Hello readers! Here I am back again with another fanfic. I'm beginning to think I have a slight addiction lol. This fanfic was inspired by the song Ready aim fire by Imagine Dragons. Remember I don't own anything. Happy reading!

-Ninjanervana

When she finally had time to look back at the day, hours after the disastrous afternoon, long after wounds had been tended to, the sun had set, and the halls of Hogwarts had quieted, Lily knew there was no way for her, no way for anyone to have predicted the events of the day. Divination was an imprecise art, rarely practiced by any witch or wizard. Everyone took Divination at Hogwarts, but it wasn't taken seriously. Even among the magical community, it was a bit laughable. The future was as unforeseeable as the past was unchangeable. But that didn't stop her from wishing she could have done some things differently.

Part of her blamed her lack of warning about the events on her blind faith in magic. Lily had been going to Hogwarts for seven years, going to Hogsmeade since her third year when her parents first signed her permission slip. She'd spent two years watching the twinkling village lights from the high windows of the castle, dreaming of the day when she would be able to walk the store-lined streets, filled with as much joy as the older students had on their excursions. When she finally went to Hogsmeade, it was more than she could have ever imagined. Much like Hogwarts, the wizard village left her awestruck, overwhelmed by the array of magical shops, the various witches and wizards from nearby areas that came to do a bit of shopping, and the freedom of being out of the castle. How could anything go wrong in this beautiful, magical village? The world of magic was mysterious, but she couldn't imagine it being dangerous.

Part of it was blamed on her naivety. Lily knew well, too well, about the war wagged outside of Hogwarts. The Daily Prophet arrived every morning during breakfast, bringing news of muggles killed in cold blood, witches and wizards who had spoken too loudly, too passionately against blood purists suddenly disappearing. The muggle-born and half-blood students were often pale during the mail delivery, terrified about what news they might receive from home. Fights broke out regularly in the halls, usually between the Gryffindors and Slytherins over blood status. Students were harassed and attacked with varying degrees of severity; it was rare to see anyone walking the halls without someone to watch their back. Despite the duels, Lily held onto the hope that nothing truly awful could happen in Hogwarts and the surrounding area. Outside there was danger, a war constantly growing, spreading, leaving terror and death in its wake. But here, within the walls of Hogwarts and the boundaries of Hogsmeade, it was safe. The Headmaster and professors were some of the most skilled witches and wizards to ever grace the halls of Hogwarts. If anyone could protect the school, it would be them.

And yet part of it was simply self-preservation of her mind. If she allowed herself to think of Hogwarts as unsafe, of the war against muggles and muggle-borns coming to its massive marble steps to spill innocent blood, she would be smothered by the fear and panic, unable to think, to breathe, to even scream.

At the end of the day, what was done was done and there was no turning back for anyone.

"We should head over to the Three Broomsticks soon," Lily commented as she browsed the aisles of Honeydukes with Alice and Marlene. The candy shop was always a stop on their trips to Hogsmeade, no matter what else was planned. The smell of chocolate hung heavily in the air, making her stomach gurgle quietly. It was close to lunchtime and her stomach had no qualms about reminding her. She could almost taste the butterbeer and chips, making her mouth water. She grabbed a box of Bertie Botts's, adding them to her pile of sugar quills and chocolate frogs. "We told the boys we 'd meet them at two and it's five to."

"And we all know how Lily gets when she's away from James too long," Marlene teased, pushing her way through the throngs of people to the till. "I'm sure he'll thank you for buying jelly beans for him."

"Oh shut up," Lily retorted as she blushed, her red hair falling forward to cover her cheeks. "You know we're not like that; we're mates, good mates."

Alice shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe so, but that doesn't mean you don't want to be more," she answered. "You have to admit James has grown up quite a bit since the end of fifth year. Became Head Boy and quidditch captain. He's matured."

"And have you seen the body on that bloke?" Marlene sighed dramatically as she set her candies on the counter. "Just thinking about his arms makes my knees shake."

"He does have very nice biceps," Lily admitted reluctantly as she handed her money over to the cashier. "And a nice torso."

"What!" Alice shrieked, drawing the attention of several customers as well as startling the cashier. "When in Merlin's name have you seen his bare torso?"

Lily mentally kicked herself as she felt her blush return swiftly. "I'm uh…I'm going to meet you two outside," she muttered before rushing to the exit with her purchases, ignoring the curious looks she got. The Head Girl could not be heard talking about the bare torso of the Head Boy. At least not in public. She debated running back to the castle before Alice and Marlene came looking for her, but quickly discarded the idea; she knew they would hunt her down mercilessly.

"Lily Evans," Marlene hissed as she emerged from the store, her eyes locked on the nervous looking red-head. "Spill. Right now."

Alice grabbed lily's empty hand, pulling her into the empty alley beside the shop. "I repeat, when in Merlin's name have you seen James bloody Potter's bare body?"

"About a week ago," Lily answered meekly, playing with the ends of her hair. As Marlene tapped her foot impatiently, Lily sighed. "It was an accident, alright? You know we share a bathroom in the Heads' dormitoyy. He was coming out of the bathroom and he forgot his robe so he only had on a towel around his waist," she babbled.

"Oh my god!" Marlene exclaimed, her eyes wide. "And you kept this from us for a week?"

"It's not a big deal," Lily retorted as she stepped out of the alley. "Now come on; we're late and I'm hungry."

Alice huffed as she and Marlene followed after her. "Fine, but we are not doing talking about this," she grumbled.

Lily sighed, shaking her head. "Merlin knows it's not."

The streets of Hogsmeade were only half filled with students, many opting to hide away from the piercing January cold and study for their upcoming midsemester exams. The few who had braved the ill weather were huddled inside various shops, enjoying the momentary warmth of the stores. Lily contemplated her choice to come out as a cold gust blew down the street, nearly pulling her hat off her head. She knew she didn't stand a chance of resisting against the combined will of Alice, Marlene, and the Marauders. They were all too stubborn to let her miss out on any possible fun.

Lily paused half way down the street, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck rise in foreboding. Her hand instinctively went to her pocket, drawing curious gazes from her friends as she took out her wand.

"Lily," Alice sighed in exasperation. "What are you-" Her words were cut off as the shop window behind her suddenly shattered, showering them all with broken glass.

Reviews please!