I'm back. Sorri. I kno u all want 2 continue w/ the story, so here we go. Wee!

Ch 6: Watch Your Step

"So Lily, feeling any better?" April asked, as Lily made her way through the corridors. It had been a whole week since Lily had talked with James, and things seemed to being going fine. April and May had come daily to visit her and bring her, her homework and wish her well, while June came occassionally to say hi. One her first vist, June said some reading might do them good, so she brought Lily her Pride and Prejudice book. When she saw the book, Lily felt a wave of emotions hit her, but wouldn't let June notice it. Although, what she did notice was the gift box that held the Quidditch robes inside. It took a while to make up an excuse, that June would believe, although Lily suspected she didn't buy it.

So far in the book, Darcy has become quite close to Lizzy, which confuses her, and makes her resent him more. Also, a character called Charlotte Bingley, Charle Bingley's sister, despises Lizzy who unknowingly attracts Darcy day after day.

"So Lily, feeling any better?" April asked, as Lily made her way through the corridors. It had been a whole week since Lily had talked with James, and things seemed to being going fine. April and May had come daily to visit her and bring her, her homework and wish her well, while June came occassionally to say hi. One her first vist, June said some reading might do them good, so she brought Lily her book. When she saw the book, Lily felt a wave of emotions hit her, but wouldn't let June notice it. Although, what she did notice was the gift box that held the Quidditch robes inside. It took a while to make up an excuse, that June would believe, although Lily suspected she didn't buy it. So far in the book, Darcy has become quite close to Lizzy, which confuses her, and makes her resent him more. Also, a new character has

"Yeah, I'm fine. Although, these crutches aren't that comfortable," Lily chuckled, as she wobbled on her wooden crutches. It seemed her fall from the match did dome real damage on her leg, and it would take a lot of time to even begin healing.

"But you're okay, right?"May asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Luckily I've mastered 'Wingardium Leviosa.' I don't haveto carry my books, now." Lily smiled. Luckily, theywere finishedfor the day and hadjust comeback fromdinner.When they came to the towering stairways, Lily gulped. Although she had learned to maneuvureher crutches quickly, she still had trouble balancing herslef, when they chose to move. As shemade her wayup the steps, she felt relieved that they hadn't chosen to move. She had spoke too soon. As she tried lifting herself up onto the landing the stair case shifted, and Lily felt herself falling back.

"LILY!" May cried in horror. No sooner than the word left her lips, Lily felt someone grab her around the waist and hoisted her up. Lily turned around to see none other than...

James felt his heart skip a beat. It had seemed forever since he had seen Lily, and right now he wished he didn't have to see her in the position she was in. Sirius and he were coming up the stair case when he heard May's terrified voice echo through the room.

"LILY!" James looked up the stairsand saw the red head falling back, from lost of balance. James made a quick dash up to get her, but was pushed out of the way, by...

"Eric!" Lily announced, as he held on to her tightly.

"Now, I couldn't have my broken up girlfriend hurt herself even more, can I?" he asked, teasingly. He seemed more cheerful since Lily had last saw him, and she liked what she saw. Just behind him, she noticed James and Sirius dashing towards them.

"You okay, Lily?" James asked.

"Yeah I'm fine. Thanks to Eric," Lily smiled, making James feelingbitter.

"Yeah, Potter. She's fine. I mean, she's with me isn't she?" Eric chuckled, sinisterly. James noticed the challenge in his words, and we all know James never backs down from a challenge.

"Yeah, sure. But for how long?" James smirked, noticing the wrinkles on Eric's forehead.

"Alright, you two, just stop-"

"Forever, Potter. So you can just give up." Eric answered.

"I never give up O'Bryan. Plus, everyone knows nothing can last forever. Isn't that right Lily?" James asked, more to Lily than Eric.

"Now, that's just twisting my-"

"So, you've decided to bring Lily into this, huh? Afraid to fight your own battles?"

"AFRAID? HA! I laugh at the very word!"

"Okay, that's enough-"

"You laugh at everything, Potter. You think you're so much better than any of us, that you decide that we're just jokes!"

"You're the joke, O'Bryan! I have no idea why Lily would chose a clown like you, as a boyfriend. She deserves better!"

"Apparently you think you're better Potter? Pff. Everyone knows Lily wouldn't even give you the time of day. Whenthey know she spends both the day, and night, with me." Eric sneeredmenacingly, hissing the last part for only James to hear.

WHAM!

James had thrusted his balled fist straight into Eric's center face, and felt the blood drip from his nose. Furry and frustration rushed through his veins, as Eric's words filled his ears.

"Way to go Prongs!" Sirius yelled in triumphant, as Eric fell to the floor, holding his nose.

"Eric!" Lily cried, her face filled with horror, as she tried bending down to help Eric, but he shot striaghtened up. This time, he threw his fist into James' stomache and James' face revealed pain.

"James!" Lily cried, looking at the two boys. Then, James took out his wand and shouted,

"Expelliarmus!" Eric was flown five feet away into the corridor floor that the stair case had stopped at. Eric stood up and towered over the three.

"Alright Lily. I've had enough of this bastard! It's either me, or him! It's your choice!" Eric threatened Lily,extending out a hand towards her. Lily looked at it in deisbelief, and twirled to James, who stood firm. She looked between the two and finally walked slowly towards Eric. James felt his heart repeat the same torture he faced that day infront of Flourish and Blotts. He didn't know if he could stand to take another stab of pain. Eric himself looked rather pleased, as Lily stepped infront of him.

"That's my girl." he smirked.

SLAP!

Lily herself slapped Eric across the face and hollared to him.

"Don't you ever call him a bastard, you bastard!" With that she stepped off the corridor, and back onto the stairs. And as the stair case began to move, Lily exclaimed,

"And I'm not your girl. Not anymore."

"Wow, Lily. That was impressive! You really showed Eric back there!" April criedexcitedly, as she and the group entered the Gryffindor common room.

"Yeah, you really did Lily," James added, confindenly, but then...

SLAP!

Lily had twirled around, and slapped James across the face, making every student in the room turn their direction onto them. Both James and the group were speechless, until Lily threatened.

"Don't call me Lily, Potter!" And with that she walked to sit on the couch. James' jaw dropped in confusion and turned to the group for support.

'Help me,' he mouthed to April, who nodded at made her way to sit next to Lily.

"Who does he think he is?" Lily thought to herself. She didn't know why, but she suddenly felt insecure about the whole situation.

"What's wrong Lily?" April's voice came, disturbing her chain of thought.

"Nothing, really. I'm just a little lost."

"Lost? Our Lily lost? Say it isn't so."

"Is it about what happened earlier?" May asked.

"Not all of it, really."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I'm not sure."

"I guess that's the lost part than."

"Seriously Lily. What's wrong?"

"I don't know! I feel so stupid and clueless. I don't know why, but that's just howI feel."

"Maybe we shouldn't talk about it, in here," June suggested, suddenly.

"Why?"

"Because, it seems we have an audience,"June pointed out, revealing thewhole common roomstarring at them in interest.

"June's right, maybe we should go somewhere elese," May agreed, as they stepped out of the common room.

James watched the four girls leave out the room, and was anxious to what they had to talk about. Then, he felt Sirius nudge him in the side and whispered,

"Hey, Remus says he wants to leave pretty soon, so get ready. You can worry about Lily later, okay?"

"Sure, just give me a second," James asked, and Sirius rushed back into the boy's dormitory. James turned back and rushed down the stairs to catch up with Lily. Luckily they were only in the nearest classroom and when he entered, the had just begun to talk.

"James. How nice of you to join us. Staying?" April asked cheerfully.

"Um, no April, I'm not, butI just wanted to ask Lily something. Can you guys give us some privacy, just for a sec?" James asked, rubbing his hand agianst his head, ruffling his hair.

"Sure no problem," April assured and the three sisters left out the door. It was a few minutes before the two said anthing, but it was Lily who broke the silence.

"So, what did you want to ask me?"

"I wanted to know if you meant what you said. To O'Bryan I mean." Seconds flew byinto minutes , until...

"Yeah, I did." James felt his heart race faster.

"So, do you think, um..."

"No." Lily said bluntly.

"No...what?"

"No, I don't want to be your girlfriend. Nor will I ever be."

"What? Why?"

"Why? Because you're an insufferablebrat Potter, that's why. You say you've matured, but it only lasts a second."

"Come on Lily, I have too matured. You just won't give me a chance."

"I've given you loads of chances, Potter."

"What more do you want from me Lily?" James asked, stomping up to her.

"I've tried being responsible, I've tried being patient, I really have. But I just can't take it anymore! It's gotten me no where."

"Well, where would you want that attitude to take you?"

"HERE!" he shouted, grabbing Lily by the shoulders and forcing her into a deep kiss. Lily felt dazed and confused. What was happening. She had just broken up with her boyfriend, and here she was snogging with another guy. And not just any other guy, but James Potter. Then, a soft gasp was heard at the door, as a small girl opened the door and starred at the two. She just stood there, until she shook her head and ran away. When, James finally let go of Lily, she felt tears rising to her eyes and did the first thing that came into her mind, (I bet you cood guess what)

SLAP!

It was the second time today, that Lily had slapped him and again, she felt insecure and unstable. Suddenly she felt tears running down her cheek and sherushed out of the room, as quickly as her crutches could take her, before James could talk to her.

James just sighed as he rubbed his trobbing cheek, and made his way back to the common room. There he found everyone starring at him, and he shrugged them off. When he reached the boy's dormitory, he saw Remus sitting down, his skin a ghostly pale, and his eyes exhausted.

"Ready, Prongs?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah,I'm set to go Padfoot," James assured his friend. Then, Peter came running up to James cheek and examined it.

"Jeez, Prongs, you're cheek's redder than a tomato." he exclaimed.

"Thanks Wormtail," James sighed, and stepped out of the dormitory. Seeing as it was close to eleven, the common room was nearly empty, and there were only 3rd year, working on their 5 pg. potions report. As the Marauders put made their way to the portriat of the fat lady, they put on the invisability cloak before they stepped out, and walked cautiously through the night.

Meanwhile, Lily was crying in her head girl's bedroom. She felt so vulnerable that it hurt, so she just kept crying. She made a note to herself to talk to the other girls, so they wouldn't worry. As she spent the rest of the night crying, she didn't notice the strange figure walking past the spinx portrait and into the head's common room.
Out in the court yard, a handsome stag stood tall, scouting the area. When he made sure no one was in sight, he shook his head towards aenormous willow tree. A tiny rodent scurried out from under its roots and a trap door opened up, from under the trunk. Then, a large bear like dog leapt out from the door, and nodded towards the stag. Followingit was a wolf like creature, who arched its back and howled at the glistening full moon. Faster than lightening, the creature dashed towards the forest, with the stag and dog on its tracks. The dog playfully tackled the wolf to the ground and the two wrestled for a while, leaving the rat and the stag to relax. The stag starred hopefully at the moon, although it gave him no relief to his problems.
"He's hopeless. Absolutely hopeless. How could I have believed he really matured?" Lily thought to herself, feeling her eys burn.Surprisingly a soft knock was heard agianst Lily's door, which made Lily even more upset.

"Go away James!" she screemed, to the other side.

"Ms. Evans, it's me." a calm, soothing voice answered. Lily couldn't believe her ears, as she grabbed her crutches and walked to answer her door. Surely it couldn't be...

"Professor Dumbledore!" Lily exclaimed as she starred at the man himself, smiling down at her.

"Good evening, Ms. Evans. I was wondering if I could have a small chat with you. I won't keep you up for too long."

"No. I mean, yes. Sure I'll talk with you Professor." She closed her door, and walked to the couch with him.

"Ms. Evans. It has come to my attention, that Mr. Potter and you have not been on friendly terms latley. Can you please exlain why?" Lily didn't answer, but instead turned her head to the side to stare into the fire. Dumbledore smiled, and noted,

"If I may, I recallthat the two of you seemed civil enough, when I talked with you last. So, I assume something has erased that meeting from your memory." Still no answer.

"Ms. Evans, you were bold enough to substitute for Mr. Potter when he vanished on the day of the Quidditch match, but I wonder where the boldness has gone, seeing as you refuse to converese with me. When just a few seconds ago you agreed to come out here and see me." At this Lily couldn't hold it in.

"Professor, if I may.Certain events have happened, and at the moment the friendship betweenMr. Potter and myself has been forgotten."

"And may I ask what were these certain events?"

"Please, Professor. I know you to be an honorable man, but I just don't feel to retell these events." At this Dumbledore chuckled. It was a sort of teasing tone, but none the less friendly.

"You have a right to keep your secrets, Ms. Evans. And so does Mr. Potter."

"I...don't quite understand sir," Lily said, questioningly.

"Ms. Evan, I usually don't have these conversations, but for you and Mr. Potter. I will make an exception." Lily still looked confused, so he cleared his throat.

"Just give him a chance, Ms. Evans."

"I've given him many chances, Professor. Will I have to keep giving him chances, for the rest of my life?"

"The rest of your life my seem long, Ms. Evans, but it isn't as long as forever."

"With all do respect Professor. I don't believe in forever. Nor will I ever will."

"Surely Ms. Evans. You can't not expect me to believe that someone as brilliant as you, can stand by to that proposal. For if you do, then that just turns agianst what you just said."

"So, you agree with me Professor? That nothing can last forever?"

"Yes...and no. Nothing can last forever...but..."

"But what Professor?" And with this, Dumbledore stood up and smiled.

"I think that's enough for tonight. Don't you agree? Plus I believe you must be getting to bed, for tomorrow you have a meeting with certain young man." And with that, he walked towards the portrait and out the door, leaving Lily to wonder what he was going to say.

As James and his friends, walked back through the corridors, his earlier encounter with Lily haunted his mind.

"No." Lily said bluntly.

"No...what?"

"No, I don't want to be your girlfriend. Nor will I ever be."

"What? Why?"

"Why? Because you're an insufferablebrat Potter, that's why. You say you've matured, but it only lasts a second."

"Come on Lily, I have too matured. You just won't give me a chance."

"I've given you loads of chances, Potter."

"What more do you want from me Lily?" James asked, stomping up to her.

"I've tried being responsible, I've tried being patient, I really have. But I just can't take it anymore! It's gotten me no where."

"Well, where would you want that attitude to take you?"

"HERE!" he shouted, grabbing Lily by the shoulders and forcing her into a deep kiss. Then, a soft gasp was heard at the door, as a small girl opened the door and starred at the two. She just stood there, until she shook her head and ran away. When, James finally let go of Lily, her eyes sparlked with tearsand...

SLAP!

It was the second time today, that Lily had slapped him and sherushed out of the room, as quickly as her crutches could take her, before James could talk to her.

"Lily, what is it you want from me?" James thought to himself, and didn't notice the pair of eyes that followed him as he walked into the Gryffindor common room with them.

"Well, night Prongs. See you tommorow," Sirius said cheerfully, with Remus and Peter waving 'good night.' As he waved back, he began to walk toward the portrait door, but bumbed into a body half his size. When he looked down, he was looking at the same girl who walked in on him and Lily.

"Hellllooo," James greeted nervously, as she just starred at him firmly.

"Do you love her?" she asked bluntly, taking James by surprise.

"What?"

"Do you love her?"

"Who?"

"You know, Evans. I saw you two kissing, and I don't think you shoud do that any more."

"Why?" James asked, feeling awkward that a girl her age was telling him what to do.

"Because, one, she doesn't deserve you. And two she already has a boyfriend."

"Oh, and where did you get that?"

"Everyone knows. They say Evans is down-right terrible to play with your emotions and go off to some2nd rateguy. And franklyI agree with them."

"Well, I'm sorry to burst that tiny bubble of yours, but Lily and her boyfriend have broken up, so there." James stated, and walked out of the portrait doorway.

Meanwhile, Lily was laying on her bed, dead exhausted from crying and didn't hear the soft thumping of footsteps enter the head's common room. When she finally did, she cried the first thing that came into her mind,

"James?" But the person who walked into her room, wasn't James, but...Eric.

"Hey, Lily." he greeted, casually.

"How did you get in here?" Lily asked, as he came and sat on her bed.

"What? No, 'hey how's it going?' Or 'how have you been?'"

"Seriously Eric? What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you of course. I thought things seemed a little tense between us earlier, soI thought. I'd make it up to you."

"Oh really? What? Another bouquet of lily flowers?"

"No, just some fun. I hear you're getting a little bored. What with all the crutches and everything." Eric explained,scooting closer to her. Then, Lily stopped him, by putting her hand firmly on his and cried,

"Eric! I don't think this'll work out. You're just...not the same person as before!" But he wouldn't listen to her anymore, and grabbed both her arms and pulled it towards him. Hungrilypushing her lipsinto his. Lily felt shocked and frustrated. When he pulled out for air, she screamed,

"Let go of me! Just what do you think you are doing?"

"ItoldPotter earlier,that youspend both the day, and night, with me. And I intend to keep my word." And with that, he pushed her over, onto the bed and forced her into another kiss. Feeling his tongue slither across her lips and into her mouth, Lily became furious.She squirmed under Eric, but he wasboth too heavy and strong for her to shove him off. Eric encircled his arms agianst hers, pressingthem agianst her body, and his hands began exploring her body. Out of pure instinct, Lily shifted her knee and pushed it towards Eric. Eric, felt the pain and released her. Lily tried to get off the bed, but when she lifted herself off, an incredible pain pierced her foot, up to her thigh.

"AHH!" Lily screamed, tears filling her eyes once more, as she fell to the ground helplessly gripping her leg. She bit her lip, from the pain, but tried to escape by crawling into the common room. When she felt herself being turned over, she starred straight into Eric's eyes ashe hissed seductively,

"You should watch your step more carefully." And agian pinned her to the ground, unable to move.

"Really, they've broken up?" The girl asked, anxiously as she followed James through the halls.

"Yes, they have. So what? And shouldn't you be in bed?"

"Don't change the subject! So are you going to do it again then?"

"Do what again?"

"Kiss her."

"No! I am not going to kiss her, just because she broke up with her boyfriend."

"Really? Good. 'Cause I don't think she's a good enough kisser for you. Wait, forget about kissing. She's not good enough for you period."

"Hold on. How can you say that? You don't even know her."

"I know that she's a filthy mudblood, that's as ugly as a troll." With this, Jamesbacked the girl into a wall and towered over her.

"Don't you dare call her a you-know-what. You're in Gryffindor, and yet you're acting like a Slytherin." Not even showing any difference in his threat, the girl stood on her tipy-toes andpecked James on the lips. James moved back and wiped his mouth, with his sleeve.

"Now, that's how you give a kiss,"the girl winked, mischievously. James chose to ignore this and kept on walking to the head common room.

"So youstill plan on getting to togetherwith her, even though you know what might as well happen?"

"Oh and what will happen, you annoying prat?"

"She'll hate you even more," she announced proudly. James stopped, which made her smile,

"She'll hate you more than ever if you try to. So HA! How do you like them apples?" Then, James turned to face her, and asked solemnly,

"Who said I was going to try?" With this, he began walking back to the head's common room, with the most annoying, yet pleased girl following him.

"GET OFF OF ME!" Lily screamed, but it was no use. Then, her worst fear happened. He began fiddling with any buttons his fingers met, and undid them hastily. Soon, her robes were being ripped apart and Eric fumbled with her blouse. Lily felt her skirt, hanging loose from her hips as she moved her only useful leg.She felt herslef boil with fury as she struggled under Eric's weight andtried pushing him off with her arms, but it only sparated them from each other for a few good minutes, then he'dfallupon her one more time. She had always dreamed of having Eric be her first, but now she didn't even want to know Eric. She tried to fight agianst him, but all the crying she did earlier had tired her out. Soon her body was too weak to move and she collapse on the floor, out of breathe. The pain from her broken leg didn't do much good either. Lily felt herself ache with pain, and knew she'd be in more soon enough. Tears filled her eyes, as she gave in to her last option.

"Eric...please stop," Lily begged, as he threw off his shirt. Eric smirkedtriumphantly and genlty placed herarms around his back. Feeling too weak to move them, Lily let them rest on his bare back and soon they slid down to his neck.

"I'll never stop, Lily. We'll be like this forever." He whispered,into her ear,his hot breath making Lily's soine shiver with fear.

"Nothing can last forever," Lily thought hopelessly to herself, closing her eyes, wishing the pain would end.

"That's good for you, James, because I don't think...OH MY!" the girl shrieked, as she starred inside the head's common room. She had followed James all the way there and he wished he hadn't come himself. Inside were Lily and Eric, laying on the ground, both out of breath, and nearly half naked. Eric was ontop on Lily, his knees spreading her legsapart, and his left handholding her head, and the other holding, what looked like her waist but was actually lower part of her body. He didn't have his school robes, or a shirt on, and worst of all, his pants were unzipped, and below his thighs, but above his knees. Lily herslef had her hands around his neck, with her hair spread behind her head, and her eyes looked exhausted. Her robes were still on, but barely,while her blouse sleevewas still in one arm, while the other was hanging loose on her shoulder, revealing her white bra. Her skirt was ripped and sliding down her left hip, low enough to see some white underwear.

As James starred at the two, he didn't notice when the girl ran past him and back up to Gryffindor Tower. He stood still, hoping, praying he wasn't seeing what he was in front of him. His mind buzzed with thought whileLily nor Eric moved. The trio exchanged glances,thinking the explination for the scenewould take forever to explain.

LOL! So wat did u tink? priT intimate huh? Wait is that the right word?i don't know, it was deep, okay? sou all who are read'n this, u bettr REVIEW! Also, my bf has just posted a story,4 all ofu to read. just 2 let u kno, it's under anime. the title is "Manga Master." So b nice ppl + read it. PLEEZ!

'kay luv ya, bye. KT