I sit on the windowsill of my prefects bedroom, a beautiful princess dormitory, with hundreds of books, it's own fireplace, a bed and a huge window that you could see all the way to hogsmeade with. My chest heaves as I crinkle the letter up throwing it in the fire.

"Lilly?" I hear a soft voice that I naturally turn to. James.

"That's me" I say exhaustedly, I pick myself up, brushing my hair over my shoulder "How may I help you James?"

"You can start by sitting down"

"Of course" I say, I sit down, as ladylike as possible.

"Then you can take off these" James says waving a wand in the air, I can feel my beauty appearance charms taken away from me

"Hey!" I say "I look like a bloody mess"

"And THAT is what I want to help with" James said

"What? Me being a ugly pig?"

"Oh Evans. You are one of the most beautiful girls I have ever met"

"I … Thank you"

"However, I don't like you like this" He said broadly, "I want to help, is it something with Severus? Is it something with Petunia?"

I shook my head laughing, those seemed so trivial

"Voldemort killed my parents James"

I just wanted him to go away, but then I heard the most beautiful response

"He killed mine too, three months ago"

"Mine got killed today"

James was quiet before he sat down next to me "It gets better with friends, do you want me to go get Severus?"

"James" I start "I think Sev. Knew, he knew that my parents were next and he supported it, he took me to Hogwarts earlier this year so I wouldn't have to see"

"sometimes, the hearts of men fail"

"I just, don't know where to go now"

"Stay here" James said "Stay here, that's what Dumbledore said to me, he said that we'd be safer in Hogwarts, and that in Hogwarts you have friends"

"Sev isn't my friend"

"Hey" James said tucking a strand of greasy red hair behind my ear which felt warm and electric "you have that kid James Potter" He smiled ruefully "if that counts for much" He offered his arms and I crawled into his lap, hugging him close to me. He shushed my tears for hours and calmly put me into bed when I eventually went to sleep.