During the middle of the night, Madam Pomfrey opened the door to the hospital wing and peered inside. She breathed a sigh of relief as she looked at her patient. Aided with countless bandages, immeasurable spoonfuls of Skele-Gro, and a whole lot of internal binding tape, Lily seemed to be making a miraculous recovery. Her paralysis was starting to wear off already – every now and then, her fingers would twitch slightly.

Madam Pomfrey shook her head in amazement. Lily was a very strong, determined little girl. She had refused to give up the fight, and kept on going with all she had. Never before had Madam Pomfrey seen anyone heal so fast, especially from such a major head injury. Lily was truly lucky to be alive. Though it would be a few weeks before she could function properly again, the most important step was over. Now all she needed was rest.

A small smile creeping across her face, Madam Pomfrey quietly shut the door. The room was swathed in darkness once again.


Three days after the incident, Lily opened her eyes. The bright, familiar colors greeted her expectantly, swirling and twisting about until they formed solid, tangible figures. Lily breathed a sigh of relief. She could see again. She was getting better. Lily tried moving her head to the right, but it wouldn't budge. She tried opening her mouth, but it didn't listen to her.

Oh well! Lily thought brightly. At least I can see!

Albus jumped with a start as he realized that Lily's eyes were open. "Lily!" he exclaimed, rushing to her side. "Good Lord, Lily, don't scare me like that again! I was so afraid for you!" He grasped her hand in his comfortingly. "I thought you might die!"

Lily once again wished that she could smile. Albus could be such a dear when he felt like it.

"At first, I had no idea what had happened to you!" he continued, shaking his head. "I was talking to my friends and not really paying attention to what was happening in the game."

Lily's eyes narrowed in mock anger at this remark and Albus laughed good-naturedly, a sheepish grin on his face. "Sorry," he apologized. "But nothing much exciting was happening."

Lily accepted his repentance, and her eyes returned back to normal.

"So anyway, I was talking to my friends, and suddenly I heard this scream. Bone-chilling, it was. I ignored it though, thinking it was some crazy fan girl or something. But then, commotion broke loose. People started yelling and pointing at the field, and I looked. I really shouldn't have, Lily," he said frowning. "When I saw you, I must admit, I panicked. You looked so...broken. Your arms were all spread out and blood was dripping from every part of your body. It looked like some ghastly scene from a horror movie or something, and I confess, it shook me right up."

Lily's eyes asked a question. What happened to me? Why did I fall? She thought.

By chance, or some delusional coincidence, Albus managed to follow along with what she was thinking.

"I didn't know what had happened to you, Lils! All I knew was that you were hurt – and I had to help. I ran out of the stands and onto the field. No one quite knew what exactly to do, so I just picked you up and carried you here," he said, motioning around the room. "I knew this was where you needed to be. Madam Pomfrey worked her magic on you, and now, you're getting better again!"

Lily's eyes shone with a strange happiness. Albus had carried her! How sweet! He really wasn't such a bad soul after all. Maybe she should make a point to spend more time with him…

"James popped in a few minutes after you fell," Albus commented suddenly, interrupting his sister's train of thought. "I sent him a Patronus, and he came as soon as he could." He smiled impishly and looked for some sort of reaction in Lily's eyes, knowing his statement wouldn't be ignored.

A reaction he got. Lily's eyes bugged out of their sockets. James had actually come to visit her? She could understand why Albus might be worried about her, but James? He was a totally different case!

Albus chuckled at Lily's response. "See for yourself," he said, holding out two small, packaged boxes. Lily recognized them instantly – a joke assortment kit from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and a large container chock full of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

Lily was touched. Her teasing, foolish older brother had felt sorry enough for her to come and make sure she was all right? It was somewhat close to a miracle. She and James had never been close, seeing as their age difference separated them from doing most things together. But now, Lily realized, James had actually cared for her. It made her feel so much better. Even though James was an annoying, irritating tease, he loved her, deep down inside. Lily didn't know exactly how far deep, but that didn't matter.

"A lot of other people were here too," Albus went on. "After you, fell you know. The rest of your team came. So did Jenna, Alli, and your friend Hussell – or maybe it's Russell? Whatever. After about 20 minutes, Mum and Dad showed up. Worried, they were. Kept asking stupid questions like how far you fell, what happened after you fell, etcetera. I think they were just too worried to accept the blatantly obvious fact that you might not survive."

Albus frowned. "There was someone else in the room as well, but I can't remember his name. Tall, skinny fellow with dark hair and green eyes. Do you know him?"

Lily's eyes sparkled. Tom had been there!

"I didn't like the looks of that boy, Lily," Albus said broodingly. "He seemed like he was hiding something."

This observation didn't hinder Lily, and her eyes remained sparkling.

"You're not going out with him are you?" Albus demanded agitatedly. "He's a Slytherin, Lily, for crying out loud! You should know better!"

The sparkle vanished. Lily rolled her eyes in frustration.

Albus grimaced. "Sorry, sis, but I'm just trying to keep you safe. If I were you, I would stay away from that boy."

This remark only earned him another glare.

"Fine," Albus admitted wearily, running his fingers through his hair. "I can't tell you what to do anymore. You're growing up, and you have to learn how to make your own choices in the world. But please, Lily, try to stay safe? For me?" he asked. "I don't want you to get hurt again."

Lily's eyes agreed in consent, though she refused to listen to his mistaken advice about Tom.

Albus looked at his watch, and let out a small gasp. "Oh, shoot!" he muttered, gathering his things quickly. "I'm going to be late for my Transfiguration class!" In one fluid motion, he swooped down and kissed Lily's cheek. "Bye, Lils!" he said, already running out of the door. "I'll visit soon! Get better, okay?"

Lily's eyes twinkled. She could manage that just fine.


Three days later, Lily could talk again. Not for very long or extended periods of time, but talk nonetheless.

On that day, Russell dropped by.

"How's it going, Lily?" he asked as he sat down near the foot of her bed. "I heard you were getting better."

"Yeah. I'm feeling loads better now."

"That's good to know. Good to know…" he trailed off, not seeming to be quite sure of what to say. Clearing his voice, he began anew. "So, Lily, I've been wondering…we've been friends for a while now, and I just wanted to ask…"

Lily closed her eyes sadly. Here it comes, she thought, bracing herself. Russell's had a crush on me for years. He's probably going to ask me to go out with him now, she thought to herself. Lily hated to decline Russell's offer and make him feel bad, but there simply wasn't anything between them – they were just friends, and that's how Lily wanted it to stay.

Russell's face grew ashen with embarrassment. "… if you…you know, would…err, maybe, liketogooutwithme?" he rushed, confirming Lily's suspicions.

Lily sighed gently. How could she disappoint him? If only Alli were here, or Jenna, maybe they could help her –

Then Lily's eyes snapped wide open. Jenna! Jenna had liked Russell ever since third year! This was the perfect opportunity to get Russell to realize his affections for her!

"Russell," Lily said patiently. "You do know that we're just friends, right?"

Russell's shoulders drooped somewhat. Rejection hurt.

"But, there's someone amazing who's been right under your nose this entire time," Lily persisted. "Someone with curly brown hair and big, brown eyes. She's beautiful, and smart, and sweet. You hang out with her all the time, and she's loved you for a while now."

Russell cocked his head, puzzled. "You mean Jenna?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes, I mean Jenna."

"Wow," Russell said, blinking rapidly. "This is news."

The two sat in silence for a few minutes before anyone talked again.

"You honestly think she does?" Russell asked, breaking the silence.

Lily smiled weakly. Russell could be so blind to some things. "I know she does."

Beaming, Russell stood from his chair. "Well," he said, rather flustered. "I suppose I'd better go talk to Jenna." He turned around and began walking out of the room. "Bye, Lily! Feel better!" he hollered, looking over his shoulder.

Lily bit her lip uneasily. "Russell, we're still friends, aren't we?"

"Of course Lily!" Russell affirmed, stopping in the doorway. "We'll always be friends – no matter what happens." And with that, he left.


Five days later, Lily could move again. Not exactly with precise grace or fine motor control, but move nonetheless.

On that day, Tom dropped by.

"Hi there, Lily," he said softly, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "Are you feeling any better?"

"Yeah, I'm feeling loads better now," Lily found herself saying happily. Just the person she wanted to see.

"That's good to know," Tom said, obviously relieved. "I was so worried about you, Lily, when you fell. Madam Pomfrey said you might not make it."

"But I did, didn't I?" Lily said cheerfully, taking his Tom's hand in hers rather clumsily. "I beat the odds!"

"You sure did. You're a born fighter, Lily."

Lily smiled. "What happened after the game, Tom? After I fell. Did Slytherin win?"

"I'm sorry to say so, but they did. Violet caught the snitch just about a minute after you fell. The end score was 160 - 50 to Slytherin."

Lily groaned in fake terror. "Alli's gonna kill me!" she said. "She'll slaughter me in cold blood and drag my body off to be buried underneath the Quidditch – "

"Don't joke around like that!" Tom snapped, taking Lily off guard with his suddenness. "Don't let me ever hear you talk about dying again!" He caught a glimpse of Lily's reproachful look and softened.

"You don't know how scared I was when I saw you lying there on that accursed field, looking so pale and dead. I know you might think this is stupid, or too soon or something – but I'm going to go right out and say it. I love you, Lily. I don't know what I would do if you died." Tom seemed distraught by Lily's lack of interjection during his speech, so he started rambling. "Maybe I'm rushing things," he admitted, frowning. "We've barely even known each other for a week and now, I'm expecting you to be in love with me. But, I've loved you since I first saw you, Lily – from the very first second I laid eyes on you. You were prettiest, sweetest little thing I had ever seen. And, right now, to be honest, I'm tired of waiting. I don't care if I'm advancing too quickly with our relationship. I just need to know if you love me back."

Lily, beyond dazed at this moment, wrapped her arms around Tom's shoulders. "I think you know the answer already," she whispered shakily, leaning closer to his face. "I do love you, Tom. I've always loved you."

And then their lips met. It was like a burning, flickering fire had made its way into Lily's heart. The incredible, blazing emotion just couldn't be extinguished, and Lily felt herself giving in to the kiss. She melded into Tom's body, feeling the reassuring sensation of his fingers twisting through her hair, stroking her face, caressing her. It was wonderful. Everything about him was wonderful – his captivating green eyes, his perfect lips, his breath on her cheek. Everything.

All too soon, the kiss ended. Lily flopped back onto her pillow with a crazy gleam in her eye. "Mmmm…that was good," she murmured. "Where'd you learn how to kiss like that?"

Tom laughed, running a tender hand down the length of her face. "Where'd you learn how to kiss like that?"

Lily ignored the question. "I guess this settles it then," she said, smiling.

"Settles what?"

"Settles our relationship. It's official now – Tom Elddir and Lily Potter are in love."

Tom moaned. "Whatever will we tell the world?"

"We'll tell them the truth," Lily declared, a steely glint in her eye. "We'll tell them that we love each other, and there's nothing anyone or anything can do about it."

"So true." And with that, Tom leaned in for another kiss.