~ Author's Note ~

Welcome to 'Your Emerald Eyes'

Chapter Eleven - Recovery

I hope you enjoy!

(Disclaimer - Rowling owns it all, Merlin praise her.)

A/N - I believe I last updated this in February. I've been slacking with writing recently. Adulting is hard. Please enjoy and let me know if you're still out there reading this.

'I told you, Alice, I'm fine,' Lily said frustratingly. She held her hands above her head and wagged her feet in front of her. 'Look, I can do this. Could someone who wasn't fine be able to do this?'

Alice stared at her, arms crossed. They were in a small carriage headed towards Hogsmeade. 'I'm just worried,' she said. 'I wasn't there last weekend. One minute you were heading out, the next I was called to the hospital wing to be told you'd been cursed. Cursed, Lily. Then, I find out you fought Death Eaters!'

'Quiet!' Lily hushed, peering out of the window and squinting through the sunshine. They were alone, the next carriage following a fair distance behind. 'No one can know, Alice. No one. Besides, I wasn't the one who fought. I just got scratched.'

Alice stared at her. Lily could tell her lie wasn't sticking. 'Lily, I know what happened. I know that you spent half a week with Madame Pomfrey because your insides were boiling. I just don't want you to get hurt.'

Lily smiled, her chest pounding with warmth. 'I love you, Al,' she said, hugging her. 'I'll be fine.'

Alice wrapped her arms around her friend, squeezing her tightly. 'I know.' She took a deep breath, looking out of the window. 'When did Marlene and Mary say they would meet us?'

Lily shrugged. 'You know what Mary is like on a Saturday. We wouldn't have been able to get a word out of her even if we tried.'

'When do you think you'll go back to the head dorms?'

Lily thought for a moment. She'd delayed her return to the head dorms and had shared Alice's bed for the past week. Each time she closed her eyes vivid images would flash through her head, memories of the fight storming through her skull. She remembered the coldness, the green flashes, Sirius' arm, James holding her body. James. James taking on two Death Eaters. James clutching her waist as though she would dissolve if he let go.

'When I speak to James, I guess.' she concluded.

Alice stared at her, innocent eyes exploring her face. 'Lily Evans,' she whispered sweetly.

'What?' Lily asked, laughing, cheeks burning red.

'You're so in love and you don't even know it.'

The carriage bounced across a hole, Lily and Alice jumping in their seats, giggling as their shoulders bashed together. Outside, a dog ran from bush to bush, watching intently as they descended into Hogsmeade.

James sipped his drink. He stared at the wall in front of him. Forty-eight tiles. Forty-nine. Fifty. Fifty-one. Fifty Lily. Fifty-three. Lily. Fifty-six. Lily. Fifty-six.

Remus prodded his side. 'Earth to Potter,' he said. 'Earth to Potter. What in Merlin's name are you doing?'

James rolled his eyes. He shook his head and let the numbers fall from his brain. 'Where's Sirius?'

Peter grinned. 'Were you thinking of Lily again?'

'No,' James said, cheeks rosy. 'I was counting the tiles on the wall.'

'How many are there?' Peter asked, continuing to grin.

'Lily,' James smiled. 'No, shit, fifty-eight. Shit.'

Remus and Peter laughed, simultaneously hitting his arm with affection. James yelped.

They were sat in The Three Broomsticks, listening to the mindless chatter of everyone around them, students and adults alike. James sniffed. 'Can't believe I cancelled Quidditch training for this.'

Remus put a hand on his heart. 'I can't believe you'd say that. It was far too early to start practising, anyway. Now, you're just starting at the usual time.'

James' face was still crunched. 'I wanted a head start.'

'I wanted a genie with a thousand wishes,' Peter said. 'We can't all get what we want.'

'A genie?' James asked.

Remus rolled his eyes. 'Don't worry, mate. Padfoot is here.'

Sirius stumbled over, shaking like a dog as he walked in. His hair flowed majestically, slightly damp with the morning air. 'Morning, darlings.' He pulled a chair next to James. 'You look chirpy, mate.'

'Quidditch,' James said simply. 'Where have you been.'

'Went for a run,' Sirius smiled. 'Enjoyed the fresh air. Brighten up, mate. I wouldn't have been able to play anyway. My arm is ruined.'

James glared at him. 'You just ran.'

'With my legs.'

'You didn't use this body, don't bullshit me.'

Remus held his hand above James' face. 'Calm, mate. Deep breaths.'

'What's on your tits this morning?' Sirius growled. 'It's not my fault Quidditch was cancelled.'

James' eyes refused to leave Remus'. He sighed. 'Dad's been asked to visit the Auror's office.'

Sirius sat back, swearing quietly. He looked down, then grabbed Peter's drink and gulped it down.

'What the -' Peter began to protest.

'I'm sure it's just routine,' Sirius said. 'Right? He's not an Auror. He has no obligation to help.'

'That was my drink!' Peter said to no one.

James rolled his head and looked at him. 'You think Dad would turn Moody down? They've known each other for years.'

'It's completely out of protocol,' Remus said. 'They have no right to ask that.'

'Of course they do,' James whispered. 'They're the Ministry of Magic. They can ask anyone.'

Sirius rested his chin on his hands, eyes flickering between each of them. 'You'll have to sit back, mate. I've got nothing. He'll do what you would do.'

James nodded. 'That's why I'm worried.'

They shared a nervous laugh. Remus, facing the windows, squinted. 'I think we've got company.'

All heads turned towards the window, Alice waving through the window. The boys waved back. Alice put her thumbs up. Remus did the same. James folded his arms. 'What was that?'

'Nothing,' Remus said. 'Peter, Sirius, can I borrow you two. Bathroom. Now.'

'Wait, what?' James asked. 'Sorry, what's going on?'

Sirius winked and ruffled James' messy hair. 'We'll be right back, mate. Dream of me.'

James watched, panicking. He looked around again. Red walked towards him. Little shits, he thought. 'Evans,' he smiled.

Lily pointed towards the boy's bathroom. 'Where are they going? I thought you guys kept all of that business in the bedroom or classroom.'

James chuckled, standing up and pulling a seat next to his. She thanked him. 'Honestly, this is one of the few times I can't answer you. They disappeared.'

Lily turned towards the window. 'You know what, Alice has vanished as well. What is this?'

James' face started to warm. He pushed his glasses up his nose. He laughed under his breath.

'What?' Lily asked.

'We've been set up,' he said quietly. Around them, a few older faces were watching. Students and classmates stared at them, wondering what had happened in hell to allow Lily Evans and James Potter to be sitting together and laughing.

Lily looked around. 'Oh Merlin,' she said. 'How embarrassing. I can't believe this! That devious snake, she told me we were going shopping!'

James laughed again, patting her hand gently. 'Oh well, Evans. We might as well get a drink.'

James waved his hand in the air. Lily slapped him. 'What's that? Why don't you go to the bar like a normal person?' There was a laugh behind her. Lily turned and jumped in her seat. 'Bloody hell!'

A tall, blonde lady smiled. 'Not to worry, my dear,' she winked. She was holding a tray. 'I was just on my way with these, actually.'

'Thank you, Rosmerta,' James said. 'Can you add it to the tab?'

Rosmerta shook her head. 'You'll be paying that one of these days.'

'One of,' James laughed.

Rosmerta walked away, Lily tutting. 'I forget, you're not a normal person, are you?'

James raised his eyebrows suggestively. 'Of course not.'

She sipped her butterbeer, the liquid warming her chest. 'That's so nice. I haven't felt that warm since -'

James put his hand on hers. She couldn't bring herself to say it. 'Listen,' he said. 'It's been a wild few weeks. Hell, ever since we started this year it's been a whirlwind. I want you to know something, though.'

'What's that?' Lily asked quietly. The memories were starting again.

'Hey,' he chuckled, 'look at me. We're all here for you. I'll always be here for you. We've had our disagreements this year. We've had our agreements. Hopefully, we've had more of the latter. However, as long as we continue to have them, we'll both know we've still got each other.'

Lily smiled quietly, though her heart was still fluttering. What was she doing? She never ever showed weakness. Not to James, not to anyone. She couldn't. She was Lily Evans. She was the Head Girl. She was top of the year. Yet inside, she was falling apart. 'How do you do it?'

He sipped his drink. 'Do what?'

She looked around her and pointed with her eyes. 'Look at all of these people. We're surrounded by people who know nothing about last weekend. We fought and we nearly died. You act like nothing happened. You act like we weren't curled into a ball on the ground in each other's arms waiting for McGonagall to say it was okay. I've barely slept in the past week. I've barely eaten, I've barely -'

'Lily, slow down!' James said quietly, her voice cracking and breath weak. 'Breathe, Flower. I feel the same.'

She looked up. 'You do?'

He nodded, his eyes solemn and harsh. 'I thought you knew that. I've barely left Sirius' side. I haven't slept in my own room since that night.'

Lily's lips regained their stability. She slowly allowed another sip of her drink.

'I suppose that's how I do it.'

'What do you mean?'

He smiled. 'Look outside that window.'

She turned around and immediately saw three heads duck down from beneath the window outside. She laughed, pulling a tissue from her pocket and wiping her nose.

'I don't know what they expect to happen,' James said to himself. 'Anyway, that's how I do it. They're always there for me. Always. But neither of us can carry on like this. We need to move forward. We all need to be better prepared.'

'You were just fine,' Lily said.

'Peter wasn't,' he said. 'Marlene wasn't. I can only protect them so much. I can only protect you so much.'

She lifted her head up. 'I can protect myself, thank you very much. I'm a better duelist than you and you know it.'

He snorted. 'There's the Lily Evans I know. You know what I mean, though. I hate to say it but that night probably won't be our last we experience like that. We all need to grow together. We need to help each other. Alice wasn't there, Mary wasn't there. Talk to Marlene. Talk to someone who was. Talk to me.'

He drained his drink and stood up. 'I'll be sleeping in the Head Dormitories tonight. I need to catch up on homework anyway. And prefect duties. And Quidditch strategies. And writing letters. Either way, it'll be a step forwards. You in?'

She nodded. She felt cosy. She felt comfortable. She watched the flickering gold in his eyes. She watched him as he watched her. She could feel her insides relax. She nodded again. 'I'll be there.'

He bent over and kissed her forehead. 'See you there, Flower.' He winked and walked towards the door, Sirius jumping excitedly behind the window. She watched James open it and push him over, Peter laughing and Remus shaking his head. James looked back once more and smiled. She couldn't believe how mature he looked.

'Holy Merlin,' a voice said behind her.

'Alice!' Lily jumped, rocketing off of her chair. 'What the hell was that! You set me up!'

Alice grinned manically, 'Damn straight! How was it? What happened? Are you lovers now? Are you married? Can it happen that quickly? Oh Merlin, you're pregnant!'

Lily shushed her, laughing alongside her. 'Calm down, Alice. People are watching.' They sat down together. 'It wasn't like that. We just talked.'

Alice sat back in her chair. She rubbed her fingers together and smiled deviously. 'I have orchestrated the beginning of your love.'

'Alice,' Lily laughed.

'I am a mastermind of planning,' she continued, unable to control her own giggling. 'Enough!' she announced. 'Tell me what happened!'

Lily shook her head, hugging her best friend with all of her might. 'Merlin do I love you.'

Alice stopped laughing and returned her hug. 'Come on, Lils, tell me everything.'

'You're having a laugh if you think I'm wearing that.'

'Lily, you've got to wear something,' Marlene said stubbornly. She pointed at Alice and Mary, 'And you know for sure that I have a better fashion sense than these two.'

Alice's mouth dropped, Mary stomping her foot passionately. 'Excuse me?'

'Mary, you're wearing double denim,' Marlene pointed out. 'And Alice, that shirt? It's like your Grandma died and you're wearing it purely for her memory.'

Lily jumped between Marlene and the others before one of them pounced. They were in a clothes shop, tucked away in the side streets of Hogsmeade. The building was empty, bar the resident cat, carefully watching from the doorway.

'Marlene, stop talking before someone kills you,' Lily ordered. 'What is that smell?'

'I think it's the cat,' Mary said, looking at the fluffy creature.

Alice started sifting through the rack in front of her. 'Whoever thought of wizarding clothes clearly doesn't understand fashion.'

'Hence Marlene,' Mary whispered.

'Sorry?' Marlene half shouted. 'I didn't hear that over your double denim.'

'This is fashionable, Marlene!' Mary retorted. 'I know muggle fashion. Lily knows muggle fashion. Hell, even Alice knows that the stuff in here is a few centuries out of touch!'

Marlene glared at the three of them. She looked around, sniffed, and sighed. 'Fine.'

'Hold on,' Alice said quietly.

Marlene's face brightened considerably. 'I knew it! I knew we'd find something.'

Alice coughed awkwardly.'No, wait, don't worry. It's got tiers.'

Mary and Marlene had met the girls only a few moments after Lily had finished telling Alice about her and James' conversation. Of course, they then sat for another twenty minutes while she re-told the story. Marlene had promptly decided they needed to get her a nice dress for the evening.

The bell above the door rang as they walked out of the shop. 'I'm telling you, Marls,' Lily said, 'I've got plenty of clothes. It isn't even like that. It's more like a - a therapy session.'

The three girls in front of her turned their heads so quickly she jumped. 'Therapy?' Alice laughed. 'Therapy! You're deluded. You're both going to sit in the common room and profess your love to each other.'

'You seriously think it's like that?' Marlene asked, linking Lily's arm through hers. 'He kissed your forehead, Lils.'

Lily scowled. 'He kisses yours every damn day,' she swore. A thought dawned on her. 'Have you been speaking to him?'

They trudged into the busy street in front of them, slowly wandering towards Honeydukes. 'Me?' Marlene asked. 'Of course. I talk to him every day.'

'About me,' Lily asked.

'You come up every now and then.'

'Does he think this evening is about professing love?'

Alice propped up at her other side. 'No, Lily, he doesn't. Everything that happened in The Three Broomsticks was completely on the spot. He didn't know that we were all getting you both together again. And, considering we have no idea what the boys were talking about before you walked in, we can only assume he literally wants to just talk tonight. Right, Marlene?'

Marlene rolled her eyes. 'Sure. If it makes you feel better. Just make sure you shave your legs. Shall we head back?'

They all laughed. Lily looked down at the floor, watching her feet move one after the other as Marlene and Mary started a new conversation. Her skirt bounced against her legs, her jumper wrapping around her skin. She looked at her watch. Six hours.

'You alright, Lils?' Alice nudged her.

'Yeah, just thinking.'

The sun beamed down on Alice's already bright face. 'Thinking about what?'

Lily begrudgingly smiled, rolling her eyes. 'I'm going to slap you one day.'

Alice winked, then nodded in the direction of the carriages. 'Sirius looks a bit wound up.'

They all looked forwards, Sirius pacing up and down with a book in his hands. He flipped a page, swore, and tossed it into the air. With a thud, it landed on a roof. People were watching him as he attempted to compose himself. None of the other marauders were in sight.

Marlene started pulling Lily towards him. 'Oi!' she shouted. 'What's wrong with you, Black?'

Sirius stood up straight and ran his fingers through his hair, eyes glinting. Lily couldn't tell why they were glinting. 'Girls,' he smiled. 'Looking as wonderful as ever.'

'Did the bad book upset you?' Marlene teased. 'Did it say mean words?'

'Was it holding a mirror?' Alice giggled.

'No,' Lily refuted, 'he'd have kissed it if it were a mirror.'

Sirius' lips twitched, a moment caught only by Lily. 'You're all quick thinkers today. Mary, care to chime in?'

Mary shook her head. 'All the good ones have been taken. I'm left with rubbish.'

Sirius nodded. 'Fair enough. I saved this carriage for James and the others but they're taking too long. Care to join me?'

He opened the door, waving his hand dramatically. Then he walked to the front and held his hand up, stroking the air. The girls almost walked in but stopped. They looked at each other with eyebrows raised.

'Sirius?' Marlene asked. 'What are you doing?'

Sirius looked at them. 'Stroking the thestral. What did you think I was doing?'

Lily opened her mouth. 'You've seen death?'

Marlene snapped her fingers. 'Death monsters, I remember!'

'Thestral, Marls,' Alice reminded her. 'Death monster is what you call spiders.'

Lily chose to ignore that one. 'Who?'

Sirius shrugged. 'Does it matter?'

'Are they pretty?' Mary asked him. 'Can you guide my hand to it?'

Sirius lifted her hand gently, guiding it towards the air. 'Here. No! Not that bit, that's the eye! Yes, right there.'

Mary squealed. 'Merlin! It's so cold.'

Sirius nodded. 'It's beautiful.'

Lily watched them, Sirius gently guiding Mary's hands. 'Can you see it?' she asked Alice.

'I didn't think anyone could,' Alice whispered back. 'No one in our group, anyway.'

Lily shifted. 'Shall we go inside?'

Sirius followed them into the carriage, shutting the door to start the journey home. It was cosy. Lily could feel her shoulder warming up, squeezed in between Mary and Marlene.

'That was pretty amazing,' Mary said. 'I can't believe you can see them, Black. How long have you been able to?'

Sirius shrugged. 'A few years. Tell me, has she -' he pointed at Lily '- been as intolerable as James these past few hours?'

They all laughed, Lily trying to give him her best evil-eyes. 'I'll beat you to a pulp, Black.'

Sirius barked, holding his hands up. 'You hold a lot of aggression for such a small person. I'll stay out of it. Where's my book?'

'On a roof?' Marlene pointed out. 'Why did you throw that thing?'

Sirius shrugged, pulling out his wand and flicking it. 'It was a stupid book.'

'So you want to read more of it?' Alice asked. 'Makes sense.'

Sirius winked. The book flew through the window and landed on his lap. It was bound with red leather and covered with cursive.

'Charlotte's Web?' Lily questioned. 'Are you serious?'

'Don't answer that,' Marlene said automatically.

Sirius chuckled. 'You know me too well. Yes, Flower, Charlotte's Web.'

'Why would you throw Charlotte's Web?'

'Because it upset me.'

Lily opened her mouth to reply. Then she shut it. 'I can't argue with that.'

The others watched them with confusion. 'Never heard of it,' Marlene admitted.

'Here,' Sirius said. 'I'm done with it.'

Marlene took it and started reading the first page, eyes scanning quickly across the page.

'So, back to my earlier comment, how are you feeling?' he asked Lily. 'Not just about tonight. In general.'

She knew what he meant. 'Getting there.'

Sirius nodded. 'Good. James has got some plans. He wants to help everyone.'

'I've heard,' she said quietly. 'There's only so much one guy can do.'

Sirius snapped his fingers and grinned. 'But, Flower, that one guy is James Potter. Head boy of Hogwarts. Albus Dumbledore's prodigy. The golden boy. Heir to the Potter fortune. Wizarding hero!'

The girls laughed. Lily tutted. 'I think you're exaggerating on a few points there.'

'He's taken a few of those titles from you, has he not?' Marlene asked from behind her book.

Sirius snorted. 'He wishes. I left out what needed to be left out.'

'Like what?' Lily asked.

'Quidditch champion. Most gorgeous man in Hogwarts. Master of pranking. Leader of chaos. Biggest p-'

'Enough!' Mary shrieked, Alice snorting and Marlene giggling.

'Quidditch champion?' Marlene continued to laugh. 'Sirius, that's a stretch. He'd be playing professionally if he wasn't here.'

Sirius kicked her shins. 'Shut it.'

They all laughed again. Outside, in the distance, Lily could see a stag pouncing through the forest. Her heart leapt within her chest. She watched the creature glide through the air, leaving the carriage behind it with ease. Her mind rested, leaning her head against Mary's shoulder.

The ride to Hogwarts was a peaceful one. Sirius chatted consistently, remarking on every speck of dust that floated in front of him. Lily had to laugh. He was as talkative as a child. Marlene entertained him, the two of them talking about Quidditch and, afterwards, the Potters.

'I don't even know how you could say that Marlene, he looks exactly like his Dad. He's a spitting image.'

'Sirius, I'm telling you, he's got a lot of his mother in him.'

Sirius snorted. 'Sure. He looks a bit like his house elf as well, now that you mention it.'

Marlene slapped him. 'Don't be sarcastic. It's the same with you, you look just as much like your mother as you do your father.'

Sirius' face dropped. Dark circles instantly appeared beneath his eyes. Lily straightened her back, eyes dashing between the two of them. She caught a glimpse of Mary, now very interested in the blurb of Charlotte's Web. Alice shrugged when Lily looked at her.

'Sorry, Siri,' Marlene whispered. 'I know you don't like that.'

Sirius looked out of the window. 'I don't like them, Marls. It's nothing to do with you.'

'You're not like them,' Marlene said. 'You know that.'

Sirius puffed. 'If I could go my entire life without hearing anything to do with my family, I'd die a happy man.'

Marlene sniffed. 'Can I ask you something?'

'Sure.'

'How is Reg?'

Sirius sighed. He shook his head. 'I don't know.' He looked outside the window again. 'Is that McGonagall?'

They all peered outside. McGonagall was walking towards Hogsmeade, shuffling along with ease.

'She looks as though she's gliding,' Lily noticed.

Sirius attempted to stand up. 'Well, it's been a pleasure, ladies, but I have a date.' He opened the door and jumped out. Lily shouted after him, but he landed with a thud and grinned back at them. 'See you later!'

The door shut and the girls were left alone. Lily moved over to his empty space. 'He's a lunatic.'

'He's Sirius Black,' Marlene smiled.

'What was that about his brother?' Alice asked. 'It was so tense! I felt like I could've cut through the air. Did you see his eyes?'

Mary dropped the book beside her. 'It was scary. If looks could kill, Marls.'

Marlene shook her head. 'I had to ask. I used to see them all the time. Sirius is obviously the black sheep of the family but I always cared for Reg. It doesn't look good, though.'

'Why?' Mary asked.

'I don't think he was throwing that book because it upset him,' she admitted.

'Keep going, Marls, you know I hate it when you do this,' Mary said.

'Did you see Reg in town today? He was with his delightful cousin. I think Sirius knows that he's a Death Eater.'

'What!' Lily shouted, Alice's mouth dropping wide open. 'A Death Eater? Are you sure? He's like, fifteen!'

Marlene shrugged. 'We know Bella has been for years. She was pouncing on every Slytherin student as soon as they came to Hogwarts to try and sway them to his side. Nobody hangs around with her unless they have that mark on their arm.'

'That explains his reaction earlier,' Lily noted. 'Did you see? When we were teasing him? He usually eats that stuff up. It actually made him annoyed.'

Marlene nodded. 'If Sirius is anything, it's an actor. He has got so many layers I don't even think he knows who he is anymore.'

Alice shook her head. 'I grew up with him too, Marls. I think he has some idea.'

'Yeah?'

'Yeah. He's one of us. He's a Potter. He's a Gryffindor. He's just shrouded in sarcasm, humour, and sex.'

'True,' Marlene nodded. She looked at Lily. 'He's been talking to you a fair bit recently. Do you have an opinion?'

Lily shook her head. 'The last time I had a serious conversation with him he was smoking a pipe.' They all laughed. She smiled with them. 'However, I have to admit, he's been so nice to me recently. More so than ever. He and James are completely different people this year.'

'I don't think so,' Marlene retorted. 'They're almost the same. The only thing that's stopped is the pranks.'

'That's all I knew them for, though,' Lily said. 'I refused to acknowledge them as decent people because of the pain and inconvenience they caused. Now, Sirius is kind and James -'

'- is your one true love,' Mary laughed.

They laughed again. The carriage slowly came to a stop. Lily felt a breeze dash through the window, goosebumps appearing on her skin.

'We're here,' Alice said. 'Are you ready, Lily?'

Lily frowned. 'For what?'

Mary grinned devilishly. 'A makeover?'

Lily's mouth opened. She looked at the three smirking girls in front of her. 'No.'

~ Author's Note ~

If you're still here, thanks. It means a bunch. I think of this story nearly every day and wish I could finish it in a week. However, for now, almost seven years after making this account, this will have to do. FanFiction was enormous all of those years ago and I hope I'm still bringing some people a smile.

Thank you to JilyFan33, and 'Guest' for your kind words.