"I can't believe that fucking idiot," Jacob raged as he dragged Lily behind him like a rag doll, his grip rather too hard about her wrist.

Emily, getting fed up with Jacob's complete disregard as to how he was pulling Lily about, finally intervened and grabbed Lily's other hand, stopping the group completely. She squeezed Lily's hand lightly in what she hope was a reassuring manner, staring concernedly at the side of her head for a moment. Before she turned angry eyes on Jacob and hissed, "Shut up, Lily may be hurt and in shock, but she certainly isn't deaf! She does not need to be talked about like a child who can't tie her own shoe laces… especially after what she just did, you insensitive fucking twat!"

Lily had taken down at least five Death Eaters in Hogsmeade toady, before even one of them managed to catch her with a spell. Emily didn't care who you were, that was impressive, and it deserved Jacobs respect and so for that matter did James Potter. Emily was livid that Jacob was bad mouthing someone who had most likely saved Lily's life. As far as Emily was concerned James Potter was the most brilliant person in the world right now and she for one would not allow Jacob to continue to belittle and insult him.

"I will not shut up," he angrily snapped at her. "I've read about that spell he used to heal her back and that charm is very complicated, if administered improperly it can have disastrous effect. He's lucky he didn't cause more damage just like he normally does. He's impulsive and rash and that makes him dangerous."

"Yes well if that's true then I say thank goodness he's dangerous, rash and impulsive," she said forcefully. "Because it did work, he didn't just read about it in a book like you did, but he put his knowledge to good use, and I don't even want to think about what might have happened if he hadn't. Anyway it's a bit rich you criticising him for helping, at least he did something instead of standing there like a frightened first year," she hissed heatedly back.

His face had been getting progressively redder with every word she had spoken before his patience finally snapped and he shouted "Piss off and go back to your house Emily; I'm her boyfriend, not you and definitely not hero Potter, she needs me right now and I think I can manage to get her to the hospital wing unaided, so just back off."

"Oh yeah she needs you," Emily said sarcastically "you've been so kind and considerate dragging her around like a puppy on a leash. Oh and her dire need for you was evident earlier when she just fell into you arms, you totally managed to comfort her, James had absolutely nothing to do with it at all! and while we're on the subject of your complete and utter ineptitude, let me just say that I know she needed medical attention but leaving her alone and bleeding like that was not exactly the bravest most sensible and caring thing I've ever see a boyfriend do. So how bout you take a good look at your actions before you start criticising everyone else, you dickhead!"

His face went red and he opened his mouth furiously, but Emily, after giving Lily a fleeting look, worried because she had remained so silent, sighed resignedly. "But fine I'll go. I'll come back as soon as I can," she added kindly to Lily, "I'm just going to go make sure Lucy is alright, ok?" At that Lily briefly looked up and nodded her assent.

Before leaving though Emily swung around again staring at Jacob with fire in her eyes "but don't for one moment think it's because I give a rats arse about what you want," she said pointing her finger forcefully into his face. "I'm leaving because Lily doesn't need to hear us bickering right now."

Emily had walked all of five steps when she heard Lily's hesitant and chocked voice "Coul-could," she started before swallowing forcefully and starting again "Could you check on James as well?" she whispered so quietly Emily could barely hear her.

"Of course," Emily consented straight away, knowing how difficult it was for Lily to admit that she cared about James welfare, especially after hearing her boyfriends unflattering opinions, but it was only sensible really, she wanted to hug and thank the boy herself so was not surprised that Lily also felt the need. Jacob, however, did not seem to understand judging by the way his face had lost all its previous colour at Lily's request

"But Lily…" he trailed off confused, "you can't stand Potter."

"Don't be stupid, just because they bicker a lot doesn't mean she wants to see him hurt." Emily cut in witheringly before Lily had a chance to even open her mouth. Turning her back on him rudely and completely dismissing his presence she said cheekily to Lily, "I'll check him over my self," earning her a light smack on the arm and a small smile before she walked off to find her quarry.

--

"Well Miss Evans you appear to have been very lucky. Who ever healed that gash on your back took a great risk, but fortunately for you, they did a mighty fine job, I couldn't have done better myself. That was a nasty wound and you could have lost a lot of blood between here and Hogsmeade. I shudder to think what… but never mind."

"I want you to lie there for a while though," she continued as she gently pushed Lily down on one of the beds. "I'm going to get you a potion to help lessen the pain from those bruises, I'm afraid you're going to feel rather stiff over the next few days, but you should feel back to normal in no time," She smiled warmly before bustling off.

"Bloody Potter," Jacob grumbled

"Jacob," Lily mumbled warningly "don't."

"No Lily! I know he helped, but really it was just plain luck that he didn't bollocks it up like he does everything else. How is it that Potter even has a remote knowledge of healing charms anyway?! They aren't covered on the syllabus, and I've never seen him do any work let alone extra work! Can you imagine what would have happened if the imbecile had got that charm wrong?" as he said that he grabbed her hand and held it tightly, giving her what he thought was a worried look, but to her it just looked a little pathetic.

"He's not stupid, he's the best in our class, he out ranks you if I recall correctly," she answered quietly feeling a need to defend James, before continuing. "He knew the risks and I can say with a fair amount of certainty that if he had any reservation about his ability to do it he would never have used it on me."

Jacob ignored her and went on, "And who did he think he was, hugging you like that, he's so inconsiderate, you didn't even want me touching you, what made him think he could force himself on you like that, he didn't even think about how delicate you were."

"Delicate? I am not delicate," she said offended

"Of course not, but you know what I mean," he waved her off pompously

"No, I'm afraid I don't, why don't you explain it to me," Lily said in a dangerous tone that seem to totally escape Jacob's notice.

"You were weak," he said in a patronising tone. "You had just attempted to best a Death Eater who ended up injuring you, and that buffoon added to your injuries by knocking you clean over, speaking of which what was he thinking, he's twice your size-"

"Firstly yes I was injured, but I still managed to hold my ground even after I was hit, and I didn't just attempt to best a Death Eater, I did best one, and finally if that buffoon hadn't have knocked me down I would be dead. And I think you have a nerve to call me delicate when I wasn't the one cowering with the third years behind that rubbish bin!"

Jacob finally seemed to have cottoned on to Lily's rising temper, "Now see here Lily, I'm only trying to look out for you, we have to stop a repeat of this happening, you're a lady not an Auror."

"What if I want to be an Auror?" she asked fiercely, "and even if I didn't, you think I should have just run back to the castle like a coward?

When he didn't answer her eyes widened before she laughed incredulously, "Oh shit you did think that, didn't you? You were about to do it you self, you would have left those children defenceless to save your own arse."

"No, of course not," he said defensively. "But I'm not stupid, I know when the odds are against me and given that the choice self preservation is the natural instinct. It's only idiot Gryffindors who tend not to think about the consequences."

"I'm a Gryffindor, and if that means that you don't run away when people need you, if that means that you are selfless and courageous, like James was today, then I'm damn proud to be one – I could never have lived with myself if I had left all those other people to fend for themselves knowing I could have helped."

"Oh yes he was marvellous! He was so brave," Jacob muttered bitterly, "but let's not be naive here Lily, sometime we must make these decisions…. and anyone who sees James Potter as a role model, should be committed to the St. Mungo's mental ward," he laughed coldly

"Fuck off Jacob," she snapped. "He saved me… I would have died were it not for him, did you see the spell that Death Eater sent after me…" she trailed off getting choked up, Jacob reached out for her hand, but she pulled it away quickly before continuing in a fierce voice, "if James hadn't have pushed me out of the way I would be dead right now… so stop! He saved me and I think that means something and if you can't see that then I think you should leave."

"Now Lily you're being irrational, its been a rough day, so let's not fight about this and say things we don't mean, it's petty."

"Petty? PETTY!"

"Now Lily," he said forcefully, "you're becoming hysterical."

She stared at him blankly for a second: "Get out Jacob, and… and don't come back."

-----

A/N

I hope you liked the chapter especially seeing as I should be revising not writing FF

Thanks to the Beta and thank you to all those who reviewed

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