You're More Than a Friend

Chapter 8 –Feasts and Love

~AN: Thank you soooo much to everyone that has reviewed. I hope you have enjoyed reading this. Only this and one more chapter to go. Then I'm going to move onto another story that is very loosely related to this one.~

James looked out the window. He couldn't wait to get back, and see Lily again. Why hasn't there been an owl? He wondered for the millionth time. Maybe it got lost. He reasoned. He looked up as the compartment door opened.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" He asked angrily.

"Just wanted to find out the latest on your girlfriend." He said the last word sneeringly.

"What do you mean? I don't have a girlfriend." Not since the start of the 6th year. I haven't been able to find one that measures up to Lily. Malfoy put on a look of mock surprise.

"Why that mudblood Evans, of course. Everyone's saying she stayed over at your house at Christmas. Hey, I knew she was desperate, but puh-lease." Whatever he'd been about to say next was cut off, as James grabbed Malfoy by the front of his robes.

"Don't. Ever. Insult. Lily. In. Front. Of. Me. Again." He said, punctuating each word by slamming him into the door. He let go, and Malfoy ran away with a frightened squeak, after all, he had no chance against an enraged James, who, for all he was shorter, was stronger, and better at magic.

James sat down again, running a hand through his already messy black hair. Great, now everyone'll know that I'm in love with her. What happens if she doesn't love me? He pushed that thought away, it was too terrible to even think about. He couldn't wait to see her again, see her emerald eyes sparkling, and her auburn braids swinging. He'd never really liked those braids. What could he do about them? Laughing softly, he set about designing a spell to permanently change Lily's hairstyle.

Lily gazed into the fire in the Gryffindor common room. Why isn't he here yet? She wondered. It's 3 in the morning. I know why Remus isn't here; it's the full moon. But James would usually have come up by now. *Maybe he didn't come back*. A spiteful voice in her head said. *That dream you had, the one where he said he loved you, you didn't actually believe it did you? You of all people should know it could only have been a dream. He'd never love you.* Shut up. She thought fiercely. He could love me, I'm quite lovable! *What if he doesn't* I'll die… *You already tried that, remember. Potter found you, and took you to Madam Pomfrey.* See! He must love me! He saved me! She thought triumphantly. She yawned. So tired… Just a little longer, then I'll go to bed. Lily slumped, and in a minute, was fast asleep.

"But why wasn't she at the feast? There's no reason for it, and she wasn't in the infirmary, either."

"Did you ask Madam Pomfrey?"

"Yes. I also asked her why she didn't owl me over the holidays, and she went all mysterious and said, 'All will be revealed'" James mimicked her voice. "She sounded like that nutty Professor, the one who teaches Divination. Trelawny or something like that"

"Don't worry, we'll find her."

"I know, Padfoot, but, Minnie Mouse." James broke off what he was saying to tell the Fat Lady the password. "What if… Ow! What's that?" He hopped on one foot, and fell on something warm and squishy.

"Who's there?" Someone asked in a soft, panicky voice. Sirius took out his wand,

"Lumos." Then he laughed. "Nice look, Prongs." James's face was buried in some girl's chest. He scrambled up, his face going red,

"Sorry, I… Lily?!!" For indeed, it was Lily, looking thin, pale and sad, but definitely better.

"Uh, hi James,"

"Lily!" He pounced on her, his arms going around her shoulders, and her relaxing into them. Why does this feel so right? He wondered. He moved away, and felt his face go red again. "When did you wake up?"

"According to Madam Pomfrey, just after you left. I'd been having the most wonderful dream… So," Lily punched James lightly on the arm. "I heard you bashed up Malfoy because he called me a mudblood. Now I'm not saying I like violence, I abhor it. But thanks."

"That's not all he said." James growled. "He also pretty much called you a desperate slut."

"What? Just because I wouldn't go to the ball with him? Typical."

"That's not what I want to talk about now, we'll do that in the morning. Why didn't Madam Pomfrey tell me you were awake? I asked her to." James said.

"I asked her not to." Lily said quietly.

"Why?" James wanted to know.

"I'll tell you in the mor, morning." Lily replied, yawning widely. She got up, and stumbled against James.

"Here, let me help you." She smiled up at him.

"Thanks." He helped her up to the dorm, then tucked her into bed.

"G'night Little Lily." He said softly.

"G'night James." She yawned again, and said sleepily, "I love you."

James closed the dormitory door, I won't believe it, I won't believe it. He told himself. She's too tired to know what she's saying. I'll talk to her in the morning.

~AN: Ugh, this chapter is SHORT! Because of that, I'll just add chapter 9 onto the end. –Ashlie.~

You're More Than a Friend

Chapter 9 –I Love You.

Lily woke up the next morning with a sense of impending doom. She frowned, What did I do? She wondered. Then she groaned, and buried her face in her hands, as it all came back to her. Oh my god, I can't believe I did that. Now he knows I love him. How am I going to face him?

How am I going to face her? James wondered. What will I say? He turned around, as she came down the stairs. She still looks very ill. He thought worriedly.

"James, I, I have something to tell you." She said quietly.

"Yes?" What's she going to tell me? That she doesn't love me? That it was because she was tired, and I helped her? Yes, that must be it. How could she love me?

"James I, Iloveyou." She said quickly.

"What?"

"I love you." James was shocked, and it must have shown on his face, because she began to pace quickly. "I know you couldn't love me back, I'm too ugly, nerdy, perfectly awful, really. And we've got nothing in common. But I do. I've loved you since the third year. I told Lauren that day when you took our picture," She touched her locket, "I don't expect you to love me back, but I thought you should know. That's why I told Madam Pomfrey not to owl you, I couldn't bear it that you knew I was alright, when you didn't love me. Why'd you save me, James? Why? All I wanted to was die. A life with you and I just being friends is no life at all. I can't watch you grow up, fall in l, love, and marry someone else. I can't!" She started to cry, her thin shoulders shaking. James moved over to her, he felt like singing! She loves me! She loves me! She loves me! He thought exultantly.

"Shh Lily, it's ok, Really it is." She looked up, her green eyes dark with sadness and love.

"No it's not! You don't understand James…"

"Shh, it is, really. I do understand. You see," He cleared his throat. "You see, I love you too."

"You do! Oh James!"

Lily kissed him. Everything's ok! She thought happily. He loves me too. James pulled back eventually, and smiled down at her.

"Should we tell our friends now?" James asked, smiling. Lily shook her head, and pulled his back down,

"Later."

~AN: Aww, aren't the sweet. That's all there is, there isn't any more. (Hee, hee Madeline!)