"Evans," came James' sharp voice somewhere back in reality. Lily, who had been watching the starlit night, while sitting on a large window sill just outside the Great Hall, pulled herself out of her thoughts to see a very tense looking James' Potter looming over her.
"Potter," she countered, pulling her sweater tighter around her small frame, and making to stand. Lily really didn't have the energy to decipher the cryptic and stoic mood James had been during these first two weeks of term.
But Lily had to sit back down, since James moved, completely trapping her in the window sill. "The patrol schedule," he told her tightly, thrusting a copy of the first term prefect patrolling schedule in front of her face.
James needn't say anything more. Lily knew exactly why he was here. She took the schedule, and pretended to skim over it. Sympathy for the boys immediately welled within her. Lily had noticed that James had been scheduled for nightly patrols during three full moons, and asked Helene Silverman to switch out James for her on those nights. Lily had thought she'd done it soon enough, that James would never be the wiser. But for some reason this year, James had taken it upon himself to be responsible.
Feigning indignation, she gave him an out, "Well, I'm sorry Potter. But it's not my fault that my potion's tutoring sessions were scheduled during quite a few of my patrols. Your schedule was the only one that matched to switch. So, can you for once think of someone other than yourself and just do me this favor?" She finished, shooting up, forcing James to take a step back.
The Gryffindor boy stood there in shock. Lily did her part, remaining indignant. He should just take it. Leave it, and let her alone. Moving to stalk off in a huff, she found herself caught by the arm, and thrust back against the stone wall.
James once again loomed over her, with a fierce look in his hazel eyes, "What do you know, Evans?" the edge in his voice serving as a warning.
Lily looked at James, and couldn't bring herself to be frightened of him. All she could see was a fiercely loyal boy, who was terrified of not being able to protect his mate. Lily took a steadying breath before answering, "I know that Remus is my friend."
His grip tightened on her arm, and Lily winced in pain, "Who told you?" James demanded quietly, letting her go quickly, but staying close.
Lily rubbed her arm gingerly, answering, "No one. I figured it out last year. Look, I was only trying to help him...I know he really needs you boys around that time," she chanced a glance up at James who was watching her closely. "I won't tell anyone. I promise," she added gently.
James let out a long shaky breath, before straightening back up, "He...we have to protect him," he told her, his voice suddenly tired.
"I know," Lily agreed solemnly, staring down at her shoes.
"I'm...I'm sorry if I was rough with you," he added quietly.
Lily couldn't help but chuckle. Looking back up at the boy who had become a mystery to her, she replied to his inquisitive look, "That is the first time you've ever apologized to me."