Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. All characters belong to a woman with a great imagination and determination, capable of creating this world that is the center of so many stories.

Sins of Angels: Well, I'm very happy with all the theories and speculations people have since my last chapter. I love making people think! Anyway, here is another chapter that finishes off what I presume to be the fifth day at Hogwarts for Lily and James since this fic started. Weird, I know. Anyway, thank you to everyone who took the time to review, you really can't imagine how happy I get when you do! And as an answer to a question asked more than once, I LOVE long reviews. I also love short reviews. Actually, I just love anytime someone takes the time to let me know what he or she thought. As I said, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside that's all nice and pleasant and stuff. Anyway, on with the show. Enjoy.

Chapter 23 – Another Round of Apologies

James smiled encouragingly. "Now, look, you may not want to do it and I understand, but I just…I have to do this."

"Have to do what? What are you going on about, James?" Cassidy asked, looking at him with concern.

James sighed. "Cassidy, I need you to do something for me. For about three weeks, I need you to tell Lily we're going out. Tell no one else, or you may get hurt. Not by me, but by…others. If Lily ever asks, you have to tell her I asked you out today after practice and you said yes. Don't tell anyone else. You're not in our classes, so it will be easy to keep this from her. Please? I just…I need you to do me this favor."

Cassidy was taken aback. She didn't speak for a while, thinking things over. "Why?"

James sighed. "Because it's too risky."

"You've been after her forever, James. Now that she's beginning to like you, you want to stay away?"

James nodded. "Look, there's people after me. I don't know why they are or what they want, only that they pose a danger to those close to me. That's why you must tell no one other than Lily. I don't want you getting hurt at all."

"That's why you and Sirius are fighting? And Remus too?"

James nodded. "Please, Cass? I wouldn't ask this of you if I thought you wouldn't be able to handle it. You're the only one I can come to."

Cassidy stood up. "I'll do it. But…are you sure you know what you're doing? I mean, maybe you're not doing the right thing."

"There's no right or wrong, Cass. There was only one choice."

"You know that's not true, James. There's always another way. Maybe you just don't want to find it."

"Well, thanks, Cass. It really means a lot."

Cassidy paused at the door. "James?"

"Yes?"

"Lily is a big girl. She can look after herself, if need be."

James shook his head. "I'm sorry to say that theory is wrong. I wish it wasn't, but Lily can't take care of herself against this. It's up to me to save her. That's why I'm doing this. Thank you, Cassidy."

"No problem, James. I suppose you have your reasons for doing things this way."

"Just remember, only tell Lily."

"Right. See you around, James."

"See you," James said and started changing. He rubbed his head and his nose, and pointed his wand at both of them in turn. The pain and visible trauma went away and he put his wand down and soon left the changing rooms. Remus and Sirius were waiting, leaning against the wall on either side of the door.

"Potter," Sirius said, nodding to him. "We've been expecting you."

James looked from Sirius to Remus, who grinned.

"We need to have a talk, Potter. Just the three of us. Maybe…inside?" Sirius suggested and shoved James back through the door. He walked in and Remus followed as James carefully backed against a row of lockers.

"What's this about, Black?" James said with as much authority as he could muster. Sirius laughed.

"Trying to turn Head Boy on me, Potter? Using your authority badge?"

"Actually, I just want to know."

"You know what this is about, James. It's about you being an insufferable git! What is it with you lately? You act like you're doing us a favor by excluding us from everything! What the hell is going through your head, Prongs?" Sirius asked, a pleading tone to his voice. James hesitated. "I thought last night was bad…but then you exploded on Remus and you pretend to hate us!"

"I do hate you," James said, not convincingly at all. "I have to be going. I have," he started and paused. He really didn't have anything to do. He'd done everything he could possibly think of. Sirius smiled at him.

"You don't have anything to do, Prongs. You just don't want to tell us what's wrong."

"It's none of your business now, Black. Why don't you go find someone else to fill the name "Prongs"? I'm not part of the Marauders anymore."

"Then I guess you won't be needing this anymore?" Remus asked, taking out the map. James made for it but stopped himself.

"No. I have no right to that," he concluded and walked past the two dumbstruck boys. "Practice in two weeks, same time," he said and left.

"He passed it by," Remus said, staring at the map.

"What are you doing, Prongs?" Sirius said sadly. "And why?"

"Sirius," Remus said, still staring at the map as if daring it to vanish. "He passed it by!"

Sirius put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "Just give it time, Remus. He'll come around…I hope."

James ran into the first unlocked door he found. He leaned against the door and stared into the empty room as thoughts raced through his head. He sank to the floor, back still on the door, a trembling heap of robes. He took off his glasses and used his other hand to press against his face as the tears he tried so hard to hold five minutes ago escaped.

"I'm sorry Sirius," he said, the tears forming a path down his cheeks. "I'm sorry about saying those things, I'm sorry."

He kept going, as if letting the empty room hear his apologies would somehow turn back time or make it better. Somewhere deep inside he knew neither of those things would happen, but he tried as he might to help matters along in that direction anyway. "I'm sorry Remus. I'm sorry I called you a…a werewolf like that. I'm sorry I said I hated you.

"I'm sorry Peter. So sorry I'm lying to all of you. It's for the best Peter, believe me. It's for the best.

"Lily…" he started but was interrupted as the door behind him opened a bit and then shut under his weight again.

"Please open," came a voice strained with sorrow on the other side of the door. James recognized it instantly. "I don't have time…open," she pleaded. James sprang up and away from the door, wiping his tears. Lily walked in and gently shut the door behind her. She leaned her forehead against the door and sighed deeply. "Thank you," she said to the door. James stepped forward and coughed politely. Lily turned towards him.

"Lily? Everything okay?"

Throwing her books down, Lily walked over to him, tears forming in her eyes. With one swift movement, she slapped him. He swayed as his cheek acquired a red handprint left by the love of his life. "You asked her out?" she said loudly. James realized what had happened. Lily had seen Cassidy. "You asked her bloody out?" she repeated. "What about what you said last night, James? About loving me? About me being the only one? Or was that, as I suspected, a load of crap? Because congratulations, Potter! I nearly fell in. I was almost caught! I believed you, for Merlin's sake! But, as I can see, I'm clearly not your type at all, am I? Oh, no, not at all. I doubt you ever even remotely liked me. What I do know, James Potter, what I'm sure of, is that I hate you!"

She stormed out. James put a hand to his cheek, but it didn't stop the stinging sensation. Blast it, James, you should go after her! His heart screamed at him, but his feet stayed put. In his head he was clinging to that idea that it was the only way, no other choices.

"I'm sorry, Lily," he finished, looking at the askew door. "I'm sorry."