Chapter Twenty Eight
James felt all his breath get knocked from his body as he ran into someone, knocking them over. He had rounded a corner, heading straight for the common room, but instead he had knocked someone to the ground.
"Whoa!" said Sirius, rubbing his backside as he got up. "Where are you off to in such a hurry, Prongs?"
"Oh, Padfoot, it worked! The plan worked! Lily broke up with Travis this morning! And I was so happy that I just had to kiss someone, and I figured the best person was Lily. So you better get out of my way, or you may be my victim!" said James merrily, moving towards the Fat Lady.
"Hold on there, James." Sirius said, holding him back. "I swear, sometimes I wonder if you know anything about women."
"What are you talking about?" James said astounded. "Of course I do."
"Well, you're not acting like it. Lily may not have loved that little twit, but you don't want to be rebound boy, do you?" Sirius said wisely.
All the excitement suddenly left his face. "No, I guess not." James said.
"Just leave her alone for a while. Be thoughtful and sympathetic, and giver her some time to sort out her thoughts."
"Well," James said irritated, "What am I going to do until she comes to her senses? I can't just sit down and wait."
"How about joining me at Hogsmeade for a drink? I believe that this calls for celebration for another wonderfully planned job well done." Sirius said, clapping his friend on the back.
"Now that I can do." said James with a grin.
---
Lily fought the urge to climb out of bed for she knew what day it was and what she must have to face. All the couples throughout the school would be kissing and holding hands, exchanging gifts, staring at each other in gooey love-sick eyes and whispering little 'I-love-you's in each other's ear.
It was Valentine's Day.
Lily rolled over and stared resentfully at the wall. She would not have anyone to share the day with - no gifts, no cuddle-buddy, no soft words of endearment - no nothing. She knew exactly who she wanted to share it with, but she also knew that it just couldn't be.
Word should have gotten back to James by now that I broke up with Travis, she thought. And she knew that he would be ecstatic, eager to have another chance at trying to win her heart. Little did he know that he didn't have to try anymore, he already had her heart. She already loved him.
As she sat up in her bed and with a firm nod, she decided that the only thing left to do was to avoid him. Avoid him at all costs. Maybe if she ignored him for the rest of the school year, he would leave her alone, move on and find someone else to love. Just that thought broke her heart, but she couldn't bare to have him die. She didn't want him doomed to death just for loving her. It wasn't right and she wouldn't have it. If it was her fate that her ability to love would only in the end kill the one she loved, then she would just close her heart to the world. Lily would love no one, and then everyone would be safe.
With tears in her eyes, she climbed out of her bed and decide to begin the day. The sooner it started, the sooner it could end. She walked around her bed to the chest at the foot of it, only to reveal a surprise. Sitting on the chest was a bag of Cockroach Clusters, a small bouquet of lilies tied in a tiny ribbon and tiny piece of parchment. Curiously opening the paper, she read:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Lilies are special,
and so are you.
Your fiery beauty,
your qualities rare,
you're smart and witty,
with a smile to spare.
I wish I was the one
to receive your kisses and hugs,
but your smile isn't meant for me,
even though I wish it was.
So roses will stay red,
violets forever blue,
But Lily, you're perfect to me,
and I will always love you.
Love always,
Your not-so-secret admirer
Lily chucked and wiped the many tears from her face as she read the last line. "I wonder who this could be from?" she said sarcastically.
---
"Good morning, Lily flower."
Lily paused. She couldn't even have breakfast in the Great Hall without his interference. She had tried to walk past him quickly enough to avoid conversation, but no, he wouldn't allow that. Every bloody morning, 'Good morning, Lily flower.' Why did he have to be so damn sweet??
And good looking too, damnet! As she turned to look at him eating breakfast, her breath caught in her throat. His messy black hair was even more so from the nights sleep, his hazel eyes were warm and inviting, and that blasted smile - the one that made her knees weak. Curse him for being so perfect.
"Good morning, James." she managed to say, trying to escape his presence.
"Have a good nights sleep?" he asked."No, as a matter of fact."
"Well, then I hope your day goes better." he said sweetly.
"Yeah, you too. I hope you have a great day with your girlfriend." She hadn't meant to sound so bitter, but if he heard the harshness in her voice, he ignored it.
"Girlfriend? Nah, I don't have one of those." James smiled again, causing Lily to falter at his words.
"Excuse me? What happened to Jenny?" she asked.
"No, we broke it off last week." James said waving her off. "She understood me when I said that there was only one girl for me." he said pointedly, staring intently at her.
Oh, he did not need to say that, Lily thought. She couldn't move as James came up beside her and smiled sadly.
"Ah, Lily. I'm afraid I'll grow old and die still waiting for you." he said quietly. "You've spoiled me for anyone else." Then kissing her quickly on the cheek, he left the Great Hall.
Silently cursing the tears on her face and wiping them away, she turned to sit down for breakfast on this wonderful Valentine's Day.
"He really did not need to say that." she mumbled.
---
"Nancy, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Lily had walked up to Nancy, but had failed to see Frank who was sitting across the Gryffindor table from her. Nancy had been laughing enjoyably and smiling intently at him before she had walked up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," Lily said, starting to walk away.
"No, Lily, you're fine." Frank said smiling, as he stood. "I need to go talk to Travis, anyway, so you can have at her."
Then winking at Nancy, he said, "I'll talk to you later, Nancy-Alice." Then walked down the table and sat by his friend.
"Nancy-Alice?" Lily giggled as she took a seat next to her.
"Oh, ever since Frank found out my middle name, he's been calling me that." Nancy-Alice said as she glared at him down the table with smile. When he blew her a kiss, she blushed.
"Maybe I am interrupting something. This looks serious." Lily teased.
Nancy-Alice laughed. "Oh, hush, Lily. We're just friends." she said somewhat halfheartedly.
"Well, I'm not the only one to notice that it doesn't look like that."
"What?"
"You're not the same person you've always been, Nancy-Alice." Lily smirked. "You're different."
"No, I'm not." she protested.
"Oh, yeah? You haven't made out with a person in over three months, haven't dated in over five months, and I must say, that is the longest skirt I have ever seen you wear. You're on time to ALL of your classes, your nice to everyone, you're always smiling, you're always dreamy eyed - face it, girl. You're changing."
Nancy-Alice fidgeted with her fingers for a few seconds, her face screwed up in thought. "I, well.... I......" she stammered.
"Yes?" Lily prodded.
"I like him, Lily!" she finally blurted out in a whisper. "He's not like all these other creeps out for a good time, he likes me for me. He makes me feel special. I like who I am when I'm with him - I like that change in me. He makes me want to be better than I am, and I like that. I'm happier than I've ever been, and I think that's because of him." she blushed before continuing. "I feel . . . I feel something special about Frank and I don't want to do anything to mess that up."
Lily smiled gratefully. "I cannot tell you how happy I am for you. After all your past relationships, I'm glad you finally found some solid happiness." Then she hugged her friend tightly.
"Yes, but with all the rumors going around about us, both Frank and I are constantly correcting everyone, telling them we are just friends. And that's tearing me up, because I don't want things to stay like that, so I don't want him to say that so much that he believes it, you know?"
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, girl. I've seen the way he looks at you."
"What are we talking about?" Jenny asked as she walked up to the table.
"Nancy-Alice and Frank." Lily giggled.
"Nancy-Alice, huh?" Jenny said, eyeing her suspiciously. "Things are getting serious."
"Shush, Jenny. He only sees us as friends," Nancy-Alice said sadly.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Jenny said with an evil grin. "I've heard some things, and seen some things, that are obvious."
"Yeah, like what?"
"Well, the fact that you're always with together, for one."
"Friends hang out - so sue me!"
"Or that he's always looking at you with this dreamy stare."
"Oh, he does not!"
"Or that he talks about you in his sleep."
Both Nancy-Alice and Lily stopped and stared wide-eyed at Jenny. "What?" They said in unison.
"Who did you hear that from?"
"Travis." Jenny said simply, causing Lily to stiffen.
"How is he?" Lily asked coldly.
"Well, he's okay. He's doing good." Jenny said apprehensively.
"Good."
"Whoa, back up." Nancy-Alice said. "What else does Travis say that Frank says about me?"
Jenny grinned.
"Attention, please." said Professor McGonagall loudly, quieting the hall where everyone was eating dinner. Dumbledore stood and with a twinkle in his eye, began to speak.
"I have an announcement to make, that will delight most of you, I feel. I am pleased to announce the Decennium Ball, which will take place at the end of the school year in May. It will be a formal dinner, so dress robes will be required. And I'm afraid it will only be open to Fourth years and up." A great noise that overcame the Great Hall, some with sighs of relief and others with groans of disappointment. "You may come with dates or without them, neither will be looked down upon. We will be giving you further details as the time of the Ball approaches, we were only letting you know beforehand. Now, eat!"
With a wave of his hand, food appeared on the tables. Everyone started excited conversations about the ball and began eating.
The girls just looked at each other and dissolved into giggles, before delving into their food.
---
A/N: FYI - 'Decennium' is like a decade, which means every ten years.
And no, I'm not going to give you guys any more info about Lily's prophesy - you'll find out lots more as I put up more chapters, I promise.
Now, I'm putting up these chapters now, because I might not be able to post over the weekend, considering there is yet another Hurricaine coming after me down here in Florida.
I love to hear from you guys - your reviews make my day! Review please! All this about Travis should make you happy! -huggles all-
