Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of JK Rowling, Warner Brothers, Scholastic Books and all other affiliated parties. No infringement is intended and no money is being made.
The Way Life Works Chapter 9- The Shift
Dumbledore was worried. The things that Snape had said to him bothered him greatly. They reminded him sharply of the fight with his former friend Grindelwald. Dumbledore had learned a long time ago that blood was not a determining factor when it came to a person's magical ability, he could think of a dozen students off the top of his head with mixed blood with more power than most pure bloods. Lily Evans was probably one of the best examples of that, and he was surprised that Severus could miss something right under his nose. Thankfully it was becoming clear that Mr. Potter hadn't. Someone was putting these thoughts into Severus' head, and if he could fool someone as smart as Severus, whoever this person is, could grow to become a great threat. Dumbledore knew he would need to contact some old friends to investigate further.
While Lily laid in bed the night after the incident with Snape her thoughts were a whirl of feelings. To a certain degree, she felt stupid that she had underestimated Snape's abilities, but realized that he must have planned in advance somehow, waiting to find her somewhere alone, without James. He also must have used his knowledge of her to gain the advantage. Lily knew she was tough, she could, for the most part, take care of herself, and she was smart enough to know that everyone, no matter their level of skill, is at a disadvantage when they are attacked from behind. Intermixed with these thoughts were thoughts of gratitude but also questions. Why did James and Professor McGonagall show up when they did, from what she remembered, it seemed like they would be working in Professor McGonagall's classroom. Did they know she was in trouble? And if they did, how did they know? With her thoughts all a mess she fell asleep, confused but somehow feeling safe, she could figure out the rest later.
In the other dorm James was wondering what had happened the night before. He hadn't had much time to think about it while he was with Lily in the Hospital Wing, he had been too worried about her, but now he knew she was safe and his thoughts turned back to that night. He had been helping Professor McGonagall with her lesson plan on human transformation when he had what could be described as a panic attack. He remembered that he had been writing something on the chalk board and started to shake and he broke into a cold sweat, he needed to sit down. When he did, he just knew that Lily was in trouble. He didn't know how he knew, he just knew. Professor McGonagall noticed James' state and asked if he needed to go to the Hospital, but he had instead insisted that they go to the second floor, he knew that's where Lily was, and he knew she needed his help. For whatever reason, Professor McGonagall didn't think he was crazy and followed him. When they found Lily and Snape, he heard her intake of breath, and he blasted Snape away, she never said a word, but he had seen a strange look in her eye when he told her he was taking Lily to the Hospital Wing and he wanted to know what she was thinking.
What neither of the two students knew, was the conversation Professor McGonagall had with Professor Dumbledore after the incident. After James had left with Lily in his arms and Snape floating behind him, she went to Dumbledore's office to tell him of the incident, as well as to get some answers. Just like with everything else that happens inside Hogwarts, Dumbledore already knew something had happened.
"Good evening Minerva, what's happened?"
"Mr. Snape attacked Lily Evans tonight Albus. From the way it looked, he had ambushed her, they must have argued and by the time Mr. Potter and I got there Severus was brutally attacking her."
"Mr. Potter was there?"
"He's the whole reason we found them in the first place."
"What do you mean?" Dumbledore asked, very curious.
"He was helping me plan how to introduce the subject of human transformation to the sixth years, when he had some sort of attack, almost like a panic attack. I suggested we take him to the Hospital Wing, but he muttered frantically that Lily was in trouble and that we had to get to the second floor to help her now. I followed him to make sure he got there okay when we found Snape attacking her."
"He knew she was in trouble."
"Not only did he know she was in trouble, but he also knew exactly where she was. What do you think it means?"
"It could mean a lot of different things, but I should think at least one possibility has crossed your mind." Dumbledore continued before McGonagall could respond. "They've grown much closer, and are more than likely on the cusp a relationship worthy of a fairy tale."
"You always were a romantic Albus." McGonagall said with a smile. "You think they're soul mates." Professor McGonagalls stated, more than asked.
"I do indeed. They are not yet together physically, but their hearts already recognize what their minds refuse to accept. So when Lily needed James' help, her heart cried out to his, and his answered. You've heard the stories, I'm sure. The same thing started happening with James' parents just after they got together."
"What do we tell them if they ask? You know they're going to ask."
"We'll tell them that it could be a lot of different things, it's nothing to worry about, and that they should just be glad that it did happen." Dumbledore explained.
"You really think that's going to work?"
"The fact is, I don't think we'll have to wait much longer for the two of them to figure things out. When they finally, finally do, we can go back and tell them of our theory, if they're still interested."
"Okay Albus, if you think that's best. I'll bid you good night, I'm sure you'll need to speak to the school governors and Severus."
"Indeed. Good night Minerva."
The next morning came too early for Lily and James. They were the first ones up again and found each other in the common room. When Lily noticed James she couldn't help but ask the question that had been nagging her.
"Good morning James. Can I ask you something?"
"Good morning Lily. Sure, you know you can ask me anything." James said with a sleepy smile that made Lily blush.
"Thanks, um… it's about the other night. How did you and Professor McGonagall know I was in trouble?" Lily asked and immediately noticed how uncomfortable James looked.
"It's hard to explain, and kind of embarrassing?" James admitted.
"Were you following me?"
"No, nothing like that." James said. He signed. "Alright, here goes. I was in McGonagall's classroom helping her plan a lesson and I had a panic attack. Then I somehow just knew you were in trouble and I knew where you were. I don't know how or why, it was like you were yelling right in my ear to help you. McGonagall noticed and I said something to her, I don't even remember what and then went to where I knew you would be." Lily look surprised and even a little bit flattered, but more than anything she was confused.
"I've never heard of anything like that." Lily said.
"Neither have I. What's weird though, is that I have memories from when my parents were alive, and I could swear that sometimes they just knew what the other was thinking. It used to freak me out."
"Do you think we should ask Dumbledore?
"We could if you wanted to, personally, I really don't care how or why it happened, I'm just glad that it did and that you're alright." James said.
"I'll just do some research, I'm sure I'll be able to find something about it."
"Okay." James agreed. When he remembered that his parents could seemingly read each others thoughts he had an idea what was going on, and as happy as it made him, he was also scared. He and Lily were close, and he was almost positive that she had feelings for him and he knew he had feelings for her, so maybe that had something to do with it. He just wasn't sure he was ready to broach that subject with Lily just yet, when he couldn't even gather the courage to ask her to the Christmas Dance that had just been announced. He'd have to fix that soon.
Lily wasn't oblivious to the connection either. Clearly, if James' parents had a similar connection, the fact that they were in love and married had something to do with it. She definitely needed to do some research. But the thought alone gave her hope. If she wasn't reading to much into things, there very well might be a chance for her and James. Hopefully he would get the guts to make a move soon, otherwise she might have to step up and do it for him. And even though she was pretty sure he felt the same way she did, she wasn't keen on the idea of taking the leap. She wondered how men got the strength and courage to do it.
That day passed quickly, and thankfully without incident. With the start of December approaching and the Christmas Dance not long after, the two friends really needed to get things together before anything else got in the way.
