'One thing that makes a friend a friend is loyalty, for without it trust, truth and a true friendship are a disaster,'

'And who said that?' Sharon sneered.

'You're sitting right next to her,'

Lily closed her eyes quickly. She didn't think she was supposed to hear that. But all the same, she couldn't help having a feeling of gratefulness towards James and Raven. But for some reason, with James…there was something unexplainable, which Lily had never felt before.

Of course, she no longer felt ashamed of lying to Sharon; a true friend would have stuck with her no matter what, like Raven had done…and now she saw the error of her ways, so to speak.

She realised how hard it must have been for Raven when she left…but then again, a voice in Lily's mind said gleefully; she brought it upon herself.

Now Lily was confused; was Raven her friend, or enemy? Once Lily had left, had Raven assured herself that she herself had nothing to do with it, and is why she would round with a clear mind about it all?

Lily mentally slapped her head for being so stupid. Then, again, perhaps it wasn't so stupid…

At James' words, Sharon stood up. Knocking her chair over in the process.

'Izzy would never say that!' She yelled.

'She always told us truthfulness and believe was everything in friendship!'

'One,' James began, also standing, 'she is not Izzy, and two, maybe you heard wrong!'

'I can hear you know!'

'Yeah well,' Raven said, joining the group and also standing 'lily said so herself, even you never truly listened to her!'

'She never said that!'

'Yes she did!'

'Shut up,' Lily moaned and rolled over.

'Shut up,' Lily moaned to the voices in her head which now arguing about which was right. She rolled over onto her side to shut them up. Now she realised her mistake.

'Who's there?' Sharon asked, looking round the room.

'No one, dimwit,' Raven replied tartly.

'In case you haven't noticed, I am,' Lily said, admitting defeat and opening her eyes. In the time between her moan and the girls' argument, James had moved onto the edge of her bed where she now sat holding Lily's hand. He was the first thing Lily saw upon looking up, and he smiled warmly at her. Feeling weakened by his smile, she smiled meekly in return. Had she been standing up, Lily was sure her legs would have been jelly.

'Lils, you're awake!' Raven cried, rushing forward. She sat in Sharon's vacant seat, simply remained where she was. Lily sat up slowly, and lent into the arm James was offering so she could rest her head on his shoulder. Out of tiredness, she fell backwards, but was caught by James who placed her once more comfortably in his arm.

'Go away Sharon,' She muttered, leaning into James and closing her eyes. It felt so right in his arms, so…perfect.

'What?' Sharon asked, as though she was some superior whom was the only one allowed to give orders.

'I think she said 'Get out',' James said.

'You can't tell me what to! I'm your best friend!'

Lily tutted and opened her eyes.

'I heard what you were saying,' she said clearly, followed by a yawn.

'What do you mean?'

'Don't play dumb with me, Sharon,' Lily said angrily. She got out of bed (ignoring James' protests) and walked slowly towards Sharon, a dangerous look on her face.

'I heard every word you said, and just because you think I say something, doesn't mean you know everything about me. Just stay away from my friends and me' she said menacingly.

'What friends?' Sharon sneered, 'I thought you were a 'poor, lonely girl who was beaten by their father and whose mother is in a loony bin,'

'How did you find out?' Lily asked quietly.

From her pocket, Sharon produced a black leather book. 'I got it when you were taken to the ministry officials. I thought it was some stupid story you were writing,' Sharon laughed.

The next moment she was lying on the floor, red handprint across her face.

'Get out,' Lily murmured, seething. But when she didn't move, Raven came forward and dragged her out. In the corridor, Raven's yells could clearly be heard.

Lily broke into sobs on the floor. Two big arms wrapped around her and pulled her into a hug. It soothed her, and relaxed her mind to know someone cared. She pulled back slightly and looked up into James' face to say thank you, but when she did she seemed to be paralysed.

It was then she knew. She knew what that weird feeling had been…the whole story was told in those eyes…

She loved James Potter;

And he loved her back.

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