It's not mine; it's J.K. Rowling's.

Chapter 17: In Which Lily Overhears Things, Promptly Misconstrues them, and Gets Herself into a Mess

and

In Which James' Sarcasm Bites Him in the Arse

As Lily stumbled through the back door of the Potter's house, she was in a decidedly bad mood. She slammed the door shut with a bang and violently tugged James' cloak out from where it had caught in the shut door. She tripped ungracefully over her feet as she walked toward the door that led from the kitchen to the rest of the house, all the while furiously brushing at the twigs and leaves that were clinging to her clothes. She stopped half-way to the door in the middle of the kitchen. Where was she going to go now that she was back? She huffed and muttered insults about Death Eaters as she thought it over, and then decided to go retrieve her wand from her room.

Shedding leaves and trailing curses, Lily managed to find her way back to her room. Turning the knob, she found that the door wouldn't open. Stupid dumb door! She kicked it a few times to vent the frustration she was feeling, then sank to the floor.

She felt like crying. All she wanted was to get into her room and get her wand back. That was all she needed; once she had her wand she could get out of here and never come back. The lily necklace would by nice to have as well; the protective spells would come in handy if her luck continued on the same track it seemed to be on lately. The only problem was that it had come from James.

How could she wear it when it hurt just to think about him? Why hadn't he come to rescue her? Or have, at least, sent someone to rescue her. It wasn't like she was a damsel in distress or anything, but it was certainly much easier to be rescued by someone with a wand then to get out of the Dark Lord's fortress yourself, without a wand, and then have to walk back to civilization while freezing your butt off.

She'd figured that James and his dad would have her out of Baramore in 2 days, tops. Really, she'd been guessing they would have her out of there before lunch of her first day. So she had waited for them and they hadn't shown up. They had the damn map, how hard could it be to get her out?

She slammed her fist at the door again, feeling like her heart was being ripped out.

Why hadn't he come?

Didn't he love her?

You just don't leave your true love to rot in a dank cell in the Dark Lord's fortress. She felt betrayed. She would have gone to rescue him from Hell itself without a second thought, and he wouldn't even return the favor.

How could she have been so foolish as to think that he'd changed, that he really loved her? How could she not have seen it? It hadn't even crossed her mind that he didn't love her, not once, except that night, that stupid night when Tom had shown up.

She sniffled a bit, trying to hold on to the rage that had gotten her this far. She couldn't succumb to misery; at least, not yet. She had to get back to Hogwarts, away from everyone who wanted to hurt her: James, the Dark Lord, Petunia ... She just had to get away. She had to find somewhere she could hide her weaknesses from the world.

Trying to stay angry, Lily stared at the tear in her pants, which she'd gotten from a tussle with a thorn bush.

Dumb Death Eaters, they'd let her escape the exact same way she had last time; out the Dark Lord's closet (really, it was quite a large closet).

After realizing James wasn't going to show up, Lily had, after a bit of angry storming, flirted and flaunted her way into the Dark Lord's bedroom. While she had waited most patiently for the vial sleeping draught that Severus had slipped to her, hidden inside her daily ration of bread, to take affect on the guard, she had poked around in the Dark Lord's bathroom. Who would have guessed he kept peroxide in there? Well, he probably wouldn't any more, not once he discovered what it could do to one's hair if placed in one's shampoo.

Lily actually grinned, thinking about it. She was having far too much fun changing the color people's hair as of late.

After her guard had commenced snoring, Lily walked into the Dark Lords closet and out of Baramore.

That had been two days ago. She'd spent the first day and night stumbling tirelessly through cold, uninviting woods. She'd fallen exhausted onto the door step of a quaint home the morning of the second day and the wonderfully kind old couple living there had given her some tea and let her nap on their couch.

She'd been utterly surprised when she'd awoken to hear them talking about making a trip to Diagon Alley. Through questioning she discovered that they were both wizards and would, in fact, be going to the Potter's house that very night (although, they hadn't told her the reason for their visit). They'd kindly agreed to let her off near the Potter's house (since she'd told them that she lived near there).

Lily had pushed her way through the woods and arrived at the rear of the Potter's estate. From there she had made her way to the back door, which led into the kitchen.

Leaning her head back against the wall, Lily closed her eyes, wishing she could just rewind this whole week and start over. First she'd smack James, then kiss him senseless, and handcuff herself to him, so she would stay out of trouble.

"If you want, I'll open the door for you."

Lily's eyes snapped open to see the illusion of the house shimmering in front of her.

"Now, I'm not technically supposed to since Master Tristan locked the door, and especially after what you did to James," she huffed angrily.

The house sighed as the door swung open, "But I do know that you are a nice person, even if you broke James' heart."

Lily looked through the open door, but didn't go in.

"What do you mean broke his heart?" Lily said bitterly. After all, he was the one who hadn't come after her.

The house looked at Lily surprised, "Well, what else do you think you did? Leaving him that horrid note at the breakfast table that said you never loved him. You could have at least told him in person. Poor James, he burst into tears right at the table, then stormed out and hid in the secret passage ways for the next 2 days so his father couldn't find him. He's been in a terrible temper since," the house sniffed dramatically," The worst, though, are the crying fits. He'll be in the middle of brushing his teeth and suddenly start sobbing. He's a wreck."

The house looked at her, "I suppose it's better you told him now, rather than letting him wait until the wedding day ..."

"But ... but ... I didn't," Lily sputtered, "I didn't send any letters and I most certainly didn't send one saying I didn't love James. I wouldn't do that because I do love him. I love him more ... more than anything ... more than life."

The house looked surprised, "Then why did you leave?"

"I didn't leave willingly; I went outside to make a snow angel and I ran into the Dark Lord. Merlin knows why he was out there anyway; well, he kidnapped me again, the ass. So I couldn't exactly help leaving. He probably wrote that letter too. I hate him so much!" She growled, gripping her fingers in the air in front of her like she was strangling an invisible person.

"That's awful."

"And now James hates me!" Lily wailed as the reality of everything the house had said settled in on her.

"Don't be silly," the house chided, "He wouldn't be crying all the time if he hated you."

Lily thought about that. Maybe the house was right. Well, now at least she knew why James hadn't come to rescue her. She had to forgive him, of course; the poor baby, thinking she hated him. He needed a hug ... and a good kiss. Silly of him not to have recognized it wasn't her handwriting. Although, she hadn't written him any notes before and that idiot of a Lordling probably had mimicked her handwriting anyway. He was too smart for anyone's good.

"Maybe I could go find him and explain things," Lily mused, "Do you know where he is?"

"He's in the ball room, I believe," the house's eyes glazed over for a second and then she nodded, "Yes, that's where he is."

"Alright," Lily said, hopping off of the floor and starting down the hallway, even though she had no clue where the ballroom was. She figured that the best way to get anywhere in this house was to walk like you knew where you were going and hope like hell you would end up somewhere you recognized.

"What are you doing!" The house practically shrieked, sounding scandalized.

"Going to the ball room," Lily replied slowly, wondering what the house was so worked up about.

"You can't possibly go dressed like that," the house told her, clucking like a mother hen as she surveyed the mess Lily had made of herself.

"Why not? He's seen me looking much worse than this."

"It's a ball," the house said, speaking as though Lily was rather slow. Lily still had no clue, what the house was on about.

The house rolled its eyes, "They'd throw you out if you went in like that."

"Oh," Lily said, realization dawning on her, "The New Years Ball." It was New Years Eve already; how time flies when you don't have a clock.

"Do you have a dress?"

"Well, I bought one, but ..."

"No buts," the house said, shooing Lily into her room, "I'll have you fixed up in no time, dear. You'll look so stunning, James will be absolutely unable to think of anything else."

Lily laughed, "Good luck with that endeavor. Do you plan on giving me a new body?"

The house shook her head, "There's no need to play down your beauty, darling."

Half an hour later, Lily had taken a shower, dried her hair, put on her dark green ball dress, and was receiving a lecture from the house on how to put one's make-up on to correctly to cover up a black eye (which was of importance since Lily had one that hadn't yet begun to fade).

Finally the house pronounced her ready to go and Lily followed her through the familiar hallways to the kitchen.

"That passage will take you right to the ball room," the house said with a gesture to her right, "The end is covered in a tapestry; all you have to do is push it aside and you'll be there."

The house sighed happily, "You look so pretty. Turn around once, so I can make sure everything's in place."

Lily turned obediently in place, hearing the dark green fabric rustle around her legs. She nervously crossed her arms, feeling the delicate embroidery of the bodice against her skin. She stepped a little on the hem and had to move her hands down to lift the full skirt from under her feet, leaving her feeling slightly exposed by the neckline. Stopping when she once again was facing the house, she put her hand to her throat, feeling the lily necklace that hung there.

Touching it filled her with warmth it was almost as if James was there himself, wrapping his gentle arms around her, offering safety and well being.

"Alright, go on, you look perfect," the house said, getting misty eyed, "James is so lucky that he some how managed to steal your heart."

Lily smiled, "He is an excellent thief." Then she gave a shaky curtsy, "Thank you for all of your help."

"It was no problem, dear. Now hurry along."

Lily turned and hurried down the passage way. She reached the end fairly quickly and could hear the sounds of the ball from the other side of the tapestry. She smoothed her skirt and carefully patted the curls that were arranged on top of her head. Feeling ready, she went to lift the tapestry.

She paused, though, when she heard James' voice, muffled by the tapestry say, "She's been gone a week."

Lily had been gone a week, was he talking about her?

She couldn't quite make out the next comments due to the interference from the tapestry, so she moved to get closer; then something wet hit her head and fell to the ground. Distracted, Lily pulled away from the tapestry and pulled out her wand.

"Lumos," she whispered. She stared for just a second puzzling at what she saw, but then decided that the puzzling just wasn't worth it. Honestly, how could you expect her to figure out how a goldfish, an actual live goldfish, had contrived to fall from the ceiling and hit her in the face while she was trying to eavesdrop on James?

Lily quickly conjured a bowl of water and picked the poor little fish up, putting him in it. She was extremely glad that her transfiguration skills had worked impeccably in her effort to save the helpless goldfish. She picked up the bowl and made sure that Diver, as she had just decided to name him, was happily situated.

Then she hurried back over to the tapestry and was just in time to hear Remus, at least the muffled voice sounded like Remus, say "You're in love with Cosette, now."

She nearly dropped Diver and his bowl. Remus wasn't talking to James was he? James wouldn't have fallen in love with someone else so quickly, would he? Who else could Remus be talking to?

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts Lily leaned once again toward the tapestry and she heard the words that shattered her heart and caused her to sag against the wall feeling physical pain.

"Lily never meant anything to me; she was just a bit of fun."

James … oh gods … James had just said that. She shook her head, trying to deny she'd heard it, but his words were burned into her mind, flashing like a neon sign.

Nothing? It had meant nothing when he said that he loved her; when he kissed her; when he lifted her into his arms? She was so alone.

She felt anger bubbling up in her. She had worked so hard to get back to him. She loved him. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. And for all of that, she was NOTHING!

Her hands shook with rage as she clutched Diver's bowl to her. She took a deep breath as she heard James and Remus' laughter ringing out on the other side of the tapestry. She was filled with a reckless rage and, steeling herself, she grasped the tapestry and prepared to yank it aside.

-

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!

Sorry it took so long to get up, but with stupid things (senior exits and such) I haven't been able to update.

It seems I've confused some people, so let me say that there is only one more chapter left, now that you've read this one. I have to be honest and say I didn't expect anyone to actually like my story and having people read it is fantastic, but even for you guys (amazing as you are), I don't think I can change my story to make it longer. I've been writing and typing this as I go, but the conclusion has always been firm in my mind and we are there, so the next chapter is the end (Don't worry it's got a lovely happy ending). I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have. And for anyone who's interested, I will be writing more stories, although not anything like a sequel.

Daystar - the brains and commas behind the operation, the girl who also gets the credit for the title about James being bitten in the arse ... congratulations on that ... it's a real achievement

Dracoslilgirl4ever - sorry you didn't like it, but it's supposed to be depressing and see the above chapter about the letter thing.

Alandra Jade Hart - thanks for the trust ... I won't let you down (unless I do, in which case I'm sorry).

Goddess of Muffins - thanks for the advice. I did actually think about that and where I put the page breaks last chapter had been for Lily's pov, but I decided I would just wait till this chapter to build suspense and let James wallow more thoroughly in his misery.

JamesLvr4eva - don't worry; it's a happy ending.

sunlitmist - no cliffhangers (kind of), I'm not counting this chapter.

Lils-X - don't get too sad, I'll get them back together soon

CrEsCeNt Moon - sorry, there really is only one more chapter, and they aren't really super long (you've definitely got my number on that), but I'll try.

Hannah/Prongs312 - I don't watch Gilmore Girls, but some of my friends do. It's not really my type of show.

Also thanks to: Blink182Rox, siriusforeva, ashley, HeartofGryffindor, Rowenhood, The Big Dance, drumergirl, Thayet Conte, Seren Lunar Echo, scullymulder, and eluding-you