You Can't See That I'm The One

"James?" Lily's small voice called from behind the curtained area. "I dunno about this."

"C'mon, Lily! Let me see you!" James called back. He had chosen navy blue dress robes with stars around the trim, which he was currently getting fitted.

They were in Rosalind's Robes, shopping for dress robes, even though it was only Halloween. As usual, Hogwarts students were bustling around Hogsmeade, buying candy and gossiping about the Halloween feast.

Lily peeked out of the curtained changing area before stepping out completely. James sucked in his breath and his eyes involuntarily widened. Lily sighed. "Do I really look that bad, James?"

He shook his head. "Not at all, Lily. Trust me, I was thinking a lot of things, but bad wasn't anywhere close."

Lily blushed. "Really?"

James nodded. "Really."

He had never seen her look more beautiful. She was wearing silky, pale lavender robes. They were a little big on her, but that's what altercations were for. There was a shimmering material sewn in with the silk, so it was as though she sparkled. She was gorgeous. James sighed, sadly, and thought, Damn, she could've been mine.

***

They left forty-five minutes later, laughing and clutching their bags tightly. Lily brushed her hair away from her face. "Where to now?"

James shrugged. "Where do you want to go?"

"Three Broomsticks?" she suggested.

"Oh, that sounds good. It's rather cold for Halloween, I'm freezing."

She nodded. "It is really cold."

They found a nice little corner table, close to the fire, and sipped their drinks. Lily sat up and cleared her throat. "So, James, why are you doing all of this for me?"

"I told you I owe you." James shrugged.

She smiled. "Aw, Jamsie! You are a sweetheart."

"Why do you sound surprised. I'm always a sweetheart." She snorted and he glared at her. "Hey! Be kind, my ego is fragile and can break easily."

"You mean that abnormally large ego of yours can break?"

"Hey, hey, hey! I'm not that bad...am I?" James looked genuinely concerned.

Lily sighed. "Sometimes you are. For example, you could be a lot nicer to Severus."

James groaned. "He called you the unforgivable name, Lily. Why do you care anymore?"

"He was my best friend. He was the one who told me I was a witch and explained everything to me, so I wasn't completely lost and confused when I got here. He was always there for me. I know I could go up to him today and he'd pretend like nothing happened between us. We'd pick up right where we left off." She smiled. "He messed up, but I still love him."

James never dreamt that he'd be jealous of Severus Snape, but he was as he listened to Lily talk about him. She cared so deeply about someone that called her something cruel and James admired that. He nodded. "I'll try to lighten up on him, Lily, since you worry about him so much."

She smiled. "Thank you, James."

He nodded. "Did you guys book entertainment yet?"

"For the Yule Ball? Yep, Dumbledore used his connections to get us Basic Witchcraft."

Basic Witchcraft was one of the most popular bands at the time, consisting of three men and a woman. One of the men split the vocals with the women and they had come up with another name so they were even popular with the Muggles. Everyone loved them and Dumbledore's great aunt was the male vocalists mother.

James was obviously impressed. "Fantastic pick. I hope they play some of their Muggle hits, like All I Want for Christmas is You."

Lily clapped her hands. "Oh! Oh, oh, oh!" I love that song!" She started singing it. "I won't ask for much this Christmas, I won't even wish for snow. I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe."

James joined her, his eyes meeting hers. "I won't make a list and send it to the North Pole for St. Nick. I won't even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer click." Lily stopped singing, staring into James' hazel eyes, but James kept singing without her. "'Cause I just want you here tonight," he took her hand in his, "holding on to me so tight."

James stopped to kiss her hand and she finished the verse, "What more can I do? Baby, all I want for Christmas is you."

James had moved so close to Lily as she finished those lines that if he moved any closer, their lips would be touching again. Lily sighed, quietly, consumed by James and forgetting all about Sirius. They were the only people that existed to one another.

"Lily?"

"James?"

"I really want to--"

"Hey, guys!"

They backed away from each other quickly. They looked up to find Remus staring down at them disapprovingly.

"Hey, mate!" James sighed in relief and Lily tucked her hair behind her ears.

Remus pulled up a chair between them and sat down. "Do you guys realize I came in with Sirius? I saw you two before he did and told him to get drinks while I found a table. Something is going on between you two and it needs to stop."

"I know," Lily said, looking disappointed in herself.

"Lily, after dinner can we talk in the prefect's common room?" Remus said, his expression hard to read.

Lily nodded as Sirius sat down on the other side of her, grinning. "Hey guys! How did shopping go?"

She smiled, feeling a bit guilty. "Excellent. I got the prettiest robes."

Sirius kissed her. "I cannot wait to see you in them."

James looked out of the window when Sirius kissed Lily. "Where's Peter been lately?"

Sirius chuckled. "Our little Wormtail's got a girlfriend."

Remus smiled and James looked up in disbelief. "Who?"

"Lucielle Bones in Hufflepuff."

Lily smiled. "Aww, she's really nice. She's my Charms partner."

"Oh her?" James cocked his head to the side. "She's...well, I guess she's cute enough."

Remus laughed. "And that's probably why he didn't tell us. She talks a lot in Ancient Runes and I'm pretty sure she thinks she's a seer."

Lily snorted. "Really?"

Remus nodded. "It's rather entertaining."

"Poor Peter was trying to be secretive," Sirius said.

"How'd you find out then?" Lily asked.

Sirius laughed, lightly. "I walked in on them kissing in an empty classroom that day McGonagall kept me."

Remus looked at James. "You walked in on them?"

"Yeah, why?"

Lily shifted, uncomfortably and Remus smiled. "It means Prongs can't make out in random places."

James stuck out his tongue while the rest of them chuckled. He caught Lily's eye and she gave him a sad smile. He had lost her.

***

Later that night, Lily slipped out of the common room and made her way to the prefect's common room. She hesitated in the doorway. Remus was already there and pacing. He was still in his school robes and his sandy hair shined in the fire light.

"Hello, Remus," she said, quietly.

He jumped and turned to face her. "Oh my - Lily!"

She chuckled and flopped on the couch. "What did you wanna talk to me about?"

Remus sighed and sat on the couch across from her. "Lily, you like Sirius, right? You honestly like him and wouldn't lie to avoid hurting him?"

Lily shook her head. "Never, Remus..."

"Because, I thought you wouldn't, but after seeing you with James today, I dunno."

She sat up. So this is what this is about... she thought. "Remus, I honestly don't know what to say about how I acted with James earlier, but I would never choose him over Sirius."

Remus stared at Lily, quiet for a few minutes. "I don't believe you."

"What?"

He leaned back, shaking his head. "I just don't believe you. What you felt for James was so deep, Lily, I doubt that it's completely gone."

"I love Sirius!" Lily insisted.

"I'm not saying you don't, but James loves you more and doesn't think. Don't mess them up, Lily."

"What do you mean?"

"Sirius lives with James, didn't you know?" Lily shook her head and Remus continued, "Sirius is the only Gryffindor in a house full of Slytherins aspiring to be Death Eaters. Narcissa and Lucius have been dating for a while and Bellatrix is Bellatrix. He was sick of it and moved out. Can you imagine how this will affect that?"

"I had no idea."

"You have to pick one, Lily. If you truly love Sirius you can't keep seeing what you have with James and if you think there is something between you and James, end it with Sirius."

Lily was quiet for a few moments before saying, "Remus, nothing is going to happen between James and I. It's over. The time's passed."

Remus looked at her skeptically. "Lily..."

"And for someone who hides his own feelings, you sure are observant," Lily added, interrupting him.

Remus's face fell in confusion. "What?"

"Everyone knows how you feel about Juliana, except Juliana."

"I don't have any feelings for Juliana..."

"Liar," Lily replied, simply, a smirk on her face.

"We're talking about you, Lily!" Remus exclaimed, a bit flustered.

Lily sat next to Remus. "I would never intentionally hurt Sirius He treats me better than any guy I've ever been with. I wouldn't give him up unless I absolutely had to. Trust me, Remus." She met his warm, brown eyes. "I love him."

Reus had a fond half-smile on his face. "You really do. Just be more careful around James, okay?"

Lily nodded. "You're a good person, Remus."

He smiled. "So are you, Lily." He cleared his throat. "So, how obvious actually are my feelings for Juliana?"

Lily had been standing up to leave and whirled around, a smirk on her face. "I thought you didn't have feelings for Juliana!"

Remus rolled her eyes. "Don't be cute."

She giggled. "It's not too obvious. It's only really obvious to people who are around you guys a lot."

"So the entire Gryffindor house knows?"

"Yeah and probably Dumbledore," she added, smiling.

Remus slumped back on the couch and groaned. "Perfect..."

"Most people find your pining romantic," Lily added, helpfully.

"Oh, great! I'm pining. How does Juliana not know?"

"She's like you. She's so involved helping other people that she doesn't help herself. Severus and I got her and Lucius together, remember?"

"Yes, that was very, very strange."

Lily shrugged. "Strange things happen."

Remus laid his head on Lily's shoulder and took her hand. "Pick her brain for me, would you, Lily?"

She smiled and hugged Remus. "I can do that for you."