Disclaimer: I own nothing. Both here and else where as well.

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Aly's head felt very fuzzy and heavy the next morning.

She had gone straight to bed when she had reached the room. She had pulled the curtains back the second she fell on the bed, hoping to avoid Lily.

It had worked. Either Lily was asleep or she realized that Aly didn't want to talk.

Aly woke still wrapped in both cloaks, on top of the made bed. She pulled herself up and peaked around to see that Lily was already gone. After showering and dressing, Aly, still feeling fuzzy, headed down to the common room. She didn't find who she was looking for so, with the the extra cloak draped over her arm, she headed to the Great Hall.

She found Lily sitting alone and sank down next to her. Lily didn't acknowledge her though.

"Lily."

There was still response from her.

"Lils," Aly whined and let her head fall onto Lily's shoulder, partly because she wanted Lily's attention, but mostly because her head was beginning to feel to heavy to hold up.

"What's wrong?" Lily droned, sounding dead and empty.

"Issue with my dad," Aly mumbled, slightly hurt by Lily's disinterest.

"Anything new?" Lily asked.

Aly pulled her head up and looked at Lily. She hadn't notice that Lily's whole body seemed off. She sat stiff backed, staring straight ahead, her hands clenched into fists around a piece of paper.

"Lils, what is wrong?" Aly was suddenly concerned. A bubble of fear filled her chest and squeezed her heart. "Lily?" Aly moved to take the piece of paper from her. Lily didn't resist her, but she didn't move. Aly finally managed to get the letter from her. She noticed the graceful handwriting of Mrs. Evan. She scanned it quickly and the bubble in her chest burst. Tears started to sting her eyes and she gasped as she tried to take in a few deep breathes. She went to hug Lily, but Lily snapped, "Don't."

Aly pulled back and watched her. Lily hadn't changed her stance. In fact, it was if she hadn't even moved.

"Aww, Lils," Aly said soothingly.

"Shut up," Lily snapped again turning to face Aly. "Just shut up. This is none of your business."

She had stormed off before Aly could process what had happened. If only her head wasn't fuzzy, maybe she could have been able to stop her.

Sirius sat down across from her, having witnessed the whole thing. "What was up with her?"

Aly merely handed him the letter. He began to unfold the letter when McGonagall swooped down on the them. "Miss Dumbledore," she seemed to emphasize the last name.

"Professor?" Aly's head had taken in too much already today, she didn't want or need this.

"You missed detention last night."

"Yes."

"You'll have to serve two more to make it up."

"I know," Aly mumbled.

"Off to class then."

Aly got up, grabbed an apple, and reached over the table to hand Sirius his cloak.

"Thanks," he said brightly, standing up and slipping the letter into his back pocket. He seemed ready to walk her to class.

"Mr. Black," McGonagall said, "Please wait a moment. I have something to discuss with you."

Aly left the two and headed to Charms. Sirius slipped in 5 minutes late. Lily was MIA. Professor Flitwick talked to Aly after class and followed her all the way to Ancient Ruins. Aly realized the pattern throughout the day. Either she was never alone or Sirius wasn't. Slughorn help Sirius up and invited him to lunch. He held him over because he was late for their next class and then was asked to discuss his homework assignment in Care of Magical Creatures.

So when Aly sank into her usual seat in Transfiguration, McGonagall looked rather pleased to see her alone. Aly would've been more upset by this if she hadn't been so worried about Lily. Class started and Lily didn't appear, but Sirius snuck in about 10 minutes late. He quickly and quietly took Lily's usual seat. McGonagall nearly jumped out of her skin when she turned around and saw him sitting there, quickly copying Aly's notes.

The door creaked open again and McGonagall turned sharply to face the student.

"Sorry, Professor."

"Take a seat, Miss Evans."

Sirius jumped up to move back a row and give Lily her normal seat, but she rushed to the seat behind Aly before Sirius could. He looked confused, so did McGonagall, as he sank back down into the seat next to Aly.

The rest of class went by without incident. After class, McGonagall called Aly up to speak to her. "I'll wait," Sirius whispered to her before he left the room.

McGonagall waited for the room to clear before asking, "What is going with Miss Evans?"

Aly was surprised. "Oh, you wanna talk about Lily?" She had anticipated talk of the boy boy currently waiting outside the door for her. "Um, she's not feeling well today," Aly said slowly.

"That's it?"

"Yes," Aly said simply.

"Alright." McGonagall's lips were pursed tightly and she looked as if she didn't believe her. When Aly reached the door, she heard her say, "Watch out for her."

Aly nodded and left. Sirius stood off in the shadows. "No chaperone?"

"You noticed, huh?"

"Your dad definitely has a whole army to do his dirty work for him." Sirius seemed to find the whole situation funny.

"This isn't humorous."

"We could have some fun with this you know."

"How?"

"Oh, you'll see. Just play along at dinner, alright?"

She hesitated. It was never a wise thing to 'play along' with Sirius. "Fine," she finally agreed as she watched him pull the letter out.

"I haven't read it yet," he said noticing her eyes grow wide. Aly just nodded.

"Hey, when does your dad normally eat?" he asked unfolding it.

"Early," Aly stated not taking her eyes off of the letter.

"We should go then." He stuffed the letter back into his pocket and grabbed Aly by the wrist.

When the reached the Great Hall, Sirius wound his fingers through hers. She was about to protest, but they were already in the hall. They moved along near the front of the Gryffindor table in obvious view of the teachers. They sat and ate normally. Sirius seemed to sit closer than usual and he gently touched her casually. Aly smiled at him, both of them silently laughing at their inside joke. Aly thoroughly enjoyed dinner, too much for her own good she told herself. Sirius was great company. He carried the conversation and Aly laughed for the first time that day. It felt good to be out of her real life for a while. Just before they started dessert, his stray hairs fell into his face. Aly reached out and flicked them back to the side. She felt the electricity that had been suppressed. They held eyes for a moment then both turned back awkwardly to finish eating.

They stood up to leave together. Sirius leaned forward and buried his lips into her hair and whispered, "Time to take it up a notch. Don't be surprised."

Aly tried to make it seem like she wasn't waiting for something as Sirius caught the attention of a Ravenclaw. "I'll be right back. Wait for me?" he asked.

"Sure," she beamed, she had seen her father watching them very closely.

Sirius leaned in, his hands on both sides of her face, and gave her a full on kiss. It lasted a good 15 seconds.

"Be back," he said moving over to the Ravenclaw table.

Aly sat down, trying to look impatient, her heart going a mile a minute. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father stand to leave.

Sirius reappeared. "Let's go." He wrapped his arm around her neck and she put hers around his waist. She leaned up and gave him a peck on the cheek. They left and kept up the charade until they reached the portrait hole.

They burst into the common room, both laughing uncontrollably. Sirius tripped over the edge of one of the carpets but continued to laugh.

Aly caught the back of one of the chairs. She suddenly straightened up, her laughing coming to a quick stop.

Lily sat on their usual couch, her eyes red and puffy, but dry. Aly didn't say anything, but watched her intently. Sirius suddenly popped up next to Aly, still holding his side.

"Lily, what's wrong?" he asked, his breathe coming in sharp gasps.

She swallowed and asked, "Didn't you hear?"

He shook his head.

Lily turned back to the fire. After a few short seconds, she announced, "I think I'll go lie down." She meandered up the stairs slowly.

"She's a breathing zombie," Sirius simply. "What is going on?"

"I think its time you read that letter you've been carrying around all day."

She took the spot Lily had just vacated as Sirius pulled out the rather crinkled letter. He scanned it, as Aly held her breathe, and then he reached the point that had to be read aloud:

"I wish this were something that I could tell you in person. Well, realistically, I wish this were something that I wouldn't ever have to tell you, but with you being at school this seems to be the best way I can think of. I found a lump, and after tests, it appears that I have Stage 2 breast cancer.

Now, Lilyflower, I don't want you to worry about me. I'll keep you completely up to date on everything, but you need to stay focused on school. Your father and I are so proud of you. Keep up the great work. You are amazing student and daughter.

Tell Aly we send our love.

I love you,

Mom"

Sirius sank down into his chair. He stared at the letter. "Aly," he whispered, "You need to go talk to her about this."

"I know." Aly stifled a sob that was threatening to break through her throat. "But she says it isn't any of my business."

"So?" Sirius asked sounding rather annoyed.

When Aly didn't reply, he barked at her, "Go help her."

The tears that had been brimming in Aly's eyes suddenly spilled over. "There are more important things than following directions," Sirius told her, more kindly this time.

Aly nodded and stood, bracing herself for what she was about to handle. Sirius stood as well and came over to her, looking torn. After a few seconds of deliberation, he pulled her into a back-breaking hug. Then with one glance over his shoulder at her, he was gone.

Aly stood for a moment, dazed, then shook her head from side to side to remove him from her thoughts. She took a deep breathe and headed upstairs.

Lily was sitting on Melanie's bed when Aly walked through the door.

"Why are you on Mel's bed?"

Lily looked around, "Oh." She got up and moved over to her own bed, turning to Aly for conformation that she had picked the right one this time. Aly nodded and Lily scooted back against the headboard.

"So," Aly started, "You missed class today."

Lily shrugged.

"And lunch with pretty boring without you."

Another shrug came from the bed.

"And your mom has cancer."

Lily's jaw set.

"She seems to be coping okay."

Silence followed.

"Look, Lily--"

"I told you this was none of your business," Lily growled.

"So?" Aly echoed Sirius.

Lily crossed her arms and turned her head so she couldn't see Aly.

Aly continued, trying to sound casual, "She'll probably have to get chemo. Her hair will fall out. She'll be sick all the time. She won't be able to eat much and she'll get way too skinny." Aly moved towards Lily, her voice becoming more and more thick. "Petunia will have to be the one to take care of her. Your dad's gonna need someone too. And if things get really bad, she may even die." Aly had stopped in front of Lily. Her arms crossed as well. "But, if you want to pretend nothing is going on--"

"STOP." Lily yelled, "Just stop!"

"Lily, you can't ignore this," Aly's voice cracked as she raised it as well.

"This is none of your business!" Lily shrieked jumping up onto the bed. Her hair was flying, her face was red, and her fist were clenched.

"Yes, it is!" Aly screamed back.

"No. It's. Not."

"Your mom included me in that letter. This involves me. What the hell is your problem? Why are you so suddenly against me being part of your family?" tears were streaming down her face. "What did I do? Why don't you want me anymore?"

Lily stared down hard at the comforter of her bed. "It's for our own good."

"What?"

Tears began rolling down Lily's cheeks as she took a seat on the edge of the bed. She sat silently for a while as Aly stood watching. "I don't want you involved in this," Lily finally explained, "Not because I don't want you to be part of my family, but because--" she took a deep breathe and paused.

"Go on," Aly urged.

Lily looked up at Aly, anguish clear on her face, and whispered, "I don't want you to have to lose another mom."

Shock rippled through Aly. "Really?"

"Yeah," Lily said. "I knew as soon as you knew that two things would happen. First, it would make it real. I couldn't ignore it or hide from it once you knew. Secondly, there would be this guilt. You have so much to deal with already. Why should I add more to it? I am so, so, so sorry," she said as she buried her face into her hands.

"Lils," Aly sat down next to her and hugged her, "You don't need to worry about me. I just wanna be here for you. We'll get through this. She'll get through this."

Lily nodded into her shoulder and sobbed. Aly rubbed her back gently just as her father had done for her when Lennox had died. It brought on a bad feeling in Aly's chest. "No one's dead, Lily," Aly announced, not really sure if it was for hers or Lily's benefit. "She'll fight. She's tough."

Lily nodded and blew her nose into the tissue Aly offered her. Aly watched her try to pull herself together. "Ok," Aly told her once she seemed to be in better control of herself. "You need to eat."

Lily sighed heavily.

"You'll feel better once you do," Aly promised.

Lily didn't agree, but she let Aly lead her down to the Great Hall.

Since Aly had already eaten, she sat and sipped pumpkin juice watching Lily closely as she ate. She couldn't help but notice that her father was back at the head table. He was deep in conversation with McGonagall. If Aly hadn't respect her so much she'd be upset at how much the professor conspired against her with her father. Sirius showed up again as well. He sat with Remus, Peter, and James. Aly smiled. Hopefully, that meant that the Marauders were reunited. It had been much to quiet for her taste.

Lily picked up her pace of eating after picking at her food for a couple of minutes. Aly smiled into her juice as Lily went for seconds. Mary and Melanie appeared as Lily went for dessert. They stood behind Lily, staring at Aly, eyes scrutinizing her.

"What?" Aly snapped, their eyes making her feel uncomfortable.

"Is it true?" Melanie asked.

"Is what true?" Lily asked, looking slightly hurt for being left out of something.

"That she's with Sirius Black," Mary explained angrily.

"What? No, she's not." Lily turned looking curious, "Are you?"

"No," Aly said quickly.

"But people saw you two kissing earlier."

"There was no kissing," Aly said exasperated. "Just a kiss."

"You kissed him?" Lily looked concerned.

"It was no big deal," Aly explained, her patience wearing thin. "It won't happen again."

"Why?" Mary looked skeptical.

"Uhm," Aly thought quickly. She couldn't explain what they had been doing, so she settled on saying, "He's not really my type."

Both Melanie and Mary looked at her, surprised.

"Whatever," Mary finally said, rolling her eyes. They made their way down the table to where the Marauders sat where they stopped to talk to them. Aly watched for a second, trying to see Sirius' face, wondering if they were inquiring from him an account of the events. She decided quickly that she didn't care either way what he had to say, and turned back to Lily. Lily tried to read Aly's face, but seeing nothing there, went back to her cake.

As they finished in silence, Aly pondered the predicament she had gotten herself into. She hadn't thought about the consequences of hers and Sirius' little game at all.

"I'm not dating him," she announced suddenly.

Lily looked up at her, "Ok."

"No. Seriously. We didn't go out. We didn't hook up. We didn't do anything. We're just friends."

Lily smiled knowingly at the "friends" comment.

"And not with benefits!" Aly snapped.

"Fine," Lily said shrugging.

Aly's blood filled her face. Was everyone going to think she was just another one of his hook ups?

Damn him, she thought. Life was always easier when she stayed away from him. She sighed in defeat and put her face down on the table as she waited for Lily to finish. She was glad to see the Marauders leave with Melanie and Mary before Lily and her got up.

Sirius' chair was back at the table and their couch was taken when they reached the common room. Lily had some of her color back as the made their way over to a table in the far corner by the window, but she wasn't much company as she was focused intently on the homework Aly told her had been assigned.

Aly felt like crying, but she wouldn't. She pulled up her diaphragm. She was stronger than that. She promised herself, no more tears today.

After an hour of focusing on her breathing, she gave up and trying to appear normal.

"I'm going to bed."

Lily didn't look up from her work, but mumbled, "Don't wait up."

Aly got in bed and pulled her curtains shut just in time. Melanie and Mary had just made their way upstairs as well.

XxXxX

Aly's days passed in a drag. Lily had made up the work she had missed that terrible day and was working even harder to prove that she was still one of the best students. Sirius was suddenly ignoring, which was fine by her. Apparently, many girls had taken a sudden, intense disliking of her as well. That didn't bother her either.

She looked for something to occupy her time since Lily was always buried beneath books and Aly found little comfort in extra school work. She had originally turned to Quidditch, but that had taken a turn for the worse since James and Sirius were reunited. So she turned to the teachers, and so Professor Sprout had become her savior.

In one of the greenhouses normally off limits to third years, the professor was growing a bunch of some strange foreign plant that Aly had forgotten the name of as soon as Professor Sprout had told her. They huddled in their pots, under the dirt, some where impossible to see, but when provoked they had long tentacle like arms with spiny, poisonous spikes on them. These spikes needed to be removed. The problem was that they grew back within 24 hours time.

The first time Aly encountered the plants, Professor Sprout had made her gear up from head to foot and stand back 20 feet from the plants. The plants wrestled with Sprout and the whole thing to be a bit daunting to Aly. At first anyways.

After a few days, she allowed Aly to actually help and Aly soon realized that it was Sprout's slow nature that made the job hard for her. By two weeks end, Aly was doing about two plants a minute, no gear at all. Sprout eventually left her to handle them alone, becoming nothing more than a bystander.

Aly found peace among "her" plants. She could completely indulge herself in the task at hand. It became something totally and completely hers, something she had never had before. Well, not something that made her happy anyways. She managed to skip her Sunday meetings with her father, still not having talked to him the night that she and…him had been to Hagrid's, since Lily saw her leave and never thought to question it.

The cuts she acquired on her fingers were easy to hide or have assumed were obtained by her own klutziness. As were the ones on her arms. But the plants continued to grow and eventually needed to be transplanted into bigger pots. Professor Sprout insisted she help Aly with this one Sunday night.

"Oh, I wish these spikes weren't so valuable" she shrieked as she attempted to move one.

Aly would've asked what Sprout needed them for, but she never got the chance. One of the smaller plants wrapped itself around her arm. She lifted it without hesitation, put it in its new pot, and buried it in dirt. It released her arm as soon as it was safely under its dirt.

Sprout watched her do three more plants like this and decided that she was no use. She left Aly alone and Aly was grateful. She worked quickly and happily, moving each plant from one pot to another. She had just about finished when she found a particularly large, and stubborn, plant that did not want to be moved. Aly finally managed to get it in its new pot, but it took a bit of her with it.

Her face was covered with gashed along with her neck and collarbone. She tried to ignore the stinging coming from each open wound. This pain was much more sharp than the sting she normally experienced from the cuts of the smaller plants. She finally got the last few plant transplanted, being more clumsy and cumbersome than normal.

She made a straight beeline for the shower after she finished. She let the hot water clean her cuts and did her best to embrace the pain. It didn't subside like usual, though. She dressed and went down to the common room to brush her hair and find Lily.

Lily had regained their normal couch, and she was so enthralled in her homework that she hardly looked up at Aly.

"How's your dad?" she mumbled.

"Fine," aly replied simply wrestling with her brush. She worked through her hair slowly. It always took her a long time to get her wet curls untangled from one another. She finally finished and sank down next to Lily and pulled out her charms book. She began to write her essay with ease. She had paid very close attention in her "useful" classes, charms being one of them. She was preparing. For what, she'd never admit aloud, but secretly she was preparing for this Voldemort her father had told her of. She tried to not think about him because that thought always brought back the memory of the night in Hagrid's hut.

She was as deep into her essay as Lily was when a "Holy crap!" startled both of them as well as the rest of the common room.

"What on earth is going on?" Lily asked confused and irritated as she tried to blot the ink she spilt on her paper.

"Oh my Aly," Remus said coming over to see her face closely. "Did you go see the nurse?"

"For what?" Lily asked pausing in her attempt to save her essay. Remus didn't answer as he took Aly's chin in his hand. His face, the premature wrinkles deepening, was right next to hers as he inspected her cuts. James leaned over his shoulder to see too. "Gnarly," he commented. "How'd you do that?"

"Do what?" Lily jumped up and came around to see Aly's face. She gasped, "Oh, Aly."

She turned to Remus, "What should we do?"

"Nothing," Aly told them, pushing Remus' hand away. "I'm fine."

Remus disappeared, and James and Peter filled her view. Lily was back at her books, flipping frantically through the pages. Aly heard a scuffle and then a sharp, "Move."

James and Peter were suddenly replaced with Sirius. Aly's eye narrowed. Sirius hesitated for a moment, sending a quick glance at James, then let out a low whistle. "Wow, Als, what's you do?"

Aly snapped her head to the side, facing Lily. She refused to acknowledge him any longer. She heard another scuffle and whispering, and Sirius spoke to her again, "You should probably go to the nurse."

She ignored him and grabbed her homework again and continued with it.

"Aly," Remus made his way over to her. "You should really go see the nurse. Those cuts look infected."

Lily mumbled to herself over her book.

"Remus, I'm fine. Really."

He frowned and shot a quick glare at Sirius. With a loud sigh, Sirius suddenly yelled, "Nurse. NOW." Again, the occupants of the common room jumped, including Lily. However, Aly barely flinched and didn't even turn to look at him.

"Aly," Remus stressed, suddenly reminding her of her father.

"You know what," Aly snapped her book shut and jumped up, "I think you have a lot more to be worried about this week then me, Remus."

She turned and went up to her room. Anger still seething through her as she finished her essay and tried to sleep.

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review. please :)