Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story. The things I do not own [probably] belong to Ms. JK Rowling

.::Chapter 7: Looks can be deceiving::.

"Good evening everyone!" Professor Dumbledore called out to everyone on Sunday night. "First, I'd like to introduce a new transfer student, Mr. Nathan Royce!" The Great Hall erupted in applause as the boy that James had seen in Professor Dumbledore's office stood up in front of the crowd of students. "Mr. Royce has actually been here for a few days, but we had to get him settled with the school."

"Hello," Nathan said loud enough for everyone to hear. He didn't seem as embarrassed as most students would be when put in his situation.

Off from the side, Professor McGonagall came out carrying the Sorting Hat. She placed the hat upon his head and it screamed out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

The boy walked off and sat next to Lily.

"Now that's settled," Dumbledore said after the applause from the Gryffindor died away, "Tuck in."

"How do you think the new student is?" Sirius asked. "I hope he doesn't take all my ladies away from me."

"He's nice," James said ignoring the last sentence Sirius said. "I met him in Dumbledore's office while everyone was getting zapped.

"That's good to know," Remus said. "And I think Sirius has nothing to worry about for Nathan to be taking all of his 'ladies.'"

"Really?" Sirius asked excitedly. "Good, but why do you say that?"

"Because James is the one that'll have to worry," Remus said simply. "From what it looks like, he's making moves on Lily."

The group stared across the table where Lily was giggling at something Nathan said.

"So," James said once he and Lily were alone in their common room. "Royce is nice, don't you think?"

"Yeah," Lily replied with a smile on her face.

"Saw you two talking in the Great Hall. You sure were warming up to him. Gonna go out now?"

Lily's cheeks turned a rosy shade. "Oh, I don't know. I probably can't with all of my work and your work!"

James laughed with her.

James and Lily were walking towards the Great Hall the next morning before stopping from a, "Hey, Evans!" They turned around and Nathan was standing there. "This school's so nice, but maybe you could give me a tour tonight?"

James wasn't sure whether this was Nathan's way of asking someone to a date. Just to be safe, he blurted out, "Evans would, but tonight she's supposed to help me with my half of the Heads' reports."

"Oh," Nathan said looking slightly disappointed. "Okay then, maybe another time!"

He walked off as Lily gave James a puzzled look. "What was that about?"

"You could help me learn how to do my half of the reports, or you can just do mine for the rest of the year, you know," James said the first thing that came to his head. "I'm just trying to help you out."

Lily smiled, "It would help me out even more if you'd stop making me do your work."

"Yes, that'd help me out," James scratched his head. "But how would that help me out?"

Lily just shook her head as she walked off.

James spent the rest of the day stopping Nathan from asking Lily out on dates. It was quite exhausting; that is, it was quite exhausting until he thought of an idea.

"POTTER!" Lily screamed as she barged into his room. "Since WHEN was I DATING YOU?"

James looked lazily at her. "What are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about?" Lily asked furiously. "Finally Nathan and I are alone, the perfect time for him to ask me out without you getting in the way, but he doesn't do anything. So I ask him what he's doing later, and he replies, 'I'd tell you, but wouldn't your boyfriend get mad at me?'"

She looked as if she were about to attack him immediately. "Oh, that."

"Yes that," she spat. "So answer my question! Since when was I dating you?"

"Since I found out your little secret," James replied.

Lily looked at him as if she were about to jump up and down on his face until he were dead. Resisting the idea, she turned around and walked away.

'I hope this is a good idea,' James muttered to himself.

The next day, Lily was walking towards the Great Hall. She was trying her best to forget about the night before when something slipped into her hand. Looking down, she saw James' fingers intertwined with hers. "Hello, Darling."

She tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong. "Fine, how long am I going to have to put up with this crap?"

"Until Royce stops messing with you," James replied.

"Why do you even care?" She asked angrily.

"He has something up his sleeve," James replied. "I know people like him."

"What would he have up his sleeve?" Lily asked trying to pull her hand away. "He's a freaking year younger than us! I'd be able to resist anything he throws at me! I RESISTED ALL THE CRAP YOU GAVE ME!"

He looked at her, "Just trust me."

They entered the Great Hall, hand in hand. The whole student body seemed to look at them. James just smiled, taking in all the attention. Lily, on the other hand, turned bright red before pulling her hand away from his and sitting with her friends.

"So, Evans," Nathan said. "Do you want to go out next Hogsmeade weekend? I need someone to show me around."

"I'd like to," Lily said. She looked across the table where James was staring at her. "But I don't think my boyfriend would enjoy that." She said in a disgusted sort of way.

"Okay," Nathan said before walking away.

Once he was safely away, she flipped James off.

"Hey Nathan," Lily ran up to him. "I'll meet you in the Gryffindor Common Room at 8:00 to show you around Hogsmeade. Just make sure you don't tell James about this. We're not really going out; he's just a little whore sometimes."

Nathan looked at her and smiled. "Thanks, Evans."

Lily blushed scarlet before stalking away.

"GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING!" James screamed while banging on a pan.

Lily slammed her door open. "Potter… WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"

"It's Hogsmeade weekend!" He cheered merrily. "Do you want this to be our first date?"

She glared at him. "I'll make this simple enough so even you could understand. NO!"

"Okay, okay!" He laughed. "I'll go spend time with Sirius and Remus!"

He walked away leaving Lily alone. "5:30," she read once James left. "He's such a moron."

Lily stalked back to her bed and fell asleep. In 1 hour, she woke up and began getting ready to show Nathan around Hogsmeade. Once the clock hit seven, she knew James already left and began to relax. "At least I won't have to face him if he barges in."

She headed towards the Great Hall and ate a quick breakfast.

"Morning," Beth said as she sat down. "Why are you all dressed up?"

"I'm going to show that new student around Hogsmeade," Lily said as casually as she could.

"I see," someone from behind her said. Lily felt Faye take a seat next to her. "If you're just going to show him around, how come you're blushing?"

Lily smiled and scratched her head. "No reason."

"Hey, Evans," Nathan called as Lily entered the room. "You look gorgeous!"

Lily felt blood rush to her cheeks. "Thanks, but you can call me Lily, if you want."

"But I don't know you that well. I'll be fine with your given name, Ms. Evans," He walked over and kissed her hand.

"L-l-l-let-t-t-s g-g-g-o," Lily stuttered.

She led him around Hogsmeade from the Three Broomsticks, to the Shrieking Shack.

"It sure is getting really cold out here," Nathan said. "Let's head back to the Gryffindor Common room. I'll show you a few photos of my family if you want."

"Sure," Lily smiled at the idea.

The Common Room was packed. "Ehh," Nathan smiled sadly. "Maybe we can't stay here after all… unless…" He grabbed Lily's hand. "Follow me."

He pulled her through the crowds of people and up the staircase leading towards the Boys' dorm.

"Here," he sat down on his four-poster bed and patted the spot next to him. "You can sit here."

"LILY!" James screeched when he entered the Heads' Tower. "I BROUGHT YOU BACK SOMETHING IRRESISTABLE!" He paused, "ME! USE ME AS YOU WILL, I SHANT COMPLAIN!"

There was no answer. He scratched his head. "Lily?"

Once again, he was greeted with silence.

Sitting down in front of the fire, he began thinking of the places Lily would be until it hit him. He got up and began running as fast as he could towards Gryffindor Tower.

"That was a cute photo album!" Lily laughed. "Thanks for showing m-"

It was then when she noticed Nathan was looking at her. His chocolate brown eyes had a greedy look in them. It caused a shiver to go down Lily's spine. He moved his face closer to her.

"Sorry!" Lily said while getting up. "I think I heard James calling me! You know… my boyfriend?"

"You said he wasn't your boyfriend," Nathan said. "Don't be so scared, Evans. A few kisses wouldn't hurt anyone."

"Uhh," she tried heading for the door, but he pulled her back down. "That… hurts," Lily winced. He was grabbing her wrist so tight it felt as if it could fall of at any moment.

"I won't hurt you." He put his mouth close to her ear and whispered, "Lily."

It was then that Lily realized she couldn't get away from him. She was trapped.

::End Chapter::

reviewers

Ti: I hope she sees it somehow. I'm not sure yet. I don't plan out my stories. :P

SANDLE: Well, since you just saw this chpt, are you happy i updated "soon" WAAH! SCHOOL'S ALREADY OVER! :'(

Optical Illusions: Happy late birthday! Thanks for the awsome review!

pInKpIlLo6: Thanks for the review. HA! James actually got technical... its amazing

spotted kitten: Thanks for the review! Glad to know you liked chapter 5, and GLAD TO KNOW YOU UPDATED! :D

Crimsonmyst: Yup! dances GAH

Angel Street: Yup! Zap is so cool. My teacher brought it back, which is kinda weird!

eruve tinwen: Ah, i'm sure she'll see it sooner or later. I'm not sure though. Quite a few people asked me if she could find it. Oh well, i'll fit it in somewhere.

spotted kitten: Yeah, everyone used to say "i love you!" Thats what we used to do, but now our teacher invited us to the way i wrote in the story. :D

end Reviewers