“James.” I breathed, letting a smile spread across my face.
How pathetic was I? He had caused one of the largest arguments my mother and I had ever had less than twenty-four hours ago and my heart leapt when I saw him walking towards me from across the station.
“Lily!” He shouted, waving and smiling back at me.
He looked nice today, I mused. Mrs. Potter must have dressed him. Why else would he be wearing a shirt and tie that don’t have the Gryffindor colours? His hazel eyes were sparkling and his jet-black hair was just as messy as always.
“How are you?” He asked when he reached me.
Before he made me melt with that gorgeous smile, I snapped at him. “Miserable. Because of you, my mother ignored me for nearly two hours.”
“I apologize.” He said as he grabbed my hand, twining our fingers together. It felt so right.
“Well,” I paused. “I don’t accept it.”
He smirked at me. “Maybe there’s something I could do to change that?”
I saw his face getting closer and closer to mine. I knew it was wrong, but I didn’t stop him. He kept looking at my eyes, making sure it was OK; making sure I wouldn’t snap and slap him.
“Lily! Lily!” Alice shouted.
I snapped out of my daze and quickly turned my head away from James’. Thank God for Alice!
“You look so good, Lily!” She squealed.
“I second that.” James mumbled.
“What, James?” Alice asked.
He grinned at her and said, “Nothing, Alice. Have a good summer?”
“Of course! Except Lily never owled me.” She said, crossing her arms. “I’m totally out of the loop, now.”
“That’s a shame.” I mumbled.
“What’s going on? We have SO much to catch up on. How are things going with you and Remus?”
Oh, crap. This is what I was afraid of. “Erm-“
“Hey, Lily.” Remus said, interrupting what would have been a very lame sentence.
Catching me off guard, he quickly pressed his lips to mine. Swoon. . . His kissing was very different from James’. I mean, they’re both amazing at it, but have very different techniques.
“Guess I don’t need to ask.” Alice giggled.
I smiled stupidly as Remus ended the kiss. He quickly slipped behind me, resting a hand on my waist.
“Hello, Alice.” Remus said politely. “How was your summer?”
“It was wonderful. The only upsetting part about it was that Lily never owled me. I guess she was too busy with you.”
“Actually. . . I haven’t seen her that much either. I suppose she has a secret life.” He said it with a smile on his face, but his eyes tightened.
I smiled, nervously looking at James. He didn’t look worried, he looked angry. His eyes narrowed as he saw Remus’ hand slide further down my waist.
“Right then.” Alice said. “Let’s go, erm, catch up, Lily! Would you guys mind putting our bags on the train? Thanks.”
Alice tugged at my hand, dragging me onto the train. She didn’t say a word until she had found an empty compartment. As soon as we were in, she locked the door.
“What’s going on, Lily?”
“Damn, Alice. Do you notice everything?” I asked.
“Most. Now spill.”
I explained everything to her, everything. It took less time than I thought. This, of course, was good due to the fact that the marauders were going to arrive at any moment.
“Oh, wow.” She gasped. “Wow.”
“I know. I don’t know what to do!” I sighed as I slouched down into my seat.
“Well, who do you like more, Lily?”
“I don’t know! That’s the problem. They’re both so sweet.” I explained.
“James Potter is not sweet.”
“He is when we’re alone!” I defended.
“Is that good enough? Someone who treats you like a jerk when he’s around his friends, but like a princess when you’re alone? Remus is kind to you all of the time. He never acts like a jerk.”
“I know. James hasn’t been around me with his friends since he kissed me, though.” I said, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
“Fine. You really think he’ll be any different?”
I pondered this for a second. “Maybe.”
The compartment door smashed open and the marauders entered; I guess that lock was useless. I quickly straightened up and moved over so I was right against the window.
“Hello, love!” Sirius said, kissing me on the hand then going over to sit beside Alice.
“Hey, Sirius.” I mumbled.
“Why are you so sad, Evans?” He asked.
“I’m not.”
He looked at me, confused.
“Leave her alone.” Alice said sternly.
Remus sat beside me, resting his hand on my thigh. I smiled up at him, feeling extremely guilty.
James sat across from me and smiled. “So, Lily. We got your bags packed.”
“Thanks.” I blushed and looked down because of his intense stare.
“What about my bags, James?” Alice said, annoyed.
“They’re there, don’t worry.” He said, punching her playfully in the arm.
“Why did you rush off anyways?” Remus asked.
“Erm-“ I began.
Alice saved me. “Girl talk.” She said, winking at Remus.
“Nothing bad, I hope.” He replied.
“Of course not! How can it be bad when we’re talking about you?” She said sarcastically.
“Exactly.” Sirius interrupted. “Nothing can be bad if the marauders are involved.”
Right, I thought.
“What’s that supposed to mean, Lily?” Sirius asked.
Whoops, I guess I didn’t keep that to myself. “Er, just that you guys always pull pranks which makes some people miserable. Y’know, sometimes your company is bad.” I said lamely.
“OK, then. . .” Sirius said. “Speaking of pranks, I was thinking. . .”
I slowly let my mind wander as Sirius made the others interested in his plans. No one, except Alice, noticed how confused, upset, and worried I was. Hopefully I could keep it that way.
“Yeah, I’m head boy.” James said, pulling me out of my funk.
“What?” I gasped.
“Don’t act so surprised. I am smart, Lily.” He said, winking at me.
“Hmmm. You don’t seem to show it much.” I joked.
“I don’t want everyone to be jealous of me.”
“Well, that makes perfect sense.”
“Aren’t we supposed to be getting to the heads meeting soon?” He asked.
“I think so. Did you want to leave now?”
“Sure.” He said, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.
“OK. I’ll be right back.” I said, standing up.
Remus stopped me by grabbing my hand. “Hurry back.” He whispered.
Guilt washed through me, which caused tears to begin to brim in my eyes. “OK.”
I tried to find my way out of the compartment when a pair of hands grabbed mine and pulled.
“Are you alright, Lily?” James asked.
“I don’t know who to choose, James!” I cried. “I just don’t!”
He pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. “I’m sorry, Lily. I don’t mean to hurt you. I just love you.”
I pulled away so I could look into his eyes. “I think I love you, too.”
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