Chapter Nineteen

James sat down frustrated on the bench and took a long gulp of water, wiping the sweat from his brow and taking a long refreshing breath. Today's quidditch practice had been horrible. He looked at the other team members, also rugged and tired.

James had been having a rough day. The memory of laying on top of Lily in the snow, her breath in his face, and then she had licked her lips . . . it was torture and it had haunted his mind night and day. It was cruel, he thought, that a woman could have so much power over a man's emotions. How she engulfed his mind and played with his desires like a string to a kitten; it was wrong. Not to mention that she was out there in the stands, cheering him on - Travis, her boyfriend, that is. She always came to the practices to support Travis, to see him, to be there for him. But today, it was just to much for him to take.

"Is ickle Potter having a hard time today?"

James didn't need to open his weary eyes to know who's weasel-like voice that was. Travis was standing beside him with a smirking grin on his face.

"You do not want to mess with me right now, King." James said in a huff.

"Hey now. No need to be bitter. I can understand if you're having a bad day in practice . . . but a bad week?"

"Go away, King."

"Well, it's ok, mate. Just buck up! Nobody likes a sore loser."

"Oh, go jump off a bloody cliff, will ya?" James said, now fully irritated.

"Tut, tut James - watch your language. But this sudden attitude of yours - it wouldn't have anything to do with Lily, would it?" James eyes quickly glanced out at the stands, where Lily was making her way to the team, then back to glaring at Travis. "Oh, it does? Well, let me fill you in on a little secret, Potter: Lily doesn't like you. Never has, never will. She decided she wanted to go out with the real 'King' of Hogwarts, not some pathetic wanna-be. But it's okay, mate - Buck up! Nobody likes a sore loser!"

"Travis!"

Everyone turned when they heard Lily's voice, even Travis looked over his shoulder at the shocked Lily. But everyone missed it as James tackled him to the ground and began punching him repeatedly in the face. Travis was out cold with a bloody lip before Lily came out of her shock and back to her senses.

"James, stop!" she screamed, holding his fist back before he administered another blow, pulling him off the ground. "What do you think you're doing? You can't go beating up on people!"

"Why? Just because he's your sweetheart, Travis?" James yelled angrily, not caring that everyone present could hear.

"No, James, I-"

"Well, you know what? He provoked me - he was asking for it! And I have been trying to be happy for you, but right now, I can't! I can't help the way I feel about him. And I can't help the way I feel about you either!" He yelled, quickly mounting his broom and flying away. Lily sighed and closed her eyes, turning back to the pathetic lump of a man named Travis, who was slowly waking up again.

"Oh, man, Lily. Thank you for pulling that big beast off me. I thought I was about to die!" he said, trying to stand.

"Well, you're rid of one beast, but now you've got another one to deal with!" She yelled at him.

"What did I say? If you messed with James even a little bit, we were through - remember that? Well, I just heard everything you said, and you are so busted. Right now, I am ashamed to call you my boyfriend. But you know what? I'm not going to have to worry about that anymore. We are done, Travis - no more!" She said, turning around and storming back to the castle, leaving Travis in his embarrassment.

---

"Well, what about Michael Truscott?" Jenny asked.

Nancy shook her head. "No, he's way dreamy, but I hear he's a real jerk around the ladies."

Lily wasn't listening to the conversation as she walked down the corridors with her two friends. She was quite lost in her own thought. Lily didn't have a chance to see James over the next few days. She was having a difficult time analyzing her feelings for him and what exactly she wanted to say to him when she finally did get him alone. But on this day, the Saturday before Christmas holiday, she caught Professor McGonagall, Sirius and James walking towards Dumbledore's office. She bolted down the hall, leaving Jenny and Nancy to talk amongst themselves.

"James, I really need to talk to you," she panted. He only sighed, his face expressionless.

"Can't it wait? I have an important meeting with Dumbledore right now."

"Will you meet me in the common room after?" she asked urgently.

"Sure, Lily flower." he said, cupping her chin briefly and giving her a small smile. Then he joined Sirius on the gargoyle.

Lily turned away, now more confused than ever. She was anxiously awaiting that night, but also dreading it. She didn't know what she would tell him, but the only thing she could tell him was the truth - but could she?

Suddenly, McGonagall started walking along side her, a grim look on her face. Lily turned around, but James and Sirius were gone.

"What's that meeting about, Professor?" Lily asked. "What's going on?"

"Oh, Miss Evans." McGonagall said, shaking her head and wiping the tears in her eyes. "It's not good. Come, gather all the Gryffindors in the common room. I must make an announcement."

---

A/N: -Music goes Bum Bum Bum! - What on earth could be happening???

-snickers- Writing suspensful romance is such bliss!

Okay, well - that's all for the nite. Enjoy - and please, keep the Travis death threats to a minimum. Please review - I love to hear from you guys! -huggles- adios muchachas!