The Lily

Chapter Three: The Rumors

The second Lily stepped into the common room, Anaiya pounced on her and dragged her up the stairs to the dorm, leaving a bemused James behind.

As soon as the door closed, Anaiya said expectantly, "Well?"

So Lily told her about her day with James.

~

When Lily walked into the common room the next morning, she saw people turn to look at her, then whisper behind a hand.

As Lily approached the portrait hole, she heard snatches of conversation.

"I saw her and James in Hogsmeade together."

"I think he deserves better than her."

"Are they going out?"

"James will probably be finished with her by the end of the week."

Lily frowned and walked slowly to the Great Hall, pondering what she had heard.

James called to Lily as she moved towards the Gryffindor table.

"Good morning, I saved you a seat."

"'Morning," Lily murmured.

He leaned over and brushed his lips lightly across hers.

Do not blush

, she told herself sternly. Do not blush. But she blushed anyway.

Anaiya, sitting in front of Lily, said, "I was just having a chat with James."

Uh-oh

, Lily thought.

"What about," she asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes.

"Oh, this and that," she said airily. She paused, "And the rumors flying around about you two." She grinned wickedly.

Frowning, Lily looked up. "I heard people talking about James and me in the common room..."

"You know how quickly things get around. Remember when Annet and---" Anaiya cut off abruptly as Annet herself sat a couple of seats away from them.

~

Everywhere Lily went, someone was asking her, "Are you really going out with James?" Lily would be flustered because she didn't know for sure, herself. He was acting as though they were. Like at breakfast when he had saved her a seat and gave her a kiss.

So Lily resolved to have a talk with James to straighten everything out.

~

Lily was curled up on her bed reading a book when Hallana, Annet and Keredwel walked into the dorm. Barely glancing at them, Lily continued reading her book.

She fixed a look of polite inquiry on her face when a shadow fell across her book.

Annet loomed above Lily, looking angry.

"Are you going out with James," she asked stiffly.

Lily sighed. "I don't know."

Annet snorted. "You don't know?" She said incredulously.

"James and I haven't talked about it yet."

Annet gave her a piercing look and flounced over to Keredwel and Hallana.

Lily returned to her book, but couldn't concentrate on it. She kept remembering what someone had said. "James will probably be finished with her by the end of the week." What if they're right, she thought worriedly. What if James is only using me? Making a soft sound of annoyance, Lily glanced at Annet, Keredwel and Hallana to find them watching her. Quickly, they turned to each other and whispered.

Sitting her book aside, Lily walked down to the common room.

A group of kids played Exploding Snap, several groups of girls sat around giggling.

Lily sat at a small table in the corner and watched everyone. She found herself looking for James. She saw him sitting with Sirius and Remus. He glanced up and caught her gaze. James smiled slowly and said something to Remus and Sirius. Then he rose and approached Lily.

"Can I sit here?"

"Of course."

Lily shifted, feeling nervous.

Okay, just ask him. But what if he does use me? Stop it

, Lily told herself sternly.

"What are you doing here in the corner, Lily?" James asked curiously.

Lily felt a shiver run up her spine at the way he said her name. "Just watching everyone."

He was staring at her again. The same intense look he had given her when he had asked her to Hogsmeade.

Hesitantly, Lily tilted her head and asked, "James, could you meet me by the lake tomorrow after classes?"

"Sure."