A/N: I'm so stuck on this chapter. Soooooooooooo stuck. 'tis the reason I haven't updated yet. I'm kind of going into this chapter with only a brief idea of what I'm going to write. Here we go!


The Hogsmeade visitors arrived back at Hogwarts in time for dinner. They all sat silently at their tables as the younger years watched curiously. Lily sat at her usual end of the Gryffindor table, away from the marauders. None of them had time to change before heading to the Great Hall so they were still in their wet outer clothes.

A few of the had to be sent to the hospital wing. The attack had not killed anyone from what they had heard, but a few were bloodied up. One student was suffering from the after-effects of Cruciatus, which caused James to wonder why they hadn't heard the screaming.

When everybody was seated, Professor Dumbledore stood up to face them.

"For those who do not already know, there was an attack on Hogsmeade today. Fortunately, no-one was killed or permanently injured. Because of the attack though, we have decided that it would be best if further Hogsmeade visits were cancelled," Professor Dumbledore said, gravely. His speech was followed by a loud chorus of "boos".

"We know that for the Christmas Dance, you may wish to buy formal wear for it, and the faculty and I suggest that you shop with your parents over the holidays," he said. The students remained upset. The professor was unfazed by this

"Our minister of magic, Mr. Thomas Potter, has offered to host our Christmas dance in response to the attack to repay us," Dumbledore announced. James' jaw dropped while everyone cheered. Thomas Potter, James' father, was very rich and though he did not exploit his riches, knew how to throw a party.

Dinner was served and Lily stood up. For a moment, James thought that she was going to go sit down and eat with the marauders, but realized that she was going to sit next to Severus. James got a strange feeling in his stomach- something akin to jealousy.

Lily sat down next to Severus, who had his head bent down, his greasy hair shielding his face. Lily tapped him on the shoulder as she always did.

"May I sit here?"

Severus didn't move and responded, "No. Go back to Potter."

Lily knew something was wrong. He had never mentioned James when they spoke before. Lily sat next to him anyway.

"I something wrong?" Lily asked, concerned.

"Go away."

"No I will not go away until you tell me what's wrong!" she told him, her temper flaring off again.

Severus finally looked up at her. "What's it to you?"

"You're one of my few friends and I care about you," Lily said, her temper calming down.

Severus also calmed down. He looked like he was having an internal argument with himself then spoke up.

"Can I trust you?"

Lily was concerned about his words, but answered, "That's for you to decide, not me."

"But do you trust me?"

Lily thought about it for a moment, and decided, "I think I do."

"What if I told you I was the reason for the attack?" Severus asked, nervously.

"I'd tell you that it wasn't your fault or that you were lying, I think."

"What if I told you it was my Death Eater initiation but I never thought they'd go so far. I didn't even want to be a Death Eater, but I panicked. They said they'd kill me. Please understand!" Severus said, worry evident on his face.

Lily sat there, her eyes blank. Her face remained black too. Suddenly she looked the angriest he had ever seen her- he had never seen Lily angry.

"What?!" she screamed at him. Lily's face was as red as any Weasley would be proud of. All heads in the hall turned towards her.

"You are the most selfish person I have ever met! How could you do that to people?!" Lily yelled at him and stormed out of the hall.

Severus sat on his seat. If you looked close enough, you could have seen a tear forming in his eye.


After Lily left the Gryffindor table to talk to Severus, James turned to the other marauders.

"Thanks for helping me Padfoot," James said, sincerely.

"No big deal, Prongs," Sirius said gloomily.

"Is there something wrong?" Remus asked Sirius.

Sirius looked straight at the other marauders.

"She broke up with me because I left to help others! I really thought she was a good person, that we might have been together for at least a bit longer than one date," Sirius said, distressed.

The other marauders didn't know what to say in return. Finally, Peter said, "Well, the best way to prove her wrong is to look as though you are indifferent."

"But I shouldn't get her back."

The other marauders looked at each other. If Sirius was so crushed by her breaking up with him, he must have been really into her.

Just when James was about to suggest that they go get wasted, a loud screech which almost sounded like, "what?", rang through the hall. The four marauders looked in the direction.

Sure enough, Lily had stood up from the table and was pointing an accusatory finger at him. James, hearing what she screamed next, stood up from the table and ran after her without a "bye" to the marauders.


When James caught up with Lily, they were in the Grand Staircase. He put his hand on her shoulder to try to calm her down. She turned toward him, her eyes blaring.

"Leave me alone, Potter!"

James was hurt by what she called him, and tried not to show it. He failed.

"What did, Sni-Severus-" James stumbled over his name, visibly trying to say it right for Lily's sake, "- do to make you upset?"

"Snape," Lily spat out his name like a disease, "did something completely unforgivable. Now, stay out of my business!" She said it all rudely.

"I'm trying to help you," James said, visibly distressed at trying to calm this raving female.

Lily visibly calmed at his comment. "Sorry for calling you Potter. I was just really angry."

"It's alright." James said, relieved that she had calmed down.

Tears started to appear in Lily's eyes when she thought about Severus.

"I have to go," Lily said, not ready to cry in front of James.

She left, leaving James standing, confused, on the Grand Staircase.


A/N: I know Lily was a little unfair to Severus, but she was turning Mary Sue so I had to give her back her red headed temper. Shy Lily was getting boring… Leave any suggestions for plot or character in a review! Thanks for reading.