CHAPTER 26 – Two Sides to Everything

It had been almost six weeks since horrific events at Diagon Alley. Security at every magical public place had been tripled. Those with great faith, and possibly too much, in the Ministry of Magic continued with their routines without worry. After all, the ministry would keep them safe from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Others travelled in groups, never leaving the sides of their companions. There were very few witches or wizards dawdling or window shopping anymore, the war was serious business. War, as it had been called here and there, had become the official term.

Lily Evans sat upon the wooden steps to her front door. It was midday and the sun was shining cheerily, which remained unreflected upon the faces of the two young adults outside the Evans' house. Lily had her chin propped up underneath her palms, as her elbows rested on her knees. She kept her eyes fixed on the pacing wizard, muttering in front of her, but her thoughts were somewhere else.

She had confronted Petunia to tell her personally about the events that transpired that dreadful day. Needless to say things did not go well. Luckily, Amelia and an insistent James accompanied her and deflected the many objects flung in her direction. Afterwards Amelia consoled her but James kept silent with a clear expression. Surprisingly his calm had helped her more than he knew. A week later directly after the funeral Petunia and Vernon approached Lily, who was discussing the consequences of the Death Eaters responsible with Remus and James. She did not know much about dementors but James certainly did. Petunia accused Lily of murdering their parents through red bleary eyes. Lily hadn't noticed Remus' firm grip on James' quaking shoulder but Vernon saw his tightly clenched fingers around his wand. A day later the married couple left to visit Ireland for a couple weeks at Vernon's request.

The weeks after seemed like one jumbled week. Now, today, the Daily Prophet had more bad news. Lily glanced at the paper sitting beside her. The front page was facing skyward and had a large picture of Professor Gray, the Hogwarts Transfiguration Professor who was muggle born. The caption read; Muggle Born Professor Murdered in London. Their Professor was killed while visiting a sick family brother in London, along with anyone else in the home. A quote from Headmaster Dumbledore waved across the photograph; "Professors have been asked to live inside the castle walls. There is no safer place than Hogwarts."

Hogwarts and their seventh and final year was only a week away. James let his wand arm hang at his side looking satisfied. When he received the Daily Prophet he apparated straight to Lily's and without saying a word went to work making sure her home was properly protected. No matter how angry her words were, shouting that she was not incompetent, he did not stop. So there she was sitting on the steps waiting. He turned to her looking more confident.

"I've done all those, except the last three," Lily admitted rather grumpily.

"No need to feel outdone. My dad was an Auror, remember?" James crossed his arms over his chest, "There's more than what is in the Prophet Lily. Elayne's family had to go into hiding. She won't be back at Hogwarts."

"How-" Lily stopped, knowing the answer.

Elayne's mother worked in a high position the Muggle Cooperation Department. She handled the names of muggle borns gifted with magic and who would eventually attend Hogwarts. It would make sense to stop the flow of names and end the continuation of muggle borns being taught magic. At least Elayne was safe and hadn't ended up like Professor Gray.

"I'm going to Diagon Alley today, I need some things for school," Lily said with a sigh.

"I'll come as well. Have you gotten your list? I apparated here before I managed to get my letter," James smiled.

"This morning. I haven't opened it yet. The first thing I saw was the Prophet and then you outside," Lily replied.

"Well accio it out here. I'll wager you've gotten Head Girl," James grinned.

Lily did her best to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She acquiesced and waved her wand, catching the thick envelope as it zoomed to her. She hadn't noticed before that it was heavier than usual. Without looking at James and acknowledging he was right, she gently opened it and let the contents fall into her lap. A badge, much like her prefects badge was the first to catch her eye. She held it in her hands tenderly, exploring all the details of her new responsibility.

"Do you suppose Remus will be Head Boy?" Lily questioned without looking up.

James chuckled, "Doubtful. Even he admits Dumbledore wouldn't choose him. Not with all the stuff he let us get away with. It'll likely be someone with good leadership skills. Maybe Clearwater or Delger."

Lily nodded in agreement. She had hoped that Remus would be Head Boy, or at least another Gryffindor. James sat down beside her, snatching the letter of Head duties. He looked it over a few times before giving it back.

"Busy year," he said, unable to hide some of his disappointment.

"You don't need to come with me today. I'm perfectly capable," Lily said slowly.

"It would be my pleasure. Sirius is putting the finishing touches on the motorbike we've been working on. I'm sure he'll fly over here this evening. Might as well get my books in the mean time," James smiled charmingly.

"Right," Lily paused, "Isn't that illegal somehow? He might be seen."

"Don't worry about Sirius. He may act like he doesn't give a Boggart but he's pretty smart," James answered genuinely.

"Somehow, I believe you," Lily said, surprising herself.

She stood up and stretched pulling out her list of supplies. She looked at James, ready to go. She hadn't mentioned she would be meeting Amelia there. Maybe he would have let her go alone if she had. She put it out of her mind and nodded in his direction. With a wink and a salute James disappeared with a loud pop. Lily didn't have to hold back her laughter. She glanced around responsibly, making sure they were both unseen, and followed suit.

She appeared in the back of the Leaky Cauldron; James was already tapping his wand against the wall. Direct apparation was no longer possible in any of the magical shopping areas; like the more popular Diagon Alley and Hogsmede. The brick wall opened up before them, Lily was shocked by what she saw.

She was not keen on returning to the place of her parents' death but what she saw was not the same place. The atmosphere had lost its cheer and a few of the shops looked abandoned. Some wizards were panicking, leaving their businesses behind. The public walking by would often make eye contact and smile, now they averted their eyes and rushed from store to store. The gloom of Diagon Alley was beginning to affect her own mood. She wondered if the same had happened to Hogsmede.

"Let's hurry and get this over. Amelia should be here in about an hour, we both need new robes," Lily said looking forward, making sure to keep her head up.

The next hour was spent searching for their supplies through various quiet shops. James took it upon himself to break the quiet whenever possible. Being considered an adult and able to do magic freely had its many advantages. His first attempt involved a furry caterpillar mustache on the woman who owned the bookstore and an unimpressed look from Lily. His jokes on others did not solicit any laughter but when he went for a more natural approach Lily couldn't help but giggle.

That was how Amelia found the two; behind a shelf full of potions books clutching their sides with laughter. Amelia smiled, feeling a very warm feeling at the sight. If she didn't know better she might've fawned over them. Though she had her own opinions, she had kept this particular one to herself until Lily was ready to hear it. Maybe today was the day. She had expected to see her friend more upset than she had been in weeks but instead she was laughing, which was more than could be said about the other shoppers.

Although she did not want to interrupt the two she stepped forward, her long legs covering the space between them easily, "Glad to see at least you two are normal," she eyed the giggling Lily, "Fairly normal."

"Amelia!" Lily hugged her friend.

It had only been a week since they had last seen each other. Amelia made sure to visit Lily often during the summer; she even managed to bring Alice along everyone in awhile. If she could pull her away from Frank. James was the next to visit her most often, followed by Remus and then surprisingly Sirius and Peter who always came as a pair. Lily had the feeling Sirius was afraid she might get weepy and therefore needed Peter as backup. She never thought she would find comfort with the marauders and a year ago she would have sworn it impossible.

"Prongs!" came a voice from where James was standing as the two girls hugged. James reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small mirror that doubled in size once safely in his palm. He turned his back to the girls and started muttering to the mirror.

Lily and Amelia looked at him curiously. James had been slowly transforming from the cocky and bullying boy. He was still arrogant and a little immature but the improvements were evident, no matter how much he talked to mirrors. He turned back to the staring Lily and Amelia while shoving the mirror back into his pocket.

"That was Sirius. He's finished the motorbike and apparently I have a surprise waiting at home. He refuses to wait. I better head back before he smashes the thing," James said, "Hurry with your things and get home."

He looked like he wanted a hug goodbye but stopped as he began to lean in that direction. He waited for Lily to say something, to show some emotion about how she may feel with him leaving.

"Tell Sirius I'll make you all dinner tonight if he doesn't crash it into my house," Lily joked.

"He'll hold you to that you know," James said, excited for the chance to spend more time with Lily.

"I'll be ready," Lily hooked arms with Amelia.

"Mind your nose then," James said with a reluctant wave as he walked out the door.

Amelia tightened her linked arm to get Lily's attention. She gave her an accusing stare that was diluted with a smile. Lily rolled her eyes and waved it away.

"You don't hate him anymore," She said with a little something extra in her voice.

"I never did. I merely disliked him. He's made me feel better about everything. It was easier to be here with him. I almost feel guilty, laughing here," Lily answered her stare.

""There are two sides to everything Lily. Good and bad are packaged together and I'm not just talking about our troublemaking friend James. It's life. You should laugh; you can't let the bad outweigh the good. That's not living," Amelia explained to her friend.

"You're right. Now that you've gone all deep on me, lets head to Madam Malkins for robes, shall we?" Lily began walking out of the shop with Amelia right behind her.

"We shall," Amelia muttered as they walked as quickly as they could.

They entered the large shop full of robes and fabrics of all sizes and colors. It was busier here than most other places. Knowing there might be a wait Amelia headed straight to the dress robes for a look, Lily right behind her. The two girls were surprised when a familiar face followed them.

"Braxton!" both Lily and Amelia threw their arms around his neck.

"It's good to see you too. I just got back from Egypt last night. I hope you got my letters Lily. I'm sorry about everything that happened," Braxton gave her a concerned look.

"I got them. Thank you," said Lily, losing her enthusiasm.

Braxton gave her a long hug but Lily pushed him away laughing, "Braxton, you've got pins everywhere."

"Right. I better get back to Malkins before she sticks me with pins," Braxton did a sort of waddle in the robes he was being fitted for.

"This would be a nice color for you Lily," Amelia said holding up crème dress.

"Commencement is still ages away."

"There's no harm in looking," she said, "Speaking of Hogwarts. You haven't told me about your letter."

"I'm Head Girl," Lily said with a smile spreading her arms.

"Excellent. Could you do something about the lack of school activities? Really, Quidditch is the only thing the school comes together for," Amelia complained.

"Well there's commencement for the seventh years. There's always a ball and a feast for that I suppose I'll have to plan. We've also got a week after N.E.W.T.s for workshops and career plans. I think the time before then would be best spent studying," Lily concluded.

"I shouldn't have expected any other answer," Amelia said a little disappointed, "I wonder who Head Boy will be."

"Hopefully no one terrible. I'll have the Heads House this year."

"I'd almost forgotten. Well that's just awful. I'll hardly see you," Amelia whined.

"I'll visit you all the time and most likely be in the library anyway. I could possibly give you the password," Lily shrugged her shoulders.

"Wonderful. I'll wager James is disappointed."

"What do you mean?"

Amelia stared at Lily like she had lost it, "You're joking. James Potter. The Quidditch captain who fancies you."

"Amelia. That was fifth year and maybe a bit of sixth. I'm sure he's moved on; I mean, look at how he acts around us now. Not the usual arrogant prat, a little immature yes, but an improvement."

"You are the most intelligent dim-wit I've ever known, you know that?" Amelia rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Lily looked shocked and was speechless. Her friend was being entirely serious.

"James Potter is growing up and growing out of his immaturity. That's what most blokes do around this age. I'd bet my life he still fancies you. He's just learned to be smarter about it," Amelia whispered.

"We're mates now, nothing more and that's how it will stay," Lily said feebly.

"If you say so. Let's get our robes," Amelia strolled over to Madam Malkin who was just finishing Braxton, leaving Lily to think.

(A/N: I just realized that every time I added stars between changes in scenes it never shows them in the story. Sorry about that, somewhat irritating. So I chose to go with weeks later because even though it would be interesting to have some James and Snape interaction/fighting or seeing Lily talk to Petunia a certain reviewer pointed out that it may take the story in a different direction than I am going. I didn't want to get to focused on Petunia and Lily's relationship. So thank you to that reviewer, KJ COLLECTIONS. I added the extra bit at the end of the last chapter thanks to sarahrules336.)

(I want all my reviewers to know how much I appreciate their reviews and help while I write. Thank you SOOO much: EchoNightFall22, Sarahrules336, Colie21, Alice Demer, iloveredshoes, hmr067, Deep142, Marissa Cullen, KJ COLLECTIONS, and cherrylove19. You guys are seriously THE BEST!!)

READERS, PLEASE REVIEW!!! :-)