"Lily!" Alice yelled, banging on the door of the Heads dormitory. Lily sighed and walked over to it in her short pajama shorts and tank top. James was out with Sirius doing god knows what. Lily was reluctant to hear about it when he got back. So they had the dormitory to themselves, at least for a while.

Lily opened the door and Alice came running in with a magazine tucked under her arm. "Lily! The dance is next Saturday and you still haven't ordered your dress!"

Lily froze in horror, as she watched Alice prance over to the sofa and spread open the magazine and tear off an order form that was squeaking 'want the perfect dress? Design it and send it in, we'll make it for you!' over and over.

"Silencio." Lily snapped, pointing her wand at it irritably. "How did I forget that? We had the planning meeting last night!" she cried almost hysterically.

"Well, as long as we get it sent in tonight, we should have it by next Friday." She sighed and pulled out a foot long roll of parchment and a quill. "What did you have in mind?"

So for the next hour they talked out plans for the dress and shoes, and Lily found that she had the perfect jewelry to go with it.

*~*~*~*~*~*

James looked down at his ghostly pale wife. Her red hair fanned out behind her, her lips white, almost as white as her face. The room had too much white. White walls, bed, sheets, doors, and equipment. Now his wife was almost blending. The only improvement that the healers could find from the past five days was that her breathing was more regulated and normal.

James was fatigued with hunger and sleep-deprivation. But he couldn't find it in himself to leave her bedside. He knew that he would pay when she woke up. He couldn't bring himself to think if she woke up.

Sirius, Remus, Alice and Chasidy were now regular visitors. He couldn't help but notice that Sirius and Chasidy were getting friendly. Good for Sirius. He looked out the window that was spelled so that it always looked sunny outside. No doubt to cheer up the patients. James let go of Lily's death cold hand to stand up and stretch as someone walked in.

"Ah. James, so sorry that we had to meet here, under theses circumstances, but as I say, this was very important."

James looked at the letter he had received that morning laying on the bedside table.

"What was so important Professor?" James asked, looking over at Dumbledore. The letter had only said that he had some bad news, mainly good.
"Well, first off, may I ask how Miss.- Mrs. Potter is doing?" he asked, correcting his mistake.

James smiled at hearing her addressed like that, but it didn't even come close to reaching his eyes. "her breathing is more regulated, which they say cut her coma time to about three weeks instead of four."

"But naturally you would rather that she woke up now?" Dumbledore asked quietly, staring at Lily with a sad look in his eyes. "But you mustn't let all this get to you James. Live as you would, because it is what he wants. He wants to spread anger, discord. Only if no one has any faith or will to do what is right anymore, then he will have truly won."
James nodded silently. "Bad news first then? Well…James I'm sorry to report that Lily's friend Alyssa and her family were killed yesterday evening." James's head snapped up to his headmaster.

"And how exactly am I supposed to tell Lily? Sorry, but when you were in a coma, our house was being looked at by a couple death eaters and, oh yeah, Alyssa was killed?" he said a little harshly.

Dumbledore looked sympathetic. "I would wait until she is well enough to come out of
St. Mungos. But while you brought up the subject of Death Eaters, it is reported that it had indeed been Mulciber in front of your house. He is captured and currently in Azkaban for the assist in the murder of Alyssa's family, and while under interrogation, I thought to ask him about your house and he admitted it had been him, though he seemed pretty smug that he had broken through your enchantments."

"Any more good news?" James asked.

"Yes. It seems that Molly Weasley just gave birth. Twins I believe." He said with a twinkle in his eye. "New life does seem to make people happier I think."
James nodded, feeling good for Molly and Arthur, who he only knew through Fabian and Gildeon Prewett. He had only met Molly and Arthur once, but they were very nice people, and rumor has it- "Did Molly have a girl yet? I heard that she wants one pretty bad."

Albus shook his head. "I'm afraid she was doomed when she married Arthur. Hasn't been a female Weasley in almost two centuries."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Alice rolled up the final product, with a smile on her face. "This'll look awesome on you Lily." She sighed. "Come on, we need to bring this to the owlery."

It was only five in the evening, so there were a lot of people going to and from the grounds, weather for snowball fights, or to dry off after having a particularly nasty one. It wasn't until they rounded a corner when they heard shouting voices. That reached their ears first, but soon a sight that startled everyone met their eyes.

James had Sirius backed onto a wall, his fists clenching sections of Sirius's shirt, and Sirius looked horrified at something. Maybe the fact that his best friend had him against a wall, or maybe the reason he was there.

Lily gasped, too shocked to intervene. But she couldn't hear what they were yelling. Only something really big could cause a fight between them. They were best friends, brothers, and no one in living memory could remember them fighting…at least in public.

Lily and Alice moved foreword slowly, and soon they were at the front of the group of students who had gathered.

"You're such an idiot Sirius Black!" James was saying madly.

"I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking!" Sirius replied in a low hoarse voice, due to the fact that James had his hand around his throat now.

"That," James said, "was obvious. You better hope to god he didn't take you seriously. Do you realize how much trouble this is going to cause Remus?" James snapped.

Sirius looked even more horrified. "James I'm sorry-"

"Don't apologize to me. Have fun talking to Remus about this. You know he feels bad enough as is." And with that, James swept away, looking murderous. Lily's brain kicked into gear and she ran after him.

"James!" she called,

"What!?" He snapped angrily turning around to face her. She was shocked and slightly hurt at his tone. His face instantly softened. "Lily, sorry." He said quickly.

She walked over to him carefully. "Is everything okay James? You and Sirius never fight." She said tentively.

"He's just crossed the line from funny stupid to life-threatening stupid. Now all I can do is wait and hope he doesn't show up-"

"Who?" Lily cut off.

James looked pained. "I'm sorry Lily. I can't tell you. Remus should." She nodded acceptingly. "I really am I sorry I can't tell you Lils. I hate secrets."

"No, its okay. Really. I'll ask Remus about it tomorrow." She said. He looked at her for a second then leaned down and kissed her gently. She kissed him back happily. Then he pulled away and took her hand. They started walking towards the Great Hall. Lily realized it was time for dinner.

"So what did you do today?" he asked, as if he hadn't just yelled at Sirius and pretty much told her that Remus had a huge secret.

"Shi-I completely forgot to-oh well, I'll do it after dinner." She laughed at the look on James's face, on of complete confusement and humor.

"Sorry, I don't speak the female language. Could you translate?" Lily laughed at him.

"Me and Alice designed my dress today. You send the design in, they make it and you pay when it gets…here." Lily's face fell as she pulled out the order form. She scanned it, and felt her heart drop. "I can't afford it." Her arm fell to her side, and she dropped the paper, but James snatched it.

Lily watched his eyes dart. "This is a French magazine." He said.

"I know."

James started to beam. "I think my mum knows the owner."

"Now that's great James," Lily said, "But that doesn't help my money situation."

"I'll pay for it. And get a discount to ease your guilt." He said as he watched the expression on her face.

"I couldn't let you do that James. I'll just have to go back to Hogsmede some how and get one off the rack-"

"Now I cant have that." James said, stopping her by placing both hands on her shoulders. "Listen to me Lily. I want to buy this for you. And you know me. I won't stop till you give in. So either you can refuse to let me buy this for you and I steal the order form later and send it in, or you just let me give you the money when it comes in."

Sensing defeat, Lily wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Fine."

"Good." James said, as they walked into the Great Hall. Lily noticed that Sirius was sitting with Peter, talking in a low voice, and Remus wasn't even there. By silent agreement, they sat as far from Sirius as they could, and instead, James was suddenly wishing there was a lot less estrogen. But it made it a lot better that Lily was feeling particularly romantic and touchy-feely. He returned the gestures happily, but had to tone it down when he made her jump and spill her pumpkin juice everywhere.

It was with the utmost regret that they stood up to leave. "Listen Lils. I wont be in for a while. Remus, you know."

She nodded. "Do what you gotta do James." She leaned in and gave him a lingering kiss. "Just keep the monsters down to a minimum, yes?" she asked, as she walked away. She missed the shocked looked she was receiving from her boyfriend, and had no clue how close she was.

That night was boring. She had all her homework finished, changed into a tee and underwear, and was soon watching the grounds. The whomping Willow was particularly violent tonight, and she could have sworn that she had seen two running figures, but couldn't be sure.

She sat down and continued to read Pride and Prejudice, which she was seeing similarities in her and James' relationship.

At first she had thought that James was arrogant and Proud, as did Elizabeth with Darcy. Now, Lily realizes, that behind the immature two year old, that there is actually someone kind, caring, and…perfect.

She sighed and fell asleep on the couch, fantasies of her boyfriend in her head….

*~*~*~*~*~*

Day seven. A week. James needed to shave, to eat, change his clothes. The healers were now expressing their concern that unless he started to take care of himself, he would find himself one floor below, unable to see his wife.

While that should have given him incentive to eat, it only made him want to be with her more, the thought of leaving her side was just too terrible.

James gripped her hand and looked into her eyes.

He looked into her eyes.

"Lily!" James jumped and moved closer to her, tears streaming down his face. "Lily! Come one baby." He cried desperately. Her face was blank and expressionless, and she could have passed for sleeping with her eyes open. She looked completely helpless.

Her mouth moved, as if to say something, but all she could do was stare helplessly. Her eyes moved quickly around the room and her eyes widened at her surroundings. Her hands clenched, squeezing his, and she met her husband's gaze quickly and mouthed something.

I love you.

"Oh bloody hell Lily." She heard someone moan through her dreams. "Come one, don't do this to me." The person said, and she felt herself being lifted onto something soft and covered with a blanket.

It was relatively warm in the room she was in, so she wondered why she needed a blanket. She opened her eyes and saw James looking at her, looking exhausted, but exhilarated, with a strange look in his eye.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" he asked, plopping onto the floor and leaning against the couch. Lily glanced at the clock and saw that it was six thirty in the morning. She kissed the top of his head, still too groggy to form any words. "I come in here, and your spread eagle on the floor, wearing nothing but a T-Shirt and underwear. Honestly Lily, its hard enough when you're wearing normal clothes."

And the reason for the blanket came to her, and she started to giggle. "Oh Mr. Potter, how would you react to a bathing suit?" she said, still giggling.

He turned to face her. "Lily Evans, you will be the death of me." Then he crushed his lips with hers. Despite the earliness of the morning, a simple spark of passion turned into a roaring fire, and the kiss became deeper then intended, though it wasn't regretted. Lily didn't remember how it happened, but James was soon strattling her on the couch, kissing her neck. Lily took his head and turned it so that she could gain access to his lips. Suddenly he pulled back. They were both breathing hard, and the realization of what they were so close to doing hit her full force, as she realized that James had his hand under her shirt, resting on her stomach just below her bra.

He saw it at the same time, withdrew it, and stood up. "Sorry." He said quickly. "Its only been a month and a half I-we're not ready." He said shakily.

Lily stood up and wrapped her arms around his heaving chest. "It happens James. Don't feel bad. It was me, just as much as you."

*~*~*~*~*

"Lily! Lily! LILY!" James yelled as her eyes started to droop. Her grip was slackening.
"Mr. Potter!" he heard someone from the end of the hall. "Really, get some sleep. She's not going to wake up because you're yelling at her." The pudgy lady waddled in and headed for Lily's bed.

"She was just awake!" James said, half hysterically. "Lily…."

The Healer was surprised at this news and started working on Lily faster. James couldn't make heads or tails of what she was doing, but two minutes later, she straitened up, beaming. "Mr. Potter, I'm pleased to tell you that you might not have to wait as long for your honeymoon. I think people my have held this from you. But I think it safe to tell you. We can't administer potions, or heal the wound by magic because of the curse. It won't allow her to obtain the treatment. Until she wakes up, all we can do is let the wound heal naturally and give her potions for the pain. The fact that she is fighting to wake up is very, very good."

James was ecstatic at the news, but angry that no one had told him about his wife's condition. But the happiness was overshadowing the anger. "Oh my god."

"I dare say, that you helped her along a bit." She eyes James critically. "But you may want to brush up on your hygiene. An hour away won't make a difference." With that she swept from the room.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Sunday went by smoothly. Though James and Lily were sharing more looks then usual. This new insight to how deep their passion really ran was unnerving, yet exhilarating. They decided to spend the day in the Gryffendor common room. Sirius still not showing his face, Remus trudging in around one in the afternoon.

Lily saw him exchange a gruff glance with James, who stood up, and together, by silent agreement, went up to the boy's dormitories.

Confused, but knowing that they were going to talk to Sirius, Lily turned to talk with Alice and Alyssa about her dress. Fifteen minutes later, a relieved Sirius came down, fallowed by two particularly red-faced boys. Sirius had learned his lesson.

Lily jumped up. "Remus!" she called. He stopped, and Lily gave James a look that he understood and nodded. Lily led Remus to the corner. "Remus, James wont tell me. Where do you really go with James, Peter and Sirius? Why are you always sick?" she asked him quietly.

Remus looked down and played with a hole at the bottom of his shirt. "Fifteen years ago, my parents refused to help Voldemort obtain something. They wont tell me what. It was a nasty business. I was just barely two years old. Their pride and joy. Now I'm nothing but a nuisance to them." He said bitterly.

"Remus I don't-" he held his hands up and she was quiet.

"Have you ever heard of Fenrir Grayback?" He asked quietly. Lily's eyes widened with shock. Both of her hands when over her mouth as it had dropped in a big 'O'. Remus looked hurt. "I would understand if you refused to go near me. Or even if you complained about me to the Ministry of Magic its self. Don't think I didn't expect it."
But Lily had flung herself at Remus and was giving him a huge hug. "A werewolf? Oh why didn't I see it? The full moon every month." She pulled away. "Is this why you don't date Remus?" she asked quietly.

"No one would date a werewolf." His voice was so harsh that it scared her.

"Oh don't say that. Everyone knows how much Alyssa likes you. Give her a shot. I could talk to her if you wan-"

"No!" Remus objected furiously. "You can't tell anybody. The only reason I told you is that I know you keep secrets…and that you would get suspicious of where James goes every month."

It clicked. "Does he-"

"I'll let him explain it fully, but yes, he is with me every full moon. Sirius and Peter too." Remus stood and stretched. "I need to go." Then he swept away.

Lily walked slowly over to her boyfriend. "James lets go back to the common room. I want to ask you a few things." He stood right away, and they said their goodbyes. They walked silently and eventually, they found themselves on the couch.

"He told you?" he asked quietly.

"The major parts. But he told me that there was something he wanted you to explain to me." Lily said quietly.

"The whole, 'we disappear every full moon with him,' issue?" he asked. She nodded.

James sighed and leaned back. Lily rested her head on his shoulder and they were quiet until he started to talk.

"We realized what he was at the end of first year. It wasn't that hard, because we were doing the basics in astronomy. You know, tracking the lunar cycle. And hanging out with Remus…well, he started to run out of excuses. After his mother had been sick four times, we realized something was up. So me, Sirius and Peter put our heads together and figured it out.

Remus thought that if we found out we wouldn't talk to him anymore. I felt really bad when he admitted to us that we were the first real friends he had ever had. We wanted to help, and has Sirius had put it, 'we have a duty to a man who now has his first real friends. Us,.' And as pompous as that sounded, there was some truth to it. We wanted to help him. So second year, we came up with a plan. We were going to become animagi."

Lily looked at him. "Did you?"

He nodded slowly. "It wasn't until fifth year that we finally got it. Sirius turns into a dog-"

"Hang on!" Lily said. "I suddenly just got a whole bunch of jokes at once."

James smiled coyly. "Yeah. A dog seemed prefect for Sirius. Peter turns into a rat. Nifty for when we need to get past the whomping willow."

"When you need to do what!?" Lily cried. "That tree nearly took off McNair's head! Not that I'm concerned for him," she added at the look on James' face. "Its just that that tree is dangerous."

"Like I said, a rat is really useful. One that can slip under the branches and press the root. There's a root that stills the tree. And a tunnel right under it. Dumbledore himself helped to build it. The tunnel leads to the shrieking shack." Then after a pause he added, "The villagers have been hearing Remus, not violent ghosts."

"The screaming…that's Remus?" Lily cried. James nodded.

"It's painful for him."

More silence.

"What are you?" Lily asked after a few minutes.

"A stag."

Lily looked at him. "My patronus is a doe." He smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"What have I always told you Lily?"

She smiled contentedly. "Made for each other." Then she sat up strait. "The nicknames? What are the point of those?" she asked. "I don't remember them all. You're Pader-"

James laughed and cut her off. "Padfoot is Sirius, because he's a dog. Peter's Wormtail, Remus is Moony, and I'm Prongs. We invented them for the map."

"What map?" she asked.

James smiled and pulled out a blank bit of parchment. "Don't think all those nights on the grounds didn't teach us anything. We made a map of Hogwarts." He handed it to her. "Try and read it."

Lily took out her wand and hesitantly pointed it at the paper. "Lily Evans requests that you reveal your true powers." She watched as different scribbles of writing appeared.

Mr. Wormtail bids Miss. Evans good day, and urges her to put the map back where she found it, or it would ruin her goody-goody reputation.

Mr. Prongs should smack Mr. Wormtail for insulting such a beautiful lady and thinks that Miss. Evans should use the map all she wants, because a little trouble making does some good.

Mr. Padfoot would like to throw-up and tell Mr. Prongs to shut it.

Mr. Moony agrees with Mr. Padfoot and has had enough of Mr. Prongs' lovesick swoons.

James laughed as he read over her shoulder. "A beautiful lady." He repeated.

"Throw up?" Lily cried incredulously. "Exactly how often did you talk about me?" she asked.

"Enough." He replied simply.

Lily gave him a quick kiss, not wanting to stimulate what had happened that morning. Though she had liked it, she was scared at how much restraint she could possibly enforce upon herself.

"You said this was a map?" She asked.

He nodded and tapped it with his wand. " I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He said. She looked at him with a smirk.

"No good? Now why doesn't that come as a surprise?" She asked, as lines, dots, and letters started to appear. She looked at it amazed. She was staring at the entrance hall, where names were over the apparent exact position of students and faculty. But not only that, the dots were moving. She was at a loss for words as she spotted Frank Longbottom, Alice's' crush; she realized that this was very powerful magic. "James who-"

"Me and Sirius." He replied. "It took a couple of months, but it's very useful. It also has secret rooms, and passageways. Including ones that lead out of the castle. We use this one-" he flipped through pages and pointed to the statue of the one-eyes-witch, "That leads to the cellar of Honey dukes all the time."

"I cant believe that you made this. So this is how you get away with everything?" She asked.

"Well, it definitely helps. But so does the cloak."

"What cloak."

He laughed. "I forgot you didn't know about it," He pulled it out. "My invi-"
"Invisibility cloak." Lily cut him off. "They're really rare James."

"I know. This one's been in my family for ages. As far back as anyone can recall." He put it back in his bag.

They were silent again. But it wasn't the uncomfortable; you didn't know what to say silence. It was nice, and Lily eventually took James's hand. That night something inside her clicked. Something she had been denying herself, refusing to see. James Potter loved her. And she loved him back.

The next day went smoothly. Well…for the most part.

The thing with Lily was…she had avoided Snape since the incident. She had never looked him full in the eye, sat with James, Alice or Alyssa during lessons and that was that. But he haunted her dreams. Of course, she would never tell anybody that. But she would wake up in a cold sweat, dreaming of things that she remembered, that she refused to look deeper into. But now she realized…Severus Snape had a problem.

An abuse problem.

All through her childhood even.

It was that day; nearly two months after the incident, that Lily found herself on the verge of a breakdown in the potion dungeons.

"James Potter with…" Slughorn scanned his list. "Alice Longbottom. And that leaves-"

No! Nonononono. Lily was thinking to herself "Lily Evans and Severus Snape."

Lily felt Snape's eyes on her. And James's. Both were burning holes into her, and the incident came rushing back into her mind. The anger and resentment she had felt in his blow, how low, how horrible he had made her feel. Why. Why?

Snape came sauntering over to her. He said nothing for a minute and only pulled out his cauldron. Then, obviously trying to cover his feelings he sneered, "Well, are you going to help me, or are you too angry at me to even look at me? Are you too good for me? You and your precious Potter!?"

Without warning Lily burst into tears and ran from the room.
James found Lily in the empty Transfiguration classroom. She was making random objects fly through the air, hit the wall, break, and then she would repair it and repeat. James walked slowly over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Lily…don't let him get to you." He whispered quietly.

"Every time I see him I r-remember…I s-see-"

"Shhhh.' James said, soothingly.

They stayed in the room until the bell rang. James was planning something, Lily could tell.

They were almost to the Great Hall for dinner when someone familiar sidestepped into their path.

"What do you want Snivillus!?" James said, moving protectively in front of Lily. It had taken him a little more then an hour to calm her down…now this?

Snape ignored him and whispered, "Lily?"

"Leave her alone if you know what's best for you." James said, drawing a wand, and also a crowd.

Snape, again ignoring him, said strongly and louder, "Lily...I want to apologize."

There was a bark like laugh and Sirius came to stand next to James, also in front of
Lily. "I didn't think you were capable of apology Snape. Or has Voldy-Snort been teaching you manners?"

Snape's face darkened. "Don't talk of things you don't know of Black." And he turned his attention back on the little he could see of Lily.

"I'm sorry Lily. I didn't mean to hurt you."

There was a scoffing noise and Lily pushed her way between James and Sirius, tears streaming down her face.

"What a load of Bullocks." And she slapped him across the face. "That's for all the guilt you ever made me feel." She slapped him again. "That was for what you said to me." She punched him square in the nose, "The was just payback." Soon she was sprinting down the hallways, tears still streaming down her face.

She rounded a corner and ran into the Headmaster himself. Albus Dumbledore.

"My dear Lily, is there a reason why you are in such distress?" he asked, and surveyed her, "And why there is blood on your fist?"

Lily looked down and was shocked to see that her hand was splattered in blood.
"I-I…Snape." She said quietly.

"Ah…yes, I happen to know how it feels to be on the receiving end of a punch to the nose. May I ask why you attacked him?" Lily found herself registering that now she knew why his nose was crooked.

"He deserved it Professor. After all these years I…never…I never…stopped him."

Dumbledore surveyed her once more, only now it seemed like his electric blue eyes were penetrating into her very soul. "You have to let go of it though Miss. Evans. Or else, you will never be able to fully let another in your life." He nodded at someone over her shoulder and Lily turned around to see James watching her conversation.

"I will leave you two alone to reminisce on what I am sure was a very good right hook. There is a mug of hot chocolate waiting for me in the kitchens.

Fortunately, as luck would have it, that particular night, James and Lily were patrolling together. Usually they were paired with a prefect, but every six weeks or so, they were together.

They walked down the hallway, hand in hand.

"You know…I've never seen you hit anyone like that. Including third year when you attacked me." James said, looking off into space.

"It felt good."

"I'm sure it did."

Lily looked up at her boyfriend. The one man in the whole school she had sworn never to go out with, never to cave into. But here she was. In his eyes, she could see a future. And she wasn't going to let Severus Snape hold her back anymore.