-1A/N: Ok, here's chapter 4! Hope you like it. Thanks everyone for all the nice & helpful reviews. Keep reviewing, it really motivates me to write the next chapter. So just to answer some private messages I got, yes, Sirius is a wizard, yes Hogwarts and Dumbledore and all that exists, yes Voldemort is around I just don't like writing about the war so it won't come up for a while, and no I do not live in South Carolina. I don't even know why someone would ask me that. Ok, anyway, the chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Misunderstandings

"Ow!" James yelped as he woke up, startled.

"What was that for?" He hissed looking at his mother. When she pinched, she really pinched.

"You fell asleep James! How many times have I told you not to sleep at the table??? Especially when we have guests." She exclaimed, glaring down at her son. Mrs. Potter was quite tall, even taller than James. "Be social! Here, why don't you tell pretty Cecily Dewey how lovely she looks tonight?"

"Mother, I do not want to speak to Cecily De-"

"Lord Potter, did I hear my name coming from your direction?" Chimed a very posh dainty voice from across the large table.

Oh no.

"Cecily, how…nice…to see you again."

And again and again and again. He thought. His mother was constantly inviting the Deweys' over in the hope that James would be taken by their daughter, a pretty witch from a very important and wealthy family.

"And of course it's always a pleasure seeing you again my lord. How wonderful that we've been seeing so very much of you lately, don't you agree? The wedding last night was splendid, don't you agree? My only regret is not having danced with you. I've heard you've talent on the dance floor as well as many other things. For example, I heard…" James plastered a smile to his face and tuned out while Cecily droned on. Eventually the dinner came to an end.

Mrs. Potter sent James to escort the Deweys' to the door. However while Mr. and Mrs. Dewey got into a posh new automobile, Cecily lingered behind.

"Well goodbye James."

"Bye." He said glancing desperately at the clock on the wall. He was supposed to be meeting Lily in fifteen minutes.

"James, you seem…somewhere else. Are you alright? She asked, turning his head to look at her with one slim finger.

"Yeah. Just great. Bye now."

"James why are you in such a hurry for me to leave? I'm certainly in no hurry." She said, lowering her tone. She brought her lips up to his.

What the hell is she doing? Oh...right. No! James thought. He backed away before she could kiss him.

"Your parents probably want to leave."

"Yes…Of course." Cecily replied icily. "Goodbye James." She said, turning away from him. She looked over her shoulder back at him. "I'll be seeing you." She walked slowly out the door.

That was scary. James thought, already running up the stairs to change for the important part of that Thursday night.

-------------------------------------------

Sirius sat back in his chair, his feet on the table and his hands behind his head. On his right sat a pretty young woman. They were sitting at a small round table outside a restaurant. He had taken her out thinking he needed a bit of fun. He soon realized that really she was quite annoying, and not as pretty as he had thought. Same with the other four girls he'd gone out with that week.

"Sirius I'm boooored. Take me somewhere fun." She said sitting up on her knees.

"You're bored? Tell me about it." He mumbled.

"Well you know, I'm not very picky when it comes to fun. I can think of a few things we could do." She whispered in his ear. Sirius flinched. For some reason he found it quite revolting. It was well known by his close friends that Sirius Black was usually the first to volunteer for this type of 'fun'.

"Er, yeah…" he said, removing her hand from his knee. "lets just sit here a while longer."

"Awww but Siri, don't you want to make me happy? I know I could make you happy." She said seductively. It sounded whiney to him. He quickly jumped up when her mouth came dangerously close to his.

"Ah! You know, maybe it isn't such a great idea to- ah!" he jumped again when she stood up and started inching towards him again. "I er, see, I…I have to go!" He yelled. She was advancing on him fast for someone walking so slow. Then he saw something.

It was just out of the corner of his eye, barley anything, that he saw it. It was long, black, and shimmery, and it was just in the next shop down. Hair.

He quickly forgot about the scary woman desperately trying to kiss his neck, and lightly shoved her to the side. He ignored her yelps as he walked towards the beauty with the long black hair. Because that person was the mysterious girl he had met at the Potter Mansion. The reason, claimed James, for his "loss of interest in the opposite sex".

Not wanting to seem desperate, he walked right up next to her and pretended to be looking at some clothing on the shelf she was standing by. They were so close they were almost touching. As he had hoped, she looked up.

"Alright, you can stop pretending not to know me now." She said with a grin.

Busted. Buthe didn't say this out loud.

"Oh, hello there! I suppose you remember me then. And by the way, I certainly do not know what you are talking about. Can't a man browse?"

"Not next to a pretty yet mysterious beauty he met at a posh party, no." She said with a grin.

"Oh modest, aren't we? But you know, you're not as mysterious to me as you might think."

"Oh really, and why is that?"

"Because I know a secret. Yes, about you."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"Oh but if I told you, that would ruin my air of mystery. That wouldn't be very fair."

"I don't mean to crush your cute little spirit my lord, but I really am not sure to what air of mystery you are referring to." She said smirking.

"Oh! I'm offended. But since you are so insisting, I suppose I must tell you." He said. Then there was quiet.

"Well, are you telling me or not?" She asked annoyed.

"Oh I'm sorry, just pausing to see exactly how desperate you are to know."

"You-!"

"Alright, alright, keep your knickers on. I happen to know that you are not of this kind."

"This kind?" She asked, raising one dark eyebrow.

"Yup."

"Care to elaborate?"

"I happen to know, little miss mystery, that you" -he leaned over to whisper in her ear- "are a witch."

She gasped and dropped the long burgundy dress she was holding.

"How did you-"

"You had your wand in your hair that night at the party. Not very clever." He said in a hushed tone.

"But, that means…you're a wizard?" She asked. "One of the richest most influential Lords in England is a wizard too?"

"Of course. How on earth didn't you know that?" He asked, curious.

"Well, I went to school in the United States because of my fathers work…and I didn't really hear much gossip…wow."

"Yes, most people have that reaction upon looking up at my alluring greatness."

"Sure they do."

There was a pause.

"We shouldn't be talking like this here. Anyone could overhear." Sirius said glancing behind him.

They walked over to a small bench behind an empty coffee shop.

"You know, you really shouldn't wear your wand in your hair. Anyone could notice. Including a Death Eater. You wouldn't want to be the cause of an attack on a huge hall of muggles." Sirius said.

"Death Eaters?"

"Oh yes. That's what that loon Voldemort has begun calling his followers." Sirius informed her, his eyes darkening.

"Oh, of course. Well you're right I suppose. I should be more careful."

"The Ministry of Magic has been keeping it hushed up, but there are more attacks nearly every day. We've been doing our best to stop it but-"

"Wait, we? Who is we?" She asked looking troubled.

"The Aurors. James and I-"

"Wait, you're an Auror too?"

"Er, you could say that." He said not looking her in the eye. As a member of The Order of the Phoenix, he was not an Auror, but close.

"From lord to wizard to Auror. Any other surprises you'd like to randomly spring at me?"

"Yes, I believe I've shed enough light on the wonderful mystery that is me for one afternoon." He exclaimed cockily. "So, any other secrets you'd like to share with me? Like your name for example?"

"I'm not sure you're worthy of that piece of information quite yet my lord."

"Please. 'My lord' is Mr. Potter. I however, am Sirius to you. And I'd love to know your name. Perhaps you would enlighten me over a butterbeer in Diagon Alley? I trust you can aparate? (A/N: Did I spell Diagon and Aparate right?) "

"Sirius Black, are you asking me out?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"I suppose you could say that."

"Well I suppose a cup of coffee wouldn't hu- oh." She stopped mid-sentence.

"What's the matter? Have my stunning good looks left you speechless?"

"No…It's not that…you see…I don't know how to say this…"

"Come on, out with it love. My clothes are going out of fashion at the rate you're speaking."

"Well you see, my family, they've, well, I've been put into an arranged marriage. I, well the thing is, I'm engaged." There was a pause.

"WHAT?"

"Sirius please, don't-"

"An arranged marriage?! What-how-that's disgusting! Those pigs! Is that even legal anymore?!"

"Sirius, those are my parents you're talking about! And of course it's legal! Come on Sirius, be reasonable n-"

"Reasonable? How can I be reasonable? This is cruel and unfair!"

"Sirius please. I can handle it. Besides, it's none of your concern. Now please, I don't want to talk about it any more!" She stomped her foot loudly on the dirt floor.

"Fine."

There was an awkward pause.

"Well then, will you come over to my place anyway? Purely as friends of course."

"Sirius, I don't know if-"

"Come on love. Just for a bit of fun. Between friends."

"Alright, if you stop calling me 'love'."

"Deal." He smiled down at her and she smiled back. God she has an amazing smile. And a great set of lips…

"Sirius? SIRIUS!"

"Huh?" He asked, snapping out of it.

"You were staring at my lips."

"Well you do have a nice set of lips there. And I say this as a friend." He winked at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Alright, lets go. Where is 'your place' anyway?"

He took her arm and guided her back to the Potter Mansion.

……………………………..

"Oh. My. GOD!" AAAAHHH-oomph!"

"Lissi! Not so loud! I told you, it's a secret! Seeeecreeeeet." Lily said slowly. She removed her hand from Lissi's mouth and wiped it off on her dirty second hand dress. "You didn't have to slobber."

However, Lily did understand Lissi's loud reaction to her previous news. She had, after all, told her what had really happened that night after Miss Smeldings gave her that beating. She just couldn't handle it alone! And if there had ever been anyone to trust it was Lissi.

"Let me get something else straight." Lissi said. "He's invited you out to town. Again. TONIGHT. And you aren't going. James Potter, the richest, sexiest lord in England has fallen for you. And you aren't going. "

"Yes! Well, sort of. He has not 'fallen for me'. He was polite a few times. That's all. And I can't go. I can't. I'm a poor orphan with nothing to my name and nowhere to go. He's about as high class as it gets! Can you see that relationship going anywhere? It would be a lot less painful for both parties if I just didn't show up, never came, wouldn't- "

"LILY!"

"Huh?"

"You're going out with James Potter tonight. And you're going to enjoy it. Now follow me. Lissi grabbed Lily's hand, yanked her out of her seat, and dragged her up the stairs to her small attic room.

"Now Lily, you need to get dressed. You can't go in this. Do you have a clean dress?" Lissi began searching through Lily's small selection of old dresses.

"Lissi. Lissi! LISSI!"

"What?" She asked turning around from her sorting.

"I'm. Not. Going."

"Ok Lily. Sit down. Sit." She sensed Lily was about to protest. "Sit!"

Lily quickly plopped down on the edge of her bed.

"Lily. How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"And how old will you be when you leave the orphanage?"

"Eighteen."

"Soon, yes? That's good isn't it? We'll be escaping this horrible place full of hate, where our childhoods have been wasted and turned upside-down by these horrible people. We'll be free. Yes? No. When we leave this place, we still have nowhere to go. We'll most likely get the lowest of jobs and the lowest of lives. Some of us will marry, only to find that their husbands will be drafted into the war all over Europe. Either way, it's basically a given that our lives will be miserable ones. Until I heard you. Lily, whether you can except it or not, you do have a chance with James, and he obviously wants you. Not only could you be making your life a wonderful happy one, but you would give hope to all the other poor orphans here. You're already giving me hope. Please. Go out with James."

"Alright." Lily whispered.

"A-alright?"

"Alright."

"Alright! You said alright! YAY! ALRIGHT!" Lissi jumped back up. "Well, you'll need something to wear, of course…"

Lily laughed while Lissi went right back to her ranting.

"Lissi, wait, wait. I have something."

"Have something?"

"To wear." Lily walked over to her bed and knelt beside it. She banged the floor once. Lissi saw a floorboard come lose from the old dirty floor. Lily reached into the hole and pulled out a chest.

"Lily? Lily, what is that?"

Lily answered this question by opening the latch of the chest and pulling out a long slivery-green gown.

"Lily! It's beautiful! Where on earth-"

"My mother. This dress belonged to my mother. It was all the they left me. They took all the rest of her possesions away, but left this. It was all the government would allow me.

The rest of the contents of the chest included an old book, a pair of dainty embroidered shoes, a picture of her parents, and, well Lily never could tell what the forth object was…

"Lily! This is perfect! You must where this tonight. Here, put it on." She handed the dress back to Lily, and Lily quickly pull it over her head. She sliped the matching shoes and turned to face Lissi again.

"Well?" Lily asked, looking down at her shoes. "What do you think?"

"Think? What do I THINK? Lily, you're gorgeous! Is it really you under all that silk? The only problem will be that James may just drop dead at the sight of you."

"Oh dear, that could be problematic." Lily joked. "However, the really problem is, how will I climb out the window in the dress?"

……………………………..

It was eight fifteen when Lily reached the café where she was meant to be meeting James. Oh great, I'm late. She looked around for the tall handsome figure of James Potter. He was nowhere to be seen.

Turns out I'm not the only one who tends to always be late. She sat on the closest chair and waited. And waited.

8:30. No James. 8:45. No James.

9:00. Lily stood up. She silently walked back to her window. She cursed herself for being so stupid.

What was I thinking? It was crazy to go! How could I have thought for a second that a man like James Potter could possibly be interested in me? I was probably just bothering him for the past two days. He's probably out snogging some beautiful high class woman. Well he sure as hell won't have to worry about being bothered by me again!

Lily reached her bedroom, flung the gown on the floor and threw herself onto the bed.

"James Potter. Ha! Who gives a damn about James Potter?"

But though she could try to talk herself away from it, she could not hold back the single tear that fell from her emerald green eye, ran down her porcelain cheek, and hit the dirty mattress beneath her.

………………………………

"Hello."

"Hello handsome. You look smashing if I may say so myself."

"Oh yes, quite the ladies man."

"You must be the most handsome man in all the land. I believe a jig is in order."

James potter stood before his mirror, speaking to his reflection. He promptly began doing the jig.

"Master?"

"AH! "

James jumped and turned around.

"Belba! C-can I help you?" James asked the house elf standing in his doorway.

"Belba wishes to inform Master that his father has returned from Hong-Kong and would like Master to meet him in the retiring room."

James' heart leapt.

"He's…he's home? Are you sure Belba?"

"Quite." She snapped, upset that her working skills were being questioned.

"A-alright. Thank you Belba."

The grouchy house elf disaperated with a little pop.

James was ecstatic. He had not seen his father in months, for he was constantly abroad for business. All other thoughts left his mind.

He rushed down to the living room and stood in the doorway. His heart dropped when he did not see his father. He walked into the room and sat on the large red couch.

"James Andrew Potter."

James felt a hand on his shoulder. He spun around.

"Dad!"

He leaped up and embraced his father for the first time in months.

"James my boy! Lets see you then!" He held James out at arms length.

"Just as handsome as always I see, and look at this muscle! Are you working out?"

"Quiditch!" James said with a lopsided grin. "Great to see you too Dad." The two sat down and chat over some firewhiskey Belba brought over.

"So how's that arse, Sirius Black? I suppose the two of you have been making your mother's life difficult?"

"You could say that."

"Well done." He said, exchanging his fake stern glare for a large grin. James grinned back.

The two talked for a couple of hours. They laughed over months of events. Eventually, they lost track of time. Soon it was eleven o'clock.

"Wow I'm quite tired. The time is so different in Hong-Kong, I've lost track of the days. It's Thursday, is it not?"

"Thursday. Yes…Thursday." James confirmed thoughtfully. He could not help but feel like something was meant to have happened on Thursday…

Then it hit him. Hard. He leapt up from his big comfy armchair.

"Lily!"