I own no part of Harry Potter… Seriously, I don't.

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Chapter 7

"Alright Potter," Moody said stowing his wand back in a pocket, "You should get some sleep."

James was, in a single word, exhausted. Exhaustion was a state he was alright with because of the injuries that had occurred to the others. Marlene McKinnon had broken her leg in two places; George Mason got second degree burns along his back; and Remus, Emmeline Vance, and Moody were all hit with a Cruciatus Curse. He was lucky to have only hit his head.

"James," Professor Dumbledore approached, "I think Miss Evans needs some more leisure as well. I also think that you should be accompanied by someone with healing experience for you head wound." James looked skeptical. "I was thinking of Miss Evans perhaps." James looked up to see a small smile upon Dumbledore's lips. "I didn't think you would object."

"Positively not, sir."

"Outstanding Mister Potter, and be sure to check in from time to time."

With a clap on James's back, Dumbledore went back to surveying the damage done to the Mason family. Not only had their house been destroyed, but they had also been harassed by the most feared wizard of the time.

James saw Lily kneeling next to the Mason's large dog. In the night, their shadows were exaggerated by the harsh light that was constructed by Dumbledore. She had blood leaking from a spot hidden beneath her jeans and black soot all over her arms and hands. The wind blew her hair to reveal her pale face and red eyes. Whether her eyes were red from fatigue or crying, he did not know.

"Lily," James called out. Her head turned slowly as she continued to pat the dog's thick fur. "Moody wants us to get some sleep." She took one last look at the dog and stood up. "Let's go," said James walking over to her.

They apparated quickly back to the Potter home. Adrenaline always kicked into Lily's system too late. She could feel her heart beat race as soon as she felt safe and sound. Just being in the silence and security made her realize how much danger she had been in. James saw her put a hand to her forehead and breathe in deep.

"You alright?" he asked.

She looked up to him and nodded, "You don't look too good." She reached up to touch the side of his head where dried blood still remained by his temple.

"I've been in worse shape."

"Yes," she said giving him a stern look, "I know. You and your little Marauder adventures always left you bloodied up." She put her hands onto his chest and leaned her body into his.

He smiled, "Hey, we were trying to save lives, you know." He placed his hands on her waist and she shook her head even as he said, "We sacrifice ourselves so Remus wouldn't accidently eat a second year."

Suddenly, she looked him square in the eye, "Do you feel alright?"

"Yes, mother." He said cheekily.

"I'm serious, James," she pointed at his face, "Follow my finger."

He sighed and did as he was told, watching her forefinger go from right to left and up and down.

"I knew it, you have a concussion!"

"I do not," he said, "you're overreacting." Immediately he regretted saying that to her.

"Overreacting," she questioned, "you think I'm overreacting? I'm sorry; did we not almost die back there?"

"You're right, I'm sorry for saying that." He sat down on the nearest couch, "would you like me to lay down here and you can come wake me every hour?"

"Don't be sarcastic," she said sitting next to him. She pushed James back onto the couch making him lay down on his back with his head beneath a pillow. "And I will wake you every hour just to make sure you're still alive."

He smiled grabbing her hand and lacing their fingers together. "I look forward to it."

She smiled back at him, the first real smile that he had seen in months.

"You know I was just thinking about that time you caught us outside at Hagrid's in seventh year." She continued to smile. "You were so mad at me."

"Yes, I was. You lied to me." She leaned over his body, "you all lied to me."

"I have never lied to you," he said, "I just left out some details."

"Ha!" She waved her hands in the air, "Oh, I'm sorry Lily, did I not mention that I can transform myself into a four legged creature? I'm terribly sorry. And, I quote; I didn't think it was needed to know information, end quote."

James sat up and supported himself by his elbows, "I didn't want you to find out that way. I had no idea that you knew about Remus and his furry little problem."

"Of course, I knew," she said, "I know Remus better than you even do."

"Oh, you think so?"

"Yes, I certainly do." She leaned over his body more seductively running her hands up his sides.

He smirked, "I like what adrenaline does to you."

She laughed, "I'm going to take a shower."

"Oh," James said moving to get up, "I'll join you."

She smiled again and pushed him back down, "You will stay here and lay down."

He chuckled, "Thought I would try."

"Maybe next time Mister Potter," she kissed him on the cheek leaving him in even more of a daze.

James sighed dramatically, "You always say that."

Lily disappeared upstairs and James was left alone, exactly what he hated the most. He was left alone with his thoughts. As if his head didn't hurt enough, Voldemort and the Death Eaters didn't sooth his brain. With his parents dead, James had plenty of alone time to think about the present condition of the magical world. Segregation and murders became a popular activity and James could only see if getting worse unless something drastic happened.

He put his legs over the arm of the sofa and closed his eyes. Breathing in the familiar smells of his house helped him relax more. Having Lily directly upstairs relaxed him, too. There were plenty of nights where James snuck out in muggle London to check on her well being. Having her break up with him struck him deep; however, he could not simply write her off. They had spent so much time getting to know each other and divulging their most secret thoughts. James had never gotten to know another girl on such deep a level.

He still missed his years at Hogwarts and the amazing sensations he had while there. James felt safe and in control while being Head Boy. Here in the big, open world he felt insignificant and exposed. He spent several minutes thinking back on his favorite moments with Lily and moments with the Marauders. Where had Peter been tonight? Probably remaining at his mother's death bed. Peter just needed some time to think and spend time alone. James could perfectly understand how Peter felt.

Lily was the next person he thought about. He had missed her so much and he just wanted time to share with her. They needed to catch up and carry on with their relationship. She hadn't objected to their courtship this time around. They hadn't really discussed it much either. Perhaps he could get a word in with her when she was out of the shower.

James heard some floorboards creak in the kitchen and sat up. His head felt light but he tried to focus on the strange clatter. He took his wand back out and stood quietly being sure to not make any sound on the wood base. James tip toed close to the kitchen and held a position on the other side of the doorway and waited. Whatever was in the next room was slowly walking towards him. The footsteps drew nearer and James went white with worry. Who was this person and how did they get into his house? There were dozens of charms set up to forbid apparating from strangers and prevent intruders.

James brought his wand up ready for a strike. His head was realing with possible curses to throw and suddenly the figure came around the corner.

It was Lily, wet and holding two cups of tea. She started at his position. "Jumpy much?" She asked.

He inhaled again, "That was a quick shower."

"I had to check on you." She walked past him in bare feet and an interesting choice of attire. She wore one of his old t-shirts and a pair of his pajama pants tied around her waist. "Like my outfit?" she asked, "I didn't have my bits and pieces brought here yet."

He nodded, "You look fine." She had cursed her hair to have a gentle curl as she used to and smelled like soap.

"Lay back down," she demanded setting the two cups onto the coffee table.

"Sorry. I am a little jumpy right now."

"As usual," she smiled over the mug she brought to her lips, "You can't calm down very well."

"You shouldn't be so modest."

She giggled, "Alright, I am a bit tense as well."

James noticed bruising on the side of one of her arms, most likely from the fall. "You sore from the fall?" He sat down next to her, "Want me to heal those?"

"I don't think so," Lily said picking her feet up to sit cross-legged on the couch, "the last time you wanted heal me, I found myself covered in boils."

"I know what to do now, I practiced on Sirius."

"Great," she said.

"Oh, come on," he said taking her arm gently, "let me. It looks painful." The bruises lined the outside of her arm and with more investigating she also had bruising on the side of her torso and stomach.

"I think I landed on one of the beams."

"You landed on something for sure." He pointed his wand to her arm and muttered some words, surely enough a few seconds later the purple and yellow contusions were gone.

Their faces were close to each other and Lily closed in the gap touching his lips with hers slowly. James pulled away wanting to ask her a question since the day before.

"Lils, are we together again?"

She looked stunned, "yes, unless you don't want to be."

He held her small hands in his, "of course, I want to be, yes."

"Good," she exhaled smiling, "James, I know I hurt you before. I just wanted you to be safe."

He kissed her again, "I can't do this without you." She nodded and kissed him back. He leaned over her and had her lie down in his stead. Gingerly, she grabbed the back of his head and pulled him down to her to kiss again. James felt an annoying pressure at the front of his forehead but ignored it to focus on Lily underneath him.

He ran his hand through her silky hair and kissed her deeper. He felt her moan into his mouth, a good sign to continue. He felt her hands go beneath his button down shirt to touch his bare skin. He let his hips touch hers and felt her squirm, he ran his hands up her sides—she yelped.

"Ouch," she hissed, flinching.

"Blood hell, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking."

She laughed, "I'm alright." She looked up at him, her eyes red with dark circles around them.

"I should heal that and we should go to bed."

"Sounds good."

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