A/N: Hi again. I've just re-read chapter 6 and I realised 2 things. One: I actually really liked it. And two: it's about time I updated. So, that's exactly what I'm going to do as I sit here at my slower than normal computer with 'Jesses Girl' blaring from the headphones.
Disclaimer: I'm not married, don't have 3 kids, don't live in England (although I'd like to) and, last time I checked, I wasn't filthy rich. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I'm most definitely NOT J.K Rowling.
IMPORTANT NOTE; PLEASE READ: A few people have asked about the room with the mirrors from way back in chapter 4. I'm gonna set it straight right now. It was not, I repeat, NOT the Room of Requirement. That's on the 7th floor. My room is on the second. If that doesn't help, I'll make it plainer. I made it up. The mirror room came from my own imagination. The mirrors show memories. You're all welcome to borrow the room for your own stories. It would be interesting to see what you do with them. Just make sure you send me a little note to say you've used it and where so I can check it out. Oh, and mention me in the disclaimer.
(sigh) Sorry 'bout that. On with the story.
88888888
Previously
"Gonna tell the truth now, James?"
"I don't know what you mean," said James, standing so that he wouldn't have to look up at Emily.
"Oh really? Say it, go on. Say you never liked me. Say you used me. Say that, all this time, I've only ever been a substitute for the one girl who wouldn't give you the time of day. But now she's talking to you, seeing you. Now, you don't have any use for me. Deny it, James, look me in the eyes, and deny everything I've just said."
James did look her in the eyes. In them, he saw hurt and anger and unshed tears. His stomach gave a guilty lurch but he couldn't lie to her, not when he'd done so much damage already. He sighed quietly and looked away.
Emily's lower lip trembled and a tear dripped over her eye. In a strained voice she said, "Damn you, James Potter. I wish I'd never fallen for your charms and sweet talk. I wish I'd never laid eyes on you. You'll pay though. I'll make sure that you hurt as much as I do now."
88888888
Who's That Girl
Chapter 7: Questions
Life at Hogwarts progressed as per usual after the incident at breakfast. The Marauders played their pranks while managing to stay out of detention. Lily and her friends kept up their straight A record in their classes and Emily turned sour. She was prone to shooting glares at Lily, James and everyone even remotely connected to them. As for the rest of the student body, they all believed that James had finally gotten Lily to go out with him. That was were they were wrong.
"Lily?" asked James as he sidled up to the girl in question as she did her homework. It was exactly two weeks to the day of Lily's detention and 'the kiss'. Courtney, Gabby, Remus and Sirius were on the other side of the Gryffindor common room playing their sixth game of Exploding Snap. Peter had disappeared an hour or more previously.
"No, James."
James frowned and sat opposite her. "You're supposed to say, 'Yes James, what do you want?' Not 'No' immediately. You don't even know what I was going to say."
Without raising her eyes, she responded, "Ah, but I have a pretty good idea what you were going to ask."
"Oh really?"
"Yes really. Let's see if I can read your mind, hmmm?" Lily narrowed her eyes and pressed her cool fingers to James' temples. "Ah! I see! You want to ask me, AGAIN, if I'll go out with you."
Lily removed her fingers and placed her hands delicately in her lap. She looked smug. "The answer's still 'no'."
James smirked. "Oh, Lily, that was sweet but wrong."
The smug look left her face and Lily frowned in confusion. "Wrong? What do you mean, wrong? You've been asking everyday for the past week. Ten times a day I might add."
James shook his head. "No tonight. Tonight I want to ask something different."
Lily raised her eyebrows. "And what might that question be?"
"Well, I don't know if I should now. You were very rude, Lily, and you've said at least twice that the answer is 'no'. Maybe I'll just go ask Gabby instead." James made to stand up but Lily's hand shot out and stopped him.
James stared out at the small white hand gripping his wrist tightly enough to make his hand tingle. "Alright Lily, I was just kidding. You can let go, my hand does like its blood."
Lily blushed and released his wrist. "Right, sorry. What were you going to say?"
"Well, I wanted to know if you'd like to go for a walk."
"A walk? At this time of night?"
"It's only ten and, remember, the last time you went walking with me, you found out I wasn't as bad as you originally thought."
Lily thought for a moment. They could get caught but the prospect of fun and the possibility of getting caught were appealing to the mischievous side that Lily never showed anyone.
That and he might kiss you again, said a voice in Lily's head. Annoyingly enough, the voice sounded remarkably like Courtney. Realising this, Lily pushed the voice away and looked into James' hazel eyes.
"Alright, I'll come. Do you need to get your cloak?"
James reached into a pocket and pulled out the cloak. "No need, I came prepared."
Lily frowned. "But you didn't know if I'd say yes."
James grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, well, I was hoping."
Lily shook her head at him and walked towards the portrait hole leaving James to catch up. When he'd reached her, he checked that nobody was watching and covered the both of them.
Only Remus saw them disappear into thin air and the portrait open just enough to accommodate two bodies.
88888888
Twenty minutes later, Lily and James emerged from under the cloak and seated themselves comfortably by the side of the lake. They sat in silence for a few moments; Lily staring up at the stars and James staring at the lake.
"Lily, I actually asked you out here to ask you something else."
Lily sighed. "Please, don't ask me to Hogsmeade. It won't make any difference where we are or how romantic the setting is."
"No, I wasn't going to ask you out. I just want to know something."
Lily turned to look at James. Something in his voice surprised her. To her ears, it sounded as if the ever- confident James Potter was nervous!
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
James shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong."
After a few moments of silence, Lily asked impatiently, "Well? What do you want to know?"
James bit his lip and muttered something that was too low for Lily to hear. She bent closer to him. "What was that? You'll have to speak louder."
James took a deep breath and staring up at the castle said, "Do you hate me?"
Lily frowned in confusion. "Hate you? No, of course not. What reason would I have to hate you?"
"I thought maybe you would after what happened last week with Emily."
"That was between you and her. I don't hate you because of it. If anything, you should hate me."
James looked back at her in surprise. "What! Why?"
"It was my fault you broke up with Emily. If I hadn't stopped ignoring you, you'd still have a girlfriend."
"True, but I'd rather be single and out here with you than anywhere in the known world with Emily."
"James Potter, that was the sweetest thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth and, yes, if you want, I'll accompany you to Hogsmeade in two weeks."
The grin that split James' face was enough to make Lily's heart melt. She'd made him so happy with such a simple offer.
"Are you kidding? Please Lily, tell me you're not kidding!"
Lily giggled. "I'm not kidding. It might be fun. I've never been to Hogsmeade with the Marauders."
"You'll have the time of your life, I promise!"
"I don't doubt it!"
They stared at each other for a few minutes, each in silent shock.
Lily couldn't believe that she was actually going on a date with James Potter. She'd sworn to herself years ago that she'd never sink that low.
James couldn't believe his luck. He was afraid that if he pinched himself, he'd wake up in his bed and find that this had never happened. He didn't want to ruin the moment but he had to say something!
You better make it something good, James thought to himself.
"Lily?"
She laughed. "What is it now?"
"May I kiss you?"
Lily smiled gently. "Yes, you may."
Gathering himself for the kiss of his life, James leaned forward and kissed her. He never wanted to stop kissing her but he drew back after a moment. Staring into Lily's bright green eyes, James knew.
He wasn't dreaming.
88888888
OMG. I'm totally on a high after 3 hours of writing. This is the greatest chapter I've ever written! No time for small talk now! I've got to start the update!
Review people! I have to know what you guys think!