Alright, here is the next chapter. The next chapter should have a kiss between James and Lily so there is something to look forward to. Enjoy.
"Well, it looks like Lily will have a new partner after all." Sirius sat down defeated in the hallway outside of the study as the Potter's house.
"They suspended you?" James asked in disbelief staring at Sirius. It was two days after the fight at Lily's house. Dumbledore and Moody had arrived earlier that morning to talk to James and Sirius about what happened. It was then that Moody and Dumbledore had told asked to talk to Sirius alone. James had paced in front of the study as Moody and Sirius talked. Apparently, one of the death eaters had died in the attack. After talking to both of the boys about what happened, Moody guessed that it was Sirius who had killed him. He hadn't done it on purpose of course. The Death Eater had been sneaking up on James when Sirius caught him and sent him flying through the air. The Death Eater had hit the wall and didn't move after that but in the middle of the fight neither James nor Sirius had noticed. Since it was an accidental killing Sirius wasn't in much trouble. He was just suspended until the matter was further looked into or at least that was what Moody had told him.
"Dumbledore told me that Lily has been temporary assigned as your partner. I guess he thought it would make me feel better knowing you would still have a great partner." Sirius explained but James still didn't like what he was saying.
"No, she can't be my partner." James protested. "Her parents just died! She just spent the day crying in my room. I can't go into the battle with her right beside me. She would only be a distraction. Bloody hell, there is no way that Evans will ever be my partner."
"Why? Because I am not good enough?" Lily called out from down the hallway. Sirius could tell she had only heard the last part of the conversation. She stood glaring at both of them with her arms crossed and her legs shoulder's width apart. James and Sirius had both seen this stance enough to know that Lily was pissed. "I can protect myself you know. You don't have to baby sit me." James didn't even try to correct her. Maybe if she was angry at him she would badger Moody into letting her change partners. Sirius knew better though. No matter how much either of them begged and plead James and Lily were now stuck with each other.
"Lily, may I speak with you privately?" Sirius asked glaring at James. Lily tossed her head indignantly but still walked in the study. Sirius followed her in and shut the door behind him.
"Why do you always have to jump to conclusions about my dear friend James?" Sirius lectured. "He was only protesting because he is used to his best friend being the one to watch his back. Now you have to promise me that you will do your best to look after him in a fight. He worries about you because he cares about you. So no matter how good you are, which you are pretty brilliant, you are a distraction." Lily huffed and lost the fight to smile.
"I promise I will do my best but I know I am not you." Lily agreed tentatively. "So you better help me out…"
"Oh no Evans. If you are going to be his partner you have to be confident. This is why his new partner needs to be you. You are one of the few people who can totally stand up to James. Just be you and you'll be fine." Sirius reassured her.
"Thank you." Lily smiled friendly at him. "Now you have a friend that probably needs to talk to you." Lily motioned for him to leave to go find James. Sirius stepped outside to find James missing. He had run off to try and talk some sense into Moody and Dumbledore but there was nothing he could do. There was no argument they didn't counter. James finally let them go and headed off for a fly on his broom to clear his head. Lily stayed in the study after Sirius left her and looked through the shelves of books that lined the walls.
"Lily," Mr. Potter came in, "I would like to extend the invitation for you to stay with us here if you would like that. I do not want you to feel that you have to stay so if there is everywhere else you would like to stay the rest of the holiday just let me know."
"Thank you Mr. Potter. You are too kind." He shook his head quickly.
"I remember what it is like to loss your parents. No matter how they pass away it is never easy if you don't hate them." He added thinking ruefully of Sirius and his parents. Lily nodded her agreement. "Let me know when you make a decision." He left her alone to think over his offer.
In the end, Lily decided to stay with the Potters. She did go to visit her sister but Petunia had been against anything magical before. Now she hated it and therefore wanted nothing to do with Lily. In addition to all of what had already happened James was now avoiding her. He was polite when she did see him but that was hardly ever. Lily couldn't wait to get back to school. Maybe then she could throw herself into something that could distract her from her parents' death and the fact that James now wanted nothing to do with her. Sirius on the other hand was being extra nice. He brought her hot coco at night and talked to her while they looked up at the night sky. He also helped her with keeping her reflexes sharp for the Order. She needed something to push back the numbness. Not even talking to Alice who came to visit as soon as she knew where Lily was helped all that much.
