So, many thanks to all those who reviewed :) it was so inspiring that I felt the need to update (or procrastinate)

Thanks again!

-Lily-

That day went by far too fast, and before I could blink, it was Easter; which meant I had to leave

Again

My parents have this tradition every year, and Hogwarts and all the jinxes in the world aren't going to stop this 'thing' they have going on. As they see it, 'it brings the family together.' But I beg to differ. There had been more fights and tears on this occasion than the rest of the year combined.

To say the least, Petunia and I aren't even on speaking terms anymore; and it brought my mother to tears. I couldn't do that to her, not when I thought I had lost everything. Turns out there were a Death Eater attacks in Spinners End, not far from where Snape lived. By the looks of things, they were recruiting.

Or, as I liked to think, attempting to recruit.

'Miss Evans, answer the question!'

I sighed and looked through the ghastly form of Professor Binns, wishing for once that I didn't know the answer

'It was the Muggle Rebellion of 1463, sir, which upset the Portuguese ministry the following year'

He nodded crisply and turned around once again to lecture until the whole of fifth year fell asleep, which to my delight, happened rather quickly.

So when the bell clanged, I grabbed my notes and walked smartly up to the seventh floor to enjoy my break before lunch. It was rewarding, after a morning of lectures, to sit and relax for an hour before life caught up with me again.

I climbed through the portrait hole and walked up to the girl's dormitory, eventually just levitating my bag due to the stain. It wasn't until I reached the fifth year's spiral staircase that I reached a surprise

'Hey, Lils' he said, leaning against the wall as cool as can be

'James? What are you doing here! I thought you had-'

'Muggle Studies?' he shrugged 'technically yes, but I figured spending time with you was more important'

I huffed 'You need to pass your O.W.L's James'

'I need to live too, Lily'

I sighed and invited him to sit next to me, which he gratefully accepted. But I didn't end it at that

'Come on then' I said, standing 'You say you want to live, Potter?'

He stood and faced me 'Always'

'You have to love yourself before you can ever love me. You know that, don't you James.'

'But I already-'he hesitated 'I already love you'

'But were so young…' I whispered

'Not to me.' he said, lifting my chin 'You say I need to love myself first? Think of yourself, Lily. If you loved yourself, none of this family business would bother you. You could, you could be free from it'

She looked at me with tear stained glass 'Are you telling me to leave? To give up!'

'No, sweetheart, I meant the exact opposite!' I begged, taking her into my arms

'I can't- I can't…'

'I know love. I know how much you love your sister; just your expressions show me as much. But be strong, be safe too. Be the Lily Evans I fell in love with.' I stroked her hair softly, and let a tear shatter into her curls 'Please, for me'

Lily stood and took my hand 'Then come with me James. Come home for Easter'

'Lily' I said softly, whiping away her glassy tears 'I would be honored to'

…

-Lily-

'Come on, love. Up you get'

I looked at the train operator softly, and without making eye contact, I took his white gloved hand and stepped onto the Hogwarts Express

'James, you coming? The trains about to leave!' I said quickly, watching him furiously waving his quill

'Yes, just-just give me a second'

I stared at him oddly but joined the rush to find an empty compartment. He joined me a few moments later, looked flushed in his robes

'What was that about?' I asked, whiping an ink smudge off his sleeve

'I had to send a letter'

'You do realize' I said, emphasizing every vowel 'that you can send a letter from the train? You have Evona right?'

He glared at me 'It's rather hard to lose an owl like that, Miss Evans, if you do recall'

I laughed softly and leaned in, my cheeks in my hands 'But then why did you have to send it then, may I ask?'

'No, you can't ask. But if you must know, it was a letter to the Marauders'

I smiled 'What about?'

'Just- personal stuff' he sputtered out, looking embarrassed

I had the grace to look away 'I thought Remus was coming home too?'

'He is' James said 'Turns out dear old Moony had a girlfriend none of us knew about. A certain Christine Tateraq. Do you know her? I thought she was in Hufflepuff'

I racked my brains 'did she have black hair and-and'

'Purple eyes?' he completed raising his eyebrows 'Oh yes. Us Marauders like to branch out, with those green eyes of yours'

I blushed 'My mother's green eyes'

'Can't wait to meet her'

'You didn't answer me,' I said, absentmindedly looking out the window 'About why you had to send the letter then'

'Because I had to show that I cared, Lily. I'm family, and I let them down'

I looked anywhere but at James for the better part of half an hour, seemingly impressed by the smallest things; such as when Yasmine Daea walked passed us on the way to the loo. I blushed anytime I felt eyes on me, but for once; my small frame was working to my advantage. I could pretend to be asleep and he wouldn't notice

'I'm sorry' he blurted out suddenly 'that wasn't fair'

I looked up and faked a fatigued expression 'Bout what?'

'That I let them down by staying with you' he whispered 'I didn't mean it'

'I know. I'm the same way. Seems like their intervention struck deeper than we thought, eh?'

'Yeah, it's hard not to feel bad when they are our friends'

He leant back and crossed his arms behind his head 'Things are changing Lily, and nothing anyone can say will stop that'

I smiled and reached for my bag, which was, at least a foot away from my highest reach

'Here' James said, grabbing it for me 'let me'

'Thanks' I said feebly, and groped inside of the change purse

'Whatcha looking for?'

I cringed as I dug deeper, finally pulling out a novel, and holding it open for him to see

'Is that one of those crazy Muggle books?' he asked, turning a page like he would in the Monstrous Book of Monsters

'Hey, it's not going to bite' I said gently, taking the slim novel and opening it on my lap

He glanced at it warily 'Sure it won't'

'What are you going to do while we wait?' I asked, turning to my bookmarked spot

'Well, I know I should catch up on homework, but we both know that that isn't going to happen. So I guess I could, um, just sit here awkwardly'

'It isn't awkward unless you make it awkward, love'

He pretended to contemplate, but then leaned deeply against the tall back and sighed. Maybe he could just sleep, I saw his expression say. Sleep and not let a boring girlfriend deprive me of it

I laughed softly and kissed his cheek 'Sleep tight, Prongs'

He smiled from underneath his eyelids 'Night, Lils'

…

My goodness gracious. It felt like that chapter went on forever. I hope it sounds okay, as it was written in chunks.

As for me, tomorrow is touch of class day! I am so excited, as we all dress up and get appies and dessert in one (of 3) of the gyms. Such a good idea for Valentine's day…

On that note, I hope it goes well for all of my lovely readers from, well, it looks like you come from everywhere! That is by far my favourite graph to read, as I like to know where my readers come from!

In the lead (to no one's surprise) is US, with like, a zillion and 2 hits. In second place, is the UK! Which is funny, because as a Canadian, I can't write britishly(?) to save my life.

Oh and Canada? Pull up the slack guys! The freakin US is in front of you! We want a 2010 Olympics finish, (Canada over US hockey! Gold medal! Don't wanna brag, but it's BIG up here!) Thank you very much. But my many thanks to readers from all over the globe; international cooperation for the win :)

By the way, give me ideas. I need them, desperately, I daresay. Any form of a helping hand is greatly appreciated, as are reviews.

Always :D

Love you all,

-Silence Nevermore