Love Last Fall

part 8

He had instructed her to rest, not hearing any of her complaints as he left her a note scribbled in black ink, walking out through the doors once she had obliged and was fast asleep.

She opened her eyes the next morning, yawning as the early morning fatigue beckoned her to go back to sleep in the comfort of the hospital bed.

But such privilege wasn't something she could afford, because she knew that the answers she wanted from James were a note away, laying on the desk besides her bed.

Just as she was about to grab it, a husky morning voice spoke from a bed to the left of her, startling her to bits. "Hey Lils, heard about your head," He didn't press her for information which she was highly grateful for. "Want a cig?" He pulled out a pack, lighting one for himself.

"Yes, actually."

That surprised him. Lily never smoked. In fact, she was against it in every humanly possible way. But things were changing in her life faster than she could blink so a little smoke couldn't hurt. He lit another and passed it to her, no further questions asked.

She inhaled the smoke longingly, feeling the effects making her head go fuzzy. "What is this?"

"Just nicotine, don't look at me like that," He chuckled, shaking his head at the oblivious girl.

Did Remus know that Peter was a traitor? That James is? She shook her head at the unwanted thought. He couldn't be a traitor. He said he had his reasons. Lily trusted James.

Things would be different now. More strained. Seeing his face again and resisting sticking a wand down his throat would be difficult, however she would have to bide her time. Let him think that she didn't know a thing, that he was ahead of the game. When in reality, he was nothing but a player in hers. James' too apparently.

"I know, Lily," his voice both surprised and startled her as she forgot he was in the same room whatsoever. Anxiety trickled through her bones at his words. He knew what exactly? There were so many possibilities. He must have seen her stricken expression more than she intended him to. "About you and James breaking up I mean."

"What?" Confusion danced circles in her mind as she sat up. So he didn't know what was going on with Peter. But what in the world was he on about?

"Lily you don't have to pretend and lie around me," his face was soft, understanding. She hated it. "James told me about it."

"That's not true! We never broke up. Honestly, Remus, do you believe every rumour you hear?" She laughed absentmindedly at what he said with such a serious demeanour. That couldn't be true. Her head injury wasn't as bad as to alter her memory right? She laughed again, the smile not quite reaching her eyes.

He looked pitiful. How could you not pity a girl that lived in denial of her heartbreak?

"Lily-" She ignored whatever he was about to say as she finally took hold of the note, opening it to be signed by her lovers glorious handwriting.

Meet me by the black lake after dark.

I'm sorry.

Yours forever, James.