A/N U guys rock! – I've been rather busy this past month cause my laptop broke down and everything so yeah, I had to write everything out again. I was really pissed so I didn't write anything for about a week and a half. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 5

Lily's POV

"Lil! Hey Lil!" A familiar feminine voice called out.

I turned around. "Oh hey Amelie. How was your holidays?"

The pretty blue-eyed brunette raised her eyebrow. "Dude, like hello? I was in California with all so many hunks!" She squealed. "I even managed to score a telephone number!"

I rolled my eyes. Typically Amelie. "Yeah, bravo for Amelie Seranta – managing to score a dude's phone number." I smiled and shook my head. "Some things never change, eh?"

She frowned. "Wait...you were making fun of me, weren't you?" She gave me a light smack on my head and sat down beside me. "Don't make fun of me Lily. You'll be very sorry indeed if you did."

I was struggling not to laugh. "Yeah, what would you do? I'm at least 4 inches taller than you, 10 pounds heavier and twice as strong."

Amelie pouted. "Shut up." We looked at each other for a moment before we burst out laughing.

"Hey, whoa, girls. Chill." Sirius sat down opposite me. James and Remus sat down after him. "What's so funny?"

I looked at him, giggling. "What? Funny? Nothing's funny. Nothing at all. No of course not mister. No sir." I started to babble.

Sirius looked at me in an expression that clearly said WTF?. I returned his look but found it hard to keep a straight face.

Sirius looked stumped. "What the-"

"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

A sudden hush swept across the room as Dumbledore stood up. He raised his goblet and surveyed the crowd.

He cleared his throat. "Welcome back! I trust it has been a very illuminating summer for all years. I trust that you all had fun and will be returning most diligently to your studies this year. A word of advice; whenever there is tragedy or sadness, remember that your friends will always be there for you." He paused thoughtfully and then chuckled. "Ahh, I suddenly remembered this rather funny joke about a hag an-"

Mrs McGonagall cleared her throat. "Perhaps Albus, you could tell them about the exchange program..."

Dumbledore smiled. "Ahhh, yes, the exchange program. Thank you Minerva." He turned back to the hall. "Well, as most of you may know, we Hogwarts have quite a close relationship with Egeunton for a few hundred of years. Over the summer holidays, I had a meeting with the school governors and Professor Darcy, the headmaster of Egeunton. It was there, that we decided that we would transfer some Egeunton fifth years to Hogwarts and some Hogwarts second years to Egeunton."

Whispered conversations broke up all over the hall. Many students were discussing whether the guys or girls that came would be hot or not. Idiots. Sirius leaned over the table. "I hope the girls will be hot." Idiot.

Dumbledore cleared his throat again. "As I was saying, I have the pleasure of presenting you thirty Egeunton fifth years." He clapped his hands and the magnificent door opened. Standing outside were an array of students, male and female.

"Egeunton students, please come up when I call your name. Then you will be sorted into your houses. Axley, Bruce."

A short and chubby boy walked into the hall. HUFFLEPUFF!

"Berlin, Melissa."

A tall, blonde girl strutted into the hall; the sixth and seventh year boys catcalled and whistled. RAVENCLAW!

I felt myself drifting away despite my interest in the newcomers. Cait, Cerlo, Farlen ...Oapos, Rover. Suddenly, I felt myself being shaken awake by Amelie and Suzy. "Lil, OMG! The next guy is like hot; just right for you!"

"Stunworth, Michael."

A tall, blonde-haired boy walked into the hall. I instantly saw that he was extremely handsome, his facial features all perfectly chiselled. He must've felt my staring at him because he turned his head my way. As we looked into each other's eyes, he slowed his footsteps. Hesitantly, I gave him a small smile; not significant but noticeable at the same time. He smiled back and tore his eyes away from me.

I felt a tug at me elbow. Amelie was staring at me. "What?"

She was speechless. "Dude, you just caught the eye of Michael Stunworth; only the cutest guy to ever walk on earth. Everyone is so jealous of you." Amazingly, it was true. All the girls on the Slytherin table were staring daggers at me.

I blushed. "We just looked at each other. That's all." I stared straight ahead as Michael was announced a GRYFFINDOR. He walked down the stairs and headed straight for me, a slight swagger in his walk. When he reached me, he gave me a killer smile. "Hey, is this seat taken?" He motioned to my left.

I smiled. "Nope. Feel free." OMG! I did not just flirt with a random hot guy!

He sat down and extended his hand. "I'm Michael Stunworth."

I also extended my hand. "I'm Lily Evans."

He smirked and grasped my hand. His touch sent shivers up my spine. I had never experienced a feeling like this. I quickly withdrew my hand.

Sirius intervened. "Hey, I'm Sirius Black. This is James and Remus. Say, did you see the match against Russia last night?"

"Yeah, I saw it. I thought that..."

Oh yeah. Typical Sirius introduction; introduce name and then go onto Quidditch. Remind me once again why boys are so unpredictable?

James POV

I gritted my teeth and snarled as Michael walked towards us.

He smiled at Lily. Bastard. "Hey, is this seat taken?"

And god, Lily gave him his smile back. "Nope. Feel free." Hell, on the first day that we met, I asked her whether I could sit next to her. She looked at me appraisingly and said no. WTF is wrong with me and chicks?

He sat down and extended his hand. Lay off my Lily! "I'm Michael Stunworth." Dude, I think we already know that.

Lily extended her hand and said, "I'm Lily Evans."

When he gripped Lily's hand, I wanted to get out my bazooka and shoot him down. Of course, I couldn't do that. Hell, I don't even own a bazooka. So I just sat there, flexing my hands and staring daggers at Michael. I saw Lily withdraw her hand. Ha SUCK! Hehe. Lily's not that stupid to fancy you, pretty boy.

Sirius started. "Hey, I'm Sirius Black. This is James and Remus." Remus grinned and said hi but I just nodded. Michael looked me raised his eyebrows. "Say, did you see the match against Russia last night?"

Michael looked back at Sirius. "Yeah, England thrashed them; 370 to 10. But seriously, I never expected England to win. I mean, Russia has like a 30 match winning streak and England has a 5 match winning streak. I would've thought Russia would've won but then again, Blaskinov wasn't playing."

Sirius shot Michael an amused glance. "You know, James said exactly the same thing this morning. You don't happen to know each other do you."

"Oh course not," I answered stiffly. "How could we know each other?"

Michael smirked. "Yeah Sirius, James and I wouldn't know each other. Lighten up James." God, I could like so punch his lights out.

Sirius looked from me to Michael and then back again. "Wait...am I missing something here?" Before I could respond and say that Sirius had nothing to worry about, Kaitlyn showed up.

She wrapped her arms around Sirius. "Baby, did you miss me? I really nee-"

Lily cut her off. "Why its Kaitlyn Bates. Just go back to Ravenclaw why don't you."

Katy shot a look of pure venom at Lil. "Just shut up Lilienne Evans. Just because Sirius likes me and not you doesn't mean you have to ruin everything for us. You should be happy that you're...friend has found someone that he loves – not acting all suss and weirdo and wackish about it." She sniffed. "I always knew you were an bitch."

I was fuming. "Fuck off slut."

Michael leaned back in his chair and followed suit. "Yeah, whatever you're name is. Just leave us alone, especially Sirius and Lily."

Kaitlyn gave us the finger. "You guys are so bloody immature. Stupid assholes. The both of you; James and..." Kaitlyn's eyes went wide when she saw Michael. Trust a dumb blonde to go for Michael. She seductively at Michael; well, what she thought was a seductive smile. "Why hello there. I'm Kaitlyn Bates."

Michael looked amused. "Yeah, baby. Whatever." I rolled my eyes. Michael was deliberately leading Kaitlyn on.

She squealed. "You're Michael right? Anyway, I better get going. Cya around baby 1 and baby 2!" She kissed Sirius and waved at Michael.

Sirius looked sick. "Omg."

Michael was laughing his head off. "Dude, you have some serious chick problems. I mean, you have a faulty chick magnet; how could you go out with someone who was so out of class and such a sleazebag?"

Sirius glared at Michael. "FYI, she's not my girlfriend and we're not going out. She just likes to think we're going out. As for my chick magnet, it's attracted Susannah, Amelielda, Rachael and Lily." Lily threw a piece of pie at him and he ducked just in time. "Wait, better scratch the Lily part."

Lily smirked. "You better."

And the rest of the time was devoted to eating dinner.

Lily's POV

Dumbledore stood up. "A few words before we part. I trust that the fifth-years will take extra care of the Egeunton students. You will treat them with respect as you would to any other fifth year. That is all; off to bed all of you. Chop chop!"

I stood up and pulled on Remus. "Let's go."

He looked confused. "What?"

"We're prefects dumbhead. We should be leading the first years."

"Oh right."

We walked to the end of the table and called out. "All first-years. All first-years over here please. There's no need to push."

A gaggle of timid looking first-years walked to us. They looked up at us; half looking like as if they expected us to cane them, the other half looking like as if they expected us to eat them. I think I prefer the first bunch.

"Please follow us and we will show you to the Gryffindor common room."

I turned and stepped into the hallway. "Shit Remus, it's cold."

He sneezed. "Yeah, ditto."

We walked up the stairs, through a door, through a picture frame, another door, another flight of stairs...ten minutes later, we were there. The fat lady looked at me and said, "Password?"

"Mary Antoinette."

"Correct." She swung forward and we stepped into the whole; the first-years needed a lot of help. When everyone was safely inside, I started directing them to their dormitories.

"Girls to the left and boys to the right." As they scurried off, I sank into my favourite squishy armchair. There, I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind.

"Bee in your bonnet?"

My eyes snapped open and I saw Michael grinning at me. "Oh hey, Michael."

He sat down on the armchair next to me. God, he was HOT! He's not hot. OMG! Is he or is he not the hottest guy you have ever seen? No, he's not. Then who is the hottest guy you've ever seen? Um... There, you see. See what? You like totally have a crush on him. Whoa, no I don't. Yes you do. No I don't. Yes, you d-

"Hello Lily? Earth to Lily?"

I looked up. "Yeah?"

He looked at my disbelievingly. "You just like spent the last 10 seconds shaking your head and muttering under your breath."

I blushed. "Oh, that. I have a tendency to do that. James used to say that it was a reflex action for me."

Michael leaned back and clasped his hands. "So..."

"Yes?" I used my wand to conjure up a steaming cup of hot chocolate. I picked it up and wafted the smell towards myself.

"What's going on between you and James?"

I choked and spluttered as hot chocolate came streaming out of my nose. I heard Michael say, "Cleradota." I felt my airway clear.

After I caught my breath, I thanked him.

"Don't mention it. So I'm guessing there is something going on between you and James?"

I glared at him. "No there isn't. What makes you say that?"

"The fact that every time I talk to you, James snarls and flexes his hand. Also, the way that he stands up for you; that normally happens between boyfriend and girlfriend."

"That doesn't mean we're together or anything."

Michael smirked. God, I like wanted to kill him. "Okay. But..."

"But what?"

"You guys would make a good couple." Okay, he's going down. I picked up my nearest pillow and thumped him; hard. He stopped and me and seized me by my wrists. "Hey, chill man."

I wrenched myself from his grasp and blew the hair from my face. "You say that again and you're seriously dead."

He saluted. "Aye aye captain." He tried to keep a straight face but couldn't resist laughing.

I gave him the finger and proceeded to stomp up the stairs.

James POV

I approached the fat lady and before she could say anything I said, "Mary Antoinette."

She swung forward and I climbed into the hole.

I got up on my feet and stretched. Man, it was a long day. As I was about to go up the stairs, a voice interrupted my thoughts. "James Potter."

I turned around and saw Michael sitting on one of the armchairs. "Oh, Michael Stunworth. Good night."

I was about to turn away when Michael said, "How long will this go on?"

I was confused. "What?"

He sighed. "Sit down James."

I debated with my self for a few seconds but then decided I might as well listen to what he had to say. I walked over and sat down in the other armchair. "Yes?"

Michael smirked. "How long?"

"What?"

"How long have you had a crush on Lily?"

I started to turn red. "What?"

"Dude, are you listening? I said how long have you had a crush on Lily?"

I sat there in disbelief for a few seconds and then I answered. "Four and half years."

He whistled. "That's helluva long time. You never told her?"

"No...how did you know anyway?"

He stared at me in disbelief. "James, far out; you were like protecting like she was your first born child or something."

I shrugged. "That's what I do, defend her. Listen, don't tell her kay? I'm going to bed." I got to up.

Michael stopped me. "James, don't be like this."

I glared at him. "Like what?"

"Don't be so cold and vindictive towards me."

"Well, who's fault is it that I'm so cold towards you?"

He sighed. "James, far out. Put it behind you. Besides, it's not that much of a deal."

I snapped. "NOT THAT MUCH OF A DEAL? Have you any idea how much my life changed after you came into it?"

"It couldn't have been that much."

"NOT THAT MUCH? God, you're just as obnoxious as ever, aren't you? You ruined everything, everyone and everyday that I had. For once, please don't mess up my life again."

I turned around and marched up the stairs.

I changed into my pj's and crawled into bed. "Hey Sirius, Sirius!"

Sirius gave a snort and opened one eye blearily. "Sup?"

I sighed. "I don't know. I just need someone to listen to my troubles."

Sirius closed his eyes and mumbled, "Yeah, I'm listening."

"I think I'm in love with Lily."

"Yeah, that's good mate. Go catch your love."

I sighed again and rolled over. I don't even know if Lily likes me or not. She likes you. How do you know? If she didn't like you, Michael wouldn't have asked you. How do you know? You know Michael very well. True...anyway goodnight conscience. Goodnight thoughts.

I yawned and closed my eyes. Just as I was falling asleep, I heard someone click on the lights, shaking me like crazy and yelling, "James! James!"

I rolled over and peered up towards the source of the noise. It was Sirius. "Sup? I thought you were asleep." Shit, the lights were blinding me.

Sirius yanked me into a sitting position. "Dude, did you just say that you were in love with Lily?"

I stared at him disbelievingly. "Yeah, like thirty minutes ago."

Sirius let go of me and stood back. "Whoa." He looked at me in a completely new light.

Um...like hello? I was so confused. "Why are you looking at me as if I've suddenly sprouted antennae and declared that I was going to conquer Earth?"

Sirius gave a low whistle. "Man, James. I never thought you would grow up so quickly. Last year, we were players and heart-breakers. This year...," he was at a loss of words, "...you've gone pass that stage. You're now a...man."

It took a while for his words to process. "Shit, you're right. I've grown into manhood." Wow, I'm in love. Of course, you dipshit. You've been in love with her ever since third year. Yeah, well no need to gloat. Sorry, but it's my job as a conscience. If thoughts could do actions, you'll get the finger. Yeah, but you can't do actions. Shut up. Fine.

Sirius looked up. "You know what James? I'm also in love."

I snickered. "Yeah, right."

Sirius looked at me with his serious eyes. I started getting unnerved, "Wait...you mean you're in love too? With whom?"

"Amelie."

I was stumped. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"I was scared that you would tease me and I would lose my reputation as the most desirable guy in fifth year."

I gave a snort of laughter. Jerk. "Yeah well, we're both having a lot of luck with our love lives, aren't we?"

"Yeah...if only we had the courage like Remus. Hey REMUS! REMUS!"

The person sleeping in the bed on the right of mine gave a grunt and rolled over. "Wazgoinon?"

I got out of bed and walked over to Remus. Sirius did the same. I sat down on Remus' bed. "So..."

Remus opened one eye blearily. "Why did you guys wake me up? I was just having a dream about me and Suzy."

Sirius snorted. "Was it R rated?"

Remus blushed. "Of course not. It was PG. It was just kissing and declaring our love for each other."

"Yeah whatever. Anyway, we were just talking about James' love life."

I glared at him. "And Sirius'."

Sirius inclined his head. "Yes, and mine."

Remus looked confused. "So you guys were...why did you wake me from my slumber?"

Sirius smirked. "Well, Jameypoo here has just declared his love for Lily."

"Come again?"

"JAMES...LOVES...LILY."

Remus looked at me with his eyes wide open. "You seriously love Lily? I never thought you would love her until she accepted you."

I sighed. "I just don't know. I mean, I think of her every time I can't see her, I get really angry whenever some other guys touches her and I get jealous whenever a guy talks to her."

Remus looked at me with awe. "You kept that from us all that time?"

"Yeah. But hey, at least you knew who I liked. Sirius didn't even tell us that he liked Amelie."

"What the hell? SIRIUS LIKES AMELIE!"

Sirius slugged Remus with his pillow. "SHUT UP! Yes, I like Amelie, what's the big deal?"

"HELLO? Only that she's down to earth, committed and kind. You're like up in space, unattached and mean. You guys just don't fit."

Sirius bashed his pillow a few times at Remus. "Who says we don't fit? We're perfectly well together."

Remus snickered. "You guys aren't even together. Besides, it's not like as if she likes you are anyth – whoa!" Sirius had picked up Remus by his collar and his face was inches from Remus'. "Okay! Okay! You and Amelie are the best couple ever."

Sirius let go of Remus, satisfied. "That's better. Now, that wasn't hard, was it?"

Remus rubbed his neck. "Yeah, that wasn't too hard."

"Anyway, we were thinking about maybe you could tell us about plucking up our courage to tell the girls."

Remus looked at Sirius in disbelief. "Are you alright? It's like," he looked at the digital clock, "eleven thirty at night. I'll tell you in the morning, if there is anything to tell." He promptly turned over and turned off the light.

I got off his bed. "G'nite guys." I walked to my bed and fell onto it. I gave a yawn and pulled the sheets over me.

Sirius got into his bed. "Later."

Lily's POV

"SUZY! Wake up! Suze!" I marched over to Suzy's bed and shook her.

She rolled over and yawned. "What's up Lily?"

I was fuming. "Can you believe that Michael had the nerve to suggest that there is something between me and James?"

Suzy looked at me incredulously. "Well..."

"Well what?"

"There isn't anything between you and James?"

I yanked the pillow from under her head and proceeded to bash her up. "NO," bash, "There," bash, "is," bash, "nothing with me," bash, "and James." BASH!

Suzy was cowering under my attack. "OKAY! There's nothing with you and James, I get the point. Sheesh, don't kill me."

I glared at her. "How could you suggest that there's something between me and James?"

She shrugged. "We just get the feeling that James likes you."

"Well duh he likes me. I'm his friend."

"No Lil. As in the like-like way."

I stopped breathing. "SHUT UP! JAMES DOESN"T LIKE ME THAT WAY!"

"Alright, alright. Don't kill me but I swear that James has a more friendly way than the rest of us."

I gave her the finger. "Just go to sleep." I got into bed.

"Hey you woke me up."

"Shut up and get into a slumber."

"Gladly."

The lights turned off and everyone in the Gryffindor tower went to sleep.

A/N Hallo again! OMFG, this chapter is the LONGEST ever – 3648 words! Woot! Anyway, if you could please take the time to read Folded Secrets at fiction press - it would be so nice! Thankx! Plz R/R!

cosmopolitan – Thanks 4 the review!

truefairy lights – Thanks 4 the review!

leigh