Chapter Two The Wrath Of Anger

A/N: This is not meant to imply in ANY WAY that James is abusive, as many people think it does. It is only to the slight arrogence and temper that are referred to throughout the book that is meant at all. So if you even begin to think I am implying such an un-Canon and stupid move as to call James absuve, I am not. And, yes, I do realize Remus/Lily is not Canon, but it was slightly implied in small ways, although definitely not stressed upon. So, please, don't get mad because of the pairing, I think you will see in the end it was inevitable.

Lily walked slowly down the corridor. When she reached The Fat Lady's portrait she stopped and looked behind her, for she had been sure she had heard someone following her. However there was no one there. As Lily collected herself for the sure tirade of questions that were going to come her way when she entered the Common Room she found that there was only one thing she could think of. That kiss…undeniably it had been awkward and strange, but there was a certain sweetness Lily had felt. Something she had never felt before with James. How odd, to have this feeling now.

"What are you thinking about?" James said. Lily snapped her head up to face her boyfriend. It was as if he had simply materialized out of thin air. His voice was filled with accusation and arrogance, something Lily was happy he didn't show much. But when James got to this point there wasn't much Lily could do but listen.

Roughly James grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her to the corner. The Fat Lady and her friend, Vi, had been watching, much interested, as James had approached Lily. They sighed with great disappointment as James led her away. There was no one else in the hallway. Lily wondered why James had been out of the Common Room while everyone else had been in the Common Room. Of course, he was probably wondering the same thing about her. Perhaps that was just it, he had been looking for her. Or Remus.

James let go of her arm and backed away slightly. Lily grabbed her arm where he had clutched it. There was a red mark there, she knew, although she could not see for she wore a grey sweater. James appeared to have slight regret as his face reddened as he watched her. Then his face hardened into a glare. "I asked you a question," he said.

"I was only thinking about all the homework that we got in Advanced Potions today," Lily said, the first thing that popped into her head. Whether it was because Remus was in that class or not she blushed lightly and tried to make sure James thought nothing of it by smiling at him.

There was an animosity in his eyes as he narrowed them into little more than slits, watching her every move. Seeing the smile on her face fall and a look of worry crease it. "Really?" James said, drawing the word out slowly. "You weren't perhaps thinking of a certain person in our grade who I saw you with not even five minutes ago?"

"Nonsense!" Lily cried, outraged. Of, course, not because it was a lie, but because she wanted to know how the hell James knew. It was almost ten minutes ago, Lily thought to herself. "What are you talking about James?"

"Sirius and I were looking for Remus," James said. "Wondering where he was. I figured maybe he was with you, since you both had Potions this morning together. So when I saw you in the courtyard, I could see your hair from far off, I hurried to see you. Then I saw Remus was, in fact, with you. And, sure, I would've said hi or something had I not heard Remus stammering something about how you felt. Then I saw you and him…going at it not a second later. Yeah, and, maybe I should be yelling at Remus right now," James voice was rising in a strangely hushed crescendo of anger. "Maybe I should. Had I not seen you go at him. Still, stupid of him to start snogging with you. He could have pushed you away. He could have."

"He did!" Lily yelled shrilly, interrupting James' long tirade. He stared at her, his face now oddly expressionless. "I - we were - he did, James! You must have left before it happened. He pushed me away and then he said - James?" Lily realized that James was no longer looking at her, but at something, or rather someone behind her. Lily turned to see Remus, staring at the couple. He held the book in his hand, and looked only slightly irritated.

Whereas James was approaching his friend with an hostility not unknown to Lily. His wand drawn, his back to Lily, Remus looked strangely confident. In a quiet and controlled voice he spoke. "Listen, James, you can fight me, I who does not have a wand, and be a git like you always are. Or, instead, you can face things like real man, eh, James? Drop the wand, fist…to fang?"

Although Lily could not see James' face she swore she saw him go rigid in his back. Lily didn't understand why James pocketed his wand and held up his hands. "It's, er, it's tonight then is it? I didn't know. Did you tell Sirius. I ought to, then, right?"

"Sirius already knows James," Remus replied, looking quite nonchalant for someone who had just gotten James Potter to pocket a wand using naught but words. Quite an accomplishment. "Unlike you he does actually care that he can help someone with what we've learned, instead of flaunting it and smiling at the rumors like you. And, yeah, Sirius does do that, but honestly I think he does try to help, where you just think about how someone must have seen us, glimpsed us, even for a second and how that'll spread around at lightning speed."

What they've learned? Lily thought to herself, watching Remus smile grimly at James. The rumors? Sure there are the Animagus rumors, but…they're so underage! Well, technically, no, but the rumors started almost five years ago, was it? James…Sirius…I can see where they might…but Remus?

"I will kindly remind you of the fact that talk like this is not appreciated around certain peoples," James said, angrily to Remus.

Remus only smiled and bowed slightly. "If you mean Lily I can certainly oblige, then, Prongs. But, let me remind you who you wanted to tell before we swore not to. Yes, all those years ago. I believe you know what I speak of. Indeed, I can tell by your face." There was a slight edge to Remus' words. And to think, how it surprised Lily, that Remus Lupin, someone Lily had always thought of as quiet and gentle could speak so harshly, if only when he needed to.

Lily watched James reach for his wand secretly as he spoke. "You need not remind me, Remus, not at all. Though, I suppose there are some things you need reminding of, are there not?" He whipped his wand and yelled: "Sectumsempra!"

Lily shrieked loudly and James staggered back. Remus was grabbing at his face. Blood was spurting out of two large gashes that had appeared on his cheek, as if James had ran at him with a sword and stabbed him. James ran to Remus' side looking positively horrified muttering over and over. "What've I done? What've I done? What have I done?" Lily's screams had brought Sirius from the stairs outside of the corridor. He looked as shocked as James did, but ran out the door at once.

Luckily Lily grabbed her wand out of her pocket, just remembering a spell they had learned the other day in charms. "Healiaro," she said, her hand shaking. The wounds covered over into two scars. The charm only lasted for an hour or so but it was the best Lily could do under the circumstances. James behind her was still muttering. Remus was oddly still, his eyes closed, but Lily reached for his arm and was relieved to find a pulse. Slow and fluttering, but a pulse. She turned to James and glared at him. "Get a hold of yourself. What a stupid move. I suspect you wouldn't have any idea what the spell even means, right?"

James shook his head. His face was extremely pale. "Read it in Snape's Potion's book. He was in the library, writing in it. Sirius and I - we were being stupid - were playing some joke on him. I saw it. The writing said: Sectumsempra For Enemies. I - well, I didn't think twice, just put it into my memory. Waiting for the right time to use it, see?"

"And this was the right time?" Lily cried. "On one of your best friends?"

"Yeah!" James yelled looking horribly fuming. "One of my best friends who was snogging with my girlfriend, that's an enemy to me!"

Suddenly behind them the portrait to the Gryffindor Common Room opened. Out streamed about fifty sixth and seventh year students. One girl screamed at the sight. "Sirius' gone to get Madam Donally," Lily said to the shocked faces. "It was an accident," she added as Madam Donally and Sirius entered the corridor.

"Oh, dear, dear, dear," Madam Donally said, clucking her tongue. "Move on you all!" she cried to the crowd. They did, whispering and spreading rumors amongst themselves. "Who used Healiaro on him?"

"It was me, Madam," Lily said quietly.

"Good thinking, Miss Evans," Madam Donally twittered. "Now, you said this was an accident, but I shall like the whole story told to Dumbledore, you see? Each of you separately, and when Mr. Lupin can, him as well. Oh, dear," she said. "This is going to scar. Hopefully it will be minimal. I'll use dittany but he'll have this for the rest of his life I'm afraid. Now follow me, you can come to the hospital wing, then off to Dumbledore's with the both of you."

James and Lily trailed behind Madam Donally who was carrying Remus' oddly limp body. She looked to be struggling but responded only with a grunt when James asked if he might help. They reached the hospital wing and Remus was set down on a bed. The wing was completely empty except for Remus now. "Alright now, I'll just send you, Mr. Potter, for Professor McGonagall…yes, she'll do. Yes, get her and bring her here. Ms. Evans you may stay here with Mr. Lupin and assist me."

Leaving hesitantly James slammed the door behind him. "Temper, temper," Madam Donally muttered, heading to her office.

Lily lightly touched the knitting on the bedspread of Remus' bed. In haste he had been thrown on top of it. Lily realized he was breathing rapidly now. She couldn't help but wonder, was it the loss of blood, or whatever it was James had referred to. What had he said? It's tonight then, is it? What was he speaking of? What? Tentatively, Lily brushed Remus' hair out of his eyes. His breathing grew raspier and he coughed. Madam Donally returned with a bottle in her hand. "Dittany, liquidized," she explained. For a few minutes Lily assisted her to give Remus the medicine. "Dear," Madam Donally said, "what is going on with him? It's only a cut," she muttered to herself.

Professor McGonagall and James entered the hospital wing at that moment. "Madam Donally, please take Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans to see the headmaster," she said, taking sight of Remus lying on the bed. "I know what to do here," she said. "Fetch Professor Slughorn for me on your way back Marie," she added, forgetting pleasantries in the moment. "Oh, password is…Sugar Quills," she added with a sort of disdainful sigh.

By the time James and Lily were led to Dumbledore's office whispers had floated through the entire school. People turned to watch them, walking with much room between them, Madam Donally much ahead of them. The people who knew them tried to get their attention and were ignored. Those who didn't know them only stared.

"Sugar Quills," James said, before Madam Donally could even utter a word. She stared at him as he headed up the stairs. Then Madam Donally left for Slughorn and Lily followed James up the stairs to the headmaster's office, wondering what in the hell she was going to say.