Disclaimer: JKR owns all characters, plots, etc. that you recognize.

Summary: It seems love just isn't what's in store for Lily Evans and James Potter. After two years in a relationship, they couldn't see why they were still together. Now they try to convince themselves and everyone around them that breaking up really was for the best, even though deep down they are heartbroken. They struggle to find some sort of happiness, sort through confusion, and end up realizing that they were meant for each other. Then all they have to do is put aside their pride and tell each other the truth. Eventually LJ! R&R Please!

Chapter 5

The four of us walked in to find an extremely crowded Leaky Cauldron. I coughed slightly due to how smoky the building was. My eyes squinted, trying to adjust to the sudden lack of light. Even with all the windows throughout the large pub and diner, it was extremely dark.

The waitress led us to a small booth in the back corner. From where I sat I could see the door that led to Diagon Alley. We squeezed into the small booth, Sirius sitting next to me. James sat directly across from me with Jenn sitting beside him.

Before I had time to register what was going on, the waitress took our orders and brought out our drinks. I was in my own little world, while Jenn and Sirius were talking about work; with James adding his own comments now and then.

I smiled to myself when I saw James fiddling with his straw while he talked. I had always thought he was funny, having to mess with something in his hands while he talked. It was sort of like a nervous tick.

Smiling once more, I looked out at the crowded pub and diner. I had never seen this place so crowded. It was a little weird, I had to admit. Then again, I never came here during lunch.

"Lily," Sirius nudged me, startling me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? What, Sirius," I questioned, looking at him.

"I asked you how your back was. Did you get it healed properly?"

"What?! What happened to you back, Lily," Jenn questioned before I could respond to Sirius' question.

"Jenn, relax. Just breathe. I'm fine. Besides, it was nothing. I was just at training yesterday with Moody and I got hit with a spell in the back that left a gash. It's completely healed now."

"OK. Sorry, but I can't believe you didn't tell me and you told them," Jenn replied.

"They only knew because I ran into them and James healed it so it would stop bleeding."

"Oh, well I still can't believe you didn't tell me earlier," Jenn said, as the waitress arrived with our food.

"I can't wait to finish the Academy. It's so weird though that they've let me do it in a month," I said excitedly.

"Yeah. Aren't you just special," James muttered sarcastically under his breath. I chose to ignore his comment--it just wasn't worth it.

"So how long until you finish," Sirius questioned before taking a bite of his food.

"Less than two weeks," I grinned proudly, as a blonde girl approached our table.

"James? Is that you," the blonde asked.

"Yeah," hesitated James.

"It's me, Stacy," the blonde said after a minute of awkward silence.

James pondered this for a moment, before a look of realization appeared on his face.

"Oh. Hey. How are you," James asked cautiously.

Jenn and I looked on in interest.

"Great. I'm with some friends right now. We were just leaving when I thought I saw you. So here I am. You know, I had just been thinking about you and how much fun we had the other night. It's funny how we just ran into each other," she laughed.

Suddenly I felt my stomach drop and I became breathless. He had been out the other night? With her? Has he already moved on? I took my eyes off the blonde and peaked at James. I could tell he was avoiding my gaze.

"Yeah," he laughed, uncomfortably.

She looked expectantly at James, waiting for him to introduce us to her.

James cleared his throat, "This is Jenn and Lily. They went to school with me. And you've already met Sirius."

"Hi. Nice to meet you," she smiled, shaking Jenn's hand, then mine. "It's nice to see you again Sirius."

"Yeah, you too," Sirius said. I could feel him looking at me. My eyes dropped down to my hands, which were now resting in my lap.

"Well, I've got to be going now. My friends are getting impatient. But call me soon. We have to get together again soon," Stacy winked.

"Sure," James said as Stacy walked away.

The table turned silent for a few moments before I quietly stated that I needed to use the restroom. Sirius scooted out of the small booth to let me pass by him.

"Want me to go with you," Jenn asked.

"No, that's ok. I'll be right back," I responded, before walking off.

James' P.O.V.

Jenn turned and glared at me as soon as Lily was out of sight.

"What the hell was that James," Jenn interrogated.

"Nothing," I muttered.

"Nothing? That was not nothing. Tell me what happened and how you met that girl," Jenn said forcefully.

"Sirius and I went out to a pub with Frank Longbottom and some of the other guys from work. And we got a little drunk. Sirius stepped out for a smoke when she came up to me and started flirting. It was just harmless flirting. We just fooled around a little. But Sirius and I left. I passed out as soon as we got home," I said, defensibly.

Jenn turned to Sirius, who nodded in confirmation.

Back to Lily's P.O.V.

I calmly walked to the restroom. Once inside, I made sure there was no one inside before locking the door. I placed a silencing charm on the walls of the restroom. I then let out a cry of frustration.

Why? I mean I knew eventually he'd start dating again, but I didn't think it'd be this soon. I walked over to the sink and grasped the side forcefully. I let out another frustrated cry, leaning over the sink for support. I focused on deep, calm breaths so I couldn't break down crying.

After taking a few deep breaths, I stood back up and stared at myself in the mirror. I hated the situation I was in. I should just not have come to lunch with them. Shaking my head, I splashed some water on my face, took off the silencing charm, and unlocked the door.

Arriving back at the table, Sirius stood back up and let me slide in. The rest of lunch was quiet for our table.

"Lily, are you okay," Jenn asked, hesitantly.

I tried to smile as I looked up at her. I knew that I had a painful look on my face, but I replied that I was fine.

After that, the four of us left silently and headed back to the Aurors' Department. I walked briskly in front of the group while Jenn followed a few feet behind me. Right behind her, James and Sirius trudged along.

"See you guys later," I mumbled quietly.

I wasn't breathing properly as I ran. I had too many thoughts racing through my mind. The events from lunch replayed in my head as I jumped the hurtles on the track. I was too upset to pay attention.

Moody continuously shot spells and hexes in my direction which I failed to block and dodge. I would fall and I would get back up every time. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't hear Moody yelling at me to stop. I continued to run, to finish.

Once at the finish, I walked distractedly over to Moody.

"Evans. Go home," Moody yelled in my ear.

Jumping, I told him I still had two hours left. He just told me he didn't care how long I had left of training. It wouldn't matter much if I was focused on the obstacle course. As much as I fought with him, he still ended up winning. Turning away, I headed over to the locker room.

"What's the matter, Evans? This all too much for you? Did you just realize that you're not good enough to be in the Academy," one of the arrogant guys from the Academy taunted.

Now, normally, I would have just kept walking. But today just wasn't the day to mess with me. I was upset because of lunch, then Moody sending me home, and now this. Clenching my fists, I turned in their direction and stormed over.

"What'd you say," I questioned, letting out a low growl in his face.

"You heard what I said Evans. You're too weak to be in the Academy. What's so special about you? You act like you're better than everyone else. But you're not. You're just some pathetic, little girl who doesn't belong here," he said, pushing my buttons.

And so I jumped up in his face and shoved him backwards. All the guys, including the one I shoved, looked at me with stunned expressions on their faces. Before an actual fight could have begun, Moody walked over, grabbing me by the scruff of my neck (actually it was the back of my shirt). As he began pulling me away, I shot a look that could kill at my antagonist.

I looked up at Moody once we stopped outside the ladies' locker room.

"This is the reason I'm sending you home early. You obviously can't be here today. Whatever is affecting your mood and training needs to be dealt with before you come back here tomorrow. Understand," he questioned.

I nodded my head in response and turned, heading into the locker room.

The rest of my days at the Academy ran smoothly. I excelled in both the academic and physical training. I was continuously pushing myself to do better. I had not seen nor talked to any of my friends or James.

Today had been my final day of training. A few days ago, I had talked Moody into letting me not attend the graduation ceremony and he grudgingly agreed. After receiving my Auror license, I was dismissed to leave.

Before I left, Moody congratulated me once more and informed me that tomorrow I would need to come in to find out who was going to be my assigned partner. I would also find out my schedule for working in the Auror Department.

Yes! I made it!