Chapter Twenty Six

"So, come on, Rem - you've got to tell me what she said. I'm dying here!" James said desperately. The Marauders were all gathered in the library late one night, preparing their scam.

"Well, I'm not going to give details because I feel bad about this," Remus said guiltily, leaning up against a bookcase. "But in a nutshell, she doesn't love Travis, and she does care a great deal for you, but she's scared of love because of her prophesy and she doesn't want anyone to get hurt, especially you."

After James sat there for a moment in silence, James gave a small smile. "In a nutshell, huh?"

So, what do we do now, Padfoot?" Peter asked, kicking his feet up on a table.

"Well, we've got the girl to play the part." said Sirius, who was sitting on the edge of the table. "Jenny Anderson, one of Lily's best friends, who was reluctant to anything to hurt Lily, but very sure that she wanted to help."

James was just sitting in a chair, staring off into the distance, pondering how and hoping this would work. "Okay, and I guess now, we just need some times and places to get public with our relationship, holding hands and kissing . . . and she knows that this is totally fake right? I'm not in the heartbreaker mood right now." James said worriedly.

"Don't worry, Prongs. Jenny is only in this to get her best friend with you. I talked to her today and she's got her eyes on someone else. So you've got nothing to worry about." Remus said with a tinkle in his eyes.

"Okay, then. I guess we'll start spreading the word around tomorrow morning. And maybe just throw in some obvious flirting at breakfast?"

"Sounds good." Sirius said, jumping off the table. "I'm ready for a good night sleep before all those bloody classes tomorrow."

"Speaking of classes," James said, rising from his chair and smacking Peter on the back of the head. "What's all this I hear about you hanging around with Malfoy and Snape?"

"I wouldn't call it hanging out. We just so happened to be walking down the same corridor and they were giving me a hard time. I just told them they needed to wash their own hair before they called me a greasy git." Peter said, rubbing the back of his head as he followed his friends out.

"Good one, Wormtail." Remus chuckled.

"Do you want us to take care of them for you?" Sirius said, winking at James.

"Nah, don't worry about it, just a few Slytherin prats. Besides, they're okay when they want to be." Peter said with a shrug. And with that, they all pelted him with playful punches.

"Slytherin's are never okay, Wormy." James said, rubbing his knuckles over Peters' thick skull in a headlock.

---

"Nancy, do you think this skirt is too short?"

"No . . . here, give me yours and you try mine on . . . there. Now it's too short."

"There we go. Much better. Now do you think you could help me with some make up?"

Lily sat on her bed and watched her two friends in utter confusion. Jenny, who never wore makeup was now bustling around about her appearance. And Nancy - wearing a modest skirt?!

"Okay, did you two switch bodies or something? Would someone please fill me in on what's going on?" Lily said.

"What's wrong with making Jenny presentable for the guys?" Nancy said innocently.

Lily raised one eyebrow. "Jenny, since when have you cared what guys think?"

"Since they started paying more attention to me." she said wryly, carefully applying eyeliner.

"Whatever. You two can keep primping, but I am going downstairs for breakfast."

As she turned to leave, she missed the wink that passed between Nancy and Jenny.

---

"Good Morning, boys." Lily said as she sat down beside Travis, giving him a daily kiss on the cheek, though she felt a twinge of guilt as she saw James turn away out of the corner of her eye.

"Morning," muttered Peter, Remus and Sirius sleepily, all of their heads on the table.

"Good Morning, Lily." James said with a mocking smile. She looked at him regretfully, both of them knowing full well why he did not call her 'Lily flower' this morning.

"Sleep well?" he asked, smothering his muffin in butter.

"Yes, thank you."

"Damn," he muttered, then looked up and smiled. "Damn good." he said when she looked up at him with questioning eyes.

"You doing okay in classes, like Potions and stuff?" Travis said, trying to get in on the conversation as he put his arm over Lily's shoulder.

"Potions?" James said through gritted teeth, glaring at the both of them. Yeah, I'll give you a potion - one that will make you break out in hives all over and the only way to heal them is to roll in tar then to let me peel it off your flesh after a few days . . . "Oh, yeah. Love Potions, don't we, Moony?" he punched Remus lightly on the arm, but he only mumbled and waved tiredly in response.

"You'll have to excuse him, he was up late last night . . ." Suddenly, Sirius snored and Peter made a loud sighing sound. ". . . as were the rest of them."

"Good Morning, everyone." came a sing-song voice from the doorway. Lily, Travis and James all looked up to see Nancy and Jenny walk in and take a seat by Lily.

"Now, who is this vision of loveliness?" James said, staring intently at Jenny, causing Lily's jaw to drop. "My name is James Potter. I don't believe we've met before, because I can assure you," he said taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips, "I've never met an angel before."

"Oh, hush James, you're making me blush." she said with a grin, yanking her hand back.

"I'm only stating the obvious." James said with a mouthful of muffin.

"Indeed." said Travis, who was eyeing Jenny, earning a hard smack on the chest from Lily. James stifled a laugh as Jenny looked seductively at Travis through lowered eyelashes, then tossing a wink at him that Lily missed before turning her attentions completely back to James.

"So Jenny, I must ask you if you are doing anything this Saturday afternoon, because I would love your company for a drink at Hogsmeade." James said, finishing his breakfast in a few gulps.

"Oh, James. I'd love to." She said with a grin.

"Great." he smiled with a wink. Trying to catch a glimpse of Lily, inside he cheered as he saw her hateful glare pass between Jenny and himself. Jenny had earned his admiration on this venture, for she was brave to dare Lily's friendship like this. But if it worked - when it worked - Lily and Jenny would be back to being the best of friends.

"Come on, Potter. We've got quidditch practice." Travis said, standing from his seat.

"I mean, seriously, Jenny. You've got me so stimulated right now, if I didn't have practice right now, I would carry you up to my room and -"

"James!"

Everyone turned at the shriek that came from Lily. "Do you mind? Some of us are trying to eat breakfast here!" she said lividly.

He turned from Lily to Jenny, and with a dashing smile said, "Come, Jenny dear. It appears that I have offended someone and it seems only appropriate that I take you out of the Great Hall so that I may ravish you away from all these prying eyes."

Lily gasped in astonishment and Jenny only giggled as he took her hand and led her out of the Great Hall. Once outside, he pinned her up against a wall with her arms around his neck for the impression of intense passionate kissing.

"Oh, James, that was perfect! Lily will be furious!" Jenny giggled quietly.

"You think?" James whispered with a smile.

"Oh yeah. I -" she stopped suddenly. Looking over James shoulder, she saw Travis. He had followed them out as he was heading for practice, but he was frozen in shock, eyes gaping at the two, not able to believe.

"Put your head on my shoulder." she mouthed in a whisper. James did so with a curious look on his face. When Jenny looked over his shoulder with the appearance that she was getting snogged by James, she did all she could do not to burst out in laughter as Travis eyes grew even more. "Do you mind?" she said. His eyes narrowed and he left in a huff.

"Wow. Piss both of them off within two minutes, that's great!" Jenny laughed as James stood straight once more.

"Jenny, I'm glad you're willing to help me out with this, but I feel bad about using you like this."

"Aw, that's so sweet James. But don't worry about it. I'd rather see my best friend with you than with. . .Travis." she spat out hatefully.

"Well, that takes a little pressure off. But I guess I should make it official." James said pulling away for a moment. "Jenny, gosh I feel horrible about this, but would you please go out with me for the soul purpose of getting your best friend jealous enough to go out with me?"

"Of course, James." Jenny giggled. "And really, don't feel horrible. I'm using you to get to someone else too."

"Really? Who?" James asked in curiosity.

"Nope. Not saying." She said walking back for breakfast.

"Oh, come on." he said, pulling her into his arms, only for the sake of the people who could see them through the doorway of the Great Hall. "As your boy friend, shouldn't I have the right to know?"

"Don't worry. You'll see." Then kissing him quickly on the nose, she ran back in the Great Hall for breakfast.

---

On this, the first day of February, Lily was grumbling under her breath as she rounded the corner, storming towards the Fat Lady's portrait. She had just caught Travis flirting shamelessly with Whitney Nicholson, a tall blonde Ravenclaw girl. She had been spellbound by his good looks and charm . . . as Lily once was. But now she knew that he was nothing special - just a womanizing jock. As Lily walked to the common room, she wondered what she had done to deserve all this heartbreak and emotions. She was a loving and loyal girlfriend. Never mind the fact that she was confused about her feelings for James and found herself fighting inner-battles of jealousy about his new girlfriend.

"Flobberworm." she said indignantly, and the affronted Fat Lady opened her door to the port hole. Lily headed towards the common room in a huff. Today was not her day. She had waken up late, spilled a creatures droppings on her shoe at Care of Magical Creatures class, gotten two wrong answers on an Arithmancy exam, and then she had found Whitney sitting on Travis' lap as he complimented her good looks. And it wasn't even lunchtime yet! Could this day get any worse?

Suddenly, Lily froze.

Apparently it could.

She could not - would not - comprehend what she was seeing. It felt like someone had punched her in the stomach and knocked all the air from her lungs. Lily could feel her heart in her throat and hot tears welling up in her eyes. She shook her head in disbelief as a single tear slid down her cheek, staring dazedly at the sight before her.

Jenny and James, sitting on a couch alone in the common room, locked in a tender embrace, displaying vibrant and passionate kisses.

"James, I . . ." she said quietly, her voice catching in her throat. He pulled momentarily away from Jenny and looked at Lily. "Hey, Lily."

"James, I-" she said again, losing her wording. There was a war of emotions raging inside her as she locked eyes with his. "I though... you said... I thought we..."

"Yes, I did say that. I told you I thought we had something special. Do you remember what you told me?" he said, standing before her. "'Let's be friends!' Did you know that's like the ultimate slap in the face?"

"James, I'm sorry, I'm . . ." she muttered looking at the ground. James gently grabbed her chin, making her look up at him.

"Not a pleasant feeling is it?" he said venomously. Then, taking Jenny's hand, they left the common room, leaving Lily alone.

Later that night

"It'll be okay, Lily." Nancy said, trying to soothe her best friends' tears.

"I guess after seven years of rejecting him, I deserve this one." Lily sobbed into her pillow. She couldn't help the fury of jealousy jumbling inside her. And as much as she wiped at the tears on her face, she couldn't wipe away the mental picture that was permanently pasted there: Jenny in his arms, being the object of his attentions, when all Lily wanted was to be in Jenny's position, to be the one to receive his love.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Lils."

"No, I should have gotten him when I had the chance." Lily said, sitting up on her bed and wiping the tears, full of guilt and regret. He was such a wonderful guy, always complimenting her and treating her like a princess. He always did anything and everything for her approval and attention. Anything . . .

"Wait a minute." she said, realization hitting her full force. "This is just another one of his tricks isn't it?" she smiled, gaining her composure. "Oh, very smooth, Potter. Very smooth. I know he's got something up his sleeve his time, but I'm not going to let him win."

Nancy only shook her head, drastically thinking of any way to sway her thinking before she was discovered. "I don't know, Lils. He's been so sincere towards you, his whole manner is loyal. It's hard to believe he would stoop so low as to con you into jealousy."

"No, Nancy. You don't know him like I do." Lily said with an angry glare. "This is just the type of thing that he would do."

They both suddenly fell silent as they heard footsteps on the stairs. When Jenny appeared in the doorway, Lily smirked and Jenny smiled nervously.

"Hey girls," she said kindly, heading for her bed to change out of her robes.

"Hi, Jenny." Nancy said, shooting her a look that said 'We've got trouble.'

"Lily, I . . . after today, I mean... are we okay? I felt kind of awkward after . . ."

"Of course!" Lily said sarcastically. "We're peachy." Then she swiftly turned on her side and tried to sleep. As Nancy walked back to her bed, she shook her head and whispered to Jenny, "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all."

---

Jenny pulled down her covers and with tears in her eyes, climbed into bed. She didn't want to lose her best friend - she was trying to help her. She knew that Lily loved James, even if she didn't want to admit it to herself. She knew that James made her happy and he treated her right.

But why all the confusion? Why could Lily and James never be together? And why . . . why could Jenny never have the man of her dreams? She'd grown up with him living down the street. They played together as youngsters and best friends, neither knowing that they would be seeing each other at the first year of Hogwarts.

And even though she'd always had a helpless crush on her friend, once they had arrived at school, he changed. He wasn't the funny caring boy she once knew. He was now a pompous git that all the girls drooled over and all the boys admired. A gorgeous sporting prat that she knew she would never win the heart of. But she knew that she was the only person who know the real him. Only Jenny knew the real Travis King.

Yes, the keeper of her heart was also the Keeper of Gryffindor.

Silently wiping the tears on her face, Jenny closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

---

A/N: Another chapter on the way.