Chapter Seventeen

Lily, James, Sirius and Remus sat in the Gryffindor common room with their books and parchment spread over a large area. The sound of quills scratching echoed through the room as the quartet worked on their homework.

"Lils, do you have-" Sirius looked up and stopped midsentence to see Lily staring across the table at a certain boy with messy black hair and glasses. Said boy did not notice that he was being stared at, but a certain jealous boyfriend did. At the sound of her name, Lily quickly diverted her attention from James and toward Sirius.

"Did you say something Sirius?"

"No, nothing," He said. Lily smiled at her boyfriend and went back to her homework. Sirius sighed in dispair. Lily had been very distant over the past few weeks. He was hoping it wasn't because of what he thought it was, but if her recent behavior was any clue, his hunch was correct.

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Sirius held Lily's gloved hand in his own as they stood down by the quidditch pitch, watching the one on one game between James and Amos Diggory.

Sirius watched Lily as she cheered James on. Her cheeks and nose were red from the cold March air and the smile on her face was absolutely radiant. She slipped her hand out of his and clapped.

"Go James!" She screamed. Just looking at her face then confirmed his fears, Lily was still in love with James and there was nothing he could do about it.

Sirius stopped Lily on their way back up to the school.

"Lily, can we talk?" He asked.

"Sure Sirius, what's up?" Sirius took a deep breath before saying what was on his mind.

"Lils, it couldn't be anymore obvious that you're madly in love with my best friend,"

"Sirius, I-"

"No Lily, don't interrupt me," He said. "I love you Lily, a lot. But you and James, you two were meant to be, and I don't want to be the one to stand in your way. James loves you so much more than I ever could. He has so much to offer that I dont. I want to break up Lily, because James is the one for you."

By this time, Lily's eyes were brimming with tears.

"Sirius, I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything, just go get your man!" Lily gave him a sad smile and planted a platonic kiss on his cheek.

"I will always love you Sirius,"

"Me too," The two friends hugged tightly before Lily ran up to the school to find James.

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Lily found James in the head common room, reading a book on broomsticks. He looked up when Lily walked in. She sat next to him on the sofa and removed the book from his hands and placed it on the coffee table. James frowned in confusion.

"Lily what-" He never finished his sentence because Lily's mouth was on his own.

"Sirius gave us his blessing," James eyebrows rose into his hair and Lily nodded to answer his unasked question. James ran his fingers through Lily's auburn locks and kissed her again.

"I love you Lily, so much, and this time I'm playing for keeps."