OPTIVUS by: P.P.V.V.

Disclaimer: The Standard Disclaim applies...all original characters/ideas are mine to claim.

AN: Everyone's probably really exasperated about the amount of time I take to update. Well, I can't help but feel ticked off at myself and I really do apologize for the long wait. I have come to the conclusion that blaming life does not seem to work miracles in getting another chapter updated/written, so I won't bother, this time around. Here's to all my readers/reviewers/suscribers - an extra long chapter that, while dark, does hold a ray of happiness. Or it could just be that I'm really sadistic, after all.

Onward.

Previously:

"How exactly are we getting out of here without alerting the King's Army or the soldiers in Hogsmeade?" Lily asked.

James grinned. "It was all thanks to you. After you mentioned going through the underground passageways, Remus and I figured it out. We spent nights mapping the route." His calloused fingers reached out to pick up one of the maps on his desk.

A frown tugged at her lips. "I don't get it. Don't you already have a map of the underground tunnels?"

"This isn't a map of the underground tunnels of the Academy," James told her, waving the paper with a flourish. At her questioning look, he said, "It's a map of the underground tunnels of the village."

"The…village?"

"That's right," he confirmed. "We're escaping through the sewer system."

Chapter 14

- Bad News -

Lily shuffled out into the hallway, moving to the side as a few first year students rushed by, eagerly chatting. From where she stood, she could clearly make out the topic of their conversation as it floated back toward her.

The Festival.

Final preparations for the big event were in full swing and Lily felt a pang of regret for them.

There would be no Festival.

She tried in vain to calm her sudden nerves. How could she possibly break that kind of news to her House without causing some sort of a riot? Surely there would be disappointment all around, and she was not looking forward to it. She had never wished to have a fellow Gryffindor Elite as much as she did now.

She made a beeline to the Headmaster's office, where the Elites were summoned to have a briefing of the evacuation. There was so much to do in so little time. Already she had been instructed to put together supply lists for her Branch; these she carried with her and nearly dropped when Remus suddenly collided into her. She stumbled back, and crushed the lists to her chest, sucking in a gasp.

"My Lady! My apologies!" Remus cried, upon seeing who it was he had run headlong into. He was panting, which clearly showed that he was in a hurry. "Are you all right?"

Lily checked herself. "I'm fine," she said.

"I should have looked where I was heading," said Remus.

"It's okay," Lily told him, before he could get any more flustered than he already was. "I was preoccupied myself, so I wasn't paying attention." She gestured with the stack of now-lightly creased paper in her arms. "I'm on my way to a meeting that Master Edmund called."

Remus nodded, "I, as well. I feared I would be late, especially for something this important."

Lily decided against telling him that she did not want any part in the evacuation, because then it would show him just how frightened she was. It was her nightmares come to life again: it seemed she had not yet forgotten just how terrifying the night from the few months past had been. Instead, she nodded and said, "Let's get moving, then."

They said no more, each deep in their own thoughts, walking amiably in silence. They reached the Headmaster's office and announced themselves before entering.

Sir Lucius was already present. His fine blond hair was swept back into a ponytail, starkly visible against the dark color of his uniform. It took Lily a moment to realize that he wasn't wearing his cape. It probably had something to do with the fact that he was now under disgrace because of his actions earlier in starting up a duel with Sir James.

Even though she didn't like him, Lily said her greetings, and Lucius returned them, stiffly. If Sir Edmund picked up on their hostility, he didn't show it. Rather, he urged everyone to sit and even offered them some tea while they waited for the others.

The next one to show up was Sir Dane, who looked very tired, unlike his usual composed self. He checked his watch to make sure that he had made it on time before hailing the Headmaster. James arrived shortly after, all smiles despite the urgency of the matters at hand. He plopped himself into a chair next to Lily. Finally, Sirs Lorien and Severus entered, apologizing for keeping everyone waiting.

There was a brief trading of news and it seemed that everyone had done their parts dutifully. All the lists for supplies had been drawn and triple checked. Dane reported that the wagons were ready for load and departure.

"How will we get them out of the castle?" Severus was the one who asked the question. Lily was relieved; if she had, it would have given Sir Lucius something else to sneer at.

"Because of the Festival, no one will question carts going out," Remus said. "It's normal for props and whatnot to be used by students. We will use the carts under that disguise."

"And if they care to check?" Lucius demanded.

Does he always have to be so negative? wondered Lily, feeling her dislike for the man grow.

"Then we are simply bringing relief down to the village which is hosting a large number of people," Remus answered, not at all ruffled by Lucius' tone of voice. "After all, the Academy's attendees will require food and drink. It will seem very suspicious if we were to empty the Academy's supplies completely."

"So, too, if all the students disappeared overnight," Dane said, crossing his arms over his chest. As usual, he was not sitting down, but had taken to pacing the room, something he was more comfortable doing. It only resulted in making the others tense, but he didn't seem to notice it.

Well, he had a point.

But that would mean…

Lily felt herself grow cold when James spoke up from beside her, confirming what she wished he wouldn't say. "Which is why we mustn't all leave at once." He avoided her stare, and continued, in a quiet manner, "A fair number of us must stay behind, to lessen the suspicion."

Dane's face became unreadable, and Lily wondered whether it was because he was happy that he had not had to make that call, or if he was upset that he was leaving people behind in what would most likely turn out to be a very dangerous situation. His pacing, she noticed, had stopped all together at James' statement.

There was a long silence as all the Elites looked at each other uncomfortably.

Finally, the Headmaster broke it, by saying, "I suppose you already have in mind who will stay?"

James shifted in his seat slightly, causing the chair beneath him to squeak in protest. He adjusted his glasses (proof that he had not spared the time to put on his contacts) on his nose, and shook his head. "It is a suggestion, gentlemen, not a command. It would be preferable if there were people to remain here so that our ruse can work properly. But I dare not pick who will go and who will stay against one's will. I am, however, adamant that the women and children leave. What say you in the matter?"

Severus shook his greasy hair out of his eyes. "I agree – the women and children must not remain here. Though, I am not well with the thought of leaving people behind."

Dane glanced sideways at his fellow Ravenclaw Elite. "Sir Lorien?"

Lorien did not miss a beat. "We must have volunteers. If there are none to be had, then we must proceed with our original plan and get everyone out as quickly and as discreetly as possible."

The Headmaster nodded, which drew everyone's attention to him again. "Who will lead these volunteers?"

This time, Lily wasn't surprised when James immediately told him, "I shall," and she wasn't very surprised when none of the Elites stood to stop him. She swallowed her own protests, knowing that she would not be able to sway him from his decision: he was, after all, the best swordsman they had within the walls of the Academy. Their defenses were going to be thinly spread throughout all the groups that would be evacuating.

Her head throbbed.

How could Master Edmund even concede to the idea?

She hated this meeting.

Furiously, she clenched her fists and stared hard at them in her lap. She didn't volunteer her opinion because it wouldn't matter anyway.

Their minds were made up.

She almost missed the Headmaster's dismissal and was the last to rise to her feet. She listened dully as he instructed them on what to say to their House members and the procedure of evacuation.

Once he was done, everyone began to leave the room, Lily first because it was the gentlemanly thing to do, opening the door for the only lady in the room. She was glad for it because she didn't think she could face James right now. Inside, she was berating herself for becoming too attached. This had been precisely the reason why she had not wanted to get together with him. He had responsibilities, and she had not wanted to get in his way. At the same time, she was sick with worry for him; after seeing how badly he had been hurt – almost to the point of death – in the last infiltration, she was not ready to see him encounter the same thing again.

Before James could catch up with her, she quickly turned and called out, "Sir Dane, can I have a word with you?"

The elder man nodded once, and Lily ignored James' questioning glance, moving past him to plant herself beside the Ravenclaw Elite. "What can I do for you, my Lady?" Dane asked.

"I have to complete my lists of all the students within each House," she told him, watching as the other men moved on ahead of them. Thankfully, after a moment's hesitation, James went with them. "I have all the others, except for yours." Because she'd be leading the group of women and children, she'd have to do a constant headcount and she wanted to be prepared so that no one would go missing.

"I will have it ready for you within the hour," Dane promised her. "We will inform you as to who will stay behind after Dinner so that your lists can be adjusted."

"Keep me posted," Lily told him, making sure her voice masked her anxiety.

Dane smiled, showing dimples when he did. He reached out to squeeze her shoulder before he walked away, with a swish of his blue cape. Lorien, up ahead, waited for him before falling into step beside him.

By that time, James was a good distance away, having a conversation with Remus.

She decided to make her way to the storehouse a while later, skirting the Towers all together, knowing that James would search for her. She didn't want him to see her fear for him because she knew it would only hinder him in what he had to do.

The storehouse was bright with the noise of things being moved around and the chatter of voices while servants filed in to help with the loading of the wagons. Along the perimeter of the large barn-like room, were soldiers who watched the commotion with looks that bordered on tedium. In the center of it all stood Severus, poring through the supply lists that had been given to him to review. None of the soldiers questioned his actions because he did the task of inventory check to the Academy's supplies every day. Today, it seemed no different.

A musty smell was in the air, stirred by the many people moving around. Over the clang of metal and rustle of boxes, Lily could hear the sounds of dogs barking. She could see three of them, freely running after each other throughout the room. They probably belonged to the helping hands because students certainly were allowed no pets. The only 'pet' she had ever seen in the castle had been a tarantula, owned by Peter.

Dogs she did not mind.

Spiders, she did.

Gingerly, Lily made her way inside and Severus glanced up only briefly, his thin lips wordlessly mouthing each item as he ticked them on his page. He spoke at last, when he had to turn the page. Lily could see that he had written things in the margins with his cramped writing. "I will be done soon, my Lady," he told her. "I added a few more things to the list that I deem are important to bring. But other than that, I thank you for your pains."

Lily gave him a warm smile. "Not a problem. Do you need help loading the wagons?"

"No," was his response, "I will only require aid to review the lists. Once the wagons have been loaded, another inventory check is needed to make sure we have everything we need. Should I need assistance, I will call on you." In other words, she needn't worry.

She clasped her hands behind her back and lowered her voice, just in case the surrounding solders were listening in. Over the noise in the room, she knew they wouldn't be able to hear her, but it was better to be safe. "I wish someone else could take my place, right now…"

He returned her smile, wearily. "So do I," he admitted, tapping his pencil on his page. His black, beady eyes scanned the large storehouse, in almost a wistful manner. "I think I shall let Sir Lucius be the one to handle telling my Branch about the cancelled Festival."

They exchanged humored glances before Severus turned back to his lists. Without looking up at her, he blurted, "He considers it an honor, you know, as he is duty-bound to the Throne."

Immediately, Lily knew who he was talking about. "Can't someone else lead?" she asked. "Staying back at the Castle is too risky!"

"Sir James knows that no one else will want to. The task would fall to him in the end, anyway." Severus began to write once more, letting his words sink in before speaking again. "There is no one else who is better suited as it seems he's already planned ahead."

"So…James knew that this would happen…" Lily murmured. "But…why didn't he say something?"

Severus turned the page. "He did, but because he only had a suspicion, we could not act." He snorted in disgust. "I hope you don't think that Sir James managed to become an Elite due to his literary knowledge." In Severus' mind, James held no candle in the realm of academics. He shook his head so that his black hair fell like a curtain over his face. "No, my Lady. Sir James has always been the smartest in tactics and strategy. Master Dumbledore thought it would be wise should the Elites hold him on the ring for that purpose.

"As you can see, though he is an Elite no longer, he still takes his responsibilities of his Oath to heart. It is something admirable, though I am hard-pressed that he doesn't hear that from me."

At that, Lily giggled.

Severus looked up from his page, a small smile on his face. "Have you ever thought, Lady Lily, that Sir James might not want this responsibility? I'm certain that had he the choice, he would never leave your side."

Lily grinned. "Oh, Sir Severus, I never knew you to be the romantic type."

The Slytherin Elite flinched slightly at the remark and Lily swore she could see two pink spots appear on his sallow cheeks. He cleared his throat and turned yet another page. "There is much work to do," he said, attempting to sound curt, but Lily knew that he was feeling embarrassed.

She clasped her hands behind her back. "Thank you, Sir Severus."

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Whatever for?"

"For comforting me."

The pink spots on his cheeks darkened and he made a shooing motion with the hand that held his pen. "Get on with you," he said, gently. "And may God protect you in your lord's place."

0-0-0-0-0

Darkness came upon them earlier than usual that night, and Iris didn't know whether it was a good sign or a bad one. It seemed to remind her just how dangerous her mission was going to be, but at the same time, it was comforting to know that she would soon be free.

That is, if she could do things correctly…

From her perch under the love seat of the couch in the Queen's sitting room, she could hear the Lady Felicity opening the glass partition that served as the doorway to the patio just outside. Beyond it was her private gardens, where flowers were beginning to bloom - a sure sign of Spring.

Crickets had decided to start their song, despite the fact that the sun had not yet fully left the sky. Both Iris and the Queen listened to them, savoring the moment of peace; the calm before the storm.

It was broken too soon, however, when Felicity softly called her out of her hiding place. "Iris, darling, it is time."

Obediently, and with many a tremble, Iris pushed herself out and rose to her feet. She felt out of place in this marvelously polished room. If there was one thing the Queen adored, it was glass carvings and the various statues that she kept gleamed down at the child from the top of their display cases. There was not a speck of dust within the room, so Iris tried not to move, lest she mar any of her surroundings with dirt or soot from her body and clothes.

Felicity smiled, encouragingly. "Did you remember to bring the letter?"

"Y-yes Madam." Iris' voice croaked. It was secured around her middle, tightly wound with string so that it would not fall from the small leather satchel the Queen had tucked it into. As she could not read, Iris didn't know what was written, only that she was to deliver it to the Master of the Academy.

"Good," Felicity said, with a nod. She stalked off toward one of the many cases that stood on a table in the far corner of the room. She came back with a small sack of gold pieces. "Take this with you," she said. "You may need it to get the job done. Whatever is left over is yours to keep." She proceeded to hook the small pouch to the string alongside the satchel, covering both items with the hem of Iris' shirt.

The little girl couldn't help herself as she reached up to snatch Felicity's hand. It was smooth and warm – what Iris supposed a mother's hand would feel like. "Please, Lady Majesty, can't yer go with me?"

Felicity fought to keep a smile on her face and to keep tears from brimming in her eyes. She couldn't help but pity the young girl in front of her. Slowly, she crouched so that she was face to face with Iris. "My dear child…I'm afraid I cannot…" She drew Iris into a hug, and felt the child tense up. "I know you're afraid," she whispered. "I am, too. But if I leave the Palace with you, Toma would find out and he would start to kill everyone in his path, including all those other little children. They would die just like your friend Blake."

Iris shuddered at the remembrance of Blake's screams. She pushed away from the Queen's shoulder. The elder woman's face was grave. "If I could do this task myself, surely I would, I promise you. So I am counting on you, Iris. Do your best."

Iris swiped the back of her hand under her nose and sniffled. "O-okay…"

The Queen glanced over her shoulder at the open partition. "You mustn't delay: the sun is setting and the guards' rotation will begin. Do you remember my instructions?" At Iris' nod, the Queen bowed her head and murmured, "God bless you and keep you," in a prayer for the child's success and safety. Then, she got to her feet and led her over to the patio. "When everything is settled and all this fiasco is put behind us, I would very much like to see you again," she said. "You are invited at any time."

"Ye mean, come back 'ere?" Iris twisted around to stare up at her in surprise.

"Of course." Felicity gave her a dazzling smile.

Straightening her shoulders, Iris looked out over the dark garden. She could hear the guards talking, no doubt getting ready to change shifts for the night hours. She squeezed the Queen's hand, which she was still clutching, reluctant to let go. The Queen returned it, before gently tugging herself free and ushering the child out into the night. "Don't forget: keep to the right of the Well."

"Yes, Madam."

"Try to keep out of sight."

"Yes, Madam."

"Farewell."

And with that, the Queen slowly slid the glass partition closed behind her, leaving Iris to face the unknown by herself.

She began to move, as only a child could, keeping crouched low behind shrubs and the cover that they provided as she inched her way across the gardens. She was nimble so that she was able to squeeze herself into tight spots where no adult could possibly have thought to look. Her footfalls were not heard against the soft ground beneath her, and she avoided the burs of certain plants and branches of bushes that had not yet sprouted leaves. Her wild, red hair had been pulled back into a small ponytail so that it would not get in her way, courtesy of one of the servants in the Palace.

The guards' voices filtered out to greet her, a reminder that she could get caught at any second. In her haste, she bumped violently into the Well and almost toppled into it. Muffling her cry at the last moment, Iris tried to regain her balance, whipping her head around to see if anyone had heard her. Relief flooded her when all she heard was the low murmur of conversation.

Heart beating wildly, she groped the wall blindly, searching for the hidden doorway that the Queen had spoken of. It would be made of wood, according to Her Majesty, with an iron handle that would be unlocked. She crept along, keeping her hand firmly planted against the side of the wall, searching for said door. All she felt were crags and the rough edges to the rocks, slicing her hand open several times on particularly sharp ones. The pain made her eyes water, but she determinedly kept searching.

As if to spite her, she found the door by way of driving a rather large splinter into an already open wound. This time, she did cry out, pulling her hand back in reflex to the sudden pain. A second later, shouts rang out around the gardens.

She had messed up!

Feeling as though her heart had jumped up to her throat, Iris spun, ignoring the throbbing pain in her hand and searched frantically for the doorknob. She found it, but because of the blood on her hands, mixed in with sweat, they slipped and slid over the smooth handle.

Footsteps and voices began to surround her, and she choked back a sob. There would be no way to outrun them.

Just as she was about to give up, the door gave way, sending her sprawling onto a stone court. She was vaguely aware of the fresh pain on her chin, but she ignored that as she scrambled to her knees, only to remember that those too, were wounded. Every bone in her body seemed to scream at her, but she didn't have time to curl into a ball and cry.

The soldiers would find her.

As quickly and quietly as possible, she closed the door behind her. After which, she glanced around. Sure enough, just as Felicity had told her, the place served as a tool shed of sorts. Here was where the gardeners kept their rakes and hedge cutters. Here too, was where shovels, hoes and pickaxes were kept, some of them still sporting some stain of earth on their metal heads. If she wasn't careful, she could send a lot of them falling over and that would instantly give away her position.

At this rate, how was she going to get to the wall if everything was in her way?

Iris did not have long to debate, though, because the voices began to sound closer to the door.

She proceeded to pick her way through whatever space she could. Several times, she stumbled and fell, but due to her size, she was able to slither past all the equipment in a fairly easy manner. She tried to console herself with the thought that if the soldiers ran after her, they'd have to contend with all the obstacles first.

The wall, however, was much higher than the one she had climbed the first time around, and at the time, she had had Victoria and Blake help her.

Blake…

The memory of his death sent a shudder through the young child, and she determinedly set her hands to the rough stone.

She would get out if it was the last thing she did.

She had to deliver the Queen's message.

And so, she began her grueling climb.

Slowly, she inched her way up the cold stone, her breath hitching whenever she felt like she was going to fall. Both hands were slick with blood now, and it made it difficult for her to have a solid grip on the wood.

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally made it to the top.

Stay in the cover of the trees, she remembered Felicity saying. Wearily, Iris made herself move across the narrow strip of the ledge, toward the thicket of trees that had overgrown on one side of the wall. She was almost there when she heard the door to the shed open with a loud bang. The sound was enough to startle Iris, so that she screamed.

"Over there!" She heard someone shout. The responses to his exclamation were in Russian, so that the little girl could not understand it. One thing she did manage to make out was the fact that she had been found, and that she had run out of time.

Peering into the small room, she could make out nine figures, each dressed down in red uniforms. Each held a gun.

Instead of picking their way past the equipment as she had, the soldiers went through it brazenly, not caring that they were making a mess of things. The clatter of falling objects was so loud in her ears that for a moment, Iris quite forgot what it was she had to do.

When she realized that she had been correct in assuming that the soldiers would be slowed down, she hurried toward the thicket of trees, focused solely on getting to their blessed protection.

Right before she could make it to her destination, a sound – louder than anything Iris had ever heard – echoed through the air. It made her hair stand on end, her head spin, and left her ears ringing. Iris very nearly jumped out of her skin, and she missed a step, twisting her left ankle.

The sound came again, and this time, the rock beneath her feet exploded. In her surprise and fear, she jumped back, only to realize too late that the ledge did not extend that far.

Her screams followed her as she fell.

0-0-0-0-0

The bag was simple, but sturdy, no designs or ridiculous ornaments adorned it. Made of supple leather, it was strong and well-used. It had seen its days of school trips and family outings. Now, it was going to see its first (and hopefully last) evacuation.

Travel light.

That was what the Headmaster had said.

In went shirts and pants, as well as undergarments and socks. Toiletries went in afterwards, next to the essential pocket knife and First Aid kit. As she did not own a sleeping bag, Lily rolled her blanket up tight: it would have to do as a makeshift bed. Pillows were a luxury, as were valuables, so they would be left behind. According to Master Edmund, each would have to hold their own weight, so it was not wise to bring more than what one could carry.

She had to pack quickly because the Curfew Bell would ring soon and she needed to address her House. Added to that, she still had to double check the supply wagons for the women and children. She had to make sure there was enough food and water for their group to last at least two weeks.

Lily knew that the going would be slow because of the route and the fact that a medicinal cart would also be travelling with them. A group of men were to go with them as well, hand-picked by James because they were well-learned in the art of combat. They would be the protectors should their group run into any trouble. Unfortunately, Sir Lucius was included in that number. Knowing full well of his dislike for her, Sir Dane had volunteered to accompany them, and Lily was glad for it. She knew for a fact that she would never get along with the Slytherin Elite, either.

She glanced up when someone knocked on the door. The clock told her that she still had fifteen minutes to spare before the Bells rang.

Who could it be? Rosetta, the Arts and Athletics Branch maid, was not due to her rooms for a while yet. Curiously, she bid whoever it was to enter.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," James said, upon opening the door.

Well, Lily definitely hadn't been expecting his presence.

They stared at each other before he whispered, "I'm sorry, my Lady…"

"There isn't any other way, is there?" Lily heard herself ask, turning her stare to the now coverlet-bare bed.

His silence was all the answer she needed.

She didn't know what to say. Damn it, she thought, angrily. Why did he always have to play the hero? If she tried to stop him, she would end up looking like a villain.

She took a few moments to compose herself. James was a grown man who could take care of himself. She had to believe in him.

But still…was it too much to want to stay by his side?

She turned when he suddenly closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her waist tightly, in a desperate embrace.

"I'm so afraid, Lily…" he told her. She could feel him trembling, and she couldn't help but remember what Severus had told her about him wishing that the responsibility wouldn't fall on him.

How could anyone stay angry with that knowledge?

If anything, she felt sorry for him. Of course he was afraid – aside from Aesalon, he had suffered the most during the ordeal of the hostage attack. She remembered the frightful screams that had ripped themselves free of his throat a few nights ago when he relived those memories in his dreams.

She remembered his wounds.

She remembered the blood that had seemed like it would never stop flowing from his body.

Lily reached up to return his embrace. "So am I…"

His breath was cool against her forehead when he spoke next. "I know you're upset. Yet…" he stopped when she put a finger gently to his lips.

"I know," she whispered. "There isn't any other way. I know."

He paused, and looked her in the eyes, imploringly. His right hand came up to stroke her face, as if memorizing it by its feel. For a long time, his fingers brushed her eyebrows, her cheekbones, and her lips. They came to rest on her chin, tilting it slightly. "Allow me..." his voice was barely audible, "…to be selfish…just this once…"

Lily's hand slid to his chest as he bent to kiss her.

He smelled wonderful, of cologne and shampoo. The scent made her head spin in euphoria; the way he pulled her closer sent her knees to wobbling.

She thought right then and there that she would not mind more of his selfishness and she eagerly returned his kiss.

It was bittersweet; the feeling of despair, while not said aloud, lying just beneath the surface.

With that thought, Lily fisted the material to James' shirt as the kiss deepened. She had never done anything like this before, and she liked it immensely. Her heart felt near to bursting, and she was acutely aware of his body pressed against hers.

All too soon, it came to an end, and they moved to sit down on the bed together, hands entwined. After a while, Lily got up to pack again, reluctantly. James handed her the articles she had prepared.

A silence settled over them both, each lost in their thoughts, neither wanting to say a word because in so doing, it would somehow signal that their time together would come to an end. Thus, they stayed quiet, with futile hopes that they could be left in peace together and that the whole evacuation would not have to proceed.

Lily put each item away in a stoic manner, without really seeing what she was holding. She wanted to lean against James again, to feel his warmth, much as she had months past in a world she had considered to be magical; in the greenhouse where they had hidden together from a storm. She couldn't help remembering.

Eventually, James said, "My Lady…if anything should happen to me…" but Lily stiffened and said, "Don't say that. Nothing is going to happen to you."

He wagged a shirt at her, which she snatched and stuffed angrily into the bag. "Lily. As much as I love optimism, we must always be prepared for the worst." His eyes held a faraway, haunted look, when he made to stand next to her. "I've learned that the hard way, too many times."

His sister's violent raping.

The infiltration of the school.

And now, this.

Lily was about to protest, but clammed up when James absently dropped a kiss onto her hair. Without removing his mouth, he murmured, "Please…do not turn back." His breath in her hair, tickled.

Somehow, this conversation sounded awfully familiar. Seeming to read her mind, James chuckled softly. "You promised me last time that you wouldn't, yet you came barging in anyway."

The redhead flushed at that, and looked away, unhappily. "Why does it seem like you're trying to say goodbye?"

"Because it is a goodbye. For now." He added, hastily. "But I will return to your side, just like I promised. Now, be good and give me your word that you won't turn back. Your responsibility is with the students of the Academy."

Lily shrugged, in what she hoped looked like nonchalance instead of defeat. "Fine. I promise I won't turn back."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good."

Their conversation was cut short by the sound of laughter floating up from the Common Rooms down below. It reminded them that there were announcements to make that would surely end any mirth that still resided within the Gryffindor Towers.

James glanced at the door, his face becoming unreadable. It gave off the opinion that he was sure of himself, ready to take on whatever came his way. "Come, my Lady. We must go." He extended a hand out to her, which she took, reluctantly. She allowed him to tug her to the exit, just as the Curfew Bells rang.

It was time to face the music.

Her heart began to pump furiously in dread.

Her companion murmured, "Everything will be all right. I will not let you walk through the flames alone."

And so they exited the room hand in hand, the bringers of bad news.

To Be Continued…

AN: I know, it was dark, but hey, there was some L/J moments. Couldn't pass those up. In any case, I hope you enjoyed the read. Can I promise another update? Definitely. Can I promise an update that will come out very soon (sooner)? No. My schedule is haywire, so I am trying really hard to find time to sit down and write. Again, I apologize if I seem to drop off the face of the planet, but I swear I am alive and kicking. I don't mean to have such a long wait between chapters and I beg you to be patient.

I want to thank all the readers and reviewers once more! I can't tell you guys how much I appreciate them and love them. Keep them coming to keep me rolling. See you next update!

Thanks for reading,

-P.P.V.V.