Not-So-Secret Admirer -A Jily Story

Part 11- James

"Diagon Alley wasn't the same without you," I said, sitting down next to Lily "You should've have told me you weren't going. I would've stayed and we could've made this a date night."

"In your dreams," she retorted.

"Anyway why did you stay?" I asked.

"I wanted to go investigating in Mr. Candwall's office again," she replied. I did a double take.

"And!? What did you find?!"

"The truth about what happened to my parents," she replied with a soft smile "The Ministry is hiding them and they are reintroducing them as wizards. They have to lie low but if anyone asks they are wizards."

"Wow that's... I'm sorry I don't know if this is good or bad," I admitted.

"That's okay, neither do I, at least they're safe," Lily answered "How was Diagon Alley?"

"It was okay," I said "Would have been better if you were there. And if Sirius and Marlene stop flirting with each other all the time."

"Well at least they're getting along," Lily said "Wait, how much alcohol did Sirius have?"

"Not a single drop," I said "Even Marlene didn't have any sugar."

"That's progress I guess," Lily said "You know, at first, I thought that Sirius and Marlene wouldn't be together at all. I mean Marlene never completely knew how she felt about him. She would like him for a bit and then move on and the cycle repeats."

"Yeah, well, can't say the same about Sirius," I said "He's been in love with Marlene since the third year. I didn't want them to be together. I mean, I love Sirius and all, but you know how he is. He's never had a girlfriend for longer than two months and he's broken quite a lot of hearts, not intentionally but still. I didn't want that for Marlene."

"Really?" Lily asked "Since when were you so protective of Marlene?"

"I've always been protective of Marlene," I defended "She's like a sister to me!" Our parents were friends so me and Marlene sort of grew up together. We weren't as close as her and Lily were but she was like family.

"Oh, I wonder how you felt about them hooking up in the third year," Lily said.

"They did what!?" I exclaimed "What? When? Where? Why? How Marlene not tell me? How could SIRIUS not tell me!"

"I mean he must have had an explanation," Lily said.

"Oh my god! Of course it's so obvious! There was no Stella in Hufflepuff so he was with Marlene. Ugh! I should have known!" I said.

"For what it's worth, I didn't want them to date either," Lily said "I thought it would mean that I would have to spend more time with you and get to know you and I didn't want that."

"I'm going to pretend that I'm not offended," I said. Lily chuckled softly.

"I'm glad I was wrong," Lily said "You're a person worth knowing and I'm glad I know you."

"Lily, I'm sorry but I just have to ask you," I said "What are you doing? Why do you have this sudden interest in me? I know that you know I have feelings for you. So what are you doing? Are you just messing with me?"

"If I have to be honest, I don't know," Lily admitted "I thought we could just be friends, but that's harder than I thought, because I think I might be getting feelings for you but I'm going through a lot and I just need some time to figure it all out and I know that I might be leading you on and it's not fair to you. I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay," I said "Just let me know when you figure it out, no matter what the outcome is."

**********

Lily gave me a crucial piece of information and I needed to talk to someone about it. I entered the Gryffindor common room and saw Marlene was sitting alone reading one of the muggle books Lily got her hooked on.

"Hey Marlene," I greeted, sitting down on the floor across from her.

"I don't know where Lily is," she said.

"That is so hurtful," I joked "We have been friends from since we were five and you think I only talk to you to close to Lily."

"Okay, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt," she said "What's the matter?"

"You never told me you hooked up with Sirius in the third year," I said. Marlene's face adopted an apologetic look.

"I swear I didn't think you would find out," Marlene said "Who told you?"

"Lily did and it should have been you," I said.

"I know but I know you didn't think that Sirius was good enough for me or something but I really liked him," she explained.

"I'm not angry about that so you can relax," I said "Besides, Sirius is crazy about you and you two would be amazing together."

"It's so nice to see that you approve," Marlene sighed.

"Come on Marlene," I said "You never needed my approval."

"Yeah, I know but you're like a brother to me," she said "It's important to me that you approve of the people I'm with."

"And what would happen if I didn't approve?" I asked.

"I still go out with them, just behind your back," she answered.

"There she is," I joked and Marlene giggled.

"Speaking of dating, I know another couple who would be good together," she said "You and Lily seem to be spending a whole lot of time together. How's that going?"

"I don't know about that," I said "I don't think she feels the same way about me. I feel like I should just move on."

"Oh, darling, you already tried that, remember?" Marlene pointed out "You tried moving on. You even went on a date and then you-"

"Called her Lily while we were snogging, yeah I remember," I said, finishing Marlene's sentence. Both of us laughed at that.

"You and Lily will work it out," Marlene said "She's your soulmate. She just doesn't know it yet."

"Thanks, Marlene," I said "I have to go confront Sirius about you two. Catch up later?"

"I'm holding you to that," Marlene said "Also If you and Lily do end up together, you are naming your first daughter Marlene."

"Marlene Potter," I said "If you wanted my last name all you have to do is marry me."

"Yeah, but I prefer Marlene Black," she retorted "And Lily Potter sounds better."

"Lilly Potter," I repeated "I think that's my favorite name."

A/N: So as it turns out it is canon that Marlene and James are childhood best friends. I did not know that. I have no idea what this chapter is but he we go. Vote, comment, and check my grammar. If you want, no pressure (Is that how you play hard to get).