Chapter ten

The sky, to put it nicely, was not a beautiful sunset or a gorgeous picture of a million stars lighting the ground below. It was full of grey clouds, bringing about an ominous shadow upon the only two people outside in the bitter cold. The world around them was growing steadily darker, but they took no notice for their main focus was currently resting on their dinner.

"You know," said Lily cheerfully. "I don't think I've ever met anyone who could cook as well as this before."

"It's a house elves job," James said, taking a bit out of a roll. "They aim to please. We used to have one at home. Made the best pudding you've ever had."

"You used to have one?"

James nodded. "Died."

"Oh...sorry..."

"I miss the pudding...but Pernik's is almost as good. Listen can I ask you why you chose to eat here? Of all places? I'm freezing my - "

"To avoid Amy," Lily said simply. "If I ever lay eyes on her again...well let me just say it'll be Amy that suffers." Her next expression was a harsh one when she turned to James, "And you'd better talk to her about the whole Bridget thing. I know it doesn't matter much to you, but - "

"I told you I'd help you if you ever needed it," James told her smiling, "And then you told me to sod off."

"I did not tell you to sod off, I just - "

"Well I think that was the general message you were trying to send me," James shrugged. "And now look who needs some help."

Lily glared at him. "Fine, I'll do it myself. Murder you're girlfriend I mean."

"I can talk to her," James said hastily. "And I won't do it to help you, I'll...do it for me."

Lily didn't say anything, but took a fierce bite from her sandwich. Just the thought of Amy made her blood boil. Yet - strangely enough - she did want to make up with her... but murder her as well. It was a strange mixed feeling.

"So um...how's life?" James asked breaking the silence.

Lily laughed. "Can't complain... How about you, living in constant fear of Voldemort?"

James flinched. "I was wondering when we'd get on that subject."

"I'm surprised you're one of the people who flinches when hearing his name."

"I'm surprised you can say the name."

"I'm a muggleborn," Lily reminded him. "I never got the whole deal on why his name was so bad."

"Just don't say it around me."

"I won't..." Lily smirked before throwing a piece of bread out onto the lake for the giant squid. "You know when I first heard of him I was completely terrified. I could say his name, but I used to have nightmares about him coming to my house and killing my family. I imagined him to be like this skeleton with no muscle, but with grey skin as thin as paper. His face was like a skull and he had this small red eyes. I used to see those eyes in my windows in the dark. Just a wild imagination."

"He killed a few members of my family," said James quietly. "For no real reason, just for fun..."

"They say he has no heart."

"I hear he's immortal, or what he fears most is death," said James, watching the squid rise slowly out of the lake and float on the surface peacefully.

"Well whatever mysteries circulate about him, I want to help get rid of him," Lily muttered. "Help fight and rid people of this terror for good. Though he's supposed to be unkillable..."

"I hear Dumbledore is forming some kind of alliance against you - know - who. The order or the phoenix or something."

Lily looked up at him interestedly, "Really? Is there an age limit to who can join?"

"I think you have to have left school," James replied, taking another sandwich.

"Oh...well I think I'd like to join."

"So would I actually," James said, swallowing his food. "There's no one I hate more than you - know - who - maybe Snivellius - and I want to do my part."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Lily turned to James. "You've changed. I've noticed that, especially your hair."

"Well I think it has grown a bit in the summer," James told her.

"And you don't run your hands through it anymore."

James smiled, "Bugged you didn't it?"

Lily laughed. "A terrible habit."

They looked at each other for a bit.

James cleared his throat, "We've - ah - run out of food. What do you say we head back to the castle?"

Lily nodded. "Ya alright. It's starting to get dark anyway."

So the two of them packed up their things and walked back up towards the castle. The wind was just starting to pick up, causing Lily and James's robes to billow around their feet violently. It was a relief to get inside - well, not exactly a relief.

When Lily and James got to the fourth floor they ran into Peeves the poltergeist, up to his usual mischief. This time spitting out previously chewed gum at passing students who screamed and ran away from him, arms over their heads.

"Amateur," James muttered, vanishing the gum out of his hair with his wand.

"He's been pranking people before you were born James," Lily pointed out. She turned to the fat lady, "Bowtruckle." She stepped through the portrait hole and looked back at James, "Aren't you coming in?"

"Naw," James shook his head. "I'm going to have a look around for Sirius. Got himself into a detention, but should be getting out now."

"Oh, ok..." Lily managed to get out before the portrait hole slammed shut in front of her. Lily turned around and saw, with a rush of fury, a mane of sleek black hair disappearing up the spiral staircase leading up to the girls dormitory.

She ran over to the staircase as well and sprinted up to her room where she found Amy, sitting on her bed and pulling off her shoes.

"Well, well, well," Lily muttered mutinously. "Look who it is."

"Hello Lily," Amy replied without looking at her. She pulled off her coat and laid it down sedately on her bed.

"You told Bridget!" Lily screamed. "You told her what we were doing!"

"I told her what you were doing," Amy corrected calmly. "She's not too happy. Serves you right anyway."

"Amy," Lily snarled pulling out her wand. "For the last time, nothing - I repeat - nothing is going on between James and I. There never was and their never will be. The nerve you have of telling Bridget I was involved in her stalking."

Amy stood up, wand erect and walked over to Lily until they were only about two meters apart. "The nerve of you for snogging my boyfriend and cheating on yours."

"Amy," Lily said, not lowering her wand, "Listen to yourself. Do you really think I would do that to you? You're my oldest friend."

"I was you're oldest friend."

Lily didn't say anything, she was too busy trying to figure out what curse would be best to use on Amy.

"Look," said Amy flatly. "It wouldn't matter so much to me if you just admitted what you did."

"I didn't. Did you even ask James about this?"

"Certainly not," Amy said like the answer what obvious. "Of course he'd deny it. You I can work over though."

"There's nothing to work over. I didn't do anything. Give me a truth potion why don't you!"

Amy waited a while before responding. "I could you know..."

"Amy, I can't believe you're doing all these stupid things! You're not the same person I met in our first year!"

"I'm a better person!"

Lily choked on her own spit, "Are you kidding yourself! Why don't you actually look at what you've become!"

"Well sorry if I am protective of someone I love!"

"You don't love - "

"How do you know if I love James or not?" Amy demanded. "Have you ever been in love with anyone before? Love tends to make you do crazy things. What on earth am I supposed to do if I suspect my best friend is making out with my boyfriend behind my back?"

"You should trust your best friend," Lily said angrily. "Its no excuse. I would think you of all people knew me best and would know I would never do that to you. How many times are you going to make me repeat the same thing over and over again? I'm not going to tell you what you want to hear."

Amy didn't say anything; she was breathing heavily.

"I'm telling you. James and I are never going to get together. Ever," Lily said, putting emphasis on the last word. "I'm not going to tell you anything different and I never will. I don't lie to you."

Amy was still quiet, but she lowered her wand slightly. "I - a truth potion would help me though and - "

"Amy!" Lily said fiercely. "Trust me!"

"I - " Amy dropped her wand. "Ok." She took another step towards Lily, looking her straight in the eyes. "I trust you. Sorry..."

"Apology accepted," Lily said, though she couldn't help notice there was something forced about the way Amy was smiling.

The two of them shook hands rather uncomfortably. Lily couldn't help shake off the feeling that there was still some unfinished business between them however.

"I'll talk to Bridget," Amy said, letting go of Lily's hand.

"Thanks," Lily said, pulling her face into a smile. They looked at each other for a few minutes awkwardly before Alice came bursting into the room, a look of triumph in her eyes.

"FrankLongbottomandIaregoingout!" she gasped in one breath.

"Slower," Lily said.

"Frank - Longbottom - and - I - are - going - out," Alice repeated, trying to keep herself calm.

"Alice that's great. I knew this would happen for you," Lily said, her smile now one that was not the least bit forced, and she pulled Alice into a hug.

Amy then made a sort of uncomfortable noise and Lily and Alice broke apart, Lily looking between her two friends, worried at what would happen next.

Alice's expression was one of smugness and joy, whilst Amy's was completely blank.

No one spoke.

Lily wondered if this was leading to another fight, or else heading to a renewed friendship between Amy and Alice. She decided if that was it, she wouldn't want to intervene and so left her two friends to sort things out for themselves.

The common room was far too crowded for her liking when she got down there and so proceeded out the room, expecting a long road of mindless wanderings ahead of her.

This was not the case however. Near her charms classroom she ran into Dom, who was whistling shrilly to himself with a broomstick slung over his shoulder.

"Lily!" he said happily as soon as he spotted her. "This is a pleasant surprise!"

"Ya, hi Dom," Lily said unenthusiastically. "Just got back from quidditch practice?"

"Yup," he said proudly. "Need to be in top shape for tomorrow's game. If we don't win this one we won't have a chance for the cup."

"Mmm."

"Do you want to go somewhere more private?" he asked suddenly.

"Sure..."

"Great, let me just put my broomstick away and then I'll meet you back here. I have something for you."

"A present?"

"Yes. Wait here." And with that he scampered off in the direction of the Ravenclaw common room. Lily slid down to the floor with her back to the wall and waited patiently for him. She felt a little guilty about him going through all this trouble to find her a gift when she hadn't even thought about such a thing. Next Hogsmeade visit, she decided, she would get him a really nice gift.

Lily didn't have to site there for long, Dom was back in about five minutes, holding a small box in one of his hands. Lily's stomach clenched. Please don't make it a ring, she thought. Commitment was definitely something she wasn't ready for yet.

"Come on," said Dom holding out his hand for Lily to take. Lily grasped it and he started leading her away.

"Where are we going?" she asked curiously.

"The astronomy tower," Dom replied.

"Oh..." said Lily, guessing he was taking her to another make out session.

"Alright," Dom said as the two of them stepped inside the tower. "You can open your present now." And he handed her the box.

Lily took it tentatively and drew in a deep breath. She opened it with trembling fingers.

But in the end, she needn't have worried. It wasn't a ring, but a dainty silver necklace with two split emeralds in the middle of the chain.

"I thought it would bring out your eyes," Dom told her.

"It's beautiful," Lily whispered.

"Not only that, it's really old. I know how much you love that kind of ancient stuff. It was my great aunts twice removed or something. And anyway, I want you to have it."

Ok, so maybe she could worry a bit.

It wasn't a ring, but it stood for almost the same thing. He was giving her a family heirloom; his family heirloom, and it was as if he was bringing her into his kin.

She didn't say any of this aloud though. "It's - it's really nice. Thank you," she said hurriedly clipping it around her throat. The metal felt ice cold against her skin and the hairs on the back of her neck rose, but she ignored this uncomfort and smiled at Dom.

Perhaps he had seen the doubt in her mind, perhaps he had seen it from the day by the lake when he first asked her out. But if he had noticed it, he wasn't showing any signs he knew. He faltered a bit before leaning in towards Lily and kissing her, as if he felt he was doing something wrong, but in the end proceeded anyway.

Lily didn't object and the two of them stayed like that in the astronomy tower until the clouds parted, letting the starts take over the heavens.

Lily pulled back slightly and said quietly, "I think we should start heading back."

Dom nodded, his forehead against hers, before moving away from her, towards the window.

"It's really a beautiful night," Lily whispered, marveling at the sky. "In the city you can't see any stars, but here there's just so many. In the suburbs where I live there were few little stars you could count them without ever going past twenty..."

"Mmm...so excited about the quidditch match tomorrow?"

Lily sighed. "Yes, I'm thrilled."

"I couldn't be more excited," Dom grinned. "I feel like running around the whole castle just to calm myself down."

"Mmm, yes well forgive me for not leaping for joy, bad back you know."

"I wish you'd get over your hatred of quidditch Lily. You'll see it's the greatest joy of life."

"I do not hate it at all," Lily said, peering up at the buttermilk moon. "I just think you should worry about more important things."

Dom snorted, "Oh ya ok..."

"Quidditch isn't the most important thing," Lily repeated. "And I hope if you loose tomorrow you won't throw a huge spaz and keep talking about the idiots that caused your defeat and what makes them idiots."

"Lily," Dom said disbelievingly, "There is no 'if I loose'. There's no doubt in my mind I'll win. I have to win. I've been practicing day and night."

"So has the other team," Lily pointed out. "I'm just trying to make it clear that the world isn't over if you loose."

"Lily," Dom reached out and grabbed her shoulders. "This is my last year at this school. My last year to win the cup. And if I don't win the cup, what will I have to put on my resume when I try out for the real thing? And if I make it big, think of the money the two of us will have! You'll never have to work, the house'll be huge. No worries, no responsibilities - "

Lily forced his hands off her and said angrily, "But I want responsibilities. I don't just want to sit around a house like a bump on a log and twiddle my thumbs." Has he planned out our whole future together or what? We've only been going out for - what - one, two months?

"Lily, you'll only have time for fun! You don't know that luxury because you've never experienced it before. But you're going to love it, trust me."

Lily didn't know what to say. Should she just ignore it? He'd figure it out soon enough and then realize his stupid quidditch fantasy's would never come true.

"I really have to get to bed," Lily looked at her watch, "Its almost eight thirty."

"Um...ok..."

"I - er - really hope you win tomorrow. Fingers crossed," she held up her fingers as if trying to prove to him her sincerity.

Dom grinned, "Thanks. Ok let's head down."

Lily nodded and the two of them made their way down the stone steps onto the floor below.

Lily could still feel the necklace; bouncing around her neck as she walked, the two stones occasionally clanking together. She didn't feel right with it on. It represented too much and Lily couldn't see it as a simple piece of jewelry. It was gorgeous, no doubt about that...but Lily just couldn't find it in herself to appreciate its beauty.

Her and Dom parted above one of the many staircases and she wished him luck one last time before glumly moving in the direction of her common room.

Lily had never been in a long lasting, serious relationship so she didn't really have an idea as to how she was supposed to feel at this stage. But she couldn't shake off the feeling that maybe this was the wrong feeling. Could something like this work when she was having such strong doubts? Could they work past it? Should they bother working past it?

Lily's mind raced with all these thoughts as she walked, and she was starting to come to the conclusion that maybe what was going on with her and Dom's relationship, just wasn't right...

There's a small line in here taken directly from the lion king ( i love that movie! Though so sad...) see if you can find it.

As i've asked before, review. I'll know if you haven't!