Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

surf all day and do the hula: I know some bits don't make sense with the books, which is why I wrote AU in the summary
Chapter 15: No right

Lily's POV

I could hear people running after me.

'Probably Miranda and Megan,' I thought. I was so sick of them. I mean, what had happened had happened two years ago. Couldn't they let it go?

As they got closer, I sped up. I turned down hallway after hallway trying to lose my followers. Finally, I hid myself in a broom closet and listened until I heard their footsteps die away.

I waited for about five minutes, getting myself together. Then I opened the door of the closet and stepped out.

I walked towards Gryffindor Tower making sure I wasn't seen by Miranda or Megan. I was about to turn the corner which would bring me to the Fat Lady's portrait when I heard whimpering.

"Please, don't hurt me," said a girl's voice.

"Shut up, Mudblood. You're going to have to pay the price," growled another voice.

"F-for what?"

"For being a Mudblood!"

"No, don't! Please!"

"What are you gonna do, huh, Mudblood?"

"A-anything, just don't hurt me!"

"Get off her!" I shouted, rounding the corner, at the same time as a boy from Ravenclaw did, who I knew was called Ricky Peters.

A Gryffindor girl, probably a second year (a first year would have been accompanied by someone) was cornered by two seventh year Slytherins.

"Another Mudblood," growled one of the Slytherins, both of them pulling out their wands. Ricky and I also pulled out our wands.

"Don't call her that!" said Ricky. I was startled. Ricky and I didn't really know each other. Why should he be standing up for me when he could get hurt because of it?

The Slytherins turned around to look at him.

"What is either of you going to do about it, huh?"

"For threatening her," I said, gesturing at the girl, "and calling her a mudblood, you're both going to have detentions." Being a prefect I was allowed to give out detentions.

"And for calling Lily a mudblood you get another detention," said Ricky. He was a Ravenclaw prefect. I gave him a small smile.

The Slytherins glared at the girl for a second before walking away, grumbling.

"Thanks," said the girl gratefully.

"You'd think they'd matured enough not to do that anymore," said Ricky, shaking his head as the girl scampered off.

"I know. Thanks for helping me out," I said.

"No problem."

There was a bit of an awkward silence until Ricky spoke again.

"We better get to the Great Hall. The feast is going to be over soon and we have to take the first years to their dormitories," he said.

"Oh yeah," I said. "Let's go."

He offered me his arm. I laughed and took it as we made our way to the Great Hall.

"Hey, Lil," said James as I sat back down beside him. "You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry. I just couldn't hold it in anymore," I answered, putting sweet potatoes onto my plate.

"I know, it was getting annoying. Want some chicken?" he asked, handing it over. I smiled. After the original Marauders had broken up, James had always seemed arrogant and self centered to me. Now that I had gotten to know him, though, he was nice and sweet.

"Thanks," I said as I took a piece. James put the plate back to its original place as Tina came over.

"Lily!" she said. "That was…well, I bet it'll have a huge impact on Miranda and Megan's relationship."

"I know," I said. "They're probably still looking for me."

"Serves them right," she said and sat down. I laughed slightly.

"So…they're really both in love with me?" Sirius asked. I grinned.

"Miranda's always been in love with you. They were fighting about you the day you broke up with Megan," I said.

"Well that was because she said she would show Miranda that she was good enough for James," Sirius replied.

"Yeah, but hopefully they'll change it all now," said Remus. Everyone nodded as Dumbledore stood up and the Hall quieted.

"I hope you all enjoyed the meal," he said. There were cheers all around. "Good, good. Now it's time for dessert!" He clapped his hands and the food vanished to be replaced with chocolate cake, cheesecake, carrot cake, ice cream, candied apples, and many other delicious items.

The chatter rose back up and students and teachers piled all sorts of sweets onto their freshly cleaned plates.

"So, Jamesie, when's the first Quidditch practice?" asked Sirius, spitting food everywhere.

"Ugh," groaned Laura, wiping food off her face. Laura was Sirius' girlfriend, and she had decided to join us instead of sitting with her House (Hufflepuff) friends. "Sirius, that's disgusting. I'm leaving." She got up to leave, clearly expecting Sirius to clean himself up and ask her to stay. Instead he took a huge piece of his cheesecake, stuffed it in his mouth, and started to speak again.

"Ok, bye, babe," he said and turned back to James. Laura stomped her foot and stormed off.

"Why do you hang out with her?" asked Tina, wiping cake from her own forehead.

"She's the only girl I haven't dated from Hufflepuff yet. The way I see it is I won't have to put up with her too much since she's in Hufflepuff, and I keep my reputation," Sirius explained.

"That's horrible," I said. "But so is she. If you ever do that to me or one of my friends, though, you're going to regret it, Black."

"Don't worry, Lils, I wouldn't dream of it," said Sirius sweetly. I rolled my eyes and finished eating.

"Last, but not least, I would like to remind you all that there is an updated list of banned items outside of Mr. Dintrum's office. They now include most items found in Zonko's" said Dumbledore, which caused a loud groan. The Marauders, however, just continued drinking their tea, unfazed. When had they abided by the rules?

"Now, I'm sure you are all ready to go to bed. Off you go!"

Everyone started getting up to leave.

"First year Gryffindors, this way!" Remus and I shouted above the crowd.

"Look at you two," said James, wiping away a fake tear. "So grown up. Already screeching at the poor first years!" He let out a laugh as I playfully pushed him away. "See you!" he called and was swept away by the crowd.

Once all the first year Gryffindors were crowded around Remus and me, we got ready to leave.

"Lily!" shouted Miranda and Megan, bursting in. "We've looked for you everywhere!"

"Sorry, can't talk now," I said cheerfully and left the Great Hall.

"This is the shortest route to the Gryffindor common room," said Remus. "Try and remember it, and please, keep up!" He let out a large yawn as he waited for a couple of straggling kids.

I led them up the stairs and down hallways. Finally, after what seemed like forever, we reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Password?"

"Sugar plums," I answered. The portrait swung open and I led the first years inside. They let out gasps and ooh's and aah's. The fire was warm and inviting, and James, Sirius, and Tina were already sitting in front of it. James and Sirius turned to smirk at me and Remus.

"Boys' dormitories are the left staircase, second door up. Girls' are the right staircase, also second door up," I said, wearily.

"And boys, don't try to go up the girls' staircase. Unless you like slides," said Remus. The first years stood, blinking at him. "Uh…good night?" They scampered off.

Remus shook his head as we made our way over to our friends.

"Haha, Moony, so powerful," said Sirius.

"How does it feel to be able to control innocent eleven year olds?" asked James holding a pretend microphone in front of Remus. Remus pushed his hand away.

"Where's Peter?"

"Went to bed already," answered Tina.

"Oh," said Remus. "I'm gonna go too. 'Night."

"Good night," everyone else chorused.

"I think I'll join him," said Sirius, getting up.

"Padfoot, I thought you didn't swing that way," said James, pretending to be shocked. Sirius hit him playfully and left.

"I'm tired. See you guys," said Tina and went up to bed.

"So," said James, sitting next to me and putting his arm around my shoulders. "Enjoy the feast?"

"Yeah, it was good for the most part," I answered.

"For the most part, of course," said James.

"Yeah," I said quietly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just…I wish it was like it was before. Like it was before third year," I said. James looked into my eyes.

"I can help with that," he said. He leaned forward. My eyes closed involuntarily as our lips met. I didn't want to get into anything with James, but I subconsciously kissed him back. He started kissing me more passionately, but I broke away.

"Too fast?" he asked.

"Too fast," I said. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's ok," said James.

We broke apart as the portrait swung open. Miranda and Megan walked in.

"Lily, we need to talk to you," said Megan.

"I better go," said James, getting up. "See you later, Lils."

"Bye," I said. He left and Miranda and Megan took his place.

"Lily, we are so, so sorry. We didn't even realize what we were doing. We talked about it and it really was stupid, hating each other over something so small. Please forgive us," said Miranda. I thought about it. I guess it was time.

"I know, you guys. Everyone gets out of control sometimes. It's ok. Just talk it over next time, in a different way," I said. We all grinned and they nodded. I leaned forward and hugged Miranda, then Megan.

"Friends again?" Miranda asked Megan and I.

"Friends," we replied.

The next morning, the three of us met up with the Marauders and walked down to breakfast.

I ate some toast and eggs and then headed to class. During Herbology, Ricky asked me to meet him after dinner, outside.

So, after everyone left, I went outside to wait. As it turned out, he was already there.

"Hey, Ricky," I said, shivering slightly. "What's up?"

"Hey, Lily," he said. "I just wanted to ask you something."

"Shoot," I said.

"Well, I know we haven't really talked a lot, but I really like you. I was just wondering…will you go out with me?"

I was startled. I hadn't expected this. I was about to say yes when I remember about James. We hadn't made it official, so he wouldn't really have the right to get mad at me, right? I had feelings for him, but was also developing some for Ricky. Would that be stringing Ricky on? No, because I had feelings for him too. I realized he was still waiting for an answer.

"Yes," I said quickly.

"Great!" said Ricky, smiling. I gave him a hug.

"I have to go, though. Homework," I said. "Sorry."

"Oh, it's okay; I have a lot of homework too. I'll see you later," he said and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Night, Ricky," I said and left.

I burst into the common room, looking for my friends.

"Miranda, Megan, Tina, guess what?"

"What?" they asked.

"Ricky asked me out!"

"Who?" asked Miranda. I sighed, impatiently.

"Ricky Peters, from Ravenclaw."

"Ooh! What'd you say?" asked Megan.

"I said yes!"

There was a strange sound from a corner near us. I looked over to see James staring at me.

"Um, can I talk to you?" he asked and dragged me to a deserted area of the common room.

"Yeah?" I asked nervously.

"You said yes? How could you say yes?"

"Well, it's not like we ever said we were going out," I said.

"You and Ricky?"

"No, you and me!"

"But everything that happened…!"

"Still! I had the right to say yes!"

"So you have no feelings for me?"

"W –well –"

"Or am I just someone to fall back on?"

"No!"

"B – But you can't go out with him!"

"Why not?" I asked, raising my voice.

"He's no good for you!"

"And who is? You?"

"Well…yes," said James.

I rolled my eyes slightly, but I knew he was right. About him being good enough for me, not about Ricky not being good enough.

"Why is he not good enough for me?" I asked.

"He'll cheat on you!"

"He will!" shouted Sirius from the other side of the room.

"What makes you think that?" I asked, glaring. "You don't even know him!"

"Know him? I don't even know him? We were close friends until my girlfriend cheated on me with him! He knew she was my girlfriend, Lily," said James.

"Also, he cheated on 99 of his other girlfriends!" added Sirius.

"He won't do it to me, though!" I said, although I was starting to feel a little unsure.

"Why not? What makes you different?" said James.

"I…I just am!"

James was silent for a moment.

"Whatever, Lily. I can't believe you would do this to me," he said and left the common room angrily.

The following day, Ricky met me at the main staircase to take me to lunch. I hadn't seen the Marauders all day.

"So, how has your day been going?" asked Ricky as we ate together.

"It's been okay. Kind of tiring, to be honest," I answered. "You?"

"Same." There was an awkward silence. I found myself thinking about how I never had awkward silences with James, but soon those thoughts were gone.

"I guess it's time to go," said Ricky as the food vanished.

"Yeah, I guess," I said and we walked out of the Hall. Outside the doors, Ricky stopped me.

"I'll see you at dinner, tonight," he said. He leaned in and closed his eyes. I closed mine as he pulled me into a kiss. His lips were strong and firm, which surprised me after James' soft and gentle ones.

James.

Ricky's lips were now where James' lips were two nights ago. Where I was starting to think they belonged, and no one else's did.

'No,' I thought. 'I'm not going to break up with Ricky and prove James right. He had no right to say those things.'

I should have ended it with Ricky right then, before it really started. I should have taken the time to think about James enough to realize that I was wrong. I led him on, making him think we had something special, and then turned around and gone out with someone else.

It was I who had no right.