Disclaimer: All characters belong to J K Rowling.

(A/N - I usually respond to reviews through PM, but I can't do that for guest reviews. So, for my guest reviewers:

1) Thank you so much for the advice! I didn't even consider the 'Mudblood' situation until you pointed it out. I'll definitely be patching up those plot holes in chapter to come.
2) Even I'm not sure whether the story is jily or snily. Right now, it's jily, but it might change later on.)

Chapter 3

February 1979

Two weeks had passed, and still no word from James. I was starting to worry that either something had happened to him or my letter had been intercepted. Although, James is likely pondering our current issue and trying to find a solution.

But then, in the middle of our Valentine's Day dinner (Severus' idea. He can be a romantic when he wants to), we were interrupted by a knock on the door. "I'll go get it," I offered, scared that it might be an Order member, however unlikely that is.

"No no, it's fine, " he replied, "You stay here. I'll deal with it." He got up and left before I could say a word. I quickly went after, praying and hoping it was just one of Severus' friends. If Severus figured out that I'm a double agent, our only link to Voldemort would be shattered.

I should have known that my prayers wouldn't come true. Because it was none other than James who met us at the door. He was stumbling and slurring, so it was obvious he was intoxicated. He was pleading, "Lily! Lily, I'm sorry! Please, come back to me."

Oh, James. You sweet, pathetic fool. How could you do this? Don't you know you're risking the whole operation? Severus, not amused, prepared to slam the door in his face when I stopped him.

Severus turned his glare onto me. I hastened to explain, "I-I'm just going talk to him and tell him not to come around any more". "Lily, can you not see he's drunk? He won't remember anything you say in the morning," Severus yelled. "At least let me give it a shot!" now I was begging, just like James.

Severus sighed. I doubt he wanted to fight with me. "Fine, but make it quick," he allowed but didn't move from his place on the door frame. "A little privacy, please? He's not going to be reasonable if you're here." Severus stiffened but obliged. I know we were going to have a long talk later.

I turned to James, expecting him to continue with his pleading now that Severus was away. But, to my shock, he seemed completely sober. He smirked and asked, "What do you think of my acting skills?" He even did a smug eyebrow waggle.

"James! You can't just come here and pretend to be drunk just to piss off Severus!" I whisper-shouted. I didn't want Severus to eavesdrop on me. James raised his hands in surrender, "Hey, you said you wanted to talk in person. So, talk."

I took in a breath and made a split decision. I stepped outside, crouched behind a tall bush and beckoned James towards me. His smug grin grew even more. "Whoa, Evans, gonna-" I cut him off by placing my hand over his mouth. "James, you came here to retrieve information. Not to flirt with me."

"Sorry, sorry," James apologised, "Maybe I was hoping that I could retrieve you along with Voldemort's secrets." Despite my best intentions, the corners of my lips pulled upwards. But this isn't a romantic excursion. I have news to share.

"So, in the past few meetings, Voldemort has been boasting nobody could kill him. At first, I thought it was because Voldemort considered himself unbeatable, but now I'm starting to think otherwise. I researched and came across this term, 'Horcruxes'."

James stared off into the distance as he tried to remember if we had learned about them in school. I continued, "We weren't taught about Horcruxes. But, basically, it involves killing other people to save parts of your soul in inanimate objects. Unless the object is destroyed, the person remains alive."

"So, you think Voldemort has created a Horcrux," James guessed. I nodded. "Well, it makes sense. Voldemort kills people as a hobby. Why not make sure you live forever, too, while you're at it". I smiled weakly. James could make a joke out of anything, on purpose or otherwise.

"So...," James started, "Now that you've gathered key information, any chance you can drop the mission?" James gave a hopeful and desperate look. But I had to stay. "I need to see if I can figure out what the Horcrux is." James sighed and slumped in defeat. "But when I find the object, I'll get out of here as fast as possible," I added to appease James. The happiness in his eyes was worth lying to him.

James and I parted ways, him putting his drunken act back on. I tip-toed into the house, bracing myself for the accusing words waiting for me. Because I wanted to talk with James in private, Severus would feel betrayed, no matter the excuse I gave. But this is what my life has come to. Pretending to hate the ones I love to help them save the world.