Disclaimer: Harry Potter, Hogwarts, or anything that has ever been mentioned in the Harry Potter books does not belong to me. I would like to own them, and make billions of dollars every year, but the only thing in this story that is mine is my plot, if you can call it one. I am simply one of those very sad people who obsess over something that isn't real. So please, don't sue me, all I have that is of any value is a cello and a computer. Thank you for your time.


Chapter Four

"Is watching them as depressing for you as it is for me?" Sirius asked dully as he, Anna and Remus all sat thinking at a table of an Italian restaurant. "Because every time I see them I want to bonk their heads together."

"Oh, it's not that bad," Anna replied. After seeing Lily come home in tears after work yesterday, she had relented on her position of neutrality, and had told Sirius she would help. "They just need some time. Or sense."

"Time!" Sirius threw up his hands to emphasize his sarcasm. "This is what, the three hundred and second time that someone has said that about those two. And time hasn't done anything but bring them further apart! I say we bring them back together, or it will never happen."

"Ah, so every fool has a few wise statements." Remus replied cynically. Sirius chucked a roll at him, but Remus dodged it easily. "Perhaps we should work on convincing them to try again. No actual action," he shot a look at Sirius who tried (and failed) to look innocent. "Just talk. Can you do that, Anna?"

Anna grinned wolfishly. "Oh yes, I can do that very easily. Convince. Sure. Should be fun."

Remus laughed. "Well then, I need to be going. Mungo's needs me. See you two lovebirds later." He exited quickly, leaving Anna staring skeptically at Sirius, who looked slightly, but only slightly, abashed.

"Look, Anna, I wanted to talk to you about something. I know what I did back in seventh year was wrong. I was stupid. I also know that you've told me many times how much you hate me because of what I did. But I need to know, is hate what you really feel?"

Sirius looked so helpless, like a little lost puppy, that Anna had to bite back a laugh. She knew he would think that she was making fun of him if he did laugh. "Oh, Sirius, of course I don't hate you. I love you too much to hate you."

Sirius's crestfallen face immediately brightened. "You do? Do you mean it?" Anna nodded shyly. "Well, does this mean we can go out again?" Sirius asked hopefully.

Anna shook her head. "Not before we get Lily and James back together. They need all our energy, and probably more." She gave Sirius a quick peck on the cheek, and disapparated, leaving Sirius planning how exactly he was going to pay Remus back for arranging that.


Lily and James sat, once again, researching. A week had passed since James had asked her whether she loved Richard, and she was still pondering her strange answer. I will? Does that mean I don't, or that I do, and will continue to do so even with James working with me, and all my senses being on fire just by having him in the room?

Lily gave up attempting to find anything else. They had been working for 6 hours straight, and it was time for a break. She threw a quill at James, who was hit right in the forehead.

He cursed, and then shot her a look. "I'm sorry," Lily apologized, "But we've been working for far too long. Here, have a cookie." She tossed him a plastic-wrapped chocolate chip cookie. "So, what are Sirius, Remus and Peter doing? I haven't heard from them in forever."

James grinned. "Well, Sirius is an inventor for Zonkos." He watched Lily's eyes widen, with fear or amusement, he wasn't sure which, but he continued. "I wouldn't accept any presents from him if I were you. Remus is working at St. Mungo's. He wanted to be an auror also, but couldn't because of his, well…condition. Peter, him I haven't seen in a while. He was working on something for the Prophet, as an assistant or something."

"Are you sure that was wise of whoever is in charge," Lily replied. "Don't assistants usually need intelligence, and organizational skills?"

James laughed. "Well, true." If it had been anyone but Lily, he would have cursed them. But it was Lily, and she got special treatment.

They fell back into silence, but a comfortable one. Lily was twisting the ring on her finger nervously. It's not right. I don't love Rick, really. I love James. So I can't marry Rick. It would not be fair to either of us.

She was about to tell James this when, suddenly, the door burst open and Moody walked in with about 4 aurors that Lily knew from France. One of them was Rick.

Moody introduced her and James, and informed the pair that they, along with the other 5 pairs, were to be working with the French aurors for as long as it took. Once he had left, Rick came over, pulled Lily out of her chair, and kissed her.

James was furious. How dare this, this haughty French insult to the word auror just come over here and do that to his Lily. He conveniently ignored the fact that Lily hadn't been his for years. Sirius's dog possessiveness had been rubbing off on him, he was sure.

Lily gaped at Rick. Truth be told, she wasn't happy to see him. It was too much. "Rick, it's such a surprise to see you." She stammered out. "Why are you guys here?"

"Well, they believed that the English were too incompetent," he shot a smirk over at James, who was still boiling, "and decided to send a few of us over. I decided that I wanted to be near you again, for I missed you so much."

Lily sighed. She didn't want to do this, but it had to be done. "Rick, can we talk in private for a moment? Please?" Rick nodded jovially, and she led him out of the room.


"Look, Rick, I'm glad to see you, but I've been thinking about our marriage." Lily began. She had no idea how to say what she wanted to, but Rick interrupted.

"That is always a dangerous task in a woman. I have been thinking too. It probably would be best if you gave up this job after our marriage. It really is unnecessary. My family has plenty of money, and you are going to need time to raise our children. Plus, I'm going to be going into the ministry and politics soon, and what kind of politician has a wife who goes and does what you do? I know that you'll understand it's for the better."

Lily stared at him. How dare he, how dare he? Give up her dreams, just to fit into an image that she didn't even want. "Well, Rick, that was what I was thinking about. We want to go different places in the world. It would never work out between us."

Rick laughed. He actually laughed at her. "Oh, Lily, when you have children, you will be happy with what I'm telling you that you need to do, believe me."

Lily's rage boiled up inside of her, "No, Rick, believe me!" She yelled, and, with a sharp tug, pulled the engagement ring off and threw it at him. It scratched his face, and he stared at her as she raced out of the room, swearing vengeance for how she had shamed and humiliated him.


Lily apparated not to Anna's apartment, but to her old home in downtown London. It had been untouched since her parents had died, but they had left it to her, and she needed time to cool off.

However, whenever she thought of what Rick had said, she grew even angrier. Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore. She grabbed the first thing she could, a metal chair from her old dollhouse, and threw it at the wall. However, she missed, and it crashed into the window, and went sailing into the street.

Suddenly, Lily heard someone curse loudly, and she ran outside to see who it was. Naturally, it was the last person whom she wanted to see.

"Oy, Lily," James called out, rubbing his forehead. "I know we had problems in seventh year, but I thought we declared a truce. That hurt."

Lily couldn't stand it any longer. She burst out into laughter, James joining in after a few seconds. When she caught her breath, she asked him, amused, "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"


There. James was hit by a chair that Lily threw out the window. Are you happy now?

I'm sorry for the wait. It's time for finals, I demand pity.

Go review. Please. It's the holiday season; do something nice for poor me. I need the inspiration and ideas that you guys give me. Thanks

To answer my reviewers-

Mika Rieu- oui, c'est tres triste.

munchg010- the chair has been thrown, no more are needed.

Silverlie- Thanks.

EmeraldEyedEvans- PROOF THAT YOU"VE LOST YOUR MIND!

fred's girl- It was explained. I didn't notice when I updated, but it gave me an idea. Thank you.

spaceshipjamies- He wanted Lily to be happy, even if it was without him.

LostConscience- The Rickie has flown. For now..

le manchot du destin- Is this enough change for you?

NorberttheDragon- Next big chasm, he's a jerk. That one was big enough, I say.

man eating plant- Thank you.

zebragurl- Not anymore, so much, but it would be amusing. Maybe Peter can die trying.

Insane Psychopathic Girls- He got hit with a sharp rock and humiliated. Is that enough?

ThelovelyladyLily- It's a good idea, but I hate Rick as much as ya'll, so I wanted him out of being nice as soon as possible.

makoto-47- I always thought it was Orion, particularly after Snape's Worst Memory. SOB.

Prongsandpaddy- Hate to say it, but ya, it did.

ourlittlesecret7- Even dumber Rick.

Stella Blu- I did so. Probably not the way you pictured it, but it happened.

Lily of the Valley23- They will. Or Sirius and Anna will do it for them.

PinkyTheSnowman- Thanks.

I believe in a thing called reviewing,

Sally