Chapter Ten: An Interesting Turn of Events

(POV of no one)

It was a week into November and the school had settled back into its normal routine, the only change being several aurors seen around the school.

This event caused Lily to see another side of James. These aurors knew his father well, who, from what Lily had heard, was killed in a death eater attack.

What really pained her was that it happened a few mere months after she had screamed at him at the lake, for being the arrogant prat that he was. She knew to that day he had deserved it, and yet she couldn't help but not ignore the tiny feeling of guilt whenever she thought about it.

This side of James was a quieter, more reserved side. His eyes didn't seem to brighten as often. Sirius, Remus, and Peter tried to cheer him up as best they could but it no avail.

One day, while studying in the common room, Remus pulled her aside. "Lily," he began, a tad nervously, "I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"Sure Remus," Lily replied easily. Once the Marauders' egos deflated noticeably, Lily had realized somewhere along sixth year that Remus Lupin wasn't so bad. She learned that he was a conscientious student like herself and studied more than James, Sirius, and Peter did all together. That, and he was very easy to talk to. "What is it?"

"Well," Remus said. "It's James. He's a bit down. And I think that—I don't know—if you spent some time with him, it'd make him feel better."

Lily paused. If she spent more alone time with James, that would be like leading him on, wouldn't it? And she didn't want a relationship with him that was anything other than platonic.

And yet, she knew that if the roles were reversed, he would do that for her without a moment's hesitation.

"No problem Remus," she said. "I'm a bit ashamed you had to ask, though. I should've thought of that. I knew he was upset over something but I didn't know what to do about it…"

Remus just smiled consolingly. "Don't get yourself down about that Lily," he said. "Not most people notice James is anything other than his usual self anyway, so you're actually one step ahead already."

"One step ahead of what?" The two jumped, unprepared.

James looked at them, leaning against the portrait entry with an eyebrow raised. Lily wondered how long he had been standing there for, but from the questioning look in his eyes, he had only heard that last part.

"Just that potions assignment," Lily told him smoothly upon finding the perfect little white lie. "I'm a bit worried about having to research it and class and then having to do it. Remus just answered a question I had been wondering about."

Remus was impressed by her skills—she could have easily been a Marauder.

"Oh," James said. "Well, you could've asked me too. I'm okay in potions."

"Oh. Okay." Lily said, and then, using quick thinking, "speaking of homework, that reminds me: I need help on my transfiguration essay as well. I've been meaning to ask you to help me on it. Do you think you could come with me to the library sometime and help me work on it?" And this was sort of the truth—she was having trouble with the essay, but she had planned on asking Selene instead of James. Ever since the Halloween ball she was almost afraid to be alone with him.

"No problem," James said, a little surprised and yet pleased all the same. "We could do it now if you'd like—I have quidditch practice every night leading up to the essay due date starting tomorrow."

"Sure," Lily said. "Just let me get my book," and she disappeared into the girls' dorms.

James turned to Remus, who was fidgeting nervously. "Remus," he began slowly, "you don't… like Lily, do you?"

Remus looked surprised. "What? No, of course not!" He cocked his head to the side. "You aren't… jealous, are you?"

James was flustered. "What? Of course not! I was just wondering… because… uh… of Selene! Yeah, of Selene! I mean, it wouldn't be fair to her if you liked Lily while were going out with her."

Remus suddenly tensed. "One, I do not like Lily that way. Two, don't expect me to believe that for one minute you're asking because of Selene. Three, Selene and I aren't going out. And four," his voice dropped to a pained whisper, "It would be even more unfair to have a werewolf as a boyfriend to go out with."

James sighed. "Oh Moony," he said. "You'd think that at least with Selene she'd understand what it's like to be shunned? Shouldn't you let them decide what to think of you instead of automatically assuming?"

Remus shook his head. "It's better this way Prongs," he said. "Better not to fall knowing that they won't catch you when you do."

James sighed again, deeming the situation hopeless. " 'Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all,'" he quoted upon seeing Lily come down the stairs.

"Ready?"

"Yup," he held out his arm. "Madam?"

"That's mademoiselle to you monsieur," Lily said with a teasing smile as she put her arm into his. The two walked out with Remus' eyes following them. He shook his head after they were completely out of sight.

"Oh James," he said with a slight smile, "who do you think you're fooling?"

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If you didn't see them at the ball, the sight of Lily and James walking down the halls were equivalent to what a prince and princess might have been from a fairy tale. Arm and arm, smiling and laughing, they looked completely in love.

Too bad neither of them realized it.

In fifth year it was obvious James was infatuated with her, but he gave up hope when sixth year came to an end and she hated him as much as she did before.

Although he was silently pursuing her this year, he was still, in the meantime, trying to convince himself that perhaps she wasn't worth all of the heartache he was causing himself. That maybe being her friend was all that they were supposed to be. – It was rather unfortunate that his persuasive skills were lacking, because he never, not for one minute, believed himself.

Outside the library entrance they passed an auror who asked James quietly, "How you holding up kid?"

How was he holding up? Memories of his father still hurt him, but his friends were there for him and he had the most beautiful girl he had ever seen on his arm… "Fine," he said, smiling, giving Lily an unconscious glance, "I'm doing just fine."

The auror saw that glance and smiled approvingly. "And who is this young lady?"

Lily flushed a little and held out her right hand, which was still tucked inside James' arm. "Lily Evans. Pleasure to meet you."

The auror gave James a "so-this-is-her?" glance. The auror was very good friends with the Potters and came over frequently to their house, where he would hear James going on and on about a certain "Lily Evans".

"Ah, so this is Lily Evans?" The auror said, not realizing the two weren't "together" together.

Lily sent a look at James. "James," she said, an amused twinkle in her eye, "what is this fine man talking about?"

"Uh…" James turned pink. "I uh…."

"Used to talk about you constantly," the auror finished for him and James flushed even deeper.

"Really?" Lily was surprised. When was this? "So what did he say?"

The auror grinned. "Basically just how beautiful and smart and perfect you were."

Lily was a little touched. "Really?"

The auror's grin became bigger. "What? Is that so hard to believe?"

Lily stole a glance at James, whose skin color said confirmed it true. "No," she said finally. "It isn't."

"We better be going," James finally blurted, finding his voice. "Nice to see you again Kingsley."

"You too James," he smiled in an older-brotherly way. "You too."

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As usual, they were having fun together, laughing over a spell Lily had tried to do but failed miserably. They both were wondering why they hadn't become friends sooner, but didn't dwell on it.

Upon finding that her essay was completed and the spell well learned, James was just scaring up the courage to ask Lily to take a walk with him when…

"Hey Lily, hey James."

It was Will Davies, captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. In James' opinion, he was a nice bloke—was a good sportsman, great quidditch strategist, and an awesome chaser.

It was true—Will was nice. Your average boy-next-door, he had pale blue eyes, chestnut hair and a sweet, charming smile. He was modest with his friends and shy around girls. He was smart (obviously, if he's in Ravenclaw) and polite, a mother's dream. In other words, he was perfect.

"Oh, hey Will," Lily said, a little surprised he had approached them. While Will was in most of her classes, they were mere acquaintances.

James merely nodded his head politely.

"What are you two up to?" Will inquired, trying to make small talk.

"Nothing much," Lily answered. "I needed some help in transfiguration and James was helping me out."

"The perfect Lily Evans? Need help? My god, it must be the apocalypse."

Lily laughed, much to James' annoyance, though he couldn't figure out why. "Ah, yes, it seems that I have fallen and become a mere mortal." She winked at him, a bit flirtatiously. "Although I don't mind—things are more interesting this way." Both had completely forgotten about James, who was fuming now as Will threw his head back and laughed at her comment.

"Anyway," Will said, "I was wondering if maybe you'll tutor me in charms. Flitwick says I need top marks if I want to be a curse-breaker, and right now I'm barely passing the class. And since you're so good at it…"

"No problem," Lily replied easily. "Just set a date and time—it's better if you do it, 'cos of Quidditch."

"Right," Will grinned. "Thanks Lils. I owe you."

"Don't worry about it," Lily grinned back. "Just tell me what you've decided and I'm sure I'll be fine with it—oh! Except Thursday nights—James and I have patrol duties that night." And then, suddenly, she looked at James with a jolt. She completely forgot he was even there! Oh damn damn and triple damn. She needed to apologize. But when she looked at to where he was, he was nowhere to be seen.

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"I can't believe her," he muttered under his breath, storming through the halls of Hogwarts. Aurors and students alike knew that there was something on his mind as he stalked up the different staircases, not bothering to use any secret passageways. "She flirts with that guy right in front of me and she knows I like her! Damn! What am I, a game to her?" He continued stalking up the stairs, ignoring that little voice in his head (that sounded suspiciously like Remus) that said, But does she truly know you like her Prongs? I mean, you've never really made a move on her this year.

What about the dance? James snapped back angrily. I asked her to it, didn't I?

As friends, if you remember, the voice replied smugly. You said something along the lines of, "…We'd only be going as friends so it wouldn't be that big of a deal or anything…"

Shut up! James growled and then stopped as he heard his name being called.

It was the one and only Cheri Tingstead. "Oh James!" She said in a shrilly, obviously flirty voice. "Dear, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he ground out and then cleared his throat and head. "I mean, nothing," he said more politely, "but thank you for asking."

"I wanted to talk to you, but I suppose it would be a bad time," Cheri pouted seductively.

James sighed. "No, now's fine."

"Oh goodie!" Cheri's make-up coated face lit up. "Well…" her seductive mask was back on. "I was wondering if… perhaps… we could give our relationship another go."

"Another go?" James didn't really like Cheri all that much. Sure she had a gorgeous face and bod, but almost no personality to speak of. When they had gone out in fifth year, she was entirely too flirty and giggly. But… perhaps she had changed.

What about Lily? That Remus-like voice asked him.

She's probably off snogging Davies somewhere, James thought bitterly, eyes narrowed at the thought.

"James sweetie, what's wrong?" Cheri asked with fake-concern.

"Nothing," James replied brightly, almost too brightly. "I was just thinking…"

"Are you going to answer my question?" Cheri asked with big doe eyes.

"I am," James pretended to think carefully, although he knew his answer fully. A moment later he responded.

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When he finally returned to the Gryffindor, he saw Remus and Sirius waiting for him. Apparently, it was Peter's turn to get sweets from the kitchen. "So?" Sirius grinned knowingly. "How'd the study date go with our favorite flower?"

James flopped onto the couch. "It went great," he started out slowly, his expression unreadable. "We were having a great time. And I was going to ask her to go on a walk with me but…"

"But?" Both boys leaned their heads towards closer eagerly.

"That blasted Will Davies came over and started flirting with Lily right in bloody front of me! And I got so fed up I just stood up and left—and they didn't even notice!"

"Oh damn," Sirius shook his head.

"But it doesn't matter," James said abruptly.

Remus raised his eyebrows. "It doesn't?"

"Nope," James suddenly grinned, though both boys noticed it didn't reach his eyes. "Because now I'm the official boyfriend of Cheri Tingstead."

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Author's Note: Just writing this chapter made me want to shake James and Lily senseless for their stupidity, but then I realized it was I who made them stupid so I shouldn't be complaining. But don't worry… things won't be like this for long. (Wink)

Thank you to everyone who reviewed—I was only expecting like 5 reviews and I got over 10! Thanks so much!

I'm glad a lot of people enjoyed my death-eater/dementor twist. I knew it would be perfect.

And everyone loving Estella and Sirius—yes, aren't they great together? I'm thinking of writing a companion to this story once I'm finished about them. I'll have a summary of it next chapter and you can tell me what you think; although consider this: because of what will happen (following canon), my story would have a sad ending (Sirius leaving and never coming back because he'd be in Azkaban). If it was AU, it would have a happy ending. So here's my question: would you want a sad, "true" ending, or a "made-up", happy ending?

Someone, I forget who, asked why Estella was such a bitch: I'll explain that she has a past that makes her not want to trust men, Sirius especially. Estella isn't a bitch, she's just very protective of her friends—she doesn't want Lily especially to get hurt again because of her ex-boyfriend Mark. (Remember Mark? Lily's ex who was killed by death eaters?)

Anyway, thanks for reading! Will update as soon as I can! Bye!