(Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine)
She was late to class. Very late.
Everyday since Ja-Potter and the sweet-and-shy-friend-but-was-actually-a-traitor-for-being-friends-with-the-Marauders Leila met, she's been late to class, sleeping late, not focused in class, and goddamnit always spying on the two love birds. It's not that they're dating, Lily thought from her observance, not spying as other would say. Ugh! Why do I even bother! Lily thought for the hundredth time. Because...you're jealous! Emma echoed for the hundredth time.
"Am not!" Lily's repetitive retort shot out of her mouth out loud.
A class she passed by looked at her. She yelped and ran faster. I'm turning crazy!
However right when she turned left to her class, she collided with someone.
"Holy Merlin, I am so sorry totally my fault I wasn't look—" Lily paused when she saw strangely familiar hair and a pair of glasses.
"Potter," She spat out. Now this is just bloody great, she thought as she eyed the handsome bloke. Wait, what?
James looked at her blankly but bent down to pick up all the stuff Lily dropped she had in her hands.
She gasped a little. Potter being nice?
She didn't notice for a long time until he called her name.
"Lily," He said in a deep voice Lily strangely adored how he pronounced it. He was holding out her stuff, waiting for her to take it. How long have I been staring at him?
James began to notice too as for whenever she talked to him, her face would be angled away from his face, her chin up.
She took her stuff and blushed lightly. Now that was new, James thought. Lily Evans blushing in front me? Sign me up!
"Er...thanks...Potter," Lily said slowly. He returned to nodding blankly as he hated how she referred to him as his last name.
He walked away thinking about Lily blushing. Perhaps she was flirting with someone in the morning and still had some blushes left? He snarled at the thought. No that wouldn't make sense at all. Maybe...she's beginning to like me?! A glimmer of hope fluttered in his heart until he shooed it away. Lily Evans will never and always love James Potter. The thought broke his heart.
He continued to walk to McGonagall's office after being called to report to her during class. He eyed the fellow Marauders before marching away.
Once he reached the door, the Transfiguration teacher seemed to know his presence.
"Ah, Potter, come in," She spoke as soon as he opened the door an inch. Why does everyone call me Potter these days? He thought.
"Yes, Professor?" He asked as he sat down on the worn down chairs planted right before the large desk.
"I've heard you were going to hold trials this week," McGonagall spoke in interest.
James mentally rolled his eyes. Quidditch.
"Yes ma'am, Wednesday after noon," He said with as much optimism he can put in.
"I've also heard...that he was coming," She tried to add nonchalantly, but failed due to the fear in her tone.
James tensed and his thoughts whirled back to his parents. They were always busy, dealing with enemies and such. It was so dangerous that one time they hadn't come back for the summer. It was easily one of hardest times of his life. Luckily it was around the same time Sirius was kicked out of his own home, so he slept over at James house. It eased down the pain a little for James but never had he been scared so much in his life.
"Are they okay?" James immediately asked.
McGonagall gave a sad look. James heart sank. "Your mother's safe, but your father..." She faltered.
James stood up, and the old woman jumped a little when he knocked over the chair.
"What!" He demanded. "Where is he—"
"James I need you to calm down—"
"No, I won't calm down! This is my father were talking about and I won't know if he's dead—"
"He's in St. Mungo's, James, for Merlin's sake, he's alright!" McGonagall exploded. She cursed immediately after as the stress rolled back in. She pinched the bridge of her nose in attempt to gather around herself.
"He's currently in a coma where he was stunned by Unforgivable spell," She muttered angrily after a few seconds.
That didn't remove the horror from James's face.
McGonagall closed her eyes as she waited for the shouting and cursing, but it never came. It was silent. However, too silent. She opened her eyes and he was gone.
James ran out the door the second it was quiet. He needed to run to the hospital, somehow. He decided to pack up first. He ran fast to his dorm and once he got there, his mates were already there, resting and studying around.
"James I gotta tell you something—" Sirius started but James interrupted fast.
"Not now, Sirius. M-my parents—"
"I know." Sirius calmly said. James snapped his head back to Sirius from shoving clothes in his trunk.
"What? How?"
Sirius held up a letter in an envelope that's already been ripped open. James took it and read the front of the envelope which read his name in his mother's fine handwriting. His heart dropped.
"Wh-when did you get this?" He started, taking the letter out of the envelope.
"Morning." Sirius replied, his voice raspy.
He opened the letter and skimmed through it, finding the important stuff first. When he didn't find anything serious, except a few words like "Voldemort" or "he is almost about to die" that made him flinched, he read it thoroughly.
James,
Pleased don't be alarmed by the sudden letter. Everything is doing okay, and don't you dare start packing up because everything fine.
James was going to continue anyway but wasn't shocked that his mother knew what he was doing.
You probably know by know that your father is in the hospital but I assure you he's...he's okay, dear. If you must know, we were attacked by You-Kn Voldemort
His mother scratched the almost nickname, and instead intended to write the real name. She didn't care at all whether his name was mentioned, it was dangerous everywhere.
—during a mission to find Lockhorn. But we're safe now. Just please please do me favor and stay there at Hogwarts and continue your studies. Please James I'm begging you because this the only way you'll be safe and make me and your father feel safe. I—
He stopped there. He didn't need to read the rest of the letter to know what his mother was gonna say. He was going to pack and go straight to the hos—
Sirius seemed to read his mind. "No, you're not mate."
He snapped his head back toward Sirius. "Excuse me?"
"I said," Sirius said, his voice leveled with James. "You are not going, mate."
Instead of arguing back, James bit back a sigh and replied with a wary voice. "They need me." He spoke in attempt to reason.
"No they don't. James, what they really need is for you to stay. Oh for fuck's sake James, it hurts me too you have no idea how many times I reconsidered going with you but this time...it's better if we stay."
"But—"
Sirius snapped back fast. "No. And read the rest of the letter, James."
James wanted to protest. He wanted to apparate to the hospital and comfort his grieving mother.
"Finish it." Sirius continued with a dead tone.
James once again picked up the letter and continued to read where he left off.
I know it's difficult, and it seems your father is almost about to die, but please be strong. It's the only I can feel strong too. Me and your father love you soooo much. Stay safe.
-Mom
Usually "and Dad" would be scribbled at the end of the letter, and it stabbed him in the heart to find it missing.
He handed the letter to Sirius and looked at him dejectedly. "Happy mate?"
Sirius frowned. "You didn't finished it."
Raising an eyebrow, James went back to the letter and read the last part.
p.s Keep her safe too.