A/N: Just a little oneshot I thought of!
Wow. That was all Lily Evans could think about over the first few months seventh year. Wow. Though she would never admit it to anyone, not even her best friend, Lindsey, James Potter had changed. Not only that, but he had changed for the better. He never asked her out, or picked on anyone, and even his pranking had lessened. Albeit grudgingly, Lily had agreed with Potter that they should be civil toward each other since they were Heads together. He had turned out to be a good friend, too. He helped her with Transfiguration, and in return, she helped him with his Charms. Though they weren't best friends, they were on speaking terms.
So, this was the position they were in when one Saturday night found Lily walking alone up to the Head's dorms. But, as she walked, she heard a noise from a nearby balcony. Thinking it was a couple hiding, she walked out to tell them off. However, much to her surprise, James—yes, James, she no longer referred to him as Potter—was curled up in a ball, sitting against a wall, crying silently. In her shock, she gasped, letting him know that she was there.
He hastily wiped his eyes, and attempted a cheerful, "Hey, Lily," but failed miserably, tears still falling down his face.
"J-James, what's wrong?" Lily asked carefully. She had never seen James cry before.
James honestly didn't know how to explain. "My mother, Lily. She was walking home from the neighbor's house when Death Eaters attacked her. They tortured her, and then…" He broke off into another sob, hiding his head in his arms.
Lily didn't know what to say. "James, I…I'm so sorry. I…" She knelt down beside him and wrapped her arms around his waist, forgetting that this was the same person who had bothered her for so many years. He looked so helpless and broken, like a child who had lost their favorite doll. It took him a few minutes to realize that Lily was there, and then he wrapped his arms around her, too, his head resting on hers. Softly crying, his tears fell into her hair. She then felt the urge to tell him something she had told no one else.
"I understand, you know," she said quietly.
"No one does," he whispered dejectedly.
"Remember when I was all quiet a couple weeks ago?" She asked quietly.
He nodded.
"Both my parents were…attacked. By Death Eaters." It was her turn to stifle a sob, as she remembered back to the day she received the news. She had resolved not to tell anyone. She didn't want the sympathy.
He just stared at her. "You do understand, then," he said wondrously.
"Yes, James. I do."
And, those were the same words she spoke to him a year later, except this time, they were standing facing a priest, she in a dress, he in a tux.
Yes, something had changed that night. They had just sat there for hours, until the sun peeked over the horizon. But, as they left, James kissed Lily softly on the cheek, and thanked her. She replied with, "I love you, too."
Then, they were seen walking down hallways holding hands, or snogging in the common room. When asked, they said, "They understood when no one did."
And, that was the simple truth of it.
A/N: Reveiw and get Virtual Chocolate Frogs with Dumbledore cards!
-Stephieyy