Summary:

Following the strict guidelines of Jewel5's "In A Nutshell", we present to to you "The EPIC!": It's Lily and her friends last year, and they intend to make the most of it. Lily instead gets ensnarled by James Potter's new outlook on life- he's nicer, more responsible, and somehow seemed to have gotten hotter over the summer. Will she fall for his charm?
~~~Enjoy the EPIC!

The end of September came much too quickly for my liking. Eventually, all I could think about was the impending Hogsmeade visit.

I was excited! Of course! Jonathon had asked me to accompany him just a couple days ago, and I had said yes.

Strangely enough, I felt as if I had said yes more out of obligation than anything else.

No I hadn't! I very much looked forward to spending time with him!

I know, I barely convinced myself either. And by that, I mean I didn't. At all.

The week building up to Saturday was full of pent up anticipation. Chatty third years were much too excited, wondering what the village would be like. Fourth and fifth years gossiped away about who was taking who, and I couldn't help but catch word that James was going to take Rosa Vane, a seventh year Ravenclaw.

... Not that I cared.

The sixth years were, of course, extremely hormonal teenagers. Not that the fifth years weren't, but the sixth years were much more likely to be found in the alleyways. True fact.

And then there was us - the seventh years. There wasn't much distinction, really, between us and the sixth years ... okay, there was no distinction. It's just weirder thinking of people you take classes with in an alleyway.

I mean, isn't it? You sit in a classroom with those people everyday. It's much easier to just think that none of them are sexually active, even if you know that's not true.

Wow, I got off topic. But as I was saying before, everyone was pumped for Hogsmeade, as always.

Except I wasn't, if you couldn't tell from before.

And that made me feel very, very angry with myself. I felt as if I was being unfaithful to Jonathon by not looking forward to his company. I felt even worse when I realized I would much rather go with ... Potter, than him.

I tried not to think about it.

The Friday before the visit, Marie wouldn't stop hyperventilating.

Like, full on hyperventilating. We rushed her to our - their - dorms after morning classes so we could try to calm her down before going down to lunch.

"Marie! Come on girl, you're stronger than this. Your breaking apart over a boy! Show some girl power!"

Marie nodded vigorously, but her breathing didn't slow down.

"I think we'll just need to wait this out," I sighed, situating myself onto Marleen's bed.

Marleen laid Marie down on her bed, and then joined me on her bed.

"So," she began coyly. "Looking forward to tomorrow?"

I forced a smile. "Sure."

"So, everything's going absolutely fine with you and Jonathon?"

I let out a loud sigh. "What do you think." I looked up and grimaced at her.

Marleen smiled sympathetically. "Well, at least you'll always have Potter." Her face was covered in a mischievous smile now.

I gave her a small smile, before running full on ahead with my complicated thoughts.

"I just ... don't want him to have too much power over my own emotions, ya know?" Marleen nodded understandingly.

"I don't want him to somehow manage to dictate my relationship," I closed my eyes in desperation. "We're nothing more than friends and I feel almost as if -"

"- as if you're in a relationship more with him than with your boyfriend? Yeah, I think I get how you feel."

I glance at her questioning, but her eyes are guarded, so I decide not to pry.

She redirects her eyes towards the floor. "I'm still more than a little surprised that you even let him in as much as you have."

I looked at her questioning.

She barked out a laugh. "Hell, you know, I remember little first year Lily cursing him to the end of the world."

She smiled wider. "I also seem to remember sixth year year Lily doing that as well. Except, of course, with actual curses."

I smiled sadly, reminiscing with her.

"And now ... well, you just called him your friend."

"Things change."

"They sure do."

"I don't know know what I'm going to do."

"... It's okay. I don't either."

We managed to get Marie out of the room, eventually. We caught the last few minutes of lunch, and I don't think I've ever eaten that fast until then.

We didn't have our next class together, because I was off to Arithmancy, while Marie had Divination and Marleen had Ancient Runes. I know, she doesn't seem the type, but she's both really interested and good at it.

We all went our separate ways, but I wound up seeing Marie in Potions, while Marleen had Herbology.

We, of course, completely avoided Potter and Remus all class.

All throughout class, I almost as if I was in a suspended reality.

I did the tasks required in class, but mind wasn't really focusing on anything, which was rather dangerous when you're dealing with potions.

All I could sense was the unsettling feeling that someone was staring at me, and I thought - hoped, almost - that it was James.

I didn't want to get caught staring back at him, but I needed to make sure that he was the one who was gawking at me.

I snuck a glance at Potter, but when I did he seemed completely focused on his work, which within itself was very strange.

I turned back to my work, but could still feel eyes on the back of the head.

"Marie," I muttered. She tilted her head towards me questionably. "I feel like someone's staring at me." I gesture my head towards where Potter.

She glances around my head, and shakes her head in a 'no'.

"Whoever it is, it isn't James."

I didn't know whether to feel relieved or crestfallen. I settled for indifferent.

Luckily enough, class was soon over, and I rushed out of the room as fast as I could. I waited for Marie by the door, and together we went down to dinner.

We sat down next to each other at the Gryffindor table, and started piling our plates with food.

A few moments into dinner, we spotted Marleen stomping angrily towards us, scaring some of the younger students. She dropped her stuff onto the tables, and situated herself across from us. Marie glanced at her questionably, but then caught Remus' eye, which caused her to smile shyly and wave at him.

Marleen let out an unattractive snort, having watched the adorable exchange between her and Remus.

I glare are her half-heartedly. "Don't laugh at her. She's just, you know, extremely nervous for her date tomorrow. And I think their relationship is adorable." Marie blushed heavily, but more so because Remus waved back cheerily, than the fact that I just called her and Remus adorable.

"It's sickening how they make each other so cheerful."

"... Are you okay Marleen?"

"No, does it sound like I'm okay?"

I turn and face her, full attention now on what she has to say. Marie reluctantly does the same.

"What's wrong, Marl?"

Marleen lets out a large breath. "Nothing ... I guess it just upsets me to see my two best buds in such stable relationships."

I snort. "Stable? That's not really what I would call Jonathon and I right now. We barely communicate anymore." A slight look of apprehension crosses her face, but she seems to let it slide for the moment.

Marie chimes in as well. "Yeah, gosh Marleen. Remus and I haven't even gone on one date yet. Neither of us really know where this is going."

Marie and I nod in agreement at Marleen. "And Marl, aren't you with that Johnson bloke? I would have thought that he was taking you to Hogsmeade."

Marie sent me a warning look. "You mean Elliot Johnson? Don't you remember, I broke up with him two days ago. I swear I told you guys that.

Marie nodded in confirmation, but I didn't. How had I missed the fact that my best friend had an emotional break up? Well, the emotional part was negotiable. Marleen never actually cared that much about her boyfriends.

But had I actually been so sucked up in my own world that I didn't even know of her relationship problems?

I guess I was.

Marie comforts her, while I smile encouragingly.

"Better?" Marie questions.

"Yeah. Loads."

The three of us dig into dinner, and I can't help but wonder what had caused Marleen to act this way, because it definitely wasn't only the fact that she was single while we weren't. I closely observed her for the next few minutes, which meant that I caught that how when Sirius Black walked into dinner late, Marleen tensed and stared down at her plate.

Something was definitely up there.

Saturday came much too fast for my liking. I woke up that morning, and immediately groaned, thinking of the impending day. This, of course, did not make me think any higher of my relationship with Jonathon.

I showered quickly, scared that I might finish at the same time that Potter came back from his run. I wasn't even sure whether or not he was still running, or if he already gotten back and fallen back asleep, but I hoped I wouldn't have to figure out today.

I picked out a random shirt and skirt, not bothering to consider what I was wearing. I knew that once I got down the the seventh year Gyffindor girls dorm Marleen would find some of her own clothes to shove me into.

I walk over to Gryffindor Tower, glad that it was so close to the Head Dorms. I turned to the Fat Lady and said "Balderdash".

Her portrait swung open, and I stepped inside, walking leisurely up the staircase to my old dorm.

I walked in and instantly saw Marleen, Donna and Kate. I smiled at them, greeting them merrily, before Marleen pulled me away to start tortur - I mean, dressing me.

Marleen already had a cute outfit laid out on her bed, so she started raiding her closet for stuff for me to wear.

Marie came out of the bathroom, finished with her shower, and I smiled at her and gave her a hug.

Marleen delicately placed a blouse and pair of jeans into my hands, a determined glint in her eyes. "Lils, darling, be a dear and get these clothes on while I go take my shower." I knew better than to argue with her.

I nodded at her choppily, and she smiled widely and exclaimed "Great!" before bounding over to the bathroom after grabbing a towel and some clothes.

I ran a hand through my hair. "Man, that girl is scary sometimes." My old dorm mates all nodded in agreement.

I placed Marleen's carefully picked clothes on my lap after sitting down on her bed. I directed my attention towards Marie, who was already dressed and was working on her makeup.

"It's strange that Marleen has last shower. By this time, usually, she was already dressed, ready to go, and prepared to drag my ass out of bed."

Marie laughed in agreement. "Yeah, she does tend to like first shower, doesn't she? We blame you for sticking us with late showers, just so you know."

I look at her in indignation. "Whatever did I do to you guys?"

She snorted. "Don't you remember first night back? You kept us from our dorms for like, ten minutes, what with you and your whole 'Head Dorms' situation. Donna and Kate got up here way before us, and therefore managed to call first and second shower. I'm just lucky I walked through the door before Marleen did."

I smiled apologetically. "This actually makes me happy, knowing that I don't share my shower with three other teenage girls."

"No, instead, you share it with one hormonal teenage boy."

"Good point."

Marie laughed. "So, how are those Head Dorms of yours working out?"

"Fine enough. It's actually not that hard living with Potter. We've just learned how to -"

"- take out your pent-up sexual tension on each other?"

I glare at Marleen, who had just exited the shower. "No, I was going to say that we learned to just give each other space -"

"- not nearly exciting as you guys going at it like bunnies all through the night."

She smirked at me playfully, and Marie chimed in with a "She's right", and the rest of our dorm agreed as well.

"You guys - you guys sure are something. How did I live with you four for six years?"

"I think the better question is how you're living in the same room as Potter, and your still not hitting that."

I flushed red, and Marleen shouted "Nice one, Kate!" before giving her a high five.

"We are not living in the same room!" I try to protest. "We just ... live across the hall from each other."

Marleen smiles at me patronizingly, and makes me stand up. "Why don't you actually go get dressed, and then I can pretty you up for your date. With your boyfriend. Who, incase you forgot, isn't Potter."

I glare at her, but follow her advice anyways. After I've put on Marleen's clothes (a cute, casual blouse matched with a pair of skinny jeans), she made me sit down so she could put some makeup on me. By the time she finished with me, we were just in time to catch the carriages going out to Hogsmeade, but had managed to miss breakfast all together.

We all rushed down outside, and Remus met Marie right outside the building. She waved goodbye to us and got into a carriage.

I spotted Jonathon further down, waiting impatiently next to a carriage. I said goodbye to the girls and went down to him.

I smiled at him genuinely, and he smiled in return. He glanced at my outfit and said "You look nice."

You look nice.

Look nice.

Nice.

What type of compliment was that for a girl? I got better compliments from Potter.

"Thanks, you look nice too."

We got into the carriage, and both sat on the same side. We started up mindless chitchat about classes, passing away the time without saying anything substantial.

Our whole relationship was kinda like that, now that I thought about it.

We got out of the carriage once we got to the village, and he grabbed my hand, and we walked along each other on the pathway.

"What did you want to do first?" He asked me, glancing around at the nearby shops and restaurants.

"I wouldn't mind a butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks. Would you like to go there first?" I craved food. Missing breakfast was a bad idea.

He shrugged in indifference. "That's fine with me." We walked to the pub, and I got us a table while he went and ordered our butterbeers.

I sat with my back against the store window, and Jonathon sat across from me, bringing over our butterbeers.

For the next hour, we smiled and talked like we always did. I decided to take back what I said earlier. Why was I doubting my relationship? Because of Potter? I needed to sort out my priorities, and also decide whose opinions actually mattered to me. Potter should not be on that list.

We finally set aside our empty glasses which had been refilled many times over, and Jonathon paid Madam Rosmerta for our drinks. We both got out of our seats to exit the pub.

"You said you wanted to go to Honeydukes next, right?"

I nodded. I was still really hungry, and sweets would hopefully lessen that feeling.

Something caught Jonathon's eyes outside the store. "You go on ahead, alright? I'll meet you in a couple of minutes, there's something I need to do."

He rushed out of the store, turning right and rushing down the street. I sighed. This was why I doubted our relationship. I almost forgot. He didn't prioritiize me, even in moments where we planned to spend the whole day together. Like today.

I exited the pub by myself, and started my way towards Honeydukes. No matter what, I really did want some sweets to eat. The fact that Jonathon was disregarding me was not going to distract me from getting something into my stomach that wasn't butterbeer.

"Lils! Why, you sure look lonely walking all by yourself! Where's Michael?"

I had a small heart attack. No big deal. "Potter! Merlin, you scared me! What are you doing?"

He smiled at me charmingly. "I'm ... well, I'm in Hogsmeade!"

I can see that.

"Aren't you here with someone?"

"I could ask you the same question. And I came here with Sirius and Peter, so it's not really like I'm missing out on a date or something..."

I tilted my head at him in confusion. "I thought you were going with Rosa Vane."

"Where'd you hear that?"

"Around."

"Oh okay. Well, she did ask me, but I declined."

"I'm sure you did." Rosa was exceptionally gorgeous. I doubted any guy could say no to her if she asked them out, Potter included.

"I did! It was sad, really. She looked like a wounded puppy afterwards. I felt like I just wronged the universe or something." And that was why.

I nodded at him absentmindedly, and saw Honeydukes up ahead.

"Well, this is my stop. Gonna get myself some sweets."

"That's sounds awfully pathetic of you, Lils."

I shrugged in a 'what can you do?' type of way. We were going to depart from each other, but then we hard a small crash on the side of the building, in it's alleyway.

"... Should we check that out?" I asked, already inching towards the scene.

"Probably no need to. Most likely, it's just some horny sixth years." What did I tell you before.

Despite what he said, the two of us still inched towards the alleyway, and eventually the two culprits were in our line of sight.

"Hey look!" Potter whispered to me, so the two other teens didn't notice us. "There's Rosa Vane for you! I told you I wasn't here with her. Do you think I would let my date snog some random bloke?!"

I turned to him and responded, "Okay I believe you about the whole Rosa Vane thing, we're cool on that now -"

I cut myself off. Because as luck would have it, that wasn't some random bloke.

So I guess Vane was irresistible to blokes. And even though Potter didn't let his dates run off to snog other guys, it sure seemed as if I let my dates run off to snog other girls.

Because I just did.

Guess who was pinning Vane to an alleyway wall.

"Hey, isn't that Michael - oh hell." James looked at me in a panic, but I only had eyes for two people.

I can't believe I was so stupid.

I can't believe I practically just let that happen.

Fuck.

OMG DID YOU SEE THAT. YES. WE JUST UPDATED TWICE. IN THE SPAN OF A WEEK. WHAAAAT.

sorry the actual hogsmeade visit got so little attention. there were other details, and then before we knew it we had written a crapload but hadn't even gotten to the beginning of Hogsmeade yet. whoops. but hopefully you enjoyed the continuing insight into Lily's head :D

i hope you all appreciate and love how long this chapter is. its our longest yet, beating out, well, the chapter we uploaded 5 days ago. this chapter is twice the length of that one. go us!

so. a lot of crap went down this chapter. who was staring at Lily during Potions? how will Lily react to her bf snogging (god I love that word xD) Rosa Vane? what did Jonathon think was wrong with their relationship, which lead to him cheating? why was Marleen so upset at dinner? how did Remus and Marie's date go? hmm, and what will Snape do with the liquid luck he won last chapter? will Lily and James get together now? guesses are always welcome in the reviews :) haha, and please review! flames, CC, praises...all that good stuff.

THANK YOU to everyone who has favorited/alerted/reviewed! Continue doing that, please! :D It means the world to us, that you guys enjoy our stories.

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