Thank you to everyone who left reviews, they really make my day, and push me to keep pumping the story out faster. Also, thank you to everyone who has made it to this chapter, and for sticking with Lily, all I can say is keep sticking with her and Malfoy, one day these two will get over themselves!
"For three weeks Lily, you have been moping around and studying. Have you even been to practice?" I heard Lysander say from next to me sitting in the Great Hall during our study hour. I dipped my quill in my ink and wrote for my Charms essay. Had it been three weeks? I felt like two months to be honest. I looked up to see Lorcan and Tara walking over to sit next to us and Lysander scooted a little closer to me, stealing some of my ink. He had been doing that a lot lately, I mean, don't get me wrong, we are best friends, just like I am with Lorcan and Hugo, who was sitting across from us, his head up and hand out lying on the table. He was just like my Uncle Ron, but he was smart and didn't have to try. I looked up to see Tara giving me a very strange look.
"Why does she hate me?" I whispered looking up at them two of them who shared looked. "What is going on?" I demanded, had I really been this out of it to not see what my friends had plotted behind my back. I rolled my eyes to see Malfoy walking in with Millie holding his hand as they sat down, of course to where I could see his face.
I hadn't spoken to him since our little flight. Was that what I was going to call it? I felt my stomach drop as she leaned over and kissed him quickly on the mouth before he pulled out his homework. I shook my head, he wasn't getting the best of me, and I was still in this game… right?"
"Lily, you have to understand something," Lysander said at my side turning his body to face mine, swinging his foot over the bench. I looked to him, taking my attention away from Malfoy. "We know that you have a thing for Lorcan."
"I don't," I said shaking my head.
"Well, you have been moody since you told them to get together, so, Tara kind of saw you kiss Lorcan, a few weeks back." I nodded slowly, "and, we kind of told her it was me. When I say we, I mean Lorcan because he dragged us both into his mess."
"Cut to the chase," I said watching Malfoy whisper something in Millie's ear, I scooted closer to Lysander as Lorcan joined the three of us a smile on his face.
"Tara thinks we are dating," Lysander said with a small sigh. I couldn't help but laugh, it was a bitter, really this is my life, type of laugh. How could I possibly have found myself in this mess?!
I let out a sigh and looked at Lorcan, who well, let me just face it, a part of me would always like, or feel stupid about liking him, I hadn't made up my mind. I rolled my head back and saw Malfoy staring at the table, before looking down. I kept my gaze over at the Slytherin table watching him slowly look back up to me. I leaned into Lysander and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Think that will convince her?" I said looked back to Lorcan who had a bigger smile on his face than before.
"Maybe, so you are in for our date then?"
"What date?" I asked looking between the two of them then to Hugo who was whistling a tune under his breath. "I have been best friends with you three since we have been in diapers; I know when I hear a signal Hugo. What are you three not telling me?"
"Hogsmeade this weekend we are going on a group date, the six of us," Hugo said with a bright smile. Had I missed something, when did he get a girlfriend?"
"Who all thinks we are dating?" I asked moving my finger back and forth between Lysander and myself.
"All the fifth years" Hugo shrugged.
"What? How?" I demanded looking to Lorcan, who looked down. "That new girlfriend of yours has a big mouth," I snapped. I knew I was taking my anger out on them, and I knew that I needed to be a friend and follow along with the plan, but I still felt pushed into a corner. I leaned my head on the table to see Malfoy looking away from us.
"I told you, just clear the air," Lysander said shaking his head looking to his brother, "I mean you have to tell her the truth eventually, mate."
"Yes," Lorcan said tapping his thumb on the table.
"I will do it, but you have to promise you will tell her the truth, you really want to base your relationship off of a lie?" I asked, but I couldn't really talk, we were best mates and I had liked him for years. I put my head on Lysander's shoulders and closed my eyes. He out his arms around me and squeezed me gently.
The four of us sat there until we had out last class of the day. We headed up to the Divination tower, as Lysander stopped me as the rest of our year went up. I leaned against the railing on the spiral staircase. "I'm sorry," he said taking a deep breath.
"That you have to be my boyfriend?" I teased a smile finding my face for the first time since my encounter with Malfoy.
"I was going to say that my brother is an idiot,"
"Lysander, really its fine, we are just friends, who happen to be sucked into dating one another." I shrugged.
"I don't want that. Be with who you want to be with." He said taking a step up for the tower. I took a step with him and grabbed his hand, it was strange, he is like a brother but he had the same soft eyes as Lorcan, the eyes I knew I could trust.
Needless to say the walk down to Hogsmeade was strange. I had on my Harpies jacket with a hood and jeans on and I was currently holding Lysander's hand. The only humor I got from the six of us walking down was Lysander cutting me looks of disgust when Lorcan and Tara were being obnoxious. Hugo was with Shania Walker, who is our year and house. It wasn't strange to be around her, just to see her and Hugo being shy around one another, I can't lie, it was really cute.
We finally went into the Three Broomsticks and sat in a table by the window, the sky was still gray and looming, I leaned into Lysander's shoulder, letting him warm me up as Tara leaned against the table and kissed Lorcan. I let out a choking noise as Lysander squeezed me to shut me up. "Let's go get some Butterbeers," Lysander said standing up with Locan and Hugo. I scooted my chair in as the three of us sat quietly.
Tara had her long black hair over one of her shoulders, I swear it was shining in the dimmed light, while Shania sat with her hands in her lap, her light frizzy brown hair not glowing, I felt a little better. I blew up in my bangs, and let out a sigh, "So, Tara," I said choking on my words, I mean, this still sucked. "You and Lorcan seem to be enjoying each other, are you going steady or just snogging?"
Tara let out a small noise, was I being too blunt? I don't really care. Ever since the incident I had with kissing Lorcan, sorry everyone thinks Lysander, Lorcan and I have been on less speaking terms, part of me wonders what she had to do with that. "We are going steady, now, I guess, how long have you been with Lysander?"
Was that a trick question, did they tell her a date and not mention it to me? Was I about to blow all of this up before it even began? I was saved when they all returned and Lysander had a small plate of chips, I smiled and took one, as he sat down and mocked Locan's motions of putting his arm around Tara's shoulder to me. "Good, you're here," I started leaning into his shoulder, "Tara just asked me how long have we been dating and I think I have just lost count of the days." I said picking up my drink as the door opened.
Malfoy walked in with a massive group of Slytherins, I could hear him laughing and said something I couldn't quite make out as they went up to the bar. "Only a week or so really, you know Lily, hates to be a timer on things." Lysander said poking in the ribs with his hand that wasn't over my shoulder. I smiled back to the table before looking back to the group; three of the boys were pushing two bigger tables together for the group to occupy. I looked to Lysander and put my head on his shoulder.
Shania and Hugo started making small talk, their gestures going back and forth, they were so funny to watch, Hugo tried to put his arm around her as she leaned forward, then she would move a little closer to him, only for him to move to look at someone else who was talking.
I saw Malfoy with his drink as he sat down at a table, there were no girls around the big group, I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but I knew my eyes were locked with his before he picked up his drink and took a sip. I brought my attention back to my friends as Lysander leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Tara has been talking to you for the past three minutes, just nod and say yes," I looked up to him and let out a chuckle as I heard Tara stop whatever she was talking about.
"Yes," I said and nodded, Locan started talking but my gaze went back up to Malfoy who had finished saying something to one of his buddies, his eyes meeting mine again. I could feel the intensity of his stare edging its way into my memory, and for once in my life, I was longing to be closer to him. I could feel the cold chill run up my spine as I held his gaze.
I looked away as Lysander's lips hit mine. I was mostly not expecting it, but I kissed him back quickly, then pulled away, Malfoy's gaze no longer staring at me.
The door opened again and I saw a man in dark jeans and a blue jacket with purple hair and the brightest green eyes I have ever see. "Teddy!" I said jumping from the table. He turned around and as I pushed my way out of my seat I jumped into his arms. I loved Teddy, without a doubt, he is my favorite person in the world, well, maybe. He picked me up and squeezed me tight.
"Hi little sis'" He laughed putting me down. "Am I interrupting something here?" He asked looking back to the table. The whole place had almost gone still, everyone was staring at us.
"Oh, well, we are on a group date," kind of, I wanted to add, but I could fill Teddy in later. He looked at the table confused, his index finger moving a little between Lorcan and Lysander, both had big eyes.
"Why don't you go hang out with Teddy," Lysander smiled, I could hear the quickness in his voice, Teddy could blow this whole thing up, and the person I wanted most not to hear that I was fake dating someone was sitting a few tables away from where I was standing. "I'll live without you, maybe these two will take their dates someplace alone," he teased.
I went over and have him a quick kiss on the cheek before I grabbed Teddy's hand, which still had a confused look on his face, and walked out the door. I walked us half way up the street before Teddy looked around, "I thought you liked the other one?" He asked scratching his head.
"I," I started, how was I going to explain this to him, how was I going to explain this to anyone? I knew there was one fact I was going to leave out. "It's a long story." I sighed.
"Mind explaining it then?" I heard a voice call from behind us. I turned around and smiled as I saw James and Albus walked behind us, James had Al in a small head lock as they walked to us, I gave him a quick hug.
"Only if you tell me what you two are doing here?" I said with a small laugh in my voice.
"Al said you have been studying and brooding for the past few weeks, and who better to put a smile on your face than your favorite brothers in the world?" James said messing my hair up. I guess it should be strange that I only have three friends that are girls. Maybe it is because I grew up around brothers, and my parents taking to their friends who had boys, or maybe the fact that I hated girly things and gossip.
"I am not brooding," I said with a little pout. Teddy rolled his eyes and put his arm around me as the four Potters walked down the street. I knew where we were going, to my Uncle George's store. "Lorcan likes this girl, but she thinks, or thought I liked him, so I'm dating Lysander so she thinks I liked the other brother." That sounded confusing, maybe because it was. My brothers had stopped in the middle of the street and were staring at me. Albus was the first to let out a laugh, as always, James followed, then Teddy.
"You lot come up with the worst plans; do you not like Lorcan anymore?" Teddy asked putting his arm around me again; as we walked into the joke shop, a flying dragon almost hitting me in the head.
"Not my plan, just going along with it," I shrugged. James and Teddy nodded as Al went to go find our uncle. James and Teddy shared a small look. They were close, maybe it was because they were the oldest, or because sometimes they worked together. James was working with our dad and Uncle Ron, to become an Auror, and Teddy worked for two sides of the ministry, he worked on getting rights and laws passed for magical creatures, mostly for werewolves. Sometimes he would go undercover and help fight. He was just awesome like that.
"Well, no matter" James said creating a bubble in the air and tossed it to me. James was amazing at magic, and I think everyone was glad when he grew out of his trouble stage. "We are here to help our favorite sister, besides, O.W.L's are coming up soon, and you won't have any time for us."
"We still have Easter break," I pointed out as Teddy and Al came back with some drinks for us. "Teddy, daddy, and I still need to kick yours, mums, and Al's butts at our Quidditch match."
James let out a little laugh as I took a drink of my Butterbeer as we wondered around our childhood. We said hello to our uncle as he and Fred were in the back catching up. Uncle George was still the biggest jokester around. We spent our time in the shop, picking things up and just really having fun the only way Potters know how. As much as I hate to admit it, my brothers, who half the time I couldn't stand, were still the best things in my life, and I think that is what my parents wanted, maybe it is because my daddy never had that and he wanted us all to be close. Al's girlfriend came in and joined us for a while before Teddy pulled us all over to the love potions. "So," James started picking one up and holding it up. "What do you think about summer weddings?"
"Why?" Teddy asked taking my empty drink and tossing it into the trash for me. Al came over and joined us as I picked up a potion he took it out of my hands for me and out it back down.
"Well, Victoria and you had a good one years ago, I'm still waiting to be an uncle here," James added looked up at Teddy who rolled his eyes. "Anyways, Quinn and I have been dating since we were Al's age and well," James shrugged. I let out a small smile.
I was happy for my brother, I really was, Teddy pulled James into a hug and Albus congratulated him. I just stood there. My hands out in front of me as my brothers embraced. "When are you going to ask?" I asked picking up another love potion, I really wanted to throw it against the wall.
"Well, are going out tomorrow, I just wanted the Potter approval first. I already asked her father, he about hugged me to death."
My brothers went on, talking about how he should do it, when in the night, I just stood there, the small vile in my hand I could feel it as I pressed it into my palm, the etching on the bottle engraving into my hand. "I'm going to the Lou," I told them, but I'm not sure they heard me as I walked away. I walked out of the shop, my heart pounding again, it was really making itself known to me lately; maybe because it was a ticking clock that was about to sound its alarm. I leaned against the side of the shop; almost all of the students had headed back to school. I started walking down the street; I would go back once I cleared my head and could really go be happy for my brother.
"That was a terrible snog," a chilling voice came from behind. Malfoy was walking right behind me; I could feel his chest on my shoulders as I stopped in the middle of the street.
"Since when do you get to be the judge of my snogging?" I asked flatly, I put my hands in my pockets as the rain started to slowly trickle down on my hair.
"Since I know how you liked to be snogged." I could hear the amusement in his voice, I could also feel the fire in the pit of my stomach light up as I turned around to see his damp hair catching on his eye lashes, and he had his hands in the pocket of his black jacket, a smile on his face.
"Well, you have a girlfriend who's snogging you can comment on, leave mine alone." I snapped.
"I don't know what you're talking about," He said looking away.
I let out an irritated laugh, "You don't? I believe she is in your house; you were holding hands and snogging in the Great Hall? Do not even act like I was watching Malfoy, or that I care, you aren't exactly hiding it away from anyone." I watched him stand there in the rain that was gaining speed and weight as it fell on us. "You are the one that said nothing changed." Maybe he was right, maybe nothing changed, I still felt like, well I don't know what I felt like in his presence and we ignored each other, nothing had changed.
"Potter," he said taking a step closer to me, but I stepped back.
"No, you told me to leave you out of my sick games! Leave me out of yours, enjoy your life, and enjoy the fact that next year you will never have to see me again!" I walked forward, back to the shop, hitting Malfoy's shoulder with mine as I passed, I felt him grab onto my shoulder stopping me in place as I looked up into his grey eyes, all my anger melting turning into hurt, or desire, or something I would never know how to describe. I leaned up and felt my lips on his. It was different than the other kisses we had shared, it wasn't rushed, and it didn't beg for more, it was what it was. I pulled away and looked to the shop. "Nothing changes, have a nice life." I told him before walking back into the shop, not looking back, not hearing steps walking.
I shut the door behind me, hearing my brothers walking toward me with grins on their faces. Teddy picked me up and spun me again, I felt the cold melt away, and I swear, never will I feel it again.