A/N: And finally here's chapter 20! I'm very happy with your responses to the last chapter. I'm going for a realistic story and reality isn't always happiness and rainbows. This chapter is mostly aftermath.

Enjoy!

Miss Radcliffe

Chapter 20: When One Door Closes, Another One Opens

A great number of the wizarding community mourned the loss of the Potters. Harry and Amelia Potter were respected purebloods and many were at a loss to know why an evil wizard wanted them dead.

The funeral for the Potters was held the day following Hufflepuff's Quidditch defeat. James was allowed to bring one companion along with him and chose Sirius. Sirius had taken the news nearly as bad as James. He had been, after all, the Potters' surrogate son. When they returned, James was an absolute wreck and nearly fell into Lily's waiting arms.

As the weeks passed, there were more attacks on both wizards and Muggles and other students at Hogwarts lost friends and family. Much sadness and hopelessness filled the castle, but it was accompanied by an outrage and determination to stop the chaos. Some of the students were withdrawn from the school by their parents, even though Dumbledore insisted it was one of the safest places to be.

The combined fear of Voldemort and the fact that the Dark Lord was a frequent topic of conversation caused many people to start referring to Voldemoret as "You-Know-Who" and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." Most newspapers had discontinued using the name Voldemort and had started using these names instead.

The evening before Easter break, Lily found herself on the poufy red couch in the Gryffindor common room, a protective arm around the shoulders of James. Alexis and Sirius were snuggled together in an armchair and Remus lounged in another chair. Peter was sprawled on the floor warming his hands next to the blazing fire and Joanne sat on the other side of Lily. Alexis kept shooting Lily and James knowing and smug looks that infuriated Lily.

Truth be told, Lily wasn't quite sure i what /i she and James were. It was clearly understood that he was forgiven for the events at the Yule Ball. But it was never said whether they were friends, or something more. There hadn't been time for clarification. James' only source of comfort after his parents' death had been Lily, and she knew she'd do everything in her power to take away his pain.

Joanne and Peter would be leaving the following day to spend the break with their families. Very few students were staying at the castle due to the increased need to be close to loved ones during Voldemort's reign of terror. Lily, Alexis, and Remus were remaining at Hogwarts for James and Sirius' sake.

"Are your parents taking you anywhere, Jo?" Alexis asked, breaking the silence. Joanne shook her head.

"No, just a quiet week at home. They've always been a bit wary of the wizarding world-being Muggles, you know. And with this You-Know-Who person-,"

"Voldemort." James glared into the fire. Joanne and Alexis flinched and Peter gave a squeak at the name. "His name is Vol-de-mort. It's just a i name /i !"

Lily moved her hand comfortingly up and down his arm and he visibly relaxed. Joanne cleared her throat and, although a bit shaken, continued.

"Well, uh, I'll owl you all of course and keep you posted on whatever."

"I'm going to France," Peter piped up.

"Really? You'll have to bring us back souvenirs," James said in a strained, cheery voice.

"Um….I'll do my best," Peter squirmed.

Alexis picked up a pamphlet from a nearby table titled u So You Want to be in the Department of Transportation. u/

"Anyone thought about career options?" she asked. Pamphlets of this kind had been popping up all over the common room for the past week. Remus plucked a pamphlet up from a pile.

"Anyone fancy becoming a banker at Gringotts?" he chuckled.

"Oh yeah, I i really /i want to work with goblins," snorted Sirius.

"And you have to ride those sickening carts around all day," Lily complained.

"Or you could become a field worker for the Department of Transportaion," Alexis said sarcastically. "You get to use the Floo and travel by Portkey non-stop!"

"James, Sirius, what about Quidditch? You're probably good enough to get into some sort of league," Joanne suggested.

"I was considering becoming an Auror," James announced.

Uneasy glances were passed around the room. It was clear they were thinking the same thing: because of the death of his parents, James may become an Auror as a way to seek revenge on Voldemort.

"I think that's a great idea," smiled Lily, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.

"Thanks, Lily," he beamed, and a blush crept into her cheeks.

"But…don't you think that's a bit, well, drastic?" Alexis said carefully, not wanting to upset him. James shook his head.

"I want to help -help stop what Voldemort is doing," he clarified. Peter squealed again when James said 'Voldemort' but otherwise there was a thoughtful silence.

"He's right," Sirius added, and all eyes turned to him. "Someone's got to stop that monster."

The following day, after seeing Joanne and Peter off, James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, and Alexis sat down in the Great Hall for breakfast. Just as Lily was spooning some eggs onto her plate, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, Tiger Lily."

Lily looked up into the face of Brighton Borrail.

"Hi, Bri," she sighed.

"So you're staying over break too," he grinned. "Not too many of us, you know." Lily shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Bri, can I speak to you outside for a moment?" Lily asked.

"Anything for Miss Evans," he said, extending a hand to help her stand. She took it grudgingly and followed him into the Entrance Hall.

"What was it you wanted to talk about? Or was it something that i didn't /i involve words," Bri smirked.

"I don't know what you think we are, Bri," Lily began, her eyes narrowed, "but I feel like you used Joanne to get to know me. I also don't appreciate you hitting on me all the time and, frankly, I'd like you to keep your distance."

Bri looked as though he'd been slapped across the face. Then his expression changed into one of fury. "This is about Potter, isn't it?" he spat. "Well I'll tell you something, Lily. Potter couldn't give you half the things I can. I'm the one you'll want. I'm the one you'll be happy with."

"That's where you're wrong," Lily said, equally as fierce. "I am through with you."

In the shadows of the Entrance Hall, James smiled for the first time in weeks.

A/N: So what did you think? Please let me know in a review, good or bad. Thanks to my beta songbook99 for betaing this in between studying for finals! I'll try to have the next chapter up sooner.

Miss Radcliffe