Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter or Harry Potter related copyrights.

A/N. I am so surprised by how fast you guys reviewed! I certainly didn't think I would have to update again this fast, so kudos to you and here's your chapter!

But first here is a result of the poll from the last chapter:

James' side: 6

Lily's side: 9

Dumbledore's side: 1

Undecided: 2

So the tide has turned! Let's see how you feel after this chapter; I have a feeling that people might change their minds again…

Somehow James and Lily were able to treat each other as if they were strangers. If they had to speak to each other due to homework or Head duties they referred to each other by their last names and spoke coldly and tersely. Their friends grieved for them. Hogwarts gossiped. Luckily, neither James nor Lily heard the viscous rumors because they didn't interact much outside of their group of close friends. Marlene and Alice kept their word; they didn't hang out with the Marauders out of loyalty to Lily. The Marauders did the same. Neither side was cruel to the other; they just simply stopped hanging out like they used to.

Finally the spring holiday arrived. Lily dreaded going home more and more with each passing second, but she knew that it would be worse for everyone if she didn't make the trip to London.

Sensing her dread Alice and Marlene tried to distract her with magazines, games, and gossip on the train ride. Nothing helped, but Lily appreciated the effort.

Forlornly Lily bid her friends good-bye and wished them a happy holiday. Then she searched the platform for her sister. Unfortunately Daisy was short and difficult to find amidst all of the parents and other family members, so in her search she found Mrs. Potter first.

"Lily dear!" said Mrs. Potter, her whole face lighting up with happiness. "How are you dear? You look so tired! They work you too hard in that school!"

Lily noted with chagrin that James obviously had failed to tell his mother about the break-up, so like him.

"I'm great," said Lily with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. It was easier because it was Mrs. Potter and her happiness spread quickly to those around her.

"James wrote me saying that you couldn't come to Italy with us; I hope you've changed your mind since then!"

"Unfortunately not," said Lily with true sadness. "I have some family obligations I can't get out of."

Marilyn Potter sighed and offered, "If your plans happen to change you just pop right over! Do you know how to travel internationally?"

Lily nodded her head and Marilyn continued, "Well after you floo to the Italian ministry you can floo over to Sardinia and then just apparate to 1031 Bella Baia Drive in Costa Rei; it's right on Cala Pira. I hope you get at least one afternoon off! The beach is beyond exquisite! I can't tell you how much time James and I spent there when he was a little boy. Mr. Potter was often working, but he joined us when he could. Anyways, it's my favorite spot in the whole world, and I think it's James' too, but I bet Hogwarts gives it a run for its money. Though the one difference that tips the scales is that you're at Hogwarts but not at Animoposto, our house in Sardinia. Isn't that the most beautiful name? Roughly translated it means 'heart place.' I'm so excited to go," she finished wistfully.

"If I can steal away I will certainly come down," promised Lily, wishing it could be true. "Well, it was nice seeing you again Mrs. Potter but I see my sister over there and I really must be going."

"Good-bye dear, I hope to see you soon," she added hopefully as she surprised Lily by hugging her.

Mrs. Potter hadn't known it at the time, but that hug was the best gift Lily could be given at that moment. It gave her just a little bit of hope back; it was like a rainbow after a storm. Although you know that the rainbow is only temporary and that there will be another storm, possibly a worse one, you just bask in the beauty of that one simple moment.

"Good-bye," replied Lily as she and Mrs. Potter separated.

"Lily!" shouted Daisy excitedly as she ran to her sister and hugged hug.

"Daisy!" Lily yelled back excitedly. No one could cheer her up like Daisy could, except for Ja… him. "I have so much to tell you!"

Lily spoke excitedly all the way to the car, not letting Daisy get a word in edgewise. The driver opened the door to the backseat of the car and Lily slid in and then shouted "Bloody hell!" when she saw the occupant of the car.

"Lillian!" said Clarice shrilly. "Mind your language."

"What are you doing here?!" said Lily as she resisted the urge to use less lady-like words.

As they were driven out of the parking lot of King's Cross Clarice answered, "Well Lillian, you seem so set against marriage that I have indulgently made new plans for your future."

After a long pause Lily realized what Clarice was waiting for. "Thank you," she muttered hatefully.

"You must enunciate," demanded Clarice. "Now try again."

"Thank you," said Lily very clearly, though it was easy to see that she didn't mean it.

"You are welcome. Now here is the updated plan. Tomorrow you will start your career as a model."

"A what?!" shrieked Lily.

"Now really Lillian, you must learn to moderate your voice," said Mrs. Evans snippily. "You will be modeling ball gowns. I found an agent for you and together we created your portfolio. Several agencies were interested in you, so we are going to meet with them starting tomorrow and you will go to the highest bidder."

"But what about school?" protested Lily.

"You needn't return to school, and don't even think about arguing with me or threatening to go anyways because you know about the leverage I have," she added as her gaze shifted to Daisy who already had her sketch book out.

Lily kept her mouth shut, feeling despair well up in her stomach.

"At least we get to stay in London for a while," chirped Daisy from Lily's side.

Lily managed a weak smile for her baby sister. "At least there's that."

"We're staying at Buckingham Palace too," exclaimed Daisy. "Dad has another case to work on for the royal family."

Lily was too absorbed in her thinking to answer. Daisy went back to drawing, feeling guilty that she was the reason Lily wouldn't be able to go back to Hogwarts, and Clarice began her usual mindless chatter.

-----

Lily had analyzed the situation a million times and from every angle and hadn't yet found a solution. But that was when she thought she had until August to figure out a way to go to a university, now she was out of time and her brain was racing at fantastic speeds trying to think of something helpful.

After having greeted the Queen and thanked her for her hospitality with flawless manners, Lily wandered out into the gardens hoping to get lost in a maze of shrubbery and never be found again.

Lily was so totally engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice a handsome young man sitting beneath a tree just off of her path. Although he had War and Peace open in his lap, he hadn't really been reading it and that was why he noticed the beautiful and distracted girl one year his senior only meters away from him.

"Lily Evans?" he inquired as she passed him.

She didn't ignore him intentionally; her thoughts just encompassed all of her focus so she wasn't able to hear the call from the young man.

He closed his book and jumped up from the grass and jogged over to Lily. He put his hand on her shoulder when she didn't respond to his call a second time.

The physical contact abruptly snapped Lily out of her thoughts and acting on pure instinct she grabbed the unknowing young man and flipped him onto the grass.

As he groaned, she gasped horrified at what she had just subconsciously done.

"Your highness! Are you okay?" she asked as she reached to help him up.

He smiled as he grabbed her hand and said, "It's nice to see you again too."

"I'm really sorry," she said emphatically as he regained a standing position.

"No harm done," he assured her. "Just don't tell my brothers you managed to knock me down like that; they would surely take the mickey out of me."

"I won't tell your brothers if you don't ever mention this to my mother," Lily stipulated.

"Agreed," said the prince as they shook hands. "So how are things?"

"Well," began Lily. "I just broke things off with my wonderful boyfriend of six months and I'm kind of not over it. Actually I'm downright depressed."

"Did you love him?" asked the young prince.

"Yes, and the problem is I still do love him quite a bit," said Lily sadly.

"Then why did you break up with him?"

"We were fighting," sighed Lily. "He said some stupid things, I got mad and said some even more stupid things and then I did the ultimate stupid thing and told him it was over."

"And now you're miserable," concluded Edward.

"And now I'm miserable," confirmed Lily.

"Well I have something that might cheer you up. There is a play that is premiering on Friday, here in London, and because it was written by one of my distant relations I am required to go. He writes a great many plays and I go to all of them to keep his son, a man named William Hornsby who is just a few years older than I am, company. For this play I have a date, but William does not. If you would like I could ring William and let him know that he no longer has to go stag," offered Edward.

"That would be marvelous," said Lily. "Thank you very much."

"So how is your fencing game?" asked Edward slyly. "I do hope you have improved since our last match."

Lily blushed as she remembered her abominable performance at their last encounter several years ago. "I'm afraid I haven't been able to practice much at all."

"Then we'll have to rectify that immediately," said the grinning prince. "Off we go!"

Then he grabbed Lily's hand in a friendly way and the two teens ran off to practice their fencing. Lily forgot her troubles for an afternoon and Edward put off reading his least favorite novel.

-----

"Why are we here again?" drawled James to his mother as they stood outside of a theater in London.

"Your father and I think that you should be well-rounded and cultured! That is why we are taking you to the theater!" snapped Marilyn as James uttered his thousandth complaint of the evening.

"But I'm not even packed for tomorrow," said James again.

"The servants are packing for you right now," hissed Mrs. Potter. "Now stop complaining and enjoy this mu- new experience. When we get home you can write a letter to Lily all about it and stop moping because you haven't seen her all week."

James shut up at the mention of his ex-girlfriend. His parents knew he was sad because he was separated from the love of his life; they just didn't know how separated they two were.

"But why are we standing outside of the theater?" Sirius asked, genuinely confused. "Won't the play take place inside?"

Taking an entirely different tone, Marilyn pleasantly replied, "This is the premier of the play and is going to be very well attended. It is lucky that Mr. Potter's friend in Mug- Human Relations Department had another commitment tonight and gave them to us. Anyway, I am told that this is what is done; everyone stands outside of the theater waiting for important people to arrive and walk on this crimson carpet into the theater."

"Strange customs," said Sirius as he adjusted his tux.

"All part of the experience," said Mrs. Potter lightly as she glared at her sullen son.

Suddenly the reporter who was covering the event began speaking in a loud and clear voice. "And now the beautiful people are beginning to arrive! In this first limousine is…"

For ten minutes James tuned out the names and inane facts that the reporter spewed. Then his heart skipped a beat as he heard her name.

"Accompanying His Royal Highness Prince Edward is his distant relative William Hornsby the sixth, son of William Hornsby the fifth, tonight's honored playwright. William attends every one of his father's plays, although his father does not, believing that it is bad luck for a playwright to see his play on the first night. However, as always Mr. Hornsby will be present at the reception to receive commentary. This evening William, one of England's richest and most popular bachelor's, is escorting Miss Lillian Evans, a beautiful young lady and the daughter of famous attorney Albert Evans. Miss Evans has been gracing the elite social scene of England since her debut two years ago. However, I don't think she has ever been on the arm of such an eligible and handsome man. These two royal couples conclude the parade of distinguished guests tonight; please stay tuned for live coverage of the reception at eleven. This is Antoinette Vives saying farewell until then."

Two shocked faces turned towards James after this announcement. As James just stared at the ground in anger, Sirius explained, "Lily broke up with James three weeks ago; she isn't cheating on him."

"Oh," said Mrs. Potter sadly.

"If it wasn't meant to be, it wasn't meant to be," said Mr. Potter as he put a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "Now it appears like everyone is moving into the theater; let's go and find our seats. Ernest assured me they were excellent."

Ernest hadn't lied; they were amazing seats. In fact they were so amazing that they were in the balcony section adjacent to the royal seats. James was in agony as he had a clear view of "That Prick," as James had taken to calling him in his head, touching Lily. His heart broke just a little bit more as he watched helplessly as "That Prick" boldly took Lily's gloved hand in his own. He didn't think there was any greater pain than what he was suffering when he saw "That Prick" whisper something in Lily's ear time after time and he saw her laugh in response. James was sure that he was in hell as he saw William share his extremely feminine theater binoculars with Lily so that she could see more easily.

James was interrupted from his staring as his mother cooed beside him. He briefly glanced to the stage and saw two of the characters kissing; he had no idea why they might be kissing or who they were because he hadn't seen a single moment of the play.

When James' attention returned to Lily, he felt as if he was being stabbed repeatedly by blunt knives. "That Prick" was kissing her! He was kissing Lily! His Lily! James' hand immediately flew to his pocket where he kept his wand. His heart plummeted as he realized that his mother had confiscated Sirius' and his wands so that they couldn't get into trouble. The image burned into his retinas, but James found that he couldn't look away.

Then suddenly the lights came on. James' view was interrupted as the people around him stood up and clapped. James couldn't believe that the first act was over already. By the time James had stood up and found an ideal spot to look over at Lily she was gone. Assuming that she had gone to the loo or to find some refreshment, James went with his parents and Sirius to the lobby, hoping and yet dreading to see Lily there.

Either James' dearest wish or his darkest nightmare came true. Lily was standing in the middle of the lobby chatting with a socialite, looking like her path to the ladies' room had been interrupted. Sirius saw this too, and directed Mr. and Mrs. Potter away from their son under the guise of wanting some of that fizzy liquid muggles drank.

Breathing deeply and swallowing his nervousness, James strode confidently across the marble floor.

Lily's heart skipped a beat as she heard his voice behind her. She couldn't mistake that voice; she was sure that even if she didn't hear it for years, she would recognize it in an instant.

Why was he here?! screamed her mind.

The socialite excused herself as James had requested and Lily turned to face him; she hadn't even heard what he had said because she was so distracted by the sound of his voice.

"Hello," he said, his face unreadable.

"Hello," said replied breathily.

"What do you think of the play so far?" he asked, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"I love Eva's character, but don't think that she is a good match for George. He may love her now, but I'm sure that he will soon tire of her needy personality and want to change her. Then, when she resists, as she inevitably will, George will just give up on her and look for someone easier," said Lily as she gazed into the eyes she loved most.

"You know the ending," stated James coolly.

"Yes."

"Did a little birdie tell you?" asked James sharply.

"No," said Lily coldly. "He is more of a very large falcon."

"A bird of prey much like yourself."

"Birds of a feather flock together," quoted Lily.

"So it would seem. It appears like birds of your feather flock very closely and very quickly. I take it that falcons don't mate for life?" he questioned with barely concealed malice lingering in his words.

"Your research is faulty; falcons do in fact stand by their partners once they find someone worthy of their affection. Sometimes the first bird to woo is not that one."

"No, perhaps not," admitted James curtly. "But I fail to see how a peregrine falcon could possibly be interested by the courting of a vulture."

"The falcon may not have a choice," Lily reminded him. "Among all vultures, this one may be the least offensive. And unlike a stag, at least the vulture is in the same biological family as the falcon."

"Darling," came a charming voice. The voice was soon followed by an arm that wrapped around Lily's waist. "Who is this?"

"This is an acquaintance of mine from school," explained Lily. "William this is James Potter, James William Hornsby the sixth."

"Wonderful to meet you," said William as he sized James up during their brief but tense handshake. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Act II is about to start, so we had better get back to the balcony Lily. I just know that you are going to love these next couple of scenes. The actress who plays Eva is so talented; I was at one of the rehearsals…"

James could no longer hear the conversation as "That Prick" led the love of his life away. James stared at Lily's back, just imagining what it would be like to hold her in his arms. He could almost hear the rustle of the fabric of her dress as he pulled her close to him, almost feel her long finger entwined in his unruly hair, almost hear her moan into his mouth as he gripped her hips the way he knew would drive her crazy. Then suddenly she was gone.

A moment later, Sirius found him, in the same spot she had left him, and dragged him back to their seats to watch the second act. James knew that he should watch the play because he would only find torment waiting for him in the next balcony, but only five minutes into the first scene he couldn't help himself; he glanced over. He soon wished that he hadn't.

He almost wished that "That Prick" was snogging Lily senseless because James would know that that wasn't his Lily; his demure, sensible, conscientious Lily would never cause such a scene. James could laugh at such a ridiculous scene, knowing that "That Prick" wasn't kissing the same Lily he knew. He would be able to imagine some other girl with red-hair sucking the face off of the attractive bachelor who was only meters away.

Alas, such a scene was not taking place. It seemed as if Lily was cold in her strapless dress because "That Prick's" tuxedo jacket was draped over her shoulders and his arm with it. James thought he would go mad with the pain that erupted in his chest. He was sure that if he wasn't in such a public place he would be rolling around on the ground screaming in pure, unadulterated agony.

Abruptly he turned away from the touching scene and was determine to watch the remainder of the play. The effort nearly killed him, but James' eyes did not wander from the stage until the curtain fell and the lights came back on.

"Now how about some supper?" asked Mr. Potter as they waited for their driver to bring around their car. James hadn't even noticed that he had left the theater; Sirius must have guided him.

"That sounds lovely," said Mrs. Potter as she watched her son carefully to gauge his reaction.

Three heads swiveled as James turned his head at the sound of a familiar laugh.

"I just knew you would love the ending," William said in a booming voice. "I just knew it!"

"How did you ever guess I wasn't one for happily ever afters?" trilled Lily.

"You? And such girly notions?" asked Edward with a laugh. "Don't make me laugh!"

"But didn't you just love the part where George threatens to kill himself unless Eva will call off her wedding to Count Rugen?" inquired William.

"I thought that part was ghastly!" said Edward's date.

"I loved it," said Lily in contrast. "It made me change my mind about George completely. He redeemed himself."

James wasn't able to hear anymore because the quartet had gotten into their limousine. James felt as if his heart had shattered and the shards were stuck in his chest. He hardly noticed as he automatically got into the car and was driven to a restaurant for a late supper.

"I think we should stay the night in a mug- normal hotel here in London," said Mrs. Potter excitedly after dinner. "I am so exhausted and don't relish the idea of driving all the way home. We could apparate, but Jinks would still have to drive the car home and I'm sure he is tired as well. And besides, this way we'll be able to get to the Ministry very quickly tomorrow; the house elves can just bring all of the luggage."

"Whatever your heart desires dear," said Mr. Potter indulgently as he smiled at his wife.

"Thank you darling," said Mrs. Potter sappily as she placed a chaste kiss on her husband's lips.

After the group settled down in a luxurious suite in a muggle hotel that Marilyn found fascinating, Sirius found James in his room watching the telly.

"Why are you torturing yourself?" Sirius inquired as he leaned against the doorframe with effortless grace.

"I'm not torturing myself," muttered James resentfully as he continued watching television.

Sirius launched himself onto the bed next to James and propped his head up on his hands. "You're watching the live coverage of the play reception thingy where Lily is. Why would you do that to yourself?"

James groaned and flipped onto his back so he was facing the ceiling instead of the torment device known as the television. "It's a love hate thing Padfoot."

"With you and Lily it always has been," remarked Sirius.

"But it was different before."

"Not really. You liked her so much you reached a point where you actually hated her; that was when you called her the m word, remember?"

"Yeah," sighed James. "I can't help it; I'm addicted to her."

"I noticed."

"What do you mean?" asked James as he turned his head to look at his best mate.

"Do you even know what the main character of the play we saw tonight is named?"

James searched his mind; Lily had mentioned some character, but all he could remember was the hidden meaning of her words and the way she looked in that dress of hers.

"Bill?" guessed James.

"Case in point," laughed Sirius. "The way I see it is there is only a very fine line between love and hatred and with you and Lily the line is practically invisible. Right now you somehow seemed to have found yourself on the hatred side, but you're looking over at the love side and you can see that it's obviously better on that side but you're too damn proud to jump back over to the love side and are going to suffer on the hatred side wishing you were on the love side for the rest of your life."

"Wow," said James. "That was kind of crazy, but I think I get what you're saying. It's too bad it's not that simple."

And here we are with William Hornsby the sixth and his date socialite Lillian Evans. Are you enjoying your father's party William?

Neither James nor Sirius continued the conversation because both of their attentions were instantly riveted on the television.

"Much more than usual," said William with a side glance at Lily. James glared as the camera angle widened to show that William's arm was around Lily's waist.

"And how about you Lillian, having a good time?" asked the reporter with a wink.

"It's been a wonderful evening," Lily assured reporter Antoinette Vives.

"So how did you two meet?" asked Miss Vives.

"It was actually a blind date," answered William. "His Royal Majesty Prince Edward, a relative of mine, set us up."

"Speaking of the royal family, is it true that you are currently residing at Buckingham Palace Lillian?"

"This is correct," said Lily with a smile. "The royal family has requested my father's help with some legal manners. For the sake of convenience our whole family is staying with him in London while he is working."

Changing topics, Antoinette turned back to William. "Obviously Lillian is a very special young woman, you must feel very special to be escorting her this evening."

"It has been more wonderful than I can express," said William with a tender gaze at his red-headed companion.

"Perhaps your father is prophetic and he wrote the characters of Henry and Marissa as you and Lillian," stated the reporter. "For those of you at home, Henry and Marissa meet at a club in London and it is love at first sight. I won't ruin the rest of the play for you, but I will tell you that their romance matures throughout the play, and although it is secondary to the relationship between Eva and George, their relationship culminates at the end of the play in a very surprising way."

"You know what is funny, my middle name is Marissa," said Lily with a huge smile that James and Sirius knew was completely fake.

"Really, mine is Henry!" said William with great enthusiasm.

"My, my!" exclaimed the reporter. "What a coincidence! This appears to be a match made in Heaven!"

James and Sirius both winced at this statement.

"It is certainly a sign that is hard to ignore," said William slowly. As his gaze met Lily's, the reporter sensed the private moment and concluded her interview.

"I hope the two of you continue to have a wonderful evening," said Antoinette. "And over here we have our dear Prime Minister! Prime Minister, do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?"

James shut off the t.v. and returned his gaze to the ceiling.

"She doesn't really like that guy," Sirius assured James. "It was so obvious."

"Whatever. I'm just going to go to bed," mumbled James.

"Okay. See you tomorrow. What time are we meeting Remus at the Ministry?"

"Nine."

"That's so early!" whined Sirius.

"You can sleep on the beach," said James realistically.

"Sirius Black does not sleep on the beach! He goes after the lovely ladies in bikinis!"

"Things are that bad with Marlene?" asked James as in he paused in fluffing his pillows.

"We're taking a break right now. I can see other people, she can see other people… We said that we'd reevaluate everything once you and… after the holiday," Sirius quickly tried to cover up his slip-up.

"After what?" asked James suspiciously.

"Nothing, goodnight!" said Sirius as he ran out of the room.

"Not so fast!" said James as he jumped off of his bed and ran after Sirius. Unfortunately for Sirius, James caught up and tackled him before he could reach his bedroom. "Now what were you saying?"

"Nothing! Complete nonsense as usual!" claimed Sirius.

"I don't think so! Talk or the hair gets it!" threatened James.

"No not my hair," moaned Sirius in fake horror. "Anything but that!"

Then James started musing Sirius' hair. As predicted Sirius flipped out. As much as he tried to be nonchalant about his hair, he took extraordinary care of it and didn't like it to be messed up, unless of course it was being messed up by an attractive girl. However, James was not such a character.

"Fine I'll talk! Just leave my hair out of it!"

James ceased and Sirius said, "Marlene and I are going to talk again after you and Lily make up. We're talking a break because we are both siding with our best friends in your break-up."

James rolled off of Sirius, stood up and then helped Sirius up. "You don't need to take a break because of me. Just because I'm not dating Lily it doesn't mean that you can't be friends with her or date her friends."

"Marlene and I are probably going to break up soon anyway," shrugged Sirius. "See you in the morning."

"Yeah, see you," said James in a distracted manner. James went to bed wondering why he wasn't fighting to get Lily back because nothing seemed right when they were apart.

A/N. Yup, they're still not back together, but who knows what the next chapter will bring? Speaking of the next chapter, it's actually not quite finished yet because as I said I wasn't expecting you to meet my quota so fast. Therefore, I'm upping the ante! 25 reviews will grant you the next chapter! Now here are some questions for you:

Which side are you on now?

How did you feel about Prince Edward and William?

For how many more chapters do you think I will keep James and Lily apart?