Chapter 37

Jane came into the Common Room and stopped short when she saw Lily sitting on the couch closest to the fire, sobbing.

"Lily, what happened? What'd James say?" She dropped her books instantly, rushing to her friend's side.

"James didn't say…He…after Defense Against the Dark Arts…and they were…and Sev…" Lily rambled, taking deep gasping breath.

"Lily, calm down. What did James do?" Jane eyed her, gripping Lily's hand in hers.

"He…He was picking at Severus and I tried to help and…he called me a…A Mudblood." Lily struggled to get out, her tears streaming faster.

"James called you what?" Jane snapped, furious.

"No, Jane! James tried to defend me, in his own twisted way. Severus called me… that."

Jane couldn't believe that. She had seen Severus in the corridors between classes, and he had changed a bit, but not that much. He had never said so, but Jane knew he had strong feelings for Lily-he perhaps even loved her. She couldn't believe he would do something like that. Maybe Jane really didn't know him at all. "Lily…" Jane sighed, throwing her arms around her, hugging her tightly. Lily returned the hug just as tight, nodding into her shoulder. The tears were still flowing.

Jane looked up from Lily, her eyes widening when she saw her brother-namely the look on her brother's face. He looked like he was going to be sick. Was it finally sinking in to him how stupid he had been acting for the last five years? Sirius and the other Marauders joined James, looking at the girl's on the couch.

"You don't need him, Evans. I say good riddance." Sirius smiled, leaning on James' shoulder. "Snivulus is a prick anyway."

"That 'prick' was my best friend! Then your family and those fake friends of his had to go and change him into someone he's not!" Lily snapped, yanking away from Jane to turn and face the boys.

"Lily…" Jane whispered, looking over to Sirius. She couldn't read his face, and that worried her.

"Is that why you hate me, Evans? Because my family took your best mate under their wings and you don't like how he turned out? That's not my fault. I'm not them." Sirius' arm dropped off James' shoulder and back to his side.

"You're sure? You and your cousins sure seem to share the same kind sick humor, though! You're just as much to blame as Mulciber and Avery are!" Lily shot back to him.

"Sirius, come downstairs with me." RJ tugged at Sirius' sleeve, as Wormtail pushed at his shoulder trying to lead him out. Sirius shrugged them off and stormed out, the two Marauders followed after him.

James took a deep breath before he spoke, "Don't blame Sirius. He's not like his family and he's not to blame. I am."

"You are! You're just as responsible as he is!" Lily narrowed her eyes.

"No, not 'just as'. I'm fully responsible; I'm the one who held him up not Sirius." James repeated, struggling to keep his calm.

"Get out, James." Lily sighed, turning away from him.

"I am sorry, Lily." James nodded, leaving. Jane watched as her brother left, the crushed look that was in his eyes made her hurt. Yes, he could be a bigheaded toe-rag, but he was a decent person that really cared about Lily. Jane wished she could tell if Lily even platonically felt the same way for him.

"He is sorry…" Jane said quietly, wrapping her arm around her.

"Doesn't change what he did. You weren't there, Jane. You didn't hear it. I…I called him Snivulus." Lily sniffed, leaning against Jane.

"You two will work it out." Jane rubbed her head gently.

"I doubt think we will, Janey. I hear him call every other Muggle-born student that word too, it wasn't anything James did to him-I'll admit that-but I just can't deal with him and Severus. I've never been so happy to go home, and this is even with Petunia bringing her boyfriend over."

Jane nodded, knowing exactly what Lily was going through. She'd felt the same way when her and RJ hadn't been speaking.

The last of their exams flew by, and the next thing Jane knew classes were over and Hogwarts was closing for the Summer. Jane carefully hid away from everyone, not wanting them to know where she was now living in the Summer. The next day she was back at work at the Three Broomsticks. Her bags unpacked in her room.