(A/N: Thanks again to everyone who reviewed!!! This chapter is longer, as promised! Read on…)

Chapter 5- A kiss

Lily was feeling quite exhausted by the time the day was over. From the 3-foot long essay on witch burnings they'd been assigned in history of magic to her fight with James, the day had been thoroughly draining. She didn't want to fight with James; he'd never been anything but nice to her. But then again so had Edmund, and he had warned her about James' being jealous. But at the time, she'd thought James was above that sort of thing. Lying to her to get her to break up with Edmund! It was just too far. Lily rounded the corner and began to climb the first flight of stairs, being careful to be quiet; she didn't want to alert the caretaker. As she neared the landing she spotted two people off to the right, kissing each other. They were completely oblivious to Lily. But as she came closer, she saw who it was. Edmund and some blonde Hufflepuff!

Barely concealing her sobs, she ran up the stairs, and the couple never noticed her. Absentmindedly she entered the common room, and then into her dormitory.

Still sobbing, Lily climbed into bed and wrenched the bed hangings closed. James had been right all along! And, now, now after she'd snapped at him like that, he'd never forgive her! She should've just listened to James in the first place and never gone out with Edmund. She cried herself to sleep, with no thoughts but of James' forgiveness.

* * *

James was eating breakfast when Lily showed up.

"Well, look what we have here! Come to accuse me of being a liar again?" James leered, his temper rising.

"No, James, No! I- I'm so s- sorry!" she choked out, and then the tears started to flow.

James eyebrows shot up but he didn't say anything.

"You were right James! Forgive me! Please! I'll do anything."

James' expression softened and he got up from the table. He took her in his arms and lifted her chin. "All you owe me is a kiss." As soon as Lily's lips touched his, he knew that she was the perfect girl for him. Finally he broke away. "Promise me something, Lily."

"Anything."

"That you'll break up with that lying, cheating git."

"James, oh James! I'm scared! What if he-"

He cut her off. "What do you have to be afraid of? You'll be fine. Just break it off with him."

"Oh, But James! He-He said that if I broke up with him- he'd- he'd…" she hiccupped loudly.

"He'd what?"

She hung her head. "He said that he'd hurt you."

James eyebrows shot way up. "Me? Hurt me? You honestly think that git could hurt me?"

"James it's not like that! It's not like that at all! He was sincere…He really would…. I believe him, and I'm not going to break up with him, even though I hate him. If I do, I know I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you."

"Lily, really. You deserve better. How could he hurt me?"

She looked away. "I'm sorry James."

* * *

After that, Lily fled from the hall, her head in her hands. James called after her, but she ran faster toward the common room.

"Lily! My darling! What is wrong?" it was Edmund, in her path. Lily would have given anything to punch him in the face at this very moment, but she restrained herself, and attempted to wipe the tears from her eyes. He took her arm and pulled her face up to look at him.

"What happened? Tell me right now."

"N-Nothing." She sputtered, still trying to turn away from him, to hide her blotchy face.

"I know something happened. What do you take me to be? Who did it? Was it that git, James Potter? Did he do something to you?" he looked almost hopeful.

Lily pulled herself together. "Edmund, nothing happened. I was just running to the bathroom."

He narrowed his eyes at her. She could tell that he didn't believe her at all, but it was the best she could do.

"Alright then, I'll wait for you."

"No, no, its ok. Really."

"No, I insist."

Lily had no choice but to turn around and head to the bathroom, under Edmund's skeptical eye.

* * *

James watched Lily go, completely shocked by what she'd said. She actually cared enough about him to put up with someone like Edmund? Of course, he'd have to find some way to convince her that Edmund could not possibly hurt him. He was lost deep in thought when high-pitched girlish squeals filled the great hall.

"Jamsie poo! Did you miss me?" Diana Quigley shrieked when she saw James. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he felt like he was going to choke.

"Get off!" he choked out, but it came out very muffled.

Taking no notice of his desire to get away from her, Diana proceeded to screech in that annoyingly high-pitched voice of her's.

"oooh, I know you did miss me! I know it! Don't worry my Jamsie-poo, I missed you too!" she continued in this vein for some time, but James couldn't have cared less what Diana Quigley said.

His only thoughts were of Lily and her horrible plight, which in James' opinion was not necessary at all. But how could he make her see?

(A/N: this chapter is kind of corny, but it was fun to write ^_^

Next chapter we'll see a little more of Edmund's evil side, and James' hero side….but i'm not saying anymore here! I'll post the next chapter if I get, oh, five reviews? Thanks!)