Love Against All Odds // Jeverus

Chapter 11

Peter rushed forward, desperately trying to stop his friend from possibly committing a murder. The surrounding students cleared a path as they noticed the look on Sirius' face.

"Sirius, stop!" Peter grabbed his shoulder, and Sirius turned to face him fiercely.

"Pick one, Peter" He hissed, voice low and intense "Join me in humiliating Snivellus because we care for James, or you stay here and be a bad friend. Choose wisely"

Peter was taken aback by Sirius' words, struggling to find a response. Sirius glared at him, and without another word, continued walking away. Peter watched his friend's figure disappear into the distance, feeling a mix of confusion and concern.

Meanwhile, Remus sat alone at the table, dumbfounded. This was the first time in history that he'll be eating without the marauders. He knew James was with Lily, having their private conversation. However, he had no idea where Sirius and Peter had gone. He had seen Alice with Frank as they walked to the Great Hall, indicating that the class with Flitwick had ended.

Sighing to himself, Remus picked up an apple and took out his book. He knew the two were hiding something, and they probably went off somewhere. Before he could start reading, he overheard Marlene's voice from the other side of the Great Hall. She mentioned a show that would be happening on the school grounds, with Sirius as the performer.

That made Remus immediately snapped his book shut. He had a feeling that whatever it was, it couldn't be good.
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James led Lily to a secluded spot that he and his friends had discovered while exploring the castle. It was a place known only to them.

"What did you want to talk about?" Lily asked with a soft smile.

"Lily, look" James swallowed a lump in his throat "You know how much I've liked you all this time. I've made it clear"

Lily nodded, her curiosity growing as she wondered where this conversation was heading "Out with it, James"

James bit his lip, feeling his hands grow sweaty "I...my feelings for you have changed"

Lily's smile faded, replaced by a nervous expression "W-What do you mean?"

"Lily, you are an amazing person. You're smart, kind, and beautiful. Any guy would be lucky to have you, and that person isn't me"

"What do you mean, James?" Lily asked once again but firmly this time "You've been pursuing me since third year and your..your saying it's nothing?"

"It's not that it means nothing. It's just that my feelings have shifted. I hope you can understand" James let out a heavy sigh.

Tears welled up in Lily's eyes as she looked at him "Who is it?"

"What?" James frowned, startled at the sudden question.

"There must be a reason why your feelings changed. You described me as smart, kind and beautiful, so i'm sure you wanted someone else. Who is it, James? Unless everything you said to me was fake, and this was all just a game-"

"No, no" James interjected, shaking his head. This wasn't how he expected Lily would react. He had hoped for understanding, not accusations "There is someone, but please respect my decision not to reveal their name"

He reached out to take her hand, but she snatched it away and slapped his cheek. James stumbled back, his hand instinctively moving to his stinging face. He looked at Lily, his eyes wide with disbelief. She mirrored his expression with a mix of horror and embarrassment.

Before James could utter a word, Lily had already run off. He stood frozen in that secluded spot, his feet refusing to move. He ran a hand through his messy hair, trying to process what had just happened.