A/N: Ta-dah! And then there were three! Also, this chapter was written a little backwards. Sorrybut (another author and my beta) wrote this chapter, whilst I edited it to my likening. Or as much as she would let me. :)

Flawless

Chapter 3: Makes Me Wonder

James walked outside, looked around, and then opened the passenger door of a car outside the house.

"Flying car, my dad invented it, the ministry liked it…"

"Your dad invented it?" Lily asked incredulously as she got into the blue car. "How'd he get the money to make it?"

"Well…he mostly used the family money. When he isn't training the new aurors he likes to tinker with cars…and this came out." James explained. He seemed uncomfortable talking about it, busying himself with the car keys.

The conversation stopped as Lily blinked. She had known that he was wealthy, people did talk, but she never realized how rich he actually was.

The car took flight, becoming invisible. They sat in silence as the car soared across London. It landed outside the Potter Mansion and the got out quietly.

"Wow." Lily muttered, looking around in awe. They were surrounded by hundreds of acres of land, green grass and gardens overflowing with flowers of every color. James smiled at her.

"You like?" He said jokingly.

Lily nodded her head, still speechless. They walked to the door which James tapped gently six times, and then it swung open. The foyer was breathtaking, but Lily was more focused on the throbbing pain in her hip, rather than the furniture.

James led her into a small sitting room.

"I'll be right back." He pressed a kiss into her forehead and went to find his mum.

Kate Potter was in the kitchen, cleaning up the mess that her son had made the night before. She smiled at him as he entered the room.

"Remind me never to let you bake a cake again, love of your life or not."

"Yeah, speaking of her…" James shuffled his feet, looking down. "She's here actually. She's pretty beat up, and I was wondering if…"

Kate looked up, young girls with bruises was never a good thing. She frowned, putting down her wand.

"James Potter, what exactly is going on?" She asked firmly.

"Mum…I promised…"

"If it was bad enough to bring her here it's clearly a real problem."

James ran a hand through his hair, not wanting to betray Lily's trust.

"Look, she's in the siting room in the north wing, ask her yourself."

Kate sighed, it was clear that the girl was in some kind of trouble, and if she was even half as stubborn as her son…

------::::-----::::------

Lily looked up as Mrs. Potter walked into the room. Bracing herself for a possible interrogation, she stood up, brushing the un-seen dust from her pants.

"Hi," She started in a small voice. "Erm, I'm-"

"Lily, I know dear. I'm Kate, James' mum." Lily smiled, feeling more comfortable with this woman than she was with her own mother. "Let's see those bruises then?"

She first healed the one on Lily's hip, causing a warm sensation to spread throughout her.

"Is that better dear?" Kate asked, looking at Lily as though she was searching for answers. Nodding slightly, Lily smiled, muttering a thank you. "Are there any more?" Mrs. Potter continued warmly, her eyes still questioning.

Lily paused, feeling her face grow warm.

"Yeah, there are some on my arms and…"

"Are you going to tell me who did this to you dear?" Kate said unexpectedly, catching Lily off guard.

"Please…" Lily begged her not to press. Kate nodded, her expression kind but worried.

Allowing the kindly Healer to mend the rest of the bruises, Lily slipped off her shirt and pants so that the smaller bumps on her arms, legs, and stomach could be healed. It would have been awkward with anyone else, even her own mum (if she even would be willing to help), but Mrs. Potter was like a doctor, so Lily didn't feel overwhelmed with self consciousness.

When James' mum was done fixing her scratches, Lily put her clothing back on and watched Kate leave.

She's so kind, how can Potter be her son? Lily thought to herself as silent tears ran down her pale cheeks. Of course James could be her son, he found me didn't he? I was wrong about him, so wrong, wrong, and wrong. Lily felt like banging her head against a hard wall.

Preferably one that was somewhere far from there.

Potter's nice mum could fix it for me anyways. She thought bitterly as a sob racked her chest. My mum isn't even home. Not for my birthday, not for anything. And even if she had been home last night she wouldn't have helped me. Lily let out a strangled sigh, trying to re-cooperate. I should go anyhow; this was a bad idea, letting James take me here. I've intruded on their happy little lives enough for one day. They've done too much already. Lily looked up long enough to see James leaning against the doorway looking vexed.

He crossed to her and sat down, taking her into his arms. He sighed and leaned over, speaking quietly into her hair.

"Mum is serving the cake in the garden," He paused to smooth some hair behind her ear, "If you feel up to eating then we'd love to have you."

"But you've done enough James…and…" Lily's perplexed expression matched James'. "Why are you acting like this…I mean...and you're so arrogant at school…but…" she started to tear up yet again, cursing herself for appearing so weak.

"I suppose I can be a bit immature can't I?" James said with a chuckle, holding her closer.

"Yeah," Lily said quietly looking down. "You just make me feel so stupid sometimes James, like I can't ever be right. Brandon didn't want to think about our future, he never thought that we would stay together forever."

James' face soured at the mention of the vermin. "He just wanted me, didn't want to follow me around, never convinced me that we were destined to be married. But you…you just couldn't make it easy for me," Her voice hardened. "Annoying the girl you have a crush on is a very seven-year-old way of showing affection." She got up swiftly, crossing her arms.

"Well that's good, back at your house we were five. I'd say that two years is definite progress."

Lily's face steadily began to clash her hair.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about James! How in the hell am I supposed to respond to that?"

"You're right James!" He mimicked in a high-pitched voice. "A five year old wouldn't have gotten help for me, thank you so much!" James finished with a firm stare, shaking his head, which was much closer than it had been moments before.

"Yes, thank you James, for pretending to be kind so you can get close to me, only to revert back to being an arse-" Lily's speech was cut short when she noticed his mouth nearing hers for the second time in the hour. "-hole," she said faintly before closing her eyes and leaning into meet him in yet another searing kiss.

Her fingers were quickly lost in his hair, as his found their way to her back, holding her tightly without any mind of ever letting her go. Lily wrapped her arms around his neck, sure that her knees would give out any moment.

It was only a matter of time before she found herself so wrapped up in him that she couldn't let go, but right now she did not want to think about that. James' grip on her became tighter as he felt his blood boil. Kissing her harder, he probed her lips apart with his tongue, never wanting the warm feeling of holding her to leave him. Lily let him explore her mouth as he lifted her off the floor.

Lily could not breathe, she could not think, she was fading into him slowly. Do you want to do this? She rationed with herself. Do you want to let go of Brandon completely? Do you want to give your heart out again? To him? The boy who you've hated for five years of your life?

Lily pulled away suddenly, blushing furiously.

"Are we going to end up kissing every time we argue?" she asked quietly, a questioning look on her face.

"It's better than what you used to do to me by far."

Lily blushed again, thinking f the countless times she had slapped him. They were silent for a moment while they both tried to resist an urge to kiss again.

"I suppose we should go eat the cake then. It'll give me a chance to thank your mum again. She's loads better than mine."

He saw the troubled look on her face when she mentioned her mother, but not wanting to ruin the pleasant atmosphere merely smiled.

"I must confess though love," James said smugly, taking one of Lily's hands in his. "I'm not the greatest cook."

A/N: Right then duckies, there it is, the third chappy.

It was going to be much much longer, but I decided against it…if you think that it's too small, please tell me so!

Also, I think that its time for me to thank some people…

SweetSouthernGal- You are my most supportive reviewer and I really really really appreciate your comments! Please continue to tell me when I make mistakes, some things go unnoticed and it's nice to have someone recognize them!

JohnMayer1207- Thanks so so so much for your comments…they make me all warm and fuzzy inside!

cosmopolitan- Tankas tankas girly, glad to know that I have some people wanting to read my fic!

DarthRoden aka Carl- Alright, you've got a deal! I'll check out your fics right now…if you reiveeeeeeiiiiwww…:)

BrazilianPrincess- I know…who doesn't love James…sigh…Anywhoos, thanks for the review!

iron woman- nice name…lol! Thank you very very very mucho for the comments!

mysteriousblacksmith- hmmm…yes…well….I love you anyways…thanks for the review Terr dahling!

And also, to the peeps who didn't review…and yet put me on their faves/alerts-

Thank you thank you thank you guys! (And when I say guys I mean Nekome Zryiahpotterpatroljamesgirl98, and xXljrulz-mooneyXx

If you reviewed you would make my day, really…so…erm…think about it?

Yeah?

Please?

And last but certainly not least…sorrybut!

She wrote most of this people!

Bet you didn't know that (despite the fact that I already said it…)!

Of course, I changed it up a bit, but here's your chappy Sophie!

Be happy!!

Thanks to everyone, honestly, you made me feel so much better with your reviews!!

I love you all individually,

Lexy