Authors Note: Sorry, I'm a slow updater! But here's the new chapter. Finally. :) I'd like to thank I am Siriusly loving Snape, KaceyO, 22potterfan, Weasley-and-Proud, Harry Potter Rules, and The Sky's the Limit for their reviews! They make me so happy! You guys are amazing!

Chapter Four: The Fire Jewel

"Lily I'm sorry that your mom died and that's horrible, I wish there was something I could do to help but your whole 'not talking thing' is going too far. It's not like emotional pain just steals away your voice. Just talk! This is getting kind of stupid!" Mary scowled.

Carter frowned at her. "Mary!"

"What?" she mumbled. "It's the truth!"

"That wasn't very nice McDonald," a deep voice scolded from right behind me.

A large, warm hand rested on my shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze. I looked up into the face of Sirius Black and stared in shock. He winked at me before turning his stern gaze back to Mary. Her eyes were bugging out in disbelief that Sirius was standing up for me against her when she was usually the one protecting me from his stupid pranks.

"Apologize to Lily," Sirius ordered as Mary and I continued to gape at him.

Carter looked strangely unsurprised. "He's right Mary that was really mean."

Mary sighed, staring at the ground. "Sorry Lily. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings."

I tried to smile at her but it felt strained. Sirius seemed to notice. He gave my shoulder another squeeze. "You two won't mind if I borrow Lily will you?"

Carter raised her eyebrows. "Go ahead." Mary just sulked silently.

I got to my feet feeling confused. Why would Sirius Black want to 'borrow' me? With a dashing but slightly mischievous smile he took my hand and pulled me toward the boys' dormitories.

I tried to pull away at once. Did he really think I'd follow him up there? I wasn't stupid. Sirius smirked at me like he knew what I was thinking. "Look, I'm not going to try anything on you, James would murder me. James has a present for you and he asked me to find you for him. I'm an amazing friend so I did."

I rolled my eyes. So James was up there. Now I really didn't want to go up there. Then again… something told me that he wouldn't try anything on me either. Maybe it had something to do with what had happened last week when he'd danced with me in the rain and said all the right things to make me feel better.

"James understands, at least partially, what you're going through. He lost his mom last year," Sirius told me suddenly, his eyes distant with sadness.

He understands. James understands my agony. With that thought I hesitantly reached for Sirius's hand. He took it with a soft smile. "Good choice."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again. Sirius led me to the boys' staircase. We climbed until we reached a door hung with a sign that read 'Marauders'. He pushed the door open, towing me into the room. "Special delivery for Prongs!" he hollered.

"Lily!" James was sitting on a bed looking overjoyed to see me. I gave him a small smile, unsure of what was going on. "Padfoot, out," James ordered.

Sirius snorted. "Yes sir. You're welcome by the way. You owe me." He winked at me and left the room, shutting the door behind him. I shifted uncomfortably feeling unsure.

"Don't worry I'm only going to give you a gift," James told me with a reassuring smile.

I nodded and stepped toward him. He held up a little golden box. It gleamed like something precious in the palm of his hand.

I gently took the box from him. He smiled. I lifted off the lid and gasped. The most beautiful necklace in the world lay cushioned in tissue paper. It had a thin silver chain that shone like moonlight. Hanging from it was what looked like a clear diamond made of glass with a small flame trapped inside. I watched in flicker, giving off a reddish glow as it changed colors.

"It's called a fire jewel," James told me. "Would you like me to help you put it on?"

I slowly nodded and turned so that my back was facing him. He slipped the necklace around my neck. I lifted my hair so that he could clasp it shut. I lightly touched it and turned back around with a hundred questions in my eyes.

"It was my mothers," he told me quietly.

My eyes widened. I couldn't take this. I immediately reached back to take it off but James caught my fingers, shaking his head.

"Sirius told you, didn't he?" James sighed. "Look," he explained when I nodded, "my mom wouldn't have minded me giving this to you. It's not like I'll ever wear it. I'm sure mum would have liked you. So keep it please." His hazel eyes were intense as he released my hands from his grasp.

I stared at the black haired boy in confusion. Why was he giving this to me? James seemed to understand my confusion for he answered my unasked question at once.

"I thought a present might cheer you up a bit." He flashed me an adorable smile.

My heart softened at the sight and I lightly touched his arm, returning the smile in thanks. I was sure he would understand what I was trying to say. So far it seemed that he always did.

Feeling a little more cheerful than I had earlier I turned around. James walked me to the door and opened it for me. I tilted my head towards him in thanks and headed down the stairs. Mary, Carter, and Sirius were waiting for me at the bottom. Carter had an almost flirtatious look on her face as she talked with Sirius who leaned against the wall looking rather sexy with his playful smirk, his dark hair falling into his smoldering eyes. Mary looked miserable.

"Lily!" the blond girl cried as soon as she saw me. "I feel so terrible about what I said! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!"

I couldn't help but smile at her dramatic despair. I pulled her into a hug.

"Oh thank you so…" she trailed off as her eyes rested on my new necklace. She pulled out of my embrace to better examine it. "Ooohhh," she sighed. "Did James give you that? It's so pretty. It looks expensive."

Carter looked over Mary's shoulder. And Carter Bait who'd never cared for pretty things stared in awe. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

I glanced over at Sirius. He winked at me. That was the second time today. "It's called a Fire Jewel," he said.

Carter and Mary turned to stare at him. "How did you know?" Mary asked.

Carter rolled her eyes. "Obviously he would know. His best friend is the one who gave it to Lily."

Mary scowled at her.

"It belonged to James' mother," Sirius explained.

"He gave you his mother's necklace?" Mary sighed, quickly getting over her irritation at Carter. "That's so romantic!"

I felt a strange lurch in my stomach. Romantic. I wasn't sure if I wanted James doing anything romantic for me. Now I realized that our dance in the rain could be considered romantic as well. I'd never thought about it like that before. I'd just seen it as James, understanding me, comforting me. Of course I'd known he liked me. I wasn't stupid. He'd been asking me out constantly for years but I hadn't ever returned the feelings, and as much as I was starting to like him I still didn't like him in that way.

I bit my lip thoughtfully, distantly aware that Mary and Carter were arguing again. I met Sirius's eyes over Carter's head. That hint of sadness was in his expression again. For some reason I had the sudden urge to fling myself into his strong arms. I quickly fought the urge down. It was absolutely ridiculous.

There was no way in hell that I'd ever fancy Sirius and I most certainly didn't fancy James Potter either, even though he did manage to lessen my pain, gave me beautiful gifts, and was a glow of light in my dark world.

End Note: So? I don't know if this chapter turned out quite the way I wanted to… but it's still alright. Let me know what you think! Anything I can improve on? Anything that doesn't make sense or seems out of place? Just let me know what you think! I love to hear from you guys! So please review!