Alice Just Wants her Money

Last time: "Friends" I repeated with a grin, shaking his offered hand and when I walked out of the locker room I could feel my stomach swirling around.

No that's too subdued of a term for what I was feeling.

Ah okay, I got it, I felt like a swarm of Cornish Pixies were banging around inside of my stomach.

Now where in the world had I thrown those heels to. Merlin's hairy saggy balls, Marly would rip my throat out if I had lost her favorite pair of shoes.

"Lumos," I said for the twelve time, still scouring the pitch black fields for those damn heels. It had been hours upon hours and I still hadn't come across them.

Okay.

Fine.

Hours upon hours might be a bit exaggerated.

…Fine.

A lot exaggerated.

It had been 10 minutes but it might as well have been hours with the way my back was hurting and the monumental level of irritation I was at.

I let out a colorful stream of curses that James would've whooped at if he'd been here, I thought, a small grin tinging my features.

No, stop it Lily, I scolded myself.

"Oh fuck, I'm a witch aren't I," I said exasperated to my audience of empty fields and confused bugs.

"Accio Marly's heels," I confidently said with a swoosh of my wand.

A mistake I found, as the heeled monstrosities viciously attacked me, both pointy ends nailing me in my stomach.

As I tipped over groaning clutching these tortuous shoes and saying fuck over and over again, I fought the temptation to reduce them to rubble or secretly use them as kindling in the dorm's fireplace.

Following that entire ordeal, shoes finally in hand, I gingerly tiptoed my way up to Hogwarts' corridors and rapidly made my way to the entrance of the Gryffindor Tower.

Ready to give the Fat Lady the password, I thought of all the rounds of questioning and giggles I would be subjected to. Questions to which, of course, I would have to lie to and somehow convince the girls that I was suddenly dating James Potter after vehemently denying it all day. After clearly despising him for years.

Suddenly I was dating him. How would I twist that one?

No no no, I wasn't cut out for that quite yet. I needed a moment to myself.

I pivoted on my heel and my feet carried me to my secret place, a little nook on the edge of the astronomy tower that I typically sat on the ledge of, letting my legs swing over the edge and feel the cool night air. A welcome refuge to the stuffiness I often felt in the halls and rooms of Hogwarts.

No one knew about the little nook except. Well, it doesn't matter who else knew because he wouldn't be showing his face there. He would probably be off somewhere furthering his obsession with dark magic or with his little wannabe death eater group cursing some innocent student. Not in the little nook that we used to spend all of our time together aimlessly chatting, making jokes and plans for the future.

No, the nook would be empty, I was sure of-

Why am I always wrong? Why can't I ever just be right? Fuck, Godric, Merlin, Jesus Christ, this isn't funny.

I cursed myself as I saw him sitting there, leaning against the brick wall casually flicking his wand producing little streams of shining light that danced off into the night sky and quickly dissipated into nothing.

Upon seeing that Severus was, in fact, in our little nook, I started backtracking my steps as silently as I could, praying that he wouldn't hear me and would never know that I was here.

"Creaakkkkk," an ancient wood board loudly went as I shifted my feet upon it in my desperate attempt to escape.

Damn.

Severus rapidly stood up and defensively struck a pose with his wand and demanded, "Who's there. Reveal yourself."

Slowly exposing myself, knowing that it'd be useless to try to hide and run away, I mumbled out, "No need for dramatics Snape. I didn't know you were here so I'll be on my way now."

He stood there speechless for a moment dropping his wand in an instant, he wanted to say so many things and had thought and rehearsed so much about what he would do if given this situation.

I gave him a small nod and started walking out.

His throat constricted, preventing him from saying all of those things and his mind started racing, panicking because he was throwing away this golden opportunity.

"I-I- I'll go," he finally spluttered out.

"Don't bother," was my curt response. Even I was impressed with how coolly I responded to him. Normally I would never be able to be this cold to anyone, especially my old best friend. Well, except for Potter of course but everything about myself was thrown out the window when he was involved.

"P-p-please, this is your spot. I had no right," Severus said, stepping out of the alcove and slowly approaching my paused figure at the entrance.

Eyes blazing, I sharply turned around and said, not really about the fact that he was in the alcove, but just referring to the downfall of our friendship in general, "You're right. You did have no right. You don't have any right."

Slightly taken aback, Severus still nodded and with a nervous gulp agreed, "You're completely right Lils-"

"Don't you dare talk to me like we're friends," I spat out.

"Right. Right. You're right. I do have no right. I-"

"Just go then," my harsh and unforgiving tone unmistakeable.

"Right, but wait, please, can I just say-"

"No Severus, you can not just say, there is nothing to say. You've tried to repeat the same bullshit to me about a dozen times. I listened the first few times but I'm done."

"Lily."

"My skin crawls just thinking of you. It disgusts me to hear my name come from your lips. I want you to get away from me, I don't ever want you to talk to me, talk about me, look at me, think about me."

"I know that but-"

"But what Severus, what could you possibly say to me. What can excuse everything you did and everything that you're still doing."

"Let me explai-" he said now right in front of me, too close actually.

"Why should I," I demanded with a mighty shove to his chest. "What gives you the right to take up my life like this. I've wasted five years already. I don't want to give you another second."

"I understand Lily but please, I'm begging you."

"Fine," I shouted, throwing my hands up in the air. "I'll let you say two things Severus, respond with yes or no and only yes or no."

"Are we really doing this again?" Severus asked with an edge of frustration to his voice, crossing his arms.

Without acknowledging his complaints I launched into my questions. The same questions I asked every time he begged to speak with me and rekindle our friendship.

Every time his answers were unchanged.

Every time we left our relationship worse than before, much less a friendship rekindled.

"Did you or did you not call me a filthy Mudblood last year at the lake and end our friendship."

"I did, yes."

"Did you or did you not attempt to reveal Remus' condition to the entire school."

"I did, yes but-"

"Just answer the damn question Severus then shut your bloody mouth," I shouted, my temper exploding, quickly silencing whatever bullshit he was preparing to feed to me about that whole situation again.

"Did you or did you not test out one of your dark curses on Mary Macdonald?"

"But Lily it's really no worse than what Potter and his lackies-"

"I'm going to just turn around and leave if you don't do what I say," I threatened. How dare he compare the stupid pranks and taunts that Potter and his friends played to the Dark magic that had left Macdonald in the hospital wing for two weeks. This if anything displayed how far gone he really was.

"I did."

"Do you or do you not continue to associate with Avery, Lucius, Lestrange, Black, and that entire group?"

"I-I do but-," Severus quickly stopped himself this time seeing my narrowing eyes.

"Are you or are you not a part of that stupid little league of junior wannabe death eaters."

"I mean- I- yes…" he drew out, heavily stammering.

"Are you or are you not currently recruited for the Dark Lord right now, a Death Eater."

"I- what?" he shrieked, genuinely shocked at this new addition to my questioning.

"Answer the damn question," I said, clipping each word.

"...No," he unconvincingly said, crossing his arms even tighter.

I knew what he was hiding. That, that mark.

"Don't lie to me Severus, I hear the whispers."

"Is that what Potter told you?" he accusingly retorted.

"Wha-what?" I angrily sputtered out.

"Potter, you know. The arrogant piece of shit you've clearly fallen for."

"Is this why you wanted to talk to me just now, so you could accuse me and talk about James. Again," I said my voice getting louder and higher with anger as each word exploded out of my mouth.

Even when we were still friends, everytime James approached us he would always accuse me of liking James and choosing James over him- all ridiculous and completely unfounded accusations.

It had only gotten worse since I ended our friendship, where his hatred of James only exponentialized. It was clear that instead of taking an introspective look at the person he'd become and thus the reason our friendship ended, he was looking for someone to blame. Like always. Severus' scapegoat was James Potter.

"Oh it's James now is it. What's next? Jamie? Prongs?" Severus mockingly said, his glare and crossed arms starting daggers at me.

"All those rumors today aren't even-" I quickly stopped myself before I revealed the truth to Severus, that would derail the entire plan.

"Aren't even what?" Severus accusingly shot back but with a slight glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"No- nothing, nothing Severus, I don't have to explain our relationship to you," I said, also crossing my arms, not lying- which he would clearly see through. A benefit having known me since I was nine. Easy give away were the wrinkles on my nose when I lied.

Instead I made it sound like Potter and I had some sort of relationship, which wasn't a lie, but definitely implied what Severus was fearing.

"And no, James doesn't even think about you," I said to a slight wince.

Everytime he heard the word James escape my mouth I could see the wince grow more and more obvious and so I continued making sure to throw Potter's name in as much as possible.

He suddenly exploded and said, "Well none of that is true, I'm not a Death Eater Lily." Then in a quieter voice in an attempt to appeal to my pity, said in hushed tones, "Please believe me."

We stayed in silence, Severus' voice echoing in the high ceilings of the tower. Both of us, once best friends, had our arms crossed and eyes narrowed at each other.

"Fine then, show me your arm," I requested holding out my hand and narrowing my eyes even further. He was obviously lying, he always used that voice to try to convince me otherwise then he did.

"What?" Severus uncomfortably said, crossing his arms even tighter.

"Your arm," I coolly repeated.

"Lily-" he pitifully pleaded, eyes gazing at me wide and clearly afraid.

"Your arm, Severus," I demanded once again, pretending that his desperate tone didn't faze me at all. I already knew the truth. I'd heard about what had happened last summer. How he, Bellatrix, Malfoy, Avery, and a few others had officially committed to and served on some missions for the Dark Lord. How they all now had that mark. That awful mark.

He finally said with an immensity of sadness and regret, "You know I can't."

"Just show me Severus, I already know what's there. I just need to see it." I said, holding back my tears that threatened to spill over.

Where had I gone wrong? What mistake did I make? Hadn't I given Severus my whole heart, all the friendship in the world? Hadn't we been happy? I could sense him shifting in 5th year and tried everything I could, but look where we were now.

Sev, my best friend Sev. The one who had taught me everything about the magical world. Who made me understand that I wasn't a freak like Petunia had accused me of being. Had sat with me on the train here telling me that I would be okay. Had sat with me for hours upon hours in the Library, studying with me til the early hours of the morning. Had looked for and found secret little nooks and crannies of the castle with me. Had come over to my house for Christmas and Easter for the past 5 years so he wouldn't have to go home.

What had I done to make him turn into this, this Dark wizard who hated Muggles and Muggleborns. Completed missions for He-who-must-not-be-named. Created dark curses in his spare time. Who was this completely foriegn person and why had I not been enough for him? At one point I'd even thought-

Whilst these thoughts were racing through my head and I started to feel an immense amount of guilt, I felt Severus' forearm gently placed into my extended hand.

It wasn't flipped to where I knew that- that mark would be. He had left that task of flipping his arm and revealing it to me.

I gingerly rotated his forearm and despite knowing what was lying there, I couldn't help but release a few gasping sobs from my throat and press my other hand around my nose and mouth in horror.

There it was. The black mark invading Severus' pale and ashen skin. The black skull with the fanged snake looping around forming an infinity, almost saying that Severus' allegiance and commitment to the Dark Lord was forever and unbreakable.

My thoughts went racing again and my heart and chest started pounding as I gazed upon this mark. I could vaguely hear Severus sobbing and saying over and over again, "I'm so sorry Lily. I'm so sorry."

I sank to my knees in silence, my sobs caught all in my throat, and he dropped with me, my hand still clutching his forearm, covering the Dark Mark almost as if I thought that by covering it, it wouldn't exist. That my old Sev would come back.

"Please say something, say anything Lily. Scream, yell at me. Curse me. Slap me. Please, just don't sit there silent," Severus pleaded.

Finally after letting his words ring in the air I said, meeting his gaze, "What is there left to say Severus, you've chosen your side and I've chosen mine."

"But you haven't yet Lily," Severus said, a bit of fervor in his voice now as he grabbed both sides of my shoulders. "The Dark Lord, he knows about you and is very impressed. He's letting a few Muggle-borns into his ranks, especially some with extraordinary talent like you Lily."

"Stop it Severus," I sobbed out, trying to shake myself from his grasp, but it was too strong, "Let go of me." But it was as if he was deaf to my words, as he only continued on, grip tighter and slightly shaking me with excitement.

"Don't you see Lily, this is a wonderous opportunity that he's presenting to you. We could be together, we could be best friends again and work together and-"

"And what Severus," I demanded, standing up my body shaking with anger listening to how blinded and delusional Severus had become in such a short amount of time. "And what, kill our classmates, other Muggle-borns, go and wipe my 'filthy heritage' and kill my family, terrorize the wizarding community, what is this opportunity Severus. What exactly is so wondrous about it."

Unphased by my protests he earnestly said, "Power Lily. He's letting us take power from those corrupt and stupid Ministry officials and we're taking it. And not only that, we're going to dominate the Muggle word too. We'll have complete control and influence over the world Lily, doesn't that sound like a wonderful purpose?"

"No Severus, no it doesn't. That makes me sick. Y-y-you make me sick," I shouted out, pushing Severus, with both hands and all my might, away from me.

I turned and was about to run out and away from Severus he clutched my arm and desperately begged on his knees, "Please Lily, please think about this. I miss you."

I shook my arm trying to release it but he was relentless in his grip. Not knowing what else to do, I hocked back a great load of spit and shot it directly into his eyes, causing him to momentarily loosen his grip. This momentary reprieve allowing me to run out of the tower.

I didn't stop running, ignoring Severus' wretched cries, until I saw the Fat Lady and heard her practicing her octave scales again.

Normally I would humor her, respond to some of her questions, and compliment her singing but now was not the time as I quickly and impatiently shot out, "Leprechaun's gold," at her. Ignoring her great harumph of annoyance, I wearily climbed into the portrait hole and dreaded going upstairs to all the questions that would surely be thrown my way.

I slowly lumbered up the stairs and opened the door to the dorm room to a load of squeals and questions about how it had gone.

Amidst Marlene's murderous threats when she saw the muddy state of her shoes, Frankie's teasing of my being gone for several hours and disheveled appearance, and Alice's giggles at their antics, I dropped into bed, still fully clothed, mumbling out, "Tomorrow," and fell into sleep as soon as my cheek hit my pillow.

When I told my best friends that the girl of my dreams and I were suddenly getting together, even if it was completely fake, I'd expected disbelief, claps on the back, cheering, whooping.

Not, "Those bloody robes cost me 10 fucking galleons Prongs, sod off with this relationship bullshit."

I narrowed my eyes, was Padfoot experimenting with those green muggle herbs from Hufflepuff again? "What are you on, I've just told you that Evans and I are official and you're going on about-"

"Yes whoop-dee-fucking-whoo to you and Evans, I saw at the pitch. I'm shocked, don't believe you, and will take the piss later but priorities James."

I scoffed as he waved his hands in my direction, waving my protests away as he continued.

"So yes, Prongsy. Robes. Those emerald green robes. Oh and, not only that, the square spectacles and the pointed hat," Sirius rambled with a miffed sniff gesturing his hands wildly.

Merlin balls, seriously- this is the first thing he thinks of? Our cos-

"Prongs I think he's," Peter squeaked out, trying to diffuse the confusion and tension as he always did between Sirius and I.

"Yeah yeah yeah," I dismissed with a wave of my hand, already knowing what Padfoot was protesting about.

Shit, I'd told myself that I would stop doing that to Peter- just dismissing him all the time- I knew how shitty that was. It'd probably bite me in the arse one day. I glanced apologetically at Peter who was now looking slightly deflated, his gaze towards his shoes.

"Look Wormy, sorry you know I didn't mean that?" I said with a friendly punch directed at his shoulder. He quickly looked up, giving me a grin, letting me know I was good so that I could turn my attention back to demolishing and possibly murdering Sirius.

"You're seriously talking about our Halloween costumes after hearing about this miracle?" I demanded before groaning at the look on Sirius' face.

A mixture between a smirk and pure jubilant joy, Sirius solemnly said, as I got ready for what was up ahead by rolling my eyes and taking off my specs, "I'm always Sirius."

Remus was the first to dole the punishment as he sighed, folding the corner of his book's page and lumbered over to me giving me a half-hearted flick on the forehead. With the full moon only two days away he was looking extra pale and peaky and not in the mood for our shenanigans.

Peter and Sirius' enthusiasm, on the other hand, more than made up for it, as they both bounded over to me and gave me their hardest flicks. Despite my best attempts, I still shouted out in pain, clutching my forehead, and several 'Fuck you guys' later, we were back to costumegate.

"We've been planning this since last Halloween, you can't just be a bloody flake one week before this happens," Sirius demanded. "Do you know what I had to go through to get any of Minnie's hair?"

"We all do Sirius," I exasperatedly said.

Either not hearing me, or choosing to ignore me (latter's more likely) he continued his rant. "Weeks, Prongs. Weeks. I spent weeks spending nearly every waking moment by her side until I finally found a single piece of hair on her robes-"

"Padfoot," Remus groaned, also sick of hearing this story for the umpteenth time.

Unphased, Sirius pushed his long hair out his face and quickly gathered it up in a knot on the top of his head, as he did when he was angry, "and then I practically body slammed poor old Minnie and pretended like I'd fallen to grab it. And now you're saying it was all for nothing?"

"Hey, you said you enjoyed that time Padfoot," Peter said with a grin, always willing to listen and build on Sirius' dramatic retellings of his stories.

Eager to play off of Peter's questions, Sirius shot him a grin, "Of course I cherish my time with Minnie, but now everytime I get close to her-"

"-my darling always steps a few feet aways from me," Remus mocked, finishing Sirius' story, his eyes still trained on his page.

"Honestly, I'd think you'd be the most outraged by this Moony, having to collect Filch's," Sirius said with a mock shudder in a clear attempt to draw him into the conversation.

"It's not that big a deal-" Remus started.

"Not that big a deal?"

"Yeah-"

"You offered to help clean all the trophies-"

"Sirius, honestly."

"- in that trophy room just to get that singular mangy string of hair."

"Thank you to that large spot of rust on Tom Riddle's big ass trophy in making all of this possible," Remus quipped, deciding it would be easier to just go along with the antics.

"Yes, much love to you Tom Riddle," I interjected before Sirius could get a word in edgewise and argued, "but Padfoot, I don't think my going to Sluggy's ball is going to massively impact our prank. It could be better, more unexpected," only to be met with 3 pairs of blank and confused glances.

"In what way?" Remus said, quirking an eyebrow. As reluctant as he had originally been to Polyjuice into Filch for the feast, he had been spending the past week working on transfigurations for Algernon to make him look like Mrs. Norris.

Who, speaking of, had just bounded on Sirius' lap and lazily curled up, getting his orange fur all over Padfoot's trousers and expectantly looked up at him with that ugly squashed face.

My cat, my ass.

Clingy, traitorous beast.

"Prongs, it's giving me that look again," Peter said in a wavering voice referring to the fearsome glares Algernon regularly gave him.

"It's just because you're a rat Wormy, give it a rest," Sirius said with a sigh, cooing at the cat, he then quickly looked back up at me and gave me a hard look, asking me to explain my new idea.

"Okay," I said with a tinge of excitement in my voice. "Ever since Evans told me-"

"So it's still Evans?" Sirius interjected.

"Shut up."

"Kinky," he replied with a raised eyebrow.

Choosing to ignore him, I continued, "that we couldn't attend the Halloween Feast, I've been brainstorming and I've come up with a much better idea than just walking into the feast Polyjuiced into Dumbledore, Minnie, Filch, and, and-"

"Hagrid," Peter quickly piped up, reminding me.

"Right, Hagrid," continuing enthusiastically I asked, "I mean what's the fun in that, right lads?"

"Tradition, the whole school being there, all the professors being present, causing an uproar at the feast like usual-" Sirius began listing off, ticking his fingers as he went, taking my question literally.

"Screw tradition, it's become expected. Let's surprise people for a change, yeah?"

Remus finally closed his book and looked at me, giving me his full attention. Peter, as always, was hanging onto my every word. Sirius, still cross at me, simply said, "I'm listening," whilst stroking my ridiculous cat.

"Alice please," I groaned, as she gently shook me awake per my request, "five more minutes."

"That's what you said fifteen minutes ago Lils," Alice replied with a slight giggle, still shaking my slumbering figure, as I desperately clutched my duvet tighter to my chest and buried my face in my pillows.

"I got this," interjected an authoritative voice.

Got what, I wondered to myself in my drowsy state, only to sit up rapidly spluttering in the next moment, hair stuck to my face and body completely soaked.

"Morgana's tits, what the fuck," I shouted, rubbing my eyes and rapidly blinking them to adjust to the light. And there stood Jackie, eyes mid roll, empty water cup in hand.

"Fucking bitch," I muttered as I slowly got out of bed.

"If you wanted to be babied you should've listened to Alice the first fifty fucking times," she said unapologetically, stripping off her quidditch gear having just gotten back from her 5-8 AM practice.

"Hey," Alice protested.

"Am I wrong?" Jackie demanded in turn.

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" Marly snorted from her station in front of her mirror, putting the finishing touches on her makeup.

"Oh I don't know," Jackie crabilly exclaimed as she let one boot drop.

"Maybe" other boot, "it's" knee pad, "the fact" other knee pad, "that" elbow pad, "our" other elbow pad, "best friend if we can still call her that" the hefty chest guard, "is actually," she grunted with extra effort as she pulled the sweat soaked helmet off of her head, shaking her long black hair out, "fucking dating," jumper, "James Potter and didn't tell us?" she angrily finished, her quidditch trousers off and joining the rest of her uniform on the ground in a final sweep.

Typically, Jackie staring at me in nothing but her underwear would make me laugh, no actually, cry because of the amazing shape she was in, but that's neither here nor there. But the fearsome expression on her face, the accusing glances Marly sent, and the curious look Alice sent me kept me silent.

"I-" I began.

"You refuse to talk to us last night about what happened and so I go to practice this morning thinking that nothing must've happened, right?" she asked, with the response of Alice and Marly nodding in agreement being enough encouragement for her to continue her rant.

"So, Lily Evans, why did I have to hear from bloody Sirius Black that you've been dating Potter ever since he broke up with Reyna?" she demanded pointing an accusing finger at me.

"Wait what?" Alice and Marly choroused, Marly slightly more shrieky.

"And why did I have to listen to 50 different fucking retelling about how you walked in on the lockeroom and how Potter had you pinned up against some wall during practice yesterday from every single person on my team?"

My mouth dropped

It had started.

I would now have to somehow convince my friends that I was head over heels for Potter after spending the entire day yesterday moping and vehemently denying the fact, "I-"

"I mean I'm not angry that you did it because good fucking riddance and all. I'm just bloody furious because I guess you didn't think that we were good enough friends for you to tell us the truth," Frankie finished, her rant over, breathing heavily, chest going up and down.

Again, I opened my mouth and stammered out, "I-I, well- th-the," before I was, once again, interrupted.

"Lily, is he making this up? If he is, I'll go and make him set all this straight because it's not fair to make the rumors even worse-" Alice started, ever concerned for me.

God, no one deserved her.

"Yeah babes, I'll bloody jinx his ass, make him eat his shit" Marly exclaimed, aggressively slamming her mascara down. Bless Marly too.

"No, no, I-" I tried again.

"You what?" Jackie said, still in her underwear, arms crossed and glaring at me.

"If you'd let me finish," I finally snapped back, sending a glare her way.

Now, finally having the floor to myself, I found I had no idea where to start, what to say, how to convince my best friends that no I was not under Imperius, no I had not been Obliviated, and no I had not been Crucioed to the point of madness. I instead, was dating James Potter.

Hmm, the other explanations sounded much better and less nonsensical at this moment.

"I-I- well, he's, he's different" I stammered out, twisting my hands, face on fire. I looked up desperately and met the gaze of Alice who, without missing a beat, interjected.

"Oh guys that's so sweet. Lils don't say another word I can tell already. Frank's been noticing too, how grown up and sweet James has been this term and the way you've been looking at him," she gushed, nodding at me expectantly, a sweet smile lighting her face up.

The way I've been looking at what? Potter? The fuck? Are we thinking of the same people here? I thought, slightly furrowing my brows, tilting my head slightly at Alice.

Alice ever so slightly shook her head in warning and quickly beamed at me even more, rushing over and clutching my hands saying, "I knew exactly what was going on, especially when James broke up with Reyna last week- I think everyone knew why."

What in the world, nobody-.

Wait.

Lily.

Stop.

She's throwing you a lifeline here.

Shut the fuck up and take it I scolded myself.

I let out a breathy, uncomfortable laugh with the breath that had been stuck in my throat this entire time and said, "You know me so well Alice."

"Well, I for one also say good fucking riddance, you two had more sexual tension than Godric and Salazar did," Marly proclaimed as she stood up, heading towards the door, smacking her newly glossed lips.

We all knew that she'd be sheepishly putting on a fresh layer at breakfast, Black, having effectively removed all of her morning application efforts, smirking at her from his seat with Remus, James, and Peter.

Unless, of course, they were having another row. Which, by the looks of how she practically skipped out the door giggling her farewells out off to breakfast, or rather, a snogfest, seemed like they were just fine for now.

Jackie's eyes narrowed slightly, unmoving in her stance of crossed arms and slightly jutted hip- yes, still in her underwear. "Well spank my arse and call me Merlin," she said slowly and untrustingly, "I tell you for years that Potter's a nice enough bloke and you finally get with him. I just don't believe it."

"Well I guess I finally bought it," I forced out through gritted teeth.

Geez.

I'd have to stop that.

Every time Potter's name came up, I did this, as I forced myself to unclench my jaw and put on my best lovesick expression.

"Alright then, see you at breakfast," she testiliy said as she closed the bathroom door.

As soon as she heard the shower water running, Alice punched me in the arm- very uncharacteristic of her- and demanded, "You better tell me why I just had to lie through my teeth for you about dating James for the past week Lily Marie Evans."

"I- what, lying? Why we-" I started trying unconvincingly, wincing at the flatness of my own delivery.

"Don't lie."

"I'm not-"

"I told you to stop lying."

"It's the tru-"

"You're a terrible actress Lily."

"Alice, honestly, I'm telling the-"

"I swear Lily, I'm going to drag Frankie out here and we're both going to force the truth out of you if you d-"

"Fine!" I shouted, already scared at the thought of Jackie fixing her fearsome glare onto me again. Hesitating at already breaking Rule #3, I repeated myself softer and nervously said, "Fine."

"The truth is that James and I, we're. Hmm, okay how do I say this. It's a bit complicated," I rambled on, "Fine, okay the truth is that-"

"You guys weren't actually dating but after he helped you out yesterday in the rain you've fallen for him and you two agreed to date yesterday?" Alice offered, her perceptive intuition- which normally served her incredibly well- throwing her completely off the mark this time.

What a lucky day this was.

Without missing a beat, knowing this was my only chance to get out of this sticky mess, I tucked my head down and, pretending to be embarrassed, muttered out a soft, "Yeah."

Deciding that I could convincingly tell a half truth, I continued, "We didn't shag in that closet like the rumors say, but one thing did lead to another, well he was being so sweet, I did kiss him."

Looking up and seeing that Alice was nodding her head in understanding, I felt a twinge of guilt pang my chest, I never lied to my friends and I felt so bad for starting. Especially with a lie as massive as this one.

Nevertheless I must continue on, "Well, the rumors of what actually happened got out of hand and you know Reyna came and I ran my mouth, so when I went to go see Potter he asked me out and I finally said yes."

Making sure Alice was still convinced and nodding, I continued, "We talked about the rumors and agreed that it'd be hard to dispel them so we'd just tell everyone we'd been dating for longer than was true and had just kept it quiet."

Alice, trusting every word that my lying mouth had said, continued nodding and only said, "Finally, oh and also, thank you Lils."

I could understand the 'finally,' Jackie and Marly had shared similar sentiments but thanking me...?

Thanking me for what?

"Thank you for…" I asked.

"For 5 galleons, Frank and I made a bet. He said you two would start dating by Christmas, I said Halloween" Alice stated with a grin.

"Ah, fuck off," I groaned, pushing Alice off of my bed, as she happily departed to grab her tie and robes to toss on before she left for breakfast.

I turned around partially to get ready and partially to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

If I could convince Alice, possibly the most intuitive person I know, I think I could convince the entire school.

As I finally brushed through the messy excuse I had for hair and buttoned up my top, Alice opened our dorm door to leave and just as she was about to walk out, peaked her head back in and said, "Oh and Lils?"

"Yes?" I said, rolling my knee length socks up.

"You're an awful liar," she said gesturing at my nose. My traitorous nose that never failed to betray me and wrinkle when I told lies. "But do try to keep the pretense up long enough so Frank doesn't take the money back," she nonchalantly stated before closing the door and leaving me in the dorm, jaw grazing the ground and eyes like saucers.

AN: I hope you enjoy and let me know anything you enjoyed, didn't enjoy, things to improve upon, things I'm doing well, ideas/predictions, anything! I love reading your comments, they really keep me going on this!

Thanks everyone!