*James POV*

"Why did I agree to this again?" Lily questioned, her hand twitching in mine.

"Because it'll give us an excuse as to why you're suddenly spending time with us, that's why," I explained once more, my eyes scanning the hallway for a certain girl.

"And to make Lilah jealous," She finished.

"That too, it's marvellous as to how things work out, isn't it?"

We walked into the Great Hall for breakfast, the lingering eyes of students seeming to bother Lily as we sat next down to Remus.

"Ready?" He asked Lily, sending her a reassuring smile to ease her nerves.

She glanced at the flickering candles placed on the table, a frown staining her features.

"Not really," She mumbled, guilt thickening her voice.

"Well you agreed so get over it Sunshine," Sirius stated, slipping into the seat in front of us. "And it's show time!" He clapped.

Lilah glided into the room, chocolate decadents flowing down her shoulders and spilling onto her back. An easy grin lit her face, her movements casual as she made her way towards us.

"So how was the date?" Lily inquired, her posture stiffened due to her uneasiness.

"Yeah it was good," She smiled, her white teeth flashing.

"Just good?" Remus teased his younger cousin.

"Are you asking for the details Remus? Because I can surely tell you about how this one," she jabbed her finger towards me, "totally interrupted our date, made a fool out of me and himself while he was at it and then we were rescued by this one," she moved her pointed finger into Lily's direction, "who then too proceeded to embarrass me further. After that it was pretty good, though, he took me to the courtyard and finally got some peace and quiet," She shot me an angered look.

If only she knew that we had followed her to the courtyard as well.

Throughout breakfast, she refused to even glance in my direction, let alone talk directly to me.

Had I done something?

Merlin, maybe it's just that time of the month.

God, I hope it is.

"Ready for Potions my Lily flower?" I gazed at Lily, trying my best to act the part of a loving boyfriend.

"Of course Po-James," She smiled tightly, trying to ignore their entwined fingers and the guilt encompassing her.

*Lily POV*

It was lunch now and the news of James and I 'dating' had travelled quickly throughout the school.

Remus, Sirius, James and I sat at the Gryffindor table, quietly discussing the plan to uncover the truth about Nicholas.

"Just casually walk past him in the hallway and yank up his sleeve as you walk past, simple!" Sirius bit into his apple, tapping his free hand against the wooden bench to an unknown tune.

"We've got to think this through, I mean for Merlin's beard we should at least try to be inconspicuous about it!" Remus pointed out before taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.

"Well whatever we decide, it is absolutely vital that Lilah does not find out about anything. She cannot know about this," James crossed his arms, leaning them on the old wooden table.

Unknowingly, that exact same girl was standing only moments away from the group.

"Can't know about what?"

*Lilah POV*

"It's nothing," Sirius waved his hand casually as if dismissing the topic at hand.

"Alright then," I mumbled awkwardly, taking notice of the silent group.

I sipped at my pumpkin juice, the awkward atmosphere contributing to the thought that I was intruding on something.

"Sorry, did I interrupt something?" I asked quietly, playing with my fingers nervously.

"Of course not," Lily reassured, a strange look lingering in her eyes.

Her tone was meant to be calming, however, it also implied that I was in fact intruding on something private.

Since when did Lily even start associating herself with the Marauders besides her prefect duties with James? It seemed suspicious.

"Did you hear that James and Lily were dating?" Sirius blurted out, uncomfortable with the silence that ensued.

Lily and James? Dating?

"No I hadn't, congratulations," I replied, my face remaining stoic.

"Thanks," Lily smiled.

"Well look at the time, I best be off to my detention with Minnie! I'll catch you guys later," Sirius sent a look to the others.

"Oh yes, I have one of those too!" James said a bit too loudly.

"And I have a Potions essay! Better get started on that! See you at dinner," Remus added.

"Hey Lily, weren't you supposed to help Marlene out with that thing you mentioned earlier?" James asked.

"Wha-" James nudged Lily with his elbow, "oh yes that! See you later Lilah," she smiled.

The group made their way to the entrance of the hall, once again whispering amongst themselves.

I stared dejectedly down at my plate, a sad smile tugging at my features.

I took another slow sip of my pumpkin juice, pulling out the essay that Remus and I had for Potions.

I glanced down at the previous lesson's parchment, not noticing any mention of a current essay - the next one was set in three days time.

Why would Remus lie to me?

"Miss Lupin I believe that you are an excellent chaser?" Mrs McGonagall stood over me, a twitch pulling at the corner of her lips as she glanced down at her new student.

"Oh-um-yes, I wouldn't say excellent, though, Professor," I smiled shyly, twisting my hands awkwardly in my lap.

"Tryouts are next Thursday, I expect to see you there," She smiled warmly, patting down her black robes. "May I ask as to why you're sitting alone, Miss Lupin? I was under the impression that you had made friends with James and Black."

"Oh well they were here earlier, they said that they actually had a lunch detention with you, Professor?"

"Merlin no, those boys have not gotten detention for the past few days! I believed it to be your doing, Miss Lupin?" She enquired.

"No, unfortunately not Professor." I smiled sadly, realising that not only my father had lied to me but also had James and Sirius.

"I'm sure they're up to no good," She muttered, a fond smile on her face as she made her to the teacher's table positioned at the front of the room.

It was only moments later that Marlene waltzed through the door, Alice and Frank by her side.

A bubbly smile lit her face as she laughed at something Alice had said, a skip in her step as she walked to the table.

"Hey Mar," I called out.

She looked up in confusion before her eyes fixated on me, a smile once again residing on her face.

"Hey Lil' Li, what's up?" She asked down the table.

"Nothing much, just wondering if you've seen Lily today? She mentioned that she was hanging out with you earlier but I haven't managed to catch her since," I slightly lied, hoping it to be convincing.

"No, sorry I haven't, not since this morning at breakfast. Maybe you got the person confused? Because we haven't had anything planned. Would you like any help finding her?" She smiled.

"No thanks Mar, thanks for the help, though!" I replied, thankful that at least not all of my friends were lying to me.

Was I truly that bad to be around that they had to make excuses to get away from?

Tears began to gather in my eyes at the thought of my only true friends in this era disliking me, the feeling of being alone becoming all too suffocating.

I want to go home.