Sure, Lily had been terrified the entire flight, but it wasn't as horrible as she thought it would be. James had gotten them there in an hour and she was pleased with herself that her stomach held the entire way. James did have to help untangle her arms from around his waist and get off the broom. Wrapping his arm around her waist, James led Lily up to the castle.

"Lily!" Adrian and Jo shouted, pushing James out of the way to hug her.

"Hey," Lily gasped, laughing.

"Oh my gosh, we missed you so much!" Adrian managed to say between squeals of excitement.

"We did! And oh how I want to talk, but the Headmaster wanted us to let you know that he would like to speak with you when you got back," Jo frowned, not wanting to leave Lily.

"We were just on our way over there," James grinned, reclaiming Lily.

"I'll find you guys later!" Lily waved back to Adrian and Jo.

"Come in," Professor Dumbledore said before they could knock. "Ah, Miss Evans, you look much better."

"I feel a lot better," Lily grinned, sneaking a glance up at James.

"Yes. How very good. I presume Mr. Potter had a chance to inform you on the offer from the Order?"

"Yes, and I want to join."

"Very good Miss Evans! Well it seems like I have no more business to discuss today. I'm sure your friends are eager to see you again. And don't forget about your classes tomorrow, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore grinned.

"Thank you sir," Lily smiled, and again let James lead her.

"Are you feeling ok?" James whispered in her ear as they made their way to the Great Hall, noticing her pace slowing.

"Fine, just a bit tired," Lily replied.

"It was a long flight," He nodded.

"Yeah, plus this is the most walking I've done in awhile." Lily bit her lip, embarrassed that the amount of walking she had done today was already exhausting.

"Let me help you with that," James grinned and picked Lily up.

"James!" Lily gasped, surprised.

Laughing all the way down the corridors, James finally let Lily down when they got to the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. There weren't many people left in the Great Hall as they were finishing up lunch and heading to their next classes, so they found a seat easily.

"Thought we would find you here, mate." Sirius sat next to James, Remus on the opposite side of the table.

"Skipping class?" Lily raised her eyebrow.

"We were excused from classes today, to get you settled back in." Adrian slid in the seat next to Lily and Jo took a seat next to Remus.

"I'm sure she could have managed just fine with me," James crossed his arms.

"Maybe, but we couldn't just trust a marauder with our Lilykins," Jo grinned, winking at Sirius.

"I think I am more than capable of taking care of her," James rolled his eyes, but laughed and kissed the top of Lily's head.

"And I think I am capable of taking care of myself!" Lily protested.

"Of course," James laughed as she playfully hit him.

"So what are you guys supposed to do? I mean helping me get settled back in. It's not like I don't remember anything." Lily mused.

"Well it was actually an idea of Sirius' to get out of class. And we figured if the boys were going to get out of class, then we should too, so that we could be sure the boys wouldn't bother you." Adrian grinned.

"You guys," Lily shook her head. "Where's Peter?"

"We figured he wouldn't add much to the welcoming party," Sirius grunted.

"Well it's nice to see you guys again. You have no idea how boring the hospital was-" James cleared his throat, "-when of course James wasn't there." James grinned and kissed Lily lightly on the lips.

"Ugh, maybe we'll catch you later?" Adrian joked.

"Yeah, I do actually need some help with that assignment from divination. Adrian?" Jo asked.

"I'll help you. See you at dinner Lily!" Adrian and Jo waved.

James looked expectantly at Sirius and Remus.

"Hey, I have no assignments due that I haven't already done," Sirius tried to sound innocent.

"Uh huh, come on Sirius. Let's leave these two alone," Remus stood up and motioned for Sirius to follow.

"Aww, but I missed our Lilykins so much!" Sirius winked at Lily and stood up to follow Remus.

"Lily?" A voice came from behind their table before Sirius and Remus walked away.

As soon as they turned around, James was standing protectively, flanked by Remus and Sirius. Slowly Lily got up to face the figure that was now being blocked from her view.

"What the hell is this?" The voice sounded harsher, more defending.

"What do you want Adam?" Lily crossed her arms, raising her eyebrow.

"I want to know why these jokers are in my way."

"Adam Bagnold," Lily narrowed her eyes, "they are my friends, so do not speak to them like that. And in case you didn't get the hint, we are over. So unless you have something important to say, I'm leaving."

"Aw babe, don't be mad at me. I came here to talk about what happened before break."

"Did you not get our letter," Sirius flexed.

"Right, like I would believe a letter sent by you." Adam laughed.

"It was enough to keep you from her place, wasn't it?" James cocked his brow.

"I would have come anyways, but I got held up at home." Adam stopped laughing. "So babe, what do you say we go talk about this?"

"Don't you have to be getting to class?" Lily interrupted before one of the Marauders could talk again.

"I got excused from my next class," Adam winked.

"Lily is with me now, so I suggest you leave," James' tone was harsh.

"Ugh, let's just go," Lily closed her eyes, trying to will away the headache that was fast approaching. As she began to walk away, she felt a firm hand on her shoulder.

"If you want to keep that arm, I suggest you remove it now," James growled.

"What are you going to do? And Lily is not with you, she is mine," Adam snarled back.

"Adam, we are over. I am with James now," Lily began to rub her temple with one hand. Remus moved to her side and put a comforting arm around her. James and Sirius didn't relax their protective stances.

"You don't know what you are saying. Now come with me," Adam grabbed Lily's wrist.

"That's it," James and Sirius glowered; their wands out and pointed at Adam before he could blink. Adam was just as quick though, his wand out and ready.

"Stop it," Lily moaned, the headache getting worse.

"She's mine," Adam snarled again.

"Please stop," Lily gasped, collapsing into Remus.

"Lily!" James immediately forgot about Adam and was at Remus' side, picking Lily up from him.

"I suggest you leave. Now," Remus said as James was almost out of the Great Hall.

"This isn't over," Adam mumbled.

"Oh but it is. And if you dare even try to speak to Lily again, we will destroy you." Sirius showed no signs of humor.

Sure that Adam wasn't following, Remus and Sirius decided to go find James and make sure Lily was ok.