A/N: Would've had this up yesterday, but was down for repairs . .
.Bleah . . .
Luckyloo16: Thank you so much! I'm glad my words have the power to make you feel sorry for the characters. I feel all warm and fuzzy, now. Thanks again!
Erkith: I actually had forgotten about the negatives, too, until I reread chapter eleven. Then, I had to rewrite chapter twelve and add in that part . . . Heehee, thanks anyway! And I'm glad you like Remus. He's my favorite!
Nikki: Ahh! Don't hurt me! Here's the next chapter. I hope you like it!
Tirtreaton: Yay! I'm on your author alert! Cool!
Angel Black1: Heehee, yeah, I love it, too when I'm just writing, and all of a sudden this new fab idea pops into my brain. Tho, sometimes I have to rewrite things to make it fit. I rewrote a lot of things in this chapter . . .Yeah, I guess you're right about feeling sorry for Lily, too. She's not a COMPLETE jerk. After all, she's only human, too. And I love her, so I can't stay mad. (lol) And AP English? Cool. I could've been in it, but for some reason, I decided not to. Don't remember why.
Jessica: THANK YOU AGAIN!!! Yeppers, poor Lily and James. (sigh) I hate when they fight, but the making up part is always good, so it's all worth it. The new idea will leave you feeling confused, that's for sure, but I know you'll like it. (I HOPE you'll like it)
janny: Thank you! Here's more for you!
walkingcensure: Heehee, so you like it when the characters aren't all chipper and sunshine? You mean, mean person . . . Nahh, just joking! And don't worry about it. Short reviews are good, as long as they're meaningful! lol
Nathalie17: Well . . . Remus didn't know, now did he? I never said James told him . . . and he really doesn't want to meddle in James's business, so . . . that's why. And don't worry about the negatives. They're kinda . . .uhh, gone, now. Thanks for reviewing!
MWPP Fanatic: Oh, of course it will! And Remus is somewhat of a dreamer, so it'll be romantic, too . . . But that's all I'm saying. And "Poor Petey" indeed. Ha! Lil' bugger! And (sigh) I also am waiting for my knight in shining armor . . .
sunni07: Hmm, a question to ponder – what is Remus planning? Hm, hm, hm. Well, guess you're gonna have to just read and see! And those pictures? I would probably burn most of them, but keep the one I liked the most in a safe secret place, knowing me.
mione-xavier: Right! Who cares? So I'll scream with you. MORE! MORE! MORE! Heehee, thanks bunches!
Spikora: Thank you! (bows) I hope you'll like it.
Lark Conlon: Wow . . . (blushes) Thank you so much! I try my best.
DreamWarrior: Ice cream? Hmm, that does sound nice . . . I think I will. I'm glad you like it all, and I'll try my best not to rush things. Tho, it's kinda hard sometimes. Don't worry, I won't push myself too hard . . . but if I don't push myself at all, it would be FOREVER between updates. Heehee.
libyanauthor: Thank you! I'm glad you think so! I agree, too much happiness can get annoying. Darkness evens things up.
anniePADFOOT: lol, really, you just noticed? Heehee, that's funny. I don't understand something, tho . . . When you say Sirius's firecracker thing wasn't such a good idea, are you saying not a good idea (and you agree with Remus), or you didn't like it, yourself? That confused me, so could you clear that up? Thanks! And yeah, Lily was pretty awful, wasn't she? Thanks for reviewing!
gab3: I'm trying this new Butterfinger flavor hot chocolate. It sounds gross, but it tastes just like the candy . . . IT'S SO GOOD! MMMM! Just telling you makes me want some more right now . . .Mocha Cocoa? That sounds good, too. I'll let you know if I try it. Hope you like this chapter!
PhiloNysh: Wha? Werewolf? Where!? Heehee, thanks a lot! I'm glad you like it!
Bottled-Message-Inc: Thank you! You have a nice day, too! And here's the next chapter!
I'M OVER 200 REVIEWS! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH EVERYBODY! YOU ROCK! YOU RULE! YOU MAKE ME WANT TO WRITE MORE!
---
Dobby: Ariana is not owning Harry Potter, Sir, and Ariana is being happy just the way Ariana is.
Chapter Thirteen – Jiggery (thank you, Tim Knispel)
James woke up to the sound of frantic whispering in the dormitory, and turned over, groaning. He put his pillow over his head. "Guys! Would you please knock it off? It's Saturday. I have a match tomorrow. I NEED my rest!"
The whispering abruptly stopped.
"Um . . . Pr-Prongs?" Peter's voice came from somewhere near the foot of his bed.
"What?" James snapped. "What? What? What?" He sat up, glaring at all three of the rather guilty looking boys.
"It's just that . . ." Peter stopped, looking around at Remus and Sirius. They nodded at him. James's eyes narrowed.
"What?" he asked, evenly.
"This-letter-came-for-you," Peter said in a rush. He threw a letter toward James that swooped and knocked him in the head.
"What the - ?" James grabbed it, and turned it over. It was nothing, but a plain white envelope. With his name on the front in simple handwriting. "What is this?" he asked, curiously, looking up at Sirius and Remus.
Simultaneously, they shrugged.
"It was on the windowsill this morning when I woke up," Remus said. Even though he was trying to hide it, James could tell he was just as curious as he was.
"Open it," Sirius suggested.
James didn't need telling twice. He ripped the letter open, and pulled out the parchment inside. "'Lately, I find I'm caught up in these thoughts,'" James read aloud. Confusion settled over his features. That was it. There was nothing else on the envelope.
He looked up, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Is that it?" Sirius asked in disbelief. "That's all it says?" He sounded surprised.
"Unless the rest of this letter is written in invisible ink, then yes," James said. "That's all it says." He looked up at Remus for answers, but Remus appeared as baffled as he was.
"I don't get it," Peter interrupted.
"Maybe it's some sort of stalker," James said, crumpling up the letter. He tossed it toward the wastebasket in the corner of their room, missed, and scowled. "Oh, well. Who cares?"
He swung his legs over the side of his bed, and yawned, heading for the showers, completely forgetting that he was supposed to be sleeping in.
---
Lily stretched out on her bed. She didn't want to get up, but she had to. She was supposed to report to Headmaster Dumbledore first thing this morning. Apparently, he had some new idea that he wanted to test on the school, but he wanted to meet with her first for her opinion.
She had to admit, she felt rather pleased that her opinion would count in this decision. Of course, so would James's. She felt a faint tinge of hurt. He hadn't said anything to her, or looked at her since that night. And it had been a few weeks, now. Was he planning to ignore her forever?
She pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. It being Saturday and all, she didn't have to wear the normal uniform. She brushed her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail, then changed her mind. She WAS going to see the Headmaster, after all. She had to at least look presentable.
She fixed her hair so that it hung down her back. She had been told that it looked a lot nicer that way, and it brought out the faint freckles across her nose. Lily personally liked the freckles. She thought they gave her a fresh, vibrant sort of look.
She planned to go down to the Great Hall and snag a few pieces of toast before going to see Dumbledore. What she didn't plan on was an angry looking owl swooping towards her in the hallway. Lily froze. She didn't have her wand on her. (She always seemed to forget it in her room, or something.)
She just stood there and watched with a growing sense of dread as the owl flew closer to her. That's when she noticed it was carrying a letter. She let out a breath as it dropped the letter into her hands and flew away with a hoot. As if the owl had really planned to attack her. Honestly! She was being ridiculous. She laughed to herself, glad that no one was around to witness that embarrassing moment.
The envelope was white and plain, sort of like the ones delivered by the Muggle postman in her neighborhood back home. She turned it over to see unfamiliar print baring her name. Lily. That's all it said. Not Evans, and not Lily Evans. Just Lily.
She wrinkled her nose in confusion as she mentally went through everyone she knew in her head. Who would send a letter to her like this? It might be from her parents, but she didn't recognize the handwriting, and from having forged both her mother's and father's name in her youth, she knew their handwriting very well.
It could have been someone at school . . . but no, that wouldn't make much sense, considering they could have just came to find her and talk in person. Why send a letter? Everyone knew she was Headgirl and in Gryffindor. She wasn't that hard to come into contact with.
Her breath suddenly caught. What if the someone that had sent her this . . . hadn't wanted to draw attention to himself by talking to her in public, so he sent a letter instead? Lily's heart began to race. Could it be? Was it from him? Had he finally forgiven her for what she had ALMOST done?
Lily cringed at the memory. She had finally cornered that third year with the camera and asked him exactly what he had seen. He replied that he had seen her and James kissing, and that was it. So Lily had been relieved. She had gotten James to transform back in time, and that kid hadn't really seen a thing.
Lily stared down at the envelope. It could have been from James, but . . . what would he have to say to her that he couldn't say in person? She was going to see him in Professor Dumbledore's office that morning anyway . . .
She gasped. She had completely forgotten. Now there was no time for her to eat breakfast. If she wanted to be on time for her meeting, she had to head up to the Headmaster's office now.
She stuffed the letter in her pocket. It would just have to wait for later.
---
Typical James. He had forgotten all about the meeting. Professor Dumbledore had not been pleased. Lily sighed as she asked herself for the millionth time why he was possibly named Headboy. He didn't have a responsible bone in his body.
Lily headed towards the Great Hall, her stomach growling unpleasantly. She spotted James and company, among others, sitting down to a late breakfast. She kept walking until she was sitting as far away from everyone as possible. Kat and Pat were nowhere to be seen, she noticed.
Sighing, she began to help herself to her food when she suddenly remembered the unopened envelope in her pocket. She pulled it out, and ripped it open, dying with curiosity now. Who cared who it was from?
"'How will you come to me?'" Lily read silently. She stopped. That was it. That's all it said.
"How will you come to me?" she repeated out loud. She turned the letter over, but there was nothing on the back. That really was it. And there was nothing else in the envelope.
Lily was stumped. Who on earth - ? Well, more so . . . why? What purpose did that serve? What was it all about? It didn't even make any sense. "How will you come to me?"
She shook her head and put the letter back in her pocket. It was probably just someone playing a joke, or something. It didn't mean anything.
And it wasn't from HIM.
---
James lounged about later in the common room laughing occasionally at the lame jokes Sirius was making. Remus was doing his homework, so he could attend the match (Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff) tomorrow without any worries, and Peter was copying all of his answers when he wasn't looking.
"Potter!" a haughty-sounding voice said from over his head.
James's insides turned to ice. He knew that voice anywhere. He looked up to stare into Lily's – no, Evans's – eyes. "Yes, Evans?" he asked, his voice carefully controlled and oh-so-casual.
Lily didn't even hesitate. "You missed a morning meeting with Professor Dumbledore," she snapped. "He wanted to know where you were. You forgot, I suppose?"
James's eyes widened. "That was TODAY?" he asked. He spun around and stood up to face her. "Why didn't you remind me?"
Lily's eyes flashed with surprise and anger. "Remind you!? Why didn't you remember? You're Headboy!"
"You're just upset because I'm still not speaking to you! So you wanted to get me in trouble!" he said, knowing that it probably wasn't true, but not caring anyway.
Her eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips. "As much as this might surprise you, I don't CARE if you're not speaking to me, James Potter. In fact, I bounce out of my bed every morning with a smile on my face because I know I won't be communicating with you."
James glared at her. "Guess I just ruined your day then, huh?"
Lily closed her eyes, aware that everyone in the room had turned to watch the "fight." She sighed. She really didn't need this right now. "Yes, Potter," she muttered. "Yes, you did." Then, she turned and headed up the stairs to her room.
James threw himself back into his chair, casting a glare around the room to all of the onlookers. The noise immediately started up again, and he sighed.
"She is impossible," he said, running a hand through his hair.
Sirius shrugged while Peter nodded, agreeing with James.
"She's really not that bad, Prongs," Remus said, quietly. "She's a nice enough person when she's not upset."
James shook his head. "I tried to be her friend, remember? And look how that turned out."
"You didn't try to be her FRIEND, James," Remus pointed out. "You kissed her. Friends don't do that."
He scowled. "So? It was a mistake, okay? I was under the influence."
"Of what?" Remus asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Of . . . everything," James said, wistfully. "Just . . . everything, Moony."
"Everything like what?" Sirius asked, impatiently.
"It doesn't matter," he answered. "It's over. It was just a mistake . . . and I fixed it. So don't worry, okay? Evans and I – we were never meant to be friends in the first place."
---
Lily brushed the tears away from her eyes. "Stop it, Lily. It wouldn't have worked out, anyway, you know that. Me and James . . . we're just too different. We were never meant to be friends, anyway."
But she took the letter out of her pocket, smoothed it out, and placed it under her pillow.
Just in case.
---
"How will we connect these hearts?"
James stared at the new letter in his hand. It had arrived this morning from an angry-looking owl pecking furiously on the window. When James opened the window, it had flown in, dropped the letter on the floor and gone back out.
James had seen that familiar-looking white envelope, so he had torn the letter open, hoping that it wasn't as cryptic as last time, and that it contained some answers or something. But no such luck.
"How will we connect these hearts?"
That's all it said. James made an angry, frustrated sound and crumpled up the letter. Who in the world was sending these? And what did they mean? Connect hearts? What the bloody hell was that all about?
And the first one . . . "Lately, I find I've been caught up in these thoughts." What thoughts? Who was thinking? And what exactly were they thinking about, whoever it was?
James shuddered. He hoped he really didn't have a stalker, or a crazy psycho loon who was in love with him, or something. That would be so wrong somehow.
He yawned and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Even Remus wasn't up, yet, but James had scheduled an early morning pep talk as Captain and all that, and as Captain, he really needed to be there before anyone else.
He snorted as he thought about what Lily – Evans – would say: "You take your Quidditch duties more importantly than your Headboy duties!" She would be appalled, he imagined. He sighed.
No, he didn't need Evans. And he certainly didn't miss her at all. He really was better off without her. Just like she was better off without him.
They weren't meant to be friends.
---
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" Kathryn ran around the dormitory that morning yelling and screaming. "Owwww! Get it away from me! It's stuck in my head!"
"What? The voices?" Pat mumbled from under the covers.
"NO! THE OWL!" Kathryn yelled.
Lily sat straight up. There was an OWL in their dormitory? How in the world?
"Stand still," she said, marching over to Kathryn. The girl did as she was told, and Lily untangled the poor owl from Kat's hair. Wait . . . this "poor owl" looked awfully familiar.
As soon as Lily freed it, it dropped an envelope on Kat's hair and flew out of the open window. "Who left the window open last night?" she asked, exasperatedly. "I tell you guys over and over, if you leave the window open, something WILL come in, and do you listen? No, of course you don't listen. Why? I don't – "
"Lily, stop talking to yourself, and take this," Kat said, handing her the letter. "It has your name on it."
It was a plain white envelope, same as before. Lily's heart started pounding. Maybe this one would explain the last one. She went and sat on her bed, forgetting all about the open window.
"Who's it from?" a more awake Pat said.
"I don't know," Lily said. "It doesn't have a return address."
She read it to herself silently. 'Are you somewhere near, hidden like a four leaf clover?' She shook her head. "Arrgh! This one doesn't make sense, either!" she said.
"What does it say?" Kat asked, plopping down on Lily's bed.
Lily sighed, and pulled the other letter from under her pillow. "I got this one yesterday. Read this first, then the new one."
Kat read both of them over, then looked up at Lily with an expression that conveyed she was just as puzzled as Lily was.
"I don't get it," Kat said. "Are they from a secret admirer, or something?"
Lily's eyes widened. "No! They couldn't be . . . I mean, that just doesn't make sense."
"Why not?" Kat asked. "Secret admirers are cool. And look, it does too make sense. Like he's looking for you, or something." Kat read the letters back to Lily out loud. "'How will you come to me? Are you somewhere near, hidden like a four-leaf clover?' Lily – clover . . . clover – Lily. See?"
Lily laughed, snatching the letters back. "No, I do not see!" she said, giggling. "And are you making fun of my name?"
Kat just grinned, exchanging a glance with Pat.
"Sooo . . ." Pat interjected. "Who's going to the match today?"
Lily shook her head. "Nuh uh, don't try to change the subject! You were making fun of my name!"
"What's in a name?" Kat said, giggling. "A lily, by any other name, would smell as – "
"Don't finish that!" Lily warned, picking up her pillow. She held it menacingly over Kat's head. Kat laughed, and Lily bopped her with the pillow.
"Hey! I didn't say anything!" Kat protested.
"You had that look on your face," Lily said, smugly. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Lily grinned. See? She didn't need a secret admirer. Or Potter. She had all the friendship she needed right here.
Didn't she?
---
A/N: I admit, the story has taken quite a new turn. But that's because I'm in quite a good mood, so my writing style is probably going to be a bit different. It really does change with my mood. LoL. Makes me laugh.
(Oh, and I do not own Jessica Simpson . . . and I do not own Shakespeare.) If you don't know why I said that . . . don't worry about it. (smile!)
Ariana S.
Luckyloo16: Thank you so much! I'm glad my words have the power to make you feel sorry for the characters. I feel all warm and fuzzy, now. Thanks again!
Erkith: I actually had forgotten about the negatives, too, until I reread chapter eleven. Then, I had to rewrite chapter twelve and add in that part . . . Heehee, thanks anyway! And I'm glad you like Remus. He's my favorite!
Nikki: Ahh! Don't hurt me! Here's the next chapter. I hope you like it!
Tirtreaton: Yay! I'm on your author alert! Cool!
Angel Black1: Heehee, yeah, I love it, too when I'm just writing, and all of a sudden this new fab idea pops into my brain. Tho, sometimes I have to rewrite things to make it fit. I rewrote a lot of things in this chapter . . .Yeah, I guess you're right about feeling sorry for Lily, too. She's not a COMPLETE jerk. After all, she's only human, too. And I love her, so I can't stay mad. (lol) And AP English? Cool. I could've been in it, but for some reason, I decided not to. Don't remember why.
Jessica: THANK YOU AGAIN!!! Yeppers, poor Lily and James. (sigh) I hate when they fight, but the making up part is always good, so it's all worth it. The new idea will leave you feeling confused, that's for sure, but I know you'll like it. (I HOPE you'll like it)
janny: Thank you! Here's more for you!
walkingcensure: Heehee, so you like it when the characters aren't all chipper and sunshine? You mean, mean person . . . Nahh, just joking! And don't worry about it. Short reviews are good, as long as they're meaningful! lol
Nathalie17: Well . . . Remus didn't know, now did he? I never said James told him . . . and he really doesn't want to meddle in James's business, so . . . that's why. And don't worry about the negatives. They're kinda . . .uhh, gone, now. Thanks for reviewing!
MWPP Fanatic: Oh, of course it will! And Remus is somewhat of a dreamer, so it'll be romantic, too . . . But that's all I'm saying. And "Poor Petey" indeed. Ha! Lil' bugger! And (sigh) I also am waiting for my knight in shining armor . . .
sunni07: Hmm, a question to ponder – what is Remus planning? Hm, hm, hm. Well, guess you're gonna have to just read and see! And those pictures? I would probably burn most of them, but keep the one I liked the most in a safe secret place, knowing me.
mione-xavier: Right! Who cares? So I'll scream with you. MORE! MORE! MORE! Heehee, thanks bunches!
Spikora: Thank you! (bows) I hope you'll like it.
Lark Conlon: Wow . . . (blushes) Thank you so much! I try my best.
DreamWarrior: Ice cream? Hmm, that does sound nice . . . I think I will. I'm glad you like it all, and I'll try my best not to rush things. Tho, it's kinda hard sometimes. Don't worry, I won't push myself too hard . . . but if I don't push myself at all, it would be FOREVER between updates. Heehee.
libyanauthor: Thank you! I'm glad you think so! I agree, too much happiness can get annoying. Darkness evens things up.
anniePADFOOT: lol, really, you just noticed? Heehee, that's funny. I don't understand something, tho . . . When you say Sirius's firecracker thing wasn't such a good idea, are you saying not a good idea (and you agree with Remus), or you didn't like it, yourself? That confused me, so could you clear that up? Thanks! And yeah, Lily was pretty awful, wasn't she? Thanks for reviewing!
gab3: I'm trying this new Butterfinger flavor hot chocolate. It sounds gross, but it tastes just like the candy . . . IT'S SO GOOD! MMMM! Just telling you makes me want some more right now . . .Mocha Cocoa? That sounds good, too. I'll let you know if I try it. Hope you like this chapter!
PhiloNysh: Wha? Werewolf? Where!? Heehee, thanks a lot! I'm glad you like it!
Bottled-Message-Inc: Thank you! You have a nice day, too! And here's the next chapter!
I'M OVER 200 REVIEWS! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH EVERYBODY! YOU ROCK! YOU RULE! YOU MAKE ME WANT TO WRITE MORE!
---
Dobby: Ariana is not owning Harry Potter, Sir, and Ariana is being happy just the way Ariana is.
Chapter Thirteen – Jiggery (thank you, Tim Knispel)
James woke up to the sound of frantic whispering in the dormitory, and turned over, groaning. He put his pillow over his head. "Guys! Would you please knock it off? It's Saturday. I have a match tomorrow. I NEED my rest!"
The whispering abruptly stopped.
"Um . . . Pr-Prongs?" Peter's voice came from somewhere near the foot of his bed.
"What?" James snapped. "What? What? What?" He sat up, glaring at all three of the rather guilty looking boys.
"It's just that . . ." Peter stopped, looking around at Remus and Sirius. They nodded at him. James's eyes narrowed.
"What?" he asked, evenly.
"This-letter-came-for-you," Peter said in a rush. He threw a letter toward James that swooped and knocked him in the head.
"What the - ?" James grabbed it, and turned it over. It was nothing, but a plain white envelope. With his name on the front in simple handwriting. "What is this?" he asked, curiously, looking up at Sirius and Remus.
Simultaneously, they shrugged.
"It was on the windowsill this morning when I woke up," Remus said. Even though he was trying to hide it, James could tell he was just as curious as he was.
"Open it," Sirius suggested.
James didn't need telling twice. He ripped the letter open, and pulled out the parchment inside. "'Lately, I find I'm caught up in these thoughts,'" James read aloud. Confusion settled over his features. That was it. There was nothing else on the envelope.
He looked up, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Is that it?" Sirius asked in disbelief. "That's all it says?" He sounded surprised.
"Unless the rest of this letter is written in invisible ink, then yes," James said. "That's all it says." He looked up at Remus for answers, but Remus appeared as baffled as he was.
"I don't get it," Peter interrupted.
"Maybe it's some sort of stalker," James said, crumpling up the letter. He tossed it toward the wastebasket in the corner of their room, missed, and scowled. "Oh, well. Who cares?"
He swung his legs over the side of his bed, and yawned, heading for the showers, completely forgetting that he was supposed to be sleeping in.
---
Lily stretched out on her bed. She didn't want to get up, but she had to. She was supposed to report to Headmaster Dumbledore first thing this morning. Apparently, he had some new idea that he wanted to test on the school, but he wanted to meet with her first for her opinion.
She had to admit, she felt rather pleased that her opinion would count in this decision. Of course, so would James's. She felt a faint tinge of hurt. He hadn't said anything to her, or looked at her since that night. And it had been a few weeks, now. Was he planning to ignore her forever?
She pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. It being Saturday and all, she didn't have to wear the normal uniform. She brushed her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail, then changed her mind. She WAS going to see the Headmaster, after all. She had to at least look presentable.
She fixed her hair so that it hung down her back. She had been told that it looked a lot nicer that way, and it brought out the faint freckles across her nose. Lily personally liked the freckles. She thought they gave her a fresh, vibrant sort of look.
She planned to go down to the Great Hall and snag a few pieces of toast before going to see Dumbledore. What she didn't plan on was an angry looking owl swooping towards her in the hallway. Lily froze. She didn't have her wand on her. (She always seemed to forget it in her room, or something.)
She just stood there and watched with a growing sense of dread as the owl flew closer to her. That's when she noticed it was carrying a letter. She let out a breath as it dropped the letter into her hands and flew away with a hoot. As if the owl had really planned to attack her. Honestly! She was being ridiculous. She laughed to herself, glad that no one was around to witness that embarrassing moment.
The envelope was white and plain, sort of like the ones delivered by the Muggle postman in her neighborhood back home. She turned it over to see unfamiliar print baring her name. Lily. That's all it said. Not Evans, and not Lily Evans. Just Lily.
She wrinkled her nose in confusion as she mentally went through everyone she knew in her head. Who would send a letter to her like this? It might be from her parents, but she didn't recognize the handwriting, and from having forged both her mother's and father's name in her youth, she knew their handwriting very well.
It could have been someone at school . . . but no, that wouldn't make much sense, considering they could have just came to find her and talk in person. Why send a letter? Everyone knew she was Headgirl and in Gryffindor. She wasn't that hard to come into contact with.
Her breath suddenly caught. What if the someone that had sent her this . . . hadn't wanted to draw attention to himself by talking to her in public, so he sent a letter instead? Lily's heart began to race. Could it be? Was it from him? Had he finally forgiven her for what she had ALMOST done?
Lily cringed at the memory. She had finally cornered that third year with the camera and asked him exactly what he had seen. He replied that he had seen her and James kissing, and that was it. So Lily had been relieved. She had gotten James to transform back in time, and that kid hadn't really seen a thing.
Lily stared down at the envelope. It could have been from James, but . . . what would he have to say to her that he couldn't say in person? She was going to see him in Professor Dumbledore's office that morning anyway . . .
She gasped. She had completely forgotten. Now there was no time for her to eat breakfast. If she wanted to be on time for her meeting, she had to head up to the Headmaster's office now.
She stuffed the letter in her pocket. It would just have to wait for later.
---
Typical James. He had forgotten all about the meeting. Professor Dumbledore had not been pleased. Lily sighed as she asked herself for the millionth time why he was possibly named Headboy. He didn't have a responsible bone in his body.
Lily headed towards the Great Hall, her stomach growling unpleasantly. She spotted James and company, among others, sitting down to a late breakfast. She kept walking until she was sitting as far away from everyone as possible. Kat and Pat were nowhere to be seen, she noticed.
Sighing, she began to help herself to her food when she suddenly remembered the unopened envelope in her pocket. She pulled it out, and ripped it open, dying with curiosity now. Who cared who it was from?
"'How will you come to me?'" Lily read silently. She stopped. That was it. That's all it said.
"How will you come to me?" she repeated out loud. She turned the letter over, but there was nothing on the back. That really was it. And there was nothing else in the envelope.
Lily was stumped. Who on earth - ? Well, more so . . . why? What purpose did that serve? What was it all about? It didn't even make any sense. "How will you come to me?"
She shook her head and put the letter back in her pocket. It was probably just someone playing a joke, or something. It didn't mean anything.
And it wasn't from HIM.
---
James lounged about later in the common room laughing occasionally at the lame jokes Sirius was making. Remus was doing his homework, so he could attend the match (Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff) tomorrow without any worries, and Peter was copying all of his answers when he wasn't looking.
"Potter!" a haughty-sounding voice said from over his head.
James's insides turned to ice. He knew that voice anywhere. He looked up to stare into Lily's – no, Evans's – eyes. "Yes, Evans?" he asked, his voice carefully controlled and oh-so-casual.
Lily didn't even hesitate. "You missed a morning meeting with Professor Dumbledore," she snapped. "He wanted to know where you were. You forgot, I suppose?"
James's eyes widened. "That was TODAY?" he asked. He spun around and stood up to face her. "Why didn't you remind me?"
Lily's eyes flashed with surprise and anger. "Remind you!? Why didn't you remember? You're Headboy!"
"You're just upset because I'm still not speaking to you! So you wanted to get me in trouble!" he said, knowing that it probably wasn't true, but not caring anyway.
Her eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips. "As much as this might surprise you, I don't CARE if you're not speaking to me, James Potter. In fact, I bounce out of my bed every morning with a smile on my face because I know I won't be communicating with you."
James glared at her. "Guess I just ruined your day then, huh?"
Lily closed her eyes, aware that everyone in the room had turned to watch the "fight." She sighed. She really didn't need this right now. "Yes, Potter," she muttered. "Yes, you did." Then, she turned and headed up the stairs to her room.
James threw himself back into his chair, casting a glare around the room to all of the onlookers. The noise immediately started up again, and he sighed.
"She is impossible," he said, running a hand through his hair.
Sirius shrugged while Peter nodded, agreeing with James.
"She's really not that bad, Prongs," Remus said, quietly. "She's a nice enough person when she's not upset."
James shook his head. "I tried to be her friend, remember? And look how that turned out."
"You didn't try to be her FRIEND, James," Remus pointed out. "You kissed her. Friends don't do that."
He scowled. "So? It was a mistake, okay? I was under the influence."
"Of what?" Remus asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Of . . . everything," James said, wistfully. "Just . . . everything, Moony."
"Everything like what?" Sirius asked, impatiently.
"It doesn't matter," he answered. "It's over. It was just a mistake . . . and I fixed it. So don't worry, okay? Evans and I – we were never meant to be friends in the first place."
---
Lily brushed the tears away from her eyes. "Stop it, Lily. It wouldn't have worked out, anyway, you know that. Me and James . . . we're just too different. We were never meant to be friends, anyway."
But she took the letter out of her pocket, smoothed it out, and placed it under her pillow.
Just in case.
---
"How will we connect these hearts?"
James stared at the new letter in his hand. It had arrived this morning from an angry-looking owl pecking furiously on the window. When James opened the window, it had flown in, dropped the letter on the floor and gone back out.
James had seen that familiar-looking white envelope, so he had torn the letter open, hoping that it wasn't as cryptic as last time, and that it contained some answers or something. But no such luck.
"How will we connect these hearts?"
That's all it said. James made an angry, frustrated sound and crumpled up the letter. Who in the world was sending these? And what did they mean? Connect hearts? What the bloody hell was that all about?
And the first one . . . "Lately, I find I've been caught up in these thoughts." What thoughts? Who was thinking? And what exactly were they thinking about, whoever it was?
James shuddered. He hoped he really didn't have a stalker, or a crazy psycho loon who was in love with him, or something. That would be so wrong somehow.
He yawned and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Even Remus wasn't up, yet, but James had scheduled an early morning pep talk as Captain and all that, and as Captain, he really needed to be there before anyone else.
He snorted as he thought about what Lily – Evans – would say: "You take your Quidditch duties more importantly than your Headboy duties!" She would be appalled, he imagined. He sighed.
No, he didn't need Evans. And he certainly didn't miss her at all. He really was better off without her. Just like she was better off without him.
They weren't meant to be friends.
---
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" Kathryn ran around the dormitory that morning yelling and screaming. "Owwww! Get it away from me! It's stuck in my head!"
"What? The voices?" Pat mumbled from under the covers.
"NO! THE OWL!" Kathryn yelled.
Lily sat straight up. There was an OWL in their dormitory? How in the world?
"Stand still," she said, marching over to Kathryn. The girl did as she was told, and Lily untangled the poor owl from Kat's hair. Wait . . . this "poor owl" looked awfully familiar.
As soon as Lily freed it, it dropped an envelope on Kat's hair and flew out of the open window. "Who left the window open last night?" she asked, exasperatedly. "I tell you guys over and over, if you leave the window open, something WILL come in, and do you listen? No, of course you don't listen. Why? I don't – "
"Lily, stop talking to yourself, and take this," Kat said, handing her the letter. "It has your name on it."
It was a plain white envelope, same as before. Lily's heart started pounding. Maybe this one would explain the last one. She went and sat on her bed, forgetting all about the open window.
"Who's it from?" a more awake Pat said.
"I don't know," Lily said. "It doesn't have a return address."
She read it to herself silently. 'Are you somewhere near, hidden like a four leaf clover?' She shook her head. "Arrgh! This one doesn't make sense, either!" she said.
"What does it say?" Kat asked, plopping down on Lily's bed.
Lily sighed, and pulled the other letter from under her pillow. "I got this one yesterday. Read this first, then the new one."
Kat read both of them over, then looked up at Lily with an expression that conveyed she was just as puzzled as Lily was.
"I don't get it," Kat said. "Are they from a secret admirer, or something?"
Lily's eyes widened. "No! They couldn't be . . . I mean, that just doesn't make sense."
"Why not?" Kat asked. "Secret admirers are cool. And look, it does too make sense. Like he's looking for you, or something." Kat read the letters back to Lily out loud. "'How will you come to me? Are you somewhere near, hidden like a four-leaf clover?' Lily – clover . . . clover – Lily. See?"
Lily laughed, snatching the letters back. "No, I do not see!" she said, giggling. "And are you making fun of my name?"
Kat just grinned, exchanging a glance with Pat.
"Sooo . . ." Pat interjected. "Who's going to the match today?"
Lily shook her head. "Nuh uh, don't try to change the subject! You were making fun of my name!"
"What's in a name?" Kat said, giggling. "A lily, by any other name, would smell as – "
"Don't finish that!" Lily warned, picking up her pillow. She held it menacingly over Kat's head. Kat laughed, and Lily bopped her with the pillow.
"Hey! I didn't say anything!" Kat protested.
"You had that look on your face," Lily said, smugly. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Lily grinned. See? She didn't need a secret admirer. Or Potter. She had all the friendship she needed right here.
Didn't she?
---
A/N: I admit, the story has taken quite a new turn. But that's because I'm in quite a good mood, so my writing style is probably going to be a bit different. It really does change with my mood. LoL. Makes me laugh.
(Oh, and I do not own Jessica Simpson . . . and I do not own Shakespeare.) If you don't know why I said that . . . don't worry about it. (smile!)
Ariana S.