Lily was one of the last to enter the Great Hall, with James hot on her tail. While some students were still milling about, the majority were making their way to their house tables. She felt her heart hiccup as she looked up at the enchanted ceiling. The stars twinkled in the purple black night. "No matter how many I times I see that, it never gets old." James said, his eyes too were glued to the sky above them. Lily flashed him a small smile, that he didn't see. She couldn't agree more.

They parted ways as they approached the Gryffindor table. She watched as he made his way down towards the other three noisy Marauders. She fought back a scowl as Sirius wolf-whistled at her as she joined the other girls. James grinned down at them, and saluted Lily. It was so good to be back; she was fighting to keep her scowl in place. Even James' mocking attention didn't faze her.

She sat down with Alexa and Cassidy along the Gryffindor table, glancing down at the empty trays, glittering with expectation. They watched as the first years paraded in, some looked like they could burst from excitement, while others could have been on their way to death row. The sorting was one of those things that never got old. It was both hysterical and touching. Lily eyed each one of the new Gryffindors with a sort of motherly pride.

After the sorting ceremony, Dumbledore stepped up to the golden podium at the top of the hall, no doubt to give his customary start of term address. The student's fell very quickly silent, as their headmaster opened his mouth to speak. "Good Evening to all of you," He said, eyeing each of the four tables in turn, "and I want to welcome you back to another year at Hogwarts. I know most of you are waiting for me to finish this speech as quickly as possible, so that you may attend to another excellent feast. I must say, I am too. However, I feel that more importantly, I must relay my hopes for the coming school year to you all."

Lily could hear some slight grumbling from the tables out in the hall. They were all starving, and Lily was no exception, but she made herself comfortable on the bench, knowing that whatever wisdom Dumbledore was choosing to impart on them would be very important.

"First, I want to commend you. All of you. To be young witches and wizards during this dark and difficult time is not an easy task, but alas it is the task you have been given. This is a time when the darkness that surrounds our world can either create rifts between us, or bring us together.

Hogwarts has been a safe haven through out the history of the world. It is a place of learning and of understanding. I would ask you not to forget that. In spite of the horrors, and the pressures of the wider wizarding world, let us all strive to make Hogwarts a place of equal opportunity in the coming year." Dumbledore spoke slowly, letting the importance of his words hang in there as he looked around the hall, his bright blue eyes seeming to pierce every student in the crowd.

"Lastly, I want to remind you, that all of you are here because you deserve to be here. Hogwarts is not a place for the faint of heart, or of head. All of you, are bright young witches and wizards, I, like many others have placed my hope in you."

His words paused as his words sunk into the minds of the students. Some looked confused, others look irritated or encouraged, while some just looked hungry. Lily couldn't quite decide what to feel. She was no stranger to the prejudice that Dumbledore had so elegantly eluded to. Her palms began to sweat, and her face began to heat up, remembering Malfoy's rude remark on the train. The ugly word had been thrown her way in the past, but that didn't mean that the shock of it hadn't worn off. It had broken her heart before, but she would be damned sooner than she would let it hurt her again

"Now, Let us Eat!" He exclaimed, and for that, there was a loud round of applause.

Mounds of food appeared on the sparkling platters before them. Chicken, Steak, Turkey, potatoes, peas, carrots in every kind of gravy imaginable. At the center of each house table was a roast pig, with an apple in it's mouth.

"Wow, the houselves have really out done themselves this year." Maggie mumbled, her mouth already full of potatoes. The girls were beginning to load their plates, urged forward by their grumbling stomachs, when they heard a shriek from the Slytherin table.

Lily whipped around, only to see a live pig squealing and snorting, running down the length of the Slytherin table. She nearly spat out her mouthful of pumpkin juice. Dumbfounded, the Slytherins were just staring as the pig trampled dish after dish of their food. The poor thing must have been terrified, but no one seemed to know what to do about it. The rest of the Great Hall was too busy roaring with laughter, even Lily let out a giggle that she hoped no one saw.

After what seemed like an age, Professor Dumbledore stood up from the high table, raised his wand, and transfigured the pig into a large cake. He surveyed the hall of students before him with an amused smile. "As you were," he chuckled, and returned to his seat. Lily stared down the table to where the Marauders sat. The four of them nearly in tears with laughter, and left no doubt as to who was responsible.

"That was one of their better pranks." Alexa chatted happily, "certainly better than the year all of the benches collapsed."

"It could have ruined the feast!" Lily cried out.

"Oh Lil," Maggie said, rolling her eyes at her. "Come off it. Even you can't pretend that wasn't funny." Lily rolled her eyes back.

"If you ever tell anyone that I so much as giggled, you're going in the lake with the giant squid."

"At least he knows how to laugh at a joke." Maggie said, smiling. The three girls giggled, as they finished their dinner, and set off for the common room. Maggie had insisted on an extra helping of desert, so they were one of the last groups to leave the Great Hall.

"Honestly Maggie, I don't know how you fit all that food in your little body!" Alexa exclaimed, eyeing Maggie's short, but petite frame as they walked.

"Please Lily," Maggie begged, changing the subject. "You have to come to the party."

"Well, I'm fairly certain that the Marauders made a less than veiled threat to kidnap me if I didn't".

"It's settled then," Alexa gushed. "You have to come."

"But-"

"Don't whine Lily. It's very unbecoming." Alexa chastised her.

"It's just not really my cup of tea."

"Flibberty Jibbert." All three said in unison.

"Welcome back my dears," The fat lady said as she swung forward. As the three stepped through the portal, Lily's ears were assaulted by a blaring weird sisters record. The Marauders had delivered.

James turned towards the portrait hole as it swung forward. His heart jumped in his stomach, as he saw a very abashed looking Lily making her way into the red and gold belly of the common room. Sirius, who was already sloshing fire whiskey out of his glass, tossed a brotherly arm over James' shoulder. "Go get her Prongsie!" He said, with a gentle slur. James patted his dear friend on the back, and took a swig of his own fire whiskey, but stayed with his feet firmly rooted to the carpet. He watched Lily arguing with Alexa and Maggie, and as she turned to maker her escape up the stone staircase, it became obvious to him what their little tiff was about.

"Oy! Evans!" He called, grinning broadly. He couldn't help the way that the whiskey made him bold.

"Potter." She replied coolly, walking towards him, flanked by her friends. "You do realize we could lose our jobs for this?!" She hissed.

"I won't tell if you won't." James winked.

"You're secret is safe with her!" Alexa giggled furiously, and Lily threw her a vicious look. Sirius half danced, half stumbled towards the little group.

"Well, three beautiful ladies with empty hands." He tutted disapprovingly. "Let's get these three some drinks." James smiled as Lily opened her mouth to protest.

"Come on Evans," he goaded. "What's one drink?"

"It's against the rules. And-"

"And nothing." He said, putting a little glass in her hand. "Dare you, Evans." He said, raising his glass to her.

"Bottoms up, Lil." Maggie clinked glasses with Lily, and then downed hers in one large gulp. James was suddenly reminded of how much he enjoyed Maggie's company. She was the only one of the three that you could count on to be good for a party.

James could see the conflict on her face, as Lily looked at the fire whiskey and then around the room at their fellow Gryffindors.

"You've never had fire whiskey before, have you?" James said, eyeing her with amusement. Lily was getting a few questioning looks from those gathered around the punch bowl. James realized he had never seen her at a party as a guest, only to break things up, or shush them when they were out of control.

"What business is it of yours anyway, Potter?" She spat, but she couldn't quite knock the look of mortification off her face. He burst into laughter. "I- I shouldn't even be here while this is going on." She said, although James thought he caught a whiff of worry in her voice. "I'm going to bed." She finished curtly. "If you all get detentions for this, well, don't say I didn't warn you."

His heart dropped like a stone into his stomach as he watched her flounce up the girl's stairs. Suddenly he couldn't quite remember why they were having a party. He mumbled his excuses to his friends, and slunk off upstairs.

He sank into the warm feather mattress, and sighed quietly to himself. He breathed deeply into his pillow. It had that comforting familiar smell. The smell of happy carefree memories, of schemes and dreams. Hogwarts' smell was intoxicating, and James' could feel his eyelids drooping. His stomach was exceedingly full, and his brain buzzed slightly from the whiskey.

He hated to disappoint Lily again, but he supposed that was what he did best when it came to her. Their relationship was a series of disappointments, founded on insults and unrequited feelings. His mind wandered, and he was suddenly overwhelmed by the enormous expectations. Dumbledore, his parents, Lily, they all expected so much from them. How was he supposed to deliver? Dwelling morbidly on his own inadequacy, he drifted off.

James was sprinting down the stone corridor, a stabbing sensation pried his ribs apart as he gasped for air. He was breathing heavily, mouth open as he ran. Just got to get away, he thought to himself. Just got to get out. He caught a glimpse of a cape whipping around the corner of the hallway ahead, as a wizard in front of him rounded the corner. He followed, conscious that he must not slow down, no matter the cramping in his legs.

He pushed himself faster, trying to catch up with whoever was leading him. "Remus" he gasped, barely able to speak for the pressure in his lungs. His friend motioned him to follow, as he continued running, his purple cloak flapping at his heels as he ran. James tried to muster enough air to call out to him again, to make him wait, but he heard maniacal laughter behind him, and just kept running. His arms were pumping, his heart hammering in his chest, continually pushing himself to keep running. Suddenly, the laughter coming from behind his was loud in his ears. He felt a sharp pain in his head, as the hallway melted into inky blackness.

The next thing he was conscious of was lying in a stone room, with no windows. He heard the chilling evil laughter again, ringing from the terrifying figure that stood over him.

"James Potter" the voice had stopped laughing now, and resembled the hiss of a great serpent. Its diminishing volume did nothing to lesson his terror, in fact he felt a chill ripple through his spine, "What a little hero." James could not see him, but he did not need to.

"Where is Remus?" James realized he was struggling to draw breath. He looked around the room, scanning it for any sign of his friend.

"Crucio!"

James was writhing on the floor, and screaming with anguish. He felt as though every nerve in his body was on fire. The curse was lifted, and James felt all of his muscles clench involuntarily. "Don't ask questions, Mr. Potter." Voldemort reprimanded him, as James felt more waves of pain wrack his body.

He looked straight ahead, trying to focus his eyes on a particular stone in the wall. He was grinding his teeth, his face screwed up with the effort of trying to keep silent. He would not give Voldemort the satisfaction of his tortured yells.

Voldemort laughed madly once again to himself. "Oh James Potter, what a treat we have in store," Voldemort told James, almost taunting him, mocking his weakness.

At that moment, the heavy oak doors that were the sole entrance to the dungeon opened, and a tall hooded figure entered the room. The masked man brought a girl with him. Following the first robed figure was another death-eater, this one dragging a boy behind him. The second death eater seemed to be continually struggling with her captive. He was a great deal taller than she, judging by their silhouettes. The victims struggled against their invisible bonds, but James was unable to make their faces out in the dim light of the dungeon. Their profiles however, revealed them to be young people, close to James' age. The girl was petite, with a thin delicate frame, and the boy was tall and muscular with a large mop of hair.

Voldemort spoke again, his voice reverberating sinisterly in the silent dungeon. "My guests of honor have arrived. May I present," he continued, "The filthy mudblood lowlife, and the blood traitor. None other than Miss Lillian Evans and The young Master Sirius Black."

Voldemort's laughter grew more maddening by the second. "Although, I think that the three of you may already be acquainted.

James stood up, but he sick and dizzy. It didn't matter though, he was prepared to die a thousand deaths in that moment if it meant that he could save them. He looked up at Lily and saw terror in her famous eyes. Her hair was messy, and hanging around her face wildly. The mask of tranquility was gone; replaced by primal fear. Her robes were ripped and tattered, and she showed signs of a struggle. There was a long thin cut across her let cheek, and dried blood was smeared across her face. James wanted to smile, but he could not remember how. He knew she was not the type to come quietly.

His eyes turned on Sirius. His body glowed with a hatred that could have killed the faint hearted. His face was flushed. He too boasted the signs of a bloody struggle. He was already sporting a blossoming black eye, and his whole face was covered in scratches. His leg was positioned at a funny angle, and there was a suspiciously dark stain on his robes.

James whipped around, prepared to face Voldemort, but the chamber was empty. "You can't decide which will go first Mr. Potter?" it was his voice, but James could not see anyone. He whirled around again, searching for his enemy, wracking his brain for a way to save them.

"Then,Ii suppose we shall have to be courteous," the mocking hiss called. "Ladies first!" James was a caged lion. He paced, waiting to see where the attach came from, his heart pulsing in his brain. But when he turned around to face his friends again, Lily Evans crumpled to the floor.

Her piercing scream penetrated James' brain and shattered any pretense of composure. A snarl escaped his lips, and he could feel his whole body vibrate with rage. Lily was still being tortured at his feet. Her constant screaming reverberating loudly off the stone walls.

Suddenly, the screaming stopped. Lily lay on th e floor, panting. Tears were steaming down her face, and her eyes were wide with utter terror. She was too weak to even raise herself from the floor.

James ran to her, but he didn't know what to do. He pulled her head into his lap, and willed himself to stay strong for her.

"What's the matter Potter? The little mudblood cares nothing for you anyway. She doesn't love you. You're too selfish to risk breaking your perfect neck to save her." He let another mirthless laugh ring through the dungeon.

"Stop it!" James shouted, breathless from his struggle. "I would save her. I would die to save her."

Voldemort stared straight into James' eyes, and with no trace of a laugh, he said in a voice of deadly terrorizing calm, "Oh, do not doubt it Potter, you too will die before this night is through."

At those words, Voldemort raised his wand, pointed at Lily and made a dramatic slashing movement. Lily let out a high pitched scream of pure pain. It sent a tremor through James' weak body, and shook his very heart.

As she writhed in pain on the floor, her emerald eyes met James' hazel ones. And James yelled, "STOP," his voice cracking with emotion, tears welling up in his own eyes now. He tried to hold her still, but she was convulsing in his arms. "LILY," he shouted over her petrified screams, "LILY!" This was it, and he knew it. If she was going to die, he would die with her.

Her body was twisted and immobile on the floor, and a pool of blood was forming around her fragile frame. Her robes were torn open and a long deep gash had been made up her side, stretching from her hip to her collarbone. James gently squeezed her limp body to him, as he felt the blood start to seep onto his own robes.

James watched as another gash formed, this one drawing a deep diagonal line across her neck. Voldemort still remained invisible. James was truly powerless.

Perhaps she was justified in hating me, James thought. I'm too weak to even save her. She's right. Voldemort is right. I don't deserve her, and I never will. I'm weak and selfish. I was arrogant to think Ii could be worthy of her. She's perfect and... Tears were welling up in James eyes.

Voldemort continued making the violent slashes on Lily's body. Each time the pool of blood around her body grew deeper, and her breathing grew shallower. Every one and a while, she would scream desperately for help. Help that James' should have provided.

"HELP!" Lily gasped. James heard the slash of his wand, and she screamed so loud it rattled the shelves on the walls.

"Lily!" James screamed. "Lily..." he whispered to himself.

Lily was silent now. James watched carefully to see if she was breathing. Sure enough, her chest was barely rising and falling, but at least she was alive. If she could only keep hanging on until someone came to help them, but James knew that there was a high possibility that help would not come. They might be trapped her forever, and Lily was strong, but no one could fight Voldemort forever.

"Looks like your little mudblood friend is giving in. Time for the grande finale..." He broke off and burst into a fit of evil laughter.

The fine thread of life that Lily clung to was fraying quickly. The light was draining from her eyes, and they were fading. They had lost that emerald sparkle that had captured James' heart when he had first laid his eyes on her. She lay silent now, life ebbing away from her broken body.

He raised his wand with a flourish, and yelled, "Avada Kadavra!" Then burst into another fit of laughter that rang with evil menace. A green light erupted from out of no where and illuminated the whole room with it's sinister jade light, but it's master still could not be seen. The spell hit the unconscious Lily Evans, and then or a moment, the dungeon was filled with deadly silence.

Lily was dead. Lily was dead. She was dead. Gone. Dead.

No. she couldn't be. Other people died. Not her. She... a cold wave of utmost despair washed over James. The whole room filled with an eerie silence.

He let out a yell of pain and frustration. "No!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, "No, no, NO!" He was yelling like a mad man, and then "SHE'S NOT DEAD GODDAMN IT!" James howled. "...no..." his voice cracked and he broke down into a fit of hysterical tears. He should have saved her. He was supposed to be the hero of the story, the prince charming, the night in shining armor. He was the hero she had been counting on to come and save her, but he never came. He should have rescued her. She died and it was all his fault. It was his fault. He was the guilty one. He had betrayed her.

This whole time, Sirius had stood motionless against the wall. His eyes had a faraway look to them. James raised his eyes from Lily's dead body to look at his best mate. Sirius grey eyes had a hard, distant look to them that softened when his eyes met James' for a brief moment. He nodded at his friend, and it was then that James understood. Sirius had not been preparing for a fight, merely to die.

Sirius Black would die willingly, with pride. Not because he was weak, or lazy or afraid, but because he, like James, understood that this was the end. They had been warned that people would die for the cause. Sirius had understood that sometimes sacrifices are required. The end had come, and Sirius would accept his death with pride and dignity. The boys silently bade one another a final farewell inside their minds.

"Prongs... I'll see you later," Sirius said in a hoarse whisper, and with a grim smile he turned to face Voldemort.

His eyes, were cold and lifeless, and he was looking into the distance, and concentrating hard on something inside his mind neither Voldemort nor James could see. Sirius squared his shoulders, and with his mouth set in a firm line. James had not seen his friend subtly manipulating his fingers behind his back, had not seen him awkwardly raise his wand, even with his hands tied. Sirius turned his own wand awkwardly on himself, and before Voldemort could finish shouting "Crucio!" Sirius had muttered his final fatal incantation. "Avada Kadavra!" Sirius said tonelessly, almost carelessly and a jet of green light from his own wand hit him in the back of the head, blasting him backward into a bookshelf.

Both Voldemort and James were silent for a moment. Voldemort let out a roar of utmost insane rage, Sirius had exercised his last power over the Dark Lord. He had taken everything from him, his friends, his family, but he had not given him his own life.

James sat motionless on the floor, staring at the bodies of the two people in the world that he had loved best. Both lay mangled and bloody on the floor, their lifeless eyes gazing up at him, condemning him with their stares. Sirius' blank grey eyed stare, and Lily's frozen expression of fear seemed to blame him for their deaths. He hung his head hot shame piping through his veins, and Voldemort's voice gone silent. The only sound was that of a rat, crawling out of the ruins of the bookcase where Sirius' body had landed.

His eyes snapped open. He was relieved to hear loud snores from the three four poster beds. In a wild panic, James ripped open all of his friends curtains around their bed, to make sure that we were there. He opened the curtains closed around Sirius' four poster, and looked down at his best friend sleeping. Satisfied, he turned on his heel and sprinted out of the room. He had a one track mind. He sprinted down the stone staircase faster then he had ever run in his entire life. Skidding to halt before he knocked down some first years dorm door, he headed straight for the girls staircase. He sprinted at the stairs, but they turned into a stone slide beneath his feet. James feet were wiped out from underneath him, and he fell down with a crash. He slid all the way down, what had once been the spiral staircase. The loud crash from his fall was reverberating around the empty common room, and for the final time that night, James blacked out.