Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR... I own nothing (poor me)

AN: Hello! I promised to update soon so here is the next chapter. I'm not entirely happy with how it turned out, I think first one was a bit better, but I hope you will enjoy it nevertheless. I realized that writing 4-5,000 words isn't something I can do easily even if I have a plot planned. I wrote and rewrote the dialogs and they still seem lame to me. Oh well, I still have a lot to learn about writing. I'll try to update at least once a week, maybe twice. I'll take my time to write chapter properly rather than writing quickly loads of crap.

Big thanks to everybody who added this to their favorite stories, or subscribed or reviewed! It made me want to write more. Especially those lovely reviews. I hope you won't be disappointed.

Kate xx

-Chapter two-

Friend is as friend does

If Lily thought she would have minimum of free time that year, it was nothing compared to reality. She had so much work, she regularly fell asleep on top of her books in common room or just dropped dead onto her bed after hours of studying. Due to this she was startled when she noticed first snowflakes falling lazily behind the window. The time flew at incredible speed. But things were going well so far.

Amos asked Mary out on the first Hogsmead visit. Nobody had ever seen Mary so excited before. The morning of the visit she bounced around the dormitory complaining about her lack of appropriate date wear.

"Calm down Mary," pleaded Alice. She was rummaging through her trunk throwing out several items until finally she pulled out pair of black stilettos and red tank top with light ruffles along the neckline. "Here, wear this with that gray skirt and black tights."

"Thanks." Mary took it from her a bit more relieved. The red of the top brought out auburn tones in her chocolate brown hair and revealed just enough to get Amos' imagination running wild. She put on feathery earings that came down almost to her collarbone and swept her wavy hair to the side.

"It's cold outside, take this too," Lily handed her studded leather jacket she got from her father last Christmas. She rarely wore it, but this was perfect occasion to make use of it. "Brings a bit of rebellious look to the outfit. Now go." she winked at her and pushed her out of the door. Alice looked at Lily with raised eyebrow.

"Rebellious look?"

Lily just grinned and shrugged. Mary was so happy. And knowing that she was happy made Alice and Lily happy too. That's how best friends work.

Still, this didn't stop them from teasing Mary by imitating her nervous squeals. Every time they did it, she would turn around and leave, promising them never to speak with them again. But eventually, she always came back.

Other than Mary dating Amos nothing out of ordinary happened this year. Sure, Potions, previously one of her best subjects, turned into slow torture. In fact Potter seemed to gain some new level of annoyance. To add to his usual, he would now do things like open the door for her or volunteer to carry her bag. He smiled at her sweetly and complemented her for the stupidest things. It was ridiculous, but she supposed she would find it nice, if it came from someone else. However, as she was stuck with Potter, she couldn't be sure. No-one dared to ask her out since Potter hexed her first boyfriend Derek Lonewood, when he was about to kiss her. Derek's lips were twice their normal size for two weeks and he never tried to do it again. He broke up with her mumbling something about not wanting to stay in her way. That was the first and only time she completely lost control of her fiery temperament. Potter wasn't able to sit on a broom properly for a month, but he never admitted who hexed him. Not even to his friends. She smiled at this thought. She suspected it would earn her her first ever detention. But thanks to his ego her report was still clear.

"What are you smiling at?" inquired Alice. They were once again sitting in library doing homework. "I could do with some joke. Really, those muggles are unbelievably boring." She was pointing at her unfinished essay for Muggle Studies.

"No, they are not! They are very interesting." protested Lily.

"Sorry, sorry, not all of them I suppose." Alice raised her arms remembering Lily was muggleborn. "It's just this stupid essay... I wish I dropped Muggle studies too. Even potions were better. At least I would have a chance to apply for Auror."

"You still have a chance," said a boy approaching their table. It was Frank Longbottom. "They changed the rules about potions. It was the most problematic requirement and since Voldemort is gaining more and more power they need as much Aurors, as they can get. You now only need to pass OWLs in potions."

"I got Acceptable," beamed Alice excitedly. It was a little miracle, A was the last passing mark, but she passed nevertheless.

"That's fantastic," grinned Frank at her. She blushed deep scarlet but continued beaming. "Maybe we will become colleges."

"That would be great."

"You want to become an Auror, Frank?" Lily asked, smiling at her friend's excitement.

"Yup, I want to fight for better world," he said half joking. "And my mum would probably disown me, if chose some less noble job," he added. "But I really want to help defeating Voldemort. Seriously, that man is mental."

"That's very brave of you," said Alice. She stared up at him from her seat, her lips slightly apart.

"Yes, Frank, that's very brave of you." Lily was trying to contain her amusement, but judging by the puzzled expression on boy's face, it was no good.

"Um, thanks, I will... I will be going now." He turned around and took few steps when he heard-

"Frank, when is the next prefect meeting?" Lily called in innocent voice. She was sure this was why he came looking for them in the first place.

The Head boy turned back to face them. It was now his turn to blush slightly. "Er, yes, the meeting, yes, this Friday after supper in Staff room," he mumbled.

"Thanks, I will see you there than," Lily smiled sweetly.

"Yes, see you there." This time the poor boy almost ran from the library.

Lily turned to Alice and immediately burst out laughing upon seeing her face. Alice was still looking at the spot where Frank disappeared.

"What's so funny?" she demanded when she came out of her trance.

"The boy is head over heels into you," laughed Lily, "and you, my dear, are no better than him."

Her friend frowned at her, still blushing.

"Don't deny it. You liked him for ages, Alice. I'm your best friend, I notice how you look up whenever he is around. You would sneak secret looks at him when you think no-one is watching and I caught him staring at you few times too. It's only question of time before he asks you out."

"You think?" Alice asked trying to sound casual, but unable to hide hope in her voice.

"I'm positive." Lily assured her.

And so it was. Though he didn't ask her out immediately, he often came talking to them in common room. Lily knew head students had their own dormitories and common room, but Frank always found a reason to visit Griffindor tower. After two weeks they had sort of ritual going on. Every evening he approached them with some pointless questions, and every time he did so, Lily suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to do something and disappeared, leaving the couple together.

These days she often found herself in the library or in their dormitory working on homework alone or occasionally joined by Mary. The shy girl seemed to gain more self-confidence since she started dating Amos, while energetic Alice now developed a habit of staring blindly out the window, smiling for no reason. Lily was glad that her two best friends were doing so well.

But there was something else bugging her mind. She felt like she was lacking something. Was it because she had to share her closest friends with two other people? Or did she, perhaps subconsciously, yearned for the same? That was impossible for her, at Hogwarts at least. And she didn't know what had she done to earn such treating. Okay, she could see why Potter was teasing her. Even at primary school kids called her know-it all and made fun of her, but hexing her boyfriend was something completely different. Why couldn't he let her be? To top it all, he noticed her lonely visits of library and was following her there too, using the fact that she couldn't yell at him there.

Several times he asked her almost politely – almost being crucial word there - if he could help her with something or if he could just sit down and work on the same table. Lily found this new Potter very weird. He still pulled pranks, like the other day in Potions when he switched dried Hellebore Snape prepared for his Drought of peace with Fluxweed and Snape's cauldron exploded. And he still asked her out two times a day, a small improvement from previous years, when it was ten times an hour, but there was something funny about this gentleman charade. She thought he was just trying to get more attention and she didn't like the way of it. To her surprise, neither did his friends. Black looked very uncomfortable whenever Potter started with "Oi, Evans, let me walk you to another class" or "Evans, those books are far too heavy for a girl, give them here, I'll carry them." Remus would just shook his head unhappily. Only Pettigrew was indifferent to this. Lily suspected he just didn't notice anything unusual, but it might have been his undying respect for whatever Potter did as well.

One week before Christmas professor McGonagall came to Griffindor common room asking who stayed at school over the break. There were only four students from their house staying. Times were growing dark, Voldemort was on the raise and families wanted to spend as much time together as possible in case they wouldn't get another chance. Of course, her family knew very little about Voldemort. Lily was their only connection to magical world. When she first told them about cruel dark wizard who was killing and torturing muggleborn witches and wizards, they wanted to stop her from going back to Hogwarts. That was until she assured them that there wasn't safer place in the world for her to be, that under protective eyes of Albus Dumbledore, the only wizard Voldemort had ever feared.

She couldn't wait to see her parents. She even missed her sister, though she new Petunia didn't share her feelings. They relationship grew steadily colder since Severus revealed her that she is a witch. Tuney was jealous and maybe a bit scared too. When Lily left for Hogwarts, she took it personally. She put a wall between them and convinced herself into hating magic and everything connected with it. Lily hoped that her sister will come around one day, but after all this years, she was fairly sure that it was not going to happen. However, not even Tuney could ruin Christmas for her. Or so she thought.

She packed most of her things two days before the break - she liked to take her time with it. Alice, on the other hand, postponed everything she could until last moment. She was currently looking at the mess in her trunk, checking if she had everything she needed. It was the last evening before the break. Tomorrow morning they will be heading home.

"Isn't that Aurel, Lily?" pointed Mary at the window, where beautiful barn owl had just arrived.

"Yes, it is. I wonder what is he doing here at this time." Lily got up and let her owl in. Aurel hooted sadly. He was drenched to the last feather. "Who sent you out in this weather?" Asked Lily drying the owl with her wand.

The owl nipped her finger thankfully and stuck out it's leg where a letter was tied. She knew immediately that it must be from her parents, because it was written on normal paper. She unrolled it, curious what could be so important, that it couldn't wait till next day. The writing was a bit blurry from the melted snow, but it was still possible to read it.

Dearest Lily,

We are sorry to send your owl out in this weather, but we have some important news for you. Petunia and Vernon got engaged yesterday. We know you dislike the man, but Lily, he is a decent bloke. And he can give your sister what others can't. Try to be happy for her.

The reason why we are sending this now, is that they want to have an Engagement party on New Years Eve. They want to invite the closest family and their friends. With so many people in the house we will need as much free rooms as we can get. Lily, we are really sorry, but we think it would be better if you stayed at your school this Christmas. Please don't be angry. It's for the best.

Have a nice holiday dear. You always said the castle looked wonderful in winter. We hope you will understand. We love you.

Mum and Dad

PS: Say sorry for me to Aurel.

Lily reached the end of the letters with tears forming in her eyes.

"I can't believe it!"

"What is it, Lils?" Alice looked up from her trunk. She moved over to sit by her friend, when she saw her face. "What happened?" Lily handed her the letter. She read it quickly and handed it to Mary.

"They make you stay at Hogwarts during Christmas because they need a free room?! You are her sister, what closer family they want to invite? What sort of parents would do this to their daughter?!"

Lily just shook her head. "It's not their fault. Petunia made them do that. They just didn't want to say it directly."

"They shouldn't have allowed it," joined in Mary, who was looking at the piece of paper in her hands with disbelieve mixed with disgust.

"You don't know my sister. She has her ways." Lily stood up and headed for the door. "I need some air."

When she was out of Griffindor tower, angry tears started falling freely down her face. How could Petunia do this to her? Every time Lily was at home she tried hard to befriend her sister again. And when that wasn't possible she stayed out of her way. And what was her response? She banned her from their home on Christmas. How dare she ruin this family holiday for her. If she didn't want her for a sister, fine. But her parents were Lily's parent's too. She can't just take them away from her. She can't... WHAM! Lily was half running when she turned the corner and smashed into someone.

"Sorry," they both muttered simultaneously.

"Evans, what a pleasure!" It was Potter. "Want to take a night-time stroll wi-!"

Lily pointed her wand at his chest. "Stay out of my way Potter, I'm not in the mood." Her voice was dangerous and her green eyes were slits.

"Okay, okay, calm down!" He raised his hands above his head and took a few steps backwards. He remembered too well what happened when Lily hexed him last time and he was not going to risk it again. Just then he noticed her tear-strained face. Something was wrong. Reminding himself why he was in Griffindor he asked silently "Er, Evans... I mean Lily, are you... are you all right?"

Lily stared at him for a moment. For a first time in six years he sounded completely sincere. There wasn't a trace of arrogance in his voice. But then, it could be just shock. She shook her head, turned on her heel and ran away.

James watched her disappear behind a corner. He was really concerned about her. She looked half mad with her eyes sparkling, her face wet from crying and her fiery long hair flying wildly behind her. He knew better that to follow her now. Marauders had their own ways of watching people. He ran to his dormitory.

"Hi, James," greeted him Remus. "Listen, I wanted to ask you something."

"No time, Moony, later." He pulled a piece of parchment from his trunk and muttered "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."

He waited impatiently as a map of Hogwarts slowly appeared in front of him. The castle was almost empty, most of the students were in their common rooms, so he located Lily quite quickly. She was now waking down Transfiguration corridor. He observed her as she made her way towards the girls bathroom at the very end of the corridor. But then his eyes grew wider. Someone else was there too. Four dots were moving along one of the more commonly known hidden passageways that ended right opposite the bathroom. Four dots labeled Avery, Mulciber, Carrow and Carrow. For a few seconds he watched in horror as the dots moved closer to each other. He swore under his breath.

"What's the matter? You look like you just saw Death himself."

"Not far from there." Remembering what they did to Mary Macdonald, James grabbed the map and sprinted out of the dormitory.

"Hey! Where -" Remus shouted after him.

But James didn't hear the question, as he was already halfway down the stairs. He ran across the common room, pushed aside few first years, squeezed through the portrait hole and started into the empty castle. He was tired from Qudditch practice and all the running but he didn't stop. He was only one turn from a shortcut Marauders discovered in their third year, when, for the second time that evening, he collided with somebody.

"Potter! What are you doing here?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"S-sorry?" James panted. What now? He was thinking fast. He can't tell her about Marauder's Map, or he would never see it again. However if he doesn't get to Lily soon – he shuddered at the thought. He must.

"What are you doing here, Potter? It's past curfew," professor asked him again.

"I- I heard some voices. In Transfiguration corridor."

"You heard voices in Transfiguration corridor from Griffindor tower?"

"Wha- No! But-" He was cut of by the professor.

"Then explain yourself."

"I was heading to kitchens to get some food, I missed dinner. But-" he was cut of once more. Why can't she see how important this is?

"Kitchens are on the other side of the castle," said McGonagall sternly. "I don't have time for your made up stories, Potter. Tell me what were you doing here or I'll have take points from you and give you detention." Her lips were now forming thin line.

"Please professor, I think there was some kind of fight going on in that corridor!" he was now getting desperate.

Professor McGonagall stared at him, searching his expression.

"Please!" he begged her to see the reason. She nodded.

"Very well, Mr Potter, lead the way."

James muttered 'Mischief Managed' to wipe his map and led the professor through the shortcut. He was half running with professor jogging along his side. How much longer will it take for them to find her? Finally they turned the last corner.

They both froze at the sigh that met their eyes. Four figures were standing around a crumpled form on the floor. All four of them were pointing their wands at it. They didn't seem to notice the arrival of two spectators. They were laughing on some dirty joke. Then Mulciber spoke.

"Now we will teach you a new lesson, little girl, something you can't learn in school, mudblood." He spat the last word and raised his wand. But James was quicker, the word 'mudblood' woke him up. Blood was boiling in his veins.

"Stupefy!"

The spell hit Mulciber in the chest, right over his heart. Look of surprise appeared on his face and then, with loud 'thud' that echoed through the empty castle, he fell to the floor unconscious, his wand rolling out of his hand. Three figures now turned in James' direction, pointing their wands at him. Though confused and surprised by the uninvited company, they weren't going to give up so easily. Alecto Carrow was about to curse him when professor McGonagall came out of her trance too.

"Sectumsempra!" shouted Alecto.

"Protego!" cried James and professor together. Alecto's spell rebounded from an invisible shield between her and them and she was forced to dodge it. She tripped over her robes and fell to the floor. Her brother glared furiously at them, calculating his chances if he attacked.

"Don't even try it." said professor McGonagall, disarming him nonverbally with a quick flick of her wand. Now wandless Amycus Carrow tried to flee, Avery followed his suit, but they were both stopped by well aimed Impediment jinx. With another flick of her wand, McGonagall brought them together. They struggled against the invisible ropes that tied them, head of unconscious Mulciber's body lolling from side to side as others pushed it and pulled it, trying in vain to get free.

"Never in my whole life would I imagine – Hogwarts students – how dare you!?" shrieked professor McGonagall, towering over the bounded students, anger flashing in her eyes.

"Torturing fellow student – attacking teacher!" McGonagall was fuming.

Was it not for the seriousness of the situation, James would enjoy hearing her screaming at somebody else for a change. But as it was, he had other things to take care of. He tuned her yells of and knelt beside Lily. She was trembling violently.

"Lily?" he asked softly. She raised her head slightly. There was a large gash on her left cheek. Her still horrified face was covered in blood mixed with tears. Her eyes, rimmed red and puffy from the crying, contrasted with her extremely pale skin. She looked like there was no blood left in her. "Oh, Lily, what did they do to you.." He lifted her to sitting position.

"They he- heard me cry- crying. C-c-came from th-th-there." She lifted her hand pointing in the direction of tapestry behind which, James knew, was a hidden passageway. "Th-there m-m-must b-be -"

"A secret shortcut, yes I know Lily, shh, don't speak - you are too weak. I'll take care of you. Everything will be all right." he soothed her. He turned to the teacher. "Professor, I'm taking Lily to hospital wing."

McGonagall looked at her, scrutinizing. "Yes Potter, you better do that quickly. She needs to see Madame Pomfrey."

James tried to help Lily stand up, but she was too weak, so he carried her in his arms, bridal style. He wished it was in different situation, but didn't dare to mention it. He was fairly certain that she would hex him immediately even though she was only half conscious and he was the one carrying her. Instead he rambled would-be soothing words to her.

"Don't worry, you will be all right. Madam Pomfrey knows what she is doing. Remember that Bludger that hit me last time? People were convinced that it would leave permanent damage, but thanks to her no such thing happened."

"Wouldn't be so sure, Potter." mumbled Lily. She stopped crying now.

James laughed. They were getting back to normal. "Well, I'm sure that she will fix you up in no time, Evans." he said that with emphasis on her name. "And tomorrow you will head home to celebrate Christmas with your family."

Lily gasped at this. She shut her eyes tightly and whispered "I'm not going home."

"What? Of course you are going home, Lily."

"When I say I'm not going home I mean it, Potter." she retorted sadly, though a bit annoyed.

"B-But why?"

"My sister got engaged." Tears were now forming in her eyes again.

"That doesn't make sense, Lily." He was beginning to wonder if she didn't hit her head.

"Yes, it does. She banned me from her Engagement party, so I can't go home," sobbed Lily. "She h- hates me."

"Shh, Lily, nobody in their right mind would hate you. You will work it out with your sister. It will be okay." They were now in hospital wing. He lowered her on a bed. "I'm going to get Madame Pomfrey, don't worry, everything will be all right."

Lily lay in her bed remembering the events of the last night. It was all so confusing. First the letter from her parents, then Potter being sincere, the attack, then Potter and McGonagall saving her. She stayed in hospital wing over night. Now it was eight in the morning, the castle was slowly waking up. In three hours the train will take of from Hogsmead station carrying students back to their families. It will leave without her, she thought sadly. For the first time in her life, she will spend Christmas alone. Without her family. And without her friends. She shut her eyes pushing the depressing thoughts from her mind.

"Miss Evans, you have a visitor," came the voice of Madame Pomfrey. So far Lily had only one visitor. Professor McGonagall came asking her about the details of the attack. It was painful for Lily to repeat the whole story and explain that she had to stay at Hogwarts over the break. She hoped that her evidence will lead to expulsion of the four evil slytherins that tortured her. After all, it wasn't the first time. Something similar happened to Mary in fifth year.

"Who is it?"

"It's your savior." Potter was walking to her bed smiling widely. "I see you are much better."

Lily groaned. He was so nice yesterday. Today, however, he returned to his usual self-importance.

"I guess I should thank you," she said looking at her hands, "for not listening to me and following me and, well, saving me."

"You are very welcome," grinned James. "But I didn't follow you, not immediately anyway - I didn't want to get hexed by angry Evans again," he chuckled uncomfortably. Lily's lips twitched a bit at the old memory. "I just had a bad feeling about it all – you seemed really upset – so I – I, err, returned to check on you and ran into McGonagall on the way." He left out the Marauder's Map purposefully.

"That was... uh... nice of you." She was still staring at her hands. Why was it so awkward?

"Here, I brought you something. Remus says it helps after the shock." He put a huge piece of Honeydukes best chocolate on her bedside table.

Lily looked up at him. He was wearing his usual smirk, but there was something else, softer, in his eyes.

"Thanks," she mumbled.

"Um, yeah, there is something else you should know, though." James shifted in his seat by her bed, his face turning more serious. "About Mulciber and his gang, they are not going to be expelled."

"What?! But – they tortured me, they used Unforgivable curse, and it wasn't for the first time they did something like this!"

"Lily, calm down, please, or Madam Pomfrey will kick me out before I can explain," he glanced at the nurse. She was glaring back at him.

"Okay, spit it out."

"You see, the school governors had a meeting early this morning. I know, because my Dad is one too. The trouble is, that Avery's and Mulciber's families are very close friends with Malfoys, who have control over the most of the other governors. Rumor is they joined Voldemort's side, and if you ask me, it's true, but it's hard to prove nowadays. Dad did what he could, but people are scared, nobody wants to mess with possible Death Eaters... "

"So instead of fighting them, they pamper their children until they too become Death Eaters," said Lily bitterly.

"Dumbledore was furious. Dad says it was scary. The man has talent of making people feel like crap with a simple look. But it didn't help."

"Yes, I can see that."

"I guess I'll go now." James said after few moments of silence. He was on his way towards the door, when he turned back to her. "I'm sorry about your sister, Lily. I really hope you will work it out with her."

She just nodded. This was going to be long holiday. She wondered if her friends knew what happened. Surly they must have noticed she didn't come back last night. But maybe they won't have time to visit her, with Alice's last-minute packing an all. Just as she was about to ask Madame Pomfrey if she can leave to say good-bye to them, the door to Hospital wing flew open.

"Lily! Oh, we were so worried last night. What happened? Potter said you were attacked! Are you all right?" Alice and Mary came inside.

"I'm okay Alice, breath."

"I'm sorry we didn't come earlier, but we didn't know where you were. Potter just told us. How come he knows sooner than your best friends?" Alice looked hurt.

"Well, he kind of saved me last night," Lily said surprised he didn't brag about his heroic actions.

"What?! What happened? Tell us now, Lily."

"There is no time for that, the train leaves in little more than half an hour-"

"We are not going home, Lily," interrupted her Mary with an eye-roll.

"What? But why?"

"You don't seriously think we will leave you alone during Christmas, do you? We wrote home yesterday after you left and explained the situation. My mum wasn't very happy about it, but she will get over it. We are staying here with you."

Lily was overwhelmed by this news. "You didn't have to do that, " she whispered.

"But we wanted to! Honestly, what kind of friends would we be, if we abandoned you on Christmas?"

"You are the best friends in the world." Suddenly the vision of holidays was much more cheerful.

Thanks for reading! Time to review!