Chapter Fifteen

Lily bounced into the Three Broomsticks, looking frantically around for Travis, but instead finding James and Sirius at the bar talking to Madame Rosmerta. She saw Sirius flirting with the young beauty, but James was just drinking from his mug, watching happily. She was so happy - that he was happy. That he wasn't stressing about her and Travis, asking her out everyday. They were just friends and that pleased Lily beyond all description.

No, actually, spending the night in his arms last week, that was most pleasing indeed.

No, Lily. Don't think like that, she told herself.

"Hello there, boys." she said, taking a seat next to James and ruffling his hair.

"Hey, Lily. What are you doing here?" James asked, though he dreaded the answer for he already knew.

"I'm meeting a friend." she said carefully.

"Would that be Travis?" he asked, staring intently at his drink.

"Yes."

After a moment, James surprised her by smiling. "Cool. What did you two have planned?"

"Um, we're going to go look at a few shops. He wanted to buy me something for Christmas and he wants to get an idea."

"Well, that's nice of him." James said. "I hope you two have fun."

"Aw, thanks, James." she said, patting him on the arm.

"So, did you sleep much last night?" Sirius asked Lily as Madame Rosmerta walked away to serve another customer.

"Yes, I did, actually. Despite the fact that you boys were having some sort of party over there."

"Yes, well, Frank got a box of candies from his ickle girlfriend in Germany, so we just had fun with it." Sirius said, winking at James.

"Well, what were you all doing, anyway?" Lily asked James.

"I, uh . . . well, we . . ."

"James wouldn't know, Lily. He was sitting on his bed, aimlessly staring at the wall."

"What? Why?"

"Oh, I didn't feel good last night." James said, glaring at Sirius.

"Oh, well. I hope you feel better."

"Yup" James said, carefully examining the bubbles fizzing in his drink.

"Well, I'm off. I think Travis is waiting for me outside." She jumped off the bar stool, and walked for the door.

"Have fun, Lily flower." James said. She stopped, then turned and smiled gratefully at him. Giving him a kiss on the cheek, she then held his face in her hands so he would look at her.

"Thank you for being so understanding, James. You're really acting very mature about this and I thank you for it." he nodded, gave a fake smile then turned back to his drink. "Don't mention it."

"I'll see you guys later."

"See ya." Sirius said, though he was looking carefully at James.

When Lily finally left, James sighed. "Padfoot, do me a favor please." he said calmly.

"Sure."

"Next time I'm dying in agony . . . please don't tell her about it!"

"And your logic for that is?"

"I hate he way she looks at me!" he said. "The look of pity and pain - I just can't take it. She feels bad that she's dating another guy when I care for her so much, and she blames my unhappiness on herself and I just can't take it. A face with such beauty should never be in sorrow." he said. Then after staring down a dot on the wall, he took a swig of his drink.

"Oh, my, gosh." whispered Rosmerta. Sirius looked up to see her eyes staring dreamily at James.

"What?" James and Sirius said in unison.

"You're giving up your happiness for hers?" she asked. When James darkly looked away, Rosmerta sighed. "Oh, that's soooooo romantic!"

"Wait, wait, wait." said Sirius. "You're telling me all that crap you just told her about Travis was a lie? You mean you're trying to be happy for her sake when-"

"When it's tearing me up inside? Yup. That I am." He didn't look very happy about it as he took another sip of his drink.

"You've got it bad, mate." Sirius said.

"Don't I know it." he said bitterly.

"Prongs, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Nope. Haven't a clue. I really thought I could do this, you know? I thought I could try to be happy for her, try to make her happy, try to move on, but... it's just not working. I've tried seeing the other girls, I tried even looking as Rosmerta today, but in my eyes, no one can measure up to Lily." he glanced at Rosmerta, who was listening as she dried the glasses.

"No offense, Rosie." he said.

"None taken." she said, waving him off.

"But it's really killing me, Pad. It just burns me to the core that she's out there right now with Travis, picking out presents, when I was the one who gave her a shoulder to cry on when she needed it. I'm the one who really cares about her, not that womanizing jerk."

"Wow." Sirius said in awe. "You really do have it bad."

"Yea, you're telling me."

"I'm sorry you have to deal with this, mate. Truly, I am." he said, patting him on the back.

"She's a bloody thief, beautiful sly little witch that she is." James said. "She's stolen my heart and she refuses to give it back."

After a long silent moment, or as silent as you can get in the pub, Rosmerta spoke. "James, can I say something?" she asked, for she had watched them both and listened to the conversation.

"Sure." he said.

"I've seen a lot of wizards come in here, claiming to be heartbroken and grieving for their girls. But every single one of them brought it upon themselves by not treating their woman right. Now, I look at you, barely seventeen years old. You've treated this girl of yours like a princess, killing yourself for her happiness. That is true love. You are truly heartbroken and I have complete sympathy for you."

"Thanks, Rosie." he said sincerely.

"Hell, if you were a few years older, I'd take you out myself. But I know you've got your eyes set on that girl, so how about a few drinks on me instead, eh?" Then she turned around to fill the glasses for the boys.

James nodded. "That would be nice, Rosie. Thanks." He took one last long swig of his butter beer before slamming it back on the bar and looking up at Rosmerta.

"Are you sure there's no way you couldn't get me something with alcohol in it?"

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A/N: Haha! Oh, James... lmao!

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