Catching the Flower, Keeping her Near
Chapter 21
Time is Running Out
"Out my way, out my way. Mr Black, let me get to her," Madame Pomfrey's commanding voice echoed out across the hospital wing. "Mr Potter, please, out of my way so I can help her."
James looked at her dumbly, "is she gonna be okay?" he asked. He couldn't believe his Lily was lying there in a hospital bed. He stroked some of her red hair off her face.
"I don't know, Mr Potter," she admitted.
James' face fell. He hated being an adult, being responsible. He just wanted to be five again, to sit on his mother's knee, and cuddle up in her arms, while she told him everything was going to be alright. He hated the knowledge that Lily was so critical. That everything just might not work out alright. That Lily may not be with him forever. Forever, she'd promised him forever. She couldn't leave him, not now. It should be him, him in that bed. A cold guilt filled the pit of his stomach. He was the man. He should be protecting her, not the other way around.
He gazed at her, "don't leave me."
"James…" Sirius said, unsurely.
James turned to look at him mournfully. He embraced his best mate, while the school nurse looked over his girlfriend. "I…" James said, but no words came. His throat felt parched and dry. He rubbed his eyes wearily.
"Prongs," Sirius said, placing a hand on James' shoulder. "She's gonna be okay, I know it. She's Lily, she's strong."
James nodded mutely, he knew if he was to speak the tightly reined in emotions would burst like a broken dam. He needed to be strong, and he needed to believe in Lily.
Dumbledore walked in, attracting the gazes of the occupants of the room. He looked at Lily and then to Madame Pomfrey, as they exchanged some silent signal.
Behind him came Megan Potter, furiously gliding into the room. She looked at her son, angrily. "James! I told you not to! Why did you disobey me?"
James looked emotionlessly at her, before turning his head back to face Lily.
"James…" Meg snapped.
"Mrs Potter, leave him for a moment," Dumbledore said.
Meg nodded and turned to her husband, joyfully. They embraced, and Meg planted a soft kiss on his temple.
"Mr Potter, I'd like a word," the headmaster continued.
"Go," James said with disinterest.
"In my office."
"Professor, my girlfriend is dying. I'm not leaving her!" James snapped, his eyes focused on Lily. He took her limp hand in his.
"Mr Potter, it wasn't a request."
James nodded, softly, bending down to kiss Lily's pale forehead, before standing and following the Headmaster.
Once they had arrived, Dumbledore sat in the red velvet chair behind his desk. He gazed at James over his half moon spectacles. James frowned, standing haughtily in front of him. His hands were clammy with sweat.
"Professor, if you're going to lecture me on how rash my behaviour was, I won't take any notice. It's my job; I have to protect my family!" James exclaimed. He pursed his lips and folded his hands together behind his back.
"Mr Potter, I wasn't going to lecture," Dumbledore said gazing at him, in a knowing fashion. "Have a sherbet lemon," Dumbledore said, offering him the metal tin. It was like McGonagall's newt gingers. They screamed control. This was not a conversation James wanted Dumbledore to have control in.
"No, I'm okay, muggle things are just gonna remind me of her," James said.
"Sit with me," Dumbledore said calmly, pointing at the chair in front of his desk.
"HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM?" James yelled. "MY GIRLFRIEND IS BLOODY DYING! AND ALL YOU WANNA DO IS SIT AND EAT SHERBET BLOODY LEMONS!"
"Mr Potter, please," Dumbledore said.
"DON'T YOU GET IT!? Lily, my girlfriend, THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!" James said. "SHE'S DYING!"
"I understand your worry, Mr Potter-" Dumbledore said.
"MY WORRY!?" James roared. "IT'S FUCKING KILLING ME! I'M SICK WITH WORRY! I FUCKING LOVE HER!"
"I can understand your worry, but I'm sure Miss Evans will be fine!" Dumbledore said. "I didn't choose her for Head Girl for petty reasons such as school work and lack of detentions."
It was at this point, James was certain the Headmaster was absolutely and utterly insane. "I don't understand," he said shortly.
"Miss Evans is strong," Dumbledore said.
"THEN WHY THE HELL IS SHE THE ONE LYING DEAD TO THE WORLD ON THAT HOSPITAL BED?" James snapped.
Dumbledore looked at him steadily, "I think we both know, Mr Potter."
"What?" James asked tiredly.
"Because she loves you," Dumbledore said, "I have no doubt of that, I never have done. She did a gallant thing today, Mr Potter; dying to save one you love is a very honourable and selfless thing to do. You need to be dedicated to that person."
"What good is that to me when's she's dying?" James asked.
Dumbledore watched him, "she loves you."
"I love her too, professor," James said, ruffling his hair slowly.
Dumbledore paused, thoughtfully. "Go, I believe you wish to spend time by Miss Evans' sick bed," Dumbledore excused him.
"Yes, professor," James said, turning to walk out the door.
"Oh, and James…"
"Yes, professor?" he turned around.
"I'll want a full report on this once Miss Evans is stable." James nodded, he, like Dumbledore, refused to even consider Lily's death at that moment. She could make it. He knew it.
James walked slowly, pausing at the door of the hospital wing. He didn't want to enter, who knew what he could find?
He entered, his eyes immediately focusing on Lily's motionless form. Her deep red hair contrasted against the stark white of the hospital pillows. He gazed at her longingly. His eyes met the dark grey of Sirius' eyes. The other boy looked sympathetically at him.
He noticed some healers from St Mungos moving around Lily's bed. He pointed them out to Sirius, who sighed softly. "Turns out Poppy's really worried 'bout Lily." He said, patting James' back lightly.
James nodded, feeling a lump forming in his throat. But he had faith in Lily, faith that she would come through.
"Mr Potter," Madame Pomfrey called. He stood, sighing.
"Mr Potter, these are healers Jones and Smith, from St Mungos. They've been having a look at Miss Evans." She said quietly.
"Oh, how's she doing?" James asked.
"Not well, Mr Potter," Healer Jones said. "I'm afraid her chances of surviving are low. If she doesn't wake in the next hour… well, I'm afraid it's a lost cause. But even then, we can't promise anything."
"Isn't there anything you can do for her?" James asked, distressed beyond belief.
"I'm afraid not, Mr Potter. The only thing we can suggest is a trying to jig her memory, bring her out of the coma. Talk to her, maybe familiar jokes, stories, anything. You know that side of her best."
James nodded mutely, walking back to her bedside. He had one hour to rouse her. He would do anything he could. But either way time was running out.