The Truth Of The Heart

Summary: Lily Evans has always, ALWAYS hated James Potter. So when they become Head Boy and Girl, nothing could be worse. But could working with him change Lily's opinion? Has she been ignoring the truth in her heart all along?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this….except a few minor characters, so please don't sue me, JKR, 'cause I have nothing you want….unless you're into human flesh (you're not, are you?)

A/N: Thank you guys all SO MUCH for your reviews – it's nice to know I haven't been forgotten! I would do review thank-yous, but if this fic gets taken down again for anything, it won't be going up again, so I won't risk it. There've been a few more alterations than before in this chapter, with regard to some of the dialogue, because when I reread it, I thought it seemed a bit stilted, so I redid bits. Anyway, enjoy chapter 4 (again!)!

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Chapter 4: Prefect Business

Owls swept into the Great Hall the next morning, just as Emma and Lily were getting up to leave. To their surprise, a handsome, but unfamiliar barn owl flew down and dropped an envelope into Emma's arms, which was strangely heavy. Emma slit the envelope open and read it as they walked to Charms.

"What does it say?" Lily asked.

"I'm . . . I'm a Prefect." Emma said weakly.

"What? No! Yes!" Lily nearly dropped her bag. "Well done, Em!"

Emma shook the envelope out onto her hand, and a small badge fell out – a 'P' superimposed over the Gryffindor Lion. She held it out to Lily, who took it and examined it.

"That's definitely a Prefects badge. But why'd you only get it now?"

"Because you became Head Girl," Emma held up the letter. "They had to find someone to take over the Prefect job, since you can't do both, so I got it."

"Well, congratulations Em. There's no one I can think of in the whole year who deserves it more than you!" Lily hugged her best friend.

Emma continued to read the letter, leaving Lily peering into her bag, until a soft gasp made her look up. Emma was staring at the parchment, her mouth open.

"What is it?" Lily asked impatiently, when Emma did not say anything. "Are you working personally with Narcissa or something?"

"No, I – I have to work with . . . Remus." Emma's voice had gone very quiet.

"Yeah, obviously. I thought you already knew that." Lily raised her eyebrows and gave Emma an arch look. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No," said Emma, a little too quickly. "Nope, nothing, nothing at all."

"Yeah, right," Lily said. "Emma, you're not telling -"

Just then the door opened, and Lily forgot to continue as they were ushered into the classroom for a demanding hour of Charms.

-

After Potions, the last class of the day, another thing occurred to intrigue Lily. Sirius pulled her aside and asked if he could speak to her in private. Startled, she agreed, and waved Emma past. Once everyone had left the classroom, Sirius dragged her up several passages until they were standing in a small alcove off a rarely used corridor. He turned to face her. "Ok, I know we don't know each other very well, and I know you think I'm just a prankster, but you have to believe what I'm going to tell you."

"Okay," Lily said, uncertainly.

"James told me what happened last night, and he said that you nearly got into another fight. I'm right so far, aren't I?"

Lily nodded.

"He said that for a moment, he nearly lost his temper. That's why I got you here." He paused for a moment. "Look, I know this sounds insane, but when James really, properly loses his temper, it's scary. I've only been on the receiving end once, but that was enough, because it is bad."

"So let me get this straight. You're telling me to be careful because James has a bad temper?" Lily said incredulously. "He's usually so . . . cheery."

"Yeah, because he keeps it under wraps. Go and ask Daniel Jordan in the year below us; he was given a dose of it two years ago, and he's still scared to come near James. My point is. . . just take care. I'm warning you in advance here."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Lily had no idea what to think. Then, suddenly, another thought occurred to her. "And aren't you a bit late – we've been arguing for years now. Are you seriously telling me that he's never been angry with me before, because I have a hard time believing that."

"Lily, the boy spent most of his time arguing with you because his ulterior motive was to get you to go out with him, and the only way you'd talk to him was to fight with him. It was all just . . .fun. For him, anyway. He never seriously lost his temper with you. For another thing, you two are going to have to work together for the rest of the year, whatever happens, and I know that James lik – respects you, so I don't think he'd want you to get hurt." Sirius appeared to be talking with such sincerity that against her better instincts, Lily felt herself believing him.

"I don't know what you're like when you get angry – actually, wait a minute maybe I do," (Lily smiled, thinking of the many times that she had yelled at the Marauders), "but anyway, just . . . try not to get into a big fight."

Although for some reason, Lily found herself accepting that he wasn't making things up, there was still a part of her that rebelled against his advice. Perhaps it was this part that made her reply so snappishly. "Ok, thanks for this, but if you think that I'm going to back down from something that I think is right, just because James has a nasty temper, then you clearly don't know me very well."

"Don't say I didn't warn you," muttered Sirius, but he let Lily push past him and walk off, wondering why she was cursed with classmates like the Marauders.

-

After the first week, the days passed swiftly, and Lily found herself caught in the everlasting tangle of classes, homework, and arrangements for the contest. Two weeks before Halloween, the notices went up, inviting everyone to take part in the fancy-dress competition, with plenty of food and mystery entertainment afterwards. Emma, being fairly artistic, had helped with these, painting and duplicating the notices.

As far as co-operation went, Lily discovered that she was beginning to like James more as a friend. True, they still had at least one fight every meeting, these were becoming more friendly than aggressive, and James had proved to be both resourceful and funny.

What astonished Lily most of all was that the arrogant air that she had associated with him for the last six years, had gone completely, and he had not asked her out once during the time they were forced to be together; he was much nicer for it. Astonishingly enough, he seemed to have gone right to the other extreme; he had not been seen flirting with girls since the beginning of seventh year, despite Sirius' usual girl-chasing antics. Now, Lily and Emma found themselves eating with the Marauders at least once every few days.

Although for six years, Lily had done her best to maintain a distant relationship with James, she now noticed that she was running into him more and more often. The situation was not helped when two professors decided to shift their students around. Professor Flitwick's seating plan meant that Lily and Emma were partnered with James and Remus respectively. Then, Professor Astor, growing tired of James' and Sirius' everlasting inattention to lessons, switched James with Peter, leaving James and Remus sitting directly behind Lily and Emma. Lily observed that she was not the only one who was becoming slightly disgruntled with the whole thing; Emma looked like Christmas had been cancelled when she found out who she was to be working with in Charms, though Lily could see no reason why.

A week before Halloween, disaster struck in the form of Professor McGonagall. Lily was perfectly aware that she had issues with the subject; she had only just scraped an 'E' on her OWL and things had not got any better. After yet another problematic lesson on animal transfiguration that Friday, she packed up, resolving to do something about it over the weekend, when Professor McGonagall cornered her.

"Miss Evans, I am sure that you realise that you have some difficulties regarding this subject."

Lily launched into an explanation. "Professor, I know my grades aren't very good, it's just that I . . . I need some practice on animals, which I will do, over the weekend, and I'm thinking about getting someone to tutor me, just to help me out."

McGonagall's face visibly relaxed. "Yes, I was going to suggest that. Perhaps someone like Mr. Lupin? It does not need to be permanent; I just feel that some extra help might clear up a few of your problems."

"Of course, Professor," and with that, Lily hurried out of the classroom. She spent most of Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms contemplating the idea of a tutor, and after dinner, she caught up with Remus, James and Sirius, who were heading up the stairs.

"Remus! Hey, REMUS!"

Remus looked back, and waited for her to catch up.

"What's the matter?" he asked, when she had got her breath back.

"Nothing, it's just that I have a favour to ask you. The thing is – the thing is," Lily stumbled over her words. "I'm sort of having some . . . problems with animal transfiguration, so I was wondering if you would mind just helping me out, like, next Thursday or something?"

Remus' brow contracted. "I'm really sorry, Lily, but I'm busy all next week. I know someone who could help, though; they're much better at it than I am. Hang on." He raised his voice. "Oi, Prongs!"

It took a few moments for her to process this, but when James turned round, her worst fears were confirmed. "No, it's alright, really," she protested weakly, but Remus ignored her.

"Prongs, would you help Lily with Transfiguration next Thursday? She's got a few problems."

James' eyes swept Lily up and down, as if expecting her to say it was a joke. "Lily? Help? Lily Evans?"

Recovering herself, Lily rolled her eyes. "No James, the other Lily Evans in your class."

"Sorry, just wouldn't have expected you to be asking for help from me." He shrugged.

"Whatever. And for the record, that was Remus asking, not me. The point is, can you help?"

James nodded. "Sure. Library, eight o'clock?"

"Ok. See you there." With that, Lily walked off, ignoring the whoop that came from Sirius as she turned the corner. Suddenly, she very much dreaded Thursday.

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A/N: So, there you go. Feel free to leave a review – anything will do. The next chapter will be coming very soon!