Chapter 12

"DO YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT," James said loudly standing and squaring up to his sister. "Don't you think I know what I've done is going to break my brother's heart," He yelled.

"Guys, please we need to calm down," I said finally finding my voice and standing between the two of them.

"Al loves you Hannah," Lily said turning on me and looking at me in disbelief.

"I know." I sighed.

"I just don't understand how this has happened," She said falling back down on the sofa and putting her head in her hands. "You were meant to end up with Al; everyone had been saying it for years. But now…merlin this is going to break his heart," I glanced sideways at James who was still pacing the room, his anger slowly fading. He looked up and caught my gaze, his eyes full of hopelessness. He sighed and moved to sit with his sister, placing a hand on her knee.

"This was never meant to have happened Lils," He said sadly, hearing the pain in his voice completely broke my heart. Lily looked up at her brother and then back at me.

"Is it true?" She asked. "Do you love her?"

"I do," He said, glancing up at me and giving me a sad smile.

"What about Cressida?" Lilly frowned. I glanced back at James who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"It's a difficult situation," I said quickly. Lily shook her head at her brother and moved to stand in front of me.

"Do you feel the same way?" She asked me. I didn't trust myself to speak; I nodded, averting my eyes to the floor. "This is insane," She whispered, shaking her head. "Al is going to be destroyed when he finds out,"

"Al isn't going to be finding out," James stated harshly.

"What? You're telling me that you are going to keep your relationship a secret forever." She said in astonishment.

"No because we aren't in a relationship," James retorted. Lilly glared at him.

"You had me fooled when we were picking out the earrings," She scoffed. "Are you really stupid enough to believe that Al won't eventually find out?"

"He has no reason to find out. We aren't acting on our feelings; we don't want to hurt Al or anyone for that matter," I explained sitting on the armchair opposite the pair.

"The damage has already been done," She stated simply. I took a glance at James who shook his head in disagreement.

"Al doesn't ever need to know Lily," James said, "We both love him too much and are too loyal to him to act on our feelings,"

"How many people know?" She asked.

"The three of us, Rose and Scorpius are aware and Danny," I replied.

"I still don't understand why you told Danny," James frowned. "It's none of his business," I glowered at the older Potter.

"He's my friend and I needed to tell someone, it was eating me alive." I snapped.

"How do we know we can trust him?"

"He hasn't said anything so far has he?"

"Yes but-

"Guys," Lily interrupted. We both turned to face her, "Does anyone else know?"

"Fred," James muttered under his breath. I shot him a dirty look, "What? He's my cousin." James started.

"Anyway," Lily said quickly before I could reply, "So that's what, seven people that knows," She asked. I bit my lip and nodded nervously as her, wondering where she was going with it. "Seven people have to keep that a secret from Al, he will eventually find out and if finding out doesn't destroy him knowing that his two best friends, his brother, sister and cousins have all been lying to him might actually kill him off for good," Lily said hysterically waving her arms around, imploring us to understand what she was saying.

"Please don't tell him Lils," James begged her.

"I can't promise that James, someone needs to be on Al's side in this." She said sadly.

"But he will never speak to me again," James whispered painfully, she considered her older brother for a moment.

"I can't lie to him James you know that, if he asks me outright I will tell him," She offered, "But okay I won't tell him."

"Thank you," I said softly to her, she nodded back at me.

"Both of you need to tell him though and soon before this gets even more out of hand." She said strongly.

"I know we do," I agreed sadly. James looked at me in shock, "Lily's right, too many people know for it to remain a secret and it's not fair of us to ask our friends, Al's friends, to lie to him anymore." I sighed and stood up. "It needs to be fully over and the only way for that to happen is to tell him," I reasoned calmly considering what I proposing.

"I can't do that Hannah," James said shaking his head and standing up. "I can't break my brother's heart,"

"Then we'll put it all on me," I said more confidently than I felt, still trying to maintain some of my composure. "When we tell him, we'll put everything on me. Say it was me who started it, me who begged you to carry on behind Al's back, say it was me who fell in love and pressured you into keeping a secret until Lily made me see sense," James looked at me in complete shook, Lily looking between the two of us.

"There is no fucking way that is happening," He said quietly.

"But James-

"No Lils. That is not happening, if we are going to tell him we tell him everything, no more lies." He said simply.

"If you're sure," I said deciding not to press the issue again.

"We'll do it when we get back to Hogwarts," He said sadly.

"This is how it has to be," I stated.

"I can't believe this," James whispered, not meeting my eyes. I moved my arm to wrap around his shoulders, to try and comfort him but knew I would change my mind if I went anywhere near him. I glanced at Lily who was looking between the two of us with a strange expression and tried to offer her a smile, knowing it was more like a grimace. "I'm going to head up," I said trying to escape before I broke down and begged them both to change their minds. James looked up at me with so much pain in his eyes I just wanted to run away.

"We'll talk tomorrow," He said simply. I nodded in response and climbed the stairs to Lily's room, hurrying to get ready for bed and pretend to be asleep when she came up, not wanting to talk to her about it anymore.

"Hannah?" She whispered softly when she entered the room. I didn't respond, keeping my eyes closed tightly and hoping that I wouldn't let any sobs escape. I heard her sigh before climbing into bed and turning off her lamp. She was sound asleep when I cried myself to sleep, once again, over James Potter.

"You scrub up well Capt," Lily smiled as I walked out of her bathroom ready for the New Year's Party at the Potters. As per tradition, all the adults went to the Burrow and the 'kids' went to the sensible-ish party at the Potters. I had been to every party for the past four years and something mad always happened; this one was going to be no different.

"Thanks, you look lovely," I replied giving her a smile and glancing at her midnight blue dress. I walked over to the mirror to put in the earrings and necklace James had brought me. I wasn't one to admit to myself when I looked nice but I felt amazing in the dress I was wearing. My mum had bought it, especially for the party, telling me to 'dazzle' the boy who bought me the earrings. It loose, deep red that synched in at the waist, flattering me in the right way. I had always been conscious of my figure, not being as small and petite as Rose and Lily, more tall and curvy. Being active at Quidditch was a big help and normally I was 'okay' with the way I looked, tonight, however, I had to admit to myself I looked amazing. I fixed my hair that was in a loose bun, curls hanging down to frame my face, and applied some last minute lip gloss and fixed my earrings in place.

"They really suit you," Lily smiled as she came over to the mirror handing me my gold heels. I slipped them on and turned to face her. "Thank you, shall we go downstairs? People will be arriving soon," She nodded and grabbed her purse leading the way out of the room. I suddenly felt ridiculously nervous. I hadn't spoken to James properly since the evening before when Lily found out about us. In the lead-up and preparation to the party, we didn't get a moment alone all day. Now, I found myself nervous, giddy, and desperate to impress him, to make him go back on the decision we both agreed on. Lily and I entered the drawing room where Albus and James were sitting drinking Butterbeer talking animatedly about Merlin knows what.

"Thanks for getting us a drink," Lily moaned alerting them to our presence.

"Well it took you bloody long enough to get ready, people will be arriving soon," Al replied back to his sister before turning his gaze back to me. "Hey not fair Hannah, it's hard enough trying to get over you. Now it's even bloody harder when you look that good," He groaned jokingly. I laughed and walked over to him planting a small kiss on his cheek,

"You're a taken man Mr Potter; I now have to impress all the other eligible wizards," I joked dramatically, leaving it as long as I could before I took a glance at James. I met his eyes briefly. He was staring at me adoringly. His eyes were sparkling as he took in my outfit, making my heart beat widely in my chest. He wore the biggest smile I'd ever seen and my heart soared knowing that it was for me. He looked stunning in his dress robes, his unkempt hair slicked back.

"Well I hope you don't find anyone at this party, I'm related to most of them and I don't think my poor heart could manage you dating someone in my family," Albus said bringing us both back to reality. We both stared at him, taking in what he was saying. "Merlin, I freaked out when you and James became friends, imagine if you were actually seeing each other." He laughed loudly before moving into the kitchen to get another drink. James and I just stood there in shock about how close Al had come to actually calling us out. I let out a nervous laugh that James reciprocated, taking it as his cue to start a conversation.

"You look so beautiful," He said quietly, loud enough for me to hear. I felt myself blush at his compliment making him smile even more.

"You don't look too bad yourself," I replied bashfully trying to move away before the conversation took a turn. He touched my hand lightly, a serious expression coming over his face.

"No Hannah. You look breathtakingly beautiful. This isn't fair." He said sadly. I looked down at where our fingers were barely touching, relishing in the contact for a second longer.

"It never has been fair," I sighed following Al, not trusting myself to be around the older Potter any longer.

The party slowly started to fill up and was in good spirits before the New Year was brought it. Rose and Scorpius turned up not long after James and I had spoken. Rose looked stunning in an emerald green dress that clashed beautifully with her hair, Scorpius look dashing in his matching dress robes. Al had invited Kate who arrived not long after everyone else looking beautiful in a blush pink dress. She smiled kindly at me when she arrived and I decided to bite the bullet and go and speak to her when she had a moment away from Al.

"Hey," She said as I approached.

"Hi, how are you?" I asked her, taking Albus' vacant seat.

"I'm okay. Did you have a good Christmas?" She asked politely making small talk.

"It was good," I offered, trying to ignore the awkwardness in our conversation. "Did you?"

"Yes, it was brilliant. Although I was quite surprised when Al decided to ask me out again," She answered honestly. I always like that about Kate, she would always say exactly what she was thinking, that's why she was a great match for Al.

"I was too, although I am beyond pleased that he came round to his senses," I replied with a smile.

"Well I thought he dumped me to be with you," She said simply, I almost choked on the mouthful of drink I had just taken. Kate rolled her eyes, not unkindly, more unbelieving. "Oh come on Hannah, don't make me out to be a fool. I knew how Al felt about you," I wasn't entirely sure how to respond. "I'm assuming those feelings weren't reciprocated." She said without malice.

"No, they weren't" I sighed. "If you knew all of this why are you back with him?" I asked curiously.

"I know what you're thinking, why would I want to be second best?" She stated. "I don't feel that way for Al, I like him a lot and I like having fun with him but I don't love him. I enjoyed being with him before and I'm a big girl I can handle being someone's rebound." She said with a shrug. I considered her for a moment, not really sure whether I bought into the cool façade she had made.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Very sure, I enjoy being with Al but I wasn't broken hearted when he broke up with me last time and I'm sure neither of us will be the next time. Don't worry; we are both on the same page." She said with a smile.

"Then I'm happy for you," I said sincerely, "I like you being around when Al's being a knob, you are the only woman he properly listens to other than his mother," She laughed and nodded.

"You're telling me," She looked at me for a moment, turning her head slightly to the side. "So you and James…Does Al knows yet?" I almost spat out my drink, coughing furiously trying not to choke. "I take that as a no," I wasn't sure whether or not to play dumb and decided that Kate would almost definitely see right through me.

"How do you know?" I asked nervously.

"I had a hunch," She shrugged sipping her drink, "Also James has been staring at you like a lost puppy all evening. It makes sense as to why you don't feel the same way about Al because you've been fucking his brother," She stated simply, I coughed loudly at her vulgar remark.

"Excuse me? That is not that case," I said feeling myself getting slightly annoyed. She winked at me with a chuckle.

"Calm down Hannah, I'm only messing. Although by that reaction, I hit the nail on the head." She smirked. I blanched wishing that the ground would swallow me whole.

"Please don't tell him," I asked softly.

"Not my business to tell," She said with a shrug, "Although, if you keep making it this obvious then he will catch on eventually,"

"I know, we are planning on telling him," I frowned.

"How did you manage to bag yourself James Potter anyway, the most eligible wizard ever," She asked curiously.

"I haven't bagged anything. We aren't together," I snapped. She looked taken aback for a second before she offered me a kind smile.

"Stop stressing Hannah, I'm sorry if I've overstepped the mark. I never intended to," She said kindly putting a hand on my arm. Just as I was about to reply, Al came bumbling over to us both throwing an arm around Kate.

"What are you two talking about?" He slurred, obviously having drunk far too much

"None of your business," I said standing up, "I'll catch up with you guys later," I said deciding that I need some air and heading out of the back door.

"Well, well, well if it isn't little Hannah Marshall," A voice said from the darkness. I squinted slightly to see the figure of a tall beautiful blonde woman walking towards me, scantily clad as usually but looking so effortlessly classy it put all the girls to shame.

"Dom," I called out, running at my old friend and throwing my arms around her.

"Hey Han," She laughed wrapping her arms around me.

"I've missed you," I said feeling like the vulnerable third year again that was in awe of her fifth year beating partner.

"I've missed you too," She said wrapping an arm around my shoulder and guiding me to the bench at the bottom of the garden. "How's Hogwarts? Sorry I haven't written to you, it has been so busy with everything happening I haven't had the time."

"It's okay," I smiled, "Hogwarts is the same old."

"What about the new Beater? Not as good as me I hope?" She smirked.

"Danny, he's great. We work well together but I still miss you loads," I said with a smile.

"Is there any boys on the scene? Albus was moaning about a boy called Jake the last time I heard from him and who's Danny?" She asked wagging her eyebrows. I sighed and shook my head.

"That bad huh?" She said with a concerned look on her face, "What happened?"

"Jake was a summer fling whilst I was working with your Dad in Egypt," I stated ignoring the look she was throwing me. "And Danny is gay so…" Dom laughed loudly.

"So what's the sigh all about? Has someone broken your heart?" She asked frowning.

"Not quite," I said biting my lip nervously, not sure whether or not to tell her everything.

"I hear Al finally told you," She said with a smile, "Rose said that you didn't feel the same way, I think Al said you were in love with someone else, is that that the sigh was for?" She questioned, shooting me a knowing look.

"Yes, it was. It's been a confusing term at Hogwarts without you being there," I said pouting my lip slightly at her. She laughed and threw her arm around my shoulders.

"I'm here now Hannah, now tell me about this guy you're in love with," She said, making herself more comfortable on the bench. "Do I know them?"

"Yes you do," I said without thinking, regretting it the moment it left my lips. I hoped she wouldn't guess but I knew she wouldn't stop until she had found out.

"Are they at this party?" was her next question.

"Merlin, yes there are." I replied shaking my head.

"It's not Scorpius is it because that would be really fucking awkward," She said with a chuckle.

"No it's not Scorpius, I don't think I like this game anymore," I said sitting back with a sigh.

"Okay, am I related to them?" She asked with a cheeky grin on her face. I didn't look at her, instead just settling for a nod and hoping she would stop there.

"Louis?" She said, almost hopeful.

"No not Louis," I said quietly.

"That would've been so great, we could've been sisters in law," She said shaking her head. Just as she was about to guess again, I saw James leave the house looking around outside. I prayed that Dom wouldn't stop him and that he wasn't looking for us.

"Jamie," She called out loudly towards her cousin, he looked over at us, "Come here and help me for a second," She said beckoning him over. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole; there was only one way this was going.

"What are you guys doing out here? It's bloody freezing," He said casting a warming charm over the three of us.

"So Hannah is apparently in love with someone at this party and she won't tell me who it is, it's someone we're related to which narrows down to nobody really," She said glancing through the window to spot her next guess. I looked at James who was seriously regretting walking over to us.

"Actually Dom," He said finally, drawing Dom's attention back on to him, "Am I okay to borrow Hannah for a moment, just need to speak to her for a second." Dom shrugged and stood up.

"Be my guest, I'm going to do some digging inside." She said walking off before stopping dead in her tracks. "You are fucking kidding me," She said turning back around and squealing like a little girl. "Hannah Marshall you little minx," She said walking over to me and tapping me on the arm.

"Dom…"James warned.

"Oh be quiet little cousin, I'll leave you two lovebirds to it. Hannah I want the gory details later," She said walking off laughing to herself loudly.

"People keep finding out," I said frustratingly. "I feel like the whole party is going to know before the end of tonight."

"I want to kiss you at midnight," James said, ignoring what I had said. I blanched at him and shook my head.

"Well if that happened then the whole bloody party would know," I scoffed.

"Hannah, I'm being serious." James sighed. "You look too beautiful and I want to kiss you so bad,"

"That can't happen and you know it, did you not hear what I said? People keep finding out." I said standing up and pacing around.

"I want to kiss you at midnight," He said again standing up and holding onto my arms, stopping me in my tracks. "I don't care who knows now, we will tell Al in two days when we are back at Hogwarts. But tonight is going to be our last chance to be together without scrutiny, without hurting anyone. I want to kiss you so badly Hannah; I want to be with you. Please, can we just pretend for once that we aren't hurting anyone, that we can just be us," He said placing his forehead on mine. I glanced nervously at the house, hoping nobody could see us. "Please Hannah," He said desperately.

"Okay," I whispered, closing my eyes and sighing deeply. "I will make my excuses and go back to my house; my family are out of town until next week," I replied opening my eyes and taking a step back. James smiled at me and nodded.

"I'll hold off for as long as I can and I'll ask Fred to cover for me, tell people I've gone to Cressida's," James said excitedly.

"I'll let Dom know, she will be able to cover for me," I sighed, placing a hand on his cheek. "I'll see you soon," I said walking back into the house trying my best to hide the guilt I was feeling. Dom was waiting for me at the door, she looped her arm into mine and pulled me into the hallway.

"What the fuck? James?" She smirked. "He would've been my last guess,"

"Please keep your voice down," I hissed, moving further up the hall as Hugo and Molly walked past us.

"I didn't think you had it in you," Dom said with a wink.

"It's a long story," I sighed leaning back on the wall.

"Have you done it?" She asked bluntly, showing me a cheeky smile. I decided not to answer.

"Hannah Marshall you absolute slut," She laughed. "I've taught you well," She added with a look of approval.

"Please Dom, keep your voice down. It's not like that, it's not just a bit of fun," I said sadly.

"Do you love him?" She asked incredulously. I closed my eyes and nodded. "Does he feel the same?" I nodded again. "Oh man, you guys are so fucked!" She said smirking.

"You're telling me," I sighed.

"Al is going to kill you," She hissed as the realisation set in. "Merlin, he will never speak to James again," She added worryingly.

"I know, we are planning on telling Al," I explained.

"What that you're together," She said bewildered.

"No we aren't together, we never have been. We are just going to tell him everything that's happened. Too many people know, he will find out eventually and I'd rather he finds out from us," I explained.

"Are you mad?" She all but shouted.

"Please be quiet," I hissed pulling her into the downstairs toilet.

"You can't tell him Hannah," She said when I shut the door.

"I have to, he will find out," I replied.

"He'll never speak to you again; you will lose him,"

"Dom, I will lose both of them," I said sadly.

"Merlin, you've had it tough." She said wrapping her arms around me.

"Can you do me a favour?" I asked finally. "I'm going to go home and James is going to join me later. Can you cover for me? Just tell them I'm ill,"

"Of course I can," She said finally being serious. "I'm here when you need me Hannah," She said grabbing my hand.

"I've missed you," I said smiling at her.

"I've missed you too," She replied wrapping me in a hug.

A/N: Thanks for reading and all the lovely reviews and follows and support. I'm so pleased so many of you are enjoying this story.

A bit of a filler chapter but I hope you enjoyed it none the less. I absolutely love writing Dom as you could probably tell. Just a heads up, you might get a whole lot of whiplash over the next few Chapters but try and stick with it, they are made up humans after all, what do you expect!

Thanks again,

Jadeannkneeky