Author's Note: Wow, I think I may have officially broken my own personal best at longest duration between updates. Hahaha! And because it's been so long, a bit of the plot has changed. The idea is the same, but how I'll go about it is a little bit different. I hope nothing in the upcoming chapters goes against what I've previously posted. Anyway, enjoy reading!

Chapter Fourteen

James and Lily

He aimed and landed a punch right on Snape's jaw. "What did you do to her, you bastard?!"

James found Severus alone in a hallway not far from the Slytherin dormitories. Snape turned to face James when he heard his name called and found himself face to face with a tightly clenched fist. The first punch was followed by another one but Severus managed to block the blow with his arm.

"What the hell, Potter?!"

Both drew out their wands, holding the tips hardly an inch from each others' faces.

"What did you do to her…?!" James demanded between gritted teeth. His knuckles were white with the tension of his grip on his wand. A dozen spells he wanted to cast at Snape was flooding his mind.

Severus Snape grinned. "I told her I knew your secret."

James' hand trembled, his wand shaking with it.

"That's right, Potter. I know all about you and Narcissa." Severus laughed quietly. "How does it feel to be the one who could lose, who could end up with nothing…? I can finally get back at you, after six years. And Lily will finally see you for what you really are!"

James shoved Snape off and pointed his wand. "Expelliarmus! Stupefy!"

He cast the spells in quick succession, hoping to give Severus no time to defend himself. But his aim was clumsy, despite the closeness of his target, because of his rage and both spells missed. Severus had taken his stance and was prepared to retaliate when a hand firmly gripped his shoulder.

"Severus Snape and James Potter… Not dueling, I hope."

James lowered his wand at seeing the Headmaster. "No, Sir," he mumbled. But he threw an angry glance at Severus, a glance that felt as sharp as if he had been throwing daggers.

Professor Dumbledore smiled warmly at them both and released Severus. He did not question what they were up to and made no indication that he was angry. Instead, he wore an expression so calm and composed that it almost felt ridiculous. Of course, neither James nor Severus planned to walk quietly away from this the moment Dumbledore left. Both were itching to continue as they eyed Dumbledore leaving. It was then a great frustration and disappointment when Lily suddenly came up to them.

Ignoring Severus, she caught hold of James' arm. "I need to talk to you, please."

"I'm in the middle of something, Lily," he replied, hardly looking at her.

She glanced up at Severus, whose eyes seemed to have lightened at seeing her. But she said nothing. She merely tightened her grip on James and insisted that he answer her questions.

"A drop of veritaserum ought to do the trick," Snape muttered.

Lily scowled. "Sev, please, this is between James and me."

James sighed, resigned, and pocketed his wand. "Alright, Lily. Let's go."

He felt her hold on him relax and he caught her hand in his. He smiled one of his most charming smiles and led her away from Snape. He knew very well that if he allowed them too much time in each other's presence, Lily might take Snape's word more than his. It would be his ruin and a betrayal of what he and Narcissa had. He led Lily away from the dungeons and up several flights of stairs, across several corridors, towards the Gryffindor Tower. The walk was long but they were quiet. Lily was preparing the questions she wanted to ask, and James, anticipating them, was sorting out his answers.

Fortunately, the Common Room was still empty. James took a seat, the same one he had taken earlier when he was with his friends, and she sat on the armchair closest to him.

"James…" she said softly.

"You're jealous of Narcissa, aren't you, Lily?" James teased with a sheepish grin on his face. "I can tell, so you don't have to hide it from me."

Lily's face flushed. "I…yeah, you can put it that way." James' easy-going manner had broken through her annoyance with him. She looked at his face, the grin still there, and felt her heart flutter.

"Truth is I've always liked Narcissa," he said.

The statement shocked Lily.

"But I have always loved you, Lily," he added. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Hasn't it been obvious?"

"Then do you still like Narcissa…?"

"Yes. I don't know, maybe it's Sirius rubbing off on me. You know how he is around her. Maybe it's because she's the only Slytherin with more than half a heart," he said, studying how Lily reacted. Her expression remained composed. "She's pretty, Lily, and smart, and I've never known a girl who could ever seem more innocent than Narcissa Black."

Lily blinked but said nothing.

"But I am a Gryffindor in spirit, and it is to a Gryffindor that my heart and loyalties lie," he murmured with a smile, reaching up to stroke her cheek. "Call what I have for Narcissa a crush, if you want to, but it cannot be more and is probably much less than that. I love you, Lily, believe me. And I have waited too long to have this chance with you only to have you doubt me."

Her questions were forgotten. Even her curiosity as to why James was so intent on finding Severus earlier was erased from her mind. She has waited long for James as well, waited for when he would finally grow up enough to ask her out. And now that he was ready, all she had for him was doubt. There was a ring of truth in the sound of his voice that she could not deny, although she could not decipher that shimmer in his eyes. She shook her head slowly.

"I'm sorry, James," she said. "I just… It's been crazy, that's all."

James stood up to stand in front of her and caress her cheeks in his hands. "Trust me, please, Lily," he said. Slowly, he pressed his lips to hers. He heard the sigh in her throat and felt her tremble at his kiss. Her hands found their way onto the back of his neck, and pulled him closer to her.

In the back of his mind, he took pride in knowing there was no way Snape could convince Lily now. But at the bottom of his heart lay a little sliver of guilt.