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They're in: Sixth Year

Recap:

"But you don't understand! How would you feel if I threw a special something of yours into the fire?"

Anna smirked again, "You don't have the guts to." She turned to leave and was almost at the door when she heard a whisper.

Lily's whisper sounded so sad and so hurt, "Why do you hate me?"

Anna pretended she hadn't heard, pretended that she did not feel guilty.

She pretended that she didn't care.

THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN REWRITTEN (7/05)

Chapter Four: About to Find Out

Why did James care so much about why Lily was crying so hard? He really shouldn't. He had many other, better things to worry about instead of Lily. Actually, at this moment he should be working on the Astronomy essay. But how could he concentrate when he couldn't rid himself of the image of Lily sobbing on the floor?

He slapped his forehead absentmindedly, it really didn't concern him. He really should just forget about it, right?

"Prongs is having one of his inner battles... shall we help him out?" Sirius asked Remus casually as he watched his friend from across the Common Room.

Remus looked up from his book in time to see James slap his forehead again. "Er, do whatever you want, Padfoot."

"Okay," Sirius grinned mischievously. He made his way across the Common Room as if he were going up to his dormitory, yawning loudly. When James's back was facing him, he crept quietly behind his friend's chair.

Just as Sirius was about to yell out "Boo!" James interrupted Sirius before he had a chance to say anything. "Did you think you could scare me?"

Sirius pouted playfully and responded, "I thought you would've forgotten by now. It was in Second Year... go figure..."

"You haven't forgotten yet."

Sirius feigned a look of deep thoughtfulness, "Point taken."

ABC.

Anna didn't understand what that diary had meant to Lily... her grandmother had given it to her before she had even known she was a witch. Of course, after her grandmother found out, she always ignored Lily. Lily had always written her thoughts and feelings in that diary.

It wasn't the kind of diary that one kept for a week before forgetting about it. It was the kind of diary that you wrote in periodically, keeping it for as long as you needed it. And now, it was gone. All her thoughts, feelings, emotions... all burned to a crisp in the Gryffindor sixth year fireplace.

Lily felt her eyes begin to water as she relived what happened. Do not cry! She's already seen you cry, don't do it again! Lily could not give Anna the satisfaction of knowing how horrible Lily felt.

abc.

Lily seemed to be as withdrawn as ever. Since the "diary incident" she had received nasty, cruel comments like, "Stupid cry baby! It was just a diary!" and "You have no right to make Anna feel sorry for you! She did nothing wrong!" And every time Lily happened to be near Anna, she would shoot Lily a disgusting smirk which plainly said, "I hate you."

Why? Lily found herself asking this a lot, Is it even worth it to live like this? Is this what I get up in the morning for? Would anyone even notice if I was gone

ABC.

"No, I'll meet you guys later, I forgot my textbook in class," James had called over his shoulder, turning and going back to his Charms classroom. When he got to the Charms corridor, he heard voices.

Stopping to listen to them, he heard, "C'mon you ugly bitch! Why don't you get up and fight for once!" It was definitely Jopelle's voice.

He heard a cruel laugh, "You can do whatever you want, you can't make either one of us look like bitches!" James realized that was Anna's voice.

Mumbling. "What was that, stupid?"

"I didn't mean to..." the last voice sounded weak, hurt and vulnerable.

James stepped around the corner and what he saw made him sick. Anna and Jopelle were pointed their wands a girl on the floor who was crying.

"Oh, James!" Anna walked forward and entwined her arm with his. "Why don't you help us? We can make her feel like nothing, you know..."

"I know," James took Anna's arm off of his and rushed to Lily. He helped her up and said to Anna and Jopelle, "That's why I'm not going to help you. Are you okay?" he finished gently, addressing Lily.

Lily looks grateful and nodded, giving him a watery smile.

"Do you want to go to the Hospital Wing? I'll go with you, if you want," he offered. Anna and Jopelle were shocked.

"Okay," Lily answered shakily.

"Let's go, Lila." Lily was too shaken and upset to even correct James.

"It's Lily," she whispered, but it seemed as if James didn't hear her.

ABC.

It was nearly eleven when she was finally able to leave the Hospital Wing. The new nurse, Madame Pomfrey had wanted to keep her overnight, but Lily convinced her otherwise.

Lily was afraid though. She was afraid that it would happen again, and what if the next time no one would be there to save her? There won't be a next time, Lily thought bitterly as she crept into her dormitory. She rummaged quietly in the drawer of her bedside table.

Finally finding what she was looking for, she made her way back to the Common Room. Why did I get put in Gryffindor? I'm not brave... and I have no one to be loyal to...

Lily sat in a comfy chair by the fire, unaware that someone was sitting in the chair next to her.

"Hi," Lily jumped and saw the source of the voice: James Potter.

"Hello," Lily mumbled and stared at the dieing fire.

"Do you feel any better?"

Lily looked into his eyes, sincerity was shining in them. "I do, thank you." She continued to stare at the fire.

"Lila--"

"Lily. My name is Lily."

James's face reddened slightly. "Sorry. Lily, I just wanted to let you know that you shouldn't listen to Anna and Jopelle. They only put other people down to make themselves feel better. Ignore them, okay?" Lily couldn't help but notice the honesty and concern in his voice.

Lily let out a shaky breath she hadn't been aware that she had been holding, "Okay."

They were both quiet for a while before James broke the silence. "I guess I've never noticed you before. I don't know why though." Lily responded with silence. "I'm sorry for anything I might've done. It was unintentional."

"You never did anything to hurt me, you just didn't notice me," Lily replied slowly.

They were silent once more. "I bet that hurt, didn't it?" James noticed Lily's impassive expression turn into a grim one.

How does he know how I feel? He's never been ignored before, how would he know that? But still, he knows. After a very long period of silence, Lily said, "You don't know how much it does."

ABC.

After what seemed half an hour, James opened his mouth to say something to Lily, but he had noticed that she was asleep. She looked so peaceful when she was asleep. He might even go as far as consider her pretty.

But didn't fire light make one appear pretty anyway? No, James thought, she still isn't pretty. I should take her up to her bed... But wouldn't it look suspicious if he was caught taking her to bed in the dead of night? He was going to leave her in the Common Room.

As he carried her to the nearest couch, he saw a small, shiny, silver object fall from Lily's hand. He would investigate in a bit. After he gently put her down on the couch and covered her with his cloak, he turned and looked at the mysterious shining object on the floor and he bent down to pick it up.

spotted kitten: Thanks to those who reviewed the first version: taniita, DerangedButMagic, Silver Mist4, LiL AcA ViLLa, iluvjames, DLster, and skablack. Thanks for reviewing (if you did). And if not, well, what are you waiting for?