James took the rag from Lily and ran it through his hair, hoping that it would at least make his hair look less disgusting but it had quite the opposite affect, making it look almost as greasy as Severus' hair.

"I'm glad you're awake, Potter." Lily said after a moment of watching James try to casually clean himself up with visibly failing.

"I know Evans, the world would just go dark without the amazing James Potter." James joked.

"Don't joke about that." Lily playfully punched him on the shoulder, careful not to cause him any more harm.

"What was it anyway?" James asked.

"Well, you see-"

"I know he did it." James cut her short. "It was a strong spell. You don't get this sort of contact from expecto patronum, do you?"

"I wouldn't know, he didn't cast it verbally. It's nothing I've ever encountered before, though." Lily said, looking down at James' body where, a week earlier, was bleeding profusely and she was dreading the idea of living in a world without James' smile. Damn, he's right. Lily thought to herself. If she'd lost James, she would not know what to do with herself.

"You must admit, it was impressive." James said, admiringly.

"James-" Lily started, but James cut her off.

"You should ask him, hypothetically, of course." James assured her. "I'm not out for revenge."

"Well, there's a first for everything." Lily forced a smile.

"I'm getting sick of this, Evans." James dulled the mood.

"Sick of it?" Lily questioned.

"The pranks. They've escalated too much. They were once a bit of fun, and Severus can't deny he's had some fun over the years getting us back. It's gone too far, now. It was never meant to be attempted murder, Evans."

"I don't think he was trying to kill you, Potter."

"Yeah? Well, tell that to the stab wounds in my chest." James said, starting to feel angry that Lily could possibly try and defend Severus. "He's your friend, why don't you go and tell him it's all over. He doesn't need to worry about us anymore. We won't bother him. I can promise you that."

"I'm not telling him anything, he's not my friend." Lily said coldly, brushing him off as if he was a bug on her robes. "He hasn't got any."

"What happened?" James asked, trying to lean forward as he was interested but regretted it almost immediately as the feeling of a dozen swords being pushed into his torso returned, knocking the wind out of him. It was difficult being bedridden. Madam Pomfrey was doing her best, but there was only so much she could do.

"He hurt you." Lily said softly but then cleared her throat and returned to her usual tone. "And if you die then Dumbledore will assign a new Head Boy, someone worse. And no offence, but I don't trust people like Peter."

"What's wrong with Peter? He's my best friend." James said, shocked. "I'd trust him with my life."

"I'm sorry I brought it up then." Lily said.

"He's a good guy, Evans." James continued. "I don't just let any random person in my life. I assure you, I keep only the best."

"I'm in your life." Lily reminded him.

"Oh," James blushed. "Well, the best and you, then."

"Good save," Lily laughed, which then made James laugh.

"Look, I trust Peter." James added.

"I guess that if you trust him, I trust him." Lily said through forced teeth, hiding behind a smile.

"Did I at least look good when Severus did me in?" James asked, with a grin still on his face.

"Good?" Lily said, her smile faltering. "You were covered in blood and crying."

"Oh," James' heart skipped a beat. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay," Lily put a hand on his hand. "I'm just glad you're alive, James."

James' eyes sprung open in genuine shock. He had no conscious memory of Lily ever calling him James. It was almost always Potter, or whatever name she'd call him for pulling particularly mean pranks on Severus when they were good friends. This changed everything.

James gripped Lily's hand a smiled up at her as she grinned back at him. With her spare hand, she brushed his greasy fringe out of his eyes.

"I think the first thing I'm going to do is get a haircut as soon as I'm out of here." James announced.

"And here I was thinking that the first thing you would do is bathe." Lily teased.

"Lower your exceptions, Evans."

Don't worry, I already have. Lily wanted to say to him but he had yawned and leaned back into his pillow, snuggling down so that he was comfortable. Lily knew this meant that it was time for James' afternoon nap. While he was always full of energy, whatever Madam Pomfrey had him on was making him tired.

Is tiredness is a symptom of his treatment or if she is trying to subdue him before he starts pranking the ward? Lily thought to herself, internally laughing at the idea of James pulling pranks in the Hospital Wing.

"I'll come back tomorrow." Lily told him. "Rest and feel better. There's a quidditch game coming up soon and McGonagall's going to make sure your in the arena even if she has to drag you there herself."

"I wouldn't even be surprised." James said softly, falling asleep on the last syllable.

Lily looked at his face. How could such a peaceful face be such a mischievous devil in his undrugged consciousness? Lily kept her eyes on his face. It was a lot rougher than it usually was, as well as greasier but it was also softer, as if he had suddenly matured overnight.