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 7

HOLY COW! How had I not put two and two together? I should have known. I should have figured it out. Especially when Moody revealed that he was my partner. I knew his last name seemed familiar, but I just brushed it off when I saw that he was my new partner. That stupid arse!

I knew there just had to be another reason besides the fact that it was known to everyone that Eric and I just didn't get along. And it wasn't such a coincidence that he was experienced in the medical field, even if it was unofficial. Damn it Moody. What did I do to have this happen to me? It was just my luck. I knew I'd end up paying for my outburst someway or another.

Well, thank heavens I don't have to work with him everyday. That would be a complete nightmare!

"Just wait a minute there, cowboy. How is it that you worked there and I've never seen you? Not once," I said suspiciously.

"Let's see. Maybe it's because we never worked in the same department," he remarked in a sarcastic tone.

"Which department did you work in then," I questioned, not believing a word he said.

"It varied. I worked wherever I was needed, but there were some departments I couldn't work in because I'm not officially a healer. Which one did you work in," he asked with a smirk on his face like he knew something I didn't.

"I've always worked in emergency¾"

"Well, there's the answer to your question. I wasn't allowed to work in there. That's why you never saw me," he interrupted with that smartass attitude of his.

I rolled my eyes, telling him, "Just to let you know, I didn't ask a question, smart one." This comment of mine resulted in the others from our team laughing.

He immediately narrowed his eyes at me and turned his back to me. HA! Take that you smug bastard!

"Shut up, Evans. You think you're so smart, don't you?"

Before I could respond, Sirius stepped between us, breaking up what could have been a fight.

"We should probably get to the training field now. We don't need to piss Moody off any further. You especially," Sirius said, grabbing me by the shoulders and turning me around.

I sighed, throwing my things into my desk before heading towards the door. I was about to walk through the door frame, when I saw Eric speeding my way. He tried to squeeze past me, but this only resulted in our shoulders colliding with each other and the door frame. Great. Just great. Why was he so impatient that he couldn't wait a few seconds and walk out behind me? Didn't he know that you're supposed to let the lady go first? Didn't he have any manners?

"Watch it, Evans," he said gruffly, before pushing past me. I was left there to stare after him with my jaw hung wide open.

I seriously could not believe this guy. What was his problem?

I spun around immediately when I heard snickering behind me. There was James and Sirius; the last ones to leave the room. I could see Sirius trying his best not to laugh, while James didn't even try to control his laughter. I knew he was laughing at my unfortunate luck. I glared at the two of them and began walking slowly to the lady's locker room. Taking some "me" time, I tried to cool off but was having a difficult time. James sped right past me without Sirius. I barely turned me head, when I found Sirius fall into step with me.

"Just relax. Don't think about it too much," Sirius said, trying to comfort me.

"I'm trying, but it's just so difficult. Eric acts a lot like James used to when he went to Hogwarts. The problem is, I can't tell whose worse," I admitted. Sirius just laughed in response, before we parted ways.

"Let's get moving, Evans," Moody yelled, as I walked out of the locker room. Looking up, I could see that the rest of my team was already out on the field, waiting for me. I swore under my breath and jogged over to the others.

Once I arrived, I saw Eric throw me a smug look. Again, before I could do or say anything, I was interrupted.

"Well, what are you all waiting for? Start running. I want ten laps from you all."

I took off immediately, surrounded by the rest of my team. I ran blindly around the track, thoughts building up in my head. Thinking about these last few months, especially today's events, turned my mood sour. I silently vented as I ran. I could hear nothing except my feet pounding into the ground and my breathing.

I loved to run. I felt so free, like nothing could touch me. It was a good thing that I liked running, especially for this job. We were required to be able to run for long periods.

Only one lap left, now. Jeez, those nine laps went by really fast.

"Hey, Evans," Eric yelled in my ear. I turned my head in his direction, while continuing my steady pace. I could tell he was already falling short of breath. "You up for a race or are you too busy daydreaming?"

Smirking, I yelled back, "You're on!" At once, I began running a bit faster. Eric and I ran side by side on the track, while the others lagged behind us slightly. I heard Eric laugh when I almost tripped over my own foot. Getting even more pissed off, I could see the end. I decided that I would let myself loose now. I'd really show him. As I sprinted past him, I turned my head and stuck my tongue out at him. I know, not very mature, but who cares. I sprinted away leaving Eric to eat my dust.

I walked around waiting for the others. Eric arrived shortly after, with a sour look on his face. I found it funny that I was only slightly out of breath, while he walked around gasping for air. I knew he thought he'd win that race. The others finally trailed in, laughing. That is, except for James.

"Nice job, Lily," Frank congratulated, throwing a hand on my shoulder.

Sirius walked up to Eric and quietly muttered that I used to run track when I was younger and had continued while I went to Hogwarts. He laughed, recalling that James had learned the same way as well. Eric looked to James, hoping this statement wasn't true. I laughed along with the others when James grudgingly nodded his head.

Well, I guess he's not so cocky, now is he?

I saw Moody out of the corner of my eye and knew it was time to get my butt moving. No need to piss him off any further. I took off running again, this time taking the obstacle course. The others trailed behind me once again after I mentioned that we should continue before Moody decided to chew us out. Right now, we definitely weren't his favorite group of people.

Eric and James didn't seem to like being told what to do and fell to the back of the group. They began talking like they were friends. They really seemed to get along.

But wasn't that just my luck?

I trudged out of the lady's locker room, exhausted from training. Moody hadn't been in a good mood at all, and it was shown in practice today. He didn't hold anything back.

My whole body was sore and I had a pounding headache¾I felt like I had been hit by a bus. But I felt a little better after taking a long, hot shower.

"Evans!" I flinched slightly after hearing that voice. I thought I'd be able to avoid him for the rest of the day.

"Sir," I replied wearily.

"I just spoke with Morgan Freeman and she wants to discuss some things with you in twenty minutes at St. Mungo's. So get your stuff together and you can go for the day. Let the others know they can go as well. That's all."

That was all? I thought I was in serious trouble for something, with the way he called out my name.

"Yes, sir," I said, before I left him in the corridor.

"By the way, Evans," he said quietly. I turned back around to see what he wanted. "Good job at training today."

"Thank you, Sir. See you tomorrow."

"What took you so long," Sirius interrogated me as soon as I walked back into our office.

"She's a girl, Sirius. What'd you expect? All girls take forever when it comes to getting ready," Eric laughed.

Throwing him a dirty look, I answered Sirius' question. "Nothing. Moody just stopped me and said that we could leave for the day."

"Really," Kingsley questioned. "That's odd; we never get to leave early."

I shrugged, not knowing what to say.

"Well, that's good. I have to go see somebody soon," Eric said mysteriously, while he folded a letter.

"Me too. So I'll see you guys later," I added, grabbing my bag.

"Come in," a voice rang out.

Walking in, I could see Mrs. Freeman sitting at her desk, writing in a patient's file.

"Please sit, Lily. I'll be right with you."

Doing as I was told, I sat patiently. After a few minutes, she set her quill down and closed the file. She looked up at me, smiling warmly as she entwined her hands.

"How are you, Lily?"

"I'm fine. And you," I questioned out of politeness.

"Fine, fine. Busy as ever, but I'm doing just fine. How is everything over at the Auror Department?"

"Good so far, I guess. I do miss working here."

"Well, I can say that you are definitely missed around here, but as least we still have you a couple of days a week. And I'm happy to say that Patrick is doing an excellent job of filling your place while you're away."

Hearing this, I felt a little sad because I loved being a Healer. And I loved that I was the person that everyone came to with questions. But now with this new job, I am an Auror before I'm a Healer. Granted, I am the head Healer at the Auror Department.

"Yes, I'm sure he's doing great. I'm glad I recommended him," I smiled.

"So am I. Well, as you know, I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things. But I'm afraid that unfortunately, the major topic I want to cover with you is going to have to wait because it not only involves you, but someone else as well."

This caught my interest, but I knew it was useless to even try to find out what she was talking about.

"Okay, well, what did you want to talk about in the meantime?"

"Well, as I'm sure Moody already informed you, you'll be working here on your days off from the Auror department." I nodded my head, confirming this statement. "And since you are the new Head Healer out on the field, here is some paperwork that covers the procedures you must follow."

Mrs. Freeman handed me a huge stack of papers, which I briefly skimmed over. Most of it I already knew, but just as a precaution, I was required to go over it.

"Also, on your days here, I have decided that you will be a Head Healer alongside me."

"Oh wow." I was speechless. I didn't know what else to say because I definitely had not been expecting her to say that. Well, not right now anyway. "Thank you, very much."

"Lily, you are¾" Mrs. Freeman was interrupted, when we heard a knock at the door.

"Hold on, dear," she said to me. "Come in."

I turned to face the door and immediately a scowl came upon my face. It was Eric. What on earth was he doing here? Oh, that's right. I'm talking to his mother. I could tell Eric was just as surprised to see me, sitting here with his mother, even though he knew she was my other boss.

"Oh, good. You came in time."

"In time for what," I questioned.

"Oh, he's here because he's involved in what I wanted to talk to you about," she said before turning back to Eric. "Come sit down, because I have to go in a few minutes."

Eric sat beside me and we both looked towards Mrs. Freeman.

"Moody informed me that you two are partners, so I came up with a brilliant idea. Lily, I already informed you that you'll be working here on your days off from the Auror Department, but we still need more help around here. My superiors have agreed to let me hire Eric on. All he has to do is take the test to become a certified Healer--although his level won't be nearly as high as yours, Lily."

Once again, I was completely speechless. What was I supposed to say to this?

"So, Eric once you pass this test, you'll be able to work with Lily in the Emergency department."

WHAT?! This could not be happening. This is not happening. Not to me. This means that I have to work with him everyday. And I don't think that will work. I will be driven to insanity. I looked to Eric because I just knew he had wormed his way into this. Taking the easy way in. I knew he had something to do with this¾he just had to have.

But once I saw his face, I knew I was wrong. It's not like he wanted to work with me. He looked put out. SAY SOMETHING! ANYTHING! Tell your mom you don't want to work with me.

As I sat there willing him to go against this idea, I realized he wouldn't go against his mother's wishes. No, this just will not do.

"Mrs. Freeman, how is it that he's allowed to become a certified Healer, without attending the Healing program. He should at least have to go through it, just like I had to with the Auror Department," I argued.

"Lily, like I said, we can always use more help here. Especially in the Emergency Department. And since you are partners, why not have him work with you."

I knew by the tone of her voice, that this was settled and there was no way around it. AHHHH!! DAMN Moody! He had something to do with this. He must have told Mrs. Freeman about Eric and me. Oh no. She knows that I don't like her son. This is just great.

Well, I guess I have no choice in the matter. So I grudgingly nodded my head in defeat.

"Well, that is all that I have to say. Lily, you may go. Eric I need to talk with you for a minute."

"Good bye, Mrs. Freeman. See you in a few days."

"Good bye, Lily." She smiled.

Once I closed the door to Mrs. Freeman's office, I stalked away quickly. This day was just not my day. How could so many bad things happen in just one day? I walked blindly around the corner, caught up in my thoughts.

I was suddenly knocked to the floor. Rubbing my head, all I could think was this was just one more thing I could add to my list of a bad day. The other person¾the one I ran into¾offered me a hand up. I gratefully accepted and pulled myself up.

Shaking my head, I profusely apologized to the person before bring my eyes to meet theirs. My eyes were caught in the most entrancing chocolate brown eyes.

"It's alright. You're Lily, right?"

I nodded my head, dumbly. How did he know my name? And just who was he?

"My name's Ben. Ben Carson. I work in the Auror Department as well. I'm in team three with Alice Longbottom. She was talking about you earlier."

I smiled, "Yeah, she's one of my friends." Wow. Don't I just sound like an idiot?

"So, Ben, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, I'm just waiting for Eric."

"How do you know Eric," I questioned. He laughed at my tone when I said Eric's name.

"He's my best mate and flat mate."

"Oh," I replied, not really knowing what to say.

"Hey, how'd the meeting go with your mom," Ben questioned Eric, who just showed up.

"Fine. Let's go," he said, already walking away.

"Nice meeting you, Lily. Maybe I'll see you around. Bye."

I nodded. "Bye."

What a way to end a horrible day.

A/N: So…what did you all think? I hope it was good. Just to let you all know, I sent this to my beta last week and I haven't heard from her. And I really wanted to get this chapter out, so here it is. Once my beta gets back to me, I'll re-edit it then. I hope everything's ok with her.

THANKS SO MUCH TO THOSE OF YOU WHO'VE REVIEWED MY STORY. IT MAKES ME FEEL ALL WARM AND FUZZY INSIDE. HEHE. Please review to let me know what you thought

Jenn

PS…I'm halfway done with the next chapter…so that should be coming soon!