Chapter 10: January

(James' POV)

Peter wasn't at the platform or on the train with the rest of us. He sent me an owl the night before telling me that he was getting dropped off just after we were suppose to get to Hogsmeade. Perri and Mellissa were also apparating there since their parents were worried since a lot more people had been murdered during the holidays. I didn't know anyone but it was far too many people. Lily and I had the whole Heads Compartment to ourselves. She was snuggled up to me reading a book while I was looking through a Quiditch magazine (one that I'd read before.) I wanted to do something but I felt comfortable sitting right next to Lily as she leaned into me. Max and Sirius had come to an agreement that they found dating too uncomfortable and decided to just be friends since they could have more fun. It seemed that apart from Alice and Frank we were the only Gryffindor's dating.

(Lily's POV)

I was waiting for him to suggest something to do. I wasn't actually reading my book, I just had it opened to bore him but he was too interested in his magazine. Come on James say something I'm getting bored here.

We had talked, played snap and the trolley lady had been past already but when I snuggled up to him. Everyone thought that I was a bookworm, I was only seen with a book in front of me because I had nothing better to do than get annoyed by James Potter. It wasn't until I started to like James that I found love romantic instead of gooey. I finally see why couples were snogging in the hall. I wanted James to kiss me now; I didn't want to be the one to make the moves. It was sweet though because I knew James was dying to kiss me, he was waiting and I guess he was more than I ever wanted in a boyfriend. I placed my book down and sighed, I saw James watching me so he wasn't so into his magazine than I thought.

"Good book?" He asked.

"Mmm, it was better with the company I had." I smiled.

"Really well than I can show you how good I can be for company." He replied cheekily.

I think I grinned because he found some signal on my face that said go for it. He leaned in and I could feel his lips a millimetre away from mine when the door opened.

I jumped back so far and took up my position lying into his chest reading whatever I found lying around. Of course the first thing I grabbed was James Quiditch magazine.

"So what's been happening in here?" Sirius asked and Max grinned behind him.

I could have killed him he could have waited until we got to the station until he could talk to us but no he had the best timing and had to ruin it when we were starting to go somewhere.

"I hope we weren't interrupting anything?" Sirius apologised without meaning it after noticing what I was reading.

"Not at all Padfoot not at all." James said through gritted teeth while stroking my hair.

"Where did you get those nicknames from, I can understand Remus' but how did Sirius become Padfoot and how did you become Prongs?" I asked James.

"It's a long complicated marauders story. Wait what do you mean you understand Remus' nickname?" James asked taking in what I said.

"Easy, during our 3rd year Max and I confronted him the day after the full moon and asked him if he was a werewolf." I replied.

"Well I think Remus would be better off explaining about our names since it is really his story to tell." Sirius explained and left the compartment.

Max stayed which kind of annoyed me since I wanted some alone time with James but she had too spoil it by asking if we had heard about the Order of the Phoenix. James had since his parents did minor jobs for the order but he knew a few people in it.

"I'm thinking about joining when we get out of school since I don't want my children growing up during the war. I know a few aurors who are going to hopefully put my name down. Do you two know Mad eye Moody or Gideon and Fabian Pewett who are twin brothers of Molly Weasley.?"

I rolled my eyes at Max, James was never going to stop bragging but it didn't really bother me anymore. You never find the perfect boyfriend without a flaw.

(Max's POV)

We had to spilt up since we all couldn't fit in the one carriage and could just fit squished between two carriages. Sirius, Kerry, Peter, Monique, Perri and I. Then Lily, James, Remus, Dylan and Ella were in the other carriage since Alice was riding with Frank. I knew that now that we were all older we were more interested in guys and I was hoping that nothing big would change between us girls. I thanked Peter for the Christmas gift he got me then tried to ask Remus how the guys got their nicknames but Sirius and James made sure to distract Lily and I whenever we went to ask.

Classes picked up again and McGonagall came around telling me that I could start my 6th year earlier if I wanted to finish school a year earlier. As much as I wanted to finish school with my friends, it wasn't going to happen since I would be a year behind and it would mean that from now till I graduate I would be constantly studying. I didn't want to miss out on too much gossip and didn't think I would be able to stay motivated while working on my own so I accepted the fact that I was going to graduate with Monique and Ella.

Sirius and I stopped dating within a week of dating since we felt to pressured and figured that we could joke around more just being friends. It also meant that we could date other people but I think Sirius tried to make me his a bit too much whenever a girl eyed him. WE decided that being friends we would kiss and hug but didn't want to go too much further until we decided where we were going.

Personally I was still in love with Nick and didn't want to lead Sirius into anything to find out I didn't want to go that far with him. I didn't want to go any further than kissing Sirius and I think he knew that because he didn't seem as happy as he used to be but I didn't know if that was the pressure of upcoming exams.

(James POV)

Exams are still 5 months away yet all the girls are studying like the exams are tomorrow. A few times Remus can be found with them. It annoys me since I don't get much time alone with Lily. Then the girls always have a sleepover every Friday and Saturday night. One in our dorm and one in the girls dorm. Occasionally the guys would join in but the girls said it was their thing and they didn't want us intruding all the time. I was surprised when Lily protested against the others but I hated being restricted to my room or the Gryffindor common room every Friday night.

Sirius came up with the best prank for the girls one week. We were going to charm buckets of water to the ceiling when it was raining or snowing and charm holes in the ceiling for the rain to fall through into the buckets. Then when the buckets got full they would tip and pore the rain all over the girls and their mattresses. The prank would have worked if Peter didn't get himself caught charming one of the buckets. Then of course the girls turned on us and Lily wouldn't talk to me for the rest of the night.

The only problem now is that Sirius charmed the buckets up with a permanent sticking charm and only he can remove the buckets. Of course he won't so whenever Lily and I sit down on the couch we get drenched since Sirius censored the bucket over the couch to tip whenever someone sat down. Lily got him back good though, hexing him one morning after we all decided to sleepover in our common room. Sirius wouldn't come out of our dormitory until the green and silver stripes wore away. Lily who didn't want him missing out on classes finally turned him back to normal except for the back of his hair which was left as Slytherin colours.

Pranks became a regular thing between all of us. Dylan and Max became the prank masters since no one could beat the prank that Dylan set up for the Slytherins before we went home for the Christmas holidays. Max managed to get all us guys hiding for the weekend. We were all so embarrassed that we stopped pranking the girls and started pranking other houses.

Lily and I only seemed to find quality time when we were doing our rounds. Even then she wasn't in the mood for a snog.

There was one night where the topic got interesting.

"Hey James all those people you know in the Order of the Phoenix that are going to put your name down to join. Do you think they could put my name down as well?" Lily asked me one night we were doing rounds near the astronomy tower.

"Well there has been a rumour going around that Dumbledore is their leader and will be asking the 7th years if they want to join soon." I replied, I didn't really want Lily to join the order but I knew how angry she would get if I told her that.

"So do you know what it's really about?" Lily asked.

"Well all I really know is that they fight against You Know Who and his Death Eaters." I replied, "but sometimes they do other stuff, I'm not sure what that is since you have to be a member to join."

"Well I want to join, I want to fight, I want a normally life where you don't have to be scared every time you go outside and I don't want our kid growing up in this either." Lily told me with determination in her eyes.

I don't know if she knew what she said or I was making up words but I could have sworn that she said our kid not my kid. I wanted to spend my life with Lily Evans, I wanted her to be the girl of my dreams, I wanted her to be my wife. I knew that she was the one. She was going to be the girl I married. I didn't have to chase her anymore; she was right in front of me.

I leaned in and kissed her.

As soon as we got back to our dormitory we sat next to each other on the couch. I was going to start studying but Lily had better ideas and I wasn't going to object. I didn't want to study anyway.

Remus approached me one afternoon when the girls were doing something together and Sirius was down at the kitchen.

"Why are Lily and Max trying to get me to tell them why you got your names?" he asked.

"Well I didn't want to tell them that you were a werewolf and I thought that it would be better if you told them." I replied weakly.

"No you don't want Lily to scream at you." Remus told me. "You have to tell her, and maybe you should do it after her birthday."

I froze, I didn't know when her birthday was. How horrible is that. "Her birthday," I stammered.

"Yep it's coming up so I'd get her something nice." Remus said then walked away.

I had to find Dylan he would know when her birthday is.

(Lily's POV)

Things between James and I were going fast but I was in love. I had finally found the man of my dreams and I wasn't going to give him up for anyone.

My birthday was coming up and no one was talking about it. I hated surprise birthdays because they never surprised me. Max was my only friend that had missed my birthday but the rest had always wished me happy birthday on the day and given me a present. I knew it was going to be special wether it was a surprise or not because I had the best boyfriend ever to share it with.

Classes were getting harder and we were required to learn more than one spell at a time then perform it nonverbally. James and the marauders didn't seem to have a problem since they were just naturally smart and didn't need to study. Everyone said that I didn't need to study but I wasn't like the guys and I didn't have a memory like theirs so I needed to pick up a book and take notes.

There was a Quiditch game before my birthday and I was disappointed that Gryffindor wouldn't b e playing. Instead Slytherin was playing against Hufflepuff. The mutiny between the two houses was horrible, Slytherin where hexing every Hufflepuff player and at one stage they were all in the hospital wing the week leading up to the match. The teachers gave everyone less homework and McGonagall found every reason to put Slytherins in detention making sure the upcoming game was fair.

Saturday arrived and I woke up sneezing. The weather was fine for the Quiditch match but the sun wasn't warm enough to melt the thick snow on the ground. I loved the snow but I hated the cold and hated getting colds. As much as I hated it I got up early and went to Madam Pompfrey for some Pepper up. I met the others at the great hall for breakfast and James looked shocked.

"What do you want for your birthday Lily?" He asked.

I was slightly disappointed that he left it up to the last minute but I guess that's what boys do wait till the last minute.

"I don't know nothing big." I replied, I may sound selfish but I did expect presents or at least a card on my birthday.

I went back up to my room and grab a few of my scarves and beanie since I wanted to hide the steam coming out of my ears. Hufflepuff were the better team having bet Ravenclaw and their players looked a lot stronger than the Slytherin players who had a brutal look on their faces.

Hufflepuff were proven to be the stronger team and all the Gryffindor players were glad that Slytherin were out for the chance to win the cup. Gryffindor were ahead on points but tied on wins with Hufflepuff.

I decided to have an early night since I didn't want to wake up with a cold tomorrow morning. I liked my birthday since I was always able to celebrate it well. It was only when I was about to fall asleep that I realised that I could never celebrate my birthday with my family ever again and haven't had the chance since my 12th birthday when Dumbledore allowed me to go home a celebrate it. I could hear the wind whispering and couldn't get to sleep, I heard James walk up the stairs and whisper Goodnight through my door. I heard a werewolf howl and realised that it was a full moon tonight.

I woke up to the sun shining through a crack in my curtains. I was always an early riser but today I wished I wasn't since I felt gluggy and I was sure I had bags under my eyes. Luckily James wasn't an early riser so I had plenty of time in the bathroom to clean up. The warm water woke me up a bit and I felt fresher. The dark rings around my eyes were still there and I had to apply heaps of foundation and made my mascara thick so it didn't look like I slept badly last night. It did make my eyes look dark but I was lucky since I had bright green eyes that they still stood out.

I heard whispering downstairs. I have never met someone who was quiet at whispering and I could tell who was downstairs, I could hear Mellissa's voice but only just since she seemed to be the quietest. James was downstairs I could hear his voice and there was no way anyone could mistake Sirius' bark laugh even if it was quiet. I had no idea why Mellissa was there and the only person I couldn't hear since they were supposed to be in the hospital wing was Remus.

I wasn't surprised but my acting classes when I was 8 paid off.

"Happy Birthday Lily." Everyone cheered once I got down the stairs.

"It's my birthday." I replied jokingly.

Since it was Sunday we had the whole day to do nothing. They all decided to give me my presents at different times of the day but no one gave me a present until we went to get Remus from the hospital wing.

Alice and Kerry combined their gift and were the first to give me my present. They got me an emerald green bracelet with matching earrings. Perri and Mellissa were the next to give me my present and they got me a necklace matching the bracelet and earrings. I was surprised that Mellissa was willing to go halves on my present with her sister but I knew I was going to find out her reason. Remus gave me a massive book that had spells for anything from household to defence. Sirius and Max told me that they were going to give me their gift last since it would get ruined outside. We had a snowball fight I was on a Team with James, Mellissa, Ella, Remus and Peter against, Max, Sirius, Dylan, Kerry, Alice, Perri and Monique. Then halfway through Hamish came outside after finishing his detention with Filch and joined my team.

We ended up winning since Hamish hid in the trench with a huge pile of charmed snowballs that Max and Dylan made to hide them from us. James and Sirius kept having one on one competition and when the rest of us went back inside to get warm James and Sirius were still going shooting snowball after snowball at each other. Dylan got me a new set of quills and Dr Martinez got me a new owl after my other one died during the night. Ella gave me a new green denim jacket while Monique gave me some Muggle and wizard money not knowing what to get me. Hamish wished me a happy birthday and told me that he helped get my present with Dr Martinez. I was waiting for James to give me my gift since I had gotten one from everyone else and I knew that Sirius and Max wanted to give me theirs last.

James disappeared after lunch and didn't come back till we were about to go down to the Great Hall to join the rest of the school for dinner. He just came back in time to join us going down but the others had a different idea. I could tell from the looks on their faces. Max and Sirius gave me their present a silky silver dress. I didn't know how well it was going to go with my hair and eyes since they were two completely different colours and completely different colours to the dress but the dress was beautiful and I recognised it as one I saw in Diagon Alley just before Christmas. I didn't like wearing dress robes and I preferred Muggle clothing so that was why I never got dress robes and always Muggle dresses. Not all witches wore dress robes and I was glad that I didn't stand out otherwise I would have worn dress robes to parties and balls.

James told them it was ready and told me that we wouldn't be going to the Great Hall for dinner but to Hogsmeade instead. Apparently he had already asked Dumbledore and McGonagall for permission so the Marauders didn't have to sneak in for once. I can remember when I caught the four boys sneaking behind the statue of the three eyed witch last year and I caught a glimpse of their handmade map. I was slightly disappointed that we wouldn't be going the Marauder way via secret passage ways and handmade map but I was impressed that James asked for permission.

The girls pulled me into their dorm and grabbed my new dress, jewellery and jacket so I could get dressed with them. Apparently we were all going to the three broomsticks then when the others went back to the school James and I would stay in Hogsmeade.

I was excited because once the others left it was going to be like a date between James and I, our 1st one two. I would have settled for eating alone in the kitchens but James had to go all the way. The girls couldn't keep me still and in the end I was bound to a chair so Perri could do my hair. I found out that Mellissa had been trying to make up with the girls since we got back to school and helped them with my presents by choosing what looked good. She did a good job because I would never have chosen silver but the dress went with my hair and eyes and the jacket and jewellery didn't ruin the look. I decided that I would give Mellissa another chance since she could have done worse and I realised that she hadn't said anything bad or done anything horrible to anyone since we got back from the Christmas holidays. I knew that when she wasn't trying to be bitchy or horrible she could really be nice. She once went a whole year when she was nicer than Perri.

Ella and Monique weren't going to join us since they had heaps of homework that they left to the last minute and Ella had prefect duties. Monique had another reason but both girls wouldn't spill what it was. I was the first one ready since everyone was trying to perfect my look and wasn't bothered about theirs. Mellissa jokingly said that since it was my day they all had to get dressed in jeans and a jacket. No one listened to her and she didn't listen to herself and pulled out a beautiful dress from her cupboard. Apparently I was the best looking but I thought that Mellissa and Perri were both equally beautiful since they were twins and were both wearing matching dress but different colour that their mum got them for Christmas.

The boys were waiting for us at the bottom of the Gryffindor staircase since they couldn't go up it. James looked so handsome and I had to hide a laugh at his hair that wouldn't stay down and was messier than ever. Dylan was waiting for Kerry, Sirius Max, Frank who managed to get an invite was waiting for Alice and James was waiting for me which left Remus and Peter and Perri and Mellissa dateless. Of course no one was really dating but everyone seemed to pair up with someone else. I think Mellissa had apologised to Alice and Peter because Peter was talking to her and Alice didn't ignore her.

We all walked out the gates accompanied by Hagrid who was going to the three broomsticks for his usual drink and to also make sure that we were all fine. I found myself at the back of the pack with Mellissa and Perri while James was leading the way with Sirius and Max. Even if Max and Sirius weren't dating they were still very close, Sirius had his arm around Max's waist and they were walking side by side. Dylan and Kerry weren't dating and weren't as close as Max and Sirius were but I could tell that there was something between them.

"So Mellissa are you going to stay friends with us this time?" I asked hoping I didn't sound too mean.

"Yes," She replied weakly, " I really want to stay friends with all of you and I hate what I did to Alice, Peter, Max, Sirius and the rest of you.

"I don't forgive you yet but I want to know why you changed your tone after the Christmas Holidays?" I asked.

"Well I was talking to my brother and I always wanted to be like him when I was younger but the last three years I wanted to be the opposite. When he told me about the different types of girls he slept with I felt sick and realised that was what I did to Peter. Then when I was in the gym with him while he was doing weights I saw the Dark Mark on his arm." Mellissa sobbed.

I gasped and looked at Perri for confermation.

Perri nodded and continued for Mellissa. "This was the day after the party and at first I didn't believe her even if she looked convincing as she ran to me crying until she got out dad's pevensive and showed me the memory. She was crying the whole time and the only thing we could think of doing was the leave straight away. We grabbed everything in our conjoining wardrobe, our school stuff, photos and jewellery, chucked it in our trunk and apparated to a Muggle hotel since we were scared he was going to look for us at the Hogshead or Leaky Cauldron. After we had a day or two to get over the shock we contacted the Ministry since we didn't want Death Eaters after us and told them that we weren't sure if he was a Death Eater. The Ministry checked but mum, dad and Greg had fled."

I gasped I didn't know that Greggory was like that, I knew he was full of himself and ten times worst than James but I would never have suspected that he would join the Death Eaters.

"As soon as we heard that they all fled we were so terrified that we wouldn't go outside our room. I sent a letter to Dumbledore and he came and got us immediately and brought us back to Hogwarts. The whole holidays I was scared that they would come and find us. In the end I realised that mum and dad were Death Eaters too otherwise they wouldn't have fled or they would have tried to find us." Perri finished.

"Lily I'm so sorry. I can understand if you don't want to hang around me anymore but I feel so alone now that I found out everyone in my family except Perri were on the opposite side to me but can you please give me another chance." Mellissa pleaded.

I was a sucker for sad stories and was hoping badly that it was true. How could I resist if it was true I couldn't leave her by herself all alone and scared.

"I forgive you and thanks for the present by the way." I said as we entered the Three Broomsticks and I took a seat on the opposite side of the table next to James. Madam Rosmertta came over to take our orders. She winked at Sirius who blushed and endured a glare from Max. Once our meals came and the bowl of chips and bread got passed around chatter started up and flowed easily. It wasn't much longer that we all finished and the others went back to the castle as James and I started our date.

"Thanks for that." I said refering to him paying for me.

"No probs the guy always pays on the first date anyway." He replied casually.

I blushed. "And thanks for setting this up and making it the best birthday present ever."

"Do you think that was it?" He asked startled.

"I don't need any more."

"Well I'll pretend I didn't hear that. Girls always need something and we aren't leaving until we have taken a romantic stroll down the lane, then the first shop we see we'll go into it. You'll chose something, I'll buy it for you. Then we start our romantic stroll again until we get to the next shop. You see something you like, I'll buy it for you and then we repeat it all over again until we've been in every shop you like." James told me like he was ticking items off a list.

"Okay."

We walked and the first shop we went past was a post office with multiple amounts of owls waiting to be used. We skipped that one since I didn't need an owl.

"It's pretty here at night." I said admiring the lights against the black sky.

"Yeah, you get used to it after a while." He stated and I playfully slapped him as we entered the shop full of quills. "Which one do you want?"

"The owl feathered pack." I said pointing to the most normal looking pack of quills in the shop.

"Really I would have thought that you would want something a bit better but if you want that then let's get it."

We left the shop and then entered Honeydukes. James wouldn't let me chose but got me the biggest variety basket there was and then we continued down the street.

It was getting dark and we started to head back. James was carrying everything and refused to let me carry anything. It slightly annoyed me but I found it sweet more than annoying. It even became funny when we entered Gladrags and he couldn't see past the basket of sweets and package from Zonkos which he bought for himself. James walked straight into the wall and dropped everything. I chose the smallest item and made a deal with him that I would have to carry his stuff while he carried my stuff since he wouldn't let me carry anything. He gave in and I was carrying the Zonkos package and a bag of Honeydukes sweets.

We were about to leave when we heard screams from the Shrieking shack.

"I thought Remus transformed last night." I shuddered.

"He did," James said looking worried.

I heard the scream louder and recognised it as a girls scream. "What do we do?"

We were right in front of the three broomsticks and I saw a look in his eyes that I had never seen before.

"Stay inside," he said and dropped everything before sprinting towards the shack. I didn't know what happened because he disappeared into the forest and a much as I wanted to go after him I didn't want to disobey him. I felt silly leaving everything outside so I picked it all up taking too trips.

The last thing I picked up was James' coat that he took off when we exited Gladrags. Something squishing was inside the pocket. Hoping it wasn't a squished frog from potions I stuck my hand in the pocket and pulled out his invisibility cloak. I knew he had one but had never seen it.

It was so thin and silky as I rubbed it between my fingertips. I had a plan and I wasn't going to back down. Hagrid left the bar and was coming to me. Meanwhile while I was contemplating whether I should go after James the screams were getting louder and sounded worse. I was sure that most of Hogsmeade could hear it.

Before Hagrid got to the door I ran. I ran straight to the shack and just before I got within view of anybody inside I pulled the cloak over me. I don't know how James got inside but the door was left wide open which helped me since I wouldn't make a noise opening it. I tried to keep my breathing steady and my footsteps as quiet as they would go but it was tricky. The screaming stopped and I could see a flash of blonde hair the middle of the group since the Death Eater in front of me was quite short. They were all looking at something and aiming their wands at the window. Outside was the most beautiful stag standing a few metres away like it was looking through the windows. I heard a series of pops outside and hoped they weren't more Death Eaters but Aurors. The stag ran away as soon as a figure walked through the doorway. I recognised him as soon as he stepped in as Dumbledore.

I accidently let out a breath of relief and I think everyone turned to see me but I think it was only Dumbledore who knew where I was. A whole bunch of Death Eaters apparated straight away giving me a better chance to see who was being tortured. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was Mellissa, she had passed out and I was hoping that her brother wasn't the one who tortured her. If he was I hoped he was still here so he could get caught. I heard more pops outside and three more people joined Dumbledore who had stunned a few Death Eaters and was duelling another. I recognised two of them as James and Mr Potter but had no idea who the other man was. I had pressed myself against the wall so I wouldn't get in the way of the duel since I was sure that invisibility cloaks weren't invincible. I could see the worried look on James face and I hoped it wasn't for me. Once Dumbledore stunned the last Death Eater since more had apparated while I was looking around the room Dumbledore picked up Mellissa while the Aurors levitated the Death Eaters.

I slipped out of the room along with everyone else and accidently brushed up against Dumbledore. I was secretly glad the cloak accidently touched him instead of James since I knew that James would be furious with me for stealing his cloak and coming here. I stayed at the back since it was snowing and I didn't want anyone to see my footprints infront. I couldn't take of the cloak and was too scared to leave the group so I could in case there was Death Eaters nearby.

The Three Broomsticks was empty and the Aurors used the floo to get back to the Ministry. Once everyone was gone besides James, Dumbledore and Mellissa who was unconscious I took the cloak off. James look relieved when he saw me but I could see some anger in his eyes.

"Mr Potter and Miss Evans would you please join Hagrid and get back to the school, also can you tell your friends that you are all fine." Dumbledore said handing Mellissa to Hagrid who could easily carry her up to the castle.

I wasn't looking forward to entering my dorm and I didn't want James to yell at me. I was also worried for Mellissa, if her brother was one of the Death Eaters that escaped then Mellissa wasn't going to be safe until he was caught, we all weren't safe until You Know Who was defeated.

That's the end of that chapter. I'm sorry if it's too long and if I didn't do a very good job of putting Mellissa back with the others.
Please Review and tell me if you think she will stay on the good side or crack and join the bad side. I wonder who the Death Eaters were that were the first to Apparate? I wonder if Mellissa made the story up and I wonder if James will yell at Lily?Will they get into a big argument?"

All will be revelled in the next chapter but I would like to know what you think so R&R.
SpringBabe