Secretly

Lily Evans and James Potter have been best friends since their first year at Hogwarts. What happens when Lily discovers the one thing that has the potential to ruin their friendship? (Starts mid 6th year.)

Disclaimer: No. Not mine. Not even a little bit. Not even the tiniest smidgen. Nope, not even that. Sigh.

Chapter Eight: Confessions

That Friday, at the prefect's meeting, Lily was still somewhat uncomfortable around James, who was still head over feet for Sarah Sills. For the first time, Lily found herself unable to concentrate on what Laurel and Cullen were saying.

"Lily! Snap out of it!" James hissed, drawing Lily out of her thoughts.

'Well, I'm surprised he's able to pay any attention. For once he's not thinking about Sarah,' Lily thought hypocritically.

"Er, Laurel?" James began, "Just a quick question. Is this going to be a couples' event? Do we have dates for the ball?"

"It's optional, but yes, James, you may bring a date," Laure patiently answered James.

'Guess I was wrong,' Lily thought.

When Laurel finally adjourned the meeting, satisfied that she had covered everything on the agenda, Lily was eager to get out. She was the first out the door, and had the misfortune to run right into Sarah Sills, who was waiting outside the door for James. Without so much as an apology, Lily picked herself up and dashed off, leaving Sarah on the floor, stunned. Just before she was out of earshot, Lily heard James' excited greeting for Sarah, the one that used to be reserved only for Lily.

After a week of running into Hogwarts' latest couple round every corner, Lily was finally getting used to it. She was also getting used to hiding her true thoughts from everybody, especially James.

It was a boring Thursday night, and Lily freed herself from thoughts of James for the time being by curling up into her armchair and working on a Potions essay. Sirius and Bella were sitting on a plush red sofa, and James was stretched out across from the couple on a loveseat that didn't seem big enough for him, most likely thinking of his own significant other.

Sirius looked around. Everyone else was otherwise occupied. He then turned to Bella. "Belle," he whined. "Belle, I'm bored again. Let's go do something."

"What on earth are we going to do on a Thursday night when it's too late to leave the common room?" Bella sighed. "You've already given up on chess, gobstones, and even homework."

"But you were beating my arse. It was terrible. I can't be beat by my girlfriend and still be expected to maintain interest in something."

"How could you say anyone beat you at homework?" Bella looked at Sirius blankly.

"Lily can. She's super-girl. She should wear a pink cape."

"I can't," Lily chimed in. "It would clash with my hair."

"I'm sorry Miss Fashionista. I wasn't aware you were listening," Sirius told her.

"Well, it doesn't matter now Siri. Super-girl is hanging up her pink cape and going to sleep. I've just finished my Potions essay and I'm exhausted. Night all."

Remus looked up from his reading. "Goodnight Lily," he said kindly.

"We'll join you after this game, Lily," Vita spoke for herself and Laci.

"Night Lily," James said, momentarily out of his daydream.

"Nighty night super-girl!" Sirius called, to which Lily rolled her eyes.

"Thank God I'm leaving," she joked, and made her way to the stairs.

"Bella, I'm still bored!" Sirius cried.

"Oh for Heaven's sake Siri, go to bed then!" Bella shouted in exasperation. Sirius looked at her, shocked by her yelling, and Bella burst into giggles. "But really, Siri, go to sleep. I'm going now." She kissed him lightly on the lips. "You coming, Vi? Lace?"

"Yup, all done," Laci said, hopping out of her chair. She and Vita accompanied Bella to their room.

"I'm turning in also," Remus said, getting up to go upstairs.

"I'll just see if I can snap old Jimsy here out of his trance. Nigh Remus," Sirius offered as Remus joined Peter in the dorm.

"Oy, Jimmy boy!" Sirius yelled into James' face. James jumped up. "What's gotten into you, mate? You don't even pay attention to your best friend anymore," Sirius said, gesturing toward Lily's room.

"Sure I do," James argued. "I'm just a bit caught up with Sarah is all. Lily understands. She's fine with it, else she would have said something."

"You sure about that?" Sirius questioned.

"What are you now, Mr. Perceptive?" James asked, getting a bit defensive.

"A lot more than you are lately. But forget I said anything. I'm off to bed." Sirius walked out, making up his mind to have a discussion with Lily about James as soon as he could.

True to his word, Sirius went down to the common room early the next morning, hoping to catch Lily before she went down to breakfast. He was greeted by the sight of James, still sprawled out on the too-small loveseat.

Waking James up, Sirius told him to go get some breakfast. Just as James exited through the portrait hole, Lily and Bella came into the common rom.

"Hey love," Sirius greeted Bella. "I want to talk with Lilikins for a bit, so I'll meet you at breakfast."

"Okay," Bella complied, a bit puzzled. She looked in askance at Lily, who also seemed lost. "See you, then."

As the last of the stragglers cleared the common room, Sirius asked, "Lily, what's been going on with you lately? You aren't yourself, and even I've noticed something's not right."

"I'm fine, Sirius," Lily protested. "Really, let's just go to breakfast."

"Lils…" Lily shivered at the name James used to call her. "Sorry. Lily, please, you need to talk to someone, and as a pretty sensitive guy, and James' other best friend, I think I'm a pretty good candidate," Sirius stated.

"Well…"

"Here, sit with me," Sirius offered, motioning a sofa. "So what's going on?" Sirius tried again.

Lily found herself sitting with her back resting on the end of the sofa and opening up to Sirius. "I just feel like I'm losing my best friend. We've barely talked for days now. The only times I ever see James, he's with Sarah, and not even the Minister of Magic could get his attention then."

Sirius nodded sympathetically. "I know what you mean. But it's something more, Lily, I can see it in your eyes. What else is bothering you?"

On the way to breakfast, James suddenly realized that he had forgotten his book for Transfiguration. Knowing Professor McGonagall would kill him if he was late or without his book, he headed back to his dormitory to get it. That way he would be able to walk with Sarah to her Divination lesson after breakfast.

"Ripplesplosh," he said to the Fat Lady. As the portrait hole opened, he heard two familiar voices. James hung back for a moment.

"In or out?" the Fat Lady asked irritably.

"Hold on," James hissed, listening intently to the conversation inside the common room.

"I just don't know what to think," he heard Lily say. "I know I miss James being there and being my best friend, but it's more than that. I'm… jealous of Sarah," Lily said in a considerably softer voice. "I think… Siri, I'm in love with James."

James was shocked, and backing away from the portrait hole, he leaned against a wall. "Finally," huffed the Fat Lady. She eyed James. "Well, what's gotten into you?" she asked.

Inside the common room, Lily was also shocked by her words. "Oh, Sirius… I… I don't know where that came from. I… You mustn't let on that you know that. I couldn't face James if he knew. I don't know…" Lily stammered.

"Relax Lilikins, your secret's safe with me, I promise you," Sirius told her honestly. "Come on now, let's get you some breakfast, okay?"

Lily nodded in agreement, and the pair made their way to the portrait and down to the Great Hall.

James hung back against the wall, still processing his thoughts. 'No secrets,' he though ironically.

Oooh... intense. Look for more updates soon... And Happy Birthday to me! Do you like my present for you? Pleeeeeeease review!