Hello!

I am so sorry for uploading late. This week has been so hectic. I have so many things going on and it just keeps piling on!

Also, I realized I made a mistake in the last chapter. The Hogsmeade visit is on Saturday, November 5, not Friday, November 4, okay?

I am just going to give thanks so you can get back to reading.

Thank you to MinaWe and Bluewave9511 for following my story! It means to world!

Thank you to MinaWe and Bluewave9511 for favoring my story! I am so grateful that you love it!

Thank you to my reviewers!

*Reviews!*

Shamelessnweird: Wow! Exactly the same questions! Btw love that wolfstar scene, siri is so cute...Hope Lils n James get together soon...Excited for next update

Me: And, as usual, I am excited for you to read this! Thanks so much for all the compliments I get from you every week!

Wolfstar lover18: Omg that cliffhanger! Great chapter can't wait until we can see what happens, and more of James and Lily of course. How many chapters were you hoping to write to complete the story?

Me: Right now, I have a plan for 25 chapters, and it might go to 30 chapters, but 35 is the maximum for me.

Anonymous: I NEED MORE

Me: Coming right up!

Bluewave9511: Love this story alot :) Very enjoyable and love the characters! Keep going!

Me: Thank you so much! And thanks for the encouragement to keep going!

*Thanks for reviewing!*

Here is the obligatory disclaimer: I do not own these characters or settings. J. K. Rowling used her fantastic mind to come up with them. On the other hand, I used my mind to come up with the plot.

And the story begins!

Chapter 14: A Winter Hogsmeade Visit

Evening, Friday, November 4, 1977

James sighed as he walked in to his bedroom and shut the door.

He and Lily had been completely overwhelmed with classes, Head duties, and the investigation. Not to mention that James was still Quidditch captain, often leaving Lily to organize prefect schedules by herself.

He sat on his bed, untied his shoes and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes.

Just as his eyelids drooped and he felt his muscles slacken, he was startled awake at a clicking noise at his window.

He groaned as he put his glasses back and stood up to unlatch the window. Matilda squawked as she flew in, dropping the letter on his desk.

He slumped into his chair and wearily untied it.

Dear Loyal Lion,

I apologize for not contacting you sooner. The last time we spoke was at the ball. I am sorry that I didn't send you a letter sooner asking if you are alright. Please send me a letter as soon as possible so that I know that you are alright.

Also, I want to thank you for helping me on the night of the ball. With my anxiety. I know that all you did was calm me down and distract me, but it is more than a lot of people have ever done. I know that you said that you hate that you are judged for being immature, but you are actually so mature and kind. It's a side of you that you've kept hidden for most of your life, but I have gotten to know it over the past few months and I think that it is your best side.

Sincerely,

Emerald Flower

James smiled, blushing. She was actually sending him a letter asking if he was okay. He knew that it probably meant nothing, and she probably asked that to all her friends who were affected by the attack at the ball. But he couldn't help but feel warm inside.

He was flattered by her compliments. Sure, he received compliments all the time from his parents, his friends, and, of course, the ladies trying to woo him so that they could be next in the Potter ancestry. But Emerald Flower didn't know that he was James Potter. She didn't know that he belonged to one of the top wealthiest families in the wizarding world. She just knew...him. Without all those other titles.

His eyes drifted over to Lily's photo by his desk. She was the only other girl who had ever known him as just James Potter. But why didn't his heart flutter for her anymore?

He picked up Lily's photo in one hand, and held Emerald Flower's hand in the other.

Could it be possible that Emerald Flower, who was so very similar to Lily, had stolen his heart?

Lily's eyes darted to the door of the adjoining bathroom that she shared with James as she heard him enter it from his room.

She sat up at the edge of her bed, her hands on her knees and her eyes looking at her feet. Her hands drifted to her forearms, where his fingers had touched her as they leaned in-

Stop it! A voice in her head told her. He's probably moved on! You missed your chance months ago!

But oh, how she wanted to. She cursed her stubbornness as she imagined what they might have been like if she had just said yes at least once. Would they have gone on hot chocolate dates in Hogsmeade, or snuck into broom cupboards to snog? Would they have studied together in the library only to throw flirty banter back and forth, forgetting their studies? Would they have spent lazy, sunny days laying on blankets by the lake and cuddled under wool blankets next the fireplace on wintery nights?

A clicking noise at her window interrupted her thoughts.

She shivered as Matilda flew in, the winter chill following her.

She plucked and untied the letter.

Dear Emerald Flower,

I made it out of the ball just fine, thanks. How are you? It's my turn to apologize for not asking if you were okay.

And you don't have to thank me. I wanted to help you. You just have to relax. The only thing that matters is the present. The past hurts and the future is scary, but at least for now, we can stop worrying for a little bit.

I really enjoy talking to you. If you ever need any help, I am here.

Loyal Lion

She smiled. Loyal Lion was always doing this, showing her the sweet side that no one ever saw.

She heard James re-enter his room. She huffed and decided she was going to put her stubbornness to good use. Loyal Lion was right. She needed to stop worrying. The possibility was too much to ignore.

She stood up and smoothed her clothes before walking out her door to knock on James'.

He took a few seconds to open the door and Lily took those seconds to rein in her Gryffindor courage.

When he opened the door, she blurted out, "Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow?"

James rose an eyebrow and Lily nearly choked on her breath.

But then he grinned and answered, "Yes, I think us going as friends would be great!"

Lily's shoulders slumped. "W-what?"

James replied, not noticing her devastation, "Since Sirius and Remus are dating now, they are probably going to go together, and Peter said he was too tired, I can go with you."

Lily stood frozen in silence and all she could squeak out was, "Okay."

Then she turned and stiffly walked back to her room, her head down and her face red.

When she closed her door, she pinched the bridge of her nose.

That was a waste of time, the voice in her head told her.

She sighed but she wasn't going to lose hope.

Morning, Saturday, November 5, 1977

Sirius took one look at the calendar and shot up out of bed. He grinned and did a silent, joyful dance. Today was the day of his and Remus' first Hogsmeade trip as a couple. Sirius had a very elaborate date planned out, even more elaborate than their pranks.

He looked to the sleeping form of his boyfriend. He smiled and walked over to sit at the edge of Remus' bed. He lightly shook Remus. "Hey, wake up."

Remus, who had fallen asleep the night before reading, clutched a book closer to his chest as he groaned, "It's too early."

Sirius gently pried the book out of Remus' hands. "But we have to go to Hogsmeade for our date!"

Remus, with his still closed, tried to pull the blankets over his head. "We can't. People are going to see us."

Sirius scoffed. "Who cares?" He sighed as Remus burrowed further into the bed.

"Remus…" he drawled, crawling over Remus' body and pulling the sheets back, peppering kisses on Remus' neck and face, "I want to spend the day with my boyfriend."

Remus leaned into the kisses and gave a little gasp when Sirius nibbled on his ear. "Don't you want to just cuddle here?"

Sirius pulled back and gave Remus a determined look. "No, I want to take you out and treat you to a real date."

Remus sighed. Sirius wasn't going to give up. "Okay, but only we don't have any public displays-"

Sirius nodded.

"- and only if you keep kissing me."

Sirius grinned, and leaned down to capture his lips with Remus', whose arms reached up to wrap around Sirius' neck. Remus groaned as Sirius' lips moved over his, sending his skin aflame.

Sirius' sucked on Remus' bottom lip, causing Remus to gasp in surprise. Sirius grinned and began to leave a trail of wet kisses along Remus' jaw and down his neck. He settled on a spot and began to suck.

Remus gasped out, "We have to go or else we'll miss the carriages."

Sirius pulled back, his lips swollen. "Right."

They shared one last lingering kiss before dressing quickly. As Sirius was pulling on a sweater, Remus was tying a scarf around his neck when he asked, "Do I look good?"

Sirius didn't look at Remus' outfit when he walked up to Remus and kissed his lips. "You always look good."

Remus' face was still blushing when they left to find the Great Hall for a quick breakfast.

When they finally reached the village, Remus asked, giddy with excitement, "So what marevelous date do you have planned for us?"

Sirius grinned. "Only one thing at a time. For the first activity, we are going to...Tomes and Scrolls!"

Remus tilted his head in confusion. "But you hate bookshops."

Sirius tapped a gloved finger on Remus. "And you love them. Let's go!"

Sirius started to pull Remus in the direction of the shop when Remus said, "We can't hold hands."

Sirius whined, "But-"

Remus shook his head. "We can't."

Sirius sighed, but started to walk side by side with Remus to the bookshop.

Their spirits were quickly raised when they entered the bookshop, which was completely empty, with only a kind-looking woman shelving books on one side of the shop.

Remus smiled, slipping his hand into Sirius' and dragging him around the shop, marvelling at books and picking ones that intrigued him. Sirius laughed as he tried to balance them all under one arm as they continued to wander around the shop.

Lily walked uncomfortably next to James as they walked around Hogsmeade.

James broke the silence by asking, "So what do you want to do?"

I want to pull you into a private booth at Three Broomsticks and snog, Lily thought bitterly.

She answered, not meeting his eyes, "Oh...anything you want to do."

James rose an eyebrow. "But you asked to spend the day together. You must have had some idea about what we were going to do today."

I had so many ideas, Lily thought glumly to herself.

Lily replied, "Um...well...since it is that last Hogsmeade visit before winter break, so I think that we should go Christmas shopping."

James snapped his fingers. "Oh, right, I almost forgot! I have to get Mum a present! Thanks for reminding me. Let's go then!"

James grabbed Lily's wrist and pulled her to a shop and her heart fluttered as she thought, Oh Merlin he's touching me. This is the best day ever.

The two spent the day bouncing from shop to shop, buying presents for their loved ones. They popped into Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop so Lily could to buy something for her Remus. They visited J. Pippin's Potions so that she could purchase something for her parents. They swung by Zonko's Joke Shop so James could find something for Sirius and Remus.

They even went into Honeydukes to share a box of chocolates. Lily laughed as James tried to prove that he could throw three pieces into the air and catch them in his mouth. He threw them up and before they could hit his mouth, Lily playfully shoved him and the chocolates smacked his glasses instead. People glanced as they saw a girl with red hair run out of Honeydukes laughing as a boy with black hair and glasses ran out after her.

It was midday when they both realized that they still had to buy presents for each other.

Lily teased, "I am going to go and buy your present before you try to stick your nose into it."

James laughed. "I am a Marauder. I'll find out before you even have time to bring it back to the castle."

She laughed and waved goodbye. "Try me. Meet me back at the castle."

He grinned and waved back, turning to try and find Lily a present. He walked around for several minutes before deciding to go back to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop to buy something for her and for his mother as well.

Finally, Emerald Flower was the only one he still had to buy a present. He sighed and racked his brain. He already knew so many things about her, like how she only liked hot chocolate if there was a generous dollop of whip cream on top and she didn't like pumpkin juice because she thought it tasted funny. He knew she was amazing at Charms and Potions but absolutely abhorred Transfiguration.

But he hadn't asked her about her past boyfriends yet. Did she even have any? What did she like in a bloke? What kind of gift would make her fall madly in love with him?'

James scratched his head as he trudged through in the snowy village, passing by several shops after deeming they weren't good enough. Half an hour later, he sat on a bench ready to give up.

Lily, on the other hand, had been very successful. She had visited Spintwitches Sporting Needs to buy both James and Loyal Lion something because she knew that they were both passionate about Quidditch. She perked up when she saw James stand up from the bench that and walked towards a new shop.

She stopped abruptly and rose her eyebrows. He was walking into a jewelry shop. Why would he walk in there? Is he buying something for a girl?

Lily ran to the shop but didn't enter. She didn't want James to know she followed him. She slid under a window and peeked up.

Inside, James walked around the lit displays of rings and bracelets. She saw him visibly sigh and turn to head to the exit when he passed by a display of a necklace. He signalled the lady who worked in the shop to open the glass lid and Lily gasped.

It was a silver necklace with a small emerald heart.

Lily's eyes were wide with shock. Could it be possible that James was buying this necklace for her? James knew that emerald green was her color. And it was a heart! He must be in love with her again!

She internally squealed as she saw him exchange words with lady, nod, and pay for the necklace.

He then turned to exit the shop.

Lily scrambled away from the window and stood up, walking in the direction of the castle, trying to make it look like she was heading in that direction on purpose.

"Lily!"

She turned around and gave him a nervous smile. "Oh, hi! I was just looking for you so that we could meet back in our dorm!" She cursed her overly cheeriness that she knew sounded fake.

James raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "Okay, we can go together now."

The two walked back to the castle, not knowing that Lily thought that the necklace was for her.

Remus and Sirius were still in the bookshop hours later, sitting on the floor in a corner. Sirius's back was against the wall and Remus sat with his back against Sirius' chest and between Sirius' legs. Around their legs, books were laid open on the floor. Remus would read out loud to Sirius, who would occasionally kiss Remus' neck.

Remus smiled as Sirius bent down to lay another kiss on his neck. "I am happy that this shop is still empty."

Sirius smiled against Remus' skin. "I have never been so grateful for your reading addiction until now."

Remus laughed and said, "I wish we could stay longer, but I am starting to get hungry."

Sirius grinned. "Then let me treat you to the best meal of your life!"

Remus laughed as they made their purchases and left the bookshop. Sirius pulled him in the direction of Three Broomsticks when Remus pulled back.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked.

Remus answered, "Three Broomsticks is always crowded. Maybe we should go somewhere else."

Sirius shrugged. "There aren't going to be any empty restaurants at this time of day."

Remus was silent for a moment until he said quietly. "There is one."

Sirius nodded for him to continue. Remus replied, "Hog's Head is always empty."

"No! I am not taking you to that dirty, old shack of a bar!" Sirius barked. "We are on a date, and I am going to treat you right. We are going to Three Broomsticks."

Remus' shoulders sagged. "Hog's Head is the only place where we won't be seen."

Sirius tried to grab Remus' hand, but Remus jerked back. Sirius gave a frustrated growl. "Why won't you let me touch you?"

Remus shook his head. "We can't! People are going to see!"

Sirius shouted back, "Then let them see! I don't give a fuck about what they say! I love you!"

Remus whimpered back. "You aren't allowed to."

Sirius took a shaky breath. "But I do."

Tears began to slip down Remus' face. "You shouldn't. I'm not good enough. I'm-"

Sirius' clenched his fist. "Just because you are a half-blood and I am a pure-blood? So? I don't care! I still love you!"

Remus shouted, "Because I'm a monster!"

Sirius stood frozen, with his eyes wide and mouth open.

Remus shook as he shouted, "I'm a monster, Sirius! I can become the most hideous creature on the face of the earth. I could kill you one day!"

Remus turned away. "And you deserve better."

Sirius took a desperate breath. "No, please-"

Remus couldn't look at Sirius when he said, "We can't be together anymore."

Sirius staggered towards Remus. "No-"

Remus shook as he disapparated, leaving Sirius to fall on his knees in the snow.

The sun was setting as Alice darted through Hogsmeade to make it Hog's Head. All the students and professor who had visited the village for the day were back at the castle, most likely preparing for dinner.

For Alice's case, she was going to have dinner elsewhere tonight.

When she reached the door, she tried to calm her breathing. She pulled out her wand and held it defensibly in front of her.

Silently, she pulled the door open and slipped inside.

Alice wrinkled her nose. The most off-putting thing about the bar was the smell. It smelt of old alcohol and rat droppings. Even to confirm it, a rat ran by an empty bottle of alcohol on the floor before slipping into a crevice in the wall.

Other than that, there was a bar on the left side of the room and tables and chairs throughout the rest of the remaining space.

She was alone except for a boy with long dark hair, black robes, and a simple grey mask on his face. He was sitting at a table on the far side of the room.

She pointed her wand to him. "Identify yourself."

Surprising her, he answered with no resistance. "Half-Blood Prince."

She tried to hide the surprise in her voice when she answered. "And I am Destiny's Dove."

She dared to walk closer to him. He didn't even look at her. Instead, he stared out the window sadly.

Alice furrowed her brows. Why was he so...melancholy? He was much more angry in the letter. What changed?

Alice stopped right in front of him, her want centimeters from his face. "Tell me what you know about what happened the night of the ball."

Half-Blood Prince turned back at her and said plainly, "It's hopeless."

Alice gripped her wand tighter. "So you do know something."

Half-Blood Prince shrugged. "It doesn't matter. They are too strong."

Alice lowered her wand in confusion. "They?"

Half-Blood Prince answered. "The ones who did it."

Alice's eyebrows knitted together. "No, the ones that did it were captured."

Half-Blood Prince shook his head. "There are more. There will be more."

Alice huffed. "How do you know all of this? Where are you getting your information?"

Half-Blood Prince was silent for a long moment before he answered, "That's confidential."

Alice scoffed. "People are going to die if you don't tell me!"

Half-Blood Prince shrugged. "People are going to die even if I tell you. They are too powerful. We can't fight them."

Alice stomped her foot in frustration and shouted, "Then you are a coward!"

Alice turned away and said quietly to herself. "I'm sorry, Frank, Marlene, Lily…"

Alice began to walk away when Half-Blood Prince said, "The attackers at the ball didn't want to do it."

Alice whirled. "What?"

Half-Blood Prince stood up and said, "They aren't doing it of their own free will, at least not entirely. That is all I want to say."

He pulled out his wand and said, "And I didn't want to send you that letter. I was forced to."

And then he disapparated, leaving Alice with more questions than answers.

And then the author finished writing the chapter, leaving the readers with more questions than answers.

Again, I apologize for uploading late. I have finals exams, work, and this story to juggle, so this was a little late.

Also before you go, I have to tell you about a new project that I am doing. I am going to challenge myself by writing a oneshot every single day starting on December 23, 2018 and ending on January 4, 2019. I am calling it my "Winter of Oneshots!" I will be writing Harry Potter oneshots, along with ones for Percy Jackson, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir! If you haven't heard of these fandoms, I encourage you to look into them! They are amazing! And if you have, I encourage you to read my oneshots! I posted the upload schedule on my profile! Check it out!

Thank you for reading and remember that I upload every Saturday*!

**Note: Again, for some it will obviously be earlier or later. Those in the time zones behind mine will probably see a post on a Friday while those in the time zones ahead of mine will be on the short end of the stick and won't see it until Sunday. I will try to keep it as early as possible because there are no posts on Sunday. ;)