Thanks for the review, TheProductivePurplePrincess! You're right, Lily and James DO get together in seventh year. They're not together yet, their story will progress along with Sirius and Evelyn. Thank you! and goodness sharkswillruledaWORLD, you are a star! Thank you SO SO SO much for your reviews! Gah, you're making me blush!

I know I go through a few months like really really fast in this chapter... but hopefully it's alright?

Chapter Five;

"nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary." - Henry David Thoreau

"Mudblood."

Lily's insides quivered with fear, her heart booming out against her chest in a slow pace.

Bellatrix Black was walking towards her, a devilish smile plastered on her. Her hair was wild and danced, windswept, even though there was no breeze to carry it. Lily felt the cold stone of the wall behind her, she was trapped. She gulped and grasped for her wand, but it was gone.

She tried to speak out, to call for help, to scream out for somebody or anybody. Her mouth was open in fear but no words came out. Black laughed, the shrill octaves piercing through her. Courage and bravery, the very things that had brandished her a daughter of Gryffindor, collapsed like a ton of bricks.

"Lily!" James was running towards her and when he was a few inches away smiled at her. "I got them!" He said gleefully.

Lily didn't know what he was on about, could he not see that Black was there with her wand poised and ready for attack?! She watched, baffled, as James rummaged in his pockets and brought out a golden balloon. He started to blow it up, his face beetroot red as he found it difficult to breathe.

"Oh," He said in between blows, "didn't see you there, Bella." He nodded towards Black and smiled and then went back to his balloon. Once it was blown up he handed it to Lily. She took it, puzzled.

"It's for you!" He said, clearly excited.

Black sniffed. "I don't know why you're giving her a present," She seethed. "After she kissed you like that. Disgusting little mudblood."

Then James did something unthinkable. He grabbed onto Lestrange and their lips met furiously into a passionate kiss. She could hear James moaning in ecstasy and Black breathing heavily. Her heart felt hard, it had stopped beating and yet she was still stuck there.

She was still unable to speak but watched, horrified, as James agreed with the Slytherin. He snatched the balloon back. "Yeah," He smirked. "Why would I want you to kiss me?"

She wanted to scream out for James to get a grip. Why are you like this?! Her feet wouldn't move, she couldn't scream out and instead was forced to stay on the spot and watch as James and Bellatrix Black skipped hand in hand down the corridor.

"Lily! Lily!" Her world was shaking, someone was calling out her name.

"What... ?" She woke up, dazzled by the harsh light in the dorm. Faces were looking down at her, worried.

"Are you alright?" Came the distressed voice of one roommate, Melissa Bennett. "You were burning up, we thought you were having a fit or something."

"It was just a nightmare." Thank God, Lily thought as she fumbled with her duvet, she could speak!

The other girls breathed out a sigh of relief and got back to getting ready. Evelyn, however, asked her again quietly if she was really okay. Lily had only nodded.

It was after a few silent minutes, when Lily gave out a final sigh, that she turned to Evelyn and bit her lip in worry. "I have something to tell you," She said, lowering down her voice to a whisper. "I... I accidentally kissed James last night."

Eyes wide, mouth open and hairbrush suddenly dropping to the floor, Evelyn managed to choke out a- "What?"

"By accident!" Lily smacked her forehead, still not believing her own actions. "I was saying thanks to him and I just... it must have been all the excitement or something and I just did it. I wasn't thinking! What was I thinking?"

"Maybe he won't think anything of it?" Evelyn said weakly.

"How could he not?" Lily was now out of bed and was getting out her uniform. "I mean, he was stuck to the spot when I left. He must have been repulsed by me! We'd been having such a good time, laughing like mates and then I had to go and ruin it!"

"Will you just relax?"

"I can't." Lily hissed, sending Evelyn a menacing glare. "I don't even know why I told you about it. You're always teasing me."

"Because I'm your best friend, Lils." She rolled her eyes and buttoned up her shirt, checking out if her tie was wonky in the mirror before giving her reflection a firm nod. "And best friends tell their best friends when they kiss someone, ok?"

"Best friends also tell their best friends about detentions with their crushes."

Evelyn's ears turned red. She coughed. "I... Nothing happened."

"Bullshit."

It was Evelyn's turn to now check around the room, Vicky was just leaving to get a good seat for breakfast and Cynthia had followed her, saying she needed to speak to Marlene Mckinnon about Divination. When the door shut she leaped upwards.

"All we did was... talk."

"Talk?"

Evelyn nodded. "I apologised and he said sorry too."

"Are you ever going to tell me what he said to you?"

"He sort of implied..." She found it hard to explain something even she didn't know fully herself. She waved her arms around as she talked and pulled on a sock. "That I was acting like a 'frigid bitch' and that I needed to be nicer to Eddie because he was perfect for me."

Lily didn't know what to say, she watched as her friend turned pink and pulled on her shoes harshly. "Oh Evelyn..." She said softly. Her friend sniffled.

"But we're friends and bonded over our hatred for cleaning and polishing trophies. So it's all good."

To their relief they found the Common Room Sirius and James less, the group of boys must have already gone down for breakfast. Evelyn had told Lily to relax and that James would be happy to see her, and Lily had replied back with 'Sirius will act fine around you now, don't be nervous.' Their pep talk towards each other was fine until they were walking towards the Gryffindor table and noticed the boys in a very in depth discussion.

They sat a few seats away from them happy to fall into the discussion of classes with Marlene and Cynthia and soon it felt like their troubles had melted away.

"God," Sirius yawned, trying to keep his eyes open as he stared into the ball. "I can't see a bloody thing."

James murmured in agreement and turned to see Peter and Remus discussing what the colour red could possibly interpret as.

"Broaden your minds!" Came the voice of their Professor, Frank bolted awake and pretended to be immersed at the ball.

"What can you see?" Professor Core asked happily to him.

"Uh.." He sent a worried glance to Sirius. "Mist?"

"And..." Sirius pretended to point to something and then ruffled through his book, his eyes falling onto a picture of stars. "Stars."

Core nodded her head, muttering 'yes, yes excellent, go on go on'. She turned now to James.

"And uh a..." He scratched his head. "A balloon? This uh," He bit the side of his quill. "mist is obviously the symbol of an upcoming event, an event that we won't be able to see until it happens... and the stars are resembling uh... hope? That that... despite this mist we have ... stars."

Sirius was shaking with silent laughter and Frank thumped him, they both nodded and joined Core in their interested 'oohhh's and 'aaah's.

"Excellent," Core beamed, "take 10 points to Gryffindor." They watched as she walked away.

"Did we seriously just get 10 points for lying under our arses?" Frank sniggered, wiping his eyes which had become wet with tears.

"I do believe we did. Job well done, mate."

For the second half of the class they each had to predict their future through recent events that had taken place in their dreams. Sirius predicted that James would somehow eat a dirty pair of socks. They were extremely happy when their day had finished.

"I wish OWLs were over already." Sirius plonked himself down next to the fire in the common room and refused to budge up for Remus. The boy sighed and instead sat on his lap, Sirius ignored him when Remus joked 'giddy-up horsey!'.

"At least there's the Halloween feast to look forward to," James said, trying to lift the heavy atmosphere between them; everyone was so tired and drained from their lessons. "Food's bound to cheer us all up a tad."

"Speaking of cheering up," Peter said as he took out his almost finished Herbology essay, "why have you been looking so sad today?"

"I'm not sad!" James said.

"Nah, yeah I've noticed too. You looked like a right baby during breakfast."

James glared at Remus.

"Tell tell tell."

James sighed. "I..." He looked terrible as he messed up his hair. "I think Lily thinks I'm her brother."

"Oh?" Sirius looked up from his essay, suddenly interested. He quickly turned to see Lily, Evelyn and the rest of the girls playing a round of exploding snap. The girl didn't seem to be ill.

James lowered his voice and leaned forward. "She kissed me last night."

"Mate, that does not mean she sees you as her bro-"

"But it wasn't like a romantic kiss!" He interrupted Peter angrily. "She did it just as she was leaving, it was like a kiss an older sister gives her baby brother. Or what you'd give to your Grandpa when you leave him with his Sunday roast."

The boys looked baffled and watched as James huffed out and crossed his legs angrily. "Look at her, she looks fine. Not like she just broke my heart and our friendship."

"I'm sure you're just overreacting," Sirius said hurriedly, patting his shoulder in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. "Lily's a mate and..." He struggled to find words to help his friend. "Yeah."

After a few minutes of sitting in silence they decided it'd be best to head up to their dorm and give themselves an early night. James dreamed of an amazing Halloween feast, the chicken being tender and juicy and salty and the pumpkin juice being so sweet that it tickled when he swallowed. He woke up in the morning so calm and at ease.

"Yesterday you were sad and now you're chipper, are you alright?" Sirius rose an eyebrow as James happily skipped towards the Great Hall.

"I'm just excited for the Halloween feast. It's going to be amazing, chicken and pigs in blankets and toad in the hole! I can almost smell it now!"

"James been getting kinda distressed." Was the first thing Sirius said to Evelyn as he slid onto his Potions stool. He got out his book and propped his elbows on the desk, nodding his head towards the awkward couple who were politely telling each other 'good morning'.

"Yeah?" She fumbled around with her book.

"He thinks Lily despises him."

She stopped fidgeting at once and turned around with a chuckle. "What? You're kidding."

"I kid you not. What's going on with them?"

She sighed and watched as Slughorn entered the classroom, explaining how today they would be discussing the properties of different potions. She lowered her voice as he scribbled down the date.

"She thought he'd take the kiss the wrong way and be angry with her. She certainly doesn't hate him."

"You know what this means?"

She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. Sirius' face was so close to hers, she could feel her heartbeat racing.

"Operation Hogsmeade: get Lily and James so wasted that they get over their awkwardness and become buddies again."

"I dunno if making them tipsy is a good idea..."

"Not tipsy, my dear, utterly and absolutely smashed and hammered."

"Alcohol would not help in this situation, they just need to sit down and talk to each other."

He sighed dramatically and placed a hand on her shoulder, "My dear Evelyn," She blushed violently at this, "Alcohol is always the answer and helps with everything."

She didn't know what to say in response, so turned her attention back to the lesson. Sirius wouldn't go that far, would he? She had a sickly feeling in her stomach but decided to not let it worry here She had exams to think about.

Transfiguration made the students restless, it was the last lesson of the day and this meant that when it was over the school would be having their annual Halloween feast. McGonagall took five points from Hufflepuff when she found a student snoring in her class and another five from a Gryffindor.

All in all, it took the class more than forty minutes to change their dinner plates to mushrooms. When the bell rang, signifying the start to dinner, Sirius jogged towards James.

"How about," He said in an excited voice "we have a Christmas party before we finish the term? Give everyone a break from classes and let their hair down?"

James only nodded his head, muttering out a 'yeah, sounds good', before he walked glumly down the stairs.

"Or we could get some butterbeer and firewhiskey and have a mini party in the common room? Invite say hmm I dunno, Lily and her mates?"

James didn't even bat an eyelid. He only 'mmm'd again and nodded his head.

"And after that we could all change into some pink bras and underwear and run around the grounds and chase Snape and give him hugs and kisses?"

"Sounds fantastic." Was James's automatic response again and Sirius glared at the back of James- who decided to walk faster so he would be on his own. Something needed to be done.

The Halloween feast seemed to cheer James up a bit, even more so when Lily was pushed by Remus into the seat next to him.

"Good evening," She stammered as her butt hit the wooden bench.

James was about to comment on how beautiful she looked when the gigantic mass of owls swooped down through the hall. Newspapers and letters and packages were distributed, one student got a howler from his Grandma about misplacing a cat.

Lily and James had been reading a newspaper together, commenting about the Quidditch league so far when Evelyn let out an annoyed sigh. She was reading a letter. Sirius, who was sat next to her, snatched the letter out of her hands and read it. He gave it back almost immediately, looking guilty and bit out a weak 'sorry'.

"What's up?" Lily asked. She was handed the letter.

Gabriel has informed me that he is staying at Hogwarts during the Christmas holidays because of Quidditch. He also stated that you would be staying there as well. Since you are not on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, nor are you a reserve, I don't see why you would need to stay as well. You will be on the Hogwarts Express on the last day of term and join the family in our Christmas celebrations. The cousins and the rest of the family are coming as well as Grandmother Ethel and Grandfather Richard; it would be rude if you weren't there. No exceptions.

Mum and Dad.

"That's a bit harsh of them." James said with a frown, "It's not like they can force you."

"They sort of can," Evelyn smiled sadly. "They're my parents after all."

"You're not going to obey them are you?"

She sent Sirius a glare and shrugged her shoulders, her appetite quickly dissolving away as it turned into humility and shame instead. "If I don't they'll be angry..."

"It's your life and your holiday," Sirius insisted almost angrily, "you can spend it how you damn well please. Screw them."

"Sirius is obviously the epitome of the perfect son," Remus remarked with a snort. "But I agree, Evelyn. It's your holiday, do what you want. What's the worst they could do?"

Evelyn could have easily answered the question, but decided not to. She just simply shrugged. Dumbledore stood up and announced that the Halloween feast would begin. The lights dimmed and a band of dancing skeletons sang a song before the tables were filled with delicious foods.

"I'm sorry." Lily said in a whisper to James once the feast was fully under way.

"For what?" James managed to say from all his chewing of chicken and mash potato.

She looked restless. "For..." She cleared her throat. "You uh know, the thing I did after we flew? I... I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean it in a bad way."

His eyes widened. "Oh God," Now that his food was fully swallowed he reached for his goblet. "Don't be sorry... I erm overreacted. We're friends yeah?" He couldn't help but feel an emptiness in his chest as he stumbled out the words. The emptiness grew even more as Lily nodded her friend and repeated the word.

The weather slowly grew colder and colder. A chilly north wind raged over the castle over a number of days and brought along with it countless rain and thunder storms. It became the norm to hear the screeching of the wind through the windows in class, the rattle it made against the glass and the groan of the trees as they were pushed back and forth.
The teachers made the fifth year students busy with essays and countless tests and it seemed like when November finally came everyone (including the teachers) was counting down the days until the Christmas holidays.

"Only four weeks until we're in December." Remus said painfully as they finished another day of essays and lessons and wand wavings.

"But then there's still another two weeks of school after that," Sirius complained as he lay dramatically on a chair in the library. "I hate this term. It takes forever."

"Don't wish it away too quickly." Remus placed another book into Sirius' arms, the two were getting out the books they needed for essays. Sirius had never worked so much in his life. "Once Christmas holidays are over we'll be really close the OWL examinations, and then after that it's sixth year and then after that it's the you know what."

"The day that time stands still?"

"I meant NEWTs, you idiot."

"You did know I was joking, right Moony?"

"Don't use that name here... people could hear us."

Sirius rolled his eyes and tapped his foot impatiently. "Do hurry up," He snapped, watching as his friend picked up another book. "We're missing dinner you know."

"You said you'd help and that you wanted to do better on your school work." Remus pointed out with a slight chuckle.

"I know," Sirius moaned and placed the books down by the nearest table. "But it's just I'm hungry."

"Well, to take your mind off the hunger, try and find that Quidditch book James has been going on about will you? It's near aisle 11 I think."

Aisle 11 was right at the back of the library, but Sirius didn't care. The hunger was driving him mad and so he jogged as fast as he could get away with and started to look past books to find the one they needed. He found it eventually and was going to leave when he saw, placed in the very far corner, a table with someone sat at it. And not just someone, Evelyn. And, she looked sad, which somehow in turn made Sirius... sad. He stared at her numbly for a brief second, wondering on why he suddenly stopped.

Sirius kicked the ground with his feet and checked to see what the other people in the library were doing. The librarian was furiously stamping books right at the front and a few students were engrossed in their books or essays to notice someone crying. He rolled his eyes, hit his head and then awkwardly walked towards her. With every step came a drastic rumble from the beating of his heart and he didn't know if he should walk faster or slower towards her- the painful beating was... confusing and yet alluring at the same time.

"You err you alright there?" He'd need to hit himself with a hard and heavy Charms book later; it was obvious she was far from alright.

She lifted her head and jumped slightly at how close his face was to her shoulder. "Oh Sirius." She wiped her eyes quickly. "I didn't see you there."

"I asked if you were alright." He took a step back and stood there for a second before quickly placing his hands into his pockets. He'd never done something like this before.

"Smashing, thanks." She sniffed and wiped her red eyes with her sleeve.

"Now, how come I can detect sarcasm?" He asked with a wry smile. He watched as she stood up and got hold of her bag.

"Probably because it was sarcastic." It was amazing how just the sight of Sirius could lighten her heart and make her feel in a better mood. "I was just um worrying about what I'll do over Christmas break, that's all."

"Still?" He ignored her glare and took hold of her bag, putting it over his shoulder. He started to walk towards Remus and she reluctantly followed. After handing Remus the Quidditch book he motioned for Evelyn to follow him. She hesitantly obeyed.

"I told you, you should stay here. It's your decision."

"I just don't want to disappoint them even more... I mean, Christmas is supposed to be family time and..."

"Rubbish. Look at me, do I give a toss about what my family do? No. Blimey, I made sure I was on the Quidditch team JUST because it'd annoy them."

"Really?!"

Sirius nodded. "Look, Evelyn... I want you to stay over Christmas." He grabbed her hand quickly and held it. "I really want to spend it with you! Every other Christmas someone's not been here and there's been things going on... but this is the year where you and I ... where everyone is here and we can all enjoy being together."

"I'll think about it." She promised.

"Great!" They both fell into a steady pace as they walked towards the common room, chatting together like old friends.

Soon December crept along and the weather changed once again, the rain had been and gone and was replaced with a chilly frost that stayed throughout the day. The grass became crisp and the grounds froze. Studying had become the students top priority and Lily and Remus were proud to see their friends studying and working hard on their exams. Course, they did this only because after the term they'd have a massive party to celebrate no more lessons.

One night Evelyn was walking back from the library, after doing a long study session, to the Gryffindor common room. The corridor was dimly lit, it was well passed night time now, with the portraits snoozing in their frames. They sent Evelyn disgruntled glares as she passed them with her wand, it shining bright. She had never liked walking around the castle at night, especially on her own.

"Acres."

Stood in front of her was a smirking Flint with his own wand blazing out a very powerful lumos maxima. This was the very reason why she hated walking alone at night. Creeps lurked about.

"Flint." She tried to act cool and brave like the Gryffindor she should be. Her wand hand was shaking and she knew that Flint had noticed. Knowing your victim is worried just makes it easier. "We had a deal." She said.

"Relax, Acres." Flint laughed, it sending shivers all the way up her body. "I'm not here to curse you. When a Slytherin keeps their word they keep it." It didn't sound very reassuring to her.

"Then what do you want?"

"Bella wants a favour from you."

She shuddered, ready to stand her ground. But the moment never came; Sirius was running down the corridor towards her, a blank piece of parchment sticking out of his hoodie pocket. He pulled out his wand.

"What's going on?" He seethed, anger shaking his voice so much that Flint actually took a step back.

He put out his hands defensively. "I only wanted to talk to her about something."

"Yeah? Well you can bugger off and speak to her when there's people around. Don't think I won't hex you. Here, right now." It was evident in his voice and intense glare that Sirius Black was not joking. With a slight roll of his eyes Flint moved away, slipping into the shadows and soon was gone.

Evelyn let out a deep breath.

"Are you okay?"

He had expected her to be screaming her thanks over the rooftops, instead she was giving him a pointed look.

"I didn't need your help, you know."

He chuckled, unsure if he was hearing her correctly. "You what?"

"I was doing fine on my own!" She said louder now, so loud that a few portraits grumbled. It was enough to make the two start their walk back to the common room, arguing to each other in annoyed whispers.

"Well it didn't look like it. You needed my help."

"Excuse me? I needed YOUR help? Since when did I become a damsel who needs rescuing?"

Now she was indebted to Bellatrix Black and that was not a good thing. And it was all Sirius's fault.

"No... fuck wait up!" Evelyn was walking as fast as she could muster, trying to get away from him. Sirius was a lot taller and caught up with her easily. He grabbed hold of her shoulder and pulled her towards him gently.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. That was all."

"Why?" She folded her arms against her chest and lifted up her chin, staring coolly into his gorgeous grey eyes.

"What do you mean?" He chuckled.

"I mean," She said hotly, "why did you even bother doing this? Why are you doing this?"

"Because we're mates and I..." He drummed his fingers against the wall all the while breathing heavily. They were now directly in front of the fat lady who was watching them both intently. He shrugged. "I know Flint because of my family and he's... he's bad, Evelyn. Awful. I wouldn't want you to get messed around in those sort of things. And I was meeting someone. I was on my way back to the common room and I heard yours and Flint's voice. I thought you were in trouble."

Too late, she wanted to say; but the knot in her stomach was so tight that it left her almost breathless. "Well," Her voice faltered. "Thanks for your concern... but I can look after myself. Lionheart."

The portrait opened.

"Also I..."

"You what? Huh? Are you angry at me or something? Going to tell me off now?"

"No." He let out an exasperated groan and shut his eyes briefly. "No. You know what, forget it. Never mind."

He was gone before she could even register what happened. Her insides were still quivering as she went to sleep that night.

"It's Hogsmeade tomorrow, isn't it?" Eddie, who was a bit preoccupied with eating his corn flakes, nodded the best he could at Evelyn, who was sat beside him with a boiled egg and a cup of tea. She nodded.

"Do you have any plans yet?" Evelyn felt her cheeks redden at his question. She hadn't been able to spend as much time as she would have liked with Eddie, what with all the preparation they were both doing for the upcoming essays and exams. The only time they had been able to meet was in the common room and in the great hall.

She shook her head. "Not really. You?"

"Nope... do you wanna go together? I mean, if you want to of course. Cos, if you don't I mean- that's fine but-"

"I'd love to." She said quickly, noticing how Sirius had just sat down next to Eddie.

"What what?" He asked, picking up a piece of toast. He smiled at her, obviously not angry towards her (this made Evelyn relieved).

"Just about Hogsmeade. Got a girl yet?"

Sirius only waved his hand dismissively at Eddie's question. "Uh... no. I was actually going to ask someone but I ah... never got around to it."

Eddie looked surprised. "Wow. That's not like you, mate. Well, I think a few of the lads are just going to head out if you wanted to join in on that."

Sirius nodded and muttered out a thanks.

Suddenly Peter shrieked that it was snowing outside, at this the majority of students glanced upwards at the ceiling and cheered, the conversation died out and was replaced with everyone chattering on about Christmas.

The classes went by all too quickly, probably being because the majority of teachers had Christmas themed lessons and were actually fun and enjoyable for once, and soon (all too soon) Evelyn found herself once again stood in front of her wardrobe the next morning, at a loss as to what to wear for the Hogsmeade trip.

Luckily for her, Lily and Vicky were brilliant and got her a pretty outfit that suited her perfectly. Soon enough she followed her mates down into the common room, surprised to see Sirius sat down by the fire.

"Hullo girls." He said hurriedly, a slight tinge of red on his cheeks. "How are you, Evelyn?"

"Okay..." She stammered. "You? Are you going to Hogsmeade?" She noticed how Lily and Vicky had suddenly ran out of the common room, giggling.

Sirius got off the sofa and gave her a stare. "Yeah," He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "About that... I was wondering if you uh... wanted to go together?"

It felt like a building had collapsed on top of her and she was unable to move or feel. "Oh..."

"Yeah, I know it's super late of me to ask and I was going to uh ask you last night but... obviously you know, I wasn't able to because of yeah... but I was wondering if you wanted to ... if you wanted to."

"Sirius..." She couldn't describe this horrible feeling, and looking at his hopeful face made her want to cry. "I'm so sorry but... Eddie asked me at breakfast... you, y-you were there."

He was silent for a few seconds and she watched his face closely, hoping to see what he was feeling, but he only nodded his head firmly. "Ah," Was the only thing he uttered before he gave her a small nod and walked out of the common room.

She called out for his name but he didn't hear her (or refused to listen). He was going to ask her last night? That was why he had found her? And she had been so angry at him! Oh, if only she had just shut her mouth for a minute and heard what he wanted to say...

Feeling angry at herself, and Sirius - it was his fault, after all, for not asking her sooner, she stomped towards the Great Hall and begrudgingly sat down next to Lily. She ignored her friend's inquisitive wink and ignored the way Sirius was laughing, as if nothing had just happened, with Peter.

"There you are!" Eddie jumped up from behind her and sent her a dazzling smile. "You alright?"

"Fine..." Her voice was shaking. She didn't feel fine. What was she supposed to feel? Why did she feel so guilty, she hadn't done anything wrong.

"Great! I was wondering if you wanted to grab breakfast in Hogsmeade? There's a really nice cafe that do Pumpkin Pasties and nice warm butterbeer." She most certainly did not want to see Sirius again now, and so quickly accepted Eddie's offer.

"What do you mean 'Dane Clare from Hufflepuff asked me to Hogsmeade'?!"

"Exactly that, James."

"But... he... what? I thought you said you were going to tag along with me and look at the new quills and broomsticks!"

Lily sighed. "I said I 'might be able to'. But seeing as Dane asked me to go with him, I might as well take up his offer, right?"

He tried not to blink as he stared hard at his toast. "But," How could he say this without sounding like a butt-hurt boyfriend? "I thought... you know, that I had asked you and yeah...?"

"James, you don't understand. This is Dane!" Lily jabbed her spoon onto his shoulder. "Hufflepuff's dreamboat! His gorgeous blue eyes and that dazzling smile asked me, Lily Evans the resident red-head, to Hogsmeade and it made me feel special. Okay? I need to go anyways, he's meeting me at half past! See ya."

"But I asked you!" He said angrily, but she was already walking away. He swore and threw some butter onto his bread and ferociously started to spread it, cursing himself as he did so.

Eddie's lip were surprisingly soft. Yep, you heard right. Eddie and Evelyn were stood underneath some mistletoe. After awkwardly asking the other if it was okay, the two had cautiously brought their faces closer and closer until their lips met suddenly.

Wet was the first thing that came to Evelyn's mind. His arms were tenderly placed on her waist and he gently nibbled on her bottom lip before placing a series of soft kisses one after the other onto her. She felt exhilarated, her heart slowly beating like time was slowing down and they were stuck in the moment forever.

The kiss ended and the mistletoe twinkled before disappearing. They immediately started giggling.

"That was my first kiss." She blushed.

"Merlin, I'm so.. so sorry that it had to be me."He cleared his throat and sent her a worried look. "Was it uh, okay?"

"I guess so? No it was good. Yes, good."

"You don't have to lie."

"I'm not lying! I don't have much experience, none in fact..." She was dazed. Slightly because she was still recovering from it being her first kiss, secondly because she was now finding Eddie quite attractive and thirdly because she was quite saddened at the fact that it hadn't been Sirius she had shared it with.

"We could um. Try again if you wanted?"

"We could."

Silence.

"Would you want to?"

The question caught her off guard. Did she? It had felt nice, to feel someone like that? To be close physically and emotionally. After a minute of contemplating the pros and cons, she nodded her head. Meeting Eddie's lips again was like running your hands through the pages of a book you just couldn't put down. This kiss was more bold. It didn't last long again, something that Evelyn was actually quite relieved about, she didn't know how she felt kissing for goodness knows how long whilst other people could be watching.

As it ended he took hold of her hand and squeezed it. "Evelyn I... I really like you a lot."

Her cheeks blushed and it felt like she was sitting on the sun, a hot flush wavered over her. Someone liked her? A boy! Someone actually liked her.

"But..."

That wasn't a good sign, she thought with a frown. His grip around her hand tightened slightly as he rattled his brain for the right words.

"But," He repeated again, more confidently. "I'm going to be doing NEWTs next year and I know that I want to study for them as best as I can. If I asked you to be my girlfriend right now, and oh god I really want to ask you..." He smiled slightly. "If I did then we'd have an amazing Christmas, right? We'd be snug together like two birds and that's brilliant. But then what would happen when the new year starts? You'll be studying for your OWLs and in seventh year I've got NEWTs and it'd both tire us out."

"I don't get what you're saying." His bottom lip was being chewed to a pulp by his upper lip, his hand dropped hers as he scratched his head.

He looked worried. "I'm worried that I won't give you the attention and the type of relationship that I know you deserve... ugh fucking hell this isn't coming out right." He breathed out, trying to steady his voice. "I mean, I'm not exactly a great person and I want you to know that before something happens. We might not even be right together it's just all I know is that you're amazing and leave me breathless and I want you to be happy more than anything. And so," He clapped his hands, sending her what he hoped was a happy smile. "if you graduate Hogwarts and haven't found anyone... I'd... uh be more than happy to take you out for dinner and show you around Yorkshire."

She had to giggle at that. "After graduation? That's years away, Eddie..."

"Then we have a few years to see what happens." He shrugged simply. "I don't want to rush you and make you do things you don't want to do. You need to find out what you want."

She found it impossible how her admiration for Eddie just got higher and higher, so much that it would have easily filled a volt in Gringgot's Bank.

Then, after promising that she would notify him of her whereabouts after she graduated, they both proceeded towards a small shop near the Hogs Head where Eddie bought a few bottles of firewhiskey and butterbeer.

"They're for the party tonight." He told her after he picked up his new shopping bags. "Are you going to go to it?"

"I don't know yet... I want to but it's just..." She shrugged. "I've never really been one for parties."

"Now that you mention it, I've never seen you at the parties. Ever! You know, if you had made an appearance to one of them we would have met ages ago."

"They're not really my scene." She had imagined herself going to the parties an endless amount of times. Being Sirius' date, holding onto his arm dearly as they passed from one group to the next, laughing and talking and teasing together. She had also imagined herself tipsy; never been in the state herself, it seemed rather interesting to guess what she'd be like drunk. She imagined cool and demure, drinking a sherry or a gin and tonic and laughing a bit too easily.

It didn't seem too bad.

She realised that Eddie was still talking about the parties. She had completely missed what he had said.

"It sounds great." She said with a smile, not wanting to bother him and ask him to repeat everything again.

"Really?" He asked her, surprised. She nodded in earnest. Maybe going to the party wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

Author's note:

I really wanted to include the party in this chapter... but if I did it would make this chapter FAR too long. And this way it leaves you guys with suspense. Eh? Now, we all know something bad is going to happen hmmmm? ahaha, comment please and subscribe! The quicker I get reviews the quicker I can start the next chapter and post it!

I'm sorry for any mistakes wahh