Wow, we've come a long way, haven't we!? Thanks to all of you that reviewed! It meant so much to us! Be expecting a new story soon!

Oh, and we've got a contest coming up. If you can provide fan art for this story, then you can get a character in our next story! I know, it probably doesn't seem like much, but trust me, it'll be a main character with an important role. Thanks!

–Jess and Britt

Chapter 8: If You Don't, Don't

*~*~*~*~*

What's wrong, baby?

Don't they treat you like they should?

Did you take them for it?

Or every penny that you could?

We once walked out on the beach, and once I almost touched

your hand

Oh, how I dreamed to finally say such things

then only to pretend

Don't you know I'm thinking? (Know I'm thinking)

Driving 405 past midnight

You know I miss you (Don't you know that I miss you?)

Ninth and ash on a Tuesday night

I would write to you from museum mile

A toast to you:

Your whisper

Your smile

Up the stairs at wheatherford

A ghost each place I hide

If you don't, don't know, why'd you say so?

Would you mean this please if it happens?

If you don't know, why would you say so?

Won't you get your story straight?

If you don't know, honey why'd you just say so?

Because I need this now more than I ever did

If you don't know,

well, honey,

then you don't

*~*~*~*~*

-Jimmy Eat World

***

Lily swallowed, looking outside her window, watching the snow begin to drift down slowly. This year it was odd, as the snow was delayed, only having begun earlier that morning. Sighing, she opened the palm of her hand, staring down at the lines crisscrossing it. A tear slowly fell down her cheek, splattering on the cool surface of the windowsill, freezing for a few moments, then melting away.

What do you think of me now, James? she thought, sniffing. The strong, independent Lily Evans, reduced to nothing but an emotional wreck who tries to avoid you despite the fact that she's dying inside and wouldn't want to cause you any harm, because that's not what she does, and. . .

Lily sucked in a deep breath. Her thoughts were running together now, becoming all jumbled and confusing, causing a migraine to form.

Abruptly, a snowball hit the window, splattering frozen water all over it. Frowning, Lily stood up on the large windowsill, pressing her palms flat on the glass, and looked down. There, she saw Remus and Jessica tossing snowballs at each other, along with Sirius and Brittany right beneath the window, laughing.

Smiling faintly, Lily opened the hatch to her window, letting their voices drift up.

"Come on, Lils! Get down here! It'll be fun!" Brittany cried, cheeks flushed pink from the cold.

Lily shook her head. "Nah, I think I'm about to go to sleep—"

A snowball hit her face square on.

Glaring, the auburn-haired young woman looked down to see Sirius rolling on the ground, tears streaming down his cheeks, hands holding his sides from laughing so hard.

"That's it, Black! I'm comin' down to get you!" she cried, never minding that anyone could practically hear her from this altitude and how her voice was carrying.

"Bring it!" he managed to gasp out from his hysterical fits of laughter.

Suddenly, James came running out, and Lily's look changed from one of fun to one of anger and coldness. "What is Potter doing here?"

"Whoa, Lil, calm down. We have enough of that coldness in the snow," Brittany said.

"STAY out of this, Britt!" Lily lashed out, rage powering her words.

"No, Lils," Brittany replied, her eyes devoid of any emotion. "I can't."

Lily sighed in disgust, shutting the windows to her dorm, and sat down on the windowsill after closing the curtains, hugging herself and closing her eyes. She just wasn't ready to face him yet. . .

***

"There you are, Lily!" Sirius exclaimed next morning, grabbing her arm, dragging her to an empty classroom and shoving her in.

"Sirius, what the fuck do you think you're doing?" Lily snapped, struggling.

"I'll just help you with your homework, James!" Sirius said loudly, and Lily's eyes went wide. No, he couldn't be doing what she thought he was doing!

Suddenly, James was thrown into the room with her, and Sirius dashed out, locking the door behind him, their wands cleverly placed within his hands.

He did.

Lily groaned, burying her face in her hands, and heard James give an impatient sigh, walk briskly to the door, and start pounding on it for Sirius to let them out. But, apparently, Sirius had placed a silencing Charm on it.

"It's no use," Lily whispered after a few moments, lowering her hands, staring at his back, tears filling her eyes. She sniffled, then choked out, gesturing helplessly as he turned to face her, "He's locked us in, has our wands, and we can't do anything about it."

James sighed, slumping down into an empty seat, staring up at the ceiling. Silence fell between them, deafening, and just when Lily thought she couldn't take it anymore, he spoke. "Why did you run from me that night?"

She stared at something over his shoulder, throat constricting, unable to look at him. "I ran because I would have gone mad if I had endured any more."

"But, Lils, I was trying to tell you something!" he exclaimed.

"I thought you were going to try and hurt me again," she muttered, turning her back to him. "And you did. The things you told me—they were horrible."

"Maybe if you would've let me finish. . ." James trailed off, and she heard him stand up, beginning to pace around the room. "You know, Lily Victoria Evans, betting and wishing. . .They are two, completely different things. You just have to figure out which one you're for this time—betting. . .or wishing?"

Lily whirled on him, shaking her head, waving her hands frantically as she spoke next, "That's the problem, James Harold Potter! I don't know! It all started out as a bet, and then I really did grow to love you, and when I tried to tell you the truth, you shoved it back in my face! I wished you would believe me, I wished you would talk to me, and when you finally did, you spoke horribly to me! I don't even know what I feel for you anymore! It's not about the wishing, James!" Tears filled her eyes. "It's about the knowing! About the hoping! About the believing!"

James nodded, crossing his arms over his chest, brown eyes boring into hers through the lenses of his glasses. She used to hate that face, utterly despise it, from his messy, unruly, jet-black hair, his high cheekbones, his pointed nose, his full lips, the slight cleft in his chin, the broad shoulders, the slim, but muscular form, all the way down to his feet.

Tears now streamed freely down Lily's cheeks, and she whispered, "James, I don't even know you anymore."

He closed his eyes, bowing his head a little. "Then get to know me, Lily." He looked back up at her, and she saw his own eyes were glazed with tears. "God, just get to know me."

"I can't. . ." she breathed, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. "I can't. I've seen both sides to you, and just when I thought I couldn't see anymore, you're there to prove me different." She sighed, sniffling, and shook her head slowly. "James. . .You hurt me. You hurt me really bad." He opened his mouth to protest, but she held up a hand, cutting him off. "No. Don't. You have your side of the story, and I have mine."

James stared hard into her eyes, whispering now, as well, "I looked into that mirror, Lily. The mirror that you wouldn't let me see. I stumbled across it, and guess what I saw? I saw you, I saw me—not single, not apart, but together." He stomped his foot, pointing a finger at her. "Together, Lils! Doesn't that tell you something?" A tear slid slowly down his cheek.

She backed up a step, then bowed her head. "I'm sorry. I can't."

"Then pick your choice." He turned to the door, and when he turned the knob, he found it was unlocked, as if it had been all along. He paused, then spoke in a quiet voice, "Hate me, love me, do as you wish, but don't keep me living in all of this agony. Tomorrow, at the masquerade, I want to know how you really feel. And if you think you can't do that, think again. I know damn well how strong you are, Lily, how much pride you have, how much resolve you carry. And. . .if you can't figure out by tomorrow, at midnight, then I never want to speak to you again. . .Because I know that I can't just be your friend anymore—you mean too much to me."

Lily remained silent.

And so he slipped out the door, shut it quietly behind him, and didn't give a look back.

***

"I'm not going!" Lily cried angrily at Brittany and Jessica. Somehow, her red hair seemed to be a fire, now, and her eyes were definitely like an emerald one.

"Oh, yes, you are, Lily dear, even if we have to force you," Jessica said as Brittany began to rummage through her closet, finally finding a green robe that she knew Lily would look stunning in.

"Lily Evans, you are wearing this, even if I have to put you in it myself," Brittany added. "And don't think I won't!"

"I have no reason to go, though!" Lily exclaimed in a helpless, exasperated manner.

"Yeah, actually, you do," Brittany pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

"What?" she asked, for once looking interested.

"If you're not making up with James, you'd better get ready to ask Pettigrew out," Jessica replied knowingly.

"Oh, you two are horrible!" Lily cried, throwing her arms up in the air in a reluctant manner. She snatched the dress from Brittany, heading towards the bathroom.

Jessica smirked, calling to her back, "It's our job as your two best friends, Lilikins!"

"And don't call me that!" she snapped before she slammed the bathroom door behind her. "You know I hate it!"

***

The Great Hall, with its long House tables moved aside, looked remarkable. Enchanted snow drifted down lazily from the ceiling, even though it was a starlit night outside. Circular tables were situated around the room, candles floating around them, the walls an icy blue. On a stage a group known as the Wackin' Bandos were playing music of their day, really going at it. All in all, it was very beautiful and entrancing.

Lily held her mask close to her face, looking through the eyeholes in the green, golden intricate designed cloth. Her dress robes clung to her figure quite nicely, and her hair was done up with silver, shimmering clips, letting a few tresses frame the sides of her powdered face. Transparent, freshly made wings clung to her costume, shimmering, as well, when they caught the light. She was very breathtaking.

When she entered, there was a pause in activity, as if everyone had to stop to take their breath at such a marvelous sight, and then went back to activity rather quickly. Brittany and Jessica entered next, both of them just as beautiful. Jessica looked stunning in her dress, an icy sky blue, with her hair piled atop her head in an intricate design it had taken hours to pull off, with a few small curls hanging out. There was silver glitter upon her face, and her lips were glossy, yet unadulterated. The main words that could have described her were pale and icy, for indeed, she was an icy Faerie, combating Lily's fire Faerie. Brittany entered next, with roes of light green, and fading softly into white at the bottom. Her dark brown hair was worn down, flowing gently down her back. She wore a necklace of blue and green coral, and across her olive skin, fine glitter had been brushed ever so gently, so it only barely shimmered, and she was definitely a water Faerie. The three of them, standing together, were the most stunning trio Hogwarts had ever seen, and probably ever would see.

Smiling, Sirius and Remus headed towards the three, and James started forward, but then regretfully pulled himself back. Jessica took up Remus', and Brittany Sirius', but Lily stood there, waiting. The boys were too timid to approach her.

Lily stared right through the eyeholes of her mask and through James', finding his filled with such intensity that she had to look at his nose instead. He was dressed in dark dress robes, his mask black, as well, lined with golden embroidery the same as Lily's. He looked as if he were some kind of king, for he carried himself as such, and his glasses appeared to be nowhere in sight.

Must have used some kind of Charm, Lily thought, giving him a little nod.

James watched her, then turned and made his way into the swarming crowds of students. Frowning slightly, Lily started to follow, but was stopped by a Ravenclaw who looked dashing in his own green robes.

He flashed a charming smile at her. "Dance with me?"

Blushing slightly, she nodded, and replied, "Yes, of course."

Far across the Hall, Jessica sighed, scowling at the two as she danced with Remus to a slow song. "I don't think our plan is working too well, Remmy."

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't fret, Jess. Just wait and see what'll happen."

Nodding, she pulled him closer, and fell into the dance.

Brittany and Sirius hovered around the punch bowl, watching the Ravenclaw and their dear friend closely. They both exchanged quick, knowing looks, then headed off to carry out a plan of their own.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked her cordially, his smile visible even through the silver mask he wore, with the sea green embroidery on it, much like her own, only hers was a pale grey.

Laughing, she said, "Why of course, your not-so-highness! I would love to dance!" As according to the plan, they danced for a few minutes, then Sirius went and tapped on Lily's shoulder. Brittany took this as her cue and sent some silver curlicue fireworks spiraling into the air so the others wouldn't notice, and she rushed back to wait for Sirius. He danced Lily straight over to James, and then practically threw her in his arms. Brittany was far more than tempted to laugh.

James looked a little bit startled, but also a little bit relieved as Lily was delivered safely into his arms and Sirius went back to Brittany. Lily, on the other hand, was just relieved. She had a feeling those two would help. They had always found themselves being the peacemakers for some odd reason.

"Lily," James acknowledged softly, shifting to where he held her more comfortably with one arm, as his hand still held up his mask. "Why do I not find it too surprising that you wind up in my arms this night?"

He caught her faint blush, even though the lights were dimming as another slow song struck up. "James. . ."

"Yes?"

She paused, then swallowed. "May I ask you something?"

"You just did, but go ahead, anyway." He smiled faintly.

"When. . ." She began playing with a piece of his robes on his shoulder, averting her eyes from his. "You used to be a well. . .player. What changed your mind?"

"Lots of things," he replied casually.

Lily nodded, swallowing again, deciding not to press the matter. "I thought about what you told me." She finally brought her gaze to his.

"And?"

"You're right. . .About us being together. . .I saw the same in the mirror, James." She lowered her mask, somehow finding it stifling. Why was it so hot all of a sudden? "And you were right about there being betting and wishing. . .And I wish. . ." She licked her dry lips, lowered her eyes for a few moments, then brought them back up. "I wish that when I look at you right now, you could see how so sorry. . ." Her breath caught, her throat constricting painfully. Blinking back tears, she tried to finish, "So sorry I am. Because I care about you, too, James Harold Potter. I really do."

James remained silent, staring deeply into her eyes, his own even more intense then when she had walked into the Great Hall only half an hour earlier. Slowly, he lowered his own mask, and leaned in a little, tilting his head to the side. Lily closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his breath caressing her lips, mingling with her own. Then, there was a light brush against them, hesitant, shy. Lips curving up into a smile as he pulled away, she threw her arms around his neck, and put her all into a single, passionate kiss.

Remus nodded approvingly while Jessica gave a whoop of joy.

Sirius and Brittany sighed in unison, "Ah, to be young and in love."

"Lils. . ." James whispered as they pulled away again, resting his forehead against hers. She felt, surprisingly, a small tear slide down her cheek from his. "Don't do something like that to me ever, ever again, you hear?" His voice was hoarse, thick with emotion.

She smiled. "I won't."

"Promise?" He lifted her chin, staring into her eyes.

"I promise."

*~*~*~*~*

If you don't know, honey, honey

Then you don't. . . .

*~*~*~*~*

The End