Disclaimer: *coughs nervously* Um...okay, so I know this may a bit of a shock to you...but...I don't own Harry Potter. Yeah.
A/N:Wow. Siriusly, wow. Thank you SO much to:

Thirteenthphoenix: Jily are getting more mature...well, James is.
thirteenth soul: THANK YOU. I HAVE POSTED.
YouBlitheringIdiot: Thank you for your ongoing support, and the sequel will be coming up after this story. Thanks for your opinion!
SilviaGreyback: I like hearing your stories! Thank you for your cookie, and the AHHHH, and the sequel is written and will be posted when this story is complete. Also, good luck with your homework! I know all about that, unfortunately.
Choc0 Chipz: Who said 'miss me?' Well, read on to find out! I'm glad you love it!
All of the guests: Thank you for taking your time to read and review this, and about the guys thing, I never really thought it about it!
Now I have said thank you to everyone, let's get on with the chapter!
Enjoy xx
(Two more chapters? Three?)

"Evans?"
Potter is standing there, dragging his trunk behind him, and I stand up, making my face a cold, clear mask.
"Potter."
I quirk a smile.

"Miss me?" I say brightly, and he raises his eyebrows.
"Why would I miss you?"
"I don't know, maybe my sparkling wit and charming personality. That, and my obvious good looks." I toss my flaming hair over my shoulder sarcastically, and smile sweetly at him. "How's our favourite Hufflepuff?"
"She's fine," He says quickly, and I nod, beaming.
"Excellent. You know I'd hate it if something happened to her."
"Stop it."
"Stop what?"
He seems at a loss for what to say, and sits down on the sofa.
"How come you came back then, Potter?"
"Peter snores."
"Very funny." I sit down on the rug. "Is that all?"
"Why would else would I come back?"
"I don't know, compassion, some humanity, or maybe you actually did miss me."
My gaze is razor sharp.
"Well, I didn't."
My eyes glitter dangerously.
"Good."

"I...what?"
"I said that's good. It wouldn't be prudent for you to be missing me when you have a girlfriend, now would it?"
"Stop it." He says again, like he doesn't know what to say.
"I'm not doing anything." I insist, putting on a puzzled face, leaning up and stretching slowly. His eyes glaze over slightly, and for a second I feel guilty, then push it aside. "Have you seen Sirius?"
"Sirius?" James mumbles the name like he's never heard it before.
"Yes, Sirius. My boyfriend?" The words taste metallic on my tongue, like blood and old pennies.
"I-In the common room, I think."
"Right. Are you doing rounds tonight?"
"Um...no. McGonagall said I should unpack."
He suddenly looks so lost, a little boy holding the trunk nearly as big as him, hair all over the place, glasses slightly crooked, and I want to go to him, hug him, kiss him, tell him that everything's going to be okay and throw his girlfriend Elizabeth out of the nearest window while I'm at it.
I don't. Unfortunately.
"Fine. I'll be somewhere. If you happen to fall down the stairs and desperately need medical attention, send a Patronus or something."
He nods tiredly, stands up and starts dragging his trunk towards the stairs. Biting my bottom lip, I pull on my cardigan and lay back against the sofa. A memory hits me then, vivid and hopeful.

"Lily?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you going to say yes this time?"
"What?"
"When Potter asks you out. Are you going to say yes?"
"Maybe."

That was in fifth year, just after our Charms OWL, when Alice, Mar and I went outside. Two minutes later, James had ruined my afternoon, and a friendship.
Why do I keep making excuses for him?
I ask myself wearily, and the answer pops into my mind instantly.
Because you love him.
"No I don't." I say out loud, and then rub my forehead, confused, staring into the depths of the fire like they're going to tell me what on earth to do next.
Do I?
I know the answer.
Yes.
Bloody hell.

I stand up, picking up my hairbrush and running it through my hair, grimacing and making a mental note to have a shower at the earliest opportunity. The firelight reflects off the brass doorknob, looking at me accusingly, and I stuff my wand in my cardigan pocket before leaving for my rounds.

Shadows dance across the walls as I pass the common room, and the Fat Lady smiles jovially at me.
"Hallo, Lily, dear. How are you?"
"I'm alright, thank you, ma'am."
I've called her ma'am since I was in first year, and apparently she likes it.
"I heard from Vi that Mr Potter is going back to being Head Boy."
"Tell me about it."
I stop to talk to her, leaning next to the wall.
"Not happy about it, my dear?"
"I've not so much got a problem with him than his new girlfriend."
"I heard what she called you, Lily dear, and it was inexcusable. She won't be coming into the Gryffindor common room again, not on my watch."
"Thank you, ma'am. I really appreciate it. I usually don't mind, it's great when people show House unity-"
"But pureblood bigotry is a totally other issue. You'd think she'd been in Slytherin, the way she behaves." She giggles. "Don't tell the Bloody Baron I said that."
"I won't, don't worry."

Another portrait calls out from the wall; it's the man from the common room who asked about letting Lizzie in.
"I must say, you're doing a splendid job of Head Girl, lass."
"Thank you." I smile happily. "I try my best."
"I never was a fan of that lass, Darren. A bit too quiet for my tastes. But you've got fire, girl. Don't let anyone take that away from you."
"And give Mr Potter a good slapping, will you? Might knock some sense into him." The Fat Lady adds, and I frown.
"Sense into him? What do you-"
"He's being ignorant. You two are going to end up together, I just know it."
"I wish." I sigh, and then clap my hand over my mouth as I realise what I said. Both of them start roaring with laughter.
"Yes, yes, just get back together with him, will you? I can just imagine it...your children will talented and beautiful..."
"Not to mention imaginary." I laugh, blushing a fiery red. "I'm sorry, but I really should be doing my rounds."
"Don't stay up too late, Lily dear!" The Fat Lady calls out as I start to walk off, and the portly man nods vigorously.
"Let one of us paintings know if you get in a spot of bother, and we'll do out best to help."
"Thank you!" I beam at them gratefully, and start to leave.

I've just reached the end of the corridor when the portrait hole opens and Sirius bursts out, uniform all over the place, grabs my arm and spins me around.
"We're going this way!"
"Alright then." I don't even bother questioning him, just jog beside him as we pass a window. The sun is setting, casting a beautiful orange glow across the Lake.
"What's going on?"
"Remus, he's unwell."
"Is he okay?"
"No, you don't get it." He jerks his head towards the sky as we approach the bridge. "It's full moon."
"Oh yeah," I remember what I mapped in Astronomy. "But why are you bringing me?"
"Because I think James forgot."
"I'm not an Animagus, Sirius!"
"I know, but James is the best at Disillusionment Charms out of all of us, and you're even better than him, so I need you to put it on me and Peter."
"Why didn't you just remind him?"
"Because he's in a really bad mood, and he'll remember in a minute and come rushing down here. Look, Peter's waiting down here."
We run down past the courtyard, and Sirius points at the hollow next to the large willow tree.
"Why's he in a bad mood, then?"
"Haven't you heard? He broke up with Lizzie. This way!"

The urgency in his voice spurs me to move faster, but I can't stop the smile from creeping across my face.

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She-who-is-getting-excited-now xx