Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, not me.
These are my responses to some of the reviews I've received…
Coolio Snick: I'm really glad you liked my story. Thanks for all the compliments! They made me want to update A.S.A.P. so that I wouldn't disappoint!
Itty bitty evil kitty of doom: Um, I don't really know what 'spifnifty' means. Is this good or bad?
Jen: You're right. That's where I got the idea that Harry's mum should fancy him to make things more interesting. I'm not totally ripping it off though. The thing about Remus is, he didn't make the connection that a childhood acquaintance was actually his friends' child in the future. How could he know?
And now, to the story…
Chapter 7
Harry sat alone on a seat by the window, the same seat he saw Eleanor reading a book on the other night. He stared broodingly out into the dark, empty grounds. He didn't really take much notice of his surroundings, which was why he was surprised when he suddenly realized that the common room was deserted. He looked at his watch, it was ten to twelve. He had no idea when everyone had gone to bed. Harry sighed and went back to staring out the window. He spotted a familiar beech tree in the grounds. It was under that tree where he, Ron, and Hermione usually studied when the weather was good. Harry closed his eyes, picturing their faces clearly in his mind's eye. If he was never going to see them again, he didn't ever want to forget what they looked like.
"Harry? What are you doing down here?"
Harry jumped and turned around. Lily was at the foot of the stairs leading to the girls' dormitories, a robe over her nightgown.
"Nothing. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I was half asleep when I remembered that I left my essay on Protean Charms down here." She walked toward a table and picked up the said piece of parchment. "I was afraid the house elves might think it was rubbish and chuck it out." She said.
Harry nodded and said nothing, then resumed his watch by the window.
"Is something wrong?" Lily asked, moving towards Harry and sitting on the other end of the window seat.
"No, nothing's wrong." Harry sighed.
"You can always talk about it." Lily urged gently.
"I'd rather not." Harry mumbled.
"Well since I'm down here, I've been meaning to ask you a question." Lily said. When Harry didn't answer, she went right on. "I was wondering what had gotten into James. He seemed, well… nicer and I didn't see him hex anyone today. You're one of his friends, maybe you can tell me."
"Maybe he wants to change for the better." Harry suggested, glad his mum wasn't asking him what his problem was anymore.
"Maybe." Lily said, but she didn't look convinced. "Do you think it's wrong to go out with someone you don't really have feelings for?" Lily asked.
"Er… it depends." Harry said. "Are you, ahem, talking about James?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. I only agreed to go out with him because he acted differently and also because I didn't want him to keep asking me again." Lily said.
Harry felt his stomach drop. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to give the date a try, right?" he said nervously.
"I suppose so." Lily replied. "I just hope that I didn't give the impression that I liked him back. Because, well…" she trailed off, suddenly looking nervous, "…I kind of like somebody else." She finished, looking at her lap.
Harry's insides squirmed. Why was she telling him this? Then the horrible truth sank in, the one he had been trying to deny. It was impossible… it couldn't be!
'I… well… I like you." Lily whispered, still looking at her lap.
Harry felt like he was going to faint, and at the same time, felt as though he was going to be violently sick. Maybe… maybe he'd heard wrong. After all, what Lily said was barely audible. He gulped, then looked at her. Lily had stopped looking at her lap and was instead staring at Harry. He could see the full moon reflected in her eyes as she looked at him questioningly. Then, to Harry's horror, she leaned closer to him. Move! Commanded his brain. When her face was about an inch from his, his reflexes kicked in and he grabbed her shoulders to keep her from getting any closer.
Just then, there was a slight scuffling noise. Harry whipped around. He hadn't even noticed the portrait hole opening. There, in front of them, stood James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. Sirius had his mouth open, gaping at the scene in front of them. Beside him, Peter's eyes were wide. James was clutching something in his right hand which Harry, with a jolt, recognized as an Invisibility Cloak. He looked absolutely livid.
A/N: Sorry this chapter was so short but I just couldn't resist the cliffhanger!