A/N: So, that last chapter was not the end! Really! There is more! A lot more! And this is a pretty long chapter, so you'd better be happy! This is a two-part chapter as well, so keep that in mind. And this chapter will also make you feel a little sympathetic for everyone, since no one seems to know what's going on. How sad, but fun.

Disclaimer: Amy: What happened?

Remus: I'm not sure…

Sirius: Will my singing make you feel better?

Remus: No.

James: Do you want me to help?

Remus: -Glares-

So anyway, I don't own Harry Potter.

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Chapter 18: Rebounds and Snap Decisions Part 1

The warm body next to her slowly rose and fell and Lily once again wondered how she could ever wake up next to someone other than Remus. She burrowed her face into the soft fold of his shirt and absorbed the comfort of her situation. The boy next to her allowed her to snuggle closer, and ran a finger through her silky hair.

"Morning Lilypad," he whispered and her eyes flew open. Lilypad? What happened to Lils? These weren't silk sheets she was lying on; this was a red and gold sofa. Hesitantly tilting her head, she saw that the person she was spooning with wasn't Remy. James grinned back at her, still groggy with sleep. "Have a nice rest?" Panic settled in as she franticly backtracked, wondering how on earth she had gotten into that position. Um… astronomy tower, fighting, crap I dumped Remus! Common room, kissing. Oh god, I kissed Potter! Kissing, more kissing, having butterbeer, falling asleep next to him. So this is how it starts. She checked to see that she was still fully clothed, which she was, before reluctantly meeting Potter's gaze.

"Yeah," she answered, wondering what on earth she should do. She stifled a grimace as he raised a hand to trace the curve of her face. Maybe I'll just fake it, pretend for a while. He's not so bad; I'll learn to love him, like Harry promised. "Can I tell you something?"

"Anything, my Lily." Mentally kicking herself for what she was about to do, she ran a finger over his exposed skin where his shirt had ridden up, before dipping it into his belly button. He shivered, and she could almost cry, thinking about Remus. No, that's over. This is what you need to do, like Prof. No said.

"You're really cute when you wake up." He smiled, thinking of the prize he had won. An arm wrapped under her shoulders and pulled her up to his level. She settled into the pillow next to him as he rested his forehead against hers. This isn't that bad.

"Why thank you Lily." I can handle this. Maybe I'll get an Oscar for my amazing portrayal of Mrs. Lily Potter. He stole a soft kiss that she didn't return.

"I better go back up to my dorm," she mumbled against his lips. He shifted so she could sit up and lower her feet to the floor. "I'll see you later Pot- James." He nodded and stood up, leaning in for another kiss, but she wormed away.

"Bye Lily," he called after her as she ascended the staircase.

"Bye James."

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"Can you believe it? I mean, can you believe it?" James stammered to his fellow marauders, whom he had awoken upon returning to his dorm. "That guy from the ball dumped her, and she fell straight into my arms! Can it get any better?" Sirius could see Remus was awake, though he was still curled up under his quilt. Poor guy, he thought. To have to hear this now.

"That plank pushed her directly to me, and I didn't even have to flirt! She kissed me! It's just incredible!" Why did this have to happen? Why did I not assure her that she was more important? Remus thought as his friend raved about his good luck. Why couldn't it have been any other guy that fell in love with the unattainable Lily Evans? He had practically given her to James. He had lost control again. Next she would marry him and have that damn kid while he grew up a lonely werewolf. Things just sucked.

"She said I looked cute when I woke up! This is just too awesome!" James exclaimed, waving his hands around in the air. Something inside Remus snapped, triggered by the memory of when Lily had told him that.

"Would you just shut the hell up James? Just shut the hell up!"

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"Don't cry Lily! Don't cry, it's okay," Amy cooed as Lily sobbed onto her shoulder. Her life was over. Remus had dumped her, James thought she was his girlfriend, and the damn necklace wouldn't come off. "Forget about Lupin, he's not worth the tears." Lily didn't bother telling her that was only part of the problem.

"But I-I need him," she stammered hopelessly.

"No you don't. And you have James now, he's better than Lupin any day." Lily moaned and buried her head in her pillow as Amy sat befuddled at the foot of her bed. The other two Gryffindor girls had run off of to spread gossip when Lily had entered the room crying. "Please Lily, stop crying." But she didn't. "Alright, I hope this doesn't seem selfish but I have to go. I'm meeting Sirius in a half an hour for breakfast." Lily didn't show any signs of recognition so Amy stood up. "I'll bring you up some toast, then you can walk me through what happened, okay?" She continued to sob so Amy gave up. "Bye Lily." As the door clicked shut Lily resumed trying to claw the locket off. Fumbling for her wand, she wondered if a blowtorch would do the job. Severing charms, burning charms, and melting charms had no effect what so ever. How can I still love him even though it hurts so much?

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"Is this it? Do I go on and live my life secretly in love with my husbands best friend?"

"No."

"Well then what happens?"

"If I tell you then you might prevent it from happening."

"This sucks."

"I'm sure it does."

"So what should I do? I love Remus, but I don't want to date someone who doesn't want people to know I'm dating them. And now I have James to deal with. I'm sure by lunch half the school will think we're a couple. Oh god, James must have told Remus, this is so messed up! What the hell am I supposed to do, Harry?"

"Do what you think is right."

"Well I don't know what I think is right! HELP ME!"

"As long as you understand that I'm fairly biased here."

"I don't care! Just tell me something!"

"Maybe you should hang out with James, just for a day of two, and if the necklace still doesn't come off, Remus will understand and step in. Don't worry about me or the whole saving the world thing, that will work itself out."

"So I should just play along?"

"As corny as it sounds, just go with what you think you should. I trust your judgment."

"You're such a great guy, Harry. How'd you end up so wonderful if your parents have such issues?"

"You don't give yourself enough credit. Now go and wake up. The sooner this works out the better."

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After a quick nap and several cheering charms, Lily felt a lot better. In her magic induced bliss, she slid on her favorite yellow sundress, even though it was the first day in January, let her hair down, and "borrowed" a pair of flip flops from Amy's trunk. To her, this was just another challenge, like her NEWTs or making head girl, not a forced job. This could be fun. Sure it would hurt Remus' feelings, but he would just have to get over it. And like Harry had said, things would work themselves out. She was almost seventeen, damn it, she could do what she wanted.

Feeling empowered and hopeful, she descended the stairs down to the near empty common room. A few first years were playing chess in a corner, several fourth years were setting fire to an exploding snap pack, and James was lounging on the sofa in front of the fireplace, hair ruffled as usual. He looked up when she sat down when she sat down next to him.

"Morning James," she said, reclining back into the cushions.

"Morning Lily. You look lovely as per usual." He pulled her into his lap in one fluid motion. She didn't prevent herself from giggling, Remus never allowed PDA. He had had a good reason, but she still missed it. "So what would you like to do today?" If it wasn't for the heavy locket still pressed against her breastbone, she might have been able to enjoy his attention. He wasn't being bigot boy Potter as he was usually, and something told her that he wouldn't just dump her like another one of his many escorts.

"I don't know. What does James Potter usually do on first dates?" she asked flirtatiously. Look at me! I'm a slut! He carefully slid her off him and stood up, before reaching out for her hand. She laced her fingers into his like she had with Remus less than 10 hours previously.

"How about we make an appearance at breakfast than sneak into Hogsmead?"

"That sounds perfect." Oh, déjà vu! She didn't let go of his hand and was pulled through the portrait hole. "How do you plan on getting us into Hogsmead if I may ask?" He smirked as she inwardly groaned. She shouldn't have asked.

"I'm a marauder, Lilypad! I can do anything! I've got you now, don't I?" She shrugged and followed him down the hallway, mentally flashing backwards.

"But he doesn't have everything, Remus, you have so much he doesn't."

"What do you mean?"

"Because you have me. You will always have me."

She was letting Remus down. This was a mistake. The necklace didn't lie, she loved Remus completely, he was 100 the one for her. She couldn't do this! But before she could turn and put this chapter of her life behind her, James threw open the doors to the Great Hall. Every single head, from first year Slytherins to seventh year Hufflepuffs, turned to stare at them. James, who was still gripping her hand, dragged her to the far end of the hall and pulled her down next to him onto the Gryffindor bench. Amy was on Lily's right with Sirius on Amy's right, and Remus directly across from her. Oh god oh god oh god, what do I do? It's official now, I can't end it! Shit shit shit, where's Harry when I need him?" She pulled her hand away from James and fingered the necklace uneasily with it instead. Remus' eyes bore into her, but she refused to meet them and stared down at her plate.

"Good morning, my friends! Lovely day, isn't it?" James pepped, not noticing the tension between his best friend and his supposed "girlfriend." The dreaded whispers started.

"Why yes, Potter, what a great way to start the New Year," Amy supplied, before leaning into Sirius and whispering in his ear, "Looks like we've got a love triangle." He snorted into his food. Remus went pale, but still didn't take his focus off Lily's neat focus fiddling with the heart shaped locket. It's didn't come off, he thought desperately. Thank Merlin it didn't come off!

"Are you feeling okay, Moony? You look quite peaky," James asked, placing his hand on Lily's knee. She looked up guiltily and stared into Remus' navy eyes. Please forgive me, Remy.

"If you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to," he answered bitterly, speaking directly to his ex. With that he stood up and marched out of the hall. Lily watched him throw the doors closed a little harder than necessary, and then made a snap decision.

"I'm gonna see what that was about, I'll be right back," she announced, standing up and stepping over the bench. Amy started a conversation with Sirius and tried to include James, but the raven-haired boy just gaped at Lily's back as she bolted after Remus.

"Lily?" he called after her, hand extended as if to pull her back, but she was already gone.

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A/N: I told you James would have his fun. And I told you things would get interesting. Well, don't hate me yet, because it gets dramatic. Coming up we zap into the present, AKA Harry's time, and then back again. REVIEW! Teaser?

"Do you remember the night sin the room of requirement?"

"The room of what? Remus, you aren't making sense, let me take you to the hospital wing," she asked carefully, looking genuinely concerned.

Then after that, in the 20th chapter:

"What I don't understand is why she freaked out in the first place. Why would she act so out of character?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrows.

Dun dun dun. See you later!

Final Word Count: 2193