((Again, I am not JK Rowling. I did not make Lily or James, or many of the other characters. I did create a few names mentioned in this story, so if you don't recognize a name, I probably made it up. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW. Thanks!))

As James jogged to Madam Pomfrey's office, he felt a sickening feeling rising in his stomach. Worry. What was that look Lily had shot him? Disgust, or sympathy? Or had she merely looked at him, and he was imagining a particular emotion? Pushing all thoughts out of his mind, he knocked on Pomfrey's door.

"What do you ne--oh my. That's a bad burn. Come on in, Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey ushered James inside, and immediately began applying a thick white cream on his cheek.

"Sit still for a moment, while the cream dissolves into your wound." Pomfrey said, heading off into her private office. James sat quietly for a few minutes. There was a hissing sound, like an icecube being dropped into boiling water, as his burn sucking in the creamy remedy. A little while later, when the hissing stopped, Madam Pomfrey ushered him out the door.

"All healed, Potter. Go back to wherever you are supposed to be." she said, before closing the door. James felt his cheek, and found it was whole again, with not a trace of the gash that had been there minutes before. He grinned, and headed toward the Great Hall. Class was just ending, so he saved a section of the Gryffindor table for Lily, Sirius, Remus, Peter and Theia. Just his luck, however, Elle and her group of girls headed over.

"Oh, James! Are you okay? That was a horrible burn." Elle gushed. She sat beside him, and gazed up at him with adoring brown eyes.

"I'm fine." James said, not wanting to start up a conversation and to have her stay. He knew exactly what Elle wanted. In years before, she had gone from James to Sirius and back until she realized James was in love with Lily. Then she was all over Sirius. Clearly, now that Sirius was with Theia, she was back to James.

As Lily walked into the Great Hall with a few of her friends, including Leilanni and Theia, James stood up. As he made to move away, Elle grabbed his robes, and pulled him back down. "Going somewhere?" She asked, in a silky voice. James was aware of her searching hand running along his robes, and stopping between his legs. She gave a throaty laugh as James stiffened.

"Relax, James. I know you love me." she said quietly, her fingers caressing gently. Again, James made to stand up, but Elle was practically sitting on him. Even though he did not love her, she was good with her fingers, and James felt his manhood start to harden.

"See? He loves me." Elle said, grinning at her friends. There were a few 'Oohs' and 'Aaahs' from the group, but most were glaring in envy, or simply because they knew James did not.

"I don't." James stated firmly. "I love Lily."

"What?" Elle asked, her eyes-widening. She could fell his manhood growing more erect under her fingers...why wasn't he begging for her?

"I SAID I LOVE LILY." James bellowed. He jumped to his feet, and Elle tumbled off the bench. He rose, and left the Great Hall, dimly aware that there was an echo in the Great Hall of his last words, for all to hear.

From where she was standing, Lily could heard the bellow more than once, thanks to the echo. But long after the echo had died down, it was ringing in her ears.

"How romantic..." Leilanni sighed.

"Elle was all over him! She must be so embarassed!" another girl laughed. Immediately, all of the girls with Lily began voicing their opinions on how romantic, exactly, it was.

"Lily...earth to Lily..." Theia said softly, gazing at her wide-eyed friend. Lily turned stiffly towards Theia. "You look like you've seen a ghost!" Lily didn't answer, but turned on heel and left. The giggling group of girls made to follow her, but Theia shook her head.

"No...leave her alone. She doesn't want to hear about how you all adore James." Theia said quietly.

"But this is great! Sirius has you, and James has Lily. Elle's going to be so mad!" a girl cried excitedly.

"James doesn't have Lily." Theia said firmly. Then, silently, she added, "And I can't think of why."

Sighing softly, the swooning girls parted, leaving Theia gazing into the corridor that Lily had left, wondering what was in store.

((Sorry this chapter was a little short, but I hadn't intended on Lily to leave, but it seemed so much better when she did. I think this was my favourite chapter yet. I live for reviews, so please R&R!))