Lily Evans was sulking. James and Sirius had gone home for Christmas break, but Lily had wanted to spend Christmas in the castle. She and James had planned in the beginning of the school year to celebrate Christmas at Hogwarts that year, and just because he was sulking was no reason for Lily to go back on her word. Besides, she had no interest in hanging out with her sister and her rotund fiancé… who seemed to glare at her and mutter "freak" whenever he thought she was out of earshot. Petunia had been pretty jealous when she got accepted into Hogwarts, but after she met this Vernon person – she had been pretty much impossible to be around. And James still wasn't talking to her.

The redhead frowned at her pillow. Why did he have to be so stubborn anyway? He had even switched patrol duties so that he patrolled the halls with Remus, while she was stuck with Barty Crouch. He may have been her friend, but walking in on him making out with Hestia Jones pretty much put a damper on their friendship. Their patrols were pretty awkward at best. He seemed to be under the impression Lily had liked him, and was pretty condescending about it when she talked to him. In fact, Lily was worried about how she was going to tell Emmeline. Since the quidditch game, Em had been floating around the Gryffindor common room in a dreamy haze, blushing slightly whenever Lily and Dorcas had tried to talk to her. And Lily was worried about her getting hurt again.

Flashback:

Lily had been on her way back to the heads common room, half hoping to find James there before he left for Christmas. She paused when she passed a broom closet, surprised by the soft moans she was hearing. Steeling herself for the sight of Sirius Black with one of his conquests. Her green eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw Barty Crouch lip locked with Hestia Jones. They had seemed surprised to see her too, with Barty practically shoving Hestia off him and chasing after Lily.

'Lily… wait!'

"Yes, Bart?" Lily spun around and gave him her best death glare. He was upsetting her friend, and he needed to DIE. Maybe she was being slightly melodramatic but she was allowed. She was in a bad mood anyway.

'Look… I know you liked me and all… but I've been dating Hestia since that dance right after school started'

Lily was surprised at this. They hadn't seemed to show any sign of being a couple. In fact, Barty usually kept to himself, and spent his spare time with Lily and Emmeline.

'I just…. It's complicated. Some of my…. Friends… would never accept me dating Hestia because she's a muggle born. She might have been… hurt if people knew I was dating her.

A chill seemed to shoot down Lily's spine as she remembered James' incessant warnings about Barty Crouch consorting with death eaters.

"And does… Hestia know about these friends?" Lily's tone was venomous.

'She… didn't at first. She just thought I wanted to keep it quiet because of the whole thing with Amos. She found out last week and we broke up briefly because of it.' Lily softened slightly when she saw the genuine pain on Barty Crouch's face.

"You don't seem to be broken up now…"

'I… told them I didn't want anything to do with them anymore… I just can't lose Hestia'

Lily couldn't help smiling at this, but she was slightly resentful at his next remark,

'Look Lily – I know you like me, and you're an awesome friend, but I really don't think it would work out with us. I'm in love with Hestia'

Lily had glared at him slightly and stalked off.

Sighing, Lily got out of bed and looked at her door. She supposed she had to tell Emmeline about Barty and Hestia eventually, and the sooner she did it, the less painful it would probably be. She was surprised when she opened her door and saw her friend standing outside, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

'Lily I heard about Barty… I just wanted to make sure you were OK'

"What? Me? I'm fine… why wouldn't I be?"

'Well… you've been spending all this time with him… I thought you liked him!'

"I thought you did!' Lily rubbed her eyes. How long had she been in bed, sulking? Had her bed turned into a portal to a parallel universe? Had she fallen asleep? She pinched herself. It hurt.

'Me?' Emmeline shook her head, amusement in her eyes 'I was only worried about you'

Relief flooded through Lily's veins, followed by suspicion.

"Wait… you don't still like Amos, do you? Because Amos Diggory is the biggest – "

'Oh I hope I have better taste now than to go after Amos' Emmeline Vance's lip curled slightly in distaste at the thought of the disagreeable boy. It was an old fashioned word, but he deserved it.

Lily, on the other hand was very confused. She couldn't still be after Black – especially since they hardly talked. In spite of her low mood, her curiosity was piqued.

"So… who is this mystery guy of yours?"

'Well… you actually know him' Emmeline seemed to blush and look down, not quite meeting Lily's eye.

"Well… yeah I know most of the boys in school. God it's not Peter is it? Because – "

'Lily?'

"Yes…"

'It's James Potter'.

AN: I feel bad for ending this here… hehe actually I don't, I love cliffies. You know what to do to make me writer faster ;)