Chapter 14: Chaos
The day of the last Hogsmeade visit before examinations dawned chilly and gray. Of course it was chilly and gray, it was the barest beginnings of winter. The possibility of snow hung in the air and clouds. Lily did not mind in the least. She loved the prospect of the first snow. It was one of her favorite things about December at Hogwarts, because a blank of soft, white cold would descend upon the castle, the grounds, and the village, making everything quiet, muffling sounds, and calming the surroundings. She loved the first snow. So it was with the flutter of excitement for the first snow and nerves for going out with James Potter to the village as possibly more than a friend that Lily entered the girls' dormitory hall in Gryffindor Tower through the other door in her bedroom wall.
She banged on the door to the seventh year girls' room hearing voices on the other side. She was ready to get down to the Great Hall and grab breakfast.
"Are you guys coming?" she asked, opening the door.
"Yes," replied Shannon from her desk chair, where she was watching Celia run around the room only half clothed. "We're just waiting for Miss 'just five more minutes' to finish getting ready."
"Morning, Lils. I hear you have a date with the infamous James Potter. It is about time, if I do say so myself," said Alice from her perch by the window, where she was watching the gray clouds with interest.
Lily colored. "Well, if you want to call it that. I wouldn't say it's a date exactly, but more of a friendly outing with less than the entire group of friends. I'm just going to try and get along with him. We are living together after all, so it just makes sense that we get along."
"Lily," began Alice, "you think what you like, but I see something other than friendship in your future."
"Oh, hush, Alice. Just because you and Frank are all about each other and being together forever, doesn't mean the rest of us are."
"Jealous, much, Lils?" asked Meredith, bounding into the room, face and hair clean and fresh.
"No, Meredith. I'm not jealous. I'm happy Alice has such a great guy like Frank to rely on, but that does not mean I will in any way feel deep, gushy feelings for James Potter." Lily curled a strand of her hair around her finger, a nervous gesture her friends recognized.
"Mhm, well, that's that then, isn't it?" said Celia, Celia, pulling on her left and final shoes. "Breakfast anyone?"
"Morning, Remus. Feeling better today?" asked a groggy voice from beneath a pile of blankets.
"Been better, James, but glad it is morning."
"Get up, you lot. Hogsmeade today. You don't want to stand up dear Lilykins, now do you James? She might hex you into next week if you did," said a disturbingly cheery Sirius, pulling open the curtains on the window nearest him.
"Correct, Sirius, but after last night, I'm not too sure I want her in the village at all. Seedy activity and all that. Not sure it's too safe for the love of my life."
"Eh, Headmaster said he'd be around with the other teachers down in the village with us to keep things all right. You relayed to us, James, that the adults have everything in hand and not to worry. Now, how much do we believe that, boys?"
"Not much," said Peter, head poking out from his bed.
"I'm not sure how much I believe them, either, James. We are capable of taking care of ourselves, but are the other students? And after all, how much can the teachers really do to protect everyone, if something does actually happen. It seems more surreal and like a dream the further we get from last night. I almost hoped I'd dreamed it," added Remus.
"Well, then we'll just bring a few extra precautions with us today, in the event that we would need them. Now, let's get moving so we can get breakfast before we venture out." James tossed off his blankets and began rummaging around for clothes. He so seldom slept in the boys' dormitory that his selections for clothing were limited. He left the others to get ready while he ran back to the Head's room to shower and dress properly, and pick up a few precautions from his trunk. It had seemed a good idea to stay with the others last night when Remus' beast had finally been satiated with enough moonlight. He also didn't want Lily to think he'd been romping about without purpose, which he had. Honestly, he couldn't let them run around with Remus on full moon alone.
It was empty when he clambered through the door, Lily having already departed for breakfast. It was for the best that she not have any suspicions about his extra belongings anyway for their day trip to the village. A fast shower, and changing from the clothes he kept stored in the boys' dorm into something more himself, and he was almost ready to join the others at breakfast. Into a pocket of his coat, he stuffed the invisibility cloak and his wand; it paid to take precautions. Slamming the door, he vaulted out of the portrait hole and ran down to the hall to join the others. There was absolutely no sense in keeping Lilly waiting. He paused at the busy entrance to the Great Hall, spotted Lily and the others and stood watching her for a moment as she pushed a loose strand of red hair behind her ear. Even eating she looked adorable. Feeling eyes on her, Lily looked up and waved him over to get him to hurry up and sit down. The air was laced with excitement. There was not an older student among them who did not relish the visits to Hogsmeade. It was a fast breakfast, seeing as the others were finished except for taking the last sips of tea from their cups.
"James, don't choke there, buddy," said Sirius, watching James shove an entire piece of buttered toast into his mouth. "We can wait a few more seconds to walk down if it will keep you from dying by toast."
James swallowed. "No need, Sirius, I'm good to go. Lily?" He turned to look at her a little ways down the table.
"Ready when you are, James." Her lips tipped up into a small smile.
"Alright then, let's go." James jumped up from the table as the others smiled at his enthusiasm. Grabbing her hand, he almost dragged Lily out the doors and onto the grounds.
"James, shouldn't we wait for the others?"
"They'll catch up. I'm honestly not worried about them at all. Besides, I never said this was a group date, did I, Lils?"
"Hm, I see. Well then, come on, won't you?" She took off down the road at a jog, looking over her shoulder, grinning through her hair. It took James a moment to get with the program, but soon he'd caught up with her. Weaving through students, he grabbed her wrist, stopping her forward motion, but the momentum toppled them both to the ground in a laughing heap.
"We're an absolute dirty mess already and it's just morning," she said, getting up.
"Yeah, well, you just have to go and make it a challenge, didn't you?"
"Well, obviously James. I'm nothing if not a challenge. Am I worth the effort do you think?" She raised challenging eyebrow.
Dusting his hands off on his trousers, he put them on her shoulders. "I've thought so for a long time, Lily."
"Hey, you two, leave room for God in that embrace." Leave it to Sirius to ruin what could have been a very romantic moment. The rest had caught up with the lovebirds.
"Took you guys long enough," said Lily, pulling away from James. "Let's go. We've got a whole beautiful, frosty day to play in."
Off the enlarged group went down the road, the roofs of the village building emerging over the hill as they walked. Students were already everywhere, going in and out of doors, bells clinging, people shouting, laughing, running around. It was a much-needed break for the students of Hogwarts. Their group rambled along loudly, getting on well, Sirius sticking interestingly close to Celia, still acting his jovial self, but more watchful and tense than usual. James noticed and looked over at Remus who jut shrugged his shoulders. There really was nothing to worry about; the headmaster had said so. In the village, the group split seven hundred different directions, trying to go do as much as possible in their day out. James pulled Lily off to the three broomsticks for a proper butterbeer and chat, sans fistfight this time.
Lily claimed a table near the window, watching James a he went to the bar and collected their drinks before returning to her. "Alright, Lily, tell me something deeply important that I need to know about you?" he said, taking the first delicious swig of drink.
She stared at him over the lip of the bottle as she slipped it from her mouth. "What?"
"Come on. What's something that is absolutely necessary for me to know about you?"
"Well, my parents and sister are muggles and we have no idea where I came from. My parents love me, but my sister, while I love her, is a devious, hurtful, jealous girl who can't stand me anymore even though we used to be the closest friends that we could be. How's that?"
"That will do nicely. You have a hateful sister? I'm an only child."
"I can tell."
"What? I think I should be insulted. What do you mean by that, Miss Evans?"
"You're an attention hog, James. It's a classic sign of an only child."
"Oh, is that all. I thought you were going to tell me something bad about myself." James smiled at her small giggle.
"Do you have any family among the disappearance?"
"That's kind of a dark turn to the conversation."
"Well, you said you wanted to chat. You didn't say anything specific, so if you want to get to know me, then I get to know you."
"Fair point. Yes, actually. I've got an aunt and uncle missing currently, my mum's side of the family. That's all, thankfully. They were ministry workers, don't really know what. My family tends not to talk about work when we're together. We talk about everything but work, except for my schoolwork of course."
"I'm sorry. How long have they been missing?"
"About a year now." James fiddled with the knots in the woods of the tabletop. "How about we find a more cheerful topic? This is our first 'date' after all."
"That sounds like a great idea, James. So, are you sure I'm not going to be stepping on any male love crush between you and Sirius? Is he going to go all scorned lover on me? Because I'm quite happy with how well he'd getting along with Celia right now."
"Nah, not a problem. Sirius has got my back, but we have never had any 'male love crush' between us. It is an interesting change in events between those two, though, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I think it's good for them, though. She's pretty down to earth, and I think she might be a good balance for Sirius' wildness." Lily slung back the last of her drink and set it on the table next to James' empty bottle.
"Shall we go wander about and perhaps visit the joke shop?"
"Okay, James, but I think that particular part of the day if all about you and you're trying to forget we're on a date."
"Oh, no, my dear Lily. It is simply me sharing some of my world with you." He held out a hand to her and they left, stupid grins spread wide over faces.
Outside it had begun to snow large, white flakes. Lily danced a circle, skirt twirling around her knees as she turned. James watched in amusement. "It's snowing, Potter!"
"I've noticed, Evans."
"Quit that."
"You started it."
"It's snowing. Shut up and enjoy it." Snowflakes were settling into her hair, looking like glistening diamonds as they melted to her strands. To James, she looked like an angel. "Stop staring and come dance with me."
"But there's no music, Lily. We'll look like we've got knocked in the head a few too many times."
"James Potter," she said, hands on hips, "since when have you ever been concerned with how you look to people? Now come here." She grabbed him, settling his hands in hers and beginning to twirl circles around him like he was a Maypole. She jumped away from him, clasped hands held high, and stuck out her tongue to catch snowflakes on.
"I thought you were always the composed one. Where did this silly side come from?"
"Oh, James, you've just never had the desire to meet it because you've always been such a pain in my side. Come on, show me your world."
"Is that a challenge?"
"Why? Is there a lot of seedy, dark stuff no one knows about?"
"I wouldn't say no one, but maybe."
"Well, then you'll just have to teach me all about yourself."
They took off down the street towards the shop, spying Sirius and Remus near the door to the store. The boys waved them over.
"It's snowing," proclaimed Lily.
"Yes, we had noticed," replied Remus.
"Not insinuating your brilliant mind had not, Remus, just releasing some excitement."
"Right, well seeing as you've gone a little nuts, why don't we go inside?" said Sirius.
"Brilliant idea, let's," said James, sweeping Lily in through the door before him.
Inside it was chaos. Bells rang, smoke rose, people called to each other. Lily laughed as something whizzed by her head, grabbing James' arm. He smiled down at her, enjoying the feeling of her warmth through his coat sleeve.
"Where's Peter?" asked James.
"Haven't see him since we split up. Probably skulking off somewhere," said Sirius. They didn't really pay much attention to Peter, but they couldn't exactly exclude him either, even if he wasn't as good as they were at much of anything.
As Lily wandered around and looked at the interesting objects of the shop, James purchased a few essentials to renew his stock back in the castle. One could never have too many fireworks or tricks up their sleeves. Lily appeared at his shoulder as he paid and collected his purchases.
"Could I talk you into walking up to the Shrieking Shack?"
James was automatically alert. "Why?"
"Because everyone says it's haunted and if there really are ghosts up there that are not Hogwarts Castle ghosts, I want to see them." She had a pleading look on.
"Alright, but just a quick look. Then how do you feel about tea or something? Maybe finding the others and getting into some mischief."
"Deal." Lily looked pleased.
James waved to the other boys who were still meandering around the shop, and the two of them walked back out into the snow, Lily pulling her scarf tighter around her neck.
Noticing this movement, James said, "I thought you loved the snow?"
"Oh, I do. I never said I liked the cold that comes with the snow, however."
"Picky, aren't we?"
"Oh hush, James. I'm sure you have things you aren't a huge fan of either." She pushed him playfully.
"Well, there's a few things."
"Like what?"
"Like burned toast. Love toast, not the charcoal version."
"That's not what I was expecting. Are you trying to tell me that the great James Potter isn't really bothered by anything?"
"Not at all. Just that you will have to find out on your own."
"I see. You want to be challenging, too, eh?"
"I think it's only fair."
"Well—" a loud explosion from behind them in the village cut off Lily's statement. They turned. "What the hell was that?"
"I don't know. Stay here." James began to run back the way they had come, abandoning their adventure to the shack.
"I am not staying here, James," Lily called, running to catch up with him.
Up ahead there was another explosion. Smoke was rising above the rooftops. James stopped short at the edge of the road, wand out, looking at the students hurtling back towards the castle or at least cover. Meredith streaked past, heading for a shop door, tugging Shannon behind her. The professors had emerged from the crowd. Ushering students out of the way, and firing sparks from busy wands in different directions. Black robed, masked figures were lighting wreaking havoc on the town. Students and local alike jumped into the fray before being forced out of the way by duelers.
"Lily, sta—Lily?" James turned around to find her gone. He scanned the crowd and say red hair flying as she ducked a stream of light and shot her own back at her attacker. She was not alone in her endeavor, however. Alice was on the offensive, Frank a few feet from them exchanging fire with another Death Eater. He ran over, aiming as he went/ "Damn it, Lily, get to safety."
"Kind of busy here, James. Don't tell me to stop. I don't have enough focus to argue with you and –" she ducked, "keep people alive. Either help out or shut up." Her mouth was pressed into a grim line, focusing on her quarry.
Alice yelped as a light smacked into her shoulder, leaving behind a nasty looking burn mark, singed clothing stuck to it. "Frank, don't you dare stop what you're doing to worry about me," she yelled over her shoulder, knowing what he was doing behind her back as she inched closer, losing concentration for a second.
"Alice," yelled a professor, "get out of here. Now, and that's not a request. I've got your place." He stepped in, pushing her aside. Alice nodded and ran for a nearby door, students beckoning for her.
In her concentration, Lily didn't notice the Death Eater aiming for her. James tackled her to the ground, shooting a stunning spell over her body as he did, smacking the attacked in the face; a direct hit. "You are going to listen to me," he said to her through gritted teeth, shielding her with his body as he watched the battle. "Get out of here. I can't keep you safe if you're stubbornly putting yourself in danger. And I'm not getting off until you agree."
"Fine, just don't lose focus or we're both in trouble."
"I've got this covered. Take the cloak out of my pocket and get to Alice. Now go." He rolled off her, aiming as he went, the cloak pulled out by Lily with his body's movement. She pulled it on and rushed for the cover she'd seen Alice disappear into. Panting, she tugged it down and slammed into the door, dashing into the building. Celia knelt by Alice, delicately picking pieces of cloth out of the wound, trying not to hurt the girl.
"Lily, thank God you're alright. Where is everyone?" said Celia, staring at her friend.
"I don't know, but we've got to get back up to the castle. It's the only securely safe place there is, and Alice needs medical attention."
"Oh, don't worry about me, Lily. I'll be fine. Celia won't let me see out the window, is Frank still okay?"
"He's fine as far as I know. I don't think we're going anywhere quickly, though."
"Right," said the charms professor, edging his way in through the door, wand pointed out. "I'm getting you lot safely back up to the castle so we don't have to worry about you. All older student get your wands out and use what knowledge you have from your classes to help each other. I can't look everywhere at once, but I'm going to do my best to get everyone home. Now, come on and stay behind me. No stragglers. Move quickly and quietly."
Obligingly, the student huddled together, Alice behind Lily, but wand held around her friend as an extra help to their defense. Lily and Celia stood on either side of the charms professor, fourth year students crammed in behind them, not having much knowledge in the way of field work with the dark arts as of yet. A jet of light flew over the group, badly aimed, and Celia shot back in the general direction of cloaked figures. The professor did some fancy wand work and the masked being went sprawling. Lily noticed a small student running towards them and pulled the girl into the group behind her. The headmaster was doing a fair job knocking most of the ones behind the fires out of the way and the battle. A fireball shot past the students caught a tree on fire. Students screamed, moving out of the way. Their group made it to the flow of student moving towards the castle from the danger of the village.
"Lily, Celia, get them all back up to the castle. I'm going back to help. Move, quickly." The charms professor ran back into the battle.
"Well, you heard him, move it," shouted Lily over the noise at the wide-eyed students in her care. Celia took the lead, Lily following at the rear, ready. She heard a yell and searched the faces until she saw James, clutching a hand to side where a spell had cut a bloody path through his left side. Red drops were peppering the snow around his feet as he circled, still moving to protect those he could. "Alice, take over. I've got to help James."
"Lily," Alice screamed after her as she took her place, shoving the students up the road with her back, wand out, ignoring her burn. "Get back here."
Lily, of course, ignored her. She shot a stunning spell at James's attacker as she run, scoring a victory for her team. "James Potter," she yelled, catching him as she fell to kneel in the sparse, new snow. "You get your ass back up to that castle before you do something else stupid." She grabbed him, eyes watching for any more danger.
"Evans, I sent you for safety. Why aren't you listening to me?"
"Because you're being stupid. Now, hold onto me and let's go. I'm getting you out of here. You're bleeding all over everything. Frank," she yelled, noticing Frank was listening as he joined to stand over them, "can you give me a hand?"
"Would love to, Lily. I've got to go after Alice. She's hurt, and she needs me."
"Don't get distracted, Frank. She'll be fine as soon as she gets up to the castle. Can you help me with James? He's losing blood fast." James was slumped against her, breathing slightly heavy.
Frank grabbed one arm and Lily the other, a nearby professor covering them as they went for the road. James left a red streak down behind him as the stumbled along. Ducking spells, they managed the cover of the trees. Most students had already made it up, and they were fairly alone. Both stayed on the alert. The shadows seemed to hold more than they were in their depths, and Lily jumped at the smallest movement.
"James, stay with us." James muttered something, slipping from her grip to the ground, out cold. "We've got to get him up to the castle, now."
"Here," Frank mumbled a hovering spell to help them with the weight. "that should make it easier for us both. A flourish of movement to their left had Frank raising spells and shouting to Lily to get James and go. She didn't think twice, grabbing her much lighter load and streaking towards the castle as fast as her feet could carry them.
At some point, she went numb, knowing that Frank had caught up with them at some point, noticing the blood trickling down his face from a cut above his eye, but she didn't feel anything about it. At the doors to the castle, James was taken from her and rushed away. Someone was telling her to have a cup of tea and calm down. Everything was going to be fine. But it wasn't. She was positive James was breathing too shallowly when she saw him last to be fine. She slid against the banister, noticing the comforting, frantic hands of Shannon on her arms, and cried.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter to follow swiftly! Please Review!! Thank you!