Disclaimer: Not mine, I swear.

Hey everyone, I finally figured out how to allow anonymous people to review this, so, if you don't have an account (or if you're just too lazy to log on, as I usually am) you can review too. I really would appreciate your comments and criticism. Not kidding. Anyway, go ahead and read this next chapter. ;)

James woke up in the hospital wing. His arm was bandaged, his ribs were bruised and he was fairly sure there was a nasty cut above his right eye.

"And then McGonagall- Oh! James you're awake!"

James recognized the scrawny voice of Peter. He slowly tried to sit up, but his body wouldn't let him and he fell defeated back into bed.

"Easy, Prongs. Don't strain yourself." Sirius suddenly appeared at his bedside, grinning like crazy.

"What happened?" James groaned.

"Depends." Sirius sat down on the bed. "How much do you remember?"

James thought for a moment. "It's kind of a blur- but I remember Remus changed too early-"

"Yeah!" said Peter. "Moony went full-wolf before we even got halfway there! You and Padfoot had to keep him in check. I even bit his toes once or twice." He puffed with pride at this.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Was this before or after he almost bit your wormy tail off, Wormtail?"

Peter deflated and shrugged.

James laughed. "Go on," he prompted.

Sirius nodded. "Anyway, Moony began to fight and tried to run back toward the castle, but you were faster and blocked the tunnel opening. He must have fought pretty hard, because by the time I got around to you, you were back in human-form and the Whomping Willow woke up and began to bash at you. Thus-" He gestured to the batters and bruises all over James's body.

"How did I get here, then? I don't suppose Moony walked over, apologized, then made sure I was tucked in?"

Sirius shook his head. "Nah- I left Moony with Wormtail for a bit, then flew you over."

"What excuse did you feed the old bat?" James inclined his head to Madame Pomfrey's office.

Sirius shrugged. "Early-morning Quidditch practice, and an unfortunate Chaser who chased his Quaffle right into the Whomping Willow."

James nodded. "Works for me. Where's the food, I'm famished."

"Madame Pomfrey says you're good enough to go down to breakfast like normal." Peter piped up. "We've come to bring you down."

James nodded and got out of bed. The pain in his chest had subsided a little, but he could tell it would be sore for a while.

They checked out of the hospital wing and were halfway down the corridor before James felt safe enough to speak again.

"Moony?" James whispered. "Where is he? Couldn't still be out there, could he?"

Sirius shook his head. "As soon as the sun rose he went straight to bed. Haven't seen him since."

"If you want, we could pay a visit right now." Peter suggested as they approached the Fat Lady.

"Cornish Pixies." Sirius called to her.

"Wha-? Oh, righ', you wanna get in?" She groaned, obviously hungover.

"That would be nice." Sirius smiled up at her.

She swung open and they all climbed through the portrait hole. When they reached the dormitory, Remus was in his bed studying.

"You kidding me, Moony?" Sirius's jaw dropped. "O.W.L.s are over! What more is there to study?"

Remus looked up at him. "Hey. I don't know how you and James manage to get top of the class without even studying, but I actually have to work."

Sirius shrugged. "Suit yourself. Hey, speaking of James, he's come to say hello."

Remus turned to look at James and blanched. "Did I- oh Merlin! Prongs, I'm sorry-"

"Calm down, Moony." James chuckled. "I'm not hurt, I just look it."

Remus smiled stiffly before closing his book and putting it away.

"I think I'll get some sleep." he murmured. "I'll catch you guys later."

The other Marauder's nodded and backed out of the room.

"That went well." James muttered sarcastically.

Sirius laughed. "Relax, Prongs! Moony'll come around sooner or later. Now, quick, let's grab some breakfast before class." They rushed to the Great Hall.

James skidded to a halt just before the great mahogany doors.

"Blimey!" he exclaimed. Peter and Sirius stopped to stare.

"What's the hold up, Padfoot?" Peter cried.

"Lily! Oh, Merlin- I completely forgot about her!" That wasn't entirely true. Lily was on his mind 24/7, but he had just remembered that his newly appointed "friend" status was now probably down the toilet.

"Prongs!" Sirius called. "We don't have time for this! I'm hungry!"

He pushed open the doors. Most people inside craned their necks to see who the newcomers were, and a few waved.

James sat down beside Peter and tried to look cheerful as he spotted Lily, whose green eyes were as large as saucers.

She rushed over and perched herself next to him, staring with worried eyes.

"Oh! James, I- You have no idea how worried I've been! What happened to you?" She reached up and traced the cut above his eye. The sting was almost pleasant under her touch.

"I- er, had a little accident with the Whomping Willow." James told her.

Sirius snorted and James turned a little to glare at him.

Lily didn't miss the glare. She could also see that James was in pain every time he moved his torso. Whatever it was, it didn't look like a little accident at all.

"James! What in Merlin were you doing near the Whomping Willow? I don't suppose this is another one of your stupid games?" she was angry. As angry as she'd ever been. "See how long you can torment the poor tree before it attacks? Now that's a game I'd really like to-"

"Poor tree? Have you seen what it did to me?" James held up his bandaged arm.

"You promised, James!" Lily bore right into his hazel eyes.

"I know. I know and I'm sorry." He was pleading with her. As if she wanted his sympathy. "I didn't have a choice! I just- I-"

He faltered and Lily saw Sirius and Peter exchange scared looks behind him. It was obvious that what he was about to say would affect them too.

"Get to class, James!" she barked at him. "I'll deal with you later. In the meantime, I'll try to find a friend who will actually keep a promise."

Without another word she left his side and strode out of the Great Hall.

James stared after her with longing.

"Prongs!" Sirius's hushed voice brought him out of his reverie. "Have you gone mad?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, please!" Sirius scowled. "As if you weren't about to ruin everything then and there!"

"I wasn't-"

"James!" Sirius looked ready to murder. James could tell by the use of his real name instead of "Prongs" like usual "Lily Evans is a prefect! I know you're head over heels, but we don't know if we can trust her. We don't know if we can trust anyone! Trust me, it's better to just stick to us Marauders."

Peter was nodding vigorously, but James only scowled at his uneaten breakfast plate.

"What does Sirius know?" he tought. "Lily Evans is the most trustworthy person I know! Who else would I tell? Not that I would tell anyone-"

But James knew Sirius was right. For a minute there, he felt ready to share everything about his world with her. One look in the emerald-green eyes and he was hopeless.

Eventually, Sirius calmed down and the three of them began to walk to class.

"You know," James said suddenly. "I think I'd better visit Remus. I'll bring him some chocolate."

Peter looked from James to Sirius, sensing some type of disturbance.

But Sirius only nodded and started down the opposite corridor to the dungeons for Potions.

James made his way to the Gryffindor common room, then up the steps to his dormitory.

Remus was sleeping. James decided not to wake him up, but instead sat on his own bed and pulled out the Marauders Map.

He searched for her dot down where the rest of the Gryffindors and the Slytherins were having Potions, but found Lily's dot instead opposite his own in the girl's dormitory.

James bit his lip then ran to find a piece of parchment, a quill, and a spare owl.

Meanwhile, Lily was sitting on her bed staring out the window. She had tried to pass the time by reading a book, but was too distracted by the past few days' events.

First Potter and Snape had a bout, then Snape and herself. Then she yells at Potter, but he somehow managed to have her feeding out of the palm of his hand. She yelled at him more, and found herself completely lost.

Lily watched as a tawny-brown owl made it's way across the grounds. She didn't even notice that it was headed directly toward her until it landed on her window sill.

"How peculiar." she thought, but she let the owl in anyway. She detached the note from it's leg and read it.

I know you're there. Don't try to ignore me. ~JP

Lily couldn't help but smile. She ran around trying to find her own quill and parchment as the owl clicked it's beak impatiently.

James, besides the fact that you always seem to know where I am borders on creepy, you really should be in Potions right now. ~LE

She sent the owl off again, only to have it return a few minutes later.

So should you. What would people say if theyknew prefect Lily

Evans was ditching classes to talk to borderline creepy boys. I think it's a fair bet to say that you hold nothing over me. ~JP

***

James,I hold everything over you. I could have easily went to McGonagall as soon as you four left the common room. But I didn't. And now you're arm's in a cast and you can't even move without turning green. For the record, I didn't feel much like going to Potions today. I have enough on my plate. ~LE

***

It's Snape, isn't it?

***

Lily inwardly winced at his message. It was true, Lily was avoiding Snape. She felt like a bloody coward for doing it, but she just couldn't handle his pleading looks (directed at her), or his malicious glares (directed at Potter).

So what if it is? The world won't crash and burn because I didn't feel like talking to Snape today. And it's not because he called me Mudblood. I've heard worse. If I'm a Mudblood, so be it. And as I said before, I don't feel like sharing "The Life and Times of Lily Evans" with you, or with anyone. ~LE

***

I don't blame you for not talking to Snape, and I don't think it's because he called you a foul name. And it's my job to pry into "The Life and Times of Lily Evans." That's why I'm such a good friend. That is, if I'm still considered 'friend.'

~ JP

P.S: Don't call yourself Mudblood, I don't like it.

***

You're still a friend. I don't have much of a choice. The minute you walked into the Great Hall looking like you just barely survived a werewolf, I knew I cared too much to not be a friend. Just be glad that I'm a sucker for prats who don't deserve it. ~ LE

P.S: I'll call myself whatever I like, thank you very much.

***

'Werewolf.' Interesting choice of words there, Evans. And I am glad. I'm infinitesimally glad! I know I don't deserve it, but what hurts even more is that I think you just compared me to Snape. Ouch, Evans, that hurts. But, then again, if we're still friends, I promise not to be a skinny, sickly, oily traitor like him. ~JP

P.S: You call yourself what you want, but I think I'll call you Lily-flower. Ok by you?

***

I'd rather not talk about Snape, please. And I hope you get around to saying exactly why 'werewolf' is such an interest to you. ~LE

P.S: Lily-flower is what my dad calls me. Try again.

***

Ok, no talking about Snape. I don't blame you. As for the other thing, I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. How 'bout this? Make your way down to the kitchens around lunch, and I'll give you all kinds of stories. If you don't know where the kitchens are, all you have to do is tickle the pear on that painting of the fruit downstairs. Try to be gentle. It's only used to being tickled by small, nimble house elves. I'll see you there. ~JP

P.S: Tiger Lily? Does anyone in your family call you that?

P.P.S: I think I better head off soon. Remus is waking up, and if he catches me with his owl, he'll be furious.

***

Tickling pears? How do you and your crew come up with this stuff? I'll be there. 11:30. ~LE

P.S: Yes. Everyone in my family calls me that (except my sister). Why don't you see if you can find more creative nicknames before lunch today?

Lily sent the final note off with the owl, watching it fly toward the boy's dormitory where she caught a brief glimpse at James Potter's thin wrist opening the window to let it in.

She laughed genuinely for the first time in days. She had never been able to deny the fact that James Potter made her laugh, even when he was acting like a toerag.

She glanced at the empty dormitory and sighed. She didn't like being cooped up here, hiding from Snape. Being a personal favorite of Slughorn's, she wouldn't even need an excuse for being late.

She gathered her things and headed down toward the dungeons, a smile playing at her lips.

ok, this chapter is slightly less dramatic, and took a completely unexpected turn from when I first started writing it. That's ok, I think I like it this way. If you do too, review it. If you hate it and you want to toss your computer out the window because this whole story makes your eyes bleed, review it. But be nice. I really hope it doesn't make anyone's eyes bleed.

Expect Chapter 5 soon! How soon? Depends how fast people review.

Ha! Incentive!

~J.