JAMES RETURNS

James bounded straight from the fireplace towards Lily, but immediately his grin turned to a look of concern as he saw her face, which was deep in concentration.

"Lily? Whats wrong?"

"He came"

"He? Who came? Lily?"

"Sev-" He interrupted her by swearing loudly

"James!"

The cat let out a loud meow and shot into the next room.
"Well what do you expect, Lily? What do you expect, when you open our house to- to Severus Snape?" He filled each syllable of his enemies name with hatred.

"Look, I know you two haven't ever got along-"

"Is that what you think this is about? Little schoolyard rivalries? Who hung who upside down? Lilly, don't you get it? He's on their side now! We're fighting him! Not, not letting him in for tea"

"It wasn't like that"

"Then what happened? Lily, tell me what happened!" his tone was aggressive.

"He just said that, that I should…"

"Join them? Is he round recruiting?" He was almost snarling by this point.

"No! Really James, he didn't! He just, said" her voice was so quiet now he could barely hear her "I shouldn't be with you". He jerked round, and for a moment she thought he would punch the wall. But instead he sat down, pulling at his hair, physically shaking.

"Bloody hell Lily. Bloody hell" he said, exhaling deeply. She was watching him anxiously, worried what he would do next.

"James, I, I understand why your angry, but, I mean, all that happened was, was that I said no, and he left. That's it." She looked up, and, to her relief, he looked slightly more relaxed.

"James, you know I love you". As soon as the words passed her lips, she remembered Snape saying the same thing to her, and felt a funny feeling in her stomach.

"I love you too. Lets just listen to the wireless" he replied, but hit the radio rather too firmly with his wand, and it shot across the room, smashing on the opposite wall, with a wail of "loooove" from an awful female singer.

James looked thoughtfully for a moment. Lily was just about to ask him something, but, before she could speak, he got up and calmly walked up the stairs. She walked over to the shattered remains of the radio, and tapped them with her wand

"reparo"

She picked up the radio, now good as new, and placed it beside her. She sighed, and suddenly felt very tired. She wanted to rest, but knew there was something else she had to ask James before she could. After a couple of minutes, James came back into the room. She wanted to find out what he'd been doing, but she decided she really had to find something out first.

"James?" she said softly

"Yes, dear?" he now seemed calm, so she felt confident in pressing on.

"Severus said something else before he left"

"Oh?" James was trying to remain calm, but he clearly didn't want to discuss the matter

"He said you tried to kill him" James looked at her with an expression of disbelief

"What, and you believed him?

"No! No, I just wanted, to know…"

"There's nothing to know!"

"Ok, then" There was a short awkward silence

"He's completely wrong"

"Ok, James, I believe you, really"

"No, I mean, I, sort of, saved his life"

"What? How?"

"It… it doesn't matter. But I did". Lily didn't know what to make of this information, but knew better than to pursue it further.

"Oh, and Severus"

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Please explain to me why you were at the house of James Potter and Lily Evans tonight"

"It was just… personal"

"Do you wish to keep secrets from your Lord, Severus?"

"No, I keep no secrets, my Lord" Voldemort's scarlet eyes flashed dangerously

"You love her, don't you?" sneered Voldemort

"No, I cannot. I just feel"

"It is clear what you feel, Severus, and I do not like it. You have shown yourself to be faithful to me. All your good work will be undone if you continue to pursue this filthy creature"

"I am sorry."

"You shall never see her again". Snape nodded

"And now, I feel, it is I who must pay the couple a visit". Snape's eyes were suddenly wide and fearful

"No my Lord, I beg of you-"

"Silence. Severus, I do not intend to spill any blood tonight. If compromise is reached, there will be no need. Do you wish to argue?"

"No, no, my Lord, thank you".

Lily and James sat together on their dragonhide sofa, leaning slightly into one another, both feeling comforted. Just as they were finally thinking of going to bed, three short, sharp knocks came from the door.