Chapter 15 "Underneath it all" by marauderyears

Disclaimer: Contrary to popular belief, I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to it, J.K Rowling does.

Note: Sorry for the long wait. Thanks to my betas and reviewers!

Lily's POV

"Lily?"

"What?" My reply came out much grumpier than I wanted it to sound. I am currently sitting on the window ledge in the Astronomy Tower. Luckily it's empty. You have no idea how disturbing it is to walk on...busy couples. Namely Sirius Black and whoever his girlfriend of the week is.

Remus sat down next to me on the (small) windowsill. It always has a pretty view of the lake and Whomping Willow. If you look hard enough you can see the border of the Forbidden Forest behind the lake. It's especially pretty because if I come early enough, the window faces the east, so I can watch the sunrise. I've always liked the sunrise better than sunset. The sunrise always reminded me of a new day, a new beginning. Although the sunset is also pretty.

Remus didn't say anything for a few minutes and I wondered if he was planning on saying anything. I do like silence though. Not awkward kinds, but the kind where you can think.

"I'm sorry."

I blinked up at him. "Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to get turned down. James REALLY would have-" Oh. That.

"No, it's fine Remus. I'm fine, I don't really care. I was just asking him to be polite."

"I didn't know that he was already going with someone else. He really likes you."

"Liked."

Remus gave me a puzzled look. I shook my head as if to say never-mind.

"It's beautiful."

"I know." I don't know how I knew that he was talking about the view because usually when people change the subject suddenly, I'm still thinking about the old one. Subject that is.

"I don't mean to be insensitive, but it's the prettiest on a full moon."

Remus winced ever so slightly, but nodded. "I bet it is. I wouldn't know."

I smiled sympathetically at him. Oh what the heck. I gave him a hug. He seemed surprised because he didn't respond at first, but he patted my back after a second. I pulled away smiling.

"I'm sorry. If there's anyone who doesn't deserve it, it's you." He shrugged. Why does it seem like the nice people always have the bad luck and the mean people have good luck? What's up with that?

"Do you still want me to take you to Quills and More?"

I smiled. How sweet of him. "Sure."

James' POV

"Have fun on your date Prongs. Hope you get lucky."

"Thanks Padfoot." I headed to the Entrance to Hogsmeade. That's where I'm supposed to meet Lena. When I got there, she was waiting for me. Is she early or am I late? Oh, what does it matter?

"Hi James!" She sounds so cheerful, so I gave her my winning smile. I swear I'm not trying to be conceited.

"Hi Lena, you look very nice." She smiled, looking really happy. I added in the 'very' so that it sounded genuine.

I stuck out my arm for her. "Shall we?" She smiled and took it. My arm, that is. What else would she take? Okay, don't answer that.

"...and so my dad was like really mad at me after I told him about the Vodka. It was SO funny. I mean for me, not for him. He was the one who had to replace the chandelier." I have no idea what she was saying for the last fifteen minutes but I laughed anyway.

We've been in Fantabulous (a VERY girly store which has no one of the male specimen in it) for what seems like hours while Lena looked around the store for a 'white Vanora-Skye mini skirt'. Now why she had a sudden inkling to buy this right now is beyond me. Oh well. So far she's been telling me stories about...well I don't really know.

"...So eventually I gave back the little pokie-rod-thing you use to get clothes that are really high up, but the assistant manager never forgave me. But that could've been because he was my Ex-boyfriend. But he was a jack ass because he told me I had fat ankles. I mean come on. Do I have fat ankles?"

I was about to say no when she continued on with the next story. I guess she really doesn't care that I don't care. I swear I'm trying to listen. But how'd we get from chandeliers to ankles?

Eventually she paused in her spiel and I took the opportunity to ask if she wanted to go to the Three Broomsticks. As we walked through the crowded street, there was an awkward silence.

"So... you like Quidditch?" Of course I like Quidditch. I'm the Captain of the Gryffindor team.

"Yeah, I've been playing for awhile. My dad got me into it." She smiled at me. She was very pretty. Most boys would call her hot I guess. She has really dark hair, a cute nose and dark brown eyes. She was fairly tall too, taller than Lily. But Lily's the perfect height. And Lily's prettier.

"I love Quidditch too. I only play for fun in the summers though. My mum passed away when I was 4 so I only live with my dad. He taught me how to ride a broomstick, and play Quidditch. He only really had me be Keeper because he always wanted to play Chaser..." I found myself listening; she's actually a pretty neat person.

"Hey Rosemerta, can you hook me up with two Butterbeers?" I said winking at her. She blushed and handed me two.

"So still haven't gotten Miss Lily on a date yet? She's so sweet."

I shook my head, downcast.

"Cheer up James, you'll get her soon. She'll come to her senses." She smiled at me and walked off, giving me a nice look at her-

"James, did you get them?" I turned around to see Lena waving at me to hurry up.

Not but 10 minutes later, did something or rather someone, catch my attention. I saw a flash of red hair. I followed the pretty redhead with my eyes and realized with that she was with Remus.

While Remus ordered their drinks, Lily turned around and her eyes between Lena and I and landed back on mine. Our eyes met for a brief period, but she turned back around after giving me a look that I still can't quite figure out.

Needless to say I watched her talk with Remus until I heard Lena say Lily's name, bringing my attention back to her.

"...and she's being a real bitch about it."

I pretended not to notice the fact that she just called my Lily a...well you know. "About what?"

Lena stared at me for a second. "Didn't you here me? I said that when I told her about you and me, she got real mad."

I started choking on my Butterbeer, which definitely got Lily's attention. Along with everyone else. I turned red.

"Why?"

She got quiet for a second than shrugged. "How should I know, she gets real weird about these things."

Oh no. So she IS mad at me. But why, it's not like she cares. Well, then again she has been really nice to me lately. Maybe she just doesn't trust me with Lena. Yeah, that's it. Wait, she said she trusted me. She couldn't be...no, she isn't.

I glanced up at Lily and caught her looking at me. She blushed and said something back to Remus. I hope Lily got her Copy Quill.

Lily's POV

"Thanks for showing me where Quills and More was. I still don't understand why you wouldn't take me to Zonko's though."

"You're welcome. But I want the first time you go into Zonko's to be with James. He'd want to be the person to show you that." I think I blushed because Remus smiled at me.

We walked into the Three Broomsticks, and I'm glad because it was starting to get chilly outside. Remus walked up to Madame Rosemerta and ordered our drinks. I looked around the room to find an empty table only to have them land on James Potter. He was staring back at me. I noticed Lena sitting across from him, talking to him. I glanced back at him.

"I got our drinks." I nodded, thanking him and walked with him to a seat.

"So Lily, I've noticed you've been getting better marks in Transfiguration."

I smiled. "Yes, I have, thanks to your help. I now have an Outstanding in it. That's the best I've ever done in Transfiguration."

"That's great. You're really good at Charms though. It's your forte." My smile grew, though I tried to keep it down. It's impolite to gloat or act cocky.

We were quiet for a minute and I watched James only to see him look up at me. Oh my goodness! He caught me staring at him! I quickly looked back at Remus, feeling my cheeks grow hot.

Remus smirked at me. "It's better not to stare at James the entire time. Because seeing as he is usually staring at you, you're bound to catch each other's eye."

"Remus!" I said, scolding, "What makes you think I was looking at him? I could have been looking at...Lena!"

"Do you normally blush when you look at her?" I narrowed my eyes at him, but he just smiled widely at me. Darn him.

"Plus I hear that you're not exactly on speaking terms with her."

"Yeah, she's..."

"Is it because maybe you're a little jealous of her? Do you like him?" My immediate reaction was to deny it, but I guess it's true.

"Maybe a teeny, tiny bit. But just as a friend." Remus nodded as I sighed.

"I'm such a hypocrite."

"A hypocrite about what?" We looked up to see Sirius, who slid in to the seat next to me.

I was about to tell him to bugger off, when to my horror, answered.

"Lily's finally admitted she like's James." The look on Sirius face made me want to punch him. I swear I think I lifted my arm too.

"Really?" He said grinning widely.

I moaned angrily and banged my head against the table, but Sirius pulled me back up. I gave Remus a cold glare, which being the annoyingly nice guy he is, just smiles back at me.

"What is it with you two?! All you ever do is smile at me when I'm in serious distress here! Stop smiling, stop it! You're smiling wider, stop! Arghh!" Remus and Sirius promptly burst out laughing, to my disgust.

I noticed James and Lena heading out and James caught my eye for the third time and gave me a small smile. I just glared back, and he looked hurt, but right now I don't care! The bell chimed as the door closed. Looking at the annoying laughing pair that I am stuck with, I stood up and left. The prats were still laughing when I slammed the door to the Three Broomsticks.

I turned the corner to head back up to Hogwarts only to run into a kissing couple. Darn those snogging- JAMES?! LENA?!

James looked up and stared at me. "Lily, its not-"

I shrugged my shoulders and said unemotionally. "Whatever. It's none of my business." I brushed passed them and followed the long road back to Hogwarts. I think I heard Sirius and Remus calling my name, but I don't really care. I really don't. I'm cold and tired, and I just want to go to sleep!