Disclaimer: I make no claim to these characters and don't intend to make any profit from this humble story. Please, don't sue me.

A/N: Thanks soooo much for the reviews! Special extra super thanks to Quinn for being my 100th reviewer. This is the one you've all been waiting for!

I wasn't planning to have the chapter out so quickly but since you all asked so nicely…

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Chapter 7

"Get back together?" Lily questioned.

"I really need you back."

"You need me?"

"More than you can imagine," he sighed.

"You don't seriously expect me to take you back after what you did. Having my own boyfriend believe the word of a Slytherin over mine was not a very nice feeling," Lily pulled her hand away sharply.

"I always knew you didn't actually kiss him."

"What?" Lily demanded.

"Well, I thought having the school think my girlfriend cheated on me would create some sympathy for me and improve my chances of becoming Head Boy," Andrew said seriously.

"Everything you do revolves around becoming Head Boy! Aren't I more important than some stupid title?" Lily slammed her fist down on the table.

"Look, that's all in the past now. I need you back."

"Why the sudden change of heart? I want to know your agenda, right now!"

"My agenda?" he smiled weakly.

"I know you, Andrew, and you never do anything unless there's something in it for you. So tell me what's going on or I walk out of here right now."

"No! Don't go! Look, today Professor McGonagall came to talk to me. She's worried about the way my marks have dropped over the past few days. She says that if I don't improve then maintain a consistent level I'll lose my chance at becoming Head Boy."

"Your marks can't have become that bad in a few days," Lily reasoned.

"I got three out of ten for my Transfiguration essay," he said glumly.

"How did you get three out of ten?" Lily exclaimed.

"I don't know what I did wrong. Now you understand what I'm getting at. I need you to be my girlfriend again. Please," he begged.

Then Lily figured it out, "you only want me so I can help you with your schoolwork!"

"Not just for my schoolwork. If I take you back I'll look really ben…bene…what's the word?"

"Benevolent?"

"That's the one. See, I need you! You're so smart and pretty," Andrew put his hand gently on her leg.

"Don't touch me, you nutter!" she slapped him away.

"I'm only crazy about you," he said lamely.

"You're making me sick!"

James accidentally knocked a book off the shelf in surprise. Perhaps they wouldn't be getting back together again.

"Don't be so quick to dismiss my offer. You need me to become Head Girl, Lily. You can be the most popular girl in school again. Everyone will love you like they used to. You'll be the Queen of Hogwarts again," Andrew smiled wryly, knowing he'd triggered something inside her.

Lily paused momentarily. How much was her popularity worth to her? Would she be willing to abandon her morals for the chance to become the most loved and revered girl at Hogwarts again?

James felt his stomach jolt. Lily was actually considering it. He knew that she secretly liked having followers who would hang on her every word. The question was how much did she like it?

Lily considered her options. She could take Andrew back knowing that he was only using her but in exchange she'd become Head Girl and regain her lost popularity. Andrew had seriously underestimated Lily's intelligence though.

James peeked around the books and watched Lily closely. She was biting her lower lip intently. James immediately knew that she was thinking quickly.

"I'm not the only one you've used, am I?" Lily finally spoke to Andrew.

"What?" he jumped, take aback slightly by her question.

"Before you dated me you were with Lina O'Malley, April Sutherland and Summer Faulkner."

"So?"

"So they're all exceptional at something. Lina is the Junior Dueling Champion of Britain. April was captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and now plays for the Appleby Arrows. Summer just happens to be considered the most promising Auror to ever pass through Hogwarts."

"I went out with April in my third year. She was in fifth year. I dated Lina and Summer before you in fourth year. None of the relationships were very serious and they all knew that," Andrew rolled his eyes.

"That's not the point! You used those girls to get yourself noticed. If I remember correctly you also tried it on with Aurora but she rejected you. She's one of the best looking girl in the school. You target girls for their social status and how much they get noticed."

"So what? Nothing can be done about it now," he said smugly.

"Well, I just don't think they'd like to know they were used like that. I dare say they'd be royally pissed off. I heard that April has herself a new boyfriend named Christopher Wood. I also heard he's quite the formidable guy and I doubt he'd be real happy with you."

"You can't threaten me!"

"I can and I am. What about Lina? We talk regularly you know. I'm sure she'd like to hear what I have to say. She'll turn you into a frog before you can so much as blink. Summer is going to be a high ranking Auror one day. She'll be quite influential and I don't think she'll jump to recommend you for Minister of Magic."

"You're not scaring me. None of those girls would dare touch me," Andrew waved his hand dismissively.

"Maybe so but you're forgetting Aurora Matheson. If she knew what you had planned for her…well, I hate to think what she'd do to you. You can rest assured that she won't hesitate though," Lily folded her arms calmly.

"Aurora isn't as scary as she thinks she is unfortunately. I'll have no problem with her."

"You're messing with the girlfriend of a Marauder though. Sirius is fiercely protective and when you're lucky enough to get a Marauder as an enemy you get all four of them. I don't think you want to get on their bad side."

Lily had hit a nerve. Andrew gulped. He'd always been frightened of the Marauders, Sirius in particular.

"So…what are you suggesting?" he asked cautiously, knowing he wasn't going to like the answer.

"I want you to tell the truth about what happened between Snape and I."

"I already told you that I didn't believe him though."

"You have to tell everyone. The whole school."

"I can't do that!" Andrew was simply horrified at the thought of having to go back on his word. It would seriously damage his credibility.

"Fine. Have it your way. I should get back to Gryffindor Tower now. I have some important business to discuss with Aurora and Sirius. Good night," Lily stood up and tried to hide the smirk on her face. The terrified look on his face was oddly satisfying.

"Ok! I'll think about it. Please don't tell Sirius anything yet."

"You have till tomorrow morning to make a choice," she nodded curtly. "Though as far as I can see you'll lose either way."

"You've ruined my life, Lily Evans," he glared murderously at her.

"Don't you dare try to sound like the victim in all this! What about all those girls you used? What about me? I wasted a year of my life on you! I thought we had something special…I even thought I was falling in love with you. But after all that's happened you still refuse to take responsibility. The only one you have to blame is yourself," Lily finished her speech and wiped away the tears that she didn't even know had fallen.

Andrew sat there with his mouth hanging open as Lily apologised to Madam Pince for the shouting then left without so much as a glance back.

James pulled off his cloak and emerged from behind the bookshelf. He glared at the back of the Hufflepuff's head as Andrew slammed his fist down and swore under his breath.

"A problem, Thomas?" James spoke up.

Andrew nearly fell off his chair in shock. He jumped to his feet and spun around.

"Potter? How did you get there?" Andrew looked from the door back to James. He was obviously immensely confused by the sudden appearance.

"That's not important," James took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.

Inside, James was seething. How dare he use Lily like that? Not to mention those other girls. Whatever Andrew got was what he deserved.

"How much did you hear?" Andrew stepped back as he distinctly felt the anger flowing from James.

"Enough," he growled.

"You can't do anything to me in front of Madam Pince," Andrew continued to back away.

"You're right. But I suggest you seriously consider your options. Lily's right, you don't want me as your enemy," James glowered.

"Of course I don't," he gulped audibly.

"Good. See you around," James smirked and left the library.

James looked around for Lily but couldn't see her anywhere. He headed up to Gryffindor Tower, hoping that she'd gone back there.

"Hi, James," Aurora looked up as he entered the common room.

"Oh, hi," James said absently as he looked around for Lily.

"Has Sirius nearly finished cleaning? Poor dear, I should probably go help him."

"Huh? Oh, Sirius, right. I don't know if he's done yet. Sorry."

"I thought you were going to see him?"

"Actually, I didn't get to him. Have you seen Lily around anywhere?"

"Not since she left to go meet Andrew. James…is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he assured her.

Aurora didn't believe him for a second but he ran up stairs before she could question him any further. She shrugged and went up to her room to read.

James pulled his cloak out from under his robes and threw it on his bed. Lily was obviously outside somewhere. He had to find her.

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

Lily stood by the lake watching the reflection of the moon shimmer across the placid water. The past year of her life had been a lie. An absolute lie.

Suddenly, she became vaguely aware of someone approaching her. Not in the most sociable mood, she told the person-in no uncertain terms-to get lost.

"I came to see if you're all right," James said.

"Oh, it's you," she sighed but didn't turn around to face him. Mainly because she didn't want him to see her crying.

"Don't sound so happy about it."

"I'm not in the mood," she said icily.

James didn't speak but Lily knew he hadn't left either. He stepped closer to her and she could smell his cologne distinctly in the soft breeze.

"You're not thinking of jumping in are you?" he asked over her shoulder.

"Would it really matter if I did?"

"Of course it would."

"I found out Andrew was using me the whole time we were going out," Lily said quietly.

"I know. I was there in the library. Heard the whole thing," James admitted to her.

Lily was confused for a second. She hadn't seen him hanging around. Then it dawned on her; James had been hiding under that damn cloak of his. She should have yelled at him but right now she was beyond anger. All the anger she'd felt before was now replaced by grief.

"Then you know why I might as well jump in the lake. There's no point anymore. I have nothing."

"Oh, come on. You have plenty. Being single isn't the end of the world, you know."

"You don't understand. I have an image here. It's always Lily and her boyfriend. If I don't have a boyfriend then I'm not really Lily Evans."

She was right. James didn't understand. He always thought Lily was above such things.

"Despite what you think, you don't need a boyfriend all the time. Really, it's not that much of a tragedy. You still have plenty to live for," he assured her.

"Do I? Look, it's like an angel without a halo. She's not whole anymore."

"Halo or not, she's still an angel," James said softly.

"My life is pointless now. I might as well jump in the lake," Lily ignored him and sighed.

James rolled his eyes and pushed her in the back. Completely caught off guard, she slipped down the embankment and into the lake. She hit the still water with a splash.

James could only laugh as she thrashed around in the shallows. Obviously trying to get her footing, she stumbled several times.

"James Potter!" Lily shrieked.

He could only shrug innocently. She slammed the water with her hands then lost her balance and fell face down in the water.

James collapsed on the ground in unbridled laughter. Lily dragged her self slowly out of the lake and crawled up the slick embankment.

In the faint moonlight James could see the blazing anger in her green eyes. She began to wring out her clothes and hair as she glared daggers at James.

"You look a little wet there, Evans," James erupted into another round of unrestrained laughter.

Lily didn't answer. She fell to the ground in a heap and sobbed into her forearm. James wiped tears of mirth from his eyes and crawled over to her.

"Lil, I'm sorry I had to do that but self-pity isn't really becoming. I know you're hurting right now but you'll get over it eventually. You have an inner beauty like no other girl I've ever met," James whispered.

She looked up at him with glistening eyes. "Inner beauty?"

"Anybody can be beautiful but inner beauty is rare. "

Lily's breath caught in her chest. Nobody had ever said anything like that to her before. Normally she would have found it incredibly stupid and cheesy but right now it was just what she needed to hear.

"Thank you," she gave a small smile.

"My pleasure," he returned the smile gratefully.

"I don't get you sometimes," Lily admitted as she got to her feet and brushed grass from her wet jeans.

"There's not much to get," he said as he pulled out his wand and muttered a drying spell.

"One minute you're an irritable prat and next minute you're this endearingly sweet person."

"Yeah? Well, I could say the same about you."

Lily nodded in agreement. She offered her hand to help him to his feet. He accepted it without hesitation.

"I should have listened to you in the first place. You never trusted Andrew."

"Maybe so but I didn't know he was capable of using you like that."

"I wish I had been more perceptive. The signs were really obvious now that I look back. I wonder if I knew subconsciously that he was using me but was too secure and content to take a stand. My emotions are one big jumble at the moment."

"It'll be all right in the end," he said soothingly.

Lily looked awkwardly at her hands then threw her arms around his neck impulsively. James stumbled back in surprise but still managed to wrap his arms around her comfortingly.

The pair stood there in the darkness swaying gently. Lily buried her face in his neck and sighed deeply. With James she felt a safety and warmth that she'd never experienced with Andrew or any of her previous boyfriends.

James stroked her hair as he tried to calm himself down. It would be incredibly wrong if he took advantage of her instability. Resigning himself not to make a move on her, he mumbled comforting words in her ear.

Lily shuddered involuntarily as she felt his warm breath in her cheek. She seemed to fit in his arms perfectly. They molded together as one.

"This is nice," she said finally. "Unusually nice actually."

She pulled back to look at him. She could make out a faint blush creeping across his face. Lily never would be able to remember why but she felt the insatiable need to feel his lips on hers. The insatiable need to know she was wanted.

All reason disappeared as she leaned in and brushed her lips against his. This light contact sent a wave of electricity through them both. James looked at her, his chestnut eyes wide.

"Lily, I-"

"Don't say anything," she pressed her forefinger to his lips to silence him.

Reluctantly he agreed with a slight nod. The words were left unsaid in his throat and he tried to quiet his conscience. Surely, if Lily had instigated it then it wasn't wrong.

"When I kissed Andrew I used to wish it was you and now…well, you know how much of an opportunist I am," she ran her finger along his bottom lip.

She nuzzled his neck and planted a small trail of little kisses up to his ear. His breath hitched and Lily smiled to herself.

"I've always wanted to do that," she whispered huskily.

James was simply lost for words. Lily continued her kisses along his jaw and to his chin. She paused momentarily to look him in the eye. Piercing green met with deep brown in a look of pure longing.

Lily realised there was no point in dragging it out any longer. She closed her eyes and kissed him. It started off tentatively at first then soon became passionate and desperate. James let his hands slip to her waist and Lily was left to cling to him hopelessly.

Tongues and hands roamed freely until they finally pulled back to catch their breath. James ran his tongue over his swollen lips to savour the taste and feel of her lips. He'd never imagined that it would be anything like that when they kissed. His heart was pounding uncomfortably in his chest.

"That was…amazing," he breathed.

"Sure but I think we can do better," Lily grinned.

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

Aurora was lying on her bed reading an extremely boring history book when Sirius poked his head around the door.

"Feel like some company?" he asked.

"Not if you smell like animal excrement," she peered over the top of her book at him.

"I had the foresight to shower," he grinned.

"In that case, your company would be much appreciated."

"I see you've been working hard," Sirius watched as she slid her book back under her bed.

"Someone's gotta do it," she stretched out luxuriously.

"If I never see another bloody green house again it will be too soon," he flopped down on the bed next to her.

"Was it that bad?"

"It was awful. I'm exhausted."

"Suck it up, Black. You're a Quidditch player," Aurora rolled her eyes.

"Thanks for the sympathy," Sirius yawned.

She giggled and he kissed the palm of her hand softly. She rolled over and kissed him on the forehead.

"You haven't seen James or Lily around anywhere have you?" Aurora asked as she climbed over him.

"No. Why?"

"I think something might be wrong. I haven't seen Lily since her meeting with Andrew and James came looking for her a while ago," she put on her slippers and shuffled over to the window.

"Do you think we should go look for them?"

"I don't know. Hey, there's someone down by the lake. It might be them," Aurora squinted into the darkness.

"I know a way we can see them. I'll be back in second," Sirius leapt off the bed and rushed out the door.

"So much for being exhausted," Aurora smiled to herself.

Sirius came bounding back into the room a minute later. He had a pair of Omnioculars in his hand and he was looking very pleased.

"Omnioculars! I knew there was a reason I kept you around," she tried to grab them off him but he put them behind his back.

"Not so fast, kitten. I get to look first."

"Fine. I didn't even know you owned any Omnioculars though."

"Technically I don't," he admitted with a cheeky grin.

"Ah. So you stole them."

"Stole sounds so harsh. I merely borrowed them from Peter without his knowledge."

"I don't know how you can sleep at night," Aurora teased.

Sirius focused on the couple standing by the lake. A large smile spread across his face, "well, would ya look at that!"

"What? Is it them?"

"Oh, it's them all right. I never thought…"

"What?" Aurora screamed.

"All right keep your shirt on," he handed the Omnioculars over to her.

"It's them but…what are they doing?"

"Look a little closer, sweetheart," Sirius advised.

"Snogging! Why the hell are they doing that? They're supposed to hate each other!"

"Just how you used to 'hate' me."

"Point," Aurora conceded.

"It's certainly an interesting development," Sirius mused.

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A/N: Sorry if it wasn't very good but I was in a rush. I have exams coming up but I wanted to get this chapter out for you all. There will only be one more chapter just to wrap everything up. There's still the little matter of the revenge against Snape. Expect it in a couple of weeks.

Happy Birthday to J.K and Harry as well! And yes Meeny, I do know that he isn't real.