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Sighing, I unlocked the door, and stepped inside. It was unfortunate that such a great night had to end so badly.
I sat down in my living room slash den area, and began to write.
Dear James,
I wish that there was some way that I could explain to you fully all that has happened to me while I worked for McKinnon's. Maybe it would help you to understand why I drew back from you tonight. But there is one thing that I can share with you. Not all of the time spent there was pleasant.
Very close to the end of the time that I worked there, a very sophisticated wizard began to frequent the place. He had managed to get all of the 'Kittens' to sleep with him, short of me. This made him more than a little upset. So, one night when it was my turn to close, he stayed. Said he wanted to walk me home. Being a little fool, I let him. It was the worst decision of my life. Instead of leaving after seeing me to the door, he forced his way inside and h-he forced himself on me.
I don't know if this helps you to understand in any way, but it's the reason why I backed away from you tonight. James, you're the first person that I've told this to, and I hope you'll keep my secret, and not think so badly of me.
Your friend,
Lily A. Evans
Tears had filled my eyes while I wrote this letter, and two had fallen, one from each eye, to mark before and after where I signed my name.
"Fidelius!" I called. "Where is that bloody bird?"
My owl flew in through the open window, and settled on the desk.
"Took you long enough," I muttered resentfully.
She hooted in reply and stuck out her leg for the letter. I tied it on, and told her to bring it to James Potter. She took off into the night.
My half wolf, half dog mix, was asleep on my bed. On top of my Ravenclaw crest, for some reason. My room is decorated in the Ravenclaw colours, blue and bronze. The walls are a muted bronze, and the carpet is thick and luxurious, in cerulean, and the ceiling is a tint of that. I have a whole wall devoted to pictures of my friends and I, and you can barely see the wall behind all the photos.
I collapsed on the bed, right next to Aconate (Not to be confused with Aconite). She woke up, and licked my face before I buried it in her fur. She's always been there when I need a friend. Fidelius returned, and she went to sleep in her cage, in the far corner of the room, right near my magically expanded closet. (A/N: They've got trunks and boots, as in the trunk of a car, so why not closets. Just think, every girl's dream!)
I must've fallen asleep, because, the next thing I knew, it was midday, and there was an extremely perturbed owl perched on top of Fidelius' cage.
I took the letter, and opened it. Hopefully it wouldn't be anything like the last letter I received from him.
Dear Lily,
How do you answer a letter like the one I received? I'll tell you this much, I had no idea that that had happened to you, otherwise I wouldn't have moved so quickly. I promise you, that, if you'll let me, I'll continue to be a friend and perhaps more? You don't have to answer now. I'd like to try to help you get over your fears, if you'll let me.
Your friend,
James
I couldn't help but smile. James was so nice to have understood, and trying to help, even better.
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A few weeks after the night at the theatre, James and I ran into one another again. Although this time not literally. We were both in Diagon Alley, and we came into Flourish and Blotts looking for the same book.
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Browsing through the Astronomy section of Flourish and Blotts, I came upon another person. James Potter.
"What'cha looking at, Drew?"
He started in surprise, but a look of delight crossed his face when he saw me.
"Lily, hi. Nice to see you again. I'm looking at some astronomy stuff for Remus. I think he's determined to find a cure for hi- for werewolves."
My eyes narrowed. 'He slipped up. There must be something he has to keep a secret that he almost let out.'
"Yeah. I'm looking for a book on the moon for L.C. She says that there might be a connection from the magick of the moon to werewolves that makes them act the way they do on the night of the full moon. And that if she can figure out what it is and how to reverse it, she might be able to cure them."
"That's deep."
"Tell me about it. When she's into something, she's all research-girl. That's the reason she's a Ravenclaw."
"Really. What class were you guys in?"
"Class of '05, why?"
"That's my class, too."
"I can't believe that you and I were in the same class at Hogwarts, Drew, and we never noticed each other."
"As I recall, one person beat me out for Head Boy that year, Mundungus Fletcher, and I think that Trisha was Head Girl. That's probably why we never met."
"And you were too busy with your pranks on the Slytherins to notice any Ravenclaws, unless they were extremely cute."
James lifted a hand to briefly touch my face. "You're extremely cute, Lily," he whispered.
"James," I began.
He dropped his hand. "No, Lily. Forget it. I'm sorry. I overstepped the bounds of friendship."
"James, you're not listening to me." This time I took his hand, to keep him from leaving. "You're not overstepping any bounds. I would've told you if you were. And you're more than just a friend to me. Hell, I didn't even tell my friends what happened and I told you."
"Did I just hear you correct, Maeve? You told him something that you didn't tell us?" Trisha asked.
"Trish-"
"No, don't even try. When you can trust us enough to tell us all your secrets, then come and see us. But not until then," L.C. added.
As one, they turned and left the store. I had kept my composure while they were there, but once gone, I broke down.
James wrapped his arms around me and hugged me to his chest. I sobbed out all my anger, my fear, and my guilt. Anger from them not understanding, fear from what happened, and guilt from not being courageous enough to tell them. His shirtfront was wet by the time I had finished.
"Lily, look at me." I raised my head from where it was buried against his chest and stared into his eyes. "You have to tell them. If you don't, well, you'll be ruining a great friendship. Best friends shouldn't have secrets between them."
"Like Remus never kept a secret from you," I said. He looked shocked, but I missed his facial expression. "Or Sirius, or that other one you used to hang out with whose name I can't remember."
"Peter. Lily, we did have secrets, but eventually they got out. And trust me; finding out from you would be more beneficial than finding out from someone else."
"Fine, I'll tell them. But you have to be there. I need support while I'm doing this."
"I'll be there. You know I would never abandon you."
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Hey, yet another chapter out quick. And more to come very soon. Read and review! And thanks to my other reviewers, Mistocean (I'll try…though I'm not making any promises), Pristine (what about Potter? Email me…Lily's a bit down on her luck, and needs a job so that she can keep her apartment), Me (umm…hi. Don't you have an account? It's rated R for situations that happen later on and sexual innuendos), Lily's Guardian Angel (thx so much), really good! (sure I'll try…no promises), evilduckofdoom (great username btw…sure…this chap's for you and everyone else who said it was cool), and Crimson (this is for you too…and I'm adding as quickly as I get inspiration)!
Just so everyone knows, if you give me ideas, I will try to incorporate them. And I will give you credit when and if I do. Also, the title means Seize the Day in Latin. It was the only thing I could think of, so if anyone has any ideas for a new name email them to me.
Mysticpixie