Disclaimer: I don't own it, although I totally wish I did!

Chapter 3

The past month had passed quickly. Lily had settled into a routine. She woke up and went to breakfast. Had class, then had lunch, and then had more class. She went to the Library to do her homework. She would study and then go to dinner. She went to the Common Room, grabbed a book to read until it was time to start patrolling, and then after patrolling, she went to bed. And repeat.

It was now October and with Halloween quickly approaching, she was ready for a break from all of her school work. Lily walked up the stairs, her arms full of books. She said the password to Sir Barnabas and she heard a faint click as the tapestry rose. She dropped her books on her desk with a loud thud. James looked up from his paper at the sound.

"Sorry," she said. She hadn't meant to break his concentration.

They were getting along better than one would have thought. They could even be called friends. She smiled slightly when he rolled his eyes. He rolled up his paper not long after that. She walked over and leaned against his desk.

"So we need to figure out what we are doing for the Halloween Trick or Treat," she said, smiling. This would be interesting. The Head Boy and Girl always designed a Halloween Trick or Treat. They would have some kind of prank or show.

James nodded. "Let me think on it. I'm sure we can come up with something." She grinned at this.

"Of course we can. Are you ready for dinner? I'm about to walk down."

He nodded. She led the way to the door. As they walked down the stairs, she wondered where Alice had been all day. She hadn't seen her outside of class all day. She was probably with Frank. She smiled at this. She was glad that her friend was so happy. She and Frank had been dating since the end of fifth year.

"What are you thinking about?" James asked. He liked to ask her that a lot, especially when she was smiling.

"I was thinking about Frank and Alice. I'm glad that she is so happy."

"I wouldn't be surprised if they got married after graduation."

Lily laughed. "Me either." She imagined her small friend in a wedding dress. She could see it. They walked into the Great Hall, laughing. A few heads turned, mainly the older ones. They just couldn't get used to the idea of Lily and James not fighting. Their friends all exchanged knowing looks. Lily raised an eyebrow at Anna, who just shook her head.

"What's so funny?" Sirius asked. He always wanted to be in on the joke. James just shook his head. They all ate in amiable silence, speaking occasionally. Lily stood when she was finished, a yawn escaping her.

"I'm quite tired. I'm going to head up. I was hoping to get in a bit of reading before bed." She waved goodnight to her friends, walking up to the common room.

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James walked into the Common Room a while later. He smiled when he saw Lily asleep on the couch, her book on the floor. She must have fallen asleep reading. He walked quietly over to her. He lifted her carefully from the couch, carrying her to her bedroom. He laid her on the bed, covering her with the blanket. He looked at her for a moment, and then sighed.

"If only you knew, Lily. If only you knew," he said, delicately brushing her hair from her face.

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The morning of Halloween dawned bright and clear. The Head Boy and Girl had prepared everything carefully. They walked down to breakfast together, discussing their plans cheerily. They changed the subject when they reached the Great Hall, not wanting to give anything away.

As they walked into the Great Hall, a few students turned to look sympathetically at Lily, some whispering filled the hall. She stared at them in confusion. None of their friends seemed to know what was going on either.

The mail came soon after that. Alice received the Daily Prophet like usual. Lily looked at the unfamiliar owl that dropped a letter in her lap. The handwriting was unfamiliar. She looked at the letter quizzically, until she heard a gasp next to her.

"Lils, that's the Minister's handwriting. Mum gets letters from the Minister all the time," Anna said.

"But why would the Minister write to me?" she asked no one in particular. She turned it over and broke the seal, her hands shaking slightly. Could this have to do with the stares that she had been receiving all morning?

Lily unfolded the letter and read aloud.

Dear Miss Evans,

I am so sorry to have to inform you of this tragic occurrence. Early this morning, Death Eaters attacked the neighborhood in which your parents reside. Your mother was only slightly injured and is currently at St. Mungo's. Unfortunately, your father was severely injured and could not be helped. He died three hours later as a result of his injuries. You have my deepest condolences.

Sincerely,

Millicent Bagnold

Minister of Magic

Lily dropped the letter as if it were on fire. She stared at the place where it had been, frozen in shock. They all stared at her, their eyes filled with worry and sadness. James touched her arm, gently. His touch awakened her from her stupor. She stood slowly and walked out of the hall. The Great Hall was dead silent, all eyes following her.

Her friends all looked at each other when the doors closed behind her. Alice looked down at the paper in front of her. Glaring on the front page was the Dark Mark. It was shining in the sky above a street corner. She gasped, tugging on Anna's arm.

"That's Lily's house," Anna whispered, tears coursing down her face. That must have been how so many knew about it. They had gotten the paper already. James stood suddenly. They watched him walk quietly from the hall, a strange look on his face.

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Lily sat beneath the beech tree, her arms encircling her legs. She heard footsteps approaching, but didn't look up. She didn't really care who it was. James sat next her without a word. She stared at the lake, the crisp October wind chilling her. She had left her cloak in the Common Room.

Suddenly she stood, anger washing over her. She picked up a rock, throwing it as hard and as far as she could at the lake. She screamed in anguish, sinking to the ground. James stood and walked over to her. A strong arm wrapped around her, gently pulling her up. He led her to the castle and avoided the halls full of students, taking a more remote path to the Heads' Room.

He sat down next to her on the couch. She had been silent the whole way up. As she stared at the fire, she finally registered his arm around her. Her father had always comforted her in this way. At the memory of her father, she felt her eyes fill. Not able to control her agony any longer, she sobbed into him. James held her for what seemed like hours to her. Finally, when her tears had run dry, she fell into a deep slumber, exhausted from her emotions.

James held her while she slept, her head resting on his shoulder. He suddenly remembered the Trick or Treat that was supposed to occur tonight. Luckily, they had set it on a sort of timer. They wouldn't be needed to set it off.

When he was sure she was deep asleep, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her to her room like he had a few weeks before. He gently laid her in her bed, wiping the tear stains from her face. Tomorrow would be a long, hard day for her. She would probably be leaving soon to be with her mother. He silently watched her sleep. Lily, the headstrong girl who never showed weakness, lay vulnerable, the picture of loss. He couldn't imagine losing his own father. How would she be able to bear this? As he thought of this, small snowflakes fell outside the window.

The first snow.

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Okay, I know some of you will probably hate me because of the sadness. But I wrote this a while back and felt like I couldn't put it off much longer. It originally was going to happen over Christmas break, but I didn't want to ruin that holiday. I like it too much. So please review. Cookies for those who do!!!