Disclaimer: I don't own this. The only thing I own is my scary mind and my French horn…and my laptop. But that's really about it. I'm pretty muchflat broke.

A/N: My sodding Editor will destroy me if I don't give her props for putting up with me and my nonsensical attempts at wit. Hurrah for the Editor! Also…I know a lot of seventeen year old boys. They swear...a lot. So I swear in here…a lot.

Chapter Three

Dumbledore sat calmly at his desk, smiling at Lily and James. His sky blue eyes twinkled merrily at the two sitting awkwardly next to each other. "Congratulations, Mr Potter and Miss Evans, on becoming Head Boy and Girl. Your dormitory is on the fourth floor behind the portrait of the Founders and your password is Phoenix."

James nodded and spoke quietly. "Sir, I know my father wanted me to thank you himself for all that you did, but know that my entire family is in your debt."

Dumbledore nodded back at him, meeting James's eyes with a piercing gaze. "Tell Harold it's nothing he would not have done for me. Which brings me to what I wanted to speak to you about: Voldemort and his Death Eaters are raining havoc upon our world. Everyone is in danger, and I encourage the two of you especially to take advantage of the defence classes offered. After the events of this summer, James, you under watch as Harold Potter's extremely promising only son. And Lily, as the brightest Head Girl Hogwarts has seen in a very long time and a muggle-born, the Death Eaters will be watching you. I am hardly a blood-purist, but I will not deny that there are those amongst us who care only for blood and genealogy."

Lily looked up, resolved. "Then I had better learn to defend myself properly, hadn't I, Professor?"

Dumbledore smiled warmly at her. "Indeed, Miss Evans. Spoken like a true Head from Gryffindor." He folded his hands, looking solemnly at the two. "I hope very much that the darkness of the Voldemort will pass within this school year, yet if it does not, I would be honoured if the two you would join in the fight against him, once you are out of school, of course. You need not answer today. In fact, I encourage you to think this over, as it would be a commitment not easily broken. But know that my offer is there. Now, off to bed with you," Dumbledore said as he stood.

James stood and said quietly, "Thank you, Sir. Goodnight." He offered Lily his and arm and the two left in silence. They stayed quiet as they walked up to their new dormitory. James's hazel eyes were shining behind his glasses, lost in his memories. He grimaced, wishing he hadn't brought up that summer in front of Lily. There were questions he didn't want to answer even to Sirius, who had been there at the time.

When they arrived at the portrait, Godric Gryffindor looked at them measuringly and asked, "Password?"

"Phoenix," said Lily quietly, not wanting to break the silence. The portrait swung out from the wall and the two walked into their own personal common room, decorated luxuriously in red and gold. Their bedrooms were on opposite sides of the dormitory and a large bathroom sat between the two.

"My God, this is fantastic!" Lily said with a giggle, falling onto a plush velvet sofa. James sat down opposite her, smiling weakly.

"What?" she demanded. "I've never known you to be so morose. Who died?"

He looked shocked. "Nobody!" he said fiercely, trying not to lose his temper. "It's none of your concern."

"Then why'd you start talked about whatever it is in front of me? D'you think I'm deaf or stupid?" Lily's green eyes narrowed.

"Because my father asked me to!" he half-yelled. "And we're deeply in Dumbledore's debt. He saved my father's life!"

Lily stared at him, aghast. "What? How?" At the look on James's face, she shook her head. "No, it's none of my business. I shouldn't have asked."

James looked up, eyes shadowed. "You're right; you shouldn't have asked." He stood and walked silently into his bedroom, slamming the door.

He flopped down on the four-poster bed, tears brimming at his hazel eyes. "Why?" he mouthed, rolling onto his back and staring up at the canopy. He tossed his glasses to his bedside table, wiping away his tears. Pull yourself together, James, he thought to himself. But Dumbledore's sudden appearance that summer resurfaced in his memories. That sight…he knew he'd never forget it.

James stripped off his robe and school uniform, slipping on a pair of loose-fitting plaid trousers over his briefs. He glanced over at his reflection, picking his glasses up off the bedside table so he could see. His black hair was sticking out messily and his hazel eyes were slightly bloodshot with tears. His stomach, chest, and arms rippled with muscles years of Quidditch playing. He traipsed out of his room, walking into the bathroom and splashing water on his face. He looked up again and sighed. He walked back to his room, pulling a small hand mirror out of his trunk. "Sirius," he said quietly, watching for the clouded glass to come into focus.

"What d'you want?" demanded Sirius irritably, glaring back at James through his mirror. James gave a half-smiled and Sirius nodded. "Oh. Need to talk?"

He nodded, laying back down on his bed and running his fingers through his messy black hair. "Seeing Dumbledore reminded me of dad." His words were quiet, almost a whisper. "And I just know that I'm going to do the exact same thing. I'm in danger because of my family, but I can't sit here and let him come find me." He shook his head. "God, Pads, I don't know what to do."

"Think about it, mate. You already said that you're in danger." Sirius grimaced, not liking to think of his best friend getting chased down by Voldemort.

James nodded. "One way or another, my family and I have offended him."

Sirius met James's eyes. "Then you've really got two choices, much as I don't want to say it. You can run…or you can fight. I don't know about you, but the Marauders have never been known to run from a fight."

"The fights that we caused," James laughed, rolling his eyes at his best friend.

"Immaterial!" Sirius said, by now grinning. "We never ran, except into trouble. And I won't be running any time soon, Prongsie, not from Voldemort and all his Death Eaters."

James looked down, biting his lip, then back up, nodding to Sirius. "Let's make a pact. The minute we're out of school, we're going to Dumbledore and asking to join in the fight." He then glanced over at the door where he knew Lily was only a scarce few yards away. "I'm terrified for Lily, though. She's only been in the wizarding world for six years and she lives like a muggle every summer. What I wouldn't give to be so naïve to Voldemort's cruelty," he sighed.

They sat in silence for sometime, Sirius's presence even through a mirror a comfort to James.

Suddenly Sirius swore. "Frank's coming; I gotta go, mate." The mirror went foggy again.

"Damn it!" James flopped over, swearing like a sailor. "Fucking Sirius, fucking Longbottom, fucking assholes, the lot!" He stood up and paced around angrily, cursing and kicking his belongings.

His door opened and James stopped abruptly, not turning around. "God, Sirius, I don't even want to know how you got in here. I'll be fine, you stupid twat." He sat on his bed, still not turning around, and Lily heard him inhale raggedly.

She stepped closer, torn by her curiosity and her sense that she shouldn't be there. She opened her mouth to speak.

"Who am I kidding, mate? I can't do this. I'm not as strong as Dad, and look what happened to him! It's a miracle he survived what those fucking Eaters did." He shook his head. "I want so badly to do something to fight and protect my family…and her…"

Lily's face went white. She couldn't just stand here and listen to him talk about her, but at the same time, she wished it was he knew it was her he was talking to. She didn't know when it had happened, and Heaven knows she'd never voice it out loud, but she'd stopped loathing James in the middle of sixth year.

You like him, the traitorous voice inside her head whispered. If you didn't, you'd have walked out of here by now.

I'm just his friend! she thought furiously. I don't want to encourage him!

Yes, you do, the voice quietly insisted. You loved every minute you spent with him on the train.

"God, Sirius, I thought you were here to talk!" James snapped irritably and turned around.

Green eyes met hazel, and James's jaw dropped. "Lil-Lily!" He stood, suddenly angry. "Christ, how long have you been eavesdropping!"

Lily's eyes were moist as she whispered, "Oh God, James, I'm sorry! I heard you yelling while I was on my way to the bathroom."

"And you just heard all that!" James snapped, hitting the bedpost. "Surprise—James Potter is human." He stalked out of the room and into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.