute. Since when you two are dating?"

"A while now..."

"I see. I don't have a boy-friend, couldn't really decide what's best. You know, being a half half doesn't make it easier for my parents. Do your parents know about James being a Pure-blood? They must be very proud?"

"Uhm... we don't really talk about that... How do you know about James -"

"My Mum works for the Ministry of Magic. Everyone knows about the Potters."

"Right..." Lilli said, feeling more and more uncomfortable with every minute. It wasn't like this when the boys were still with them.

"You know that this makes James to something like a rarity?"

"Yeah... right..."

"I can see why every girl wants him."

Again, Lilli smiled, but it was more forced. Somehow, she really didn't like where this was going to. Maybe, she had been spoiled so far with Anna and Alice, cause she always knew they were only good friends with James and would never hit on him. There was no way to be sure with the new girl now.

The Team ended their training as Remus joined them. Sirius and Kathryn were leaving them first to walk back into the castle while James, Lilli and Remus exchanged confused looks.

"Seems like Padfoot is not in heartbreak anymore," James commented in surprise before following with them.


Tricia eyed the black sparkling stone in her palm, which was given to her by probably one of the most inappropriate persons ever. Narzissa Black. It was one of the holy stones... holy stones... Those were cursed for sure. And yet, she wanted it so much. Her heart longed for ending this stupid vow, which was about to destroy her live. If she did it, it could be over... or... it could be worse. But... she wanted it so bad...

"I..." she whispered with a so heavy heart, her voice was broken, it was anything but strong. "I wish... to undo the unbreakable vow with Lucius Malfoy."

'I just want everything to be okay again. I want my family back, my parents back, my brother... back...'


In Hogwarts, Sirius was laying in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, having one thought after another and each of them was about this one girl in his life. This one black-haired girl...

Next to him, there was laying another girl. Kathryn Linley Ford. Her blue eyes had changed colours. It was black through and through even what supposed to be white was completely covered in darkness. Sirius wasn't really thinking. He felt dizzy, tired, like his mind was floating. His heart was pounding mercilessly, hard and fast.

"We know... who the Black Heart is, that inherits Dark Breath..." she whispered slowly into his ear.

"You want to see her again? Don't you? I can make it happen..."


The stone in Patricia's Hand crumbled into pure, sparkling sand, drifting through her fingers down like a glistening jet of water. There was a breath of wind, carrying the sand away and when the Gryffindor looked up, she was eye to eye with... her. The creature from a stories told in books, there was so many jewellery and glitter, in her hear, her robe, around her neck, her wrists. She looked exactly like the pictures in the books. Her eyes were deeply black, everywhere. There was not the usual white around her eyes like it was with normal people.

"You... are..." Patricia whispered, her heart stopped out of agony, shocked, frozen out of fear. The creature just smiled arrogantly before turning away and vanished into thin air.


"You are his best friend," Ford whispered into Sirius' ear. "He will go wherever you want him to... Get him to the dark Lord... Bring the Black Heart to the dark Lord. Bring James Potter... to the dark Lord..."


"Ah!"

Lilli gave a start and awoke somehow in the middle of a daydream again. She felt... bad, everything in her seems to be boiling. And then... she remembered where she actually had fallen asleep. She was sitting in the library, Remus right in front of her and he was looking at her, worried.

"Lils?"

She remained silent. There was so much fear in her heart, her body was shivering. In her, there was suddenly an intensive deeply loneliness and it felt awful and empty.

"What... happened?" he asked considerately.

"I-I don't know... Remus... Something... happened... or will happen."

"What are you talking about, Lilli?"

But she didn't say anything anymore. At this very moment, she needed the time to regain composure. It was another daydream and yet, it couldn't have been clearer. Somehow, Lilli knew it. This creature, this woman, it was the fallen Phowlyris.


The next day, Lilli was very early up, sitting in the common room and stared into space. There was no way to sleep or to think much with Alice and the new girl Ford sleeping on the other beds. She missed Anna so much, missed having someone, she could talked to about those weird things. Why her only person to talk had to go away right before those awful dreams had started?

"Morning," she heard Remus voice and turned aside to see him approaching.

"Morning."

He sat down next to her on the couch, having the same weird look like yesterday in the library.

"Want to talk about -"

"No," she sad instantly. She wanted to talk, just not with him. He would not understand her, would he?

"Remus?"

"Hm?"

"How well did you know Tricia?"

"James' sister?" he asked puzzled, as Lilli suddenly laughed.

"Sorry... Just... you called him James."

"Well, that's his name, isn't it?" Remus teased.

"It's just... You und Sirius and Peter... you called him Prongs all the time. It's weird to hear you say his actual name."

"I thought this would be more comfortable for you if I do so. Sirius and James used to do that to drive Anna up the wall. She didn't like us using our nicknames, too. Called it childish."

"It's just... funny. I don't remember Sirius calling him James a lot. Only Prongs."

"We got use to that. Sounds weird otherwise."

Lilli smiled softly.

"Well, and? Tricia?"

"I don't, actually," he answered thoughtfully. "She was there every now and then, when I visited James at home. The time I know here from Hogwarts wasn't very much either. You should've asked Anna about her. They were very close."

"I know," she said quietly. "But... you happen to know if she had... dunno... some kind of... powers?"

"Powers?" he repeated, unintentionally with a big amused grin on his face. Lilli grimaced annoyed, so he immediately put if off.

"Thank you."

"Sorry," Remus said, still smiling a little bit.

"I'm talking about, something like Anna had. You know, she's an empath, reading minds, getting other feelings, those kind of stuff."

"Okay?"

"Just asking myself if Tricia was something like that, too. You know... probably... like giving other people daydreams... like that?"

It didn't took a genius to figure out what her friend thought and to prevent him from calling a shrink, she decided to end this talk right now.

"I'll go to the library... See you."

"Lilli?" Remus called after her, before she managed to slip through the portrait hole. "You would tell me, if I can help you with something, right?"

"Sure," she threw back while leaving as fast as she could. The least she needed was her friends to think she was getting crazy.


Tears were running down her cheeks as Patricia Potter was standing outside the room, staring at a dark spot on the wall on the opposite side. Maybe, if she stared long enough at it, it would go away, like the pain she was feeling. Her hands were still shivering.

'Think, Patricia... Think... You're a Potter! You need to find a way. You need to tell someone. Dad, he's an Auror. He'll know what to do. He's an Auror... and my father. But I disappointed him. My family is falling apart and I can't do anything about it... Why? Why? Why?"

She leaned back against the cooling wall and closed her eyes, hoping for the tears to finally stop.

"We can't go on like this, Michael!" It was her mother's voice. She sounded worried and depressed. Tricia wiped her tears away and slowly walked towards the slightly open door to get a glimpse on her parents inside. "His condition worsened. He is not talking to me and he... draws back."

"I know," her father said desolated.

"Jeanette told me, his body shows signs of the Cruciatus Curse. This monster tortured our son!"

"I know..." Michael Potter repeated quietly. Maria started to cry, but instead of comforting her, instead of being the loving husband, the Auror stepped away. Tricia sighed at this and withdraw from their room. She walked towards another room, knowing who was laying behind those closed doors. She opened it carefully and looked into the familiar brown eyes of her little 12-year-old brother.

"Hey," she said tenderly. "I -"

But before she could continue, James turned away. Now, she was standing in the door, face to face with her brother's back and it was enough to tell, how mad he was with her and that he not only wouldn't talk to their parents, he wouldn't talk to her either. Again, the tears were wetting her cheeks.


"Hi, Lilli."

The Head Girl opened her eyes and again, she realised she had had another daydream.

"I was looking for you," Diana said kindly, but the witch looked puzzled back.

"Me? Why?"

"Remus asked me to join you. He's worrying about you."

"Really? So... you guys talking again?"

"Uhm, we try."

"And the first thing he wants you to do is to be my Babysitter? You out of all?"

"Uhm."

That was mean and Lilli knew that.

"I'm sorry," she added gently. "I'm fine, Diana. Just need some time for myself."

"Uhm... okay. Then.. see you?"

"Yes, course. See you."

Her friend left, but Lilli coulnd't help feeling even worse. She had no right to treat a friend like that, who only wanted to help and had no other friends whatsoever. The thing was, there were so many other things on her mind. Those weird daydreams, worrying about her boy-friend, working on her friendship with Sirius, which was anything but simple, school, studying... She really just wanted to finally get some needed sleep. What a life, she thought exhaustedly. All coming with this boy-friend. Did she even wanted this?

"Of course you do! You love this guy!" She mumbled unintentionally louder than she thought.

"Hi, Lilli."

It was Kathryn Linley-Ford, who had sat down next to her and suddenly, Lilli started to wonder when the library had changed into the newest gossiping coffee house.

"Hi," she greeted politely back.

"You're alone?" Ford asked, which started to bug her even more.

"It's a library," Lilli answered seriously. Somehow, for the first time, she kind of understood now why Anna was sometimes really mean and snappy. Lilli had hardly started to read her own book as -

"Nice necklace."

'This is a library! Not the girls bathroom!'

"Yeah, it was a present."

"Looks really pretty."

Even though, she turned back to her book, she notice Ford's eyes on her. There was no point in sitting here any longer and trying to get through her books, so she closed them and decided to take a break.

It was this moment, when James entered to surprise his girl friend. He had planned to take her out to a picnic, enjoying a sunny day on the schoolground. Lilli was already back on her feet with the books and approaching the bookshelf. James grinned and decided to make one of his moves. He walked the other corridor behind the row Lilli was walking and kept up with her pace. Each time there was an empty spot where a book was missing, he peeked through with a charming smile waiting for her to turn her attention to him. There was another empty spot and he peeked through it again as -

"Oooooowwwwww!"

Lilli pushed that book blindly and without any caution into that whole, directly into James' eye. Immediately, she pulled it back, as he heard this familiar voice whining. There he was, James Potter, holding his hands above his eye as Lilli threw her hands above her mouth in shock.

"Oops."


Back in the common room, she took a look at his eye. James sat on the couch with Lilli on his lap, leaning very close onto him, to drip the medicine slowly into his red eye.

"Stop moving," she urged tenderly. He was blinking so many times, she dripped more medicine onto his face instead into his eye.

"You are not the one whose eye gets drowned with something."

"I don't drown medicine in your eye, I drip it. Its just a little bit to prevent it from getting worse, so please, stop moving or do you want Madam Pomfrey to do it? It's already red."

"Its red, because you picked into my eye with a book."

"Well, why do you had to place your head on my book's spot? And why didn't you pulled your head back when you saw me shoving that book back?"

"I didn't see that. I wanted to do my move."

"Your move?"

"You know, something romantically? Charmingly? Like, in those movies? Looking at each other through a window?"

"That wasn't a window, James and I don't thing its very romantically to stick the other one something into his eye."

"Now, I know it, too."

Somehow, she still thought it was very cute of him and there were worse things to do than sitting onto James Potter's lap in the common room. Slowly, she sank down so their eyes were close enough to see nothing else but each other.

"How come?" she asked attentively. "It's not valentine's day, nor my birthday... or yours."

"Dunno. Do I need a reason to make a move on my girl-friend?"

"Not really."

He smiled so cute, she wanted to melt into his arms.

"I just... I feel so great with you and I'm afraid you might not feel the same. I don't want you to think I don't care about you. You can come to me with anything. Now, Anna is... probably gone for good, I realise even more that I neglected you recently."

"You don't," she said softly. Truth was, he did, but she didn't want to sound like a ungrateful brat, by agreeing and rather be the decent one. Maybe, she thought, this way, she could get him to say even more those cute things.

"I love you, Lilli."

"I love you, t -"

"No! Lilli!"

Suddenly, Sirius grabbed her hand and pulled her away from James.

"You can't beat the crap out of Prongs! I know, he's a plonker romantically, but is it really worth it to kill him for it?"

Right behind him, Remus and Alice were grinning at them as well, showing that they weren't just standing there for a second.

"Funny," she commented sarcastically. "That's the last thing I was about to do."

"Really?" he continued teasing. "Prongs? You and Lilli, do you both know that this is the common room? Not your dorm? There are still students, who you shouldn't let in in your sleeping activities."

"Padfoot!" James admonished, even though his face was anything but serious.

"Ah!" Sirius now noticed the red eye of his friend. "I see! You already beat him for -"

"We go!"

Remus and Alice had pulled him away before he could finish his sentence. Even though, they did, Lilli and James still heard Sirius complaining. "Hey! I'm their best friend! It's my right and duty to make fun of them!"

"Yeah," Lilli whispered amusedly. "Maybe it was a mistake to be friends with him."

James grinned, moved his hand behind her neck and pulled her towards him for a long, passionate ki - "Ooooowwww!" ss. Through his blurred vision of one eye and since Lilli had closed her eyes for the moment, James managed to pull her down at him with her nose right into his other eye. With all her make up onto it, his eye started to itch instantly. Even though, both of his eyes were now affected, the Marauder still insisted on not going to the nurse. He was a Marauder! He would not go to the hospital wing, just because his eyes weren't all okay...