Guess who's going to see/hear James's secret in three minutes?

THAT'S RIGHT. IT'D BE ME.

And guess what? Time really isn't playing jokes on me today. I mean really. I sat down to my homework after dinner thinking that it would be FOREVER until patrols, but nope… time just WHIZZED by! And I finished my transfiguration essay. Yep, everything is on my side today.

Two more minutes!

Time loves me. Really, it does.

I think I'll pack up my backpack. I'm sick of always being early to these patrols, it makes me look… eager. And that's not what I'm going for this time. Remember? I'm patient, calm, un-nosy Lily Evans.

(HA.)

Or that's what James is supposed to thing, anyway.

One more minute!

Yep, I'm just going to calmly put away my quills… and my ink… and my parchment…

IT'S NINE THIRTY. I'VE GOT TO GO.

"Hey, Lily, could you---" starts Andra.

"NOOO!" I say, hurling myself out of the room and sprinting down the stairs.

And, unfortunately, James happens to be waiting at the bottom of the stairs, watching me as I fling myself into the common room, which pretty much ruins any possibility of anyone ever thinking that I am patient, calm, and un- nosy.

But screw everyone, I don't care.

Can't you just picture me at my Nosy People Anonymous group 20 years from now?

"MY NAME IS LILY, AND I AM AN OBSESSIVELY NOSY PERSON."

But anyways. James looks like he's holding back a laugh, though these days he always does when he's around me. If I didn't like him so much I would so dump him. I guess that's true with all couples though… hmm… I'm such a loser…

You know what? I really need to stop with all these self put-downs. They're really pitiful… and… mean spirited. Geeze. I think me and… myself… need to pay a visit to a counselor, because some of the things I say… just hurt…

That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I'm going to stop now.

"Lily? Are you ready to go?" says James, looking at me cautiously. Crap. I was doing that stupid hand motions thing again, wasn't I? I'm surprised that James doesn't dump me; I mean who wants an insane girlfriend like me?

"Sure."

Smiling at me, James clasps my hand, and leads me towards the portrait hole.

I really am insane… I hope James doesn't suddenly dump me or anything, because really, as much as I… think… the contrary, I really would miss not getting to hold his hand…

"You'renotgoingtobreakupwithmeareyou?" I blurt out suddenly.

WAY TO SOUND LIKE A WORRY-WART, LILY!

James stops and stares at me like I'm insane.

I slump against the wall, looking down. I guess that's a 'yes.'

"Lily," says James softly.

… I continue looking down… LILY YOU LOSER YOU COULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER MOMENT OR TWO BEFORE HE TOLD YOU THE BAD NEWS!

"Lily, look at me," James whispers, taking his hand and raising my chin with it. Reluctantly, I look into his stupid, hazel, dumping eyes. "Lily, what ever gave you the idea that I'd break up with you?"

I look down. Boy, this will sound stupid. What was the reason, anyway?

"Was it Sirius?" James asks sharply, looking as though he would like to pummel Sirius about now.

"No!" I say, not wanting Sirius to lose his nose, which would make Andra mad/sad, which would make her turn to me for ever giving James the stupid idea that he had said anything that wasn't along the lines of "James thinks you rock." And… yeah. Okay. Here goes…

"Then what is it, Lily? Did I do something?"

"NO!" I shout. "Are you insane! You've been wonderful, James! How could you ever think otherwise?"

"Well, how could you think I'd break up with you?" he asks incredulously.

It does sound stupid now.

"It's just… well… I was having a fight with--- someone --- and they pointed out some of my, er, strange qualities, and I, you know, thought you might not like me because of them?" My voice rises, making my entire confession sound like some stupid half-question phrase.

James laughs.

It does sound stupid now.

You know, maybe I should break up with him. I mean, he's making me feel stupid! Maybe me, myself, and James should go to a counselor together, and talk about… feelings? Okay no. Just kidding.

James is staring at me like I'm insane (again).

STUPID INVOLUNTARY HANDMOTIONS!

I wave my hands frantically. Here we go again…

James laughs.

"You know, Lily, you do have some… unique… qualities, but that's what I like about you. You stand out… you don't fit that stupid stereotypical teenage-girl mold."

Aw. That was sweet. I am pretty cool, aren't I?

"And just for the record, I like your hand motioning. I just wish I could hear what's going on inside that mind of yours."

HA. Fat chance, buddy.

He smiles, and kisses me lightly.

Pulling away slowly, he says, "Now come on. I have something to show you."

AHA! The secret!

… (A/N: I could end it right here, but then the chapter would be kind of pointless (not like they all aren't already or anything) but I'm nice, so I won't.)

I'm beginning to think that James is the insane one… really. Or just a close second; I'm a bit hard to beat.

"What are we doing James?" I ask as he doubles back once we reach the end of the Barnabas the Barmy tapestry.

"You'll see," he says, his brow wrinkled with a look of concentration on his face.

Raising my eyebrows doubtfully, I follow him as he turns around again and once more, when suddenly.

"Wow," I whisper, as a door pops up onto the wall. "James, how did you do that?"

"Magic," he says, grinning.

I let go of his hand and put my hands on my hips, leaving James looking slightly put out. He reaches for my hand, and I pull back.

"Lily," he says pleadingly.

Oh come on, it's not like holding my hand is that great. They're always so cold; James's are much better. But I'm not telling him that, of course. "Not until you tell me how you did that," I say, my nosy side coming out (okay, so maybe it's always out, it's just becoming a bit more obvious in this instance).

James gives me a sad, pleading look. But do I quail? NO, I DO NOT! Because I'm amazing like that. "All right," he agrees finally. "It's called the Room of Requirement, Sirius and I found out about it in second year."

That doesn't really explain much.

"But what---" I start.

"Just come on, Lily," says James, stepping forward and taking my hand. "You'll see once we're inside."

Walking forward, James reaches for the doorknob…

A/N: Yes, I am evil. Pure, pure, evil. I would KILL someone if they did this to me. BUT. I have a reason:
This is for all you 500 people (excluding my diligent reviewers, who I love very much, and can also participate) who read the last chapter but have NEVER LEFT A REVIEW. So, having a hard time thinking of what to say in a review? Well, you don't have to decide!

CONTEST:
I want you all to tell
me what you think James is going to show Lily in the Room of Requirement. So, REVIEW with your ideas!