Chapter 4

The next morning, Lily and Nichloe woke at the same time and walked down to breakfast together. Nichloe sat next to Sirius but Lily sat on her other side so she didn't have to sit next to James.

James leaned back in his seat and grinned at her. He ran his hand through his hair. "No friendly force this morning, Evans?"

"No friendly force, Potter," replied Lily.

After breakfast, Nichloe and Sirius walked to Charms together with Lily following at a distance.

Today they were talking about dogs, which Sirius seemed very interested in.

"I have a dog at home, you know. He's a lovely little border collie and his name's Rumpus. He's ever so cute. He's only a year old," said Nichloe.

"I love dogs and they seem to like me. We have so much in common," Sirius said.

"Like what?"

Lily was amazed. Nichloe was actually having a real conversation with Sirius.

"Well, we both hate storms and like to run and hide when they come."

"You hate storms? Same here. Especially the ones with thunder and lightning. Little Rumpus doesn't like them either. He hides with me under my bed." Nichloe suddenly turned pink; as if that was something she wasn't supposed to say.

Sirius smiled at her and put his arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry," he whispered to her. "I do that too."

Nichloe smiled at him, then turned slightly to Lily and gave her a thumbs-up.

Lily rolled her eyes.

James came up behind her. "Hey Lily, what are you doing this weekend?"

Lily turned to look at him. "Something that doesn't involve you, Potter."

"Oh. What a – C'est dommage," he said, correcting himself.

"Well done."

Remus walked behind James. "That picture was hilarious, Prongs," he said patting James' back.

"What picture?" Lily asked curiously, outside the Charms classroom.

"Nothing," said James quickly and he looked at his feet.

"This one," said Peter excitedly, reaching into James' bag and pulling out a photo.

"Wormtail!" said James desperately, but Peter had already given it to Lily.

She looked at it and anyone, even people who didn't know her, could tell she was getting furious. "Potter," she said tersely, "this photo is of me."

"I know," said James, still looking at his feet.

"This photo is of me when I was five and wearing a bunny suit."

"I know."

"Why do you have this photo, Potter? More importantly, how did you get it?"

"I took it from your room yesterday," James admitted.

Lily looked at him.

James looked up into her face and saw that her usually sparkling green eyes were like emerald ice. "Sorry?" he asked.

Lily raised her hand and with a deafening smack, slapped James across the face. Then she whipped around and took off down the corridor.

"Lily? Lily! Lily, stop!" cried Nichloe and she chased after her friend.

Sirius was left standing holding Nichloe's bag, which he had offered to carry. "Those two are causing us some difficulties, Prongs."

"Lily? Lily, are you ok?" asked Nichloe after finding Lily in an empty classroom.

"Do I look ok?" said Lily, looking up, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"No, I guess not," replied Nichloe. "Is it 'cause of what James did?"

"Of course it's because of what James did! That stupid barstard took a photo of me from my room and then showed it to other people! I can't believe he would do such a thing." Lily put her face back into her hands.

Nichloe put her arm around her friend. "Hey, it'll be ok. Just don't worry 'bout it."

"How can I not worry about it?"

Nichloe shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno. Why don't you accept one of his offers though?"

Lily looked at her friend in shock. "He just fully embarrassed me and you want me to go out with him? Are you kidding me Nichloe?"

"I'm just saying. He caught up with me while I was trying to catch you and asked me if I could ask you…"

"Hang on. Let me comprehend that." Lily thought for a moment. "Ok. Go on."

"If I could ask you if you wanted to watch him play Quidditch this evening."

"He wants me to watch him play Quidditch?"

"Well, yeah, I guess so; otherwise he wouldn't have asked you would he?"

"No I guess not." Lily looked at her hands. "Do you think I should accept?"

"I dunno, Lily. It's your own decision." Nichloe stood up. "I'd better get back to Charms. I might see you." Nichloe left the room.

Lily was left alone with her thoughts.