Previously on Deals with Life and Lilies:

Dumbledore merely looked at James. "That is correct, Mr. Potter. She has already had several run-ins with the Death Eaters, though I dread the time when she comes across Bellatrix Lestrange and Francis Manumali again. I fear she won't be ready."

"She will be," James said resolutely. "She's much stronger than most people think and quick on her feet."

More than James had ever imagined. All the times he and the other Marauders had taunted her for not being at their level, not being strong enough to handle some things, she had lived through that night as a second year against Bellatrix, something James knew nobody else could have done.

"She's clever," James told Dumbledore, flashing back to Lily's duels, how she never used only her wand and direct spells, preferring to rely on the things around her to win and using methods only a Seer could predict. Rawlings had told them that unpredictability and logic were both great weapons, and Lily possessed both in large quantities.

Instead of Dumbledore smiling and saying that there was still that: that Lily seemed to have a talent at wiggling out of seemingly hopeless situations, his expression was mournful as he stared James directly in the eye.

"The problem, Mr. Potter, is that Lord Voldemort is all that and more."

Mind over Matter

"Dumbledore couldn't do anything," Alice said glumly as she collapsed in the couch next to Mary, who hissed as she jostled her Divination homework. "Oh, give me a break, Mary; it's not like it's useful or anything."

"What couldn't Dumbledore do?" Marlene asked absentmindedly while she thumbed through Cooking the Muggle Way – she had a hard time believing Lily when she said that Muggles "used a big box to warm up the food", and she needed confirmation from the Muggle Studies book.

"He couldn't stop Campbell from performing the Imperius Curse on us. With the new Educational Decree, Minister Leach has the authority of the Headmaster. He's trying to make Dumbledore out as little more than a wizard with a long beard – have you proved Lily wrong yet?"

"No, but I will, and you forgot the awesome long beard."

Lily sighed, exasperated. "Being the one from the Muggle family, I don't think it would be smart to try to prove me wrong."

"But Lily," Marlene said, "How in the name of Merlin would Muggles work a maxiwave. What good does pressing a bunch of buttons do you?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "First, Alice, I think you mean microwave. And second, it's called electricity."

Marlene crossed her arms and looked doubtful, but she didn't oppose Lily's statement.

"Hello? Can we focus on the bigger picture? Campbell's going to Imperio all of us. Am I the only that sees the many things wrong with that picture?"

"If Dumbledore can't do anything about it, Alice, then I don't think we will," Lily said quietly, exhaling in defeat. The truth was that she was terrified; the incident with the Unforgivable Curses was just a reminder to Lily of how useless she was in the war, but she couldn't fight against Campbell when he had the entire Ministry behind him. Dorcas's warning still echoed in her head.

"Lily! Of all the people I thought you would be the one to try to stop Campbell," Alice said.

Lily felt a flash of annoyance at her best friend, and she stood up, shaking free her resigned demeanor. "What makes you think that I haven't tried, Alice? Do you think I wanted to do the lesson of the Unforgivable Curses? Or better yet – the threats at the beginning of the year?"

Alice looked a little apologetic, but Lily wasn't done yet. "It's more than just yelling at some teacher, Alice. It's more than just me, and you girls need to understand that," Lily said, turning around and leaving the common room.


Lily Evans had saved his life.

After everything that the Marauders had put her through, she had saved their lives while under the Cruciatus Curse. James continued to wander the corridors alone, dwelling on that small piece.

Why? With all the pranks and bullying during the early years, she had every reason to exchange his name for escaping the Cruciatus Curse.

"Oomf!" James ran right into the person just rounding the corner, so completely lost in thought that he hadn't noticed where he was going.

"I'm so sorry – I wasn't paying at – Potter?"

Speak of the basilisk, he had walked right into Lily herself. Such a great way to repay her.

"Evans…" James said nervously, rumpling his hair and staring at Lily. She still looked exactly like she always did: dark auburn hair that feel to the middle of her back in gentle waves, pale, perfect skin, and vividly bright green eyes that only intensified in the sinking sun, but James couldn't look at her the same way, not after what he and Sirius saw in the pensieve.

"Potter, are you okay?" Lily asked. For once there was no lingering contempt in her voice, only genuine concern. "Potter?" she repeated, waving her hand in front of his face.

James jumped, not realizing that he had been staring at her. "Yeah, yeah… How are you?" he asked in a voice that sounded completely different from his own.

Lily regarded him carefully, like she was unsure whether he was in the midst of pulling a prank or if he was sincere. James couldn't blame her; the last time he had been friendly with no other motives was… never.

"I'm okay. Are you just walking, or is the rest of your little gang right around the corner?"

James shrugged. "Just walking." Now would usually be the time when he would ask her to Hogsmeade, but Alice had finally managed to beat some things into his head, though Sirius would still need all the help he could get when it came to tact. "So…"

James was aware that he was acting rather oddly around Lily, and she herself looked torn between departing or staying to make sure James really was in his right mind. Lily just folded her arms and raised an eyebrow expectantly, though she wasn't glaring: only a careful evaluation.

"What do you think of Campbell performing the Imperius Curse on us." It was perhaps one of the stupidest questions since he knew she absolutely despised the idea of being under Campbell's absolute control, but for once Lily didn't get annoyed at him for asking a dumb question.

"It's despicable," she commented.

Now's your chance, James. She's not yelling at you, and you just have to watch what you say, James told himself.

"It's possible to fight it," James told her, and Lily just sighed.

"I know, but not a lot of people can," she said, hopping up onto the windowsill with surprising grace. James joined her and took it as a good sign when she didn't kick him off; she was too preoccupied with other things to worry about her rivalry with him.

"It all depends on your strength of character. My father once told me to treat it as simply as mind over matter. I think you'd stand a chance."

Lily glanced at him under her long lashes, lips quirking into a small smile. "Did I just hear James Potter give a compliment?" she asked.

James flashed her a winning grin to which she didn't respond, though James thought it was a small step when he noticed she only rolled her eyes.

"Depends."

Lily laughed lightly and shook her head. "Potter, you change personalities like Kelpies change shapes."

"Is that a bad thing?"

Lily stared at him, her expression a mix of fond exasperation and re-evaluation. "I will say that I prefer this side of you to the annoying Marauder who makes me want to rip my own hair out in frustration."

"Don't. I like your hair like that," James said, and a very faint, pink tinge appeared on Lily's cheeks.

"I'll remember to tell Alice that when she and Marlene give me my next haircut."

James laughed and stared out the huge, arched window, watching the last bit of sunlight disappear beneath the horizon. Lily was actually sitting here, with him, and she wasn't yelling at all. It was almost like she was an old friend.

James swallowed painfully. He hated to break the rare tranquility that existed around Lily and him, but he needed to tell her.

"Listen Lily…" James started nervously, ruffling his hair. Lily swiftly snapped her head up at his serious tone. She narrowed her eyes; James continued, deciding to make it quick. "When Sirius and I were in Dumbledore's office, we came across a memory…"

At these words, Lily bit her lip as if she knew what James was getting at. "Which one: Cassandra Trelawney or Stoughton?" she asked in a defeated voice.

"Stoughton's murder," James finished quietly, and Lily's chin trembled.

"Did Sirius see it as well?" James's silence was louder than any verbal confirmation, and Lily continued, "Do you think I'm a coward for running from Bellatrix?"

The question shocked James; it was not the first thing he was expecting to hear from Lily's mouth. "No! You were in second year, and there was no way you could have beaten her and two other seventh years in a duel-"

Lily held up a hand to silence James. "I need to go."

She slid off the windowsill, but not before James said, "Lily, wait-"

"Just – just please don't tell anybody, Potter," Lily said, looking at him in a way that was so different from what he was used to. For the past month Lily had been so different from the young woman he had grown up with, and it wasn't just Campbell's lessons. She so much more reserved from the outspoken girl in the past five years.

James looked a little hurt. "I wasn't going to, Lily."

Lily allowed a brief smile to flicker across her face though it couldn't erase the pain in her eyes. "Thanks."


"The Imperius Curse," Campbell said to the class at large, "Is one of the most formidable curses you will ever experience, which is why today we will focus on working to overcome it. Be warned: it takes an extremely strong will to throw off the curse. In order to have a chance, you need a strong sense of purpose."

Lily shifted uncomfortably in her seat beside Beth Quagmire. If she had a purpose, it was not to let Campbell control her. So many things could happen: he could never take off the curse, and Lily would basically be his slave, she could receive brain damage… The possibilities were endless.

"So, Ms. Macdonald, you're first."

One after one Campbell called up the students: Mary sang the Muggle national anthem – she wasn't the best Lily had heard – Peter imitated a squeaky rat, though all the Marauders looked like they were holding in grins, and Daphne Cargrah did a back flip to much applause.

"Ms. Evans, you're up," Campbell said, ushering Lily like a normal teacher, but there was a glint in his eyes that screamed danger.

Nevertheless, she walked forward on shaking legs, but not before she caught James's eye. What was it he had told her?

Mind over matter.

It was a simple questionof whether or not she had a stronger will than Campbell. When casting Unforgivables, Lily knew it was much more than saying the incantation, thus giving the caster an already superior amount of control over her, but if she had enough willpower to fight, then she had the chance of beating Campbell.

Lily took a deep breath and faced a smirking Campbell. Without warning he pointed his wand at her and whispered, "Imperio."

The most blissful feeling washed over Lily. It was like there was nothing wrong in the world; she was just floating, content to drift in the endlessness for eternity.

Flap your arms like a chicken.

Was that a voice? Why did it sound so familiar?

Flap your arms like a chicken!

Lily did nothing. She could hear the familiar voice and there was a flicker of anger in her, interrupting the bliss that she was in.

Do what I said!

Campbell! That's why the voice sounded so familiar, and suddenly the flicker grew within her, burning hotter and hotter the longer Campbell's voice bounced around in her head.

No. I refuse.

I repeat: flap your arms like a chicken.

Get out of my head.

Do it – NOW!

"GET OUT!" Lily didn't realize that she had screamed the last words, and the force of her mental barriers was so strong that Campbell stumbled backwards and tripped, landing flat on the floor.

Lily's fury had built until it erupted, temporarily inhibiting any magic from harming her. She could still feel the burn tickle her skin, her fingers tingling with magic.

Campbell got unsteadily to his feet, gasping. He glared at Lily. "The point of this exercise was to show you what the Imperius felt like. I do not recall telling you to try to harm me-"

Lily angrily opened her mouth to respond, but James beat her to it.

"Well, she learned, and she was able to repel it! Since when is it a crime to succeed?" he shot at Campbell.

"Mr. Potter, it is not in your place to question the Ministry and its methods. I suggest you keep your mouth shut."

"The Death Eaters won't care!"

"Ms. Evans, hold your tongue!" Campbell shouted. "All events relating to the Death Eaters have been blown out of proportion, and I can see that all of you have bought Professor Dumbledore's accusation. As Minister Leach says, wizards don't have anything to fear as long as they stay out of the way."

"Who told the Minister to say that? Voldemort?" The words were out of Lily's mouth before she could stop them. The class gasped as one, and Campbell stared at her.

How stupid was she to accuse the Minister of Magic himself of working with Voldemort? And in front of one his loyal lackies also.

"Ms. Evans…" Campbell spat, and Lily fought down her guilt, Alice's words coming back to her. Why should she feel guilty for telling the truth and standing up? Of course, Lily doubted that Alice was thinking about this kind of thing.

"So? It's not like it's not true?"

"Ms. Evans! Headmaster's office – NOW!" Campbell practically screamed, and Lily left without a second glance.


"Hey, Evans! Wait up," James called, catching up to her just as she stood in front of the gargoyle that hid the way to Dumbledore's office.

"Potter? What are you doing here?" Lily asked incredulously as James skidded to a stop right next to her.

James grinned. "After you left things started to get out of hand. Let's just say that Campbell blamed me for throwing a Dungbomb in his face."

Lily stared at him. Though she had always been set against any pranks that the Marauders might pull, she couldn't deny that she wasn't angry in the smallest way that James had flicked a Dungbomb at the teacher.

"Once a Marauder-"

"Always a Marauder," James finished for her. "Cauldron Cakes."

The gargoyle sprang to life and leaped aside. Lily stepped forward and knocked on the door loudly.

"Enter," Dumbledore's voice said, and Lily pushed open the door.

She had always been awed by Dumbledore's office, with the little trinkets and portraits. Fawkes the phoenix, magnificent as ever, stood on his perch and peered at Lily curiously.

"Ms. Evans, Mr. Potter-"

Dumbledore was interrupted by a loud banging behind them; Campbell had thrown the door open in his fury. He saw Lily first, and seethed, "Professor Dumbledore, I cannot have one of your students accusing the Minister of Magic of working with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named without proof. Nobby will be informed of your inability to keep your students under control."

Dumbledore surveyed Campbell over the tips of his fingers. "I have a hard time believing that Ms. Evans would accuse anybody of working with Voldemort without good reason. Being one of our brightest and most talented students, I believe that we need to hear her defense-"

"No we don't," a voice said loudly and clearly from behind Campbell. Lily felt her heart sink as Nobby Leach, the Minister of Magic, strode though the door with a scowl on his face. Campbell bowed low, and if Lily had any respect for him, it would have plummeted at the irritating gesture.

The Minister nodded at Campbell. "Thank you for Flooing me."

Leach stood in front of Dumbledore. "The Wizengamot and I have just made law that any accusations of a high-ranking official will be treated as an attack on the Ministry, something that most people would treat as treason. Ms. Evans," Here he glowered at Lily, but she stuck out her chin in response and didn't do anything until he looked away, "will also be treated as such."

"That's nice," Lily spat, "You're taking away any freedom that wizards and witches still have left."

Leach ignored her and continued, "Seeing as Ms. Evans does not have a respectable Wizarding family to back her up, she will be forced to follow any rightful justice the Wizengamot sees fit to apply alone."

"Who says she doesn't have anybody backing her up?" James said in a fierce voice, and Lily had almost forgotten that he was here. She tried to dissuade him with a small jerk of her head; she wasn't going to let anybody else go down with her, but James ignored her – a first.

Leach smiled coolly. "She needs a respectable Wizarding family-"

"The name Potter still carries a lot of weight, Minister," James shot at him. Lily had never seen him play that card, using his family name to sway people, not to get on the Quidditch team and not to convince Lily to go to Hogsmeade with him. It just wasn't James, and Lily could tell he didn't like it. Neither did she.

"Mr. Potter, I hardly think that a minor such as yourself can make the decisions of your entire family."

"Ask my parents, Minister," James said. "I'm sure you know that there are no other Potters in the Wizarding world."

"Mr. Potter-"

"He's right," Dumbledore interrupted, "If Mr. and Mrs. Potter are willing to back up young Ms. Evans, the Wizengamot will need a trial for Ms. Evans."

Leach glared at Dumbledore, and Lily pressed her lips together to keep from smiling; everything was going the exact opposite of what the Minster had planned. "With everything going on it would take months for the Wizengamot to fit in a trial."

"But if the Potter family does indeed want a trial, then you shall need to wait. Ms. Evans will have every freedom granted to British witches until the trial."

"Dumbledore, now you listen here-"

"Unless you would like to break the law, thus proving Ms. Evans's theories correct. Then she will have much more evidence in the trial that will come."

Leach's face grew steadily redder until Lily could have boiled an egg on it. "Fine, but if the Potter family is no longer in the picture, then the Wizengamot will be free to choose Ms. Evans's fate."

"They'll agree," James said in a determined voice. "They don't like you that much. They much prefet Millicent Bagnold from Head of Magical Law Enforcement."

Dumbledore smiled. "I think that clears everything up. Minister, you're free to leave my office until I inform you otherwise."

I'm alive! I know that it's been almost two weeks, and I am so sorry. Unfortunately, I 'm still a little behind, but I wanted to get this chapter up because I just feel so bad that I haven't updated in FOREVER!

So please let me know what you think! You could be really super nice and give me my birthday present in the form of a nice, long review. Please, please, please! What do you think about James having to use his "old Wizarding family" card to help Lily? Or the Imperius Curse lessons? I think that most of you can guess the main reason why I'm putting that part in my story beside the extra drama :D

Your Cinco de Mayo Muggle,

5-Birthday-Nerds