Okay, there was a bit of confusion about this, sorry! There are two parts to this chapter, I posted the first yesterday, and this is the second part. Sorry if I confused anybody!

Chapter Five: Dances and Dramas Part 2

James' POV

As we enter the great hall I can't see Lily anywhere. I figure she's either late, or already joined in with the masses of people already dancing. Moony seems a little nervous to me.

"C'mon, mate, they'll probably be together right?"

"Yeah." He nods intensely. Poor guy. Anna is pretty intimidating I suppose.

"Uh…wait up, I'll come too. No point standing around here." Great. And I was hoping to get Lily alone. And I suppose Peter wants to come too..

"Oi! Don't leave me here!"

Yep, it's the whole gang.

I know we didn't decide on a time or anything, but I'm still a little hung up that neither Lily nor Anna were bothered to meet us. I can tell Remus is quite disappointed. But I'm sure there's a reason. I lead the way, and the hoards of first and second-years (the older ones tend to arrive late) part to let us through. We are, after all, the infamous Marauders, the most popular students in the school. Okay, perhaps an exaggeration, but we're probably twice as tall as all of them, so we get right of way.

Suddenly, I spot her. I don't say anything, I just stop. Probably not the best thing to do, as Sirius nearly trips over me.

"Watch it, mate. You could at least warn us when you decide to randomly stop in the middle of the dance floor…"

I can hardly hear him, the music is so loud. But I don't listen anyway, I'm too busy looking. At her.

If I could describe her I would. Honestly. I guess I can really only give a poor physical description. What I really love is her hair. It's fiery and bright and it makes it easy to pick her out in a crowd of people. Usually it's dead straight or tied back, but tonight it looks like she's done something to it. It's soft and curly, and I wish I could touch it. Remus would probably tell me that's a little creepy. But honestly, she looks fantastic. She's dancing with some girl I haven't seen before, and it looks like she's trying to get her to go somewhere. The dress she's wearing is a dark green, and from the back…well, let's just say it fits her quite nicely! I can't see the front, because she's facing away from me. Hmm, let's give her a little surprise.

If I can actually make my feet move. Dammit, I always freeze up when I'm nervous. Come on, James, just lift that foot up off the floor…

"James, get a move on, are you planning on actually going over there? Cos if you're not, it looks like she's planning to go somewhere else. And uh, I'd like to find Anna, if I can…"

"Oh, yeah, sure."

"…we're dancing alone with a bunch of first-years. This is thrilling." Well, even if I hadn't been standing right behind her, the sarcasm gave Lily away.

I put a hand on her shoulder.

"Lily?"

I can feel her tense up straight away, as she turns around. But for some reason, I suddenly notice the other girl. She looks strangely familiar. Then a voice behind me…

"Smirnov? Is that you?"

Oh my god! It is her. She looks…different.

"No! Uh, you must've mistaken me for someone else…gotta go now, come on Lily!"

And this time, she grabs Lily by the arm and my arm slips away from her shoulder as she reluctantly follows, shooting me an apologetic glance as they make their way over to the bathroom.

"Rem, come on, let's wait outside. That way we'll get them when they come out."

Remus just follows me, a dazed expression on his face.

"Was that really her? She…looks different…"

"Yeah. And from the looks of it, she was trying to avoid you." Sirius the tactful.

"Thanks, I hadn't noticed."

"You're welcome."

Lily's POV

"Anna, sweetie, you can't do this to Remus. What was that for?"

I pat her shoulder awkwardly as she sobs into the sink. Anna crying is one of those extremely rare occurrences. Like when Sirius actually makes a good joke.

"I just can't…Sirius looked…horrified!"

"Well, I'd say more 'shocked', I mean, well, you do look different. You can't honestly have expected him to have come up to you and acted like everything was normal."

Anna sniffs and looks up at me, her eyes red and puffy. She actually looks fantastic. Not that she'll ever realise that.

"Anna, I know this is hard for you, but -"

"Hard for me? You have no idea, Lily! You go on and on about how difficult it is with James. God, you like him, he likes you. It's as simple as that. And yet, for some reason, you find a way to lead him on and keep rejecting him. You have someone who genuinely likes you, who would do anything to be with you."

Well, this is unexpected…I open my mouth to respond but she's not finished yet.

"I'm in love with this guy who feels nothing for me. Who will never see me in that way, ever! No matter what I do. And the one opportunity I thought I had to try and change that is ruined, all because I used some stupid hair formula that…"

She trails off, bending over the sink again, beginning to retch.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" Stupid question, idiot. "Okay honey, it'll be out soon, just keep going…"

The last time this happened I had to stand for ten minutes holding Anna's hair behind her head as she spewed endlessly into a toilet in the prefect's bathroom. Now, there's not really any need for me to do that. I guess her short hair has its bonuses for others.

Finally, she finishes, and I pass her a handkerchief (it's always a handy thing to carry around).

"Thanks," she mutters weakly, forcing a smile.

"Anna?"

"I'm okay, Lily."

"I know."

Anna had a tendency to throw up when she had bad encounters with guys. Like in fifth year, when she caught her boyfriend at the time, Ryan McPherson, doing the dirty with a sixth-year Gryffindor in the girls' bathroom. Actually, that was quite hilarious – she threw up all over both of them. Sufficient to say, he learnt his lesson.

"Anna, please don't yell at me again, I know you think I'm being unreasonable, but you really do need to get over Sirius. You spent way too much time tonight trying to look great, for him."

"Don't you dare say that this would not have happened if I wasn't so obsessed with Sirius Black," Anna retorted, gesturing at her hair.

"I just don't get it, Lily. I know we've talked about this a million times before, and I know I'm not hideously unattractive, or repulsive, or whatever. But he hardly acknowledges I exist!"

"Anna, you know that's not true. He likes you as a friend, I know he does. I guess he just doesn't…in that way."

I give her a hug, and force her to look into the mirror.

"Now, look at yourself. If Sirius Black can't fall for this, then he's obviously very stupid, or -"

"Gay."

I jump back.

"What?"

"Well, that's the only logical explanation, isn't it? I mean, he doesn't seem to like you either, 'in that way'. And you're not exactly unattractive."

Well, if I'd ever been worried about how unattractive I was, there had always been James to remind me. Anna continued to look thoughtful.

"Come to think of it, he hasn't got a partner, has he? I mean, I didn't see him with anyone. And normally, you know when Sirius Black has a partner, because the entire female population is talking about it."

Oh crap. This isn't good. I need to do something.

"But he's been with heaps of girls, Anna, I mean we've walked in on him when he's been in bed with them!"

"Ahh yes, well do I remember those times. But, I mean, sometimes people take ages to work stuff like that out, don't they. Adolescence is a time for experimentation. I have a cousin who's gay. Not that he told me, but I walked on him with some guy in our bathroom one Christmas. Now that was what I'd call confronting."

"Well, Anna, although this is certainly a change from your pathetic 'I'm so ugly' point of view, I'm quite sure you're jumping to conclusions here…"

"Lily, you're close to Sirius. I mean, you're best friends. Has he ever said anything that would give the impression that he was?"

Well, I knew this was coming eventually. I just wished to prolong it for as long as possible.

"Anna, I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm positively certain that he's not. As much as I'd like you to feel better about yourself, I think its more likely that he's just, well, not interested in you romantically. And I hate to put it bluntly like that. But you've got Remus, who for god's sake has been in love with you for so long now. And you've never given him a second glance, it's always Sirius this and Sirius that."

"Lily, you are terrible at making me feel better about this. You want me to go out there? Fine, I will. But you're going to have to face James on your own, because I'm not staying!"

And with that, she ran out of the bathroom, slamming the door as dramatically as only she could.

"Anna!" I know its pointless, but I feel compelled to yell out anyway.

I follow her out the door, just in time to see her shove past the Marauders, who are (not surprisingly) waiting right outside the bathroom.

"Geez, what's got into her?" Sirius stares after her.

"It's none of your business!" I retort.

He just glares back at me.

"So…that's really Anna?" Remus looks utterly confused.

"Yeah. She had a bit of trouble with some hair growth stuff she got from Hogsmeade. It's different, but I think it looks great, don't you?"

I look around at them, daring them to disagree. Peter and James nod fervently. Remus just gives a small smile and stares at the floor. Sirius rolls his eyes.

"Drama queen," he mutters.

"I'm sorry, didn't quite catch that." I raise an eyebrow.

James clears his throat and grabs me by the arm.

"Lily, I think it's time to go dance, c'mon."

Right now I'm more than a little angry at Sirius, and I don't care if I told him I wouldn't dance with James. I'd like to go after Anna and apologise, but James is literally dragging me across the floor and it just feels nice to hold his hand. I don't even look at Sirius.

We find a spot in the middle of the dance floor and James grabs my waist, keeping his other hand in mine. It's a slower song than the one when I arrived with Anna, and I feel a little awkward as he pulls me in closer to him, but at the same time I feel comfortable. I feel his breath on my neck as he whispers in my ear. Okay, he's more like yelling over the music, but I'm trying to recreate an atmosphere here.

"What's up with Anna?"

"Oh, just the hair and everything, you know. She wanted to look nice," I whisper (yell) back.

"I could hear you yelling in there, you know."

"Oh."

"Well, not what you said. It was more like a continuous high-pitched squealing…"

"Hey!" I hit him across the chest. His incredibly toned and muscular chest. Someone help me, I think I'm dying.

He grins, before pulling me back close to him and looking me in the eyes, his expression suddenly becoming serious.

"It seems to me like you've been having a fair few arguments lately."

"What? I'll apologise to Anna, we'll work things out. Why do you…oh. Sirius told you about that?"

"Well, not exactly."

"You were eavesdropping!"

I pull away from him, suddenly scared. He knew? But Sirius had seemed fairly normal when we'd bumped into him. Apart from his lack of date.

"Well, not everything. I heard enough."

"So…you know?"

He looks down at his feet, as the music suddenly changes and becomes fast and up-beat.

"I'd just like to know," he yelled in my ear, "why you didn't go with him tonight."

"What do you mean?"

"Lily, you know I like you. I've told you god knows how many times. You didn't need to lead me on like this. I thought you were actually beginning to like me too at one point. But I'm pretty sure it's pointless. I don't even see why you and Sirius were arguing. Or were you worried about hurting me? In case you hadn't noticed, Lily, you already did."

I couldn't believe it. He didn't know! I let out a sigh of relief. This was better than I thought. So he thought that Sirius and I were together it seemed. We mustn't have heard everything.

"Lily? You're not even denying it!"

Although, this may actually be harder than I thought. If he thinks I like Sirius, how am I supposed to convince him I don't without telling him that Sirius…oh no!

"James, I know you think it's like that, but I assure you that -"

"-you know what, Lily? I don't even want to hear it. I really don't. Sirius didn't go with anyone tonight, in case you hadn't noticed. Go dance with him. I'm leaving. Sorry, but I just can't handle this."

I feel like crying as he gives me a sad smile, running a hand through his messy hair, and turns to leave.

"James, wait."

He turns around, somewhat hopeful. But what can I say.

"I – I'm sorry, James. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He nods.

"I know. But you did."

I can't believe I just lied to James, when he was practically telling me how much he liked me, for the sake of my 'best friend' who is acting like a jerk. And Anna's angry at me too. I feel like I've tried so hard to keep on everyone's good side, but all I've ended up doing is make everyone hate me.

Remus' POV

"Anna?"

She's sitting alone by the lake, her arms around her knees. It's quiet and surprisingly still, and the wind gently brushes the tips of the treetops. If it wasn't such an inappropriate time, I'd probably make a comment about the romantic atmosphere. Okay, maybe not. But I'd think it.

"Remus? What are you doing here?"

"I just thought, maybe you'd like some company."

"Not really."

I smile. She's never one for comforting. But I figure I'll try anyway.

"Alright, sorry. I don't know what you were fighting about, but I know Lily will come around. She's probably on her way over here right now to apologise."

She sniffs rather loudly.

"This was just such a crap night, you know?"

I turn to leave. I don't really feel like hearing about her unrequited love for Sirius.

"Remus?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you like me? I mean, everyone tells me you do. But -"

"Yes, Anna, I do. But I understand that my feelings aren't exactly returned, it's okay. Sirius is just, well, I guess he just doesn't realise what's in front of him most of the time."

Glancing at her, I can make out a faint smile upon her face.

"I'm sorry, Remus. I'm an idiot. And, well, I'm not sure I really like Sirius all that much anymore. He's a bit of an arse. I bet Lily will tell me that she told me all along."

"Probably."

"Thanks for coming. It was nice of you. But, I'd just like to be alone right now. If you see Lily, tell her I'm sorry. It wasn't her fault, you know."

"Alright, I will."

Once again, I turn to leave, but I feel compelled to add a parting remark.

"Oh, and Anna?"

"Yeah?"

"I think your hair looks great like that."

I don't see her reaction as I walk back to the great hall. But I hope she knew it was the truth.

Sirius' POV

I can't believe it. She's dancing with him. I've been a total idiot, I know, but it just hurts so much. James has always loved her, I see the way he looks at her. And so many times I've wished he'd look that way at someone else. Me, I suppose. I have considered telling him about my…feelings. But I know that would change everything. It just seems like now, that not telling him is making things worse.

I watch as he pulls Lily close to him and whispers in her ear. So intimate, and I can almost feel the shiver that I know Lily is experiencing right now.

And suddenly I feel so selfish. I know James would never accept me for what I am. It's Lily who has. From the moment I told her, she was understanding. She didn't laugh, only showed mild surprise. And she never told anyone, even though I never made her promise not to. She's my best friend, and in my own self-pity I've failed to see that what I'm doing is killing her inside.

Of course she's in love with James. I see her looking at him when she thinks he's not looking. I watch James' hand on the back of her long green dress, and I think about how many times she has denied herself any sort of this close proximity with him for my sake.

And I yelled at her. About how she didn't understand. Of course she understands. She's tortured herself for years. And I've ignored it, because all I've ever thought about is myself. How much I liked James. How much I deserved him. How much pain I was going through.

Their conversation isn't going too well, it seems. I can't see Lily's face, but I can see the hurt on James'. I don't know what's going on. Maybe she told him (yet again) that she couldn't be with him. Lily being hurt is one thing, but I can't bear to see James like this. Suddenly he walks away from Lily…towards me. I can't imagine the expression he sees on my face but my heart is wrenched apart at the scathing look he gives me as he walks past. And I realise this has to end. Now.

Lily's POV

"Lily!"

Trying to stop the tears from falling, I look up, hoping it's James. But it's Sirius.

"Leave me alone, Sirius, you're the last person I want to see right now."

"Lily, I need to talk to you. Please."

He looks sincere, but right now I'm too upset to care. I just want to find Anna, and I want to cry, and I want to get out of here.

"There is nothing, nothing, that you could possibly say to me that will make any difference right now. Get away from me."

I try to ignore the hurt in his eyes as I walk away. All I know is I need to find my friend. I need to find her. And I need to apologise.

Anna's POV

I can sense someone walking over to me, and I know right away it's Lily. I wipe away my tears rather fruitlessly, and turn around. But I see that I haven't been the only one crying tonight. The tears are literally pouring down her cheeks. I jump up quickly and run over to her.

"Lily, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I'm an idiot, and you were right, I was just so angry, please don't cry!"

She holds me tightly and I try my best to stop her body from shaking.

"I'm sorry Anna. It's not your fault."

"What's wrong? This isn't about our argument, is it?"

"N-no," she sobs, trying in vain to stop the torrent of tears.

"Here." I hand her back the handkerchief she gave me earlier.

"Actually, on second thoughts…" I open it up… "you may not want this one!"

She pulls away and laughs.

"Eww! You can keep that!"

"So…what happened?"

James' POV

I don't look up as the portrait swings open. It's not that I'm angry at her, to be honest I'm not. I don't think I ever could be. I'm just worried I'll say something stupid again. But she comes over to me, and I force myself to look up. She's been crying, a lot, by the looks of it.

"Are you alright?"

"What do you think, James?"

"I'm guessing you're feeling on top of the world right now."

She smiles slightly. Well, that's a good sign.

"James, I need to talk to you. About tonight."

"Look Lily, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to burden you with that, you didn't need to hear it. I wish tonight could have been fun for you. I was just really angry, that's all. I'm really sorry."

I take her hands in mine and look at her with what I hope is a genuine expression. To my surprise, she starts crying.

"James, it's not really...about that. I mean, it is, but not what you think."

"What is it?"

But as she's about to answer me, the portrait swings open again and a familiar face enters the heads common room.

"James? I need to talk to you..."

And now, Pads is going to declare his undying love for me!

Hmm, Pads or Lily. Which will he choose?

Me of course!

So much for you hating this story...

Well, its not all bad. I mean, I basically drive the plot forward, you know. Besides, everyone knows I'm better looking than Lily.

Pads, no one can rival the beauty of Lily Evans.

We'll see. Just you guys wait, he'll pick me over her.

Just you keep dreaming, Padfoot.

What about that bet we had, Remus? That you'd get Anna before I get Lily? Well, I'd say I've got the upper hand right now.

Nah, I think Anna will come around. She's realised what a jerk Sirius is -

Hey!

Well, you kinda were in this chapter. To Anna, anyway.

Yeah, and I was there for her when she needed a shoulder to cry on.

Moony, she told you she wanted to 'be alone.'

Like I said, she'll come around. Compliments are the way to go.

Oh, that's a good idea. I'll get the author to make me tell James about what a great defined, muscular, sexy body he has from all that Quidditch training...

Okay, Pads, you're really creeping me out now. I'm beginning to think you're actually enjoying this whole being gay thing. Don't get any ideas!

Oh relax. I just want to beat Lily Evans for once in my life.

Yeah, you never were the brightest of the bunch at Hogwarts, were you?

Shut up, traitor.

This chapter took me a while to write, so I hope you like it! Please review and let me know what you think!