Chapter 12. Explanations and End of Term.

"I never thought you would do that." said Hannah in awe. They were back in their room, not wanting to face the others in the common.
"Neither did I." admitted Lily. "I guess I was angry because Justin didn't care about Clarissa's feelings."
"So maybe Justin will stop sticking around?" asked Felicity.
"I don't think so. I'm planning to meet him tonight." said Lily. She scribbed a note and have it to Snowy.
"Give it to Justin when he's alone." she said and Snowy flew out of the window.
"What was James reaction?" Lily asked.
"Well, he was shocked when you said you were Justin's girlfriend and when Justin said about holding hands and kissing, I think he was about to jump out of his seat and kill him!" explained Hannah with a giggle.
"Then what did he do when I 'dumped' Justin and ran out of the room?" asked Lily.
"He grinned."
"That's all?"
"Yup!"
"Oh."
"What do you expect?" asked Hannah.
"I dunno..... but I thought there would be more....." said Lily.
"Why are you meeting Justin for? Let him to stick with you again?" asked Felicity.
"No. I just want to get things straight." answered Lily. "If not, I think he will just take everything today as a joke and continue!!!"

*****************

"Lily!" cried Justin. "Why did you..."
"Wait." said Lily. "I just want to make things clear. You just listen, okay?" Justin nodded. Lily took a deep breath and sighed.

"You know Justin, you are a good friend. But I guess we can only get that far. We have the same interest in Music, and perhaps lots of things. However, I'm not the one for you."

"I'm not helping Clarissa but I think she has done more for you than I did. She really likes you. I know you felt that already. Why you don't just go out with Clarissa? She's more suitable for you."

"Anyway, you are really wasting your time on me. I don't to have anything to do with boy or girl friends. I guess after James I really need to think. I hope you understand." said Lily, not daring to look at Justin.

"So I don't have a chance, do I?" he asked with a small laugh.
"The problem isn't in you. It's just.... I'm tired of all this. I want to be my own." Lily explained. "I've never thought being boy and girl friends with James is so..... painful. I don't want this to happen again." They just stood there, and were silent for a few moments.

"Why you don't go out with Clarissa?" asked Lily, finally.
"I dunno. I guess we are just friends. Like you and I. I dunno later would it grow but I know it won't for now." explained Justin.
"I hope you guys can be together. I really do." said Lily. Then she yawned. Justin stared at her and both of them laughed at their serious conversation a few minutes ago.

"You know, I have an owl too?" asked Justin.
"You do?"
"Yup. He followed Snowy around. I later on found out she was your owl so I used her to sent you owls." he explained. "I think Snowy and Alex, my owl are in love."
"Really? That's terific!"
"So.... you think they should be together?"
"Hmm...... you want to keep Snowy?" asked Lily in a low voice.
"I guess yes, I do. I have Alex when I was small and I can't bare to be apart with him."
"I guess that can be aranged. If Snowy wants to be with you I don't really mind. I guess owls aren't the best pets for me. I'm not so close with Snowy." explained Lily.
"Great. Thanks. I"ll pay you back." said Justin.
"No, don't! I glad that Snowy got herself a mate. You don't need to pay, really."
"If you insist." said Justin, with a shrug.

"Well, I guess I'm going back to my room." said Lily. "G' night."
"Wait!" called Justin. Lily turned back.
"I..... I"ll fly you back." he offered, holding he broom. Lily smiled and nodded.

*************

"Thanks for your ride." said Lily. She was just going to climb out of his broom when Justin holded her around the wrist and kissed her on the cheek. Lily was stunned.
"Lily." whispered Justin, near her ears. "I really love you. I really did. It wasn't because of the vow I made at the first day. I made it for you. "
"I wanted to show that I will chase you and you have to be prepared for me. I was sad to know you had James. Now that you guys broke up, I thought I would have a chance. It seems it didn't."
"I really want you to remember, Lily, that I will always be there for you. Whenever you have problems, find me. And if," he paused. "If you finally want to be with me, you're free to find me."

Lily went red and hot. She never thought Justin would say anything like that. He kissed her one more time, and let Lily go. Lily climbed off, muttered "Good night" and hurried back to her dorm.

************

"How did it go?" asked Hannah, standing in from of the Fat Lady with Felicity.
"You guys waited??" Lily partically screamed.
"We didn't only waited. We even saw you guys on a broom. What were you two doing? I wonder.... a little kiss perhaps?" asked Felicity mischeviously. Lily went red.
"How dare you guys sneak at us like that!?"
"So you guys really are going to be boy and girl friends?" asked Hannah.
"Of course not! He just kindly fly me back, that's all!" explained Lily hotly.
"With a good night kiss???" said Felicity slyly.
"Don't you guys dare to repeat this out!" cried Lily.
"Oh, Lily. What are friends for?" laughed Felicity. She and Hannah ran back to their dorm, letting Lily muttering threats under her breath.

***************************

Justin didn't followed Lily around. Many thought it was because Lily's outburst that cause Justin not daring to follow her. But only Lily and her two friends knew the truth. However, after this, the relationship between James and Lily didn't went any better.

"When are you going to apolyize?" asked Sirius.
"I dunno."
"When are you going to chase her back?" asked Remus.
"I dunno."
"When are you going to be friends with her again?" asked Peter.
"I DON'T KNOW!!!!!"
The three sighed.
"Just leave me alone." said James. "I'll figure it all out."

********************

Last term exams were coming and of course Lily did brilliantly. However, she was not the top, but the third. The top was Sirius and the Second was James.

"Perhaps I didn't study hard enough." said Lily.
"Why don't you say you didn't have the mood to study, after James and all that." said Clarissa. She ocasstionally hang out with them. She said that she put Justin all too seriously and she should come back to her old life.

"When are you going to make up with James?" asked Felicity.
"I dunno."
"When are you going to forgive him?" asked Hannah.
"I dunno."
"When are you going to cheer up?" asked Clarissa.
"I DON'T KNOW!!!"
The three sighed.
"Let me clear my head for a moment, will you?

*****************

Lily and James meet in front of the Fat Lady.
"Oh, hi. Never thought I would see you here in this time of the day.

They just sat on the sofa, staring at the air.
"You broke up with Justin, huh?" James finally broke the ice.
"We have never started." Lily replied.
"Oh."
"So, now any girlfriends yet?"
"Not yet."
"Oh."
James didn't know how to continue the converasation and Lily didn't even want to.
"Oh well, I guess I'll need to start packing...." she said.
"Lil, wait. I know I've done something terribly wrong and I'm sorry. Can we continue to be...."
"Friends? Of course, why not." said Lily in a dull voice. "I really need to run, James. Bye!" She had stopped James on purpose, not wanting to have anything to do with James just now.

**************
"Bye Hagrid! Keep in touch!" cried James.
"Okay! Bye yer guys!" Hagrid cried with tears.
"Bye!" cried all the others and they settled down in their seats.
"So, I guess it's good bye to you too, Justin?" asked Sirius.
"Yup. I will go bakc to America today after we arrived to the platform." he replied. They all exchanged address and phone numbers.

"You got the whole second you girls. Anything to show us? Can you give the poor wizards in the world how it is done?" asked James playfully.
"I haven't got all. There's still one more." said Justin, also playfully, but looking at Lily. Lily just played along.
"Perhaps you can, after a few years!"
"Really?"
"There's a possiblity."
"I will be back, I promise you! By that time, don't dare to treat me like a freak!" cried Justin.
"You aren't?"
"Lily!!!"
"Kidding!" said Lily. "You know, next year I'm going to be an exchange student! Dumbledore find me and I'm going to Hong Kong!"
"You too!?!" asked Remus and Sirius, shocked.
"Who's going too?" asked Hannah.
"I am." said James, stunned. "McGonagall told me!"
"Terrific! A whole year without you guys! What a relief!" exclaimed Felicity.
"WHAT??" cried Lily and James.
"Joking!"
"Mind you don't chase all the boys in the school!" said Clarissa slyly.
"Maybe, I dunno!" said Lily mischeviously. Justin glared at her.
"Remember to sent us photos of yourmates, especially boys!" reminded Felicity.
"What?" cried Sirius at once. "Don't you dare!"
"Why not?" asked Felicity at once.
"Because I don't let you!"
"Since when I'm married to you ?"
"Since now!"
"What??" cried the others. Sirius fooled around and felt on his knees.
"Felicity," said Sirius in a solemn voice. "I beg for your hand in marriage!"
"Okay, let's get married here!!" cried Felicity. She took Sirius hand. Sirius played along. Lily and Hannah began to sing the wedding march in laughter.

****************
"Bye Li! See you in the summer!" cried the others.
"Bye!!! Miss you all!" cried Lily. Justin looked at her, smiling.
"Well, you think your mom will really drive me to the airport?" he asked.
"Sure, why not?" said Lily.
"Lily!" cried a voice.
"Mom!!!!" cried Lily, and dash through the crowd and hugging her mother. Justin ran behind her.
"This is..."
"I'm Justin White. Glad to meet you, Miss Evans." said Justin.
"Oh Justin, the exchange student. So you need a ride to the ariport?" asked Miss Evans. Lily grinned at Justin.
"Yes, please. "

***************

"Well, it's goodbye Justin. Remember to write!" said Lily. "Take care of Snowy for me!"
"I will. Lily, I'm going in now..... can you do me three favor?" asked Justin, looking at Lily deeply.
"Okay. Fire away."
"First, if you and James get together again or he is terrible to you, tell me."
"Okay."
"Second, if I ever come back, can you give me a chance?"
"Maybe." Justin sighed.
"Lastly, I want to ask you something. Did you ever, ever have a feeling toward me?" asked Justin. Lily was quiet for a few minutes.
"I....??" Justin had just kissed her on the cheek.
"If the answer isn't no, then that means yes to me." he said quietly. "Just remember, I will always be there for you. If you have any problems, I'll come back, no matter where I am. I just want you to think about the answer. The real answer." he kissed her one more time.
"I need to go. See ya, Lily." Justin said with a hug. Then he went in.

**************
Lily looked through the window in her mother' car. Justin's airplane was going to fly.
The answer, Justin, is that I did have a tiny feeling, but it wasn't the time and I don't want to have anything about this to happen so fast. If only you were here longer, or James wasn't before you, you would successfully chase the whole second year...... if only.....
"Good bye Justin." she whispered softly.

The End.

Third year of Lily Evans --- Finding You
Lily and James are the exchange students next year. They are going to Hong Kong. Will Lily and James be back together? Will Lily or James find their other half in Hong Kong? Stay tuned!