Oh, a storm is threatening

My very life today

If I don't get some shelter

Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away


Remus stared into the light, pale yellow cast of the morning. September 1st, a day full of promise and excitement although Remus felt his stomach flip with anxiety at the thought of another school year. In a few minutes his alarm would ring out, goading him from his bed to start the day. He had packed a week before, visited Diagon Alley a week previous, and received his Prefect badge two weeks previous. September 1st, a day full of promise and excitement, a day that marked change.

Remus pulled the covers over his head, his eyes encompassed with a pale shade of cream. He let his sheets fall around him, staring at minuscule wrinkles and pulled threads. Today was September 1st, he was excited but sad; he felt happy and a small hollow, emptiness. Remus closed his eyes, breathing raggedly from the mugginess of being under the covers. Suddenly, the piercing noise of his alarm rang through his room, causing him to jump. He blindly reached out for his alarm, swatting his hand left and right before pulling off him covers and turning the alarm clock off. He lied in bed for a minute more, thinking aimlessly, before sitting up and starting his day.

At 9:30, Remus vaguely registered his father calling him to breakfast. Remus was standing over his trunk, holding his Prefect badge. Today was September 1st, he was officially a Prefect once more. Last year, Remus was close to turning in his badge after his friends became Animagi. His guilt over their illegal actions spurned on by his werewolf status pushed him to stepping down from his position. Remus didn't deserve to be a Prefect, not since the incident and thereafter.

He remembered how close he was to the Heads office when he ran into Lyle Atkins, who heard the rumor of Remus planning to step down, and hastened to prevent Remus from doing so.

Lyle Atkins, who was now dead.

Sadness that had sat in the pit of Remus soared through as it always did when he thought of Lyle. Remus first met Lyle when Lyle became an unsuspecting victim to a prank during Remus' second year. Not happy with being covered in jam, but enjoying the idea of the prank; Lyle quickly dismissed Remus' apologies as his friends roared with laughter behind him.

"Bloody Marauders" said Lyle, clapping Remus on the shoulder with his sticky hand, before using the same hand to give a rude gesture to the rest of the group.

Their relationship grew over the years; from friendly nods in the hallway to studying at the same table in the library. Remus once told Lyle he couldn't take him seriously because Lyle shared his father's name. Lyle quickly responded by recounting the Marauder's recent prank and mentioning the he himself had not pranked since he was in primary school.

"Are you seven, Remus?" asked Lyle.

"Now you truly sound like my father." quipped Remus, causing both to laugh.

One day in fourth year, Lyle sat down with Remus whilst Remus was helping his fellow Gryffindor, Winnie Gallo, with Arithmancy. Immediately taken with one another, Remus unwontedly and grumpily played matchmaker for the pair. In fifth year, when Remus entered the Prefect compartment on the Hogwarts Express, he was greeted with a loud whoop and a hug from Lyle.

Now when Remus entered the Prefect compartment, he wouldn't see Lyle Atkins as Head Boy. When he studied in the library he wouldn't be distracted by Lyle's insane Ancient Runes theories. He wouldn't see Lyle being dragged into Madam Puddifoot's by Winnie during Hogsmeade weekends. The last time he saw Lyle Atkins was at his funeral, his cold hands folded over his favorite Ancient Runes book, a weeping Winnie near his coffin.

Remus Lupin was going back to Hogwarts and Lyle Atkins was asleep in his grave.

Once the Hogwarts Express started it's journey and he could no longer wave to his father, Remus began his path to the Prefect compartment. Dreading his imminent entrance, Remus paused at the threshold, his hand hovered over the compartment handle.

"Remus! Remus Lupin!"

Remus stumbled back at the shock of a body jumping onto him, stumbling back from the impact, he was overcome with the scent of jasmine perfume. His eyes covered by red, it only took him a beat to realize he was being hugged by Lily Evans. Returning the hug, he pulled back seconds later, unable to hide his smile.

"Excited for the school year, Lily?" laughed Remus, happy to be near the redheaded girl.

"Excited to see you!" laughed Lily, before she turned serious, "But overall…torn. Absolutely torn between elation and depression, honestly." said Lily, shrugging and not quite meeting Remus' eyes as both pairs traveled to the Prefect compartment door. "This is going to be strange." She finished, finally meeting Remus' eyes.

"Strange indeed." agreed Remus, unable to keep from grimacing.

Returning home from his transformation, Remus was greeted with shocking news of a mass murder in the days he was gone. He only needed a glance at the paper to realize the girl on the front page was Lily Evans. Skimming through the article, his momentary relief at her life saved was cut short by reading of the death of Lyle Atkins and his family. Shock hit him hard for when his mind came to, he was in the field outside his house, the paper wrung between his hands. Tears had cascaded down his face as he sat in the long grass. Remus was unsure of how many times he reread the article.

Lily was alive and Lyle was dead.

Distraught, Remus did not return to the house until dark. When he finally entered his house, Remus began up the stairs, ignoring his mother's calls after him. On his bed were two letters; both from James. The first asking if Remus heard the news and ending with James asking him to floo at once. The second, questioning his whereabouts and informing Remus that James, Sirius and Peter would be arrive to his house the following morning. Not feeling the need to respond to James, Remus put the letters in his desk drawer. Sitting down, he pulled out a piece of parchment and formed a letter to Lily. It was quick and simple; Remus was not asking for details but conveyed his sorrow for the ordeal, his hatred for the growing war and asking after Lily's health.

Her response came the following day as Remus and the rest of the Marauders were in his family room. Sirius was entranced by a soap drama that Remus' mother was watching as well. Peter and James were quietly playing chess on the floor in front of Remus, who was feigning attention towards a book although his thoughts were elsewhere. Hearing the unmistakeable peck of an owl at the window, Remus knew it was for him.

Remus,

I hope you're quite well, you were in my thoughts this past week and I hope all is well with you.

My family and I are in near perfect health, not to worry. I find myself unable to talk about the night's events although I hope you know I feel very fortunate to have friends seeking after me. My hand is tired from responding to inquiries and my mind is muddled from speaking with Dumbledore (what else is new) for the umpteenth time.

I've got to write quickly now, as Frank Longbottom is accompanying me to the Ministry and he has just arrived (By the by, he grew a beard and I've been quite distracted marveling at it's patchiness, poor Frank. I think I'll spend the better half of the day trying to convince him to shave!).

I'm forbidden by the Ministry to attend the funerals as they believe it best that I lay low. I threw a fit over not being able to attend Lyle's funeral, so I believe I maybe there. I find out later today if I can. How could I not pay my respects to Lyle? Really, how preposterous to think I would not go.

I just have to add my most recent revelations, however idiotic they may sound: this is truly war. Hogwarts has protected us from seeing true evil and I know that now. Last night you wrote that what had happen was unfair and unjust and of course, Remus, I wholeheartedly agree.

However unfair and unjust; if this didn't happen today it would've happened tomorrow.

I suppose now is the time to prepare for battle?

Cheers,

Lily

"Holy shit, Evans." said Sirius as he scanned through the letter. Sirius' words seemed to perfectly lament what was going through every Marauder's mind.

"It's ironic she ended with cheers, innit?" questioned Peter.

"If I were you, I wouldn't question the witch who took on three Death Eaters, mate." said James as he settled back down on the floor, preparing to continue his chess match with Peter.

Remus kept rereading Lily's letter, her words 'I suppose now is the time to prepare for battle' stayed with him, echoing in his head for many days after. Words he repeatedly thought of as he watched a sobbing Winnie cry at her loss of Lyle. Words that he promised to keep as he watched Lyle, his mother, father and two sisters be lowered into their graves.

Now was the time to prepare for battle.

Lily was right; Hogwarts protected the students from the outside world and Remus was unsure to feel grateful or animosity towards his blindness to the horror of the war. Remus was ashamed he once casually read through articles of attacks, thinking how sad, before going on with his day. Now, he was unable to keep his fist from clenching in anger when he read articles on possible Death Eater attacks or activity.

Today was September 1st, a day Remus once believed to be full of promise and excitement but, in his opinion, a day of change; marking the day he would grow up. No longer innocent to death or war, he could longer turn a blind eye to the world before him. He would change.

Reaching into his pocket, Remus pulled out his Prefect badge, identical to the one pinned onto Lily. Pinning it to himself, Remus decided to wear his badge as a promise to avenge those fallen; a promise to Lyle Atkins, the greatest Head Boy that never was.


Coleman Graham leaned up against the compartment door frame, spinning a Quaffle on his finger. Coleman thought himself to be the essence of groovy. Modeling himself to every passerby and not so secretly enjoy the attention. Coleman smiled to the group of girls passing him, causing them to blush, scurrying down the carriage whilst giggling to each other.

Coleman was entering his seventh and final year at Hogwarts; pleased that the seemingly perpetual hell of school was soon to be over. He was aching to graduate, start his career and become the legend he was destined to be. Coleman wasn't destined to be some everyday Walter the wizard working for the weekend; he was going to be important, a necessity, a figurehead to be swooned over and respected.

When Coleman first found he was a wizard, he was enamored with magic. Sorted into Ravenclaw, he spent hours pouring over books and learning every spell he could possibly try. He would ask for extra assignments, study for examinations weeks beforehand and would review in his head constantly in lieu of social interactions.

Coleman dreamed of becoming the Minister of Magic, almighty commander of Wizarding World of Great Britain.

Top of his class, Coleman wasn't satisfied.

I'm a nobody, Coleman thought as he watched the popular lot during meals, enamored with their ease and fluid funk. Denise Whittaker who could walk up to any group and sit down, welcome because she was so cool. The Marauders laughing amongst themselves, with their legendary pranks always being a daily topic. Erich Kroger and his slicked back hair, who would openly flirt with Marnie Gable, jealous stares and longing looks from those enamored with one or the other.

The summer before fifth year began, Coleman changed his appearance entirely. Growing up on the beach in Cornwall, he knew the lifeguards since he was a lad, so it was easy to secure a position. Lifeguarding in the summer gave him the physique and tan he needed to make him,incredibly good looking. Hours in front of the mirror allowed him to perfect slick back hair do and practice his looks. Allowing to be a mannequin for his Mum, sister and shopgirls, he gained a new wardrobe without lifting a finger.

When he arrived at Kings Cross, it was obvious the female population agreed. Within the first hour of the train ride, three girls had chatted him up. By the end of the first day back, Coleman couldn't walk by a girl without her smiling at him or stopping to introduce themselves. Towards the end of the week, Coleman was officially in with the in crowd.

During the summer, he also worked at a Quidditch supply shop in exchange for lessons from the ex-professional who ran it. Coleman didn't want the lame position of being a Beater or Keeper. He was going to be a Chaser, like James Potter, but better. After grueling months of training, tryouts to become Chaser on the Ravenclaw House team was a breeze. Coleman knew he sealed the deal on his popularity. He was surely one of the, if not the most popular guy, at Hogwarts.

However, now he needed to secure it and there was only one element missing to keep him on top. An element that would keep tongues wagging and the wanton need to be or be with Coleman. Coleman needed a girlfriend, but more importantly, a popular girlfriend.

His hunt began with a list of contenders from every house at Hogwarts. Then he divided the list of prospective candidates into categories; age, hair color, personality, beauty and popularity. Once he divided the categories, he wrote a pro/con list about each.

Nasim Denan was a Middle Eastern beauty, but passed gas once, loudly, during Defence Against the Dark Arts. Emmeline Vance was pretty, but her shoulders were too broad from Quidditch. Marnie Gable was still allegedly dating the newly graduated Erich Kroger. Cynthia Faring was a Slytherin and although he wasn't totally opposed, he was opposed to the weirdoes she was hanging out with. Such a shame that Louise Castle seemingly lost her mind after a bad trip down acid lane; what a bird.

Coleman narrowed his search to two girls: Lily Evans and Agatha Harlow.

Agatha Harlow, or Aggy, was in his year, had chestnut hair and a cute button nose. She was incredibly beautiful, she had a bit of a reputation, which Coleman believed he could make do with. Coleman would gain much needed experience dating her quite quickly and he believed that Aggy would be a enthusiastic and titillating mentor.

Lily Evans was a year younger; her pale skin and green eyes would offset his blue eyes and tan skin perfectly and she was quite pretty even though she was a muggleborn. Coleman liked Lily for her popularity, good girl persona, and a smile that outshone his.

After hearing about Aggy and Tag Morrison receiving detention for getting down and dirty in classroom; Coleman came to the conclusion that Lily was his preferred candidate. The following day, Coleman left his class early to be leaning up against the wall, just so, when she left Potions.

Lily was walking out with her friends; bland Dorcas, very bland Chelsea, slutty-in-a-good-way Cassidy and creepy-although-hot Marlene. Coleman heard her before he saw her, her loud laughing echoing off the dungeon walls as Lily walked closer to him. She didn't see him at first, but Dorcas nudged her as they got closer. Looking at Dorcas briefly before following her stare, she caught Coleman's eye and beamed at him.

Immediately taken, Coleman cupped his hand to his mouth, and called "Alright, Lily?", from where he was standing. Blushing, like good girls do in Coleman's opinion, she called back "Alright, Coleman".

Lily hung back from her mates as they carried on past him. Smiling as if in a contest, Coleman asked if he could carry her books to lunch. Nodding and blushing once more, he helped take off her bag before Coleman slung it over his shoulders. "So what's Ol' Sluggy making you Fourth years brew this week?" Coleman asked as the began walking.

Coleman didn't even realize they were standing outside of the Great Hall until their peers began pouring out of it.

"It seems as though we missed lunch." said Coleman, still holding onto her bag. "Sorry, I didn't notice that time had gone so quickly." He finished, smiling at her once more.

"Me neither, honestly, too bad 'cause Charms will be murder without food." said Lily, reaching to pull her bag off of Coleman's shoulder.

"Well, I have Herbology and I would skip if you skipped Charms." said Coleman, moving his shoulder to prevent Lily grabbing her bag.

"Oh? and do what?" laughed Lily when he dodged her reach.

"Eat, of course." said Coleman, grabbing her hand as the last of the stragglers from lunch finished coming out of the Great Hall. Pulling her towards the kitchens, he had decided that skipping classes was worth it for his popular potential girlfriend.

By the end of the night, they were going to Hogsmeade together. Within the week after, it was official that Coleman Graham and Lily Evans were dating. Coleman was absolutely tickled. His mates congratulated him on his great catch, he could see the jealously from other blokes, envy from other female hopefuls, but more importantly; his popularity solidified.

As Coleman posed at the threshold of his compartment, he couldn't wait to see Lily once more. She had visited him in Cornwall during the summer, where their relationship became even more picturesque to outside viewer. Lily would jump in his arms in the water and Coleman would spin her around before dunking her under. They would spend early mornings outside of a coffee shop where Lily, quite inappropriately, as she was told by the modest older women of the town, would sit on Coleman's lap as she read the paper. For the first time,Coleman was enamored with her, and the way she would always come onto him by asking him to rub aloe vera on her practically nonexistent burn.

He was depressed when she left; unsure of why he felt so sad. Hell, he didn't even feel sad when that Atkins bloke kicked the bucket. "Spare the details, mum, that's the bloke who stole Head Boy from me." said Coleman, tucking into his breakfast as his mother read him the news. It was all anyone talked of for the rest of the summer; Lyle Atkins or Nadine Parker or That Girl who caught the Death Eaters. The topic being so annoying to Coleman, he didn't let his mother read him the paper anymore.

"Parker was found in bits…bits!" said one witch to another, her fat hands clasped around heavy books, "I heard her children were blasted as well, poor dears…".

Rolling his eyes as Coleman walked, hand in hand with Lily down Diagon Alley, he couldn't keep from scoffing."Obnoxious, innit?" asked Coleman to Lily, referencing the conversation he overheard from the passing by witches talking of the incident.

"What's that, Cole?" questioned Lily, whose head was down as she was looking in her bag, giving up her search once the witches passed by.

"This whole…thing…" answered Coleman, his hand waving in front of him. "With that girl…what's she called again?" he continued, redirecting the pair towards the Quidditch shop. "Oh right! The Girl Who Lived? How naff, I mean who writes for the Prophet? Who comes up with this shite?"

"I have to agree, what a ridiculous title." Lily murmured in agreement, looking into Coleman's shoulder as she and Coleman passed another twittering group, overhearing them talk of the unidentified witch.

"Ridiculous notion, more like it. A bird taking down Death Eaters? Propaganda, I'm sure. Even if it was real, who would believe it? Isn't she supposed to be thirteen or fourteen?" laughed Coleman, "But really who cares, I mean this happened weeks ago—" Coleman stopped as he felt Lily pull her hand from his.

"I'm going to ignore that sexist remark for a moment, only to remind you—people died. Quite a few people died, Coleman, either in their beds or tortured. Coleman, your classmate died. Lyle died. This is real. For the love of Merlin, have some respect." said Lily, slapping his hand away when he reached for her again.

"I didn't mean it like that, I didn't." said Coleman quickly, "I meant it as…it's old news Lily." finished Coleman, cringing the moment he finished his sentence, regretting the words he had chosen. Lily stared at him for a long moment.

"Piss off, Coleman." said Lily, before storming away, head down as she disappeared in the crowd. Coleman wrote and wrote; explaining himself in various ways, apologizing for his insensitivity and blaming a fabled troubled childhood for his ignorance. Finally he received a response, a simple 'It's fine, see you on the train.'

Coleman had never been more relieved; his popularity wouldn't be ruined by rumors of cause for their break-up.

Although wrought with anxiety, Coleman still smiled to a group of girls passing him for the second time. "Coleman! Mate!" A voice shouted from the end of the train corridor, turning to see his best mate Wendell, Coleman smiled even brighter and spun the Quaffle on his finger once more.

"Casually showing off? What else is new?" asked Wendell, not waiting for a response before greeting the group in the compartment Coleman was outside off. "Did the trolley come by?" asked Wendell once more to Coleman. Nodding affirmative that it had, Coleman continued spinning the Quaffle, Wendell swore.

"I was chasing Aggy, bloody hell! Come with me?" said Wendell to Coleman, tossing the Quaffle to one of his mates in the compartment, Coleman motioned for him to follow.

"Chasing Aggy, Wendy?" asked Coleman as they moved down the corridor, Coleman and Wendell waving into a compartment of Ravenclaws.

"What? A lad needs an easy win now and again." replied Wendell casually, winking at Coleman, eliciting a laugh from Coleman. Pausing to allow a few Gryffindor girls to pass, Coleman glanced into the final compartment at the end of the carriage, spotting Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black lounging about through the open compartment door.

"Didn't Lily visit you a few weeks this summer?" asked Wendell, quite loudly when he spotted half of the Marauders in the compartment. Smiling at Coleman, he nodded for him to continue to move forward after his loud question caught Sirius Black's attention. "Really, how was it?" prompted Wendell as they crossed into the next carriage, the trolley mid way down.

"It was pretty swell." said Coleman, momentarily distracted by a passerby holding the Daily Prophet with the headline 'To The Girl That Lived', his eyes locked onto a photo of a girl with a bloody stared for a moment after the paper disappeared from view, blinking in wonderment at the familiarity of the girl on the newspaper.

"Pretty swell? A bird visits you in Cornhell and its pretty swell?" teased Wendell as he moved passed Coleman to the trolley. "I hear wedding bells…" Wendell added before losing his thought as he was overcome with treat possibilities.

"She came for two weeks, it was quite fun. She's almost tan, think of that— a tan ginger." replied Coleman, ignoring Wendell's insinuation of marriage. Coleman's mind was still wrapped up in the picture he just saw in passing. That face, Coleman thought as he mindlessly watched Wendell search for treats another moment, before Wendell paid.

"She came for two weeks, huh?" Asked Wendell, jumping back into conversation as he collected his change. "She came for two weeks or she came for two weeks?" asked Wendell, emphasizing the word 'came', as he waggled his eyebrows at Coleman.

"You're a pig, mate" laughed Coleman, turning to move back towards his original compartment only to be blocked by fellow classmates wanting food from the trolley. "Pardon" said Coleman moving past the crowd, looking up briefly, his eyes caught James Potter's in passing. Smirking, Coleman was delighted at the possibility of Potter hearing his summer excursions with Lily.

James Potter was a constant, incessant pest in Coleman and Lily's relationship. Once an inspiration for Coleman's popularity, Coleman now cringed at the thought of once wanting to be like James Potter. Obnoxious, foul-mouthed, immature, scuttle-brained were few of the many non vulgar descriptives Coleman thought of James.

When Coleman joined the Quidditch team he was apparently, suddenly relevant in James Potter's eyes. Nodding to each other in the corridors and on the pitch, they seemingly had a mutual respect for each other's talent. A mutual respect that once made Coleman's stomach flip with glee but now, whenever he saw James Potter, made him want to punch a wall.

Coleman wasn't an idiot; he knew. He knew before James Potter admitted it to himself.

Last year, early on, Coleman was with Lily at Three Broomsticks during a Hogsmeade weekend. Coleman and Lily were facing each other by the bar, his hands nonchalantly on her waist, tapping to the music if he remembered correctly. Looking picturesque, as they should. They were talking to their mates, Coleman to his mate Tyler and Lily to Marlene perhaps, when Remus Lupin passed with James Potter in tow. Remus stopped to talk to Lily and Coleman looked to James in expectance of a greeting, when Coleman noticed his expression.

James Potter was staring intently at Lily, who had briefly smiled as a greeting before animatedly talking to Remus. James was searching her face, looking as if he was going to memorize it before he ran his hand through his hair; drawing Lily's attention to him.

Coleman immediately interjected himself in the conversation.

"Coco!" shouted a female voice from the other end of the carriage in which Coleman and Wendell just entered. "Coco!" She called again, immediately Coleman knew who it was calling him. Relief flooded through his veins at Lily using that idiotic pet name.

"Coco!" laughed Lily, pushing past a few Hufflepuffs, with Remus Lupin in tow. Cackling at Coleman's grimace, she threw her arms around him before giving him a peck on the cheek. Releasing him, she started laughing as Wendell questioned "Coco?"

"His mummy's pet name for him!" She snickered before giving Wendell a hug. Greeting Remus with a handshake, Coleman blatantly ignored Lily and Wendell.

"How did the holiday treat you, Remus?" inquired Coleman.

"Mostly well, not one to complain." smiled Remus, his eyes moving past Coleman, as if searching for his mates.

"They're four compartments down." nodded Coleman to Remus, who smiled gratefully at the information. Briefly smiling to Wendell as he passed, Remus began to move down the carriage.

"Let's catch up to finish patrol in a bit Remus!" called Lily to his retreating figure. Remus turned to do a quick bow before disappearing into a compartment. Coleman heard a vague "Moony!" from James Potter who had just appeared at the threshold of the carriage, having returned from the treat trolley.

"…Or not" she smiled cheekily at Coleman before leaning in for a snog. Enveloping Lily in his arms, Coleman relished in the fact that James Potter was most definitely watching their interaction. Although delighted to see Lily, no longer anxious for their reconciliation; Coleman was still thinking of the girl on the paper.

Who was she? More importantly…did she go to Hogwarts?


The first days of classes were always such a drag, in James Potter's opinion. It was so ironic that he would spend of summer holidays wishing for school, only to be stuck in a purgatory of monotony upon his return.

Tapping his quill mindlessly on his desk whilst pretending to listen to Binns, he shifted for the hundredth time in his seat. Too satisfied with his doodle to continue, a Quidditch Pitch— truly a masterpiece— James was weary with boredom. Briefly looking out the window, James stared at the morning haze of fog. Fucking, bloody fog, thought James, quite miffed he would be unable to fly if the weather kept. Sighing, he rolled his head towards Binns once more.

Vaguely listening to the lecture, something of dragon legislation, James glanced at his mates. Remus, always the good student, in the seat before him was actively taking notes, albeit looking quite weary himself. Quickly jotting down 'I bet this threw you off!', James tore a piece of parchment, showing it to Sirius, who snorted in amusement when James mimed his intentions.

James balled it and threw it at Remus' head.

Unable to keep from groaning, Remus slowly opened the parchment, reading the note before casting a disparaging look at James and Sirius. Smirking to Sirius, James caught Peter staring questioningly at the pair from the seat next to Remus. Writing once more on his parchment, this time 'We're planning to off you!', James lifted his parchment to show Peter, who guffawed in response. Remus, who had read the note, rolled his eyes. Sighing loudly as he jotted down a message, Remus simply held it over his shoulder for James and Sirius to read. 'We're in sixth year, piss off.'

Grateful to Remus for a hearty laugh, James leaned back in his chair after a few minutes, content with disturbing his mates. "…Dragon reserves were sanctioned in 1744 after a high season of poaching, endangering seven dragon species….", Binns prattled on. Crossing his arms, James looked over the room from his back row seat.

He was glad to know his peers were just as miserable; Bugsy Fletcher looked the epitome of boredom, his eyes cast towards the ceiling, possibly praying lightening would strike. Dorcas Meadowes was folding her parchment into some form of poor origami. John Berry and Mark Matoose were in quiet hysterics over a wrong move in paper Quidditch, and Louise Castle looked dreary yet smiled at James when they made eye contact from across the room, which he happily returned.

He finally allowed his eyes to rest on Lily Evans, who, surprisingly, wasn't taking notes but picking at her nails. James watched as Lily tore a thumbnail off, her face in a grimace before she put her finger in her mouth. Flipping her pinned back hair over her shoulder, Lily stared at finger once more. James wondered what she was thinking and why she wasn't taking notes. In the past, James had only seen her momentarily distracted by Marlene McKinnon before once again taking notes. Today, Lily didn't even have her quill out.

James watched Lily bite her nail before they briefly made eye contact. His stomach flipped when their eyes met, as it always tended to do when he looked in her eyes. James tried to casually play it as if he was scanning the room, moving his gaze to stare at Marlene, who was reading a magazine.

He could feel Lily watching him, causing his heart to pound. Last year, he would stare back, as taking in Lily's features for the thousandth time was never tiresome. Although now, now it was different.

She was different and it scared him.

After the Start-of-Term Feast, James found himself in the common room with his mates. Although tired, it was so good to finally be back and it was obvious other Gryffindor students felt the same; the common room was buzzing with talking and laughter. James was glad he took the couch upon arrival, he was so full, if he had to stand he wouldn't have stayed downstairs in fear of passing out.

James was staring into the fire, on the verge of being comatose from stuffing himself with food at the feast. Sirius was arguing with Marlene, an impromptu debate on the sexuality of her possible future male conquest. Remus was interjecting himself when needed, to keep the offensive language and banter to an appropriate minimum but otherwise involved in a book. James switched from listening to Sirius and Marlene to watching Peter hopelessly flirt with Daphne Georges, the empty headed fifth year who Peter had tried to date the previous year.

His eyes bleary, James leaned his head back in his hands, listening to Daphne snort with laughter at Peter's jokes and Sirius mimic Remus' admonishes to him and Marlene.

"Wotcher Dorc." said James as Dorcas passed by, crossing over to sit by Marlene on the coffee table.

"How was your holiday, Potter? Name any mystical creatures?" responded Dorcas, smiling as she settled down, blocking James' view of the fire.

"One or two," smiled James, "How was yours? Quite well?"

"If quite well and boring go hand in hand, then yes. Quite well." joked Dorcas. James always enjoyed Dorcas; she was a interesting girl who could give good conversation without it having to be gossip. Chatting with Dorcas always meant sweeping through a wide range of topics before undoubtedly settling on travel. Dorcas had lived in twelve countries by the time she was eleven and still traveled during her holidays; her and James could swap stories for days.

"It's not that I find France abysmal, it's just that…" paused Dorcas as she thought. "… So many of French wizards have been rude to me, I can't stand the lot anymore…I know I sound horrible! I know! I know I do, but you asked!" she laughed as she defended herself causing James to laugh.

"I can't say I don't agree however—" James began, only to be cut off by Lily Evans, standing behind the couch he and Peter were on.

"It's nearing 11, we better turn in." said Lily to Dorcas and Marlene. "Sorry, Potter." She added, looking down at James who was staring up at her, unable to keep from wondering if her new freckles were from her summer adventures with Coleman.

James looked around the common room only a few were left, mostly couples happy to be reunited with their other halves. The fire behind Dorcas was dying out, and the common room was significantly darker, as if supporting Lily's need retire to bed.

"10 more minutes mum! please!" whined Marlene, who had moved to the arm of Sirius' chair, her arm casually thrown over him. Sirius and Dorcas chimed in to agree with her, causing Lily to roll her eyes, only to land them on a snogging Daphne and Peter. Pulling a disgusted face, she looked around only to have the rest nod in agreement.

"How was your summer, Evans? Eventful?" asked James still staring up at her. Lily looked down at him, her eyes darkened by the light or the question, James couldn't tell.

"One could say that." responded Lily, not looking at him but into the fire. James' question silenced the group, all were staring at her but Peter and Daphne who seemed to be in a world of their own.

"How are you?" asked Remus, his voice soft from his armchair. Lily sighed in response, shrugging as she slowly sat on the corner of the coffee table.

For the next hour she quietly talked, filling in the blank spaces for the group. They all individually reflected on the moment the realized it was Lily on the front page, laughing especially hard when Dorcas deadpanned a shocked expression. Lily nodding silently, playing with her hands when James let Lily know Remus didn't tell them; the rest of the Marauders knew the second they saw the photo.

Marlene waited until Daphne sauntered off to divulge information she picked up from eavesdropping on her father, the Head Auror at the Ministry of Magic. It made James briefly recall the previous year, when Marlene would only smirk in response to questions over inside information on the Wizarding War.

"How did you live, Evans?" Peter finally asked the question that had ran across everyone's mind when they saw her bloody face on the newspaper.

"Not a fucking clue, Pettigrew." Lily laughed dryly, her smile slowly fading as she seemingly relived the night in her mind.

"Care to drop anymore details?" asked Sirius, lazily leaned into Marlene who was mindlessly stroking his hair.

Scanning the room to ensure they were the only persons left, Lily hesitated a moment before she retold her harrowing ordeal. James listened to her in rapt attention, watching her describe with her hands and entranced by her intricate details, 'His eyes were hollow, empty; it was terrifying..'. James found himself truly intimidated by Lily Evans.

Lily wasn't the same as she was last year. James knew Lily wasn't a carefree girl anymore, but a fearless luminary.

At the end of her retelling, there was only a brief pause before Remus engaged her on the conversation of war. Too tired to hear a debate, a debate that had taken place countless times over the past few years; always surmised with everyone agreeing Dumbledore would save the day. James groaned when Dorcas joined in, crippling the chance of a continuance on their previous conversation. Closing his eyes, he listened as Dorcas complained of the lack of movement at Hogwarts.

"What can we do? Nothing." interjected James, interrupting Remus as he responded to a question Dorcas posed of involvement at Hogwarts.

"Nothing?" Asked Lily, arching her eyebrow at James as if daring him to proceed.

"I'm not saying don't do anything but…what can we do? We're underage wizards and as if that matters… We're not Dumbledore. We can't piece together defence strategies at one whatever in the morning and benefit anyone. Even if we could, how could we go about it? We're at a standstill until we're legal, so piss it, enjoy yourself." ended James, knowing quite well Lily would have it in for him but also knowing he was quite right.

"Enjoy myself…hmm…maybe that's why those bloody Death Eaters attacked me, they were jealous I was underage and enjoying myself." Lily said sarcastically.

"That's not what I meant, Evans." responded James evenly, annoyed at her interpretation.

"Oh right, I bet you meant to wait around for Dumbledore to take your hand and guide you to safety?" said Lily, mocking him to the rest of the group.

"That's not what I meant, Evans." responded James once more, his tone clipped. Aware of Marlene moving away from Sirius, who was now sitting up, intently staring at him, James put his hand up to Sirius the same moment Lily shook off Dorcas' hand from her shoulder.

"Enjoy yourself, Potter, you deserve to. I wish I could enjoy blissful ignorance, except every night I can still feel that bloody Death Eater gouging at my neck. Every night, I still feel the shame of my hopelessness when I almost gave up fighting. Every night, I can still hear my mother and sister screaming, them not knowing if I was dead and me not knowing if they were about to be murdered. Where was Dumbledore when I needed him? Where was he when Lyle needed him?" Asked Lily to James, her voice suddenly frantic. "Thank Merlin I'm not so dependent on Dumbledore as you are, because if I were, I'd be dead." said Lily venomously, ending harshly as she glared into James' eyes.

"Well, on that note, we should turn in." said Marlene after silence lingered amongst the group. Lily stood up slowly, her eyes finally breaking from James' as she turned away. Remus closed his book, staring into the fire as he paused in mid-motion, seemingly unsure of what to do. Peter moved off the couch, stretching as he stood, nodding to Dorcas as she smiled apologetically, shifting past him.

"Sweet dreams all, hope you sleep well." said Lily, "Except you Potter—I hope you wake up." She added, smirking before disappearing up the stairwell to the dormitories. Marlene softly winced, grimacing to James as she and Dorcas followed Lily up the stairs.

After a heavy pause between the Marauders, James told the rest to go up to their dormitory, claiming he was too tired to move just yet. Remus and Peter went upstairs, Remus standing and nodding before leaving with Peter who left immediately at word, grateful to get away. Sirius stood as well, but only to move next to James on the couch. Both stared into the fire, watching the magically enflamed charcoals.

"That's not what I meant." said James to Sirius, needing his best mate's validation.

"Of course, Prongs." said Sirius, quite simply as he stretched his legs onto the coffee table.

James realized something in that moment; the battle was nearing and James needed to make sure he was on Lily Evans' side.

Pulling himself from memories of last night, James quickly looked at his watch. An hour left, thought James, his misery burdening him. Glancing at Sirius, who was now staring forward with a glazed look in his eyes, James moved forward, straightening up. Yawning, James lifted his arms into a stretch, stretching just so thus successfully sweeping all of Sirius' belongings onto the floor.

The abrupt noise and Peter's snickers made many students look towards them, James relishing in the continued attention of Lily looking at him. Knowing Lily was still watching, James ran his hand through his hair before leaning the legs back on his chair once more, smiling towards Sirius who was picking up his books.

It was good to be back, in James' opinion, smiling at the thought of being back at school.

James suddenly felt guilty at his happiness. Lyle Atkins was dead, poor bloke. What a good bloke, thought James, as he always did when he thought of Lyle. Poor Lyle, who seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time too many times.

Shaking off his sadness, he turned his attention to Sirius, who looked as though he was intent on revenge. As if Sirius knew that James knew, Sirius suddenly gave a swift kick to James' chair, causing James to drop.

A resounding thud filled the room, followed by the loud crack a split second later, the sound being James' skull meeting ground. 'Oh Fuck!' were the last words James heard before losing consciousness.


Unable to hear nothing but her heart pounding in her ears, Lily Evans was quite sure she was on the verge of passing out. It was early Sunday morning but the humidity was high, so much so Lily found herself sweating within minutes of her jog. Brushing her hand over her forehead, wiping the sweat from her brow as she ran, Lily finally turned northward on the bend of the Great Lake. Catching a quick glimpse of Hogwarts before it disappeared into fog, she continued on.

The morning fog was intense today, so much so Lily delayed her run in hopes it would clear. The light white glow of the fog in the morning light put her on edge, but with her wand tucked into her waistband, she remained adamant on following her jogging schedule. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Lily spent her morning running. After years of perfecting her route she only changed it seasonally, although rain or snow didn't usually prevent her from being outside.

Appropriately starting at the Front Door of Hogwarts, Lily jogged the sloped terrain of the grounds to the Great Lake. Once at the Great Lake, Lily would jog the circumference, using the path to the Hogsmeade station on her way south. After passing the Shrieking Shack, Lily would be northbound once more, returning to the castle outside of the Great Hall for breakfast or circling back to run once more.

Lily was on her third turn about the lake.

Jogging was casually infringing upon the rules; a jogging route that flirted with leaving the grounds and being on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest. A route that had become popular with other students for exercise or other activities, It wasn't uncommon to see classmates. By the Shrieking Shack, Lily had passed Coleman's mate Wendell practically paralyzed with a cramp, poor Wendy— he made the mistake of eating first.

Typically Lily didn't run alone; Dorcas was a strong runner but she was practically unwakeable in the morning. Marlene was the worst, constantly complaining and gave up mid-way to walk. Coleman was just as bad if not worse, as he preferred Quidditch and was sure to remind Lily time and again. Lily's preferred jogging mate was Remus, he was quiet and could keep pace. However, when Lily went to fetch him that morning, he and the rest of the conscious Marauders were missing.

Her thighs burning, Lily lessened her pace to a walk. Looking down at her sneakers, she could still hear her heart racing in her ears. Swallowing the dryness from her throat, she began stretching her legs as she braced herself to continue her jog. Hearing feet upon gravel behind her she turned quickly, only to face two Hufflepuffs about to pass her.

"Evans, where's Graham this fine morning?" called John Berry, the Hufflepuff Keeper.

"Probably sleeping, lazy bastard!" Lily called back, smiling as she elicited a laugh from John and Peter Croft, who Lily recognized as the boy who really couldn't handle his drink last year at The Three Broomsticks.

"Want us to hold back a mo'?" asked John as he and Peter slowed their jog, watching Lily stretch her leg. I must really look like shite, thought Lily.

"Don't bother over me, I always push my limit the first week back." responded Lily, her legs aching as she pulled the other one into a stretch. "I should know four laps by now is total agony."

"Four laps? Holy shite, Evans." spoke Peter, looking horrified at the prospect.

"See, I'm a right idiot." quipped Lily, waving her hand at them. "Please continue, I'm sure I'll be passing you in a few."

"Typical Evans," laughed John as he picked up his pace again, "Give a shout if I need to throw you over my shoulder!"

Lily responded with a rude gesture, giving the boys a laugh before they proceeded. Unable to hear them any longer, she watched as the became small dark shadows in the fog. Looking up into the white sky, Lily breathed heavily as she stared into the white nothingness. After a few minutes she began to walk, unable to bring herself to run.

Redirecting herself towards a large boulder, soon enough Lily found herself sitting on the large, mossy rock staring across the lake. For the first time in a week, she was alone. Truly alone. A frightening prospect in her mind, as when she was alone, Lily had the tendency to cry. Unable to keep her tears from brimming even now, she watched as fog danced across the surface of the lake.

Within moments of starting back at Hogwarts Lily had come to a conclusion: school was a sham. Lily should have seen it years ago, the warning signs of the bloody, stupid war was in front of her face and she chose to ignore it. She chose to ignore it and she almost died in doing so. Scoffing to dark vastness of the lake, a tear fell down her cheek.

Lyle Atkins was dead.

'Undoubtedly brave and defiant, Miss Evans, but I now must recommend you to be on guard from those who do not share your strong opinions.'Read a line from the letter Dumbledore had sent her, warning her to be careful before the attack. He knew, he knew she would be a target and only sent her letter to be mindful of a possibility of attack. Dumbledore knew.

Dumbledore, who didn't even bother to send Lyle a letter.

At least, that what Lily had concluded after harassing Frank Longbottom to search for it in Lyle's house. Empty handed and confused, Lily felt tried not to feel shameful after accusing Dumbledore of not caring for Lyle. Who was she to know what Lyle did with the letter?, a thought that constantly rang through her mind after Frank angrily defended Dumbledore.

For too long she lived under a bogus notion of safety, learning and camaraderie. Lily found the rest of Hogwarts to be under a false pretense and it made her sick. It was all Dumbledore's fault. He kept the war under wraps, briefly warning them before setting them loose for the summer, loose into the war torn Wizarding World.

She had respected Dumbledore because he was impressive; his wise words resonated through her at feasts. Lily was in awe of him, her proximity to such a great wizard, defeater of Grindelwald. In her fifth year career counseling, unsure of what career she wanted to pursue, she found herself desperately asking "what did Dumbledore do? What classes did his take?"

Now, Lily was in every course Dumbledore took his sixth year and now, Lyle Atkins was dead.

Aware of the steady stream of tears down her cheeks but too uncaring to wipe them away, Lily let them be. Her eyes hurt, unmoving from the glassy surface of the Great Lake. Fury soared through her as it tended to do when she now thought of Dumbledore, her stomach flipped at the very thought of her ever wanting to emulate him.

Dumbledore, who was quite possibly the reason why Lyle Atkins was dead.

A thought that lingered through her mind endlessly. Lyle's absence distinctly noticeable from the get-go. A moment of silence was held for him at the at the Prefect's meeting on the Hogwarts Express and the Start-of-Term Feast; a pause that would never be long enough. Lily wished to see him from afar, waving at her from across the Great Hall, a corridor or the library. She missed talking to him, forcibly listening to his theories of Ancient Runes that she always dismissed.

Lyle Atkins died in his bed, lucky he died without tortured and yet so unfortunate because maybe, maybe if he was awake he would've lived. Maybe he would've been featured on the front page of The Daily Prophet as a hero, a constant barrage of unwanted attention being the preferable option over death. If only he was given a chance, Lily was sure Lyle would've defeated his attackers.

"Evans!" a voiced echoed into Lily's head. "Lily, Lily, Lily! Evans! Snap out of it!" the voice rang out once more, accompanied by fingers snapping in her face, startling Lily, causing her to jump.

"Merlin, Black!" gasped Lily as she put her hand to her heart, feeling her pulse beat wildly.

"Sorry Evans, but you were out of it. I passed by and said hello, you didn't respond. Very rude, so I came to give you a piece of my mind." responded Sirius, shrugging. "Didn't realize you were catatonic. Do you even run or do you just stare at the lake?" he continued, thankfully looking away as she wiped her face of any rogue tears.

"Oh sod off, Black. Don't be such a tosser." said Lily as she began to scoot down from the boulder, as she was about to hop off, she gratefully took the hand Sirius offered her, only taking it to remain balance. "Thanks. My legs cramped, so I was resting for a tad." She said to Sirius as he nodded in response, as he motioned for her to take the lead as they began to walk.

Looking out over the lake, she now realized she could see Hogwarts quite clearly. The fog that obstructed her view had dissipated and the sun was casting itself upon the grounds. Unsure of how long she had been outside, but guessing the time was encroaching noon, Lily silently cursed her thighs for being so weak. Noticing Sirius watching her as she chastised herself, she smiled at him briefly before asking, "How's Potter?"

Sirius let out a bark of laughter, "Wanker's still out of it!" he responded, smiling to himself.

"Really, I don't see how it's funny, Black. He's been unconscious for a week." said Lily, unable to keep from rolling her eyes.

"Almost a week, Evans. You of all people should agree he needed a good whack in the head." said Sirius pointedly, eliciting a snort of agreement from Lily. "He had it coming to him." finished Sirius.

"I feel bad, last thing I said to him was 'wake up' and now here we are, basking in the irony." said Lily as they approached the incline of the grounds as the approached the castle.

"Don't bother feeling bad, James just had it coming to him." said Sirius, smiling at Lily. "End of third year, right by exams, I won't get into details but it was James' fault and I was knocked unconscious. May 15th, last thing I remember was that git laughing and next thing I knew, I wake up in June, everybody left days before. 'Cept James. So when he wakes up, I'll be there and I'll say the same he said to me when I woke up."

"What did he say?" Lily inquired, stopping to turn look at Sirius. Sirius stopped as well, moving his hands in circles to mock glasses.

"Took long enough" Mocked Sirius in a North England accent, pitched exactly to sound like James. Unable to keep from laughing, it took Lily a long moment to regain her composure.

"Spot on! How often do you mock Potter?" questioned Lily as she and Sirius began walking again.

"When do I not? Easy target." laughed Sirius, obviously pleased with himself. "Oi, do us a favor?" asked Sirius, his tone changing.

"That being?" responded Lily as she began up the steps to the castle.

"James didn't mean what he said the other night. He was tired, can't hold a bloke in contempt for the rubbish he says when he's tired." said Sirius following her up the steps.

"But rubbish and Potter go hand and hand." countered Lily as she took the steps two at a time, her thighs burning at every step.

"On some points…yeah. So just forget it, he didn't mean it. You know he didn't mean it" said Sirius, closely behind. Lily hummed in response, neither feeling the need to agree or disagree on the topic of James Potter. Their conversation turned silent as they encountered a cobblestone pathway, leading directly into Hogwarts. Soon enough, Lily found herself at the Great Hall at the beginning of lunch.

"Cheers, Evans." said Sirius, nodding to her before moving to turn in the other direction. "Headed to hold vigil at James' side." he added, responded to the silent question etched on her face. Nodding her head, she waved him off.

Entering the Great Hall she quickly found herself in step with her mate Chelsea Sekler, who looked as if she had just awoken. Laughing at Chelsea's brief complaints over her dormitory mate's late night activities, Lily and Chelsea headed towards their mates. Lily felt her stomach seize when she noticed Dumbledore at the Head table, his first attendance since the Start-of-Term Feast.

Feeling very tense, Lily tried to look relaxed as she was greeted by her mates. Fixing her plate, she was fully aware of being watched. Nodding in agreement to Dorcas' statement of the Kippers being overcooked, Lily paused before tucking in; unable feign ignorance of being watched, Lily turned to the Head Table.

It only took a split second for Lily to meet eyes with the Headmaster. Staring into his blue eyes, Lily found herself thinking, no—broadcasting, her thoughts to Dumbledore. Lyle's dead because of you, Lily thought, her eyes unblinking as she continued to meet his gaze, You knew. Murderer, you're a murderer.

Breaking eye contact to respond to Bugsy Fletcher's question of the weather, Lily looked back to the Head table once more. Dumbledore was now in conversation with McGonagall, but paused to nod to Lily, before returning to his conversation. Her stomach lurched and suddenly no longer hungry, Lily dropped her fork and stood excusing herself from the table. Briskly walking towards the doors, Lily felt Dumbledore's stare as she left the Great Hall.

It wasn't until she was in view of the Hogsmeade Station did she realize she was on her jogging route again. Her thighs aching, seizing in pain, Lily stopped her run.

Her tears were uncontrollably streaming down her face and she was panicking at her fast pulse. Lily found herself unable to control her breathing, her breathes releasing in quick wheezes. Her hands on her throat as she gasped for air, her tears trickling onto her hands; her mind was racing as she doubled over.

Lyle Atkins was dead. Lyle's dead, murdered. I should be dead, I should be dead, I should be dead. Lyle's dead. He knew, Dumbledore knew and Lyle's dead. I should be dead, Dumbledore know's, I should be dead. He knew. He knew. Murderer. I'm next, I'm next, Dumbledore know's I know. I'm next.

Bracing herself against a tree, Lily began sobbing heavily as her legs gave out. Collapsing onto the dirt surrounding the tree, Lily rested her head on the trunk of the tree. Blinded by her tears, she stared into heavens, wondering if she looked as hopeless as she felt.

Lyle Atkins was dead. And she was next.


The floods is threatening

My very life today

Gimme, gimme shelter

Or I'm gonna fade away


A/N: Drama, drama, drama...thanks for the read!