Emerald and Hazel

Chapter 10 - A Game of Truth

James' P.O.V

Okay. I'm not sure exactly what I was doing but I was going to make it work. As Sirius said 'Evans loves a bit of competition, so give her some competition Prongs'.

While Lily was in the hospital wing it seems that Jennifer made Tom jealous enough with our plan, jealous enough that while I was trying to get into the hospital wing to see Lily, Jennifer was being pulled into a deserted classroom by Tom, declared his love for her and ended up snogging.

But it all turned out quite well, because assuming I was heartbroken, Lisa Honey from Hufflepuff offered me her comfort and a butterbeer if I'd go with her to Hogsmeade on the weekend. And I thought someone who actually wants to go out with me might spark Lily's jealousy more than someone pretending for someone else.

I do feel guilty about using Lisa, but from what I've heard she's the reason that Tom and Jennifer broke up three days later. So I was planning to ignore her when Sirius jabbed me in the ribs and told me not to turn her down. I thought those long nights in the shrieking shack were getting to him, but it all made sense soon enough and I accepted her offer to go to Hogsmeade together.

'Oi, Prongs you in there?' Sirius said waving his hand in front of my face.

'What? Oh yes.' I responded casually.

'You sure? Your kind of staring at the window, for a while I was worried you were going to jump.' He laughed slightly and I laughed sarcastically.

'Just thinking about the plan again.' I said flicking through the pages of the Daily Prophet absent-mindedly.

'Prongs, its full proof, that Hufflepuff Honey is head over heels for you.' He said confidently.

'Yeah, I know I just don't know how long I'm going to have to keep up this charade.' I explained. I was tired and leaned back in the chair I was sitting in and realised I wasn't in my common room anymore.

'Well, Evans looked pretty sour today after you left.' He added and I groanded realising I had to do rounds tonight and I had to walk to my common room to see when Lily was ready to do rounds.

Lily's doing rounds with me. Merlin! My hopes lifted and I realised that I'd finally get to talk to Lily in a peaceful, isolated place. I didn't know you could ever be excited to do rounds well, unless you're Remus, but this is great!

'Erm, listen I've got to go and do rounds now, so talk to you tomorrow at breakfast?' I said jumping up.

'Sure, if Honey isn't too busy having your face for breakfast' Sirius smirked and I glared at him for giving me that certain visual.

'Whatever, see you' I made my way out of the portrait hole and walked to my common room.

When I walked into our common Lily was already sitting on the couch and the blazing fire eliminated her face and I was wondering momentarily whether my imagination now did that whenever I saw her to remind me how beautiful she was.

'There you are, you ready?' She said with a straight face and not to the enthusiastic mood you would usually see Lily in.

'Yeah, you okay?'

'Yes' she snapped.

'Okay well, erm, lets go' I gestured towards the portrait hole and she nodded in agreement.

*1 hour later*

I hadn't spoken with Lily since we began our rounds, it's not that I didn't want it but when Lily was unhappy she was very hard to approach, even teachers avoided Lily when possible if she was in a bad mood.