Disclaimer: I wish I owned Lily and James…however I add my own spice into their lives as well as my own plot…and

A/N: Thanks for reviewing

Steelo: Thanks for asking about it and telling me that. I know I don't need a guy. Don't worry. I hope you like this chapter just as much.

shieldmaidenofmithrilhall: Thanks. I hope you like this chapter too. Let me know what you think of it. Thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 6: A Time for Truth

James was walking down the corridor with Sirius by his side. He had showed up late to his first class, but had been excused. He had told the teacher Lily was in bed. Just then though Melissa came up behind him.

"Where is Lily and don't tell me that you don't know because I know that you do," Melissa said to him angrily.

"Woah. She's in bed sick, Melissa. Calm down," James told her.

James look around for Sirius and found him talking to Alex. She was looking at him with a peculiar look but nodding nonetheless. They both went up to the Gryffindor tower together. James had a suspicion about what Sirius was doing, so he went into the Great Hall for lunch with Melissa.

"By the way, Grant, before I came to class Evans told me to tell you that she wanted to talk to you and Garcia around 6 in the Head's room. I'll let you guys in. She just wasn't sure if she was going to have the strength to make it down here for dinner," James told her as Alex was sitting down with Sirius.

Melissa looked at James suspiciously, "OK six in the Head's room. Got it"

As they all finished lunch James and Sirius got up to leave and excused themselves, leaving the girls to go off to class. Once in the corridor they looked at each other and Sirius nodded. Then they made their way up to the Head's room. They knocked on Lily's door and opened it. She was working on some of her work. She gave them a wan smile and they walked in.

James walked up to her bed and sat on the side of it, "I brought you some food since I thought you might be hungry."

James set down the food on the table next to her bed and she gave him a gracious look, "Thanks. I was starving."

Sirius held out a bottle to her. "This is from Garcia, I told her I needed it to play a prank on old Severus since he had angered her before and she was more than happy to agree."

Lily took the bottle from him and drank the contents inside. She shivered at she felt the liquid slide down her throat. Almost instantly she could feel all the pain from the bruises subside. She got up and looked in the mirror and was instantly relieved to see that her face looked normal again.

"Black," she said while touching the area around her eye, "I owe you one. Thanks you."

"No problem," he said while looking at her, "just remember my services aren't for free, but we'll settle the debt later on," he finished and winked at her.

Lily couldn't help but laugh. She was really lucky to have people like this in her life stand beside her.

James interrupted her thoughts, "I told your friends to come up here at six. I said I would bring them, so just be ready."

Lily stiffened and James saw nervousness fill her green eyes.

He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She felt a tingle where his hand was.

"Everything will be fine," he said to her. "They'll understand and help you. They're your best friends. Don't be scared of them."

Lily nodded feeling unsure of how it would go, but she put a smile on her face and faced James, "Of course it will."

James saw that Lily was just trying to pretend for his sake and Sirius's sake. Maybe even a bit for her own, but she shouldn't do that. He just needed to take one look at her eyes and he saw them full of nervousness and fear and even sadness.

"Don't play pretend after everything. Be real, especially when it comes to them. You don't need to hide your feelings from anyone that matters. That includes me and him," James said indicating himself and Sirius.

Lily just nodded and there was a moment of awkward silence between them all.

Sirius broke the silence, "Well, my lady, James and I must be on our way because we have class in a few minutes. Shall we expect you for dinner?"

Lily nodded and then said to James, "Can you bring Alex and Melissa up here as soon as class ends? I want to talk to them as soon as possible."

Before James could reply though Lily turned to Sirius, "Black, you can expect me for dinner as far as I'm concerned."

Sirius nodded and Lily continued talking to them both, "Thanks guys, for everything. You have no idea how much it means that you were both there like that. Just remember to please act like you know nothing when it comes to Chris. Pretend I never told you. I can't have you guys stepping in. If you guys care as much as you say you do then you'll stay out of it for my sake and just be there for me after the fact, please."

James sighed. Lily's voice was full of a sense of plea. James didn't trust himself to speak so he let Sirius agree. James insides were filling with anger at the fact that Lily was just going to sit down and take whatever Chris threw at her. He wanted to talk to Sirius about it, but he knew that corridors weren't a safe place to talk about this kind of thing, so he bit his tongue.

XX

The rest of the day passed with no extraordinary events and James had slowly forgotten his anger. He was walking up the stairs with Alex and Melissa to the Head's room when he saw Chris walking toward him.

"Potter," he said to James, "have you seen Lily all day?"

"No," James lied, "Last time she said anything to me was in the morning when she called through the door that she wasn't feeling well so she wouldn't be going to classes. She told me to tell them," he said indicating Melissa and Alex.

"Fine, Potter, give this to her," Chris said while handing James a note, "It will only open for her touch so don't even think about reading it. It's jinxed to those who try, just a fair warning Potter."

James watched Chris walk away. He really hated that kid.

"Let me drop this under Lily's door girls," he said with a look to Melissa and Alex indicating that he didn't want Chris to know that they were all going to see Lily, "just come on with me inside that way I can get something from my trunk too, and you can drop off Lily's work."

The girls nodded and silently followed James inside.

The door to Lily's room was opened and all three of them stepped inside. James was glad to see Lily looking better, but she was a bit pale. She smiled at them when the all walked in the room and James spoke before anyone else did.

"Here," he said walking over to Lily with the note in his hand, "Chris gave this to me and told me to give it to you. He said he's been looking for you."

Lily's face remained stoic. James was worried about. After a second she looked up at him smiled and thanked him. Then she asked him to leave so she could spend some time with her friends. He nodded and closed the door behind him as he left. He decided to go downstairs to dinner.

Xx

Back in the room Alex took a seat on Lily's bed. Melissa took a seat at the foot of the bed.

"How're you feeling?" Melissa asked.

"A bit better," Lily answered.

"What's on your mind, Lily," Alex asked, looking at her with concern.

"I don't know," Lily said while tears fell down her face.

Melissa looked at her with concern as well, "Lils, we're you're best friends. Talk to us please. We're here for you through thick and think."

Lily took a deep breath and wiped the tears that were falling from her sad green eyes, "It's a long story. I just want you guys to let me tell it without interrupting me that way it won't be as hard."

They both nodded and waited for Lily to begin.

"That first day of classes, remember Chris told me that he was going to Muggle Studies and we know how he was lying about it. Well I had left class early and said I had cramps. But in reality I went to go looking for Chris. And I was looking through the classrooms and I went into one where I heard a lot of noise. And I saw Chris snogging Cassandra. And I yelled at him and threw things…and-," was all Lily could say before she started crying.

Melissa was about to say something but Lily cut her off, "He got really rough with me, and slammed me against the wall and got violent with me. Then he told me how I needed to realize that he's the boss and what he says goes. He told me that if I ever act that way again things might get out of hand. He told me to always listen to him because he doesn't deal with arguments well. And he told me if I ever left him that he would make sure I went back with him in any way possible and that if I ever told anyone what had happened, that he would kill me and perhaps them and he was hitting me so much. He scared me so much and hurt me so much that I just ran.

"I skipped lunch because I didn't want anyone to see what he had done to me. I hid in the broom closet but Black walked in with some girl and then left the girl and talked to me. He made me tell him what was wrong. Not in a bad way though," Lily added hastily, "He coaxed me into it and I just needed to let it out. He promised he would help me. He took me to the nurse, we made up some story and he's been looking out for me ever since."

Melissa was angry and couldn't control her tongue, "You went to Black first before you told us! You went to Black before you told you're best friends! What the bloody hell is the matter with you Lily? Black, the person I despise most. How could you betray me so badly? What the bloody hell were you th-,"

Lily was crying so hard at that point, "Melissa, please just listen to me. Let me finish. You know I didn't plan it. It just happened. I was so scared. I didn't want him to hurt you."

Melissa was glaring at Lily but remained silent so Lily continued, "Chris and I kept getting into arguments and he kept hitting me. Some days it was worse than others. I've never been one to just sit back but it didn't feel worth it to fight at times. Last night though Chris and I had our worst row yet. He took his broom and was beating me with it. I had bruises on my ribs and my face my arms and my legs. Every part of me was swollen and I couldn't get up. The only person that I could go to to help me out was Sirius. I was trying to avoid everyone else because I didn't want you all caught up in this. I didn't want anyone else to hurt. This morning though, as I was going to get Sirius, James cornered me and saw me. I had a row with him and Sirius talked to both of us about it while helping me. They both have been helping me avoid Chris at times so that I only see him when its absolutely necessary. Sirius got your potion for me today Alex that way I could join you guys."

Melissa didn't give Alex a chance to speak. She wasn't through with Lily, "You told the people we despise most about your most intimate problem and you refused to tell us? Did you ever plan on telling us? Blimey, Lily, how could you do this?"

Lily was in hysterics, "Melissa I didn't plan on telling them. They found out on their own -"

"So we're bad friends now?" Melissa asked in fury.

"Melissa stop and Lily calm down," Alex said to them.

"You guys are refusing to see each other's points. Open your eyes. You're both hurt by each other's actions. Melissa, can you listen to Lily. She's trying to say something to you and-"

Melissa looked at Alex in bewilderment, "Are you taking her side now after the way she's acted?"

Alex sighed heavily, "Melissa stop being a drama queen and listen with your ears and heart."

"Forget this. I'm hungry," Melissa said as she stomped out of the room.

Lily cried and cried in hysterics and Alex moved closer to Lily.

"Lily, its going to be ok. I promise," she said trying to soothe her best friend, "Melissa is just overreacting. She'll come around. It does hurt to know that you told Black and Potter first, but it wasn't planned I know. And I know you were scared for us."

"She hates me now," Lily said through sobs.

"No she doesn't. Melissa is just mad. You and me are the only people she has and she doesn't want to lose you to Black and Potter. She feels betrayed, but she'll get over it," Alex reassured her.

"Oh my," Lily said suddenly sitting up.

Alex looked at her, "What's the matter?"

"I didn't tell her not to say anything to Chris. If he finds out I'm dead. Alex please go make sure she doesn't say anything."

"I don't want to leave you here though, Lils"

"I'll be fine. Have someone bring me up something to eat. I have a meeting with Dumbledore later. Just tell Melissa not to say anything to him and to act like she knows nothing. I won't be able to handle it if things get worse."

Alex looked at her best friend with sympathy, "I promise I'll make sure it doesn't. And I'm standing by you even if she's mad at you. I know you need us Lily, I wont let you down."

Lily hugged her best friend tightly. Alex looked at Lily's faced and wiped the tears away.

"I'll have someone bring some food up right away. We'll talk tomorrow ok. I'll tell Chris you've got a bug but that you can't get out of bed, "Alex told her while walking out the door.

Lily nodded and got up out of bed after Alexis had left. She went into the common room and sat down in front of the fireplace letting its warmth wash over her. She was so absorbed in her world that she didn't hear James enter the room a few minutes later. He touched her shoulder and she jumped.

"Didn't mean to startle you, I was just bringing some food," James said while sitting on the floor next to her.

Lily took the food from him and thanked him. She didn't start up a conversation though.

"How did your talk with Alex and Melissa go?" James asked rather warily.

Lily shook her head, "I told them both everything. Melissa is mad at me though. She hates me. She hates me for telling you and Black before I told her. Alex got it though. I mean I know she was hurt, but she understands. She said I have her word that she'll be there and pretend she knows nothing."

James was glad Lily was talking to him. She must be in bad condition though considering the fact that she's actually talking to him though.

Lily finished her food, but continued to stare into the fireplace.

James took the plate from her and stood up, "Come on. It's time to go meet Dumbledore."

Just as they were about to go though a head appeared in the fireplace. Lily jumped backwards and almost lost her balance, but James caught her and gently steadied her. The face belonged to Dumbledore.

"Good evening Lily and James. I caught you just in time I see. Well I'm extremely busy and I hate to keep putting this off so perhaps we can just begin with next month's meeting. You both know the things we were going to discuss. You can write me a letter about them describing the plans or stop by my office for a quick chat. I'm leaving it up to you two to get details sorted out so when you have things you want approval for or to talk about. You know where to find me."

Lily was in shock from seeing Dumbledore's head so James took the liberty of responding, "Sounds good professor. Evans and I will get to it."

"Very well," Dumbledore replied, "Good night children."

And with that his head disappeared.

Lily was still staring at the fireplace.

"Lily," James said cautiously, " That was just Dumbledore using the Floo Network. He's using another fireplace. You do know what that is right?"

Lily looked less confused and turned to face James, "Yeah, I know what it is. I just thought it was for transportation only. I guess not though."

There was a minute of silence before Lily stood up.

"I feel a bit tired so I'm off to bed," Lily said.

James nodded and said, "Good night Evans."

She walked over to the door and said, "Good night James."

By the time James turned to look at her the bedroom door was already shut.

A/N: How did you like it? Since its summer, more chapters will be coming. Let me know if you guys have suggestions or comments. REVIEW PLEASE.