A/n: This is a shorter chapter, but big things are coming ahead. Thanks for reading!

The rest of the summer passed quickly, and soon enough they were back at Hogwarts, attending their first week of classes. Lily had gotten used to James, and the Marauders' presence in her life, and had begun to accept it. At the beginning of their third day of classes, Lily was sitting between James and Mary at breakfast, and Severus came over to her.

"Lily, can we talk?"

"Get lost Snivellus," Sirius called. "There's enough grease on the bacon already." James sniggered, and Lily shot the pair an annoyed look.

"Fine, what do you want," Lily asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I was thinking we could maybe speak in private," he said, eyeing the Marauders.

"Like hell," James snarled. Lily put a restraining hand on his arm.

"It's fine," she said quietly to him. "I've got it handled," she then turned to Severus. "Whatever you have to say can be said in front of my friends."

"Friends," Severus spat. "Fine, what the hell are you doing, Lils? Potter is an arrogant toe-rag, remember? And Black is a big headed idiot? And bloody Pettigrew is just a tag-along? And Lupin pretends to be cool, but is really a boring bookworm?" Lily, it wasn't just me, how could you be friends with them?" Lily felt the blood rush to her face at the hurt expressions on her new friend's faces.

"I didn't - Sev I only said that when I was mad because they were bullying you. And now you're being the instigator - don't be that person," Lily said, terrified to look around at the people she had undoubtedly hurt.

"I am your best friend Lily, don't pretend anyone else could love the real you."

"Leave me alone!" Lily yelled, tears in her eyes, drawing stares from all around the great hall. She went to sit down, but no one met her eyes. "Fine, I wasn't hungry anyways," she spat, walking briskly back towards the Gryffindor common room. It was so unfair of Severus to bring up things she'd said years previous. Sure, she'd meant them at the time, but she now counted the Marauders as good friends, and didn't want Severus to ruin it.

"Hey, Lily, wait up," Lily felt her stomach unclench at James' voice. "Ignore what Snivellus said, I already know what you thought of me then, let's focus on how you feel about me now, hey?" He said, smiling lightly.

"Thanks James," Lily said, burying her face in his chest. They stood there for a few moments while Lily composed herself, and then decided it was high time they got off to ancient runes. Lily pretended not to notice that James didn't make a move to ask how she felt about him now, but rather sat in silence while she calmed down.

After a couple days, her friendships with the boys had gone back to normal, although Remus seemed to still be a bit hurt.

"You know I haven't thought those things in years, right?" Lily said, sitting next to him in arithmancy.

"I know, Lily, you don't have to apologize."

"No, but I want to."

"Ok, fair enough. Apology accepted," Remus smiled.

"Thanks," Lily said, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.

The first term was passing alarmingly quickly, and one night, as Lily was attempting to sleep, she found herself contemplating how happy she'd suddenly become. She and Mary had become so close - Lily remembered what it was like to have a best friend again. She spent a lot of time with Mary and James in particular, and she thought that she might actually have a chance with him - or rather he might have a chance with her this time. In fact, she really wanted to give him a chance.

"Hey Mary," Lily whispered.

"Yes?" Mary replied with a sigh.

"Has James said anything about me?"

"You know I'd tell you if he had."

"Right, sorry to bug you. Night."

"Night Lils."

"You're sure you can't come, Lily?" Mary asked with a pout that was nearly hidden by her scarf.

"I'm fairly certain," Lily said with a laugh, pulling Mary in for a hug. "Have fun though. And bring me back some sweets."

"Feel better, Evans," Sirius chimed in, giving her an aggressive hug, causing her to break into coughs.

"Have fun, Pete," Lily said, pulling him in for a hug too.

"Feel better, Lily," he said, leaving the common room.

"Keep them in check, won't you?" She asked, turning to Remus and holding her hand out for him. He took it and they held hands for a moment.

"Take care Lils," Remus said, letting her hand slide out of his grip.

"Don't do anything too crazy without me there to stop you," Lily said, finally turning to meet James' stare. She felt her stomach flutter at the eye contact, but remained aloof.

"We wouldn't dare, oh perfect prefect," James teased, giving her a sort of salute, before turning to leave. Lily felt disappointed as he walked away from her.

"Hold on, Potter," She said, grabbing her arm and pulling him into a firm hug. "You almost forgot to zip up," she said, zipping his coat up for him. "It gets cold out in Hogsmeade at this time of year." She let her hands linger on his chest for longer than necessary before pulling away. She watched as he joined Mary, who was waiting for him by the portrait hole with a stony expression. Lily sighed and she went back upstairs to her room to have a nap, visions of hazel eyes, and slender fingers in dark hair clouded her dreams.

When she woke up hours later, she felt like she'd left part of her soul in her bed as she slouched bleary-eyed into the common room. She shivered, pulling her fuzzy robe tighter around her body. Her eyes fell on her friends, all huddled around the fireplace, squished uncomfortably close. She suddenly became very aware of the fact that Mary was almost sitting in James' lap, and his arm was wrapped around her. She paused, heart thudding alarmingly loudly, her sleep-flushed cheeks tinged even brighter red. Every time James looked away, Mary's eyes immediately found him, a small smile playing over her lips. Lily didn't know what to think.

"Lily," Remus called out, waving her over with a smile. Lily cursed, wanting nothing more than to be back in bed. She watched James nearly push Mary out of his lap at Remus' words, yet Lily wanted nothing more than for this to be a nightmare.

"Sorry guys," she said, feeling weak. "I thought I was well enough to come hang out, but I think I was wrong." She turned and tried her best not to run up the stairs as a chorus of 'Get well Lily' followed her up the stairs.

"Hey Mary," Lily said to her friend. They were sitting on two rocks overlooking the lake. Both were bundled up in scarfs and mittens, and were drinking hot cocoa. "This is going to sound silly, but I kind of got the feeling that you might -" Lily paused, scared of the reaction she'd get. "Have feelings for James," she finished, preparing herself for whatever her friend might say. Mary's face froze, unreadable for a second.

"Come on, Lils, like I'd have feelings for that idiot," she said. "No offense. Besides, even if I did, whatever feelings I had I would crush them because my best friend likes him." She gave Lily a playful nudge. Lily's heart skipped. It was the first time Mary had called her her best friend. Any doubts or fears she'd had about James and Mary instantly cast aside.

"Best friend?" Lily asked tentatively.

"Oh don't give me that," Mary said with a laugh. "Who else would be my best friend?"

"I don't know, maybe Lucy?" Lily replied. Mary's face fell.

"Yeah, well she doesn't want to associate with us anymore."

"Can't say I blame her," Lily said. "Look at how low we've stopped with our friends. The Marauders. If Lily from last year saw this she'd have an aneurism."

"I always knew you'd get on well with them Lils, you were just too stubborn to give them a chance."

"Yeah I suppose that's true," Lily said, unable to defend herself. "Hey, have you heard from Nell?"

"No, not since summer. I've tried talking to her a few times but she was really cold. I don't understand what went wrong," Mary said, looking mournful.

"Yeah, I mean I know I wasn't as close as all of you were, but we were all practically best friends. Do you think maybe her family…"

"Jeez, Lily, the answer isn't always that someone's joined You-Know-Who. Couldn't have been that anyways. Her mum was a muggle. Likely she just grew a superiority complex and didn't want to be seen hanging out with Gryffindors." Mary said, finishing her cocoa and putting it down on the ground. She pulled a cigarette out of her pocket, lighting it with a quick spell. She offered it to Lily, but Lily politely declined. She watched the smoke spiral out of Mary's mouth, heart sinking.

"Mary, there's really going to be a war, isn't there?" Lily asked, a sudden pit of dread in her stomach.

"I don't know, Lils, but by the looks of it, there might be," Mary said, looking morose.

"What do we do?" Lily asked. "Will we fight? What about our families? My muggle family. Will it affect them?"

"Slow down, Lily," Mary said, looking alarmed. "I really don't know anything. I'm only getting tidbits from my parents, and we all know the Prophet's trying to hush it all up."

"You're right, sorry," Lily said, seeming to shake some sense into herself.

"No, that's alright." Mary said, putting her arm around Lily comfortingly. "You sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, of course," she replied distractedly. "On second thought, pass the smoke."